A CURE FOR MELANCHOLY :*

SHOWING THE WAY TO DO MUCH GOOD WITH LITTLE MONEY.

MRS. JONES was the widow of a great mer-called upon to work miracles, nor to preach chant. She was liberal to the poor, as far as the Gospel, yet you may in your measure giving them money went; but as she was too and degree, resemble your Saviour by going much taken up with the world, she did not thout and doing good. A plain Christian, spare so much of her time and thoughts about who has sense and leisure, by his pious exerdoing good as she ought; so that her money tions and prudent zeal, may, in a subordinate was often ill bestowed In the late troubles, way, be helping on the cause of religion, as Mr. Jones, who had lived in an expensive well as of charity, and greatly promote, by manner, failed; and he took his misfortunes his exertions and example, the labours of so much to heart, that he fell sick and died the parish minister The generality, it is Mrs. Jones retired, on a very narrow in-true, have but an under part to act; but to come, to the small village of Weston, where all God assigns some part, and he will reshe seldom went out, except to church. quire of all whose lot is not very laborious, Though a pious woman, she was too apt to that they not only work out their own salvaindulge her sorrow; and though she did not tion, but that they promote the cause of relineglect to read and pray, yet she gave up a gion, and the comfort and salvation of others. great part of her time to melancholy thoughts, To those who would undervalue works of and grew quite inactive. She well knew mercy as evidences of piety. I would sughow sinful it would be for her to seek a re-gest a serious attention to the solemn appeal medy for her grief in worldly pleasures, which the Saviour of the world makes, in which is a way many people take to cure that awful representation of the day of judgafflictions; but she was not aware how wrong it was to weep away that time which might have been better spent in drying the tears of others.

ment, contained in the twenty-fifth chapter of Matthew, both to those who have neglected, and to thsoe who have performed such works; performed them, I mean, on It was happy for her, that Mr. Simpson, right principles. With what a gracious the vicar of Weston, was a pious man. One condescension does he promise to accept the Sunday he happened to preach on the good smallest kindness done to his suffering memSamaritan. It was a charity sermon, and bers for his sake. You, madam, I will venthere was a collection at the door. He call ture to say, might do more good than the ed on Mrs. Jones after church, and found richest man in the parish could do by merely her in tears. She told him she had been giving his money. Instead of sitting here, much moved by his discourse, and she wept brooding over your misfortunes, which are because she had so little to give to the plate, past remedy, bestir yourself to find out ways for though she felt very keenly for the poor of doing much good with little money; or in these dear times, yet she could not assist even without any money at all. You have them. Indeed, sir,' added she, 'I never so lately studied economy for yourself; instruct much regretted the loss of my fortune as this your poor neighbours in that important art. afternoon, when you bade us go and do like- They want it almost as much as they want wise. You do not,' replied Mr. Simpson, money. You have influence with the few 'enter into the spirit of our Saviour's para-rich persons in the parish; exert that influble. if you think you cannot go and do like wise without being rich. In the case of the Samaritan, you may observe, that charity was bestowed more by kindness, and care, and medicine, than by money. You, madam, were as much concerned in the duties inculcated in my sermon as sir John with his great estate; and, to speak plainly, I have been sometimes surprised that you should not put yourself in the way of being more useful.'

ence. Betty, my house-keeper, shall assist you in any thing in which she can be useful. Try this for one year, and if you then tell me that von should have better shown your love to God and man, and been a happier woman, had you continued gloomy and inactive, 1 shall be much surprised, and shall consent to your resuming your present way of life.'

