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her father, the Rev. Edward Stanley, a pious clergyman in a retired village of Yorkshire, contrived to bring up and educate, assisted by the exemplary management and economy of his wife, on a stipend of not more than four hundred a-year. A wisely-ordered expenditure here united with an absolute necessity; and the result was, that though little could be saved there was "enough and to spare;" thus proving the truth of the proverb-when people are willing to be guided by its wisdom-that "nature is simple and her wants are few."

In proportion as the worthy incumbent knew that he had but little patrimony to bequeath to his numerous offspring, except the odour of a good name, did he exert every endeavour to accomplish their minds and inform their hearts. For this purpose his acquirements were as ample as his zeal was unremitting; and while he presided over the education of all, he consigned his daughters, in a great measure, to the literary care of his talented wife, whose proficiency in various branches of useful and polite knowledge was quite competent to so responsible a charge. With regard to the boys, they were trained up for the various professions, and for business; and the girls for teachers and governesses.

These excellent parents were unwearied in their Christian zeal to lay the basis of their children's future prosperity in religious principles. The reverend pastor laboured incessantly to impress on the minds of his domestic flock the sacred truth, that the love of God and strict obedience to his commandments were the best preparations for a successful course in life, as they were the happiest tokens of a departing spirit in death. Always illustrating his advice by the undeniable sanctions of scripture, he continually directed their attention, among numerous other references, to that emphatic declaration of the apostle, in his first epistle to Timothy-"God

liness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." *

Under a tuition so extremely judicious, can it be wondered at that all the children, without a single exception, turned out well; that they became, in after life, both ornamental and useful members of society? For after their honoured parents had been permitted to see the fruits of their anxious cares, in the matured graces and accomplishments of their offspring and were at length gathered to their graves in peace, the sons, by the exertion of professional skill, and the daughters by the establishment of a respectable seminary for young ladies, were enabled to support themselves with credit and with comfort. It was not, therefore, with an uninspired pen that the Royal Psalmist expressed himself, when he said, "I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread." +

It was in the year previous to the death of this worthy clergyman that Mr. Gracelove, who had been long acquainted with the family, united his fate with Mary, his third daughter. His own fortune was then ample and increasing, and rendered it quite unnecessary, as a matter of prudence, to seek for an augmentation of it in marriage. Besides, he felt that there was something" more precious than rubies;" that there was a treasure" better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold;"‡ and that this, the best of earthly treasures, was possessed by him in the person of the lovely and accomplished Mary Stanley.

Mrs. Gracelove was, indeed, the charm of her husband's life, the attractive grace of his home of content and love. She was to him as a sunbeam gleaming through the window of his cottage, and casting its mild radiance on every object around. Her heart was the abode of a sincere and fervent charity, in its + Ps. xxxvii. 25. Prov. iii. 14, 15.

1 Tim. iv. 8.

most extensive sense, exhibiting piety to God and love to man; while the varied and cultivated powers of her mind seemed to go hand in hand with her Christian graces. The intelligence between them was mutual, and cast a sympathetic lustre on each; for while the sterner virtues were relieved by the playfulness of a superior intellect, the exuberance of the latter was chastened by contact with the Christian principle. So happy a union left nothing to desire, and exemplified the poet's beautiful imaginings of domestic happiness, when he describes it as the

"Only bliss of Paradise that has escaped the fall."

CHAPTER III.

HAVING now brought my reader acquainted with so much of the previous history of the worthy owners of Derwent cottage as it appeared desirable for him to know, I now proceed to inform him of the younger branches of this interesting family.

A kind Providence had blessed them, at the period on which we are now entering, with four children, as the fruits of their union,-two sons and two daughters. Edmund was the name of the eldest of the former, a fine spirited boy of fourteen, and Jasper that of his brother, who was two years younger. They were at this period at one of the best classical schools in Yorkshire, and had only come home for a week to be present at their papa's birthday on their first introduction to the reader in the opening chapter. The eldest daughter, Laura, has already made her appearance, under circumstances, it is hoped, not of slight interest, as narrated in the first chapter; where she is represented as assisting at the piano in the family devotion. The second daughter was named Maria, a child eight years old, who, on account of her tender age, was generally sent to bed two hours previous to the family worship. But though her parents thought her too young to remain up till ten o'clock, yet she was never allowed to retire to rest without first saying her prayers to her mamma, and commend

ing herself to the gracious care of that merciful Being from whom both parent and child derive all their protection.

The dispositions of these children displayed that varied character which is often found among the members of the same family; each requiring a distinct treatment from the other. While the stirring and exuberant spirits of Edmund demanded a strict attention to prevent their running into excess, the more placid and retiring qualities of Jasper called for a tone of encouragement, to counteract that want of self-confidence which his more timid nature exhibited. The abilities of both were good; but the greater assurance in his own powers, as well as the advantage of two years in age, gave a marked superiority to Edmund over his brother. It was quite delightful to witness the affectionate attachment that subsisted between them, and the self-devotion to each other's interest, on every occasion that might call forth the sympathy of either. Often has it been known at school, that when, from some trivial offence of which the best boys will occasionally be guilty, Edmund has been ordered to remain on his form and learn a task during play-hours, when the rest of his companions would be enjoying themselves at cricket, the timid but generous Jasper has done something that would bring upon him a similar punishment, in order to keep his brother company, and thus sympathize with him in his confinement. On the other hand, if any of the older boys ever attempted to molest Jasper, or take advantage of his gentler nature, the affectionate Edmund would instantly interpose as his champion, though his opponent might have the superiority of strength, nor would he resign the contest till he had redressed the injustice committed against him.

The quality, however, in which the two brothers still more excelled was filial piety; and in this dutiful and amiable trait they were joined in heart and voice by their interesting sister

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