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sometimes a horse of small value, and I always mention it, had it not been a general topic of had the satisfaction of finding he never came back conversation in the country. Olivia, now about to return them. By this the house was cleared of eighteen, had that luxuriancy of beauty, with which such as we did not like; but never was the family painters generally draw Hebe; open, sprightly, of WAKEFIELD known to turn the traveller or the and commanding. Sophia's features were not so poor dependent out of doors. striking at first, but often did more certain execution; for they were soft, modest and alluring. The one vanquished by a single blow, the other by

Thus we lived several years in a state of much happiness, not but that we sometimes had those little rubs which Providence sends to enhance the efforts successfully repeated. value of its favours. My orchard was often robbed The temper of a woman is generally formed by school boys, and my wife's custards plundered by from the turn of her features, at least it was so with the cats or the children. The 'Squire would some- my daughters. Olivia wished for many lovers, times fall asleep in the most pathetic parts of my Sophia to secure one. Olivia was often affected sermon, or his lady return my wife's civilities at from too great a desire to please. Sophia even rechurch with a mutilated courtesy. But we soon pressed excellence from her fears to offend. The got over the uneasiness caused by such accidents, one entertained me with her vivacity when I was and usually in three or four days began to wonder gay, the other with her sense when I was serious. how they vexed us. But these qualities were never carried to excess in

of miscellaneous education at home. But it is needless to attempt describing the particular cnaracters of young people that had seen but very little of the world. In short a family likeness prevailed through all, and properly speaking, they nad but one character, that of being all equally generous,

My children, the offspring of temperance, as either, and I have often seen them exchange chathey were educated without softness, so they were racters, for a whole day together. A suit of mournat once well formed and healthy; my sons hardy ing has transformed my coquette into a prude, and and active, my daughters beautiful and blooming. a new set of ribands has given her younger sister When I stood in the midst of the little circle, which more than natural vivacity. My eldest son George promised to be the supports of my declining age, was bred at Oxford, as I intended him for one I could not avoid repeating the famous story of of the learned professions. My second boy Moses, Count Abensberg, who in Henry Second's progress whom I designed for business, received a sort through Germany, while other courtiers came with their treasures, brought his thirty-two children, and presented them to his sovereign as the most valuable offering he had to bestow. In this manner, though I had but six, I considered them as a very valuable present made to my country, and consequently looked upon it as my debtor. Our eldest credulous, simple, and inoffensive. son was named GEORGE, after his uncle, who left us ten thousand pounds. Our second child, a girl, I intended to call after her aunt Grissel; but my wife, who during her pregnancy had been reading romances, insisted upon her being called OLIVIA. Family Misfortunes-The loss of fortune only serves to inIn less than another year we had another daughter, and now I was determined that Grissel should be THE temporal concerns of our family were chiefly her name; but a rich relation taking a fancy to committed to my wife's management; as to the spi stand godmother, the girl was, by her directions, ritual, I took them entirely under my own direction. called SOPHIA; so that we had two romantic names The profits of my living, which amounted to but in the family; but I solemnly protest I had no thirty-five pounds a year, I made over to the orhand in it. MOSES was our next, and after an in-phans and widows of the clergy of our diocese: terval of twelve years we had two sons more. for having a fortune of my own, I was careless of

CHAPTER II.

crease the pride of the worthy.

every man in the parish, exhorting the married men to temperance, and the bachelors to matrimony; so that in a few years it was a common saying, that there were three strange wants at Wakefield, a parson wanting pride, young men wanting wives, and ale-houses wanting customers.

It would be fruitless to deny exultation when I temporalities, and felt a secret pleasure in doing saw my little ones about me; but the vanity and my duty without reward. I also set a resolutiou the satisfaction of my wife were even greater than of keeping no curate, and of being acquainted with mine. When our visiters would say, "Well, upon my word, Mrs. Primrose, you have the finest children in the whole country;"-"Ay, neighbour," she would answer, "they are as Heaven made them, handsome enough if they be good enough; for handsome is that handsome does." And then she would bid the girls hold up their heads; who, to Matrimony was always one of my favourite conceal nothing, were certainly very handsome, topics, and I wrote several sermons to prove its Mere outside is so very trifling a circumstance with happiness: but there was a peculiar tenet which 1 me, that I should scarcely have remembered to made a point of supporting; for I maintained with

