that, even were he yet to come, we can make room if sent to remain with us."

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Mortimer was sensible of the generous kindness of this invitation, but again declined it from many motives. After a silence of some minutes, he added-"I have sometimes regretted that instead of coming to these regions I did not rather remove to Ireland, where I have a small property, the only remnant of the great possessions of Roger Mortimer in that island. I might perhaps have spent money more usefully there, and my poor dear wife would have been happy, I doubt not, instructing those poor savages, if it were possible. However, that is now out of the question, and "

"Ireland!" said Mr Grey, with emotion-" alas for Ireland, that that fine people have been so neglected! If you had known what they really are, you would never have said they were savages! Oh, how much they might have been civilised had proprietors resided and kindly encouraged industry, while they enforced obedience to the laws! They are intelligent, warm-hearted, and grateful; but they are now under an influence that will daily become more injurious. They are- -but excuse my national feelings-pray, go on."

Smiling good-humouredly at Mr Grey's warm defence of his countrymen, Mortimer said, that on considering the alternatives for the coming winter, the best plan appeared to him to be that of immediately erecting a log-house for himself. "If you will allow me to become your tenant," said he, "and to encroach a little longer on your hospitality, we may perhaps establish ourselves here for life."

"Most truly happy shall we be at such an arrangement as you propose," replied Mr Grey. "You and Mrs Mortimer must, however, be prepared to endure many inconveniences; yet you will at least suffer less than in travelling in the woods."

“We shall be easily satisfied; we are tired—at least, I am —of luxury and ease. I like this laborious life, and shall be attached to the dwelling procured by my own exertions." "But Mrs Mortimer?

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Oh, Mrs Mortimer likes what I like, and has a very high idea of the virtue of activity, and so forth."

Constance joined in Mortimer's new plan with great satisfaction-so happy at the idea of remaining near her new friends, and at her husband's having devised some employ

ment for his natural activity besides that of exploring dreary forests, that her spirits revived, and would have recovered their natural elasticity could she have had any intelligence of her friends in England. No letters had reached her since her arrival in the new world, and deep anxiety would frequently appear on her countenance notwithstanding her constant efforts to be cheerful-unwilling that Mortimer should see she was unhappy-or that even a sigh of hers should reproach him.

Mr Grey gladly selected a favourable situation for the intended log-house, at a small distance from his own; and no time was lost in procuring the most expert woodcutters, or choppers, as they are called.

As everything relative to the backwood life was interesting to Constance now that it was to be hers, Mrs Grey took her and Mortimer, by a pleasant walk through the wood, to see a log-house lately erected by an emigrant named Price.

Though not expected, they were most hospitably received; and tea and hot cakes, according to the custom of the country, were quickly prepared for their refreshment.

The evening was close, and the sultry air oppressive; gathering clouds in the east came to forewarn them of an approaching storm; it came on so rapidly, that, while yet at the tea-table, large rain-drops began to fall, soon followed by tremendous claps of thunder, which resounded awfully through the forest-each one louder than the last-while the brilliant and frequent lightning spread a general awe among all the party.

Constance was seated near the window, and when the hurricane rose, and swept sublimely through the trees with appalling force, she saw a group of tall pines, which she had been admiring, suddenly yield to the blast, and, unable to resist, bend down; yet they rose again unhurt, while branches and stems, and large trees, were breaking and cracking on every side in wild disorder; the boards on which they stood rattled and shook as if the house was falling, and it seemed as if nothing could save it—while the darkness of the storm increased the confusion of the scene, and, though yet early in the evening, it appeared like twilight. The general horror was painfully increased by the discovery that Mr Price's little son, who had been sent to drive home the cows from a distant part of the woods, had not yet returned.

In some time the hurricane abated, the wind and rain ceased-but what a scene of desolation! Trees torn up far and near, even within view of the windows; the anxiety about the little boy growing stronger every moment. No one spoke of him, but his mother's countenance expressed her thoughts.

There was a long and dreadful suspense, but at length, to the relief of all, in came the little fellow safe, but drenched. He and another boy, a companion, had prudently stood in the middle of a cleared space, at a distance from the house, thus escaping all injury, though a great tree had fallen near them. With heartfelt joy the poor mother clung to her son, and all the party joined in grateful thanksgivings.

