mountains, the cliffs of which, covered with eternal snows, and sometimes shooting into fantastic shapes, form the termination of most of the Swiss prospects, Our philosopher asked many questions as to their na tural history and productions. La Roche observed ⚫ the sublimity of the ideas which the view of their stupendous summits, inaccessible to mortal foot, was calculated to inspire, which naturally, said he, leads the mind to that Being by whom their foundations were laid. "They are not seen in Flanders !" said Ma'moiselle with a sigh. "That's an odd remark," smilingShe blushed, and he

said Mr.

enquired no farther.

'Twas with regret he left a society in which he found himself so happy; but he settled with La Roche and his daughter a plan of correspondence; and they took his promise, that, if ever he came within fifty leagues of their dwelling, he should travel those fifty leagues to visit them.

No. XLIV. SATURDAY, JUNE 26.

CONCLUSION OF THE STORY OF LA ROCHE.

ABOUT three years after, our philosopher was on a visit at Geneva; the promise he made to La Roche and his daughter, on his former visit, was recalled to his mind, by the view of that range of mountains, on a part of which they had often looked together. There was a reproach, too, conveyed along with the recollection, for his having failed to write The truth was, to either for several months past. that indolence was the habit most natural to him, from which he was not easily roused by the claims of cor

told us a Christian should; he is even so composed as to be now in his pulpit, ready to deliver a few "exhortations to his parishioners, as is the custom "with us on such occasions :-follow me, Sir, and "you shall hear him."-He followed the man with. but answering.

The church was dimly lighted, except near the pulpit, where the venerable La Roche was seated. His people were now lifting up their voices in a psalm to that Being whom their pastor had taught them 'ever to bless and to revere. La Roche sat, his figure bending gently forward, his eyes half-closed, lifted up in silent devotion. A lamp placed near him threw its light strong on his head, and marked the shadowy lines of age across the paleness of his brow; thinly covered with grey hairs.

The music ceased; La Roche sat for a moment, and nature wrung a few tears from him. His peo3 ple were loud in their grief. Mr.

was not less affected than they.La Roche arose." Father "of Mercies!" said he, "forgive these tears; assist "thy servant to lift up his soul to thee; to lift to

thee the souls of thy people -My friends it is "good so to do: at all seasons it is good; but in "the days of our distress, what a privilege it is! "Well saith the sacred book, "Trust in the Lord: "at all times trust in the Lord." 66 When every

other support fails us, when the fountains of world

ly comfort are dried up, let us then seek those "living waters which flow from the throne of God.— ""Tis only from the belief of the goodness and wis "dom of a supreme Being, that our calamities cad

be borne in that manner which becomes a man. "Human wisdom is here of little usé; for, in pro portion as it bestows comfort, it represses feeling; "without which we may cease to be hurt by cala "mity, but we shall also cease to enjoy happiness,

I will not bid you be insensible, rhy friends! I

"cannot, I cannot, if I would (his tears flowed afresh) "I feel too much myself, and I am not ashamed of 66 my feelings; but therefore may I the more wil"lingly be heard; therefore have I prayed God to "give me strength to speak to you; to direct you "to him, not with empty words, but with these tears; "not from speculation, but from experience,-that "while you see me suffer, you may know also my "consolation.

"You behold the mourner of his only child, the "last earthly stay and blessing of his declining years! "Such a child too!-It becomes not me to speak of "her virtues; yet it is but gratitude to mention "them, because they were exerted towards my"self.-Not many days ago you saw her young, "beautiful, virtuous, and happy ;-ye who are pa"rents will judge of my felicity then,-ye will judge "of my affliction now. But I look towards him who "struck me; I see the hand of a father amidst the "chastenings of my God.-Oh! could I make you "feel what it is to pour out the heart, when it is "pressed down with many sorrows, to pour it out "with confidence to him, in whose hands are life and "death, on whose power awaits all that the first en"joys, and in contemplation of whom disappears all "that the last can inflict !-For we are not as those "who die without hope; we know that our Re"deemer liveth-that we shall live with him, with 66 our friends his servants, in that blessed land where � sorrow is unknown, and happiness is endless as it is perfect. Go then, mourn not for me; I have "not lost my child: but a little while, and we shall meet again, never to be separated-But ye are "also my children: would ye that I should not "grieve without comfort?-So live as she lived; "that, when your death cometh, it may be the death "of the righteous, and your latter end like his."

VOL. I.

Such was the exhortation of La Roche; his audience answered it with their tears. The good old man had dried up his at the altar of the Lord; his countenance had lost its sadness, and assumed the glow of faith and of hope.-Mr. followed him

into his house. The inspiration of the pulpit was past; at sight of him, the scene they last met in rushed again on his mind; La Roche threw his arms round his neck, and watered it with his tears. The other was equally affected; they went together, in silence, into the parlour where the evening service was wont to be performed.-The curtains of the or gan were open: La Roche started back at the sight, "Oh! my friend!" said he, and his tears burst forth again. Mr. had now recollected himself; he stept forward, and drew the curtains closethe old man wiped off his tears, and taking his friend's hand, "You see my weakness," said he, " 'tis the "weakness of humanity; but my comfort is not "therefore lost."" I heard you," said the other, "in the pulpit; I rejoice that such consolation is "your's.". "It is, my friend," said he, "and I "trust I shall ever hold it fast;-if there are any "who doubt our faith, let them think of what im"portance religion is to calamity, and forbear to "weaken its force; if they cannot restore our hap"piness, let them not take away the solace of our "affliction."

Mr.- 's heart was smitten;-and I have heard him, long after, confess that there were moments when the remembrance overcame him even to weakness; when, amidst all the pleasures of philosophical discovery, and the pride of literary fame, he recalled to his mind the venerable figure of the good La Roche, and wished that he had never doubted.

No. XLV. TUESDAY, JUNE 29.

IS he a man of fashion? is the usual question on the appearance of a stranger, or the mention of a person with whom we are unacquainted. But, though this phrase be in the mouth of every body, I have often found people puzzled when they attempted to give an idea of what they meant by it; and, indeed, so many and so various are the qualities that enter into the composition of a modern man of fashion, that it is difficult to give an accurate definition or a just description of him. Perhaps he may, in the general, be defined, a being who possesses some quality or talent which intitles him to be received into every company; to make one in all parties, and to associate with persons of the highest rank and the first distinction.

If this definition be just, it may be amusing to consider the different ideas that have prevailed, at different times, with regard to the qualities requisite to constitute a man of fashion. Not to go farther back, we are told by Lord Clarendon, that, in the beginning of the last century, the men of rank were distinguished by a stately deportment, a dignified manner, and a certain stiffness of ceremonial, admirably calculated to keep their inferiors at a proper distance. In those days, when pride of family prevailed so universally, it is to be presumed, that no circumstance could atone for the want of birth. Neither riches nor genius, knowledge nor ability, could then have entitled their possessor to hold the rank of a man of fashion, unless he fortunately had sprung from an ancient and honourable family. The immense fortunes which we are now accustomed to see acquired, almost instantaneously, were then unknown. In imagination, however, we may fancy what an awkward appearance a modern nabob, or con