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object that struck him either by its beauty or sublimity, varying his discourse by descriptions he had read of the beauties and wonders that are to be met with in other countries. She listened, but seemed not much amused; rural scenery possessed no charms for her. Harriet was not so; accustomed to a country life, and to run, in a manner wild; she was an enthusiastic admirer of nature. Latterly she had been reading "Cote's Travels in Switzerland," and her mind being full of the book, she talked of it with animated delight, and attempt ed to draw comparisons between Switzerland and the country she now passed through.

Her father was pleased and astonished to find her so entertained, and entertaining; they would sometimes hold conversations, in which Mrs. Lancaster took no part. At such times she once or twice said she found she was but an encumbrance to them, and wished they had left her at home.

One morning before they entered the chaise, as Harriet ran before them, to clamber up some rocks, the fond father could not help remarking what a brilliant bloom her cheeks had acquired; that he thought she was improved very much of late, and how amazingly tall she was growing. I think she is grown very tall indeed,” said her mother-in-law, without replying to any other part of his speech. For the first time Captain Lancaster perceived his wife to be of a jealous temper; it was with grief he made this discovery, from knowing what dread ful pangs such a disposition must occasion in the bosom that fosters it. After returning from their tour, Harriet began to perceive that she was not much beloved by her new mother. The time was now fast ap proaching, when the Captain might

again expect the happiness of being a father, and to this event he looked forward with the most joyful hopes. At length Mrs. Lancaster was happily delivered of a daugh ter. On the Captain's paying his congratulatory visit to his lady, "look my dear" said she, "what a little cherub! she is as beautiful as an angel." "Then we will give her an angelic name," said he, "she shall be called Seraphina after my mother." Accordingly in due time, the child was baptized by that name; but the domestics either from the signification of her name, her beauty, or some whim always denominated her the Angel.

After the birth of her daughter, when Mrs. Lancaster again recovered her health and spirits, all was harmony and joy: Indeed, this child seemed a messenger sent from heaven to bring happiness to her father's house, she was so beautiful, so goodnatured, and so beloved, that smiles and cheerfulness for ever sported round her. Harriet just at that age, when dolls are thrown by, found her lit tle sister to be an animated doll of which she never tired. She was unhappy if she spent a minute from Scraph, who very soon began to know her, and return her caresses. Mrs. Lancaster could not help being pleased by the extraordinary attachment Harriet manifested towards her child, and this caused her to behold her with a more favourable eye than formerly. The early marks of extraordinary intelligence which little Seraph display. ed, were probably owing to Harriet's attention, who incessantly watched over her, and taught her something every day, while the animated coun tenance of the child lighted up by smiles of affection and gratitude, had expressed her thanks a thousand times before she could utter a word.

When Seraph could walk and

speak, it was with extreme reluctance on both sides, that the two sisters ever separated for a moment. Four years thus passed away in peace and harmony.

Harriet taught her sister to read before the generality of children know the alphabet; indeed an astonishing precocity of understanding was visible in every action of this interesting and admirable child. It need not be wondered at, that the fond parents doted on her with the most lively affection, as did every member of the family. Nor was she in the least spoiled by all the fondness that was lavished on her love inspires love, her little heart overflowed with kindness to all within its reach; but the dearest object of her affection was still her sister: gratitude is one of the first sentiments of the human breast.

Harriet now in her sixteenth year, was grown tall and extremely beautiful; the gentleness of her manners, together with the sweetness of her temper, made her beloved as soon as she was known. But the retiring bashfulness of her disposition induced her to shrink from observation and avoid company. She therefore knew nothing of the world, and was as innocent as little Seraph.

Captain Lancaster wishing to correct this timidity of disposition, fear ful that it might prove injurious to his daughter in her progress through life, insisted that she should now be introduced into company. At first Mrs. Lancaster objected to this, saying, that she would be a woman, and feel the cares and anxieties of one time enough she reluctantly complied however with her husband's request, and from that day, poor Harriet might date the commencement of her misery.

Little did her fond father foresee the consequence of this step; little did he imagine that the foul fiend

jealousy would soon take possession of his wife's bosom, imbittering all his own days, and those of his beloved daughter.

