THE GAIN OF A LOSS. 395

eapacity of a small farmer. It was long before the
female part of his household could accommodate them-
selves to a mode of living so new to them, and go desti-
tute of all that they had been accustomed to regard as
essential to their very existence. At length, however,
mutual affection and natural good sense, and above all,
necessity, brought them to acquiesce tolerably in theix
situation, and to engage in earnest in its duties. Oc-
casional regrets, however, could not but remain; and
the silent sigh would tell whither their thoughts had fled.

Philander perceived it, but took care never to em-
bitter their feelings by harsh chidings or untimely
admonitions. But on the anniversary of their taking
possession of the farm-house, he assembled them under
a spreading tree that grew before their little garden,
and while the summer’s sun gilded all the objects
around, he thus addressed them :—

‘‘ My dear partners in every fortune, if the revolu-
tion of a year have had the effect on your mind that it
has on mine, I may congratulate you on your condition.
[ am now able, with a firm tone, to ask myself, What
have I lost? and I feel so much more to be pleased
with than to regret, that the question gives me
rather comfort than serrow. Look at yon splendid
luminary, and tell me vf its gradual appearance above
the horizon on a fine morning, shedding light and joy
over the wide creation, be not a grander as well as a
more heart-cheering spectacle than that of the most
magnificent saloon, Uluminated with dazzling lustres.
[s not the spirit of the wholesome breeze, fresh from
the mountain, and perfumed with wild flowers, mfi-
nitely more invigorating to the senses than the air of
the crowded drawing-room, laden with scented powder
and essences? Did we relish so well the disguised
dishes with which a French cook strove to whet our
sickly appetites, as we do our draught of new milk, our
home-made loaf, and the other articles of our simple
fare P Was our sleep so sweet after midnight suppers
and the long vigils of cards, as it 1s now, that early
rising and the exercises of the day prepare us for closing