I have lately been given up a good deal to worldly passions. By what I have felt I can easily imagine how soon I should be quite led away.

"29th.—I met the Prince, it showed me the folly of the world; my mind feels very flat after this storm of pleasure.

"May 16th.-There is a sort of luxury in giving way to the feelings! I love to feel for the sorrows of others, to pour wine and oil into the wounds of the afflicted: there is a luxury in feeling the heart glow, whether it be with joy or sorrow. I think the different periods of life may well be com pared to the different seasons.

"I love to think of every thing, to look at mankind; I love to 'look through Nature up to Nature's God.' I have no more religion than that, and in the little I have I am not the least devotional; but when I admire the beauties of Nature I cannot help thinking of the Source from whence such beauties flow. I feel it a support; I believe firmly that all is guided for the best by an invisible Power, therefore I do not feel the evils of life so much. I love to feel good, I do what I can to be kind to everybody. I have many faults which I hope in time to overcome.

"Monday, May 21st.-I am seventeen to-day. Am I a happier or a better creature than I was this time twelvemonth? I know I am happier; I think I am better. I hope I shall be much better this day year than I am now. I hope to be quite an altered person, to have more knowledge, to have my mind in greater order; and my heart too-that wants to be put in order as much, if not more, than any part of me, it is in such a fly-away state; but I think if ever it were settled on one subject it would never, no never fly away any more; it would rest quietly and happily on the heart that was open to receive it; it will then be more con

*H. R. H. William Frederick, afterwards Duke of Gloucester, then quartered, with his regiment, at Norwich.

stant; it is not my fau't it now flies away, it is owing to circumstances.

"Monday, June.-I am at this present time in an odd state; I am like a ship put to sea without a pilot; I feel my heart and mind so overburdened. I want some one to lean upon.

(Written on a bright summer's morning.)

"Is there not a ray of perfection midst the sweets of this morning? I do think there is something perfect from which all good flows.

"Juue 20th.-If I have long to live in this world may I bear misfortunes with fortitude; do what I can to alleviate the sorrows of others; exert what power I have to increase happiness; try to govern my passions by reason, and adhere strictly to what I think right.

"July 7th.-I have seen several things in myself and others I have never before remarked; but I have not tried to improve myself; I have given way to my passions and let them have command over me. I have known my faults and have not corrected them, and now I am determined I will once more try, with redoubled ardor, to overcome my wicked inclinations. I must not flirt; I must not be out of temper with the children; I must not contradict without a cause; I must not mump when my sisters are liked and I am not; I must not allow myself to be angry; I must not exaggerate, which I am inclined to; I must not give way to luxury; I must not be idle in mind; I must try to give way to every good feeling and overcome every bad. I will see what I can do: if I had but perseverance, I could do all that I wish; I will try. I have lately been too satirical, so as to hurt sometimes; remember, it is a fault to hurt others.

"8th.-A much better day, though many faults.

"10th. Some poor people were here; I do not think I gave them what I did with a good heart. I am inclined to give away; but for a week past, owing to not having much money, I have been mean and extravagant. Shameful!

Whilst I live may I be generous; it is my nature, and I will not overcome so good a feeling. I am inclined to be extravagant and that leads to meanness, for those who will throw away a good deal are apt to mind giving a little.

"11th.-I am in a most idle mind, and inclined to have an indolent, dissipated day; but I will try to overcome it and see how far I can. I am well; oh most inestimable of comforts! Happy, happy I, to be so well! how good, how virtuous ought I to be! May what I have suffered be a lesson to me, to feel for those who are ill, and alleviate their sorrows as far as lies in my power; let it teach me never to forget the blessings I enjoy. I ought never to be unhappy. Look back at this time last year; how ill I was, how miserable! yet I was supported through it. God will support through the suffering he inflicts. If I were devotional, I should fall on my knees and be most grateful for the blessings I enjoy;-a good father, one whom I dearly love, sisters formed after my own heart, friends whom I admire, and good health which gives a relish to all. Company to dinner; I must beware of being a flirt, it is an abominable character; I hope I shall never be one, and yet I fear I am one now a little. Be careful not to talk at random. Beware, and see how well I can get through this day, without one foolish action. If I do pass this day without one foolish action, it is the first I ever passed so. If I pass a day with only a few foolish actions I may think it a good one.

