awe; and he viewed the rhinoceros with astonishment. But his attention was soon withdrawn from these animals, and directed to another, of the most elegant and beautiful form.

3. He stood contemplating, with silent admiration, the glossy smoothness of his hair; the blackness and regularity of the streaks with which he was marked; the symmetry of his limbs; and, above all, the placid sweetness of his

countenance.

4. "What is the name of this lovely animal," said he to the keeper," which you have placed near one of the ugliest beasts in your collection; as if you meant to contrast beauty with deformity ?"

5. "Beware, young man," replied the intelligent keeper, "of being so easily captivated with external appearance The animal which you admire is called a tiger; and notwithstanding the meekness of his looks, he is fierce and savage beyond description. I can neither terrify him by correction, nor tame him by indulgence. But the other beast which you despise, is in the highest degree docile, affectionate, and useful.

6. "For the benefit of man he traverses the sandy deserts of Arabia, where drink and pasture are seldom to be found; and will continue six or seven days without sustenance, yet still patient of labour. His hair is manufactured into clothing; his flesh is deemed wholesome nourishment; and the milk of the female is much valued by the Arabs.

7. "The camel, therefore, for such is the name given to this animal, is more worthy of your admiration than the tiger; notwithstanding the inelegance of his make, and the two bunches upon his back. For mere external beauty is of little estimation; and deformity, when associated with amiable dispositions and useful qualities, does not preclude our respect and approbation."

SECTION VI.

The two bees.

PERCIVAL.

1. On a fine morning in summer, two bees set forward in quest of honey, the one wise and temperate, the other careless and extravagant. They soon arrived at a garden

enriched with aromatic herbs, the most fragrant flowers, and the most delicious fruits.

2. They regaled themselves with the various dainties that were spread before them: the one loaded his thighs, at intervals, with provisions for the hive against the distant winter; the other revelled in sweets, without regard to any thing but his present gratification.

3. At length they found a wide-mouthed phial, that hung beneath the bough of a peach-tree, filled with honey ready tempered, and exposed to their taste in the most alluring manner. The thoughtless epicure, in spite of his friend's remonstrances, plunged headlong into the vessel, resolving to indulge himself in all the pleasures of sensuality.

4. His philosophic companion, on the other hand, sipped a little, with caution; but being suspicious of danger, flew off to fruits and flowers; where, by the moderation of his meals, he improved his relish for the true enjoyment of them.

5. In the evening, however, he called upon his friend, to inquire whether he would return to the hive: but he found him surfeited in sweets, which he was as unable to leave, as to enjoy.

6. Clogged in his wings, enfeebled in his feet, and his whole frame totally enervated, he was but just able to bid his friend adieu; and to lament, with his latest breath,that though a taste of pleasure may quicken the relish of life an unrestrained indulgence leads to inevitable destruction.

SECTION VII.

Ingenuity and industry rewarded.

DODSLEY.

1. A RICH husbandman had two sons, the one exactly a year older than the other. The very day the second was born, he set, in the entrance of his orchard, two young apple-trees of equal size; which he cultivated with the same care, and which grew so equally, that no person could per ceive the least difference between them.

2. When his children were capable of handling gardentools, he took them, one fine morning in spring, to see these two trees, which he had planted for them, and called after their names: and when they had sufficiently admired theof

order as his: it bore as many blossoms, and grew in the same soil, only it was not fostered with the same care.

11. "Edmund has kept his tree clear of hurtful insects; but you have suffered them to eat up yours in its blossoms. As I do not choose to let any thing which God has given me, and for which I hold myself accountable to him, go to ruin, I shall take this tree from you, and call it no more by your name.

12. "It must pass through your brother's hands, before it can recover itself; and from this moment, both it and the fruit it may bear, are his property. You may, if you will, go into my nursery, and look for another; and rear it, to make amends for your fault: but if you neglect it, that too shall be given to your brother, for assisting me in my labour."

13. Moses felt the justice of his father's sentence, and the wisdom of his design. He therefore went that moment into the nursery, and chose one of the most thriving appletrees he could find. Edmund assisted him with his advice in rearing it; and Moses embraced every occasion of paying attention to it.

14. He was now never out of humour with his comrades, and still less with himself; for he applied cheerfully to work: and, in autumn, he had the pleasure of seeing his tree fully answer his hopes. Thus he had the double advantage, of enriching himself with a splendid crop of fruit; and, at the same time, of subduing the vicious habits he had contracted. His father was so well pleased with this change, that, the following year, he divided the produce of a small orchard between him and his brother.

SECTION VIII.

The secret of being always satisfied.

BERQUIN.

1. A CERTAIN Italian bishop, was remarkable for his happy and contented disposition. He met with much opposition, and encountered many difficulties in his journey through life but it was observed, that he never repined at his condition, or betrayed the least degree of impatience.

2. An intimate friend of his, who highly admired the virtue which he thought it impossible to imitate, one day asked the prelate, if he could communicate the secret of

ly do they endear themselves to all about them, by being tractable, considerate, gentle, and grateful! but how painful it is, to see them peevish, self-willed, and unthankful! How much do the former qualities lessen the affliction; and the latter increase it!

A family where the great Father of the universe is duly reverenced; where parents are honoured and obeyed; where brothers and sisters dwell together in love and harmony; where peace and order reign; where there is no law but the law of kindness and wisdom; is surely a most delightful and interesting spectacle!

SECTION VIII.

GOD is the kindest and best of beings. He is our Father. He approves us when we do well: he pities us when we err: and he desires to make us happy for ever. How greatly should we love so good and kind a Father! and how careful should we be to serve and please him!

Never insult the unfortunate, especially when they implore relief or assistance. If you cannot grant their requests, refuse them mildly and tenderly. If you feel compassion for them, (and what good heart can behold distress without feeling compassion?) be not ashamed to express it.

Listen to the affectionate counsels of your parents; treasure up their precepts; respect their riper judgment; and enjoy, with gratitude and delight, the advantages resulting from their society. Bind to your bosom, by the most endearing ties, your brothers and sisters; cherish them as your best companions, through the variegated journey of life; and suffer no jealousies and contentions to interrupt the harmony, which should ever reign amongst you.

They who are accustomed to view their companions in the most favourable light, are like persons who dwell amidst those beautiful scenes of nature, on which the eye rests with pleasure. Suspicious persons resemble the traveller in the wilderness, who sees no objects around him, but what are either dreary or terrible.

SECTION IX.

An amiable youth lamented, in terms of sincere grief, the death of a most affectionate parent. His companion endeavoured to console him by the reflection, that he had