mansion, in which she had left him, but a thatched cottage, consisting of three apartments. Possessed of a too easy temper, and unsuspecting disposition, Mr. Marshall had been induced to become security for some of his friends, whose failure in business had reduced him to poverty. He now acted as factor of a gentleman's estate in this neighbourhood, of whose father he had been the intimate friend, with a salary of twenty pounds sterling per annum, and the use of a small farm.

In a short time, however, his health failed him, and he was deprived of this scanty pittance, being incapable, as the proprietor was pleased to think, of fulfilling the duties of factor.

Alive to every call of duty, Mrs. Graham now considered her father as added with her children, to the number of dependents on her industry. She proved, indeed, a good daughter; faithful, affectionate, and dutiful, she supported her father through his declining years; and he died at her house, during her residence in Edinburgh, surrounded by his daughter and her children, who tenderly watched him through his last illness.

From Cartside, she removed to Paisley, where she taught a small school. The slender profits of such an establishment, with a widow's pension of sixteen pounds sterling, were the means of subsistence for herself and her family. When she first returned to Cartside, a few religious friends called to welcome her home. The gay and wealthy part of her former acquaintances, flutterers who, like the butterfly, spread their silken wings only to bask in the warmth of a summer sun, found not their way to the lonely cottage of an afflicted widow. Her worth, although in after life, rendered splendid by its own fruits, was at this time hidden, excepting to those whose reflection and wisdom had taught them to discera it more in the faith and submission of the soul, than i the selfish and extravagant exhibitions of that wealth, bestowed by the bounty of providence, but expended too often for the purposes of vanity and dissipation.

In such circumstances, the christian character of Mrs. Graham was strongly marked. Sensible that her heavenly Father saw it good, at this time, to depress her out

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ward condition, full of filial tenderness, and like a real child of God, resigned to whatever should appear to be his will, her conduct conformed to his dispensations. With a cheerful heart, and in the hope of faith, she set herself to walk down into the valley of humiliation, 'leaning upon Jesus,' as the beloved of her soul. I delight to do thy will, Oh my God, yea, thy law is within my heart,' was the spontaneous effusion of her genuine faith. She received, with affection, the scriptural admonition, Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.'

She laid aside her children's fine frocks, and clothed them in homespun. At Cartside, she sold the butter she made, and her children were fed on the milk. It was her wish to eat her own bread, however coarse, and 'to owe no person any thing but love.' At Paisley, for a season, her breakfast and supper was porridge, and her dinner potatoes and salt. Peace with God, and a contented mind, supplied the lack of earthly prosperity, and she adverted to this her humble fare, to comfort the hearts of suffering sisters, with whom she corresponded at a later period of life, when in comfortable circumstances.

Meantime the Lord was not unmindful of his believing child; but was preparing the minds of her friends for introducing her to a more enlarged sphere of usefulness. Her pious and attached friend, Mrs. Major Brown, had accompanied her husband to Scotland, and they now resided on their estate in Ayrshire. Mr. Peter Reid, a kind friend when in Antigua, was now a merchant in London. This gentleman advised her to invest the little money she had brought home, (and which she had still preserved,) in muslins; which she could work into finer articles of dress; and he would ship them in a vessel of his own, freight free, to be sold in the West Indies. His object was partly to increase her little capital, and partly to divert her mind from meditating so deeply on the loss of her lamented husband.

She shed so many tears while at Cartside, as to injure her eye-sight, and to render the use of spectacles neces

sary; she adopted his plan; the muslin dresses were shipped; but she soon afterwards learned that the ship was captured by the French. This was a severe blow to her temporal property, and more deeply felt, as it was received at the time when her father was deprived of his office.

Mrs. Brown, after consulting with the Rev. Mr. Randall, of Glasgow; the Rev. Mr. Ellis, of Paisley; lady Glenorchy and Mrs Walker, of Edinburgh; proposed to Mrs. Graham to take charge of a boarding school in the metropolis.

The friends of religion were of opinion, that such an establishment, under the direction of such a character as Mrs. Graham, would be of singular benefit to young ladies, destined for important stations in society. Her liberal education, her acquaintance with life, and her humble, yet ardent piety, were considered peculiarly calculated to qualify her for so important a trust.

