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forth the tender bud:-afterwards, the apostle says, afflictions produce them. The actual time of trial is sometimes too overwhelming for much to be done but now is the hopeful and advantageous season. O, let it not escape unimproved. These words are full of consolation to the afflicted ones who feel that sorrow is doing its kind office who can already say, " It is good for me to be afflicted." Let them be comforted by the experience of David. He, like them, "before he was afflicted went astray :" and they, like him, (if they do not suffer present impressions to die away,) will have the unspeakable happiness of being able to add,-" now have I kept thy

word.'

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XXXVI.

"I CAN DO WITHOUT IT."

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THIS is one of the best mottos in the world or one of the worst, according to the meaning attached to it which will appear from the conduct of two young people who were acquainted with each other; each of whom happened to take the above sentence into frequent use. Eliza disliked and ridiculed the manner in which it was applied by Ruth; and Ruth could not but disapprove of the way in which it was used by Eliza. The purpose to which Ruth appropriated the words, and the way in which she came to adopt them as her motto, shall be explained in the present paper.

Her parents were persons of superior educa

tion, but their income was limited and narrow; so that they were compelled by their circumstances, as well as inclined by their good sense, to study economy. Ruth entered into the prudent and sensible views of her parents at an early age; and her general conduct gave them so much satisfaction, that on the day she was fourteen, her mother informed her that from that time she should be intrusted with the purchase and entire management of her own dress; and that her annual allowance would be increased accordingly. The sum now allotted to her was such as her mother considered sufficient, with prudence and management, to meet all her real wants and reasonable wishes.

When Ruth received her first quarterage, the possession of a sum of money so much larger than she had ever been mistress of before, made her feel a little giddy. However, she deposited it safely in her desk, resolving not to touch it till it was really wanted. Economy her mother told her, did not consist in grudging to supply our wants but in restraining the desire for superfluities. Not many days after she had entered upon this new responsibility, Ruth accompanied her father and mother to a neighbouring market town, where they frequently went to make purchases, as they lived in the country. She had often been with them on former occasions; but it was with sensations entirely new that she now walked through the busy streets of this town, and passed its long rows of well-furnished shops. Heretofore she had surveyed the various tempting articles they exhibited merely as an amusing spectacle; and with no more idea of possessing any of

them than one has of purchasing the curiosities of a museum. But now circumstances were altered. Here were things, and pretty things too, that she might have if she pleased. And this thought, notwithstanding Ruth's prudent temper and good resolutions, presented itself to her mind temptingly.

The first thing that struck her as a real desideratum was a steel purse, of which she saw several, glittering in a jeweller's window. There were also silver ones, but of these she did not allow herself to think. A new purse, now that she had so much more to do with money, appeared very suitable for a first purchase.

"Mamma," said she, touching her mother's elbow, "would you stop one minute? I think I should like one of those purses." Her mother who was aware that this day's excursion would prove rather trying to her daughter's prudence, replied, "yes, I will stop a minute; but we will wait here, that you may have time to consider before you go in, whether you want a new purse. "To be sure,' ," said Ruth after a moment's thought, "I have my old silk one; but thenah well, I can do without it," she added; and without giving another look at the shop window, she hastened on.

"Now," said her mother," you have saved five or six shillings by that moment's consideration.

At this time beaver hats, trimmed with satin, were much worn. There was a capital hátter's in the town; where two large bow windows, furnished with every variety of shade and shape to suit all fancies, caught the eye of the fair passenger: some loaded with nodding plumes, others

with most becoming pink satin linings, and trimmings to match; and some with broad embossed bands, and dangling tassels.

"Mamma," said Ruth, again, as they passed this shop, "would you stop one minute? don't you think a beaver hat would be very warm and comfortable for me this winter ? and besides, how it would save my straw! That is a very pretty one, is it not?-just my size, I should think ;shall we go in and inquire the price?"

her;

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"If you wish it we will," replied her moso they entered the shop, where genteelly dressed lady was then in the act of purchasing one of the very same shape. Ruth seeing this, jogged her mother, that she might notice such a sanction to her own choice. They now inquired the price of the article in question. "That hat, ladies, is one guinea, only," said the shopkeeper.

Ruth darted an inquiring look at her mother, to know whether she thought it cheap or dear.

"You recollect your straw hat, I suppose, my dear," said her mother. "Straws, ma'am," interrupted the shopkeeper, "are now considered uncommonly common :-quite out, in fact. We have a surprising demand for beavers at the present time our manufacturer assures me he cannot get them made up fast enough."

Ruth's respect for beavers and contempt of straws were wonderfully heightened by this speech.

"Allow me, ma'am," continued he, "to recommend the young lady to try it on." Ruth, knowing this would be a hazardous experiment, again looked at her mother: she then reflected a

moment;" (which, it must be confessed is a difficult thing to do, dispassionately, in a room full of hats and bonnets,) and then whispered to her mother, "I wish we had not come in, for after all, I could do without it." "I am very sorry we have given you any trouble, sir," said her mother to the shopkeeper, "I believe we shall not purchase one this morning."

The shopkeeper bowed coldly; and whether he or Ruth felt most disappointed it would be hard to determine.

Soon afterwards, her mother had occasion to go to the stationer's. This shop displayed a great variety of articles of different sorts and value, from toys to telescopes. After looking about for some time, Ruth said to her mother, "I am very glad I did not buy a beaver hat, how much better it would be to have something that would last! see, are not these pretty ?" added she, pointing to some small plated inkstands, "they are only fifteen shillings, I find." Her mother smiled. "Ah, you are thinking of my writing desk very true; I can certainly do without it," continued Ruth; and with this consideration she got safely out of the shop.

Her mother had now finished her business in the town but as they were returning to the inn, a pastry-cook's window reminded Ruth of a new want. "Mamma," said she, " are not you hungry? I am very had not we better go in and have something?"

"I thought you brought some biscuits in your basket," said her mother: " True, so I did," said Ruth, so we can do without it.'

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When they reached the inn, the chaise not