ANECDOTE OF AN OFFICER WHO

REFUSED TO FIGHT A DUEL.

In the reign of Queen Anne, a young fellow in the county of Berks, being disgusted with a woman that his father had chosen for him as a wife, inlisted in a marching regiment then recruiting at Reading. As his education and manner of behaviour was superior to that of his fellow-soldiers, he was soon distinguished by his officers, and, before he had been a month in the service, was promoted to the rank of corporal, and in three months afterwards was made a serjeant. In this station he continued for two years, was then raised to be serjeant-major, and from that station to an ensigncy. The regiment was now ordered into Flanders, and in the famous battle of Ramillies, our young ensign had the honour of saving his colours from the resolute attack of four French soldiers. In reward of this gallant defence, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant, and from thence he succeeded to that of a captain; in this station he continued many years, with equal honour to himself and his country, till have ing received a challenge from a brother officer, on a supposed trifling offence, he had the virtue to refuse it; which coming to the knowledge of his then sovereign George 11, his majesty promoted him to the rank of a colonel; saying, that a man of approved valour would be inexcusable in risking his life to comply with an arbitrary and inhuman custom.

Few persons have been more admired than Mr. V-
was at the age of eighteen-his manners were gentle
and engaging-his disposition open and liberal-he
had never been known to turn his back on distress-
but had very frequently sought for it, in those retreats
where it is too often suffered to languish-he possesse
ed an understanding uncommonly lively and pene-
trating-he had wrote several fugitive pieces—they
had introduced his fame to circles, where he was not
personally known. With these amiable qualities he
had one vice which obscured them all- he was im.
moderately addicted to gaming-he had already in-
volved himself in difficulties, when his father died
and left him an estate of five thousand pounds sterling
per annum, As he tenderly loved his father, his loss
for a while recalled his senses--a short time indeed
in six months he pursued his wonted course with as
much avidity as ever-the passion grew each day
stronger-he was hastening quick to ruin, when he
became acquainted with my sister. She was one of
the most charming of women-they conceived a mu-
tual passion for cach other-and my sister relying on
her charms and Mr. V—'s good sense, did not doubt
of reclaiming him. They were married—and the first
fruits of their union was, a most solemn promise from
Mr. V- of quitting for ever, this cursed vice. Strict,
ly did he adhere to his resolution for more than three
years-he found his reward in the most pure domes-
tic joys in the approbation, the praises, of surround-
ing friends. What infatuation could lead him from
this scene of bliss, to one of the most dreadful horror!
About that time it became the fashion, among the no-
bility, to keep running horses-a young nobleman,
who was neighbour to Mr. V— had two or three of
them—Mr. V. went frequently to see them run, and
became excessively fond of the sport—it kindled the
spark, which, not extinguished, had lain dormant in

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bare of hair. I was astonished that the old man, re. duced to such distress, should share with so ill favoured a companion his scanty and uncertain subsistence. But the mutual kindness of their looks soon put an end to my wonder. "O thou! the most amiable, the • fondest, and most faithful of all animals!' said I to myself; “thou art a companion, a friend, and a brother, Sto man! Thou alone continuest to love him not the o less for his misfortunes; thou alone forsakest him not in his distress; and it is from thee only that the

poor do not meet with disdain! Who then, abandon.ed, like this beggar, by his fellow-creatures, would not wish for such a friend!'

At this instant a window of the berlin was let down, and some remains of cold meat, on which the travellers had break. fasted, fell from the carriage. The two dogs sprung forward: the berlin drove away, and one of them was crushed beneath the wheel.-It was the beggar's dog.

The animal gave a cry; it was his last. The poor old man hastened to his assistance, overwhelmed with the deepest distress. He did not weep: alas! he could not. Honest man!-'cried I. He looked sorrowfully round. I threw him a crown-piece. He suffered the crown to roll by him, as if unworthy of his attention. He only thanked me by an affectionate inclination of his head, as he took his dog in his arms.

• My friend,' said the soldier, holding out his hand, with the money which he had picked up; "the worthy

gentleman gives you this. He is very happy; he is tricbr but every body is not so! I have only a dog:

you have lost your's; mine is at your service.' Saying this, he tied round his dog's neck, a small cord which he put into the old man's hand,and walked away,

• Kind and generous soldier, may heaven reward thee!' cried the good and grateful beggar on his knees, and extending his hands towards his benefactor. The soldier still went on, leaving the poor old man in a transport of gratitude. But his blessings and mine - will follow him wherever he goes. "Good and gallant fellow,' said I, 'what am I compared with thee? I have only given this unforiunate man money, but thou hast restored to him a friend!'

From the French by Francis Ashmore Free

Beauties, &c.

Variety in Human Charafters. VIRTU

IR TUOUS and vicious ev'ry man must be,
Few in th' extreme, but all in the degree;
The rogue and fool by fits, is fair and wise ;
And ev’n the best, by fits, what they defpise.
'Tis but by parts we follow good or ill;
For, vice or virtue, self directs it ftill;
Cach individual seeks a sev'ral goal ;
But heav'n’s great view is One, and that the

Whole.
That counter-works each folly and caprice ;
That disappoints th' effect of ev'ry vice ;
That, happy frailties to all ranks apply'd ;
Shame to the virgin, to the matron pride,
VOL. I.
B

Fear

Fear to the statesman, rashness to the chief,
To kings presumption, and to crowds belief :
That, virtue's ends from vanity can raise,
Which seeks no int'rest, no reward but praise ;
And build on wants, and on defects of mind,
The joy, the peace, the glory of mankind.

Heav'n forming each on other to depend,
A master, or a servant, or a friend,
Bids each on other for assistance call,
'Till one man's weakness grows the strength of

all. Wants, frailties, passions, closer still ally The common int'rest, or endear the tie. To these we owe true friendship, love sincere, Each home-felt joy that life inherits here Yet from the same we learn, in its decline, Those joys, those loves, those int'rests to resign; Taught half by reason, half by mere decay, To welcome death, and calmly pass away.

Whate'er the passion, knowledge, fame, or

pelf,

Not one will change his neighbour with himself.
The learn'd is happy, nature to explore,
The fool is happy, that he knows no more ;
The rich happy, in the plenty giv'n,
The pour contents him with the care of heav'is.

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