“In a very few months it happened, that the younger fisherman, Gerrard, owing to his excess of joy, which made him insensible of what he was about, and the folly of his young wife, who spent a great deal in dress, while he was giving, lending, and throwing away his money, was reduced at length to poverty, and had nothing left to do but to take to business again.
“He was lamenting one morning not having sufficient to purchase nets, and was mending the old ones to go out a fishing, when his neighbour Matthieu came to the gate. ‘I thought,’ cried he, ‘that you had left off fishing, and that you lived upon the interest of the money you got for your pearls and diamonds; or, perhaps, you are going out for pleasure.’—‘Alas,’ cried Gerrard, ‘it is not so; I have given away and spent all that I had.’—‘Well, but,’ said he, ‘those you have done service to will never let you want a little money to purchase nets; they have had plenty from you.’—‘I have but little hopes of them,’ answered Gerrard.—‘Well,’ said the old fisherman, ‘at any rate, give them the trial; invite all these your neighbours and friends to a feast, and after they have regaled themselves, I will open the whole business of your necessities, and ask them to subscribe to put you into business again.’ Gerrard followed the advice of his neighbour, and a feast was prepared, at which every one took care to be present. After dinner was over, the old fisherman opened the business, and asked each of them to subscribe a something; but they had all of them an excuse ready. ‘Well,’ cried he, ‘in that case, I must do all by myself,’ when he pulled out two large bags full of louis d’ors, which he opened before them, and placed one of them before Gerrard. ‘Now, sirs,’ said Matthieu, turning to the guests, ‘we will not trouble you any further; we shall not want your assistance to count them out this time.’
“The guests departed one after another, not a little chagrined at this unexpected turn; and Matthieu explained to Gerrard that the money was his right; that he had kept it for him, that it might not fall into such bad hands as his former treasure. All now was joy, but it was Joy with Tranquillity; and Gerrard, delighted with the wisdom, as well as with the honesty of his friend, begged him to keep it for him, and that he would draw for what he might have occasion.
“Matthieu and Gerrard continued neighbours and friends; their little fortunes increased; and at length their children intermarried, to the satisfaction of the old people, who, undisturbed by any excess of passion, felt only Joy with tranquillity.”
“Oh dear! what a funny face!” cried Henry, as Mr. Willock turned over the leaf.
“It is, my dear,” said he,“the face of
LAUGHTER.
“Laughter is produced by joy mixed with surprise, the eyebrows rise towards the middle of the eye, and bend down towards the side of the nose. The eyes are almost shut, and sometimes appear wet, or shed tears, which make no alteration in the face. The mouth, half open, shews the teeth; the corners of the mouth drawn back, cause a wrinkle in the cheeks, which appear so swelled as in some measure to hide the eyes; the nostrils are open, and all the face is of a red colour. Laughter is at all times ungraceful, therefore you will observe, that vulgar people are most addicted to it: well-bred persons manage this passion better; they seldom do any thing more than smile. Yet at times, it will happen that something we meet with is so truly ridiculous or comical, that we cannot by any means help laughing. There are, however, some persons who are so much of idiots, that they will laugh at the most trifling thing in the world; of this description were