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ever. At present, his bounties are more rational and moderate than before; but still he preserves the character of an humorist, and finds most pleasure in eccentric virtues."

reputation among men of learning. Adu-that-I forget what I was going to oblation ever follows the ambitious; for such serve: in short, sir, he resolved to respect alone receive most pleasure from flattery. himself, and laid down a plan of restoring He was surrounded with crowds, who his falling fortune. For this purpose, in showed him only one side of their cha- his own whimsical manner, he travelled racter; so that he began to lose a regard through Europe on foot; and now, though for private interest in universal sympathy. he has scarce attained the age of thirty, He loved all mankind; for fortune pre-his circumstances are more affluent than vented him from knowing that there were rascals. Physicians tell us of a disorder, in which the whole body is so exquisitely sensible that the slightest touch gives pain: what some have thus suffered in their persons, this gentleman felt in his My attention was so much taken up by mind the slightest distress, whether real Mr. Burchell's account, that I scarce or fictitious, touched him to the quick, and looked forward as he went along, till we his soul laboured under a sickly sensibility were alarmed by the cries of my family; of the miseries of others. Thus disposed when, turning, I perceived my youngest to relieve, it will be easily conjectured he daughter in the midst of a rapid stream, found numbers disposed to solicit; his pro- thrown from her horse, and struggling with fusions began to impair his fortune, but not the torrent. She had sunk twice, nor was his good-nature-that, indeed, was seen to it in my power to disengage myself in time increase as the other seemed to decay: he to bring her relief. My sensations were grew improvident as he grew poor; and, even too violent to permit my attemptthough he talked like a man of sense, his ing her rescue: she must have certainly actions were those of a fool. Still, how- | perished had not my companion, perceivever, being surrounded with importunity, ing her danger, instantly plunged in to her and no longer able to satisfy every request relief, and, with some difficulty, brought that was made him, instead of money he her in safety to the opposite shore. By gave promises. They were all he had to taking the current a little farther up, the bestow, and he had not resolution enough rest of the family got safely over, where to give any man pain by a denial. By this we had an opportunity of joining our ache drew round him crowds of dependants, knowledgments to hers. Her gratitude whom he was sure to disappoint, yet wished may be more readily imagined than deto relieve. These hung upon him for a scribed: she thanked her deliverer more time, and left him with merited reproaches with looks than with words, and continued and contempt. But, in proportion as he to lean upon his arm, as if still willing to became contemptible to others, he became receive assistance. My wife also hoped despicable to himself. His mind had one day to have the pleasure of returning leaned upon their adulation, and, that sup- his kindness at her own house. Thus, after port taken away, he could find no pleasure we were refreshed at the next inn, and had in the applause of his heart, which he had dined together, as Mr. Burchell was going never learnt to reverence. The world now to a different part of the country, he took began to wear a different aspect: the flat- leave, and we pursued our journey; my tery of his friends began to dwindle into wife observing, as he went, that she liked simple approbation; approbation soon him extremely, and protesting, that if he took the more friendly form of advice; had birth and fortune to entitle him to and advice, when rejected, produced their match into such a family as ours, she knew reproaches. He now therefore found that no man she would sooner fix upon. I such friends as benefits had gathered round could not but smile to hear her talk in this him, were little estimable: he now found lofty strain; but I was never much disthat a man's own heart must be ever given pleased with those harmless delusions that to gain that of another. I now found that tend to make us more happy.

CHAPTER IV.

A Proof that even the humblest Fortune 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 conveniences of life within themselves, they seldom visited towns or cities in search of superfluity. Remote from the polite, they still retained the primeval simplicity of manners; and, frugal by habit, they scarce knew that temperance was a virtue. They wrought with cheerfulness 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, ate pancakes on Shrovetide, showed their wit on the first of April, and religiously cracked nuts on Michaelmas eve. Being apprised of our approach, the whole neighbourhood came out to meet their minister, 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.

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 pounds for my predecessor's good-will. 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 whitewashed, 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; for my wife and me, another for our daughters within our own, and the the with two beds, for the rest of the childr The little republic to which I gave was regulated in the following manne By sunrise we all assembled in our cer mon apartment, the fire being previces kindled by the servant. After we saluted each other with proper cerem --for I always thought fit to keep up s mechanical forms of good breeding, out which freedom ever destroys fri ship-we all bent in gratitude to that Be who gave us another day. This duty be performed, my son and I went to purs our usual industry abroad, while my and daughters employed themselves providing breakfast, which was al ready at a certain time. I allowed ha hour for this meal, and an hour for din which time was taken up in innocent between my wife and daughters, and philosophical arguments between mys and me.

