d that the greater part of her
grievances existed only in her own imagination. She spent a large
portion of her time in deploring the sins of the whole world in general,
and of her own family and immediate neighbors in particular; while she
looked upon herself as having almost, if not quite, attained to
perfection.

I recollect calling one day upon Mr. Talbot; he was of a very
social disposition, and we engaged for a short time in a lively
conversation. Mrs. Talbot was present, and, strange to tell, once
actually laughed at some amusing remark made by her husband. He soon
after left the room, and her countenance resumed its usual doleful
expression as she addressed me, saying, "I wish I could have any hopes
of Mr. Talbot; but I am afraid the last state of that man will be worse
than the first." I questioned her as to her meaning; and she went on to
tell me that her husband had once made a profession of religion; but she
feared he was then in a "backslidden state," as she termed it. I know
not how this matter might have been; but during my acquaintance with Mr.
Talbot I never observed any thing in his conduct which to me seemed
inconsistent with a profession of religion. He certainly excelled his
wife in one thing, and that was christian charity; for he was seldom if
ever heard to speak of the short-comings of others. It is quite possible
that he thought his wife said enough upon the subject to suffice for
both. Mrs. Talbot made a point of visiting her neighbors, if she chanced
to hear of their meeting with any trouble or misfortune. The reason she
gave for so doing was that she might sympathize with them; and if
sickness invaded a household Mrs. Talbot was sure to be there; but I
used often to think that her friends must look upon her as one of "Job's
comforters," for no sickness was so severe, no misfortune so great, that
she did not prophesy something worse still. According to her own ideas
she was often favored with warnings of sickness and misfortune both to
her own family and others. She was also a famous believer in dreams; and
often entertained her friends at the breakfast table by relating her
dreams of the previous night. I remember meeting with her upon one
occasion, when it struck me that her countenance wore a look of unusual
solemnity, even for her, so much so, that I enquired the cause. "Ah!"
said she, "we are to have sickness, perhaps death, in our family very
soon; for only last night I dreamed I saw a w