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To the captain, under Mr. Fitzwarren's instruction, or rather restraining voice, (for Whittington's gratitude knew no bounds,) he made a noble present. He rejoiced the heart of the whole ship's crew by his bounty; and, in closing the lid of the jewel box, sent as a part of the purchase of his cat, which was of great value, he wrote thereon, Miss Fitzwarren, who received a nod from her father, not to contradict him at that time. "And, my honoured madam," said he to his mistress, "what token of my respect, my—my—feelings, (for his heart had not an expression equal to his wish,) can I offer you?" "Give me your hand," replied that worthy woman, "let mo have the pleasure of seeing you composed, for your present happiness is too agitating for your spirits, and you will greatly oblige me."
When sufficient time, in Mr. Fitzwarren's opinion, had elapsed, to render them all tranquil, and as he called it, rational creatures, he was first surprised, and next quite angry, at Whittington's persisting to refuse the possession of his fortune, even at length to the degree of telling him he did not deserve it. Whittington defended his conduct with much address; "For, Sir," said he, “I wish to bo independent; that is, to make myself happy in my own way. What wealth Providence has so miraculously given me, I know not how to dispose of, or enjoy; I must be broke in, Sir, to my good fortune. by degrees. What money is of my own getting, I shall know the value of—shall feel my own; and, by habit, all the flutter of astonishment, which my heart is now unable to throw off, will gradually subsido: but to rush from the extremity of poverty into unbounded prosperity, believe me, Sir, I have no powers equal to sustaining the shock; and you must, therefore, either have the goodness to save me from myself, or leave me to be undone."
There was so much good sense and worthy-mindedness in his argument, that Mr. Fitzwarren was overcome. "I consent to be your banker," said he, "your guardian, so long as you choose to call yourself a minor; but shall rejoice to be informed, that my much-valued Whittington is no longer a boy, and, of course, capable of acting for himself.”
Whittington being now, as he called it, master of himself, withdrew from his friends to collect his thoughts, and begin to be calmly happy. He recalled to his memory every moral and excellent lesson his worthy deceased friend had given him. "Blessed spirit!" cried he, "the person to whom I owe my birth are wholly unknown to me; but your tender compassion for my orphan state, which flowed solely from the benevolence of your heart; that guarded mo in my helpless infancy; watched over my growth; and, above all, the manifold acts of kindness bestowed upon me; your anxiety and daily prayers
