young gentlemen?

_Harry._--No; for I went home the next day, and never was I better
pleased in my life. When I came to the top of the great hill, from which
you have a prospect of our house, I really thought I should have cried
with joy. The fields looked all so pleasant, and the cattle that were
feeding in them so happy; then every step I took I met with somebody or
other I knew, or some little boy that I used to play with. "Here is
little Harry come back," said one. "How do you do; how do you do?" cried
a second. Then a third shook hands with me; and the very cattle, when I
went to see them, seemed all glad that I was come home again.

_Mr Barlow._--You see by this that it is very possible for people to
like the country, and be happy in it. But as to the fine young ladies
you talk of, the truth is, that they neither love, nor would be long
contented in any place; their whole happiness consists in idleness and
finery; they have neither learned to employ themselves in anything
useful, nor to improve their minds. As to every kind of natural
exercise, they are brought up with too much delicacy to be able to bear
it, and from the improper indulgences they meet with, they learn to
tremble at every trifling change of the seasons. With such dispositions,
it is no wonder they dislike the _country_, where they find neither
employment nor amusement. They wish to go to _London_, because there
they meet with infinite numbers as idle and frivolous as themselves; and
these people mutually assist each other to talk about trifles, and waste
their time.

_Tommy._--That is true, sir, really; for, when we have a great deal of
company, I have often observed that they never talked about anything but
eating or dressing, or men and women that are paid to make faces at the
playhouse, or a great room called _Ranelagh_, where everybody goes to
meet his friends.

_Mr Barlow._--I believe Harry will never go there to meet his friends.

_Harry._--Indeed, sir, I do not know what Ranelagh is; but all the
friends I have are at home; and when I sit by the fireside on a winter's
night, and read to my father and mother, and sister, as I sometimes do,
or when I talk with you and Master Tommy upon improving subjects, I
never desire any other friends or conversation. But, pray sir, what is
Ranelagh?

_Mr Barlow._--Ranelagh is a very large round room, to which, at
particular times of the year, great numbers of persons go in their
carriages to walk a