Forgotten Stories.

strong and temperate judgment , obliging to his neighbours , and affectionate to his children ; but certainly rather calculated to educate a son than a daughter . Emily profited abundantly by his assistance , as far as moral duties or literary accomplishments

were concerned ; but for all the lesser agr ' emens of society , she had nothing to depend upon but the suggestions of a kind heart and a quiet temper . Matilda , on the contrary , spent her childhood in Englandat the house of a relation ; who ,

, having imbibed her notions of propriety at a fashionable boarding-school , and made a love-match very early in life , was but ill prepared to regulate a warm disposition , and check a natural tendency to romance . The consequence has been such as might

have been expected . Matilda pities the distressed , and Emily relieves them ; Matilda has more of the love of the neighbourhood , although Emily is more entitled to its gratitude ; Matilda is very agreeablewhile Emily is very useful ; and

, two or three old ladies , who talk scandal over their tea , and murder grammar and reputations together , consider Matilda a practised Heroine , and laugh at Emily as an inveterate Blue .

The incident which first introduced us to them afforded us a tolerable specimen of their different qualities . While on a long pedestrian excursion with Morris , we met the two ladies returning from their walk ; and , as our companion had already the privileges of an intimate acquaintancewe

, became their companions . An accurate observer of human manners knows well how decisively character is marked by trifles , and how wide is the distinction which is frequently made by circumstances apparently the most insignificant .

In spite , therefore , of the similarity of age and person which existed between the two sisters , the first glance at their dress and manner , the first tones of their voice , were sufficient to distinguish the one from the other . It was whimsical h to

enoug observe how every object which attracted our attention exhibited their respective peculiarities in a new and entertaining light . Sense entered into a learned

discussion on the nature of a plant , while Sensibilit y talked enchantingly of the fading of its flower . From Matilda we had a rapturous eulogium upon the

surrounding scenery ; from Emily we derived much information relative to the state of its cultivation . When we listened to the one , we seemed to be reading a novel , but a clever and interesting novel ; when we turned to the other , we found

only real life , but real life in its most pleasant and engaging form . Suddenly one of those rapid storms , which so frequently disturb for a time the tranquillity of the finest weather , appeared to be gathering over our heads . Dark

clouds were driven impetuously over the clear sky , and the refreshing coolness of the atmosphere was changed to a close and overpowering heat . Matilda looked up in admiration—Emily in alarm ; Sensibility was thinking of a landscape—Sense of a

wet pelisse . " This would make a fine sketch , " said the first ; "We had better make haste , " said the second . The tempest continued to grow gloomier above us ; we passed a ruined hut , which had been long deserted bits inhabitants . "Suppose we

y take refuge here for the evening , " said Morris ; " It would be very romantic , " said Sensibility ; "It woidd be very disagreeable , " said Sense ; " How it would astonish my father I" said the Heroine ; " How it would alarm him ! " said her

sister . As yet we had only observed distant prognostics of the tumult of the elements which was about to take place . Now , however , the collected fury of the storm burst at once upon us . A long and bright flash of lightning , together with a continued roll of thunder , accompanied one of the heaviest rains that we have ever

experienced . " We shall have an adventure ! " cried Matilda ; " We shall be very late , " observed Emily . " I wish we were a hundred miles off , " said the one , hyperbolically ; " I wish we were at home , " replied the other soberly . " Alas ! we

shall never get home to night , " sighed Sensibility pathetically ; "Possibly , " returned Sense drily . The fact was , that the eldest of the sisters was quite calm , although she was aware of all the inconveniences

of their situation ; and the youngest was terribly frightened , although she began quoting poetry . There was another and a brighter flash ; another and a louder peal ; Sense quickened her steps —Sensibility fainted .