: in short, sir, he
resolved to respect himself, and laid down a plan of restoring his falling
fortune. For this purpose, in his own whimsical manner he travelled through
Europe on foot, and now, though he has scarce attained the age of thirty, his
circumstances are more affluent than ever. At present, his bounties are more
rational and moderate than before; but still he preserves the character of an
humourist, and finds most pleasure in eccentric virtues.«
    My attention was so much taken up by Mr. Burchell's account, that I scarce
looked forward as we went along, till we were alarmed by the cries of my family,
when turning, I perceived my youngest daughter in the midst of a rapid stream,
thrown from her horse, and struggling with the torrent. She had sunk twice, nor
was it in my power to disengage myself in time to bring her relief. My
sensations were even too violent to permit my attempting her rescue: she must
have certainly perished had not my companion, percieving her danger, instantly
plunged in to her relief, and, with some difficulty, brought her in safety to
the opposite shore. By taking the current a little farther up, the rest of the
family got safely over; where we had an opportunity of joining our
acknowledgments to her's. Her gratitude may be more readily imagined than
described: she thanked her deliverer more with looks than words, and continued
to lean upon his arm, as if still willing to receive assistance. My wife also
hoped one day to have the pleasure of returning his kindness at her own house.
Thus, after we were refreshed at the next inn, and had to dined together, as Mr.
Burchell was going to a different part of the country, he took leave; and we
pursued our jouney. My wife observing as we went, that she liked him extremely,
and protesting, that if he had birth and fortune to entitle him to match into
such a family as our's, she knew no man she would sooner fix upon. I could not
but smile to hear her talk in this lofty strain: but I was never much displeased
with those harmless delusions that tend to make us more happy.
 

                                   Chap. IV.

A proof that even the humblest fortune may grant happiness, which depends not on
circumstance, but constitution.
 
The place of our retreat was in a little neighbourhood, consisting of farmers,
who tilled their own grounds, and were equal strangers to opulence and poverty.
As they had almost all the conveniencies of life within themselves, they seldom
