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made a serjeant; the callan was sober an' thrifty, an' saved siller ere he was discharged; an' I'm happy to tell your leddyship he's to be buikit, on Saturday, wi' Lizzie Johnstone, as feckfu' a lass as is in a' the parish."

"I am glad of this, as Lizzie is an old servant of mine, and I do believe will make a prudent, thrifty wife. James, you must ask us all to the wedding, and it shall be no additional expense to you."

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I winna mind expenses, ma'am, if you'll honour us wi' your presence."

my

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Ay, all here will come, and Mr Grahame too."

"An' that will be the proudest an' the happiest day bairn ever saw," said the mother.

"Your younger children are at school, I suppose?”

They've gotten a' the schoolin' they'll get frae me; they can a' write an' count, an' read the Bible better than I can do; they're working now, and meikle hae they won sin' spring; the neeps, hay, an' lint pu'ing has na left them a day idle, and now they're a' shearing, either at hame, or out threaving. Pate an' Bell are baith gaun to service at the term, an' the youngsters maun puddle on an' help their mither. I needna tell you how Mary's employed; she's aye thrifty, an' aye cheery; she wins mair siller than ye wad think."

"It gives me sincere pleasure to hear such accounts of your family, and to see you so contented."

"When I was at the school, I got twa copy-lines,

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which I've aye minded, my lady: Provide for the worst, but hope for the best:' an' Contentment is better than riches.""

"Both good maxims, George; but we must not detain you longer at present; we shall see you at the wedding; but I must visit the bride before that time."

"We have not time for any more calls to-day," said Mrs Grahame, after they were out: but tell me, ladies, how you like Susan Blair."

"Oh! we are delighted with her," cried both. "Such beauty, both of mind and person: such hope and pious resignation."

"In early life she was reckoned a beauty, fond of dress and admiration; you see what she now is. Now, my dear friends, we have seen a few characters in a Scottish village; and I trust Miss Vellum will own, that, in the words of her oracle, Crabbe, I have shewn

the humble cot

As truth will paint it, and as bards will not.'

We have heard the widow and the daughter of affliction express their gratitude to God and to good neighbours; and we have heard them speak of a peace which the world cannot give nor take away; we have seen the bronzed cheek of labour glow, and his eye brighten, in the anticipation of better times; we have seen paternal love, and filial regard; and only in one

instance an unhappy, discontented mind; but not one child of real want, and wretchedness, and woe! At James Black's wedding, I hope you will be compelled to own that all our swains are not uncivilized boors, nor all our rural maidens slatterns and hoydens. And you, Mrs Jonquil, when you recollect Elspa Millar, will acknowledge that the country is not an Eden of perfect felicity,"

CHARLEMAGNE'S DAUGHTER:

A GERMAN LEGEND.

Are not these woods

More free from peril than the envious court?

SHAKESPEARE.

[The tradition on which the following tale is founded, will be found in "RUSSELL'S Tour in Germany." The other particulars, such as CHARLEMAGNE's conquest of Lombardy, and his unhappy marriage, are related in the history of that ambitious hero.]

WHERE rolls the deep and winding Rhine,

Near Frankfort on the Maine,

Great Charlemagne was set to dine,

Amidst the courtly train:

With viands rich the tables bent;

The sea had given her spoil,

Their stores the field and forest lent,

Prepared with care and toil;

The garden, too, her treasures poured,

To tempt the royal eye,

And wines were sparkling on the board,
That might with nectar vie :

Though luxury had nought to wish,
So rich the splendid fare,

The Emp'ror had one favourite dish,
And it was wanting there.

He glanced around in royal pride,
His dark eye sternly glared,
"And where my dainty dish," he cried,
"By Emma's hand prepared?"

Aghast and silent stood the train,

Within the royal hall;

They feared to give their sovereign pain,
And trembling seized on all.

The monarch frowned in wrathful ire ;
"Where is my daughter?-Say!"
"The Princess, may it please you, Sire,

Has not been seen to-day."

"Not seen to-day !-when-where—and how?

Who dares make this reply?"

The hair stood bristling on his brow,

And fire flash'd from his eye.

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