NEAR Derby, on the way towards Darley-grove, there is a cot-
tage which formerly belonged to one Maurice Robinson. The
jessamine which now covers the porch was planted by Ellen, his
wife, who was an industrious, prudent young woman, liked by all
her neighbours, because she was ready to assist and serve them,
and the delight of her husband's heart, for she was sweet-tempered,
affectionate, constantly clean and neat, and made his house so
cheerful that he was always in haste to come home to her after
his day's work. He was one of the manufacturers employed in
the cotton-works at Derby; and he was remarkable for his good
conduct and regular attendance at his work.

Things went on very well in every respect, till a relation of his,
Mrs. Dolly Robinson, came to live with him. Mrs. Dolly had been
laundry-maid in a great family, where she learned to love gossip-
ing and tea-drinkings, and where she acquired some taste for
shawls and cherry-brandy. She thought that she did her young
relations a great favour by coming to take up her abode with
them, because, as she observed, they were young and inex-
perienced; and she, knowing a great deal of the world, was able
and willing to advise them; and, besides, she had had a legacy of
some hundred pounds left to her, and she had saved some little
matters whilst in service, which might make it worth her re-
lations' while to take her advice with proper respect, and to
make her comfortable for the rest of her days.

Ellen treated her with all due deference, and endeavoured to
make her as comfortable as possible; but Mrs. Dolly could not be
comfortable unless, besides drinking a large spoonful of brandy in
every dish of tea, she could make each person in the house do what
she pleased. She began by being dissatisfied because she could
not persuade Ellen that brandy was wholesome, in tea, for the
nerves; next she was affronted because Ellen did not admire her

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