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old tenant, and respected that composure and resignation which shed an evening calm over the rustic's soul—a calm which he inly envied. He could not converse, his heart was too full-he felt bowed to the earth.

Many were the calls at the rectory before the shielded family took leave of their native village. Several of the neighbouring gentry left their cards, and those who were on more familiar terms came to bid a cordial good bye. The curate was not wanting in his attentions, and virtuous-hearted man, he piously endeavoured to confer that comfort by which alone a real soothing to the wounded soul could be given. He conversed with Godfrey, and zealously essayed to prove that this trial was, indeed, a blessing and not a curse. The spinster sisters forgot not to evince their sympathy. The rector contemplated the sororal couple, wistfully insisted on their taking some hot negus, and they alternately laughed and cried in the midst of this strange scene so strangely presented beneath his roof.

It was proposed that at an early hour the

family should commence their long journey. They were astir betimes, and ere the sun had illumined the russet east all were in readiness. Poor old Simon had never gone to bed, throughout the night he had been bustling about in making one arrangement or another, and had effected no inconsiderable part in launching off the stout waggon of trusty Fallow, which had left the village as the clock struck twelve. The vehicles for the conveyance of the family were now placed in readiness, and even old Corporal and the jingling phaton, both of which had been spared in the breaking up of the establishment, were awaiting the start. With the first light of the new-born day, the travellers silently sought their way through the quiet village, which yet scarcely sent up one smoky column to the fresh blue sky. The rumbling sounds of the carriages rose up many a drowsy denizen, who, from humble casement took a sorrowing look of, and breathed a parting benediction to the last of their ancient rulers. Never did holy father enunciate pax vobiscum more unfeign

VOL. II.

F

edly, never were warmer heart-wishes given from human lips.

Every house, every object as they passed, were lingeringly regarded as immemorial and now vanishing friends; they were wound round the memory from the first dawn of recollection, and a thousand happy associations crowded upon the recounting mind as the eye gazed upon them-and the heart took a reluctant farewell!

Having proceeded a short distance along the narrow green lanes, and gained a gentle eminence, whence was visible one of the loveliest rural scenes in England, Godfrey halted and turned to take one last look of his time-honoured home. The sun had now begun to climb the eastern sky, and tinge the thick foliage of many a forest king with liquid gold. The sharp gables of his patrimonial mansion were thrown out in clear relief from the thick elm trees in which it was navelled, and the glittering fane of that holy tower reflected, with shining brightness, the first beams of the just-risen day-god.

Agonizing glance! Gaze on, Godfrey, if thou can'st through those blinding tears; thou feelest some of that grief, of those riving pangs, which the first man felt, when with flaming brand expelled from Eden's bowers; but console thy stricken soul, as of life's ills thou now hast known the worst. Proceed on the way of thy destiny; and, in the words of Samson Agonistes, bear thy lot "with plain heroic magnitude of mind."

He turned from the spot; the carriages moved on, and Elleringay was lost to the sight.

CHAPTER V.

"The statesman, lawyer, merchant, man of trade,
Pants for the refuge of some rural shade,
Where all his long anxieties forgot

Amid the charms of a sequestered spot.

*

He may possess the joys he thinks he sees,
Lay his old age upon the lap of ease.'

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COWPER.

"The family resolve to hold up their heads."

Vicar of Wakefield.

"There is something in a name!"

Vulgar Adage.

Ir was one of those sunshiny mornings when even a large, smoke-clouded city looks laughing and cheerful, that Mr. Jingles,

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