The sermon and this discourse together made so deep an impression on Mrs. Jones, 'Sir,' said Mrs. Jones, I am grown shy of that she formed a new plan of life, and set the poor since I have nothing to give them.' about it at once, as every body does who is Nothing! madam?' replied the clergy-in earnest. Her chief aim was the happiman: Do you call your time, your talents, ness of her poor neighbours in the next your kind offices, nothing? Doing good world; but she was also very desirous to does not so much depend on the riches as on promote their present comfort: and indeed the heart and the will. The servant who the kindness she showed to their bodily wants improved his two talents was equally com- gave her such an access to their houses and mended by his Lord with him who had ten hearts, as made them better disposed to reand it was not poverty, but selfish indolence, ceive religious counsel and instruction which drew down so severe a condemnation Mrs. Jones was much respected by all the on him who had only one It is by our con-rich persons in Weston, who had known her formity to Christ, that we must prove our-in her prosperity. Sir John was thoughtselves Christians. You, madam, are not less, lavish, and indolent. The squire was

*This was first printed under the title of The Cottage Cook

-

The Informer.

over frugal, but active, sober, and not ill-to sir John; but luckily the squire was also natured. Sir John loved pleasure, the a magistrate, and it was quite in his way: squire loved money. Sir John was one of for though he would not give, yet he would those popular sort of people who get much counsel, calculate, contrive, reprimand, and praise, and yet do little good; who subscribe punish. He told her he could remedy the with equal readiness to a cricket match or a evil if some one would lodge an information charity school; who take it for granted that against the baker; but that there was no act, the poor are to be indulged with bell-ringing of justice which he found it so difficult to acand bonfires, and to be made drunk at complish. Christmas; this sir John called being kind to them; but he thought it was folly to teach them, and madness to think of reforming She dropped in on the blacksmith. He them. He was, however, always ready to was at dinner. She inquired if his bread was give his guinea; but I question whether he good. Ay, good enough, mistress; for you would have given up his hunting and his see it is as white as your cap, if we had but Here's a sixpenny loaf; you gaming to have cured every grievance in more of it. the land. He had that sort of constitutional might take it for a penny roll!' He then good nature which, if he had lived much heartily cursed Crib the baker, and said he within sight of misery, would have led him ought to be hanged. Mrs Jones now told to be liberal: but he had that selfish love of him what she had done; how she had detectease, which prompted him to give to unde-ed the fraud, and assured him the evil should serving objects, rather than be at the pains be redressed on the morrow, provided he 'I inform,' said to search out the deserving. He neither would appear and inform discriminated between the degrees of dis-he, with a shocking oath, hang an informtress, nor the characters of the distressed.-er! I scorn the office.'-' You are nice in His idea of charity was, that a rich man the wrong place,' replied Mrs. Jones; for should occasionally give a little of his super-you don't scorn to abuse the baker, nor to fluous wealth to the first object that occur- be in a passion, nor to swear, though you red; but he had no conception that it was his duty so to husband his wealth, and limit his expenses, as to supply a regular fund for established charity. And the utmost stretch of his benevolence never led him to suspect that he was called to abridge himself in the most idle article of indulgence, for a purpose foreign to his own personal enjoyment. On the other hand, the squire would assist Mrs. Jones in any of her plans if it cost him nothing; so she showed her good sense by never asking sir John for advice, or the squire for subscriptions, and by this prudence gained the full support of both.

scorn to redress a public injury, and to increase your children's bread. Let me tell you, there is nothing in which you ignorant people mistake more than in your notions about informers. Informing is a lawful way of obtaining redress; and though it is a mischievous and a hateful thing to go to a jus tice about every trifling matter, yet laying an information on important occasions, with out malice, or bitterness of any kind, is what no honest man ought to be ashamed of. The shame is to commit the offence, not to inform against it. I, for my part, should perhaps do right, if I not only informed against Crib, for making light bread, but against you, for swearing at him.'

