towards her mother filled him with the warmest admiration. His kind manner towards Alice induced her to ask him if he thought he could put her into any way of disposing of her work, and with a promptness which was much to the credit of his heart, he promised to send them to a friend in London, who would, he was certain, undertake to dispose of them.

The expressive countenance of Alice, which beamed with a look of grateful joy, fully repaid him for his kindness. Mr. Jackson was himself a father, therefore he looked upon this sweet being with peculiar interest.

Alice now worked with redoubled pleasure, and her receipts were very useful in their little establishment.

In the present system of education, work is, I am sorry to say, much neglected. There is so much to be done, so many accomplishments to acquire, that this most essential, most truly feminine acquirement is too often completely over

looked. In my opinion it is nearly of first-rate importance to give to every young female a taste and facility in this neglected art. In whatever situation of life a woman is destined to move, it has its use. To some as an amusement, to others as a most necessary and useful acquirement. It teaches neatness and arrangement, and in the confined life which it is the lot of most women to lead, it occupies many an idle moment, which might otherwise be listlessly squandered. In illness it is a resource, and in many cases it has been the means of procuring an addition to a limited income.

I would advise every mother to cultivate a taste for work in her daughter in whatever situation she may be; for although she may never be called upon as Alice was, to work for her bread, yet I am convinced that, in a general way, no part of a woman's education becomes more useful to her as a mother and mistress of a family, than a lady-like use of her needle.

CHAPTER VIII.

MRS. SEYMOUR had been tolerably free from any severe attack since her arrival at W and Alice was really flattering herself that she was deriving benefit from the sea air, when her hopes were frustrated by her mother being seized by a violent paroxysm of her disorder.

She struggled with the disease for some days, in the hope of its abating without the aid of medical advice; but at last yielded to the earnest prayers of her daughter to send for a physician.

Alice sent to Mr. Jackson to request that he would recommend the most skilful practitioner the place afforded, and

accordingly Dr. Wilmot arrived almost immediately, and administered successfully to Mrs. Seymour's present sufferings.

She had a private interview with him, and fully convinced the worthy doctor that she was perfectly aware how completely hopeless was her case, which it was impossible for him to deny; he, however, assured her, that the danger was not immediate.

"My life is now of the utmost importance to my child, and I would for her sake gladly prolong it ;" said Mrs. Seymour to the sensible and feeling physician; "but Alice must not be totally blind to my danger. Her affection towards me, poor child is so completely engrossing, that should I be removed suddenly from this world, God only knows how she would be able to support the blow. Pray, Sir, be kind enough, gently, to prepare her for my danger."

Dr. Wilmot promised that he would do

so;

but when he went into the next room, and found the anxious girl pale with emotion and suspense, his heart failed him, and he could not give the cruel blow.

He had been prepared to be interested in the widow and her daughter; but their appearance and manners far surpassed what he expected to meet. After some conversation with Alice he took his leave, and on her offering a fee, he accepted it, but added, that in future they must consider him as a friend; and scarcely a day passed that he did not visit them, proving by his kindness a most valuable consolation.

When Alice returned to her mother's room, Mrs. Seymour immediately perceived that nothing had been said to give her pain; on the contrary, she appeared in high spirits, full of praise of the kind Doctor Wilmot, and with all the buoyancy of hope, so easily excited in the breast of youth, she repeated what he had said upon the subject of the efficacy of warm sea