"One night, in the autumn of the year, as we were seated round the

embers of our fire, we heard a knocking at the door. My father rose, and

a man of a majestic presence came in, and requested permission to pass

the night in our cottage. He told us he was an English officer, who had

long been stationed in the Highlands, but now, upon the breaking out of

war, he had been sent for in haste to London, whence he was to embark

for America as soon as he could be joined by his regiment. 'This,' said

he, 'has been the reason of my travelling later than prudence permits,

in a mountainous country, with which I am imperfectly acquainted. I have

unfortunately lost my way, and but for your kindness,' added he,

smiling, 'I must here begin my campaign, and pass the night upon a bed

of heath amid the mountains.' My father rose, and received the officer

with all the courtesy he was able (for in Scotland every man thinks

himself honoured by being permitted to exercise his hospitality); he

told him his accommodations were mean and poor, but what he had was

heartily at his service. He then sent me to look after his visitor's

horse, and set before him some milk and oaten bread, which were all the

dainties we possessed; our guest, however, seemed to feed upon it with

an appetite as keen as if he had been educated in the Highlands; and

what I could not help remarking with astonishment, although his air and

manners proved that he could be no stranger to a more delicate way of

living, not a single word fell from him that intimated he had ever been

used to better fare.

"During the evening our guest entertained us with various accounts of

the dangers he had already escaped, and the service he had seen. He

particularly described the manners of the savage tribes he was going to

encounter in America, and the nature of their warfare. All this,

accompanied with the tone and look of a man who was familiar with great

events, and had borne a considerable share in all he related, so

inflamed my military ardour, that I was no longer capable of repressing

it. The stranger perceived it, and looking at me with an air of

tenderness and compassion, asked if that young man was intended for the

service. My colour rose, and my heart immediately swelled at the

question; the look and manner of our guest had strangely interested me

in his favour, and the natural grace and simplicity with which he

related his own exploits, put me in mind of the great men in other

times. Could I but march under the banner of such a leader I thought

nothing would be too arduous to be achieved. I saw before me a long

perspective of combats, difficulties, and dangers; something, however,

whispered to my mind that I should be successful in the end, and support

the reputation of our name and clan. Full of these ideas I sprang

forwards at the question, and told the officer that the darling passion

of my life would be to bear arms under a chief like him; and that, if

he would suffer me to enlist under his command, I should be ready to

justify his kindness by patiently supporting every hardship, and facing

every danger. 'Young man,' replied he, with a look of kind concern,

'there is not an officer in the army that would not be proud of such a

recruit; but I should ill betray the hospitality I have received from

your parents, if I suffered you to be deceived in your opinion of the

military profession.' He then set before me, in the strongest language,

all the hardships which would be my lot; the dangers of the field, the

pestilence of camps, the slow consuming languor of hospitals, the

insolence of command, the mortification and subordination, and the

uncertainty that the exertions of even a long life would ever lead to

the least promotion. 'All this,' replied I, trembling with fear that my

father should take advantage of these too just representations to refuse

his consent, 'I knew before; but I feel an irresistible impulse within

me which compels me to the field. The die is cast for life or death, and

I will abide by the chance that now occurs. If you, sir, refuse me, I

will, however, enlist with the first officer that will accept me; for I

will no longer wear out life amid the solitude of these surrounding

mountains, without either a chance of meriting applause or

distinguishing my name.'

"The officer then desisted from his opposition, and, turning to my

parents, asked them if it were with their consent that I was going to

enlist. My mother burst into tears, and my sisters hung about me

weeping; my father replied with a deep sigh, 'I have long experienced

that it is in vain to oppose the decrees of Providence. Could my

persuasions have availed, he would have remained contented in these

mountains; but that is now impossible, at least till he has purchased

wisdom at the price of his blood. If, therefore, sir, you do not despise

his youth and mien, take him with you, and let him have the advantage of

your example. I have been a soldier myself; and I can assure you, with

truth, that I have never seen an officer under whom I would more gladly

march than yourself.' Our guest made a polite reply to my father, and

instantly agreed to receive me. He then pulled out a purse, and offering

it to my father, said, 'The common price of a recruit is now five

guineas; but so well am I satisfied with the appearance of your son, and

the confidence you repose in me, that I must insist upon your accepting

what is contained in this purse; you will dispose of it as you please

for your mutual advantage. Before I depart to-morrow I will give such

directions as may enable him to join the regiment, which is now

preparing to march.' He then requested that he might retire to rest, and

my father would have resigned the only bed he had in the house to his

guest, but he absolutely refused, and said, 'Would you shame me in the

eyes of my new recruit? What is a soldier good for that cannot sleep

without a bed? The time will soon arrive when I shall think a

comfortable roof and a little straw an enviable luxury.' I therefore

raised him as convenient a couch as I was able to make with heath and

straw, and wrapping himself up in his riding-coat, he threw himself down

upon it and slept till morning. With the first dawn of day he rose and

departed, having first given me the directions which were necessary to

enable me to join the regiment. But before he went, my father, who was

equally charmed with his generosity and manners, pressed him to take

back part of the money he had given us; this, however, he absolutely

refused, and left us, full of esteem and admiration.

"I will not, gentlemen, repeat the affecting scene I had to undergo in

taking leave of my family and friends. It pierced me to the very heart;

and then, for the first time, I almost repented of being so near the

accomplishment of my wishes. I was, however, engaged, and determined to

fulfil my engagement; I therefore tore myself from my family, having

with difficulty prevailed upon my father to accept of part of the money

I had received for my enrolment. I will not trespass upon your time to

describe the various emotions which I felt from the crowd of new

sensations that entered my mind during our march. I arrived without any

accident in London, the splendid capital of this kingdom; but I could

not there restrain my astonishment to see an immense people talking of

wounds, of death, of battles, sieges, and conquests, in the midst of

feasts, and balls, and puppet-shows, and calmly devoting thousands of

their fellow-creatures to perish by famine or the sword, while they

considered the loss of a dinner, or the endurance of a shower, as an

exertion too great for human fortitude.

"I soon embarked, and arrived, without any other accident than a

horrible sickness, at the place of our destination in America. Here I

joined my gallant officer, Colonel Simmons, who had performed the voyage

in another ship."--(Miss Simmons, who was present at this narration,

seemed to be much interested at this mention of her own name; she,

however, did not express her feelings, and the stranger proceeded with

his story.)--"The gentleman was, with justice, the most beloved, and the

most deserving to be so, of any officer I have ever known. Inflexible in

everything that concerned the honour of the service, he never pardoned

wilful misbehaviour, because he knew that it was incompatible with

military discipline; yet, when obliged to punish, he did it with such

reluctance that he seemed to suffer almost as much as the criminal

himself. But, if his reason imposed this just and necessary severity,

his heart had taught him another lesson in respect to private distresses

of his men; he visited them in their sickness, relieved their miseries,

and was a niggard of nothing but human blood. But I ought to correct

myself in that expression, for he was rashly lavish of his own, and to

that we owe his untimely loss.

"I had not been long in America before the colonel, who was perfectly

acquainted with the language and manners of the savage tribes that

border upon the British colonies, was sent on an embassy to one of their

nations, for the purpose of soliciting their alliance with Britain. It

may not, perhaps, be uninteresting to you, gentlemen, and to this my

honourable little master, to hear some account of a people whose manners

and customs are so much the reverse of what you see at home. As my

worthy officer, therefore, contented with my assiduity and improvement

in military knowledge, permitted me to have the honour of attending him,

I will describe some of the most curious facts which I was witness to.

"You have, doubtless, heard many accounts of the surprising increase of

the English colonies in America; and when we reflect that it is scarcely

a hundred years since some of them were established, it must be

confessed that they have made rapid improvements in clearing the ground

of woods and bringing it to cultivation. Yet, much as they have already

done, the country is yet an immense forest, except immediately on the

coasts. The forests extend on every side to a distance that no human

sagacity or observation has been able to determine; they abound in every

species of tree which you see in England, to which may be added a great

variety more which are unknown with us. Under their shade is generally

found a rich luxurious herbage, which serves for pasture to a thousand

herds of animals. Here are seen elks (a kind of deer of the largest

size), and buffaloes (a species of wild ox), by thousands, and even

horses, which, having been originally brought over by the Spaniards,

have escaped from their settlements and multiplied in the woods."

"Dear!" said Tommy, "that must be a fine country, indeed, where horses

run wild; why, a man might have one for nothing." "And yet," said Mr

Merton, "it would be but of little use for a person to have a wild

horse, who is not able to manage a tame one."

Tommy made no answer to his father; and the man proceeded. "But the

greatest curiosity of all this country is, in my opinion, the various

tribes or nations which inhabit it. Bred up from their infancy to a life

of equal hardiness with the wild animals, they are almost as robust in

their constitutions. These various tribes inhabit little villages,

which generally are seated upon the banks of rivers; and, though they

cultivate small portions of land around their towns, they seek the

greater part of their subsistence from the chase. In their persons they

are rather tall and slender, but admirably well-proportioned and active,

and their colour is a pale red, exactly resembling copper. Thus

accustomed to roam about the woods, and brave the inclemencies of the

weather, as well as continually exposed to the attacks of their enemies

they acquire a degree of courage and fortitude which can scarcely be

conceived. It is nothing to them to pass whole days without food; to be

whole nights upon the bare damp ground, and to swim the widest rivers in

the depth of winter. Money, indeed, and the greatest part of what we

call the conveniences of life, they are unacquainted with; nor can they

conceive that one man should serve another merely because he has a few

pieces of shining metal; they imagine that the only distinctions arise

from superior courage and bodily perfections, and therefore these alone

are able to engage their esteem. A celebrated traveller relates that, on

one occasion, while he was engaged in finishing a drawing, he was

suddenly interrupted by three of these curious-looking persons entering

the room in which he was. At first he feared that they intended to

attack him; but he soon found that he was mistaken, for, upon their

seeing the representation of themselves upon a sheet which he had taken

the day before, and which one of them took up, they immediately burst

into a loud fit of laughter, while one of them offered to purchase it by

giving some fruit in exchange.

