was in the days of Joseph; "every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians," Gen. xlvi. 34.

Steward. Better be an abomination to the Egyptians, than an abomination to him that employs him. They that take the oversight of the flock, must receive their wages from the Chief Shepherd, when he shall appear. "The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field," or, a ransom for the lambs, Prov. xxi. 18. The former shall one day come for thine hire; so shall thy righteousness answer for thee in time to come, Gen. xxx. 33.

Shepherd. It is this, together with the goodwill of my Master, and being at times allowed to draw a little pocket money, that encourages me in the work, or else the treatment that I have met with has been enough to drive any man from the business who took it upon himself of his own accord. For, though I have heard much talk of dumb dogs in the days of old, I have found but very few of them in my days; for, if they could not bark at the wolf, they could give tongue at the sheep, and at me also.

Steward. Pray, how many head may you have in your flock?

Shepherd. I cannot say justly; the Chief Shepherd keeps the book of name and number: but, I believe, there is somewhat above a thousand.

Steward. And have you all these to feed and to fold yourself?

Shepherd. Yes; and am obliged to draught them, and change them too, every two or three days; for sheep never do well long together upon one walk the more they are shifted, the better they thrive.

Steward. You have got some lambs, I perceive, among them; and some ewes great with young; they do not bring forth together regularly, nor kindly, do they?

Shepherd. This sort of sheep are like orangetrees; they go to blossom, or are in bearing, all the year round: and some of the weakest of the lambs are more trouble to me than all the rest; they are always creeping through the hurdles ; and I am afraid that my Master will send the dog Smut after them; and that voracious creature makes such havoc with these weaklings, that he leaves nothing but two legs, or a piece of an ear, Amos iii. 12; and sometimes I fret to that degree at the sight of it, that I could wish that I had been any thing rather than a shepherd. It is like a sword to me; and I am obliged to cry out, "Deliver my soul from the sword: my darling from the power of the dog," Psalm xxii. 20.

Steward. To be contented in one's station is best. There is no place of servitude without its difficulties and disagreeable circumstances. Wherein a man is called, therein let him abide. A rolling stone gathers no mòss. I am not a little tried, where the bounds of my habitation are fixed.

Shepherd. If I may be so bold, pray, sir, what may your trade or calling be? Neither your hands nor your appearance look as if you worked very hard.

Steward. There is a labour of the mind, and a labour of the body. I have been exercised with both; and, I think, the former is hardest.

Shepherd. Care and anxiety certainly wear a man away, or else Jethro would never have counselled Moses to look out such a number of men to bear a part with him.

Steward. I have my share of that; for it hath fallen to my lot to be one of the stewards of his Majesty's household, or what is commonly called a clerk of the kitchen, so that the care of many lies on me; and, you know, it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful, 1 Cor. iv. 2.

Shepherd. Yes, you must give an account of your Master's goods, as well as I of my flock; and, if we are fully persuaded that we can do it with cheerfulness, and not with grief, it affords comfort and satisfaction to the mind. But the office of a Steward in the Royal Family must be a much easier place, and a more honourable station in life, than that of a Shepherd.

Steward. He is the best judge where the shoe pinches that wears it. A steward is much envied: many of the servants are obliged to come to him for necessaries, advice, and direction; and, if he deals faithfully with all, every one, in his turn, will have a pick at him.

Shepherd. Very true, sir. I was quite mistaken in my judgment of you. I should not have taken you to have been a servant: I thought, by your genteel appearance, that you was a reputable tradesman, a man in business for yourself.

Steward. God forbid! for none of my family ever set up for themselves but what came to beggary. Therefore, I never desire to be out of his Majesty's service, independent of him, or one hour upon my own hands, notwithstanding the many disagreeable things that attend the service.

Shepherd. Pray, sir, what may your business chiefly be?

Steward. I provide for one part of the household such things as his Majesty orders me to get for them; I buy the meat, the wine, oil, milk, honey, butter, and fruit; I examine the cellar and the wardrobe, see to the family's table and apparel, and look to the doors and gates: I receive orders; and carry grievances, complaints, addresses, and grateful acknowledgments, to the King, &c.

Shepherd. Indeed! you have much upon your hands, and head too; as you must have a deal of accounts to cast up, many books to keep and settle, and many reckonings to make; "for to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more."

Steward. True: and where much is given, much is required. If a man be not punctual, he will not magnify his office; and, if once he loses

his character, it is ten to one if he is of any more use in the household, even though he should succeed in getting a pension for himself. And, if his Majesty seems in the least to honour or favour him, there are many watching for his halting. Report! report! say they, and we will report it!" Jer. xx. 10.

Shepherd. I wonder his Majesty permits such to approach the royal apartments; for he is not one that favours an eye-servant, or helps an evil doer, Job viii. 20.

Steward. Many draw near to him, and approach his presence, that never found favour in his sight. In a great house, there are not only vessels of gold, and silver, and wood, and earth, but the best and worst of servants also. We have an old fellow, that is permitted to skulk about the palace yard, and has been for a number of years, who is interfering with every body, every thing, and every word.

Shepherd. Perhaps he is kept for his former good services. If he was not in favour, he would hardly be allowed to dwell among the household.

Steward. As for good services, it has never been in his power to perform any; nor is he any friend to the King or the King to him. I believe he is kept in existence chiefly for the trial of faithful servants during his Majesty's pleasure. Many have wished and petitioned for his final dismission, or utter destruction; but there he is still, and there he is like to be.