Although Charles knew my size to the eighth of an inch, and had often laughed at the figure I should make when grown up, yet he would not give up this new idea of his as to our becoming men on leaving school. He even maintained, that the size of a man was nothing, and quoted a verse, composed by Dr. Watts, to prove his proposition, which reads thus : "Were I so tall to reach the pole, Or grasp the ocean in my span; The mind's the standard of the man." "So you see," continued Charles, "that small as you are, you may yet consider yourself a man when you leave school. Nay, I have often heard Mr. White say, that many great men were of very small stature. The great Dr. Watts himself was a very little person, and so were many others who have become very famous in the world. And to tell you the truth, Philosopher, small as you are, I have often heard it whispered that you will become a great man. I have been frequently puzzled to know what was meant ; but I now begin to understand the matter. though we differ in size, yet we shall become men together." Al I was satisfied that Charles Murphy's reasoning was by no means logical, yet it pleased my vanity; I gave up the point, and entered into conversation, by asking him what course he meant to pursue when he left school? "Oh!" replied Charles, "I have so many plans in my head, that I cannot relate them all. You know my father intends me for the law. Well, then, I do not mean to be a common lawyer; I purpose proceeding from one step to another till I am made a judge. Perhaps I shall become lord chancellor. At all events, I will do my best to gain a seat on the woolsack." At this point I raised my eyebrows, and Charles observing it, asked what I was thinking about. I replied, "Why, Charles, I am thinking that if you make such a figure in the world, you will have to study much harder when you have left school than ever you did before. You must, also, become a little more sober in your manners. You know a judge is usually distinguished for his gravity; whence, it is commonly said of a serious person, that he is as grave as a judge.'" "Now, that is too bad of you, Philosopher," Charles replied; "you have almost dashed my hopes to the ground. And yet I will not think I am building castles in the air. To obtain my wishes, if I find it necessary, I will study, and likewise be serious. Somehow or other, though, I begin to feel that my face would not suit a wig; and I am afraid I must give that up to you. Yours would suit it admirably. Well, then, it shall be yours, and I will enter the army. Does a military life require study and gravity?" "I believe, Charles," I replied, "the military character is not proverbial for studiousness or seriousness. For that reason, I should be sorry to find you had become a soldier. And what would be your hopes if you did?" "What would be my hopes ?" inquired Charles. "Why, I should buy a commission, and then I should become a captain, a colonel, a lieutenant colonel, and, finally, a general. And then, if I gain a great battle, I may have a title given me : perhaps an earldom, or a dukedom. Would not that be capital!" "I dare say, Charles," I replied, "that you would think so. But suppose there should be no wars, how would you get on then? And if there were, and you should be slain, where would all your hopes of greatness be? You see, therefore, that this matter requires seriousness; for not every soldier who goes into the field of battle leaves it alive." man. "Really, Philosopher," answered Charles, “you seem determined not to let me become a great You will neither let me be a judge nor a general. But suppose I enter the Church. may then rise from a curacy to the dignity of a bishop, or an archbishop?" I As I had been taught to think seriously of holy things, I replied to this proposition of Charles Murphy's with unusual gravity. "I fear, Charles," said I, "you are not thinking of what you say. I have frequently heard Mr. White observe, that of all the professions to which men may be called, that of preaching the gospel requires the most study and the most seriousness. It also, he has said, requires earnest prayer, selfdenial, and devotedness. If a preacher does not know that he himself needs a Saviour, how can he rightly point him out to others? Of all professions, therefore, this is the most unfit for you at present. Wait till you have seen your need of, and have sought for, pardon, before you think of becoming a minister." "Worse and worse," Charles returned. "Why, what in the world can I be? And what do you think of being yourself, Philosopher ?" Now, although I had been endeavouring to modify the ambition of Charles, and to teach him how to think rightly of things, yet, when he asked what I intended to become myself, I let him see that my hopes were equally buoyant with his own. Fame and happiness made up the sum of my answer; and Charles did not fail to laugh heartily at the circumstance. After this, we formed plans, and launched out into prospects which we have never realized. And yet the happiness we augured from mutual friendship has not proved wholly visionary. It has even mitigated the ills of life; for each other's sorrows have been again and again relieved by mutual acts of kindness. This shows the value of friendship. As Cicero observes, "it improves happiness, and abates misery, by the doubling of our joy, and dividing our grief." And if this be the case with the friendship between two earthly friends, how much greater must be the joy and the solace derived from friendship with God! I hope my young readers will seek this friendship, for therein they will find true happiness. Speaking of that happy period, when man walked with God in Paradise, the poet observes :— "Man walked with God, as angels do above, And strove to reign, but shrunk by fear represt; No fight within-no reason there to tame; His mind all brightness, and his heart all fame. His mind a mirror, bright with every line, He gains in God the centre of the soul." LUCKOCKE. The season when his pupils left school was one of great seriousness to Mr. White. Previous to the hour of their departure, he would call them into his study, and there pray with them, and give them his parting advice. I shall never forget his manner when I left his roof: it was so affectionate and parental. His last words were, "I have endeavoured, as far as lay in my power, so to train you up as to render you a useful member of society. See that you go on as I have taught you to act in the world. For re member, that 'to whom much is given, of him shall much be required.' God has blessed you with pious parents, and I hope with a pious schoolmaster; and if you do not profit by their instructions and example, you will one day be called to an account for your neglect of them. But I will hope otherwise, for Solomon has said : 'Train up a child in the way he should go, Prov. xxii. 6. And I have found by experience the truth of this sentiment. I hope, therefore, to see you a useful member of society: one who fears God, and seeks the good of his fellow-creatures. In |