left no will, and had somewhat diminished his property
by unproductive investments. Margaret now found
new reason to wish that she belonged to the sterner
sex, since, had she been eldest son instead of eldest
daughter, she might have become the administrator
of her father's estate and the guardian of her sister
and brothers. She regretted her ignorance of such
details of business as are involved in the care of property, and derermined to acquaint herself with them,
reflecting that “the same mind which has made other
attainments can in time compass these.” In this hour
of trial she seeks and finds relief and support in
prayer.
“May God enable me to see my way clear, and not to let down the intellectual in raising the moral tone of my mind. Difficulties and duties became dis- tinct the very night after my father's death, and a solemn prayer was offered then that I might combine what is due to others with what is due to myself. The spirit of that prayer I shall constantly endeavour to maintain."
This death, besides the sorrow and perplexity which followed, it, brought to Margaret a disappointment which seemed to her to bar the fulfilment of her highest hopes. She had for two years been contemplating a visit to Europe, with a view to the better prosecution of her studies. She had earned the right to this indulgence Beforehand, by assisting in the education of the younger children of the family. An opportunity now offered itself of making this journey under the most auspicious circumstances. Her friends, Mr. and Mrs. Farrer, were about to cross the ocean, and had invited her to accompany them. Miss Martineau was to be of the party, and Margaret now saw before her, not
