and Agrippa having allayed his thirst, said to him, "Assure thyself, Thaumastus, that if I get out of this captivity, I will one day pay thee well for this draught of water." Tiberius dying, his successor, Caligula, soon after not only set Agrippa

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or entry, where he again makes a weather was very hot, and Agrippa very low bow, and, turning his face became exceedingly thirsty. Seeing to the south, pours out this wine Thaumastus, a servant of Caligula, upon the ground as a thankful pass by with a pitcher of water, he oblation to the Lord of heaven. called to him, and entreated leave After thus repeating his reverential to drink. The servant presented observance, he returns into the the pitcher with much courtesy, hall." As to the sentiments and behaviour of the Jews on this point, Josephus, detailing the customs of the Essenes, says that the priest begs a blessing before they presume to take any nourishment; and it is looked upon as a great sin to take or taste before. And at liberty, but made him King when the meal is over, the priest of Judæa. In this high situation prays again, and the company with Agrippa was not unmindful of the him bless and praise God as their glass of water given to him when preserver, and the donor of their a captive. He immediately sent life and nourishment. From the for Thaumastus, and made him Hebrew ritual it would appear that comptroller of his household. the Jews had their psalms of 400. Kindness Recompensed.thanksgiving, not only after eating their passover, but on a variety of Ali-ibn-abbas, favourite other occasions, at and after meals, Caliph Mamoun, relates a story and even between their several that happened to himself. courses and dishes; as when the was," says he, "one evening with best of their wine was brought upon hand and foot, was brought in. the Caliph, when a man, bound the table, or the fruit of the garden. To this day the Jews are said to Mamoun ordered me to keep a have their zemiroth, verses watchful eye over the prisoner, songs of thanksgiving. The and to bring him the next day. tinuance of the custom among the The Caliph seemed greatly irritated, Christians is founded in the high and the fear of exposing myself to example of our Saviour Himself. his resentment induced me The primitive converts appear to confine the prisoner in my house. have universally observed it. We I asked him what country he was read that St. Paul, "when he had of. He said Damascus, and that his habitation was in the quarter spoken, took bread, and gave thanks to God in the presence of of the Great Mosque. • May them all; and when he had broken heaven,' cried I, 'shower blessings it, began to eat" (Acts xxvii. 35). on the city of Damascus, and parIn the days immediately following ticularly on your quarter-I owo the Apostles, we find abundant my life to a man that lived there.' traces of this practice in the writ- These words excited his curiosity, ings of the Fathers, particularly in and I thus proceeded: It is many the Clementine Constitution, in years since the Viceroy of DamasChrysostom, and in Origen. cus was deposed. I accompanied his successor; and when we were about to take possession, the deposed governor assaulted us with superior force. I escaped out of a window, and observing a palace open, I supplicated the master to save my life. He conducted me into his apartment, where I continued a month in perfect security.

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399. Humanity Rewarded.-Historians relate that, when Agrippa was in a private station, he was accused, by one of his servants, of having spoken injuriously of Tiberius, and was condemned by the Emperor to be exposed in chains before the palace-gate. The

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One day I was informed by my you cannot undeceive him, I will host that a caravan was setting go myself and offer my head; let out for Bagdad, and that I could him dispose of my life, provided not wish a more favourable oppor- yours be safe.' I presented mytunity for returning home. I had self next morning before Mamoun. no money, and I was ashamed to He was dressed in a crimson own it. He perceived my distress, coloured mantle, a symbol of his but, in appearance, took no notice. anger. He inquired where my How great was my surprise when, prisoner was, and ordered the exeon the day of my departure, a fine cutioner to attend. 'My Lord,' horse was brought me, a mule said I, throwing myself at his feet, loaded with provisions, and a black something very extraordinary has slave to attend me! My generous happened with regard to him. host handed me at the same time Will your Majesty permit me to a purse of gold, and conducted explain it ?' These words threw me himself to the caravan, recom- him into a passion. 'I swear,' mending me to several of the said he, 'by the soul of my ancestravellers, who were his friends. tors, that thy head shall pay for it, These kindnesses I received in if thou hast suffered the prisoner to your city, which rendered it dear escape.' 'Both my life and his are to me. All my concern is, that I at your Majesty's disposal; but have not been able to discover my vouchsafe to hear me.' 'Speak,' generous benefactor. I should die said he. I then related in what content, could I find an opportunity manner the prisoner had saved my to testify my gratitude." Your life at Damascus; that in gratitude wishes are accomplished,' cried my I had offered him his liberty, but prisoner in transport: I am he that he had refused it, from the who received you in my palace.' fear of exposing me to death. My I embraced him with tears, took Lord,' added I, 'he is not guilty. off his chains, and inquired by A man of such generous sentiments what fatality he had incurred the is incapable of committing an Caliph's displeasure. Some con- odious crime. Some base detractemptible enemies,' he replied, tors have calumniated him; and 'have found means to asperse me he has become the unfortunate unjustly to Mamoun. I was victim of their envy.' The Caliph hurried from Damascus, and was moved, and his great soul led cruelly denied the consolation of him to admire the heroism of my embracing my wife and children. friend. I pardon him,' said As I have reason to apprehend the worst, I request you to acquaint them with my misfortunes.' 'No, no,' said I, you shall not die: be at liberty from this moment. Depart immediately" (presenting him with a thousand sequins in a purse); "hasten to rejoin the precious objects of your affection; let the Caliph's indignation fall upon me; I dread it not, if I preserve your life.' What a proposal do you make!' answered my prisoner. Can you think me capable of accepting it? Shall I sacrifice that life now which I formerly saved? Endeavour to convince the Caliph of my innocence, the only proof I will admit of your gratitude. If

