ainst the kitchen wall, where the cans was stretched and painted, much too rge to be got through any of the doors, id the jest of all our neighbours. One mpared it to Robinson Crusoe's longbat, too large to be removed; another ought it more resembled a reel in a bote: some wondered how it could be got at, but still more were amazed how it ever ot in

But though it excited the ridicule of >me, it effectually raised more malicious uggestions in many. The Squire's porrait being found united with ours was an Lonour too great to escape envy. Scantalous whispers began to circulate at our xpense, and our tranquillity was coninally disturbed by persons, who came is friends, to tell us what was said of us >y enemies. These reports we always resented with becoming spirit; but scandal ever improves by opposition.

We once again, therefore, entered into consultation upon obviating the malice of our enemies, and at last came to a resoution which had too much cunning to give ne entire satisfaction. It was this: as our Principal object was to discover the honour of Mr. Thornhill's addresses, my wife undertook to sound him, by pretending to ask his advice in the choice of a husband for her eldest daughter. If this was not found suficient to induce him to a declaration, it was then resolved to terrify him with a rival. Is this last step, however, I would by no mes give my consent, till Olivia gave me the most soleinn assurances that she would marry the person provided to rival him Apon this occasion, if he did not prevent t by taking her himself. Such was the scheme laid, which, though I did not strenuously oppose, I did not entirely

2 pprove.

The next time, therefore, that Mr. Thornhill came to see us, my girls took pare to be out of the way, in order to give heir mamma an opportunity of putting her cheme in execution; but they only retired o the next room, from whence they could >verhear the whole conversation. My vife artfully introduced it, by observing, hat one of the Miss Flamboroughs was ike to have a very good match of it in Ir. Spanker. To this the Squire assent

ing, she proceeded to remark, that they who had warm fortunes were always sure of getting good husbands: "But Heaven help," continued she, “the girls that have none! What signifies beauty, Mr. Thornhill? or what signifies all the virtue, and all the qualifications in the world, in this age of self-interest? It is not, What is she? but, What has she? is all the cry." Madam," returned he, "I highly approve the justice, as well as the novelty, of your remarks; and if I were a king, it should be otherwise. It should then, indeed, be fine times with the girls without fortunes: our two young ladies should be the first for whom I would provide."

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"Ah, sir,” returned my wife, “ pleased to be facetious: but I wish I were a queen, and then I know where my eldest daughter should look for a husband. But, now that you have put it into my head, seriously, Mr. Thornhill, can't you recommend me a proper husband for her? She is now nineteen years old, well grown and well educated, and, in my humble opinion, does not want for parts.

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'Madam," replied he, "if I were to choose, I would find out a person possessed of every accomplishment that can make an angel happy. One with prudence, fortune, taste, and sincerity; such, madam, would be, in my opinion, the proper husband." Ay, sir," said she, "but do you know of any such person?"-"No, madam," returned he, "it is impossible to know any person that deserves to be her husband': she's too great a treasure for one man's possession; she's a goddess! Upon my soul, I speak what I think—she's an angel!"'Ah, Mr. Thornhill, you only flatter my poor girl: but we have been thinking of marrying her to one of your tenants, whose mother is lately dead, and who wants a manager; you know whom I mean, Farmer Williams; a warm man, Mr.Thornhill, able to give her good bread, and who has several times made her proposals (which was actually the case); "but, sir,' concluded she, "I should be glad to have your approbation of our choice.' "How, madam," replied he, "my approbation!

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my approbation of such a choice! Never. What! sacrifice so much beauty, and sense, and goodness, to a creature insensible of

Scarcely any Virtue found to resist the Power of

long and pleasing Temptation.

As I only studied my child's real happiness, the assiduity of Mr. Williams pleased me, as he was in easy circumstances, prudent, and sincere. It required but very little encouragement to revive his former passion; so that in an evening or two he and Mr. Thornhill met at our house, and surveyed cach other for some time with looks of anger; but Williams owed his landlord no rent, and little regarded his indignation. Olivia, on her side, acted the coquette to perfection, if that might be called acting which was her real character, pretending to lavish all her tenderness on her new lover. Mr. Thornhill appeared quite dejected at this preference, and with a pensive air took leave, though I own it puzzled me to find him in so much pain as he appeared to be, when he had it in his power so easily to remove the cause, by declaring an honourable passion. But whatever uneasiness he seemed to endure, it could easily be perceived that Olivia's anguish was still greater. After any of these interviews between her lovers, of which there were several, she usually retired to solitude, and there indulged her grief. It was in such a situation I found her one evening, after she had been

for some time supporting a fictitious gate “You now see, my child,” said I, “e. your confidence in Mr. Thornhill's pass was all a dream: he permits the rivalry another, every way his inferior, though knows it lies in his power to secure yo himself by a candid declaration.' papa," returned she; "but he has his sons for this delay: I know he has. sincerity of his looks and words convit me of his real esteem. A short time, I ho will discover the generosity of his se ments, and convince you that my opin of him has been more just than your

