, 1842-08-13

pair" they departed on their mar
riage journey.
On my return from the ceremony.
found that my presence had been
requested by Doctor-,a and | i'm.
medlately repaired to his DWELLING
1t was his custom, occasionally in his
leisure moments, 10 visit the abodes
of misery and disease, and admins.
ter gratuitously, advice and assis
lance. On these excursions, he was
always accompanied by two or three
tavorite pupils, so that they migs4
p. actlcaiiy benefit in their studies.
and 1t was now on an errand of this
nature that he had sent for me-
"From the bridal to The grave" it
may be said, was a "strange Jump"
but nevertheless. ] obeyed, and to-
gether we departed upon our chari,a-
bic mission.
shall not here dilate upon all the
subjects of disease we that morning
visited. but one ! cannot pass over;
so truly affecting was her situation.
After threading several narrow
lanes and closes, we stopped at a
wretched howell, whose outward ap.
pearance was enough TO say that
misery was its inmates. The walls
were OF wood. Tut so decayed BY
time. that wide openings were per-
ceplibIe in many places--throush
which the "winds Of heaven visited
the jewellers too roughly" The win
dows were shattered. and in lieu of
several panes Of glass. were stuffed
'ags, straw. and other tokens Of
wretchedness. The door hung awry
upon its hinges, from which the
smoke ISSUED in dense clouds. rs well
rs from the assures in the wall. The
worthy doctor gently knocked, and
an old witherod bag, alfred in the
veri st remnants Of poverty. appear
ed. and in Il husky voice, babe US en-
ter.
On 4 low bed, with scanty cover
inc. lay a female, whose features. al
though bearing the impression of mp
preaching dissolution, showed that
she was yet Young IN years. Her
eyes. winch were sunken and CLASSY.
at The sound Of visitors, flashed out
with unearthIy brightness. Her face.
pale as the lily, assumed . hectic
flush, and her thin and withered lips
essayed TO articulIte, hu, sound was
denied them. The doctor approach
ed the sufferer, and seated himself on
an old chest which stood at the head
of the bed, for but one chair was in
the apartment, and that the old wo-
man occupied herself the moment we
entered.
"Did vol obey the instructions
which left with you my last visit?
asked the doctor.
'To be sure, and did, answered
the old crone, in a course Hibernian
accent.
sand has there been any ameIiora-
ton in her disease? Continued he.
Amelioration was Il word not TO he
found in her vocabulary. and conse-
quently she could not reply. She
cast a broad vacant stare upon the
doctor, who, perceiving he had gone
beyond her comprehension, adroi'ly
made use of language OF a less lofty
character.
81 mean," saidhe, shave there been
any signs of improvement in her.
since my last visit"
"Not one, and save your honor,
but | think she won't suffer a great
deal longer; and indeed. it will be a
blessing for her when she is gone"
ssHushn said he, while there is life
there is hope" and he took the hand
Of the invalid in his own, for the poor
creature, aItho' sick to death, was
conscious of all that was passing.
and the old hag's unfeeling remark
had caused her to start, and The tears
to gush from her sunken and almost
slghtless eyes.
"Would'n, the priest be better for
her than the doctor?' said the old
woman, while a ferdish smile passed
over her wrinkled and smoke dried
countenance.
"Do you know mel" asked the
kind man. wishing to avoid any more
callous remarks from the old sycorax,
and placing his lips to the young crea.
lures ear. A pressure of his hand
was her only reply.
swell, Emily, can ] in any way
be Of service to YOUR he continued.
"Yes. that you cam" screamed the
old wretch. ":She is owing me seven
weeks board, at three shillings and
sixpence a week, and you will be do.
;nr both mvSelf aud tho yoI,nu crotur