[Illustration: "In that instant the grateful Black rushed on likelightning to assist him, and assailing the bull with a weighty stickthat he held in his hand, compelled him to turn his rage upon a newobject. " _P. 349. _]

 THE HISTORY

 OF

 SANDFORD AND MERTON. 

 BY THOMAS DAY. 

 =Six Coloured Engravings on Steel. =

 =Philadelphia:= J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO. MDCCCLXVIII. 

CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER I. PAGE Description of Harry Sandford and Tommy Merton--Adventure with the Snake--Harry in Mr Merton's house--Mr Barlow undertakes the education of Tommy--The first day at Mr Barlow's--Story of the Flies and the Ants--Harry rescues a Chicken from a Kite--Story of the Gentleman and the Basket-maker--Tommy learns to read--Story of the two dogs, 1

CHAPTER II. 

 Tommy and the Ragged Boy--Story of Androcles and the Lion--Conversation on Slavery--Conversation about an Ass--Tommy's Present and its consequences--The Story of Cyrus--Squire Chase beats Harry--Harry saves the Squire's life--Making Bread--Story of the Two Brothers--Story of the Sailors on the Island of Spitzbergen, 47

CHAPTER III. 

 Harry's Chicken--Tommy tries kindness on the Pig--Account of the Elephant--Story of the Elephant and the Tailor--Story of the Elephant and the Child--Stories of the Good Natured Boy and the Ill Natured Boy--The Boys determine to Build a House--Story of the Grateful Turk--The Boys' House blown down--They rebuild it stronger--The Roof lets in the Rain--At last is made Water-tight, 95

CHAPTER IV. 

 The Boys' Garden--The Crocodile--The Farmer's Wife--How to make Cider--The Bailiffs take possession of the Farmer's Furniture--Tommy pays the Farmer's Debt--Conclusion of the Story of the Grateful Turk--The three Bears--Tommy and the Monkey--Habits of the Monkey--Tommy's Robin Redbreast--Is killed by a Cat--The Cat punished--The Laplanders--Story of a Cure of the Gout, 185

CHAPTER V. 

 Lost in the Snow--Jack Smithers' Home--Talk about the Stars--Harry's pursuit of The Will-o'-the-Wisp--Story of the Avalanche--Town and Country compared--The Power of the Lever--The Balance--The Wheel and Axle--Arithmetic--Buying a Horse--History of Agesilaus--History of Leonidas, 197

CHAPTER VI. 

 The Constellations--Distance from the Earth--The Magnet and its Powers--The Compass--The Greenlanders and their Customs--The Telescope--The Magic Lantern--Story of the African Prince and the Telescope--Mr Barlow's Poor Parishioners--His Annual Dinner--Tommy attempts Sledge Driving--His mishap in the Pond--His Anger, 255

CHAPTER VII. 

 Tommy and Harry visit Home--The Fashionable Guests--Miss Simmons takes notice of Harry--Harry's Troubles--Master Compton and Mash--Estrangement of Tommy--Visit to the Theatre--Misbehaviour there--Card Playing--The Ball--Harry Dancing a Minuet--Story of Sir Philip Sidney--Master Mash insults Harry--The Fight in the Drawing-room--The Bull-baiting--Tommy strikes Harry--Master Mash's Combat with Harry--Tommy's Narrow Escape from the Bull--The Grateful Black, 298

CHAPTER VIII. 

 Arrival of Mr Barlow--Story of Polemo--Tommy's repentance--Story of Sophron and Tigranes--Tommy as an Arabian Horseman--His Mishap--Tommy's intrepidity--The Poor Highlander's story--Tommy's Sorrow for his conduct to Harry--Conclusion of the Story of Sophron and Tigranes--Tommy's resolution to study nothing but "reason and philosophy"--Visits Harry and begs his forgiveness--The Grateful Black's Story--Tommy takes up his abode at Farmer Sandford's--The Grateful Black's account of himself--Mr Merton's visit to the Farm--The unexpected present--Conclusion, 355

 THE HISTORY

 OF

 SANDFORD AND MERTON. 

CHAPTER I. 

 Description of Harry Sandford and Tommy Merton--Adventure with the Snake--Harry in Mr Merton's house--Mr Barlow undertakes the education of Tommy--The first day at Mr Barlow's--Story of the Flies and the Ants--Harry rescues a Chicken from a Kite--Story of the Gentleman and the Basket-maker--Tommy learns to read--Story of the two dogs. 

In the western part of England lived a gentleman of great fortune, whosename was Merton. He had a large estate in the Island of Jamaica, wherehe had passed the greater part of his life, and was master of manyservants, who cultivated sugar and other valuable things for hisadvantage. He had only one son, of whom he was excessively fond; and toeducate this child properly was the reason of his determining to staysome years in England. Tommy Merton, who, at the time he came fromJamaica, was only six years old, was naturally a very good-tempered boy, but unfortunately had been spoiled by too much indulgence. While helived in Jamaica, he had several black servants to wait upon him, whowere forbidden upon any account to contradict him. If he walked, therealways went two negroes with him; one of whom carried a large umbrellato keep the sun from him, and the other was to carry him in his armswhenever he was tired. Besides this, he was always dressed in silk orlaced clothes, and had a fine gilded carriage, which was borne uponmen's shoulders, in which he made visits to his play-fellows. His motherwas so excessively fond of him that she gave him everything he criedfor, and would never let him learn to read because he complained that itmade his head ache. 

The consequence of this was, that, though Master Merton had everythinghe wanted, he became very fretful and unhappy. Sometimes he atesweetmeats till he made himself sick, and then he suffered a great dealof pain, because he would not take bitter physic to make him well. Sometimes he cried for things that it was impossible to give him, andthen, as he had never been used to be contradicted, it was many hoursbefore he could be pacified. When any company came to dine at the house, he was always to be helped first, and to have the most delicate parts ofthe meat, otherwise he would make such a noise as disturbed the wholecompany. When his father and mother were sitting at the tea-table withtheir friends, instead of waiting till they were at leisure to attendhim, he would scramble upon the table, seize the cake and bread andbutter, and frequently overset the tea-cups. By these pranks he not onlymade himself disagreeable to everybody else, but often met with verydangerous accidents. Frequently did he cut himself with knives, at othertimes throw heavy things upon his head, and once he narrowly escapedbeing scalded to death by a kettle of boiling water. He was also sodelicately brought up, that he was perpetually ill; the least wind orrain gave him a cold, and the least sun was sure to throw him into afever. Instead of playing about, and jumping, and running like otherchildren, he was taught to sit still for fear of spoiling his clothes, and to stay in the house for fear of injuring his complexion. By thiskind of education, when Master Merton came over to England he couldneither write nor read, nor cipher; he could use none of his limbs withease, nor bear any degree of fatigue; but he was very proud, fretful, and impatient. 

Very near to Mr Merton's seat lived a plain, honest farmer, whose namewas Sandford. This man had, like Mr Merton, an only son, not much olderthan Master Merton, whose name was Harry. Harry, as he had been alwaysaccustomed to run about in the fields, to follow the labourers whilethey were ploughing, and to drive the sheep to their pasture, wasactive, strong, hardy, and fresh-coloured. He was neither so fair, norso delicately shaped as Master Merton; but he had an honest good-naturedcountenance, which made everybody love him; was never out of humour, andtook the greatest pleasure in obliging everybody. If little Harry saw apoor wretch who wanted victuals, while he was eating his dinner, he wassure to give him half, and sometimes the whole: nay, so verygood-natured was he to everything, that he would never go into thefields to take the eggs of poor birds, or their young ones, nor practiseany other kind of sport which gave pain to poor animals, who are ascapable of feeling as we ourselves, though they have no words to expresstheir sufferings. Once, indeed, Harry was caught twirling a cock-chaferround, which he had fastened by a crooked pin to a long piece of thread:but then this was through ignorance and want of thought; for, as soon ashis father told him that the poor helpless insect felt as much, or morethan he would do, were a knife thrust through his hand, he burst intotears, and took the poor animal home, where he fed him during afortnight upon fresh leaves; and when he was perfectly recovered, turnedhim out to enjoy liberty and fresh air. Ever since that time, Harry wasso careful and considerate, that he would step out of the way for fearof hurting a worm, and employed himself in doing kind offices to all theanimals in the neighbourhood. He used to stroke the horses as they wereat work, and fill his pockets with acorns for the pigs; if he walked inthe fields, he was sure to gather green boughs for the sheep, who wereso fond of him that they followed him wherever he went. In the wintertime, when the ground was covered with frost and snow, and the poorlittle birds could get at no food, he would often go supperless to bed, that he might feed the robin-redbreasts; even toads, and frogs, andspiders, and such kinds of disagreeable animals, which most peopledestroy wherever they find them, were perfectly safe with Harry; he usedto say, they had a right to live as well as we, and that it was crueland unjust to kill creatures, only because we did not like them. 

These sentiments made little Harry a great favourite with everybody, particularly with the clergyman of the parish, who became so fond of himthat he taught him to read and write, and had him almost always withhim. Indeed, it was not surprising that Mr Barlow showed so particularan affection for him; for besides learning, with the greatest readiness, everything that was taught him, little Harry was the most honest, obliging creature in the world. He was never discontented, nor did heever grumble, whatever he was desired to do. And then you might believeHarry in everything he said; for though he could have gained a plum-cakeby telling an untruth, and was sure that speaking the truth would exposehim to a severe whipping, he never hesitated in declaring it. Nor was helike many other children, who place their whole happiness in eating: forgive him but a morsel of dry bread for his dinner, and he would besatisfied, though you placed sweetmeats and fruit, and every othernicety, in his way. 

With this little boy did Master Merton become acquainted in thefollowing manner:--As he and the maid were once walking in the fields ona fine summer's morning, diverting themselves with gathering differentkinds of wild flowers, and running after butterflies, a large snake, ona sudden, started up from among some long grass, and coiled itself roundlittle Tommy's leg. You may imagine the fright they were both in at thisaccident; the maid ran away shrieking for help, while the child, who wasin an agony of terror, did not dare to stir from the place where he wasstanding. Harry, who happened to be walking near the place, came runningup, and asked what was the matter. Tommy, who was sobbing mostpiteously, could not find words to tell him, but pointed to his leg, andmade Harry sensible of what had happened. Harry, who, though young, wasa boy of a most courageous spirit, told him not to be frightened; andinstantly seizing the snake by the neck, with as much dexterity asresolution, tore him from Tommy's leg, and threw him to a great distanceoff. 

[Illustration: "Harry, instantly seizing the snake by the neck, with asmuch dexterity as resolution, tore him from Tommy's leg and threw him toa great distance off. " _P. 6. _]

Just as this happened, Mrs Merton and all the family, alarmed by theservant's cries, came running breathless to the place, as Tommy wasrecovering his spirits, and thanking his brave little deliverer. Herfirst emotions were to catch her darling up in her arms, and, aftergiving him a thousand kisses, to ask him whether he had received anyhurt. "No, " said Tommy, "indeed I have not, mamma; but I believe thatnasty ugly beast would have bitten me, if that little boy had not comeand pulled him off. " "And who are you, my dear, " said she, "to whom weare all so obliged?" "Harry Sandford, madam. " "Well, my child, you are adear, brave little creature, and you shall go home and dine with us. ""No, thank you, madam; my father will want me. " "And who is your father, my sweet boy?" "Farmer Sandford, madam, that lives at the bottom of thehill. " "Well, my dear, you shall be my child henceforth; will you?" "Ifyou please, madam, if I may have my own father and mother, too. "

Mrs Merton instantly despatched a servant to the farmer's; and, takinglittle Harry by the hand, she led him to the mansion-house, where shefound Mr Merton whom she entertained with a long account of Tommy'sdanger and Harry's bravery. 

Harry was now in a new scene of life. He was carried through costlyapartments, where everything that could please the eye, or contributeto convenience, was assembled. He saw large looking-glasses in gildedframes, carved tables and chairs, curtains made of the finest silk, andthe very plates and knives and forks were of silver. At dinner he wasplaced close to Mrs Merton, who took care to supply him with thechoicest bits, and engaged him to eat, with the most endearing kindness;but, to the astonishment of everybody, he neither appeared pleased norsurprised at anything he saw. Mrs Merton could not conceal herdisappointment; for, as she had always been used to a great degree offinery herself, she had expected it should make the same impression uponeverybody else. At last, seeing him eye a small silver cup with greatattention, out of which he had been drinking, she asked him whether heshould not like to have such a fine thing to drink out of; and added, that, though it was Tommy's cup, she was sure he would with greatpleasure, give it to his little friend. "Yes, that I will, " says Tommy;"for you know, mamma, I have a much finer one than that, made of gold, besides two large ones made of silver. " "Thank you with all my heart, "said little Harry; "but I will not rob you of it, for I have a muchbetter one at home. " "How!" said Mrs Merton, "does your father eat anddrink out of silver?" "I don't know, madam, what you call this; but wedrink at home out of long things made of horn, just such as the cowswear upon their heads. " "The child is a simpleton, I think, " said MrsMerton: "and why is that better than silver ones?" "Because, " saidHarry, "they never make us uneasy. " "Make you uneasy, my child!" saidMrs Merton, "what do you mean?" "Why, madam, when the man threw thatgreat thing down, which looks just like this, I saw that you were verysorry about it, and looked as if you had been just ready to drop. Now, ours at home are thrown about by all the family, and nobody minds it. ""I protest, " said Mrs Merton to her husband, "I do not know what to sayto this boy, he makes such strange observations. "

The fact was, that during dinner, one of the servants had thrown down alarge piece of plate, which, as it was very valuable, had made MrsMerton not only look very uneasy, but give the man a very severescolding for his carelessness. 

After dinner, Mrs Merton filled a large glass of wine, and giving it toHarry, bade him drink it up, but he thanked her, and said he was notdry. "But, my dear, " said she, "this is very sweet and pleasant, and asyou are a good boy, you may drink it up. " "Ay, but, madam, Mr Barlowsays that we must only eat when we are hungry, and drink when we aredry: and that we must only eat and drink such things are as easily metwith; otherwise we shall grow peevish and vexed when we can't get them. And this was the way that the Apostles did, who were all very good men. "

Mr Merton laughed at this. "And pray, " said he, "little man, do you knowwho the Apostles were?" "Oh! yes, to be sure I do. " "And who were they?""Why, sir, there was a time when people were grown so very wicked, thatthey did not care what they did; and the great folks were all proud, andminded nothing but eating and drinking and sleeping, and amusingthemselves; and took no care of the poor, and would not give a morsel ofbread to hinder a beggar from starving; and the poor were all lazy, andloved to be idle better than to work; and little boys were disobedientto their parents, and their parents took no care to teach them anythingthat was good; and all the world was very bad, very bad indeed. And thenthere came from Heaven the Son of God, whose name was Christ; and Hewent about doing good to everybody, and curing people of all sorts ofdiseases, and taught them what they ought to do; and He chose out twelveother very good men, and called them Apostles; and these Apostles wentabout the world doing as He did, and teaching people as He taught them. And they never minded what they did eat or drink, but lived upon drybread and water; and when anybody offered them money, they would nottake it, but told them to be good, and give it to the poor and sick: andso they made the world a great deal better. And therefore it is not fitto mind what we live upon, but we should take what we can get, and becontented; just as the beasts and birds do, who lodge in the open air, and live upon herbs, and drink nothing but water; and yet they arestrong, and active, and healthy. "

"Upon my word, " said Mr Merton, "this little man is a great philosopher;and we should be much obliged to Mr Barlow if he would take our Tommyunder his care; for he grows a great boy, and it is time that he shouldknow something. What say you, Tommy, should you like to be aphilosopher?" "Indeed, papa, I don't know what a philosopher is; but Ishould like to be a king, because he's finer and richer than anybodyelse, and has nothing to do, and everybody waits upon him, and is afraidof him. " "Well said, my dear, " replied Mrs Merton; and rose and kissedhim; "and a king you deserve to be with such a spirit; and here's aglass of wine for you for making such a pretty answer. And should younot like to be a king too, little Harry?" "Indeed, madam, I don't knowwhat that is; but I hope I shall soon be big enough to go to plough, andget my own living; and then I shall want nobody to wait upon me. "

"What a difference between the children of farmers and gentlemen!"whispered Mrs Merton to her husband, looking rather contemptuously uponHarry. "I am not sure, " said Mr Merton, "that for this time theadvantage is on the side of our son:--But should you not like to berich, my dear?" said he, turning to Harry. "No, indeed, sir. " "No, simpleton!" said Mrs Merton: "and why not?" "Because the only rich man Iever saw, is Squire Chase, who lives hard by; and he rides amongpeople's corn, and breaks down their hedges, and shoots their poultry, and kills their dogs, and lames their cattle, and abuses the poor; andthey say he does all this because he's rich; but everybody hates him, though they dare not tell him so to his face--and I would not be hatedfor anything in the world. " "But should you not like to have a finelaced coat, and a coach to carry you about, and servants to wait uponyou?" "As to that, madam, one coat is as good as another, if it will butkeep me warm; and I don't want to ride, because I can walk wherever Ichoose; and, as to servants, I should have nothing for them to do, if Ihad a hundred of them. " Mrs Merton continued to look at him withastonishment, but did not ask him any more questions. 

In the evening, little Harry was sent home to his father, who asked himwhat he had seen at the great house, and how he liked being there. "Why, " replied Harry, "they were all very kind to me, for which I'm muchobliged to them: but I had rather have been at home, for I never was sotroubled in all my life to get a dinner. There was one man to take awaymy plate, and another to give me drink, and another to stand behind mychair, just as if I had been lame or blind, and could not have waitedupon myself; and then there was so much to do with putting this thingon, and taking another off, I thought it would never have been over;and, after dinner, I was obliged to sit two whole hours without everstirring, while the lady was talking to me, not as Mr Barlow does, butwanting me to love fine clothes, and to be a king, and to be rich, thatI may be hated like Squire Chase. "

But at the mansion-house, much of the conversation, in the meantime, wasemployed in examining the merits of little Harry. Mrs Mertonacknowledged his bravery and openness of temper; she was also struckwith the very good-nature and benevolence of his character, but shecontended that he had a certain grossness and indelicacy in his ideas, which distinguish the children of the lower and middling classes ofpeople from those of persons of fashion. Mr Merton, on the contrary, maintained, that he had never before seen a child whose sentiments anddisposition would do so much honour even to the most elevatedsituations. Nothing, he affirmed, was more easily acquired than thoseexternal manners, and that superficial address, upon which too many ofthe higher classes pride themselves as their greatest, or even as theironly accomplishment; "nay, so easily are they picked up, " said he, "thatwe frequently see them descend with the cast clothes to maids andvalets; between whom and their masters and mistresses there is littleother difference than what results from the former wearing soiledclothes and healthier countenances. Indeed, the real seat of allsuperiority, even of manners, must be placed in the mind: dignifiedsentiments, superior courage, accompanied with genuine and universalcourtesy, are always necessary to constitute the real gentleman; andwhere these are wanting, it is the greatest absurdity to think they canbe supplied by affected tones of voice, particular grimaces, orextravagant and unnatural modes of dress; which, far from becoming thereal test of gentility, have in general no other origin than the capriceof barbers, tailors, actors, opera-dancers, milliners, fiddlers, andFrench servants of both sexes. I cannot help, therefore, asserting, "said he, very seriously, "that this little peasant has within his mindthe seeds of true gentility and dignity of character; and though I shallalso wish that our son may possess all the common accomplishments of hisrank, nothing would give me more pleasure than a certainty that he wouldnever in any respect fall below the son of farmer Sandford. "

Whether Mrs Merton fully acceded to these observations of her husband, Icannot decide; but, without waiting to hear her particular sentiments, he thus went on:--"Should I appear more warm than usual upon thissubject, you must pardon me, my dear, and attribute it to the interest Ifeel in the welfare of our little Tommy. I am too sensible that ourmutual fondness has hitherto treated him with rather too muchindulgence. While we have been over-solicitous to remove from him everypainful and disagreeable impression, we have made him too delicate andfretful; our desire of constantly consulting his inclinations has madeus gratify even his caprices and humours; and, while we have been toostudious to preserve him from restraint and opposition, we have inreality been ourselves the cause that he has not acquired even thecommon attainments of his age and situation. All this I have longobserved in silence, but have hitherto concealed, both from my fondnessfor our child, and my fear of offending you; but at length aconsideration of his real interests has prevailed over every othermotive, and has compelled me to embrace a resolution, which I hope willnot be disagreeable to you--that of sending him directly to Mr Barlow, provided he would take the care of him; and I think this accidentalacquaintance with young Sandford may prove the luckiest thing in theworld, as he is so nearly the age and size of our Tommy. I shalltherefore propose to the farmer, that I will for some years pay for theboard and education of his little boy, that he may be a constantcompanion to our son. "

As Mr Merton said this with a certain degree of firmness, and theproposal was in itself so reasonable and necessary, Mrs Merton did notmake any objection to it, but consented, although very reluctantly, topart with her son. Mr Barlow was accordingly invited to dinner the nextSunday, and Mr Merton took an opportunity of introducing the subject, and making the proposal to him; assuring him at the same time, that, though there was no return within the bounds of his fortune which hewould not willingly make, yet the education and improvement of his sonwere objects of so much importance to him, that he should alwaysconsider himself the obliged party. 

To this, Mr Barlow, after thanking Mr Merton for the confidence andliberality with which he treated him, answered him in the followingmanner:--"I should be little worthy of the distinguished regard withwhich you treat me, did I not with the greatest sincerity assure you, that I feel myself totally unqualified for the task. I am, sir, aminister of the Gospel, and I would not exchange that character, and thesevere duties it enjoins, for any other situation in life. But you mustbe sensible that the retired manner of life which I have led for thesetwenty years, in consequence of my profession, at a distance from thegaities of the capital, and the refinements of polite life, is littleadapted to form such a tutor as the manners and opinions of the worldrequire for your son. Gentlemen in your situation of life are accustomedto divide the world into two general classes; those who are persons offashion, and those who are not. The first class contains everything thatis valuable in life; and therefore their manners, their prejudices, their very vices, must be inculcated upon the minds of children, fromthe earliest period of infancy; the second comprehends the great body ofmankind, who, under the general name of the vulgar, are represented asbeing only objects of contempt and disgust, and scarcely worthy to beput on a footing with the very beasts that contribute to the pleasureand convenience of their superiors. "

Mr Merton could not help interrupting Mr Barlow here, to assure himthat, though there was too much truth in the observation, yet he mustnot think that either he or Mrs Merton carried things to thatextravagant length; and that, although they wished their son to have themanners of a man of fashion, they thought his morals and religion ofinfinitely more consequence. 

"If you think so, sir, " said Mr Barlow, "it is more than a noble lorddid, whose written opinions are now considered as the oracles of politelife, and more than, I believe, most of his admirers do at this time. But if you allow what I have just mentioned to be the commondistinctions of genteel people, you must at one glance perceive howlittle I must be qualified to educate a young gentleman intended to movein that sphere; I, whose temper, reason, and religion, equally combineto make me reject the principles upon which those distinctions arefounded. The Christian religion, though not exclusively, is, emphatically speaking, the religion of the poor. Its first ministerswere taken from the lower orders of mankind, and to the lower orders ofmankind was it first proposed; and in this, instead of feeling myselfmortified or ashamed, I am the more inclined to adore the wisdom andbenevolence of that Power by whose command it was first promulgated. Those who engross the riches and advantages of this world are too muchemployed with their pleasures and ambition to be much interested aboutany system, either of religion or of morals; they too frequently feel aspecies of habitual intoxication, which excludes every serious thought, and makes them view with indifference everything but the present moment. Those, on the contrary, to whom all the hardships and miseries of thisworld are allotted as their natural portion--those who eat the bread ofbitterness, and drink the waters of affliction, have more interest infuturity, and are therefore more prepared to receive the promises of theGospel. Yes, sir; mark the disingenuousness of many of our modernphilosophers; they quarrel with the Christian religion, because it hasnot yet penetrated the deserts of Africa, or arrested the wanderinghordes of Tartary; yet they ridicule it for the meanness of its origin, and because it is the Gospel of the poor: that is to say, because it isexpressly calculated to inform the judgments, and alleviate the miseriesof that vast promiscuous body which constitutes the majestic species ofman. But for whom would these philosophers have Heaven itselfinterested, if not for the mighty whole which it has created? Poverty, that is to say, a state of labour and frequent self-denial, is thenatural state of man; it is the state of all in the happiest and mostequal governments, the state of nearly all in every country; it is astate in which all the faculties, both of body and mind, are alwaysfound to develope themselves with the most advantage, and in which themoral feelings have generally the greatest influence. The accumulationof riches, on the contrary, can never increase, but by the increasingpoverty and degradation of those whom Heaven has created equal; athousand cottages are thrown down to afford space for a single palace. How benevolently, therefore, has Heaven acted, in thus extending itsblessings to all who do not disqualify themselves for the reception byvoluntary hardness of heart! how wisely in thus opposing a continualboundary to human pride and sensuality; two passions the most fatal intheir effects, and the most apt to desolate the world. And shall aminister of that Gospel, conscious of these great truths, and professingto govern himself by their influence, dare to preach a differentdoctrine, and flatter those excesses, which he must know are equallycontrary both to reason and religion? Shall he become the abjectsycophant of human greatness, and assist it in trampling all relationsof humanity beneath his feet, instead of setting before it the severeduties of its station, and the account which will one day be expected ofall the opportunities of doing good, so idly, so irretrievably lost andsquandered? But I beg pardon, sir, for that warmth which has transportedme so far, and made me engross so much of the conversation. But it willat least have this good effect, that it will demonstrate the truth ofwhat I have been saying; and show that, though I might undertake theeducation of a farmer or a mechanic, I shall never succeed in that of amodern gentleman. "

"Sir, " replied Mr Merton, "there is nothing which I now hear from you, which does not increase my esteem of your character, and my desire toengage your assistance. Permit me only to ask whether, in the presentstate of things, a difference of conditions and an inequality of fortuneare not necessary, and, if necessary, I should infer, not contrary tothe spirit of Christianity?"

"So it is declared, sir, that offences must come; but that does notprevent a severe denunciation against the offenders. But, if you wish toknow, whether I am one of those enthusiasts, who are continuallypreaching up an ideal state of perfection, totally inconsistent withhuman affairs, I will endeavour to give you every satisfaction upon thesubject. If you mean by difference of conditions and inequality offortunes, that the present state of human affairs in every society weare acquainted with, does not admit that perfect equality which thepurer interpretations of the Gospel inculcate, I certainly shall notdisagree with you in opinion. He that formed the human heart certainlymust be acquainted with all the passions to which it would be subject;and if, under the immediate dispensation of Christ himself, it was foundimpossible for a rich man to give his possessions to the poor, thatdegree of purity will hardly be expected now, which was not found in theorigin. But here, sir, permit me to remark, how widely the principles ofgenuine Christianity differ from that imaginary scheme of idealperfection, equally inconsistent with human affairs and humancharacters, which many of its pretended friends would persuade us tobelieve in; and, as comparisons sometimes throw a new and sudden lightupon a subject, give me leave to use one here, which I think bears theclosest analogy to what we are now considering. Were some physician toarise, who, to a perfect knowledge of all preceding medical facts, hadadded by a more than human skill a knowledge of the most secretprinciples of the human frame, could he calculate, with an accuracy thatnever was deceived, the effect of every cause that could act upon ourconstitutions; and, were he inclined, as the result of all his scienceand observation, to leave a rule of life that might remain unimpeachedto the latest posterity, I ask, what kind of one would he form?"

"I suppose one, " said Mr Merton, "that was the most adapted to thegeneral circumstances of the human species, and, which observed, wouldconfer the greatest degree of health and vigour. "

"Right, " said Mr Barlow; "I ask again, whether, observing the commonluxury and intemperance of the rich, he would take his directions fromthe usages of a polite table, and recommend that heterogeneousassemblage of contrary mixtures, high seasonings, poignant sauces, fermented and distilled poisons, which is continually breeding diseasesin their veins, as the best means of preserving or regaining health?"

"Certainly not. That were to debase his heart, and sanction abuses, instead of reforming them. "

"Would he not, then, recommend simplicity of diet, light repasts, earlyslumbers, and moderate exercise in the open air, if he judged themsalutary to human nature, even though fashionable prejudice had stampedall these particulars with the mark of extreme vulgarity?"

"Were he to act otherwise, he must forfeit all pretensions either tohonesty or skill. "

"Let us then apply all this to the mind, instead of the body, andsuppose for an instant, that some legislator, either human or divine, who comprehended all the secret springs that govern the mind, waspreparing a universal code for all mankind; must he not imitate thephysician, and deliver general truths, however unpalatable, howeverrepugnant to particular prejudices, since upon the observance of thesetruths alone the happiness of the species must depend?"

"I think so, indeed. "

"Should such a person observe, that an immoderate desire andaccumulation of riches, a love of ostentatious trifles, unnecessarysplendour in all that relates to human life, and an habitual indulgenceof sensuality, tended not only to produce evil in all around, but evenin the individual himself, who suffered the tyranny of these vices; howwould you have the legislator act? Should he be silent?"

"No, certainly; he should arraign these pernicious habitudes by everymeans within his power--by precept, by example. "

"Should he also observe, that riches employed in another manner, inremoving the real miseries of humanity, in cherishing, comforting, andsupporting all around, produced a contrary effect, and tended equally tomake the obliged and the obliger happy; should he conceal this greateternal truth, or should he divulge it with all the authority hepossessed, conscious, that in whatever degree it became the rule ofhuman life, in the same degree would it tend to the advantage of all theworld?"

"There cannot be a doubt upon the subject. "

"But, should he know, either by the spirit of prophecy, or by intuitivepenetration, that the majority of mankind would never observe theserules to any great degree, but would be blindly precipitated by theirpassions into every excess against which he so benevolently cautionedthem; should this be a reason for his withdrawing his precepts andadmonitions, or for seeming to approve what was in its own nature mostpernicious?

"As prudent would it be to pull off the bridle when we mounted animpetuous horse, because we doubted of our power to hold him in; or toincrease his madness by the spur, when it was clearly too great before. Thus, sir, you will perceive, that the precepts of the Christianreligion are founded upon the most perfect knowledge of the human heart, as they furnish a continual barrier against the most destructivepassions, and the most subversive of human happiness. Your ownconcessions sufficiently prove, that it would have been equallyderogatory to truth, and the common interests of the species, to havemade the slightest concessions in favour either of human pride orsensuality. Your extensive acquaintance with mankind will sufficientlyconvince you, how prone the generality are to give an unbounded loose tothese two passions; neither the continual experience of their ownweakness, nor of the fatal effects which are produced by viciousindulgences, has yet been capable of teaching them either humility ormoderation. What then could the wisest legislator do, more useful, morebenevolent, more necessary, than to establish general rules of conduct, which have a continual tendency to restore moral and natural order, andto diminish the wide inequality produced by pride and avarice? Nor isthere any greater danger that these precepts should be too rigidlyobserved, than that the bulk of mankind should injure themselves by tooabstemious a temperance. All that can be expected from human weakness, even after working from the most perfect model, is barely to arrive atmediocrity; and, were the model less perfect, or the duties less severe, there is the greatest reason to think, that even that mediocrity wouldnever be attained. Examine the conduct of those who are placed at adistance from all labour and fatigue, and you will find the mosttrifling exertions act upon their imaginations with the same force asthe most insuperable difficulties. 

"If I have now succeeded in laying down the genuine principles ofChristian morality, I apprehend it will not be difficult to deduce theduty of one who takes upon him the office of its minister andinterpreter. He can no more have a right to alter the slightest of itsprinciples than the magistrate can be justified in giving falseinterpretations to the laws. The more the corruptions of the worldincrease, the greater the obligation that he should oppose himself totheir course; and he can no more relax in his opposition than the pilotcan abandon the helm, because the winds and the waves begin to augmenttheir fury. Should he be despised, or neglected by all the rest of thehuman species, let him still persist in bearing testimony to the truth, both in his precepts and example; the cause of virtue is not desperatewhile it retains a single friend; should it even sink for ever, it isenough for him to have discharged his duty. But, although he is thusrestricted as to what he shall teach, I do not assert that it isimproper for him to use his understanding and experience as to themanner of his instruction. He is strictly bound never to teach anythingcontrary to the purest morality; but he is not bound always to teachthat morality in its greatest extent. In that respect, he may use thewisdom of the serpent, though guided by the innocence of the dove. If, therefore, he sees the reign of prejudice and corruption, so firmlyestablished, that men would be offended with the genuine simplicity ofthe Gospel, and the purity of its primeval doctrines, he may so farmoderate their rigour as to prevent them from entirely disgusting weakand luxurious minds. If we cannot effect the greatest possibleperfection, it is still a material point to preserve from the grossestvices. A physician that practises amongst the great may certainly beexcused, though he should not be continually advising the exercise, theregimen of the poor; not that the doctrine is not true, but that therewould not be the smallest probability of its ever being adopted. But, although he never assents to that luxurious method of life, which he iscontinually obliged to see, he may content himself with only inculcatingthose restrictions which even the luxurious may submit to, if theypossess the smallest portion of understanding. Should he succeed thusfar, there is no reason for his stopping in his career, or notenforcing a superior degree of temperance; but should it be difficult topersuade even so slight a restriction, he could hope for no success, were he to preach up a Spartan or a Roman diet. Thus the Christianminister may certainly use his own discretion in the mode of conveyinghis instructions; and it is permitted him to employ all his knowledge ofthe human heart in reclaiming men from their vices, and winning themover to the cause of virtue. By the severity of his own manners, he maysufficiently evince the motives of his conduct; nor can he, by anymeans, hope for more success than if he shows that he practises morethan he preaches, and uses a greater degree of indulgence to thefailings of others than he requires for his own. "

"Nothing, " said Mr Merton, "can be more rational or moderate than thesesentiments; why then do you persist in pleading your incapacity for anemployment which you can so well discharge?"

"Because, " said Mr Barlow, "he that undertakes the education of a child, undertakes the most important duty in society, and is severallyanswerable for every voluntary omission. The same mode of reasoning, which I have just been using, is not applicable here. It is out of thepower of any individual, however strenuous may be his endeavours, toprevent the mass of mankind from acquiring prejudices and corruptions;and, when he finds them in that state, he certainly may use all thewisdom he possesses for their reformation. But this rule will neverjustify him for an instant in giving false impressions where he is atliberty to instil truth, and in losing the only opportunity which heperhaps may ever possess, of teaching pure morality and religion. Howwill such a man, if he has the least feeling, bear to see his pupilbecome a slave, perhaps to the grossest vices; and to reflect with agreat degree of probability that this catastrophe has been owing to hisown inactivity and improper indulgence? May not all human charactersfrequently be traced back to impressions made at so early a period, thatnone but discerning eyes would ever suspect their existence? Yet nothingis more certain; what we are at twenty depends upon what we were atfifteen; what we are at fifteen upon what we were at ten; where shall wethen place the beginning of the series? Besides, sir, the veryprejudices and manners of society, which seem to be an excuse for thepresent negligence in the early education of children, act upon my mindwith a contrary effect. Need we fear that, after every possibleprecaution has been taken, our pupil should not give a sufficient looseto his passions, or should be in danger of being too severely virtuous?How glorious would be such a distinction, how much to be wished for, andyet how little to be expected by any one who is moderately acquaintedwith the world! The instant he makes his entrance there, he will find auniversal relaxation and indifference to everything that is serious;everything will conspire to represent pleasure and sensuality as theonly business of human beings, and to throw a ridicule upon everypretence to principle or restraint. This will be the doctrine that hewill learn at theatres, from his companions, from the polite circlesinto which he is introduced. The ladies, too, will have their share inthe improvement of his character; they will criticise the colour of hisclothes, his method of making a bow, and of entering a room. They willteach him that the great object of human life is to please the fair; andthat the only method of doing it is to acquire the graces. Need we fearthat, thus beset an every side, he should not attach a sufficientimportance to trifles, or grow fashionably languid in the discharge ofall his duties? Alas! sir, it seems to me that this will unavoidablyhappen in spite of all our endeavours. Let us, then, not lose theimportant moment of human life, when it is possible to flatter ourselveswith some hopes of success in giving good impressions; they may succeed;they may either preserve a young man from gross immorality, or have atendency to reform him when the first ardour of youth is past. If weneglect this awful moment, which can never return, with the view which, I must confess, I have of modern manners, it appears to me likelaunching a vessel in the midst of a storm, without a compass andwithout a pilot. "

"Sir, " said Mr Merton, "I will make no other answer to what you have nowbeen saying, than to tell you, it adds, if possible, to my esteem ofyour character; and that I will deliver my son into your hands, uponyour own conditions. And as to the terms--"

"Pardon me, " replied Mr Barlow, "if I interrupt you here, and give youanother specimen of the singularity of my opinions. I am contented totake your son for some months under my care, and to endeavour by everymeans within my power to improve him. But there is one circumstancewhich is indispensable, that you permit me to have the pleasure ofserving you as a friend. If you approve of my ideas and conduct, I willkeep him as long as you desire. In the mean time, as there are, I fear, some little circumstances which have grown up, by too much tendernessand indulgence, to be altered in his character, I think that I shallpossess more of the necessary influence and authority, if I, for thepresent, appear to him and your whole family rather in the light of afriend than that of a schoolmaster. "

However disagreeable this proposal was to the generosity of Mr Merton, he was obliged to consent to it; and little Tommy was accordingly sentthe next day to the vicarage, which was at the distance of about twomiles from his father's house. 

The day after Tommy came to Mr Barlow's, as soon as breakfast was over, he took him and Harry into the garden; when he was there, he took aspade into his own hand, and giving Harry a hoe, they both began to workwith great eagerness. "Everybody that eats, " says Mr Barlow, "ought toassist in procuring food; and therefore little Harry and I begin ourdaily work. This is my bed, and that other is his; we work upon it everyday, and he that raises the most out of it will deserve to fare thebest. Now, Tommy, if you choose to join us, I will mark you out a pieceof ground, which you shall have to yourself, and all the produce shallbe your own. " "No, indeed, " said Tommy, very sulkily, "I am a gentlemanand don't choose to slave like a ploughboy. " "Just as you please, MrGentleman, " said Mr Barlow; "but Harry and I, who are not above beinguseful, will mind our work. "

In about two hours, Mr Barlow said it was time to leave off; and, takingHarry by the hand, he led him into a very pleasant summer-house, wherethey sat down; and Mr Barlow, taking out a plate of very fine ripecherries, divided them between Harry and himself. 

Tommy, who had followed, and expected his share, when he saw them botheating without taking any notice of him, could no longer restrain hispassion, but burst into a violent fit of sobbing and crying. "What isthe matter?" said Mr Barlow very coolly to him. Tommy looked upon himvery sulkily, but returned no answer. "Oh! sir, if you don't choose togive me an answer, you may be silent; nobody is obliged to speak here. "Tommy became still more disconcerted at this, and, being unable toconceal his anger, ran out of the summer-house, and wandered verydisconsolately about the garden, equally surprised and vexed to findthat he was now in a place where nobody felt any concern whether he waspleased or the contrary. 

When all the cherries were eaten, little Harry said, "You promised to beso good as to hear me read when we had done working in the garden; and, if it is agreeable to you, I will now read the story of the 'Flies andthe Ants. '" "With all my heart, " said Mr Barlow; "remember to read itslowly and distinctly, without hesitating or pronouncing the wordswrong; and be sure to read it in such a manner as to show that youunderstand it. "

Harry then took up the book, and read as follows:--

"THE FLIES AND THE ANTS. "

"In the corner of a farmer's garden, there once happened to be a nest ofants, who, during the fine weather of the summer, were employed all daylong in drawing little seeds and grains of corn into their hole. Nearthem there happened to be a bed of flowers, upon which a great quantityof flies used to be always sporting, and humming, and divertingthemselves by flying from one flower to another. A little boy, who wasthe farmer's son, used frequently to observe the different employmentsof these animals; and, as he was very young and ignorant, he one daythus expressed himself:--'Can any creature be so simple as these ants?All day long they are working and toiling, instead of enjoying the fineweather, and diverting themselves like these flies, who are the happiestcreatures in the world. ' Some time after he had made this observation, the weather grew extremely cold, the sun was scarcely seen to shine, andthe nights were chill and frosty. The same little boy, walking then inthe garden, did not see a single ant, but all the flies lay scattered upand down, either dead or dying. As he was very good-natured, he couldnot help pitying the unfortunate animals, and asking at the same time, what had happened to the ants that he used to see in the same place? Thefather said, 'The flies are all dead, because they were carelessanimals, who gave themselves no trouble about laying up provisions, andwere too idle to work; but the ants, who had been busy all the summer, in providing for their maintenance during the winter, are all alive andwell; and you will see them as soon as the warm weather returns. '"

"Very well, Harry, " said Mr Barlow, "we will now take a walk. " Theyaccordingly rambled out into the fields, where Mr Barlow made Harry takenotice of several kinds of plants, and told him the names and nature ofthem. At last Harry, who had observed some very pretty purple berriesupon a plant that bore a purple flower, and grew in the hedges, broughtthem to Mr Barlow, and asked whether they were good to eat. "It is verylucky, " said Mr Barlow, "young man, that you asked the question beforeyou put them into your mouth; for, had you tasted them, they would havegiven you violent pains in your head and stomach, and perhaps havekilled you, as they grow upon a plant called night-shade, which is arank poison. " "Sir, " said Harry, "I take care never to eat anythingwithout knowing what it is, and I hope, if you will be so good as tocontinue to teach me, I shall very soon know the names and qualities ofall the herbs which grow. "

As they were returning home, Harry saw a very large bird called a kite, upon the ground, who seemed to have something in its claws, which he wastearing to pieces. Harry, who knew him to be one of those ravenouscreatures which prey upon others, ran up to him, shouting as loud as hecould; and the bird, being frightened, flew away, and left a chickenbehind him, very much hurt indeed, but still alive. "Look, sir, " saidHarry, "if that cruel creature has not almost killed this poor chicken;see how he bleeds, and hangs his wings! I will put him into my bosom torecover him, and carry him home; and he shall have part of my dinnerevery day till he is well, and able to shift for himself. "

As soon as they came home, the first care of little Harry was to put hiswounded chicken into a basket with some fresh straw, some water and somebread. After that Mr Barlow and he went to dinner. 

In the meantime, Tommy, who had been skulking about all day, very muchmortified and uneasy, came in, and, being very hungry, was going to sitdown to the table with the rest; but Mr Barlow stopped him, and said, "No, sir, as you are too much of a gentleman to work, we, who are notso, do not choose to work for the idle. " Upon this Tommy retired into acorner, crying as if his heart would break, but more from grief thanpassion, as he began to perceive that nobody minded his ill-temper. 

But little Harry, who could not bear to see his friend so unhappy, looked up half crying into Mr Barlow's face, and said, "Pray, sir, may Ido as I please with my share of the dinner?" "Yes, to be sure, child. ""Why, then, " said he, getting up, "I will give it all to poor Tommy whowants it more than I do. " Saying this, he gave it to him as he sat inthe corner; and Tommy took it, and thanked him without ever turning hiseyes from off the ground. "I see, " said Mr Barlow, "that thoughgentlemen are above being of any use themselves, they are not abovetaking the bread that other people have been working hard for. " At thisTommy cried still more bitterly than before. 

The next day Mr Barlow and Harry went to work as before; but they hadscarcely begun before Tommy came to them, and desired that he might havea hoe too, which Mr Barlow gave him; but, as he had never before learnedto handle one, he was very awkward in the use of it, and hit himselfseveral strokes upon his legs. Mr Barlow then laid down his own spade, and showed him how to hold and use it, by which means, in a short time, he became very expert, and worked with the greatest pleasure. When theirwork was over they retired all three to the summer-house; and Tommy feltthe greatest joy imaginable when the fruit was produced, and he wasinvited to take his share, which seemed to him the most delicious he hadever tasted, because working in the air had given him an appetite. 

As soon as they had done eating, Mr Barlow took up a book, and askedTommy whether he would read them a story out of it? but he, looking alittle ashamed, said he had never learned to read. "I am very sorry forit, " said Mr Barlow, "because you lose a very great pleasure; then Harryshall read to you. " Harry accordingly took up the book and read thefollowing story:--

"THE GENTLEMAN AND THE BASKET-MAKER. "

"There was, in a distant part of the world, a rich man, who lived in afine house, and spent his whole time in eating, drinking, sleeping, andamusing himself. As he had a great many servants to wait upon him, whotreated him with the greatest respect, and did whatever they wereordered, and, as he had never been taught the truth, nor accustomed tohear it, he grew very proud, insolent, and capricious, imagining that hehad a right to command all the world, and that the poor were only bornto serve and obey him. 

"Near this rich man's house there lived an honest and industrious poorman, who gained his livelihood by making little baskets out of driedreeds, which grew upon a piece of marshy ground close to his cottage. But though he was obliged to labour from morning to night, to earn foodenough to support him, and though he seldom fared better than upon drybread, or rice, or pulse, and had no other bed than the remains of therushes of which he made baskets, yet was he always happy, cheerful, andcontented; for his labour gave him so good an appetite, that thecoarsest fare appeared to him delicious; and he went to bed so tiredthat he would have slept soundly even upon the ground. Besides this, hewas a good and virtuous man, humane to everybody, honest in hisdealings, always accustomed to speak the truth, and therefore belovedand respected by all his neighbours. 

"The rich man, on the contrary, though he lay upon the softest bed, yetcould not sleep, because he had passed the day in idleness; and thoughthe nicest dishes were presented to him, yet could he not eat with anypleasure, because he did not wait till nature gave him an appetite, noruse exercise, nor go into the open air. Besides this, as he was a greatsluggard and glutton, he was almost always ill; and, as he did good tonobody, he had no friends; and even his servants spoke ill of him behindhis back, and all his neighbours, whom he oppressed, hated him. Forthese reasons he was sullen, melancholy, and unhappy, and becamedispleased with all who appeared more cheerful than himself. When he wascarried out in his palanquin (a kind of bed, borne upon the shoulders ofmen) he frequently passed by the cottage of the poor basket-maker, whowas always sitting at the door, and singing as he wove the baskets. Therich man could not behold this without anger. 'What!' said he, 'shall awretch, a peasant, a low-born fellow, that weaves bulrushes for a scantysubsistence, be always happy and pleased, while I, that am a gentleman, possessed of riches and power, and of more consequence than a million ofreptiles like him, am always melancholy and discontented!' Thisreflection arose so often in his mind, that at last he began to feel thegreatest degree of hatred towards the poor man; and, as he had neverbeen accustomed to conquer his own passions, however improper or unjustthey might be, he at last determined to punish the basket-maker forbeing happier than himself. 

"With this wicked design, he one night gave orders to his servants (whodid not dare to disobey him) to set fire to the rushes which surroundedthe poor man's house. As it was summer, and the weather in that countryextremely hot, the fire soon spread over the whole marsh, and not onlyconsumed all the rushes, but soon extended to the cottage itself, andthe poor basket-maker was obliged to run out almost naked to save hislife. 

"You may judge of the surprise and grief of the poor man, when he foundhimself entirely deprived of his subsistence by the wickedness of hisrich neighbour, whom he had never offended; but, as he was unable topunish him for this injustice, he set out and walked on foot to thechief magistrate of that country, to whom, with many tears, he told hispitiful case. The magistrate, who was a good and just man, immediatelyordered the rich man to be brought before him; and when he found that hecould not deny the wickedness, of which he was accused, he thus spoke tothe poor man:--'As this proud and wicked man has been puffed up with theopinion of his own importance, and attempted to commit the mostscandalous injustice from his contempt of the poor, I am willing toteach him of how little value he is to anybody, and how vile andcontemptible a creature he really is; but, for this purpose, it isnecessary that you should consent to the plan I have formed, and goalong with him to the place whither I intend to send you both. '

"The poor man replied, 'I never had much; but the little I once had isnow lost by the mischievous disposition of this proud and oppressiveman. I am entirely ruined; I have no means left in the world ofprocuring myself a morsel of bread the next time I am hungry; thereforeI am ready to go wherever you please to send me; and, though I would nottreat this man as he has treated me, yet should I rejoice to teach himmore justice and humanity, and to prevent his injuring the poor a secondtime. '

"The magistrate then ordered them both to be put on board a ship, andcarried to a distant country, which was inhabited by a rude and savagekind of men, who lived in huts, were strangers to riches, and got theirliving by fishing. 

"As soon as they were set on shore, the sailors left them as they hadbeen ordered, and the inhabitants of the country came round them ingreat numbers. The rich man, seeing himself thus exposed, withoutassistance or defence, in the midst of a barbarous people, whoselanguage he did not understand, and in whose power he was, began to cryand wring his hands in the most abject manner; but the poorbasket-maker, who had always been accustomed to hardships and dangersfrom his infancy, made signs to the people that he was their friend, andwas willing to work for them, and be their servant. Upon this thenatives made signs to them that they would do them no hurt, but wouldmake use of their assistance in fishing and carrying wood. 

"Accordingly, they led them both to a wood at some distance, and showingthem several logs, ordered them to transport them to their cabins. Theyboth immediately set about their tasks, and the poor man, who was strongand active, very soon had finished his share; while the rich man, whoselimbs were tender and delicate, and never accustomed to any kind oflabour, had scarcely done a quarter as much. The savages, who werewitnesses to this, began to think that the basket-maker would prove veryuseful to them, and therefore presented him with a large portion offish, and several of their choicest roots; while to the rich man theygave scarcely enough to support him, because they thought him capableof being of very little service to them; however, as he had now fastedseveral hours, he ate what they gave him with a better appetite than hehad ever felt before at his own table. 

"The next day they were set to work again; and as the basket-maker hadthe same advantage over his companion, he was highly caressed and welltreated by the natives, while they showed every mark of contempt towardsthe other, whose delicate and luxurious habits had rendered him veryunfit for labour. 

"The rich man now began to perceive with how little reason he had beforevalued himself, and despised his fellow-creatures; and an accident thatfell out shortly after, tended to complete his mortification. Ithappened that one of the savages had found something like a fillet, withwhich he adorned his forehead, and seemed to think himself extremelyfine; the basket-maker, who had perceived this appearance of vanity, pulled up some reeds, and, sitting down to work, in a short timefinished a very elegant wreath, which he placed upon the head of thefirst inhabitant he chanced to meet. This man was so pleased with hisnew acquisition, that he danced and capered with joy, and ran away toseek the rest, who were all struck with astonishment at this new andelegant piece of finery. It was not long before another came to thebasket-maker, making signs that he wanted to be ornamented like hiscompanion; and with such pleasure were these chaplets considered by thewhole nation, that the basket-maker was released from his formerdrudgery, and continually employed in weaving them. In return for thepleasure which he conferred upon them, the grateful savages brought himevery kind of food their country afforded, built him a hut, and showedhim every demonstration of gratitude and kindness. But the rich man, whopossessed neither talents to please nor strength to labour, wascondemned to be the basket-maker's servant, and to cut him reeds tosupply the continual demand for chaplets. 

"After having passed some months in this manner, they were againtransported to their own country, by the orders of the magistrate, andbrought before him. He then looked sternly upon the rich man, andsaid:--'Having now taught you how helpless, contemptible, and feeble acreature you are, as well as how inferior to the man you insulted, Ishall proceed to make reparation to him for the injury you haveinflicted upon him. Did I treat you as you deserve, I should take fromyou all the riches that you possess, as you wantonly deprived this poorman of his whole subsistence, but, hoping that you will become morehumane for the future, I sentence you to give half your fortune to thisman, whom you endeavoured to ruin. '

"Upon this the basket-maker said, after thanking the magistrate for hisgoodness:--'I, having been bred up in poverty, and accustomed to labour, have no desire to acquire riches, which I should not know how to use;all, therefore, that I require of this man is, to put me into the samesituation I was in before, and to learn more humanity. '

"The rich man could not help being astonished at this generosity, and, having acquired wisdom by his misfortunes, not only treated thebasket-maker as a friend during the rest of his life, but employed hisriches in relieving the poor, and benefiting his fellow-creatures. "

The story being ended, Tommy said it was very pretty; but that, had hebeen the good basket-maker, he would have taken the naughty rich man'sfortune and kept it. "So would not I, " said Harry, "for fear of growingas proud, and wicked, and idle as the other. "

From this time forward, Mr Barlow and his two pupils used constantly towork in their garden every morning; and, when they were fatigued, theyretired to the summer-house, where little Harry, who improved every dayin reading, used to entertain them with some pleasant story or other, which Tommy always listened to with the greatest pleasure. But littleHarry going home for a week, Tommy and Mr Barlow were left alone. 

The next day, after they had done work, and retired to the summer-houseas usual, Tommy expected Mr Barlow would read to him; but, to his greatdisappointment, found that he was busy, and could not. The next day thesame accident was renewed, and the day after that. At this Tommy lostall patience, and said to himself, "Now, if I could but read like littleHarry Sandford, I should not need to ask anybody to do it for me, andthen I could divert myself; and why (thinks he) may not I do whatanother has done? To be sure, little Harry is clever; but he could nothave read if he had not been taught; and if I am taught, I dare say Ishall learn to read as well as he. Well, as soon as ever he comes home, I am determined to ask him about it. "

The next day little Harry returned, and as soon as Tommy had anopportunity of being alone with him, "Pray, Harry, " said Tommy, "howcame you to be able to read?"

_Harry. _--Why, Mr Barlow taught me my letters, and then spelling; andthen, by putting syllables together, I learnt to read. _Tommy. _--Andcould not you show me my letters? _Harry. _--Yes, very willingly. 

Harry then took up a book, and Tommy was so eager and attentive, that atthe very first lesson, he learned the whole alphabet. He was infinitelypleased with this first experiment, and could scarcely forbear runningto Mr Barlow, to let him know the improvement he had made; but hethought he should surprise him more, if he said nothing about the mattertill he was able to read a whole story. He therefore applied himselfwith such diligence, and little Harry, who spared no pains to assist hisfriend, was so good a master, that in about two months he determined tosurprise Mr Barlow with a display of his talents. Accordingly, one day, when they were all assembled in the summer-house, and the book was givento Harry, Tommy stood up and said, that, if Mr Barlow pleased, he wouldtry to read. "Oh, very willingly, " said Mr Barlow; "but I should as soonexpect you to fly as to read. " Tommy smiled with a consciousness of hisown proficiency, and, taking up the book, read with great fluency, --

"THE HISTORY OF THE TWO DOGS. "

"In a part of the world, where there are many strong and fierce wildbeasts, a poor man happened to bring up two puppies of that kind whichis most valued for size and courage. As they appeared to possess morethan common strength and agility, he thought that he should make anacceptable present to his landlord, who was a rich man, living in agreat city, by giving him one of them, which was called Jowler; while hebrought up the other, named Keeper, to guard his own flocks. 

"From this time the manner of living was entirely altered between thebrother whelps. Jowler was sent into a plentiful kitchen, where hequickly became the favourite of the servants, who diverted themselveswith his little tricks and wanton gambols, and rewarded him with greatquantities of pot-liquor and broken victuals; by which means, as he wasstuffing from morning to night, he increased considerably in size, andgrew sleek and comely; he was, indeed, rather unwieldy, and so cowardlythat he would run away from a dog only half as big as himself; he wasmuch addicted to gluttony, and was often beaten for the thefts hecommitted in the pantry; but, as he had learned to fawn upon thefootmen, and would stand upon his hind legs to beg, when he was ordered, and, besides this, would fetch and carry, he was mightily caressed byall the neighbourhood. 

"Keeper, in the meantime, who lived at a cottage in the country, neitherfared so well, looked so plump, nor had learned all these little tricksto recommend him; but, as his master was too poor to maintain anythingbut what was useful, and was obliged to be continually in the air, subject to all kinds of weather, and labouring hard for a livelihood, Keeper grew hardy, active, and diligent; he was also exposed tocontinual danger from the wolves, from whom he had received many asevere bite while guarding the flocks. These continual combats gave himthat degree of intrepidity, that no enemy could make him turn his back. His care and assiduity so well defended the sheep of his master, thatnot one had ever been missing since they were placed under hisprotection. His honesty too was so great, that no temptation couldoverpower it; and, though he was left alone in the kitchen while themeat was roasting, he never attempted to taste it, but received withthankfulness whatever his master chose to give him. From a continuallife in the air he was become so hardy that no tempest could drive himto shelter when he ought to be watching the flocks; and he would plungeinto the most rapid river, in the coldest weather of the winter, at theslightest sign from his master. 

"About this time it happened that the landlord of the poor man went toexamine his estate in the country, and brought Jowler with him to theplace of his birth. At his arrival there he could not help viewing withgreat contempt the rough ragged appearance of Keeper, and his awkwardlook, which discovered nothing of the address for which he so muchadmired Jowler. This opinion, however, was altered by means of anaccident which happened to him. As he was one day walking in a thickwood, with no other company than the two dogs, a hungry wolf, with eyesthat sparkled like fire, bristling hair, and a horrid snarl that madethe gentleman tremble, rushed out of a neighbouring thicket, and seemedready to devour him. The unfortunate man gave himself over for lost, more especially when he saw that his faithful Jowler, instead of comingto his assistance, ran sneaking away, with his tail between his legs, howling with fear. But in this moment of despair, the undaunted Keeper, who had followed him, humbly and unobserved, at a distance, flew to hisassistance, and attacked the wolf with so much courage and skill, thathe was compelled to exert all his strength in his own defence. Thebattle was long and bloody, but in the end Keeper laid the wolf dead athis feet, though not without receiving several severe wounds himself, and presenting a bloody and mangled spectacle to the eyes of his master, who came up at that instant. The gentleman was filled with joy for hisescape and gratitude to his brave deliverer; and learned by his ownexperience that appearances are not always to be trusted, and that greatvirtues and good dispositions may sometimes be found in cottagers, whilethey are totally wanting among the great. "

"Very well indeed, " said Mr Barlow. "I find that when young gentlemenchoose to take pains, they can do things almost as well as other people. But what do you say to the story you have been reading, Tommy? Would yourather have owned the genteel dog that left his master to be devoured, or the poor, rough, ragged, meagre, neglected cur that exposed his ownlife in his defence?" "Indeed, sir, " said Tommy, "I would have ratherhad Keeper; but then I would have fed him, and washed him, and combedhim, till he had looked as well as Jowler. " "But then, perhaps, he wouldhave grown idle, and fat, and cowardly, like him, " said Mr Barlow; "buthere is some more of it, let us read to the end of the story. " Tommythen went on thus:--

"The gentleman was so pleased with the noble behaviour of Keeper, thathe desired the poor man to make him a present of the dog; which, thoughwith some reluctance, he complied with. Keeper was therefore taken tothe city, where he was caressed and fed by everybody; and the disgracedJowler was left at the cottage, with strict injunctions to the man tohang him up, as a worthless unprofitable cur. 

"As soon as the gentleman had departed, the poor man was going toexecute his commission; but, considering the noble size and comely lookof the dog, and above all, being moved with pity for the poor animal, who wagged his tail, and licked his new master's feet, just as he wasputting the cord about his neck, he determined to spare his life, andsee whether a different treatment might not produce different manners. From this day Jowler was in every respect treated as his brother Keeperhad been before. He was fed but scantily; and, from this spare diet, soon grew more active and fond of exercise. The first shower he was inhe ran away as he had been accustomed to do, and sneaked to thefire-side; but the farmer's wife soon drove him out of doors, andcompelled him to bear the rigour of the weather. In consequence of thishe daily became more vigorous and hardy, and, in a few months, regardedcold and rain no more than if he had been brought up in the country. 

"Changed as he already was in many respects for the better, he stillretained an insurmountable dread of wild beasts; till one day, as he waswandering through a wood alone, he was attacked by a large and fiercewolf, who, jumping out of a thicket, seized him by the neck with fury. Jowler would fain have run, but his enemy was too swift and violent tosuffer him to escape. Necessity makes even cowards brave. Jowler beingthus stopped in his retreat, turned upon his enemy, and, very luckilyseizing him by the throat, strangled him in an instant. His master thencoming up, and being witness of his exploit, praised him, and strokedhim with a degree of fondness he had never done before. Animated by thisvictory, and by the approbation of his master, Jowler, from that time, became as brave as he had before been pusillanimous; and there was verysoon no dog in the country who was so great a terror to beasts of prey. 

"In the mean time Keeper, instead of hunting wild beasts, or lookingafter sheep, did nothing but eat and sleep, which he was permitted todo, from a remembrance of his past services. As all qualities both ofmind and body are lost if not continually exercised, he soon ceased tobe that hardy, courageous animal he was before, and acquired all thefaults which are the consequences of idleness and gluttony. 

"About this time the gentleman went again into the country, and, takinghis dog with him, was willing that he should exercise his prowess oncemore against his ancient enemies the wolves. Accordingly, the countrypeople having quickly found one in a neighbouring wood, the gentlemanwent thither with Keeper, expecting to see him behave as he had done theyear before. But how great was his surprise when, at the first onset, hesaw his beloved dog run away with every mark of timidity! At this momentanother dog sprang forward, and seizing the wolf with the greatestintrepidity, after a bloody contest, left him dead upon the ground. Thegentleman could not help lamenting the cowardice of his favourite, andadmiring the noble spirit of the other dog, whom, to his infinitesurprise, he found to be the same Jowler that he had discarded the yearbefore. 'I now see, ' said he to the farmer, 'that it is in vain toexpect courage in those who live a life of indolence and repose, andthat constant exercise and proper discipline are frequently able tochange contemptible characters into good ones. '"

"Indeed, " said Mr Barlow, when the story was ended, "I am sincerely gladto find that Tommy has made this acquisition. He will now depend uponnobody, but be able to divert himself whenever he pleases. All that hasever been written in our own language will be from this time in hispower, whether he chooses to read little entertaining stories like whatwe have heard to-day, or to read the actions of great and good men inhistory, or to make himself acquainted with the nature of wild beastsand birds, which are found in other countries, and have been describedin books; in short, I scarcely know of anything which from this momentwill not be in his power; and I do not despair of one day seeing him avery sensible man, capable of teaching and instructing others. "

"Yes, " said Tommy, something elated by all this praise, "I am determinedto make myself as clever as anybody; and I don't doubt, though I am sucha little fellow, that I know more already than many grown-up people; andI am sure, though there are no less than six blacks in our house, thatthere is not one of them who can read a story like me. " Mr Barlow lookeda little grave at this sudden display of vanity, and said rather coolly, "Pray, who has attempted to teach them anything?" "Nobody, I believe, "said Tommy. "Where is the great wonder, then, if they are ignorant?"replied Mr Barlow; "you would probably have never known anything had younot been assisted; and even now you know very little. "

CHAPTER II. 

 Tommy and the Ragged Boy--Story of Androcles and the Lion--Conversation on Slavery--Conversation about an Ass--Tommy's Present and its consequences--The story of Cyrus--Squire Chase beats Harry--Harry saves the Squire's life--Making Bread--Story of the Two Brothers--Story of the Sailors on the Island of Spitzbergen. 

In this manner did Mr Barlow begin the education of Tommy Merton, whohad naturally very good dispositions, although he had been suffered toacquire many bad habits, that sometimes prevented them from appearing. He was, in particular, very passionate, and thought he had a right tocommand everybody that was not dressed as fine as himself. This opinionoften led him into inconveniences, and once was the occasion of hisbeing severely mortified. 

This accident happened in the following manner:--One day as Tommy wasstriking a ball with his bat, he struck it over a hedge into anadjoining field, and seeing a little ragged boy walking along on thatside, he ordered him, in a very peremptory tone, to bring it to him. Thelittle boy, without taking any notice of what was said, walked on, andleft the ball; upon which Tommy called out more loudly than before, andasked if he did not hear what was said. "Yes, " said the boy, "for thematter of that I am not deaf. " "Oh! you are not?" replied Tommy, "thenbring me my ball directly. " "I don't choose it, " said the boy. "Sirrah, "said Tommy, "if I come to you I shall make you choose it. " "Perhaps not, my pretty little master, " said the boy. "You little rascal, " said Tommy, who now began to be very angry, "if I come over the hedge I will thrashyou within an inch of your life. " To this the other made no answer butby a loud laugh, which provoked Tommy so much that he clambered over thehedge and jumped precipitately down intending to have leaped into thefield; but unfortunately his foot slipped, and down he rolled into a wetditch, which was full of mud and water; there poor Tommy tumbled aboutfor some time, endeavouring to get out; but it was to no purpose, forhis feet stuck in the mud, or slipped off from the bank; his finewaistcoat was dirtied all over, his white stockings covered with mire, his breeches filled with puddle water; and, to add to his distress, hefirst lost one shoe and then the other--his laced hat tumbled off fromhis head and was completely spoiled. In this distress he must probablyhave remained a considerable time, had not the little ragged boy takenpity on him and helped him out. Tommy was so vexed and ashamed that hecould not say a word, but ran home in such a plight that Mr Barlow, whohappened to meet him, was afraid he had been considerably hurt; but, when he heard the accident which had happened, he could not helpsmiling, and he advised Tommy to be more careful for the future how heattempted to thrash little ragged boys. 

The next day Mr Barlow desired Harry, when they were all together in thearbour, to read the following story of

"ANDROCLES AND THE LION. "

"There was a certain slave named Androcles, who was so ill treated byhis master that his life became insupportable. Finding no remedy forwhat he suffered, he at length said to himself: 'It is better to diethan to continue to live in such hardships and misery as I am obliged tosuffer. I am determined, therefore, to run away from my master. If I amtaken again, I know that I shall be punished with a cruel death; but itis better to die at once, than to live in misery. If I escape, I mustbetake myself to deserts and woods, inhabited only by beasts; but theycannot use me more cruelly than I have been used by my fellow-creatures;therefore, I will rather trust myself with them, than continue to be amiserable slave. '

"Having formed this resolution, he took an opportunity of leaving hismaster's house, and hid himself in a thick forest, which was at somemiles' distance from the city. But here the unhappy man found that hehad only escaped from one kind of misery to experience another. Hewandered about all day through a vast and trackless wood, where hisflesh was continually torn by thorns and brambles; he grew hungry, butcould find no food in this dreary solitude! At length he was ready todie with fatigue, and lay down in despair in a large cavern which hefound by accident. "

"Poor man!" said Harry, whose little heart could scarcely contain itselfat this mournful recital, "I wish I could have met with him; I wouldhave given him all my dinner, and he should have had my bed. But pray, sir, tell me why does one man behave so cruelly to another, and whyshould one person be the servant of another, and bear so much illtreatment?"

"As to that, " said Tommy, "some folks are born gentlemen, and then theymust command others; and some are born servants, and then they must doas they are bid. I remember, before I came hither, that there were agreat many black men and women, that my mother said were only born towait upon me; and I used to beat them, and kick them, and throw thingsat them whenever I was angry; and they never dared strike me again, because they were slaves. "

"And pray, young man, " said Mr Barlow, "how came these people to beslaves?"

_Tommy. _--Because my father bought them with his money. _Mr Barlow. _--Sothen people that are bought with money are slaves, are they? _T. _--Yes. _Mr B. _--And those that buy them have a right to kick them, and beatthem, and do as they please with them? _T. _--Yes. _Mr B. _--Then, if Iwas to take and sell you to Farmer Sandford, he would have a right to dowhat he pleased with you? No, sir, said Tommy, somewhat warmly; but youwould have no right to sell me, nor he to buy me. _Mr B. _--Then it isnot a person's being bought or sold that gives another a right to usehim ill, but one person's having a right to sell another, and the manwho buys having a right to purchase? _T. _--Yes, sir. _Mr B. _--And whatright have the people who sold the poor negroes to your father to sellthem, or what right has your father to buy them? Here Tommy seemed to bea good deal puzzled, but at length he said, "They are brought from acountry that is a great way off, in ships, and so they become slaves. "Then, said Mr Barlow, "if I take you to another country, in a ship, Ishall have a right to sell you?" _T. _--No, but you won't, sir, because Iwas born a gentleman. _Mr B. _--What do you mean by that, Tommy? Why(said Tommy, a little confounded), to have a fine house, and fineclothes, and a coach, and a great deal of money, as my papa has. _MrB. _--Then if you were no longer to have a fine house, nor fine clothes, nor a great deal of money, somebody that had all these things might makeyou a slave, and use you ill, and beat you, and insult you, and dowhatever he liked with you? _T. _--No, sir, that would not be rightneither, that anybody should use me ill. _Mr B. _--Then one person shouldnot use another ill? _T. _--No, sir. _Mr B. _--To make a slave of anybodyis to use him ill, is it not? _T. _--I think so. _Mr B. _--Then no oneought to make a slave of you? _T. _--No, indeed, sir. _Mr B. _--But if noone should use another ill, and making a slave is using him ill, neitherought you to make a slave of any one else. _T. _--Indeed, sir, I thinknot; and for the future I never will use our black William ill; norpinch him, nor kick him, as I used to do. _Mr B. _--Then you will be avery good boy. But let us now continue our story. 

"This unfortunate man had not lain long quiet in the cavern before heheard a dreadful noise, which seemed to be the roar of some wild beast, and terrified him very much. He started up with a design to escape, andhad already reached the mouth of the cave, when he saw coming towardshim a lion of prodigious size, who prevented any possibility of retreat. The unfortunate man now believed his destruction to be inevitable; but, to his great astonishment, the beast advanced towards him with a gentlepace, without any mark of enmity or rage, and uttered a kind of mournfulvoice, as if he demanded the assistance of the man. 

"Androcles, who was naturally of a resolute disposition, acquiredcourage, from this circumstance, to examine his monstrous guest, whogave him sufficient leisure for that purpose. He saw, as the lionapproached him, that he seemed to limp upon one of his legs, and thatthe foot was extremely swelled, as if it had been wounded. Acquiringstill more fortitude from the gentle demeanour of the beast, he advancedup to him, and took hold of the wounded paw, as a surgeon would examinea patient. He then perceived that a thorn of uncommon size hadpenetrated the ball of the foot, and was the occasion of the swellingand lameness which he had observed. Androcles found that the beast, farfrom resenting this familiarity, received it with the greatestgentleness, and seemed to invite him by his blandishments to proceed. Hetherefore extracted the thorn, and, pressing the swelling, discharged aconsiderable quantity of matter, which had been the cause of so muchpain and uneasiness. 

"As soon as the beast felt himself thus relieved, he began to testifyhis joy and gratitude by every expression within his power. He jumpedabout like a wanton spaniel, wagged his enormous tail, and licked thefeet and hands of his physician. Nor was he contented with thesedemonstrations of kindness: from this moment Androcles became his guest;nor did the lion ever sally forth in quest of prey without bringing homethe produce of his chase, and sharing it with his friend. In this savagestate of hospitality did the man continue to live during the space ofseveral months; at length, wandering unguardedly through the woods, hemet with a company of soldiers sent out to apprehend him, and was bythem taken prisoner and conducted back to his master. The laws of thatcountry being very severe against slaves, he was tried and found guiltyof having fled from his master, and, as a punishment for his pretendedcrime, he was sentenced to be torn in pieces by a furious lion, keptmany days without food, to inspire him with additional rage. 

"When the destined moment arrived, the unhappy man was exposed, unarmed, in the midst of a spacious area, enclosed on every side, round whichmany thousand people were assembled to view the mournful spectacle. 

"Presently a dreadful yell was heard, which struck the spectators withhorror; and a monstrous lion rushed out of a den, which was purposelyset open, and darted forward with erected mane and flaming eyes, andjaws that gaped like an open sepulchre. A mournful silence instantlyprevailed! All eyes were directly turned upon the destined victim, whosedestruction now appeared inevitable. But the pity of the multitude wassoon converted into astonishment, when they beheld the lion, instead ofdestroying his defenceless prey, crouch submissively at his feet, fawnupon him as a faithful dog would do upon his master, and rejoice overhim as a mother that unexpectedly recovers her offspring. The governorof the town, who was present, then called out with a loud voice, andordered Androcles to explain to them this unintelligible mystery, andhow a savage of the fiercest and most unpitying nature should thus in amoment have forgotten his innate disposition, and be converted into aharmless and inoffensive animal. 

"Androcles then related to the assembly every circumstance of hisadventures in the woods, and concluded by saying, that the very lionwhich now stood before them had been his friend and entertainer in thewoods. All the persons present were astonished and delighted with thestory, to find that even the fiercest beasts are capable of beingsoftened by gratitude, and moved by humanity; and they unanimouslyjoined to entreat for the pardon of the unhappy man from the governor ofthe place. This was immediately granted to him; and he was alsopresented with the lion, who had in this manner twice saved the life ofAndrocles. "

"Upon my word, " said Tommy, "this is a very pretty story; but I nevershould have thought that a lion could have grown so tame: I thought thatthey, and tigers, and wolves, had been so fierce and cruel that theywould have torn everything they met to pieces. "

"When they are hungry, " said Mr Barlow, "they kill every animal theymeet; but this is to devour it, for they can only live upon flesh, like, dogs and cats, and many other kinds of animals. When they are not hungrythey seldom meddle with anything, or do unnecessary mischief; thereforethey are much less cruel than many persons that I have seen, and eventhan many children, who plague and torment animals, without any reasonwhatsoever. "

"Indeed, sir, " said Harry, "I think so. And I remember, as I was walkingalong the road some days past, I saw a little naughty boy that used apoor jackass very ill indeed. The poor animal was so lame that he couldhardly stir; and yet the boy beat him with a great stick as violently ashe was able, to make him go on faster. " "And what did you say to him?"said Mr Barlow. _Harry. _--Why, sir, I told him how naughty and cruel itwas; and I asked him how he would like to be beaten in that manner bysomebody that was stronger than himself? _Mr B. _--And what answer did hemake you? _H. _--He said, that it was his daddy's ass, and so that he hada right to beat it; and that if I said a word more he would beat me. _MrB. _--And what answer did you make; any? _H. _--I told him, if it was hisfather's ass, he should not use it ill; for that we were all God'screatures, and that we should love each other, as He loved us all; andthat as to beating me, if he struck me I had a right to strike himagain, and would do it, though he was almost as big again as I was. _MrB. _--And did he strike you? _H. _--Yes, sir. He endeavoured to strike meupon the head with his stick, but I dodged, and so it fell upon myshoulder; and he was going to strike me again, but I darted at him, andknocked him down, and then he began blubbering, and begged me not tohurt him. _Mr B. _--It is not uncommon for those who are most cruel to beat the same time most cowardly; but what did you? _H. _--Sir, I told himI did not want to hurt him; but that as he had meddled with me, I wouldnot let him rise till he had promised not to hurt the poor beast anymore, which he did, and then I let him go about his business. 

"You did very right, " said Mr Barlow; "and I suppose the boy looked asfoolish, when he was rising, as Tommy did the other day when the littleragged boy that he was going to beat helped him out of the ditch. ""Sir, " answered Tommy, a little confused, "I should not have attemptedto beat him, only he would not bring me my ball. " _Mr B. _--And whatright had you to oblige him to bring your ball? _T. _--Sir, he was alittle ragged boy, and I am a gentleman. _Mr B. _--So then, everygentleman has a right to command little ragged boys? _T. _--To be sure, sir. _Mr B. _--Then if your clothes should wear out and become ragged, every gentleman will have a right to command you? Tommy looked a littlefoolish, and said, "But he might have done it, as he was on that side ofthe hedge. " _Mr B. _--And so he probably would have done if you had askedhim civilly to do it; but when persons speak in a haughty tone, theywill find few inclined to serve them. But, as the boy was poor andragged, I suppose you hired him with money to fetch your ball?_T. _--Indeed, sir, I did not; I neither gave him anything nor offeredhim anything. _Mr B. _--Probably you had nothing to give him? _T. _--Yes Ihad, though; I had all this money (pulling out several shillings). _MrB. _--Perhaps the boy was as rich as you. _T. _--No, he was not, sir, I amsure; for he had no coat, and his waistcoat and breeches were alltattered and ragged; besides, he had no stockings, and his shoes werefull of holes. _Mr B. _--So, now I see what constitutes a gentleman. Agentleman is one that, when he has abundance of everything, keeps it allto himself; beats poor people, if they don't serve him for nothing; andwhen they have done him the greatest favour, in spite of his insolence, never feels any gratitude, or does them any good in return. I find thatAndrocles' lion was no gentleman. 

Tommy was so affected with this rebuke that he could hardly contain histears; and, as he was really a boy of a generous temper, he determinedto give the little ragged boy something the very first time he shouldsee him again. He did not long wait for an opportunity; for, as he waswalking out that very afternoon, he saw him at some distance gatheringblackberries, and, going up to him, he accosted him thus: "Little boy, Iwant to know why you are so ragged; have you no other clothes?" "No, indeed, " said the boy. "I have seven brothers and sisters, and they areall as ragged as myself; but I should not much mind that if I could havemy belly full of victuals. " _Tommy. _--And why cannot you have your bellyfull of victuals? _Little boy. _--Because daddy's ill of a fever, andcan't work this harvest! so that mammy says we must all starve if GodAlmighty does not take care of us. 

Tommy made no answer, but ran full speed to the house whence hepresently returned, loaded with a loaf of bread, and a complete suit ofhis own clothes. "Here, little boy, " said he, "you were verygood-natured to me; and so I will give you all this, because I am agentleman, and have many more. "

Tommy did not wait for the little boy's acknowledgment, but hastenedaway and told Mr Barlow, with an air of exultation, what he had done. 

Mr Barlow coolly answered, "You have done well in giving the little boyclothes, because they are your own; but what right have you to give awaymy loaf of bread without asking my consent?" _Tommy. _--Why, sir, I didit because the little boy said he was very hungry, and had sevenbrothers and sisters, and that his father was ill, and could not work. _Mr B. _--This is a very good reason why you should give them whatbelongs to yourself, but not why you should give them what is another's. What would you say if Harry were to give away all your clothes, withoutasking your leave?" _T. _--I should not like it at all; and I will notgive away your things any more without asking your leave. "You will dowell, " said Mr Barlow; "and here is a little story you may read uponthis very subject:--

"THE STORY OF CYRUS. "

"Cyrus was a little boy of good dispositions and humane temper. He wasvery fond of drawing, and often went into the fields for the purpose oftaking sketches of trees, houses, &c. , which he would show to hisparents. On one occasion he had retired into a shed at the back of hisfather's house, and was so much absorbed in planning something with hiscompasses, as not to be for a long time aware of his father's presence. He had several masters, who endeavoured to teach him everything that wasgood; and he was educated with several little boys about his own age. One evening his father asked him what he had done or learned that day. 'Sir, ' said Cyrus, 'I was punished to-day for deciding unjustly. ' 'Howso?' said his father. _Cyrus. _--There were two boys, one of whom was agreat and the other a little boy. Now, it happened that the little boyhad a coat that was much too big for him, but the great boy had one thatscarcely reached below his middle, and was too tight for him in everypart; upon which the great boy proposed to the little boy to changecoats with him, 'because then, ' said he, 'we shall be both exactlyfitted; for your coat is as much too big for you as mine is too littlefor me. ' The little boy would not consent to the proposal, on which thegreat boy took his coat away by force, and gave his own to the littleboy in exchange. While they were disputing upon this subject I chancedto pass by, and they agreed to make me judge of the affair. But Idecided that the little boy should keep the little coat, and the greatboy the great one--for which judgment my master punished me. 

"'Why so?' said Cyrus' father; 'was not the little coat most proper forthe little boy, and the large coat for the great boy?' 'Yes, sir, 'answered Cyrus; 'but my master told me I was not made judge to examinewhich coat best fitted either of the boys, but to decide whether it wasjust that the great boy should take away the coat of the little oneagainst his consent; and therefore I decided unjustly, and deserved tobe punished. '"

Just as the story was finished, they were surprised to see a littleragged boy come running up to them, with a bundle of clothes under hisarm. His eyes were black, as if he had been severely beaten, his nosewas swelled, his shirt was bloody, and his waistcoat did but just hangupon his back, so much was it torn. He came running up to Tommy, andthrew down the bundle before him, saying, "Here master, take yourclothes again; and I wish they had been at the bottom of the ditch Ipulled you out of, instead of upon my back; but I never will put suchfrippery on again as long as I have breath in my body. "

"What is the matter?" said Mr Barlow, who perceived that someunfortunate accident had happened in consequence of Tommy's present. 

"Sir, " answered the little boy, "my little master here was going to beatme, because I would not fetch his ball. Now, as to the matter of that, Iwould have brought his ball with all my heart, if he had but asked mecivilly. But though I am poor, I am not bound to be his slave, as theysay black William is; and so I would not; upon which little master herewas jumping over the hedge to lick me; but, instead of that, he sousedinto the ditch, and there he lay rolling about till I helped him out;and so he gave me these clothes here, all out of good-will; and I putthem on, like a fool as I was, for they are all made of silk, and lookso fine, that all the little boys followed me, and hallooed as I went;and Jack Dowset threw a handful of dirt at me, and dirtied me all over. 'Oh!' says I, 'Jacky, are you at that work?'--and with that I hit him agood thump, and sent him roaring away. But Billy Gibson and Ned Kellycame up, and said I looked like a Frenchman; and so we began fighting, and I beat them till they both gave out; but I don't choose to behallooed after wherever I go, and to look like a Frenchman; and so Ihave brought master his clothes again. "

Mr Barlow asked the little boy where his father lived; and he told himthat his father lived about two miles off, across the common, and at theend of Runny Lane; on which Mr Barlow told Harry that he would send thepoor man some broth and victuals if he would carry it when it was ready. "That I will, " said Harry, "if it were five times as far. " So Mr Barlowwent into the house to give orders about it. 

In the mean time Tommy, who had eyed the little boy for some time insilence, said, "So, my poor boy, you have been beaten and hurt till youare all over blood, only because I gave you my clothes. I am really verysorry for it. " "Thank you, little master, " said the boy, "but it can'tbe helped; you did not intend me any hurt, I know; and I am not such achicken as to mind a beating; so I wish you a good afternoon with all myheart. "

As soon as the little boy was gone, Tommy said, "I wish I had but someclothes that the poor boy could wear, for he seems very good-natured; Iwould give them to him. " "That you may very easily have, " said Harry, "for there is a shop in the village hard by where they sell all mannerof clothes for the poor people; and, as you have money, you may easilybuy some. "

Harry and Tommy then agreed to go early the next morning to buy someclothes for the poor children. They accordingly set out beforebreakfast, and had proceeded nearly half-way, when they heard the noiseof a pack of hounds that seemed to be running full cry at some distance. Tommy then asked Harry if he knew what they were about. "Yes, " saidHarry "I know well enough what they are about; it is Squire Chase andhis dogs worrying a poor hare. But I wonder they are not ashamed tomeddle with such a poor inoffensive creature, that cannot defend itself. If they have a mind to hunt, why don't they hunt lions and tigers, andsuch fierce mischievous creatures, as I have read they do in othercountries?" "Oh! dear, " said Tommy, "how is that? it must surely be verydangerous. " "Why, you know, " said Harry, "the men are accustomed in someplaces to go almost naked; and that makes them so prodigiously nimble, that they can run like a deer; and, when a lion or tiger comes intotheir neighbourhood, and devours their sheep or oxen, they go out, sixand seven together, armed with javelins; and they run over all thewoods, and examine every place, till they have found him; and they makea noise to provoke him to attack them; then he begins roaring andfoaming, beating his sides with his tail, till, in a violent fury, hesprings at the man that is nearest to him. " "Oh! dear, " said Tommy, "hemust certainly be torn to pieces. " "No such thing, " answered Harry; "hejumps like a greyhound out of the way, while the next man throws hisjavelin at the lion, and perhaps wounds him in the side; this enrageshim still more; he springs again like lightning upon the man thatwounded him, but this man avoids him like the other, and at last thepoor beast drops down dead with the number of wounds he has received. ""Oh, " said Tommy, "it must be a very strange sight; I should like to seeit out of a window, where I was safe. " "So should not I, " answeredHarry; "for it must be a great pity to see such a noble animal torturedand killed; but they are obliged to do it in their own defence. Butthese poor hares do nobody any harm, excepting the farmers, by eating alittle of their corn sometimes. "

As they were talking in this manner, Harry, casting his eyes on oneside, said, "As I am alive, there is the poor hare skulking along! Ihope they will not be able to find her; and, if they ask me, I willnever tell them which way she is gone. "

Presently up came the dogs, who had now lost all scent of their game, and a gentleman, mounted upon a fine horse, who asked Harry if he hadseen the hare. Harry made no answer; but, upon the gentleman's repeatingthe question in a louder tone of voice, he answered that he had. "Andwhich way is she gone?" said the gentleman. "Sir, I don't choose to tellyou, " answered Harry, after some hesitation. "Not choose!" said thegentleman, leaping off his horse, "but I'll make you choose in aninstant;" and, coming up to Harry who never moved from the place wherehe had been standing, began to lash him in a most unmerciful manner withhis whip, continually repeating, "Now, you little rascal, do you chooseto tell me now?" To which Harry made no other answer than this: "If Iwould not tell you before, I won't now, though you should kill me. "

But this fortitude of Harry, and the tears of Tommy, who cried in thebitterest manner to see the distress of his friend, made no impressionon this barbarian, who continued his brutality till another gentlemanrode up full speed, and said, "For any sake, Squire, what are you about?You will kill the child, if you do not take care. " "And the little dogdeserves it, " said the other; "he has seen the hare, and will not tellme which way she is gone. " "Take care, " replied the gentleman, in a lowvoice, "you don't involve yourself in a disagreeable affair; I know theother to be the son of a gentleman of great fortune in theneighbourhood;" and then turning to Harry, he said, "Why, my dear, wouldyou not tell the gentleman which way the hare had gone, if you saw her?""Because, " answered Harry, as soon as he had recovered breath enough tospeak, "I don't choose to betray the unfortunate. " "This boy, " said thegentleman, "is a prodigy; and it is a happy thing for you, Squire, thathis age is not equal to his spirit. But you are always passionate----"At this moment the hounds recovered the scent, and bursting into a fullcry, the Squire mounted his horse and galloped away, attended by all hiscompanions. 

