his father, and another was not ;* families alone were they come."

and to buy corn for their He affected to question

their integrity, and, threatening to punish them as spies, he threw them into prison. Coming to them after a few days, he proposed that they should prove the truth of their statement, by bringing their youngest brother into Egypt; but he would keep one of their number in the prison, an hostage for their return.

Overpowered by these painful circumstances, appealing to their awakened consciences, they broke out into lamentations, and bitterly reproached themselves, even in the presence of Joseph, thinking he did not understand them, for he had hitherto employed an interpreter. "Verily we are guilty concerning our brother; for we saw the anguish of his soul when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us."

"Did I not say to you," cried Reuben, "Do not sin against the child, and ye would not hear; therefore, now his blood is required!"

These mutual upbraidings shook the fortitude of Joseph; his heart relented, and he turned from them to conceal his tears.

But still forcing his gentle nature to keep up the suspicion he had assumed, he continued to treat them as spies. "Prove yourselves true men," said he, as soon as he could command his voice to speak, "by bringing your youngest brother to me"-then singling out Simeon, and binding him before their eyes, he dismissed the remaining nine, directing his servants to provide them amply with every thing necessary for their journey.

* This form of expression was probably used to avoid the direct assertion of Joseph's death, which they could not certainly affirm.

Leaving Simeon, therefore, to reflect on the retributive justice of providence, which had thus imprisoned him in the very country to which he had sent his pleading captive brother-they were obliged to return home. Greatly distressed by this cruel act of the governor, and dreading to meet their abused parent, they were still more perplexed, when, on the evening of the first day's journey, one of them, on opening his sack to get provender for their asses, discovered the same bundle of money which he had given to the steward of Egypt for corn! Fearful that divine vengeance had now indeed overtaken them, they said one to another, "What is this that God has done to us?" But how aggravated were their terrors, when, arriving at home, and in the presence of their father, they emptied their sacks, each man found his parcel of money secretly returned. Compelled to account for the absence of Simeon, they were obliged to relate all that had befallen them; and to add the eruel injunction of the viceroy, that Benjamin should come. to verify their story, and deliver Simeon. "Me," cried the afflicted parent, ye have bereaved of my children. Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away; all these things are against me." "Slay my two sons," replied Reuben, confident of the probity of the Egyptian prince, notwithstanding the problematical detention of Simeon, "if I bring him not to thee; deliver him into my hand, and I will bring him to thee again." But entreaty was vain-Benjamin, the only remaining child of his lamented Rachel, he would not hazard on so long a journey. "My son," said he, "shall not go down with you, for his brother is dead, and he is left alone. If mischief befall him by the way, then ye shall bring down my grey hairs with sorrow to the grave.”

66

CATHERINE. Poor old man!

I never read his pathetic lamentation without tears. Still I cannot help blaming him for refusing to send Benjamin to release Simeon, who ought to have been equally dear to him.

MRS. M. I am no apologist for parents who make unreasonable discriminations amongst their children; indeed they are seldom observed, where all the children of a family are equally dutiful. In this case we may allow something to the enfeebling effects of old age and peculiar circumstances. Necessity, however, soon wrung from Israel a reluctant consent. Their provision was exhausted, and he was obliged to call upon his sons:-" Go again, buy us a little food." Judah, less tender than Reuben, declared they would not go without Benjamin; for the governor, said he, did solemnly protest that we should not see his face without our youngest brother." Pressed now on every side, the suffering father exclaimed, "Why dealt ye so ill with me, as to tell the man ye had yet a brother?" They answered, that he had questioned them so closely, that they could not conceal it; nor had they any motive for endeavouring to do so, for they could not imagine that he would say, bring your brother down." And they continued to urge him by every consideration of tenderness for them and their little ones, of duty to himself, and the impolicy of a longer delay, to commit Benjamin to their care, pledging themselves with affectionate solemnity for his safety. "Go then," cried the distracted patriarch, "if it must be so, take of the best fruits in the land a present to the man, and double money in your hand, and the money that was returned in the mouths of your sacks, carry it again in your hands; peradventure it was an over-sight. Take also your brother, and God Almighty give you mercy before the man,

66

that he may send away your other brother and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved." With these affecting words he dismissed them, and they hastened into Egypt, and to the presence of Joseph, who, when he saw that Benjamin was with them, directed his steward to prepare an entertainment, and bring these strangers to his house at noon, avoiding himself for the present any conversation with them. Alarmed by this unexpected honour, and connecting it with the mysterious circumstance of the money returned in their sacks, they sought the steward, and anxiously exculpated themselves from any knowledge of that obnoxious act; in confirmation of which, they had brought the money again with them, and had added other sums to obtain a further supply of corn, the single object they again asserted of their original visit. The good-natured steward relieved their excessive apprehensions, by acknowledging, that he had himself restored their money, and encouraged them to hope that providence had yet some special favours in store for them. He then liberated their brother Simeon, and brought them all into Joseph's house, where they were to dine,-gave them water to wash their feet, and other refreshments, very grateful after their long journey.

CHARLES. Let me take this opportunity to ask the reason of that ancient custom of giving travellers water to wash their feet; we should think it an awkward piece of civility now.

MRS. M. We do not require it. Our convenient boots and shoes were not known to the people who practised that courtesy. They wore sandals, which exposed the upper part of the foot to the dust. Washing the feet and bathing

the whole body is so necessary to health, as well as comfort, that it becomes a religious rite in very hot climates. But I will not detain you from the meeting of Joseph with his brethren.

FANNY. Yes, I am impatient to return to that eventful dinner.

MRS. M. No explanation, however, took place at this second meeting, for the purposes of Providence were not yet completed. Every thing that occurred was calculated to excite wonder and reflection, especially the singular notice that was taken of Benjamin; for Joseph not only graciously accepted their present, and asked affectionately for their father, "the old man of whom they had spoken;" but seeing a new face among them, he gently inquired, "Is this your younger brother? God be gracious to thee, my son," was all he could articulate; and hurrying from them to his chamber, he gave vent to his tears. When his agitated feelings were in some measure tranquillized, he washed his face, and assuming an air of indifference, met his family and guests.

Three tables were prepared; one for the governor of Egypt, another for his eleven brothers, and a third for the nobles who were admitted to his society, and who could not submit to the abomination of eating with the Hebrews.

CHARLES. Dear mother, your narrative so often encounters the customs or prejudices of the ancients, of whom I am always anxious to learn what I can, that I am tempted to interrupt you. Pray tell me why these people could not eat together.

MRS. M. Because the Hebrews, who, at that time made no distinction in articles of food, would eat the flesh