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DUTY AND INCLINATION.
163

long his existence; so much has my young friend had to combat with, so few have been his enjoyments, that his longer sojourn amongst us would serve but to extend instead of shortening the term of his miseries. With what delight have I witnessed the never-ceasing industry and moral rectitude with which he has conducted himself during the whole progress of his professional career! To his cultivated talents, had interest been conjoined, success would infallibly have attended him; but, I am sorry to say, merit alone, devoid of friends and fortune, is insufficient for advancement. Though his abilities, however, were left to languish, he had always the power of attracting numerous hearers to his discourses. At the last at which I was present,—and, perhaps, it was the last he will ever deliver,—it seemed, in his zeal for the cause of truth, that whilst his mortal frame was descending to the earth, his spirit was soaring to that eternity, the beatitudes of which he could so well describe."

The Doctor paused, and Rosilia, herself in tears, perceived by his altered voice that he was deeply affected.

"It has sometimes forcibly occurred to me," continued he, after a while, "that Philimore has long since laboured under some secret and weighty affliction. I have tried to awaken his confidence in that respect, but never could succeed, although his disposition is unreserved, and free in communication; I have thence thought, that his virtuous soul might