When they were gone, Tommy came up to Harry in the most affectionatemanner, and asked him how he did. "A little sore, " said Harry; "but thatdoes not signify. " _Tommy. _--I wish I had had a pistol or a sword!_Harry. _--Why, what would you have done with it? _T. _--I would havekilled that good-for-nothing man who treated you so cruelly. _H. _--Thatwould have been wrong, Tommy; for I am sure he did not want to kill me. Indeed, if I had been a man, he should not have used me so; but it isall over now, and we ought to forgive our enemies, as Mr Barlow tells usChrist did; and then perhaps they may come to love us, and be sorry forwhat they have done. _T. _--But how could you bear to be so severelywhipped, without crying out? _H. _--Why, crying out would have done me nogood at all, would it? and this is nothing to what many little boys havesuffered without ever flinching, or bemoaning themselves. _T. _--Well, Ishould have thought a great deal. _H. _--Oh! it's nothing to what theyoung Spartans used to suffer. _T. _--Who were they? _H. _--Why, you mustknow they were a very brave set of people, that lived a great while ago;and, as they were but few in number, and were surrounded by a great manyenemies, they used to endeavour to make their little boys very brave andhardy; and these little boys used to be always running about, half-naked, in the open air, and wrestling and jumping and exercisingthemselves; and then had very coarse food, and hard beds to lie upon, and were never pampered and indulged; and all this made them so strongand hardy, and brave, that the like was never seen. _T. _--What, and hadthey no coaches to ride in, nor sweetmeats, nor wine, nor anybody towait upon them? _H. _--Oh! dear, no; their fathers thought that wouldspoil them, and so they all fared alike, and ate together in greatrooms; and there they were taught to behave orderly and decently; andwhen dinner was over, they all went to play together; and, if theycommitted any faults, they were severely whipped; but they never mindedit, and scorned to cry out, or make a wry face. 

As they were conversing in this manner, they approached the village, where Tommy laid out all his money, amounting to fifteen shillings andsixpence, in buying some clothes for the little ragged boy and hisbrothers, which were made up in a bundle and given to him; but hedesired Harry to carry them for him. "That I will, " said Harry; "but whydon't you choose to carry them yourself?" _Tommy. _--Why, it is not fitfor a gentleman to carry things himself. _Harry. _--Why, what hurt doesit do him, if he is but strong enough? _T. _--I do not know; but Ibelieve it is that he may not look like the common people. _H. _--Then heshould not have hands, or feet, or ears, or mouth, because the commonpeople have the same. _T. _--No, no; he must have all these, because theyare useful. _H. _--And is it not useful to be able to do things forourselves? _T. _--Yes; but gentlemen have others to do what they want forthem. _H. _--Then I should think it must be a bad thing to be agentleman. _T. _--Why so? _H. _--Because, if all were gentlemen, nobodywould do anything, and then we should be all starved. _T. _--Starved!_H. _--Yes; why, you could not live, could you, without bread? _T. _--No;I know that very well. _H. _--And bread is made of a plant that grows inthe earth, and it is called wheat. _T. _--Why, then, I would gather itand eat it. _H. _--Then you must do something for yourself; but thatwould not do, for wheat is a small hard grain, like the oats which youhave sometimes given to Mr Barlow's horse; and you would not like to eatthem. _T. _--No, certainly; but how comes bread then? _H. _--Why, theysend the corn to the mill. _T. _--What is a mill? _H. _--What! did younever see a mill? _T. _--No, never; but I should like to see one, that Imay know how they make bread. _H. _--There is one at a little distance;and if you ask Mr Barlow, he will go with you, for he knows the millervery well. _T. _--That I will, for I should like to see them make bread. 

As they were conversing in this manner, they heard a great outcry, andturning their heads, saw a horse that was galloping violently along, anddragging his rider along with him, who had fallen off, and, in falling, hitched his foot in the stirrup. Luckily for the person, it happened tobe wet ground, and the side of a hill, which prevented the horse fromgoing very fast, and the rider from being much hurt. But Harry, who wasalways prepared to do an act of humanity, even with the danger of hislife, and, besides that, was a boy of extraordinary courage and agility, ran up towards a gap which he saw the horse approaching, and just as hemade a little pause before vaulting over, caught him by the bridle, andeffectually stopped him from proceeding. In an instant another gentlemancame up, with two or three servants, who alighted from their horses, disengaged the fallen person, and set him upon his legs. He staredwildly around him for some time; as he was not materially hurt, he soonrecovered his senses, and the first use he made of them was to swear athis horse, and to ask who had stopped the confounded jade. "Who?" saidhis friend, "why, the very little boy you used so scandalously thismorning; had it not been for his dexterity and courage, that numskull ofyours would have had more flaws in it than it ever had before. "

The Squire considered Harry with a countenance in which shame andhumiliation seemed yet to struggle with his natural insolence; but atlength, putting his hand into his pocket, he pulled out a guinea, whichhe offered to Harry, telling him at the same time he was very sorry forwhat had happened; but Harry, with a look of more contempt than he hadever been seen to assume before, rejected the present, and taking up thebundle which he had dropped at the time he had seized the Squire'shorse, walked away, accompanied by his companion. 

As it was not far out of their way, they agreed to call at the poorman's cottage, whom they found much better, as Mr Barlow had been therethe preceding night, and given him such medicines as he judged properfor his disease. Tommy then asked for the little boy, and, on his comingin, told him that he had now brought him some clothes which he mightwear without fear of being called a Frenchman, as well as some more forhis little brothers. The pleasure with which they were received was sogreat, and the acknowledgments and blessings of the good woman and thepoor man, who had just began to sit up, were so many, that little Tommycould not help shedding tears of compassion, in which he was joined byHarry. As they were returning, Tommy said that he had never spent anymoney with so much pleasure as that with which he had purchased clothesfor this poor family; and that for the future he would take care of allthe money that was given him for that purpose, instead of laying it outin eatables and playthings. 

Some days after this, as Mr Barlow and the two boys were walking outtogether, they happened to pass near a windmill; and, on Harry'stelling Tommy what it was, Tommy desired leave to go into it and lookat it. Mr Barlow consented to this, and, being acquainted with themiller, they all went in and examined every part of it with greatcuriosity; and there little Tommy saw with astonishment that the sailsof the mill, being constantly turned round by the wind, moved a greatflat stone, which, by rubbing upon another stone, bruised all the cornthat was put between them till it became a fine powder. "Oh dear!" saidTommy, "is this the way they make bread?" Mr Barlow told him this wasthe method by which the corn was prepared for making bread; but thatmany other things were necessary before it arrived at that state. "Yousee that what runs from these millstones is only a fine powder, verydifferent from bread, which is a solid and tolerably hard substance. "

As they were going home Harry said to Tommy, "So you see now, if nobodychose to work, or do anything for himself, we should have no bread toeat; but you could not even have the corn to make it of without a greatdeal of pains and labour. " _Tommy. _--Why not? does not corn grow in theground of itself? _Harry. _--Corn grows in the ground, but then first itis necessary to plough the ground, to break it to pieces. _T. _--What isploughing? _H. _--Did you never see three or four horses drawingsomething along the fields in a straight line, while one man drove, andanother walked behind holding the thing by two handles? _T. _--Yes, Ihave; and is that ploughing? _H. _--It is; and there is a sharp ironunderneath, which runs into the ground and turns it up all the way itgoes. _T. _--Well, and what then? _H. _--When the ground is thusprepared, they sow the seed all over it, and then they rake it over tocover the seed, and then the seed begins to grow, and shoots up veryhigh; and at last the corn ripens, and they reap it, and carry it home. _T. _--I protest it must be very curious, and I should like to sow someseed myself, and see it grow; do you think I could? _H. _--Yes, certainly, and if you will dig the ground to-morrow I will go home to myfather, in order to procure some seed for you. 

The next morning Tommy was up almost as soon as it was light, and wentto work in a corner of the garden, where he dug with great perseverancetill breakfast; when he came in, he could not help telling Mr Barlowwhat he had done, and asking him, whether he was not a very good boy forworking so hard to raise corn? "That, " said Mr Barlow, "depends upon theuse you intend to make of it when you have raised it; what is it youintend doing with it?" "Why, sir, " said Tommy, "I intend to send it tothe mill that we saw, and have it ground into flour; and then I will getyou to show me how to make bread of it, and then I will eat it, that Imay tell my father that I have eaten bread out of corn of my ownsowing. " "That will be very well done, " said Mr Barlow; "but where willbe the great goodness that you sow corn for your own eating? That is nomore than all the people round continually do; and if they did not do itthey would be obliged to fast. " "But then, " said Tommy, "they are notgentlemen, as I am. "

"What then, " answered Mr Barlow; "must not gentlemen eat as well asothers, and therefore is it not for their interest to know how toprocure food as well as other people?" "Yes, sir, " answered Tommy, "butthey can have other people to raise it for them, so that they are notobliged to work for themselves. " "How does that happen?" said Mr Barlow. _Tommy. _--Why, sir, they pay other people to work for them, or buy breadwhen it is made, as much as they want. _Mr B. _--Then they pay for itwith money? _T. _--Yes, sir. _Mr B. _--Then they must have money beforethey can buy corn? _T. _--Certainly, sir. _Mr B. _--But have all gentlemenmoney? Tommy hesitated some time at this question; at last he said, "Ibelieve not always, sir. " _Mr B. _--Why, then, if they have not moneythey will find it difficult to procure corn, unless they raise it forthemselves. "Indeed, " said Tommy, "I believe they will; for perhaps theymay not find anybody good-natured enough to give it them. " "But, " saidMr Barlow, "as we are talking upon this subject, I will tell you a storythat I read a little time past, if you choose to hear it. " Tommy said heshould be very glad if Mr Barlow would take the trouble of telling it tohim, and Mr Barlow told him the following history of

"THE TWO BROTHERS. "

"About the time that many people went over to South America, with thehopes of finding gold and silver, there was a Spaniard, whose name wasPizarro, who had a great inclination to try his fortune like the rest;but as he had an elder brother, for whom he had a very great affection, he went to him, told him his design, and solicited him very much to goalong with him, promising him that he should have an equal share of allthe riches they found. The brother, whose name was Alonzo, was a man ofa contented temper, and a good understanding; he did not therefore muchapprove of the project, and endeavoured to dissuade Pizarro from it, bysetting before him the danger to which he exposed himself, and theuncertainty of his succeeding; but finding all that he said was vain, heagreed to go with him, but told him at the same time that he wanted nopart of the riches which he might find, and would ask no other favourthan to have his baggage and a few servants taken on board the vesselwith him. Pizarro then sold all that he had, bought a vessel, andembarked with several other adventurers, who had all great expectations, like himself, of soon becoming rich. As to Alonzo, he took nothing withhim but a few ploughs, harrows, and other tools, and some corn, togetherwith a large quantity of potatoes, and some seeds of differentvegetables. Pizarro thought these very odd preparations for a voyage;but as he did not think proper to expostulate with his brother he saidnothing. 

"After sailing some time with prosperous winds, they put into the lastport where they were to stop, before they came to the country where theywere to search for gold. Here Pizarro bought a great number more ofpickaxes, shovels, and various other tools for digging, melting, andrefining the gold he expected to find, besides hiring an additionalnumber of labourers to assist him in the work. Alonzo, on the contrary, bought only a few sheep, and four stout oxen, with their harness, andfood enough to subsist them till they should arrive at land. 

"As it happened, they met with a favourable voyage, and all landed inperfect health in America. Alonzo then told his brother that, as he hadonly come to accompany and serve him, he would stay near the shore withhis servants and cattle, while he went to search for gold, and when hehad acquired as much as he desired, should be always ready to embark forSpain with him. 

"Pizarro accordingly set out not without feeling so great a contempt forhis brother, that he could not help expressing it to his companions. 'Ialways thought, ' said he, 'that my brother had been a man of sense; hebore that character in Spain, but I find people were strangely mistakenin him. Here he is going to divert himself with his sheep and his oxen, as if he was living quietly upon his farm at home, and had nothing elseto do than to raise cucumbers and melons. But we know better what to dowith our time; so come along, my lads, and if we have but good luck, weshall soon be enriched for the rest of our lives. ' All that were presentapplauded Pizarro's speech, and declared themselves ready to followwherever he went; only one old Spaniard shook his head as he went, andtold him he doubted whether he would find his brother so great a fool ashe thought. 

"They then travelled on several days' march into the country, sometimesobliged to cross rivers, at others to pass mountains and forests, wherethey could find no paths; sometimes scorched by the violent heat of thesun, and then wetted to the skin by violent showers of rain. Thesedifficulties, however, did not discourage them so much as to hinder themfrom trying in several places for gold, which they were at length luckyenough to find in a considerable quantity. This success animated themvery much, and they continued working upon that spot till all theirprovisions were consumed; they gathered daily large quantities of ore, but then they suffered very much from hunger. Still, however, theypersevered in their labours, and sustained themselves with such rootsand berries as they could find. At last even this resource failed them;and, after several of their company had died from want and hardship, therest were just able to crawl back to the place where they had leftAlonzo, carrying with them the gold, to acquire which they had sufferedso many miseries. 

"But while they had been employed in this manner, Alonzo, who foresawwhat would happen, had been industriously toiling to a very differentpurpose. His skill in husbandry had easily enabled him to find a spot ofconsiderable extent and very fertile soil, which he ploughed up with theoxen he had brought with him, and the assistance of his servants. Hethen sowed the different seeds he had brought, and planted the potatoes, which prospered beyond what he could have expected, and yielded him amost abundant harvest. His sheep he had turned out in a very fine meadownear the sea, and every one of them had brought him a couple of lambs. Besides that, he and his servants, at leisure times, employed themselvesin fishing; and the fish they had caught were all dried and salted withsalt they had found upon the sea-shore; so that, by the time ofPizarro's return, they had laid up a very considerable quantity ofprovisions. 

"When Pizarro returned, his brother received him with the greatestcordiality, and asked him what success he had had? Pizarro told him thatthey had found an immense quantity of gold, but that several of hiscompanions had perished, and that the rest were almost starved from thewant of provisions. He then requested that his brother would immediatelygive him something to eat, as he assured him he had tasted no food forthe last two days, excepting the roots and bark of trees. Alonzo thenvery coolly answered, that he should remember that, when they set out, they had made an agreement, that neither should interfere with theother; that he had never desired to have any share of the gold whichPizarro might acquire, and therefore he wondered that Pizarro shouldexpect to be supplied with the provisions that he had procured with somuch care and labour; 'but, ' added he, 'if you choose to exchange someof the gold you have found for provisions, I shall perhaps be able toaccommodate you. '

"Pizarro thought this behaviour very unkind in his brother; but, as heand his companions were almost starved, they were obliged to comply withhis demands, which were so exorbitant, that, in a very short time, theyparted with all the gold they had brought with them, merely to purchasefood. Alonzo then proposed to his brother to embark for Spain in thevessel which had brought them thither, as the winds and weather seemedmost to be favourable; but Pizarro, with an angry look, told him that, since he had deprived him of everything he had gained, and treated himin so unfriendly a manner, he should go without him; for, as to himself, he would rather perish upon that desert shore than embark with soinhuman a brother. 

"But Alonzo, instead of resenting these reproaches, embraced his brotherwith the greatest tenderness, and spoke to him in the followingmanner:--'Could you then believe, my dearest Pizarro, that I reallymeant to deprive you of the fruits of all your labours, which you haveacquired with so much toil and danger? Rather may all the gold in theuniverse perish than I should be capable of such behaviour to my dearestbrother! But I saw the rash, impetuous desire you had of riches, andwished to correct this fault in you, and serve you at the same time. Youdespised my prudence and industry, and imagined that nothing could bewanting to him that had once acquired wealth; but you have now learnedthat, without that foresight and industry, all the gold you have broughtwith you would not have prevented you from perishing miserably. You arenow, I hope, wiser; and therefore take back your riches, which I hopeyou have now learned to make a proper use of. ' Pizarro was equallyfilled with gratitude and astonishment at this generosity of hisbrother, and he acknowledged, from experience, that industry was betterthan gold. They then embarked for Spain, where they all safely arrived. During the voyage Pizarro often solicited his brother to accept of halfhis riches, which Alonzo constantly refused, telling him that he couldraise food enough to maintain himself, and was in no want of gold. "

"Indeed, " said Tommy, when Mr Barlow had finished the story, "I thinkAlonzo was a very sensible man; and, if it had not been for him, hisbrother and all his companions must have been starved; but then this wasonly because they were in a desert uninhabited country. This could neverhave happened in England; there they could always have had as much cornor bread as they chose for their money. " "But, " said Mr Barlow, "is aman sure to be always in England, or some place where he can purchasebread?" _Tommy. _--I believe so, sir. _Mr B. _--Why, are there notcountries in the world where there are no inhabitants, and where no cornis raised? _T. _--Certainly, sir; this country, which the two brotherswent to, was such a place. _Mr B. _--And there are many other suchcountries in the world. _T. _--But then a man need not go to them; he maystay at home. _Mr B. _--Then he must not pass the seas in a ship. _T. _--Why so, sir? _Mr B. _--Because the ship may happen to be wrecked onsome such country, where there are no inhabitants; and then, although heshould escape the danger of the sea, what will he do for food? _T. _--Andhave such accidents sometimes happened? _Mr B. _--Yes, several; therewas, in particular, one Selkirk, who was shipwrecked, and obliged tolive several years upon a desert island. _T. _--That was veryextraordinary indeed; and how did he get victuals? _Mr B. _--He sometimesprocured roots, sometimes fruits; he also at last became so active, thathe was able to pursue and catch wild goats, with which the islandabounded. _T. _--And did not such a hard disagreeable way of life killhim at last? _Mr B. _--By no means; he never enjoyed better health in hislife; and you have heard that he became so active as to be able toovertake the very wild beasts. But a still more extraordinary story isthat of some Russians, who were left on the coast of Spitzbergen, wherethey were obliged to stay several years. _T. _--Where is Spitzbergen, sir? _Mr B. _--It is a country very far to the north, which is constantlycovered with snow and ice, because the weather is unremittingly severe. Scarcely any vegetables will grow upon the soil, and scarcely anyanimals are found in the country. To add to this, a great part of theyear it is covered with perpetual darkness and is inaccessible to ships;so that it is impossible to conceive a more dreary country, or where itmust be more difficult to support human life. Yet four men were capableof struggling with all these difficulties during several years, andthree of them returned at last safe to their own country. _T. _--Thismust be a very curious story indeed; I would give anything to be able tosee it. _Mr B. _--That you may very easily. When I read it, I copied offseveral parts of it, I thought it so curious and interesting, which Ican easily find, and will show you. Here it is; but it is necessaryfirst to inform you, that those northern seas, from the intense cold ofthe climate, are so full of ice as frequently to render it extremelydangerous to ships, lest they should be crushed between two pieces ofimmense size, or so completely surrounded as not to be able to extricatethemselves. Having given you this previous information, you will easilyunderstand the distressful situation of a Russian ship, which, as it wassailing on those seas, was on a sudden so surrounded by ice as not to beable to move. My extracts begin here, and you may read them. 

 _Extracts from a Narrative of the Extraordinary Adventures of Four Russian Sailors, who were cast away on the Desert Island of East Spitzbergen. _

"In this alarming state (that is, when the ship was surrounded with ice)a council was held, when the mate, Alexis Hinkof, informed them, that herecollected to have heard that some of the people of Mesen, some timebefore, having formed a resolution of wintering upon this island, hadcarried from that city timber proper for building a hut, and hadactually erected one at some distance from the shore. This informationinduced the whole company to resolve on wintering there, if the hut, asthey hoped, still existed; for they clearly perceived the imminentdanger they were in, and that they must inevitably perish if theycontinued in the ship. They despatched, therefore, four of their crew insearch of the hut, or any other succour they could meet with. These wereAlexis Hinkof, the mate, Iwan Hinkof, his godson, Stephen Scharassof, and Feodor Weregin. 

"As the shore on which they were to land was uninhabited, it wasnecessary that they should make some provision for their expedition. They had almost two miles to travel over those ridges of ice, whichbeing raised by the waves, and driven against each other by the wind, rendered the way equally difficult and dangerous; prudence, therefore, forbade their loading themselves too much, lest, by being overburdened, they might sink in between the pieces of ice, and perish. Having thusmaturely considered the nature of their undertaking, they providedthemselves with a musket and powder-horn, containing twelve charges ofpowder, with as many balls, an axe, a small kettle, a bag with abouttwenty pounds of flower, a knife, a tinder-box and tinder, a bladderfilled with tobacco, and every man his wooden pipe. 

"Thus accoutred, these four sailors quickly arrived on the island, little expecting the misfortunes that would befall them. They began withexploring the country, and soon discovered the hut they were in searchof, about an English mile and a half from the shore. It was thirty-sixfeet in length, eighteen feet in height, and as many in breadth; itcontained a small antechamber, about twelve feet broad, which had twodoors, the one to shut it up from the outer air, the other to form acommunication with the inner room; this contributed greatly to keep thelarge room warm when once heated. In the large room was an earthenstove, constructed in the Russian manner; that is, a kind of ovenwithout a chimney, which served occasionally either for baking, forheating the room, or, as is customary among the Russian peasants in verycold weather, for a place to sleep upon. Our adventurers rejoicedgreatly at having discovered the hut, which had, however, suffered muchfrom the weather, it having now been built a considerable time; they, however, contrived to pass the night in it. 

"Early next morning they hastened to the shore, impatient to informtheir comrades of their success, and also to procure from their vesselsuch provision, ammunition, and other necessaries, as might betterenable them to winter on the island. I leave my readers to figure tothemselves the astonishment and agony of mind these poor people musthave felt, when on reaching the place of their landing, they saw nothingbut an open sea, free from the ice, which but the day before had coveredthe ocean. A violent storm, which had risen during the night, hadcertainly been the cause of this disastrous event; but they could nottell whether the ice, which had before hemmed in the vessel, agitated bythe violence of the waves, had been driven against her, and shatteredher to pieces; or, whether she had been carried by the current into themain--a circumstance which frequently happens in those seas. Whateveraccident had befallen the ship, they saw her no more; and as no tidingswere ever afterwards received of her, it is most probable that she sunk, and that all on board of her perished. 

"This melancholy event depriving the unhappy wretches of all hope ofever being able to quit the island, they returned to the hut, whencethey had come, full of horror and despair. "

"Oh dear!" cried Tommy, at this passage, "what a dreadful situationthese poor people must have been in. To be in such a cold country, covered with snow and frozen with ice, without anybody to help them, orgive them victuals; I should think they must all have died. " "That youwill soon see, " said Mr Barlow, "when you have read the rest of thestory; but tell me one thing, Tommy, before you proceed. These four menwere poor sailors, who had always been accustomed to danger andhardships, and to work for their living; do you think it would have beenbetter for them to have been bred up gentlemen, that is, to do nothing, but to have other people wait upon them in everything?" "Why, to besure, " answered Tommy, "it was much better for them that they had beenused to work, for that might enable them to contrive and do something toassist themselves, for, without doing a great deal, they must certainlyall have perished. "

"Their first attention was employed, as may easily be imagined, indevising means of providing subsistence, and for repairing their hut. The twelve charges of powder which they had brought with them soonprocured them as many reindeer--the island, fortunately for them, abounding in these animals. I have before observed, that the hut, whichthe sailors were so fortunate as to find, had sustained some damage, andit was this--there were cracks in many places between the boards of thebuilding, which freely admitted the air. This inconveniency was, however, easily remedied, as they had an axe, and the beams were stillsound (for wood in those cold climates continues through a length ofyears unimpaired by worms or decay), so it was easy for them to make theboards join again very tolerably; besides, moss growing in greatabundance all over the island, there was more than sufficient to stop upthe crevices, which wooden houses must always be liable to. Repairs ofthis kind cost the unhappy men less trouble, as they were Russians; forall Russian peasants are known to be good carpenters--they build theirown houses, and are very expert in handling the axe. The intense cold, which makes these climates habitable to so few species of animals, renders them equally unfit for the production of vegetables. No speciesof tree or even shrub is found in any of the islands of Spitzbergen--acircumstance of the most alarming nature to our sailors. 

"Without fire it was impossible to resist the rigour of the climate, and, without wood, how was the fire to be produced or supported?However, in wandering along the beach, they collected plenty of wood, which had been driven ashore by the waves, and which at first consistedof the wrecks of ships, and afterwards of whole trees with theirroots--the produce of some hospitable (but to them unknown) climate, which the overflowings of rivers or other accidents had sent into theocean. Nothing proved of more essential service to these unfortunatemen, during the first year of their exile, than some boards they foundupon the beach, having a long iron hook, some nails of about five or sixinches long, and proportionably thick, and other bits of old iron fixedin them--the melancholy relics of some vessels cast away in those remoteparts. These were thrown ashore by the waves, at the time when the wantof powder gave our men reason to apprehend that they must fall a prey tohunger, as they had nearly consumed those reindeer they had killed. This lucky circumstance was attended with another equally fortunate;they found on the shore the root of a fir-tree, which nearly approachedto the figure of a bow. As necessity has ever been the mother ofinvention, so they soon fashioned this root to a good bow by the help ofa knife; but still they wanted a string and arrows. Not knowing how toprocure them at present, they resolved upon making a couple of lances, to defend themselves against the white bears, by far the most ferociousof their kind, whose attacks they had great reason to dread. Findingthey could neither make the heads of their lances nor of their arrowswithout the help of a hammer, they contrived to form the above-mentionedlarge iron hook into one, by beating it, and widening a hole it happenedto have about its middle with the help of one of their largestnails--this received the handle; a round button at one end of the hookserved for the face of the hammer. A large pebble supplied the place ofan anvil, and a couple of reindeer's horns made the tongs. By the meansof such tools they made two heads of spears, and, after polishing andsharpening them on stones, they tied them as fast as possible, withthongs made of reindeer's skins, to sticks about the thickness of aman's arm, which they got from some branches of trees that had been caston shore. Thus equipped with spears, they resolved to attack a whitebear, and, after a most dangerous encounter, they killed the formidablecreature, and thereby made a new supply of provisions. The flesh of thisanimal they relished exceedingly, as they thought it much resembledbeef in taste and flavour. The tendons, they saw with much pleasure, could, with little or no trouble, be divided into filaments of whatfineness they thought fit. This, perhaps, was the most fortunatediscovery these men could have made, for, besides other advantages, which will be hereafter mentioned, they were hereby furnished withstrings for their bow. 

"The success of our unfortunate islanders in making the spears, and theuse these proved of, encouraged them to proceed, and forge some piecesof iron into heads of arrows of the same shape, though somewhat smallerin size than the spears above-mentioned. Having ground and sharpenedthese like the former, they tied them with the sinews of the white bearsto pieces of fir, to which, by the help of fine threads of the same, they fastened feathers of sea-fowl, and thus became possessed of acomplete bow and arrows. Their ingenuity in this respect was crownedwith success far beyond their expectation; for, during the time of theircontinuance upon the island, with these arrows they killed no less thantwo hundred and fifty reindeer, besides a great number of blue and whitefoxes. The flesh of these animals served them also for food, and theirskins for clothing and other necessary preservatives against the intensecoldness of a climate so near the Pole. They killed, however, not morethan ten white bears in all, and that not without the utmost danger; forthese animals, being prodigiously strong, defended themselves withastonishing vigour and fury. The first our men attacked designedly; theother nine they slew in defending themselves from their assaults, forsome of these creatures even ventured to enter the outer room of thehut, in order to devour them. It is true that all the bears did not show(if I may be allowed the expression) equal intrepidity, either owing tosome being less pressed by hunger, or to their being by nature lesscarnivorous than the others; for some of them which entered the hutimmediately betook themselves to flight on the first attempt of thesailors to drive them away. A repetition, however, of these ferociousattacks threw the poor men into great terror and anxiety, as they werein almost a perpetual danger of being devoured. "

[Illustration: "Some of these creatures even ventured to enter the outerroom of the hut, in order to devour them. "

_P. 86. _]

"Sure, " exclaimed Tommy, "such a life as that must have been miserableand dreadful indeed. " "Why so?" said Mr Barlow. _Tommy. _--Because, beingalways in danger of being devoured by wild beasts, those men must havebeen always unhappy. _Mr B. _--And yet they never were devoured. _T. _--No, sir; because they made weapons to defend themselves. _MrB. _--Perhaps, then, a person is not unhappy merely because he is exposedto danger, for he may escape from it, but because he does not know howto defend himself. _T. _--I do not exactly understand you, sir. _MrB. _--I will give you an instance. Were you not very unhappy when thesnake coiled itself round your leg, because you imagined it would biteyou? _T. _--Yes, sir. _Mr B. _--But Harry was not unhappy. _T. _--That isvery true, sir. _Mr B. _--And yet he was in more danger of being bittenthan yourself, because he took hold of it. _T. _--Indeed he did. _MrB. _--But he knew that by boldly seizing it, and flinging it away, hewas in very little danger; had you, therefore, known the same, youprobably would neither have feared so much nor have been so unhappy asyou were. _T. _--Indeed, sir, that is true; and, were such an accident tohappen again, I think I should have courage enough to do the same. _MrB. _--Should you then be as unhappy now as you were the first time?_T. _--By no means, because I have a great deal more courage. _MrB. _--Why, then, persons that have courage are not so unhappy as thosethat are cowardly when they are exposed to danger. _T. _--Certainly not, sir. _Mr B. _--And that must be equally true in every kind of danger. _T. _--Indeed, it must; for I have sometimes heard my mother shriek outwhen she was passing in a coach through a small stream of water, whilemy father only laughed at her. _Mr B. _--Why, then, if she had possessedas much courage, perhaps she would have laughed too. _T. _--Indeed, Ibelieve she might; for I have sometimes seen her laugh at herself, whenit was over, for being so cowardly. _Mr B. _--Why, then, it is possiblethat when these men found they were so well able to defend themselvesagainst the bears, they might no longer be afraid of them; and, notbeing afraid, they would not be unhappy. _T. _--Indeed, I believe so. _MrB. _--Let us now continue. 

"The three different kinds of animals above mentioned--viz. , thereindeer, the blue and white foxes, and the white bears--were the onlyfood these wretched mariners tasted during their continuance in thisdreary abode. We do not at once see every resource; it is generallynecessity which quickens our invention, opening by degrees our eyes, and pointing out expedients which otherwise might never have occurred toour thoughts. The truth of this observation our four sailors experiencedin various instances. They were for some time reduced to the necessityof eating their meat almost raw, and without either bread or salt, forthey were quite destitute of both. The intenseness of the cold, togetherwith the want of proper conveniences, prevented them from cooking theirvictuals in a proper manner. There was but one stove in the hut, andthat being set up agreeable to the Russian taste, was more like an oven, and consequently not well adapted for boiling anything. Wood also wastoo precious a commodity to be wasted in keeping up two fires; and theone they might have made out of their habitation to dress their victualswould in no way have served to warm them. Another reason against theircooking in the open air was the continual danger of an attack from thewhite bears. And here I must observe that, suppose they had made theattempt it would still have been practicable for only some part of theyear; for the cold, which in such a climate for some months scarcelyever abates, from the long absence of the sun, then enlightening theopposite hemisphere, --the inconceivable quantity of snow, which iscontinually falling through the greatest part of the winter, togetherwith the almost incessant rains at certain seasons, --all these werealmost insurmountable to that expedient. To remedy, therefore, in somedegree the hardship of eating their meat raw, they bethought themselvesof drying some of their provisions during the summer in the open air, and afterwards of hanging it up in the upper part of the hut, which, asI mentioned before, was continually filled with smoke down to thewindows; it was thus dried thoroughly by the help of that smoke. Thismeat so prepared, they used for bread, and it made them relish theirother flesh the better, as they could only half-dress it. Finding thisexperiment answer in every respect to their wishes, they continued topractise it during the whole time of their confinement upon the island, and always kept up, by that means, a sufficient stock of provisions. Water they had in summer from small rivulets that fell from the rocks, and in winter from the snow and ice thawed. This was of course theironly beverage; and their small kettle was the only vessel they couldmake use of for this and other purposes. I have mentioned above that oursailors brought a small bag of flour with them to the island. Of thisthey had consumed about one-half with their meat; the remainder theyemployed in a different manner equally useful. They soon saw thenecessity of keeping up a continual fire in so cold a climate, and foundthat, if it should unfortunately go out, they had no means of lightingit again; for though they had a steel and flints, yet they wanted bothmatch and tinder. In their excursions through the island they had metwith a slimy loam, or a kind of clay nearly in the middle of it. Out ofthis they found means to form a utensil which might serve for a lamp, and they proposed to keep it constantly burning with the fat of theanimals they should kill. This was certainly the most rational schemethey could have thought of; for to be without a light in a climatewhere, during winter, darkness reigns for several months together, wouldhave added much to their other calamities----"

_Tommy. _--Pray, sir, stop. What! are there countries in the world whereit is night continually for several months together? _MrBarlow. _--Indeed there are. _T. _--How can that be? _Mr B. _--How happensit that there is night at all? _T. _--How happens it! It must be so, mustit not? _Mr B. _--That is only saying that you do not know the reason. But do you observe no difference here between night and day? _T. _--Yes, sir, it is light in the day and dark in the night. _Mr B. _--But why isit dark in the night? _T. _--Really I do not know. _Mr B. _--What! doesthe sun shine every night? _T. _--No, sir, certainly not. _Mr B. _--Thenit only shines on some nights, and not on others. _T. _--It never shinesat all in the night. _Mr B. _--And does it in the day? _T. _--Yes, sir. _Mr B. _--Every day? _T. _--Every day, I believe, only sometimes theclouds prevent you from seeing it. _Mr B. _--And what becomes of it inthe night? _T. _--It goes away, so that we cannot see it. _Mr B. _--So, then, when you can see the sun, it is never night. _T. _--No, sir. _MrB. _--But when the sun goes away the night comes on. _T. _--Yes, sir. _MrB. _--And when the sun comes again what happens? _T. _--Then it is dayagain; for I have seen the day break, and the sun always rises presentlyafter. _Mr B. _--Then if the sun were not to rise for several monthstogether, what would happen? _T. _--Sure, it would always remain night, and be dark. _Mr B. _--That is exactly the case with the countries weare reading about. 

"Having therefore fashioned a kind of lamp, they filled it withreindeer's fat, and stuck into it some twisted linen shaped into a wick;but they had the mortification to find that, as soon as the fat melted, it not only soaked into the clay but fairly ran out of it on all sides. The thing, therefore, was to devise some means of preventing thisinconvenience, not arising from cracks, but from the substance of whichthe lamp was made being too porous. They made, therefore, a new one, dried it thoroughly in the air, then heated it red-hot, and afterwardsquenched it in their kettle, wherein they had boiled a quantity of flourdown to the consistence of thin starch. The lamp being thus dried andfilled with melted fat, they now found, to their great joy, that it didnot leak; but for greater security they dipped linen rags in theirpaste, and with them covered all its outside. Succeeding in thisattempt, they immediately made another lamp for fear of an accident, that at all events they might not be destitute of light; and, when theyhad done so much, they thought proper to save the remainder of theirflour for similar purposes. As they had carefully collected whateverhappened to be cast on shore, to supply them with fuel, they had foundamongst the wrecks of vessels some cordage and a small quantity of oakum(a kind of hemp used for caulking ships), which served them to makewicks for their lamps. When these stores began to fail, their shirts andtheir drawers (which are worn by almost all the Russian peasants) wereemployed to make good the deficiency. By these means they kept theirlamp burning without intermission, from the day they first made it (awork they set about soon after their arrival on the island) until thatof their embarkation for their native country. 

"The necessity of converting the most essential part of their clothing, such as their shirts and drawers, to the use above specified, exposedthem the more to the rigour of the climate. They also found themselvesin want of shoes, boots, and other articles of dress; and as winter wasapproaching, they were again obliged to have recourse to that ingenuitywhich necessity suggests, and which seldom fails in the trying hour ofdistress. They had skins of reindeer and foxes in plenty, that hadhitherto served them for bedding, and which they now thought ofemploying in some more essential service; but the question was how totan them. After deliberating on this subject, they took to the followingmethod: they soaked the skins for several days in fresh water till theycould pull off the hair very easily; they then rubbed the wet leatherwith their hands till it was nearly dry, when they spread some meltedreindeer fat over it, and again rubbed it well. By this process theleather became soft, pliant, and supple--proper for answering everypurpose they wanted it for. Those skins which they designed for fursthey only soaked one day, to prepare them for being wrought, and thenproceeded in the manner before-mentioned, except only that they did notremove the hair. Thus they soon provided themselves with the necessarymaterials for all the parts of dress they wanted. But here anotherdifficulty occurred; they had neither awls for making shoes or boots, nor needles for sewing their garments. This want, however, they soonsupplied by means of the pieces of iron they had occasionally collected. Out of these they made both, and by their industry even brought them toa certain degree of perfection. The making eyes to their needles gavethem indeed no little trouble, but this they also performed with theassistance of their knife; for, having ground it to a very sharp point, and heated red-hot a kind of wire forged for that purpose, they pierceda hole through one end; and by whetting and smoothing it on stones, brought the other to a point, and thus gave the whole needle a verytolerable form. Scissors to cut out the skin were what they next hadoccasion for; but having none, their place they supplied with the knife;and, though there was neither shoemaker nor tailor amongst them, yetthey had contrived to cut out the leather and furs well enough for theirpurpose. The sinews of the bears and the reindeer--which, as I mentionedbefore, they had found means to split--served them for thread; and thus, provided with the necessary implements, they proceeded to make their newclothes. "

"These, " said Mr Barlow, "are the extracts which I have made from thisvery extraordinary story; and they are sufficient to show both the manyaccidents to which men are exposed, and the wonderful expedients whichmay be found out, even in the most dismal circumstances. " "It is verytrue, indeed, " answered Tommy; "but pray what became of these poor menat last?" "After they had lived more than six years upon this dreary andinhospitable coast, " answered Mr Barlow, "a ship arrived there byaccident, which took three of them on board, and carried them in safetyto their own country. " "And what became of the fourth?" said Tommy. "He, " said Mr Barlow, "was seized with a dangerous disease, called thescurvy; and, being of an indolent temper, and therefore not using theexercise which was necessary to preserve his life, after having lingeredsome time, died, and was buried in the snow by his companions. "

CHAPTER III. 

 Harry's Chicken--Tommy tries kindness on the Pig--Account of the Elephant--Story of the Elephant and the Tailor--Story of the Elephant and the Child--Stories of the Good Natured Boy and the Ill Natured Boy--The Boys determine to Build a House--Story of the Grateful Turk--The Boys' House blown down--They rebuild it stronger--The Roof lets in the Rain--At last is made Water-tight. 

Here little Harry came in from his father's house, and brought with himthe chicken, which, it had been mentioned, he had saved from the clawsof the kite. The little animal was now perfectly recovered of the hurtit had received, and showed so great a degree of affection to itsprotector, that it would run after him like a dog, hop upon hisshoulder, nestle in his bosom, and eat crumbs out of his hand. Tommy wasextremely surprised and pleased to remark its tameness and docility, andasked by what means it had been made so gentle. Harry told him he hadtaken no particular pains about it; but that, as the poor littlecreature had been sadly hurt, he had fed it every day till it was well;and that, in consequence of that kindness, it had conceived a greatdegree of affection towards him. 

"Indeed, " said Tommy, "that is very surprising; for I thought all birdshad flown away whenever a man came near them, and that even the fowlswhich are kept at home would never let you touch them. " _Mr B. _--Andwhat do you imagine is the reason of that? _T. _--Because they are wild. _Mr B. _--And what is a fowl's being wild? _T. _--When he will not let youcome near him. _Mr B. _--Then a fowl is wild because he will not let youcome near him. This is saying nothing more than that when a fowl is wildhe will not let you approach him. But I want to know what is the reasonof his being wild. _T. _--Indeed, sir, I cannot tell, unless it isbecause they are naturally so. _Mr B. _--But if they were naturally so, this fowl could not be fond of Harry. _T. _--That is because he is sogood to it. _Mr B. _--Very likely. Then it is not natural for an animalto run away from a person that is good to him? _T. _--No, sir; I believenot. _Mr B. _--But when a person is not good to him, or endeavours tohurt him, it is natural for an animal to run away from him, is it not?_T. _--Yes. _Mr B. _--And then you say he is wild, do you not? _T. _--Yes, sir. _Mr B. _--Why, then, it is probable that animals are only wildbecause they are afraid of being hurt, and that they only run away fromthe fear of danger. I believe you would do the same from a lion or atiger. _T. _--Indeed I would, sir. _Mr B. _--And yet you do not callyourself a wild animal? Tommy laughed heartily at this, and said No. "Therefore, " said Mr Barlow, "if you want to tame animals, you must begood to them, and treat them kindly, and then they will no longer fearyou, but come to you and love you. " "Indeed, " said Harry, "that is verytrue; for I knew a little boy that took a great fancy to a snake thatlived in his father's garden; and, when he had the milk for breakfast, he used to sit under a nut tree and whistle, and the snake would come tohim and eat out of his bowl. " _T. _--And did it not bite him? _H. _--No;he sometimes used to give it a pat with his spoon, if it ate too fast;but it never hurt him. 

Tommy was much pleased with this conversation; and, being bothgood-natured and desirous of making experiments, he determined to tryhis skill in taming animals. Accordingly, he took a large slice of breadin his hand, and went out to seek some animal that he might give it to. The first thing that he happened to meet was a sucking pig that hadrambled from its mother, and was basking in the sun. Tommy would notneglect the opportunity of showing his talents; he therefore called Pig, pig, pig! come hither, little pig! But the pig, who did not exactlycomprehend his intentions, only grunted, and ran away. "You littleungrateful thing, " said Tommy, "do you treat me in this manner, when Iwant to feed you? If you do not know your friends I must teach you. " Sosaying this, he sprang at the pig, and caught him by the hind-leg, intending to have given him the bread which he had in his hand; but thepig, who was not used to be treated in that manner, began struggling andsqueaking to that degree, that the sow, who was within hearing, camerunning to the place, with all the rest of the litter at her heels. AsTommy did not know whether she would be pleased with his civilities toher young one or not, he thought it most prudent to let it go; and thepig, endeavouring to escape as speedily as possible, unfortunately ranbetween his legs and threw him down. The place where this accidenthappened was extremely wet; therefore Tommy, in falling, dirtied himselffrom head to foot; and the sow, who came up at that instant, passed overhim, as he attempted to rise, and rolled him back again into the mire. 

Tommy, who was not the coolest in his temper, was extremely provoked atthis ungrateful return for his intended kindness; and, losing allpatience, he seized the sow by the hind-leg and began pommelling herwith all his might, as she attempted to escape. The sow, as may beimagined, did not relish such treatment, but endeavoured with all herforce to escape; but Tommy still keeping his hold, and continuing hisdiscipline, she struggled with such violence as to drag him severalyards, squeaking at the same time in the most lamentable manner, inwhich she was joined by the whole litter of pigs. 

During the heat of this contest a large flock of geese happened to becrossing the road, into the midst of which the affrighted sow ranheadlong, dragging the enraged Tommy at her heels. The goslingsretreated with the greatest precipitation, joining their mournfulcackling to the general noise; but a gander of more than common sizeand courage, resenting the unprovoked attack which had been made uponhis family, flew at Tommy's hinder parts, and gave him several severestrokes with his bill. 

Tommy, whose courage had hitherto been unconquerable, being thusunexpectedly attacked by a new enemy, was obliged to yield to fortune, and not knowing the precise extent of his danger, he not only sufferedthe sow to escape, but joined his vociferations to the general scream. This alarmed Mr Barlow, who, coming up to the place, found his pupil inthe most woeful plight, daubed from head to foot, with his face andhands as black as those of any chimney-sweeper. He inquired what was thematter; and Tommy, as soon as he had recovered breath enough to speak, answered in this manner: "Sir, all this is owing to what you told meabout taming animals; I wanted to make them tame and gentle, and to loveme, and you see the consequences. " "Indeed, " said Mr Barlow, "I see youhave been ill-treated, but I hope you are not hurt; and if it is owingto anything I have said, I shall feel the more concern. " "No, " saidTommy, "I cannot say that I am much hurt. " "Why, then, " said Mr Barlow, "you had better go and wash yourself; and, when you are clean, we willtalk over the affair together. "

When Tommy had returned, Mr Barlow asked him how the accident hadhappened? and when he had heard the story, he said, "I am very sorry foryour misfortune; but I do not perceive that I was the cause of it, for Ido not remember that I ever advised you to catch pigs by the hinderleg. " _Tommy. _--No, sir; but you told me that feeding animals was theway to make them love me; and so I wanted to feed the pig. _Mr B. _--Butit was not my fault that you attempted it in a wrong manner. The animaldid not know your intentions, and therefore, when you seized him in soviolent a manner, he naturally attempted to escape, and his motherhearing his cries, very naturally came to his assistance. All thathappened was owing to your inexperience. Before you meddle with anyanimal, you should make yourself acquainted with his nature anddisposition, otherwise you may fare like the little boy that, inattempting to catch flies, was stung by a wasp; or like another that, seeing an adder sleeping upon a bank, took it for an eel, and was bittenby it, which had nearly cost him his life. _T. _--But, sir, I thoughtHarry had mentioned a little boy that used to feed a snake withoutreceiving any hurt from it. _Mr B. _--That might very well happen; thereis scarcely any creature that will do hurt, unless it is attacked orwants food; and some of these reptiles are entirely harmless, othersnot; therefore the best way is not to meddle with any till you areperfectly acquainted with its nature. Had you observed this rule, younever would have attempted to catch the pig by the hinder leg, in orderto tame it; and it is very lucky that you did not make the experimentupon a larger animal, otherwise you might have been as badly treated asthe tailor was by the elephant. _T. _--Pray, sir, what is this curiousstory? But first tell me, if you please, what an elephant is?

"An elephant, " said Mr Barlow, "is the largest land animal that we areacquainted with. It is many times thicker than an ox, and grows to theheight of eleven or twelve feet. Its strength, as may be easilyimagined, is prodigious; but it is at the same time so very gentle, thatit rarely does hurt to anything, even in woods where it resides. It doesnot eat flesh, but lives upon the fruits and branches of trees. But whatis most singular about its make is, that, instead of a nose, it has along hollow piece of flesh, which grows over its mouth to the length ofthree or four feet; this is called the trunk of the elephant; and he iscapable of bending it in every direction. When he wants to break off thebranch of a tree, he twists his trunk round it, and snaps it offdirectly; when he wants to drink, he lets it down into the water, sucksup several gallons at a time, and then, doubling the end of it back, discharges it all into his mouth. "

"But if he is so large and strong, " said Tommy, "I should suppose itmust be impossible ever to tame him. " "So perhaps it would, " replied MrBarlow, "did they not instruct those that have been already tamed toassist in catching others. " _T. _--How is that, sir? _Mr B. _--When theyhave discovered a forest where these animals resort, they make a largeenclosure with strong pales and a deep ditch, leaving only one entranceto it, which has a strong gate left purposely open. They then let one ortwo of their tame elephants loose, who join the wild ones, and graduallyentice them into the enclosure. As soon as one of these has entered, aman, who stands ready, shuts the gate, and takes him prisoner. Theanimal, finding himself thus entrapped, begins to grow furious, andattempts to escape; but immediately two tame ones, of the largest sizeand greatest strength, who have been placed there on purpose, come up tohim, one on each side, and beat him with their trunks till he becomesmore quiet. A man then comes behind, ties a very large cord to each ofhis hind-legs, and fastens the other end of it to two great trees. He isthen left without food for some hours, and in that time generallybecomes so docile as to suffer himself to be conducted to the stablethat is prepared for him, where he lives the rest of his life like ahorse, or any other sort of domestic animal. _T. _--And pray, sir, whatdid the elephant do to the tailor? "There was, " said Mr Barlow, "atSurat, a city where many of these tame elephants are kept, a tailor, whoused to sit and work in his shed, close to the place to which theseelephants were led every day to drink. This man contracted a kind ofacquaintance with one of the largest of these beasts, and used topresent him with fruits and other vegetables whenever the elephantpassed by his door. The elephant was accustomed to put his long trunk inat the window, and to receive in that manner whatever his friend choseto give. But one day the tailor happened to be in a more than ordinaryill-humour, and not considering how dangerous it might prove to provokean animal of that size and strength, when the elephant put his trunk inat the window as usual, instead of giving him anything to eat, hepricked him with his needle. The elephant instantly withdrew his trunk, and, without showing any marks of resentment, went on with the rest todrink; but, after he had quenched his thirst, he collected a largequantity of the dirtiest water he could find in his trunk--which I havealready told you is capable of holding many gallons--and, when he passedby the tailor's shop, in his return, he discharged it full in his face, with so true an aim, that he wetted him all over, and almost drownedhim; thus justly punishing the man for his ill-nature and breach offriendship. "

"Indeed, " said Harry, "considering the strength of the animal, he musthave had a great moderation and generosity not to have punished the manmore severely; and therefore, I think it is a very great shame to menever to be cruel to animals, when they are so affectionate and humane tothem. "

"You are very right, " said Mr Barlow; "and I remember another story ofan elephant, which, if true, is still more extraordinary. These animals, although in general they are as docile and obedient to the person thattakes care of them as a dog, are sometimes seized with a species ofimpatience which makes them absolutely ungovernable. It is thendangerous to come near them, and very difficult to restrain them. Ishould have mentioned, that in the Eastern parts of the world, whereelephants are found, the kings and princes keep them to ride upon as wedo horses; a kind of tent or pavilion is fixed upon the back of theanimal, in which one or more persons are placed; and the keeper that isused to manage him sits upon the neck of the elephant, and guides him bymeans of a pole with an iron hook at the end. Now, as these animals areof great value, the keeper is frequently severely punished if anyaccident happens to the animal by his carelessness. But one day, one ofthe largest elephants, being seized with a sudden fit of passion, hadbroken loose; and, as the keeper was not in the way, nobody was able toappease him, or dared to come near him. While, therefore, he was runningabout in this manner, he chanced to see the wife of his keeper (who hadoften fed him as well as her husband), with her young child in her arms, with which she was endeavouring to escape from his fury. The woman ranas fast as she was able; but, finding that it was impossible for her toescape, because these beasts, although so very large, are able to runvery fast, she resolutely turned about, and throwing her child downbefore the elephant, thus accosted him, as if he had been capable ofunderstanding her: "You ungrateful beast, is this the return you makefor all the benefits we have bestowed! Have we fed you, and taken careof you, by day and night, during so many years, only that you may atlast destroy us all? Crush, then, this poor innocent child and me, inreturn for the services that my husband has done you!" While she wasmaking these passionate exclamations, the elephant approached the placewhere the little infant lay, but, instead of trampling upon him, hestopped short, and looked at him with earnestness, as if he had beensensible of shame and confusion; and, his fury from that instantabating, he suffered himself to be led without opposition to hisstable. "

Tommy thanked Mr Barlow for these two stories, and promised for thefuture to use more discretion in his kindness to animals. 

The next day Tommy and Harry went into the garden to sow the wheat whichHarry had brought with him, upon a bed which Tommy had dug for thatpurpose. 

While they were at work, Tommy said, "Pray, Harry, did you ever hear thestory of the men that were obliged to live six years upon that terriblecold country (I forget the name of it), where there is nothing but snowand ice, and scarcely any other animals, but great bears, that are readyto eat men up?" _Harry. _--Yes, I have. _T. _--And did not the verythoughts of it frighten you dreadfully? _H. _--No; I cannot say they did. _T. _--Why, should you like to live in such a country? _H. _--No, certainly; I am very happy that I was born in such a country as this, where the weather is scarcely ever too hot or too cold; but a man mustbear patiently whatever is his lot in this world. _T. _--That is true. But should you not cry, and be very much afflicted, if you were leftupon such a country? _H. _--I should certainly be very sorry if I wasleft there alone, more especially as I am not big enough, or strongenough, to defend myself against such fierce animals; but the cryingwould do me no good; it would be better to do something, and endeavourto help myself. _T. _--Indeed I think it would; but what could you do?_H. _--Why, I should endeavour to build myself a house, if I could findmyself materials. _T. _--And what materials is a house made of? I thoughtit had been impossible to make a house without having a great manypeople of different trades, such as carpenters and bricklayers. _H. _--You know there are houses of different sizes. The houses that thepoor people live in are very different from your father's house. _T. _--Yes, they are little, nasty, dirty, disagreeable places; I shouldnot like to live in them at all. _H. _--And yet the poor are in generalas strong and healthy as the rich. But if you could have no other, youwould rather live in one of them than be exposed to the weather?_T. _--Yes, certainly. And how would you make one of them? _H. _--If Icould get any wood, and had a hatchet, I would cut down some branches oftrees, and stick them upright in the ground, near to each other. _T. _--And what then? _H. _--I would then get some other branches, butmore full of small wood; and these I would interweave between them, justas we make hurdles to confine the sheep; and then, as that might not bewarm enough to resist the wind and cold, I would cover them over, bothwithin and without, with clay. _T. _--Clay! what is that? _H. _--It is aparticular kind of earth, that sticks to your feet when you tread uponit, or to your hands when you touch it. _T. _--I declare I did not thinkit had been so easy to make a house. And do you think that people couldreally live in such houses? _H. _--Certainly they might, because manypersons live in such houses here; and I have been told that in manyparts of the world they have not any other. _T. _--Really, I should liketo try to make a house; do you think, Harry, that you and I could makeone? _H. _--Yes, if I had wood and clay enough, I think I could, and asmall hatchet to sharpen the stakes and make them enter the ground. 

Mr Barlow then came to call them in to read, and told Tommy that, as hehad been talking so much about good-nature to animals, he had looked himout a very pretty story upon the subject, and begged that he would readit well. "That I will, " said Tommy; "for I begin to like readingextremely; and I think that I am happier too since I learned it, for nowI can always divert myself. " "Indeed, " answered Mr Barlow, "most peoplefind it so. When any one can read he will not find the knowledge anyburthen to him, and it is his own fault if he is not constantly amused. This is an advantage, Tommy, which a gentleman, since you are so fond ofthe word, may more particularly enjoy, because he has so much time athis own disposal; and it is much better that he should distinguishhimself by having more knowledge and improvement than others, than byfine clothes, or any such trifles, which any one may have that canpurchase them as well as himself. "

Tommy then read, with a clear and distinct voice, the following story of

"THE GOOD-NATURED LITTLE BOY. "

"A little boy went out one morning to walk to a village about five milesfrom the place where he lived, and carried with him in a basket theprovision that was to serve him the whole day. As he was walking along, a poor little half-starved dog came up to him, wagging his tail, andseeming to entreat him to take compassion on him. The little boy atfirst took no notice of him, but at length, remarking how lean andfamished the creature seemed to be, he said, 'This animal is certainlyin very great necessity; if I give him part of my provision, I shall beobliged to go home hungry myself; however, as he seems to want it morethan I do, he shall partake with me. ' Saying this, he gave the dog partof what he had in the basket, who ate as if he had not tasted victualsfor a fortnight. 

"The little boy then went on a little farther, his dog still followinghim, and fawning upon him with the greatest gratitude and affection, when he saw a poor old horse lying upon the ground, and groaning as ifhe was very ill; he went up to him, and saw that he was almost starved, and so weak that he was unable to rise. 'I am very much afraid, ' saidthe little boy, 'if I stay to assist this horse, that it will be darkbefore I can return; and I have heard that there are several thieves inthe neighbourhood; however, I will try--it is doing a good action toattempt to relieve him; and God Almighty will take care of me. ' He thenwent and gathered some grass, which he brought to the horse's mouth, whoimmediately began to eat with as much relish as if his chief disease washunger. He then fetched some water in his hat, which the animal drankup, and seemed immediately to be so much refreshed that, after a fewtrials, he got up and began grazing. 

"The little boy then went on a little farther, and saw a man wadingabout in a pond of water, without being able to get out of it, in spiteof all his endeavours. 'What is the matter, good man, ' said the littleboy to him; 'can't you find your way out of this pond?' 'No, God blessyou, my worthy master, or miss, ' said the man, 'for such I take you tobe by your voice; I have fallen into this pond, and know not how to getout again, as I am quite blind, and I am almost afraid to move for fearof being drowned. ' 'Well, ' said the little boy, 'though I shall bewetted to the skin, if you will throw me your stick I will try to helpyou out of it. ' The blind man then threw the stick to that side on whichhe heard the voice; the little boy caught it, and went into the water, feeling very carefully before him, lest he should unguardedly go beyondhis depth; at length he reached the blind man, took him very carefullyby the hand, and led him out. The blind man then gave him a thousandblessings, and told him he could grope out his way home; and the littleboy ran on as hard as he could, to prevent being benighted. 

"But he had not proceeded far before he saw a poor sailor, who had lostboth his legs in an engagement by sea, hopping along upon crutches. 'Godbless you, my little master!' said the sailor; 'I have fought many abattle with the French, to defend poor old England; but now I amcrippled, as you see, and have neither victuals nor money, although I amalmost famished. ' The little boy could not resist the inclination torelieve him; so he gave him all his remaining victuals, and said, 'Godhelp you, poor man! this is all I have, otherwise you should have more. 'He then ran along and presently arrived at the town he was going to, didhis business, and returned towards his own home with all the expeditionhe was able. 

"But he had not gone much more than half-way before the night shut inextremely dark, without either moon or stars to light him. The poorlittle boy used his utmost endeavours to find his way, but unfortunatelymissed it in turning down a lane which brought him into a wood, where hewandered about a great while without being able to find any path to leadhim out. Tired out at last, and hungry, he felt himself so feeble thathe could go no farther, but set himself down upon the ground, cryingmost bitterly. In this situation he remained for some time, till at lastthe little dog, who had never forsaken him, came up to him wagging histail, and holding something in his mouth. The little boy took it fromhim, and saw it was a handkerchief nicely pinned together, whichsomebody had dropped, and the dog, had picked up, and on opening it hefound several slices of bread and meat, which the little boy ate withgreat satisfaction, and felt himself extremely refreshed with his meal. 'So, ' said the little boy, 'I see that if I have given you a breakfast, you have given me a supper; and a good turn is never lost, done even toa dog. '

"He then once more attempted to escape from the wood, but it was to nopurpose; he only scratched his legs with briers and slipped down in thedirt, without being able to find his way out. He was just going to giveup all further attempts in despair, when he happened to see a horsefeeding before him, and, going up to him, saw, by the light of the moon, which just then began to shine a little, that it was the very same hehad fed in the morning. 'Perhaps, ' said the little boy, 'this creature, as I have been so good to him, will let me get upon his back, and he maybring me out of the wood; as he is accustomed to feed in thisneighbourhood. ' The little boy then went up to the horse, speaking tohim and stroking him, and the horse let him mount his back withoutopposition, and then proceeded slowly through the wood, grazing as hewent, till he brought him to an opening which led to the high road. Thelittle boy was much rejoiced at this, and said, 'If I had not saved thiscreature's life in the morning, I should have been obliged to havestayed here all night; I see by this, that a good turn is never lost. '

"But the poor little boy had yet a greater danger to undergo; for, as hewas going down a solitary lane, two men rushed out upon him, laid holdof him, and were going to strip him of his clothes; but just as theywere beginning to do it, the little dog bit the leg of one of the menwith so much violence, that he left the little boy and pursued the dog, that ran howling and barking away. In this instant a voice was hard thatcried out, 'There the rascals are; let us knock them down!' whichfrightened the remaining man so much that he ran away, and his companionfollowed him. The little boy then looked up, and saw it was the sailorwhom he had relieved in the morning, carried upon the shoulders of theblind man whom he had helped out of the pond. 'There, my little dear, 'said the sailor, 'God be thanked! we have come in time to do you aservice, in return for what you did us in the morning. As I lay under ahedge I heard these villains talk of robbing a little boy, who, from thedescription, I concluded must be you; but I was so lame that I shouldnot have been able to come time enough to help you, if I had not meetthis honest blind man, who took me upon his back while I showed him theway. '

"The little boy thanked him very sincerely for thus defending him; andthey went all together to his father's house, which was not far off, where they were all kindly entertained with a supper and a bed. Thelittle boy took care of his faithful dog as long as he lived, and neverforgot the importance and necessity of doing good to others, if we wishthem to do the same to us. "

"Upon my word, " said Tommy, when he had finished, "I am vastly pleasedwith this story, and I think that it may very likely be true, for I havemyself observed that everything seems to love little Harry here, merelybecause he is good-natured to it. I was much surprised to see the greatdog the other day, which I have never dared to touch for fear of beingbitten, fawning upon him and licking him all over; it put me in mind ofthe story of Androcles and the lion. " "That dog, " said Mr Barlow, "willbe equally fond of you, if you are kind to him; for nothing equals thesagacity and gratitude of a dog. But since you have read a story about agood-natured boy, Harry shall read you another concerning a boy of acontrary disposition. "

Harry read the following story of

"THE ILL-NATURED BOY. "

"There was once a little boy who was so unfortunate as to have a verybad man for his father, who was always surly and ill-tempered, andnever gave his children either good instructions or good example; inconsequence of which this little boy, who might otherwise have beenhappier and better, became ill-natured, quarrelsome, and disagreeable toeverybody. He very often was severely beaten for his impertinence byboys that were bigger than himself, and sometimes by boys that wereless; for, though he was very abusive and quarrelsome, he did not muchlike fighting, and generally trusted more to his heels than his courage, when he had engaged himself in a quarrel. This little boy had a cur-dogthat was the exact image of himself; he was the most troublesome, surlycreature imaginable, --always barking at the heels of every horse he camenear, and worrying every sheep he could meet with--for which reason boththe dog and the boy were disliked by all the neighbourhood. 

"One morning his father got up early to go to the alehouse, where heintended to stay till night, as it was a holiday; but before he went outhe gave his son some bread and cold meat and sixpence, and told him hemight go and divert himself as he would the whole day. The little boywas much pleased with this liberty; and, as it was a very fine morning, he called his dog Tiger to follow him, and began his walk. 

"He had not proceeded far before he met a little boy that was driving aflock of sheep towards a gate that he wanted them to enter. 'Pray, master, ' said the little boy, 'stand still and keep your dog close toyou, for fear you frighten my sheep. ' 'Oh yes, to be sure!' answered theill-natured boy, 'I am to wait here all the morning till you and yoursheep have passed, I suppose! Here, Tiger, seize them, boy!' Tiger atthis sprang forth into the middle of the flock, barking and biting onevery side, and the sheep, in a general consternation, hurried each aseparate way. Tiger seemed to enjoy this sport equally with his master;but in the midst of his triumph he happened unguardedly to attack an oldram that had more courage than the rest of the flock; he, instead ofrunning away, faced about, and aimed a blow with his forehead at hisenemy, with so much force and dexterity, that he knocked Tiger over andover, and, butting him several times while he was down, obliged him tolimp howling away. 

"The ill-natured little boy, who was not capable of loving anything, hadbeen much diverted with the trepidation of the sheep; but now he laughedheartily at the misfortune of his dog; and he would have laughed muchlonger, had not the other little boy, provoked beyond his patience atthis treatment thrown a stone at him, which hit him full upon thetemples, and almost knocked him down. He immediately began to cry, inconcert with his dog, and perceiving a man coming towards them, who hefancied might be the owner of the sheep, he thought it most prudent toescape as speedily as possible. 

"But he had scarcely recovered from the smart which the blow hadoccasioned, before his former mischievous disposition returned, which hedetermined to gratify to the utmost. He had not gone far before he saw alittle girl standing by a stile with a large pot of milk at her feet. 'Pray, ' said the little girl, 'help me up with this pot of milk; mymother sent me out to fetch it this morning, and I have brought itabove a mile upon my head; but I am so tired that I have been obliged tostop at this stile to rest me; and if I don't return home presently weshall have no pudding to-day, and besides my mother will be very angrywith me. ' 'What, ' said the boy, 'you are to have a pudding to-day, areyou, miss?' 'Yes, ' said the girl, 'and a fine piece of roast-beef; forthere's uncle Will, and uncle John, and grandfather, and all my cousins, to dine with us, and we shall be very merry in the evening, I can assureyou; so pray help me up as speedily as possible. ' 'That I will, miss, 'said the boy; and, taking up the jug, he pretended to fix it upon herhead; but as she had hold of it, he gave it a little push, as if he hadstumbled, and overturned it upon her. The little girl began to cryviolently, but the mischievous boy ran away laughing heartily, andsaying, 'Good-by, little miss; give my humble service to uncle Will, andgrandfather, and the dear little cousins. '

"This prank encouraged him very much; for he thought he had nowcertainly escaped without any bad consequences; so he went on applaudinghis own ingenuity, and came to a green where several little boys were atplay. He desired leave to play with them, which they allowed him to do. But he could not be contented long without exerting his evildisposition; so taking an opportunity when it was his turn to fling theball, instead of flinging it the way he ought to have done, he threw itinto a deep muddy ditch. The little boys ran in a great hurry to seewhat was become of it; and as they were standing together upon thebrink, he gave the outermost boy a violent push against his neighbour;he, not being able to resist the violence, tumbled against another, bywhich means they were all soused into the ditch together. They soonscrambled out, although in a dirty plight, and were going to havepunished him for his ill behaviour; but he patted Tiger upon the back, who began snarling and growling in such a manner as made them desist. Thus this mischievous little boy escaped a second time with impunity. 

"The next thing that he met with was a poor jackass, feeding veryquietly in a ditch. The little boy, seeing that nobody was within sight, thought this was an opportunity of plaguing an animal that was not to belost; so he went and cut a large bunch of thorns, which he contrived tofix upon the poor beast's tail, and then, setting Tiger at him, he wasextremely diverted to see the fright and agony the creature was in. Butit did not fare so well with Tiger, who, while he was baying and bitingthe animal's heels, received so severe a kick upon his forehead, as laidhim dead upon the spot. The boy, who had no affection for his dog, lefthim with the greatest unconcern when he saw what had happened, and, finding himself hungry, sat down by the wayside to eat his dinner. 

"He had not been long there before a poor blind man came groping his wayout with a couple of sticks. 'Good morning to you, gaffer, ' said theboy; 'pray, did you see a little girl come this road, with a basket ofeggs upon her head, dressed in a green gown, with a straw hat upon herhead?' 'God bless you, master, ' said the beggar, 'I am so blind that Ican see nothing; I have been blind these twenty years, and they call mepoor old blind Richard. '

"Though this poor man was such an object of charity and compassion, yetthe little boy determined, as usual, to play him some trick; and, as hewas a great liar and deceiver, he spoke to him thus: 'Poor old Richard, I am heartily sorry for you with all my heart; I am just eating mybreakfast, and if you will sit down by me I will give you part and feedyou myself. ' 'Thank you with all my heart, ' said the poor man; 'and ifyou will give me your hand, I will sit by you with great pleasure, mydear, good little master!' The little boy then gave him his hand, and, pretending to direct him, guided him to sit down in a large heap of wetdung that lay by the road-side. 'There, ' said he, 'now you are nicelyseated, and I will feed you. ' So, taking a little in his fingers, he wasgoing to put it into the blind man's mouth; but the man, who nowperceived the trick that had been played him, made a sudden snap at hisfingers, and, getting them between his teeth, bit them so severely thatthe wicked boy roared out for mercy, and promised never more to beguilty of such wickedness. At last the blind man, after he had put himto very severe pain, consented to let him go, saying as he went, 'Areyou not ashamed, you little scoundrel, to attempt to do hurt to thosewho have never injured you, and to want to add to the sufferings ofthose who are already sufficiently miserable? Although you escape now, be assured that, if you do not repent and mend your manners, you willmeet with a severe punishment for your bad behaviour. '

"One would think that this punishment should have cured him entirely ofhis mischievous disposition; but, unfortunately, nothing is so difficultto overcome as bad habits that have been long indulged. He had not gonefar before he saw a lame beggar, that just made a shift to supporthimself by means of a couple of sticks. The beggar asked him to give himsomething, and the little mischievous boy, pulling out his sixpence, threw it down just before him, as if he intended to make him a presentof it; but, while the poor man was stooping with difficulty to pick itup, this wicked little boy knocked the stick away, by which means thebeggar fell down upon his face; and then, snatching up the sixpence, theboy ran away, laughing very heartily at the accident. 

"This was the last trick this ungracious boy had it in his power toplay; for, seeing two men come up to the beggar, and enter intodiscourse with him, he was afraid of being pursued, and therefore ran asfast as he was able over several fields. At last he came into a lanewhich led into a farmer's orchard, and as he was preparing to clamberover the fence, a large dog seized him by the leg and held him fast. Hecried out in agony of terror, which brought the farmer out, who calledthe dog off, but seized him very roughly, saying, 'So, sir, you arecaught at last, are you? You thought you might come day after day andsteal my apples without detection; but it seems you are mistaken, andnow you shall receive the punishment you have so long deserved. ' Thefarmer then began to chastise him very severely with a whip he had inhis hand, and the boy in vain protested he was innocent, and begged formercy. At last the farmer asked him who he was, and where he lived; butwhen he heard his name he cried out, 'What! are you the little rascalthat frightened my sheep this morning, by which means several of themare lost; and do you think to escape?' Saying this, he lashed him moreseverely than before, in spite of all his cries and protestations. Atlength, thinking he had punished him enough, he turned him out of theorchard, bade him go home, and frighten sheep again if he liked theconsequences. 

"The little boy slunk away, crying very bitterly (for he had been veryseverely beaten), and now began to find that no one can long hurt otherswith impunity; so he determined to go quietly home, and behave betterfor the future. 

"But his sufferings were not yet at an end; for as he jumped down from astile, he felt himself very roughly seized, and, looking up, found thathe was in the power of the lame beggar whom he had thrown upon his face. It was in vain that he now cried, entreated, and begged pardon; the man, who had been much hurt by his fall, thrashed him very severely with hisstick, before he would part with him. He now again went on, crying androaring with pain, but at least expected to escape without furtherdamage. But here he was mistaken; for as he was walking slowly through alane, just as he turned a corner, he found himself in the middle of thevery troop of boys that he had used so ill in the morning. They all setup a shout as soon as they saw their enemy in their power without hisdog, and began persecuting him a thousand various ways. Some pulled himby the hair, others pinched him; some whipped his legs with theirhandkerchiefs, while others covered him with handfuls of dirt. In vaindid he attempt to escape; they were still at his heels, and, surroundinghim on every side, continued their persecutions. At length, while he wasin this disagreeable situation, he happened to come up to the samejackass he had seen in the morning, and, making a sudden spring, jumpedupon his back, hoping by these means to escape. The boys immediatelyrenewed their shouts, and the ass, who was frightened at the noise, began galloping with all his might, and presently bore him from thereach of his enemies. But he had but little reason to rejoice at thisescape, for he found it impossible to stop the animal, and was everyinstant afraid of being thrown of and dashed upon the ground. After hehad been thus hurried along a considerable time, the ass on a suddenstopped short at the door of a cottage, and began kicking and prancingwith so much fury that the little boy was presently thrown to theground, and broke his leg in the fall. His cries immediately brought thefamily out, among whom was the very little girl he had used so ill inthe morning. But she with the greatest good-nature, seeing him in such apitiable situation, assisted in bringing him in, and laying him upon thebed. There this unfortunate boy had leisure to recollect himself, andreflect upon his own bad behaviour, which in one day's time had exposedhim to such a variety of misfortunes; and he determined with greatsincerity, that, if ever he recovered from his present accident, hewould be as careful to take every opportunity of doing good, as he hadbefore been to commit every species of mischief. "

When the story was ended, Tommy said it was very surprising to see howdifferently the two little boys fared. The one little boy wasgood-natured, and therefore everything he met became his friend andassisted him in return; the other, who was ill-natured, made everythinghis enemy, and therefore he met with nothing but misfortunes andvexations, and nobody seemed to feel any compassion for him, exceptingthe poor little girl that assisted him at last, which was very kindindeed of her, considering how ill she had been used. 

"That is very true, indeed, " said Mr Barlow; "nobody is loved in thisworld unless he loves others and does good to them; and nobody can tellbut one time or other he may want the assistance of the meanest andlowest; therefore, every sensible man will behave well to everythingaround him; he will behave well, because it is his duty to do it, because every benevolent person feels the greatest pleasure in doinggood, and even because it is his own interest to make as many friends aspossible. No one can tell, however secure his present situation mayappear, how soon it may alter, and he may have occasion for thecompassion of those who are now infinitely below him. I could show you astory to that purpose, but you have read enough, and therefore you mustnow go out and use some exercise. "

"Oh pray, sir, " said Tommy, "do let me hear the story; I think I couldnow read for ever without being tired. " "No, " said Mr Barlow;"everything has its turn; to-morrow you shall read, but now we must workin the garden. " "Then pray, sir, " said Tommy, "may I ask a favour ofyou?" "Surely, " answered Mr Barlow; "if it is proper for you to have, there is nothing can give me a greater pleasure than to grant it. " "Why, then, " said Tommy, "I have been thinking that a man should know how todo everything in the world. " _Mr B. _--Very right; the more knowledge heacquires the better. _T. _--And therefore Harry and I are going to builda house. _Mr B. _--To build a house! Well, and have you laid in asufficient quantity of brick and mortar? "No, no, " said Tommy, smiling;"Harry and I can build houses without brick and mortar. " _Mr B. _--Whatare they to be made of, then--cards? "Dear sir, " answered Tommy, "do youthink we are such little children as to want card-houses? No; we aregoing to build real houses, fit for people to live in. And then, youknow, if ever we should be thrown upon a desert coast, as the poor menwere, we shall be able to supply ourselves with necessaries till someship comes to take us away. " _Mr B. _--And if no ship should come, whatthen? _T. _--Why, then, we must stay there all our lives, I am afraid. _Mr B. _--If you wish to prepare yourselves against the event, you aremuch in the right, for nobody knows what may happen to him in thisworld. What is it then you want, to make your house? _T. _--The firstthing we want, sir, is wood and a hatchet. _Mr B. _--Wood you shall havein plenty; but did you ever use a hatchet? _T. _--No, sir. _Mr B. _--ThenI am afraid to let you have one, because it is a very dangerous kind oftool; and if you are not expert in the use of it you may wound yourselfseverely. But if you will let me know what you want, I, who am morestrong and expert, will take the hatchet and cut down the wood for you. "Thank you, sir, " said Tommy; "you are very good to me, indeed. " Andaway Harry and he ran to the copse at the bottom of the garden. 

Mr Barlow then went to work, and presently, by Harry's direction, cutdown several poles about as thick as a man's wrist, and about eight feetlong; these he sharpened at the end, in order to run into the ground;and so eager were the two little boys at the business, that, in a veryshort time, they had transported them all to the bottom of the garden;and Tommy entirely forgot he was a gentleman, and worked with thegreatest eagerness. 

"Now, " said Mr Barlow, "where will you fix your house?" "Here, I think, "answered Tommy, "just at the bottom of this hill, because it will bewarm and sheltered. "

So Harry took the stakes and began to thrust them into the ground atabout the distance of a foot, and in this manner he enclosed a piece ofground, which was about ten feet long and eight feet wide--leaving anopening in the middle, of three feet wide, for a door. After this wasdone they gathered up the brushwood that was cut off, and by Harry'sdirection they interwove it between the poles in such a manner as toform a compact kind of fence. This labour, as may be imagined, took themup several days; however, they worked at it very hard every day, andevery day the work advanced, which filled Tommy's heart with so muchpleasure that he thought himself the happiest little boy in theuniverse. 

But this employment did not make Tommy unmindful of the story which MrBarlow had promised him; it was to this purport:--

"THE STORY OF THE GRATEFUL TURK. "

"It is too much to be lamented that different nations frequently makebloody wars with each other; and when they take any of their enemiesprisoners, instead of using them well, and restoring them to liberty, they confine them in prisons, or sell them as slaves. The enmity thatthere is often between many of the Italian states (particularly theVenetians) and the Turks is sufficiently known. 

"It once happened that a Venetian ship had taken many of the Turksprisoners, and according to the barbarous customs I have mentioned, these unhappy men had been sold to different persons in the city. Byaccident, one of the slaves lived opposite to the house of a richVenetian, who had an only son of about the age of twelve years. Ithappened that this little boy used frequently to stop as he passed nearHamet (for that was the name of the slave), and gaze at him veryattentively. Hamet, who remarked in the face of the child the appearanceof good-nature and compassion, used always to salute him with thegreatest courtesy, and testified the greatest pleasure in his company. At length the little boy took such a fancy to the slave that he used tovisit him several times in the day, and brought him such little presentsas he had it in his power to make, and which he thought would be of useto his friend. 

"But though Hamet seemed always to take the greatest delight in theinnocent caresses of his little friend, yet the child could not helpremarking that Hamet was frequently extremely sorrowful, and he oftensurprised him on a sudden when tears were trickling down his face, although he did his utmost to conceal them. The little boy was at lengthso much affected with the repetition of this sight that he spoke of itto his father, and begged him, if he had it in his power, to make poorHamet happy. The father, who was extremely fond of his son, and besideshad observed that he seldom requested anything which was not generousand humane, determined to see the Turk himself and talk to him. 

"Accordingly he went to him the next day, and, observing him for sometime in silence, was struck with the extraordinary appearance ofmildness and honesty which his countenance discovered. At length he saidto him, 'Are you that Hamet of whom my son is so fond, and of whosegentleness and courtesy I have so often heard him talk?' 'Yes, ' said theTurk, 'I am that unfortunate Hamet, who have now been for three years acaptive; during that space of time your son (if you are his father) isthe only human being that seems to have felt any compassion for mysufferings; therefore, I must confess, he is the only object to which Iam attached in this barbarous country; and night and morning I praythat Power, who is equally the God of Turks and Christians, to grant himevery blessing he deserves, and to preserve him from all the miseries Isuffer. '

"'Indeed, Hamet, ' said the merchant, 'he is much obliged to you, although, from his present circumstances, he does not appear muchexposed to danger. But tell me, for I wish to do you good, in what can Iassist you? for my son informs me that you are the prey of continualregret and sorrow. '

"'Is it wonderful, ' answered the Turk, with a glow of generousindignation that suddenly animated his countenance, 'is it wonderfulthat I should pine in silence, and mourn my fate, who am bereft of thefirst and noblest present of nature--my liberty?' 'And yet, ' answeredthe Venetian, 'how many thousands of our nation do you retain infetters?'

"'I am not answerable, ' said the Turk, 'for the cruelty of mycountrymen, more than you are for the barbarity of yours. But as tomyself, I have never practised the inhuman custom of enslaving my fellowcreatures; I have never spoiled the Venetian merchants of their propertyto increase my riches; I have always respected the rights of nature, andtherefore it is the more severe. '----Here a tear started from his eye, and wetted his manly cheek; instantly however, he recollected himself, and folding his arm upon his bosom, and gently bowing his head, headded, 'God is good, and man must submit to his decrees. '

"The Venetian was affected with this appearance of manly fortitude, andsaid, 'Hamet, I pity your sufferings, and may perhaps be able to relievethem. What would you do to regain your liberty?' 'What would I do!'answered Hamet; 'by the eternal Majesty of Heaven, I would confrontevery pain and danger that can appal the heart of man!' 'Nay, ' answeredthe merchant, 'you will not be exposed to a trial. The means of yourdeliverance are certain, provided your courage does not belie yourappearance. ' 'Name them! name them!' cried the impatient Hamet; 'placedeath before me in every horrid shape, and if I shrink----'

"'Patience, ' answered the merchant, 'we shall be observed; but hear meattentively. I have in this city an inveterate foe, who has heaped uponme every injury which can most bitterly sting the heart of man. This manis brave as he is haughty; and I must confess that the dread of hisstrength and valour has hitherto deterred me from resenting his insultsas they deserve. Now, Hamet, your look, your form, your words, convinceme that you were born for manly daring. Take this dagger; as soon as theshades of night involve the city I will myself conduct you to the placewhere you may at once revenge your friend and regain your freedom. '

"At this proposal, scorn and shame flashed from the kindling eye ofHamet, and passion for a considerable time deprived him of the power ofutterance; at length he lifted his arm as high as his chains wouldpermit, and cried, with an indignant tone, 'Mighty prophet! and arethese the wretches to whom you permit your faithful votaries to beenslaved! Go, base Christian, and know that Hamet would not stoop tothe vile trade of an assassin for all the wealth of Venice! no! not topurchase the freedom of all his race!'

"At these words the merchant, without seeming much abashed, told him hewas sorry he had offended him; but that he thought freedom had beendearer to him than he found it was. 'However, ' added he, as he turnedhis back, 'you will reflect upon my proposal, and perhaps by to-morrowyou may change your mind. ' Hamet disdained to answer; and the merchantwent his way. 

"The next day, however, he returned in company with his son, and mildlyaccosted Hamet thus: 'The abruptness of the proposal I yesterday madeyou might perhaps astonish you, but I am now come to discourse thematter more calmly with you, and I doubt not, when you have heard myreasons----'

"'Christian!' interrupted Hamet, with a severe but composed countenance, 'cease at length to insult the miserable with proposals more shockingthan even these chains. If thy religion permit such acts as those, knowthat they are execrable and abominable to the soul of every Mohammedan;therefore, from this moment, let us break off all further intercourseand be strangers to each other. '

"'No, ' answered the merchant, flinging himself into the arms of Hamet, 'let us from this moment be more closely linked than ever! Generous man, whose virtues may at once disarm and enlighten thy enemies! Fondness formy son first made me interested in thy fate; but from the moment that Isaw thee yesterday I determined to set thee free; therefore, pardon methis unnecessary trial of thy virtue, which has only raised thee higherin my esteem. Francisco has a soul which is as averse to deeds oftreachery and blood as even Hamet himself. From this moment, generousman, thou art free; thy ransom is already paid, with no other obligationthan that of remembering the affection of this thy young and faithfulfriend; and perhaps hereafter, when thou seest an unhappy Christiangroaning in Turkish fetters, thy generosity may make thee think ofVenice. '

"It is impossible to describe the ecstasies or the gratitude of Hamet atthis unexpected deliverance; I will not, therefore, attempt to repeatwhat he said to his benefactors; I will only add that he was that dayset free, and Francisco embarked him on board a ship which was going toone of the Grecian islands, took leave of him with the greatesttenderness, and forced him to accept a purse of gold to pay hisexpenses. Nor was it without the greatest regret that Hamet parted fromhis young friend, whose disinterested kindness had thus procured hisfreedom; he embraced him with an agony of tenderness, wept over him atparting, and prayed for every blessing upon his head. 

"About six months after this transaction a sudden fire burst forth inthe house of this generous merchant. It was early in the morning, whensleep is the most profound, and none of the family perceived it tillalmost the whole building was involved in flames. The frightenedservants had just time to waken the merchant and hurry him down stairs, and the instant he was down, the staircase itself gave way and sunk witha horrid crash into the midst of the fire. 

"But if Francisco congratulated himself for an instant upon his escape, it was only to resign himself immediately after to the most deepdespair, when he found, upon inquiry, that his son, who slept in anupper apartment, had been neglected in the general tumult, and was yetamidst the flames. No words can describe the father's agony; he wouldhave rushed headlong into the fire, but was restrained by his servants;he then raved in an agony of grief, and offered half his fortune to theintrepid man who would risk his life to save his child. As Francisco wasknown to be immensely rich, several ladders were in an instant raised, and several daring spirits, incited by the vast reward, attempted theadventure. The violence of the flames, however, which burst forth atevery window, together with the ruins that fell on every side, drovethem all back; and the unfortunate youth, who now appeared upon thebattlements, stretching out his arms and imploring aid, seemed to bedestined to certain destruction. 

"The unhappy father now lost all perception, and sunk down in a state ofinsensibility, when, in this dreadful moment of general suspense andagony, a man rushed through the opening crowd, mounted the tallest ofthe ladders with an intrepidity that showed he was resolved to succeedor perish, and instantly disappeared. A sudden gust of smoke and flameburst forth immediately after, which made the people imagine he waslost; when, on a sudden, they beheld him emerge again with the child inhis arms, and descend the ladder without any material damage. Auniversal shout of applause now resounded to the skies; but what wordscan give an adequate idea of the father's feelings, when, on recoveringhis senses, he found his darling miraculously preserved, and safe withinhis arms?

"After the first effusions of his tenderness were over, he asked for hisdeliverer, and was shown a man of a noble stature, but dressed in meanattire, and his features were so begrimed with smoke and filth that itwas impossible to distinguish them. Francisco, however, accosted himwith courtesy, and, presenting him with a purse of gold, begged he wouldaccept of that for the present, and that the next day he should receiveto the utmost of his promised reward. 'No, generous merchant, ' answeredthe stranger, 'I do not sell my blood. '

"'Gracious heavens!' cried the merchant, 'sure I should know thatvoice?--It is----' 'Yes, ' exclaimed the son, throwing himself into thearms of his deliverer, 'it is my Hamet!'

"It was indeed Hamet, who stood before them in the same mean attirewhich he had worn six months before, when the first generosity of themerchant had redeemed him from slavery. Nothing could equal theastonishment and gratitude of Francisco; but as they were thensurrounded by a large concourse of people, he desired Hamet to go withhim to the house of one of his friends, and when they were alone heembraced him tenderly, and asked by what extraordinary chance he hadthus been enslaved a second time, adding a kind of reproach for his notinforming him of his captivity. 

"'I bless God for that captivity, ' answered Hamet, 'since it has givenme an opportunity of showing that I was not altogether undeserving ofyour kindness, and of preserving the life of that dear youth, that Ivalue a thousand times beyond my own. But it is now fit that my generouspatron should be informed of the whole truth. Know, then, that when theunfortunate Hamet was taken by your galleys, his aged father shared hiscaptivity--it was his fate which so often made me shed those tears whichfirst attracted the notice of your son; and when your unexampled bountyhad set me free, I flew to find the Christian who had purchased him. Irepresented to him that I was young and vigorous, while he was aged andinfirm; I added, too, the gold which I had received from your bounty; ina word, I prevailed upon the Christian to send back my father in thatship which was intended for me, without acquainting him with the meansof his freedom; since that time I have staid here to discharge the debtof nature and gratitude, a willing slave----'"

At this part of the story, Harry, who had with difficulty restrainedhimself before, burst into such a fit of crying, and Tommy himself wasso much affected, that Mr Barlow told them they had better leave off forthe present and go to some other employment. They therefore went intothe garden to resume the labour of their house, but found, to theirunspeakable regret, that during their absence an accident had happenedwhich had entirely destroyed all their labours; a violent storm of windand rain had risen that morning, which, blowing full against the wallsof the newly-constructed house, had levelled it with the ground. Tommycould scarcely refrain from crying when he saw the ruins lying around;but Harry, who bore the loss with more composure, told him not to mindit, for it could easily be repaired, and they would build it strongerthe next time. 

