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are soon sacrificed to his predominating pas sion. That person is sure of sorrow who is marked out for either the love or friendship of such an one; his friendship is betrayed, and his love outraged by the sacrifices selfish ambition requires of them. 1 say all this sim ply to account for Mrs. Austen’s character. She is wrapped up in her husband’s glory, and as neither I nor Charlie can contribute to it, we are useless on her list. The family used to be very cordial, but not being able to make as much out of us as they hoped to, their cordiality has waned considerably. How I honor such sincerity as theirs! I discern the hollowness of their every word and deed! Moreover, I despise myself, that with my eyes open, I should become infected with their in sincerity, for I said many things I hardly felt. Yet 1 believe I still love Mrs. Austen, and when under the immediate influence of her winning manner, and her glorious eyes, I am sincere in wishing our intercourse could be as of old, when f trusted as well as loved. “I called on our friend Mrs. Carrol. She is a Christian woman I sincerely believe, and has a mind vastly superior to most of her sex, which rare gift has been well cultivated. On some subjects I love to hear her converse, but to-day the vein she struck was an unfortunate one. She spoke harshly of the faults of some who think her their true friend, and contemp tuously of others. I know the faults and weaknesses she descanted on are foreign to her nature, but she has so little charity, she speaks so coolly and discriminatingly that she frightens me, and I am made fully aware, that she will not spare me when lam away. So I left her exceedingly amazed, in spite of the friendliness, which she considers it her duty to show to all who call on her. “In pretty Mrs. Henderson’s parlor, there was an affectation of exquisitiveness in every arrangement which told much for its mistress. As usual she commenced on literary topics, because “ she knew I cared for nothing else.” I wish you could have heard her say, with her hands clasped, and her eyes turned up — “Oh! I should die if it were not for poetry and music. My soul only breathes in their atmosphere!” “Now, you know she has neither taste nor science in her execution upon the piano, and sings or rather squalls, till her really excel lent voice is horrible, while her whole stock of poetry consists in . . . . “ that book Full of musk, gems, and roses, and called Lalla Kookh” and a small copy of dainty L. E. L. “At Mrs. Loring's, the Philadelphia-bred young ladies were full of their affectations, and expressions of disgust for the vulgarity and breaches of etiquette they were obliged to put up with in the provincial circles to which they were now confined. “ Mrs. Lincoln had the usual airs of dictato rial authority and patronage which distin guish an acknowledged belle. But for her arts, her intolerable vanity and her egotism, she would really be quite a clever woman, but now she is spoiled by the excessive ad miration she has received. I can hardly blame her, the ordeal must be trying. “I have said little of the attempts at criti cal literary conversation, or the hints and in uendoes, incorrigible gossips could not restrain; or the lack of delicacy which chaiacterised *ome of the remarks and details I was forced ’O listen to. Things I would blush to name to myself and in darkness, were openly allu ded to, and words fell unhesitatingly which a pure-minded woman should not recognise in her vocabulary. “How, I ask you mother, am I to love *uch people, respect them and believe their pro lessions ? Can associating with them be of service>to me, or aid me in becoming the sin cere and meek Christian, the devoted wife, and judicious mother, the accomplished scho lar, the “ perfect woman ?” Do you blame me that I complain of the enforced conven §®©t sm m ih mr s&& & n s&ssinfß. tionalities -which require such association ?” “What I ask of you Ellen, is that you will not condemn so indiscriminately. It is true that none of the traits you have mentioned are desirable in a companion, but can you see nothing but their faults in these people ? Might not one who had just listened to your description of them, say that Mrs. Eaton was very conceited, or proud, or opinionated, or uncharitable ? I know my child you would only speak as you have, before those in whom you have confidence, but the consequence of indulging such feelings once, is, that they readily arise a second time till they come to give tone to the character. This is doubtless the secret of Mrs. Carrol’s characteristic harsh ness ; with her clear, discriminating eye she saw the faults of all who approached her, and the consciousness of her own superiority to them was agreeable, so the impulse was not checked as it should have been, and thus she has lost the charm of forbearance and charity which would ensure to her love, as well as the respect she commands. Let her case be a warning to you Ellen, and remem ber however important intellectual cultivation maybe, unaffected and single-minded