The Flower Basket: A Fairy Tale

CHILDREN'S BOOK
COLLECTION
Gift of
LIBRARY OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
LOS ANGELES
FR OJtTISPIE'CE,
fl&Kshcd fy LfnamtaiJiifsUleu. Crm-

THE
FLOWER BASKET.
A FAIRY TALE.
I never may believe

These antick fables, nor these fairy toys.
_
JLonDott:
PRINTED FOft LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME, AND BROWN,

PATERNOSTER ROW.
1810.
9ARXAUD ANI> KARLPY,
PREFACE.
VV HO EVER honours the following little
Tale with a perusal, will probably anticipate in

the Preface, the so-often-framed apology, that
itwas not written with an intention of being

published. Yet stale as the assurance may be,
it is in this instance strictly true.
It was composed solely at the request, and

for the amusement of, the children of a friend;
nor would it ever have entered my head to
offer any shape of a Fairy Tale to
thing in the
this enlightened age, when such productions
have long been banished from all juvenile
'
libraries.Among the innumerable works
which do so much credit to the talents and in-
vention of the writers, that have been substi-

tuted for them, it
may admit of a question,
whether beings, not professedly ideal, are not
sometimes pourtrayed nearly as imaginary as
" wielded
any that ever wand, or worked a
spell." I believe (for I have never happened
to meet with the book, since it was first
pub-
lished) I have the sanction of one of the most
celebrated female writers of the age, in her
"
Thoughts on the Education of a Young
IV PREFACE.
Princess," for supposing that the mind of a

child is less likely to be misled by what is
avowedly fictitious, than by those high wrought

characters of perfection, which they would
have little better chance of meeting with in
the world, than with the fantastic agents of

Oberon.
However true this may be, I certainly did
not feel entitled to oppose my sentiments to
popular opinion ;
but the few friends, to whose
inspection this trifle was submitted, pronounced

itworthy of publication. I am aware, that it
may be said, more partiality than judgment was
evinced in this decision ;
but there was amongst
the number, one whose knowledge of the pub-
lic taste cannot be disputed, and whose name,
affixed as the publisher, may be considered as a
passport in itself. Under such unquestionable
recommendation, I am induced to hope, that
" The Flower Basket"
may find admittance
into the literary collections of the youthful
members of society; and, though conscious
that it will add nothing to their store of inform-
ation, [ flatter
myself it will not diminish the
correctness of their principles.

THE
FLOWER BASKET.
A FAIRY TALE.
JLJL BRIAN and Amaranth^ were born in an old

castle, that had once been the scene of splen-
dour and festivity, but, together with the for-
tunes of its owners, had fallen very much into
decay. Their parents, in proud resentment

of the fancied neglect and ingratitude of the
world, had lived retired in the only habitable

part of it from the time of their birth, associat-
ing but little with the surrounding neigh-

bourhood. The world, however, is not un-
grateful, nor neglectful of real merit, but it is
wise, and when people squander their fortunes
rather with a view to display their own conse-
quence than to gratify or benefit their fellow

beings, they must not expect that others will
come forward to re-instate them in their gran-
deur, though they would readily do so to relieve
unavoidable distress.
A 3
6 THE FLOWER BASKET.
The establishment consisted of a few do-
mestics, and an old governess v\ho was re-
tained in that
capacity rather from known
worthiness of character and attachment to the
family, than from any knowledge or acquire-

ments she possessed, that befitted her for such
an office. There was besides a little orphan
girl,
a niece of the lady's, who had been bred up
with them from the time she was five years of
age. From the disadvantages under which

they laboured, it may be supposed these poor
children had not many attractions to boast of.
Adrian had the benefit of rather more educa-
tion than his sister and cousin, as his father
would sometimes devote himself to his instruc-
tion, but from disappointment, and out

listless
of humour with a world in which he despaired

of his sou ever appearing with the distinctions
of rank and fortune, his lessons were never re-
gularly given, or enforced in a manner likely

to make any profitable impression on the mind
of a playful thoughtless boy. He had a good
natural disposition, was spirited and generous,
and felt that his wishes were not bounded by
the retirement in which he lived, but from hi*
THE FLOWER BASKET. 7
total ignorance of all beyond it,

he was unable
to define what those wishes were. Ama-
ranthe was well-grown, lively, and not ill-tem-
pered, notwithstanding having been always in-

judiciously flattered
and indulged by her doat-
ing governess. From the stories she had read,
or heard her relate, she had formed a general
idea of the advantage of personal attractions,
which, in her own person robust and awkward,

had no great chance of being displayed.
Claribel, who was rather younger than her
cousins, was also less of her age. She was

pretty and sweet-tempered,
but timid and with-
out energy of character. Her timidity and

her littleness made her the jest of her compa-
nions, and in their play-hours she had often
cause to feel and acknowledge their superiority
in age and size; but as their teasing of her
proceeded more from unchecked liveliness
than real ill-nature, and as she was too gentle

to retort
upon them, their childish squabbles
never amounted to serious disagreements, and
they lived in perfect harmony together. She

was too docile to be naughty, would seldom
fail to learn the task that was given her, but

never felt a desire to learn more.
From the continual ill health of the lady,
her daughter and niece were almost wholly
consigned to the care and culture of the faith-

ful Ursula. She had taught all the children to
read, write, and spell, and as much of arith-

metic as enabled them to cast up a sum that
was not very difficult. She was also anxious
that her " own blessed young ladies" should

be proficients in the various kinds of needle-
work, on which she had valued herself in her
" better
days." In order to accomplish this,
and prevent the work being twitched out of
their hands, and themselves dragged off by
Adrian to play at ball or shuttlecock with him,
she would secure the quietness and attention of
the party by singing old ballads, and relating
marvellous histories, to which they would
listenwith an eagerness and interest that ba-

nished all wish for any other kind of enter-
tainment. Of these she had an abundant
store, but what afforded the highest delight to

her auditors, was the dexterous feats, or bene-
licent acts, that she would record of fairies, a
race of beings that she professed to have per-
sonal knowledge of. She once incautiously
hinted, thathad not their father, by his pride,
offended one of the order, they should all
have been in a more prosperous state ; but no
sooner had the words escaped her than she
repented having uttered them, nor could all

the entreaties of her pupils ever prevail upon
her to satisfy their curiosity upon the subject.
Adrian had nearly completed his twentieth
year, Amaranthe \vas eighteen, and Claribel

near sixteen, when a messenger arrived at the
castle, bringing with him a packet addressed to

its master, the contents of which announced
the landing of a very old friend at a place on
the coast at a considerable distance. He men-
tioned having intelligence of infinite conse-
quence to impart, and his intention of proceed-

ing directly to the castle for that purpose, but
that he had been only a few hours on shore
when he was seized with an illness which pre-
vented his travelling. He therefore besought
the gentleman and his lady to lose no time in
repairing to the place where he was confined,

that they might themselves receive his commu-

nications.
On examining the letter they found that

some length of time had elapsed since its
date, for those days boasted not of turnpike

roads and mail coaches, and the bearer had had
a tedious journey of it. When they question-
ed him concerning their friend, they could gain
no farther information, than that, on finding
himself too ill to attempt travelling, he had in-
trusted hirn with the packet, with strict injunc-
tions to deliver it
safely, but of the nature of
his disorder they could extort no satisfactory
account from him.
The case admitted of no deliberation, and
Adrian and Amaranthe found themselves, for
the first time in their lives, going to be sepa-
rated from their parents.
The lively emotions of interest produced

by the bustle and novelty of preparation for
their departure, and the eager curiosity excited
by the extraordinary occurrence that occasion-

ed it, predominated over every other
at first
feeling; but when the carriage came to the

door that was to convey their father and mo-
ther from them, a sensation of concern and
dismay extinguished their vivacity at once.

The former, with an agitation and warmth of
manner unusual in him, embraced his children
and niece, saying, as he parted from them,
" It is for your sakes, my darlings, that I quit
a retreat, from which I believed no considera-
tion could ever again have drawn me, but my
absence shall not be long. If I find my old
friend able to undertake the journey, we will
bring him back with us, and you will soon

know how to value such an acquisition to our
domestic party. If he should decline accom-
panying us at present, we will wait but to
learn what he has to disclose, and return to
you forthwith. It is
only the hope of that
disclosure producing advantage to you in fu-
ture that now tempts me from my home."
The whose heart seemed too much op-
lady,
pressed by her feelings to give vent to them

in words, clasped each of them in silence to
her bosom, and with a deep-drawn sigh, and

look of anguish that foreboded evil, followed
her husband into the carriage. It drove off,
attended only by the old and faithful Gabriel,

who had for many -years acted in the double
capacity of butler and steward.

The young people gazed after it, till the
closing of the great gates at the end of the

avenue excluded it from their view. They
returned into the hall, preserving for some
time a mournful silence, when Adrian, who
thought tears would be disgraceful to his man-
hood, rushed into an adjoining apartment, and

resting his folded arms upon a table, hid his
face in them. Amaranthe began to sob audi-
bly, while tears flowed plentifully down the
cheeks of the gentle Claribel.
Though that sweet familiar, yet judicious

intercourse, which so happily unites affection
with respect, had but little subsisted between
these young people and their parents, (for in
that light Claribel always considered her uncle
and aunt) they both loved and revered them.

