man, in regular gradation, from the painted card-rack and gilded fire-screen, to the humble thread paper and shirt-button. Mrs. Fox was a fine, fashionable looking woman, with a smooth countenance, and still smoother address. She received her visitors with that overstrained complaisance, which, to Mary's nicer tact, at once discovered that all was hollow; but poor Miss Grizzy was scarcely seated, before she was already transfixed with admiration at Mrs. Fox's politeness, and felt as if her whole life would be too short to repay such kindness. Compliments over-the weather, &c. discussed, Mrs. Fox began:

"You must be surprised, ladies, to see me in the midst of such a litter, but you find me busy arranging the works of some poor protégéés of mine. A most unfortunate family! I have given them what little instruction I could in these little female works; and you see," putting a gaudy work-basket into Grizzy's hands, "it is astonishing what

progress they have made. My friends have been most liberal in their purchases of these trifles, but I own I am a wretched beggar: They are in bad hands when they are in mine, poor souls! The fact is, I can give, but I cannot beg. I tell them, they really must find somebody else to dispose of their little labours-somebody who has more of what I call the gift of begging, than I am blest with."

Tears of admiration stood in Grizzy's eye her hand was in her pocket. She looked to Mary, but Mary's hands and eyes betrayed no corresponding emotions; she felt only disgust at the meanness and indelicacy of the mistress of such a mansion levying contributions from the stranger within her door.

Mrs. Fox proceeded: "That most benevolent woman, Miss Gull, was here this morning, and bought no less than seven of these sweet little pin-cushions. I would fain have dissuaded her from taking so

many-it really seemed such a stretch of virtue; but she said, "My dear Mrs. Fox, how can one possibly spend their money better than in doing a good action, and at the same time enriching themselves." Grizzy's purse was in her hand. "I declare that's very true. I never thought of that before; and I'm certain Lady Maclaughlan will say the very same; and I'm sure she will be delighted-I've no doubt of that to take a pin-cushion; and each of my sisters, I'm certain, will take one, though we have all plenty of pin-cushions; and I'll take one to myself, though I have three, I'm sure, that I've never used yet."

My dear Miss Douglas, you really are, I could almost say, too good. Two and two's four, and one's five-five half crowns! My poor protégéés! you will really be the making of their fortune!"

Grizzy, with trembling hands, and a face flushed with conscious virtue, drew forth the money from her little hoard.

But Mrs. Fox did not quit her prey so easily. "If any of your friends are in want of shirt-buttons, Miss Douglas, I would fain recommend those to them. They are made by a poor woman in whom I take some interest, and are far superior to any that are to be had from the shops. They are made from the very best materials. Indeed, I take care of that, as" (in a modest whisper) "I furnish her with the materials myself; but the generality of those you get to purchase are made from old materials. I've ascertained that, and it's a fact you may rely upon."

Poor Grizzy's hair stood on end, to hear of such depravity in a sphere where she had never even suspected it; but, for the honour of her country, she flattered herself such practices were there unknown; and she was entering upon a warm vindication of the integrity of Scotch shirt-buttons, when Mrs. Fox coolly observed:

"Indeed, our friend Miss Grant was so conscious of the great superiority of these buttons over any others, that she bespoke thirty-six dozen of them to take to Scotland with her. In fact, they are the real good old fashioned shirt-buttons, such as I have heard my mother talk of; and for all that, I make a point of my poor woman selling them a penny a dozen below the shop price; so that in taking twelve dozen, which is the common quantity, there is a shilling saved at once."

Grizzy felt as if she would be the saving of the family by the purchase of these incomparable shirt-buttons, and putting down her five shillings, became the happy possessor of twelve dozen of them.

Fresh expressions of gratitude and admiration ensued, till Grizzy's brain began to whirl, even more rapidly than usual, at the thought of the deeds she had done.

“And now,” said Mrs. Fox, observing her eyes in a fine frenzy rolling from her lapful