So far from it,

Mrs. Jones resolved to spend two or three days in a week in getting acquainted with the state of the parish, and she took care 'Well, but madam,' said the smith, a little never to walk out without a few little good softened, don't you think it a sin and a books in her pocket to give away. This, shame to turn informer?' though a cheap, is a most important act of that when a man's motives are good,' said charity it has various uses; it furnishes Mrs. Jones, and in clear cases as the prethe poor with religious knowledge, which sent, I think it a duty and a virtue. If it is they have so few ways of obtaining; it coun- right that there should be laws, it must be teracts the wicked designs of those who have right that they should be put in execution; taught us at least one lesson, by their zeal in but how can this be, if people will not inform the dispersion of wicked books-1 mean the the magistrates when they see the laws lesson of vigilance and activity; and it is the best introduction for any useful conversation which the giver of the book may wish to introduce.

broken? I hope I shall always be afraid to be an offender against the laws, but not to be an informer in support of them.-An informer by trade is commonly a knave. A She found that among the numerous wants rash, malicious, or passionate informer is a she met with, no small share was owing to bad firebrand; but honest and prudent inform management, or to imposition: she was ers are almost as useful members of society struck with the small size of the loaves. as the judges of the land. If you continue Wheat was now not very dear, and she was in your present mind on this subject, do not sure a good deal of blame rested with the you think that you will be answerable for the baker. She sent for a shilling loat to the crimes you might have prevented by informnext great town, where the mayor often sent ing, and thus become a sort of accomplice of to the bakers' shops to see that the bread the villains who commit them.' was proper weight. She weighed her town Joaf against her country loaf, and found the latter two pounds lighter than it ought to be. This was not the sort of grievance to carry

'Well, madam,' said the smith, I now see plainly enough that there is no shame in turning informer when my cause is good. And your motive right; always mind that,

said Mrs. Jones. Next day the smith attended, Crib was fined in the usual penalty, his light bread was taken from him and given to the poor. The justices resolved henceforward to inspect the bakers in their district; and all of them, except Crib, and such as Crib, were glad of it; for honesty never dreads a trial. Thus had Mrs. Jones the comfort of seeing how useful people may be without expense; for if she could have given the poor fifty pounds, she would not have done them so great, or so lasting a benefit, as she did them in seeing their loaves restored to their lawful weight: and the true light in which she had put the business of informing was of no small use, in giving the neighbourhood right views on that subject.

reason in this: so away she went to sir John, the squire, the surgeon, the attorney, and the steward, the only persons in the parish who could afford to buy these costly things She told them, that if they would all be so good as to buy only prime pieces, which they could very well afford, the coarse and cheap joints would come more within the reach of the poor. Most of the gentry readily consented. Sir John cared not what his meat cost him, but told Mrs. Jones, in his gay way, that he would eat any thing, or give any thing, so that she would not tease him with long stories about the poor. The squire said he should prefer vegetable soups, because they were cheaper, and the doctor preferred them because they were wholesomer. The steward chose to imitate the squire; and the atThere were two shops in the parish; but torney found it would be quite ungenteel to Mrs. Sparks, at the Cross, had not half so stand out. So gravy soups became very unmuch custom as Wills, at the Sugarloaf, fashionable in the parish of Weston; and I though she sold her goods a penny in a shil-am sure if rich people did but think a little ling cheaper, and all agreed that they were on this subject, they would become as unmuch better. Mrs. Jones asked Mrs. Sparks fashionable in many other places. the reason. Madam,' said the shopkeeper, When wheat grew cheaper, Mrs. Jones Mr. Wills will give longer trust. Besides was earnest with the poor women to bake this, his wife keeps shop on a Sunday morn- large brown loaves at home, instead of buying while I am at church.' Mrs. Jones nowing small white ones at the shop. Mrs. Betty reminded Mr. Simpson to read the king's had told her, that baking at home would be proclamation against vice and immorality one step towards restoring the good old mannext Sunday at church; and prevailed on agement. Only Betty Smart and Jenny Rose the squire to fine any one who should keep open shop on a Sunday. This he readily undertook for while sir John thought it good natured to connive at breaking the laws, the squire fell into the other extreme, of think ing that the zealous enforcing of penal sta tutes would stand in the stead of all religious restraints. Mrs Jones proceeded to put the people in mind that a shoopkeeper who would sell on a Sunday, would be more likely to cheat them all the week, than one who went to church.

