their pious thought on such occasions; and the hope that they were happier and infinitely better provided for, than they could be in this world, never failed to give them consolation.

Is it, however, surprising that they nursed with extraordinary care the youngest of these eight, and earnestly prayed that he might be spared to them? William was indeed the child of their old age, for they were already advanced in life at the time of his birth, and, when our history commences, was in his thirteenth year. He had been one of the best of young children, and his kindly dispositions. added to the many bereavements they had suffered, endeared him every day, more and more, to his affectionate parents. It was for his sake, that his father now resolved to quit business, and to take a house in a private street.-God has blessed my industry, said he, and if my boy lives, I have enough to make him comfortable, and why, therefore, should I not leave my place, to those who are rising up. He therefore transferred his stock in trade to his foreman, who had served a faithful apprenticeship to him, and had remained. with him for ten years afterwards, gave him time to pay the value of that and the house, and retired with the character of an honest and industrious man.

Here he lived with his wife and son, bestowing upon the education of the latter, every care which money could procure. It is true he nei

ther had him taught Latin nor Greek, for he was himself, as might be supposed, a very plain man, and did not see the use of them, except to those who belong to what are called the learned professions, but he employed a very sensible man to come every day, and read with him such good English Books, as might improve his mind, and store it with valuable information. William was a sensible boy, and did not, like some, think little of his parents, because they knew less than himself; on the contrary, it was his delight in the evenings, to tell them if he had in the course of the day, read any thing that would interest them. Indeed he was often known, to get an entertaining Book, in order that he might amuse their leisure hours in this way.

From his earliest years, he was fond of reading, but the kind of book he would pore over with the greatest interest, was voyages and travels, and be thus acquired a taste which grew with his growth, and which he never ceased to hope, one day or other, he might be able to gratify. When I am a man he used to sayWont you let me travel into foreign lands, Father, I should like above all things to go where no Irishman had ever been before. No, my child, replied his Father, as long as the Almighty permits us to live, you must not quit us.-We have lost so many, that we could never consent to expose you to the dangers you must meet,

stay therefore quietly at home, and be our comfort, as you have hitherto been, and when our hour comes, the blessing of Him, who loves them that honour Father and Mother, will follow you, through life. This was when William was only fourteen years old, and it will at once prove how good a boy he was that he submitted with cheerfulness to his Father's wishes. The fondness however, for the same kind of books still remained, and often has he remained at home, when he might have been amusing himself with young people of his own age, in order that he might finish such books as Mungo Park's Travels in Africa, or Captain Cook's Voyages to the Pacific Ocean.

Thus passed the next six years of his life, until, at length, his grateful parents saw him past that age, at which his brothers and sisters had died. His constitution was good, his person active, and his countenance at once intelligent and serious. --Hitherto, however, he had been leading an idle life, for that may well be called an idle life, which is passed without being useful to our fellow creatures, and indeed, nothing could be an apology for his Father's keeping him so long unemployed, but the great anxiety he felt concerning his health. He was now, therefore, placed with a merchant, and in his office learned what it is which makes these countries so rich and civilized. Indeed he saw many things which awakened his admiration. In one instance,

merchant residing in India, and having no secu rity, for his property, but the good faith of the person to whom he sent his goods, and a previous knowledge of his character, would ship his merchandize to England without a moment's apprehension. In another, the commodites of different countries, and which required a different soil, and different degrees of heat, were made as plenty to people residing in the hottest and in the coldest parts of the earth, as if they had grown amongst them. For instance, our country is too cold for the production of wine-for silkfor sugar-for rice-for tea-for cotton-for tobacco-but then we have the flax which we manufacture into fine linen, and the wool which we weave into cloth, we have the iron which we work into all kinds of hard ware, such as outlery, &c. &c. we have also the coals, which enable us to set the Steam Engine in motion, and thus to manufacture the raw Cotton and silk, in to the most beautiful and useful cloth, and by exchanging what we have, for that which the soil denies us, we have every thing as plenty as if it was produced in our own fields. All this therefore, gratified William's taste, and his thirst for information. He applied himself with so much diligence, he was so indefatigable, and, so faithfully devoted to the interest of his employer, that he soon noticed him amongst his other Clerks, and often used to employ him on confidential matters, until, at length, having prov

ed him by various trials, to be in the highest degree worthy, he entrusted a considerable branch of his affairs to him, nor had he ever reason to repent of it.

It was when William was about twenty-six years of age, that his worthy Father died, leaving him all he was worth, with the exception of an annuity to his Mother, but she did not long survive her faithful George. In eleven months she also was laid in her grave, leaving her blessing to her dutiful son, whose affectionate care of her, had appeared to be redoubled when she was left a widow. He had loved his Parents dearly, and well they had deserved it, for they had performed their duty to him, he therefore deeply lamented their loss-he thought his grief would always continue as lively as it was when he first received the shock: time, however, is the great soother of all our sorrows for the loss of friends, and religion ever comes in to teach us submission to the will of the Almighty. He gradually returned to his active occupations, he mixed once more as usual in the world, though a tender recollection always remained of those whom he had so much cause to love.

It has been mentioned that William was a great favourite with the merchant in whose office he had been placed, indeed he deserved the good opinion which he enjoyed, for during the whole period for which he was articled, he never was known to neglect any business he had to do. It is not