[1] We give this paper as an illustration of the office of the Sisters of
    Charity.  The incidents upon which the Drama is founded, are those of
    the Two Sisters of Ancona, a pretty little tale in the Juvenile
    Keepsake, by Mrs. Godwin.  One sister in an attempt to carry provisions
    and intelligence to her lover, is taken prisoner by the French, and
    condemned to die; the other is a nun, who effects her escape by
    changing dresses, and remains, and actually perishes in her stead.  On
    the stage, the sister is made the daughter of the Sister of Charity,
    and the fruit of a secret and unhappy connexion with a French officer,
    who proves to be the commander of the detachment—­hence both their
    lives are saved.

* * * * *

NOTES OF A READER.

MONT BLANC.

The most interesting night of the late season of the Royal Institution, was the lecture or narrative, given by Dr. Clarke of his ascent of Mont Blanc in 1825.  Dr. Clarke led his audience from Geneva to the summit, detailing the enterprise, which, however, he considers not by any means so dangerous as has been represented.  At 9,000 feet above the level of the Mediterranean the air becomes extremely rarified, and the sky exhibits a blue-black appearance.  He does not consider it at all safe for persons to attempt the ascent, having a tendency to apoplexy, for at the height of 15,000 feet above the level of the sea, the extremely rarified state of the air, as well as the almost unbearable oppression of the sun’s rays, though surrounded with snow, would increase that tendency to an alarming extent.  So oppressive is the sun, that on sitting down in the shade he was asleep instantly.  The passage, just above the Grande Plateau (a surface of ice and snow, many acres in extent, 10,000 feet above the level of the sea) is a point of great difficulty.  This chink is about seven feet wide and of immeasurable depth.  To get over it the guides first proceed to render the passage more easy.  He cautions travellers to pay implicit attention to guides, as the accident in 1822, when three persons sunk into the caverns of snow, was occasioned by this want of caution.  It is appalling, said Dr. Clarke, to be carried over an abyss of unknown depth, slung upon cords and drawn over.  On arriving at the summit of Mont Blanc the toils are amply repaid.  Language cannot depict the scene before the traveller.  The eye wanders over immeasurable space.  The sky appears to recede, and the vision possesses double power.  The Alpine scenery here is awfully grand, and the alternate thaw and freezing (for when the sun is down it freezes rapidly) produces the most grotesque figures.  The only living creature found on the summit of Mont Blanc is a small white butterfly (the ansonia,) which flits over the snow.  The chamois is found 10,000 feet above the level of