There is one other point on which, before we close, the reader may wish to be further assisted in forming an opinion. I refer to the question, how far the work before us records facts, or how far it consists of fiction? When, in addition to the contents of the volume itself, he shall have perused the following sentences from the Author's preface, he will have before him all the means of judging as to this question, which I myself possess.

"To make this discourse familiar and agreeable to every reader, I have endeavoured to make it as historical as I could; and have, therefore, intermingled it with some accounts of facts, where I could come at them, and some by report, suited to and calculated for the moral; endeavouring, by all possible and just methods, to encourage the great work of preparation, which is the main end of this undertaking. The cases I have stated here are suited, with the utmost care, to the circumstances past, and more especially as they are reasonably supposed to suit those to come; and, as I very particularly remember the last visitation of this kind, which afflicted this nation in 1665, and

have had occasion to converse with many other persons who lived in this city all the while; I have chosen some of their cases as precedents for our present instructions. I take leave so far to personate the particular people in their histories, as is needful to the case in hand, without making use of their names; though, in many cases, I could have descended to the very names and particulars of the persons themselves. But it is the example that is the thing aimed at.-As to the religious history here mentioned: till I see some just exception raised against the pattern laid before us in every part of it, I cannot suggest there will be any against the manner of relating it, and, for that reason, I make no apology for it.".

My opinion then is, 1st. That the historical details concerning the plague are strictly accurate, according to the best information that could be obtained. 2nd. That with respect to the account of the two families, who are made the vehicles of the information, and occupy the foreground in the respective pieces, the Author had known cases to a great degree corresponding with his narration. Perhaps he has combined, in the story of each, incidents which belonged to more families than one: yet I have little

doubt that, according to his own statement, he could, in most cases, "have descended to names" and places. Lastly, with regard to the conversations: Many substantially agreeing with hose here given would, under such circumstances, unquestionably occur. The Author had, very probably, known such, and partaken in them; and in thus detailing them, and putting them into the mouths of suitable speakers, he has only followed the model of many of the most admired pieces, both ancient and modern. Truth and fact are at the basis: fiction supplies little more than the decorations of the column.

I here subjoin extracts from a letter, dated at St. Petersburg, June 22, (O. S.) 1831, during the prevalence of the cholera. It has appeared in several publications, and is, I understand, fully to be relied on. I apprehend it, likewise, proceeds from the pen of a female.

My dear —‚—The newspapers will have told you that our city is at length visited with the pestilential sword; would that I could say we were bowing in humility and contrition of spirit, and were asking, Wherefore is this chastisement? We have sinned and forgotten our God, therefore he visits us with his plagues to teach us that "verily there is a God that judgeth in the earth." Many are for accounting for its appearance by natural causes, and others attribute it to fatality; yet there are a few who hear the loud call in this judgment to consider our ways. Yes, my beloved, if there ever was a time in which we were more especially called upon to watch, and leave the morrow, it is the present, When I go to bed at night, I

desire to be thankful that we have been permitted to lie down peacefully; if I wake in the night, I rejoice to see our span still extended; and, when we assemble in the morning, I think, shall we still be preserved, or will one or more have exchanged time for eternity ere the shades of evening close around us? Nothing g feels of so much importance as to have a well-grounded hope of being inscribed in the Lamb's book of life. Though I do ask the Lord to spare our lives, that they may be devoted to his service and glory, yet I desire his will, and his will alone, to be our portion. The appearance of this sickness altered all our plans... Our family consists of forty-two individuals, so that, in all human probability, some or other will be subject to the disease. The men occasionally go out, and if they remain longer than usual, I begin to fear their having fallen down sick. We close the house from communication with others as much as possible, and every member of the family who has occasion to go out, and every visitor, has to undergo a ten minutes' fumigation ere they enter the house.-Should I not be spared to write to you again, let me tell you I consider it a precious privilege to be here at this season, to sympathise and pray with my friends, to rejoice or weep with them, and watch over my dear children. Some christian families, who had gone into the country for the benefit of pure air, have now all collected together in the city, and rejoice to be near one another for life or for death; while worldly families are flying on all sides, striving to carry themselves beyond the present range of the disease. We meet together for worship and for indispensable business, but for nothing else; and each of us is endeavouring to have his or her worldly affairs in order, lest the summons should come in a moment... .... How solemn is eternity, when we feel on the brink of it! How precious then does the immortal soul feel! What a favour to be here! I desire to rest in the Lord, and if he prolongs my life, I only wish it may be for his service; nothing else is worth living for. Oh, how contemptible does every occupation appear,

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which is not sanctified by prayer and love to the Lord. My dear friends and I meet each time as though it were the last, and part deeply impressed with the uncertainty of seeing each other again in time. This feeling of uncertainty is useful to us all..... Be not anxious about us; nothing can happen to us contrary to the will of our heavenly Father, who is full of compassion and tender love. Therefore leave us in his hands, and be peaceful; but, my dear —, pray much for the poor and the ignorant, and that the glory of the Lord may fill all the earth. O, that we were bowing at the foot of the cross, all in a body, as the Ninevites did; who knows but the Lord would sheath his sword, and send us salvation? .... In the 121st Psalm, the Lord promises to preserve the souls of those who look up to him. The body is only the garment of the soul; therefore let us leave it to seek for the preservation of that which is to remain for ever.

THE END.

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