As

with an expression which clearly betrayed that "I don't know," sighed Clara with tearful she in this respect had suffered painful experi- eyes. "I believe it was designed that there ence. "There may be that in the character of should be more joy than pain in the world, but the parents which may destroy the happiness it is rather a vale of misery than an abode of of the children for ever. Oh! it is dreadful happiness; we are here, however, only in a when the child must say to its mother, Why state of probation. All will one day become did you give me life? And when we give life good and manifest, when this is over. to a child, how do we know that we shall be things now are, it appears to me that she who able to watch over its happiness? Perhaps we remains single is always the happiest. She die early, and leave behind only little, poor or has only to care for herself; she can bear her phans. Oh no! do not marry! it leads only to burden alone, without distressing another with misfortune and misery. Are there not unfortuit. She can pass quietly through the world; nates enough already in the world? Is it not foolish to be the means of increasing this number?"

"But one does not die; one has a profitable employment," cried the sisters.

"It may be, it may be!" answered Clara warmly. "We may live; we may be rich; are we, therefore, sure of happiness and peace! Does a husband always continue the same? Is your husband precisely the person that can make you constantly happy? Do you know what it means a miserable marriage?" Clara became more and more excited. "Look at the gloomy, wet, cold, foggy day"--she pointed out of the window-"it is like the life of a woman in an unhappy marriage? The sun, the flowers, all that is beautiful and amiable changes before it passes the threshold; all shrouds itself in hoariness; body and soul grow numb, and every hope grows pale before the ice-breath or the stormy character of a husband. He can play with impunity the tyrant in his own house, and she then is converted into a worm, a serpent, or an angel. To an angel! yes, if she perish in her misery-if she is able to suffer all for-but no! that is too heavy, too bitter! God send her death! Ah, venture on no such hazardous game! Do not marry! do not marry!" Clara's tears ran in streams.

Miss Greta, in wonder at the long speech of Clara, had raised herself in bed. Resting herself on the one fully-healed arm, she gazed at her attentively, and finally exclaimed, "Are you sáne? are you actually in earnest to withhold people from marrying? My good child, how then shall the world be in a condition in honourable style to roll on its way? Perhaps you are of opinion that it would be for the best if some fine day it should go down altogether?" Clara looked as though she did not see any great harm in that; but she only replied, "Those who really love each other, let them marry."

"Now God be praised!" said Miss Greta; "there I see at length an escape. But all the others, who have not the luck to be fooled in each other till death?"

"These may help the rest in the management of their households and the education of their children, and particularly fly to the assistance of those who groan under the weary yoke of this world."

"As I understand the matter," observed Miss Greta dubiously, "these good people shall indefatigably labour for others, and think no farther of themselves. But Clara, what fortune shall then be awarded to the poor wretches of helpers in this world; since it is nevertheless certain by the will of the Lord, that every one shall receive his portion of happiness and joy

on earth?"

We

needs burden no one, neither in conversation
nor conduct; she is nowhere fast bound, and
can without trouble go out of every one's way.
She needs so little for herself, she can give
away all that she has; she need please no one
except God. What signifies it if we change,
wither up, and lose all external charms?
do not depend on the humours of men; we do
not wait their nod to withdraw ourselves; we
come and go unnoticed and unblamed; a place
on which to lay one's head at evening, that we
find everywhere. Whether it be a soft pillow
or bundle of straw makes no great difference;
we are alone, we have only ourselves to care-
for, and seek nothing but the way to God.".

Clara had spoken without passion, but with deep emotion. Tears stood in Miss Greta's eyes as she continued to gaze on Clara with astonishment. Some words of sincerest feeling lay upon her lips, but she suppressed them; laid herself quietly down; and only said-“ It seems then, that though you have permitted marriage to those who really love each other, that you hold even this for half a folly, and are of opinion that it is best to remain unmarried, and to concern oneself with the world as little as possible

"Yes, it is so," said Clara, and went on sewing with the greatest earnestness.

