FILIAL LOVE AND MODEST BENEVOLENCE. 195 FILIAL LOVE AND MODEST BENEVOLENCE. .. '. One Sunday evening, a young man named Robert was sitting in his boat near the quay in the harbour of Marseilles, waiting fore a fare (1). A person stepped in, but observing the genteel appearance of the youth, and the neatness of his boat, was about to retire, thinking it was a pleasure-boat of some private person : Robert however called to him, saying: Sir, my boat is for hire (2); where do you wish to go? "" I only wish," replied the stranger, "to sail about in the basin to enjoy the freshness of the breeze this fine evening; -but I cannot believe you are a waterman.”...“ Indeed I am not, said Robert; " but on Sundays and other holidays, I ply (3) here with this boat, because I am very anxious to save a sum of money. "What, said the gentleman," are the seeds of avarice already sown in your mind? ". "Alas! sir," replied the humiliated Robert, "did you know for what purpose 1 wish to save money, I am sure you would not blame Well, perhaps I am mistaken; come row me about the port, and relate me your story. They left the quay, and Robert thus commenced his little histury. My father, sir, now groans in slavery at Teutan; he was a broker here, and by his honest industry maintained his family in respectability. Unfortunately he embarked for Smyrna to superintend the delivery of me. (1) A fare, un voyage, une course. (2) For hire, à louer. (3) To ply ou apply, se placer pour être loué. a cargo in which he was concerned; the vessel was taken by a Barbary corsair, and my poor father must remain a slave till I can obtain a sum sufficient to pay his ransom, which the Barbarians have fixed at 2000 crowns, a sum that far surpasses our scanty (1) means; however we do our best, and trust that Providence will second our exertions. My mother and sister work night and day at embroidery. I am a journeyman (2) jeweller, and put by every sous I possibly can out of my wages. 1 intented to go over and offer myself as a slave instead of my father; but my mother supplicates me not to abandon her, fearing the Moors would keep both of us; and besides that, she requests all the captains to re-, fuse taking me on board. I have therefore no other means left but saving money as fast as I can, in order to acquire the stipulated sum. Such is my unfortunate story, sir, and I think you will not now accuse me of avarice." 66 Pray, "said the stranger, "do you ever hear from (3) your father? What is his name? Who is his master? " "His master," replied the young man, "is overseer (4) of the palace garden at Fez, and my father's name is Robert *** Having heard the story, and it beginning to grow dark, the passenger (5) desired to land. As he step (1) Scanty, faible, chétif. (2) A journeyman, un ouvrier, un journalier. (5) The passenger, le voyageur, FILIAL LOVE AND MODEST BENEVOLENCE. 197 ped out of the boat, he put into Robert's hand a purse containing eight double-louis d'or and ten crowns in silver. About six weeks after this adventure, Robert, his mother and sister were taking their frugal supper of bread and fruit, talking of the generous stranger, and thinking how long it would be before they should be able to release the father, when suddenly the door opened, and to their inexpressible surprise and joy, he entered the apartment. After tenderly embracing his family, he inquired by what means they had been able to procure the money for his ransom in so short a time, as well as the sum which had been remitted to him to supply his immediate wants, and to pay his passage to France. They looked at each other with mutual astonishment; the father became alarmed, and turning to Robert, said: "Unfortunate boy, what have you done? Have I purchased my freedom at the expense of your integrity? Better had you left me in slavery to the end of my days." "Calm your apprehensions, my dear father," said Robert, embracing him, “I am not your deliverer; but I think I know who is. He then related the story of the stranger who had inquired with so much interest the situation of his father, and declared he would never discontinue his search till he had discovered their generous benefactor. One day he met him on the quay; he immediately accosted him, calling him the guardian angel of their family, and entreating him to go and contemplate the happiness he had bestowed. The stranger appeared to follow the young man; but in passing near the ex change, he disappeared in the crowd, and Robert could never afterward find him. He learned however that this generous man was no other than MONTESQUIEU. (Historical.) Sadler. END OF THE FIRST PART. SECOND PART, CONTAINING A SELECTION OF BEAUTIES FROM THE MOST CELEBRATED ENGLISH POETS: MILTON, SHAKSPEARE, OTWAY, THOMSON, COLLINS, POPE, BYRON, MOORE, COLMAN, ETC., ETC., ETC. WITH COPIOUS NOTES TO EXPLAIN THE DIFFICULT PASSAGES. THE INFLUENCE OF POETRY. When in a barb'rous age, with blood defiled, (1) The gloomy wild, le désert. |