Another friend had suggested to Mrs. Graham the propriety of opening a boarding house in Edinburgh, which he thought could, through his influence, be easily filled by students.

She saw obstacles to both; a boarding house did not appear suitable, as her daughters would not be so likely to have the same advantages of education as from a boarding school. To engage as an instructress of youth on so large a scale, with so many competitors, appeared for her, an arduous undertaking.

In this perplexity, as in former trials, she fled to her unerring counsellor, the Lord, her covenant God. She set apart a day for fasting and prayer. She spread her case before the Lord, earnestly beseeching him to make his word a light to her feet, and a lamp to her path ;' and to lead her in the way in which she should go ;' especially, that she might be directed to choose the path, in which she could best promote his glory, and the best interests of herself and her children. On searching the scriptures, her mind fastened on these words, in John xxi. 15, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.'

Never, perhaps, was this commandment applied with more energy, nor accompanied with a richer blessing since the days of the Apostle, than in the present in

stance.

Her determination was accordingly made. She resolved to undertake the education of youth, trusting that her Lord would make her an humble instrument to feed his lambs. Here was exhibited an instance of simple, yet powerful faith in a believer, surrounded by temporal perplexities; and of condescension and mercy on the part of a compassionate God. Light, unseen by mortal eyes, descended on her path.

How weak, perhaps enthusiastic, would this have appeared to the busy crowd, blind to the special provi dence exercised by the God of heaven towards all his

creatures.

When the assembled universe shall at the great day of judgment be called around the throne of the Judge of the whole earth, such conduct will then appear to have been wise, judicious, and efficient; but to the eye of carnal reason, absorbed in the devices and calculations of worldly wisdom to attain prosperity, it now appears delusive and unavailing. There are some passages in Miss Hannah More's Practical Piety, on the sufferings of good men, peculiarly applicable to the faith, exercises, and conduct of Mrs. Graham, at this season of difficulty and deprivation. She felt the pressure of her affliction; but, like the Psalmist, she gave herself unto prayer, realizing in a measure the poet's description:

"Prayer ardent opens heav'n, lets down a stream
Of glory on the consecrated hour

Of man in audience with the Deity."

Although her faith was strong, yet her mind was under such agitation, from her total want of funds to carry her plan into effect, and from other conflicting exercises, as to throw her into a nervous fever, which kept her confined to her bed for some weeks. On her recovery, she felt it her duty to go forward, trusting that He who had directed her path would provide the means that were necessary to enable her to walk in it: she sold her heavy furniture, packed up all her remaining effects,

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and prepared to set out from Paisley for Edinburgh, on a Monday, sometime in the year 1780.

On the Saturday previous, she sat by her fire, musing, and wondering in what manner the Lord would appear for her at this time, when a letter was brought to her from Mr. Peter Reid, enclosing a sum of money which he had recovered from the underwriters, on account of Mrs. Graham's muslins, captured on their passage to the West Indies. Mrs. Graham had considered them as totally lost, but her friend had taken the precaution to have them insured.

With this supply, she was enabled to accomplish her object, and arrived in Edinburgh with her family. Her friend Mrs. Brown met her there, and stayed with her a few days, to comfort and patronise her in her new undertaking. Mrs. Brown was her warm and constant friend, until her death, which happened at Paisley in 1782, when she was attending the communion. She bequeathed her daughter Mary to Mrs. Graham's care. But in 1785 the daughter followed the mother, being cut off by a fever in the twelfth year of her age.

It may be proper here to introduce the name of Mr. George Anderson, a merchant in Glasgow, who had been an early and particular friend of Dr. Graham. He kindly offered his friendly services, and the use of his purse, to promote the welfare of the bereaved family of his friend. Mrs. Graham occasionally drew upon both. The money she borrowed, she had the satisfaction of repaying with interest.

A correspondence was carried on between them after Mrs. Graham's removal to America, until the death of Mr. Anderson in 1802. Such was the acknowledged integrity of this gentleman, that he was very generally known in Glasgow by the appellation of " honest George Anderson."

During her residence in Edinburgh, she was honoured with the friendship and counsel of many persons of distinction and piety. The viscountess Glenorchy; lady Ross Baillie; lady Jane Belches; Mrs. Walter Scott, (mother of the poet ;) Mrs. Dr. Davidson; Mrs. Baillie Walker, were amongst her warm personal friends. Thre