It was about the beginning of Autumn, on a holiday, (for I kept fuch as intervals of relaxation from labour), that I had drawn out my family to our ufual place of amusement, and our young musicians began their usual concert. As we were thus engaged, we faw a stag bound nimbly by, within about twenty paces of where we were fitting, and, by its panting, it seemed preffed by the hunters. We had not much time to reflect upon the poor animal's distress, when we perceived the dogs and horsemen come fweeping along at some distance behind, and making the very path it had taken. I was inftantly for returning in with my family; but either curiofity or surprise, or fome more hidden motive, held my wife and daughters to their feats. The huntfman, who rode foremoft, paffed us with great fwiftnefs, followed by four or five perfons more, who seemed in equal hafte. At last, a young gentleman, of a more genteel appearance than the reft, came forward, and for a while regarding us, instead of pursuing the chace, ftopped short, and giving his horse to a fervant who attended, approached us with a careless fuperior air. He seemed to want no introduction, but was going to falute my daughters, as one certain of a kind reception; but they had early learnt the leffon of looking presumption out of countenance. Upon which, he let us know, that his name was Thornhill, and that he was owner of the estate that lay for fome extent round us. He again, therefore, offered to falute the female part of the

family; and fuch was the power of fortune and fine clothes, that he found no fecond repulse. As his addrefs, though confident, was eafy, we foon became more familiar; and perceiving mufical inftruments lying near, he begged to be favoured with a fong. As I did not approve of fuch difproportioned acquaintances, I winked upon my daughters, in order to prevent their compliance; but my hint was counteracted by one from their mother; fo that, with a chearful air, they gave us a favourite fong of Dryden's. Mr. Thornhill feemed highly delighted with their performance and choice, and then took up the guitar himfelf. He played but very indifferently; however, my eldest daughter repaid his former applaufe with intereft, and affured him, that his tones were louder than even thofe of her mafter. At this compliment he bowed, which she returned with a curtesy. He praised her taste, and she commended his understanding. An age could not have made them better acquainted: While the fond mother, too, equally happy, infifted upon her landlord's ftepping in and tafting a glafs of her goofeberry. The whole family feemed earneft to please him: my girls attempted to entertain him with topicks they thought most modern, while Mofes, on the contrary, gave him a queftion or two from the ancients; for which he had the fatisfaction of being laughed at ; for he always afcribed to his wit that laughter which was lavished at his fimplicity: my little ones were no lefs bufy, and fondly stuck close to the stranger. All

my

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my endeavours could fcarce keep their dirty fingers from handling and tarnishing the lace on his clothes, and lifting up the flaps of his pocket-> holes, to fee what was there. At the approach of evening, he took his leave; but not till he had requefted permiffion to renew his vifit; which, as he was our landlord, we most readily agreed to.

As foon as he was gone, my wife called a council on the conduct of the day. She was of opinion, that it was a most fortunate hit; for, that fhe had known even ftranger things at laft brought to bear. She hoped again to fee the day in which we might hold up our heads with the best of them; and concluded, fhe protested she could fee no reason why the two Mifs Wrinklers fhould marry great fortunes, and her children get none. As this laft argument was directed to me, I protested I could fee no reason for it neither, nor why one got the ten thousand pound prize in the lottery, and another fat down with a blank. "But thofe," added I, "who either aim "at husbands greater than themselves, or at the "ten thousand pound prize, have been fools for "their ridiculous claims, whether fuccefsful or "not." "I proteft, Charles," cried my wife, "this is the way you always damp my girls and "me, when we are in fpirits. Tell me, Sophy,

my dear, what do you think of our new vifi"tor? Don't you think he seemed to be good"natured?" "Immensely fo, indeed, Mamma," replied the." I think he has a great deal to "fay upon every thing, and is never at a lofs.;. "and

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" and the more trifling the subject, the more he "has to fay; and what is more, I protest he "is very handsome." "Yes," cried Olivia, "he is well enough for a man; but for my part, "I don't much like him, he is fo extremely im¬ "pudent and familiar; but on the guitar he is "shocking." Thefe two laft fpeeches I interpreted by contraries. I found by this, that Sophia internally defpifed, as much as Olivia secretly admired him, "Whatever may be your opi "nions of him, my children,” cried I, "to con◄ "fefs a truth, he has not prepoffeffed me in his "favour. Difproportioned friendships ever ter"minate in difguft; and I thought, notwith"standing all his ease, that he seemed perfectly "fenfible of the diftance between us. Let us keep "to companions of our own rank. There is no "character among men more contemptible than "that of a fortune-hunter; and I can see no rea

fon why fortune-hunting women fhould not "be contemptible too. Thus, at beft, it will be " contempt if his views are honourable: but, if "they are otherwife! I should fhudder but to "think of that; for, though I have no apprehen

fions from the conduct 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 fay could obviate. I therefore

continued

continued filent, satisfied 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.

The happiness of a country fire-fide.

AS we carried on the former difpute with some degree of warmth, in order to accommodate matters, it was univerfally concluded upon, that we should have a part of the venison for fupper, 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 ́acquire a dou"ble relish from hofpitality."-" 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 ༦༦ are but few that can do that: I never difpute

your abilities at making a goose-pye, and I beg "you'll leave argument to me."-As I fpoke, poor Mr. Burchell entered the house, and was welcomed by the family, who fhook him heartily by the hand, while little Dick officiously reached him a chair,

I was