an undeniable evidence against me, that I have lived as if I had never heard of a God or future state, or anything about it; and to talk of my repenting, alas!” (and with that he fetched a deep sigh, and I could see that the tears stood in his eyes) “‘tis past all that with me.” — ”Past it, Atkins?” said I: “what dost thou mean by that?” — ”I know well enough what I mean,” says he; “I mean ‘tis too late, and that is too true.”

I told the clergyman, word for word, what he said, and this affectionate man could not refrain from tears; but, recovering himself, said to me, “Ask him but one question.

Is he easy that it is too late; or is he troubled, and wishes it were not so?” I put