"But if their manners are gentle in peace, they are more dreadful, when

provoked, than all the wildest animals of the forest. Bred up from

infancy to suffer no restraint, and to give an unbounded loose to the

indulgence of their passions, they know not what it is to forgive those

who have injured them. They love their tribe with a degree of affection

that is totally unknown in every other country; for they are ready to

suffer every hardship and danger in its defence. They scruple not in the

least to experience wounds, and pain, and even death itself, as often as

the interest of the country to which they are so much attached is

concerned; but the same attachment renders them implacable and

unforgiving to all their enemies. In short, they seem to have all the

virtues and the vices of the ancient Spartans.

"To one of these tribes, called the Ottigamies, was Colonel Simmons sent

ambassador, accompanied by a few more officers, and some private men,

among whom I had the honour to be included. We pursued our march for

several days, through forests which seemed to be of equal duration with

the world itself. Sometimes we were shrouded in such obscurity, from the

thickness of the covert, that we could scarcely see the light of heaven;

sometimes we emerged into spacious meadows, bare of trees, and covered

with the most luxuriant herbage, on which were feeding immense herds of

buffaloes. These, as soon as they snuffed the approach of men, which

they are capable of doing even at a considerable distance, ran with

precipitation into the surrounding woods; many, however, fell beneath

our attack, and served us for food during our journey. At length we came

to a wide and rapid river, upon whose banks we found a party of

friendly savages, with some of whom we embarked upon canoes made of the

bark of trees, to proceed to the country of the Ottigamies.

"After three days' incessant rowing we entered a spacious lake, upon

whose banks were encamped a considerable portion of the nation we

sought. As we approached the shore they saluted us with a volley of

balls from their muskets, which whistled just above our heads, without

producing mischief. I and several of the soldiers instantly seized our

arms, imagining it to be a hostile attack; but our leader quieted our

apprehensions by informing us that this was only a friendly salute with

which a nation of warriors received and welcomed their allies. We

landed, and were instantly conducted to the assembly of the chiefs, who

were sitting upon the ground, without external pomp or ceremony, with

their arms beside them; but there was in their countenances and eyes an

expression of ferocious grandeur which would have daunted the boldest

European. Yes, gentlemen, I have seen the greatest and most powerful men

in my own country; I have seen them adorned with every external

circumstance of dress, of pomp, and equipage, to inspire respect, but

never did I see anything which so completely awed the soul as the angry

scowl and fiery glance of a savage American.

"As soon as our leader entered the circle, he produced the calumet, or

pipe of peace. This is the universal mark of friendship and alliance

among all the barbarous nations of America, and he that bears it is

considered with so much respect that his person is always safe. This

calumet is nothing but a long and slender pipe, ornamented with the

most lively and beautiful feathers, which are ingeniously fixed along

the tube; the bowl is composed of a peculiar kind of reddish marble, and

filled with scented herbs and tobacco.

"Colonel Simmons lighted his pipe with great solemnity, and turning the

bowl first towards the heavens, then to the earth, then in a circle

round him, he began to smoke. In the mean time the whole assembly sat

with mute attention, waiting to hear his proposals; for, though we call

them savages, yet in some respects they well deserve to be imitated by

more refined nations; in all their meetings and assemblies the greatest

order and regularity prevail; whoever rises to speak is sure of being

patiently heard to the end without the least interruption.

"Our leader then began to harangue them in their own language, with

which he was well acquainted. I did not understand what passed, but it

was afterwards explained to me that he set before their eyes the

injuries they had mutually received from the French and the tribes in

their alliance. He told them that their great father (for so these

people call the King of Britain) had taken up the hatchet of war, and

was sending an innumerable band of warriors to punish the insults of his

enemies. He told them that he had ordered him to visit the Ottigamies,

his dutiful children, and smoke with them the pipe of peace. He invited

their young men to join the warriors that came from beyond the ocean,

and who were marching to bury the bones of their brethren, who had been

killed by their mutual foes. When he had concluded, he flung upon the

ground a curious string of shells, which is called the belt of

_Wampum_. This is a necessary circumstance in all the treaties made with

these tribes. Whoever comes as an ambassador brings one with him to

present to the people whose friendship is solicited, and, if the belt is

accepted the proposed alliance is considered as entered into.

"As soon as our leader had finished, a chief of a stature superior to

the common race of men, and of a most determined look, jumped into the

middle of the assembly, and, taking up the belt, cried out in their

language, 'Let us march, my brethren, with the young men of our great

father! Let us dig up the hatchet of war and revenge the bones of our

countrymen; they lie unburied, and cry to us for vengeance! We will not

be deaf to their cries; we will shake off all delays; we will approve

ourselves worthy of our ancestors; we will drink the blood of our

enemies, and spread a feast of carnage for the fowls of the air and the

wild beasts of the forest!' This resolution was universally approved by

the whole nation, who consented to the war with a ferocious joy. The

assembly was then dissolved, and the chiefs prepared for their intended

march according to the manners of their country.

"All the savage tribes that inhabit America are accustomed to very

little clothing. Inured to the inclemencies of the weather, and being in

the constant exercise of all their limbs, they cannot bear the restraint

and confinement of a European dress. The greater part of their bodies,

therefore, is naked; and this they paint in various fashions, to give

additional terror to their looks.

"When the chiefs were thus prepared they came from their tents; and the

last solemnity I was witness to, was dancing the dance of war and

singing the song of death. But what words can convey an adequate idea of

the furious movements and expressions which animated them through the

whole of this performance! Every man was armed with a kind of hatchet,

which is their usual weapon in battle, and called a _tomahawk_. This he

held in his hand, and brandished through the whole of the dreadful

spectacle. As they went on, their faces kindled into an expression of

anger that would daunt the boldest spectator; their gestures seemed to

be inspired by frantic rage and animosity; they moved their bodies with

the most violent agitations, and it was easy to see they represented all

the circumstances of a real combat. They seemed to be engaged in close

or distant battle, and brandished their weapons with so much fury, that

you would have imagined they were going every instant to hew each other

to pieces. Nor would it have been possible, even for the performers

themselves of this terrific dance, to have avoided mutual wounds and

slaughter, had they not been endued with that extraordinary activity

which is peculiar to savage nations. By intervals they increased the

horrid solemnity of the exhibition by uttering yells that would have

pierced a European ear with horror. I have seen rage and fury under

various forms and in different parts of the globe, but I must confess

that everything I have seen elsewhere is feeble and contemptible, when

compared with this day's spectacle. When the whole was finished, they

entertained us at a public festival in their cabins, and, when we

departed, dismissed us with these expressive wishes; they prayed that

the Great Spirit would favour us with a prosperous voyage; that he would

give us an unclouded sky and smooth waters by day, and that we might lie

down at night on a beaver blanket, enjoying uninterrupted sleep and

pleasant dreams; and that we might find continual protection under the

great pipe of peace. I have been thus particular (said the Highlander)

in describing the circumstances of this embassy, because you have not

disdained to hear the story of my adventures; and I thought that this

description of a people so totally unlike all you have been accustomed

to in Europe might not prove entirely uninteresting."

"We are much obliged to you," said Mr Barlow, "for all these curious

particulars, which are perfectly conformable to all I have heard and

read upon the subject. Nor can I consider, without a certain degree of

admiration, the savage grandeur of man in his most simple state. The

passion for revenge, which marks the character of all uncivilised

nations, is certainly to be condemned. But it is one of the constant

prejudices of their education; and many of those that call themselves

refined, have more to blush at in that respect than they are aware of.

Few, I am afraid, even in the most refined state of society, have

arrived at that sublime generosity which is able to forgive the injuries

of his fellow-creatures, when it has the power to repay them, and I see

many around me that are disgraced by the vices of uncivilised Americans,

without a claim to their virtues."

"I will not fatigue your ears," continued the Highlander, "with the

recital of all the events I was engaged in during the progress of the

war. The description of blood and carnage is always disagreeable to a

humane mind; and, though the perversity of mankind may sometimes render

war a necessary evil, the remembrance of its mischiefs is always

painful. I will only mention one event, continually lamented in the

annals of this country, because it is connected with the untimely fate

of my noble friend and gallant leader.

"It was determined by those who governed that we should march through

the woods upon a distant expedition against the French. The conduct of

this enterprise was given to a brave but rash commander, totally

unacquainted with the people he had to oppose, and unskilled in the

nature of a savage war. We therefore began our march through the same

trackless wilds I have described, and proceeded for several days without

any other difficulties than the nature of the country itself produced,

and without seeing the face of an enemy. It was in vain that officers of

the greatest experience, and particularly my worthy colonel, suggested

to our commander the necessity of using every precaution against a

dangerous and insidious foe.

"War is not managed, amid the forests of America, in the same manner as

it is conducted upon the plains of Europe. The temper of the people

there conspires with the nature of the country to render it a continual

scene of stratagems and surprise. Unencumbered with tents or baggage, or

numerous trains of artillery, the hostile warriors set out in small and

chosen parties, with nothing but their arms, and are continually upon

the watch to deceive their enemies. Long experience has taught them a

degree of sagacity in traversing the woods which to us is

inconceivable. Neither the widest rivers nor the most extensive forests

can retard them for an instant. A march of a thousand miles is scarcely

to them a greater difficulty than the passage of a European army between

two neighbouring towns. The woods themselves afford them a continual

supply of provisions in the various animals which they kill by the

chase. When they are near their enemies they frequently lurk all day in

thickets, for fear of a discovery, and pursue their march by night.

Hundreds of them sometimes pursue their course in the same line,

treading only in each other's steps, and the last of the party carefully

covers over the impressions which his fellows have made. When they are

thus upon the point of accomplishing their purpose the very necessities

of nature are unheeded; they cease to fire upon the beasts of the

forest, lest it should alarm the foe; they feed upon the roots or the

bark of trees, or pass successive days in a perfect abstinence from

food. All this our colonel represented to the general, and conjured him,

with the strongest entreaties, not to hazard the safety of our army by

an incautious progress. He advised him to send out numerous detachments

to beat the bushes and examine the woods; and offered himself to secure

the march of the army. But presumption is always blind; our general was

unacquainted with any other than European warfare, and could not

conceive that naked savages would dare to attack an army of two thousand

disciplined troops.

