and yet different. This consideration unfolds an almost endles diversity of effect, to be observed and enjoyed by the mind which loves to investigate the varieties of which such prospects are susceptible. This double source of variety, sometimes occasioned by actual change of the principal object in the landscape, and sometimes only by a change of attendant circumstances, affords strong evidence that the Creator, in all his works, appears to delight in a profusion of that display of contrivance, skill, and diversity, which teaches the creature to adore his attribute of Omnipotence. But it does more: it leads to the contemplation of that which declares, that God is here!' The delight with which a Christian traces the finger of God, in the midst of a fine prospect, does not merely arise from the admiration of divine power and contrivance; nor from his own quick sense of beautiful and sublime imagery; nor from his deduction of cause and effect, which natural philosophy traces in the history of earth, air, fire, and water. He sees all this, it is true, and honours God in it. But he also. sees, that in the whole of this complexity of wonders, this harmony of created existence, there is a purpose of benevolence. The diversified joys of the landscape all concentrate in the joy of devotion. It is the love of God to man which fills the scenery with beauty and delight; it is the love of God which adapts the mind of man to this peculiar capacity of intellectual enjoyment. Whether the Christian's survey of nature partakes of the skill of the artist, the energy of the poet, the science of the philosopher-let his enjoyment arise from any or from all of these sources,—this is the crowning consideration, that these delights are given him of God, and are an evidence of God's love to him. This leads him to reflect on his own character as a fallen sinner, yet still the object of such incomprehensible mercy.

powerful emotions, he What is man, O Lord, son of man, that thou

"Under the impression of all these bursts forth into the pious reflection; that thou art thus mindful of him, or the so regardest him! Nor can he refrain from exclaiming-' O Lord our God, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!'"

We subjoin another reflection, as he surveyed the beautiful Lake of Windermere above the town of Bowness, where it first breaks upon the sight.

"Was Paradise more enchanting than this? Did the Lord put our first parents into a garden more exquisitely beautiful than that before me? Could the river, which watered the plains and valleys of Eden-could the ground, out of which grew every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food, present

a more lovely sight than this? That Paradise is vanished from mortal sight and possession; but through the Redeemer, a brighter and immortal Paradise is regained; and the believer may see it emblematically and substantially represented to him, in his spiritual enjoyment of such an earthly Paradise as the vale and mountains of Windermere."

As he passes through the church-yard of Bowness, towards the Lake, he remarks :—

"A country church-yard is ever an interesting object; but in such a situation as this, many new ideas are excited, which add greatly to contemplative affections. On entering it, I was immediately struck by seeing a newly-erected tomb-stone, at the east end of the church-yard, on which is inscribed the name of Richard Watson, late Bishop of Llandaff, who passed a large portion of the latter part of his life at a beautiful mansion on the banks of Windermere: he died, aged 81. It was near this very day twelvemonths that I held a conversation with him, as he sat in his carriage, at Ambleside."

Mr. Richmond, having received frequent invitations to visit Scotland, and being no less desirous himself of cultivating a personal intercourse with many valuable characters in that country, was induced, in the year 1818, to fulfil his long-meditated project. The introduction of the Jewish subject afforded a favourable opportunity; though it was to be expected that the sphere of exertion would be somewhat contracted to an Episcopalian pleader of that cause. We are in possession of very few notices of this first journey, beyond the accompanying letters; but we are furnished with more ample materials respecting a visit paid in 1820, to which we shall in due time direct the attention of the reader.

in

"My dear Mary,-The respect, regard, friendship, and affection with which both myself and my cause are received, in every place, by the religious people in Scotland, constitute a feature my life never to be forgotten. My whole mind is deeply busied in meditations upon the goodness and love of God. I can hardly expect to interest your mind in all the minutia of my hourly intercourse; but I believe your eyes would be often filled with tears of gratitude, if you saw and heard all which I see and hear.

"Delicate and difficult as the task is which I have to perform, as an Episcopal missionary in this Presbyterian land, I seem to have succeeded beyond hope; and I am laying the first

foundation of a building, in which, if Providence permit and spare me, I shall hereafter feel much interested, and the cause of God, I trust, be effectually promoted. But think not, my loved Mary, that amidst the bustle of missionary arrangements, conversations, speeches, and sermons; nor amidst the wonders and beauties of mountains, lakes, cascades, rocks, glens, plains, rivers, trosacks, and woods, I forget my dear, dear domestic circle at home. You are all unceasingly before my eyes; and the family group mingles with every scene I behold, and every undertaking wherein I am concerned; and often I see my dear wife anxiously and diligently pursuing the duties of her station, -smiling on the babe, or listening to the juvenile tales which a Catherine or a Legh may be able to read or to spell; or taking your walk, during this beautiful weather, in the fields. Or I see you on your knees, praying for grace to enable you to act with judgment in all things; and supplicating. mercies on your husband, as he journeys by land or by water. Our prayers meet. What a favour to enjoy health, safety, and comfort, in all my wanderings-to be permitted to see the cause of God flourishing in a foreign land, or rather, in so distant a part of our own!"