Soon after this time, Mrs. Lancaster and Harriet happened to go one evening to the theatre in the neighbouring town. Several gentlemen, acquaintances of Mrs. Lancaster, came to pay their compliments to her; among the rest Lord V. who had formerly been her admirer. It was once confidently reported that she would be Lady V. but in the mean time, Mr. Lancaster stepped in and bore away the prize. His Lordship had scarcely finished his first salutation, before he asked who the lovely angel was that sat beside her."O! Captain Lancaster's daughter, a mere child," said she. "I never saw so tall nor so beautiful a child in all my life," replied his lordship.

Will you have the goodness madam to introduce me to it." He was accordingly introduced, and for the remainder of the evening devoted himself to Harriet. Mrs. Lancaster was mortified; but this was only the commencement of her chagrin; for during the entertainment she could perceive that scarcely an eye was attracted by her charms, while those of her fairer daughter excited universal admiration. complained of being ill before the play was over; indeed she looked ill, and was in wretched spirits.

She

The next day in the absence of her father, Harriet received a long lecture on propriety of behaviour and the disgusting folly of children taking the air of women on them. Every succeeding day now brought with it, lectures to poor Harriet, which might with more propriety be termed scolds. Sometimes she was chid for appearing when visitors called, the nursery or school-room was much fitter for her; at other times she was reprimanded if she

did not make her appearance; she absented herself merely to excite interest, and that a number of inquiries might be made after her. In short, she found it impossible to please her mother-in-law, let her conduct herself in what manner she would, or how irreproachable soever her behaviour might appear in the eyes of others.

(To be Continued.)

For the Belfast Monthly Magazine.

The following Petition and Answer, remind us of the favourable hopes excited and justified by the commencement of the French Revolution. They form a curious document worthy of preservation. The petition suitably states the peculiar doctrines of the Quakers, and claims protection for them. The answer of Mirabeau pronounces some sublime truths on the sacred right of private judgment, independent of the religion of the state, and forcibly demonstrates that opinions merely as such, where no breaches of morality appear, ought not to be cognizable by the legislature. Happy would it be if the liberal sentiments on this subject of religious opinions were interwoven as fundamental principles into all codes of laws, and formed a rule for the conduct of all sects towards each other, and also for the treatment of their own 'members, when diversity of opinion might happen to prevail among them.

THE RESPECTFUL PETITION OF THE FRIENDS OF THE CHRISTIAN SOCIETY, CALLED QUAKERS.

Delivered to the National Assembly, 10th of 2d mo. 1791.

RESPECTABLE LEGISLATORS, THE HE French nation having chosen you its law-givers, and your

minds being disposed to give to her wise laws, our hearts have been lively excited to solicit your justice and beneficence on behalf of the 30ciety of the peaceable christians to which we belong.

You know that there exists in se veral parts of Europe and North America, a great number of christians distinguished by the name of Quakers, who profess to serve God according to the ancient simplicity of the primitive christian church:There are in many towns and vil lages of Languedoc a number of fa milies attached to this primitive christranity. Several families came from America to settle at Dunkirk, under the auspices of the former govern ment, on an invitation given to the inhabitants of the island of Nantucket, with a view to extend the French fisheries. These Islanders have proved by their success, that they merit your favour, and the same exertions will cause them to continue to merit it; but interests far more exalted bring us this day before you.

In an age, wherein light hath made a rapid progress, you have discovered that conscience (the immediate communication of man with his Maker) cannot be subjected to the power of men. This sentiment of justice hath inclined you to decree general liberty to all worship. This is one of the most excellent decrees of the French legislation; yon have given a great example to those nations who still persecute religions opinions, an example we hope they will follow sooner or later.

It is to this spirit of justice we ap ply for liberty peaceably to follow certain principles and maximis, which the great society of friends called Quakers have invariably supported since their earliest origin. One of these principles hath drawn upon us severe but unavailing perseca

tions. Providence has strengthened us to bear them without using violence: It is this principle which forbids us on any pretext to take up arms, and to slay men, a principle agreeable to Holy Scripture, Christ having said, "Return not evil for evil, but do good to your enemies." May the Lord grant that this principle be universally adopted, all mankind would only then be one family and brotherhood, united by mutual kindnesses: You are convinced of this, ye generous Frenchmen; you have already begun to reduce it to practice, ye have decreed never to imbrue your hands in the blood of conquest. This step leads you-it leads the whole world towards universal peace: Ye will not then look with hostile eyes on the men who hasten the coming thereof by their example, and who have given proof in Pensylvania that vast establishments can be set up and supported without military forces or the effusion of human blood.

