Emma alone has had the virtue and courage to confess it. She has already been punished for her disobedience; suffer her now to obtain the recompense of her candour. Such is the integrity of her heart, that she would rather endure any personal mortification than expose her sister to disgrace; it is that such firmness may be rewarded, that I have thus unwillingly deprived Caroline of her expected pleasure."

All the company listened with astonishment to this account; and Caroline, overwhelmed with shame, had retreated from the middle of the room, where she had been triumphantly awaiting the crown, to an obscure corner. Mrs. Burton, though much pleased with the amiable conduct of Emma, was greatly mortified on finding her eldest daughter capable of such falsehood. She thanked her friend for having enabled her to do justice to both; and calling Caroline to her, said: "I need not represent to you, Caroline, the meanness of falsehood, I perceive that you feel the mortifications to which your conduct has exposed you; but painful as the displeasure of your friends may be, it is trifling in comparison with what you must feel from the consciousness of having committed a great sin in the sight of the Almighty; -on your knees humbly ask

punishment on you, convinced that your own conscience, and the contempt of your friends, are more painful than any thing I can inflict. Let this prove to you a salutary lesson; and learn from it, that falsehood, however artfully concealed, will eventually be discovered, and expose you to misery both in this world and the next." Having finished speaking, Mrs. Burton left the room for a short time; when she returned, she took Emma in her arms, and tenderly embracing her, said: "I cannot express to you, my dear child, the pleasure your conduct has afforded me. You now so fully perceive the benefit arising from a strict adherence to truth, that I need not dwell upon it. Continue, my dear, to persevere in the same integrity of conduct, and you will become happy yourself, and an ornament to society." She afterwards crowned her queen of the fête; and in addition to the wreath of roses, tied round her head a silken fillet, on which was embroidered "THE REWARD OF TRUTH."

I need only add that the day was spent in uninterrupted happiness; that Emma became as amiable as a woman, as she had been as a child; and that Caroline, remembering this one impressive lesson, became the counterpart of her sister in every grace and every virtue.

HYMN.

After a Walk in the Spring.

BY MRS. OPIE.

I.

THERE seems a voice in every gale,
A tongue in every opening flower,
Which tells, O Lord, the wondrous tale
Of thy indulgence, love, and power.

II.

The birds that rise on quivering wing, Appear to hymn their Maker's praise; And all the mingling sounds of Spring, To Thee a general pæan raise.

III.

And shall my voice, great God! alone Be mute, 'midst nature's loud acclaim? No; let my heart with answering tone,

IV.

And nature's debt is small to mine;
Thou bad'st her being bounded be;
But, matchless proof of love divine!
Thou gav'st immortal life to me.

V.

The Saviour left his heavenly throne,
A ransom for my soul to give;—
Man's suffering state he made his own,
And deigned to die, that I might live.

VI.

But, thanks and praise for love so great, No mortal tongue can e'er express; Then let me, bowed beneath thy feet,

In silence love THEE, Lord! and bless.