SIR JOHN DENHAM, AND HIS WORTHY TENANT. 1. One morning, Sir John Dennam, having shut himself up in his study on some particular business, his servant came to inform him that one of his tenants, farmer Harris, desired to speak with him. 2. Sir John told him to show the farmer into the drawing room, and to beg him to stay one moment, until he had finished writing a letter. 3. Sir John had three children, Robert, Arthur, and Sophia, who were in the drawing room when the farmer was introduced. As soon as he entered he saluted them very respectfully, though not with that ceremony which some people are accustomed to make use of. 4. The two sons looked at each other with a smile of contempt and disrespect. Indeed they behaved in such a manner that the poor farmer blushed, and was quite out of counte nance. 5. Robert was so shamefully impertinent, as to walk round him holding his nose, and asking his brother if he did not perceive something of the smell of a dung heap? Then he lighted some paper at the fire, and carried it round the room, in order to disperse, as he said, the Arthur all the while stood unpleasant smell. laughing most heartily. 6. Sophia, however, acted in a very manner; for instead of imitating the rudeness different 784784 of her brothers, she checked them for their behaviour, made apologies for them to the farmer, and approached him with the most complaisant looks, offered him some wine to refresh him, made him sit down, and took his hat and stick to put by. 7. In a little time Sir John came out of his study and approaching the farmer in a friendly manner, took him by the hand, enquired after the health of his family, and asked him what brought him to town. 8. The farmer replied, that he was come to pay him a half a year's rent, and that he hoped he would not be displeased at his not coming sooner, the roads having been so bad, that he could not till then bring his corn to market. 9. Sir John told him he was not displeased at his not coming sooner; because he knew him to be an honest man, who had no occasion to be put in mind of his debts. 10. The farmer then put down the money, and drew out of his great-coat pocket a jar of candied fruits. "I have brought something here (said he) for the young folks. 11. "Won't you be so kind, Sir John, as to let them come out, one of these days, and take a mouthful of the country air with us? I'd try, as well as I could to entertain and amuse them. have two good stout nags, and would come for them myself, and take them down in my fourwheeled chaise, which will carry them very safely, I'll warrant it." 12. Sir John said, that he would certainly take an opportunity to pay him a visit, and in vited him to stay to dinner; but the farmer excused himself, saying, he had a great deal of business to do in town, and wished to get home before night. 13. Sir John filled his pocket with cakes for his children, thanked him for the present he had made to his, and then took leave of him. 14. No sooner was the farmer gone, than Sophia, in the presence of her brothers, acquainted her papa of the yery rude reception they gave the honest farmer. Sir John was exceedingly displeased with their conduct, and much applauded Sophia for her different behaviour. 15. Sir John, being seated at breakfast, with his children, opened the farmer's jar of fruits, and he and his daughter ate some of them, which they thought were very nice; but Robert and Arthur were neither of them invited to a single taste. 16. Their longing eyes were fixed upon them; but their father instead of taking any notice of them, continued conversing with Sophia, whom he advised never to despise a person merely for the plainness of his dress; "for (said he) were we to behave politely to those only who are finely clothed, we should appear to direct our attention more to the dress than to the wearer. 17. The most worthy persons are frequently found under the plainest dress, and of this we have an example in farmer Harris. It is this man who helps to clothe you, and also to procure you a proper education; for the money that he and my other tenants bring in, enables me to do these things. 18. Breakfast being finished, the remainder of the fruit was ordered to be locked up but Robert and his brother, whose longing eyes followed the jar, clearly saw they were to have none of them. In this they were confirmed by their father, who told them not to expect to taste any of those fruits, either on that or any fu ture day. 19. Robert endeavoured to excuse himself, by saying, that it was not his fault if the farmer did not smell well; and he thought there was no harm in telling him of it. If people will go among dung they must expect to smell of it. 20. And yet, (said Sir John) if this man were not to manure his land with dung, his crops would fail him, he would not be able to pay his rent, and you yourself would perhaps have to follow a dung-cart." The two boys saw displeasure in their papa's countenance, and therefore did not presume to say any thing more. 21. Early on a morning shortly after, the good farmer came to Sir John Denham's door, and sent up his compliments, kindly inviting him to make a little excursion to his farm. Sir John could not resist the friendly invitation, as a refusal might perhaps have made the honest farmer uneasy. 22. Robert and Arthur begged very hard to go along with them, promising to behave more civilly in future, and Sophia begging for them likewise, Sir John at last consented. 23. They then mounted the four wheeled chaise, with joyful countenances and as the farmer had a pair of good horses, they were there in a short time. 24. On their arrival, Mrs. Harris, the farmer's wife came to the door to receive them, helped the young gentlefolks out of the chaise and kissed them. All their little family, dressed in their best clothes, came out to compliment their visi tors. The 25. When they went in, they found the coffee already poured out; it was placed on a table covered with a napkin as white as snow. coffee-pot indeed, was not silver, nor the cups china, yet every thing was in the neatest order. 26. Mrs. Harris made an apology to the chil dren for the humble style in which her table was set out, which she owned could not be equal to what they met with, at their own house; but she hoped they would not be dissatisfied with her homely fare.-The cakes she produced were excellent, for she spared no pains in making them. 27. As soon as breakfast was over, the farmer asked Sir John to look at his orchard and grounds, and Mrs. Harris took all the pains she could to make the walk pleasing to the chil. dren. 28. She showed them all her flock which covered the fields, and gave them the prettiest lambs to play with. She then conducted them where every thing was clean and neat. There was some so young to her pigeon house, |