These are the characters and the scenes to which Parents should be desirous of committing their pupils after a Christian education. They might then reasonably expect them to continue steadfast in well-doing; indulge the sweet hope . that they would bring forth good fruit; that they would pass through their state of trial, unseduced by the temptations of the world; virtuous and happy in themselves, benevolent and useful to others.

"For earthly blessings moderate be thy prayer,

And qualified; for light, for strength, for grace,
Unbounded thy petition *."

But if Parents, after giving a worldly education, have the paltry ambition of wishing to introduce their children to rank, power, fashion, riches, whether accompanied by intellectual and moral worth, or not, they may expect and will deserve the consequences that must inevitably follow †.

* I ask you, whether there he not men in the world, whom you had rather have your son be with five hundred pounds per annum, than some other you know with five thousand pounds ?Locke on Education.

+ We are, for the most part, corruptly educated, and then committed to take our course in a corrupt world. Rev. W. Law.

"It's no in titles nor in rank,

It's no in wealth like Lon'non bank,
To purchase peace and rest.
It's no in makin muckle mair,
It's no in books, it's no in lear,
To make us truly blest.

"If happiness hae not her seat
And centre in the breast,
We may be wise, or rich, or great,
But never can be blest.

Nae treasures, nor pleasures,
Could make us happy lang;

The heart ay's the part ay,

That makes us right or wrang."

At dinner and at supper our young companions may be encouraged to give an account of the morning and evening occupations: what they have learned, what observations they made during a walk; the birds, the plants, the trees, the wild flowers, the leaves, the stones, the insects, the fields, &c. that engaged their attention; the employments in their exercise-ground, the progress of their gardens; the the performances in their work

shop, &c. &c.

The elder ones may be led kindly to question the younger: to feel pleasure in their

improvement and success; to delight in assisting them on every occasion, &c.

"Love and kindness we may measure
By this simple rule alone;

Do we mind our neighbour's pleasure
Just as if it were our own."

No opportunity should be omitted of inducing them to put into practice the hymns, verses, moral and religious sentiments, with which their memories are stored.

Should any of the children have passed unobserved an object or circumstance which afforded matter of reflection and pleasure to the others, the excellent story of "Eyes and no Eyes," in "Evenings at Home," may be good-humouredly mentioned, and furnish a fund of useful and entertaining developing questions for head and heart, &c.

The elder children may occasionally be asked to give a short account of what they are reading.

You have lately been much interested in characters who are far advanced in Christian knowledge and practice. Will you now, for the gratification of your brothers, relate a few particulars of juvenile characters who gave

promise of attaining the same perfection. Will you begin with William's favourite Joshua Gilpin*, or with William Durant †, or Beattie, &c.

While you admire and love the ready obedience, the unwearied application and selfexertion, the modesty, which accompanied the successful cultivation of their talents; the practical observance of religion which distinguished these charming boys, you will, I hope, endeavour to imitate, &c. &c.

If you cannot attain the same mental superiority, you have it in your power to copy the most valuable part of their character; the love of truth, the docility, the respect, the unlimited confidence, the gratitude, the ardent affection, invariably displayed in their conduct towards their exemplary Parents.

"Indulge the true ambition to excel,

In that best art-the art of living well ."

* Monument of Parental Affection to a dear and only Son.-J. Gilpin.

+ Memoirs and select Remains of an only Son.J. Durant.

A man that is young in years may be old in hours, if he have lost no time: but that happeneth rarely.-Bacon.

Since our last conversation on Howard, I have met with a sketch of his character, which I will read to you after supper *.

* In decision of character no man ever exceeded, or ever will exceed, the late illustrious Howard. The energy of his determination was so great, that if, instead of being habitual, it had been shown only for a short time on particular occasions, it would have appeared a vehement impetuosity; but by being unintermitted, it had an equability of manner which scarcely appeared to exceed the tone of a calm constancy, it was so totally the reverse of any thing like turbulence or agitation. It was the calmness of an intensity kept uniform by the nature of the human mind forbidding it to be more, and by the character of the individual forbidding it to be less. The habitual passion of his mind was a measure of feeling almost equal to the temporary extremes and paroxysms of common minds: as a great river, in its customary state, is equal to a small or moderate one when swollen to a torrent.

The moment of finishing his plans in deliberation, and commencing them in action, was the same. I wonder what must have been the amount of that bribe, in emolument or pleasure, that would have detained him a week inactive after their final adjustment. The law which carries water down a declivity, was not more unconquerable and invariable than the determination of his feelings towards the main object. The importance of this object held his faculties in a state of excitement which was too rigid to be affected by lighter interests, and on which therefore the