"doubt of the whole, as she knew me her"self to be a liar; having obtained her

place by a falsehood, which was saying L came from the country..

"It would but weary you, Sir, to enter "into a longer recapitulation of these << scenes; I shall therefore simply inform

you, that after this I gained employment "six different times, and lost it again without giving any present offence, but being recognized, and the badness of my former character.-At length I fell sick with sorrow and disappointment, during which "time it pleased God to give me a due "sense of my past follies, and to shew me "that all my misfortunes have originated "in myself. This illness reduced me to "the last extremity, and I was obliged. ❝ even sometimes to sit whole nights at a "door for want of lodging; and so pressed "with hunger, that about a month since I "resolved to beg, and seeing a handsome "coach stop at the Park gate determined "to entreat some assistance.-A lady and

two pretty children alighted, and seeing

"my.

my supplicating posture, gave me instantly a shilling, saying, with great gentleness " and humanity, "You do not seem ac"customed to this situation; call on me, "and if I find you deserving, I will en"deavour to assist you further."-" While "she was yet speaking, a gentleman came up to her and said, "I feared, my love, "I should have been too late to partake

your walk, which, I assure you, would "greatly have disappointed me." " On

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fixing my eyes on the gentleman, I instantly recognized Mr. Smith; happily "the alteration of my person and habili

ments prevented his recollecting me, and "I hastened away without even ven' turing to speak, or wait for the address "his lady was doubtless going to give me ; reflecting on what I might have been, "and to what misery my foolish conduct "and bad character had reduced me.

"When I met you, Sir, I was almost "sinking with want, having tasted no food "but a single roll for two days: affliction had taught me to bow beneath the stroke; " and

"and I looked forward, with pleasing expectation, to the hour when my life might expiate my follies.-Your goodness has "given rise to other thoughts, as that

I might live to testify the sincerity of my 66 repentance; and if in the most humble manner you can employ me, with God's help, I will not disgrace your bounty."

Mr. Richardson made no comments on this story before the relater; but ordering up his housekeeper, desired she would employ Charlotte Glover with what sewing might be necessary for the family; then giving her a couple of guineas, he dismissed her, saying, to prevent all thanks, "I shall place that to the account of your "work; and let me see you again in a fortnight."

Poor Charlotte was so overpowered with this kindness, that had not the housekeeper taken her by the arm she must have fallen; leading her, therefore, from the apartment, she gave her some refreshment, and then dismissed her for the night.

CHAP.

CHAP. XIV.

Comments on the poor Woman's Story.--The Duty of Parents to correct early all evil propensities in their Children--The Hatefulness of Falsehood.

"of this unhappy woman's story?" said Mr. Richardson.

'

"It has illustrated, Sir," said Charles, "what you observed respecting the sailor George, that misfortunes are frequently salutary; for I don't apprehend that even if she had it in her power, she "would ever act so erroneously again." "The supposition is charitable, and, "I hope, just; but bad habits are very "difficult to overcome, particularly such an abominable spirit as she was possessed of, that had grown with het

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strength, and increased with her years."However, my opinion coincides with yours, for she appears thoroughly humbled, and to trace all her misfor

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tunes to their proper origin; and what, "above all, gives me hopes that she will "hereafter act properly is, that I have no "doubt but in the account of herself she has spoken truth."

"Indeed, papa," answered Mary, "if "I had been so very naughty, I fear I "should have tried to make myself look a "little better, for I should have been "ashamed to own it."

"Then you would have redoubled your "crime.: 'tis true, she might have deceived "me for a time, but could she deceive God? "who by some means might have led me "to the truth; in which case, as I des

pise a liar, and when once discovered, "ever distrust them, I should have left

her in the misery in which I first found "her. In the present case, I suppose, I ་ can learn no worse than I have already heard, though I am sorry to say, the malevolence of man frequently repre"sents the errors of those he dislikes in "their deepest colours; I therefore always "endeavour to allow for personal pique." Though,

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