bare of hair. I was astonished that the old man, reduced to such distress, should share with so ill favoured a companion his scanty and uncertain subsistence. But the mutual kindness of their looks soon put an end to my wonder. O thou! the most amiable, the 'fondest, and most faithful of all animals!' said I to myself; 'thou art a companion, a friend, and a brother, to man! Thou alone continuest to love him not the less for his misfortunes; thou alone forsakest him ' not in his distress; and it is from thee only that the 'poor do not meet with disdain! Who then, abandoned, like this beggar, by his fellow-creatures, would not wish for such a friend!' At this instant a window of the berlin was let down, and some remains of cold meat, on which the travellers had breakfasted, fell from the carriage. The two dogs sprung forward: the berlin drove away, and one of them was crushed beneath the wheel. It was the beggar's dog. The animal gave a cry; it was his last. The poor old man hastened to his assistance, overwhelmed with the deepest distress. He did not weep: alas! he could not. Honest man! -'cried I. He looked sorrowfully round. I threw him a crown-piece. He suffered the crown to roll by him, as if unworthy of his attention. He only thanked me by an affectionate inclination of his head, as he took his dog in his arms. 'My friend,' said the soldier, holding out his hand, with the money which he had picked up; 'the worthy gentleman gives you this. He is very happy; he is rich but every body is not so! I have only a dog: you have lost your's; mine is at your service.' Saying this, he tied round his dog's neck, a small cord which he put into the old man's hand, and walked away. Kind and generous soldier, may heaven reward 'thee!' cried the good and grateful beggar on his knees, and extending his hands towards his benefactor. The soldier still went on, leaving the poor old man in a transport of gratitude. But his blessings and mine-will follow him wherever he goes. Good and gallant fellow,' said I, what am I compared with thee? I have only given this unfortunate man money, but thou hast restored to him a friend!" From the French, by Francis Ashmore, Esq. Beauties, &c. Variety in Human Characters. VIRTU IRTUOUS and vicious ev'ry man must be, Few in th' extreme, but all in the degree; For, vice or virtue, self directs it still; Cach individual seeks a sev'ral goal; But heav'n's great view is One, and that the Whole. That counter-works each folly and caprice ; That, happy frailties to all ranks apply'd; VOL. I. B Fear Fear to the statesman, rafhness to the chief, 'Till one man's weakness grows the strength of all. Wants, frailties, passions, closer still ally Whate'er the paffion, knowledge, fame, or pelf, Not one will change his neighbour with himself. The learn'd is happy, nature to explore, The fool is happy, that he knows no more; The rich is happy, in the plenty giv'n, The poor contents him with the care of heav'n. See See the blind beggar dance, the cripple sing, See some strange comfort ev'ry state attend, Ev'n mean felf-love becomes, by force divine, B 2 See See! and confefs, one comfort still must rise, 'Tis this, tho' man's a fool, yet GOD IS WISE. POPE. National Characters. F between, With venerable grandeur mark the scene. Could nature's bounty fatisfy the breast, The fons of Italy were surely blest. Whatever fruits in different climes are found, That proudly rise, or humbly court the ground; Whatever blooms in torrid tracts appear, Whose bright succession decks the varied year; Whatever sweets salute the northern sky With vernal lives that blossom but to die; Thefe |