awful moment, the fond affection I have ever experienced for you, is still the leading feature in my character: every vibration of my heart is directed towards you, and a painful fear is awakened, that I am doomed to behold you no more, if the presentiment (which, in spite of every effort to subdue it, continues to pervade my mind) be accomplished: if I have seen you, my son, for the last time, let this short letter, speak as from the tomb; treasure up my parting advice, as the last, best legacy of unalienable affection. You are descended, I trust, nobly; yet, perhaps, you are destined to pass through life in obscurity, and fall at last, as I have unfortunately done, undistinguished, and almost unlamented, into oblivion. Yet reflect, that though you may be neglected in this world, the Almighty will not suffer your works to perish; and the "Recording Angel"

will write, in legible characters, every effort of self-denial and patience. I have learnt, my son, in the rigid school of misfortune, many a hard lesson, and am convinced that virtue and religion alone, can soften the hour of pain; can reconcile us to the near approach of death. Ah, let me conjure you, by the affection which has so long bound us to each other-by the sorrows which have been lightened by mutual partici pation by the miseries which, though ignorant of their source, you have so often soothed, never, whatever be your distress, to swerve from that strict line of integrity I have ever instructed you to pursue: let not the boundary between virtue and vice be once broken down; let not an inroad be made in your peace of mind.-Alas! every successive stage towards degradation will be found easier of descent, and you will ultimately fall "like stars, which

set

set to rise no more. Reflect also, that every resistance, which we make towards a vicious inclination, though painful in the beginning, is amply re warded by conscience, that never-failing monitor, whose voice cannot be silenced, without remorse. Let not the ardency of passion, the fervour of ima gination, the impetuosity of youth, mislead you. Call to your aid an excellent understanding, and your delighted fat ther will look down from happier regions, rejoicing to behold you accomplish the bright picture, which fond parental solicitude has so often pourtrayed. May God for ever bless and keep you, and may his goodness, which for wise purposes separates us on earth, reunite us in regions of unchangeable felicity. When you have time and opportunity, you will find, by examining my papers at Bamborough, that I have nothing to leave you but three poor hundred

pounds,

pounds, which will barely, with rigid economy, continue you in the University until you may be enabled to take orders. Yet, Lewisham, it is my all; it has been preserved for you with much labour, and is the wreck of better, happier days. One baneful planet has shed its hateful influence over my life; it opened on the morning of my days, it burst in horror on the splendour of my manhood, and has darkened, with unceasing gloom, the old age, which it prematured. O God! in bending to thy will, in raising my eyes to thy goodness, in lifting up my hands as an evening sacrifice, in prostrating my heart before thee, have I found consolation! And thou, my Lewisham, under the Omnipotent, wer't the irradiating star, which assisted in composing my mind and though you are not my real son, I flatter myself the ties of blood could add no increase of affection to that which

COVOL. I.

C

has

has ever subsisted between us.-Adieu then for ever! beloved child of my affection!-son of my choice!

66 LEWISHAM NETTERVILLE. "At Bamborough, inclosed with my will, you will find every document I could procure of your birth."

After many pauses, Lewisham con+ cluded this letter; a deep sigh, followed by a convulsive sob, agitated his bosom as he folded it, and, with trembling hands, placed it near his heart. The ardent spirit of true piety, which breathed through the whole of it, in fused itself insensibly into his breast, while his whole soul melted at the fond affection which had prompted the trembling hand to this last effort of sincere attachment. "Yes, my more than fa ther," exclaimed he; "thy precepts shall be the rule of my conduct; the remembrance of thy affection, the cordial balm which shall sweeten my existence !