-Behold all these things are written in the chronicles of my imaginations, and shall be read by thee, my dear friend, and by thy beloved spouse, my other dear friend, at a more convenient season.

Now, to thee, and to thy before-designed bosom-companion, be given the precious things brought forth by the sun, and the precious things brought forth by the moon, and the benignest influences of the stars, and the living streams which flow from the fountains of life, and by the tree of life, for ever and ever! Amen!

No.

No. CXXXIV,

To MRS. DUNLOP,

Dumfries, 24th September, 1792,

I HAVE this moment, my dear Madam, yours of the twenty-third. All your other kind reproaches, your news, &c. are out of my head when I read and think on Mrs. H's situation. Good God! a heart-wounded, helpless young woman-in a strange foreign land, and that land convulsed with every horror that can harrow the human feelings-sick-looking, longing for a comforter, but finding none— a mother's feelings, too-but it is too much: he who wounded (he only can) may He heal!*

I wish

*This much-lamented lady was gone to the south of France with her infant son, where she died soon after.

I wish the farmer great joy of his new acquisition to his family.

*

*

I cannot say that I give him joy of his life as a farmer. 'Tis, as a farmer paying a dear unconscionable rent, a cursed life! As to a laird farming his own property; sowing his own corn in hope; and reaping it, in spite of brittle weather, in gladness; knowing that none can say unto him, what dost thou ?'-fattening his herds; shearing his flocks; rejoicing at Christmas; and begetting sons and daughters, until he be the venerated, gray-haired leader of a little tribe-'tis a heavenly life!—But Devil take the life of reaping the fruits that another must eat!

Well, your kind wishes will be gratified, as to seeing me, when I make my Ayrshire visit. I cannot leave Mrs. B- until her nine months' race is run, which may perhaps be in three or four weeks. She, too, seems determined to make me the patriarchal leader of a band. However, if Heaven will be so obliging as to let me have them in the proportion of three boys to one girl, I shall be so much the more pleased. I hope, if I am spared with them, to shew a set of boys that will do honour to my cares and name; but I am not equal to the task of rearing girls. Besides, I am too poor; a girl should

always

always have a fortune.-Apropos! your little godson is thriving charmingly, but is a very devil. He, though two years younger, has completely mastered his brother. Robert is indeed the mildest, gentlest creature I ever saw. He has a most surprising memory, and is quite the pride of his schoolmaster.

You know how readily we get into prattle upon a subject dear to our heart: you can excuse it. God bless you and yours!

No.

No. CXXXV.

To MRS. DUNLOP.

Supposed to have been written on the Death of Mrs. H, her Daughter.

I HAD been from home, and did not receive your letter until my return the other day. What shall I say to comfort you, my much-valued, much-afflicted friend! I can but grieve with you; consolation I have none to offer, except that which religion holds out to the children of affliction-Children of affliction! -how just the expression! and, like every other family, they have matters among them which they hear, see, and feel in a serious, allimportant manner, of which the world has not, nor cares to have, any idea. The world looks indifferently on, makes the passing remark, and proceeds to the next novel occurrence.

Alas,