her approbation.......but they only increased my veneration for her sacred character, and my gratitude for her maternal care.

I was mute with astonishment when this reverend lady.......forgetful of her vows......decorum.....and her pride..... condescended to confess she was a woman.......and that her devotion to Apollo was not powerful enough to stifle the natural frailties of her sex.

The good Priestess was at those years of discretion when the moderate ebbing and flowing of the blood might be supposed proof against the imprudent allurements of love.....But she had still charms enough to gloss any lessons she might have been disposed to practise with a novice like myself.

Although Time had robbed her of her bloom.....yet she had so carefully preserved the remains of youthful at

traction.....that she would have borne away the palm from every circle of autumnal beauties.

Her countenance was of that kind which poets would have chosen to represent a Ceres.....Full, penetrating, black eyes......mellowed it is true....... but still occasionally sparkling with voluptuous fire..............a remarkable attention to her fine-formed person ......and the bewitching art of so disposing the formality of her sacred vestments, as to increase her charms by the well-regulated disposition.

I leave you to judge how little calculated my simplicity was to enter the lists with such a woman........Yet it was no easy task........for a female, whose every attribute inspired respect ........to throw aside the awful veil, and unreservedly to combat with the inexperienced prejudices of eighteen. Her eyes were eloquent........but to

me such language was unintelligible .....In vain her bosom heaved its fond alarms.........I was insensible to the delicious tumult.....She could not dismiss caution all at once, and speak her wishes......My diffidence continued impenetrable.

At last, the artful priestess had recourse to stratagem.........My confusion, at her first experiment, sufficiently indicated that her charms still retained some unextinguished sparks which dazzled my unpractised heart.........and I will not say how far her power might have extended over my sentiments, had not an unforeseen event furnished my soul with unconquerable fortitude to resist her machinations.

Our virtue......at least those actions which are called virtuous..........may usually be traced to some secret source, which......if discovered.......would rob

us of our assumed merits......Nothing can be more natural than the obedience of one passion to the superior claims of another.

The moment now approached for celebrating the festival of Diana........ It is always observed at Delphos with the splendor and solemnity due to the Sister of Apollo.

On these occasions..........the most beautiful maidens........from fourteen upwards........are chosen to assist at the ceremony, and chant hymns in honor of the Virgin Goddess.

Nothing can equal the magnificence of this spectacle...........An immense number of these lovely girls........vieing with each other in delicacy of symmetry.........the bloom of contented innocence mantling on their damask cheeks ;......and all the tempered softness of expression, stealing from their beauteous eyes.......forming

me such language was uni .....In vain her bosom heave alarms.........I was insensib! delicious tumult.....She could miss caution all at once, and s wishes.......My diffidence co impenetrable.

At last, the artful priestess h course to stratagem.........My sion, at her first experiment. ciently indicated that her still retained some unexting sparks which dazzled my unpr heart.........and I will not say 1 her power might have extend my sentiments, had not an unfo event furnished my soul with · querable fortitude to resist her nations.

Our virtue......at least those: which are called virtuous...... usually be traced to some secret · which......if discovered.......WO