Reflections on their Appearance. 185 



calamitous situation in which I was about to 

 leave these poor desponding creatures, to whom 

 mortal existence appeared a grievous burden, 

 became calmed by observing that no one of the 

 numerous damsels present had neglected care- 

 fully to put up her hair in papiliottes. Could it 

 be possible, in a community where it had just 

 appeared to me despair had so established its 

 empire, that even the extinction of life might 

 be hailed as a blessing, that personal vanity 

 should have influence on any of its members ? 

 To what can this be ascribed ? Can it be that 

 hope, fondly nursed by a consciousness of at- 

 tractive charms, diffuses her cheering beams, 

 gilds the opening dawn of life, and promises 

 that the future shall not disappoint! These 

 were strong intimations, however, that every 

 other social perception is here felt and shared 

 by the hearts of the miserable, in alleviation of 

 the wretchedness which they are doomed to 

 endure, 



Though somewhat consoled by so unexpected 

 a display of honest pride, and the consequent 

 reflections which it excited, yet my feelings 

 could ill bear thus to contemplate the sufferings 

 of my fellow- creatures and fellow-subjects, with- 

 out sincerely pitying and sympathizing with 

 their afflictions. Assuredly there must be some- 



