self, but it developed the character of Mon. Villejuive. As he was a considerable scholar, a great agriculturist, and a very religious man, this letter, written to his relation, gave a fine picture of the internal workings of Mon. Villejuive's mind. It was deposited with Baillie Ilan Dou, and all who were privy to its contents were enjoined a strict silence, not even to mention it to Colin or his sister.

CHAPTER XII.

Some readers may perhaps be pleased with these minute circumstances, in relating of which we follow the example of Plutarch, one of the best of our brother historians; and others, to whom they may appear trivial, will, we hope, at least, pardon them; as we are never prolix on such occasions.

FIELDING.

OUR history here goes back some time to inform our readers, that the manse was the meridian of friendship, and Mrs. Thornhill could distinctly perceive how much the presence of Levingstone contributed to dispel the grief of Ellen; and this good woman thought there was some other ingredient in their hearts besides esteem, friendship, and gratitude. She saw that the engaging and noble figure of Levingstone was calculated to inspire any

lady with a favourable opinion of him; and she inferred, if he persisted in his assiduities, the soul of Ellen would be open to the impressions of a new affection, and his first addresses would succeed in determining the irresolution of Ellen's soul; and Ellen, the sorrowgleaning Ellen, would paint to herself the charms of love, the delights of marriage, and the happiness of a young mother!

Mrs. Thornhill knew well that uneasiness and inconstancy are, in the greatest part of mankind, nothing more than the consequences of a false calculation. She could perceive that it was but little trouble to an eloquent man like Levingstone to give love and marriage a thousand charms, that with all his care of pleasing, with every new homage, and the pleasure of incessant variety, the imagination of Ellen, deceived by illusions, and dazzled

by chimeras, might wander from object to object, till, dissatisfied with realities, and disgusted with the unalterable sameness of human existence, it might riot in the intoxication of enchantment, and seek to be ravished only with the fiery violence of passion and voluptuousness.

Mrs. Thornhill, we say, fancied Miss Ellen could be guilty of this, but she was deceived; and was happy to find her task, that of a silent observer. of the steady and solid temper of Le vingstone, who proposed to himself, in order to make Ellen happy, to begin by being her friend; persuaded that an honest man does whatever he pleases with a well-disposed woman, when he has gained her confidence; and that a lover, who makes himself dreaded, invites his mistress to deceive him, and authorises her to hate him.

Ellen found in Levingstone only that

VOL. II.

K

lively and tender friendship, that attentive and constant complaisance, that soft and pure pleasure, that affection, in short, which has neither its hot nor its cold fits, its ebbings nor its overflowings; and she repaid his tender, faithful, fond attachment, by an es teem and keen sensibility of soul, which were powerfully calculated to make Levingstone exceedingly fonder of her, and to inspire him with all the charms of constancy, which on its part might keep Ellen from reproaches and mysterious jealousy, and himself from dissipated coquetry.

In their walks, they frequently met and conversed with the old man, Carr, whom we have just mentioned in conjunction with the roving sailor. Carr, meeting Levingstone one day alone, communicated, for the information of the minister, certain facts he wished to gain some knowledge of. These respected the mysterious departure of