Mr. Lascelles seems to know scarce any thing of this bad man. You can inform Mr. L. (if you please) that I have called upon him in his cell, and that he is resolutely silent.

The chaplain left them, and they turned down the dark passage, and found that it terminated in a room, small indeed, with a strong door which led to the condemned cells; at this they rapped, and a sturdy boy asked what they wanted. "We want the turnkey." He appeared. "We wish to see one Robert Sawyer." Turnkey. Is he a relation of your's? Michael. No, Sir, he is an old fellowservant of ours, and we thought it kind just to call upon him in his trouble.

Turnkey. Why, Sir, I don't think he'll thank you for your kindness, he is the most hardened desperate villain I ever saw.

They began to hesitate, particularly Michael, for he hated wicked persons, though his heart yearned over every soul. He turned to James, and said, "We need not stop long," and the turnkey led to the cell: he was alone, and the darkness of the place increased their horror; they could dimly perceive the form of a figure stretched on the straw. James had privately begged the turnkey not to leave them, for he was really afraid of Robert, though he had

earnestly wished to visit him.

66

Michael

began: Robert, do you remember me, my name is Michael Kemp; and here is James Brown; and we are come to visit you, and, if possible, to give you some comfort. To this he made no reply, and Michael again endeavoured. "We are truly sorry for your situation; but I hope, Robert, that you will spend your remaining time in penitence and prayer." Robert was chewing tobacco, and he spit out of his mouth at the word penitence, but made no reply.

James Brown said, "Do you not remember us?" (This roused the sturdy villain.)

Robert. Yes, yes, I remember ye; Ishould never have been here, if it had not been for you. We were all happy enough in the camp till you came; 'twas you and that canting methodist brought me here-that parson Lascelles.

Michael. O, Robert! that is indeed very unjust; your own robberies sent you to Botany Bay, and from that time we have never heard any thing of you. But Mr. Lascelles has great concern for your soul, Robert it is by his desire that we deliver you the following message-"Tell that poor unhappy man to turn to God with all his heart, for there is mercy for the vilest; the Lord's compassion is not slow, his ear

is not heavy, therefore he says, • Return unto me, oh ye children. and I will return unto you." Robert remained sullenly

silent; and Michael, finding there was no hope either of making him listen or speak, turned to quit the prison, giving him half a crown, which he took with the voracious eagerness of a hungry dog; and what sensations of gratitude they felt, as they quitted this deep dungeon, that they had never been left to commit sin with impunity, may be easily conceived by those who have visited such scenes of misery and distress; and how welcome did the clear blue azure of heaven appear as they passed from the dark walls. "Did you ever see a creature so altered," said Michael. "What an object has vice made of him! At first the darkness was so great, I could scarcely perceive him, and when I did see him I could scarcely remember his features-so red and bloated; and what a spirit is in him; he is a horrid creature, I never heard such oaths and curses! I hope I shall soon forget them."

James. I fear we had not patience enough; I think we might have staid a little longer.

Michael. If I had imagined that we could have done the slightest good I would have continued, but his hardness is impene

trable, at least by us; and I really felt so very uncomfortable, having never been in such company, that I was glad to escape; though if Mr. Lascelles should think it right, I'll go again. As they mounted their horses to return home, one of the people of the inn. came out to say, that there had been inquiry made for Mr. Kemp, and orders left that he should return home as soon as possible. He was greatly alarmed, and he began to fear, he knew not what: his imagination fancied the illness of his sister, the death of her boy, and many painful things. It was his habit to ride very easily home, neither to hurry his beast nor himself; and when alone, to contemplate the goodness of God as he rode upon the green turf beside the highway; but now every thing which was distressing pressed upon him; nevertheless he recalled all the comforting texts he could think of, and repeated slowly to himself, "Return unto thy rest, O my soul! for the Lord hath regarded thee." He dwelt with firm faith upon this assurance, and passed on his way. At length he reached the Brow. "O, Sir," said Betty Smith, "I be so glad you are come; we've done all we could, but we could not save her. William and I have drenched her." If the reader has ever felt an invincible dread of some unknown calamity,

and found it nothing in comparison with his fears, he can form an idea of Michael's feelings at the word drenched; he understood immediately that it was some of the cattle, and was so relieved that he almost cried for joy. Betty Smith was greatly surprised to see her master so contented, and said, "It was the red cow, Sir; that nice creature, that Yorkshire cow, Sir." William stood at the door, hardly daring to venture in. "Come in," said Michael. "I be mighty sorry, Sir." Michael had by this time recovered from his alarm, and from his opposite feeling of delight when he found that alarm groundless, he was now in a tranquil state, prepared to hear whatever they had to communicate. He did not choose to make too light of the affair, because he had ordered William to remove the cow out of the field, that was too rich for her, and he determined to ascertain whether his order had been obeyed. "You removed the cow out of the ground when I ordered you, William ?" William looked very oddly. "Master, I had a strong temptation."-"I do not understand you, William."-" I had a strong temptation to move her."-" And why did you not move her, then?"-" Oh, but I mean, master, when I saw she was bad, when I saw she would die, I thought you'd be an