How do you know that they are not serviceable? I think, nay, I am sure they are. All that we discover the cause of in God’s works, is good: and our ignorance ought not to make us doubt of his goodness. A spider, for instance, you would say, is a disagreeable useless insect. WILLIAM. I am afraid of a spider, Sir. DR. BARTLETT. That is a weakness, my dear William, which you must try to conquer; you shall draw some spiders for me. Now a spider, that insect so odious in your eyes, is of great service to us by his diligence. At the time that the grapes and other fruits begin to ripen, he spins a curious web to cover them from the flies and other insects, without doing the fruit any injury. And from this slight circumstance we may conclude with reason, that most things in the earth are serviceable, though we know not their particular use. EMILIA. Look, William, what a fine house, I wish I lived in such a noble one. DR. BARTLETT. And why, Emilia; think you that that house, because it appears so stately, is more convenient than the one you inhabit? EMILIA. It is much larger, Sir. DR. BARTLETT. The family may be in proportion to its size, if not, great part of it is useless, you have in your’s, all that you ought to desire. EMILIA. It looks well, I think, to live in such a fine house. DR. BARTLETT. My dear Emilia, that shewy appearance is chiefly for those that pass by, as you do now; there are possibly more wants in that house than in your’s. Let us always try to be satisfied with what we have, for otherwise, if you had that house you would not be content, you would still see a better; and so you would never have done wishing. We were silent a few moments, when Dr. Bartlett called hastily to Emilia, and desired her to cast her eyes on a decayed cottage, near the road side. EMILIA. That looks miserable; there is but a small window in it: those who live in it can have very little light. DR. BARTLETT. But, miserable as it appears, your fellow-creatures live in it. EMILIA. They have reason to complain. DR. BARTLETT. Think you so? No. They are happy to have such an house. How many are there who have scarcely a covering to sleep under; and who, when it begins to be dark, benumbed with rain and cold, know not where to sleep. EMILIA. I am distressed. Ah, if all men were as well provided for as I am, that would quench the thirst of wishing.—But I see a poor boy, perhaps he is looking for a shelter. DR. BARTLETT. Very possibly.