"One morning, the way before us appeared more intricate and obscure than

common; the forests did not, as usual, consist of lofty trees, which

afford a tolerably clear prospect between their trunks, but were

composed of creeping bushes and impervious thickets. The army marched as

usual, with the vain ostentation of military discipline, but totally

unprepared for the dreadful scene which followed. At length we entered a

gloomy valley, surrounded on every side by the thickest shade, and

rendered swampy by the overflowings of a little rivulet. In this

situation it was impossible to continue our march without disordering

our ranks; and part of the army extended itself beyond the rest, while

another part of the line involuntarily fell behind.

"In the moment while the officers were employed in rectifying the

disorder of their men, a sudden noise of musketry was heard in front,

which stretched about twenty of our men upon the field. The soldiers

instinctively fired towards the part whence they were attacked, and

instantly fell back in disorder. But it was equally vain to retreat or

go forward, for it now appeared that we were completely hemmed in. On

every side resounded the fatal peals of scattering fire, that thinned

our ranks and extended our bravest comrades on the earth. Figure to

yourself a shoal of fishes, enclosed within the net, that circle in vain

the fatal labyrinth in which they are involved; or rather, conceive what

I have myself been witness to--a herd of deer, surrounded on every side

by a band of active and unpitying hunters, who press and gall them on

every side, and exterminate them at leisure in their flight; just such

was the situation of our unfortunate countrymen. After a few unavailing

discharges, which never annoyed a secret enemy that scattered death

unseen, the ranks were broken and all subordination lost. The ground

was covered with gasping wretches, and stained with blood; the woods

resounded with cries and groans, and fruitless attempts of our gallant

officers to rally their men, and check the progress of the enemy. By

intervals was heard, more shrill, more dreadful than all the rest, the

dismal yell of the victorious savages, who now, emboldened by their

success, began to leave the covert and hew down those who fled, with

unrelenting cruelty. As to myself, the description which our colonel had

given me of their method of attack, and the precautions to be used

against it, rendered me perhaps less disturbed than I should otherwise

have been. I remarked that those who stood and those who fled were

exposed to equal danger; those who kept their ranks and endeavoured to

repel the enemy, exposed their persons to their fire, and were

successively shot down, as happened to most of our unfortunate officers,

while those who fled frequently rushed headlong upon the very death they

sought to avoid.

"Pierced to the heart at the sight of such a carnage of my gallant

comrades, I grew indifferent to life, and abandoned myself to despair;

but it was a despair that neither impaired my exertions nor robbed me of

the faculties of my mind. 'Imitate me,' I cried, 'my gallant countrymen,

and we shall yet be safe.' I then directly ran to the nearest tree, and

sheltered myself behind its stem--convinced that this precaution alone

could secure me from the incessant volleys which darted on every side. A

small number of Highlanders followed my example; and, thus secured, we

began to fire with more success at the enemy, who now exposed themselves

with less reserve. This check seemed to astonish and confound them; and

had not the panic been so general, it is possible that this successful

effort might have changed the fortune of the fight; for, in another

quarter, the provincial troops that accompanied us behaved with the

greatest bravery, and, though deserted by the European forces, effected

their own retreat.

"But it was now too late to hope for victory or even safety; the ranks

were broken on every side, the greater part of our officers slain or

wounded, and our unfortunate general himself had expiated with his life

his fatal rashness. I cast my eyes around, and saw nothing but images of

death, and horror, and frantic rage. Yet even then the safety of my

noble colonel was dearer to me than my own. I sought him for some time

in vain, amid the various scenes of carnage which surrounded me. At

length I discovered him at a distance, almost deserted by his men, yet

still attempting to renew the fight, and heedless of the wounds which

covered him. Transported with grief and passion, I immediately darted

forward to offer him my feeble support; but, in the very instant of my

arrival, he received a straggling ball in his bosom, and, tottering to a

tree, supported his fainting limbs against the trunk. Just in that

moment three of our savage enemies observed his situation, and marked

him for their prey; they raised their hideous yell, and darted upon him

with the speed and fierceness of wolves. Fury then took possession of my

soul; had I possessed a thousand lives, I should have held them cheap in

the balance. I fired with so unerring an aim that I stretched the

foremost on the earth; the second received the point of my bayonet in

his breast, and fell in the pangs of death; the third, daunted with the

fate of his companions, turned his steps another way.

"Just then a horse, that had lost his rider, was galloping along the

wood; I bounded across the path, and, seizing him by the bridle,

instantly led him to my leader, and conjured him to preserve his

glorious life. He thanked me in the most affectionate manner for my

friendship, but bade me preserve my own life. 'As to myself,' said he,

'I do not wish to survive my country's dishonour; and even had I such a

wish, the wounds I have received would render all escape impossible.'

'If that is your resolution,' said I, 'we will die together; for I swear

by the eternal majesty of my Creator that I will not leave you.' When he

saw me thus resolved, he consented to use my assistance, and with

infinite difficulty I seated him upon the horse, which, holding by the

reins, as I was then light and active, I guided along the wood with no

inconsiderable speed.

"Fortunately for me, we were not observed by any of our savage enemies,

so that, flying through the thickest part of the forest, we left the

danger behind, and were soon removed beyond the sight or hearing of the

battle. 'Courage,' said I, 'my noble leader! you are now almost in

safety; and I trust you will yet preserve a life so necessary to your

friends and country.' He answered me with the kindest expressions, but

with a feeble voice, 'Campbell, I have consented to fly, more for the

sake of preserving your life than from any hopes of my own; but since we

are at a distance from yonder dreadful scene, permit me to alight; I

have consumed my small remaining forces in the way, and now I am faint

from loss of blood.' He sunk down at this, and would have fallen, but I

received him in my arms; I bore him to the next thicket, and, strewing

grass and leaves upon the ground, endeavoured to prepare him a bed. He

thanked me again with gratitude and tenderness, and grasped my hand as

he lay in the very agonies of death, for such it was, although I

believed he had only fainted, and long tried every ineffectual method to

restore departed life. Thus was I deprived of the noblest officer and

kindest friend that ever deserved the attachment of a soldier. Twenty

years have now rolled over me since that inauspicious day, yet it lives

for ever in my remembrance, and never shall be blotted from my soul.

(The Highlander then turned away to hide a tear, which did not misbecome

his manly countenance; the company seemed all to share his griefs, but

Miss Simmons above the rest. However, as the natural gentleness of her

temper was sufficiently known, no one suspected that she had any

particular interest in the relation.)

"I sat till night (continued the stranger) supporting the breathless

body of my colonel, and vainly hoping he might return to life. At length

I perceived that his noble soul was fled for ever. My own wounds grew

stiff and painful, and exhausted nature required a supply of food; I

therefore arose, and finding a spring that trickled down a hill at no

great distance, I refreshed myself by a copious draught, and washed the

clotted blood away from the hurts I had received. I then crushed some

leaves, which the inhabitants of that country imagine salutary, and

bound them on with bandages which I tore from my linen; I also found a

few wild fruits, which past experience had taught me were innocent, and

with them I allayed the pains of hunger. I then returned to the thicket,

and, creeping into the thickest part, endeavoured to compose myself to

rest.

"Strange, gentlemen, as it may appear, neither the forlorn nature of my

situation, nor the dangers with which I was beset, were sufficient to

keep me awake; my wearied and exhausted body seemed to triumph over all

the agitations of my mind, and I sunk into a sleep as deep and profound

as that of death itself. I awoke next morning with the first rays of the

sun, but, more composed, I better understood the difficulties in which I

was involved, and the uncertainty of my escape. I was in the midst of an

immense desert, totally destitute of human assistance or support. Should

I meet with any of my fellow-creatures, I could expect nothing but

implacable cruelty; and even if I escaped their vigilance, what method

of finding subsistence, or of measuring back, without a guide, the long

and tedious march I had trodden? Hope, however, and the vigour of my

constitution, still supported me. I reflected that it is the common lot

of man to struggle with misfortunes; that it is cowardice to yield to

evils, when present, the representation of which had not deterred me

from voluntarily embracing the profession of a soldier; and that the

providence of Heaven was as capable of protecting me in the forests of

America as upon my native mountains. I therefore determined to struggle

till the last with the difficulties which surrounded me, and to meet my

fortune like a man. Yet, as I still by intervals heard the dismal cries

of the enemy, and saw their fires at a distance, I lay close till night

in the obscurity of my thicket. When all was dark and still, I ventured

abroad, and laid in my scanty provisions of fruits and herbs, and drank

again at the spring. The pain of my wounds now began to abate a little,

though I suffered extremely from the cold, as I did not dare to kindle a

fire, from the fear of discovering myself by its light.

"Three nights and days did I lead this solitary life, in continual dread

of the savage parties which scoured all the woods in pursuit of

stragglers, and often passed so near my place of retreat that I gave

myself over for lost. At length, on the fourth evening, fancying myself

a little restored, and that the activity of the enemy might be abated, I

ventured out and pursued my march. I scarcely need describe the various

difficulties and dangers to which I was exposed in such a journey;

however, I still had with me my musket, and as my ammunition was not

quite exhausted, I depended upon the woods themselves to supply me with

food. I travelled the greater part of the night, involving myself still

deeper in these inextricable forests, for I was afraid to pursue the

direction of our former march, as I imagined the savages were dispersed

along the country in pursuit of the fugitives. I therefore took a

direction as nearly as I could judge parallel to the English

settlements, and inclining to the south. In this manner I forced my way

along the woods all night, and with the morning had reason to think that

I had advanced a considerable distance.

