TILE FOUR SISTERS. | 393

trembling, though naturally of a firm constitution, I
shake as though I were in an ague fit.

As to myself, Tam of a steady, solid temper, not
shining, indeed, but kind and liberal; quite a Lady
Bountiful. Livery one tastes of my beneficence, and I
ain of so grateful a disposition, that I have been known
to return a hundred-fold for any present that has been
made me. I feed and clothe all my children, and
afford a welcome home to the wretch who has no
other. I bear with unrepining patience all manner of
ill usage: I am trampled upon; I am torn and
wounded with the most cutting strokes; I am pillagea
of the treasures hidden in my most secret chambers;
notwithstanding which, I am always ready to return
good for evil, and am continually subservient to the
pleasure or advantage of others; yet, so ungrateful is
the world, that because I do not possess all the airiness
and activity of my sisters, I am stigmatized as dull and
heavy. Every sordid, miserable fellow is called, by
way of derision, one of my children; and if a person,
or entering the room, do but turn his eyes upon me,
he is thought stupid and mean, and not fit for good
company. I have the satisfaction, however, of finding
that people always incline towards me as they grow
older; and that they who seemed proudly to disdain
any affinity with me, are content to sink at last into
my bosom. You will, probably, wish to have some
account of my person. I am not a regular beauty ;
some of my features are rather harsh and prominent,
when viewed separately ; but my countenance has so
much variety of expression, and so many different
attitudes of elegance, that they who study my face
with attention, find out continually new charms; and
it may be truly said of me, what Titus says of his
mistress, and for a much longer space,

‘Pendant cing ans entitres tous les jours je la vois,
Et crois toujours la voir pour la premitre fois.”

‘Por five whole years each day she meets my view,
Yet every day I seem to see her new.”