was rapidly augmenting. Far from being intimidated by threats, they opposed a determined and zealous resistance to the arbitrary measures, which the impolitic obstinacy of Charles, instigated by the implacable Archbishop Laud, had adopted. An alarming insurrection had taken place in the Scottish Capital, when, in compliance with a royal mandate, an attempt was made to read the Liturgy in its churches; and, already, a military force was regarded by many as indispensibly necessary to crush the power and check the progress of the rebels.

Major Atherton was firmly attached to his father's religion, and would cheerfully have encountered death, to advance the interests of his sovereign, and the glory of his country. But his conscience revolted from the idea of aiding in a war of persecution, against an inoffensive sect of christians, who claimed nothing but the privilege of enjoying their opinions unmolested, and of sharing, with their fellow subjects, the protection of the government, to which they acknowledged allegiance. Respect for the memory of his mother, and subduing recollections of her tenderness, her purity, her unaffected piety, strengthened these lenient sentiments. He could not cherish harsh and groundless prejudices against a sect, which she had loved, and his father had favoured; and, though he was daily accustomed to hear them derided and denounced, his judgment remained unbiassed, and, in spite of arguments and raillery, and against interest itself,

he remained convinced, that their cause was just, however mistaken, and that the rights of conscience were too sacred to be infringed by the arbitrary will of a monarch.

Still, however, an ardent love of his profession, and the natural desire to attain the honours which tempted his ambition, and seemed within his grasp, struggled long and powerfully against the convictions of reason and conscience. But the generous impulse of a candid and well-principled mind finally prevailed over every selfish consideration, and determined him to resign his commission, and with it the dreams of glory, which had so long delighted his imagination.

ces.

Major Atherton returned to Lancashire, depressed in spirits, and his father's house, no longer cheered by the smiles of those he had so fondly loved, awakened the most melancholy reminiscenHe had few around him to excite interest or affection, and in relinquishing the active duties, which had so long occupied his attention, he felt as if he had resigned the gay and busy world, and had no object worthy of pursuit and exertion. With such sombre feelings, the winter passed away drearily enough; but a dejection so foreign to his natural disposition could not long retain its influence; and the return of spring, with its train of rural pleasures, and varied occupations, gradually withdrew his thoughts from the past. An unexpected occurrence also took place, which gave a new impulse and direction to his mind.

Mr. Fullerton, an intelligent young man, who had resided several years in the colony of NewPlymouth, just at that time chanced to revisit England, and frequently met with Major Atherton at the house of a mutual friend. Warm and sanguine in his feelings, he confidently believed, that New-England would soon become the most happy and favoured region of the earth; and painted its charms and advantages with an enthusiasm, which completely dazzled the imagination of Atherton. Mr. Fullerton, without dreaming of such an effect, was daily imbuing him with a portion of his own spirit; and, from repeated conversations respecting the early colonists of America, he began to wish himself transported to their land of simple habits and uncorrupted morals. It was not long before these incipient desires became confirmed and active; and Major Atherton, romantic, fond of novelty and adventure, and rapid in his decisions, made speedy preparations for a voyage to the western world. Mr. Fullerton was pleased with his determination, and regretted that he would not accompany him; but business detained him in England, whence it was his intention to proceed to the Continent, and the period of his return was uncertain.

Major Atherton, eager to execute his project, committed his affairs to a trusty agent, and hastened to Falmouth, where a vessel was in readiness to cross the Atlantic. He arrived there just in time to secure a passage; in a few moments the moor

ings were loosed, and the white cliffs of his native land receded fast from his view. He stood with his eyes fixed on the shore he had left, perhaps forever, till the highest stretch of land dwindled to a point, and hung like a light cloud in the distant heavens, and at last faded from his sight. He looked around-the vessel pursued its tranquil course, cutting the deep green waves, and leaving, far behind, a foamy track: a strong breeze swelled the canvass, and, all around the circling horizon, the vast ocean mingled with the blue and cloudless sky.

CHAPTER III.

A man in chiefest trust,

Whose life was sweet and conversation just,
Whose parts and wisdom most men did excel;
An honour to his place, as all can tell.

NEW ENGLAND'S MEMORIAL.

THE day after his arrival at Plymouth, Major Atherton delivered several letters of introduction, with which Mr. Fullerton had furnished him, and among others, one to Mr. Winslow, then governor of the colony. He was received by that gentleman with the most cordial hospitality, and so earnestly solicited to remain his guest, at least, till he had arranged his future plans, that Atherton could not without an appearance of affectation refuse the offered courtesy. It was, indeed, a courtesy truly grateful to his feelings. Exhausted by the fatigues of a long voyage, and cast on a world of strangers, the society of an intelligent friend, and the comforts of a wellordered family, were peculiarly soothing to his spirits. The unobtrusive attentions of all around him, which delicately inferrred that they received rather than bestowed obligations, and the ease with which he found himself included in their domestic arrangements, removed from his mind every idea of intrusion, and he soon felt as perfectly at home, and free from restraint, as if only renewing an intercourse with his early and familiar friends.

Mr. Winslow, himself an experienced traveller,