Harry then went up to the spot, and after examining it some time, toldTommy that he believed he had found out the reason of their misfortune. "What is it?" said Tommy. "Why, " said Harry, "it is only because we didnot drive these stakes, which are to bear the whole weight of our house, far enough into the ground; and, therefore, when the wind blew againstthe flat side of it with so much violence, it could not resist. And nowI remember to have seen the workman, when they begin a building, dig aconsiderable way into the ground to lay the foundation fast; and Ishould think that, if we drove these stakes a great way into the ground, it would produce the same effect, and we should have nothing to fearfrom any future storms. "

Mr Barlow then came into the garden, and the two boys showed him theirmisfortune, and asked him whether he did not think that driving thestakes further in would prevent such an accident for the future. MrBarlow told them he thought it would; and that, as they were too shortto reach to the top of the stakes, he would assist them. He then wentand brought a wooden mallet, with which he struck the tops of thestakes, and drove them so fast into the ground that there was no longerany danger of their being shaken by the weather. Harry and Tommy thenapplied themselves with so much assiduity to their work that they in avery short time had repaired all the damage, and advanced it as far asit had been before. 

The next thing that was necessary to be done, was putting on a roof, forhitherto they had constructed nothing but the walls. For this purposethey took several long poles, which they had laid across their buildingwhere it was most narrow, and upon these they placed straw inconsiderable quantities, so that they now imagined they had constructeda house that would completely screen them from the weather. But in this, unfortunately, they were again mistaken; for a very violent shower ofrain coming just as they had finished their building, they took shelterunder it, and remarked for some time, with infinite pleasure, how dryand comfortable it kept them; but at last the straw that covered itbeing completely soaked through, and the water having no vent to runoff, by reason of the flatness of the roof, the rain began to penetratein considerable quantities. 

For some time Harry and Tommy bore the inconvenience, but it increasedso much that they were soon obliged to leave it and seek for shelter inthe house. When they were thus secured, they began again to consider theaffair of the house, and Tommy said that it surely must be because theyhad not put straw enough upon it. "No, " said Harry, "I think that cannotbe the reason; I rather imagine that it must be owing to our roof lyingso flat; for I have observed that all houses that I have ever seen havetheir roofs in a shelving posture, by which means the wet continuallyruns off from them and falls to the ground; whereas ours, being quiteflat, detained almost all the rain that fell upon it, which mustnecessarily soak deeper and deeper into the straw, till it penetratedquite through. "

They therefore agreed to remedy this defect; and for this purpose theytook several poles of an equal length, the one end of which theyfastened to the side of the house, and let the other two ends meet inthe middle, by which means they formed a roof exactly like that which wecommonly see upon buildings; they also took several poles, which theytied across the others, to keep them firm in their places, and give theroof additional strength; and lastly, they covered the whole with strawor thatch; and for fear the thatch should be blown away, they stuckseveral pegs in different places, and put small pieces of stickcrosswise from peg to peg, to keep the straw in its place. When this wasdone they found they had a very tolerable house; only the sides, beingformed of brushwood alone, did not sufficiently exclude the wind. Toremedy this inconvenience, Harry, who was chief architect, procured someclay, and mixing it up with water, to render it sufficiently soft, hedaubed it all over the walls, both within and without, by which meansthe wind was excluded and the house rendered much warmer than before. 

CHAPTER IV. 

 The Boys' Garden--The Crocodile--The Farmer's Wife--How to make Cider--The Bailiffs take possession of the Farmer's Furniture--Tommy pays the Farmer's Debt--Conclusion of the Story of the Grateful Turk--The three Bears--Tommy and the Monkey--Habits of the Monkey--Tommy's Robin Redbreast--Is killed by a Cat--The Cat punished--The Laplanders--Story of a Cure of the Gout. 

Some time had now elapsed since the seeds of the wheat were sown, andthey began to shoot so vigorously that the blade of the corn appearedgreen above the ground, and increased every day in strength. Tommy wentto look at it every morning, and remarked its gradual increase with thegreatest satisfaction. "Now, " said he to Harry, "I think we should soonbe able to live if we were upon a desert island. Here is a house toshelter us from the weather, and we shall soon have some corn for food. ""Yes, " answered Harry; "but there are a great many things still wantingto enable us to make bread. "

Mr Barlow had a very large garden, and an orchard full of the finestfruit-trees; and he had another piece of ground where he used to sowseeds in order to raise trees, and then they were carefully planted outin beds till they were big enough to be moved into the orchard andproduce fruit. Tommy had often eaten of the fruit of the orchard, andthought it delicious, and this led him to think that it would be a greatimprovement to their house if he had a few trees that he might set nearit, and which would shelter it from the sun and hereafter produce fruit;so he asked Mr Barlow to give him a couple of trees, and Mr Barlow toldhim to go into the nursery and take his choice. Accordingly Tommy went, and chose out two of the strongest-looking trees he could find, which, with Harry's assistance, he transplanted into the garden in thefollowing manner:--They both took their spades and very carefully dugthe trees up without injuring their roots; then they dug two large holesin the place where they chose the trees should stand, and very carefullybroke the earth to pieces, that it might lie light upon the roots; thenthe tree was placed in the middle of the hole, and Tommy held itupright while Harry gently threw the earth over the roots, which he troddown with his feet in order to cover them well. Lastly, he stuck a largestake in the ground and tied the tree to it, from the fear that thewintry wind might injure it, or perhaps entirely blow it out of theground. 

Nor did they bound their attention here. There was a little spring ofwater which burst forth from the upper ground in the garden, and randown the side of the hill in a small stream. Harry and Tommy labouredvery hard for several days to form a new channel, to lead the water nearthe roots of their trees, for it happened to be hot and dry weather, andthey feared their trees might perish from the want of moisture. 

Mr Barlow saw them employed in this manner with the greatestsatisfaction. He told them that in many parts of the world the excessiveheat burned up the ground so much that nothing would grow unless thesoil was watered in that manner. "There is, " said he, "a country inparticular, called Egypt, which has always been famous for itsfertility, and for the quantity of corn that grows in it, which isnaturally watered in the following extraordinary manner:--There is agreat river called the Nile, which flows through the whole extent of thecountry; the river, at a particular time of the year, begins to overflowits banks, and, as the whole country is flat, it very soon covers it allwith its waters. These waters remain in this situation several weeks, before they have entirely drained off; and when that happens, they leavethe soil so rich that everything that is planted in it flourishes andproduces with the greatest abundance. "

"Is not that the country, sir, " said Harry, "where that cruel animal thecrocodile is found?" "Yes, " answered Mr Barlow. "What is that, sir?"said Tommy. "It is an animal, " answered Mr Barlow, "that lives sometimesupon the land, sometimes in the water. It comes originally from an egg, which the old one lays and buries in the sand. The heat of the sun thenwarms it during several days, and at last a young crocodile is hatched. This animal is at first very small; it has a long body and four shortlegs, which serve it both to walk with upon the land and to swim with inthe waters. It has, besides, a long tail, or rather the body isextremely long, and gradually grows thinner till it ends in a point. Itsshape is exactly like that of a lizard; or, if you have never seen alizard, did you never observe a small animal, of some inches long, whichlives at the bottom of ditches and ponds?" "Yes, sir, I have, " answeredTommy, "and I once caught one with my hand, taking it for a fish; butwhen I had it near me, I saw it had four little legs, so I threw it intothe water again for fear the animal should be hurt. " "This animal, "answered Mr Barlow, "may give you an exact idea of a young crocodile;but as it grows older it gradually becomes bigger, till at last, as Ihave been informed, it reaches the length of twenty or thirty feet. ""That is very large, " said Tommy; "and does it do any harm?" "Yes, " saidMr Barlow, "it is a very voracious animal, and devours everything it canseize. It frequently comes out of the water and lives upon the shore, where it resembles a large log of wood; and if any animal unguardedlycomes near, it snaps at it on a sudden, and if it can catch the poorcreature, devours it. " _T. _--And does it never devour men? _MrB. _--Sometimes, if it surprises them; but those who are accustomed tomeet with them frequently easily escape. They run round in a circle, orturn short on a sudden, by which means the animal is left far behind;because, although he can run tolerably fast in a straight line, thegreat length of his body prevents him from turning with ease. _T. _--Thismust be a dreadful animal to meet with; is it possible for a man todefend himself against it? _Mr B. _--Everything is possible to those thathave courage and coolness; therefore many of the inhabitants of thosecountries carry long spears in their hands, in order to defendthemselves from those animals. The crocodile opens his wide voraciousjaws in order to devour the man; but the man takes this opportunity andthrusts the point of his spear into the creature's mouth, by which meanshe is generally killed upon the spot. Nay, I have even heard that somewill carry their hardiness so far as to go into the water in order tofight the crocodile there. They take a large splinter of wood about afoot in length, strong in the middle, and sharpened at both ends; tothis they tie a long and tough cord. The man who intends to fight thecrocodile takes this piece of wood in his right hand, and goes into theriver, where he wades till one of these creatures perceives him. As soonas that happens the animal comes up to him to seize him, extending hiswide and horrid jaws, which are armed with several rows of pointedteeth; but the man, with the greatest intrepidity, waits for his enemy, and the instant he approaches thrusts his hand, armed with the splinterof wood, into his terrible mouth, which the creature closes directly, and by these means forces the sharp points into each of his jaws, wherethey stick fast. He is then incapable of doing hurt, and they pull himto the shore by the cord. "Pray, sir, " said Tommy, "is this dreadfulanimal capable of being tamed?" "Yes, " answered Mr Barlow; "I believe, as I have before told you, there is no animal that may not be renderedmild and inoffensive by good usage. There are several parts of Egyptwhere tame crocodiles are kept; these animals, though of the largestsize, never do hurt to anything, but suffer every one to approach them, and even little children to play about them and ride securely upon theirenormous backs. "

This account diverted Tommy very much. He thanked Mr Barlow for givinghim this description of the crocodile, and said he should like to seeevery animal in the world. "That, " answered Mr Barlow, "would beextremely difficult, as almost every country produces some kind which isnot found in other parts of the world; but if you will be contented toread the descriptions of them which have been written, you may easilygratify your curiosity. "

It happened about this time that Tommy and Harry rose early one morningand went to take a long walk before breakfast, as they used frequentlyto do; they rambled so far that at last they both found themselvestired, and sat down under a hedge to rest. While they were here a veryclean and decently-dressed woman passed by, who, seeing two little boyssitting by themselves, stopped to look at them; and, after consideringthem attentively, she said, "You seem, my little dears, to be eithertired or to have lost your way. " "No, madam, " said Harry, "we have notlost our way, but we have walked farther than usual this morning, and wewait here a little while to rest ourselves. " "Well, " said the woman, "ifyou will come into my little house--that you see a few yards fartheron--you may sit more comfortably; and as my daughter has by this timemilked the cows, she shall give you a mess of bread and milk. "

Tommy, who was by this time extremely hungry as well as tired, toldHarry that he should like to accept the good woman's invitation; so theyfollowed her to a small but clean looking farm-house which stood at alittle distance. Here they entered a clean kitchen, furnished with veryplain but convenient furniture, and were desired to sit down by a warmand comfortable fire, which was made of turf. Tommy, who had never seensuch a fire, could not help inquiring about it, and the good woman toldhim that poor people like her were unable to purchase coals;"therefore, " said she, "we go and pare the surface of the commons, whichis full of grass and heath and other vegetables, together with theirroots all matted together; these we dry in small pieces, by leaving themexposed to the summer's sun, and then we bring them home and put themunder the cover of a shed, and use them for our fires. " "But, " saidTommy, "I should think you would hardly have fire enough by these meansto dress your dinner; for I have by accident been in my father'skitchen when they were dressing the dinner, and I saw a fire that blazedup to the very top of the chimney. " The poor woman smiled at this, andsaid, "Your father, I suppose, master, is some rich man, who has a greatdeal of victuals to dress, but we poor people must be more easilycontented. " "Why, " said Tommy, "you must at least want to roast meatevery day?" "No, " said the poor woman, "we seldom see roast-beef at ourhouse; but we are very well contented if we can have a bit of fat porkevery day, boiled in a pot with turnips; and we bless God that we fareso well, for there are many poor souls, who are as good as we, that canscarcely get a morsel of dry bread. "

As they were conversing in this manner, Tommy happened to cast his eyeson one side, and saw a room that was almost filled with apples. "Pray, "said he, "what can you do with all these apples? I should think youwould never be able to eat them, though you were to eat nothing else. ""That is very true, " said the woman, "but we make cider of them. ""What!" cried Tommy, "are you able to make that sweet pleasant liquorthey call cider? and is it made of apples?" _The Woman. _--Yes, indeed itis. _Tommy. _--And pray how is it made? _The Woman. _--We take the appleswhen they are ripe and squeeze them in a machine we have for thatpurpose. Then we take this pulp, and put it into large hair-bags, whichwe press in a large press till all the juice runs out. _Tommy. _--And isthis juice cider? _The Woman. _--You shall taste, little master, as youseem so curious. 

She then led him into another room, where there was a great tub full ofthe juice of apples, and, taking some up in a cup, she desired him totaste whether it was cider. Tommy tasted, and said it was very sweet andpleasant, but not cider. "Well, " said the woman, "let us try anothercask. " She then took out some liquor of another barrel, which she gavehim, and Tommy, when he had tasted it, said that it really was cider. "But pray, " said he, "what do you do to the apple-juice to make itcider?" _The Woman. _--Nothing at all. _Tommy. _--How, then, should itbecome cider? for I am sure what you gave me at first is not cider. _TheWoman. _--Why, we put the juice into a large cask, and let it stand insome warm place, where it soon begins to ferment. _Tommy. _--Ferment!pray, what is that? _The Woman. _--You shall see. 

She then showed him another cask, and bade him observe the liquor thatwas in it. This he did, and saw it was covered all over with a thickscum and froth. _Tommy. _--And is this what you call fermentation? _TheWoman. _--Yes, master. _Tommy. _--And what is the reason of it? _TheWoman. _--That I do not know, indeed; but when we have pressed the juiceout, as I told you, we put it into a cask and let it stand in some warmplace, and in a short time it begins to work or ferment of itself, asyou see; and after this fermentation has continued some time, itacquires the taste and properties of cider, and then we draw it off intocasks and sell it, or else keep it for our own use. And I am told thisis the manner in which they make wine in other countries. _Tommy. _--What! is wine made of apples, then? _The Woman. _--No, master;wine is made of grapes, but they squeeze the juice out, and treat it inthe same manner as we do the juice of the apples. _Tommy. _--I declarethis is very curious indeed. Then cider is nothing but wine made ofapples?

While they were conversing in this manner a little clean girl came andbrought Tommy an earthen porringer full of new milk, with a large sliceof brown bread. Tommy took it, and ate with so good a relish that hethought he had never made a better breakfast in his life. 

When Harry and he had eaten their breakfast, Tommy told him it was timethey should return home, so he thanked the good woman for her kindness, and putting his hand into his pocket, pulled out a shilling, which hedesired her to accept. "No, God bless you, my little dear!" said thewoman, "I will not take a farthing off you for the world. What though myhusband and I are poor, yet we are able to get a living by our labour, and give a mess of milk to a traveller without hurting ourselves. "

Tommy thanked her again, and was just going away when a couple ofsurly-looking men came in and asked the woman if her name was _Tosset_. "Yes, it is, " said the woman: "I have never been ashamed of it. " "Whythen, " said one of the men, pulling a paper out of his pocket, "here isan execution against you, on the part of Mr Richard Gruff; and if yourhusband does not instantly discharge the debt, with interest and allcosts, amounting altogether to the sum of thirty-nine pounds tenshillings, we shall take an inventory of all you have, and proceed tosell it by auction for the discharge of the debt. "

"Indeed, " said the poor woman, looking a little confused, "this mustcertainly be a mistake, for I never heard of Mr Richard Gruff in all mylife, nor do I believe that my husband owes a farthing in the world, unless to his landlord; and I know that he has almost made uphalf-a-year's rent for him: so that I do not think he would go totrouble a poor man. " "No, no, mistress, " said the man, shaking his head, "we know our business too well to make these kind of mistakes; but whenyour husband comes in we'll talk with him; in the meantime we must go onwith our inventory. "

The two men then went into the next room, and immediately after, astout, comely-looking man, of about the age of forty, came in, with agood-humoured countenance, and asked if his breakfast was ready. "Oh, mypoor dear William, " said the woman, "here is a sad breakfast for you!but I think it cannot be true that you owe anything; so what the fellowstold me must be false about Richard Gruff. " At this name the maninstantly started, and his countenance, which was before ruddy, becamepale as a sheet. "Surely, " said the woman, "it cannot be true, that youowe forty pounds to Richard Gruff?" "Alas!" answered the man, "I do notknow the exact sum; but when your brother Peter failed, and hiscreditors seized all that he had, this Richard Gruff was going to sendhim to jail, had not I agreed to be bound for him, which enabled him togo to sea. He indeed promised to remit his wages to me, to prevent mygetting into any trouble upon that account; but you know it is nowthree years since he went, and in all that time we have heard nothingabout him. " "Then, " said the woman, bursting into tears, "you, and allyour poor dear children are ruined for my ungrateful brother; for hereare two bailiffs in the house, who are come to take possession of allyou have, and to sell it. "

At this the man's face became red as scarlet, and seizing an old swordwhich hung over the chimney, he cried out, "No, it shall not be; I willdie first; I will make these villains know what it is to make honest mendesperate. " He then drew the sword, and was going out in a fit ofmadness, which might have proved fatal either to himself or to thebailiffs, but his wife flung herself upon her knees before him, and, catching hold of his legs, besought him to be more composed. "Oh, forheaven's sake, my dear, dear husband, " said she, "consider what you aredoing! You can do neither me nor your children any service by thisviolence; instead of that, should you be so unfortunate as to killeither of these men, would it not be murder? and would not our lot be athousand times harder than it is at present?"

This remonstrance seemed to have some effect upon the farmer; hischildren too, although too young to understand the cause of all thisconfusion, gathered round him, and hung about him, sobbing in concertwith their mother. Little Harry too, although a stranger to the poor manbefore, yet with the tenderest sympathy took him by the hand and bathedit with his tears. At length, softened and overcome by the sorrows ofthose he loved so well, and by his own cooler reflections, he resignedthe fatal instrument, and sat himself down upon a chair, covering hisface with his hands, and only saying, "The will of God be done!"

Tommy had beheld this affecting scene with the greatest attention, although he had not said a word; and now beckoning Harry away, he wentsilently out of the house, and took the road which led to Mr Barlow's. While he was on the way, he seemed to be so full of the scene which hehad just witnessed that he did not open his lips; but when he came homehe instantly went to Mr Barlow and desired that he would directly sendhim to his father's. Mr Barlow stared at the request, and asked him whatwas the occasion of his being so suddenly tired with his residence atthe vicarage. "Sir, " answered Tommy, "I am not the least tired, I assureyou; you have been extremely kind to me, and I shall always remember itwith the greatest gratitude; but I want to see my father immediately, and I am sure, when you come to know the occasion, you will notdisapprove of it. " Mr Barlow did not press him any further, but ordereda careful servant to saddle a horse directly and take Tommy home beforehim. 

Mr and Mrs Merton were extremely surprised and over-joyed at the sightof their son, who thus unexpectedly arrived at home; but Tommy, whosemind was full of the project he had formed, as soon as he had answeredtheir first questions, accosted his father thus--"Pray, sir, will you beangry with me if I ask you for a great favour?" "No, surely, " said MrMerton, "that I will not. " "Why, then, " said Tommy, "as I have oftenheard you say that you were very rich, and that if I was good I shouldbe rich too. Will you give me some money?" "Money!" said Mr Merton;"yes, to be sure; how much do you want?" "Why, sir, " said Tommy, "I wanta very large sum indeed. " "Perhaps a guinea, " answered Mr Merton. _Tommy. _--No, sir, a great deal more--a great many guineas. _MrMerton. _--Let us however see. _T. _--Why, sir, I want at least fortypounds. "Bless the boy!" answered Mrs Merton; "surely Mr Barlow musthave taught him to be ten times more extravagant than he was before. "_T. _--Indeed, madam, Mr Barlow knows nothing about the matter. "But, "said Mr Merton, "what can such an urchin as you want with such a largesum of money?" "Sir, " answered Tommy, "that is a secret; but I am surewhen you come to hear it, you will approve of the use I intend to makeof it. " _Mr M. _--That I very much doubt. _T. _--But, sir, if you please, you may let me have this money, and I will pay you again by degrees. _MrM. _--How will you ever be able to pay me such a sum? _T. _--Why, sir, youknow you are so kind as frequently to give me new clothes andpocket-money; now, if you will only let me have this money, I willneither want new clothes nor anything else till I have made it up. _MrM. _--But what can such a child as you want with all this money?_T. _--Pray, sir, wait a few days and you shall know; and if I make a baduse of it, never believe me again as long as I live. 

Mr Merton was extremely struck with the earnestness with which his sonpersevered in the demand; and, as he was both very rich and liberal, hedetermined to hazard the experiment, and comply with his request. Heaccordingly went and fetched him the money which he asked for, and putit into his hands, telling him at the same time that he expected to beacquainted with the use he put it to; and that, if he was not satisfiedwith the account, he would never trust him again. Tommy appeared inecstasies at the confidence that was reposed in him, and, after thankinghis father for his extraordinary goodness, he desired leave to go backagain with Mr Barlow's servant. 

When he arrived at Mr Barlow's, his first care was to ask Harry toaccompany him again to the farmer's house. Thither the two little boyswent with the greatest expedition; and, on their entering the house, found the unhappy family in the same situation as before. But Tommy, whohad hitherto suppressed his feelings, finding himself now enabled toexecute the project he had formed, went up to the good woman of thehouse, who sat sobbing in a corner of the room, and, taking her gentlyby the hand, said, "My good woman, you were very kind to me in themorning, and therefore I am determined to be kind to you in return. ""God bless you, my little master, " said the woman, "you are very welcometo what you had; but you are not able to do anything to relieve ourdistress. " "How do you know that?" said Tommy; "perhaps I can do morefor you than you imagine. " "Alas!" answered the woman, "I believe youwould do all you could; but all our goods will be seized and sold, unless we can immediately raise the sum of forty pounds; and that isimpossible, for we have no earthly friend to assist us; therefore mypoor babes and I must soon be turned out of doors, and God alone cankeep them from starving. "

Tommy's little heart was too much affected to keep the woman longer insuspense; therefore, pulling out his bag of money, he poured it into herlap, saying, "Here, my good woman, take this and pay your debts, and Godbless you and your children!" It is impossible to express the surpriseof the poor woman at the sight; she stared wildly round her, and uponher little benefactor, and, clasping her hands together in an agony ofgratitude and feeling, she fell back in her chair with a kind ofconvulsive motion. Her husband, who was in the next room, seeing her inthis condition, ran up to her, and catching her in his arms, asked herwith the greatest tenderness what was the matter; but she, springing ona sudden from his embraces, threw herself upon her knees before thelittle boy, sobbing and blessing with a broken inarticulate voice, embracing his knees and kissing his feet. The husband, who did not knowwhat had happened, imagined that his wife had lost her senses; and thelittle children, who had before been skulking about the room, ran up totheir mother, pulling her by the gown, and hiding their faces in herbosom. But the woman, at the sight of them, seemed to recollect herself, and cried out, "Little wretches, who must all have been starved withoutthe assistance of this little angel; why do you not join with me inthanking him?" At this the husband said, "Surely, Mary, you must havelost your senses. What can this young gentleman do for us or to preventour wretched babes from perishing?" "Oh, William, " said the woman, "I amnot mad, though I may appear so; but look here, William, look whatProvidence has sent us by the hands of this little angel, and thenwonder not that I should be wild. " Saying this, she held up the money, and at the sight her husband looked as wild and astonished as she. ButTommy went up to the man, and, taking him by the hand, said, "My goodfriend, you are very welcome to this; I freely give it you; and I hopeit will enable you to pay what you owe, and to preserve these poorlittle children. " But the man, who had before appeared to bear hismisfortunes with silent dignity, now burst into tears and sobbed likehis wife and children; but Tommy, who now began to be pained with thisexcess of gratitude, went silently out of the house, followed by Harry;and, before the poor family perceived what had become of him, was out ofsight. 

When he came back to Mr Barlow's that gentleman received him with thegreatest affection, and when he had inquired after the health of Mr andMrs Merton, asked Tommy whether he had forgotten the story of thegrateful Turk. Tommy told him he had not, and should now be very glad tohear the remainder; which Mr Barlow gave him to read, and was asfollows:--

"CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF THE GRATEFUL TURK. "

"When Hamet had thus finished his story, the Venetian was astonished atthe virtue and elevation of his mind; and after saying everything thathis gratitude and admiration suggested, he concluded with pressing himto accept the half of his fortune, and to settle in Venice for theremainder of his life. This offer Hamet refused with the greatestrespect, but with a generous disdain; and told his friend that, in whathe had done, he had only discharged a debt of gratitude and friendship. 'You were, ' said he, 'my generous benefactor; you had a claim upon mylife by the benefit you had already conferred; that life would have beenwell bestowed had it been lost in your service; but since Providencehath otherwise decreed, it is a sufficient recompense to me to haveproved that Hamet is not ungrateful, and to have been instrumental tothe preservation of your happiness. '

"But though the disinterestedness of Hamet made him underrate his ownexertions, the merchant could not remain contented without showing hisgratitude by all the means within his power. He therefore once morepurchased the freedom of Hamet, and freighted a ship on purpose to sendhim back to his own country; he and his son then embraced him with allthe affection that gratitude could inspire, and bade him, as theythought, an eternal adieu. 

"Many years had now elapsed since the departure of Hamet into his owncountry, without their seeing him, or receiving any intelligence fromhim. In the mean time the young Francisco, the son of the merchant, grewup to manhood; and as he had acquired every accomplishment which tendsto improve the mind or form the manners, added to an excellentdisposition, he was generally beloved and esteemed. 

"It happened that some business about this time made it necessary forhim and his father to go to a neighbouring maritime city; and as theythought a passage by sea would be more expeditious, they both embarkedin a Venetian vessel, which was on the point of sailing to that place. They set sail, therefore, with favourable winds, and every appearance ofa happy passage; but they had not proceeded more than half theirintended voyage, before a Turkish corsair (a ship purposely fitted outfor war) was seen bearing down upon them, and as the enemy exceeded themmuch in swiftness they soon found that it was impossible to escape. Thegreater part of the crew belonging to the Venetian vessel were struckwith consternation, and seemed already overcome with fear; but the youngFrancisco, drawing his sword, reproached his comrades with theircowardice, and so effectually encouraged them that they determined todefend their liberty by a desperate resistance. The Turkish vessel nowapproached them in awful silence, but in an instant the dreadful noiseof the artillery was heard, and the heavens were obscured with smokeintermixed with transitory flashes of fire. Three times did the Turksleap with horrid shouts upon the deck of the Venetian vessel, and threetimes were they driven back by the desperate resistance of the crew, headed by young Francisco. At length the slaughter of their men was sogreat that they seemed disposed to discontinue the fight, and wereactually taking another course. The Venetians beheld their flight withthe greatest joy, and were congratulating each other upon theirsuccessful valour and merited escape, when two more ships on a suddenappeared in sight, bearing down upon them with incredible swiftnessbefore the wind. Every heart was now chilled with new terrors, when, ontheir nearer approach, they discovered the fatal ensigns of theirenemies, and knew that there was no longer any possibility either ofresistance or escape. They therefore lowered their flag (the sign ofsurrendering their ship), and in an instant saw themselves in the powerof their enemies, who came pouring in on every side with the rage andviolence of beasts of prey. 

"All that remained alive of the brave Venetian crew were loaded withfetters, and closely guarded in the hold of the ship till it arrived atTunis. 

"They were then brought out in chains, and exposed in the public marketto be sold for slaves. They had there the mortification to see theircompanions picked out one by one, according to their apparent strengthand vigour, and sold to different masters. At length a Turk approached, who, from his look and habit, appeared to be of superior rank, and afterglancing his eye over the rest with an expression of compassion, hefixed them at last upon young Francisco, and demanded of the captain ofthe ship what was the price of that young man. The captain answered thathe would not take less than five hundred pieces of gold for thatcaptive. 'That, ' said the Turk, 'is very extraordinary, since I haveseen you sell those that much exceed him in vigour, for less than afifth part of that sum. ' 'Yes, ' answered the captain, 'but he shalleither pay me some part of the damage he has occasioned, or labour forlife at the oar. ' 'What damage, ' answered the other, 'can he have doneyou more than all the rest whom you have prized so cheaply?' 'He itwas, ' replied the captain, 'who animated the Christians to thatdesperate resistance which cost me the lives of so many of my bravesailors. Three times did we leap upon their deck, with a fury thatseemed irresistible, and three times did that youth attack us with suchcool determined opposition that we were obliged to retreat ingloriously, leaving at every charge twenty of our number behind. Therefore, I repeatit, I will either have that price for him, great as it may appear, orelse I will gratify my revenge by seeing him drudge for life in myvictorious galley. '

"At this the Turk examined young Francisco with new attention; and hewho had hitherto fixed his eyes upon the ground in sullen silence nowlifted them up; but scarcely had he beheld the person that was talkingto the captain when he uttered a loud cry and repeated the name of_Hamet_. The Turk, with equal emotion, surveyed him for a moment, andthen, catching him in his arms, embraced him with the transports of aparent who unexpectedly recovers a long-lost child. It is unnecessary torepeat all that gratitude and affection inspired Hamet to say, but whenhe heard that his ancient benefactor was amongst the number of thoseunhappy Venetians who stood before him, he hid his face for a momentunder his vest and seemed overwhelmed with sorrow and astonishment, when, recollecting himself, he raised his arms to heaven and blessedthat Providence which had made him the instrument of safety to hisancient benefactor. He then instantly flew to that part of the marketwhere Francisco stood waiting for his fate with a manly, mute despair. He called him his friend, his benefactor, and every endearing name whichfriendship and gratitude could inspire; and, ordering his chains to beinstantly taken off, he conducted him and his son to a magnificenthouse, which belonged to him in the city. As soon as they were alone, and had time for an explanation of their mutual fortunes, Hamet told theVenetians that, when he was set at liberty by their generosity, andrestored to his country, he had accepted a command in the Turkisharmies; and that, having had the good fortune to distinguish himself onseveral occasions, he had gradually been promoted, through variousoffices, to the dignity of Bashaw of Tunis. 'Since I have enjoyed thispost, ' added he, 'there is nothing which I find in it so agreeable asthe power it gives me of alleviating the misfortunes of those unhappyChristians who are taken prisoners by our corsairs. Whenever a shiparrives, which brings with it any of these sufferers, I constantly visitthe markets and redeem a certain number of the captives, whom I restoreto liberty. And gracious Allah has shown that he approves of these faintendeavours to discharge the sacred duties of gratitude for my ownredemption, by putting it in my power to serve the best and dearest ofmen. '

"Ten days were Francisco and his son entertained in the house of Hamet, during which time he put in practice everything within his power toplease and interest them, but when he found they were desirous ofreturning home, he told them he would no longer detain them from theircountry, but that they should embark the next day in a ship that wassetting sail for Venice. Accordingly, on the morrow he dismissed them, with many embraces and much reluctance, and ordered a chosen party ofhis own guards to conduct them on board their vessel. When they arrivedthere, their joy and admiration were considerably increased on findingthat, by the generosity of Hamet, not only the ship which had beentaken, but the whole crew were redeemed and restored to freedom. Francisco and his son embarked, and, after a favourable voyage, arrivedwithout accident in their own country, where they lived many yearsrespected and esteemed, continually mindful of the vicissitudes of humanaffairs, and attentive to discharge their duties to theirfellow-creatures. "

When this story was concluded, Mr Barlow and his pupils went out to walkupon the high road, but they had not gone far before they discoveredthree men, who seemed each to lead a large and shaggy beast by a string, followed by a crowd of boys and women, whom the novelty of the sight haddrawn together. When they approached more near, Mr Barlow discoveredthat the beasts were three tame bears, led by as many Savoyards, who gettheir living by exhibiting them. Upon the head of each of theseformidable animals was seated a monkey, who grinned and chattered, andby his strange grimaces excited the mirth of the whole assembly. Tommy, who had never before seen one of these creatures, was very muchsurprised and entertained, but still more so when he saw the animal riseupon his hind legs at the word of command, and dance about in a strange, uncouth manner, to the sound of music. 

After having satisfied themselves with this spectacle they proceeded ontheir way, and Tommy asked Mr Barlow whether a bear was an animal easilytamed, and that did mischief in those places where he was wild. 

"The bear, " replied Mr Barlow, "is not an animal quite so formidable ordestructive as a lion or a tiger; he is, however, sufficientlydangerous, and will frequently devour women and children, and even men, when he has an opportunity. These creatures are generally found in coldcountries, and it is observed that the colder the climate is, thegreater size and fierceness do they attain to. There is a remarkableaccount of one of these animals suddenly attacking a soldier when onduty, but it was fortunate for the poor fellow that the first blow hestruck the bear felled him to the ground, and the soldier immediatelyplunged his sword into his heart, which of course killed it. In thosenorthern countries, which are perpetually covered with snow and ice, aspecies of bear is found, which is white in colour, and of amazingstrength as well as fierceness. These animals are often seen clamberingover the huge pieces of ice that almost cover those seas, and preyingupon fish and other sea animals. I remember reading an account of onethat came unexpectedly upon some sailors who were boiling their dinnerson the shore. This creature had two young ones with her, and thesailors, as you may easily imagine, did not like such dangerous guests, but made their escape immediately to the ship. The old bear then seizedupon the flesh which the sailors had left, and set it before her cubs, reserving a very small portion for herself; showing by this, that shetook a much greater interest in their welfare than her own. But thesailors, enraged at the loss of their dinners, levelled their muskets atthe cubs, and, from the ship, shot them both dead. They also wounded thedam, who was fetching away another piece of flesh, but not mortally, sothat she was still able to move. But it would have affected any one withpity, but a brutal mind (says the relation), to see the behaviour ofthis poor beast, all wounded as she was and bleeding, to her young ones. Though she was sorely hurt, and could but crawl to the place where theylay, she carried the lump of flesh she had in her mouth, as she had donethe preceding ones, and laid it down before them, and, when she observedthat they did not eat, she laid her paws first upon one, and then uponthe other, and endeavoured to raise them up, all this while making themost pitiful moans. When she found that they did not stir, she went awayto a little distance and then looked, back and moaned, as if to enticethem to her; but finding them still immovable, she returned, andsmelling round them, began to lick their wounds. She then went off asecond time as before, and, after crawling a few yards, turned back andmoaned, as if to entreat them not to desert their mother. But her cubsnot yet rising to follow her, she returned to them again, and, withsigns of inexpressible fondness, went round first one and then theother, pawing them and moaning all the time. Finding them at last coldand lifeless, she raised her head towards the ship and began to growl inan indignant manner, as if she were denouncing vengeance against themurderers of her young; but the sailors levelled their muskets again, and wounded her in so many places that she dropped down between heryoung ones; yet, even while she was expiring, she seemed only sensibleto their fate, and died licking their wounds. "

"And is it possible, " said Harry, "that men can be so cruel towards poorunfortunate animals?" "It is too true, " answered Mr Barlow, "that menare frequently guilty of every wanton and unnecessary acts of barbarity, but in this case it is probable that the fear of these animalscontributed to render the sailors more unpitying than they wouldotherwise have been; they had often seen themselves in danger of beingdevoured, and that inspired them with a great degree of hatred againstthem, which they took the opportunity of gratifying. " "But would it notbe enough, " answered Harry, "if they carried arms to defend themselveswhen they were attacked, without unnecessarily destroying othercreatures, who did not meddle with them?" "To be sure it would, " repliedMr Barlow, "and a generous mind would at any time rather spare an enemythan destroy him. "

While they were conversing in this manner, they beheld a crowd of womenand children running away in the greatest trepidation, and, lookingbehind them, saw that one of the bears had broken his chain, and wasrunning after them, growling all the time in a very disagreeable manner. Mr Barlow, who had a good stick in his hand, and was a man of anintrepid character, perceiving this, bade his pupils remain quiet, andinstantly ran up to the bear, who stopped in the middle of his career, and seemed inclined to attack Mr Barlow for his interference; but thisgentleman struck him two or three blows, rating him at the same time ina loud and severe tone of voice, and seizing the end of the chain withequal boldness and dexterity, the animal quietly submitted, and sufferedhimself to be taken prisoner. Presently the keeper of the bear came up, into whose hands Mr Barlow consigned him, charging him for the future tobe more careful in guarding so dangerous a creature. 

While this was doing, the boys had remained quiet spectators at adistance, but by accident the monkey, who used to be perched upon thehead of the bear, and was shaken off when the beast broke loose, camerunning that way, playing a thousand antic grimaces as he passed. Tommy, who was determined not to be outdone by Mr Barlow, ran very resolutelyup, and seized a string which was tied round the loins of the animal;but he, not choosing to be taken prisoner, instantly snapped at Tommy'sarm, and almost made his teeth meet in the fleshy part of it. Yet Tommy, who was now greatly improved in courage and the use of his limbs, instead of letting his enemy escape, began thrashing him very severelywith the stick which he had in his hand, till the monkey, seeing he hadso resolute an antagonist to deal with, desisted from opposition, andsuffered himself to be led captive like his friend the bear. 

As they were returning home, Tommy asked Mr Barlow whether he did notthink it very dangerous to meddle with such an animal when he was loose. Mr Barlow told him it was not without danger, but that it was much lessso than most people would imagine. "Most animals, " said he, "are easilyawed by the appearance of intrepidity, while they are invited to pursueby marks of fear and apprehension. " "That, I believe, is very true, "answered Harry; "for I have very often observed the behaviour of dogs toeach other. When two strange dogs meet they generally approach withcaution, as if they were mutually afraid; but as sure as either of themruns away, the other will pursue him with the greatest insolence andfury. " "This is not confined to dogs, " replied Mr Barlow; "almost allwild beasts are subject to receive the sudden impression of terror; andtherefore men, who have been obliged to travel without arms, throughforests that abound with dangerous animals, have frequently escapedunhurt, by shouting aloud whenever they met with any of them on theirway; but what I chiefly depended on was, the education which the bearhad received since he left his own country. " (Tommy laughed heartily atthis idea, and Mr Barlow went on. ) "Whenever an animal is taughtanything that is not natural to him, this is properly receiving aneducation. Did you ever observe colts running about wild upon thecommon?" _Tommy. _--yes, sir, very often. _Mr Barlow. _--And do you thinkit would be an easy matter for any one to mount upon their backs or ridethem? _T. _--By no means; I think that they would kick and prance tothat degree that they would throw any person down. _Mr B. _--And yet yourlittle horse very frequently takes you upon his back, and carries youvery safely between this and your father's house. _T. _--That is becausehe is used to it. _Mr B. _--But he was not always used to it; he was oncea colt, and then he ran about as wild and unrestrained as any of thoseupon the common. _T. _--Yes, sir. _Mr B. _--How came he then to be soaltered as to submit to bear you upon his back? _T. _--I do not know, unless it was by feeding him. _Mr B. _--That is one method; but that isnot all; they first accustom the colt, who naturally follows his mother, to come into the stable with her; then they stroke him and feed him tillhe gradually becomes gentle, and will suffer himself to be handled; thenthey take an opportunity of putting a halter upon his head, and accustomhim to stand quietly in the stable, and to be tied to the manger. Thusthey gradually proceed from one thing to another, till they teach him tobear the bridle and the saddle, and to be commanded by his rider. Thismay very properly be called the _education_ of an animal, since by thesemeans he is obliged to acquire habits which he would never have learnedhad he been left to himself. Now, I knew that the poor bear had beenfrequently beaten and very ill-used, in order to make him submit to beled about with a string, and exhibited as a sight. I knew that he hadbeen accustomed to submit to man, and to tremble at the sound of thehuman voice, and I depended upon the force of these impressions formaking him submit without resistance to the authority I assumed overhim. You saw I was not deceived in my opinion, and by these means Iprobably prevented the mischief that he might otherwise have done tosome of those women or children. 

As Mr Barlow was talking in this manner, he perceived that Tommy's armwas bloody; and inquiring into the reason, he heard the history of hisadventure with the monkey. Mr Barlow then looked at the wound, which hefound of no great consequence, and told Tommy that he was sorry for hisaccident, and imagined that he was now too courageous to be daunted by atrifling hurt. Tommy assured him he was, and proceeded to ask somequestions concerning the nature of the monkey, which Mr Barlow answeredin the following manner:--"The monkey is a very extraordinary animal, which closely resembles a man in his shape and appearance, as perhapsyou may have observed. He is always found to inhabit hot countries, theforests of which, in many parts of the world, are filled withinnumerable bands of these animals. He is extremely active, and hisfore-legs exactly resemble the arms of a man; so that he not only usesthem to walk upon, but frequently to climb trees, to hang by thebranches, and to take hold of his food with. He supports himself uponalmost every species of wild fruit which is found in those countries, sothat it is necessary he should be continually scrambling up and down thehighest trees, in order to procure himself a subsistence. Nor is hecontented always with the diet which he finds in the forest where hemakes his residence. Large bands of these creatures will frequentlysally out to plunder the gardens in the neighbourhood, and manywonderful stories are told of their ingenuity and contrivance. " "Whatare these?" said Tommy. "It is said, " answered Mr Barlow, "that theyproceed with all the caution and regularity which could be found in menthemselves. Some of these animals are placed as spies to give notice tothe rest, in case any human being should approach the garden; and, should that happen, one of the sentinels informs them by a peculiarchattering, and they all escape in an instant. " "I can easily believethat, " answered Harry, "for I have observed, that when a flock of rooksalight upon a farmer's field of corn, two or three of them always taketheir station upon the highest tree they can find; and if any oneapproaches they instantly give notice by their cawing, and all the resttake wing directly and fly away. " "But, " answered Mr Barlow, "themonkeys are said to be yet more ingenious in their thefts; for theystation some of their body at a small distance from each other, in aline that reaches quite from the forest they inhabit to the particulargarden they wish to plunder. When this is done, several of them mountthe fairest fruit-trees, and, picking the fruit, throw it down to theircompanions who stand below; these again cast it to others at a littledistance, and thus it flies from hand to hand till it is safelydeposited in the woods or mountains whence they came. When they aretaken very young they are easily tamed, but always retain a greatdisposition to mischief, as well as to imitate everything they see doneby men. Many ridiculous stories are told of them in this respect. I haveheard of a monkey that resided in a gentleman's family, and thatfrequently observed his master undergo the operation of shaving. Theimitative animal one day took it into his head to turn barber, and, seizing in one hand a cat that lived in the same house, and a bottle ofink in the other, he carried her up to the top of a very fine marblestaircase. The servants were all attracted by the screams of the cat, who did not relish the operation which was going forward; and, runningout, were equally surprised and diverted to see the monkey gravelyseated upon the landing-place of the stairs, and holding the cat fast inone of his paws, while with the other he continually applied ink topuss's face, rubbing it all over, just as he had observed the barber doto his master. Whenever the cat struggled to escape, the monkey gave hera pat with his paw, chattering all the time, and making the mostridiculous grimaces; and when she was quiet, he applied himself to hisbottle, and continued the operation. But I have heard a more tragicstory of the imitative genius of these animals. One of them lived in afortified town, and used frequently to run up and down upon theramparts, where he had observed the gunner discharge the great guns thatdefended the town. One day he got possession of the lighted match withwhich the man used to perform his business, and, applying it to thetouch-hole of a gun, he ran to the mouth of it to see the explosion; butthe cannon, which happened to be loaded, instantly went off, and blewthe poor monkey into a thousand pieces. "

When they came back to Mr Barlow's they found Master Merton's servantand horses waiting to bring him home. When he arrived there he wasreceived with the greatest joy and tenderness by his parents; butthough he gave them an account of everything else that had happened, hedid not say a word about the money he had given to the farmer. But thenext day, being Sunday, Mr and Mrs Merton and Tommy went together to theparish church, which they had scarcely entered when a general whisperran through the whole congregation, and all eyes were in an instantturned upon the little boy. Mr and Mrs Merton were very much astonishedat this, but they forbore to inquire until the end of the service; thenas they were going out of the church together, Mr Merton asked his sonwhat could be the reason of the general attention which he excited athis entrance into church? Tommy had no time to answer, for at thatinstant a very decent-looking woman ran up and threw herself at hisfeet, calling him her guardian angel and preserver, and praying thatheaven would shower down upon his head all the blessings which hedeserved. It was some time before Mr and Mrs Merton could understand thenature of this extraordinary scene; but, when they at length understoodthe secret of their son's generosity, they seemed to be scarcely lessaffected than the woman herself, and, shedding tears of transport andaffection, they embraced their son, without attending to the crowd thatsurrounded them; but immediately recollecting themselves, they tooktheir leave of the poor woman and hurried to their coach with suchsensations as it is more easy to conceive than to describe. 

The summer had now completely passed away, and the winter had set inwith unusual severity; the water was all frozen into a solid mass ofice; the earth was bare of food, and the little birds, that used tochirp with gladness, seemed to lament in silence the inclemency of theweather. As Tommy was one day reading the Life of Napoleon Bonaparte, particularly the famous anecdote of the fortress of snow, in whichNapoleon is described as undertaking the siege, and giving directions tohis school-fellows how to make the attack, he was surprised to find apretty bird flying about the chamber in which he was reading. Heimmediately went down stairs and informed Mr Barlow of the circumstance, who, after he had seen the bird, told him that it was called a robinredbreast, and that it was naturally more tame and disposed to cultivatethe society of men than any other species; "but at present, " added he, "the little fellow is in want of food, because the earth is too hard tofurnish him any assistance, and hunger inspires him with this unusualboldness. " "Why then, sir, " said Tommy, "if you will give me leave, Iwill fetch a piece of bread and feed him. " "Do so, " answered Mr Barlow;"but first set the window open, that he may see you do not intend totake him prisoner. " Tommy accordingly opened his window, and scatteringa few crumbs of bread about the room, had the satisfaction of seeing hisguest hop down and make a very hearty meal; he then flew out of theroom, and settled upon a neighbouring tree, singing all the time, as ifto return thanks for the hospitality he had met with. 

Tommy was greatly delighted with his new acquaintance, and from thistime never failed to set his window open every morning and scatter somecrumbs about the room, which the bird perceiving, hopped fearlessly in, and regaled himself under the protection of his benefactor. By degreesthe intimacy increased so much that little robin would alight on Tommy'sshoulder and whistle his notes in that situation, or eat out of hishand--all which gave Tommy so much satisfaction that he would frequentlycall Mr Barlow and Harry to be witness of his favourite's caresses; nordid he ever eat his own meals without reserving a part for his littlefriend. 

It however happened that one day Tommy went upstairs after dinner, intending to feed his bird as usual, but as soon as he opened the doorof his chamber he discovered a sight that pierced him to the very heart. His little friend and innocent companion lay dead upon the floor, andtorn in pieces; and a large cat, taking that opportunity to escape, soondirected his suspicions towards the murderer. Tommy instantly ran downwith tears in his eyes to relate the unfortunate death of his favouriteto Mr Barlow, and to demand vengeance against the wicked cat that hadoccasioned it. Mr Barlow heard him with great compassion, but asked whatpunishment he wished to inflict upon the cat?

_Tommy. _--Oh sir! nothing can be too bad for that cruel animal. I wouldhave her killed as she killed the poor bird. 

_Mr Barlow. _--But do you imagine that she did it out of any particularmalice to your bird, or merely because she was hungry, and accustomed tocatch her prey in that manner?

Tommy considered some time, but at last he owned that he did not suspectthe cat of having any particular spite against his bird, and thereforehe supposed she had been impelled by hunger. 

_Mr Barlow. _--Have you never observed that it was the property of thatspecies to prey upon mice and other little animals?

_Tommy. _--Yes, sir, very often. 

_Mr Barlow. _--And have you ever corrected her for so doing, or attemptedto teach her other habits?

_Tommy. _--I cannot say I have. Indeed I have seen little Harry, when shehad caught a mouse and was tormenting it, take it from her and give itliberty; but I have never meddled with her myself. 

_Mr Barlow. _--Are you not then more to be blamed than the cat herself?You have observed that it was common to the whole species to destroymice and little birds, whenever they could surprise them; yet you havetaken no pains to secure your favourite from the danger; on thecontrary, by rendering him tame, and accustoming him to be fed, you haveexposed him to a violent death, which he would probably have avoided hadhe remained wild. Would it not then be just, and more reasonable, toendeavour to teach the cat that she must no longer prey upon littlebirds, than to put her to death for what you have never taught her wasan offence?

_Tommy. _--But is that possible?

_Mr Barlow. _--Very possible, I should imagine; but we may at least trythe experiment. 

_Tommy. _--But why should such a mischievous creature live at all?

_Mr Barlow. _--Because, if you destroy every creature that preys uponothers, you would perhaps leave few alive. 

_Tommy. _--Surely, sir, the poor bird which that naughty cat has killed, was never guilty of such a cruelty. 

_Mr Barlow. _--I will not answer for that. Let us observe what they liveupon in the fields; we shall then be able to give a better account. 

Mr Barlow then went to the window and desired Tommy to come to him, andobserve a robin which was then hopping upon the grass with something inits mouth, and asked him what he thought it was. 

_Tommy. _--I protest, sir, it is a large worm. And now he has swallowedit! I should never have thought that such a pretty bird could have beenso cruel. 

_Mr Barlow. _--Do you imagine that the bird is conscious of all that issuffered by the insect?

_Tommy. _--No, sir. 

_Mr Barlow. _--In him, then, it is not the same cruelty which it would bein you, who are endowed with reason and reflection. Nature has given hima propensity for animal food, which he obeys in the same manner as thesheep and ox when they feed upon grass, or as the ass when he browsesupon the furze or thistles. 

_Tommy. _--Why, then, perhaps the cat did not know the cruelty she wasguilty of in tearing that poor bird to pieces?

_Mr Barlow. _--No more than the bird we have just seen is conscious ofhis cruelty to the insect. The natural food of cats consists in rats, mice, birds, and such small animals as they can seize by violence orcatch by craft. It was impossible she should know the value you set uponyour bird, and therefore she had no more intention of offending you thanhad she caught a mouse. 

_Tommy. _--But if that is the case, should I have another tame bird, shewould kill it as she has done this poor fellow. 

_Mr Barlow. _--That, perhaps, may be prevented. I have heard people thatdeal in birds affirm there is a way of preventing cats from meddlingwith them. 

_Tommy. _--Oh dear, sir, I should like to try it. Will you not show mehow to prevent the cat from killing any more birds?

_Mr Barlow. _--Most willingly; it is certainly better to correct thefaults of an animal than to destroy it. Besides, I have a particularaffection for this cat, because I found her when she was a kitten, andhave bred her up so tame and gentle that she will follow me about like adog. She comes every morning to my chamber-door and mews till she is letin; and she sits upon the table at breakfast and dinner as grave andpolite as a visitor, without offering to touch the meat. Indeed, beforeshe was guilty of this offence, I have often seen you stroke and caressher with great affection; and puss, who is by no means of an ungratefultemper, would always pur and arch her tail, as if she was sensible ofyour attention. 

In a few days after this conversation another robin, suffering like theformer from the inclemency of the season, flew into the house, andcommenced acquaintance with Tommy. But he, who recollected the mournfulfate of his former bird, would not encourage it to any familiarity, till he had claimed the promise of Mr Barlow, in order to preserve itfrom danger. Mr Barlow, therefore, enticed the new guest into a smallwire-cage, and, as soon as he had entered it, shut the door, in order toprevent his escaping. He then took a small gridiron, such as is used tobroil meat upon, and, having almost heated it red hot, placed it erectupon the ground, before the cage in which the bird was confined. He thencontrived to entice the cat into the room, and observing that she fixedher eye upon the bird, which she destined to become her prey, hewithdrew the two little boys, in order to leave her unrestrained in heroperations. They did not retire far, but observed her from the door fixher eyes upon the cage, and begin to approach it in silence, bending herbody to the ground, and almost touching it as she crawled along. Whenshe judged herself within a proper distance, she exerted all her agilityin a violent spring, which would probably have been fatal to the bird, had not the gridiron, placed before the cage, received the impression ofher attack. Nor was the disappointment the only punishment she wasdestined to undergo; the bars of the gridiron had been so thoroughlyheated that, in rushing against them, she felt herself burned in severalparts of her body, and retired from the field of battle mewingdreadfully and full of pain; and such was the impression which thisadventure produced, that, from this time, she was never again known toattempt to destroy birds. 

The coldness of the weather still continuing, all the wild animals beganto perceive the effects, and, compelled by hunger, approached nearer tothe habitations of man and the places they had been accustomed toavoid. A multitude of hares--the most timorous of all animals--werefrequently seen scudding about the garden in search of the scantyvegetables which the severity of the season had spared. In a short timethey had devoured all the green herbs which could be found, and, hungerstill oppressing them, they began to gnaw the very bark of the trees forfood. One day, as Tommy was walking in the garden, he found that eventhe beloved tree which he had planted with his own hands, and from whichhe had promised himself so plentiful a produce of fruit, had not escapedthe general depredation, but had been gnawed round at the root andkilled. 

Tommy, who could ill brook disappointment, was so enraged to see hislabours prove abortive, that he ran with tears in his eyes to Mr Barlow, to demand vengeance against the devouring hares. "Indeed, " said MrBarlow, "I am sorry for what they have done, but it is now too late toprevent it. " "Yes, " answered Tommy, "but you may have all thosemischievous creatures shot, that they may do no further damage. " "Alittle while ago, " replied Mr Barlow, "you wanted to destroy the cat, because she was cruel and preyed upon living animals, and now you wouldmurder all the hares, merely because they are innocent, inoffensiveanimals that subsist upon vegetables. " Tommy looked a little foolish, but said, "he did not want to hurt them for living upon vegetables, butfor destroying his tree. " "But, " said Mr Barlow, "how can you expect theanimal to distinguish your trees from any other? You should thereforehave fenced them round in such a manner as might have prevented thehares from reaching them; besides, in such extreme distress as animalsnow suffer from the want of food, I think they may be forgiven if theytrespass a little more than usual. "

Mr Barlow then took Tommy by the hand and led him into a field at somedistance, which belonged to him, and which was sown with turnips. Scarcely had they entered the field before a flock of larks rose up insuch innumerable quantities as almost darkened the air. "See, " said MrBarlow, "these little fellows are trespassing upon my turnips in suchnumbers, that in a short time they will destroy every bit of green aboutthe field; yet I would not hurt them on any account. Look round thewhole extent of the country, you will see nothing but a barren waste, which presents no food either to bird or beast. These little creatures, therefore, assemble in multitudes here, where they find a scantysubsistence, and though they do me some mischief, they are welcome towhat they can find. In the spring they will enliven our walks by theiragreeable songs. "

_Tommy. _--How dreary and uncomfortable is this season of winter; I wishit were always summer. 

_Mr Barlow. _--In some countries it is so; but there the inhabitantscomplain more of the intolerable heat than you do of the cold. Theywould with pleasure be relieved by the agreeable variety of coolerweather, when they are panting under the violence of a scorching sun. 

_Tommy. _--Then I should like to live in a country that was never eitherdisagreeably hot or cold. 

_Mr Barlow. _--Such a country is scarcely to be found; or if it is, contains so small a portion of the earth as to leave room for very fewinhabitants. 

_Tommy. _--Then I should think it would be so crowded that one wouldhardly be able to stir, for everybody would naturally wish to livethere. 

_Mr Barlow. _--There you are mistaken, for the inhabitants of the finestclimates are often less attached to their own country than those of theworst. Custom reconciles people to every kind of life, and makes themequally satisfied with the place in which they are born. There is acountry called Lapland, which extends a great deal further north thanany part of England, which is covered with perpetual snows during allthe year, yet the inhabitants would not exchange it for any otherportion of the globe. 

_Tommy. _--How do they live in so disagreeable a country?

_Mr Barlow. _--If you ask Harry, he will tell you. Being a farmer, it ishis business to study the different methods by which men findsubsistence in all the different parts of the earth. 

_Tommy. _--I should like very much to hear, if Harry will be so good asto tell me. 

_Harry. _--You must know then, Master Tommy, that in the greatest part ofthis country which is called Lapland, the inhabitants neither sow norreap; they are totally unacquainted with the use of corn, and know nothow to make bread; they have no trees which bear fruit, and scarcely anyof the herbs which grow in our gardens in England; nor do they possesseither sheep, goats, hogs, cows, or beasts. 

_Tommy. _--That must be a disagreeable country indeed! What then havethey to live upon?

_Harry. _--They have a species of deer, which is bigger than the largeststags which you may have seen in the gentlemen's parks in England, andvery strong. These animals are called _reindeer_, and are of so gentle anature that they are easily tamed, and taught to live together in herds, and to obey their masters. In the short summer which they enjoy, theLaplanders lead them out to pasture in the valleys, where the grassgrows very high and luxuriant. In the winter, when the ground is allcovered over with snow, the deer have learned to scratch away the snow, and find a sort of moss which grows underneath it, and upon this theysubsist. These creatures afford not only food, but raiment, and evenhouses to their masters. In the summer, the Laplander milks his herdsand lives upon the produce; sometimes he lays by the milk in woodenvessels, to serve him for food in winter. This is soon frozen so hardthat, when they would use it, they are obliged to cut it in pieces witha hatchet. Sometimes the winters are so severe that the poor deer canscarcely find even moss, and then the master is obliged to kill part ofthem and live upon the flesh. Of the skins he makes warm garments forhimself and his family, and strews them thick upon the ground, to sleepupon. Their houses are only poles stuck slanting into the ground, andalmost joined at top, except a little hole which they leave to let outthe smoke. These poles are either covered with the skins of animals, orcoarse cloth, or sometimes with turf and the bark of trees. There is alittle hole left in one side, through which the family creep into theirtent, and they make a comfortable fire to warm them, in the middle. People that are so easily contented are totally ignorant of most of thethings that are thought so necessary here. The Laplanders have neithergold, nor silver, nor carpets, nor carved work in their houses; everyman makes for himself all that the real wants of life require, and withhis own hands performs everything which is necessary to be done. Theirfood consists either in frozen milk, or the flesh of the reindeer, orthat of the bear, which they frequently hunt and kill. Instead of breadthey strip off the bark of firs, which are almost the only trees thatgrow upon those dismal mountains, and, boiling the inward and moretender skin, they eat it with their flesh. The greatest happiness ofthese poor people is to live free and unrestrained; therefore they donot long remain fixed to any spot, but, taking down their houses, theypack them up along with the little furniture they possess, and load themupon sledges, to carry and set them up in some other place. 

_Tommy. _--Have you not said that they have neither horses nor oxen? Dothey then draw these sledges themselves?

_Harry. _--I thought I should surprise you, Master Tommy. The reindeerwhich I have described are so tractable, that they are harnessed likehorses, and draw the sledges with their masters upon them nearly thirtymiles a-day. They set out with surprising swiftness, and run along thesnow, which is frozen so hard in winter that it supports them like asolid road. In this manner do the Laplanders perform their journeys, and change their places of abode as often as is agreeable. In the springthey lead their herds of deer to pasture upon the mountains; in thewinter they come down into the plains, where they are better protectedagainst the fury of the winds; for the whole country is waste anddesolate, destitute of all the objects which you see here. There are notowns, nor villages; no fields enclosed or cultivated; no beaten roads;no inns for travellers to sleep at; no shops to purchase the necessariesor conveniences of life at; the face of the whole country is barren anddismal; wherever you turn your eyes, nothing is to be seen but loftymountains, white with snow, and covered with ice and fogs; scarcely anytrees are to be seen, except a few stunted firs and birches. Thesemountains afford a retreat to thousands of bears and wolves, which arecontinually pouring down and prowling about to prey upon the herds ofdeer, so that the Laplanders are continually obliged to fight them intheir own defence. To do this, they fix large pieces of flat board, about four or five feet long, to the bottom of their feet, and, thussecured, they run along, without sinking into the snow, so nimbly, thatthey can overtake the wild animals in the chase. The bears they killwith bows and arrows, which they make themselves. Sometimes they findout the dens where they have laid themselves up in winter, and then theyattack them with spears, and generally overcome them. When a Laplanderhas killed a bear, he carries it home in triumph, boils the flesh in aniron pot (which is all the cooking they are acquainted with), andinvites all his neighbours to the feast. This they account the greatestdelicacy in the world, and particularly the fat, which they melt overthe fire and drink; then, sitting round the flame, they entertain eachother with stories of their own exploits in hunting or fishing, till thefeast is over. Though they live so barbarous a life, they are agood-natured, sincere, and hospitable people. If a stranger comes amongthem, they lodge and entertain him in the best manner they are able, andgenerally refuse all payment for their services, unless it be a littlebit of tobacco, which they are immoderately fond of smoking. 

_Tommy. _--Poor people! how I pity them, to live such an unhappy life! Ishould think the fatigues and hardships they undergo must kill them in avery short space of time. 

_Mr Barlow. _--Have you then observed that those who eat and drink themost, and undergo the least fatigue, are the most free from disease?

_Tommy. _--Not always; for I remember that there are two or threegentlemen who come to dine at my father's, who eat an amazing quantityof meat, besides drinking a great deal of wine, and these poor gentlemenhave lost the use of almost all their limbs. Their legs are so swelled, that they are almost as big as their bodies; their feet are so tenderthat they cannot set them to the ground; and their knees so stiff, thatthey cannot bend them. When they arrive, they are obliged to be helpedout of their coaches by two or three people, and they come hobbling inupon crutches. But I never heard them talk about anything but eating anddrinking in all my life. _Mr Barlow. _--And did you ever observe thatany of the poor had lost the use of their limbs by the same disease?

_Tommy. _--I cannot say I have. 

_Mr Barlow. _--Then, perhaps, the being confined to a scanty diet, tohardship, and to exercise, may not be so desperate as you imagine. Thisway of life is even much less so than the intemperance in which too manyof the rich continually indulge themselves. I remember lately reading astory on this subject, which, if you please, you shall hear. Mr Barlowthen read the following

"HISTORY OF A SURPRISING CURE OF THE GOUT. "

"In one of the provinces of Italy there lived a wealthy gentleman, who, having no taste either for improving his mind or exercising his body, acquired a habit of eating almost all day long. The whole extent of histhoughts was, what he should eat for dinner, and how he should procurethe greatest delicacies. Italy produces excellent wine, but these werenot enough for our epicure; he settled agents in different parts ofFrance and Spain, to buy up all the most generous and costly wines ofthose countries. He had correspondence with all the maritime cities, that he might be constantly supplied with every species of fish; everypoulterer and fishmonger in the town was under articles to let him havehis choice of rarities. He also employed a man on purpose to givedirections for his pastry and desserts. As soon as he had breakfasted inthe morning, it was his constant practice to retire to his library (forhe, too, had a library, although he never opened a book). When he wasthere, he gravely seated himself in an easy chair, and, tucking a napkinunder his chin, ordered his head cook to be sent in to him. The headcook instantly appeared attended by a couple of footmen, who carriedeach a silver salver of prodigious size, on which were cups containingsauces of every different flavour which could be devised. The gentleman, with the greatest solemnity, used to dip a bit of bread in each, andtaste it, giving his orders upon the subject with as much earnestnessand precision as if he had been signing papers for the government of akingdom. When this important affair was thus concluded, he would throwhimself upon a couch, to repair the fatigues of such an exertion, andrefresh himself against dinner. When that delightful hour arrived, it isimpossible to describe either the variety of fish, flesh, and fowl whichwas set before him, or the surprising greediness with which he ate ofall; stimulating his appetite with the highest sauces and richest wines, till at length he was obliged to desist, not from being satisfied, butfrom mere inability to contain more. 

"This kind of life he had long pursued, but at last became so corpulentthat he could hardly move; his belly appeared prominent like a mountain, his face was bloated, and his legs, though swelled to the size ofcolumns, seemed unable to support the prodigious weight of his body. Added to this, he was troubled with continual indigestions and rackingpains in several of his limbs, which at length terminated in a violentfit of the gout. The pains, indeed, at length abated, and thisunfortunate epicure returned to all his former habits of intemperance. The interval of ease, however, was short, and the attacks of his diseasebecoming more and more frequent, he was at length deprived of the use ofalmost all his limbs. 

"In this unhappy state he determined to consult a physician that livedin the same town, and had the reputation of performing many surprisingcures. 'Doctor, ' said the gentleman to the physician, when he arrived, 'you see the miserable state to which I am reduced. ' 'I do, indeed, 'answered the physician, 'and I suppose you have contributed to it byyour intemperance. ' 'As to intemperance, ' replied the gentleman, 'Ibelieve few have less to answer for than myself; I indeed love amoderate dinner and supper, but I never was intoxicated with liquor inmy life. ' 'Probably, then, you sleep too much?' said the physician. 'Asto sleep, ' said the gentleman, 'I am in bed nearly twelve hours everynight, because I find the sharpness of the morning air extremelyinjurious to my constitution; but I am so troubled with a plaguyflatulency and heartburn, that I am scarcely able to close my eyes allnight; or if I do, I find myself almost strangled with wind, and awakein agonies. ' 'That is a very alarming symptom, indeed, ' replied thedoctor; 'I wonder so many restless nights do not entirely wear you out. ''They would, indeed, ' answered the gentleman, 'if I did not make shiftto procure a little sleep two or three times a-day, which enables me tohold out a little longer. ' 'As to exercise, ' continued the doctor, 'Ifear you are not able to use a great deal. ' 'Alas!' answered the sickman, 'while I was able, I never failed to go out in my carriage once ortwice a-week, but in my present situation I can no longer bear thegentlest motion; besides disordering my whole frame, it gives me suchintolerable twitches in my limbs, that you would imagine I wasabsolutely falling to pieces. ' 'Your case, ' answered the physician, 'isindeed bad, but not quite desperate, and if you could abridge thequantity of your food and sleep, you would in a short time find yourselfmuch better. ' 'Alas!' answered the sick man, 'I find you little know thedelicacy of my constitution, or you would not put me upon a method whichwill infallibly destroy me. When I rise in the morning, I feel as if allthe powers of life were extinguished within me; my stomach is oppressedwith nausea, my head with aches and swimming, and above all, I feel suchan intolerable sinking in my spirits, that, without the assistance oftwo or three cordials, and some restorative soup, I am confident I nevercould get through the morning. Now, doctor, I have such confidence inyour skill, that there is no pill or potion you can order me which Iwill not take with pleasure, but as to a change in my diet, that isimpossible. ' 'That is, ' answered the physician, 'you wish for healthwithout being at the trouble of acquiring it, and imagine that all theconsequences of an ill-spent life are to be washed away by a julep, or adecoction of senna. But as I cannot cure you upon those terms, I willnot deceive you for an instant. Your case is out of the power ofmedicine, and you can only be relieved by your own exertions. ' 'How hardis this, ' answered the gentleman, 'to be thus abandoned to despair evenin the prime of life! Cruel and unfeeling doctor, will you not attemptanything to procure me ease?' 'Sir, ' answered the physician, 'I havealready told you everything I know upon the subject. I must, however, acquaint you, that I have a brother physician who lives at Padua, a manof the greatest learning and integrity, who is particularly famous forcuring the gout. If you think it worth your while to consult him, I willgive you a letter of recommendation, for he never stirs from home, evento attend a prince. '

"Here the conversation ended; for the gentleman, who did not like thetrouble of the journey, took his leave of the physician, and returnedhome very much dispirited. In a little while he either was, or fanciedhimself, worse; and as the idea of the Paduan physician had never lefthis head, he at last resolutely determined to set out upon the journey. For this purpose he had a litter so contrived that he could lierecumbent, or recline at his ease, and eat his meals. The distance wasnot above one day's tolerable journey, but the gentleman wisely resolvedto make four of it, for fear of over-fatiguing himself. He had, besides, a loaded waggon attending, filled with everything that constitutes goodeating; and two of his cooks went with him, that nothing might bewanting to his accommodation on the road. 

"After a wearisome journey he at length arrived within sight of Padua, and eagerly inquiring after the house of Doctor Ramozini, was soondirected to the spot; then, having been helped out of his carriage byhalf-a-dozen of his servants, he was shown into a neat but plainparlour, from which he had the prospect of twenty or thirty people atdinner in a spacious hall. In the middle of them was the learned doctorhimself, who with much complaisance invited the company to eat heartily. 'My good friend, ' said the doctor to a pale-looking man on his righthand, 'you must eat three slices more of this roast-beef, or you willnever lose your ague. ' 'My friend, ' said he to another, 'drink off thisglass of porter; it is just arrived from England, and is a specific fornervous fevers. ' 'Do not stuff your child so with macaroni, ' added he, turning to a woman, 'if you wish to cure him of the scrofula. ' 'Goodman, ' said he to a fourth, 'how goes on the ulcer in your leg?' 'Muchbetter, indeed, ' replied the man, 'since I have lived at your honour'stable. ' 'Well, ' replied the physician, 'in a fortnight you will beperfectly cured, if you do but drink wine enough. '

"'Thank heaven!' said the gentleman, who had heard all this withinfinite pleasure, 'I have at last met with a reasonable physician; hewill not confine me to bread and water, nor starve me under pretence ofcuring me, like that confounded quack from whose clutches I have soluckily escaped. '

"At length the doctor dismissed his company, who retired loading himwith thanks and blessings. He then approached the gentleman, andwelcomed him with the greatest politeness, who presented him with hisletters of recommendation, which, after the physician had perused, hethus accosted him:--'Sir, the letter of my learned friend has fullyinstructed me in the particulars of your case; it is indeed a difficultone, but I think you have no reason to despair of a perfect recovery. If, ' added he, 'you choose to put yourself under my care, I will employall the secrets of my art for your assistance. But one condition isabsolutely indispensable; you must send away all your servants, andsolemnly engage to follow my prescriptions for at least a month; withoutthis compliance I would not undertake the cure even of a monarch. ''Doctor, ' answered the gentleman, 'what I have seen of your professiondoes not, I confess, much prejudice me in their favour; and I shouldhesitate to agree to such a proposal from any other individual. ' 'Do asyou like, sir, ' answered the physician; 'the employing me or not isentirely voluntary on your part; but as I am above the common mercenaryviews of gain, I never stake the reputation of so noble an art without arational prospect of success; and what success can I hope for in soobstinate a disorder, unless the patient will consent to a fairexperiment of what I can effect?' 'Indeed, ' replied the gentleman, 'whatyou say is so candid, and your whole behaviour so much interests me inyour favour, that I will immediately give you proofs of the mostunbounded confidence. '

"He then sent for his servants and ordered them to return home, and notto come near him till a whole month was elapsed. When they were gone, the physician asked him how he supported the journey? 'Why, really, 'answered he, 'much better than I could have expected. But I feel myselfunusually hungry; and therefore, with your permission, shall beg to havethe hour of supper a little hastened. ' 'Most willingly, ' answered thedoctor; 'at eight o'clock everything shall be ready for yourentertainment. In the meantime you will permit me to visit my patients. '

"While the physician was absent, the gentleman was pleasing hisimagination with the thoughts of the excellent supper he should make. 'Doubtless, ' said he to himself, 'if Signor Ramozini treats the poor insuch an hospitable manner, he will spare nothing for the entertainmentof a man of my importance. I have heard there are delicious trouts andortolans in this part of Italy; I make no doubt but the doctor keeps anexcellent cook, and I shall have no reason to repent the dismission ofmy servants. '

"With these ideas he kept himself some time amused; at length hisappetite growing keener and keener every instant, from fasting longerthan ordinary, he lost all patience, and, calling one of the servants ofthe house, inquired for some little nice thing to stay his stomach tillthe hour of supper. 'Sir, ' said the servant, 'I would gladly oblige you;but it is as much as my place is worth; my master is the best and mostgenerous of men, but so great is his attention to his house patients, that he will not suffer one of them to eat, unless in his presence. However, sir, have patience; in two hours more the supper will be ready, and then you may indemnify yourself for all. '

"Thus was the gentleman compelled to pass two hours more without food--adegree of abstinence he had not practised for almost twenty years. Hecomplained bitterly of the slowness of time, and was continuallyinquiring what was the hour. 

"At length the doctor returned punctual to his time, and ordered thesupper to be brought in. Accordingly six dishes were set upon the tablewith great solemnity, all under cover; and the gentleman flatteredhimself he should now be rewarded for his long abstinence. As they weresitting down to table, the learned Ramozini thus accosted hisguest:--'Before you give a loose to your appetite, sir, I must acquaintyou that, as the most effectual method of subduing this obstinatedisease, all your food and drink will be mixed up with such medicinalsubstances as your case requires. They will not be indeed discoverableby any of your senses; but as their effects are equally strong andcertain, I must recommend to you to eat with moderation. '

"Having said this, he ordered the dishes to be uncovered, which, to theextreme astonishment of the gentleman, contained nothing but olives, dried figs, dates, some roasted apples, a few boiled eggs, and a pieceof hard cheese!

"'Heaven and earth!' cried the gentleman, losing all patience at thismortifying spectacle, 'is this the entertainment you have prepared forme, with so many speeches and prefaces? Do you imagine that a person ofmy fortune can sup on such contemptible fare as would hardly satisfy thewretched peasants whom I saw at dinner in your hall?' 'Have patience, mydear sir, ' replied the physician; 'it is the extreme anxiety I have foryour welfare that compels me to treat you with this apparent incivility. Your blood is all in a ferment with the violent exercise you haveundergone; and were I rashly to indulge your craving appetite, a feveror a pleurisy might be the consequence. But to-morrow I hope you willbe cooler, and then you may live in a style more adapted to yourquality. '

"The gentleman began to comfort himself with this reflection, and, asthere was no help, he at last determined to wait with patience anothernight. He accordingly tasted a few of the dates and olives, ate a pieceof cheese with a slice of excellent bread, and found himself morerefreshed than he could have imagined was possible from such a homelymeal. When he had nearly supped, he wanted something to drink, andobserving nothing but water upon the table, desired one of the servantsto bring him a little wine. 'Not as you value the life of thisillustrious gentleman, ' cried out the physician. 'Sir, ' added he, turning to his guest, 'it is with inexpressible reluctance that Icontradict you, but wine would be at present a mortal poison; therefore, please to content yourself, for one night only, with a glass of thismost excellent and refreshing mineral water. '

"The gentleman was again compelled to submit, and drank the water with avariety of strange grimaces. After the cloth was removed, SignorRamozini entertained the gentleman with some agreeable and improvingconversation for about an hour, and then proposed to his patient that heshould retire to rest. This proposal the gentleman gladly accepted, ashe found himself fatigued with his journey, and unusually disposed tosleep. The doctor then retired, and ordered one of his servants to showthe gentleman to his chamber. 

"He was accordingly conducted into a neighbouring room, where there waslittle to be seen but a homely bed, without furniture, with nothing tosleep upon but a mattress almost as hard as the floor. At this thegentleman burst into a violent passion again: 'Villain, ' said he to theservant, 'it is impossible your master should dare to confine me to sucha wretched dog-hole! Show me into another room immediately!' 'Sir, 'answered the servant, with profound humility, 'I am heartily sorry thechamber does not please you, but I am morally certain I have notmistaken my master's order; and I have too great a respect for you tothink of disobeying him in a point which concerns your precious life. 'Saying this he went out of the room, and shutting the door on theoutside, left the gentleman to his meditations. They were not veryagreeable at first; however, as he saw no remedy, he undressed himselfand entered the wretched bed, where he presently fell asleep while hewas meditating revenge upon the doctor and his whole family. 

"The gentleman slept so soundly that he did not awake till morning; andthen the physician came into his room, and with the greatest tendernessand civility inquired after his health. He had indeed fallen asleep invery ill-humour; but his night's rest had much composed his mind, andthe effect of this was increased by the extreme politeness of thedoctor, so that he answered with tolerable temper, only making bittercomplaints of the homeliness of his accommodation. 

"'My dearest sir, ' answered the physician, 'did I not make a previousagreement with you that you should submit to my management? Can youimagine that I have any other end in view than the improvement of yourhealth? It is not possible that you should in everything perceive thereasons of my conduct, which is founded upon the most accurate theoryand experience. However, in this case, I must inform you that I havefound out the art of making my very beds medicinal; and this you mustconfess, from the excellent night you have passed. I cannot impart thesame salutary virtues to down or silk, and therefore, though very muchagainst my inclinations, I have been compelled to lodge you in thishomely manner. But now, if you please, it is time to rise. '

"Ramozini then rang for the servants, and the gentleman suffered himselfto be dressed. At breakfast the gentleman expected to fare a littlebetter, but his relentless guardian would suffer him to taste nothingbut a slice of bread and a porringer of water-gruel--all which hedefended, very little to his guest's satisfaction, upon the mostunerring principles of medical science. 

"After breakfast had been some time finished, Dr Ramozini told hispatient it was time to begin the great work of restoring him to the useof his limbs. He accordingly had him carried into a little room, wherehe desired the gentleman to attempt to stand. 'That is impossible, 'answered the patient, 'for I have not been able to use a leg these threeyears. ' 'Prop yourself, then, upon your crutches, and lean against thewall to support yourself, ' answered the physician. The gentleman did so, and the doctor went abruptly out, and locked the door after him. He hadnot been long in this situation before he felt the floor of thechamber, which he had not before perceived to be composed of plates ofiron, grow immoderately hot under his feet. He called the doctor and hisservants, but to no purpose; he then began to utter loud vociferationsand menaces, but all was equally ineffectual; he raved, he swore, hepromised, he entreated, but nobody came to his assistance, and the heatgrew more intense every instant. At length necessity compelled him tohop upon one leg in order to rest the other, and this he did withgreater agility than he could conceive was possible; presently the otherleg began to burn, and then he hopped again upon the other. Thus he wenton, hopping about with this involuntary exercise, till he had stretchedevery sinew and muscle more than he had done for several years before, and thrown himself into a profuse perspiration. 

"When the doctor was satisfied with the exertions of his patient, hesent into the floor an easy chair for him to rest upon, and suffered thefloor to cool as gradually as it had been heated. Then it was that thesick man for the first time began to be sensible of the real use andpleasure of repose; he had earned it by fatigue, without which it cannever prove either salutary or agreeable. 

"At dinner the doctor appeared again to his patient, and made him athousand apologies for the liberties he had taken with his person. Theseexcuses he received with a kind of sullen civility. However, his angerwas a little mitigated by the smell of a roasted pullet, which wasbrought to table and set before him. He now, from exercise andabstinence, began to find a relish in his victuals which he had neverdone before, and the doctor permitted him to mingle a little wine withhis water. These compliances, however, were so extremely irksome to histemper, that the month seemed to pass away as slowly as a year. When itwas expired, and his servants came to ask his orders, he instantly threwhimself into his carriage without taking leave either of the doctor orhis family. When he came to reflect upon the treatment he had received, his forced exercises, his involuntary abstinence, and all the othermortifications he had undergone, he could not conceive but it must be aplot of the physician he had left behind, and full of rage andindignation, drove directly to his house in order to reproach him withit. 

"The physician happened to be at home, but scarcely knew his patientagain, though after so short an absence. He had shrunk to half hisformer bulk, his look and colour were mended, and he had entirely thrownaway his crutches. When he had given vent to all that his anger couldsuggest, the physician coolly answered in the following manner:--'I knownot, sir, what right you have to make me these reproaches, since it wasnot by my persuasion that you put yourself under the care of DoctorRamozini. ' 'Yes, sir, but you gave me a high character of his skill andintegrity. ' 'Has he then deceived you in either, or do you find yourselfworse than when you put yourself under his care?' 'I cannot say that, 'answered the gentleman; 'I am, to be sure, surprisingly improved in mydigestion; I sleep better than ever I did before; I eat with anappetite; and I can walk almost as well as ever I could in my life. ''And do you seriously come, ' said the physician, 'to complain of a manthat has affected all these miracles for you in so short a time, and, unless you are now wanting to yourself, has given you a degree of lifeand health which you had not the smallest reason to expect. '

"The gentleman who had not sufficiently considered all these advantages, began to look a little confused, and the physician thus went on:--'Allthat you have to complain of is, that you have been involuntarily yourown dupe, and cheated into health and happiness. You went to DrRamozini, and saw a parcel of miserable wretches comfortably at dinner. That great and worthy man is the father of all about him; he knows thatmost of the diseases of the poor, originate in their want of food andnecessaries, and therefore benevolently assists them with better dietand clothing. The rich, on the contrary, are generally the victims oftheir own sloth and intemperance, and, therefore, he finds it necessaryto use a contrary method of cure--exercise, abstinence, andmortification. You, sir, have indeed been treated like a child, but ithas been for your own advantage. Neither your bed, nor meat, nor drink, has ever been medicated; all the wonderful change that has been producedhas been by giving you better habits, and rousing the slumbering powersof your own constitution. As to deception, you have none to complain of, except what proceeded from your own foolish imagination, which persuadedyou that a physician was to regulate his conduct by the folly andintemperance of his patient. As to all the rest, he only promised toexert all the secrets of his art for your cure; and this, I am witnesshe has done so effectually, that, were you to reward him with half yourfortune, it would hardly be too much for his deserts. '

"The gentleman, who did not want either sense or generosity, could nothelp feeling the force of what was said. He therefore made a handsomeapology for his behaviour, and instantly despatched a servant to DrRamozini, with a handsome present, and a letter expressing the highestgratitude; and so much satisfaction did he find in the amendment of hishealth and spirits, that he never again relapsed into his former habitsof intemperance, but, by constant exercise and uniform moderation, continued free from any considerable disease to a very comfortable oldage. "

"Indeed, " said Tommy, "this is a very diverting, comical story; and Ishould like very much to tell it to the gouty gentlemen that come to ourhouse. " "That, " answered Mr Barlow, "would be highly improper, unlessyou were particularly desired. Those gentlemen cannot be ignorant thatsuch unbounded indulgence of their appetites can only tend to increasethe disease; and therefore you could teach them nothing new on thesubject. But it would appear highly improper for such a little boy asyou to take upon him to instruct others, while he all the time wants somuch instruction himself. " "Thus, " continued Mr Barlow, "you see by thisstory (which is applicable to half the rich in most countries), thatintemperance and excess are fully as dangerous as want and hardships. Asto the Laplanders, whom you were in so much pain about, they are someof the healthiest people whom the world produces. They generally live toan extremely old age, free from all the common diseases which we areacquainted with, and subject to no other inconveniency than blindness, which is supposed to arise from the continual prospect of snow, and theconstant smoke with which they are surrounded in their huts. "

CHAPTER V. 

 Lost in the Snow--Jack Smithers' Home--Talk about the Stars--Harry's pursuit of The Will-o'-the-Wisp--Story of the Avalanche--Town and Country compared--The Power of the Lever--The Balance--The Wheel and Axle--Arithmetic--Buying a Horse--History of Agesilaus--History of Leonidas. 

Some few days after this conversation, when the snow had nearlydisappeared, though the frost and cold continued, the two little boyswent out to take a walk. Insensibly they wandered so far that theyscarcely knew their way, and therefore resolved to return as speedily aspossible; but unfortunately, in passing through a wood, they entirelymissed the track, and lost themselves. To add to their distress, thewind began to blow most bitterly from the north, and a violent shower ofsnow coming on, obliged them to seek the thickest shelter they couldfind. They happened fortunately to be near an aged oak, the inside ofwhich gradually decaying, was worn away by time, and afforded an ampleopening to shelter them from the storm. Into this the two little boyscrept safe, and endeavoured to keep each other warm, while a violentshower of snow and sleet fell all around, and gradually covered theearth. Tommy, who had been little used to hardships, bore it for sometime with fortitude, and without uttering a complaint. At length hungerand fear took entire possession of his soul, and turning to Harry, withwatery eyes and a mournful voice, he asked him what they should do?"Do?" said Harry, "we must wait here, I think, till the weather clearsup a little, and then we will endeavour to find the way home. "

_Tommy. _--But what if the weather should not clear up at all?

_Harry. _--In that case we must either endeavour to find our way throughthe snow, or stay here, where we are so conveniently sheltered. 

_Tommy. _--But oh! what a dreadful thing it is to be here all alone inthis dreary wood! And then I am so hungry and so cold; oh that we hadbut a little fire to warm us!

_Harry. _--I have heard that shipwrecked persons, when they have beencast away upon a desert coast, have made a fire to warm themselves byrubbing two pieces of wood together till they caught fire; or here is abetter thing; I have a large knife in my pocket, and if I could but finda piece of flint, I could easily strike fire with the back of it. 

