honor of families, of public and private fidelity, of marital authority, of necessary subordination, of reciprocal affection, of respectful love, of domestic modesty, of the sanctity of duty, lastly, of chastity, the sole protection of mutual faith in marriage, the only faithful depository of the nobility of race, and the purity of blood, and which alone even succeeds in religiously preserving the traces thereof? to Do there yet remain among us many of those families worthy of respect who offer the public esteem the austere probity and the morals of ancient days? Are there yet many of those fathers and mothers whose whole thought was to transmit to their sons as a sacred deposit, in a serious education, the triple heritage of honor, antique virtue and religion, received and maintained from generation to generation with inviolable fidelity? even the gold which is the symbol of the temporal prosperity which she asks of the Lord for those whom she unites. No: the church refuses her blessing to nothing that is useful, desirable and without sin. But in the midst of these things, she has lofty thoughts and serious sentiments, and she wishes that there should be blended with the pomp of the day, a religious remembrance of the great obligations she imposes. Thus, whether it be a pastor, venerated for his age and virtues, or the youngest of her priests whom she employs for this august ministry, it is always the man of solitude and prayer, the man of priestly chastity, the man of God, essentially a stranger to the world and its alliances, and thereby the more capable of blessing them. What is there in the power of human legislators that can replace all this? Shall we It is for these grave motives that the oppose to this picture of marriage a simple Church surrounds the alliances of men with civil agreement, sadly contracted afar from so much solicitude and such religious care. that altar which alone can efficaciously guaIt is for this that she should preside in con-rantee the pledged faith? What do I say? cert with the country at the marriage feast. It is for this that since the coming of the Gospel, all true legislators have claimed and ordained for marriage, the prayers of faith, the sacred ceremonies, the blessing of an august ministry, and all the instructions of that venerable liturgy which is even more sublime and beautiful here than elsewhere. And I ask those who are blinded by those narrow prejudices, those fatal passions of which I lately spoke, how could you dispense here with religion? With what could you replace an authority so high? Where will you find that gentle strength, that divine wisdom, that profound tenderness, that pure gravity, that mysterious language, which is so touching, and which religion alone knows how to infuse into her lessons and teachings at this supreme moment. without even God's name being pronounced? that is to say, marriage without a religious character, without a blessing or hope from on high, without any defined obligations before God, without any other sanction of conscience than the curbs of legal restraint, without any other exhortation addressed to the wedded pair than that they should observe the laws of the country and give citizens to the State, a marriage which is always menaced by divorce as a sadly possible corollary, and which paves the way for the family education and children which we are too often pained to behold. But let us turn our minds from these deplorable thoughts, let us bless the church of Jesus Christ for the jealous care with which she guards the dignity of humanity; let us bless the inflexible purity of her morality as well as the beauty and holiness of her sacraments, and let us close this great subject by gathering from her lips the highest and chastest instructions which she gives to the wedded pair when the solemn moment has come. Who are you? I do not say to reveal to the wedded pair the dignity and beauty of an irreproachable alliance; I do not say to teach them that this holy day is for them a solemn initiation into the great duties of life, but to inspire them with that strength of soul and holy energy of virtue, without which there is nothing lasting upon earth. Ah! surely when religion blesses these young spouses, she does not wear a stern visage; she is the first to applaud their joy; she loves the pomp which surrounds them, she would not wish to remain a stranger to it; she adds thereto her ceremonies and modest pomp, she blesses the virginal crown which should adorn the pure brow of the young bride, the ring itself of her alliance and It is truly just and equitable and salu It is another voice than the voice of the mortal priest which she borrows to repeat this to them; and how admirable it is in the midst of the noise of mundane joys, and among all the plaudits of earth, - how admirable it is suddenly to hear the voice of the holy books interrupt the holy sacrifice at the most solemn moment to pronounce in the midst of the holy mysteries in a heavenly language unknown to earth, but visible on high, these grave and pure words. tary, to return thanks to Thee at all times, and in all places, most holy Lord, all powerful Father, eternal God: Thou who by Thy sovereign power hast brought all things out of nothing, and who, after having created man to Thy image, hast united him so inseparably to his companion, that the body of his spouse was produced from the same substance as man himself, to teach them, that it will never be permitted to separate that which, after Thy will and institution, was but one in the beginning. "O God! who hast consecrated the union of this pair by a mystery so excellent that their alliance represents the sacred union of Jesus Christ with His Church! Oh, God! by whom the woman is united to the man, Thou who hast given to this association the most essential of all, a blessing of such a