Private Theatricals.

of her , he is inclined to look on Walter as a very fortunate young man indeed . And Charles , who is so nervous that in general company he can hardly say two words , who is the shyest and most bashful of mortals , finds that with Sophie ' s help he learns his part very fast indeed , and is at last , when he comes on with her , so emboldened by her instructions and so animated by her presence , that he fairlbrings down the houseastonishing himself and entertaining his friends

y , , who all declare they " never thought there was so much in him . " Ancl thus runs our little world away , until fair soubrettes and gushing " primas , " gay cavaliers , and disguised Princes , even the ruffians of the piece find their "Kismet" mutually , ancl often recall in after hours ( at least some of them do ) those pleasant scenes ancl those pretty little episodes which threw them togetherand made them animated and amatory mortals

hence-, forth in all that concerns this sublunary sphere . At least this ought to be the effect of their often rash proceedings and genial vagaries ; that it is not so always , is only part of that cross fate which often attends the fairest promises , the best beginnings , the pleasantest prospects here . Praecl , in some verses which I may fairly commend to the notice of all young married people especiallythus depicts what ought to be the result of

, matrimony : — Now the rite is duly done , . , Novr the word is spoken ; And the spell has made us one ,

Which may ne ' er be broken . Rest we , clearest , in our home , Eoam we o ' er the heather ; We shall rest ancl we shall roam , Shall we not , together ?

Prom this hour the summer rose Sweeter breathes to charm , us ; From this hour the winter snows Lighter fall to harm ns . Fair or foul—on land or sea , Come the wind or weather ; Best and worst , whate ' er they be , We shall share together .

There is a touching little story about St . Simon . He , as some of my readers know , wrote those " Memoirs " which give us the most wonderful insight into the reigns of Louis XIV . ancl Louis XV . He was the most caustic ancl cynical of men , and yet so good a husband that he desired , after his death , that the coffins of himself and his wife , whose virtues he fondly

commemorates , might be linked together by clasps of iron ! What a commentary , I fear , are the last two illustrations on what we call married life to-day . As some of onr young men would say , " the writer ' s standing on his head . " But I hope my readers have had the " gumption" to discover why I have alluded to " private theatricals . " Not only may they introduce much pleasantness and friendship into our festive gatheringsbut when

, a large family is assembled , they serve to add intellectual amusement into what might otherwise degenerate into tedious ancl humdrum formalities , without sympathy , taste , heartiness , or animation ! And if our young people , when thus brought together for acting , when thus paired , when thus thrown into agreeable proximity , should think it would not be amiss if such interest and such associations were made a little more interesting stillwhat then ?

, Young people are meant and are right to marry , especially if theirs be a " marriage of affection , " if with congenial tastes and mutual understanding , a readiness to make allowances for each other , they gallantly resolve to go out into the world , for " richer for poorer , " in " sickness and in health , " for " better for worse , " until " death do them part . "