intimated his wishes by presenting a pistol to his breast. It is recorded of a venerable but eccentric clergyman still living, that he expostulated so effectually with a footpad, who accosted him in the same way, that the rogue abandoned his vocation, and being received into the household of his admonisher, served him faithfully for forty years. Mr Sandford was not so curious in his choice of his domestics, nor was he so successful in the result of his remonstrance, but to his purse he appended an admonition which excited the ruffian's surprise, though it elicited no very courteous acknowledg-. ment. "So, then, you are a parson," quoth he, "and you are a simpleton too, for if you had lighted your lamps, no man would have dared to stop you." Mr Sandford inquired how he should dispose of any of the same honourable fraternity whom he might encounter on the road. "Oh, say that you gave all your money to the gentleman on the grey horse."

At the close of this year, Mr Sandford lost his brother John. He was his favourite in the family, and by his piety, furnished one of many instances, that whatever be the peculiar temptations of the navy, there is nothing in the circumstances of that profession incompatible with morals and religion. His boyish passion for the sea was quite enthusiastic, and did not, as is sometimes the case, wear off with the gloss of his uniform. It overcame the objec

tions of his mother, who long resisted his importunity, and was only induced to yield when she saw his desire was insurmountable.

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Daniel," said this determined tar, "I never hide any thing from you, for I know you are to be trusted, do you see that wall? Over that wall I go this night, and off to Bristol, and I will get on board one of the ships, and away to sea, for I can live no longer on land. Now, don't you go and tell my mother."

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Well," said Mrs Sandford, on her son's forthwith disclosing to her his brother's project, "and what do you think I should do?" " Why, mamma, I would take him to Admiral Darby, and send him to sea like a gentleman."

John Sandford was present at the memorable siege of Gibraltar. He had good hopes of rising in his profession through the interest of his connection, the earl of St Vincent, and his kind friend Admiral Kempenfelt. The latter officer's partiality to him was so great that he was encouraged by it one day respectfully to remonstrate with him on his profane habit of swearing. The Admiral thanked him for his advice, and assured him with an oath that he would not so offend again. It is well known that Admiral Kempenfelt perished in the Royal George when that vessel was sunk, by an extraordinary accident, in harbour. It was a lovely day the water was studded with pleasure boats, and the decks of the Admiral's ship were covered

:

with the crew, and with the women who were washing their clothes. John Sandford was standing in a vessel near, and turned to a friend to remark, "if the Royal George takes another such lurch, she will go down." He looked back again, and there was nothing to be seen but a huge black keel, and a raging swell of waters.

2

CHAPTER IV.

"In doctrine showing uncorruptness."-Titus ii. 7.

SELF-DENIAL was a grace which Mr Sandford religiously practised. On the other hand, liberality to others assumed, in him, almost the character of weakness. It was scarcely in his nature to refuse a request, and the consequence was, that his was the reward generally assigned to disinterested persons. With the whole of his patrimony, which amounted to some thousand pounds, and which was punctually paid, he parted on the very day he received it, and, except in a solitary instance, the friends who were indebted to him never made even an offer of repayment. Under these circumstances, as a residence at Sunbury proved very expensive, and he had no immediate prospect of preferment, he was induced to entertain the suggestion of Mrs Sandford's relations in Scotland, who recommended a temporary residence in Edinburgh. They kindly represented the advantage which might accrue to an English clergyman of popular talents, who should open a chapel in that city, and be disposed to receive pupils into his house. And

as Mr Sandford thought his friends in England were not likely to neglect his interests during his absence, and was himself averse to no personal exertions, by which he might benefit others, and honourably provide for his family, he quitted his curacy at Sunbury, and took up his residence at Edinburgh in 1792.

At this time the state of society in that city presented an aspect widely different from what it does at the present day. Eminent then, as now, as a seat of learning, and distinguished for the talents of its instructors in every department, the character of Edinburgh as a seat of philosophy was nevertheless extremely questionable. Though Robertson and Blair, while they fascinated the world by their writings, had done much for the principles, as well as for the taste of their fellowcitizens, though Erskine will ever occupy an elevated rank in the list of Scottish divines, and Stewart and Playfair commanded admiration by their amiable qualities as well as by their talents, yet were the men who now adorn its university and fill its pulpits, reserved for a brighter era,sceptical opinions dressed in an attractive style, and recommended by the virtues, as well as by the genius of their authors, at that time prevailed to an alarming extent. The young men, fond of speculation, and vain of limited attainments, were easily smitten with doctrines, which they judged to possess the double attraction of originality and of independence. And not a few