The world would naturally observe, when speaking of me: He was an arrogant fellow, who treated every one that he thought poorer than himself with contempt: his whole thoughts were devoted to pleasure and expense; and if you wanted him, instead of seeking him at home in his domestic duties, you must run to the play, the opera, ball, or concert. Such a man deserves no compassion; for were he even reinstated in his business, he would act the same; for a habit of dissipation is difficult to overcome.' Thus would it be said of me, Mary, and should I not merit it, think you ?"

Mary, abashed, made no reply, and her father continued: "Now, let us consider, my love, what would be my own reflections in this case. I have been unfortunate, I should say, but no dissipation has escaped me; I have seen every thing that could amuse either my eyes or ears;-but what have I done worthy remembrance? -Alas, nothing!-I have not the satisfaction of contemplating one good or usefu

action; my habit of dissipation formed a bad example for my dependents and domestics; and my profusion and expense have prevented me doing the least service to my fellow-creatures; so that no one has reason to lament my fall; nor have I claims of gratitude on any, to make them endeavour to reinstate me."

"But no person will ever be able to say that of you, Sir," said Charles.

"I hope not entirely," replied Mr. Richardson; "but yet I feel that I am not clear from blame: the immoderate grief I sustained for your dear mother's death, and the arrangement of my affairs, which in the intermediate time had fallen into confusion, as all business must, in some measure, that a man does not superintend himself, obliged me, for a time, to give up the care of you to Mrs. Bennet; who, perhaps, from a mistaken indulgence, and to divert painful thought, has given rise to ideas in your youthful bosoms, that make me seriously uneasy.-Man, my dear children, was made for a nobler pur

pose than the frivolity of pleasure, and he debases the image of his Creator when he considers it as the business of his life."

"Surely there is no harm in making ourselves happy, and being amused, papa," replied Mary.

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"Certainly not. If our pleasures are rational, they are rather praise-worthy than otherwise perpetual business fatigues the mind, injures the health, and might finally endanger life; but mingled with moderate recreation, becomes in its turn an amusement, as it affords that diversity so necessary to preserve the energy of our tempers. Well-regulated pleasures also leave behind them a satisfaction that renews them whenever we think on the subject."

"Nay now, papa," said Mary, slyly, "there indeed I must beg your pardon; they rather leave behind them a regret that they are past; for when I was going to any party of pleasure with Mrs. Bennet, I was almost wild with delight; but when it was over, I "was so sorry, so fatigued,

and so dull the next morning, that she used to promise to take me somewhere to put me in spirits again."

"Was not that a sufficient proof, my dear girl, that your pleasures were improperly regulated?" replied her father. "Whatever your amusements were, had you returned at an early hour, you would neither have suffered fatigue nor depression of spirits, which are ever the consequence of our natural hours of rest being broken in upon. The frivolities, too, you have expressed a wish to see, when once past, afford no gratification, as you have truly observed, in the recollection; whereas, as I before said, there are pleasures which diffuse such satisfaction on the remembrance, that they soothe us in the hour of calamity, cheer the bed of sickness, and blunt even the pangs of death." My dear father, what are they ?" interrupted Charles.

"Feed the poor, clothe the naked, and assist the industrious to make those exer

tions that may enable them to support themselves, and, in all probability, help others."

"But these are not pleasures, Sir," interrupted Charles, "these are duties."

"I by no means think it impossible," answered his father, "to blend our duties and pleasures, so as to make them inseparable for example, it is my duty to support and love you; but 'duty alone does not influence me: your welfare and happiness is my greatest pleasure; thus you see my pleasure and duty are blended in one."

The children clasped each a hand of their father, and he continued:- "For a moment we will suppose the money you wish to expend to amuse you in trifles collected and in your own power, and that you had used it in feeding and clothing a poor family, who were perishing with want and cold; - would you feel no pleasure in contemplating your work? would you not reflect, that in all probability you