When Prosperity was well mounted, she let go the bridle, and soon came tumbling out of the saddle.

A little neglect may breed great mischief. For want of a nail the shoe was lost, and for want of a shoe the horse was lost, and for want of a horse the rider was lost.

It would be thought a hard government that should tax its people one-tenth part of their time, to be employed in its service. But idleness taxes many of us much more, if we reckon all that is spent in absolute sloth, or doing of nothing, with that which is spent in idle employments or amusments, that amount to nothing. Sloth, by bringing on diseases, absolutely shortens life. But dost thou love life, then do not squander time for that's the stuff life is made of. How much more than is necessary do we spend in sleep, forgetting that the sleeping fox catches no poultry, and that there will be sleeping enough in the grave.

Work while it is called to-day, for you know not how much you may be hindered to-morrow.

Have to-day.

you

somewhat to do to-morrow?

Do it

If you were a servant, would you not be ashamed that a good master should catch you idle? Are you then your own master, be ashamed to catch yourself idle.

When there is so much to be done for yourself, your family, your country, be up by peep of day. Let not the sun look down and say, inglorious here he lies.

Handle your tools without mittens. that the cat in gloves catches no mice.

Remember

'Tis true there is much to be done, and perhaps you are weak-handed, but stick to it steadily; and you will see great effects, for constant dropping wears away stones.

If you are now a drinker of tea twice a day, for the ensuing year drink it but once a day. If you now drink it but once a day, do it but every other day. If If you do it now but once a week, reduce the practice to once a fortnight. And if

you do not exceed in quantity as you lessen the times, half your expense in this article will be saved.

If paper money in ever so great a quantity could be made, no man could get any of it without giving something for it. But all he saves, will be his own for nothing, and his country actually so much richer. Then the merchants' old and doubtful debts may be honestly paid off and trading become surer thereafter if not so extensive.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of

cure.

When you incline to have new clothes, look first well over the old ones, and see if you can not shift with them another year, either by scouring, mending or even patching if necessary. Remember a patch on your coat, and money in your pocket, is better and more creditable, than a writ on your back and no money to take it off.

When you incline to buy china ware, India silks or any other flimsy slight manufactures, J

would not be so hard with you as to insist on you absolutely resolving against it; all I advise is, to put it off till another year, and this, in some respects, may prevent an occasion of repentance.

Many words won't fill a bushel.

Early to bed and early to rise,

Makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.

There are no gains without pains.

He that hath a trade hath an estate, and he that hath a calling hath an office of profit and honor; but then the trade must be worked at and the calling well followed, or neither the estate nor the office will enable us to pay our taxes.

At the working man's house hunger looks in but dares not enter.

God gives all things to industry.

THE MILLER, HIS SON AND THE DONKEY

RETOLD FROM ESOP

I

A farm-yard on a spring morning. The old Miller, who is almost blind, comes from the house. His little son leads a playful donkey from the shed.

Miller.

Hast thou watered the beast, my son? Son. Ay, father, as well as I could. (Shakes water from his sleeve.)

Miller. How, now? At his old tricks again? (Feels his son's wet jacket.) It seems to me he has watered thee! (Looks carefully at the donkey.) Hast thou fed him?

Son. There was no need. He had been at the oats himself.

Miller. (Shaking his fist.) I'll stand this no longer! He'll be sold this day!

up

Son. O, let me take him to the fair! (Throws

Miller. Thou wouldst never come

his cap.)

home

alive. We'll both go!

(Takes the rope and they

start off down the road.)