"My wounds began now to pain me afresh with this exertion, and compelled

me to allow myself some repose. I chose out the thickest covert I could

find, and, shrouding myself as well as I was able, was soon overpowered

by sleep. I did not awake till the sun had gained the meridian, and,

creeping from my retreat, beheld, with some degree of terror, an

enormous rattlesnake that was coiled up full in my way, and seemed

determined to oppose my passage. This animal is frequent in the southern

colonies, and is the most poisonous of all the reptiles that haunt the

woods. He is in length from two to six feet, beautifully variegated with

different colours, but the most remarkable circumstance attending him is

a natural noise that he produces with every motion of his tail, and

which, too, occasions his name. I soon destroyed my hissing foe, and,

taking courage for the first time to kindle a fire, I roasted him upon

the embers, and made the most delicious meal I ever remember upon his

flesh."

"What!" exclaimed Tommy, "is it possible to eat snakes? I thought they

had been all over poison." "Master," replied the Highlander, "the want

of food will reconcile us to many meats which we should scarcely think

eatable. Nothing has surprised me more than to see the poor, in various

countries, complaining of the scarcity of food, yet throwing away every

year thousands of the carcases of horses, which are full as wholesome

and nourishing as beef, and are in many countries preferred to it; but,

in general, every animal may be eaten, and affords a salutary food. As

to snakes, the poison of them is contained in the hollow of their teeth.

When they bite, they instil their venom into the wound, which mixes with

the blood, and, without a timely remedy, destroys the sufferer; but if

you cut off the head, the rest of the body is not only wholesome but

palatable, and I have known it eaten as a delicacy by many inhabitants

of the colonies.

"Thus refreshed, therefore, I pursued my march through the same thick,

gloomy country, without meeting the least appearance of a human

creature, and at night I cut, with a hatchet that I had about me, some

boughs, with which I erected a temporary shelter. The next day, as I was

pursuing my march, I saw a deer bound by me, upon whose shoulders was

fixed a fierce and destructive animal resembling a tiger. This creature,

which is about the size of a moderate dog, ascends the trees and hides

himself among the branches till a deer, or any other animal that he can

master, passes within his reach. He then darts himself with a sudden

spring full upon the neck or shoulder of the unfortunate animal, which

he continues tearing with so much violence that he soon despatches him.

This was actually the case with the poor deer that passed me; for he had

not run a hundred yards before he fell down in the agonies of death, and

his destroyer began to regale himself upon the prey. I instantly saw

that this was a lucky opportunity of supplying myself with food for

several days. I therefore ran towards the animal, and by a violent shout

made him abandon his victim and retire growling into the woods. I then

kindled a fire with leaves and sticks, and, cutting off a large slice of

venison, I plentifully refreshed myself for my journey. I then packed up

as much of the most fleshy parts of the body as I could conveniently

carry, and abandoned the rest to wild beasts.

"In this manner did I march for several days without wanting food, or

seeing any probable end of my fatigues. At length I found a lofty

mountain before me, which I determined to ascend, imagining that such an

elevation might enable me to make some useful discoveries in respect to

the nature of the country I had to traverse, and perhaps present me with

some appearances of cultivation or inhabitants. I therefore ascended

with infinite fatigue a rough and stony ascent of several miles, in

which I was frequently obliged to clamber up pointed rocks, and work my

way along the edge of dangerous precipices. I, however, arrived without

any accident at the top, which was entirely bare of trees, and, looking

round me, I beheld a wild and desert country, extending to a prodigious

distance. Far as my eye could reach I discovered nothing but forests on

every side but one; there the country seemed to be more open, though

equally uncultivated, and I saw meadows and savannahs opening one beyond

another, bounded at length by a spacious river, whose end and beginning

were equally concealed from my eye. I was now so weary of this solitary

kind of life, that I began to consider the inhabitants themselves with

less apprehension; besides, I thought myself out of danger of meeting

with the hostile tribes; and all these people, unless irritated by

injuries or stimulated by revenge, are perhaps less strangers to the

rights of hospitality than any civilised nation. I therefore reflected,

that by directing my course to the river, and following the direction of

its waters, I should have the greatest probability of meeting with some

of my fellow-creatures, as the natives build their villages near lakes

and streams, and choose their banks as a residence when they are

employed in hunting. I therefore descended the mountain, and entered the

level district which I saw before me; and then marched along an open

champaign country for several hours, covered over with a species of rank

grass, and beheld numerous herds of buffaloes grazing all around.

"It was here that an accident befel me, which I will relate for its

singularity, both in respect to the dangers I incurred and my method of

escape. As I was thus journeying on, I discovered a prodigious light

that seemed to efface the sun itself, and streak the skies with an angry

kind of illumination. I looked round me to discover the cause of this

strange appearance, and beheld, with equal horror and astonishment, that

the whole country behind was in flames. In order to explain this event,

I must observe, that all the plains in America produce a rank, luxuriant

vegetation, the juices of which are exhausted by the heat of the

summer's sun; it is then as inflammable as straw or fodder, and when a

casual spark of fire communicates with it, the flame frequently drives

before the wind for miles together, and consumes everything it meets.

This was actually the case at present; far as my eye could reach, the

country was all in flames, a powerful wind added fresh fury to the fire,

and drove it on with a degree of swiftness which precluded all

possibility of flight. I must confess that I was struck with horror at

the sudden approach of a death so new, so dreadful, so unexpected! I saw

it was in vain to fly, the flaming line extended for several miles on

every side, and advanced with such velocity that I considered my fate as

inevitable. I looked round me with a kind of mute despair, and began to

envy the fate of my comrades who had fallen by honourable wounds in

battle. Already did the conflagration scorch me in its approach,

accompanied by clouds of smoke that almost suffocated me with their

baneful vapour. In this extremity Providence presented to my mind an

instantaneous thought, which perhaps was the only possible method of

escape. I considered that nothing could stop the conflagration but an

actual want of matter to continue it, and therefore by setting fire to

the vegetables before me, I might follow my own path in safety. (I hope,

gentlemen, that during the course of a long life, you will never have

occasion to experience the pleasure which the first glance of this

expedient afforded to my mind.) I saw myself snatched, beyond

expectation, from a strange and painful death, and instantly pulled out,

with a trembling hand, the flint and steel upon which my preservation

was to depend. I struck a light, and presently kindled the driest grass

before me; the conflagration spread along the country, the wind drove it

on with inconceivable fury, and I saw the path of my deliverance open

before my eyes. In a few seconds a considerable vacancy was burnt before

me, which I traversed with the speed of a man that flies from instant

death. My feet were scorched with the glowing soil, and several times

had I been nearly suffocated with the drift of the pursuing smoke, but

every step I made convinced me of the certainty of my escape, and in a

little time I stopped to consider at leisure the conflagration I had

avoided, which, after proceeding to the point whence I set out, was

extinguished as I had foreseen, and delivered me from all

apprehension."

"I declare," said Tommy, "this is the most extraordinary thing I ever

heard, and yet I can easily conceive it, for once I saw some men set

fire to the heath and furzes upon the common, and they burnt so

furiously that I was quite afraid to come near the flame."

"I pursued my way," continued the Highlander, "over the smoking soil,

which I had rendered bare to a considerable extent, and lodged at night,

as usual, under some boughs which I stuck up to defend me. In the

morning I set out again, and soon arrived at a spacious lake, upon whose

banks I could plainly discern the signs of an American encampment. I

hesitated some time whether I should again conceal myself in the woods

or deliver myself up to their mercy. But I considered that it was

impossible long to continue this wandering life, and that in the end I

must have recourse to some of these savage tribes for assistance. What,

therefore, must be done at last, it was fruitless to delay. I had every

reason to imagine that the people before me must either be favourable to

Great Britain, or at least indifferent to the war; and in either case,

from the experience I possessed of the manners of the natives, I did not

think I had much to fear. I therefore determined to hazard everything

upon the probability of a favourable reception, and, collecting all my

resolution, I marched boldly forward, and soon arrived at the

encampment.

"As soon as I entered the village the women and children gathered round

me, with the curiosity natural to mankind at the sight of an

unaccustomed object. I formed a favourable conjecture from this apparent

ignorance of Europeans, and walking on with a composed step and steady

countenance, I at length entered into one of the largest cabins I could

find. When I was within, I saw a venerable old man whom I took to be a

chief from his appearance, sitting at his ease upon the ground, and

smoking. I saluted him with all the courtesy I was able, and placed

myself upon the ground, at some little distance, waiting with inward

anxiety, but external composure, for him to begin the conversation.

After he had eyed me for some time with fixed attention, but without

either sternness or anger, he took the pipe from his mouth and presented

it to me. I received it with infinite satisfaction; for, as I have

before remarked, this is always with the American tribes the firmest

pledge of peace and a friendly reception.

"When we had thus been seated for some time in mutual contemplation of

each other, he asked me in a dialect which I understood tolerably well,

to eat. I did not think it prudent to refuse any offered civility, and

therefore accepted the offer; and in a little time, a young woman who

was in the back part of the hut, set before me some broiled fish and

parched maize. After I had eaten, my friendly host inquired into my

country and the reasons of my visit. I was just enough acquainted with

the language he spoke to be able to understand him, and to give an

intelligible though imperfect answer. I therefore explained to him, as

well as I was able, that I had crossed the great water with the warriors

of the king of Britain; that we had been compelled to take up the

hatchet against the French and their allies, and that we had actually

set out upon an expedition against their colonies, but that we had been

surprised by a lurking party in the woods; that, in the confusion of the

fight, I had been separated from the rest, and had wandered several

days through the woods in search of my comrades; and that now, seeing

the tents of my brethren, the red men, I had come to visit them, and

smoke the pipe of peace in their company. All this I with some

difficulty explained to my entertainer, who listened to me with great

attention, and then bade me welcome in the name of his nation, which he

told me was called the _Saukies_; he added, 'that their young men were

dispersed through the woods, hunting the deer and buffalo, but they

would soon return loaded with provisions, and in the meantime I might

share his cabin and such provisions as he could command.' I thanked him

for his offer, and remained several days in his hut, always entertained

with the same hospitality, until the return of the young men from

hunting. They came at last in several boats, along the lake, bringing

with them a considerable quantity of wild beasts, which they had killed.

I was received by all the tribe with the same hospitality I had

experienced from the old chief; and as it was necessary to gain their

friendship as much as possible, I joined them in all their hunting and

fishing parties, and soon acquired a considerable degree of skill in

both.

