own manufacture, such as still continue to be used in these cottages; they are made of the pith of rushes dipped in any unctuous substance that the house affords. White candles, as tallow candles are here called, were reserved to honour the Christmas festivals, and were perhaps produced upon no other occasion. Once a month, during the proper season, a sheep was drawn from their small mountain flock, and killed for the use of the family, and a cow, towards the close of the year, was salted and dried, for winter provision: the hide was tanned to furnish them with shoes. By these various resources, this venerable clergyman reared a numerous family, not only preserving them, as he affectingly says, 'from wanting the necessaries of life,' but affording them an unstinted education, and the means of raising themselves in society.

"It might have been concluded that no one could thus, as it were, have converted his body into a machine of industry for the humblest uses, and kept his thoughts so frequently bent upon secular concerns, without grievous injury to the more precious parts of his nature. How could the powers of intellect thrive, or its graces be displayed, in the midst of circumstances apparently so unfavourable, and where, to the direct cultivation of the mind, so small a portion of the time was allotted? But, in this extraordinary man, things in their nature adverse were reconciled; his conversation was remarkable, not only for being chaste and pure, but for the degree in which it was fervent and eloquent;

his written style was correct, simple, and animated. Nor did his affections suffer more than his intellect; he was tenderly alive to all the duties of his pastoral office the poor and needy 'he never sent empty away,' the stranger was fed and refreshed in passing that unfrequented vale, the sick were visited; and the feelings of humanity found further exercise among the distresses and embarrassments in the worldly estate of his neighbours.

"Whilst absolutely frugal in his own living he contrived to be hospitable to others, and every Sunday were served, upon the long table, at which he has been described sitting with a child upon his knee, messes of broth, for the refreshment of those of his congregation who came from a distance, and usually took their seats as parts of his own household. Neither did he scruple to pay the penalty of selfdenial for this gratification; as the treat could only be provided by dressing at one time the whole, perhaps, of their weekly allowance of fresh animal food; consequently, for a succession of days, the table was covered with cold victuals only. His generosity in old age may be still further illustrated by a little circumstance relating to an orphan grandson, then ten years of age, which exists in a copy of a letter to one of his sons; he requests that half-a-guinea may be left for 'little Robert's pocketmoney,' who was then at school; entrusting it to the care of a lady, who, as he says, ' may sometimes frustrate his squandering it away foolishly,' and promising to send him an equal allowance annually

for the same purpose. The conclusion of the same letter is characteristic. We,' meaning his wife and himself, are in our wonted state of health, allowing for the hasty strides of old age knocking daily at our door, and threateningly telling us we are not only mortal, but must expect ere long to take our leave of our ancient cottage, and lie down in our last dormitory.'

"He loved old customs and usages, and in some instances stuck to them to his own loss; for, having had a sum of money lodged in the hands of a neighbouring tradesman, when long course of time had raised the rate of interest, and more was offered, he refused to accept it; an act not difficult to one who, while he was drawing seventeen pounds a year from his curacy, declined to add the profits of another small benefice to his own.

"After working as curate at Seathwaite for twenty years on the miserable stipend of £5 a year, it was increased to £17 10s., and on being offered by the Bishop another appointment in addition, he refused it on the ground that it would 'cause general discontent among the inhabitants of both places to be served alternately or neglected in the duty, or attributing it to covetousness, all which occasions of murmuring I would gladly avoid.'

"Yet at this time Mr. Walker had eight children, and one of his sons he sent to *Trinity College, Dublin, for his education, where he was supported by his father, and afterwards took Holy Orders.

"In all his efforts and excellences he was most

lovingly assisted by his wife, who continued to support him in every good work throughout his long life.

"A person who had been some time their servant in the latter part of their lives, says: 'She was no less excellent than her husband; she was good to the poor, she was good to everything!' He survived for a short time this virtuous companion. When she died, he ordered that her body should be borne to the grave by three of her daughters and one granddaughter; and when the corpse was lifted from the threshold, he insisted upon lending his aid, and feeling about, for he was then almost blind, took hold of a napkin fixed to the coffin; and, as a bearer of the body, entered the chapel, a few steps from the lowly parsonage.

In the little church at Seathwaite there may still be seen a simple tablet with the following inscriptions:

"In memory of the Reverend Robert Walker, who died 25th June, 1802, in the 93rd year of his age, and 67th of his curacy at Seathwaite.

666

'Also of Anne his wife, who died the 28th January, in the 93rd year of her age.'

"In the parish register of Seathwaite chapel is this notice

"Buried, June 28th, the Rev. Robert Walker. He was curate of Seathwaite sixty-six years. He was a man singular for his temperance, industry, and integrity.""

"Lives of great men all remind us

We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time."

*Longfellow.

Goldsmith. An English poet, historian, and writer, born 1728, in Ireland, died 1774, and was buried in the Temple Yard. There is a monument to him in Westminster Abbey. Wordsworth. One of the great

est poets of our age and country; born in Cumberland, 1770. Died in his native county in 1850.

Cumberland. One of the northern counties of England, celebrated for its beautiful lakes and scenery.

Duddon. A river in Cumberland.

Coniston. A little village on the banks of a beautiful lake

SOME persons seem, by their own force of will, to rise superior to surrounding circumstances. No idle or thriftless man ever became great. It is amongst those who never lost a moment that we find men who have made their mark in the world, and have risen above the early disadvantages of poverty or misfortune.

The old pagans used to say that "Labour is the price the gods have set upon all that is excellent." It is equally true in this latter time. Many