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    THE
    BLOSSOMS OF MORALITY;

    INTENDED FOR THE
    AMUSEMENT AND INSTRUCTION
    OF
    Young Ladies and Gentlemen.

    BY THE EDITOR OF
    THE LOOKING-GLASS FOR THE MIND.

    WITH FORTY-SEVEN CUTS, DESIGNED AND ENGRAVED
    BY

    [Illustration: I. Bewick]


    _THE FOURTH EDITION._

    LONDON:

    Printed by J. Swan, 76, Fleet Street,
    FOR J. HARRIS; SCATCHERD AND LETTERMAN; B. CROSBY AND CO.
    DARTON AND HARVEY; LACKINGTON, ALLEN, AND CO.
    J. WALKER; AND VERNOR AND HOOD.

    1806.




PREFACE.


The very flattering encouragement the Public have been pleased to give
"The Looking-glass for the Mind, or Intellectual Mirror," has invited
the Editor of that work to intrude once more on their indulgence. As
a general preceptor, he wishes to be useful to the rising generation,
and with that view recommends to their serious perusal "The Blossoms of
Morality."

The Looking-glass is a _very free_ translation of some of the most
interesting tales of Mons. Berquin, and other foreign writers, whose
works in the juvenile line undoubtedly merit the highest encomiums,
and claim the most extensive patronage of their fellow-citizens. It
certainly must be allowed, that great merit is due to those foreign
celebrated writers, who, after studying the higher branches of
literature, instead of attempting to acquire honour and fame by
delivering lectures on the abstruse sciences, have condescended to
humble themselves to the plain language of youth, in order to teach
them wisdom, virtue, and morality.

With respect to the present work, though we have not so largely
borrowed from foreign writers, yet we have endeavoured to supply that
deficiency by the introduction of original matter. The juvenile mind
very early begins to enlarge and expand, and is capable of reflection
much sooner than we are generally apt to imagine.

From these considerations, we have carried our ideas in this volume one
step higher than in the last: and, though we have given many tales that
may contribute to amuse the youthful mind, yet we have occasionally
introduced subjects which, we hope, will not fail to exercise their
judgment, improve their morals, and give them some knowledge of the
world.

For instance: in the History of Ernestus and Fragilis, which is the
first, and one of the original pieces inserted in this volume, the
youthful reader is led to reflect on the instability of all human
affairs; he is taught to be neither insolent in prosperity nor mean in
adversity; but is shown how necessary it is to preserve an equality of
temper through all the varying stages of fortune. He is also shown,
how dangerous are the indulgences of parents, who suffer children to
give themselves up to indolence and luxury, which generally, as in this
history, terminate in a manner fatal to all the parties concerned.

May these Blossoms of Morality, in due time, ripen to maturity, and
produce fruit that may be pleasing to the youthful taste, tend to
correct the passions, invigorate the mental faculties, and confirm in
their hearts true and solid sentiments of virtue, wisdom, and glory.




CONTENTS.


    _Ernestus and Fragilis_                                   Page 7

    _Juvenile Tyranny conquered_                                  19

    _The Book of Nature_                                          28

    _The unexpected Reformation_                                  39

    _The Recompence of Virtue_                                    49

    _The Pleasures of Contentment_                                58

    _The happy Effects of Sunday Schools on the Morals of the
        rising Generation_                                        68

    _The Happy Villager_                                          76

    _The Indolent Beauty_                                         86

    _An Oriental Tale_                                            98

    _Generosity rewarded_                                        104

    _An Evening Vision_                                          109

    _The Anxieties of Royalty_                                   113

    _The generous Punishment_                                    124

    _Female Courage properly considered_                         134

    _The beautiful Statue_                                       141

    _Dorcas and Amarillis_                                       156

    _The Conversation_                                           170

    _Edwin and Matilda_                                          188

    _The pious Hermit_                                           197

    _The Caprice of Fortune_                                     207

    _The melancholy Effects of Pride_                            216

    _The Nettle and the Rose_                                    224




[Illustration]

_Ernestus and Fragilis._


The faint glimmerings of the pale-faced moon on the troubled billows
of the ocean are not so fleeting and inconstant as the fortune and
condition of human life. We one day bask in the sunshine of prosperity,
and the next, too often, roll in anguish on the thorny bed of adversity
and affliction. To be neither too fond of prosperity, nor too much
afraid of adversity, is one of the most useful lessons we have to learn
and practise in the extensive commerce of this world. Happy is the
youth