216 RAILWAY DIRECTORS 



without the least feeling or remorse at thus plunging a 

 whole family in destitution, for aught he knew— that the 

 directors had decided upon not employing any one who 

 had, or ever had, anything to do with stage-coach 

 business. He then dismissed me, without offering to pay 

 my expenses, or compensating me for the loss of time T 

 had incurred by attendino^ his summons. But he was a 

 professional gentleman, not troubled with a conscience, 

 and possessed a heart as hard as the metal that formed the 

 staple of the company over Avhich he presided. 



Another of the legal profession, from whose office 

 emanated the line that gave the death-blow to my 

 avocation, resisted every effort made for me by others, 

 and all my own applications for employment, and con- 

 signed me and mine, without mercy and without even a 

 hearing, to poverty and want. 



On being asked by a venerable clergyman of the 

 Establishment/ whose appearance as Avell as his preach- 

 ing always reminded me of one of the Apostles — if any 

 provision had been made for me, I said, " No." This 

 excited his commiseration and surprise, which he ex- 

 pressed in most earnest language ; and I, feeling as if in 

 the presence of some superior being, warming with the 

 subject, and stung with the injury that surely awaited 

 me, appealed to him to be my witness on the great day of 

 judgment, Avhen I would arraign that man as being the 

 author of all the evil that would befall my family. 



I might have expressed myself a little too warmly, 

 perhaps indiscreetly, nay, unjustly, on this occasion ; but 



' The Kev. Edwards. 



