professions, nor any fancied meaning given to words or actions which she could not entirely forget; but after calmly and dispassionately considering all that had passed, she became able to satisfy her heart with the reflection that her happiness had been long since implicitly consigned to the care of Him who ordered all things well. In praying that every event may be ordained for the best, we know not what we ask, unless that petition distinctly pledges us to suffer cheerfully the disappointment of every earthly hope, if necessary to our future well-being, for it is seldom that the enjoyment of our desires in a present world is consistent with our safe and speedy preparation for a better and more enduring inheritence.

WHEN Matilda re-entered the drawing-room, before dinner, she perceived Dr. Murray and Sir Alfred engaged in deep and earnest conversation, in which they had both the appearance of being profoundly interested, while she observed with pleasure, her venerable friend's rising animation of manner, in proportion as he felt himself understood and appreciated by the young Baronet, who delighted to take every opportunity of drawing him aside to a private con

ference.

Matilda had not the slightest intention of joining them, but before she was seated, Sir Alfred rose, and placed a chair, apparently anxious that she should partake in the same pleasure which he enjoyed so much himself, while, to his no small surprise, Eleanor accompanied her cousin as a volunteer in the little coterie. Miss Fitz-Patrick had such a happy confidence in herself, that she felt, on all occasions, sure of being an acquisition; and whenever she saw people intently conversing, her first impulse was to become one of the party, though generally rather with an intention to lead than to follow. On the present occasion, however, she listened with unusual deference to the conclusion of Dr. Murray's discussion respecting the subjects for meditation, which are most. to be cultivated by the Christian mind; and, though what he said had not been at first intended for so many listeners, he continued, without showing any apparent consciousness of their augmented numbers. In describing the wide field of thought, and the refreshing streams of pleasure which are thus opened for the heart of man to rejoice in, his own extraordinary powers of reflection, and his impassioned eloquence of expression, became strikingly obvious, and had

their usual impressive effect upon all who heard him. Even Eleanor experienced the influence of a heart and under standing so truly elevated; but wherever the feelings ought to be touched, hers were seldom exactly tuned up to concert pitch; and as she always spoke out the first thought that occurred, without a doubt of it being right, she could not fail to betray the nature of her own reflections. Pleased with all he said, and judging from herself that praise must be always acceptable, she exclaimed, in a tone of real admiration, “Dr. Murray! how completely you must feel lost in this little country parish!"

"Lost! did you say, Miss Fitz-Patrick?" asked he, with a look of surprise and perplexity. "In what respect ?"

Why, there is no opportunity here of distinguishing yourself, no public meetings,-no platforms to make speeches on and you ought to have the largest church in the kingdom, instead of the least."

"Little as you think it, the responsibility is more than sufficient, Miss Fitz-Patrick; and could I alter the extent of this parish at all, my first wish would be to diminish it; but the bounds of our habitation are appointed for us; therefore my only desire is to have strength given me in proportion to what is a sacred duty towards the four thousand persons for whose welfare I am in a great degree answerable."

"But your learning and talents are thrown away upon people who cannot possibly appreciate them."

"My parishioners estimate me precisely as I wish," replied Dr. Murray, with a benevolent smile, seeing that for once he must talk of the person who was generally least in his thoughts or conversation—himself. "I trust we all experience, that there is no happiness in life equal to that of promoting the happiness of others; and in watching over that of so many, my greatest ambition is to be regarded as the friend and counsellor of each individual. I would not have one of them imagine me above sympathizing in their cares and sorrows, and even in their ignorance, for it has often occurred to me that much of the dissent throughout this kingdom is occasioned by the wide disparity in rank and intellect between the established clergy and their parishioners. It must seem to these poor people as if we could never have suffered like themselves, and could scarcely enter into their ideas, which might account for their being enticed by the ministra tions of those who do not intimidate them by a show of superiority. Nothing pleases me more, Miss Fitz-Patrick, than

to perceive the perfect readiness with which my people come to me, and the entire confidence with which they ask my opinion in every emergency. Poor Donald M'Intyre consulted me yesterday, about the price of his cart-horse, and I was quite flattered to observe the interest he expected me to take in his purchase."

