time to the establishment and promotion of such works of charity and piety as he thought would tend to the improvement and happiness of those who depended upon him.

Through the interest of his friend with the government he obtained permission to adopt his grandson as the heir of his titles and estates; and he labours to direct the mind of that promising youth into those holy and blessed ways which will render him a blessing to all with whom he may hereafter have connexion.

Lucie has laid aside her blue petticoat, her coarse jacket, and her peasant's cap; but with her robe of levantin and necklace of pearls, she still retains the sweet simplicity of the little peasant of Normandy. Neither do we anticipate the loss of that simplicity, inasmuch as the lessons of piety given her by her grandfather, have, by the Divine blessing, sunk deeply into her heart.

END OF THE ORPHANS OF NOBMANDY.

THE

LATTER DAYS.

PREFACE

ΤΟ

"THE LATTER DAYS."

IN introducing "The Latter Times" to the attention of the public, it may, perhaps, be as well to say something of the motives which induced the author to undertake a work of so peculiar a nature.

Being two summers ago in the library of a friend, the author was surprised to see the table covered with a variety of new publications, all referring to the signs of the times, and showing how various passages of prophecy are fulfilled in the present state of society. That many of these small volumes displayed much learning, piety, and beauty of composition, was generally allowed; but the inquiry being made, who will read them? it was almost unanimously agreed, by a large circle then present, that they would be perused only by persons already impressed with the importance of the subjects on which they treated; and that they were not calculated to attract any description of readers not already interested in that which ought to be equally interesting to all,-namely, those awful symptoms of the dissolution of society; those "wars and rumours of wars ;" and other appalling tokens which are continually occurring in these days, to admonish us to look to the end, and be prepared for that which may arrive.

It was then suggested that if some of the leading prophecies which had been brought forward in theso graver treatises could be arranged in a more popular

and attractive form, there might perhaps be a hope, under the divine blessing, of drawing the attention of some persons who would not easily be tempted to forego amusement for edification; and the author being requested by the whole assembled party to direct the requisite attention to the subject, she lost no time in preparing the present volume; wherein, under an allegory sanctioned by Scripture, she has endeavoured to show that it behooves the members of the visible church to consider whether they are prepared for that hour in which the Master of the family will return "as a thief in the night.