Supported by it, she looked round upon her little world with a glance which became ever clearer. There lay her books; the old, dear friends, whom she had read with her father; there the new ones, which he had recommended her to study; there lay the work which she had begun under his guidance, and which henceforth she was to finish by herself, "for his pleasure and the advantage of others," as she hoped. She was now able to recognise herself and her own position. At once she was calm and strong.

"I am not beautiful and gifted as these people," thought she, reverting to the musical company of the evening; "but I nevertheless have my own peculiar gifts and my own peculiar work, and I can with these live for the Eternal, live for the Highest. Is not that enough to satisfy me? And who, who amongst all these, has a father superior to mine? How could the fascination of the hour induce me to think so highly of their happiness? Father! with you life can never become poor, nor can your daughter be depreciated in her own eyes. She can live for you and for her work and yours.

And for this she will live, and this will she do, let the world sing as it likes!"

Animated by these thoughts Rosa began to sing herself, whilst she arranged her books, and conversed with their authors as though they were actually living in their works. She then took her father's stick, and addressing it also affectionately, wove her bouquet of Gothland flowers into a garland, with which she wreathed the stick till it seemed to blossom like Aaron's rod. This sport amused her greatly. Reader, canst thou pardon my heroine, who is just come of age, for being so childish? If thou canst not, it is a pity. For I do not know whether she will ever be much wiser.

A day arrives in the life of most people, when they, coming in contact with others, are compelled to ask themselves the question, "What am I?” "What is my business in the world?" Happy for thee, my friend, if at such a time, thou canst answer as did our Rosa; happier still if thou canst give thyself a still better answer, and support thyself on a still stronger staff! For we know

H

very well that there are such, that they are needed; and even she may come to know that some day. In the mean time we will see how the first help her through.

EVERY-DAY LIFE IN THE CAPITAL.

A LIFE of this kind has frequently a great number of hidden rocks, against which, if the little vessel be not steered very warily, it may strike, and suffer shipwreck. The voyage can never be made safely without a compass and a trusty helmsman.

Rosa found no little difficulty as regarded the attention and time which it was proper for her to devote to her aunt; her own inclination to gratify her, and the attention which it was her duty to give to her own work and the cultivation of her own mind. The life of young girls, when they have passed through their first youth, is very frequently rendered difficult by the struggle between these duties. For very seldom does it happen that their relations acknowledge that they, too,

have their own purpose to accomplish; a life which

is not solitary is

"Ein heben und tragen für Anderer,"

although in its highest activity (and that also of every human life) it must be the same.

Young girls most frequently do not themselves comprehend it; and without clear views of life, and impatient of their own condition, they tug at the confining bonds, not wisely, perhaps; or they submit and suffer, and become-what circumstances make them.

Very seldom has a mother, and still more seldom a father, any regard, any respect for the higher needs and requirements of their daughters; very, very seldom does a father make himself the earthly Providence and liberating guide of his daughter. And yet at the same time, the daughter has a natural inclination to look up to her father, to reverence and love him, as the image of Providence on earth. How often have I, during my wanderings in many countries, met with daughters who were devoted to their fathers with enthusiastic affection; although