byterian Church in Elizabethtown, the monument is found which tells the dismal story of the deaths of Mr Caldwell, once pastor of that flock, and of his wife. She was shot, with her babe in her arms, through the window of her own house, by ravening soldiers in search of plunder. He encountered a similar fate more than a year after, when exerting himself like a Christian patriot in the service of his country.

Such deeds have left scars which are calculated to excite national spleen; and such monuments, records so sadly true, aid in fretting and keeping it alive.

Nine children were by these deeds of cold murder left unprotected. After the funeral, the Hon. Elias Boudnot ranged the bereaved offspring around the remains of their father, and with that speaking spectacle before the eyes of a crowd of mourners, asked which of them was going to fulfil the Divine promise, that the seed of the righteous shall not be forsaken? which would embrace the opportunity of proving that they valued their patriotic friend and faithful pastor? which would from these for. saken ones rear citizens worthy of their parents? "For my share," said the noble man, "I select this boy for mine, and engage before you, my fellowcitizens, and under the eye of heaven, to rear and train him as my own son, and may our God give His blessing." There was a solemn pause. Many an eye brimful was turned from the dead father to the fatherless little flock. One and another stepped for

ward and led forth an orphan, till all the nine found parents; and, with the exception of one unsettled character whose act was that of fleeting emotion, and not of Christian resolution, and who in a short time returned the chosen child to its friends, no one failed of their engagements. Nor did the Father of mercies fail of His; they turned out excellent citizens, who served their country, or who became the mothers of those who serve it now; and nearly

may I not say all-came forth in life as real Christians, the petitions which their parents left behind being answered when they had passed by their stormy deaths to the world of eternal peace. And that rejected and returned one was, if I remember right, the very one afterwards chosen by General Lafayette, carried to France, and furnished with the most complete and accomplished education which Parisian skill could offer to sound ability. He returned to do his country signal services in the walks of literature, piety, and philanthropy.

Two of this group of early mourners still survive, one of whom holds an honourable place in the General Post-office at Washington. And it was a Caldwell of the third generation that did me the great kindness to introduce me to President Fill

more.

No plan of charity, when performed in a right spirit, seems more calculated to do good, and to receive a blessing, than this. It is a feeble imitation of the manner of the Father of us all; for we,

fallen beings, are aliens and parentless, until, through atoning mercy and converting grace, we become the adopted children of our God, and then we are partakers of his love, and heirs of the heavenly inheritance.

Doubtless, amid the many, some of the kind purposes are frustrated-some of the parents tire, as in the case of the little Caldwell-and some of the children disappoint and wound, but these cases are the exceptions.

I have seen the parties dwelling harmoniously and helpfully together; and I have seen the adopted, in the old age of the adopter, exercising all the tender cherishing that filial piety could devise. There is a beauty in the pleasing sympathies thus exercised, for there is a blessing on them from on high.

F

CHAPTER VII.

COLLEGIATE SCHOOLS.

THOUGH the engagements of past years led me more to concern myself with the education of the working classes, and the friendless, it was impossible to dwell among the cultivated and refined, without being desirous of learning somewhat of the plan by which they had been educated.

Profes

Most of the Female Institutes seem to be under the guidance of men, or of a man and his wife, when it is understood that most of the solid parts of instruction are conducted by the head of the house. This is a plan not followed in England; and in various cases, when a husband happens to be in existence, he is generally felt to be an incumbrance to the household, rather than an assistant. sors who, it is presumed, are well qualified to teach the one object of their pursuit, attend at stated hours with us. But, judging by advertisements, it would seem that husband and wife teach and manage in unison all over the United States. It is customary to deliver lectures on astronomy, botany, chemistry, &c., to the pupils in both countries, and

it is possible that some expansion of mind is thus obtained, even when no real thirst for knowledge induces the pupils to follow up the subjects by private study.

In some of the Female Institutes in America, a plan is pursued which, with the exception of the Normal School students, has not yet been adopted in Britain, within my knowledge. The students "graduate" after strict examination on various branches of education-a useful and important mark of a certain degree of attainment, the absence of which is often felt with us on occasion of selecting teachers. The graduating is by no means a nominal or slight affair, but is accomplished only on the candidate being able to meet a searching inquiry into her attainments.

Nevertheless, as it happens at home, persons whose previous education and habits have not been calculated to fit them for the office, and whose chief qualification is present misfortune, frequently assume the office of instructors. In consequence, it at times occurs that the benevolence of parents interferes with their judgment in the choice of a school; and sometimes a dash of romance or pathos, or elegance of manner, carries the day against substantial attainments and conscientious industrious instruction. One learns in every country to defide "picturesquish" programmes, and to fear the solid instruction of strings of young ladies who are carried about to fashionable lectures and evening concerts.