taken this girl behind her, to bring the horse back.

After learning these particulars, I proceeded to ask, “And pray, what is your employment at home?” “ My employment, Sir, is sewing and knitting; and now when my mother is from home, I shall have to take care of the house, and get the meat ready for my father when he comes from work.” “Very good employment,” I replied : “ and are you fond of reading, when you have a little time for it?” “Oh yes, Sir; I am exceedingly fond of reading, when I can do it; and I borrow histories where I can, to read.” I asked her, if she had seen the history of the Shepherd of Salisbury Plain ; and as she had not seen it, I was happy in having the first and second parts in my pocket, which she received with pleasure. I then made several remarks on the proper use of reading, and the danger of reading foolish books. She assented to my remarks, and said gravely; "My father and mother have taken great care to give us all good learning.” I praised their attention to their children ; and told her the advantages of education were superior to furtune. She said, “money was of no use to people, with. out sense to conduct themselves.” I pro. ceeded to remark on the benefit of good instruction in youth, both as tu vur interest in this world and the next. I pointed out the uncertainty of human supports; how soon her parents might be taken from her; and how great would be the advantage, in such a case, if she was able to conduct herself properly: and above all, if by reading the Bible, she should learn to live in the fear and love of God, how happy she would be, whether rick or poor, in this world, and how well prepared for another. Her attention convinced me, that she entered with her whole mind into the subject.

As we rode along, she took two apples out of a little basket hanging from the saddle ; and politely offered them to me. I declined eating any: and when with some reluctance she had put them back, she said, “I bave brought these apples from Shropshire for a cousin of mine, who lies very ill, and wished for some fruit.” On inquiring about her cousin, I found she was a girl fifteen or sixteen years old, who was lingering in a consumption ; that her father was a boatman, but was now blind, though little above forty years old : that he received something from a club, and his wife took in lodgers; and a sister in the town, in better circumstances, gave them some help. This sick girl was their only child. She had been a great support to them, when in health. Their rent, which was six guineas a year, she had earned

hy weaving cotton; and something more for clothes. I could not but admire and highly commend this girl's diligence. "And now (said I) you see a proof of what I mentioned before, of the uncertainty of all our earthly comforts and helps. Your cousin's parents no doubt looked upon her as a treasure, and so she was to them ; but you see it is all over now, so far as respects this world. But does your cousin think about her soul, and when she dies, where she shall live for ever?” “Oh yes, that she does, Sir. She says little to any body else, but that she shall not get better, and that she expects to die: but her mother never goes up to see her, but she finds her praying very devoutly. She is a good girl, and has been so from a child. She was always obedient to her parents; and ready to help them, if it was twelve o'clock at night; and never thought she did enough to serve them.” The affecting simplicity with which she drew her cousin's character melted me. I tried to draw such lessons as arose from the account. - When urging the necessity of our being prepared for another world, she gave me a short account of a neighbour of theirs, who had died suddenly a week or two before. The account was nearly in these words : “He had been reaping, came home at night, got a hearty supper, and gave the Lord thanks.

He rose at four o'clock next morning, and looked out at the chamber-window; told his wife it was a foggy morning, and he would go to bed for an hour more. He returned to bed and died in an instant !”

We now drew near to Eccleshall, and I was unwilling to lose my little friend. Many proofs of her good sense and proper conduct occurred, which I can now more easily remember than describe. Much as I learnt from her, she seldom spoke without an inquiry from me; and shewed much modesty and good sense. On parting she thanked me for my attention, and I cordially thanked her for her company-an enjoyment I shall never forget.

September 12, 1796.

THE CHRISTIAN NEGRO. A gentleman walking one day amongst his plantation in the West Indies, perceived some peas growing between the rows of canes that were quite ripe. Knowing that the slaves were short of food, from the little time allowed them to work in their patches of land, he called to one of them who was Dear, and asked him why he did not take those peas ? “ They are not mine,” an. strered the Black. “Oh! fellow! (replied the master) you think every thing your's

that you can lay your hands on." "No, Massa, (said the slave) negro who pray, no thieve!” The planter was struck with sur. prise. " What have I been about (he exclaimed) not to let the Missionaries come upon my estate." And he forthwith sat down, and wrote to a Missionary who lived near; and begged him to come and preach to his slaves whenever he pleased.

FAMILY PRAYER. I do not know a nicer sight, than a whole family, young and old, met together night and morning for the purpose of prayer and reading God's word.

Now though parents and those of riper age are the persons, whom it is most needful to urge to practise family worship, it may