work may be let alone."

Mr. Bragwell owned that Sunday had produced many mischiefs in his
own family. That the young men and maids, having no eye upon them,
frequently went to improper places with other servants turned adrift
like themselves. That in these parties the poor girls were too
frequently led astray, and the men got to public houses and
fives-playing. But it was none of his business to watch them. His
family only did as others do; indeed it was his wife's concern; and
as she was so good a manager on other days, that she would not spare
them an hour to visit a sick father or mother, it would be hard, she
said, if they might not have Sunday afternoon to themselves, and she
could not blame them for making the most of it. Indeed, she was so
indulgent in this particular, that she often excused the men from
going to church, that they might serve the beasts, and the maids,
that they might get the milking done before the holiday part of the
evening came on. She would not, indeed, hear of any competition
between doing _her_ work and taking their pleasure; but when the
difference lay between their going to church and taking their
pleasure, he _must_ say that for his wife, she always inclined to
the good-natured side of the question. She is strict enough in
keeping them sober, because drunkenness is a costly sin; and to do
her justice, she does not care how little they sin at her expense.

"Well," said Mr. Worthy, "I always like to examine both sides
fairly, and to see the different effects of opposite practices; now,
which plan produces the greater share of comfort to the master, and
of profit to the servants in the long run? Your servants, 'tis
likely, are very much attached to you, and very fond of living where
they get their own way in so great a point."

"O, as to that," replied Bragwell, "you are quite out. My house is a
scene of discord, mutiny, and discontent. And though there is not a
better manager in England than my wife, yet she is always changing
her servants, so that every quarter-day is a sort of jail delivery
at my house; and when they go off, as they often do, at a moment's
warning, to own the truth, I often give them money privately, that
they may not carry my wife before the justice to get their wages."

"I see," said Mr. Worthy, "that all your worldly compliances do not
procure you even worldly happiness. As to my own family, I take care
to let them see that their pleasure is bound up with their