THE GENEROUS SWAIN.

Born to a comfortable fortune, Alcander lived in his youth in rustic affluence.-Arrived at that period when the heart expands herself to love, he fixed his affections on a nymph, to whom he was Soon married-he now became settled in life-his children flourished like the tree planted by the river side around his table-he was happy-he knew that he was happy, and he wished others so-he thought he saw those that were not-he endeavoured, by his generosity, to banish their sorrowbut while in the goodness of his heart he alleviated their distresses, he forgot that he added to his own. "True," said Alcander, "I have repented me of my liberality when, with tears, my prattling infants have in vain asked for the comforts they had been accustomed to-I have now and then felt displeased, especially when I was obligated to leave the home of my ancestors, and seek shelter in a humbler shed-but still I feel a consolation in knowing that my name is spoken of with reverence, and, although poor, esteemed, honoured, and respected. Thank Providence, the gloomy cloud is fast dispelling-the prospect brightens-my children will protect me in my old age-will, I trust, render their memory respected-their names endearing to posterity-if they do, then am I amply rewarded for all my cares, and all my troubles.

On the winding banks of the Esk lived Almanda, and her lovely Lucinda. Fame extolled the beauty of Lucinda. Corvinus visited their peaceful mansion; Almanda and her blooming daughter received him with respect; their kindness and their elegant conversation escaped not his attention. He felt himself interested in their fate. Lucinda was fair, and, to use the language of the amiable. Thomson:

Y

Her form was fresher than the morning rose, When the sea wets its leaves; unstained and pure As is the lilly, or the mountain snow,

The modest virtues mingled in her eyes
-a native grace

Sat fair proportioned on her finished limbs,
Veil'd in a simple robe, their best attire.

Who then could contemplate such perfection unConcerned-Corvinus could not. From the first moment he saw Lucinda, a something more than friendship warmed his breast-love. I cannot better describe his emotions, than by inserting a few lines by a youth of my acquaintance→→

A something awak'd in his breast,
He could not behold her unmov'd;
He found that his heart was opprest,
That he honour'd, esteem'd, and lov'd,
With her he at eve would stray,
On her he delighted to gaze;
All objects to him then look'd gay,
Nor thought on unhappier day.
He panted, he throbb'd for the hour,
To call the sweet charmer his own;
And fortune (his love was so pure)

Ere long his fond wishes did crown.

When the Stranger apprised Almanda of his intentions, she, good lady, heard them with de light; and soon was Lucinda acquainted with Corvinus's propositions. With downcast eyes, "darting all their humid beams into the blooming flowers, won by the charm of goodness irresistable, and all in sweet disorder lost, she blushed consent." The artless villagers will ever remember the happy day in which Corvinus led his love to Hymen's altar; for the very children strewed the path with flowrets, and every one blessed the Stranger and his Tovely Lucinda.

Soon after this happy event, Corvinus received a letter from his steward, which announced the death of Sir H- L- who had (as we have already observed) by corruption creeped into the legislation of his country. This letter further intimated, that all were unanimous in wishing Sir Charles H-(meaning our Stranger) in a situation from which they had hitherto so unjustly rejected him. Corvinus gave this intelligence due consideration, he discovered urgent reasons for his departure, and, in a few days, this valuable gentleman, accompanied by his lovely spouse, her mother, myself, and two servants, bid adieu for a while to yon peaceful plains. After a pleasant journey of six days, we arrived at E- castle, and were greeted with joy. I remained at the castle till Christmas, and should indeed have stayed longer, had not Sir Charles hied him to town, in order to discharge those duties so incumbent on a member of parliament. I may observe, that the once kind Stranger is now no less distinguished in public for manly integrity, than in private for every virtue that adds a lustre to the dignity of man. His loved Lucinda is honoured, esteemed, and admired, by the virtuous part of society; as to the unthinking gay, their applause is as the fawning of a spaniel.

Having laid before you the preceding incidents, I am sure you will form no unfavourable estimate of the Stranger's character. But to elucidate it somewhat further, I shall adduce his own sentiments, as applied to two gentlemen whose estates lay adjacent to the banks of the Liddal, and so conclude a subject, productive of pleasure to my own feelings. When we have it in our power to benefit society," said the Stranger, "to soften the labours of industry, and to ameliorate the condition of human nature-when we have it in our power to dispense happiness all around-when we

have it in our power to relieve the burthen of misery, and add to the comfort of our fellow-creatures, and neglect to do so, surely we partake more of uncivilized than civilized man. I have, since I arrived in this neighbourhood, made it my duty to visit several of the surrounding cots. I have observed the state of agriculture, and conversed with many farmers on the subject; painful to say, farmers and cottagers utter nought but execrations against Flamenius and his satellites-they curse him in their hearts, and condemn him for cruelty and pusillanimity. In truth, Flamenius scarcely reasons as a man; he allows his own understanding to be trampled on by the tyranny of others, and so becomes a tyrant himself. In his nature there is but a small portion of dignity-there is much of insignificance, and few of those noble principles, .which, in fact, constitute true nobility. Flamenius doubtless possesses some few qualities of an endearing kind, and for those few he is indebted to a lovely woman, who is an ornament to her sex, a gem in society. Flamenius's steward is a diabolical monster-a frightful instrument of vengeance. The very children lisp his dispraise, and the aged, the venerable chronicles of the hamlets, gravely commit him to inevitable destruction in a state of retribution. In fine, though Flamenius's estate is extensive, and capable of improvement, it is, alas! little else than a scene of poverty.

"I have likewise explored the opposite banks of the river, and, with heart-felt joy, witnessed the exhilarating effects of industry, when animated by a benign sun. The swains are happy, they hail Antonia as their friend, their protector-they enjoy the comforts of independence, and with gratitude attribute their comforts to the noble, the distinguished Antonia. His amiable duchess is no less beloved. She is a mother to industry—a pro

tecting angel to virtuous indigence. Under her auspices the country flourishes. A garden, fairy bowers welcome Olivo in her retreats-the infants, the youth, the husbandman, and the venerable sires of the hills and plains, recount their graces and virtues, not with the voice of flattery, but in the sincerity of their hearts. Antonia possesses a mind susceptible of manly resolves-he is sensible of the advantages of liberty, and desirous of seeing his fellow-creatures enjoy this advantage. I have heard a thousand anecdotes that redound to his immortal fame. It is honourable to be well spoken of, for who but the grovelling mind can withhold praise, where praise is due?-or who, but the coward, dares not to lash vice with a firm, a just condemnation. Let us for a moment reflect on these two characters.-They have both nearly equal opportunities of doing good-they are both exalted by fortune-take a minute survey, my friend-you have done so you say the one is an object grand / and impressive-the other an object too, but then so deformed, so ugly, as to arouse only our detestation. It is evident that impure matter always points to one center-so do the sentiments of vicious characters. But we know that this focus of deformity will ever be considered as detestable, by the serious and virtuous part of mankind; and, impressed with the importance of this truth, we pursue with ardour the path of glory.