versal disapprobation, alleging the impossibility | punishment of immorality, and rewards for pecu and impropriety of it, adding, that my endeavours liar industry. Thus in less than a fortnight I had would no way contribute to their amendment, but formed them into something social and humane, might probably disgrace my calling. and had the pleasure of regarding myself as a legis "Excuse me," returned I; "these people, how-lator, who had brought men from their native feever fallen, are still men; and that is a very good rocity into friendship and obedience. title to my affections. Good counsel rejected, re- And it were highly to be wished, that legislative turns to enrich the giver's bosom; and though the power would thus direct the law rather to reformainstruction I communicate may not mend them, tion than severity; that it would seem convinced, yet it will assuredly mend myself. If these wretch- that the work of eradicating crimes is not by makes, my children, were princes, there would be thou- ing punishments familiar, but formidable. Then, sands ready to offer their ministry; but in my opin- instead of our present prisons, which find or make ion, the heart that is buried in a dungeon is as pre- men guilty, which enclose wretches for the comcious as that seated upon a throne. Yes, my trea- mission of one crime, and return them, if returnsures, if I can mend them, I will: perhaps they ed alive, fitted for the perpetration of thousands; will not all despise me. Perhaps I may catch up we should see, as in other parts of Europe, places even one from the gulf, and that will be great gain; of penitence and solitude, where the accused might for is there upon earth a gem so precious as the hu- be attended by such as could give them repentance man soul?" if guilty, or new motives to virtue if innocent. Thus saying, I left them, and descended to the And this, but not the increasing punishments, is common prison, where I found the prisoners very the way to mend a state. Nor can I avoid even merry, expecting my arrival; and each prepared questioning the validity of that right which social with some gaol trick to play upon the doctor. Thus, combinations have assumed, of capitally punishing as I was going to begin, one turned my wig awry, offences of a slight nature. In cases of murder as if by accident, and then asked my pardon. A their right is obvious, as it is the duty of us all, second, who stood at some distance, had a knack from the law of self-defence, to cut off that man of spitting through his teeth, which fell in showers who has shown a disregard for the life of another. upon my book. A third would cry amen in such Against such, all nature rises in arms; but it is not an affected tone, as gave the rest great delight. A so against him who steals my property. Natural fourth had slily picked my pocket of my spectacles. law gives me no right to take away his life, as, by But there was one whose trick gave more univer- that, the horse he steals is as much his property as sal pleasure than all the rest; for observing the mine. If then I have any right, it must be from manner in which I had disposed my books on the a compact made between us, that he who deprives table before me, he very dexterously displaced one of them, and put an obscene jest-book of his own in the place. However, I took no notice of all that this mischievous group of little beings could do, but went on, perfectly sensible that what was ridicu- would be set aside even in a court of modern equilous in my attempt would excite mirth only the ty, as there is a great penalty for a very trifling first or second time, while what was serious would convenience, since it is far better that two men be permanent. My design succeeded, and in less should live than that one man should ride. But a than six days some were penitent, and all attentive. compact that is false between two men, is equally so It was now that I applauded my perseverance between a hundred or a hundred thousand; foras ten and address, at thus giving sensibility to wretches millions of circles can never make a square, so the divested of every moral feeling; and now began to united voice of myriads can not lend the smallest think of doing them temporal services also by ren- foundation to falsehood. It is thus that reason dering their situation somewhat more comfortable. speaks, and untutored nature says the same thing. Their time had hitherto been divided between fam- Savages, that are directed by natural law alone, ine and excess, tumultuous riot and bitter repining. Their only employment was quarreling among each other, playing at cribbage, and cutting tobacco-stoppers. From this last mode of idle industry I took the hint of setting such as chose to work at cutting pegs for tobacconists and shoe-makers, the proper wood being bought by a general subscrip- is held capital. tion, and when manufactured, sold by my appoint- It is among the citizens of a refined community ment, so that each earned something every day-a that penal laws, which are in the hands of the rich, trifle indeed, but sufficient to maintain him. are laid upon the poor. Government, while it

the other of his horse shall die. But this is a false compact; because no man has a right to barter his life any more than to take it away, as it is not his own. And beside, the compact is inadequate, and

are very tender of the lives of each other; they seldom shed blood but to retaliate former cruelty.

