The inhabitants of the Netherlands are more strict in the observance of the rites of the Romish superstition than the French, who have a large tincture of infidelity, and generally despise the craft of Priests. Hence there is here a sensible representation of the Virgin or our Saviour, at almost every turn of road or street. Passing quickly through the country, I had not an opportunity of observing the detail of the effects of this false religion; but to-day being a feast, there is much strange procedure in operation among the many churches of this city.

I strayed out after dinner, and observing Punch's opera performing, and not having enjoyed this spectacle for many years, I stept across the way to it, but found that what had once amused me in younger days, had now no charm: so I re-crossed and entered a cathedral, where I witnessed mummery of a more imposing, but less innocent kind. Among the lofty arcades stood a multitudinous congregation on the floor of the solemn temple; and some high and mighty work was going forward, with all the splendour and empressment which guilty Rome knows how to throw into her idolatrous ritual. The tall aisle resounded loudly with the finest music; a full band, aided by organs and choral instruments, and assisted by human voices, chanted their dangerous and superstitious service; thousands knelt and crossed themselves: numberless Priests in various

array in the vista, among candelabras, images, and pictures, at an awful distance, and in the immediate presence of the altar, practised several grave and mystical involutions the people looked on in deep solemnity, struck with a religious horror; amid the sounding chords, incense was thrown up in great quantities in the air, and at a certain critical moment the cross was exhibited, and a mighty impression suddenly made upon the audience. At a particular part of the awful ceremony, the sound of the instruments waxed louder and louder; and unexpectedly moving an octave upwards into a fierce storm of music, the whole congregation became agitated. The Priests redoubled their sorcerous mysteries; and the overwhelming belief that the immediate presence of God within the place had been achieved by these sacred incantations, gave a horrible obscurity and energy to the scene.

But human nature cannot long stand such a state of excitement, and this the artful priesthood are well aware of. The whole hastily stopt: the feelings of the people being wound up to the highest stretch, they were dismissed with all the powerful impression on their minds, which such procedure was intended and calculated to leave.

It happened that, in the space of half an hour, I saw three congregations thus discarded and dispersed at the proper moment. It is but justice to the officials in

the first, to say that their drama, with its decorations, was conducted in what might be called good taste and keeping every external circumstance accorded with the intended grandeur of the rite. In the last, the embellishments, in order to be suited to a more vulgar audience perhaps, were of a plebeian and tawdry stamp. A figure of the Virgin was prominently brought forward, and set on high in the body of the church, canopied with voluminous wreaths of drapery; and decked in a tinsel gown and petticoat, according to the present mode of female apparel; bestowing upon the whole proceedings an air of utter absurdity. I retired, scared and vexed at the wretched spectacle, and perceived nothing in the Church of Rome but persecuting effrontery; atrocious domination over the consciences of men; inveterate resolution to keep up ignorance and idolatry in the people; a deadly preference of creatures and images to the omnipotent Emmanuel, God over all, and blessed for ever; and an altogether unfathomable mystery of iniquity. I was almost prepared to join the ancient Puritans in this notion, and abandon rites, music, and edifices for ever; if by so doing, a single block could be put in the way of this wide-wasting and pernicious superstition.

The following minute memorandum may serve to contrast Scottish worship with the above:

"A YOUNG MAN GONE TO SEA."

PRECENTOR.

FROM Woodland scenes oft times my foot I urge,

Where wave-beat rocks withstand the swelling seas: On pebbled shore, to mark the restless surge,

And the white sea-fowl wing the fresh'ning breeze.

I watch at eve yon bark of many hopes,

Slumb'ring upon the smoothness of the deep; Till golden western light pour through the ropes To where I gaze, beneath the illumin'd steep.

Darkness steals on; and the pale glimmering hour
Undulates upon the ocean's fitful breast:

And all is peace along the murmuring shore,
And the hush'd sea-port lulls, and is at rest.

And men who sometime strain'd, through blackest night,
Their eyes on lightnings, 'mid the dizzy sweep
Of hurrying billows, and the obstreperous fight
Of echoing waters, lose their toils in sleep.

I venerate the bold sea-faring race,

And look with favour on a seaman's form:
Tracing the deep-marked lines upon his face,
And mingling with his thoughts amid the storm.

Features in danger form'd; and hearts, though free,
Not unsusceptive of a softer sway;

Nor dead to sainted thought, or sympathy,

Where sweet devotion steals the spirit away.

What time their ancient church I pensive seek,

The dark eye rais'd, proclaims a heartfelt awe,
And downcast brows a suppliant breast bespeak,
As the ear drinks, intense, the heaven-sent law.

Therefore I'm lur'd the antique pile to note,
And mariner's pathetic prayer to list,

"A young man gone to sea." What is the thought
That struggles in the father's anxious breast,

When ocean bears away his boy, amid

Its boundless solitudes? "If heaven's throne
Was e'er petition'd-O, my kindred, plead
For his young precious life my son, my son !"

From Ghent, I went in the track-boat to Ostend, and by way of London and Liverpool returned home: and now take leave of my reader with every good wish. I have exhausted the passing observations that occurred to me on this Tour. I return to my native land, unwilling that I should ever, but for a limited occasion, quit her shores. In her civil and religious privileges, I discern more and more the sublime superiority she enjoys over other nations. I hope I shall not much offend when I profess, that I should delight to see added to these, French temperance and courtesy; a reciprocity