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expanded into intellectual improvement and lasting edification If variety of scene can give a true picture of life and manners which may enkindle the love of Christian piety, exhibit the noblest affections of the heart, paint the moralist, the sinner, and the saint, the pastor and the merchant, the nobleman and the cottager, the magistrate and the culprit, and most of the other characters which fill the intermediate classes of society; then may the following pages put forth some claim to attention, for they will be found to consist of such delineations drawn from the life. Here is "TRUTH WITHOUT FICTION," the narratives being drawn by an eye-witness. Here is the true religion of the heart, founded not on false philosophy, or mere morals, but upon the revealed will of God and the unsophisticated gospel, interspersed with characters and incidents which will interest the young, and engage the attention of maturer years.

This is the silent Mentor intended to accompany the young traveller in his outset through life.

TRUTH WITHOUT FICTION;

OR, THE

TWO OXFORD STUDENTS,

IN COLLEGE,

LONDON, AND THE COUNTRY.

CHAPTER I.

OXFORD, AND THE HEROES OF THE TALE.

CHARLES MORTIMER, at the period of time at which this history commences, had been a scholar at the University of Oxford for nearly three years. Since he was separated from his old friend John Elnut, when he left the school of his tutor, the Rev. William Brice at Loudham, he had sighed for one who might share in his pursuits, and be to him as another soul: nor did he meet with the fulfilment of his wishes, till he became acquainted with Rowland Clinton. This youth was about his own age, comely in his person, genteel in his address, of a natural sprightliness of wit, and gaiety of manners, and though he detested mathematics, he had a high relish for the classics, the belles lettres and polite literature, to this was added a reverence for religion, and some acquaintance with evangelical truth. The two friends found in each other a great congeniality of temper, and, as their pursuits were similar, they often studied, walked, and spent their evenings

together. They were now walking forth according to their usual habit, to enjoy the freshness of the evening breeze. They entered the great walk belonging to Christ Church College, where the lofty elms forming a living cathedral over their heads, of nearly a furlong in extent, disposed them to serious thought. "These arching branches," said Charles, "no doubt suggested their ideas to the first architects of churches. In such verdant temples as this our first parents worshipped, the Patriarchs in such sacred groves no doubt conversed with God, and offered up the sacrifice of prayer and praise; in such temples the ancient Christians worshipped, and the persecuted Waldenses found a sanctuary in their retired forests. I never walk through a wood but it inspires me with serious reflections and disposes me to acts of devotion."

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Yes," said Rowland, "in the retirement of a forest there may be much good, and there may also be much evil, The Pagans performed their worst rites in such solitudes, and the reformers of Israel often cut down the groves which were the scene of gross abominations. The wilderness was a scene of temptation chosen by the great adversary for the purpose of his attack upon our Lord: and solitude itself may, under many circumstances, be more dangerous than society."

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True," replied Charles, "but even to a tempted mind the trees may preach a lasting lesson. I remember hearing an eminent minister, now living, telling an anecdote of his own father. He had been long tempted to infidelity, till he became half an atheist. He had to pursue his journey through a wood, and as he rode along, he kept flourishing his whip and exclaiming, There is no God!' Upon looking on his hand he perceived that a single leaf stuck between his fingers, which he had caught there as he was brandishing his arms in a kind of atheistic frenzy,

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while galloping along through the leafy grove. He examined it. It had parts as distinct as a living body; there was the main central artery, with ramifications from it, like so many vessels, to the extremities of each leaf, and these again he perceived branching off into other vessicles. He said, 'Is this regularity of construction to be found in a single leaf of this immense forest? Can this beautiful arrangement, in its minutest parts-this smooth and polished exterior, be the work of chance? Here have been design, contrivance, workmanship! The watch which I carry bears not greater proof of the existence of a mechanic, than this single leaf, which burst forth from its parent stem, was caught by my hand, and will now fall to the earth and perish, proves the existence of a God.'

And how do I know but that Almighty power and wisdom, which equally formed this leaf, as the world we inhabit, destined it to fall within my fingers, to humble my pride, and to be itself the refuter of my infidelity, atheism, and ignorance; itself, puny as it is, was to fall the weight that should make a lasting impression upon my conscience.' He could not withstand the force of truth. He exclaimed, as he galloped his horse through the wood,

There is a God! there is a God!' And though he entered the wood almost an atheist, he passed out of it a believer! A leaf had been his instructor. He never doubted afterwards, but went forth and preached the truths which he had disbelieved, and God blessed his labours to the conversion of many, and he is now adoring that Being, in whom he lived and moved, and whom he served and honoured on earth, in his own blest abode above."

The friends had now passed round the western side of Christ Church meadows, and were on the banks of the Isis. The little skiffs were shooting about under the elastic arms of the gownsmen emancipated from lectures and studies:

the serpentine walks they pursued, edged with a smooth wavy velvet lawn, now just touched the margin of the Isis and now concealed itself amid little shrubberies and groves. The haymakers were tossing about the fragrant hay in the fine green expansive meadows, or loading the vehicles to convey it to the ricks which were building on the western side, while beyond the meadows rose Merton, Christ church, and other venerable edifices, above the impenetrable foliage of the arching grove which they had lately passed. As they proceeded on, Magdalen Bridge presented a beautiful object, and finished the picturesque view. "I seldom," said Rowland, "have enjoyed Thompson more in any place than in these meadows. Reclining on one of these seats, in a little nook, I can look over one of those fields, and view the villagers at their toil, and in a moment turn me round and contemplate the scenes of studious ease and of dignified retirement. Here surely, if any where, may be possessed that "otium cum dignitate," so much celebrated by Horace-here may be exemplified that Arcadian ease,

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"An elegant sufficiency-content,

Retirement, rural quiet, friendship, books-
Ease and alternate labour, useful life,

Progressive virtue, and approving Heaven."

Yes," said Charles, "and, to a mind rightly formed, Oxford presents advantages of no common kind for the pursuit of study and for mental recreation." "A change, however," said Rowland," is pleasant; I enjoy the thoughts of the long vacation. The sports of the country, the entertainments of London-the panoramas, parks, exhibitions, preachers, and novelties of London delight me in the prospect. I have an invitation from Mr. Peachman, our

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