baked at home in the whole parish; and who lived so well as they did? Yet the general objection seemed reasonable They could not bake without yeast, which often could not be had, as no one brewed except the great folks and the public houses. Mrs. Jones found, however, that Patty and Jenny contrived to brew as well as to bake. She sent for these women; knowing that from them she could get truth and reason. How comes it,' said she to them that you two are the only poor women in the parish who can She also laboured hard to convince them afford to brew a small cask of beer? Your how much they would lessen their distress, if husbands have no better wages than other they would contrive to deal with Mrs. Sparks men.'-' True madam,' said Patty, but they for ready money, rather than with Wills on never set foot in a public house. I will tell long credit; those who listened to her found you the truth. When I first married, our their circumstances far more comfortable at John went to the Checquers every night, and the year's end, while the rest, tempted, like I had my tea and fresh butter twice a-day at some of their betters, by the pleasure of put- home. This slop, which consumed a deal of ting off the evil day of payment, like them, sugar, began to rake my stomach sadly, as I at last found themselves plunged in debt and had neither meat nor milk; at last (I am distress. She took care to make a good use ashamed to own it) I began to take a drop of of such instances in her conversation with the gin to quiet the pain, till in time I looked for poor, and, by perseverance, she at length my gin as regularly as for my tea. At last the brought them so much to her way of think-gin, the ale-house, and the tea began to make ing, that Wills found it to be his interest to us both sick and poor, and I had like to have alter his plan, and sell his goods on as good died with my first child. Parson Simpson terms, and as short credit as Mrs. Sparks then talked so finely to us on the subject of imsold hers. This completed Mrs. Jones's suc- proper indulgences, that we resolved, by the cess; and she had the satisfaction of having grace of God, to turn over a new leaf, and I put a stop to three or four great evils in the promised John, if he would give up the Checparish of Weston, without spending a shilling quers, I would break the gin bottle, and in doing it. never drink tea in the afternoon, except on Sundays, when he was at home to drink it with me. We have kept our word, and both our eating and drinking, our health and our consciences are better for it. Though meat is sadly dear, we can buy two pounds of fresh meat for less than one pound of fresh butter,

Patty Smart and Jenny Rose were thought to be the two best managers in the parish. They both told Mrs. Jones, that the poor would get the coarse pieces of meat cheaper, if the gentle-folks did not buy them for soups and gravy. Mrs. Jones thought there was

and it gives five times the nourishment. And dear as malt is, I contrive to keep a drop of drink in the house for John, and John will make me drink half a pint with him every evening, and a pint a-day when I am a nurse.'

Public Houses.

hour, three times a week, the elder children carried their loaves which their mothers' had made at home, and paid a halfpenny, or a penny according to their size, for the baking.

Charity School for Servants.

