personal experience, in many of the scenes here described, she will deem her exertions very amply repaid. To the young of her own sex, it is, therefore, affectionately presented, with earnest wishes, and sincere prayers, for the best welfare of every one whose eye may glance upon its pages.

CHAPTER I.

THE long-expected Christmas holidays had passed away, and the day had arrived when the young ladies belonging to a large and respectable establishment in the west of England were expected to return again to commence the routine of school study. Few arrived the first day; but those few were informed by their governess, that Miss Melville, their late headteacher, would not be able to return, and that she expected a young lady in the course of a day or two to supply her place. The charms of novelty often cause youthful hearts to forget half their troubles, and it was so in the present case, for parting tears were dried up, and succeeded by smiles, as the young people indulged in various anticipations to which this interesting piece of intelligence gave rise, while they enjoyed the idea of having something new to communicate to those

B

of their companions who should arrive on the

morrow.

The morrow came; the little group now received additions every hour, and as each, after the departure of her friends, entered the schoolroom, the words, "What do you think?—we are to have a new head-teacher!" mingled with the salutations with which they were greeted. Many were their exclamations of surprise, on hearing the news; many conjectures were formed, as to what kind of a being the young lady in question would be; and often was the hope expressed that she would not be too severe. "I hope she will not be over strict with the forfeits," said a merry little girl." It will be a sad thing for you if she is, Mary Ann," said another. "She cannot well

be more particular than Miss Melville was," said Mary Ann; "she almost ruined me with forfeits." "No, you ruined yourself, I think," replied her companion. "Well, I do'nt know how it was; I never could remember; while I was trying to escape from one forfeit, up used to come Miss Melville, and give me another for something else. If I tried to put all my things away, I was not in time for the bells, and if I ran as quickly as I could when they rang, I left something about." "Well,"

"I

said the other, whose name was Charlotte, never had so many." "Oh, I know you are a pattern of perfection, but I never could be so particular." "I hope she will be clever," said Emily, an interesting girl of fifteen, "somebody that will take an interest in teaching us; for I dare say I shall not be at school more than a year longer, and I wish to make the most of the time." In this hope she was joined by some of the elder and more intelligent part of the community; but a greater number were ready to second the gay Mary Ann, who said, "I hope she will not be breaking up all our schemes, and thinking we are to have no play, though." "Well, we shall soon see, for she will be sure to come either to-day, or to-morrow," remarked Charlotte. "And I really wish she would come; I cannot bear waiting and wondering," exclaimed Mary Ann. Every chaise that drew up to the door that day, was eagerly watched, to see whether it contained the object of their expectations; but they watched in vain for the present, and retired to rest without having satisfied their curiosity. "Well, we shall see what to-morrow will bring forth," said Mary Ann, as they went up stairs to bed.

Perhaps it will not be amiss, while the young

group are enjoying their slumbers, to introduce some of them more particularly to the notice of our readers.

Emily was, as before remarked, an interesting girl of about fifteen. Her mind was just ex

panding, so as to enable her to appreciate the opportunities which were presented to her of acquiring knowledge and to invite her to pursue her various studies with interest and ardour. She was also a very great admirer of the beauties of nature, and a few wild flowers, or the ever-varying aspect of the sky, were to her sources of so much pleasure, that she was often thought a little enthusiastic by her school-fellows. She was, however, too lively, energetic, and affectionate, not to be a general favourite; and her peculiar tastes only caused an occasional smile or joke from those who could not fully enter into them.

Charlotte was a steady, industrious girl, of fourteen, who generally managed to conform to all the rules of the house, and seldom needed reproof. She was never satisfied unless every thing she did was done, not merely well, but the best in the school; not to repeat a lesson correctly, or to fail in anything she undertook to perform, was to her a real trial, nor could she