the want of matter; and the tempory applause of the ignorant has been courted, instead of the lasting approbation of the discerning. But such importance can never maintain its ground long. Knowledge and science must furnish the materials that form the body and substance of any valuable composition. Rhetoric serves to add the polish, and we know that none but firm and solid bodies can be polished well.' "

Miss Patty possessed too much discernment to call in question the justness of the quotation. She acknowledged its propriety, though she looked a little chagrined at this first refutation of her opinions. She was, however, re-encouraged by her friend's remark, that her pages were fairly written. It never recurring to her mind that an author's great excellence often consists in knowing how to blot. "You will soon read it," said she, "as 'tis written tolerably well." "But," answered Miss Nichols, "if I am to act the part of a critic, I must digest its contents, and I am, if I may believe my father, more solid than quick in my comprehensions. I cannot be hurried in any of my mental occupations."

Miss Wilson called again on her friend in a few days, fully expecting that by that time the contents of her manuscript were digested; but Miss Nichols desired her to restrain her impatience, as she intended to convey her criticisms in writing, and should probably take a longer time in animadverting on the production than she had in its formation.

With this information Miss Patty was forced to depart, and the reader also must wait Miss Nichols's leisure before their curiosity, should they possess any upon this subject, will be gratified.

CHAP. VI.

ONE year was now elapsed since the settlement of the Wilson family in the village of S. During this time the learned rector had published the work mentioned in a former chapter. The learning and genius it evinced gained him celebrity, and procured for him the honourable title of Doctor. On this occasion congratulations from friends and relations poured in upon him in profusion, and his consequence seemed considerably heightened in every eye but his own. None were more sincere in their congratulations than his worthy house-keeper. She had lived in his family from his infancy, and with him ever since his residence in this village. She wanted only one circumstance to render her abode with him completely satisfactory, and this was more of her beloved master's society and conversation. After the morning devotions of the family, the breakfast hour always found him engaged either with a newspaper or some other periodical publication. Then followed a morning walk, preparatory to close study. A dumb-waiter was placed at dinner and supper, where she would gladly have placed herself; and even the half hour usually devoted to relaxation, while sipping tea, exhibited the scholar surrounded with pens, ink, and papers, which female officiousness durst not remove. One hour, however, in the day remained vacant, and was diligently improved by the vigilant domestic for

the

purpose of mentioning some occurrence in housekeeping concerns, or indulging herself in a few observations. This hour was the one immediately succeeding the dinner one; and when the doctor's foot

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step was heard pacing the room, or his person discovered in his garden, any might approach fearless of repulsive looks. The house-keeper generally preferred a tete-a-tete with her master within doors, because she conceived that walking by his side was too great a liberty, especially since his great exaltation; and her voice could not so well reach his ear while following him in the open air. Having, however, one afternoon something which she imagined of great importance to communicate, she dispensed with her usual wishes, and followed him as he walked into his garden, humming the only tune he ever acquired. Interrupted by her hasty step close at his heels, he turned his head. "A fine afternoon, Mrs. Jenkins." "Yes, Sir," she replied, "and I'm glad to see you are for taking the air; I'm sadly afraid you'll hurt your health by moping so much alone in doors." "I thank you for your consideration, Mrs. Jenkins," returned the doctor, "but I'm not in the least apprehensive of the evil you mention, since I possess that moral habit of the mind which is the best promoter of health." "What is that, Sir ?" questioned the house-keeper. "Cheerfulness, Mrs. Jenkins," answered her master. Having given this brief though explicit reply to the friendly observation of his domestic, the doctor walked on, while she busied herself with plucking a few weeds, which here and there presented themselves to view, catching the opportunities his passing and repassing afforded for discourse. "Have you heard the news, Sir," said she, “about what Mr. Nichols and Mr. Wilson are going to do ?” "Not a syllable," was the reply. "La, Sir! then 'tis high time you should," rejoined the news-informant, “that you may take steps to prevent them.”

men.

"I cannot suppose," said the doctor," that two such worthy characters can be going to engage in any work it will be my duty to hinder. Of what nature is their pursuit ?" "Neither more nor less, Sir," answered Mrs. Jenkins, "than going to alter our religion. They are going to build a meeting-house right over against the church.” "Your phrase, 'alter our religion' is incorrect," observed the doctor, "since all sectarians amongst us are christians." He then appeared lost in thought for a few minutes, while Mrs. Jenkins vented a torrent of abuses on the two gentle"We must not be illiberal in our strictures," resumed the doctor, "though I must own that after what I have heard advanced by Mr. Nichols, I am rather surprised at your intelligence" "According to my way of thinking," said the house-keeper, "there is only one true church in the world." "What do you understand by the word church, Mrs. Jenkins ?" questioned the doctor. "Why the parish church to be sure, Sir," answered she, "with a tower, or a steeple, and bells, and regular prayers, and ministers made by the Bishop." "Your definition again is incorrect," observed the doctor, "since in that case a church must depend on local circumstances, whereas the church of Christ is universal. Our nineteenth article defines it better. It says, the church is a congregation of faithful men, in which the pure word of God is preached, and the sacraments duly administered.' And although another article says, the church hath power to decree rites and ceremonies, so far as they are not contrary to God's written word,' yet another declares, it is not necessary that traditions and ceremonies be in all places one and alike.' It follows, then, by a parity of reasoning," continued

the doctor," that a congregation of faithful men, under any form they may chuse to assemble, forms a 'part of Christ's universal church; and as such is entitled to our respect and toleration."

Mrs. Jenkins's countenance wore evident marks of impatience. She lost sight of her usual distant respectfulness, and, walking by her master's side, she flourished her handful of weeds, while she exclaimed, "You'll have an empty church, Sir; I know what it is to get dissenters into a parish. They'll corrupt the hearts of all the poor people. I question if honest James himself won't go to this meeting." The last sentence impressed the doctor most. "Do you think So, Mrs. Jenkins ?" said he, "I should not like to lose honest James." So saying the doctor walked into his house, and disappointed his domestic of the opportunity for more declamation.

Though Mrs. Jenkins's intelligence had not excited feelings of resentment and opposition, which she desired, it excited other sensations more worthy of a place in the breast of a christian minister. He felt deeply concerned on account of his apparent uselessness in the ministry, scrutinised into the reasons, and at length formed a resolution to abandon a profession which emolument alone could recommend. Previous to making his intentions public, he sought an interview with Mr. Nichols, whose judgment he wished to avail himself of respecting the best time for his retirement.

The doctor found Mr. Nichols and his daughter engaged in reading a letter. He would have retired, but Mr. Nichols, with his usual urbanity of manners, desired him to be seated. 66 "This letter," said he, "has been perused three times already; its contents