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Whiston, that it was unlawful for a priest of the moved; and sometimes, with the music master's cnurch of England, after the death of his first assistance, the girls would give us a very agreeable wife, to take a second; or to express it in one word, concert. Walking out, drinking tea, country dances, I valued myself upon being a strict monogamist. and forfeits, shortened the rest of the day, without I was early initiated into this important dispute, the assistance of cards, as I hated all manner of on which so many laborious volumes have been gaming, except backgammon, at which my old written. I published some tracts upon the sub-friend and I sometimes took a two-penny hit. Nor ject myself, which, as they never sold, I have the can I here pass over an ominous circumstance that consolation of thinking were read only by the hap-happened the last time we played together; I only py few. Some of my friends called this my weak wanted to fling a quatre, and yet I threw deuce side; but alas! they had not like me made it the ace five times running. subject of long contemplation. The more I re- Some months were elapsed in this manner, till flected upon it, the more important it appeared. I at last it was thought convenient to fix a day for the even went a step beyond Whiston in displaying my nuptials of the young couple, who seemed earnestprinciples: as he had engraven upon his wife's ly to desire it. During the preparations for the tomb that she was the only wife of William Whis-wedding, I need not describe the busy importance ton; so I wrote a similar epitaph for my wife, of my wife, nor the sly looks of my daughters: though still living, in which I extolled her pru- in fact, my attention was fixed on another object, dence, economy, and obedience till death; and hav- the completing a tract which I intended shortly to ing got it copied fair, with an elegant frame, it publish in defence of my favourite principle. As was placed over the chimney-piece, where it an- I looked upon this as a master-piece, both for arswered several very useful purposes. In admon-gument and style, I could not in the pride of my ishing my wife of her duty to me, and my fidelity heart avoid showing it to my old friend Mr. Wilto her; it inspired her with a passion for fame, and mot, as I made no doubt of receiving his approbaconstantly put her in mind of her end. tion; but not till too late I discovered that he was It was thus, perhaps, from hearing marriage so most violently attached to the contrary opinion, often recommended, that my eldest son, just upon and with good reason; for he was at that time acleaving college, fixed his affections upon the daugh- tually courting a fourth wife. This as may be exter of a neighbouring clergyman, who was a digni-pected, produced a dispute attended with some acritary in the church, and in circumstances to give mony, which threatened to interrupt our intended ner a large fortune. But fortune was her smallest alliance: but the day before that appointed for the accomplishment. Miss ARABELLA WILMOT was ceremony, we agreed to discuss the subject at large. allowed by all (except my two daughters) to It was managed with proper spirit on both be completely pretty. Her youth, health and in- sides: he asserted that I was heterodox, I retorted nocence, were still heightened by a complexion the charge; he replied and I rejoined. In the so transparent, and such a happy sensibility of mean time, while the controversy was hottest, I was look, as even age could not gaze on with in- called out by one of my relations, who with a face difference. As Mr. Wilmot knew that I could of concern, advised me to give up the dispute, at make a very handsome settlement on my son, he least till my son's wedding was over. "How!" was not averse to the match; so both families lived cried I, relinquish the cause of truth, and let him together in all that harmony which generally pre- be a husband, already driven to the very verge of cedes an expected alliance. Being convinced by absurdity. You might as well advise me to give experience that the days of courtship are the up my fortune as my argument." "Your formost happy of our lives, I was willing enough tune," returned my friend, "I am now sorry to in to lengthen the period; and the various amuse-form you is almost nothing. The merchant in ments which the young couple every day shared in town, in whose hands your money was lodged, has each other's company seemed to increase their pas-gone off to avoid a statute of bankruptcy, and is sion. We were generally awaked in the morning thought not to have left a shilling in the pound. by music, and on fine days rode a hunting. The I was unwilling to shock you or the family with hours between breakfast and dinner the ladies de- the account until after the wedding: but now it voted to dress and study: they usually read a page, may serve to moderate your warmth in the arguand then gazed at themselves in the glass, which ment; for, I suppose your own prudence will enforce even philosophers might own often presented the the necessity of dissembling, at least till your son page of greatest beauty. At dinner my wife took has the young lady's fortune secure."-"Well,” the lead; for as she always insisted upon carving returned I, "if what you tell me be true, and if I every thing herself, it being her mother's way, she am to be a beggar, it shall never make me a rascal, gave us upon these occasions the history of every or induce me to disavow my principles. I'll go this dish. When we had dined, to prevent the ladies moment and inform the company of my circumleaving us, I generally ordered the table to be re-stances: and as for the argument, I even here re

tract my former concessions in the old gentleman's mined to send him to town, where his abilities favour, nor will I allow him now to be a husband might contribute to our support and nis own. The in any sense of the expression." separation of friends and families is, perhaps, one

It would be endless to describe the different sen- of the most distressful circumstances attendant on sations of both families when I divulged the news penury. The day soon arrived on which we were of our misfortune: but what others felt was slight to disperse for the first time. My son, after taking to what the lovers appeared to endure. Mr. Wil- leave of his mother and the rest, who mingled their mot, who seemed before sufficiently inclined to tears and their kisses, came to ask a blessing from break off the match, was by this blow soon deter- me. This I gave him from my heart, and which, 1 mined: one virtue he had in perfection, which was added to five guineas, was all the patrimony I had prudence, too often the only one that is left us at now to bestow. "You are going, my boy," cried seventy-two.

