friendly form of advice, and advice, when rejected, own grounds, and were equal strangers to opuproduced their reproaches. He now therefore found, lence and poverty. As they had almost all the that such friends as benefits had gathered round conveniencies of life within themselves, they selhim, were little estimable: he now found that a dom visited towns or cities, in search of superfluiman's own heart must be ever given to gain that of ty. Remote from the polite, they still retained the another. I now found, that-that-I forget what primeval simplicity of manners; and frugal by habit, I was going to observe: in short, sir, he resolved to they scarcely knew that temperance was a virtue. respect himself, and laid down a plan of restoring They wrought with cheerfulness on days of lahis falling fortune. For this purpose, in his own bour; but observed festivals as intervals of idleness whimsical manner, he travelled through Europe and pleasure. They kept up the Christmas carol, on foot, and now, though he has scarcely attained sent true love-knots on Valentine morning, ate the age of thirty, his circumstances are more afflu- pancakes on Shrove-tide, showed their wit on the ent than ever. At present, his bounties are more first of April, and religiously cracked nuts on Mirational and moderate than before; but still he pre-chaelmas eve. Being apprised of our approach, the serves the character of a humorist, and finds most whole neighbourhood came out to meet their minispleasure in eccentric virtues." ter, dressed in their finest clothes, and preceded by a pipe and tabor. A feast also was provided for our reception, at which we sat cheerfully down; and what the conversation wanted in wit, was made up in laughter.

My attention was so much taken up by Mr. Burchell's account, that I scarcely looked forward as we went along, till we were alarmed by the cries of my family, when turning, I perceived my youngest daughter in the midst of a rapid stream, thrown Our little habitation was situated at the foot of from her horse, and struggling with the torrent. a sloping hill, sheltered with a beautiful underwood She had sunk twice, nor was it in my power to behind, and a prattling river before: on one side a disengage myself in time to bring her relief. My meadow, on the other a green. My farm consisted sensations were even too violent to permit my at- of about twenty acres of excellent land, having tempting her rescue: she must have certainly given a hundred pounds for my predecessor's goodperished had not my companion, perceiving her will. Nothing could exceed the neatness of my danger, instantly plunged in to her relief, and, with little enclosures; the elms and hedge-rows appearsome difficulty, brought her in safety to the oppo- ing with inexpressible beauty. My house consite shore. By taking the current a little farther sisted of but one story, and was covered with up, the rest of the family got safely over, where we thatch, which gave it an air of great snugness; the had an opportunity of joining our acknowledg-walls on the inside were nicely white-washed, and ments to her's. Her gratitude may be more readi- my daughters undertook to adorn them with picly imagined than described: she thanked her de- tures of their own designing. Though the same liverer more with looks than words, and continued room served us for parlour and kitchen, that only to lean upon his arm, as if still willing to receive made it the warmer. Besides, as it was kept with assistance. My wife also hoped one day to have the pleasure of returning his kindness at her own house. Thus, after we were refreshed at the next inn, and had dined together, as Mr. Burchell was going to a different part of the country, he took leave; and we pursued our journey; my wife observing as he went, that she liked him extremely, and protesting, that if he had birth and fortune to entitle him to match into such a family as our's, The little republic to which I gave laws, was she knew no man she would sooner fix upon. I regulated in the following manner: by sun-rise we could not but smile to hear her talk in this lofty all assembled in our common apartment; the fire strain; but I was never much displeased with those being previously kindled by the servant. After harmless delusions that tend to make us more we had saluted each other with proper ceremony, happy.

CHAPTER IV.

the utmost neatness, the dishes, plates, and coppers being well scoured, and all disposed in bright rows on the shelves, the eye was agreeably reliev ed, and did not want richer furniture. There were three other apartments, one for my wife and me, another for our two daughters, within our own, and the third, with two beds, for the rest of the children.

for I always thought fit to keep up some mechanical forms of good-breeding, without which freedom ever destroys friendship, we all bent in gratitude to that Being, who gave us another day. This duty being performed, my son and I went to pursue our usual industry abroad, while my wife and daughters employed themselves in providing breakfast, which was always ready at a certain time. I allowed THE place of our retreat was in a little neigh- half an hour for this meal, and an hour for dinner; vourhood, consisting of farmers, who tilled their which time was taken up in innocent mirth be

A proof that even the humblest fortune may grant happiness, which depends not on circumstances but constitution.

tween my wife and daughters, and in philosophical | my children," continued I, more gravely, "those arguments between my son and me.

gowns may be altered into something of a plainer cut; for finery is very unbecoming in us, who want the means of decency. I do not know whether such flouncing and shredding is becoming even in the rich, if we consider, upon a moderate calculation, that the nakedness of the indigent world might be clothed from the trimmings of the vain."

