DEVOTED TO POLITE LITERATURE, SUCH AS MORAL AND SENTIMENTAL TALES, ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS, BIOGRAPHY, TRAVELING SKETCHES, AMUSING MISCELLANY, HUMOROUS AND

SELECT TALES.

From the Lady's Book.
Laura Lovel.

A SKETCH FOR LADIES ONLY;
BY MISS LESLIE.

This world is still deceived with ornament.-Shakspeare.
LAURA LOVEL was the eldest surviving
daughter of a clergyman settled in a retired
and beautiful village at the western extremity
of the state of Massachusetts. Between
Laura and her two youngest sisters, three
other children had died. Being so much
their senior, it was in her power to assist
her father materially in the instruction of Ella
and Rosa; as after his family had become
small, Mr. Lovel thought it best that the two
little girls should receive all their education
at home and never were children that conferred
more credit on their teachers. Mrs. Lovel was
a plain good woman, of excellent practical
sense, a notable seamstress, and a first rate
housewife. Few families were more perfectly
happy, notwithstanding that the limited income
of Mr. Lovel (though sufficient for comfort)
left them little or nothing for superfluities.

HISTORICAL ANECDOTES, SUMMARY, POETRY, &c.
HUDSON, N. Y. SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 1836.

finished her seventeenth year, there came to
the village of Rosebrook an old friend of her
father's, whom he had long since lost sight of.
They had received their early education at
the same school, they had met again at col-
lege, and had some years after performed
together a voyage to India; Mr. Brantley as
supercargo, Mr. Lovel as a missionary. Mr.
Brantley had been very successful in business,
and was now a merchant of wealth and re-
spectability with a handsome establishment in
Boston. Mr. Lovel had settled down as
pastor of the principal church in his native
village.

NO. 1.

from his wife to Mr. and Mrs. Lovel, renewing the invitation for Laura, and pressing it in a manner that could scarcely be withstood. Mr. Lovel began to waver; Mrs. Lovel thought it was time that Laura should see a little of the world, and Laura's speaking looks told how much pleasure she anticipated from the excursion. The two little girls, though their eyes filled at the idea of being separated from their beloved sister, most magnanimously joined in entreating permission for her to go, as they saw that she wished it. Finally, Mr. Lovel consented; and Laura seemed to tread on air while making her preparations for the journey.

That evening, at the hour of family worship, her father laid his hand on Laura's head, and uttered a fervent prayer for the preservation, of her health and happiness during her absence from the paternal roof. Mrs. Lovel and all her daughters were deeply affected, and Mr. Brantley looked very much inclined to participate in their emotion.

The object of Mr. Brantley's present visit to Rosebrook, was to inquire personally into the state of some property he still retained there. Mr. Lovel would not allow his old friend to remain at the tavern, but insisted that his house should be his abiding place; and they had much pleasure in comparing their reminiscenes of former times. As their chief conversation was on topics common to both, Mr. Lovel did not perceive that, except Early next morning, Mr. Brantley's chaise upon mercantile subjects, Mr. Brantley had was at the door, and Laura took leave of the acquired few new ideas since they had last family with almost as many tears and kisses met, and that his reading was confined exclu- as if she had been going to cross the Atlantic. sively to the newspapers. But he saw that in Little Ella, who was about eight years old, quiet good-nature, and easiness of disposi-presented her, at parting, with a very ingenition, his old friend was still the same as in ous needle-book of her own making, and early life.

They had a very neat house standing in the center of a flourishing garden, in which, utility had been the first consideration, though blended as far as possible with beauty. The stone fence looked like a hedge of nasturtions. Rosa, who was just seven, gave her as a The pillars supporting the rustic piazza that Mr. Brantley was so pleased with every keepsake, an equally clever pincushion. She surrounded the house, where the rough trunks member of the Lovel family, and liked his promised to bring them new books and other of small trees with a sufficient portion of the visit so much, that he was induced to prolong little presents from Boston, a place in which chief branches remaining, to afford resting it two days beyond his first intention; and they supposed every thing that the world places for the luxuriant masses of scarlet he expressed an earnest desire to take produced, could be obtained without difficulty. beans that ran over them; furnishing when Laura home with him, to pass a few weeks Finally, the last farewell was uttered, the the blossoms were off, and the green pods with his wife and daughter. This proposal, last kiss was given, and Laura Lovel took her full grown, an excellent vegetable-dish for however, was declined, with sincere acknow-seat in the chaise beside Mr. Brantley, who the table. The house was shaded with fruit-ledgments for its kindness; Mr. Lovel's trees exclusively; the garden shrubs were all raspberry, currant, and gooseberry, and the flowers were chiefly those that had medicinal properties, or could be turned to culinary purposes with the exception of some that were cultivated purposely for the bees. A meadow which pastured two cows and a horse completed the little domain.

