SOMERVILLE. 9 



thought a storm was coming on, she used first to 

 take the steel pins out of her cap, then retire to the 

 far end of the room, and read aloud those sublime 

 poetical descriptions in the Psalms which speak 

 of storms, c. ; little Mary sitting all the while close 

 by her side, and made more terrified than she other- 

 wise would have been by the sonorous lines. If 

 the storm increased, Mrs. Fairfax would have the 

 window shutters closed, so that she might not see 

 the flashes of lightning ; but " though she could no 

 longer see to read, she still kept the Bible on her 

 knee for protection." 



That the religious trust (if we may call it so) 

 of Mrs. Fairfax was of rather an extraordinary 

 character was also shown by the following incident, 

 narrated by her daughter : One sunny day, Mrs. 

 Fairfax, who was very much afraid of the sea, was 

 induced to cross the Firth in a boat belonging to a 

 certain skipper in whom she had great confidence. 

 A stiff breeze was blowing, although this was not 

 noticeable so long as the boat was near the shore, 

 but after a few minutes the little craft began to 

 toss and roll. On perceiving this, Mrs. Fairfax 

 called out to the skipper, " George, this is an awful 

 storm. I am sure we are in great danger; mind how 

 you steer. Remember, I trust in you." Pic laughed 

 and said, " Dinna trust in me, leddy ; trust in God 

 Almighty." On hearing this, Mrs. Fairfax, in perfect 

 terror, called out, " Dear me ! Is it come to that ? " 



