the formation of character, has operated upon my mind almost with the conviction of truth; but the principle so ill accords with some of my previous impressions, that I must investigate further ere I assent to the truth of your proposition."

"Farewell," replied Douglas; "but in all your inquiries, permit me to remind you of the consolatory words of John Locke :

"He that makes use of the light and faculties God has given him, and seeks sincerely to discover truth by those helps and abilities he has, may have this satisfaction in

longer the honest expression of the heart. Prosperity and luxury gradually extinguishing sympathy, and puffing up with pride, harden and debase the soul. In other instances shame secretly clouds, and remorse begins to sting, and suspicion to corrode, and jealousy and envy to embitter. Disappointed hopes, unsuccessful competitions, and frustrated pursuits, sour and irritate the temper. A little personal experience of the selfishness of mankind, damps our generous warmth and kind affections; reproving the prompt sensibility and unsuspecting simplicity of our earlier years. Above all, ingratitude sickens the heart, and chills, and thickens the very life's-blood of benevolence; till at length our youthful Nero, soft and susceptible, becomes a hard and cruel tyrant; and our youthful Timon, the gay, the generous, the beneficent, is changed into a cold, sour, silent misanthrope."-Wilberforce's Practical View of Christianity, p. 217.

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doing his duty as a rational creature, that though he should miss truth, he will not miss the reward of it.'"

"The man who consecrates his hours

By vig'rous effort, and an honest aim,

At once he draws the sting of life and death,

He walks with nature; and her paths are peace."-Young.

CHAPTER VII.

"When from the lips of Truth one mighty breath
Shall, like a whirlwind, scatter in its breeze
The whole dark pile of human mockeries;
Then shall the Reign of Mind commence on earth,
And starting fresh as from a second birth,
Man, in the sunshine of the world's new spring,
Shall walk transparent, like some holy thing."
Moore's Lalla Rookh.

THE apartment occupied by Saadi was spacious and splendidly decorated: for although the rooms of the community in general were furnished and ornamented in a style of simple elegance, yet, at a very short notice, preparations had been made for the reception of the illustrious Persian, suited to the custom of his country. In an adjoining room was a bed with hangings of rich blue silk lined with strawcolour, at the head of which the sun was represented in burnished gold.-Saadi was followed to his apartment by two youths, about ten years of age: he had desired them not to sit up for him; but they were apprehensive he might be cold and fatigued on his return, and they had prepared some coffee. Saadi was sensibly

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affected by their attention. The youths observing he was unusually serious, at first attempted to enliven him by conversation; but perceiving that he wished to be alone, retired. Happy youths," observed Saadi as they closed the door," your minds will not be distracted by dogmas before your reasoning powers are sufficiently matured to enable you to examine their foundation. If the opinions of Douglas regarding the human character be correct, the whole system of rewards and punishments must fall to the ground." It was customary with Saadi to read a portion of the Koran every night before he retired. He threw himself on the couch, and opened the volume in the sixteenth chapter, entitled "The Bee revealed at Mecca," and read the following passage.

"If God had pleased, he would surely have made you one people: but he will lead into error whom he pleaseth,

a "What from this barren being do we reap?

Our senses narrow, and our reason frail,

Life short, and truth a gem which loves the deep,
And all things weigh'd in custom's falsest scale;

Opinion an omnipotence, whose veil

Mantles the earth with darkness, until right

And wrong are accidents, and men grow pale,

Lest their own judgements should become too bright,

And their free thoughts be crimes, and earth have too much light."

Byron.

and he will direct whom he pleaseth; and ye shall surely give an account of that which ye have done. Therefore take not your oaths between you deceitfully, lest your foot slip, after it hath been steadfastly fixed, and ye taste evil in this life, for ye have turned aside from the way of God; and ye suffer a grievous punishment in the life to come. And sell not the Covenant of God for a small price for with God is a better recompence prepared for you, if ye be men of understanding. That which is with you will fail; but that which is with God is permanent: and we will surely reward those who shall persevere, according to the utmost merit of their actions."

“There is much perplexity in this passage," observed Saadi, shutting the book; "in the former part of it, God is said to govern the actions of men, and at the close, that they are to be rewarded according to their merit. The inhabitants of these happy societies attach no importance to the belief of doctrines that are inexplicable, for justly do they say,' No man can command his belief, he must be guided solely by the evidence placed before him.' But yet in Persia we are deemed almost criminal for not believing even against the conviction of our understanding."

Saadi retired; but his mind was so divided between that which appeared to be his duty, and the principles which had been propounded, that it was long ere sleep closed his eyes.When he awoke, he found himself in the same perturbation of mind.