Harry then searched about, and after some time found a couple of flints, though not without much difficulty, as the ground was nearly hidden withsnow. He then took the flints, and striking one upon the other with allhis force, he shivered them into several pieces; out of those he chosethe thinnest and sharpest, and telling Tommy, with a smile, that hebelieved that would do, he struck it several times against the back ofhis knife, and thus produced several sparks of fire. "This, " said Harry, "will be sufficient to light a fire, if we can but find something of asufficiently combustible nature to kindle from these sparks. " He thencollected the driest leaves he could find, with little decayed pieces ofwood, and piling them into a heap, endeavoured to kindle a blaze by thesparks which he continually struck from his knife and the flint. But itwas in vain; the leaves were not of a sufficiently combustible nature, and while he wearied himself in vain, they were not at all the moreadvanced. Tommy, who beheld the ill success of his friend, began to bemore and more terrified, and in despair asked Harry again what theyshould do. Harry answered, that as they had failed in their attempt towarm themselves, the best thing they could do was to endeavour to findtheir way home, more especially as the snow had now ceased, and the skywas become much clearer. This Tommy consented to, and with infinitedifficulty they began their march; for, as the snow had completelycovered every tract, and the daylight began to fail, they wandered atrandom through a vast and pathless wood. At every step which Tommy tookhe sank almost to his knees in snow. The wind was bleak and cold, and itwas with much difficulty that Harry could prevail upon him to continuehis journey. At length, however, as they thus pursued their way withinfinite toil, they came to some lighted embers, which either somelabourers or some wandering passenger had lately quitted, and which wereyet unextinguished. "See, " said Harry with joy, "see what a luckychance is this! here is a fire ready lighted for us, which needs onlythe assistance of a little wood to make it burn. " Harry again collectedall the dry pieces he could find, and piled them upon the embers, whichin a few minutes began to blaze, and diffused a cheerful warmth. Tommythen began to warm and chafe his almost frozen limbs over the fire withinfinite delight. At length he could not help observing to Harry, thathe never could have believed that a few dried sticks could have been ofso much consequence to him. "Ah!" answered Harry, "Master Tommy, youhave been brought up in such a manner, that you never knew what it wasto want anything; but that is not the case with thousands and millionsof people. I have seen hundreds of poor children that have neither breadto eat, fire to warm, nor clothes to cover them. Only think, then, whata disagreeable situation they must be in; yet they are so accustomed tohardship that they do not cry in a twelvemonth as much as you have donewithin this quarter of an hour. "

"Why, " answered Tommy, a little disconcerted at the observation of hiscrying, "it cannot be expected that gentlemen should be able to bear allthese inconveniences as well as the poor. " "Why not, " answered Harry, "is not a gentleman as much a man as the poor can be? and if he is aman, should he not accustom himself to support everything that hisfellow-creatures do?"

_Tommy. _--That is very true; but he will have all the conveniences oflife provided for him; victuals to eat, a good warm bed, and a fire towarm him. 

_Harry. _--But he is not sure of having all these things as long as helives. Besides, I have often observed the gentlemen and ladies in ourneighbourhood riding about in coaches, and covered from head to foot, yet shaking with the least breath of air, as if they all had agues, while the children of the poor run about barefooted upon the ice, anddivert themselves with making snow-balls. 

_Tommy. _--That is indeed true; for I have seen my mother's visitorssitting over the largest fire that could be made, and complaining ofcold, while the labourers out of doors were stripped to their shirts towork, and never minded it in the least. 

_Harry. _--Then I should think that exercise, by which a person can warmhimself when he pleases, is an infinitely better thing than all theseconveniences you speak of; because, after all, they will not hinder aperson from being cold, but exercise will warm him in an instant. 

_Tommy. _--But then it is not proper for gentlemen to do the same kind ofwork with the common people. 

_Harry. _--But is it not proper for a gentleman to have his body stoutand hardy?

_Tommy. _--To be sure it is. 

_Harry. _--Why, then, he must sometimes labour and use his limbs, or elsehe will never be able to do it. 

_Tommy. _--What! cannot a person be strong without working?

_Harry. _--You can judge for yourself. You very often have fine younggentlemen at your father's house, and are any of them as strong as thesons of the farmers in the neighbourhood, who are always used to handlea hoe, a spade, a fork, and other tools?

_Tommy. _--Indeed, I believe that is true, for I think I am becomestronger myself since I have learned to divert myself in Mr Barlow'sgarden. 

As they were conversing in this manner, a little boy came singing along, with a bundle of sticks at his back; and as soon as Harry saw him, herecollected him, and cried out, "As I am alive, here as I am is JackSmithers, the little ragged boy that you gave the clothes to in thesummer! He lives, I dare say, in the neighbourhood, and either he or hisfather will now show us the way home. "

[Illustration: "As I am alive, here is Jack Smithers, the little raggedboy that you gave the clothes to in the summer!"

_P. 202. _]

Harry then spoke to the boy, and asked him if he could show them the wayout of the wood. "Yes, surely I can, " answered the boy; "but I nevershould have thought of seeing Master Merton out so late in such atempestuous night as this; but, if you will come with me to my father'scottage, you may warm yourself at our fire, and father will run to MrBarlow to let him know you are safe. "

Tommy accepted the offer with joy, and the little boy led them out ofthe wood, and in a few minutes they came to a small cottage which stoodby the side of the road, which, when they entered, they saw amiddle-aged woman busy in spinning; the eldest girl was cooking somebroth over the fire; the father was sitting in the chimney-corner, andreading a book, while three or four ragged children were tumbling uponthe floor, and creeping between their father's legs. 

"Daddy, " said the little boy, as he came in, "here is Master Merton, whowas so good to us all in the summer; he has lost his way in the wood, and is almost perished in the snow. "

The man upon this arose, and with much civility desired the two littleboys to seat themselves by the fire, while the good woman ran to fetchher largest faggot, which she threw upon the fire, and created acheerful blaze in an instant. "There, my dear little master, " said she, "you may at least refresh yourself by our fire, and I wish I hadanything to offer you that you could eat; but I am afraid you wouldnever be able to bear such coarse brown bread as we poor folks areobliged to eat. " "Indeed, " said Tommy, "my good mother, I have fasted solong, and I am so hungry, that I think I could eat anything. " "Well, then, " answered the woman, "here is a little bit of gammon of baconwhich I will broil for you upon the embers, and if you can make a supperyou are heartily welcome. "

While the good woman was thus preparing supper the man had closed hisbook, and placed it with great respect upon a shelf, which gave Tommythe curiosity to ask him what he was reading about. "Master, " answeredthe man, "I was reading the Book which teaches me my duty towards man, and my obligations to God; I was reading the Gospel of Jesus Christ, andteaching it to my children. "

_Tommy. _--Indeed, I have heard of that good Book; Mr Barlow has oftenread part of it to me, and promised I should read it myself. That is theBook they read at church; I have often heard Mr Barlow read it to thepeople; and he always reads it so well and so affectingly that everybodylistens, and you may hear even a pin drop upon the pavement. 

_The Man. _--Yes, master, Mr Barlow is a worthy servant and follower ofJesus Christ himself; he is the friend of all the poor in theneighbourhood; he gives us food and medicines when we are ill, and heemploys us when we can find no work; but what we are even more obligedto him for than the giving us food and raiment, and life itself, heinstructs us in our duty, makes us ashamed of our faults, and teaches ushow we may be happy, not only here, but in another world. I was once anidle, abandoned man myself, given up to swearing and drinking, neglecting my family, and taking no thought for my poor wife andchildren; but since Mr Barlow has taught me better things, and made meacquainted with this blessed book, my life and manners, I hope, are muchamended, and I do my duty better to my poor family. 

"That indeed you do, Robin, " answered the woman; "there is not now abetter and kinder husband in the world; you have not wasted an idlepenny or a moment's time these two years; and, without that unfortunatefever, which prevented you from working last harvest, we should have thegreatest reason to be contented. "

"Have we not the greatest reason now, " answered the man, "to be not onlycontented, but thankful for all the blessings we enjoy? It is true thatI, and several of the children, were ill this year for many weeks; butdid we not all escape, through the blessing of God, and the care of goodMr Barlow and this worthy Master Sandford, who brought us victuals somany days, with his own hands, when we otherwise should perhaps havestarved? Have I not had very good employment ever since; and do I notnow earn six shillings a-week, which is a very comfortable thing, whenmany poor wretches as good as I are starving, because they cannot findemployment?"

"Six shillings a-week! six shillings a-week!" answered Tommy inamazement; "and is that all you and your wife and children have to liveon for a whole week!"

_The Man. _--Not all, master; my wife sometimes earns a shilling oreighteenpence a-week by spinning, and our eldest daughter begins to dosomething that way, but not much. 

_Tommy. _--That makes seven shillings and sixpence a-week. Why, I haveknown my mother give more than that to go to a place where outlandishpeople sing. I have seen her and other ladies give a man a guinea fordressing their hair; and I know a little miss, whose father giveshalf-a-guinea a time to a little Frenchman, who teaches her to jump andcaper about the room. 

"Master, " replied the man, smiling, "these are great gentlefolks thatyou are talking about; they are very rich, and have a right to do whatthey please with their own; it is the duty of us poor folks to labourhard, take what we can get, and thank the great and wise God that ourcondition is no worse. "

_Tommy. _--What! and is it possible that you can thank God for living insuch a house as this, and earning seven shillings and sixpence a-week?

_The Man. _--To be sure I can, master. Is it not an act of His goodnessthat we have clothes and a warm house to shelter us, and wholesome foodto eat? It was but yesterday that two poor men came by, who had beencast away in a storm, and lost their ship and all they had. One of thepoor men had scarcely any clothes to cover him, and was shaking all overwith a violent ague; and the other had his toes almost mortified bywalking bare-footed in the snow. Am I not a great deal better off thanthese poor men, and perhaps than a thousand others, who are at this timetossed about upon the waves, or cast away, or wandering about the world, without a shed to cover them from the weather; or imprisoned for debt?Might I not have gone on in committing bad actions, like many otherunhappy men, till I had been guilty of some notorious crime, which mighthave brought me to a shameful end? And ought not I to be grateful forall these blessings which I possess without deserving them?

Tommy, who had hitherto enjoyed all the good things of this life, without reflecting from whom he had received them, was very much struckwith the piety of this honest and contented man; but as he was going toanswer, the good woman, who had laid a clean, though coarse, cloth uponthe table, and taken up her savoury supper in an earthen plate, invitedthem to sit down; an invitation which both the boys obeyed with thegreatest pleasure, as they had eaten nothing since the morning. In themeantime the honest man of the house had taken his hat and walked to MrBarlow's, to inform him that his two pupils were safe in theneighbourhood. 

Mr Barlow had long suffered the greatest uneasiness at their absence, and not contented with sending after them on every side, was at thatvery time busy in the pursuit, so that the man met him about half-wayfrom his own house. As soon as Mr Barlow heard the good news, hedetermined to return with the man, and reached his house just as TommyMerton had finished one of the heartiest meals he had ever made. 

The little boys rose up to meet Mr Barlow, and thanked him for hiskindness, and the pains he had taken to look after them, expressingtheir concern for the accident which had happened, and the uneasinesswhich, without designing it, they had occasioned; but he, with thegreatest good-nature, advised them to be more cautious for the future, and not to extend their walks so far; then, thanking the worthy peopleof the house, he offered to conduct them, and they all three set outtogether in a very cold, but fine and star-light evening. 

As they went home Mr Barlow renewed his caution, and told them thedangers they had incurred. "Many people, " said he, "in your situation, have been surprised by an unexpected storm, and, losing their way, haveperished with cold. Sometimes, both men and beasts, not being able todiscern their accustomed track, have fallen into deep pits filled up andcovered with the snow, where they have been found buried several feetdeep, and frozen to death. " "And is it impossible, " said Tommy, "in sucha case to escape?" "In general it is, " said Mr Barlow; "but there havebeen some extraordinary instances of persons who have lived several daysin that condition, and yet have been taken out alive; to-morrow youshall read a remarkable story to that purpose. "

As they were walking on, Tommy looked up at the sky, where all the starsglimmered with unusual brightness, and said, "What an innumerable numberof stars is here! I think I never observed so many before in all mylife!" "Innumerable as they appear to you, " said Mr Barlow, "there arepersons that have not only counted all you now see, but thousands more, which are at present invisible to your eye. " "How can that be?" inquiredTommy, "for there is neither beginning nor end; they are scattered soconfusedly about the sky, that I should think it as impossible to numberthem, as the flakes of snow that fell to-day while we were in the wood. "

At this Mr Barlow smiled, and said, that he believed Harry could givehim a different account, although perhaps he could not number them all. "Harry, " said he, "cannot you show your companion some of theconstellations?" "Yes, " answered Harry, "I believe I remember some thatyou have been so good as to teach me. " "But pray, sir, " said Tommy, "what is a constellation?"

"Those, " answered Mr Barlow, "who first began to observe the heavens asyou do now, have observed certain stars, remarkable either for theirbrightness or position. To these they have given a particular name thatthey might the more easily know them again, and discourse of them toothers; and these particular clusters of stars, thus joined together andnamed, they call _constellations_. But come, Harry, you are a littlefarmer, and can certainly point out to us Charles' Wain. "

Harry then looked up to the sky, and pointed out seven very brightstars towards the north. "You are right, " said Mr Barlow; "four of thesestars have put the common people in mind of the four wheels of a waggon, and the three others of the horses, therefore they have called them bythis name. Now, Tommy, look well at these, and see if you can find anyseven stars in the whole sky that resemble them in their position. "

_Tommy. _--Indeed, sir, I do not think I can. 

_Mr Barlow. _--Do you not think, then, that you can find them again?

_Tommy. _--I will try, sir. Now, I will take my eye off, and look anotherway. I protest I cannot find them again. Oh! I believe, there they are. Pray, sir (pointing with his finger), is not that Charles' Wain?

_Mr Barlow. _--You are right; and, by remembering these stars, you mayvery easily observe those which are next to them, and learn their namestoo, till you are acquainted with the whole face of the heavens. 

_Tommy. _--That is indeed very clever and very surprising. I will show mymother Charles' Wain the first time I go home; I daresay she has neverobserved it. 

_Mr Barlow. _--But look on the two stars which compose the hinder wheelof the waggon, and raise your eye up towards the top of the sky; do younot see a very bright star, that seems to be almost, but not quite, in aline with the two others?

_Tommy. _--Yes, sir; I see it plainly. 

_Mr Barlow. _--That is called the Pole-star; it never moves from itsplace, and by looking full at it, you may always find the north. 

_Tommy. _--Then if I turn my face towards that star, I always look to thenorth. 

_Mr Barlow. _--You are right. 

_Tommy. _--Then I shall turn my back to the south. 

_Mr Barlow. _--You are right again; and now cannot you find the east andthe west?

_Tommy. _--Is it not the east where the sun rises?

_Mr Barlow. _--Yes; but there is no sun to direct you now. 

_Tommy. _--Then, sir, I cannot find it out. 

_Mr Barlow. _--Do not you know, Harry?

_Harry. _--I believe, sir, that if you turn your face to the north, theeast will be on the right hand, and the west on the left. 

_Mr Barlow. _--Perfectly right. 

_Tommy. _--That is very clever indeed; so then, by knowing the Pole-star, I can always find north, east, west, and south. But you said that thePole-star never moves; do the other stars, then, move out of theirplaces?

_Mr Barlow. _--That is a question you may learn to answer yourself, byobserving the present appearance of the heavens, and then examiningwhether the stars change their places at any future time. 

_Tommy. _--But, sir, I have thought that it would be a good contrivance, in order to remember their situation, if I were to draw them upon a bitof paper. 

_Mr Barlow. _--But how would you do that?

_Tommy. _--I would make a mark upon the paper for every star in Charles'Wain; and I would place the marks just as I see the stars placed in thesky; and I would entreat you to write the names for me; and this Iwould do till I was acquainted with all the stars in the heavens. 

_Mr Barlow. _--That would be an excellent way, but you see a paper isflat; is that the form of the sky?

_Tommy. _--No; the sky seems to rise from the earth on every side, likethe dome of a great church. 

_Mr Barlow. _--Then if you were to have some round body, I should thinkit would correspond to the different parts of the sky, and you mightplace your stars with more exactness. 

_Tommy. _--That is true, indeed, sir; I wish I had just such a globe. 

_Mr Barlow. _--Well, just such a globe I will endeavour to procure you. 

_Tommy. _--Sir, I am much obliged to you, indeed. But of what use is itto know the stars?

_Mr Barlow. _--Were there no other use, I should think there would be avery great pleasure in observing such a number of glorious glitteringbodies as are now above us. We sometimes run to see a procession ofcoaches, or a few people in fine clothes strutting about. We admire alarge room that is painted, and ornamented, and gilded; but what isthere in all these things to be compared with the sight of theseluminous bodies that adorn every part of the sky?

_Tommy. _--That's true, indeed. My Lord Wimple's great room that I haveheard all the people admire so much, is no more to be compared to itthan the shabbiest thing in the world. 

_Mr Barlow. _--That is indeed true; but there are some, and those veryimportant, uses to be derived from an acquaintance with the stars. Harry, do you tell Master Merton the story of your being lost upon thegreat moor. 

_Harry. _--You must know, Master Tommy, that I have an uncle who livesabout three miles off, across the great moor that we have sometimeswalked upon. Now, my father, as I am in general pretty well acquaintedwith the roads, very often sends me with messages to my uncle. Oneevening I went there so late, that it was scarcely possible to get homeagain before it was quite dark. It was at that time in the month ofOctober. My uncle wished me very much to stay at his house all night, but that was not proper for me to do, because my father had ordered meto come back; so I set out as soon as I possibly could, but just as Ihad reached the heath, the evening grew extremely dark. 

_Tommy. _--And were not you frightened to find yourself all alone uponsuch a dismal place?

_Harry. _--No; I knew the worst that could happen would be that I shouldstay there all night, and as soon as ever the morning shone, I shouldhave found my way home. But, however, by the time that I had reached themiddle of the heath, there came on such a violent tempest of wind, blowing full in my face, accompanied with such a shower, that I found itimpossible to continue my way. So I quitted the track, which is neververy easy to find, and ran aside to a holly-bush that was growing atsome distance, in order to seek a little shelter. Here, I lay, veryconveniently, till the storm was almost over; then I rose and attemptedto continue my way, but unfortunately I missed the track, and lostmyself. 

_Tommy. _--That was a very dismal thing indeed. 

_Harry. _--I wandered about a great while, but still to no purpose. I hadnot a single mark to direct me, because the common is so extensive, andso bare either of trees or houses, that one may walk for miles and seenothing but heath and furze. Sometimes I tore my legs in scramblingthrough great thickets of furze; now and then I plumped into a hole fullof water, and should have been drowned if I had not learned to swim; sothat at last I was going to give it up in despair, when, looking on oneside, I saw a light at a little distance, which seemed to be a candleand lantern that somebody was carrying across the moor. 

_Tommy. _--Did not that give you very great comfort?

"You shall hear, " answered Harry, smiling. "At first I was doubtfulwhether I should go up to it; but I considered that it was not worthanybody's pains to hurt a poor boy like me, and that no person who wasout on any ill design, would probably choose to carry a light. So Idetermined boldly to go up to it, and inquire the way. "

_Tommy. _--And did the person with the candle and lantern direct you?

_Harry. _--I began walking up towards it, when immediately the light, which I had first observed on my right hand, moving slowly along by myside, changed its direction, and went directly before me, with about thesame degree of swiftness. I thought this very odd; but I still continuedthe chase, and just as I thought I had approached very near, I tumbledinto another pit full of water. 

_Tommy. _--That was unlucky indeed. 

_Harry. _--Well, I scrambled out, and very luckily on the same side withthe light, which I began to follow again, but with as little success asever. I had now wandered many miles about the common; I knew no morewhere I was than if I had been set down upon an unknown country; I hadno hopes of finding my way home, unless I could reach this wanderinglight; and, though I could not conceive that the person who carried itcould know of my being so near, he seemed to act as if he was determinedto avoid me. However, I was resolved to make one attempt, and thereforeI began to run as fast as I was able, hallooing out, at the same time, to the person that I thought before me, to entreat him to stop. 

_Tommy. _--And did he?

_Harry. _--Instead of that, the light, which had before been moving alongat a slow and easy pace, now began to dance as it were before me, tentimes faster than before, so that instead of overtaking it, I foundmyself farther and farther behind. Still, however, I ran on, till Iunwarily sunk up to the middle in a large bog, out of which I at lastscrambled with a very great difficulty. Surprised at this, and notconceiving that any human being could pass over such a bog as this, Idetermined to pursue it no longer. But now I was wet and weary; theclouds had indeed rolled away, and the moon and stars began to shine. Ilooked around me, and could discern nothing but a wide, barren country, without so much as a tree to shelter me, or any animal in sight. Ilistened, in hopes of hearing a sheepbell, or the barking of a dog; butnothing met my ear, except the shrill whistling of the wind, which blewso cold that it chilled me to the very heart. In this situation Istopped a while to consider what I should do; and raising my eyes byaccident to the sky, the first object I beheld was that veryconstellation of Charles' Wain, and above it I discerned the Pole-star, glimmering, as it were, from the very top of heaven. Instantly a thoughtcame into my mind; I considered, that when I had been walking along theroad which led towards my uncle's house I had often observed thePole-star full before me; therefore it occurred to me, that if I turnedmy back exactly upon it, and went straight forward in a contrarydirection, it must lead me towards my father's house. As soon as I hadformed this resolution, I began to execute it. I was persuaded I shouldnow escape, and therefore, forgetting my fatigue, I ran along as brisklyas if I had but then set out. Nor was I disappointed; for though I couldsee no tracks, yet, taking the greatest care always to go on in thatdirection, the moon afforded me light enough to avoid the pits and bogswhich are found in various parts of that wild moor; and when I hadtravelled, as I imagined, about three miles, I heard the barking of adog, which gave me double vigour; and going a little farther, I came tosome enclosures at the skirts of the common, which I knew, so that Ithen with ease found my way home, after having almost despaired of doingit. 

_Tommy. _--Indeed, then, the knowledge of the Pole-star was of very greatuse to you. I am determined I will make myself acquainted with all thestars in the heavens. But did you ever find out what that light was, which danced before you in so extraordinary a manner?

_Harry. _--When I came home, my father told me it was what the commonpeople called a _Jack-o'-the-lantern_; and Mr Barlow has since informedme that these things are only vapours, which rise out of the earth inmoist and fenny places, although they have that bright appearance; andtherefore told me that many people, like me, who have taken them for alighted candle, have followed them, as I did, into bogs and ditches. 

Just as Harry had finished his story, they arrived at Mr Barlow's; andafter sitting some time, and talking over the accidents of the day, thelittle boys retired to bed. Mr Barlow was sitting alone and reading inhis parlour, when, to his great surprise, Tommy came running into theroom, half undressed, and bawling out, "Sir, sir, I have found it out!they move! they move!" "What moves?" said Mr Barlow. "Why, Charles' Wainmoves, " answered Tommy; "I had a mind to take one peep at the sky beforeI went to bed, and I see that all the seven stars have moved from theirplaces a great way higher up the sky. " "Well, " said Mr Barlow, "you areindeed right. You have done a vast deal to-day, and to-morrow we willtalk over these things again. "

When the morrow came, Tommy put Mr Barlow in mind of the story he hadpromised him about the people buried in the snow. Mr Barlow looked himout the book, but first said, "It is necessary to give you someexplanation. The country where this accident happened is a country fullof rocks and mountains, so excessively high that the snow never meltsupon their tops. " "Never?" said Tommy; "not even in the summer?" "Noteven in the summer. The valleys between these mountains are inhabited bya brave and industrious people; the sides of them, too, are cultivated, but the tops of the highest mountains are so extremely cold that the iceand snow never melt, but go on continually increasing. During a greatpart of the winter the weather is extremely cold, and the inhabitantsconfine themselves within their houses, which they have the art torender very comfortable. Almost all the roads are then impassable, andsnow and ice afford the only prospect. But when the year begins to growwarmer, the snow is frequently thawed upon the sides of the mountains, and undermined by the torrents of water, which pour down withirresistible fury. Hence it frequently happens that such prodigiousmasses of snow fall down as are sufficient to bury beasts and houses, and even villages themselves, beneath them. 

"It was in the neighbourhood of these prodigious mountains, which arecalled the _Alps_, that, on the 19th of March 1755, a small cluster ofhouses was entirely overwhelmed by two vast bodies of snow that tumbleddown upon them from a greater height. All the inhabitants were thenwithin doors, except one Joseph Rochia, and his son, a lad of fifteen, who were on the roof of their house clearing away the snow, which hadfallen for three days incessantly. A priest going by to church advisedthem to come down, having just before observed a body of snow tumblingfrom the mountain towards them. The man descended with greatprecipitation, and fled with his son he knew not whither; but scarcelyhad he gone thirty or forty steps before his son, who followed him, felldown; on which, looking back, he saw his own and his neighbours' houses, in which were twenty-two persons in all, covered with a high mountain ofsnow. He lifted up his son, and reflecting that his wife, his sister, two children, and all his effects, were thus buried, he fainted away;but, soon reviving, got safe to a friend's house at some distance. 

"Five days after, Joseph, being perfectly recovered, got upon the snow, with his son and two of his wife's brothers, to try if he could find theexact place where his house stood; but, after many openings made in thesnow, they could not discover it. The month of April proving hot, andthe snow beginning to soften, he again used his utmost endeavours torecover his effects, and to bury, as he thought, the remains of hisfamily. He made new openings, and threw in earth to melt the snow, whichon the 24th of April was greatly diminished. He broke through ice sixEnglish feet thick, with iron bars, thrust down a long pole and touchedthe ground; but evening coming on, he desisted. 

"The next day the brother of his wife, who had heard of the misfortunesof the family, came to the house where Joseph was, and after restinghimself a little, went with him to work upon the snow, where they madeanother opening, which led them to the house they searched for; but, finding no dead bodies in its ruins, they sought for the stable, whichwas about two hundred and forty English feet distant, which, havingfound, they heard the cry of 'Help, my dear brother!' Being greatlysurprised, as well as encouraged by these words, they laboured with alldiligence till they had made a large opening, through which the brotherimmediately went down, where the sister, with an agonising and feeblevoice, told him 'I have always trusted in God and you, that you wouldnot forsake me. ' The other brother and the husband then went down, andfound, still alive, the wife, about forty-five, the sister, aboutthirty-five, and the daughter, about thirteen years old. These theyraised on their shoulders to men above, who pulled them up as if fromthe grave, and carried them to a neighbouring house; they were unable towalk, and so wasted that they appeared like mere skeletons. They wereimmediately put to bed, and gruel of rye-flour and a little butter wasgiven to recover them. 

"Some days after, the magistrate of the place came to visit them, andfound the wife still unable to rise from bed, or use her feet from theintense cold she had endured, and the uneasy posture she had been in. The sister, whose legs had been bathed with hot wine, could walk withsome difficulty, and the daughter needed no further remedies. 

"On the magistrate's interrogating the women, they told him that, on themorning of the 19th of March, they were in the stable with a boy of sixyears old, and a girl of about thirteen. In the same stable were sixgoats, one of which having brought forth two dead kids the night before, they went to carry her a small vessel of rye-flour gruel; there werealso an ass, and five or six fowls. They were sheltering themselves in awarm corner of the stable till the church-bell should ring, intending toattend the service. The wife related that, wanting to go out of thestable to kindle a fire in the house of her husband, who was clearingaway the snow from the top of it, she perceived a mass of snow breakingdown towards the east, upon which she went back into the stable, shutthe door, and told her sister of it. In less than three minutes theyheard the roof break over their heads, and also a part of the ceiling. The sister advised to get into the rack and manger, which they did. Theass was tied to the manger, but got loose by kicking and struggling, andthrew down the little vessel, which they found, and afterwards used tohold the melted snow, which served them for drink. 

"Very fortunately the manger was under the main prop of the stable, andso resisted the weight of the snow. Their first care was to know whatthey had to eat. The sister said she had fifteen chestnuts in herpockets; the children said they had breakfasted, and should want no morethat day. They remembered there were thirty-six or forty cakes in aplace near the stable, and endeavoured to get at them, but were not ablefor the snow. They called often for help, but were heard by none. Thesister gave the chestnuts to the wife, and ate two herself, and theydrank some snow-water. The ass was restless, and the goats kept bleatingfor some days, after which they heard no more of them. Two of the goats, however, being left alive and near the manger, they felt them, and foundthat one of them was big, and would kid, as they recollected, about themiddle of April; the other gave milk, wherewith they preserved theirlives. During all this time they saw not one ray of light, yet for abouttwenty days they had some notice of night and day from the crowing ofthe fowls, till they died. 

"The second day, being very hungry, they ate all the chestnuts, anddrank what milk the goat yielded, being very near two quarts a-day atfirst, but it soon decreased. The third day they attempted again, but invain, to get at the cakes; so resolved to take all possible care to feedthe goats; for just above the manger was a hay-loft, where, through ahole, the sister pulled down hay into the rack, and gave it to the goatsas long as she could reach it, and then, when it was beyond her reach, the goats climbed upon her shoulders and reached it themselves. 

"On the sixth day the boy sickened, and six days after desired hismother, who all this time had held him in her lap, to lay him at hislength in the manger. She did so, and taking him by the hand felt it wasvery cold; she then put her hand to his mouth, and finding that coldlikewise, she gave him a little milk; the boy then cried, 'Oh, my fatheris in the snow! Oh father! father!' and then expired. 

"In the meanwhile the goat's milk diminished daily, and, the fowls soonafter dying, they could no longer distinguish night from day; butaccording to their reckoning, the time was near when the other goatwould kid; this she accordingly did soon, and the young one dying, theyhad all the milk for their own subsistence; so they found that themiddle of April was come. Whenever they called this goat, it would comeand lick their faces and hands, and gave them every day two quarts ofmilk, on which account they still bear the poor creature a greataffection. 

"This was the account which these poor people gave to the magistrate oftheir preservation. "

"Dear heart!" said Tommy, when Mr Barlow had finished this account, "what a number of accidents people are subject to in this world. " "It isvery true, " answered Mr Barlow; "but as that is the case, it isnecessary to improve ourselves in every manner, that we may be able tostruggle against them. "

_Tommy. _--Indeed, sir, I begin to believe it is; for when I was lessthan I am now, I remember I was always fretful and hurting myself, though I had two or three people constantly to take care of me. Atpresent I seem as if I was quite another thing; I do not mind fallingdown and hurting myself, or cold, or weariness, or scarcely anythingwhich happens. 

_Mr Barlow. _--And which do you prefer; to be as you are now, or as youwere before?

_Tommy. _--As I am now, a great deal, sir; for then I always hadsomething or another the matter with me. Sometimes I had a little cold, and then I was obliged to stay in for several days; sometimes a littleheadache, and then I was forced to take physic; sometimes the weatherwas too hot, then I must stay within, and the same if it was too cold; Iused to be tired to death, if I did but walk a mile, and I was alwayseating cake and sweetmeats till I made myself sick. At present I think Iam ten times stronger and healthier than ever I was in my life. But whata terrible country that must be, where people are subject to be buriedin that manner in the snow! I wonder anybody will live there. 

_Mr Barlow. _--The people who inhabit that country are of a differentopinion, and prefer it to all the countries in the world. They are greattravellers, and many of them follow different professions in all thedifferent countries of Europe; but it is the only wish of almost all toreturn, before their death, to the mountains where they were born andhave passed their youth. 

_Tommy. _--I do not easily understand that. I have seen a great manyladies and little misses at our house, and whenever they were talking ofthe places where they should like to live, I have always heard them saythat they hated the country of all things, though they were born andbred there. I have heard one say the country is odious, filthy, shocking, and abominable; another, that it is impossible to liveanywhere but in London; and I remember once seeing a strange lady, whowrote down her observations in a book, and she said the country was allfull of barbarians, and that no person of elegance (yes, that was herword) could bear it for a week. 

_Mr Barlow. _--And yet there are thousands who bear to live in it alltheir lives, and have no desire to change. Should you, Harry, like toleave the country, and go to live in some town?

_Harry. _--Indeed, sir, I should not, for then I must leave everything Ilove in the world. I must leave my father and mother, who have been sokind to me; and you, too, sir, who have taken such pains to improve me, and make me good. I am convinced that I never shall find such friendsagain as long as I live; and what should anybody wish to live for whohas no friends? Besides, there is not a field upon my father's farm thatI do not prefer to every town I ever saw in my life. 

_Tommy. _--And have you ever been in any large town?

_Harry. _--Once I was in Exeter, but I did not much like it; the housesseemed to me to stand so thick and close, that I think our hog-stieswould be almost as agreeable places to live in; and then there arelittle narrow alleys where the poor live; and the houses are so high, that neither light nor air can ever get to them, and the most of themappeared so dirty and unhealthy, that it made my heart ache to look atthem. And then I walked along the streets, and peeped into theshops--and what do you think I saw?

_Tommy. _--What?

_Harry. _--Why, I saw great hulking fellows, as big as our ploughmen andcarters, with their heads all frizzled and curled like one of oursheep's tails, that did nothing but finger ribbons and caps for thewomen! This diverted me so, that I could not help laughing ready tosplit my sides. And then the gentlewoman, at whose house I was, took meto a place where there was a large room full of candles, and a greaternumber of fine gentlemen and ladies, all dressed out and showy, who weredancing about as if they were mad. But at the door of this house therewere twenty or thirty ragged, half-starved women and children, who stoodshivering in the rain, and begged for a bit of bread; but nobody gave itto them, or took any notice of them. So then I could not help thinkingthat it would be a great deal better if all the fine people would givesome of their money to the poor, that they might have some clothes andvictuals in their turn. 

_Tommy. _--That is indeed true. Had I been there I should have relievedthe poor people; for you know I am very good-natured and generous; butit is necessary for gentlemen to be fine and to dress well. 

_Harry. _--It may be so; but I never saw any great good come of it, formy part. As I was walking along the streets one day, and staring about, I met two very fine and dressy young gentlemen, who looked something asyou did, Master Tommy, when you first came here; so I turned off fromthe foot-way to let them pass, for my father always taught me to showcivility to people in a higher station; but that was not enough, itseems, for just as they passed by me they gave me such a violent push, that down I came into the kennel, and dirtied myself all over from headto foot. 

_Tommy. _--And did they not beg your pardon for the accident?

_Harry. _--Accident! it was no accident at all; for they burst out into afit of laughter, and called me a little clodpole. Upon which I toldthem, if I was a clodpole they had no business to insult me; and thenthey came back, and one of them gave me a kick, and the other a slap onthe face; but I told them that was too much for me to bear, so I struckthem again, and we all three began fighting. 

_Tommy. _--What! both at once? That was a cowardly trick. 

_Harry. _--I did not much mind that; but there came up a fine smartfellow, in white stockings and powdered hair, who it seems, was theirservant, and he was going to fall upon me too; but a man took my part, and said, I should have fair play, so I fought them both till they didnot choose to have any more; for, though they were so quarrelsome, theycould not fight worth a farthing; so I let them go, and advised them notto meddle any more with poor boys who did nothing to offend them. 

_Tommy. _--And did you hear no more of these young gentlemen?

_Harry. _--No; for I went home the next day, and never was I betterpleased in my life. When I came to the top of the great hill, from whichyou have a prospect of our house, I really thought I should have criedwith joy. The fields looked all so pleasant, and the cattle that werefeeding in them so happy; then every step I took I met with somebody orother I knew, or some little boy that I used to play with. "Here islittle Harry come back, " said one. "How do you do; how do you do?" crieda second. Then a third shook hands with me; and the very cattle, when Iwent to see them, seemed all glad that I was come home again. 

_Mr Barlow. _--You see by this that it is very possible for people tolike the country, and be happy in it. But as to the fine young ladiesyou talk of, the truth is, that they neither love, nor would be longcontented in any place; their whole happiness consists in idleness andfinery; they have neither learned to employ themselves in anythinguseful, nor to improve their minds. As to every kind of naturalexercise, they are brought up with too much delicacy to be able to bearit, and from the improper indulgences they meet with, they learn totremble at every trifling change of the seasons. With such dispositions, it is no wonder they dislike the _country_, where they find neitheremployment nor amusement. They wish to go to _London_, because therethey meet with infinite numbers as idle and frivolous as themselves; andthese people mutually assist each other to talk about trifles, and wastetheir time. 

_Tommy. _--That is true, sir, really; for, when we have a great deal ofcompany, I have often observed that they never talked about anything buteating or dressing, or men and women that are paid to make faces at theplayhouse, or a great room called _Ranelagh_, where everybody goes tomeet his friends. 

_Mr Barlow. _--I believe Harry will never go there to meet his friends. 

_Harry. _--Indeed, sir, I do not know what Ranelagh is; but all thefriends I have are at home; and when I sit by the fireside on a winter'snight, and read to my father and mother, and sister, as I sometimes do, or when I talk with you and Master Tommy upon improving subjects, Inever desire any other friends or conversation. But, pray sir, what isRanelagh?

_Mr Barlow. _--Ranelagh is a very large round room, to which, atparticular times of the year, great numbers of persons go in theircarriages to walk about for several hours. 

_Harry. _--And does nobody go there that has not several friends? BecauseMaster Tommy said that people went to Ranelagh to meet their friends. 

Mr Barlow smiled at this question, and answered, "The room is generallyso crowded, that people have little opportunity for any kind ofconversation. They walk round the room in a circle, one after the other, just like horses in a mill. When persons meet that know each other, theyperhaps smile and bow, but are shoved forward, without having anyopportunity to stop. As to _friends_, few people go to look for themthere; and if they were to meet them, few would take the trouble ofspeaking to them, unless they were dressed in a fashionable manner, andseemed to be of _consequence_. "

_Harry. _--That is very extraordinary, indeed. Why, sir, what can a man'sdress have to do with friendship? Should I love you a bit better if youwere to wear the finest clothes in the world; or should I like my fatherthe better if he were to put on a laced coat like Squire Chase? On thecontrary, whenever I see people dressed very fine, I cannot helpthinking of the story you once read me of Agesilaus, king of Sparta. 

_Tommy. _--What is that story? Do let me hear it. 

_Mr Barlow. _--To-morrow you shall hear it; at present we have read andconversed enough; it is better that you should go out and amuseyourselves. 

The little boys then went out, and returned to a diversion they had beenamusing themselves with for several days, the making a prodigioussnowball. They had begun by making a small globe of snow with theirhands, which they turned over and over, till, by continually collectingfresh matter, it grew so large that they were unable to roll it anyfarther. Here Tommy observed that their labours must end, "for it wasimpossible to turn it any longer. " "No, " said Harry, "I know a remedyfor that. " So he ran and fetched a couple of thick sticks about fivefeet long, and giving one of them to Tommy, he took the other himself. He then desired Tommy to put the end of his stick under the mass, whilehe did the same on his side, and then, lifting at the other end, theyrolled the heap forward with the greatest ease. 

Tommy was extremely surprised at this, and said, "How can this be? Weare not a bit stronger than we were before; and yet now we are able toroll this snowball along with ease, which we could not even stirbefore. " "That is very true, " answered Harry, "but it is owing to thesesticks. This is the way that the labourers move the largest trees, which, without this contrivance, they would not be able to stir. " "I amvery much surprised at this, " said Tommy; "I never should have imaginedthat the sticks would have given us more strength than we had before. "

Just as he had said this, through a violent effort, both their sticksbroke short in the middle. "This is no great loss, " observed Tommy, "forthe ends will do just as well as the whole sticks. "

They then tried to shove the ball again with the truncheons whichremained in their hands; but, to the new surprise of Tommy, they foundthey were unable to stir it. "That is very curious indeed, " said Tommy;"I find that only long sticks are of any use. " "That, " said Harry, "Icould have told you before, but I had a mind you should find it outyourself. The longer the stick is, provided it is sufficiently strong, and you can manage it, the more easily will you succeed. " "This isreally very curious, " replied Tommy; "but I see some of Mr Barlow'slabourers at work a little way off, let us go to them, and desire themto cut us two longer sticks, that we may try their effect. "

They then went up to the men who were at work, but here a new subject ofadmiration presented itself to Tommy's mind. There was a root of aprodigious oak tree, so large and heavy, that half-a-dozen horses wouldscarcely have been able to draw it along; besides, it was so tough andknotty, that the sharpest axe could hardly make any impression upon it. This a couple of old men were attempting to cleave in pieces, in orderto make billets for Mr Barlow's fire. 

Tommy, who thought their strength totally disproportionate to such anundertaking, could not help pitying them; and observing, that certainlyMr Barlow "did not know what they were about, or he would have preventedsuch poor weak old men from fatiguing themselves about what they nevercould perform. " "Do you think so?" replied Harry; "what would you thensay, if you were to see me, little as I am, perform this wonderful task, with the assistance of one of these good people?" So he took up a woodenmallet--an instrument which, although much larger, resembles ahammer--and began beating the root, which he did for some time, withoutmaking the least impression. Tommy, who imagined that, for this time, his friend Harry was caught, began to smile, and told him, "that hewould break a hundred mallets to pieces before he made the leastimpression upon the wood. "

"Say you so?" answered Harry, smiling; "then I believe I must tryanother method;" so he stooped down, and picked up a small piece ofrough iron, about six inches long, which Tommy had not before observed, as it lay upon the ground. This iron was broad at the top, but graduallysloped all the way down, till it came to a perfect edge at bottom. Harrythen took it up, and with a few blows drove it a little way into thebody of the root. The old man and he then struck alternately with theirmallets upon the head of the iron, till the root began to gape and crackon every side, and the iron was totally buried in the wood. 

"There, " said Harry, "this first wedge has done its business very well;two or three more will finish it. " He then took up another larger wedge, and, inserting the bottom of it between the wood and the top of theformer one, which was now completely buried in the root, began to beatupon it as he had done before. The root now cracked and split on everyside of the wedges, till a prodigious cleft appeared quite down to thebottom. Thus did Harry proceed, still continuing his blows, andinserting new and larger wedges as fast as he had driven the formerdown, till he had completely effected what he had undertaken, andentirely separated the monstrous mass of wood into two unequal parts. 

Harry then said, "here is a very large log, but I think you and I cancarry it in to mend the fire; and I will show you something else thatwill surprise you. " So he took a pole of about ten feet long, and hungthe log upon it by a piece of cord which he found there; then he askedTommy which end of the pole he chose to carry. Tommy, who thought itwould be most convenient to have the weight near him, chose that end ofthe pole near which the weight was suspended, and put it upon hisshoulder, while Harry took the other end. But when Tommy attempted tomove, he found that he could hardly bear the pressure; however, as hesaw Harry walk briskly away under his share of the load, he determinednot to complain. 

As they were walking in this manner, Mr Barlow met them, and seeing poorTommy labouring under his burthen, asked him who had loaded him in thatmanner. Tommy said it was Harry. Upon this, Mr Barlow smiled, and said, "Well, Tommy, this is the first time I ever saw your friend Harryattempt to impose upon you; but he is making you carry about three timesthe weight which he supports himself. " Harry replied, "that Tommy hadchosen that himself; and that he should directly have informed him ofhis mistake, but that he had been so surprised at seeing the commoneffects of a lever, that he wished to teach him some other facts aboutit;" then shifting the ends of the pole, so as to support that partwhich Tommy had done before, he asked him, "if he found his shoulderanything easier than before. " "Indeed, I do, " replied Tommy, "but Icannot conceive how; for we carry the same weight between us which wedid before, and just in the same manner. " "Not quite in the samemanner, " answered Mr Barlow; "for, if you observe, the log is a greatdeal farther from your shoulder than from Harry's, by which means henow supports just as much as you did before, and you, on the contrary, as little as he did when I met you. " "This is very extraordinaryindeed, " said Tommy; "I find there are a great many things which I didnot know, nor even my mamma, nor any of the fine ladies that come to ourhouse. " "Well, " replied Mr Barlow, "if you have acquired so much usefulknowledge already, what may you expect to do in a few years more?"

Mr Barlow then led Tommy into the house, and showed him a stick of aboutfour feet long, with a scale hung at each end. "Now, " said he, "if youplace this stick over the back of a chair, so that it may rest exactlyupon the middle, you see the two scales will just balance each other. So, if I put into each of them an equal weight, they will still remainsuspended. In this method we weigh every thing which is bought, only, for the greater convenience, the beam of the scale, which is the samething as this stick, is generally hung up to something else by itsmiddle. But let us now move the stick, and see what will be theconsequence. " Mr Barlow then pushed the stick along in such a manner, that when it rested upon the back of the chair, there were three feet ofit on one side, and only one on the other. That side which was longestinstantly came to the ground as heaviest. "You see, " said Mr Barlow, "ifwe would now balance them, we must put a greater weight on the shortestside; so he kept adding weights, till Tommy found that one pound on thelongest side would exactly balance three on the shortest; for, as muchas the longer side exceeded the shorter in length, so much did theweight which was hung at that end require to exceed that on the longestside. "

"This, " said Mr Barlow, "is what they call a _lever_, and all the sticksthat you have been using to-day are only levers of a differentconstruction. By these short trials, you may conceive the prodigiousadvantage which they are of to men; for thus can one man move a weightwhich half-a-dozen could not be able to do with their hands alone; thusmay a little boy, like you, do more than the strongest man could effectwho did not know these secrets. As to that instrument by which you wereso surprised that Harry could cleave such a vast body of wood, it iscalled a wedge, and is almost equally useful with the lever. The wholeforce of it consists in its being gradually narrower and narrower, tillat last it ends in a thin edge, capable of penetrating the smallestchink. By this we are enabled to overthrow the largest oaks, to cleavetheir roots, almost as hard as iron itself, and even to split the solidrocks. " "All this, " said Tommy, "is wonderful indeed; and I need not askthe use of them, because I see it plainly in the experiments I have madeto-day. "

"One thing more, " added Mr Barlow, "as we are upon this subject, I willshow you. " So he led them into the yard, to the bottom of his granary, where stood a heavy sack of corn. "Now, " said Mr Barlow, "if you are sostout a fellow as you imagine, take up this sack of corn, and carry itup the ladder into the granary. " "That, " replied Tommy, laughing, "isimpossible; and I doubt, sir, whether you could do it yourself. ""Well, " said Mr Barlow, "we will, at least try what is to be done. " Hethen led them up into the granary, and, showing them a middle-sizedwheel, with a handle fixed upon it, desired the little boys to turn itround. They began to turn it with some little difficulty, and Tommycould hardly believe his eyes, when, presently after, he saw the sack ofcorn, which he had despaired of moving, mounted up into the granary, andsafely landed upon the floor. "You see, " said Mr Barlow, "here isanother ingenious contrivance, by which the weakest person may performthe work of the strongest. This is called the _wheel_ and _axle_. Yousee this wheel, which is not very large, turns round an axle which goesinto it, and is much smaller; and at every turn, the rope to which theweight is fixed that you want to move, is twisted round the axle. Now, just as much as the breadth of the whole wheel is greater than that ofthe axle which it turns round, so much greater is the weight that theperson who turns it can move, than he could do without it. " "Well, " saidTommy, "I see it is a fine thing indeed to acquire knowledge, for bythese means one not only increases one's understanding, but one's bodilystrength. But are there no more, sir, of these ingenious contrivances, for I should like to understand them all?" "Yes, " answered Mr Barlow, "there are more, and all of them you shall be perfectly acquainted within time; but for this purpose you should be able to write, andcomprehend something of arithmetic. "

_Tommy. _--What is arithmetic, sir?

_Mr Barlow. _--That is not so easy to make you understand at once; Iwill, however, try to explain it. Do you see the grains of wheat whichhe scattered in the window?

_Tommy. _--Yes, sir. 

_Mr Barlow. _--Can you count how many there are?

_Tommy. _--There are just five-and-twenty of them. 

_Mr Barlow. _--Very well. Here is another parcel; how many grains arethere?

_Tommy. _--Just fourteen. 

_Mr Barlow. _--If there are fourteen grains in one heap, and twenty-fivein the other, how many grains are there in all? or, how many do fourteenand twenty-five make?

Tommy was unable to answer, and Mr Barlow proposed the same question toHarry, who answered, that, together, they made thirty-nine. "Again, "said Mr Barlow, "I will put the two heaps together, and then how manywill there be?"

_Tommy. _--Thirty-nine. 

_Mr Barlow. _--Now, look, I have just taken away nineteen from thenumber; how many, do you think, remain?

_Tommy. _--I will count them. 

_Mr Barlow. _--And cannot you tell without counting? How many are there, Harry?

_Harry. _--Twenty, sir. 

_Mr Barlow. _--All this is properly the art of arithmetic, which is thesame as that of counting, only it is done in a much shorter and easierway, without the trouble of having the things always before you. Thus, for instance, if you wanted to know how many barley-corns were in thissack, you would perhaps be a week in counting the whole number. 

_Tommy. _--Indeed, I believe I should. 

_Mr Barlow. _--If you understood arithmetic you might do it in fiveminutes. 

_Tommy. _--That is extraordinary, indeed; I can hardly conceive itpossible. 

_Mr Barlow. _--A bushel of corn weighs about fifty pounds; this sackcontains four bushels; so that there are just two hundred pounds weightin all. Now, every pound contains sixteen ounces, and sixteen times twohundred makes thirty-two hundred ounces. So that you have nothing to dobut to count the number of grains in a single ounce, and there will bethirty-two hundred times that number in the sack. 

_Tommy. _--I declare this is curious indeed, and I should like to learnarithmetic. Will Harry and you teach me, sir?

_Mr Barlow. _--You know we are always ready to improve you. But before weleave this subject, I must tell you a little story. "There was agentleman who was extremely fond of beautiful horses, and did not grudgeto give the highest prices for them. One day a horse-courser came tohim, and showed him one so handsome, that he thought it superior to allhe had ever seen before. He mounted him, and found his paces equallyexcellent; for, though he was full of spirit, he was gentle andtractable as could be wished. So many perfections delighted thegentleman, and he eagerly demanded the price. The horse-courseranswered, that he would bate nothing of two hundred guineas; thegentleman, although he admired the horse, would not consent to give it, and they were just on the point of parting. As the man was turning hisback, the gentleman called out to him, and said, 'Is there no possibleway of our agreeing, for I would give you anything in reason for such abeautiful creature?' 'Why, ' replied the dealer, who was a shrewd fellow, and perfectly understood calculation, 'If you do not like to give me twohundred guineas, will you give me a farthing for the first nail thehorse has in his shoe, two farthings for the second, four for the third, and so go doubling throughout the whole twenty-four, for there are nomore than twenty-four nails in all his shoes?' The gentleman gladlyaccepted the condition, and ordered the horse to be led away to hisstables. "

_Tommy. _--This fellow must have been a very great blockhead, to ask twohundred guineas, and then to take a few farthings for his horse. 

_Mr Barlow. _--The gentleman was of the same opinion; "however, thehorse-courser added:--'I do not mean, sir, to tie you down to this lastproposal, which, upon consideration, you may like as little as thefirst; all that I require is, that if you are dissatisfied with yourbargain, you will promise to pay me down the two hundred guineas which Ifirst asked. ' This the gentleman willingly agreed to, and then calledthe steward to calculate the sum, for he was too much of a gentleman tobe able to do it himself. The steward sat down with his pen and ink, and, after some time, gravely wished his master joy, and asked him, 'inwhat part of England the estate was situated that he was going topurchase. ' 'Are you mad?' replied the gentleman; 'it is not an estate, but a horse, that I have just bargained for; and here is the owner ofhim, to whom I am going to pay the money. ' 'If there is any madness, sir, ' replied the steward, 'it certainly is not on my side; the sum youhave ordered me to calculate comes just to seventeen thousand fourhundred and seventy-six pounds, besides some shillings and pence; andsurely no man in his senses would give this price for a horse. ' Thegentleman was more surprised than he had ever been before, to hear theassertion of his steward; but when, upon examination, he found it nomore than the truth, he was very glad to compound for his foolishagreement, by giving the horse-courser the two hundred guineas, anddismissing him. "

_Tommy. _--This is quite incredible, that a farthing just doubled a fewtimes, should amount to such a prodigious sum; however, I am determinedto learn arithmetic, that I may not be imposed upon in this manner, forI think a gentleman must look very silly in such a situation. 

Thus had Tommy a new employment and diversion for the winter nights--thelearning arithmetic. Almost every night did Mr Barlow, and Harry, andhe, amuse themselves with little questions that related to numbers; bywhich means Tommy became, in a short time, so expert, that he could add, subtract, multiply, or divide almost any given sum, with little troubleand great exactness. But he did not for this forget the employment ofobserving the heavens, for every night when the stars appeared bright, and the sky was unclouded, Harry and he observed the various figures andpositions of the constellations. Mr Barlow gave him a little paperglobe, as he had promised, and Tommy immediately marked out upon thetop his first and favourite constellation of Charles' Wain. A littlewhile after that, he observed on the other side of the Pole-star anotherbeautiful assemblage of stars, which was always opposite to Charles'Wain; this, Mr Barlow told him, was called _Cassiopeia's_ Chair, andthis, in a short time, was added to the collection. 

One night as Tommy was looking up to the sky in the southern part of theheavens, he observed so remarkable a constellation that he could nothelp particularly remarking it; four large and shining stars composedthe ends of the figure, which was almost square, and full in the middleappeared three more placed in a slanting line and very near each other. This Tommy pointed out to Mr Barlow, and begged to know the name. MrBarlow answered that the constellation was named _Orion_, and that thethree bright stars in the middle were called his belt. Tommy was sodelighted with the grandeur and beauty of this glorious constellation, that he could not help observing it, by intervals, all the evening; andhe was surprised to see that it seemed to pass on in a right line drawnfrom east to west, and that all the stars he had become acquainted withmoved every night in the same direction. 

But he did not forget to remind Harry one morning of the history he hadpromised to tell him of Agesilaus. Harry told it in the followingmanner:--

"HISTORY OF AGESILAUS. "

"The Spartans (as I have before told you, Master Tommy) were a brave andhardy people, who despised everything that tended to make them delicateand luxurious. All their time was spent in such exercises as made themstrong and active, able to bear fatigue, and to despise wounds anddanger, for they were situated in the midst of several other nationsthat frequently had quarrels with each other, and with them; andtherefore it was necessary that they should learn to defend themselves. Therefore all the children were brought up alike, and the sons of theirkings themselves were as little indulged as anybody else. "

_Tommy. _--Stop, stop!--I don't exactly understand that. I thought a kingwas a person that dressed finer and had less to do than anybody else inthe world. I have often heard my mamma and the ladies say that I lookedlike a prince when I had fine clothes on; and therefore I thought thatkings and princes never did anything but walk about with crowns upontheir heads, and eat sweetmeats all day long. 

_Harry. _--I do not know how that may be, but in Sparta the greatbusiness of the kings (for they had two) was to command them when theywent out to war, or when they were attacked at home--and that, you know, they could not do without being brave and hardy themselves. "Now ithappened that the Spartans had some dear friends and allies that livedat a distance from them across the sea, who were attacked by a great andnumerous nation called the Persians. So when the Spartans knew thedanger of their friends, they sent over to their assistance Agesilaus, one of their kings, together with a few thousands of his countrymen; andthese they judged would be a match for all the forces that could bebrought against them by the Persians, though ever so numerous. When thegeneral of the Persians saw the small number of his enemies, he imaginedit would be an easy matter to take them prisoners or to destroy them. Besides, as he was immensely rich, and possessed a number of palaces, furnished with everything that was fine and costly, and had a greatquantity of gold and silver, and jewels, and slaves, he could notconceive it possible that anybody could resist him. He therefore raiseda large army, several times greater than that of the Spartans, andattacked Agesilaus, who was not in the least afraid of him; for theSpartans, joining their shields together, and marching slowly along ineven ranks, fell with so much fury upon the Persians, that in an instantthey put them to flight. "

Here Tommy interrupted the story, to inquire what a shield was. "Formerly, " answered Mr Barlow, "before men were acquainted with thepernicious effects of gunpowder, they were accustomed to combat closetogether with swords or long spears, and for this reason they coveredthemselves in a variety of ways, to defend their bodies from the weaponsof their enemies. The shield was worn upon their left arm, and composedof boards fixed together, and strengthened with the hides of animals, and plates of iron, sufficiently long and broad to cover almost thewhole body of a man. When they went out to battle, they placedthemselves in even rows or ranks, with their shields extended beforethem, to secure them from the arrows and weapons of their enemies. Upontheir heads they wore a helmet, which was a cap of iron or steel, ornamented with the waving feathers of birds or the tails of horses. Inthis manner, with an even pace, marching all at once, and extendingtheir spears before them, they went forward to meet their enemies. " "Ideclare, " said Tommy, "that an army in full march, in such array, musthave been prodigiously fine; and when I have accidentally met withsoldiers myself, I thought they made such a figure, walking erect withtheir arms all glittering in the sun, that I have sometimes thought Iwould be a soldier myself whenever I grew big enough. " "Thissoldier-spirit of Tommy's brings to my recollection, " said Mr Barlow, "acircumstance that once occurred in the French army, which I cannot helprelating. After an execution had taken place in Paris, of a nobleman whohad been convicted of treason (which was no uncommon thing at thattime), the commanding officer of the regiment, who had been inattendance during the tragic scene, ordered his men to their usual placeof exercise. While engaged in reviewing the troops, his attention wasdrawn to a young man, who had been for some time concealed behind atree; who, coming forward and falling upon his knees, entreated thegeneral, in an imploring manner, to permit him to enter into hisregiment, declaring that he had, from a child, felt the most ardentdesire to be a soldier. The general gazed intently upon him, andinstantly recognised in the young man the child of his own belovedbrother, who had been lost for many years, and was supposed to be dead. But I interrupt--let Harry now go on with his story. "

"When Pharnabazus (for that was the name of the Persian general)observed that his troops were never able to stand against the Spartans, he sent to Agesilaus, and requested that they might have a meeting, inorder to treat about terms of peace. This the Spartan consented to, andappointed the time and place where he would wait for Pharnabazus. Whenthe day came, Agesilaus arrived first at the place of meeting with theSpartans; but not seeing Pharnabazus, he sat down upon the grass withhis soldiers, and, as it was the hour of the army's making their repast, they pulled out their provisions, which consisted of some coarse breadand onions, and began eating very heartily. In the middle of them satKing Agesilaus himself, in nowise distinguished from the rest, neitherby his clothing nor his fare; nor was there in the whole army anindividual who more exposed himself to every species of hardship, ordiscovered less nicety than the king himself, by which means he wasbeloved and reverenced by all the soldiers, who were ashamed ofappearing less brave or patient than their general. 

"It was not long that the Spartans had thus reposed before the firstservants of Pharnabazus arrived, who brought with them rich and costlycarpets, which they spread upon the ground for their master to reclineupon. Presently arrived another troop, who began to erect a spacioustent, with silken hangings, to screen him and his train from the heat ofthe sun. After this came a company of cooks and confectioners with agreat number of loaded horses, who carried upon their backs all thematerials of an elegant entertainment. Last of all appeared Pharnabazushimself, glittering with gold and jewels, and adorned with a long purplerobe, after the fashion of the East; he wore bracelets upon his arms, and was mounted upon a beautiful horse, that was as gaudily attired ashimself. 

"As he approached nearer, and beheld the simple manners of the Spartanking and his soldiers, he could not help scoffing at their poverty, andmaking comparisons between their mean appearance and his ownmagnificence. All that were with him seemed to be infinitely divertedwith the wit and acute remarks of their general, except a single person, who had served in the Grecian armies, and therefore was betteracquainted with the manners and discipline of these people. This man washighly valued by Pharnabazus for his understanding and honesty, and, therefore, when he observed that he said nothing, he insisted upon hisdeclaring his sentiments, as the rest had done. 'Since, then, ' repliedhe, 'you command me to speak my opinion, O Pharnabazus, I must confessthat the very circumstance which is the cause of so much mirth to thegentlemen that accompany you is the reason of my fears. On our side, indeed, I see gold, and jewels, and purple, in abundance, but when Ilook for men, I can find nothing but barbers, cooks, confectioners, fiddlers, dancers, and everything that is most unmanly and unfit forwar; on the Grecian side, I discern none of the costly trifles, but Isee iron that forms their weapons, and composes impenetrable arms. I seemen who have been brought up to despise every hardship, and face everydanger; who are accustomed to observe their ranks, to obey their leader, to take every advantage of their enemy, and to fall dead in theirplaces, rather than to turn their backs. Were the contest about whoshould dress a dinner, or curl hair with the greatest nicety, I shouldnot doubt that the Persians would gain the advantage; but when it isnecessary to contend in battle, where the prize is won by hardiness andvalour, I cannot help dreading men, who are inured to wounds, andlabours, and suffering; nor can I ever think that the Persian gold willbe able to resist the Grecian iron. '

"Pharnabazus was so struck with the truth and justness of these remarks, that, from that very hour he determined to contend no more with suchinvincible troops, but bent all his care towards making peace with theSpartans, by which means he preserved himself and country fromdestruction. "

"You see by this story, " said Mr Barlow, "that fine clothes are notalways of the consequence you imagine, since they are not able to givetheir wearers either more strength or courage than they had before, norto preserve them from the attacks of those whose appearance is morehomely. But since you are so little acquainted with the business of asoldier, I must show you a little more clearly in what it consists. Instead, therefore, of all this pageantry, which seems so strongly tohave acted upon your mind, I must inform you that there is no humanbeing exposed to suffer a greater degree of hardship; he is oftenobliged to march whole days in the most violent heat, or cold, or rain, and frequently without victuals to eat, or clothes to cover him; andwhen he stops at night, the most that he can expect is a miserablecanvas tent to shelter him, which is penetrated in every part by thewet, and a little straw to keep his body from the damp unwholesomeearth. Frequently he cannot meet with even this, and is obliged to lieuncovered upon the ground, by which means he contracts a thousanddiseases, which are more fatal than the cannon and weapons of the enemy. Every hour he is exposed to engage in combats at the hazard of losinghis limbs, of being crippled or mortally wounded. If he gain thevictory, he generally has only to begin again and fight anew, till thewar is over; if he be beaten, he may probably lose his life upon thespot, or be taken prisoner by the enemy, in which case he may languishseveral months in a dreary prison, in want of all the necessaries oflife. "

"Alas!" said Harry, "what a dreadful picture do you draw of the fate ofthose brave men who suffer so much to defend their country. Surely thosewho employ them should take care of them when they are sick, or wounded, or incapable of providing for themselves. "

"So indeed, " answered Mr Barlow, "they ought to do; but rash and foolishmen engage in wars without either justice or reason, and when they areover they think no more of the unhappy people who have served them at somuch loss to themselves. "

_Harry. _--Why, sir, I have often thought, that, as all wars consists inshedding blood and doing mischief to our fellow-creatures they seldomcan be just. 

_Mr Barlow. _--You are indeed right there. Of all the blood that hasbeen shed since the beginning of the world to the present day, but verylittle indeed has been owing to any cause that had either justice orcommon sense. 

_Harry. _--I then have thought (though I pity poor soldiers extremely, and always give them something if I have any money in my pocket) thatthey draw these mischiefs upon themselves, because they endeavour tokill and destroy other people, and, therefore, if they suffer the sameevils in return, they can hardly complain. 

_Mr Barlow. _--They cannot complain of the evils to which theyvoluntarily expose themselves, but they may justly complain of theingratitude of the people, for whom they fight, and who take no care ofthem afterwards. 

_Harry. _--Indeed, sir, I think so. But I cannot conceive why people musthire others to fight for them. If it is necessary to fight, why notfight for themselves? I should be ashamed to go to another boy and sayto him, "Pray go and venture your life or limbs for me that I may stayat home and do nothing. "

_Tommy. _--What if the French were to come here, as they said they wereabout to do; would you go out to fight them yourself?

_Harry. _--I have heard my father say that it was every man's duty tofight for his country, if it were attacked; and if my father went out tofight, I would go out with him. I would not willingly hurt anybody, butif they attempt to hurt me or my countrymen, we should do right todefend ourselves; should we not, sir?

_Mr Barlow. _--This is certainly a case where men have a right to defendthemselves; no man is bound to yield his life or property to anotherthat has no right to take it. Among those Grecians, whom you weretalking of, every man was a soldier, and always ready to defend hiscountry whenever it was attacked. 

_Harry. _--Pray, dear sir, read to Master Tommy the story of Leonidas, which gave me so much pleasure; I am sure he will like to hear it. 

Mr Barlow accordingly read

"THE HISTORY OF LEONIDAS, KING OF SPARTA. "

"The king of Persia commanded a great extent of territory, which wasinhabited by many millions of people, and not only abounded in all thenecessaries of life, but produced immense quantities of gold and silver, and every other costly thing. Yet all this did not satisfy the haughtymind of Xerxes, who, at that time, possessed the empire of this country. He considered that the Grecians, his neighbours, were free, and refusedto obey his imperious orders, which he foolishly imagined all mankindshould respect; he therefore determined to make an expedition with amighty army into Greece, and to conquer the country. For this reason heraised such a prodigious army, that it was almost impossible to describeit; the number of men that composed it seemed sufficient to conquer thewhole world, and all the forces the Grecians were able to raise wouldscarcely amount to a hundredth part. Nevertheless, the Grecians heldpublic councils to consult about their common safety, and they noblydetermined that, as they had hitherto lived free, so they would eithermaintain their liberty, or bravely die in its defence. 

"In the mean time Xerxes was continually marching forward, and at lengthentered the territory of Greece. The Grecians had not yet been able toassemble their troops or make their preparations, and therefore theywere struck with consternation at the approach of such an army asattended Xerxes. Leonidas was at that time king of Sparta, and when heconsidered the state of affairs, he saw one method alone by which theruin of his country, and all Greece, could be prevented. In order toenter the more cultivated parts of this country, it was necessary forthe Persian army to march through a very rough and mountainous district, called Thermopylæ. There was only one narrow road through all thesemountains, which it was possible for only a very small number of men todefend for some time against the most numerous army. Leonidas perceivedthat, if a small number of resolute men would undertake to defend thispassage, it would retard the march of the whole Persian army, and givethe Grecians time to collect their troops; but who would undertake sodesperate an enterprise, where there was scarcely any possibility ofescaping alive? For this reason, Leonidas determined to undertake theexpedition himself, with such of the Spartans as would voluntarilyattend him, and to sacrifice his own life for the preservation of hiscountry. 

"With this design he assembled the chief persons of Sparta, and laidbefore them the necessity of defending the pass of Thermopylæ. They wereequally convinced of its importance, but knew not where to find a manof such determined valour as to undertake it. 'Then, ' said Leonidas, 'since there is no more worthy man ready to perform this service, Imyself will undertake it, with those who will voluntarily accompany me. 'They were struck with admiration at his proposal, and praised thegreatness of his mind, but set before him the certain destruction whichmust attend him. 'All this, ' said Leonidas, 'I have already considered;but I am determined to go, with the appearance indeed of defending thepass of Thermopylæ, but in reality to die for the liberty of Greece. 'Saying this, he instantly went out of the assembly, and prepared for theexpedition, taking with him about three hundred Spartans. Before hewent, he embraced his wife, who hung about him in tears, as being wellacquainted with the dangerous purposes of his march; but he endeavouredto comfort her, and told her that a short life was well sacrificed tothe interests of his country, and that Spartan women should be morecareful about the glory than the safety of their husbands. He thenkissed his infant children, and charging his wife to educate them in thesame principles he had lived in, went out of his house, to put himselfat the head of those brave men who were to accompany him. 

"As they marched through the city, all the inhabitants attended themwith praises and acclamations; the young women sang songs of triumph, and scattered flowers before them; the youths were jealous of theirglory, and lamented that such a noble doom had not rather fallen uponthemselves; while all their friends and relations seemed rather toexult in the immortal honour they were going to acquire, than to bedejected with the apprehensions of their loss; and as they continuedtheir march through Greece, they were joined by various bodies of theirallies, so that their number amounted to about six thousand when theytook possession of the straits of Thermopylæ. 

"In a short time Xerxes approached with his innumerable army, which wascomposed of various nations, and armed in a thousand different manners, and, when he had seen the small number of his enemies, he could notbelieve that they really meant to oppose his passage; but when he wastold that this was surely their design, he sent out a small detachmentof his troops, and ordered them to take those Grecians alive and bringthem bound before him. The Persian troops set out and attacked theGrecians with considerable fury; but in an instant they were routed, thegreater part slain, and the rest obliged to fly. Xerxes was enraged atthis misfortune, and ordered the combat to be renewed with greaterforces. The attack was renewed, but always with the same success, although he sent the bravest troops in his whole army. Thus was thisimmense army stopped in its career, and the pride of their monarchhumbled by so inconsiderable a body of Grecians, that they were not atfirst thought worthy of a serious attack. At length, what Xerxes, withall his troops was incapable of effecting, was performed by thetreachery of some of the Grecians who inhabited that country. For agreat reward they undertook to lead a chosen body of the Persiansacross the mountains by a secret path, with which they alone wereacquainted. Accordingly, the Persians set out in the night, and havingpassed over the mountains in safety, encamped on the other side. 

"As soon as day arose, Leonidas perceived that he had been betrayed, andthat he was surrounded by the enemy; nevertheless, with the sameundaunted courage, he took all necessary measures and prepared for thefate which he had long resolved to meet. After praising and thanking theallies for the bravery with which they had behaved, he sent them allaway to their respective countries; many of the Spartans, too, he wouldhave dismissed under various pretences; but they, who were alldetermined rather to perish with their king than to return, refused togo. When he saw their resolution, he consented that they should staywith him and share in his fate. All day, therefore, he remained quiet inhis camp; but when evening approached, he ordered his troops to takesome refreshment, and, smiling, told them 'to dine like men who were tosup in another world. ' They then completely armed themselves, and waitedfor the middle of the night, which Leonidas judged most proper for thedesign he meditated. He saw that the Persians would never imagine itpossible that such an insignificant body of men should think ofattacking their numerous forces; he was therefore determined, in thesilence of the night, to break into their camp, and endeavour, amid theterror and confusion which would ensue, to surprise Xerxes himself. 

"About midnight, therefore, this determined body of Grecians marchedout with Leonidas at their head. They soon broke into the Persian camp, and put all to flight that dared to oppose them. It is impossible todescribe the terror and confusion which ensued among so many thousandsthus unexpectedly surprised. Still the Grecians marched on in closeimpenetrable order, overturning the tents, destroying all that dared toresist, and driving that vast and mighty army like frightened sheepbefore them. At length they came even to the imperial tent of Xerxes;and had he not quitted it at the first alarm, he would there have endedat once his life and expedition. The Grecians in an instant put all theguards to flight, and rushing upon the imperial pavilion, violentlyoverturned it, and trampled under their feet all the costly furnitureand vessels of gold which were used by the monarchs of Persia. 

"But now the morning began to appear, and the Persians, who haddiscovered the small number of their assailants, surrounded them onevery side, and without daring to come to a close engagement, poured intheir darts and other missive weapons. The Grecians were wearied evenwith the toils of conquest, and their body was already considerablydiminished; nevertheless, Leonidas, who was yet alive, led on theintrepid few that yet remained to a fresh attack; again he rushed uponthe Persians, and pierced their thickest battalions as often as he couldreach them. But valour itself was vain against such inequality ofnumbers; at every charge the Grecian ranks grew thinner and thinner, till at length they were all destroyed, without a single man havingquitted his post or turned his back upon the enemy. "

"Really, " said Tommy, when the history was finished, "Leonidas was abrave man indeed. But what became of Xerxes and his army after the deathof this valiant Spartan? was he able to overcome the Grecians, or didthey repulse him?" "You are now able to read for yourself, " replied MrBarlow, "and therefore, by examining the histories of those countries, you may be informed of everything you desire. "

CHAPTER VI. 

 The Constellations--Distance from the Earth--The Magnet and its Powers--The Compass--The Greenlanders and their Customs--The Telescope--The Magic Lantern--Story of the African Prince and the Telescope--Mr Barlow's Poor Parishioners--His Annual Dinner--Tommy attempts Sledge Driving--His mishap in the Pond--His Anger. 

And now the frost had continued for several weeks, and Tommy had takenadvantage of the evenings, which generally proved clear and star-light, to improve his knowledge of the heavens. He had already ornamented hispaper globe with several of the most remarkable constellations. Aroundthe Pole-star he had discovered Perseus and Andromeda, and Cepheus andCassiopeia's Chair. Between these and the bright Orion, which rose everynight and glittered in the south, he discovered seven small stars thatwere set in a cluster, and called the Pleiades. Then, underneath Orion, he discovered another glittering star, called Sirius, or the Dog-star. All these, he continually observed, journeyed every night from east towest, and then appeared the evening after in their former places. "Howstrange it is, " observed Tommy, one day to Mr Barlow, "that all thesestars should be continually turning about the earth!"

"How do you know, " replied Mr Barlow, "that they turn at all?"

_Tommy. _--Because I see them move every night. 

_Mr Barlow. _--But how are you sure that it is the stars which move everynight, and not the earth itself?

Tommy considered, and said, "But then I should see the earth move, andthe stars stand still. "

_Mr Barlow. _--What, did you never ride in a coach?

_Tommy. _--Yes, sir, very often. 

_Mr Barlow. _--And did you then see that the coach moved, as you satstill, and went along a level road?

_Tommy. _--No, sir; I protest I have often thought that the houses andtrees, and all the country, glided swiftly along by the windows of thecoach. 

_Mr Barlow. _--And did you never sail in a boat?

_Tommy. _--Yes, I have; and I protest I have observed the same thing; forI remember I have often thought the shore was running away from theboat, instead of the boat from the shore. 

_Mr Barlow. _--If that is the case, it is possible, even though the earthshould move, instead of the stars, that you might only see what you doat present, and imagine that the earth you are upon was at rest. 

_Tommy. _--But is it not more likely that such little things as the starsand the sun should move, than such a large thing as the earth?

_Mr Barlow. _--And how do you know that the stars and sun are so small?

_Tommy. _--I see them to be so, sir. The stars are so small, that theyare hardly to be seen at all; and the sun itself, which is much bigger, does not seem bigger than a small round table. 

The day after this conversation, as the weather was bright and clear, MrBarlow went out to walk with Harry and Tommy. As by this time Tommy wasinured to fatigue, and able to walk many miles, they continued theirexcursion over the hills, till at last they came in sight of the sea. Asthey were diverting themselves with the immense prospect of water thatwas before them, Mr Barlow perceived something floating at a distance, so small as to be scarcely discernible by the eye. He pointed it out toTommy, who with some difficulty was able to distinguish it, and askedhim what he thought it was. 

Tommy answered that he imagined it to be some little fishing-boat, butcould not well tell, on account of the distance. 

_Mr Barlow. _--If you do not then see a ship, what is it you do see? orwhat does that object appear to your eyes?

_Tommy. _--All that I can see is no more than a little dusky speck, whichseems to grow bigger and bigger. 

_Mr Barlow. _--And what is the reason it grows bigger and bigger?

_Tommy. _--Because it comes nearer and nearer to me. 

_Mr Barlow. _--What, then, does the same thing sometimes appear small andsometimes great?

_Tommy. _--Yes, sir; it seems small when it is at a great distance; for Ihave observed even houses and churches when you are at some miles'distance, seem to the eye very small indeed; and now I observe that thevessel is sailing towards us, and it is not, as I imagined, a littlefishing-boat, but a ship with a mast, for I begin to distinguish thesails. 

Mr Barlow walked on a little while by the side of the sea, and presentlyTommy called out again: "I protest I was mistaken again; for it is not avessel with one mast, as I thought a little while ago, but a fine largeship with three great masts, and all her sails before the wind. Ibelieve she must either be a large merchantman or else a frigate. "

_Mr Barlow. _--Will you then take notice of what you have now beensaying? What was first only a little dusky speck became a vessel withone mast, and now this vessel with one mast plainly appears a ship of avery large size, with all her masts and sails, and rigging complete. Yetall these three appearances are only the same object at differentdistances from your eye. 

_Tommy. _--Yes, sir; that is all very true indeed. 

_Mr Barlow. _--Why, then, if the ship, which is now, full in sight, wereto tack about again, and sail away from us as fast as she approachedjust now what do you think would happen?

_Tommy. _--It would grow less and less every minute, till it appeared aspeck again. 

_Mr Barlow. _--You said, I think, that the sun was a very small body, notbigger than a round table?

_Tommy. _--Yes, sir. 

_Mr Barlow. _--Supposing, then, the sun were to be removed to a muchgreater distance than it is now, what would happen? Would it appear thesame to your eyes?

Tommy considered some time, and then said, "If the ship grows less andless, till at last it appears a mere speck, by going farther andfarther, I should think the sun would do the same. "

_Mr Barlow. _--There you are perfectly right; therefore, if the sun wereto depart farther and farther from us, at last it would appear no biggerthan one of those twinkling stars that you see at so great a distanceabove your head. 

_Tommy. _--That I perfectly comprehend. 

_Mr Barlow. _--But if, on the contrary, one of those twinkling stars wereto approach nearer and nearer to where you stand, what do think wouldhappen? Would it still appear of the same size?

_Tommy. _--No, sir. The ship, as it came nearer to us, appeared everymoment larger, and therefore I think the star must do the same. 

_Mr Barlow. _--Might it not then appear as big as the sun now does, justas the sun would dwindle away to the size of a star, were it to beremoved to a still greater distance?

_Tommy. _--Indeed I think it might. 

_Mr Barlow. _--What, then, do you imagine must happen, could the sunapproach a great deal nearer to us? Would its size remain the same?

_Tommy. _--No; I plainly see that it must appear bigger and bigger thenearer it comes. 

_Mr Barlow. _--If that is the case, it is not so very certain that theearth we inhabit is bigger than the sun and stars. They are at a verygreat distance from us; therefore, if anybody could go from the earthtowards the sun, how do you think the earth would appear to him as hejourneyed on?

_Tommy. _--Really I can hardly tell. 

_Mr Barlow. _--No! Why, is it not the same thing, whether an object goesfrom you, or you from the object? Is there any difference between theship sailing away from us, and our walking away from the ship?

_Tommy. _--No, sir. 

_Mr Barlow. _--Did you not say that if the sun could be removed fartherfrom our eyes, it would appear less?

_Tommy. _--To be sure it would. 

_Mr Barlow. _--Why, then, if the earth were to sink down from under ourfeet, lower and lower, what would happen? Would it have the sameappearance?

_Tommy. _--No, sir; I think it must appear less and less, like the shipthat is sailing away. 

_Mr Barlow. _--Very right, indeed; but now attend to what I asked youjust now. If a person could rise slowly into the air, and mount stillhigher and higher towards the sun, what would happen?

_Tommy. _--Why the same as if the earth were to sink from under us; itwould appear less and less. 

_Mr Barlow. _--Might not the earth then at least appear as small as thesun or moon does?

_Tommy. _--I can hardly conceive that, and yet I see it would appear lessand less the farther we went. 

_Mr Barlow. _--Do you remember what happened to you when you left theisland of Jamaica?

_Tommy. _--Yes, I do. One of the blacks held me upon the deck, and then Ilooked towards the island, and I thought that it began to move away fromthe ship, though in reality it was the ship moving away from the land;and then, as the ship continued sailing along the water, the islandappeared less and less. First, I lost sight of the trees and houses thatstood on the shore; and then I could only see the highest mountains; andthen I could scarcely see the mountains themselves; and at last thewhole island appeared only like a dark mist above the water; and thenthe mist itself disappeared, and I could see nothing but a vast extentof water all round, and the sky above. 

_Mr Barlow. _--And must not this be exactly the case if you could rise upinto the air, higher and higher, and look down upon the earth?

_Tommy. _--Indeed it must. 

_Mr Barlow. _--Now, then, you will be able to answer the question I askedyou a little while ago: Could a person travel straight forward from theearth to the sun, how would they both appear to him as he went forward?

_Tommy. _--The earth would appear less and less as he went from it, andthe sun bigger and bigger. 

_Mr Barlow. _--Why, then, perhaps it would happen at last that the sunappeared bigger than the earth. 

_Tommy. _--Indeed it might. 

_Mr Barlow. _--Then you see that you must no longer talk of the earth'sbeing large and the sun small, since that may only happen because youare nearer the one and at a great distance from the other; at least, youmay now be convinced that both the sun and stars must be immenselybigger than you would at first sight guess them to be. 

As they were returning home they happened to pass through a small townon their way, and saw a crowd of people going into a house, which gaveMr Barlow the curiosity to inquire the reason. They were told that therewas a wonderful person there who performed a variety of strange anddiverting experiments. On Tommy's expressing a great desire to see thesecurious exhibitions, Mr Barlow took them both in, and they all seatedthemselves among the audience. 

Presently the performer began his exhibitions, which very much divertedTommy, and surprised the spectators. At length after a variety ofcurious tricks upon the cards, the conjuror desired them to observe alarge basin of water, with the figure of a little swan floating upon thesurface. "Gentlemen, " said the man, "I have reserved this curiousexperiment for the last, because it is the most wonderful of all that Ihave to show, or that, perhaps, was ever exhibited to the present hour. You see that swan, it is no more than a little image, without eithersense or life. If you have any doubt upon the subject, take it up inyour hands and examine it. " Accordingly, several of the spectators tookit up in their hands, and, after having examined it, set it down uponthe water. "Now, " continued he, "this swan, which to you appears totallywithout sense or motion, is of so extraordinary a nature that he knowsme, his master, and will follow in any direction that I command. " Sayingthis, he took out a little piece of bread, and whistling to his bird, ordered him to come to the side of the basin to be fed. Immediately, tothe great surprise of all the company, the swan turned about and swam tothe side of the basin. The man whistled again, and presently the swanturned himself round and pursued the hand of his master to the otherside of the basin. 

The spectators could hardly believe their eyes, and some of them gotlittle pieces of bread, and held them out, imagining that he would dothe same to them. But it was in vain they whistled and presented theirbread; the bird remained unmoved upon the water, and obeyed no ordersbut those of his master. 

When this exhibition had been repeated over and over again, to theextreme delight and astonishment of all present, the company rose anddispersed, and Mr Barlow and the little boys pursued their way home. 

But Tommy's mind was so engaged with what he had seen, that for severaldays he could think and talk of nothing else. He would give all that hehad in the world to find out this curious trick, and to be possessed ofsuch a swan. At length, as he was one day talking to Harry upon thissubject, Harry told him with a smile, that he believed he had found outa method of doing it, and that, if he did not mistake, he would the nextday show him a swan that would come to be fed as well as the conjuror's. Accordingly, Harry moulded a bit of wax into the shape of a swan, andplaced it upon a basin of water. He then presented to it a piece ofbread, and, to the inexpressible delight of Tommy, the swan pursued thebread, just as he had seen before. 

After he had several times diverted himself with this experiment, hewanted to be informed of the composition of this wonderful swan. Harrytherefore showed him, within the body of the bird, a large needle, which lay across it from one end to the other. In the bread with whichthe swan was fed, he also showed him concealed a small bar of iron. Tommy could not comprehend all this, although he saw it before his eyes;but Mr Barlow, who was present, taking up the bar of iron, and puttingdown several needles upon the table, Tommy was infinitely surprised tosee the needles all jump up, one after another, at the approach of thebar, and shoot towards it, as if they had been possessed of life andsense. They then hung all about the bar so firmly, that, though it waslifted into the air, they all remained suspended, nor ever quitted theirhold. Mr Barlow then placed a key upon the table, and putting the ironnear it, the key attached itself as firmly to the bar as the needles haddone before. All this appeared so surprising to Tommy, that he begged anexplanation of it from Mr Barlow. That gentleman told him, "that therewas a stone often found in iron mines, that was called the _loadstone_. This stone is naturally possessed of the surprising power of drawing toitself all pieces of iron that are not too large, nor placed at toogreat a distance. But what is equally extraordinary is, that ironitself, after having been rubbed upon the loadstone, acquires the samevirtue as the stone itself, of attracting other iron. For this purposethey take small bars of iron, and rub them carefully upon the loadstone, and when they have acquired this very extraordinary power, they callthem _magnets_. When Harry had seen the exhibition of the swan, uponrevolving it over in his mind, he began to suspect that it wasperformed entirely by the power of magnetism. Upon his talking to meabout the affair, I confirmed him in his opinion, and furnished him witha small magnet to put into the bread, and a large needle to conceal inthe body of the bird. So this is the explanation of the feat which somuch puzzled you a few days past. "

Mr Barlow had scarcely done speaking, when Tommy observed anothercurious property of the swan, which he had not found out before. Thisbird, when left to itself, constantly rested in one particulardirection, and that direction was full north and south. 

Tommy inquired the reason of this, and Mr Barlow gave him thisadditional explanation: "The persons who first discovered the wonderfulpowers of the loadstone, in communicating its virtues to iron, divertedthemselves, as we do now, in touching needles and small pieces of iron, which they made to float upon water, and attracted them about with otherpieces of iron. But it was not long before they found out, as you donow, another surprising property of this wonderful stone; they observed, that when a needle had once been touched by the loadstone, if it wasleft to float upon the water without restraint, it would invariably turnitself towards the north. In a short time they improved the discoveryfarther, and contrived to suspend the middle of the needle upon a point, so loosely that it could move about in every direction; this theycovered with a glass case, and by this means they always had it in theirpower to find out all the quarters of the heavens and earth. "

_Tommy. _--Was this discovery of any great use?

_Mr Barlow. _--Before this time they had no other method of finding theirway along the sea, but by observing the stars. They knew, by experience, in what part of the sky certain stars appeared at every season of theyear, and this enabled them to discover east, west, north, and south. But when they set out from their own country by sea, they knew in whichdirection the place was situated which they were going to. If it lay tothe east, they had only to keep the head of the ship turned full to thatquarter of the heavens, and they would arrive at the place they weregoing to; and this they were enabled to do by observing the stars. Butfrequently the weather was thick, and the stars no longer appeared, andthen they were left to wander about the pathless ocean without thesmallest track to guide them in their course. 

_Tommy. _--Poor people! they must be in a dreadful situation indeed, tossed about on such an immense place as the sea, in the middle of adark night, and not able even to guess at their situation. 

_Mr Barlow. _--For this reason they seldom dared to venture out of sightof the shore, for fear of losing their way, by which means all theirvoyages were long and tedious; for they were obliged to make themseveral times as long as they would have done, could they have taken thestraight and nearest way. But soon after the discovery of this admirableproperty of the loadstone, they found that the needle, which had beenthus prepared, was capable of showing them the different points of theheavens, even in the darkest night. This enabled them to sail withgreater security, and to venture boldly upon the immense ocean, whichthey had always feared before. 

_Tommy. _--How extraordinary that a little stone should enable people tocross the sea, and to find their way from one country to another! But Iwonder why they take all these pains. 

_Mr Barlow. _--That you need not wonder at, when you consider that onecountry frequently produces what another does not; and therefore, byexchanging their different commodities, the people of both may live moreconveniently than they did before. 

_Harry. _--But does not almost every country produce all that isnecessary to support the inhabitants of it? and therefore they mightlive, I should think, even though they received nothing from any othercountry. 

