6

The following letter was addressed by a Jamaica lady to a female friend: "One morning taking an airing along the piazza leading from Kensington to the fields, an old negro, who was dressing his sores, begged alms of me. I passed by without taking any notice of him; but immediately reflecting on the poor creature's situation, I returned and gave him a bit, letting him know that I had very few more remaining. The man expressed his gratitude in by significative gestures, and hearty wishes for my prosperity. Some days after having occasion to pass the same way, I saw the same negro, who attempted to come towards me, but so slowly because of his sores, that he did not overtake me.He called after me, begging for a single word. I turned back, and he spoke to the following effect: That, from what I had said the other day he sus'pected I might be in want, and that he could not be easy until he saw me again.' Upon which he pulled out a purse containing, as he said, 28 doubloons, telling me that it was collected by begging, and that he could beg more; praying me to take it, for that a lady could not beg, but must die for want of yam yam if she had no money. My heart was pierced at the generosity of this poor fellow. I thanked him for his kind offer, but that I got money since I saw him, and had no occasion for his purse. I inquired why his master suffered him to beg: he told me, that being old, he could work no longer, and that his master had turned him out of doors to beg, or starve; that he had been a slave from his infancy, and that his sores were occasioned by severe labour. After giving him another bit, and cautioning him to conceal his money, I left him."

A young man, son of a cobler in a small village near Madrid, having pushed his fortuune in the In

.

་

dies, returned to his native country with a considerable stock, and set up as a banker at Madrid. In his absence, his parents frequently talked of him, praying fervently, that heaven would take him under its protection; and the vicar being their friend, gave them frequently the public prayers of the congregation for him. The banker was not less dutiful on his part; for so soon as he was settled, he mounted on horseback and went alone to the village. It was ten at night before he got there; and the honest cobler was a bed with his wife in a sound sleep when he knocked at the door. Open the 'door,' says the banker, 'tis your son Francillo !'Make others believe that if you can,' cried the old man, starting from his sleep; go about your business, you thievish rogues, here is nothing for you: Francillo, if not dead is now in the Indies.' He is no longer there,' replied the banker, he is returned home, and it is he who now speaks to you: open your door and receive him.' Jacobo,' said the woman, let us rise then; for I really believe "tis Francillo, I think I know his voice.' The father, starting from bei, lighted a candle, and the mother putting on her gown in a hurry, opened the door Looking earnestly on Francillo, she flung her arms about his neck and hugged him with the utmost affection. Jacobo embraced his son in his turn; and all three, transported with joy after so long absence, had no end in expressing their tenderness. After these pleasing transports, the banker put his horse into the stable, where he found an old milch-cow, nurse to the whole family. He then gave the old folks an account of his voyage, and of all the riches he had brought from Peru. They listened greedily, and every the least particular of his relation made on them a sensible impression of grief or joy. Hav ing finished his history, he offered them a part of

6

his estate, and entreated his father not to work any more. No, my son,' said Jacobo, 'I love my trade and will not leave it off.' Why,' replied the banker, 'is it not now high time to take your ease? I do not propose your living with me at Madrid: I 'know well that a city life would not please you : enjoy your own way of living; but give over your 'hard labour, and pass the remainder of your days in ease and plenty.' The mother seconded her son and Jacobo yielded. To please you, Francil'lo,' said he, I will not work any more for the public, but will only mend my own shoes, and those of 'my good friend the vicar.' The agreement being concluded, the banker eat a couple of eggs, and slept in the same bed with his father and mother, enjoying that kindly satisfaction which none but dutiful children can feel or understand. The next morning the banker, leaving his parents a purse of three hundred ducats, returned to Madrid : but was much surprised to see Jacobo at his house a few days thereafter. My father,' says he,' what brings 'you here?' Francillo,' answered the honest cobler, I have brought your purse; take it again; for 'I desire to live by my trade, and have been ready to die with uneasiness ever since I left off working!'

་

·

The inhabitants of a great town offered marshal de Turenne 100.000 crowns, upon condition he would take another road, and not march his troops their way. He answered them, 'As your town is not on 'the road I intend to march. I cannot accept the money you offer me.'

The earl of Derby, in the reign of Edward III., making a descent in Guienne, carried by storm the

town of Bergerac, and gave it up to be plundered. A Welsh knight happened by chance to light upon the receiver's office. He found there such a quantity of money, that he thought himself obliged to acquaint his general with it, imagining that so great a booty naturally belonged to him. But he was agreeably surprised, when the earl told him, with a pleasant countenance that he wished him joy of his good fortune, and that he did not make the keeping of his word to depend upon the great or little value of the thing he had promised.

In the siege of Falisci by Camillus, general of the Romans, the schoolmaster of the town, who had the children of the senators under his care, led them abroad, under the pretext of recreation, and carried them to the Roman camp, saying to Camillus, that by this artifice he had delivered Falisci into his hands. Camillus, abhorring this treachery, observed, That there were laws for war, as well as for 'peace; and that the Romans were taught to make war with integrity, not less than with courage

He ordered the schoolmaster to be stripped, his hands to be bound behind his back, and to be delivered to the boys to be lashed back into the town.The Falerians, formerly obstinate in resistance, struck with an act of justice so illustrious, delivered themselves up to the Romans; convinced, that they would be far better to have the Romans for their allies, than their enemies.

When Augustus king of Poland was dethroned by Charles XII. of Sweden,, the question was, who should succeed him? King Sobieski had left three sons, James, Constantin, and Alexander. The two

eider being detained prisoners in Saxony, neither of them could be proposed in the diet for election.Prince Alexander humbly supplicated the king of Sweden to deliver his brothers from prison. Charles not only promised him this favour, but offered to make him king of Poland. Alexander, to the astonishment of all the world, modestly declined the offer. I could never bear,' said he, to see my elder brothers reduced to be my subjects.'

6

A man who had lost a calf, betook himself at last to his prayers. 'Great Jupiter,' says he, do but shew me the thief, and I'll give thee a kid for a sacrifice.' The word was no sooner passed, than the thief appeared, which was a lion. He fell to his prayers more heartily than before: 'I have not forgotten my vow, O Jupiter! but now that thou hast shewed me the thief, I'll make the kid a bull if thou'lt but free me from him,'

Ned Froth, who had been several years butler in a family of distinction, having saved about four hundred pounds, took a small house in the suburbs, and laid in a stock of liquors, for which he paid ready money, and which were therefore the best of the kind. Ned perceived his trade increase: he pursu~ ed it with fresh alacrity, he exulted in his success, and the joy of his heart sparkled in his countenance. But it happened that Ned, in the midst of his happiness and prosperity, was prevailed upon to buy a lottery-ticket. The moment his hope was fixed upon an object which industry could not obtain, he determined to be industrious no longer : to draw drink for a dirty and boisterous rabble was a