Never had they experienced severity from
them, and but seldom received even a repri-
mand. When the reserve of their father, and
languor of their mother, occasionally gave way
to the natural bias of tenderness, and they
would testify pleasure and gratification in the

society of the young people, the latter felt such

occasions to be those of their highest enjoy-
ments. They had sense to discern the differ-
ence of the conversation they were then enter-
tained with from that of Ursula, old Gabriel,
or other domestics, whom they were too much
in the habit of associating with. Sure of
meeting only with indulgence and kindness,

they eagerly sought every opportunity of ad-
mission to the authors of their being, and pro-
tectors of their infancy.
Sadly passed the hours that succeeded

their departure,and few were the occupations
that could beguile the tediousness of time.
Adrian had outgrown his boyish amusements,

and found himself very scantily provided with
substitutes for them. He had naturally some
taste for literature, but though, as has before
been said, it was sometimes
assisted by his
father, had
it never been properly cultivated
or usefully directed. He would frequently
have recourse to books for employment, but
from want of habitual application soon grew
weary even of those that most engaged his
attention.
Amaranthe and Claribel had long satisfied
all the pride of Ursula's heart, by the perfec-
tion they had attained in the important

branches of embroidery that she had taken
such pains to instruct them in, but to them-
selves they failed to afford any source of en-
joyment. They felt that they had nothing to

work for, and could take little pride in per-
formances which they had nobody to com-
mend. The poor governess had exhausted all
her store of histories, as Well as all her stock
of knowledge, upon her pupils, and they could
no longer be entertained with narratives
which they could now relate in better words
themselves.
The party were generally employed in
sauntering about the grounds together, wishing

for their parents' return, and forming different
conjectures concerning the stranger, and the

important intelligence that he was the bearer
ot.
A fortnight elapsed, and no tidings of the

Another week passed over,
tiavellers arrived.
and nothing was heard of them; and the in-

habitants of the castle began to giow uneasy,
and feel some alarm for their safety. It was

so unusual a circumstance for letters to be
brought thither, that it occurred to Ursula that

some might be lying at the post-office neg-
lected to be .forwarded. A messenger was
therefore despatched to the post town to in-
quire for such, but none were there.

Six dreary weeks were gone, and governess,
pupils, and the remaining domestics, were

obliged to endure all the misery of suspense
and apprehension, without any means of ob-
taining relief of their anxiety.

At the end of that time, as Adrian, his
and cousin, were one day standing at a

sister,
window with their eyes fixed on the avenue,

they perceived the gates at the end open, and
the carriage thathad conveyed their parents
from them entering into it. Transported with
joy they flew to communicate the glad news

through the castle, and then hastened to
plant themselves at the great hall door to be
in readiness to receive the welcome wan-
derers.
Slowly drove the vehicle up the avenue,

B 2
but so eagerly did they watch its

approach,
that they remarked not at the time that Ga-
briel was not attending it. At length it stop-
ped ; but what was their surprise and dismay,
when, instead of springing into the arms of
their parents, as they were preparing to do,
they saw only Gabriel, looking more dead

than alive, and clad in deep mourning, alight
from it '
Gazing on him in speechless terror, they

mechanically followed his footsteps into the
hall, without one of them having the power to
inquire the cause of his extraordinary and

alarming appearance. The poor old man
dropped imo the first seat that offered itself,
overcome by his emotions. There he was in-
stantly surrounded by Ursula, and the rest
of the houshold, who, at the same time, and

in loud voices, beset him with a multitude of
questions. It was some time before he could

recover himself sufficiently to answer them,
or look up; at last after wiping his swollen
eyes, and heaving a deep sigh, he began his

narrative.
" beloved chldren, the tale
Dreadful, my is
I have to relate ! I attended my ever-honoured

master and mistress, as you know, on their
journey. Tedious and wearisome it proved,

for the roads were bad, the wealher unfavour-
able, and horses sometimes not to be had, so

that it was two days later than the time we
had calculated upon when we reached the fatal

sea-port. Would to heaven we had never en-
tered its
gates ! The place and the few inha-
bitants we saw looked gloomy, as we did so ;
and on arriving at the inn, from whence my

master's friend had dated his letter, we were
informed, with little ceremony or preparation,
that he expired the day but one after he had
despatched the messenger to the castle. Too

soon we learned the direful cause, a malignant
epidemic disorder was raging in the place,

and daily sweeping off scores of its inhabitants.
The poor gentleman, they told us, when he
found himself dying, sent for a priest to pray
by him, to whose care he consigned a parcel,
with a charge to deliver it in safety to the

friends who would come
to inquire for him.
I was sent in search of this
priest, as soon as
we could procure his direction. Alas! the
D 3
poor man had himself soon after fallen a vic-

tim to the distemper, and none of his house-
hold knew any thing of a parcel, or had ever
heard of the gentleman. The people of tho
inn were honest ; they had taken good care of
what effects he had with him, and delivered
them to my master. The magistrates having
issued strict orders, that all bodies should with-
out loss of time be interred in an adjacent
ground allotted for the purpose, to prevent, as
much as possible, the infection spreading.

" Your dear father
appeared overwhelmed
with this unexpected calamity; and my excel-
lent lady declared herself so fatigued in body,
and harassed in was absolutely ne-

mind, that it
cessary she should have some days of rest, be-

fore she undertook travelling again. In vain
did I urge them to quit instantly a place, the
remaining in which might be attended with so

much danger. My
master busied himself in
inspecting all the property that had belonged

to the deceased. He found clothes, money,
and many letters, but none that gave him any
insight intowhat so nearly concerned himself.

On the second evening he felt ill, and retired
THE FLOWER BASKEf .
19
early to his bed, from whence he never again

arose. An hour or two served to convince us,
that he was seized with the fatal disorder ;
and
so rapid was its progress, that a few more de-
cided that no hopes of recovery could be en-
tertained. My poor dear distracted mistress
quitted not his bedside night or day, though I
plainly perceived by her looks on the third
morning, that she had taken the infection. I

too was growing very ill, but of myself I could
take no thought. On the fourth day, my ever-
honoured and lamented master breathed his
last. Well do I remember the look of silent
agony with which your blessed mother contem-

plated his remains I remember too her being
!
conveyed into another apartment, and a physi-
cian administering a medicine to her. After that,

all is a blank in my mind. I knew nothing that
passed , and the first consciousness of exist-

ence I experienced, was awaking, as it appear-
ed, from a stupor, and finding myself in bed,
with an old woman, who looked like a nurse,
sitting-
at some distance from it. On hearing
me move she came to me, gave me something
to moisten my mouth, and
going out of the
room, returned with the physician I had seen

before, who feeling my pulse, told the woman
the crisis was over, and taking a favourable
turn; but that I must be kept quite quiet.

Some days passed before I had strength to rise,
or to hear the particulars the people had to re-
late. Too soon, however, was I made ac-
quainted with the awful facts. mistress My
survived her loved lord but three days, and both
had long been consigned to the earth. The
physician, who was remarkably humane, had
himself attended to the care of their effects,
and visited me constantly during my delirium.
" To
what misery did I recover and what !
torture to me was the sight of every object in
this scene of disease and desolation ! As soon

as my debilitated frame would permit me, I set
out on my dreary journey, to be the bearer of

these dismal tidings."
Gabriel had proceeded thus far in his me-
lancholy detail uninterrupted by a word, ov

even a voice, so deeply was the attention of his
audience rivetted upon him ;
but now sobs and
groans resounded on every side. Adriun held

his hands to his head, which seemed bursting
with the violence of his feelings. The castle
rang with the screams of Amaranthe, and Cla-

ribel fell senseless into the arms of a maid ser-
vant who stood near her.
Miserable, indeed, was the situation of
these unfortunate orphans. Left without for-
tune, without protection, in this joyless abode,

life
presented a gloomy prospect before them ;
yet, how were they to enter a world in which
they would feel themselves total strangers, and

of the ways of which they were wholly igno-
rant? Adrian had gathered just knowledge
enough from the discontented murmurings of

his father, to believe that riches would secure
the best reception in it ;
and his thoughts were
continually turned towards the attainment of

them ; but, uninstructed in all the
employments
of life, what method could he take in the pur-
suit? Many vague and romantic schemes
presented themselves to his mind, with which
he would entertain and cousin, and
his sister
to which they listened with interest, but with-
out the power of assisting or advising him.

One afternoon, as the mournful trio were
sitting together in a saloon, that opened with
glass doors upon the lawn, bewailing the loss

of their parents, and their own helpless state,
there suddenly appeared before them a lady,
whose countenance was and captivating
fair ;
her figure graceful, and her dress light and flow-
ing. They involuntarily rose at her entrance,
though astonishment kept them silent. She

approached them with a gracious smile, hold-
ing in her hand a basket, which appeared to be
filled with a profusion of beautiful flowers.
" " I am of a race of
My children," said she,
beings of whom I know you have heard, though

probably never expected to be acquainted with.
I am the Fairy Felicia ; 1 would have been the
friedof your father, but his own conduct pre-

vented it. Myelder sister, Benigna, who is
more powerful than I am, had long been the
friend and protector of your mother she is all:
excellence, but more strict, and imposes greater

restraint upon those she takes under her care
than 1 do. She disapproved the marriage with
your father, which offended him so highly, that

he forbade his lady ever holding farther inter-
course with her; and Bcnigua, in return, for-
THE FLOWER BASKET 23
bade me ever attempting to serve or befriend
him, which I was well disposed to do.

The errors of the father, however, are not to
be visited upon the children. Moved with
compassion for your hapless situation, 1 am

come to take you under my future patronage,
if
you choose to accept of it."
Adrian and his sister, bounding with joy,
threw themselves at the fairy's feet, while the
former exclaimed, " O, Madam, how can we
sufficiently thank you for thus taking pity on
our forlorn state. We
are, indeed, miserable
orphans, without a friend in the world; and

how rejoiced must we be to place ourselves
under so powerful a protector !" Claribel too,
though not given to raptures, endeavoured to

express her satisfaction, but in a voice so low
that it was scarcely audible by the side of her
voeiferous cousins.
" Observe " that
then," said the fairy, you
secure my good offices only by deserving them.
If you prove unworthy of my kindness, I shall
feel it
proper to forsake you ;
and you w ill be
left in a more deplorable state than this from
which I ara now desirous to relieve you." The
brother and sister protested again and again,

that they should never forgive themselves if
they could be guilty of any thing that would

incur the displeasure of so good and generous
a friend.
" I shall judge of your wisdom," answered
"
Felicia, with a smile, by your choice." She
then displayed her basket, and they discovered
that though they thought it had contained a va-
riety of flowers, there were but three sorts.

