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The friends who were kind and attentive to our beloved teacher during his illness will ever be remembered by us with deep emotions of thankfulness. Miss Bond never wearied waiting upon him. Many a delicate attention from her reached his couch of suffering soothingly, she is indeed a noble-hearted woman. I too, can recall her tender solicitude by a sick-bed, for she has oft made less weary unto me, the hours of languishing and pain.

CHAPTER XXIII.

"SOON may this fluttering spark of vital flame
Forsake its languid melancholy frame!
Soon may these eyes their trembling lustre close,
Welcome the dreamless night of long repose."
CAMPBELL.

"AND they who before were strangers
Became straightway as friends to each other."
LONGFELLOW.

"THERE is a divinity that shapes our ends,
Rough-hew them as we will." SHAKSPEARE.

"So fare thee well! and may the indulgent gods
. . . . . grant thee every wish
Thy soul can form! Once more, farewell!"

AFTER Mr. Loughery's departure we were very lonely, and it was thought best to dispel this gloom by passing our evenings out from the Institution among our friends. With Miss Bond I was kindly invited to Mr. Thomas Armstrong's. He had lately married a very agreeable and interesting lady, formerly resident of Harford. A few days previous to this visit, I had been so fortunate as to become acquainted with Mrs. Lee, Mrs. Armstrong's mother. We were mutually pleased; she evinced deep interest in my welfare, also in that of the Institution. Mr. Armstrong is a religious and generous-hearted man, has great sympathy for the afflicted.

Before going to tea we joined in singing a beautiful hymn of praise, and Mr. A. kneeling led us in prayer. With my hand clasped in good Mrs. Lee's, listening to that fervent prayer, I felt as though in very truth the Holy Spirit hovered nigh, and I arose with my heart strengthened to do his will and love him supremely. This calm, genial evening will ever be recalled, as some bright oasis with purling brook and grassy breast is remembered by the traveller who has tracked the desert sands. Such hours cast a glow of joy over our hearts, and we learn

"Friendship is not alone a name,
A charm that lulls to sleep;
A shade that follows wealth or fame,
And leaves the wretch to weep."

Mrs. Lee returned home shortly after, and I have not since met her; yet happy am I to have learned she has not forgotten me, though many miles lay between us; frequently I have received kind messages of love from her. May her declining days be peaceful and happy, irradiated by the light of His countenance who is the joy of her heart and her portion forever.

Dr. Wilson, (Mrs. Lee's brother,) upon visiting our Institution, expressed great interest and sympathy in our behalf. Though I met him but a fleeting hour, I found him social, genial, and most agreeable as a friend.

We were very anxious until we received intelligence of Mr. Loughery's safe arrival home. We still deeply felt his absence from us: two of our number, Thomas Maxwell and William Davis, were almost inconsolable. They had watched and tended him day and night during his illness, devoting themselves to him with the most unremitting attention.

The night before he bade them adieu, he gave them much good advice, also made each a present of a penknife, which they still possess, and value very highly.

Thomas Maxwell had been thinking seriously on the subject of religion during his teacher's illness, and, I am happy to say, has since been converted, and has become a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church.

Among the mementos of my dear departed friend, I cherish a few lines penned for my album. I give them to the reader, sanctified as they are to me by tender recollections and loved associations.

THE QUEEN OF FLOWERS.

'One clear summer night through the garden I strayed
With thoughts sad and pensive, alone;
The pale moon was soaring in beauty above,
And gilding the earth as she shone.
The bright stars were studding the heavens like gems
And watching the weary at rest;
And mild, gentle zephyrs in fond, playful mirth,
The sweet sleeping flowers caressed.

The roses were dreaming of beauty at morn,
As they slept in their own shady bowers,
And close by their side stood a figure divine,
The beautiful Queen of the Flowers.
She gazed on them fondly, e'en Venus ne'er looked
More charming, more lovely than she,
Sweet innocence played on the dimples that came,
And her smile was a heaven for me.

"Aurora arose in her pure robe of light,
And chased the dull shadows away;
The roses awoke from their beautiful dreams,
To welcome the bright orb of day.
The fair Queen of Flowers no longer remained,
She left them, I thought, with a sigh,
And dew-drops, like mirrors, reflected the love
That beamed as she smiled a good-by."

The Trustees of the Institution, finding Mr. L.'s health not likely to be regained, engaged Professor H. H. Bruning to instruct us. He proved very competent, and we made progress in our various studies. He endeared himself to us by the sympathy he expressed for us in the loss of our former preceptor; said he once had a teacher whom he loved and respected as a parent, and that having had to mourn his death, he could feel for us in our separation from one whom we had cherished so fondly.