_Mr Barlow. _--So might your father live, perhaps, upon the productionsof his own farm, but he sometimes sells his cattle to purchase clothes;sometimes his corn to purchase cattle. Then he frequently exchanges withhis neighbours one kind of grain for another, and thus their mutualconveniency is better promoted than if each were to confine himself tothe produce of his own land. At the same time, it is true, that everycountry which is inhabited by men, contains within itself all that isnecessary for their subsistence, and what they bring from othercountries is frequently more hurtful than salutary to them. 

_Harry. _--I have heard you say that even in Greenland, the coldest andmost uncomfortable country in the world, the inhabitants procurethemselves necessaries, and live contented. 

_Tommy. _--What! is there a part of the world still colder than Lapland?

_Mr Barlow. _--Greenland is still farther north, and therefore colder andmore barren. The ground is there covered with eternal snows, which nevermelt, even in the summer. There are scarcely any animals to be found, excepting bears, that live by preying upon fish. There are no treesgrowing upon any part of the country, so that the inhabitants havenothing to build their houses with, excepting the planks and trees whichthe sea washes away from other countries and leaves upon their coast. With these they erect large cabins, where several families livetogether. The sides of these huts are composed of earth and stones, andthe top secured with turf; in a short time the whole is so cemented withfrost, that it is impenetrable to the weather during the whole winter. Along the sides of the building are made several partitions, in each ofwhich a Greenlander lives with his family. Each of these families have asmall lamp continually burning before them, by means of which they cooktheir food, and light themselves, and, what is equally necessary in socold a country, keep up agreeable warmth throughout their apartment. They have a few deer, which sometimes visit them in the summer, andwhich the Greenlanders kill whenever they can catch them; but they arealmost entirely destitute of all the vegetables which serve asnourishment to man, so that they are obliged to be continually upon thesea, in order to catch fish for their maintenance. 

_Tommy. _--What a dreadful life that must be in a country which is socold!

_Mr Barlow. _--In consequence of that extreme cold, those northern seasare full of such immense quantities of ice, that they are sometimesalmost covered with them. Huge pieces come floating down, which are notonly as big as the largest houses, but even resemble small mountains. These are sometimes dashed against each other by the winds, with suchimmense force, that they would crush the strongest ship to pieces, andwith a noise that exceeds the report of a cannon. Upon these pieces ofice are frequently seen white bears of an enormous size, which haveeither fallen asleep upon them, and so been carried away, or havestraggled over those ice hills in search of fish. 

_Tommy. _--And is it possible that the inhabitants of such a country canfind enough in it for all their necessities?

_Mr Barlow. _--The necessities of life are very few, and are therefore tobe found even in the most rugged climates, if men are not wanting tothemselves, or deficient in industry. In plentiful countries like this, and in most of the more temperate climates, great numbers are maintainedin idleness, and imagine that they were only born to live upon thelabour of others; but, in such a country as Greenland is described tobe, it requires continual exertion to procure the simplest support ofhuman life; and therefore no one can live at all who will not employhimself in the same manner as his neighbours. 

_Tommy. _--You said that these people had neither flesh nor corn; do theythen clothe themselves with the skins of fish, as well as live uponthem?

_Mr Barlow. _--There is in those seas a peculiar species of animal calleda _seal_. He is nine or ten feet long, and has two small feet before, onwhich he is able to walk a little upon the shore, for he frequentlycomes out of the sea, and sleeps, or amuses himself upon the land orice. His body is very large, and full of oil, and behind he has two legswhich resemble fins, with which he swims in the water. This animal isthe constant prey of the Greenlander, and furnishes him with all hewants. The flesh he eats, the fat serves him to feed his lamp, which isalmost as necessary as food itself in that cold climate. With the skinhe makes clothes that are impenetrable to the water, or lines the insideof his hut to keep out the weather. As this animal is so necessary tothe existence of a Greenlander, it is his greatest glory to chase andtake him. For this purpose he places himself in a small narrow boat, thetop of which is covered over with the skins of seals, and closes roundthe middle of the fisher so tight as entirely to exclude the water. Hehas a long oar, or paddle, broad at both ends, which he dips first onone side, then on the other, and rows along with incredible swiftnessover the roughest seas. He carries with him a harpoon, which is a kindof lance or javelin, tied to a long thong, at the end of which is fixeda bladder, or some other light thing that sinks with difficulty. Whenthe fisherman is thus prepared, he skims lightly along the waters, tillhe perceives at a distance one of these animals floating upon thesurface. The Greenlander then approaches him as softly as he is able, and, if possible, contrives that the animal shall have the wind and sunin his eyes. When he is sufficiently near he throws his harpoon, andgenerally wounds the creature, in which case he instantly hurries away, and carries with him the thong and bladder. But it is not long before heis compelled to rise again to the surface of the water to breathe; andthen the Greenlander, who has been pursuing him all the time, attackshim anew, and dispatches him with a shorter lance, which he has broughtwith him for that purpose. He then ties his prey to his boat, and towsit after him to his family, who receive it with joy, and dress it fortheir supper. Although these poor people live a life of such continualfatigue, and are obliged to earn their food with so much hardship, theyare generous and hospitable in the management of it, for there is not aperson present but is invited to partake of the feast; and a Greenlanderwould think himself dishonoured for life, if he should be thoughtcapable of wishing to keep it all to himself. 

_Tommy. _--I think it seems as if the less people had the more generousthey are with it. 

_Mr Barlow. _--That is not unfrequently the case, and should be a lessonto many of our rich at home, who imagine that they have nothing to dowith their fortune but to throw it away upon their pleasures, whilethere are so many thousands in want of the common necessaries of life. 

_Tommy. _--But, pray, sir, have you no more particulars to tell me aboutthese Greenlanders? for I think it is the most curious account I everheard in my life. 

_Mr Barlow. _--There is another very curious particular indeed to bementioned of these countries; in these seas is found the largest animalin the world, an immense fish, which is called the whale. 

_Tommy. _--Oh dear! I have heard of that extraordinary animal. And pray, sir, do the Greenlanders ever catch them?

_Mr Barlow. _--The whale is of such a prodigious size, that he sometimesreaches seventy or eighty, or even more than a hundred feet in length. He is from ten to above twenty feet in height, and every way large inproportion. When he swims along the seas, he appears rather like a largevessel floating upon the waters than a fish. He has two holes in hishead, through which he blows out water to a great height in the air, immense fins, and a tail with which he almost raises a tempest when helashes the sea with it. Would you not believe that such an animal wasthe most dreadful of the whole brute creation?

_Tommy. _--Indeed, sir, I should! I should think that such a fish wouldoverset whole ships, and devour the sailors. 

_Mr Barlow. _--Far from it; it is one of the most innocent in respect toman that the ocean produces, nor does he ever do him the least hurt, unless by accidentally overturning vessels with his enormous bulk. Thefood he lives upon is chiefly small fish, and particularly herrings. These fish are bred in such prodigious shoals amid the ice of thosenorthern climates, that the sea is absolutely covered with them formiles together. Then it is that the hungry whale pursues them, and thinstheir numbers, by swallowing thousands of them in their course. 

_Harry. _--What numbers indeed must such a prodigious fish devour ofthese small animals!

_Mr Barlow. _--The whale, in his turn, falls a prey to the cruelty andavarice of man. Some indeed are caught by the Greenlanders, who have asufficient excuse for persecuting him with continual attacks, in theirtotal want of vegetables, and every species of food which the earthaffords. But the Europeans, who are too nice and squeamish to eat hisflesh, send out great numbers of ships, every year, to destroy the poorwhale, merely for the sake of the oil which his body contains, and theelastic bones which are known by the name of whalebone, and applied toseveral purposes. When those who go upon this dangerous expeditiondiscern a whale floating at a distance, they instantly send out a largeboat to pursue him. Some of the men row along as gently as possible, while the person that is appointed to attack the fish stands upon theforepart of the boat, holding in his hand a sharp harpoon, with which heis prepared to wound his prey. This is fastened to a long cord whichlies ready coiled up in the boat, so that they may let it out in aninstant, when the fish is struck; for such is his prodigious force, that, should the least impediment occur to stop the rope in its passage, he would instantly draw the boat after him down to the bottom of thesea. In order to prevent these dangerous accidents, a man standsconstantly ready to divide the rope with a hatchet, in case it shouldhappen to tangle; and another is continually pouring water over it forfear the swiftness of the motion should make it take fire. The poorwhale, being thus wounded, darts away with inconceivable rapidity, andgenerally plunges to the bottom of the sea. The men have a prodigiousquantity of cord ready to let out, and when their store is exhaustedthere are generally other boats ready to supply more. Thus is the pooranimal overpowered and killed, in spite of his immense bulk andirresistible strength; for, gradually wearied with his own efforts andthe loss of blood, he soon relaxes in his speed, and rises again to thetop of the water. Then it is that the fishers, who have pursued him allthe time with the hopes of such an opportunity, approach him anew, andattack him with fresh harpoons, till in the end his strength is entirelyexhausted, the waves themselves are tinged with a bloody colour from hisinnumerable wounds, and he writhes himself about in strong convulsionsand unutterable pain. Then the conflict is soon at an end; in a shorttime he breathes his last, and turning upon his back, floats like somelarge vessel upon the surface of the sea. The fishers then approach, andcut off the fins and other valuable parts, which they stow on boardtheir ships; the fat, or blubber, as it is often called, is receivedinto large hogsheads, and when boiled, to purify it, composes the commonoil, which is applied to so many useful purposes. The remains of thisvast body are left a prey to other fish and to the Greenlanders, whocarefully collect every fragment which they can find, and apply it totheir own use. Sometimes they go to pursue the whale themselves, butwhen they do, it is in large numbers, and they attack him nearly in thesame manner as the Europeans do, only, as they are not so well suppliedwith cord, they fix the skins of seals, which they have inflated withair, to the end of the thongs which are tied to their harpoons, and thisserves both to weary out the fish, who drags them with him under thewater, and to discover him the instant he approaches to the surface. 

_Harry. _--I cannot help pitying the poor whale that is thus persecutedfor the sake of his spoils. Why cannot man let this poor beast liveunmolested in the midst of the snows and ice in which he was born?

_Mr Barlow. _--You ought to know enough of the world to be sensible thatthe desire of gain will tempt men upon every expedition. However, inthis case you must consider that the whale himself is continuallysupported by murdering thousands of herrings and other small fish; sothat, were they possessed of reason, they would welcome the Europeans, who came to destroy their enemies, as friends and benefactors. 

_Tommy. _--But pray, sir, how do the little boys amuse themselves in sucha dismal country? Do their fathers take them out a-fishing with them?

_Mr Barlow. _--When the men come home all covered with wet and icicles, and sit down comfortably in their huts to feast upon the prey, theircommon conversation is about the dangers and accidents they have metwith in their expedition. A Greenlander relates how he bounded over thewaves to surprise the monstrous seal; how he pierced the animal with hisharpoon, who had nearly dragged the boat with him under the water; howhe attacked him again in closer combat; how the beast, enraged with hiswounds, rushed upon him in order to destroy him with his teeth; and how, in the end, by courage and perseverance, he triumphed over hisadversary, and brought it safe to land. All this will he relate with thevehemence and interest which people naturally feel for things whichconcern them nearly; he stands in the midst of his countrymen, anddescribes every minute circumstance of his adventures; the littlechildren gather round, and greedily catch the relation; they feelthemselves interested in every circumstance; they hear, and wish toshare in the toils and glory of their fathers. When they are a littlebigger they exercise themselves in small skiffs, with which they learnto overcome the waves. Nothing can be more dangerous, or require greaterdexterity than the management of a Greenlander's boat. The least thingwill overset it, and then, the man who cannot disengage himself from theboat, which is fastened to his middle, sinks down below the waves, andis inevitably drowned, if he cannot regain his balance. The only hope ofdoing this, is placed in the proper application of his oar, and, therefore, the dexterous management of this implement forms the earlystudy of the young Greenlanders. In their sportive parties they rowabout in a thousand different manners. They dive under their boats, andthen set them to rights with their paddle; they learn to glide over theroughest billows, and face the greatest dangers with intrepidity, tillin the end they acquire sufficient strength and address to fish forthemselves, and to be admitted into the class of men. 

_Harry. _--Pray, sir, is this the country where men travel about uponsledges that are drawn by dogs?

_Tommy. _--Upon sledges drawn by dogs! that must be droll indeed. I hadno idea that dogs could ever draw carriages. 

_Mr Barlow. _--The country you are speaking of is called Kamtschatka; itis indeed a cold and dreary country, but very distant from Greenland. The inhabitants there train up large dogs, which they harness to asledge, upon which the master sits, and so performs his journey alongthe snow and ice. All the summer the Kamtschatkans turn their dogs looseto shift for themselves, and prey upon the remains of fish which theyfind upon the shore or the banks of the rivers (for fish is the commonfood of all the inhabitants); in the winter they assemble their dogs anduse them for the purposes I have mentioned. They have no reins to governthe dogs, or stop them in their course, but the driver sits upon hissledge, and keeps himself as steady as he is able, holding in his hand ashort stick, which he throws at the dogs if they displease him, andcatches again with great dexterity as he passes. This way of travellingis not without danger, for the temper of the dogs is such, that whenthey descend hills and slippery places, and pass through woods where thedriver is exposed to wound himself with the branches and stumps, theyalways quicken their pace. The same is observed in case their mastershould fall off, which they instantly discover by the sudden lightnessof the carriage, for then they set off at such a rate that it isdifficult to overtake them. The only way which the Kamtschatcan finds, is to throw himself at his length upon the ground, and lay hold on theempty sledge, suffering himself to be thus dragged along the earth, tillthe dogs, through weariness, abate their speed. Frequently in theirjourneys these travellers are surprised by unexpected storms of wind andsnow, which render it impracticable to proceed farther. How ill would anEuropean fare, to be thus abandoned, at the distance perhaps of ahundred miles or more, from any habitable place, exposed, withoutshelter, in the midst of extensive plains, and unable to procure eitherwood or fire. But the hardy native of these cold climates, inured fromhis infancy to support difficulties, and almost superior to theelements, seeks the shelter of the first forest he can find; then, wrapping himself round in his warm fur garment, he sits with his legsunder him, and, thus bundled up, suffers himself to be covered roundwith snow, except a small hole which he leaves for the convenience ofbreathing. In this manner he lies, with his dogs around him, who assistin keeping him warm, sometimes for several days, till the storm is past, and the roads again become passable, so that he may be able to pursuehis journey again. 

[Illustration: "Frequently in their journeys these travellers aresurprised by unexpected storms of wind and snow, which render itimpracticable to proceed farther. " _P. 278. _]

_Tommy. _--I could not have conceived it possible that men should be ableto struggle with so many hardships. But do not the poor people whoinhabit these cold climates quit them, whenever they can find anopportunity, and come to settle in those that are warmer?

_Mr Barlow. _--Not in the least. When they hear that there are no sealsto be caught in other countries, they say that they must be wretchedindeed, and much inferior to their own. Besides, they have in generalso great a contempt for all Europeans, that they have no inclination tovisit the countries which they inhabit. 

_Tommy. _--How can that be? How can a parcel of wretched ignorant savagesdespise men that are so much superior to themselves?

_Mr Barlow. _--This is not what they are quite so well convinced of. TheGreenlanders, for instance, see that the Europeans who visit them aremuch inferior to themselves in the art of managing a boat or catchingseals; in short, in everything which they find most useful to supportlife. For this reason, they consider them all with very great contempt, and look upon them as little better than barbarians. 

_Tommy. _--That is very impertinent indeed; and I should like to convincethem of their folly. 

_Mr Barlow. _--Why, do not you look upon yourself as much superior toyour black servants; and have I not often heard you express greatcontempt for them?

_Tommy. _--I do not despise them now, so much as I used to do. Besides, sir, I only think myself something better, because I have been broughtup like a gentleman. 

_Mr Barlow. _--A gentleman! I have never exactly understood what agentleman is, according to your notions. 

_Tommy. _--Why, sir, when a person is not brought up to work, and hasseveral people to wait upon him, like my father and mother, then he is agentleman. 

_Mr Barlow. _--And then he has a right to despise others, has he?

_Tommy. _--I do not say that, sir, neither. But he is, however, superiorto them. 

_Mr Barlow. _--Superior, in what? In the art of cultivating the ground toraise food, and making clothes or houses?

_Tommy. _--No, sir, not that; for gentlemen never plough the ground orbuild houses. 

_Mr Barlow. _--Is he then superior in knowledge? Were you, who have beenbrought up a gentleman, superior to all the rest of the world when youcame here?

_Tommy. _--To be sure, sir; when I came here I did not know so much as Ido now. 

_Mr Barlow. _--If then you, when you knew nothing, and could do nothing, thought yourself superior to all the rest of the world, why should youwonder, that men who really excel others in those things which they seeabsolutely necessary, should have the same good opinion of themselves?Were you to be in Greenland, for instance, how would you prove your ownsuperiority and importance?

_Tommy. _--I would tell them that I had always been well brought up athome. 

_Mr Barlow. _--That they would not believe. They would say that they sawyou were totally unable to do anything useful--to guide a boat; to swimthe seas; to procure yourself the least sustenance--so that you wouldperish with hunger, if they did not charitably afford you now and then abit of whale or seal; and, as to your being a gentleman, they would notunderstand the word, nor would they comprehend why one man, who isnaturally as good as his fellow-creature, should submit to the capriceof another, and obey him. 

_Tommy. _--Indeed, sir, I begin to think that I am not so much betterthan others, as I used to do. 

_Mr Barlow. _--The more you encourage that thought the more likely youare to acquire real superiority and excellence, for great and generousminds are less exposed to that ridiculous vanity than weak and childishones. 

A few evenings after this conversation, when the night was remarkablyclear, Mr Barlow called his two pupils into the garden, where there wasa long hollow tube suspended upon a frame. Mr Barlow then placed Tommyupon a chair, and bade him look through it, which he had scarcely donewhen he cried out, "What an extraordinary sight is this!" "What is thematter?" said Mr Barlow. "I see, " replied Tommy, "what I should take forthe moon were it not a great many times bigger, and so near to me that Ican almost touch it. " "What you see, " answered Mr Barlow, smiling, "isthe moon itself. This glass has indeed the power of making it appear toyour eye as it would do could you approach a great deal nearer; butstill it is nothing but the moon; and from this single experiment youmay judge of the different size which the sun and all the other heavenlybodies would appear to have, if you could advance a great deal nearer tothem. "

Tommy was delighted with this new spectacle. The moon, he said, viewedin this manner, was the most glorious sight he had ever seen in hislife. "And I protest, " added he, "it seems to be shaded in such amanner, that it almost resembles land and water. " "What you say, "answered Mr Barlow, "is by no means unreasonable. The moon is a verylarge body, and may be, for ought we know, inhabited like the earth. "

Tommy was more and more astonished at the introduction of all these newideas; but what he was particularly inquisitive about was, to know thereason of this extraordinary change in the appearance of objects, onlyby looking through a hollow tube with a bit of glass fixed into it. "Allthis, " replied Mr Barlow, "I will, if you desire it, one day explain toyou; but it is rather too long and difficult to undertake it at thepresent moment. When you are a little farther advanced in some of thethings which you are now studying, you will comprehend me better. However, before we retire to-night, I will show you something more, which will perhaps equally surprise you. "

They then returned to the house, and Mr Barlow, who had preparedeverything for his intended exhibition, led Tommy into a room, where heobserved nothing but a lantern upon the floor, and a white sheet hung upagainst the wall. Tommy laughed, and said he did not see anything verycurious in all that. "Well, " said Mr Barlow, "perhaps I may surprise youyet, before I have done; let us at least light up the lantern, that youmay see a little clearer. "

Mr Barlow then lighted a lamp which was within the lantern, andextinguished all the other candles; and Tommy was instantly struck withastonishment to see a gigantic figure of a man, leading along a largebear, appear upon the wall, and glide slowly along the sheet. As he wasadmiring this wonderful sight, a large monkey, dressed up in the habitof a man, appeared and followed the bear; after him came an old womantrundling a barrow of fruit, and then two boys (who, however, were asbig as men) that seemed to be fighting as they passed. 

Tommy could hardly find words to express his pleasure and admiration, and he entreated Mr Barlow in the most earnest manner to explain to himthe reason of all these wonderful sights. "At present, " said Mr Barlow, "you are not sufficiently advanced to comprehend the explanation. However, thus much I will inform you, that both the wonderful tube whichshowed you the moon so much larger than you ever saw it before, and thiscurious exhibition of to-night, and a variety of others, which I willhereafter show you, if you desire it, depend entirely upon such a littlebit of glass as this. " Mr Barlow then put into his hand a small roundpiece of glass, which resembled the figure of a globe on both sides. "Itis by looking through such pieces of glass as this, " said he, "and byarranging them in a particular manner, that we are enabled to performall these wonders. " "Well, " said Tommy, "I never could have believed, that simply looking through a bit of glass could have made such adifference in the appearance of things. " "And yet, " said Mr Barlow, "looking at a thing through water alone, is capable of producing thegreatest change, as I will immediately prove to you. " Mr Barlow thentook a small earthen basin, and, putting a half-crown at the bottom, desired Tommy gradually to go back, still looking at the basin, till hecould distinguish the piece of money no longer. Tommy accordinglyretired, and presently cried out, that, "he had totally lost sight ofthe money. " "Then, " said Mr Barlow, "I will enable you to see it, merelyby putting water into it. " So he gradually poured water into the basin, till, to the new astonishment of Tommy, he found that he could plainlysee the half-crown, which was before invisible. 

Tommy was wonderfully delighted with all these experiments, and declaredthat from this day forward, he would never rest till he had made himselfacquainted with everything curious in every branch of knowledge. 

"I remember reading a story, " said Mr Barlow, "where a telescope (forthat is the name of the glass which brings distant objects so muchnearer to the eye) was used to a very excellent purpose indeed. " "Pray, how was that?" said Tommy. 

"In some part of Africa, " said Mr Barlow, "there was a prince who wasattacked by one of his most powerful neighbours, and almost driven outof his dominions. He had done everything he could do to defend himselfwith the greatest bravery, but was overpowered by the numbers of hisenemy, and defeated in several battles. At length he was reduced to avery small number of brave men, who still accompanied him, and had takenpossession of a steep and difficult hill, which he determined to defendto the last extremity, while the enemy was in possession of all thecountry round. While he lay with his little army in this disagreeablesituation, he was visited by a European, whom he had formerly receivedand treated with the greatest kindness. To this man the unfortunateprince made his complaints, telling him that he was exposed everyinstant to be attacked by his stronger foe; and though he had taken hisresolution he expected nothing but to be cut off with all his army. 

"The European happened to have with him one of these curious glasses, which had not long been invented in Europe, and was totally unknown inthat part of the globe; and he told the prince, his friend, that hewould soon inform him of what his enemy was doing, and then he mighttake his own measures with the greater confidence. So he produced hisglass, and after having adjusted it, turned it towards the enemy's camp, which he observed some time with great attention, and then told hisfriend that he might at least be easy for the present, for the enemy'sgeneral was at that instant thinking only of a great feast, which he wasgiving to the officers of his army. 'How is it possible, ' replied theprince, 'that you can pretend to discover so accurately what is done inyonder camp? My eyes, I think, are at least as good as yours; and yetthe distance is so great, that I can discover nothing distinctly. ' TheEuropean then desired his friend to look through the telescope, which hehad no sooner done, than he rose in great trepidation, and was going tomount his horse; for the spectacle was so new to him, that he imaginedthe enemy was close to him, and that nothing remained but to stand uponhis defence. The European could not help smiling at this mistake; andafter he had with some difficulty removed his panic, by explaining thewonderful powers of the glass, he prevailed upon him to be quiet. 

"But the unexpected terror which this telescope had excited inspired himwith a sudden thought, which he determined to improve to the advantageof the besieged prince. Acquainting him therefore with his intention, hedesired him to draw out all his men in their military array, and to letthem descend the mountain slowly, clashing their arms and waving theirswords as they marched. He then mounted a horse, and rode to the enemy'scamp, where he no sooner arrived than he desired to be instantlyintroduced to the general. He found him sitting in his tent carousing inthe midst of his officers, and not at all thinking of an engagement. When he approached he thus accosted him; 'I am come, great warrior, as afriend, to acquaint you with a circumstance that is absolutely necessaryto the safety of yourself and army. ' 'What is that?' said the general, with some surprise. 'At this instant, ' replied the European, 'while youare indulging yourself in festivity, the enemy, who has lately beenreinforced with a large body of his most valiant troops, is advancing toattack you, and even now has almost penetrated to your camp. ' 'I havehere, ' added he, 'a wonderful glass, the composition of which is onlyknown in Europe, and if you will condescend to look through it for amoment, it will convince you that all I say is truth. ' Saying this, hedirected his eye to the telescope, which the general had no soonerlooked into than he was struck with consternation and affright. He sawthe prince, whom he had long considered as lying at his mercy, advancingwith his army in excellent order, and, as he imagined, close to hiscamp. He could even discern the menacing air of the soldiers, and thebrandishing of their swords as they moved. His officers, who throngedround him to know the cause of his sudden fright, had no sooner peepedinto the wonderful glass than they were all affected in the same manner. Their heads had been already disturbed by their intemperance, andtherefore, without waiting to consult, they rushed in a panic out oftheir tents, mounted their swiftest horses, and fled away, withoutstaying to see the consequences. The rest of the army, who had seen theconsternation of their leaders, and had heard that the enemy wasadvancing to destroy them, were struck with an equal panic, andinstantly followed the example, so that the whole plain was covered withmen and horses, that made all possible haste towards their own country, without thinking of resistance. Thus was an immense army dispersed in aninstant, and the besieged prince delivered from his danger by theaddress and superior knowledge of a single man. "

"Thus you see, " added Mr Barlow, "of how much use a superiority ofknowledge is frequently capable of making individuals. But a still morefamous instance is that of Archimedes, one of the most celebratedmathematicians of his time. He, when the city of Syracuse was besiegedby the Romans, defended it for a long time by the surprising machines heinvented, in such a manner that they began to despair of taking it. " "Dopray, " said Tommy, "tell me that story. " "No, " answered Mr Barlow, "itis now time to retire, and you may at any time read the particulars ofthis extraordinary siege in 'Plutarch's life of Marcellus. '"

And now the time approached when Mr Barlow was accustomed to invitegreater part of the poor of his parish to an annual dinner. He had alarge hall, which was almost filled with men, women, and children, acheerful fire blazed in the chimney, and a prodigious table was placedin the middle for the company to dine upon. Mr Barlow himself receivedhis guests, and conversed with them about the state of their familiesand their affairs. Those that were industrious, and brought theirchildren up to labour, instructing them in the knowledge of their duty, and preserving them from bad impressions, were sure to meet with hisencouragement and commendations. Those that had been ill he assistedwith such little necessaries as tended to alleviate their pains, anddiffuse a gleam of cheerfulness over their sufferings. "How hard, " hewould say, "is the lot of the poor when they are afflicted withsickness! How intolerable do _we_ find the least bodily disorder, eventhough we possess every convenience that can mitigate its violence! Notall the dainties which can be collected from all the elements, thewarmth of downy beds and silken couches, the attendance of obsequiousdependants, are capable of making us bear with common patience the mostcommon disease; how pitiable, then, must be the state of afellow-creature, who is at once tortured by bodily suffering, anddestitute of every circumstance which can alleviate it; who sees aroundhim a family that are not only incapable of assisting their parents, but destined to want the common necessaries of life, the moment heintermits his daily labours! How indispensable, then, is the obligationwhich should continually impel the rich to exert themselves in assistingtheir fellow-creatures, and rendering that condition of life which weall avoid less dreadful to those who must support it always!"

Acting from such principles as these, Mr Barlow was the common friend ofall the species. Whatever his fortune would allow him to perform henever refused to all who stood in need of his assistance. But there isyet a duty which he thought of more importance than the meredistribution of property to the needy--the encouragement of industry andvirtue among the poor, and giving them juster notions of morals andreligion. "If we have a dog, " he would say, "we refuse neither pains norexpense to train him up to hunting; if we have a horse, we send him toan experienced rider to be bitted; but our own species seems to be theonly animal which is entirely exempted from our care. " When he rodeabout the country he used to consider with admiration the splendidstables which the great construct for the reception of their horses, their ice-houses, temples, hermitages, grottoes, and all the apparatusof modern vanity. "All this, " he would say, "is an unequivocal proof thegentleman loves himself, and grudges no expense that can gratify hisvanity; but I would now wish to see what he has done for hisfellow-creatures; what are the proofs that he has given of public spiritor humanity, the wrongs which he has redressed, the miseries he hasalleviated, the abuses which he has endeavoured to remove!"

When he was told of the stubbornness and ingratitude of the poor, heused to say, "that he believed it without difficulty, for they were menin common with their superiors, and therefore must share in some oftheir vices; but if the interests of humanity were half so dear to us asthe smallest article that pleases our palate or flatters our vanity, weshould not so easily abandon them in disgust. "

Mr Barlow happened once to be in company with a lady with whom he wasupon a footing of intimacy, who was talking in this manner. "Nobody, "she said, "had greater feeling than herself, or was more desirous ofassisting her fellow-creatures. When she first came into the country shehad endeavoured to relieve all the misery she heard of; she had givenvictuals to one, physic to a second, and clothes to a third; but she hadmet with such ill-behaviour and ingratitude in return, that she had longbeen obliged to resign all her charitable intentions, and abandon thepoor to their fate. " All the company assented to a doctrine that was sovery conformable to their own practice and inclinations, and agreed thatnothing could be more injudicious than any attempts to be charitable. 

Some little time after this conversation cards were produced, and thelady, who had been so eloquent against the poor, sat down to whist, atwhich she played for several hours with equal ignorance and ill-fortune. When the party was over she was complaining to Mr Barlow of her losses, and added that she scarcely ever in her life had sat down to cards withbetter success. "I wonder, madam, " replied Mr Barlow, "you do not thengive up entirely. " "Alas!" answered the lady, "I have often made thisresolution, but I never had the courage to keep it. " "Indeed, madam, "said Mr Barlow, "it is impossible you can be deficient in courage, andtherefore you wrong your own character. " "You do me too much honour, "said the lady, "by your good opinion; but whoever has given you thisinformation is deceived. " "I had it only from yourself, madam. " "Fromme, sir? When did I ever give you such a character of myself?" "Justnow, madam, when you declared that, upon the bad success of half-a-dozenexperiments, you had resolved never more to be charitable, and had keptthe resolution ever since. I can hardly conceive that your love of cardsis so much greater than that of your duty and religion, and therefore, my dear madam, I must repeat it, that you certainly undervalue your ownfortitude. "

Such were the opinions of Mr Barlow in respect to the poor; andtherefore, instead of widening the distance which fortune has placedbetween one part of mankind and another, he was continually intent uponbringing the two classes nearer together. Poverty has in itself so manyhardships and disagreeable circumstances, that we need not increasetheir number by unnecessary pride and insolence. The distinctions ofrank may indeed be necessary to the government of a populous country, but it is for the good of the whole, not of individuals, that they canhave any just claim to be admitted, and therefore a good man will insistupon them no more than is absolutely necessary for that purpose. On thecontrary, whatever may he his rank or importance, he will plainly prove, by the courtesy and benevolence of his manners, that he laments thenecessity of his own elevation, and, instead of wishing to mount stillhigher, would willingly descend nearer to an equality with hisfellow-creatures. 

Tommy was very much diverted with the ceremonies of this festal day. Hehad lost a great part of his West Indian pride during his residence withMr Barlow, and had contracted many acquaintances among the families ofthe poor. After the example of Mr Barlow, he condescended to go aboutfrom one to the other, and make inquiries about their families; nor washe a little gratified with the extreme respect with which he foundhimself treated, both on the account of Mr Barlow and the reputation ofhis own liberality. 

Thus did the morning pass away in the most agreeable and auspiciousmanner; but after dinner an unexpected incident occurred, which cloudedall the merriment of the unfortunate Tommy Merton. 

Mr Barlow happened to have a large Newfoundland dog, equally famous forhis good-nature and his love of the water. With this dog Tommy had beenlong forming an acquaintance, and he used to divert himself withthrowing sticks into the water, which Cæsar would instantly bring out inhis mouth, however great might be the distance. Tommy had been firedwith the description of the Kamtschatkan dogs, and their method ofdrawing sledges, and meditated an enterprise of this nature on Cæsar. This very day, finding himself unusually at leisure, he chose for theexecution of his project. He therefore furnished himself with some ropeand a kitchen chair, which he destined for his vehicle instead of asledge. He then inveigled Cæsar into a large yard behind the house, and, extending the chair flat upon the ground, fastened him to it with greatcare and ingenuity. Cæsar, who did not understand the new purpose towhich he was going to be applied, suffered himself to be harnessedwithout opposition, and Tommy mounted triumphantly his seat, with a whipin his hand, and began his operations. A crowd of little boys, the sonsof the labourers within, now gathered round the young gentleman, and bytheir admiration very much increased his ardour to distinguish himself. Tommy began to use the common expressions which he had heard coachmenpractise to their horses, and smacked his whip with all the confidenceof an experienced charioteer. Cæsar, meanwhile, who did not comprehendthis language, began to be a little impatient, and expressed hisuneasiness by making several bounds and rearing up like a restive horse. This added very much to the diversion of the spectators, and Tommy, whoconsidered his honour as materially concerned in achieving theadventure, began to be a little more warm; and proceeding from oneexperiment to another, at length applied a pretty severe lash to thehinderpart of his steed. This Cæsar resented so much that he instantlyset off at three-quarters speed, and dragged the chair with the driverupon it at a prodigious rate. Tommy now looked round with an infiniteair of triumph, and kept his seat with surprising address and firmness. 

Unfortunately there happened to be, at no great distance, a largehorse-pond, which went shelving down to the depth of three or four feet. Hither, by a kind of natural instinct, the affrighted Cæsar ran, when hefound he could not disengage himself from his tormentor; while Tommy, who now began to repent of his success, endeavoured to pacify andrestrain him. But all his expostulations were vain, for Cæsarprecipitately rushed into the pond, and in an instant plunged into themiddle with his charioteer behind him. The crowd of spectators had now afresh subject of diversion, and all their respect for Master Tommy couldnot hinder them from bursting into shouts of derision. The unfortunatehero was equally discomposed at the unmannerly exultation of hisattendants, and at his own ticklish situation. But he did not long waitfor the catastrophe of his adventure; for, after a little floundering inthe pond, Cæsar, by a vigorous exertion, overturned the chair, and Tommycame roughly into the water. To add to his misfortune, the pond was atthat time neither ice nor water; for a sudden thaw had commenced the daybefore, accompanied by a copious fall of snow. Tommy, therefore, as soonas he had recovered his footing, floundered on through mud and water andpieces of floating ice, like some amphibious animal to the shore;sometimes his feet slipped, and down he tumbled, and then he struggledup again, shaking the water from his hair and clothes. Now his feetstuck fast in the mud, and now, by a desperate effort, he disengagedhimself with the loss of both his shoes; thus labouring on, withinfinite pain and difficulty he reached the land. The whole troop ofspectators were now incapable of stifling their laughter, which brokeforth in such redoubled peals, that the unfortunate hero was irritatedto an extreme degree of rage, so that, forgetting his own sufferings andnecessities, as soon as he had struggled to the shore, he fell upon themin a fury, and dealt his blows so liberally on every side, that he putthe whole company to flight. Tommy was now in the situation of a warriorthat pursues a routed army. Dismay and terror scattered all his littleassociates a hundred different ways, while passion and revenge animatedhim to the pursuit, and made him forgetful of the wetness of hisclothes, and the uncomfortableness of his situation. Whateverunfortunate boy came within his reach was sure to be unmercifully cuffedand pommelled; for, in the fury with which he felt himself inspired, hedid not wait to consider the exact rules of justice. 

While Tommy was thus revenging the affronts he imagined he had received, and chasing the vanquished about the court, the unusual noise and uproarwhich ensued reached the ears of Mr Barlow, and brought him to the door. He could hardly help laughing at the rueful figure of his friend, withthe water dropping from every part of his body in copious streams, andat the rage which seemed to animate him in spite of his disaster. It waswith some difficulty that Tommy could compose himself enough to give MrBarlow an account of his misfortunes, which, when he had heard, heimmediately led him into the house, and advised him to undress and go tobed. He then brought him some warm diluting liquors, by which means heavoided all the bad effects which might otherwise have arisen from socomplete a drenching. 

The next day Mr Barlow laughed at Tommy in his usual good-naturedmanner, and asked him if he intended to ride out in the Kamtschatkanmanner; adding, however, that he should be afraid to attend him, as hehad the habit of beating his companions. Tommy was a little confoundedat this insinuation, but replied, "that he should not have been soprovoked if they had not laughed at his misfortunes, and he thought itvery hard to be wetted and ridiculed both. " "But, " replied Mr Barlow, "did their noise or laughter do you any great damage, that youendeavoured to return it so roughly?" Tommy answered, "that he must ownit did not do him any hurt, or give him any pain. " "Why, then, " said MrBarlow, "I do not see the justice of your returning it in that manner. ""But, " said Tommy, "it is so provoking to be laughed at!" "There are twoways of remedying that, " replied Mr Barlow, "either not doing suchthings as will expose you to ridicule, or by learning to bear it with alittle more patience. " "But, " said Tommy, "I do not think that anybodycan bear it with patience. " "All the world, " said Mr Barlow, "are notquite so passionate as you are. It is not long ago that you werespeaking of the poor Greenlanders with great contempt, and fancying themmuch inferior to yourself; yet those poor _barbarians_, as you calledthem, that live upon fish, and are not brought up like gentlemen's sons, are capable of giving you a lesson that would be of the greatest serviceif you would but observe it. " "What is that, sir?" inquired Tommy. "They are brought up to so much moderation and self-command, " said MrBarlow, "that they never give way to those sudden impulses of passionthat are common among the Europeans; and when they observe their violentgestures, their angry words, their countenances inflamed with wrath, they feel for them the greatest contempt, and say they must have beenvery badly educated. As to themselves, if any person think himselfill-used by another, without putting himself into any passion upon theoccasion, he defies his foe to meet him at a particular time, before alltheir mutual acquaintance. "

_Tommy. _--But then I suppose they fight; and that is being as passionateas I was. 

_Mr Barlow. _--I am sorry that you, who pretend to have been so wellbrought up, should have recourse to the example of the Greenlanders, inorder to justify your own conduct; but in this case you are mistaken, for the barbarians are a great deal wiser than young gentlemen. Theperson who thinks himself injured does indeed challenge his antagonist, but it is to a very different sort of combat from what you imagine. Bothparties appear at the appointed time, and each surrounded with a companyof his particular friends. The place where they assemble is generallythe middle of one of their large huts, that all the persons of theirsociety may be impartial spectators of their contest. When they are thusconvened, the champion, who by agreement is to begin, steps forward intothe middle of the circle, and entertains them with a song or speech, which he has before meditated. In this performance he generallycontrives to throw all the ridicule he is able upon his antagonist, andhis satire is applauded by his own party, and excites universalmerriment among the audience. When he has sung or declaimed himself outof breath, it is the turn of his rival to begin, who goes on in the samemanner, answering all the satire that has been thrown upon him, andendeavouring to win the laughter over to his own side. In this manner dothe combatants go on, alternately reciting their compositions againsteach other, till the memory or invention of one of them fails, and he isobliged to yield the victory to his rival. After this public spectacleof their ingenuity, the two champions generally forget all theiranimosities, and are cordially reconciled. "This, " added Mr Barlow, "appears to me to be a much better method of answering ridicule, than bygiving way to passion and resentment, and beating those that displeaseus; and one of these honest Greenlanders would be as much ashamed ofsuch a sudden transport of anger as a Kamtschatkan traveller would be ofmanaging his dogs as ill as you did yesterday. "

CHAPTER VII. 

 Tommy and Harry visit Home--The Fashionable Guests--Miss Simmons takes notice of Harry--Harry's Troubles--Master Compton and Mash--Estrangement of Tommy--Visit to the Theatre--Misbehaviour there--Card Playing--The Ball--Harry Dancing a Minuet--Story of Sir Philip Sidney--Master Mash insults Harry--The Fight in the Drawing-room--The Bull-baiting--Tommy strikes Harry--Master Mash's Combat with Harry--Tommy's Narrow Escape from the Bull--The Grateful Black. 

And now the time arrived when Tommy was by appointment to go home andspend some time with his parents. Mr Barlow had been long afraid ofthis visit, as he knew he would meet a great deal of company there, whowould give him impressions of a very different nature from what he hadwith much assiduity been labouring to excite. However, the visit wasunavoidable, and Mr Merton sent so pressing an invitation for Harry toaccompany his friend, after having obtained the consent of his father, that Mr Barlow, with much regret, took leave of both his pupils. Harry, from the experience he had formerly acquired of polite life, had nogreat inclination for the expedition; however, his temper was too easyand obliging to raise any objections, and the real affection he nowentertained for Master Merton rendered him less averse than he wouldotherwise have been. 

When they arrived at Mr Merton's, they were introduced into a crowdeddrawing-room, full of the most elegant company which that part of thecountry afforded, among whom were several young gentlemen and ladies ofdifferent ages, who had been purposely invited to spend their holidayswith Master Merton. As soon as Master Merton entered, every tongue waslet loose in his praise; "he was grown, he was improved, he was such acharming boy;" his eyes, his hair, his teeth, his every feature was theadmiration of all the ladies. Thrice did he make the circle, in order toreceive the congratulations of the company, and to be introduced to theyoung ladies. 

As to Harry, he had the good fortune to be taken notice of by nobodyexcept Mr Merton, who received him with great cordiality. A lady, however, who sat by Mrs Merton, asked her in a whisper, which was loudenough to be heard all over the room, whether that was the little_ploughboy_ whom she had heard Mr Barlow was attempting to breed up likea gentleman. Mrs Merton answered it was. "I protest, " said the lady, "Ishould have thought so by his plebeian look and vulgar air. But Iwonder, my dear madam, that you will suffer your son, who, withoutflattery, is one of the most accomplished children I ever saw in mylife, with quite the air of fashion, to keep such company. Are you notafraid that Master Merton should insensibly contract bad habits, and agrovelling way of thinking? For my own part, as I think a good educationis a thing of the utmost consequence in life, I have spared no pains togive my dear Matilda every possible advantage. " "Indeed, " replied MrsMerton, "one may see the excellence of her education in everything MissMatilda does. She plays most divinely upon the harpsichord, talks Frencheven better than she does English, and draws in the style of a master. Indeed, I think that last figure of the _naked Gladiator_ the finestthing I ever saw in my life!"

While this conversation was going on in one part of the room, a younglady, observing that nobody seemed to take the least notice of Harry, advanced towards him with the greatest affability, and began to enterinto conversation with him. This young lady's name was Simmons. Herfather and mother had been two of the most respectable people in thecountry, according to the old style of English gentry, but, he havingdied while she was young, the care of her had devolved upon an uncle, who was a man of sense and benevolence, but a very great humorist. Thisgentleman had such peculiar ideas of female character, that he waged warwith most of the polite and modern accomplishments. As one of the firstblessings of life, according to his notions, was health, he endeavouredto prevent that sickly delicacy, which is considered as so great anornament in fashionable life by a more robust and hardy education. Hisniece was accustomed, from her earliest years, to plunge into the coldbath at every season of the year, to rise by candle-light in winter, toride a dozen miles upon a trotting horse, or to walk as many, even withthe hazard of being splashed, or soiling her clothes. By this mode ofeducation Miss Sukey (for so she had the misfortune to be named)acquired an excellent character, accompanied, however, with somedispositions which disqualified her almost as much as Harry forfashionable life. She was acquainted with all the best authors in ourlanguage; nor was she ignorant of those in French, although she couldnot speak a word of the language. Her uncle, who was a man of sense andknowledge, had besides instructed her in several parts of knowledgewhich rarely fall to the lot of ladies, such as the established laws ofnature, and a small degree of geometry. She was, besides, brought up toevery species of household employment, which is now exploded by ladiesof every rank and station as mean and vulgar, and taught to believe thatdomestic economy is a point of the utmost consequence to every woman whointends to be a wife or mother. As to music, though Miss Simmons had avery agreeable voice, and could sing several simple songs in a verypleasing manner, she was entirely ignorant of it. Her uncle used to say, that human life is not long enough to throw away so much time upon thescience of _making a noise_. Nor would he permit her to learn French, although he understood it himself; women, he thought, are not birds ofpassage, that are to be eternally changing their place of abode. "I havenever seen any good, " would he say, "from the importation of foreignmanners; every virtue may be learned and practised at home, and it isonly because we do not choose to have either virtue or religion among usthat so many adventurers are yearly sent out to smuggle foreign graces. As to various languages, I do not see the necessity of them for a woman. My niece is to marry an Englishman, and to live in England. To whatpurpose, then, should I labour to take off the difficulty of conversingwith foreigners, and to promote her intercourse with barbers, valets, dancing-masters, and adventurers of every description, that arecontinually doing us the honour to come among us? As to the Frenchnation, I know and esteem it on many accounts, but I am very doubtfulwhether the English will ever gain much by adopting either their mannersor their government, and when respectable foreigners choose to visit us, I see no reason why they should not take the trouble of learning thelanguage of the country. "

Such had been the education of Miss Simmons, who was the only one of allthe genteel company at Mr Merton's that thought Harry deserving theleast attention. This young lady, who possessed an uncommon degree ofnatural benevolence of character, came up to him in such a manner asset him perfectly at his ease. Harry was destitute of the artificialgraces of society, but he possessed that natural politeness and goodnature, without which all artificial graces are the most disgustingthings in the world. Harry had an understanding naturally strong; and MrBarlow, while he had with the greatest care preserved him from all falseimpressions had taken great pains in cultivating the faculties of hismind. Harry, indeed, never said any of those brilliant things whichrender a boy the darling of the ladies; he had not that vivacity, orrather impertinence, which frequently passes for wit with superficialpeople; but he paid the greatest attention to what was said to him, andmade the most judicious observations upon subjects he understood. Forthis reason, Miss Simmons, although much older and more improved, received great satisfaction from conversing with him, and thought littleHarry infinitely more agreeable and judicious than any of the smartyoung gentlemen she had hitherto seen at Mr Merton's. 

But now the company was summoned to the important business of dinner. Harry could not help sighing when he reflected on what he had toundergo; however, he determined to bear it with all imaginablefortitude, for the sake of his friend Tommy. The dinner indeed was, ifpossible, more dreadful than anything he had before undergone--so manyfine gentlemen and fine ladies; so many powdered servants to standbehind their chairs; such an apparatus of dishes which Harry had nevertasted before, and which almost made him sick when he did taste; somany removes; such pomp and solemnity about what seemed the easiestthing in the world--that Harry could not help envying the condition ofhis father's labourers, who, when they are hungry, can sit at their easeunder a hedge, and make a dinner without plates, table-cloths, orcompliments!

In the mean time his friend Tommy was received amid the circle of theladies, and attended to as a prodigy of wit and ingenuity. Harry couldnot help being surprised at this. His affection for his friend wastotally unmixed with the meanness of jealousy, and he received thesincerest pleasure from every improvement which Tommy had made; however, he had never discovered in him any of those surprising talents; and, when he could catch anything that Tommy said, it appeared to him ratherinferior to his usual method of conversation. However, as so many fineladies were of a different opinion, he took it for granted that he mustbe mistaken. 

But if Harry's opinion of his friend's abilities was not much improvedby this exhibition, it was not so with Tommy. The repeated assuranceswhich he received that he was indeed a little _prodigy_, began toconvince him that he really was so. When he considered the company hecame from, he found that infinite injustice had been done to his merit;for at Mr Barlow's he was frequently contradicted, and obliged to give areason for what he said; but here, in order to be admired, he hadnothing to do but to talk; whether he had any meaning or not, hisauditors always found either wit or sense, or a most entertainingsprightliness in all he said. Nor was Mrs Merton herself deficient inbestowing marks of admiration upon her son. To see him before, improvedin health, in understanding, in virtue, had given her a pleasurablesensation, for she was by no means destitute of good dispositions; butto see him shine with such transcendant brightness, before suchexcellent judges, and in so polite a company, inspired her with rapturesshe had never felt before. Indeed, in consequence of this success, theyoung gentleman's volubility improved so much that, before dinner wasover, he seemed disposed to engross the whole conversation to himself;and Mr Merton, who did not quite relish the sallies of his son so muchas his wife, was once or twice obliged to interpose and check him in hiscareer. This Mrs Merton thought very hard; and all the ladies, afterthey had retired into the drawing-room, agreed, that his father wouldcertainly spoil his temper by such improper contradiction. 

As to little Harry, he had not the good fortune to please the greaternumber of the ladies. They observed that he was awkward and ungenteel, and had a heavy, clownish look; he was also silent and reserved, and hadnot said a single agreeable thing; if Mr Barlow chose to keep a schoolfor carters and threshers, nobody would hinder him, but it was notproper to introduce such vulgar people to the sons of persons offashion. It was therefore agreed that Mr Barlow ought either to sendlittle Harry home to his friends, or to be no more honoured with thecompany of Master Merton. Indeed, one of the ladies hinted, that MrBarlow himself was but "an odd kind of man, who never went toassemblies, and played upon no kind of instrument. "

"Why, " answered Mrs Merton, "to tell the truth, I was not over fond ofthe scheme. Mr Barlow, to be sure, though a very good, is a very oddkind of man. However, as he is so disinterested, and would never receivethe least present from us, I doubt whether we could with proprietyinsist upon his turning little Sandford out of the house. " "If that isthe case, madam, " answered Mrs Compton (for that was the name of thelady), "I think it would be infinitely better to remove Master Merton, and place him in some polite seminary, where he might acquire aknowledge of the world, and make genteel connections. This will alwaysbe the greatest advantage to a young gentleman, and will prove of themost essential service to him in life; for, though a person has all themerit in the world, without such acquaintance it will never push himforward, or enable him to make a figure. This is the plan which I havealways pursued with Augustus and Matilda; I think I may say not entirelywithout success, for they have both the good fortune to have formed themost brilliant acquaintances. As to Augustus, he is so intimate withyoung Lord Squander, who you know is possessed of the greatestparliamentary interest, that I think that his fortune is as good asmade. "

Miss Simmons, who was present at this refined and wise conversation, could not help looking with so much significance at this mention of LordSquander, that Mrs Compton coloured a little, and asked with somewarmth, whether she knew anything of that young nobleman. 

"Why, madam, " answered the young lady, "what I know is very little; butif you desire me to inform you, it is my duty to speak the truth. " "Oh, to be sure, miss, " replied Mrs Compton, a little angrily, "we all knowthat your _judgment_ and _knowledge_ of the world are superior to whatanybody else can boast; and therefore I shall be infinitely obliged toyou for any _information_ you may be pleased to give. " "Indeed, madam, "answered the young lady, "I have very little of either to boast, nor amI personally acquainted with the nobleman you are talking of; but I havea cousin, a very good boy, who is at the same public school with hislordship, and he has given me such a character of him as does not muchprepossess me in his favour. " "And what may this wise cousin of yourshave said of his lordship?" "_Only_, madam, that he is one of the worstboys in the whole school; that he has neither genius nor application foranything that becomes his rank and situation; that he has no taste foranything but gaming, horse-racing, and the most contemptible amusements;that, though his allowance is large, he is continually running in debtwith everybody that will trust him; and that he has broken his word sooften that nobody has the least confidence in what he says. Added tothis, I have heard that he is so haughty, tyrannical, and overbearing, that nobody can long preserve his friendship without the meanestflattery and subservience to all his vicious inclinations; and, tofinish all, that he is of so ungrateful a temper, that he was neverknown to do an act of kindness to any one, or to care about anything buthimself. "

Here Miss Matilda could not help interposing with warmth. She said, "that his lordship had nothing in his character or manners that did notperfectly become a nobleman of the most elevated soul. Little grovellingminds, indeed, which are always envious of their superiors, might give adisagreeable turn to the generous openness of this young nobleman'stemper. That, as to gaming and running in debt, they were so essentialto a man of fashion, that nobody who was not born in the city, andoppressed by city prejudices, would think of making the least objectionto them. " She then made a panegyric upon his lordship's person, hiselegant taste and dress, his new phaeton, his entertaining conversation, his extraordinary performance upon the violin; and concluded that, withsuch abilities and accomplishments, she did not doubt of one day seeinghim at the head of the nation. 

Miss Simmons had no desire of pushing the conversation any farther; andthe rest of the company coming in to tea, the disquisition about LordSquander finished. 

After tea, several of the young ladies were desired to amuse the companywith music and singing; among the rest Miss Simmons sang a little Scotchsong, called Lochaber, in so artless, but sweet and pathetic a manner, that little Harry listened almost with tears in his eyes, though severalof the young ladies, by their significant looks and gestures, treated itwith ineffable contempt. 

After this, Miss Matilda, who was allowed to be a perfect mistress ofmusic, played and sang several celebrated Italian airs; but as thesewere in a language totally unintelligible to Harry, he received verylittle pleasure, though all the rest of the company were in raptures. She then proceeded to play several pieces of music, which were allowedby all connoisseurs to require infinite skill to execute. The audienceseemed all delighted, and either felt or pretended to feel inexpressiblepleasure; even Tommy himself, who did not know one note from another, had caught so much of the general enthusiasm, that he applauded as loudas the rest of the company. But Harry, whose temper was not quite sopliable, could not conceal the intolerable weariness that overpoweredhis senses during this long exhibition. He gaped, he yawned, hestretched, he even pinched himself, in order to keep his attentionalive, but all in vain; the more Miss Matilda exercised her skill inplaying pieces of the most difficult execution, the more did Harry'spropensity to drowsiness increase. At length the lateness of the hour, which much exceeded Harry's time of going to bed, conspiring with theopiate charms of music, he could resist no longer, but insensibly fellback upon his chair fast asleep. This unfortunate accident was soonremarked by the rest of the company, and confirmed them very much in theopinion they had conceived of Harry's vulgarity; while he, in themeantime, enjoyed the most placid slumber, which was not dissipated tillMiss Matilda had desisted from playing. 

Thus was the first day passed at Mr Merton's, very little to thesatisfaction of Harry; the next, and the next after, were onlyrepetitions of the same scene. The little gentry, whose tastes andmanners were totally different from his, had now imbibed a perfectcontempt for Harry, and it was with great difficulty that theycondescended to treat him even with common civility. In this _laudable_behaviour they were very much confirmed by Master Compton and MasterMash. Master Compton was reckoned a very genteel boy, though all hisgentility consisted in a pair of buckles so big that they almostcrippled him; in a slender emaciated figure, and a look of consummateimpudence. He had almost finished his education at a public school, where he had learned every vice and folly which is commonly taught atsuch places, without the least improvement either of his character orhis understanding. Master Mash was the son of a neighbouring gentleman, who had considerably impaired his fortune by an inordinate love ofhorse-racing. Having been from his infancy accustomed to no otherconversation than about winning and losing money, he had acquired theidea that, to bet successfully, was the summit of all human ambition. Hehad been almost brought up in the stable, and therefore had imbibed thegreatest interest about horses; not from any real affection for thatnoble animal, but merely because he considered them as engines for thewinning of money. He too was now improving his talents by a publiceducation, and longed impatiently for the time when he should be setfree from all restraint, and allowed to display the superiority of hisgenius at Ascot and Newmarket. 

These two young gentlemen had conceived the most violent dislike toHarry, and lost no occasion of saying or doing everything they had intheir power to mortify him. To Tommy, they were in the contraryextreme, and omitted no opportunity of rendering themselves agreeable tohim. Nor was it long before their forward vivacious manners, accompaniedwith a knowledge of many of those gay scenes, which acted forcibly uponTommy's imagination, began to render their conversation highlyagreeable. They talked to him about public diversions, about celebratedactresses, about parties of pleasure, and parties of mischief. Tommybegan to feel himself introduced to a new train of ideas, and a widerrange of conduct; he began to long for the time when he should share inthe glories of robbing orchards, or insulting passengers with impunity;but when he heard that little boys, scarcely bigger than himself, hadoften joined in the glorious project of forming open rebellions againsttheir masters, or of disturbing a whole audience at a playhouse, hepanted for the time when he might have a chance of sharing in the fameof such achievements. By degrees he lost all regard for Mr Barlow, andall affection for his friend Harry. At first, indeed, he was shocked athearing Mr Barlow mentioned with disrespect, but becoming by degreesmore callous to every good impression he at last took infinite pleasurein seeing Master Mash (who, though destitute of either wit or genius, had a great taste for mimicry) take off the _parson_ in the middle ofhis _sermon_. 

Harry perceived and lamented this change in the manners of his friend;he sometimes took the liberty of remonstrating with him upon thesubject, but was only answered with a contemptuous sneer; and MasterMash, who happened once to be present, told him that he was a _monstrousbore_. 

It happened that, while Harry was at Mr Merton's, there was a troop ofstrolling players at a neighbouring town. In order to divert the younggentry, Mr Merton contrived that they should make a party to see a play. They went accordingly, and Harry with the rest. Tommy, who now no longercondescended to take any notice of his friend Harry, was seated betweenhis two new acquaintances, who had become his inseparable companions. These young gentlemen first began to give specimens of their_politeness_ by throwing nuts and orange-peel upon the stage; and Tommy, who was resolved to profit by such an _excellent_ example, threw nutsand orange-peel with infinite satisfaction. 

As soon as the curtain drew up, and the actors appeared, all the rest ofthe audience observed a decent silence; but Mash and Compton, who werenow determined to prove the _superiority_ of their manners, began totalk so loud, and make so much noise, that it was impossible for any onenear them to hear a word of the play. This also seemed amazingly _fine_to Tommy; and he too talked and laughed as loud as the rest. 

The subject of their conversation was, the audience and the performers;neither of whom these polite young gentlemen found bearable. The_company_ was chiefly composed of the tradesmen of the town, and theinhabitants of the neighbouring country; this was a sufficient reasonfor these refined young gentlemen to speak of them with the mostinsufferable contempt. Every circumstance of their dress and appearancewas criticised with such a minuteness of attention, that Harry, who satnear, and very much against his inclination was witness to all thatpassed, began to imagine that his companions, instead of being broughtup like the sons of gentlemen, had only studied under barbers andtailors; such amazing knowledge did they display in the history ofbuckles, buttons, and dressing of hair. As to the poor _performers_, they found them totally undeserving of mercy; they were so shockinglyawkward, so ill-dressed, so low-lived, and such detestable creatures, that it was impossible to bear them with any patience. 

Master Mash, who prided himself upon being a young gentleman of greatspirit, was of opinion that they should _kick up a riot_, and demolishall the scenery. Tommy, indeed, did not very well understand what theexpression meant; but he was so intimately persuaded of the merit andgenius of his companions, that he agreed that it would be the mostproper thing in the world; and the proposal was accordingly made to therest of the young gentlemen. 

But Harry, who had been silent all the time, could not helpremonstrating at what appeared to him the greatest injustice andcruelty. "These poor people, " said he, "are doing all they can toentertain us; is it not very unkind to treat them in return with scornand contempt? If they could act better, even as well as those finepeople you talk of in London, would they not willingly do it? andtherefore, why should we be angry with them for what they cannot help?And, as to cutting the scenes to pieces, or doing the house any damage, have we any more right to attempt it, than they would have to come intoyour father's dining-room, and break the dishes to pieces, because theydid not like the dinner? While we are here, let us behave with goodmanners, and, if we do not like their acting, it is our own faults ifever we come to see them again. "

This method of reasoning was not much relished by those to whom it wasaddressed; and it is uncertain how far they might have proceeded, hadnot a decent, plain-looking man, who had been long disturbed with thenoise of these young gentry, at length taken the liberty ofexpostulating with them upon the subject. This freedom, or_impertinence_, as it was termed by Master Mash, was answered by himwith so much rudeness, that the man, who was a neighbouring farmer, wasobliged to reply in a higher strain. Thus did the altercation increaseevery minute, till Master Mash, who thought it an unpardonable affrontthat any one in an inferior station should presume to think or feel forhimself, so far lost all command of his temper as to call the man a_blackguard_, and strike him upon the face. But the farmer, whopossessed great strength, and equal resolution, very deliberately laidhold of the young gentleman who had offered him the insult, and, withoutthe smallest exertion, laid him sprawling upon the ground, at his fulllength under the benches, and setting his feet upon his body, told himthat, "since he did not know how to _sit_ quiet at a play, he would havethe honour of teaching him to _lie_; and that if he offered to stir, hewould trample him to pieces;" a threat which was very evident he couldfind no difficulty in executing. 

This unexpected incident struck a universal damp over the spirits of thelittle gentry; and even Master Mash himself so far forgot his dignity, as to supplicate in a very submissive manner for a release; in this hewas joined by all his companions, and Harry among the rest. 

"Well, " said the farmer, "I should never have thought that a parcel ofyoung gentlemen, as you call yourselves, would come into public tobehave with so much rudeness; I am sure that there is ne'er a ploughboyat my house but what would have shown more sense and manners; but, sinceyou are sorry for what has happened, I am very willing to make an end ofthe affair; more especially for the sake of this little master here, whohas behaved with so much propriety, that I am sure he is a bettergentleman than any of you, though he is not dressed so much like amonkey or a barber. " With these words he suffered the crestfallen Mashto rise; who crept from his place of confinement, with looks infinitelymore expressive of mildness than he had brought with him; nor was thelesson lost upon the others, for they behaved with the greatest decencyduring the rest of the exhibition. 

However, Master Mash's courage began to rise as he went home, and foundhimself farther from his formidable farmer; for he assured hiscompanions, "that, if he had not been so vulgar a fellow, he wouldcertainly call him out and pistol him. "

The next day at dinner Mr Merton and the ladies, who had not accompaniedthe young gentlemen to the play, nor had yet heard of the misfortunewhich had ensued, were very inquisitive about the preceding night'sentertainment. The young people agreed that the performers weredetestable, but that the play was a charming piece, full of wit andsentiment, and extremely improving. This play was called _The Marriageof Figaro_, and Master Compton had informed them that it was amazinglyadmired by all the people of fashion in London. 

But Mr Merton, who had observed that Harry was totally silent, at lengthinsisted upon knowing his opinion upon the subject, "Why, sir, " answeredHarry, "I am very little judge of these matters, for I never saw a playbefore in my life, and therefore I cannot tell whether it was acted wellor ill; but as to the play itself, it seemed to me to be full of nothingbut cheating and dissimulation; and the people that come in and out donothing but impose upon each other, and lie, and trick, and deceive. Were you or any gentlemen to have such a parcel of servants, you wouldthink them fit for nothing in the world; and therefore I could not helpwondering, while the play was acting, that people would throw away somuch of their time upon sights that can do them no good, and send theirchildren and their relations to learn fraud and insincerity. " Mr Mertonsmiled at the honest bluntness of Harry; but several of the ladies, whohad just been expressing an extravagant admiration of this piece, seemedto be not a little mortified; however, as they could not contradict thecharges which Harry had brought against it, they thought it most prudentto be silent. 

In the evening it was proposed that all the little gentry should divertthemselves with cards, and they accordingly sat down to a game which iscalled Commerce. But Harry, who was totally ignorant of thisaccomplishment, desired to be excused; however, his friend Miss Simmonsoffered to teach him the game, which, she assured him, was so easy, thatin three minutes he would be able to play as well as the rest. Harry, however, still continued to refuse; and at last confessed to MissSimmons, that he had expended all his money the day before, andtherefore was unable to furnish the stake which the rest deposited. "Don't let that disturb you, " said she; "I will put down for you with agreat deal of pleasure. " "Madam, " answered Harry, "I am very muchobliged to you, I am sure; but Mr Barlow has always forbidden me eitherto receive or borrow money of anybody, for fear, in the one case, Ishould become mercenary, or in the other, dishonest; and therefore, though there is nobody here whom I esteem more than yourself, I amobliged to refuse your offer. " "Well, " replied Miss Simmons, "that neednot disturb you; for you shall play upon my account, and that you may dowithout any violation of your principles. "

Thus was Harry, though with some reluctance, induced to sit down tocards with the rest. The game, indeed, he found no difficulty inlearning; but he could not help remarking, with wonder, the extremesolicitude which appeared in the face of all the players at every changeof fortune. Even the young ladies, all but Miss Simmons, seemed to beequally sensible of the passion of gaining money with the rest; and someof them behaved with a degree of asperity which quite astonished him. After several changes of fortune, it happened that Miss Simmons andHarry were the only remaining players; all the rest, by the laws of thegame, had forfeited all pretensions to the stake, the property of whichwas clearly vested in these two, and one more deal was wanting to decideit. But Harry, with great politeness, rose from the table, and told MissSimmons, that, as he only played upon her account, he was no longerwanted, and that the whole undoubtedly belonged to her. Miss Simmonsrefused to take it; and when she found that Harry was not to be inducedto play any more, she at last proposed to him to divide what was left. This also Harry declined, alleging that he had not the least title toany part. But Miss Simmons, who began to be uneasy at the remarks whichthis extraordinary contest occasioned, told Harry that he would obligeher by taking his share of the money, and laying it out in any mannerfor her that he judged best. "On this condition, " answered Harry, "Iwill take it; and I think I know a method of laying it out, which youwill not entirely disapprove. "

The next day, as soon as breakfast was over, Harry disappeared; nor washe come back when the company were assembled at dinner. At length hecame in, with a glow of health and exercise upon his face, and thatdisorder of dress which is produced by a long journey. The young ladieseyed him with great contempt, which seemed a little to disconcert him;but Mr Merton speaking to him with great good-humour, and making roomfor him to sit down, Harry soon recovered from his confusion. 

In the evening, after a long conversation among the young people, aboutpublic diversions and plays, and actors, and dancers, they happened tomention the name of a celebrated performer, who at this time engaged thewhole attention of the town. Master Compton, after expatiating withgreat enthusiasm upon the subject, added, "that nothing was sofashionable as to make great presents to this person, in order to showthe taste and elegance of the giver. " He then proposed that, as so manyyoung gentlemen and ladies were here assembled, they should set anexample, which would do them infinite honour, and probably be followedthroughout the kingdom, of making a little collection among themselvesto buy a piece of plate, or a gold snuff-box, or some other trifle, tobe presented in their name. He added, "that though he could ill-sparethe money (having just laid out six guineas upon a new pair of buckles), he would contribute a guinea to so excellent a purpose, and that MastersMash and Merton would do the same. "

This proposal was universally approved of by all the company, and allbut Harry promised to contribute in proportion to their finances. ThisMaster Mash observing, said, "Well, farmer, and what will yousubscribe?" Harry answered, "that on this occasion he must beg to beexcused, for he had nothing to give. " "Here is a pretty fellow!"answered Mash; "last night we saw him pocket thirty shillings of ourmoney, which he cheated us out of at Commerce, and now the little stingywretch will not contribute half-a-crown, while we are giving away wholeguineas. " Upon this Miss Matilda said, in an ironical manner, "thatMaster Harry had always an excellent reason to give for his conduct;and she did not doubt but he could prove to the satisfaction of themall, that it was more liberal to keep his money in his pocket than togive it away. "

Harry, who was a little nettled at these reflections, answered, "thatthough he was not bound to give any reason, he thought he had a verygood one to give; and that was, that he saw no generosity in thusbestowing money. According to your own account, " added he, "the personyou have been talking of gains more than fifty poor families in thecountry have to maintain themselves; and therefore, if I had any moneyto give away, I should certainly give it to those that want it most. "

With these words Harry went out of the room, and the rest of the gentry, after abusing him very liberally, sat down to cards. But Miss Simmons, who imagined that there was more in Harry's conduct than he hadexplained, excused herself from cards, and took an opportunity oftalking to him upon the subject. After speaking to him with greatgood-nature, she asked him, whether it might not have been better tohave contributed something along with the rest, than to have offendedthem by so free an exposition of his sentiments, even though he did notapprove of the scheme. "Indeed, madam, " said Harry, "this is what Iwould gladly have done, but it was totally out of my power. " "How canthat be, Harry? did you not the other night win nearly thirtyshillings?" "That, madam, all belonged to you; and I have alreadydisposed of it in your name, in a manner that I hope you will notdisapprove. " "How is that?" inquired the young lady with some surprise. "Madam, " said Harry, "there was a young woman who lived with my fatheras a servant, and always behaved with the greatest honesty andcarefulness. This young woman had an aged father and mother, who for agreat while were able to maintain themselves by their labour; but atlast the poor old man became too weak to do a day's work, and his wifewas afflicted with a disease they call the palsy. Now, when this goodyoung woman saw that her parents were in such great distress, she lefther place and went to live with them, on purpose to take care of them;and she works very hard, whenever she can get work, and fares very hardin order to maintain her parents; and though we assist them all we can, I know that sometimes they can hardly get food and clothes; therefore, madam, as you were so kind to say I should dispose of this money foryou, I ran over this morning to these poor people, and gave them all themoney in your name, and I hope you will not be displeased at the use Ihave put it to. " "Indeed, " answered the young lady, "I am much obligedto you for the good opinion you have of me, and the application of itdoes me a great deal of honour; I am only sorry you did not give it inyour own name. " "That, " replied Harry, "I had not any right to do; itwould have been attributing to myself what did not belong to me, andequally inconsistent with truth and honesty. "

In this manner did the time pass away at Mr Merton's; while Harryreceived very little satisfaction from his visit, except in conversingwith Miss Simmons. The affability and good sense of this young lady hadentirely gained his confidence; while all the other young ladies werecontinually intent upon displaying their talents and importance, shealone was simple and unaffected. But what disgusted Harry more than everwas, that his refined companions seemed to consider themselves, and afew of their acquaintance, as the only beings of any consequence in theworld. The most trifling inconvenience, the being a little too hot, alittle too cold, the walking a few hundred yards, the waiting a fewminutes for their dinner, the having a trifling cold, or a littleheadache, were misfortunes so feelingly lamented, that he would haveimagined they were the most tender of the human species, had he notobserved that they considered the sufferings of all below them with aprofound indifference. If the misfortunes of the poor were mentioned, heheard of nothing but the insolence and ingratitude of that class ofpeople, which seemed to be a sufficient excuse for the want of commonhumanity. "Surely, " said Harry to himself, "there cannot be so muchdifference between one human being and another; or if there is, I shouldthink that part of them the most valuable who cultivate the ground, andprovide necessaries for all the rest; not those who understand nothingbut dress, walking with their toes out, staring modest people out ofcountenance, and jabbering a few words of a foreign language. "

But now the attention of all the younger part of the company was fixedupon making preparations for a ball, which Mrs Merton had determined togive in honour of Master Tommy's return. The whole house was now fullof milliners, mantua-makers, and dancing-masters; and all the youngladies were employed in giving directions about their clothes, or inpractising the steps of different dances. Harry now, for the first time, began to comprehend the infinite importance of dress--even the elderlyladies seemed to be as much interested about the affair as theirdaughters; and, instead of the lessons of conduct and wisdom which heexpected to hear, nothing seemed to employ their attention a moment butFrench trimmings, gauzes, and Italian flowers. Miss Simmons aloneappeared to consider the approaching solemnity with perfectindifference. Harry had never heard a single word drop from her thatexpressed either interest or impatience; but he had for some daysobserved her employed in her room with more than common assiduity. Atlength, on the very day that was destined for this important exhibition, she came to him with a benevolent smile, and spoke to him thus: "I wasso much pleased with the account you gave me the other day of that pooryoung woman's duty and affection towards her parents, that I have forsome time employed myself in preparing for them a little present, whichI shall be obliged to you, Master Harry, to convey to them. I have, unfortunately, never learned either to embroider or to paint artificialflowers, but my good uncle has taught me that the best employment I canmake of my hands is to assist those who cannot assist themselves. "Saying this, she put into his hands a parcel that contained some linenand other necessaries for the poor old people, and bade him tell themnot to forget to call upon her uncle when she was returned home, as hewas always happy to assist the deserving and industrious poor. Harryreceived her present with gratitude, and almost with tears of joy; and, looking up in her face, imagined that he saw the features of one ofthose angels which he had read of in the Scriptures; so much does realdisinterested benevolence improve the expression of the humancountenance. 

But all the rest of the young gentry were employed in cares of a verydifferent nature--the dressing their hair and adorning their persons. Tommy himself had now completely resumed his natural character, andthrown aside all that he had learned during his residence with MrBarlow; he had contracted an infinite fondness for all those scenes ofdissipation which his new friends daily described to him, and began tobe convinced that one of the most important things in life is afashionable dress. In this _most rational_ sentiment he had beenconfirmed by almost all the ladies with whom he had conversed since hisreturn home. The distinctions of character, relative to virtue andunderstanding, which had been with so much pains inculcated upon hismind, seemed here to be entirely unheeded. No one took the trouble ofexamining the real principles or motives from which any human beingacted, while the most minute attention was continually given to whatregarded merely the outside. He observed that the omission of every dutytowards our fellow-creatures was not only excused, but even to a certaindegree admired, provided it was joined with a certain fashionableappearance; while the most perfect probity or integrity was mentionedwith coldness or disgust, and frequently with open ridicule ifunconnected with a brilliant appearance. As to all the common virtues oflife--such as industry, economy, a punctuality in discharging ourobligations or keeping our word--these were qualities which were treatedas fit for none but the vulgar. Mr Barlow, he found, had been utterlymistaken in all the principles which he had ever inculcated. "The humanspecies, " Mr Barlow used to say, "can only be supplied with food andnecessaries by a constant assiduity in cultivating the earth andproviding for their mutual wants. It is by labour that everything isproduced; without labour, these fertile fields, which are now adornedwith all the luxuriance of plenty, would be converted into barrenheaths, or impenetrable thickets; these meadows, now the support of athousand herds of cattle, would be covered with stagnated waters, thatwould not only render them uninhabitable by beasts, but corrupt the airwith pestilential vapours; and even these innumerable flocks of sheepthat feed along the hills, would disappear immediately on the cessationof that cultivation, which can alone support them, and secure theirexistence. "

But, however true might be these principles, they were so totallyinconsistent with the conduct and opinion of Tommy's new friends, thatit was not possible for him long to remember their force. He had beennearly a month with a few young ladies and gentlemen of his own rank, and instead of their being brought up to produce anything useful, hefound that the great object of all their knowledge and education wasonly to waste, to consume, to destroy, to dissipate what was producedby others; he even found that this inability to assist either themselvesor others seemed to be a merit upon which every one valued himselfextremely; so that an individual, who could not exist without having twoattendants to wait upon him, was superior to him that had only one, butwas obliged in turn to yield to another who required four. And, indeed, this new system seemed much more easy than the old one; for, instead ofgiving himself any trouble about his manners or understanding, he mightwith safety indulge all his caprices, give way to all his passions, behumoursome, haughty, unjust, and selfish to the extreme. He might beungrateful to his friends, disobedient to his parents, a glutton, anignorant blockhead, in short, everything which to plain sense appearsmost frivolous or contemptible, without incurring the least imputation, provided his hair hung fashionably about his ears, his buckles weresufficiently large, and his politeness to the ladies unimpeached. 

Once, indeed, Harry had thrown him into a disagreeable train ofthinking, by asking him, with great simplicity, what sort of a figurethese young gentlemen would have made in the army of Leonidas, or theseyoung ladies upon a desert island, where they would be obliged to shiftfor themselves. But Tommy had lately learned that nothing spoils theface more than intense reflection; and therefore, as he could not easilyresolve the question, he wisely determined to forget it. 

And now the important evening of the ball approached; the largest roomin the house was lighted up for the dancers, and all the little companyassembled. Tommy was that day dressed in an unusual style of elegance, and had submitted, without murmuring, to be under the hands of ahair-dresser for two hours! But what gave him the greatest satisfactionof all, was an immense pair of new buckles which Mrs Merton had sent foron purpose to grace the person of her son. 

Several minuets were first danced, to the great admiration of thecompany; and, among the rest, Tommy, who had been practising ever sincehe had been at home, had the honour of exhibiting with Miss Matilda. Heindeed began with a certain degree of diffidence, but was soon inspiredwith a proper degree of confidence by the applauses which resounded onevery side. "What an elegant little creature!" cried one lady. "What ashape is there!" said a second; "I protest he puts me in mind of Vestrishimself. " "Indeed, " said a third, "Mrs Merton is a most happy mother tobe possessed of such a son, who wants nothing but an introduction to theworld, to be one of the most elegant creatures in England, and the mostaccomplished. "

As soon as Tommy had finished his dance, he led his partner to a seatwith a grace that surprised all the company anew, and then, with thesweetest condescension imaginable, he went from one lady to another, toreceive the praises which they liberally poured out, as if it was thegreatest action in the world to draw one foot behind another, and towalk on tiptoe. 

Harry, in the mean time, had shrouded himself in the most obscure partof the room, and was silently gazing upon the scene that passed. He knewthat his company would give no pleasure among the elegant figures thatengrossed the foremost seats, and felt not the least inclination forsuch an honour. In this situation he was observed by Master Compton, who, at the same instant, formed a scheme of mortifying Miss Simmons, whom he did not like, and of exposing Harry to the general ridicule. Hetherefore proposed it to Mash, who had partly officiated as master ofthe ceremonies, and who, with all the readiness of officious malice, agreed to assist him; Master Mash therefore, went up to Miss Simmons, and, with all the solemnity of respect, invited her out to dance, whichshe, although indifferent about the matter, accepted without hesitation. In the meantime, Master Compton went up to Harry with the samehypocritical civility, and in Miss Simmons' name invited him to dance aminuet. It was in vain that Harry assured him he knew nothing about thematter; his perfidious friend told him that it was an indispensable dutyfor him to stand up; that Miss Simmons would never forgive him if heshould refuse; that it would be sufficient if he could just describe thefigure, without embarrassing himself about the steps. In the mean time, he pointed out Miss Simmons, who was advancing towards the upper end ofthe room, and, taking advantage of his confusion and embarrassment, ledhim forward, and placed him by the young lady's side. Harry was not yetacquainted with the sublime science of imposing upon unwary simplicity, and therefore never doubted that the message had come from his friend;and as nothing could be more repugnant to his character than the want ofcompliance, he thought it necessary at least to go and expostulate withher upon the subject. This was his intention when he suffered himself tobe led up the room; but his tormentors did not give him time, for theyplaced him by the side of the young lady, and instantly called to themusic to begin. Miss Simmons, in her turn, was equally surprised at thepartner which was provided for her; she had never imagined minuetdancing to be one of Harry's accomplishments, and therefore instantlysuspected that it was a concerted scheme to mortify her. However, inthis she was determined they should be disappointed, as she wasdestitute of all pride, and had the sincerest regard for Harry. As soon, therefore, as the music struck up, the young lady began her reverence, which Harry, who found he was now completely caught, and had no time forexplanation, imitated as well as he was able, but in such a manner asset the whole room in a titter. Harry, however, arming himself with allthe fortitude he possessed, performed his part as well as could beexpected from a person that had never learned a single step of dancing. By keeping his eye fixed upon his partner, he made a shift at least topreserve something of the figure, although he was terribly deficient inthe steps and graces of the dance. But his partner, who was scarcelyless embarrassed than himself, and wished to shorten the exhibition, after crossing once, presented him with her hand. Harry hadunfortunately not remarked the nature of this manoeuvre with perfectaccuracy, and therefore, imagining that one hand was just as good as theother, he offered the young lady his left instead of his right hand. Atthis incident a universal peal of merriment, which they no longerlaboured to conceal, burst from almost all the company, and MissSimmons, wishing at any rate to close the scene, presented her partnerwith both her hands, and abruptly finished the dance. The unfortunatecouple then retreated to the lower end of the room, amidst the jests andsneers of their companions, particularly Mash and Compton, who assumedunusual importance upon the credit of such a brilliant invention. 

When they were seated, Miss Simmons could not help asking Harry, withsome displeasure, why he had thus exposed himself and her, by attemptingwhat he was totally ignorant of, and added, "that, though there was nodisgrace in not being able to dance, it was very great folly to attemptit without having learned a single step. " "Indeed, madam, " answeredHarry, "I never should have thought of trying to do what I knew I wastotally ignorant of; but Master Compton came to me, and told me that youparticularly desired me to dance with you, and led me to the other endof the room; and I only came to speak to you, and to inform you that Iknew nothing about the matter, for fear you should think me uncivil; andthen the music began to play, and you to dance, so that I had noopportunity of speaking; and I thought it better to do the best I couldthan to stand still, or leave you there. " Miss Simmons instantlyrecovered her former good-humour, and said, "Well, Harry, we are notthe first, nor shall be the last by hundreds, who have made a ridiculousfigure in a ball-room, without so good an excuse. But I am sorry to seeso malicious a disposition in these young gentlemen, and that all theirknowledge of polite life has not taught them a little better manners. "

"Why madam, " answered Harry, "since you are so good as to talk to meupon the subject, I must confess that I have been very much surprised atmany things I have seen at Mr Merton's. All these young gentlemen andladies are continually talking about genteel life and manners, and yetthey are frequently doing things which surprise me. Mr Barlow has alwaystold me that politeness consisted in a disposition to oblige everybodyaround us, and to say or do nothing which can give them disagreeableimpressions. Yet I continually see these young gentlemen striving to doand say things, for no other reason than to give pain; for, not to goany farther than the present instance, what motive can Masters Comptonand Mash have had but to mortify you by giving you such a partner? you, madam, too, who are so kind and good to everybody, that I should thinkit impossible not to love you. "

"Harry, " answered the young lady, "what you say about politeness isperfectly just. I have heard my uncle and many sensible people say thesame; but, in order to acquire this species of it, both goodness ofheart and a just way of thinking are required; and therefore many peoplecontent themselves with aping what they can pick up in the dress, orgestures, or cant expressions of the higher classes; just like the poorass, which, dressed in the skin of a lion, was taken for the lionhimself, till his unfortunate braying exposed the cheat. " "Pray, madam, what is that story?" said Harry. 

"It is a trifling one that I have read, " answered Miss Simmons, "ofsomebody who, having procured a lion's skin, fastened it round the bodyof an ass, and then turned him loose, to the great affright of theneighbourhood. Those who saw him first, imagined that a monstrous lionhad invaded the country, and fled with precipitation. Even the verycattle caught the panic and were scattered by hundreds over the plains. In the meantime the victorious ass pranced and capered along the fields, and diverted himself with running after the fugitives. But at length, inthe gaiety of his heart, he broke into such a discordant braying, assurprised those that were nearest, and expected to hear a very differentnoise from under the terrible skin. At length a resolute fellow venturedby degrees nearer to this object of their terror, and discovering thecheat that had been practised upon them, divested the poor ass of allhis borrowed spoils, and drove him away with his cudgel. "

"This story, " continued Miss Simmons, "is continually coming into mymind, when I see anybody imagine himself of great importance, because hehas adopted some particular mode of dress, or the grimaces of those thatcall themselves fashionable people. Nor do I ever see Master Mash orCompton without thinking of the lion's skin, and expecting every momentto hear them bray. "

Harry laughed very heartily at this story; but now their attention wascalled towards the company, who had ranged themselves by pairs forcountry-dancing. Miss Simmons, who was very fond of this exercise, thenasked Harry if he had never practised any of these dances. Harry said, "it had happened to him three or four times at home, and that hebelieved he should not be puzzled about any of the figures. " "Well, then, " said the young lady, "to show how little I regard their intendedmortification, I will stand up and you shall be my partner. " So theyrose and placed themselves at the bottom of the whole company accordingto the laws of dancing, which appoint that place for those who comelast. 

And now the music began to strike up in a more joyous strain; the littledancers exerted themselves with all their activity, and the exercisediffused a glow of health and cheerfulness over the faces of the mostpale and languid. Harry exerted himself here with much better successthan he had lately done in the minuet. He had great command over all hislimbs, and was very well versed in every play that gives address to thebody, so that he found no difficulty in practising all the variedfigures of the dances, particularly with the assistance of Miss Simmons, who explained to him everything that appeared embarrassing. 

But now, by the continuance of the dance, all who were at first at theupper end had descended to the bottom, where, by the laws of thediversion, they ought to have waited quietly till their companions, becoming in their turn uppermost, had danced down to their formerplaces. But when Miss Simmons and Harry expected to have had their justshare of the exercise, they found that almost all their companions haddeserted them and retired to their places. Harry could not helpwondering at this behaviour; but Miss Simmons told him with a smile, that it was only of a piece with the rest, and she had often remarked itat country assemblies, where all the gentry of a county were gatheredtogether. "This is frequently the way, " added she, "that those who thinkthemselves superior to the rest of the world choose to show theirimportance. " "This is a very bad way indeed, " replied Harry; "people maychoose whether they will dance or practise any particular diversion, but, if they do, they ought to submit to the laws of it withoutrepining; and I have always observed among the little boys whom I amacquainted with, that wherever this disposition prevails, it is thegreatest proof of a bad and contemptible temper. " "I am afraid, " repliedMiss Simmons, "that your observations will hold universally true, andthat those who expect so much for themselves, without being willing toconsider their fellow-creatures in turn, in whatever station they arefound, are always the most mean, ignorant, and despicable of thespecies. "

"I remember, " said Harry, "reading a story of a great man called SirPhilip Sydney. This gentleman was reckoned not only the bravest but thepolitest person in all England. It happened that he was sent over thesea to assist some of our allies against their enemies. After havingdistinguished himself in such a manner as gained him the love and esteemof all the army, this excellent man one day received a shot which brokehis thigh, as he was bravely fighting at the head of his men. SirPhilip Sydney felt that he was mortally wounded, and was obliged to turnhis horse's head, and retire to his tent, in order to have his woundexamined. By the time that he had reached his tent, he not only feltgreat agonies from his wound, but the heat of the weather, and the feverwhich the pain produced, had excited an intolerable thirst, so that heprayed his attendants to fetch him a little water. With infinitedifficulty some water was procured and brought to him, but, just as hewas raising the cup to his lips, he chanced to see a poor Englishsoldier, who had been mortally wounded in the same engagement, and layupon the ground faint and bleeding, and ready to expire. The poor manwas suffering, like his general, from the pain of a consuming thirst, and therefore, though respect prevented him from asking for any, heturned his dying eyes upon the water with an eagerness whichsufficiently explained his sufferings. Upon this the excellent and noblegentleman took the cup, which he had not yet tasted, from his lips, andgave it to his attendants, ordering them to carry it to the woundedsoldier, and only saying, 'this poor man wants it still more than Ido. '"

"This story, " added Harry, "was always a particular favourite with MrBarlow, and he has often pointed it out to me as an example not only ofthe greatest virtue and humanity, but also of that elevated method ofthinking which constitutes the true gentleman. 'For what is it, ' I haveheard him say, 'that gives a superiority of manners, but the inclinationto sacrifice our own pleasures and interests to the well-being ofothers?' An ordinary person might have pitied the poor soldier, or evenhave assisted him, when he had first taken care of himself; but who, insuch a dreadful extremity as the brave Sydney was reduced to, would becapable of even forgetting his own sufferings to relieve another, whohad not acquired the generous habit of always slighting his owngratifications for the sake of his fellow-creatures?"

