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124 each other, that affection grows, and the matrimonial tie is strengthened. The beautiful blossom of conjugal love becoming closely knit, firmly braves the buffet of the blast, and defies all future injury. By the adoption of this prudent plan, Dr. Lovesworth had secured to himself the choicest fruits of wedded life, the mutual harmony, based upon the firm principles of reciprocal unity, which he believed would exist even beyond the grave,—which the chilling hand of death would neither blight nor wither.

He had not for some time felt a pleasure so lively as that which he experienced upon his acquaintance with the De Brookes; even upon the first interview he felt sensible of an assimilating partiality, and which, upon a nearer intimacy, became confirmed, arising from the separate endowments and virtues of each harmonizing together in one common concord, interest, and union.

In the course of a short period, as he had expected, he had the happiness of affording a welcome at his hermitage to his young friend the Rev. E. Philimore:—

"I am heartily glad to see you," said the