SECTION V.

His Brother's character ·

Family anecdotes- His Sister's strong affection for him-Her remarkable deliverance from danger.

POLPEA, the residence of Samuel's father, was at this time a spot of remarkable beauty. Its acres though few, were fertile; and the humble dwelling was half hidden by a productive orchard. Situated in a sheltered recess, at the north-eastern extremity of a spacious bay, to which the parish of St. Austell (whose shores it chiefly washes) has given a name; commanding a view of the little fishing village of Parr, since fallen into decay, but again rising into importance as a harbour, few spots in Cornwall exceeded it, for picturesque scenery and quiet loveliness. By unremitting industry, and the good management of his wife, the father had freed himself from the difficulties with which, in early life, he had to struggle; and, though not exempt from the necessity of daily labour, he was now placed, by a kind Providence, above the pressure of want. In the con

cerns of his farm, he was assisted by his elder son Jabez, whose disposition presented a remarkable contrast to that of his brother. While Samuel, by his daring and adventurous spirit, was often running into

danger, and causing his parent much anxiety, Jabez exhibited so much fondness for reading and study, that his father sometimes found it necessary to chide him for indulging in these employments, to the neglect of his ordinary occupations. Every leisure hour, and frequently hours which should have been allotted to repose, he devoted to such literary pursuits as his circumstances enabled him to follow. The Weekly Entertainer, which has already been mentioned, as a means of stimulating persons in humble life to mental exercise, consisted partly of questions proposed, and replies given, on various subjects, by correspondents. Enigmas, mathematical queries, and metrical compositions, also found place in the publication; and in each of these departments, Jabez Drew was a regular and an acceptable contributor. He also wrote many poetical pieces, which never appeared in print. His sister says, "I remember having seen in my eldest brother's room a great many books, of which I then knew not the use; and he was a frequent and welcome visitor at the house of a gentleman, who kept a boarding school not far from us; where he often remained till past midnight, indulging his thirst for knowledge." By many of the respectable inhabitants of that neighbourhood he was known, and highly esteemed, as a young man of attainments beyond his station. In a subsequent page, it will be seen, that his death was a prime cause of his brother Samuel's conversion.

It has been already stated, that the father's time was partly occupied in conveying the Sherborne newspapers, and other publications sent into Corn

wall by that establishment. He was also a contrac tor for carrying the mail between St. Austell and Bodmin. In this, the eldest son was commonly employed, and Samuel, during his temporary residence with his father, occasionally rendered his assistance. Once, while he was an apprentice, his brother being ill, he was called on to perform the duty. His adventure, on that occasion, he thus related to a friend.

"At one time, in the depth of winter, I was borrowed to supply my brother's place, in carrying the mail; and I had to travel in the darkness of night, through frost and snow, a dreary journey, out and home, of more than twenty miles. Being overpowered with fatigue, I fell asleep on the horse's neck, and when I awoke, discovered that I had lost my hat. The wind was keen and piercing, and I was bitterly cold. I stopped the horse, and endeavoured to find out where I was: but it was so dark that I could scarcely distinguish the hedges on each side of the road; and I had no means of ascertaining how long I had been asleep, or how far I had travelled. I then dismounted, and looked around for my hat; but seeing nothing of it, I turned back, leading the horse, determined to find it, if possible; for the loss of a hat was to me a matter of serious consequence; and my anxiety was increased by the consideration, that if it were not recovered, I should probably have to wait a long while for another. Shivering with cold, I pursued my solitary way, scrutinizing the road at every step, until I had walked about two miles, and was on the point of giving up the search,

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when I came to a receiving house, where I ought to have delivered a packet of letters, but had passed it when asleep. To this place the post usually came about one o'clock in the morning, and it was customary to leave a window unfastened, except by a large stone outside, that the family might not be disturbed at so unseasonable an hour. I immediately put my letter-bag through the window, and having replaced the stone, was turning round to my horse, when I perceived my hat lying close to my feet. I suppose, that the horse, knowing the place, must have stopped at the window, for me to deliver my charge; but, having waited until his patience was exhausted, had pursued his way to the next place. My hat must have been shaken off by his impatient movements, or endeavours to awaken me: but how long he waited, I cannot tell. Though blind, that horse had more sense, and needed less guidance, than any one I ever rode."

By all the family this sagacious and valuable animal was much prized; but Samuel's father felt for it an especial regard; and the attachment between the master and his faithful servant was, to all appearance, mutual. Many years before, the poor beast, in a wretched condition, from starvation and ill usage, was turned out on a common to die. The owner

willingly sold it for little more than the value of the skin; and his new possessor, having, by care and kindness, restored it to strength, soon found that he had made a most advantageous bargain. For more than twenty years, he and his blind companion travelled the road together; and many were the proofs

of its intelligence and attachment.

After the horse

was past labour, it was kept in the orchard, and attended with almost parental care. Latterly it had become unable to bite the grass; and the old man regularly fed it with bread soaked in milk. "I remember," says the present survivor of the family, "that when the sagacious creature would, early in the morning, put his head over the orchard railing, towards his master's bed-room, and give its usual neigh, my father would jump out of bed, open the window, and call to the horse, saying, My poor old fellow, I will be with thee soon.' And when the animal died, he would not allow its skin or shoes to be taken off; but had the carcase buried entire."

The road by which the old Mr. Drew was accustomed to travel, to and from Plymouth, passed along a very dangerous place, known by the name of Battern Cliffs; where, for about half a mile, a few false steps might cause the traveller to be dashed in pieces on the rocks, or plunge him, from a dizzy height, into the surges of the foaming ocean. Here, on his return from Plymouth, he was once assaulted by two horsemen, who commanded him to deliver his money. His horse being heavily laden, escape was hopeless; yet he resisted their demand. Upon this, one of the men presented a pistol, threatening to shoot and throw him over the cliff; and both of them, laying hold of him, attempted to execute the latter part of the threat. He called for help; and the sound of approaching horses caused the robbers, before they had executed their intention, to gallop off by a cross road. Presently, two young men, who