tage. Nor did the prolific topics of conversation cease with their arrival at home; for, during the rest of the day and evening, Skiddaw, the monarch of the Cumberland valleys, with his glorious panorama; and last, though not least, the unexpected phantasmagoria that concluded the whole, were the theme of every tongue, and very probably, the vision through the dreaming night.

CHAPTER IX.

THE fête champêtre on the summit of Skiddaw was followed, a few days afterwards, by a dinner-party at Derwent Cottage, made expressly for the purpose of receiving, for the first time, the fashionable owners of Stately Hall.

It was intended, as expressed in the invitation, that the party should meet in social and friendly intercourse, without form or ceremony, which is ever an enemy to that freedom of the heart which forms the charm of conversation.

In addition to the two principal persons already named, four other friends of the family made their appearance at the appointed time; consisting of the Rev. Augustus Davies and his wife, and two ladies resident in the neighbourhood, who united their benevolent exertions, with those of Mrs. Gracelove, in collecting subscriptions for the Bible and Church Missionary Societies.

The six invited guests, therefore, together with the worthy host and his amiable wife, and their eldest son and daughter, Edmund and Laura, formed a compact little circle of ten; a number which was preferred to a more numerous party, inasmuch as it admitted of the conversation becoming general; and consequently afforded the opportunity, if a good idea, or a profitable subject were proposed by any

one present, of its being partaken of by the rest of the company.

An ample supply of all the good things of life, marked by a simple elegance of style, crowned the hospitable board; and intimated a silent but hearty welcome to the friends assembled around it.

Cheerfulness and pleasantry passed gracefully round the table, while the different viands were being despatched; giving the best relish to appetite, and help to digestion, which good spirits seldom fail to produce. Subjects of a light and varied description, referring principally to local interests, and to the passing news of the day, occupied their attention; till the table-cloth having been withdrawn, the dessert arranged, and the servants having retired, a preparation seemed to be made for a more improving tone of conversation than what had hitherto prevailed.

"I am afraid," said Mr. Stately, addressing himself to the clergyman, " you would consider us very late in coming to church on Sunday; but the reason was, the coachman discovered, just at the time of our setting off, that one of the springs of the carriage was broken, and we were consequently obliged to walk."

"I observed,” replied Mr. Davies, smiling," that you were much later than usual; but I must confess I cannot sympathize with you on the accident to which you refer it. You may possibly consider, my dear sir, such a declaration rather uncourteous, which I by no means intend that it should be; and, also, that my opinion is a very strange one, when I frankly

acknowledge, that I esteem the occurrence a positive advantage, rather than a misfortune."

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This," answered the magistrate, with good humour, "reminds me of the somewhat negative course adopted by Job's comforters. The pious but afflicted patriarch asked for sympathy, and they gave him reproach. But, as I am quite sure that your motive for expressing such an opinion is good and honest, however problematical the argument may be in defence of it, I beg you will inform me," he jocosely said, "why you take part with the broken spring of my carriage against the owner of it? You know," he observed, with a facetious expression of countenance, that, as the minister of my church, you should support all my lawful acts and deeds."

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I most readily grant your proposition," responded Mr. Davies; 'all your lawful acts and

deeds. But what if I disallow the lawfulness of some of them ?"

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Why, in such case, I should expect, as a matter of conscience, that you would withdraw your support. But pray inform me, which of my acts and deeds you include under the designation to which you have pointed. I hope," he said jokingly, "you are not going to arraign any of my decisions as chairman of the quarter sessions."

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My

By no means," said our clerical friend. office leads me to deal with the divine, rather than with human law; and in the present instance, instead of taking part, as you have jestingly termed it, with the broken spring of your carriage,' to take up the cause of the horses in your stable."

This, now, is a tangible argument," exclaimed

the anti-clerical squire.

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I understand at once your

sly insinuations. You mean to say it is unlawful for me to use my horses on the sabbath day."

Precisely so," answered Mr. Davies; " and the unquestionable authority on which I found my judgment, is the fourth commandment of the Decalogue. In this comprehensive and most expressive law of the first table, it is distinctly enjoined, by Jehovah himself, that the ‘cattle' shall rest from their labours, on that day, as well as their owner and the whole of his family.

“I am sure you will pardon me, my dear sir, if I repeat the words of that divine injunction, which are as beautiful in their simplicity, as they are profoundly binding on the obedient observance of all God's creatures.

"Remember that thou keep holy the sabbath day. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all that thou hast to do; but the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God. In it thou shalt do no manner of work, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, thy manservant, and thy maid-servant, thy cattle, and the stranger that is within thy gates.'"

6

"I acknowledge the law as you have just quoted it," replied the magistrate; "but surely you would not call it working,' for my horses to draw a carriage, containing myself and family, once on the Sunday to church, a distance of only a mile? It is very different from the labour of ploughing my fields during the other days of the week; or leading