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diff --git a/43854-8.txt b/43854-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 35dbc71..0000000 --- a/43854-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,5461 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Blossoms of Morality, by Richard Johnson - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: The Blossoms of Morality - Intended for the Amusement and Instruction of Young Ladies and Gentlemen - -Author: Richard Johnson - -Illustrator: John Bewick - -Release Date: September 30, 2013 [EBook #43854] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BLOSSOMS OF MORALITY *** - - - - -Produced by Chris Curnow, Charlie Howard and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - - - - THE - BLOSSOMS OF MORALITY; - - INTENDED FOR THE - AMUSEMENT AND INSTRUCTION - OF - Young Ladies and Gentlemen. - - BY THE EDITOR OF - THE LOOKING-GLASS FOR THE MIND. - - WITH FORTY-SEVEN CUTS, DESIGNED AND ENGRAVED - BY - - [Illustration: I. Bewick] - - - _THE FOURTH EDITION._ - - LONDON: - - Printed by J. Swan, 76, Fleet Street, - FOR J. HARRIS; SCATCHERD AND LETTERMAN; B. CROSBY AND CO. - DARTON AND HARVEY; LACKINGTON, ALLEN, AND CO. - J. WALKER; AND VERNOR AND HOOD. - - 1806. - - - - -PREFACE. - - -The very flattering encouragement the Public have been pleased to give -"The Looking-glass for the Mind, or Intellectual Mirror," has invited -the Editor of that work to intrude once more on their indulgence. As -a general preceptor, he wishes to be useful to the rising generation, -and with that view recommends to their serious perusal "The Blossoms of -Morality." - -The Looking-glass is a _very free_ translation of some of the most -interesting tales of Mons. Berquin, and other foreign writers, whose -works in the juvenile line undoubtedly merit the highest encomiums, -and claim the most extensive patronage of their fellow-citizens. It -certainly must be allowed, that great merit is due to those foreign -celebrated writers, who, after studying the higher branches of -literature, instead of attempting to acquire honour and fame by -delivering lectures on the abstruse sciences, have condescended to -humble themselves to the plain language of youth, in order to teach -them wisdom, virtue, and morality. - -With respect to the present work, though we have not so largely -borrowed from foreign writers, yet we have endeavoured to supply that -deficiency by the introduction of original matter. The juvenile mind -very early begins to enlarge and expand, and is capable of reflection -much sooner than we are generally apt to imagine. - -From these considerations, we have carried our ideas in this volume one -step higher than in the last: and, though we have given many tales that -may contribute to amuse the youthful mind, yet we have occasionally -introduced subjects which, we hope, will not fail to exercise their -judgment, improve their morals, and give them some knowledge of the -world. - -For instance: in the History of Ernestus and Fragilis, which is the -first, and one of the original pieces inserted in this volume, the -youthful reader is led to reflect on the instability of all human -affairs; he is taught to be neither insolent in prosperity nor mean in -adversity; but is shown how necessary it is to preserve an equality of -temper through all the varying stages of fortune. He is also shown, -how dangerous are the indulgences of parents, who suffer children to -give themselves up to indolence and luxury, which generally, as in this -history, terminate in a manner fatal to all the parties concerned. - -May these Blossoms of Morality, in due time, ripen to maturity, and -produce fruit that may be pleasing to the youthful taste, tend to -correct the passions, invigorate the mental faculties, and confirm in -their hearts true and solid sentiments of virtue, wisdom, and glory. - - - - -CONTENTS. - - - _Ernestus and Fragilis_ Page 7 - - _Juvenile Tyranny conquered_ 19 - - _The Book of Nature_ 28 - - _The unexpected Reformation_ 39 - - _The Recompence of Virtue_ 49 - - _The Pleasures of Contentment_ 58 - - _The happy Effects of Sunday Schools on the Morals of the - rising Generation_ 68 - - _The Happy Villager_ 76 - - _The Indolent Beauty_ 86 - - _An Oriental Tale_ 98 - - _Generosity rewarded_ 104 - - _An Evening Vision_ 109 - - _The Anxieties of Royalty_ 113 - - _The generous Punishment_ 124 - - _Female Courage properly considered_ 134 - - _The beautiful Statue_ 141 - - _Dorcas and Amarillis_ 156 - - _The Conversation_ 170 - - _Edwin and Matilda_ 188 - - _The pious Hermit_ 197 - - _The Caprice of Fortune_ 207 - - _The melancholy Effects of Pride_ 216 - - _The Nettle and the Rose_ 224 - - - - -[Illustration] - -_Ernestus and Fragilis._ - - -The faint glimmerings of the pale-faced moon on the troubled billows -of the ocean are not so fleeting and inconstant as the fortune and -condition of human life. We one day bask in the sunshine of prosperity, -and the next, too often, roll in anguish on the thorny bed of adversity -and affliction. To be neither too fond of prosperity, nor too much -afraid of adversity, is one of the most useful lessons we have to learn -and practise in the extensive commerce of this world. Happy is the -youth whose parents are guided by these principles, who govern their -children as good princes should their subjects, neither to load them -with the chains of tyranny, nor suffer them to run into the excesses -of dissipation and licentiousness. The following History of Ernestus -and Fragilis is founded upon these general principles. - -Ernestus and Fragilis were both the children of Fortune, but rocked -in two different cradles. Philosophy and Prudence were the nurses -of the first, and Vanity and Folly lulled the second to his repose. -Ernestus was early used to experience the various changes of the air, -and accustomed to a regular diet; while Fragilis was treated in a very -different manner, being kept in a room where, it was supposed, no rude -wind could intrude itself; and hurtful delicacies were given him, under -the idle notion, that strength is to be acquired in proportion to the -dainties and excesses of our meals. - -Hence it is no wonder if, after a few years had strengthened their -limbs and mental faculties, that there appeared an indisputable -difference between the two youths. - -Ernestus was all life and gaiety, and soon showed a propensity to be -at the head of all kinds of mischief. Though this disposition often -got him into disgrace with his parents, yet he always showed much -contrition and sorrow when he really found he had injured any one, and -seldom slept after the commission of a boyish crime till he had made -ample amends to the party injured. - -Fragilis had very different passions, and very contrary notions of -things. Being accustomed to be indulged with whatever he cried for, -his ideas soon wandered from real to imaginary wants, and as these -could not possibly be gratified, he naturally became peevish, fretful, -and ill-natured. Whenever the mind is affected, the body must partake -of the shock it occasions. Fragilis was weak, rickety, and feeble; and -the remedies they applied to relieve him only contributed to increase -the evil. - -As the two little heroes of my history lived in the same neighbourhood, -and their parents were nearly equal in point of fortune, they -consequently became intimate companions, and frequently visited each -other. It was easily to be discovered which of these two children would -one day figure most on the busy stage of the world. Ernestus and his -lady with pleasure beheld in their little son an ample share of spirit -and activity, kindness and affability, resolution and integrity. The -parents of Fragilis, however, had not the same pleasing prospect in -their favourite and darling; for he was of a dull and gloomy turn, -seldom contented with any thing, perpetually wrangling with every one -about him, and constantly pining after those things which he knew were -not to be procured. - -Ernestus made a rapid progress in his literary pursuits, under the -tuition of his masters; for his application to his books was equal to -the genius nature had bestowed on him. On the other hand, Fragilis -advanced very slowly in the paths of science; for his genius had been -spoiled by the pernicious indulgences of his parents in his infant -years, and he had been suffered to acquire a habit of indolence, which -made the least labour of body or of mind tiresome and disgustful. - -These circumstances, however, did not seem to interrupt the rising -friendship between these two youths, their connections growing stronger -as they ripened in years. They were joint proprietors in their kites, -their tops, their marbles, and their dumps; though Ernestus was -generally the manufacturer of the first and last articles. Indeed, the -kites made by Fragilis were always too heavy, and not equally balanced -on both sides; consequently they were difficult to be raised into the -air, and when there, they had a wavering and unsteady motion; whereas, -those made by Ernestus were light and elegant, darted into the air like -an eagle, and remained there as steady as a hawk resting on its wings; -his dumps had the elegance of medals; and his tops and marbles were so -judiciously chosen as to claim the admiration of all the neighbouring -youths. - -The time at length arrived, when it is usual for parents to begin -to think of sending their children from home, to engage in the busy -commerce of the world, and to learn how to provide for themselves. The -feathered inhabitants of the woods and groves give up every pleasure to -that of rearing their little brood; but, as soon as they have acquired -a proper degree of maturity, they then drive them from their nests, to -form new connections, and to shift for themselves. Man, more helpless -than birds, requires the assistance of the parental hand, for some -years, to rear and cherish him; nor do their cares and anxieties for -him cease till life is no more. - -Though Ernestus loved his parents with all the affections of a dutiful -child, yet he could not help rejoicing at the idea of embarking in -the bustle of the world, and making a figure as a man. On the other -hand, Fragilis could not prevail on himself to quit the apron-string -of his mother, and engage in the rude clamour of a commercial life, in -which so much attention, thought, and industry, are required. Neither -could his parents part with their darling, whose constitution they had -spoiled, and rendered unfit for business. Ernestus, in a short time -after, by his own desire, was placed as a clerk in a merchant's house -in London; while Fragilis continued with his parents, to squander away -his time in destructive scenes of indolence and luxury. - -Five years had glided away as it were imperceptibly, when Ernestus -found himself disengaged from the ties of his clerkship. His person was -by this time arrived at the state of manhood, his figure was graceful -and genteel, and his mind was improved from the polite companies he -had engaged in at his leisure hours. As business had ever been the -first object of his attention, and as he had thereby made himself of no -small consequence to his late master, the latter, to connect him more -closely with his interests, offered Ernestus his daughter in marriage, -and a considerable share in the trade of the house. Such a flattering -offer could not admit of a moment's hesitation, especially as a secret -passion had long mutually glowed in the bosom of each party. They were -married, and they were happy. - -Soon after this period, a most dreadful inundation happened on the -sea-coast, on the very spot where the houses and lands of the parents -of Ernestus and Fragilis were situated. Dreadful indeed it was, for it -not only washed down their houses, but drowned some hundreds of cattle, -and left that as a part of the briny ocean, which, but a few hours -before, was beautiful meadows and gardens, adorned with every thing -pleasing to regale the appetite, or please the eye. - -Deplorable indeed was now the situation of those two families: -their houses washed away, their cattle destroyed, and all their -fruitful lands, on the produce of which their fortunes depended, were -irrecoverably lost, and become of no value. Surely, to support such a -situation with any tolerable degree of tranquility of mind, requires -more courage and philosophy than generally fall to the lot of imperfect -mortals! - -After the first transports of terror and affright were a little -abated, and calm reason and reflection succeeded the sad emotions of -horror and despair, the old Ernestus thus addressed the fair partner of -his misfortunes:-- - -"My dearest Emelia," for that was the name of his amiable lady, "in the -midst of this terrible misfortune, we have the happiness to reflect, -that what has befallen us is not derived from any fault of our own, -but by the pleasure of Him who gave us every thing, and who has a just -right to take what he pleases from us. Though he has taken from us our -house and lands, he has still graciously left us our beloved son, who -will not fail to console us in our misery, and who will perhaps help us -in our distresses. Though we are deprived of our fortune, we have the -pleasing consolation to reflect, that, by bringing him up in the school -of Prudence and Industry, we have secured him from sinking under the -wreck of our present calamity. Nothing can more contribute to soften -the calamities of good parents, than to reflect that their children are -not exposed to partake of their miseries." - -The heart of this amiable spouse was, for some time, too full of grief -for the misfortune she felt, to give any immediate reply: but, at last, -recovering her usual spirits and sensibility, she withdrew her head -from the bosom of her generous husband, on which it had been for some -time tenderly reclined. - -"Ah! my beloved partner of happiness and misery," said she, "why -am I thus sorrowful and wretched? why do I thus fly in the face of -Providence, for depriving us only of the baubles of life? Have I not -still left an amiable and tender husband, and a dutiful and beloved -son. These are treasures which I still possess--treasures infinitely -beyond those I have lost--treasures that will support me in the stormy -hour of adversity, and enable me to make a mockery and derision of -every thing that the cruel hand of fabled Fortune can inflict." - -She then caught her husband in her arms, and there fainted, rather -through excess of joy than grief. Virtuous minds, however they may -be distressed for a moment, by unforeseen accidents, soon find an -inexpressible consolation in the integrity of their hearts. - -Such was the character of Ernestus and his lady, that this dreadful -calamity was no sooner known, than all the neighbouring gentry flocked -round them, and seemed to contend with each other for the honour of -assisting such distinguished characters. What is the empty parade of -riches acquired by fraud, rapine, and plunder, when compared to the -heartfelt satisfaction which virtue in distress must have here felt? - -It may reasonably be supposed, that it was not long before this -dreadful calamity of these amiable parents reached the ears of young -Ernestus. A youth, brought up in the wilds of modern extravagance, -would have exclaimed, perhaps in bitter terms, on being thus suddenly -deprived of a fine patrimonial estate; he would, probably, have even -arraigned the severe hand of Providence, and have dared to utter -impieties against his omnipotent Maker! - -Such was not the conduct of Ernestus. His parents had taken care to -give him, not a flighty and frothy, but a rational and manly education, -the foundation of which was honour, probity, and virtue; not folly, -luxury, and vanity. It is a just proverb, that the first seasoning -sticks longest by the vessel, and that those who have been accustomed, -in their early days, to tread the paths of Prudence, will seldom, when -they grow up, run into those of Folly. - -Ernestus received the news of this terrible calamity, just as he and -his lady returned from a party of pleasure. It is too often found, that -after pleasure comes pain, and never was it more truly verified than -in this instance; with this exception, that here the one was not the -consequence of the other. - -He tenderly embraced his lady, took leave of her for the present, and -instantly set out for the fatal scene of ruin, to assist, console, -and comfort, his unfortunate parents. What passed between them in the -first moments of their meeting, afforded such a scene of tenderness -and affection, as exceeds the possibility of description to reach: the -feelings of the heart, in such a situation, exceed every thing the most -lively imagination can fabricate. - -Ernestus found his dear parents had taken shelter in the house of an -old gentleman, who lived in the neighbourhood, who was immensely rich, -and had neither children nor relations living. Here they enjoyed all -the consolation and comfort their generous hearts could wish for; -nor was the young Ernestus suffered to contribute his mite to their -aid. "It is enough," said the old gentleman of the house, "that you -have lost your patrimony; but I have riches sufficient, and have no -near relation to succeed me. How can I dispose of it better than in -cherishing the distressed, and in taking virtue by the hand to raise it -above the wrecks of fortune?" - -In a little time after, this worthy old gentleman paid the debt of -nature, and left the bulk of his fortune to the parents of Ernestus; -who, by this act of generosity, were become as opulent as ever, and -consequently resumed their former figure in the world. The fortune -of young Ernestus was every day increasing, from his great success -in commerce, till he at length found himself master of a sufficient -independency, when he quitted trade; and he and his lady retired to the -country, where they passed their days under the same roof with their -parents, happy in themselves, and diffusing happiness to all who lived -within the circle of their knowledge. - -We could wish here to drop the curtain, and leave the mind filled with -those pleasing ideas, which the good fortune of the family of Ernestus -must raise in the bosoms of the generous and humane--but we must return -to the unhappy family of Fragilis. - -Young Fragilis, owing to the mistaken manner in which he was brought -up, was feeble and enervated at that age, in which youths generally -grow strong and robust. Hence it happened, from the sudden inundation -of the waters, that it was with great difficulty he could save his -life. However, though he escaped the fury of the unrelenting waves, -he caught such a cold, that a fever ensued, which, heightened by the -fright he had received, proved too much for his weakly constitution to -support, and put a period to his existence in a few days. - -Trying indeed was the situation of Mr. Fragilis and his lady: in one -day, deprived of all their wealth and possessions, and in a few days -afterwards of their only son, whom they loved to excess, whom they -ruined by false indulgences, and by whom they were reproached for -their mistaken conduct in his dying moments. To be reproached by the -only object they loved in this world, as being in some distant degree -instrumental to his death, was too cutting a consideration for them to -bear. They felt the wound effectually, it festered in their hearts, and -they soon followed their son to his untimely tomb. - -Reflect, ye too tender and indulgent parents, how dangerous it is -to rear your children in the lap of Luxury and Indolence, since you -thereby make them unfit members of the community, frequently a heavy -load to themselves, and always a source of anxiety and fear to their -mistaken parents. Without health, strength, and vigour, life is but a -burthen; why should then so many parents take such trouble to deprive -their children of the three principal blessings of this life, which, -when once lost, are never known to return? - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -_Juvenile Tyranny conquered._ - - -Mr. Wilson, his lady, and little family, left the noise and bustle -of the city, to pass the more agreeable half of the year amidst the -delights of rural scenes and prospects. Mr. Wilson, to a refined -education, had added much knowledge and experience in the commerce -of the polite world. His lady, though an amiable and sensible woman, -had, in the education of her children, given rather too much into the -fashionable errors of the metropolis. - -As soon as they were properly settled in their rural retirement, Mr. -Wilson thus addressed his lady: "I flatter myself, my dear, that you -will now leave me at liberty to manage our two children, in the manner -that shall appear to me most proper; for I wish to eradicate those -seeds of pride, obstinacy, and perversity, which the little circle of -their acquaintance in London has sown in their minds, and to which the -corrupted manners of the city have given deep root." - -Mrs. Wilson seemed a little angry at this introduction, and wished to -know what were those defects he imagined to have discovered in the -minds of her two little ones: she entreated him not to conceal them -from her, as it was equally her duty to assist in every thing where the -happiness of their children was concerned. - -"I do not wish, my dear," replied Mr. Wilson, "to complain of your -conduct as a wife; but I think you are too fond and indulgent as a -mother, you encourage them too much in the pride of dress, and fill -their minds with the love of those things, which, so far from being -of any use to them, may in time be productive of the worst of evils. -Children, who are taught to value themselves only on their dress, or in -proportion as they expect a superiority of fortune to others, will with -difficulty consent to be governed by the rigid rules of prudence, or -submit with cheerfulness to those laborious studies, from which alone -true greatness is derived." - -Mrs. Wilson laughed at the oddities of her husband, as she called them, -and represented him as one born in the beginning of the last century. -She considered it as an indispensable duty to educate her children in -conformity to the manners of the times, and the modes of education -almost universally adopted in the fashionable world. - -Mr. Wilson, however, was of a very different opinion, and considered -nothing so dangerous to the morals of his children, as to suffer them -to be brought up in the modern school of extravagance and pride. He -owned it was a privilege which most wives claimed, of being permitted -to spoil their daughters in their own way; and if, out of complaisance, -he gave up that point, he hoped he should be permitted to educate his -son as he thought proper. - -The first thing he should endeavour to break him of, he said, should -be his pride, which induced him to despise every one who was not -dressed like himself, or whom he otherwise thought beneath him. Mr. -Wilson considered it as very pernicious, to suffer children to value -themselves merely on account of their dress or fortune. - -Mrs. Wilson, however, could not be convinced of the truth of these -arguments. "I suppose," said she, "you would have him brought up like -a ploughman, or as if he were born to nothing greater than little -Jackson, the son of the gardener, who lives at the bottom of your -grounds." - -The conversation now began to grow serious, and the gentleman could -not help saying, he most heartily wished that his son, born as he -was to an ample fortune, possessed all the good qualities which were -conspicuous in that _poor_ boy. He very judiciously observed, that -what the world generally calls a _polite_ education, often falls short -of producing those happy effects, which Nature sometimes bestows on -uncultivated minds. Children of humble birth are often despised, merely -on account of their poverty, without considering, whether Nature may -not have done more for them than for the children of Fortune. "Happy -should I think myself," said he, "if my son and heir possessed half -the civility and condescension which are so much taken notice of and -admired in that little fellow you seem inconsiderately to despise." - -Mrs. Wilson, though a little disconcerted by these observations, -seemed by no means inclined to give up the argument. "Did I not know -otherwise," said the lady, "I should suspect you of being prejudiced -against every thing the world considers as polite, in favour of poverty -and rusticity. With all your boasted qualifications of this little -Jackson, what would you say, should I clearly prove to you, that he -possesses secret faults, such as may be hurtful to your son; that he is -guilty of robbing yours and every orchard in the neighbourhood? that he -gluttonizes on the fruits of his robberies in private? and that, though -he is so very complaisant with the children of Fortune in the presence -of their parents, he is a tyrant over the little ones in private?" - -Mr. Wilson observed, that if his lady could prove little Jackson to be -guilty of one half of the crimes she had laid to his charge, he would -instantly order, that he should never more be suffered to enter his -house. - -The lady then proposed to make a fair and candid experiment of this -matter. "I will," said she, "order a little feast for our son and -daughter, and young Jackson shall be one of the party. We will find an -opportunity to conceal ourselves, when we shall hear every thing that -passes. From thence we shall have an opportunity of judging whether you -or I be right." - -The proposal was so just and reasonable, that both parties instantly -agreed to it. Some fruit and other things were immediately ordered to -be brought into the parlour, and Miss and Master Wilson were sent for, -as well as little Jackson. As soon as the latter entered, the little -lady and her brother complained of the strong smell of dung he brought -with him; and, though he was very clean and decent, they were afraid of -his coming too near them, lest he should spoil their fine clothes. - -Though Mr. Wilson did not approve of this kind of behaviour in his -children, he took no notice of it at present, but desired that they -would be all happy together, while he and his lady took a walk into -the garden. They then left the room, but softly entered it at another -door, before which a screen was designedly placed, by which means they -plainly overheard every thing that passed among the young folks. - -The first thing they heard, was their little daughter calling to her -brother to come and sit by her; at the same time telling young Jackson -he must stand, and think himself happy that he was, at any rate, -permitted to remain in their company. The little fellow seemed no ways -displeased at this treatment, but told them he was not at all tired, -and was very happy to be with them in any situation. - -Master Wilson and his sister then divided the fruit into three parcels, -as though they intended one of them for young Jackson; but, as soon -as they had eat up their own shares, they began upon that intended -for him, and eat it all up without giving him a taste, and even made -ridicule of him all the time. They told him they would give him the -parings of the apples, which were as much as such a poor creature as -he could expect, and that he ought to think himself happy he could be -indulged with them. - -Young Jackson told them he was not hungry, and he hoped they would not -deny themselves any thing on his account. They promised him they would -not, and then set up a loud laugh; all which Jackson bore without -uttering the least word of complaint. - -At last, Miss Wilson and her brother having eaten up all the fruit, -without permitting poor Jackson to taste a bit of it, they ordered him -to go into the garden, and steal them some apples, promising, if he -behaved well, to give him one for his obedience. - -"I cannot think of doing any such thing," replied Jackson. "You indeed -forced me twice to do so, and then went and told the gardener that I -stole them for myself, though you very well know I did not eat a morsel -of them." - -"Poor thing!" said the young gentlefolks in derision, "and did they -serve you so? Well, we insist on your going and doing the same now, or, -look you, that cane in the corner shall be laid across your shoulders. -We will teach you, that it is the duty of you beggars to obey us -gentlefolks." - -Jackson still persisting in his refusal to be again guilty of any thing -of the kind, Master Wilson took up the cane, and gave poor Jackson two -or three blows with it, as hard as he could, while Miss Wilson stood -looking on, encouraging her brother, telling Jackson at the same time, -that if he complained of being beaten to their papa, they would again -accuse him of stealing fruit, and that their words would be sooner -believed than his. - -Poor Jackson replied, that he would rather be beaten all day than do -so dishonest a thing as they desired him. He observed to them, that -this was not the first by many times that he had been beaten by them -unjustly and wantonly, and he did not suppose this would be the last. -However, he said he should put up with it, without complaining to any -one. - -Mr. Wilson and his lady could not patiently hear any more, but -instantly came from behind the screen.--"Sweet children, indeed!" said -Mrs. Wilson. "We have, behind that screen, unseen by you, heard all you -have been saying, and in what manner you have treated that poor little -fellow!" Little Jackson was all in a tremble, and told her, that they -were only at play, and meant no harm. But this would not satisfy the -lady, who was now convinced of the bad conduct of her son and daughter. - -"You wicked children," said she to them, with a resolute look and stern -voice, "you have accused this innocent child of gluttony and theft, -while you only are the authors of those abominable crimes. You have not -scrupled to tell me the grossest falsehood, such as God will one day -call you to account for, and severely punish you in the next world, -where it will not be in my power to intercede for you. This moment -ask pardon of that little boy, whom you have so unjustly treated, and -sincerely ask pardon of God, for the wickedness you have been guilty -of!" - -Her children were so overcome with shame, confusion, and sorrow, that -they both fell down at their mother's feet, and with tears of sincerity -most humbly begged pardon of God and her, promising never to be again -guilty of such crimes. Little Jackson ran to them, and endeavoured to -lift them up, while the tears stole down his cheeks in abundance. "Do -not be angry with them, madam," said he to the lady, "for we were only -in play; and I am sorry I am come here to breed so much uneasiness. -But, if you are angry with them, let me humbly beg of you to forgive -them." - -Mr. Wilson also interfered, and promised, if their mamma would forgive -them this time, to be bound for their better conduct in future. The -lady ordered them instantly to rise, to kiss little Jackson, and -beg his pardon. This they did in so affecting a manner, as gave the -most pleasing satisfaction to both their parents, who were now fully -persuaded, that reason and tenderness will do more with children than -the iron hand of correction. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -_The Book of Nature._ - - -My dear papa, said young Theophilus to his father, I cannot help -pitying those poor little boys, whose parents are not in a condition -to purchase them such a nice gilded library, as that with which you -have supplied me from my good friend's at the corner of St. Paul's -Church-yard. Surely such unhappy boys must be very ignorant all their -lives; for what can they learn without books? - -I agree with you, replied his father, that you are happy in having -so large a collection of books, and I am no less happy in seeing -you make so good a use of them.