The three cousins looked in wonder on Clara, on each other, and all opened their mouths. to speak, when Miss Greta made a signal with her hand, raised her voice, and spoke thus:

64

Listen to me, young ladies; and especially you, Clara, listen. I will relate to you a story."

She let Clara arrange her pillows: took a convenient, half-sitting, half-lying position; and began as follows :*

One day the Virtues became weary of living altogether with the Bishop of Skara, and they therefore resolved on making a journey, in order to breathe a little fresh air. As they were about to enter a boat for this purpose, a poor woman with a pale child approached, and implored charity. Pity put her hand immedi. ately into their travelling purse, and pulled out a piece of money: Economy, however, drew back the arm of her companion, and whispered in her ear-What extravagance! give her a ticket for soup for the poor!'

66

'Foresight, who constantly carried a number of these tickets about her, after she had made more exact inquiries into the circumstances of the poor woman, consented to give her one of them. Pity, encouraged by a hint from Gener

*They who will open Bulwer's "Pilgrims of the Rhine" may trace the origin of this story, and judge of themselves in the sense, as well as in the working out the imitations and essential deviations which present and application of it.

"The next day the Virtues separated, and went each, by herself alone into the world, after having agreed that day twelvemonth to meet again in Stockholm by the statue of Gustavus Wasa, in the Parliament-house square, and there to hold a 'plenum' on their own and the nation's affairs.

"Courage blackened his mustaches with lapis infernalis and directed his course to the north. On the way he met the knight Don Quixote, who advised him to arouse the ambition of the fair sex which had so long been suppressed, and to incite them to have self-assistance and selfdefence.

osity, pressed secretly the money into the mea- softer voices were scarcely heard; and as finalgre hand. Zeal presented her with a copy of ly Generosity excited by Zeal, declared herself the Penny Magazine;' and pleased and thank-for the separation, Foresight dared no longer to ful, though with a glance of indifference at the raise her dove's voice, but bit her nails, and at latter gilt she went away. length went out to order a new pair of shoes for "The Virtues now began hastily their voy-the journey. age; mild winds blew around them, and in edifying conversation on the last serinon of the Bishop, they were borne thence by the dancing waves. Suddenly, however, a black cloud drew itself over the heavens. Foresight, who had bought a new bonnet for the journey, begged that they might go ashore, and seek shelter from the coming tempest. Courage was for defying the danger, but Prudence came to the support of Foresight, and they finally agreed to land. There observed they a boat which steered directly upon them, and whose passengers were in the highest degree jovial, and made a tremendous noise. It was a little company of Vices to which Good-humour had joined herself, and who now pursued their journey with the greatest delight. In passing by, they gave, purposely as it seemed, such a rude jolt to the boat of the Virtues, that it was very near capsizing. Courage took fire, he seized the strange boat, and was in the act to deal his blows among the crew, when Humanity threw herself between, and received on her cheeks the cuffs which the contending parties designed for each other. This pleased Good-humour so exceedingly that with one bound she sprang into the boat of the Virtues, and in doing this, gave such a violent shove to that of the Vices, that it nearly upset, and was borne away. Zeal and Love of Truth prepared to send after the Vices a cargo of insults, but Generosity gave them a signal to be silent; For,' said she, 'vice carries its own punishment with it.'

"This pleased Courage extremely. While the two knights discoursed on the eventful metamorphosis of the hitherto so-called weak sex, they rode past a church out of which issued a marriage train. The new-made bride was an extraordinarily beautiful young lady, who did not seem quite a stranger to Courage, for she nodded friendly to him as she entered the carriage; this pleased Courage so much that he immediately selected her to become the model of her sex, and embraced the very first opportunity of introducing himself to her. What took place in the new household after this interview, is known in all the coffee-houses of the city of X., and they have pronounced their judgments thereupon. It is related that the young lady became immediately after the wedding as it were metamorphosed, and the husband thereupon nearly mad. Nothing was heard out of the mouths of the young couple but angry words and menaces, which speedily proceeded to blows. Finally the wife called out her husband to fight a duel; but upon this she was, on the recommendation of her own sex, clapped into a lunatic asylum, and the affair gave great scandal in the city and

"In the mean time the storm-clouds had disappeared, and they continued their journey amid the most agreeable conversation. The Virtues visited many cities, one after another, and everywhere they sojourned they diffused blessings. Trade flourished, men became cheerful, many marriages took place, and people could not coin-country round. prehend how it happened that all went so gloriously on earth.

