their estates were almost irksome; as such things are when unhallowed by duty, or uninspired by a motive.

The calm monotony of age was stealing over their lives, when they were startled into fresh youth, activity and hope by the birth of their son.

The rod of chastening we are taught to kiss in pious subjection, the weight of woe driving us helpless to the Cross. Yet are there cold, lukewarm hearts, that can only be thrilled into warmth by a great and unexpected blessing-hearts, apathetic, numbed by indolence or riches, hearts that look upon misfortunes as so much ill-luck or fate. These bear evil with a stolid endurance that but encrusts them with more stony prejudices, hardening that which was too hard before.

But outpour upon them unexpected happiness, and like an ice-bound river breathed on by the soft breezes of summer, the frost is broken up, the numbed feelings melt;

the chill becomes a glow, and warmed into fervour, a thousand buds and blooms spring up into life.

Our grandmother seemed to have been a good woman, more by intuition, and an absence of evil in her disposition, than from principle or duty. She was an admirable wife, a kind sincere friend, truthful, beneficent; but only on the birth of her son did she discover that all these virtues were negative in their real effect, until wakened up into life by the touch of divinity.

She had to thank God for the gift of him. What mortal could have borne the ever repeated, and never-ceasing thanksgiving that her gratitude prompted her to pour forth in one continued flow!

She had to pray for his welfare. From none other than a God could she hope to obtain all the blessings she required for her boy.

She had to beseech boons for herself, a wise and discerning spirit, so that the

"gift child" might learn nothing at her hand, but "to grow in wisdom and in stature, and in favour both with God and man."

And that no relapse might take place in her heart, the well-doing of her "jewel above price," engrossing her to the exclusion of higher thoughts, a little daughter was given to her, only long enough possessed to take an imperishable place in her mother's heart. As she bent over its little coffin, sorrowing, yet rejoicing, death was disrobed of its gloomy mantle- his wings would be tipped with the golden hues of joy-his dart would give her ineffable content, as restoring to her arms a treasure she had lost. Heaven so far distant, heretofore so indistinct, assumed the aspect of a home longed for, wherein she should again possess her little babe, now clothed with the robes of immortality, evermore her own.

To fit herself for this future home became now the business of her life; and if in the

endeavour to essay all things, she erred somewhat, her sins hurt but herself, so gentle, charitable, and forbearing was she to all others. Her religion was neither harsh nor unlovely, though it became allpervading; it was neither intrusive nor glaring; but it broke spontaneously from a heart sunny with happiness, and overflowed out of its very bounty. We liked to read her diary, which was so voluminous that it filled twenty-six rather thick volumes. She saw a charm and a good in everything, and it appeared not only natural but requisite that she should animate others by the force and vivacity of her observations. It was more the wish of our grandfather than hers, that our father was wholly educated at home.

Thus she writes:

"It would be like parting with the best half of myself, my very heart must go with him, leaving me cold, life-weary, until I saw his beloved face again. But my judgment

bids me decide that Linton should go to school. Already he shows symptoms of constitutional shyness, and a love of home and books, which exceeds even that of his father for them. For his own sake, we should send him out into the world. He was not given us for our happiness only, but to carry on the name of Lovel, and with it, all its duties."

A little later:

"I know not whether to grieve or rejoice; my dear Mr. Lovel will not hear of Linton's leaving us. He argues that we are old, and that by the time he is educated, we shall have passed the allotted age of man, and be summoned from his companionship just as we think to enjoy it. Moreover, his constitution and nervous system are both delicate. If harm should occur to my boy, away from the care and love poured on him here! My God, pardon me in this thing: if I have too little faith, grant me more; Thou gavest him to us in