"25th. This book is quite a little friend to my heart; it is next to communicating my feelings to another person. I would not but write in it for something, for it is most comfortable to read it over and see the different workings of my heart and soul.

"30th. Pride and vanity most of the actions of men. ration, and in thinking of the to forget the monitor within. We should first look to our. selves, and try to make ourselves virtuous, and then pleas

are too much the incentives to They produce a love of admiopinions of others we are too apt

ing. Those who are truly virtuous not only do themselves good, but they add to the good of all. All have a portion entrusted to them for the general good, and those who cherish and preserve it are blessings to society at large; and those who do not, become a curse. It is wonderfully ordered, how in acting for our own good we promote the good of others. My idea of religion is, not for it to unfit us for the duties of this life, like a nun who leaves them for prayer and thanksgiving, but I think it should stimulate and capacitate us to perform these duties properly. Seeing my father low this evening, I have done all I could to make him comforta ble; I feel it one of my first duties; I hope he will always find in me a most true and affectionate daughter.

"August ist.-I have done little to-day, I am so very idle. Instead of improving I fear I go back. My inclinations lead me to be an idle, flirting, worldly girl. I see what would be acting right, but I have neither activity nor perseverance in what I think right. I am like one setting out on a journey; if I set out on the wrong road, and do not try to recover the right one before I have gone far, I shall most likely lose my way FOREVER, and every step I take the more difficult shall I find it to return; therefore the temptation will be greater to go on, till I get to destruction. On the contrary, if now, whilst I am innocent of any great faults, I turn into the right path, I shall soon feel more and more contented every step I take. Trifles occupy me far too much, such as dress, &c., &c. I find it easier to acknowledge my vices than my follies.

"6th.-I have a crcss to-night. I had very much set my mind on going to the oratorio, the Prince is to be there, and by all accounts it will be quite a grand sight, and there wil be the finest music; but if my father does not like me to go much as I wish it I will give it up with pleasure, if it be in my power, without murmur I went to the oratorio; I enjoyed it but spoke sadly at random. what a bad habit!

"Aug. 12th.-I do not know if I shall not soon be rather

religious, because I have thought lately what a support it is through life; it seems so delightful to depend on a superior Power for all that is good; it is at least always having the bosom of a friend open to us, to rest all our cares and sorrows upon; and what must be our feelings to imagine that friend perfect, and guiding all and everything as it should be guided. I think anybody who had real faith could never be unhappy; it appears the only certain source of support and comfort in this life, and what is best of all it draws to virtue, and if the idea be ever so ill-founded that leads to that great object, why should we shun it? Religion has been misused and corrupted: that is no reason why religion itself is not good.

"15th.-For a few days past I have been in a worldly state, dissipated, a want of thought, idle, relaxed and stupid, all outside, no inside. I feel I am a contemptible fine lady. May I be preserved from continuing so, is the ardent prayer of my good man, but my evil man tells ine I shall pray in vain. I will try. I fear for myself. I feel in the course of a little time I shall be all outside frippery, vain, proud, conceited. I could use improper words at myself, but my good man will not let me. But I am good in something; it is wicked to despair of myself; it is the way to make me what I desire not to be. I hope I shall always be virtuous; can I be really wicked? I may be so, if I do not overcome my first weak inclinations. I wish I had more solidity and less fluidity in my disposition. I feel my own weakness and insufficiency to bear the evils and rubs of life. I must try by every stimulus in my power to strengthen myself both bodily and mentally; it can only be done by activity and perseverance."

How beautiful is this deliberate stepping forward of the young and ardent spirit into the doorway of eternal