"with a number of others that I have 66 66 daily heard of, and long to fee." "I am forry for it; and yet more fo, that the death of your excellent "mother, and my own commercial con"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 ;—beside, my dear, do you "confider, these amusements are very expenfive, and it is the duty of a merchant "to be careful." Nay now, Sir, you joke," replied Charles; "for every body fays you are very rich, and fuch trifles are nothing "to you.' "Those who boafted of my wealth to 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 must make you fuffer feverely "should 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 vessel, "or the failure of my principal corre"spondents, might plunge me in ruin; "in which cafe, a good character, "and industry would be my only re"" fource." This anfwer 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 misfortunes will never happen, "I hope, my dear papa נין "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 pleafure, and I afterwards "became unfortunate, fhould I not, think you, be univerfally condemned, instead "of pitied? and the world naturally ob"ferve, when speaking of me, He was "an arrogant fellow, who treated every "one that he thought poorer than him"felf with contempt: his whole thoughts "were devoted to pleafure and expence ; " and if you wanted him, instead of seeking him at home in his domeftic duties, 66 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 bufinefs, he would act the "fame; for a habit of dissipation is diffi"cult to overcome." Thus would it be "faid of me, Mary, and fhould I not merit "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 diffi every thing that could amuse either my 66 eyes or ears.-But what have I done "worthy remembrance?-Alas, nothing! 66 -I have not the fatisfaction of con"templating one good or useful action; my habits of diffipation formed a bad "example for my dependants and do"mestics; and my profufion and expence "have prevented me doing the least fer"vice to my fellow-creatures; fo that no "one has reason to lament my fall; nor "have I claims of gratitude on any, "to make them endeavour to reinftate "me." "But no perfon will ever be able to say "that of you, Sir," said Charles. "I hope not entirely," replied Mr. Richardfon; " but yet I feel that I am "not clear from blame: the immoderate |