CHAPTER III.

I, "to London on foot, in the manner Hooker, your great ancestor, travelled there before you. Take from me the same horse that was given him by the good Bishop Jewel, this staff, and this book too, it will be your comfort on the way: these two lines in it are worth a million, 'I have been young, and now am old; yet, never saw I the righteous man forsaken, or his seed begging their bread.' Let this be your consolation as you travel on. Go, my boy; whatever be thy fortune, let me sce thee

A Migration. The fortunate circumstances of our lives are generally found at last to be of our own procuring. THE only hope of our family now was, that the report of our misfortune might be malicious or premature; but a letter from my agent in town soon came with a confirmation of every particular. The once a-year; still keep a good heart, and farewell." loss of fortune to myself alone would have been trifling; the only uneasiness I felt was for my family, who were to be humble without an education to render them callous to contempt.

As he was possessed of integrity and honour, I was under no apprehensions from throwing him naked into the amphitheatre of life; for I knew he would act a good part, whether vanquished or victorious. Near a fortnight had passed before I attempted His departure only prepared the way for our to restrain their affliction; for premature consola- own, which arrived a few days afterwards. The tion is but the remembrance of sorrow. During leaving a neighhourhood in which we had enjoyed this interval, my thoughts were employed on some so many hours of tranquillity, was not without a future means of supporting them; and at last a tear which scarcely fortitude itself could suppress. small cure of fifteen pounds a year was offered me in a distant neighbourhood, where I could still enjoy my principles without molestation. With this proposal I joyfully closed, having determined to increase my salary by managing a little farm.

Besides, a journey of seventy miles to a family that had hitherto never been above ten from home, filled us with apprehension; and the cries of the poor, who followed us for some miles, contributed to increase it. The first day's journey brought us in Having taken this resolution, my next care was safety within thirty miles of our future retreat, to get together the wrecks of my fortune; and, all and we put up for the night at an obscure inn in a debts collected and paid, out of fourteen thousand village by the way. When we were shown a room, pounds we had but four hundred remaining. My I desired the landlord, in my usual way, to let us chief attention, therefore, was now to bring down have his company, with which he complied, as the pride of my family to their circumstances; for I what he drank would increase the bill next mornwell knew that aspiring beggary is wretchedness ing. He knew, however, the whole neighbouritself. "You can not be ignorant, my children," hood to which I was removing, particularly 'Squire cried I, "that no prudence of ours could have pre- THORNHILL, who was to be my landlord, and who vented our late misfortune; but prudence may do lived within a few miles of the place. This gentlemuch in disappointing its effects. We are now man he described as one who desired to know little poor, my fondlings, and wisdom bids us conform more of the world than its pleasures, being particu to our humble situation. Let us then, without re-larly remarkable for his attachment to the fair sex. pining, give up those splendours with which num-He observed that no virtue was able to resist his bers are wretched, and seek in humbler circum-arts and assiduity, and that scarcely a farmer's stances that peace with which all may be happy. daughter within ten miles round, but what had The poor live pleasantly without our help, why found him successful and faithless. Though this then should not we learn to live without theirs? account gave me some pain, it had a very different No, my children, let us from this moment give up effect upon my daughters, whose features seemed all pretensions to gentility; we have still enough to brighten with the expectation of an approaching left for happiness if we are wise, and let us draw triumph; nor was my wife less pleased and confi upon content for the deficiencies of fortune." dent of their allurements and virtue. While our As my cldest son was bred a scholar, I deter-thoughts were thus emploved the hostess entered

