a crown into my hand,
telling me, she had had a visit from Mr. Jenkins, and Mr. Jones, the
latter of whom had bestowed all these good things upon us. Thus,
sir, have our lives been crowned with mercies. My wife got about
again, and I do believe, under Providence, it was owing to these
comforts; for the rheumatism, sir, without blankets by night, and
flannel by day, is but a baddish job, especially to people who have
little or no fire. She will always be a weakly body; but thank God
her soul prospers and is in health. But I beg your pardon, sir, for
talking on at this rate." "Not at all, not at all," said Mr.
Johnson; "I am much pleased with your story; you shall certainly see
me in a few days. Good night." So saying, he slipped a crown into
his hand and rode off. Surely, said the shepherd, _goodness and
mercy have followed me all the days of my life_, as he gave the
money to his wife when he got home at night.

As to Mr. Johnson, he found abundant matter for his thoughts during
the rest of his journey. On the whole, he was more disposed to envy
than to pity the shepherd. I have seldom seen, said he, so happy a
man. It is a sort of happiness which the world could not give, and
which, I plainly see, it has not been able to take away. This must
be the true spirit of religion. I see more and more, that true
goodness is not merely a thing of words and opinions, but a living
principle brought into every common action of a man's life. What
else could have supported this poor couple under every bitter trial
of want and sickness? No, my honest shepherd, I do not pity, but I
respect and even honor thee; and I will visit thy poor hovel on my
return to Salisbury, with as much pleasure as I am now going to the
house of my friend.

If Mr. Johnson keeps his word in sending me an account of his visit
to the shepherd's cottage, I will be very glad to entertain my
readers with it.

PART II.

I am willing to hope that my readers will not be sorry to hear some
further particulars of their old acquaintance, _the Shepherd of
Salisbury Plain_. They will call to mind that at the end of the
first part, he was returning home full of gratitude for the favors
he had received from Mr. Johnson, whom we left pursuing his journey,
after having promised to make a visit to the shepherd's cottage.

Mr. Johnson, after having passed some time with his friend, set out
on his return to Salisbury, and on the Saturday evening reached a
very small inn