As Harry was conversing in this manner, the little company had left offdancing, and were refreshing themselves with a variety of cakes andagreeable liquors, which had been provided for the occasion. TommyMerton and the other young gentleman were now distinguishing themselvesby their attendance upon the ladies, whom they were supplying witheverything they chose to have, but no one thought it worth his while towait upon Miss Simmons. When Harry observed this, he ran to the table, and upon a large waiter brought her cakes and lemonade, which hepresented, if not with a better grace, with a more sincere desire tooblige than any of the rest. But, as he was stooping down to offer herthe choice, Master Mash unluckily passed that way, and, elated by thesuccess of his late piece of ill-nature, determined to attempt a secondstill more brutal than the first. For this reason, just as Miss Simmonswas helping herself to some wine and water, Mash, pretending to stumble, pushed Harry in such a manner that the greater part of the contents ofthe glasses was discharged full into her bosom. The young lady colouredat the insult, and Harry, who instantly perceived that it had been doneon purpose, being no longer able to contain his indignation, seized aglass that was only half-emptied, and discharged the contents full intothe face of the aggressor. Mash, who was a boy of violent passion, exasperated at this retaliation, which he so well deserved, instantlycaught up a drinking glass, and flung it full at the head of Harry. Happy was it for him that it only grazed his head without taking thefull effect; it, however, laid bare a considerable gash, and Harry wasin an instant covered with his own blood, the sight of which provokedhim the more, and made him forget both the place and the company wherehe was, so that, flying upon Mash with all the fury of just revenge, adreadful combat ensued, which put the whole room in a consternation. 

But Mr Merton soon appeared, and with some difficulty separated theenraged champions. He then inquired into the subject of the contest, which Master Mash endeavoured to explain away as an accident. But Harrypersisted in his account with so much firmness, in which he wascorroborated by Miss Simmons, that Mr Merton readily perceived thetruth. Mash, however, apologised for himself in the best manner that hewas able, by saying, that he only meant to play Master Harry an innocenttrick, but that he had undesignedly injured Miss Simmons. 

Whatever Mr Merton felt, he did not say a great deal; he, however, endeavoured to pacify the enraged combatants, and ordered assistance toHarry to bind up the wound, and clean him from the blood which had nowdisfigured him from head to foot. 

Mrs Merton, in the mean time, who was sitting at the upper end of theroom amidst the other ladies, had seen the fray, and been informed thatit was owing to Harry's throwing a glass of lemonade in Master Mash'sface. This gave Mrs Compton an opportunity of indulging herself again inlong invectives against Harry, his breeding, family, and manners. "Shenever, " she said, "had liked the boy, and now he had justified all herforebodings upon the subject. Such a little vulgar wretch could neverhave been witness to anything but scenes of riot and ill-manners; andnow he was brawling and fighting in a gentleman's house, just as hewould do at one of the public houses to which he was used to go with hisfather. "

While she was in the midst of this eloquent harangue Mr Merton came up, and gave a more unprejudiced narrative of the affair. He acquitted Harryof all blame, and said that it was impossible, even for the mildesttemper in the world, to act otherwise upon such unmerited provocation. This account seemed wonderfully to turn the scale in Harry's favour;though Miss Simmons was no great favourite with the young ladies, yetthe spirit and gallantry which he had discovered in her cause began toact very forcibly on their minds. One of the young ladies observed, "that if Master Harry was better dressed he would certainly be a verypretty boy;" another said, "she had always thought he had a look abovehis station;" and a third remarked "that, considering he had neverlearned to dance, he had by no means a vulgar look. "

This untoward accident having thus been amicably settled, thediversions of the evening went forward. But Harry, who had now lost alltaste for genteel company, took the first opportunity of retiring tobed, where he soon fell asleep, and forgot both the mortification andbruises he had received. In the mean time the little company below foundmeans to entertain themselves till past midnight, and then retired totheir chambers. 

The next morning they rose later than usual; and, as several of theyoung gentlemen, who had been invited to the preceding evening'sdiversion, were not to return till after dinner, they agreed to take awalk into the country. Harry went with them as usual, though MasterMash, by his misrepresentations, had prejudiced Tommy and all the restagainst him. But Harry, who was conscious of his own innocence, andbegan to feel the pride of injured friendship, disdained to give anexplanation of his behaviour, since his friend was not sufficientlyinterested about the matter to demand one. 

While they were walking slowly along the common they discovered at adistance a prodigious crowd of people, all moving forward in the samedirection. This attracted the curiosity of the little troop, and oninquiry they found there was going to be a bull-baiting. Instantly aneager desire seized upon all the little gentry to see the diversion. Oneobstacle alone presented itself, which was, that their parents, andparticularly Mrs Merton, had made them promise that they would avoidevery species of danger. This objection was, however, removed by MasterBilly Lyddall, who remarked, "that there could be no danger in thesight, as the bull was to be tied fast, and could therefore do them noharm; besides, " added he, smiling, "what occasion have they to know thatwe have been at all? I hope we are not such simpletons as to accuseourselves, or such telltales as to inform against one another?" "No! no!no!" was the universal exclamation from all but Harry, who had remainedprofoundly silent on the occasion. "Master Harry has not said a word, "said one of the little folks; "sure he will not tell of us. " "Indeed, "said Harry, "I don't wish to tell of you; but if I am asked where wehave been, how can I help telling?" "What!" answered Master Lyddall, "can't you say that we have been walking along the road, or across thecommon, without mentioning anything further?" "No, " said Harry, "thatwould not be speaking truth; besides, bull-baiting is a very cruel anddangerous diversion, and therefore none of us should go to see it, particularly Master Merton, whose mother loves him so much, and is socareful about him. "

This speech was not received with much approbation by those to whom itwas addressed. "A pretty fellow, " said one, "to give himself these airs, and pretend to be wiser than every one else!"

"What!" said Master Compton, "does this beggar's brat think that he isto govern gentlemen's sons, because Master Merton is so good as to keepcompany with him?" "If I were Master Merton, " said a third, "I'd soonsend the little impertinent jackanapes home to his own blackguardfamily. " And Master Mash, who was the biggest and strongest boy in thewhole company, came up to Harry, and grinning in his face, said, "So allthe return that you make to Master Merton for his goodness to you is tobe a spy and an informer, is it, you little dirty blackguard?"

Harry, who had long perceived and lamented the coolness of Master Mertontowards him, was now much more grieved to see that his friend was notonly silent, but seemed to take an ill-natured pleasure in theseinsults, than at the insults themselves which were offered to him. However, as soon as the crowd of tormentors which surrounded him wouldgive him leave to speak, he coolly answered, "that he was as little aspy and informer as any of them; and, as to begging, he thanked God hewanted as little of them as they did of him;" "besides, " added he, "wereI even reduced so low as that, I should know better how to employ mytime than to ask charity of any one here. "

This sarcastic answer, and the reflections that were made upon it, hadsuch an effect upon the too irritable temper of Master Merton, that, inan instant, forgetting his former obligations and affection to Harry, hestrutted up to him, and clenching his fist, asked him, "whether he meantto insult him?"

"Well done, Master Merton!" echoed through the whole society; "thrashhim heartily for his impudence. " "No, Master Tommy, " answered Harry; "itis you and your friends here that insult me. "

"What!" answered Tommy, "are you a person of such consequence that youmust not be spoken to? You are a prodigious fine gentleman, indeed. " "Ialways thought you one till now, " answered Harry. 

"How, you rascal!" said Tommy; "do you say that I am not a gentleman?Take that!" and immediately struck Harry upon the face with his fist. His fortitude was not proof against this treatment; he turned his faceaway, and only said, in a low tone of voice, "Master Tommy, MasterTommy, I never should have thought it possible you could have treated mein this unworthy manner;" then, covering his face with both his hands, he burst into an agony of crying. 

But the little troop of gentlemen, who were vastly delighted with themortification which Harry had received, and had formed a very differentopinion of his prowess, from the patience which he had hitherto exerted, began to gather round and repeat their persecutions. _Coward_, and_blackguard_, and _tell-tale_ echoed in a chorus through the circle; andsome, more forward than the rest, seized him by the hair, in order thathe might hold up his head and show his _pretty face_. 

But Harry, who now began to recollect himself, wiped his tears with hishand, and, looking up, asked them with a firm tone of voice and a steadycountenance, why they meddled with him; then, swinging round, hedisengaged himself at once from all who had taken hold of him. Thegreatest part of the company gave back at this question, and seemeddisposed to leave him unmolested; but Master Mash, who was the mostquarrelsome and impertinent boy present, advanced, and looking at Harrywith a contemptuous sneer, said, "this is the way we always treat suchlittle blackguards as you, and if you have not had enough to satisfyyou, we'll willingly give you some more. " "As to all your nicknames andnonsense, " answered Harry, "I don't think it worth my while to resentthem; but though I have suffered Master Merton to strike me, there's notanother in the company shall do it, or, if he chooses to try, he shallsoon find whether or not I am a coward. "

Master Mash made no answer to this, but by a slap of the face, whichHarry returned by a punch of his fist, which had almost overset hisantagonist, in spite of his superiority of size and strength. Thisunexpected check from a boy, so much less than himself, might probablyhave cooled the courage of Mash, had he not been ashamed of yielding toone whom he had treated with so much unmerited contempt. Summoning, therefore, all his resolution, he flew at Harry like a fury, and as hehad often been engaged in quarrels like this, he struck him with so muchforce, that, with the first blow he aimed, he felled him to the ground. Harry, foiled in this manner, but not dismayed, rose in an instant, andattacked his adversary with redoubled vigour, at the very moment when hethought himself sure of the victory. A second time did Mash, after ashort but severe contest, close with his undaunted enemy, and, by dintof superior strength, roughly hurled him to the ground. 

The little troop of spectators, who had mistaken Harry's patientfortitude for cowardice, began now to entertain the sincerest respectfor his courage, and gathered round the combatants in silence. A secondtime did Harry rise and attack his stronger adversary with the coolintrepidity of a veteran combatant. The battle now began to grow moredreadful and more violent. Mash had superior strength and dexterity, andgreater habitude of fighting; his blows were aimed with equal skill andforce, and each appeared sufficient to crush an enemy so much inferiorin size, in strength, in years; but Harry possessed a body hardened tosupport pain and hardship; a greater degree of activity; a cool, unyielding courage, which nothing could disturb or daunt. Four times hadhe been now thrown down by the irresistible strength of his foe; fourtimes had he risen stronger from his fall, covered with dirt and blood, and panting with fatigue, but still unconquered. At length, from theduration of the combat, and his own violent exertions, the strength ofMash began to fail; enraged and disappointed at the obstinate resistancehe had met with, he began to lose all command of his temper, and strikeat random; his breath grew short, his efforts were more laborious, andhis knees seemed scarcely able to sustain his weight; but actuated byrage and shame, he rushed with all his might upon Harry, as ifdetermined to crush him with one last effort. Harry prudently steppedback, and contented himself with parrying the blows that were aimed athim, till, seeing that his antagonist was almost exhausted by his ownimpetuosity, he darted at him with all his force, and by one successfulblow levelled him with the ground. 

An involuntary shout of triumph now burst from the little assembly ofspectators; for such is the temper of human beings, that they are moreinclined to consider superiority of force than justice; and the verysame boys, who just before were loading Harry with taunts and outrages, were now ready to congratulate him upon his victory. He, however, whenhe found his antagonist no longer capable of resistance, kindly assistedhim to rise, and told him "he was very sorry for what had happened;"but Mash, oppressed at once with the pain of his bruises, and thedisgrace of his defeat, observed an obstinate silence. 

Just at this moment their attention was engaged by a new and suddenspectacle. A bull of the largest size and greatest beauty was led acrossthe plain, adorned with ribbons of various colours. The majestic animalsuffered himself to be led along, an unresisting prey, till he arrivedat the spot which was destined for the theatre of his persecutions. Herehe was fastened to an iron ring, which had been strongly let into theground, and whose force they imagined would be sufficient to restrainhim, even in the midst of his most violent exertions. An innumerablecrowd of men, of women, of children, then surrounded the place, waitingwith eager curiosity for the inhuman sport which they expected. Thelittle party which had accompanied Master Merton were now no longer tobe restrained; their friends, their parents, admonition, duty, promises, were all forgotten in an instant, and, solely intent upon gratifyingtheir curiosity, they mingled with the surrounding multitude. 

Harry, although reluctantly, followed them at a distance; neither theill-usage he had received, nor the pain of his wounds, could make himunmindful of Master Merton or careless of his safety. He knew too wellthe dreadful accidents which frequently attend these barbarous sports, to be able to quit his friend till he had once more seen him in a placeof safety. 

And now the noble animal, that was to be thus wantonly tormented, wasfastened to the ring by a strongly-twisted cord, which, though itconfined and cramped his exertions, did not entirely restrain them. Although possessed of almost irresistible strength, he seemed unwillingto exert it, and looked round upon the infinite multitude of his enemieswith a gentleness that ought to have disarmed their animosity. 

Presently a dog of the largest size and most ferocious courage was letloose, who, as soon as he beheld the bull, uttered a savage yell, andrushed upon him with all the rage of inveterate animosity. The bullsuffered him to approach with the coolness of deliberate courage, butjust as the dog was springing up to seize him, he rushed forward to meethis foe, and putting his head to the ground, canted him into the airseveral yards; and had not the spectators run and caught him upon theirbacks and hands, he would have been crushed to pieces in the fall. Thesame fate attended another, and another dog, which were let loosesuccessively; the one was killed upon the spot, while the other, who hada leg broken in the fall, crawled howling and limping away. The bull, inthe meanwhile, behaved with all the calmness and intrepidity of anexperienced warrior; without violence, without passion, he waited everyattack of his enemies, and then severely punished them for theirrashness. 

While this was transacting, to the diversion not only of the rude andilliterate populace, but to that of the little gentry with MasterMerton, a poor, half-naked Black came up, and humbly implored theircharity. He had served, he told them, on board an English vessel, andeven showed them the scars of several wounds he had received; but nowhe was discharged, and without friends, and without assistance, he couldscarcely find food to support his wretched life, or clothes to cover himfrom the wintry wind. 

Some of the young gentry, who, from a bad education, had been littletaught to feel or pity the distress of others, were base enough toattempt to jest upon his dusky colour and foreign accent; but MasterMerton, who, though lately much corrupted and changed from what he hadbeen with Mr Barlow, preserved a great degree of generosity, put hishand into his pocket in order to relieve him, but unfortunately foundnothing to give. The foolish profusion which he had lately learned fromthe young gentlemen at his father's house, had made him waste in cards, in playthings, in trifles, all his stock of money, and now he foundhimself unable to relieve that distress which he pitied. 

Thus repulsed on every side, and unassisted, the unfortunate Blackapproached the place where Harry stood, holding out the tattered remainsof his hat, and imploring charity. Harry had not much to give, but hetook sixpence out of his pocket, which was all his riches, and gave itwith the kindest look of compassion, saying, "Here, poor man, this isall I have; if I had more, it should be at your service. " He had no timeto add more, for at that instant three fierce dogs rushed upon the bullat once, and by their joint attacks rendered him almost mad. The calmdeliberate courage which he had hitherto shown was now changed into rageand desperation: he roared with pain and fury; flashes of fire seemed tocome from his angry eyes, and his mouth was covered with foam andblood. He hurried round the stake with incessant toil and rage, firstaiming at one, then at another of the persecuting dogs that harassed himon every side, growling and baying incessantly, and biting him in everypart. At length, with a furious effort that he made, he trampled one ofhis foes beneath his feet, and gored a second to that degree that hisbowels came through the wound, and at the same moment the cord, whichhad hitherto confined him, snapped asunder, and let him loose upon theaffrighted multitude. 

It is impossible to conceive the terror and dismay which instantlyseized the crowd of spectators. Those who before had been hallooing withjoy, and encouraging the fury of the dogs with shouts and acclamations, were now scattered over the plain, and fled from the fury of the animalwhom they had been so basely tormenting. The enraged bull meanwhilerushed like lightning over the plain, trampling some, goring others, andtaking ample vengeance for the injuries he had received. Presently herushed with headlong fury towards the spot where Master Merton and hisassociates stood; all fled with wild affright, but with a speed that wasnot equal to that of the pursuer. Shrieks, and outcries, andlamentations were heard on every side; and those who, a few minutesbefore, had despised the good advice of Harry, would now have given theworld to be safe in the houses of their parents. Harry alone seemed topreserve his presence of mind; he neither cried out nor ran, but, whenthe dreadful animal approached, leaped nimbly aside, and the bull passedon, without embarrassing himself about his escape. 

Not so fortunate was Master Merton; he happened to be the last of thelittle troop of fliers, and full in the way which the bull had taken. And now his destruction appeared certain; for as he ran, whether throughfear or the inequality of the ground, his foot slipped, and down hetumbled in the very path of the enraged pursuing animal. All who sawimagined his fate inevitable; and it would certainly have proved so, hadnot Harry, with a courage and presence of mind above his years, suddenlyseized a prong which one of the fugitives had dropped, and at the verymoment when the bull was stooping to gore his defenceless friend, advanced and wounded him in the flank. The bull in an instant turnedshort, and with redoubled rage made at his new assailant; and it isprobable that, notwithstanding his intrepidity, Harry would have paidthe price of his assistance to his friend with his own life, had not anunexpected succour arrived; for in that instant the grateful Blackrushed on like lightning to assist him, and assailing the bull with aweighty stick that he held in his hand, compelled him to turn his rageupon a new object. The bull, indeed, attacked him with all theimpetuosity of revenge; but the Black jumped nimbly aside and eluded hisfury. Not contented with this, he wheeled round his fierce antagonist, and seizing him by the tail, began to batter his sides with anunexpected storm of blows. In vain did the enraged animal bellow andwrithe himself about in all the convulsions of madness; his intrepidfoe, without ever quitting his hold, suffered himself to be draggedabout the field, still continuing his discipline, till the creature wasalmost spent with the fatigue of his own violent agitations. And nowsome of the boldest of the spectators, taking courage, approached to hisassistance, and throwing a well-twisted rope over his head, they atlength, by the dint of superior numbers, completely mastered the furiousanimal, and bound him to a tree. 

In the meanwhile, several of Mr Merton's servants, who had been sent outafter the young gentlemen, approached and took up their young master, who, though without a wound, was almost dead with fear and agitation. But Harry, after seeing that his friend was perfectly safe, and in thehands of his own family, invited the Black to accompany him, and insteadof returning to Mr Merton's, took the way which led to his father'shouse. 

While these scenes were passing, Mrs Merton, though ignorant of thedanger of her son, was not undisturbed at home. Some accounts had beenbrought of Harry's combat, which served to make her uneasy, and toinfluence her still more against him. Mrs Compton too, and Miss Matilda, who had conceived a violent dislike to Harry, were busy to inflame herby their malicious representations. 

While she was in these dispositions, Mr Merton happened to enter, andwas at once attacked by all the ladies upon the subject of this improperconnection. He endeavoured for a long time to remove their prejudices byreason; but when he found that to be impossible, he contented himselfwith telling his wife, that a little time would perhaps decide whichwere the most proper companions for their son; and that till Harry haddone something to render himself unworthy of their notice, he nevercould consent to their treating him with coldness or neglect. 

At this moment, a female servant burst into the room, with all thewildness of affright, and cried out with a voice that was scarcelyarticulate, "Oh, madam, madam; such an accident! poor dear MasterTommy. "

"What of him, for pity's sake?" cried out Mrs Merton, with an impatienceand concern that sufficiently marked her feelings. "Nay, madam, "answered the servant, "he is not much hurt, they say; but littleSandford has taken him to a bull-baiting, and the bull has gored him, and William and John are bringing him home in their arms. "

These words were scarcely delivered when Mrs Merton uttered a violentshriek, and was instantly seized with an hysteric fit; and while theladies were all employed in assisting her, and restoring her senses, MrMerton, who, though much alarmed, was more composed, walkedprecipitately out to learn the truth of this imperfect narration. 

He had not proceeded far before he met the crowd of children andservants, one of whom carried Tommy Merton in his arms. As soon as hewas convinced that his son had received no other damage than a violentfright, he began to inquire into the circumstances of the affair; butbefore he had time to receive any information, Mrs Merton, who hadrecovered from her fainting, came running wildly from the house. Whenshe saw that her son was safe, she caught him in her arms, and began toutter all the incoherent expressions of a mother's fondness. It was withdifficulty that her husband could prevail upon her to moderate hertransports till they were within. Then she gave a loose to her feelingsin all their violence, and for a considerable time was incapable ofattending to anything but the joy of his miraculous preservation. 

At length, however, she became more composed, and observing that all thecompany were present, except Harry Sandford, she exclaimed, with suddenindignation, "So I see that little abominable wretch has not had theimpudence to follow you in; and I almost wish that the bull had goredhim, as he deserved. " "What little wretch do you mean, mamma?" saidTommy. "Whom can I mean, " cried Mrs Merton, "but that vile HarrySandford, whom your father is so fond of, and who had nearly cost youyour life, by leading you into danger?" "He! mamma, " said Tommy; "helead me into danger! He did all he could to persuade me not to go, and Iwas a very naughty boy, indeed, not to take his advice. "

Mrs Merton stood amazed at this information, for her prejudices hadoperated so powerfully upon her mind, that she had implicitly believedthe guilt of Harry upon the imperfect evidence of the maid. "Who was it, then, " said Mr Merton, "could be so imprudent?" "Indeed, papa, " answeredTommy, "we were all to blame, all but Harry, who advised and begged usnot to go, and particularly me, because he said it would give you somuch uneasiness when you knew it, and that it was so dangerous adiversion. "

Mrs Merton looked confused at her mistake, but Mrs Compton observed, that she supposed "Harry was afraid of the danger, and therefore, hadwisely kept out of the way. " "Oh, no, indeed, madam, " answered one ofthe little boys, "Harry is no coward, though we thought him so at first, when he let Master Tommy strike him, but he fought Master Mash in thebravest manner I ever saw; and though Master Mash fought very well, yetHarry had the advantage; and I saw him follow us at a little distance, and keep his eye upon Master Merton all the time, till the bull brokeloose, and then I was so frightened that I do not know what became ofhim. " "So this is the little boy, " said Mr Merton, "whom you were fordriving from the society of your children. But let us hear more of thisstory, for as yet I know neither the particulars of his danger nor hisescape. " Upon this one of the servants, who, from some little distance, had seen the whole affair, was called in and examined. He gave them anexact account of all of Tommy's misfortune; of Harry's bravery; of theunexpected succour of the poor Black; and filled the whole room withadmiration, that such an action, so noble, so intrepid, so fortunate, should have been achieved by such a child. 

Mrs Merton was now silent with shame at reflecting upon her own unjustprejudices, and the ease with which she had become the enemy of a boywho had saved the life of her darling son, and who appeared as muchsuperior in character to all the young gentlemen at her house as theyexceeded him in rank and fortune. The young ladies now forgot theirformer objections to his person and manners, and--such is the effect ofgenuine virtue--all the company conspired to extol the conduct of Harryto the skies. 

But Mr Merton, who had appeared more delighted than all the rest withthe relations of Harry's intrepidity, now cast his eyes round the roomand seemed to be looking for his little friend; but when he could notfind him, he said, with some concern, "Where can be our littledeliverer? Sure he can have met with no accident, that he has notreturned with the rest!" "No, " said one of the servants; "as to that, Harry Sandford is safe enough, for I saw him go towards his own home incompany with the Black. " "Alas!" answered Mr Merton, "surely he musthave received some unworthy treatment, that could make him thus abruptlydesert us all. And now I recollect I heard one of the young gentlemenmention a blow that Harry had received. Surely, Tommy, you could nothave been so basely ungrateful as to strike the best and noblest of yourfriends!" Tommy, at this, hung down his head, his face was covered witha burning blush, and the tears began silently to trickle down hischeeks. 

Mrs Merton remarked the anguish and confusion of her child, and catchinghim in her arms, was going to clasp him to her bosom, with the mostendearing expressions, but Mr Merton, hastily interrupting her, said, "It is not now a time to give way to fondness for a child, who, I fear, has acted the basest and vilest part that can disgrace a human being, and who, if what I suspect be true, can be only a dishonour to hisparents. " At this, Tommy could no longer contain himself, but burst intosuch a violent transport of crying, that Mrs Merton, who seemed to feelthe severity of Mr Merton's conduct with still more poignancy than herson, caught her darling up in her arms and carried him abruptly out ofthe room, accompanied by most of the ladies, who pitied Tommy'sabasement, and agreed that there was no crime he could have been guiltyof which was not amply atoned for by such charming sensibility. 

But Mr Merton, who now felt all the painful interest of a tender father, and considered this as the critical moment which was to give his son theimpression of worth or baseness for life, was determined to examine thisaffair to the utmost. He, therefore, took the first opportunity ofdrawing the little boy aside who had mentioned Master Merton's strikingHarry, and questioned him upon the subject. But he, who had noparticular interest in disguising the truth, related the circumstancesnearly as they had happened; and though he a little softened the matterin Tommy's favour, yet, without intending it, he held up such a pictureof his violence and injustice, as wounded his father to the soul. 

CHAPTER VIII. 

 Arrival of Mr Barlow--Story of Polemo--Tommy's repentance--Story of Sophron and Tigranes--Tommy as an Arabian Horseman--His Mishap--Tommy's intrepidity--The Poor Highlander's story--Tommy's Sorrow for his conduct to Harry--Conclusion of the Story of Sophron and Tigranes--Tommy's resolution to study nothing but "reason and philosophy"--Visits Harry and begs his forgiveness--The Grateful Black's Story--Tommy takes up his abode at Farmer Sandford's--The Grateful Black's account of himself--Mr Merton's visit to the Farm--The unexpected present--Conclusion. 

While Mr Merton was occupied by these uneasy feelings, he was agreeablysurprised by a visit from Mr Barlow, who came accidentally to see him, with a perfect ignorance of all the great events which had so recentlyhappened. 

Mr Merton received this worthy man with the sincerest cordiality; butthere was such a gloom diffused over all his manners that Mr Barlowbegan to suspect that all was not right with Tommy, and thereforepurposely inquired after him, to give his father an opportunity ofspeaking. This Mr Merton did not fail to do; and taking Mr Barlowaffectionately by the hand, he said, "Oh, my dear Sir, I begin to fearthat all my hopes are at an end in that boy, and all your kindendeavours thrown away. He has just behaved in such a manner as showshim to be radically corrupted, and insensible of every principle butpride. " He then related to Mr Barlow every incident of Tommy'sbehaviour; making the severest reflections upon his insolence andingratitude, and blaming his own supineness, that had not earlierchecked these boisterous passions, that now burst forth with such adegree of fury that threatened ruin to his hopes. 

"Indeed, " answered Mr Barlow, "I am very sorry to hear this account ofmy little friend; yet I do not see it in quite so serious a light asyourself; and though I cannot deny the dangers that may arise from acharacter so susceptible of false impressions, and so violent, at thesame time, yet I do not think the corruption either so great or sogeneral as you seem to suspect. Do we not see, even in the most triflinghabits of body or speech, that a long and continual attention isrequired, if we would wish to change them, and yet our perseverance is, in the end, generally successful; why, then, should we imagine thatthose of the mind are less obstinate, or subject to different laws? Orwhy should we rashly abandon ourselves to despair, from the firstexperiments that do not succeed according to our wishes?"

"Indeed, " answered Mr Merton, "what you say is perfectly consistent withthe general benevolence of your character, and most consolatory to thetenderness of a father. Yet I know too well the general weakness ofparents in respect to the faults of their children not to be upon myguard against the delusions of my own mind. And when I consider theabrupt transition of my son into everything that is most inconsistentwith goodness, --how lightly, how instantaneously he seems to haveforgotten everything he had learned with you, --I cannot help forming themost painful and melancholy presages of the future. "

"Alas, sir, " answered Mr Barlow, "what is the general malady of humannature but this very instability which now appears in your son? Do youimagine that half the vices of men arise from real depravity of heart?On the contrary, I am convinced that human nature is infinitely moreweak than wicked, and that the greater part of all bad conduct springsrather from want of firmness than from any settled propensity to evil. "

"Indeed, " replied Mr Merton, "what you say is highly reasonable; nordid I ever expect that a boy so long indulged and spoiled should beexempt from failings. But what particularly hurts me is to see himproceed to such disagreeable extremities without any adequatetemptation--extremities that, I fear, imply a defect of goodness andgenerosity--virtues which I always thought he had possessed in a verygreat degree. "

"Neither, " answered Mr Barlow, "am I at all convinced that your son isdeficient in either. But you are to consider the prevalence of example, and the circle to which you have lately introduced him. If it is sodifficult even for persons of a more mature age and experience to resistthe impressions of those with whom they constantly associate, how canyou expect it from your son? To be armed against the prejudices of theworld, and to distinguish real merit from the splendid vices which passcurrent in what is called society, is one of the most difficult of humansciences. Nor do I know a single character, however excellent, thatwould not candidly confess he has often made a wrong election, and paidthat homage to a brilliant outside which is only due to real merit. "

"You comfort me very much, " said Mr Merton, "but such ungovernablepassion, such violence and impetuosity----"

"Are indeed very formidable, " replied Mr Barlow, "yet, when they areproperly directed, frequently produce the noblest effects. You have, Idoubt not, read the story of Polemo, who, from a debauched young man, became a celebrated philosopher, and a model of virtue, only byattending a single moral lecture. "

"Indeed, " said Mr Merton, "I am ashamed to confess that the variousemployments and amusements in which I have passed the greater part of mylife have not afforded me as much leisure for reading as I could wish. You will therefore oblige me very much by repeating the story you alludeto. "

"THE STORY OF POLEMO. "

"Polemo (said Mr Barlow) was a young man of Athens, and although he wasbrought up with the most tender solicitude and care by his mother, andat one time promised fair to be of a studious and virtuous turn of mind, as he appeared very fond of reading, and much attached to literarypursuits, and would frequently retire into the fields, and for hours situpon the stump of a tree, with his book before him, --still, after a fewyears, he became so distinguished by his excesses, that he was theaversion of all the discreeter part of the city. He led a life ofintemperance and dissipation, and was constantly surrounded by a set ofloose young men who imitated and encouraged his vices; and when they hadtotally drowned the little reason they possessed in copious draughts ofwine, they were accustomed to sally out, and practise every species ofabsurd and licentious frolic. 

"One morning they were thus wandering about, after having spent thenight as usual, when they beheld a great concourse of people that werelistening to the discourse of a celebrated philosopher named Xenocrates. The greater part of the young men, who still retained some sense ofshame, were so struck with this spectacle, that they turned out of theway; but Polemo, who was more daring and abandoned than the rest, pressed forward into the midst of the audience. His figure was tooremarkable not to attract universal notice; for his head was crownedwith flowers, his robe hung negligently about him, and his whole bodywas reeking with perfumes; besides, his look and manner were such asvery little qualified him for such a company. Many of the audience wereso displeased at this interruption, that they were ready to treat theyoung man with great severity; but the venerable philosopher prevailedupon them not to molest the intruder, and calmly continued hisdiscourse, which happened to be upon the dignity and advantages oftemperance. 

"As the sage proceeded in his oration, he descanted upon this subject, with so much force and eloquence that the young man became more composedand attentive, as it were in spite of himself. Presently the philosophergrew still more animated in his representation of the shameful slaverywhich attends the giving way to our passions, and the sublime happinessof reducing them all to order; and then the countenance of Polemo beganto change, and the expression of it to be softened; he cast his eyes inmournful silence upon the ground, as if in deep repentance for his owncontemptible conduct. Still the aged speaker increased in vehemence; heseemed to be animated with the sacred genius of the art which heprofessed, and to exercise an irresistible power over the minds of hishearers. He drew the portrait of an ingenious and modest young man whohad been bred up to virtuous toils and manly hardiness; he painted himtriumphant over all his passions, and trampling upon human fears andweakness: 'Should his country be invaded, you see him fly to itsdefence, and ready to pour forth all his blood; calm and composed heappears, with a terrible beauty, in the front of danger; the ornamentand bulwark of his country; the thickest squadrons are penetrated by hisresistless valour, and he points the path of victory to his admiringfollowers. Should he fall in battle, how glorious is his lot; to be cutoff in the honourable discharge of his duty; to be wept by all the braveand virtuous, and to survive in the eternal records of fame?'

"While Xenocrates was thus discoursing, Polemo seemed to be transportedwith a sacred enthusiasm; his eyes flashed fire, his countenance glowedwith martial indignation, and the whole expression of his person waschanged. Presently the philosopher, who had remarked the effect of hisdiscourse, painted in no less glowing colours the life and manners of aneffeminate young man; 'Unhappy youth, ' said he, 'what word shall I findequal to thy abasement? Thou art the reproach of thy parents, thedisgrace of thy country, the scorn or pity of every generous mind. Howis nature dishonoured in thy person, and all her choicest giftsabortive! That strength which would have rendered thee the glory of thycity and the terror of her foes, is basely thrown away on luxury andintemperance; thy youth and beauty are wasted in riot, and prematurelyblasted by disease. Instead of the eye of fire, the port of intrepidity, the step of modest firmness, a squalid paleness sits upon thy face, abloated corpulency enfeebles thy limbs, and presents a picture of humannature in its most abject state. But hark! the trumpet sounds; a savageband of unrelenting enemies has surrounded the city, and are preparingto scatter flames and ruin through the whole! The virtuous youth, thathave been educated to nobler cares, arm with generous emulation, and flyto its defence. How lovely do they appear, dressed in resplendent arms, and moving slowly on in close impenetrable phalanx! They are animated byevery motive which can give energy to a human breast, and lift it up tothe sublimest achievements. Their hoary sires, their venerablemagistrates, the beauteous forms of trembling virgins, attend them tothe war, with prayers and acclamations. Go forth, ye generous bands, secure to meet the rewards of victory or the repose of honourable death!Go forth, ye generous bands, but unaccompanied by the wretch I havedescribed! His feeble arm refuses to bear the ponderous shield; thepointed spear sinks feebly from his grasp; he trembles at the noise andtumult of the war, and flies like the hunted hart to lurk in shades anddarkness. Behold him roused from his midnight orgies, reeking with wineand odours, and crowned with flowers, the only trophies of his warfare;he hurries with trembling steps across the city; his voice, his gait, his whole deportment, proclaim the abject slave of intemperance, andstamp indelible infamy upon his name. '

"While Xenocrates was thus discoursing, Polemo listened with fixedattention. The former animation of his countenance gave way to a visibledejection; presently his lips trembled and his cheeks grew pale; he waslost in melancholy recollection, and a silent tear was observed totrickle down. But when the philosopher described a character so like hisown, shame seemed to take entire possession of his soul; and, rousing asfrom a long and painful lethargy, he softly raised his hand to his head, and tore away the chaplets of flowers, the monuments of his effeminacyand disgrace; he seemed intent to compose his dress into a more decentform, and wrapped his robe about him, which before hung loosely wavingwith an air of studied effeminacy. But when Xenocrates had finished hisdiscourse, Polemo approached him with all the humility of consciousguilt, and begged to become his disciple, telling him that he had thatday gained the most glorious conquest that had ever been achieved byreason and philosophy, by inspiring with the love of virtue a mind thathad been hitherto plunged in folly and sensuality. Xenocrates embracedthe young man, and admitted him among his disciples. Nor had he everreason to repent of his facility; for Polemo, from that hour, abandonedall his former companions and vices, and by his uncommon ardour forimprovement, very soon became celebrated for virtue and wisdom, as hehad before been for every contrary quality. "

"Thus, " added Mr Barlow, "you see how little reason there is to despairof youth, even in the most disadvantageous circumstances. It has beenjustly observed, that few know all they are capable of: the seeds ofdifferent qualities frequently lie concealed in the character, and onlywait for an opportunity of exerting themselves; and it is the greatbusiness of education to apply such motives to the imagination as maystimulate it to laudable exertions. For thus the same activity of mind, the same impetuosity of temper, which, by being improperly applied, would only form a wild, ungovernable character, may produce thesteadiest virtues, and prove a blessing both to the individual and hiscountry. "

"I am infinitely obliged to you for this story, " said Mr Merton; "and asmy son will certainly find a _Xenocrates_ in you, I wish that you mayhave reason to think him in some degree a _Polemo_. But since you are sokind as to present me these agreeable hopes, do not leave the workunfinished, but tell me what you think the best method of treating himin his present critical situation. " "That, " said Mr Barlow, "mustdepend, I think, upon the workings of his own mind. He has alwaysappeared to me generous and humane, and to have a fund of naturalgoodness amid all the faults which spring up too luxuriantly in hischaracter. It is impossible that he should not be at present possessedwith the keenest shame for his own behaviour. It will be your first partto take advantage of these sentiments, and instead of a fleeting andtransitory sensation, to change them into fixed and active principles. Do not at present say much to him upon the subject. Let us both beattentive to the silent workings of his mind, and regulate our behaviouraccordingly. "

This conversation being finished, Mr Merton introduced Mr Barlow to thecompany in the other room. Mrs Merton, who now began to be a littlestaggered in some of the opinions she had been most fond of, receivedhim with uncommon civility, and all the rest of the company treated himwith the greatest respect. But Tommy, who had lately been the oracle andadmiration of all this brilliant circle, appeared to have lost all hisvivacity; he, indeed, advanced to meet Mr Barlow with a look oftenderness and gratitude, and made the most respectful answers to allhis inquiries; but his eyes were involuntarily turned to the ground, andsilent melancholy and dejection were visible in his face. 

Mr Barlow remarked, with the greatest pleasure, these signs of humilityand contrition, and pointed them out to Mr Merton the first time he hadan opportunity of speaking to him without being overheard; adding, "that, unless he was much deceived, Tommy would soon give ample proofsof the natural goodness of his character, and reconcile himself to allhis friends. " Mr Merton heard this observation with the greatestpleasure, and now began to entertain some hopes of seeing itaccomplished. 

After the dinner was over most of the young gentlemen went away to theirrespective homes. Tommy seemed to have lost much of the enthusiasm whichhe had lately felt for his polite and accomplished friends; he evenappeared to feel a secret joy at their departure, and answered with avisible coldness at professions of regard and repeated invitations. EvenMrs Compton herself, and Miss Matilda, who were also departing, foundhim as insensible as the rest; though they did not spare the mostextravagant praises and the warmest professions of regard. 

And now, the ceremonies of taking leave being over, and most of thevisitors departed, a sudden solitude seemed to have taken possession ofthe house, which was lately the seat of noise, and bustle, andfestivity. Mr and Mrs Merton and Mr Barlow were left alone with MissSimmons and Tommy, and one or two others of the smaller gentry who hadnot yet returned to their friends. 

As Mr Barlow was not fond of cards, Mr Merton proposed, after thetea-table was removed, that Miss Simmons, who was famous for readingwell, should entertain the company with some little tale or historyadapted to the comprehension even of the youngest. Miss Simmons excusedherself with the greatest modesty; but on Mrs Merton's joining in therequest, she instantly complied, and fetching down a book, read thefollowing story of

"SOPHRON AND TIGRANES. "

"Sophron and Tigranes were the children of two neighbouring shepherdsthat fed their flocks in that part of Asia which borders upon MountLebanon. They were accustomed to each other from earliest infancy; andthe continual habit of conversing at length produced a tender andintimate friendship. 

"Sophron was larger and more robust of the two; his look was firm butmodest, his countenance placid, and his eyes were such as inspiredconfidence and attachment. He excelled most of the youth of theneighbourhood in every species of violent exercise--such as wrestling, boxing, and whirling heavyweights; but his triumphs were constantlymixed with so much humanity and courtesy, that even those who foundthemselves vanquished could feel no envy towards their conqueror. 

"On the contrary, Tigranes was of a character totally different. Hisbody was less strong than that of Sophron, but excellently proportionedand adapted to every species of fatigue; his countenance was full offire, but displeased by an excess of confidence; and his eyes sparkledwith sense and meaning, but bore too great an expression of uncontrolledfierceness. 

"Nor were these two youths less different in the application of theirfaculties than in the nature of them; for Tigranes seemed to bepossessed by a restless spirit of commanding all his equals, whileSophron, contented with the enjoyment of tranquillity, desired nothingmore than to avoid oppression. 

"Still, as they assisted their parents in leading every morning theirflocks to pasture, they entertained each other with rural sports; or, while reposing under the shade of arching rocks during the heat of theday, conversed with all the ease of childish friendship. Theirobservations were not many; they were chiefly drawn from the objects ofnature which surrounded them, or from the simple mode of life to whichthey had been witness; but even here the diversity of their characterswas sufficiently expressed. 

"'See, ' said Tigranes, one day, as he cast his eyes upwards to thecliffs of a neighbouring rock, 'that eagle which riseth into the immenseregions of air, till he absolutely soars beyond the reach of sight; wereI a bird, I should choose to resemble him, that I might traverse theclouds with a rapidity of a whirlwind, and dart like lightning upon myprey. ' 'That eagle, ' answered Sophron, 'is the emblem of violence andinjustice; he is the enemy of every bird, and even of every beast, thatis weaker than himself; were I to choose, I should prefer the life ofyonder swan, that moves so smoothly and inoffensively along the river;he is strong enough to defend himself from injury, without opposingothers, and therefore he is neither feared nor insulted by otheranimals. '

"While Sophron was yet speaking, the eagle, who had been hovering in theair, darted suddenly down at some distance, and seizing a lamb, wasbearing it away in his cruel talons; when, almost in the same instant, ashepherd, who had been watching all his motions from a neighbouringhill, let fly an arrow with so unerring an aim, that it pierced the bodyof the bird, and brought him headlong to the ground, writhing in theagonies of death. 

"'This, ' said Sophron, 'I have often heard, is the fate of ambitiouspeople; while they are endeavouring to mount beyond their fellows theyare stopped by some unforeseen misfortune. ' 'For my part, ' saidTigranes, 'I had rather perish in the sky than enjoy an age of life, basely chained down and grovelling upon the surface of the earth. ' 'Whatwe either may enjoy, ' answered Sophron, 'is in the hand of Heaven; butmay I rather creep during life than mount to commit injustice, andoppress the innocent. '

"In this manner passed the early years of the two friends. As they grewup to manhood the difference of their tempers became more visible, andgradually alienated them from each other. Tigranes began to despise theuniform labours of the shepherd and the humble occupations of thecountry; his sheep were neglected, and frequently wandered over theplains without a leader to guard them in the day, or bring them back atnight; and the greater part of his time was employed in climbing rocks, or in traversing the forest, to seek for eagles' nests, or in piercingwith his arrows the different wild animals which inhabit the woods. Ifhe heard the horn of the hunter, or the cry of the hound, it wasimpossible to restrain his eagerness; he regarded neither the summer'ssun nor the winter's frost while he was pursuing his game; the thickestwoods, the steepest mountains, the deepest rivers, were unable to stophim in his career, and he triumphed over every danger and difficulty, with such invincible courage as made him at once an object of terror andadmiration to all the youth in the neighbourhood. His friend Sophronalone beheld his exploits neither with terror nor admiration. Of allhis comrades, Sophron was the only one whom Tigranes still continued torespect; for he knew that, with a gentleness of temper which scarcelyanything could exasperate, he possessed the firmest courage and a degreeof bodily strength which rendered that courage invincible. He affected, indeed, to despise the virtuous moderation of his friend, and ridiculedit with some of his looser comrades as an abject pusillanimity; but hefelt himself humbled whenever he was in his company as before a superiorbeing, and therefore gradually estranged himself from his society. 

"Sophron, on the contrary, entertained the sincerest regard for hisfriend; but he knew his defects, and trembled for the consequences whichthe violence and ambition of his character might one day produce. Whenever Tigranes abandoned his flocks, or left his rustic tasks undone, Sophron had the goodness to supply whatever he had omitted. Such was thevigour of his constitution, that he was indefatigable in every labour, nor did he ever exert his force more willingly than in performing thesevoluntary duties to his absent friend. Whenever he met with Tigranes heaccosted him in the gentlest manner, and endeavoured to win him back tohis former habits and manners. He represented to him the injury he didhis parents, and the disquietude he occasioned in their minds by thusabandoning the duties of his profession. He sometimes, but with thegreatest mildness, hinted at the coldness with which Tigranes treatedhim, and reminded his friend of the pleasing intercourse of theirchildhood. But all his remonstrances were vain; Tigranes heard him atfirst with coolness, then with impatience or contempt, and at lastavoided him altogether. 

"Sophron had a lamb which he had formerly saved from the devouring jawsof a wolf, who had already bitten him in several places, and destroyedhis dam. The tenderness with which this benevolent young man had nursedand fed him during his infancy, had so attached him to his master, thathe seemed to prefer his society to that of his own species. WhereverSophron went, the faithful lamb accompanied him like his dogs, lay downbeside him when he reposed, and followed close behind when he drove therest of the flock to pasture. Sophron was equally attached to his dumbcompanion: he often diverted himself with his innocent gambols, fed himwith the choicest herbs out of his hands, and when he slept at nightsthe lamb was sure to repose beside him. 

"It happened about this time that Tigranes, as he was one day exploringthe woods, discovered the den of a she-wolf, in which she had left heryoung ones while she went out to search for prey. By a caprice that wasnatural to his temper, he chose out the largest of the whelps, carriedit home to his house, and brought it up as if it had been a useful andharmless animal. While it was yet but young it was incapable of doingmischief; but as it increased in age and strength, it began to showsigns of a bloody and untameable disposition, and made all theneighbouring shepherds tremble for the safety of their flocks. But asthe courage and fierceness of Tigranes had now rendered him formidableto all his associates, and the violence of his temper made him impatientof all opposition, they did not speak to him on the subject; and as tohis own parents, he had long learned to treat them with indifference andcontempt. Sophron alone, who was not to be awed by fear, observing thejust apprehensions of the neighbourhood, undertook the task ofexpostulating with his friend, and endeavoured to prevail upon him topart with a beast so justly odious, and which might in the end provefatal whenever his natural rage should break out into open acts ofslaughter. Tigranes heard him with a sneer of derision, and onlyanswered, that 'if a parcel of miserable rustics diverted themselveswith keeping sheep, he, who had a more elevated soul, might surelyentertain a nobler animal for his diversion. ' 'But should that nobleranimal prove a public mischief, ' coolly replied Sophron, 'you mustexpect that he will be treated as a public enemy. ' 'Woe be to the man, 'answered Tigranes, brandishing his javelin, and sternly frowning, 'thatshall dare to meddle with anything that belongs to me. ' Saying this, heturned his back upon Sophron, and left him with disdain. 

"It was not long before the very event took place which had been so longforeseen. The wolf of Tigranes, either impelled by the accidental tasteof blood, or by the natural fierceness of his own temper, fell one dayupon the sheep, with such an unexpected degree of fury that heslaughtered thirty of them before it was possible to prevent him. Sophron happened at that time to be within view; he ran with amazingswiftness to the place, and found the savage bathed in blood, tearingthe carcass of a lamb he had just slain. At the approach of the daringyouth the wolf began to utter a dismal cry, and, quitting his prey, seemed to prepare himself for slaughter of another kind. Sophron wasentirely unarmed, and the size and fury of the beast, which rushedforward to attack him, might well have excused him had he declined thecombat. But he, consulting only his native courage, wrapped hisshepherd's cloak around his left arm, to resist the first onset of hisenemy, and, with a determined look and nimble pace, advanced towards histhreatening adversary. In an instant the wolf sprang upon him, with ahorrid yell; but Sophron nimbly eluded his attack, and suddenly throwinghis vigorous arms about the body of his adversary, compelled him tostruggle for his own safety. It was then that he uttered cries moredreadful than before; and as he writhed about in all the agitations ofpain and madness, he gnashed his terrible teeth with impotent attemptsto bite, while the blood and foam which issued from his jaws renderedhis figure still more horrible than before. But Sophron, with undauntedcourage, still maintained his hold, and grasping him with irresistiblestrength, prevented him from using either his teeth or claws in his owndefence. It was not long before the struggles and violence of the wolfgrew perceptibly weaker from fatigue, and he seemed to wish to decline afurther combat with so formidable a foe, could he have found means toescape. Sophron then collected all his strength, and, seizing hisfainting adversary by the neck and throat, grasped him still tighter inhis terrible hands, till the beast, incapable either of disengaginghimself or breathing, yielded up the contest and his life together. 

"It was almost in this moment that Tigranes passed that way, andunexpectedly was witness to the triumphs of Sophron, and the miserableend of his favourite. Inflamed with pride and indignation, Tigranesuttered dreadful imprecations against his friend, who in vain attemptedto explain the transaction, and rushing upon him with all the madness ofinveterate hate, aimed a javelin at his bosom. Sophron was calm as hewas brave; he saw the necessity of defending his own life against theattacks of a perfidious friend, and, with a nimble spring, at onceeluded the weapon and closed with his antagonist. The combat was thenmore equal, for each was reduced to depend upon his own strength andactivity. They struggled for some time with all the efforts whichdisappointed rage could inspire on the one side, and a virtuousindignation on the other. At length the fortune, or rather the force andcoolness of Sophron, prevailed over the blind impetuous fury ofTigranes; he at once exerted his whole remaining strength, with suchsuccess that he hurled his adversary to the ground, where he lay, bleeding, vanquished, and unable to rise. 'Thou scarcely, ' said Sophron, 'deservest thy life from my hands, who couldst so wantonly and unjustlyattempt to deprive me of mine; however, I will rather remember thy earlymerits than my recent injuries. ' 'No, ' replied the raging Tigranes, 'load me not with thy odious benefits; but rather rid me of a life whichI abhor, since thou hast robbed me of my honour. ' 'I will never hurtthee, ' replied Sophron, 'but in my own just defence; live to make abetter use of life, and to have juster ideas of honour. ' Saying this, heassisted Tigranes to rise, but finding his temper full of implacableresentment, he turned another way, and left him to go home alone. 

"It was not long after this event that a company of soldiers marchedacross the plains where Sophron was feeding his flocks, and halted torefresh themselves under the shade of some spreading trees. The officerwho commanded them was struck with the comely figure and expressivecountenance of Sophron. He called the young man to him, and endeavouredto inflame him with a military ardour, by setting before him the glorywhich might be acquired by arms, and ridiculing the obscurity of acountry life. When he thought he had sufficiently excited hisadmiration, he proposed to him that he should enrol himself in hiscompany; and promised him every encouragement which he thought mostlikely to engage the passions of a young man. Sophron thanked him, withhumility, for his offers, but told him he had an aged father, who wasnow become incapable of maintaining himself, and therefore that he couldaccept of no offers, however advantageous they might appear, which wouldinterfere with the discharge of this duty. The officer replied, andridiculed the scruples of the young man; but, finding him inflexible inhis resolution, he at last turned from him with an air of contempt, andcalled his men to follow him, muttering, as he went, reflections on thestupidity and cowardice of Sophron. 

"The party had not proceeded far, before, by ill fortune, they came tothe place where Sophron's favourite lamb was feeding; and as the animalhad not yet learned to dread the cruelty of the human species, itadvanced towards them with all the confidence of unsuspicious innocence. 'This is a lucky accident, ' cried one of the soldiers, with a brutalsatisfaction; 'fortune was not willing we should go without a supper, and has therefore sent us a present. ' 'A happy exchange, ' answered asecond; 'a fat sheep for a lubberly shepherd; and the coward will nodoubt think himself happy to sleep in a whole skin at so small anexpense. ' Saying this, he took the lamb, and bore it away in triumph, uttering a thousand threats and execrations against the master if heshould dare to reclaim it. 

"Sophron was not so far removed to escape the sight of the indignitythat was offered him. He followed the troop, with so much swiftness thatit was not long before he overtook the soldier who was bearing away hisfriend, and from his load marched rather behind the rest. When Sophronapproached him, he accosted him in the gentlest manner, and besoughthim, in words that might have touched any one but a savage, to restorehis favourite; he even offered, when he found that nothing else wouldavail, to purchase back his own property with something of greatervalue; but the barbarous soldier, inured to scenes of misery, and littleaccustomed to yield to human entreaties, only laughed at his complaints, and loaded him with additional insults. At length he began to be tiredwith his importunities, and drawing his sword, and waving it before theeyes of Sophron, threatened, that if he did not depart immediately hewould use him as he intended to do the lamb. 'And do you think, 'answered Sophron, 'that while I have an arm to lift, or a drop of bloodin my veins, I will suffer you, or any man, to rob me of what I valuemore than life?' The soldier, exasperated at such an insolent reply, ashe termed it, aimed a blow at Sophron with his sword, which he turnedaside with a stick he held in his hand, so that it glanced inoffensivelydown; and before he could recover the use of his weapon, Sophron, whowas infinitely stronger, closed in with him, wrested it out of hishands, and hurled him roughly to the ground. Some of the comrades of thevanquished soldier came in an instant to his assistance, and withoutinquiring into the merits of the cause, drew their swords, and began toassail the undaunted young man; but he, brandishing the weapon which hehad just seized, appeared ready to defend himself, with so much strengthand courage that they did not choose to come too near. 

"While they were thus engaged, the officer, who had turned back at thefirst noise of the fray, approached, and ordering his men to desist, inquired into the occasion of the contest. Sophron then recounted, withso much modesty and respect, the indignities and insults he hadreceived, and the unprovoked attack of the soldier, which had obligedhim to defend his own life, that the officer, who had a real respect forcourage, was charmed with the behaviour of the young man. He thereforereproved his men for their disorderly manners, praised the intrepidityof Sophron, and ordered his lamb to be restored to him, with which hejoyfully departed. 

"Sophron was scarcely out of sight, when Tigranes, who was then byaccident returning from the chase, met the same party upon their march. Their military attire and glittering arms instantly struck his mind withadmiration. He stopped to gaze upon them as they passed; and theofficer, who remarked the martial air and well-proportioned limbs ofTigranes, entered into conversation with him, and made him the sameproposals which he had before done to Sophron. Such incentives wereirresistible to a vain and ambitious mind; the young man in an instantforgot his friends, his country, and his parents, and marched away withall the pleasure that strong presumption and aspiring hopes could raise. Nor was it long before he had an opportunity of signalizing hisintrepidity. 

"Asia was at that time overrun by numerous bands of savage warriors, under different and independent chiefs. That country, which has in everyage been celebrated for the mildness of the climate and the fertility ofthe soil, seems to be destined to groan under all the horrors of eternalservitude. Whether these effects are merely produced by fortune, orwhether the natural advantages it enjoys have a necessary tendency tosoften the minds of the inhabitants to sloth and effeminacy, it iscertain that the people of Asia have, in general, been the unresistingprey of every invader. At this time several fierce and barbarous nationshad broken in upon its territory, and, after covering its fertile plainswith carnage and desolation, were contending with each other for thesuperiority. 

"Under the most enterprising of these rival chiefs was Tigranes nowenrolled; and in the very first engagement at which he was present, hegave such uncommon proofs of valour, that he was distinguished by thegeneral with marks of particular regard, and became the admiration ofall his comrades. Under the banners of this adventurous warrior didTigranes toil with various fortunes during the space of many years;sometimes victorious in the fight, sometimes baffled; at one timecrowned with conquest and glory, at another beset with dangers, coveredwith wounds, and hunted like a wild beast through rocks and forests; yetstill the native courage of his temper sustained his spirits, and kepthim firm in the profession which he had chosen. At length, in a decisivebattle, in which the chieftain, under whom Tigranes had enlisted, contended with the most powerful of his rivals, he had the honour ofretrieving the victory when his own party seemed totally routed; and, after having penetrated the thickest squadrons of the enemy, to killtheir general with his own hand. From this moment he seemed to be inpossession of all that his ambition could desire. He was appointedgeneral of all the troops under the chief himself, whose repeatedvictories had rendered him equal in power to the most celebratedmonarchs. Nor did his fortune stop even here; for, after a number ofsuccessive battles, in which his party were generally victorious by hisexperience and intrepidity, he was, on the unexpected death of thechief, unanimously chosen by the whole nation to succeed him. 

"In the mean time Sophron, free from envy, avarice, or ambition, pursuedthe natural impulse of his character, and contented himself with a lifeof virtuous obscurity; he passed his time in rural labours, in watchinghis flocks, and in attending with all the duty of an affectionate childupon his aged parents. Every morning he rose with the sun, and spreadinghis innocent arms to heaven, thanked that Being who created all naturefor the continuance of life and health, and all the blessings heenjoyed. His piety and virtue were rewarded with everything which atemperate and rational mind can ask. All his rural labours succeeded inthe most ample manner; his flock was the fairest, the most healthy andnumerous of the district; he was loved and esteemed by the youth of theneighbourhood, and equally respected by the aged, who pointed him out asthe example of every virtue to their families; but, what was more dearthan all the rest to such a mind as Sophron's, was to see himself thejoy, the comfort, and support of his parents, who frequently embracedhim with tears, and supplicated the Deity to reward such duty andaffection with all His choicest blessings. 

"Nor was his humanity confined to his own species; the innocentinhabitants of the forest were safe from the pursuit of Sophron; and allthat lived under his protection were sure to meet with distinguishedtenderness. 'It is enough, ' said Sophron, 'that the innocent sheepsupplies me with his fleece to form my winter garments, and defend mefrom the cold; I will not bereave him of his little life, nor stop hisharmless gambols on the green, to gratify a guilty sensuality. It issurely enough that the stately heifer affords me copious streams of pureand wholesome food; I will not arm my hand against her innocentexistence; I will not pollute myself with her blood, nor tear her warmand panting flesh with a cruelty that we abhor even in savage beasts. More wholesome, more adapted to human life, are the spontaneous fruitswhich liberal nature produces for the sustenance of man, or which theearth affords to recompense his labours. '"

Here the interest and concern which had been long visible in Tommy'sface, could no longer be repressed, and tears began to trickle down hischeeks. "What is the matter, my darling?" said his mother: "what isthere in the account of this young man so deeply interests and affectsyou?" "Alas! mamma, " said Tommy, "it reminds of poor Harry Sandford;just such another good young man will he be when he is as old asSophron; and I--and I, " added he, sobbing, "am just such anotherworthless, ungrateful wretch as Tigranes. " "But Tigranes, " said MrsMerton, "you see, became a great and powerful man; while Sophronremained only a poor and ignorant shepherd. " "What does that signify, mamma?" said Tommy: "for my part, I begin to find that it is not alwaysthe greatest people that are the best or happiest; and as to ignorance, I cannot think that Sophron, who understood his duty so well to hisparents and to God, and to all the world, could be called ignorant; andvery likely he could read and write better than Tigranes, in spite ofall his pomp and grandeur; for I am sure there is not one of the younggentlemen that went home to-day can read as well as Harry Sandford, orhas half his understanding. " Mr Merton could hardly help smiling atTommy's conjecture about Sophron's reading; but he felt the greatestpleasure at seeing such a change in his sentiments; and, looking at himwith more cordiality than he had done before, he told him that he wasvery happy to find him so sensible of his faults, and hoped he would beequally ready to amend them. 

Miss Simmons then continued her narrative. 

"If Sophron ever permitted himself to shed the blood of livingcreatures, it was those ferocious animals that wage continual war withevery other species. Amid the mountains which he inhabited, there wererugged cliffs and inaccessible caverns, which afforded retreat towolves, and bears, and tigers. Sometimes, amid the storms and snows ofwinter, they felt themselves pinched by hunger, and fell withirresistible fury upon the nearest flocks and herds. Not only sheep andoxen were slaughtered in these dreadful and unexpected attacks, but eventhe shepherds themselves were frequently the victims of their rage. Ifthere was time to assemble for their defence, the boldest of the youthwould frequently seize their arms and give battle to the invaders. Inthis warfare, which was equally just and honourable, Sophron was alwaysforemost; his unequalled strength and courage made all the youth adopthim as their leader, and march with confidence under his command; and sosuccessful were his expeditions, that he always returned loaded with theskins of vanquished enemies; and by his vigilance and intrepidity he atlength either killed or drove away most of the beasts from which anydanger was to be feared. 

"It happened one day that Sophron had been chasing a wolf which had madesome depredations upon the flocks, and, in the ardour of his pursuits, was separated from all his companions. He was too well acquainted withthe roughest parts of the neighbouring mountains, and too indifferent todanger, to be disturbed at this circumstance; he therefore followed hisflying foe with so much impetuosity that he completely lost every trackand mark with which he was acquainted. As it is difficult, in a wildand uncultivated district, to find the path again when once it is lost, Sophron only wandered the farther from his home the more he endeavouredto return. He found himself bewildered and entangled in a drearywilderness, where he was every instant stopped by torrents that tumbledfrom the neighbouring cliffs, or in danger of slipping down theprecipices of an immense height. He was alone in the midst of a gloomyforest, where human industry had never penetrated, nor the woodman's axebeen heard since the moment of its creation; to add to his distress, thesetting sun disappeared in the west, and the shades of night gatheredgradually round, accompanied with the roar of savage beasts. Sophronfound himself beset with terrors, but his soul was incapable of fear; hepoised his javelin in his hand, and forced his way through everyopposition, till at length, with infinite difficulty, he disengagedhimself from the forest just as the last glimmer of light was yetvisible in the skies. But it was in vain that he had thus escaped; hecast his eyes around, but could discern nothing but an immense tract ofcountry, rough with rocks, and overhung with forests, but destitute ofevery mark of cultivation or inhabitants; he, however, pursued his wayalong the side of the mountain till he descended into a pleasant valley, free from trees, and watered by a winding stream. Here he was going torepose for the remainder of the night, under the crag of an impendingrock, when a rising gleam of light darted suddenly into the skies from aconsiderable distance, and attracted his curiosity. Sophron lookedtowards the quarter whence it came, and plainly discerned that it was afire kindled either by some benighted traveller like himself, or by someless innocent wanderers of the dark. He determined to approach thelight, but knowing the unsettled state of all the neighbouringdistricts, he thought it prudent to advance with caution; he thereforemade a considerable circuit, and by clambering along the higher groundsdiscovered a hanging wood, under whose thick covert he approachedwithout being discovered, within a little distance of the fire. He thenperceived that a party of soldiers were reposing round a flaming pile ofwood, and carousing at their ease; all about was strewn the plunderwhich they had accumulated in their march, and in the midst was seated avenerable old man, accompanied by a beautiful young woman. 

"Sophron easily comprehended, by the dejection of their countenances, and the tears which trickled down the maiden's cheeks, as well as by theinsolence with which they were treated, that they were prisoners. Thevirtuous indignation of his temper was instantly excited, and hedetermined to attempt their deliverance; but this, in spite of all hisintrepidity, he perceived was no easy matter to accomplish; he wasalone, and weakly armed; his enemies, though not numerous, too many forhim to flatter himself with any rational hope of success by open force;and, should he make a fruitless effort, he might rashly throw his lifeaway, and only aggravate the distresses he sought to cure. With thisconsideration he restrained his natural impetuosity, and at lengthdetermined to attempt by stratagem what he thought could scarcely beperformed by force. He therefore silently withdrew, and skirted theside of the wood which had concealed him, carefully remarking everycircumstance of the way, till he had ascended a mountain whichimmediately fronted the camp of the soldiers, at no considerabledistance. He happened to have by his side a kind of battle-axe whichthey use in the chase of bears; with this he applied himself to loppingthe branches of trees, collecting at the same time all the fallen oneshe could find, till, in a short time, he had reared several piles ofwood upon the most conspicuous part of the mountain, and full in view ofthe soldiers. He then easily kindled a blaze by rubbing two decayedbranches together, and in an instant all the piles were blazing with somany streams of light, that the neighbouring hills and forests wereilluminated with the gleam. Sophron knew the nature of man, always proneto sudden impressions of fear and terror, more particularly amid theobscurity of the night, and promised himself the amplest success fromhis stratagem. 

"In the meantime he hastened back with all the speed he could use, tillhe reached the very wood where he had lurked before; he then raised hisvoice, which was naturally loud and clear, and shouted several timessuccessively with all his exertion. A hundred echoes from theneighbouring cliffs and caverns returned the sound, with a reverberationthat made it appear like the noise of a mighty squadron. The soldiers, who had been alarmed by the sudden blaze of so many fires, which theyattributed to a numerous band of troops, were now impressed with such apanic that they fled in confusion; they imagined themselves surroundedby their enemies, who were bursting in on every side, and fled with somuch precipitation that they were dispersed in an instant, and left theprisoners to themselves. 

"Sophron, who saw from a little distance all their motions, did not waitfor them to be undeceived, but running to the spot they had abandoned, explained in a few words to the trembling and amazed captives the natureof his stratagem, and exhorted them to fly with all the swiftness theywere able to exert. Few entreaties were necessary to prevail upon themto comply; they therefore arose and followed Sophron, who led them aconsiderable way up into the mountains, and when he thought them out ofthe immediate danger of pursuit, they sheltered themselves in a rockycavern, and determined there to wait for the light of the morning. 

"When they were thus in a place of safety, the venerable old man seizedthe hand of Sophron, and bedewing it with tears, gave way to the strongemotions of gratitude which overwhelmed his mind. 'Generous youth, ' saidhe, 'I know not by what extraordinary fortune you have thus been able toeffect our deliverance, when we imagined ourselves out of the reach ofhuman succour; but if the uniform gratitude and affection of two humanbeings, who perhaps are not entirely unworthy your regard, can be anyrecompense for such a distinguished act of virtue, you may command ourlives, and employ them in your service. '

"'Father, ' answered Sophron, 'you infinitely over-rate the merits of theservice which chance has enabled me to perform. I am but littleacquainted with my fellow-creatures, as having always inhabited thesemountains; but I cannot conceive that any other man, who had beenwitness to your distress, would have refused to attempt your rescue; andas to all the rest, the obscurity of the night, and peculiarity of thesituation, rendered it a work of little difficulty or danger. ' Sophronthen recounted to his new friends the accident which had brought him tothat unfrequented spot, and made him an unperceived witness of theircaptivity; he also explained the nature of the stratagem by which, aloneand unsupported, he had been enabled to disperse their enemies. He addedthat, 'if he appeared to have any little merit in their eyes, he shouldbe amply recompensed by being admitted to their friendship andconfidence. '

"With these mutual professions of esteem they thought it prudent toterminate a conversation, which, however agreeable, was not entirelyfree from danger, as some of their late oppressors might happen todistinguish their voices, and thus directed to their lurking place, exact a severe revenge for the terrors they had undergone. 

"With the first ray of morning the three companions arose, and Sophron, leading them along the skirts of the mountains where bushes andbrushwood concealed them from observation, and still following thewindings of a river as a guide, they at length came to a cultivatedspot, though deserted by its inhabitants from the fear of the party theyhad lately escaped. Here they made a slight and hasty repast upon somecoarse provisions which they found, and instantly struck again into thewoods, which they judged safer than the plain. But Sophron fortunatelyrecollected that he had formerly visited this village with his father, while yet a child, and before the country had suffered the rage ofbarbarous invasions. It was a long day's march from home, but, byexerting all their strength, they at length arrived, through rough andsecret paths, at the hospitable cottage where Sophron and his parentsdwelt. Here they were joyfully received, as the long absence of theyoung man had much alarmed his parents, and made all the hamlet anxiousconcerning his safety. That night they comfortably reposed in a place ofsafety, and the next morning, after a plentiful but coarse repast, thefather of Sophron again congratulated his guests upon their fortunateescape, and entreated them to let him hear the history of theirmisfortunes. 

"'I can refuse nothing, ' said the venerable stranger, 'to persons towhom I am under such extraordinary obligations, although the history ofmy life is short and simple, and contains little worthy to be recited. My name is _Chares_; and I was born in one of the maritime cities ofAsia, of opulent parents, who died while I was yet a youth. The loss ofmy parents, to whom I was most affectionately attached, made so strongan impression upon my mind that I determined to seek relief in travel, and for that purpose sold my paternal estate, the price of which Iconverted into money and jewels, as being most portable. My father hadbeen a man distinguished for his knowledge and abilities, and from him Iimbibed an early desire of improvement, which has always been mygreatest comfort and support. 

"'The first place, therefore, which I visited was Egypt, a countryrenowned in every age for its invention of all the arts whichcontribute to support or adorn human life. There I resided severalyears, giving up my time to the study of philosophy, and to theconversation of the many eminent men who resorted thither from all theregions of the world. This country is one immense plain, divided by theNile, which is one of the noblest rivers in the world, and pours itstide along the middle of its territory. Every year, at a particularseason, the stream begins gradually to swell with such an increase ofwaters, that at length it rises over its banks, and the whole extent ofEgypt becomes an immense lake, where buildings, temples, and citiesappear as floating upon the inundation. Nor is this event a subject ofdread to the inhabitants; on the contrary, the overflowing of theirriver is a day of public rejoicing to all the natives, which theycelebrate with songs and dances, and every symptom of extravagant joy. Nor is this to be wondered at, when you are informed that thisinundation renders the soil which it covers the most abundant in theworld. Whatever land is covered by the waters, receives such an increaseof fertility, as never to disappoint the hopes of the industrioushusbandman. The instant the waters have retired the farmer returns tohis fields and begins the operation of agriculture. These labours arenot very difficult in a soft and yielding slime, such as the riverleaves behind it. The seeds are sown, and vegetate with inconceivablerapidity, and, in a few weeks, an abundant harvest of every kind ofgrain covers the land. For this reason all the necessaries of life areeasily procured by the innumerable multitudes which inhabit the country. Nor is the climate less favourable than the soil; for here an eternalspring and summer seem to have fixed their abode. No frost nor snow isever known to chill the atmosphere, which is always perfumed with thesmell of aromatic plants that grow on every side, and bring on apleasing forgetfulness of human care. But, alas! these blessings, greatas they may appear, produce the effect of curses upon the inhabitants. The ease and plenty which they enjoy, enervate their manners, anddestroy all vigour both of body and mind. No one here is inflamed withthe sacred love of his country, or of public liberty; no one is inuredto arms, or taught to prefer his honour to his life;--the great businessof existence is an inglorious indolence, a lethargy of mind, and acontinual suspense from all exertion. The very children catch thecontagion from their parents; they are instructed in every effeminateart--to dance in soft unmanly attitudes; to modulate their voices bymusical instruments, and to adjust the floating drapery of their dress. These are the arts in which both sexes are instructed from theirinfancy; but no one is taught to wield the arms of men, to tame thenoble steeds in which the country abounds, to observe his rank in war, or to bear the indispensable hardships of a military life. Hence thiscelebrated country, which has been in every age the admiration ofmankind, is destined to the most degrading servitude. A few thousanddisciplined troops are sufficient to hold the many millions it containsin bondage, under which they groan, without ever conceiving the designof vindicating their natural rights by arms. '----

"'Unhappy people, ' exclaimed Sophron, 'how useless to them are all theblessings of their climate! How much rather would I inhabit the stormytop of Lebanon, amid eternal snows and barrenness, than wallow in thevile sensuality of such a country, or breathe an air infected by itsvices!'

"Chares was charmed with the generous indignation of Sophron, and thuscontinued: 'I was of the same opinion with yourself, and thereforedetermined to leave a country which all its natural advantages could notrender agreeable, when I became acquainted with the manners of itsinhabitants. But before I quitted that part of the globe, my curiosityled me to visit the neighbouring tribes of Arabia--a nation borderingupon the Egyptians, but as different in spirits and manners as the hardyshepherds of these mountains from the effeminate natives of the plains. Egypt is bounded on one side by the sea; on every other it is surroundedby immense plains or gentle eminences, which, being beyond thefertilizing inundations of the Nile, have been, beyond all memory, converted into waste and barren sands by the excessive heat of the sun. I therefore made preparations for my journey, and hired a guide, who wasto furnish me with beasts of burden, and accompany me across thosedreary deserts. We accordingly began our march, mounted upon camels, which are found much more useful than horses in such a burningclimate. '"----

"Indeed, " said Tommy here to Mr Barlow, "I am sorry to interrupt thestory; but I shall be much obliged to you, sir, if you will inform mewhat kind of an animal a camel is?"

"The camel, " answered Mr Barlow, "is chiefly found in those burningclimates which you have heard described. His height is very great, rising to fourteen or fifteen feet, reckoning to the top of his head;his legs are long and slender, his body not large, and his neck of anamazing length. This animal is found in no part of the world that we areacquainted with, wild or free; but the whole race is enslaved by man, and brought up to drudgery from the first moment of their existence. Assoon as he is born, they seize him, and force him to recline upon theground, with his legs doubled up under his belly. To keep him in thisattitude, they extend a piece of canvass over his body, and fix it tothe ground by laying heavy weights upon the edge. In this manner he istutored to obedience, and taught to kneel down at the orders of hismaster, and receive the burthens which he is destined to transport. Inhis temper he is gentle and tractable, and his patience in bearingthirst and hunger is superior to that of any animal we are acquaintedwith. He is driven across the burning desert, loaded with themerchandise of those countries, and frequently does not even find waterto quench his thirst for several days. As to his food, it is nothing buta few herbs, which are found in the least barren parts of the deserts, and prickly bushes, upon which he browses as a delicacy; sometimes hedoes not find even these for many days, yet pursues his journey with adegree of patience which is hardly credible. "

"'--We mounted our camels, ' continued Chares, 'and soon had reached theconfines of the fertile plains of Egypt. The way, as we proceeded, grewsensibly more dreary and disagreeable, yet was sometimes varied withlittle tufts of trees and scanty patches of herbage; but these atlength entirely disappeared, and nothing was seen on every side but animmense extent of barren sands, destitute of vegetation, and parched bythe continual heat of the sun. No sound was heard to interrupt thedreary silence that reigned around; no traces of inhabitantsperceivable, and the gloomy uniformity of the prospect inspired the soulwith melancholy. In the meantime the sun seemed to shoot downperpendicular rays upon our heads, without a cloud to mitigate hisviolence. I felt a burning fever take possession of my body. My tonguewas scorched with intolerable heat, and it was in vain I endeavoured tomoisten my mouth with repeated draughts of water. At night we came to alittle rising ground, at the foot of which we perceived some aquaticherbs and a small quantity of muddy water, of which our camels tookprodigious draughts; here we spread our tents and encamped for thenight. With the morning we pursued our journey; but had not proceededfar before we saw a cloud of dust that seemed to rise along the desert;and as we approached nearer, we easily distinguished the glitter of armsthat reflected the rising sun. This was a band of the Arabians that haddiscovered us, and came to know our intentions. As they advanced theyspurred their horses, which are the most fleet and excellent in theworld, and bounded along the desert with the lightness of an antelope;at the same time they brandished their lances, and seemed prepared alikefor war or peace; but when they saw that we had neither the intentionnor the power to commit hostilities, they stopped their coursers at thedistance of a few paces from us, and he that appeared the chiefadvanced, and, with a firm but mild tone of voice, inquired into thereason of our coming. It was then that I took the liberty of addressinghim in his own language, to which I had for some time applied myselfbefore my journey. I explained to him my curiosity, which led me toobserve in person the manners of a people who are celebrated over thewhole world for having preserved their native simplicity unaltered, andtheir liberty unviolated, amidst the revolutions which agitate all theneighbouring nations. I then offered him the loading of my camel, whichI had brought, not as being worthy his acceptance, but as a slighttestimony of my regard, and concluded with remarking, that the fidelityof the Arabians in observing their engagements was unimpeached in asingle instance; and therefore, relying upon the integrity of my ownintentions, I had come a painful journey, unarmed, and almost alone, toput myself into their power, and demand the sacred rights ofhospitality. 

"'While I was thus speaking, he looked at me with penetration thatseemed to read into my very soul; and, when I had finished, he extendedhis arm with a smile of benevolence, and welcomed me to their tribe, telling me, at the same time, that they admitted me as their guest, andreceived me with the arms of friendship; that their method of life, liketheir manners, was coarse and simple, but that I might consider myselfas safer in their tents, and more removed from violence or treachery, than in the crowded cities which I had left. The rest of the squadronthen approached, and all saluted me as a friend and brother. We thenstruck off across the desert, and, after a few hours' march, approachedthe encampment where they had left their wives and children. 

"'This people is the most singular, and, in many respects, the mostadmirable of all that inhabit this globe of earth. All other nations aresubject to revolutions and the various turns of fortune; sometimes theywage successful wars; sometimes they improve in the arts of peace; nowthey are great and reverenced by their neighbours; and now, insulted anddespised, they suffer all the miseries of servitude. The Arabians alonehave never been known to vary in the smallest circumstance, either oftheir internal policy or external situation. They inhabit a climatewhich would be intolerable to the rest of the human species for itsburning heat, and a soil which refuses to furnish any of the necessariesof life. Hence they neither plough the earth, nor sow, nor depend uponcorn for their subsistence, nor are acquainted with any of the mechanicarts; they live chiefly upon the milk of their herds and flocks, andsometimes eat their flesh. These burning deserts are stretched out to animmense extent on every side, and these they consider as their commoncountry, without having any fixed or permanent abode. Arid and barren asare these wilds in general, there are various spots which are moreproductive than the rest; here are found supplies of water, and someappearances of vegetation; and here the Arabians encamp till they haveexhausted the spontaneous products of the soil. Besides, they vary theirplace of residence with the different seasons of the year. When they arein perfect friendship with their neighbours, they advance to the veryedges of the desert, and find more ample supplies of moisture andherbage. If they are attacked or molested, the whole tribe is in motionin an instant, and seeks a refuge in their impenetrable recesses. Othernations are involved in various pursuits of war, or government, orcommerce; they have made a thousand inventions of luxury necessary totheir welfare, and the enjoyment of these they call _happiness_. TheArab is ignorant of all these things, or, if he knows them, he despisestheir possession. All his wants, his passions, his desires, terminate inone object, and that object is the preservation of his liberty. For thispurpose he contents himself with a bare sufficiency of the coarsest andsimplest food; and the small quantity of clothing which he requires insuch a climate, is fabricated by the women of the tribe, who milk thecattle and prepare the food of their husbands, and require no otherpleasures than the pleasing interest of domestic cares. They have abreed of horses superior to any in the rest of the globe for gentleness, patience, and unrivalled swiftness; this is a particular passion andpride of the Arabian tribes. These horses are necessary to them in theirwarlike expeditions, and in their courses along the deserts. If they areattacked, they mount their steeds, who bear them with the rapidity of atempest to avenge their injuries; or, should they be overmatched infight, they soon transport them beyond the possibility of pursuit. Forthis reason the proudest monarchs and greatest conquerors have in vainattempted to subdue them. Troops accustomed to the plenty of acultivated country, are little able to pursue these winged warriors overthe whole extent of their sandy wastes. Oppressed with heat, faintingfor want of water, and spent with the various difficulties of the way, the most numerous armies have been destroyed in such attempts; and thosethat survived the obstacles of nature were easily overcome by therepeated attacks of the valiant natives. 

"'While I was in this country I was myself witness to an embassy thatwas sent from the neighbouring prince, who imagined that the fame of hisexploits had struck the Arabians with terror, and disposed them tosubmission. The ambassador was introduced to the chief of the tribe, avenerable old man, undistinguished by any mark of ostentation from therest, who received him sitting cross-legged at the door of his tent. Hethen began to speak, and, in a long and studied harangue, described thepower of his master, the invincible courage of his armies, the vastprofusion of arms, of warlike engines, and military stores, andconcluded with a demand that the Arabians should submit to acknowledgehim as their lord, and pay a yearly tribute. 

"'At this proud speech the younger part of the tribe began to frown withindignation, and clash their weapons in token of defiance; but the chiefhimself, with a calm and manly composure, made this reply: 'I expected, from the maturity of your age, and the gravity of your countenance, tohave heard a rational discourse, befitting you to propose and us tohear. When you dwelt so long upon the power of your master, I alsoimagined that he had sent to us to propose a league of friendship andalliance, such as might become equals, and bind man more closely to hisfellows. In this case the Arabians, although they neither want theassistance, nor fear the attacks of any king or nation, would gladlyhave consented, because it has been always their favourite maxim, neither to leave injuries unpunished, nor to be outdone in kindness andhospitality. But since you have come thus far to deliver a message whichmust needs be disagreeable to the ears of free-born men, who acknowledgeno superior upon earth, you may thus report the sentiments of theArabians to him that sent you. You may tell him that, as to the landwhich we inhabit, it is neither the gift of him nor any of hisforefathers; we hold it from our ancestors, who received it in turn fromtheirs, by the common laws of nature, which has adapted particularcountries and soils, not only to man, but to all the various animalswhich she has produced. If, therefore, your king imagines that he has aright to retain the country which he and his people now inhabit, by thesame tenure do the Arabians hold the sovereignty of these barren sands, where the bones of our ancestors have been buried, even from the firstfoundation of the world. But you have described to us, in pompouslanguage, the extraordinary power and riches of your king; according toyou, he not only commands numerous and well-appointed troops of warlikemen, furnished with every species of military stores, but he alsopossesses immense heaps of gold, silver, and other precious commodities, and his country affords him an inexhaustible supply of corn, and oil, and wine, and all the other conveniences of life. If, therefore, theserepresentations be false, you must appear a vain and despicable babbler, who, being induced by no sufficient reason, have come hither of your ownaccord to amuse us--a plain and simple race of men--with specious talesand fables; but, if your words be true, your king must be equally unjustand foolish, who, already possessing all these advantages, doth stillinsatiably grasp after more; and, enjoying so many good things with easeand security to himself, will rather put them to all the hazard thanrepress the vain desires of his own intolerable avarice. As to thetribute which you have demanded, what you have already seen of theArabians and their country affords you a sufficient answer. You see thatwe have neither cities, nor fields, nor rivers, nor wine, nor oil; goldand silver are equally unknown among us; and the Arabians, abandoningall these things to other men, have, at the same time, deliveredthemselves from the necessity of being slaves, which is the general lawby which all mortals retain their possession. We have, therefore, nothing which we can send as a tribute but the sand of these ourdeserts, and the arrows and lances with which we have hitherto defendedthem from all invaders. If these are treasures worthy of his acceptance, he may lead his conquering troops to take possession of our country. Buthe will find men who are not softened by luxury, or vanquished by theirown vices; men who prize their liberty at a dearer rate than all othermortals do their riches or their lives, and to whom dishonour is moreformidable than wounds and death. If he can vanquish such men, it will, however, become his prudence to reflect whether he can vanquish theobstacles which nature herself has opposed to his ambition. If he shouldattempt to pass our deserts, he will have to struggle with famine andconsuming thirst, from which no enemy has hitherto escaped, even when hehas failed to perish by the arrows of the Arabians. ''----

"'Happy and generous people, ' exclaimed Sophron, 'how well do theydeserve the liberty they enjoy! With such sentiments they need not fearthe attack of kings or conquerors. It is the vices of men, and not theweakness of their nature, that basely enslave them to their equals; andhe that prizes liberty beyond a few contemptible pleasures of his sensesmay be certain that no human force can ever bereave him of so great agood. '

"'Such sentiments, ' replied Chares, 'convince me that I have not made afalse estimate of the inhabitants of these mountainous districts. It isfor this reason that I have been so particular in the description ofEgypt and Arabia. I wished to know whether the general spirit ofindolence and pusillanimity had infected the hardy inhabitants ofLebanon; but from the generous enthusiasm which animates yourcountenance at the recital of noble actions, as well as from what I haveexperienced you are capable of attempting, I trust that these solitaryscenes are uninfected with the vices that have deluged the rest of Asia, and bent its inhabitants to the yoke'"----

Here the impatience of Tommy, which had been increasing a considerabletime, could no longer be restrained, and he could not help interruptingthe story, by addressing Mr Barlow thus: "Sir, will you give me leave toask you a question?"

_Mr Barlow. _--As many as you choose. 

_Tommy. _--In all these stories which I have heard, it seems as if thosenations that have little or nothing are more good-natured, and betterand braver than those that have a great deal. 

_Mr Barlow. _--This is indeed sometimes the case. 

_Tommy. _--But, then, why should it not be the case here, as well as inother places? Are all the poor in this country better than the rich?

"It should seem, " answered Mr Barlow, smiling, "as if you were of thatopinion. "

_Tommy. _--Why so, sir?

_Mr Barlow. _--Because, whatever you want to have done, I observe thatyou always address yourself to the poor, and not to the rich. 

_Tommy. _--Yes, sir; but that is a different case. The poor are used todo many things which the rich never do. 

_Mr Barlow. _--Are these things useful or not useful?

_Tommy. _--Why, to be sure, many of them are extremely useful; for, sinceI have acquired so much knowledge, I find they cultivate the ground, toraise corn; and build houses; and hammer iron, which is so necessary tomake everything we use; besides feeding cattle, and dressing ourvictuals, and washing our clothes, and, in short, doing everything whichis necessary to be done. 

_Mr Barlow. _--What! do the poor do all these things?

_Tommy. _--Yes, indeed, or else they never would be done. For it would bea very ungenteel thing to labour at a forge like a blacksmith, or holdthe plough like the farmer, or build a house like a bricklayer. 

_Mr Barlow. _--And did not you build a house in my garden some littletime ago?

_Tommy. _--Yes, sir; but that was only for my amusement; it was notintended for anybody to live in. 

_Mr Barlow. _--So you still think it is the first qualification of agentleman never to do anything useful; and he that does anything withthat design, ceases to be a gentleman?

Tommy looked a little ashamed at this; but he said it was not so muchhis own opinion as that of the other young ladies and gentlemen withwhom he had conversed. 

