trary, gave him a question or two from the As soon as he was gone, my wife calle very path it had taken. I was instantly for returning in with my family; but either curiosity, or surprise, or some more hidden motive, held my wife and daughters to their seats. The huntsman who rode foremost passed us with great swiftness, followed by four or five persons more, who seemed in equal haste. At last, a young gentleman of more genteel appearance than the rest came forward, and for a while regarding us, instead of pursuing the chase, stopped short, and giving his horse to a servant who attended, approached us with a careless superior air. He seemed to want no introduction, but was going to salute my daughters as one certain of a kind reception; but they had early learnt the lesson of looking presumption out of countenance. Upon which he let us know that his name was Thornhill, and that he was owner of the estate that lay for some extent round us. He again therefore offered to salute the female part of the family, and such was the power of fortune and fine clothes, that he found no second repulse. As his address, though confident, was easy, we soon became more familiar; and, perceiving musical instruments lying near, he begged to be favoured with a song. As I did not approve of such disproportioned acquaintances, I winked upon my daughters in order to prevent their compliance; but my hint was counteracted by one from their mother; so that, with a cheerful air, they gave us a Immensely so, indeed, mamma," favourite song of Dryden's. Mr. Thorn- plied she: "I think he has a great de hill seemed highly delighted with their per- to say upon everything, and is never at formance and choice, and then took up the loss; and the more trifling the subjec guitar himself. He played but very indif- the more he has to say."-"Yes," crie ferently; however, my eldest daughter re- Olivia, "he is well enough for a man; bu paid his former applause with interest, and for my own part, I don't much like hir assured him that his tones were louder he is so extremely impudent and familiar than even those of her master. At this but on the guitar he is shocking." Thes compliment he bowed, which she returned two last speeches I interpreted by com with a curtsey. He praised her taste, and traries. I found by this, that Sophia in she commended his understanding; anternally despised, as much as Olivia se age could not have made them better ac- cretly admired him. "Whatever may quainted: while the fond mother too, equally happy, insisted upon her landlord's stepping in, and tasting a glass of her gooseberry. The whole family seemed earnest to please him: my girls attempted to entertain him with topics they thought most modern; while Moses, on the con De: your opinions of him, my children," cre 1, "to confess the truth, he has not pre possessed me in his favour. Dispre portioned friendships ever terminate i disgust; and I thought, notwithstanding all his ease, that he seemed perfectly ser sible of the distance between us. Let keep to companions of our own rank. There is no character more contemptible than a man that is a fortune-hunter; and I can see no reason why fortune-hunting women should not be contemptible too. Thus, at best, we shall be contemptible if his views are honourable; but if they be otherwise!—I should shudder but to think of that. It is true, I have no apprehensions from the conduct of my children; but I think there are some from his character." I would have proceeded, but for the interruption of a servant from the Squire, who, with his compliments, sent us a side of venison, and a promise to dine with us some days after. This well-timed present pleaded more powerfully in his favour than anything I had to say could obviate. I therefore continued silent, satisfied with just having pointed out danger, and leaving it to their own discretion to avoid it. That virtue which requires to be ever guarded is scarce worth the sentinel. CHAPTER VI. The Happiness of a Country Fireside. As we carried on the former dispute with some degree of warmth, in order to accommodate matters, it was universally agreed that we should have a part of the venison for supper; and the girls undertook the task with alacrity. "I am sorry," cried I, "that we have no neighbour or stranger to take part in this good cheer: feasts of this kind acquire a double relish from hospitality."""Bless me, cried my wife, "here comes our good friend Mr. Burchell, that saved our Sophia, and that run you down fairly in the argument." "Confute me in argument, child!" cried I. "You mistake there, my dear; I believe there are but few that can do that I never dispute your abilities at making a goose-pie, and I beg you'll leave argument to me.' As I spoke, poor Mr. Burchell entered the house, and was welcomed by the family, who shook him heartily by the hand, while little Dick officiously reached him a chair. I was pleased with the poor man's friendship for two reasons: because I knew that he wanted mine, and I knew him to be friendly as far as he was able. He 1 was known in our neighbourhood by the character of the poor gentleman, that would do no good when he was young, though he was not yet thirty. He would at intervals talk with great good sense; but, in general, he was fondest of the company of children, whom he used to call harmless little men. He was famous, I found, for singing them ballads, and telling them stories, and seldom went out without something in his pockets for them -a piece of gingerbread, or an halfpenny whistle. He generally came for a few days into our neighbourhood once a year, and lived upon the neighbours' hospitality. He sat down to supper among us, and my wife was not sparing of her gooseberrywine. The tale went round; he sung us old songs, and gave the children the story of the Buck of Beverland, with the history of Patient Grissel, the adventures of Catskin, and then Fair Rosamond's Bower. Our cock, which always crew at eleven, now told us it was time for repose; but an unforeseen difficulty started about lodging the stranger-all our beds were already taken up, and it was too late to send him to the next alehouse. In this dilemma, little Dick offered him his part of the bed, if his brother Moses would let him lie with him: "And I," cried Bill, "will give Mr. Burchell my part, if my sisters will take me to theirs."