The Sun.
London, England, 1851-03-06 00:00:00

TIIE SUN,

MAGAZINES, &c.—(CONTINUED.)

COLB URN'S SERVICE.
One of the :twit promising articles in point of en-
tertainment which has appeared in the pages of this
Periodical is " A Reminiscence of Cuba," commenced
ha the number for the present month; " Pencillings
()t. the Prairie," " Sketches of the War in Hungary,"
and " Reminiscences of a Voyage to Canada," are
concluded, as well as that excellent series of papers on
the present
construction of the French army. There
a a capital notice of the farewell proceedings of the gal-
lant hero of Meanee on the termination of his connexion
With the Indian army ; an interesting account of a
viit to the Danish army during the siege of .Friede-
tiehstadt in S'.ptember last, and several pages of the
11, sual sterling worth. The opening contribution on
The Relations of Great Britain with Siam," is emi-
nently worthy of considerate perusal. It is exceed-
ingly well written, and pregnant with important
utter, which deserves to be prominently urged upon
Public notice.

DUBLIN UNIVERSITY
Tiltefreshed after his February nap, " Maurice
ercaY” re-appears this month with considerable
graphic power, especially in the sketch of the veteran
of x otatenoy Of Wilde's "Boyne and Blackwater"
le_have long,. ere this, spoken favourably in our co-
th"-Ins ; and, agreeing with the magazine reviewer,
4t we know " no book so well calculated to popu-
Lirfte Irish history and to exhibit the attractions of
Irish scenery," it affords us much gratification to find
thathaa second and enlarged edition of so admirable a
ook has appeared. We are next introduced to
the 'r
Lusitanian Parnassus, in an account of the most
hi Tired poet of his time, and one even still held in
48" Consideration, Bernardine Ribeyro, some ex-
tracts from from whose muse, rendered with great
of fiance and perfect ease, are given in the first number
Leaves from the Portuguese Olive." There is also
an
ellent critique, penned with vigour, taste, and
Impartiality, on Mr. Johnston's " England in the
vilddle of the Nineteenth Century," and another of
ti
'7Y great merit, upon four of the highest produc::
21,11°:lS of the female novelists of the day : " Olive,
ja."e the Avenger," "Evelyn," and " Nathalie."
nathan Freke Slingsby is, for once, songless, buth
°thin
i g can be more simply sweet and touching than
43 Prose contribution, " A Legend of St. Valentine,"
beautiful little tale of the early days of Christianity
in lmperial Rome, when the golden roofs of Nero,
the mighty Flavian Amphitheatre were yet un-
L'uredi when she was yet the peerless city of the
st!‘r
th s—not the ruined throne whereon " the Ghost
sfe Old Roman Empire" (as the Papacy was de-
JaatEd by llobbes) sits crowned; "ere the Goth
tthe Vandal had sacked her palaces, or
hugs of Christendom, more destructive than
e barbarians, filched away her precious monuments,
ti marbles, and her statuary ; ere the fury of the
tuiLtribed on swept in a desolating tide over all that
Aia
,rle and Genseric had spared, that Charlemagne
ep)bert of Sicily had left uninjured." The papers
" Ireland—The Past and the Future," and
ti"l'Lle Papal Aggression," the latter of which is based
tP°ll the views put forward in that clever and
tlerti-
e!t little volume, the " Vindicin Anglicanas, are
of
a very high order, and deserve a more particular
1,,,-e't,iee than our limits would allow at present. Ever
ti9elconle are " Leaves from the Portfolio of a Ma-
thi4er." It is true we were no parties to any of the
wibree desperate theatrical riots or " ructions" in the
"tdan metropolis therein commemorated, nor
Were ever present at any of those agreeable " breezes,::
filch are known to fame as the " Mahomet Row,",
bhe "Dog Row," and the " Bottle Row ; '
of We do remember that unparalleled triumvirate
44deVnicalities, Mick Fullam, Ned Williams,
str. Om Johnson, were in the house in Hawkins-
en the night when the former literally died in
tpeanice'so and have a perfect recollection of the un-
two /rle mirth created by the impersonations of the
romios by the latter pair, which ,Mr. Calcratt
ti'oscribes with so much truth and gusto. The men-
to 11 of all these matters by the talented writer recalls
ey ttletnory scenes now approximating to antiquity—
b,„erl so far back as '24, when Rob Roy, with the
"‘ Alacready as the Highland hero, and Miss
°vvard now Mrs. Keeley), as Di. Vernon, made a
4rst
and ineffaceable impression on our juvenile mind.
,_,ln ere amusing or interesting production anent
I,l4tters theatrical than these contributions by Mr.
11%Iic.raft will present, when completed, cannot exist ;
specie there any author better qualified in every re-
pie to handle such subjects. He has materials in
ntY) and need never apprehend becoming tedious.

