is fixed on that place where true joy is only to be found; and that I long to be there, and do wait for my appointed change with hope and patience.”  Having said this, he did, with so sweet a humility as seemed to exalt him, bow down to Mr. Duncon, and with a thoughtful and contented look, say to him, “Sir, I pray deliver this little book to my dear brother Farrer, and tell him, he shall find in it a picture of the many spiritual conflicts that have passed betwixt God and my soul, before I could subject mine to the will of Jesus my Master:  in whose service I have now found perfect freedom.  Desire him to read it; and then, if he can think it may turn to the advantage of any dejected poor soul, let it be made public; if not, let him burn it; for I and it are less than the least of God’s mercies.”  Thus meanly did this humble man think of this excellent book, which now bears the name of “The Temple; or, Sacred Poems and Private Ejaculations;” of which Mr. Farrer would say, “There was in it the picture of a divine soul in every page:  and that the whole book was such a harmony of holy passions, as would enrich the world with pleasure and piety.”  And it appears to have done so; for there have been more than twenty thousand of them sold since the first impression.

[Sidenote:  Its publication]

And this ought to be noted, that when Mr. Farrer sent this book to Cambridge to be licensed for the press, the Vice-Chancellor would by no means allow the two so much noted verses,

  Ready to pass to the American strand,

to be printed; and Mr. Farrer would by no means allow the book to be printed and want them.  But after some time, and some arguments for and against their being made public, the Vice-Chancellor said, “I knew Mr. Herbert well, and know that he had many heavenly speculations, and was a divine poet:  but I hope the world will not take him to be an inspired prophet, and therefore I license the whole book.”  So that it came to be printed without the diminution or addition of a syllable, since it was delivered into the hands of Mr. Duncon, save only that Mr. Farrer hath added that excellent Preface that is printed before it.

[Sidenote:  Retrospect]

[Sidenote:  Waiting for death]

At the time of Mr. Duncon’s leaving Mr. Herbert,—­which was about three weeks before his death,—­his old and dear friend Mr. Woodnot came from London to Bemerton, and never left him till he had seen him draw his last breath, and closed his eyes on his death-bed.  In this time of his decay, he was often visited and prayed for by all the Clergy that lived near to him, especially by his friends the Bishop and Prebends of the Cathedral Church in Salisbury; but by none more devoutly than his wife, his three nieces,—­then a part of his family,—­and Mr. Woodnot, who were the sad witnesses of his daily decay; to whom he would often speak to this purpose:  “I now look back upon the pleasures of my life past,