""Twas her sweet hand that strew'd this bank with flow'rs; She bends these oziers o'er the crystal stream; She twines the woodbine round these leafy bow'rs, And turns that rose-bud to the morning's beam "From her, sweet goddess, here in youth, I drew Spirits as light as airy fancy's wing: "Twas here I mark'd each glowing tint she threw On the fair blossom of the opening spring." 23 CHAP. III. DOCTOR BUCHANAN. Henry. MAMMA, I have been reading an account of the shocking ceremonies of the Hindoos, of the burning of their wives, throwing themselves into the Ganges, and worshipping idols made of wood and stone. Louisa. What do you mean, Henry, by saying that the Hindoos worship idols? Henry. Surely you have not forgotten the verse in your favourite hymn-book: "I thank the goodness and the grace Which on my birth have smil'd, And made me, in these Christian days, "I was not born, as thousands are, Mamma. The poor Hindoos, Louisa, are unacquainted with the name of God. They do not acknowledge one sovereign Father of the Universe, "by whom all things are and were created." Ignorance and superstition have taught them to regard images of wood and stone as objects of veneration; and this is called worshipping idols. But much is now being done to avert this dreadful custom, to suppress idolatry, and to promote the knowledge of the only true God. Many persons, eminent for piety and learning, have devoted their whole lives to this purpose; and one of these I will particularly mention, because I think some account of his early life will interest you. But before I begin my history, I wish to know whether Louisa has a clear idea of the difference between Christianity and idolatry. Louisa. I believe I have, mamma. You know I have learned, in Mrs. Barbauld's hymns, that "God made all things; that He is in every place; that He speaks in every sound we hear; that He is seen in all that our eyes behold; and that nothing is without God." All who know and love him are called Christians; and those who do not know Him, but worship idols made of wood and stone, are called idolaters. Mamma. You have explained yourself very well, my dear little girl. Henry. Now will you begin your account, mother. Mamma. Claudius Buchanan, commonly called Dr. Buchanan, was born at Camburlang, near Glasgow, in 1766. Louisa. Near Glasgow: oh! then he was a Scotchman. Mamma. He was of a lively and engaging disposition, and, under the care of a pious and tender mother, was brought D. up "in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." When seven years old he enter ed the Grammar School of Inverary, and soon made rapid progress in Greek and Latin. He remained in this school until he was about fourteen, when he was appointed tutor to the two sons of a gentleman named Campbell. Henry. Tutor, mamma, tutor! when he was only fourteen. Are you sure that this is correct? Mamma. I have no reason to doubt it, my dear, because, though you consider it as an extraordinary circumstance, it is one by no means uncommon in Scotland. During his continuance in this situation, he received many impressions of a serious nature, and spent much of his time in devotion amongst the rocks on the seashore, near which he was then residing. But, alas! as is too frequently the case, his religious thoughts were dissipated by the society of a gay companion; and his goodness, like that of many a promising |