Th BENTLEY.
ipiri,e current number of Bentley opens with a
aAd cctirring history of the campaign of Edwardes
ecurtland against Moo'raj, before the siege of
is and of the final capture of the fortress ; it
h' lustrated with a portrait of Sir Henry Lawrence.
last article in the Miscellany is also on Indian
Go' and is a continuation of the series on Lord
is I'sugh's victories. The subject of the present paper
aid
much criticised " Battle of Chillianwallah,"
" the writer proves satisfactorily that Lord Gough
NI.
ail obliged to fight that battle, that he had no other
alternative. " zoological Notes and Anecdotes" are
continued, and in the present instalment we may have
4111cla curious information as to the natural history
4t1,(1 habits of wolves. Mr. Wilkie Collins's story,
The Twin Sisters," is most interesting, and
;11,63' justifies his warning to the reader
the conclusion, to quote the story of
The Twin Sisters" whenever he may be told
human
what is impressive and pathetic in the drama of
"lan life has passed away with a past age of chi-
yvklr.Y, Mr. Drummond Wolff continues his amusing
rem of Madrid, and one of the " dilettanti',
rea a diverting history of his adventures during a
Dill 3 to Gottingen to hear Jenny Lind. " The Wig-
irs'a Musical Party " is an amusing drollery, and
ofe ," Churchyard Bride " a very mediocre imitation
tne glorious Ingoldsby legends. We have also
ItiN'eral reviews of recently published literary works,
iodsthe programme of her Majesty's Theatre forlBsl
the present number of Bentley.

FRASER.
).I\l:atwithstanding February is the month in which
4'r'iament opened, notwithstanding since the last num-
Sl°lFra3er was published we have had the Queens
trr•een, the Papal aggression measure, and the Minis
'al crisis, Fraser has no political article this
°lihth. This is the more remarkable, as it is gene-
Y understood that Fraser is the organ of the
turl.eY:ite section of the Peelites. The lovers of the
osities of literature will turn with curiosity to an
"dited
?th letter of Edward Gibbon, dated London, May
hig.'„76, and addressed to M. D'Eyverdun at Leip-
hoic Was engaged in translating the first volume
in Decline and Fall," then recently published,
of Verman. Gibbons' description of the reception
the work is very amusing ;it bad succeeded with
itl(lies, he said, like a fashionable novel, and both
pro enson and Hume had praised it highly. He then
eeds •
besides, I have had the good fortune to avoid the
which is the most dangerous in this country. A.
rap an is always to a certain degree a political cha-
seeker', and every reader according to his private opinion
tql,i 3 in the most remote ages the sentiments of the his-
lg upon kings and governments. A Minister, who
e()%gr!mt friend to the prerogatives of the Crown, has
the Plimentvd me on y having everywhere professed
I Boundait doctrines.m
r. Walpole, on the other hand, and my Lord
lie —"en, both partisans of liberty, and even of a repub-
Tilit,ire Persuaded that I am not far from their fleas.
ae " a proof, at least, that I have observed a fair
Uttar
, ity.
in,,,tet us now look at the reverse of the medal, and
pleuFeet the means which Heaven has thought fit to em-
Sit I° bumble my pride. Would you think, my dear
th4tuuraitty ofinj my
injustice has been carried so far as to attack
a faith? The cry of the bishops, and of
a great number of ladies equally respectable for their
1163 mid understanding, has been raised against me. It
been maintained that the last two chapters of my
rtPjliled History ' are only a satire on the Christian
uti,i4te'n—a satire the more dangerous as it is concealed
the " a veil of moderation and impartiality; and
th
his
t
readetbiisary of Satan, after having long amused
ittc3erti with a very agreeable tale, insensibly leads them
this the internal snare. You perceive all the horror of
shall accusation, and will easily understand that
to °Plaose only a respectful silence to the clamours of
Th enemies."
rei:eadmirers of Isaac Walton, as well as the ad-
gest; s of
Alexis Soyer, the anglers as well
.as the
A °n. omists, will be delighted with an article on
14
alitititnotein, t Fishing and Fish ;" and the hater of
will find matter to his taste in the paper
iq
of
" The Force of Fictions." The most sinus-
" 1,,(4 the articles in this number is, to our thinking,
French History of French Journals and Biography of
Rn f9eh Journalists." The writer, however, does not
urther back in his biographical notices than the
whales of the Empire, and writes with a bias ;
he does more than justice to the Bertins,
,to St. Marc Girardins, and the notabilities of the
itb„l4l.,noi des Debats, he speaks in the most vulgarly
3le terms of Armand Marrast, whom he calls
hit?, vulgar-bred, and reptile-minded," and yet he
Viti If had just before characterised this " low,
quegar-bred, and reptile-minded" person as " un-
vip,stionably a writer of point, brilliancy, and
elt." His account of the quarrels and the mutual
(i,,P_usures of those quondam associates, Emile de
t, stain and Granier de Cassagnae, is excessively rich.
h/x.rvt. automs and Realities" is continued ; and we
v a well-written " Biography of Alfieri," besides
eral reviews.

