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ma'am: I make it boil up as quickly as possible, and let it boil fast for twenty minutes. If you please to give me leave, ma'am, I'll make some; and then, if master likes it, Lydia will know exactly how to do it for him another time." Her offer being accepted, Mrs. Dobson set to work, and presently produced the article required. Both Mrs. Rogers and Lydia looked on with incredulous wonder at this presumptuous deviation from the prescribed rules of old authorities, and almost doubted the success of the experiment, even when demonstrated to their very senses. My uncle, however, had no doubt about it; for, without being apprized of the change of method or maker, he readily took the result, and enjoyed a hearty meal, and continued to take it thus prepared until he was sufficiently recovered to partake of more substantial food. Now, that his taste was gratified, and his health promoted by having suitable nourishment, was, I doubt not, highly satisfactory to both the good women perhaps, also, they were very well pleased to find themselves in possession of a piece of useful practical information; yet those who know much of human nature, will be rather grieved than surprised, to learn that a basin of beef-tea, prepared on the new system, was scarcely ever sent up without some ill-natured fling at new-fangled notions; that when, on his recovery, my uncle made each of the servants a little present in acknowledgment of their faithful and devoted attentions, Lydia said, "she was very sorry she did not know how to make beef-tea to his honour's satisfaction;" and that a foolish feeling of rivalry was called into exercise whenever Mrs. Dobson happened to call at the house, or if any of the family happened to

mention any of her rules and practices. "Lydia," said my uncle on the occasion first referred to, "I thank you for your good-will and desire to please; and I assure you, that every one who serves me knows how to give me satisfaction by doing what is required of them, in the best manner with which they are acquainted; and by willingness to learn and adopt a better when it is set before them. An unwillingness to do this proceeds from littleness of mind, pride, and self-conceit; it is a bar to improvement and peace of mind in the individual, and throws an ungracious manner even over endeavours to please, that renders the services performed, if not less valuable, at least less agreeable to others. Let me advise you, my good girl, to be content with doing your best, and endeavouring to improve; be thankful to all who will teach you, and never admit the silly vanity that would make you ashamed to learn, or that would grieve because any one knows better than yourself."

"Two of a trade can never agree."-There is something very ill-natured in this adage, and one could wish that there was nothing in real life to confirm it. In the present day of extended commerce, intelligence, and liberality, there is less of this spirit of selfish exclusiveness; especially in large towns, where, from the number of competitors, a fair competition can be kept up to the general advantage, without exciting personal rivalry and hostility. But in small towns and villages, the exclusive privilege of administering the draught and bolus to her Majesty's subjects; of initiating the young into the mysteries of grammar and cyphering book; of building the houses; of shoeing the horses; or of using a saw, plane,

and chisel, within a certain district, seems still to be claimed as a sort of prescriptive right. Hence the person who, however unintentionally and unconsciously, in the slightest degree interferes with the old state of things, is regarded as a lawless usurper; and those who countenance his attempt, are looked upon as withdrawing a sort of legal allegiance from the old standards, however clearly it may appear that the increasing demands of the neighbourhood, justify and require an increasing supply. My uncle's neighbourhood was not free from this spirit of mean, selfish jealousy, though he did all in his power to counteract it: and as both his judgment and example were much looked up to, it may be hoped that his efforts were not wholly unsuccessful.

There were the two millers, White and Simpson, men who could agree with every body in the parish, except with each other. But each always seemed to grudge when he saw the other's cart go through the village loaded; and always had a jeer for the carter, if it contained only a sack or two. If any one happened to notice Simpson's fine strong horses, or the fine fatting pigs in his stye, White was sure to express a wonder whose grist it was that fed them; or if Simpson chanced to be seen going afoot, White would inquire whether trade was come to that, that he could not afford to keep a horse? while Simpson would contrast the fine-lady appearance of Mrs. White and her daughters, with that of his own frugal, notable dame ;

and say, it was all very well if the finery was paid

for; for his part, he was sure he did not care if White could afford to dress his wife in gold and silver-it was no difference to him. And yet either

of them would take it exceedingly unkind, and resent it as a personal affront, if he knew that one of the farmers sent a load of corn to the other's mill.

There was Smith the carpenter, so full of business that he knew not which way to turn, yet he would disappoint a customer, by undertaking more than he could possibly perform, rather than either give up a job, or employ poor Wilson as a journeyman, because Wilson would not be bound down never to undertake work on his own account. Smith had prospered in business, and though he began life without a shilling, had by industry and frugality scraped together enough to purchase land and build several houses. There was no doubt he was every year adding to his property. Poor Wilson, who had been his fellow apprentice, was an equally honest and industrious man, but had not been blessed with equal prosperity. He had several times been laid aside by severe illness; he had a very numerous dependent family; and he had sustained some heavy losses by bad debts. The poor fellow could hardly lift up his head; and his wife and children, though always neat and clean, were scantily fed and clothed. He could not now undertake a large building job, for he had not capital for materials and labour; but he was very thankful to get such a job as he could manage himself with the assistance of his own boys; and when he had not such a job in hand, and his old fellow apprentice was known to be busy, he would have been glad of occasional work from him; but Smith, though to his own inconvenience, absolutely refused to give him a day's work, at a time when his family really wanted

bread, unless he would engage entirely to give up working on his own account. My uncle happened to hear of the distress of Wilson's family: he inquired into the circumstances, employed him in building a barn, and, by advancing a little money, set the poor fellow on his legs again, and had the pleasure to see a worthy family once more prospering. There was plenty of work in the neighbourhood for Smith and Wilson too; but Smith always seemed to look upon all that was earned by Wilson as so much bread taken out of his own mouth. When Wilson began to thrive again, I remember my uncle cautioning him against indulging the same grasping, monopolizing spirit. "Live and let live," he would say, "is the maxim for a Christian tradesman; and in this respect, act and feel towards others as you would wish others to do to you; or, though you may work early and late, and lay your plans with wisdom, and husband your resources with care, ay, and even though you should have the success at which you aim, you cannot expect to have the blessing of Him whom we call our common Father, and who will have us seek and delight in the welfare of our brethren as our own. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.'

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There were the two errand carriers, Clark and Norris, who went to the neighbouring town on alternate days. Instead of leaving things to take their fair chance, each of these men regarded the other as a rival, and would throw out hints of his carelessness and want of punctuality, and endeavour to persuade the neighbours, that if they wanted their commissions faithfully executed, they must

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