Alexandria Gazette

NO FICTION.

Not a very long time ago, one of the most eloquent divines of Great Britain occupying one of the most important pulpits of the kingdom, became so much affected by the use of wine repeatedly that he was summoned to give an account of himself. He could not bear, he said, to stand for trial on such a charge, before men whose only superiority over him consisted in the possession of harder heads, which could endure potions that overthrew him. He accordingly left his high position, and, under an assumed name, took passage in the steerage of a ship bound to America. At one of our principal interior towns he took lodgings at an obscure hotel, where for a while he bore under all the pressure upon him, and lived without excessive indulgence. But at length he returned to his glass more recklessly than ever, got into a broil with low fellows, for which he was arrested, and with others compelled to labor in prison. There, of course he was temperate, but the deep degradation of his condition prevented him from disclosing his real name. At length a visitor looking at him, thought he discovered traits not common in the prison, and having procured liberty from the keeper, addressed the prisoner saying "Sir, I judge from your bearing that you have seen better circumstances than these which you are in at present." "Yes, I have," replied the prisoner, shedding tears. By persevering kindness the visitor was able at length to obtain the real name of the fallen man, and the story of his degradation. He repaired to a clergyman of the place, with the secret. The clergyman had a parishioner from the church of which the prisoner said he had been the minister. He was invited to the prison. When so, there was his eloquent pastor, working, among felons! By application to the proper authorities the prisoner was released from confinement, and under the care of kind friends it is hoped that his great talents may be employed in high usefulness again.

—N. Y. Jour. Com.