RE
SUICIDE AT CHARING-CROSS 11,0SPITAL.--
icterday MrsPital. Bedford held an inquiry at Charing.cross
on the body of Samuel Bridge, aged thirty-two,
0, destroyed himself by jumping out of a window oton e
Zute wards on the third floor of the building, a height of.
oat forty feet, on Sunday last, about two o'clock. His
41_411 Was dreadfully fractured in consequence, and he died
tv`il(i)ht immediately in the area below. After bearing the
It„Zace, the jury returned a verdict of " Temporary

IMPORTANT FROM THE CAPE
OF GOOD HOPE.

COMMENCEMENT OF HOSTILITIES WITH
THE KAFIRS.-LOSS OF LIFE.

We have received Graham's Town journals to Ja-
nuary 4. Hostilities had commenced in Kafraria.
The Graham's Town Journal of Jan. 4 says
" On the 24th December a patrol of nearly 600
men, under Colonel Mackinnon, was inveigled into a
narrow and difficult pass by the native police (since
deserted), who up to that time remained faithful to-
wards the colonists. In this defile the Gaikas mus-
tered in great force, and without provocation com-
menced a most murderous onslaught upon the troops,
wherein 38 men and officers were placed hors de CO7ll.
bat. This, surely, is enough to prove that the pre-
sent is a war of the Kafirs upon the colonists. They
fired the first shot, and having obtained a slight ad-
vantage, flushed with success, rode on to greater enor-
mities. The military villages were next attacked—
Woburn, Auckland, and Johannesberg reduced to
ashes, and the whole of their male inhabitants cruelly
butchered. Within five days of the first affair another
engagement took place between 250 of the colonial
forces and the enemy, at the Chuinie Hoek, wherein
the British loss was 20 men and
_2 officers killed, and

11 rank and file wounded—the Kafirs in this instance
also being the first to rush on to the attack, giving
still further proof of their determination to act upon
the offensive.

The following is an official dispatch from Colonel
Somerset:—

Fort Hare, 30;h Dec., 1850.

Sir,—Having had a severe action with the enemy yes-
terday in an attempt to open a communication with the
Commander-in-Chief, I felt it necessary to transmit to
you the substance of my report to him in order to pre-
vent unfounded exaggerated reports being circulated of
the facts.

Having on the night of the 28th and morning of the
29th instaht, before day light, forwarded dispatches to
his Excellency the Commander-in Cnief by a party of
the Cape Mounted Riflemen, this party were intercepted
by the enemy, and very properly returned and made
their report to me. _ _ _

Feeling the importance of holding an early communi-
cation with his Excellency, and at the same time being
desirous of ascertaining what was actually in the front,
I detailed a party of 150 91st Regiment under Lieut.-
Colonel Yarborough, 70 Cape Mounted Rifles, under
Major Somerset; accompanied by a small 3-pounder
gun Royal Artillery, lay object being to take up a
position on the ridge above the Umnazie stream while I
sent a party of Cape Mounted Riflemen forward with the
mail to Fort Cox. This object was, however, defeated
by the enemy showing themselves in considerable force
ou our right on the Yellowwood river, about six miles
from this post, who attacked us as wo were advancing
up the hill towards the Umnazie, whom, however,
we drove back, and for a time established ourselves in
position; from the large body of the enemy whom I
observed collecting, I saw at once that I could not effect
the object I had in view, I therefore directed the troops
to retire towards Fort Hare; at this time a very large
force of the enemy was also observed coming over from
the mountains of the Amatola, and others assembled in
the Chumie Hoek.

