CHAP, XXIL INSTRUCTIVE RAMBLES. СНАР. I. Introduction to Mr. Richardfon's Family.-A Difcourfe on well-regulated Pleasures. ONE fine morning in the month of October, Mr. Richardfon, a confiderable merchant of the city of London, went to Reading, in order to bring home his children, Charles and Mary, from a relation with whom they had been placed fince the death of their mother. The lady with whom they had refided, though well-meaning, was a woman of weak understanding: during the life of her husband, she had given way to her inclination for gaiety and expence ; but the means failing with him, fhe was neceffitated to retire to a small house in the vicinity of Reading; where, by the affiftance of Mr. Richardfon, fhe was enabled. to make a respectable appearance. Mrs. Bennet, for fo was fhe named, had been educated with the late Mrs. Richardfon, but their tempers were totally diffimilar; the first was thoughtlefs, and fond of pleasure, which fhe knew not how to procure, except in the diffipation of the great world; the fecond, reflective and domeftic, poffeffed a mind that furnished her with continual amufement; for as, the bee collects honey from every flower, fo did this excellent woman her pleasures from every furrounding object;-an affectionate wife, a tender mother, a good miftrefs, and a beneficent friend to the poor. Notwithstanding these contrarieties of temper, the friendship cemented in their childhood still continued; and fince the misfortunes of Mrs. Bennet, Mrs. Richardfon had frequently invited her to pass a few months with them in London; where, whatever might be her real inclination, she took care to fupprefs it, and appear perfectly perfectly fatisfied with the amusements and harmony of their domeftic circle. During one of thefe vifits Mrs. Richardfon fell fick, and died, to the inexpreffible grief of the whole family; and in the confufion that fuch an event occafioned, willing to remove his children from a scene of forrow, their father had confented for them to accompany Mrs. Bennet into the country. Mr. Richardson, though poffeffed of religion and fortitude, had nearly funk beneath this ftroke; he was unable to apply to business, his health became impaired, and the phyficians found it neceffary to prefcribe the Bath waters.-Here, at some distance from the bustle and gaiety of the place, he remained for feveral months, when time and reflection began to restore him to himself, and he determined to return to town, arrange his business, recal his children, and make their improvement and happiness his first and dearest concern. Above twelve months had paffed fince Mrs. Richardfon's death, when their father came |
