ページの画像
PDF
ePub

be

found it he is but a thief, if he do not diligently seek out its right owner, and restore it freely and wholly to him. Or, should you informed that your neighbour has made a fortune in a branch of business different from your own, do not let envy step in between you and your calling, to fill you with discontent, and to impress upon your mind the absurd fancy, that by changing your pursuit you shall be equally successful. Do not desire to be rich all at once; but patiently add farthing to farthing. Perhaps you despise the petty sum; and yet, they who want a farthing, and have no friend that will lend them one, think farthings very good things. Remember,

Minutes make hours,

And farthings make pounds :-
Who saves and improves them
In riches abounds!

Simons, the foolish miller, when he wanted a farthing in his distress, found that none of his old acquaintances would lend, because they knew he wanted. Did you ever hear the story of Simons ?No:-well, then, I'll tell it you.By despising small sums, and endeavouring to grasp imaginary treasures, he at last fell into the most wretched poverty.

Simons, the miller, was naturally avaricious-no person loved money better than he, or more respected those who had it. When he heard people talk of a rich man,

he used to say "I know him very well: he and I have been long acquainted:- -we are quite intimate :-he stood Godfather for one of my children." But if a poor man was mentioned-he had not the least knowledge of him :he might be very well for aught he knew, but he was not fond of many acquaintances, and was rather particular in the choice of his company.

Simons had nothing but the business of his mill to support him, and the profits came slowly in. But his trade was improving, and while his mill was kept going he was sure of having

'Food to eat and garment to wear, And house to shelter from the air!"

Ay, and in cherishing his darling passion for money, he contrived now and then to lay by some small gains which he would often visit -count and count again-and contemplate with much satisfaction. But still his acquisitions were very far from being equal to his desires. He only found himself, as he said, a step above the low estate of poverty; whereas, he ardently wished to rise, all at once, to the very height of affluence!

One day, as he was nursing his desires with more than usual fondness, he was informed that a neighbour had found a pan of money under ground, having previously dreamed of it three successive nights. These tidings were

daggers to the heart of poor Simons. "Here am I," said he, "toiling and moiling from morning till night for a few paltry farthings, while neighbour Clod goes quietly to bed, and dreams himself into the possession of thousands of pounds before morning.-O, that I could dream like him!-With what pleasure would I dig round the pan How slyly would I carry it home! Not even my wife should see me;— and then, O, the pleasure of thrusting my arm up to the elbow into a heap of glorious, glittering gold!"

!

Such thoughts only served to make the miller exceedingly unhappy. He discontinued his former assiduity-was quite disgusted with small gains-and behaved so

« 前へ次へ »