self, in their behaviour to servants and inferiors; it is seen even in their treatment of dumb animals.

They who ridicule the wise and good, are dangerous companions; they bring virtue itself into contempt.

We cannot be good as God is good, to all persons every where; but we can rejoice, that every where there is a God to do them good.

SECTION IV.

WHEN blessed with health and prosperity, cultivate a humble and compassionate disposition: think of the distresses of human life; of the solitary cottage, the dying parent, and the weeping orphan.

Avoid all harshness in behaviour: treat every one with that courtesy which springs from a mild and gentle heart. Be slow in forming intimate connexions: they may bring dishonour and misery.

Almost all our desires are apt to wander into an improper course: to direct them properly requires care; but that care will render us safe and happy through life.

The days that are past are gone for ever; those that are to come, may not come to us; the present time only is ours: let us, therefore, improve it as much as possible.

They who are moderate in their expectations, meet with few disappointments: the eager and presumptuous are continually disappointed.

Whatever is worth doing at all, is worth doing well: but it is impossible to do any thing well, without attention. Let us not expect too much pleasure in this life: no situation is exempt from trouble. The best persons are, no doubt, the happiest; but they too have their trials and af flictions.

SECTION V.

How greatly do the kind offices of a dutiful and affectionate child, gladden the heart of a parent, especially when sinking under age or infirmities!

What content with the station in which Providence has

better proof can we give of wisdom and goodness,

than

placed us?

An honest man, (as Pope expresses himself,) is the noblest work of God.

How pleasant it is, when we lie down at night, to reflect that we are at peace with all persons! that we have carefully performed the duties of the day! that the Almighty beholds and loves us!

How readily should we forgive those who offend us, if we consider how much our heavenly Father has forgiven us !

Who would exchange the humble peace which virtue gives, for all the honours and pleasures of a vain world? Pride (to use the emphatical words of a sacred writer) was not made for man.

་ ་

1

How can we spend our time foolishly, when we know that we must give an account hereafter, of our thoughts, words, and actions?

How glorious an object is the sun! but how much more glorious is that great and good Being, who made it for our use!

Behold, how rich and beautiful are the works of nature! What a bountiful provision is made for our wants and pleasures!-Surely, the author of so many blessings is worthy of our love and gratitude!

SECTION VI.

CYRUS, when young, being asked what was the first thing which he learned, answered; "To speak the truth."

Epaminondas, the celebrated Theban general, was remarkable for his love of truth. He never told a lie, even in jest.

All our moral duties are contained in these few words; "Do as you would be done by."

The following was a favourite sentiment of the wise and good Socrates: "We should eat and drink, in order to live; instead of living, as many do, to eat and drink."

Artaxerxes Mnemon, king of Persia, being, upon an extraordinary occasion, reduced to eat barley-bread and dried figs, and to drink water; "What pleasure," said he, "have I lost till now, by my delicacies and excess."

When Cato drew near the close of life, he made this most benevolent declaration to his friends: "The greatest comfort of my old age, is, the pleasing remembrance of the friendly offices I have done to others. To see them easy and happy by my means, makes me truly so."

Mark Antony, when under adverse circumstances, made this interesting exclamation; "I have lost all, except what I have given away!"

The Emperor Marcus Aurelius, a pious and good man, expressed the benevolence of his heart, in these words: "I cannot relish a happiness which no one partakes of but myself."

Edward the VI. king of England, being, when very young, required by his uncle to sign a warrant for the execution of a poor woman, on account of her religious principles, said, with tears in his eyes: "I almost wish I had never learned to write."

SECTION VII.

Prry the sorrows and sufferings of the poor. Disdain not to enter their wretched abodes; nor to listen to their moving lamentations.

Gratitude is a delightful emotion. The grateful heart at once performs its duty, and endears itself to others.

If we ought to be grateful for services received from our friends, how should our hearts glow with thankfulness to Him, who has given us being, and all the blessings we enjoy!

