no wonder that this was made a matter of triumph by Mr. Archdeacon Smoothtongue, and Mr. Spiteful, that the Rectory house at Sandover was turned into a ragman's shop, and that Merryman had been crying from the pulpit," Old clothes." But while the one had little more than the farce and form of religion in his proud and priestly appearance, without one doit of its divine realities; and while the other, from the mere ravings arising from the enmity of his heart, would be casting his envenomed reflections against this benevolent and excellent youth, whose free, easy, and not less useful conduct, was such a reproof to those who have no other design of living, but as they live to themselves; their invidious sneers were justly deemed by others, as being beneath contempt. But it still remains with me to tell how that in an unprotected hour, (according to our dark conceptions,) this interesting and useful man, even in the faithful discharge of the duties of his office, was brought to an untimely grave.

In the former editions of these Dialogues, this event was made known by a sort of circuitous information, which would not admit a detail of some circumstances, which, though painful, may still be profitable to the reader's mind. It is best that he should have it as a family event, as thereby the narration is likely to be more correct, and much more interesting to those who feel under such family calamities, as Christians should.

He was called to visit one of his parishioners, who was highly infected with a putrid fever, which after a few days deprived him of his life. This poor man, greatly alarmed at his unprepared state, sent for Mr. Merryman. He seeing him in such deep distress, probably continued in the infected room, highly contaminated with putrid air, and also very close, longer than prudence might othe wise have suggested; and further

promised to repeat his visit on the following day, requesting that some of the neighbours might then attend in an adjoining cottage, that he might improve the event of the sudden seizure of this thoughtless sinner. He went, but found him so deranged by the vehemence of the fever, as entirely to preclude him from deriving any advantage from his beneficial advice; but alas! he had scarcely finished his improving and impressive exhortation, before he began to feel in himself, some strong symptoms of the same disease. After his return home, he immediately retired to his chamber: but the ragings of his fever entirely deprived him of his rest, so that in the morning, very considerable alarm was excited, the feelings of Mrs. Merryman began to be acutely awakened, lest she should lose the best of husbands, after such an early, and happy union with each other; while the inhabitants of Sandover, so happy in such a Minister, were filled with general consternation, lest they should be deprived of one of the greatest blessings they could enjoy.

From such alarming symptoms, it was deemed necessary to call in the best medical aid the neighbourhood could afford. Dr. Skillman, a physician of the first eminence, was immediately sent for; and though he lived at a considerable distance from Sandover, yet his patient received his first visit from him before the setting sun. Unwilling to alarm the feelings of the family at Brookfield Hall, by Dr. Skillman's advice, the message designed for them, was deferred until the effect of a powerful medicine, which was immediately administered, had been first proved.

This seemed to have had some favourable effect; the message was delayed for a few days longer; but the fever soon afterwards recovered its strength, while from several incoherent expressions, it appeared he was no longer collected, through the vehemence of the disease.

It was now deemed necessary, that the family at Brookfield Hall should be informed of this alarming event, without any further delay; and Dr. Skillman, wishing to visit an old patient residing at Mapleton, offered to be the messenger of these sad tidings, as being the best qualified to give the most correct report of his patient's disease, and also to consult what further steps it might be necessary to take, to save if possible the life of this invaluable young minister. However, the reader will soon discover that whatever ability the Doctor possessed in his professional character, he was but ill instructed in that celestial science, which had made Mr. Merryman so good a man. The Doctor accordingly took the journey, and having been introduced to Mr. and Mrs. Worthy, after the usual salutations, the Dialogue thus commenced.

Dr. Skillman. [To Mr. Worthy.] Sir, I am sorry to be the messenger of such painful news respecting the health of your son-in-law, Mr. Merryman.

Mrs. Wor. Dear, Sir, you quite alarm us; I hope he is not dangerously ill.

Dr. Skillm. Why, madam, I am sorry to inform you, that after having twice visited one of his parishioners in a putrid fever, he has caught the infection.

Mr. Wor. But I hope, Sir, the symptoms at present are not dangerous.

Dr. Skillm. Not to flatter you, Sir, I must confess that some of the symptoms have considerably alarmed

us.

Mrs. Wor. I have not a child of my own, that I cau love better than him; he is the best of husbands, and the best of men. Oh! what my poor daughter must feel! especially, just after her lying in. How will she support it! We must go directly and see them.

Dr. Skillm. I would not wish, madam, that you should determine upon that too hastily; I am sorry to say, that the fever has greatly injured his recollection, and the less he has to agitate his mind, the better we can grapple with the disease.

Mrs. Wor. What, Sir, is he so bad, that none of us can be permitted to see him ?>

Dr. Skillm. Certainly, it is most advisable that his mind should be kept as still and quiet as possible. I have frequently found it needful, to request Mrs. Merryman to retire out of the room: he seeing her so deeply distressed, that it greatly agitates his feelings.

Mrs. Wor. O Sir! and is there not great reason to fear lest my daughter should catch the infection?

Dr. Skillm. I have no apprehensions of that sort : for where rooms are properly ventilated, and other precautions duly attended to, (which was not the case in the house he unhappily visited,) fevers are seldom infectious. But I am sorry to say, he is a bad subject for such a disease, for whoever he sees, it is sure to set him roving about religion.

Wor. Ah, dear man! I know that is uppermost in his mind at all times; but I hope if his talking warmly and affectionately about religion, is the only proof of a temporary derangement, he is not quite so bad as you may suppose.

Dr. Skillm. On my last visit there were certainly symptoms which gave me some favourable hopes of his recovery: but the fever seems much in his head: for at times he speaks quite irrationally on that subject. Though he is so ill, yet he is perpetually saying, that he must preach on Sunday, while he fancies he is preaching some of his extempore sermons, talking about his religion, and thinks he is saying his prayers to some of the people.

Wor. But as these subjects were so much his delight

when he was well, I should hope the thoughts of them can do him no harm, now he is ill.

Dr. Skillm. But he is so restless about serving his Church. And when I told him, that I thought I could obtain for him the assistance of Canon Careless, who seldom does any duty himself, he immediately replied, that he would rather the Church were shut up, than it should be served by one who is not a Christian. What a proof of derangement, to suppose that a Canon of one of our Cathedral Churches is not a Christian!

Wor. Ah, Sir! my dear son-in-law, (after he had felt the power that made him such an altered man, when compared to what he was, even some time after he was in orders,) knows better than to suppose, that all are Christians, because they merely bear the Christian name, and that all are Christian ministers because they sit in Cathedral stalls. He well knows the character of the Canon, who is paid so plentifully from the income of his valuable living, besides his Canonry. While he does nothing, or next to nothing, for all that he receives. Who that loves the world, would not but be a Christian for such rewards as these?

Dr. Skillm. But, Sir, though the Canon is not so correct and diligent in his religion as he should be, yet is it not universally admitted among men of science, especially if they aim at being eminent in that science, that no person whatsoever can be permitted to share the honours belonging to their profession, till such time, as that they have been examined respecting their knowledge in that profession? Is not the same knowledge required in the science of Christian theology? Was not the Canon christen'd in that faith, and always bred up to it? was he not sent to Oxford to be a teacher of that religion, as I was taught Pharmacy, Surgery, and other branches necessarily connected with the knowledge of our profession? and has he not lately taken his