Mrs. Jones found that no poor women in Weston could buy a little milk, as the farAs one good deed, as well as one bad one, mers' wives did not care to rob their dairies. brings on another, this conversation set Mrs. This was a great distress, especially when Jones on inquiring why so many alehouses the children were sick. So Mrs. Jones adwere allowed. She did not chuse to talk to vised Mrs. Sparks, at the Cross, to keep a sir John on this subject, who would only couple of cows, and sell out the milk by have said, let them enjoy themselves, poor halfpennyworths. She did so, and found, fellows: if they get drunk now and then, they that though this plan gave her some addiwork hard.' But those who have this false tional trouble, she got full as much by it as good-nature forget, that while the man is en- if she had made cheese and butter. She joying himself, as it is called, his wife and also sold rice at a cheap rate; so that, with children are ragged and starving. True the help of the milk and the public oven, Christian good-nature never indulges one at a fine rice pudding was to be had for a trifle, the cost of many, but is kind to all. The squire, who was a friend to order, took up the matter. He consulted Mr Simpson. The Lion,' said he, is necessary. It stands by the road side: travellers must have a resting place. As to the Checquers and the Bell, they do no good, but much harm.' Mr. Simpson had before made many attempts to get the Checquers put down; but, unluckily, it was sir John's own house, and kept by his late butler. Not that sir John valued the rent; but he had a false kindness, which made him support the cause of an old servant. though he knew he was a bad man, and kept a disorderly house. The squire, however, now took away the license from the Bell. And a fray happening soon after at the Checquers (which was near the church) in time of Divine service, sir John was obliged to suffer the house to be put down as a nuisance You would not believe how many poor families were able to brew a little cask, when the temptation of those ale houses was taken out of their way. Mrs. Jones, in her evening walks, had the pleasure to see many an honest man drinking his wbolesome cup of beer by his own fireside, his rosy children playing about his knees, his clean cheerful wife singing her youngest baby to sleep, rocking the cradle with her foot, while with her hands she was making a dumpling for her kind husband's supper. Some few, I am sorry to say, though I don't chuse to name names, still preferred getting drunk once a week at the Lion, and drinking water at other times.-Thus Mrs. Jones, by a little exertion and perseverance, added to the temporal comforts of a whole parish, and diminished its immorality and extravagance in the same proportion.

The girls' school, in the parish, was fallen into neglect; for though many would be subscribers, yet no one would look after it. I wish this was the case at Weston only: many schools have come to nothing, and many parishes are quite destitute of schools, because too many gentry neglect to make ita part of the duty of their grown up daughters to inspect the instruction of the poor It was not in Mr. Simpson's way to see if girls were taught to work. The best clergyman cannot do every thing. This is ladies' business. Mrs. Jones consulted her counsellor, Mrs. Betty, and they went every Friday to the school, where they invited mothers, as well as daughters, to come, and learn to cut out to the best advantage. Mrs. Jones had not been bred to these things; but by means of Mrs. Cowper's excellent cuttingout book, she soon became mistress of the whole art. She not only had the girls taught to make and mend, but to wash and iron too. She also allowed the mother or eldest daughter of every family to come once a week, and learn how to dress one cheap dish. One Friday, which was cooking day, who should pass by but the squire, with his gun and dogs. He looked into the school for the first time. 'Well, madam,' said he, What good are you doing here? What are your girls learning and earning? Where are your manufactures? Where is your spinning and your carding - Sir,' said she, this is a small parish, and you know ours is not a manufacturing country; so that when these girls are women, they will not be much employed in spinning. We must, in the kind The good women, being now supplied with of good we attempt to do, consult the local yeast from each other's brewings, would have genius of the place: I do not think it will baked, but two difficulties still remained answer to introduce spinning, for instance, Many of them had no ovens; for since the in a country where it is quite new. Hownew bad management had crept in, many ever, we teach them a little of it, and still cottages have been built without this con- more of knitting, that they may be able to venience. Fuel also was scarce at Weston. get up a small piece of household linen once Mrs. Jones advised the building a large a year, and provide the family with the stockparish oven. Sir John subscribed to be rid ings, by employing the odds and ends of of her importunity, and the squire, because their time in these ways. But there is anoth he thought every improvement in economy er manufacture, which I am carrying on. would reduce the poor's rate. It was soon and I know of none within my own reach accomplished; and to this oven, at a certain which is so valuable What can that he

