CHAPTER XV.

THE HOWARD OF HOLLAND.

All heads must come

To the cold tomb:

Only the actions of the just,

Smell sweet, and blossom in the dust.-SHIRLEY.

"OUR mother's uncle was the Howard of Holland. All his delight was in administering to the wants of his fellow-creatures, and particularly of such as were confined in prison. He sought to relieve the misery of the dungeon, and to soothe the broken-hearted in their chains, however heinous their crimes. With this intention, he went from town to town, healing the wounded spirit, and lightening the burden of affliction; and, by his exemplary life, he became beloved and respected by rich and poor. The name of Van Lear was a pass word; and the worn-out wretch would look up through his grated window, with a smile, at the mention of his name. Shortly after his marriage, he travelled to Rotterdam, where, as usual, his first visit was to the prison. Asking the governor after the different prisoners,

he was told, there was a very learned Jew, supposed to be a Prussian Rabbi, in the condemned cell, who was so hardened, that neither persuasions nor remonstrances could induce him to confess, who, besides himself, was concerned in the horrid murder, for which he was to die. Now, sir, as you are a learned man, would you like to see him?'-' Certainly,' said Van Lear; who was himself a Jew, though not known as such, Jews not being tolerated at that time in Holland. He was accordingly conducted into the cell; when, wishing to be left alone, he told the criminal that he also was a Jew: and, as is the custom in our religion, for us incessantly to pray day and night, by the dying, he began his office of comfort. The Rabbi, for so he was, appeared very grateful; and Van Lear daily sent him such things as could alleviate his misery. On the evening before his execution, Van Lear, after he had been praying with him, entreated him to confess. After a thoughtful pause, the Rabbi said, I will; but, as I alone committed the murder, and my companion took but the property, justice will be done by my life paying the forfeit I so justly owe. Let then a dying man, who now stands on the brink of eternity, ask one favour of the benefactor of his soul and body.' After continuing in this strain for some time, until he saw that he had melted poor

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Van Lear, the Rabbi took up a teffila (k), and asked him to swear, that what he was then about to tell him, should never be revealed to any one. In a fatal moment, he complied. Being good himself, he did not suspect the villain's design, as he appeared to be a thorough penitent. The Rabbi then took up a pen, and handing a piece of paper to Van Lear, said, 'Sign this, or I will call the guard, and swear you are the man, who paid me to do the murder.' The paper was a bond, promising to pay, yearly, a large sum of money to the Rabbi's wife and four children. Van Lear pushed the villain from him, with disdain. "Think not, so easily, to make me your dupe,' he exclaimed; I fear you not! Off viper!' said he, as the Rabbi approached him, or I will call the turnkey.'-' Do!' sarcastically cried the villain; ' and then I will give you in charge! For, if you do not sign this instantly, by the great Jehovah, you die the death of shame.' No dæmon could look equal to the wretch, as he stood, pen in hand, before Van Lear. Shocked, confounded, and stung to the heart, poor uncle found his brain give way, and said, 'I will be with you again in an hour, and bring a sum of money with me, for you to send to your family. Sign that paper, I cannot! God forgive thee thy wickedness!' The

murderer knew that Van Lear would not break his word: and, as he arose to leave the cell, the villain whispered in his ear, Your Oath!'

"Arrived at his hotel, sick at heart, he called for pen and ink, and wrote- It is the dying wish of Baron Van Lear, that none of his descendants, however distant or near, ever enter a prison.' He sealed it, and went to bed. His young wife, who had been out for a ride, soon afterwards returned to the hotel, and, surprised at his retiring so soon, hastily went to his room, when, withdrawing a handkerchief with which it was supposed he had covered his face, she found him a corpse! The shock had been too much for his strength, and he had sunk beneath the blow! Thus was lost a bright and good man. Inquiries, of course, were instituted; and, amongst others, the Rabbi was questioned; and, being overcome with remorse, he confessed the facts above related, at the place of his execution. Thus it was handed down to his posterity."—" And what became of aunt?""Poor woman! for years, she was in a private mad-house. But, I must tell you, she gave birth to a son, who lived to be an honour to the name of Van Lear."

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The servant, at this moment, came to seek for her young mistress; when, again kissing her

THE DOCTOR CHEATED OF HIS EGGS. 153

brother affectionately, they parted,—Emanuel, to his father's study, and Judith, to receive her mother's morning blessing.

They were all seated at breakfast, and in the height of merriment, at a trick which Adolphus was playing off on the doctor. The old gentleman, who, of all his mother's children, loved himself the best, had made up his mind to have some eggs for breakfast; and it happened that eggs were very scarce. Judith wanted one; so did Emanuel; while Adolphus looked with longing eyes at the eggs. In an undertone, Judith said to Adolphus, "I wish we could have some of the eggs.' "First, mine dear," said the doctor, "open de eggs, and salt and putter dem for me."—"Yes, father,' said Adolphus. He did so; and on breaking open the first, he put his nose down, to smell if it were fresh when, with a curve of his nostrils, and another of his lip, he pushed the egg away, and taking another, and another, repeated the same action. The old gentleman said: "Dey don't seem quite fresh, do dey?"—" Not quite," said his son. "Take dem avay! Take dem avay!" They were about to do so; when, Judith said, "I do not think they are so bad, but we may eat them;" which the others also agreed in; and, thus the doctor lost his eggs!

While the party was still at the table, the