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freely offered to the youth of Corsica, may be reserved for the unpretending hero of my little tale.

Who can avoid drawing the contrast? What youth can hesitate which part he would choose, whether the earthly career, the honour, the glory, the life, the death, the eternity of Napoleon Bonaparte, or of young Edward, the humble disciple of St. Helena?

But I have digressed. My path wound over Halley's Mount into a rich and beautiful valley below. Here English cottages, huts, gardens, well cultivated fields and green pastures, variegated the amphitheatre which was formed by the adjacent hills. As I walked slowly on, I was hailed from the door of an humble cottage, and recognised in the call the voice of our young friend. He had stopped on his way to converse with a poor woman on the one great concern. He joined my company,

and conducted me onward towards the habitation of his kind mistress. Half an hour's walk now brought us to the gate that opened into her plantation. Instead of raising the latch, as I expected, he suddenly stopped, and, after a momentary silence, modestly said, "This, sir, is the gate which opens into the fields of my good mistress. I never enter it without stopping, and beseeching God to bless the kind lady." Struck with the pious grati

tude implied in this singular proposition, I scarcely. knew what to reply, but was ready to unite with him in his accustomed petitions. He accordingly inclined his head on the gate-in which he was imitated by his unworthy companion-and poured out the overflowings of a grateful heart in the humble, honest strains of untutored eloquence. He prayed that health and prosperity might attend her in all her ways; that her fields might be fruitful, and her flocks increase; that plenty might smile on her in this world; but, above all, that her soul might be filled with all good here, and be crowned with glory in the world to come. In the most simple and unaffected language, he paid a tribute of thanks to the Parent of all our mercies, for the support, protection, counsel, and instruction which that good lady afforded him; and he closed by commending her and hers, himself and his present companion, to the care of a kind and ever-watchful Providence.

Passing over a high grazing land, one part of which was covered with a beautiful grove of firs, we soon descended toward the house of Miss MIt was situated on the side of the hill, surrounded by a yard and garden of trees, shrubbery and various species of vegetation; and adjacent to which, were well cultivated fields, orchards,

vineyards and pastures. We had come by a cross path, which had brought us to the back gate of the enclosure, near the kitchen. As I was about to open the gate, he stopped as he had done before and said, "Pardon me, sir, in this thing, but it is my habit here again to implore a blessing on my mistress." He accordingly again offered up a short and simple petition for the divine blessing on the lady of the house, on her household, and on all who should ever dwell on these premises.

As we came near the door of the kitchen, (which formed the end of a long wing of the house,) he asked me if I would call on Miss M——— immediately, or accompany him to his room. Desirous of seeing more of my humble, but truly interesting friend, and the hour being early, I chose the latter.

We ascended a narrow flight of steps, which led to his " upper chamber." Humble as it was it displayed the air of christian neatness and comfort. A narrow bed, with linen white and clean; a chair, a stool, a wooden chest; a table covered with a neat, white cloth, on which stood a cup of coffee and his simple breakfast; a Bible and hymn book, which bore the marks of every day use, and an old book much mutilated and worn, which I found to be Baxter's Saints' Rest;

composed the furniture of the room, and the whole wealth of its occupant.

We talked; we read; he sung one of his favourite songs of Zion; we prayed. I never felt so near the verge of heaven. There was something in this atmosphere,―something in this consecrated spot, which bespoke its proximity to that world of spirits, where the just are made perfect. Happy, happy youth, thought I, though humble, thou shalt be exalted above princes; though poor, thou hast a treasure, which the wealth of ten thousand worlds cannot buy. Happy, thrice happy, that youth, who, like pious Edward, chooses that better part which shall never be taken from him.

On descending the rude steps that led down from the privileged abode of this child of Heaven, I felt I was descending from the top of Pisgah, whence I had caught a glimpse of the promised land. I then called on Miss M- who received me with true Christian cordiality, and with the familiarity of old friendship. Her house, herself, and all about her, bespoke that elegance, neatness, and simplicity I had expected to see from the report which I had heard of her. For the memorial of her "prayers and alms" is engraved on the tablet of many a grateful heart, and written, too,

I doubt not, in heaven. Hers was piety in the higher walks of life, but so unaffected, so simple, and accompanied with such an air of sincerity as to make it appear the more admirable and lovely. After half an hour's conversation on things pertaining to the business and honour of our Lord and Master, a well known signal summoned the household to their morning devotions, which had been deferred in the expectation of my visit.

A Bible, a hymn book and a prayer book, were lying on the table, around which we were sitting I read a chapter from the New Testament, and led their devotions. I know not when I was ever more happily impressed with the oneness of God's children. Though the representatives of different nations, assembled as strangers from widely distant portions of the earth, and accustomed to different forms of worship, we were one in language, one in feeling, one in devotion.

We parted, soon after, with feelings of mutual regret. Young Edward accompanied me on my way to the harbour as far as the brow of the almost perpendicular hill, which overlooks the charming valley of Jamestown, where we finally separated, to meet, we hope, in heaven. Our ship soon left the island, and we made a pleasant voyage to the United States.

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