As we rose with the sun, so we never pursued our labours after it was gone down, but returned home to the expecting family; where smiling looks, a neat hearth, and pleasant fire, were prepared for our reception. Nor were we without guests: sometimes Farmer Flamborough, our talkative neighbour, and often the blind piper, would pay us This remonstrance had the proper effect; they a visit, and taste our gooseberry-wine; for the mak went with great composure, that very instant, to ing of which we had lost neither the receipt nor the change their dress; and the next day I had the sareputation. These harmless people had several tisfaction of finding my daughters, at their own reways of being good company; while one played, the quest, employed in cutting up their trains into other would sing some soothing ballad, Johnny Sunday waistcoats for Dick and Bill, the two little Armstrong's last good night, or the cruelty of Bar- ones, and, what was still more satisfactory, the bara Allen. The night was concluded in the man- gowns seemed improved by this curtailing. ner we began the morning, my youngest boys being appointed to read the lessons of the day; and he that read loudest, distinctest, and best, was to have a halfpenny on Sunday to put in the poor's box. When Sunday came, it was indeed a day of A new and great acquaintance introduced.—What we place finery, which all my sumptuary edicts could not most hopes upon, generally proves most fatal. restrain. How well soever I fancied my lectures AT a small distance from the house, my predo. against pride had conquered the vanity of my cessor had made a seat, overshadowed by a hedge daughters; yet I found them still secretly attached of hawthorn and honeysuckle. Here, when the to all their former finery: they still loved laces, ri- weather was fine and our labour soon finished, we bands, bugles, and catgut; my wife herself retained usually sat together, to enjoy an extensive landa passion for her crimson paduasoy, because I for- scape in the calm of the evening. Here too we merly happened to say it became her.

CHAPTER V.

drank tea, which was now become an occasional The first Sunday in particular their behaviour banquet; and as we had it but seldom, it diffused a served to mortify me; I had desired my girls the new joy, the preparations for it being made with no preceding night to be dressed early the next day; small share of bustle and ceremony. On these ocfor I always loved to be at church a good while be- casions our two little ones always read to us, and fore the rest of the congregation. They punctually they were regularly served after we had done. obeyed my directions; but when we were to assem- Sometimes, to give a variety to our amusements, ble in the morning at breakfast, down came my the girls sang to the guitar; and while they thus wife and daughters dressed out in all their former formed a little concert, my wife and I would stroll spiendour: their hair plastered up with pamatum, down the sloping field, that was embellished with their faces patched to taste, their trains bundled up blue-bells and centaury, talk of our children with in a heap behind, and rustling at every motion. I rapture, and enjoy the breeze that wafted both could not help smiling at their vanity, particularly health and harmony. that of my wife, from whom I expected more dis- In this manner we began to find that every situacretion. In this exigence, therefore, my only re- tion in life might bring its own peculiar pleasures: source was to order my son, with an important air, every morning awaked us to a repetition of toil; to call our coach. The girls were amazed at the but the evening repaid it with vacant hilarity. command; but I repeated it with more solemnity It was about the beginning of autumn, on a holithan before-"Surely, my dear, you jest," cried day, for I kept such as intervals of relaxation from my wife, "we can walk it perfectly well: we want labour, that I had drawn out my family to our usual no coach to carry us now." "You mistake, child," place of amusement, and our young musicians bereturned 1, "we do want a coach; for if we walk to gan their usual concert. As we were thus enchurch in this trim, the very children in the parish gaged, we saw a stag bound nimbly by, within will hoot after us."-" Indeed," replied my wife, "I about twenty paces of where we were sitting, and always imagined that my Charles was fond of see- by its panting it seemed pressed by the hunters. ing his children neat and handsome about him."- We had not much time to reflect upon the poor You may be as neat as you please," interrupted animal's distress, when we perceived the dogs and 1, "and I shall love you the better for it; but all horsemen come sweeping along at some distance this is not neatness, but frippery. These rufflings, behind, and making the very path it had taken. I and pinkings, and patchings, will only make us was instantly for returning in with my family; but hated by all the wives of all our neighbours. No, either curiosity, or surprise. or some more hidder