-"Well done, my good children," cried I, "hospitality is one of the first Christian duties. The beast retires to its shelter, and the bird flies to its nest; but helpless man can only find refuge from his fellow-creature. The greatest stranger in this world was He that came to save it. He never had a house, as if willing to see what hospitality was left remaining among us. Deborah, my dear," cried I to my wife, "give those boys a lump of sugar each; and let Dick's be the largest, because he spoke first." In the morning early I called out my whole family to help at saving an aftergrowth of hay, and our guest offering his assistance, he was accepted among the number. Our labours went on lightly; we turned the swath to the wind. I went foremost, and the rest followed in due succession. I could not avoid, however, observing the assiduity of Mr. Burchell in assisting my daughter Sophia in her part of the task. When he had finished his own, he would join in hers, and enter into a close conversation; but I had too good an opinion of Sophia's understanding, and was too well convinced of her ambition, to be under any uneasiness from a man of broken fortune. When we were finished for the day, Mr. Burchell was invited as on the night before, but he refused, as he was to lie that night at a neighbour's, to whose child he was carrying a whistle. When gone, our conversation at supper turned upon our late unfortunate guest. "What a strong instance," said I, “is that poor man of the miseries attending a youth of levity and extravagance. He by no means wants sense, which only serves to aggravate his former folly. Poor forlorn creature! where are now the revellers, the flatterers, that he could once inspire and command! Gone, perhaps, to attend the bagnio pander, grown rich by his extravagance. They once praised him, and now they applaud the pander: their former raptures at his wit are now converted into sarcasms at his folly: he is poor, and perhaps deserves poverty; for he has neither the ambition to be independent, nor the skill to be useful." Prompted perhaps by some secret reasons, I delivered this observation with too much acrimony, which my Sophia gently reproved. "Whatsoever his former conduct may have been, papa, his circumstances should exempt him from censure now. His present indigence is a sufficient punishment for former folly; and I have heard my papa himself say, that we should never strike one unnecessary blow at a victim, over whom Providence holds the scourge of its resentment."-"You are right, Sophy," cried my son Moses; "and one of the ancients finely represents so malicious a conduct, by the attempts of a rustic to flay Marsyas, whose skin, the fable tells us, had been wholly stripped off by another. Besides, I don't know if this poor man's situation be so bad as my father would represent it. We are not to judge of the feelings of others by what we might feel in their place. However dark the habitation of the mole to our eyes, yet the animal itself finds the apar ment sufficiently lightsome. And, to cer fess a truth, this man's mind seems fitte to his station; for I never heard any c more sprightly than he was to-day, whe he conversed with you."-This was s without the least design; however, it e. cited a blush, which she strove to cov by an affected laugh, assuring him th she scarce took any notice of what said to her, but that she believed he mig once have been a very fine gentlem The readiness with which she underto to vindicate herself, and her blushi were symptoms I did not internally a prove; but I repressed my suspicions. As we expected our landlord the re day, my wife went to make the venis pasty. Moses sat reading, while I taug the little ones. My daughters seeme equally busy with the rest; and I observ them for a good while cooking somethi over the fire. I at first supposed the were assisting their mother, but little Dic informed me, in a whisper, that they we making a wash for the face. Washes all kinds I had a natural antipathy t for I knew that, instead of mending t complexion, they spoil it. I theref approached my chair by sly degrees the fire, and grasping the poker, as if wanted mending, seemingly by accide overturned the whole composition, and was too late to begin another. CHAPTER VII. A Town Wit described. The dullest Fell may learn to be comical for a Night or Ta WHEN the morning arrived on which w were to entertain our young landlord, may be easily supposed what provisio were exhausted to make an appearanc It may also be conjectured that my w and daughters expanded their gayest pl mage on this occasion. Mr. Thornh came with a couple of friends, his cha lain and feeder. The servants, who we numerous, he politely ordered to the ne alehouse: but my wife, in the triumph her heart, insisted on entertaining the all; for which, by the by, our family w pinched for three weeks after. As M Burchell had hinted to us the day befo that he was making some proposals marriage to Miss Wilmot, my son George's former mistress, this a good deal damped the heartiness of his reception: but accident in some measure relieved our embarrassment; for one of the company happening to mention her name, Mr. Thornhill observed with an oath, that he never knew anything more absurd than calling such a fright a beauty; "For, strike me ugly," continued he, "if I should not find as much pleasure in choosing my mistress by the information of a lamp under the clock of St. Dunstan's." At this he laughed, and so did we the jests of the rich are ever successful. Olivia, too, could not avoid whispering, loud enough to be heard, that he had an infinite fund of humour. 66 66 part is less than the whole."-"I grant 66 After dinner, I began with my usual toast, the Church: for this I was thanked by the chaplain, as he said the Church was the only mistress of his affections. “Come, tell us honestly, Frank," said the Squire, with his usual archness, "suppose the Church, your present mistress, dressed in lawn sleeves, on one hand, and Miss Sophia, with no lawn about her, on the other, which would you be for?"