CONCLUSION OF THE VISIT. 313 



Mr. Eames and Mr. Hilary. To the latter, indeed, 

 the benefit might not be so lasting as it was likely 

 to become to his companion. The mind of the 

 former was cast in a more contemplative mood, 

 with, perhaps, rather less conversational powers. 

 He possessed, however, more imagination, more 

 depth of character, and far greater reasoning powers 

 than his friend. The latter quality had, perhaps, 

 been rather a snare to lead him into error, than 

 been used by him as a means of ascertaining the 

 truth. He had been indefatigable in his researches, 

 but they had been originally ill-directed, and his 

 scepticism had hitherto prevented his answering the 

 enquiry, What is truth ?' 



Dr. Hastings was anxious to correct the errors of 

 such a mind as this, and withdraw it from its delu- 

 sions to the wholesome path which he himself was 

 daily treading. Widely different were the two 

 thus brought together. The one was happy in his 

 cheerful contentment, the other dissatisfied he knew 

 not why. Dr. Hastings looked up to an omnipo- 

 tent and benevolent God as the creator of ail 

 below, and found 4 good in every thing.' Mr. Eames 

 beheld the works of creation, and he confessed that 

 ' every thing was very good.' He admired them all 

 as effects, but to the Great Cause he had never 

 looked. He wanted that which, to a mind such as 

 his, would have been the guiding star to direct his 

 wanderings, and to occupy his thoughts, now un- 

 p 



