Page:The Leadbeater Papers (1862) Vol 1.djvu/49

his little favourite: this trait of tenderness the mother remembered with gratitude. His parlour was wainscotted and hung round with engraved portraits, but what I best remember was a closet beside the parlour-fire, from which Joseph failed not to bring comfits, which he dispensed to his little guests. The back window faced the principal walk of the flower-garden; the borders on either hand were decorated with sweet peas climbing up painted sticks. From this garden moss-rose trees were first introduced amongst us.

We now reach Jonathan Haughton's. It was about this time that worthy man was deprived of the society of a valuable and amiable wife. The care of the household and younger children devolved upon Hannah, then about thirteen, and admirably did she perform those duties with prudence, economy, and affection; but care early furrowed her youthful brow and damped the vivacity of her age. The other children were John, Debby, Sally, and little Joe. Debby was two months elder than I, Sally six months younger than my sister Sally, so that nature seemed to present to each of us a chosen friend. The tie was early formed, and, like ties formed at that age, peculiarly tender and peculiarly strong. Ye sweet companions of my childhood, whose loss I have never ceased to regret; although surrounded by dear friends and dear relations, death has not been able to loosen that tie! The father of this family was one of the most amiable of men. Possessed of no shining abilities, he possessed what was of more value—a heart moulded by benevolence, which impressed his counte-