MADAME DE STAKE.

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.All who have suffered the worst of sorrows—the deathof one dearly loved — will find the echo of their inmostthoughts in that passage.

The death of Necker changed the course of her exist-ence, as far as internal feelings operate on the exterior oflife. Her father had looked on her as incorrigiblythoughtless in all worldly and pecuniary concerns ; hutshe was no longer in the heyday of youth ; experi-ence taught her prudence ; and, being thrown entirelyon herself, her conscience bade her preserve the fortunesof her children. She was a good mother. Havingobeyed and reverenced her father—she exacted thesame towards herself from her offspring; nor did sheever regard them with the exuberant trembling ten-derness she had lavished on her beloved parent. Butwas kind — ever ready to serve them, and eagerfor their well-being. Her notions on education weresensible and just: she did not give trust to extraordinarysystems ; she contented herself by inspiring them withpiety and generous sentiments ; and was perfectly openand true in her conduct. They sincerely loved, whilethey a little feared her.

The society of her children and her friends could notconsole her for the loss of her father and exile fromthe country she loved. Her first occupation was topublish the writings of Necker, accompanied by a bio-graphical memoir, in which she pours forth, with touch-ing earnestness, all the ardour of her filial affection. Herhealth sunk beneath her sorrow. To revive her spirits 1805 .and change the scene she visited Italy . There, as every-dStatwhere, her astonishing powers of conversation gathered S9 oan admiring audience round her. She enjoyed, with allthe warmth of her disposition, the delights afforded bythat enchanting country ; and, impelled to express onpaper the overflowing of her thoughts, she embodiedher enthusiasm, her pleasure, and the knowledge shegained, in her novel of “ Corinne.” There is a charmin that work that stamps it as coming from the hand ofgenius. The personages live, breathe, and speak before