ung woman's duty and affection towards her parents, that I have for
some time employed myself in preparing for them a little present, which
I shall be obliged to you, Master Harry, to convey to them. I have,
unfortunately, never learned either to embroider or to paint artificial
flowers, but my good uncle has taught me that the best employment I can
make of my hands is to assist those who cannot assist themselves."
Saying this, she put into his hands a parcel that contained some linen
and other necessaries for the poor old people, and bade him tell them
not to forget to call upon her uncle when she was returned home, as he
was always happy to assist the deserving and industrious poor. Harry
received her present with gratitude, and almost with tears of joy; and,
looking up in her face, imagined that he saw the features of one of
those angels which he had read of in the Scriptures; so much does real
disinterested benevolence improve the expression of the human
countenance.

But all the rest of the young gentry were employed in cares of a very
different nature--the dressing their hair and adorning their persons.
Tommy himself had now completely resumed his natural character, and
thrown aside all that he had learned during his residence with Mr
Barlow; he had contracted an infinite fondness for all those scenes of
dissipation which his new friends daily described to him, and began to
be convinced that one of the most important things in life is a
fashionable dress. In this _most rational_ sentiment he had been
confirmed by almost all the ladies with whom he had conversed since his
return home. The distinctions of character, relative to virtue and
understanding, which had been with so much pains inculcated upon his
mind, seemed here to be entirely unheeded. No one took the trouble of
examining the real principles or motives from which any human being
acted, while the most minute attention was continually given to what
regarded merely the outside. He observed that the omission of every duty
towards our fellow-creatures was not only excused, but even to a certain
degree admired, provided it was joined with a certain fashionable
appearance; while the most perfect probity or integrity was mentioned
with coldness or disgust, and frequently with open ridicule if
unconnected with a brilliant appearance. As to all the common virtues of
life--such as industry, economy, a punctuality in discharging our
obligations or keeping our word-