motive, held my wife and daughters to their seats. [cluded, she protested she could see no reason why The huntsman, who rode foremost, passed us with the two Miss Wrinkles should marry great forgreat swiftness, followed by four or five persons tunes, and her children get none. As this last armore who seemed in equal haste. At last, a young gument was directed to me, I protested I could see gentleman of a more genteel appearance than the no reason for it neither, nor why Mr. Simkins got rest came forward, and for a while regarding us, the ten thousand pound prize in the lottery, and instead of pursuing the chase, stopped short, and we sat down with a blank. "I protest, Charles,” giving his horse to a servant who attended, ap- cried my wife, "this is the way you always damp proached us with a careless superior air. He my girls and me when we are in spirits. Tell me, seemed to want no introduction, but was going to Sophy, my dear, what do you think of our new salute my daughters, as one certain of a kind re-visiter? Don't you think he seemed to be goodception; but they had early learned the lesson of natured ?"—"Immensely so indeed, mamma," relooking presumption out of countenance. Upon plied she, "I think he has a great deal to say upon which he let us know his name was Thornhill, and every thing, and is never at a loss; and the more that he was owner of the estate that lay for some trifling the subject, the more he has to say."extent round us. He again therefore offered to "Yes," cried Olivia, "he is well enough for a man; salute the female part of the family, and such was but for my part, I don't much like him, he is so the power of fortune and fine clothes, that he found extremely impudent and familiar; but on the guitar no second repulse. As his address, though confi- he is shocking." These two last speeches I interdent, was easy, we soon became more familiar; and preted by contraries. I found by this, that Sophia perceiving musical instruments lying near, he beg- internally despised, as much as Olivia secretly adged to be favoured with a song. As I did not ap-mired him." Whatever may be your opinions of prove of such disproportioned acquaintances, I him, my children," cried I, "to confess the truth, winked upon my daughters in order to prevent he has not prepossessed me in his favour. Distheir compliance; but my hint was counteracted by proportioned friendships ever terminate in disgust; one from their mother; so that, with a cheerful air, and I thought, notwithstanding all his ease, that he they gave us a favourite song of Dryden's. Mr. seemed perfectly sensible of the distance between Thornhill seemed highly delighted with their us. Let us keep to companions of our own rank. performance and choice, and then took up the guitar There is no character more contemptible than a himself. He played but very indifferently; how- man that is a fortune-hunter; and I can see no ever, my eldest daughter repaid his former applause reason why fortune-hunting women should not be with interest, and assured him that his tones were contemptible too. Thus, at best, we shall be conlouder than even those of her master. At this com- temptible if his views be honourable; but if they be pliment he bowed, which she returned with a cour-otherwise! I should shudder but to think of that. tesy. He praised her taste, and she commended It is true I have no apprehensions from the conhis understanding: an age could not have made duct of my children, but I think there are some them better acquainted: while the fond mother, too, from his character."—I would have proceeded, but equally happy, insisted upon her landlord's stepping for the interruption of a servant from the 'squire, in, and tasting a glass of her gooseberry. The who, with his compliments, sent us a side of veniwhole family seemed earnest to please him: my son, and a promise to dine with us some days after. girls attempted to entertain him with topics they This well-timed present pleaded more powerfully in his favour, than any thing I had to say could obthought most modern, while Moses, on the contrary, gave him a question or two from the an-viate. I therefore continued silent, satisfied with cients, for which he had the satisfaction of being just having pointed out danger, and leaving it to laughed at my little ones were no less busy, and their own discretion to avoid it. That virtue which fondly stuck close to the stranger. All my endea- requires to be ever guarded is scarcely worth the vours could scarcely keep their dirty fingers from sentinel. handling and tarnishing the lace on his clothes, and lifting up the flaps of his pocket-holes, to see what was there. At the approach of evening he took leave; but not till he had requested permission to renew his visit, which, as he was our landlord, we most readily agreed to.

CHAPTER VI.

The Happiness of a Country Fire-side.

As we carried on the former dispute with some As soon as he was gone, my wife called a coun- degree of warmth, in order to accommodate matcil on the conduct of the day. She was of opinion, ters, it was universally agreed, that we should have that it was a most fortunate hit; for that she had a part of the venison for supper; and the girls known even stranger things at last brought to bear. undertook the task with alacrity. "I am sorry," She hoped again to see the day in which we might cried I, "that we have no neighbour or stranger to hold up our heads with the best of them; and con- take a part in this good cheer: feasts of this kind