"Hunting itself has something cruel in the practice; it is a species of

war which we wage with brute animals for their spoils; but if ever it

can be considered as excusable, it is in these savage nations, who have

recourse to it for their subsistence. They are active, bold, and

dexterous in all these exercises, to such a degree, that none of the

wild animals they attack have the smallest chance of escape. Their

parties generally consist of almost all the youth of their nation, who

go in a body to particular districts where they know game is plentiful.

Their common method is, when they are arrived at a spot which abounds in

deer or buffaloes, to disperse themselves through the woods; and then,

alarming the beasts in the neighbourhood, they drive them with shouts

and dogs towards some common place, which was always in the middle of

all their parties. When they have thus roused their prey, the various

squadrons gradually advance towards the centre, till they unite in a

circle, and enclose a prodigious number of frightened animals; they then

attack them either with fire-arms or arrows, and shoot them down

successively. By these means they are sure, in a single day, to destroy

a prodigious number of different beasts. But it sometimes happens that,

while they are engaged in the chase of other animals, they become a prey

themselves to their enemies, who take this method of surprising them in

the woods, and gratifying their resentment. This was actually the case

with my friends the Saukies, and produced a surprising event, the

consequence of which was my return to the English colonies in safety.

"The Saukies had been long at war with the Iroquese, a powerful tribe of

North Americans, in the interest of the French. The Iroquese had

received intelligence of the situation of the Saukies' encampment, and

determined to surprise them. For this purpose a thousand warriors set

out by a secret march through the woods, and travelled with silence and

celerity, which are peculiar to all these nations. When they had nearly

approached the hunting-grounds of their enemies, they happened to be

discovered upon their march by four warriors of another nation, who

instantly suspected their design, and, running with greater diligence

than it was possible so large a body could make, arrived at the

encampment of the Saukies, and informed them of the near approach of

their enemies. A great council was instantly assembled to deliberate

upon the choice of proper measures for their defence. As they were

encumbered with their families, it was impracticable to retreat with

safety, and it seemed equally difficult to resist so large a force with

inferior numbers.

"While they were in this uncertainty, I considered the nature of their

situation, and had the good fortune to find out a resource, which, being

communicated to my friend and chief, and adopted by the nation, was the

means of their safety. I observed that the passage to the Saukie camp,

for the Iroquese, lay along a narrow slip of land which extended for

nearly a mile between two lakes. I therefore advised the Saukies to cast

up a strong barrier at the end of the passage, which I showed them how

to strengthen with ditches, palisades, and some of the improvements of

the European fortification. Their number of warriors amounted to about

four hundred; these I divided into equal parts, and, leaving one to

defend the lines, I placed the other in ambuscade along the neighbouring

woods. Scarcely were these dispositions finished before the Iroquese

appeared, and, imagining they were rushing upon an unguarded foe,

entered the defile without hesitation. As soon as the whole body was

thus imprudently engaged, the other party of the Saukies started from

their hiding-places, and, running to the entrance of the strait, threw

up in an instant another fortification, and had the satisfaction to see

the whole force of their enemies thus circumvented and caught in a trap.

The Iroquese soon perceived the difficulty and danger of escape; they,

however, behaved with that extraordinary composure which is the peculiar

characteristic of this people on every occasion. The lakes were at that

time frozen over, yet not so hard as to permit them to effect a passage

over the ice; and though a thaw succeeded in a short time, it was

equally impracticable to pass by swimming or on rafts. Three days,

therefore, the Iroquese remained quiet in this disagreeable situation,

and, as if they had nothing to apprehend, diverted themselves all this

time with fishing. On the fourth morning they judged the ice

sufficiently dissolved to effect their escape; and therefore, cutting

down some trees which grew upon the strait, they formed them into rafts,

and embarked their whole force. But this could not be done without the

knowledge of the Saukies, who despatched a considerable body of warriors

to oppose their landing. It is unnecessary to relate all the horrid

particulars of the engagement which ensued; I will only mention, that

the Iroquese at length effected their landing with the loss of half

their number, and retreated precipitately to their own country, leaving

behind them all the furs and skins which they had taken in their

hunting. The share I had had in this success gained me the friendship of

all the nation, and, at my desire, they sent some of their young men to

guide me through the woods to the English settlements, and they took

their leave of me with every expression of esteem, and a considerable

present of valuable furs.

"These, gentlemen (with the exception of one adventure, when I was

attacked by three desperate-looking fellows, two of whom I killed, and

the other fled), are the most important and interesting events of my

life; and as I have already trespassed too long upon your patience, I

shall now hasten to draw my story to a conclusion. After this I was

employed in various parts of America and the West Indies during the rest

of the war. I suffered hardships and difficulties innumerable, and

acquired, as my father had foretold, a little wisdom at the price of a

considerable quantity of blood. When the war was ended, I found myself

nearly in the same situation as I began, except the present of my

friendly Americans, which I turned into money and remitted to England. I

therefore now began to feel my military enthusiasm abated, and, having

permission to leave the service, I embraced that opportunity of

returning to my country, fully determined to spend the remainder of my

life amid my family and friends. I found my father and mother still

living, who received me in the fondest manner. I then employed the

little fund I had acquired to stock a farm, which I hired in the

neighbourhood, and where I imagined my care and industry would be

sufficient to insure us all a comfortable subsistence. Some little time

after, I married a virtuous and industrious young woman, the mother of

the unfortunate children who are so much indebted to your bounty. For

some time I made a shift to succeed tolerably well, but at length, the

distresses of my country increasing, I found myself involved in the

deepest poverty. Several years of uncommon severity destroyed my cattle

(which is the chief support of the Highlanders), and rotted away the

scanty crops, which were to supply us with food, upon the ground. I

cannot accuse myself of either voluntary unthriftiness or neglect of my

business, but there are some situations in which it seems impossible for

human exertion to stem the torrent of misfortune. But wherefore should I

give pain to such kind and worthy benefactors, by a detail of all the

miseries which I and many of my poor countrymen have endured? I will

therefore only mention that, after having suffered, I think, every

distress which human nature is equal to support--after having seen my

tender parents, and last, my dear unfortunate wife, perish by the

hardships of our situation--I took the resolution of abandoning for ever

a country which seemed incapable of supporting its inhabitants. I

thought that the milder climate and more fertile soil of America might,

perhaps, enable a wretched wanderer, who asked no more than food for his

starving children, to drag on, a little longer, a miserable life. With

this idea I sold the remainder of my stock, and, after having paid my

landlord, I found I had just enough to transport myself and family into

eternal banishment. I reached a seaport town, and embarked with my

children on board a ship that was setting sail for Philadelphia. But the

same ill-fortune seemed still to accompany my steps; for a dreadful

storm arose, which, after having tossed our vessel during several days,

wrecked us at length upon the coast. All the crew indeed escaped, and

with an infinite difficulty I saved these dear but miserable infants who

now accompany me; but when I reflect on my situation, in a distant

country, without resources, friends, or hopes, I am almost inclined to

think that we might all have been happier in the bosom of the ocean."

Here the Highlander finished his story, and all the company were

affected by the recital of his distresses. They all endeavoured to

comfort him with the kindest expressions and promises of assistance; but

Miss Simmons, after she had with some difficulty composed herself enough

to speak, asked the man if his name was not _Andrew Campbell_? The

Highlander answered, with some surprise, it was. "Then," said she, "you

will find that you have a friend, whom, as yet, you are not acquainted

with, who has both the ability and the will to serve you. That friend,"

added she, seeing all the company astonished, "is no other than my

uncle. That Colonel Simmons, whom you have described with so much

feeling and affection, was brother to my father, and consequently uncle

to myself. It is no wonder that the memory of such a man should be

venerated by his relations. I have often heard my uncle speak of his

untimely death as the greatest misfortune which ever happened to our

family; and I have often seen him read, with tears in his eyes, many of

his brother's letters, in which he speaks with the greatest affection of

his faithful Highlander, Andrew Campbell."

At these words the poor Highlander, unable to repress the strong

emotions of his mind, sprang forward in a sudden transport of joy, and,

without consideration of circumstances, caught Miss Simmons in his arms,

exclaiming at the same time, "Praised be to God for this happy and

unexpected meeting! Blessed be my shipwreck itself, that has given me an

opportunity of seeing, before I die, some of the blood of my dear and

worthy colonel!" and, perceiving Miss Simmons confused at this abrupt

and unexpected salutation, he added, in the most respectful manner,

"Pardon me, my honoured young lady, for the improper liberty I have

taken; but I was not master of myself to find, at a time when I thought

myself the most forlorn and miserable of the human race, that I was in

company with the nearest relation of the man, whom, after my own father,

I have always loved and reverenced most." Miss Simmons answered with the

greatest affability that she freely excused the warmth of his affection,

and that she would that very day acquaint her uncle with this

extraordinary event, who, she did not doubt, would come over with the

greatest expedition to see a person whom he knew so well by name, and

who could inform him of so many particulars of her uncle.

And now, the company being separated, Tommy, who had listened with

silent attention to the story of the Highlander, took an opportunity of

following Mr Barlow, who was walking out; and when he perceived they

were alone, he looked at him as if he had some weighty matter to

disclose, but was unable to give it utterance. Mr Barlow, therefore,

turned towards him with the greatest kindness, and taking him tenderly

by the hand, inquired what he wished. "Indeed," answered Tommy, almost

crying, "I am scarcely able to tell you. But I have been a very bad and

ungrateful boy, and I am afraid you no longer have the same affection

for me."

_Mr Barlow._--If you are sensible of your faults, my little friend, that

is a very great step towards amending them. Let me therefore know what

it is, the recollection of which distresses you so much; and if it is

in my power to assist in making you easy, there is nothing, I am sure,

which I shall be inclined to refuse you.

_Tommy._--Oh sir! your speaking to me with so much goodness hurts me a

great deal more than if you were to be very angry; for when people are

angry and passionate, one does not so much mind what they say; but when

you speak with so much kindness, it seems to pierce me to the very

heart, because I know I have not deserved it.

