serpent' was not to be perceived at times in the fair lawns and up the marble steps of rural palaces: that the great 'Bubbly-Jock' (Turkey-cock) which Sir Walter Scott contended that every man found in his path, did not show himself there. The serpent and the Bubbly-Jock which disturb and poison the rural life of the educated classes in England, are the very same which dash with bitter all English society in the same classes. They are the pride of life, and the pride of the eye. They are that continual struggle for precedence, and those jealousies which are generated by a false social system. Every man lives now-a-days for public observation. He builds his house and organizes his establishment, so as to strike public opinion as much as possible. Every man is at strife with his neighbour in the matter of worldly greatness. The consequence is that a false standard of estimation, both of men and things, is established-shew is substituted for real happiness, and no man is valued for his moral or intellectual qualities so much as for the grandeur of his house, the style of his equipage, the richness of his dinnerservice, and the heavy extravagance of his dinners. The result of this is, that most are living to the full extent of their means, many beyond it, and few are finding in the whole round of their life, that alone which better and higher natures seek-the interchange of heart and mind which yields present delight, creates permanent attachments, and fills the memory with enduring satisfaction."

This is a wretched state of things-in the emphatic words with which the author concludes his remarks, it is enough to "press the charm of existence out of the hearts of thousands, and make the country a purgatory, where it might be a paradise." That it is truth, unexaggerated truth, every person conversant with society knows. It has been witnessed by intelligent foreigners with surprise-in sooth they know not well what to make of us, and must often feel inclined half to pity, half to despise us for it. But whence arises the evil? Not from political misrule: that can have little, if any thing to do with the matter. It arises (to return to our starting-post) from a generally prevailing defective system of education; it is because the spirit of Christianity enters not, as it ought to do, into the actions of daily life. It is because the youthful heart is not early taught to pour upon every sentient object within its sphere, that kindliness which true Christianity induces. Vainly hath Christ given us the injunction to "love as brethren," if pride prompts us to hate and to scorn. Vainly are our eyes enlightened, if that same evil principle leads us to teach our very babes those pernicious lessons which act like poison on the mind, and spread a blight upon every thing around. And herein mothers, the first instructors of infancy, are most guilty. Yes, English mothers, the beginning of the mischief must be laid to your charge.

In the details of life, those every-day trifles which make up the sum of human happiness or

misery, female influence is often paramount. Men, generally speaking, are too much occupied with their own pursuits, it may be with ambitious schemes on a grander scale, to trouble themselves much with the petty politics of their own household or neighbourhood. It is the lady of the mansion, in the middle rank of life, at least, that arbitrates in matters of etiquette, and decides the weighty question of who is visitable, and who is not -who is to be received with smiles of gracious welcome, who frozen and repulsed by coldness and hauteur.

How many worldly minded mothers give counsel, not much unlike the following, to their daughters, "You must hold yourself above such and such persons, and not appear to know them when in such or such company. If you are seen speaking to Mrs. A., Mrs. B. and Mrs. C. will exclude you from their circle." And who and what is the contemned individual to be thus slighted? Is she an immoral character, one with whom it would be dangerous to associate? Oh no-in nine cases out of ten she will prove to be at least the equal, in point of morals and manners, of the persons who thus systematically despise and neglect her, and it may be outrage her feelings; but she is not blessed with riches or high connexions, or with any of those advantages which might probably be turned to good account by her worldly minded neighbours.

Religion holds to us very different language.

It teaches us to seek those for our most honoured and intimate associates whose hearts are touched by divine influence, whose actions prove that they are pressing eagerly forward in the path that leads to eternal life; who are capable of instructing us by their conversation and example, or who evince that congeniality in sentiments and pursuits which fits them to become our companions and friends, be their worldly circumstances what they may.

Christianity is the "Hope of the World," the only anchor upon which we can rely for safety amidst the political storms by which the world is shaken. There never was an epoch when its saving, its tranquillizing influence was more needed. Various causes have, during the last century worked together to produce an impulse, an excitement which is likely to continue to agitate mankind; whether for good or evil, time will shew. This, our own country, partakes fully in the excitement. Who, that watches the course of events, perceives not, among other signs, that the thinking faculties of a large class of people, formerly not much given to thought, are aroused? They are, moreover, tormented by desires which, in time gone by, they never knew; desires engendered by comparison of their own lot with the lot of the great and opulent, so ostentatiously paraded before their eyes, and in which they partake not now, even reflectively, as did the retainers of the great of old. All classes are alike seeking eagerly, though, in most instances, vainly, that undefined

good which is to render happiness complete. With some, it is riches; with others, rank or fame; with almost all it is something worldly.

The restless spirit of the present age manifests itself too distinctly to escape the notice of any but the most unobservant. "There is no peace, no repose." Society, as has already been stated, is broken into separate parts, acknowledging no common interest. Political factions prevail with violence. Religious sects are not less hostile, less bitter towards each other; disputing about immaterial points of faith and practice; losing, as it were, the substance while grasping at the shadow. Were any great political convulsion to ensue, it is to be feared that such would exhibit a virulence unprecedented in English History.

Religion, then, the religion of Christ, is our sole hope. Like oil poured upon the troubled waters, religion has power to give peace in the most distracted times. Let those who have the care of youth labour incessantly to instil into the yet unformed mind the pure precepts contained in the Bible, and not merely instil, but enforce them by their own example, taking occasion continually to make application of them to the concerns of life. Religion, to be indeed the saving power, must be practical, must be consistent, or it is nothing but an empty sound; and the land in which it is professed might as well be covered with the darkness of heathenism. "The finest theory," observes Hannah More, whose orthodoxy few will question,