Mamoun, on thy account. Go, carry the good news, and bring him to me.' The monarch ordered him to be clothed with a robe of honour, presented him with ten horses, ten mules, and ten camels, out of his own stables. He added a purse of sequins for the expense of his journey, and gave him a letter of recommendation to the Governor of Damascus.”

401. Kindness Remembered.— Haydn, when a boy, was engaged by the organist of the Cathedral at Vienna; but when his voice broke, his master discarded him from the choir, and most inhumanly turned him into the streets, on account of

a boyish trick, at seven o'clock one bestowed on him five hundred evening in November, with tattered marks of yearly revenue, to be clothes, and without a kreutzer assigned out of his heritage in in his pocket. Driven into the England. Lord Audley accepted

street at such an hour, and without any means of procuring a lodging, he threw himself upon some stone steps, and passed the night in the open air. A poor but friendly musician of the name of Spangler discovered him the next morning; and though he himself lodged with his wife and children in a single room, on a fifth story, he offered the outcast Haydn a corner of his garret and a seat at his table. A miserable bed, a table, chair, and a wretched harpsichord, were all that the generous hospitality of his host could offer him, in a garret which had neither windows nor a stove; but this act of charity of the benevolent Spangler was welcome, and most readily accepted by Haydn, who soon was enabled to recompense his generous benefactor, by placing him as principal tenor in the chapel of Prince Esterhazy.

the gift with due demonstration of gratitude; but no sooner was he brought to his lodging, than he called before him the four squires by whom he had been so gallantly seconded, and the nobles of his lineage, and informed his kinsmen: “Sirs, it hath pleased my lord, the Prince, to bestow on me five hundred marks of heritage, of which I am unworthy, for I have done him but small service. Behold, sirs, these four squires, which have always served me truly, and especially this day; the honour that I have is by their valour; therefore I resign to them and their heirs for ever, in like manner as it was given to me, the noble gift which the Prince hath assigned me." The lords looked at each other, and agreed it was a proof of great chivalry to bestow so royal a gift, and gladly undertook to bear witness to the transfer. When Edward heard these things, he sent for Lord 402. Knights of Old and their Audley, and desired to know why Squires. At the battle of Poi- he had bestowed on others the gift tiers, Lord Audley led the van of he had assigned him, and whether the Black Prince's army, attended it had not been acceptable to him. by four squires, who had promised "Sir," said Lord Audley, "these not to fail him. They distinguished four squires have followed me well themselves in the front of that and truly in several severe actions; bloody day, leaving such as they and at this battle they served me overcame to be made prisoners by so well, that had they done nothing others, and ever pressing forward else, I had been bound to reward where resistance was offered. Thus them. I am myself but a single they fought in the chief of the battle, man, but by aid of their united until Lord James Audley was strength and valour, I was enabled severely wounded, and his breath to execute the vow which I had failed him. At the last, when the made, to give the onset in the first battle was gained, the four faithful battle in which the King of Engsquires bore him out of the press, land or his sons should be present; disarmed him, and stanched and and had it not been for them, I dressed his wounds in the best must have been left dead on the manner they could. As the Black field. This is the reason I have Prince called for the man to whom transferred your Highness's bounty, the victory was in some measure as to those by whom it was best owing, Lord Audley was borne deserved." The Black Prince not before him in a litter; when the only approved of and confirmed Prince, after having awarded to him Lord Audley's grant, but, not to be the praise and renown above all outdone in generosity, conferred others who fought on that day,│upon him a yearly revenue of six

hundred marks more, for his own use. The names of the squires who thus distinguished themselves, and experienced such liberality at the hands of their leader, were Delves of Doddington, Dutton of Dutton, Fowlishurst of Crewe, and Howkestone of Wreynehill, all Cheshire families. This memorable instance may suffice to show the extent of gratitude which the knights of old entertained for the faithful services of their squires.

403. Mercies Remembered.Bishop Hutton was once travelling between Wensleydale and Ingleton, when he suddenly dismounted, delivered his horse to the care of one of his servants, and retired to a particular spot, at some distance from the highway, where he knelt down, and continued for some time in prayer. On his return, one of his attendants took the liberty of inquiring his reason for this singular act; when the Bishop informed him, that when he was a poor boy, he travelled over that cold and bleak mountain without shoes or stockings, and that he remembered disturbing a cow on the identical spot where he prayed, that he might warm his feet and legs on the place where she had lain. His feelings of gratitude would not allow him to pass the place without presenting his thanksgivings to God for His later mercies to him.

dence, in giving them food to eat and raiment to put on, and in supplying them with everything which contributed to their real comfort. He was struck with astonishment, and said to himself, "Does this poor man, who has nothing but the meanest fare, and that obtained by hard labour, give thanks to God for His goodness to himself and family; and I, who enjoy ease and honour, and everything that is pleasant and desirable, have hardly ever bent my knee, or made any acknowledgment to my Maker and Preserver!" This providential occurrence was happily the means of bringing the gentleman under the influence of true religion.

