ARGUMENT. Pastor's apology and apprehensions that he might have detained his Auditors too long, with the Pastor's invitation to his house-Solitary disinclined to comply-rallies the Wanderer-and playfully draws a comparison between his itinerant profession and that of the Knight-errant-which leads to Wanderer's giving an account of changes in the Country from the manufacturing spirit.-Favourable effects.-The other side of the picture, and chiefly as it has affected the humbler classes.-Wanderer asserts the hollowness of all national grandeur if unsupported by moral worth.-Physical science unable to support itself. Lamentations over an excess of manufacturing industry among the humbler Classes of Society.-Picture of a Child employed in a Cotton-mill.-Ignorance and degradation of Children among the agricultural Population reviewed.-Conversation broken off by a renewed Invitation from the Pastor.-Path leading to his House. Its appearance described. His Daughter. His Wife.-His Son (a Boy) enters with his Companion. Their happy appearance. —The Wanderer how affected by the sight of them. THE PARSONAGE. THE pensive Sceptic of the lonely vale 5 To those acknowledgments subscribed his own, His treasures forth, soliciting regard 15 To this, and this, as worthier than the last, 25 Till the spectator, who awhile was pleased More than the exhibitor himself, becomes Weary and faint, and longs to be released. -But let us hence! my dwelling is in sight, And there-" At this the Solitary shrunk 30 With backward will; but, wanting not address That inward motion to disguise, he said To his Compatriot, smiling as he spake; "The peaceable remains of this good Knight Would be disturbed, I fear, with wrathful scorn, 35 If consciousness could reach him where he lies That one, albeit of these degenerate times, Deploring changes past, or dreading change Foreseen, had dared to couple, even in thought, The fine vocation of the sword and lance With the gross aims and body-bending toil Of a poor brotherhood who walk the earth Pitied, and, where they are not known, despised. 40 Yet, by the good Knight's leave, the two estates Are graced with some resemblance. Errant those, 45 Exiles and wanderers-and the like are these; Who, with their burthen, traverse hill and dale, Carrying relief for nature's simple wants. 50 -What though no higher recompense be sought Than honest maintenance, by irksome toil Full oft procured, yet may they claim respect, Among the intelligent, for what this course Enables them to be and to perform. Their tardy steps give leisure to observe, While solitude permits the mind to feel; Instructs, and prompts her to supply defects. By the division of her inward self For grateful converse: and to these poor men Nature (I but repeat your favourite boast) 55 60 Is bountiful-go wheresoe'er they may; Rude intercourse; apt agents to expel, 75 -Within their moving magazines is lodged Power that comes forth to quicken and exalt Affections seated in the mother's breast, And in the lover's fancy; and to feed The sober sympathies of long-tried friends. -By these Itinerants, as experienced men, Counsel is given; contention they appease With gentle language; in remotest wilds, Tears wipe away, and pleasant tidings bring; 80 Could the proud quest of chivalry do more?" "Happy," rejoined the Wanderer, "they who gain 85 A panegyric from your generous tongue! 90 |