goodness is first to be sought, and if our natures are not richly gifted with this divine endowment, we are to model ourselves with truth and ear nestness to the example of him who scorned not to associate with publicans and sinners, so that he might benefit and bless them. “ In Mrs. Charlton and Mrs. Hall, you see developed the blessing of a well regulated mind, and the evils of an ill regulated one. I think the ladies equally amiable, but Mrs. Hall lacks energy, and system, and exempli fies the folly of a simply fashionable educa tion. Some of the faults you condemn, are faults of the heart as much as of the head. All these ladies may be amiable; some of them possess fine domestic qualities, others only needed proper training to become all you as pire to be. “Do not then judge others Ellen, but if their faults present themselves, be warned, and teach only by unostentatious example the higher principles which actuate you. Truly there are as you say, few in this world who live according to the dictates of their better natures, or their Bibles Young girls are trained and taught to live for admiration, and display, rather than love, and usefulness. Wives can not unlearn this teaching and still seek the gay party, or the round of morning visits for amusement and happiness. Mothers attend to the physical nurture of their children and their minds are left to the teacher who is too often negligent in the discharge of her duties, while hearts are forgotten by all, and can we wonder that such children become only second editions of the careless, frivolous, injudicious parent ? “ It is necessary that some intercourse should be preserved among all persons constituting society. Might not these morning visits be made as they are at Mrs. Charlton’s, times of improvement ?■ Have not you Ellen the pow er to give anew direction, at least for a time, to the light and superficial fancies of Mrs. Henderson ; could you not tell the Miss Lor ings of the excellencies of those whose awk wardness so shock them, and of your own re spect for their good hearts, even though they have never been to school at Philadelphia, and acquiied the graces nature failed to be stow upon them ? Turn away from gossip, and show you will not listen to inuendoes. Speak ever truthfully, lovingly, and sensibly, and at the end of six months, tell me if your own earnest and lofty impulses, and your warm and sympathising heart still finds no response. You, my daughter, have only too truly described modern society , but have I not shown you a remedy for its evils?”’ Lines to a Celebrated Painter. You seek the beautiful ; and yours the moral Os him who beauty chased, and clasped the laurel? Mrs. E. F. Ellet. Cjome (Homsponbencc. For the Southern Literury Gazette. NEW-YORK LETTERS.-NO. 15. Lake George, New-York, \ Aug. 4th, 1848. ) My Dear Sir , —I am not aware that our epistolary arrangements demand letters of trav el from me, or, indeed, that these poor epistles come very relevantly under the title you give them in your Journal. Yet, had i not duly warned you of the fact, your sagacity would have led you, even from the fickle name in which I glory, to foresee tl\at, as summer guns appear, my amiable smile would no longer ir radiate the burning pave of Broadway. lam one of those individuals, whose ‘ powers’ re bel against the tyranny of any ‘ pent-up Uti ca,’ and who follow the custom of all reason able Gothamites, in getting up a little private Hygera to the merry and happy -wild woods, when dog-days approach. Again, for the benefit of those of your readers, who would limit me to the province which the heading of these sheets seems to imply, I would remind you that though not in the Metropolis, yet 1 still scribble within the boundaries of the great Empire State ; and so literally give you, as heretofore, “New York Letters.” Having thus established my right thus to ramble, now a word or two touching the ex pediency thereof. If your readers can fly from the heat and bustle of a great city to the quiet and coolness of country shades, with a tithe of the delight which I experience in the exchange, they will not regret to follow me in my pilgrimage. Should they not be able to do so, I have still a pleasant argument left. Since lam not in town —thank heaven! and know no more—thank heaven again ! of all the casualties, quarrels and scandals thereof, than Peter the Hermit, you must even accept my wood-land leaves, or none at all. It is a decided case of Hobson’s choice, and so I will say no more about it, but jog quietly along. After posting my last sheet from Saratoga, I took the stage thence for the beautiful and renowned Lake, on the margin of which I now write, gazing ever and anon from my vine-shaded window across the placid waters, to the lovely hills which rise from their shores in a thousand lines of grace and tints of beau ty. The day was warm, exceedingly so, and we found but poor satisfaction in journeying in a stage-coach over the twenty-seven miles of heavy, sandy road, which intervene the Springs and the “ Lake House,” at Caldwell's Landing, on the Southern extremity of fair “Horicon.” We were literally broiled in the scorching sun and buried in the clouds of dust, insomuch that we almost sympathized in the excited feelings of our only lady pas senger, a demoiselle of the mighty city of Saratoga, who was leaving that Metropolis for a few days’ visit to some relatives herea bouts. “Never!” exclaimed the nervous mai den, as her fair visage loomed again into sight, after the passing off of a simoon, and as she ignominously failed in a desperate on slaught upon an impudent mosquito,—“Nev er, if I ever get back to the c?7y, (Saratoga,) shall you catch me in the country again!” The only agreeable incident in the day’s travel, was our arrival at Glenn’s Falls, some seven miles from our point of destination. Here we shook the dust from our persons, and found time to dispose of a welcome din ner of Lake-trout, broiled and boiled, and to ramble for an hour about the village and falls- These cascades, on the north bank of the Hud son, are of a very singular character, but rather barren of the picturesque. The river, here, makes a total descent of fifty feet, afford ing very great hydraulic power, used exten sively in the manufacture of marble, lime and lumber. Os the former material, great quan tities are found on both sides of the stream. It is highly prized for its beautiful black hue, and its freedom from flaws. The river is crossed just above the falls by a bridge of six hundred feet in length. The navigable feed er of the Champlain Canal also passes through the village. Here, the banks of Lake George, I am still within the same county which boasts of the possession of these val uable cascades. It is a region rich in picto rial and historic interest. Besides Glenn’s Falls and the incomparable Lake George, of which I shall discourse presently—many interest ing scenes of river, lake and mountain, lie within its limits; the Hudson, Schroon Branch and Jessup’s creek fertilize the soil. A por tion of the beautiful Schroon Lake and Lake Brant add to its charms, while the Hadley, Jessup and Glenn Falls dash over its rocks, and the Luzerne, the Kayaderosseras and the Clinton ranges of mountains, traverse its dif ferent sections. In the matter, too, of history, a number of interesting events, win the attention of the traveller. In the French war of 1754-63, an engagement took place at the head of Lake George, where the English Victor, General Johnson, erected and fortified Fort William Henry. In 1757, this work was taken by the French under the Marquis de Montcalm, who on the occasion blackened his fame by the vi lest breach of faith and the most barbarous cruelty towards the vanquished, under Col. Monroe. He destroyed the fortifications and erected in their place Fort George, where, in 1777, Burgoyne deposited his stores. But since most of the historical incidents to which I may refer, relate particularly to Lake George, I will postpone any farther mention of them until it may be apropos in llie record of my Lake adventures. After the dinner at Glenn’s falls, to which I have attended with so much inward satis faction, (the dinner I mean —not the falls,) we resumed our dusty journey, and by night-fall, (not enumerated in my above listof cascades!) we were skirting the head or southern point of Horicon, and in a few minutes afterward, felt perfectly at home in that pleasant hotel, the “ Lake House,” at Caldwell’s. The next morning we breakfasted most royally upon the unapproached and unapproachable trout, and embarked on board the pretty little steam er which daily plies the waters of the Hori con. But I must leave you at Caldwell’s for the present; you will find enough there to amuse £ou for many pleasant days, and my friend G— insists upon my helping him in- a moon-light row upon the lake. Peace to thee and thine, FLIT. PATCH WORK. m —l’ve tried them eggs one hour and they wont bile soft.” The latest definition for money is, a composition for taking stains out of charac ter. Banks and sausages are alike, says somebody —both relying for patronage on the generous confidence of the community. Rath er satirical! “ Slaves cannot breathe in England,'’ quoted John Bull to a Virginian. “Your in stitution is very peculiar” replied the latter; “we do give ours some little chance.” “ My son,” said an affectionate moth er to her hopeful heir, who was in a short tine to be married, “you are getting thin.” — “Yes, mother,” he replied, “I am, and I ex pect shortly that you will see my rib.” There is nothing that tends so much to keep the fire of love burning brightly after marriage as those little attentions which be fore marriage, you consider it would be inex cusable in you to forget. Husbands, bear this in mind ! “My brethren,” said Swift, “there are three kinds of pride—the pride of birth, the pride of riches, and the pride of talents— but I shall not now speak of the latter, none of you being liable to that vice.” J&gg 05 In the presence of a sarcastic lady,, an individual was praising the wit of a man who had a very limited intellect. “ Oh, yes,” said the lady, “he must possess a rich fund, of wit, tor he never spends any.” 107