-"For both, to be sure,' ," cried the chaplain. "Right, Frank," cried the Squire; "for may this glass suffocate me, but a fine girl give me your reasons, I say, directly." is worth all the priestcraft in the creation! "I protest," cried Moses, "I don't For what are tithes and tricks but an im- rightly comprehend the force of your position, all a confounded imposture, and reasoning; but if it be reduced to one I can prove it."-"I wish you would," simple proposition, I fancy it may then cried my son Moses; "and I think," con- have an answer.' ."-" Oh, sir," cried the tinued he, “that I should be able to answer Squire, "I am your most humble servant; you."—" Very well, sir," cried the Squire, I find you want me to furnish you with who immediately smoked him, and winked argument and intellects too. No, sir, on the rest of the company to prepare us there I protest you are too hard for me.' for the sport; "if you are for a cool argu- This effectually raised the laugh against ment upon that subject, I am ready to poor Moses, who sat the only dismal figure accept the challenge. And, first, whether in a group of merry faces; nor did he offer are you for managing it analogically or a single syllable more during the whole dialogically?"—"I am for managing it entertainment. rationally," cried Moses, quite happy at being permitted to dispute. "Good gain," cried the Squire; "and, firstly, of the first, I hope you'll not deny, that whatever is, is. If you don't grant me hat, I can go no further.". Why," reurned Moses, "I think I may grant that; and make the best of it."-"I hope, too,' eturned the other, "you'll grant that a But though all this gave me no pleasure, it had a very different effect upon Olivia, who mistook it for humour, though but a mere act of the memory. She thought him, therefore, a very fine gentleman; and such as consider what powerful ingredients a good figure, fine clothes, and fortune are in that character, will easily forgive her. Mr. Thornhill, notwithstanding his real ignorance, talked with ease, and could expatiate upon the common topics of conversation with fluency. It is not surprising then, that such talents should win the affections of a girl who by education was taught to value an appearance in herself, and consequently to set a value upon it in another. Upon his departure, we again entered into a debate upon the merits of our young landlord. As he directed his looks and conversation to Olivia, it was no longer doubted but that she was the object that induced him to be our visitor. Nor did she seem to be much displeased at the innocent raillery of her brother and sister upon this occasion. Even Deborah herself seemed to share the glory of the day, and exulted in her daughter's victory as if it were her own. "And now, my dear,' cried she to me, "I'll fairly own, that it was I that instructed my girls to encourage our landlord's addresses. I had always some ambition, and you now see that I was right; for who knows how this may end?"" Ay, who knows that indeed!" answered I, with a groan : "for my part, I don't much like it; and I could have been better pleased with one that was poor and honest, than this fine gentleman with his fortune and infidelity; for depend on't, if he be what I suspect him, no freethinker shall ever have a child of mine." "Sure, father," cried Moses, you are too severe in this; for Heaven will never arraign him for what he thinks, but for what he does. Every man has a thousand vicious thoughts, which arise without his power to suppress. Thinking freely of religion may be involuntary with this gentleman; so that, allowing his sentiments to be wrong, yet, as he is purely passive in his assent, he is no more to be blamed for his errors than the governor of a city without walls for the shelter he is obliged to afford an invading enemy.' 66 "True, my son," cried I; "but if the governor invites the enemy there, he is justly culpable. And such is always the case with those who embrace error. The vice does not lie in assenting to the proofs they see; but being blind to many of the proofs that offer. So that, though our erroneous opinions be involuntary when formed, yet as we have been wilfully cor My wife now kept up the conversati though not the argument; she obser that several very prudent men of our quaintance were freethinkers, and ma very good husbands; and she knew so sensible girls that had skill enough make converts of their spouses. who knows, my dear," continued s "what Olivia may be able to do: the a has a great deal to say upon every subje and, to my knowledge, is very well skil in controversy." 4. 1 "Why, my dear, what controve can she have read?" cried I. “It és not occur to me that I ever put such be into her hands: you certainly overrate merit."-"Indeed, papa," replied Olir "she does not; I have read a great of controversy. I have read the dispa between Thwackum and Square; the c troversy between Robinson Crusoe Friday, the savage; and I am now ployed in reading the controversy in ligious Courtship."-"Very well," a I, "that's a good girl; I find you perfectly qualified for making conve and so go help your mother to make gooseberry pie." CHAPTER VIII. An Amour, which promises little good Forms yet may be productive of much. THE next morning we were again vis by Mr. Burchell, though I began, for tain reasons, to be displeased with t frequency of his return; but I could refuse him my company and fireside. is true, his labour more than requi his entertainment; for he wrought an us with vigour, and, either in the meade or at the hay-rick, put himself foreme Besides, he had always something amusi to say that lessened our toil, and was once so out of the way, and yet so sensib that I loved, laughed at, and pitied hi My only dislike arose from an attachme he discovered to my daughter. He wou in a jesting manner, call her his little m tress, and when he bought each of t girls a set of ribands, hers was the fine I knew not how, but he every day seeme |