No object can be more pleasing to a virtuous mind, than to behold a
well-directed benevolence, productive of a grateful and happy heart;
while the smiling scenes of cultivation and society succeed to the
solitary wastes of savage nature. Mr. Wood, a free merchant of Decca,
coming thence to Calcutta, where the Ganges flows thro’ vast tracks of
uncultivated and marshy woods, which render the navigation peculiarly
difficult and dangerous, happened to fall in with a poor native
wood-cutter. In the course of conversation, the latter said, that if he
had but fifty rupees (5l.) he could make a comfortable settlement. The
fifty rupees Mr. Wood lent him. When this worthy man, after staying some
time at Calcutta, returned to Decca, he saw the pleasing effects of his
bounty in an advanced settlement, on a small eminence newly cleared from
standing trees. Unsolicited, he lent the wood-cutter fifty rupees more.
The next voyage, Mr. Wood was delighted to behold the rapid progress of
the settlement, and astonished to meet the wood-cutter offering to pay
half the small, but generous loan. Mr. Wood refused to receive it at
that time, and lent him 100 rupees more. About eighteen months after the
commencement of the settlement, he had the inexpressible satisfaction of
seeing his industrious wood-cutter at the head of five populous
villages, and a spacious tract of fine land under cultivation, drained
and cleared of swamps and woods. The woodcutter now repaid the principal
he had borrowed, and tendered the interest, while tears of gratitude and
humble affection stole down his venerable, his happy and expressive
countenance. But how inexpressible the feelings of the benevolent
merchant! Let those plunderers, who return with the wealth of nations
sinking under their cruelty and oppression, while they wanton in all the
luxuries of life---let them still
In palaces lie straining their low thought
To form unreal wants----
To sensations like his they must ever be strangers. An enjoyment so
exquisite, so pure, so permanent, not all the riches of the East can
purchase.
* * * * *
_NEW-YORK._