middle age. You have got a grandson (son's son). If he should live to an age, he must be known to the world by your name. If you cast me aside by a thrust of your feet, how will my son venture to appear before Society? It would be far better, if you will trample him to death, as you have already trampled upon me. Death is preferable to the living of a detested life. I would have clasped death long ago, but sweet-spoken, encouraging hopes have sustained my life. One can never give up hopes of being forgiven by one's parents. This is my destiny in this world; but, please, do not block up my way to the after-world (i. e. salvation). If I cannot serve your feet, how can I expect salvation in the next world? I would request you to drive away wrath and ill-feeling from your mind, and then to think over seriously with your saintly sweetness and magnanimity of heart, whether any blame will not attach to your world-renowned good name, if you cast adrift your unworthy child. How can I ever give place to such a thought in my mind that he, who is the receptacle of patient fortitude, whose heart is the seat of forgiveness, in whom affection is an ever-conspicuous element, who is moved to an incessant flow of tears at the tale of other people's distress—that such a merciful great man should cast adrift his unfortunate, penitent, sincerely grieved, only son.
'O father, my life has been fortunate, even if it
