thing, and is never at a lofs; and the more trifling the fubject, the more he "has to fay; and what is more, I protest "he is very handfome."—"Yes," cried Olivia," he is well enough for a man; "but for my part, I don't much like him, "he is fo extremely impudent and fami"liar; but on the guitar he is fhocking." These two laft fpeeches I interpreted by contraries. I found by this, that Sophia internally despised, as much as Olivia fecretly admired him."be your opinions of him, my children," cried I, "to confefs a truth, he has not prepoffeft me in his favour. Difpropor"tioned friendships ever terminate in dis "Whatever may guft; and I thought, notwithstanding all "his ease, that he seemed perfectly fenfible "of the diftance between us. Let us 66 keep to companions of our own rank. "There is no character among men more contemptible than that of a fortunehunter, and I can fee no reason why fortune-hunting women should not be contemptible too. Thus, at best, it will 66 "be "be contempt if his views are honoura"ble; but if they are otherwife! I should "fhudder but to think of that; for though "I have no apprehenfions from the con"duct of my children, I think there are "fome from his character.". -I would have proceeded, but for the interruption of a fervant from the 'Squire, who, with his compliments, fent us a fide of venifon, and a promise to dine with us fome days after. This well-timed prefent pleaded more powerfully in his favour, than any thing I had to say could obviate. I therefore continued filent, fatisfied with just having pointed out danger, and leaving it to their own difcretion to avoid it. That virtue which requires to be ever guarded, is fcarce worth the centinel. CHAP. A S we carried on the former dispute with fome degree of warmth, in order to accommodate matters, it was univerfally concluded upon, that we should have a part of the venison for supper, and the girls undertook the task with alacrity. "I am forry," cried I, "that we have no neighbour or stranger to take a part in "this good cheer: feasts of this kind ac quire a double relish from hospitality." "Bless me," cried my wife, "here comes our good friend Mr. Burchell, that faved "our Sophia, and that run you down fairly "in the argument. "Confute me in argument, child!" cried I. "You mistake there, my dear. I believe there are but "few that can do that: I never dispute your abilities at making a goose-pye, and "I beg you'll leave argument to me.' As I spoke, poor Mr. Burchell entered the house, and was welcomed by the family, who shook him heartily by the hand, while little Dick officiously reached him a chair. I was pleased with the poor man's friendship for two reafons; because I knew that he wanted mine, and I knew him to be friendly as far as he was able. He was known in our neighbourhood by the character of the poor Gentleman that would do no good when he was young, though he was not yet above thirty. He would at intervals talk with great good fenfe; but in general he was fondeft of the company of children, whom he used to call harmless little men. He was famous, I found, for finging them ballads, and telling them ftories; and feldom went without fomething in his pockets for them, a piece of gingerbread, or a halfpenny whiftle. He generally came into our neighbourhood once a year, year, and lived upon the neighbours hofpitality. He fate down to supper among us, and my wife was not sparing of her goofeberry wine. The tale went round; he fung us old fongs, and gave the children the ftory of the Buck of Beverland, with the history of Patient Griffel. The adventures of Catfkin next entertained them, and then Fair Rofamond's bower. Our cock, which always crew at eleven, now told us it was time for repofe; but an unforeseen difficulty ftarted about lodging the ftranger: all our beds were already taken up, and it was too late to fend him to the next alehoufe. In this dilemma, little Dick offered him his part of the bed, if his brother Mofes would let him lie with him; "And I," cried Bill, "will give Mr. "Burchell my part, if my fifters will take "Well done, my good me to theirs.". "children," cried I, "hofpitality is one "of the first chriftian duties. The beast "retires to its shelter, and the bird flies to "its neft; but helpless man can only find |