quiet;
and as they had passed the day in pleasure, at night they sunk in soft
and sweet repose.
MONDAY.
THE FIRST DAY AFTER THEIR REPENTANCE; AND, CONSEQUENTLY, THE FIRST DAY
OF THE HAPPINESS OF MISS JENNY PEACE AND HER COMPANIONS.
Early in the morning, as soon as Miss Jenny arose, all her companions
flocked round her; for they now looked on her as the best friend they
had in the world; and they agreed, when they came out of school, to
adjourn into their arbour, and divert themselves till dinner-time; which
they accordingly did. When Miss Jenny proposed, if it was agreeable to
them to hear it, to read them a story which she had put in her pocket
for that purpose; and as they now began to look upon her as the most
proper person to direct them in their amusements, they all replied, What
was most agreeable to her would please them best. She then began to
read the following story, with which we shall open their first day's
amusement.
THE STORY OF THE CRUEL GIANT BARBARICO, THE GOOD GIANT BENEFICO,
AND THE LITTLE PRETTY DWARF MIGNON.
A great many hundred years ago, the mountains of Wales were inhabited
by two giants; one of whom was the terror of all his neighbours and the
plague of the whole country. He greatly exceeded the size of any giant
recorded in history; and his eyes looked so fierce and terrible, that
they frightened all who were so unhappy as to behold them.
The name of this enormous wretch was Barbarico. A name which filled
all who heard it with fear and astonishment. The whole delight of this
monster's life was in acts of inhumanity and mischief; and he was the
most miserable as well as the most wicked creature that ever yet was
born. He had no sooner committed one outrage, but he was in agonies
till he could commit another; never satisfied, unless he could find an
opportunity of either torturing or devouring some innocent creature.
And whenever he happened to be disappointed in any of his malicious
purposes, he would stretch his immense bulk on the top of some high
mountain, and groan, and beat the earth, and bellow with such a hollow
voice, that the whole country heard and trembled at the sound.
The other giant, whose name was Benefico, was not so tall and bulky as
the hideous Barbarico. He was handsome, well proportioned, and of a very
good-natured turn of mind. His delight was no less in acts of goodness
and benevolence than the other's was in cruelty and mischief. His
constant
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