infancy, to the care of the same person; by whom they were both educated in the principles of deism.

"Their guardian dying when they were each of them about fourteen years of age, they fell into very different hands. The persons on whom the care of them now devolved, used every means to eradicate the erroneous principles they had imbibed, and to persuade them to embrace revealed religion; but in vain. Their arguments were insufficient to convince, though they were strong enough to stagger their former faith. Though separated from each other, their friendship was unalterable, and they continued to regard one another with a sincere and fraternal affection. After some years were elapsed, and both were grown up, they made a solemn promise to each other, that, which ever should die first, would, if permitted, appear to the other, to declare what religion was most

and structure of his verse. It is to the exercise of this good taste, and good sense, in both writers, that we are indebted for works, which need not be read twice in order to be understood.

approved by the Supreme Being.

Miss

Sir Martin

was shortly after addressed by Beresford; to whom she was after a few years married: but a change of condition had no power to alter the friendship of Lord T. and herself; the families visited each other, and often spent some weeks together. A short time after one of these visits, Sir Martin remarked, that when his lady came down to breakfast, her countenance was disturbed; and inquiring of her health, she assured him she was quite well. He then asked her ifshe had hurt her wrist. • Have you sprained it,' said he, observing a black ribbon round, it. She answered in the negative; and added, 'Let me conjure you, Sir Martin, never to enquire the cause of my wearing this ribbon; you will never see me without it. If it concerned you as a husband to know, I would not for a moment conceal it. I never in my life denied you a request; but of this I entreat, you to forgive me the refusal, and never to urge me farther on the subject.' • Very well,' said he, smiling, since you beg me so earnestly, I will enquire no more.' The

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conversation here ended; but breakfast was scarce over, when Lady Beresford eagerly inquired if the post was come in; she was told it was not. In a few minutes she rang again, and repeated the enquiry: she was again answered as at first. • Do you expect letters?" said Sir Martin, that you are so anxious for the arrival of the post. I do,' she said; 'I expect to hear that Lord Tyrone is dead: he died last Tuesday, at four o'clock.' 'I never in my life,' said Sir Martin, ⚫ believed you to be superstitious; some idle dream has surely thus alarmed you.' At that instant the servant entered, and delivered to them a letter sealed with black. It is as I expected,' exclaimed Lady Beresford, Lord Tyrone is dead.' Sir Martin opened the letter; it came from Lord Tyrone's steward, and contained the melancholy intelligence of his master's death, and on the very day and hour Lady Beresford had before specified. Sir Martin begged Lady Beresford to compose herself; and she assured him she felt much easier than she had for a long time; and added, 'I can communicate intelligence to you, which I know

your mother and myself have had many disputes concerning your age, and I have at last discovered that I was right. I happened to go last week into the parish where you were born. I was resolved to put an end to the dispute: I searched the register, and find that you are but forty-seven this day.' • You have signed my death-warrant,' she exclaimed, 'I have then but a few hours to live. I must therefore entreat you to leave me immediately, as I have something of importance to settle before I die.' When the clergyman had left her, Lady Beresford sent to forbid the company coming, and at the same time to request Lady Betty Cobb, and her son, (of whom Sir Martin was the father, and was then about twenty-two years of age,) to come to her apartment immediately. Upon their arrival, having ordered the attendants to quit the room, 'I have something,' she said, ' of the greatest importance to communicate to you both before I die, a period which is not far distant. You, Lady Betty, are no stranger to the friendship which subsisted between Lord Tyrone and myself: we were educated

under the same roof, and in the same principles of deism. When the friends into whose hands we afterwards fell, endeavoured to persuade us to embrace revealed religion, their arguments, though insufficient to convince, were powerful enough to stagger our former feelings, and to leave us wavering between the two opinions. In this perplexing state of doubt and uncertainty we made a solemn promise to each other, that which ever died first should (if permitted) appear to the other, and declare what religion was most acceptable to God. Accordingly one night, while Sir Martin and myself were in bed, I suddenly awoke, and discovered Lord Tyrone sitting by my bed-side. I screamed out, and endeavoured to awake Sir Martin; for heaven's sake,' I exclaimed, Lord Tyrone, by what means, or for what reason, came you hither at this time of the night?' 'Have you, then, forgotten our promise?' said he. I died last Tuesday, at four o'clock; and have been permitted, by the Supreme Being, to appear to you, to assure you that the revealed religion is the only one by which we can be saved. I

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