secret, and straightway practised it, how many marriages were happier than, alas! they are!" Louise kissed her aunt's hand with ardor. "I feel that it must be so. Where this confidence is absent, the married, even after wedlock, are two strangers, who do not know each other. It should be so: without this there can be no happiness. And now, aunt, the best preservative of female beauty?" Her aunt smiled and said, "We may not conceal from ourselves that a handsome man pleases us a hundred times more than an ill-looking one, and the men are pleased with us when we are pretty. But what we call beautiful—what in the men pleases us, and in us what pleases the men-is not skin, and hair, and shape, and color, as in a picture, or in a statue; but it is the character; it is the soul that is within these, which enchants us by looks and words, earnestness, and joy, and sorrow. The men admire us the more they suppose those virtues of the mind to exist in us which the outside promises; and we think a malicious man disagreeable, however graceful and handsome he may be. Let a young maiden, then, who would preserve her beauty, preserve but that purity of soul, those sweet qualities of the mind, those virtues, in short, by which she first drew her lover to her feet. And the best preservative of virtue, to render it unchanging, and keep it ever young, is religion - that inward union with the Deity and eternity—and faith; is piety—that walk ing with God, so pure, so peaceful, so beneficent to mortals." "See, dear heart," continued the aunt, "there are virtues which arise out of mere experience. These grow old with time, and alter, because, by change of circumstances and inclination, prudence alters her means of action, and because her growth does not always keep pace with that of our years and passions. But religious virtues can never change; these remain eternally the same, because our God is always the same, and that eternity the same, which we and those who love us are hastening to enter. Preserve, then, a mind innocent and pure, looking for every thing from God. Thus will that beauty of soul remain for which thy bridegroom to-day adores thee. I am no bigot, no fanatic; I am thy aunt of seven and twenty. I love all innocent and rational amusements. But for this very reason I say to thee, Be a dear, good Christian, and thou wilt as a mother, yes, as a grandmother, be still beautiful." Louise threw her arms about her neck, and wept in silence, and whispered, "I thank thee, angel." ANON. WALNUT, BLACK. Juglans Nigra. LANGUAGE-INTELLECT. CLEAR on the expansion of that snow-white forehead Yet, O, the expression tells that thou hast sorrowed, REPLY. MRS. E. L. EAMES. Tell me no more Of my soul's lofty gifts! Are they not vain Might find a resting-place, a home for all Its burden of affliction? I depart Unknown, though Fame goes with me; I must leave The earth unknown. Who born so poor, Of intellect so mean, as not to know MRS. HEMANS. What seemed the best; and, knowing, not to do? POLLOK. WEEPING WILLOW. Salix. LANGUAGE FORSAKEN LOVER. 'Tis said the bitter word has passed Lips sealed, till now, with many a kiss; Farewell! I never thought the word Farewell! O music, sad, but sweet, When thus 'tis uttered, whence thy spell? ANON. Many a swan-like song to thee Hath been sung, thou gentle tree! Many a lute its last lament Down thy moonlight stream hath sent, Willow, sighing willow! Therefore wave and murmur on; Sigh for sweet affections gone, And for tuneful voices fled, And for love whose heart hath bled, |