Anonymous

“ He loved his grandfather most tenderly; and pressing his hand, promised his future conduct should be all he wished.—But alas! with all his good qualities, he was in some respects of too easy a disposition. He had not resolution to oppose what he knew to be wrong when his companions proposed it; and was frequently drawn into such errors through his weak compliance, as he had long occasion to lament. Good-nature is a great virtue; but young people should endeavour to distinguish between what is kind and what is weak. ”

“ Master Tradewell could but ill bear the scorn with which Miss Lofty treated a mercantile employment, though he had joined in her haughty behaviour to Fanny Mopwell. And those who are most ready to give offence to others, can in general the least submit to such insolence themselves; because, knowing their own want of more valuable endowments, and thinking such a vain superiority of the highest consequence, they are mortified in proportion to their pride, and suffer the just punishment of their arrogance in the folly which causes their distress. ”

“ I know I had it this morning.” “You have not kept it long for my sake,” said his grandfather: “I dare say William and Nancy can both shew theirs.”—Miss Sedley pulled hers from her pocket. Her brother was going to do the same, but his conscience would not let him draw forth his hand. He held the medal between his finger and thumb, but did not dare to bring it out to view.—“Do not cry, Bob” said Mr. Graves, “you are a little boy, and are not used to be entrusted with money: I will get you another, and your brother shall take care of it. ”

“ A bad temper spoils the relish of every enjoyment: a good one sweetens the toils of labour; nay, can mitigate sorrow, sickness, and want.—I called the day before yesterday on a poor family who live in a cottage adjoining to Tony’s master. ”

“ As for doing wrong from the principle of not fearing punishment, it is the weakest argument that can be urged. A boy who is not afraid to deserve chastisement, must have lost every principle of honor: and though your friends have always treated you with generosity, it is because you have hitherto been obedient and good in return. ”

“ Our vices, William, in every state will be productive of misery. No situation is necessarily unhappy. If the rich are wicked, they can have no enjoyment; and the same cause will add double distress to poverty. Tony’s master is drunken, passionate, and prodigal. He wastes his small gains at the ale-house, beats his apprentice without reason, abuses his wife, and injures his children. ”

“ But when you had only that two shillings and nine-pence, I think, some part of it ought to have been saved for the 40purpose on which you set out. But then, William, a worse part of your conduct is still to come. You were convinced that it was right, that it was your duty, to do something for Tony; yet you left him without relief: while the fear of being laughed at by so silly a fellow as Jeffery Squander, had more effect upon you than your pity for your fellow creature, a boy of your own age in want. This weakness, I am much afraid, will often lead you into danger. ”

“ At our school we have scarce any time for play, and are confined from six till eight, from nine till twelve, and from two till five o’clock, without any amusement whatever. Don’t tell me, therefore, Tony, that our life is not much more uncomfortable than your’s. Besides which, we have long tasks to learn after school-hours are over; and are thrashed, and scolded, if we cannot say them perfect; and then to think it will be six months before I see my father and mother!”——William wept again ”

“ The more disagreeable you find your studies, the more you are disposed to postpone the necessary attention which they require. But this, my dear boy, is a very wrong method. The beginning of every attempt will always be irksome; but those who are too indolent to bestow a continued degree of care and assiduity, will never arrive at perfection. My William cannot be destitute of emulation; if he sees others excel, he must wish to equal their attainments. It is the meanest of human minds, that will envy another’s merit; but 23the noblest disposition will endeavour to improve by a good example. ”

“ True goodness is always obliging to others, where it can be so without 116acting wrongly. But no politeness can excuse an ill action; and those who propose what is blameable, ought never to be complied with. We should then, with gentleness endeavour to shew them the impropriety of their behaviour; and if they are too obstinate to be convinced, leave them to their folly without partaking it with them.
William was engaged to dine that day at the house of Captain Fairform, where another boy of his own age had been invited to meet him. ”

“ The owl, a bird supposed to see in the dark, was sacred to Minerva, and painted upon her images, 205as the representation of a wise man, who scattering and dispelling the clouds of ignorance and error, is clear sighted when others are stark blind. So you, who take all the fictions of the poets for nonsense and folly, would, if you had learning to comprehend their meaning, not only be entertained with their beauties, but improved by the moral they contain. ”

“ And I address myself to you upon this subject; because I think, that in general, girls are apt to shew a greater tendency to this failing than boys: but I hope my Nancy has too much good sense to be proud of any thing which reflects no honor upon herself, but as she behaves properly, and makes a right use of the advantage of fortune. ”

“ Have you not oftentimes been taught, that every period of life has its particular duties; and the duty of your age and station is to attend to the instructions of your masters, and to learn what they desire you, when they require it with cheerfulness?” “Then surely, Sir,” replied William, “Tony is in a happier state than I am, since he has no tasks to get by heart; and his duty of sweeping 24a chimney is easily performed. I should like to sweep a chimney of all things.” “Perhaps you might,” returned his grandfather. “Any thing will give us pleasure when we do it for amusement ”

“ Graves with an account of their days amusement, and bestowed great praise on Fanny’s good-nature, at the same time that they blamed the haughty manners of Miss Lofty and her companions. “Your observations, my dear children,” replied their grandfather, “give me the highest pleasure, as there is nothing more truly contemptable than that pride which arises from the possession of wealth and finery. The poor are a more useful 82set of people than the rich; since to their industry we must owe all those distinctions that bestow the conveniences and luxuries of life. ”

