THE SIX OF SPADES. 59 



it, without feeling a certain freshness at heart a 

 braver confidence in the hopes and joys of life a more 

 sure emancipation from its cares and sorrows. Like 

 the "bit of blue " which precedes the sunshine when 

 the storm-clouds break, that face beams with fine 

 weather. Here is a delightful barometer, which 

 disdains the influence of atmosphere, rain, and wind, 

 and boldly assures you in the middle of a hurricane, 

 that everything is " set fair." It is a face at which 

 babies of the most reserved and haughty disposition 

 immediately smile and coo ; while the most timid 

 children "walk under his huge legs and peep about, 

 to find themselves dishonourable " lollipops. Corning 

 quickly round a corner, upon a recent occasion, I 

 suddenly confronted Mr. Grundy, engaged in the 

 arduous evolutions of hopscotch, and his expression 

 of bashful uncertainty whether he should resume his 

 position as a rational biped, or go on with the game 

 and win it, was a supreme treat, I can assure you. 

 Finally, he got upon the line I wonder with those 

 boots of his that he was ever off it and resumed his 

 original standing in society, amid the derisive cheers 

 of his small competitors. 



You would scarcely imagine that this festive coun- 

 tenance could ever be regarded with a qualified 

 pleasure, nay, even with feelings of discomfort ; but 

 there are scenes and seasons wherein I have met it 

 with much perturbation of spirit. I maintain that 

 upon occasions of national humiliation, upon Ash- 

 Wednesday and other days of penitence, Joseph 

 Grundy ought to sit in the vestry. No member of 

 our congregation is more in earnest than he ; but his 



