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358 content. The young and enthusiastic preacher taming down into an accommodating conformist, one who felt that the interests of his own living and of the Church in general were indissolubly connected. He dined constantly at the Castle, and was always considered a very worthy and respectable individual. Lucy herself made a valuable discovery, namely, that she had delicate health,—only those who have this perpetual interest in themselves can understand its enjoyment,—and what with complaints, symptoms, remedies, and ground-ivy tea, it was quite wonderful how time passed unobserved away. It is on such as these that life lavishes its favours; these are they of the light heart, and yet lighter mind, for whose sake the earth, to whose base clay they are so near allied, puts forth her best; these are they who have the corn and wine of existence. What know they of the sensitive temper which makes its own misery?—of the deep feeling that cannot change?—of the hope that looks too high, whose bright wings melt in the glorious flight, and is dashed to pieces in its rude collision with the common and the actual? What know they of that feverish impatience of the littleness of society, which takes refuge amid the dreams of a haunted solitude, from which it only ventures forth to have