Page:Original stories from real life 1796.pdf/168

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neglect to pay their debts do more harm than they imagine; perhaps, indeed, ſome of theſe very people do, what is called, a noble action, give away a large ſum, and are termed generous; nay, very probably, weep at a tragedy, or when reading an affecting tale. They then boaſt of their ſenſibility—when, alas! neglecting the foundation of all virtue, juſtice, they have occaſioned exquiſite diſtreſs; led a poor wretch into vice; heaped miſery on helpleſs infancy, and drawn tears from the aged widow.



CHAP. XXIV.

Viſit to a poor Family in London.—Idleneſs the Parent of Vice.—Prodigality and Generoſity incompatible.—The Pleaſures of Benevolence.—True and falſe Motives for ſaving.

AFTER the impreſſion which the ſtory, and the ſight of the family had made, was a little worn off, Caroline begged leave

to