and persevering in his habits; always seeming to have something useful to do, and to be intent on doing it, yet without bustle or confusion. He

had a good house, a select and valuable library, a complete philosophical apparatus, pleasant grounds, a well-cultivated garden, a productive orchard-oh the apples and walnuts that I have fetched down from the topmost boughs! and the rich clusters that were brought in from the grapery! Then, too, Uncle Barnaby was much respected in the neighbourhood; every body seemed to look up to him. The rich consulted him about their estates, and made him trustee for their children; the societies were all anxious to have him for their treasurer, or, at least, a leading man on their committees; the perplexed and discouraged sought his advice and assistance; when quarrels arose, it was generally reckoned the part of wisdom and peace to solicit his arbitration; and the poor, for miles round, looked up to him as their benefactor and their friend. Walk which way he would, every one who met him touched his hat, or dropped her curtesy, and said, "Good day, your honour." I should add, that Uncle Barnaby was a religious man; one whose conduct was regulated by habitual reference to the will of God, and a desire to live to his glory. He loved the Bible and prayer, and the public ordinances of religion. He was constant in his attendance on all these sacred privileges, and their influence was constantly seen in the regulation of his temper and conduct. He ruled his household in the fear of God, and rendered it evident to all that religion made him happy. As a benevolent man, he desired to extend to others that which was the source of his

own felicity. All his conduct, and plans, and exertions in the cause of religion, tended to impress on the minds of those around the affectionate invitation, “Come with me, and I will do you good." It cannot be wondered at, then, that a school-boy felt great delight in paying a visit to Uncle Barnaby, and esteemed it an honour to be connected with such a relative.

The sentiments of the man have not varied from those of the school-boy; only as there has been a growing capability of discerning and appreciating the intrinsic excellences of character in one who was at first loved chiefly on account of the cheerful kindness he manifested, and the pleasure he imparted. Many of Uncle Barnaby's conversations and remarks remain on my mind to this present day, and are often confirmed by my own observation.

I remember walking with him through a fine park in his neighbourhood, to call on one of his tenants. Just on the edge of the park was a publichouse, called the Cockpit, as the cruel gambling sport of cock-fighting was carried on there. As we passed by, two skinny, meagre-looking lads dismounted each from a fine spirited horse, the ostler, landlord, and landlady all crowding to offer their services in the most obsequious manner, and slipping in at every third or fourth word, "My lord," or, "Your lordship." "I suppose," said cousin Frank, these are two young noblemen." "Yes," replied my uncle, "the sons of the Marquis of of Park." We had scarcely turned the corner, before their young lordships had entered on familiar conversation with their attendants, laughing at the sport of a past day, to

which they referred, discussing the respective merits, and betting upon the success of the poor feathered combatants, who were to afford them new entertainment; and interlarding their discourse with certain low and profane expressions. "Noblemen!" thought I to myself, "I wonder at their degrading themselves by such meanness : profanity, gambling, and low familiarity, are any thing but noble; at least such is my father's opinion, and I dare say he is right."

Not long after we had passed away from the Cockpit, and were crossing a meadow, a tall soldier made his appearance, placed one hand on the top of a five-barred gate, threw himself over without any seeming effort, and instantly resumed his quick yet stately march towards us. We were all struck with his fine, athletic, well-proportioned form and graceful movements.

"What a noble fellow!" exclaimed my cousin Frank, "and he seems to have seen some service." Yes," replied my uncle, "he was with Sir Sydney Smith, through the whole campaign in Egypt. It is said that he fought like a lion, and in one of those tremendous conflicts cut down five men with his own hand, besides taking several prisoners of distinction."

I shuddered at the account, for I always had an instinctive horror of war; and could not bring myself to associate the idea of nobleness, with that of taking away the lives of men.

In the course of our ramble, the words "noble " and "nobility" again occurred more than once. My uncle directed us to a handsome mansion, in a very dilapidated state, most of the apartments being shut up, and the rest only occupied by an old man

and woman, appointed to take care of the place; the noble proprietor having squandered his property on the race-course, and at the gaming-table, and compelled himself, with his family, to retreat from the abode of his ancestors, and, for the purpose of retrenchment, to live in obscurity on the continent.

Presently after, we met a poor man, walking with crutches, and who appeared to be in bad health. My uncle accosted him very kindly, made particular inquiries after his wife and family, and drew him aside for a moment; I suspect, from the poor fellow's manner at parting, to make him a present. "Has he met with an accident?" asked my cousin Frank.

"His lameness," replied my uncle, "has arisen from a noble effort to save the life of a fellow creature. Some months ago, a farm-house was burned to the ground. The farmer was from home when the fire happened; and as but little help was at hand, and there were few persons who knew how to render assistance, the property was entirely consumed; and the women and children were with difficulty rescued from destruction, chiefly by the exertions of the man we just met. As the terrified children gathered round their mother, one of them exclaimed, 'Where is old Nanny?' This brought to the recollection of the bystanders that one inmate of the farmhouse was missing an aged relative who assisted in taking care of the children. While all regretted that the poor old creature should so miserably perish, all agreed, as the staircase was already in flames, that it was utterly impossible to rescue her. This one noble fellow, however, resolved to take his life in

his hand, and make the attempt. No entreaties could deter him; he rushed forward, regardless of danger and yet not exactly so, for he adopted every prudent precaution that time and circumstances would allow, to defend himself both against flames and suffocation-he reached the chamber where the poor creature was, and bore her in safety to the window, whence she was removed unhurt. Her deliverer, however, had received a violent blow on his leg, which in its effects proved even worse than a fracture. He has ever since been a sufferer, and, in all probability, will, to the end of life, feel the effects of his generous enterprise. But he considers his sufferings highly compensated in the success that crowned his endeavour, and the gratitude of those on whose behalf he nobly ventured." "It was a noble action," " said cousin Frank; "the man ought to receive a medal or premium from some of the societies. I do not know that such a mark of honour would add to his satisfaction; but it is due to his merit."

We proceeded on our way, noticing, as we passed, the various scenes of nature, the instincts and habits of the animal tribes, or the features of human character which presented themselves to our view. Our minds are sometimes more disposed to investigate the minute; at others, more inclined to dwell on the majestic. The latter tone of feeling seemed to prevail on this occasion. The noble river, and the stately oak, with its massive trunk and wide-spreading branches, enriched and mellowed with the tints of autumn, were more in unison with our feelings than the busy pismires at its feet. And yet, these were not altogether overlooked; for, as my Uncle Barnaby observed, when