The confusion of fallen trees, heaped one upon another, rendered the woods impassable that night, and Mr Price insisted on his guests remaining at his house till morning; to which Mrs Grey would not have consented, but that, as Mr Grey had remained at home, she was sure the children were taken care of. It was then only that Mortimer perceived the contrivances and personal inconvenience to which the hospitable inhabitants of a new country are forced to submit, in order to receive a friend, or shelter a traveller.

The next morning they walked home through a striking scene of devastation; stepping from stem to stem of fallen trees; and, on at last reaching home, their anxiety was happily relieved, by finding that the storm had done no mischief at Mr Grey's cottage. It had been one of those local storms which sometimes occur, destroying everything as it sweeps along, making a narrow passage for itself, and leaving untouched the trees on each side of its course. It made a great impression on Ferdinand; and, while glad to have seen so sublime a sight, he felt how overwhelming it would have been to his wife and child had they been travelling, and without shelter. This reflection increased his satisfaction at having determined to rest from his travels till spring; and he hoped, by hastening the workmen, to be soon established in his own home.

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PLEASED at the idea of having such agreeable neighbours, Mr Grey selected the best situation for Colonel Mortimer's clearing; the maple, the lime, and the elm-tree, indicating the goodness of the land; and a cedar swamp being near, insured a valuable supply of soft water, as well as abundance of white cedar for paling and other useful purposes.

When all the great trees of the clearing were felled, the first fine, dry, breezy morning was chosen for burning the brushwood. It was a singular sight; Constance and Noel therefore accompanied Mr Grey and Mortimer to see the conflagration; home avocations preventing Amy from joining them. As they parted she reminded Constance of the dense smoke of the burning brushwood, anxiously repeating, "Take care of Noel."

People bearing burning branches ran rapidly from heap to heap, setting them on fire, and in a few minutes the whole clearing was enveloped in smoke and flames, and the roaring flames only, and crackling of the burning wood, could be seen or heard.

All the weeds and young brushwood were consumed; nothing remained on the surface of the ground but the stems or logs, and it was pronounced, in the language of the woodcutters, to be "a very perfect burn.”

Noel stood patiently beside his mamma, amusing himself in observing the frightened birds hurrying away from the

smoke; and when some passed near him, repeating to her what he had learned from the little Greys about them :"Oh! mamma, look at that beautiful blue jay; do you hear its wild scream? Annette says they are not always here, and they do not visit them regularly; sometimes they appear quite tame and come near the house, but are at other times as wild as ever." And "Now do look at that woodpecker; see its pretty little scarlet head, and black and white wings. Watch it, mamma, and you will see how with its long bill it pecks insects out of the hollows in the stems of the trees; and do you know it afterwards makes its nest in the hole it has made!"

At length Noel ceased to pour forth his little store of knowledge, and Constance, tired of the smoke, returned home. She would have taken Noel with her, but his urgent entreaty to be allowed to stay with papa, overcame her prudence. She consented, and, putting his hand into his father's, she enjoined him to keep Noel with him.

The child, tired of inaction, withdrew his hand by degrees, and, pointing to some old maple stumps near them, begged leave to search in them for woodpeckers' nests, promising to return directly. Mortimer's love of liberty influenced him sometimes rather too much in favour of Noel's excursive disposition, for he disapproved of much restraint on an active truth-telling boy. Depending on the child's obedience, and sure that he would return to him immediately, he did not watch him. After some minutes had passed, he turned to point out something to Noel-but Noel was not there. He called-no reply-again called, louder still; but he could hear no voice-no sound save that of the crackling wood. He listened with eager attention-there was no cry-no answer to his call.

Mr Grey having shortly before Noel was missed gone to give directions in another part of the burning, Mortimer flattered himself the little boy might haply be with him, and he made his way as quickly as he could through burning cinders and smoke. Mr Grey had not seen him. Instantly, every one dispersed in all directions in search of him; the distant woods resounded with his name, which was vociferated everywhere; there was a faint hope that he might have gone home; and Mr Grey went to inquire, as Mortimer's appearing alone would at once have alarmed Constance.

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