followed by his children; and what was our surprise and delight to see the Bishop himself, in his white robes, advance two or three steps to meet him, and shake him most affectionately by the hand. There was a smile of approbation on the faces of the surrounding clergy as they witnessed this scene, which showed that no feeling of jealousy was excited in their minds by this kindness on the part of the Bishop, but that they all looked upon it in its true light—as a just reward of pious and unpretending merit. How proud we all were at that moment of belonging to the flock of ROBERT WALKER! We each felt as if we had a personal share in his distinction, and many of us resolved then, I doubt not, to do nothing which should bring disgrace upon a teacher so honoured among his brethren as ours! This, sir, I have learned since to believe, is a wrong feeling; we ought to follow the right path from higher motives than a feeling of pride, either in ourselves or others. But surely our human passions may sometimes justly be employed for good ends. What is it but taking one of the Devil’s strongest and most wiry snares, and twisting it into a three-fold cord to bind us faster to the altar?” [Picture: Ulverstone Church] CHAPTER XII. Come on sir; here’s the place:—stand still.—How fearful And dizzy ’tis, to cast one’s eyes so low! The crows and choughs, that wing the midway air Show scarce so gross as beetles: Half way down Hangs one that gathers samphire; dreadful trade! Methinks he seems no bigger than his head: The fishermen, that walk upon the beach, Appear like mice; and yon tall anchoring bark, Diminish’d to her cock; her cock, a buoy Almost too small for sight: The murmuring surge That on th’ unnumbered idle pebbles chafes, Cannot be heard so high:—I’ll look no more; Lest my brain turn, and the deficient sight Topple down headlong. KING LEAR. “YOU must prepare yourself,” continued the old man, to be somewhat surprised with what I am going to relate to you, if you have not (as I have) lived long enough in the world not to be much surprised at any thing. Things are so mixed up in this world, and very trifling, or even absurd events so often lead to very serious consequences, that I can quite believe the stories one hears of the spilling of a cup of tea creating a war between two nations, or the boring of a rat-hole causing the inundation of Holland.