here the same answer to objections against the perfection of Christianity as to objections of the like kind against the constitution of nature. It shows the credibility of the things objected against. However foolish they may seem to men, they may be the very best means to accomplish the very best ends.

The bishop now proceeds to show it is credible that the Christian dispensation has all along been carried on by general laws. We are to consider upon what ground it is said that the course of nature is carried on by general fore-ordained laws. It is true, we know several of the general laws of matter, and a great part of the behaviour of living agents can be reduced to general laws; but as to the laws by which other things are regulated, we know nothing.

"Mr. Bruton, can you give Butler's argument upon this part of his subject?"

"He states that we know many of the general laws of matter, and also that much of the behaviour of living creatures is reducible to general laws; but by what laws storms, earthquakes, pestilence, etc., become means of destruction, we scarcely know anything. And by what laws persons born into the world at such a time are of such capacities; by what laws thoughts come into our mind, and by which innumerable things happen of the greatest influence upon the affairs of the world, are so unknown to us, that we call those events accidental which come to pass by them; but reasonable men know there can

be no such thing as chance; and conclude that things having such an appearance are but the result of general laws. We can, then, but in very few respects trace up the natural course of things to general laws; but, from our finding that the course of nature in some respects, and so far, goes on by general laws, we conclude this of the rest."

you.

"Thank If this therefore," says thank you, the bishop, "be a just ground for such a conclusion, we may conclude, or if not to conclude, may suppose it credible that God's miraculous interpositions may have been all along in like manner carried on by general laws of wisdom. Thus, that miraculous powers should be exerted at such a time, in such a manner, and to such a degree, with respect to certain persons, that the affairs of the world, being allowed to proceed so far in their natural course, and then at a certain point to have their direction altered by miraculous interpositions; and that these interpositions should be in such degrees and respects only;all this may have been by general laws, but which laws are quite unknown to us. Just as those laws are unknown by which some men die as soon as they are born, and others live to old age; by which one man is so superior to another in understanding, and by which many other things take place;—we cannot reduce these things to general laws, although it is taken for granted they are as much reducible as gravitation.

"Upon the whole, then," concludes the bishop, "the appearance of deficiencies in nature arises from the fact of its being a scheme but partly known, and of a particular kind in other respects. But there is no more reason why nature should be such a scheme, than why Christianity should. And nature being such a scheme, renders it credible that Christianity may be so too. And as it is manifest that Christianity is a scheme but revealed in part, a scheme in which means are made use of to accomplish ends, as in nature, so the credibility that it may all along have been carried by general laws, no less than the course of nature, has been distinctly proved."

Here the lecture ended, and the lecturer left the room-the men however remained in their places, to be ready for the lecture next to follow.

CHAPTER IX.

THE ACTOR'S STORY.

"Though fools spurn Hymen's gentle powers,

We, who improve his golden hours,

By sweet experience know

That marriage, rightly understood,
Gives to the tender and the good
A paradise below."

It is a beautiful sunny morning in the latter part of September, and Mr. Mendip thinks that a pleasant walk of three or four miles will be more profitable to him, than a two hours' sitting in the hall of the college, puts on his hat, and sallies forth. When about half a mile on his way, hearing the approaching footsteps of some one behind him, and turning his head to take note of the pedestrian, he is immediately accosted with, "Good morning,

sir

; you were not at our entertainment last night, I think."

"My good man, what do you mean?" said Mendip, in surprise.

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"O sir," said the speaker, who was a little man, dressed in a shabby suit of black, with a profusion of black curls dangling about his shoulders, "O sir,

don't you understand? I thought all the students knew of the entertainment."

'My good friend, what are you talking about?”

'Why, sir, I am Mr. Talbot; and I and my wife gave our Olio of Oddities' at the hotel last night; but we hadn't half so many of the students as we expected, and I don't think you were there.”

"Now I understand you. You are correct-I was not at your entertainment; but how could you tell I was not there?"

"You must know, sir, if I see a gentleman once, I am sure to know him again."

"But surely you couldn't remember each individual member of your audience."

"Well, I can't say that exactly; but I should know most of them again; and if I had seen you there, I should have recognised you again."

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Well, Mr.—what did you say your name ?” "Talbot."

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Well, Mr. Talbot, whatever may be my peculiarities of physiognomy, you are candid, at any rate.” "I am straightforward, sir, I believe. My experience has taught me it is best to be so."

"Indeed; I suppose, then, you have had much experience in the world?"

“I have had my share of trouble. An actor's life, upon the whole, is one of great hardship."

“Have you

travelled much?" enquired Mendip.

This question seemed to please the comedian, as