alive upon his bed, surrounded by, and speaking to his sons; but I see nothing like lying in state!”

D.-If you will only reflect on the closing scene of the Patriarch's life, I am persuaded that you will not then think the term misapplied. Advanced to a good old age, lying on his dying bed in the full possession of his mental powers, in the exercise of faith, blessing and commanding his sons, waiting with delightful composure his own dissolution, and finally, yielding his spirit into the hands of that God on whom he had lived, and now died. dependant. Was not this lying in state?

Mrs. N.-Certainly it was, and that in the highest sense of the term; but,

I suppose, my daughter expected to have seen the sable chamber, the decorated coffin, and all the regalia generally attendant on such occasions.

D.-I hope, Madam, Miss Amelia will never imagine, that "The torch funereal, and the nodding plume," reflect any dignity either on the breathless corpse or the departed spirit! They may ornament the chamber or adorn the hearse, even if those whose lives have entailed indelible infamy on their character! but that can emanate only from a life occupied in the service of God, for the benefit of man.

Is it to be imagined, that the lying in state of our late venerated and

beloved Monarch, added any lustre to

his character? No! It was his personal worth, his fervent piety, and the manner in which he discharged the important duties, of husband, parent, head of his family, and father of his people; that have embalmed his memory in the affections of his subjects, and which will cause his name to be recorded in the historic page, among the best of sovereigns, and as having been one of the best of men. Now, young ladies, will you inform

me, to what this scene alludes?

Amelia.-Really, Sir, it is not in my power. Can Harriot? you,

Harriot.-No indeed I cannot; Mr. Davenport seems to adopt the same mode of teaching, as our music-master,

Q

giving first easy, and then lessons increasingly difficult. I am sure that is the case at present, for however I have named others, this representation I cannot explain.

Mrs. N.-My dear, children, how does this happen? let me try if I can assist you; (looking at the scene, then addressing Mr. Davenport,) I must acknowledge, Sir, I am as much at a loss

as my children, to name the subject before us; does it refer to Scripture history?

Ex.-Yes, Madam, it certainly does, and if the young ladies will favour me by mentioning what followed Jacob's lying in state, I imagine it will facilitate the lesson which they think so

difficult. O, Sir, I know that, so soon as Jacob was dead, Joseph fell upon his father's face, and wept upon him, and kissed him. But I see nothing like that here!

Ex.-Will either of the young ladies oblige me, by proceeding with the history?

Amelia.-I thank you, Sir, your request has removed the difficulty! For before Jacob died, he charged his sons to bury him with his father in the land of Canaan. And I think this scene, alludes to Joseph commanding his servants to embalm his father, and that this is a representation of the physician's room. Here is a long table, many jars, large bottles containing