--There is, however, my dear child, -another book, called _The Book of Nature_, which is constantly open -to the inspection of every one, and intelligible even to those of the -tenderest years. To study that book, nothing more is required, than to -be attentive to the surrounding objects which Nature presents to our -view, to contemplate them carefully, and to explore and admire their -beauties; but without attempting to search into their hidden causes, -which youths must not think of, till age and experience shall enable -them to dive into physical causes. - -I say, my dear Theophilus, that even children are capable of studying -this science; for you have eyes to see, and curiosity sufficient to -induce you to ask questions, and it is natural for human nature to wish -to acquire knowledge. - -This study, if it may be so called, so far from being laborious or -tiresome, affords nothing but pleasure and delight. It is a pleasing -recreation, and a delightful amusement. - -It is inconceivable how many things children would learn, were we but -careful to improve all the opportunities with which they themselves -supply us. A garden, the fields, a palace, are each a book open to -their view, in which they must be accustomed to read, and to reflect -thereon. Nothing is more common among us than the use of bread and -linen; and yet how few children are taught to know the preparation of -either! through how many shapes and hands wheat and hemp must pass -before they are made into bread and linen! - -A few examples will serve to show, how far we ought to study nature in -every thing that presents itself to our view, and therein trace out the -handy-works of the great Creator. - -The first preacher that proclaimed the glory of the supreme God was the -sky, where the sun, moon, and stars shine with such amazing splendour; -and that book, written in characters of light, is sufficient to render -all inexcusable who do not read and contemplate it. The Divine Wisdom -is not less admirable in its more humble productions of what the earth -brings forth, and these we can survey with more ease, since the eye is -not dazzled by them. - -Let us begin with plants. What appears to us mean and despicable, often -affords wherewith to astonish the sublimest minds. Not a single leaf is -neglected by Nature; order and symmetry are obvious in every part of -it, and yet with so great a variety of pinking ornaments and beauties, -that none of them are exactly like the others. - -What is not discoverable by the help of microscopes in the smallest -seeds! and with what unaccountable virtues and efficacies has it not -pleased God to endow them! Nothing can more demand our admiration, than -the choice which our great Creator has made of the general colour that -beautifies all plants. Had he dyed the fields in white or scarlet, -we should not have been able to bear either the brightness or the -harshness of them. If he had darkened them with more dusky colours, we -should have taken little delight in so sad and melancholy a prospect. - -A pleasant verdure keeps a medium between these two extremes, and it -has such an affinity with the frame of the eye, that it is diverted, -not strained by it, and sustained and nourished, rather than wasted. -What we considered at first but as one colour, is found to afford an -astonishing diversity of shades: it is green every where, but it is in -no two instances the same. Not one plant is coloured like another, and -that surprising variety, which no art can imitate, is again diversified -in each plant, which is, in its origin, its progress, and maturity, of -a different sort of green. - -Should my fancy waft me into some enamelled meadow, or into some garden -in high cultivation, what an enamel, what variety of colours, what -richness, are there conspicuous! What harmony, what sweetness in their -mixture, and the shadowings that temper them! What a picture, and by -what a master! But let us turn aside from this general view, to the -contemplation of some particular flower, and pick up at random the -first that offers to our hand, without troubling ourselves with the -choice. - -It is just blown, and has still all its freshness and brightness. Can -the art of man produce any thing similar to this? No silk can be so -soft, so thin, and of so fine a texture. Even Solomon's purple, when -contrasted with the flowers of the fields, is coarse beyond comparison. - -From the beauties of the meadows and gardens, which we have just been -surveying, let us take a view of the fruitful orchard, filled with all -sorts of fruits, which succeed each other, according to the varying -seasons. - -View one of those trees bowing its branches down to the ground, -and bent under the weight of its excellent fruit, whose colour and -smell declare the taste. The quantity, as well as the quality, is -astonishing. Methinks that tree says to me, by the glory it displays -to my eyes, "Learn of me what is the goodness and magnificence of that -God, who has made me for you. It is neither for him, nor for myself -that I am so rich: he has need of nothing, and I cannot use what he has -given me. Bless him, and unload me. Give him thanks; and since he has -made me the instrument of your delight, be you that of my gratitude." - -The same invitations catch me on all sides, and, as I walk on, I -discover new subjects of praise and adoration. Here the fruit is -concealed within the shell; there the fruit is without, and the kernel -within: the delicate pulp without shines in the most brilliant colours. -This fruit sprung out of a blossom, as almost all do; but this other, -so delicious, was not preceded by the blossom, and it shoots out of -the very bark of the fig-tree. The one begins the summer, the other -finishes it. If this be not soon gathered, it will fall down and -wither; if you do not wait for that, it will not be properly ripened. -This keeps long, that decays swiftly; the one refreshes, the other -nourishes. - -Among the fruit-trees, some bear fruit in two seasons of the year, -and others unite together spring, summer, and autumn, bearing at the -same time the blossom and green and ripe fruit; to convince us of the -sovereign liberality of the Creator, who, in diversifying the laws of -nature, shows that he is the master of it, and can at all times, and -with all things, do equally what he pleases. - -It is observable, that weak trees, or those of an indifferent pith, are -those that bear the most exquisite fruits; and the higher they grow, -the less rich is their productions. Other trees, which bear nothing but -leaves, or bitter and very small fruit, are nevertheless useful for the -important purposes of building and navigation. - -If we had not seen trees of the height and bigness of those that are -in forests, we could not believe that some drops of rain falling from -heaven were capable to nourish them; for they stand in need of moisture -not only in great plenty, but also such as is full of spirits and -salts of all kinds, to give the root, the trunk, and branches, the -strength and vigour we admire in them. It is even remarkable, that the -more neglected these trees are, the handsomer they grow; and that if -men applied themselves to cultivate them, as they do the small trees -of their gardens, they would do them more harm than service. You, -therefore, O Author of all things! thus establish this indisputable -proof, that it is you alone who have made them; and you teach man to -know, that his cares and industry are useless to you. If indeed you -require his attention to some shrubs, it is but to employ him, and warn -him of his own weakness, in trusting weak things only to his care. - -Let us now turn to the scaly inhabitants of the water, and what a -number and variety of fishes are there formed! - -At the first sight of these creatures they appear only to have a head -and tail, having neither feet nor arms. Even their head has no free -motion; and were I to attend their figure only, I should think them -deprived of every thing necessary for the preservation of their lives. -But, few as their exterior organs are, they are more nimble, swift, -artful, and cunning, than if they had many hands and feet; and the use -they make of their tail and fins shoot them forward like arrows, and -seem to make them fly. - -How comes it to pass, that in the midst of waters, so much impregnated -with salt that I cannot bear a drop of them in my mouth, fishes live -and sport, and enjoy health and strength? How, in the midst of salt do -they preserve a flesh that has not the least taste of it? - -It is wonderful when we reflect, how the best of the scaly tribe, and -those most fit for the use of man, swarm upon our shores, and offer -themselves, as it were, to our service; while many others, of less -value to him, keep at a greater distance, and sport in the deep waters -of the ocean. - -Some there are that keep in their hiding places unknown to men, whilst -they are propagating and growing to a certain size, such as salmon, -mackerel, cod, and many others. They come in shoals, at an appointed -time, to invite the fishermen, and throw themselves, as it were, of -their own accord, into their nets and snares. - -We see several sorts of these scaly animals, and those of the best kind -get into the mouths of rivers, and come up to their fountain head, to -communicate the benefits of the sea to those who are distant from it. -The hand that directs them, with so much care and bounty for man, is at -all times, and every where to be seen; but the ingratitude of man, and -the capricious wanderings of his heart, often make him forgetful of the -greatest bounties. - -From the scaly inhabitants of the water, let us turn our attention to -the feathered animals of the air. In several dumb creatures we see -an imitation of reason which is truly astonishing; but it no where -appears in a stronger degree, than in the industry and sagacity of -birds in making their nests. - -In the first place, what master has taught them that they had need of -any? Who has taken care to forewarn them to get them ready in time, -and not to be prevented by necessity? Who has told them how they must -be contrived? What mathematician has given them such regular plans for -that purpose? What architect has directed them to chuse a firm place, -and to build upon a solid foundation? What tender mother has advised -them to line the bottom of them with materials so soft and nice as down -and cotton? and when these are wanting, who suggested to them that -ingenious charity, which urges them to pluck from their breast with -their bill, as much down as is requisite to prepare a convenient cradle -for their young ones? - -In the second place, what wisdom has traced out to each kind a -particular way of making their nest, where the same precautions are -kept, but in a thousand different ways? Who has commanded the swallow, -the most industrious of all birds, to come near man, and chuse his -house to build her habitation, immediately in his view, without fearing -to have him for a witness, but on the contrary, seeming to invite him -to survey her works? She does not imitate other birds, who build their -nests with hay and small twigs: she uses cement and mortar, and makes -her whole work so solid, as not to be destroyed without some labour. -Her bill is her only instrument; and she has no other means of carrying -her water, than by wetting her breast while she expands her wings. -It is with this dew she sprinkles the mortar, and with this only she -dilutes and moistens her masonry, which she afterwards arranges and -sets in order with her bill. - -In the third place, who has made these little feathered animals -sensible, that they are to hatch their eggs by sitting over them? that -both the father and mother must not be absent at the same time from the -nest; and that if one went in quest of food, the other was to wait till -its partner returned? Who has taught them that knowledge of calculating -time, so as to make them able to know precisely the number of days of -this rigorous attendance? Who has told them how to relieve the egg -of the burthen of the young one, perfectly formed therein, by first -breaking the shell at the critical moment, which they never fail to -perform? - -Lastly, what lecturer has read lessons to birds, to teach them to -take care of their young, till they have proper strength and agility -to shift for themselves? Who has taught them that wonderful sagacity -and patience, to keep in their mouths either food or water, without -permitting them to pass into their stomachs, and there preserve them -for their young ones, to whom it supplies the place of milk? Who has -made them capable of distinguishing between so many things, of which -some are adapted to one kind, but are pernicious to another; and -between those which are proper for the old ones, but would be hurtful -to their young? We have daily opportunities of seeing the anxities of -mothers for their children, and the tenderness of nurses for the little -ones committed to their charge; but it will admit of a doubt, whether -we see any thing so perfect in the nursing of the human race as we see -among the feathered inhabitants of the air. - -It cannot be for birds alone that the Omnipotent Creator has united in -their natures so many miracles, of which they are not sensible. It is -obvious, that his design was to direct our attention to Him, and to -make us sensible of his providence and infinite wisdom; to fill us with -confidence in his goodness. Think of these things, my Theophilus, and -do not fail to read the Book of Nature, from which you will learn to -perceive your own insignificancy, and the omnipotency of him who made -you. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -_The Unexpected Reformation._ - - -Little Marcus was the only child of a wealthy tradesman, who had -acquired an ample fortune by the sweat of his brow, and the reputable -character he had invariably supported in the course of his business. -He had always been an enemy to those little arts which some people -put in practice to deceive those they have dealings with, being fully -persuaded in his own mind, that no fortune could be so pleasing and -grateful as that acquired by integrity and honour. - -Being much hurried in his business, both he and his amiable spouse -agreed, that it would be more prudent to send young Marcus into the -country for his education, where he would not be likely to receive -those pernicious examples he would every day see before him in the -metropolis. - -After a very nice enquiry, they were satisfied with the account they -received of an academy at the distance of about a hundred miles from -London, for the good management of which they were referred to several -young gentlemen, who had there received their education, and were -universally admired for their learning and prudence. - -The master of the academy considered all his pupils as his children; -he was equally attentive to instruct them in the different branches -of science, and to admonish them against those errors which young -people are naturally prone to run into. He endeavoured to excite their -industry by proper encouragement, and, by example, to implant in their -minds the seeds of honour and probity. He had also taken the most -prudent precautions in the choice of those who were to assist him in so -arduous an undertaking. - -From so promising a situation, every parent would naturally expect the -most happy consequences; but their son Marcus, whether from too tender -a treatment at home, or not having been properly attended to, had an -unhappy turn of mind, and an utter aversion to every kind of study. -His thoughts were perpetually wandering after childish pastimes, so -that his masters could make him comprehend nothing of the rudiments -of science. The same marks of indolence appeared in the care of his -person; for every part of his dress was generally in disorder; and -though he was well made and handsome, yet his slovenly appearance made -him disgustful to every one. - -Let me advise my young readers to be particularly attentive, next to -their studies, to the neatness of their persons; for no character is -more prejudicial to a youth than that of a sloven. But do not let -them mistake me, and suppose that I mean, by neatness in their dress, -foppish and ridiculous apparel. - -It may easily be supposed, that these defects in his conduct rendered -him contemptible in the eyes of those children who were at first much -behind him, but soon overtook him, to his inevitable disgrace. His -master was so much ashamed of him, as well on account of his ignorance -as slovenliness, that whenever any visitors came to the school, poor -Marcus was sent out of the way, lest such a figure as he was might -bring disgrace on the academy. - -It might reasonably be expected, that so many humiliating circumstances -would have made some impression on his mind; but he continued the same -course of inconsistence, indolence, and dissipation; nor did there -appear the least dawn of hope, that he would ever return into the paths -of industry and prudence. - -His master was very uneasy on his account, and knew not how to act: -to keep him at his school, he considered as a robbery on his parents, -and to send him home as a dunce and a blockhead would be a cutting -consideration to his father and mother. He would sometimes say to his -unworthy pupil, "Marcus, what will your father and mother think of me, -when I shall send you home to them, so little improved in learning and -knowledge?" It was, however, in vain to talk to him; for he seldom made -any answer, but generally burst into tears. - -Two years had glided away in this miserable manner, without his having -made the least progress in learning, and without showing the least -inclination for study. One evening, however, just as he was going to -bed, he received a letter sealed with black wax, which he opened with -some degree of indifference, and then read as follows: - - "MY DEAR MARCUS, - - "This morning has deprived me of the most affectionate husband, - and you of the most tender parent. Alas, he is gone, to return - no more! If there be any thing that can enable me to support - this dreadful calamity, it is only in what I receive from - the recollection, that I have left in my son the dear image - of his father. It is from you only therefore I can look for - comfort; and I am willing to flatter myself, that I shall - receive as much pleasure from your conduct as I do from my - tender affection for you. Should I find myself disappointed - in my hopes, should you be only like your father in person, - and not resemble him in his industry, integrity, and virtue, - sorrow and despair will put a period to my miserable life. - By the person who brings you this letter, I have sent you a - miniature picture of your father. Wear it constantly at your - bosom, and frequently look at it, that it may bring to your - remembrance, and induce you to imitate, all the purest virtues - and uncommon endowments of the dear original. I shall leave - you in your present situation one year longer, by which time - I hope you will be complete in your education. In the mean - time, do not let this slip from your memory, that my happiness - or misery depends on your conduct, industry, and attention to - your studies. That God may bless you, and give you patience - cheerfully to tread the rocky paths of science, is my sincere - wish." - -The errors of Marcus were the consequence of bad habits and customs he -had imbibed in his infancy, and not from any natural depravity of the -heart. He had no sooner read this letter than he found every sentiment -of virtue awakening in his bosom. He burst into a flood of tears, and -frequently interrupted by sighs, exclaimed, "O my dear father! my dear -father! have I then lost you for ever?" He earnestly gazed on the -miniature picture of his parent, pressed it to his bosom, while he, -in faultering accents, uttered these words:--"Thou dear author of my -existence, how unworthy am I to be called your son! How shamefully have -I abused your tenderness, in idling that time away for which you have -paid so dearly! But let me hope that reformation will not come too -late." - -He passed that night in sorrow and contrition, he bedewed his pillow -with tears, and sleep was a stranger to his troubled mind. If he -happened but to slumber, he suddenly started, imagining he saw the -image of his deceased father standing before him in the dreadful garb -of death, and thus reproaching him: "Ungenerous youth! is this the -manner in which you ought to return my past cares and attention to -your interest?--Thou idle sloven, thou ungenerous son! awaken from -your state of indolence, and properly improve the little time you have -left for the pursuit of science, which you have hitherto so shamefully -neglected; and do not, by an unpardonable inattention to yourself, -shorten the few remaining days of your dear mother's life!" - -I hope my youthful readers are well convinced that there are no such -things as ghosts or apparitions, and that they are nothing more than -the effects of a troubled imagination. Such was the ease with Marcus, -who fancied he saw his father on the one hand, reproaching him for what -was past, and his dear mother on the other, exhorting him to better -conduct in future. "What a wretch I am," said he to himself, "to act -in this manner! When my time for leaving this academy shall arrive, -and I must appear before my mother to give proofs of my literary -knowledge, what must be the pangs of her maternal heart, when she -shall find that the child, on whom she had placed all the prospects of -her future felicity, is an ungrateful, ignorant, and unworthy wretch? -She will call on the friendly hand of Death to take her from such an -insupportable scene!" - -Poor Marcus thus lay rolling on the thorny bed of trouble and anxiety, -till, at last, totally overcome by grief and despair, he fell asleep. -As soon as he awoke in the morning, on his bended knees he implored -the assistance of the Almighty in the reformation he intended to -make in his conduct. He instantly hastened to his master's chamber, -and there threw himself on his knees before him: "Behold, sir," said -he, "prostrate before you, an ungrateful wretch, who has hitherto -treated, with the most shameful indifference, all the wise lessons you -would have bestowed on him. Yet, unworthy as I may be of your future -instructions, let me implore you, for the sake of my dear mother, whose -life I fear I shall shorten by my unworthy conduct, to extend your -bounty to me once more, and I will endeavour to convince you, by my -future conduct, how much ashamed I am of what is past." - -His master raised him up, took him in his arms, and tenderly embracing -him, they shed tears together. "My dear Marcus," said his master to -him, "to be sensible of your errors is half way to reformation. You -have, it is true, squandered away, in the pursuit of trifles, two -years that ought to have been employed in the acquisition of useful -science. You have still one year left, and, as you appear to stand -self-convicted of the imprudence of your past conduct, I would not -wish to drive you to despair; but to encourage you by saying, that, by -proper application, great things may be done, even in the remaining -year. Begin this moment, lose no more time, and may God give you -resolution to proceed suitably to my wishes, and your own interest." - -Marcus seized the hand of his master, tenderly kissed it, and then -retired, being totally unable to utter a single word. He instantly ran -to his chamber, there eased his heart in a flood of tears, and then -set about the necessary business. He applied himself so closely to his -books, and made therein so rapid a progress, as astonished his master -and teachers. His companions, who had hitherto treated him with the -utmost contempt, began to love and revere him. Marcus, thus encouraged -by the different treatment he now received, pursued his studies with -the utmost attention and alacrity. He was no longer despised for his -wickedness and perversity, but admired and caressed for the affability -and goodness of his temper. Formerly no severities or entreaties could -make him attend to his studies; but they were now forced to use some -degree of violence to make him partake of necessary recreations. - -In this manner his last twelvemonth passed on, and he viewed with -regret the approach of that time when he was to leave school, and -engage in pursuits of a different nature. He was hereafter to study -men, and endeavour to acquire a knowledge of the latent motions of the -human heart, perhaps the most difficult study in the commerce of this -world. - -The time allowed him being expired, his mother ordered him up to -London. By the end of the year, the change he had made in his conduct -so operated in his favour, that his departure was regretted by all -his school companions; and, when he took his leave, sorrow visibly -appeared in the countenance of every one. It was a pleasing reflection -to his master, that a youth he had given up as lost, should on a sudden -reform, and, in the circle of one year, make as great a progress in the -sciences as the generality of youths do in three. - -The journey afforded Marcus the most pleasing reflections; for he had -now nothing to apprehend from the interrogatories of his mother, with -respect to his education; and though he sincerely lamented the two -years he had lost, yet he could not but feel the effects of the happy -employment of the third. - -His schoolmaster had before acquainted his mother of the happy -reformation in her son, and the great improvement he had made since -the death of his father. These considerations, added to the natural -feelings of a mother, made their meeting a scene of the most tender -delights and heartfelt transports. - -Marcus lost only a week in paying visits to his relations and friends, -and then applied himself to his father's business with unremitted -assiduity and the most flattering success. In a few years he took an -amiable partner for life, with whom he lived happy and contented. He -was blessed with dutiful children, to whom he would frequently give -this lesson: "My dear children, do not forget, that time once lost is -not to be recalled; and that those hours you trifle away in your early -years, you will severely lament the loss of when you shall have reached -the age of maturity. An old age of ignorance is despicable indeed; for -he who has neglected properly to cultivate his mind in his youth, will -embitter the evening of his life with self-accusations and reproaches. -Happy the youth who, having toiled hard during spring in the garden of -science, sits down in the autumn at leisure to regale on the fruits of -his labour!" - - - - -[Illustration] - -_The Recompence of Virtue._ - - -The northern confines of France boast of a small spot of ground, where -virtue renders law unnecessary, and procures the inhabitants a state -of peace as pure and unsullied as the air they breathe. In process of -time, this territory fell into the hands of a widow, who merited a much -more valuable patrimony. - -Madam Clarisse, for that was the lady's name, joined benevolence of -heart to a cultivated mind and an elevated genius. The place afforded -neither physician nor apothecary; but Madam Clarisse supplied the want -of them by her own knowledge of the medical qualities of different -roots and plants. Her conduct evidently proved how much good a -generous heart is capable of doing, even where Fortune has not been -lavish of her smiles. - -This lady had a servant maid, whose name was Maria, and who had seen -twelve revolving suns in her service. Her attachment to her mistress, -her disinterested behaviour, affability, and attention, procured -her the just esteem of all who lived in the neighbourhood. It was a -happiness for this girl, that she had all her life been brought up on -this spot of innocence, and had not been exposed to the corrupting and -pestiferous air of the metropolis. - -Madam Clarisse had the highest opinion of the good qualities of Maria, -and had entertained a strong affection for her. Maria, who in her turn -tenderly loved her mistress, and was a little older than her, always -wished that her good lady might be the longer survivor; but Providence -had ordered it otherwise. Madam Clarisse was attacked with a disorder, -which, on its first appearance, was supposed to be of no consequence; -but, by the improper treatment of her physicians, who mistook her -disorder, it at last proved fatal. - -The visible approach of death did not disturb the peace and tranquility -of the mind of this virtuous lady: her bosom was fortified with -religious consolations; her heart had never been the receptacle of -evil; and, while every one around her was bewailing her approaching -dissolution, she alone seemed peaceful and tranquil. The salutary -regimen she exactly followed, protracted her death for a little while, -and her courage gave her strength. She was not confined to her bed, but -walked about, and had the village girls around her, whom she instructed -in the principles of religion and virtue. - -One delightful morning, in the blooming month of May, she rose very -early, and took a walk in the fields, accompanied by Maria, who never -forsook her. She reached the summit of a verdant hill, from whence the -eye wandered over the most delightful prospects. She sat down on the -enamelled turf, and Maria by her side. - -"What a delightful view!" said she. "See, Maria, that verdant meadow, -over which we have so frequently walked! It is not long since, if you -remember, that we there met the good old Genevive, who bent beneath -the load on her back, while she carried in her hand a basket full of -apples: you insisted on taking the load from her, and, in spite of all -her resistance, I seized her basket of apples. Do you not remember what -joy and pleasure every step afforded us, how grateful the good creature -seemed, and what a hearty breakfast we ate in her cottage? - -"Look a little to the right, and there you see the willow-walk by the -lake, in which, when we were young, we used so frequently to angle. -How often have we there made ozier baskets, and then filled them with -cowslips and violets! You recollect that cottage in front of us, the -peaceful habitation of Myrtilla, for whom you in two days made up the -wedding clothes I gave her. To the left, see the entrance of the wood, -where I used every holiday to keep my evening school in the summer, for -the instruction of the peasants' children. How happily those moments -glided away, while surrounded by my youthful neighbours! How many sweet -and delightful tales has the lovely Priscilla there told, and how many -enchanting songs did the sweet Miranda there warble forth, while the -feathered songsters seemed to stop their own notes to listen to her -divine warblings! Methinks every thing around me brings back something -pleasing to my reflection, and gives an inexpressible delight to my -present sensations! - -"You are sensible, Maria, that there is a school in this village kept -by a poor old woman. Many who attend her school can pay for instruction -without any inconvenience, while there are others, who, for want of -money, are obliged to keep their children at home in ignorance. Had I -any hopes of living a few years longer, I should be much pleased with -the idea, that I should by that time have saved a hundred crowns, which -would have been sufficient to provide education for the children of -those who cannot afford to pay for it; but, since it is the will of God -that such shall not be the case, I submit without repining." - -Here Maria turned her head aside, in order to conceal from her lady the -tender tear that stole down her cheeks. Madam Clarisse perceiving the -situation of her amiable servant, "My dear Maria," said she, "why do -you weep? We shall again meet each other to part no more, and for the -present let my serenity console you. I have not a doubt but you will -always have a sure asylum in my house long after I shall have left it. -Had it pleased God, I should have been happy to have it in my power to -make some provision for you; but I cannot; and it is for me to submit." - -Lifting up her hands, she exclaimed, "Accept, O gracious God! my most -grateful acknowledgments for having placed me in a situation far from -the temptations and vanities of this world. A stranger to headstrong -passions and delusive pleasures, I have passed my tranquil life on this -retired spot of innocence, secure from the tumultuous pursuits of pride -and vanity, and a perfect stranger to the gnawing pangs of jealousy or -envy. Innocence and peace, and all the tender feelings of friendship -and humanity, have been my constant companions. In that critical -and awful moment, when the remembrance of past actions is not to be -supported by the wicked, my mind enjoys inexpressible serenity and -composure." - -Madam Clarisse here stopped short, and her head sunk on the bosom of -Maria; who, looking on the face of her amiable mistress, found it -turned pale, and her eyes closed-never more to be opened!--Thus cracked -the cordage of a virtuous heart;--good night, thou amiable woman; may -choirs of angels sing you to your rest! - -Maria was undoubtedly much afflicted at the death of her lady, and her -sorrow on that account, added to the fatigues she had undergone, threw -her into a fever, from which her recovery was for a long time doubtful. -Nature, however, at last conquered her disorder, when she determined -to quit that place, as soon as her strength would permit her. When -she found herself capable of pursuing the journey, she packed up the -little matter she had, and first repaired to the church-yard where her -amiable lady lay buried. Having there paid the tribute of a tear upon -her grave, she instantly set out for Charleville, her native place, -sincerely regretted by the minister and people, who knew not what was -become of her. - -Two years had elapsed, and no news was heard of Maria, though every -possible enquiry was made in the neighbourhood. About that time, -however, the minister of the parish received a parcel containing some -money, and the following letter with it: - - "At last, my dear reverend sir, I am enabled to send you the - hundred crowns which my worthy lady, in her expiring moments, - so ardently wished to be possessed of, not for her own use, - but for the emolument of others. Her wishes shall now be - fulfilled, and the pious work she projected shall be completed. - Had not this been the all I am possessed of in this world, I - would have brought it myself. I am too poor to support myself - among you; but I am happy in my poverty, and feel no anxieties - but those occasioned by the loss of my dear lady. I beseech - you to put this money out to interest, and inform the mistress - of the school that it is for her use. This I hope will enable - her to take under her care the children of such poor people, - who cannot afford to pay for their education. If I have any - favour to ask of Heaven, it is only this, that I may, before I - am called hence, be enabled to save a little money, in order - to be in a condition to pay you a visit. Should I live to see - this school established on the plan my deceased lady wished - for, I shall then be perfectly happy, and shall quit this world - without envying those who roll in the gifts of fortune, but - have not a heart properly to use them.--MARIA." - -The curate, who was a man of generous feelings, read this letter with -admiration, and the next day, in the church, communicated the contents -of it to his congregation, who could not refrain from tears on the -relation of so generous an action. According to Maria's request, he -placed the hundred crowns out to interest; and thus, from the produce -of two year's incessant labour of this amiable woman, was a foundation -laid for the education of the poor children of the parish. - -The generous Maria, having thus disposed of every thing she was -possessed of, again sat down to work; but not with so much ardour as -before, as she had now only to labour for her own maintenance. About -this time, however, a relation died and left her ten pounds a year, -which to her was a little fortune. - -It soon came to the knowledge of Maria, that the curate had read -her letter to his congregation, which gave her no small degree of -uneasiness, as she wished it to remain unknown. However, it soon became -the conversation of every one, and at last reached the place where she -lived. - -People of the first character and fortune in Charleville, at which -place she then lived, were anxious to be acquainted with her; and some -of them even went so far as to offer her apartments in their house. But -she preferred her present situation to a life of ease and indolence. - -The curate, having occasion soon after to visit Paris, mentioned Maria -in all companies, and related the affecting story of her charity, which -soon became the general subject of conversation in that metropolis, was -publicly related in the Paris Gazette, and from thence copied into most -of the public papers in Europe. - -A young prince, who lived with his parents, at Paris, and who was -hardly nine years of age, was so affected, young as he was, with this -generous action of Maria, that he talked of nothing else from morning -till night. "I wish I were a man," said the little prince one morning -in his father's hearing. "And if you were a man," replied the peer, -"what then would you do?" - -The young prince threw his arms round his father's neck, and having -obtained a promise that he would grant him what he asked, "I would," -said he, "give Maria a pension." His father embraced him, applauded the -generosity of his heart, and instantly settled fifty pounds a year on -Maria for life. - -We may learn from hence, that virtue often meets with its recompence -in the possession of the good things of this life, besides that -inexpressible delight it receives from the inward feelings of the -heart. Maria received this donation with all becoming gratitude; but -she used it as though she were only the steward of it: she fed the -hungry, she clothed the naked, and diffused through the whole village a -spirit of industry, prudence, and benevolence. