Page:Live and Let Live.djvu/214

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214
LIVE AND LET LIVE.

article a little better than we should buy, a fur cape, an umbrella, or parasol. In all respects Mrs. Hyde has been a mother to me. She has qualified me to take charge of a family of my own, so that, with the blessing of God, I hope to perform my part well, and to contribute to Charles's prosperity as well as his happiness. Oh, mother, what a happy world this would be if there were plenty such as you and Mrs. Hyde—if the rich and the poor, in their respective stations, felt and acted right. How foolish and wicked are those who try to set one against the other; when, by being friends, and acting in agreement, so much good could be done, so much happiness gained. It seems to me as if it were necessary there should be rich and poor, to make all those seeds of virtue which God has planted—in our hearts spring up and grow. If Mrs. Hyde was not rich, how could she manifest such humility and self-denial, such wise generosity and such wise economy? and, dear mother, had you not been poor, very poor, could you have given us an example of such gentleness, long-suffering, patience, and self-reliance? Some think the rich can only be generous in giving; what a mistake! Mrs. Hyde does not give the half that Mrs. Ardley does in presents or in charity, but she gives her time, she imparts her knowledge, she infuses her spirit, and oh! none but those who live with her know how faithfully she tries to lay the foundation of religion. To do all this, she must, it is true, have other riches than the poor riches of money. I have done; if I were to write for ever, I could not tell what a blessing I esteem it to serve in the humblest place in such family as this.