THE TWO PORTRAITS.

On the walls of an ancient mansion in Massachusetts, two family pictures are still hanging, which revive some of the sweetest recollections of my childhood. If a little narrative of the facts connected with them carry half the interest to my little readers, which I feel in recalling them, they may serve for that spell on childhood's ear-a story.

One of these portraits was painted by the celebrated Copley; and the relation of one little fact may serve at the same time to show the power of the artist's pencil, and the excellent character of the gentleman whose features it so faithfully represents.

General Roscoe had been some time in England, when finding himself about to be detained by perplexing and complicated business a still longer time, he sent this portrait home to his anxious family. It was placed on the floor at the extremity of the large hall, and the numer

ous workmen of the various establishments of which he was superintendant, were assembled to look upon the almost living features of their master. One general shout of heartfelt delight proved the excellence of the likeness; but when a favorite cat, who was accustomed to sit on the General's shoulder while he ate, came in, and made various efforts to place herself on the accustomed seat, tears flowed from every eye. The hardy but subdued workmen moved silently away, one by one, and audible sobs evinced the still deeper feeling of those more nearly interested, in the long absent original.

The other picture is of a boy-but before I describe it, I must tell the tale which makes it interesting, and this will involve something of the history of General Roscoe.

This gentleman was an Englishman by birth, who removed to Massachusetts while it was yet a colony. Active and enterprising, enthusiastically fond of civil and religious liberty, and determined to make America his permanent home, he immediately selected a spot favorable for manu

THE TWO PORTRAITS.

On the walls of an ancient mansion in Massachusetts, two family pictures are still hanging, which revive some of the sweetest recollections of my childhood. If a little narrative of the facts connected with them carry half the interest to my little readers, which I feel in recalling them, they may serve for that spell on childhood's ear-a story.

One of these portraits was painted by the celebrated Copley; and the relation of one little fact may serve at the same time to show the power of the artist's pencil, and the excellent character of the gentleman whose features it so faithfully represents.

General Roscoe had been some time in England, when finding himself about to be detained by perplexing and complicated business a still longer time, he sent this portrait home to his anxious family. It was placed on the floor at the extremity of the large hall, and the numer