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -_The Pleasures of Contentment._ - - -Amidst all the objects of our pursuits in this world, in order to -acquire happiness, Contentment is the first. Without this, all the -parade of grandeur, the possession of the most beautiful villa, and -all the studied delicacies of the table are dull and tasteless. When -contentment has taken up its seat in the bosom, the straw-built hut is -a palace, and the coarsest viands are preferable to the most sumptuous -delicacies. The following history of an eastern vizier will contribute -to support this opinion. - -Alibeg, in his youth, had been a very great favourite of the Sultan -Mahmud: he had been the partner of his childish sports, and, as they -grew up, the companion of his more manly amusements. He entrusted him -with all his secrets, and generally followed his advice in most matters -of importance. Mahmud, therefore, out of gratitude, advanced him to the -first office of state in the empire. - -Alibeg was a man of a noble and generous heart, and of a complexion -of mind very different from those who generally flock about royalty, -like drones about the hive, only to rob it of its sweets. The inferior -ministers of Mahmud were avaricious, cruel, and oppressive, and -sacrificed the ease and happiness of the people to gratify their own -pleasure, avarice, and ambition. Alibeg was determined, whatever might -be the consequences, to set about a reformation of many shameful abuses. - -An attempt of this nature naturally brought upon him the united -opposition of the imans and grandees. They first endeavoured to ruin -Alibeg in the opinion of the sultan, by charging him with those very -crimes, which he was in reality endeavouring to correct; but their -endeavours were for a long time ineffectual. The sultan loved Alibeg, -and well knew that all the accusations against him were false and -groundless. - -Men in power, who have no other object in view but the gratification of -their unbounded passions, dread nothing so much as the influence which -wise and virtuous minds sometimes have over good princes. The wicked -courtiers finding they could not prevail on the sultan, by fair means, -to give up his favourite Alibeg, called in to their aid diabolical -rebellion. - -The deluded multitude rose against their best friend, whose only wish -was to make them happy, by freeing them from the shameful tyranny in -which the ministers and great men held them. What a pity it is, that -the lower class of people, on whom the prosperity of almost every -nation undoubtedly depends, should be so often blind to their own -interest, as to be persuaded, by artful and designing men, to forge -fetters for themselves! - -The sultan, finding he must either give up his empire or his favourite, -consented to the disgrace of Alibeg; but not till the leaders of -the rebellion had sworn, by the holy Prophet, that Alibeg should -be permitted to retire where he pleased, without being insulted or -molested. - -Alibeg, thus divested of power and all his property, without a friend -who dared to give him the least assistance, retired to spend the -remainder of his days among the rocks and deserts of the Korasan. Here, -on the borders of a limpid and meandering stream, he erected himself -a little hut; and here, remote from the converse of ambitious and -deceitful man, he passed his time unnoticed by any human being. - -He had lived in this solitary retreat, amidst rocks and deserts for -upwards of two years, when the virtuous Mentor discovered his gloomy -abode. This good man, who was the intimate friend of Alibeg, and who -had advised him to attempt the reformation of the state, was thereby -instrumental in the ruin of his friend. However, as soon as Alibeg -was banished by the people, Mentor banished himself, and retired to a -little village at a great distance from the capital. - -Mentor sighed for the absence of his friend, and, as he knew he was -retired to the Korasan, he determined to set out in search of him. As -he was walking on, and at about a furlong distant from the abode of -Alibeg, they suddenly met in a winding path. They instantly knew each -other, embraced, and wept. When they had wiped away their tears, and -had got over the first emotions of joy which so sudden and unexpected a -meeting had occasioned, Mentor was astonished to see how much serenity -and composure were visible on the countenance of his friend Alibeg, -whose bosom was the repository of peace and contentment. - -"Blessed be the Eternal," said Mentor, "who gives strength to the weak, -and contentment to the unfortunate! He, who had fertile plains at his -command in the environs of the capital, is now contented and happy in a -cottage, among barren rocks and deserts! But Alibeg has brought virtue -with him to these rocks, and he despises the roses that for ever bloom -in the garden of Hiera, the diamonds that harden in the rich mines of -Nishapous, and the silks that rustle in the manufactories of Mezendran. -But tell me, my dear friend, has it taught you to live alone? Is it -possible, that any one can live without the converse of a friend? Such -a life would be the solitude of a tomb!" - -While Mentor was thus addressing his friend, they kept walking on; when -they approached the cottage, which Alibeg left that morning before the -sun had given light to the eastern parts of the horizon, their ears -were first assailed with the neighing of a colt that came to meet them. -When the animal approached its master, its motions seemed to express -its satisfaction on seeing him again: it turned about either walking or -prancing before him all the way home. - -Presently two beautiful heifers came running towards them from an -adjoining meadow. They moved in a circle round them, then stopped, as -it were, to offer him their milk, and holding out their necks to him -to be yoked; for nature had taught these animals to be grateful to the -hand that fed them. - -When they had proceeded a little further, two goats, attended by their -kids, as soon as they caught sight of Alibeg, descended from the rocks, -and expressed their joy on seeing him again by skipping and sporting -round him. - -While Mentor was amusing himself with this pleasing scene, his -attention was called aside to observe five or six sheep, which had just -issued from a neighbouring thicket, and were bleating as they ran. They -leaped with joy, and approached to lick their master's hand, who, in -return, made much of them, and showed them, by the manner in which he -received those marks of their gratitude, how much he was satisfied with -their affection for him. - -This tender scene engaged much the attention of Mentor, who was still -more surprised when he saw a flock of doves surround Alibeg, some of -which hovered over his head, and others perched on his shoulders. - -By this time he had entered the inclosure of his cottage, when a cock -perceiving him, instantly began crowing; and, to complete the concert, -the hens flew from their pursuit of food, and endeavoured, in their -way, to welcome his return. - -But all these marks of attachment were not equal to those shown by two -dogs who waited, at the door of the cot, the arrival of Alibeg, their -generous master. Neither of them would stir out to meet him, but kept -to the post he seemed to have assigned them, that of taking care of his -house. However, as soon as he and his friend had entered the cot, they -pawed and jumped round him, played a thousand antics, crouched before -him, and expressed their joy by their agility; they licked their -master's feet, and, when he stretched his hand to pat and stroke them, -they would hardly stay to receive the fond mark of approbation, but, -rushing through the door-way, sprung forward, and made long circuits -over the rocks, and scoured backwards and forwards to express their -joy. When they had tired themselves, they returned and lay down at the -feet of their beloved master. - -Mentor seemed lost in astonishment, and was convinced, in his own mind, -that his friend must be happier in this cot, amidst these irrational -beings, if they deserved to be so called, than he could possibly be -among faithless men, in the palaces of Mahmud. - -"You here see, my good friend," said Alibeg, "that I know how to -make myself happy, even among the rocks and deserts of Korasan. I -endeavoured to teach men the love of virtue, to inspire the subjects -of Mahmud with the proper notions of liberty, and to shake off that -tyranny they laboured under from the usurpation of the rich and -powerful; but they despised my advice, and drove me from my native -spot, to seek shelter here, where I have found animals of the brute -creation more grateful than men. Thus, you see, my solitude is not a -tomb, and that I here enjoy a kind of sovereignty over those animals, -which is far more grateful, and less dangerous, than the condition of -Mahmud, who reigns over a fickle and inconstant people, who is every -hour deceived by them, and who may perhaps one day drive him from his -throne." - -While they were thus conversing together, they heard the sound of a -number of horses' feet on the solid rock. Alibeg was alarmed, and could -not conceive that any band of robbers could inhabit those regions; nor -could he suppose that any civilized beings would come that way in the -pursuit of pleasure. - -A few minutes, however, cleared up all his doubts, when he saw about -a hundred horsemen approaching his cot. At the head of these Alibeg -perceived his old friend Sha-abba, who had been the principal cause of -changing Alibeg's sentence, from that of losing his head to perpetual -banishment. - -Sha-abba leaped from his horse, and caught Alibeg in his arms. Mentor, -who was a witness to this scene, could not conceive what all this -could mean; but he soon learned, that the people were so wearied out -with the oppressions of the great, which had been carried to a more -enormous height than ever since the banishment of Alibeg, that they -unanimously rose in their defence, and destroyed all the authors of -their oppression; but remained firm in their duty and attachment to the -Sultan Mahmud. - -The sultan had sent these horsemen, a hundred in number, with Sha-abba -at their head, in quest of the virtuous Alibeg, whom he was to bring -back with him by force, if entreaty could not prevail, to assume -his former post of vizier. When Alibeg was informed of this, he -wept bitterly, and exclaimed, "After having learned to know in what -happiness and contentment consist, why am I thus to be snatched in -a moment from them, and again compelled to hazard my peace of mind -among men more savage than the rocks and deserts of Korasan? How can I -forsake these faithful companions of my retirement, my dogs, my doves, -and my cattle? No, if I must go, they shall follow me, that I may have -them ready to attend me when Fortune shall again drive me to these -deserts." - -Sha-abba and Mentor endeavoured to pacify his mind: the former assured -him, that all his enemies had been killed by the hands of the oppressed -multitude, and the general voice of both the sultan and people was for -the return of Alibeg. By these and such like arguments they prevailed -on Alibeg to return to the capital, and resume his former exalted -employments. - -Alibeg mounted his colt, and, after shedding a flood of tears, as a -tributary farewell to the rocks and deserts of Korasan, he proceeded -on his journey; his two faithful dogs by his side, while the doves -fluttered around him, and his kids, sheep, and heifers, followed in the -rear. - -When they arrived within a few miles of the metropolis, they were met -by some thousands of the citizens, who seemed at a loss how properly to -express their happiness on the return of their faithful Alibeg, while -shame, for having treated him so unjustly, in some measure diminished -their joy. Mahmud waited for him at the door of his palace; he received -him with open arms; and Alibeg all his life afterwards was equally -esteemed by the sultan and his people. Happy is he who, in every -various station of life, in prosperity or adversity, can maintain the -same equanimity, resolution, and fortitude. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -_The happy Effects of Sunday Schools on the Morals of the rising -Generation._ - - -Whatever may be said of the increasing luxury and dissipation of -Englishmen, their hearts have not yet lost any part of their ancient -reputation for the feelings of humanity, and they are still ever ready -to provide clothing for the naked, medical assistance for the sick and -lame, and education for the untaught children of the poor. - -The great number of hospitals, infirmaries, free-schools, and other -charitable establishments, with which almost every part of this -country abounds, afford an ample display of British benevolence. The -institution of Sunday Schools owes its foundation to the humanity -of the present times, and will be a credit to it in future ages. The -following history of Dorcas and Amarillis may serve as one instance of -the happy effects of Sunday Schools. - -In a solitary village, far remote from the metropolis, and not near -to any capital city, lived the parents of Dorcas and Amarillis. The -husband was a shepherd and his wife a shepherdess; but their earnings -were so little, that even with their joint labour they could hardly -procure bread for themselves and their children, and a morsel of meat -once a week was the highest pitch of their luxury, though even that was -of the very coarsest kind. - -As soon as Dorcas and Amarillis grew up, the former was sent into the -fields to frighten birds from the grain, and the latter was kept at -home to knit coarse yarn stockings for the use of the family. - -Their whole library consisted only of a Testament and a Prayer-book; -but these were so injured by the depredations of time, having passed -from hand to hand for many years, that what was not torn away, was -rendered nearly illegible. However, that was of little consequence, -since neither of them could read, and consequently could have no idea -of writing. The church was at some distance from them, which served as -an excuse to be absent from thence. - -Dorcas had neither hat, shirt, shoes, nor stockings; and all the -apparel of poor Amarillis was only a straw hat and a coarse gown -and petticoat.--These considerations alone were sufficient to keep -them from church, admitting they had any inclination to go there. In -course, as Sunday was the only day of rest they had from their labour, -both boys and girls passed it in such tricks and gambols as were most -suitable to their age and taste. - -Thus they lived almost in a state of nature, without knowing any thing -of the Supreme Being, or of any of the duties we owe to him. They had -no idea of prayer, further than, "I thank God we have had a fine season -this year, &c." and herein consisted all their devotion. However, -amidst all this ignorance and poverty, Dorcas, his sister, and family, -were all strictly honest, and never, like others in their village, -employed their Sunday in stealing fowls, and other things from their -rich neighbours, which they thought it no crime to do: the only dread -they had of the commission of these robberies, was the fear of being -discovered, and the punishment that would inevitably follow it. - -These two children, Dorcas and Amarillis, lived in this state of -ignorance till they were ten or eleven years of age. It had been some -time a custom with Dorcas and his sister, with a black-lead pencil -they had found by chance, to imitate, on the back of a clean white -trencher, all the letters they found in the remains of their Common -Prayer-book, though they knew not the sound, nor combination of the -different letters of the alphabet, in order to form and connect words. - -As they were one winter's evening hovering over the fire, Dorcas said -to his sister, "How happy are those young people, who, having parents -that can afford to pay for their education, are taught to read, write, -and cast accounts! and yet how many of those children prefer the most -idle pastimes to the more invaluable improvement of their minds? There -must be something vastly pretty, in being able to read that Testament -and Prayer-book." - -"I agree with you, my dear Dorcas," said the blooming Amarillis, "that -there must be something uncommonly delightful, to be able to unriddle -the meaning of all those words we see in that book. What a hardship it -is, that we should be born to spend our days in ignorance, and know -none of the pleasures which learning must undoubtedly bring with it!" - -The next morning, the principal person in the village, who owned a -great part of it, came to their hovel, and acquainted the old folks -that they might the next Sunday send their children to church, where -they would be instructed in the principles of the Christian religion, -and be likewise taught to read, without any expence to themselves. - -The next Sunday morning, accompanied by other children in the village, -they accordingly repaired to church, where they were all dressed in new -apparel, prepared for them by the voluntary subscriptions of the humane -and generous. Though their clothes were but of coarse materials, yet -Dorcas and Amarillis had never been so fine before; the one thought -herself as elegant as Cleopatra, and the other considered himself as -great as Cæsar. - -Besides clothing, such as could read tolerably well had a Bible, -Testament, and Common Prayer given them; while others who could not -read, had only a spelling-book. A schoolmaster was appointed in each -village to instruct the poor children in the evening; and every Sunday -they went regularly to church, to be examined by the parson in public. - -It was a pleasing change to behold: instead of noise, riot, and -confusion, every Sunday, from one end of the village to the other, -peace, order, and decorum were every where seen. Instead of having -recourse to mischievous inventions to pass away the time, each was now -seen quietly seated on the enamelled turf, with a book in his hand, and -either reading to himself or to some others. - -Among all these youthful students, Dorcas and Amarillis made the most -distinguished figures, and displayed such a genius and attention as -attracted the wonder and amazement of every one. In a few months they -learned to read with some degree of emphasis, and could write a hand -sufficient for any of the common concerns of business. - -Such an uncommon display of genius created them many friends, and -they frequently received invitations from the younger branches of -the neighbouring gentry. From these visits they learned a polite and -graceful behaviour, and consequently soon got rid of their awkward -rusticity. As they increased in knowledge, so their minds opened and -expanded; and, though their wishes were at first only to learn to read, -they now sighed after the higher branches of literature. - -"What a pleasing thing it must be," said Dorcas one day to his sister, -"to read of what passed in the former ages of the world, and trace out -the tempers and dispositions of the people in those days! What a narrow -span of earth are we confined to, in comparison of what we are told -the world is at large! I should like to read those books which give a -description of the different parts of the earth and seas; what animals -inhabit them, and what curiosities they contain superior to our own." - -"I have the same wish," replied Amarillis; "but let us be thankful to -that good God, and to the generosity of our opulent neighbours, by -whose bounty and goodness we were rescued from a state of ignorance and -gloomy despair, have been enabled to read the Sacred Writings, and -imbibe the glorious doctrines of salvation." - -This conversation was overheard by a gentleman, who immediately bought -them some small books of history and geography, of which they made so -proper a use, that there were very few young people, within several -miles of them, who were able to converse with them on geographical and -historical subjects. - -Within the course of two years, Dorcas and his sister had made great -improvements in the sciences, when it was thought necessary to send -them into the world to provide for themselves, as their parents were -now engaged in a gentleman's family, in a much better situation than -that of a shepherd and shepherdess. Amarillis was taken as a waiting -maid, attendant and companion of a young lady of distinction and -fortune; and Dorcas thought himself happy in being taken as clerk in -the shop of a capital tradesman. - -In this situation all parties at present remain, and afford an -unanswerable proof of the utility of Sunday Schools. Had it not been -for that noble institution, Dorcas and Amarillis must have lived and -died in the grossest ignorance, overwhelmed with poverty and despair; -their parents must have lingered out a half-starved life in their -miserable cot, without being able to bequeath any thing to their -children but rags and poverty. What may be the future situation of -Dorcas and Amarillis we cannot say; but we need not search the roll of -fate to know this, that they are bound to pray, as they undoubtedly do, -for the first promoters of Sunday Schools. - -Let me advise my youthful readers, whatever their condition in life may -be, to imitate the industry of Dorcas and Amarillis. Let them remember -that, however painful a few years of hard study may be, how pleasing -will be the consequences to them all the rest of their lives, when they -will be possessed of that which nothing but their final dissolution can -take from them! - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -_The Happy Villager._ - - -Mr. Jackson had been an eminent tradesman in the city of London, where -he by trade acquired an independent fortune, and was now retired into -the country to spend the remainder of his days amidst rural retreats, -to enjoy the pleasures of rambling through woods and groves, by the -side of purling and meandering streams, while the harmony of the -feathered songsters would charm the ear, and lull the busy mind into -the most tranquil repose. - -The retreat Mr. Jackson had chosen was situated in the county of -Worcester, and near to the place where he drew his first breath. His -house was a well-designed mean between the vast piles raised for -magnificence and those smaller ones in which convenience alone is -considered. The walk from the back of the house led through a wood, by -the side of a delightful stream, which meandered over grass from out of -a deep hollow. A gush of water, which fell into it, gurgled through a -rocky cavity; and in front you looked down on a fine lawn, terminated -with a noble bank of hanging woods. - -He would frequently ramble to a great distance from home, to survey -the beauties of the surrounding country. He had already visited every -neighbouring village, and therefore one day strayed farther than usual -in pursuit of new objects. On a sudden he discovered a delightful -valley, the appearance of which seemed to correspond with every thing -descriptive of a rural scene. - -It was surrounded on all sides by hills, at the feet of which were -thickly scattered cottages, groves, and gardens, which seemed to be -the abode of rural happiness. The silence of the scene was broken -only by the dashings of a torrent, which, rushing from an eminence, -precipitated, bellowing, into a cavern beneath. Having there vented -its rage in foam, it then divided into a multitude of little rills, -and forming serpentine sweeps, refreshed the meadows and surrounding -gardens with its friendly streams. - -However pleased Mr. Jackson was with the natural beauties of the -place, he was no less struck with the neatness and simplicity of the -many cottages that presented themselves to his view, every house having -a garden, an orchard, and some well-cultivated ground about it. Their -only fences were hedges of holly, which afforded a convincing proof of -two things, the fertility of the soil, and the confidence each one had -in his neighbour. - -Mr. Jackson was so wholly employed in contemplating this pleasing -scene, that he paid no attention to a storm that was gathering around -him, till the lightning flashed in his face, the thunder rolled over -his head, and the rain began to fall in torrents. He instantly ran -to the nearest farm door, and having there knocked, gained immediate -admittance. - -It was an elderly woman that came to the door, and who, though old, -was not decrepid, and appeared to have something venerable in her -countenance. "Come in, sir," said she, "and I will make a fire to dry -you. I am glad our cottage was so near to you; but you would have met -with a kind reception in any of these cottages. There is hardly a house -here which is not kept by some of our children or descendants." - -Mr. Jackson had sufficient leisure, while the good woman was lighting -the fire, to survey the apartment. Every thing appeared uncommonly -neat, and it was easy to be seen, from the nature of the furniture, -that necessity had no abode under that roof. The novelty of the whole -scene, and the particular words the good old woman had dropped in -conversation during the lighting of the fire, gave Mr. Jackson a strong -desire to know further particulars. - -While he was drying his clothes, he heard a voice in the other room, -asking if the stranger was taken care of, to which the good woman -replied in the affirmative. "I suppose," said Mr. Jackson, "that is -your husband in the next room, whose voice I hear. May I go in and -thank him for his hospitality and kindness!" - -"With all my heart, sir," replied the woman, "you will please to step -in, and I believe you will not be dissatisfied with your reception." -Mr. Jackson did so; and there found an old man reclining on a bed, of -which the clothes and furniture were very neat and clean. He had on a -cap, and his snow-white locks hung over his venerable shoulders. His -countenance indicated the goodness and serenity of his heart, and even -Time had here been more sparing of his devastations than is generally -the case. - -The appearance of this happy villager had a very great effect upon Mr. -Jackson, who could not look on him without being, in some measure, -prejudiced in his favour. "What is the matter with you?" said he to the -old cottager, "I suppose you are ill, and obliged to keep your bed?" - -"God be praised," replied the old man, "that is not the case; though -it cannot be expected, that a person turned of fourscore years of age -should be free from all kinds of complaints. It is not a long time -since I have given up daily labour, which my children obliged me to do; -for they said I had worked long enough for them, and that it was now -time they should work for me in their turns." - -Mr. Jackson highly applauded the conduct of his children; and observed -to the old man, that he must have purchased his present repose at the -expence of a great deal of labour; but he wished to know, after having -passed his life in such active scenes, how he could amuse himself at -present. - -"My whole life," replied the old man, "has been a constant succession -of labour. There are few men who have carried in more hay, or tied -more sheaves together than I have; but my labour procured me health, -contentment, and happiness. As to time, it never sits heavy on my -hands; and, when my body is at rest, my mind is at work. How can any -person be at a loss for thoughts who has ten children, and fifty -children's children to think for? They every day give me an account of -their affairs and labour, and it is I who put every thing in order. -There is always one constantly upon my hands that must be married, and -matches of that kind are not to be settled in a moment. If those I -have provided for in this way are now in a thriving state, it is to me -they owe their welfare. I have at this time three marriages in hand, -and I hope they will soon be settled to the mutual satisfaction of all -parties." - -Mr. Jackson observed, that he must be very happy in so numerous a -family, and asked him how many he had at home with him. "I have at -present only two," replied the old man, "who are my grand-daughters, -for I cannot lodge an army here. It is my lands, and not my house, -that I wish to enlarge. Thank God, I have been able to give each of my -children a tolerable portion; not in gold, but acres, and that without -impoverishing myself. For a mere trifle, I bought a large quantity of -land, which none of my neighbours thought worth meddling with: but I -set about improving it, and gave it to my daughters as so many marriage -portions, which are now, in their improved state, of great value. - -"Whenever any of my children were ill, I had skill enough to cure them -by the use of those few plants I am acquainted with, and of their -behaviour to me I never had any reason to complain. I always took care -to set them a good example; for though in my youth I was as wild as -any other, and there could not be a dance in this or any neighbouring -parish but I was sure to be there, yet, as soon as I was married, I -left off those pranks. My wife was fortunately handsome, good, and -sprightly, and that kept me in awe. - -"I took my boys into the fields with me as soon as they could walk, and -I presently made them useful in one way or other. I put my youngest son -on the plough, and was pleased to see the others frolic round him; and, -on my return home in the evening, my little girls would divert me with -singing, while they were spinning at their wheel. - -"I used to go among my children and grandchildren, to see if every -thing went on properly; but now, since old age has prevented me, they -come and see me. The sermon is no sooner over on a Sunday, than my -daughters and grand-daughters bring their little ones; and it would -please you, sir, to behold me in the midst of twenty women dressed as -for a marriage, and as pretty as angels. There is a family resemblance -in their children, and that charms me." - -Mr. Jackson observed, that the other six days of the week must be very -tiresome to him, since he could not have the company of his family to -amuse him. To this the old man replied, "If I be denied this pleasure, -yet I have others to supply its place. I know every inch of ground in -this parish, and am as well acquainted with all who live in it. My -neighbours, therefore, frequently come to ask my opinion on matters -of husbandry, in which they are engaged. I give them my advice with -pleasure; and if they be poor people, I provide them with the seed they -want, and they repay it me the ensuing harvest. Thus am I serviceable -to others, without injuring myself or my family. - -"In my endeavours to do good to my neighbours, I am assisted by our -vicar, who is a very good man, and of whom I have, in some degree, -made a bishop, by the weddings, christenings, and tithes with which I -have enriched him. I have even given him some instructions concerning -his business in the pulpit; for the country people, in general, like -example better than precept. The general rule I taught him to lay down -to his congregation was no more than this: _No rest, good neighbours, -to your land; but peace among yourselves._" - -Mr. Jackson could not help applauding such principles, and told the -good old villager, that he apprehended he was of more service to the -vicar than he was to the lawyer, if any such professional man lived -near them. - -The good old man replied, "We have indeed one lawyer among us, but I -have pretty well spoiled his trade. Had I taken only sixpence every -time I have been consulted, in order to settle disputes, I should at -this time have been a very rich man. In all places, there frequently -will happen disputes of one kind or other, and principally when -the ground of any deceased person is to be parceled out among his -successors. - -"On these occasions, they generally come to me for my advice; and if -there be children to be married, I soon settle the affair. If there -be any ground in dispute, and the parties cannot agree about it, they -take me in their little cart, and, being on the spot, I have the ground -surveyed; I then weigh the good and bad qualities of it in my mind, and -endeavour, if I can, to satisfy the different parties. - -"When I find the parties are not inclined to agree, the next day I get -them all together here, and I always keep a barrel of good ale on the -run, such as will soften the most obdurate and flinty heart. I give -them a glass or two of it, and in the mean time I tell them, that a -lawsuit would cost ten times more than the ground is worth; that if -they proceed in it, they will lose a great deal of time as well as -money, and ever after be enemies to each other. These arguments and a -few glasses of ale, never fail to make up the matter, and bring about a -perfect reconciliation. It is true, I lose my ale by such a practice; -but then I am amply repaid by the reflection of having done good." - -Here the cottager called to his wife, and told her to bring a jug -of their ale. Mr. Jackson drank some of it, and confessed that it -was admirably calculated to make peace among his neighbours in the -village, especially