Progressive. Be virtuous and you will be happy. THE ROSE. Child of summer, lovely Rose, TO THE SAME." Busy, curious, thirsty fly, Drink with me, and drink as I. Though repeated to threescore; No condition in life is so secure as not to admit of change. Never sport with pain or distress in any of your amuse ments. Be always ready to assist such persons as require thy assistance. We should be more ready to forgive than to return an injury. When we are told of a fault, we should ever try to avoid it afterwards. Do not insult the poor; poverty entitles a man to pity rather than insult. A kind word, nay, even a kind look, often affords comfort to the afflicted. Neither time nor misfortune should erase the remembrance of a friend. A good man has a tender concern for the happiness of those around him. Despise not any man's condition, lest it happen, at a future time, to be thy own. Envy not the appearance of happiness in any man: you know not his secret griefs. Do as much good as you can to all mankind; to your enemies as well as friends. A kind action gives pleasure both to ourselves and to those to whom we are kind. He who is devoid of sympathy, is incapable of enjoying one of the greatest luxuries of life. Never whisper in company; it is & mark of low breedng, and an insult to those who are present. THE MOUSE'S PETITION. Oh hear a pensive prisoner's prayer, For liberty that sighs; And never let thy heart be shut Against the wretch's cries! For here forlorn and sad I sit And tremble at th' approaching morn, If e'er thy breast with freedom glow'd, Oh do not stain with guiltless blood Nor triumph that thy wiles betray'd The scattered gleanings of a feast The cheerful light, the vital air, Casts round the world an equal eye M DIVINE PROVIDENCE. The glorious sun is set in the west; the night-dews fall; and the air, which was sultry, becomes cool. The flowers fold up their coloured leaves; they fold themselves up, and hang their heads on the slender stalk. The chickens are gathered under the wings of the hen, and are at rest: the hen herself is at rest also. The little birds have ceased their warbling; they are asleep on the boughs, each one with his head behind his wing. There is no murmur of bees around the hive, or amongst the honeyed woodbines; they have done their work, and they lie close in their waxen cells. The sheep rest upon their soft fleeces, and their loud bleating is no more heard amongst the hills. There is no sound of a number of voices, or of children at play, or the trampling of busy feet, and of people hurrying to and fro. The smith's hammer is not heard upon the anvil; nor the harsh saw of the carpenter. All men are stretched on their quiet beds; and the child sleeps upon the breast of its mother. Darkness is spread over the skies, and darkness is upon the ground; every eye is shut, and every hand is still. Who takes care of all people when they are sunk in sleep; when they cannot defend themselves, nor see when danger approaches? |