he, "to make their generosity known every where; and, as they have contributed to preserve my honour, I hope to augment their credit and reputation."-"No!" replied Angelica, with the liveliest gratitude, "I shall never forget what Mr. James and William have done for us; and, however great my father's return, he can never repay their kindness!"

"Yes, there is one way," replied Mr. Murval. "What is that?" exclaimed Mr. Blondel.

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"By bestowing upon them the hands of your amiable daughters," returned Mr. Murval.

"Alas!" said William, "the distance between us is too great to allow us to aspire to an alliance with ladies, whose rank and fortune entitle them to a higher station !"

“Of what distance do you speak?” asked Mr. Blondel; "you are merchants, as well as myself. In time, your fortune may equal or even surpass mine. You have what I prize above every thing, a benevolent heart, spotless integrity, and a zeal for business. If my daughters think as I do, they will make you happy!"

Angelica and Louisa blushed, and looked down; while William, with his usual frankness, exclaimed: "We have not yet had time to fall in love, and make a choice! But we will cer

tainly take you at your word, and shall not be afraid to become your sons-in-law, if we could hope to obtain from your amiable daughters the indulgence of which my brother and myself stand so greatly in need!"

"As for me," said James, "I had almost begun to fear that, in saving Mr. Blondel, I had lost my own peace of mind. The few days, which we have spent in the society of these ladies, have inspired feelings, to which I had hitherto been a stranger; and if I ever lamented the want of a polished exterior and a finished education, it is at this moment."

"What is a polished exterior in comparison with what you have just done for us?" said Angelica.

"The benefactors of our father! What other title do they require as a claim upon our regard?" added Louisa.

The formal consent of Angelica and Louisa completed the happiness of James and William, who, turning to Mr. Murval and his daughter, exclaimed: "Oh! our worthy friends, enjoy the happiness you have created! This additional joy is entirely your doing! And you, whom we may now call father," turning to Mr. Blondell,

'you also we thank for having given us the privilege of offering you our assistance !"

The good old man was so affected, that he was unable to reply to this expression of their gratitude. Joy beamed on every countenance; and Mr. Murval, as well as Harriet, requested that this double alliance should be celebrated at the château.

In a few days, the necessary documents were signed; and the happiness of James and Angelica, William and Louisa was confirmed. Never was their perfect union interrupted by the least uneasiness, nor was their peace clouded by the most trivial misfortune.

They became the first merchants in France; but neither their successes nor their riches could ever make them forget the kindness of Mr. Murval and his daughter, who did not cease to repeat that even the little good we are enabled to do, is not always unattended by a happy result.

54

THE BOASTER.

WHEN Gelnhausen was a free imperial city, Elias Ramshead, an honest butcher, was a member of its senate, and one of the most opulent and respected of its citizens. The strictest probity guided him in the exercise of his business, as well as in his senatorial duties. He never sold to his customers a lean cow for a fat ox, nor bones instead of meat; and they had no occasion to weigh after him, as they might be sure there was not an ounce short. He was equally conscientious in holding the balance of justice, when his plain and solid understanding had once fully comprehended the state of the question. When, having hung up his green velvet cap, and laid aside his white apron, he put on his brown coat with gold buttons, his cocked hat, and had taken his gold-headed cane in his hand, to proceed to the senate-house, the inhabitants looked after him, as he walked with becoming gravity along the streets, and said with due respect: "There goes good Mister Ramshead to the senate-house; happy those who have a just cause to bring forward!"

Among his honourable colleagues was a tailor,

whose principles were not so strict, and who for this reason found a constant opponent in Mister Ramshead. This tailor had, in his peregrinations, picked up some scraps of Latin, with which, when he could not otherwise prevail, he would puzzle the whole august senate. Thus, for instance, if he wished to get some rogue out of a scrape, he would say: “The Roman law says: post cœnam, stabis aut mille passus meabis; therefore it is evident that the accused must be acquitted." Then the wise senators would look at each other, and say, "Why, if that is really the case!" But then would Mister Ramshead rise hastily, and, striking the table with his fist, so as to make the poor tailor tremble like an aspen leaf, protest that he would not give a pinch of snuff for the whole Roman law. "What do we care for the pope and all his cardinals ?" exclaimed he. "We are Protestants; and Gelnhausen is as much a free imperial city as ever was Rome." This last argument generally convinced the honourable senate. "Quite right, brother," said the Burgomaster:

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they say, indeed, that Rome is somewhat larger than Gelnhausen ; but a little more or a little less does not alter the case." And then the cause was decided in worthy Mister Ramshead's favour.

But, however high Mister Ramshead might