_Mr Barlow._--But if you are sensible of having committed any faults,

you may resolve to behave so well for the future that you may deserve

everybody's friendship and esteem; few people are so perfect as not to

err sometimes, and if you are convinced of your errors, you will be more

cautious how you give way to them a second time.

_Tommy._--Indeed, sir, I am very happy to hear you say so. I will, then,

tell you everything which lies so heavy upon my mind. You must know

then, sir, that although I have lived so long with you, and during all

that time you have taken so much pains to improve me in everything, and

teach me to act well to everybody, I had no sooner quitted your sight

than I became, I think, a worse boy than ever I was before.

_Mr Barlow._--But why do you judge so severely of yourself as to think

you were become worse than ever. Perhaps you have been a little

thoughtless and giddy; and these are faults which I cannot with truth

say you were ever free from.

_Tommy._--No, sir; what I have been guilty of is infinitely worse than

ever. I have always been very giddy and very thoughtless, but I never

imagined I could have been the most insolent and ungrateful boy in the

world.

_Mr Barlow._--You frighten me, my little friend. Is it possible you can

have committed actions that deserve so harsh a name?

_Tommy._--You shall judge yourself, sir, for, now I have begun, I am

determined to tell you all. You know, sir, that when I first came to

you, I had a high opinion of myself for being born a gentleman, and a

very great contempt for everybody in an inferior station.

_Mr Barlow._--I must confess you have always had some tendency to both

these follies.

_Tommy._--Yes, sir; but you have so often laughed at me upon the

subject, and shown me the folly of people's imagining themselves better

than others, without any merit of their own, that I was grown a little

wiser. Besides, I have so often observed, that those I despised could do

a variety of things which I was ignorant of, while those who are vain of

being gentlemen can do nothing useful or ingenious; so that I had begun

to be ashamed of my folly. But since I came home I have kept company

with a great many fine young gentlemen and ladies, who thought

themselves superior to all the rest of the world, and used to despise

every one else; and they have made me forget everything I learned

before.

_Mr Barlow._--Perhaps, then, I was mistaken when I taught you that the

greatest merit any person could have is to be good and useful. These

fine young gentlemen and ladies may be wiser, and have given you better

lessons; if that is the case, you will have great reason to rejoice that

you have changed so much for the better.

_Tommy._--No, sir, no; I never thought them either good or wise, for

they know nothing but how to dress their hair and buckle their shoes;

but they persuaded me that it was necessary to be polite, and talked to

me so often upon the subject, that I could not help believing them.

_Mr Barlow._--I am glad to hear that; it is necessary for everybody to

be polite; they therefore, I suppose, instructed you to be more obliging

and civil in your manners than ever you were before. Instead of doing

you any hurt, this will be the greatest improvement you can receive.

_Tommy._--No, sir, quite the contrary. Instead of teaching me to be

civil and obliging, they have made me ruder and worse behaved than ever

I was before.

_Mr Barlow._--If that is the case, I fear these fine young gentlemen and

ladies undertook to teach you more than they understood themselves.

_Tommy._--Indeed, sir, I am of the same opinion myself. But I did not

think so then, and therefore I did whatever I observed them do, and

talked in the same manner as I heard them talk. They used to be always

laughing at Harry Sandford, and I grew so foolish that I did not choose

to keep company with him any longer.

_Mr Barlow._--That was a pity, because I am convinced he really loves

you. However, it is of no great consequence, for he has employment

enough at home; and however ingenious you may be, I do not think that he

will learn how to manage his land, or raise food, from your

conversation. It will therefore be better for him to converse with

farmers, and leave you to the society of gentlemen. Indeed, this I know

has always been his taste; and had not your father pressed him very much

to accompany you home, he would have liked much better to have avoided

the visit. However, I will inform him that you have gained other

friends, and advise him for the future to avoid your company.

_Tommy._--Oh, sir! I did not think you could be so cruel. I love Harry

Sandford better than any other boy in the world; and I shall never be

happy till he forgives me all my bad behaviour, and converses with me

again as he used to do.

_Mr Barlow._--But then, perhaps, you may lose the acquaintance of all

those polite young gentlemen and ladies.

_Tommy._--I care very little about that, sir. But I fear I have behaved

so ill that he never will be able to forgive me, and love me as he did

formerly.

Tommy then went on, and repeated with great exactness the story of his

insolence and ingratitude, which had so great an effect upon him, that

he burst into tears, and cried a considerable time. He then concluded

with asking Mr Barlow if he thought Harry would be ever able to forgive

him?

_Mr Barlow._--I cannot conceal from you, my little friend, that you have

acted very ill indeed in this affair. However, if you are really ashamed

of all your past conduct, and determined to act better, I do not doubt

that so generous and good-natured a boy as Harry is, will forgive you

all.

_Tommy._--Oh, sir! I should be the happiest creature in the world. Will

you be so kind as to bring him here to day? and you shall see how I will

behave.

_Mr Barlow._--Softly, Tommy, softly. What is Harry to come here for?

Have you not insulted and abused him without reason; and at last

proceeded so far as to strike him, only because he was giving you the

best advice, and endeavouring to preserve you from danger? Can you

imagine that any human being will come to you in return for such

treatment, at least till you have convinced him that you are ashamed of

your passion and injustice, and that he may expect better usage for the

future?

_Tommy._--What, then, must I do, sir?

_Mr Barlow._--If you want any future connection with Harry Sandford, it

is your business to go to him and tell him so.

_Tommy._--What, sir! go to a farmer's, to expose myself before all his

family?

_Mr Barlow._--Just now you told me you were ready to do everything, and

yet you cannot take the trouble of visiting your friend at his own

house. You then imagine that a person does not expose himself by acting

wrong, but by acknowledging and amending his faults?

_Tommy._--But what would everybody say if a young gentleman like me was

to go and beg pardon of a farmer's son?

_Mr Barlow._--They would probably say that you have more sense and

gratitude than they expected. However, you are to act as you please.

With the sentiments you still seem to entertain, Harry will certainly be

a very unfit companion, and you will do much better to cultivate the new

acquaintance you have made.

Mr Barlow was then going away, but Tommy burst again into tears, and

begged him not to go; upon which Mr Barlow said, "I do not want to leave

you, Tommy, but our conversation is now at an end. You have asked my

advice, which I have given you freely. I have told you how you ought to

act, if you would preserve the esteem of any good or sensible friend, or

prevail upon Harry to excuse your past behaviour. But as you do not

approve of what I suggested, you must follow your own opinion."

"Pray sir, pray sir," said Tommy, sobbing, "do not go. I have used Harry

Sandford in the most barbarous manner; my father is angry with me, and,

if you desert me, I shall have no friend left in the world."

_Mr Barlow._--That will be your own fault, and therefore you will not

deserve to be pitied. Is it not in your own power to preserve all your

friends by an honest confession of your faults? Your father will be

pleased, Harry Sandford will heartily forgive you, and I shall retain

the same good opinion of your character which I have long had.

_Tommy._--And is it really possible, sir, that you should have a good

opinion of me after all I have told you about myself?

_Mr Barlow._--I have always thought you a little vain and careless, I

confess, but at the same time I imagined you had both good sense and

generosity in your character; I depended upon _first_ to make you see

your faults, and upon the _second_ to correct them.

_Tommy._--Dear sir, I am very much obliged to you; but you have always

been extremely kind and friendly to me.

_Mr Barlow._--And therefore I told your father yesterday, who is very

much hurt at your quarrel with Harry, that though a sudden passion might

have transported you too far, yet, when you came to consider the matter

coolly, you would perceive your faults and acknowledge them; were you

not to behave in this manner, I owned I could say nothing in your

favour. And I was very much confirmed in this opinion, when I saw the

courage you exerted in the rescue of Harry's lamb, and the compassion

you felt for the poor Highlander. "A boy," said I, "who has so many

excellent dispositions, can never persist in bad behaviour. He may do

wrong by accident, but he will be ashamed of his errors, and endeavour

to repair them by a frank and generous acknowledgment. This has always

been the conduct of really great and elevated minds, while mean and

grovelling ones alone imagine that it is necessary to persist in faults

they have once committed."

_Tommy._--Oh, sir! I will go directly and entreat Harry to forgive me; I

am convinced that all you say is right. But will you not go with me? Do

pray, sir, be so good.

_Mr Barlow._--Gently, gently, my young friend, you are always for doing

everything in an instant. I am very glad you have taken a resolution

which will do you so much credit, and give so much satisfaction to your

own mind; but, before you execute it, I think it will be necessary to

speak to your father and mother upon the subject; and, in the mean time,

I will go and pay a visit to farmer Sandford, and bring you an account

of Harry.

_Tommy._--Do, sir, be so good; and tell Harry, if you please, that there

is nothing I desire so much as to see him, and that nothing shall ever

make me behave ill again. I have heard too, sir, that there was a poor

Black came begging to us, who saved Harry from the bull; if I could but

find him out, I would be good to him as long as I live.

Mr Barlow commended Tommy very much for dispositions so full of

gratitude and goodness; and, taking leave of him, went to communicate

the conversation he had just had to Mr Merton. That gentleman felt the

sincerest pleasure at the account, and entreated Mr Barlow to go

directly to prepare Harry to receive his son. "That little boy,"

observed he, "has the noblest mind that ever adorned a human being; nor

shall I ever be happy till I see my son acknowledging all his faults,

and entreating forgiveness; for, with the virtues that I have discovered

in his soul, he appears to me a more eligible friend and companion than

noblemen or princes."

Mr Barlow therefore set out on foot, though Mr Merton would have sent

his carriage and servants to attend him, and soon arrived at Mr

Sandford's farm. It was a pleasant spot, situated upon the gentle

declivity of a hill, at the foot of which winded along a swift and clear

little stream. The house itself was small, but warm and convenient,

furnished with the greatest simplicity, but managed with perfect

neatness. As Mr Barlow approached, he saw the owner himself guiding a

plough through one of his own fields, and Harry, who had now resumed the

farmer, directed the horses. But when he saw Mr Barlow coming across the

field, he stopped his team, and, letting fall his whip, sprang forward

to meet him with all the unaffected eagerness of joy. As soon as Harry

had saluted Mr Barlow, and inquired after his health, he asked with the

greatest kindness after Tommy; "for I fancy, sir," said he, "by the way

which I see you come, you have been at Mr Merton's house." "Indeed I

have," replied Mr Barlow, "but I am very sorry to find that Tommy and

you are not upon as good terms as you formerly were."