These consisted of the finest damask roses, in
full blow ;
beautiful hyacinths of the brightest
azure blue ;
and simple lilies of the valley, but
whose fragrance was delicious te the senses.
" said the
This," fairy, holding up one of the
" bestow immense, but not inexhaust-
will
first,
ible riches on its possessor. As long as they

make a right use of their wealth, they will find
no end to it ;
but if spent in licentious profu-
sion, that gratifies only luxury and pride, or
churlishly grasped solely for their own advan-

tage, without a wish to relieve the necessitous,
or benefit their fellow creatures by it, then will
the rose begin to wither, and the riches, and its
bloom disappear at the same time.

" This" said

she, producing a hyacinth,
" has the
power to endow the person of its pos-
sessor with the brightest and most captivating
beauty. Admiration will follow their footsteps,

and the homage of crowds be paid to their
charms. But even you, my children, unin-
formed as you are, must know that beauty at
best is but a fading flower, and the adoration

it excites equally transitory. If in those who
derive it from this gift, it be accompanied with
modesty and humility, it will insure to them all
the happiness and gratification that a conscious-
ness of the power to please must naturally con-
fer. But if, on the contrary, it renders them
vain, haughty, and unfeeling, demanding uni-

versal admiration, and jealous of all who have
any claim to share it with them; regardless of

the pain they inflict on those whose affections
they have seduced, or glorying in the victims of

their coquetry, they will find this coveted beau-
ty the source of shame and mortification. Then

will the bright tint of this admired flower turn
to a sickly and and the late

disgusting hue,
beauteous person share its fate.
" But
here," continued the fairy, taking up
c
(e
one of the lilies, is
my best and most valua-
ble gift. This modest flower will neither
change hue or lose its fragrance. The per-

its
son who wisely chuses this, will enjoy the in-

estimable blessing of content in whatever situa-
tion they are placed. No envy will torment
their heart at the prosperity of others ;
no re-
pining at their own less exalted lot ; their
wishes will be bounded by the sphere in which

they move, and care or disappointment be a
stranger to their breast.

u And "
now," she added, it remains for
you all to make your election ; remember my

words, and prove by your prudence what in-
fluence they have had upon you." " Ah,"
" how can
cried Adrian, I hesitate f
poor and
destitute as we are left, it is fortune I know-
that wanting to reinstate us in ease and inde-
is
pendence, and to secure us the respect of the

world. But, gracious fairy, do not, I beseech
you, think me capable of making an ill use of
the wealth you will bestow upon me. Believe
me, the greatest pleasure I feel in the thoughts

of possessing it, is the power it will give me of
assisting others, and making all around me
THE FLOWER BASKET. 2?
" Rash
happy,'* boy," answered Felicia,
" how can
you pretend to judge of what your
feelings aad conduct will be in a situation so
wholly new to you ? The obscurity in which
you have lived, has ill fitted you to encounter

the snares and temptations of an interested
world. You will be the prey of designers,
and repent when too late of the inconsiderate
choice you have made. But now, Amaranthe,
for your decision." Amaranthe felt a little
awkward in declaring her choice, after what

the fairy had said ;
but at length, in some con-
" have always longed to be
I
fusion, replied,
handsome. My governess has told me such
pretty stories of beautiful ladies, and of their
being so followed and admired, and every body

being desirous to serve and please them, that
I am sure they must be the happiest of
" Your
all creatures." governess was very
" she had better have
foolish," said the fairy;
told you of the heart-achs and discontent that
fall to the lot of beauties."

" How
generally
can that be r" inquired the astonished girl,
"
surely being courted and caressed by others,
must make one anxious to please and oblige in
c 2
return. I should be too happy to be proud

and ill-natured." Poor Amaranthe spoke the
truth at the time. Her innocent mind was un-
acquainted with the failings, that the fairy had
stated as being usually attendant on beauty.
Having never met with competitors, she had
not experienced the grievances of rivalship or
jealousy ;and vanity and coquetry were hardly

known to herby name.
" I "
perceive," said the offended fairy, you
are as opiniated as your brother. I fear the
time may come when you will both repent not
having paid more regard to my admonitions.

And which of these, my gentle Claribel, (turn-
ing to her,) shall Ipresent to you r" Claribel

" I am not ambitious of
timidly answered,
riches, they would but embarrass me ; neither

do I covet beauty to be an object of general
notice, would to me be only distressing. A

contented mind must surely be the greatest of
all blessings at least, i can neither imagine or
:
desire a greater. I shall therefore gratefully
accept one of your favourite flowers," looking

at the lilies.
" Amiable " there
girl," exclaimed the fairy,
is no fear of your ever repenting of your choice.

How may your cousins wish they had partaken
of your prudence ;
but it is not yet too late to
their error. I
give you." addressing
repair
"
Adrian and Amaranthe, the remainder of the
evening to consider of what I have said. Be-
fore you retire to rest, your choice must be
finally fixed, for to-morrow it will be irrevoca-

ble." With these words, she and the flower-
basket disappeared in a moment from their
sight.
They remained for some minutes motion-

less, almost doubting their senses, or whether
such an extraordinary visitation had really oc-
curred to them ;
at length, arousing from their
stupor, they agreed to seek Ursula, and relate

the adventure to her.
The joy of the poor governess almost ex-

ceeded that of her pupils. " Ah," cried she,
" indeed the sweet fairy Felicia
it is
;
well do
I know her. Do not you remember my chil-
dren, that I once nearly betrayed the secret of

her existence to you ?
Benigna is, as she says,
an excellent fairy, but terribly strict in her no-
tions. She was the friend and guardian of
C3
my dear lady from her infancy ;

but your fa-
ther could not endure what he called her se-
verity, or forgive her opposition to his marriage

with your mother. All intercourse ceased be-
tween them ; and Felicia was obliged to with-
draw her protection from your father. This
gave him a disgust to the whole race of faries,
and he M'ould not suffer

you to know that he
had ever had any connexion with them."

The simple Ursula could not disapprove
the choice of Adrian and Amaranthe. To see
him surrounded with splendoyr, and her with
admirers, would gratify the fondest wishes of
her heart. Gabriel was now summoned to the
conference. He by no means agreed with

Ursula in her approbation. "
Alas, my dear,
said he to " it was
young master,'* Adrian,
riches that proved the bane of your father's
happiness and comfort. He mistook the court

that was paid him while in possession of them,
for the real

respect and good will that he fan-
cied was his due, though to say truth he took
no other means of obtaining them. When his
fortune was gone, his pretended friends soon
followed; and that occasioned the reserve and

tnoroseness with which you must have ob-

served his temper was tinctured. Inexpe-
rienced as you are in the world, wealth may
prove but a treacherous snare ; and as the fairy
wisely says, you will probably fall a prey to

wicked designers." " A truce, I beseech you,"
cried the impatient Adrian, " with these dismal
forebodings. Neither you nor the fairy can

make me believe, that being happy myself, and
having the power to make others so, can prove
my destruction. Depend upon it, old man,"

continued he, with an arch smile, and laying
his hand on Gabriel's shoulder, "when you
begin to reap the advantages of my fortune,
which you shall certainly do, you will be vastly
glad that I did not listen to your preaching !"
Gabriel shook his head with a look of distrust.

" And sweet young lady," address-
what, my
" can
ing Amaranthe, beauty do for you ? I
remember you dear mother the fairest of the
fair, and yet her lot in life was far from a hap-
" O
py one." dear Gabriel," interrupted she,
*'
you are ten times more disagreeable than the
fairy. Here is the very thing offered to me that
1 have all my life been wishing for, and then

3
I am told I must not accept of it. What evil

can attend being handsome ? I shall like to
look at myself in the glass ;
I shall like to see
other people looking at me ;

shall be pleased
and happy all the day long ;
and what harm is
there in that ?"
" am
Well," said Gabriel with a sigh, I
stillof opinion that your cousin has made the

wisest choice." " O
yes, the wisest choice
for Claribel, doubtless. As long as she may
go creeping unnoticed about the world, taking
no trouble herself, or being troubled by others,
that is all she desires. 1 have no notion of
such tame satisfaction." To this Claribel only
answered by a smile.
They all retired at the usual hour to their
beds, but to Adrian and his sister it was not to
rest. The thoughts of what the morrow would

produce kept them waking the greater part of
the night. Soon as the sun darted his first rays
into thechamber, Adrian sprang from his bed,

and looking eagerly around, discovered the de-
sired rose appearing with luxuriant glow upon
the toilet before him. Enraptured, he hasten-
ed to seize his prize, when he perceived a fold-
THE FLOWER BASKET, S3
ed paper lying by it, in which on opening, he
found these lines :
Since Adrian, spite of warning voice,

This specious gift decides thy choice,
Slight not the counsel that would fain

Preserve thee from remorse and pain.
While boasting coffers richly stor'd,
And plenty smiling on tby board,

In grandeur'* costly garhs array'd,
With servile homage basel ,
paid
From sumraon'd tribes of venal bands,
That canton luxury commands,
Let thy untainted mind beware
And shun corruption's lurking snare.
If, when of long-sought wealth possess'd,
Thou fail to succour the di *ress'd;

And flatterers feed in splendid state,
Yet drive the needy from thy gate,
Soon will destructive vice Impart,
Her baneful influence to thy heart,
Chasing those purer feelings thence

