weakest as well as the wisest, seems to be, to leave some memorial of themselves to posterity-something, if but to tell how their fathers thought or fought, at least to show how they talked or walked. This wish Mr and Mrs St Clair possessed in common with others; but year after year passed away, and it still remained ungratified, while every year it became a still stronger sentiment, as death seemed gradually clearing the way to the succession. At the time of his marriage Mr St Clair had been the youngest of five sons; but three of his brothers had fallen victims to war or pestilence, and there now only remained the present Earl and himself, both alike childless.

At length, when hope was almost extinct, Mrs St Clair announced herself to be in the way of becoming a mother, and the emigrants resolved upon returning to their native land, that their child might there first see the light. Previous to taking this step, however, the important intelligence was communicated to Lord Rossville, and also their intention of immediately proceeding to Scotland, if agreeable to him; at the same time expressing a wish, that he would favour them with

his advice and opinion, as they would be entirely guided by him in their plans.

Lord Rossville was a man who liked to be consulted, and to overturn every plan which he himself had not arranged; and as Mr St Clair had spoke of taking shipping from Bourdeaux, where they then were, and so going by sea to Scotland, Lord Rossville, in his answer, expressed his decided disapprobation of such a scheme, in Mrs St Clair's situation, and in stormy winter weather. But he enclosed a route by way of Paris, which he had made out for them with his own hand, and directed them, upon their arrival there, to signify the same to him, and there to remain until he had resolved upon what was next to be done, as he had by no means made up his mind as to the propriety, or at least the necessity, of their returning to Scotland. The packet also contained an order for a sum of money, and letters to some friends of his own at Paris, who would be of service to Mrs St Clair. So far all was kind and conciliating, and the exiles, after much delay, set forth upon their journey, according to the rules prescribed by the Earl-but, within a day's journey of Paris, Mrs St Clair was taken prematurely

ill, and there, at an obscure village, gave birth to a daughter, which, as Mr St Clair sensibly remarked, though not so good as a boy, was yet better than nothing at all. As the Salique law was not in force in the Rossville family, the sex of the child was, indeed, a matter of little consequence, save in the eyes of those sturdy sticklers for man's supremacy. Its health and strength were, therefore, the chief objects of consideration, and, although born in the seventh month, it was a remarkably fine thriving baby, which Mrs St Clair, contrary to the common practice of mothers, ascribed entirely to the excellence of its nurse.

They had been fortunate enough to meet with a woman, of a superior class, who, having recently lost her husband and her own infant, had readily adopted this one, and as readily transferred to it that abundant stock of love and tenderness, which those dealers in the milk of human kindness always have so freely to bestow on their nursling for the time. Mrs St Clair's recovery was tedious, and her general health she declared to be so much impaired, that she could not think of encountering the severity of a northern climate. Instead of prosecuting

their journey, therefore, they retired to the south of France, and, after moving about for some time, finally settled there. This was

not what the Earl had intended, for, although pride still opposed his brother's return to Scotland, he had, at the same time, wished to have the family somewhere within the sphere of his observation and control,-the more especially, as having lately separated from his lady, his brother's child might now be regarded as presumptive heiress to the family honours. He had purposed, and, indeed, pressed to have the little Gertrude transmitted to him, that she might have the advantage of being trained up under his own eye, but to this Mrs St Clair would not consent. She declared, in the most polite but decided manner, her determination never to part with her child, but promised that, as soon as her health was suf ficiently re-established, they would return to Britain, and that Lord Rossville should have the direction and superintendence, if he pleased, of the young heiress's education. But some obstacle, real or pretended, always arose to prevent the accomplishment of this plan, till, at length, Mr St Clair was struck with a palsy, which rendered it impos

sible for him to be removed. Dead to all the purposes of life, he lingered on for several years, one of those melancholy mementos, who, with a human voice and human shape, have survived every thing human besides.

At length death claimed him as his own, and his widow lost no time in announcing the event to the Earl, and in craving his advice and protection for herself and daughter. A very polite, though long-winded, reply was received from Lord Rossville, in which he directed that Mrs and Miss St Clair should immediately repair to Rossville Castle, there to remain until he should have had time and opportunity fully to digest the plans he had formed for the pupillage of his niece. This invitation was too advantageous to be refused, even although the terms in which it was couched were not very alluring either to the mother or daughter. With a mixture of pleasure and regret, they, therefore, hastened to exchange the gay vineyards, and bright suns of France, for the bleak hills and frowning skies of Scotland.