136 REMINISCENCES, ETC. 



would prefer doing anything, rather than have a discussion 

 on the subject. 



" Eemember me most kindly to Mrs. Smith, and believe 

 me ever yours most sincerely, 



Religion is a topic upon which Mr. Smith was generally 

 silent, and certainly, beyond a regular observance of the 

 Sabbath, he made no particular external profession of it. 

 But one who knew him best, said that he had a most simple 

 and devout faith, his favourite motto being : " Whatever 

 happens, all is for the best ; " and whenever he saw anyone 

 in sorrow or distress, he always said, " We must submit to 

 God's will, whatever it is." During his severe sufferings in 

 both his attacks of illness, he evinced the most tranquil 

 patience and resignation, and whenever he felt easier, or in 

 any way relieved, his exclamation was, " Thank God for 

 everything ! " On one occasion, a friend happened to say, 

 heedlessly and jokingly, in a letter to him, that he felt 

 much distressed in mind, and was almost inclined to commit 

 suicide. Mr. Smith replied to him with a severe admo- 

 nition never to speak lightly upon so serious a subject. 



A strong sense of justice was one of Mr. Assheton 

 Smith's prevailing characteristics. He constantly took the 

 part of 23ersons who were total strangers to him, when sub- 

 jected in his opinion to injury and oppression. He threw 

 himself warmly into any case of injustice recorded in the 

 public journals, both using his interest on behalf of the 

 sufferer and contributing money for his relief. Once, when 

 he saw an Irishwoman beating her child on the high road, 

 he tried to expostulate with her in order to dissuade her 

 from that method of correcting it ; but finding his en- 

 treaties had no effect, and that the virago opened on him 

 for his interference, he left the spot, but not without giving 

 five shillings to a labourer, who happened to be present, to 

 see that the violence was not repeated. As a proof of his 



