tzwilliam, who
had been chaplain at Woburn, and who afterwards returned them to Mr.
Solwood, the librarian there, by whom they were published. In 1819
another volume of letters was published, from the originals in the
possession of the Duke of Devonshire. These range from her early married
life down to her extreme old age; and contained greater variety of
reference to the passing events of her time than are found in the Woburn
letters, which are chiefly occupied with personal feelings and
experiences. From them may be obtained as perfect a portraiture of Lady
Russell as can be desired.

"Her letters," says Bishop Burnet, "are written with an elegant
simplicity, with truth and nature, which can flow only from the heart.
The tenderness and constancy of her affection for her murdered lord
presents an image to melt the soul." Horace Walpole says, "I have now
before me a volume of letters of the widow of the beheaded Lord Russell,
which are full of the most moving and impressive eloquence." In fact it
would be difficult to find a combination of so much good sense, tender
affection, womanly fortitude, and deep piety in any collection of
letters. It is observable also that in the whole course of these letters
there is not to be found a trace of resentment or of reflection upon any
person who had caused her husband's death. When James II. was no more
king, but a fugitive in a foreign land, she utters no word of triumph
over him, nor says that he was justly punished for his cruel crimes.
Even the inhuman Jefferies, whose violence helped to get her husband
condemned, is passed over in silence, and no reference is made to his
disgrace, and his shameful end. She had attained to such moderation of
spirit that no trace of anger appears against the unworthy instruments
that had brought overwhelming grief upon her. In nothing more than this
is the excellence of her Christian character conspicuous.

JAMES MACAULAY, M.A., M.D.

Frances Ridley Havergal

I.

HER EARLY LIFE.

"Oh, 'Thine for ever!' What a blessed thing
To be for ever His who died for me!
My Saviour, all my life Thy praise I'll sing,
Nor cease my song throughout eternity."

[Illustration]

Such were the words penned by Frances Ridley Havergal on an important
day in her history; and they seem to be a fit expression of the purpose
of one, the strains of whose songs shall reverberate through all ages.

Frances Ridley Havergal was bo