when administered by so able a hand, who knew how -to extract friendship from the very means that often produce strife and -disaffection. - -By this time the storm was entirely abated, Nature had put off her -gloomy aspect, and the returning sun began to enliven every thing. Mr. -Jackson took a friendly leave, and promised to see them again in a few -days. On his return home, "Who would not," said he to himself, "prefer -the healthful age of this good cottager, happy in his own esteem and -the love of others, to the vanity of those great men, who make no other -use of their abundance, than to set examples of luxury and dissipation, -who make light of public scorn and hatred, and whom the very grave will -not protect from infamy and execration!" - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -_The Indolent Beauty._ - - -We too often see beauty contaminated by vanity, and a fine genius by -indolence. Bella was the only daughter of a tender and affectionate -mother, whose virtue and discretion were a source of happiness to her -family, and a credit to her sex. Bella, on her arrival at six years of -age, afforded every symptom of a good heart, complaisance, affability, -and a tolerable share of understanding. This was the glaring part of -the picture; for the shade afforded a strange attachment to indolence, -and a disgust to every species of refined education. - -Though her mother possessed all the talents necessary for an excellent -instructress, yet she had never before any opportunity of reducing them -to practice, and an only child was not perhaps the most proper object -for her experience in the science of juvenile education. It should -ever be one important point with parents, never to give up a command -they have once laid on their children, but punctually to insist on its -performance. The observation of this rule would frequently save a great -deal of uneasiness to both parents and children. - -Her mother could not think of applying even the most tender correction, -and the use of threatenings only added to her own uneasiness. She -hoped, as her daughter grew older, she would become more sensible of -her indolence and inattention to business, and, as she ripened in -years, would proportionably increase in sense and judgment; but the -older the twig grew the less pliant it became, and what might have -been accomplished in its younger state, was by time become almost -impracticable. - -Bella, however, when she arrived at eight years of age, showed very -little inclination to make any alteration in her conduct; the little -creature's idleness rather increased than diminished, and she began to -be troublesome even to herself. Her mother now conceived the plan of -putting down on paper, every evening, the value of such things as she -had lost or spoiled in the course of the day, in consequence of her -carelessness and invincible indolence. - -Her mother had flattered herself that Bella, when she came to know -the value of money, would act in a more prudent manner; but she read -over the account with the utmost indifference, and considered the sums -there mentioned as too insignificant for her notice and attention. -A pretended head-ache was almost her constant excuse to avoid her -attendance on her masters; and thus, though naturally sincere, she -began to accustom herself to deviate from the truth. - -Bella had reached her thirteenth year, without the least appearance -of alteration in her conduct, and the lost and broken account, kept -by her mother, was increased to a large sum. One irregularity, if not -timely checked, brings on others; and thus Bella to indolence soon -added inconsistence. She presently grew tired of every thing; her -harpsichord, which was one week her favourite instrument, was the next -discarded with disgust, to make room for the guitar; and this, in a -short time after, for something else. She had masters to teach her -geography, French, and Italian; writing, accounts, dancing, drawing, -and music. These added to her mother's long catalogue of expences, -contributed but little to her improvement. - -It is natural to suppose, that when the follies of youth are not -early corrected, they will, like pernicious weeds, thrive so fast -as to check the growth of every thing that is valuable in the same -soil. Hence it happened, that after three years more had elapsed, -the lovely Bella, instead of growing wiser by age, as her mother had -vainly expected, became more indolent, whimsical, and capricious. All -the money paid to her masters was thrown away, she learned nothing, -and was in fact little more than an _ignorant beauty_: a character I -most sincerely wish is not applicable to any of my fair readers, since -nothing can be more dangerous, pernicious, and derogatory to female -reputation. - -At this period of her folly, a young gentleman of fortune and -character, whom I shall call by the name of Honestus, among other -company, visited the parents of Bella. He was struck with her charms, -and immediately conceived some thought of paying his addresses to that -capricious beauty; but, when he learned what was her character, he -declined all thoughts of forming such a connection. - -The tender mother did not fail to represent this disappointment to -her daughter, who was then of an age capable to receive remonstrances -of that nature. To her natural disposition for indolence she had now -added pride, the forerunner of all evils to a female mind. Instead -of properly feeling the reproaches of a tender mother, she haughtily -replied, "It is true, I have lost a great deal of time, and have not -improved myself much from the lessons of my masters; but what need -have I of learning, when my parents are so rich, and you yourself -acknowledge I am so pretty?" - -As soon as Bella had attained her eighteenth year, she began to think -herself happy in being no longer incommoded with the visits of her -teachers; so, when a young lady arrives at that age, she is supposed -to be accomplished in point of education, and has nothing else to do -but to apply herself to the application of those rules she learned from -her masters. Alas! this was not the case of the lovely Bella: she had -learned nothing but those principles which never fail to be pernicious -to the youthful mind. - -That morning, which on its opening appeared to her so delightful and -brilliant, was soon enveloped in dark and heavy clouds. Her mother -entered her chamber with a countenance that convinced Bella something -was amiss. After an awful pause, she thus addressed her daughter: -"My dear child, you are this day eighteen years of age; but I fear -your education is far short of what it now ought to be. I fear the -indulgences I have granted you have made you too vain of yourself, and -have fatally induced you to believe, that you had less occasion for an -education than others. Will beauty make you lovely? separated from the -graces of the mind, it will not so much as please. Are you not always -uneasy in yourself, and constantly dissatisfied with others? Besides, -rich as you imagine your father to be, are you sure that, while we are -now speaking, he is not a ruined and undone man?" - -The last words awakened in the bosom of Bella all the alarms which an -unexpected disappointment to ambition is capable of feeling. Her mother -got up, and left the room without saying any thing more. - -The apprehensions of Bella on this occasion were but too well founded; -for, in a few days after this conversation, her father stopped payment. -This imprudent gentleman, not contented with a fortune of six thousand -pounds a year, engaged in a very hazardous undertaking, which, -happening to fail, brought on a bankruptcy. He had all his life been -the child of fortune, and therefore made but a poor pupil in the school -of adversity: he took this matter so to heart, that in spite of all the -care and attention of his wife and daughter, he soon bid adieu to the -cares of this world, and fled for repose to the next. He died perfectly -sensible, exhorting those around him, never to give way to the emotions -of avarice and rapacity, since these first brought him to ruin, and -then to his grave. - -His wife undoubtedly felt this shock severely, though she supported -it with Christian fortitude. She had a small jointure, which the -creditors could not, nor did they wish to touch. Having performed the -duties of the last funeral rites to her husband, she and her daughter -retired to a private situation in the west of England, where every -necessary article of life was cheaper than in the metropolis. - -Bella, however, behaved with all the propriety that could be expected -from a repenting daughter, and made every effort she was capable of to -console her unhappy mother. She would frequently reproach herself with -her past negligence, and reckon up the vast sums of money that had been -squandered away upon her to so little purpose. - -Bella had valued herself much on the fortune she supposed herself born -to; but it pleased Providence to deprive her of it. She had, however, -her beauty still left to boast of; but even of this she was soon to be -deprived. Be cautious, my youthful readers, how you place too great -a confidence in the possession of wealth and beauty, since they are -fleeting as the wind, and as unsteady as the vessel on the troubled -billows of the ocean. Fortify your minds with religion and virtue, and -a proper knowledge of the useful sciences; the storms and hurricanes of -Fortune may then attack you, but you will always safely withstand their -rage, and deride their fury. - -One evening, while she was bewailing her past neglect, and vowing a -reform for the future, she was seized with a head-ache, and being -otherwise very ill, she went to bed. The next morning a violent fever -seized her, and a physician being sent for, her disorder was declared -to be that which is frequently so fatal to female beauty. - -It was one of the most unpromising kind; the doctors could say but -little, and the mother was driven to despair. Day after day, and night -after night, her mother never left her bed-side, but was constantly -with her, in a state of uncertainty, worse than that of death itself. -The afflicted Bella became delirious, the disorder made a rapid -progress, and her eyes were soon excluded from the light. - -Though this circumstance is not uncommon in this fatal disorder, and -therefore did not at first create any alarm in her mother, yet at last -it increased to such a dangerous height, that the physicians were -no longer able to dissemble matters, and candidly confessed their -apprehensions, that her daughter would be blind all her life. Judge, if -you can, what must be the feelings of a tender mother on so trying a -calamity! - -However, youth got the better of her disorder, very contrary to the -expectation of her mother, the physicians, and every one around her; -she also recovered her sight, but there were left terrible marks on -her face of the devastation it had there made. As soon as she was able -to walk about the room, she looked in the glass, and then exclaimed: -"Ah! what is become of that lovely face, of which the proud Bella so -lately boasted? Has cruel fortune robbed her of all she boasted, of all -she valued herself for but a month ago, her fortune and her beauty? I -am justly punished, and I will patiently submit." - -Bella, thus instructed by misfortune, soon conquered her indolence, and -all her former imperfections; a sudden revolution took place, and her -very nature seemed to be reformed. Her mother's conversation now became -delightful to her, and she began to sit down to study with unwearied -attention. Reading, music, and drawing were her daily amusements; and -so great were her improvements therein, that she soon made up for the -time she had before thrown away in the most shameful indolence. - -Her beauty was indeed vanished, but the improvements she made in her -mind procured her more friends than she was ever before able to acquire -by the charms of her person. Her shape was still truly elegant, and -her eyes and countenance were still expressive of the vivacity of her -heart. She was no longer expensive in her dress, though she was always -neat and fashionable.--Though her visitors did not look upon her with -that astonishment as formerly, yet they soon became captivated with the -charms of her mind and the politeness of her conversation. - -Two years had passed away in this retired situation, when Honestus, -who had long before ceased to think of making a partner of Bella, on -account of her capricious and indolent temper, being on some business -in that quarter, called on the mother and daughter to see them. He -was introduced into a parlour elegantly furnished, and adorned with -pictures. "Is not this," said the lady, "a neat apartment? Every thing -you here see, and these drawings in particular, are the works of my -daughter." - -Honestus was much surprised at hearing what he considered as a -tale, and his looks expressed his incredulity. He turned round, and -stedfastly gazing on the face of Bella, was equally astonished at -seeing her so changed. "Is this the lovely creature," said he to -himself, "with whose beauty I was once so much enraptured, and whom I -forsook on account of her pride, vanity, and indolence!" - -Out of politeness he entered into conversation with her, and found in -her a most pleasing alteration: before she was a beauty without sense; -now she had lost the charms of her face, but had found those of the -mind, which are infinitely the most to be valued. - -Honestus passed day after day in the company of Bella, whose -conversation was so pleasing and attracting, that he began to feel -himself uneasy when she was out of his sight. In order, therefore, that -he might enjoy the pleasure of her company without interruption, he -offered her his hand for life. "You certainly deserve her," said her -mother, "since you refused her in the bloom of her beauty, when her -fortune too afforded the most splendid promises, and now admire her -when they are both for ever vanished." - -Though the fortune of Honestus was not very splendid, yet it was -sufficient, with the assistance of his trade, to keep up a genteel -appearance, and to provide decently for a family, should such be the -consequence of their marriage. They soon quitted this rural retreat and -returned to London, where they now live in the enjoyment of all those -pleasures which conjugal love, friendship, and virtue are capable of -producing. - -Let my youthful readers reflect on what they have here read, and they -will then become sensible how vain and momentary, how fickle and -inconstant are the possession of riches and beauty. They are like -habitations built on the sands of the ocean, which are perpetually -liable to be swept away by the violence of winds and floods. I mean -not, that fortune and beauty are to be spised, I mean only that they -should be used properly, and that the possessor of them should not -vainly imagine, that they will supply the place of education, industry, -benevolence, charity, and virtue. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -_An Oriental Tale._ - - -Time, the devourer of all things, has permitted me to be the spectator -of a long series of events. The colour of my locks is now changed to -that of the swans, which sport in the gardens of the mighty kings -of the earth. Age and experience have taught me to believe, that -the sovereign Disposer of our destinies has given to man a heart -susceptible of virtue, and a soul capable of tasting the pleasures -which arise from doing good. A noble and disinterested action must -somewhere meet with its reward. Listen, O sons of Adam! listen to my -faithful tale. - -In one of those delightful valleys which cut the chain of the mountains -in Arabia, for a long time lived a rich pastor. He was happy because -he was contented, and his happiness consisted in doing good. One day, -as he was walking on the enamelled borders of a purling stream, under -the shade of a grove of palm-trees, which extended their verdant -branches even to the heads of the lofty cedars with which the mountain -was crowned, he heard a voice that frequently echoed into the valley -the most piercing cries, and sometimes low murmuring plaints, which -were lost in the noise of the torrent. - -The venerable pastor hastened to the place from whence the voice -proceeded, when he saw a young man prostrate on the sand, at the foot -of a rock. His garment was torn, and his hair, in wild confusion, -covered his face, on which were easily to be traced the flowers of -beauty, faded by grief: tears trickled down his cheeks, and his head -was sunk on his bosom: he appeared like the rose which the rude blast -of a storm had leveled to the earth. The pastor was touched at the -sight: he approached the youth, and said to him, "O child of Grief! -hasten to my arms. Let me press to my bosom the offspring of Despair!" - -The youth lifted up his head in mournful silence; in astonishment -he fixed his eyes on the pastor; for he supposed no human being was -capable of feeling for his sufferings. The sight of so venerable a -figure inspired him with confidence, and he perceived in his eyes the -tear of pity and the fire of generosity. If to a generous soul it is -pleasure to complain, and unfold the latent secrets of the heart, that -pleasure surely must be heightened when we complain to those who will -not shut their ears to the voice of truth, but will weigh every thing -in the scale of reason, even though those truths may be disagreeable, -and such as they wish to have no existence. - -The youth rose up, covered with dust, and, as he flew to the arms of -the pastor, uttered cries which the neighbouring mountains trebly -echoed. "O my father!" said he: "O my father!" when he had a little -recovered himself, after the tender embraces and the wise counsels of -the old man who asked him many questions. - -"It is," continued the unfortunate youth, "behind those lofty cedars, -which you behold on those high mountains, it is there dwells Shel-Adar, -the father of Fatima. The abode of my father is not far distant from -thence. Fatima is the most beautiful damsel of all those in the -mountains. I offered my service to Shel-Adar, to conduct one particular -part of his flock, and he granted me my request. The father of Fatima -is rich; mine is poor. I fell in love with Fatima, and she fell in love -with me. Her father perceived it, and I was ordered to retire from the -quarter in which lived every thing that was dear to my heart. - -"I besought Shel-Adar, in the most suppliant terms, to permit me to -attend his far-distant flocks, where I could have no opportunity to -speak to the object of my soul. My entreaties were in vain, and I was -ordered instantly to retire. My mother is no more; but I have an aged -father, and two brothers so young, that they can yet hardly reach -the most humble of the palm-tree branches. They have long depended -on me for support; but that support is now at an end. Let me die, -hoary-headed sire, and put an end to my woes!" - -The pastor went instantly in search of Shel-Adar, and having found -him, thus addressed him. "A dove from Aleppo took refuge at Damos, and -lived with a dove of that country. The master feared that the dove -from Aleppo would one day entice away his companion, and therefore -caused them to be separated. They would eat no grain but that which -they received when together; they languished; they died. O Shel-Adar! -separate not those who cannot live unless they live together!" - -Shel-Adar listened with attention to the words of the pastor; and, when -he found that the flock and the horses he had brought with him were now -given to the bewailing youth, he took Fatima by the hand, and led her -to the arms of her lover. They then retired to the neighbouring grove, -where the nymphs and swains from the mountains assembled around them, -crowned them with garlands, and in circles tripped over the enamelled -grass to the sweet notes of the lute. - -The day had passed too swiftly, when the twinkling stars appearing in -the heavens, gave the signal for retiring each to their habitation. -The reverend pastor then withdrew, but not till he had uttered these -words:-- - -"Listen, ye tender branches, to your parent stock; bend to the lessons -of instruction, and imbibe the maxims of age and experience. As the -pismire creeps not to its labour till fed by its elder, as the young -eagle soars not to the sun but under the shadow of its mother's wings, -so neither doth the child of mortality spring forth to action, unless -the parent hand point out its destined labour. Dangerous are the -desires of pleasure, and mean the pursuits of the sons of the earth. -They stretch out their sinews like the patient mule; they persevere, -with the swiftness of the camel in the desert, in their pursuit of -trifles. As the leopard springs on his prey, so does man rejoice -over his riches, and, like the lion's cub, basks in the sunshine of -slothfulness. On the stream of life float the bodies of the careless -and intemperate, as the carcasses of the dead on the waves of the -Tigris. Wish not to enjoy life longer than you wish to do good." - -The worthy pastor then retired, and the moon darted forth her -glimmering lights to illumine the way to his habitation. The amiable -young shepherd and shepherdess, being now left by themselves, "My -adorable Fatima," said the youth, "let us not retire to repose till -we have offered up our most grateful thanks to him, whose throne is -as far above that of earthly princes, as all the waters of the mighty -ocean exceed one single drop falling from the clouds. To him we owe all -the gratification of our wishes, and to him alone we must hereafter -look up as our friend, guardian, and protector. May it be recorded in -after times, that among these mountains once lived the happy Fatima and -Dorillis, whose affections for each other, whose universal benevolence -to all within the narrow sphere of their knowledge, and whose virtues -and piety have left an example worthy the imitation of all who wish and -know how to be happy." - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -_Generosity rewarded._ - - -Of all the graces that contribute to adorn the human mind, there are -perhaps none, more estimable than generosity and gratitude. To define -the exact boundary between generosity and profusion, is not perhaps -easy, since every one will explain it by the ideas they have of their -own motives for action; yet how far soever avarice may have deprived -some men of every spark of generosity, yet those very men fail not to -expect it from others, and are sure to complain bitterly of those who -do not display it in all their actions. - -Nothing can equal the pleasure arising from the glow of a generous -heart, which is prompted to a noble action solely from the love of -virtue, and who wishes not to make of it a worldly parade. Fame is -often purchased by generous donations, which would never have been -given, had not popular idolatry been the motive; while others, like the -generous man in the following tale, consult only the approbation of -their own honest feelings. - -One of the califs of Egypt, being in the field of battle, was -unexpectedly surrounded by a great number of rebels, who were preparing -to give that fatal blow, which would at once have finished his life and -put an end to his mortal career. Fortunately for him an Arab happened -to be near the spot with other soldiers of his party, who, seeing the -situation of the calif, rushed upon the rebels, and soon put them to -flight. - -The name of this Arab was Nadir, who had for some months lived a -wandering life in the most retired and unfrequented places, in order -to escape the vengeance of the calif, against whom he had joined the -people in a late insurrection. - -This generous conduct of Nadir was so much admired by all the Arabians, -that the sires still tell it their children among their evening tales. -This adventure had the happy effect of perfectly reconciling Nadir to -the calif, who, charmed with the generosity of a man who had saved his -life, at the very instant he might have destroyed it, promised to place -in him an implicit confidence. "But," said the calif, "let me hear how -you have passed your time, during your banishment." - -"I have been a wandering fugitive," replied Nadir, "ever since your -family were elevated to the throne of this empire; conscious that the -sword of vengeance was at all times hanging over my head, it became -natural for me to seek security in retirement. I found refuge for some -time in the house of a friend at Basra; but fearing that my stay in -that city might be dangerous, I one night quitted it under the favour -of a disguise, and pursued my journey towards the desert. - -"I had escaped the vigilance of the guards, and thought myself out of -all danger, when a man of a suspicious countenance seized my camel's -bridle, and expressed his suspicions that I was the man the calif was -in search of, and for the apprehension of whom a very considerable -reward had been promised. - -"I answered, that I was not the man he was in quest of."--"Is not your -name Nadir?" said he. "This disconcerted me, and I could no longer -deny myself to be the object of his pursuit. I put my hand into my -bosom, and pulling out a jewel of some value, 'Receive,' said I, 'this -trifling token of my gratitude, for the important service I hope you -will now do me, in keeping silence, and favouring my escape. Should -fortune again smile on me, I will share my prosperity with you.' - -"He took my diamond, and examined it very attentively, 'Before I put -this diamond into my turban, as your gift,' said he, 'I would wish -you to answer me one question honestly. I have heard you have been a -liberal man, and always ready to assist the poor and necessitous; but -did you ever give away one half of your wealth at one time?' I answered -in the negative; and he renewed his questions till he came down to -one-tenth; when I replied, that I believed I had, at one time, given -away more than one-tenth of my whole fortune. - -"'If that be the case,' said the man, as soon as I had made him that -reply, 'that you may know there is at least one person in the realm -more bountiful than yourself, I, who am nothing better than a private -soldier, and receive only two dollars per month, return you your jewel, -which must certainly be worth three thousand times that money.' Having -thus said, he threw me back my diamond, and pursued his journey. - -"Astonished at so benevolent and generous an action, I rode after him, -and begged him to return. 'Generous friend,' said I to him, 'I would -rather be discovered, and forfeit my head, than be thus vanquished in -point of generosity. Magnanimous stranger, either I must follow you all -day or you must accept this tribute of my gratitude.' - -"He then, turning about, said to me, 'Were I to take from you your -diamond, I should consider myself as a robber on the highway, since you -receive no value from it. Let me advise you to lose no time, but set -off for your proposed retreat.' He continued inflexible, and we parted." - -The calif knew not which to admire most, the generosity of Nadir or the -soldier. A proclamation was published, ordering the generous soldier to -appear at the calif's court, that he might receive the reward of his -virtues; but all was to no effect, as no one came forward to claim the -glorious reward. However, about a twelvemonth afterwards, when Nadir -attended the calif at a general review, a private soldier received a -blow from his officer, for holding down his head as the calif passed. -This drew the attention of Nadir, who, after looking stedfastly in the -face of the offending soldier, leaped from his horse, and caught him in -his arms. To conclude, this proved to be the man who had so generously -treated Nadir, and had endeavoured to shun the reward of his virtues. -The calif paid him singular honours; and at last raised him to the -highest rank in his army. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -_An Evening Vision._ - - -One beautiful, serene, summer evening, after rambling in a grove of -laurels, till the lamp of night arose to illumine the objects around -me, I seated myself on the bank of a meandering river; a weeping -willow spread over me its branches, which bent so humbly as to sweep -the stream. An antique tower, partly in ruins, mantled in ivy, and -surrounded with yew and cypress, was the only building to be seen. - -I had been reading a melancholy tale, which in strong colours impressed -itself on my memory, and led me to reflect on the strange pleasure we -sometimes feel in perusing the most tragical adventures. What, said I -to myself, can occasion it? Can the human heart feel any delight in the -misfortunes of others?--Forbid it Heaven! - -My eyes were fixed on the surface of the water; the soft beams of Luna -sported on the curling waves, and all nature seemed hushed to repose; -when a gentle slumber stole upon my senses, and methought a being of -angelic form seated herself before me. - -A mantle of the palest sapphire hung over her shoulders to the ground, -her flaxen hair fell in waving curls on her lovely neck, and a white -veil, almost transparent, shaded her face. As she lifted it up, she -sighed, and continued for some moments silent. Never did I behold -a countenance so delicate; and, notwithstanding a smile sported on -her coral lips, her lovely blue eyes were surcharged with tears, and -resembled violets dropping with dew. Below her veil she wore a wreath -of amarinths and jessamines. "Wonder not," said she, in accents soft -as the breath of zephyrs, "that a state of woe can please. I am called -_Sensibility_, and have been from my infancy your constant companion. -My sire was _Humanity_, and my mother _Sympathy_, the daughter of -_Tenderness_. I was born in a cavern, overshadowed with myrtles and -orange-trees, at the foot of Parnassus, and consigned to the care of -Melpomene, who fed me with honey from Hybla, and lulled me to rest with -plaintive songs and melancholy music. - -"Down on one side of the cavern ran a stream from Helicon, and in the -trees around it the doves and nightingales built their nests. I make -it my sole care to augment the felicity of some favoured mortals, who -nevertheless repine at my influence, and would gladly be under the -dominion of _Apathy_. - -"Alas, how inconsiderate! If the rose has thorns, has it not also a -balsamic tincture and ambrosial sweetness? If the woodbine droops, -laden with the dew drops of the morning, when the sun has exhaled them, -will it not be refreshed, and yield richer fragrance? So, if a heart be -touched with a story of distress, it will at the same time experience -a delightful sensation; and, if the tears sometimes flow, say, can you -call it weakness? can you wish to be divested of this genuine test of -_tenderness_, and desire the departure of _Sensibility_? Were I totally -to forsake you, man would become a senseless being, and presently -imbibe the ferocity of the savage inhabitants of the forest." - -"Ah no, fair nymph!" said I, "still deign to be my attendant; teach -me to sigh with the unhappy, and with the happy to rejoice. I am now -sensible, that the pleasures which arise from legends of sorrow, owe -their origin to this certain knowledge, that our hearts are not callous -to the finer feelings, but that we have some generous joys, and some -generous cares beyond ourselves." - -Scarcely had I pronounced these words, when the loud tolling of the -village bell broke the fetters in which Morpheus had bound me, and -dispelled the airy illusion. