hoped
in her company to realize the choicest earthly happiness, a prey to the
bitterest reflections; many people visited, and endeavoured to console
me--amongst them was the clergyman of the parish, who begged me to be
resigned, and told me that it was good to be afflicted. I bowed my head,
but I could not help thinking how easy it must be for those who feel no
affliction, to bid others to be resigned, and to talk of the benefit
resulting from sorrow; perhaps I should have paid more attention to his
discourse than I did, provided he had been a person for whom it was
possible to entertain much respect, but his own heart was known to be set
on the things of this world.

"Within a little time he had an opportunity, in his own case, of
practising resignation, and of realizing the benefit of being afflicted.
A merchant, to whom he had entrusted all his fortune, in the hope of a
large interest, became suddenly a bankrupt, with scarcely any assets. I
will not say that it was owing to this misfortune that the divine died in
less than a month after its occurrence, but such was the fact. Amongst
those who most frequently visited me was my friend the surgeon; he did
not confine himself to the common topics of consolation, but endeavoured
to impress upon me the necessity of rousing myself, advising me to occupy
my mind with some pursuit, particularly recommending agriculture; but
agriculture possessed no interest for me, nor, indeed, any pursuit within
my reach; my hopes of happiness had been blighted, and what cared I for
anything? so at last he thought it best to leave me to myself, hoping
that time would bring with it consolation; and I remained solitary in my
house, waited upon by a male and a female servant. Oh, what dreary
moments I passed! My only amusement--and it was a sad one--was to look
at the things which once belonged to my beloved, and which were now in my
possession. Oh, how fondly would I dwell upon them! There were some
books; I cared not for books, but these had belonged to my beloved. Oh,
how fondly did I dwell on them! Then there was her hat and bonnet--oh,
me, how fondly did I gaze upon them! and after looking at her things for
hours, I would sit and ruminate on the happiness I had lost. How I
execrated the moment I had gone to the fair to sell horses! 'Would that
I had never been to Horncastle to sell horses!' I would say; 'I might at
this moment have been enjoying the company of my beloved, leadin