I got well soon after I got home: but it was not an unprofitable journey to me; for I had time at Crysal to wind up by reflection.-Life is hurried through in business, and I cannot abstract enough for my soul's health. I advise you when your attention to the child can be remitted, to use your solitude for the same purpose.

The painters finish to morrow. I never think of repairing the house we have, but it occurs that we are but covering our coffin, or making a place to die iu. Before we shall need another painting, we shall both be of darker hue than the walls we leave. But, perhaps, this is too gloomy a strain to be continued; and, therefore, let me rather say we shall have left a poor clay tenement, too old to repair, for a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

In short, despair and hope are the fundamentals of Christianity---that is, to despair of keeping or repairing that which MUST FALL, and to hope for that which WILL SATISFY AND

NEVER FAIL.

LETTER XIV.

-I said to myself, last Thursday, when an insect flew between us, and left a slight sting-I said, "I know when I have rode five miles from town the sting will be gone, and nothing but HONEY remain:" and so it was; and therefore, my Dear Creature, make yourself quite happy respecting me. I am as well as when I left town, and have every reason to believe I shall return to town better than I expected. We shall travel slowly. Mrs. ― is pretty well. We rode together very pleasantly, as you may suppose: but clouds threatened the horseman; and, therefore, while the CHRISTIAN conversed very excellently on divine things, I often observed the WOMAN anxious about her husband and child. Several new sights and objects make me daily wish you were with me; for you have EYES, and I could shew YOU what you would enjoy.

Yet, after all, beautiful scenes and

beautiful pictures are all trifles that will not last long. Nothing will last, but what is INTELLIGENT. The finest MUTES upon earth soon become nothing: they are a body, but a DEAD one: they want that, which is the soul of every thing---INTELLIGENCE; and the soul of intelligence is RELIGION.

I have made many observations about travelling, which you will one day hear. You ought to be satisfied, that I let YOU into all things in the "CLOSET" that respect myself.

I thank you for your kind letter. I mean to preserve it, and to pray that you may be long preserved to me; for you do not tremble at the idea of losing me, more than I do in return.

MY DEAR LOVE--

LETTER XV.

I JUST Scribble a line to say that I am going on in my journey very well. I have also considerable advantage in travelling with a MAN--for a tender, feeble Lady could not labour so much. I make him read out ALOUD in the chaise, which he also feels an advantage: so that I travel with Pascal---Adam---Maclaurin---and the Bible. Now I say a LADY could not afford this.

How

But, with all these advantages, I am ready to acknowledge, that the want of YOUR company makes a terrible void. many tender things have I lost!---with, now and then, a good thing, i. e. a bit of oratory, a scrap of literature, a shred of poetry, and a cup of peculiarities. Some of these peculiars do not so well please alone; but, when MIXED UP, they are not unpleasing to my taste. I assure you I often think of you in the mass as a CHARACTER, (and a character you certainly are) that I am delighted with. For, as in a piece of music which we excessively admire, there are, now and then, some grunting minors; yet, these, mixed up with sweet returning concords, add greatly to the harmony upon the whole. But don't, from what I say here, put in any more minors than usual---as a little goes a great way!

But now I am so angry at the strain of my mind, that I will

write no more. I am quite surprised at myself to reflect (though I have known myself many years too) that, with a weighty concern on my miud, and upon which my heart has sent up many requests, I should be so sportive and gay. But it is my very nature to be gay, as it is some others to be gloomy; and it brings me into many a snare---and I can only say--The Lord pardon thy servant in this thing!

LETTERS

FROM

MR. CECIL TO HIS SON ISRAEL.

MY DEAR BOY--

LETTER I.

I WAS WAS much pleased with your letter to your sister; and indeed it gave great satisfaction to all our family, particularly to your Mamma. We rejoice to see you speak so like a man, and to find that you so rightly estimate the value of your situation at school. For you are now a bee in a garden: nor can you possibly conceive what advantage you will reap from what you now gather; for though this is not the WHOLE of what you are to learn, it is so essential a part that it will add power and lustre to the rest. I have been turning over a great number of books at different shops, to find one to send to you, but I never met with more disappointment.

I wish you to attend to a correct habit of writing.

Thus far respecting literature: but, let me again and again remind you, that, great as that is, both that and every thing else are but dung and dross to the excellency of the knowledge of Christ. Upon that, all for time and eternity hangs! Pray therefore, my Dear Child, to the Holy Spirit, to give you this life and light in your heart. I have sent you a sermon I have published to the children of St. John's---I wish you to read it carefully—

LETTER II.

MY DEAR ISRAEL

Feb. 1802.

YOUR Mama received your letter at the time I was at She is greatly satisfied that you so tenderly remember what I said to you. The truth is, my Dear, that your mind is greatly improved, and we cannot but notice it and rejoice in it; and you may depend upon it we shall not fail to encourage a right disposition, to the utmost of our power. Your attention to me, particularly, has been marked by every one in the family, as well as myself.

There is a point you should never lose sight of---that, when a youth takes ill courses, he begins to be shy of his parents, that is, of his only true and fast friends: he secretly forms connections with broken, if not dangerous reeds; and often plunges thereby into difficulties and disappointments, that his real friends cannot help him out of. I am rejoiced to see you take the contrary

course.

I marked that wise and dutiful confidence, with which you treated me; and that jealousy you had, as to how you stood in my mind. Watch against any thing which may damp and impede this early friendship with your truest friend, and you will prosper. Our family and friends are well, except, who is daily getting worse; but then what is that to her?-She has fought the good fight; and is only waiting a little longer for her crown of glory.-VOL. I.

I

See what a blessed thing it is, to be ready to meet what we all MUST meet. A king is a beggar, compared to a Christian. Present my kindest regards to Mr. Be careful to keep up your character with that excellent man and friend. assured that I remain,

Be also

MY DEAR BOY

Your very affectionate Father,

R. C.

LETTER III.

NOTHING can lie nearer my heart than your welfare; and nothing rejoices me so much as to observe your mind take a solid turn, and think of the things that belong to your peace.

I hope you have recovered from your childish habits, and are joining in my design of building yourself up for life. I shall rejoice to assist you, but. I cannot do it if you do not work at school, and serve yourself

LETTER IV.

MY DEAR ISRAEL

WE received your letter; and should have sent you word, had you not written, about coming home.

You know I am very particular about keeping time; and have always seen proper to oppose that vagrant custom of leaving school before it is ended, or going after it begins. But there are some cases which make it as PROPER to break a general rule of expedience, as at other times to keep it; and, therefore, as I wish to see you before I set out on my journey to I wish Mr.

to permit you to come home on the 13th.

I hope you will be careful to conduct yourself with great industry and propriety, while you are at school. Never complain that