UNCLE IN ENGLAND. 119 



any avail in hastening the time appointed by 

 immutable Wisdom for those important events. 

 When, therefore, in using this sublime and con- 

 cise prayer, we mean to express either [of these 

 significations, we must perceive that they do not 

 possess that second quality which seems to me 

 to be essentially necessary in every prayer pro- 

 ceeding from man namely, that while we 

 address our petitions to God, they, at the same 

 time, should convey an admonition to ourselves, 

 and instruct us how to do our part towards at- 

 taining those objects for which we supplicate. 



" But if, on the other hand, we apply those 

 words to the dominion of Christian principles in 

 ourselves, we are given reason to hope that the 

 petition may be granted^ because we pledge our 

 own humble, but earnest efforts, as the requisite 

 condition on which we presume to pray for it ; 

 and for these reasons I am inclined to consider 

 that this is the most important meaning of the 

 words, Thy kingdom come." 



12th. Hertford's letters have, of late, been 

 very frequent. I think the following extract 

 will amuse you. 



" The Druidical monuments of the island of 

 Lewis are remarkable. Scotland possesses many 

 specimens of those structures ; but, except in 

 Lewis, they are rare among the Western islands. 

 In the neighbourhood of Loch Bernera, several 