About the time that Laura Lovel had

delicacy making him unwilling to send his
daughter as a guest to a lady who as yet was
ignorant of her existence, and Laura sharing
in her father's scruples.

Mr. Brantley took his leave: and three
months afterwards, he paid a second visit to
Rosebrook, for the purpose of selling his
property in that neighborhood. He brought
with him a short but very polite letter

drove off at a rapid pace; and in a few moments, a turn in the road hid from her view the house of her father, aud the affectionate group that still lingered at its gate to catch the latest glimpse of the vehicle that was bearing away from them the daughter and the sister.

As they proceeded on their journey, Laura's spirits gradually revived, and she soon became interested or delighted with every thing she beheld; for she had a quick per

set of the Pearl.'

ception, with a mind of much intelligence and After tea, Mrs. Brantley reclined herself idly annual, entitled the Pearl, and said to Augusdepth of observation. in one of the rocking-chairs, Mr. Brantley |ta-'You have, most probably, a complete retired to the back parlor to read undisturbed the evening papers, and Augusta took up some bead-work, while Laura looked over the souvenirs with which the center-table was strewed.

เ

The second day of their journey had nearly closed before the spires of the Boston churches, and the majestic dome of the State House met the intense gaze of our heroine. Thousands of lights soon twinkled over the city of the three hills, and the long vistas of lamps that illuminated the bridges, seemed to the unpractised eyes of Laura Lovel to realize the glories of the Arabian Nights. 'Oh!' she involuntarily exclaimed, if my dear little sisters could only be with me now.' As they entered by the western avenue, and as Mr. Brantley's residence was situated in the eastern part of the city, Laura had an opportunity of seeing as she passed, a vast number of lofty, spacious, and noble-looking dwelling-houses, in the erection of which the patrician families of Boston, have perhaps surpassed all the other aristocracies of the Union; for sternly republican as are our laws and institutions, it cannot be denied that in private life every section of our commonwealth has its aristocracy.

ees.

'How happy you must be, Miss Brantley,' said Laura, to have it in your power to read so many new books.'

'After all mamma,' pursued Augusta, butterfly bows are much prettier than shell bows. What were you saying just now, Miss Lovel, about my having a set of pearls ?-you may well ask,'-looking spitefully towards the backparlor, in which her father was sitting. Papa holds out that he will not give me a 'As to reading,' replied Augusta, 'I never set till I am eighteen-and as to gold chains, have any time to spare for that purpose, what and corals, and cornelians, I am sick of them, with my music, and my dancing, and my and I won't wear them at all—so you see me lessons in French conversation, and my bead-without any ornaments whatever, which you work; then I have every-day to go out shop-must think very peculiar.' ping, for I always will choose every thing for Laura had tact enough to perceive that any myself. Mamma has not the least idea of further attempt at a conversation on books, my taste; at least, she never remembers it. would be unavailing; and she made some And then there is always some business with inquiry about the annual exhibition of pictures the mantua-makers and milliners. And I at the Athenæum. have so many morning visits to pay with manima-and in the afternoon I am generally so tired that I can do nothing but put on a wrapper, and throw myself on the bed, and sleep till it is time to dress for evening.'

my green pelerine cut in scollops rather than
in points?'

'I believe it is a very good one,' replied Mrs. Brantley. We stopped there one day on our way to dine with some friends out of town. But as the carriage was waiting, and the horses were impatient, we only stayed a few minutes, just long enough to walk round.' Oh! yes, mamma,' cried Augusta, ‘and don't you recollect we saw Miss Darford there in a new dress of lavender-colored

'I think,' replied Mrs. Brantley, that scol- don't you remember Miss Grover's canarylops are the prettiest.' colored reps bonnet, that looked as if it had been made in the ark. The idea of any one wearing reps!-a thing that has not been seen since the flood! Only think of reps!"

