yed by the
sturdy Dissenter's irreverent witticisms and unsparing ridicule. Vicar
Bull, of Siddington, and Priest Careless, of Cirencester, in particular,
urged the Bishop to deal sharply with him. The former accused him of
dealing in the Black Art, and filled the Bishop's ear with certain
marvellous stories of his preternatural sagacity and discernment in
discovering cattle which were lost. The Bishop took occasion to inquire
into these stories; and was told by Roberts that, except in a single
instance, the discoveries were the result of his acquaintance with the
habits of animals and his knowledge of the localities where they were
lost. The circumstance alluded to, as an exception, will be best related
in his own words.

"I had a poor Neighbor, who had a Wife and six Children, and whom the
chief men about us permitted to keep six or seven Cows upon the Waste,
which were the principal Support of the Family, and preserved them from
becoming chargeable to the Parish. One very stormy night the Cattle were
left in the Yard as usual, but could not be found in the morning. The
Man and his Sons had sought them to no purpose; and, after they had been
lost four days, his Wife came to me, and, in a great deal of grief,
cried, 'O Lord! Master Hayward, we are undone! My Husband and I must go
a begging in our old age! We have lost all our Cows. My Husband and the
Boys have been round the country, and can hear nothing of them. I'll
down on my bare knees, if you'll stand our Friend!' I desired she would
not be in such an agony, and told her she should not down on her knees to
me; but I would gladly help them in what I could. 'I know,' said she,
'you are a good Man, and God will hear your Prayers.' I desire thee,
said I, to be still and quiet in thy mind; perhaps thy Husband or Sons
may hear of them to-day; if not, let thy Husband get a horse, and come to
me to-morrow morning as soon as he will; and I think, if it please God,
to go with him to seek then. The Woman seemed transported with joy,
crying, 'Then we shall have our Cows again.' Her Faith being so strong,
brought the greater Exercise on me, with strong cries to the Lord, that
he would be pleased to make me instrumental in his Hand, for the help of
the poor Family. In the Morning early comes the old Man. In the Name of
God, says he, which way shall we go to seek them? I, being deeply
concerned in my Mind, did not answer him till he had thrice repeated it;
and