THOMAS EDWARD. 93 



bodies, and Banff sonls, being too high — or low — to see 

 the poor souter, bowed over his work, and so lower 

 still. 



But you will not read in the book — for that came 

 after it was written — how the Queen and Lord 

 Beaconsfield, having read the story of Thomas Edward's 

 life, were moved by a common thought to put Thomas 

 Edward on the Pension List for a modest fifty pounds 

 a year, so that for the rest of his life he may give 

 himself wholly to the reading of Grod's Book of 

 Creation, without being a burden to the children who 

 have been true and helpful stays to him thus far. For 

 among Thomas Edward's other good gifts from Grod, is 

 a good and wise wife, and they have bred good bairns. 

 And so Punch takes leave of Thomas Edward — in 

 harbour at last; and, lifting his hat, and holding out 

 his hand to this stout-hearted and rarely-endowed man, 

 craves leave — as the highest honour should come the 

 latest — to offer this his tribute of respect after Prime 

 Minister and Queen. 



