think exactly like you; Iam as good as other people, and never committed any crime, that I know of." "Nor I"-" Nor I"-" Nor I," was re-echoed

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from various corners of the room.

Mr Webster felt at a loss what to say. In his clerical capacity, he thought it wrong to be silentsomething ought to be said. He gravely and mildly resumed-" "Tis well and pleasant to possess a good conscience; I wish we all possessed those outward marks of Christianity, piety to God, and universal charity to man-God only, who discerneth the thoughts and intents of the heart, can truly discern whether we possess the inward motive, which sanctifies the outward act, or not. world's approbation is often quite opposed to Scripture; but the Bible, when opened to our understandings, will prove a perfect directory for Christians in their conduct through life."

The

"O, we shall all get through life very well," said the Marchioness. "But what were you saying of a Musical Festival, Jane?" addressing Miss Pert" is there really to be one in Edinburgh ?”

"So my correspondent, Sally Gossip, writes to me. I suppose, Mr Webster, you will think that a very wicked thing; but I hope you won't preach against it?"

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Certainly not, madam," said Mr Webster; "I have more material points to preach upon-I

look upon all these things as the non-essentials of religion."

"Then you approve of the Festival, Mr Webster -I am glad to hear that," said the Marchioness. "Pardon me, madam-I did not say so," replied Mr Webster." But I find," continued he, rising, and taking out his watch, "I have staid longer than I intended.-We shall discuss these controverted points on some other occasion." So saying, he took his leave.

When the contents of all the various letters were discussed and conned over, and all the intelligence extracted from them-and, indeed, a great deal more collected and inferred from them than the writers of them intended to convey, they were consigned to their final destinations—some to the fire, and some to the reticule, or work-box, all the party, except Lady Amelia, exclaiming, that they were so stupid, they were not worth the postage.

"What is Mr Webster really gone?" said the Marquis, folding up the paper, and again taking a snuff—“ He is a good, honest man.”

"Yes, he is a good, honest man," said the Marchioness.

With the Marquis, this appellation really meant that he was a just and an upright man; but, in the Marchioness's dictionary, it had a different interpretation, and denoted one who would not set the

Thames on fire-a man of no energies-not strong enough to do evil-not clever enough to be wicked -incapable of thinking for himself—a harmless creature in a certain rank.

"The honest man," said the Marquis, with a smile, "was getting a little warm to-day."

"He was beginning to be posed a little about the Festival," said the Marchioness.

The drawing-room was gradually vacated; and the party set off, each to spend the day according to his own pleasure.

CHAPTER II.

Since God or man must alter ere they meet,
"Tis manifest, Lorenzo, which must change.

YOUNG.

In the country as well as in the town, there is a season for gaiety. The sports of the field were still to be enjoyed; and every day brought new visitors to Roe Park, where shooting the moorgame, and hunting the wild-deer, might be carried on, with all appliances and means to boot. Amongst others, Lord and Lady Emery arrived, accompanied by their little boy, who was as spoilt a cub as could well be imagined. Indeed, poor child! what else could be expected? for his parents seemed agreed that he was born for no other purpose than their amusement, and his grandfather looked upon him merely as an animal that was to be highly esteemed, as having preserved the Vainall family from the danger of becoming extinct in the present line, and passing into that of their cousin Sir Frederick Noble.

Young Edward Truefeel was by no means defi

ficient in observation, and soon discerned, that, though little in stature, and at this hapless period doomed to be domineered over by disobedient nursery-maids, still he was a very considerable little personage, and the heir-apparent to all these spacious domains. These truths were instilled into his infant mind by the persons to whose care he was consigned, and whose employment it consequently became, "to rear the tender thought, and teach the young idea how to shoot." That the man may be seen in the boy, is a just observation. The restraints, few as they were, which were placed on young Edward's pleasures, were extremely irksome to him; and many were the schemes of emancipation which passed through his thoughts. Like our first parents, he was tempted by the fruits of the garden. "Clara tells me all these trees are mine," said he to himself, "and yet she will not let me snatch a peach. She is a wicked Clara for keeping me from what is so good. When I am old, I shall eat as many apples and peaches as I please; and I shall make Clara do as I desire her; and I shall take Tommy, the gardener's boy, to live with me, and we shall ride on ponies the whole day long, and never go to bed at all."

In such infantine castles in the air did young Edward's imagination delight, and at this moment

B