110 BERTHA'S VISIT TO HER 



be our real comforts, and we can teach them real 

 virtues. 



We'll form their minds, with studious care, 



To all tfeat's manly, good, and fair. 



" I gladly consented, and was so fortunate as 

 to procure this farm at a reasonable rent, and 

 with a comfortable cottage. My creditors saw 

 that my intentions towards them were honour- 

 able; and satisfied with the assignment of my 

 little patrimony, they insisted on my retaining my 

 books, and such furniture as could be useful. 

 We soon removed ; and firmly resolved to sub- 

 mit to any distress, however abject, rather than 

 get into debt. I may now acknowledge that our 

 distress was sometimes severe, while learning the 

 little details of economy. The art of good ma- 

 nagement, if not acquired in youth, can only be 

 gained by bitter experience. You will perceive, 

 then, that I became a real hard-working, drudg- 

 ing farmer ; and you will wonder, probably, how 

 we could get on, when I had such an ignorant 

 wife. My dear sir, I cannot do her sufficient 

 justice I cannot describe the strength of mind 

 with which she cheerfully submitted to the change 

 of life, nor the energy with which she sought the 

 common knowledge requisite for our situation. 

 She had proposed this life of labour, and she 

 almost seemed to enjoy it, and to find a pleasure 

 in her continual exertions. For some years we 