said the squire. To make good wives for ¡no more legs of beef, and declared, that not working men,' said she. Is not mine an one sheep's head should ever go to his kennel excellent staple commodity? I am teach-again. He begged his cook might have the ing these girls the arts of industry and good receipt, and Mrs. Jones wrote it out for her. management. It is little encouragment to She has also been so obliging as to favour an bonest man to work hard all the week, if me with a copy of all her receipts. And as his wages are wasted by a slattern at home. I hate all monopoly, and see no reason why Most of these girls will probably become such cheap, nourishing, and savoury dishes wives to the poor, or servants to the rich should be confined to the parish of Weston, to such the common arts of life are of great I print them, that all other parishes may value : : now, as there is little opportunity have the same advantage. Not only the for learning these at the school house, I in- poor, but all persons with small incomes may tend to propose that such gentry as have so- be glad of them ber servants, shall allow one of these girls to • Well, madam,' said Mr. Simpson, who come and work in their families one day in a came in soon after, which is best, to sit week, when the house-keeper, the cook, the down and cry over our misfortunes, or to behouse-maid, or the laundry-maid, shall be stir ourselves to do our duty to the world?" required to instruct them in their several Sir,' replied Mrs Jones, I thank you for departments: This I conceive to be the best the useful lesson you have given me. You way of training good servants. They should have taught me that an excessive indulgence serve this kind of regular apprenticeship to of sorrow, is not piety, but selfishness; that various sorts of labour. Girls who come the best remedy for our own afflictions is to out of charity-schools, where they have been lessen the afflictions of others, and thus eviemployed in knitting, sewing, and reading, dence our submission to the will of God, are not sufficiently prepared for hard and la- who, perhaps, sent these very trials to abate borious employments. I do not in general our own self-love, and to stimulate our exapprove of teaching charity children to ertions for the good of others. You have write for the same reason. I confine within taught me that our time and talents are to be very strict limits my plan of educating the employed with zeal in God's service, if we poor. A thorough knowledge of religion, and of some of those coarser arts of life by which the community may be best benefitted, includes the whole stock of instruction, which, unless in very extraordinary cases, I would wish to bestow.'

wish for his favour here or hereafter; and that one great employment of those talents, which he requires, is the promotion of the present, and much more the future happiness of all around us.-You have taught me that much good may be done with little ⚫ What have you got on the fire, madam ?' money; and that the heart, the head, and said the squire; for your pot really smells the hands are of some use, as well as the as savoury as if sir John's French cook had purse. I have also learned another lesson, filled it.' 'Sir,' replied Mrs. Jones, I have which I hope not to forget, that Providence, lately got acquainted with Mrs. White, who in sending these extraordinary seasons of has given us an account of her cheap dishes, scarcity and distress, which we have lately and nice cookery, in one of the Cheap Re- twice experienced, has been pleased to overpository little books.* Mrs. Betty and I rule these trying events to the general good; have made all her dishes, and very good they for it has not only excited the rich to an inare; and we have got several others of our creased liberality, as to actual contribution, own. Every Friday we come here and but it has led them to get more acquainted dress one. These good women see how it is with the local wants of their poorer brethdone, and learn to dress it at their own hou-ren, and to interest themselves in their comses. I take home part for my own dinner, fort; it has led to improved modes of econand what is left I give to each in turn. 1omy, and to a more feeling kind of benefihope I have opened their eves on a sad miscence. Above all, without abating any take they had got into, that we think anything of a just subordination, it has brought thing is good enough for the poor. Now, the affluent to a nearer knowledge of the do not think any thing good enough for persons and characters of their indigent the poor which is not clean, wholesome, and neighbours: it has literally brought the palatable, and what I myself would not rich and poor to meet together;' and this I cheerfully eat, if my circumstances requir-look upon to be one of the essential advantares attend n Sunday schools also, where Pray, Mrs. Betty,' said the squire. they are carried on upon true principles, and - oblige me with a basin of your soup There sanctioned by the visits as well as supsquire found it so good after his walk. that ported by the contributions of the wealthy.' he was almost sorry he had promised to buy May all who read this account of Mrs. Jones, and who are under the same circumstances, go and do likewise!

ed it.'

See the Way to Plenty, for a number of cheap receipts.

THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.

I PROMISED, in the Cure for Melancholy, much fear being able to raise the money; to give some account of the manner in which but money is of little use, unless some perMrs. Jones set up her school. She did not sons of sense and piety can be found to di

VOL. I.

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