trials that might await her in the path which she had chosen, she felt no anxiety to be exempted from such clouds as might occasionally obscure its sunshine. She reflected that as the rude winds and storms of the elements strengthen while they bow the noble trees of the forest, so do our minds become strong and vigorous by the trials that we encounter in life's journey. Mr. and Mrs. Collins finally consented that, as soon as peace should be restored to their country, they would resign their beloved one to his guardianship, in whose noble mind and character they now placed the utmost confidence, although a few short months previous he had been a stranger to the hearts of each member of the household. Strange anomaly in human nature! that an affectionate daughter can break, almost without regret, ties which have grown with her growth and strengthened with her strength, and leave those hearts whose every throb is that of affection, to embark on the untried ocean of life with one whose love and constancy she now realizes had never before been fully tested! But so it is ordered, and HE who guides our paths in life knows what is best for all. Dr. W took a reluctant leave of his beloved Adeline, and returned to the duties of a profession to which alone he must look for the support of one who had promised to share his fate, whether for weal or woe.

During the ensuing winter, their correspondence was much interrupted; and though the troops were in winter quarters, and nothing of importance took place, yet any regular intercourse, even by letters, was impossible. As spring approached, the troubles which had so long agitated the country appeared approaching a crisis; a separation from the mother country seemed inevitable, and, as a peaceable separation could not now be expected, war- a civil war was the only resort. The French troops were ordered from their winter quarters in Newport, and the mansion of Mr. Collins was relieved of its foreign occupants. The affairs of the country appeared dark and disheartening while the unnatural war was brooding; but the strong faith of those who guided the helm was not shaken, that brighter days were yet to dawn in the future for so just a cause. A few months after hostilities had actually commenced, Dr. W met with a severe loss in the death of an elder brother, who had already attained to high distinction in the army, and the influence of whose virtues and talents, both in private and public life, had been of the greatest value. Renowned as an orator, as well as a commander, his eloquence no heart could withstand, and the whole country long deeply lamented the chasm which had thus been made by the death of this noble patriot.

In a letter written by Dr. W to Adeline, who, during their previous intercourse, had heard but imperfect accounts of the event, he narrates the following particulars, and expresses the deep feelings to which the occasion gave rise :

On the morning of the seventeenth June, 1775, while discharging my accustomed duties, an incessant firing awakened my fears, and shortly an immense light was seen somewhere in the vicinity of Boston, and soon I learnt that a severe engagement had taken place between our troops and those of the British, with a great disparity of numbers against us. It was on Breed's-Hill, since called Bunker-Hill, that the

action took place. Our men conducted themselves with the coolness of veterans and the ardor of men who felt that all they most valued was at stake, and, as you know, though finally forced to retreat from their simple fortifications of brush-wood and rails, yet their resistance was so determined and resolute, that the enemy was taken by surprise, and it is not probable they will ever again affect to despise what they call our 'raw militia.' When I heard the account, I felt confident that my brother must have been in the action, and too soon I learnt that he indeed was present. I flew on the wings of love and fear, and with much difficulty reached the place of action. For several days I wandered about the spot, my mind tossed by the most distracting emotions, until finally my worst fears received their full confirmation. Imagine my feelings when the truth was forced upon my mind that he whom I had regarded in the light of father, friend, and elder brother, whose fervent patriotism had infused courage into so many desponding hearts, had fallen one of the first victims to the scourge which was so rapidly plunging into deep misery our previously happy country. In vain I sought for his body, to bedew it with my tears, but it was not until long after that some British soldiers discovered it, and restored his loved remains to his sorrowing friends. The bereavement is irreparable to our poor widowed mother, from whom has been taken a son on whose arm she has leaned for support since that sad day on which her beloved husband was wrested from her in a still more sudden manner, and the most devoted affection of the sons which now remain to her will scarcely be sufficient to calm her sorrow.'

The state of excitement caused by the death of him whose loss Dr. W— thus deeply mourned, created a universal feeling that submission to the authority of Great Britain could no longer be sustained. Independence was declared that same year, and every arrangement made to place it on a firm basis.

