when we stumbled upon you. But let us advance to that spot, one which I visit when my soul is stirred by passions unsuited to be witnessed by vulgar men."

CHAPTER XXIII.

Patriotism is a necessary link in the golden chain of our affections and virtues. It turns away from all the false philosophy or mistaken religion, that would persuade man than cosmopolitism is greater than nationality. But where are the men for all countries and all ages produced? In a circle defined by human affections, the first firm sod of which became sacred beneath the step of the citizen.

COLERIDGE.

ASAPH strode on rapidly; Gordon followed in silence; the stranger also was silent. Indeed he was a man more disposed to allow others to declare their sentiments than eager for the utterance of his own. This Hindoo's vigilant and unimpassioned observation of

those with whom he came into contact made Angus feel that he was a dangerous personage, one who might acquire an undue influence over his associates. Such was the case in the present instance. Asaph Hussein, acute, generous, and high spirited as he was, had been caught in his toils.

From a path rugged with the roots of thick trees they now emerged on an open space. Opposite to them rose the ruins of a fine arch of dark-red stone, nearly fifty feet in height and of admirable architecture. They passed through this, which was the gate of an ancient city now crumbling in decay. Near it stood a mosque of exquisite construction, scarcely injured by time. The testimony borne by its beauty and symmetry to the greatness and the civilisation of the Moslem race in India, needed not the wildness of the jungle which had grown up around to make it impressive. So thought Gordon as he gazed on the rich, fantastic

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play of light and shadow through the succession of arches crossing and intermingling in the building. Its aerial lightness, its freedom from elaborate forms, seemed inspired by the first simplicity of the Mohammedan religion. No more idols: one God: faith in Him: belief in His prophet. This creed, so narrow, being firmly grasped, seemed at one time of force sufficient to destroy the idol worship, thousands of years old, of the nations. And what, asked he of himself, should not Christianity have effected ere this, since Islamism could once do such great things? With weapons different from those of the Mogul we should have done much greater.

They left the mosque and proceeded to a place of tombs. Some of them contained. chambers for prayer or retreat. One of them, kept in good preservation, they approached. "My father's tomb," said Asaph Hussein, "a sacred place," and he seemed

lost in thought for some minutes. It was sacred, in truth, but only in that sense in which to Hannibal, after his defeat, the altar would have been sacred where he had sworn undying hostility to the Romans.

At length he resumed, "My father fell not far from this spot in a skirmish with some English troops. I was only fourteen then, but I was with him. I caused his body to be buried here, and had this tomb erected, although the city was in ruins as you see it. But it was here that the first prince or ruler of our house, a successful warrior, established his sway. Here stood an ancient city of India, from which he banished the pollutions of idolatry, and over which he reigned with equity. He was loved and feared, and left a name long honoured. I thought these ruins a fit resting place for my father, the last of his descendants worthy of him. We are notI am not," he added moodily.