Very well then my love,' replied Mrs. Brantly indolently, consult your own taste.' "That I always do,' said Augusta,balfaside to Laura, who addressing herself to Mrs. Brantley, made some inquiry about the last new novel.

Laura Lovel wondered what reps could possibly be. Now I talk of bonnets,' pursued Augusta; ' pray, mamina, did you tell Miss Pipingcord that I would have my Tuscan ||leghorn trimmed with the lilac and green ribahd, instead of the blue and yellow?'

At length they stopped at Mr. Brantley's 'Oh!' thought Laura Lovel, how differently door, and Laura had a very polite reception do we pass our time at Rosebrook! Is not this from the lady of the mansion, an indolent, abeautiful engraving?' she continued, holding good-natured, insipid woman, the chief busi- one of the open souvenirs towards Augusta. ness of whose life was dress and company. 'Yes-pretty enough,' replied Augusta, grenadine, though grenadines having been Mr. Brantley had purchased a large and hand- || scarcely turning her head to look at it-over these hundred years. And there was some house in the western part of the town, mamma, do not you think I had better have||pretty Mrs. Lenham, as the gentleman call to which the family were to remove in the her, in a puce-coloured italianet, though the course of the autumn, and it was Mrs. italianets have been out for ages. And Brantley's intention when they were settled in their new and elegant establishment to get into a higher circle, and to have weekly soir- Really mamma,' said Augusta, petulantly, To make her parties the more attrac-it is very peculiar in you to say so, when tive, she was desirous of engaging some very you ought to know that scollops have had pretty young lady, (a stranger with a new their day, and that points have come round face) to pass the winter with her. She had again.' but one child, a pert, forward girl about fourteen, thin, pale, and seeming as if she suffered a great deal in order to look pretty.' She sat, stood and moved, as if in constant pain from the tightness of her corsets, the smallness of her sleeve-holes, and the narrowness of her shoes. Her hair, having been kept long during the whole period of her childhood, was exhausted with incessant tying, brushing and curling, and she was already obliged to make artificial additions to it. It was at this time, a mountain of bows, plaits, and puffs; and her costume was in every respect that of a woman of twenty. She was extremely anxious to come out,' as it is called, but her father insisted on her staying in, till she had finished her education ;|| and her mother had been told that it was very impolitic to allow young ladies to appear in society'at too early an age, as they were always supposed to be older than they really were, and therefore would be the sooner considered passed.

I cannot say that I have read it,' answered Mrs. Brantley, at least, I don't know that I have. Augusta, my love, do you recollect if you have heard me say any thing about the last new book-the-a-the-what is it you call it, Miss Lovel?'

· La! mamma,' said Augusta, ‘I should as soon expect you to write a book as to read one.'

'Indeed,' replied Mrs. Brantley. I found your cousin Mary so extremely ill this afternoon when I went to see her, and my sister so very uneasy on her account, that I absolutely forgot to call at the milliner's as I had promised you.'

'Was there ever any thing so vexatious!' exclaimed, Augusta, throwing down her beadwork—' Really, mamma, there is no trusting you at all. You never remember to do any thing you are desired.' And flying to the bell she rang it with violence.

'I could think of nothing but poor Mary's danger,' said Mrs. Brantley, and the twentyfive leeches that I saw on her forehead.'

There was a pause for a minute or two. Augusta then leaning back towards her mother, exclaimed- Upon second thought, I think I will have the green pelerine scolloped, and the blue one pointed. But the points shall · Dreadful!' ejaculated Augusta. 'But you be squared at the ends-on that I am deter-might have supposed that the leeches would mined.' do her good, as of course they will. Here, Laura now took up a volume of the juvenile William,' addressing the servant man that

Mr. Brantley threw down his paper, and hastened into the front-parlor with a look that expressed any thing but satisfaction.

had just entered; run as if you were running || cloud the understanding, injure the temper, || while her mother advanced a few steps, and for your life to Miss Pipingcord, the milliner, and harden the heart. and tell her upon no account whatever, to trim Miss Brantley's Tuscan Leghorn with the blue and yellow riband that was decided|| on yesterday. Tell her I have changed my mind and resolved upon the lilac and green. Fly as if you had not another moment to live, or Miss Pipingcord will have already trimmed the bonnet with the blue and yellow.'

