stated are the necessary results of the present vicious state of things: it is only interfering with the wise designs of Providence, to attempt to prevent the natural consequences and legitimate punishment of what should never have existed. Poverty, my daughter, would die out of itself, but for the mistaken efforts of benevolent enthusiasts. I make it a matter of conscience to do nothing towards perpetuating vice and misery; the public good requires it, I owe this to the station I hold in society."

Amy still continued her hopeless appeal to her father's heart.

"Did not Jesus, father, preach particularly to the poor? Were not his instructions particularly calculated to elevate the poor?"

"So far from it, my daughter, that his instructions were, I think, intended to make them quiet and submissive under all the trials of life. Jesus was careful never to meddle with any of the existing relations of society, even that most abject poverty where a man does not possess his own bodyslavery. Wise and pious men think it sanctioned by the conduct and teachings of Jesus Christ."

even

Mr. Weston had fairly talked himself into

a conviction that he was the true, and Amy the mistaken philanthropist; and he actually felt an increase of self-satisfaction from the conversation. Amy shuddered at the coldhearted sophistry of her father's arguments, and this utter perversion of the religion of Jesus. She tried to persuade herself he had blindly adopted these heartless views upon the authority of others. She would have attempted to vindicate Providence, and the friend and Saviour of man from the false charge of approving of evils which are caused by the imperfect institutions and selfish passions of men; but her father's manner convinced her that he was inaccessible to any arguments that were not sanctioned by the opinion of the world. "I know," thought Amy, "to whom I can go, and who will gladly help me with their money and their sympathy." With these thoughts in her mind Amy endeavored on her way to her cousin's house to chase away the painful impressions which her conversation with her father had occasioned. She found Fanny at

home, and alone, and

rejoiced to see her. "Roberts," said Fanny, "has gone to take a long walk into the country with a friend, and I told him that I should be revenged

upon him for leaving me at home, and alone, all this morning, by being very happy without him; and you have come just in right time to help me keep my vow."

"I am sorry he is not at home," said Amy, "for I wanted that he as well as you should engage with me in a little project I have at heart."

As soon as Amy had told Fanny her plans, and before she had given half her reasons in favor of them, Fanny's purse was in her hand and open.

"Tell me what to give, my dear; you know I have no other use for money than spending it. Take what you want, and do what you will with it; I only stipulate for one regulation in your school."

"What is that, Fanny?

"That the first efforts for the improvement of the children should be devoted exclusively to the outside. Please my dear, to lay out my money for tubs, and brushes, and soap, and sponges; let the little brats be all but drowned and flayed alive the first day they enter the school; and, as you value my friendship, do not put either of your nice little hands upon one of the little dirty horrors till this operation is duly performed. I should

like to endow a washing establishment for all the dirty babies in the country."

Amy promised that this should be properly attended to. "But Fanny," she said, "you must go with me and see my school when it is established."

"Certainly," replied Fanny; "I presume that your prime minister, Ruth, will keep proper dresses for visiters as they do at Niagara for those who go behind the falls?" "I was not aware that any peculiar dress was necessary," said Amy laughing.

"Oh yes," replied Fanny; "One ought to wear a drab colored English merino pelisse or gown, an old Leghorn bonnet with an ash colored ribbon on it, and a green old barège veil, dark cotton stockings, with large India rubber shoes, loose cotton gloves with the ends of the fingers hanging over, a shiny looking black silk bag with a steel clasp, and chain swinging on your arm; and on rainy days a blue cotton umbrella, or, as Ruth calls it, an amberill: this dress is essential for a visit to a charity school."

"Come, come, Fanny! more harm is done to a good cause by ridicule than by positive abuse; you shall not laugh at my school."