cured that confidence which recoils from all the doublings of cold hearted selfishness. She was devoted to her husband, and overflowed with fondness to her offspring. In piety she was not at all behind Mr. Russell; but, while it was the same in principle, and equal in strength, it differed amazingly in many of its features. It was the same in the spring, but it received the colouring of the several channels through which it flowed. If the piety of Mr. Russell seemed to delight in still communion, that of Mrs. Russel seemed to exult in holy and active obedience. If the fire of his devout affections seemed to rise like a sacrificial flame, immediately to heaven, her's seemed to linger on the earth to enlighten and animate those around her. If religion in him appeared to raise the mind superior to the events of this life; in her, while it was, " as an anchor sure and steadfast," it left it still susceptible of their influence. Temporal sorrow could reduce her to momentary despondency; temporal disappointment could lash her into vexation; and temporal happiness could exalt her to the ectasies of joy.

With all this contrariety there were not wanting the strongest ties of union. Even the particulars in which these worthy persons differed, as they daily convinced them they were necessary to each other's existence, had a tendency to strengthen their attachments. In the most entire concord, they had seen forty summer suns pass away; and time had so far smoothed, and proportioned, and united their distinct characteristics, as to make them almost one person.* And, if to reduce their opposite characters wholly to one existence, was not within the power of time, it was within the province of Nature. Providence had given them one son, who seemed to be formed from a simple mixture of their two natures." Vol. 1. page 49.

In the society of these worthy persons he continues about two years improving in virtue. The two friends, read and walked, and performed acts of benevolence, together, and devoted to each other the most of those hours that were unoccupied by their respective pursuits in business, delighted with one another, and happy in themselves. At this period Douglas is called to a dis tant part of the kingdom, and Lefevre by degrees becomes the associate of the young men in the public office in which he was engaged. These were spirited youths, liberal in their expenses, liberal in their morals, and very liberal in their religious sentiThey admired his talents, and skill in business-they respected his virtue-but they ridiculed his puritanism. Douglas his Mentor, was now gone, and Lefevre is drawn into their parties. They sup and drink together, and soon, he is not easy under

ments.

This is a fine portrait of earthly felicity, and clearly evinces its indispensable ingredients to be-piety, virtue, gratitude, resignation, and contentment.

this change of his regular economical habits, but he hopes he is not very wrong. His income will not now meet his expenses, but they have a prospect of an encrease of their salaries-and this will discharge his debts. The encrease is obtained, but still he

is in debt;

"This was a great disappointment to Lefevre. Something he must do to extricate himself, and that immediately. The friendship of Douglas seemed to invite him to explain his difficu!ties to him; but his pride resisted the suggestion: he feared it would lower Douglas's respect for him; and he knew that he would not fail to express surprise and concern on the occasion.

It was about this period that Lefevre renewed his connexion with Wallis, on the business of the office. His attachment to Wallis was not attended with that esteem and respect which marked his friendship for Douglas; he, therefore, found it comparatively easy to intimate his straitened situation to him. Wallis was just then seeking to weaken the influence of Douglas, and to tie Lefevre to himself; and he fairly rejoiced at so favourable an opportunity. He understood the wishes of Lefevre before they were half expressed, and insisted on his accepting twice the sun he had named, with the air of a man who was receiving rather than conerring a favor.

This conduct powerfully affected the open and generous mind of Lefevre. It did, indeed, to his eye, hide a multitude of sins; and so bound him to Wallis, that even when conscience, as we have seen, reproached him with continuing the intimacy, the weight of obligation withheld him from breaking it. So true it is that a state of debt and dependence are inseparable.

Meanwhile Wallis's assistance, though it afforded Lefevre temporary relief, did not really benefit him. It encouraged him rather to rest his hopes on expedients and favourable accidents, than on a determination of living within his certain income. "Wallis," he allowed himself to think, " would still do more for him if he required it; he might soon obtain a rise in the office, and that would set all right; and if these failed, he had no doubt that his mother and Douglas would do their utmost for him, on an emergency." With such vague and unjust reliances, it may easily be expected that, on slight temptation, Lefevre would involve himself in even greater expenses than those which he had already found too large for his income. This was really the case. His reunion with Wallis; his liberality to the distressed persons in the office; his coffee-house suppers; his encreased taste for company; his abhorrence of every thing mean and shabby; and particularly his having made himself responsible for some debts of his deceased brother; had joined to throw him into a state of embarrassment more serious than at any former period.

Lefevre, though not fond of obligation to any one, felt not the evil of his obligations to Wallis, till the moment in which he resolved

to break with him. He then discovered that they had robbed him of a portion of his independence; and that, should he do what he though this duty, Wallis might charge him with ingratitude and baseness. The reflection was bitter to him; but he confirmed his intentions by prayer, and laid himself on his pillow that evening, resolving to recover himself from his engagements to Wallis, and drop a friendship which was prejudicial to his best inte

rests.

The ensuing morning, as Lefevre was thinking how he might best carry his purposes, he was served with a copy of a writ ! It was the first he had received. It alarmed him. It came from a tradesman least expected to act so, as he had done much to serve and recommend him. His pride and kindness were wounded. He sat still and silent a few moments; he rose and paced the room, repeating the words, "base, insolent, worthless fellow !" and then he returned to his chair, sensible of the foily of railing, and of the necessity of doing something for his personal liberty without delay. "And what," said he, "can I do! The sum is small-not ten pounds—but what does that signify ?-small as it is, I cannot pay it. O, I never knew the misery of debt till now! -What shall I do?-Douglas ?-No-I will not apply to Douglas-he will despise me. I will not be despised; and yet do I not despise myself?-Wallis ?-shall I go to him?-that will only increase the obligations I purpose to abolish! Well, I cannot help it, I must apply somewhere-and I know he will be kind -Hard is my fate." How apt are we to impeach Divine Provi. dence, when we have nothing to complain of but our own imprudence!

