proaches, when both men and things will appear to you in a different light. Many characters which you now admire, will, by and by, sink in your esteem; and many opinions of which you are at present most tenacious, will alter as you advance in years. Distrust therefore that glare of youthful presumption, which dazzles your eyes. Abound not in your own sense. Put not yourselves forward with two much eagerness; nor imagine, that by the impetuosity of juvenile ardour, you can overturn systems which have been long established, and change the face of the world. "Learn not to think more highly of yourselves than you ought to think, but to think soberly." By patient and gradual progression in improvement, you may, in due time, command lasting esteem; but by assuming, at present, a tone of superiority, to which you have no title, you will disgust those whose approbation it is most important to gain. Forward vivacity may fit you to become the companions of an idle hour; more solid qualities must recommend you to the wise, and mark you out for importance, and consideration in subsequent life.

Blair.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER

FROM THE REV. M. HUGHES, ONE OF THE BIBLE SOCIETY'S SECRETARIES, IN 1811.

On the Monday after my return, I proceeded with my excellent colleagues, for Norwich, where a numerous and respectable meeting was held on Wednesday, in a very spacious and convenient hall: The Mayor

presided. The Bishop spoke with great decision and equal liberality, and the result was, the establishment of the Norfolk and Norwich Bible Society.

About £700. was subscribed, and one happy amiable sentiment appeared to pervade the company. My colleagues and myself adjourned to Earlham, two miles from Norwich, where we had passed the previous day, and where we witnessed the emanations of piety, generosity, and affection, in a degree that does not often meet the eyes of mortals.

Our hosts and hostesses were the Gurneys, chiefly Quakers, who, together with their guests amounted to about thirty-four. A clergyman, at the instance of one of the family, and I presume, with the most cordial concurrence of the rest, read a portion of the scriptures, morning and evening, and twice we had prayers, I should have said thrice, for after dinner on the day of the meeting, the pause, encouraged by the Society of Friends, was succeeded by a devout address to the Deity, from a female minister, Elizabeth Fry, whose manner was impressive, and whose words were so appropriate, that none present can ever forget the incident, or ever advert to it, without sensations alike powerful and pleasing. The first emotion was surprise, the second, awe, and the third, pious fervour. As soon as we were re-adjusted at the table, I thought it might be serviceable to offer a remark, that proved the coincidence of my heart with the devotional exercise in which we had been engaged. This had the desired effect: Mr. Owen and others, suggested accor

dant sentiments, and we seemed generally to feel like the disciples, whose hearts burned within them, as they walked to Emmaus. The days passed in this excellent family were opened with joy, and closed with regret ; few such days will occur again: yet, when devotion shall cease to be measured by days-pleasure far more intense shall spring up, for ever fresh; and all the members of the vast household of faith, shall behold each other, in a scene where purity is unblemished, harmony uninterrupted, and bliss complete and everlasting. When shall I awake, and find myself there?

HOW OLD ART THOU?

COUNT not the days that have idly flown,
The years that were vainly spent,

Nor speak of the hours thou must blush to own,
When the spirit stands before the throne,
To account for the talents lent.

But number the hours redeem'd from sin,
The moments employ'd for heaven :
Oh, few and evil thy days have been,
Thy life, a toilsome but worthless scene,
For a nobler purpose given.

Will the shade go back on thy dial plate?
Will thy sun stand still on his way?

Both hasten on; and thy spirit's fate
Rests on the point of life's little date:

Then live while 'tis call'd to day.

Life's warning hours, like the sybil's page,

As thy lesson, in value rise:

Oh, rouse thee and live! nor deem, that man's age
Stands in the length of his pilgrimage,

But in days that are truly wise.

THE following observations were made by the American envoy, after transacting some business with William Allen, at his house in London. When he was about to take his leave, he said, "I admire your Society its principles contain all of Christianity that I have any idea of, but I am sorry to see that some of you are losing your badge, and I don't see how you can retain your principles, and forego your little peculiarities, your marks of self-denial, and difference from the rest of the world. You are lights; the world should come to you, and not you go to the world. You may gather them, but they will scatter you."

THE EMPEROR ALEXANDER AND THE FRIENDS.

I shall begin by informing thee, that contrary to the expectation of all who were assembled at Westminster meeting, on first day morning, and at a time, when friends were about thinking to separate, the Emperor Alexander and his sister, the Duchess of Oldenburg, together with two princes, of whose titles I am not informed, but one was supposed to be his nephew, attended by Count Lievin, were conducted by William Allen, with great stillness, to the top of the meeting, and with little changing of seats, the meeting being

unusually small. In a very short time, their countenances became settled into that Christian seriousness, which so particularly characterized the duchess's conduct at the meeting at Devonshire-house, and which I think, none who are unacquainted with the power of religion on the mind, could possibly assume. After their entrance, the meeting continued nearly an hour, and notwithstanding the carriages drove very rapidly to the door, and the concourse of people that rushed in immediately after the royal strangers, the meeting soon became settled into quite as much stillness, as if it had been composed entirely of members of our own society. At the conclusion of the meeting, the emperor and the duchess did not seem in a hurry to depart, but with their usual condescension, took notice of all, and cordially shook hands with such as were near them. Previous to entering their carriage, the emperor told William Allen, of whom he had made choice to be present at the presenting of the address, that he would receive it at the hour of ten o'clock, on third day following, desiring that no others might be admitted, as he wished it to be quite a private conference. William Allen, however, very properly made interest with Count Lievin, for the admission of Stephen Grellett, which he was only able to accomplish, on the ground of his perfect knowledge of the French language.

We of course were punctual to our appointment, but owing to the worthy emperor having been detained so long at White's ball, that he did not retire to rest till past seven o'clock in the morning, we thought our