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -_The Anxieties of Royalty._ - - -The califs of the East having extended their dominions as far as -the boundaries of Europe, found their iron sceptre too heavy to be -supported with any degree of pleasure or satisfaction. They therefore -appointed what are called emirs; but each of these governors soon -assumed the power of sultans. Not contented with the appearance of -being equal to their master, they frequently arraigned his conduct, and -sometimes dethroned him. - -Mahmoud was the most celebrated of all the califs who had kept -their court at Ispahan. He was a patron of the arts and sciences, -and naturally a friend to the blessings of peace. Some of his -predecessors, however, had been of different sentiments, and thought -their happiness and glory consisted only in warlike exploits, in the -desolation of villages, towns, and cities, without regarding the -horrible carnage of human beings, and the miseries to which thousands -of families were thereby reduced. His subjects being thus accustomed -to warlike achievements, being naturally savage, and thinking nothing -but a victorious hero fit to govern them, they rebelled against their -peaceful monarch. - -Though Mahmoud wisely preferred peace to war, yet he was by no -means destitute of true courage, and he now found himself under the -disagreeable necessity of taking the field, as the only means of -quelling his rebellious subjects. His arms were every where victorious, -and he returned in triumph to Ispahan, where he hoped to enjoy the -fruits of his victories in peace and tranquility. - -In this, however, he was much disappointed; for his rebellious subjects -attributed his successes more to good fortune than wisdom or courage, -and they seemed only to be in want of a chief to lead them to open -rebellion. Selim put himself at the head of these rebels; but, in the -course of two years' contest, Selim lost his head, and Mahmoud returned -in triumph to his capital. - -The man, who has long been accustomed to scenes of blood and -slaughter, will naturally become hardened and of savage feelings, -totally the reverse of those of pity, tenderness, and humanity. Almost -every day convinced Mahmoud, that he must part with either his tender -feelings or his throne. He wished to pursue the middle path between -clemency and tyranny; but the rebellious spirit of his subjects by -degrees so hardened his heart, that he at last became the complete -tyrant. - -The people soon began to groan under the weight of his iron hand, and -offered up their prayers to the great prophet for a peaceful king, such -as Mahmoud had been. Alas! all their prayers were in vain, for Mahmoud -was young and vigorous, and beloved by his army. He was once loved; he -was now dreaded in every part of the Persian empire. - -The calif, after having some time exercised his tyranny with a high -hand, suddenly withdrew from public affairs, and shut himself up in the -recesses of his palace, visible to no one but the emir he had always -trusted. In this unprecedented solitude he passed his time during the -whole course of a moon, and then suddenly appeared again on his throne. -A visible alteration had taken place in his countenance, and, instead -of the ferocity of a tyrant, clemency and mercy seemed seated on his -brow. He was no longer the savage calif, but the father of his country. - -Such an unexpected change undoubtedly became the universal topic -of conversation, and various reasons were assigned for his sudden -transformation, but none of their conjectures came near the truth. An -accident, however, brought every thing to light. - -Among the wise men of Ispahan was Alicaun, who was one day conversing -with an iman, and several dervises, concerning the change of the -calif's conduct. One of the dervises laid claim to the honour of this -change, having obtained it of Mahomet by fasting and prayer. Another -said, that this great work had been accomplished by a beauty in the -seraglio; but an iman, or priest, was bold enough to contradict them -both, and boasted, that it was by his remonstrances that the calif's -heart was softened. Alicaun being then called upon to give his opinion, -replied, "The lion, weary of the chase, lies down to repose a little: -but let the traveller be upon his guard; perhaps he is only sleeping to -recover his lost strength, that, when he wakes, he may rush forth with -additional fury." - -One of the treacherous dervises reported this conversation to the -calif, and, in consequence thereof, Alicaun was ordered to appear -before him. - -Alicaun accordingly made his appearance, when the calif, having taken -his seat at the tribunal, thus addressed him: "I have been informed of -the particulars of your late conversation; your having compared me to -the noble lion, can have nothing in it that ought reasonably to offend -me; but tell me sincerely, in which of these lights you considered the -lion; as the generous monarch of the forest, or as the savage tyrant?" - -Alicaun bowed down his head to the earth, and replied, "My sovereign, -you have ordered me to speak sincerely: I will obey your orders, -regardless of the consequences that may follow. When I lately took -the liberty to compare you to the lion, I must own I had in my view -the ferocity of that animal. I am sensible I deserve to die:--your -decree will determine, whether you are the monarch of the forest, or -the savage tyrant. Should you be graciously pleased to spare me, it -will turn to your own advantage; because if you condemn me to die, my -accusers will think I spoke truth; but pardon me, and they will be -confounded." - -"I forgive you, Alicaun," said the calif; "and I will tell you, -and all present, my motive for doing so. You are not a stranger to -the influence my favourite emir, Abdalla, has over me. Like many -other monarchs, I became jealous of my favourite, on the unbounded -acclamations he received on his return home from a war of no great -consequence. I therefore resolved on putting him to death, but was at a -loss in what manner I should accomplish that purpose. - -"To attempt it by open violence would endanger my throne; I therefore -resolved to do it by stratagem. At the bottom of my palace gardens, -you all know, is a tremendous precipice, whose base is washed by the -waters of the Tigris. Hither I resolved to take him, under the idea of -consulting him on some important matters of state, and, when I found -him off his guard, as he could not suspect my intentions, to shove him -headlong over the precipice into the river. - -"Thought I in myself, this is the last sun Abdalla shall ever behold; -for, by this time, we had reached the fatal spot; when, on a sudden, by -chance, let me say rather, by the will of Heaven, the ground trembled -beneath my feet, and I perceived part of the rock on which I stood was -parting from the main body. At this critical moment, Abdalla seized me -by the arm, and forcibly pulled me to him, otherwise I should certainly -have fallen down the horrible precipice into the foaming billows -beneath, and thus have met with that fate I designed for another. - -"Shame and gratitude for some moments struck me dumb and motionless: -with shame, that a sovereign prince should stoop to such mean -treachery; and with gratitude, that I should owe my life to that man, -who saved mine at the very moment I was plotting his destruction! - -"I instantly retired to the most secret chamber in my palace, and -opened my soul in prayer and thanksgiving to the Eternal. In this -dejected situation, I suffered several days and nights to pass away, -bitterly reflecting on my folly, and reproaching myself for sinking so -much beneath the real dignity of royalty. What, said I, is the life of -a sovereign more than that of his meanest subject, since the one is no -more secure from the arrows of death than the other! - -"In a little time, by reasoning in this manner, I found all my tyranny -and self-consequence humbled, and I wished in future to be considered -only as a man. As the nights were long and tedious to me, in order to -divert my mind from painful and disagreeable reflections, I resolved to -take my rambles in disguise through the different parts of Ispahan. - -"Among these rambles, chance carried me one night into a house of -public entertainment. Here, while drinking the liquor I had ordered, I -listened to the conversation of several parties round me. - -"One of these parties consisted of a grave old man, surrounded by -several youths, who seemed to pay the greatest veneration and attention -to the words of the aged sire. I drew nearer to them, and was surprised -to find them talking of the late transaction between me and Abdallah. -The substance of their debates will never be erased from my memory. - -"'There was a time,' said the old man, 'when all Persia would have -extolled to the skies the generous action of Abdalla; but I fear, there -is not at present a single voice that will thank him for saving the -life of the calif.' - -"One of the youths, who I found was the old man's son, said he -perfectly agreed in what he had mentioned, but advised him at the same -time to be cautious in his observations; 'for,' said he, 'what is more -quick than the ears of a tyrant, or more baneful than the tongue of a -courtier!' - -"'I fear not,' said the venerable old man, 'the ears of a tyrant, nor -the tongue of a courtier. The most they can do is to shorten a life -that has already almost finished its career. A man on the verge of -fourscore has little to fear from the terrors of this life. My father, -who has been dead half that time, left behind him in his cellar nine -bottles of wine of a most delicious flavour. Believe me, this is the -only liquor I ever dared to drink in opposition to the laws of Mahomet; -and not even this, but on very particular occasions; nor have I yet -consumed the whole. - -"I drank the first two bottles, continued the old man, on the birth of -your eldest brother: two other bottles were dispatched, when the father -of the present calif delivered Persia from the invasion of a tyrant: -and two others when the present tyrant mounted the throne. Believe me, -I shall be happy to live to treat you with the other three bottles, -when Mahmoud shall be called into the next world, to give an account -of his conduct in this. Yet I would much rather wish to drink them with -you, should he reform, cease to be a tyrant, and again become that good -prince he one day was." - -"The company could not help smiling at such a declaration; but I was -far from wishing to partake of their mirth. Had the old man, but a few -days before, uttered such words as these, his head would undoubtedly -have been the price of his temerity; but what would then have excited -my revenge, now filled my mind with the deepest reflections. I stole -away for fear of being discovered, and hastened home to my palace, -there to ruminate by myself on this adventure. It is evident, said I to -myself, that I must have been the worst of tyrants, since this good old -man, who drank but two bottles at the birth of his eldest son, wishes -to drink three on the news of my decease. He hopes for such an event to -crown all his wishes, and to complete his victory. - -"In this manner my thoughts were agitated, and it was not till some -time afterwards I recollected he said, that he should finish his -bottle with still greater pleasure, should he hear of my reformation. -All my former notions of tyranny and power appeared to vanish before -me, and my heart seemed to receive impressions of a different nature. -To accomplish this work was my motive for being so long hidden from -public view, and from thence has arisen that change in my conduct with -which I see all my good subjects so much astonished and delighted. I -will endeavour to change no more, but to live in the affections of -my people. I leave you now to judge whether the good old man may not -venture to drink his remaining three bottles." - -"Those three bottles are already drank," exclaimed a youth, while he -was endeavouring to penetrate through the crowd of courtiers to the -throne. As soon as he got to the calif, he threw himself at his feet, -and again exclaimed, "Commander of the faithful under Mahomet, they are -already drank!" - -Mahmoud then ordered him to rise, and asked him who he was that had -thus spoken. The youth replied, "Most gracious sovereign, I am one -of five children, of whom the old man you have just mentioned is the -father. I was one of the party in that conversation, which has made -such a noble and generous impression on your royal heart. As we were -yesterday surrounding him, he thus addressed us: 'I feel nature is -nearly exhausted in me; but I shall now die with pleasure, since I have -lived to see such an unexpected reformation in Mahmoud. Let us drink -the three remaining bottles and be merry.'" - -The calif then ordered him to fetch his father, that he might have the -sire and son always near him. The youth then retired, and Mahmoud -dismissed the assembly for the present. - -Thus you see, my youthful readers, how easily you are to be led astray -by your passions, when you suffer them to prevail over reason. Learn -early to give law to your passions, or your passions will in time give -law to you, and govern you with a tyrannical power. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -_The Generous Punishment._ - -Kalan was one of the principal favourites of Mahmoud, of whom we have -said so much in the preceding article. He had chosen him from among -the number of his courtiers, to bestow on him those favours of which -royalty was possessed, and which he merited. He was more beholden to -nature than to art for his education, which would have been sufficient -to make him happy, had it been his lot to live remote from the snares -and artifices of a court. - -An open and disinterested heart, instead of procuring him love and -esteem, often carried him to the brink of ruin; for those with whom he -mingled, were artful and treacherous hypocrites, a set of vermin that -infest every court. Though he wished to hate no man, yet he could not -love those who were every day privately seeking his destruction. - -These ungenerous attempts were so often repeated, that Kalan, fearing -he should acquire a habit of despising human beings, resolved to retire -from the noise and bustle of a court. He was strengthened in this -resolution by a review of his affairs, which were so much deranged by -his unbounded charity and benevolence, that he found it impossible any -longer to support such expences. - -Kalan, before he retired to enjoy a peaceful and tranquil life, left -the following lines engraven on his door: - - "The man who no ingratitude has found, - Has never trod on courtiers' slipp'ry ground." - -The calif, having one day heard these lines repeated, desired to know -who was the author of them. At this time Kalan was supposed to be dead, -and therefore the courtiers had nothing to fear, and no reason to -conceal the name of the author. Those people who had formerly returned -all his favours with ingratitude, now launched into high encomiums -on his merit. In all this there is nothing astonishing. With respect -to the arts and sciences, we see how different is the treatment the -professors of them receive during their lives, and after they are no -more. While living, he could perhaps hardly support his miserable -existence; when dead, sumptuous and costly monuments are erected to his -memory. - -Kalan, having accidentally heard how much Mahmoud was pleased with the -inscription on his door, quitted his retreat, and again appeared at -Ispahan, to the astonishment of his friends, and the invidious regret -of the courtiers. The calif received him kindly, and made him ample -amends for all the neglect of his friends. Kalan was put into an office -which enabled him to gratify all his beneficent wishes. - -As the nettle and the rose thrive together on the same soil, so was -the bosom of Kalan not without a weed. His too strong attachment to -women sometimes led him astray, and made him unmindful of his duty. The -calif was not ignorant of this fault in Kalan, for the courtiers that -surrounded him took care that this error should not remain concealed. -Mahmoud, though he pitied his weakness, did not esteem him the less on -that account. "True it is," said the calif, "that an unbounded passion -for women is much to be censured; but this folly will in time forsake -him; while ambition, cruelty, and avarice, had any such vices got -possession of him, would grow stronger as he advanced in age." - -The calif's courtiers extolled the sublimity of this observation; but -no sooner had he turned his back on them, than they ridiculed such a -paltry idea. How much are courtiers to be pitied, who take so much -pains to render themselves contemptible! - -Some little time afterwards, the calif gave Kalan a commission to the -furthest part of Persia, and fixed even the day and hour when he should -expect him back. Kalan immediately set out on his journey, discharged -his duty with the strictest punctuality, and returned a day before -the time allowed. He received the applause due to his diligence, and -was told, that every hour he gained on the stipulated time was of the -utmost service to his country. - -Kalan was the more pleased with these marks of the calif's approbation, -as he received it in the presence of many courtiers, who all showed him -the highest marks of applause, while in their hearts they hated and -detested him, and envied the honours paid him by the calif. - -The next day, however, one of these courtiers, deputed by the rest, -approached Mahmoud, and, after bowing to the earth, thus addressed -him:--"Most noble and glorious sovereign of the faithful, though I -know not the nature of Kalan's late commission, yet I judge it was of -the highest importance. Pardon then my zeal if, notwithstanding the -transcendent light in which I behold him, I am under the disagreeable -necessity of informing your highness, that he presumed to pass five -days of that time so precious to the state, in the enjoyment of the -pleasures of love." - -The calif, astonished at this declaration, told the malevolent -informer, that he hoped he could prove what he had asserted. "Dread -sovereign," answered he, "his own slave will prove to you, that, at -Gauri, nearly a hundred miles from this capital, he loitered in the lap -of pleasure. The daughter of a caravanserist had influence over him -sufficient to induce him to neglect, for five days, the confidence you -had reposed in him, and the most important concerns of the state. If -time should prove that I have accused him falsely, let me be the victim -of your resentment." - -Mahmoud thanked him for his vigilant information, which he presumed -could arise from no other motive than his great attachment to his -glory; and he assured him, that he would nicely search into the truth -of what he had informed him. "Neither will I be forgetful," said -the calif, "of the greatness of your soul, which has induced you to -sacrifice to my interest the man, you say, you so much admire and -revere." - -The courtier then bowed his head to the earth, and retired, not much -pleased, however, with the last words of the calif, who, he had -from thence reason to believe, was not greatly satisfied with the -accusation, and who might let fall that vengeance on this head, which -he was endeavouring to prepare for another. - -Mahmoud presently afterwards sent for Kalan; which being known to the -courtiers, they secretly triumphed in the idea, that the hour was -hastily approaching, in which they hoped to find their revenge and -hatred amply gratified. - -As soon as Kalan appeared before the calif, "I will not," said -the latter, "ask you any artful questions, such as may lead you -inadvertently to criminate yourself; and, in the course of this -business I will be your judge and counsellor, and will afford you -every opportunity of clearing yourself of the charge laid against you. -You cannot forget how precious I told you was the time I allowed you -for the completion of your embassy; yet it has been reported to me, -that you stopped five days on the road, to enjoy yourself in the lap -of pleasure, without blushing at the praises you received for that -one day, which I supposed your zeal and attachment to my interest had -procured me. Say, are these things true?" - -"My dread sovereign," replied Kalan, "had I a soul mean enough of -having recourse to a falsehood to cover a crime, I should perhaps -answer in the negative; but, sorry I am to say, that the charge is -true. I really did saunter away in idleness five whole days at Gauri. -I was intoxicated; yes, commander of the faithful, I was intoxicated -with a passion that destroyed all my other faculties. I know I have -merited death; but it is not the fear of death that terrifies me, but -the hateful recollection of having displeased my friend and sovereign. -Having completed the business of my embassy, and being arrived, on my -return, at Gauri, wanting horses, and my slave too being harassed with -the journey, I resolved to stop one night, which was the first I had -indulged myself in from the time of my leaving the palace. - -"Having taken a little refreshment, and being seated near a window, I -suddenly heard a voice in the adjoining chamber strike forth in such -melodious notes, that nothing could equal it. I listened with eager -attention, and could plainly distinguish they were the lamentations of -love. I was in great doubt to determine which were the more excellent, -the music or the words. As soon as she had finished, I enquired who -she was, and found it was the daughter of my host; that her voice was -not her only merit, since the words were of her own composition, and -besides, she was said to be as lovely as Venus, and as chaste as Diana. - -"No wonder if this description excited my desire to see her; and I -begged the caravanserist would gratify my wish. He for some time -objected; but I persisted in my request, and at last, his great respect -for the ambassador of Mahmoud made him yield to my entreaties. The -moment she appeared I was enamoured with her beauty; but, when I heard -her play upon her harp, O powerful love! my embassy, my duty as a -subject, and the punishment to which my delay might expose me, every -thing of this sort was totally forgotten. - -"All my thoughts were absorbed at this time in one wish only, that of -being beloved by Zada. I offered my hand in marriage, but during two -days she made many trifling excuses. On the third day she confessed, -that if ever she could love any man, it probably would be me. The -fourth day she received my addresses, and on the fifth gave me every -thing to hope for. On the arrival of the evening of this day, she -happened to mention your name, when, recollecting myself, I became -fully sensible of my guilt. She perceived my confusion, and begged to -know the cause of it. As soon as I told her, she insisted on my setting -out that night--that very night on which I promised myself so much -felicity. - -"Sensible I am that I merit death, for having thus shamefully neglected -my duty; but one thing I have to beg, that my sufferings may not be -long." - -All was silent for a few moments. After which said the calif--"Your -punishment shall be the slowest that human ingenuity can possibly -invent. Imprisonment shall be your fate as long as life shall be -able to support it. Take him hence, soldiers, and let his treatment -henceforward be the severest man can endure." - -The soldiers conducted Kalan to his place of confinement, and the -courtiers followed him with their eyes, which seemed to be moistened -with tears, while their hearts rejoiced in his disgrace. - -In about an hour or two after this event, it was reported, that the -calif had dispatched a messenger; but no one could tell whither, or on -what account. In the course of the five following days, the name of -Kalan was forgotten; but on the sixth, to the astonishment of every -one, the calif ordered him again to be brought before him. - -As soon as Kalan appeared, the calif, after asking him some taunting -questions, "Yes," said he, "a song on some voluptuous subject, and a -harp in that fair damsel's hand you saw upon your journey, made you -negligent of what you knew your duty. I am, therefore, resolved both to -punish and remind you of the fault you have committed, by decreeing, -that in future you shall listen to such songs as are descriptive of -complaining lovers. Let the Egyptian take her harp and play upon it." - -Instantly was heard a voice so sweet, that Mahmoud's courtiers scarce -dared to breathe, for fear of interrupting so much harmony. As soon as -it began, the prisoner gave a cry, fell down, and beat the ground with -his forehead. - -"Rise, Kalan," said the calif, "and hear your sentence. You that at -present surround my throne," speaking to his courtiers, "who so often -stand in need of indulgence, tell me, which among you, being in Kalan's -place, on the point of having all his wishes accomplished, and after -having passed five days in the pursuit of it, would not have presumed -to hazard a sixth day?" (_Here a pause ensued._) "No answer?--Kalan, -since even envy thus keeps silence, you find favour with your king. -Take your Zada, therefore, and be happy for the time to come; she is -now yours." - -Kalan, after having thrown himself at the feet of the calif, was no -sooner risen up than he flew into the arms of his beloved Zada. They -retired in mutual embraces; and the courtiers with hearts full of envy -and fell malignity. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -_Female Courage properly considered._ - - -The Rev. Mr. Sherlock being one day in company with a number of young -ladies, the conversation happened to turn on the courage of their own -sex. One observed, that Miss Lovelace had a resolution above being -curbed by her guardians, and was determined to dress as she liked; -while another gave it as her opinion, that it would be better for her -to check her temper, and submit to the will of her guardians. "If ever -I should be married," said one of the young ladies, "I think I shall -have courage enough to make my husband do as I please."--"You may be -right, miss," said another, "but I think, should I ever be married, I -shall always consult my husband's opinion, and readily submit to it, -whenever reason seems to require it." - -The young ladies kept up this kind of conversation for some time; when, -at last, finding their opinions were so different, they requested -the reverend divine to give them his sentiments, wherein true female -courage consisted. - -"I have," said Dr. Sherlock, "been listening to your conversation, and, -as you have been pleased to appeal to me, I shall speak truth, without -the least reserve. I hope you will attend to what I am going to say, -and treasure it up in your minds. - -"I consider _true_ courage as one of the noblest ornaments of the fair -sex, since it must be allowed, that without a becoming resolution, many -female accomplishments would be lost, and sunk in obscurity, and that -even virtue itself, unassisted by true courage, would soon dwindle to a -shadow. I doubt not but that each of you amiable young ladies flatter -yourselves with being possessed of this noble accomplishment; but -permit me to tell you, that it is not every possessor of a pretty face -who knows what it is. It is not Xantippe, but Lucretia, whom I call the -woman of true courage. - -"Xantippe is the daughter of two noble personages, and the wife of a -sensible and prudent man; the mother of a blooming offspring, and the -sole mistress of a plentiful fortune, the produce of which her husband -cannot receive without her order. Elated with the thoughts of her high -birth, and sensible of the dependence her husband has on her will, she -subjects him to the most rigorous discipline, is cruelly severe to her -children, and arbitrary and tyrannical over her servants.--Insolent and -disdainful in her behaviour to her equals, and haughty and arrogant in -her demeanour to her superiors, her jealousy is equalled only by her -ill-nature; the most innocent freedom of her husband to a visitor is -sufficient to give rise to the former; and the most trifling repartee -is sure to occasion the latter. These are her qualities, which she is -so far from endeavouring to amend, that she considers them as marks of -true courage; or, to speak in a more polite phrase, they make her pass -for a woman of spirit! - -"How reverse is the conduct of Lucretia!--Possessed of no other fortune -than what good sense and a proper education give her, she passes -through life with peace and serenity of mind.--The will of her husband, -the care of her children, and the due preservation of order and economy -in her house, are her principal studies. Easy, good-natured, and -affable to her equals, and humble, submissive, and obliging to her -superiors; as no height of prosperity makes her forgetful of adversity, -so no storms of angry fortune are able to disturb the calm within her -breast, or deprive her of that hope with which true courage will always -support those who possess it. - -"True courage, rightly understood, and properly cultivated, will -inspire the fair sex with the noblest sentiments of honour and -generosity. It will elevate their minds above those mean and paltry -methods, which too many of them put in practice, to captivate the -hearts of the giddy and unthinking. It will raise in them a noble and -emulative zeal for literary studies, which will rescue them from the -odium that is too frequently, and too justly, cast on many of them, -of being pretty, but silly, prattling creatures. It is true courage -only that can raise in them such sentiments as shall preserve them the -esteem and affection of all, when the bloom of youth shall be lost in -the evening of life; when the lily and rose shall fade on their cheek, -and the beautiful form of their persons can be no longer admired. - -"I have now, young ladies, given you my opinion of what really ought -to be considered as _true courage_ in your sex, and I hope it will -have some influence on your minds, as well as on your conduct in the -commerce of this busy world. It is not at all surprising, that you -young ladies should differ in your opinions on so delicate a question, -since _true courage_ is, in these times of refinement, considered in a -very different light to what it was in the remote ages of antiquity. -In order to amuse you, and perhaps instruct you, I shall beg your -attention to a piece of ancient history; from which you will judge what -was the barbarous ideas the ladies of antiquity had of true courage. - -"Mithridates, king of Pontus, proving unsuccessful in the war in which -he was engaged against Lucullus, a Roman general, had shut up two of -his wives (for the custom of that country allowed of a plurality) and -two of his sisters, whom he most loved, in that part of his kingdom -which was the most remote from danger. At last, not being able to brook -the apprehensions of their falling into the hands of the Romans, he -sent orders to Bacchalides, a eunuch, to put them to death. The manner -in which they received this order, strongly marks the ideas the ladies -of those times and regions had of true courage. - -"Berenice and Monimes were these unfortunate princesses. The first was -born in the island of Chio, and the other in Miletus, a city of Ionia, -towards the borders of Cairo, on the coast of the Ægean Sea. Monimes -was celebrated for the invincible resistance which she made to all -the offers of Mithridates, who was most violently in love with her, -and to which she never consented, till he had declared her queen, by -calling her his wife, and sending her the royal diadem--a ceremony -indispensable in the marriage of kings in that part of the world. - -"However, even then she consented with reluctance, and only to gratify -the inclinations of her family, who were dazzled with the lustre of the -crown and power of Mithridates, who was at that time victorious and -loaded with glory. Monimes abandoned herself to a perpetual melancholy, -which the abject slavery in which Mithridates kept his wives, the -distance she then was from Greece, where she had no hopes of returning, -and perhaps too, a secret passion, which she always disguised, rendered -insurmountable. - -"When Bacchalides had declared to them the fatal message, and that -they were at liberty to chuse what death appeared to them the most -easy, Monimes tore off the royal bandage which she always wore on her -head, and, fixing it round her neck, endeavoured to strangle herself; -but the bandage broke, and left her in a condition truly to be pitied. -'Unfortunate diadem,' said she, trampling it under her feet, 'thou hast -brought me to all my miseries! thou hast been witness of my slavery -and wretchedness! Why wouldst thou not at last help me to put an end -to them all?'--After having shown these marks of her resentment, she -snatched a dagger from the hand of Bacchalides, and sheathed it in her -bosom. - -"Berenice swallowed the dreadful potion with astonishing resolution, -and obeyed, without murmuring, the frenzy of a barbarous lover. - -"The king's two sisters, Statira and Roxana, followed the example of -Berenice. Roxana, after having a long time kept a profound silence, -swallowed the fatal draught, and died without uttering a single word. -As for Statira, after having shown her grief for the king's defeat, she -highly praised his conduct, and ordered Bacchalides to thank him for -thinking of her amidst the wreck of his affairs, and thereby securing -her, by a timely death, from the shameful slavery of the Romans." - -Dr. Sherlock having now finished, the young ladies all rose and thanked -him for the instruction he had been pleased to give them. They assured -him, that they should in future endeavour to distinguish between the -_true courage_ of these modern times, and those in which lived the -wives and sisters of Mithridates. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -_The beautiful Statue._ - - -One of the kings of Balsora proved unfortunate in the choice of his -queen, whose temper was as disgustful and displeasing as her person -was lovely and beautiful. Discontented with every one around her, she -made her own life miserable, and did all she could to interrupt the -happiness of others. - -They had an only son, and his father began very early to turn his -thoughts, in what manner he should secure the young prince, when he -came of age, from forming a connection in matrimony so disagreeable -as his own. "If it should please Heaven," said he, "to spare my life -till my son shall attain the years of discretion, I then shall be able -properly to direct him in the search of a prudent wife; but, as there -is no certainty in human life, and as I may be taken from him in his -early days, before he can be capable of comprehending my admonitions, -I will leave proper instructions with my executors, who, I hope, will -fulfil my requests, when I shall be at rest in my peaceful grave." - -In consequence of this resolution, the king took every precaution he -thought necessary in so important a business; and scarcely had he -finished his regulations, when the unrelenting decree of death summoned -him from this world to take up his eternal abode in the ever-blooming -regions of felicity. - -No sooner was the king dead than his will was examined. By this it -was directed, that his son Achmet should be instructed in all the -principles of rigid virtue, and in every scientific accomplishment -necessary to form the mind of a wise and good prince. It was also -directed, that at the age of eighteen years he should be put in -possession of all his wealth, which was deposited in spacious vaults -under the palace. The will, however, strongly directed that these -vaults were not to be opened, under any pretence whatever, before the -appointed time, on pain of Achmet losing the whole contents of them. - -It may easily be supposed what were the anxieties of a youthful mind, -while he waited with impatience for the arrival of that day, which -was to make him master of so many hidden treasures. At length the day -arrived, the vaults were opened, and the heart of Achmet leaped within -his bosom at the sight of such unbounded riches. - -Amidst all this glare of profuse wealth, in one particular apartment of -the vault, the eye of Achmet was caught by the dazzling view of nine -pedestals of massy gold, on eight of which stood as many beautiful -adamantine statues. - -Achmet could not help expressing his astonishment, where his father -could collect such uncommon and valuable curiosities. The ninth -pedestal, however, increased his surprise, and he could not conceive -why that alone should be without a statue on it. On going nearer to -it, he found it covered with a piece of satin, upon which were written -these words: "My dear Achmet, the acquisition of these statues has cost -your father much; yet, beautiful as they are, you see there is one -wanting, which is far more brilliant than either of those which now -present themselves to your view. This, however, must be sought for in -a remote quarter of the world, and, if you wish to be possessed of it, -you must depart for Cairo, in the kingdom of Egypt. You will there find -one Alibeg, formerly one of my slaves. Inform him who you are, and what -is your business. He will properly direct your pursuits after this -incomparable statue, the possession of which will make you one of the -happiest and greatest monarchs of the East." - -As soon as Achmet had appointed proper persons to govern his kingdom in -his absence, he set out in quest of this grand object. He pursued his -journey without any thing particular happening; and, on his arrival at -Cairo, he soon found out the house of Alibeg, who was supposed to be -one of the richest persons in that city. - -As Alibeg knew the time was nearly advanced, in which he was to expect -a visit from Achmet, the arrival of the latter at Cairo did not at all -surprise him. However, he appeared ignorant of the business; enquired -of him what brought him to that city, his name, and his profession. -To all these questions Achmet gave the most satisfactory answers; and -informed him, that it was a statue he was engaged in the pursuit of. - -This declaration of Achmet seemed at once to convince Alibeg, that he -was talking with the son of the late king; and he blessed the great -prophet for permitting him so honourable an interview. "My dear and -honoured prince," said Alibeg, "your father bought me as a slave, -and never made me free; consequently I am a slave still, and all my -property is yours."