love affair commencing between them-no, it was Charles's high admiration of her accomplishments, and the beauties of her mind adorned with knowledge, virtue, piety, and every grace; it was the intelligence which beamed forth so brightly in her eye, and the benevolent smile which lightened up her countenance: all looked on her as a superior being, whose knowledge and experience, whose suavity of manners, and interesting conversation and advice, engaged at once his reverence and delighted regard. He walked by her side, as by a guardian angel, whose superior wisdom and benevolence might direct and sway his conduct, and animate him to all that was worthy, exalted, and divine. Religion appeared with such lovely charms in Eugenia,its ways so pleasant, its prospects so inviting, its objects so noble and grand. Life itself seemed of infinite value as connected with the great work of the ministry which her conversation, and her mother's so impressively magnified, that, if he before admired it for its own sake, and chose it as the result of consideration, as the noblest and best pursuit of a mortal and immortal creature, he now preferred it, as opening sources of the sweetest and sublimest enjoyment, and embodying all that was lovely in human character. The inequality of their ages, threw every reflection of neighbours into the shade of absurdity, who might hazard a guess at a greater intimacy, and this improbability, sanctioned that attention to Charles, and sheltered the walk they were now taking. She viewed Charles as a youth in whom were visible the dawnings of a cultivated mind, (to use her own expression to her friend Harriet,) she thought his situation in the university exposed him to many temptations, and that his journey to London was hazardous to his principles and morals; that his inexperience needed certain restrictions, and his simplicity required caution ; and, looking forward to the situation he was destined to fill

in future life, she thought she might contribute to model and form him to be an instrument of service to his neighbours, his country, and the world. So benevolent an object, so disinterested a motive, who would not approve? and who would utter a word against so pure a friendship, formed upon such principles, where were never likely to appear an affection different from that of a son to a parent, or of a brother to a sister? Such was the friendship commencing at this interesting period, which years and experience never erased; which had its variations in a way the reader could never conjecture, and its termination in a manner which no romance has ever yet described; for this reason, perhaps that what is now being told is truth without fiction; whereas the tale of the novelist and romantic writer is, for the most part, all fiction, or a superstructure raised upon one scanty stone or two of fact and truth. It was a high pleasure to a collegian, who, since he had entered a freshman at the university, mixed with men, and with men only, to walk in company with a softer, gentler friend, of that sex which he always appreciated with a regard and sensibility that he could not conceal. But to find one so capable of becoming a mental friend, to counsel, to direct, and to animate him! Oh, this was a pleasure unlooked for, indeed: and no wonder he cherished a friendship so flattering to his youth, so congenial to the feelings of his heart.

"How mistaken are the world," said Charles," who suppose religion to be the source of gloom, and the parent of melancholy, and the thief of any substantial enjoyment." "They know nothing of its true nature," said Eugenia, "who thus misrepresent its character; they have contemplated it through the distorted medium of a worldly fancy, and under the hideous shapes which guilt has presented. Every spring of true happiness is laid

open by religion-its rills flow from the throne of Godno true and real pleasure is denied to us, by a God of love." "Who could forego the rapturous thought, that God is our friend, and that heaven is our home, for any sinful gratification which temptation proposes?" said Charles.

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"It is well so to reason," said Eugenia, "to strengthen our principles, and we should call into action all the motives of fear and hope, to keep us in the right path; but, Mr. Charles, I fear for you, as you are going to the great metropolis the snares of London-the dissipation-the frivolity the allurements to gaiety, folly, and vice, are so various, and so very seducing, that, to a young, unsuspicious and pliant mind, they are infinitely perilous. It is very different to admire religion in scenes where the majesty of the rolling clouds, the waving woods, the undulating hills, the expansive fields, raise our minds spontaneously towards Heaven; and where the harmony of birds, the whispering trees, the dashing waterfalls, and cooling streams invite us to feelings of grateful devotion; where sacred solitude inspires us with pious thoughts, where reading, and reflection, strengthen holy principles, and pious friends, awaken our interest in religion. It is another thing to be called to hold it fast, to maintain and defend it, where the pointed sneer would make it ridiculous; where malignity would undermine, and vice would ruin it; where temptation, like the sun-beams, would melt the firmest heart, and unnerve the strongest principles of virtue. I have need to say to you, "Watch, and pray,' Charles, that you enter not into temptation.' "I thank you," said Charles, “my true and sincere friend, I reverence the advice, and hope to attend to it as much, and I hope more than the disciples did, to whom the great Teacher, their divine Master, with the affectionate concern of which yours is the resemblance, first gave it." They

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had now passed along through the meadows, and the shaded lane of willows, which grew so luxuriantly near those lonely watercourses, and, turning round the end of Mr. Wiseman's factory, they came in view of the Pastor's dwelling, and the church hard by.

It was a pretty cottage-the space betwixt the white paling, beautifully varied with gravel walks, lawns and rose trees, and flower beds. To the right a garden, stretched up the hill, replete with fruit trees and useful vegetables, beyond which extended a meadow, set with fruit trees, skirted by an ancient beechen wood, which completely covered the lofty hills which swelled above it. "Ah!" said Charles, "how many scenes of childhood does that wood and orchard remind me of; in earliest youth, when first I came into this country, how many companions, now distantly situated, joined with me in pleasant sports; but what chiefly interests my recollection is the retrospect of those events which deepened my concern for my soul, which gave me a strong impression of the value of religion, which associated me with several excellent companions, especially one who is now a peculiar friend, polite, sincere, classical, and pious; one who shows me every kindness at college, and with whom I pursue my studies." "I recollect most of your school-fellows here," said Eugenia. "They were accustomed, with yourself, occasionally, to come on a juvenile visit to our house, where I made tea for them all. I remember the sprightly Darter,' roguish 'Roler,' 'John Bull Kyler,' yourself, and 'Ruther,' your studious and polite associate, who seemed the steadiest as well as the oldest amongst you. Do I guess right? I think it's 'Ruther,'-you and he are still friends, and together again at Oxford after at least four or five years absence." "You guess right, Eugenia," said Charles; "he is likely from the excellent qualities of his mind and heart, and the firmness of his friendship to be

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my friend for many years to come, should Providence spare us; and who knows but I may live to see the day when we may render each other important services, and strengthen each others hands in many difficulties and laborious undertakings." "I am glad to hear so excellent an account," said Eugenia," of your friend Ruther.' I trust he may one day come forth a burning and a shining light, a useful character, and that your anticipations may be realized. From what we saw of him after you left, when he came again to reside with Mr. Bredwell, we considered him not only a well-disposed and intelligent young man, but polite and accomplished; and in these days when religion is looked down upon as only a fit associate for ignorance and vulgarity, it is of high consequence to have men of sense, politeness, and accomplishments, its professed advocates and friends. We have many of the common people who can talk, and in their way preach about religion; but not many noble nor many wise are called; and students and persons in the higher ranks should seek to reflect an honour on religion by acquiring eminence and respect, and then devoting all their talents and influence to this holy cause." "I quite agree with you, Eugenia," said Charles," and can produce you an ancient definition of politeness given by Pythagoras, which I think will fall in with your ideas. Politeness is an evenness of soul which excludes at the same time both insensibility and too much earnestness; it supposes a quickness in discerning what may suit the different characters of

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men; it is a sweet condescension, by which we adapt ourselves to each man's taste, not to flatter his passions, but to avoid provoking them; in a word, it is forgetting ourselves in order to seek what may be agreeable to others, but in a manner so delicate as to let them scarcely see that we are thus employed; it knows how to contradict, with respect, and to please without adulation; and is equally