Our Saxon ancestors, fierce as they were in war, had but few executions in times of peace; and in all commencing governments that have the print of nature still strong upon them, scarcely any crime

I did not stop here, but instituted fines for the grows older, seems to acquire the moroseness of

age; and as if our property were become dearer in | why this dejection, Livy? I hope, my love, you proportion as it increased; as if the more enormous have too great a regard for me to permit disappointour wealth the more extensive our fears, all our ment thus to undermine a life which I prize as my possessions are paled up with new edicts every own. Be cheerful, child, and we yet may see hapday, and hung round with gibbets to scare every pier days." invader.

"You have ever, sir," replied she, "been kind I can not tell whether it is from the number of to me, and it adds to my pain that I shall never our penal laws, or the licentiousness of our people, have an opportunity of sharing that happiness you that this country should show more convicts in a promise. Happiness, I fear, is no longer reserved year than half the dominions of Europe united. for me here; and I long to be rid of a place where Perhaps it is owing to both; for they mutually pro- I have only found distress. Indeed, sir, I wish duce each other. When, by indiscriminate penal you would make a proper submission to Mr. laws, a nation beholds the same punishment affixed Thornhill; it may in some measure induce him to to dissimilar degrees of guilt, from perceiving no pity you, and it will give me relief in dying." distinction in the penalty, the people are led to lose "Never, child," replied I; "never will I be brought all sense of distinction in the crime, and this dis- to acknowledge my daughter a prostitute; for though. tinction is the bulwark of all morality: thus the the world may look upon your offence with scorn, multitude of laws produce new vices, and new let it be mine to regard it as a mark of credulity vices call for fresh restraints. not of guilt.-My dear, I am no way miserable in

It were to be wished then, that power, instead this place, however dismal it may seem; and be of contriving new laws to punish vice; instead assured, that while you continue to bless me by livof drawing hard the cords of society till a convul- ing, he shall never have my consent to make you sion come to burst them; instead of cutting away more wretched by marrying another." wretches as useless before we have tried their utili

After the departure of my daughter, my fellowty: instead of converting correction into vengeance, prisoner, who was by at this interview, sensibly —it were to be wished that we tried the restrictive enough expostulated upon my obstinacy in refusing arts of government, and made law the protector, a submission which promised to give me freedom. but not the tyrant of the people. We should then He observed, that the rest of my family were not find that creatures, whose souls are held as dross, to be sacrificed to the peace of one child alone, and only wanted the hand of a refiner: we should then she the only one who had offended me. "Beside," find that creatures, now stuck up for long tortures, added he, “I don't know if it be just thus to oblest luxury should feel a momentary pang, might, struct the union of man and wife, which you do at if properly treated, serve to sinew the state in times present, by refusing to consent to a match you can of danger; that as their faces are like ours, their not hinder, but may render unhappy." hearts are so too; that few minds are so base as that perseverance can not amend; that a man may see his last crime without dying for it; and that very little blood will serve to cement our security.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

Happiness and Misery rather the result of prudence than of virtue in this life; temporal evils or felicities being regard ed by Heaven as things merely in themselves trifling, and unworthy its care in the distribution.

"Sir," replied I, "you are unacquainted with the man that oppresses us. I am very sensible that no submission I can make could procure me liberty even for an hour. I am told that even in this very room a debtor of his, no later than last year, died for want. But though my submission and approbation could transfer me from hence to the most beautiful apartment he is possessed of; yet I would grant neither, as something whispers me that it would be giving a sanction to adultery. While my daughter lives, no other marriage of his shall ever be legal in my eye. Were she removed, indeed, I I HAD now been confined more than a fortnight, should be the basest of men, from any resentment but had not since my arrival been visited by my of my own, to attempt putting asunder those who dear Olivia, and I greatly longed to see her. Hav- wish for a union. No, villain as he is, I should ing communicated my wishes to my wife the next then wish him married, to prevent the consequenmorning the poor girl entered my apartment lean-ces of his future debaucheries. But now, should I ing on her sister's arm. The change which I saw not be the most cruel of all fathers to sign an inin her countenance struck me. The numberless strument which must send my child to the grave, graces that once resided there were now fled, and merely to avoid a prison myself; and thus, to esthe hand of death seemed to have moulded every cape one pang, break my child's heart with a thoufeature to alarm me. Her temples were sunk, her sand?" forehead was tense, and a fatal paleness sat upon her cheek.

