“Are any of your children at school?” “No, sir; but the eldest is in Provost Manderson’s [drug] shop, who has been very kind to him, and ta’en him aff my hand. And the second is a prentice to a tobacconist; and (here weeping bitterly) the rest are in the house, for I have neither decent claes to put upon them, nor siller to send them to the schule; and this is Saturday night, and no sae muckle meat within the door as put by the Sabbath day.” “I am sorry for you, and grieved to see Sandy Reid’s daughter come to this; but you must be sensible, that for a person in your situation, your present dress is rather too showy and extravagant.” “That’s true, Sir William; but gentle servants are no’ civil to poor folk when they come ill-dressed.” “I believe, indeed, that is too true, but your dress is quite unsuitable.” “Indeed, Sir William, I borrowed this bonnet and shawl from a gentleman’s housekeeper, just for the purpose of waiting upon you, for I am in great want.” “Well, there is half-a-crown to help you in the meantime; and I will inquire at Provost Manderson about you on Monday, and if you be speaking the truth, I will see and get your children into some of the Hospitals.” ‘Here the party broke out from behind the curtains’—and we may suppose that Sir William was a good deal amazed as well as amused at the adroit way he had been taken in. * * * * * Miss Stirling Graham long outlived the early friends whom she delighted with her personations; but drawing out existence to an advanced age, she still surrounded herself with an agreeable society, and was loved by all whom she honoured with her acquaintance. She was a great reader, and possessed good literary abilities, as is observable by her _Mystifications_, and by the anecdotes which conclude the volume, also by the following lines, addressed to those ‘Shadows of the Past’ whom she held in remembrance: Blessed shades of the past, In the future I see ye, so fair! Ties that were nearest, Forms that were dearest, The truest and fondest are there. They are flowerets of earth, That are blooming in heaven, so fair: And the stately tree, Spreading wide and free, The sheaves that were ripened are there. The tear-drop that trembled In Pity’s meek eye; and the prayer, Faith of the purest, Hope that was surest, The love all-enduring are there. And the loved, the beloved, Whose life made existence so fair! The soft seraph voice Bade the lowly rejoice, Is heard in sweet harmony there.