mand of the army against the Spaniards. Soon after the conquest of Carthagena, the capital of the empire, his integrity and virtue were put to the following exemplary and ever-memorable trial, related by historians, ancient and modern, with universal applause. Being retired into his camp, some of his officers brought him a young virgin of such exquisite beauty, that she drew upon her the eyes and admiration of every body. The young conqueror started from his seat with confusion and surprise; and seemed to be robbed of that presence of mind and self-possession, so necessary in a general, and for which Scipio was very remarkable. In a few moments having recovered himself, he inquired of the beautiful captive, in the most polite manner, concerning her country, birth, and connexions; and finding that she was betrothed to a Celtiberian prince, named Allucius, he ordered both him and the captive's parents to be sent for. When the Spanish prince appeared in his presence, Scipio took him aside; and to remove the anxiety he might feel on account of the young lady, addressed him in these words: "You and I are young, which admits of my speaking to you with freedom. They who brought me your future spouse, assured me at the same time, that you loved her with extreme tenderness; and her beauty and merit left me no room to doubt it. Upon which, I reflected, that if

I were in your situation, I should hope to meet with favour; I therefore think myself happy in the present conjuncture to do you a service. Though the fortune of war has made me your master, I desire to be your friend. Here is your wife; take her, and may you be happy! You may rest assured, that she has been amongst us, as she would have been in the house of her father and mother. Far be it from Scipio to purchase any pleasure at the expense of virtue, honour, and the happiness of an honest man! No; I have kept her for you, in order to make you a present worthy of you and of me. The only gratitude I require of you, for this inestimable gift, is, that you will be a friend to the Roman people." Allucius's heart was too full to make him any answer; but, throwing himself at the general's feet, he wept aloud the captive lady fell down in the same posture and remained so, till the aged father, overwhelmed with transports of joy, burst into the fol lowing words: "O excellent Scipio! Heaven has given thee more than human virtue. O glorious leader! O wondrous youth what pleasure can equal that which must now fill thy heart, on hearing the prayers of this grateful virgin, for thy health and prosperity ?" Such was Scipio; a soldier, a youth, a heathen! nor was his virtue unrewarded, Allucius, charmed with such magnanimity, liberality, and politeness,

returned to his own country, and published, on all occasions, the praises of his generous and humane victor; crying out, "that there was come into Spain a young hero, who conquered all things less by the force of his arms, than by the charms of his virtues, and the greatness of his beneficence."

DODD.

SECTION XIV.

Virtue in humble life.

IN the preceding section, we have seen an illustrious instance of virtue in a person of exalted rank. This section exhibits an equally striking example of uprightness in humble life. Virtue and goodness are confined to no station: and wherever they are discovered, they command respect.

Perrin, the amiable subject of this narrative, lost. both his parents before he could articulate their names, and was obliged to a charity-school for his education. At the age of fifteen he was hired by a farmer to be a shepherd, in a neighbourhood where Lucetta kept her father's sheep. They often met, and were fond of being together. After an acquaintance of five years, in which they had many opportunities of becoming thoroughly known to each other, Perrin proposed to Lucetta to ask her father's consent to their marriage: she blushed, and did not refuse her approbation. As she had an errand to the town next day, the opportunity of her absence was chosen for making the proposal.

"You wish to marry my daughter," said the old man; "have you a house to cover her, or money to maintain her? Lucetta's fortune is not enough for both. It will not do, Perrin; it will not do." "But," replied Perrin, "I have hands to work: I have laid up twenty crowns of my wages, which will defray the expense of the wedding: I will work harder, and lay up more." "Well," said the old man, "you are young, and may wait a little; get rich, and my daughter is at your service." Perrin waited for Lucetta's return in the

re

evening. "Has my father given you a fusal ?" cried Lucetta. "Ah, Lucetta,” replied Perrin, "how unhappy am I for being poor! But I have not lost all hopes: my circumstances may change for the better." As they never tired of conversing together, the night approached, and it became dark. Perrin, making a false step, fell on the ground. He found a bag which was heavy. Drawing towards a light in the neighbourhood, he discovered that it was filled with gold. "I thank Heaven,” cried Perrin, in a transport of joy, "for being favourable to our wishes. This will satisfy your father, and make us happy." In their way to her father's house, a thought struck Perrin. "This money is not ours, it belongs to some stranger; and perhaps this moment he is lamenting the loss of it: let us go to the vicar for ad

vice; he has always been kind to me." Perrin put the bag into the vicar's hand, saying, "that at first he looked on it as a providential present, to remove the only obstacle to their marriage; but that he now doubted whether he could lawfully retain it." The vicar eyed the young couple with attention he admired their honesty, which appeared even to surpass their affection. "Perrin," said he, cherish these sentiments: Heaven will bless you. We will endeavour to find out the owner: he will reward thy honesty; I will add what I can spare. You shall have Lucetta." The bag was advertised in the newspapers, and cried in the neighbouring parishes. Some time having elapsed, and the money not having been demanded, the vicar carried it to Perrin. "These twelve thousand livres bear at present no profit: you may reap the interest at least. Lay them out in such a manner, as to ensure the sum itself to the owner, if he should ever appear." A farm was purchased, and the consent of Lucetta's father to the marriage was obtained. Perrin was employed in husbandry, and Lucetta in family affairs. They lived in perfect cordiality; and two children endeared them still more to each other.

Perrin, one evening, returning homeward from his work, saw a chaise overturned with two gentlemen in it. He ran to their assistance, and offered them every accommodation his small house could