more. I saw my son fall in battle.-Ile fought at my si -I saw him expire.--He was covered with wôûnds,* wh he fell dead at my feet." 8. He pronounced these words with the utmost ve'he-měn His body shook with a universal tremour. He was aim stifled with sighs, which he would not suffer to escape' hi There was a keen restlessness in his eye; but no tears flc ed to his relief. At length he became calm by degree and, turning to'wards the east, where the sun had just rise "Dóst thou see," said he to the young officer, "the bea of that sky, which sparkles with prevailing day? and h thou pleasure in the sight ?" "Yes," replied the young offic "I have pleasure in the beauty of so fine a sky."+ "I h nóne!" said the In'di-ăn, and his tears then found their w 9. A few minutes after, he showed the young man a m nolia in full bloom. "Dóst thou see that beautiful tre said he, "and dóst thou look upon it with pleaş'ure?" "Ye replied the officer, "I look with pleaş'ure upon that bea ful tree.""I have no longer any pleas'ure in looking u it!" said the In'di-ăn, hastily; and immediately added: " return to thy father, that he may still have plĕaş'ure, w he sees the sun rise in the morning, and the trees bloss in the spring!" 1. SCIP 1-0 the younger, at twenty-four years of age, appointed by the Ro'man republick to the command of army against' the Spăn'iards. Soon after the conques Càr-tha-ge'nă, the capital of the empire, his integrity vir'tue were put to the following exemplary and ever-m orable trial, related by historians, ancient and modern, universal applause. 2. Being retired into his camp, some of his officers bro him a young vir'gin of such ex'qui-şite beauty, that she c upon her the eyes and admiration of every body. The yo conqueror started from his seat with confusion and surp and seemed to be robbed of that presence of mind and păşşess'ión, so necessary in a general, and for which Sci was very remarkable. In a few moments, having recov himself, he inquired of the beautiful captive, in the most and polite manner, concer'ning her country, birth,|| and prince, named Al-lu'ci-us,* he ordered both him and the captive's parents to be sent for. 3. When the Spǎn'ish prince appeared in his presence, Scip'i-ō took him ǎsīde; and to remove the ǎnx-i'e-tyt he might feel on account of the young lady, addressed him in these words: "You and I àre young, which admits of my speaking to you with freedom. They who brought me your future spouse, assured me at the same time that you loved her with extreme tenderness; and her beauty and merit left me no room to doubt it. Upon which, I reflected, that if I were in your situation,|| I should hope to meet with favour: I there'fore think my-self' happy in the present conjuncture to do you a service. 4. "Though the fortune of war has made me your master, I desire to be your friend. Here is your wife: take her, and may you be happy! You may rest assured, that she has been amongst us, as she would have been in the house of her father and mother. Far be it from Scip'i-ō to purchase any pleasure at the expense of virtue,§ hōn'cur, and the happiness of an honest man! No; I have kept her for you in order to make you a present worthy of you, and of me. only gratitude I require of you, for this inestimable gift, is, that you will be a friend to the Ro'man people." The 5. Al-lu'ci-us's heart was too full to make him any ăn'swer; but, throwing himself at the general's feet, he wept ǎloud'; the captive lady fell down in the same posture, and remained so, till the aged father, overwhelmed with transports of joy, burst into the following words; "O, excellent Scip'i-ō ! Heaven has given thee more than human virtue. O glorious leader! O wón'drous youth! .what pleas'ure can equal that which must now fill thy heart, on hearing the prayers of this grateful vir'gin, for thy health and prosperity ?"" 6. Such was Scip'i-ō; a soldier,T a youth, a heathen! nor was his virtue unrewarded. Al-lū'ci-us, charmed with such magnanimity, liberality, and politeness, returned to his own country, and published, on all occasions, the praises of his generous and humane victor; crying out "that there was come into Spain a young hero, who conquered all things less by the force of his arms, than by the charms of his virtue, and the greatness of his beneficence." DODD. 'Al-lū'she-ŭs. †ăng-zi'e-le. ‡fü'tshūre. || sit-tshū-ā'shŭn. § věr'tehū. Ꭰ ¶sōl'jur. SECTION XIV. Virtue in hum'ble life. 1. IN the preceding section, we have seen an illustrious instance of virtue in a person of exalted rank. This section exhibits an equally striking exăm'ple of uprightness in humble life. Virtue and goodness are confined to no station: and wherever they are discovered they command' respect. 2. Pěr'rin, the amiable subject of this narrative, lost both his parents before he could articulate their names, and wa obliged to a charity-school for his education.* At the age of fifteen he was hired by a farmer to be a shep'hérd in a neighbourhood where Lu-cet'tă kept her father's sheep They often met, and were fond of being together. After a acquaintance of five years, in which they had many opportu nities of becoming thoroughly known to each other; Perri proposed to Lü-cet'tă to ask her father's consent to thei marriage; she blushed, and did not refuse her approbation 3. As she had an errand to the town next day, the oppo tunity of her absence was chosen for making the proposa "You wish to marry my daughter," said the old man; "hav you a house to cover her, or money to main-tain't her Lū-cet'tă's fortune‡ is not enough for both. It will not d Pěr'rin; it will not do." "But," replied Pĕr'rin, "I ha hands to work: I have laid up twenty crowns of my wage which will defray the expense of the wedding: I will wo harder, and lay up more. "Well," said the old man, "y àrc young, and may wait a little get rich, and my daught is at your service." Perrin waited for Lu-cet'tă's return the evening. 