existence itself. In addition to these evils, he had frequently been permitted, during the vacations, and while visiting his friends, to attend a country theatre, of which entertainment he became passionately fond; and twice he had also been taken by his father to two of the London Houses, to witness the histrionic talents of Master Betty, then known to the world by the title of "The young Roscius." There the oil of gratification was poured on the enkindled embers of romantic ardour. The splendour of the houses, the crowds of company, the captivating charms of music, the dazzling scenery, and the commanding talents of the performers, all conspired to transport his mind to the unsubstantial and seductive region of fancy, and to inflame the passions of his fallen nature by the intoxicating and destructive pleasures of the world. He returned to his studies, but his heart was far less engaged in them than formerly. The celebrity which Master Betty had attained, and the prodigal and unprecedented measure of eulogy heaped upon him by an insane populace, wrought powerfully, and, for a time, perilously, upon the ardent feelings of young Jairus.

"His mind was wilder'd by the glare of fame,

All now he wish'd for was---a player's name."

His leisure hours, from this period, were employed in reading and studying the principal

parts of those tragedies in which the Young Roscius played with so much effect. Happily for him, no opportunity occurred for him to try his ability on the boards of the theatre: and, therefore, the idle project which he had foolishly cherished, was, at length, abandoned; only, however, for the adoption of another, in the same department, as the progress of his history will unfold.

The Midsummer vacation arrived, and a visit to some of his relations in town gave a new impetus to his theatrical phrenzy. The family which he was visiting had, indeed, assumed the Christian name; but the reason why, had the question been put to them, they would, in all probability, have been unable to produce; except, indeed, on ground unsolid as that on which they would have rested their claims to be called Mussulmans, had they been born in Turkey, or Papists, had they first drawn breath in any part of the earth subject to the Sovereign Pontiff. The genuine religion of Him whose name they falsely bore was not, even in profession, known by them. The splendid train of gaiety filled the drawing-room on the evenings of every successive day, while the enervating viands of luxury covered the loaded tables. The Sabbath-day, like every other, was vilely squandered and abused; as, indeed, it appeared to be known as such only by a suspension of the active affairs of public life. Pleasure and parties united to drown reflection, and hurry their infatu

D

ated votaries into the vortex of dissipation, and to sink them into the gulf of eternal misery.

Here, a very clever young man, an upper-servant in the family, became the almost constant companion of Jairus, the affability and freeness of whose disposition secured for him, from Robert, the kindest attentions; while those attentions produced a similar influence in favour of the person from whom they proceeded. With him, he rambled about London and its environs, witnessed its vanities, wondered at its splendour, and, with all the enthusiasm of a devotee at the shrine of pleasure, drank into its spirit.

On the evening of a sultry day, in the beginning of August, after a fearful tempest of thunder and lightning, (a cause by which the feelings of Jairus were always considerably affected,) he took up a night-quadrant which lay near him, and on his looking through it, the whole visible atmosphere presented him with a most awful appearance. A lurid fiery sheet seemed to cover the heavens, excepting, here and there, a huge murky space, which appeared to increase the horror excited by the awful scene. These appearances were occasioned partly by the colour and defective qualities of the glass, and partly by the nervous agitation of his feelings, aroused by the recent storm.

The day had been extremely hot, so much so as to produce oppressive breathing. No fanning zephyr relieved the sickly atmosphere, or re

moved the clammy dampness which rested on the aching forehead. A sudden and overpowering tremor seized Jairus as he gazed on the fearful spectacle; and, like the impious Belshazzar, when he beheld the fingers of a man's handwriting on the wall of his palace, "the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another." Already, in imagination, he beheld passing before him, as in solemn reality, the sublime descriptions of the poet

"The cloud-capp'd towers, the gorgeous palaces,

The solemn temples, the great globe itself,

Yea, all that it inherit, shall dissolve,
And, like the baseless fabric of a vision,
Leave not a wreck behind!"

This awful impression fearfully alarmed him. Those scenes of vanity in which he had been indulging himself, and which had afforded him some merely fleeting gratification, now assumed a different character in his estimation. He felt that, however such empty delights might amuse, in life and thoughtlessness, they could not comfort the soul, with eternity and judgment full in view. An inexpressible sense of misery almost crushed him with its weight; and he knew not where to look for help, or how to relieve himself from the oppressive load. To fly from himself was impossible; thought returned afresh with increased power after every attempted repulse, and conscience alarmed and condemned him. Of Christ he had never heard, at least, not

as

His

a Saviour "able to save to the uttermost all them that come unto God by Him." name had commonly been mentioned in his hearing, either in blasphemy or derision. Where to flee, he was ignorant: no refuge appeared, nor was any friendly retreat presented, to which he might repair for safety. Had some kind Christian friend or any minister of the Gospel been present at this season, to inform and relieve his bewildered, yet enquiring, mind, with what eager gladness would he, doubtless, have listened to that " faithful saying which is worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners;" and that He is is a refuge and a hiding-place-a covert from the tempest and the storm, as well as a very present help in time of trouble;" and thus proving himself "mighty to save." mighty to save." But, alas! no man was near that "cared for his soul;" no messenger was with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand;" and, consequently, in his ignorance, he endeavoured to derive repose from the dangerous but too common opiate, by forming resolutions, and making secret promises of future amendment; and thus, by a purposed reformation of life, and the rigid performance of self-imposed austerities, by way of penance, he hoped to recommend himself to God.

Thus purposing, he retired into secrecy, to repeat those prayers which, during the days of infancy, he had been taught in the nursery, and