He acquiesced in the justice of this answer, but could not avoid observing, that he feared my daugh

"I am glad to see thee, my dear," cried I, "but ter's life was already too much wasted to keep me

long a prisoner. "However," continued he, "though mily, and attempt to save my own life, which was you refuse to submit to the nephew, I hope you every day declining for want of necessaries and have no objections to laying your case before the wholesome air. He added, that it was now incumuncle, who has the first character in the kingdom bent on me to sacrifice any pride or resentment of for every thing that is just and good. I would ad- my own to the welfare of those who depended on vise you to send him a letter by the post, intimating me for support; and that I was now, both by reaall his nephew's ill usage, and my life for it, that in son and justice, obliged to try to reconcile my landthree days you shall have an answer." I thanked lord. him for the hint, and instantly set about comply-| "Heaven be praised," replied I, "there is no ing; but I wanted paper, and unluckily all our pride left me now; I should detest my own heart money had been laid out that morning in provisions: if I saw either pride or resentment lurking there. however, he supplied me. On the contrary, as my oppressor has been once my For the three ensuing days I was in a state of parishioner, I hope one day to present him up an anxiety to know what reception my letter might unpolluted soul at the eternal tribunal. No, sir, I meet with; but in the mean time was frequently have no resentment now, and though he has taken solicited by my wife to submit to any conditions from me what I held dearer than all his treasures, rather than remain herc, and every hour received though he has wrung my heart,-for I am sick alrepeated accounts of the decline of my daughter's most to fainting, very sick, my fellow-prisoner,— health. The third day and the fourth arrived, but yet that shall never inspire me with vengeance. I I received no answer to my letter: the complaints am now willing to approve his marriage; and if of a stranger against a favourite nephew were no this submission can do him any pleasure, let him way likely to succeed; so that these hopes soon va- know, that if I have done him any injury I am nished like all my former. My mind, however, sorry for it. still supported itself, though confinement and bad Mr. Jenkinson took pen and ink, and wrote down air began to make a visible alteration in my health, my submission nearly as I have expressed it, to and my arm that had suffered in the fire grew which I signed my name. My son was employed worse. My children, however, sat by me, and to carry the letter to Mr.Thornhill, who was then while I was stretched on the straw, read to me by at his seat in the country. He went, and in about turns, or listened and wept at my instructions. six hours returned with a verbal answer. He had But my daughter's health declined faster than mine: some difficulty, he said, to get a sight of his landevery message from her contributed to increase my lord, as the servants were insolent and suspicious; apprehensions and pain. The fifth morning after but he accidentally saw him as he was going out I had written the letter which was sent to Sir Wil- upon business, preparing for his marriage, which liam Thornhill, I was alarmed with an account was to be in three days. He continued to inform that she was speechless. Now it was that confine- us, that he stepped up in the humblest manner and ment was truly painful to me; my soul was burst- delivered the letter, which, when Mr. Thornhill ing from its prison to be near the pillow of my had read, he said that all submission was now too child, to comfort, to strengthen her, and to receive late and unnecessary; that he had heard of our apher last wishes, and teach her soul the way to hea-plication to his uncle, which met with the contempt ven! Another account came; she was expiring, it deserved; and as for the rest, that all future apand yet I was debarred the small comfort of weep- plications should be directed to his attorney, not to ing by her. My fellow prisoner some time after him. He observed, however, that as he had a very came with the last account. He bade me be patient; she was dead!—The next morning he returned, and found me with my two little ones, now my only companions, who were using all their in- "Well, sir," said I to my fellow-prisoner, “you nocent efforts to comfort me. They entreated to now discover the temper of the man that oppresses read to me, and bade me not to cry, for I was now me. He can at once be facetious and cruel; but too old to weep. "And is not my sister an angel let him use me as he will, I shall soon be free, in now, papa?" cried the eldest; "and why then are spite of all his bolts to restrain me. I am now you sorry for her? I wish I were an angel out of this drawing towards an abode that looks brighter as I frightful place, if my papa were with me." "Yes," approach it; this expectation cheers my afflictions, added my youngest darling, "Heaven, where my and though I leave a helpless family of orphans besister is, is a finer place than this, and there are none but good people there, and the people here are very bad."

Mr. Jenkinson interrupted their harmless prattle by observing, that, now my daughter was no more, I should seriously think of the rest of my fa

good opinion of the discretion of the two young ladies, they might have been the most agreeable intercessors.

hind me, yet they will not be utterly forsaken; some friend perhaps will be found to assist them for the sake of their poor father, and some may charitably relieve them for the sake of their Heavenly Father."