Young people too often set out in life, with too much confidence in themselves.. Alas! how little do they know the dangers which await them!

4

To repine at the improvements of others, and wish to deprive them of the praise they have deserved, is an envious and odious disposition.

We ought not to be proud or vain of the advantages we possess; but humbly endeavour to use them for the benefit of our fellow-creatures, and the glory of that great Being from whom we have received them.

If we consider how much the comfort, or the uneasiness of all around us, depends on the state of our own temper, we should surely endeavour to render it sweet and accommodating.

When we feel our inability to resist evil, and to do good, what a comfort it is, to know that our heavenly Father will, if we humbly apply to him, hear our prayers, and graciously assist us!

When young persons are afflicted with illness, how great

your father the first half year of his pension, in ad

remit vance."

8. "Ah, Sir!" replied the youth, "as you have the goodness to propose remitting a sum of money to my father, I entreat you to add to it these three louis d'ors. As I have here every thing I can wish for, I do not need them : but they would be of great use to my father, in the maintenance of his other children."

SECTION III.

Cruelty to insects condemned.

1. A CERTAIN youth indulged himself in the cruel entertainment of torturing and killing flies. He tore off their wings and legs, and then watched with pleasure their feeble efforts to escape from him.

2. Sometimes he collected a number of them together, and crushed them at once to death; glorying, like many a celebrated hero, in the devastation he committed.

3. His tutor remonstrated with him, in vain, on this barbarous conduct. He could not persuade him to believe that flies are capable of pain, and have a right, no less than ourselves, to life, liberty, and enjoyment.

4. The signs of agony, which, when tormented, they express, by the quick and various contortions of their bodies, he neither understood nor regarded.

5. The tutor had a microscope; and he desired his pupil, one day, to exam ne a most beautiful and surprising animal.

"Mark," said he, "how it is studded from head to tail with black and silver, and its body all over beset with the most curious bristles! The head contains the most ively eyes, encircled with silver hairs; and the trunk consists of two parts, which fold over each other. The whole body is ornamented with plumes and decorations, which all the luxuries of dress, in the courts of the greatsurpass

est princes."

6. Pleased and astonished with what he saw, the youth was impatient to know the name and properties of this wonderful animal. It was withdrawn from the magnifier; and when offered to his naked eye, proved to be a poor fly, which had been the victim of his wanton cruelty.

PERCIVAL.

SECTION IV.

Selfish sorrow reproved.

1. ONE day, during the summer vacation, Alexis had prepared himself to set out, with a party of his companions, upon a little journey of pleasure. But the sky lowered, the clouds gathered, and he remained for some time in anxious suspense about his expedition; which at last was prevented by heavy and continued rain.

2. The disappointment overpowered his fortitude; he burst into tears; lamented the untimely change of weather; and sullenly refused all consolation.

3. In the evening, the clouds were dispersed; the sun shone with unusual brightness; and the face of nature seemed to be renewed in vernal beauty.

4. Euphronius conducted Alexis into the fields. The storm of passion in his breast was now stilled; and the serenity of the air, the music of the feathered songsters, the verdure of the meadows, and the sweet perfumes which breathed around, regaled every sense, and filled his mind with delightful emotions.

5. "Do not you remark," said Euphronius," the delightful change which has suddenly taken place in the whole creation? Recollect the appearance of the scene before us yesterday. The ground was then parched with a long drought; the flowers hid their drooping heads; no fragrant odours were perceived; and vegetation seemed to cease. To what cause must we impute the revival of nature ?”

6. "To the rain which fell this morning," replied Alexis, with a modest confusion. He was struck with the selfishness and folly of his conduct; and his own bitter reflections anticipated the reproofs of Euphronius.

SECTION V.

We are often deceived by appearances.

PERCIVAL.

1. A YOUTH, who lived in the country, and who had not acquired, either by reading or conversation, any knowledge of the animals which inhabit foreign regions, came to Manchester, to see an exhibition of wild beasts.

2. The size and figure of the elephant struck him with