character that neither the punishment of original sin, nor the chastisement of the human race by the deluge could destroy it! Oh God! who alone holdest in Thy hands all hearts, Thou whose Providence knows and powerfully rules all things, in such wise, that nothing can separate what Thou hast united, nor render unhappy what Thou blessest, unite we conjure Thee, the souls of these spouses who are Thy servants: inspire their hearts with a sincere and mutual affection that they may be but one in Thee as Thou art one; Thou the only true and all powerful God. Look with goodness upon Thy servant here present, who at the moment of being united to her bridegroom, fervently entreats of Thee the assistance of Thy protection. May the yoke she imposes upon herself be to her a yoke of love and peace; chaste and faithful may she be wedded in Jesus Christ, and follow the example of the holy women! May she be loving to her husband as Rachel, and wise as Rebecca; may she enjoy long life, and be faithful as Sarah! May there never be anything in her that comes from the author of sin. May she always live strongly attached to the faith and the practice of Thy commandments; may she, inseparably joined to her one spouse, deny herself all that is forbidden; may she sustain her natural weakness with the firmness of virtue; may she be worthy of respect for her gentle gravity, and venerated for her modesty; may she be adorned by celestial doctrines; may she obtain of Thee a happy fruitfulness; may she always be innocent and pure; in order that she may attain to the repose of the most blessed and the kingdom of glory. And may both see, one day, the children of their children to the third and fourth generations, and may they thus reach a happy old age through our Savior Jesus Christ!" Ar Constantinople, Refik Bey, Chief of the Translation Office in the Foreign Department, has opened a course of lessons in French, for the instruction of the Treasury employes. The Levant Herald reports that 180 have already joined, and it is said that henceforth French is to form part of the preliminary examination. It is to be expected that, as is not uncommon with the Turkish politicians, other motives than simple compliance with Western civilization have their influence. some one discovers what life is; but medicine, as an art, is of remarkably rapid growth. Every day there seem to be new modes of treatment, new chemical combinations, new instruments of surgery. Of these things the country practitioner has no knowledge. Hence, if you have the ill-fortune to be taken ill at a distance from London, you had better at once telegraph for your medical adviser. In some parts of England the doctors are so far behind the day, that you might almost as safely be taken ill in Italy. The Graphic. PERSONS engaged in any vocation of an intellectual character should have opportunities of refreshing their minds and acquiring new ideas. The long vacations at our public schools enable the masters to keep abreast of the world, and well in advance of their pupils. Doubtless, in the old days, the cathedral was a place whereto the parochial clergy were wont to resort, to learn the right defence against the new heresies. Country doctors, we take it, would be far more efficient if they could come to town and walk the hospitals again every three or four years. Medicine is not a science, nor ever will be, unless IN M. de Sainte-Beuve's library is a copy of the collected poems of Fontannes. Before he attracted the attention of the First Consul, Fontannes had prepared the edition; but fearing his poems might interfere with the political career he was entering on, he suppressed the edition, and few copies seem to have escaped; perhaps M. de Sainte-Beuve's is the only one. Another treasure is a copy of Chateaubriand's "Essai sur les Revolutions," with notes and corrections, intended by the author for a second edition, which never appeared. CHAPTER IV. A REUNION. THE four days in Plymouth had slipped quickly away. To-morrow the brother and sister were to return to Shilston Hall and join Lady Laura, who was anxiously expecting her son. This was therefore Audrey's last day of freedom. They had made the most of the time, and it had passed away so speedily and happily, and left so many pleasant memories, that Audrey declared that if she could marry for love she would spend her honeymoon in Plymouth. Not that they had done much sight-seeing in a place where the lover of fair nature has but one complaint, an embarras de richesses. Captain Verschoyle, in after days, often spoke to her of that week at Plymouth, where she was as gay as a happy girl, and as artless and naive as a thoughtless child. She would talk to the old boatmen, and listen with delight to their yarns, and would enter into conversation with any man, woman, or child who chanced to come in her way, and be as triumphantly pleased with the evident admiration she excited in some rough old salt or military pensioner, as if they had been eligible partis, with rank and wealth to lay at the feet of their charmer. "Audrey," said Charles to her after one of these happy excursions, "I have often heard that you were charming, but if people only saw you just now, they would say you were irresistible." Whereupon she made him a sweeping curtsey, declaring that she believed it, for it was the first compliment he had ever paid her in his life. "But," she went on, "I have often thought that I might have been really nice, if I had not been brought up to show the right side, and feel the wrong side, of everything. The last few days have made me rather inclined to envy those whom ambition does not tempt to any other than a simple life of domestic contentment. It must be very pleasant to feel you have a companion for your whole life, one whom you love so well that you are truly content to take and be taken for better and