been stated, though certainly not with truth, that the venerable parent's days were shortened by the intensity of his sensations on the occasion.

It is not seldom that success, like that which Heber had now attained, becomes to its possessor injurious rather than beneficial. To acquire, early in life, that high degree of literary eminence, which procures an individual the universal applause of men in the highest walks of literature, if it does not lead to the indulgence of subsequent indolent habits, which is too often the case, is frequently found to excite feelings most unfavourable to the growth of piety. Such, however, was far from being the case with Heber. Though he every where met with congratulations the most hearty, and though he was aware that even his rivals were sounding his praise, and seemed cheerfully to award him the merit of his performance, yet it did not elate him. Instead of attributing his success to his own exertions, he piously ascribed it to God, hastening to his room to return Him thanks in private, for the assistance He had graciously condescended to afford him on the occasion: and here his mother, who had come with his father to Oxford, after seeking for him in vain among his usual acquaintance, impatient to mingle her congratulations with that of others, found him, shortly afterwards, devoutly acknowledging his obligations to God, that he had enabled him to bestow on his parents such a high degree of enjoyment, as he had reason to believe they had then experienced.

We have already hinted, that the health of Heber's father had been gradually declining for some time, and notwithstanding the means used to effect his recovery, it became evident to himself that he was daily growing weaker. All his friends, too, saw with the deepest concern, the inefficiency of the means used to recruit his strength. At length, about eight months after he had witnessed his son's

success, alarming symptoms of his approaching dissolution made their appearance. Heber was summoned from Oxford, to witness the departure of a most affectionate and beloved parent, whom he found suffering under a painful and terrifying hiccough, and experiencing the most acute pain night and day. This was a trial far more severe than any Heber had ever been called to endure. But it mitigated greatly the severity of his anguish, to witness the truly Christian spirit which his dying parent evinced under his sufferings, calmly and meekly submitting to the Divine will; assuring himself that his heavenly Father would not inflict upon him one unnecessary pang; but that all he had to endure was a part of that discipline that was intended to fit him for glory.

Whenever his strength would permit, he took great pleasure in conversing with his family on the important subjects of religion. He spoke of the world as a den of wild beasts, and affectionately cautioned his children to beware of its dangers, earnestly praying that God would graciously preserve them from all its entanglements. On seeing Mrs. Heber, whose kind and unremitting attention to him had been such, that she had not exchanged her clothes for some weeks, overwhelmed with grief at the evident symptoms that now appeared of his approaching end, he kindly, and with great feeling, admonished her for sorrowing as one without hope, assuring her, that he stood upon the Rock of Ages, and had no doubt of obtaining, through the merits of the Redeemer, a crown of immortality and glory. The next day he received the sacrament, in which he was joined by his family. This most interesting service, and the closing scene of his father's life, Reginald thus describes. "On the arrival of Mr. Bridge, we all partook of the most solemn communion that we can ever expect to join in this world, to

which indeed my father seemed scarcely to belong. A smile sat on his pale countenance, and his eyes sparkled brighter than I ever saw them. From this time he spoke but little; his lips moved, and his eyes were raised upwards. He blessed us again; we kissed him and found his cheeks cold and breathless." Thus died Heber's father in peace, at a good old age.

CHAPTER II.

Heber is elected a Fellow of All-Souls-Carries off the prize for his Essay on "The Sense of Honour"— Enters upon his Continental Tour-Visits Sweden, Norway, Finland, Russia, Hungary, and GermanyReturns to England-Efforts to promote his brother's election for Oxford-Re-enters the University-Solemnly prepares for taking orders-Takes up his degree of Master of Arts—Remarks on his collegiate life-First sermon at Hodnet-Entrance upon his living there.

SHORTLY after the death of his father, which occurred in the early part of 1804, Heber returned to college, and pursued his studies with unremitting diligence, fagging hard to prepare for his approaching examination, which was to take place in the ensuing May. In this respect he fully maintained his literary reputation, succeeding far beyond his most sanguine expectations, and entirely to the satisfaction of all his friends. On the 2nd of the following November he was elected a Fellow of All-Souls, on which occasion he thus writes to his intimate friend, John Thornton, Esq. "I know your friendship is interested in every fortunate event which can befal me, and that you will hear with pleasure that I am become a Fellow of All-Souls. I even now begin to find the comfort of my new situation, which

is, for any young man, particularly if he reads at all, certainly most enviable.”

In the following year Heber carried off the prize, for an English Essay on "The Sense of Honour ;” a most difficult subject, but one exactly suited to his powers. In this admirable Essay, the subject of discussion is treated with masterly skill; every sentence is made to bear strongly on the point. A real sense of honour is shown not to be incompatible with Christian humility, nor indeed with any Christian precept. It is vindicated, not on the false grounds of arrogance and pride, but on the broad basis of Christian morality; while its obvious and necessary subjection to conscience and religion is strikingly and beautifully exhibited.

Reginald had now acquired that literary elevation which procured him universal admiration; and as he was only in his twenty-second year, and had seen but little of the world, having passed the greater part of his time at school, or at college, his friends deemed it advisable, lest the literary distinction he had attained should prove injurious to his mind, that he should accompany his esteemed friend, John Thornton, Esq., on a tour through such parts of Europe as were then accessible. He accordingly, with his interesting companion, sailed for Gottenburg, in July 1805, where he arrived, after a tolerably pleasant voyage, on the 31st of that month. Here they met with two English travellers, Major Hanbury and the brother of Mr. Stackhouse, of AllSouls, with whom they spent an agreeable evening at Mr. Smith's, an English gentleman residing there. The novelty of the situation in which Heber was now placed, had no other effect than more fully to develop his mental powers. The journal which he kept, and the interesting letters he wrote to his friends, abound with such remarks, on the manners of the people, and with such picturesque descriptions of the