The meed of blameless innocence.
Then shall this drooping rose decree
The loss of fortune and of me ;
For harden' d heart and vicious mind

From fairies ne'er protection find.
Yet let discretion bounty guide,
Nor succour sloth, nor pamper pride,
To suff'ring want give ready ear,
And dry the modest suppliant's tear,
Yet still the grateful boon dispense
With lib'ral hand, but guarded sense.
Then may this dangerous treasure deal

Those blessings virtuous mortals feel,
And favour'd Adrian haply prove
Deserving of esteem and love-
Charming fairy, he exclaimed, mistrust me

not ;
I value this precious gift too highly ever
to abuse it ;
so saying he ran off to find Ama-
ranthe, whom he met coming as hastily from
her apartment with the hyacinth in her hand.
Look, look, shouted Adrian, here is my darling

rose ;
and see, answered his sister, I have got
my sweet hyacinth, but with it I found this pa-
per, containing some mighty crabbed, dismal

words, that 1 could very well have dispensed
"
with. Aye, my gift was accompanied with a
sort of a lecture too. It is
very strange that so
powerful a fairy should not be able to discern
my good intentions, without my making so
many protestations of them, but what says
your paper r" and unfolding it read as follows :

Beauty, that peerless gem whose magic smile

Can teach the frigid heart with warmth to glow,
Or smooth the frowning Cynic's sullen brow,
And the cold glance of cautious age beguile;
Still decks the nymph who wears her potent spell

With sparkling eye, and gaily dimpled cheek
That sportive ease and conscious pow'r bespeak,
Nor dreads that time her cherish'd pride may quell.
While flatt'ring crowds proclaim unrivall'd sway
With haughty triumph glows her radiant bloom,
But soon the bright illusion fades away
And yields to vanity's unwelcome doom.
So, Amaranthe, may this flower decay
And blighted beauty seek the shelt'ring tomb.
They then proceeded together to the apart-

ment of Claribel, whom they found in a sweet
slumber, from which their exclamations soon
aroused her. Look at this stupid girl, cried
Amaranthe, if she be not sleeping as soundly

and unconcernedly as if she had never heard of
the wonderful events this morning was to pro-
duce. And yet, said Adrian, I dare to say the
fairy has not forgotten her, and casting his eyes

round soon espied the lily. " Aye, there is
the favourite flower, and I bope accompanied
by some sage admonitions as well as ours."

Then advancing towards " Sure

enough,
it,
here is the attendant scroll," and opening it
immediately, read aloud :
When mild contentment rules the breast

Unchecked the pleasure, sweet the rest,
The passing hours that close ;
No fruitless wish disturbs the maid,

No blasted hopes her peace invade
Who courts the calm repose.
The placid smile, the brow serene,

Unstudied glance, unruffled mien,
Glad approbation gain ;
From rankling spleen, and envy free,
The renoraed pang of jealousy
Essays to wound in vain.
Fair as the lily's polished hue

Impending fate shall meet her view
Who shuns ambition's lure;
And thus shall gentle Claribel
In tranquil ease serenely dwell
From vain regrets secure.
Well, the fairy promises you fair at least, cou-
sin, said he, and your lily smells very sweet,

and I hope we shall all be very happy together
with our separate gifts !
Fairies had such dexterous, ingenious me-
thods of bringing to pass, whatever they pro-

it is not necessary to
jected, that inquire by
what means Adrian soon found himself master
of wealth to the utmost extent of his wishes,
or that the plain features and awkward person
of Amaranthe were changed into the most daz-
zling beauty of countenance, and perfect sym-
metry of form. In Claribel the effects of the

fairy's power were the least visible. Her na-
ture had always been so placid, that it could
admit of no great increase of contentment, but
she was perfectly at peace with herself and
others, and from any portion of envy at the

free
riches of one cousin, or the beauty of the
other.
The news was soon circulated through the
surrounding country that the old melancholy

castle was now become the scene of affluence
and In consequence it was not

hospitality.
long before visitors and petitioners poured in

from every quarter. The now superbly fur-
nished mansion, and magnificent establishment
of Adrian, did not prove more attractive than
the charms of his lister, which excited the
wonder and admiration of all beholders. The
D
native modesty of a young person bred up in
seclusion, for some time prevailed over every

other sensation, and she almost repented of
the gift she had solicited. She shrunk abash-
ed from the perpetual and ardent gaze of all
who opproached her, and the admiration she
had thought so desirable, was at first oppres-
sive and painful to her. Pure and genuine
feelings of uncorrupted nature, why are ye
ever subdued ? what art or ornament can ever
replace the fascinating blush that mantles on

the cheek of innocence !
Adrian found himself at the summit of his
wishes. His dwelling was thronged with joy-

ous spirits like himself,
who courted and flat-
tered him, always extolling exaggerated in
terms his generosity and powers of pleasing.

Invitations came from far and near, and neigh-
bouring families vied with each other in giving

costly entertainments to this charming brother
and sister, nor was Claribel ever left out of the
party.
Adrian forgot not the injunctions of
his patroness. He gave orders that no object
of charity should ever be turned without relief
from the castle, but absorbed in the pursuit of
pleasure, he gave himself no leisure to learn
the nature of their wants, or to ascertain that
that they were in fact objects of charity.
Amongst other sources of festivity, games

were instituted in which the skill and activity
of the rival youths were exerted, and on such
occasions the prize adjudged to the victor, was
generally laid as a trophy at the feet of the

beautiful Amaranthe. This indeed was a trial
topoor mortal vanity. She soon grew so ac-

customed to the distinction paid to her charms,
that instead of oppresive it became necessary
to her. The brother and sister who fondly
loved each other, who from their infancy had
shared all their little
joys, and little griefs to-
gether, were mutually delighted at the praises
the other received. Amaranthe loved to hear
of the excellent qualities of the heart, and li-
beral temper and vivacity of her brother, and

Adrian's heart bounded with joy and swelled
with pride at the homage paid to the beauty of
his sister. But too soon these exquisite feel-
ings, derived from the purest source of affec-

tion human nature is capable of, were extin-
guished. Engaged in the pursuit of their se-
D 2
parate enjoyments, they ceased to feel an inte-

rest in those of each other. Claribel was the
quiet spectator of the distinctions of her cou-
sins. She served as a sort of cabinet to Ama-
rantbe, in which she deposited all the little his-
tories of her triumphs, and the flattery that had

been amply bestowed upon her and Claribel
;
would listen to the details with kind compla-

cency, and sometimes an idea would occur to
her that the extravagant joy and gratification
they appeared to produce in her cousin, must

be worth sharing, but the gift of the fairy se-
cured her from any anxious wish to do so.
Though she occasionally obtained notice from

those whom she met in the parties in which
she mixed, for no one could fail to feel cour-
tesy towards so mild and inoffensive a being,

she was aware that she was considered as little
more than a cypher by the side of her cousins,
but she was not liable to discontent, and re-
pined not at the observation.

Adrian had been too much occupied by his
lively companions to think of making inquiries

after the objects of his bounty, but a long list
was brought him by Gabriel of mendicants.

who had been relieved, which amounted to a
sum that astonished him. Is it

possible, said
he, there can be so many unfortunate creatures

in want ? It is well the fairy has supplied me so
liberally, or I might soon come to be in want
myself, but I think, he proudly added, she
must be satisfied with my manner of employ-
ing my weal tli. One day a person desired to

be admitted to him, who told him a long pitiful
story of his being reduced from easy circum-

stances by a rich and powerful man, who in
revenge for some offence he had given him,

had contrived his ruin, and driven him with a
large helpless family to beggary. The natural
good disposition of Adrian was manifested at

this recital. He exclaimed, with honest warmth
against such shameful cruelty, and gave the

man a large sum of money to alleviate his un-
merited misfortune. The petitioner was pro-

fuse in his acknowledgments, expatiated on the
benefit of riches, when entrusted in such hands,

and retired invoking a thousand blessings on
his benefactor.
Adrian felt all the satisfaction of the most
approving self-complacency. Excellent IV-

DS
licia, he exclaimed aloud, your's is indeed a

most precious gift, to be enabled to perform
such actions, and merit such gratitude, and I

flatter myself you will allow that I have strictly
obeyed your injunctions !
Thenext day Gabriel informed him that

he had discovered the person to be a worthless
impostor, who had ruined himself by extrava-
gance and profligacy, and in return for Adrian's

generosity, had gone about making a jest of
his credulity. Adrian uttered the most vehe-
ment expressions of resentment and indigna-
tion. To find himself only a dupe when he
had thought himself a pattern of benevolence,
\vas a sore check upon his self applause, and
he formed many prudent resolutions to be

more upon his guard in future., Some days
after, in passing through his grounds, he was
accosted by a man who exhibited an appear-
ance of extreme wretchedness. His face was
wan, and his features sunken. His dimmed eye
seemed hardly able to discern the object on
which it
gazed ;
and his tottering limbs with
difficulty supported his feeble frame. His
moving lips appeared to be framing a prayer

THE FLOWEH BASKET. 43
for compassion, but his hollow yoice had not
power to give it sound. Adrian involuntarily
stopped, regarding him with looks of commise-

ration, but suddenly recollecting himself No,
said he, I will not again be imposed upon ; I
must not forget that the fairy enjoins discretion

as well as charity, and hastily passed on, con-
gratulating himself on this effort of prudence.*

It was not long before he learned that the
unfortunate being had, in despair of obtaining
any relief of his sufferings, sought an obscure
shelter, in which he soon terminated his miser-

able existence.
Adrian's heart smote him severely ;
he felt
that he would have given half his possessions
to have recalled the past hours ;

and the cir-
cumstance for a short period dwelt heavily on

his mind ; but contrition was soon effaced by
dissipation.
When this brother and sister, who had sud-
denly burst in such radiance upon the astonish-

ed neighbourhood, had ceased to be novelties,
it was not
long before they ceased also to ex-
cite the interest and good liking that their
first
appearance had created.

