“Dear me! how sharp the man looks!” said Henry.—“Yes,” cried Mr. Willock,“you will observe that this passion brings the eyebrows close together, and forwards the eyes, which are more open than ordinary; the eyeball is inflamed, and places itself in the middle of the eye; the nostrils rise up, and are contracted towards the eyes; the mouth half opens, and the spirits being in motion, give a glowing colour. Desire is most frequently unreasonable; it often pants after things which are improper, or hurtful to itself. Just now, when you expressed such an ardent wish to go to sea, your face had all the expression of Desire.—Now, my dear Henry, we should never desire any thing, without due consideration of its value, or of the propriety of having it as we wish; for instance, you should have thought, ‘It cannot matter much to me whether I spend my days on board of a ship, or on shore among my friends; whether I am brought up to the law, or whether I go into the army; each of these situations have their advantages and their honours; they have, too, their labours and disappointments. I know that my parents would sooner study my inclinations than their own: but then they do not decide from inclination; they are wiser, and have more experience than me, and they judge coolly, and without Desire, what would be most fitting for me, according to all the circumstances of my education, the shew of my talents, and the fortune I may have to set out with in life. It is the novelty of a sea life which gives it attraction; but novelty soon ceases to engage, and decreases in value, the longer we make our visit to it; and then we afterwards wish that we had attended to something better for us, or more adapted to our situation.’

“There are, however, many praiseworthy objects of desire, such as

“A Desire to please God.

“A Desire to improve in learning.

“A Desire to excel in virtue or science, properly called emulation.

“The first of these ought to be the great object of our lives: the second will be a lasting delight and profit to us; it will always secure us a portion of respect in the world, and will stay by us, though by misfortune we should be stripped of all, and left to work for our bread: the third is a passion which makes the great man and the hero; it made such a statesman as Charles Fox, of whom you have heard speak, and such a hero as Lord Nelson.

“With these desires in your breast, poverty will stand no chance of keeping you under. The world, my dear children, is like a market-place, where many different persons bring their wares, their industry, and their trinkets for sale. Those who have the best articles, or who are the best workmen, will find the readiest and most certain sale and profit or employ; those who have more humble talents, or wares of a worse quality, are obliged to wait longer, and sell for less; and such as have only trinkets to offer, find customers only by chance, and are never sure of a market. Last of all, the lazy beggar, who only comes into the market-place in expectation of getting a subsistence from the more industrious, as he has nothing to offer in exchange, meets little or no attention, and hears only the just reproof of ‘Why don’t you get some work to do?’

“There are several objects of Desire that must never be entertained, and which are very bad and wicked; among these are

“The Desire of wealth, when unreasonable or unconscionable, called Avarice.

“The Desire of obtaining any advantage of another unfairly, called in the scripture, coveting our neighbours’ goods.

“The Desire of being great or ambitious.

“There are others, which are those forbidden by the Ten Commandments, and of which I need not speak.

“The Desire of wealth, called Avarice, is a most extraordinary passion, as it defeats the very end which it wishes to produce, an enjoyment of the rational pleasures and comforts of life; for the miser lays up hoard upon hoard, and still remains unsatisfied; he punishes himself continually; he submits to the derision, the reproaches, and contempt of the world; he has no enjoyments, no friends; and, besides, he suffers constant dread and apprehension of being robbed of his guineas: he suspects every body. Such a character we have in

The Story of Old Alvarus, the Miser.

“Alvarus was an old miser, who constantly kept his guineas in a bag, which he used to hide in the most secret place he could find in his apartments.

“Alvarus had been so careful to lay by his store where no person would be able to find it and rob him of it, that he forgot where he had put it himself.

“Alvarus searched every hole and corner that he could think of, without success: the bag was not to be found; but he knew that no one could have taken it from him, for not a creature had entered the house. Alvarus fumed and fretted himself ill; he went to his bed alone and disconsolate, for very few cared for Alvarus.

