me, were very regular; about thrice in the day she used to avail herself for a short time of my services; and while on these occasions I never remember to have received a cross or discontented look from her, so I never, on the other hand, witnessed that expression of secret satisfaction, or anxious inquiry, which I had often heretofore had occasion to remark.

My mistress spent much time alone in her chamber; but it was rarely indeed, that she took any notice of me, except at those times when I was really wanted. I have known her sit many a time, for two or three hours, working or reading at the table over which I hung, without once lifting up her head to look at me; though I could see her all the time I have observed her light figure pass and repass twenty times before me, without her once glancing at me as she went by. Thus we lived together very good friends; neither of us making any unreasonable demands upon the other. Time, as usual, passed away: but I was particularly struck in observing the different effect of his operations on the countenance of my present possessor, and that of my last. There was, of course, in a few years some visible alteration; but although the bloom of youth began to fade, there was nothing less of sweetness, cheerfulness, and contentment in her expression. She retained the same placid smile, the same unclouded brow, the same mildness in her eye, (though it was

somewhat less sparkling,) as when it first beamed upon me ten years before.

I saw here but few fine things and little variety; except such as the changing seasons, and a moderate attention to changing fashions occasioned: but then, I was never annoyed, as I had been in my last place, with that heterogeneous mixture of fragments of littered finery, with which the room and dressing table used to be scattered in all directions, after the grand operation was over; and which lay full in my view for hours, till my mistress's return at night, or more often till the next morning. All here was neat and orderly; which to me was a very great accommodation; having acquired, in early life, from the orderly habits of my poor old mistress, such a love cf neatness, that any thing untidy was particularly offensive to me. I became, as you may easily imagine, much attached to my present employer, and wished for nothing better than to pass the remainder of my days in her service; but herein I was disappointed.

One morning early, she appeared before me, surrounded by several fair attendants, and devoted to me a little more time and attention than was usual with her. I shall never forget the expression of her countenance, as she stood arrayed all in white, and gave me one more pensive look, which I little thought, at the time, would be the last I should ever receive from her; but so it was.

There was a great bustle in the house that morning, (whatever was the reason,) and I saw my fair mistress no more!

Ever since, I have continued in quiet possession of her deserted chamber; which is only occasionally visited by other parts of the family; sometimes my dear mistress's favorite cat will steal in, as though in quest of her: leap up upon the table, purr, and sweep her long tail across my face; then catching a glimpse of me jump down again, and run out as though she was frightened. I feel that I am now getting old, and almost beyond further service. I have an ugly crack, occasioned by the careless stroke of a broom, all across my left corner; my coat is very much worn in several places: even my new frame is now tarnished and old fashioned; so that I cannot expect any new employment.

Having now, therefore, nothing to reflect on but the past scenes of my life, I have amused myself with giving you this account of them. I said I had made physiognomy my study, and that I had acquired some skill in this interesting science. The result of my observations will, at least, be deemed impartial, when I say, that I am generally least pleased with the character of those faces, which appear the most so with mine. And I have seen occasion so far to alter the opinions of my inexperienced youth, that, for those who pass the least time with me, and treat

me with little consideration, I conceive the highest esteem; and their aspect generally produces the most pleasing reflections.

VI.

THE PLEASURES OF TASTE.

A Dialogue.

FATHER. Come girls, are you ready for a walk?

MARY. Quite ready, papa.

MARTHA. Ready in two minutes, sir.

FATHER. Which way will you go this evening? MARTHA. To the parade, if you please, papa. MARY. To the beach, papa. We shall be in time to see the sun set.

MARTHA. I do n't like the beach; nobody walks on the beach.

FATHER. Then we shall have it all to ourselves. MARTHA. To ourselves, indeed! Mary always proposes those stupid walks where there is nothing to be seen.

MARY. O, Martha! Nothing to be seen! MARTHA. Nothing in the world but the sea. FATHER. That is what we are come on purpose to look at.

MARTHA. Yes, very true: but there is just as good a sea view on the parade, and every body walks on the parade.

FATHER. Come then, away to the parade, if you will; and to please you both, we will return by the beach, and then enjoy the scene to ourselves.

MARY. Yes, thank you dear papa, so we will, (sings)

"And listen to the tuneless cry

Of Fishing-gull, and Golden-eye."

FATHER. A delightful evening!

MARTHA. Yes, very pleasant; and what crowds of company!

MARY. I think I never saw the sea so calm. MARTHA. Pray look at those ladies, Mary. Did you ever see such frightful pelisses!

MARY. How bright that white sail looks, in the distance, with the sun upon it.

MARTHA. But the fringe is pretty.

FATHER. And the sea birds; see how they sparkle in the sunshine.

MARY. Yes;

"The silver winged sea fowl on high,

Like meteors bespangle the sky;

Or dive in the gulf, or triumphantly ride

Like foam on the surges, the swans of the tide "

MARTHA. Genteel girls, are they not? those that just passed us;-I wonder who they are! I