All the rational members of their acquaint-
ance, who had been agreeably struck with

Adrian's good humoured vivacity and generous
spirit, grew disappointed and displeased at

finding they must look for nothing beyond.
Uninformed in almost every branch of know-
ledge, destitute of the acquirements generally
possessed by, and absolutely indispensable in a

young man at his time of life, and of the
rank in which he appeared in it, they discovered
that though he could laugh with the joyous, he
was incapable of conversing with the serious,
and it was chiefly by the idle and ignorant like
himself, that his society continued to be sought.
The astonishment that the outward attrac-
tions of Amaranthe had produced in all be-
holders, was soon succeeded by astonishment
that she possessed no others. No improved
understanding, no cultivated taste, accompa-
nied the charms of person, and it was agreed
that she must be looked at, and not listened to.
The graces of figure could not compensate for

the want of graces of mind, nor a polished skin
be deemed a substitute for a polished manner.

The gift of the fairy had secured her from
THE FLO\YER BASKET. 45
awkwardness of gesture, but it could not con-

ceal awkwardness of expression and address.
Still, however, both continued to have fol-
lowers in abundance. The castle was the

constant resort of gay dissipated youths, who,
in the good spirits and good cheer of Adrian,
enjoyed all they wished or cared for ;

and who
took pains to initiate him in all their vicious
courses. He had no real relish for the plea-
sures of the bottle, but was soon laughed out of

his moderation; and rather than be thought
wanting in spirit, poor Adrian plunged into ex-

cesses for which he had no natural taste, and
in which he found little
acquired gratification.
They thought proper also to find fault with
the decorations of the castle, on which Adrian
had valued himself, and suggested many use-
less and expensive alterations. These were
immediately ordered, but when the poor trades-
men, who had worked hard to oblige him, made
their demands, his choice companions ex-
claimed in terms of violent wrath against them,
assuring him it was extremely insolent in those
people to expect payment as soon as their

work was done, and that he ought to make
them wait his leisure. The fact was, these
wicked advisers, who were ignorant of the

source from whence his fortune was derived,
were afraid, if he paid his debts, he would not
have money left to
squander upon them. Adrian
had not the slightest intention of defrauding
any of the persons to whom he was indebted ;
he felt secure of being able to pay them when-

ever he chose it, and honestly intended to do
so ;
but too weak in mind to bid defiance to
the ridicule of thosewhom he ought to have
despised, he suffered himself to be guided by
them. In vain did Gabriel remonstrate ; Ga-

briel had long lost his influence^ though his
young master's heart was not yet so currupted

as to dismiss the worthy man from his service,
which his associates, who called him a tiresome

preaching old fellow, would fain have persuad-
ed him to do.
Several gentlemen who wished to pay their
addresses to Amaranthe, had applied to Adrian

for his interest, and also for information respect-
ing the fortune they were to receive with her.

Adrian expressed great indignation at such in-
quiries being made. He had really, in his

heart, formed the most generous intentions

towards his sister, but in the enthusiasm with
which he contemplated her beauty, and
first
from the sincere affection he then felt for her,

he conceived that she deserved the most disin-
terested attachment, and refused to make any
promise of bestowing a portion upon her.

The first
person who paid any serious atten-
tion to Ainaranthe, was in her opinion, as,
generally speaking, I fancy in that of all other
young ladies in the same case, the most charm-
ing creature in the world. He was followed

by a second, and she found him as charming ;
but when a succession of adorers appeared,

she was completely perplexed. Her heart
\vas incapable of making an election, and she
began to think would be very dull to fix
it
upon one, and by that means lose the adula-

tion and flattery of all the others. She therefore
received them all alike, and divided her atten-

tion and her smiles equally amongst them.
Thus the innocent Amaranthe, who was unac-
quainted with the name of coquetry, soon
grew expert in the practice. On her first
entrance into society she had formed an inti-

mate acquaintance with Ethelinde, the daughter

of a family distinguished for goodness and
benevolence, and who lived in a handsome,

though not profuse style. Ethelinde had no-
thing of the dazzling beauty of Amaranthe to

boast of, her features w ere not
r
so perfect, nor
her complexion so brilliant, but her counte-

nance was enlightened by intelligence, and her
smiles were the smiles of modesty, and sweet-
ness of temper. She was always unstudied

and unaffected, and in her person and appear-
ance were combined ease and elegance, with

the irresistible charm of the most engaging fe-
minine softness. Her understanding was ex-
cellent, and well cultivated, hermanners correct,
and her heart the seat of virtue and purity.
Perfectly free from any meanness of temper,
she felt no envy at the beauty of Amaranthe,
but was, on the contrary, an unfeigned admirer

of it, and eagerly sought her friendship. Ama-
ranthe, who for some time felt gratified and
obliged by Ethelinde's early notice, was equally,

desirous of cultivating her's, but ere many
weeks had elapsed, they mutually discovered
were not companions for each other.
that they
Ethelincle grew weary of hearing no other

conversation than descriptions of the fine
dresses her friend had worn at the different

entertainments she had been at, or repetitions
of all the nonsense that had been addressed to
her there, and Amaranthe thought her deplor-
ably dull and disagreeable, for wanting to talk

of any thing else. Ethelinde was both too
kind-hearted and too well-bred to appear to
shun Amaranthe, and Amaranthe, who felt
quite secure of never finding a rival in Ethe-

linde, continued to call her friend. She began,
however, by degrees to suspect that she had

been a little mistaken in this satisfactory point.
It is true that whenever she appeared in pub-
lic she was immediately surrounded by all the
gentlemen in the room, but she could not avoid

observing, that when Ethelinde was there also,
many of them would turn to her, and when

once engaged in conversation with her, never
again quit her side, for that of her friend.
This was sufficient ground for her conceiving

a rooted dislike to the unassuming and unsus-
picious Ethelinde.
An important addition was now made to
the society into which Adrian and Amaranthe

had been introduced, by the arrival of a young
gentleman lately returned from travelling, to
take possession of a large estate, and noble
mansion annexed to it, in that country. Lionel
had every thing that could recommend him to
the favour of all to whom he was made known.
Handsome and elegant in his person, his mind
was stored with information, his taste reiin-
ed, his conversation instructive and enter-
taining, and his manners affable and polished.
Every father openly courted him as a com-

panion and example to his son, and every
mother secretly wished him to become the
husband of her daughter.
Lionel was charmed with the brother and
sister on his tirst introduction to them. He
liked the frank cordiality of Adrian, and be-
came the professed slave of Amaranthe's

beauty. It required no length of time for
penetration like Lionel's to discover his error

in regard to Adrian; he found h? had mistaken
vivacity for genius, and frankness of manner
for generosity of heart, when in fact his fa-
vourite proved unformed and untaught, iudit-

THE FLOWEH BASKET. 51
ferent to the opinion of all whom he

ought to
have valued, and given up to idleness and self-
indulgence. Such a companion was quitted

without any effort of resolution, but the sister's
power over him did not yield so easily. Ama-

ranthe's vanity had been too much flattered by
such a conquest, for her to endeavour to con-

ceal the satisfaction it afforded her, and the
enamoured Lionel was willing to attribute the
approbation she evinced, to genuine affection.

He confessed himself disappointed in her men-
tal qualities, but he laid all that to the want of
education, and the blame upon those who

brought her up. He delighted in the thought
of instructing and cultivating her mind himself,
and dwelt with rapture on the prospect of
possessing such a creature, formed exactly to

his own taste, and according to his own rules
of right. The devoted lover indulged himself,

in these pleasing expectations during several
interviews that he had with his idol, when not
interrupted by the presence of any other candi-

dates for her favour ; but when he saw her in
company with some of her previous adorers,

and observed the evident pleasure and compla-
E 2
cency with which she listened to them all by

turns, nothing could exceed his surprise and
indignation. What ! had she no more regard

for him than for any of these senseless cox-
combs ? Were the smiles and attention that
had so captivated him to be equally shared by
them ? This was not to be borne. He could
have endured her ignorance, even a fool might
be tolerated, but an unfeeling coquette never
could. From that moment Amarunthe, with
all her beauty, was dismissed from his heart
for ever.
During his attendance on Amaranthe, Lio-

nel had often remarked with approbation the
meek and unaffected demeanor of Claribel.
He had never indeed heard her converse much,

but he judged that her silence was owing to
timidity, and fancied that under so retired a
manner, might be concealed solid sense, taste,

and judgment. Her person, though not strik-
inglyhandsome, was pleasing, and her temper

and disposition appeared to be perfectly amia-
ble. Hebegan therefore to pay her very se-
rious attention, but here again poor Lionel
had only to lament his mistake. He found