The troops continued retiring in admirable order, con-
testing every foot of ground with the enemy, whose
numbers increased out of every valley, as we passed the
successive heads of the various kloofA. The day was
most oppressive. I was able to open the gun upon the
enemy several times with good effect. After retiring
about three miles, while holding a small valley on a hill,
in firing a shot from the small gun, the trail unfortu-
nately broke short off, which rendered the gun com-
pletely unserviceable. I had it brought on until, when
passing a valley with rugged banks, the gun fell over,
and could be no longer got forward. At this time we
were attacked by a very superior force in a thorny
valley, the troops having a hand-to-hand encounter
with the enemy. Here, lam sorry to say, several of
our brave soldiers fell, including Lieutenant Melvin and
Lieutenant and Adjutant Gordon, 91st Regiment; En-
sign Borthwick, 91st, was wounded; also several men
91st and C. M. Riflemen were woundd, and several
troop horses ; also Major Somerset's charger was
wounded. Having forced themselves from this difficulty,
the troops continued to retire in perfect order, when they
were met by 100 men, most judiciously snit out in sup-
port by Major Forbes, 91st, whom I had left in command
at Fort Hare.

The heat of the weather was most oppressive; nothing
could exceed the steadiness and gallantry of the troops
throughout this most fatiguing and trying service
through a most difficult country ;—I am greatly indebted
to Lieutenant-Colonel Yarborough, commanding 91st,
and to Major Somerset, commanding Cape Mounted
Riflemen, for the able assistance they afforded, and the
way in which they led their men, and to all the officers
and troops for their steady and gallant conduct.
The loss of the enemy was considerable, our fire being
steady and well-directed, having contested the ground
with the enemy for upwards of four hours.
The gun I have had brought in this morning.
I have, &c.,
11. SOMERSET, Colonel Commanding Frontier.
FRONTIER DISTRICT ORDERS.
Fort Hare, Dec. 30th, 1850.

Colonol Somerset desires to express to Lieutenant-
Colonel Yarborough, Major Somerset, and the officers
and troops engaged with the enemy yesterday, his high
sense of their exertions and gallant conduct.

Deeply does the Colonel Istnent the loss of those gal-
ant officers and soldiers who fell in the action.

The communications. with Fort Cox having been in-
terrupted it became the Colonel's duty to endeavour to
communicate with the Commander-in-Chief for many
important reasons. _

The result has proved that it was not possible to effect
this object, the troops having to contend against such
superior numbers in most difficult ground for four hours.
The troops had to contend against the enemy (retiring,
however, in perfect order) who brought large bodies of
fresh troops up on both flanks from each successive
valley as it was passed. Notwithstanding these obstacles
and tho advantage on the side of the enemy, the steadi-
ness of the troops was admirable; contesting every point
of ground, and eventually reaching the post iu the
highest order.
Major Forbes, 91st Regt., commanding in Fort Hare,
having with great judgment sent out 100 men in sup-
port of the retiring force, whose timely aid was of the
greatest assistance.
Colonel Somerset also de,ires to express to Captain
Carey his thanks for the able manner in which he con-
ducted a forced march to afford aid and protection to a
weak esoort, which was said to be on the road from Fort
Peddle, through the country occupied by the enemy.
This responsible duty was conducted with judgment,
energy, and success. Captain Carey, and the officers
and troops under him, merit the Colonel's thanks and
approbation.
Colonel Somerset will not fail to bring the conduct of
all these troops under the favourable notice of his Ex-
cellency the Commander-in-Chief.
H. SOMERSET, COL Coen. Frontier.
(By command) C.D. BELL, Lieut. C.M.R., Act. Adjt.
Major Burnay, R. A., Com.
The following is from a supplement to the Gra-
ham's Town Journal of December 31.

