CHAP. XIX.
Charity.—The Hiſtory of Peggy and her Family.—The Sailor's Widow.
I HAVE often remarked to you, ſaid Mrs. Maſon, one morning, to her pupils, that we are all dependent on each other; and this dependence is wiſely ordered by our Heavenly Father, to call forth many virtues, to exerciſe the beſt affections of the human heart, and fix them into habits. While we impart pleaſure we receive it, and feel the grandeur of our immortal ſoul, as it is conſtantly ſtruggling to ſpread itſelf into futurity.
Perhaps the greateſt pleaſure I have ever received has ariſen from the habitual exerciſe of charity, in its various branches: the view of a diſtreſſed object has made me now think of converſing about one branch of it, that of giving alms.
You know Peggy, the young girl whom I wiſh to have moſt about my perſon; I