down for a trifling sum, and sent away to a very differont destination. Before going home to my new residence, I was sent to a workman to be refitted in a new gilt frame; which, although it completely modernized my appearance, I must confess, at first set very uneasily upon me. And now, although it was not till my old age, I for the first time became acquainted with my natural use, capacity, and importance. My new station was no other than the dressing-room of a young lady, just come from school. Before I was well fixed in the destined spot, she came to survey me, and, with a look of such complacency and good-will, as I had not seen for many a day. I was now presently initiated into all the mysteries of the toilet. O, what an endless variety of laces, jewels, silks, and ribbons; pins, combs, cushions, and curling irons; washes, essences, powders, and patches, were daily spread before me! If I had been heretofore almost tired with the sight of my old mistress' everlasting lustring, I really felt still more so with the profusion of ornament and preparation. I was, indeed, favored with my fair mistress' constant attentions; they were so unremitting as perfectly to astonish me, after being so long accustomed to comparative neglect. Never did she enter her room on the most hasty errand, without vouchsafing me a kind glance; and at leisure hours I was indulged with much longer visits. Indeed, to confess the truth, I was sometimes quite surprised at their length; but I do not mean to tell tales. During the hour of dressing, when I was more professionally engaged with her, there was, I could perceive, nothing in the room-in the house-nay, I believe nothing in the world, of so much importance in her estimation as myself. But I have frequently remarked with concern, the different aspect with which she would regard me at those times, and when she returned at night from the evening's engagements. However late it was, or however fatigued she might be, still I was sure of a greeting as soon as she entered; but instead of the bright, blooming face I had seen a few hours before, it was generally pale and haggard, and Sent away, transmitted. Residence, place of abode, habitation, home. Gilt frame, frame covered with gold. Modernized, made look new, gave a modern look to. With what did the looking-glass now become first ac quainted ? Dressing-room. Give the origin of this word. Initiated into, introduced, instructed in the rudiments of. Toilet, dressing-table. -Laces, binds up, ties with a lace, cords, ornaments of fine thread. Essences, perfumes, odors. -Powders, dust, gunpowder, sweet dust for the hair. Patches, sews on a piece, small spots of black silk on the face. -Everlasting, enduring forever, never changing. .Errand, errand, message, something told by a messenger. Vouchsafing, condescending, yielding, bestowing upon. Spell leisure, hours, professionally. Surprised, astonished, amazed. Tales, stories, forged accounts, fictitious narratives. this lady ? Estimation, view, opinion, regard, esteem. Concern, solicitude, anxiety. When was the glass regarded as of the most importance? Why this difference at different times ? The evening engagements, balls, visits, routs, parties. Spell fatigued, night, engagement, bright. Instead, in-sted', in place of. However late it was, whatever the lateness of the not unfrequently bearing a strong impression of disap pointment or chagrin. hour. My mistress would frequently bring a crowd of her young companions into her apartment; and it was amusing to see how they would each in turn come to pay their respects to me. What varied features and expressions in the course of a few minutes I had thus had an opportunity of observing! upon which I used to make my own quiet reflections. LESSON IX. The same, concluded. In this manner I continued some years in the service of my mistress, without any material alteration taking place either in her or in me; but at length I began to perceive that her aspect towards me was changed, especially when I compared it with my first recollections of her. She now appeared to regard me with somewhat less complacency; and would frequently survey me with a mingled expression of displeasure and suspicion as though some change had taken place in me, though I am sure it was no fault of mine; indeed I could never reflect upon myself for a moment, with regard to my conduct towards any of my owners; I have ever been a faithful servant; nor have I once, in the course of my whole life, given a false answer to any one I have had to do with, I am, by nature, equally averse to flattery and detraction; and this I may say for myself, that I am incapable of misrepresentation. It was with mingled sensations of contempt and compassion, that I witnessed the efforts my mistress now made, in endeavoring to force me to yield the same satisfaction to her as I had done on our first acquaintance. Perhaps, in my confidential situation, it would be scarcely honorable to disclose all I saw; suffice it then to hint, that to my candid temper it was painful to be obliged to connive at that borrowed bloom, which after all was a substitute for that of nature; time, too, greatly baffled even these Generally, commonly, usually, for the most part. Pay their respects. What is meant by this phrase? Varied, diversified, diverse, various, different. Reflections, particles of light or heat thrown back, meditations. Material, essential, derived from matter. Alteration, change, revolution. Aspect, looks, appearance, visage, regard, conduct. Towards, to'urdz. Recollections, remembrances. To what was this change in her conduct towards the glass owing? -Mingled, varied, diversified, mixed. Sure, steadfast, confident, certain, established. Moment, point of time, minute. -Conduct, behavior, demean, demeanor. Course, current, direction, way. Averse, à-verse', hostile, inimical, opposed. -Force, compulsion, violence, compel, urge. .First, primary, original, antecedent. Confidential, pledged to secrecy, not admitting of disclosure. -Candid, fair, upright, white, ingenuous, open. expedients, and threatened to render them wholly ineffectual. Many a cross and reproachful look I had now to endure; which, however, I took patiently, being always remarkably smooth and even in my temper. Well remembering how time had spoiled the face of my poor old mistress, I dreaded the consequences if my present owner should experience, by and by, as rough treatment from him; and I believe she dreaded it too: but these apprehensions were needless. Time is not seldom arrested in the midst of his occupations; and it was so in this instance. I was one day greatly shocked, by beholding my poor mistress stretched out in a remote part of the room, arrayed in very different ornaments from what I had been used to see her wear. She was so much altered that I scarcely knew her; but for this she could not now reproach me. I watched her thus for a few days, as she lay before me as cold and motionless as myself; but she was soon conveyed away, and I saw her no more! Ever since, I have continued in quiet possession of her deserted chamber; which is only occasionally visited by other parts of the family. I feel that I am now getting old, and almost beyond further service. I have an ugly crack, occasioned by the careless stroke of a broom, all across my left corner; my coat is very much worn in several places; even my new frame is now tarnished and old fashioned; so that I cannot expect any new employment, Having now, therefore, nothing to reflect on but the past scenes of my life, I have amused myself with giving you this account of them. I said I had made physiognomy my study, and that I have acquired some skill in this interesting science. The result of my observation will at least be deemed impartial, when I say that I am generally best pleased with the character of those faces, which appear the most so with mine. And I have seen occasion so far to alter the opinions of my inexperienced youth, that for those who pass the least with me, and treat me with little consideration, I conceive the highest esteem; and their aspect generally produces the most pleasing reflections. |