แ My wish is, that my loved and honoured wife may receive this on our wedding-day. If posts occasion a failure, let the will be accepted for the deed. My desire is to express to you on that day (an anniversary most dear to my heart) some little portion of that love and honour which I bear towards you, and to assure you, that a distance of four hundred miles, and a most active and unceasing train of business, impairs not, but rather enhances the feelings of my heart towards you and our dear children. Scenes indeed of a natural, moral, and spiritual character are passing here before me in striking succession, far beyond what I can express, but I trust they are ripening for domestic good, and I never felt more than now that great benefits to myself and to others are originating in my missionary excursions. God only knows what I have felt on my reception in Scotland, as connected with my tracts and sermons. I am surprised, gratified, and humbled.

"A leading feature in my late transactions has been derived from visits to Sunday and other schools, where, after hearing the children examined, I have addressed them. In every instance they have made juvenile collections for the Jewish childOn Sunday last I visited a school of two hundred children. It was the half yearly day for distributing reward books. The sixty most deserving scholars were to receive the Young

ren.

Cottager' as their reward. Three of them had already been blessed, some time ago, in hearing it read at school. I was requested to present each child with the tract, as they were successively brought up to me, in presence of about two hundred grown-up persons of all ranks. It was a most solemn

and affecting scene. The gentleman who manages the school offered up a most affecting thanksgiving for the good which had attended the distribution of my tracts throughout Scotland, and in his school in particular, and for the opportunity now afforded of introducing me personally to so many children, who had long loved me with all their hearts.' Immediately all the company and all the children sang a thanksgiving hymn. Then followed what affected me greatly. The children were drawn up in a triple semicircle, in the centre of which I stood. Each successful candidate successively stepped forward and received from my hand a 'Young Cottager,' and from my lips a short exhortation and blessing. Not an eye was dry, and my own with difficulty allowed me to go through the simple and interesting ceremony. One girl, who was two years since converted by God's blessing on the tract, as she approached me, was so affected, that she dropped on her knees and burst into tears.

"At another female school which I visited, there was a class of thirty dear little girls, all of five and six years old, who underwent the most interesting examination I ever witnessed. A monitor of eight years examined, and all the thirty little lambs replied at once in simple orderly expressions, as if but one had spoken; and thus also they repeated hymns, and at last united in singing one. They then grouped around the chair where I stood, and where I addressed about one hundred and eighty of all ages. The affectionate farewells which I have received from numerous classes of friends, accompanied by the most earnest entreaties that I will repeat my visits among them, affect me beyond any thing I have ever witnessed.

"6 Edinburgh, July 17, 1818."

"My dear Boy,-Were I to attempt to describe the beauties of the Highlands of Scotland to you, I should be much at a loss. Whether my subject were the grand mountains, with snow still on their tops; or the magnificent water-falls, amidst rocks, and glens, and woods; or the noble rivers and romantic brooks, winding through fruitful plains or hills; or the fine lakes, expanding their bosoms to the clouds, which they reflect from their surfaces;—whether I were to write from the splendid mansion and grounds of a Highland chief; or the lowly, smoke-dried

cottage of a Highland peasant;-whether the ruined castle or abbey, or the neat modern parish church were the subject of my description, I could say much, yet not enough. Here I am, amidst the unexampled and wild beauties of the Trosacks, on the banks of the Loch Katrine! There is the glen, down which Fitz-James hurried from the mountains, when he lost his way: there is the island of the Lady of the Lake, from whence she put forth her little skiff, at the sound of the echoing horn. There is the great mountain of Benvenu, springing up from the lake to the clouds: there is his brother Benan, with Benean, and Benhaum, and Benledi, and Benvoirlich, and Beneen, and many more lofty beins (mountains,) surrounding this most lovely lake. Here is the Goblin's Hole; and there the spot where the last of the couriers of Rhoderic Dhu was slain. In all the scene sublimity reigns; and above all, God reigns in it also."

My dear F

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--I was unspeakably gratified at Newcastle, in seeing two little girls, one of ten, the other of twelve, the spiritual fruits of my Young Cottager;' the latter of the two I had not seen before. I never before, except in the case of 'Little Jane' herself, saw so clear and so early an instance of decided grace, and of a truly enlightened mind: you would have thought her conversation equal to eighteen, at least. I apprehend that I have become acquainted with above thirty cases of decided usefulness in youth, from that tract, since I came into the North. Oh! what a mercy! In this, 'goodness indeed follows me.'

"My visit to Scotland has been marked by more affection and usefulness than any one I ever made: numerous public and private occurrences overwhelm me with gratitude. The Scottish scenery is of the very first class. Whatever is beautiful, whatever is grand, whatever is wild and romantic-all are to be found in almost unlimited variety of display. Noble rivers, lakes and waterfalls, picturesque hills and mountains, lovely land and sea views, fine towns and buildings-all speaking the goodness, power, and wisdom of God! The marks of affection, regard and esteem, with which I was received, far exceed what I have ever witnessed; and I have reason to believe much actual good has been done to many individuals, while I was there."

The following letters express his sentiments on the subject of Oratorios, on which he seems to have held a most decided opinion. No man was ever more truly fond of music than himself,