Just as I spoke, my wife, whom I had not seen

that day before, appeared with looks of terror, and son; "you shall see the letter, which will give you making efforts, but unable to speak. "Why, my the highest pleasure; and if any thing can procure love," cried I, "why will you thus increase my af-you comfort, I am sure that will."-" But are you fictions by your own? What though no submis-sure," still repeated she, "that the letter is from sions can turn our severe master, though he has himself, and that he is really so happy?"—"Yes, doomed me to die in this place of wretchedness, and madam," replied he, "it is certainly his, and he will though we have lost a darling child, yet still you one day be the credit and the support of our famiwill find comfort in your other children when 1ly."-"Then I thank Providence," cried she, "that shall be no more." "We have indeed lost," re- my last letter to him has miscarried.-Yes, my turned she, "a darling child. My Sophia, my dear-dear," continued she, turning to me, "I will now est, is gone; snatched from us, carried off by ruf- confess, that though the hand of Heaven is sore fians!"-"How, madam," cried my fellow-prisoner, "Miss Sophia carried off by villains! sure it can not be."

upon us in other instances, it has been favourable here. By the last letter I wrote my son, which was in the bitterness of anger, I desired him, upon his She could only answer with a fixed look and a mother's blessing, and if he had the heart of a man, flood of tears. But one of the prisoners' wives who to see justice done his father and sister, and avenge was present, and came in with her, gave us a more our cause. But thanks be to Him that directs all distinct account: she informed us, that as my wife, things, it has miscarried, and I am at rest."-" -"Womy daughter, and herself were taking a walk toge- man," cried I, "thou hast done very ill, and at ther on the great road, a little way out of the vil- another time my reproaches might have been more lage, a post-chaise and pair drove up to them, and severe. Oh! what a tremendous gulf hast thou esinstantly stopped. Upon which a well-dressed man, but not Mr. Thornhill, stepping out, clasped my daughter round the waist, and forcing her in, bid the postillion drive on, so that they were out of sight in a moment.

caped, that would have buried both thee and him in endless ruin. Providence indeed has here been kinder to us than we to ourselves. It has reserved that son to be the father and protector of my children when I shall be away. How unjustly did I "Now," cried I, "the sum of my miseries is made complain of being stripped of every comfort, when up, nor is it in the power of any thing on earth to still I hear that he is happy, and insensible of our give me another pang. What! not one left! not to afflictions; still kept in reserve to support his wileave me one! The monster!-The child that was dowed mother, and to protect his brothers and sisnext my heart! she had the beauty of an angel, and ters. But what sisters has he left? he has no sis almost the wisdom of an angel. But support that ters now; they are all gone, robbed from me, and I woman, nor let her fall.-Not to leave me one!"

"Alas! my husband," said my wife, "you seem to want comfort even more than I. Our distresses are great; but I could bear this and more, if I saw you but easy. They may take away my children, and all the world, if they leave me but you."

am undone."-"Father," interrupted my son, "I
beg you will give me leave to read this letter, I
know it will please you." Upon which, with my
permission, he read as follows:-
'HONOURED SIR,

My son, who was present, endeavoured to mo- 'I HAVE called off my imagination a few moderate her grief; he bade us take comfort, for he ments from the pleasures that surround me, to fix hoped that we might still have reason to be thank- it upon objects that are still more pleasing, the dear ful.-"My child,” cried I, “look round the world, little fire-side at home. My fancy draws that harmand see if there be any happiness left me now. Is less group at listening to every line of this with not every ray of comfort shut out, while all our great composure. I view those faces with delight bright prospects only lie beyond the grave?"-which never felt the deforming hand of ambition or "My dear father," returned he, "I hope there is distress! But whatever your happiness may be at still something that will give you an interval of sat-home, I am sure it will be some addition to it to isfaction; for I have a letter from my brother hear, that I am perfectly pleased with my situation, George."-"What of him, child?" interrupted I, and every way happy here.

"does he know our misery? I hope my boy is ex- 'Our regiment is countermanded, and is not to empt from any part of what his wretched family leave the kingdom: the colonel, who professes himsuffers?"-"Yes, sir," returned he, "he is perfect-self my friend, takes me with him to all companies ly gay, cheerful, and happy. His letter brings where he is acquainted, and after my first visit I nothing but good news; he is the favourite of his generally find myself received with increased recolonel, who promises to procure him the very next spect upon repeating it. I danced last night with lieutenancy that becomes vacant." Lady G, and could I forget you know whom, "And are you sure of all this?" cried my wife: I might be perhaps successful. But it is my fate "Are you sure that nothing ill has befallen my still to remember others, while I am myself forgotten boy"-"Nothing indeed, madam," returned my by most of my absent friends; and in this number 1

