outward rites and ceremonies of the church to which he belonged, he was not much interested in any part of its devotions, and had often been surprized to see men of sense contend with so much heat, about what he thought mere matter of opinion.

Michael observed, that in general many were more ready to make the application than to receive it: and he said this required great guard, for we must remember we were not prophets sent to our fellow-creatures with warnings and threatenings, but plain, ordinary characters, who should be ready to learn from the Word of God, and if bringing the application to our own bosoms by faith and examination, we were to say, "thou art the man," it would be more becoming than to suffer our censures to rest on others.

Brownrigg was pleased upon the whole: he thought what the young farmer said was true, and yet it was a mode entirely new to him, thus applying the scriptures, and especially the Old Testament, to ourselves. The following morning he ventured to ask Michael," whether he had ever been a preacher?" Michael replied, "he never had, and that he was greatly surprized at the question." But as the mind of each was under the law of kind

ness, nothing that offended either passed, and the conversation turned upon village improvements, the new school, &c. &c.

As soon as breakfast was over, Mr. Brownrigg equipped himself for walking, and said he would find his way to his sister's. As he descended the hill from the Brow, he could not but observe the beauty of the surrounding landscape: the irregular, but picturesque form of the village, the church which rose ivy-crowned, and the thickly studded cottages among the distant foliage: the winding river and the level plain in the distance. "This "is all very pretty," said he, " but I am "afraid I should grow tired. I think "I should sigh for London. No, I do "not think it would do to transplant 66 me. I am used to the place where I "am, and I should be out of my element here, but there is no haste, I shall take my time." Thus resolving, he continued his way till he found himself among the high trees near the rectory. To be sure, I must have turned wrong, I never remember this. Well, there can be no harm in asking. So he went towards the back part of the house, and asked if they could direct him the way to Mrs. Beal's cottage, the servant replied, that indeed she knew nothing of her: he asked the way to the village, she told him he must

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keep to the right, and while he was thus conversing with her, Mr. Lascelles passing through the garden, overheard this last direction. "Who can that be?" said he, musing, and when he understood for whom he enquired, pulling on his gloves which he had heretofore held in his hand, he said, "I am going to visit a sick neighbour, and I will put you on your road." So Mr. Lascelles and Mr. B. walked on together. "You are Mrs. Beal's brother, I presume?" Yes, Sir." "You are happy in two very amiable sisters, and two whom I consider very useful in my parish." (Mr. Brownrigg.) "I am glad to hear it, Sir, though I could not have expected it, for I should never have thought they had the power of being useful." "Excuse me," said Mr. Lascelles, "I do not mean in giving money, that I consider as of secondary importance; but their example, their order, their willingness to assist in every act of mercy and kindness, and your little niece, Sir, is a pattern for young persons. Brownrigg's eyes glistened at this news, he said," he had seen her but once, and could not give an opinion, but he was glad that she had conducted herself so as to merit his notice." By this time they had reached the street, and were drawing near the cottage. "I fear, Sir, I have taken you out of your way.

"No,

indeed," said Mr. Lascelles, "I was going past the very door."

They were all in order to receive their brother, and had a dish of tea in readiness for him. "Thank you, thank you," said the good-natured man, "but I have breakfasted, and since that been to your parson's, who walked with me to your door. I like him much he seems a judicious, sensible man, and a fine looking man too." "Oh, brother, he is indeed a good man," said Mary, “I think you'll be pleased to hear him preach, and he is very kind to his parish, visiting the sick, and he gives away a great deal; and his wife is always doing something for the good of the poor." That's all as it should be," said Mr. Brownrigg, "I like to see black coats in their duty I give my guinea very willingly where live, for the support of an afternoon sermon, though I cannot say much in favour of our lecturer. I believe the man means well, but when one has just had one's dinner, that equal humdrum tone in which he reads his sermon, almost puts me in mind of a line in Gray's Elegy,

And drowsy tinklings lull the distant fold,'

and it's quite an effort to me to keep awake.'

M. Why then, brother, do you not go

where you can hear something more animating?

B. Do you think I would leave my parish church? No, I've always been a true churchman.

Esther. Well, uncle, I think you'll be pleased to hear Mr. Lascelles; he is so excellent a preacher, and so very kind.

Mr. B. You're remarkably well off. I'm delighted with your young farmer, such a steady, respectable young man, I have not seen for some time; and his maid is a pattern of good housewifery and order.

Margaret. That she is indeed, brother, I have known Betty Smith from a child, and she is so faithful and honest.

Mr. B. I suppose she has a pretty good place of it.

Margaret. There's a good deal to do, brother, she has all the dairy to mind, only she has a girl under her, and I believe she works for her master.

Esther. Oh, aunt, you forget; Mr. Kemp puts out his plain work.

Margaret. Ah true, child, but I believe she mends for him; Betty Smith has seen great reverses, brother, she was not born for hard labour; but then she is such a contented creature, that she is satisfied with all the divine appointments.