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LETTERS OF LIFE.

capacities of memory in the young unpreoccupied mind, which I was persuaded had not been fully ascertained.

Not long after my engagement, and while I supposed its knowledge confined to particular friends, I met, on approaching our school-room, several knots of its occupants on the stairs and in the halls, with heads in close propinquity, which parted and flitted away as I drew near. Some exciting intelligence seemed circulating with telegraphic speed. Not a whisper was heard; but I fancied I could divine their subject. During the exercises of the morning, eyes were fixed on me with a varying expression of wondering curiosity or incipient regret. One or two of the youngest made errands to come to me, and linger as long as possible, watching my every movement as if they expected me to spread two great wings of an eagle, and vanish from their sight. It became fashionable among them, for a while, to asperse him to whose agency they ascribed the anticipated loss. But these childish ebullitions soon evaporated, and, in pleasant harmony with him and with me, we prepared for separation at the close of the existing term. It approached with unexampled rapidity; and again I have recourse to my journal:

"The trial of parting with those blessed young creatures whom I love, and whose affection for me cannot be mistaken, has this afternoon been accomplished. In dispensing parting gifts, it gave me great satisfac-