The pointed allusion of these last words too evidently betrayed that even the wary self-denying father Udolpho was keenly susceptible of mundane emotions, and that the mild but firm rebuke of Lorenzo yet rankled in a breast which had affected no other sentiments but those of piety, incapable of resentment, passion, or revenge.

Lorenzo with calm dignity thus replied.

"The holy influence of religion none but fools, father, will refuse to acknowledge sacred, and its ministers all wise men will reverence and approve, when their doctrines overstep not the mildly, gracious, pure simplicity of that example which the great founder of all moral duties inculcated, whose disciples should forget not to practise that humility which is inseparable from the true tenets of the Christian faith, since to aspire to a character which no living being ever yet arrived at, displays not the meekness of genuine religion, but the vain parade and pride of singularity and ostentation. Love, my good father, cannot be a crime, for did not the divine teacher from whom you derive your ministration, with universal tenderness towards all creation, deign to extend its godlike attribute over the wide earth to every living sinner, and every true believer? Its gentle influence still prevades the hearts of men, refining and correcting while it enlarges and harmonizes them; nor can there be a sight more pleasing to the unseen eye of Heaven than when two faithful hearts, united inseparably, journey onward hand in hand through the rugged vale of life, devoted con

stantly to one another, and to the performance of those moral earthly duties which mingled with that pure and fervent incense, they will mutually and gratefully offer up to the divine giver of their happiness, fulfil in harmony the designs of their Creator, who beholding them thus serenely and innocently passing their days, elicits to mankind the completion of his almighty will, and bestows on such a pair that favour and prolengthened life which with finite wisdom we may dare to hope is the true praise of man, and his passport hence to a state of unceasing felicity and bliss in the world to come. Such father," added Lorenzo with solemn ecstasy and fervor, while the brilliant animation of his eye beamed forth the virtuous ardour of that genuine passion which now possessed him wholly; "such is the chastened hope, the joyful expectation that now animates my breast, which Heaven and Hersilia has confirmed, and which now only waits your holy sanction to render lasting and complete.

THE COUNTRY MAGISTRATE.

WITH Mr. Whitaker's letter in my pocket, I proceeded towards Exeter, the appearance of which broke the train of thought to which the scenes I witnessed at Holcomb had given birth, and my recommendation to Mr. Jones coming into my mind, I recollected that the vicar had not told me where he livid. The

morning before, he had only said that he lived a few miles on the other side of Exeter, but not a word of the place when he gave me the lettter; an omission no doubt owing to the state of his mind, divided as it was between the disguised rembrance of folly and visible repentance. I concluded, however, that there was a full direction on the letter, which my own feelings at the time I received it prevented my attending to. A doubt so easily removed, was soon converted into certainty, I took the letter out of my pocket, and found the place of Mr. Jones's residence likewise omitted in the superscription, it was simply John Jones, Esq. Trivial as this appeared to be, it was vexatious: I had already walked six miles which I was not inclined to double, as I had also to go through the town and some miles beyond it. stopped, debating whether to return to Holcomb, or trust to receiving intelligence at my inn, and I dɛcided on the latter; not doubting that it would be very easy for me to find the way to Mr. Jones's

seat.

When I arrived at the inn, the landlord being gone out, I applied to my landlady, who without hesitation directed me to the road towards Pinhoe, on which she told me the house I was in quest of, stood about three miles from the city; I lost no time and though I passsed first through a heavy road of red loam, and by the side of a long dead wall, was soon at Mr. Jones's gate, where on ringing I was saluted with the tremendous barking of a couple of fierce mastiffs, that, on my entering the outer

gate, appeared on either side of the coach way, and were only prevented from tearing me to pieces by the massy irons that chained them to their separate houses, and restrained their efforts to fly at me. The man that opened the gate looked almost as savage as the wild beasts I had to pass, when he asked me what I wanted.

This salutation damped the feelings which were excited by the pleasing account Mr. Whitaker gave of Mr. Jones and his family, and I proceeded with awe round the house to the offices, as directed by the porter, on my informing him that I had a letter for his master. Turning by the corner of the mansion, I saw a man cleaning harnesses at the stable door, and going up to him asked if I could see Mr. Jones. "You must go to the kitchen and ax," said he, "I am coachman." As he kept his eye fixed on his har ness, and whistled as he worked, I had no encourage, ment to put any other question, not even which was the kitchen, whither chance directed my steps.

The cook, whom I found preparing materials for the fire, desired me to go up stairs, where I should find somebody.

At the head of the kitchen stairs I met a chamber-maid, who would have taken no more notice of me than of a cat, if I had not asked her if she would carry a letter to her master for me, to which she replied, "that it was not her place, and that I must speak to one of the footmen." Where are they?" said I; but the enquiry was fruitless, for the cham

bermaid who had never slackened her pace, was out of hearing in a trice.

A footman happening to cross the hall at that moment, with a tray in his hand, I asked him, as he advanced to the stairs, to deliver a letter to Mr. Jones ; on which he desired me to step into the right hand parlour, saying he would come to me as soon as he had set down the tray. I thanked him, and again doubting much whether the master of the people who had fallen in my way would answer the partial description of the vicar, I crossed the hall, and without reflecting to whose person the man's direction referred, opened the door of the parlour on my own right hand, and walked in.

Never shall I forget my astonishment on finding myself in the midst of the family, who had just been taken their forenoon's repast. I knew not whether to retire, or remain, till observing the looks of the whole party, I ventured to shut the door, I held my hat fast in my hand, and remembering the vicar's. lecture on bowing, I made what I thought an aukward kind of a bow; had it possessed all the grace of Apollo, it could not have produced a more instantaneous effect: the family not less surprised than myself, and taking me for a gentleman. I had on my mourning suit, all rose and returned my obeisance; confounded by the respect paid me by persons to whom I came recommended as a servant, I was frightened at the idea of producing my recommendation; and I verily believe, if I could have invented any plea for my intrusion, that I should have