esty of the receiver. If we cannot foresee the request, let us however immediately grant it. It is so grievous a thing to say I beg!

The very word puts a man out of countenance, and it is a double kindness to do the thing, and save an honest heart the confusion of a blush.

Let no one be weary of rendering good offices, for by obliging others (if our hearts and affections are as they should be) we are really kind to ourselves. No man was ever a loser by good works; for though he may not be immediately rewarded, yet, in process of time, some happy emergency or other occurs to convince him that virtuous men are the darlings of Providence.

He that receives a benefit without being thankful, robs the giver of his just reward. It must be a due reciprocation in virtue that can make the obliger and the obliged worthy.

He who receives a good turn, should never forget it; he who does one should never remember it.

It is the character of an unworthy nature, to write injuries in marble, and benefits in dust.

The following fact, I think, strongly delineates the image of a noble and generous mind, and may justly be ranked among the beauties of STERNE--So deservedly famed for his humanity, sensibility and generosity. A friend ' of this benevolent Divine being distressed in,

finances, and whom Sterne wished to relieve (for Sterne could not be happy while a friend was distressed) but it was not in his power at that time!-Yet-the friend!-a friend must be relieved at all hazards!" A friend is sacred!"-Sterne finds no rest till 'tis done.

"I was," says he, "obliged to borrow two hundred pounds beyond my own currency, upon the occasion.. I had no sufficient security to proffer. But Capt. Le Fevre happened, luckily, just then, to have sold out of the army -I mortgaged the story to him, and he lent me the money." The friend and Sterne were each relieved-Sterne was the happiest of the

two.

Let us be careful that we permit no artificial desires to prevent us of the power, in which we shall ever find real pleasure that of relieving distress.

That which is given with pride and ostentation, is rather an ambition than a bounty. Let a benefit be ever so considerable, the manner of conferring it is yet the noblest part.

It is a good rule for every one who has a competency of fortune, to lay aside a certain | proportion of his income for pious and charitable uses; he will then always give easily and cheerfully.

It was well said of him that called a good office that was done harshly, "a stony piece of bread:" It is necessary for him that is

hungry to receive it, but it almost choaks him in the going down.

Alphonso, king of Sicily, being asked, What he would reserve for himself, who gave so much away? Even those things, said he, that I do give, for the rest I esteem as nothing.

It is a much greater kindness not to suffer us to fall, than to lend a hand to help us up, se and a greater satisfaction to be kindly received and obtain nothing, than obtain what we desire, after having been exposed.

Requests cost a reluctancy in nature, fearing to receive the discourtesy of an denial. That which is bestowed too late, is next to not giving.

Monarchs are unhappier than their subjects. For use makes state familiar, and the fatigue grows every day more irksome.-Has opulence and grandeur then no advantages? NONE but the power of doing good. I have often been surprised that so little of this kind of manufacture is ever wrought by princes, when the very rarity of the work might serve to render their names famous to posterity. "And paid a tradesman once, to make him stare." But away with all ambition, which only affects our names, without improving our natures.-Sterne.

Liberality is never so beautiful and engaging as when the hand is concealed that bestows the gift.

A noble lord, who once suffered himself to lose a thousand pounds to a man of modest merit, whom he knew to be greatly necessitated, and to whom he durst not offer it as a gift, surely did a very laudable action, and in which modesty had no small share.

BOOKS.

ALL parts of Christendom acknowledge one book, which is called the BIBLE, as the standard of all belief and practice; and tho' it is called but one book, it is a collection of many, and contains a variety of subjects that need not be enumerated. Wherefore, for those who acknowledge the scriptures to be authentic and divine, and who may want to know the best rules of living, in order to be happy in the next world, and even in this, such persons will find in that neglected collection of writings, what will be useful for both these ends, and an agreeableness of style very distinguishing.

Would you see history in all her simplicity, and all her force; most beautifully easy, yet irresistibly striking? See her, or rather feel her energy, touching the nicest movements of the soul, and triumphing over our passions, in the inimitable narrative of Joseph's life. The representation of Esau's bitter distress;

A

the conversation pieces of Jonathan, and his gallant friend; the memorable journey of the disciples going to Emmaus; are finished models of the impassioned and affecting.Here is nothing studied, no flights of fancy; no embellishments of oratory, yet, how inferior is the episode of Nisus and Eurialus, though worked up by the most masterly hand in the world, to the undissembled, artless fervency of these scriptural sketches.

Are we pleased with the elevation and dignity of an heroic poem, or the tenderness and perplexity of a dramatic performance? In the book of Job they are both united, and both unequalled the language glows, and the pathos swells, till at last the Deity himself makes his entrance, &c.

If we sometimes choose a plaintive strain; such as soften the mind, and soothe an agreeable melancholy; are any of the ancient tragedies superior, in the eloquence of mourning, to David's pathetic elegy on his beloved Jonathan; to his passionate, inconsolable moan, over the lovely but unhappy Absalom; or that melodious woe, which warbles and bleeds in every line of Jeremiah's lamentation. If we want maxims of wisdom, or have a taste for the laconic style, how copiously may our wants be supplied, and how delicately our taste gratified! especially in the books of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and some of the minor prophets.