"But, " replied Mr Barlow, "you asked just now which were the best--therich or the poor? But if the poor provide food and clothing, and houses, and everything else, not only for themselves but for all the rich, whilethe rich do nothing at all, it must appear that the poor are better thanthe rich. "

_Tommy. _--Yes, sir; but then the poor do not act in that manner out ofkindness, but because they are obliged to it. 

_Mr Barlow. _--That, indeed, is a better argument than you sometimes use. But tell me which set of people would you prefer; those that are alwaysdoing useful things because they are obliged to it, or those who neverdo anything useful at all?

_Tommy. _--Indeed, sir, I hardly know what to say; but, when I asked thequestion, I did not so much mean the doing useful things. But now Ithink of it, the rich do a great deal of good by buying the things ofthe poor, and giving them money in return. 

_Mr Barlow. _--What is money?

_Tommy. _--Money, sir; money is----I believe, little pieces of silver andgold, with a head upon them. 

_Mr Barlow. _--And what is the use of those little pieces of silver andgold?

_Tommy. _--Indeed, I do not know that they are of any use; but everybodyhas agreed to take them; and therefore you may buy with them whateveryou want. 

_Mr Barlow. _--Then, according to your last account, the goodness of therich consists in taking from the poor houses, clothes, and food, andgiving them in return little bits of silver and gold, which are reallygood for nothing. 

_Tommy. _--Yes, sir; but then the poor can take these pieces of money andpurchase everything which they want. 

_Mr Barlow. _--You mean, that if a poor man has money in his pocket, hecan always exchange it for clothes, or food, or any other necessary?

_Tommy. _--Indeed, I do, sir. 

_Mr Barlow. _--But whom must he buy them of? for according to youraccount, the rich never produce any of these things; therefore the poor, if they want to purchase them, can only do so of each other. 

_Tommy. _--But, sir, I cannot think that is always the case; for I havebeen along with my mamma to shops, where there were fine powderedgentlemen and ladies that sold things to other people, andlivery-servants, and young ladies that played on the harpsichord, likeMiss Matilda. 

_Mr Barlow. _--But, my good little friend, do you imagine that these finepowdered gentlemen and ladies made the things which they sold?

_Tommy. _--That, sir, I cannot tell, but I should rather imagine not; forall the fine people I have ever seen are too much afraid of spoilingtheir clothes to work. 

_Mr Barlow. _--All that they do, then, is to employ poorer persons towork for them, while they only sell what is produced by their labour. Sothat still you see we reach no farther than this; the rich do nothingand produce nothing, and the poor everything that is really useful. Werethere a whole nation of rich people, they would all be starved, like theSpaniard in the story, because no one would condescend to produceanything; and this would happen in spite of all their money, unless theyhad neighbours who were poorer to supply them. But a nation that waspoor might be industrious, and gradually supply themselves with all theywanted; and then it would be of little consequence whether they hadpieces of metal with heads upon them or not. But this conversation haslasted long enough at present; and, as you are now going to bed, Idaresay Miss Simmons will be so good as to defer the remainder of herstory until to-morrow. 

The next day Tommy rose before his father and mother; and, as hisimagination had been forcibly acted on by the description he had heardof the Arabian horsemen, he desired his little horse might be saddled, and that William, his father's man, would attend him upon a ride. Unfortunately for Tommy, his vivacity was greater than his reason, andhis taste for imitation was continually leading him into some mischiefor misfortune. He had no sooner been introduced into the acquaintance ofgenteel life, than he threw aside all his former habits, and longed todistinguish himself as a most accomplished young gentleman. He was now, in turn, sickened and disgusted with fashionable affectation; and hismind, at leisure for fresh impressions, was ready to catch at the firstnew object which occurred. The idea, therefore, which presented itselfto his mind, as soon as he opened his eyes, was that of being an Arabianhorseman. Nothing, he imagined, could equal the pleasure of guiding afiery steed over those immense and desolate wastes which he had hearddescribed. In the meantime, as the country where he wished to exhibitwas at too great a distance, he thought he might excite some applauseeven upon the common before his father's house. 

Full of this idea he rose, put on his boots, and summoned William toattend him. William had been too much accustomed to humour all hiscaprices to make any difficulty of obeying him; and as he had oftenridden out with his young master before, he did not foresee the leastpossible inconvenience. But the maternal care of Mrs Merton had made itan indispensable condition with her son, that he should never presume toride with spurs; and she had strictly enjoined all the servants never tosupply him with those dangerous accoutrements. Tommy had long murmuredin secret at this prohibition, which seemed to imply a distrust of hisabilities in horsemanship, which sensibly wounded his pride. But sincehe had taken it into his head to emulate the Arabs themselves, andperhaps excel them in their own art, he considered it as no longerpossible to endure the disgrace. But, as he was no stranger to thestrict injunction which had been given to all the servants, he did notdare to make the experiment of soliciting their assistance. 

While he was in this embarrassment a new and sudden expedient presenteditself to his fertile genius, which he instantly resolved to adopt. Tommy went to his mamma's maid, and without difficulty, obtained fromher a couple of the largest-sized pins, which he thrust through theleather of his boots, and, thus accoutred, he mounted his horse withoutsuspicion or observation. 

Tommy had not ridden far before he began to give vent to his reigningpassion, and asked William if he had ever seen an Arabian on horseback. The answer of William sufficiently proved his ignorance, which Tommykindly undertook to remove by giving him a detail of all the particularshe had heard the preceding night; but, unfortunately, the eloquence ofTommy precipitated him into a dangerous experiment; for, just as he wasdescribing their rapid flight across the deserts, the interest of hissubject so transported him that he closed his legs upon his littlehorse, and pricked him in so sensible a manner, that the pony, who wasnot deficient in spirit, resented the attack, and set off with him at aprodigious rate. 

William, when he saw his master thus burst forth, was at a loss whetherto consider it an accident or only an oratorical grace; but seeing thehorse hurrying along the roughest part of the common, while Tommy tuggedin vain to restrain his efforts, he thought it necessary to endeavour toovertake him, and therefore pursued him with all the speed he could use. But the pony, whose blood seemed to be only the more inflamed by theviolence of his own exertions, ran the faster when he heard thetrampling of another horse behind him. 

In this manner did Tommy scamper over the common, while William pursuedin vain; for, just as the servant thought he had reached his master, hishorse would push forward with such rapidity as left his pursuer farbehind. Tommy kept his seat with infinite address; but he now beganseriously to repent of his own ungovernable ambition, and would, withthe greatest pleasure, have exchanged his own spirited steed for thedullest ass in England. 

The race had now endured a considerable time, and seemed to be no nearerto a conclusion, when, on a sudden, the pony turned short, upon anattempt of his master to stop him, and rushed precipitately into a largebog or quagmire, which was full before him; here he made him a momentaryhalt, and Tommy wisely embraced the opportunity of letting himself slideoff upon a soft and yielding bed of mire. The servant now came up toTommy and rescued him from his disagreeable situation, where, however, he had received no other damage than that of daubing himself all over. 

William had been at first very much frightened at the danger of hismaster; but when he saw that he had so luckily escaped all hurt, hecould not help asking him, with a smile, whether this too was a strokeof Arabian horsemanship? Tommy was a little provoked at this reflectionupon his horsemanship; but, as he had now lost something of hisirritability by repeated mortification, he wisely repressed his passion, and desired William to catch his horse, while he returned homewards onfoot to warm himself. The servant, therefore, endeavoured to approachthe pony, who, as if contented with the triumph he had obtained over hisrider, was quietly feeding at a little distance; but the instant Williamapproached, he set off again at a violent rate, and seemed disposed tolead him a second chase not inferior to the first. 

In the meantime Tommy walked pensively along the common, reflecting onthe various accidents which had befallen him, and the repeateddisappointments he had found in all his attempts to distinguish himself. While he was thus engaged, he overtook a poor and ragged figure, thesingularity of whose appearance engaged his attention. It was a man ofmiddle age, in a dress he had never seen before, with two poor childrenthat seemed with difficulty to keep up with him, while he carried athird in his arms, whose pale emaciated looks sufficiently declareddisease and pain. The man had upon his head a coarse blue bonnet insteadof a hat; he was wrapped round by a tattered kind of garment, stripedwith various colours, and at his side hung down a long and formidablesword. 

Tommy surveyed him with such an earnest observation, that at length theman took notice of it, and, bowing to him with the greatest civility, ventured to ask him if he had met with any accident, that he appeared ina disorder which suited so little with his quality. Tommy was not alittle pleased with the discernment of the man, who could distinguishhis importance in spite of the dirtiness of his clothes, and thereforemildly answered, "No, friend, there is not much the matter. I have alittle obstinate horse that ran away with me, and after trying in vainto throw me down, he plunged into the middle of that great bog there, and so I jumped off for fear of being swallowed up, otherwise I shouldsoon have made him submit, for I am used to such things, and don't mindthem in the least. "

Here the child that the man was carrying began to cry bitterly, and thefather endeavoured to pacify him, but in vain. "Poor thing, " said Tommy, "he seems to be unwell; I am heartily sorry for him!" "Alas! master, "answered the man, "he is not well, indeed; he has now a violent ague fitupon him, and I have not had a morsel of bread to give him or any of therest since yesterday noon. "

Tommy was naturally generous, and now his mind was unusually softened bythe remembrance of his own recent distresses; he therefore pulled ashilling out of his pocket and gave it to the man, saying, "Here, myhonest friend, here is something to buy your child some food, and Isincerely wish he may soon recover. " "God bless your sweet face!" saidthe man; "you are the best friend I have seen this many a day; but forthis kind assistance we might have been all lost. " He then, with manybows and thanks, struck across the common into a different path, andTommy went forward, feeling a greater pleasure at this little act ofhumanity than he had long been acquainted with among all the fineacquaintance he had lately contracted. 

But he had walked a very little way with these reflections before he metwith a new adventure. A flock of sheep was running, with all theprecipitation which fear could inspire, from the pursuit of a largedog; and just as Tommy approached, the dog had overtaken a lamb, andseemed disposed to devour it. Tommy was naturally an enemy to allcruelty, and therefore, running towards the dog with more alacrity thanprudence, he endeavoured to drive him from his prey; but the animal, whoprobably despised the diminutive size of his adversary, after growling alittle while and showing his teeth, when he found that this was notsufficient to deter him from intermeddling, entirely quitted the sheep, and making a sudden spring, seized upon the skirt of Tommy's coat, whichhe shook with every expression of rage. Tommy behaved with moreintrepidity than could have been expected, for he neither cried out norattempted to run, but made his utmost efforts to disengage himself fromhis enemy. But, as the contest was so unequal, it is probable he wouldhave been severely bitten, had not the honest stranger, whom he hadrelieved, come running up to his assistance, and seeing the danger ofhis benefactor, laid the dog dead at his feet by a furious stroke of hisbroadsword. 

Tommy, thus delivered from impending danger, expressed his gratitude tothe stranger in the most affectionate manner, and desired him toaccompany him to his father's house, where he and his wearied childrenshould receive whatever refreshment they wished. He then turned his eyesto the lamb, which had been the cause of the contest, and lay pantingupon the ground bleeding and wounded, but not to death, and remarked, with astonishment, upon his fleece the well-known characters of H. S. , accompanied with a cross. "As I live, " said Tommy, "I believe this isthe very lamb which Harry used to be so fond of, and which wouldsometimes follow him to Mr Barlow's. I am the luckiest fellow in theworld, to have come in time to deliver him, and now, perhaps, Harry mayforgive me all the ill-usage he has met with. " Saying this, he took thelamb up and kissed it with the greatest tenderness; nay, he would haveeven borne it home in his arms had it not been rather too heavy for hisstrength; but the honest stranger, with a grateful officiousness, offered his services, and prevailed on Tommy to let him carry it, whilehe delivered his child to the biggest of his brothers. 

When Tommy had now arrived within a little distance of his home he methis father and Mr Barlow, who had left the house to enjoy the morningair, before breakfast. They were surprised to see him in such anequipage, for the dirt, which had bespattered him from head to foot, began to dry in various places, and gave him the appearance of afarmer's clay-built wall in the act of hardening. But Tommy withoutgiving them time to make inquiries, ran affectionately up to Mr Barlow, and taking him by the hand, said, "Oh, sir! here is the luckiestaccident in the world! poor Harry Sandford's favourite lamb would havebeen killed by a great mischievous dog, if I had not happened to come byand save his life!" "And who is this honest man, " said Mr Merton, "whomyou have picked up on the common? He seems to be in distress, and hisfamished children are scarcely able to drag themselves along. "

"Poor man!" answered Tommy, "I am very much obliged to him; for, when Iwent to save Harry's lamb, the dog attacked me, and would have hurt mevery much if he had not come to my assistance and killed him with hisgreat sword. So I have brought him with me that he might refresh himselfwith his poor children, one of which has a terrible ague; for I knew, papa, that though I had not behaved well of late, you would not beagainst my doing an act of charity. " "I am, on the contrary, very glad, "said Mr Merton, "to see you have so much gratitude in your temper. Butwhat is the reason that I see you thus disfigured with dirt? Surely youmust have been riding, and your horse has thrown you? And so it is, forhere is William following with both the horses in a foam. "

William at that moment appeared, and, trotting up to his master, beganto make excuses for his own share in the business. "Indeed, sir, " saidhe, "I did not think there was the least harm in going out with MasterTommy, and we were riding along as quietly as possible, and master wasgiving me a long account of the Arabs, who, he said, lived in the finestcountry in the world, which does not produce anything to eat or drink, or wear, and yet they never want to come upon the parish, but ride uponthe most mettled horses in the world, fit to start for any plate inEngland. And just as he was giving me this account, Punch took it intohis head to run away, and while I was endeavouring to catch him, hejumped into a quagmire, and shot Master Tommy off in the middle of it. ""No, " said Tommy, "there you mistake; I believe I could manage a muchmore spirited horse than Punch, but I thought it prudent to throw myselfoff for fear of his plunging deeper into the mire. " "But how is this?"said Mr Merton, "the pony used to be the quietest of horses; what canhave given him this sudden impulse to run away? Surely, William, youwere not so imprudent as to trust your master with spurs?" "No, sir, "answered William, "not I; and I can take my oath he had no spurs on whenhe first set out. "

Mr Merton was convinced there was some mystery in this transaction, and, looking at his son to find it out, he at length discovered the ingeniouscontrivance of Tommy to supply the place of spurs, and could hardlypreserve his gravity at the sight. He, however, mildly set before himhis imprudence, which might have been attended with the most fatalconsequences--the fracture of his limbs, or even the loss of hislife--and desired him for the future to be more cautious. They thenreturned to the house, and Mr Merton ordered his servants to supply hisguests with plenty of the most nourishing food. 

After breakfast they sent for the unhappy stranger into the parlour, whose countenance now bespoke satisfaction and gratitude; and Mr Merton, who, by his dress and accent, discovered him to be an inhabitant ofScotland, desired to know by what accident he had thus wandered so farfrom home with these poor helpless children, and had been reduced to somuch misery. 

"Alas! your honour, " answered the man, "I should ill deserve the favoursyou have shown me if I attempted to conceal anything from such worthybenefactors. My tale, however, is simple and uninteresting, and I fearthere can be nothing in the story of my distress the least deserving ofyour attention. "

"Surely, " said Mr Merton, with the most benevolent courtesy, "theremust be something in the distress of every honest man which ought tointerest his fellow-creatures; and if you will acquaint us with all thecircumstances of your situation, it may perhaps be within our power, asit certainly is in our inclinations, to do you further service. "

The man then bowed to the company with an air of dignity which surprisedthem all, and thus began: "I was born in that part of our island whichis called the North of Scotland. The country there, partly from thebarrenness of the soil, and the inclemency of the season, and partlyfrom other causes which I will not now enumerate, is unfavourable to theexistence of its inhabitants. More than half of the year our mountainsare covered with continual snows, which prohibit the use of agriculture, or blast the expectations of a harvest; yet the race of men whichinhabit these dreary wilds are perhaps not more undeserving the smilesof fortune than many of their happier neighbours. Accustomed to a lifeof toil and hardship, their bodies are braced by the incessantdifficulties they have to encounter, and their minds remain untainted bythe example of their more luxurious neighbours; they are bred up frominfancy with a deference and respect for their parents, and with amutual spirit of endearment towards their equals, which I have notremarked in happier climates. These circumstances expand and elevate themind, and attach the Highlanders to their native mountains with a warmthof affection which is scarcely known in the midst of polished cities andcultivated countries. Every man there is more or less acquainted withthe history of his clan, and the martial exploits which they haveperformed. In the winter season we sit around the blazing light of ourfires, and commemorate the glorious actions of our ancestors; thechildren catch the sound, and consider themselves as interested insupporting the honour of a nation which is yet unsullied in the annalsof the world, and resolve to transmit it equally pure to theirposterity. 

"With these impressions, which were the earliest I can remember, youcannot wonder, gentlemen, that I should have early imbibed a spirit ofenterprise and a love of arms. My father was indeed poor, but he hadbeen himself a soldier, and therefore did not so strenuously oppose mygrowing inclination; he, indeed, set before me the little chance Ishould have of promotion, and the innumerable difficulties of myintended profession. But what were difficulties to a youth brought up tosubsist upon a handful of oatmeal, to drink the waters of the stream, and to sleep shrouded in my plaid, beneath the arch of an impendingrock! I see, gentlemen, " continued the Highlander, "that you appearsurprised to hear a man, who has so little to recommend him, expresshimself in rather loftier language than you are accustomed to among yourpeasantry here. But you should remember that a certain degree ofeducation is more general in Scotland than where you live, and that, wanting almost all the gifts of fortune, we cannot afford to sufferthose of nature to remain uncultivated. When, therefore, my father sawthat the determined bent of my temper was towards a military life, hethought it vain to oppose my inclinations. He even, perhaps, involuntarily cherished them, by explaining to me, during the longleisure of our dreary winter, some books which treated of militarysciences and ancient history. From these I imbibed an early love oftruth and honour, which I hope has not abandoned me since, and byteaching me what brave and virtuous men have suffered in every age andcountry, they have, perhaps, prevented me from entirely sinking under mymisfortunes. 

"One night, in the autumn of the year, as we were seated round theembers of our fire, we heard a knocking at the door. My father rose, anda man of a majestic presence came in, and requested permission to passthe night in our cottage. He told us he was an English officer, who hadlong been stationed in the Highlands, but now, upon the breaking out ofwar, he had been sent for in haste to London, whence he was to embarkfor America as soon as he could be joined by his regiment. 'This, ' saidhe, 'has been the reason of my travelling later than prudence permits, in a mountainous country, with which I am imperfectly acquainted. I haveunfortunately lost my way, and but for your kindness, ' added he, smiling, 'I must here begin my campaign, and pass the night upon a bedof heath amid the mountains. ' My father rose, and received the officerwith all the courtesy he was able (for in Scotland every man thinkshimself honoured by being permitted to exercise his hospitality); hetold him his accommodations were mean and poor, but what he had washeartily at his service. He then sent me to look after his visitor'shorse, and set before him some milk and oaten bread, which were all thedainties we possessed; our guest, however, seemed to feed upon it withan appetite as keen as if he had been educated in the Highlands; andwhat I could not help remarking with astonishment, although his air andmanners proved that he could be no stranger to a more delicate way ofliving, not a single word fell from him that intimated he had ever beenused to better fare. 

"During the evening our guest entertained us with various accounts ofthe dangers he had already escaped, and the service he had seen. Heparticularly described the manners of the savage tribes he was going toencounter in America, and the nature of their warfare. All this, accompanied with the tone and look of a man who was familiar with greatevents, and had borne a considerable share in all he related, soinflamed my military ardour, that I was no longer capable of repressingit. The stranger perceived it, and looking at me with an air oftenderness and compassion, asked if that young man was intended for theservice. My colour rose, and my heart immediately swelled at thequestion; the look and manner of our guest had strangely interested mein his favour, and the natural grace and simplicity with which herelated his own exploits, put me in mind of the great men in othertimes. Could I but march under the banner of such a leader I thoughtnothing would be too arduous to be achieved. I saw before me a longperspective of combats, difficulties, and dangers; something, however, whispered to my mind that I should be successful in the end, and supportthe reputation of our name and clan. Full of these ideas I sprangforwards at the question, and told the officer that the darling passionof my life would be to bear arms under a chief like him; and that, ifhe would suffer me to enlist under his command, I should be ready tojustify his kindness by patiently supporting every hardship, and facingevery danger. 'Young man, ' replied he, with a look of kind concern, 'there is not an officer in the army that would not be proud of such arecruit; but I should ill betray the hospitality I have received fromyour parents, if I suffered you to be deceived in your opinion of themilitary profession. ' He then set before me, in the strongest language, all the hardships which would be my lot; the dangers of the field, thepestilence of camps, the slow consuming languor of hospitals, theinsolence of command, the mortification and subordination, and theuncertainty that the exertions of even a long life would ever lead tothe least promotion. 'All this, ' replied I, trembling with fear that myfather should take advantage of these too just representations to refusehis consent, 'I knew before; but I feel an irresistible impulse withinme which compels me to the field. The die is cast for life or death, andI will abide by the chance that now occurs. If you, sir, refuse me, Iwill, however, enlist with the first officer that will accept me; for Iwill no longer wear out life amid the solitude of these surroundingmountains, without either a chance of meriting applause ordistinguishing my name. '

"The officer then desisted from his opposition, and, turning to myparents, asked them if it were with their consent that I was going toenlist. My mother burst into tears, and my sisters hung about meweeping; my father replied with a deep sigh, 'I have long experiencedthat it is in vain to oppose the decrees of Providence. Could mypersuasions have availed, he would have remained contented in thesemountains; but that is now impossible, at least till he has purchasedwisdom at the price of his blood. If, therefore, sir, you do not despisehis youth and mien, take him with you, and let him have the advantage ofyour example. I have been a soldier myself; and I can assure you, withtruth, that I have never seen an officer under whom I would more gladlymarch than yourself. ' Our guest made a polite reply to my father, andinstantly agreed to receive me. He then pulled out a purse, and offeringit to my father, said, 'The common price of a recruit is now fiveguineas; but so well am I satisfied with the appearance of your son, andthe confidence you repose in me, that I must insist upon your acceptingwhat is contained in this purse; you will dispose of it as you pleasefor your mutual advantage. Before I depart to-morrow I will give suchdirections as may enable him to join the regiment, which is nowpreparing to march. ' He then requested that he might retire to rest, andmy father would have resigned the only bed he had in the house to hisguest, but he absolutely refused, and said, 'Would you shame me in theeyes of my new recruit? What is a soldier good for that cannot sleepwithout a bed? The time will soon arrive when I shall think acomfortable roof and a little straw an enviable luxury. ' I thereforeraised him as convenient a couch as I was able to make with heath andstraw, and wrapping himself up in his riding-coat, he threw himself downupon it and slept till morning. With the first dawn of day he rose anddeparted, having first given me the directions which were necessary toenable me to join the regiment. But before he went, my father, who wasequally charmed with his generosity and manners, pressed him to takeback part of the money he had given us; this, however, he absolutelyrefused, and left us, full of esteem and admiration. 

"I will not, gentlemen, repeat the affecting scene I had to undergo intaking leave of my family and friends. It pierced me to the very heart;and then, for the first time, I almost repented of being so near theaccomplishment of my wishes. I was, however, engaged, and determined tofulfil my engagement; I therefore tore myself from my family, havingwith difficulty prevailed upon my father to accept of part of the moneyI had received for my enrolment. I will not trespass upon your time todescribe the various emotions which I felt from the crowd of newsensations that entered my mind during our march. I arrived without anyaccident in London, the splendid capital of this kingdom; but I couldnot there restrain my astonishment to see an immense people talking ofwounds, of death, of battles, sieges, and conquests, in the midst offeasts, and balls, and puppet-shows, and calmly devoting thousands oftheir fellow-creatures to perish by famine or the sword, while theyconsidered the loss of a dinner, or the endurance of a shower, as anexertion too great for human fortitude. 

"I soon embarked, and arrived, without any other accident than ahorrible sickness, at the place of our destination in America. Here Ijoined my gallant officer, Colonel Simmons, who had performed the voyagein another ship. "--(Miss Simmons, who was present at this narration, seemed to be much interested at this mention of her own name; she, however, did not express her feelings, and the stranger proceeded withhis story. )--"The gentleman was, with justice, the most beloved, and themost deserving to be so, of any officer I have ever known. Inflexible ineverything that concerned the honour of the service, he never pardonedwilful misbehaviour, because he knew that it was incompatible withmilitary discipline; yet, when obliged to punish, he did it with suchreluctance that he seemed to suffer almost as much as the criminalhimself. But, if his reason imposed this just and necessary severity, his heart had taught him another lesson in respect to private distressesof his men; he visited them in their sickness, relieved their miseries, and was a niggard of nothing but human blood. But I ought to correctmyself in that expression, for he was rashly lavish of his own, and tothat we owe his untimely loss. 

"I had not been long in America before the colonel, who was perfectlyacquainted with the language and manners of the savage tribes thatborder upon the British colonies, was sent on an embassy to one of theirnations, for the purpose of soliciting their alliance with Britain. Itmay not, perhaps, be uninteresting to you, gentlemen, and to this myhonourable little master, to hear some account of a people whose mannersand customs are so much the reverse of what you see at home. As myworthy officer, therefore, contented with my assiduity and improvementin military knowledge, permitted me to have the honour of attending him, I will describe some of the most curious facts which I was witness to. 

"You have, doubtless, heard many accounts of the surprising increase ofthe English colonies in America; and when we reflect that it is scarcelya hundred years since some of them were established, it must beconfessed that they have made rapid improvements in clearing the groundof woods and bringing it to cultivation. Yet, much as they have alreadydone, the country is yet an immense forest, except immediately on thecoasts. The forests extend on every side to a distance that no humansagacity or observation has been able to determine; they abound in everyspecies of tree which you see in England, to which may be added a greatvariety more which are unknown with us. Under their shade is generallyfound a rich luxurious herbage, which serves for pasture to a thousandherds of animals. Here are seen elks (a kind of deer of the largestsize), and buffaloes (a species of wild ox), by thousands, and evenhorses, which, having been originally brought over by the Spaniards, have escaped from their settlements and multiplied in the woods. "

"Dear!" said Tommy, "that must be a fine country, indeed, where horsesrun wild; why, a man might have one for nothing. " "And yet, " said MrMerton, "it would be but of little use for a person to have a wildhorse, who is not able to manage a tame one. "

Tommy made no answer to his father; and the man proceeded. "But thegreatest curiosity of all this country is, in my opinion, the varioustribes or nations which inhabit it. Bred up from their infancy to a lifeof equal hardiness with the wild animals, they are almost as robust intheir constitutions. These various tribes inhabit little villages, which generally are seated upon the banks of rivers; and, though theycultivate small portions of land around their towns, they seek thegreater part of their subsistence from the chase. In their persons theyare rather tall and slender, but admirably well-proportioned and active, and their colour is a pale red, exactly resembling copper. Thusaccustomed to roam about the woods, and brave the inclemencies of theweather, as well as continually exposed to the attacks of their enemiesthey acquire a degree of courage and fortitude which can scarcely beconceived. It is nothing to them to pass whole days without food; to bewhole nights upon the bare damp ground, and to swim the widest rivers inthe depth of winter. Money, indeed, and the greatest part of what wecall the conveniences of life, they are unacquainted with; nor can theyconceive that one man should serve another merely because he has a fewpieces of shining metal; they imagine that the only distinctions arisefrom superior courage and bodily perfections, and therefore these aloneare able to engage their esteem. A celebrated traveller relates that, onone occasion, while he was engaged in finishing a drawing, he wassuddenly interrupted by three of these curious-looking persons enteringthe room in which he was. At first he feared that they intended toattack him; but he soon found that he was mistaken, for, upon theirseeing the representation of themselves upon a sheet which he had takenthe day before, and which one of them took up, they immediately burstinto a loud fit of laughter, while one of them offered to purchase it bygiving some fruit in exchange. 

"But if their manners are gentle in peace, they are more dreadful, whenprovoked, than all the wildest animals of the forest. Bred up frominfancy to suffer no restraint, and to give an unbounded loose to theindulgence of their passions, they know not what it is to forgive thosewho have injured them. They love their tribe with a degree of affectionthat is totally unknown in every other country; for they are ready tosuffer every hardship and danger in its defence. They scruple not in theleast to experience wounds, and pain, and even death itself, as often asthe interest of the country to which they are so much attached isconcerned; but the same attachment renders them implacable andunforgiving to all their enemies. In short, they seem to have all thevirtues and the vices of the ancient Spartans. 

"To one of these tribes, called the Ottigamies, was Colonel Simmons sentambassador, accompanied by a few more officers, and some private men, among whom I had the honour to be included. We pursued our march forseveral days, through forests which seemed to be of equal duration withthe world itself. Sometimes we were shrouded in such obscurity, from thethickness of the covert, that we could scarcely see the light of heaven;sometimes we emerged into spacious meadows, bare of trees, and coveredwith the most luxuriant herbage, on which were feeding immense herds ofbuffaloes. These, as soon as they snuffed the approach of men, whichthey are capable of doing even at a considerable distance, ran withprecipitation into the surrounding woods; many, however, fell beneathour attack, and served us for food during our journey. At length we cameto a wide and rapid river, upon whose banks we found a party offriendly savages, with some of whom we embarked upon canoes made of thebark of trees, to proceed to the country of the Ottigamies. 

"After three days' incessant rowing we entered a spacious lake, uponwhose banks were encamped a considerable portion of the nation wesought. As we approached the shore they saluted us with a volley ofballs from their muskets, which whistled just above our heads, withoutproducing mischief. I and several of the soldiers instantly seized ourarms, imagining it to be a hostile attack; but our leader quieted ourapprehensions by informing us that this was only a friendly salute withwhich a nation of warriors received and welcomed their allies. Welanded, and were instantly conducted to the assembly of the chiefs, whowere sitting upon the ground, without external pomp or ceremony, withtheir arms beside them; but there was in their countenances and eyes anexpression of ferocious grandeur which would have daunted the boldestEuropean. Yes, gentlemen, I have seen the greatest and most powerful menin my own country; I have seen them adorned with every externalcircumstance of dress, of pomp, and equipage, to inspire respect, butnever did I see anything which so completely awed the soul as the angryscowl and fiery glance of a savage American. 

"As soon as our leader entered the circle, he produced the calumet, orpipe of peace. This is the universal mark of friendship and allianceamong all the barbarous nations of America, and he that bears it isconsidered with so much respect that his person is always safe. Thiscalumet is nothing but a long and slender pipe, ornamented with themost lively and beautiful feathers, which are ingeniously fixed alongthe tube; the bowl is composed of a peculiar kind of reddish marble, andfilled with scented herbs and tobacco. 

"Colonel Simmons lighted his pipe with great solemnity, and turning thebowl first towards the heavens, then to the earth, then in a circleround him, he began to smoke. In the mean time the whole assembly satwith mute attention, waiting to hear his proposals; for, though we callthem savages, yet in some respects they well deserve to be imitated bymore refined nations; in all their meetings and assemblies the greatestorder and regularity prevail; whoever rises to speak is sure of beingpatiently heard to the end without the least interruption. 

"Our leader then began to harangue them in their own language, withwhich he was well acquainted. I did not understand what passed, but itwas afterwards explained to me that he set before their eyes theinjuries they had mutually received from the French and the tribes intheir alliance. He told them that their great father (for so thesepeople call the King of Britain) had taken up the hatchet of war, andwas sending an innumerable band of warriors to punish the insults of hisenemies. He told them that he had ordered him to visit the Ottigamies, his dutiful children, and smoke with them the pipe of peace. He invitedtheir young men to join the warriors that came from beyond the ocean, and who were marching to bury the bones of their brethren, who had beenkilled by their mutual foes. When he had concluded, he flung upon theground a curious string of shells, which is called the belt of_Wampum_. This is a necessary circumstance in all the treaties made withthese tribes. Whoever comes as an ambassador brings one with him topresent to the people whose friendship is solicited, and, if the belt isaccepted the proposed alliance is considered as entered into. 

"As soon as our leader had finished, a chief of a stature superior tothe common race of men, and of a most determined look, jumped into themiddle of the assembly, and, taking up the belt, cried out in theirlanguage, 'Let us march, my brethren, with the young men of our greatfather! Let us dig up the hatchet of war and revenge the bones of ourcountrymen; they lie unburied, and cry to us for vengeance! We will notbe deaf to their cries; we will shake off all delays; we will approveourselves worthy of our ancestors; we will drink the blood of ourenemies, and spread a feast of carnage for the fowls of the air and thewild beasts of the forest!' This resolution was universally approved bythe whole nation, who consented to the war with a ferocious joy. Theassembly was then dissolved, and the chiefs prepared for their intendedmarch according to the manners of their country. 

"All the savage tribes that inhabit America are accustomed to verylittle clothing. Inured to the inclemencies of the weather, and being inthe constant exercise of all their limbs, they cannot bear the restraintand confinement of a European dress. The greater part of their bodies, therefore, is naked; and this they paint in various fashions, to giveadditional terror to their looks. 

"When the chiefs were thus prepared they came from their tents; and thelast solemnity I was witness to, was dancing the dance of war andsinging the song of death. But what words can convey an adequate idea ofthe furious movements and expressions which animated them through thewhole of this performance! Every man was armed with a kind of hatchet, which is their usual weapon in battle, and called a _tomahawk_. This heheld in his hand, and brandished through the whole of the dreadfulspectacle. As they went on, their faces kindled into an expression ofanger that would daunt the boldest spectator; their gestures seemed tobe inspired by frantic rage and animosity; they moved their bodies withthe most violent agitations, and it was easy to see they represented allthe circumstances of a real combat. They seemed to be engaged in closeor distant battle, and brandished their weapons with so much fury, thatyou would have imagined they were going every instant to hew each otherto pieces. Nor would it have been possible, even for the performersthemselves of this terrific dance, to have avoided mutual wounds andslaughter, had they not been endued with that extraordinary activitywhich is peculiar to savage nations. By intervals they increased thehorrid solemnity of the exhibition by uttering yells that would havepierced a European ear with horror. I have seen rage and fury undervarious forms and in different parts of the globe, but I must confessthat everything I have seen elsewhere is feeble and contemptible, whencompared with this day's spectacle. When the whole was finished, theyentertained us at a public festival in their cabins, and, when wedeparted, dismissed us with these expressive wishes; they prayed thatthe Great Spirit would favour us with a prosperous voyage; that he wouldgive us an unclouded sky and smooth waters by day, and that we might liedown at night on a beaver blanket, enjoying uninterrupted sleep andpleasant dreams; and that we might find continual protection under thegreat pipe of peace. I have been thus particular (said the Highlander)in describing the circumstances of this embassy, because you have notdisdained to hear the story of my adventures; and I thought that thisdescription of a people so totally unlike all you have been accustomedto in Europe might not prove entirely uninteresting. "

"We are much obliged to you, " said Mr Barlow, "for all these curiousparticulars, which are perfectly conformable to all I have heard andread upon the subject. Nor can I consider, without a certain degree ofadmiration, the savage grandeur of man in his most simple state. Thepassion for revenge, which marks the character of all uncivilisednations, is certainly to be condemned. But it is one of the constantprejudices of their education; and many of those that call themselvesrefined, have more to blush at in that respect than they are aware of. Few, I am afraid, even in the most refined state of society, havearrived at that sublime generosity which is able to forgive the injuriesof his fellow-creatures, when it has the power to repay them, and I seemany around me that are disgraced by the vices of uncivilised Americans, without a claim to their virtues. "

"I will not fatigue your ears, " continued the Highlander, "with therecital of all the events I was engaged in during the progress of thewar. The description of blood and carnage is always disagreeable to ahumane mind; and, though the perversity of mankind may sometimes renderwar a necessary evil, the remembrance of its mischiefs is alwayspainful. I will only mention one event, continually lamented in theannals of this country, because it is connected with the untimely fateof my noble friend and gallant leader. 

"It was determined by those who governed that we should march throughthe woods upon a distant expedition against the French. The conduct ofthis enterprise was given to a brave but rash commander, totallyunacquainted with the people he had to oppose, and unskilled in thenature of a savage war. We therefore began our march through the sametrackless wilds I have described, and proceeded for several days withoutany other difficulties than the nature of the country itself produced, and without seeing the face of an enemy. It was in vain that officers ofthe greatest experience, and particularly my worthy colonel, suggestedto our commander the necessity of using every precaution against adangerous and insidious foe. 

"War is not managed, amid the forests of America, in the same manner asit is conducted upon the plains of Europe. The temper of the peoplethere conspires with the nature of the country to render it a continualscene of stratagems and surprise. Unencumbered with tents or baggage, ornumerous trains of artillery, the hostile warriors set out in small andchosen parties, with nothing but their arms, and are continually uponthe watch to deceive their enemies. Long experience has taught them adegree of sagacity in traversing the woods which to us isinconceivable. Neither the widest rivers nor the most extensive forestscan retard them for an instant. A march of a thousand miles is scarcelyto them a greater difficulty than the passage of a European army betweentwo neighbouring towns. The woods themselves afford them a continualsupply of provisions in the various animals which they kill by thechase. When they are near their enemies they frequently lurk all day inthickets, for fear of a discovery, and pursue their march by night. Hundreds of them sometimes pursue their course in the same line, treading only in each other's steps, and the last of the party carefullycovers over the impressions which his fellows have made. When they arethus upon the point of accomplishing their purpose the very necessitiesof nature are unheeded; they cease to fire upon the beasts of theforest, lest it should alarm the foe; they feed upon the roots or thebark of trees, or pass successive days in a perfect abstinence fromfood. All this our colonel represented to the general, and conjured him, with the strongest entreaties, not to hazard the safety of our army byan incautious progress. He advised him to send out numerous detachmentsto beat the bushes and examine the woods; and offered himself to securethe march of the army. But presumption is always blind; our general wasunacquainted with any other than European warfare, and could notconceive that naked savages would dare to attack an army of two thousanddisciplined troops. 

"One morning, the way before us appeared more intricate and obscure thancommon; the forests did not, as usual, consist of lofty trees, whichafford a tolerably clear prospect between their trunks, but werecomposed of creeping bushes and impervious thickets. The army marched asusual, with the vain ostentation of military discipline, but totallyunprepared for the dreadful scene which followed. At length we entered agloomy valley, surrounded on every side by the thickest shade, andrendered swampy by the overflowings of a little rivulet. In thissituation it was impossible to continue our march without disorderingour ranks; and part of the army extended itself beyond the rest, whileanother part of the line involuntarily fell behind. 

"In the moment while the officers were employed in rectifying thedisorder of their men, a sudden noise of musketry was heard in front, which stretched about twenty of our men upon the field. The soldiersinstinctively fired towards the part whence they were attacked, andinstantly fell back in disorder. But it was equally vain to retreat orgo forward, for it now appeared that we were completely hemmed in. Onevery side resounded the fatal peals of scattering fire, that thinnedour ranks and extended our bravest comrades on the earth. Figure toyourself a shoal of fishes, enclosed within the net, that circle in vainthe fatal labyrinth in which they are involved; or rather, conceive whatI have myself been witness to--a herd of deer, surrounded on every sideby a band of active and unpitying hunters, who press and gall them onevery side, and exterminate them at leisure in their flight; just suchwas the situation of our unfortunate countrymen. After a few unavailingdischarges, which never annoyed a secret enemy that scattered deathunseen, the ranks were broken and all subordination lost. The groundwas covered with gasping wretches, and stained with blood; the woodsresounded with cries and groans, and fruitless attempts of our gallantofficers to rally their men, and check the progress of the enemy. Byintervals was heard, more shrill, more dreadful than all the rest, thedismal yell of the victorious savages, who now, emboldened by theirsuccess, began to leave the covert and hew down those who fled, withunrelenting cruelty. As to myself, the description which our colonel hadgiven me of their method of attack, and the precautions to be usedagainst it, rendered me perhaps less disturbed than I should otherwisehave been. I remarked that those who stood and those who fled wereexposed to equal danger; those who kept their ranks and endeavoured torepel the enemy, exposed their persons to their fire, and weresuccessively shot down, as happened to most of our unfortunate officers, while those who fled frequently rushed headlong upon the very death theysought to avoid. 

"Pierced to the heart at the sight of such a carnage of my gallantcomrades, I grew indifferent to life, and abandoned myself to despair;but it was a despair that neither impaired my exertions nor robbed me ofthe faculties of my mind. 'Imitate me, ' I cried, 'my gallant countrymen, and we shall yet be safe. ' I then directly ran to the nearest tree, andsheltered myself behind its stem--convinced that this precaution alonecould secure me from the incessant volleys which darted on every side. Asmall number of Highlanders followed my example; and, thus secured, webegan to fire with more success at the enemy, who now exposed themselveswith less reserve. This check seemed to astonish and confound them; andhad not the panic been so general, it is possible that this successfuleffort might have changed the fortune of the fight; for, in anotherquarter, the provincial troops that accompanied us behaved with thegreatest bravery, and, though deserted by the European forces, effectedtheir own retreat. 

"But it was now too late to hope for victory or even safety; the rankswere broken on every side, the greater part of our officers slain orwounded, and our unfortunate general himself had expiated with his lifehis fatal rashness. I cast my eyes around, and saw nothing but images ofdeath, and horror, and frantic rage. Yet even then the safety of mynoble colonel was dearer to me than my own. I sought him for some timein vain, amid the various scenes of carnage which surrounded me. Atlength I discovered him at a distance, almost deserted by his men, yetstill attempting to renew the fight, and heedless of the wounds whichcovered him. Transported with grief and passion, I immediately dartedforward to offer him my feeble support; but, in the very instant of myarrival, he received a straggling ball in his bosom, and, tottering to atree, supported his fainting limbs against the trunk. Just in thatmoment three of our savage enemies observed his situation, and markedhim for their prey; they raised their hideous yell, and darted upon himwith the speed and fierceness of wolves. Fury then took possession of mysoul; had I possessed a thousand lives, I should have held them cheap inthe balance. I fired with so unerring an aim that I stretched theforemost on the earth; the second received the point of my bayonet inhis breast, and fell in the pangs of death; the third, daunted with thefate of his companions, turned his steps another way. 

"Just then a horse, that had lost his rider, was galloping along thewood; I bounded across the path, and, seizing him by the bridle, instantly led him to my leader, and conjured him to preserve hisglorious life. He thanked me in the most affectionate manner for myfriendship, but bade me preserve my own life. 'As to myself, ' said he, 'I do not wish to survive my country's dishonour; and even had I such awish, the wounds I have received would render all escape impossible. ''If that is your resolution, ' said I, 'we will die together; for I swearby the eternal majesty of my Creator that I will not leave you. ' When hesaw me thus resolved, he consented to use my assistance, and withinfinite difficulty I seated him upon the horse, which, holding by thereins, as I was then light and active, I guided along the wood with noinconsiderable speed. 

"Fortunately for me, we were not observed by any of our savage enemies, so that, flying through the thickest part of the forest, we left thedanger behind, and were soon removed beyond the sight or hearing of thebattle. 'Courage, ' said I, 'my noble leader! you are now almost insafety; and I trust you will yet preserve a life so necessary to yourfriends and country. ' He answered me with the kindest expressions, butwith a feeble voice, 'Campbell, I have consented to fly, more for thesake of preserving your life than from any hopes of my own; but since weare at a distance from yonder dreadful scene, permit me to alight; Ihave consumed my small remaining forces in the way, and now I am faintfrom loss of blood. ' He sunk down at this, and would have fallen, but Ireceived him in my arms; I bore him to the next thicket, and, strewinggrass and leaves upon the ground, endeavoured to prepare him a bed. Hethanked me again with gratitude and tenderness, and grasped my hand ashe lay in the very agonies of death, for such it was, although Ibelieved he had only fainted, and long tried every ineffectual method torestore departed life. Thus was I deprived of the noblest officer andkindest friend that ever deserved the attachment of a soldier. Twentyyears have now rolled over me since that inauspicious day, yet it livesfor ever in my remembrance, and never shall be blotted from my soul. (The Highlander then turned away to hide a tear, which did not misbecomehis manly countenance; the company seemed all to share his griefs, butMiss Simmons above the rest. However, as the natural gentleness of hertemper was sufficiently known, no one suspected that she had anyparticular interest in the relation. )

"I sat till night (continued the stranger) supporting the breathlessbody of my colonel, and vainly hoping he might return to life. At lengthI perceived that his noble soul was fled for ever. My own wounds grewstiff and painful, and exhausted nature required a supply of food; Itherefore arose, and finding a spring that trickled down a hill at nogreat distance, I refreshed myself by a copious draught, and washed theclotted blood away from the hurts I had received. I then crushed someleaves, which the inhabitants of that country imagine salutary, andbound them on with bandages which I tore from my linen; I also found afew wild fruits, which past experience had taught me were innocent, andwith them I allayed the pains of hunger. I then returned to the thicket, and, creeping into the thickest part, endeavoured to compose myself torest. 

"Strange, gentlemen, as it may appear, neither the forlorn nature of mysituation, nor the dangers with which I was beset, were sufficient tokeep me awake; my wearied and exhausted body seemed to triumph over allthe agitations of my mind, and I sunk into a sleep as deep and profoundas that of death itself. I awoke next morning with the first rays of thesun, but, more composed, I better understood the difficulties in which Iwas involved, and the uncertainty of my escape. I was in the midst of animmense desert, totally destitute of human assistance or support. ShouldI meet with any of my fellow-creatures, I could expect nothing butimplacable cruelty; and even if I escaped their vigilance, what methodof finding subsistence, or of measuring back, without a guide, the longand tedious march I had trodden? Hope, however, and the vigour of myconstitution, still supported me. I reflected that it is the common lotof man to struggle with misfortunes; that it is cowardice to yield toevils, when present, the representation of which had not deterred mefrom voluntarily embracing the profession of a soldier; and that theprovidence of Heaven was as capable of protecting me in the forests ofAmerica as upon my native mountains. I therefore determined to struggletill the last with the difficulties which surrounded me, and to meet myfortune like a man. Yet, as I still by intervals heard the dismal criesof the enemy, and saw their fires at a distance, I lay close till nightin the obscurity of my thicket. When all was dark and still, I venturedabroad, and laid in my scanty provisions of fruits and herbs, and drankagain at the spring. The pain of my wounds now began to abate a little, though I suffered extremely from the cold, as I did not dare to kindle afire, from the fear of discovering myself by its light. 

"Three nights and days did I lead this solitary life, in continual dreadof the savage parties which scoured all the woods in pursuit ofstragglers, and often passed so near my place of retreat that I gavemyself over for lost. At length, on the fourth evening, fancying myselfa little restored, and that the activity of the enemy might be abated, Iventured out and pursued my march. I scarcely need describe the variousdifficulties and dangers to which I was exposed in such a journey;however, I still had with me my musket, and as my ammunition was notquite exhausted, I depended upon the woods themselves to supply me withfood. I travelled the greater part of the night, involving myself stilldeeper in these inextricable forests, for I was afraid to pursue thedirection of our former march, as I imagined the savages were dispersedalong the country in pursuit of the fugitives. I therefore took adirection as nearly as I could judge parallel to the Englishsettlements, and inclining to the south. In this manner I forced my wayalong the woods all night, and with the morning had reason to think thatI had advanced a considerable distance. 

"My wounds began now to pain me afresh with this exertion, and compelledme to allow myself some repose. I chose out the thickest covert I couldfind, and, shrouding myself as well as I was able, was soon overpoweredby sleep. I did not awake till the sun had gained the meridian, and, creeping from my retreat, beheld, with some degree of terror, anenormous rattlesnake that was coiled up full in my way, and seemeddetermined to oppose my passage. This animal is frequent in the southerncolonies, and is the most poisonous of all the reptiles that haunt thewoods. He is in length from two to six feet, beautifully variegated withdifferent colours, but the most remarkable circumstance attending him isa natural noise that he produces with every motion of his tail, andwhich, too, occasions his name. I soon destroyed my hissing foe, and, taking courage for the first time to kindle a fire, I roasted him uponthe embers, and made the most delicious meal I ever remember upon hisflesh. "

"What!" exclaimed Tommy, "is it possible to eat snakes? I thought theyhad been all over poison. " "Master, " replied the Highlander, "the wantof food will reconcile us to many meats which we should scarcely thinkeatable. Nothing has surprised me more than to see the poor, in variouscountries, complaining of the scarcity of food, yet throwing away everyyear thousands of the carcases of horses, which are full as wholesomeand nourishing as beef, and are in many countries preferred to it; but, in general, every animal may be eaten, and affords a salutary food. Asto snakes, the poison of them is contained in the hollow of their teeth. When they bite, they instil their venom into the wound, which mixes withthe blood, and, without a timely remedy, destroys the sufferer; but ifyou cut off the head, the rest of the body is not only wholesome butpalatable, and I have known it eaten as a delicacy by many inhabitantsof the colonies. 

"Thus refreshed, therefore, I pursued my march through the same thick, gloomy country, without meeting the least appearance of a humancreature, and at night I cut, with a hatchet that I had about me, someboughs, with which I erected a temporary shelter. The next day, as I waspursuing my march, I saw a deer bound by me, upon whose shoulders wasfixed a fierce and destructive animal resembling a tiger. This creature, which is about the size of a moderate dog, ascends the trees and hideshimself among the branches till a deer, or any other animal that he canmaster, passes within his reach. He then darts himself with a suddenspring full upon the neck or shoulder of the unfortunate animal, whichhe continues tearing with so much violence that he soon despatches him. This was actually the case with the poor deer that passed me; for he hadnot run a hundred yards before he fell down in the agonies of death, andhis destroyer began to regale himself upon the prey. I instantly sawthat this was a lucky opportunity of supplying myself with food forseveral days. I therefore ran towards the animal, and by a violent shoutmade him abandon his victim and retire growling into the woods. I thenkindled a fire with leaves and sticks, and, cutting off a large slice ofvenison, I plentifully refreshed myself for my journey. I then packed upas much of the most fleshy parts of the body as I could convenientlycarry, and abandoned the rest to wild beasts. 

"In this manner did I march for several days without wanting food, orseeing any probable end of my fatigues. At length I found a loftymountain before me, which I determined to ascend, imagining that such anelevation might enable me to make some useful discoveries in respect tothe nature of the country I had to traverse, and perhaps present me withsome appearances of cultivation or inhabitants. I therefore ascendedwith infinite fatigue a rough and stony ascent of several miles, inwhich I was frequently obliged to clamber up pointed rocks, and work myway along the edge of dangerous precipices. I, however, arrived withoutany accident at the top, which was entirely bare of trees, and, lookinground me, I beheld a wild and desert country, extending to a prodigiousdistance. Far as my eye could reach I discovered nothing but forests onevery side but one; there the country seemed to be more open, thoughequally uncultivated, and I saw meadows and savannahs opening one beyondanother, bounded at length by a spacious river, whose end and beginningwere equally concealed from my eye. I was now so weary of this solitarykind of life, that I began to consider the inhabitants themselves withless apprehension; besides, I thought myself out of danger of meetingwith the hostile tribes; and all these people, unless irritated byinjuries or stimulated by revenge, are perhaps less strangers to therights of hospitality than any civilised nation. I therefore reflected, that by directing my course to the river, and following the direction ofits waters, I should have the greatest probability of meeting with someof my fellow-creatures, as the natives build their villages near lakesand streams, and choose their banks as a residence when they areemployed in hunting. I therefore descended the mountain, and entered thelevel district which I saw before me; and then marched along an openchampaign country for several hours, covered over with a species of rankgrass, and beheld numerous herds of buffaloes grazing all around. 

"It was here that an accident befel me, which I will relate for itssingularity, both in respect to the dangers I incurred and my method ofescape. As I was thus journeying on, I discovered a prodigious lightthat seemed to efface the sun itself, and streak the skies with an angrykind of illumination. I looked round me to discover the cause of thisstrange appearance, and beheld, with equal horror and astonishment, thatthe whole country behind was in flames. In order to explain this event, I must observe, that all the plains in America produce a rank, luxuriantvegetation, the juices of which are exhausted by the heat of thesummer's sun; it is then as inflammable as straw or fodder, and when acasual spark of fire communicates with it, the flame frequently drivesbefore the wind for miles together, and consumes everything it meets. This was actually the case at present; far as my eye could reach, thecountry was all in flames, a powerful wind added fresh fury to the fire, and drove it on with a degree of swiftness which precluded allpossibility of flight. I must confess that I was struck with horror atthe sudden approach of a death so new, so dreadful, so unexpected! I sawit was in vain to fly, the flaming line extended for several miles onevery side, and advanced with such velocity that I considered my fate asinevitable. I looked round me with a kind of mute despair, and began toenvy the fate of my comrades who had fallen by honourable wounds inbattle. Already did the conflagration scorch me in its approach, accompanied by clouds of smoke that almost suffocated me with theirbaneful vapour. In this extremity Providence presented to my mind aninstantaneous thought, which perhaps was the only possible method ofescape. I considered that nothing could stop the conflagration but anactual want of matter to continue it, and therefore by setting fire tothe vegetables before me, I might follow my own path in safety. (I hope, gentlemen, that during the course of a long life, you will never haveoccasion to experience the pleasure which the first glance of thisexpedient afforded to my mind. ) I saw myself snatched, beyondexpectation, from a strange and painful death, and instantly pulled out, with a trembling hand, the flint and steel upon which my preservationwas to depend. I struck a light, and presently kindled the driest grassbefore me; the conflagration spread along the country, the wind drove iton with inconceivable fury, and I saw the path of my deliverance openbefore my eyes. In a few seconds a considerable vacancy was burnt beforeme, which I traversed with the speed of a man that flies from instantdeath. My feet were scorched with the glowing soil, and several timeshad I been nearly suffocated with the drift of the pursuing smoke, butevery step I made convinced me of the certainty of my escape, and in alittle time I stopped to consider at leisure the conflagration I hadavoided, which, after proceeding to the point whence I set out, wasextinguished as I had foreseen, and delivered me from allapprehension. "

"I declare, " said Tommy, "this is the most extraordinary thing I everheard, and yet I can easily conceive it, for once I saw some men setfire to the heath and furzes upon the common, and they burnt sofuriously that I was quite afraid to come near the flame. "

"I pursued my way, " continued the Highlander, "over the smoking soil, which I had rendered bare to a considerable extent, and lodged at night, as usual, under some boughs which I stuck up to defend me. In themorning I set out again, and soon arrived at a spacious lake, upon whosebanks I could plainly discern the signs of an American encampment. Ihesitated some time whether I should again conceal myself in the woodsor deliver myself up to their mercy. But I considered that it wasimpossible long to continue this wandering life, and that in the end Imust have recourse to some of these savage tribes for assistance. What, therefore, must be done at last, it was fruitless to delay. I had everyreason to imagine that the people before me must either be favourable toGreat Britain, or at least indifferent to the war; and in either case, from the experience I possessed of the manners of the natives, I did notthink I had much to fear. I therefore determined to hazard everythingupon the probability of a favourable reception, and, collecting all myresolution, I marched boldly forward, and soon arrived at theencampment. 

"As soon as I entered the village the women and children gathered roundme, with the curiosity natural to mankind at the sight of anunaccustomed object. I formed a favourable conjecture from this apparentignorance of Europeans, and walking on with a composed step and steadycountenance, I at length entered into one of the largest cabins I couldfind. When I was within, I saw a venerable old man whom I took to be achief from his appearance, sitting at his ease upon the ground, andsmoking. I saluted him with all the courtesy I was able, and placedmyself upon the ground, at some little distance, waiting with inwardanxiety, but external composure, for him to begin the conversation. After he had eyed me for some time with fixed attention, but withouteither sternness or anger, he took the pipe from his mouth and presentedit to me. I received it with infinite satisfaction; for, as I havebefore remarked, this is always with the American tribes the firmestpledge of peace and a friendly reception. 

"When we had thus been seated for some time in mutual contemplation ofeach other, he asked me in a dialect which I understood tolerably well, to eat. I did not think it prudent to refuse any offered civility, andtherefore accepted the offer; and in a little time, a young woman whowas in the back part of the hut, set before me some broiled fish andparched maize. After I had eaten, my friendly host inquired into mycountry and the reasons of my visit. I was just enough acquainted withthe language he spoke to be able to understand him, and to give anintelligible though imperfect answer. I therefore explained to him, aswell as I was able, that I had crossed the great water with the warriorsof the king of Britain; that we had been compelled to take up thehatchet against the French and their allies, and that we had actuallyset out upon an expedition against their colonies, but that we had beensurprised by a lurking party in the woods; that, in the confusion of thefight, I had been separated from the rest, and had wandered severaldays through the woods in search of my comrades; and that now, seeingthe tents of my brethren, the red men, I had come to visit them, andsmoke the pipe of peace in their company. All this I with somedifficulty explained to my entertainer, who listened to me with greatattention, and then bade me welcome in the name of his nation, which hetold me was called the _Saukies_; he added, 'that their young men weredispersed through the woods, hunting the deer and buffalo, but theywould soon return loaded with provisions, and in the meantime I mightshare his cabin and such provisions as he could command. ' I thanked himfor his offer, and remained several days in his hut, always entertainedwith the same hospitality, until the return of the young men fromhunting. They came at last in several boats, along the lake, bringingwith them a considerable quantity of wild beasts, which they had killed. I was received by all the tribe with the same hospitality I hadexperienced from the old chief; and as it was necessary to gain theirfriendship as much as possible, I joined them in all their hunting andfishing parties, and soon acquired a considerable degree of skill inboth. 

"Hunting itself has something cruel in the practice; it is a species ofwar which we wage with brute animals for their spoils; but if ever itcan be considered as excusable, it is in these savage nations, who haverecourse to it for their subsistence. They are active, bold, anddexterous in all these exercises, to such a degree, that none of thewild animals they attack have the smallest chance of escape. Theirparties generally consist of almost all the youth of their nation, whogo in a body to particular districts where they know game is plentiful. Their common method is, when they are arrived at a spot which abounds indeer or buffaloes, to disperse themselves through the woods; and then, alarming the beasts in the neighbourhood, they drive them with shoutsand dogs towards some common place, which was always in the middle ofall their parties. When they have thus roused their prey, the varioussquadrons gradually advance towards the centre, till they unite in acircle, and enclose a prodigious number of frightened animals; they thenattack them either with fire-arms or arrows, and shoot them downsuccessively. By these means they are sure, in a single day, to destroya prodigious number of different beasts. But it sometimes happens that, while they are engaged in the chase of other animals, they become a preythemselves to their enemies, who take this method of surprising them inthe woods, and gratifying their resentment. This was actually the casewith my friends the Saukies, and produced a surprising event, theconsequence of which was my return to the English colonies in safety. 

"The Saukies had been long at war with the Iroquese, a powerful tribe ofNorth Americans, in the interest of the French. The Iroquese hadreceived intelligence of the situation of the Saukies' encampment, anddetermined to surprise them. For this purpose a thousand warriors setout by a secret march through the woods, and travelled with silence andcelerity, which are peculiar to all these nations. When they had nearlyapproached the hunting-grounds of their enemies, they happened to bediscovered upon their march by four warriors of another nation, whoinstantly suspected their design, and, running with greater diligencethan it was possible so large a body could make, arrived at theencampment of the Saukies, and informed them of the near approach oftheir enemies. A great council was instantly assembled to deliberateupon the choice of proper measures for their defence. As they wereencumbered with their families, it was impracticable to retreat withsafety, and it seemed equally difficult to resist so large a force withinferior numbers. 

"While they were in this uncertainty, I considered the nature of theirsituation, and had the good fortune to find out a resource, which, beingcommunicated to my friend and chief, and adopted by the nation, was themeans of their safety. I observed that the passage to the Saukie camp, for the Iroquese, lay along a narrow slip of land which extended fornearly a mile between two lakes. I therefore advised the Saukies to castup a strong barrier at the end of the passage, which I showed them howto strengthen with ditches, palisades, and some of the improvements ofthe European fortification. Their number of warriors amounted to aboutfour hundred; these I divided into equal parts, and, leaving one todefend the lines, I placed the other in ambuscade along the neighbouringwoods. Scarcely were these dispositions finished before the Iroqueseappeared, and, imagining they were rushing upon an unguarded foe, entered the defile without hesitation. As soon as the whole body wasthus imprudently engaged, the other party of the Saukies started fromtheir hiding-places, and, running to the entrance of the strait, threwup in an instant another fortification, and had the satisfaction to seethe whole force of their enemies thus circumvented and caught in a trap. The Iroquese soon perceived the difficulty and danger of escape; they, however, behaved with that extraordinary composure which is the peculiarcharacteristic of this people on every occasion. The lakes were at thattime frozen over, yet not so hard as to permit them to effect a passageover the ice; and though a thaw succeeded in a short time, it wasequally impracticable to pass by swimming or on rafts. Three days, therefore, the Iroquese remained quiet in this disagreeable situation, and, as if they had nothing to apprehend, diverted themselves all thistime with fishing. On the fourth morning they judged the icesufficiently dissolved to effect their escape; and therefore, cuttingdown some trees which grew upon the strait, they formed them into rafts, and embarked their whole force. But this could not be done without theknowledge of the Saukies, who despatched a considerable body of warriorsto oppose their landing. It is unnecessary to relate all the horridparticulars of the engagement which ensued; I will only mention, thatthe Iroquese at length effected their landing with the loss of halftheir number, and retreated precipitately to their own country, leavingbehind them all the furs and skins which they had taken in theirhunting. The share I had had in this success gained me the friendship ofall the nation, and, at my desire, they sent some of their young men toguide me through the woods to the English settlements, and they tooktheir leave of me with every expression of esteem, and a considerablepresent of valuable furs. 

"These, gentlemen (with the exception of one adventure, when I wasattacked by three desperate-looking fellows, two of whom I killed, andthe other fled), are the most important and interesting events of mylife; and as I have already trespassed too long upon your patience, Ishall now hasten to draw my story to a conclusion. After this I wasemployed in various parts of America and the West Indies during the restof the war. I suffered hardships and difficulties innumerable, andacquired, as my father had foretold, a little wisdom at the price of aconsiderable quantity of blood. When the war was ended, I found myselfnearly in the same situation as I began, except the present of myfriendly Americans, which I turned into money and remitted to England. Itherefore now began to feel my military enthusiasm abated, and, havingpermission to leave the service, I embraced that opportunity ofreturning to my country, fully determined to spend the remainder of mylife amid my family and friends. I found my father and mother stillliving, who received me in the fondest manner. I then employed thelittle fund I had acquired to stock a farm, which I hired in theneighbourhood, and where I imagined my care and industry would besufficient to insure us all a comfortable subsistence. Some little timeafter, I married a virtuous and industrious young woman, the mother ofthe unfortunate children who are so much indebted to your bounty. Forsome time I made a shift to succeed tolerably well, but at length, thedistresses of my country increasing, I found myself involved in thedeepest poverty. Several years of uncommon severity destroyed my cattle(which is the chief support of the Highlanders), and rotted away thescanty crops, which were to supply us with food, upon the ground. Icannot accuse myself of either voluntary unthriftiness or neglect of mybusiness, but there are some situations in which it seems impossible forhuman exertion to stem the torrent of misfortune. But wherefore should Igive pain to such kind and worthy benefactors, by a detail of all themiseries which I and many of my poor countrymen have endured? I willtherefore only mention that, after having suffered, I think, everydistress which human nature is equal to support--after having seen mytender parents, and last, my dear unfortunate wife, perish by thehardships of our situation--I took the resolution of abandoning for evera country which seemed incapable of supporting its inhabitants. Ithought that the milder climate and more fertile soil of America might, perhaps, enable a wretched wanderer, who asked no more than food for hisstarving children, to drag on, a little longer, a miserable life. Withthis idea I sold the remainder of my stock, and, after having paid mylandlord, I found I had just enough to transport myself and family intoeternal banishment. I reached a seaport town, and embarked with mychildren on board a ship that was setting sail for Philadelphia. But thesame ill-fortune seemed still to accompany my steps; for a dreadfulstorm arose, which, after having tossed our vessel during several days, wrecked us at length upon the coast. All the crew indeed escaped, andwith an infinite difficulty I saved these dear but miserable infants whonow accompany me; but when I reflect on my situation, in a distantcountry, without resources, friends, or hopes, I am almost inclined tothink that we might all have been happier in the bosom of the ocean. "

Here the Highlander finished his story, and all the company wereaffected by the recital of his distresses. They all endeavoured tocomfort him with the kindest expressions and promises of assistance; butMiss Simmons, after she had with some difficulty composed herself enoughto speak, asked the man if his name was not _Andrew Campbell_? TheHighlander answered, with some surprise, it was. "Then, " said she, "youwill find that you have a friend, whom, as yet, you are not acquaintedwith, who has both the ability and the will to serve you. That friend, "added she, seeing all the company astonished, "is no other than myuncle. That Colonel Simmons, whom you have described with so muchfeeling and affection, was brother to my father, and consequently uncleto myself. It is no wonder that the memory of such a man should bevenerated by his relations. I have often heard my uncle speak of hisuntimely death as the greatest misfortune which ever happened to ourfamily; and I have often seen him read, with tears in his eyes, many ofhis brother's letters, in which he speaks with the greatest affection ofhis faithful Highlander, Andrew Campbell. "

At these words the poor Highlander, unable to repress the strongemotions of his mind, sprang forward in a sudden transport of joy, and, without consideration of circumstances, caught Miss Simmons in his arms, exclaiming at the same time, "Praised be to God for this happy andunexpected meeting! Blessed be my shipwreck itself, that has given me anopportunity of seeing, before I die, some of the blood of my dear andworthy colonel!" and, perceiving Miss Simmons confused at this abruptand unexpected salutation, he added, in the most respectful manner, "Pardon me, my honoured young lady, for the improper liberty I havetaken; but I was not master of myself to find, at a time when I thoughtmyself the most forlorn and miserable of the human race, that I was incompany with the nearest relation of the man, whom, after my own father, I have always loved and reverenced most. " Miss Simmons answered with thegreatest affability that she freely excused the warmth of his affection, and that she would that very day acquaint her uncle with thisextraordinary event, who, she did not doubt, would come over with thegreatest expedition to see a person whom he knew so well by name, andwho could inform him of so many particulars of her uncle. 

And now, the company being separated, Tommy, who had listened withsilent attention to the story of the Highlander, took an opportunity offollowing Mr Barlow, who was walking out; and when he perceived theywere alone, he looked at him as if he had some weighty matter todisclose, but was unable to give it utterance. Mr Barlow, therefore, turned towards him with the greatest kindness, and taking him tenderlyby the hand, inquired what he wished. "Indeed, " answered Tommy, almostcrying, "I am scarcely able to tell you. But I have been a very bad andungrateful boy, and I am afraid you no longer have the same affectionfor me. "

_Mr Barlow. _--If you are sensible of your faults, my little friend, thatis a very great step towards amending them. Let me therefore know whatit is, the recollection of which distresses you so much; and if it isin my power to assist in making you easy, there is nothing, I am sure, which I shall be inclined to refuse you. 

_Tommy. _--Oh sir! your speaking to me with so much goodness hurts me agreat deal more than if you were to be very angry; for when people areangry and passionate, one does not so much mind what they say; but whenyou speak with so much kindness, it seems to pierce me to the veryheart, because I know I have not deserved it. 

_Mr Barlow. _--But if you are sensible of having committed any faults, you may resolve to behave so well for the future that you may deserveeverybody's friendship and esteem; few people are so perfect as not toerr sometimes, and if you are convinced of your errors, you will be morecautious how you give way to them a second time. 

_Tommy. _--Indeed, sir, I am very happy to hear you say so. I will, then, tell you everything which lies so heavy upon my mind. You must knowthen, sir, that although I have lived so long with you, and during allthat time you have taken so much pains to improve me in everything, andteach me to act well to everybody, I had no sooner quitted your sightthan I became, I think, a worse boy than ever I was before. 

_Mr Barlow. _--But why do you judge so severely of yourself as to thinkyou were become worse than ever. Perhaps you have been a littlethoughtless and giddy; and these are faults which I cannot with truthsay you were ever free from. 

_Tommy. _--No, sir; what I have been guilty of is infinitely worse thanever. I have always been very giddy and very thoughtless, but I neverimagined I could have been the most insolent and ungrateful boy in theworld. 

_Mr Barlow. _--You frighten me, my little friend. Is it possible you canhave committed actions that deserve so harsh a name?

_Tommy. _--You shall judge yourself, sir, for, now I have begun, I amdetermined to tell you all. You know, sir, that when I first came toyou, I had a high opinion of myself for being born a gentleman, and avery great contempt for everybody in an inferior station. 

_Mr Barlow. _--I must confess you have always had some tendency to boththese follies. 

_Tommy. _--Yes, sir; but you have so often laughed at me upon thesubject, and shown me the folly of people's imagining themselves betterthan others, without any merit of their own, that I was grown a littlewiser. Besides, I have so often observed, that those I despised could doa variety of things which I was ignorant of, while those who are vain ofbeing gentlemen can do nothing useful or ingenious; so that I had begunto be ashamed of my folly. But since I came home I have kept companywith a great many fine young gentlemen and ladies, who thoughtthemselves superior to all the rest of the world, and used to despiseevery one else; and they have made me forget everything I learnedbefore. 

_Mr Barlow. _--Perhaps, then, I was mistaken when I taught you that thegreatest merit any person could have is to be good and useful. Thesefine young gentlemen and ladies may be wiser, and have given you betterlessons; if that is the case, you will have great reason to rejoice thatyou have changed so much for the better. 

_Tommy. _--No, sir, no; I never thought them either good or wise, forthey know nothing but how to dress their hair and buckle their shoes;but they persuaded me that it was necessary to be polite, and talked tome so often upon the subject, that I could not help believing them. 

_Mr Barlow. _--I am glad to hear that; it is necessary for everybody tobe polite; they therefore, I suppose, instructed you to be more obligingand civil in your manners than ever you were before. Instead of doingyou any hurt, this will be the greatest improvement you can receive. 

_Tommy. _--No, sir, quite the contrary. Instead of teaching me to becivil and obliging, they have made me ruder and worse behaved than everI was before. 

_Mr Barlow. _--If that is the case, I fear these fine young gentlemen andladies undertook to teach you more than they understood themselves. 

_Tommy. _--Indeed, sir, I am of the same opinion myself. But I did notthink so then, and therefore I did whatever I observed them do, andtalked in the same manner as I heard them talk. They used to be alwayslaughing at Harry Sandford, and I grew so foolish that I did not chooseto keep company with him any longer. 

_Mr Barlow. _--That was a pity, because I am convinced he really lovesyou. However, it is of no great consequence, for he has employmentenough at home; and however ingenious you may be, I do not think that hewill learn how to manage his land, or raise food, from yourconversation. It will therefore be better for him to converse withfarmers, and leave you to the society of gentlemen. Indeed, this I knowhas always been his taste; and had not your father pressed him very muchto accompany you home, he would have liked much better to have avoidedthe visit. However, I will inform him that you have gained otherfriends, and advise him for the future to avoid your company. 

_Tommy. _--Oh, sir! I did not think you could be so cruel. I love HarrySandford better than any other boy in the world; and I shall never behappy till he forgives me all my bad behaviour, and converses with meagain as he used to do. 

_Mr Barlow. _--But then, perhaps, you may lose the acquaintance of allthose polite young gentlemen and ladies. 

_Tommy. _--I care very little about that, sir. But I fear I have behavedso ill that he never will be able to forgive me, and love me as he didformerly. 

Tommy then went on, and repeated with great exactness the story of hisinsolence and ingratitude, which had so great an effect upon him, thathe burst into tears, and cried a considerable time. He then concludedwith asking Mr Barlow if he thought Harry would be ever able to forgivehim?

_Mr Barlow. _--I cannot conceal from you, my little friend, that you haveacted very ill indeed in this affair. However, if you are really ashamedof all your past conduct, and determined to act better, I do not doubtthat so generous and good-natured a boy as Harry is, will forgive youall. 

_Tommy. _--Oh, sir! I should be the happiest creature in the world. Willyou be so kind as to bring him here to day? and you shall see how I willbehave. 

_Mr Barlow. _--Softly, Tommy, softly. What is Harry to come here for?Have you not insulted and abused him without reason; and at lastproceeded so far as to strike him, only because he was giving you thebest advice, and endeavouring to preserve you from danger? Can youimagine that any human being will come to you in return for suchtreatment, at least till you have convinced him that you are ashamed ofyour passion and injustice, and that he may expect better usage for thefuture?

_Tommy. _--What, then, must I do, sir?

_Mr Barlow. _--If you want any future connection with Harry Sandford, itis your business to go to him and tell him so. 

_Tommy. _--What, sir! go to a farmer's, to expose myself before all hisfamily?

_Mr Barlow. _--Just now you told me you were ready to do everything, andyet you cannot take the trouble of visiting your friend at his ownhouse. You then imagine that a person does not expose himself by actingwrong, but by acknowledging and amending his faults?

_Tommy. _--But what would everybody say if a young gentleman like me wasto go and beg pardon of a farmer's son?

_Mr Barlow. _--They would probably say that you have more sense andgratitude than they expected. However, you are to act as you please. With the sentiments you still seem to entertain, Harry will certainly bea very unfit companion, and you will do much better to cultivate the newacquaintance you have made. 

Mr Barlow was then going away, but Tommy burst again into tears, andbegged him not to go; upon which Mr Barlow said, "I do not want to leaveyou, Tommy, but our conversation is now at an end. You have asked myadvice, which I have given you freely. I have told you how you ought toact, if you would preserve the esteem of any good or sensible friend, orprevail upon Harry to excuse your past behaviour. But as you do notapprove of what I suggested, you must follow your own opinion. "

"Pray sir, pray sir, " said Tommy, sobbing, "do not go. I have used HarrySandford in the most barbarous manner; my father is angry with me, and, if you desert me, I shall have no friend left in the world. "

_Mr Barlow. _--That will be your own fault, and therefore you will notdeserve to be pitied. Is it not in your own power to preserve all yourfriends by an honest confession of your faults? Your father will bepleased, Harry Sandford will heartily forgive you, and I shall retainthe same good opinion of your character which I have long had. 

_Tommy. _--And is it really possible, sir, that you should have a goodopinion of me after all I have told you about myself?

_Mr Barlow. _--I have always thought you a little vain and careless, Iconfess, but at the same time I imagined you had both good sense andgenerosity in your character; I depended upon _first_ to make you seeyour faults, and upon the _second_ to correct them. 

_Tommy. _--Dear sir, I am very much obliged to you; but you have alwaysbeen extremely kind and friendly to me. 

_Mr Barlow. _--And therefore I told your father yesterday, who is verymuch hurt at your quarrel with Harry, that though a sudden passion mighthave transported you too far, yet, when you came to consider the mattercoolly, you would perceive your faults and acknowledge them; were younot to behave in this manner, I owned I could say nothing in yourfavour. And I was very much confirmed in this opinion, when I saw thecourage you exerted in the rescue of Harry's lamb, and the compassionyou felt for the poor Highlander. "A boy, " said I, "who has so manyexcellent dispositions, can never persist in bad behaviour. He may dowrong by accident, but he will be ashamed of his errors, and endeavourto repair them by a frank and generous acknowledgment. This has alwaysbeen the conduct of really great and elevated minds, while mean andgrovelling ones alone imagine that it is necessary to persist in faultsthey have once committed. "

_Tommy. _--Oh, sir! I will go directly and entreat Harry to forgive me; Iam convinced that all you say is right. But will you not go with me? Dopray, sir, be so good. 

_Mr Barlow. _--Gently, gently, my young friend, you are always for doingeverything in an instant. I am very glad you have taken a resolutionwhich will do you so much credit, and give so much satisfaction to yourown mind; but, before you execute it, I think it will be necessary tospeak to your father and mother upon the subject; and, in the mean time, I will go and pay a visit to farmer Sandford, and bring you an accountof Harry. 

_Tommy. _--Do, sir, be so good; and tell Harry, if you please, that thereis nothing I desire so much as to see him, and that nothing shall evermake me behave ill again. I have heard too, sir, that there was a poorBlack came begging to us, who saved Harry from the bull; if I could butfind him out, I would be good to him as long as I live. 

Mr Barlow commended Tommy very much for dispositions so full ofgratitude and goodness; and, taking leave of him, went to communicatethe conversation he had just had to Mr Merton. That gentleman felt thesincerest pleasure at the account, and entreated Mr Barlow to godirectly to prepare Harry to receive his son. "That little boy, "observed he, "has the noblest mind that ever adorned a human being; norshall I ever be happy till I see my son acknowledging all his faults, and entreating forgiveness; for, with the virtues that I have discoveredin his soul, he appears to me a more eligible friend and companion thannoblemen or princes. "

Mr Barlow therefore set out on foot, though Mr Merton would have senthis carriage and servants to attend him, and soon arrived at MrSandford's farm. It was a pleasant spot, situated upon the gentledeclivity of a hill, at the foot of which winded along a swift and clearlittle stream. The house itself was small, but warm and convenient, furnished with the greatest simplicity, but managed with perfectneatness. As Mr Barlow approached, he saw the owner himself guiding aplough through one of his own fields, and Harry, who had now resumed thefarmer, directed the horses. But when he saw Mr Barlow coming across thefield, he stopped his team, and, letting fall his whip, sprang forwardto meet him with all the unaffected eagerness of joy. As soon as Harryhad saluted Mr Barlow, and inquired after his health, he asked with thegreatest kindness after Tommy; "for I fancy, sir, " said he, "by the waywhich I see you come, you have been at Mr Merton's house. " "Indeed Ihave, " replied Mr Barlow, "but I am very sorry to find that Tommy andyou are not upon as good terms as you formerly were. "

_Harry. _--Indeed, sir, I am very sorry for it myself. But I do not knowthat I have given Master Merton any reason to change his sentimentsabout me; and though I do not think he has treated me as well as heought to do, I have the greatest desire to hear that he is well. 

_Mr Barlow. _--That you might have known yourself had you not left MrMerton's house so suddenly, without taking leave of any one, even yourfriend Mr Merton, who has always treated you with so much kindness. 

_Harry. _--Indeed, sir, I should be very unhappy if you think I have donewrong; but be so good as to tell me how I could have acted otherwise. Iam very sorry to appear to accuse Master Merton, neither do I bear anyresentment against him for what he has done; but since you speak to meupon the subject, I shall be obliged to tell the truth. 

_Mr Barlow. _--Well, Harry, let me hear it; you know I shall be the lastperson to condemn you, if you do not deserve it. 

_Harry. _--I know your constant kindness to me, sir, and I always confidein it; however, I am not sensible that I am in fault. You know, sir, that it was with unwillingness I went to Mr Merton's, for I thoughtthere would be fine gentlemen and ladies there, who would ridicule mydress and manners; and, though Master Merton has been always veryfriendly in his behaviour towards me, I could not help thinking that hemight grow ashamed of my company at his own house. 

_Mr Barlow. _--Do you wonder at that, Harry, considering the differencethere is in your rank and fortune?

_Harry. _--No, sir, I cannot say I do, for I generally observe that thosewho are rich will scarcely treat the poor with common civility. But, inthis particular case, I did not see any reason for it; I never desiredMaster Merton to admit me to his company, or invite me to his house, because I knew that I was born, and in a very inferior station. You wereso good as to take me to your house, and if I was then much in hiscompany, it was because he seemed to desire it himself, and I alwaysendeavoured to treat him with the greatest respect. 

_Mr Barlow. _--That is indeed true, Harry; in all your little plays andstudies I have never observed anything but the greatest mildness andgood nature on your part. 

_Harry. _--I hope, sir, it has never been otherwise. But though I had thegreatest affection for Master Merton, I never desired to go home withhim. What sort of a figure could a poor boy like me make at agentleman's table, among little masters and misses that powder theirhair, and wear buckles as big as our horses carry upon their harness? IfI attempted to speak, I was always laughed at; or if I did anything, Iwas sure to hear something about clowns and rustics! And yet, I think, though they were all gentlemen and ladies, you would not much haveapproved of their conversation, for it was about nothing but plays, anddress, and trifles of that nature. I never heard one of them mention asingle word about saying their prayers, or being dutiful to theirparents, or doing any good to the poor. 

_Mr Barlow. _--Well, Harry, but if you did not like their conversation, you surely might have borne it with patience for a little while: andthen I heard something about your being quarrelsome. 

_Harry. _--Oh, sir! I hope not. I was, to be sure, once a littlepassionate, but that I could not help, and I hope you will forgive me. There was a modest, sensible young lady, who was the only person thattreated me with any kindness, and a bold, forward, ill-natured boyaffronted her in the grossest manner, only because she took notice ofme. Could I help taking her part? Have you not told me, too, sir, thatevery person, though he should avoid quarrels, has a right to defendhimself when he is attacked?

_Mr Barlow. _--Well, Harry, I do not much blame you, from thecircumstances I have heard of that affair; but why did you leave MrMerton's family so abruptly, without speaking to anybody, or thanking MrMerton himself for the civilities he had shown you? Was that right?

_Harry. _--Oh dear, sir, I have cried about it several times, for I thinkit must appear very rude and ungrateful to Mr Merton. But as to MasterTommy, I did not leave him while I thought I could be of any use. Hetreated me, I must say, in a very unworthy manner; he joined with allthe other fine little gentlemen in abusing me, only because Iendeavoured to persuade them not to go to a bull-baiting; and then atlast he struck me. I did not strike him again, because I loved him somuch in spite of all his unkindness; nor did I leave him till I saw hewas quite safe in the hands of his own servants; and then, how could Igo back to his house after what he had done to me? I did not choose tocomplain of him to Mr Merton; and how could I behave to him as I haddone before, without being guilty of meanness and falsehood? Andtherefore I thought it better to go home and desire you to speak, to MrMerton, and entreat him to forgive my rudeness. 

_Mr Barlow. _--Well, Harry, I can inform you that Mr Merton is perfectlysatisfied on that account. But there is one circumstance you have notmentioned, my little friend, and that is your saving Tommy's life fromthe fury of the enraged bull. 

_Harry. _--As to that, sir, I hope I should have done the same for anyhuman creature. But I believe that neither of us would have escaped, ifit had not been for the poor courageous Black that came to ourassistance. 

_Mr Barlow. _--I see, Harry, that you are a boy of a noble and generousspirit, and I highly approve of everything you have done; but are youdetermined to forsake Tommy Merton for ever, because he has once behavedill?

_Harry. _--I, sir! no, I am sure. But though I am poor, I do not desirethe acquaintance of anybody that despises me. Let him keep company withhis gentlemen and ladies, I am satisfied with companions in my ownstation. But surely, sir, it is not _I_ that forsake him, but _he_ thathas cast me off. 

_Mr Barlow. _--But if he is sorry for what he has done, and only desiresto acknowledge his faults and obtain your pardon?

_Harry. _--Oh dear, sir, I should forget everything in an instant. I knewMaster Tommy was always a little passionate and headstrong, but he is atthe same time generous and good-natured; nor would he, I am sure, havetreated me so ill if he had not been encouraged to it by the other younggentlemen. 

_Mr Barlow. _--Well, Harry, I believe your friend is thoroughly sensibleof his faults, and that you will have little to fear for the future. Heis impatient till he sees you, and asks your forgiveness. 

_Harry. _--Oh, sir, I should forgive him if he had beaten me a hundredtimes. But though I cannot leave the horses now, if you will be so kindto wait a little, I daresay my father will let me go when he leaves offploughing. 

_Mr Barlow. _--No, Harry, there is no occasion for that. Tommy has indeedused you ill, and ought to acknowledge it, otherwise he will not deserveto be trusted again. He will call upon you, and tell you all he feels onthe occasion. In the mean time I was desired, both by him and Mr Merton, to inquire after the poor negro that served you so materially, and savedyou from the bull. 

_Harry. _--He is at our house, sir, for I invited him home with me; andwhen my father heard how well he had behaved, he made him up a littlebed over the stable, and gives him victuals every day, and the poor manseems very thankful and industrious, and says he would gladly do anykind of work to earn his subsistence. 

Mr Barlow then took his leave of Harry, and after having spoken to hisfather, returned to Mr Merton's. 

During Mr Barlow's absence Mr Simmons had arrived there to fetch awayhis niece; but when he had heard the story of the Highlander, heperfectly recollected his name and character, and was touched with thesincerest compassion for his sufferings. On conversing with the poor manhe found that he was extremely well acquainted with agriculture, as wellas truly industrious, and therefore instantly proposed to settle him ina small farm of his own which happened to be vacant. The poor manreceived this unexpected change in his fortune with tears of joy, andevery mark of unaffected gratitude; and Mr Merton, who never wantedgenerosity, insisted upon having a share in his establishment. He wasproposing to supply him with the necessary implements of agriculture, and a couple of horses, to begin the culture of his land, just at themoment when Mr Barlow entered, who, when he had heard with the sincerestpleasure the improvement of the poor man's circumstances, beggedpermission to share in so benevolent an action. "I have an excellentmilch-cow, " said he, "which I can very well spare, whose milk willspeedily recruit the strength of these poor children; and I havehalf-a-dozen ewes and a ram, which I hope, under Mr Campbell'smanagement, will soon increase to a numerous flock. " The poor Highlanderseemed almost frantic with such a profusion of unexpected blessings, andsaid "that he wished nothing more than to pass the remainder of his daysin such a generous nation, and to be enabled to show, at least, thesentiments which such undeserved generosity had excited. "

At night Mr Merton, who was desirous by every method to support the goodimpressions which had now taken possession of Tommy's mind, proposedthat Miss Simmons should favour them with the conclusion of the storywhich she had begun the night before. The young lady instantly complied, and then read them

_The Conclusion of the Story of Sophron and Tigranes. _

"The venerable Chares continued his narration thus: 'I passed severalmonths among the Arabians, delighted with the simplicity of their lifeand the innocence of their manners; and would to heaven, ' added he, witha sigh, 'that I had accepted their friendly invitations, and neverquitted the silence of their hospitable deserts! How many scenes shouldI have avoided which fill these aged eyes with tears, and pierce my soulwith horror as often as I recollect them! I should not have been witnessto such a waste of human blood, nor traced the gradual ruin of mycountry. I should not have seen our towns involved in flames, nor ourhelpless children the captives of fell barbarians. But it is in vain forhuman beings to repine at the just decrees of Providence, which haveconsigned every people to misery and servitude that abandon virtue, andattach themselves to the pursuit of pleasure. 