And then,' said Mrs. Brantley, go to Mrs. Ashmore's, and inquire how Miss Mary is this evening.'

'Why, mamma,' exclaimed Augusta; 'aunt Ashmore lives so far from Miss Pipingcord's that it will be ten or eleven o'clock before William gets back, and I shall be all that time on thorns to know if she has not already disfigured my bonnet with the vile blue and yellow.'

you

'Yesterday,' said Mrs. Brantley, admired that very riband extremely.' 'So I did,' replied Augusta, but I have been thinking about it since, and as I tell you, I have changed my mind. And now that I have set my heart upon the lilac and green, absolutely detest the blue and yellow.'

But I am really very anxious to know how Mary is to-night,' said Mrs. Brantley.

Till the return of William, Augusta seemed indeed to be on thorns. At last he came, and brought with him the bonnet, trimmed with the blue and yellow. Augusta snatched it out of the bandbox, and stood speechless with passion, and William thus delivered his message from the milliner—

There was no time for comment or preparation.-The sound was heard of baggage depositing, and in a few moments Augusta returned to the parlor, hanging lovingly on the arm of a lady in a very handsome traveling 'Miss Pippincod sends word that she had dress, who flew to Mrs. Brantley and kissed ribanded the bonnet afore I come for it-she her familiarly, and then shook hands with her says she has used up all her laylock green for || husband, and was introduced by him, to our another lady's bonnet, as chose it this very heroine. afternoon; and she guesses you won't stand Miss Frampton was a fashionable looking no chance of finding no more of it, if you || woman of no particular age. Her figure was sarch Boston through; and she says, she good, but her features were the contrary, and shew you all her ribands yesterday, and you the expression of her eye was strikingly bad. chose the yellow blue yourself, and she han't She had no relations, but she talked incessgot no more ribands as you'd be likely to like.antly of her friends-for so she called every Them's her very words.'

'How I hate milliners!' exclaimed Augusta, and ringing for the maid that always assisted her in undressing, she flounced out of the room and went to bed.

'Miss Lovel,' said Mrs. Brantley, smiling, you must excuse dear Augusta. She is extremely sensitive about every thing, and that is the reason she is apt to give way to these little fits of irritation.'

passion for dress.

Oh!' replied Augusta, I dare say the Laura retired to her room, grieving to leeches have relieved her. And if they have think how unamiable a young girl might be not, no doubt Dr. Warren will order twenty-made, by the indulgence of an inordinate five more-or something else that will answer the purpose. She is in very good hands-I am certain that in the morning we shall hear she is considerably better. At all events I will not wear the hateful blue and yellow riband-William what are you standing for?' The man turned to leave the room, but Mrs. Brantley called him back. William,' said she, 'tell one of the women to go to Mrs. Ashmore's and inquire how Miss Mary is.'

Augusta's cousin Mary did not die. The following day was to have been devoted to shopping, and to making some additions to the simple wardrobe of Laura Lovel, for which purpose her father had given her as much money as he could possibly spare. But it rained till late in the afternoon, and Mrs. Brantley's coach was out of order, and the Brantleys (like many other families that keep ⚫ Eliza and Matilda are both out,' said Wil- carriages of their own) could not conceive the liam, and Louisa is crying with the tooth-possibility of hiring a similar vehicle upon ache, and steaming her face over hot herbs-any exigency whatever. I guess she won't be willing to walk so far in the night-air, just out of the steam.'

