Page:Annals of the Poor (1829, London).djvu/24

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ing his villagers, he has unconsciously delineated himself. He admits us to his retirement and meditations, shows us his hopes and fears, and presents us with all the secret workings of his soul. We admire the gifted minister of God, who in the deep humility of his spirit disdained not to listen to the voice of admonition, though it reached him from the lowly cottage; we cannot withhold our affection from the man.

If I were called on to say which of the narratives I prefer, I should most probably be inclined to fix on that of the "Young Cottager." There is something, in ray judgment, irresistibly engaging in the character and history of that simple girl. I can venerate the high and exalted piety of the "Dairyman's Daughter," who, with a masculine strength of understanding, had ever her word of counsel even for the minister; but I love the little, backward, neglected, retiring child, who