the Seine, in the sight of which I always feel refreshed: indeed there is something pleasing in the aspect of running water at all times; it raises a secret enjoyment in the mind, whether it be a gushing rivulet on an interminable table moor, or an impetuous river in the lower glen. But as compared with the Boulevards, Jardins, and Palais Royal, there is less of artificialness on the noble banks of the river. A show of animated and real business obtains here; the throngs are intent and active, pressing in pursuit of the various objects which constitute the regular employment of life: and although the size of the stream is small when measured by the Thames at London, yet from the immense height and imposing structure of the houses on either side, the aspect of the whole is much more compact and grand; the small yards and enclosures on the Thames' side are mean and wretched in comparison.

It may be proper to possess my reader, from time to time, with those phenomena of French society which opened gradually to my view. About this time I began to perceive in how much greater a degree life is devoted to light amusement here than in England; there is therefore a larger demand throughout for trinkets, or naments, prints, pictures, and dress. The multitude of print-shops, of booths for millinery, and every thing that administers to the vanity of man and woman kind, is unequalled in this metropolis of gaiety. Much small

business is transacted in the open air; and the banks of the Seine are loaded with almost every saleable thing for human accommodation. To go to seek for lions, therefore, is needless in Paris; there is as much to amuse, in the corner of every street, as may satisfy a stranger for many weeks, without aspiring to any more piquant diversion. Drinking in novelty, therefore, in copious draughts, I looked at the passing myriads of strange faces, and sauntered from book-stand to printstall; from that again to a conjuror who swallowed four swords at once: I then watched a patient fishingparty, or endeavoured to see how the washer-women washed in the covered rafts in the river; which I soon detected was not in collapsing with the hand, but in rubbing the linen with a soapy brush on a flat piece of board. Crossing by the Pont au Change, I deviated towards the centre of Paris; and passed through some streets, if such they might be called, of a description that surpassed all my former ideas. The hideous darkness of eight stories mourned over-head; and there seemed room for two carriages merely to graze each other in passing below. Truly a more continuous gloom I never witnessed. Any scene of horror, of however deep dye and terrible extent, might have taken place in this dismal abode. Oue would have thought it the very focus of the massacre of St. Bartholomew: and though this is imaginary, yet the woful abridgment of health

and comfort the inhabitants endure is not so; and a reasonable call they have to devote as much time as possible to a walk, and a moderate quantity of recreation in an adjacent Boulevard or Jardin.

Sunday, 4th May.

When I awoke this morning, I was startled at the sound of the street cries for sale of wares, with the voice of labour, of various kinds, mingled with whistling and singing. It appeared as if the bands of society had given way, and every man was doing what was right in his own eyes. It has always appeared to me that nothing in a nation's practice is so healthful as the regular and sober keeping of the Sabbath. I would feel even disposed to compromise with a little puritanical asceticism, to ensure the general remembrance of that day. On this subject my thoughts wandered this morning in various channels. I am not sure that they were guided by any logical coherency, while I fell into the following reflections. I remember, when a child, being chilled and dismayed at the desolate pause of a Scotch Sabbath morning; perhaps this will always be the effect while the mind has not an adequate understanding of the gospel system, and is not filled with some measure of peace in anticipating the promised joys of eternity. But when things divine are trusted in and possessed,

the seclusion of the first day of the week becomes a subject of rejoicing; the heart broods over its treasure in secret, uninterrupted and unharassed with the cares of life. Perhaps, however-but this I feel diffident about—perhaps, thought I, it might not be inconsonant with the real nature of this gracious festival, that its outward appearance were to be more joyful than it exists in Scotland. Children might be taught to sing hymns on some parts of Sabbath morning. Perhaps the shutting them from the light of day and fresh air (which some good people practise) is more the work and notion of man, than what is derived from the will of God. Going to the sanctuary in Israel was ever accompanied with outward expressions of joy; trumpets and cymbals excited the animal spirits, and the Royal Saint himself danced with all his might before the ark of the Lord. The spiritual joy of New Testament Christians manifested itself in songs, and in feasts, on the Lord's day.

In reference to general regularity of deportment, what would some pious but strict persons think of the following detail:

A young pair are about to be married. Instead of a meagre selection of friends to attend in silence and gravity, all their acquaintance are invited, and come trooping to a magnificent feast, which is conducted in the ordinary manner of the land, and is so complicated

and sumptuous in its arrangements that a Governor is required to keep proper order. The Saviour of the world, so far from condemning the scene of festivity, countenances it by his benign presence. If the Scriptures did not assure us of this fact, many a good Christian would not believe it possible. But this is not all: There is wine dispensed at this feast, and in such hospitable liberality, that the supply fails. Surely a reproof follows this excess: but no, more wine is wanted, and more wine is provided. How? by the assistance of some neighbour, whose good will and jollity exceeds his sense of propriety. Not so; but by the Creator and Preserver of all things himself; and with his gracious benevolence on this occasion, he condescends to interweave a winning proof of his divinity; for a miracle is introduced to display at once his affection and his transcendent power. And not only this, but the earliest miracle the divine lawgiver performs, the first extraordinary summons and invitation to all ends of the earth to come and trust in him, is achieved in the act of furnishing to a large miscellaneous company an article, which some of his followers, in present times, would perhaps scruple to make use of at all; and upon an occasion of the display and show of which their disapprobation would scarce be dubious.

So much is man in his best state liable to wander to extremes, and to set up in his practice for being wiser