_Harry._--Indeed, sir, I am very sorry for it myself. But I do not know

that I have given Master Merton any reason to change his sentiments

about me; and though I do not think he has treated me as well as he

ought to do, I have the greatest desire to hear that he is well.

_Mr Barlow._--That you might have known yourself had you not left Mr

Merton's house so suddenly, without taking leave of any one, even your

friend Mr Merton, who has always treated you with so much kindness.

_Harry._--Indeed, sir, I should be very unhappy if you think I have done

wrong; but be so good as to tell me how I could have acted otherwise. I

am very sorry to appear to accuse Master Merton, neither do I bear any

resentment against him for what he has done; but since you speak to me

upon the subject, I shall be obliged to tell the truth.

_Mr Barlow._--Well, Harry, let me hear it; you know I shall be the last

person to condemn you, if you do not deserve it.

_Harry._--I know your constant kindness to me, sir, and I always confide

in it; however, I am not sensible that I am in fault. You know, sir,

that it was with unwillingness I went to Mr Merton's, for I thought

there would be fine gentlemen and ladies there, who would ridicule my

dress and manners; and, though Master Merton has been always very

friendly in his behaviour towards me, I could not help thinking that he

might grow ashamed of my company at his own house.

_Mr Barlow._--Do you wonder at that, Harry, considering the difference

there is in your rank and fortune?

_Harry._--No, sir, I cannot say I do, for I generally observe that those

who are rich will scarcely treat the poor with common civility. But, in

this particular case, I did not see any reason for it; I never desired

Master Merton to admit me to his company, or invite me to his house,

because I knew that I was born, and in a very inferior station. You were

so good as to take me to your house, and if I was then much in his

company, it was because he seemed to desire it himself, and I always

endeavoured to treat him with the greatest respect.

_Mr Barlow._--That is indeed true, Harry; in all your little plays and

studies I have never observed anything but the greatest mildness and

good nature on your part.

_Harry._--I hope, sir, it has never been otherwise. But though I had the

greatest affection for Master Merton, I never desired to go home with

him. What sort of a figure could a poor boy like me make at a

gentleman's table, among little masters and misses that powder their

hair, and wear buckles as big as our horses carry upon their harness? If

I attempted to speak, I was always laughed at; or if I did anything, I

was sure to hear something about clowns and rustics! And yet, I think,

though they were all gentlemen and ladies, you would not much have

approved of their conversation, for it was about nothing but plays, and

dress, and trifles of that nature. I never heard one of them mention a

single word about saying their prayers, or being dutiful to their

parents, or doing any good to the poor.

_Mr Barlow._--Well, Harry, but if you did not like their conversation,

you surely might have borne it with patience for a little while: and

then I heard something about your being quarrelsome.

_Harry._--Oh, sir! I hope not. I was, to be sure, once a little

passionate, but that I could not help, and I hope you will forgive me.

There was a modest, sensible young lady, who was the only person that

treated me with any kindness, and a bold, forward, ill-natured boy

affronted her in the grossest manner, only because she took notice of

me. Could I help taking her part? Have you not told me, too, sir, that

every person, though he should avoid quarrels, has a right to defend

himself when he is attacked?

_Mr Barlow._--Well, Harry, I do not much blame you, from the

circumstances I have heard of that affair; but why did you leave Mr

Merton's family so abruptly, without speaking to anybody, or thanking Mr

Merton himself for the civilities he had shown you? Was that right?

_Harry._--Oh dear, sir, I have cried about it several times, for I think

it must appear very rude and ungrateful to Mr Merton. But as to Master

Tommy, I did not leave him while I thought I could be of any use. He

treated me, I must say, in a very unworthy manner; he joined with all

the other fine little gentlemen in abusing me, only because I

endeavoured to persuade them not to go to a bull-baiting; and then at

last he struck me. I did not strike him again, because I loved him so

much in spite of all his unkindness; nor did I leave him till I saw he

was quite safe in the hands of his own servants; and then, how could I

go back to his house after what he had done to me? I did not choose to

complain of him to Mr Merton; and how could I behave to him as I had

done before, without being guilty of meanness and falsehood? And

therefore I thought it better to go home and desire you to speak, to Mr

Merton, and entreat him to forgive my rudeness.

_Mr Barlow._--Well, Harry, I can inform you that Mr Merton is perfectly

satisfied on that account. But there is one circumstance you have not

mentioned, my little friend, and that is your saving Tommy's life from

the fury of the enraged bull.

_Harry._--As to that, sir, I hope I should have done the same for any

human creature. But I believe that neither of us would have escaped, if

it had not been for the poor courageous Black that came to our

assistance.

_Mr Barlow._--I see, Harry, that you are a boy of a noble and generous

spirit, and I highly approve of everything you have done; but are you

determined to forsake Tommy Merton for ever, because he has once behaved

ill?

_Harry._--I, sir! no, I am sure. But though I am poor, I do not desire

the acquaintance of anybody that despises me. Let him keep company with

his gentlemen and ladies, I am satisfied with companions in my own

station. But surely, sir, it is not _I_ that forsake him, but _he_ that

has cast me off.

_Mr Barlow._--But if he is sorry for what he has done, and only desires

to acknowledge his faults and obtain your pardon?

_Harry._--Oh dear, sir, I should forget everything in an instant. I knew

Master Tommy was always a little passionate and headstrong, but he is at

the same time generous and good-natured; nor would he, I am sure, have

treated me so ill if he had not been encouraged to it by the other young

gentlemen.

_Mr Barlow._--Well, Harry, I believe your friend is thoroughly sensible

of his faults, and that you will have little to fear for the future. He

is impatient till he sees you, and asks your forgiveness.

_Harry._--Oh, sir, I should forgive him if he had beaten me a hundred

times. But though I cannot leave the horses now, if you will be so kind

to wait a little, I daresay my father will let me go when he leaves off

ploughing.

_Mr Barlow._--No, Harry, there is no occasion for that. Tommy has indeed

used you ill, and ought to acknowledge it, otherwise he will not deserve

to be trusted again. He will call upon you, and tell you all he feels on

the occasion. In the mean time I was desired, both by him and Mr Merton,

to inquire after the poor negro that served you so materially, and saved

you from the bull.

_Harry._--He is at our house, sir, for I invited him home with me; and

when my father heard how well he had behaved, he made him up a little

bed over the stable, and gives him victuals every day, and the poor man

seems very thankful and industrious, and says he would gladly do any

kind of work to earn his subsistence.

Mr Barlow then took his leave of Harry, and after having spoken to his

father, returned to Mr Merton's.

During Mr Barlow's absence Mr Simmons had arrived there to fetch away

his niece; but when he had heard the story of the Highlander, he

perfectly recollected his name and character, and was touched with the

sincerest compassion for his sufferings. On conversing with the poor man

he found that he was extremely well acquainted with agriculture, as well

as truly industrious, and therefore instantly proposed to settle him in

a small farm of his own which happened to be vacant. The poor man

received this unexpected change in his fortune with tears of joy, and

every mark of unaffected gratitude; and Mr Merton, who never wanted

generosity, insisted upon having a share in his establishment. He was

proposing to supply him with the necessary implements of agriculture,

and a couple of horses, to begin the culture of his land, just at the

moment when Mr Barlow entered, who, when he had heard with the sincerest

pleasure the improvement of the poor man's circumstances, begged

permission to share in so benevolent an action. "I have an excellent

milch-cow," said he, "which I can very well spare, whose milk will

speedily recruit the strength of these poor children; and I have

half-a-dozen ewes and a ram, which I hope, under Mr Campbell's

management, will soon increase to a numerous flock." The poor Highlander

seemed almost frantic with such a profusion of unexpected blessings, and

said "that he wished nothing more than to pass the remainder of his days

in such a generous nation, and to be enabled to show, at least, the

sentiments which such undeserved generosity had excited."

At night Mr Merton, who was desirous by every method to support the good

impressions which had now taken possession of Tommy's mind, proposed

that Miss Simmons should favour them with the conclusion of the story

which she had begun the night before. The young lady instantly complied,

and then read them

_The Conclusion of the Story of Sophron and Tigranes._

"The venerable Chares continued his narration thus: 'I passed several

months among the Arabians, delighted with the simplicity of their life

and the innocence of their manners; and would to heaven,' added he, with

a sigh, 'that I had accepted their friendly invitations, and never

quitted the silence of their hospitable deserts! How many scenes should

I have avoided which fill these aged eyes with tears, and pierce my soul

with horror as often as I recollect them! I should not have been witness

to such a waste of human blood, nor traced the gradual ruin of my

country. I should not have seen our towns involved in flames, nor our

helpless children the captives of fell barbarians. But it is in vain for

human beings to repine at the just decrees of Providence, which have

consigned every people to misery and servitude that abandon virtue, and

attach themselves to the pursuit of pleasure.

"'I left Arabia, with a heart penetrated with gratitude and admiration

for its virtuous and benevolent inhabitants. They dismissed me with

every mark of kindness and hospitality, guided me over their dreary

deserts, and at parting presented me with one of those beautiful horses

which are the admiration of all the surrounding nations. I will not

trouble you with an account of the different countries which I wandered

over in search of wisdom and experience. At length I returned to my

native city, determined to pass the rest of my life in obscurity and

retirement; for the result of all my observations was, that he is

happiest who passes his time in innocent employments and the observation

of nature. I had seen the princes and nobles of the earth repining in

the midst of their splendid enjoyments, disgusted with the empty

pageantry of their situation, and wishing in vain for the humble

tranquillity of private life. I had visited many of the principal cities

in several countries where I had travelled, but I had uniformly

observed, that the miseries and crimes of mankind increased with their

numbers. I therefore determined to avoid the general contagion by fixing

my abode in some sequestered spot, at a distance from the passions and

pursuits of my fellow-creatures.

