being much struck by an incident at one of our wateringplaces.

Leaning against the doorway of the drawing-room of one of the principal hotels one evening, might have been seen a young girl, of such exquisite loveliness, both of form and face, as to attract all beholders.

"Who is she?"

mouth to mouth.

"Who can she be?" passed from

"The beautiful Miss

was the answer; and a farfamed beauty and belle was named. A moment later, a young man was presented to her; and as he talked, his whole soul in his face, "Love at first sight," whispered one of a group who were watching them.

Chance brought a person, later in the evening, so close to the apparition of loveliness (for this seems the only term to suit her) as to render it impossible not to catch her words, as she said to the lady at her side, in a voice whose rich soft tones consorted admirably with her appearance:

"Was it indelicate to allude to my engagement to a stranger? I did it on principle."

It so happened that the person heard afterwards, from that stranger's own lips, a warm tribute to the delicacy and beautiful consideration with which this was done, and an expression of the consciousness of how much suffering he had thus been spared. Is not this a proof of where duty lies in this respect?

With regard to marriage, or rather to the wedding ceremony, it is impossible to give rules, as practice must ever vary with circumstances.

Whether one, two, a dozen bridesmaids, or none, must be a matter of private preference or convenience, in no way affecting the social position of the parties. With regard to dress, the same rule exists; therefore no allusion. is made to it.

But there is one all-important point, which we should urge upon every one about to be married; and this is that the ceremony be solemnized by a clergyman. This is not necessary to render the marriage legal, and therefore may not be considered vital; but, surely, no one with right views can consent to look upon that great mystery as merely a "civil contract." The Scripture doctrine is, that, as Christ and the Church are one, so the husband and wife are one; and that, "as the Church obeys Christ, so should the wife obey her own husband," not through compulsion or fear, but with a voluntary obedience, springing from love and reverence. And the husband should "love his own wife as Christ loved the Church; should protect her, cherish her, honor her, because this is the natural consequence of his position, and "she is his own flesh."

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It must be evident, that by thus placing marriage upon its rightful foundation of religious rite, as well as of civil law, our whole social fabric is exalted with it; for the moral tone of a people must depend, humanly speaking,

upon their domestic institutions; and therefore, when the true idea of marriage prevails, there will be found the highest and purest tone of moral life and the best models of good society.

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III.- FOREIGN TRAVEL.

MERICANS usually burden themselves with too much luggage. They take huge trunks, which they find themselves obliged to leave in London or Paris; and provide themselves with clothing sufficient for years, without reflecting that they are not going into deserts. untrodden by man, but to the very centres of civilization, where any thing they require can be obtained at a moment's notice, ready for instant use.

For a lady, half a dozen of each article of underclothing would be ample. Wherever you stop,—if but for twenty-four hours, you can have washing done, which, at any rate, would be necessary to avoid carrying soiled clothing.

The best material for a lady's travelling-dress is black silk or alpacca. The former is preferable: it is easily brushed and smoothed out, and is less liable to be travelstained. A black silk, of a quality as rich as you please, is also the best adapted for service, while stopping, as an out-door dress. For shopping, sight-seeing, visiting gal

leries, driving, &c., it is inconspicuous, and the dress of a gentlewoman everywhere.

The English are always known on the Continent by some astounding "get up," which they call a travellingdress. An American lady's costume is so entirely French, that she is never conspicuous, unless she takes up the English idea, and walks about in continental towns with a grotesque hat, hob-nailed shoes, and flashy underskirts. For mild weather on the road, a waterproof cloak is most convenient; if chilly, a Zouave jacket of cloth may be worn underneath. In cold weather, a heavy cloth sack will be required.

Never travel without a blanket shawl upon your arm, ready for instant use. Such a shawl is invaluable, not only for warmth in sudden changes of weather, but to use as a cushion, pillow, &c.

A straw bonnet, simply trimmed in the best style, is the most appropriate head-gear for a lady.

With a little ingenuity, a bonnet may be carried in the top division of the trunk, and thus avoid another article of luggage. At all events, the addition of a bonnet-box may be deferred till Paris is reached, by which time much experience as to a person's requirements will have been gained.

A convenient travelling hand-bag is indispensable to contain many little comforts and conveniences that may be needed by a lady when separated from her trunk.

The examination of luggage, on landing in England,

is made as little troublesome as possible, especially for ladies, who are not expected to carry tobacco, which is the great bugbear of the English tide-waiters.

In France and Belgium, the custom-house regulations are strictly administered. Large quantities of jewelry are smuggled into France from Switzerland; and it is advisable to carry as few small boxes as possible in your trunk, as they are liable to be rudely broken open in the search.

In Germany, there is but little trouble; but, strange to say, in Spain, in passing from one province to another, the luggage is liable to custom-house search.

The octroi officials abound on the Continent; but a simple declaration will usually suffice for them. In Italy, the custom-house officials are corrupt, more especially in the papal dominions. A small fee, privately administered, is the method by which the experienced overcome all interference here.

Russia is the only country that presents any difficulty to travellers. They do not encourage foreign travel, and their custom-house and police laws are extremely stringent. No books, not even guide-books, can be taken into Russia: they must be left at the frontier until you

return.

You move about with the knowledge of the police; and no foreigner can leave Russia without advertising his intention in the newspapers at least a fortnight before his departure, in order that all who have claims upon him may be informed.