Then all the bells in the city began to ring welcome, and the gate was opened wide, and the two pilgrims entered.  And lo! as they entered they were transfigured; and they had raiment put on that shone like gold.  And Shining Ones gave them harps to praise their King with, and crowns in token of honour.

And as the gates were opened, I looked in, and behold, the streets were paved with gold; and in them walked many men, with crowns on their heads, palms in their hands, and golden harps to sing praises withal.  There were also of them that had wings and they answered one another saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord!” And after that they shut up the gates, which, when I had seen, I wished myself among them.  Then I awoke, and behold! it was a dream.

* * * * *

FANNY BURNEY

Evelina

      “Evelina” was the first tale written by a woman, and
     purporting to be a picture of life and manners, that lived or
     deserved to live.  It took away reproach from the novel.  The
     opinion is Macaulay’s.  In many respects the publication of
     “Evelina” resembled that of “Jane Eyre,” by Charlotte Bronte,
     a century later.  It was issued anonymously, by a firm that did
     not know the name of the writer.  Only the children of the
     household from which the book came knew its origin.  It
     attained an immediate and immense success, which gave the
     author, a shrinking and modest little body, a foremost place
     in the literary world of her day.  Fanny Burney, the second
     daughter of Dr. Burney, was born in 1752, and published
     “Evelina, or a Young Lady’s Entrance into the World,” in 1778. 
     She had picked up an education at home, without any tuition
     whatever, but had the advantage of browsing in her father’s
     large miscellaneous library, and observing his brilliant
     circle of friends.  She knew something of the Johnson set
     before she wrote “Evelina,” and became the doctor’s pet. 
     Later, Fanny Burney wrote “Cecilia,” for which she received
     two thousand guineas, and “Camilla,” for which she received
     three thousand guineas.

I.—­Deserted

LADY HOWARD TO THE REV.  MR. VILLARS

Can anything be more painful to the friendly mind than a necessity of communicating disagreeable intelligence?  I have just had a letter from Madame Duval, who has lately used her utmost endeavours to obtain a faithful account of whatever related to her ill-advised daughter; and having some reason to apprehend that upon her death-bed her daughter bequeathed an infant orphan to the world, she says that if you, with whom she understands the child is placed, will procure authentic proofs of its relationship to her, you may send it to Paris, where she will properly provide for it.