me, and I was ashamed to make known our real situation.—­I endeavoured all I could to prevail on him to set me to work, but to no purpose:  he assur’d me it was not in his power:  but just as I was about to leave him, he asked me if I would accept of some Carrots?  I took them with great thankfulness and carried them home:  he gave me four, they were very large and fine.—­We had nothing to make fire with, so consequently could not boil them:  But was glad to have them to eat raw.  Our youngest child was quite an infant; so that my wife was obliged to chew it, and fed her in that manner for several days.—­We allowed ourselves but one every day, least they should not last ’till we could get some other supply.  I was unwilling to eat at all myself; nor would I take any the last day that we continued in this situation, as I could not bear the thought that my dear wife and children would be in want of every means of support.  We lived in this manner, ’till our carrots were all gone:  then my Wife began to lament because of our poor babies:  but I comforted her all I could; still hoping, and believing that my GOD would not let us die:  but that it would please Him to relieve us, which He did by almost a Miracle.

We went to bed, as usual, before it was quite dark, (as we had neither fire nor candle) but had not been there long before some person knocked at the door & enquir’d if James Albert lived there?  I answer’d in the affirmative, and rose immediately; as soon as I open’d the door I found it was the servant of an eminent Attorney who resided at Colchester.—­He ask’d me how it was with me? if I was not almost starv’d?  I burst out a crying, and told him I was indeed.  He said his master suppos’d so, and that he wanted to speak with me, and I must return with him.  This Gentleman’s name was Danniel, he was a sincere, good Christian.  He used to stand and talk with me frequently when I work’d in the road for Mr. Handbarrar, and would have employed me himself, if I had wanted work.—­When I came to his house he told me that he had thought a good deal about me of late, and was apprehensive that I must be in want, and could not be satisfied till he sent to enquire after me.  I made known my distress to him, at which he was greatly affected; and generously gave me a guinea; and promis’d to be kind to me in future.  I could not help exclaiming. O the boundless mercies of my God! I pray’d unto Him, and He has heard me; I trusted in Him and He has preserv’d me:  where shall I begin to praise Him, or how shall I love Him enough?

I went immediately and bought some bread and cheese and coal and carried it home.  My dear wife was rejoiced to see me return with something to eat.  She instantly got up and dressed our Babies, while I made a fire, and the first Nobility in the land never made a more comfortable meal.—­We did not forget to thank the LORD for all his goodness to us.—­Soon after this, as the spring came