tation may be justified from the writings of Swift, Smollett, Sterne, and Fielding alone; and yet their works are the standard novels,' and their names are in highest reputation with the world!

"It is no atonement for these writers, that they occasionally throw out some good moral sentiments-that they satirize certain vices which are unfashionable-and that they sometimes make the catastrophe speak on the side of virtue. When one vice is condemned to patronize another; when a moral maxim is pinned on to a licentious picture; when a fable, composed of intrigue and wickedness, terminates in a cold allusion to virtue;-virtue and morality are only scandalized and betrayed they are only made a slight covering to the pitfalls of vice!

"Nor is it any apology that these writers draw from life. This has been urged in their favour, with a tone of great assumption; but, as Dr. Johnson has well observed, there are characters and scenes in life that ought never to be drawn. What it is unnecessary and improper for

us to see, or hear, or know, it is improper for the novelist to describe. Who would be a voluntary listener to the lewdness, the curses, and imprecations of bacchanalian orgies? Who would think of allowing himself to behold the abominations committed in the resorts of debauchery? Yea, who would choose to witness those innocent expressions of love and tenderness, which can never be proper in the presence of a third person? And yet it is not thought improper to make the novel reader present to all these by description! Thus it is that the hearts of many are polluted in the retirement of a chamber; and characters and scenes are made familiar to the mind, which, if at all known, ought never to have been dwelt upon.

"But I have said enough-enough to explain my opinions to you; the rest I leave with yourself. I am going to spend this evening with the excellent Mr. Charles, the friend of the Bible Society. I have already been a few hours in his company, and meant to give you a full account of the interview; but I have expended all my

time. A worthy veteran minister, named Evans, was of the party. He is ninetytwo years old, and has been fifty in the ministry! He is tall, has a reverend aspect, with fine grey locks resting on his shoulders. His manners are most simple; he seems indifferent to the things of this life; and is most calm and heavenly in his conversation. I have been quite delighted with him, and he is evidently interested in me. On his leaving the room, he unexpectedly put his hand on my head, and blessed me, charging me to be steadfast in the faith, even unto death. You will hardly conceive what I felt.

"I cannot allow you to be so severe on Mr. Banks. He has a little pedantry, and repulsive manners; but he is a worthy young man; and there is a steadiness of principle and real piety about him, which should commend him to you. Let us look rather to character than to accompaniments, A man

" May smile, and smile, and be a villain still;'

or he may have uncouth habits, and a re

served, cold aspect, and yet have a warm heart and good principles. We must not throw away gold because it is in the ore; nor value tinsel because it glitters. All are not as they seem.' May we ever appear what we are, and be what we ought to be!

Your's, my dearest friend,

"Most affectionately,

"JAMES DOUGLAS."

"N.B. My best regards to all. I am concerned for the fate of the Society. When I shall see you, I cannot yet say; till I do, rest assured of my most earnest prayers."

CHAPTER XIII.

SUCH a letter, from a friend so truly beloved, it will readily be believed, made a strong impression on the susceptible mind of Lefevre. He sat silent for some time, ruminating on its contents; and then springing from his chair, he exclaimed

Yes, I am wrong-I am wrong! and Douglas is right, and Mr. Russell is right! --I'll alter—and I'll alter now." And immediately resuming his seat, he began to write some determinations for the government of his conduct.

It was well to resolve on an alteration; better still to do it immediately; and the resolutions themselves were excellent.Yet it must be acknowledged, that excellent as the determinations were in their own nature, there was something in the spirit of forming them rather too hasty; rather too self-confiding. They seemed to shew a mind more disposed to resist