The following particulars, contained in letters re-
ceived this morning, could not be extracted in time
for our first edition, the post having been ordered to
leave Grliham's Town three hours before the usual

time.
Extract of a letter dated :
Block Drift, 27th Dec., 1850.
I doubt not you have already heard that war has com-
menced up heree
were
er ee rousedarnest. and
tCohldritshtamtatshemKoarnas hadirng,
attacked at
four
r the
o'clock,
w troops, and that we were to hold ourselves
in readiness for what might take place. In the atter-
noon we received information of an attack on Johannes-
Berg, and of the murder of three of the settlers. Shortly
afterwards news was brought in that Woburn had shared
the same fate. Supt. Stacey and Supt. Phelps (of Ely)
were killed. Stevenson was also there to dine with
them, but on seeing the Kafirs approaching he sprang
on his horse and rode off to Gwali. Both the above
places are burnt to the ground. Auckland has likewise
been attacked, and it is reported that all are killed; but
another report says that a few are still alive, and are
defending themselves in a small fortification made on
the night of the attack. On the same night sixteen of
the Kafir police decamped from the fort, taking their
arms with them. About three o'clock next morning
their station was in flames, and by daylight was burnt to
the ground. Yesterday morning the whole of the police
at Junction Post mutined and took possession, but they
allowed Lieutenant Wahh and his sergeant to leave un-
molested. Yesterday a company of the 91st went out to
the relief of those at the Giveli, and where engaged with
the Kafirs the whole way back; six of the enemy were
seen to fall, three of whom were supposed to have
been policemen. While I am writing the Cape corps
are engaged with the Kafirs in sight, close to
Wynne's house, part of which has just been burnt. A
company of the 91st have just passed the door to scour
the hills. The 91st that were out yesterday behaved
gallantly, they extended themselves in skirmishing or-
der, and called out to the Kafirs to come on. None of
our men were hurt.

We have been expecting an attack hourly. A few of
the settlers who have escaped have come in; the women,
also, that escaped have had to make the best of their way
through the bash. The scenes that have taken place are
too horrible to relate. The Cape Corps are still fighting.
I can now see a large body of Kafirs on the ridge from
Wynne's house, which is still smoking,
Twelve o'Clock—The fighting is still going on very
near the fort. The whole of the police have deserted
Davis, and I have just heard that those at Davis's Post
have gone over to the enemy. The Kafirs say we may
expect them to-night.
Extract of a letter dated Fort Hare, 26th Dec.,
1850 :
Our Christmas has been a very unhappy one. Poor
Dr. Stuart is killed, and Major Btssett wounded; also
Catty of the 6th. 16 men of the 45th killed, and some
of the 6th; but I do not know at present how many.
They have burnt down the military villages near Fort
Hare, viz., Auckland, Woburn, and Johnnesberg—Ely
only at present being left. At Johnnesherg the scoundrels
killed 26 men, 8 women, and 11 children,* and 3 men
killed at Woburn. These numbers we are certain of,
and perhaps there are many more, but their number is
not known. The Kaffir police have deserted in this dis-
trict, with their arms, and were engaged with the C. M.
Rifles this day. You must not be alarmed, as I do not
think many Kafirs can enter the colony at once, but they
are very saucy. The C.M.R. have behaved very well
,ndeed.
I have just been informed that the 6th lost 10 men
killed and 10 wounded; also about 20 men, supposed to

be the 73d regiment, killed, and 5 rou!e waggons taken,
with drivers, &c. All this is horrid, but we must Look
forward to better
Another hand writes :

A party of 15 of the C. M. Rile=, and a party of abz-gut
30 of the 91st were engaged from one to three o'clock
yesterday. The C. M. Rifh are spoken of in the highest
terms.

Nine o'Clock.—The Kafirs have burned a house
within sight of the post, about a mile off. A party of
the C. M. Rifles and the 91st went out yesterday. The
Kafirs kept them hard at it for two hours. The Kafirs
were never known to fight before as they fight now.
Extract of a letter, dated

Fort Hare, 26th Dec.

The whole of the military villages have been de-
stroyed. A patrol is now going out to ascertain what
damage is done. The Kafirs also have burned the police-
station, only 300 yards from the fort.
Eleven o'Clock.—A report has just come in that the
troops have been fighting the whole of the night at Fort
White. It is supposed that twenty men have fallen
on our side, and that some more have fallen in
Colonel Mackinnon's division. The murders that have
been committed at the military villages are teuly heart-
rending—men, women, and children share alike. A
girl of twelve years of age was hanged by the Kafirs.

* This is doubtful, subsequent information stating
that the women and children were spared.—Editor of
Graham's Town Journal.

