"We turned away; I can never forget that impressive lesson. We returned with serious thoughts to the carriage, and I felt 'Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.' "The conversation at dinner turned upon the subject of the sermon; it was cheerful, subdued, befitting the sacred day. No Sunday rides, no Sunday visiting, but all breathed of holiness and heaven. "After dinner, we all assembled in the drawing-room, and before evening worship, all joined in singing hymns, and other sacred music. "Lady Alice played, Lord N---- accompanied with the flute; and all, old and young, father, mother, tutor, governess, and children joined in the sweet hymns. "As we sang, I thought--what memories are here for these dear children! Even though they may lose these precious parents--will they not follow them always 'to keep their souls from blight?' "Sweet Christian Sabbath! I never spent such before. "It had added another step to the family-ladder, and hung another link to the golden chain; by one mounting upward, and by the other united, to the family of the redeemed in Heaven. Its holy chants, heavenly hymns, and solemn prayer seem here to go with us through the cares and trials of the Mondays and Tuesdays of this mortal state; until blotting out all earthly days, the earthly and heavenly Sabbath glideth into one--one eternal day of holy rest. "And thus it seems at Parkhurst--the spirit of the Sabbath is with us all the week. "On Monday, I observed an unusual number of persons coming up the avenue, generally of the poorer classes. "Curiosity led me to ask Lady Alice, 'What brings so many to-day.' 'If you will come with me, I will show you, Miss Hamilton,' and she led me to her mother's small room, where, seated at a table, she seemed awaiting her visitors. "On the table stood a writing-desk, and by her side a pocket-book, evidently containing money. "'Sit down, Miss Hamilton,' said the countess. "Each one had her tale to tell, of sorrow, difficulty, or poverty. The countess listened patiently, kindly to all, gave judicious Christian advice, and bestowed upon a certain number her weekly allowance for the aged, the sick, the struggling with life's cares and toils. "I could not describe the deep respect which I felt for this lady in high rank, so surrounded by temptations to selfishness; turning aside so humbly, so gently, to listen to the tales of sorrow and privation, from the humble poor. They evidently regarded her as a superior being, and I could but say 'What has grace wrought!' "Upon inquiry, I find that this is the habit of the countess, on every Monday morning, to meet the women of the neighborhood, while her husband appoints another day to meet the men for the same purpose. "What an influence must this exert for good! I find that even the children have their Saving Fund from which to draw for their charities; for during the interview, Lady Julia entered modestly, and said,