nexion. He, pursuing his onward path, and seeking first the kingdom of heaven and its righteousness, found all things necessary added-all things necessary for those whose desires are moderate; and this is likely to be the case with such as are concerned to keep on their watch: they may hope to see what to do and what to leave undone, even in their temporal affairs.

Richard and Elizabeth Shackleton, in the pursuit of the arduous undertaking, the instruction and care of youth, were imbued with that reverential fear, which is a blessing and a safeguard to those who abide under it. The advantage of their example extending far beyond their sphere in life, was felt throughout their neighbourhood, so that many of the higher ranks desired to cultivate a familiar intercourse with a man distinguished by his talents and learning, and a woman of so benevolent a character. But while they received such marks of kindness with respectful courtesy, they were not drawn by them from their allotted situation. Their time and thoughts were claimed by their duties, and they were the more respected for preserving this line of conduct. Industrious and prudent, yet casting their care upon Providence, they felt the shackles of the world hang loose about them. They were eminently useful members of religious society, with clean hands and discerning spirits, being well qualified to take an active part in conducting its discipline. Their duties to the children under their care were conscientiously fulfilled, of which the grateful love that their pupils retained for them is a convincing proof. Several of those who, while they were under their mistress's eye, had thought her too strict, loved her the better afterwards, even for this; and many remembered, and we may hope profited by, the tender admonitions which she was wont to impart, particularly at the time of their leaving school, to enter into an untried world.

When the varied business of the day was over, it was a

comely sight to see the parlour supper-table surrounded by the master, mistress, their children, the young men who were parlour-boarders, the ushers, and the housekeeper, all on equal footing; all equally at liberty to express their sentiments, or gain instruction and pleasure from those expressed by others. Without losing the respect due to their own characters and situation as heads of the establishment, careful and observant of the conduct of all these, R. and E. S. treated them with a kind familiarity, which attached them to home, and precluded the desire of seeking more enjoyment elsewhere, which is too often the effect of repulsive manners. This social meal seemed to bind all more closely together: the heads of the house saw the elder branches of their family collected, and they separated with mutual good will.

To one who once belonged to this table, but who was then the father of a family, and advanced in life, the grandson of R. S. was introduced. He was politely received by the old gentleman, but his name once mentioned, all ceremony vanished: "Shackleton! you are the grandson of my old master! I loved him next to my own father!" then grasping both the hands of the young man, he permitted his heart to overflow in affectionate remembrance of departed worth. He afterwards thus wrote to one of the family: "It will be only with existence that I shall lose recollection of the numerous acts of kindness I have experienced from your father. He was my inestimable preceptor: he was my indulgent friend. I acknowledge my debt of gratitude, and shall ever be most happy in evincing it, and how highly I revere and respect his memory."

The large establishment, and consequent plentiful table, caused the indigent to resort to R. S.'s house. Perhaps they were relieved too indiscriminately; but there was much care taken to inspect the wants of the modest poor: employment given to some, the sick supplied with medicine,

and those who had known better days considered with delicate attention. Old neighbours were taken into the family, occupations found for them suited to their age and weakness, their infirmities alleviated, their fretfulness endured, and their close of life rendered as comfortable as was in the power of their benefactors. One of these died in the house of the younger Abraham Shackleton, having, it was supposed, attained his hundredth year; and another, who had served the three generations as steward, also died in his house at the age of eighty. Thus, in a comparatively humble walk of life, were generous and charitable dispositions unostentatiously exerted.

Richard Shackleton was blessed with a cheerful, contented mind, conducive to his own happiness, and the happiness of all around him. He was prepared to adopt the language of the poet:

"Ten thousand thousand precious gifts,

My daily thanks employ;

Nor is the least a cheerful heart,

That tastes those gifts with joy."-ADDISON.

The fault of his temper was quickness, not violence; but this was soon subjected to his judgment, and if he thought he had wounded any one thereby, he was ready to acknowledge it, with a benign humility which melted the heart, and disposed it to follow so touching an example. From his conversation young persons derived much instruction and delight; and such was his solicitude for their eternal welfare, that he might almost be designated, "the apostle of the youth." He seldom or ever left home, for any considerable length of time, without paying farewell visits to his neighbours; nor returned without greeting them at their own habitations. After a day industriously spent, it was his practice to retire every evening to his garden or chamber; his countenance, when he returned to his

family, bearing the impress of divine meditation. And before retiring to rest, he read a portion of scripture. If he was under difficulty or perplexity, the first thoughts which occurred to him on awaking in the morning, were generally those to which he took heed, by which he was often freed from what had annoyed him. He had learned to cast his care on Divine Providence, in matters of less as well as greater moment. He was a kind and considerate master, being careful to avoid giving servants unnecessary trouble. He rose early both in summer and winter. Neither he nor his wife were in the station of minister; but in meetings for discipline, and in families, they were often concerned to deliver wise counsel, in words few and pertinent; and R. S. sometimes spoke in public meetings, but, like his father, in the character of an elder. When he returned to our national meeting, on account of his attendance at the yearly meeting of London, his words were delivered with such humility, sweetness, and brokenness, that the influence under which he moved, seemed to overspread the assembly.

He was freely given up to these services by his true helpmate, whose exertions to promote the good of all, united with his own. This pious woman assiduously endeavoured to alleviate the sufferings of body or of mind, which came under her notice; and, as has been alluded to before, her nature, as well as her religion, prompted her to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction; and in fulfilling these duties, she experienced that feeling so excellently described by the poet:

"The heart which bleeds for others' woes,

Shall feel each selfish sorrow less;

The breast which happiness bestows,

Reflected happiness shall bless."-CARTWRIGHT.

Being enabled to overcome evil with good, she was sincerely beloved, and seemed to be made a blessing to some

who had at one time been prejudiced against her. With a solid and improved understanding, her simplicity was such, that it might appear not difficult for the artful to impose upon her; yet it not unfrequently happens, that the single-hearted and artless, more readily penetrate into the characters and motives of others, than those do who are busy in concealing their own. Her grave manners tended to inspire awe in young persons; but they soon found that these were softened by such kindness of heart, that love overcame every other feeling towards her. Sedulously attentive to the improvement of his pupils, Richard Shackleton's time was fully occupied with this employment, and he resigned to his wife the management of his farm; not that he was himself averse to, or incapable of conducting it; nor did it appear that any other person entertained an opinion, which he often expressed respecting himself, that he was fit for nothing but a schoolmaster; but he knew his wife's capability and inclination for these concerns, and her willingness to receive advice from those who were experienced in agricultural affairs. She was, indeed, remarkable for this; and readily waved her own plans, to make trial of what others recommended, though it often happened that her former practice proved to be the best.

She was slow and deliberate in her movements and decisions. She not only provided for her household, conbining therein economy with plenty, and attended to the various business of the farm, but superintended the building of several houses; permitting nothing to prevent her fulfilling her duties to her aged mothers, to her children, and to the other branches of her family: the regular distribution of her time, and the love of order, enabling her to accomplish what few of greater activity, without these aids, find themselves capable of.

She was an admirer of good poetry, but still feeling the