main of Rossville, the country gradually assumed a less picturesque appearance-rocks, woods, and rivers, now gave way to arable land, well-fenced fields, and well-filled barn-yards; while these, in turn, yielded to vast tracts of improveable land, thriving belts of young plantation, ring-stone dikes, and drains in all directions.

It was in the midst of this scenery that Bellevue stood pre-eminent. It was a showy, whitewashed, winged-house, situated on the top of the hill, commanding an extensive view of "muirs and mosses many, O," with traces of cultivation interspersed, and which by many was considered as a very fine—and by all was styled a very commanding prospect. A dazzling white gate, with spruce cannister lodge, opened upon a well-gravelled avenue which led to the mansion, surrounded by a little smiling lawn, with a tuft of evergreens in the centre. On one hand appeared a promising garden wall; on the other, a set of commodious-looking farm-offices-every thing was in the highest order-all bespoke the flourishing gentleman farmer. The door was opened by a stout florid foot-boy, in flaunting livery, whose yellow locks seemed to stiffen at sight of the

splendid equipage that met his view. The interrogatories, however, at length recalled him to a sense of duty; and upon the question being put for the third time, whether his master or mistress were at home-he returned that cautious answer, which marks the wary well-tutored though perplexed menial, i. e. that he was not sure, but he would see. After an interval of about five minutes, during which much opening and shutting of doors was heard, and many a head was seen peeping over blinds and from behind shutters, the prudent Will returned with an invitation to the ladies to alight; and, leading the way, he conducted to a well-furnished, but evidently uninhabited drawing-room, where he left them, with an assurance, that his mistress would be there in a minute. Many minutes, however, elapsed, during which the visitors were left to find amusement for themselves, which was no easy task where the materials were wanting. In such circumstances, a fire is a never-failing resource-if bad we can stir it, if good we can enjoy it—but here was no fire, and the bright handsome stove was only to be admired for itself, and the profusion of white paper which filled it. The carpet was covered,

the chairs were in their wrappers, the screens were in bags-even the chimney-piece, that refuge of the weary, showed only two handsome girandoles. There were two portraits, indeed, large as life, hanging on each side of the fire-place, in all the rawness of bad painting, glaring in tints which Time himself could never mellow. The one, it might be presumed, was Mr Black, in a bright blue coat, pure white waistcoat, and drooping Fall of Foyers-looking neckcloth, holding a glove, and looking very sensible. The other, it might be inferred, was Mrs Black, sitting under a tree, in a yellow gown and ill put on turban, smiling with all her might, and both evidently bent upon putting all the expression they possibly could into their faces, by way of getting a good pennyworth for their money.

At length the door opened, and Mrs Black, in propria persona, entered, followed by a train of daughters. She was rather embonpoint, with a fine healthy colour, clear blue eyes, and an open good-humoured expression of countenance-forming, altogether, what is expressively termed a comely woman, which, if it mean something less than beauty, is often more attractive. She had

evidently been dressing for the occasion, as her gown seemed scarcely yet out of the fold, but looked like a thing apart from her, and had that inexpressible air of constraint which gowns will have when gowns are made things of primary import

ance.

Mrs Black welcomed her guests in a manner which, if it had nothing of the elegance of ton, was yet free from affectation or pretension. She expressed her regret, that Mr Black should be from home; but she had sent in search of him, and hoped he would soon cast up. Mrs St Clair, resolving to be delightful, sat with her sister-inlaw's hand in her's, and, with a face of the most affectionate interest, was presently deep in inquiries as to the state of her family, the number of her children, their ages, sexes, names, pursuits, and so forth. The amount of the information she received was this:-Mrs Black was the mother of eleven children living, and two dead ;her eldest daughter (who had just gone to take a walk) was going to be married, and her youngest to be weaned. It was thought a very good marriage for Bell, as Major Waddell had made a handsome fortune in the Company's service, and

was very well connected in the county, being cousin-german to Sir William Waddell of Waddell Mains, and very likely to succeed to him, if he was spared. He was also related to the Bogs of Boghall, and the present Boghall had married a daughter of Lord Fairacre's, and their son was going to stand for the county. Major Waddell, to be sure, was a good deal older than Bell; but he had kept his health well in India, and though not a beauty, was very well-at least, he pleased Bell, and that was everything. Due congratulations were here offered by Mrs St Clair, with the customary remarks, of its being a pleasant and desirable thing for the first of a family to form a respectable connection'; that any disparity of years was on the right side, &c. &c. &c. ; concluding with a request to be favoured with a sight of the young people. Mrs Black's eyes beamed delight as she pulled the bell, and gave orders for the children to be brought, observing, at the same time, that they were sad romps, and seldom fit to be seen. Miss St Clair, meanwhile, was engaged with her cousins, pretty good-natured looking girls, one of whom talked much of balls, and officers, and poetry; but as the children en