all probability, be in the Parliament-house on the day of its meeting, and so share in the general ruin. It was natural for him to wish to save his friend; but how could he do so without implicating his fellow-conspirators, or discovering the plot contrary to the promise of secrecy? This was a difficult and painful point to decide, and when decided, a still more difficult matter to accomplish. However, about ten days before the meeting of Parliament, Lord Monteagle received a letter from a person unknown; it was brought to him by a stranger, who disappeared as soon as he had delivered it, and from whom therefore, no information could be obtained. Lord Monteagle hastily opened the mysterious communication, and read as follows:

"MY LORD.-Stay away from this Parliament, for God and man have concurred to punish the wickedness of these times. And think not slightly of this advertisement, but retire into the country, where you may expect the event in safety. For though there be no appearance of any stir, yet I say they will receive a terrible blow this Parliament, and yet they will not see who hurts them. This counsel is not to be contemned, because it may do you good, and can do you no harm; for the danger is past as soon as you have burnt this letter."

You will not wonder that Lord Monteagle felt puzzled at the contents of this epistle. He read it to himself again and again to little purpose, and then took it to the Secretary of state, Lord Salisbury. He too, was unable to understand the hidden meaning of the expressions; but he thought it right to lay it before the king and his council. They all read it, and were all alarmed at the threatened danger, though for a long time none of them could guess what that danger might be. At last, James himself began to comprehend something of the dark meaning of the mysterious communication. He suspected, that some danger was to be apprehended from gunpowder, and advised that, at all events, the vaults beneath the Parliament House should be inspected. The charge of this investigation was entrusted to the Duke of Suffolk, the Lord Chamberlain; but he judged it best not to attempt a search until the very night before the meeting of Parliament. On that evening, he went, with suitable attendants, to the vaults, and there discovered a man dressed in a cloak and boots, with a dark lantern in his hand. This man was none other than Guy Fawkes, who was just making the final preparations for the explosion of the train of gunpowder on the following day. He was immediately seized; and though at first he tried to evade the ques

tions asked him, his guilt was too manifest for him long to attempt concealment; for matches, and other combustibles, were found in his pockets. The whole design was soon discovered, and Fawkes was brought before the council. Instead of showing any sense of fear or shame, however, he boldly told the officers of justice that, had he succeeded in blowing up them and himself too, he should have been happy, and that all he lamented was the failure of the enterprize,-not his own danger and punishment. He made known the names of his accomplices, and search was accordingly commenced for them. Catesby, Percy, and Digby, had fled into Warwickshire; but they were pursued there, and soon discovered. The inhabitants of the country around were ready to take part against them, and the conspirators therefore fled to Holbeach House, determined to defend themselves as long as they could, and to fight for their lives. But it so happened, that a spark fell upon some gunpowder laid out to dry near the spot; an explosion ensued, which so injured some of the conspirators, that the remainder of them thought it best to open the gates, and encounter the multitude assembled around the house. A dreadful slaughter followed; several were killed immediately; others fell fighting, covered with wounds; the survivors were taken prisoners, conveyed to

London, tried, condemned, and hanged. Guy Fawkes too was executed; only a few of the least guilty experienced mercy from the king.

Thus remarkably was this dangerous conspiracy discovered, and put down. We may be reminded here, of that other signal deliverance, in the reign of Elizabeth, from the attempt of the king of Spain; and as we add one and another mercy to the long catalogue of national blessings which we have from time to time received, fresh reason is afforded us for offering thanks and praise to Him who was the Great Preserver in them all. And you know, that we are, in an especial manner, invited to do this in reference to the event we commemorate on the fifth of November. As often as that morning dawns upon us, we are summoned to the house of God, there to recal to mind our past mercies; and in the beautiful service appointed for the day, publicly to "yield our unfeigned thanks and praise for the wonderful and mighty deliverance of our most gracious sovereign King James I., the Queen, the Prince, and all the Royal Branches; with the Nobility, Clergy, and Commons of England then assembled in Parliament." And then, we are taught to acknowledge, that from this unnatural conspiracy, not our merit, but God's mercy; not our foresight, but his providence delivered us; and therefore, we add, " Not unto us, O Lord, not

unto us, but unto thy name be ascribed all honour and glory, in all churches of the saints, from generation to generation."

This is the right, the best way of celebrating the fifth of November. Old custon has indeed established many other ways of remembering it, by holiday festivities, and bon-fires, and fire-works, and noisy games and merriment; but though mirth, under due restrictions, is far from prohibited on such an occasion, it should never shut out or supersede those serious reflections which belong so properly to a day like this. And there is another thing to be guarded against on the fifth of November, besides forgetfulness of past mercies. Some people are inclined to cherish unkindly feelings at that time,-feelings of revenge and bitterness towards those misguided conspirators particularly, and towards all Papists universally,-forgetting that distinction of which I was speaking the other day-the distinction between principles and personswhich we should always be careful to preserve. Let us bear in mind, that while we remember the danger, and are thankful for the deliverance, we must not give way to any expressions of hatred towards those deluded men who formed that dreadful plot under the sad influence of a religion of superstition and cruelty. We are reminded, in the Gospel for the fifth of