68 THE heart's-ease. 



time for abundant reading, nacdilalion, and secret 

 prayer. 



Oil one occasion, when T admired the expertness 

 with which he kindled a fire that had gone out, he 

 said, * Jl is practice ; I always light my own fire.* 



* Wliy not employ the woman who attends your 

 chambers V 



'For two reasons; I want it much earlier than 

 she could conveniently come : and my thoughts 

 flow on more evenly, when unbroken by the sight 

 or the sound of another.' 



The time that he thus redeemed from slumber, 

 was exclusively devoted to the nourishment of his 

 own sou'. lie frequently recommended the practice 

 to others; enforcing it by ','\e striking remark of 

 Newton, that if the sack be filled at once with 

 wheat, there will be no room for chnff. 'I fill my 

 sack as early and as full as T can, at the foolstool 



of tlie Lord,' said D ' or the devil would get in a 



bushel of chaff before breakfast.' Three hours at 

 least were thus devoted, in the stillness of his 

 chamber; and then, after a frugal ropn^t, he sal- 

 lied forih — so fresh, so cheerful, so full of l)right 

 and energetic life, that it was even as a beam of 

 sunslune when he crossed our early path, wiiji his 

 joyous smile. Yes, he did then resemble the 

 flower, vigorous from its bath of morning dew, 

 Spreading its fairest tints to the returning beam 

 and breathing pure fragrance around it. 