“Olivia, my darling," returned I,"eve scheme that has been hitherto pursued compel him to a declaration has been pr posed and planned by yourself; nor can y in the least say that I have constrained yo But you must not suppose, my dear, th I will ever be instrumental in suffering h honest rival to be the dupe of your i placed passion. Whatever time you r quire to bring your fancied admirer to a explanation shall be granted; but at th expiration of that term, if he is still regar less, I must absolutely insist that honest M Williams shall be rewarded for his fidelit The character which I have hitherto sup ported in life demands this from me, an my tenderness as a parent shall never i fluence my integrity as a man. Nam then, your day; let it be as distant as yo think proper; and in the meantime, tai care to let Mr. Thornhill know the exa time on which I design delivering you t to another. If he really loves you, his ow good sense will readily suggest that the is but one method alone to prevent h losing you for ever." This proposal, whic she could not avoid considering as perfect just, was readily agreed to. She again r newed her most positive promise of marry ing Mr. Williams, in case of the other's i sensibility; and at the next opportunity, Mr. Thornhill's presence, that day mont was fixed upon for her nuptials with h rival.

Such vigorous proceedings seemed t redouble Mr. Thornhill's anxiety: but whe Olivia really felt gave me some uneasines In this struggle between prudence and pa sion, her vivacity quite forsook her, an every opportunity of solitude was sough

"Marry, hang the idiot!" returned she, “to bring me such stuff: if I had them I would throw them in the fire."-" There again you are wrong, my dear," cried I; "for though they be copper, we will keep them by us, as copper spectacles, you know, are better than nothing."

By this time the unfortunate Moses was andeceived. He now saw that he had been imposed upon by a prowling sharper, who, observing his figure, had marked him for easy prey. I therefore asked the circamstances of his deception. He sold the horse, it seems, and walked the fair in search of another. A reverend-looking an brought him to a tent, under pretence of having one to sell. "Here,' continued Moses, "we met another man, very well dressed, who desired to borrow twenty pounds upon these, saying that he wanted money, and would dispose of them for a third of the value. The first gentlema, who pretended to be my friend, whispered me to buy them, and cautioned me not to let so good an offer pass. I sent for Mr. Flamborough, and they talked m up as finely as they did me; and so at last we were persuaded to buy the two gross between us."

CHAPTER XIII.

Mr Burchell is found to be an Enemy, for he has the confidence to give disagreeable Advice. OUR family had now made several attempts to be fine; but some unforeseen disaster demolished each as soon as projected. I endeavoured to take the advantage of every disappointment to improve their od sense, in proportion as they were frustrated in ambition. "You see, my children," cried I, "how little is to be got by attempts to impose upon the world in coping with our betters. Such as are For, and will associate with none but the rich, are hated by those they avoid, and despised by those they follow. Unequal combinations are always disadvantageous to the weaker side: the rich having the pleasure, and the poor the inconveniences that result from them. But come, Dick, my boy, and repeat the fable that you were reading to-day, for the good of the com

pany.

