very painful to Fanny; and all this, you know, is strictly true. But if, my dear fellow, a better principle should be imparted, how easy would it then be to bear the weakness of declining life, or gather that information from his experience which Andrew is both able and willing to impart."

There was one class of small dependants on the Brow Farm whom Michael found it very difficult to manage, the crowkeepers: no sooner was his back turned, than their vigilance was over, and he frequently considered the best means of correcting this defect; and one day it occurred to him, that it was worth a little thought. Amongst children of this description employed by Michael, was Thomas Southby: he was to be in as soon as the day dawned, it was a very nice piece of wheat, and the birds were assailing it in all parts. The young watchman expected Michael; he was there clapping and hooting with the greatest vigilance; Michael was gone, he thought, and he was off to another part of the village. Throughout this day, himself and William at different periods visited this field; it was at a considerable distance from the house. This young culprit thought himself safe, and until noon never entered this place, when he was greatly surprised to find William doing that busi

ness for which he was paid; and on Saturday, when his wages were settled, Michael sent for his father, and referring to a paper on which he had carefully noted down all the hours this boy had spent elsewhere, payed him correctly for that time and no more. At first this caused a great outcry, but when it was found that to those boys who were punctual in the field, and did their duty steadily, Mr. Kemp gave a penny a-day more and a new hat at the end of the season. It worked complete reformation.

The following year, he had a number of little crowkeepers, and Tom Southby among the rest, as watchful as the best of them. The best guide in every case is the scripture guide, and we constantly find reward offered for good conduct, and patience exercised even with the rebellious. There is no doubt that sinners will elude vigilance, and young sinners will sometimes baffle every attempt to reduce them to order; but while mild measures may be used they are certainly best; and though sometimes an example must be made for the terror of evil doers, and the praise of them that do well, yet I believe it is rarely found that patient enduring kindness is without its fruit. Michael found it. so in his case, he never had occasion to dis

miss a workman. Esther's influence over her poor women was as complete and full as Michael's, and if she had not as much decision as her husband, she was aware of this defect, and acted in such a manner as to conceal it-quiet perseverance in what she knew to be right. They employed very few women on the farm, at least in labour. Michael had his own ideas upon this subject, he greatly preferred performing all that could be done by men and boys; he thought it made the women masculine and careless in their family, and destroyed that feminine decency which he so loved to encourage. It is true, he had a few stone-pickers in the season, and some hay-makers, but these women were mostly in their cottages, seeing to their husbands' and children's clothes, and providing for the general comfort of the family; so that the children were well nursed, and there was an air of decency in their dwelling which cannot be preserved while the wearied wife shares the labour of the day with her stronger partner. The lyings-in were provided for, and it was a regular custom at the Brow to lend a parcel for a month, and at the end of that term, when they came to return it, to keep them to dinner, and to converse with them on the necessity of devoting

themselves anew to God, who had brought them through danger and distress, and to give them such hints as might be useful for the training of the little ones. Thus feeling they had a Friend who attended them, and had a concern for their welfare, they were brought up to look to one head, and if their mistress was ill, or if they had not seen master for a few days, there was a sort of anxiety, a tender apprehension, even among the merely moral, which proved that they were sensible of their advantages, and feared to lose them.

Madam Lascelles was as much honoured, but then she was so much above them; that they could not so freely make known all that passed to her as they could to Esther.

It was in the evening of a very fine day, that the mother of little Thomas Southby came up to return her bundle, and to offer her thanks. The poor creature sat down in the porch to rest; Esther saw the shadow of something pass the window, and partly expecting Fanny, opened the door to welcome her. "Oh, Phoebe Southby, is it you?" Yes, madam; I beg your pardon for not coming in, but I was a little tired coming up the hill;" and Esther took the baby, who laid wrapt in sleep, unconscious of the fatigue he occasioned. Taking in the sleeping infant, and

66

laying it safely, she returned with a cordial for the mother; and observing that all about her wore the appearance of care and industry, she said, "How happy it is for you to have so kind a husband. "Madam, I am come to return you thanks for the nice caudle you sent me: I had it three times in the week, and I may justly say, I think it did Thomas as much good as me, for you know, madam, how poorly he was; I am sure we are bound to love you and pray for you, madam; and then the learning our children gets; why, dear me, there is my little maid, she can read and work," and she began to feel in her pocket for a cap the child had made. "The youngest Miss Lascelles gave me this muslin, and I thought I would cut it out, and see what Patty could do." Well, this is very neat indeed, and deserves to be encouraged; send her to me to-morrow, neighbour."

66

It is by intimate inquiry into the minuter concerns that we bind our connexions to us; in great matters they expect to be attended to, but in smaller affairs the heart is won by seeing that you are interested; for whatever shades of difference Providence may have seen fit to make in society, still each have a tender concern and an intimate feeling of small kindnesses