During the pause which preceded the renewal of the unnatural strife between the mother country and her colony, Dr. W——— urged the parents of Adeline to permit their union to be consummated, and that he might be allowed to take her to his bereaved and sorrowing mother. Margaret had now ceased to oppose a union which she saw was inevitable; indeed she at times entertained a slight feeling of pleasure at the thought of the removal of this cultivated and beautiful sister to such a distance, as no longer to cause in her any feelings of envy at her superior attractions. After a few weeks had elapsed, they were united; and after making a short visit to the mourning mother, which seemed to alleviate for a time the deep grief that had so completely absorbed her heart, Dr. W placed his beloved wife in a small house in the city of B.

Months passed away, and the country was still agitated with war and rumors of war. His duties in the army called Dr. W constantly from his home, and it was only by the most strenuous exertions that he was enabled to provide the comforts without the luxuries of life for her, who had never until now known what it was to need them. At times he was almost discouraged, and the thought of re

linquishing his profession and striking out some new path would suggest itself to his mind; but love for his country's good always triumphed over these feelings, and he determined to fulfil his duties toward her as long as she required his services.

Brighter prospects at length dawned upon them. Peace was declared, and society seemed settling into a calm which permitted talents and energy to be known and appreciated, and Dr. W- found his business and his fame rapidly extending.

The brother who had so early fallen in his country's cause, had left four orphan children, two boys and two girls, the mother having died some years previous. Congress felt that some arrangement ought to be made for the maintenance of these children, who had been thus early deprived of a parent's supporting arm. It accordingly voted to defray their expenses until they became of age. Dr. W- feeling anxious that they should be watched over with parental tenderness, wished his wife to undertake the charge of them, and they were soon placed under her protection. Under such fostering care, eager hopes were entertained that they would prove an honor to the country which had nurtured them, and to the name they bore, which was enshrined in that country's heart. But as the eldest boy was about commencing his collegiate education, a sudden illness snapped the thread of life, and he was summoned to his parents. The constitution of the second son was feeble, and it was thought advisable to send him on a seavoyage; but he returned to die in the arms of those friends who had watched over his early years. The daughters, however, were spared to mature age, and in time were married to men of worth and standing, but their children died in youth with a single exception; and the son of the second daughter remained the only lineal representative of him whose fame time can never dim.

A greater length of time than usual had elapsed since Mrs. W had heard from her parents, when she received a letter from her sister, which awakened the greatest anxiety for her beloved mother. She at once resolved to leave her young family in the charge of her husband, and taking with her her eldest son, hasten to that parent from whom she had so long been separated. She found her mother much changed. The sight of her child and grand-child for a time reänimated her drooping frame, but soon disease again usurped its dominion, and her failing strength renewed the fears of her family, which were confirmed by the attending physician, who pronounced her to be in a rapid decline. At length it was thought that the great experience and skill of Dr. W might possibly be enabled to alleviate the sufferings which were at times very great. On his arrival, Dr. W but too soon, that the insidious disease, to which so many of the fairest and most valued of our community fall victims in this changeable climate, had taken deep hold of a constitution which was naturally firm and vigorous; but he had a faint hope that change of air and scene might retard the progress of the malady. The proposition was therefore at once made to Mrs. Collins, that she should return with Adeline and her husband to their home, where she would have every

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care and attention that affection could dictate. She assented without much hesitation; for although she dreaded the fatigue of the journey, she felt happy at the thought of once more meeting her grand-children, and cheered by the hope that the change might prove beneficial. The journey was therefore undertaken, and by easy stages they reached Dr. W's residence. Surrounded by so many objects of love, Mrs. Collins appeared for a time to improve; her spirits revived, and she trusted that health might yet return. But the gleam was transient, for after a few short weeks of calm enjoyment, the deceitful malady again displayed its insidious power, and Adeline beheld with deep anguish its rapid advancement. Mr. Collins and Margaret were hastily summoned, and it was soon very evident to the whole family, as they assembled around the suffering couch of the invalid, that all human skill was unavailing. A beam of pleasure illumined the wasted countenance of the almost dying woman, as she extended her transparent hand, and the hectic spot, so sure a token of the worm within, became deeper, when she with difficulty raised her feeble head, to gaze with the intensity of love on those of whom she must so soon take a last farewell. So bright and happy were her hopes with regard to the future, that the sorrowing hearts around her would for a time forget their own sadness, while they listened to the utterance of thoughts which were so full of calmness and beauty. 'We shall all meet hereafter,' she would say; this ardent longing for a reunion could not have been planted within us, were it not to be realized. The curtain is now slowly withdrawing which conceals that world into whose deep mysteries I have so often longed to penetrate; soon I shall pass behind it, and though it will then close and conceal me for a time from your view, yet it will again open, and we shall, I trust, meet never again to be parted. All beyond that opening seems to you dark and impenetrable, but to my sight it is unfolding a brightness on which my weak and dazzled senses cannot gaze, without fearing that the permission to enter those blessed abodes is almost too great a boon.'

