every thing before you? You cannot have yet forgotten how dull
every thing appeared to you yesterday; the ground was parched up for
want of rain; the flowers had lost their colour, and hung their heads in
languor; and, in short, all nature seemed to be in a state of inaction.
What can be the reason, that nature has so suddenly put on such a
different aspect?"--"That is easily accounted for, Sir," said Anthony,
"it undoubtedly is occasioned by the rain that has fallen to-day."

Anthony had no sooner pronounced these words, than he saw his father's
motive for asking him the question. He now plainly perceived the
impropriety of his late conduct, in being so unhappy about what was
evidently so universally serviceable. He blushed, but his father took no
notice of it, judging that his own sense would sufficiently teach him
another time, without reluctance, to sacrifice selfish pleasure to the
general good of the community at large.

[Illustration]

THE HISTORY OF JONATHAN, THE

GARDENER.

[Illustration]

In the city of Lincoln lived an honest and industrious gardener, whose
name was Jonathan, and who was in general considered as the most skilful
in his profession of any in that county. His fruits were much larger
than any of his neighbours, and were generally supposed to have a more
exquisite flavour.

It was the pride of all the neighbouring gentlemen to have Jonathan's
fruits to form their desserts, so that he was under no necessity of
sending the produce of his garden to market, as he was always sure of
meeting with a sale for them at home. His prudence and assiduity
increased as his good fortune enlarged, and, instead of riches making
him idle, he attended more closely to cultivation.

Such a character and situation could not fail of procuring him a
suitable matrimonial mate, and he accordingly married a young woman in
the neighbourhood, whose name was Bella, and who was both prudent and
handsome. The first year of their marriage was as comfortable as they
could wish for; for Bella assisted her husband in his business, and
every thing prospered with them.

This happiness, however, was not to last long; for near his house lived
another gardener, whose name was Guzzle, and who spent his time, from
morning to night, in an alehouse. The merry and thoughtless humour of
Guzzle, by degrees, began to be pleasing to Jonathan, who soon fell into
the same ruinous error. At first, he only went now and then to drink