CHAPTER XIII.

THE MUSE RECALLED-A SON GIVEN-TWO BROTHERS WITHDRAWN.

In the summer of this year, we find a poem, too long for complete insertion, a portion of which shall be presented. We cannot fail to remark, that, however she delighted in inviting her friends to ascend Benarty, and however zealously she toiled to the rugged summit of Dumglow, however she rejoiced, from these airy heights, to explore the Grampians on the horizonline, or the lofty Lomonds, with the placid Loch Leven sleeping at their feet, with its isle and its ruin, fraught with recollections of the unhappy Mary Stuart,-and however much she was familiarized to those scenes which had become associated with many of her heart's best sentiments,—yet, if the muse was to be recalled, if the spirit of poetry was to be evoked, it was to Tweed's familiar shore,' to the genius of her father, and the realm of imagination dedicated in the hours and scenes of childhood, that her spirit turned.

Full many a toilsome day has past,
And many a cloud my sky o'ercast,

Since those bright hours went by ;

When, listening, nature's voice was mute,
And echo heard the breathing lute,
And murmured in reply.

Yet, 'mid the tasks that life engage,
The cares that wait on riper age,

And time and spirit fill,

Back to the past my feelings tend,

And thou, the muse, my childhood's friend,
I fondly love thee still.

At the close of this year, she was again expecting to add another member to the large family on earth. Solemn are the sentiments which press on the heart

of a christian parent at such a prospect.

Yesterday that child was nothing; but when will it cease to be? Never! Immortality is written upon it, and the inscription is indelible, for it was traced by the finger of God. The mind has but begun its play; its instincts and its faculties but now move with incipient life. Even dull and worthless matter is of older date. 66 "Of old didst thou lay the foundations of the earth." Ages of its history had passed before it was said of him, "A child is born unto the world." History will continue its annals, matter its combinations, the heavens their course; but he shall survive them all.'

With such thoughts of the birth of an immortal being, she besought the aid of supplication for her increasing objects of solicitude, on the part of her friend; at the same time, steadily considering the probability that this period might form the termination of her pilgrimage.

To her friend near London.

'Dec. 28, 1838.-I commit you to the tender mercy of Him who never forsakes his own, believing that he will surely order all things concerning you for good. Ah! how much I should value one hour's converse with you, ere my hour of trial comes. I feel as if it would tend to strengthen my faith and courage, and be unspeakably refreshing. But you would refer me to the only quarter, "whence cometh my help," and tell me to give greater diligence to seek it there. I have been trying to look straight to Him, and to keep in their own place those subordinate and human helps, to which my heart is so prone to * Rev. R. Watson.

cling. These are precious, and oh, how essential to our weakness! but it is He who gives them; they are but an expression of his love,-a love which is unfathomable and unwearied, and which will support to the uttermost those who are stayed on it. I wish I could realize it more; keenly alive, as we are, to the affection of friends, to a look or word of kindness, or to one act of self-denying love from them, how is it that the love of God in Christ is so slow to win its way to our souls? It is expressed in all that is around us, even in vexation, anxiety, sickness, or pain, which are sure tokens that He does not forget us, but deals with us as with sons. And would it not make these things easy to endure, could we, at the time of suffering them, view them in connexion with that love, ever strengthening our minds by the remembrance of Him who endured all kinds of trials in their heaviest forms, because he loved us? It is ease and rest indeed to cast our burden upon Him, and never does he refuse to bear it for us. I hope, dearest F., that you are praying for me, and that you will do so yet more and more. Remember, as my ties to life multiply, I have more need for your prayers on my own behalf and theirs. Have you not prayed often for my dear little Mary, that she may be a lamb of the fold, precious in the sight of the tender Shepherd ? And will you not abound in supplications for all of us, that we may be thoroughly washed, and made meet for the land where all is purity, and nothing that is unholy can enter? Now, dearest F., farewell. Whether life or death be appointed, may we soon meet where there is no parting, and no sin!'

Diary.-Dec. 1838.-I have the near prospect of

being mother of a second babe. I pray for grace to bear my trial as a child of God, in patience and willingness to suffer according to his will. I was rebellious the last time, and bore the pain, not because God sent it, but because I could not escape it. May it be different now!

'His love in time past forbids me to think,

He'll leave me at last in peril to sink.'

"When I pass through the waters, He will be with me." His exceeding great and precious promises encourage me to hope and enable me to cling, though weaker than a child, to the cross, which rises, as my prop and stay, amid these deep waters. If it should be the will of God that these should prove for me the waters of the Jordan, still he has said, "I will never leave nor forsake thee." Often my faithless heart has forsaken Him-been occupied with creature affections, with worldly cares, or with the too engrossing pleasures of imagination, or sloth has prevailed and made me forget that the time is short wherein I may do my Master's work. I have but a life of leaves with very little fruit, and yet my Saviour would willingly work in me the same fair fruits that have adorned his most favoured children. Shall he have to say to me," and thou wouldst not?" Beloved Saviour, I entreat thee to mould my spirit as entirely to thy pleasure as thou didst my frame at first. Let me feel thee near, and be thou to me the chief among ten thousand. When I see thee face to face, I shall love thee as I ought, and rejoice, being satisfied with thy likeness. Till then, oh! for a more prayerful spirit, and more zeal to work-more grace in my heart, to hallow my converse with'