"Reverend Sir,-The copy of your book, entitled 'Annals of the Poor,' was according to your desire, presented to his Imperial Majesty, the Emperor Alexander, by me, together with your letter, and accepted by his Majesty, with the greatest satisfaction. The object of this volume, the promotion of Christian charity and truly religious sentiments, renders it most interesting and valuable in the eyes of the Emperor, who desires nothing so much as to see the principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ our Saviour, more and more universal in his dominions, and in the whole world. "On this occasion, his Imperial Majesty recollected also having made your acquaintance in Portsmouth, under the circumstances you describe in your letter. "In consequence of all this, his Majesty ordered me to deposit your book in the library of the Imperial Humane Society, and to send the ring which accompanies this letter, as a mark of his true esteem for you, and high approbation of your work. "It is very agreeable to me, in thus fulfilling the order of my sovereign, to assure you of the sincere esteem with which I have the honour to be-Your most obedient servant, "PRINCE ALexander GaLITZIN. "St. Petersburgh, 14th Jan. 1817.” Mr. Richmond also presented a copy of his "Young Cottager" to Princess Sophia Metstchersky, who first translated the tract of the Dairyman's Daughter into the Russian language. This noble lady's time and influence are consecrated to the cause of religion, and many instances are recorded of her usefulness. May her distinguished example inspire a like zeal in others of the same elevated rank; and may the time soon arrive, when the crown and the coronet shall universally be laid at the foot of the cross of the Redeemer ! He received from her Highness the following answer:— "Reverend Sir,—I have been hesitating for some days if I should stop to answer you till Mr. Pinkerton would be here, in hope that he would help me to express my gratitude for your kind letter and valuable present in proper time; but I am afraid it will be too long, and you will perhaps suppose me indifferent and ungrateful, so I venture to send you my bad English without correction. "Remember, dear Sir, that I am but a scholar, a very new one, and quite unfit to correspond with such a man as you, though my soul is capable of loving you as a brother and friend in Christ Jesus, and of admiring you as a chosen servant of his, a vessel unto honour, sanctified and meet for the Master's use, and for the edification and comfort of his children. Yes, Sir, I hope I am united to you in one body and soul, which is Christ Jesus the Saviour; and I say, with 'Little Jane,' that I am happy to be even the smallest and lowest of all his members. How much I delighted in reading this narrative; how wonderful the grace of our Lord! how happy the country where children are brought up in the fear of God, and taught so young to love and serve the Saviour; what an eminent Christian--so young a child! But this is neither to be taught nor learnt. He alone can give it, who is love itself, and who purchased us to himself by shedding his precious blood for us. Oh, Sir! you do not know perhaps, to what an unworthy being you wrote. I have passed all my life in the ignorance of Him who died for me, without love to Him who loved me first, and sought me out, when I hastened to my ruin in a life of enmity to my God. He sought me out, and mercifully sent His servant Pinkerton to open my eyes and my ears by the power of His word, so that I plainly see now what a sinful wicked creature I am; what a gracious, merciful God to offend! and how kind, and always ready and willing to receive us, our Saviour Jesus Christ is, and always will be! How good He was to me, sending such a meek, patient, loving soul, as the worthy Mr. Pinkerton proved to be during his living in my family. What a life of disgust it must have been to a man of his distinguished merit, to bear with the caprices and wickedness of a spoiled, ignorant, and proud woman; but charity seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, beareth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things: charity never faileth: I have had an evident proof of it in my dear friend and instructor. But I must stop, and ask to be forgiven for having written so much: my heart opens at the voice of a friend, and then I speak out of the fulness of it. Excuse me, then, Sir, for intruding so much upon your time. Pray for that I may come in faith and grace to the happy day, in which I shall be enabled to join with you in joyful hallelujahs and eternal praises of our heavenly Father and divine Saviour. Oh, may his peace always be with you! Receive with indulgence, dear Sir, my hearty thanks; and in the assurance of the sincere esteem and high regard with which I am-Your much obliged and obedient, "P. SOPHIA METSTCHERSKY." me, * Mr. (now Dr.) Pinkerton, was entrusted with the