The Cottage--Landlord impressed--Efforts of spirits--Maniac threatens his family--Landlord advises to send for the minister--Wife wants a doctor--Iron moved by a spirit--Nobleman and Mary confounded by the sounds--Attributes the sounds to satan and witches--Becomes agitated--Boasts of English courage--Gives Mary a half crown--Sends for a physician--Maniac grows more ill--Tea and sugar bought--The doctor comes and prescribes--Aid promised--Curate required to pray at his home--The maniac dies--Grief of Mary--Parental counsel at the time of her marriage repeated--Her husband buried--The family taken to the Alms-house--Affecting conversation between the mother and her son--The overseer questions Mary--Oppression of the poor--Voluntary and involuntary servitude explained. There were works which no mind can comprehend, revolving around our heads, when we left the arch-way. “I am not a medical mind,” said my guide, “but do you hear that groan of distress?” I replied in the affirmative. “To the house of need, then will we go,” said he. When we reached the cottage, I saw the mind was frantic with despair. G. Yea; and thou seest the cause. T. Truly, but who shall believe our report? G. Thou wilt not say, but do as thou canst to aid. This cottage stood near the Thames, and about six miles from London. The mind of the almost distracted man, was writhing in the agony of death. The family of children were weeping beside the mother, who was sitting at a little distance from the couch, on which the invalid rested. I saw no other company present. They were not affluent, but depended upon their industry for subsistence. Near by, lived a lord of the heritage, who rode in livery, and fared sumptuously. He was apprised of the dangerous illness of his servant, and knew the wants of the dependent family. He came not near, but his wife sent a few necessaries by another servant, whom we saw leaving the cottage as we entered. “There is wretchedness here,” said my companion. T. Truly; but what can we do to mitigate the evil? W. We can do what we can, and what we can not do, will not be our fault. Thou mayest go to the landlord, and impress his mind to come here speedily.