for them; his vifits in that period, from the diftance, had not been fo frequent as he could have wifhed, nor was he by any means aware of the erroneous opinions they had imbibed, for Mrs. Bennet's mind still reverted to her former gaieties, which the did not fail to reprefent to the children in the most facinating colours.

Charles had just attained his eleventh, and Mary her ninth year; the first, reflective and ferious, wanted only the hand of inftruction, to point out to him the proper purfuits he fhould follow; the latter, lively and volatile, needed not only inftruction, but the curb of restraint; fhe was particularly pleased with the accounts fhe received from Mrs. Bennet, and eagerly wished to partake in her amusements.

Mr. Richardfon, after paffing one night at Reading, fet off early the enfuing morning with his children for London. They parted from Mrs. Bennet with concern for fhe had been eager to gratify all their little caprices; but the prefence of a refpected father, who never refused

;

them

them any

laudable indulgence, foon banished the paft, and future gratification engroffed every thought. "My dear Sir," faid: Mary, "I am glad we are going to town;

for though I loved Mrs. Bennet very "dearly, yet the country was fo dull, that "fometimes, if no one invited us out, we "did not know what to do with ourselves; "and you are fo good, and love us so well, "that now we are grown tall, we shall "have a great deal of pleasure, and fee every thing worth feeing."

"And pray," replied Mr. Richardfon, "what are the objects you confider as worth. "feeing ?"

"Blefs me, papa, I can fcarcely tell;

Mrs. Bennet used to talk of fo many, "that I never thought of in mamma's life"time; but fine fhops, the park, the

66

play, the opera, the concert, and ball; "with a number of others that I have daily “heard of, and long to fee."

แ

"I am forry for it; and yet more

fo, that the death of your excellent. "mother, and my own commercial con-

66 cerns, have forced me for a time, to "leave you in the care of a person that "has given you fo erroneous an opinion "of pleasure ;-befide, my dear, do you "confider, these amusements are very ex"penfive, and it is the duty of a merchant "to be careful."

Charles;

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Nay now, Sir, you joke," replied "for every body says you are very rich, and fuch trifles are nothing to you."

"Those who boafted of my wealth to 66 you, Charles, were at once both weak "and wicked; for every perfon of com"mon understanding knows, that nothing "is more precarious than the wealth of a

merchant, whofe profperity depends on "fo many uncertain events, that if, after

years spent in anxious toil, he can retire "with an eafy competency, he must con"clude himself a fortunate man.-Your

information was, therefore, as I before "faid, wicked, or to give it a milder name, weak, as it was calculated to infpire you with extravagance and pride, " which

"which must make you fuffer feverely "fhould we ever experience a reverse of "fortune. My welfare depends both on "the weather, and the prudence of others; "for the lofs of a rich freighted veffel, "or the failure of my principal correfpondents, might plunge me in ruin; "in which cafe, a good character, and

industry would be my only resource."

This answer was made to humble the pride of Charles, and had the defired effect, for he hung down his head in filence; but Mary, throwing her arms around her father's neck, exclaimed, "But fuch mis"fortunes will never happen, I hope, my "dear papa!"

"I hope not" returned he,

" but

nothing in this mortal ftate is certain; "and the utmost human prudence can ef"fect is, to merit, in as fmall a degree as

' poffible, the evils we neceffarily meet "with :-for example, were I improperly "elated with the fuccefs God has hitherto "granted me, or were my whole thoughts

devoted to pleasure, and I afterwards.

"became

"became unfortunate, fhould I not, think "you, be univerfally condemned, inftead "of pitied? and the world naturally ob

66

ferve, when speaking of me,- He was "an arrogant fellow, who treated every "one that he thought poorer than himself "with contempt: his whole his whole thoughts "were devoted to pleasure and expence; "and if you wanted him, instead of feek"ing him at home in his domeftic duties,

you must run to the play, the opera, "ball, or concert. Such a man deserves "no compaffion; . for were he even rein"stated in his business, he would act the

fame; for a habit of diffipation is diffi"cult to overcome.' Thus would it be "faid of me, Mary, and fhould I not me"rit it, think you?"

Mary was abafhed, made no reply, and her father continued: "Now, let us con"fider, my love, what would be my own. "reflections in this cafe.-I have been "unfortunate, I fhould fay, but no diffipation has escaped me; I have seen "every thing that could amufe either my

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"eyes