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 it required abilities superior to his. While he expressed his thanks, and intimated his apprehensions, with a simplicity and candour peculiar to his character, his wife, who sympathised more deeply in his gratitude than in his fears, exhorted Mrs Mason never to mind what her gudeman said of himself; for that it was just his way, always to think lowlier of himself than he need do. "I am sure," continued she, "that not a lord in all the land writes a more beautiful hand; and as for reading, he may compare wi' the minister himsel'! the kittlest word canna' stop him." Observing Mrs Mason smile, she paused, and then good-humouredly added, "I canna expect every ane to think as highly of my gudeman as I do; but I am sure I may safely say, that baith for learning and worth, he's equal to a higher post than being schoolmaster o' Glenburnie." "You are perfectly right," cried Mr Gourlay, who had entered unobserved by any one; "and I believe we are