ing; I
could never beg; neither did I chuse to make known our wants to any
person, for fear of offending as we were entire strangers; but our last
bit of bread was gone, and I was obliged to think of something to do for
our support.--I did not mind for myself at all; but to see my dear wife
and children in want pierc'd me to the heart.--I now blam'd myself for
bringing her from London, as doubtless had we continued there we might
have found friends to keep us from starving. The snow was at this season
remarkably deep; so that we could see no prospect of being relieved. In
this melancholy situation, not knowing what step to pursue, I resolved
to make my case known to a Gentleman's Gardiner that lived near us, and
entreat him to employ me: but when I came to him, my courage failed 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