mages,
which had just before excited my laughter, now produced a very different
emotion. I dreaded some fatal catastrophe from the fiery passions of
Thetford. In the first transports of his fury he might pistol you, or,
at least, might command you to be dragged to prison.

"I now heartily repented of my jest, and hastened home, that I might
prevent, as far as possible, the evil effects that might flow from it.
The acknowledgment of my own agency in this affair would, at least,
transfer Thetford's indignation to myself, to whom it was equitably due.

"The married couple had retired to their chamber, and no alarm or
confusion had followed. This was an inexplicable circumstance. I waited
with impatience till the morning should furnish a solution of the
difficulty. The morning arrived. A strange event had, indeed, taken
place in their bedchamber. They found an infant asleep in their bed.
Thetford had been roused twice in the night, once by a noise in the
closet, and afterwards by a noise at the door.

"Some connection between these sounds and the foundling was naturally
suspected. In the morning the closet was examined, and a coarse pair of
shoes was found on the floor. The chamber door, which Thetford had
locked in the evening, was discovered to be open, as likewise a window
in the kitchen.

"These appearances were a source of wonder and doubt to others, but were
perfectly intelligible to me. I rejoiced that my stratagem had no more
dangerous consequence, and admired the ingenuity and perseverance with
which you had extricated yourself from so critical a state."

This narrative was only the verification of my own guesses. Its facts
were quickly supplanted in my thoughts by the disastrous picture he had
drawn of the state of the hospital. I was confounded and shocked by the
magnitude of this evil. The cause of it was obvious. The wretches whom
money could purchase were, of course, licentious and unprincipled.
Superintended and controlled, they might be useful instruments; but that
superintendence could not be bought.

What qualities were requisite in the governor of such an institution? He
must have zeal, diligence, and perseverance. He must act from lofty and
pure motives. He must be mild and firm, intrepid and compliant. One
perfectly qualified for the office it is desirable, but not possible,
to find. A dispassionate and honest zeal in the cause of duty and
humanity may be of eminent utility. Am I not endowed with