"Foresight chanced in Stockholm to read a long article in a newspaper on this occurrence. "One evening, as the Virtues drank tea in Horrified at the mischief which the folly of the good city of Jönkoping, and ate gingerbread Courage had occasioned, she reflected on all the to it, they boasted of their effects. Prudence, dangers and cross-grained accidents to which enraptured with their beneficent achievements, one is exposed in the world, and determined in was just rising to make a sort of royal speech her wisdom to withdraw entirely from it, satison the influence of the Virtues on mankind, fied that the highest good fortune to be attained when her eye accidentally fell on Humility, who here is to escape with a whole skin. In consecast on her a dubious glance. A member of the quence of this conclusion she took lodgings with company here, after much exordium, made the an old unmarried lady, who from fear of thieves motion that the Virtues, as they could effect inhabited a couple of attics four stories high. much more good if they did not all keep togeth- Here Foresight might have spent good and quiet er, should separate, and spread themselves over days, if she had not been tormented with a all quarters of the earth, in order, like the Apos- thousand fears and fancies of all possible dantles, to preach reformation to the world. This gers. Out of terror of fire she scarcely trusted motion was received by all with the most zeal- herself to cook anything; she was apprehensive ous approbation; though I must remark that of becoming ill from lack of fresh air, yet going Prudence and Moderation were not present; out was not to be thought of; she might be run they had withdrawn shortly before the introduc-over by the very first carriage; a flower-pot tion of the motion, in order in the city to replen- might fall out of a window and kill her; she ish the company's stock of sugar and coffee, might break a leg on the steps, etc. No, no! which had pretty well melted away. When going out was quite impossible; and such was they returned they did not delay putting them-the repugnance to this, that out of fear that she selves in opposition to the adopted resolution, must one day be obliged to go out to purchase a but Courage and Zeal bawled so loud that the new gown, she had not the courage to wear her

old one, which was already torn in sundry places. [ly were they all together, had extended to each At length it came to that pitch that she could other the hand, and recognised each other, than neither stir hand nor foot. She had infected their appearance began to change, and every her landlady, the old maid, with all her fears Virtue to acquire its former character. Pru-、 and scruples to such a degree, that when at dence took from her travelling medicine-chest length a fire broke out in the house, the two an ointment, rubbed therewith the darkened friends dared to make no efforts for their escape, eyes of Zeal, which speedily opened themselves, and must certainly have perished in the flames, beaming with their former fires. Good-humour had not a chimney-sweep and a carpenter taken was so struck with the dry, ghostlike appearthem on their backs and brought them out of ance of Humility, that she became sober on the danger. spot; and the Virtues resolved to strengthen themselves in the next hotel with a banquet and a bowl of punch: there should every one relate his travelling adventures, and take a resolution for the future. 'Brave' exclaimed Courage, and gave Foresight the hand; Good-humour took Humility under the arm and led the way, the rest all cheerfully following.

"In the mean time Zeal ran about in the world, gossiped, cried, preached, and drove mankind first in one direction and then in another. He tore the peasant from the plough, the mother from her children, and the officer from his bureau, to give to each of them other employment. Then he ran suddenly off, and left them to take care of themselves. As he turned himself from Europe towards China, in order to convert the heathen, he came too near to a mine in Russia in the moment of its explosion, was caught by the powder, and lost-alas, alas !both his eyes! Still he ran some time longer about the world, creating naturally nothing but confusion, and came into collision with the police. He was ultimately compelled to provide himself with a conductor, who for a certain remuneration led him back to the place whence he had come.