As they were all watching around her in the peaceful twilight of a summer's evening, she suddenly put her hand to her side, a slight shudder passed over her frame, and she faintly exclaimed, ‘I am going,' and then once more the beautiful smile, which was so natural to her, overspread her countenance.

Her husband and children bent anxiously forward to catch the last faint whisper, but the curtain had fallen and she was indeed hidden from their sight. We will not attempt to portray the scene which followed this dark moment. The example and words of the departed were too deeply engraven on the hearts of those she had left to permit them long to indulge in the deep grief which such a loss called forth.

Soon the sad preparations were made to take the precious remains to that home which had become now so desolate; where they were to be deposited in a beautiful orchard, planted by the hands of the bereaved husband, with whom it had been her delight to watch, season after season, the gradual unfolding of each bud and blossom, until the perfect fruit invited them to gather of its rich abundance. But now a

nobler seed was to be laid in that mould, a seed whose fruit was immortality. What a beautiful tribute it is to the memory of those we have lost thus to deposit the earthly casket, which once inclosed the brilliant gem, within those loved precincts through which they delighted to wander while living, and where we can feel that they are perhaps still hovering near us!

After the last painful duties were over, Adeline took a reluctant farewell of her sorrowing father and sister, and returned with her husband to her home. The faithful servants, who had been born and brought up in the establishment, assembled around the door as she was departing, and entreated her with all the pathos of their ardent temperament that she would not leave them.

'O Missee Adeline they exclaimed, 'oh! do not leave us, Missus gone and now you gone too, what will poor Sambo, and Cato, and Cuffee, and Duarco, and ole Dinah, what will we all do ?'

At these words Dinah could no longer restrain herself, but rushed forward and, throwing her arms around her young mistress' neck, sobbed out:

'Ole Dinah die if young Missee leave her!'

Adeline with difficulty extricated herself from the affectionate creature's embraces, and, although much affected herself, endeavored to subdue these overwhelming demonstrations of grief.

'You will still have your kind old master with you,' she said, ' and Miss Margaret also.'

Oh! yes, we know that,' they replied, and we lub ole Massa berry much, but Missee Margaret not like Missee Adeline.'

It was useless for Adeline to endeavor to convince them that they would still meet with the same thoughtful kindness to which they had always been accustomed; the poor creatures shook their heads but would not distress their kind mistress by saying more. They watched her until she was out of sight, and then returned with heavy hearts to their accustomed occupations.

Margaret had now the whole charge of the establishment. Her father leaned on her for comfort and support, and she did not shrink from her responsibilities. Hers was a mind that found pleasure in reigning supreme, however limited might be the boundaries of its little kingdom. Her household duties were discharged with dignity, and, if she did not excite the love of those whom she governed, she won their universal respect.

Years passed, and although Mr. Collins ceased not to mourn the loss of his wife, it was with a Christian resignation. With bright hopes and a lofty trust he looked forward to meeting again his beloved companion, and awaited without repining until the time might arrive when his call should come. This trast and these hopes spread a calm serenity over his mind, and enabled him to become once more interested in a degree in his usual avocations. The management of his farm required his constant oversight, and he would often go into the fields and assist in the labors of the hay-makers, who could not but work with double ardor ile the mild eye of their revered master was upon them.

Whenever Adeline could leave her numerous cares, she made her