book for all.' Like the air which visits alike the palace and the
cottage; like the water which meanders its way, or gushes from deep
fountains for the use of all men; so this book is adapted to the wants
of all immortal men. It is adapted to every grade of mind and heart,
rising higher than human intellect ever reached, and descending lower
than human degradation ever sank.

"Go to that closet in the neighborhood of Edinburgh, and see one of the
mightiest intellects the world has ever produced, upon whose
transcendent eloquence a Brougham, a Canning, and the greatest names of
the age, have hung entranced, bending over the pages of the Book of
Life. He reads, and writes his thoughts as he reads, until his writings
become volumes, and the world is blessed with his meditations on the
whole Bible. So thoroughly does his spirit become imbued with the
thoughts of this book, that Chalmers was said to have held the whole
Bible in solution.

"Upon Alpine peaks it spreads a moral verdure which makes their rugged
valleys smile, and adorns them with flowers of heavenly origin. Upon the
Virginia plantation, it made Honest John, the happy negro. It was
adapted to all climates and all conditions of life. It was the only book
which comforts in the last hour.

"This was vividly illustrated by the closing scene in the life of Sir
Walter Scott. The window of his chamber was open, through which entered
the breeze, bearing upon its wings the music of the silvery Tweed, which
had so often lulled his mighty spirit. His son-in-law was present, to
whom he said, 'Lockhart, read to me.' Lockhart replied, 'What shall I
read?' The dying bard turned to him his pale countenance and said,
'Lockhart, there is but one book!'