"Once upon a time," cried the child,

"a Giant and a Dwarf were friends, and kept together. They made a bargain, that they would never forsake each other, but go seek adventures. The first battle they fought was with two Saracens, and the Dwarf, who was very courageous, dealt one of the champions a most angry blow. It did the Saracen very little injury, who, lifting up his sword, fairly struck off the poor Dwarf's arm. He was now in a woful plight; but the Giant, coming to his assistance, in a short time left the two Saracens dead on the plain, and the Dwarf cut off the dead man's head out of spite. They then travelled on another adventure. This was against three bloody-minded Satyrs, who were carrying away a damsel in distress. The Dwarf was not quite so fierce now as before; but for all that struck the first blow, which was returned by another that knocked out his eye; but the Giant was soon up with them, and, had they not fled, would certainly have killed them every one. They were all very joyful for this victory, and the damsel who was relieved fell in love with the Giant, and married him. They now travelled far, and farther than I can tell, till they met with a company of robbers. The Giant, for the first time, was foremost now; but the Dwarf was not far behind. The battle was stout and long. Wherever the Giant came, all fell before him; but the Dwarf had like to have been killed more than once. At last the victory declared for the two adventurers; but the Dwarf lost his leg. The Dwarf had now lost an arm, a leg, and an eye, while the Giant was without a single wound. Upon which he cried out to his little companion, 'My little hero, this is glorious sport! let us get one victory more, and then we shall have honour for ever.'-'No,' cries the Dwarf, who was by this time grown wiser, 'no, I declare off; I'll fight no more: for I find in every battle that you get all the honours and rewards, but all the blows fall upon me.'

I was going to moralize this fable, when our attention was called off to a warm dispute between my wife and Mr. Burchell, upon my daughters' intended expedition to town. My wife very strenuously insisted upon the advantages that would result from it: Mr. Burchell, on the contrary,

dissuaded her with great ardour; and I stood neuter. His present dissuasions seemed but the second part of those which were received with so ill a grace in the morning. The dispute grew high; while poor Ďeborah, instead of reasoning stronger, talked louder, and at last was obliged to take shelter from a defeat in clamour. The conclusion of her harangue, however, was highly displeasing to us all: she knew, she said, of some who had their own secret reasons for what they advised; but, for her part, she wished such to stay away from her house for the future. Madam,” cried Burchell, with looks of great composure, which tended to inflame her the more, 'as for secret reasons you are right I have secret reasons, which I forbear to mention, because you are not able to answer those of which I make no secret: but I find my visits here are become troublesome; I'll take my leave therefore now, and perhaps come once more to take a final farewell when I am quitting the country." Thus saying, he took up his hat, nor could the attempts of Sophia, whose looks seemed to upbraid his precipitancy, prevent his going.

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When gone, we all regarded each other for some minutes with confusion. My wife, who knew herself to be the cause, strove to hide her concern with a forced smile, and an air of assurance, which I was willing to reprove: "How, woman," cried I to her, "is it thus we treat strangers? Is it thus we return their kindness? assured, my dear, that these were the harshest words, and to me the most unpleasing, that ever escaped your lips!""Why would he provoke me then?" replied she; "but I know the motives of his advice perfectly well. He would prevent my girls from going to town, that he may have the pleasure of my youngest daughter's company here at home. But, whatever happens, she shall choose better company than such low-lived fellows as he.". "Low-lived, my dear, do you call him?" cried I; "it is very possible we may mistake this man's character, for he seems, upon some occasions, the most finished gentleman I ever knew. Tell me, Sophia, my girl, has he ever given you any secret instances of his attachment?"-"His con

versation with me, sir,” replied my daughter, "has ever been sensible, modest, and pleasing. As to aught else—no, never. Once, indeed, I remember to have heard him say, he never knew a woman who could find merit in a man that seemed poor."-"Such, my dear," cried I, "is the common cant of all the unfortunate or idle. But I hope you have been taught to judge properly of such men, and that it would be even madness to expect happiness from one who has been so very bad an economist of his own.

Your mother and I have now

better prospects for you. The next winter, which you will probably spend in town, will give you opportunities of making a more prudent choice."

Wnat Sophia's reflections were upon this occasion I cannot pretend to deter mine; but I was not displeased at the bottom that we were rid of a guest from whom I had much to fear. Our breach of hospitality went to my conscience a little; but I quickly silenced that monitor by two or three specious reasons, which served to satisfy and reconcile me to myself. The pain which conscience gives the man who has already done wrong soon got over. Conscience is a coward; and those faults it has not strength enough to prevent, it seldom has justice enough

to accuse.

CHAPTER XIV.

Fresh Mortifications, or a Demonstration that seeming Calamities may be real Blessings. THE journey of my daughters to town was now resolved upon, Mr. Thornhill having kindly promised to inspect their conduct himself, and inform us by letter of their behaviour. But it was thought indispensably necessary that their appear ance should equal the greatness of their expectations, which could not be done without expense. We debated therefore in full council what were the easiest methods of raising money, or, more properly speaking, what we could most conveniently sell. The deliberation was soon finished: it was found that our remaining horse was utterly useless for the plough without his companion, and equally unfit for the road, as wanting an eye: it was therefore determined that we