42 THE SHAMROCK. 



most unequivocal seal of adoption into God's family 

 was visibly impressed upon him, during the last 

 seven years of his gentle and peaceful life. His 

 character shone with a bright, yet calm and unos- 

 tentatious consistency — he adorned his lowly sta- 

 tion with such quiet endurance of the world's lifted 

 heel, and stood so unharmed in the midst of its 

 pollutions, evermore revived by the dews of divine 

 grace, and exhibiting so attractive, though imper- 

 fect an image of Him, who formed him to shew 

 forth his praise, that I could find no type so expres- 

 sive of him, as his own native shamrock ; even 

 had not the fervency of his patriotism, which was 

 really enthusiastic, crowned the resemblance. 



But another circumstance, never to be erased 

 from my fondest recollection, has inseparably 

 combined that boy's image with the shamrock 

 leaf. I had taken him from his parents, at the age 

 of eleven : and it will readily be believed, that the 

 grateful love which he bore to me, as his only in- 

 structor and friend, extended itself to those who 

 were dear to me. There was one, round whom 

 all the strings of my heart had entwined from the 

 cradle. Jack appeared to understand, better than 

 any one else ever did, the depth of my affection 

 for this precious relative, and most ardently did 

 the boy love him. He went to Ireland ; and Jack 

 remained in England, with me. Many weeks had 

 not passed, before our hearts were wrung by the 



