20 July, 1812. 
AMUSING CHILDREN. 
435 
nor did any person come near me, excepting two or three children. 
These were at first rather timid and shy ; but I soon found means of 
gaining their confidence. Their playmates, who were at a little 
distance, observing that I had no dislike to their company, 
added themselves to the party one by one, till at last I found 
myself surrounded by a crowd of little urchins, all desirous that 
I should take notice of them. The occasional society of such 
companions may often afford the greatest relaxation, and the at- 
tractive innocence and simplicity of youth contrasted with the 
repulsive duplicity of a more advanced age, possess a charm which 
may agreeably beguile an hour, and recreate a mind fatigued by 
graver cares. I left off my drawing, that I might thus amuse my- 
self ; and it was not long before their shyness was converted into 
playful familiarity. They appeared delighted and happy that I 
thought them of so much importance as to spend my time in talking 
with them and in answering all their questions. One asked the name 
of my book, and on being told it, others came eagerly forward to 
know what I called the pencil, my boots, and the different parts of 
my dress. They repeated the name, several times over, at first very 
seriously ; and on communicating it to the rest, laughed as if highly 
pleased at having learnt something new, or, perhaps, at the strange 
sound of the word itself 
I enjoyed this amusement alone, as none of the men had 
curiosity enough, or thought it worth while, to take their seat by my 
side, to see what I was doing ; or probably MattTvi had ordered that 
I should not be interrupted while at work. But no sooner had I 
finished it, and returned to my waggon, than the men began as usual 
to torment me with begging for tobacco, or snuff. I found it impos- 
sible to get rid of them without giving some ; and I now saw the 
necessity of reducing the quantity as low as possible ; as my bestowing 
too liberally to so great a multitude, would before long have put it 
out of my power to give to any one. When one party, or as many 
as could stand on the step of the waggon, had gained the object of 
their visit, another immediately took their place. I hoped to avoid 
their importunities, by leaving the waggon ; as they supposed that I 
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