"'Having therefore collected the remainder of my effects, and with them

purchased a little farm and vineyard in a beautiful and solitary spot

near the sea, I soon afterwards married a virtuous young woman, and in

her society enjoyed, for several years, as great a degree of

tranquillity as generally falls to the lot of man. I did not disdain to

exercise with my own hands the different employments of agriculture; for

I thought man was dishonoured by that indolence which renders him a

burthen to his fellow-creatures, not by that industry which is necessary

to the support of his species. I therefore sometimes guided the plough

with my own hands, sometimes laboured in a little garden, which

supplied us with excellent fruits and herbs; I likewise tended the

cattle, whose patient labour enabled us to subdue the soil, and

considered myself as only repaying part of the obligations I had

received. My wife, too, exercised herself in domestic cares; she milked

the sheep and goats, and chiefly prepared the food of the family.

"'Amidst my other employments I did not entirely forget the study of

philosophy, which had charmed me so much in my early youth. I frequently

observed, with admiration, the wisdom and contrivance which were

displayed in all the productions of nature, and the perfection of all

her works. I used to walk amid the coolness and stillness of the

evening, feeding my mind with pleasing meditations upon the power and

wisdom which have originally produced and still support this frame of

things. I turned my eyes upon the earth, and saw it covered with

innumerable animals, that sported upon its surface, and found, each

according to his nature, subsistence adapted to his wants. I saw the air

and water themselves teeming with life and peopled with innumerable

swarms of insects. I saw that, throughout the whole extent of creation,

as far as I was capable of observing it, nothing was waste or

desolate--everything was replete with life and adapted to support it.

These reflections continually excited in my mind new gratitude and

veneration for that mysterious Being, whose goodness presides over such

an infinite variety of beings. I endeavoured to elevate my thoughts to

contemplate His nature and qualities; I however found my faculties too

bounded to comprehend the infinite perfections of His nature; I

therefore contented myself with imperfectly tracing Him in His works,

and adoring Him as the common friend and parent of all His creatures.

"'Nor did I confine myself to these speculations, however sublime and

consolatory to the human heart. Destined as we are to inhabit this globe

of earth, it is our interest to be acquainted with its nature, and the

properties of its productions. For this reason, I particularly examined

all the vegetables which are capable of becoming the food of man, or of

the various animals which contribute to his support. I studied their

qualities, the soil in which they delighted, and the improvements which

might be made in every species. I sometimes wandered among the

neighbouring mountains, and wherever the fall of rocks, or the repeated

violence of torrents had borne away the soil, I considered with silent

admiration the various substances which we call by the common name of

_earth_. These I used to collect and mingle with the mould of my own

garden, by which means I frequently made useful discoveries in

fertilising the soil and increasing the quantity of food.

"'I also considered the qualities of the air, which surrounds and

sustains all living animals; I particularly remarked the noxious or

salutary effects it is able to produce upon their constitutions; and, by

these means, was frequently enabled to give useful counsels to all the

neighbourhood. A large tract of ground had been formerly deluged by the

sea; and the waters, finding no convenient vent, spread themselves all

around, and converted a large extent of soil into a filthy marsh. Every

year, when the heat of summer prevailed, the atmosphere was filled with

putrid exhalations, which produced fevers and pestilential disorders

among the inhabitants. Touched with compassion for the evils which they

endured, I persuaded them to undertake the task of draining the soil and

letting off the superfluous waters. This I instructed them to do with

such success that, in a short time, an unwholesome desert became covered

with the most luxuriant harvests, and was deprived of all its noxious

influence. By thus rendering my services useful to my fellow-creatures,

I received the purest reward which can attend the increase of

knowledge--the consciousness of performing my duty, and humbly imitating

that Being, whose goodness is as general and unbounded as his power.

"'Amidst these tranquil and innocent employments my life flowed gently

away like a clear and even stream. I was a stranger to avarice or

ambition, and to all the cares which agitate the bulk of mortals.

Alternate labour and study preserved the vigour both of body and mind;

our wants were few and easily gratified; we chiefly subsisted upon the

liberal returns of the earth, and seldom polluted our table with the

bodies of slaughtered animals. One only child, the unfortunate girl who

owes her preservation to the courage of this young man, was granted to

our prayers; but in her we found enough to exercise all the affections

of our minds; we hung with ecstasy upon her innocent smiles, and

remarked her opening graces with all the partiality of parental

fondness. As she grew up, her mother instructed her in all the arts and

employments of her sex; while I, who already saw the tempest gathering,

which has since burst with such fatal fury upon my country, thought it

necessary to arm her mind with all the firmness which education can

bestow. For this reason I endeavoured to give both her mind and body a

degree of vigour which is seldom found in the female sex.

"'As soon as Selene (for that was her name) was sufficiently advanced in

strength to be capable of the lighter labours of husbandry and

gardening, I employed her as my constant companion, and she soon

acquired a dexterity in all the rustic employments, which I considered

with equal pleasure and admiration. If women are in general feeble both

in body and mind, it arises less from nature than from education; _we_

encourage a vicious indolence and inactivity which we falsely call

delicacy; instead of hardening their minds by the severer principles of

reason and philosophy, we breed them to useless arts, which terminate in

vanity and sensuality. In most of the countries which I had visited,

they are taught nothing of a higher nature than a few modulations of the

voice, or useless postures of the body; their time is consumed in sloth

or trifles, and trifles become the only pursuit capable of interesting

them. _We_ seem to forget that it is upon the qualities of the female

sex that our own domestic comforts and the education of our children

must depend. And what are the comforts or the education which a race of

beings, corrupted from their infancy, and unacquainted with all the

duties of life, are fitted to bestow? To touch a musical instrument with

useless skill, to exhibit their natural or affected graces to the eyes

of indolent and debauched young men, to dissipate their husbands'

patrimony in riotous and unnecessary expenses--these are the only arts

cultivated by women in most of the polished nations I had seen; and the

consequences are uniformly such as may be expected to proceed from such

polluted sources--private misery and public servitude.

"'But Selene's education was regulated by different views, and conducted

upon severer principles--if that can be called _severity_ which opens

the mind to a sense of moral and religious duties, and most effectually

arms it against the inevitable evils of life. With the rising sun she

left her bed, and accompanied me to the garden or the vineyard. Her

little hands were employed in shortening the luxurious shoots of

fruitful trees that supplied our table with wholesome and delicious

fruits, or in supporting the branches of such as sunk beneath their

load. Sometimes she collected water from a clear and constant rill that

rolled along the valley, and recruited the force of plants that were

exhausted by the sun. With what delight did I view her innocent

cheerfulness and assiduity! With what pleasure did she receive the

praises which I gave to her skill and industry; or hear the lessons of

wisdom and the examples of virtuous women, which I used to read to her

at evening, out of the writings of celebrated philosophers which I had

collected in my travels.

"'But such a life was too unchecquered with misfortune to last. The

first stroke which attacked and almost destroyed my hopes of good was

the untimely loss of my dear and virtuous wife. The pestilential heats

of autumn overpowered her tender frame, and raised a consuming fever in

her veins; for some time she struggled against the disease, but at

length her pure and innocent spirit forsook this earth for ever, and

left me comfortless and forlorn to mourn her loss!

"'I will not, my worthy hosts, attempt to describe the inexpressible

distress which seized my soul at seeing myself thus deserted. There are

some philosophers who aspire to triumph over human feelings, and

consider all tender affections as disgraceful weaknesses; for my part, I

have never pretended to that degree in insensibility. I have, indeed,

opposed as criminal that habitual acquiescence in sorrow which renders

us unfit for the discharge of our duties; but while I have endeavoured

to _act_, I have never blushed at _feeling_, like a man. Even now, that

time has mitigated the keenness of the smart, I feel the habitual

anguish of an incurable wound. But let me rather hasten to relate the

few remaining events of a uniform unvaried life than detain you with a

useless repetition of my sorrows.

"'Scarcely had time afforded me a feeble comfort, when the recollection

of past misfortunes was almost extinguished by the new ones which

overwhelmed my country. The fertile plains of Syria abounded in all the

necessaries and conveniences of life; the vine seemed to grow

spontaneously in every valley, and offer its luxuriant produce to every

hand; the industrious insect which spins the wonderful substance called

_silk_ out of its bowels, though lately introduced into that part of

Asia, seemed to receive new vigour from the mildness of the climate;

corn and oil, the noblest fruits and the most salubrious herbs, were

found in the garden of every peasant; and the herds of cattle and

horses, which wandered over our luxuriant pastures, equalled or

surpassed all I had observed in other countries. But this profusion of

blessings, instead of being attended with any beneficial effects,

produced nothing but a foolish taste for frivolous employment and

sensuality; feasts, and dances, and music, and tricks of players, and

exhibitions of buffoons, were more attended to than all the serious and

important cares of life. Every young man was a critic in the science of

adjusting the folds of his robe, or of giving a studied negligence to

his hair; every young woman was instructed in every art that serves to

consume time or endanger modesty. Repeat to them an idle tale, the

tricks of a gamester, or the adventures of a singing-girl, and every

audience listened with mute attention to the wonderful narration; but

tell them of the situation of their country, the wretched state of their

civil and military discipline, or of the numerous and warlike tribes of

barbarians which surround them, and every auditor would steal away in

silence, and leave the uninteresting theme.

"'In such a state of things, it was not long to be expected that my

countrymen would be permitted to hold the riches they abused, and wanted

firmness to defend. A warlike tribe of barbarians burst forth from the

northern mountains of Asia, and spread themselves over our fertile

plains, which they laid waste like a consuming tempest. After a few

ineffectual skirmishes, which only served to expose their weakness to

the contempt of their enemies, they yielded without opposition to the

invader; in this, indeed, more wise than to irritate him by a fruitless

resistance; and thus, in a few weeks, the leader of an obscure tribe of

barbarians saw himself become a powerful monarch, and possessor of one

of the richest provinces of Asia.