Claribel quite as untutored as her cousins,

\vithout a spark more desire of improvement.
He was not likely to meet with a repulse from

so gentle a creature, but the acquiescence with
which she received his assiduities seemed more

the result of habitual passiveness than of reci-
procal attachment. She betrayed no emotion

of pleasure at his approach, or of concern at
his departure. She listened to his conversa-
tion as he hoped with interest, but when des-
cribing what he considered as requisite points

to insure happiness and respectability, he could
perceive no symptoms of regret that their sen-

timents so little
corresponded, nor could his
avowed opinions awaken in her any exertion
to render herself more acceptable to him.
When he had taken sufficient time to study her
character, he decided that the inelegant mirth,

and ungoverned vanity of Amaranlhe were pre
ferable to the dawdling insipidity of Claribel.
After this decision Lionel ceased to be a visi-
tor at the castle.
The pride of Amaranthe had never before

experienced so 'severe a wound. Her conse-
quence was lessened in her own eyes, and

she
E3
felt that it would be so in those of others, by

the desertion of such a lover, for she had
sense enough to discern the superiority of Lio-
nel over all her other admirers. She could
appreciate his worth, but she could not con-

troul her own too long indulged inclinations,
and was still too artless to conceal the wrong
bias they had taken. The disappointment
had a visible effect upon her temper : she grew
peevish, and dissatisfied with every thing

about her. She resolved to leave no means
untried to regain the heart of Lionel, and the
suggestion of a rival in his affection made her

absolutely outrageous. She had so little con-
sidered Claribel in that light, that she had not
deigned to notice Lionel's attention to her,

which indeed her vanity whispered was merely
a feint to pique herself, and to give him an op-
portunity of still hovering near her. The gift

of the fairy, which had operated so much to
Claribel's disadvantage in the opinion of her
lover, secured her from sharing the keen mor-

tification of her cousin at his loss.
Some time after this had happened, an in-
vitation was sent to the inhabitants of the cas-

tie to an entertainment, which was to consist

of a trialof skill in archery in the morning, and
a ball in the evening, Adrian, who was now
wholly devoted to his ill-chosen companions,
had made some engagement he liked better
with them, and would not go, and Claribel was
confined at home by indisposition. Amaranthe
looked forward with the most flattering an-
ticipation to this proving the scene of her
triumph, and restoring all her power over Lio-

nel, who she knew was to^be a principal guest
there. She exhausted all fer invention in con-
triving the most becoming dresses for both oc-

casions, and selected every ornament that she
thought would add lusture to her beauty. The

anxiously expected morning arrrived, and Ama-
ranthe set forth in all her glory. She found a
large company assembled in the part of
the grounds marked out for the archery,
where was erected ingeniously fitted
a tent
up, and a handsome collation prepared in it.
The gentlemen who were to engage in the

contest were all properly equipped for the
purpose. Amongst the most conspicuous was
Lionel; who with his bow in his hand and
quiver on his shoulder, was compared by some

of the company to the god of love. In a
group of ladies opposite to her, Amaranthe

discerned Ethelinde very simply attired, but
looking so elegant, so unaffectedly good hu-

moured, and desirous to please and be pleased,
thatno one could behold 1 her without being
prepossessed in her favour. She accosted
Amaranthe with the utmost kindness, who
very coldly accepted her proffered hand, for
she felt an inward acknowledgment of supe-
riority that fretted ]/fr beyond endurance. Nor
could she at all account for it, having settled

in her own mind, quite to her satisfaction, that
she had never seen any thing half so ugly or
so ill dressed.
The game began, and after each candidate

for victory had exerted his strength and skil! 9
Lionel was unanimously proclaimed the con-
queror. The mistress of the feast had taste-

fully entwined a wreath of laurel, which step?
ping forward she, with an appropriate and po-

lite compliment, placed upon the head of
Lionel. Amaranthe's heart beat violently, for

she felt assured of receiving her accustomed
homage, and had ready all her sweetest smiles,

and most engaging complaisance, as she saw
Lionel approach the spot where she was seat-
ed. She found, however, that she might as
well Lave reserved them for a litter occasion,
forhe passed her without notice, and with a
graceful bow, and lok that bespoke respect
and esteem, laid his trophy at the feet of Ethe-
linde. Amaranthe had no strength of mind
to command herself on such a trial, nor could
she conceal the disappointment and vexation
it cost her, and was still mire insupportably
irritated by the general murmur of approba-
tion accompanied this action of Lionel.
that
She refused to partake of the refreshments,

and went home burning with feelings of re-
sentment against him, and of most malignant
animosity towards Ethelinde. Still her vanity

was not subdued : she determined that the
ball, where she meant to appear in a blaze of
glittering ornaments, that she believed would

render her beauty irresistible, should repay her
for all the mortifications of the
morning. She
recounted the insult, as she thought fit to call
it, that had been offered to her, in terms of

bitter wrath to Claribel, who attended her
toilet; but comforted herself with the near
prospect of recrimination, and declared she

should have far more pleasure in crushing the
pride of that insolent little ugly moppet Ethe-

linde, than in captivating the first lord in the
land. Ciaiibel listened with patience and pity
to the detail of her lamentable misfortunes,
and disclosure of her amiable intentions, and
at last ventured to " dear
say But, my cousin,
are you not afraid of incurring the displeasure
of the fairy, by falling into the errors she cau-

tioned you against ? You may remember she
threatened to withdraw her favour if you
were guilty of jealousy and envy, and do you
know, I do not think you look near so well as
you used to do."
To this remark Amaranth^ for some mo-

ments answered only by surveying her cousin
with a look of ineffable scorn, at last, her
"
lips quivering with anger, she said Really,
my dainty Claribel, whatever the fairy may do
by me, I am afraid her precious gift to you has
failed in its effect. I thought you, at
any rate,
were to be secured from the dominion of envy
and spite." "

Upon my word, cousin," ans-
wered Claribel mildly, " J am unconscious of
ever having been subject to either. Since the
fairy iirst
appeared to us, I never felt less dis-
posed to envy her favours to you than at this

moment, and what can there be spiteful in
thinking you do not-look so well as you used
to dor"
Ursula, who was present, assented to
the opinion of Claribel. " sweet

Indeed, my
"
young lady," your cousin is right.
said she,
I have lately observed, with pain and appre-
hension, your altered looks. I believe the
racketing life you have led so long disagrees

with you, and am seriously fearful that you
will injure your health if you continue it."
It was in vain to urge any arguments

against the self-conceit of Amaranthe : that
her beauty could be in any degree diminished

was a supposition that she would not admit
into her thoughts. She added more ornaments
to the profusion that already glittered on her
person, and doubted not that, with such aids,
she should eclipse every belle who would ap-
pear at the entertainment. Under this happy
persuasion she entered the ball-room, but did

not long remain under its cheering influence.
No emotion seemed excited by her appear-
ance, no gaze followed her footsteps ; those
of her former admirers, whom she saw there,
rather shunned than approached her, and those

who were strangers did not appear to notice
her. After she had been seated somfe little
time however, she was in joyful expectation of

having her best wishes fulfilled, for she saw
Lionel advancing, who, on coming opposite to
her, stopped short, and fixed his eyes intently
upon her.
Much as her heart fluttered, and her cheeks
glowed at thisalmost unhoped for circum-
stance, she could not avoid discovering that his

looks betrayed more of astonishment than of
admiration. Suddenly seeming to recollect
himself he slightly bowed, and passing on \\ent
up to Ethelinde, whom he immediately engag-

ed for his partner. Fortunately for Amaranthe
the bustle and confusion of the dance just
then beginning, screened her from the obser-
vations that her violent agitation must other-
wise have drawn upon her. The dance indeed
THE FLOWER BASKET. 6l
began, but no one solicited the honour of her

fair hand. Amazed, appalled, she knew not
\vhat to make of it, at length, rising up, she drew
near a party who were in earnest conversa-
and did not perceive her. " Is it

tion, possi-
" that that
ble," she heard one of them say,
ordinary awkward looking girl, so bedizened
with finery, should be the beautiful Amaranthe,

of whom I have heard so much, and who
my chief purpose in coming hither was to
see ?"
" Believe answered another,
me,"
" what I tell is true. What has happen-
you
ed to her I cannot conjecture, but I do assure
you that not many weeks ago she was the most
beautiful creature my eyes ever beheld."
" said Amaranthe to herself, " now
Oh, oh,"
I discern the truth. This is a vile conspiracy
amongst my enemies. Some of my wicked
rivals, unable to submit to my superior attrac-

tions, have planned this scheme on purpose to
mortify me, but they shall find themselves de-

feated in their atrocious designs." She then
reared up her head, and stalked along the
room with all the stately airs she could assume,
but all in vain. Few of the company noticed
F
G2 THE FLOWER BASKET.
her at all, and to those who did, she was evi-
dently an object of ridicule. She had not

command enough over herself to endure this
long with patience. Abruptly quitting the as-
sembly, she returned home in a state of mind
and temper that threatened her with insanity.
Vvhen arrived there she tore off all her gaudy
apparel without once looking in the glass, and
threw herself into bed, where for some hours
she lay tumbling and tossing, but at last fell
into a doze, from which she did not awake until
mid-day. As soon as she arose she summon-

ed Claribel, that she might give vent to her
fury at the detestable events of the evening.

Claribel heard the relation of her disgrace with
unfeigned concern, but all the time she was

speaking looked earnestly at her with marks of
excessive surprise. After some hesitation, she,
"
trembling as she spoke, said, Pray, cousin,
have you lately looked at your hyacinth ?" The
question operated like an electric shock upon

Amaranthe. The truth flashed across her
mind. She considered a moment, and then
rushed to the cabinet where Felicia's pernici-
ous gift was deposited. There indeed she
"
found it with its bright tint turned to a sickly
and disgusting hue." She contemplated it
with an aspect of wild despair, then with an
effort of desperate resolution flew back to the
glass, where, for the first time for many

months, she looked at herself with eyes not
blinded by vanity. What a spectacle present-
ed itself to her view !

