he was the base informer, and we deliberated whether the note fhould not be broke open. I was against it; but Sophia, who faid fhe was fure that of all men he would be the last to be guilty of fo much basenefs, infifted upon its being read. In this fhe was feconded by the rest of the family, and, at their joint folicitation, I read as follows:

८

<

• LADIES,

THE

HE bearer will fufficiently fatisfy you as to the perfon from whom this comes: one at least the friend of inno

cence, and ready to prevent its being feduced. I am informed for a truth, that you have fome intention of bringing two young ladies to town, whom I ⚫ have some knowledge of, under the cha'racter of companions. As I would neither have fimplicity impofed upon, nor ⚫ virtue contaminated, I must offer it as my opinion, that the impropriety of fuch a ftep will be attended with dangerous

con

**confequences. It has never been my

way to treat the infamous or the lewd: with severity; nor fhould I now have • taken this method of explaining my-.

felf, or reproving folly, did it not aim at

guilt. Take therefore the admonition "of a friend, and seriously reflect on the confequences of introducing infamy and: vice into retreats where peace and inno-cence have hitherto refided.'.

.

Our doubts were now at an end. There feemed indeed fomething applicable to both fides in this letter, and its cenfures might as well be referred to those to whom it was written, as to us; but the malicious meaning was obvious, and we went: no farther. My wife had fcarce patience. to hear me to the end, but railed at the writer with unreftrained refentment. Olivia was equally severe, and Sophia seemed1 perfectly amazed at his baseness. As for my part, it appeared to me one of the vileft inftances of unprovoked ingratitude I had met with. Nor could I account for G 6

it:

it in any other manner than by imputing it to his defire of detaining my youngest daughter in the country, to have the more frequent opportunities of an interview. `In this manner we all fate ruminating upon fchemes of vengeance, when our other little boy came running in to tell us that Mr. Burchell was approaching at the other end of the field. It is easier to conceive than describe the complicated fenfations which are felt from the pain of a recent injury, and the pleasure of approaching: vengeance. Though our intentions were: only to upbraid him with his ingratitude; yet it was refolved to do it in a manner that would be perfectly cutting. For this purpose we agreed to meet him with our ufual fmiles, to chat in the beginning with more than ordinary kindness, to amuse him a little; and then in the midst of the flattering calm to burst upon him like an earthquake, and overwhelm him with the fenfe of his own baseness. This being refolved upon, my wife undertook to manage the business herself, as fhe really had

fome

fome talents for fuch an undertaking. We faw him approach, he entered, drew a chair, and fate down. A fine day, • Mr. Burchell. A very fine day, Doctor; though I fancy we fhall have: fome rain by the fhooting of my corns."

The fhooting of your horns," cried my wife in a loud fit of laughter, and then afked pardon for being fond of a joke.— • Dear madam,' replied he, "I pardon you with all my heart; for I protest I "should not have thought it a joke had i. you not told me. Perhaps not, • Sir,' cried my wife, winking at us, and yet I dare fay you can tell us how. many jokes go to an ounce. • madam,' returned Burchell,

6

I fancy,.

you have

been reading a jeft book this morning,

that ounce of jokes is fo very good a

conceit; and yet, madam, I had rather fee half an ounce of understanding.'

I believe you might,' cried my wife, ftill fmiling at us, though the laugh was against her; and yet I have feen fome

6.

men pretend to understanding that have

3

• very

6 very little.'

little.' And no doubt,' replied her antagonist, " you have known ladies fet up for wit that had none.'. I quickly began to find that my wife was likely to gain but little at this business; fo I refolved to treat him in a ftyle of more feverity myself. Both wit and understanding,' cried I, are trifles without integrity; it is that which gives value to: every character. The ignorant peasant, • without fault, is greater than the philofopher with many; for what is genius. or courage without an heart? An honest man is the nobleft work of God..

6.

I always held that hackney'd maxim of Pope,' returned Mr. Burchell, as very unworthy a man of genius, and a base defertion of his own fuperiority. As the reputation of books is raised not by their freedom from defect, but the greatness of their beauties; fo fhould that of men be prized not for their exemption from fault, but the fize of those virtues they are poffeffed of. The scho

'lar