person whom she ever knew by sight, provided always that they were presentable people. She had some property, on the income of which she lived, exercising close economy in every thing but dress.-Sometimes she boarded out, and sometimes she billeted herself on one or other of these said friends, having no scruples of delicacy to deter her from eagerly availing herself of the slightest hint that might be construed into the semblance of an invitation. In short, she was assiduous in trying to get acquainted with every body from whom any thing was to be gained, flattering them to their faces, though she abused them behind their backs. Still, strange to tell, she had succeeded in forcing her way into the outworks of what is called society. She drest well, professed to know every body, and to go everywhere, was au fait to all the gossip of the day, and could always furnish ample food for the too prevailing appetite for scandal. Therefore, though every one disliked Miss Frampton, still every one tolerated her; and though a notorious calumniator, she excited so much fear, that it was generally thought safer to keep up some slight intercourse with It is true that the present case was in real-her, than to affront her by throwing her off ity no exigency at all; but Mrs. Brantley and 'William!' exclaimed Augusta, stamping her daughter seemed to consider it as such, Philadelphia was her usual place of resiwith her foot, don't stand here talking, but from the one watching the clouds all day as dence; but she had met the Brantley family go at once; there's not a moment to lose. she sat at the window, in her rocking-chair, at the Saratoga Springs, had managed to Tell Miss Pipingcord if she has put on that and the other wandering about like a troubled accompany them to New-York on their way horrid ribin, she must take it off again, and spirit, fretting all the time, and complaining home, had boarded at Bunker's during the charge it in the bill, if she pretends she can't of the weather. Laura got through the hours week they stayed at that house, had assisted afford to lose it, as I dare say she will-and very well, between reading Souvenirs, (almost them in their shopping expeditions, and protell her to be sure and send the bonnet home the only books in the house,) and writing a fessed a violent regard for Augusta, who early in the morning-I am dying to see it.' long letter, to inform her family of her safe professed the same for her. Mrs. Brantley's To all this Laura Lovel had sat listening in arrival, and to describe her journey. To- slight intimation she should be glad to see amazement, and could scarcely conceive the wards evening, a coach was heard to stop at her if ever she came to Boston,' Miss Framppossibility of the mind of so young a girl the door, and there was a violent ringing, ton had now taken advantage of, on pretext being totally absorbed in things that concern- followed by a loud sharp voice in the entry, of benefitting by change of air. Conscions ed nothing but external appearance. She had inquiring for Mrs. Brantley, who started from of her faded looks, but still hoping to pass yet to learn that a passion for dress, when her rocking-chair, as Augusta exclaimed for a young woman, she pretended always to thoroughly excited in the female bosom, and Miss Frampton!-I know 'tis Miss Framp-be in precarious health, though of this there carried to excess, has a direct tendency to ton! The young lady rushed into the hall, was seldom any proof positive.

entirely.

On being introduced to Laura Lovel, as || of your city,' replied Miss Frampton. The Next morning, Miss Frampton did not whole family had been at Washington, and appear at the breakfast table, but had her first as soon as I heard they were in Philadelphia || meal carried into her room, and Augusta on their return home, I sent to inquire-that breakfasted with her. Between them, Laura is, or rather, I mean they sent to inquire as Lovel was discussed at full length, and their soon as they came to town, and heard that I conclusion was, she had not a single good feaintended visiting Boston-they sent to inquire ture-that her complexion was nothing.her figif I would make them happy by joining their ure nothing,and her dress worse than nothing. party.'

to a young lady on a visit to the family, Miss Frampton, who at once considered her an interloper, surveyed our heroine from head to foot, with something like a sneer, and exchanged significant glances with Augusta. As soon as Miss Frampton had taken her seat, My dear Mrs. Brantley,' said she, how delighted I am to see you! And my sweet Augusta too! Why she has grown a perfect sylph!'

After bearing this, Augusta could not keep her seat five minutes together, but was gliding and flitting about all the remainder of the evening, and hovering round Miss Frampton's chair.

