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written, will be given for the amusement of the reader, together with some extracts from the volume itself. The first life that was read in this collection was that of Lady Jane Grey, whose virtues and accomplishments are so justly celebrated. Her historian thus speaks of her early acquirements.

"She spoke and wrote her own language with peculiar accuracy, and the French, Italian, Latin, and Greek, were as natural to her as her own. She had also some knowledge of the Hebrew, Chaldee, and Arabic; and all this while comparatively but a child. She had a sedateness of temper, a quickness of apprehension, and a solidity of judgment, that enabled her not only to become a mistress of languages, but of sciences also; so that she thought, spoke, and reasoned on subjects of the greatest importance, in a manner that excited general surprise. With these extraordinary endowments she had so much mildness, humility, and modesty, that she assumed no pride in consequence of her acquisitions."

When this life was concluded, the children unanimously petitioned Mrs. L. that none of theirs might be read that evening; but she would not yield to their entreaties, and desired the reader to proceed with the subjoined manuscript, which was as follows:

"Miss M. P. was the daughter of respectable parents, and was born at W- in Middlesex; a

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very pleasant town, with two churches and a bridge. When she was nine years old, she went to pay a visit to her cousins at Norwich, which she enjoyed very much, and staid half-a-year: she went in the mail coach. At twelve years of age she came to Mrs. L's school; at which time she was four feet nine inches high; a light complexion, eyes and hair the same. At school she has not, perhaps, made quite so much proficiency as could be wished. Her disposition she was

rather —her natural temper· as to her disposition

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Here this narrative broke off abruptly; the writer having declared, when she had proceeded thus far, that "she could not write hers at all."

The following evening they read the interesting life of Frances Maria, of Rochebeaucour; "the daughter of a poor tax-gatherer, in Switzerland; who was left an orphan at eleven years old, with a little infant brother to protect and maintain. Having nothing left her by her parents but a little cottage by the side of a wood, and some old furniture, they must have perished for want, but for the industry of Frances Maria. From the age of seven years she had been able to knit a pair of men's stockings in two days. These habits of employment were of great use to her in her poverty; she set herself to spinning, sewing, and knitting alternately; and thus provided for their necessities. A girl, at twelve years old, living

alone in a poor cottage, providing entirely for herself, and taking care of an infant brother as if he had been her child, was an affecting sight. Many mothers in the neighborhood brought their children to see, saying, 'Come and see a girl of twelve years old, who conducts herself like a woman, and passes her nights in providing for her little brother.' One day, in the midst of a severe winter, when the ground was covered with snow, a she-wolf, followed by five of her young, suddenly entered poor Maria's cottage, and sprung at her little brother: Maria could have saved her own life had she then fled; but, staying to rescue him, the savage animal sprung at her throat, and she was instantly strangled. Thus died Frances Maria, at the age of fifteen."

The manuscript life which followed this was then read.

"In a pleasant village, situated within 30 miles of the metropolis, in the year 1804, Caroline W. It was in the year 1804, that Caroline W. in a pleasant village within 30 miles of the metropolis.Caroline W. was born in the year 1804, in a pleasant village within thirty miles of the metropolis. She was the eldest of five children, whose names were Marianne, Esther, Susan, and George: being the eldest, though some people thought she was indulged on that account, yet, in her opinion, there were many respects in which she was the worst off. Children are so

troublesome; and she was often obliged to take care of the youngest. She has been much happier in this respect since she came to school; though there is a great deal to do here: and we have to rise very early these cold mornings. What will happen to her when she leaves school and is grown up, it is impossible at present to determine."

The next life in the volume was that of Francis De Beauchateau; a youth of learning and genius; of whom it is recorded, for the encouragement of others, "that he was very slow in learning; but that what he wanted in promptitude, he supplied by labor and constant application; and it was thus that he became learned almost in his cradle. In addition to more laborious studies, he displayed a turn for poetry, and his compositions were such, that it was scarcely believed they could be the work of a child. He also excelled in music: yet such was his modesty, that when in company, he would never put himself forward to converse with his elders, though well able to do so: but would rather play with children of his own age: yet if called upon to converse, or to exercise his musical or poetical talents, every one was equally delighted and surprised."

This life was succeeded by the following composition:

"Betsey B

she was born (if the time we must fix) In the year in the year, eighteen hundred and six.

Her father's a lawyer, if that must be told;

And as for her mother, she's too apt to scold:
Of daughters and sons they have plenty (no matter)
Though but three of the former and five of the latter.
Of Betsey, the youngest, now what shall we add?
Whose life must be published, the good and the bad.
She's a droll little body, that 's fond of a joke;
Whether that to her praise or her blame may be spoke.
Sometimes she writes verses, which all can't attain;
Which if she rehearses, some folks call her vain.
She laughs more than any, but sure that may pass,
She learns less than any, alas! and alas!"

Next followed a sketch of the life of Howard the Philanthropist, whose character is too well known to need any extract here; we therefore pass immediately to that which was placed next to it.

66

Biography is a very useful study; and it is in this view that the author of the following annals wishes to introduce to the public the subject of the ensuing lines. M. A. C. left the paternal roof at the early age of three years old, to live with her aunt in Berkshire. After that—nothing particular occurred after that, till she came to reside at Mrs. L -'s school, where she has been two years and a half; and nothing very particular having happened here, she has nothing to add of material consequence. Finis."

The following evening they read the life of Thomas Garratt, who died at the age of thirteen.

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