y
every one in the house, excepting his parents. Augustus was his only
companion who loved him, and it was upon that account he patiently put
up with his humours. He was so perfectly master of his temper, that he
would, at times, make him as good-humoured as himself.

Mr. Lenox would sometimes ask Augustus how he contrived to be always so
merry; to which he one day answered, that his father had told him, that
no person could be perfectly happy, unless they mixed some kind of
employment with their pleasures. "I have frequently observed," continued
Augustus, "that the most tedious and dull days I experience are those in
which I do no kind of work. It is properly blending exercise with
amusement that keeps me in such good health and spirits. I fear neither
the winds nor the rain, neither the heat of summer nor the cold of
winter, and I have frequently dug up a whole plat in my garden before
Antony has quitted his pillow in the morning."

Mr. Lenox felt the propriety of such conduct, and a sigh unavoidably
escaped him. He then went to consult Mr. Littleton in what manner he
should act, in order to make Antony as hearty and robust as Augustus.
Mr. Littleton informed him in what manner he treated his son. "The
powers of the body and mind," said he, "should be equally kept in
exercise, unless we mean them to be unserviceable, as money buried in
the ground would be to its owner. Nothing can be more injurious to the
health and happiness of children, than using them to excess of delicacy,
and, under the idea of pleasing them, to indulge them in their whimsical
and obstinate humours. The person who has been accustomed from his
childhood to have his humours flattered, will be exposed to many
vexatious disappointments. He will sigh after those things, the want or
possession of which will equally make him miserable. I have, however,
every reason to believe, that Augustus will never be that man."

Mr. Lenox saw the truth of these arguments, and determined to adopt the
same plan for the treatment of his son. But it was now too late, for
Antony was fourteen years of age, and his mind and body so much
enervated, that he could not bear the least fatiguing exertions. His
mother, who was as weak as himself, begged of her husband not to tease
their darling, and he was at last obliged to give way to her
importunities, when Antony again sunk into his former destructive
effeminacy. The strength of his body declined, in proportion as his mind