“At length it happened that some one knocked at the door of his hut; Alvarus could not rise to open it; but he called out, ‘Whoever you are, lift up the latch and come in, for I am sick.’ It was his little nephew Nicholas, whose father and mother were poor industrious people, and who had often asked Alvarus to spare them a trifle, to put them into some little way of business, to make their way in the world; but he had always refused them: he would not part with a sixpence.

“The father and mother of Nicholas had, nevertheless, sent him to inquire after the health of his uncle: he was a fine little boy, with the colour of the carnation upon his cheeks, and with a brave open countenance.

“The old man surveyed him from head to foot. ‘What, Nicholas,’ cried he, ‘is it you? How are your father and mother? I am ill, Nicholas, very ill.’

“Nicholas asked if he could do any thing for his uncle? Alvarus began to reflect, ‘I might as well,’ said he to himself, ‘have no wealth, if I am to suffer illness without help or relief, and I shall perhaps die for want of medical assistance; yet who can I trust to seek for this money?’ He looked again at Nicholas; he saw honesty in his face—‘This boy,’ said he, ‘knows nothing of the world. I think that I need not be afraid to trust him. Nicholas, my dear Nicholas,’ said he, ‘I wish that you would seek for an old bag, which you will find in some corner or other; it is heavy, but what is in it is not of much use to any body, and you must not look into it upon any account.’ Nicholas answered in a very artless manner, that he would not look into it for the world, if his uncle forbid it. ‘Well then,’ said Alvarus, ‘go and look all about, and in every corner, as I have occasion for it.’

“Nicholas, who was a very clever and persevering lad, searched place after place, until at length, in a dark hole under the sink, he found the bag, and carried it immediately to his uncle. Alvarus was quite delighted, when he saw the bag unopened—‘That is a good boy,’ said he; ‘now then go for the doctor, and tell him to come to me, for that I am very sick indeed.’

“Nicholas ran all the way for the doctor, and when he returned, it was but reasonable to expect that old Alvarus would have given him a trifle of money; he however contented himself with giving him only thanks; and Nicholas was going home when the doctor entered.

“The doctor felt the miser’s pulse, and found him in a very bad way— ‘I am afraid it is too late,’ said he, ‘I should have been sent for before.’ He moreover told Nicholas that his uncle could not be left. Nicholas therefore promised to return, as soon as he had made his father and mother acquainted with the situation he had left him in; but the miser absolutely forbid him to bring them with him.

“Alvarus grew worse; the doctor gave him medicines, but in vain; when he thought it proper to tell him, that there were no hopes of his recovery, and advised him to settle his affairs without delay.

“Alvarus was very much affected at this news—‘What,’ said he, ‘have I been laying up hoard upon hoard only to leave it behind me? what enjoyment have I had? what delight has this world afforded me? I have been poor in the midst of riches, and have starved in abundance. I might have been happy myself, and I might have made others happy; I have neglected the opportunity; and before I have tasted refreshment, I expire on my journey.’

“The doctor asked the old miser again about his affairs—‘If I die,’ said he, ‘I leave what little I have to this boy, my nephew Nicholas.’ The doctor took his leave, and Alvarus addressed his nephew as follows:—‘Nicholas,’ said he, ‘take care of this bag for me; I shall fall asleep presently, for I feel heavy; there is not any thing worth having in it; it is full of rubbish; nevertheless, some people would be base enough to wish to take it from me.’

“Alvarus went into a sleep, from which he never awoke again—Nicholas called to him—he did not answer. Nicholas run for his father and mother—they arrived, but the miser was no more. Nicholas told them the story of the bag, which they opened, and found full of guineas. The doctor confirmed the story of Nicholas, and that the property was his right. The father and mother of Nicholas shed tears at the death of Alvarus; nevertheless they said, ‘How good and wonderful is Providence! It appeared only by chance that our son should happen to go on that day to inquire after his uncle, who had then mislaid his treasure. Providence has put it in its proper channel. Let us bury Alvarus with respect, and mourn not so much that he is dead, as that when living, he had never enjoyed life.’