"But then, Dr. Murray, what pleasure can there be in composing your sermons so beautifully, and delivering them with such eloquence as I know you do?"

"Miss Fitz-Patrick, never poison your friends with praise, —it is dangerous diet for any one to live upon; but if there be a single individual to whom the mere composition and delivery are of importance, then no pains should be spared to improve both. We must be all things to all men, that by any means we may win some.' Yet, give me a congregation who listen profoundly, and disperse to their houses in silence, impressed with the awful truths which I come to promulgate, rather than one who could be moved to a tempest of emotion, and then follow it up, as people of education too often do, with a critical disquisition on the style, on the train of argument, and on everything except the effect intended to be produced on their own life and conduct."

"That reminds me," said Matilda, "of the panegyric which Louis XIV. pronounced on Massillon, for I am sure you would prefer it, Dr. Murray, to any other praise: many preachers make me think a great deal of them, but this one teaches me to think think little of myself.'

"So, Dr. Murray, being myself a member of the parish," observed Eleanor, "I am glad for the sake of Gaelfield, that you have no ambition for a higher sphere."

"It would scarcely be possible for me to enter on a happier one. Miss Fitz-Patrick, those who were young when I first came here, have grown old under my care. I have rejoiced in the blessed progress of the just, and mourned over the sins of the profligate. Many parents and many children I have buried, and I married most of those who are now smiling in prosperity around me. It has been my duty to soothe the sorrows of all, and to know, in every separate house, the hopes and fears, the temptations and afflictions of my people. Could anything ever unite me as closely to another congregation? These are, in every sense, my own family, and no promotion could compensate for dividing me from all that has hitherto engrossed and interested me in existence. It is strange, it is deeply impressive, to be

a spectator of life so long as I have been. To look back upon the lapse of years, and remember it like the flitting pageantry of a theatre. The bloom of youth has now faded on many a healthful cheek-the spring of hope has dried up in many a sanguine heart; the smiling infant, the cherished bride, and the aged patriarch, have each and all been torn from their weeping families, while I am yet left to declare that there has been but one anchor of hope, both sure and steadfast. They have passed away, as it were, in a mournful procession, and I wait till my summons comes, to follow. Then, when dust returns to dust, my desire is to be laid in the grave beside my own people, and beneath the shadow of those walls where we have so often assembled together."

There was silence for a moment, as no one could reply; and Dr. Murray seemed anxious to proceed, though unable at once to do so; but having considered for some time, he added, in a tone of great feeling,—

"Miss Fitz-Patrick! I have laid open my mind the more clearly at present, from an anxious desire to speak once again on the subject which we discussed yesterday, that by revealing the deep interest I take in all my people, you may appreciate the extent of my solicitude respecting one who suffers so severely. I might tell you that many sorrowful scenes have already fallen to my share, that I have seen the laugh of frolicsome youth suddenly change to the cry of despairing anguish,-that I have seen hearts alienated forever, which once were linked by the strongest ties of earthly affection; and that, stranger and sadder than either, I have watched over the bright intellect of man becoming gradually darkened beneath the infirmities of age, while the senses and the affections were sunk into a living grave; but never, oh! never before, did I see all these united in one overpowering calamity, and a mind, yet in the vigor of youth, struggling against the undeserved imputations of guilt, and against the inroads of insanity."

Dr. Murray" replied Eleanor, starting and coloring. "it was impossible to hear all you told me yesterday without being deeply affected, and I lost not an hour in sending my housekeeper, Mrs. Gordon, to Gowanbank. She says Nanny has greatly recovered since your visit, and is urgent for her sister's marriage to take place without delay. She talks of the wedding incessantly, and her eyes were perfectly lighted up when she spoke of it to Martha; but she has