for worse.' Ah, I see you are elevating your eyebrows, sir, and no wonder, when you are listening to such treason from the lips of your mentor. But pray don't inform against me. I promise to leave all my romance behind me here. And now, how shall we employ this last day?" "I thought we should drive round Plymouth, and then I could make the inquiries I want to make at the Custom-house. I am rather anxious about those boxes; they are filled with curiosities and relics that I set much value upon." Accordingly they set off and soon found themselves going over the bridge and through the toll-gate, whose keeper had given Captain Verschoyle his round-about direction. The sight of the man reminded hin of that evening's adventure, and he began to relate the circumstances to his sister. Audrey was quite interested in his description of the bright-looking, motherly shopkeeper, and her daughter, and asked him to give her a minute detail of all that happened. And the girl was very pretty?" said she, answering her brother with a question. "Well," replied Captain Verschoyle, "I hardly know; her prim quaintness struck me so much more than anything else. Her tout ensemble certainly made a charming picture, but how much was due to her good looks I really cannot say. You know she was totally unlike anything I ever saw before." No, I should not," answered Audrey, "and if I did it would make no difference. My curiosity would be satisfied, so do go, Charlie. I really think you should, for they were very good to you." Yes, they were indeed," replied Captain Verschoyle. 'Suppose I were to take a bunch of flowers to the girl. I saw some on the table, I remember; and you being with me, it would seem all right. I want them to think that I have come to thank them, not from any other motive." Upon this the coachman was told to stop at any shop where he saw flowers for sale. They had not left the Union Road before Audrey had selected a rather large bouquet formed of roses and lilies. "I wish we could have got something better," said Captain Verschoyle. Yes, I wish so too; but it will please them. Marshall would call it lovelythose sort of people always favour quantity rather than quality." They had soon passed St. Andrew's Church and the Post-office, Audrey commenting on the smart shops and the gailydressed pedestrians, and admiring the pretty smiling girls, with their dark eyes flowers arranged in different stands and and bright fresh complexions. The old vases spoke of refined taste and feminine Guildhall came in sight, and opposite it the influence. Patience was seated before a fat gilt lamb dangling over the name of half-finished painting of a group of tall Nathaniel Fox, "woollen draper and manu- white lilies, giving Dorothy the benefit of facturer." Here they drew up and de- her criticism, as the girl knelt at her side scended, and entering the shop, inquired if listening with delighted face to the praise Mrs. Fox were at home. her mother had to bestow. · Could I see her?" said Captain Verschoyle. 66 And Miss Fox?" put in Audrey. They're not here," answered Mark; "they're at King's-heart, where they keep house:" then seeing that Miss Verschoyle looked rather disappointed, he continued, "But if thou came to see them thou wilt go on there surely, or they'll be main disappointed. Now thou art on the road, 'tis but a step." "Yes; let us go, Charles," said Audrey; and then seeing her brother hesitate, she addressed Mark, asking him if it was far, and begging him to repeat the name of the place. "Perhaps you would explain it to the coachman," she continued," for we are strangers here, and know nothing of the roads." Mark's explanation was very brief, for the man knew the house, and was soon driving up to it, Captain Verschoyle feeling very much inclined to turn back. But he was overruled by Audrey's curiosity; and as they had nothing else to do, and the country began to look very pretty, he soon felt more at ease. At the top of the lane they got out of the fly, the man telling them to walk on until they came to a white gate, where they could either ring or walk in. The high hedge and the trees formed such a complete screen from the road that it was impossible to catch a glimpse of the house; and as they stood admiring the prospect Lydia answered their summons. She said Mrs. Fox was at home, and bade them follow her. Somehow, before they had gone half way up the path, Captain Verschoyle heartily wished himself anywhere else. Audrey tried to whisper that they had certainly made a mistake, and they were both reflecting what they had better do, when Lydia opened a door, and announced Captain and Miss Verschoyle. The room into which they were shown was always called the sitting-room, though it answered to the drawing-room of upper middle-class families. It was prettily and lightly furnished, and bore about it evidence of being intended for home use, while the When the door opened there was a momentary look of surprise on both their faces, and then Dorothy, coming forward with a perfectly natural but pretty shy manner, held out her hand to Captain Verschoyle, saying, "I am glad to see thee looking so well again." Poor Charles! I fear his first impulse was to turn round and soundly rate Audrey for allowing her curiosity to bring him into this dilemma. One glance at the occupants of the room told him the relationship in which they stood towards each other, and revealed the evident mistake he had made. He could not explain it now, and say that he had considered that homely-looking person the mother of this girl, who, among these surroundings, looked much more refined than he had in their first interview thought her. 46 This is my mother," continued Dorothy, as Patience advanced towards them. Captain Verschoyle was not naturally oppressed with bashfulness or awkwardness, but on this occasion no youth raw from a