THE ADVERTISEMENT.
(From Eliza Cook's Journal.)
" Now, Laura, my love, write as I dictate, and take
care of your stops."
" Yes, mamma, I am quite ready."
" Well, begin. Wanted a Governess; that is the
usual heading of such things, I believe. Let me see—
comma after Governess—then go on ; to instruct three
young ladies in French, (comma) Music,"—
" Oh, mamma," interposed the writer, " We muse have
Italian too."
" '

" Well, put down Italian before Music, with a comma
between, then go on—Singing, and the ordinary branches
of a sound English Education (full point). She will be
expected to take the entire charge of the wardrobe (full
point). She must be of an amiable and social disposition,
(comma) and—now what shall we say here?"
" Of genteel manners, mamma."
" Well, you may set down—accustomed to genteel so-
ciety—l think that will do. Oh, yes—add, as she will be
treated as one of the family."
" But these people, mamma, expect something to be
said about salary."
" Ah, true; I had almost forgotten that part of it.
What shall we say? We gave your last governess fif-
teen pounds: I think for twenty we ought to get quite a
superior person. Add—Salary twenty pounds per annum.
Ample references must be given. Apply to—add the ad-
dress, my love; and now, Harry, will you be good
enough to get that advertisement inserted in the limes
and Herald."

Harry Ferrers, who bad been sitting in an adjoining
room during the dictation of this remarkable advertise-
ment, was the only son of the gay Mrs. Ferrers, who
WAS now on the look out for an accomplished governess
for her charming daughters. He was the eldest of the
family, and had succeeded to the eminent banking con-
nexion of his father, now several years deceased. He
was still young, not yet twenty-five, but he gave indica-
tions of considerable business talents, and his tastes had
been well cultivated in his early years, by a liberal edu-
cation. On being appealed to by his mother, he replied
that he would see the advertisement inserted, and pro-
ceeded to read it over before placing it in his pocket.
" French, Italian, Music, Siaging, a sound English
Education,—to take charge of the wardrobe,—amiable
and sociable,—accustomed to genteel society! Why,
such a woman would be a treasure: I too am just
look-
ing out for such an one," observed the youth.
" How? And for what? asked Mrs. Ferrers.
" Why, for a wife, to be sure! If you find any lady
that at all comes near to this standard, I hope you will
let me know of her. I have never been able to meet
with such a paragon as this."
" Oh, Henry, how you do talk."
" I can find beauty, but without the amiable disposi-
tions; most generally it is allied to conceit. Then, I
find many young ladies sufficiently familiar with French
and Italian, but without anything like a sound English
culture; acquainted with music, but quite ignorant, I
dare to say, of the care of a wardrobe. But one, in
whom all these are united, where, oh! where is she to be
found?"
" Well, there will be applicants enough, I can assure

