, 1842-05-07

| course of education at that time, ant
perhaps, in point Of real usefulness
would bear a fair comparison with thu
} more imposing sciences" and solo
gtes" which are now presumed to be
taught IN schools of higher pretensions.
Her skill in needlecraf was a most
valuable acquisition to the eldest
daughter of so numerous a family,
and Mrs. Pembcrton avalled herself
fully Of its aid. Edith returned from
school only to take her place as an
~"s,ls;ant TO her mother in the nurse
ry. The maid whose business it
was to take care OF the children, was
not trustworthy, and it became the
duty of Edith to watch over the well
fare OF the little ones, while she EN-
ployed her busy fngersin shaping
and sewing their multifarious gar
ments. Kindly in her feelings, af-
tectionate in her disposition, gentle
and patient in temper, she was dearly
loved by the children. 1t was soon
discovered hat her influence could
do more than the clamor of an impa-
tent nursemaid, or the frown of a
mother whose natural good temper
had been frettcd into irritabilitv. If
4 child was refractory, sister Edith
alone could administer medicine, OF
smooth the uneasy piIlow,-and in
short Edith became a kind Of second
mother to her five sisters and the
brothers.
Had her nature been in the slight
est degree tainted with seIfshness.
she might have reasonably murmured
against the heavy burdens which were
laid upon her at Sc early an age. But
Edith never thought of herself. To
contribute to the happiness of others
was her chief pleasure, and she SEEM
ed totally unconscious of the value of
her daily sacrifices. If any particu-
lally d~isagrecablc piece Of work was
to be done, it was always concluded
that Edith would not refuse TO under
take it; if any n was compelled to
some anticipated pleasure, the
lot was sure 10 fall on Edith; and in
Shert, the total absence Of seIfishness
her seemed 10 be the warrant for
I double allowance of that ingredient
n the U~hITaClUIo of oil around hvr.
Have you never met. friend reader, .
one of those kind, ailectionute,
INGENIOUS persons who have the
mack of doing every thing well, and
he tact of doing every thing kindly?
md did you never obrerve that with Z
his useful and willing person, every I
Jody seemed to claim the right Of
their troubles? Such an one
was Edith Pemberton.
But Edith was not proof against :
hat passion which is usually libelled |
Is selfish and ~engrossing. Edward I
Ellis had cultivated an intimacy with =
Ter young and studious brother, sole
v on her account, and the patience /
With which the gifted 'Senior," assist v
ID the efforts of the Jealous Ssopho- Q
might be attributed less TO +
friendship than to Il warmer emotion. .
Ellis was talented, ambitious and :
ain: but he was also warm-hearted, o
nd susceptible to virtuous impress Il
The perfect %gentleness, the C
eminine delicacy, the modest beauty 8
f Edith had charmed the romantic !,
iudent. and her unaffected admira- p:
of his superior mental endow- II
tents, completed the spell of her fas- IT
His parents, well knowing
strong a safeguard against evil II
.lflucnce is 4 virtuous attachment, :,
lther encouraged his intimacy with :,
ne Pemberton family, without in u
closely into his motives; and a
was content to enjoy the "
resent, leaving the future TO take c.
are ofitsclf. In compliance with his h
his father had given him a lib :,
raj education, but when. upon leav- Il
lg college, he requested permission o
!, study some profession, he met with a
decided negative. 81 wish you to o,
e a merchant, Edward" said his r
!ther, 81 have given you an educa- +
on which will enable you to be an q
heightened and intelligent one, but
pom yourself it depends to become W
rich one. Talents and learning "
,ithout money are of as little use as -,
ough gems; they are curiosities for
lie cabinet of the virtuoso, not val 9
lbles to the man of sense; they must N
polished and set in a golden frame al
efore they can adorn the possessor, o,
r seem precious in the eyes OF the r,
altitude. If you r wealthy. a Q
tile wisdom will procure you a great 4
,putation; if you are poor your 1t
talents only serve a. Il far II
ling rushlight to show you your is