“Nicholas succeeded to the wealth of his uncle, which was improved by the industry and care of his parents; and from being a poor lad, Nicholas is now an opulent farmer.”

“That old miser was a very foolish old man,” said William, as soon as Mr. Willock had concluded the story. “Certainly he was,” answered Mr. Willock;“he might have made himself very comfortable, and yet have laid by sufficient to keep him far from the dangers of want in his old age; and that shows, my dear children, the difference between prudence or economy, and avarice:—prudence allows all reasonable enjoyments, but no extravagance or waste; and as the articles of plain wholesome food, refreshing drink, and neat decent cloathing, do not require any great sacrifice of money, and are proper for us, and as good management makes us as frugal as possible, we cannot be much the poorer for those reasonable indulgences; and all beyond, it is wise and necessary to lay by; out of which, we ought, nevertheless, to spare a portion, such as we can afford; to the distrest. It is then that our prudent hours are blest by Providence, and the motive approved by the same Almighty who has taught the ant to provide for winter; and indeed old age, my dear children, may properly be called the winter of life.

“We will now,” said Mr. Willock, “consider the nature of the Desire by which men wish to obtain any thing unfairly, or what is called coveting our neighbours’ goods.—There is not any Desire that can be more base or wicked than this, and it leads to the greatest crimes; if ever you feel it in your bosoms, which I trust you never will, check it, my dear children, as being base, mean, unfair, unjust, and beneath your natures; and be assured, that it is a Desire which in the end will never have success, as it is contrary to the commands of God, and below the honour and dignity of the human character. Your dear mamma can relate to you a very pretty story of the ill-success of such a desire, as well as of the folly of being too good-natured.” Mrs. Willock, finding the eyes of all her little family immediately turned towards her, began as follows:

The Story of the Two Merchants and the Black Pebble.

“In the city of Peristan, which is a province of Cashmeer, in Hindostan, lived a merchant, named Baizeed; he was a very good young man, but was so generous and prodigal of his money, and so very good-natured, that any body might get it from him; and the patrimony he had received from his father was almost spent. As Baizeed was walking one day through the streets of Peristan, he met an old man, with a small bag in his hand, who accosted him, and asked if he would choose to buy any pearls or precious stones? Baizeed had the curiosity or desire to look at them; and the old merchant seated himself under the portico of a house, where he displayed his goods. Baizeed looked at them one by one; but his attention was chiefly taken up with a small black pebble, which had on it some marks of gold, resembling in form the rays of the sun. Baizeed inquired particularly about this stone, which the merchant told him was of considerable value, though it only appeared as a common black pebble; that it was a talisman, invented by the magician Mahoud; and that in all cases of extremity or danger, it would give the owner the most faithful counsel of the good genii. Baizeed, on this, laid the pebble down, giving up all thoughts of purchasing it, as he supposed its price to be infinitely out of his reach. “I do not wish to inhance the value of the pebble,” said the old man; “I only ask fifty gold mohurs for it.” Baizeed assured him that he could not afford to give him half that money for it, and was going away, when the old diamond merchant stopt him—“Well,” said he to Baizeed, “as you have taken such a mighty fancy to the pebble, you shall be welcome to have it on credit, and pay me when you may be able.” Baizeed on this thanked the old man as politely as he could, and accepted the stone from his hands, when the old merchant explained to him some characters which were on it, in the Hindoo language, and formed the following sentence—‘The rays of wisdom.’

“Baizeed, on his return home, shewed the pebble to his wife Aseecha, and was very eager to invite all his friends to shew them also the purchase he had been so lucky as to make, and invited them to a feast for that purpose. When Baizeed’s friends were met together, one examined it carefully, another liked its curious appearance, and a third wished him to make an immediate experiment of its virtues. Baizeed was not long waiting an opportunity. One of his neighbours being engaged in a lawsuit, was very anxious to know what he should do in the affair, and intreated him to try the effect of the magic pebble.

