situation I find you in. How are you going on in the world?"

Pessimus, who always felt a relief in giving vent to a complaint, explained to his brother the state of his affairs, and descanted at large on the uncertainty of all mercantile connections, the frequency of bankruptcies, the untoward posture of public events, the alarming state of the popular mind, the increasing expenses of a family, the difficulty of settling a number of children in eligible situations, the multiplicity of cares that harassed and oppressed him; and, in short, conIcluded with the confession that he was far from happy.

"I know not what thou wouldst have," replied Optimus. "I believe thou art sick of too much prosperity. I am sorry that, in circumstances apparently so fortunate, thou shouldst meet with any drawbacks on thy felicity. For my part, I have been a lucky dog all my lifeI have no reason to complain of Fortune; but I'll tell thee my story.-When I went to live with my grandfather, the old gentleman was always talking so much about the pleasures of a sailor's life, that he soon inspired me with a desire of going to sea. I made two or three voyages under a friend of his, a Captain Harris; and a good seaman he was as ever reefed a sail. All order and discipline under him, I warrant ye! Well, poor fellow! he died of the yellow fever in the West Indies, and I succeeded to the command of the ship. It was at the end of this first voyage, as captain, that I saw and fell in love with my Nancy; but her father was rich, and grandfather was poor. The old gentleman said nay; so I

went another voyage. In this interval my grandfather died, and almost all he had went with him. I had now nothing but my ship and my industry to depend upon; but I saw no reason why I should not do well, and so I told my Nancy; but she was dutiful, as became a daughter; and though I own I wished her to marry me without her father's consent, yet I loved her the better for refusing, because an obedient daughter is sure to make a good wife. So I went out again. I made a pretty good voyage this time, and renewed my suit to the old gentleman; but he would not hear of it. He told me plainly he designed his daughter for somebody else; but this, Nancy assured me in private, should never be. She said her father might have a right to refuse her to me, but nothing should make her give her hand to another, while her heart was mine. I bade her take courage, promised to be constant to her, and told her I doubted not but we should make it out right at last. I set sail again, and though I made but an indifferent voyage this time, yet it was a lucky one to me; for Nancy had caught the small pox and lost all her beauty. Her father, who had been proud of her beauty, now told her she might marry her sailor, and be damned, if she would; but a hundred pounds was all he would give her. The fortune he had meant for her should go to her sister, who was a pretty girl, though not so pretty as my Nancy had been. However the money bought the girl a lord for her husband, and when I came home, Nancy met me with tears in her eyes, and said she was going apprentice to a milliner, for she never would be my wife, changed as she

was in person and in fortune. I dried up her tears, told her the change was a very lucky one, that I loved her better than ever, for that she had shown me more of her goodness of heart. I had a great deal of trouble to persuade her now; but at last I succeeded, and never was there a better girl or a better wife. The hundred pounds her father gave her just set us up in a small house; and I had saved a little money upon the whole. I made some better voyages, and I was now coming home with great glee, because I hope to find my Nancy safely delivered of her fourth child. We don't live far from hence, brother, and you must pay us a visit, and see what a happy couple we are. Now, though I have lost my ship, damme! I have no owners to account to; and what we have on shore is safe. I'm sound wind and limb, and must set out a sailor again— that's all !"

At happiness so invincible in the midst of so many disappointments, Pessimus stared with astonishment. He went to his brother's house, however, saw his Nancy, and found her plain indeed from the ravages of the small pox; but she had a face beaming with intelligence, and she welcomed Optimus with a smile that far counterbalanced his shipwreck. Pessimus made his brother captain of one of his own ships, and more than reinstated his affairs on their former footing. More than this assistance Optimus would not accept; and Pessimus returned to his magnificent villa, his noble town house, his increasing opulence, and his irreproachable character, to marvel at the cheerful felicity of his humble brother.

ANONYMOUS.