nor, indeed, would the word of life have been useful to them, as not one in a hundred could read.

Soon after this, he was invited to attend a Wesleyan chapel in Exeter, where a funeral sermon was to be preached by the Rev. Wm. Aver. The text was, Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his. While the minister was describing the happiness of the righteous, divine light shone upon his soul, he felt that he was not that character, and that there was no prospect of his dying happily, unless he possessed it. This sermon was the means of his conversion.

CHAP. XIV.

Interesting Particulars of the Gipsies, related by a Clergyman.

THE following account is selected from a tract published in York, in 1822, detailing several interesting visits that a Yorkshire Clergyman made to some of the camps of that wandering and neglected people. Were the author of the little book known, application would have been made to him, for permission to reprint these extracts. But it is hoped he will excuse the liberty taken, as the design is to induce other clergymen and ministers to go and do likewise. This Clergyman, having fallen in with a gang of Gipsies on the road, who were travelling to their place of encampment, addressed a young female among them, and found her not ignorant of religion. "How," said the Clergyman, "did you obtain the knowledge of religion?" "Sir," answered she, "in the depth of winter, the men-folks only travel; the women and children belonging to my family and party, always live in the town. In those seasons I have gone with some of our relatives, who live there, and are religious people, to the worship of God: in that way I have learned these things."

This was a practical comment on the text which says, The entrance of the word giveth light; it giveth

understanding to the simple. After giving her some suitable advice, and with it his benediction, he left her; but not without hope that the seeds of grace were sown in her heart.

He next overtook the grandmother and several of her grandchildren. She was pleased at his noticing her, and answered his enquiries with modesty and propriety. She corroborated what her daughter had said, and in her answers discovered not only an acquaintance with the general truths of the Gospel, but a feeling sense of their importance. She said, “I love to go to church, and do go now, sir, when I can; but do not always meet with the right doctrines: my prayers I offer up night and and morning, under the hedge. I hope God Almighty hears my prayers." The Clergyman observed, that sincere prayer was acceptable to God any where, equally under the hedge, as in the parlour, or in the church. When arrived at their camp, he promised them a Bible, as they had none, and directed some of the party to call at the friend's house in the neighbourhood where he was staying. Soon after his return thither, a knock was heard at the door, when it was announced, "Two Gipsies, sir, are come for a Bible." On going out, he found in the hall the young man who could read, and a younger brother, a fine boy of about fourteen years of age. The gentleman who wrote the account, adds as follows:

"Their countenances were very animated and expressive; there seemed to be a ray of heavenly brightness resting upon them; and while I gave them a

charge how to read the sacred gift, they were much affected the boy, in particular, listened with eager attention, fixing his eyes first on me, then on the Bible. After I had inscribed their names in the title-page, they departed with my blessing; and, what is better, with the blessing of God.”

At another part of the year, this Clergyman returned to the same spot where he had before been so delightfully engaged in attempting to benefit the poor Gipsies. He found out another camp, and thus writes of them.

"On my approach to the camp (where was a group of nearly naked children,) the Gipsy girls rose up, and, in a modest and respectful manner, answered my questions; while the little swarthy group of children gathered around me. To one of these girls I said, 'How is it that you bear such a wandering and exposed life?” In reply, she said, 'Sir, it is use; use is second nature.' 'But have you any religion? Do you think about God, about judgment, and eternity? Do you know how to pray?' She answered, 'I say my prayers, sir, night and morning.' I then said, 'can any of your people read?' 'Yes, sir,' she replied, 'one of our men that is not here, can read very well.' 'Have you a Bible among you?' 'No, sir; we should be thankful for one, sir.'"

On leaving the camp, the Clergyman promised to call on them again, when the other part of the family should be returned from the town, where they were gone to vend their wares.

"On my return to the encampment," says he, "I

I

was met by two men who came out to greet me. asked them kindly of their name. They informed me it was Bosvill. The women and children were now collected around me. I inquired who among them could read. Captain Bosvill, for so I called him, answered me, 'My wife, sir, can read any thing in English.' I was glad to hear this, and asked them if they had any books. Bosvill went to a package and brought forth his stock, some fragments of an old Testament, and an old spelling-book. And what use do you make of your spelling book?' asked I. 'My wife,' replied Bosvill, when she has time, teaches the children their letters.' I now shewed them the Bible I had in my pocket, saying, that as it was so holy and blessed a book, it ought not to be given in an indifferent and common manner; and asked, if I were to ride over in the evening to give it them, and to explain to them its use, whether they would be all together to hear me? yes;' was the reply, from many voices. I appointed seven o'clock for the purpose. I then distributed amongst them some tracts, containing passages for every day in the week, and also the tract of Short Sermons; for which they were very thankful. I told them that I intended to give them a Bible in the evening, a book which few of them had ever seen, and which fewer understood. I was pleased with the modesty of their deportment, and with their eagerness for instruction. Surely they are a people whose hearts the Lord has prepared for the reception of his word.

Yes,

"At the hour appointed, I put the Bible in my