"May you, my dear friend, be upheld by a Saviour's power and love, to fulfil every arduous task which his wisdom assigns you. Forgive this intrusion, solely prompted by grateful friendship. Accept our united assurances of love for you and yours.

'My very dear Friend,

"Dec. 18, 1816.

"It is fit that the same moment which brings me the long-expected, yet afflicting tidings of my much-loved friend's departure from this vale of tears, should dictate a few sympathetic lines to his dear relict. Your mind has long waited this event, with Christian resignation. May the Spirit of power and peace bless his own preparation, now that the hour of trial is arrived! You have the

prayers of many friends to mingle with your own. These, in God's sight, are riches. May you enjoy them spiritually and eternally. Tribulation worketh patience; patience, experience; experience, hope;' hope thou therefore in God. Time is swiftly passing away, and its stream is gradually absorbed in eternity. Our years roll on, and we shall soon be there; and there we shall meet those who have loved Christ, and loved us. There, dear madam, in the bosom of your Saviour and God, you shall meet your dear husband. Till then, may faith, hope, peace, tranquillity, and love, gild your horizon, like resplendent clouds

round the setting sun, prophetic of a bright approaching morning. Christ has bequeathed his peace to you; take it as his legacy, and use it to his glory. Mrs. Richmond unites in affectionate regards to you and all yours, under this present trial, with

"Your affectionate friend,

LEGH RICHMOND."

We close the chapter with a pleasing little poetical effusion, written by Mr. Richmond, about the same time :

A WIDOWED MOTHER'S ADDRESS TO HER DAUGHTER, ON THE DAY OF HER MARRIAGE.

SAY, why should my bosom thus heave with a sigh,
And the tear of affection now start from my eye?

Forgive me, my child, whom my soul holds so dear;-
You've a smile from my heart, though my eye drops a tear!

This sigh is the tribute of tenderest love,

And I trust shall be heard in the mansions above;

For it breathes a warm prayer to the bridegroom of heaven,
That to thee, now a bride, his best blessing be given.

May He weave thee a garland on this nuptial morn,
With the roses of Sharon thy brows to adorn ;
With the ring of his love, may he claim thee for his,
And pronounce thee "joint heir" of his heavenly bliss.

May his true wedding robe, which he purchased with blood,

Be thy portion, my daughter, by Jesus bestowed;
By his grace freely pardoned, and cleansed from all sin,

Be thou spotless without, and all glorious within.

May my child and her partner, in holy connection,
Be united, through grace, by true Christian affection;
May the wife prove a sister, the husband a brother,
And each find a help in the faith of the other.

Thus thy marriage on earth a sweet emblem shall be,
Of a far brighter union provided for thee;
And then, the few days of thy pilgrimage past,
Thy Saviour will own Thee his spouse at the last.

Peace be with you, my children! I speak without guile,
I began with a tear, but I end with a smile;
"Tis my hope that your happiness nothing shall cloy,
And the heart of the widow shall sing with new joy!

CHAPTER XII.

Letters-Poetry-Description of Lake scenery-Brief account of his first tour to Scotland-His sentiments on Oratorios-Tribute to the memory of his mother, &c.

It was usual with Mr. Richmond to mark with peculiar solemnity the birth-days of himself and all his family. These he kept as a kind of religious festival;-writing letters to the different members of his family, and preaching to his parishioners on an appropriate subject. The following letter he wrote to his mother on one of these occasions.

"The return of this day demands a return of affectionate regards to God, the author of my being, and to you, the instrument employed by him to convey life and existence to my unworthy self. Often do I reflect with love and gratitude on your kindness and watchful care over me, from

infancy to the present moment. Your qualities of heart and head cannot be forgotten, any more than the name of parent;-a title consecrated by every principle, divine and human. This being my birth day, I propose to preach on Psalm cxxxix. verses 14-18. How suitable for such a meditation! What a miracle is the life of man, viewed naturally, spiritually, and eternally! How incomprehensible, from the first to last! from conception to the cradle,-from the cradle to the grave, from the grave to the resurrection,-from the resurrection through eternity! Then to consider the endless variety of frames, providences, events, souls, bodies, and spirits! Sometimes when I meditate on futurity, I am lost in inexplicable thought: I then see the importance of the mind's retiring into the consolations of the past and the present, as they arise from the revealed plan of salvation; and through that medium, even eternity assumes a solid and hopeful aspect.

"If ever I felt it more than ordinarily due to a valued parent to express my gratitude, it is at a time when she has so kindly and so considerately met the peculiar circumstances of difficulty, in which a variety of events have conspired to place me. Between my last and present birth-day, many sorrows, many shocks to feeling, many heavy expenses have occurred; my heart has been tried to the utmost: but your affectionate