extensive business. Now I was as blessed as man could be in this world. I had no wish ungratified. Every succeeding day and month after our union, was but as a perpetuation and increase of those emotions, which, before marriage we possessed for each other. Our affection grew with our acquaintance. But, ah! how brief is human enjoyment. Six months only had elapsed, when a dark cloud gathered over us, in the return of the complaint under which Mr. Hartwell had previously laboured. He was confined but a few weeks, before it ended fatally, and we were left orphans. On opening his will, I found that he had left me the whole of his property, together with the house and premises which we occupied.

"The deep affliction which my dear Isabel felt at her loss, impaired her naturally delicate health; and at the end of twelve months she gave birth to a daughter, at the expense of her own invaluable life. This was a blow which I had not expected, and which I then impiously murmured at, as hard. My reason seemed affected, and for weeks my life was despaired of. Mercy however interposed, and I recovered; but, ah! to what did I recover? Yet hushed be every expression of repining-all, all has been mercy-mercy. I recovered to a state of mental misery, which I could scarcely support. I could no longer endure to gaze upon those scenes which I had loved to wander over, in company with my Isabel.

Creation, lovely, fresh, and fair,

Its brightness threw around;

Bliss reign'd,-gay myriads sported there,

Yet I no pleasure found.

Nature seem'd wrapt in sombre pall

To me, nor glow'd the sun :
I all possess'd, yet wanted all
In her the absent one.

Every object upon which I looked, acquired a silent yet powerful eloquence, and told me what I had lost. I determined to leave a place where I had been the most happy, but was now, the most wretched of men. I accordingly disposed of my business and possessions at Bath, and removed, with my little daughter, then only one year and a half old, to this town, and in the change of scene and society, felt the asperity of sorrow somewhat softened down. The interesting playfulness of my child too became a source of pleasure to me of no common kind; and when years increased, no happiness equalled that which I felt, in training her infant mind in knowledge, and viewing her mother springing up in her loveliness.

"The shop I had engaged was of considerable extent; and the mode of my carrying on business soon secured for me the custom of several of the most considerable persons in the town. I was recovering my usual cheerfulness, and prosecuting my business with diligence and success, when He, who had followed me through all the steps of my

life, but who had not been remembered by me, called once more on my atheistical mind. I was in the habit of attending to the fashionable part of my employers at their own houses, on the morning of the Sabbath-day; and when returning, on one occasion, from my usual engagements, I, without knowing why, took a more circuitous road home. As I passed along, a place of worship attracted my attention; I approached it, and as I reached the door of the sanctuary, heard the minister reading in an impressive tone, Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy!' I felt my conscience smitten, and wished to retreat immediately, but seemed held by an invisible power to the spot. The solemn truths which I then heard, filled me with alarm. At the close of the sermon I retired to my house, determined to shake off the impression, and after awhile succeeded. Things again went on as usual: months had passed away, and I had forgotten what I had heard, when, prompted by curiosity, as before, I called, on my return home, to listen again at the door of the house of God. Scarcely had the sound of my own footsteps died away, when a sepulchral tone met my ear, and the fearful consequences of desecrating the Sabbath-day, with awful eloquence, were exhibited. I stood self-convicted: conscience seemed to thun

der out, "Thou art the man ! I looked fearfully round, to see if I were observed. I was alone within the porch of the house of prayer. A silence too prevailed, deep as that which exists in the grave,

excepting only when the powerful voice of the messenger of God was heard, calling upon his fellow-men to 'escape for their lives! My knees trembled; thick drops of perspiration stood upon my forehead; and for the first time in my life, I humbled myself before God, and prayed!

"An instant determination now possessed me, to abandon my Sabbath engagements, and under that feeling I returned home. Soon, however, a conflict commenced, betwixt conscience and interest. Conscience insisting upon an immediate relinquishment of my present pursuits, while interest urged the consequences which would follow, in the loss of employers, and possible want. The struggle was severe, and interest would certainly have prevailed, had not a power of a supernatural order been engaged to support the claims of conscience. My decision was made accordingly: from that period, the business I had so long been in the habit of performing on the Sabbath, was relinquished. As my interest suggested, so it was: the principal part of my employers left me; my trade fell off; and after struggling with my loss for a considerable time, I was necessitated to leave my extensive premises, for some of a more humble character. Still want appeared to pursue me: loss succeeded loss. From one humble abode, to one yet more humble, I was compelled to retreat; until at length, the one which I now occupy, was taken a few weeks since. Distress appeared at every remove unavoidable. Every thing which I

once possessed, I have been obliged to part with, to procure for myself and dear child the mere necessaries of nature. On your arrival, last evening, we had scarcely tasted food for nearly two days. The wants of my poor Isabel rendered my own more acute. Still I felt, and do feel, I have done right; and although nothing now remains before me but destitution and want, yet am I determined to struggle on, possessing, as I do, one inestimable treasure, of which distress cannot deprive me,—an approving conscience! I have carefully concealed my sorrows from all with whom I have intercourse; and you, sir, would never have been troubled with them, had not the closing light of day driven me to the painful alternative of requesting the loan which I received from you."

Poor Gilbert had ceased for some minutes, during which time Mr. Adolphus sat silent and thoughtful. His feelings had been considerably excited by the narrative, and some tears which fell, spoke more than language could utter. At length he observed, "Your's is indeed a state of woe, young man.-I will endeavour, through my influence in Town, to serve you: in a week at most, you may expect to hear from me. By what name," he inquired, as he drew a memorandum from his pocket, "shall I address you?" "Gilbert Waltingham," was the reply. A sudden thought seemed to possess Mr. Adolphus, he started as the answer was given, and looking the suffering man full in the face, he re-echoed-" Gilbert