--"From this moment," replied Achmet, "you are a -free man, and I for ever renounce any future claim on your person or -possessions." - -Alibeg then assured the young king, that he would do every thing in his -power to procure him the ninth statue he was so ardent in the pursuit -of; but advised him, after so fatiguing a journey, to take a few -weeks rest. The next day, however, the king told Alibeg, that he was -sufficiently rested; that he came not there for pleasure, and therefore -wished immediately to enter on the pursuit of his grand object. - -Alibeg told him, that he should certainly obtain his wish; but reminded -him, that he must encounter much toil and fatigue before he could -accomplish that desirable end. "I fear neither toils nor fatigues," -replied the young king, "I am equal to the task, and by the blessing of -the great prophet I will undertake any thing, however difficult it may -appear. I entreat you only to let me know what part I am to act." - -Alibeg, after a short pause, thus addressed his youthful sovereign: -"You must swear to me by the holy prophet, that, when you set out from -hence, you will immediately return to your own dominions. As soon as -you arrive on the borders of it, you will immediately proceed on the -search of what I am going to direct you to. Your search must be to -find out a youthful female, whose age must not exceed sixteen years, -nor be less than fifteen. She must be the offspring of virtuous -parents, and who has never been the dupe to a previous passion of love. -She must be as lovely as Venus, as chaste as Diana, and a native of -your own kingdom. You must, therefore, traverse every part of your -extensive dominions; and as soon as you shall be so fortunate to find -one who corresponds with this description, you must bring her to me, -and I will soon after put you in possession of the statue you sigh -for. Remember, however, that should your pursuits be attended with -success, you must have the most rigorous command over your passions -while you are conducting the fair one hither, and not have even the -least conversation with her. If this last condition be not punctually -fulfilled, you will lose all claim to what you are now in pursuit of. -Consider within yourself, whether the possession of the statue has so -many charms in it, as to enable you to surmount all these obstacles, so -difficult to one of your age." - -The young king, with an ardour natural to a youth of his years, was -going to reply, when Alibeg, stopped him, by saying, that he had not -yet done, but had still something further to say on the subject. - -"You may idly imagine," continued Alibeg, "that should you be fortunate -enough to find such a maiden as I have described to you, and your -youthful ideas should lead you astray, you may imagine they will not -be discovered; but herein you will be mistaken, for the great prophet -will reveal your deceit, and you will thereby infallibly lose all -pretensions to the statue. I must tell you still further, that, in -order to give a sanction to your search for so virtuous a maiden, you -must cause it to be reported, that you mean to make her the lawful -partner of your throne." - -Achmet listened with attention to every word that dropt from the mouth -of Alibeg, and in proportion as difficulties were mentioned to him, the -more did his youthful bosom burn to show how much he was above them. He -eagerly took the oath prescribed to him, grew more and more impatient -to become possessed of the statue, and thought every hour an age that -retarded his departure in pursuit of his favourite object. - -The next morning, Alibeg, being unwilling to abate the ardour of the -young prince, presented him with a looking-glass. "I here give you," -said he to Achmet, "an invaluable present. In the course of your -pursuit, you will meet with many beautiful damsels, fair to external -appearance as Aurora herself; but outward forms may deceive you, and -what your eye may applaud, your heart, on a more intimate acquaintance, -may despise. Believe me, royal youth, the beauties of the person and -those of the mind are very different. A degenerate and wicked heart may -be concealed under the most lovely external appearances. Whenever, -therefore, you meet with a beautiful female, whose charms may dazzle -your eye, tell her to breathe upon this mirror. If she be chaste, her -breath will not long remain upon the glass; but, if her pretensions are -not founded in truth, her breath will long remain on the mirror, as a -testimony of the falsehood she has advanced." - -These useful lessons, which Alibeg gave his royal pupil, were not the -result of thoughts of his own, but were the consequence of the wise -plan the late king of Balsora had prescribed for his son. He well knew -that little artifices of this nature seldom failed of succeeding with -youthful minds naturally fond of mystery. - -The young prince took an affectionate leave of Alibeg, promised to be -punctual to all his instructions, and then, taking up his miraculous -glass, took the direct road from Egypt to Balsora. His intention was -to commence his enquiries as soon as he reached the borders of his -dominions; but a thought struck him, that it would be mean in him to -seek the wished-for damsel among shepherds and peasants, when his own -court furnished such a display of beauties. - -As soon as he arrived in his own dominions, he proclaimed the -resolution he had taken concerning marriage. He invited every maiden of -fifteen years of age, who was born of virtuous parents, and had never -experienced the passion of love, to repair to his court, out of which -he proposed to chuse the fortunate partner of his crown and empire. - -This proclamation soon surrounded his palace with the first beauties -of the kingdom; but as soon as the king presented to them the mirror, -which was to be the touchstone of their prudence, they all shrunk back -from the trying ordeal, conscious that they could not, with safety to -their characters, run the hazard of such a trial. - -Here it seems necessary to say a few words by way of explanation, -lest the youthful part of my readers should be led into an error. The -properties which Alibeg ascribed to this looking-glass were merely -fabulous, and calculated only to strike a terror on the minds of -youthful females, who, from the apprehensions of being discovered in -their attempt to deceive an eastern monarch, refused to breathe on the -glass. So that the young prince could not find, in any part of his -capital, a maiden of fifteen perfectly answerable to the terms proposed -by Alibeg. - -Achmet, being thus disappointed in his capital, traversed every part -of his dominions, and visited even the most sequestered villages; but -he every where found the morals of the people so very corrupt, that no -maiden could be found who would venture to look on the mirror, which -they apprehended would reveal their most trifling defects. Achmet, -therefore, began to be disheartened, and feared he should at last be -disappointed in the grand object of his pursuit, and never be able to -obtain the statue he so ardently sighed for. - -As he was one evening reposing himself in a mean habitation, situated -in a lonely and recluse village, an iman came to pay him a visit, -having previously learned what was the cause of the king's journey. -"I must confess," said he to the king, "that your majesty is engaged -in a very difficult pursuit; and I should be led to believe, that all -your researches would be in vain, did I not know of a beautiful damsel, -who perfectly answers to the description of your wants. Her father -was formerly a vizier of Balsora; but he has now left the court, and -leads a private and recluse life, solely occupied in the education -of his daughter. If it is your pleasure, royal sir, I will to-morrow -attend you to the habitation of this lovely damsel. Her father will -undoubtedly be exceedingly happy to have the king of Balsora for his -son-in-law." - -Achmet very prudently replied, "I cannot think of promising to marry -the beauty you mention till I have seen her, and have put her to those -trials which none have yet been able to withstand. I am satisfied -with your account of her beauty, but I must have proof of her virtue -and prudence." The king then told him of the glass he had in his -possession, and which had hitherto so far terrified every damsel, that -none had dared to look into it. - -The iman, however, still persisted in every thing he had advanced -concerning this beautiful female; and, in consequence, they went the -next morning to see her and her father. As soon as the old gentleman -was acquainted with the real character and business of his royal -visitor, he ordered his daughter Elvira to attend unveiled. The king -was struck with wonder and astonishment, when he beheld in this -beautiful damsel such perfections as his court could not equal. After -gazing on her some time with inexpressible astonishment, he pulled out -his glass, and acquainted the lovely Elvira with the severe trial she -would be put to on looking into that mirror of truth. Her conscious -innocence derided all fear, she breathed on the glass without the least -apprehension, when the high-polished surface rejected the breath thrown -on it, and soon recovered its usual brightness. - -As Achmet was now in possession of the person he had so long wished -for, he asked her father to give him his permission to marry her; to -which he readily consented, and the marriage ceremony was performed -with all the decency a country village would admit of. - -Achmet, however, could not help feeling the impressions which the -charms of Elvira had made on his mind; and, though he hastened the -preparations for his departure, yet it was with evident marks of -reluctance. The vizier, who attended him in the pursuit of this fair -one, plainly perceived it, and enquired the cause of it. - -It seemed very singular to Achmet, that the vizier should ask him such -a question. "Can there be any creature," said he, "more lovely than -the angel I have married? Can you be any ways surprised, should I be -tempted to dispute the instructions of Alibeg, and place her as the -partner of my throne?" - -"Be cautious what you do," said the vizier. "It will not be becoming of -a prince like you, to lose the statue after you have done so much to -obtain it." This rebuke roused him, and he determined not to lose it; -but he desired the vizier to keep her from his sight, as he feared he -had seen her too much already. - -As soon as every thing was ready, Achmet set out for Cairo, and on his -arrival there was introduced to Alibeg. The fair bride had performed -the journey in a litter, and had not seen the prince since she was -married. She enquired where she was, and whether that was her husband's -palace. - -"It is time, madam," said Alibeg, "to undeceive you. Prince Achmet only -aimed at getting you from your father as a present to our sultan, who -wishes to have in his possession such a beautiful living picture as you -are." At these words Elvira shed a torrent of tears, which greatly -affected both Achmet and Alibeg. As soon as her grief would permit her -to speak, "How can you," said she, "be so treacherous to a stranger! -Surely the great prophet will call you to an account for this act of -perfidy!" - -However, her tears and arguments were in vain. Achmet, indeed, seemed -to feel for her situation, which Alibeg viewed with pleasure. "You -have now performed your promise," said he to Achmet, "by bringing -hither this beautiful virgin. The sultan will undoubtedly reward you, -by putting you in possession of the statue you seek after. I will -immediately send a person to Balsora to fetch the pedestal; and, within -the compass of nine days, you may expect to see it and the statue in -one of the apartments of my palace; for surely you only are worthy of -such a precious possession." - -Elvira was immediately separated from Achmet; she made the bitterest -bewailings, and wished for death to hide her sorrows and disgrace. -Notwithstanding the fond desire of Achmet to be in possession of the -statue, he could not reconcile his mind to the hard fate of Elvira. -He reproached himself with having taken her from an indulgent father, -to throw her into the arms of a tyrant. He would sometimes say with a -sigh, "O beautiful damsel, cruel indeed is your condition!" - -At the expiration of the nine days, which had passed between hope and -sorrow, Achmet was conducted into an apartment of the palace, in order -to be put in possession of the inestimable statue. But it is impossible -to express his astonishment and surprise, when, instead of such a -figure as he expected, he beheld the beautiful maiden he had seduced -from her father. - -"Achmet," said the lovely virgin, "I doubt not but your expectations -are sadly disappointed, in finding me here, instead of the inestimable -statue you expected, and to obtain which you have taken so much pains." -As soon as Achmet had recovered from his surprise, "The great prophet -can bear me witness," said he, "that I was frequently tempted to break -the oath I had solemnly taken to Alibeg, and to sacrifice the idea of -every statue in the world to you. I love my dear, beautiful Elvira more -than all the world besides!" - -"Prince Achmet," said Alibeg, "this is the ninth statue, which you -have so long been in pursuit of, and which was the intentions of your -father, who had contrived this method, in order to procure you a queen -with whom you might be happy. Love her tenderly, be faithful to her, -and in proportion as you endeavour to procure her happiness so will she -yours." - -Achmet, enraptured with the lovely countenance and virtuous -dispositions of his dear Elvira, that day proclaimed her queen of -Balsora, and thereby amply made her amends for the short disquietude he -had occasioned her. - -We may from hence draw this conclusion, that merit is not every where -to be found; but, like diamonds of the first lustre, take up much toil -and time in the pursuit. What we gain too easily, we are apt to think -too little of; and we are accustomed to estimate the value of every -thing in proportion to the care and pains it costs us. This the wise -father of Achmet well knew, and therefore devised those means which -were most likely to enable him to discover the woman of beauty, virtue, -and prudence, without leaving him any hopes of finding it in the lap of -pride, indolence, and luxury. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -_Dorcas and Amarillis._ - - -Dorcas was born in a village far remote from the capital, amidst rocks -and precipices, in the northern parts of the island. His parents -laboured hard for their daily bread, and with difficulty procured a -subsistence for themselves and their little son. A fever, which they -both caught, put an untimely end to their existence, and Dorcas was -taken care of by the parish, being then of too tender an age even to be -sensible of his loss. - -His education was adapted to his humble situation, and extended no -farther than writing and reading. As soon as he had reached the -fifteenth years, the directors of the workhouse thought it time to -ease the parish of their burden, and accordingly placed him as a -servant to a neighbouring farmer, to watch his cattle, and attend to -the duties of husbandry. - -Amarillis was of nearly the same age, the daughter of a farmer, and -employed by her father in looking after his sheep. She would frequently -bring her flock into the meadows to feed and wanton on the enamelled -carpet of the sweetest herbage, where she frequently met with Dorcas. -The youthful shepherd did her every little service in his power, and -Amarillis was pleased to see him so solicitous to oblige her. Dorcas -was never so happy as when in company with his shepherdess, and -Amarillis always found pleasure in the presence of Dorcas. - -Some years glided away in this pleasing intercourse between Dorcas -and Amarillis, when what had hitherto appeared only under the name of -friendship began gradually to assume a softer title, which at last -ripened into love. Their hearts were formed for each other, and they -began to be uneasy when separated. Dorcas talked of the happiness of -marriage, and obtained permission from Amarillis to ask her father's -consent to their union. - -The maiden's delicacy would not suffer her to be present when Dorcas -paid his visit to her father on that business; and, therefore, -appointed a time when she was obliged to go to a neighbouring town, -for him to take the opportunity of opening the matter to her parent, -desiring he would meet her on her way home at night, and acquaint her -with the success of his commission. - -At the appointed time the shepherd waited on her father, and disclosed -to him the secrets of his heart, adding, how happy he should be to have -her for a wife. "I suppose so," replied the old man. "What, you are in -love with my daughter! Do you know what you are talking of? Have you -any clothes to give her? have you any house of your own? Learn how to -get your own living, before you think of encumbering yourself with a -wife. A poor shepherd as you are, you cannot have a penny beforehand. -My daughter is not rich enough to keep herself, and I am sure you -cannot keep her." - -"If I am not rich," replied Dorcas, "I am vigorous and hearty, and -those who are industrious never want for work. Out of the forty -shillings I receive yearly for my wages, I have already saved five -pounds, which will buy us goods in plenty. I will take a little farm, -and I will work harder. The richest men in the village had no better -beginning, and why may not I do as well as they have?" - -The old man, however, told him he was young enough, and must wait for -better circumstances. "Get rich," said the old farmer, "and Amarillis -shall be yours; but speak no more to me concerning her, till your money -shall induce me to listen to you." - -It was in vain for Dorcas to argue any more; and as Amarillis was by -this time on her return home, he went out to meet her. When they met, -Dorcas was quite thoughtful, and the pretty shepherdess knew from -thence he had not met with success. "I can see," said Amarillis, "that -my father is averse to our marriage."--"What a misfortune it is," -replied Dorcas, "to be born poor! Yet, I will not be cast down; for I -may, by industry, perhaps change my situation. Had your father given -his consent to our marriage, I would have laboured to procure you every -thing comfortable. But I know we shall still be married, if we do but -wait with patience, and trust till it shall please Providence to be -more favourable to our wishes." - -As the lovers were thus talking over the disappointment to their views, -the night rapidly increased upon them; they therefore hastened their -pace, that they might reach the cottage in good time. As they were -pursuing their way home on the road, Dorcas stumbled over something, -and fell down. As he felt about to discover what had occasioned his -fall, he found a bag, which, on his lifting it, proved very heavy. -Curiosity made them both anxious to know what it could be; but, on -opening it, they were presently convinced, dark as it was, that it -certainly was money. - -"This is the gift of Heaven," said Dorcas, "who has made me rich to -make you happy. What say you, my pretty Amarillis, will you now have -me? How gracious has Heaven been to my wishes in sending me this -wealth, such as is more than sufficient to satisfy your father, and -make me happy!" - -These ideas gave birth to inexpressible joy in their hearts; they -anxiously surveyed the bag, they looked affectionately on each other, -and then resumed the path that led to their village, eager to acquaint -the old man with their unexpected good fortune. - -They had nearly reached their habitation, when a thought struck Dorcas, -and made him suddenly stop short. "We imagine," said he to Amarillis, -"that this money will complete our happiness; but we should recollect -that it is not ours. Some traveller has undoubtedly lost it. Our fair -is but just over, and some dealer, coming from thence, may probably -have dropped this bag; and while we are thus rejoicing over our good -fortune on finding it, we may be assured that somebody is truly -wretched on having lost it." - -"My dear Dorcas," answered Amarillis, "your thoughts are very just. The -poor man is undoubtedly much distressed by his loss. We have no right -to this money, and were we to keep it, we should act a very dishonest -part." - -"We are going with it to your father's," said Dorcas, "and he would -undoubtedly be glad to see us so rich; but what joy or happiness can we -expect in possessing the property of another, whose family is perhaps -ruined by the loss of it? As our minister is a worthy man, and has -always been good to me, let us leave it with him. He is the properest -person to consult on this occasion, as I am sure he will advise me for -the best." - -They accordingly went to the minister's, and found him at home. The -honest Dorcas delivered the bag into his possession, and told him -the whole tale; how happy they were at first on finding it, and what -motives, from second thoughts, had induced them to bring it to him. He -confessed his love for Amarillis, and acquainted him with the obstacles -that poverty threw in the way of his felicity. "Yet," added Dorcas, -"nothing shall tempt me to wander from the paths of honesty." - -The minister was much pleased with their mutual affection for each -other, and assured them, that Heaven would not fail to bless them, so -long as they persevered in that line of conduct. "I will endeavour," -said the minister, "to find out to whom this bag belongs, who will, -no doubt, amply reward your honesty. Even out of the small matters I -can save, I will add something to the present he shall make you, and -I will then undertake to procure for you the consent of the father of -Amarillis. Should the money not be claimed, it will be your property; -and I shall then think myself bound to return it to you." - -Dorcas and his lovely shepherdess returned to their homes much better -satisfied than they would have been, had they otherwise made use of -the treasure they had found, and they were happy in the promises the -good minister had made them. The money was cried all round the country, -and printed bills were distributed in towns and villages even at some -distance. Many were base enough to put in their pretensions to it; but -as they could neither describe the bag, nor what was in it, all they -got by it was to establish their names as scandalous impostors. - -In the mean time, the minister was not unmindful of the promise he -had made the young lovers. A short time afterwards he put Dorcas into -a little farm, provided him with money to purchase stock and farming -implements, and at last procured him his beloved Amarillis. - -The young couple having acquired every object of their humble wishes, -sent up to Heaven their unfeigned thanks, and called down for blessings -on the head of their good minister. Dorcas was industrious about the -farm, and Amarillis kept every thing right in the house; they were -punctual in the payment of their rent, and lived within the bounds of -their income. - -Two years had now passed, and no one had yet appeared to lay claim -to the lost treasure. The minister, therefore, apprehended there was -no necessity to wait any longer for a claimant, but took it to the -virtuous couple, and gave it to them, saying, "My dear children, take -what it has pleased Providence to throw in your way. This bag, which -contains five hundred guineas, has not yet been claimed by its right -owner, and therefore must at present be your property; but, should you -ever discover the real person who lost it, you must then return it to -him. At present, make such use of it as may turn it to advantage, and -always be equal in value to the money, should it be justly demanded." - -Dorcas entirely agreed with the minister, in laying out the money -in such a manner that it might be ready on the shortest notice, or -at least in something full the value in kind. As the landlord was -proposing to sell the farm which Dorcas occupied, and as he valued -it at little more than five hundred guineas, he thought he could not -lay out the money to greater advantage than in the purchase of this -farm; for, should a claimant ever appear, he would have no reason to -complain of the disposal of his money, since it would be easy to find -a purchaser for it, after it had received improvements from his labour. - -The good pastor entirely agreed in opinion with Dorcas: the purchase -was made, and, as the ground was now in his own hands, he turned it -to much greater advantage. He was happy with his Amarillis, and two -sweet children blessed their union. As he returned from his labour in -the evening, his wife constantly welcomed his return, and met him on -the way with her children, who fondled round him with inexpressible -cheerfulness and delight. - -The worthy minister, some years after this happy union, paid the -debt of nature, and was sincerely wept for by both Dorcas and -Amarillis.--The death of this worthy pastor brought them to reflect on -the uncertainty of human life. "My dear partner," said Dorcas, "the -time will come when we must be separated, and when the farm will fall -to our children. You know it is not ours, nor perhaps ever properly -will be. Should the owner appear, he will have nothing to show for it, -and we shall go to the grave without having secured his property." - -Dorcas, therefore, drew up a short history of the whole affair in -writing, got the principal inhabitants to sign it, and then put it -into the hands of the succeeding minister. Having thus taken all the -precautions they could to secure the property to the right owner, -should he ever appear, they were much more easy and contented than -before. - -Upwards of ten years had elapsed since they had been in possession of -the farm; when Dorcas coming home from the fields one day to dinner, -saw a phaeton in the road, which he had hardly cast his eyes on, till -he saw it overset. He hastened to the spot to give them his assistance, -and offered them the use of his team to convey their baggage. In -the mean time, he begged them to step to his house, and take such -refreshment as it afforded, though they had fortunately received no -hurt. - -"This place," said one of the gentlemen, "is always mischievous -to me, and I suppose I must never expect to pass it without some -accident.--About twelve years since, I somewhere hereabouts lost my -bag, as I was returning from the fair, with five hundred guineas in it." - -"Five hundred guineas, sir!" said Dorcas, who was all attention. "Did -you make no enquiry after so great a loss?"--"I had it not in my -power," replied the stranger, "as I was then going to the Indies, and -was on my road to Portsmouth, which place I reached before I missed my -bag. The ship was getting under way when I arrived there, and would -have gone without me had I been an hour later. Considering it was money -I had lost, it appeared to me a doubtful matter whether I should hear -any thing of it after making the strictest enquiry; and had I been -fortunate enough to succeed, even in that case, by losing my passage, I -should have sustained a much greater loss than that of my bag and its -contents." - -After the part Dorcas has acted, this conversation was undoubtedly -pleasing to him, and he consequently became more earnest in wishing the -travellers to partake of the fare of his table. As there was no house -nearer, they accepted the offer; he walked before to show them the way, -and his wife came out to meet them, to see what accident had happened; -but he desired her to return, and prepare dinner. - -While the good woman was dressing the dinner, Dorcas presented his -guests with some refreshments, and endeavoured to turn the conversation -on the traveller's loss. Being convinced of the truth of his -assertions, he ran to the minister, told him who he had with him, and -begged he would come and dine with him. They all sat down to dinner, -and the strangers could not help admiring the order, decency, and -neatness that were every where conspicuous. They could not but notice -the generosity and frankness of Dorcas, and were highly delighted with -his helpmate, and the manner in which she treated her children. - -As soon as dinner was over, Dorcas showed them his house, his garden, -sheepfold, flocks, and granaries. "This house and premises," said he, -addressing himself to the traveller who had formerly lost his money, -"is your property. I was fortunate enough to find your bag and money, -with which I purchased this farm, intending to restore it to the owner, -should he ever come forward, and show himself. For fear I should die -before an owner was found, I left a full detail in writing with the -minister, not wishing my children to enjoy what was not their own." - -It is impossible to express the surprise and astonishment of the -stranger, who read the paper, and then returned it. He first gazed -on Dorcas, then on Amarillis, and then on their young ones. At last, -"Where am I?" cried he; "and what is it I have heard? Is this world -capable of producing so much probity and virtue! and in what an humble -station do I find it! Is this the whole of your property, my friend?" - -"This house, my herd, and my cattle," replied Dorcas, "are all I -possess. Even though you should keep the premises in your hand, still -you will want a tenant, and I shall wish to be indulged with the -preference." - -The stranger replied, after a moment's pause, "Integrity like yours -merits a more ample reward. It is upwards of twelve years since I -first lost the money, and Providence threw it in your way. Providence -has been no less kind to me, in blessing my undertakings. I had long -since forgotten my loss, and even were I to add it to my fortune this -day, it would not increase my happiness. Since it has pleased God that -you should be the fortunate finder of it, far be it from me to wish to -deprive you of it. Keep then what you have so well merited, and may -heaven bless and prosper you with it." - -He then tore the paper, on which Dorcas had made his acknowledgment of -finding the purse, saying, "I will have a different writing drawn up, -which shall contain my free gift of these premises, and shall serve to -hand down to posterity the virtue and probity of this amiable pair." He -fulfilled his word, by immediately sending for a lawyer, when he made -over the premises to Dorcas and his heirs for ever. - -Dorcas and Amarillis were then going to fall at the feet of their -generous benefactor, but he would by no means permit it. "I am -infinitely happy," said the generous stranger, "in having it in my -power this day to confirm your felicity. May your children long after -you inherit your farm, and imitate all your virtues!" - -Remember, my youthful readers, that the pleasures and the comforts of -human life are not in proportion to the extent of our possessions, -but to the manner in which we enjoy them. The cottage of liberty, -peace, and tranquility, is preferable to the gilded palaces of slavery, -anxiety, and guilt. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -_The Conversation._ - - -It happened on one of those delightful summer afternoons, when the heat -of the day was tempered with the gently-wafting zephyrs, that Madam -Heathcote was entertaining a large company at tea in her arbour in -the garden. No situation could be more delightful. The arbour looked -full in front of a fine river, on which some were busily employed -in fishing, or pursuing their different occupations, while others -were skimming on its surface for amusement. All round the arbour the -luxuriant grapes hung in clusters, and the woodbine and jessamine stole -up between them. A situation like this will naturally incline the mind -to be thoughtful, and the whole company, by imperceptible degrees, -began to draw moral reflections. They remarked, how different were the -objects of our pursuits, how unsteady and fickle are all human affairs, -and what empty baubles frequently attract our most serious attention. -After some time being spent in a kind of desultory conversation, the -principal speakers began to arrange their ideas under distinct heads, -and of this class the first who spoke was - - -_Dr. Chamberlaine._ - -I am very well acquainted with two brothers, whom I shall conceal under -the borrowed names of Mercurius and Honestus. - -Mercurius was the elder son of a gentleman, who, with a moderate -fortune, and by a nice management, so regulated his affairs, that -he was generally thought to be exceedingly rich.