As we rose with the sun, so we n pursued our labours after it was g down, but returned home to the expect family, where smiling looks, a neat hear and pleasant fire, were prepared for reception. Nor were we without guess sometimes farmer Flamborough, our t ative neighbour, and often the blind pi would pay us a visit, and taste our ge berry wine, for the making of which " had lost neither the receipt nor the rep tion. These harmless people had seve ways of being good company; while played, the other would sing some sooth ballad,-Johnny Armstrong's Last Goe Night, or the Cruelty of Barbara All The night was concluded in the mante we began the morning, my youngest buty being appointed to read the lessons of t day; and he that read loudest, distinctes and best, was to have a halfpenny Sunday to put into the poor's box.

When Sunday came, it was indeed day of finery, which all my sumptus edicts could not restrain. How well s ever I fancied my lectures against pric had conquered the vanity of my daughte yet I still found them secretly attached all their former finery: they still love

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ces, ribands, bugles, and catgut; my ife herself retained a passion for her crimn paduasoy, because I formerly hapened to say it became her.

The first Sunday, in particular, their ehaviour served to mortify me. I had esired my girls the preceding night to be ressed early the next day; for I always ved to be at church a good while before e rest of the congregation. They puncally obeyed my directions; but when we ere to assemble in the morning at breakst, down came my wife and daughters, ressed out in all their former splendour; eir hair plastered up with pomatum, eir faces patched to taste, their trains undled up in a heap behind, and rustling every motion. I could not help smiling It their vanity, particularly that of my wife, om whom I expected more discretion. In this exigence, therefore, my only reource was to order my son, with an imortant air, to call our coach. The girls were amazed at the command; but I reeated it with more solemnity than before. Surely, my dear, you jest,' cried my vife; we can walk it perfectly well: we want no coach to carry us now."You mistake, child," returned I, "we o want a coach; for if we walk to church n this trim, the very children in the parish vill hoot after us.' Indeed," replied ny wife, "I always imagined that my Charles was fond of seeing his children heat and handsome about him."-" You nay be as neat as you please," interrupted , and I shall love you the better for it; out all this is not neatness, but frippery. These rufflings, and pinkings, and patchngs will only make us hated by all the wives of our neighbours. No, my children," continued I, more gravely, "those 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."

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This remonstrance had the proper effect: they went with great composure, that very instant, to change their dress; and the

next day I had the satisfaction of finding my daughters, at their own request, employed in cutting up their trains into Sunday waistcoats for Dick and Bill, the two little ones; and, what was still more satisfactory, the gowns seemed improved by this curtailing.

CHAPTER V.

A new and great Acquaintance introduced.. What we place most Hopes upon, generally proves most fatal.

over

AT a small distance from the house, my predecessor had made a seat, shadowed by a hedge of hawthorn and honeysuckle. Here, when the weather was fine and our labour soon finished, we usually sat together, to enjoy an extensive landscape in the calm of the evening. Here, too, we drank tea, which now was become an occasional banquet; and, as we had it but seldom, it diffused a new joy, the preparations for it being made with no small share of bustle and ceremony. On these occasions, our two little ones always read for us, and they were regularly served after we had done. Sometimes, to give a variety to our amusements, the girls sang to the guitar; and while they thus formed a little concert, my wife and I would stroll down the sloping field, that was embellished with blue-bells and centaury, talk of our children with rapture, and enjoy the breeze that wafted both health and harmony.

In this manner we began to find that every situation in life may bring its own peculiar pleasures: every morning waked us to a repetition of toil; but the evening repaid it with vacant hilarity.

It was about the beginning of autumn, on a holiday-for I kept such as intervals of relaxation from labour-that I had drawn out my family to our usual place of amusement, and our young musicians began their usual concert. As we were thus engaged, we saw a stag bound nimbly by, within about twenty paces of where we were sitting, and by its panting it seemed pressed by the hunters. We had not much time to reflect upon the poor animal's distress, when we perceived the dogs and horsemen come sweeping along at some distance behind, and making the

CHAPTER IV.

A Proof that even the humblest Fortune may grant Happiness, which depends, not on Circumstances, but Constitution.

There were three other apartments; one for my wife and me, another for our tw daughters within our own, and the third with two beds, for the rest of the childre

The little republic to which I gave laws was regulated in the following mannerBy sunrise we all assembled in our com mon apartment, the fire being previous kindled by the servant. After we ha saluted each other with proper ceremor

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 conveniences of life within themselves, they seldom visited towns or cities in search of superfluity.for I always thought fit to keep up son Remote from the polite, they still retained the primeval simplicity of manners; and, frugal by habit, they scarce knew that temperance was a virtue. They wrought with cheerfulness 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, ate pancakes on Shrovetide, showed their wit on the first of April, and religiously cracked nuts on Michaelmas eve. Being apprised of our approach, the whole neighbourhood came out to meet their minister, 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.

