"But, Sir, you must acknowledge that it is more honourable to fail in the cause of philanthropy than to make no effort." "This honour, I believe, is in reserve for you, though I must say you merit one more brilliant. Go on, my dear Sir; but don't be too sanguine. Utopia I know is very rich in splendid scenery, but unfortunately it partakes much of the nature of the mirage. Good night; with many thanks for all your good wishes." A RENEWED ENCOUNTER. The night before I left London, Mr. Gordon again called, and, after some desultory conversation, our attention happened to be directed to the book entitled _No Fiction_, which was lying on the table. This led to a somewhat sharp and lengthened encounter. "I dipped into that book," said Mr. Gordon, "the other day, and it gave me some amusement, as the tale is made to appear a very natural one. Its author narrates and sketches extremely well, for a divine, and it is highly creditable to his talents, which must certainly be of a superior order." "Yes, Sir, he is quite a superior man. There is one paragraph of his tale to which I should like to direct your attention, and which, by your permission, I will read to you." "Read on, Sir, and I'll give all due attention." I then read as follows:-- "I have often been delighted," said Douglas, "in reading the accounts of the power of religion on the minds of children; but this is the _first_ instance which has fallen beneath my own eye. What a religion is ours! How great--and yet how plain! It is so sublime, that it rises beyond the conception of the most enlarged mind! and so simple, that it brings home its lessons to the bosom of a little child! The elements of the gospel, like the elements of our nourishment, are adapted to the endless varieties of age, and character, and circumstance, throughout all the human race." "And this appears," said Lefevre, "to be a feature in our religion which distinguishes it from all false religions. As far as I am acquainted with the subject, no one of the pagan systems _could_ have been rendered universal. They all received their character from national prejudice, national policy, and predominant national vices."