re half-a-crown, and Justice a dozen tickets!" So the next ten
minutes were consumed in a quarrel between the four Virtues, which would
have lasted all the way to Richmond, if Courage had not advised them to
get on shore and fight it out. Upon this, the Virtues suddenly perceived
they had a little forgotten themselves, and Generosity offering the
first apology, they made it up, and went on very agreeably for the next
mile or two.

The day now grew a little overcast, and a shower seemed at hand.
Prudence, who had on a new bonnet, suggested the propriety of putting to
shore for half an hour; Courage was for braving the rain; but, as most
of the Virtues are ladies, Prudence carried it. Just as they were about
to land, another boat cut in before them very uncivilly, and gave theirs
such a shake that Charity was all but overboard. The company on board
the uncivil boat, who evidently thought the Virtues extremely low
persons, for they had nothing very fashionable about their exterior,
burst out laughing at Charity's discomposure, especially as a
large basket full of buns, which Charity carried with her for any
hungry-looking children she might encounter at Richmond, fell pounce
into the water. Courage was all on fire; he twisted his mustache, and
would have made an onset on the enemy, if, to his great indignation,
Meekness had not forestalled him, by stepping mildly into the hostile
boat and offering both cheeks to the foe. This was too much even for the
incivility of the boatmen; they made their excuses to the Virtues, and
Courage, who is no bully, thought himself bound discontentedly to accept
them. But oh! if you had seen how Courage used Meekness afterwards, you
could not have believed it possible that one Virtue could be so enraged
with another. This quarrel between the two threw a damp on the party;
and they proceeded on their voyage, when the shower was over, with
anything but cordiality. I spare you the little squabbles that took
place in the general conversation,--how Economy found fault with all the
villas by the way, and Temperance expressed becoming indignation at the
luxuries of the City barge. They arrived at Richmond, and Temperance
was appointed to order the dinner; meanwhile Hospitality, walking in the
garden, fell in with a large party of Irishmen, and asked them to join
the repast.

Imagine the long faces of Economy and Prudence, when they saw the
addition to the company! Hospitality was all spirits; he ru