the heart, which we sometimes, though rarely,

meet with.

It appears to me very singular that my mother never speaks of returning to England, and seldom mentions America, though I know she resided there for several years, and indeed she early taught me to love it as my mother country. I know not what fatal secret preys upon her mind, but it is true, there is something that weighs heavily on her spirits, and I often feel alarmed by the mystery and concealment that surround her. I watch over her from day to day with the most painful solicitude, and my thoughts turn in terror from the prospect of her sufferings. They come over my heart with chilling power, and cloud my imagination with gloom-they seem the point, beyond which no light, no hope penetrates-where all feeling and happiness end! It is cruel to have such fears springing up in the heart, when all Nature seems to encourage the thought of perpetual happiness, by her eternal verdure; but many hopes wither, and many hearts grow cold, while she

smiles on as joyously as though they had not changed; and it is that which draws tears from us in the hour of sadness!

A vessel sails for America at sun rise, and I salute you tenderly and affectionately.

LETTER VIII.

ADELA.

I HAVE been at two charming balls since I wrote you last. The first was given by Mr. I, who is the "Secretary" and "Treasurer." It was at the Assembly Room, which is in the "Public Buildings," and was beautifully decorated and splendidly lighted. It is arched at one end, and in the recess were placed orange and lemon trees in full bearing, and lights were tastefully arranged among the branches, producing the most enchanting effect imaginable; and the ladies, who sat beneath

their light and shade, looked almost like the Houris of the Mahomedan Paradise, or like Peris, lingering beneath the perfumed bowers of some enchanted land! Wreaths of flowers were festooned round the ceilings, and in one corner of the room were placed an immense variety of beautiful flowers and flowering shrubs, in vases and boxes, and behind them were hung lamps, which threw their fairy shade half across the room.

I went under the protection of my kind friends, Mr. and Mrs. James-and when I entered the room, I stood still a moment to enjoy the novelty of the scene. The ladies were seated on side benches, and the profusion of flowers and feathers, and the gay dresses, and the splendour of the light, and the freshness of the perfume from the flowers, and the music, all made me imagine I had been suddenly transported to some fairy spot, to some Armidian garden, where lovely smiles and intoxicating odours, and love itself, had lent their illusions, to beguile the heart of remembrance,

to bewilder the senses, and to dazzle the imagination!-But singular as it may appear to you, at that moment I felt ready to weep; delighted as I was, a sudden sadness stole over my heart, and I wished myself alone on some sea-beaten rock, where no sound but that of the deep, sullen roar of the ocean could reach me. I felt as sad as if my future destiny had been revealed to me in the darkest and most mysterious oracles !

Now, if your knowledge of the heart and of the philosophy of the mind, enables you to account for such waywardness of feeling, I will leave the mystery to be solved by you, for it is entirely above my comprehension.

When the Governor and his suite entered, the band saluted him with the "King's March," and afterwards, the fine, national air of God save the King," echoed through the rooms, awakening in many hearts, no doubt, dear and delightful thoughts of country and of home.

The ball was opened by the Governor and Lady M, and young and old, gay and sad,

all joined in the merry dance.-But I will not attempt to describe the fantastic dresses, and the unique appearance, of some who were there, for the pencil of a Hogarth alone could do justice to them! About one hundred persons sat down to supper at a late hour: the tables were all laid in one room, and were prettily ornamented and abundantly filled. Our coterie secured at one corner plenty of champaigne, and you may be sure, when we rose from the table, there was no trace of gloom or of sadness left. I felt as gay and as happy as if the future lay before me all light and happiness; and it was four o'clock before we retired, to forget our enjoyment in morning dreams!

The other was the Birth-Night Ball, April twenty-third, given at Government House, and it was both splendid and charming. The ladies were decked in their most gorgeous robes, and the gentlemen of course wore their badges of loyalty. At twelve o'clock, there were beautiful fire-works on the lawn in front, and the