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405. Reciprocal Kindness. One of the Earls Spencer, when a boy, called at an inn at St. Albans, where he had frequently stopped; and observing that the landlord looked unusually dejected, inquired the cause. The landlord, after some hesitation, stated that his affairs had become embarrassed, and that his creditors were severe that he would be compelled to shut up his house. Why," said the young gentleman, " how much money will relieve you from all difficulties ?" The landlord said not less than a thousand pounds; and if he could borrow that sum, he did not doubt of his being able in a short time to repay it. Young Spencer said nothing, but ordering his horses, posted off 404. Poor Man's Thankfulness. to London, and, going instantly -A gentleman of considerable for- to his guardian, told him he wanted tune, but a stranger to personal £1,000. The guardian naturally religion, took one evening a solitary inquired to what purpose so large walk through part of his grounds. a sum was to be applied, and was He happened to approach a mean answered that it was for no purhut, where a poor man resided pose of extravagance, but on the with a numerous family. Hearing contrary, to serve a deserving man. a voice pretty loud and long con- The guardian refused to advance tinued, curiosity prompted him to the money; when the youth haslisten. It was the poor man at tened to one of his relations; a conprayer with his family; and as soon sultation was held, and it was as the gentleman could distinguish agreed to advance the money, and his words, he found him giving trust to his discretion. He imthanks with great earnestness to mediately carried it to the disGod for the goodness of His provi- tressed landlord, whose business

was now conducted with fresh vigour; and in a very few years, when his lordship returned from his travels, and stopped at the same inn, he found his host in a more flourishing condition, and knowing of his expected arrival, had the £1,000 ready to return him, with gratitude for having not only saved him from ruin, but raised him to prosperity. The noble lord very generously begged him to keep it as a marriage portion for his daughter.

407. Sailor's Good Feeling.When Prince Blücher visited this country in the year 1814, and was giving audience at his apartments at St. James's, three females made their way into his presence, apparently much affected. They were the mother and two sisters of a seaman belonging to an English brig of war, who, with others, hal been cast on shore on the coast of Pomerania during the short war between England and Prussia; and who, being obliged to surrender themselves, fell into the hands of 406. Reward of Constancy. the Field Marshal, who not only The founder of the family of Fitz- treated them with all possible william was Alderman of Bread kindness, but maintained them at Street in the year 1506. Before his own expense for several weeks, his death he forgave all his debtors, clothed and supplied them with and wrote upon the erased accounts of each, "Amore Dei remitto." to their own country. This gratemoney, and finally sent them home Cardinal Wolsey was the chief ful seaman was with his ship at means of this worthy citizen's ac- Portsmouth, and not being at quiring his large fortune. After liberty to come to town to thank the disgrace of the Cardinal, Mr. Fitzwilliam very hospitably entertained him at Milton, Northamptonshire, one of the fine seats of the present Earl. Henry VIII. was so enraged at this, that he sent for Mr. Fitzwilliam to court, and said, "How, ha! how comes it, ha! that you dare entertain a traitor ?" Fitzwilliam modestly replied, "Please your Highness, I did it not from disloyalty, but gratitude." The angry monarch here interrupted him by, "How, ha!" (the usual exclamation of his rage). Mr. Fitzwilliam, with the tear of gratitude in his eye, and the burst of loyalty in his bosom, continued, "From gratitude, as he was my old master, and the means of my greatest fortunes." petuous Harry was so much pleased with the answer, that he shook him heartily by the hand, and said, "Such gratitude, ha! shall never want a master. Come into my service, worthy man, and teach my other servants gratitude, for few of them have any." He then knighted him on the spot, and Mr. Fitzwilliam was immediately sworn in a privy councillor.

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the gallant veteran himself, had charged his mother and sisters to wait upon him for that purpose. Blücher was highly pleased with this instance of a British sailor's gratitude, and declared that it more than compensated him for every act of humanity in his whole life.

408. Self-Sacrifice. - Marshal d'Armont having taken Crodon in Bretagne, during the League, gave orders to put every Spaniard to the sword who was found in the garrison. Although it was announced death to disobey the orders of the General, yet an English soldier ventured to save the life of a Spaniard. He was tried for the offence before a court-martial, where he confessed the fact, and declared himself ready to suffer death, provided they would spare the life of the Spaniard. The Marshal, being much surprised at such conduct, asked the soldier how he came to be so much interested in the preservation of the Spaniard. "Because, sir," replied he, "when I was in a similar situation he saved my life." The Marshal, highly pleased with the