Gladly would she have
found herself only reduced to her original
plainness. Her eyes then, though they spark-

led not with the lustre with which the fairy
afterwards endowed them, were yet brightened
by the vivacity of youth. The texture of her
skin wa*s not so delicate, but her cheeks glow-
ed with ruddy health, and though no fascinat-
ing dimples accompanied her smiles, they were

the playful smiles of innocence. Now, sad
reverse ! her eyes were dimmed and sunk in
her head, her cheeks hollow and of ghastly pale-
ness,and the malevolent passions that had cor-

roded her heart, were traced in deep furrows
over her countenance. Almost frozen with
horror she uttered a piercing shriek, and fell
lifeless on the floor. Claribel affrighted, en-

deavoured to raise her, and called for assist-
ance, but no one came near her. She thought

she heard an unusual disturbance in the castle.
Sounds of strange voices speaking loud, tram-
pling of feet, and clapping of doors met her
ear, and appeared as if a general uproar pre-
vailed throughout. had for some
After she
time tried in vain to recover Amaranthe, Ur-
sula hastily entered the apartment, her face
pale with terror and dismay, which were in-

creased by seeing the alarming state of her
young mistress. Claribel, while she assisted

what had hap-
in restoring her, briefly related
pened, and the poor governess, on hearing it,

* "
broke out into bitter lamentations. Ah !
" how
wicked, treacherous fairy," said she,
have you abused my poor innocent children!
would that you had never appeared with your
vile gifts, only to betray them to their ruin,
and plunge them into a thousand times greater
misery than they could have experienced had

they never seen you.'*
Claribel earnestly enquired her meaning,
and the cause of the confusion she had heard,
and with difficulty, amidst her sobs and moans,
gathered what Ursula had herself learned from

Gabriel. The creditors of Adrian, hearing of
the extravagant style in which he lived, con-

cluded he must soon expend his fortune, and
that they should then have no chance of re-
ceiving \vhat was due to them. They, there-

fore, determined to come in a body, and insist
upon immediate payment. Adrian, though

extremely enraged, resolved, in spite of the
opposition of his associates, to satisfy all their
demands at once that he might be rid of them.
He accordingly repaired to the coffers where
his treasures were secured, but on opening
found them empty. He exclaimed loudly
all
that he had been basely robbed; then flew to
every chest, desk, or bureau in which he had

been used to seek a supply, but found not a
single piece of money, or article of value of
any kind while searching the last place of

:
safety he could think of, he was suddenly

struck with the sight of his rose, which had
fallen from the stalk, and every leaf withered
and dead : frantic with despair, he rushed all
over the castle proclaiming himself ruined,
but hardly sensible of what he said or did.
On hearing this, the profligate crew, who had
F 3
called themselves his friends, speedily made

off, nor would stay even to offer him consola-
tion. The creditors incensed at
being thus
defrauded of their right, thought it best to
make themselves what amends they could, and
began tearing away all the costly furniture, and
seizing upon every thing valuable they could

find. The servants too, thinking they should
have no other method of being paid, had join-

ed in the general plunder, and were all taking
their departure as soon as they could secure
what they had pillaged.
Amaranth^ revived before Ursula had finish-
ed her dismal narrative, but she attended

not to it, nor seemed conscious of any thing
that passed. Claribel and Ursula continued
administering restoratives to her, when the

door opened, and the form of Adrian, but far
more resembling that of a spectre, slowly en-
tered. He placed himself on a seat, and fixed

his haggard eyes upon his sister. She raised
her's to him, but no sound gave utterance to
the feelings their looks mutually expressed. It
was not the mild grief that could be soothed
by sympathy ; it was the gloomy anguish of

remorse, the humiliating sense of unworthi-

ness, the incurable torture of shame. Clari-
bel and Ursula looked at them in speechless
sorrow, for no ray of comfort presented itself

to alleviate their sufferings.
Thus were these unfortunate young peo-

ple, by the indulgence
of their own- wishes,
and the attainment of what they supposed
could produce only gratification and happi-
ness, reduced to a state of apparently irreme-

diable distress. Even Claribel shared in the
general misery. Not that the gift of the fairy
had lost its influence upon her the ; lily was

fresh as ever. She was contented in her
own person, and formed no wishes for herself;
but she could not behold the wretched condi-
tion of her friends unmoved. Though not
subject to strong emotions, her heart was tender
and affectionate. Her cousins were her sole
objects of attachment, and it was still unabated

towards them. Ursula could do nothing but
bewail their sad destiny ; she was weak and
helpless. Gabriel was the only rational per-

son of the party. He collected together the
little that remained out of the wreck of the
possessions, and tried to put things in some
order to make them more comfortable. The
generous old man never reminded them of the

advice he had given, or took to himself the
credit that was his due for his better
judg-
ment.
Claribel had used all the arguments she
could devise to reconcile Amaranthe to her al-
tered state, but with little success. * One re-
markably fine day she prevailed upon her to go

out into the air :
they walked to a part of the
grounds that had in their childhood been ap-
propriated as their play place. Here, while

resting on a bench, they were joined by Adrian.
The brother and sister now found words to
relieve the weight of woe that oppressed them,
but it was by heaping invectives on the deceit-

ful Felicia. From accusing the fairy they be-
"
gan upbraid each other.
to You, Ama-
" have no
ranlh6," said Adrian, right to
complain you :
might at least have been spared
the misfortune of poverty. Had it not been
for your abominable vanity and coquetry,

you might have been happily and nobly set-
tled."
"You are unjust to say so, Adrian," re-
torted his sister ; " you know very well it was
your refusing to bestow a fortune upon me,

that prevented many of my lovers from solicit-
ing my hand but you were given

in marriage ;
up to selfishness, and cared not what became

of me."
" For dear cousins,"
pity's sake, my cried
" do not
Claribel, Remember, des-
quarrel.
titute orphans as we we have
are, nothing left
in this world but each other, and if we are not
united, what is to become of us ?"

Adrian was touched ; looking tenderly on
" Claribel is " We
his sister, right," said lie.
are, indeed, bereaved of every thing else, and

shall we forsake each other ? Ah, Ama-
rathe !" he continued, his eyes swimming in
" time was when all our joys and all our
tears,
wishes centred in each other. How fondly

you once loved me and is it at an end ? Will
you love me no more ?" The native good feel-
ings of Amaranthe's heart, that had so long
lain dormant, were now revived. Bursting

into an agony of crying, she threw her arms
round her brother's neck, and sobbed out,
"
Yes, yes, dear Adrian I love you better
;
than ever. Oh, do but be kind to me, and I
will cease to deplore the loss of my beauty."
After embracing her affectionately, Adrian,

" This
looking mournfully round, observed
was the scene of our childish sports. How
joyously we bounded like fawns over this lawn !
When turning our hoops or tossing our balls,

how little cared I for riches or you for beauty !
And " is the

there/' pointing with his hand,
shrubbery where we used to play at hide and

seek, and laugh at poor Claribel for not being
able to find us. See the woodbine that you
and she used to twine round my hat and crook,
when I played at being a shepherd."
" And are the "
those," said
Amaranthe,
trees you so often climbed to get birds' eggs
for Claribel and me to string, when we pre-

tended to be hermits, and called them our
rosaries!"
"
Happy, happy days of blessed inno-
cence !" groaned out her brother " would to

;
heaven ye could be recalled Never again !
would I barter ye for grandeur and licentious-

ness !"
While the unhappy trio continued weeping
over these painful recollections, they suddenly
observed an extraordinary appearance in the
air. A large machine, resembling a car, was
hovering in it, and at length descending slowly
to the earth fixed itself at no great distance

from them. They then saw a lady clad in a
purple robe, with a long white wand in her

hand, step out of it and advance towards them.
They were immediately struck with the belief
that it was the fairy, but with what different
sensations did the brother and sister now greet
her, to those which her first appearance had
occasioned ! Confused and dismayed, they
would have fled from her presence had not
terror rendered them motionless, for they
doubted not that she was come to reproach
them, if not to punish their ill conduct. When
she drew nearer, and they ventured to look at
her again, they discovered that the figure was
taller and more dignified than that of Felicia.

Her face was not so fair, and its
expression
was more solemn, but her countenance was
more commanding, and her aspect altogether
"
inspired awe and veneration. Perhaps,"
" it is the fairy Benigna."
whispered Claribel,
The minds of her cousins assented to this sug-
gestion, but by no means diminished their
it
apprehensions. If they had so much cause to

dread the censure of Felicia, what had they to
hope from the severe Benigna ?

Trembling, and not daring to speak or
move, they stood before her, while she regard-
ed them for some time in silence, with looks
that lost much of their solemnity, and express-
ed pity and benevolence. Then, in a mild
" Poor
tone, said, hapless victims of ignorance
and error, your consciences tell you that I am
come to inflict the chastisement due to your
folly and guilt; but lay aside your fears. I
can allow for and compassionate the offences

of feeble mortality. I am come to take you
from this scene of desolation and disgrace,
\\ hich can only remind you of lost happiness.
THE FLOWER BASKET* 73
Are you willing to trust yourselves with me ?"

