way; so the drawers of his desk were opened and pulled about, and not unfrequently_the contents scattered on the floor. This habit was so very bad, that Esther was obliged to remonstrate, and the little girl found a new amusement, less mischievous, in brushing uncle Brownrigg's hat, which she did till there was scarcely a morsel of beaver on one part; this taught a lesson, and before these young culprits came, there was generally some ingenious contrivance to amuse them without destroying any of the property of uncle Brownrigg. It may be truly said, that the difficulty of training these young people arose from the indulgence of relatives, who would have done any thing to serve and profit them.

One afternoon, when they were all at tea together, (the father and mother, and the two infants,) at uncle Brownrigg's pretty cottage, the good man, well knowing that he must not give them the customary indulgences, began with a whistle. “ Dear me, I wonder where the key of my desk is; why, my little Jem, I have lost the key of my desk,” and he winked at Esther as though he would have said, “ " that's only a deception.”. But Esther shook her head, for she perfectly understood him, and taking Jemima on her lap,

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said, My love, uncle Brownrigg would do any thing to make you happy, but he cannot have his house littered; you know my little girl never litters at home-no, she folds up her mother's work and her little brother's pinafore; she likes to be my little maid."

“ Yes, mother, yes, I do;" and as soon as the children were gone from the room, Brownrigg said, “ Now you will not persuade me that that child likes to put away.

Esther knew by her uncle's manner, that he was not pleased, and it went to her heart to displease him in any way; so she only said,

My dear Sir, I endeavour to make her like it.” Well, well, that's all very right, only there is no use in saying the child likes it.”

Brownrigg, who always enjoyed a fling at the very good people, as he called them, continued. “ That's not quite true, you know, to say she likes it.” Michael, who

; had not ventured to speak hitherto, now said, “ When I lived at P., Sir, it was Mr. Walker's habit to preach once a quarter to parents and children, and he took suitable texts, · Train up a child in the way

it should go ;' Children, obey your parents ;' and one observation which he made I have never forgotten, on ‘ train up a child in the way he should go.' It was · Now

this relates not only to religious training, but the manner in which you bring up your children in your families, teach them to obey at the first word, train them in the habits of frugality and neatness, in habits of usefulness, train them in the habits of kindness to each other, and in active attention to all among whom they dwell. Now, though this teaching may be forgotten or rebelled against for a season, a good habit cannot be lost. · Cannot, you will say ; I reply, cannot. Hath not God promised us, that' when he is old, he shall not depart from it.' I am so completely convinced of the blessing on good training, that I really do not believe a child morally and religiously trained, (observe what I say) with care, with great care, I do not believe that such a child can turn out ill; but then, you must not only bring them up at home, but keep them at home. Do not, after you have given a child an important lesson, turn it out into the street to play with those whose parents care not whether they go to heaven or hell. Shun bad company for your child, as carefully as for yourself; and one word more : I would say, do not indulge their appetites, never reward them by unusual indulgence, do not make them fancy there is happiness in excess, and when you give

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them instruction, do not look very grave, as though all that is excellent were dull and disagreeable; no, let them feel what is most strictly true, 'that the man that

« feareth the Lord is blessed ;' that the ways of religion are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths peace.

But on the contrary, if (as it will surely happen) they commit sin, then let the gravity of your countenance evince your concern, especially for a lie; watch the slightest variation from truth, and never pass it by. The Scriptures abound in such awful denunciations against lying, that indeed it seems impossible for a good parent to 'excuse it. I am convinced there are many deviations from truth unnoticed. But oh, my friends, guard this avenue to all that is dreadful. Remember, mercy and truth have met together, righteousness and peace have kissed each other, and that with him who cannot lie, no liar can dwell.'

Brownrigg had fidgetted for some time, and at last said, Well, this is all very good and very excellent, and you have a fine long memory, Sir.” Then drawing himself up, as for truth, no man is more particular than I am, as our Peggy, whom I have brought up from a child, has never dared to tell me any thing that varied from the truth, she would have lost her place imme

diately.” Esther knew it would not do to remind her uncle of the prevarication he himself had used; he would have called it cant, straining at gnats, and swallowing camels, &c. So the subject dropped, and Brownrigg stood like a conqueror on the field of battle; and the children coming in loaded with flowers and fruits, gave a turn to the conversation, though not to thought.

There was in Brownrigg's mind a solidity and turn for reflection, which, had he been an educated man, would not have left him satisfied with mediocrity. Though his opportunities for improvement had been few, he had improved them, and was what the world would call a clever sensible man. Now, though he was as much on his guard against methodism, as he called it, as a citizen is against a pickpocket, yet he never closed his ears to what he thought a good thing; and though some of Mr. Michael's quotations from his friend Mr. Walker were such as he thought every one else would make, still that part of his discourse against indulgences and bad company was pretty good-indeed it was very good, he should think of it; and, as he was tying his neckcloth before the glass next morning, and drawing the long ends through till each matched the other to a hair's breadth, “ No, no,” said he, “ Jo