tally-one living, as the Cameronian said, in the black nature of ignorance, who cries, hilloah, I shall instruct you in this matter. You may as well ask a lobster for a lesson in navigation. This is dramatic now. Man's fancy can invent nothing

to excel this."

The divine seemed seriously puzzled how to manage the controversy into which he had precipitated himself; his knowledge and his presence of mind supplied him with no remedy, and he stood silent-not so Paul. "No one, indeed," he said, "asked my counsel, but it is not needed the less. Did it become me to stand idly by, and see two men, who ought to be examples to others, drifting down the stormy ocean of idle controversy without compass or star, and not lay my hand on the helm and guide them into port." "Now," said Lord Dalveen, "you are delivered of your professional simile, your part is acted,-you have vindicated your claim to rusticity,-no one can doubt now that your pursuit is mechanical,-begone then !— away!-you understand me."

Paul was not to be intimidated, nor insulted with safety. "I am, as you say, of humble descent, and my profession is humble also. I am proud of springing from a cottage with walls of clay and a roof of straw; but, before I die, my house shall be of marble, its walls hung with banners, and gilt with gold. My name shall be heard of for deeds of daring, when thine shall

VOL. I.

G

only be known in some parish record of folly and seduction. I shall raise my house,-you are pulling your's down, and smothering yourself in the rubbish."

The brow of Dalveen grew flushed and fiery,whatever answer he meditated, whether of words or blows, was interrupted by the appearance of Lady Emeline, the agitated motion of whose ancient silks told of the anxious state of her mind. "What means all this, reverend sir," said the venerable lady." There is anger in your eye,— anger on this youth's brow, and in the look of my son I can read fury against both."-" Lady," answered the divine, " there is sorrow in my eye, but no anger; I came and found your son mocking the actions of devout men, and making unseemly mirth at the servants of the Most High. He had made unto himself a pulpit, and unto seven elders seven seats, and for the impure he had raised a seat of repentance. And he had called a sinner before him, and with the words of the kirk he admonished him, and made a jest of things holy, and sought to make the profane laugh. And I came and saw, and was sorrowful, and rebuked him, and scattered his altars. Then he stood up and blasphemed the true kirk,-and now, what shall hinder me from delivering him over to the spirit of darkness, as my brethren did of old "

66

"Reverend sir," answered Lady Emeline,have not the power to bind and loose, to curse

you

and cast away, though you have much power among men if you would use it discreetly. The wild Arab, when he takes the steed of the desert, doth not smite him with his lance, nor gore him with the rowel, in taming his mood and winning him for his servant. He sooths him with mild words, he feeds him with sweet herbage and fresh corn, and slips a shining bitt in his mouth, and rides him at will. Do thou likewise. A minister of God's word might reign like one of the princes of the earth among devout men, would he but study the ways of his people,-be frequent in his visitations,affectionate in his words,-and merciful and tender-hearted." 66 Lady Emeline," replied Seth,

"much that you have said"

"I speak not to be answered," rejoined the lady. -"This is the castle of Dalveen, and my word here is a command,-men reply not to thee in the pulpit, and in mine own hall I brook no back-answerings. My son wished to give an evening's mirth to his menials, and thy presence was not asked. This is not the kirk,-at each man's hearth thou art not to erect an altar for rebuke and admonishment. Leave mirth to the young, reverend sir, --and if you will do good in your ministry, come with me. For one stricken hour of storm and fire have I been upon my knees, interceding with Heaven for my humbled house. And on my knees would I still have been, had not the strife of men's

85865A

tongues invaded my chamber. Come with me, I respect thy motives for acting thus, but I have no praise for thy discretion."

As Lady Emeline led Seth from the hall, Lord Dalveen observed, turning to Paul.-"See, see with what grace that reverend person stalks along. He has all the easy courtesy of an old bear, when the showman pokes him in the ribs as an inducement to dance; his eye glimmers with rage; he churns the foam between his jaws; he utters a stifled growl, yet still he keeps pacing, and all who look on him laugh." Paul smiled at the whimsical accuracy of the comparison. "Come now," said the young nobleman," since reverend counsel and ancient discretion have retired hand in hand, let us have some mirth with these clods of the valley,-these sowers of corn and reapers of barley. They want but something to move them,-they have drunk deeply, and the good wine will do its good office." Airngray whispered something in his ear. "Aye, stay," said Dalveen," thou art an useful knave,— Paul, I remember me now, I have promised my person to a fair maiden for one midnight hour,— you don't know her well,—and I am sure you cannot guess her name. Her eye is ever downcast in the kirk, and nought less holy than a hymn ever passed between her lips.—I must go, Paul, I must go.-Let me see,—she lives a mile distant,-and thou hast wit enough for any thing. Stay these

same clods of the valley for one hour by any feat of imagination-I will be back by that time, and we shall have the parson to ourselves, too, for any prank we please. We shall scare him rarely. I can enact the great devil himself on a pinch,— you will personate one of the lesser fiends. We will find holy Seth as he goes homeward through the haunted glen. We shall enter into pithy controversy with him,-touch him on his weaknesses, of which, believe me, devout men have most,-we will spice our speech with brimstone, and speak figuratively in fire. But stay, that will seem like a sermon. We will personate lascivious fiends, and talk of soft beds and alabaster arms."

"That will be too much in your natural character, my lord," said Paul.-" Thou speakest truly lad,-thou speakest truly. We must abide by characters different from our own: Here, Airngray,-watch holy Seth,-find twenty reasons for keeping him in the castle till my return,-bide by him, man, and even grow devout. I'll give thee gold for the pain it gives thy conscience,—some more mirth must be had from him yet." "Lady Emeline read something of this in your looks," said Airngray; and holy Seth is cared for. It is her ladyship's order that all the people shall leave the hall at twelve, and I hear it striking now, a parting cup awaits them at the gate." "Away with them then, Airngray," said Lord