'Well,' observed Mr. Brantley, I cannot imagine how you got along with all the Twamberleys. Mr. Twamberley, besides being a clumsy fat man, upwards of seventy years old, and lame with the gout, and nearly quite deaf, and having cataracts coming on both eyes, is always obliged to travel with his silly Miss Frampton continued, 'Yes, my dear young wife, and the eight children of her first Mrs. Brantley, my health has, as usual, been husband, and I should think he had enough extremely delicate. My friends have been to do in taking care of himself and them. I seriously alarmed for me, and all my physi-wonder you did not prefer availing yourself cians have been quite miserable on my ac- of the politeness of some of the single gentlecount. Dr. Dengue has been seen driving men you mentioned.' through the streets like a madman, in his 'Oh!' replied Miss Frampton, any of haste to get to me. Poor man-you must have them would have been too happy, as they heard the report of his suffering Mrs. Smith's politely expesssd it, to have had the pleasure baby to die with the croup, from neglecting of waiting on me to Boston. Indeed, I knew to visit it, which if true, was certainly in very not how to make a selection, being unwilling bad taste. However, Dr. Dengue is one of to offend any of them by a preference. And my oldest friends, and a most charming man. then again, it is always in better taste for But, as I was saying, my health still con- young ladies to travel, and indeed to go every tinued delicate, and excitement was unani-where, under the wing of a married woman. mously recommended by the medical gentle-I doat upon chaperones, and by coming with men-excitement and ice-cream. And as this family, I had Mrs. Twamberley to matsoon as this was known in society, it is in-ronize me. I have just parted with them all credible how many parties were made for me, at their own door, where they were set down.' and how many excursions were planned on Mr. Brantley smiled when he thought of my account. I had carriages at my door day Mrs. Twamberley (who had been married to and night. My friends were absolutely drag-her first husband at fifteen, and was still a ging me from each other's arms. Finally blooming girlish looking woman) matronizing they all suggested entire change of air, and the faded Miss Frampton, so evidently by total change of scene. So I consented to tear many years her senior. myself awhile from my beloved Philadelphia,

sion, and she was in the habit of talking with
great exaggeration; and in a short time she
more than suspected that many of her asser-
tions were arrant falsehoods—a fact that was
well known to all those numerous persons
that Miss Frampton called her friends.

Laura Lovel, though new to the world, had and pay you my promised visit in Boston.' sufficient good sense and penetration to We are much obliged to you,' said Mrs. || perceive almost immediately, that Miss FrampBrantley. And really,' pursued Miss Frampton was a woman of much vanity and pretenton, 'I had so many engagements on my hands, that I had fixed five different days for starting, and disappointed five different escorts. My receiving-room was like a levee every morning at visiting hours, with young gentlemen of fashion, coming to press their services, as is always the case when it is reported in Philapelphia that Miss Frampton has a disposition to travel. A whole procession of my friends accompanied me to the steamboat, and I believe I had more than a dozen elegant smelling-bottles presented to me-as it is universally known how much I always suffer during a journey, being deadly sick on the water, and in a constant state of nervous agitating while riding.'

'I don't suppose,' said Augusta, that her father has given her much money to bring to town with her.'

·

'Well,' said Augusta, we must take her a shopping this morning, and try to get her fitted out, so as to make a decent appearance at Nahant,as we were going thither in a few days.'

Then I have come just in the right time,' said Miss Frampton. Nahant is the very place I wish to visit-My sweet friend Mrs. Dick Pewsey has given me such an account of it. She says there is considerable style there. She passed a week at Nahant when she came to Boston last summer,'

'BRIGHT are the memories linkled with thee, Boast of a glory hallowed land!

Hope of the valiant and the free,

Home of their youthful soldier band.'

Ir each bright spot on earth is indeed benignantly shone upon by some bright particular star' in night's glorious canopy, then may we hope that the hallowed one which we have named is under no despicable influence. Hallowed by the footsteps of Washington and Kosciusko; consecrated by a nation to the Spartan-like training of a few devoted sons; nor less sacredly secluded by nature as the scene of retirement and study; it seems alike calculated to please the pensive sage and the aspiring youthful soldier; while even female loveliness vouchsafes to paint its memories in hues of hope and brightness, as the boast of a glory hallowed land.'

Tea was now brought in and Miss Framptontook occasion to relate in what manner she Courteous reader, if it has ever been your had discovered that the famous silver urn of privilege, of a gentle summer's day, to sail that charming family, the Sam Kettlethorps, down the picturesque river Hudson, are you was, in reality only plated-that her particular not glad to recognize the lovely scene here favorites, the Joe Sowerbys, showed such presented, as the view of West-Point from bad taste at their great terrapin supper, as to the Highlands? You have passed by Newhave green hock-glasses for the champaigne;burgh and are entering the mountain gap, and that those delightful people, the Bob through which the waters have forced their Skutterbys, the first time they attempted the rugged way. They seem baffled in the strugAnd who did you come with at last?' new style of heaters at a venison dinner, had gle, and you glance forward to the stern shore asked Mrs. Brantley. them filled with spirits of turpentine, instead which scemed to repel their progress; saying to the proud wave, thus far shalt thou come,

Oh! with my friends the Twamberleys, || of spirits of wine.