rub its side against one of our paddle boxes. Controversy was thus stopt for the present; and we were too tired to resume it at the hotel. Our Jew took leave of us with many thanks for our spirit of toleration. The trepidation into which the thoughtlessness or ignorance of a steersman had thrown us, made me moralize on the danger of having all religion run down in the midst of the disputes of those who undertake to direct the course of the various Christian Churches.

CHAPTER II.

Formal declarations of love.-Miss Cusiack's account of herself in regard to the Controversy.

MISS CUSIACK had expressed a desire to enjoy the air in the front seat, and had shared it with her brother for some miles. I do not know how it was that the closeness of the carriage either threatened me with a head-ache, or actually occasioned it. I put out my head frequently; praised the beauty of the scenery; spoke of the freshness of the air; then looked oppressed with heat. I am not aware that I had any decided aim in all this; but Captain Cusiack, half suppressing a laugh, assured me that a ride outside would do me good: and I readily believed him. I should neither envy nor admire the man who, in my circumstances, could have occupied that place with perfect assurance and composure. The object of my love had never been left so entirely to myself since the last time when I read with

her in Ireland. In this privacy (at least in regard to our conversation) circumstances obliged me, and my heart impelled me to make a direct declaration of my love. I could hardly entertain a doubt that Rose loved me. But whether she would accept my hand without delay, or whether she might wish to make our union depend on the final settlement of our religious doubts, I was now to learn from her own lips: and I confess that my heart beat vehemently as I tried to begin the conversation. We continued in silence for some time. Without knowing what I was to say, the very awkwardness of my silence urged me to speak. I mentioned our conversation with the Jew, and regretted the ladies' absence. When Rose asked me what had been the nature of my part in the conversation, I could scarcely bring myself to give a direct answer. I was indeed ashamed of that petulant spirit of argumentation which has so frequently, in my life, induced me to speak and write only for victory, and with the only view of puzzling my adversary. Rose perceived my

confusion, and fixing her expressive and beautiful eyes upon me for a moment, and then withdrawing her look, with a rapidly rising blush

"Mr. M. she said, you have often desired me to speak freely with you, because you were pleased to say that my observations, coming with all the sincerity, and interest of a sister, were among the best helps you had to improve yourself." I interrupted my lovely companion, to entreat her not to conceal her feelings, should they be ever so unfavourable. "Unfavourable (she said lowering her eyes still more), unfavourable they are not. Your talents, your taste, and a spirit of independence which all the world must respect, will not allow those who know you intimately to feel indifferent, much less unfavourable to you. But your talents, I fear, have given a turn to your mental character which may, in the end, make you lament that your mind was not of a humbler kind. Excuse the frankness of one who loves you as a sister. Excuse me when I say that a petulance which you can scarcely control, has constantly pre

vented your good qualities from being as useful as they might be, and, turning your understanding away from the cause of pure truth, has enlisted it in the ranks of party. I have observed that you cannot touch any subject-history-biography--any thing whatever---without the strongest party bias. I have indeed lamented in my heart that your independence in regard to pecuniary advantages, and even to the lure of court favour, has not been extended to popular applause. As long, my dear friend, as you condescend to flatter those that can bestow it, though, vanity may disguise itself as love of country, you degrade the valuable gifts which heaven has bestowed upon you, and convert them into instruments of evil." If an angel from heaven had been employed in convicting my proud heart, the sense of my faults could not have been deeper, than I felt it at this moment. Forgetting that the ardour with which I was about to speak might be observed by the company in the carriage, I pressed Rose's hand which she had laid upon her knee next to me,"-Thank you,