remote country district could have felt more confused. Audrey was so much amused at the appearance he presented, as he stood there trying to stammer out something, the enormous nosegay all the while in his hand, that it required a violent effort on her part to keep from bursting into a fit of laughter. But she restrained herself, and came to the rescue by saying "Mrs. Fox, you will pardon this intrusion, I am sure. My brother and I felt your kindness to him was so great, that our gratitude would not permit us to leave Plymouth without thanking you for it." "I am very pleased to see thee," said Patience; then, turning to Captain Verschoyle, she continued, "The mistake thou made in taking Judith for Dorothy's mother was a natural one, and Judith is so valued by us all, that I appreciate the intention which made thee come so far to thank her, quite as much as if thy visit had been meant for myself." Patience little knew how her unstudied speech, prompted entirely by the wish to set the young man at ease, raised her at once in Miss Verschoyle's opinion. How well done!" she thought; "that woman has breeding in her, though she may be the daughter of a thousand shop-tories of all he did during his stay at Widey, keepers." for he is her favourite hero of romance." Captain Verschoyle began to recover himself, and by the time Dorothy had relieved him of his floral burden, saying, "What beautiful lilies! I was wishing I had some more this morning," he had found his courage again; and feeling the truth had best be told, he said that he had got them for her, thinking that she lived in the town, and would perhaps accept them, and excuse the poorness of his offering. They were soon perfectly at home, Patience listening to an account of Captain Verschoyle's subsequent illness, and Dorothy showing Audrey the flower painting she was engaged upon. Audrey thought she had never before seen anything so pretty as the child's artless manner, so self-possessed and yet so simple. She readily assented to Dorothy's proposal that they should go over the garden, and Captain Verschoyle and Patience got up to follow them. "But," said Audrey, "you will get a hat or bonnet first." "Oh, no; I never do." 66 a Why, you will spoil your complexion; which would be a pity, for it is beautiful." Is it?" answered Dorothy. Audrey laughed; here certainly was rara avis a girl who was unconscious of the charms she possessed. Audrey wondered whether she was the happier for it, and if her whole demeanour could be relied upon. She was the embodiment of happiness, and yet what capabilities of improvement she possessed! If her hair were simply but fashionably arranged, and if she had an elegant white toilette, she would be the perfection of her style. And then Audrey mentally conjured up a reflection of her own figure clothed in grey, with the white net kerchief crossed over her bosom, and all her hair taken back from her face and fastened into a knot at the back of her head. "I should look simply hideous," she thought. "What a providence I am not condemned to belong to the Quaker persuasion!" "What art thou showing Audrey Verschoyle, dearest ?" said Patience; then seeing the surprised look on Audrey's face, she added, "Thou must not think me familiar in thus naming thee, but it is against our principles to give persons the title of Miss or Mr." 66 Familiar! indeed no, Mrs. Fox; I was just looking at this yew tree so curiously cut." "Yes, they call it Charles's heart,' and say the poor man once stood by it in much sorrow. Dorothy will tell thee long his Hardly that, mother; but I feel so sorry for him; and so dost thou, too.” "Yes," answered Patience; "still I always blame him for want of truthfulness. He relied, I fear, on one of the world's supports cunning, a very broken reed to all who try its strength." "Ah, but, Mrs. Fox," said Audrey, “remember he lived in an atmosphere where, as in the world of the present day, a little deceit is pardonable, and strict truth would be not only unpalatable, but unwholesome, inasmuch as it would cause you to disagree with every one." 66 Thou dost not quite mean that," replied Patience, "or I should form a bad opinion of the world." "And do you not think badly of us?" questioned Audrey, laughing. "Of How "I hope not," returned Patience. course, thou must know that in the quiet life I lead, many of the things I hear I must condemn; but then it is the folly I censure, not individually those who enter into it. could I presume to do that, when, were it not for a goodness that has placed me beyond those particular temptations, my weak human nature might be as powerless to resist as theirs whom I should be censuring? "Mrs. Fox," said Captain Verschoyle, you put a quiet life very pleasantly before us." 66 "Do I?" she answered; "and yet I sometimes hope that Dorothy may see more of the world than I have had an opportunity of seeing. I do not hold a choice made through ignorance so highly as I should one made after the person had in a measure tested the value of what was given up; and just now a great agitation is working in the minds of Friends, whether it would not be expedient to give more freedom of action to members of the society. Many regard the movement with favour, while others cling to the customs of their fathers. My husband is one of those who deplore any innovation, so, of course, we carry out his views; though I cannot say it would be against my conscience to do many things which I refrain from doing just because I know his conscience would condemn them. And now thou wilt come into the house and partake of some refreshment before starting?" Audrey hesitated. "Oh, thou must come," said Dorothy. "I should like very much to do so," answered Audrey, "did I not fear we were almost trespassing on your hospitality." Do not fear that," said Patience, smilThou knows it is our custom only 66 ing. |