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observed advancing from an opposite part of the plain. Her step sedate and dignified, her countenance radiant `and benignant. She wore a plain robe of delicate whiteness, and a simple wreath of field flowers bound her hair. All eagerly inquired her name; but our fair leader, when appealed to, declared she knew her not, having never seen her before. She would fain have led us off without waiting to salute her; but curiosity prompted us to remain. This personage had no train of attendants; being only supported on one side by a sturdy youth, whose name, as I afterwards learned, was Industry; and on the other, by a maid of stately mien, called Integrity. It was with an air at once of noble frankness and graceful modesty, that she now introduced herself by the name of Happiness.

"Friends," said she, "I make no great pretentions; no such brilliant promises as those to which you have just listened; but you will find me sincere and faithful to my engagements; it is but justice to you, and to myself, that I should reveal my name, and her's who has assumed it. This is her old artifice; she always wishes to assume mine, but her real name is Pleasure. Many suppose that we are, at least, near of kin, and dwell under the same roof; but the truth is, that our families were never connected, and that my abode is far remote from her's. You have now only to choose whom you will follow you have all been seeking me where I was not to be found; now if you wish I will conduct you to my residence. It is true that now and then, a weary votary of my gay rival, after fruitless endeavours to find me in her domains, at last comes to seek me in my native valley, but the greater number of her followers never, never return. Suffer me then, to lead you, at once, to the safe and pleasant abode."

She ceased; and every face seemed agitated with painful indecision; her look, her manner, and her name in

terested all hearts. But during the whole of her address, Pleasure had ordered her music to play; the merry tambourine and tinkling cymbal, flashed over our heads; her silken banners of purple and gold, streamed in the air; the maidens recommenced their sprightly dance; while Pleasure, herself, waving her white arm, beckoned incessantly to the crowd; till, overpowered by her attractions, a very large majority of the assembly turned their backs upon Happiness, and rejoined the rival standard.

Even of the few who stayed, several seemed to hesitate, halting and turning incessantly to listen to the receding music; till at length, they complained that they were unable to keep pace with the quick step of Industry; and that they were disconcerted by the steady eye of Integrity; so, after making an awkward apology to Happiness, they deserted to the merry multitude. The small company who still remained followed her with a cheerful, determined air: and I watched the happy party as it crossed the plain, till it disappeared among the trees that shade the valley of Happiness.

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For my own part, I resolved to follow the crowd to the palace of Pleasure, just to make my observations. As I reached the rear of the procession, I was really disgusted to see several hoary heads nodding to the music, and limbs trembling with age, tottering after the train as fast as they were able. Surely, thought I, these would do better to repose peacefully in the asylum of Happiness?" But I presently learned, that those who have been strangers to her in early life, rarely seek her acquaintance afterwards; and that although Pleasure treats them with marked disrespect, they persist in pursuing her wherever she goes,--the disfigurement of her pageants, and the lumber of her halls.

We soon left the green plain and its pleasant trees in the distance; and proceeded till we reached the suburbs

of a large city, whose domes and spires, and crowded roofs, were just visible through the smoke and vapour. All the bells were ringing, and the streets, lit up with long rows of lamps, resounded with the rattling of wheels and the trampling of horses. At length, the magnificent palace of our leader was discovered, rising above the surrounding buildings, and richly decorated with festoons of variegated lamps. A blaze of light from brilliant chandeliers, shone from its innumerable windows; while the merry sound of the viol and all kinds of instruments, was heard from within. The halls were already thronged with visitants, and we all crowded in, eager to share the entertainment.

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There have been so many descriptions of the interior of this palace, that it would be quite superfluous to repeat them; and indeed it were an endless task. It is but justice, however, to say, that Pleasure had not exaggerated in her description. There were numerous suits of apartments, fitted up to suit the various tastes of the different visiters: many to regale the senses, others to delight the fancy; some, even to feast the intellect. For a time, all was life aud gaiety. New comers, I observed, always seem to think that one half had not been told them yet I could but remark, how many, after a while, would suddenly forsake their pursuits, with looks of dissatisfaction and fatigue; and recline on sofas and couches, where they gaped and sighed, wondering why they did so. Others, with the same uneasy appearance, persisted in pacing from one apartment to another, as if in search of something that ever eluded them and what struck me as a strange inconsistency, was, that several protested they were only come to look for Happiness, persuaded that she was concealed somewhere in the palace; although they had themselves seen her retire to her own quiet vale, quite in an opposite direction. Every hour increased the number of weary and discontented

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faces; the revelry however continued: and Pleasure, to do her justice, made every effort to keep up the spirits of her guests, till she herself seemed nearly exhausted with her exertions. It being now long past midnight, I began to think of retiring, for my curiosity was fully satisfied and I went, prepared with as good an excuse as I could devise, to pay my parting compliments to Pleasure, whom I found reclining on her throne, with a languid eye, and haggard countenance. She received my apologies with coldness, and expressed no wish to detain me; for it seems that Pleasure does not like to be looked at by any but her admirers.

Having escaped from the crowded apartments of the palace, I presently reached the outskirts of the city; where I no sooner began to inhale the fresh air, than my spirits experienced a sudden exhilaration. I breathed freely, and lost the sense of fatigue. Dawn was now breaking over the distant hills; and by the time I regained the plain whence we sat out, a light, rosy tint, the pure blush of morning, was spread on every object: the lark sprang up, and commenced her merry carol over my head a refreshing breeze gently stirred the foliage I felt that I was approaching the regions of Happiness. I now looked about for the nearest path to the valley; which, although I had distinctly marked the evening before, I could not now readily distinguish. At this moment I was unexpectedly accosted by Happiness herself, who being fond of early rising, had overtaken me in her morning walk. She saluted me with a courteous smile, and offered her hand to conduct me to her residence. But at first sight I did not recollect her; my eyes had been so much dazzled by the glare of light in the palace, that I could not see her distinctly, and even when she made herself known to me, I could scarcely believe her to be the same person that I had seen a few hours before. I thought her features plain, and that she looked less

cheerful and engaging; but every step we took together seemed to heighten her beauty, and to render her conversation more animating. At length we reached the valley, and I descried the white turrets of her mansion rising above the trees.

XV.

PLEASURE AND HAPPINESS.

"I PROMISED," said Happiness, "to lead you to my mansion; but this is the hour of morning sacrifice, and we must first repair to the altar of Devotion." So saying, she conducted me to a temple of the most simple architecture, where all the inhabitants of the valley were already assembled. A cloud of fragrant incense, which was the prayers of saints, curled in white wreaths among the trees, and thence ascended in a stately column to the sky. When the solemnities were concluded, Devotion, the priestess, with a serene brow, pronounced a benediction, and dismissed the assembly.

Withdrawing silently from the temple, we repaired to a spacious hall in the mansion, where long tables were spread, furnished abundantly with plain and wholesome provision. At these tables a healthy, handsome woman presided, called Temperance; who did the honours of her board with perfect grace, and with the warmest hospitality. But there was one singular custom: upon a certain signal, given by herself, every one present immediately ceased to regale; and if a cup or dish had been tasted by any of the company afterwards, it would have been considered as a personal affront to the lady herself. Happiness assured me, that if, on any occasion, Temperance chanced to be absent from her place, she herself, (being always subject to fits,) fainted away at

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