THE DUTIES OF A FANCIER. 59 



" Our God, we thank Thee who hast made 



The earth so bright, 

 So full of splendour and of joy, 



Beauty and light ; 

 So many glorious things are here 



Noble and right. 



"We thank Thee, too, that Thou hast made 



Joy to abound ; 

 So many gentle thoughts and deeds 



Circling us round ; 

 That in the darkest spot of earth 



Some love is found. 



" We thank Thee more that all our joy 



Is touched with pain ; 

 That shadows fall on brightest hours, 



That thorns remain ; 

 So that earth's bliss may be our guide, 



And not our chain. 



" We thank Thee, Lord, that Thou hast kept 



The best in store ; 

 We have enough, yet not too much, 



So long for more ; 

 A yearning for a deeper peace 



Not known before. 



" We thank Thee, Lord, that here our souls, 



Though amply blest, 

 Can never find, although they seek, 



A perfect rest ; 



Nor ever shall, until they lean 

 On Jesus' breast." 



Who would not rise early if they knew the 

 luxury awaiting them at the banquet of the morn- 

 ing ! Charles Lamb was an accomplished slug- 

 gard. Half-past ten he considered the very 

 earliest hour at which a gentleman of leisure 



