“In thinking of a suitable present for Fanny, I confess I have been very much puzzled. There is no book, thought I, that I remember, in which Fanny can find answers to the sort of questions which she usually asks. It would be charming indeed, if there were a dictionary where one might find such things as the following, all arranged in alphabetical order;—

“‘Bailey, Mr. John.—lives at No. 3, King Street: is a linen draper: has six children: keeps two servants, three shopmen, and an apprentice: his business brings him in about four hundred pounds a year: has lately had a dispute with Mr. Smith, his next door neighbour, about a party wall, &c. &c.’

“‘Ball, Mrs.—Is in her 70th year: keeps only one servant: often dines a whole week upon a leg of mutton: scolds her maid very often: has not bought a new gown for seven years: &c. &c.’

“But as I do not know of any such dictionary as this, I have sent the only book at all like it that I am acquainted with: it is called ‘The London Directory.’ Here Fanny may find the names of many thousand persons in London: also, where they live; and what their business or profession is; together with a variety of particulars of the same sort; and I hope she will find as much amusement in learning these names, as she seems to do in knowing the names and affairs of all her neighbours. Wishing, however, to send more than one volume, I was obliged to think again; and as I remembered that one day, when a waggon load of furniture was unpacked at the next door, Fanny passed many hours at the window, taking very particular notice of every article; I thought she would be wonderfully pleased to have a number of complete lists of all the furniture in several houses. I therefore was at some trouble to procure between thirty and forty old catalogues of auctions of furniture, which I have had bound in one volume. In the long winter evenings, when she cannot look out of the window, she may entertain herself with reading such particulars as the following: ‘Lot 341. Four odd chairs and stool. Lot 342. Beer cooler, and mash-tubs. Lot 343. Wheelbarrow and pitchforks. Lot 344. Sundry odd articles, &c.’ Will not this be as good as if she were permitted to look into every room and closet in all the neighbours’ houses?

“But if, after all, my dear Fanny should not be pleased with the books I send her; and think that her Uncle has only been jesting with her, I hope she will not be angry with him; for I assure her, I could think of no others that seemed equally suitable to her present taste. But I shall be very happy to exchange them for books of a different kind, as soon as it shall appear that she has learned to repress her idle curiosity; and that she has began to cultivate the habit of intelligent inquiry.

“My dear nieces will believe, that I am their very affectionate uncle

“Thomas.”

IV.
THE TWO TEMPERS.

Little William Sawkins was sent by his mother, with a large basket of eggs, to Mrs. Dobson’s shop at Langford: the distance was four miles. “It’s too much for the boy, I declare,” said his mother, as William took up the basket: but she had nobody else to send. William was very willing to do all that he was able; and seemed most happy when he could make himself useful to any body; especially to his father or his mother.

When he had walked a little way, and had changed the basket from one arm to the other about three times, he came to a turning in the road, and saw Hugh Bludgell, the baker’s boy, driving his master’s cart slowly along; he was standing up in the cart, and thumping with one heel to the tune which he whistled. Just at the place, there was a short way across two or three fields into the road: William thought that if he made great speed by the field path, he could come up with the cart; and that perhaps Hugh would let him ride the rest of the way to Langford. So off he set, sometimes walking, sometimes running, and sometimes hobbling; till he was very hot, and quite out of breath. While he was in the middle of the last meadow, he heard the rumbling wheels of the cart, and saw through the gaps in the hedge, Hugh’s head and shoulders shaking along: he set the basket down therefore, ran as hard as he could, and got to the style by the road side, just as the cart came up.