106 BERTHA'S VISIT TO HER 



the compact, and punctually kept it till this tfn- 

 fortunate day. The moment that she recollected 

 herself, she came to return the pencil to Mary, 

 with true honesty indeed, for she had only scrib- 

 bled in one ofher own little books, which might 

 never have been observed. Though sorry that 

 she should thoughtlessly have broken her engage- 

 ment, yet all were pleased at finding that she had 

 that fine principle of honour which disdains deceit. 

 My aunt has certainly contrived to fix steady 

 good principles in the hearts of my cousins, which 

 really influence their conduct. Instead of having 

 to watch them, she places the most perfect reli- 

 ance on their integrity ; and most justly, for I, 

 who see them at all times, know that they have 

 not mere show-sentiments or show-manners ; but 

 that they are just the same when not observed 

 by their mother as when in her presence. 



13th.' I believe I noted in my journal that I 

 had been practising the art of budding. As 

 soon as I had acquired a little expertness, I 

 tried my hand on various roses just as the leaf- 

 buds began to swell, having seen, in the " Trans- 

 actions of the Horticultural Society,' 7 that period 

 recommended as the best for roses. The April 

 showers were of great use, and most of my 

 buds have now become nice flourishing shoots. 

 Yellow roses are said to thrive particularly well 

 when budded on the China rose, and I hope 



