ishing pitchforks and mattocks, and altogether wearing a most threatening aspect.

came.

What way of escape? Justices sided with the gentry, and there seemed nothing to ward off a disastrous issue. Deliverance, however, As the mob swept down the street with its noisy hubbub, a portly clergyman in official rig opened his door, and motioned the leaders to stop. An address was made. What its purport was, the Taylors could not hear; but, behold, the tumult ceased, the rioters retired, and peace was restored to the quiet street.

Mr. Taylor and his family breathed freely once more, and a night of quiet restored the hope and courage of the household.

To whom were they indebted for deliverance ? Under God, to his brother minister. So thought Mr. Taylor, who, early the next morning, called to express the family's gratitude for his kind interference in their behalf.

"Spare your thanks, Mr. Taylor," was the stately reply: "my wife's sister is very ill, and I thought so much noise and confusion, if the people effected their purpose so near us, might

have been very prejudicial to her in her weak state."

So much for the neighbourly courtesies of the times, and for that party-spirit which recognizes no neighbourly tie.

CHAPTER II.

HOME LIFE.

RURAL home is the best home of the domestic virtues and affections.

It is within the circle of a de

tached country-house that family life opens itself out at large; it suns itself, blooms, and attains its ripeness; it preserves itself in the faithful memory of survivors, and so holds itself entire to the end, as if an assured immortality were wrapt up in its folds," writes one in after-years of the happy household of Lavenham.

"A much higher rate of family health may be reckoned on," he goes on to say, "than in city or city suburbs. We are exempt from the visitation of a hundred ills, real or imaginary, to which our city friends are liable. Along

with purer air, earlier hours, and country routine, there will be greater simplicity of mind, manners, and tastes. Nor are we tyrannized over by conventional forms. It is true, we are not able to talk so well of all things; but we think more, and are more reasonable."

Thus argues Isaac Taylor. Jane's younger brother and all the family agree with him.

The seclusion of Lavenham, however, is now to be abandoned for a wider sphere, opened to Mr. Taylor by a call from a Dissenting congregation at Colchester to become their minister.

Early in 1796 he removed thither.

Colchester, on the south bank of the river Colne, fanned by the cold breezes of the North Sea, is rich in natural scenery and antiquarian interest. Added to this, at the advent of the new pastor, it was alive with troops collected to guard against their dangerous neighbours across the Channel.

The family was soon reorganized, and a larger circle of out-door interests did not lessen the assiduous industries of home.

Mr. Taylor himself seems to have been a

man of remarkable achievements. As an artist he continued his labours. Constant and careful with his pulpit exercises, he visited his people regularly and affectionately, was always present at ministers' meetings, and never lacked an elaborate essay when it was required. He had pupils at home and abroad, delivered frequent lectures, and in addition to all this zealously set himself to the education of his own family. Health and system must have been necessary to accomplish all this.

Jane was in her thirteenth year on their removal to Colchester. Four years younger was her brother Isaac. Two other brothers and a sister were all who lived to grow up.

In addition to the usual studies of girlhood, Mr. Taylor wished to qualify his daughters for supporting themselves. Since engraving was an art in which woman had already distinguished herself, no branch of business could be so easily and naturally taught them as this. At one time four of his children were taking lessons by his side.

"Anne and I often say," said Jane, "that much as we enjoy other things, we are never