290 THE VICARAGE. 



The village clock now struck the hour for 

 prayers, and when his servants were assembled, 

 the Vicar read some verses from the word of God, 

 and then offered up his little tribute of gratitude 

 for the many benefits which had been bestowed 

 upon him prayed for a continuance of them, and 

 for a blessing upon his family, his parishioners, 

 and upon all mankind. How much is it to be 

 regretted that the spirit of benevolence, of unaf- 

 fected charity, of piety and good- will that pervaded 

 this little family circle, is not more cultivated, and 

 more extended. Happy would be each individual, 

 and happy would, be mankind in general, if the 

 pure doctrines of Christian charity, and love to 

 each other, were more cultivated and more acted 

 on. But how few people consider that a life which 

 has been profitable to others conduces also to our 

 own happiness, and produces that cheerful and 

 thankful spirit which is a far greater and more 

 real treasure than all the gifts which fortune can 

 bestow. 



The party assembled at an early breakfast the 

 next morning, and as the day was fine, it was pro- 

 posed that the Vicar's jaunting car should be put 

 in requisition, in order to show Davenport a cele- 

 brated water-fall at some miles distance. Lucy 

 was all glee at the thoughts of the excursion, and 

 her most becoming bonnet was put on for the oc- 

 casion. Mary's dress was of a quieter description, 



