ramparts of snow, and into these he would creep and stay too long if not found out and desired to come into the house. I fear this was one cause of his last illness.

I have said that I am careful they should observe the Lord's-day, but on the week day I allow them to indulge in innocent play, and healthful recreation. Sometimes, for my own sake, as well as theirs, I would take my three eldest sons, and go off several miles into the country, get a cnp of tea or other refreshment, and return home, well tired. Once a quarter, that is once in spring, summer, autumn, and winter, we usually went, and then we had mostly something new to see and admire, and we talked of many things by the way as we went, and as we came back.

The last time we went out was about a year ago, during a sharp frost. A gentleman who lives next door called in after dinner, and said there was a fine meadow covered with ice, and he was going on it to skate. My boys took the hint, and called for their winter's holiday. I agreed for it was a fine clear frosty day: I knew they wanted to go on the ice, and I thought it would be safer if I went with them. I had not skated for several years, but I was soon able to balance myself and run about, We had a select little party. The lads slided and ran after the ball, and enjoyed the healthful recreation.

Sam was the cleverest fellow

at running or sliding. How merrily did he laugh for joy and triumph in beating his father and taking the ball from him!

Alas! how brief and uncertain are our most innocent enjoyments! Only a few days after this, his next brother was taken poorly-his head ached sadly-he was cold and shivering. His mother, a few days after, became poorly too. The doctor was sent for, and medicines administered. But it was several days before it could be ascertained what was the nature of the disease. At length it assumed the form of typhus in both cases. We directly proceeded to remove all the other children from the house, except the baby. All the carpets, curtains, and drapery, were also removed. The chambers and stairs sprinkled with chloride of lime-the air admitted as much as possible, and every precaution adopted. Nurses were engaged, who watched day and night, and another surgeon attended. But all in vain: John and his Mother grew worse every day, and four other children were brought into the house again, with decided symptoms of the disease upon them. Two only escaped-my eldest son, who was sent into the country, and his younger sister, who was at a friend's house in the town.

My dear boy of whom I am now writing, was removed with three others into an adjoining apartment, separate from the house, which had been used as a public office. As long as he could get

about, he was busily employed arranging the drawers and tables of his new apartment. But he was soon obliged to take to his bed, from which he arose no more alive!

He kept a little diary. Since his death, brothers have found two entries in it.

"January 26, Fever came into the House."

66

his

January 29, Went into the Reform Office." The disease now made rapid and awful progress. I had hitherto been able to act with decision and energy, but having only just recovered from a complaint which often disturbs me, I was very feeble and ill fitted for my responsible and dangerous post. Still I visited every chamber, (for now every chamber in the house was a sick chamber) and saw the medicines administered. I went up always when the surgeons came, and anxiously watched their proceedings, until one of them significantly said, "It seems you will come, Sir." And then he apprized me of the danger, and the necessity there was for me to be cautious myself, for the sake of them all, and of my other engagements.

From this time I visited them regularly but less frequently, and only for a minute or two at a time. John and Charlotte were now at the worst, and the doctors gave us no hope of either of them. I was now well nigh worn out with anxiety and fatigue. I had my bed in the parlour below, but I could hear their groans and cries distinctly, and at first, being very sensitive, every

groan of the children, and every ring of their mother's bell, made my heart ache. I was at length obliged, for the sake of more rest, and to make room for another nurse, to leave the house and lodge at a neighbour's, and take my meals at my brother's, a few doors off.

It seemed only a question of a few hours time now, which should go first-John or Charlotte. They must be removed and buried, the doctors said, as soon as possible after death. On this account the joiner was apprized one saturday evening, that he must be in readiness to make their coffins the next day if required.

My dear Sam became worse and worse, and seemed to sink under the power of the dreadful disease. From the first I apprehended the worst for him. I was afraid his feeble constitution could not bear the shock. He was not yet, however, so bad as his brother and sister, to whom our attention had been chiefly directed. Still they lingered, and we again began to hope for them. But on the following saturday morning, about eleven o'clock, the doctor came down and told me that it was all over with my son, for he had just brought up a quantity of blood, through the bursting of a vessel, which left him without the least hope. It was market day. I was engaged with several customers, (for my assistants, alarmed at the danger, had fled) but I involuntarily went up to him directly, and never shall I forget the look he gave me.

He could not speak, but that look spoke more than words. It said-"O Father, help me if you can." I could only say, "My dear lad, the Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on thee, and take thee to heaven!" when I was obliged to come out of the chamber to give vent to my almost bursting feelings, which I could scarcely restrain to find utterance for the few words I spoke to him. He fell into a kind of stupor, and died the next day, at three o'clock in the afternoon.

I had now the distressing and difficult duty to discharge of acquainting his Mother. Possessing a good constitution, she had never been brought so low as the two children; yet she was seriously and dangerously ill. I feared therefore to tell her and yet she must know. I began by saying, "You must expect, my dear, to hear of that dear boy's death"- "I have been praying," said she, "that the Lord would take him, if it be his will. I have given him up to God"- "You think you could part with him then ?"-" Yes: if it is the Lord's will: but what do you mean? is he gone?"-"He is: you have now, I hope, a child in heaven.""Well:" she replied, "the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." An effect quite contrary from what I apprehended, was produced. Her mind was relieved, and that afternoon she enjoyed a comfortable and refreshing sleep.

Such was the end of my much-loved boy.