all the pleasures and indulgences, to which he was so habituated, that he thought life of no value without them. He grew melancholy and dejected; hazarded all of his little property in lottery tickets; and was quite beggared. Still, unable to think of retrieving himself, by industry and frugality, he accepted a commission in a newly-raised regiment, was ordered off on duty, caught a fever, and died.

"Richard, in the mean time, whose comforts were little impaired, by this change of circumstances, preserved his cheerfulness, and found no difficulty in accommodating himself to his fortune. He engaged himself as a clerk, in a house with which his father had been connected, and lived as frugally as possible, on his salary. It furnished him with decent board, lodging, and clothing, which was all he required; and his hours of leisure were nearly as many as before. A book, or a discreet friend, always enabled him to pass an evening, pleasantly. He gradually rose in the confidence of his employers, who increased, from time to time, his salary and emoluments. Every increase was a source of gratification to him, because he was able to enjoy pleasures, which, however, habit had not made necessary to his comfort. In process of time, he was enabled to do business for himself, and passed through life, in the enjoyment of that modest competence, which best suited his disposition."

A FRIEND IN NEED.

GEORGE CORNISH was brought up to a seafaring life. After making several voyages to the East Indies, in the capacity of mate, he obtained the command of a ship, in the country trade, there, and passed many years of his life, in sailing from one port to another, and residing, at intervals, on shore, occupied with the superintendence of commercial concerns. Having, by these means, raised a moderate fortune, and being now beyond the meridian of life, he felt a strong desire of returning to his native country, and seeing his family and friends, concerning whom, he had received no tidings, for a long time. He converted his property into money, settled his affairs, and, taking his passage for home, safely arrived there, after an absence of sixteen years.

He immediately repaired to the place of his nativity, and went to the house of an only brother, whom he had left possessed of a genteel situation in a public office. He found that his brother was dead, and the family broken up; and he was directed to the house of one of his nieces, who was married, and settled at a small distance from town. On making himself known, he was received with great respect and affection by the married niece, and a single sister, who resided with her; to which good reception, the idea of his bringing back with him a large fortune did not

a little contribute. They pressed him, in the most urgent manner to take up his abode, there, and omitted nothing, by which they could testify their regard for so near a relation. On his part, he was sincerely glad to see them, and presented them with some valuable Indian commodities, which he had brought with him. They soon fell into conversation, concerning the family events that had taken place, during his long absence. Mutual condolences passed, on the death of their father; their mother had been dead, long before. The Captain, in the warmth of his heart, declared his intention of befriending the survivors of the family, and his wishes of seeing the second sister as comfortably settled in the world, as the first seemed to be.

"But," said he, "are you two the only ones left? What has become of my little, smiling playfellow, Amelia? I remember her, as if it were yesterday, coming behind my chair, and giving me a sly pull, and then running away, that I might follow her, for a kiss. I shall be sorry, if any thing has happened to her."

"Alas, sir," said the eldest niece, "she has been the cause of an infinite deal of trouble to her friends! She was always a giddy girl, and her misconduct has proved her ruin. It would be well, if we could forget her!"

"What, then," said the uncle, "has she dishonored herself? Poor creature!"

"I cannot say," replied the niece, "that she has done so, in the worst sense of the word; but

she has disgraced herself and her family, by a hasty, foolish match with one beneath her; and it has ended, as might have been anticipated, in poverty and wretchedness."

"I am glad," returned the Captain, “that it is no worse; for, though I much disapprove of improper matches, yet young girls may fall into still greater evils; and, where there is no crime, there can be no irreparable disgrace. But who was the man, and what did my brother say to it ?"

Why, sir, I cannot say but it was partly my father's own fault; for he took a sort of liking to the young man, who was a drawing-master, employed in the family, and would not forbid him the house, after we had informed him of the danger of an attachment between Amelia and him. So, when it was too late, he fell into a violent passion about it, which had no other effect than to drive the girl directly into her lover's arms. They married, and soon fell into difficulties. My father, of course, would do nothing for them; and, when he died, he not only disinherited her, but made us promise no longer to look upon her as a sister."

"And you did make that promise?" said the Captain, in a tone of surprise and displeasure.

"We could not disobey our parent," replied the other sister, "but we have several times sent her relief, in her necessities, though it was improper for us to see her."

"And pray, what has become of her, at last? where is she, now ?"

“Really, she and her husband have changed their lodgings, so often, that it is some time since we heard any thing about them.” "Some time! how long?"

"Perhaps half a year, or more."

"Poor outcast!" cried the Captain, in a sort of muttered half-voice; "I have made no promise, however, to renounce thee. Be pleased, madam," he continued, addressing himself gravely to the married niece, "to favor me with the last direction you had to this unfortunate sister."

She blushed, and looked confused; and, at length, after a good deal of searching, presented it to her uncle. "But, my dear sir," said she, "you will not think of leaving us, to-day. My servant shall make all the inquiries you wish, and save you the trouble; and, to-morrow, you can ride to town, and do as you think proper."

My good niece," said the Captain, "I am but an indifferent sleeper; and I am afraid things would run in my head, and keep me awake. Besides, I am naturally impatient, and love to do my business, myself. You will excuse me."

So saying, he took up his hat, and, without much ceremony, went out of the house, and took the road to town, on foot, leaving his two nieces somewhat disconcerted.

When he arrived, he went, without delay, to the place mentioned, which was in a by-street. The people, who kept the lodgings, informed him, that the persons, he inquired after, left them, several months previously, and they did not know