A LIFE of extraordinary incidents and continual action, forms the most interesting subject of biography; but the most useful example is often met with in very different situations. Of this we have an instance in the life of Sir Matthew Hale, which exhibits few circumstances of striking occurrence; but as the memoir of one who faithfully discharged all the duties of his station, who lived in the practice of every virtue, and whose conduct is of universal application as a rule of life for others, scarcely any biography has a better claim to the reader's attention.

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He was born on the first of November,

1609, at Alderley, in Gloucestershire. His father had practised as a barrister; but from a tenderness of conscience, which, even if unfounded, can never be too highly respected, he retired from the profession of the law: he could not reconcile himself to the custom of setting up false pleas, which, as he thought, was to tell a lie; and in the legal character as it seemed to him, there were many other things required which he thought incompatible with the duties of a Christian.

Matthew Hale lost his mother when he was only three years old, and his excellent father died in two years after. But some kind relations took charge of the orphan; and if a good education were the only advantage he could have derived from the longer life of his parents, the care of these new friends to have him properly instructed, left him no room to regret his loss. But there is an influence in the person of every father which neither he can forfeit,

nor his child can disregard. The infant naturally imbibes a love and respect for that being, under whose protection he feels safe; in whose wisdom he places his reliance; whose smiles are his reward; and whose displeasure is the only thing he dreads. So far from being able to make comparisons, to approve what is right, and to shun what is otherwise, the child has a sacred feeling towards his father, which prevents him from conceiv ing even a thought to his disparagement. In his estimation he is not so much the best, as the only perfect being in the world. Fathers should consider this, and for the sake of their offspring should preserve at least appearances; for it is a melancholy day for both, when the veil is rent, and the conviction flashes on the mind of the child, that the

conduct of a parent must be no longer his example.

Had his father lived, Matthew Hale would have had, in addition to a good education, the advantage of an admirable model

for imitation. To the want of this, it was possibly owing that he contracted some dissolute habits. When he quitted the university, he took too much pleasure, and spent too much time,

"In feats of strength, dexterity, and speed."

He was addicted to company, loved fine clothes, and frequented the theatres to such a degree, that his mind was not only unsettled, but in danger of being quite corrupted. Of this he was soon after sensible; and so strong was his impression of the danger he had escaped, that he resolved he would never see another play. It is not the mere circumstance of being present at these entertainments which constitutes the wrong. Those who go but seldom may perhaps be amused without injury to their morals; but whenever men grow fond of such exhibitions, or feel the diversions of a theatre begin to take hold of their minds, they cannot adopt a wiser plan than to abandon those pleasures altogether.

There is a redeeming spirit about some men more than others, which will not long allow them to be guilty of misconduct. The tenderness of conscience, for which his father was distinguished, was possessed by the son, and to its predominating influence may be ascribed, all that is valuable in his character, or desirable in the events of his life. Travelling one Sunday from the West of England, he met with many accidents: one horse fell lame and another died. These might have happened on another day, but occurring when they did, they gave rise to many serious reflections, the result of which was, his firm determination never again to abuse the Sabbath, but to honour and observe it in the way that God had commanded; and in this determination he so steadily persisted, that, for thirty-six years together, he never failed attending divine service on that day.

To a mind so susceptible of admonition and desirous of improvement, opportunities