Subject to your laws we only claim the liberty of being here as in other places, brethern to all mankind, and not to be obliged to arm our hands against any. England and the United States of America, where our brethren are in far greater numbers than in France, have suffered us peaceably to enjoy this grand principle of our religion, without looking ́on us as useless members of society.

We have still one request more, and we hope you will not refuse it us, because it flows from these principles of justice which you revere. We have preserved in registering of our marriages, births, and burials, the simplicity of the primitive church, our maxims forbid us forms which are useless, yet it is a rule amongst us, to prove these events of life in due order; we request that our simple register may be sufficient to le

galize our marriages and births, and to prove our burials, making a declaration of them before a magi

strate.

Finally, we request to be exempted from all forms of oaths, Christ having expressly forbid them in these

terms.

"Ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths; but I say unto you, Swear not at all, (or in any manner), but let your yea be yea, and your nay, nay." Wise legislators, you are persuaded as well as we, that the form of an oath adds nothing to good faith, that it adds nothing to the declaration of an honest man, and that it does not deter perjurers: You agree that the oath is but a peculiar mode of expressing a declaration: We hope you will not refuse to hear us in ours: It is that of our common Master, it is that of Christ. We hope that none will accuse us of wishing to evade the great intention of the civic oath. We are ready to declare, that we will abide faithful to the constitution which you have established-We cherish and respect it, and our intention is to conform to its laws in all their purity. On the other hand, if our words, if our judicial depositions are not found conformable to truth, we submit to the punishment due to false witnesses and perjurers.

Would you hesitate, respectable legislators, to lend a favourable ear to our petition. Cast your eyes upon the history of our society: in the countries where it hath been established, more than a century hath elapsed without our ever being found concerned in any conspiracy against the government. Our strict mora lity forbids us ambition and luxury, a strict and domestic watchfulness over each other, tends to preserve us in the practice and manners which

our Lord hath inculcated by his doctrines and example. Labour is in our view an indispensible duty. enjoined to all men. This precept bath made us active and industrious, thus our society accords with France in this point. Giving us a favour able reception, you invite industry, who now seeks those countries where the honest industrious man is not apprehensive of seeing persecution destroy in one quarter of an hour, the fruits of an hundred years' labour.

Now that France is about to become the asylum of liberty, of an equality of rights, of an happy fraternal union; that she is uniting to these sources of prosperity, a liberty for every individual to follow his conscience in its intercourse with the supreme Being, since she is so happily situated by nature, what advantages shall she not derive from those of our society, who live in less favourable climates, as soon as they shall know that you grant them the same civil and religious liberty which they enjoy in England, and in the United States of America.

Such is the respectful petition which our hearts have been excited to offer you, for the peace of our brethren of France, and the prosperity of a country which is dear to us. We hope, that in the midst of your great exertions to renovate this empire, and multiply the sources of its happiness, you will extend over us and our offspring your justice and beneficence: Thus shall you deserve a requital from our Creator, and the love of all good men. (Signed)

JEAN MARCILLAC, WILLIAM ROTCH, BENJAMIN ROTCH.

THE PRESIDENT, MIRABEAU'S ANSWER. THE Quakers, who have disclaimed persecutors and tyrants, could not address themselves to any lawgivers with more confidence than to those

who (the first in France) have re. duced to laws the rights of men.And may France, when renovated, may France hereafter in the very bosom of peace, whose interests she will always hold inviolably dear, become also another happy Pensylvania

As a philanthropic system your principles demand our admiration; they remind us that the original of each society was a family united by its manners, its affections, and its wants, and without doubt the most sublime institutions would be those, which creating a second time the human species, bring it back to this first and virtuous origin.

The examination of your principles considered as opinions, concerns us no more. We have declared that there is a property which no man wishes to make common; the movements of his soul, and the tran sports of his mind. This sacred inheritance places man in a hierarchy more exalted than social state. As a citizen, he adopts a form of government; as a thoughtful being, he has no country here but the universe.

As religious principles, your doctrine shall not be the object of our deliberations: The communion of every man with the Most High is independent of all political institution. Between God, and the heart of man, what government dares to interfere!

As social maxims, your claims ought to be submitted to the discussion of the legislative body. It will examine if the forms that you observe, to prove births and marriages gives authenticity enough to this filiation of the human species, that the distinction of properties render indispensible, independent of good morals. It will examine, if a declaration, the falsity of which would be subject to the penalties established against false witnesses aud perjurers, would not in reality be

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