"It would be leading us too far to repeat all the adventures with which the Virtues entertained each other over the bowl. Suffice it to state the resolve which at the end of the sitting was unanimously adopted by all present; this was, that from this time forward the Virtues should always travel together, and should separate as seldom as possible, since they found that each one given over to herself, without the counsel and support of the rest, only played the fool. With this resolution all the Virtues were highly satisfied. They concluded the feast with "Humility, it is true, had not passed through a song which Good-humour improvised, and such hazardous adventures; yet neither had it which they styled the League of the Virtues.' gone extraordinarily well with her. Separated As I no longer, however, recollect perfectly the from her companions, she cut such a pitiful and verses of which it consisted, and have no desire lamentable figure that nobody would have any-by mangling them to convert good-humour into thing to do with her. After she had dragged herself, with bowings and curtseyings, through the whole world; after actually crawling on her knees, knocking at all doors, and everywhere saying, I am not worthy to loose the latchet of your shoes,' and had been everywhere attacked and ill-used, she turned herself homeward, and ⚫ reached Stockholm completely in rags, and nearly dead.

:

ill-humour, I here close my relation, leaving to my hearers the application of it."

The young ladies were enchanted by the story, yet would put questions and seek explanations; but Miss Greta did not go at all into them, but only begged her young friends to digest the matter each according to her ability.

Eva and Aurora soon rose to take leave. Eleonore followed them, after she had request

"Here, at the foot of the statue of the hero-ed permission of Clara to come again, to speak king, saw she, one after another, all her early with her farther on marriage. Miss Greta travelling companions arrive. But, great heaven! claimed for herself the right to be present, and how changed were they. They could scarcely be that as an advocate for the lover. Eleonore, recognised. Zeal had lost his fiery eyes, and smiling and sighing, agreed; yet on her way was lame of the right leg. Courage carried an home the question of marrying went on in her arm in a sling, and had in the highest degree mind with a yes, then a no, then a yes, and then the look of a mauvaise sujèt. Mildness was cov- a no again. Aurora and Eva were deeply enered from head to foot with sores and blue gaged in projects of purchasing for themselves weals on her former angelically soft brow an-elegant dresses for the next representation of gry passion had seated itself, and every third the amateur theatre for the benefit of those who word was a curse. Generosity had all the air had suffered in the town of W. of a comedian; he declaimed and ranted inces- Miss Greta, who now associated in her santly. Patience and Pity were become so thin thoughts the tulle-devouring lover with Clara's and transparent, that they could not be seen horror of marriage, said to her with great seriwithout the deepest compassion. Good-humourousness, "Clara, either you are an extraordinary was anything but sober. Prudence found her- creature, or you are proceeding on a most perilself in better case; but she was become haughty ous path." and boastful; she measured with an air of deep thought her steps and words; took snuff every minute, carried her head aloft, cast looks at her companions over her shoulder, turned up her nose, and was unbearable.

Clara was silent; and Miss Greta continued"Your repugnance to marriage is not natural. I can very well conceive that people do not enter it with so light a heart as they enter a ball-room: but your repugnance, and the views It may be imagined whether, under such re- which you entertain of life generally, are equalversed circumstances, the meeting again of the ly unchristian and opposed to nature. Man is Virtues was a pleasant one. To confess the not made to be alone. I cannot indeed exactly truth, they resembled, in their present assembly, say that it would be agreeable to me to be rethe Vices far more than the Virtues. But scarce-garded by you as a person fit for a madhouse, if

Finally Count Ludwig broke the silence, and said to Edla with an expression of deep disThe Countess at parting was ice-cold toward satisfaction, "You depart, you withdraw yourEdla. "A pleasant journey," said she, with self for a long time, and leave me behind in the indifference. "I have given orders that every-most painful uncertainty. You will not allow