but alas! he soon reappeared on the stage of dissipation: his short seclusion had only increased his appetite for vicious pleasures. The last account I heard of him was, that he had left Paris, and was following nature in the society of some of our countrymen and countrywomen who look upon religion as a jest or trick, and marriage as a civil dealing quite inconsistent with the freedom of human beings."

"It is lamentable," observed the Doctor, "to hear that such things are; and that men of rank, talents, and literary fame, are the persons who thus scandalize society and mock the ordinances of Heaven. How strangely must their understandings be perverted, and their hearts vitiated by their passions and prejudices ! How debased is sunk their reason, who can love to live as beasts! Is it possible that there can be affection among such people? They must be strangers to all those pure delights which religious virtue gives, and all those nameless sensations of refined happiness which wedded love bestows. Theirs may be the halo of enjoyment and sensual gratification; but the sun of contentment, the full orb of the unclouded pleasure of the happiest of their kind,'

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animated by the noblest feelings, and best aspirations of our nature, has never, and can never shine on them with its almost divine radiance."

"And yet," replied Mr. Deacon, "this perversion of reason, and open defiance of the laws both of God and man, may be less wondered at, when we see Senators, and those of the highest rank in the legislature, gravely advancing the bold hypothesis, that marriage is only a civil contract."

"I am willing to believe," replied the Doctor, "that such assertions were the unguarded ebullitions of warmth rather than of reason; for, I cannot suppose that a Christian who reads the word of God with any attention, can so far allow his understanding to be darkened, as temperately to conclude that marriage is only a civil contract. The lives of those who practise these principles will always be a standing proof and antidote against this unscriptural doctrine. Is there one among that society who has not been deeply sunk in the mire of guilt, before he leagued himself with it? The career of your friend is but a transcript, perhaps of the darker kind, of what is too frequently taking

place: dissipation, gaming, debauchery, irreligion, duelling, and infidelity, make up the black account; and though all these may not unite in one person, or come in all at once, yet these are so closely allied, and so consecutive to one another, that where one is found, the other is not far off. As for duelling, to which there lately have fallen two victims, it is a practice in direct opposition to the spirit of the Gospel, and inimical to the interests of the Christian world. It is unquestionably murder, and murder preconcerted under the aggravated circumstance of a pretended merit; and, however human laws may acquit the duellist, there is registered in Heaven a solemn charge for him to answer."

"And yet," observed the Curate," Dr. Johnson advocates this practice."

"I know he does," was the reply; "but on a false principle. It is curious to see that Leviathan of learning floundering in the shallows of sophistry. But in spite of all his reasoning, he has failed to make good his argument. And, indeed, no wonder; for all the reasoning in the world can never subvert a plain precept of holy writ. Thou shalt commit no murder,' is at

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once so expressive and full, that no ingenuity can elude its authority. And is not duelling to all intents and purposes murder? — foul, aggravated, hypocritical murder? And why? What is the object it has in view? To satisfy a real or imaginary insult. As if the taking away of life, or even the attempt, could be any satisfaction to a mind regulated by the principles of Christianity, the purest spirit of which breathes only peace and good-will to man.' It ought to be discarded, abhorred, detested. It is the worst of vices, without one redeeming quality. It possesses all the basest features of cowardice, for it fears the censure of worldly men -it carries with it all the hardihood of the most abandoned sinner, for it fears not the wrath of God. Obnoxious as it is to all that is good and moral, how infinitely more so is it to Christianity! For if that heavenly quality which 'never fails,' because it comprehends all our duty both to God and man, were to be exercised between two angry opponents, who are ready each to send the other

'to his great account
With all his imperfections on his head,'

the hand directing the murderous engine would unconsciously be extended in token of fellowship, whilst the heart that is palpitating in doubt between honour and nature, would beat with kindness; and the eye that flashes with rage, beam with gentleness, and smile where late it frowned. As when the raging element heard the voice of I AM, as he walked upon the waters, and simultaneously were hushed to silence at his command, so would the raging passions of discordant hatred, and fictitious honour, settle to instant calm, and be soothed to fellowship, to amity and love, would men once listen to the heavenly dictates of Christian charity."

The Doctor was proceeding in a strain of unusual animation, when a servant entered the room, and announced that there was a person in the hall who wished to speak either with the Rector or the Curate.

"Show him in," said the Doctor. The waiter of one of the principal inns now made his appearance.

"Gentlemen," said he, " there is a stranger at our house who came by coach this morning: he is dreadfully ill; and my master begs as a