Whatever the private inclinations of the party
might be, they were too much in awe of this
powerful being to offer any resistance to her

will :
they only bowed in token of submission.
She then pjaced them all in the car, and
mountiug it herself after them, waved her wand
when the machine arose with a gentle motion
into the air, which it wafted them through, but

at what rate, or whither to, they could not
judge. They were so amazed, and their senses
so bewildered, that they almost doubted if
they were awake, or whether all that had pass-

ed were not a dream !
They could not calculate how long they

had been travelling in this easy manner, when
they found the vehicle again descending to the
earth, where it rested before a white house,
that had every appearance of neatness and
comfort, though not of magnificence.
It was situated in the middle of a garden,
laid out in excellent taste, and well stored with
fruits, flowers, and shrubs of all kinds, bounded

by verdant meadows, with a fine river passing
through them, and the surrounding country

richly cultivated, and luxuriantly beautiful.
Their conductress desired them to enter the
house, where the first objects that met their
view, were Ursula and Gabriel, who had been

conveyed thither by the agents of the fairy,
and who welcomed them with raptures of
jy-
Benigna led them through the apartments
which were sufficiently spacious for conve-
nience, and fitted up with elegance and pro-
priety. The last she introduced them into
was, a library, furnished with a large collec-

" And
tion of books, maps, globes, &c. now,
1
my young friends,' said she, "do you think
you can be happy in such a habita-

tion as this r" Adrian, willing to ingratiate
himself in her opinion, promptly replied, " Ah,
Madam, we shall be most happy to receive
any favour from you. You, no doubt, will al-

ways continue your generous kindness, and not
desert us like the treacherous Felicia."
"
Presumptuous mortal !" answered Be-
" what
nigna, with a frown, right have you or
your sister to call Felicia treacherous ? Did

you not obstinately persist in choosing the
gifts she warned you against ? And did either
of you practise the good precepts she gave you
with them ? Had they been observed, you are
conscious that you might still have been rich,
and Amaranthe handsome. But come," she
added, observing the effect her words had
" be not alarmed.
upon them, My design is
not to arraign, but to instruct. The fact is,
my sister is not treacherous, but she is injudi-

cious. Her power is very limited, and the
few gifts she has to bestow, are more likely to
ensnare than to benefit those whom she means
to serve. She gave you, indeed, good advice,
but she could not endow you with the good
sense that would enable you to follow it.
Even you, my quiet Claribel, have not, I
fancy, profited much by her favor. Say, were

you very happy in the possession of your
lily ?" Claribel, after considering a little, an-

" I do not know that I was absolutely
swered,
happy. I was, indeed, always contented, as
she promised I should be, and never felt in-
G 2
clined to repine, or be vexed at any thing ;

but
I do not remember ever experiencing any par-
"
ticular pleasure." No/' returned the fairy,
<c
nor would any one under such circumstances.
The content Felicia bestowed on you, was not
the happy result of a well-regulated mind, sa-
tisfied own exertions, and the perform-
with its
ance of those duties incumbent on all rational
beings. It was indolence, mistaken for a vir-

tue. A being endued with reason, of which
it
obeys not the dictates; with faculties, of
which it makes no use, but is content to oc-
cupy its station in life without fulfilling the
purposes for which it was placed there, is
scarcely less censurable than those who waste

their time in riot and dissipation. Others may
reap some advantage from their follies, but no
benefit can be derived from a mere moving
machine."
The vaunted favorite of Felicia found her-
self no higher esteem of Benigua than
in the
her indiscreet cousins, and felt ready to sink

under her reproving eye; but, resuming her
benevolent aspect, the fairy continuing her dis-
" take
course, said, my children, you
courage,
are none of you irreclaimable, and may hope,
by your future conduct, to make some amends
for past transgressions. The fault has not
been so much in yourselves, as in those whose
duty it was
have prepared you for the trials
to
and temptations, that you had little chance of
passing through the world without encounter-

ing. Now, let me try if this wand cannot
confer more lasting happiness than the roses
and hyacinths of my sister." So saying, she
waved it
gently over their heads. In a mo-
ment, they all felt like new-created beings.
They seemed to awaken to a different sense of
existence. They became painfully sensible of

their own deficiences, and of the deplorable
want of education, yet the pain was alleviated
by the cheering influence of the light let in
upon them, and the earnest desire they felt for
improvement.
" You are a all con-
now," said Benigna,
scious of the folly and uselessness of your past
lives ; and if rr?y wand has done its duty, you
are equally willing to repair the evils they have
been the cause of. As I before said, you have

been less to blame than others. You wanted
instruction in every thing, but the chief and
most important instruction you wanted, was
principle Had that been properly inculcated
!
into you, all the ills that have befallen you,
might have been avoided. In this apartment,

(looking round,) you will find store for your
minds, and employment of the most pleasing
kind for your time ; but this (placing her hand
on a very large volume that was on a desk be-
fore her) must be your first and most assiduous
study. In these writings you will find how un-
necessary is the aid of fairies to your welfare,

when by humbly imploring that of the all-pow-
erful Being who never forsakes those who re-
sort to him, you will secure those endless bless-
ings that magic has not to bestow.

" But
you probably wish to know where
you are. Learn then that this abode, and jhe
fortune annexed to it, is no gift of mine ;
it is
the bequest of your uncle, who died in a foreign
country. He, as well as the rest of her friends,
disapproved of his sister's connexion with a

person who had always conducted himself very

ill towards him ; and when the marriage took
place, his resentment was so great, that he for-

sook his native country, accompanied by the
friend whose return to it cost you the loss of
your parents. On his death-bed, your uncle's

heart relented in favour of his sister, to whom
and her children, he bequeathed his property,
\vith an equal portion to his niece, Claribel.
He consigned the deed of gift to that friend,
exacting a promise from him, that he would

deliver it
only into your mother's hands. You
already know how he was prevented doing that;
and when the priest, to whom he entrusted it,
also died, I took care to secure the deed for
the purpose of restoring it to your mother;
but death defeated all our intentions.
" I should not have withheld your own
property so long from you, had not my sister
taken you so hastily under her protection ;

but
as I surmised what the result of her patronage
would be, I determined to reserve this resource
against the hour of distress, to which I had

little doubt her favours would reduce you.
And now, my children, it

only remains for
you to make a right use of these valuable pos-
sessions. You have not boundless riches, but

have sufficient to satisfy all your own reasona-
able wants, and to administer to the wants of
your suffering fellow beings. I have furnished

you with the means, as well as the desire of im-
provement. Let the remembrance of your
past errors, and the folly of your first wishes,
operate on your future conduct. Fail not to
observe these injunctions, and you will secure

the love and esteem of all whose good opinion
you wish to obtain; and though I may never
appear to you again, my attendant spirit and
good offices shall not be withdrawn."

So saying, the excellent fairy Benigna,
casting on them all a look of maternal affec-
tion, again gently waved her powerful wand,

and vanished !
The fairy indeed vanished, and the wand

was seen no more ;
but their influence was
still felt by the now happy and deserving or-
phans. They assiduously obeyed her com-
mands in seeking knowledge and instruction
and took care that their first

study should be
that volume which she had directed their
to
attention. There Adrian learned that " in

Godliness is
great riches," and Amaranthe
found in " the beauty of holiness" that pure
gratification and unabated happiness, that beau-

ty of person, had no chance of bestowing. Cla-
" faith and
ribel, by good works," experienced
content, accompanied by real enjoyment, in-
stead of the negative satisfaction derived from
her lily.
She became as animated and active
as she had before been indolent and help-
less.
Adrian, in acquiring wisdom, was able to

indulge his natural good propensities. He
knew how to manage the fortune he possessed,
arid by learning to be frugal could afford to be
generous. His vivacity, now tempered by

good sense, was the delight of all to whom he
was known ; and the happiness springing from
a cultivated mind and corrected heart, render-
ed him once more a joyous, but never a licen-
tious spirit.
Amaranthe, though never restored to the

82 THE FLOWER BASKET,
radiant beauty of the hyacinth, regained her
original healthy and sprightly looks. The ease

of her heart was manifested in her counte-
'
nance. She could behold beauty in others

without a repining sigh, nor coveted any other
admiration than what her uniform good con-
duct and commendable desire to please and
oblige, always procured for her.

Ursula had often the gratification of see-
ing her sweet young ladies employed in the

embroidery she had so industriously taught
them for the benefit of their indigent neigh-
bours ;
and the
faithful Gabriel enjoyed the
exquisite delight of knowing that his honour-

ed young master and mistresses obtained the
blessings of the poor, and the respect of the

rich.
Thus these children of the old castle, whose

lives began under such unpromising auspices,
and for whom I
hope my young readers are
excessively interested, ended them as pros-
perously as mere human beings can ever hope

to do. They were happy because they were
rational ;
and being rational, they felt well dis-
posed to laugh heartily at all absurd stories

about Fairies, Flower Baskets, and White
Wands!
THE END.
BARNARD AND PARLEY,

Skinner-Street, London.

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CHILDREN'S BOOK

fl&Kshcd fy LfnamtaiJiifsUleu. Crm-

I never may believe

PRINTED FOft LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME, AND BROWN,

Tale with a perusal, will probably anticipate in

itwas not written with an intention of being

It was composed solely at the request, and

vention of the writers, that have been substi-

Princess," for supposing that the mind of a

avowedly fictitious, than by those high wrought

the world, than with the fantastic agents of

inspection this trifle was submitted, pronounced

correctness of their principles.

JLJL BRIAN and Amaranth^ were born in an old

decay. Their parents, in proud resentment

world, had lived retired in the only habitable

ing but little with the surrounding neigh-

grateful, nor neglectful of real merit, but it is

wise, and when people squander their fortunes

rather with a view to display their own conse-

quence than to gratify or benefit their fellow

deur, though they would readily do so to relieve

The establishment consisted of a few do-

mestics, and an old governess v\ho was re-

family, than from any knowledge or acquire-

age. From the disadvantages under which

would sometimes devote himself to his instruc-

tion, but from disappointment, and out

of humour with a world in which he despaired

gularly given, or enforced in a manner likely

total ignorance of all beyond it,

pered, notwithstanding having been always in-

ing governess. From the stories she had read,

or heard her relate, she had formed a general

idea of the advantage of personal attractions,

which, in her own person robust and awkward,

cousins, was also less of her age. She was

out energy of character. Her timidity and

proceeded more from unchecked liveliness

than real ill-nature, and as she was too gentle

they lived in perfect harmony together. She

fail to learn the task that was given her, but

From the continual ill health of the lady,

her daughter and niece were almost wholly

consigned to the care and culture of the faith-

read, write, and spell, and as much of arith-

was not very difficult. She was also anxious

that her " own blessed young ladies" should

marvellous histories, to which they would

listenwith an eagerness and interest that ba-

store, but what afforded the highest delight to

repented having uttered them, nor could all

Adrian had nearly completed his twentieth

year, Amaranthe \vas eighteen, and Claribel

castle, bringing with him a packet addressed to

quence to impart, and his intention of proceed-

repairing to the place where he was confined,

that they might themselves receive his commu-

On examining the letter they found that