"My child, you must not die: I am sure no of fence of thine can deserve so vile a punishment. My George could never be guilty of any crime to make his ancestors ashamed of him."

fear, sir, that I must consider you; for I have long expected the pleasure of a letter from home, to no purpose. Olivia and Sophia too promised to write, but seem to have forgotten me. Tell them they are two arrant little baggages, and that I am this "Mine, sir," returned my son, "is, I fear, an moment in a most violent passion with them: yet unpardonable one. When I received my mother's still, I know not how, though I want to bluster a letter from home, I immediately came down, delittle, my heart is respondent only to softer emo-termined to punish the betrayer of our honour, and tions. Then tell them, sir, that after all I love them affectionately, and be assured of my ever remaining

Your dutiful son."

sent him an order to meet me, which he answered, not in person, but by despatching four of his domestics to seize me. I wounded one who first assaulted me, and I fear desperately; but the rest "In all our miseries," cried I, "what thanks made me their prisoner. The coward is determinhave we not to return, that one at least of our fami- ed to put the law in execution against me; the ly is exempted from what we suffer. Heaven be proofs are undeniable: I have sent a challenge, and his guard, and keep my boy thus happy, to be the as I am the first transgressor upon the statute, I supporter of his widowed mother, and the father of see no hopes of pardon. But you have often charmthese two babes, which is all the patrimony I can ed me with your lessons of fortitude; let me now, now bequeath him. May he keep their innocence sir, find them in your example." from the temptations of want, and be their conduc

"And, my son, you shall find them. I am now tor in the paths of honour!" I had scarcely said raised above this world, and all the pleasures it can these words, when a noise like that of a tumult produce. From this moment I break from my seemed to proceed from the prison below; it died heart all the ties that held it down to earth, and away soon after, and a clanking of fetters was will prepare to fit us both for eternity. Yes, my heard along the passage that led to my apartment. son, I will point out the way, and my soul shall The keeper of the prison entered, holding a man guide yours in the ascent, for we will take our all bloody, wounded, and fettered with the heaviest flight together. I now see and am convinced you irons. I looked with compassion on the wretch as can expect no pardon here; and I can only exhort he approached me, but with horror when I found you to seek it at that greatest tribunal where we it was my own son.-"My George! my George! both shall shortly answer. But let us not be nigand do I behold thee thus? wounded-fettered! Is this thy happiness? is this the manner you return to me? O that this sight could break my heart at once, and let me die!"

"Where, sir, is your fortitude?" returned my son with an intrepid voice. "I must suffer; my life is forfeited, and let them take it."

I tried to restrain my passions for a few minutes in silence, but I thought I should have died with the effort.-"O my boy, my heart weeps to behold thee thus; and I can not, can not help it. In the moment that I thought thee blessed, and prayed for thy safety, to behold thee thus again! Chained, wounded! And yet the death of the youthful is happy. But I am old, a very old man, and have lived to see this day! To see my children all untimely falling about me, while I continue a wretched survivor in the midst of ruin! May all the curses that ever sunk a soul fall heavy upon the murderer of my children! May he live, like me, to see

gardly in our exhortation, but let all our fellowprisoners have a share:-Good gaoler, let them be permitted to stand here while I attempt to improve them." Thus saying, I made an effort to rise from my straw, but wanted strength, and was able only to recline against the wall. The prisoners assembled themselves according to my directions, for they loved to hear my counsel: my son and his mother supported me on either side; I looked and saw that none were wanting, and then addressed them with the following exhortation.

CHAPTER XXIX.

The equal dealings of Providence demonstrated with regard to the happy and the miserable here below.-That from the nature of pleasure and pain, the wretched must be repaid the balance of their sufferings in the life hereafter.

My friends, my children, and fellow-sufferers, "Hold, sir," replied my son, "or I shall blush for when I reflect on the distribution of good and evil thee. How, sir, forgetful of your age, your holy here below, I find that much has been given man calling, thus to arrogate the justice of Heaven, and to enjoy, yet still more to suffer. Though we fling those curses upward that must soon descend should examine the whole world, we shall not find to crush thy own gray head with destruction! No, one man so happy as to have nothing left to wish sir, let it be your care now to fit me for that vile for; but we daily see thousands, who, by suicide, death I must shortly suffer; to arm me with hope show us they have nothing left to hope. In this and resolution; to give me courage to drink of that bitterness which must shortly be my portion."

life, then, it appears that we can not be entirely blessed, but yet we may be completely miserable.