education of the distinguished lady's children. The letters to Mrs. Livius, which are next inserted, were written about this period, and the editor cannot recur to them without feelings of the liveliest emotion. They allude to an excellent and highly valued character, the late G. Livius, Esq., who is endeared to the writer by recollections which time cannot impair-which live not only in the memory, but in the heart. He once knew the world, but had long left it in pursuit of a better. He was the well-known Gaius* of the county where he lived-the lover of good men, of whatever name or title: he was purified in the furnace of affliction; but his trials are now terminated, and his sun shines bright and unclouded through an endless eternity.† The editor trusts he shall be pardoned for this short indulgence of awakened feeling towards one who was his father-inlaw,-loved in life, and lamented in death. "Nov. 15, 1816. My dear Madam,-Permit me to exercise the Christian privilege of at once condoling and consoling. Often have I felt with and for you, as it has long respected your departed son; yet I doubt not, every pang of his, and every grief, have alike had their allotted embassy, and that a message of mercy to both. The valley of tears is strewed with rocks and thorns, and the pathway often lies through deep waters; yet the rocks are placed there by him who is emphatically the Rock; the thorn of care is not unaccompanied by the Rose of Sharon; and in the deep waters God has promised to deliver. If this valley be a wilderness, it is one through which his people are journeying, and in the midst of its darkest shades they fear no evil, for He is with them; his rod and staff are their support and consolation. Is it not so, my honoured friend? That you and I may ever prove it, is the sincere prayer of my dear wife and of-Your affectionate Friend "LEGH RICHMOND." * A name given to him, expressive of his hospitality. St. Paul alludes to Gaius, as the host by whom he was entertained. Romans xvi. 23. †The following anecdote deserves to be preserved, relating to this gentleman. He was formerly resident in India, where he held an important office, in the time of Warren Hastings. Being some time after requested by Mr. Burke, who conducted the celebrated impeachment, to furnish him with some fresh charges, of which it was known that Mr. Livius was in possession, the latter inquired what number he already intended to prefer? "We have now," replied Mr. Burke, 66 twenty-seven charges against him." "Then," said Mr. Livius, "I will not add one more to the number, for you have twenty too many." "Nov. 23, 1816. "My dear Madam,-Allow me once more to express the friendly solicitude which I feel for you and my honoured friend Mr. Livius, under your recent and present trial.* His strength and spirits would not admit of my saying all which my heart dictated when I saw him yesterday. I wish him to know how much I have valued his friendship, and how grateful I feel for a series of hospitality and kindness of no ordinary character, for a period of now near eleven years. I wish him to know that I have ever been a sympathising observer of his bodily sufferings; and have entertained a cordial esteem and regard for his many amiable and excellent qualities of head and heart. "The confidential intercourse with which, at various periods, he has been pleased to favour me, cannot be obliterated from my recollection, nor effaced from my affections. It is my heart's prayer that his consolations may be neither few nor small;' that the peace of God may be his resting-pillow, and that God will make his bed in all his sickness.' Not one affliction has ever befallen him beyond what his heavenly Father designed for his present and eternal good. Wisdom, mercy, power and faithfulness, have guided all. May each of his children be blessed with a heart taught by the same spirit who hath taught him and you to look to the Strong One for help; and may they be effectually preserved from the snares and delusions of this present evil world. "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." "Dec. 18, 1816. My very dear Friend,—It is fit that the same moment which brings me the long-expected, yet afflicting tidings of my muchloved 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 has 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 * The death of one of their sons, and the dangerous illness of Mr. Livius, on, its stream is gradually absorbed in eternity. Our years roll 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 about this 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, 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, May He weave thee a garland on this nuptial morn, May his true wedding-robe, which he purchased with blood, May my child and her partner, in holy connexion, 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, Peace be with you, my children! I speak without guile, |