magnitude of evils which I have stated, they would not grudge such additional outlay to their poor brethren, nor shrink from the obloquy which they may incur from a few, and for a very short time.

"And as to the other objection of the waste of men, which the general adoption of my principle is supposed to involve, I cannot but think that it would disappear upon reflection. Our ancestors had domestic chaplains to their manorial halls, and to alms-houses of no great size; and even now noblemen have chaplains, and are not rebuked for it.

"Besides, consider that the wants of many rural populations are not greater than those of the inmates in this house, and that many parishes are not larger even in entire population. I say wants, because I should be glad to inquire, excepting the case of Belborough, Addington, and Mountfichet, which of my brethren here has more old people, more sick people, and larger schools, that is to say more persons constantly requiring care, than are now contained within these walls. And, in the winter, we know that the numbers are as large as those of many whole parishes; so that if my brethren are prepared to assert that it is a waste to have a chaplain solely for this house, they also assert that it is a waste for themselves to be where and what they are.

"And now I will pass on to my other point, though I fear I am detaining the board very long this morning. It strikes me, of course more painfully than it does my lay friends here, how sad

L

it is for the poor people of this house to hold their worship, and to celebrate the most solemn rites, in a room which is associated with other and very different actions. We know how much harder it would be for us to be attentive and to preserve a reverent state of mind in a common room than in a church. What is true of one man, is true of another. Our brethren here suffer the disadvantage from which we shrink ourselves. Besides, Sunday and worship should be a total change to them; should take them out of their misfortunes and their pauper routine; should remind them that they will not long be here; and that, hereafter, they may be where there is no poverty, nor suffering. This is what they require to feel, and what they ought to be assisted to feel. But an ordinary room, used on other days of the week for eating and drinking, can never assist them so to think and feel, but the very reverse. And, on this account, I put it before you that it is our duty to find a proper place of worship for our poor brethren in this house."

Why, you would have us spend all our neighbours' money, Mr. Lee!" said the chairman; "and I don't know what they would say to us, even if it were legal ;-but we could not do it."

"I do not ask you to build," replied Mr. Lee, "out of the rates. This should have been done at first; and, whether the fault rests upon the legislature, or the rate-payers, it certainly is a fault : but I ask, now, whether there is any objection

to the principle, whether the board approves the plan, although unable to adopt it.

"I do not see that this is a practical question, Mr. Lee," said the chairman,

put before the board."

or one which I can

"Indeed it is. I wish to ask whether the board would sanction the plan, were a chapel built by subscription, or other means."

Certainly, certainly, Mr. Lee; I should conceive there could be no possible objection; but you would never get the money in these parts.'

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Perhaps not but may I consider this an understood thing, that the board would not object to a chapel, if one could be built?"

The chairman looked round, and, after some little conversation, replied, "that as private individuals they had no objection, but that as a board they could not come to any resolution so untangible." Mr. Lee then rose.

"I will trespass on you once more, gentlemen, and then I shall have done. I was not putting idle resolutions for curiosity, or merely to establish a principle which could never be acted upon. I have a definite proposition to make, now that I know your opinions. I have long felt very deeply on these points, and knew how unable I was to do anything in this county, to which I am a comparative stranger: but, by God's providence, the means which I so long desired were placed in my hands, only a few weeks since. An old pupil who has a large property, has

given me a sum of money to lay out in good works, to the best of my judgment. I shall not mention his name, as he would not wish it; but I will now state my proposal, which is this, that if the board will be good enough to raise the stipend to £120, and to give the appointment to the Bishop, on condition of the chaplain's holding no other cure whatever, I will, out of the money placed in my hands, build a house for his residence within the walls, at the cost of £600, and a chapel at the cost of £1000. May I consider that you will accept the proposal?"

The board, and, indeed, the whole neighbourhood, were astonished. The plans were produced, and at an adjourned meeting the resolution was adopted, with only two dissentient voices: and, as if to show the power of good example, a retired tradesman of Belborough came forward, and added the donation of an acre and a half of ground for two flower gardens for the use of the paupers; and thus Belborough Union became what it now is the happiest and best asylum for the poor which all England contains, and yet no happier, nor better than every union in England might by degrees become; and which, if such institutions are to exist at all, they are bound to become.

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CHAPTER XIII.

Daily Life.

"The trivial round, the common task,
Would furnish all we ought to ask.
Room to deny ourselves a road,

To bring us daily nearer God."

CHRISTIAN YEAR.

WILLIAM BLAKE was fully occupied with his own affairs, and with those of his men. He visited the cottages, gave the men hints as to their gardens, encouraged economy, and blamed extravagance and neglect. Every little assistance which it was in his power to supply to make the allotment ground successful, was afforded. In a word, he was occupied in doing good; and, therefore, he was happier than he ever had been in his life, in spite of the loneliness of the Moat House, and calmer in spite of his approaching marriage.

Amongst other changes for the better which he introduced at this time, was the payment of his labourers on Friday, instead of on Saturday, by which means the Sunday shopping and the Saturday night drinking were considerably checked; and where they