on the bed." They both went up stairs. "Kind Mr. L. sent for me this afternoon, to say he had received a letter, inquiring if he had any such persons in the parish as Margaret Beal, and Mary Humphries; if he had, and would signify it to the house of Roberts and Co. Old Broad-street, they might hear something to their advantage. Mr. L. was so good as to say, he would write any letters for us; but I should be very sorry to trouble him, for it may be all a trick. I have heard of such things; have not you?" Fanny replied, "she had; but that she thought there was no end to be answered, by inquiring in such a Village as this; none but a good one. Have you any relations." "None that I know of. I have heard my mother speak of a brother, with whom she lived; but it is many years since, and I hardly remember him." Fanny thought it likely to be this uncle, and Esther thought the same; "but," said she, pausing, "I have heard my mother say, my uncle was so very much prejudiced against my poor father, and against religion." "Oh," said Fanny,

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but you know, there is nothing too hard for our God." "Nothing," said Esther. "Ah, that would be a blessing, if my mother should find a change in him; but, if it is only to find him and his money, it would

stop. At length he ventured to say, "But you know, ma'am, we have the written Word of God; we have his ordinances in the church; and, if we neglect these." Here Mrs. M. coloured very deeply, and said, "It was easy for people as had nothing else to do, to be constant at church; for her own part, she had always found it very difficult to go regular." Stephen said, Well, Sir, and did you go on talking to this poor man?" "I asked him whether he had any fear of death? He said, 'he supposed nobody wished to die; he had not met with any body that did; it was not very natural to suppose they should like to go, and leave all their friends and relations.'

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“I saw that it was next to impossible for me to be heard; so, after desiring he would send to the Brow Farm for any thing he wanted, I read a few texts touching upon human depravity, and on our lost estate by nature, and I saw they had scarce patience to let me finish. Now, I think this is a proof, that the darkness of our minds is quite as deep as that of the Hottentots." Indeed, I think so," said Fanny; and so thought every one but Mrs. M.; and she still continued to think, that there was more fuss made about religion than was at all necessary. "Baby's asleep; if you will come up with me, Esther, I'll lay her down

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on the bed." They both went up stairs. "Kind Mr. L. sent for me this afternoon, to say he had received a letter, inquiring if he had any such persons in the parish as Margaret Beal, and Mary Humphries; if he had, and would signify it to the house of Roberts and Co. Old Broad-street, they might hear something to their advantage. Mr. L. was so good as to say, he would write any letters for us; but I should be very sorry to trouble him, for it may be all a trick. I have heard of such things; have not you?" Fanny replied," she had; but that she thought there was no end to be answered, by inquiring in such a Village as this; none but a good one. Have you any relations." of. I have heard my mother speak of a None that I know brother, with whom she lived; but it is many years since, and I hardly remember him. Fanny thought it likely to be this uncle, and Esther thought the same; "but," said she, pausing, "I have heard my mother say, my uncle was so very much prejudiced against my poor father, and against religion." "Oh," said Fanny, but you know, there is nothing too hard for our God." "Nothing," said Esther. "Ah, that would be a blessing, if ther should find a change in hin is only to find him and hi

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sadly disturb the peace of our house, to have one who did not believe. We are all of one heart and one mind, and we live so comfortable." They that fear the Lord, shall want no manner of thing that is good, said Fanny; and so, Esther, my good girl, you are afraid of being rich."

Esther. "Not of being rich, Mrs. Meredith; but I am afraid of being independant of God. I am afraid of my own heart; because I know how deceitful it is; and I know it is no uncommon trick to draw people into inquiry in London, into temporal inconvenience, to unsettle them from the plain and obvious path of duty; and I should be sorry on my mother's account, because it would be raising ideas in her mind about my uncle's money, in which she is sure to be disappointed. We could not be happier than we are; I have sufficient to do, and we have not a want."

Then what do you mean to do, my dear." "To be guided entirely by Mr. Lascelles. But I was thinking, Mrs. Meredith, whether it would not be better to make the inquiry, if it is to be made, without saying any thing to my poor mother; for, as to me, it will be no disappointment if nothing comes of it; but for her, she certainly has a great regard for my uncle; and the hope of seeing him again;

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living happily with him, will be very delightful to her. So that I think it would be wisest to be at some certainty, before we communicate to her." "Did you say this to Mr. Lascelles, my dear.' "No; I did not. But I think I shall step back, and ask the favour of him to inquire." "Yes; that must be right; for he is a kind gentleman, and I feel almost sure he would do any thing to serve you." But, Mrs. Meredith, I have kept you a long time talking; you'll find all the things right in the bundle; and remember, if there is any thing I can do at any time, it will be a great pleasure for me." So Esther departed, and Mrs. Meredith began to observe immediately, what a very neat young person she was; "what sweet eyes, as blue as violets," said she, "with the pretty brown fringes over them; and such nice hands, like a lady's quite.'

Fanny. "Yes indeed, mother, she is a very nice young person; and what is best of all, her mind is better than her body.""So I should think," said Mrs. M. "for she seems made up of goodness. How. pretty she sat down to work for you directİy."" Oh," said Fanny," she is always doing something for me, she is the kindest creature, I am sure. My little Ellen has been kept so nice: many thanks to Esther