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 pounds for my predecessor's good-will. 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 whitewashed, 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.

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mechanical forms of good breeding, with out which freedom ever destroys friend ship-we all bent in gratitude to that Bein: who gave us another day. This duty be performed, my son and I went to purs our usual industry abroad, while my w and daughters employed themselves providing breakfast, which was alway ready at a certain time. I allowed half hour for this meal, and an hour for dinner which time was taken up in innocent mirt between my wife and daughters, and philosophical arguments between my set and me.

As we rose with the sun, so we neve pursued our labours after it was gene down, but returned home to the expecting family, where smiling looks, a neat hearth and pleasant fire, were prepared for o reception. Nor were we without guests sometimes farmer Flamborough, our tak ative neighbour, and often the blind pipe: would pay us a visit, and taste our goose berry wine, for the making of which w had lost neither the receipt nor the reputa tion. These harmless people had sever ways of being good company; while or played, the other would sing some soothing ballad,-Johnny Armstrong's Last Good Night, or the Cruelty of Barbara Allen The night was concluded in the manne 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 o Sunday to put into the poor's box.

When Sunday came, it was indeed :" day of finery, which all my sumptuar edicts could not restrain. How well so ever I fancied my lectures against pride had conquered the vanity of my daughters yet I still found them secretly attached to all their former finery: they still loved

laces, ribands, bugles, and catgut; my wife herself retained a passion for her crimson paduasoy, because I formerly happened to say it became her.

The first Sunday, in particular, their behaviour served to mortify me. I had desired my girls the preceding night to be dressed early the next day; for I always loved to be at church a good while before the rest of the congregation. They punctually obeyed my directions; but when we were to assemble in the morning at breakfast, down came my wife and daughters, dressed out in all their former splendour; their hair plastered up with pomatum, their faces patched to taste, their trains bundled up in a heap behind, and rustling at every motion. I could not help smiling at their vanity, particularly that of my wife, from whom I expected more discretion. In this exigence, therefore, my only resource was to order my son, with an important air, to call our coach. The girls were amazed at the command; but I repeated it with more solemnity than before. Surely, my dear, you jest," cried my wife ; "we can walk it perfectly well: we want no coach to carry us now.' You mistake, child," returned I, ". 'we do want a coach; for if we walk to church in this trim, the very children in the parish will hoot after us."-" Indeed," replied my wife, "I always imagined that my Charles was fond of seeing his children neat and handsome about him."-" You may be as neat as you please," interrupted I, "and I shall love you the better for it; but all this is not neatness, but frippery. These rufflings, and pinkings, and patchngs will only make us hated by all the wives of our neighbours. No, my children," continued I, more gravely, those 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 hredding is becoming even in the rich, if we consider, upon a moderate calculation, hat the nakedness of the indigent world night be clothed from the trimmings of he vain."

This remonstrance had the proper effect: hey went with great composure, that very nstant, to change their dress; and the

next day I had the satisfaction of finding my daughters, at their own request, employed in cutting up their trains into Sunday waistcoats for Dick and Bill, the two little ones; and, what was still more satisfactory, the gowns seemed improved by this curtailing.

CHAPTER V.

A new and great Acquaintance introduced.. What we place most Hopes upon, generally proves most fatal.

over

AT a small distance from the house, my predecessor had made a seat, shadowed by a hedge of hawthorn and honeysuckle. Here, when the weather was fine and our labour soon finished, we usually sat together, to enjoy an extensive landscape in the calm of the evening. Here, too, we drank tea, which now was become an occasional banquet; and, as we had it but seldom, it diffused a new joy, the preparations for it being made with no small share of bustle and ceremony. On these occasions, our two little ones always read for us, and they were regularly served after we had done. Sometimes, to give a variety to our amusements, the girls sang to the guitar; and while they thus formed a little concert, my wife and I would stroll down the sloping field, that was embellished with blue-bells and centaury, talk of our children with rapture, and enjoy the breeze that wafted both health and harmony.

In this manner we began to find that every situation in life may bring its own peculiar pleasures: every morning waked us to a repetition of toil; but the evening repaid it with vacant hilarity.

It was about the beginning of autumn, on a holiday-for I kept such as intervals of relaxation from labour-that I had drawn out my family to our usual place of amusement, and our young musicians began their usual concert. As we were thus engaged, we saw a stag bound nimbly by, within about twenty paces of where we were sitting, and by its panting it seemed pressed by the hunters. We had not much time to reflect upon the poor animal's distress, when we perceived the dogs and horsemen come sweeping along at some distance behind, and making the

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