there was not much to distinguish their silent lapse and it was only by a family growing up about him, and those infirmities of nature which are the usual precursors, and the invariable attendants, of declining vigour, that du Blesne could perceive that he had already been long a sojourner on earth, and must by and bye be going to the house appointed for all living.' So true it is, that time will wait for none.' Day after day steals on :' still awfully exemplifying the truth of the pathetic lamentation of the Roman exile, to him unalleviated by any ray of hope from beyond the dreariness of that grave, towards which he felt himself borne with a steady and irresistible impulse:

'Tempora labuntur, tacitisque senescimus annis.' Ov. (a)

Two of du Blesne's sons, for whom his now more limited income did not permit him, consistently with the duties he owed to his other children, to purchase exemp

(a) Time glides away, and we insensibly

Grow old beneath advancing years.'

tion,* had already been drafted into the legions of the usurper; and, accompanied by the tears and prayers of their kindred, had bid adieu to the home of their nativity, and were gone to slake the ruthless ambition of a tyrant with their blood.

His daughters, too, were verging into womanhood. In them, as a father, he was pleased to behold a modesty of demeanour, combined with an amiable sensibility, and a sympathizing tenderness for the woes of humanity, so indispensable to complete, and such lovely ornaments in, the female character. Nor was it these, only, that gladdened his heart. As one, whose dearest hopes were beyond this fluctuating and evanescent scene, he had higher views. His anxieties reached to eternity, as his efforts were addressed to capacitate for its blessed employments. Deeply conscious, that, without that internal preparation which no human power can bestow, they could never attain to the abodes of happiness, he was solicitous, above all, that they should be

* See note m.

vitally actuated by the spirit, while they professed to be animated by the principles, of christianity. Not, that he would have extirpated the passions; an attempt as futile, as it would have been at variance with the Divine institutions. No: his aim was to turn them into a right channel, and to direct them to the worthiest objects. He would have exalted, and purified, their affections; and, fixing them on heavenly things, so have imbued their minds with a sense of the supreme value of immortality, that, while they descended to hold communion with the concerns of time, they should still testify. that this was not their rest.' Thus would he have trained them in the way they should go, and formed them for a felicity which

eye hath not seen'-a felicity that shall endure, when this world, with all that belongs to it, has passed for ever away.

Yet, even here he could rejoice, although perhaps with trembling. While he pleaded the promise, so cheering to the bosom of a

*

*' A promise,' as Mr. Hervey observes, of inestimable worth, never to be forgotten by believing parents, and better

pious parent; I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring; and they shall grow up' in knowledge and in grace, as willows by the watercourses: he felt, that the God he worshipped was still his friend. Nor did he doubt, that, in the diligent use of the appointed means, and in humble dependance on the blessing from above, his efforts for their eternal welfare would ultimately be crowned with the happiest success.

Hope, indeed, had whispered that the dawnings of a renewed understanding were already

to their children than the largest patrimony, or the richest dowry. It is exceedingly beautiful, and equally comfortable. Not, I will drop, I will distil, but I will pour: denoting a large and copious supply. They shall grow, not as a root out of a dry ground, but as a tree planted in the most kindly soil, where it is plentifully watered, and flourishes in the most ample manner.'

Sensere quid mens rite, quid indoles,

Nutrita faustis sub Penetralibus

Posset.

HORACE,

Were it but train'd with pious care, they knew

What culture with the tender mind could do.

discernible, in the gradual declension of those habits and sentiments, which, derived from the fruitful source of original depravity, are the never-failing indications of unregeneracy of mind; and he was thence encouraged to continue his pleasing labours, and to intercede with increasing fervency on their behalf.

Emily, the eldest, was now entering on her eighteenth year. Since they had been bereaved of their darling boy, Emily had been, too much it may be, the idol of her parents' affections. For this there may be found, perhaps, some apology in the engaging sweetness of her disposition, aided by the silent attractions of a person, formed at once to captivate and endear. Her disposition, indeed, was peculiarly amiable. While it was enlivened by a vivacity, which animated by its equal and uninterrupted flow, and charmed by its artlessness, it was mellowed by the gentler beauties of humility and tenderness. If, at any time, she happened to be led away by the buoyancy of her spirits, a word, a look, was sufficient