Page:Entertaining history of Sandford and Merton.pdf/3

 have in ſuch a manner as diſguſted every one preſent. He muſt have the firſt cut of every thing at dinner; and at tea-time, the cups and ſaucers were frequently overſet, by his eagerneſs, to reach at a bit of toaſt, or any other favourite object he had in view.

When Tommy arrived in England, he was then ſix years of age; he had not learned ſo much as to write or read, and, to complete his character, he was impatient, fretful, and proud.

A plain and honeſt farmer lived at no great diſtance from Mr. Merton's ſeat, who, like him, had an only ſon, but a few month's older than Mr. Merton. His name was Harry Sanford. His obliging manners and affable temper made him beloved by every one; and ſo tender were his feelings, that he would deſtroy no animal whatever, ſaying, that God had be made nothing in vain, and we had no right to put an end to the exiſtence of any creature he had been pleaſed to make.

Such amiable accompliſhments as theſe drew on him the attention of the clergy- man of the pariſh, who was ſo much pleaſed with him, that he taught him to