of the thousand ills that would beset our

onward path:

"We rolled with pleasure on her rattling car, And danced with childhood to her fairy star, While eastward yet we saw no clouds arise, Nor cast a glance upon our evening skies." Ah, Alphonzo! in those gilded moments, there was no reflection; and reflection alone, as you well observe, can constitute us happy. What will not bear the ordeal of reflectionthe deepest reflection-even that which places us at the Divine tribunal, and summons us to that awful account which we must render of every thought, and word, and action, to Him, from whom no secret is hid, will form but a sandy foundation indeed for happiness! Mirth there may be without it; but if we may believe the voice of Inspiration, there is such a thing as the laughter of fools.' I trust we may truly anticipate more solid delights. Our minds are now matured to contemplate our real situation. We know what we are. He, whose going forth is prepared as the morn

ing,' hath visited us from on high. He has taught us, and has he not Alphonzo? that there is a joy beyond these perishable, unsubstantial, scenes a joy, of which we even now partake, while we are wafted heavenward in spirit, and penetrate into worlds to come on the wings of faith, and hope, and love. Then, though we had heard of a Saviour's compassion, we had not tasted that he was gracious.' We had been told that he was fond of little children; but we had not seen ourselves' gathered with his arms, or carried in his bosom.' They had taught us to pray to him; and we had listened with glistening eyes to the stories of his tenderness; but we had had no experience of his affection, as manifested to ourselves; nor had we as yet been sealed as his. His Spirit had not borne witness with our spirits that we were the children of God, and heirs of a kingdom, whose glory should never fade.-And how, then, could we be happy? we knew not that all was well for eternity, and how could we rejoice? No, Alphonzo; we were not happy-we were only without thought.

Our pleasures were merely the light visions of a mind, that rested under the shade of the passing hour, and desired not to go beyond.

Yet, do not accuse me of even insinuating any disapprobation of the sentiment expressed in your beautiful stanza. Though we may allow a little latitude to the poet in point of imagery, while the great essentials of grace and truth are held steadily in view, I would not affirm, that for your affecting lines we must crave even that. The Christian will look back upon his childhood, and the momentary sigh may escape him for enjoyments fled, never to return. But he will not permit himself to tarry amidst vain regrets. He may pause there for an instant, and let his soul disquiet itself within him; but it will only be to resume his travel with renewed alacrity, as having seen another proof that he must repose, if he repose at all, in things to come; and he meditate on the past, only to remember that it is irrecoverably gone. Thence, his thoughts are led to futurity; and there they are riveted by the recollection, that as death leaves him, indgment must find him. He then arises,

and goes quicker on his way. It leads to heaven; and he finally attains the happy country. The troubles and sorrows he had met with on his journey are done away, and forgotten for ever; or, if retraced, it is only to awaken new emotions of gratitude to the hand that guided, and to the right hand that upheld him. Thus, through the merits of his adorable Intercessor, he reaches the rest that remaineth for the people of God,' and enters on the possession of a felicity which eye hath not seen, nor ear heard.'

Farewell. May such be the blissful experience

of Alphonzo, and his

EMILY DU B.

P. S. Papa desires me to tell you with his love, that he will have a relay of horses for you at Vevay, as the post there is but indifferently supplied. Emily will charge herself with having them there in time. Need I add, that they shall not be those of our stud which will bring you with least speed? The righteous is merciful to his beast;' but on such an occasion I think you may urge them, though not distress them. This is no casuistry, is it, Alphonzo? If it be, rather

wait a week longer than think of my anxiety. Mamma and the girls are already busying themselves getting your apartment ready. They say we must have the Baron over, as they cannot let you leave us for a month at least. Farewell. May 'the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort' hide you 'under the shadow of his wings!' Once again, farewell.

The negotiation was at length finally concluded, and Alphonzo was on the eve of setting out on his return. At the glen and the castle all were in motion. Preparations were made, and many a bonfire ready to be kindled by the happy tenantry of de Mertenburg, who would not be dissuaded from thus testifying their joy at the approach of their amiable young lord. The morning was fine, and the inmates of the glen had gone to the summit of the hill, to catch the first distant glimpse of the carriage freighted with so many tender wishes, when Mr. du Blesne, whose telescope had long been directed to