JOHN AND MARY HUNT,

(See page 354, Vol. I. and 419, Vol. II.)

MR. EDITOR,

I SEND you some account of my worthy neighhours, Mr. and Mrs. Hunt; and should this account of them ever meet their eye, I hope they will excuse the liberty that is taken, in thus endeavouring to make their example a benefit to others. I must begin by informing you, that they have both of them enjoyed peculiar advantages from their earliest youth, in the family of an excellent gentleman, where the character of the lowest individual was considered. And, from the effects hereby produced, let us notice, by the way, the unspeakable advantages such opportunities afford to the young and the ignorant, when they fall into the hands of a master or mistress, who feel it their duty to watch over their religious conduct, and to train them to habits of honesty, sobriety, and industry.

The mother of Mrs. Hunt was a fellow-servant with John, then living in the capacity of under footman, when little Mary having been noticed at the Sunday School, as a particularly attentive child, was received also into the family, to wait upon the young ladies, and to learn the duties of a good servant. Mary turned out as might be wished. Her mistress, pleased with her good behaviour, shewed great kindness to her; and it is not surprising that she won the favor of John, who, himself always steady and respectable, was a great admirer of the same good qualities in others. In the course of time they married, but not till they had both saveđ money, which was carefully accumulating in the Saving Bank. They drew from their stock a sufficient sum to buy such frugal articles as were absolutely necessary to their future comfort: and, as they went to work in the most sparing manner,

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when all was bought, they had still something left. Once settled in their simple home, they found themselves thriving and happy. As John was known to be sober, and steady, he never wanted a day's labour; and, as Mary was very clever with her needle, she was enabled to add considerably to the week's earnings. When plenty smiles, how many are apt to grow careless or extravagant, how many of the poor persuade themselves that saving is out of the question for them, that they cannot be ex pected to do more than make both ends meet; and that if they get into trouble, the parish or their rich neighbours must help them out of it. But how differently did Mary and John think, how differently did they act! They wisely foresaw the probability of increasing expences, and they resolved to make hay whilst the sun shone: and, abounding in health and employment, they still added little by little to what remained to them in the Saving Bank, resolved that nothing but the most pressing necessity should ever induce them to touch a farthing of it": and they well knew, that, in the course of their days, some pressing necessity would probably arise.

Mrs. Hunt was an enemy to all extravagance, and she studied to find out such dishes as were at the same time cheap and nourishing. As to beer, Hunt thought that there was more money wasted in that way than what would give a family a good substantial meal of eatables every day. But he had his beer in moderation when he wanted it. For that purpose, he generally bought a small barrel, and kept it by him, by which, when a quart of beer cost sixpence at the alehouse, he could drink his at fourpence. If he could have brewed his beer, it would have come to still less. It would be well for all persons who drink beer, to have it at home, espe cially if they can persuade their wives to follow Mrs. Hunt's example, who had always à clean hearth and a chearful countenance to greet her husband with at

པ༑༑་པ-པ

the cottage door: and when such a greeting is found, where is the husband who will care to quit it? As soon as the children could run, they were always put to do something, if it was but picking up a stick or two, or dead leaves to dry for the fire, or a little manure for their garden. Mrs. Hunt said she owed her own industrious turn to early habit, and that it was impossible to begin too young. When they were a little bigger, they made balls, half dust-coal, and half clay, which, when well dried and added to the fire, throw out a great heat, and save much fuel. Or they gleaned, or gathered mushrooms and cresses for their richer neighbours, rushes for chair bottoms, heath for brooms, acorns for the pigs; in short, any thing rather than be idle. At a proper age, she sent them regularly to the National School, and though they lived a mile and a half from it, there were no children so the Hunts When thor como taavi Lʊ CHON Unnt as inʊazumton ney came home, they had a stocking given them to knit, for neither boys or girls were allowed to wear them till they had knit them for themselves; and Mrs. Hunt said, that one knit pair lasted out three wove ones. They were also set to weed the garden; where, in consequence of the care that was taken, every plant flourished. Still there was time for play; for, as Mrs. Hunt said, there was time in the day for all things; and, in the whole parish, there was not a merrier or happier set of children; for care was taken to make their work and their home pleasant, by kind and gentle treatment. For the work they did, their mother sometimes gave them a trifle by way of encouragement, and by way of pocket money; and they often earned a trifle more for nursing a neighbour's child, or for a day's work: for no children were in more request for such jobs than the young Hunts. This money they seldom spent idly in cakes or apples: their mother persuaded them to give her part to keep towards new clothes

for themselves. On Sundays, whilst the children were young, John and his wife, by turns, staid at home, and attended church. As the elder ones grew bigger, they shared the charge with their parents, so that even when there was a baby, both mother and father were always seen once a day at church, and when there was no baby they were always together twice. They likewise encouraged their children to keep company with the steadiest young folks in the parish, and, as the whole family bore such a good name, their acquaintance was never slighted.

That this example may be imitated by some of your readers, Mr. Editor, is the earnest wish of Your humble servant,

To the Editor of the Cottager's Monthly Visitor. SIR,

I SEND you an account of a very industrious, frugal, and excellent young woman in my parish, and I hope some of your readers may profit by it, and imitate her example: she is now twenty-five years of age. It was her misfortune never to know the affection of a parent. From her mother she was parted when six weeks old; and her father, a profligate abandoned character, has never shewn her kindness, or afforded her the least protection. When eight years old, she was put out to service. In her first place she lived three years, her wages increasing from 1s. 6d. to 2s. 2d. per week. She afterwards removed to better situations, her wages gradually increasing, in different farmers families with whom she chiefly lived, to 91. per annum. Her character, in all these places, as far as I have been able to learn, was always excellent. In addition

to her wages, she now and then received small presents in money or clothes; of her money she was always careful, and, in her dress, remarkably neat and proper. A year ago, she placed her earnings, to the amount of 701. in the Saving Bank. Of course, in a life like hers, few were the opportunities, little the time she could devote to learning; but when opportunities did occur, she did not let them slip. In her early years, she attended as often as possible, at our Sunday School. It was there she received the only instruction she ever had: she reads remarkably well, and once wrote tolerably: but, after quitting the School, not having much time to attend to her writing, she has got out of the habit of it, for this, like all other things, requires practice.-A hint worth remembering!-Let no person in humble life, after reading the account of this girl, say that it is impossible to save and provide for the future. Here is a proof that, under the greatest disadvantages, much may be done by care and attention; aud let it not be overlooked that, besides the benefit which the sum she has saved may be of to her, she has acquired habits of industry, regularity, and steadiness, which are indeed treasures in themselves. I have only further to observe, that her steady habits have kept her out of bad company,-and that I hope her good conduct has proceeded from a proper impression of the importance of religion; as she is very regular in her attendance at Church; and, for the last year, has constantly attended the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, which she seems to partake of in the spirit with which we ought to approach this solemn ordinance.

Rectory.

E. S.

Had her savings from the first been placed in a Saving Bank, the whole sum would by, this time have been considerably greater for as long as she kept the money in her own hands, she of course received no interest.