keenly alive to the beautiful in all
its forms. I had seen, in the course of my life, a great many handsome
faces, which, in my quiet way, I had studied, when nobody was minding,
comparing beauties, or imagining alterations for the better, just as if
I had been studying a picture or a statue, and with no more fear of
being myself affected. Passing strange it was, that, exposed as I had
been, I should have remained so long unscathed. My time had not yet
come. But now dangers thickened around me, and I felt that Aunt Huldah
knew the world, when she said it was a _snare_. For, in glancing about
the room carelessly, while taking the names, I could not but perceive
that I was beset by perils on every side,--perils from which there
seemed no possible escape: for no sooner did I turn resolutely away from
a dove-like face in one corner than my eye was caught by a bright eye or
a sweet smile in another; and the admiring glance which with reluctance
I withdrew from a graceful figure was arrested by a well-shaped head or
a rosy cheek. One was almost a beauty, with her light curls and delicate
pink cheeks; another was quite such: her smile was bewitching, and her
eyes were roguish. But I soon found that there were other things to be
attended to besides picking out the prettiest flowers in my winter
bouquet.

I have intimated that my ideas regarding school-keeping were exceedingly
vague. Nevertheless, I had in the course of my studies picked out and
put together a system for the instruction and management of youth. This
system I now proceeded to apply.

It is curious, as we trace back the current of our lives, to discover
the multitude of whims, plans, and mighty resolves which lie wrecked
upon the shore. I cannot help smiling, as, in looking back upon my own
life-stream, I discern the remains of my precious system lying high and
dry among the rocks of that winter's experience. Yet I tried all ways to
make it go. I was like a boy with a new boat, who increases or lessens
his ballast, now tries her with mainsail, foresail, topsail, jib, flying
jib, and jibber jib, and now with bare poles,--_anything_ to make her
float. Each night I took my poor system home for repairs, and each
morning, full of hope, tried to launch it anew in my school-room. I have
always felt that I wronged those scholars, that I learned more than I
taught. I have no doubt of it.

I, of course, as was then the custom, boarded round; and this method of
obtaining