Our poor little wifie,—­she has no doubts of the personality of the Devil!  “Yesterday I behave extremely ill in God’s most holy church for I would never attend myself nor let Isabella attend which was a great crime for she often, often tells me that when to or three are geathered together God is in the midst of them, and it was the very same Divil that tempted Job that tempted me I am sure; but he resisted Satan though he had boils and many many other misfortunes which I have escaped....  I am now going to tell you the horible and wretched plaege (plague) that my multiplication gives me you can’t conceive it the most Devilish thing is 8 times 8 and 7 times 7 it is what nature itself cant endure.”

This is delicious; and what harm is there in her “Devilish”?  It is strong language merely; even old Rowland Hill used to say “he grudged the Devil those rough and ready words.”  “I walked to that delightful place Craky-hall with a delightful young man beloved by all his friends espacially by me his loveress, but I must not talk any more about him for Isa said it is not proper for to speak of gentalmen but I will never forget him!...  I am very very glad that satan has not given me boils and many other misfortunes—­In the holy bible these words are written that the Devil goes like a roaring lyon in search of his pray but the lord lets us escape from him but we” (pauvre petite!) “do not strive with this awfull Spirit....  To-day I pronunced a word which should never come out of a lady’s lips it was that I called John a Impudent Bitch.  I will tell you what I think made me in so bad a humor is I got one or two of that bad bad sina (senna) tea to-day,”—­a better excuse for bad humor and bad language than most.

She has been reading the Book of Esther:  “It was a dreadful thing that Haman was hanged on the very gallows which he had prepared for Mordeca to hang him and his ten sons thereon and it was very wrong and cruel to hang his sons for they did not commit the crime; but then Jesus was not then come to teach us to be merciful.” This is wise and beautiful,—­has upon it the very dew of youth and of holiness.  Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings He perfects His praise.

“This is Saturday and I am very glad of it because I have play half the Day and I get money too but alas I owe Isabella 4 pence for I am finned 2 pence whenever I bite my nails.  Isabella is teaching me to make simme colings nots of interrigations peorids commoes, etc....  As this is Sunday I will meditate upon Senciable and Religious subjects.  First I should be very thankful I am not a begger.”

This amount of meditation and thankfulness seems to have been all she was able for.

“I am going to-morrow to a delightfull place, Braehead by name, belonging to Mrs. Crraford, where there is ducks cocks hens bubblyjocks 2 dogs 2 cats and swine which is delightful.  I think it is shocking to think that the dog and cat should bear them” (this is a meditation physiological), “and they are drowned after all.  I would rather have a man-dog than a woman-dog, because they do not bear like women-dogs; it is a hard case—­it is shocking.  I cam here to enjoy natures delightful breath it is sweeter than a fial (phial) of rose oil.”