Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1813-10-16

bonnets and laced shoes, OF the present
day, shall be forgotten.
There lately removed to Phiisdelphia,
a widow lady, having two daughtees'
the eldest distinguished for her beauty
the youngest remarkably plain IN hef
features. The charms OF Margaretta
soon became the theme OF conversation
IN the circle to which they were nitro
duced, while Lucy, her neglected sister,
was scarcely spoken Of, except as con-
trast to Margarctta. -
The eldest, OF course, received every
attention from the f1attering and fashion,
able world-was the first invited to e.
very party, and the foremost to lead OH
the dance at every assembly. Beauty
rendered her vain. Accustomed to a
dulation, she could i'll bear the friendly
admonitions of her mother, and often
has her parents cheek been wet with
tears drawn forth by the angry express
sions of her child. Fla,tered though
not Ioyed-caresscd though not esteem.
ed, Margaretta became lost to every
thing but self-the poor-the sick-her
mother, and even her God, were all tor
gotten, in her devotion to her beauty x
her pleasure.
While Margaretta was thus blooming
like tho sunfower, gazed al and admired
by all around her Lucy, like the hum.
ole and delicats violet, was scarcely no.
ticed as existing, when the illness OF her
mother brought Doctor R--,a late
eminent ply sician, to an acquaintance
with the family. The Doctor was an
acute observer, and could not fail TO re.
mark, while Marsaret'a was often ab-
sent, with what unrem itted and tender
solicitude Lucy watched over her SICK
parent. Pleased with her Affection
the simplicity of her manners and the
correctness of her department, Doctor
R. engaged in conversation with her, x
found, united to most unaffected good
ness and piety, correctness OF TASTE
extent of reading, and elevation OF sen
timent that charmed him. And from
his intercourse with the poor. he soon
learnt that Lucy was their most kind be-
nefactress in want and ,Selr tenderest
nurse in sickness
A few weeks after, Doctor R. was en-
quired of, what he thought of the hand
some Miss Margare;ta Anandale, as he
had lately an opportunity to become &C.
quainted with the family" You err"
said the Doctor, " it 10 Lucy that is
hand somest," Pardon me, SIR" said
the other, g but you have certainly mis-
taken their names, Margaretta is the
beauty" "I'm rigbt-I'm right" re-
Joined the Doctor, I" 1t is my motto
Handsome are that handsome do And
he thus took occasion to speak OF the
virtues and accomplishments Of Lucy.
A month did not pass away before
complete revolution was effected in the
public taste. marguerite was neglected
while Lucy was even troubled by the
attention lavished upon her. Stlll she
maintained her modest and reserved
manner, shrinking into retreat rather
than counting applause, and every body
agreed, that though her features were
not 50 regular, yet that there vas aH ~.
describable sor ething of sweetness and
grace, that was more attractive thar
beauty, in her appearance. The las.
accounts from the family mention that
Lucy was soon to be married 10 Mr.,
Wnrthington, a young clergyman ofes-
tablished worth and merit, from Della
ware; and If the prayers of the poor and
the sick could avail her she could not
tail to be happy.
Certain is the conclusion as light &C
companic. the sun, sparkling eyc--a
rosy lip-regula lar features aud All elegant
form, are not half so attractive-so love.
ly-as duty TO parents-piety-kl
to he sick and gentleness OF disposition:
Beauty is the frail flower that pcrishes
with the season Virtue is the oak that
defes the storm Of years.
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