DISCIPLINE: A NOVEL. BY THE AUTHOR OF « SELF-CONTROL." Brunton All-pitying Heaven, Severe in mercy, chastening in its love, Ofttimes in dark and awful visitation Doth interpose; and leads the wanderer back To the straight path. THIRD EDITION. VOLUME I. JOANNA BAILLIE. EDINBURGH: Printed by George Ramsay & Co. FOR MANNERS AND MILLER, EDINBURGH; AND LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME, AND BROWN, LONDON. 1815. PREFACE. In the following pages, an attempt is made to amuse; with what success, the author has no means of judging. But she has not confined her aim to the conveying of what is called inIt may be doubted how nocent amusement. far this term is applicable to any manner of employing time, which, without exercising the rational or moral faculties, cherishes the appetite for fiction, and the habit of reading without thought. The appetite for fiction is indeed universal, and has unfortunately been made the occasion of conveying poison of every description into the youthful mind. Why must the antidote be confined to such forms as are sure to be rejected by those who need it the most? There is high authority for using fable as the vehicle of important, even of solemn truth; and to this purpose it is here applied without hesitation. The subject was chosen chiefly on account of its connection with that of Self-Control; the whole moral and religious discipline of life being intended to form those habits of self-command, in which Laura excelled, and in which Ellen Percy is so miserably defective. Though in the present work, that constant attention to unity of design may be relaxed, which perhaps encumbered the former, by forcing every character to serve either as illustration or contrast, it is hoped that the main purpose is never entirely forsaken. For an endeavour to shew the necessity and the progress of religious principle, no apology seems requisite. Even admitting for a moment that this principle had no foundation in truth, still it cannot be denied, that it influences the actions and sentiments of all the best, and many of the wisest of mankind; thus affecting the opinions, at least, of the multitude also. A |