"'I left Arabia, with a heart penetrated with gratitude and admirationfor its virtuous and benevolent inhabitants. They dismissed me withevery mark of kindness and hospitality, guided me over their drearydeserts, and at parting presented me with one of those beautiful horseswhich are the admiration of all the surrounding nations. I will nottrouble you with an account of the different countries which I wanderedover in search of wisdom and experience. At length I returned to mynative city, determined to pass the rest of my life in obscurity andretirement; for the result of all my observations was, that he ishappiest who passes his time in innocent employments and the observationof nature. I had seen the princes and nobles of the earth repining inthe midst of their splendid enjoyments, disgusted with the emptypageantry of their situation, and wishing in vain for the humbletranquillity of private life. I had visited many of the principal citiesin several countries where I had travelled, but I had uniformlyobserved, that the miseries and crimes of mankind increased with theirnumbers. I therefore determined to avoid the general contagion by fixingmy abode in some sequestered spot, at a distance from the passions andpursuits of my fellow-creatures. 

"'Having therefore collected the remainder of my effects, and with thempurchased a little farm and vineyard in a beautiful and solitary spotnear the sea, I soon afterwards married a virtuous young woman, and inher society enjoyed, for several years, as great a degree oftranquillity as generally falls to the lot of man. I did not disdain toexercise with my own hands the different employments of agriculture; forI thought man was dishonoured by that indolence which renders him aburthen to his fellow-creatures, not by that industry which is necessaryto the support of his species. I therefore sometimes guided the ploughwith my own hands, sometimes laboured in a little garden, whichsupplied us with excellent fruits and herbs; I likewise tended thecattle, whose patient labour enabled us to subdue the soil, andconsidered myself as only repaying part of the obligations I hadreceived. My wife, too, exercised herself in domestic cares; she milkedthe sheep and goats, and chiefly prepared the food of the family. 

"'Amidst my other employments I did not entirely forget the study ofphilosophy, which had charmed me so much in my early youth. I frequentlyobserved, with admiration, the wisdom and contrivance which weredisplayed in all the productions of nature, and the perfection of allher works. I used to walk amid the coolness and stillness of theevening, feeding my mind with pleasing meditations upon the power andwisdom which have originally produced and still support this frame ofthings. I turned my eyes upon the earth, and saw it covered withinnumerable animals, that sported upon its surface, and found, eachaccording to his nature, subsistence adapted to his wants. I saw the airand water themselves teeming with life and peopled with innumerableswarms of insects. I saw that, throughout the whole extent of creation, as far as I was capable of observing it, nothing was waste ordesolate--everything was replete with life and adapted to support it. These reflections continually excited in my mind new gratitude andveneration for that mysterious Being, whose goodness presides over suchan infinite variety of beings. I endeavoured to elevate my thoughts tocontemplate His nature and qualities; I however found my faculties toobounded to comprehend the infinite perfections of His nature; Itherefore contented myself with imperfectly tracing Him in His works, and adoring Him as the common friend and parent of all His creatures. 

"'Nor did I confine myself to these speculations, however sublime andconsolatory to the human heart. Destined as we are to inhabit this globeof earth, it is our interest to be acquainted with its nature, and theproperties of its productions. For this reason, I particularly examinedall the vegetables which are capable of becoming the food of man, or ofthe various animals which contribute to his support. I studied theirqualities, the soil in which they delighted, and the improvements whichmight be made in every species. I sometimes wandered among theneighbouring mountains, and wherever the fall of rocks, or the repeatedviolence of torrents had borne away the soil, I considered with silentadmiration the various substances which we call by the common name of_earth_. These I used to collect and mingle with the mould of my owngarden, by which means I frequently made useful discoveries infertilising the soil and increasing the quantity of food. 

"'I also considered the qualities of the air, which surrounds andsustains all living animals; I particularly remarked the noxious orsalutary effects it is able to produce upon their constitutions; and, bythese means, was frequently enabled to give useful counsels to all theneighbourhood. A large tract of ground had been formerly deluged by thesea; and the waters, finding no convenient vent, spread themselves allaround, and converted a large extent of soil into a filthy marsh. Everyyear, when the heat of summer prevailed, the atmosphere was filled withputrid exhalations, which produced fevers and pestilential disordersamong the inhabitants. Touched with compassion for the evils which theyendured, I persuaded them to undertake the task of draining the soil andletting off the superfluous waters. This I instructed them to do withsuch success that, in a short time, an unwholesome desert became coveredwith the most luxuriant harvests, and was deprived of all its noxiousinfluence. By thus rendering my services useful to my fellow-creatures, I received the purest reward which can attend the increase ofknowledge--the consciousness of performing my duty, and humbly imitatingthat Being, whose goodness is as general and unbounded as his power. 

"'Amidst these tranquil and innocent employments my life flowed gentlyaway like a clear and even stream. I was a stranger to avarice orambition, and to all the cares which agitate the bulk of mortals. Alternate labour and study preserved the vigour both of body and mind;our wants were few and easily gratified; we chiefly subsisted upon theliberal returns of the earth, and seldom polluted our table with thebodies of slaughtered animals. One only child, the unfortunate girl whoowes her preservation to the courage of this young man, was granted toour prayers; but in her we found enough to exercise all the affectionsof our minds; we hung with ecstasy upon her innocent smiles, andremarked her opening graces with all the partiality of parentalfondness. As she grew up, her mother instructed her in all the arts andemployments of her sex; while I, who already saw the tempest gathering, which has since burst with such fatal fury upon my country, thought itnecessary to arm her mind with all the firmness which education canbestow. For this reason I endeavoured to give both her mind and body adegree of vigour which is seldom found in the female sex. 

"'As soon as Selene (for that was her name) was sufficiently advanced instrength to be capable of the lighter labours of husbandry andgardening, I employed her as my constant companion, and she soonacquired a dexterity in all the rustic employments, which I consideredwith equal pleasure and admiration. If women are in general feeble bothin body and mind, it arises less from nature than from education; _we_encourage a vicious indolence and inactivity which we falsely calldelicacy; instead of hardening their minds by the severer principles ofreason and philosophy, we breed them to useless arts, which terminate invanity and sensuality. In most of the countries which I had visited, they are taught nothing of a higher nature than a few modulations of thevoice, or useless postures of the body; their time is consumed in slothor trifles, and trifles become the only pursuit capable of interestingthem. _We_ seem to forget that it is upon the qualities of the femalesex that our own domestic comforts and the education of our childrenmust depend. And what are the comforts or the education which a race ofbeings, corrupted from their infancy, and unacquainted with all theduties of life, are fitted to bestow? To touch a musical instrument withuseless skill, to exhibit their natural or affected graces to the eyesof indolent and debauched young men, to dissipate their husbands'patrimony in riotous and unnecessary expenses--these are the only artscultivated by women in most of the polished nations I had seen; and theconsequences are uniformly such as may be expected to proceed from suchpolluted sources--private misery and public servitude. 

"'But Selene's education was regulated by different views, and conductedupon severer principles--if that can be called _severity_ which opensthe mind to a sense of moral and religious duties, and most effectuallyarms it against the inevitable evils of life. With the rising sun sheleft her bed, and accompanied me to the garden or the vineyard. Herlittle hands were employed in shortening the luxurious shoots offruitful trees that supplied our table with wholesome and deliciousfruits, or in supporting the branches of such as sunk beneath theirload. Sometimes she collected water from a clear and constant rill thatrolled along the valley, and recruited the force of plants that wereexhausted by the sun. With what delight did I view her innocentcheerfulness and assiduity! With what pleasure did she receive thepraises which I gave to her skill and industry; or hear the lessons ofwisdom and the examples of virtuous women, which I used to read to herat evening, out of the writings of celebrated philosophers which I hadcollected in my travels. 

"'But such a life was too unchecquered with misfortune to last. Thefirst stroke which attacked and almost destroyed my hopes of good wasthe untimely loss of my dear and virtuous wife. The pestilential heatsof autumn overpowered her tender frame, and raised a consuming fever inher veins; for some time she struggled against the disease, but atlength her pure and innocent spirit forsook this earth for ever, andleft me comfortless and forlorn to mourn her loss!

"'I will not, my worthy hosts, attempt to describe the inexpressibledistress which seized my soul at seeing myself thus deserted. There aresome philosophers who aspire to triumph over human feelings, andconsider all tender affections as disgraceful weaknesses; for my part, Ihave never pretended to that degree in insensibility. I have, indeed, opposed as criminal that habitual acquiescence in sorrow which rendersus unfit for the discharge of our duties; but while I have endeavouredto _act_, I have never blushed at _feeling_, like a man. Even now, thattime has mitigated the keenness of the smart, I feel the habitualanguish of an incurable wound. But let me rather hasten to relate thefew remaining events of a uniform unvaried life than detain you with auseless repetition of my sorrows. 

"'Scarcely had time afforded me a feeble comfort, when the recollectionof past misfortunes was almost extinguished by the new ones whichoverwhelmed my country. The fertile plains of Syria abounded in all thenecessaries and conveniences of life; the vine seemed to growspontaneously in every valley, and offer its luxuriant produce to everyhand; the industrious insect which spins the wonderful substance called_silk_ out of its bowels, though lately introduced into that part ofAsia, seemed to receive new vigour from the mildness of the climate;corn and oil, the noblest fruits and the most salubrious herbs, werefound in the garden of every peasant; and the herds of cattle andhorses, which wandered over our luxuriant pastures, equalled orsurpassed all I had observed in other countries. But this profusion ofblessings, instead of being attended with any beneficial effects, produced nothing but a foolish taste for frivolous employment andsensuality; feasts, and dances, and music, and tricks of players, andexhibitions of buffoons, were more attended to than all the serious andimportant cares of life. Every young man was a critic in the science ofadjusting the folds of his robe, or of giving a studied negligence tohis hair; every young woman was instructed in every art that serves toconsume time or endanger modesty. Repeat to them an idle tale, thetricks of a gamester, or the adventures of a singing-girl, and everyaudience listened with mute attention to the wonderful narration; buttell them of the situation of their country, the wretched state of theircivil and military discipline, or of the numerous and warlike tribes ofbarbarians which surround them, and every auditor would steal away insilence, and leave the uninteresting theme. 

"'In such a state of things, it was not long to be expected that mycountrymen would be permitted to hold the riches they abused, and wantedfirmness to defend. A warlike tribe of barbarians burst forth from thenorthern mountains of Asia, and spread themselves over our fertileplains, which they laid waste like a consuming tempest. After a fewineffectual skirmishes, which only served to expose their weakness tothe contempt of their enemies, they yielded without opposition to theinvader; in this, indeed, more wise than to irritate him by a fruitlessresistance; and thus, in a few weeks, the leader of an obscure tribe ofbarbarians saw himself become a powerful monarch, and possessor of oneof the richest provinces of Asia. 

"'I was sitting one evening at the door of my cottage, gazing upon thefading glory of the setting sun, when a man, of a majestic appearance, but with something ferocious in his look, attended by several others, passed by. As he approached my little garden, he seemed to view it withsatisfaction, and to unbend the habitual sternness of his look; I askedhim if he would enter in and taste the fruits with his companions. Heaccepted my offer, and, entering into a shady arbour, I brought him themost palatable fruits I could find, with milk and other rustic fare, such as my farm afforded. He seemed pleased with his entertainment, and, when he was departing, thanked me with great affability, and bade me aska favour in return, 'which, ' added he, with a certain degree ofconscious pride, 'you can scarcely make too great either for mygratitude or power. ' 'If, ' answered I (for I began to suspect that itwas Arsaces, the leader of these barbarians), 'your power is indeedequal to every boon, give peace and liberty to my country!' 'The first, 'said he, 'I have already given; and, as to the second, it is impossible;their vices and effeminacy render them incapable of enjoying it. Menthat have neither virtue, temperance, nor valour, can never want amaster, even though Arsaces were to withdraw his conquering troops. ''But ask again, ' added he, 'something for thyself, and let the favour beworthy me to bestow. ' 'Heaven, ' answered I with a smile, 'has alreadygiven everything I can want, when it gave the earth fertility, and methe power to labour. All, therefore, that I request, O mighty conqueror, is, that you will please to order your men to step aside from the newlycultivated ground, and not destroy my vegetables. ' 'By heaven!' saidArsaces, turning to his companions, 'there is something elevated in thetranquillity and composure of this man's mind; and, was I not _Arsaces_, I should be with pleasure _Chares_. ' He then departed, but ordered me toattend him the next day at the camp, and gave strict orders that none ofthe soldiers should molest or injure my humble residence. 

"'I attended the great Arsaces at the time he had appointed, andtraversed the encampment of his troop with admiration and regret. Thispeople was a tribe of that mighty empire which is called _Scythia_, whose inhabitants have so often issued from their deserts for theconquest and destruction of their neighbours. 

"'This country extends to an unknown length behind the most fertiledistricts of Europe and Asia. The climate is cold in winter, and theearth for several months covered with snow; but in summer it feels theenlivening influence of the sun, and for that reason is possessed of anamazing degree of fertility. But as the inhabitants live remote from thesea, and possess few navigable rivers, they are little acquainted withagriculture, or the arts of life. Instead of trusting to the increase oftheir fields for food, they raise prodigious herds of cattle and horsesin the luxuriant pastures which everywhere abound. The Scythians, likethe Arabians, wander over these immense spaces without a fixed orpermanent residence. By the side of lakes and rivers, where the verdureis most constant, and the vegetation stronger, they generally encamp, until the heats of the summer compel them to ascend the mountains, andseek a cooler residence. Their houses are composed of slender polescovered with skins, or a coarse cloth, and therefore easily erected, ortaken down and stowed in waggons, for the convenience of transportingthem in their marches. Their diet is answerable to the poverty of theirhabitations. They milk their herds, and, above all, their mares, andpreserve the produce in large bottles for months together. This sour andhomely mess is to them the greatest dainty, and composes the chief oftheir nourishment; to this they add the flesh of their cattle andhorses, which they kill when afflicted with disease, but rarely inhealth. 

"'This is the simple and uniform life of all the Scythians; but thissimplicity renders them formidable to all their neighbours, andirresistible in war. Unsoftened by ease or luxury, unacquainted with theartificial wants of life, these nations pass their lives in manlyexercises and rustic employments; but horsemanship is the greatest prideand passion of their souls; nor is there an individual who does not atleast possess several of these noble animals, which, though small insize, are admirably adapted for the fatigues of war and the chase, andendowed with incomparable swiftness. As to the Scythians themselves, they excel all other nations, unless it be the Arabs, in their courageand address in riding; without a saddle, or even a bridle, their youngmen will vault upon an unbacked courser, and keep their seats, in spiteof all his violent efforts, till they have rendered him tame andobedient to their will. In their military expeditions they neitherregard the obstacles of nature nor the inclemency of the season; andtheir horses are accustomed to traverse rocks and mountains with afacility that is incredible. If they reach a river, instead of waitingfor the tedious assistance of boats and bridges, the warrior divestshimself of his clothes and arms, which he places in a bundle upon thehorse's back, and then, plunging into the stream, conducts him over bythe bridle. Even in the midst of winter, when the hatred of othernations gives way to the inclemencies of the season, the Scythianfollows his military labours, and rejoices to see the earth thickcovered with frost and snow, because it affords him a solid path in hisexcursions; neither the severest cold nor the most violent storms cancheck his ardour. Wrapped up in the thick furs of animals, the patienthorseman pursues his march, while all his food for weeks together iscomprised in a little bag of seeds or corn. Javelins, and bows andarrows, are the arms which these people are taught from their infancy touse with surprising dexterity; and, no less dangerous when they fly thanwhen they charge the enemy in front, they are accustomed to shoot withan unerring aim at their pursuers, and turn the fortune of the battle. Such men are scarcely to be conquered by the efforts of the mostpowerful nations or sovereigns; and therefore the proudest conquerors ofthe world have failed in their attempts to subdue them. 

"'Darius, one of the greatest kings which the vast empire of Persia everobeyed, once attempted the exploit, and had nearly perished in theattempt. He advanced with a powerful army, but ill prepared for such anexpedition, into the Scythian wastes. The inhabitants, well acquaintedwith the most effectual methods of defence, transported their familiesand herds into the interior parts of the country, and mounting theirfleetest horses, seemed to fly before the monarch, who, infatuated withpride and confidence, pursued the chase for several days, until he foundhimself in the midst of solitary deserts, totally destitute of all thathuman wants require, where his army could neither advance nor retirewithout equal danger of perishing by thirst and famine. When theScythian horsemen saw him thus involved, they began to check theirspeed; instead of flying, as usual, they hemmed him in on every side, and harassed the army with continual attacks. It was then they sent apresent to the Persian king, the mysterious meaning of which increasedthe terrors of his situation. A Scythian, mounted upon a fiery steed, entered the camp at full speed, and, regardless of danger or opposition, penetrated even to the royal tent, where Darius was holding a councilwith his nobles. While they were all amazed at this extraordinaryboldness, the man leaped lightly from his horse, and placing a littlebundle upon the ground, vaulted up again with inconceivable agility, andretired with the same happy expedition. The curiosity of the monarchmade him instantly order the packet to be examined, which contained onlya mouse, a bird, a fish, and a bundle of arrows. Silence andastonishment for some time seized the assembly, till at length the kingobserved, that he thought the present which the Scythians had sent couldsignify nothing but their submission to his arms. 'The mouse, ' said he, 'must represent the earth, because he resides in holes which he digs inthe soil; the fish inhabits the water, and the bird resides in the air. By sending me, therefore, all these various animals, they mean tosignify that they resign their air, their waters, and their earth to mydominion. Nor is the bundle of arrows more difficult to be explained;these constitute their principal defence, and, by sending them to anenemy, they can intimate nothing but terror and submission. ' All whowere present applauded this discourse of the monarch, excepting Gobrias, a man of singular wisdom and experience, who, when he was pressed todeclare his sentiments, spoke to him thus:--'It is with the greatestreluctance, O king, that I find myself compelled to explain thesepresents of our enemies in a very different manner. That the Scythians, who have hitherto shown no marks either of fear or submission, should, on a sudden, feel so great a terror of the Persian arms, I cannot easilybelieve, more especially when I consider that our army is very muchreduced by the distress it has suffered, and environed on every side bythe enemy, whose boldness visibly increases with our necessities. What, therefore, I should infer from this extraordinary present is this: theyintimate that unless, like the mouse, you can dig your passage throughthe earth, or skim the air like the bird, or glide through waters withthe fish, you shall certainly perish by the Scythian arrows. ' Such wasthe sentiment of Gobrias, and all the assembly was struck with theevident truth of his interpretation, and the king himself began toperceive and repent his rashness; instead, therefore, of advancingfarther into deserts which afforded no subsistence, he resolved toattempt a retreat. This, however, he was not able to effect without theloss of the greatest part of his troops, who perished by thirst andfamine, and the continued attacks of the enemy. 

"'Nor was the expedition of Lysimachus, another powerful king, againstthis people, less memorable or less unfortunate. His army was defeated, and he himself taken prisoner; but, instead of meeting with that crueltywhich we are accustomed to expect from barbarians, he experienced thegreatest moderation and humanity from his conquerors. The general of theScythians invited his captive to a solemn festival, in which he tookcare to assemble every circumstance of luxury and magnificence whichprevailed in polished nations. The most exquisite meats were served upto table, and the most generous wines sparkled in golden bowls of theexactest workmanship. Lysimachus was equally delighted with the eleganceof the repast and the politeness of the entertainer; but he wasextremely surprised that, instead of sharing in the feast or evensitting down at table, the Scythian leader reposed in the corner of atent, upon the bare ground, and satisfied his hunger with the mostcoarse and ordinary fare, prepared with all the simplicity of hiscountry's manners. When the entertainment was finished, he askedLysimachus which method of life appeared to him the most agreeable. Lysimachus could not conceal his preference of the more refined andluxurious dainties, or his dislike of the Scythian diet. 'If therefore, 'replied his generous host, 'you feel so great a contempt for what thiscountry produces, and so strong a preference for the productions of yourown, what but madness, O king, can have tempted you to come so far inorder to subdue men that live in a manner you despise? Is it not muchgreater wisdom to be contented with those advantages which you prize sohighly, than to expose them to a certain hazard, for the chance ofacquiring what would afford no pleasure or satisfaction? But let thislesson be sufficient to teach you moderation. A country which producesnothing but iron, is not easily conquered; nor are men, who have beenfrom their infancy inured to every hardship, to be vanquished by curledand perfumed soldiers, who cannot live without baths, and music, anddaily feasts. Be contented, therefore, for the future, to number theScythians among your friends; and rather pray that the gods may keepthem in ignorance of the superiority of your method of living, lest adesire of tasting it should tempt them to desert their own country andinvade yours. ' With this discourse he generously restored Lysimachus toliberty, and suffered him to lead back the shattered remains of hisnumerous army. 

"'Such was the nation which had invaded Syria, and easily triumphed overthe efforts of an effeminate and unwarlike people. As I passed throughthe camp, I was astonished at the order and regularity which prevailedamong these barbarians. Some were exercising their horses in the mimicrepresentation of a battle; part fled with incredible speed, while therest pursued, and darted blunted javelins at their antagonists. Yet eventhose who fled would frequently turn upon their pursuers and make themrepent their rashness. Some, while their horses were running in fullspeed, would vault from off their backs to others that accompanied them;some would gallop by a mark erected for their arrows, and, when they hadpassed it a considerable way, turn themselves round upon their horsesand transfix it with an unerring aim. I saw many who vaulted upon theirhorses, and placed themselves between two naked swords, which would havegiven them certain death, had they swerved ever so little from the justdirection. In another part of the camp I observed the children, whoimitated all the actions of their fathers, bended little bows adapted totheir strength, or guided horses of an inferior stature along the plain. Their women were indeed inferior to the Syrians in beauty and elegance, but seemed to be of a more robust constitution, and more adapted toproduce and educate warriors. I saw no gold, no jewels, no vain andcostly apparel; but all seemed busy in domestic cares, preparing thefood of their families, or tending upon their infants. 

"'At length I reached the royal tent, which scarcely differed from therest in its structure or simplicity; and was immediately introduced tothe great Arsaces. He received me with a courtesy which had nothing ofthe barbarian in it; seated me familiarly by his side, and entered intoa long conversation with me upon the laws, and manners, and customs ofthe different nations I had seen. I was surprised at the vigour andpenetration which I discovered in this untutored warrior's mind. Unbiassed by the mass of prejudices which we acquire in cities, evenfrom our earliest childhood, unencumbered by forms and ceremonies whichcontract the understanding while they pretend to improve the manners, heseemed to possess a certain energy of soul which never missed the mark;nature in him had produced the same effects that study and philosophy doin others. But, what amazed me more than all, was to find this Scythianchief as well acquainted with the state and consequence of _our_manners, as if he had passed his life in Greece or Syria, instead of theplains and forests of his own domain. He entertained a rooted contemptfor all the arts which softened the body and mind, under the pretence ofadding to the elegancies of life; these, he said, were more efficaciousagents to reduce men to slavery, than the swords and arrows of theirenemies. 

"'One day I remember that some of our principal men, judging of the mindof their conqueror by their own, brought to him a celebrated dancer;who, at that time, engaged the whole attention of our city, and seemedto interest it much more than the loss of liberty. This man, who did notdoubt that he should enchant the soul of a Scythian barbarian, by thesame arts which had enraptured his refined audiences at home, exertedhimself with an agility that extorted the loudest applause from all thespectators but Arsaces. At length one of our countrymen took the libertyof asking the monarch what he thought of this extraordinary performance?'I think, ' replied he, coldly, 'that it would gain him great creditamong a nation of monkeys. ' Another time he was present at theexhibitions of a celebrated musician, who was reputed to possessunrivalled skill in playing soft and melting tunes upon the lyre. Allthe audience seemed to feel the influence of his art, by theirinarticulate murmurs of admiration, and the languishing postures oftheir bodies. When the exhibition was finished, the musician advanced, amid the united plaudits of the audience, as if to receive the justtribute of approbation from Arsaces; but he, with a stern look, said tohim, 'Friend, I permit thee to play every night before the Syrians; butif thy lyre is ever heard to sound in the presence of my Scythians, Idenounce certain death for the offence. ' Another time an officiousglutton of our city introduced to him, with great solemnity, two men, whose talents he assured him were unequalled in their differentprofessions. The one, he said, adjusted hair with such dexterity, thathe could give an artificial beauty to every countenance; and the otherpossessed such unrivalled skill in cooking a repast, that even thesoberest guest was tempted to commit intemperance. 'My soldiers, 'replied Arsaces, 'are accustomed to adjust their locks with the point oftheir arrows, nor does our nation consider a bloated paunch and anunwieldy shape as any accomplishment in warriors; all therefore, that Ican do for these gentlemen is, to depute one of them to comb my horse'stail, and the other to feed the hogs of the army. '

"'After I had conversed some time with this barbarian chief, who heardme with the greatest attention, the hour of refreshment for the armyapproached, and I was preparing to retire; but the general stopped mewith a smile, and told me, I had already entertained him with thegreatest hospitality, and that therefore it was just that I should stayand taste the Scythian food. A bit of dried flesh, which I afterwardsfound was that of a horse, some sour coagulated milk, with an infusionof certain herbs, thickened with a coarse kind of flour, were thenbrought in and placed upon the ground. I had learned, during my travelsin different countries, to discard the false antipathies which so manynations entertain against the diet as well as manners of each other. Whatever is adapted to support life is proper for the food of man; habitwill reconcile us to any kind of food; and he that can accustom himselfto be the most easily contented, is happiest and best prepared forperforming the duties of life. I therefore placed myself by the side ofArsaces, and fed without any visible repugnance upon the diet, whichwould have excited abhorrence in the minds of all my countrymen. Withthem it was a work of the greatest importance to settle the formalitiesof a meal; to contrive a new and poignant sauce, to combine contraryflavours in a pickle, to stimulate the jaded appetite to new exertions, till reason and everything human sank under the undigested mass of food, were reckoned the highest efforts of genius; even the magistrate did notblush to display a greater knowledge of cookery than of the laws; thedebates of the senate itself were often suspended by the fear of losinga repast; and many of our generals prided themselves more on thearrangement of their tables, than the martial evolutions of theirtroops. 

"'After we had eaten some time, Arsaces asked me what I thought of theScythian method of living? 'To speak my sentiments, ' said I, 'it is moreformidable to your enemies than agreeable to your friends. ' He smiled atmy sincerity, and I departed; but from this hour he distinguished mewith marks of peculiar favour, and admitted me to all his councils. 

"'This envied mark of distinction gave me no other pleasure than as itsometimes enabled me to be useful to my unhappy countrymen, and mitigatethe rigour of their conquerors. Indeed, while the great Arsaces lived, his love of justice and order was so great, that even the conquered weresafe from all oppression; the peasant pursued his useful laboursunterrified by the march of armies, or, unsolicited, brought the produceof his fields to a voluntary market; merchants from all the neighbouringnations crowded to our ports, attracted by the order and justice whichwere enforced in every part of Arsaces' dominions; and even thevanquished themselves, defended from oppression and protected in theirpossessions, considered the success of the Scythians rather as asalutary revolution than as a barbarian conquest. 

"'Such was the pleasing prospect of affairs, when an unexpected disease, the consequence of unremitted exertions, put an end to the glorious lifeof our conqueror; and with him perished all hopes of safety or happinessof the Syrians. His authority alone was capable of restraining so manyneedy chieftains, so many victorious barbarians; the spirit of rapineand plunder so long represt, began now to spread through all the army;every officer was an independent tyrant, that ruled with despoticauthority, and punished as rebellion the least opposition to his will. The fields were now ravaged, the cities plundered, the industriouspeasants driven away like herds of cattle, to labour for the caprice ofunfeeling masters, or sold in distant regions as slaves. Now it was thatthe miserable and harassed Syrians began to find that the riches whichthey so much esteemed, were but the causes of their ruin, instead ofbeing instrumental to their safety. The poor, accustomed to hardship, have little to fear amid the vicissitudes of life; the brave can alwaysfind a refuge in their own valour; but all the bitterness of existenceis reserved for those who have neither courage to defend what they mostvalue, nor fortitude to bear the loss. 

"'To increase the weight of our misfortunes, new tribes of barbarians, attracted by the success of their countrymen, issued from their deserts, and hastened to share the spoil. But rapine admits not faith orpartnership; and it was not long before the vanquished beheld theirconquerors animated by implacable rage against each other, and sufferingin turn the violence and cruelties they had inflicted. 

"'At length one of the principal officers of Arsaces, who is saidoriginally to have descended from the mountain which you inhabit, wasraised to empire by the successful efforts of his soldiers. He hasalready attacked and destroyed all his competitors, and assembled underhis banners the remainder of their forces. _Tigranes_ (for thus he isnamed) possesses all the courage and activity of Arsaces, but he isdestitute of his generosity and clemency. His ambition is vast andboundless; he grasps at universal empire, and rejoices to scatter ruinand destruction in his way; he has already subjected all the maritimecities that derive their origin from Greece, together with the fertileplains of Syria. These mountains, inhabited by a bold and hardy race ofmen, now present a barrier to his enterprising spirit; and I am assuredhe already meditates the conquest. His soldiers are drawn together fromevery part, and nothing can escape their fury. In vain did I thinkmyself safe in the humble obscurity of my cottage, and the reputedfavour of the great Arsaces. Yesterday, a lawless band, not contentedwith destroying my harvest and plundering my little property, seized mydaughter and me, and dragged us away in chains. What farther injuries, what farther insults we might have suffered, it is impossible todetermine, since Heaven was pleased to effect our deliverance when wehad least reason to expect it. '

"Such was the history of Chares, which Sophron and his family listenedto with fixed attention. When he had finished, the father of Sophronagain embraced the venerable stranger, and assured him of all the safetywhich their mountains could bestow. 'But, ' added he, 'if so imminent adanger is near, it behoves us to consult for the general safety; let usassemble all our friends and neighbours, that they may consider whetherlife is of more consequence than liberty; and if they determine toretain that freedom which they have received from their ancestors, bywhat means it maybe best defended. ' Sophron then immediately went out, and ascending a neighbouring rock, thus shouted out, in a voice thatechoed over the neighbouring valleys: 'Arm, O ye inhabitants of Lebanon, and instantly meet in council; for a powerful invader is near, andthreatens you with death or slavery!' This sound was instantly repeatedby all who heard it; so that in a short time the intelligence wasdispersed to the very confines of the country. 

"It was not long before a numerous assembly was convened. The agedappeared with all the majestic dignity of wisdom and experience; theircountenances, indeed, indicated the ravages of time, but temperance andexercise had preserved them from the loathsome diseases which grow onluxury and indolence. They were attended by their sons in all the prideof youth and vigour, who rushed along in arms, and seemed to breathedeliberate rage and unconquerable opposition. When they were allassembled on a spacious plain, Sophron rose, and with a becomingmodesty, recited the adventures of the preceding night, and the alarmingintelligence he had just received. He had scarcely finished before ageneral cry of indignation burst unanimously from the whole assembly. When it had a little subsided, a venerable old man, whose beard, whiteas the snow upon the summits of the mountains, reaching down to hismiddle, slowly arose, and leaning upon his staff, spoke thus:--'Ninetyyears have I tended my flocks amid these mountains, and during all thattime I have never seen a human being who was bold enough to propose tothe inhabitants of Lebanon that they should fear death more than infamy, or submit to the vassals of a tyrant. ' At this a second cry, whichseemed to rend the very heavens, was raised, and farther deliberationjudged unnecessary, except upon the most effectual means of defence. Forthis purpose the aged and most experienced retired to a little distanceto consult. They were not long in their deliberations; it wasunanimously agreed that all who were able to bear arms should beembodied, and wait for the approach of the enemy, within the boundariesof their own mountains. The nature of the country, always rough, and inmany parts inaccessible, would afford them, they thought, sufficientadvantages even against the more numerous and better disciplined troopsof the invader; and, by the common consent of all, Sophron was namedthe general of his country, and invested with supreme authority for itsdefence. 

"When these measures had been resolved upon, the assembly dispersed, andSophron was left alone with Chares. It was then the stranger thusaccosted him with a deep sigh:--'Did success, O virtuous Sophron, dependentirely upon the justice of the cause, or upon the courage and zeal ofits defenders, I should have little doubt concerning the event of thepresent contest, for I can truly say, that in all the various countriesI have visited, my eyes have never seen a more martial race than I havethis day beheld assembled; nor can I doubt that their sentimentscorrespond to their appearance; all, therefore, that can be effected bypatience, activity, and dauntless courage, will be achieved by yourcountrymen in defence of their liberty; but war, unfortunately, is atrade where long experience frequently confers advantages which nointrepidity can balance. The troops which are now approaching have beenfor years inured to the practice of slaughter; they join to a couragewhich defies every danger, a knowledge of every fraud and subtilitywhich can confound or baffle an adversary. In bodily strength, innumbers, your countrymen are superior; even in courage, and the contemptof danger, they are probably not inferior to their enemies; but such arethe fatal effects of military skill and discipline, that I dread theevent of a combat with such an army and such a leader. '

"'Alas!' answered Sophron, 'how well do the mature reflections of yourwisdom accord with my presaging fears! I know that my countrymen willperform everything that can be effected by men in their situation, andthat thousands will generously sacrifice their lives rather than abandonthe cause they have undertaken to defend; yet, when I consider thesuperior advantage of our enemies, my fears are no less active than yourown. This consolation, however, remains, that I shall either see mycountry victorious, or avoid the miseries which will attend her ruin. '

"'Hear me, then, ' replied Chares. 'The virtues of your friends, my ownobligations to yourself, and the desire I feel to oppose the career ofmad ambition, conspire to wrest from me a dreadful secret, which I havehitherto buried in my own bosom, and had determined to conceal from theknowledge of mankind. I have already told you that much of my life hasbeen dedicated to the acquisition of knowledge, and the investigation ofthe laws of nature. Not contented with viewing the appearance of thingsas they strike our senses, I have endeavoured to penetrate into thedeeper recesses of nature, and to discover those secrets which areconcealed from the greater part of mankind. For this purpose I havetried innumerable experiments concerning the manner in which bodies actupon each other; I have submitted the plants, the stones, the minerals, which surround us, to the violence of all-consuming fires; I haveexamined their structure, and the different principles which composethem, with the patient labour and perseverance of a long life. In thecourse of these inquiries I have made many curious and importantdiscoveries, but one above the rest, which I will now impart under thepromise of eternal and inviolable secrecy. Know, then, that I have foundout an easy and expeditious combination of common materials, the effectof which is equal or superior to the most potent and destructive agentsin nature. Neither the proudest city can maintain its walls, nor thestrongest castle its bulwarks, against the irresistible attacks of thisextraordinary composition. Increase but the quantity, and the very rocksand mountains will be torn asunder with a violence that equals that ofearthquakes. Whole armies, proud of their triumphs, may be in an instantscattered and destroyed like the summer's dust before the whirlwind;and, what increases the prodigy, a single man may securely give death tothousands. This composition I have hitherto concealed, in pity to themiseries of mankind; but since there appears no other method ofpreserving the virtuous inhabitants of these mountains from slavery andruin, I am determined to employ it in their defence. Give orders, therefore, that a certain number of your countrymen provide me with theingredients that I shall indicate, and expect the amplest success fromyour own valour, assisted by such powerful auxiliaries. '

"Sophron said everything to Chares which such an unexpected mark ofconfidence deserved, and instantly received his orders, and prepared toexecute them with the greatest alacrity. Chares, meanwhile, wasindefatigable in the execution of his project; and it was not longbefore he had prepared a sufficient quantity to provide for the commondefence. 

"Tigranes now approached with the rage and confidence of a lion thatinvades a flock of domestic animals. He had long forgotten all the tieswhich attach men to the place of their birth; and neither time nordistance had been able to extinguish the hatred he had conceived toSophron. Scarcely did he deign to send an ambassador before his army;he, however, despatched one with an imperious message, requiring all theinhabitants of Lebanon to submit to his victorious arms, or threateningthem with the worst extremities of war. 

"When the ambassador returned, and reported the fixed determination ofSophron and his countrymen, he was inflamed with rage, and ordered hisarmy to advance to the attack. They marched without opposition till theyentered the mountainous districts, where all the bravest inhabitantswere ranged in arms to meet the invader. Then arose the noise of arms;then man encountered man, and wounds and death were seen on every side. The troops of Tigranes advanced in close array with long protendedspears; the inhabitants of Lebanon were more lightly armed, and, withinvincible courage, endeavoured to break the formidable battalion oftheir enemies. They rushed with fury upon the dreadful range of weapons, and, even wounded and dying, endeavoured to beat down their points, andopen a way to their companions. 

"Sophron was seen conspicuous in every part of the field, encouraginghis companions with his voice, and more by his actions. Wherever heturned his steps he was followed by the bravest youth of his party, andthere the efforts and the slaughter were always greatest. Five times, covered with blood and dust, he made a desperate charge upon the troopsof Tigranes, and five times did he force his bravest soldiers to giveground. At length the superiority of discipline and experience began toprevail over the generous but more unequal efforts of the defenders. The veterans of Tigranes perceived their advantage, and pressed theenemy with redoubled vigour. 

"This was the decisive moment which Chares had foreseen and providedfor; in an instant the bands of Lebanon retreated, by the orders ofSophron, with a precipitation bordering upon flight. Tigranes, supposinghimself certain of victory, orders his troops to advance, and decide thefortune of the battle; but while they are rashly preparing to obey, asudden noise is heard that equals the loudest thunders; the earth itselftrembles with a convulsive motion under their feet, then bursts asunderwith a violence that nothing can resist! Hundreds are in an instantswallowed up, or dashed against rocks, and miserably destroyed!Meanwhile all nature seems to be convulsed around; the rocks themselvesare torn from their solid base, and, with their enormous fragments, crush whole bands of miserable wretches beneath! Clouds of smoke obscurethe field of battle, and veil the combatants in a dreadful shade, whichis from time to time dispelled by flashes of destructive fire! Such asuccession of horrors daunted even the most brave; scarcely could thetroops of Lebanon, who had been prepared to expect some extraordinaryinterposition, maintain their post, or behold the spectacle of theirenemy's ruin; but the bands of Tigranes were struck with the wildestconsternation, and fled with trembling steps over the field. And nowthese prodigies were succeeded by an awful interval of quiet; the pealsof bursting thunder were no longer heard, the lightnings ceased toflash, the mists that darkened the scene were rolled away, anddiscovered the various fortunes of the fight, when the voice of Sophronwas heard, exhorting his companions to pursue the fugitives and completetheir victory. They rushed forward like angry lions to the chase, butall resistance was at an end; and Sophron, who now perceived that theenemy was irretrievably broken, checked the ardour of his men, andentreated them to spare the vanquished. They obeyed his voice; and, after having chased them beyond the utmost boundaries of Lebanon, returned in triumph amid the praises and acclamations of their joyfulfamilies, whom they had preserved from slavery by their valour. Theythen examined the field of battle, and collecting all who had anyremains of life, they treated them with the greatest humanity, bindingup their wounds, and administering to all their necessities. 

"Among the thickest dead was found the breathless body of Tigranes, miserably shattered and disfigured, but still exhibiting evident marksof passion and ferocity. Sophron could not behold, without compassion, the friend of his early years, and the companion of his youthful sports. 'Unhappy man, ' said he, 'thou hast at length paid the price of thyungovernable ambition! How much better would it have been to have tendedthy flocks upon the mountains, than to have blazed an angry meteor, andset for ever amid the curses of thy country. ' He then covered the bodywith a military vest, and ordered it to be honourably burned upon amighty funeral-pile which was prepared for all the dead. 

"The next day an immense quantity of spoil was collected, that had beenabandoned by the troops of Tigranes in their flight. The simpleinhabitants of Lebanon, the greater part of whom had never been beyondthe limits of their mountains, were astonished at such a display ofluxury and magnificence. Already the secret poison of sensuality andavarice began to inflame their hearts, as they gazed on costly hangings, enriched with gold and silver, on Persian carpets, and drinking-vesselsof the most exquisite workmanship; already had they begun to differabout the division of these splendid trifles, when Sophron, who markedthe growing mischief, and remembered the fatal effects which Chares haddescribed in his travels, rose, and proposed to his countrymen that thearms of their conquered enemies should be carefully preserved for thepublic defence, but that all the rest of the spoil should be consumedupon the funeral-pile prepared for the dead, lest the simplicity of theinhabitants of Lebanon should be corrupted, and the happy equality andunion, which had hitherto prevailed among them, be interrupted. Thisproposal was instantly applauded by all the older and wiser part of theassembly, who rejoiced in seeing the evils averted which they had somuch reason to apprehend; nor did those of a different character dare toexpress their sentiments, or attempt any open opposition. 

"From this time Sophron was universally honoured by all as the mostvirtuous and valiant of his nation. He passed the rest of his life inpeace and tranquillity, contented with the exercise of the same ruralemployments which had engaged his childhood. Chares, whose virtues andknowledge were equally admirable, was presented, at the public expense, with a small but fertile tract of land, sufficient to supply him withall the comforts of life. This the grateful inhabitants of the mountainscontinually cultivated for him as a memorial of the signal assistance hehad afforded them; and here, contented with the enjoyment of securityand freedom, he passed the remaining part of his life in thecontemplation of nature and the delightful intercourse of virtuousfriendship. "

When Miss Simmons had finished, Tommy expressed his astonishment at thelatter part of the story. "Is it possible, " said he, "there can beanything of so extraordinary a nature as to burst the very rocksasunder, and destroy an army at once?" "Have you, then, never heard theexplosion of a gun, or are you ignorant of the destructive effects ofthe powder with which they charge it?" said Mr Barlow. 

_Tommy. _--Yes, sir; but that is nothing to what Chares did in the story. 

_Mr Barlow. _--That is only because it is used in very inconsiderableportions; but were you to increase the quantity, it would be capable ofeffecting everything which you heard Miss Simmons describe. When nationsare at war with each other, it is now universally the agent ofdestruction. They have large tubes of iron, called _cannons_, into whichthey ram a considerable quantity of powder, together with a large ironball, as big as you are able to lift. They then set fire to the powder, which explodes with so much violence, that the ball flies out anddestroys not only every living thing it meets with, but even demolishesthe strongest walls that can be raised. Sometimes it is buried inconsiderable quantities in the earth, and then they contrive to inflameit, and to escape in time. When the fire communicates with the mass, itis all inflamed in an instant, and produces the horrible effects youhave heard described. As such are the irresistible effects of gunpowder, it is no wonder that even a victorious army should be stopped in theirprogress by such a dreadful and unexpected event. 

_Tommy. _--That is true, indeed; and I declare Chares was a very good andsensible man. Had it not been for him, these brave inhabitants ofLebanon must have been enslaved. I now plainly perceive that a man maybe of much more consequence by improving his mind in various kinds ofknowledge, even though he is poor, than by all the finery andmagnificence he can acquire. I wish, with all my heart, that Mr Barlowhad been so good as to read this story to the young gentlemen and ladiesthat were lately here; I think it would have made a great impressionupon their minds, and would have prevented their feeling so muchcontempt for poor Harry, who is better and wiser than them all, thoughhe does not powder his hair or dress so genteelly. 

"Tommy, " said Mr Merton, with a kind of contemptuous smile, "why shouldyou believe that the hearing of a single story would change thecharacters of all your late friends, when neither the good instructionsyou have been so long receiving from Mr Barlow, nor the intimacy youhave had with Harry, were sufficient to restrain your impetuous temper, or prevent you from treating him in the shameful manner you have done?"

Tommy appeared very much abashed with his father's rebuke. He hung downhis head in silence a considerable time; at length he faintly said, "Oh, sir, I have indeed acted very ill; I have rendered myself unworthythe affection of all my best friends; but do not, pray do not give me upentirely. You shall see how I will behave for the future; and if ever Iam guilty of the same faults again, I consent that you shall abandon mefor ever. " Saying this, he silently stole out of the room, as if intentupon some extraordinary resolution. His father observed his motions, andsmiling, said to Mr Barlow, "What can this portend? This boy ischangeable as a weathercock; every blast whirls him round and round uponhis centre, nor will he ever fix, I fear, in any direction. " "At least, "replied Mr Barlow, "you have the greatest reason to rejoice in hispresent impressions, which are good and estimable; and I fear it is thelot of most human beings to exhaust almost every species of error beforethey fix in truth and virtue. "

Tommy now entered the room, but with a remarkable change in his dressand manner. He had combed the powder out of his hair, and demolished theelegance of his curls; he had divested his dress of every appearance offinery; and even his massy and ponderous buckles, so long the delight ofhis heart and the wonder of his female friends, were taken from hisshoes, and replaced by a pair of the plainest form and appearance. Inthis habiliment he appeared so totally changed from what he was, thateven his mother, who had lately become a little sparing of herobservations, could not help exclaiming, "What, in the name of wonder, has the boy been doing now? Why, Tommy, I protest you have made yourselfa perfect fright, and you look more like a ploughboy than a younggentleman. "

"Mamma, " answered Tommy, gravely, "I am now only what I ought always tohave been. Had I been contented with this dress before, I never shouldhave imitated such a parcel of coxcombs as you have lately had at yourhouse, nor pretended to admire Miss Matilda's music, which, I own, tiredme as much as Harry, and had almost set me asleep; nor should I haveexposed myself at the play and the ball; and, what is worst of all, Ishould have avoided all my shameful behaviour to Harry at thebull-baiting. But from this time I shall apply myself to the study ofnothing but reason and philosophy, and therefore I have bid adieu todress and finery for ever. "

It was with great difficulty that the gentlemen could refrain fromlaughing at Tommy's harangue, delivered with infinite seriousness andsolemnity; they, however, concealed their emotions, and encouraged himto persevere in such a laudable resolution; but as the night was nowpretty far advanced, the whole family retired to bed. 

The next morning early, Tommy arose, and dressed himself with hisnewly-adopted simplicity, and, as soon as breakfast was over, prevailedwith Mr Barlow to accompany him to Harry Sandford's; but he did notforget to take with him the lamb, which he had caressed and fed withconstant assiduity ever since he had so valiantly rescued him from hisdevouring enemy. As they approached the house, the first object whichTommy distinguished was his little friend at some distance, who wasdriving his father's sheep along the common. At this sight hisimpetuosity could no longer be restrained, and, springing forward withall his speed, he arrived in an instant panting and out of breath, andincapable of speaking. Harry, who knew his friend, and plainly perceivedthe disposition with which he approached, met him with open arms, sothat the reconciliation was begun and completed in a moment; and MrBarlow, who now arrived with the lamb, had the pleasure of seeing hislittle pupils mutually giving and receiving every unaffected mark of thewarmest affection. 

"Harry, " said Mr Barlow, "I bring you a little friend who is sincerelypenitent for his offences, and comes to own the faults he hascommitted. " "That I am indeed, " said Tommy, a little recovered, and ableto speak; "but I have behaved so ill, and been such an ungratefulfellow, that I am afraid Harry will never be able to forgive me. ""Indeed, indeed, " said Harry, "there you do me the greatest injustice, for I have already forgotten everything but your former kindness andaffection. " "And I, " answered Tommy, "will never forget how ill, howungratefully I have used you, nor the goodness with which you nowreceive me. " Tommy then recollected his lamb, and presented it to hisfriend, while Mr Barlow told him the story of its rescue, and theheroism exerted in its defence. Harry seemed to receive equal pleasurefrom the restoration of his favourite, and the affection Tommy had shownin its preservation; and, taking him by the hand, he led him into asmall but neat and convenient house, where he was most cordiallywelcomed by Harry's family. 

In a corner of the chimney sat the honest Black, who had performed sosignal a service at the bull-baiting. "Alas!" said Tommy, "there isanother instance of my negligence and ingratitude; I now see that onefault brings on another without end. " Then advancing to the Black, hetook him kindly by the hand, and thanked him for the preservation of hislife. "Little master, " replied he, "you are extremely welcome to all Ihave done; I would at any time risk my own safety to preserve one of myfellow-creatures; and if I have been of any use, I have been amplyrepaid by the kindness of this little boy, your friend, and all hisworthy family. " "That is not enough, " said Tommy, "and you shall soonfind what it is to oblige a person like----(here a stroke of presumptionwas just coming out of Tommy's mouth, but, recollecting himself, headded) a person like my father. " And now he addressed himself to Harry'smother, a venerable, decent woman of middle age, and his two sisters, plain, modest, healthy-looking girls, a little older than their brother. All these he treated with so much cordiality and attention that all thecompany were delighted with him; so easy is it for those who possessrank and fortune to gain the goodwill of their fellow-creatures, and soinexcusable is that surly pride which renders many of them deservedlyodious. 

When dinner was ready he sat down with the rest; and as it was thecustom here for everybody to wait upon himself, Tommy insisted upontheir suffering him to conform to the established method. The food, indeed, was not very delicate, but it was wholesome, clean, and servedup hot to table, --an advantage which is not always found in elegantapartments. Tommy ate with a considerable appetite, and seemed to enjoyhis new situation as much as if he had never experienced any other. After the dinner was removed, he thought he might with proprietygratify the curiosity he felt to converse with the Black upon fightingbulls, for nothing had more astonished him than the account he had heardof his courage, and the ease with which he had subdued so terrible ananimal. "My friend, " said he, "I suppose in your own country you havebeen very much used to bull-baitings, otherwise you would never havedared to encounter such a fierce creature. I must confess, though I cantame most animals, I never was more frightened in my life than when Isaw him break loose; and without your assistance, I do not know whatwould have become of me. "

"Master, " replied the Black, "it is not in my own country that I havelearned to manage these animals. There I have been accustomed to severalkinds of hunting much more dangerous than this; and considering how muchyou white people despise us blacks, I own I was very much surprised tosee so many hundreds of you running away from such an insignificantenemy as a poor tame bull. "

Tommy blushed a little at the remembrance of the prejudices he hadformerly entertained concerning blacks and his own superiority; but notchoosing now to enter upon the subject, he asked the man where then hehad acquired so much dexterity in taming them?

"I will tell you, master, " replied the Black. "When I lived a slaveamong the Spaniards at Buenos Ayres, it used to be a common employmentof the people to go into the woods to hunt cattle down for theirsubsistence. The hunter mounts his fleetest horse, and takes with him astrong cord of a considerable length; when he sees one of the wild kindwhich he destines for his prey, he pursues it at full speed, and neverfails to overtake it by the superior swiftness of his horse. While he isthus employed, he holds the cord ready, at the end of which a slidingnoose is formed, and when he is at a convenient distance, throws it fromhim with such a certain hand, that the beast is entangled by one of hislegs, after which it is impossible for him to escape. 

"That you may form a more clear idea of what a man is capable ofexecuting with courage and address, I will relate a most extraordinaryincident to which I was witness during my residence in that part of theworld. A certain man, a native of the country, had committed someoffence, for which he was condemned to labour several years in thegalleys. He found means to speak to the governor of the town, andbesought him to change the nature of his punishment. 'I have beenbrought up, ' said he, 'a warrior, and fear dishonour, but not death. Instead of consuming my strength and spirits in such an ignominiousemployment, let me have an opportunity of achieving something worthy tobe beheld, or of perishing like a brave man in the attempt. In a fewdays a solemn feast is to be celebrated, at which you will not fail tobe present, attended by all your people. I will there, in the presenceof the whole city, encounter the fiercest bull you can procure. I desireno assistance but my horse, no weapons but this cord; yet, thusprepared, I will meet his fury, and take him by the head, the horns, thefeet, as you shall direct. I will then throw him down, bridle him, saddle him, and vault upon his back; in this situation you shall turnout two more of the fiercest bulls you can find, and I will attack themboth, and put them all to death with my dagger the instant you shallcommand. ' The governor consented to this brave man's request, more fromcuriosity to see so extraordinary a spectacle, than from the opinion itwould be attended with success. 

"When the appointed day arrived the inhabitants of the city assembled, and took their seats in a vast building which surrounded a considerableopen space destined for this amazing combat. The brave American thenappeared alone on horseback, armed with nothing but his cord; and afterriding round the place and saluting the company, he waited intrepidlyfor his enemy. Presently an enormous bull was let loose, who, as soon ashe beheld the man, attacked him with all his fury. The American avoidedhis shock with infinite dexterity, and galloped round the bull, who, inhis turn, betook himself to flight. The valiant horseman pursued hisflying enemy; and while he was thus engaged, he desired the governor todirect where he would have him seized. He replied it was a matter ofindifference to him; and the American, instantly throwing his noose, which he held ready all the time, caught the bull in his flight by oneof his hinder legs; then, galloping two or three times round the animal, he so enveloped him in the snare, that, after a few violent efforts todisengage himself, he fell to the earth. He then leaped lightly from hishorse; and the animal who had been perfectly trained up to this kind ofcombat, stood still, and kept the cord extended; while his masteradvanced to the bull, and put him to death in an instant, by stabbinghim with his dagger behind the horns. 

"All the assembly uttered a shout of admiration; but the conqueror toldthem, that what they had seen was nothing; and, disentangling his cordfrom the slaughtered beast, he composedly mounted his horse, and waitedfor a new and more formidable enemy. Presently the gate of the torillowas opened, and a bull, much more furious than the last, rushed out, whom he was ordered to bridle and saddle, according to his engagement. "

"I protest, " said Tommy, "this is the most wonderful story I ever heard. I do not believe all the fine gentleman I have ever seen, put together, would dare to attack such a bull. "

"Master, " replied the Black, "the talents of mankind are various; andnature has, in every country, furnished the human species with all thequalities necessary for their preservation. In this country, and manyothers which I have seen, there are thousands who live, like birds incages, upon the food provided by others, without doing anything forthemselves. But they should be contented with the happiness they enjoy(if such a life can be called happiness), and not despise theirfellow-creatures, without whose continual assistance they could notexist an instant. "

"Very true, indeed, " answered Tommy; "you seem to be a very honestsensible man, though a negro; and since I have given myself up to theimprovement of my mind, I entertain the same opinions. But let us hearhow this brave man succeeded in his next attempt. "

"When the champion perceived this second enemy approach, he waited forhim with the same intrepidity he had discovered before, and avoided hisformidable shock by making his horse wheel nimbly round the bull. Whenhe had thus baffled his fury, and put his enemy to flight, he chasedhim some time, as he had done the former, till he drove him near to themiddle of the enclosed space, where a strong post had been firmly fixedinto the ground. As soon as he approached the spot he threw the unerringnoose, and, catching the bull by the horns, entangled him as he had donebefore, and dragged him with some difficulty to the stake. To this hebound him down so closely, that it became impossible for the creatureeither to resist or stir. Leaping then from his horse, who remainedimmovable as before, he took a saddle, which had been left there onpurpose, and girded it firmly on the back of the bull; through hisnostrils he thrust an iron ring, to which was fixed a cord, which hebrought over his neck as a bridle; and then arming his hand with a shortspike, he nimbly vaulted upon the back of this new and terrible courser. 

"The creature all this time did not cease to bellow with everyexpression of rage, which had not the least effect upon the mind of thisvaliant man; on the contrary, coolly taking a knife, he cut the cordwhich bound him to the stake, and restored him to perfect liberty. Thecreature, thus disengaged, exerted every effort of strength and fury tothrow his rider, who kept his seat undaunted in spite of all his violentagitation. The gates of the torillo were then thrown open, and two otherfurious bulls rushed out, and seemed ready to attack the man; but at theinstant they perceived the manner in which he was mounted, their ragegave way to terror, and they fled precipitately away. The other bullfollowed his companions, and bore his rider several times round theamphitheatre in this extraordinary chase. This spectacle had alreadylasted some time, to the admiration of all present, when the governorordered the man to complete the business by putting all the bulls todeath. He, instantly drawing his knife, plunged it behind the horns ofthe bull on which he rode, who immediately dropped down dead; while theconqueror, disengaging himself as he fell, stood upright by theslaughtered animal. He then mounted his horse again, who had been placedin safety at some little distance; and, pursuing the chase as before, with his fatal noose, despatched both the surviving animals without theleast difficulty. "

Tommy expressed the greatest admiration at this recital; and now, as theevening began to advance, Mr Barlow invited him to return. But Tommy, instead of complying, took him by the hand, thanked him for all hiskindness and attention, but declared his resolution of staying some timewith his friend Harry. "The more I consider my own behaviour, " said he"the more I feel myself ashamed of my folly and ingratitude; but youhave taught me, my dear sir, that all I have in my power is toacknowledge them, which I most willingly do before all this good family, and entreat Harry to think that the impressions I now feel are such as Ishall never forget. " Harry embraced his friend, and assured him oncemore of his being perfectly reconciled; and all the family stood mutewith admiration at the condescension of the young gentleman, who was notashamed of acknowledging his faults even to his inferiors. 

Mr Barlow approved of Tommy's design, and took upon him to answer forthe consent of Mr Merton to his staying some time with Harry; then, taking his leave of all the company, he departed. 

But Tommy began now to enter upon a course of life which was very littleconsistent with his former habits. He supped with great cheerfulness, and even found himself happy with the rustic fare which was set beforehim, accompanied, as it was, with unaffected civility and a heartywelcome. He went to bed early, and slept very soundly all night;however, when Harry came to call him the next morning at five, as he hadmade him promise to do, he found a considerable difficulty in rousinghimself at the summons. Conscious pride, however, and the newly-acquireddignity of his character, supported him; he recollected that he shoulddisgrace himself in the eyes of his father, of Mr Barlow, and of all thefamily with which he now was, if he appeared incapable of acting up tohis own declarations; he therefore made a noble effort, leaped out ofbed, dressed himself, and followed Harry. Not contented with this, heaccompanied him in all his rustic employments; and as no kind of countryexercise was entirely new to him since his residence with Mr Barlow, heacquitted himself with a degree of dexterity that gained him newcommendations. 

Thus did he pass the first day of his visit, with some little difficultyindeed, but without deviating from his resolution; the second, he foundhis change of life infinitely more tolerable, and in a very little spaceof time he was almost reconciled to his new situation. The additionalexercise he used improved his health and strength, and added soconsiderably to his appetite that he began to think the table of farmerSandford exceeded all that he had ever tried before. 

By thus practising the common useful occupations of life, he began tofeel a more tender interest in the common concerns of hisfellow-creatures. He now found, from his own experience, that Mr Barlowhad not deceived him in the various representations he had made of theutility of the lower classes, and consequently of the humanity which isdue to them when they discharge their duty. Nor did that gentlemanabandon his little friend in this important trial; he visited himfrequently, pointed out everything that was curious or interesting aboutthe farm, and encouraged him to persevere by his praises. 

"You are now, " said Mr Barlow, one day, "beginning to practise thosevirtues which have rendered the great men of other times so justlyfamous. It is not by sloth, nor finery, nor the mean indulgence of ourappetites, that greatness of character, or even reputation, is to beacquired. He that would excel others in virtue or knowledge, must firstexcel them in temperance and application. You cannot imagine that men, fit to command an army, or to give laws to a state, were ever formed byan idle and effeminate education. When the Roman people, oppressed bytheir enemies, were looking out for a leader able to defend them, andchange the fortune of the war, where did they seek for thisextraordinary man? It was neither at banquets, nor in splendid palaces, nor amid the gay, the elegant, or the dissipated; they turned theirsteps towards a poor and solitary cottage, such as the meanest of yourlate companions would consider with contempt; there they found_Cincinnatus_ (whose virtues and abilities were allowed to excel all therest of his citizens) turning up the soil with a pair of oxen, andholding the plough himself. This great man had been inured to arms andthe management of public affairs even from his infancy; he hadrepeatedly led the Roman legions to victory, yet, in the hour of peace, or when his country did not require his services, he deemed noemployment more honourable than to labour for his own subsistence. 

"What would all your late friends have said, to see the greatest men inEngland, and the bravest officers of the army, crowding round the houseof one of those obscure farmers you have been accustomed to despise, andentreating him in the most respectful language to leave his fields andaccept of the highest dignity in the government or army? Yet this wasactually the state of things at Rome; and it was characters like these, with all the train of severe and rugged virtues, which elevated thatpeople above all the other nations of the world. And tell me, my littlefriend, since chance, not merit, too frequently allots the situation inwhich men are to act, had you rather, in a high station, appear to allmankind unworthy of the advantages you enjoy, or, in a low one, seemequal to the most exalted employments by your virtues and abilities?"

Such were the conversations which Mr Barlow frequently held with Tommy, and which never failed to inspire him with new resolution to persevere. Nor could he help being frequently affected by the comparison of Harry'sbehaviour with his own. No cloud seemed ever to shade the features ofhis friend, or alter the uniform sweetness of his temper; even therepeated provocations he had received were either totally obliterated orhad made no disagreeable impressions. After discharging the necessaryduties of the day, he gave up the rest of his time to the amusement ofTommy with so much zeal and affection that he could not help loving hima thousand times better than before. 

During the evening, too, Tommy frequently conversed with the honestnegro concerning the most remarkable circumstances of the country wherehe was born. One night that he seemed peculiarly inquisitive, the Blackgave him the following account of himself:--

"I was born, " said he, "in the neighbourhood of the river Gambia inAfrica. In _this_ country people are astonished at my colour, and startat the sight of a black man, as if he did not belong to their species;but _there_ everybody resembles me, and when the first white men landedupon our coast, we were as much surprised with their appearance as youcan be with ours. In some parts of the world I have seen men of a yellowhue, in others of a copper colour; and all have the foolish vanity todespise their fellow-creatures as infinitely inferior to themselves. There, indeed, they entertain these conceits from ignorance, but in thiscountry, where the natives pretend to superior reason, I have oftenwondered they could be influenced by such a prejudice. Is a black horsethought to be inferior to a white one in speed, in strength, or courage?Is a white cow thought to give more milk, or a white dog to have a moreacute scent in pursuing the game? On the contrary, I have generallyfound, in almost every country, that a pale colour in animals isconsidered as a mark of weakness and inferiority. Why then should acertain race of men imagine themselves superior to the rest, for thevery circumstance they despise in other animals?

"But, in the country where I was born, it is not only _man_ thatdiffers from what we see here, but every other circumstance. _Here_, fora considerable part of the year you are chilled by frosts and snows, andscarcely behold the presence of the sun, during that gloomy season whichis called the winter. With us, the sun is always present, pouring outlight and heat, and scorching us with his fiercest beams. In my countrywe know no difference between the length of nights and days; all are ofequal length throughout the year, and present not that continual varietywhich you see here; we have neither ice, nor frost, nor snow; the treesnever lose their leaves, and we have fruits in every season of the year. During several months, indeed, we are scorched by unremitting heats, which parch the ground, dry up the rivers, and afflict both men andanimals with intolerable thirst. In that season you may behold lions, tigers, elephants, and a variety of other ferocious animals, driven fromtheir dark abodes in the midst of impenetrable forests, down to thelower grounds and the sides of rivers; every night we hear their savageyells, their cries of rage, and think ourselves scarcely safe in ourcottages. In this country you have reduced all other animals tosubjection, and have nothing to fear, except from each other. You evenshelter yourselves from the injuries of the weather, in mansions thatseem calculated to last for ever, in impenetrable houses of brick andstone, that would have scarcely anything to fear from the whole animalcreation; but, with us, a few reeds twisted together, and perhaps daubedover with slime or mud, compose the whole of our dwelling. Yet theinnocent negro would sleep as happy and contented as you do in yourpalaces, provided you do not drag him by fraud and violence away, andforce him to endure all the excesses of your cruelty. 

"It was in one of these cottages that I first remembered anything ofmyself. A few stakes set in the ground, and interwoven with dry leaves, covered at top with the spreading leaves of the palm, composed ourdwelling. Our furniture consisted of three or four earthen pipkins, inwhich our food was dressed; a few mats woven with a silky kind of grassto serve as beds; the instruments with which my mother turned theground, and the javelin, arrows, and lines which my father used infishing or the chase. In this country, and many others where I havebeen, I observe that nobody thinks himself happy till he has gottogether a thousand things which he does not want, and can never use;you live in houses so big that they are fit to contain an army; youcover yourselves with superfluous clothes that restrain all the motionsof your bodies; when you want to eat, you must have meat enough servedup to nourish a whole village; yet I have seen poor famished wretchesstarving at your gate, while the master had before him at least ahundred times as much as he could consume. We negroes, whom you treat assavages, have different manners and different opinions. The first thingthat I can remember of myself, was the running naked about such acottage as I have described, with four of my little brothers andsisters. I have observed your children here with astonishment; as soonas they are born, it seems to be the business of all about them torender them weak, helpless, and unable to use any of their limbs; thelittle negro, on the contrary is scarcely born before he learns to crawlabout upon the ground. Unrestrained by bandages or ligatures, he comesas soon and as easily to the perfect use of all his organs as any of thebeasts which surround him; before your children here are taught toventure themselves upon their feet, he has the perfect use of his, andcan follow his mother in her daily labours. 

"This, I remember, was my own case. Sometimes I used to go with mymother to the field, where all the women of the village were assembledto plant rice for their subsistence. The joyful songs which they used tosing, amid their toils, delighted my infant ear, and when their dailytask was done, they danced together under the shade of spreading palms. In this manner did they raise the simple food which was sufficient forthemselves and their children; yams, a root resembling your potato, Indian corn, and, above all, rice: to this were added the fruits whichnature spontaneously produced in our woods, and the produce of the chaseand fishing. Yet with this we are as much contented as you are with allyour splendid tables, and enjoy a greater share of health and strength. As soon as the fiery heat of the sun declined, you might behold themaster of every cottage reposing before his own door, and feasting uponhis mess of roots or fruits, with all his family around him. If atraveller or stranger happened to come from a distant country, he waswelcome to enter into every house, and share the provisions of thefamily; no door was barred against his entrance, no surly servantinsulted him for his poverty; he entered wherever he pleased, sethimself down with the family, and then pursued his journey, or reposedhimself in quiet till the next morning. In each of our towns there isgenerally a large building, where the elder part of the society areaccustomed to meet in the shade of the evening, and converse upon avariety of subjects. The young and vigorous divert themselves withdances and other pastimes, and the children of different ages amusethemselves with a thousand sports and gambols adapted to their age; someaim their little arrows at marks, or dart their light and bluntedjavelins at each other, to form themselves for the exercises of war andthe chase; others wrestle naked upon the sand, or run in sportive raceswith a degree of activity which I have never seen among the Europeans, who pretend to be our masters. 

"I have described to you the building of our houses; simple as they are, they answer every purpose of human life, and every man is his ownarchitect. A hundred or two of these edifices compose our towns, whichare generally surrounded by lofty hedges of thorns, to secure us fromthe midnight attacks of wild beasts, with only a single entrance, whichis carefully closed at night"----

"You talk, " said Tommy, "of wild beasts; pray, have you many in yourcountry?"

"Yes, master, " said the Black, "we have them of many sorts, equallydreadful and ferocious. First, we have the _lion_, which I daresay youhave heard of, and perhaps seen. He is bigger than the largest mastiff, and infinitely stronger and more fierce; his paws alone are such that, with a single blow, he is able to knock down a man, and almost everyother animal; but these paws are armed with claws so sharp and dreadfulthat nothing can resist their violence. When he roars, every beast ofthe forest betakes himself to flight, and even the boldest hunter canscarcely hear it without dismay. Sometimes the most valiant of our youthassemble in bands, arm themselves with arrows and javelins, and go tothe chase of these destructive animals. When they have found hisretreat, they generally make a circle round, uttering shouts and cries, and clashing their arms, to rouse him to resistance. The lion, meanwhile, looks round upon his assailants with indifference orcontempt; neither their number, nor their horrid shouts, nor the glitterof their radiant arms, can daunt him for an instant. At length he beginsto lash his sides with his long and nervous tail--a certain sign ofrising rage--his eyes sparkle with destructive fires; and if the numberof the hunters is very great, he perhaps moves slowly on. But this he isnot permitted to do; a javelin thrown at him from behind wounds him inthe flank, and compels him to turn. Then you behold him roused to furyand desperation: neither wounds, nor streaming blood, nor a triple rowof barbed spears, can prevent him from springing upon the daring Blackwho has wounded him. Should he reach him in the attack, it is certaindeath; but generally the hunter, who is at once contending for glory andhis own life, and is inured to danger, avoids him by a nimble leap; andall his companions hasten to his assistance. Thus is the lion pressedand wounded on every side; his rage is ineffectual, and only exhaustshis strength the faster; a hundred wounds are pouring out his blood atonce; and at length he bites the ground in the agonies of death, andyields the victory, though unconquered. When he is dead, he is carriedback in triumph by the hunters, as a trophy of their courage. All thevillage rushes out at once; the young, the old, women and children, uttering joyful shouts, and praising the valour of their champions. Theelders admire his prodigious size, his mighty limbs, his dreadful fangs, and perhaps repeat tales of their own exploits; the women seem totremble at their fierce enemy, even in his death, while the men compeltheir children to approach the monster and tinge their little weapons inhis blood. All utter joyful exclamations, and feasts are made in everyhouse, to which the victors are invited as the principal guests. Theseare intended at once to reward those who have performed so gallant anachievement, and to encourage a spirit of enterprise in the rest of thenation. "

"What a dreadful kind of hunting must this be!" said Tommy; "but Isuppose if any one meets a lion alone, it is impossible to resist him. "

"Not always, " answered the Black: "I will tell you what I once waswitness to myself. My father was reckoned not only the most skilfulhunter, but one of the bravest of our tribe; innumerable are the wildbeasts which have fallen beneath his arm. One evening, when theinhabitants of the whole village were assembled at their sports anddances, a monstrous lion, allured, I suppose, by the smell of humanflesh, burst unexpectedly upon them, without warning them of hisapproach by roaring, as he commonly does. As they were unarmed, andunprepared for defence, all but my father instantly fled, trembling, totheir huts; but he, who had never yet turned his back upon any beast ofthe forest, drew from his side a kind of knife or dagger, which heconstantly wore, and, placing one knee and one hand upon the ground, waited the approach of his terrible foe. The lion instantly rushed uponhim with a fury not to be described; but my father received him upon thepoint of his weapon with so steady and so composed an aim, that heburied it several inches in his belly. The beast attacked him a secondtime, and a second time received a dreadful wound, not, however withoutlaying bare one of my father's sides with a sudden stroke of his claws. The rest of the village then rushed in, and had soon despatched the lionwith innumerable wounds. 

"This exploit appeared so extraordinary that it spread my father's famethroughout the whole country, and gave him the name of the _undauntedhunter_, as an honourable distinction from the neighbourhood. Under sucha parent it was not long before I was taught every species of the chase. At first my father only suffered me to pursue stags and other feebleanimals, or took me in his canoe to fish. Soon, however, I was intrustedwith a bow and arrows, and placed with many other children and young mento defend our rice-fields from the depredations of the _river-horse_. Rice (it is necessary to observe) is a plant that requires greatmoisture in the soil; all our plantations, therefore, are made by theside of rivers, in the soft fertile soil which is overflowed in therainy season. But when the grain is almost ripe, we are forced to defendit from a variety of hurtful animals, that would otherwise deprive us ofthe fruits of our labours; among these one of the principal is theanimal I have mentioned. His size and bulk are immense, being twice thebigness of the largest ox which I have seen in this country: he has fourlegs, which are short and thick; a head of a monstrous magnitude, andjaws that are armed with teeth of a prodigious size and strength;besides two prominent tusks, which threaten destruction to allassailants. 

"But this animal, though so large and strong, is chiefly an inhabitantof the river, where he lives upon fish and water-roots. It is sometimesa curious but a dreadful sight, when a boat is gliding over a smoothpart of the stream of unusual depth and clearness, to look down andbehold this monstrous creature travelling along the bottom several yardsbelow the surface. Whenever this happens, the boatman instantly paddlesanother way; for such is the strength of the creature, that he is ableto overset a bark of moderate size by rising under it, or to tear out aplank with his fangs, and expose those who are in it to the dangers ofan unexpected shipwreck. All the day he chiefly hides himself in thewater, and preys upon fish; but during the gloom of night he issues fromthe river, and invades the fields of standing corn, which he would soonlay desolate, were he not driven back by the shouts and cries of thosewho are stationed to defend them. 

"At this work I had assisted several successive nights, till we werealmost wearied with watching. At length one of the most enterprising ofour young men proposed that we should no longer content ourselves withdriving back the enemy, but boldly attack him, and punish him for histemerity. With this purpose we concealed ourselves in a convenientspot, till we had seen one of the river-horses issue from the water, andadvance a considerable way into our plantations; then we rushed from ourhiding-place with furious shouts and cries, and endeavoured to intercepthis return; but the beast, confiding in his superior strength, advancedslowly on, snarling horribly, and gnashing his dreadful tusks; and inthis manner he opened his way through the thickest of our battalions. Invain we poured upon him on every side our darts and arrows, and everymissive weapon; so well defended was he in an impenetrable hide, thatevery weapon either rebounded as from a wall, or glanced aside withoutin the least annoying. At length one of the boldest of our youthadvanced unguardedly upon him, and endeavoured to wound him from ashorter distance; but the furious beast rushed upon him with anunexpected degree of swiftness, ripped up his body with a single strokeof his enormous tusk, and then, seizing him in his furious jaws, liftedup his mangled body as if in triumph, and crushed him into a bleedingand promiscuous mass. 

"Fear instantly seized upon our company; all involuntarily retreated, and seemed inclined to quit the unequal combat; all but myself, who, inflamed with grief and rage for the loss of my companion, determinedeither to revenge his death or perish in the attempt. Seeing, therefore, that it was in vain to attack the animal in the usual manner, I chosethe sharpest arrow, and fitted it to the bowstring; then, with a coolunterrified aim, observing him moving nimbly into the river, Idischarged it full at his broad and glaring eye-ball with such success, that the barbed point penetrated even to his brain, and the monsterfell expiring to the ground. 

[Illustration: "I discharged it full at his broad and glaring eye-ballwith such success, that the barbed point penetrated even to his brain. "_P. 523. _]

"This action, magnified beyond its deserts, gained me universal applausethroughout the hamlet; I was from that time looked upon as one of themost valiant and fortunate of our youth. The immense body of the monsterwhich I had slain was cut to pieces, and borne in triumph to thevillage. All the young women received me with songs of joy andcongratulations; the young men adopted me as their leader in everyhazardous expedition; and the elders applauded me with such expressionsof esteem as filled my ignorant heart with vanity and exultation. 

"But what was more agreeable to me than all the rest, my father receivedme with transport, and, pressing me to his bosom with tears of joy, toldme that now he could die with pleasure, since I had exceeded his mostsanguine expectations. 'I, ' said he, 'have not lived inactive oringlorious; I have transfixed the tiger with my shafts; I have, thoughalone, attacked the lion in his rage, the terror of the woods, thefiercest of animals; even the elephant has been compelled to turn hisback and fly before my javelin; but never, in the pride of my youth andstrength, did I achieve such an exploit as this. ' He then went into hiscabin and brought forth the bow and fatal arrows which he was accustomedto use in the chase. 'Take them, take them, ' said he, 'my son, andrescue my weaker arm from a burthen which it is no longer destined tosustain. Age is now creeping on; my blood begins to cool, my sinewsslacken, and I am no longer equal to the task of supporting the gloriesof our race. That care shall now be thine; and with a firmer hand shaltthou henceforth use these weapons against the beasts of the forest andthe enemies of our country. '"

Such was the account which the negro gave to Tommy, in differentconversations, of his birth and education. His curiosity was gratifiedwith the recital, and his heart expanded in the same proportion that hisknowledge improved. He reflected, with shame and contempt, upon theridiculous prejudices he had once entertained; he learned to considerall men as his brethren and equals; and the foolish distinctions whichpride had formerly suggested were gradually obliterated from his mind. Such a change in his sentiments rendered him more mild, more obliging, more engaging than ever; he became the delight of all the family; andHarry, although he had always loved him, now knew no limits to hisaffection. 

One day Tommy was surprised by an unexpected visit from his father, whomet him with open arms, and told him that he was now come to take himback to his own house. "I have heard, " said he, "such an account of yourpresent behaviour, that the past is entirely forgotten; and I begin toglory in owning you for a son. " He then embraced him with the transportsof an affectionate father, who indulges the strongest sentiments of hisheart, but sentiments he had long been forced to restrain. 

Tommy returned his father's caresses with genuine warmth, but with adegree of respect and humility he had once been little accustomed touse. "I will accompany you home, sir, " said he, "with the greatestreadiness; for I wish to see my mother, and hope to give her somesatisfaction by my future behaviour. You have both had too much tocomplain of in the past, and I am unworthy of such affectionateparents. " He then turned his face aside and shed a tear of real virtueand gratitude, which he instantly wiped away, as unworthy the composureand fortitude of his new character. 

"But, sir, " added he, "I hope you will not object to my detaining you alittle longer, while I return my acknowledgments to all the family, andtake my leave of Harry. " "Surely, " said Mr Merton, "you can entertain nodoubt on that subject; and to give you every opportunity of dischargingall your duties to a family to which you owe so much, I intend to take adinner with Mr Sandford, whom I now see coming home, and then to returnwith you in the evening. "

At this instant, farmer Sandford approached, and very respectfullysaluting Mr Merton, invited him to walk in. But Mr Merton, afterreturning his civility, drew him aside, as if he had some privatebusiness to communicate. When they were alone, he made him everyacknowledgment that gratitude could suggest, "but words, " added MrMerton, "are very insufficient to return the favours I have received, for it is to your excellent family, together with the virtuous MrBarlow, that I owe the preservation of my son. Let me therefore entreatyou to accept of what this pocket-book contains, as a slight proof of mysentiments, and lay it out in whatever manner you please for theadvantage of your family. "

Mr Sandford, who was a man both of sense and humour, took the book, andexamining the inside, found that it contained bank-notes to the amountof some hundred pounds. He then carefully shut it up again, and, returning it to Mr Merton, told him that he was infinitely obliged tohim for the generosity which prompted him to such a princely act; but, as to the present itself, he must not be offended if he declined it. MrMerton, still more astonished at such disinterestedness, pressed himwith every argument he could think of; he desired him to consider thestate of his family; his daughters unprovided for, his son himself, withdispositions that might adorn a throne, brought up to labour, and hisown advancing age, which demanded ease and respite, and an increase ofthe conveniences of life. 

"And what, " replied the honest farmer, "is it but these conveniences oflife that are the ruin of all the nation? When I was a young man, MasterMerton (and that is near forty years ago), people in my conditionthought of nothing but doing their duty to God and man, and labouringhard; this brought down a blessing upon their heads, and made themthrive in all their worldly concerns. When I was a boy, farmers did notlie droning in bed, as they do now, till six or seven; my father, Ibelieve, was as good a judge of business as any in the neighbourhood, and turned as straight a furrow as any ploughman in the county of Devon;that silver cup which I intend to have the honour of drinking yourhealth out of to-day at dinner--that very cup was won by him at thegreat ploughing-match near Axminster. Well, my father used to say that afarmer was not worth a farthing that was not in the field by four; andmy poor dear mother, too, the best-tempered woman in the world, shealways began milking exactly at five; and if a single soul was to befound in bed after four in the summer, you might have heard her from oneend of the farm to the other. I would not disparage anybody, oranything, my good sir; but those were times indeed; the women then knewsomething about the management of a house; it really was quite apleasure to hear my poor mother lecture the servants; and the men weremen indeed. Pray, did you ever hear the story of father's being atTruro, and throwing the famous Cornish wrestler, _squinting Dick_ theminer?"

Mr Merton began to be convinced that, whatever other qualities good MrSandford might have, he did not excel in brevity, and thereforeendeavoured in still stronger terms to overcome the delicacy of thefarmer, and prevail upon him to accept his present. 

But the good farmer pursued his point thus: "Thank you, thank you, mydear sir, a thousand times for your goodwill; but, as to the money, Imust beg your pardon if I persist in refusing it. Formerly, sir, as Iwas saying, we were all happy and healthy, and our affairs prospered, because we never thought about the conveniences of life; now, I hear ofnothing else. One neighbour (for I will not mention names) brings hisson up to go a-shooting with gentlemen; another sends his to market upona blood-horse with a plated bridle; and then the girls--the girls; thereis fine work indeed!--they must have their hats and feathers and ridinghabits; their heads as big as bushels, and even their hind-quartersstuck out with cork or pasteboard; but scarcely one of them can milk acow, or churn, or bake, or do any one thing that is necessary in afamily; so that, unless the government will send them all to this newsettlement, which I have heard so much of, and bring us a cargo ofplain, honest housewives, who have never been at boarding-schools, Icannot conceive how we farmers are to get wives. "

Mr Merton laughed very heartily at this sally, and told him that hewould venture to assert it was not so at _his_ house. "Not quite so badindeed, " said the farmer; "my wife was bred up under a notable mother, and though she must have her tea every afternoon, is, in the main, avery good sort of woman. She has brought her daughters up a littlebetter than usual, but I can assure you she and I have had many a goodargument on the subject. Not but she approves their milking, spinning, and making themselves useful, but she would fain have them genteel, Master Merton; all women now are mad after gentility; and, when once_gentility_ begins, there is an end of _industry_. Now, were they tohear of such a sum as you have generously offered, there would be nopeace in the house. My wenches instead of _Deb_ and _Kate_, would be_Miss Deborah_ and _Miss Catherine_; in a little time they must be sentto boarding-school to learn French and music, and wriggling about theroom; and when they come back, who must boil the pot, or make thepudding, or sweep the house, or serve the pigs? Did you ever hear ofMiss Juliana, or Miss Harriet, or Miss Carolina, doing such vulgarthings?"

Mr Merton was very much struck with the honest farmer's method ofexpressing himself, and could not help internally allowing the truth ofhis representations; yet he still pressed him to accept his present, andreminded him of the improvement of his farm. 

"Thank you, again and again, " replied the farmer; "but the wholegeneration of the Sandfords have been brought up to labour with theirown hands for these hundred years; and during all that time there hasnot been a dishonest person, a gentleman, or a madman amongst us. Andshall I be the first to break the customs of the family, and perhapsbring down a curse on all our heads? What could I have more if I were alord or a macaroni, as I think you call them? I have plenty of victualsand work, good firing, clothes, warm house, a little for the poor, and, between you and I, something perhaps in a corner to set my children offwith if they behave well. Ah! neighbour, neighbour, if you did but knowthe pleasure of holding plough after a good team of horses, and thengoing tired to bed, perhaps you'd wish to have been brought up a farmertoo. But, in one word, as well as a thousand, I shall never forget theextraordinary kindness of your offer; but if you would not ruin a wholefamily of innocent people that love you, e'en consent to leave us as weare. "

Mr Merton then seeing the fixed determination of the farmer, and feelingthe justice of his coarse but strong morality, was obliged, howeverreluctantly, to desist; and Mrs Sandford coming to invite them todinner, he entered the house, and paid his respects to the family. 

After the cloth was removed, and Mr Sandford had twice or thricereplenished his silver mug, the only piece of finery in his house, little Harry came running in, with so much alacrity and heedlessnessthat he tore Miss Deborah's best apron, and he had nearly precipitatedMiss Catherine's new cap into the fire, for which the young ladies andhis mother rebuked him with some acrimony. But Harry, after beggingpardon with his usual good-humour, cried, "Father, father, here is theprettiest team of horses, all matched, and of a colour, with newharness, the most complete I ever saw in my life; and they have stoppedat our back-door, and the man says they are brought for you!" FarmerSandford was just then in the middle of his history of theploughing-match at Axminster; but the relation of his son had such aninvoluntary effect upon him, that he started up, overset the liquor andthe table, and making a hasty apology to Mr Merton, ran out to see thesewonderful horses. 

Presently he returned, in equal admiration, with his son. "MasterMerton, " said he, "I did not think you had been so good a judge of ahorse. I suppose they are a new purchase, which you want to have myopinion upon; and I can assure you they are the true Suffolksorrels--the first breed of working-horses in the kingdom; and these aresome of the best of their kind. " "Such as they are, " answered Mr Merton, "they are yours; and I cannot think, after the obligations I am under toyour family, that you will do me so great a displeasure as to refuse. "

Mr Sandford stood for some time in mute astonishment; but at length hewas beginning the civilest speech he could think of, to refuse so greata present, when Tommy, coming up, took him by the hand, and begged himnot to deny to his father and himself the first favour they had everasked. "Besides, " said he, "this present is less to yourself than tolittle Harry; and surely, after having lived so long in your family, youwill not turn me out with disgrace, as if I had misbehaved. " Here Harryhimself interposed, and, considering less the value of the present thanthe feelings and intentions of the giver, he took his father by thehand, and besought him to oblige Master Merton and his father. "Were itany one else, I would not say a word, " added he; "but I know thegenerosity of Mr Merton and the goodness of Master Tommy so well, thatthey will receive more pleasure from giving, than you from taking thehorses, though I must confess they are such as would do credit toanybody; and they beat farmer Knowles all to nothing, which have longbeen reckoned the best team in all the country. "

This last reflection, joined with all that had preceded, overcame thedelicacy of Mr Sandford; and he at length consented to order the horsesto be led into his stable. 

And now Mr Merton, having made the most affectionate acknowledgments toall this worthy and happy family, among whom he did not forget thehonest Black, whom he promised to provide for, summoned his son toaccompany him home. Tommy arose, and with the sincerest gratitude badeadieu to Harry and all the rest. "I shall not be long without you, " saidhe to Harry; "to your example I owe most of the little good that I canboast: you have taught me how much better it is to be useful than richor fine; how much more amiable to be good than to be great. Should Iever be tempted to relapse, even for an instant, into any of my formerhabits, I will return hither for instruction, and I hope you will againreceive me. " Saying this, he shook his friend Harry affectionately bythe hand, and, with watery eyes, accompanied his father home. 

THE END. 

TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE

Illustrations were interleaved between pages in the original text. Inthis version, they have been moved close to the relevant section of thetext. 

Inconsistent hyphenation for bare-footed" / "barefooted", "fire-side" /"fireside", and "good-will" / "goodwill" has been retained. Page numbersare documented in the source of the associated HTML version. 

Here is a list of the minor typographical corrections made:

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