place, as I have heard Major Spencer describe it. It is situated in the lovely village of Kempsey, about three miles from the city of Worcester. The village is famed for its pretty cottages, the fronts of which are covered with roses. The Malvern Hills are in the distance. The church, over which Mr. Crofton presides, is a most lovely specimen of architecture; he is a very old man, and I hear a sincere Christian : I trust he may be long spared to enjoy the living, even though it will be mine."

"What a lucky chance for me, had I taken Holy Orders, instead of regimentals," said Alfred.

"Not so, my dear brother; for, unless you had been called to the Church, by the Spirit of Him who guides us into all truth, I should have been sorry to have seen you undertake an office of so sacred a character, merely for a livelihood. An ambassador from God must possess the sanctifying influence of zeal, and vital religion in his soul and actions."

66

"True, true, my dear Laura," said Aunt Dorothy, though I think the poorer the minister, the more holy is his life."

"Now I will suggest a good plan, Laura," said Alfred, "that you shall turn Quakeress, and at the death of your incumbent, convert the church into a meeting-house, and thus plead the cause you have so much at heart, for who can do it more ably? you would not weary in well-doing."

"Riches, what are ye? Oh! how blind
Is he who cannot, will not find

The choicest wealth, held from above,

In peaceful health and trusting love."

"How charming is the atmosphere of mirth," said

"If you reprove dear

Aunt Dorothy to Laura. Alfred, there is in him a whimsical contrition, he has an energetic way of speaking, a natural vehemence, which means no harm. He has now his seasons of happiness vouchsafed to him, for which he has reason to be grateful: an innocent gaiety pervades him, a blessing to be felt, more than to be expressed. He has many a sharp rock to dash against, but he may reach the wide ocean in peace and safety, and forget the current at last."

"All this may be very true," said Laura, "but Alfred wants caution, nay, experience in the ways of the world. I am very much pleased with Mr. Maitland's exertions in our village, yet the recollection of dear Ellen's efforts to do good, seems pressed on my heart, like flowers within a book, and I can find few like her."

"Ah! my dear Laura," said Aunt Dorothy, "our

lives are like rivers, often swallowed up and lost in the dark wave of life. There are many fragrant leaves, sprinkled with poisonous dew! The great secret is, to choose, like Ellen, the narrow way, which leads to peace above. Hope with her shadowy train leads us on, and we fondly dream of the swiftly revolving wheel of fortune, and pursue the bubbles, until they become a heavy weight, and from our pleasures and delights, the mask falls off, to leave the inconstant goddess without repose. These are my sentiments," continued Aunt Dorothy; "you are fortunate in meeting with one who can enter so fully into our village affairs, and who is moved as Alfred says, to deeds of charity and love; it was really expedient, to have some active friend's assistance, for you would not have been equal to the task unaided."

"I feel it to be little short of a commissioned angel, and whilst we pour out our gratitude to man, we must not forget a gracious Providence. There is something very respectable," continued Laura, "in the addition of a Reverend to our society, who has a claim to our friendship, and merits the same. We seem to owe obligations to him, and even our smiles expand while we converse with him; especially, if his character have the charm of a holy and religious life: his very example quickly kindles divine feelings within us, and teaches us, there is a futurity 'for ever future, though there is mercy, yes, everlasting mercy, worthy of an infinite God, ever manifested to his contrite creatures."

"Alfred has just informed me," said Mrs. Lockyer, who had been devoting some hours to her garden, “that he must quit us in a few days, not exactly to join his regiment, but he has promised a young friend, who was with him at Sandhurst, to spend a month with him."

"Oh, these earthly partings!" said Aunt Dorothy, "they weary life, there is so much anguish in thinking we are to lose those on whom our hopes are so fixed."

"Why my dear aunt," said Alfred, "you are tenderness and susceptibility itself. I imagined you would be glad at least to have quiet but I must go, a resigned martyr to my country's cause, my hitherto bright horizon must have its clouds, and though I have never had a feather's weight of trouble or anxiety, yet I cannot always expect such melting rays of sunshine. There is a certain fascination in the prospect of a military life, which lures us on, though all must have at times their inward presentiments."

"True, dear Alfred," said Laura, "this world is a fleeting home, no abiding place, and we are not permitted to make our paradise here. We must all, more or less, be tried in the ordeal of sorrow, may it purify our hearts, when so chastened by love and mercy! The separation which we all deplore, may, I trust, be blessed to us individually, and, if possible, increase our mutual tenderness and affection for each other.

"No condition so low, but may have hopes,
And none so high, but may have fears."

"ONLY just imagine," said Alfred, "Mrs. Whitemore was married to Mr. Sober's coachman this morning. Religious people do not mind the storms of life, but like its variety, as well as you and I, Aunt Dorothy."

"The bride of whom you speak, recommends matrimony, as this is her second husband. We shall feel her absence from our family," said Mrs. Lockyer, " and if they can make each other happy, I will not take offence. For your dear sister's sake, who is no more, I detained her; she has had a good home, with every consideration, which I trust she may never find wanting."

"There must be an indescribable charm in a wedding-ring," said Alfred, " for all females look so dignified when they wear it. And this very charm gives a new and sudden current to my thoughts; nay, I am now so occupied with my schemes, that I am thinking