acquire a double relish from hospitality."—"Bless | could not avoid, however, observing the assiduity me," cried my wife, "here comes our good friend of Mr. Burchell in assisting my daughter Sophia Mr. Burchell, that saved our Sophia, and that run in her part of the task. When he had finished you down fairly in the argument."-"Confute me his own, he would join in her's, and enter into a in argument, child!" cried I. "You mistake there, close conversation: but I had too good an opinion my dear: I believe there are but few that can do of Sophia's understanding, and was too well conthat: I never dispute your abilities at making a goose- vinced of her ambition, to be under any uneasiness pie, and I beg you'll leave argument to me."-As from a man of broken fortune. When we were I spoke, poor Mr. Burchell entered the house, and finished for the day, Mr. Burchell was invited was welcomed by the family, who shook him heart- as on the night before; but he refused, as he was ily by the hand, while little Dick officiously reach- to lie that night at a neighbour's, to whose child ed him a chair. he was carrying a whistle. When gone, our I was pleased with the poor man's friendship for conversation at supper turned upon our late unfortwo reasons: because I knew that he wanted mine, tune guest. "What a strong instance," said I, "is and I knew him to be friendly as far as he was that poor man of the miseries attending a youth of able. He was known in our neighbourhood by levity and extravagance. He by no means wants the character of the poor gentleman that would do sense, which only serves to aggravate his former nɔ good when he was young, though he was not yet folly. Poor forlorn creature, where are now the thirty. He would at intervals talk with great good revellers, the flatterers, that he could once inspire sense; but in general he was fondest of the com- and command! Gone, perhaps, to attend the bagpany of children, whom he used to call harmless nio pander, grown rich by his extravagance. They little men. He was famous, I found, for singing once praised him, and now they applaud the panthem ballads, and telling them stories; and sel- der; their former raptures at his wit are now con dom went out without something in his pockets verted into sarcasms at his folly: he is poor, and for them; a piece of gingerbread, or a halfpenny perhaps deserves poverty; for he has neither the whistle. He generally came for a few days into ambition to be independent, nor the skill to be useour neighbourhood once a-year, and lived upon ful." Prompted perhaps by some secret reasons, the neighbours' hospitality. He sat down to sup- I delivered this observation with too much acriper among us, and my wife was not sparing of her mony, which my Sophia gently reproved. "Whatgooseberry-wine. The tale went round; he sang soever his former conduct may have been, papa, us old songs, and gave the children the story of the his circumstances should exempt him from censure Buck of Beverland, with the history of Patient now. His present indigence is a sufficient punGrissel, the adventures of Catskin, and then Fair ishment for former folly; and I have heard my Rosamond's Bower. Our cock, which always crew papa himself say, that we should never strike an at eleven, now told us it was time for repose; but unnecessary blow at a victim over whom Provian unforeseen difficulty started about lodging the dence holds the scourge of its resentment."—"You stranger-all our beds were already taken up, and are right, Sophy," cried my son Moses, "and one it was too late to send him to the next ale-house. of the ancients finely represents so malicious a In this dilemma little Dick offered him his part of conduct, by the attempts of a rustic to flay Marthe bed, if his brother Moses would let him lie syas, whose skin, the fable tells us, had been wholwith him: "And I," cried Bill, "will give Mr. ly stripped off by another. Besides, I don't know Burchell my part, if my sisters will take me to if this poor man's situation be so bad as my father theirs."-"Well done, my good children," cried would represent it. We are not to judge of the I, "hospitality is one of the first Christian duties. feelings of others by what we might feel if in their The beast retires to its shelter, and the bird flies place. However dark the habitation of the mole to its nest; but helpless man can only find refuge to our eyes, yet the animal itself finds the apartfrom his fellow-creature. The greatest stranger ment sufficiently lightsome. And to confess a in this world, was he that came to save it. He truth, this man's mind seems fitted to his stanever had a house, as if willing to see what hos- tion: for I never heard any one more sprightly pitality was left remaining amongst us. Deborah, than he was to-day, when he conversed with you." my dear," cried I to my wife, "give those boys a-This was said without the least design, however lump of sugar each, and let Dick's be the largest, it excited a blush, which she strove to cover by an because he spoke first." affected laugh, assuring him, that she scarcely In the morning early I called out my whole fami- took any notice of what he said to her; but that ly to help at saving an after-growth of hay, and she believed he might once have been a very fine our guest offering his assistance, he was accepted gentleman. The readiness with which she underamong the number. Our labours went on lightly; took to vindicate herself, and her blushing, were we turned the swath to the wind. I went fore- symptoms 1 did not internally approve; but I remost, and the rest followed in due succession. I pressed my suspicions.

