was no remedy; she must, she knew, submit to the harsh decree of fate. At the dwelling of this good old man, she and her daughter spent many hours, after visiting the cold turf that covered the remains of her beloved Burns. The earl, her father, once visited her during her illness. He could not endure to see such a victim to his parental authority, but returned home immédiately deeply affected, and heartily sorry that he had behaved so unkind. Old age brought with it a long train of infirmities. He began to be sensible he was not to be an eternal inhabitant of this world. His once in flexible spirit was strangely humbled, when he felt how unable he was to resist the stroke of death, which he thought not far distant. He who had met with no control during his long journey through life, now must bend to that unerring stroke which no wealth nor power could avert. The countess of Brampton, now he most required her attention, had quite deserted him; Edward, too, entirely neglected him; he sunk under the pressure of his spirits. He wrote a pathetic letter to be delivered to the countess of Holden, if she ever recovered; it contained many professions of contrition for his cruel treatment of her: he concluded by saying his days were now nought but labour and sorrow, and that if it were not for an hereafter, he should be willing to leave the world of which he was perfectly weary, having experienced enough of all its pleasures, and all its vanities. [To be continued.] A VACANT HOUR IN JANUARY. By S. Y. If ever you have look'd on better days; If ever been where bells have knell'd to church; If ever sate at any good man's feast; Let gentleness my strong enforcement be.' SHAKSPEARE: AFTER the business of the day I repaired to the house of a friend, to spend the leisure hour; a friend on whom fortune smiled honourable, and generous: I found not, although his heart was honest, him sitting with his little boy upon his knee, and amusing himself by reading the Vicar of Wakefield' to the partner of his joys and cares,' who sat by him at her needle. They really pourtrayed the narrative, and seemed like the vicar, to draw upon content for the deficiencies of fortune: There peace affords a purer joy The ignorance of innocence. I was entreated to take a seat, which I did, and was greatly grati fied to find them so truly happy. My friend regretted he had no better accommodation for me, yet hoped that, ere long, Fortune wonld shed a brighter ray, and make more glad his honest efforts. Many,' he exclaimed, 'seem anxious for my success, and freely be in love, Unseparable, shall, within this hour, As I stopped some time I was entreated to sup, and a steak was dressed, of which I was compelled to partake; after which my friend's wife brought a bottle of old beer, and insisted I should take a little, as it carne, she said, from her good mother. We cheerfully pledged each other in drinking her good health, and wishing her many happy returns of the new year. The real content that existed would, upon contemplating it, have made a stoic feel the enthusiasm of sympathy and compassion. The cottage leaves the palace far behind; What is a lordling's pomp, a cumb'rous load, Disguising oft the wretch of human kind, Sindied in arts of hell, in wickedness refin'd! O gracious Heav'n! their simple lives prevent From Luxury's contagion, weak and vile.' Suffice it to say I took my leave of the happy pair, and retired to my bed; and, in whatever unfavourable view some may consider my vacant hour,' and, however VOL. XXXIX. motley and ridiculous the effusion may appear, it would be well if every one did not make a worse use of a 'leisure hour;' and though the circumstance may be considered as a common-place incident, and my description of it below despised by the virtuous,—as Virmediocrity, it will, I trust, not be tue is not perverted. FASHIONABLE AFTERNOON 1. DRESS of fine thin kerseymere without sleeves, and a short train; the sleeves and front of fine French cambric, richly worked or trimmed with crape of the same colour to match. Headdress, a square handkerchief of crape, or muslin of the same colour, confined within a rich gold band: gloves and shoes to correspond. 2. A long train - dress of soft white satin, elegantly worked and embroidered in a border of green and gold; the front of the dress to correspond, and, the sleeves of entire lace. Head-dress, a tiara of gold, set with rubies, raised on the right side, and sloping down toward the left ear. Necklace of gold chain: white kid shoes and gloves. · veils are worn, falling equally on both sides. Besides blue, dressrobes of white satin, bordered with black plush, are also com mon. LADIES DRESSES on her MAJES TY'S BIRTH-DAY. Her Majesty-As usual on her own birth-day, was not very splendid. Her dress was composed of British point, interspersed with gold Turkish tissue, the drapery tied up with rich pearl bows, and most beautiful gold cords and tassels; at the bottom of the petticoat gold fringe; the mantle of purple and gold tissue, trimmed with gold fringe. Her Royal Highness Princess of Wales Displayed her usual elegance in a dress of amethyst coloured velvet; the train and petticoat richly embroidered with a superb gold and silver Vandyke border, with a most magnificent diamond-cut steel fringe round the train and pocket-holes, which, for their peculiar elegance and effect, surpassed all that we ever saw the drapery most elegantly ornamented with magnificent diamonds, forming wreaths of roses and beautiful stars: the body, sleeves, and front, superbly studded with diamonds; the pocketholes and belt richly embroidered to correspond with the drapery. Her royal highness wore a superb head-dress of diamonds and ostrich feathers, and looked remarkably well. The whole had a most magnificent effect. Princess Charlotte of Wales-A silver tissue frock, covered with Brussels lace; diamond necklace, ear-rings, and a diamond comb. Her royal highness is much grown and improved in person since last year. Her Royal Highness Princess Augusta-Petticoat of rich lilac satin, richly embroidered; the sashes with a rich gold border of chestnuts and leaves; the drapery on the left side with a very rich border in black velvet; the right side, drapery of rich points, with a very elegant black and gold border at the bottom of the petticoat. The dress was truly beautiful. Princess Elizabeth A rich brown satin petticoat, richly embroidered with gold, and enriched with point- lace in sweeping draperies; sleeves of point - lace: train of brown satin, embroidered with gold: head - dress, a bandeau of diamonds and feathers. Princess Mary-A superb embroidered petticoat of gold, upon rich lilac satin; the drapery composed of the same materials embroidered all over, and terminated with massy borders, studded in waves with clear and bright. gold, and branches of fancy flowers and vine-leaves, tastefully interspersed with thick gold rolio in festoons, as a support to smaller draperies of beautiful black lace: the whole looped up and finished with magnificent gold cords and tassels: in this dress there was tastefully blended the beautiful colours of spring, with the richness and costume of the present season: robe, lilac and gold tissue, trimmed all round with broad gold fringe, body and vest ornamented with gold and point-lace. Princess Amelia-A rich lilac satin petticoat, richly embroidered; the sashes with a rich gold border, representing chestnuts and leaves; the drapery on the left side with a very rich border on black velvet; the drapery on the |