Lefevre hastened to the dwelling of his friend, and explained his situation to him. Wallis received him just as he could have wished-"Ungrateful impudent fellow !" exclaimed he plague on him! Put your mind at rest-leave it all with me-I'll show him a trick or two for this, I warrant you. Leave it to me-you shall hear no more about it—I'll see him—and he shall either take my word for the payment, or, if that won't do, I'll settle the account at once-if he dare to take it."

Lefevre's anxieties subsided, and left him wholly the subject of admiration and gratitude. He seized the hand of his friend,"Thank you! thank you!" said his lips ;-" Generous Wallis !" said his heart, "why did I think of breaking with you!-I will His convictions struggled with his overwrought feelings he could not expressly resolve on inviolable friendship." Vol. 1, page 229.

never

We have been tempted to make this impressive extract for the sake of those young men who do not yet know that borrowing of money for unnecessary expenses will inevitably rob them of their peace. Gratitude had now bound the generous Lefevre to his unprincipled companion, he consents to spend a week in the coun

try with him, but without letting the Russell's know where he was going. "So surely does a practice which our conscience condemns, lead the most ingenious minds to concealment. The anticipated week was a week of pleasure. The mornings were given to sporting, and the evenings to convivial pleasure." "Lefevre had brought himself to call this period a week of innocent recreation, but with all his speciousness he could not induce his heart to justify the appellation." He felt there was too much eating, too much drinking, too much jesting, too much folly, in the absence of all elevated and religious conversation, for his conscience wholly to approve. And yet' said he fretfully, why do I not approve? The rest are happy, why should I be miserable? In that moment of passion, such is the wickedness of the human heart, he had almost branded religion and his religious connexions as the disturbers of his peace!"

The blossoms of hope and resolution had however withered, and vice had gained the ascendance: still he was unhappy. The concert, the ball-room, the card-table, the tavern club, the theatre, the masquerade, all witnessed his attendance—but all left him unhappy. Attendance on the sick-bed of his friend Douglas, for whom he still felt the warmest affection and esteem, arrested for a moment his career-but the dread of singularity, that bane of young men, and the fear of being branded with the odious stigma of meanness, if he should contract his expenses, tormented him. Debt had destroyed his manly spirit, and dissipation must drown reflection! Still he was wretched-he condemned himself-cursed his being, and flew to the stupifying draught! The affectionate admonitions of the Russels disgust him, and the tender letters of his mother, while they wound his heart, lead him only to disengenuous disguises of the truth. He changes his lodgings to free himself from the restraints of inconvenient friendship, but is again aroused by several letters from Mr. Douglas, who entreats him to consider, and informs him that he is about to complete his happiness by an union with a lady of similar character with his own. Poor Lefevre, now laments his past folly-begins a reformation, and visits Miss D. with a view to confirm his good resolves by by matrimonial comfort-he addresses her and is accepted. All now went on very well, and he is wholly unprepared for a reverse -but Miss D. is informed by a rival of his excesses and he is dismissed, by a note from her, delivered by her grandmother, at the

moment when he expected the day of his nuptials would have been named! His entreaties procure an interview, which, as it is the only love-scene in the book, we must indulge our young readers with at full length, and advise all young ladies to imitate the wisdom of Miss D.

"Hope and fear struggled in the bosom of Lefevre, at the sight of her, so violently, that he could not address her.

"I had hoped you would have spared us this painful interview," said Miss D," but as you request it, I come."

speak

"O" said Lefevre, afflicted by her changed manner, not so coldly.-Receive my explanation-let me hope —" "You have no reason to think me cold on such an occasion. Alas! I am not ashamed to acknowledge, this affair has cost me more than you more than my greatest enemy, would have wished me to suffer."

The forbidden tear stole from her eye. her emotion. He seized her hand, and Miss D-! Let me "

Lefevre was melted at exclaimed-" My dear

She withdrew her hand, and interrupting him, said, "Mr. Lefevre, this is not wise. Do not misconstrue my involuntary feelings. I do feel-but my feelings cannot change my opinionshould I even sink under them, my resolution will remain the same. To destroy the power of suspense on your mind, let me deliberately assure you"

"O, say it not!" interrupted Lefevre-"I am lost if you say it! Say you will use your influence to fix me in virtue-to raise me to happiness!"

"I cannot-indeed I cannot !" she replied, with an agitated voice."My heart knows I wish you happy-wish you every thing that is good-but I must not sacrifice myself."

"No!" said he~" you need not. I should be all you wishall I wish to be. O, you know not what power you have over me!" "I cannot trust that power! All who have trusted it, have repented of it. In the past you have submitted to one temptation after another, and what security is there for the future? And, Could that security be given, it would not be sufficient for me. No -forgive me in saying it, duty imposes it on me-I could never give my hand to a person, allowing him to be reformed, who has, in former life, been familiarized with vice. This will convince you, that I never can be yours. No-And in withdrawing my hand from you, I do it with a resolution of never giving it to any other! Yes-my vain dream of bliss is followed by real sorrows! and I only blame my own indiscretion for it !"

The tears flowed freely as she ceased. Lefevre stood motionless. The struggle was deep in his soul. Hope expired-despair triumphed the conflict of the passions produced a calm, more dreadful than their violence. At length, raising his eyes, and forgetful for the moment of those about him, he exclaimed, with a tone as