rating into fit language there was a profound filence and during this interval on our parts, the birds began. to carol forth their evening fongs, and all the notes of a fummer fun-fetting-time poured upon the ear. In this voluptuous fenfation we remained, till Matilda ran to the library and brought a book, telling me, that reading was the only thing wanting to perfect our felicity. Then read, my dear, faid I read. I have brought one of those books, papa, (continued Matilda) which was written by your friend Mr. Shenstone. Look ye, it is the fecond volume. You could not have laid your fair hand on any thing fo, apropos. Shenftone is, of all other moderns, the author author to finish a fine evening after having paffed the former part of the day in gentle deeds. Where then shall I read? You cannot open him amiss. Ah! generous enthufiafm, how wert thou befriended in this moment! The first sentiment which Matilda recited was the following. The foul of Shenftone fhone through every fyllable. "I feel an avarice of focial pleasure, "which produces only mortification: I 46 never see a town or city in a map, "but I figure to myself many agree"able perfons in it, with whom I "could wish to be acquainted." What a thought! faid I; I could have found it in my heart to have fallied Speak freely boneft friend, then. Why then, fir, about this fame Shinftun-Green.-Is it really a factotum that you are putting yourself to all this charge for other folks? The talk goes amongst the mafons and bricklayers that you defign to give away house, and land, and money, almost to any man that is poor and honest. The report is true. And won't you really think better on't, and give them the bite, fir? Will your Honour go thorough stitch with this affair? Why here have I been mason's man and master mafon going on of twenty years, and worked in that time for gentle and fimple, yet never heard of fuch an honourable man as your Honour in my life. Look ye, fir, our business goes on in a regular channel. A man comes to me and fays, Master Hewit, or Henry, or Mr. Henry Hewit, I want a house built, or a wall run up, or fome fuch matter. Upon that I takes my bag of work-tools, and goes to the place, where I finishes my jobb for fo much the piece or fo much the day. But first I tries to get as much as I can for my work, and my employer tries, on his fide, to get my work as cheap as poffible. My bargain being once struck, I must abide by it; and let the the fun burn my guts out, not a nogging of drink extra would be given to fave 'em Drink, friend; pray drink. Difcourfe, to be fure, heats; fo here's to your extraordinary Honour's health. Well, fir, jobb being finished, we separate; my mafter pays me growlingly, and goes into the house 1 have built. Now here lies the difference: you give us all our own fair price, and pay chearfully for extra, and instead of going into the house yourself, you clap in a family who fhall perhaps be found fkulking under the hedges. Odds bobs, fir, if a poor body should but make water against the walls of other people that I have worked for-yes, and fubftan |