"of dependants, whom he was sure to disappoint, "yet wished to relieve. These hung upon him for "a time, and left him with merited reproaches and "contempt. But in proportion as he became con"temptible to others, he became despicable to him"self. His mind had leaned upon their adulation, "and that support taken away, he could find no pleasure in the applause of his heart, which he "had never learnt to reverence. The world now 66 46 began to wear a different aspect; the flattery of "his friends began to dwindle into simple approba"tion. Approbation soon took the more friendly "form of advice, and advice when rejected produced "their reproaches. He now therefore found that "such friends as benefits had gathered round him, "were little estimable: he now found that a man's "own heart must be ever given to gain that of ano"ther. I now found, that-that-I forget "what I was going to observe, in short, Sir, he re"solved to respect himself, and laid down a plan of "restoring his falling fortune. For this purpose, in "his own whimsical manner, he travelled through Europe on foot, and now, though he has scarcely "attained the age of thirty, his circumstances are "more affluent than ever. At present, his bounties "are more rational and moderate than before; but "still he preserves the character of an humourist, "and finds most pleasure in eccentric virtues." 66 My attention was so much taken up by Mr. Burchell's account, that I scarcely looked forward as he 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 from her horse, and struggling with the torrent. She had sunk twice, nor was it in my power to disengage myself in time to bring her relief. My sensations were even too violent to permit my attempting her rescue: she must have certainly perished had not my com panion, panion, perceiving her danger, instantly plunged into her relief, and, with some difficulty, brought her in safety to the opposite shore. By taking the current a little farther up, the rest of the family got safely over, where we had an opportunity of joining our acknowledgments to her's. Her gratitude may be more readily imagined than described: she thanked her deliverer more with looks than words, and continued to lean upon his arm, as if still willing to receive 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, she knew no man she would sooner fix upon. I could not but smile to hear her talk in this lofty strain; but I was never much displeased with those harmless delusions that tend to make us more happy. CHAP. IV. A proof that even the humblest forture may grant happiness, which depends not on circumstances but constitution. THE place of our retreat was in a little neighbourhood, consisting of farmers, who tilled their own grounds, and were equal strangers to opulence and poverty. As they had almost all the conve→ niences of life within themselves, they seldom visited towns or cities, in search of superfluity. Remote Remote from the polite, they still retained the primæval simplicity of manners; and frugal by habit, they scarcely knew that temperance was a virtue. They wrought with chearfulness on days of labour; but observed festivals as intervals of idleness and pleasure. They kept up the Christmas, carol, sent true love knots on Valentine morning, eat pancakes on Shrove-tide, shewed their wit on the first of April, and religiously cracked nuts on Michaelmas eve. Being apprized of our approach, the whole neighbourhood came out to meet their minister, drest in their finest cloaths, and preceded by a pipe and tabor: A feast also was provided for our reception, at which we sate cheerfully down; and what the conversation wanted in wit, was made up in laughter. Our little habitation was situated at the foot of a sloping hill, sheltered with a beautiful underwood behind, and a prattling river before: on one side a meadow, on the other a green. My farm consisted of about twenty acres of excellent land, having given an hundred pound for my predecessor's goodwill. Nothing could exceed the neatness of my little enclosures: the elms and hedge-rows appearing with inexpressible beauty. My house consisted of but one story, and was covered with thatch, which gave it an air of great snugness; the walls on the inside were nicely white-washed, and my daughters undertook to adorn them with pictures of their own designing. Though the same room served us for parlour and kitchen, that only made it the warmer. Besides, as it was kept with the utmost neatness, the dishes, plates, and coppers being well scoured, and all disposed in bright rows on the shelves, the eye was agreeably relieved, and did not want richer furniture. There were three other apartments, one for my wife and me, another for. VOL. I. our |