UNCLE IN ENGLAND. 29 



various useful things ; and making his way once 

 more to the banyan tree, he laid these offerings 

 of gratitude in the spot so well known to him 

 and the good Bedah and again he heard the 

 faithful dog growl his knowledge of his being 

 there. He then visited the farmer, and found 

 him in the greatest distress ; for his cattle having 

 again trespassed on the cinnamon grounds they 

 had been all seized. The kind-hearted Cey- 

 lonese bestowed on him a sum more than suffi- 

 cient to replace his cows, and it was difficult to 

 say which felt the most happy the farmer sud- 

 denly relieved, or the generous creature who re- 

 lieved him. 



I6th. We all petitioned my uncle to read 

 the Tempest to us yesterday evening. He con- 

 sented, upon condition that Mary should assist ; 

 and it was arranged that she should read the parts 

 of Miranda and Ariel. 



Mary is so timid, that she does not like even 

 such a moderate exhibition : she complied, how- 

 ever, and they both read so delightfully, that 

 every one perceived beauties in that play which 

 they had never noticed before. At the end of each 

 act we talked it over ; and my uncle encouraged 

 every one to give their opinions, which he" says 

 is the best way of compelling people to think. 



My aunt said that none of Shakespeare's plays 

 are so perfect as to the time in which the action 



D3 