As we expected our landlord the next day, my glass suffocate me but a fine girl is worth all the wife went to make the venison pasty. Moses sat priestcraft in the creation. For what are tithes reading, while I taught the little ones: my daugh- and tricks but an imposition, all a confounded imters seemed equally busy with the rest; and I ob- posture, and I can prove it."--" I wish you would," served them for a good while cooking something cried my son Moses; "and I think," continued he, over the fire. I at first supposed they were assist-"that I should be able to answer you.”—“ Very ing their mother; but little Dick informed me in a well, sir," cried the 'Squire, who immediately whisper, that they were making a wash for the smoked him, and winking on the rest of the compaface. Washes of all kinds I had a natural antipa- ny to prepare us for the sport, "if you are for a thy to; for I knew that instead of mending the cool argument upon that subject, I am ready to accomplexion, they spoiled it. I therefore approach- cept the challenge. And first, whether are you for ed my chair by sly degrees to the fire, and grasp-managing it analogically or dialogically?" "I am ing the poker, as if it wanted mending, seemingly for managing it rationally," cried Moses, quite hapby accident overturned the whole composition, and py at being permitted to dispute. . "Good again,” it was too late to begin another.

CHAPTER VII.

cried the 'Squire, "and firstly, of the first: I hope you'll not deny, that whatever is, is. If you don't grant me that, I can go no farther."-" Why," returned Moses, "I think I may grant that, and make the best of it."-"I hope too," returned the

A Town-wit described-The dullest fellows may learn to be other, "you'll grant that a part is less than the comical for a night or two. whole." "I grant that too," cried Moses, "it is

WHEN the morning arrived on which we were but just and reasonable."-"I hope," cried the to entertain our young landlord, it may be easily 'Squire, "you will not deny, that the two angles supposed what provisions were exhausted to make of a triangle are equal to two right ones.”—“Noan appearance. It may also be conjectured that thing can be plainer," returned t' other, and looked my wife and daughters expanded their gayest plu- round with his usual importance.-"Very well," mage upon this occasion. Mr. Thornhill came cried the 'Squire, speaking very quick, "the prewith a couple of friends, his chaplain and feeder. mises being thus settled, I proceed to observe, that The servants, who were numerous, he politely or- the concatenation of self-existence, proceeding in a dered to the next ale-house, but my wife, in the reciprocal duplicate ratio, naturally produce a probtriumph of her heart, insisted on entertaining them lematical dialogism, which in some measure proves all; for which, by the by, our family was pinched that the essence of spirituality may be referred to the for three weeks after. As Mr. Burchell had hint- second predicable."-"Hold, hold," cried the other, ed to us the day before, that he was making some "I deny that: Do you think I can thus tamely proposals of marriage to Miss Wilmot, my son submit to such heterodox doctrines ?"—"What!" George's former mistress, this a good deal damped replied the 'Squire, as if in a passion, “not subthe heartiness of his reception: but accident in some mit! Answer me one plain question: Do you think measure relieved our embarrassment; for one of the Aristotle right when he says, that relatives are recompany happening to mention her name, Mr. lated?" Undoubtedly," replied the other. "If Thornhill observed with an oath, that he never so, then," cried the 'Squire, "answer me directly knew any thing more absurd than calling such a to what I propose: Whether do you judge the fright a beauty: "For strike me ugly," continued analytical investigation of the first part of my enhe, "if I should not find as much pleasure in choos- thymem deficient secundum quoad, or quoad miing my mistress by the information of a lamp un-nus, and give me your reasons: give me your reader the clock at St. Dunstan's." At this he laugh- sons, I say, directly."-"I protest," cried Moses, ed, and so did we:-the jests of the rich are ever "I don't rightly comprehend the force of your reasuccessful. Olivia too could not avoid whispering loud enough to be heard, that he had an infinite fund of humour.

After dinner, I began with my usual toast, the Church; for this I was thanked by the chaplain, as he said the Church was the only mistress of his affections.-"Come, tell us honestly, Frank," said the 'Squire, with his usual archness, "suppose the Church, your present mistress, dressed in lawn sleeves, on one hand, and Miss Sophia, with no lawn about her, on the other, which would you be for?”—“ For both, to be sure,” cried the chaplain. Right, Frank," cried the 'Squire, "for may this

soning; but if it be reduced to one simple proposition, I fancy it may then have an answer."-"0 sir," cried the 'Squire, "I am your most humble servant; I find you want me to furnish you with argument and intellects too. No, sir, there I protest you are too hard for me." This effectually raised the laugh against poor Moses, who sat the only dismal figure in a group of merry faces; nor did he offer a single syllable more during the whole entertainment.

But though all this gave me no pleasure, it had a very different effect upon Olivia, who mistook it for humour, though but a mere act of the memory