seemed suddenly to have made up her mind not only to speak on the object for which she had visited the parsonage, but to press the widow to accept the situation she was about to offer her.

She was in truth much pleased with the superior manners, and apparent intelligence, of Mrs. Colton; she had, however, been prepared to expect all this, but she had not expected to see that sweetness and gentleness of expression so remarkable in this lady, and which, although sometimes clouded with grief, never changed its character. Miss Fortescue, though she admired the expression, was probably unaware of the real source of that gentleness and benevolence of aspect, which would, she felt, at once endear her to her brother's children. She did not know, that although there is no real dependence to be placed on what is termed a natural good temper, such as she attributed to Mrs. Colton, yet the spirit of love or charity which is the gift of God,--that charity which suffereth long and is kind,—cannot be extinguished, the source from which it flows being inexhaustible. It was also an advantage to the lady, though one which was of comparative small account, that she still retained the outlines of beauty, with a fresh

and youthful complexion, affording a sort of childlike innocence and elegance to her appearance.

Mrs. Colton was prepared to accept Miss Fortescue's proposal at once, and, in consequence, all the mere worldly arrangements belonging to the affair were speedily concluded; after which the young lady, who had no mean opinion of her own judgment, proceeded, as she said, to give such hints to the future governess of her brother's children, as might the more speedily promote her usefulness. She began by giving her opinions of the children, and described the youngest, the pretty wee Aly, as she called her, as the most faultless and fascinating little creature in the world; the eldest, Emma, she spoke of as being in some respects too like her mother. Mrs. Colton was naturally induced to enquire of the young lady, wherefore she seemed to regret this likeness.

Miss Fortescue coloured slightly, and then, as if it had been an effort to her, she replied, "My sister was an excellent woman,—a perfect lady, and exceedingly amiable; but to be candid with you, my dear Madam, I must own there were certainly a few things in her character, that I could have wished had

been rather different." Here Miss Fortescue paused, expecting some question to be put to her; but her companions being silent, she was obliged to go on. "It is with grief," she continued, "that I remember, how backward the late Mrs. Fortescue always appeared to be in the cause of the truth."

"Dear lady," said Mr. Addison," what can you possibly mean? was there ever on earth a more decided or consistent Christian than your excellent sister-in-law?"

"That she was an excellent, amiable, good creature, I do not dispute," she replied; "but as to her decision and her consistency, pardon me, dear Sir, if I assert, that she possessed neither of these qualities."

"Really, Madam," said Mr. Addison, “you perplex me greatly; would you kindly favour me with some proofs of your assertion?"

66

Assuredly, Sir, I am bound to do so, both for your satisfaction, and for the benefit of Mrs. Colton. In the first place, you will not dispute that Mrs. Fortescue believed that the interests of the soul are above and before all others."

"Assuredly not," replied Mr. Addison.

"And yet," continued Miss Fortescue, "believing and feeling this, and making religion

so much the basis of the education of her children, that she would reject any book, however moral and full of instruction, in natural things, in history, geography, &c. which did not wholly and entirely agree with Scripture, yet she suffered her children's library to be filled with the ridiculous legends of fairy-lore, and would suffer her girls to waste many a precious hour in dressing their waxen babies. You smile, Mr. Addison, I see, but errors of this kind are no trifles; and I trust that Mrs. Colton will go even further than I have done, in weeding their school-room from these vanities.

"But these were not the worst errors and inconsistencies of Mrs. Fortescue. Though belonging to our establishment, and maintaining that any church that can shew such an article as our sixth, must have a firm foundation, in that it includes the elements of truth, yet she taught her children what I should call even a sinful forbearance towards others, pretending that there were points of agreement in all serious Christians, and making out, that many points in which these differ, were of no consequence, and ought never to lead to argument. In this manner she indulged an indolence and timidity that was natural to her, giving herself excuses for not fighting

the good fight of faith: and what is the consequence, but that the family are now thrown into disorder, whenever I endeavour to enforce any thing like a more strict Christian discipline; for instance, when I will not suffer the little ones to read trifling books, or when I venture to pass the slightest censure on persons who differ with us in our opinions.

"As to my niece Emma, her taste is so entirely spoiled, that although she would read, if permitted, from morning to night, the old books which her poor mother gave her,—and, to do her justice, she is very fond of her Bible too,-yet she never would willingly open any of the books which I have recommended— books, which if properly used, would quench the imagination, and strengthen the reason. Celestial glory is not to be obtained by a life given to indolence and self-pleasing, and he who suffers his brother to go on in sin, is accountable for the soul of that brother."

"God forbid," replied Mr. Addison," that the soul of any one creature should be at the mercy of his fellow."

"According to this doctrine then, Sir," said the young lady, "you would have us to cease from all attempts to benefit our fellowcreatures."