permission, transfer your thoughts from philosophy to botany -from metaphysics to visible realities. I wish you," said Mrs. Stately," to accompany me to the conservatory ere the light of day entirely vanish, in order to admire some rare and beautiful exotics which we have recently received from some horticultural friends of ours."

The party now rose up, and sped their way to the conservatory; where, after delighting themselves for some time with the choice collection of flowers and plants of every hue and fragrance, they returned to take coffee in the drawing-room; after which the four visitors retired to their respective homes.

CHAPTER VIII.

THE youthful quartetto at Derwent Cottage were now clamorous for another excursion; and an early day was consequently fixed by their happy and indulgent parents for the ascent of Skiddaw, the mountain monarch of the vale.

On this occasion young Stately was invited to accompany his two schoolfellows; for besides being an amiable boy, and without playfellows at home, and as a slight acknowledgment of his parents' recent hospitality, it was in some degree hoped by Mr. Gracelove, that, through kindness to the son, he might win the confidence of the father, and thus be better enabled to correct the obliquities of his moral vision, and finally direct his spiritual judgment.

To the juvenile members of the proposed party the hours appeared to pass away with unwonted slowness, in the interval between the promised pleasure and its fulfilment. At length the auspicious day dawned with a cloudless sky; and as the clock struck seven, a train of eight donkeys approached the front door of the cottage, and in half an hour afterwards its inmates were all fairly mounted, and the cavalcade sallied forth to scale the mountain's brow.

The reader may perhaps inquire who the eighth person was who thus joined in the day's diversion; and when he is told the office that person had to fill, he will readily allow that his

presence was as needful to the enjoyment of the day, as that of the master of the house. The fact was, the individual alluded to was a domestic in the family, and was charged with a large basket of provisions, in anticipation of the many hungry mouths that would be shortly open to receive them. For few tourists have reached an elevation of three thousand feet, without feeling their appetites surprisingly sharpened by the pure breezes they inhale, and the quickened impulse which is given to the faculties, both of mind and body, in climbing lofty heights.

After passing through the town of Keswick, they approached the base of the mountain through various rural lanes and winding roads, skirted, here and there, by a picturesque villa reposing in peaceful beauty amid the luxuriant valley. One of these villas was Greta Hall, the residence of the late celebrated poet laureate, Robert Southey, Esq., who at that period occupied its classic bowers. As Mr. Gracelove was intimately acquainted with that gifted and amiable man, he determined to pay him a passing visit, although at so early an hour, thinking that he would be gratified in seeing the cavalcade of young people whom the former had in his train. The poet was at breakfast, and immediately came out on the lawn, in front of his house, to receive them. The party, however, did not alight; but after receiving his kind wishes for a pleasant excursion, with a few hints as to the best path to take in ascending the mountain, and some directions on their attaining the summit, they took their leave of him and proceeded on their way.

The ascent commences by easy gradations; and, for some distance, leads over a soft green sward, terminating occasionally in natural terraces, whence the different objects of perspective gradually unfold themselves, and are beheld with continually increasing interest as the field of vision is enlarged on attain

ing a higher altitude. Although the loftier parts of the mountain, as is usually the case, are characterized by greater steepness, yet the access to the summit is perfectly easy, and unattended by the slightest danger. Indeed, the most timorous persons may ascend, and descend, on their well-trained ponies, without feeling the smallest alarm. The distance from Keswick is about six miles to the brow of the mountain, and the excursion, altogether, occupies about six hours.

And now, having gained the first terrace, our delighted party dismounted, and sat down on the dry soft grass for a few minutes, in order to gaze on the romantic landscape below. Extending from the base of Skiddaw, their eyes first rested on the quiet little town of Keswick slumbering beneath it. Farther on, they beheld its placid lake gleaming in the sunshine, and enclosed by its splendid array of mountains of a thousand forms. To the right, the lake of Bassenthwaite presented its sparkling surface to their admiring view; and, though bordered by less elevated heights than those surrounding the former, threw its fair proportions over the lovely picture; while the beautiful windings of the Derwent, connecting the two lakes together, glittered in silvery radiance along its peaceful course.

One of the minor objects, as regards magnitude, in this imposing landscape, is the ancient and interesting church of Crossthwaite, in which parish Keswick is situated, and which lies at the western extremity of the town.

"I never consider a landscape complete," observed Mr. Gracelove," which does not present to the eye one of these sacred edifices. They seem, to the reflective mind, to open another world to the imagination, infinitely surpassing in glory the sublime and beautiful of nature which his external sight regards. The majesty of such a scene as that before us does, indeed, forcibly demonstrate the omnipotence, as well as

beneficence, of the Supreme Being; but the scene contemplated by the moral vision, in the kingdom of Christ, and of which the temple in the distance is a happy earthly symbol, immeasurably exceeds all that the world around, or above us, can exhibit of bright and wonderful.

"I always admire with interest," he continued, "the church spire, pointing, as it were, the way to heaven; while I reflect, with deep gratitude, on the number of immortal souls training up within the sacred walls which it surmounts, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away. To this I most devoutly trust I may add," he said, looking around on his beloved family, in the language of the last five words of the quotation—' reserved in heaven for you.'"*

"You know I am to be a clergyman, my dear papa," said Jasper.

"If it shall please God, my dear boy," replied his father, "to prepare you for so responsible an office, nothing will gratify me more than to see you thus dedicate yourself to the service of your Maker. But you will remember, my dear Jasper, that it is not the profession merely of a clergyman,—not the simply wearing of a gown and bands, and assuming the title of 'Reverend,' that will constitute you a minister of the Gospel,— a dispenser of the grace of God."

I hope and believe, that he does not think so," observed his wife, taking up her husband's remark. "I truly hope that dear Jasper knows, in some degree already, the difference between baptism by water and that by the Holy Ghost; and that it is alone through the effectual operation of the latter in the sacred office, that a minister of the Gospel can either please God or edify man.”

"I sincerely trust that such is the case," resumed the pious

* 1 Pet. i. 4.