4. "Has my father given you a refusal ?" cried Lu-cět "Ah, Lu-cet'tă," replied Per'rin, "how unhappy am I being poor! But I have not lost all hopes: my circumstan may change for the better." As they were never tired conversing together, the night approached, and it beca dark. Pěr'rin, making a false step, fell on the ground. found! a bag, which was heavy. Drawing to'wards a light the neighbourhood, he discovered that it was filled with go "I thank Heaven," cries Per'rin, in a transport of joy, 66 being favourable to our wishes. This will satisfy your fath the loss of it; let us go to the vicar for advice; he has always been kind* to me." 5. Pěr'rin put the bag into the vic'ar's hand, saying, "that at first he looked on it as a providential present to remove the only obstacle to their marriage; but that he now doubted whether he could lawfully retain it." The vic'ar eyed the young couple with attention: he admired their hon'es-ty, which appeared even to sur-pass' their affection. "Pĕr'rin,' 99 said he, "cherish these sentiments: Heaven will bless you. We will endeavour to find out the owner: he will reward thy hon'es-ty: I will add what I can spare. You shall have Lū-cět'tă." 6. The bag was advertised in the newspapers, and cried in the neighbouring parishes. Some time having elapsed, and the money not having been demanded, the vic'ar carried it to Pĕr'rin. "These twelve thousand li'vrest bear at present no profit: you may reap the interest at least. Lay them out in such a manner, as to insure the sum itself to the owner, if he should ever appear." A farm was purchased, and the consent of Lu-cet'tă's father to the marriage was obtained. Pěr'ria was employed in huş'bán-dry, and Lū-cěť'tă in family affairs. They lived in perfect côr-di-ăl'i-ty;‡ and two children endeared them still more to each other. Ten years 7. Pěr'rin, one evening, returning homeward from his work, saw a chaise overturned with two gentlemen in it. He ran to their assistance, and offered them every accommodation his small house could afford. "This spot," cried one of the gentlemen, "is very fatal to me. ǎgō, I lost here twelve thousand li'vres." Per'rin listened with attention. "What search made you for them?” said he. "It was not in my power," replied the stranger, "to make any search. I was hurrying to Port l'Orient to embark for the In'di-eş, as the vessel was ready to sail." 8. Next morning, Perrin showed to his guests his house, his garden, his cattle, and mentioned the produce of bis fields. "All these are your property," said he, addressing the gentleman who had lost the bag: "the money fell into my hands; I purchased this farm with it; the farm is yours. The vicar has an instrument which secures your property, though. I had died without seeing you." 9. The stranger read the instrument with emotion: he looked on Pĕr'rin, Lū-cet'tă, and the children. "Where am I," cried he, "and what do I hear! What virtue in people thi'vŭrs. ‡kûr-jë-ŭl'e-te. || Lō-re-ong'. *kyind, of so low a condition! Have you any other land but this farm!" "No," replied Perrin; "but you will have occasion for a tenant, and I hope you will allow me to remain here." "Your honesty deserves' a better recompense," an'swered the stranger. "My success in trade has been great, and I have forgotten my loss. You are well entitled to this little fortune:* keep it as your own. What man in the world could have acted more nobly than you have done?" 10. Per'rin and Lu-cet'tă shed tears of affection and joy "My dear children," said Pĕr'rin, "kiss the hand of your benefactor.-Lu-cět'tă, this farm now belongs to us, and we can enjoy it without any ănx-i'e-ty or remorse." Thus was honesty rewarded. Let those who desire the reward prac tise the vir'tue, 1. A YOUNG girlf having fatigued herself one hot day, with running about the gàrden, sat down in a pleasant arbour where she presently fell asleep. During her slumber, two fe male figures presented themselves before her. One was lòòse ly habited in a thin robe of pink, with light green trimming Her sash of silver gâuze flowed to the ground. Her fair hai fell in ringlets down her neck; and her head-dress consisted artificial flowers interwoven with feathers. She held in on hand a ball-ticket, and in the other a fancy-dress, all covere with spangles and knots of gay rib'and.‡ 2. She advanc'ed smiling to the girl, and with a famili air thus addressed her: "My dearest Me-lis'să, I am a kind geni-us who hav watch'ed you from your birth,|| and have joyfully beheld a your beauties expand, till at length they have rendered y a companion worthy of me. See what I have brought yo This uress and this ticket will give you free access to the ravishing delights of my palace. With me you will pa your days in a perpetual§ round of ever-varying amüşe'men 3 Like the gay butterfly, you will have no other business than to flutter from flower to flower, and spread your char before admiring spectators. No restraints, no toils, no d tasks, àre to be found within my happy domains'. |