of the latter mode. The customs of
burial may, in most cases, be in themselves proper. If the customs be
absurd, yet it may be generally proper to adhere to them; but doubtless
there are cases in which it is our duty to omit them. I conceived the
present case to be such a one.

The season was bleak and inclement. Much time, labour, and expense would
be required to go through the customary rites. There was none but myself
to perform these, and I had not the suitable means. The misery of Eliza
would only be prolonged by adhering to these forms, and her fortune be
needlessly diminished by the expenses unavoidably to be incurred.

After musing upon these ideas for some time, I rose from my seat, and
desired Caleb to follow me. We proceeded to an outer shed where farmers'
tools used to be kept. I supplied him and myself with a spade, and
requested him to lead me to the spot where Mr. Hadwin was laid.

He betrayed some hesitation to comply, and appeared struck with some
degree of alarm, as if my purpose had been to molest, instead of
securing, the repose of the dead. I removed his doubts by explaining my
intentions; but he was scarcely less shocked, on discovering the truth,
than he had been alarmed by his first suspicions. He stammered out his
objections to my scheme. There was but one mode of burial, he thought,
that was decent and proper, and he could not be free to assist me in
pursuing any other mode.

Perhaps Caleb's aversion to the scheme might have been easily overcome;
but I reflected that a mind like his was at once flexible and obstinate.
He might yield to arguments and entreaties, and act by their immediate
impulse; but the impulse passed away in a moment, old and habitual
convictions were resumed, and his deviation from the beaten track would
be merely productive of compunction. His aid, on the present occasion,
though of some use, was by no means indispensable. I forbore to solicit
his concurrence, or even to vanquish the scruples he entertained against
directing me to the grave of Hadwin. It was a groundless superstition
that made one spot more suitable for this purpose than another. I
desired Caleb, in a mild tone, to return to the kitchen, and leave me to
act as I thought proper. I then proceeded to the orchard.

One corner of this field was somewhat above the level of the rest. The
tallest tree of the group grew there, and there I had formerly placed a
bench, and made it my retreat at periods of leisure.