--He gave a genteel -education to his two sons, who finished their studies at Cambridge. - -Mercurius attached himself more to the gaiety and politeness of the -college, than to the drudgery of books. He was a gay and lively -companion, and a perfect master of those little arts which always -recommend a young gentleman to the acquaintance of the giddy fools -of fortune, who are sent to both our universities more out of -complaisance to fashion, than to improve their morals, or enlarge their -understandings. - -Mercurius had drawn this conclusion, (and it must be confessed, that -experience tells us it is too true a conclusion), that powerful -connections are more likely to raise a man's fortune in life than all -the natural and acquired abilities which human nature is capable of -possessing. He, therefore, took every opportunity to ingratiate himself -with the noble young students, whose follies he flattered, and the fire -of whose vanities he fanned. - -Amidst this pursuit after fortune and grandeur, his father died, and -left but a small pittance for the support of him and his brother -Honestus.--This was soon known in the college, where fortune is -considered as the first of all things.--Mercurius was now forced, in -order to keep up his noble connections, to stoop to many meannesses, -such as the thirst of ambition only can persuade the true dignity of a -man to submit to; but, when we once quit the path of virtue in pursuit -of imaginary pleasure, we must give up every hope of a retreat. - -Among the patrons of Mercurius was a young nobleman of great fortune -and connections, such as were more than sufficient to make a coxcomb -of the happiest genius. The time arrived in which he was to quit -college, and Mercurius accompanied him to London as his companion and -friend. He was the constant partner of his nocturnal revels, and little -more, in fact, than his footman out of livery. He was the dupe to his -prejudices, the constant butt of his wit, and the contempt of every -independent mind. But let us leave this mistaken man to the feelings -of his own mind, and his fears for his future existence, that we may -return to his brother. - -Honestus, less ambitious than his brother, had a mind above stooping -too low in order to rise the higher. He applied himself closely to -his studies, and employed the little his father had left him in the -most frugal manner. He turned his whole attention to the study of the -law, in which he became a very able proficient, and at last quitted -the university with the reputation of a profound scholar, a cheerful -companion, and a sincere friend. - -These, however, are seldom characters sufficient to raise a man in the -world. He long remained unnoticed in his profession as a counsellor; -but, however long the beams of the sun may be obscured, they at last -pierce through the densest bodies, and shine in their native lustre. He -now reaps the fruits of his honest labours, and often looks back with -pity on the tottering state of his brother, and the parade of empty -ambition. - - -_Madam Lenox._ - -When we consider the short duration of human life, when extended even -to its longest period, and the many perplexities, cares, and anxities, -which contribute to disturb the repose of even those whom we should -be led to consider as happy mortals, what is there in our sublunary -pursuits that ought to make any long and lasting impression on our -minds? - -We have seen many of the wisest people, on the loss of a darling -child, or on a sudden and unexpected wreck in their affairs, retire -from the world, and endeavour to seek consolation, by indulging their -melancholy in some gloomy retreat. Surely, however, nothing can be more -inconsistent with the dignity of human nature than such a conduct. - -If to fly from the face of an enemy in the hour of battle, and seek -a retreat in some sequestered forest, may be considered as cowardice -in the soldier, is it no less so in the moral militant, who has not -courage to face the storms of fortune, but precipitately flies from the -field of adversity, the ground of which he ought to dispute inch by -inch? - -It has been an old and long-received maxim, that Fortune favours the -daring, and shuns the coward. Whatever may be the whims and caprice -of Dame Fortune, who sometimes makes a peer of a beggar, and as often -reduces the peer to a state of penury, yet experience tells us, that -she is seldom able, for any considerable length of time, to withstand -resolute and unremitted importunities; and, when she has hurled us to -the bottom of her wheel, whatever motion that wheel afterwards makes, -it must throw us upwards. As those, who have enjoyed a good state of -health during the prime of their lives, feel the infirmities of age, -or a sudden sickness, more keenly than those who have laboured under -a weakly and sickly constitution; so those, who have basked in the -perpetual sunshine of fortune, are more susceptible of the horrors of -unexpected calamities, than those who have been rocked in the cradle of -misfortune. - -To bear prosperity and adversity with equal prudence and fortitude is, -perhaps, one of the greatest difficulties we have to conquer; and it -is from hence we may venture to form our opinions of the generality of -people. Those who are insolent in prosperity will be mean in adversity; -but he who meets adversity with manly courage and fortitude, will, in -the hour of prosperity, be humane, gentle, and generous. - -To fly from misfortunes, and endeavour to console ourselves by -retiring from the world, is undoubtedly increasing the evil we wish -to lessen. This has often been the case of disappointed lovers, when -the object of their hearts has proved inconstant or ungrateful. They -have vainly imagined that there must be something very soothing to the -afflicted mind, in listening to the plaintive sound of some purling and -meandering stream, or in uttering their plaints to the gentle breezes -and the nodding groves. But, alas! these delusive consolations only -contribute to feed the disorders of the mind, and increase the evil, -till melancholy takes deep root in their souls, and renders their -complaints incurable. - -The society of the polite and refined of both sexes is the only relief, -at least the principal one, for any uneasiness of the mind. Here a -variety of objects will insensibly draw our attention from that one -which tyrannises in our bosom, and endeavours to exclude all others. - -In the commerce of this life there is hardly an evil which has not -some good attending it; nor a blessing which does not, in some degree -or other, carry with it some bitter ingredient. To be, therefore, too -confident in prosperity, is a folly; and to despair in adversity, is -madness. - -Those who enjoy the good while they have it in their power, and support -the evil without sinking under its weight, are surely best fitted for -this uncertain and transitory state. To have too nice and delicate -feelings is, perhaps, a misfortune; and the wise man has very justly -said, "as we increase in knowledge, so we increase in sorrow." - -We are apt to form too great an opinion of ourselves, and to examine -so closely into the conduct of others, that we at last begin to shun -and despise all the world, in whom we can find no belief; but were we -to examine our own conduct as critically, we should find, that we have -as much to ask from the candour of others, as we have cause to give. -Self-love and pride are the sources from whence flow most of our real, -as well as imaginary woes; and if we seek the retired and sequestered -hut, it is not so much with a view to avoid misery itself, as to -endeavour to conceal it in ourselves from the eyes of the world. - - -_Sir John Chesterfield._ - -Certain philosophers tell us, that "there is no such thing as happiness -or misery in this life, and that they are terms merely confined to the -ideas of different people, who differently define them." It must indeed -be confessed, from constant and invariable experience, that what a man, -at one time in his life, considered as a misery, he will at another -consider as a happiness. - -Cleorus was, from his childhood, bred to business, and the pursuit -of riches appeared to him as the principal blessing he had in view, -since, from his worldly possessions, he hoped to derive every comfort -of life. He viewed, with an eye of pity and contempt, the follies and -extravagancies of young fellows of his own age, and considered their -nocturnal revels and excursions as so many sad scenes of misery. - -He continued in this opinion till he was turned of the age of forty; -at which period, losing his wife, and finding his circumstances easy, -he joined in the company of those we call _free_ and _easy_. New -company, by degrees, made him imbibe new sentiments, and what he had -formerly considered as miseries, began insensibly to assume the name -of pleasure, and his former happiness was soon construed to be misery. -He began to reflect on the dull path he had trodden all the prime of -his life, and therefore determined to atone for it in the evening of -his days, by entering on such scenes as were disgraceful even to the -youthful partners of his follies. Suffice it to say, that after having -exchanged prudence for pleasure, he soon fell a martyr to his vices. - -It is a melancholy but a just observation, that the man who turns -vicious in the evening of his life, is generally worse than the -youthful libertine, and his conversation often more lewd and obscene. -Hence we may conclude with Ovid, that no man can be truly said to -be blessed, till death has put a seal on his virtuous actions, and -rendered him incapable of committing bad ones. - -The destruction of happiness and misery is, perhaps, more on a level -than we are in general apt to imagine. If the labouring man toils all -the day, and hardly earns his bread by the sweat of his brow, yet every -meal is to him a sumptuous feast, and he sleeps as soundly between -coarse blankets as on a bed of down; nor does any part of his life -betray a sense of that state of misery, such as it would be considered -by the courtier. - -If the courtier basks in the sunshine of fortune; if he be loaded -with honours, riches, and titles, keeps a brilliant equipage, and has -numerous dependants at his command, the world in general will consider -him as placed in a state of happiness; but, if we contemplate him at -leisure, see the anxieties of his mind to be still more great and -powerful, which interrupt his broken slumbers, and see how insipid to -him are all the luxuries of his table, his perpetual succession of -false pleasure, and the mean adoration he is compelled to pay to the -idol of power, we shall hardly allow him the idea of happiness, but -justly consider him as more miserable than the labouring peasant. - -The mind is undoubtedly the seat of happiness and misery, and it is -within our power to determine which shall hold the empire there. To -maintain a uniform conduct through all the varying stations of life--to -content ourselves with what comes within our reach, without pining -after what we cannot obtain, or envying others what they possess--to -maintain a clear unsullied conscience--and to allow for the infirmities -of others from a retrospect of our own, are perhaps some of the best -rules we can lay down, in order to banish misery from this mortal -frame, and to acquire such a degree of happiness, as may enable us to -perform our terrestrial journey with some degree of satisfaction to -ourselves and others. - - -_Lady Heathcote._ - -Though the depravity, luxury, and corruption of the times, form just -subjects of complaint for the grave, the thoughtful, and the aged, yet -I cannot help believing, that many of these complainants are themselves -lending a helping hand to render the rising generation as effeminate -and corrupt as the present. - -I am now appealing to parents on the education of their children, which -appears to me a subject that ought to attract the serious attention -of those who wish longevity, peace, and happiness to their children, -and prosperity, repose, and a reformation of manners to the rising -generation. - -"The first seasoning," says Plato, "sticks longest by the vessel. Thus -those, who are permitted from their earliest periods to do wrong, will -hardly ever be persuaded, when they arrive at maturity, to do right." -It is a maxim with some people, a maxim surely founded only on pride, -that their children shall not be checked in their early years, but be -indulged in whatever their little hearts shall pant after; and for this -reason, because they will grow wiser as they grow older. But, since the -love of ease, finery, and pleasure, is natural to almost every youthful -mind, how careful ought each parent to be to check those juvenile -sallies, which, if encouraged, will in time be productive of the very -evils they complain of in the present generation. - -It is not only in childhood, but also in their progress through school, -and during their apprenticeship, that these indulgences are continued; -and an excuse is always ready, that their children must not be more -hardly treated than others. Hence it follows, that you often meet the -apprentice of eighteen strutting through the streets in his boots on -an errand of business, or screening himself from the dew of heaven -under the shade of a large silken umbrella!--It would be worse than -sacrilege, in their opinions, to appear abroad with an apron before -them, or in their working dress. - -Their evenings are too often spent abroad at chair clubs, in -alehouses, at the theatres, or in some gardens. "To know the world," -as they call it, is more their study than the attainment of their -profession, by which they are hereafter to live. But of what does -this knowledge of the world consist?--To despise virtue, to laugh -at morality, and to give way to the most shocking scenes of folly -and dissipation. Their Sundays, part of which, at least, ought to -be spent in acts of piety, are passed in revelling and drunkenness; -and the exploits and excesses of that day furnish plenty of boastful -conversation for the rest of the week. - -What can be expected from a youth, when he shall arrive at manhood, -who has thus passed the morning of his life? and with what reason can -either parents or masters complain of the depravity of the times, -since they themselves take so little care of the morals of the rising -generation? - -The youth who has been long accustomed to revel through the dangerous -wilds of gaiety and pleasure, and has once given a loose to the -excesses of the town, will hardly ever be prevailed on to quit them, -for what he considers as the dull enjoyments of a calm, peaceable, and -virtuous life. Deaf to all remonstrances, he pursues his pleasures, and -perishes in the midst of his delusive enjoyments. - -To check these evils, and thereby prevent the fatal consequences, the -infant mind must be carefully watched, and the unruly passions made -to give way to the reason and authority of the parent. Nothing can be -so pleasing and delightful, and, at the same time, more the duty of -the parent, than to watch over the tender thought, and teach the young -ideas to flow in a proper channel. To leave these cares to the vain -hope, that reason and maturity will gradually fix the wandering mind, -and bring it to a proper sense of its duty, is as absurd and ridiculous -as to expect that the fiery steed, who has never felt the spur nor the -curb, the saddle nor the bridle, will with age become the peaceful, the -quiet, and the obedient animal. - -Nature seems, in some instances, to have given to the inferior class -of beings that degree of instinct, which sometimes puts human reason -to the blush. Shall inferior beings, merely by the power of instinct -qualities, show more care and prudence in rearing their tender -offspring, than proud man, with all his lordly and boasted superiority -of human reason? - - -_Dr. Sterne._ - -When I was last summer on my travels through Yorkshire, I one day met -with a person who gave me a very singular history of himself, of the -veracity of which I was assured by some gentlemen I might rely upon. I -shall repeat his history to you, as nearly as I can recollect, in his -own words. - -Though I was born of poor parents, said he, I was fortunate enough to -pick up a tolerable education in one of those public schools in the -country, which are supported by voluntary and charitable contributions. - -Nature formed me of an active and lively disposition; and, as I grew -up, my vanity began to flatter me, that I was not destitute of genius. -I happened one day, accidentally, to take up the tragedy of the Orphan, -when I was particularly struck with the following lines, which I seemed -inclined never to forget: - - "I would be busy in the world, and learn; - Not like a coarse and worthless dunghill weed, - Fix'd to one spot, to rot just where I grow." - -As soon as I had reached the age of fourteen, I was discharged from the -school, when my parents put me to the farming business; but my ideas -soared above that menial profession. - -I had frequently heard it mentioned in our village, that the only place -for preferment was the great and rich city of London; where a young -fellow had only to get himself hired as a porter in some respectable -shop, and he would soon rise to be shopman, then clerk, then master, -and at last a common-councilman, or an alderman, if not a lord mayor. - -I, therefore, soon determined to leave my native village, and hasten up -to this centre of preferment and happiness. On my arrival in London, I -was advised to apply to a register office, from whence I was sent to a -capital grocer in the city, who was then in want of a porter, and where -I was accordingly engaged. "How happy am I," said I to myself, "at once -to jump into so capital a place? I shall here learn a fine business, -and in time, like my master, keep a splendid coach, horses, and livery -servants." - -However, I was here very sadly mistaken; for I was constantly every -day so driven about, from one end of the town to the other, with -loads, that I had no opportunity of getting the least insight into -the business; and every Sunday morning I almost sunk under a load of -various kinds of provisions I was forced to carry to our villa in -Kentish-town, from whence I returned in the evening with a still more -enormous burden of the produce of the garden, consisting of cabbages, -turnips, and potatoes, or whatever happened to be in season, for the -use of the townhouse, during the ensuing week. I, therefore, was not -much displeased at being obliged to quit this service on my master's -becoming a bankrupt. - -I next engaged myself with a wholesale linen-draper, to open and -shut up shop, and go occasionally on errands; but here again I was -disappointed, being obliged to employ all my leisure hours in blacking -shoes, cleaning knives, or whatever the cook-maid was pleased to set -me about. My stay here consequently was but short, any more than in my -next place, where my master starved his servants in order to feed his -horses. - -I shall not trouble you with an account of all the places I was in, -during the space of seven years, without the least hopes of success, -till, by accident, I got to be a kind of shopman at a tobacconist's. -Here hope seemed to afford me some glimmerings of success, as I was -well treated in the house, and taken particular notice of by my -master, who was very rich, and had an only daughter, who was young and -beautiful. - -I soon fell in love equally with her person and her fortune, and had -great reason to believe, from her looks, that I was not indifferent to -her. One evening, when all the family were out on a visit, and miss had -thought proper to stay at home, being a little indisposed, I determined -to improve the favourable opportunity, and, by one resolute action, -complete the summit of my wishes. I accordingly entered the parlour, -threw myself at her feet, and declared my passion for her, assuring her -that I could not live without her. - -She seemed at first surprised; but, recollecting herself, with a most -gracious smile, bid me rise and hope. I instantly retired, thinking I -had done enough for the first attempt. But, alas! I was called up the -next day after dinner, and was desired by miss, in the presence of a -large company, who all joined in the laugh against me, not to trouble -myself with paying her any further addresses. My master then kicked -me down stairs, and out of the house. I am now returned to my native -village, having given over all hopes of ever being either a lord mayor, -an alderman, or even a common-councilman! - - * * * * * - -Here Dr. Sterne finished; and, as the sun was sunk beneath the horizon, -and night was speedily advancing, the conversation ended for the -present. Madam Heathcote thanked the company for the favour of their -visit, and did not doubt but that the young ladies and gentlemen -who were present, would go away pleased and edified by the polite -conversation they had heard. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -_Edwin and Matilda._ - - -Edwin and his sister were natives of a town in Glamorganshire, whose -father had but little more to leave them at his death than the virtues -he possessed in his lifetime. His character and assiduity procured -him an employment of consequence, which, in a few years, enabled -him to save a very decent fortune. Honour, virtue, and integrity, -however amiable in themselves, will not always protect us against the -calamities of human life, though they may contribute to soften them. - -In the midst of his career of business, he was attacked by a long and -tedious disorder, which considerably impaired his constitution, and -obliged him to relinquish all thoughts of business at a very early -age. Not long after he had given up all mercantile pursuits, the -failure of his banker deprived him of two-thirds of his fortune. The -remainder of his possessions, which consisted only of the house he then -lived in, and a few cottages in the village, afforded him but a scanty -pittance for the support of his wife and two children, Edwin, then -about ten years of age, and Matilda, about nine. - -Their mother was tenderly fond of them, and consequently was less able -to endure the afflicting prospect of seeing them reduced so low, and -her philosophy failed her in this instance. The narrow scale of living -to which she was now forced to submit, and the parting with many little -comforts and conveniences in which she had taken pleasure to indulge -her children, and which they were no more to expect;--the affliction of -seeing her dear Edwin and Matilda become her servants, and that dumb -sorrow she fancied she beheld in their countenances whenever she looked -on them;--all these, and many other thoughts, crowding on her mind, so -weakened and impaired her constitution, that she was no longer the same -woman. Every time she looked at her children, the tears stole down her -cheeks; and her husband, who most tenderly loved her, would sometimes -mingle his tears with hers, and at other times retire to conceal them. - -As Edwin was one day gathering apples in the orchard, he perceived his -parents in close conversation with each other. A hedge of rosebushes -only parted them, so that he heard every thing they said. His mother -gave a sigh, and his father thus endeavoured to console her. - -"I was far from blaming," said he, "the excess of your affliction in -the infancy of our misfortunes, and I did not attempt to interrupt you; -but now you ought to be wiser from experience, and patiently bear those -evils which cannot be removed, but may be increased by our impatience -under them. I have concealed my sorrows, fearing they might add to -yours; but you, in return, put no restraint on yourself; and you are -shortening my days, without being sensible of what you are doing. I -love my children no less than you, and feel for their misfortune in -losing what I hoped they would live to enjoy after we were no more. -Consider my infirmities, which will probably carry me to my long home -before you. You must then act the part of father and mother; but how -will you be able to do this, if you give way to such immoderate grief? -You are sensible these misfortunes are not my own seeking; they are the -works of the Almighty, and it is impiety not to submit to them. It has -pleased him to deprive me of my property and health, while you deprive -me of the satisfaction of seeing you submissive to his decrees. I see -sorrow must pursue me to the grave, and you will not help to protract -that awful hour of my dissolution." - -Edwin treasured up in his youthful bosom every word that dropped -from the lips of his father, but his mother answered only in sighs -and half-finished words. "Do not distress your mind," continued her -husband, "on the hapless situation of our children, since they may -still be happy though deprived of their fortune. Edwin has noble and -generous sentiments; and Matilda has been brought up in the strictest -principles of virtue. Let us, therefore, set our children an example, -by teaching them to submit to the will of Providence, instead of -teaching them to repine at his decrees." - -As soon as the conversation was ended, Edwin got away as softly as he -could, and, going into the house, met his sister Matilda, who, as she -saw him look very serious, asked him what was the matter with him. They -went together into the parlour, when Edwin thus addressed his sister. - -"Ah! my dear sister, had you, like me, heard what has just passed -between my father and mother, on our account, I am sure you would have -been equally afflicted. I was very near the arbour in which they were -conversing; but though I could hear every thing they said, they could -not see me. My mother talks of nothing but about our being ruined; -and my father says every thing he can to pacify and comfort her. You -well know, that my father has never had a good state of health, and my -mother's is going very fast; so that I fear we shall soon lose them -both. What, my dear sister, will become of us, and what shall we do -without them? I could wish to die with them." - -"Let us hope," replied Matilda, "that things will not go so hard -with us. Do not let such melancholy thoughts enter your head, and -be particularly careful not to cry in their presence, as that would -affect them more than any thing else. Let us endeavour to be cheerful, -and when they see us so, it will possibly lessen their affliction. -They love us tenderly, and we ought, in return, to do every thing in -our power to make them cheerful and contented, if we cannot make them -happy." - -Their father, coming to the door just as they began their conversation, -stopped short, and heard every word that passed between the two young -folks. His heart could not fail of being tenderly affected by their -conversation, he rushed into the room, and caught them in his arms. "My -dear children," said he, "how amiable is your conduct, and how worthy -are you of a better fortune!" - -He then took them by the hand, and led them to their mother, who was -reading in another room. "Lay down your book," said he, "and kiss -your children; for neither of us need be any more afflicted on their -account. They stand not in need of our pity, for they have resources -of happiness within their own youthful bosoms. We have been deceiving -each other, in thus afflicting ourselves on their account, when nothing -has disturbed them. Nothing can be wanting to the possessors of so much -virtue." - -He then related to their mother the conversation he had just overheard, -and appealed to her tenderest feelings, whether she ought not to exert -herself to the utmost to make herself happy, and endeavour to promote -the felicity of two such children. - -Their mother again shed tears, but they were tears of joy. "I will from -henceforth," said she, "endeavour to quiet the storm within my breast, -that I may be the better able to take care of my dear children. It -would be disgraceful in me, to let the world see that I have children -from whom I have to learn lessons of philosophy." - -Edwin and Matilda were so lost in the delightful sensations they -received from the words and caresses of their parents, that they -thought themselves the happiest of all little mortals. From this moment -all their griefs and anxities seemed to subside, and the six following -months glided away without even a desponding look from either of the -parties. - -Edwin frequently walked abroad with his father, who constantly taught -him to draw some moral reflection, or some useful knowledge in the -commerce of life, from every thing they saw. It is too often the case -with parents, when they take their children abroad, to amuse themselves -with their gossiping tales, instead of teaching them to reflect upon -the different interesting subjects that fall within their view. -Children are much sooner capable of reflecting than the generality of -parents are aware of; and they would soon be convinced of the truth of -this assertion, would they but make the trial, wait patiently for their -answers, and endeavour to correct their youthful ideas when wrong. - -Six months had now slid away in peace and serenity; but the apparent -tranquility of their mother was only in outward appearance. Despair had -taken deep root in her heart, and was secretly making great havoc with -her constitution. A fever at last seized her, which soon put a period -to her life. - -The death of their mother was the source of inexpressible sorrow to her -husband, who never recovered the shock it gave him. She expired in his -arms, while poor Edwin and Matilda were drowned in tears by her side. - -The house, for some time, afforded one continued scene of lamentation. -Her character was truly amiable; her children obeyed her through love, -for fear had no share in their duty. She possessed the happy skill of -penetrating into the infant heart, and making it sensible, by its own -feelings, of the propriety of what she commanded to be done. Thus she -at once improved the heart and understanding, without ruffling the -infant mind. - -Edwin and Matilda severely felt the loss of their mother; but it was a -still greater shock to their father, whose health, which was bad enough -before, evidently grew worse from this fatal stroke. Grief brought on -a complication of disorders, which soon confined him to his bed; and -in this sad situation he lived near a twelvemonth, when, his strength -being totally exhausted, he expired in the arms of his son. - -The situation of Edwin and Matilda was much to be pitied. They had -no relation left to fly to, and friends are rarely to be found when -distress seeks them. Edwin was almost driven to despair; but Matilda -had more fortitude, and recalled her brother back to reason. It is -certain, that the female mind, in scenes of distress, often shows more -fortitude than we meet with in men. - -The young orphans agreed to live together, and cultivate the little -spot that was left them. The remembrance of the virtues of their -parents animated their labour, and their moderation regulated their -wants. They enjoyed the sweets of friendship, and lived happily, -because they had learned how to be contented with little. - -Remember, my youthful readers, how fleeting and uncertain is the -possession of riches. Of these Fortune may deprive you, but it cannot -rob you of your virtue. Virtue is an invaluable treasure, which even -the revolutions of states and empires cannot take from you. Like Edwin -and Matilda, love and reverence your parents, cherish them in the -evening of their days, and be a comfort to them in the time of trial, -in the hour of sickness, and in the expiring moments of their lives. -Let every wise mother imitate the mother of Edwin and Matilda, who -never suffered passion to get the upper hand of her reason, when she -argued with her children on those little imperfections, which young -people are apt to run into, and which are necessary to be corrected. -It is better to be beloved than feared; but to indulge children in -excesses, will neither create fear nor esteem. Happy are those parents -who have such children as Edwin and Matilda; and happy those children -who know how properly to love, honour, and obey their parents. