improved by the precepts of Christianity. She did her work with cheerfulness. She was diligent, faithful, and affectionate. She obeyed not with eye-service. Her conduct was approved, and she was esteemed by all.-In the summer of 1807, after she had been in the family some years, she fell sick, and had a fever. Her mistress anxiously tended her, with a mother's care. In compliance with medical advice, a lodging was hired for her, in an airy part of the neighbourhood. A coach was considerately procured, to take her thither. Pale as the water-lily, the sick young woman was slowly supported down stairs. She modestly expressed a wish to see her master, once more before she went; adding her fear lest his engagements might prevent her from so doing. Her mistress, with kind concern, assured her that he stood at the gate, in order to see her safe into the carriage. At her coming out of the house, the clergyman stepped up, and kindly said : "Good morning to you, Sarah !-Come, come, I hope this fine weather will very soon recover you." The sight of her master, the sound of his voice, and the kindness of his words, together with the thoughts of her own illness, and the sad moment of parting, (who could tell for how long?) much affected her spirits: she turned away her head;-and beheld her master's infant son, the child which she had fondled from its birth. For some days it had not been allowed to see her. It now looked in her face, very earnestly; uttered a shrill cry of sudden joy; stretched forwards its little hands; and smiled. She would have spoken; but she could not: she faltered, sobbed, leaned back on her female friend, and wept. Then pointed to the coach, with a sigh ; and tottered into it.

She rais'd those eyes, so full of tears,

Which now and then stole down her cheek:
And much to Heav'n she would have spoke ;
But sorrow would not let her speak.

Yet, though her thoughts could find no vent,
THERE IS, who reads each honest mind:
And the true heart to HIM devote,
Shall ample consolation find.

SECTION 7.

Poor Richard *; or, The way to wealth.

MANY people complain bitterly of the badness of the times. "Will not," say they, "these heavy taxes quite ruin the country? How shall we ever be able to pay them ?"

The taxes are indeed very heavy; and, if those laid on by the government were the only ones we had to pay, we might more easily discharge them: but we have many others; and they are much more grievous to some of us. We are taxed twice as much by our idleness; three times as much by our pride; and four times as much by our folly: and from these taxes, the commissioners cannot ease, or deliver us, by allowing an abatement. However, let us hearken to good advice, and something may be done for us: "God helps them who help themselves," as Poor Richard says.

* Poor Richard is the name of an Almanac, that was published for several years at Philadelphia, by Benjamin Franklin. It contained many wise sayings on industry and frugality; which are here collected together.

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It would be thought a hard government, that should tax its people one-tenth part of their time, to be employed in its service: but idleness taxes many of us much more; if we reckon all that is spent in doing nothing, or in idle employments, or amusements, that amount to nothing. Sloth, by bringing on diseases, absolutely shortens life. Sloth, like rust, consumes faster than labour wears, while the used key is always bright," as Poor Richard says. Do you love life? then do not squander time; "That is the stuff life is made of," as Poor Richard says.-How much more than is necessary do we spend in sleep! forgetting that "The sleeping fox catches no poultry."

"If time be of all things the most precious, wasting time must be," as Poor Richard says, "the greatest prodigality:" since, as he elsewhere tells us, "Lost time is never found again; and what we call time enough, always proves little enough." Let us then be up and doing, and doing to the purpose: so by diligence shall we do more, with less perplexity. Poor Richard says, "Sloth makes all things difficult, but industry all easy: He who rises late must trot all day, and shall scarcely overtake his business at night: Laziness travels so slowly, that Poverty soon overtakes him: Drive thy business, let not that drive thee :" and,

'Early to bed, and early to rise,

Make a man healthy, wealthy, and wise."

So what signify wishing and hoping for better times ? We may make these times better, if we bestir ourselves. "Industry needs not wish. There are no gains without pains then help hands, for I have no lands; or, if I have, they are smartly taxed. He who has a trade, has an estate; and he who has a calling, has an office

of profit and honour" but then the trade must be worked at, and the calling well followed, or neither the estate, nor the office, will enable us to pay our taxes.If we are industrious, we shall never starve; for," At the working man's house, hunger looks in, but dares not enter." Nor will the bailiff or the constable enter; for, "Industry pays debts, while Despair increases them." What though you have found no treasure, nor has any rich relation left you a legacy, “Diligence is the mother of good luck; and God gives all things to industry. Then plough deep, while sluggards sleep, and you shall have corn to sell, and to keep." Work while it is called to-day, for you know not how much you may be hindered to-morrow. "One to-day is worth two to-morrows," as Poor Richard says; and farther, "Never leave that till to-morrow, which you can do to-day."If you were a servant, would you not be ashamed that a good master should catch you idle? Are you then your own master? be ashamed to catch yourself idle, when there is so much to be done for yourself, your family, and your country. Handle your tools without mittens: remember that "The cat in gloves catches no mice," as Poor Richard says. It is true, there is much to be done, and perhaps, you are weak-handed; but stick to it steadily, and you will see great effects: for, "Constant dropping wears away stones; By diligence and patience the mouse eat in two the cable ;" and, "Little strokes fell great oaks.”

Methinks I hear some of you say: "Must a man afford himself no leisure?" I will tell you, my friend, what Poor Richard says: "Employ your time well, if you mean to gain leisure; and since you are not sure of a minute, throw not away an hour." Leisure is

time for doing something useful: this leisure the dili gent man will obtain, but the lazy man never; for, "A life of leisure, and a life of laziness, are two things. Many, without labour, would live by their wits only, but they break for want of stock;" whereas Industry gives comfort, and plenty, and respect. "Flee from pleasures, and they will follow you: The diligent spinner has a large shift :" and, "Now I have a sheep and a cow, every body bids me good morrow."

But with our industry, we must likewise be steady, settled, and careful; oversee our own affairs with our own eyes; and not trust too much to others: for, as Poor Richard says,

"I never saw an oft-removed tree,

Nor yet an oft-removed family,

That throve so well as those that settled be."

And again, "Three removes are as bad as a fire :" and again, "Keep thy shop, and thy shop will keep thee:" and again, “If you would have your business done, go; if not, send." And again,

"He that by the plough would thrive,
Himself must either hold or drive."

And again, "The eye of the master will do more work than both his hands:" and again, "Want of care does us more damage than want of knowledge." Trusting too much to others' care is the ruin of many; but a man's own care is profitable. "If you would have a faithful servant, and one whom you like, serve yourself. A little neglect may breed great mischief. For want of a nail, the shoe was lost; for want of a shoe, the horse was lost; and for want of a horse, the rider was lost,"