though she never could succeed with him on this point, or turn aside the channel of his bounty from its wonted course.

The children of this contrasted pair, consisted of four Sons and two Daughters. Of Emma de Lissau, and her singular misfortunes and mysterious trials, this Narrative is not intended to convey any particulars, and her name will only appear on these pages when indispensably connected with her sister, Sophia, who early gave promise of inheriting the exquisite beauty of her mother, softened by all the graces of female delicacy; while her benign and gentle spirit, and exalted understanding, equally claimed a relative resemblance to her amiable father. The minuter delineation of her character, and those of Leopold, Asaph, Joseph, and Julius, her brothers, will be amply detailed in the progress of her affecting history.

CHAPTER II.

A JEWISH FUNERAL, AND THE SISTERS"

FIRST INTERVIEW.

"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."

PROVERBS xiv. 12.

Family reasons, of a very peculiar nature, separated Anna de Lissau from her eldest daughter, Emma, a few hours after her birth, when the unconscious infant was, in accordance with a previous stipulation, delivered by her parents into the care of her maternal grandfather, who on receiving his young charge, assured his daughter and son-in-law, that they would be permitted to visit the babe only once in every year,—on the annual return of her birth-day; and from this hard condition no subsequent entreaties ever induced him to swerve.

Four years after this deprivation, Sophia saw the light, to the great joy of her parents; who, having four sons, pined for a daughter. To her mother, in particular, her birth afforded the most exquisite happiness, and from that period she appeared to transfer all her maternal affection to this, her youngest hope; while an antipathy, as unnatural as it was undeserved, (and which her husband used every argument in his power to avert) took a deep and indelible root in her heart against the unfortunate Emma, whose tender and artless endearments, at their annual meeting, she, from this time, constantly repelled, with a coldness and austerity peculiar to her character, and extremely painful to all who witnessed conduct so unjust and reprehensible.

As may be easily imagined, she carefully instilled in the mind of Sophia, an early dislike of Emma, which as her infant perception expanded, naturally increased, until she imbibed ideas, the most terrific and wild respecting this so much dreaded sister, and embodied, in her childish fancy, qualities the most repulsive, in a form at once mis-shapen and fearful. At length the very name of Emma

was, at any time, sufficient to awe her into obedience when refractory. Her enlightened and judicious Father, who foresaw and deprecated consequences of a prejudice of this nature, between such near relatives, did all in his power to check it, but in vain: the counter influence of his wife completely set aside all his attempts. At last he procured a miniature drawing of Emma, and was about to shew the resemblance to Sophia, when, her mother, who was present, hastily caught the ivory from his hands, and instantly effaced the colours, ere he sufficiently recollected himself to prevent her design. This interference, for a time, was highly resented on his part; but his beautiful wife possessed a powerful influence over his mind, and in the end, extorted from him a promise to leave entirely to her the management and education of Sophia, whom she considered as her only daughter.

About this time, when Sophia attained her fifth year, her paternal grandfather, who had resided with her parents from their marriage, and was a remarkably strict and bigoted observer of the Jewish ritual, fell into a lan

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guishing sickness, which, from the very first, threatened a fatal termination. The aged invalid was fully aware of his approaching dissolution; but the expected change was no terror to his mind: on the contrary, he looked beyond the grave, with an exultation as extraordinary as it was unfounded; firmly believing that soon after (b) his dismissal from the body, his soul would have a glorious entrance into a blooming Paradise of everlasting felicity. These sentiments he repeatedly expressed to the learned and devout Rabbins, who daily visited his sick chamber, and declared their admiration of what they termed the holy and devout frame of mind of the expiring saint; whose merits would undoubtedly hasten the opening of the portals of heaven to his purified spirit.

Solomon de Lissau had not exactly the same view with his brethren, on this solemn and important subject, though he was a dutiful and most affectionate son. Whatever were his secret thoughts, they were known only to Him who searches the heart:-he divulged them not even to his beloved wife. In a retired part of his house he had a