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -_The pious Hermit._ - - -At the bottom of the Cordillieres, whose towering summits overlook -Peru and Chili in the New World, as it is called, is situated an -uninhabited spot of land, on which nature has exhausted all her art, -being decorated with innumerable beauties. Woods of stately poplars -rear their heads to the clouds, and odoriferous groves shed their -fragrance over every part of it; while the roaring river Oroonoko rolls -its majestic floods through an immense bed which, at length exhausting -itself, contracts into peaceful rills and meandering streams. These -beauties are terminated by a thick, gloomy forest, which serves as a -foil to these enchanting beauties. - -In this charming solitude lived Nestor, an old and venerable hermit, -who, for a long time, had withdrawn himself from the tumultuous bustle -of the world, and had seen forty revolving suns pass over his head -in this peaceful retreat. A stranger to the passions, without wishes -or desires, he passed his life in tranquility, without the fear of -experiencing either cares or disappointments. He was grown old in the -practice of virtue, for this spot afforded not even the shadow of -temptations. He felt not the infirmities which are natural to old age; -nor had he any of those complaints, to which the luxurious inhabitants -of cities and large towns are subject before they reach the meridian of -their lives. - -He had made himself a hut at the foot of a verdant hill, that screened -it from the cold blasts of winter. Thick leaves and sod composed its -walls, which time had covered and cemented with a mossy crust. A -plantation of various trees, peculiar to the soil, reared their lofty -heads around his mansion, and a narrow path led through them to his -rustic habitation. A clear and transparent spring arose near his hut; -which, after forming a little bason for domestic services, overflowed -and fled away in meandering streams through the wood. - -His time was employed in cultivating a little garden he had made -contiguous to his house. Here he studied the works of Nature, and -explored her wonderful operations in the production of fruits and -vegetables. Here Nature furnished him with a volume that was never to -be read through, but discovered something new every time it was opened. - -The sun was one evening sinking beneath the horizon, when Nestor was -seated on the stump of a tree, near the door of his hut, shaded with -woodbines and jessamines. His venerable front, which was now whitened -by time, was lifted up towards heaven; calmness and serenity were -seated on his countenance, and every thing about him accorded with -wisdom and philosophy. - -"How I delight," said he, "to view the beautiful azure of that glorious -firmament! What a variety of beautiful colours show themselves in those -clouds! O rich and magnificent dome! when shall I leave this sublunary -world, and ascend to those regions of bliss, where my mind will be lost -in raptures that will know no end! However, let me not be impatient, -since the measure of my life is nearly exhausted. I ought not to repine -at the length of my continuance here, since I enjoy, in this solitary -retreat, what is denied to almost every one who is engaged in the busy -pursuits of life. Every thing I possess is my own, and I live in the -enjoyment of what is purely natural, without the troublesome alloy -of ambition and parade. In whatever direction I turn my view, I see -nothing but smiling landscapes. The sun affords to me the same cheering -warmth, and its light in as great a degree, as to the first monarch of -the earth! Should I not live to see his rising beams, yet he will rise -to cheer the hearts of others, when I shall no longer want them. - -"Yonder lie the ruins of that ancient habitation in which once lived -the venerable shepherd and his daughter, who taught me how to live, -when I retired from the empty bustle of the world, and first took up my -abode in these mansions of peace. If their hut be fallen into ruins, it -is but an emblem of what will, in a few years, be the fate of the most -stately palaces. Both he and his daughter now lie at rest under the -shade of those neighbouring and lofty poplars. - -"The scythe of Time mows down every thing that comes within the reach -of its keen edge; it has destroyed not only towns and cities, but even -whole empires, which were once mistresses of the world, and reduced -them to a state of pity. The most lofty and luxuriant trees, by Time, -are reduced to dry trunks, without being able to give nourishment to a -single leaf. I have seen huge and tremendous rocks, to all appearance -invulnerable, crumbled into powder by the roaring thunders and the -vivid lightnings. Once the rose was blushing in my blooming cheeks; but -grey hairs have now covered my head, and wrinkles hide my forehead. But -the time is now coming, in which my mortal race will be finished." - -A young man had, for some years, taken a part in his solitude, and -as the virtuous Nestor found himself weak and exhausted, he exerted -himself in calling upon the youth. Misfortunes more severe than those -that generally happen to mortal beings, first brought him into this -charming solitude. The pleasing gloom of that retreat, which was not -without its beauties to change the scenes, soon calmed the storm within -his bosom, and made him happy in retirement; to which the conversation -of the venerable old man contributed not a little. - -"Come hither, my son," said the virtuous Nestor in faltering accents, -"and embrace your friend for the last time in this world. My eyes will -soon be closed for ever, and I must return to the earth from whence I -came. Complain not that I go before you to the regions of bliss, for I -have enjoyed a long succession of happy years. My career is finished, -and I die without a murmur. It is our ignorance only of what may be -our state hereafter, that makes men afraid of death; but everlasting -happiness is promised to us, and death puts us in possession of it. -Though you will in me lose a mortal friend, yet I leave you One in -heaven who is eternal, and who never will forsake you, so long as you -pursue the paths of virtue. As soon as I shall be no more, dig my -grave close by the poplar which grows on the borders of the river, -where it waters my last plantation. That spot afforded me infinite -delight while I was living, and there I wish my body to repose. This is -the last favour I have to ask of you. Farewell for ever, my virtuous -companion.--The earth seems to fly from me--my time is come--once more, -farewell.--Grieve not for the loss of me, but respect my memory.--Keep -constantly in your view the example which it has pleased heaven to -permit me to set you, and you will be happy, because you will be -virtuous." - -Having finished these words, the good Nestor closed his eyes, and -expired without a struggle; he passed away like a cloud floating in -the ambient air, which insensibly disperses and dissipates itself in -a sky of azure. How peaceful and tranquil are the last moments of the -virtuous man! The youth looked stedfastly on that venerable front, -which appeared graceful even in death. He embraced him, and could not -help sighing. "O my dear father," said he, "you are no more! You leave -me in this solitude, without any one to partake of it with me. Who -will, in future, be the comfort of my existence? and to whom am I to -tell my tales of past woe?" - -His heart was sensibly affected, and the tears flowed down his cheeks; -but he recollected the last words of his friend Nestor, and endeavoured -to moderate his grief. He took the body on his shoulders, and carried -it to the place where Nestor had desired it might be buried. Being -come to the borders of the river, he gently laid down the body of his -deceased friend, and then dug the grave. - -While he was thus sadly employed in his last work for Nestor, he -thought all nature, and whatever breathed throughout the region round -him, united their tears for his virtuous benefactor. After he had -deposited the body in the grave, it was some time before he could -prevail on himself to cover it with the earth. He felt his heart very -powerfully affected; he stood almost motionless, and the tears stole -insensibly down his cheeks. - -"Happy Nestor," said he, "you can neither see nor condemn my weakness. -If you could, you would forgive me, and pity me. You were my father, -philosopher, and friend; you taught me to love you, and now I have lost -you. Let me indulge my tears in this melancholy moment, as the only -tribute I can pay to your virtues." - -He then proceeded to fill up the grave; but every shovelful of earth -was accompanied with a sigh. When he had covered part of his face, he -stopped suddenly. "Farewell, my dear friend," said the generous and -pious youth, "a little more earth, and then you will be lost from my -sight for ever! It is the decree of Heaven, it must be so, and it is -my duty to submit. But though you will soon be for ever lost from my -sight, your memory will never be erased from my mind, till my mortal -clay, like yours, shall be incapable of knowing what passes in this -world. May my end be like yours, peaceful, composed, and tranquil." - -After a few minutes pause, he proceeded in his business, filled up the -grave, and covered it with the most verdant turf he could find. He then -planted round it the woodbine and jessamine, and inclosed the whole -with a fence of blushing roses. - -His business being now completed, he turned to the transparent stream, -and thus uttered his devotions, to which no mortal could be witness, -and his plaintive accents were heard only by the wafting gentle zephyrs. - -"Thou great and omnipotent Being, who, in your gracious bounty to me, -unworthy wretch as I am, have been pleased to take me from the regions -of Folly, and place me here in those of Innocence and Virtue, where -I have learned to forget the former dreadful misfortunes of my life, -grant me, O gracious Heaven! thy protection, and endow me with the same -virtues that reverend sage possessed, to whose memory I have just paid -the last duties. Left as I am without either guide or companion, his -sacred ashes shall supply the place of them. Sooner shall this stream -cease to flow, and the sun withdraw its benign influence from these -happy regions, than I to wander from the paths into which my departed -friend has conducted me." - -Though Nestor's death left the virtuous youth without friend or -companion, yet he in some measure consoled himself for that loss by -daily visiting his grave, and cautiously watching the growth of that -funeral plantation. He suffered not a weed to grow near it, and kept -every thing about it in the highest state of perfection. Every morning -and evening the birds assembled in the surrounding bushes, and warbled -forth their notes over the departed sage. - -Though it is neither to be expected nor wished, that my youthful -readers should turn hermits, yet it would be proper for them to -remember, that happiness is not always to be found among the bustling -crowd, where every thing appears under borrowed shapes. In whatever -condition Fortune may place them, let them remember this one certain -truth, that there can be no real happiness where virtue is wanting. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -_The Caprice of Fortune._ - - -Painters represent Fortune with a bandage over her eyes, by which they -mean to tell us, that she distributes her gifts indiscriminately, and -as chance happens to throw a happy object in her way, without paying -regard to either virtue or merit. The following short history will -evince the truth of the old adage, that there is a something necessary, -besides merit and industry, to make a person's fortune in this -capricious world. - -A brave old soldier, whom I shall conceal under the borrowed name of -Ulysses, had acquired immortal honours in the service of his country -on the field of battle. Having passed the prime of his life in actual -service, he retired to pass the evening of his days in the circle of -his family, and the care of his children. - -He tenderly loved his offspring, and he had the inexpressible pleasure -and delight to find himself beloved by them. - -As his eldest son had entered into a marriage contract by the consent -of all parties, a house was taken for the young couple, and the -necessary repairs and embellishments were not forgotten. One of the -apartments being designed for pictures, the generous youth, without -acquainting his father with his design, employed a painter to describe -all the heroic actions of his sire. - -This business was completed with great expedition and secrecy, and as -soon as the house was properly ornamented and furnished, the young -gentleman invited all his relations and particular acquaintances to -partake of an elegant dinner, on his commencing housekeeping. When -the veteran entered the room, where all his glorious actions were -represented in the most lively colours, he could not avoid being -singularly struck with the generous piety of his son. The company were -at a loss which they should most admire, the heroic exploits of the -father, or the exemplary conduct of the son. - -The old general surveyed every picture with an air of carelessness, -at which the company were not a little surprised, and could not help -wondering at his composed indifference. "You acted very properly, son," -said the old gentleman, "to conceal your intentions of this matter from -me till you had completed it, as I otherwise should most certainly have -stifled it in its birth. What you have thus done is a convincing proof -of your love and affection for me; but, however sensible it may make me -of your attachments to me, yet it does not much flatter my vanity. - -"Few pieces of biography are correct on their first appearance in the -world, where the parties meant to be handed down to posterity have not -been previously consulted. The most particular event, from the want of -proper information, is frequently omitted. Such is the case, my son, in -the present instance. There is one circumstance in my life which ought -to have been recorded, since to that action alone I owe all my fortune, -and my promotion in the army." However, as dinner was then serving up, -the conversation was dropped, and the company very soon began to have -something else to think of. - -The next day, however, being at dinner with his children and a small -party of friends, his son requested him to inform him what was that -heroic act he had forgotten in his penciled history. The general -replied, he had no objections to do so, but observed, that it would be -necessary to go into the room where the pictures were hanging. - -As soon as they had entered the room, the general began his -observations on the paintings. "I suppose son," said he, "you have -terminated the first line with that in which his majesty is supposed -to have made me a lieutenant-general. In this, indeed, you have made -a very capital error, as you have here brought together events that -happened at different periods. But I would wish to know, whether the -military honours I have received, were in consequence of the actions -represented in this picture, or on account of what is represented in -the whole." - -The young gentleman replied, without the least hesitation, that the -honours he had received were in consequence of all his services, and -not of any single one. - -"You are very much mistaken," said the general, "for it was in -consequence only of one action in my life, that I enjoy my present -honours; and this action you have not recorded." - -The young gentleman was very much surprised to think that he should -forget the principal occurrence of his father's life, and that too from -which alone he was raised in the army. He censured his own want of -memory, and was the more angry with himself, as he could not even then -recollect it. - -"Do not make yourself uneasy," said the general to his son, "for it is -not possible that you could paint an action you never knew any thing -of. It is a transaction which I have never yet related to any one; but -I shall now give you the particulars. - -"During the very early part of my life as a soldier, I lost my left -leg, and received so dangerous a wound in my head, that my life was for -some time despaired of, nor did I perfectly recover of it till after -sixteen months had elapsed. I lost my three youngest sons on the field -of battle, where they bled in the service of their king and country. - -"Notwithstanding all these services, I enjoyed no higher rank than that -of a major for nearly thirty years, while in that battle, in which I -lost my limb, my general fled, in order to preserve his precious life -from danger, and was rewarded with a title and a pension. But he was -the nephew of a favourite at court, who took care to represent him to -his sovereign and the nation, as having on the day of battle exposed -himself to the most imminent dangers. It may easily be supposed, -that my affections for my family, and my wishes to do well for them, -induced me to hope for preferment. Numbers were, like me, seeking for -promotion; but I could not, like the generality of them, stoop to their -means to obtain it; and if they had not more merit than myself, at -least they had better fortune. Tired out with expectations that met -with nothing but disappointments, I took the resolution to hang about -the court no longer in expectancy, but to retire into the country, and -there spend the remainder of my days in private. However, Fortune at -length smiled on me, and, when I least expected it, led me into the -path of fame and preferment. Of this circumstance not the least notice -is taken in your paintings!" - -The young gentleman appeared very much astonished, and could not guess -what this circumstance could be, which he had omitted in his pictures, -since he apprehended that he was well acquainted with all the material -occurrences in the life of his father. "I know not, sir," said his -son, "what this circumstance can be that I have omitted. Perhaps it -may be something which the pencil of the artist cannot express. I must -confess, that I long much to know what this occurrence can be." - -"Nothing can be more easy," replied the general, "than to represent -this scene on canvass: A beautiful river, ladies weeping on the borders -of it, and I on horseback in the liquid stream, holding a little -lap-dog in a half-drowned condition. Surely this could not be a very -difficult scene for an able pencil to represent, and could give but -little trouble to the painter!" - -The young gentleman could hardly think his father serious, and could -not comprehend how such a scene as this could be considered as one of -the general's most glorious military exploits, by which he had gained -his promotion as a soldier. He, therefore, begged he would be pleased -to explain himself more fully. - -"Trifling as you may think this exploit," replied the veteran, "I owe -to it my present promotion, which the loss of a limb in the field -of battle could not procure me. I will give you the history of this -strange affair in as few words as possible. - -"As I was one morning riding on horseback, for the benefit of the air, -as well as for the advantage of exercise, on the beautiful banks of the -Thames, near Richmond, a coach passed me.--Curiosity induced me to look -into it, when I discovered the mistress of the minister; who appeared -to me as a pretty doll, agreeable to behold, but from whom you must -expect neither sense nor reason, and but a very small share of modesty, -that first accomplishment of the fair sex. Though she knew me perfectly -well, she condescended only to give me a nod, and having driven to -some distance before me, she got out of her carriage to walk with her -companions on the banks of the river. - -"In order to avoid giving her the trouble of taking notice of me again, -I turned into a lane; but hardly had I entered it, when I heard a cry -of distress from the same women. I doubted not but some misfortune -had happened to them, and I, therefore, galloped towards them. As soon -as I got to them, the pretty doll cried out, 'Help, help, dear major! -my dear sweet Chloe has fallen into the water, and is unable to get -out!--The poor dear will be drowned, and I shall die with grief. Save -him, major, save him, I beg of you.' - -"Though I cared as little for the mistress as for the animal, yet -compassion urged me to put spurs to my horse, and get into the river. -I happened to get hold of the ugly cur, and brought him in safety to -his mistress. I know not whether the scene which followed excited most -pity or contempt, since the most affectionate mother could not have -shown more joy on the recovery of her child. The idle and ridiculous -congratulations from the company, and their eager endeavours who should -be first to caress the ugly animal, exceeds all description. Every -mouth was open, and every tongue was in motion, each endeavouring to be -most noticed by the doll of fashion. - -"As I apprehended my company was no longer wanted, I was about taking -my leave, when the little dog's mistress pressed me so warmly to -stay, that I alighted from my horse, and she took me by the arm. As -we sauntered along, at a little distance behind the company, and -out of their reach of hearing, she told me, she had been informed, -some time before, what rank I had been soliciting for. 'If I forget -this service,' said she, 'and if the minister is not from this day -your warmest advocate,--then major--O my poor dear Chloe!--you shall -see--yes, that you shall.' - -"I made her a bow without saying any thing; for I was too proud -to wish to owe my preferment to such a woman, and to such paltry -services.--However, the very next day, I was sent for to the -minister's levee, when he drew me aside, and told me, that the king -had recollected both my name and my services, and that he himself had -represented the justice there would be in my promotion. In short, -in less than a month from that day, I was promoted to the rank of a -lieutenant-general. Thus, by saving the life of a little ugly animal, -did I obtain more than all my services in the field could procure me." - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -_The melancholy Effects of Pride._ - - -A few miles distant from the metropolis lived an industrious farmer, -who had a son named Bounce. He had so strong a propensity to the -military life, that he was observed to be continually shouldering his -hoe, and treating it in other respects as a gun. He was fond of the -company of soldiers, and took great delight in hearing them repeat -their accounts of sieges and battles. - -When he had reached the eighteenth year of his age, he enlisted in one -of the marching regiments; and as he had previously learned at school -to read, write, and cast up common accounts, he became so useful in his -present station, that he was first made a corporal, and soon after was -advanced to the higher state of a serjeant. - -Much about this time, war was declared between England and France, -and, by a succession of the most fortunate circumstances, at the -commencement of the campaign, he had a lieutenantcy given him. He -behaved with great conduct on all occasions, and whenever any bold and -daring enterprise was to be undertaken, he was always appointed to -command it, and constantly came off with honour. The examples he set -others of his bravery, made every soldier under him as brave as himself. - -So strongly had his conduct recommended him to the favour of his -general, that he soon after presented him with a company, in order that -his fortune might raise in the common soldiers an emulation to imitate -his conduct. He had not long enjoyed this new promotion, when a most -desperate battle was fought, which proved fatal to several superior -officers. On this occasion, Bounce, who had performed wonders during -the battle, was instantly appointed a major. - -His exploits had often been recorded in the public papers, which being -read in his native village, all the inhabitants ran to congratulate his -parents on the occasion. His parents and brothers, undoubtedly, were -not a little flattered with the bravery and good fortune of Bounce. -The tear of joy would frequently steal down their cheeks when these -matters were mentioned. They longed for the happy day in which he was -to return, that they might have the inexpressible pleasure of embracing -a son and brother in their arms, whose bravery had done so much honour -to his family, and raised himself to such an elevated situation. - -We have hitherto only surveyed the brilliant colourings of the picture; -but we must now proceed to examine its shades. All his good qualities -were tarnished by one predominant and odious vice, which was pride. In -relating the history of his own achievements, he would consider himself -as little less than an Alexander or a Cæsar. He paid himself all the -compliments for his heroic actions, which the most fulsome flatterer -would give a victorious prince in his presence.--He assumed to himself -all the honours of every battle he had been engaged in, without -allowing the least merit to any other officer. - -All parties being at last tired of the war, many thousands of their -subjects having perished in the contest, many widows left to bemoan -their husbands, and a great number of children to lament the loss -of their fathers, a general peace put an end to this horrid carnage -of human beings. It so happened, that the regiment to which Bounce -belonged was directed to pass along the road on which his father's -house was situated, in order to proceed to Windsor, where it was to be -disbanded. - -By this time, his father and mother had paid their last debt to nature; -but his brothers, who were still living, hearing of his approach, ran -to meet him, accompanied by many others in the village. They soon found -him at the head of his battalion, exercising his men, in quality of -captain and major. - -They ran to him with open arms, saying, "O dear Bounce! were but our -parents now living, what joy would this give to their aged hearts! My -brother and I have been long sighing for this moment of seeing and -embracing you. Thanks to that God who has preserved you through so many -dangers, and at last has afforded us this inexpressible pleasure!" -Having thus said, the two brothers attempted to embrace him. - -The major, however, was very much displeased, that men, who had no -cockades in their hats, should presume to take these freedoms with him, -and call him brother. He pushed them from him, and treated their marks -of affection with insolence and contempt. "What do you mean," said he, -"by taking these freedoms with me?"--"Is it possible," replied the -younger brother, "that you have forgotten us? Look at me, I am George, -whom you formerly loved, whom you taught to dig and sow this ground, -when I was but a little one, and not higher than the length of the -sword which now dangles by your side." - -This put the major into a violent rage, and he threatened he would have -them apprehended as impostors, if they did not immediately depart. - -This scene of pride and vanity passed at the head of his battalion, -to which every soldier was witness. They dared not to speak their -minds openly, but in their hearts execrated his conduct. They vented -their indignation in whispers to each other. "Is it possible," said -they, "that our major can be ashamed of having once been what we are -at present? on the contrary, he ought to think himself happy, and be -thankful, that Fortune has raised him from nothing to what he now is. -It is more to the honour and reputation of a man, to acquire a fortune -by merit, than it is to be born to one." - -These were sentiments, however, of which Bounce had no idea; the -fortune he met with seemed to increase the depravity of his heart -rather than correct it. He even wished his fellow-soldiers to forget -that he had originally been, like them, one of the rank and file, and -consequently treated them with the most haughty and insolent contempt; -while they, on the other hand, viewed him in the just light in which -men ought to be considered, who, having soared above their original -obscurity, suffer themselves to be led away by the empty parade of -pride and ambition. - -As he was one day reviewing the regiment in the presence of the -colonel, the latter having found some fault in his method of giving the -word of command, he gave him a very insolent and haughty answer, such -as the military laws will not admit an inferior to give to a superior -officer. He had frequently before given shameful instances of his -pride and arrogance to those of higher rank; his colonel, therefore, -determined to try him by a court-martial, and at once punish him for -all his audacious infractions of the military law. He was accordingly -tried, found guilty, and solemnly declared incapable of serving any -longer in the army. He was disgraced and ruined. - -It can hardly be expected, that such a man as we have here described, -could have any great share of prudence or economy in the management -of his private affairs. He was not worth any thing at the time of his -disgrace, and, therefore, found himself obliged either to labour for -his living, or starve. What a situation for a man to be reduced to, -who, but a little while since, ingloriously despised that condition, -which he was now forced to apply to for his subsistence! - -Necessity, at last, obliged him to pay a visit to the place of his -nativity, and beg the assistance of those whom he had so lately -despised. The villagers, when they saw him thus reduced, in their turn, -treated him with contempt, and made him experience how dangerous it is, -whatever may be our present fortune, to despise any one merely because -he may not be so great as ourselves.--During the whole course of his -prosperity he had formed no friendly connections, and therefore now, -in the hour of adversity, he had no creature to apply to, either to -advise or assist him. Thus had his pride and folly deprived him of one -of the greatest blessings of this life. The mind receives some little -consolation in being _pitied_; but deplorable indeed is his situation, -who cannot command that most trifling relief. - -Finding himself neglected and despised by every one he had hitherto -applied to, he was at last forced to seek relief from his brothers, -whom he had lately insulted so cruelly. It was now, indeed, their turn -to retaliate on him; but they had souls far greater than his. They -despised every idea of mean revenge, and did him all the service they -could under his present difficulties. - -The little matters their father had left them had long been divided -among them, and Bounce had made away with his share, as well as with -all his pay. In this situation, the brothers gave him a little spot of -ground to cultivate, on which he was obliged to employ all his time, -in order to procure a scanty subsistence. He had now time enough to -reflect on the elevated station from which his pride and folly had -thrown him. - -He would frequently exclaim to himself, "O diabolical pride, to what -a melancholy situation hast thou brought me! Why, O Fortune! did you -raise me so far above my original character, as to make me forget -my former situation, and thereby make my fall more inglorious and -irreparable? had you not raised me above the state of a subaltern, I -might have still been happy; but, by making me great, you have ruined -and undone me!" - -Ideas and reflections such as these perpetually haunted him, and -interrupted his repose; until Death, more kind to him than Fortune, put -an end to his feelings and sufferings by an untimely end, leaving an -example of the fatal consequences which pride brings in its train. - -Be cautious, my youthful readers, how you suffer this vice to get -possession of your hearts, since it renders deformed the most perfect -beauty, and eclipses the most brilliant accomplishments. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -_The Nettle and the Rose._ - - -We may consider human life as a garden, in which roses and nettles are -promiscuously scattered, and in which we often feel the sting of the -wounding nettle, while we enjoy the fragrance of the blooming rose. -Those bowers of delight, entwined with the woodbine and jessamine, -under whose friendly umbrage we seek shelter from the noon-day sun, -frequently are the abode of snakes, adders, and venomous creatures, -which wound us in those unguarded scenes of delight. - -As the year has its seasons, and winter and summer are constantly in -pursuit of each other; so changeable likewise is the condition of -mortals; and, as the elements are frequently disturbed by storms, -hurricanes, and tempests, so is the human mind frequently ruffled -and indisposed, till the sun-shine of reason and philosophy bursts -forth and dispels the gloom. Murmuring brooks, purling streams, and -sequestered groves, whatever the fictions of a poetical imagination may -have advanced, are not always the seat of unmingled pleasure, nor the -abode of uninterrupted happiness. - -The hapless Florio pined away some months on the delightful banks -of the Severn: he complained of the cruelty of the lovely Anabella, -and told his fond tale to the waters of that impetuous stream, which -hurried along regardless of his plaints. He gathered the lilies of -the field; but the lilies were not so fair as his Anabella, nor the -fragrance of the blushing rose so sweet as her breath; the lambs were -not so innocent, nor the sound of the tabor on the green half so -melodious as her voice. Time, however, has joined Florio and Anabella -in the fetters of wedlock, and the plaints of the swain are changed. -The delusion of the enchantment is vanished, and what he but lately -considered as the only object worthy of his sublunary pursuit, he now -contemplates with coolness, indifference, and disgust: enjoyment has -metamorphosed the rose into a nettle. - -Ernestus, contrary to his inclinations, was compelled by his parents -to marry the amiable Clara, whose sense, tenderness, and virtues, soon -fixed the heart of the roving Ernestus; and what at first gave him pain -and disgust, by degrees became familiar, pleasing, and delightful. Here -the nettle was changed to the rose. - -The wandering libertine, who pursues the rose through the unlawful -paths of love, who tramples on every tender plant that comes within his -reach, and who roves from flower to flower, like the bee, only to rob -it of its sweets, will at last lose his way; and, when benighted, be -compelled to repose on the restless bed of wounding nettles. - -The blooming rose is an utter stranger to the regions of Ambition, -where gloomy clouds perpetually obscure the beams of the joyful sun; -where the gentle zephyrs never waft through the groves, but discordant -blasts are perpetually howling, and where the climate produces only -thorns and nettles. - -The rose reaches its highest perfection in the garden of Industry, -where the soil is neither too luxuriant, nor too much impoverished. -Temperance fans it with the gentlest breezes, and Health and -Contentment sport around it. Here the nettle no sooner makes its -appearance, than the watchful eye of Prudence espies it; and, though it -may not be possible totally to eradicate it, it is never suffered to -reach to any height of perfection. - -Since then human life is but a garden, in which weeds and flowers -promiscuously shoot up and thrive, let us do what we can to encourage -the culture of the rose, and guard against the spreading nettle. -However barren may be the soil that falls to our lot, a careful and -assiduous culture will contribute not a little to make the garden, at -least, pleasing and cheerful. - -[Illustration: FINIS] - - -Printed by J. Swan, 76, Fleet Street. - - - - -Transcriber's Notes: - - -Punctuation and spelling were made consistent when a predominant -preference was found in this book; otherwise they were not changed. - -Simple typographical errors were corrected; occasional unbalanced -quotation marks retained. - -Ambiguous hyphens at the ends of lines were retained. - -Occasional occurrences of the archaic long "s" (printed as "f") have -been replaced with the modern "s". - -Occasional missing periods and opening or closing quotation marks -remedied. - -Page 95: "Though her visitors did not look" was printed as "visiters", -but was changed here for consistency with other occurrences of -"visitor" or "visitors" in this text. - -Page 97: "spised" probably should be "despised". - - - - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's The Blossoms of Morality, by Richard Johnson - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BLOSSOMS OF MORALITY *** - -***** This file should be named 43854-8.txt or 43854-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/3/8/5/43854/ - -Produced by Chris Curnow, Charlie Howard and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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