“Baizeed took a small flint in his hand, and, upon striking it against the stone, at the first blow, the liquid fire came forth from it, and running upon the ground, immediately formed the sentence of ‘Truth.’

“The counsel which the talisman gave was attended to by the neighbour of Baizeed, and by following which, he got well through his difficulty.

“Numerous were the applications Baizeed received from different persons to lend them the black pebble; and all his friends were so kind, and appeared so grateful, that he could not find it in his heart to refuse them; but what was the most extraordinary was, that although Baizeed was thoroughly sensible of the virtues of the pebble, he scarcely ever made use of it himself, but it was always at the service of others, without any return or recompence.

“In about three or four years after Baizeed had come into possession of the pebble, what with neglecting his own affairs, and attending to the frequent solicitations of others about theirs, Baizeed began to find himself very much reduced in circumstances; and in addition to this folly of attempting to oblige every body, he was naturally of a gay and cheerful disposition, and was constantly giving entertainments, for the sake of having the society of his friends.

“Among others who had the free use of the talisman, was a neighbour of Baizeed’s, named Daoud, who had always been welcome to his house, and who he had done every thing to serve; in short, Daoud had as much use of the pebble as himself; he had it upon every occasion he wished, and always smiled so graciously, and professed so much friendship to Baizeed, that it was impossible to refuse him.

“Baizeed’s wife Aseecha loved her husband very much, and frequently entreated him to be more careful of the valuable treasure he had, and to turn the magic pebble to advantage; but unhappily he neglected her counsel; and at length, what with the waste of time, and seeing company to show off the talisman, his situation became desperate; when he thought it best to call on his friend Daoud, to explain to him his circumstances, and to consult what was best to be done, as he was afraid his creditors would take the pebble from him. Daoud begged him not to despond, and assured him that he would take care of the talisman, if he was afraid of any mischief happening to him. Baizeed put the stone in his hands, requiring him, in the most solemn manner, to make use of it for his wife and family; offering him, at the same time, a reasonable share of that valuable treasure for his trouble.

“Daoud promised to do according to the wishes of Baizeed, who retired to a small village near the fountain of Shookroach, whose waters bestow peace, leaving Daoud in possession of the talisman.

“Baizeed waited many days patiently, in hopes of seeing his friend Daoud with a supply of money, for his wife Aseecha was very distressed, and his children had had nothing to live upon but a small bag of rice and a few dried fishes, which were almost gone. Daoud, however, never came near Baizeed; and presently he was informed that he had got into his house, and had made himself acquainted with all his friends and creditors, and that he was turning the talisman to his own advantage solely. Baizeed began now to blame his folly, for having intrusted the only valuable he had left to so sordid a wretch.

“Baizeed went to Daoud, to complain of his ill treatment; but that wicked wretch insisted he owed him more money than the pebble was worth; and Baizeed was too poor to get redress.

“At length, when Baizeed had given himself up to despair, and was sitting at his door in a pensive attitude, he saw the old diamond merchant who sold him the pebble approach. Baizeed was quite distressed what he should say to him; but thought, very properly, that the truth was the best; he therefore told him the whole story of his imprudence; ‘Well,’ cried the old man, ‘you have suffered sufficiently for your good-nature; though you have lost the talisman by your folly, the good [A]Bramah will not punish you too severely. Come with me, and we will go disguised as two [B]Calenders to the house of Daoud.’

“Baizeed prepared to follow the old man; and at length having procured the dresses of Calenders, they set out on their journey, and arrived at the house of Daoud, as he was seated at the head of his table, feasting with the great men of Peristan. The Calenders, according to the custom in the East, were invited to take refreshment; and Baizeed seated himself at the lower end of the table of his perfidious friend.