“ Suppose I was to say, you shall all go to Windsor to-morrow (except little Bob) to see the castle and the royal family.”—“O! 61but pray do not leave me at home,” said Robert, starting up from the ground, where he had been sitting spinning his six-pence on the carpet. “Pray, Sir, take me with you, and I will shew you some verses as well as my sister.” “Will you?” replied Mr. Sedley; “and pray where did you get them? but I am not going to Windsor: I was only teaching Nancy the use of a parenthesis.” “Was that all?” cried Bob in a tone of disappointment. ”

“ But above all, my girl, remember, that good-nature, affability, and sweetness of manners, is the charm to render you agreeable; and will always have the power of pleasing, independent of outward decorations.” “I hope,” said Mrs. Sedley, “that our Nancy’s good sense will secure her from an error which is the strongest mark of an uninformed mind. She has just favored me with the sight of a little poetic piece, which was occasioned by the behaviour of the child you have mentioned ”

“ The pleasure which Bob has expressed in his new coat, has not arisen from its being finer than his other cloaths, but because he looks upon himself 52as so much more like a man than he was before; but it is a certain proof from his speaking so much about them, that it is a new thing to him; otherwise he would have thought no more of the circumstance than does your brother William. So when a girl is dressed out to make a visit, and takes particular notice of her ruffles, or her frock, or any other part of her dress, you may almost always be sure she is not accustomed to it. ”

“ By the perusal of history you will learn to distinguish truth from fable, and to know what part is founded on fact, and what on the imagination of the poet. These authors will store your mind with images the most sublime and beautiful, assist your judgment, and form your taste; since their works have been esteemed the model for composition in all succeeding times. Without a constant attention, therefore, to improve in reading and understanding them, you will be ignorant of those subjects which every author refers to ”

“ Instead, therefore, of being proud on account of your family and fortune, you should be thankful to Providence that you will have it in your power to assist others; and remember, that the higher your rank, and the greater share of wealth you may possess, so much the more it is necessary to set a good example; as God will expect more from you in consequence of such advantages, than from those who by having fewer opportunities of instruction, are not so well acquainted 84with their duty. ”

“ When you meet with vicious characters, let the detestation which 114you feel for their crimes be a warning to you to avoid a similar conduct; while on the other hand, every noble action should inspire you with emulation to imitate what you applaud. My hopes,” continued the good old gentleman, “are fixed upon you all; but in a particular manner my cares have been engaged for you, as I have had a nearer concern in your education; and I trust, my William, you will recompence my solicitude, by becoming a worthy example to your brother and sister ”

“ Graves, “whether you have made any 153promise which honor would oblige you to keep sacred; but remember, that you may be drawn into guilt, by a too steady adherence to a bad cause; and be assured, that person cannot be your real friend, who would engage you to conceal from your parents, what you think they ought to be acquainted with.”—A pause now ensued, and William after debating some time, was going to confess the whole: when a man with a little girl came in sight; whom upon a nearer view, they discovered to be Fanny Mopwell. ”

“ The more you know, and the greater proficiency you make in study, the higher pleasure will it afford you; but while you consider your lessons as tasks which you are to get by heart, and what will be of no use to you in future, you defeat the purpose 206of your education, are unhappy now, and will be despised and contemned hereafter. A gentleman should be still more superior by his merit than his fortune: his knowledge should be more general and diffusive than is required for any profession whatever. ”

“ He ought to be acquainted with the great authors of ancient and modern times, understand the constitution and laws of his own country; and by the contemplation of every noble character, learn to form his own to perfection. ”

“ Wicked people will laugh at you for being better than themselves; but will by no means like to share in the miseries which your follies may incur.”
41As he concluded these words, they arrived within sight of Mr. Sedley’s house, and were soon discovered by two children who were kneeling in the parlour window; but immediately upon seeing Mr. Graves, they jumped down, and came running to meet him. The eldest was a girl about a year older than William; and the other, little Bob, had the day before left off his petticoats, and honoured his birth-day with a suit of new boy’s cloaths. ”

“ It is rashness, presumption, and folly, to condemn those actions of which we know not the cause, the temptation, or the motive. But as to the character of Harry Fairform, you may fairly conclude it to be improper for your imitation. Vice cannot be divested of guilt; and he must be extremely wicked who can laugh at a parent’s prohibition, and wilfully persuade another to do wrong. His advice this morning was founded in meanness, selfishness, and deceit; and thus, my dear boy, have you been led on step by step from the commission 167of one bad action to another ”

“ A prudent person will always endeavour to keep such company as may suit his rank, because it is an error to associate only with those beneath us, as we cannot learn from them such qualifications which are essential to be known; but a good mind will at all times pay a tender regard to the feelings 83of those in poverty and distress, because it is an act of cruelty and oppression to insult any who are in circumstances less happy than ourselves. ”

“ Sir Thomas Young, or your school-fellow Lord Newson, may look down upon you with equal contempt; because they have already each a title to boast, and have larger estates to expect than yourself: and as you would dislike to be treated with disdain by them, remember others have equal sensibility: and always judge by your own feelings, what is the course of action you should pursue; since, to do as we would be done by, is a rule of the greatest importance 86in life. ”