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 honors and pleasures of a vain world? Pride (to use the emphatical words of a sacred writer) was not made for man.

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 V1.

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 favorite 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.'

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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 ut myself."

Edward the VIth, 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.

PITY 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.

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 endeavor 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 endeavor 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 greatly 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 honored 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 favorable 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 endeavored to console him by the reflection, that he had always behaved to the deceased with duty, tenderness, and respect. "So I thought," replied the youth, "whilst my parent. was living: but now I recollect, with pain and

sorrow, many instances of disobedience and neglect, for which, alas! it is too late to make atonement."

Sir Isaac Newton possessed a remarkably mild and even temper. This great man, on a particular occasion, was called out of his study to an adjoining apartment. A little dog, named Diamond, the constant but incurious attendant of his master's researches, happened to be left among the papers; and threw down a lighted candle, which consumed the almost finished labors of some years. Sir Isaac soon returned, and had the mortification to behold his irreparable loss. But, with his usual self-possession he only exclaimed; "Oh Diamond! Diamond! thou little knowest the mischief thou hast done."

Queen Caroline having observed that her daughter, the princess of had made one of the ladies about her stand a long time, whilst she was talking to her on some trifling subject, was resolved to give her a suitable reprimand. When the princess came in the evening, as usual, to read to her, and was drawing a chair to sit down, the queen said, "No, my dear, you must not sit at present; for I intend to make you stand this evening, as long as you suffered lady to remain in the same position.'

The benevolent John Howard having settled his ac counts at the close of a particular year, and found a ba lance in his favor, proposed to his wife to make use of it in a journey to London, or in any other amusement she chose. "What a pretty cottage for a poor family it would build!" was her answer. This charitable hint met his cordial approbation, and the money was laid out accordingly.

Horace, a celebrated Roman poet, relates that a countryman, who wanted to pass a river, stood loitering on the banks of it in the foolish expectation that a current so rapid would soon discharge its waters. But the stream still flowed; increased, perhaps, by fresh torrents from the mountains; and it must for ever flow, because the sources from which it is derived are inexhaustible. Thus, the idle and irresolute youth trifles over his books, or wastes in play the precious moments; deferring the task of improvement, which at first is easy to be accomplished, but which will become more and more difficult, the longer it is neglected.

NARRATIVE PIECES.

CHAPTER II,

SECTION I.

The Pious Sons.

1. In one of those terrible eruptions of mount Etna which have often happened, the danger to the inhabitants of the adjacent country was uncommonly great.

2. To avoid immediate destruction from the flames, and the melted lava which ran down the sides of the mountain, the people were obliged to retire to a considerable distance.

3. Amidst the hurry and confusion of such a scene, (every one flying and carrying away whatever he deemed most precious) two brothers, the one named Anapias, and the other Amphinomus, in the height of their solicitude for the preservation of their wealth and goods, suddenly recollected that their father and mother, both very old, were unable to save themselves by flight.

4. Filial tenderness triumphed over every other consideration. "Where," cried the generous youths, "shall we find a more precious treasure than they are who gave us being, and who have cherished and protected us through life?" Having said this, the one took up his father on his shoulders, and the other his mother, and happily made their way through the surrounding smoke and flames.

5. All who were witnesses of this dutiful and affectionate conduct, were struck with the highest admiration : and they and their posterity, ever after, called the path which these good young men took in their retreat, "The Field of the Pious."

SECTION II.
Filial Sensibility.

1. A STRONG instance of dutiful and affectionate attachment to parents has been related in the preceding section. The following display of filial tenderness is scarcely less interesting and extraordinary.