Ellen and Mrs. Thornhill dropt a tear at the words, "the letter will be relieved, and an answer sent back by some of my comrades;" and the last sentence of the letter drew from Augustus an observation of sympathy for the good dominie, that endeared Fergus Maclean to his father, in spite of the rash youth's heedlessness.

"I have seen," said Augustus, "men who had become familiar with balls, drop a tear even when cheering on the beach, as they embarked for foreign service."

"Yes!" rejoined Major Mackay, who was present with them; "men whom I have frequently had opportunities of witnessing firm as the oak and intrepid beyond conception, when the duty of their king and country called for firmness of soul for any trial, -yes! these very men in the ranks value their honour; it is the sweetest

reward of all their toils;-yes! men whom danger and misfortune, the thunder of guns, and the crash of the charge only make bold beyond human courage, will drop a tear at leaving their native shore, but they will not be seen sad; they will not show their enemies that they know what the sympathies of friendship are ;-yes! these men think it not alone sufficient to be brave, to conquer, because they are severe observers of discipline; they will be amicable and regular among their fellow-soldiers; they will be beloved; they will have the confidence of men of truth in each other in the day of battle; and they will have the esteem of their officers: and, Mr. Maclean, your son may not be a whit the less brave that he gives relief to his feelings."

But there was a great part of young

Maclean's letter written in the name of one of his fellow-soldiers, to the dominie, who had paid much attention to this brave man's father in sickness, ́on his death-bed; and finally officiated at the funeral of old James Grahame, both as a friend and a Christian.

The company had by this discourse been interrupted, but the minister requested silence, and went on with the second P. S. which began thus: "I write as Jamie Grahame dictates to me, father."

"Jamie Grahame!" cried the dominie; " aye, I'll warrant him

Grahamius mirabilis fortissimus Alcides,
Cujus Regi fuerat intemerata fides:"

and before the minister could obtain silence a second time, the dominie finished these two verses:

Agiles monticolas Marte inspiravit,

Et duplicatum numerum hostium profligavit.”

"MR. MACLEAN,

Dear Sir,

sorrow.

As you

I received your two let-. ters relating to my late father; your first letter I read with heartfelt sorrow, but your last I read with increasing. desired me to write, I did so instantly, and I am a little surprised that there was no such thing as. a letter sent to me before this time by: my step-mother. Dear sir, it grieves. me very much to think that I did not deserve a letter from any one but you,. when there was such trouble at home, and a' his nearest relations, and dearest friends to be far from my loving an' honoured father; but it shows there. was little respect paid to this quarter, when he was on his death-bed. I must lay past these reflections at present. Permit me to say, sir, that the great regard you always had towards me will

not die away as many a thing has done. I am very much comforted to learn by your letter, that my late father died in full hopes of immortality, and of the same turn of mind with an eminent divine of the church of Scotland. This must give me great comfort in my severe loss and affliction. My little brother, and my poor fatherless and motherless little sister, (God be their father till Jamie Grahame come home again, and mine,) we are all greatly obligated to you, Mr. Maclean, for your great attention to our late father in his distress and death. O! sir, tell and thank the minister for a poor sodger, for a' the great kindness he showed my dying father; and O1 sir,

if

you would keep little Davie, my brother, at your school, I will save some of my pay, and send it home to pay you for his schooling. And if the dear lady at the manse would take my