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PART I.

MOSES AND THE SPECTACLES.

O. GOLDSMITH (1728-74).

[This agreeable, elegant, and humorous writer, and goodnatured, but improvident man, was an Irishman by birth, and the son of a poor country clergyman. Born poor, he died poor; for he was unfortunately thoughtless, generous, and had no habits of economy. All his works, and they are many, and of various kinds, display a fine genius, a tender nature, and a benevolent heart. His poems of the "Deserted Village" and the "Traveller," will live as long as elegant simplicity of language, coupled with purity of sentiment and charming domestic pictures of rural life shall please; and his " Vicar of Wakefield," from which the following extract is taken, still delights young and old by the natural interest of the story, and the genial, philosophic humour with which it is told.]

(The passage I have selected must be read almost in the style of ordinary conversation, without any effort or straining after effect. It is a simple narrative with occasional touches of quaint humour.)

ALL my wife's conversation tended to a scheme, which, indeed, I had already begun to dread. This was nothing less than, as we were to hold up our heads a little higher in the world, it would be proper to sell the colt, which was grown old, at a neighbouring fair, and buy us a horse that would carry single, or double upon an occasion, and make

a pretty appearance at church, or upon a visit. This, at first, I opposed stoutly; but it was as stoutly defended. However, as I weakened, my antagonist gained strength, till at last, it was resolved to part with him.

As the fair happened the following day, I had intentions of going myself; but my wife persuaded me, that I had got a cold; and nothing could prevail upon her, to permit me from home.

"No, my dear," said she, "our son Moses is a discreet boy, and can buy and sell to a very good advantage; you know all our great bargains, are of his purchasing. He always stands out, and higgles, and actually tires them till he gets a bargain."

As I had some opinion of my son's prudence, I was willing enough to entrust him, with this little commission; and the next morning, I perceived his sisters mighty busy, in fitting out Moses for the fair; trimming his hair, brushing his buckles, and cocking his hat with pins. The business of the toilet being over, we had at last the satisfaction, of seeing him mounted upon the colt, with a deal box before him, to bring home groceries in. He had on a coat, made of that cloth they call thunder and lightning; which, though grown too short, was much too good to be thrown away; his waistcoat was of gosling green; and his sisters had tied his hair, with a broad black ribbon. We all followed him several paces from the door, bawling after him, "Good luck! good luck!" till we could see him no longer.