Dorothy insisted upon an immediate visit to parson Smearsoul, late as it then was, in order that the whole business might be submitted to his judgment. However, as, on reflection, it was deemed easier to have the parson come, than for them to go, Cesar was despatched forthwith upon that important errand.

CONCLUDING CHAPTER.

Wherein is satisfactorily cleared up all that hath puzzled the reader in the foregoing part of the narrative. Moreover, all the personages brought to view in this authentic history are herein disposed of, in a way at which it is hoped the good nature of the reader will take no offence.

ACCOMPANIED by his reverend brother Spume, at half-past eleven of the clock, past meridian, arrived at our hero's domicile the Rev. Mr. Smearsoul. The amiable Keziah had for some reason arisen, and was found by the reverend visitants seated at a stand, with the family Bible before her, and interestingly attired in a light loose robe, which threw an air of grace about her per

son.

The several appearances of Paddle were described, and his several communications rehearsed, to the reverend gentleman. Great was their astonishment thereat-many were

their ejaculations of pious horror-many the upturnings of their eyes. Occasionally, indeed, and when they thought the eyes of the family were off of them, the two divines would exchange knowing and humorous glances, while the goblin's more striking and ludicrous passages were being recited. But this was between themselves; to the others they expressed a holy horror at the whole affair.

"I should strongly incline, elder Tub," said Parson Smearsoul, when the elder had finished his narrative, "to resolve this affair into a demoniacal visitation-for why should not demons now manifest themselves as well as formerly?but in the last of the supposed appearances a horse, as well as a man, was visible to you. Now, as horses have no souls, there can be no spiritual embodiments in that form. Consequently".

Here the Rev. Mr. Spume begged leave to interpose a question. He begged his reverend brother to remember that some devils entered into a herd of hogs in the days of the Saviour-"Might not a devil have

been in the horse which the goblin Paddle bestrode ?"

"Nay, brother," answered Mr. Smearsoul, "for the devil in the swine destroyed not their visibility; whereas the horse in question, though visible to the elder, was not so to the negro Cesar.

"Consequently, Mr. Tub," resumed the Parson, from where brother Spume had broken him off, "my conclusion is that the appearances were illusory; and that the supposed communications were suggested by your own carnal reason. There is a class of heretics who have lately manifested themselves hereabout, Mr. Tub, whose doctrine is that all are to be finally saved, without reference to their deeds or characters in this life. To some persons of that class, I fear, you have at one time and another listened, and your mind has become tinctured with their blasphemous and presumptuous reasonings.

This, elder Tub, to my mind, fully explains the whole matter before us. You have harbored those evil suggestions until your imagination, being excited thereby, has

conjured up the phantasm of the goblin Paddle, and made it to seem to speak what, in reality, was conceived and brought forth by your own depraved reason.

"Elder Tub, this must not be longer borne with; when the church was weak in number and means, she was necessitated to be more lenient toward offending members than strictly comported with her obligations to her great head. But now, elder Tub, that our numbers are greatly increased, we must begin to lop off the dry and profitless branches.

Besides, elder Tub, you have been less liberal of your carnal substance to the church, than your circumstances would warrant. In relation to that substance you are but God's steward, Mr. Tub, and you are robbing him when you withhold what he demands of it for carrying on his work of grace in the world. Think of these things, elder Tub," continued the parson, sententiously, as he rose to depart, "and may Heaven grant you grace, that you may, through his instrument the church, be dis