“After dinner, Daoud began to speak of the virtues of the talisman; and the Viceroy of the Sultan Shahabeddeen, who was present, was desirous that he should display its wonders before him. Daoud called for the pebble, and struck it with the flint; but the liquid flame did not issue from it; he tried again and again; but it was all in vain. The Viceroy, who considered that Daoud had imposed upon him, was highly incensed; and ordered his black eunuchs, who were in waiting, to inflict the punishment of the bowstring.—It was in vain that he supplicated; the Viceroy commanded that he should die, unless he could, within ten minutes, produce the sentence of truth from the talisman. Daoud attempted once more, but all was fruitless, when the old man took up the pebble, and striking it with the flint, the flame immediately issued, and formed a sentence on the ground—‘I am useless to the wicked.’

“On this, the Viceroy, who was the more enraged, demanded to know of Daoud the history of the talisman, and how he came by it? That wicked wretch, however, told a lie to excuse himself.

“The Viceroy was so dissatisfied with the answers of Daoud, that he demanded of the old Calender that he should obtain again the sentence of truth: The old man obeyed, when the talisman produced the words—‘The saying of Daoud is not true; I belong to Baizeed.’

Baizeed, at the desire of the old man, now threw off the dress of the Calender, and confronted the wicked Daoud, who being unable to say a word in his defence, was instantly strangled by the eunuchs.

“The Viceroy ordered the pebble to be restored to Baizeed, who returned home, transported with joy at having found his precious talisman.

“As soon as Baizeed entered the door of his house, he endeavoured to obtain the sentence of wisdom from the magic pebble; but it only produced the words—‘I am useless to the imprudent.’

“Baizeed was again in anguish and despair, when the old man entered, and told him that the virtue of the talisman would not return to it again until he had, by hard labour, rubbed the pebble so bright, that the rays which had disappeared should again become visible. Baizeed bore this disappointment very patiently, and returned home to his wife Aseecha, when he set to work every day rubbing the pebble, but no rays appeared. At length, after a little time, he began just to see a glimpse of them, and by persevering, they were once more restored. Baizeed now summoned his friends to a feast, at which they appeared again very readily; but when they required the counsel of the talisman, Baizeed demanded from them a recompence for the benefit they would receive; in consequence of which, he got several large sums of money; and having found the old man, offered to pay him the fifty gold mohurs, when the old merchant said, ‘I am richly repaid by your being sensible of the value of the pebble. My son, the mighty Bramah is well pleased when he observes in his children an ingenuous heart, and kind disposition; but dangerous even is the love of our fellow creatures, if we are weak enough to yield to the sweet voice of deceit. Baizeed was tried with the magic pebble, and he squandered away its blessings. The wicked Daoud, whose imagination was at work to obtain the goods of Baizeed, was made the instrument for punishing thy weakness; but he was to become an example also, that vice never prospers. The magic pebble lost its power in his hands, and the object of his covetousness was the cause of his death.’

“As the old man spoke, Baizeed observed that rays of celestial flame surrounded his head, and that his garment was changed into a robe of the purest white. The place was filled with the fragrance of myrrh, aloes, sandal-wood, the jessamine flower and the rose.

“Baizeed fell prostrate on his face; it was the good genius Zemrud, who had appeared as the old merchant. ‘Blessed,’ said he, ‘are the good, and powerful are those who trust in Bramah.’ With these words the genius disappeared, and Baizeed returned home to his faithful Aseecha, satisfied of the goodness of Providence, and resolved never again to forfeit the blessings of the talisman.”

“The desire of being great, or what is called ambition, is laudable, as long as the means resorted to to satisfy it are just and fair, and it is then a blessing; but becomes a curse, the instant we have recourse to base or improper means.—But,” said Mr. Willock, “let us see what is the next picture. What have we here?”

“It is a very pleasant face,” said John.—“It is,” said Mr. Willock,