the fire, and to announce to them that I was the heir of the late Mrs Milbirn, and now their landlord, and that I was resolved to do every thing in my power to mitigate their distress. Full of this idea I stept forward to the centre of the village; but a sight there met my eyes which completely engrossed my attention. It was one of the loveliest female forms I had ever beheld, with a countenance of angelic beauty and purity, engaged in distributing bread, wine and clothes among the unfortunate sufferers, who crowded around her and invoked heaven’s blessings on the head of their benefactress. I heard this lovely being address words of comfort and encouragement to the weeping families; she said that she was only fulfilling the common duty of humanity to them; that her father would send them further supplies; “and in a short time,” she added, “your new master will be here, and report says that he inherits not only Mrs Milbirn’s estates, but her largeness of heart and bountiful feelings. My father will speak to him for you; and if he is what he is represented to be, you may depend on his sympathy and assistance. Therefore, be comforted, and place your trust in Providence, whose help is ever nearest when we most need it.”
“Who is that?” I inquired with great eagerness at the nearest by-stander, all my feelings having been excited by the united beauty and simplicity of the girl. The person to whom I addressed myself did not know her, but it appeared that he too had been touched by the girl’s demeanour and words, for he drew his purse out of his pocket and proceeded to distribute its contents among the peasantry. The girl herself turned round and was moving away, after having exhausted all her stores, provisions, and money upon the sufferers: her beautiful eyes filled with tears, because, as I supposed, she had no more relief at hand for those whose wants were not yet supplied.
“I now pressed through the crowd and placed a purse full of gold in the hands of the benevolent angel. I wished to
