nder fictitious names, the initials
only being preserved, and although it passes over our imperfections and
very much exaggerates our accomplishments, still it contains, I think,
so much that is characteristic that I will preserve it by copying it
into my journal. The writer commenced with a description of mamma's
room in Cottage Place, and dwelt particularly upon a picture of uncle
hanging over the mantelpiece, but that portion of the sketch has been
torn off and lost.

. . . . . . "But let us regard the _living_ pictures. You see that
youthful group! A group to inspire a poet or painter! They are
four--they are cousins. Two are orphans; you see a resemblance to the
face in the frame wreathed in _immortelles_. We will first observe
those two that sit with arms entwined, smiling up into each other's
eyes. It is the gentle Lela[1] and her cousin Majoli, _belle_ Majoli
we may call her. These cousins are nigh the same age, and their hearts
beat in sweet accord. And there is a certain likeness, spiritual more
than physical--for Majoli is taller and slighter, and fairer, too, if
we reckon by the hue of the hair and color of the eyes.

"Lela has soft, soliciting, brown eyes; Majoli is azure-eyed, laughing
or languid according to her varying mood. Lela's face is pale as
moonbeams; filial solicitude and divine sorrow have left their
chastening impression upon her exquisite lineaments. Her countenance
is Madonna-like in purity, ingenuousness, and self-abnegation.

"Majoli's delicate features are untouched by pain or care, and though
her spiritual countenance is often tinged with melancholy, no harsh
experience has traced those pensive lines. 'Tis but the soul's
limning--a musical nature is hers, emotional and imaginative.

"Lela's head is large, though not unfeminine, and the magnificent
wealth of tawny-colored hair reminds one of Guercino's Holy Magdalen.
She has pretty, modest ways of looking down under those pale, drooping
lids with her calm, confiding eyes, and if the mouth is somewhat large,
the teeth are white and even, and the lips are coral-tinted. The nose
is straight and slender, and suggests the chisel of Phidias, and from
the expansive brow we infer a broad culture and comprehensive
understanding. It is the seat of Philosophy, as well as the throne of
the Muses.

"Majoli's head is smaller than Lela's, but its pose is aristocratic and
graceful. The blonde hair is artistically coiffed, and though th