little I know of your history; especially of those events which have issued in directo ing you to serious pursuits. I wish you would gratify me by referring to some of the particulars. You may be sure I shall feel deeply interested in themq and the present moment seems highly favourable, as my weakness prevents me from sustaining my usual part in the conver sation."

.99 It was, indeed, somewhat remarkable that, during an intercourse of so many) months, Douglas knew so little of his friend's personal history and religious experience. The truth is, Lefevre could not endure any thing approaching to egotismg and, as it often happens to persons of ar dent feeling, he frequently confounded, in his opposition to this fulsome foible, those modest references to the most interesting circumstances of one's own life, which occasion sometimes warrants, and even solicits. From his friend, howeverjɔ he could withhold nothing, and he replied tod his request by the following statement.

but had thought the hints and allusions

which have occasionally dropped in the course of our friendship, embraced most concerning myself that is worth your knowledge; but, if it can yield you any gratification, I shall find pleasure in being more particular. Bat flub: Of my residence and relations I need say nothing; and the events of mys boyish life would scarcely have any thing to distinguish them from those of most boys, at the same period of existence. Perhaps the first occurrence that is worth mentioning, is my departure from the ma ternal roof. I retain, and shall ever retain, a lively impression of the feelings of that day. I seem to hear the stage coach rattling up the paved street. I seem to feel mys mother's kisses-first impressed in the par-> lour then renewed in the passage and finally repeated on the steps at the doorboa fancy I see her standing on the spot where we last embraced; the tears running down her cheek, as she said, "My dear Charles, beware of the snares of London !”—and then, as we separated, clasping her hands ando looking toward the heavens, regard

less of spectators, earnestly exclaim, "God Almighty keep my child!".

"I need not say that, in this separation, the tears that were shed were not all on my mother's side. My distress, however, was but of short duration. Every minute as we travelled, was presenting new objects; my spirits soon recovered their tone, and left me at liberty to find amusement in them.

1

"As we drew near the metropolis, I forgot my separation from home. My bosom swelled with hope and joy. I was constantly looking out for some glimpse of a place of which I had I know not what conceptions. I believe," said he, smiling,,, "that my ideas were not much more just than those of the famed ignoramus, who expected to find Europe in a map of England. Certainly I almost expected to find the world in London. But my undefined and indefinable notions were soon dissipated; and, when I found myself in a strange house, and surrounded by strange faces, I could not help sighing for my accustomed seat at my mother's fireside,

and the well-known countenances of my young companions. However, the persons to whom I came were acquainted with our family, and their attentions soon reconciled me to the change.

في

My first concern was to see something of the place so exalted in my imagination. Accordingly, I spent three days in walking from street to street, and square to square, and gazing earnestly at every thing I saw. At length, I was perfectly exhausted; and my curiosity settled into something like disappointment. I admired, indeed, the greatness, the extent, and riches of the place; but there was not that pomp and show I expected. Palaces and mansions were neither so numerous zout went nor grand as I had conceived; the noise and bustle which at first pleased and surprised me, at last became irksome; and in addition to this, as a country boy, I was incapable of appreciating what is most was boing worthy of notice in London."

After

10009

my few days of grace had thus

been consumed, I repaired to the office in

which Lord F

VOL. I.

had kindly provided

D

me a situation. Here I was rendered somewhat indignant on observing boys like myself look down upon me; and my astonishment was excited to the uttermost, on finding that most in my office, few of whom were greatly my superiors in age, possessed habits so very different to my own. They were pert, conceited, and overbearing. They could resort to the coffee-houses-talk of politics-and occa sionally confirm their ignorant opinions with an oath. They could apparently command their small income to decorate their persons and feed their vanity; and, with all these advantages, they supposed themselves elevated to the rank of men, and even of gentlemen.

"I was shocked at these manners, and avoided their society as much as was compatible with the duties of my station. Would that I had always done so! But time wore away the impressions which nature and domestic habits had made upon me; and I became less affected by their evil practices. Sometimes I even found a slight temptation, from the pride of my heart, to