ing conduct of those persons who offer at the shrine of wealth and dulness the tribute of respect due to talent and virtue alone.

"The very word mechanic is, said I, associated in the minds of most people in this country with every thing low in intellect, morals, and situation in life. I went into my room, shut the door, and took a perspective view of my after-life. I imagined myself united to an amiable and deserving woman— to Mary. She had left the comforts of her father's house for my sake. The counsels of a father, the kisses of a mother, and the entreaties of both, she had exchanged for those of a husband. I fancied us pent up in a small house in some dirty part of the town. In course of time I saw a smiling offspring around us-my earnings not sufficient to give them such an education as I could wish; and they were running about the streets exposed to hardship and temptation of every kind. spite of the doctrines of statesmen, and political economy being studied as a science, I imagined a depression in trade, and myself destitute of employment. If I attempted to

In

work, almost for mere bread, to prevent my poor children from perishing, in a moment I saw the vindictive arm of some member of a 'Trades' Union' raised, but, with its fall, to consign me to my mother earth. I saw the partner of my sorrows pale and emaciated; her eye dim, and the bloom of her cheek fled for ever. I saw the embers of our fire fast sinking — I heard my children cry for bread— I saw the big tear roll down Mary's cheek, and my existence in this world ended. In an agony of mind I rushed from my lonely room into the street, and hastened to my sister's house, with the hope that the society of my friends would obliterate my sorrows."

Let the rich-those who are favoured with the good things of this life, read this, pause, and ask themselves whether the poor have not sensibility enough to feel the ills of life, and imagination enough to conceive of those who are exempt from a great number of those ills.

CHAPTER IV.

Mary went to Cumberland for six weeks, as nurse in a lady's family; and shortly after, Martlet visited his grandfather. I make the following extracts from his letters to Mary.

EXTRACT FIRST.

"I suppose you are arrived in Cumberland, and you are now enjoying its beautiful lakes and scenery. You will contrast the splendour and magnificence of these scenes with the plain meadows, in which we have so often walked. Yet, perhaps, you think with me, Mary, that beside the simple hawthorn tree we have had emotions of bliss that nature's most enchanting picture could not excite.

"I came hither, three days ago, as a relaxation from the toils of business. I thought I could not have a better opportunity, since you were away, there being so little to bind me to home. I walked nearly all the way, a

:

distance of thirty miles. It was fair time at many of the hamlets through which I passed. Health and joy were visible in every countenace. With such homely rustics I could wish to live the simple pleasures of a country life are congenial to my disposition. These pleasures have certainly little of the refinements of polished society; but they have more of virtue, of truth, than many of those accomplishments of which it may be said, that they only increase man's power of doing injury. I reached the banks of the river Kat two in the afternoon, and I should have been at my grandfather's by three, but it was high tide, and I was forced to remain all night at a public house. My hostess was a very old person, and she knew the pedigree and character of the families for miles around. She knew my grandfather, and had known my mother. She kept me chatting with her till late, giving me the history of my unfortunate family. I desired to retire to rest, and she introduced me to The best bed and chamber in all the house.' I slept but little.

There was a fair at a small distance, and the

country people, in their way home, stopped at the old lady's house to take a parting glass. Some of them were already intoxicated, and of course noisy and quarrelsome. Here, dearest Mary, I retraced the thoughts of the preceding day with melancholy feelings. I, who had thought that innocence and simplicity dwelt almost exclusively in the breast of the rustic, was now forced to hear from the lips of a savage-looking man, Dost yer howd thee prate, or Ist punch thee een ote.' I was told, that in this part of the country, men often bit each other in the ear, nose, or any part on which they could lay hold. I concluded, that in every class of society, there is something commendable; and that to expect one combining and practising the virtues of all, is visionary. In the morning I took leave of my hostess, who shook me by the hand, saying, We all know where we were born, but we cannot tell where we may die.' I crossed the river at low water in a highwheeled cart. My grandfather's farm is situated on its banks, and there is a narrow lane leading to the house from the shore.

My