the respect and good opinion of my kind hosts; and I really believe that I began to obtain a higher place in their esteem than I possessed in the earlier stage of our acquaintance. What progress I might have made by a longer continuance amongst them, is uncertain; for I was suddenly called home to attend my mother, whose increasing weakness but too strongly confirmed my gloomy presages.

With very different sensations from those with which I entered, did I take leave of this peaceful dwelling: I suspended my poetic effusions, hung my harp on the willows, and hastened home, to devote my time and thoughts to my languishing mother.

I believe she participated in the advantages of my visit to the farm, as it had in some degree softened the asperity of my temper, and furnished me with a more correct idea of filial piety, from the pleasing example of it I had lately contemplated. I think, during the imme

diate season of affliction at least, I should have been almost amiable, could I have avoided the presence of Peter Patterson; but whenever I returned to my mother after having encountered him, my voice and manner were evidently changed, and some fresh symptom of her declining strength was always required to restore me to that tenderness of manner which her state demanded. On such occasions I redoubled my attentions; often, indeed, with more immediate regard to my own feelings than to her comfort; and I fear that I might sometimes oppress her with officiousness, when I was labouring to atone for some unkindness or inattention.

CHAPTER III.

I HAD learned enough of religion while at the farm to convince me that it was indispensably necessary, at least in dying circumstances: and I was solicitous to communicate my new ideas on that important subject to my mother. But, alas! to accost her in the language of the Gospel seemed to me like speaking in an unknown tongue, or like the blind attempting to lead the blind. Deeply did I feel my own inability for such a serious task, having not yet learned the first principles of the oracles of God. That

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one thing was needful,' in her case, I could not question; but my notions were too confused even to allow me to express such a conviction intelligibly. I did, however, venture to notice, in a cursory way, what I had observed at the farm respecting the general influence of reli

gion on the family, and on the particular individuals of it, especially the custom of family worship, and the appearance of real devotion which invariably pervaded the service. I said it was evident, from their daily conduct, that they did not deem the use of a form of prayer, and receiving the sacrament, a sufficient passport into eternity, after a life devoted to the service of the world.

My mother sighed deeply, appeared much interested in what I said, and continually alluded to the subject. As she became increasingly restless and uneasy, I had recourse to the Scriptures; but to me they were at present a sealed book, nor was I sufficiently conversant with them to select such passages as were most suited to her circumstances. In this state of mutual anxiety, how cordially did my poor mother acquiesce in my proposal of sending for Mrs. Thoroughgood, who might be admitted as a friend, without exciting suspicion in my father as to

any new religion, or religious connexions of that class to which he was ever decidedly hostile!

This good woman had no suspicion of our real object in sending for her: but when the subject was introduced, and she perceived how really desirous my mother was of spiritual conversation, she was not backward to engage in it. With what plainness and simplicity did this humble, but experienced Christian, expatiate on the hopes and consolations of the Gospel! affording an instance of the truth of the principle, that 'the foolish things of this world are often chosen to confound the wise,' or those who deem themselves so. O, where were now all my vain notions of superiority? where my pride, and arrogance, and conceit? How contemptible did all our little imaginary distinctions appear, when put in the scale against the spiritual knowledge and experience of this humble Christian! It was too evident, that while we had been minding earthly things, her