the carriage, to find John's parents, and prepare them for their son's arrival, as his visit was unexpected.

When the aged pair knew who their visitors were, they received them in a manner which showed that they were acquainted with their characters. As soon as they were informed that their son, who was their only remaining child, and whom they said, in the simple language of scriptural piety, "they had so often prayed they might once more behold in the flesh," was really so near them, the joy and gratitude they manifested was so touching as to affect every one-but especially Sophia, who whispered to her aunt, "Could I be so cruel as to be willing to prevent so much happiness, rather than use a little self-denial ?"

The following day was Sunday, on which Mr. D'Arcy never travelled; and finding tolerable accommodations could be procured at a village about a mile distant, he determined to remain there, instead of proceeding to the next town, giving a preference to these secluded spots, as it so often afforded him an opportunity to assist some humble minister, or to revive or establish some Sabbath-school,-duties and pleasures of benevolence, in which he found an ample compensation for the want of eloquent sermons. On the present occasion, he also wished to give John a day with his parents. The family were but just seated in the house of prayer, when the old man entered, leaning on his son's arm, his countenance beaming with the mingled radiance of devotion and joy, presenting a picture such as every friend of human happiness must have delighted to contemplate.

The notice which the minister took of the good old man increased Mr. D'Arcy's prepossession in his favour; and he afterwards learnt from the former some incidents of his life which confirmed it.

It appeared that he lived from his youth as groom, in the family of the wealthy and titled possessor of DCastle, until he met with an accident in his service, which disabled him from continuing in the situation; and it was only a natural debt of justice that, under such circumstances, he should be provided for by their bounty. But during the poor man's illness, a very important change took place in his character. The near view of death and judgment was the means employed by Almighty goodness to lead him to repentance and newness of life. On his recovery, he could not be satisfied without hearing those Divine truths enforced, on which his own hopes of eternal life rested; and in thus obeying conscience, he forfeited his master's favour, who, in the true spirit of that cruel bigotry, which in times past brought martyrs to the stake, inflicted all the punishment he could, by withholding his intended pension from his servant ; and yet this gentleman piqued himself on his charity to the poor, because he gave away a certain sum for his credit's sake; having yet to learn, that alms-giving is but a small part of true benevolence, which requires us not only to deny the passion of covetousness, but the selfish pride of bigotry, and every other passion whose indulgence is opposed to the welfare of others. In a less secluded situation, where public opinion might have enforced the claims of this poor man upon his master's

liberality, the conduct of the latter would probably have been different; and those persons who wish to ascertain their title to the character of benevolent, will do wisely to inquire how many kind actions they would perform, where there are no witnesses-while such as refuse a benefit to another, because his opinions differ from their own, may be assured, that the very worst species of uncharitableness is nurtured in their hearts.

With regard to the poor man in question, Mr. D'Arcy rejoiced that he could repair the injustice of another, and proposed that he and his wife should follow their son to Ireland as soon as possible, where some light employment should be found for him in the gardens. Thus the dearest earthly wish of these poor people was gratified; and they were not a little glad, that a regard to their son's welfare had always prevailed over selfgratification, and prevented their indulging the wish they had sometimes felt, to induce him to leave Mr. D.'s service, in order to come nearer to them.

To promote the interests of others in all things, rather than to please ourselves, is, indeed, the test of benevolent regard, in every relation of life, and will often be rewarded, as it was in the present case.

CHAPTER X.

SELFISHNESS AND BENEVOLENCE IN TRADE.

ON Monday they proceeded on their journey, and at the place where they rested to dine, the master of the hotel apologized for being obliged to put them into an apartment, separated by folding doors from the public room, in which a rather noisy meeting was then being held. From the broken sentences which they caught, they learnt that the object of it was the disposal of some money collected for the families of several poor men, whose lives had been sacrificed in assisting to extinguish a recent fire in the town; and the interest which the matter appeared to excite, called forth Frederick's curiosity, and led him to enter the meeting; but just then the final resolution was put, and carried by acclamation. Two respectable-looking farmers near him were, however, still conversing very eagerly on the affair, and to them he applied for information.

66

Do you see, Sir,” replied one of them," that gentleman just close to the chairman, looking so pale and vexed? That is Mr. Jones, a great tradesman in this town, who would let nobody thrive but himself, if he could help it. 'Twas his warehouses that were burnt and nobody would have been sorry for that, I

down ;

men's

believe, if it had not been for the loss of the poor lives. For who can feel any regard for a man that never did a kind action, except to get something by it; nor ever cared who suffered, so that he didn't lose? And now those poor fellows' death may be laid to his charge. He urged and threatened them forward, (for they were his own workmen,) to get some goods out from a part of the building where every one saw the roof was just ready to fall in; and so it did before they could get out again, destroying ten lives, leaving nine widows destitute, and five or six and twenty fatherless children. In my opinion, young gentleman," he continued, "the man that caused that is a murderer in the sight of the Almighty. The people all cried out, 'Shame upon him!' and so, to try to recover a good name, he began to be very active in the subscription that has been made for the families, and set down his name for a large but he wanted to dispose of it in a way that might have pleased the widows, though it would have done little or no real good to them or their families in the end. He proposed to divide the money among them, only leaving something to be given to the children when they became of age. Some others, who gave their money just from compassion, or because their neighbours did, and were not willing to take any trouble in doing the most good with it, took his side; but there were many who wished to supply, as far as money would do it, the loss sustained by the widows; and their plan was, to allow them so much weekly, after laying by a certain part to pay for the children's schooling, and

sum;