touched my heart-Eden and its inmates before and after the transgression.'

'The domestic scenes, Miss Ellen; that shows the true woman- -I like that! But does not Milton show himself a master here?'

Whatever is his

'O, yes, sir, he does! subject, he is master of it; but I cannot like so much intrigue of evil spirits, so much horrid imagery, such deformities and tortures, such pride and malignity. Powerful in delineation and rich in ideality as it is, I do not love "Paradise Lost;" I prefer less imagination and more nature. I know it may be said that these personified vices and evil passions of humanity may be reduced to mere abstract qualities, and that then they will be but representations of reality, of nature; but Milton has so lucidly, so palpably embodied them, and made them actors in such vivid, almost visible scenes, that to divest them of their personal identity seems a sort of metamorphosis that few would be guilty of, even if they possessed the requisite mental concentration. I like "The Lady of the Lake;" it is a poetic romance of exceeding interest, and for sweetness of description is quite unequalled in my limited sphere of reading; the conclusion, too-was there ever any

thing more beautiful? But still I love Bryant best; he is a home-poet, his flowers are our flowers, and his vales and rivers are ours. He revels not in gorgeous visions of the imagination, but stoops to the violet and the dew-drop, listens to the flow of the fountain and the song of the wild bird, and watches over the waking of the stars and the death of the flowers. The pathos and poetry of his descriptions are actually surprising, considering their perfect fidelitytheir minute, unequivocal truth.'

'Your taste is excellent, Miss Ellen; it is pure and feminine-not altogether accordant with my own in every particular, but more natural and unsophisticated. Here is a volume you will like; poems by Felicia Hemans, the most delicately imaginative, the most accomplished of poets, and what is still better, one of your own sex.'

A

"Thank you, it is a prize I have coveted much; but we have wandered into such a garden of poetry I had quite forgotten the object of my visit. You are, I believe, the school agent for this district; have you yet engaged a teacher for the approaching term?'

'No, my dear, I have not.'

'Perhaps you will think I have a deal of as

surance to propose to engage in such a task myself, but if you do not think the idea too obviously preposterous, will you have the kindness to hear my little plan?'

"Certainly, and assist you in it with all my

heart.'

You know, sir, my circumstances; you know my father's-misfortune, my mother's ill health, Viola's helplessness; I, alone, of all the family am competent to combat resolutely the trials of our poverty. I have health, and a disposition to be useful; but I know of but one way, one practicable method of becoming so; for although I am in the enjoyment of good health, my constitution has been never strong, and, of all things in the world, an incessant application to needle-work is the most wearing. I cannot engage in any occupation that would call me altogether from home, and there seems, indeed, nothing left for me but a school. Diligent study, and an unremitting devotedness to my task, may give me some claim to success.'

I have no doubt, Miss Ellen, but your qualifications are fully adequate to the task. One half of a teacher's success depends upon her talent for discipline; decision and perseverance, a sweet, unruffled temper, and a dignity and

tenderness of manner, are very requisite to win the love and command the obedience of her pupils; but though you possess these qualifications in an eminent degree, still you will have trials such as you may not dream of now. There is apt to be, among ordinary scholars, a jealousy and envy of their teacher's favor, and it is a very difficult matter to preserve a strict impartiality toward those whose characters and tempers are dissimilar. There will be much rudeness and vulgarity, and wanton mischief to be encountered in such a medley of uneducated and profane children; your devotional feelings will be often shocked, and your delicacy wounded; you will find many refractory and rebellious spirits to deal with, and it will be not infrequently necessary to inflict chastisement of some kind, which, judging from your lenity and tenderness of heart, will be a trial of no ordinary severity. I do not mention these facts to discourage, but rather to caution you—to prepare your mind for difficulties that will be unavoidable, and are only to be conquered by much. firmness and patient attention.'

'I have thought of these things, Mr. Caldwell. My experience as a scholar has given me some knowledge of the trials of a teacher.

Nothing but stern necessity would have induced me, at this early age, to engage in such an important and perplexing occupation as the instruction of children so neglected in their habits and uncultured in dispositions as are usually huddled together in our district schools. But with your permission, sir, I will make one trial; and if I fail, that God who tempers the wind to the shorn lamb, will, in some other way, provide for me.'