In this respect, he resembles the officer in Tom Jones, who had been long enough out of France to forget his own language, but not long enough in England to learn the language of the country. He has little sentiment of locality, and, therefore, emigrates with an indifference only inferior to that of an American planter, who, having created a beautiful spot in the wilderness, disposes of it, and removes some hundreds of miles to create and abandon in the same manner, another. He is, of consequence, generally liberal-minded, and perfectly free from national prejudice. It is an undue fondness for country which makes us so often short sighted, ungenerous, and unjust. Benevolence, humanity, and even justice, are sacrificed on the altar of patriotism. Manlius, Brutus, and Mutius, were counted worthy Romans, but they were most unworthy and undeserving men.

The English are said to be the most rational people in the world. On many, perhaps on most subjects, I believe they are so-yet, what people have ever discovered greater want of judgment or more blameable prejudice on every thing connected with France and Frenchmen, whom, by a fate as unfortunate as that of Cassandra, they seem doomed always to hate, and always to imitate? Were all that has been written of delusion and sanguine expectation with regard to its

result since the commencement of the present war, brought together, it would probably make one of the largest and most foolish books ever written. Even at this instant, with all their expe rience of the past, how few Englishmen are there who are thoroughly alive to the perils of their situation, or who perceive that, like the sailor-boy upon the high and giddy mast, they are slumbering in the cradle of the rude imperious surge, which has swallowed so many empires and nations, and yawns to swallow them also. Yet, hardly a man taken at random among the Presbyterians of the North of Ireland, I am persuaded, is to be found, who has not at times the gloomiest forebodings on this subject, and whose fears do not more than balance his hopes.

Are then, it may be asked, the Presbyterians of the North of Ireland a more rational and enlightened people than the English? Assuredly they are not-on many subjects they are less so. But on this particular subject, though their affections are interested, they are less interested-their interest is less, their pride is less, and their prejudices less. Time only can tell whether their judgment is greater.

CHAP. XXV.

Strabane.

MAN, in his journey through life, would fly heedless over the road, were it not for the milestones on his way-they arrest his attention, they recall his wandering thoughts, and, by shewing him how much he has travelled, tell him how little of his journey remains.

I know nothing more calculated to draw forth sad and mournful reflections, than a return, after a long absence, to the place where we passed our youthful days. Man, who moves in his ordinary circle, seldom looks beyond it, and, occupied with his amusements or his business, thinks little, because they are gradual, of the changes time has wrought either in others or in himself. But on a return to the place in which he formerly lived, he finds every thing changed-children are grown up to be men and women, middle age is old age, and old age is either helpless imbecility, or mouldering in the tomb. Man sees now he is moving in a circle, but fast approaching the goal whither tend all the sons of men. He mingles with society, but finds it so different from what it had formerly been; the sympathy, the interest,

not

the community of feeling, which intercourse had occasioned, is broken off-he is received with, and feels kindness, but it is kindness only-different habits, different manners, and different degrees of communication with the world, will hardly allow him to feel much friendship or to experience much gratification. The landscape seems changed likewise-he still mounts the hills with pleasure, but it is not unmixed pleasurehe wanders over his favourite walks-time he thinks has changed them, alas! it has only changed himself.

Upwards of forty years ago, a lad, about sixteen years of age, the son of a respectable farmer, was sent to America, to pitch his fortune, as the phrase here is. His passage was paid for him. He had a couple of suits of clothes, a dozen of shirts, and ten guineas in his pocket, which is the common outfitting farmers give their sons. Extravagance is no more a Presbyterian's vice, than distrust in Providence.

For four years the friends of the young man heard frequently from him, and wrote to him in return. On one of those occasions, they informed him of the death of his father. As he was an only son, the farm, which was a valuable one, was now become his, and his mother and sister were left without any provision. He was desired to come immediately

home and take possession. A paragraph of his letter (which was addressed to his mother) in reply, is so characteristic of an upright and noble mind, that I cannot forbear inserting it. When the universe is shaken by the crimes of man, it is pleasant to pause and contemplate his virtues, however humble the sphere in which they are exerted.

A

"I have not succeeded here to my wish. I am preparing to go back to the wilderness, and should I not make something like a fortune, you will never hear from me more. In the mean time act, manage, and dispose of the property, as if there were no such person as me in the universe. I renounce all right to it. I will never touch a haporth of it, or a haporth's worth, and God's curse light on me if I do not keep my word. Should any thing happen to me, I have given your direction to a friend who will not fail to let you know-but I do not fear, for I am under the care of a good God, who spread a table for the Israelites in the wilderness, and whose eye will watch over me the same as if I were on the fairy waterside. For has he not said when thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee.' Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil-for he is with me, his rod and his staff they comfort me." "