prosperity. Assure me in your reply that you are not unhappy in my absence, and rest confident that if we bear patiently the modicum of ills allotted to us, and honestly do our best to surmount them, we shall not be left unassisted by Him, who provides for the sparrow, and waters the flower of the desert.”

The following was written a few days later from the house of his father, who had given a different version of the story, and, while deceiving himself, had inspired his son with his own sanguine hopes and expectations.

"Your letter, indeed seems (as if in approbation of its tone, and as another proof that Providence lifts the burden which is thrown upon him,) to have changed the aspect of our affairs. Many might call me superstitious on this point; but I so constantly see a particular Providence connected with the blessings and visitations which befal us, that I have, practically, no doubts on the subject, while the highest authority teaches us to believe it."

In many points Dr. Hope resembled his father, to whom he was much attached. It was his constant habit to write him the most minute details of his plans, his hopes, and his success; and the old gentleman took a lively interest in all that concerned his

son.

The following letter affords so beautiful a pattern of encouragement and admonition from a Christian parent, that we cannot refrain from inserting it in this place.

"MY DEAR James,

"October 27th, 1832.

"The contents of your letter of the 15th instant delight me much, and I have full hope and trust in God that all your anticipations will, in due time, be fully realised. But forget not that man may plan with much care, foresight, and prudence, and yet in the result be disappointed, for God only gives success and increase; therefore, in God alone, it is duty and sound wisdom in man to place full trust and confidence. In the morning, on your knees, ask his blessing on your endeavours for the day; and, at night, with grateful hearts, thank Him for the comforts you have found. From this habit fully settled and acted upon, you will find constant relief in both body and mind. Tell your wife that your last letter has given me an opening and peep into her heart, and perceiving it so perfectly in unison with that of the Hopes, I love her dearly, and hope, ere long, I may be permitted to tell her so in person. In the mean time and afterwards, go on as at present, hand in hand, and I fear not your united efforts and industry will be crowned with complete success. Occasional information of successful progress in your present bold undertakings will add to my comfort. With every good wish,

"I am, DEAR JAMES,

"Your's most truly,

"THOMAS HOPE.”

CHAPTER V.

In a previous chapter we have said, that personal ambition had ceased to be the main-spring of Dr. Hope's actions; and that he now desired to devote all his talents, his professional eminence, and the influence accruing from it, to the service of religion. That we were warranted in making this assertion will be evident from a letter which he wrote on his election to St. George's Hospital. This letter, and those of Dr. Burder in connexion with it, shew in what light professional preferment is viewed by the religious man.

On Dr. Hope's first arrival in town, he had been introduced by Dr. Beilby of Edinburgh, to Dr. Burder, the son of the pious and well-known author of

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Village Sermons." A great similarity in talents and disposition, in refinement of sentiment and delicacy of character, drew these two excellent men together; and, at a later period, when they discovered in each other a unison of religious opinion, these feelings kindled into warm affection. Dr. Hope looked up to Dr. Burder as one who had been trained in religious principles, and who had always maintained a consistent conduct. While he respected him on these grounds, he felt Dr. Burder especially endeared to him as the only one of his professional brethren with whom he was in the habit of interchanging religious sentiments, or from whom he could ask advice founded on

religious principles. What was Dr. Burder's estimate of Dr. Hope may be seen from the following extract from a letter to a friend. In reference to the early period of their acquaintance, he says, "Some years ago, before I was aware of Dr. Hope's religious principles, I had sometimes said to Mrs. Burder, after observing him narrowly, 'Well, if Dr. Hope is not a pious man, he is the most perfect man without religion I ever met with.' But the more I knew of him, the more anxious was I to discover whether any principles short of those which teach repentance towards God, faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and an unreserved consecration of heart and life to His service, could have yielded such transparency of conduct, such humanity, disinterestedness, humility, guileless simplicity, and undeviating integrity, as I observed in him. At length, I learned that he lived as seeing Him who is invisible."

6

Shortly before Dr. Hope was elected assistant-physician to St. George's Hospital, Dr. Burder's health had obliged him to retire from London practice. On hearing of Dr. Hope's election, he wrote the following letter of congratulation, which we introduce, not only on account of its intrinsic merit, but because it is closely connected with Dr. Hope's answer :

"Tilford House, near Farnham, Surrey, November 1834.

"MY DEAR SIR,

"I cannot refuse myself the gratification of offering

my sincere and hearty congratulations on your election to St. George's Hospital. I expect it will prove an epoch in your professional history. Your talents and attainments are now sufficiently acknowledged to render that hospital very valuable to yourself and beneficial to others—especially to younger men requiring an example, as well as instruction, in their medical career. Among other advantages accruing to the students from such men as Chambers and yourself being their directors, that of maintaining a high tone of moral principle, and discountenancing every approach to artifice and chicanery, every attempt at professional trickery and cajoling, appears to me none of the least. Whatever changes may take place in our 'order,' I do hope that the leading physicians will always be gentlemen and men of integrity. I earnestly wish for you, my dear Sir, much health and prosperity in the performance of your additional duties, if, indeed, I ought to say, 'additional,' for I presume you will relinquish the infirmary, in which you never felt altogether at home. Will you allow a cautious friend once more to say :-' Do not work too hard, but pray secure intervals of repose, and a fair proportion of sleep.'

"I do not, my dear Sir, venture to obtrude one important subject again upon your notice, because you have not particularly adverted to a former communication. Allow me, however, just to remark, that when