e has
said enough; and, delighted at the project, the Virtues agreed to
adopt it on the spot. They were enchanted at the idea of setting up for
themselves, and each not doubting his or her success,--for Economy in
her heart thought Generosity no Virtue at all, and Meekness looked on
Courage as little better than a heathen.

Generosity, being the most eager and active of all the Virtues, set off
first on his journey. Justice followed, and kept up with him, though at
a more even pace. Charity never heard a sigh, or saw a squalid face, but
she stayed to cheer and console the sufferer,--a kindness which somewhat
retarded her progress.

Courage espied a travelling carriage, with a man and his wife in it
quarrelling most conjugally, and he civilly begged he might be permitted
to occupy the vacant seat opposite the lady. Economy still lingered,
inquiring for the cheapest inns. Poor Modesty looked round and sighed,
on finding herself so near to London, where she was almost wholly
unknown; but resolved to bend her course thither for two reasons:
first, for the novelty of the thing; and, secondly, not liking to expose
herself to any risks by a journey on the Continent. Prudence, though
the first to project, was the last to execute; and therefore resolved to
remain where she was for that night, and take daylight for her travels.

The year rolled on, and the Virtues, punctual to the appointment, met
under the oak-tree; they all came nearly at the same time, excepting
Economy, who had got into a return post-chaise, the horses to which,
having been forty miles in the course of the morning, had foundered by
the way, and retarded her journey till night set in. The Virtues looked
sad and sorrowful, as people are wont to do after a long and fruitless
journey; and, somehow or other, such was the wearing effect of their
intercourse with the world, that they appeared wonderfully diminished in
size.

"Ah, my dear Generosity," said Prudence, with a sigh, "as you were
the first to set out on your travels, pray let us hear your adventures
first."

"You must know, my dear sisters," said Generosity, "that I had not gone
many miles from you before I came to a small country town, in which a
marching regiment was quartered, and at an open window I beheld, leaning
over a gentleman's chair, the most beautiful creature imagination ever
pictured; her eyes shone out like two suns of perfect happiness, and she
was almost cheerful enough to have pass