you."
" What! Can there be more than one such woman
upon earth?"
" Why, only last time we advertised, we had above
thirty applications."
" And were they such paragons as you have described
here?"
" Oh, we selected what we thought the best of them.
You remember Miss Fribsby?"
"Ah!"
" But this time we may be more fortunate."
" True; your high salary may induce some gifted be-
ing to enter the lists."
" High do you think it; why"—
" Oh, don't lower the salary on any account—let the
figure stand as it is; seriously, it seems to me that you
hold the languages, the graces, and the virtues very
cheap: that is what I really mean."
" we offered more we should be positively inun-
dated with applications. You have no idea of the
number of —"
"Of paragon young women—l see. But I shall have
the advertisement properly inserted," placing it in his
pocket and leaving the room—" Adieu; au renoir."
The advertisement appeared in due season, amongst
a long list of similar announcements, in the leading
journals. Ah! many are the palpitating hearts that
beat over these invitations to hard work, a slender sa-
lary, and the vision of a home! Daughters, retaining
the delicacy of past affluence, but now condemned to the
privations and trials of poverty; orphan girls, bred in
luxury and ease, but whom a sudden bereavement has
rendered penniless and destitute; young ladies, full of
accomplishments, and endowed with all the learning that
the most fashionable schools can bestow, but unable with
the aid of these to relieve the almost insupportable
tedium of a poverty-stricken home—hang eagerly over
the Governess columns, and proceed forthwith to indite
their applications, fearful lest, through the slightest de-
lay, they should incur the risk of another disappoint-
ment.
The day after the appearance of the advertisement in
question, a host of letters lay on the boudoir table of
Mrs. Ferrers, which she proceeded to deal with in a
most business-like manner. In the course of less than
half an hour she bad sorted the letters into three several
lots, namely, those decidedly rejected, on account, some
of defective punctuation, others of ungraceful diction,
and a few because of bad grammar and writing. A
second, and much smaller lot, consisted of applications
tram persons " likely to suit," and a third consisted of
doubtful applications, wanting in proper references as to
character, qualifications, &c. Having at length finally
selected six of the most likely applicants, she proceeded
to address notes to those, requesting the favour of a per-
sonal interview.
The next morning the great hall-door knocker of Mrs.
Ferrers was disturbed by the timid tat-tats of a succes-
sion of young ladies, to whom the honour of a personal
interview had been conceded. The first who presented
herself was a slender girl, dressed in black, in appear-
ance scarce over eighteen years of age. The deep
crape upon her garments indicated a recent family loss,
and her pale cheeks and heavy eyes showed that grief
had not been a stranger to her. The interview held
with her was brief and unsatisfactory, as appeared by
the struggling tears she could not conceal, and which
dropped from the long, black eyelashes upon her cheeks,
as she emerged from the hall-door. She was "too
young," and Mrs. Ferrers decided that she was incom-
petent to undertake the office of finishing governess to
her daughters.
The next that appeared was a thin, hectic-cheeked
girl, in a faded silk dress, and plain straw bonnet, neatly
trimmed. She hesitated before she ventured to lift the
massive knocker, and seemed scarcely to have nerve
enough to raise it. She wrung her hands, half turned
to go away; but summoning up her courage anew, she.
at last lifted the knocker, let it fall, and a plush-livened
footman appeared, answered her inquiry, and ushered
her into the house. In a few minutes she re-appeared,
with her head bowed, her shoulders stooping, and she
seemed to stagger, rather than walk away down the
street. Mrs. Ferrers had found her" shabbily dressed,"
and not at all a likely person to impart proper ideas of
gentility to her daughters.
A third came up, knocked without hesitation, and in-
quired " whether Mrs. Ferrers were at home?" The
answer was " Yes, ma'am." " I desire to be shown to
her?"—and she presented her card. The footman cast
his eyes askance at her, and wondered—" can this be
another guvniss?" This lady had no doubts nor mis-
givings. She was evidently accustomed to plush foot-
men; she was not abashed in the least, and was ushered
into the presence of the lady of the house with perfect
self-possession. Indeed, you could scarcely infer from
the expression of her features, when she left the house,
whether she had been successful in her application or
not, so indifferent and thoroughly self-satisfied did she
seem.

Another and enother followed—and at last the sixth
applicant draws near. She looks timid and hurried, as
if too late, and she walks rapidly up to the door and
gives a double knock. Let us describe her as she waits
there, anxious and tremulous. She is tall, round, and
graceful; dark-haired and dark-eyed, a clear, beaming
sweetness mantling her features, and almost speaking
from her delicate ripe lips. Her complexion is fair; and
a warm, rich colour mantles in her cheeks, almost
heightened into a blush by the exercise of her walk,
and the agitation of the moment. She is carefully but
plainly dressed in black silk, her neat mantilla falling
down her back only serving to reveal the outlines of her
finely turned figure; and a little collar, of the finest
point lace, sets off to the best advantage the pure white
of her taper neck, along which float a few glossy curls
of her waving dark hair. But here comes the footman,
and to the young lady's inqniry of " whether Mrs. Fer-
rers was at home?" his answer was—" She is, walk in;"
when she flits through the doorway, passes through the
vestibule, in which two other footmen in livery are in
waiting, is ushered up the grand staircase, treading upon
piled carpet, soft and mossy under foot; then entering a
drawing-room full of classic bijouterie and ornaments,
porcelain and vases, profusely decorated with drawings,
mirrors, bronzes, and pendent chandeliers, she is intro-
duced through a door leading oat of the further end of
this apartment, into the boudoir of. the stately Mrs.
Ferrers, where that lady sits reclining in a superb
fauteuil, waiting to receive her.
moTyheme yenotunagmloand wed
among her
bhoer,and Mrs.
letters.sheFteororkertshmemade slight
was handed to her by the servant—
" Ah, Miss Vernon, you are late! I appointed twelve
o'clock in my note to you, but I see (gg at the