The result was, that the party spent the evening in a riotous debauch, and were carried to bed by the servants at a late hour.

Next day, when they had taken leave and left the house, the gentleman who had introduced his friend asked him what he thought of their entertainer--"Why, really," he replied, with evident astonishment, "sic a speat o' praying, and sic a speat o' drinking, I never knew in the whole course o' my life." Lady Dalhousie, mother, I mean, of the late distinguished Marquis of Dalhousie, used to tell a characteristic anecdote of her day.

But here, on mention of the name Christian, Countess of Dalhousie, may I pause a moment to recall the memory of one who was a very remarkable person.

She was for many years, to me and mine, a sincere, and true and valuable friend.

By an awful dispensation of God's providence her death happened _instantaneously_ under my roof in 1839.