are thus far different from ordinary troubles,—that they press down the soul with the reiterated grief which they call into action every moment."

"I am the happiest of men," writes another monarch, who still wears one of the noblest crowns of Europe, in a confidential letter, "I am the happiest of men, and you will meet with few who, after a three-and-twenty years' acquaintance, and nineteen years' marriage, find, like myself, the heart of their wife just as loveable, and her eyes just as heavenly as in the first days of their

attachment."

May 15th.

The Commerce Council Ladies, Madame and Miss Miss made great eyes, looked faces most pregnant of meaning, and put several searching questions, such as:

"Well, when shall you be going to Tornea? Does Miss Selma take pleasure in a book entitled 'Hints for Economical Preparations of Food?' I was thinking she might require it. Shall I buy it for her? Price is about sixteen shillings, banco."

A tea meeting in the afternoon between two happy mothers, my stepmother and Madame Rittersvärd. The first cloudless day in the month of June is to light Ake Sparrsköld's and Hellfrid Rittersvärd's wedding. What do I write this down for? To seek to forget that of which I am constantly thinking.

The

The Viking will sail on Sunday evening. youngest boy will not be in bed. Is it possible that Brenner will not see me or come to bid me adieu before he leaves.

May 16th A letter from Flora has cheered us all. Her change is rendering her courage wonderfully strong and unswerving. But why should one wonder? Let heaven once have opened over the head of mortal, or let his prayer have opened its gates to him and discovered the way whereon angels are passing up and down, then something unaccountable is surely happening-then the wisest and best in this generation must bow in wonder and honour-such a mortal must be left alone, alone with his Creator.

This is the last and highest point of all human culture, all exaltation. To that pinnacle the State, with all her wisest teachers and institutions, is striving to raise mankind. In opposition to it none have ever succeeded; he that believes otherwise deceives himself; but sanctified and supported by this, he mounts to regions he has never before attained. New life, new relative positions, is then created for him, and the immediate connnection is established with everlasting good which confers with pleasure its gifts upon man, and "gives gifts of the spirit not by measure." condition may be designated on the part of men the child-like. It is the intensitum of earthly existence. It can be reached by the simplest man whose will is good; but cannot be attained by the most consummate philosopher, if albeit he have surmounted the highest step in the ladder of logic, he cannot like a humble and helpless child fall on his knee and call on his father and the father of us all.

This

How happy was Lennartson this evening in the company of his loved Selma and her mother, sketching plans for the future! How amiable was he in his joy,

in the over-gushing existence to which, for the first time, he gave full play! He left his bride no peace the whole time, which of course gave her vast disquiet. And my stepmother, how happy was she!

And oh, I was happy too, in seeing all around me happy; I received the lively comfort of a life with them (for it is settled I am to take up my quarters in Lennartson's new home) in taking part in every thing, whether art, science, public and private matters of interest, and regulation when in contact with individuals of importance or in their ordinary

circles.

I feel well how easy and pleasant life may be in a daily enjoyment of what Ehrensvärd terms "pleasant wants;" but

Aye but-what sayest thou dumb speaker, beating within my bosom? And you wisdom, baptized in the living fount of love-thou whom I have summoned to guide my steps, to illumine my way-what have you to say?

Here a life of sunshine free from shadow, full of pleasant enjoyment and comfort in the society of noble and amiable people, who, however, have no need of me, and are enough to themselves without me. Reverse the picture :-a falling house I might prop up, orphan children, whose mother and protector I might be, a man of worth I might make happy-who loves me, and whom I could say I do love. A life full of toil and care, on which nevertheless the eternal eye would look down with mute' complacency: then on the

X

other-a life without splendour on earth but glorified by Can I doubt? But Madame Tröllman? Good. The one Trölla* will drive out the other. The same has happened before. But the world? How will it cross itself and shout, "Mad, my masters! Marriage Folly!" Well, what then? Selma, LenI know what they will say. But, stepmother! How my stepmother will be surprised. This is Saturday evening.

mania! nartson.

Sunday Morning.

A note from the Viking-manly heart-any thing but full of feeling. He says, however, he has not sufficient reliance on his fortitude to take leave of me in person, and, therefore, does it in writing, begging me to remember him to my friends, hoping to see me again, and subscribing himself my "true William."

A nosegay of fine flowers says more than the note. But I hold it inexcusable in my "true William" that he will not see and hear his mistress before setting off to the other end of the world. I feel the charm at work within me.

Evening.

But a very little space, but a very little while often intervenes between the present moment, and that in which by a magic stroke we may have changed the whole aspect of our life, and altered the whole future. We ourselves generally hold the wand in our hand, but when applying its mighty force-whether for happiness or the reverse-of that we are often utterly ignorant.

* An enchantress. The reader will recollect Troila in the "Pirate."

I was nevertheless tolerably undisturbed, when at the same hour as Lennartson went out with Selma and my stepmother for an airing in the park in his carriage, I quietly and alone took a walk down towards Schiffsholm. The afternoon was tranquil, somewhat dull, but like summer. I looked about the neighbourhood as if taking leave of it; saluted the Norr bridge with the palace, the statues, the quays and river; bade adieu to the beau monde. At the head of the Schiffsholm

bridge I stood still. Before me, on its blue flood, rested the verdant Schiffsholm with its alleys and groves, its temple built on the rocks, and mirrored in the sea. Behind me brushed past the crowd of wayfarers riding and walking, streaming onward in their holiday clothes to the park. I thought of the carriage that was bearing my kindred along in the gay scene of fashion, in which they had affectionately called to me to take my place; my heart sank; it was as if invisible bonds fettered my feet and drew me back. It was an hour of mental anguish. At that moment the bells of the churches began to strike up; and as in earlier ages the bells of the temple had the virtue of dispelling heathen enchantments, so did these now operate upon me. The encircling bonds were loosed, and I stepped onwards -excited, but resolved. And when I came to the green grove-an old man had planted it, and thereby embellished his declining years in that he had embellished his native city-when I saw the tender leaf, and thought on the tender children, then I became more composed, more free of heart.

It was not till the long Geil, or the Admiralty threw its shade across my path, that a certain timidity, but of another kind, restrained me. My procedure was un