of that pragmatical old fellow his uncle; and now, if you please, let us call another question.' So she caused the cups and saucers to be removed, and because the doctor was not one who ever meddled with games of chance, which he counted unholy and unprofitable, the company had nothing for it till supper time, but conversation: but as the young man who told me all this, had done his work in the room, he could tell me no more of what passed at that season, nor indeed was it till long after, that I was made acquainted with so much as I have already related; for, whilst all this was going forward, I was shut up within my uncle's apartments, in a little chamber left in the thickness of the wall, having a casement and a lattice opening out upon a garden, where were all manner of pleasant trees, and a fountain which, at times, that is, at the period of the former and latter rains, and the melting of the snows, jetted forth in a wonderfully pleasant manner, often soothing me to rest with its agreeable murmurs, when I was fatigued and harassed with the troubles of my station. On the night I speak of, these waters playing in the moon-beam, soon contributed with my weariness to put me into a very sound sleep, which held me till morning; at which time, whether sleeping or waking, in a dream or otherwise, I thought that some one was speaking softly in my ears, and the words which this person spoke were so extraor

dinary, that if I were to live for ever, I should never forget them; they were to this effect, that I should be up and doing, for that the time was short, and my Master would accept my services,' and that I ought to account this acceptation as the greatest of favours; but before I could tell who it was that thus whispered in my ear, behold a sound of cursing and altercation rose to my window, and opening my eyes suddenly, I saw no one by my bed, but some of my fellow servants were under the window abusing each other, and using such ill language, as I had little expected to have heard in such a place as I then was. There were two of them young lads, and they were contending with a fierceness which had caused the blood to mount to their very brows, whilst their eyes shot fire at each other. What the cause of their dispute might be I know not, neither did I inquire, for it was no business of mine, I thought; but I was offended and displeased to think, that even my retirements were to be thus disturbed; and as I dressed myself, (for I found in my apartment a chest well-provided with all things necessary for me, and suitable to my condition,2 which

1 "The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light." Rom. xiii. 12.

"For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." 2 Cor. vi. 2.

2 "Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the

provision, so much beyond what I had any right to have expected, ought to have made me thankful,) yet as I was saying, even whilst I was putting these things on, I could not help thinking, Where is the peace to come from which has been promised me, if the sound of brawls like these is to come into my very bed-chamber? However, being dressed, and in somewhat better humour, from finding my figure much improved from what it had been the day before, from the various accommodations of clean linen and a new coat, I stepped out of my room into my uncle's parlour, where I found the old gentleman, busy at his desk doing his Master's work, whilst waiting my appearance for breakfast; and behold, the breakfast was set out in the room, and consisted of what was wholesome and agreeable.

Whilst we were refreshing ourselves, my uncle failed not presently to fall upon that subject

lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek :) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." Matt. vi. 27-34.

some

provision, so much beyond what I had any right to have expected, ought to have made me thankful,) yet as I was saying, even whilst I was putting these things on, I could not help thinking, Where is the peace to come from which has been promised me, if the sound of brawls like these is to come into my very bed-chamber? However, being dressed, and in what better humour, from finding my figure much improved from what it had been the day before, from the various accommodations of clean linen and a new coat, I stepped out of my room into my uncle's parlour, where I found the old gentleman, busy at his desk doing his Master's work, whilst waiting my appearance for breakfast; and behold, the breakfast was set out in the room, and consisted of what was wholesome and agreeable.

Whilst we were refreshing ourselves, my uncle failed not presently to fall upon that subject

lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek :) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take there. fore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." Matt. vi. 27-34.