by their children. To youth many things are very requisite, which to forgetful age may not appear so. To ascertain what are the just claims of others upon us, it is always requisite to imagine ourselves in their circumstances, and they in ours. It is only by so doing that the golden rule of duty to our neighbour can be applied: what a surprising change would take place in some families, if this simple process were suddenly to commence! But this is an effort of abstraction, which to persons who are stiffened in their prejudices, and frozen in their selfishness, appears utterly unreasonable: accordingly, to do to others as we would not that they should do unto us, is nò very uncommon practical rendering of that passage.

Those who imagine that a system of parsimony is the only foundation on which to rear the prosperity of their families, are, as is the case with most errors, insuring an effect directly contrary to their aim; for they could not devise a more effectual means of disposing them to extravagance and prodigality. There are not wanting instances in the recollection of many to prove, that where property has been needlessly hoarded, it has been as need

lessly dissipated when it came into the hands of children from whom it had been so withheld. It is not the nature of the human mind to take a favourable direction under oppressive discipline of any kind; injustice exasperates it to whatever extreme it passes, it will be alike remote from virtue and from happiness. The worst of parents would not willingly foster in the minds of his children the unnatural wish for his own death; yet how inevitably does a system of rigour and tyranny, and meanness, tend to render the idea of emancipation (by whatever means) at least very supportable! "When my father dies, we'll set the parish bells a-ringing," said a young man to his brother. "Not with my money," replied the old gentleman, who unfortunately happened to be within hearing! And he was as good as his word. Such filial sentiments are the reward, the just reward of oppression; yet the oppressor, the hard man is frequently so unreasonable, so ignorant of human nature, as to be surprised that he is not beloved by his family, and to complain of their ingratitude and deficiency in respect and esteem!

But the errors of parents are perhaps more frequent on the opposite extreme: by indulging their families in extravagant demands, they engender evils equally great; so is wealth perverted in various ways! A moderate portion of it is in itself a good, if corrupt passions did not convert it into an evil. "Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the refiner."

The prayer which requested neither poverty nor riches, was founded on a just estimate of human nature: and those parents who are capable of making it, will early habituate their children to a moderation in their desires, as well as to frugality in their expenditure. There is no rank or circumstances in life which can render a liberal economy unnecessary

CHAP. VI.

RISING RANK IN LIFE.

"With my staff I passed over this Jordan, and now I am become two bands. GENESIS, Xxxii. 10.

IT sometimes happens that a worthy couple in humble life are rewarded for years of industry and prudence, by unexpected success in their affairs from indigence and obscurity, they rise perhaps to comfort and affluence: but as no temporal good exists without alloy, they feel (if they are people of sense) that the want of cultivation and good-breeding, from which their former habits of life debarred them, prevents their sustaining that place in society which they might otherwise have taken, but to which money alone cannot entitle any one. With laudable ambition they

resolve that their children shall not labour under similar disadvantages; they bestow on them what is commonly termed an education,

and expect in due time to be amply rewarded for the cost and solicitude in their general improvement-especially by a return of grateful affection. The governess and masters having performed their part, deliver up their accomplished charge; who return home to delight their admiring parents, and astonish surrounding friends.

And now with their children's assistance they rapidly climb the eminence which had hitherto appeared inaccessible: of the blessings of society they enjoy as much, and perhaps more, than their hearts could wish; but of the imperfection attending all sublunary things they have another impressive lesson; for while they now find themselves recognised abroad, they are scarcely noticed at home here they are viewed, rather as incumbrances, than as promoters of the general happiness. Their inveterate habits and prejudices exercise all the patience and skill of their more enlightened children, who sometimes give up the case as hopeless, and content themselves with keeping their rustic parents as much as possible in the background, treating them at best with that shy