he has felt such mischievous consequences from their bad example.

Sir Thos. Oh no, Mr. Littleworth is quite right.-If I thought I had two such blackguards as helpers in my stables, I should surely turn them off, lest they should corrupt the rest; neither estate nor titles can make the real gentleman after all; [to Farmer Littleworth,] But Sir, will you continue your story?

Far. Why Sir, after they had been at it all day, betting and gaming with the swindlers and sharpers, who came together from all parts of the country, they were in hopes that they should get it back again by their cock-fightings in the evening: and there they quite did it all up, and got themselves in debt into the bargain; and then as they say, by the persuation of Sam Blood, they agreed to get up at two o'clock in the morning, and rob the public-house were they were; and after they had broken open different cupboards and places, to get all the money and plate, by throwing down a large tea-board, they awakened the landlord, and his family; and just as they were opening the door to run off with their prey, such an alarm was made by the firing of a pistol, that they were all directly stopped in the street.

Wor. I fear it will be a difficult task to save thier lives, for it seems they had all loaded pistols; and though Sam Blood first snapt his pistol at the landlord's son, without effect, yet he took a second aim at the young man, while he was attempting to escape for his life, and gave him a very dangerous wound upon his shoulder.

Far. Now William Frolic says, he can declare on the word of a dying man, that he had no pistol of his own, but that Sam Blood, while all in a hurry, that they might make their escape, lent him one of his, though he never attempted to fire it; and as for that poor simple fellow Ned Sparkish, no matter if he was to be whipt at the cart's tail, from one end of the Parish to the other, yet he had no pistol at all, only he made a flourish with an old rusty sword which he

found in the house, that he might make his escape; and they say he was a very orderly lad, till Sam Blood got hold of him and led him astray.

Sir Thos. If these circumstances might be made known to the Judge, perhaps life might be granted to your son-in-law and the other youth.

Wor. As to Sam Blood, I should suppose that no interference for him can be attended with success.Justice, at times, demands a sacrifice which must not be dispensed with; and where an attempt to commit murder is added to thievery, the crime becomes very heinous indeed.

Far. But as neither my Son-in-law, nor Ned Sparkish had any thoughts of that sort, perhaps my Lord Judge might yet send them a pardon, if he knew the rights of it. Oh if your Honour could but get the Judge to spare his life, how thankful should I be !

Wor. Why there is one favourable event. Mr. Lovely, in consequence of his possessing his old Uncle's property, has been appointed Sheriff for the County perhaps he may obtain mercy for two of them, when it is fully understood that no intentional murder was designed, though under such a supposition, no wonder that they were all left for death.

Far. O Sir! if you two worthy gentlemen would but write out a petition, I know that dear Gentleman 'Squire Lovely would be mighty glad to present it to his Lordship. As to my daughter, poor girl, she has miscarried once; and she begins again to draw near her time, and she sits crying and sobbing all the day long it breaks our very hearts to hear her, and as to my wife and I, especially as the infirmities of old age begin to creep fast upon us, these troubles are enough to bring down our grey hairs, with sorrow to the grave.

Mrs. Wor. But as the assizes are now over, the Judge must have left the county, and Mr. Lovely must have returned; and I am told, Mrs. Lovely expects to be confined the latter end of this month, or perhaps sooner; and as this is rather an unex

pected event from the weak state of her health.

I

dont know he will choose to leave the house again, under such circumstances, though none of us can have a doubt respecting the affectionate willingness of his mind.

Sir Thos. Why, I am told, Mr. Lovely stands very high in the Judge's favour, on account of his excellent character, and engaging conduct; and as it is the same Judge who favoured me with a visit when he went this circuit on the last summer assizes, I will venture to write myself on the behalf of these unhappy creatures. I know the Judge to be a very considerate and merciful man: he will be glad to hear of any circumstances which lessens their guilt.

Wor. Well then Mr. Littleworth, that no time may be lost, we will write directly, and state these favourable circumstances, and send the letters by this night's post.

Far. O Sir! but if young 'Squire Lovely should be called from home, or the letter should miscarry, had I not better send my dear child Harry with the letters?

Wor. It will be certainly the safest, and at the same time it will look more respectful. And if our worthy Minister could go too, it would be the better still.

Loveg. Oh Sir! you are for sending me upon every errand.

Wor. Because no one is so fit. And I am sure it would be a great satisfaction to Mr. Henry Littleworth, if you could but attend him with your counsel and advice.

Far. Aye, that it would, and I am sure he will sadly need such company. Dear child! what must he feel, when he goes to see those poor creatures in irons, and locked up in a goal like so many wild beasts, when he recollects what a wicked blade he was, before he felt the converting grace of God in his own heart. [To Mr. Lovegood.] And oh Sir! what a blessing it might be to the souls of these poor

thoughtless creatures, now they have brought themselves into such trouble, if you could but go and tell them of the free grace and mercy of Jesus Christ to poor perishing sinners, and how blessedly he can change their hearts.

Loveg. Oh Mr. Littleworth, your son will know how to talk upon that subject from his own experience better than I should.

Wor. Well I find at times, we must come to a point with you directly. It is now Monday, and Saturday being the market-day, is the appointed time for their execution; therefore not an hour can be lost. I shall send for a chaise from Mapleton, and you shall both be off by six o'clock to-morrow morning, that you may if possible see Mr. Lovely by noon: we will this very evening draw up the petition, Sir Thomas, and I will sign it: and I am sure Mr. Lovely will take it immediately to the Judge, if possible perhaps he will have to follow him some way through the circuit, though I dare say he'll soon overtake him.

Loveg. Indeed Sir, you put too much upon me.

Wor. No Sir, nor half enough. I know the defects of your disposition better than you know them yourself: your modesty and diffidence cramp your zeal, and limit your usefulness; how wrong you did in resisting the overtures of Mr. Lovely, to be his Sheriff's Chaplain, though he has certainly fixed on a very proper person, in appointing young Mr. Brightman to that office.

Loveg. Ah Sir! if there had not been a Mr. Brightman in the case, I might have accepted the appointment and you know how well he can perform the office.

Wor. I believe, whenever you are appointed to a Bishoprick, no man upon earth will say with a better conscience, "nolo episcopari," than yourself.

Loveg. Under such positive orders, I must obey; and, as I can return again to my station by the next Sunday, I am not inclined to urge another objection.

Far. Oh Sir, the Lord be praised! the Lord be praised! I'll go home directly and tell Harry to get ready as fast as he can, and he shall tell Patty what we are about. Poor Girl! she is ready to break her heart.

Wor. [To Mr. Lovegood.] But wont you drop us a short prayer before we part. [Lovegood complies, and only uses the following collect :]

"Prevent us O Lord, in all our doings, with thy most gracious favour, and further us with thy continual help; that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy name, and, finally, by thy mercy, obtain everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Wor. [After prayer.] Sir, you are never too long in prayer, but now you have been much too short.

Loveg. Yes Sir, but time directed us to comprise much in a little; and if God prevents,* or goes before us in all our doings, we cannot have a better guide; and while we ask that all our works may be begun, continued, and ended in him, we can neither request, nor receive a greater blessing, and then we shall certainly glorify his holy name. They all retire.

*Such is the original meaning of the word, from Prævenio, to be before.