120 THE VINE. 



Vine, clothed in the fairest diction, arranged with 

 tasteful skill, and touched with the peculiar grace 

 of originality : while the unction that cometh from 

 above, rested with freshening effect upon this fruit 

 of the lips of a true mother in Israel. 



We are, alas ! such selfish creatures, that I have 

 often questioned whether Hannah More would have 

 left such a delightful impression on my mind, had 

 I seen her under circumstances less endearing to 

 my own fond heart, than those narrated above. 

 So very precious her remembrance would not be ; 

 but that she was altogether equally engaging as 

 valuable, I had the testimony of my brother, whose 

 previous expectations had been extremely unfavour- 

 able. He remarked in his usual playful manner, 

 referring to the title that he had given her, ' The 

 methodists cannot be like their queen : they are 

 poor melancholy souls, but she is the nicest, liveliest, 

 sweetest old lady I have ever met with.' I well 

 remember that, on our return to the study, on hear- 

 ing us expatiate on the beauties of her luxurious 

 plantation, she told us she had put down every tree 

 and shrub with her own hand ; neglecting for that 

 employment, the more important one to which the 

 Lord had called her : adding that she had been se- 

 verely rebuked for it, by being long disabled in the 

 right hand. ' This evil hand,' she said, slapping it 

 with the other, ' which left its Master's work so 

 long undone ! Well might he have caused it, like 



