THE SMUGGLER. 113 



a stouter fist than hers could boast. It was only upon minor 

 points of difference, however, that she and her children ever 

 quarrelled ; for of their general course of conduct she approved 

 most highly ; and no one was more ready to receive packets of 

 lace, tea, or other goods, under her fostering care, or more apt 

 and skilful in stopping a tub of spirits from " talking," or of 

 puzzling a custom-house officer when force was not at hand 

 to resist him. 



She was naturally of so strong a constitution, and so well 

 built a frame, that it is wonderful she died at all; but having 

 caught cold one night, poor thing! it is supposed, in setting 

 fire to a neighbouring farm-house, the inmates of which were 

 suspected of having informed against her husband; her very 

 strength and vigour gave a tendency to inflammation, which 

 speedily reduced her very low. A surgeon, who visited the 

 house in fear and trembling, bled her largely, and forbade the 

 use of all that class of liquids which she was accustomed to 

 imbibe in considerable quantities; and for three or four days 

 the fear of death made her follow his injunctions. But at the 

 end of that period, when the crisis of the disease was imminent, 

 finding herself no better, and very weak, she declared that the 

 doctor was a fool, and ought to have his head broken, and 

 directed the maid to bring her the big green bottle out of the 

 corner cupboard. To this she applied more than once, and 

 then beginning to get a little riotous, she sent for her family 

 to witness how soon she had cured herself. Sitting up in her 

 bed, with a yellow dressing-gown over her shoulders, and a 

 gay cap overshadowing her burning face, she sung them a 

 song in praise of good liquor; somewhat panting for breath, it 

 must be owned; and then declaring that she was "devilish 

 thirsty," which was probably accurate to the letter, she poured 

 out a large glassfull from the big green bottle, which happened 

 to be her bed-fellow for the time, and raised it to her lips. 

 Half the contents went down her throat ; but, how it happened 

 I do not know, the rest was spilt upon the bed-clothes, and 

 good Mrs. Ramley fell back in a dose, from which nobody 

 could rouse her. Before two hours were over she slept a still 

 sounder sleep, which required the undertaker to provide against 

 its permanence. 



The bereaved widower comforted himself after a time. We 

 will not say how many hours it required to effect that process. 