the room to inform her husband, that the strange" That," cried he, pointing to a very magnificent gentleman, who had been two days in the house, house which stood at some distance, "belongs to wanted money, and could not satisfy them for his Mr. Thornhill, a young gentleman who enjoys a reckoning. "Want money!" replied the host, large fortune, though entirely dependent on the "that must be impossible; for it was no later than will of his uncle, Sir William Thornhill, a gentleyesterday he paid three guineas to our beadle to man who, content with a little himself, permits his spare an old broken soldier that was to be whipped nephew to enjoy the rest, and chiefly resides in through the town for dog-stealing." The hostess, town." "What!” cried I, "is my young landlord however, still persisting in her first assertion, he then the nephew of a man, whose virtues, genewas preparing to leave the room, swearing that he rosity, and singularities are so universally known? would be satisfied one way or another, when I beg-I have heard Sir William Thornhill represented ged the landlord would introduce me to a stranger as one of the most generous yet whimsical men in of so much charity as he described. With this he the kingdom; a man of consummate benevolence.”complied, showing in a gentleman who seemed to "Something, perhaps, too much so," replied Mr. be about thirty, dressed in clothes that once were Burchell, "at least he carried benevolence to an laced. His person was well formed, and his face excess when young; for his passions were then marked with the lines of thinking. He had some-strong, and as they were all upon the side of vir thing short and dry in his address, and seemed not tue, they led it up to a romantic extreme. He earto understand ceremony, or to despise it. Upon ly began to aim at the qualifications of the soldier the landlord's leaving the room, I could not avoid and scholar; was soon distinguished in the army, expressing my concern to the stranger at seeing and had some reputation among men of learning. a gentleman in such circumstances, and offered Adulation ever follows the ambitious; for such alone him my purse to satisfy the present demand. "I receive most pleasure from flattery. He was surtake it with all my heart, sir,” replied he, “and am rounded with crowds, who showed him only one glad that a late oversight, in giving what money I side of their character: so that he began to lose a had about me, has shown me that there are still regard for private interest in universal sympathy. some men like you. I must, however, previously He loved all mankind; for fortune prevented him entreat being informed of the name and residence from knowing that there were rascals. Physicians of my benefactor, in order to repay him as soon as tell us of a disorder, in which the whole body is so possible." In this I satisfied him fully, not only exquisitely sensible that the slightest touch gives mentioning my name and late misfortunes, but the pain: what some have thus suffered in their perplace to which I was going to remove. "This," sons, this gentleman felt in his mind. The slightest cried he, "happens still more luckily than I hoped distress, whether real or fictitious, touched him to for, as I am going the same way myself, having the quick, and his soul laboured under a sickly senbeen detained here two days by the floods, which I sibility of the miseries of others. Thus disposed hope by to-morrow will be found passable." I tes- to relieve, it will be easily conjectured he found tified the pleasure I should have in his company, numbers disposed to solicit; his profusions began and my wife and daughters joining in entreaty, he to impair his fortune, but not his good-nature; that, was prevailed upon to stay supper. The stranger's indeed, was seen to increase as the other seemed to conversation, which was at once pleasing and in-decay: he grew improvident as he grew poor; and structive, induced me to wish for a continuance of though he talked like a man of sense, his actions it; but it was now high time to retire and take re- were those of a fool. Still, however, being surfreshment against the fatigues of the following day. rounded with importunity, and no longer able to The next morning we all set forward together: satisfy every request that was made him, instead of my family on horseback, while Mr. BURCHELL, our money he gave promises. They were all he had new companion, walked along the foot-path by the to bestow, and he had not resolution enough to road-side, observing with a smile, that as we were give any man pain by a denial. By this he drew ill mounted, he would be too generous to attempt round him crowds of dependents, whom he was sure leaving us behind. As the floods were not yet to disappoint, yet he wished to relieve. These subsided, we were obliged to hire a guide, who trot-hung upon him for a time, and left him with meritted on before, Mr. Burchell and I bringing up the ed reproaches and contempt. But in proportion rear. We lightened the fatigues of the road with as he became contemptible to others, he became philosophical disputes, which he seemed to under-despicable to himself. His mind had leaned upon stand perfectly. But what surprised me most was, their adulation, and that support taken away, he that though he was a money-borrower, he defend- could find no pleasure in the applause of his heart ed his opinions with as much obstinacy as if he which he had never learned to reverence. had been my patron. He now and then also in- world now began to wear a different aspect; the formed me to whom the different seats belonged flattery of his friends began to dwindle into simple that lay in our view as we travelled the road. approbation. Approbation soon took the more

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friendly form of advice, and advice, when rejected, Jown grounds, and were equal strangers to optproduced 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 sel him, were little estimable: he now found that a dom visited towns or cities, in search of superflui ́man'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

My attention was so much taken up by Mr. a pipe and tabor. A feast also was provided for Burchell's account, that I scarcely looked forward our reception, at which we sat cheerfully down; as we went along, till we were alarmed by the cries and what the conversation wanted in wit, was made of my family, when turning, I perceived my young-up in laughter.

est 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 utmost neatness, the dishes, plates, and copthe pleasure of returning his kindness at her own pers being well scoured, and all disposed in bright house. Thus, after we were refreshed at the next rows on the shelves, the eye was agreeably relievinn, and had dined together, as Mr. Burchell was ed, and did not want richer furniture. There were going to a different part of the country, he took three other apartments, one for my wife and me, leave; and we pursued our journey; my wife ob- another for our two daughters, within our own, serving as he went, that she liked him extremely, and the third, with two beds, for the rest of the and protesting, that if he had birth and fortune to children. 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.

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

A proof that even the humblest fortune may grant happiness, usual industry abroad, while my wife and daughters

which depends not on circumstances but constitution.

THE place of our retreat was in a little neighLourhood, consisting of farmers, who tilled their

employed themselves in providing breakfast, which was always ready at a certain time. I allowed half an hour for this meal, and an hour for dinner; which time was taken up in innocent mirth be

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