"that at first he looked on it as a providential present to remove the obstacle to their marriage; but that he now doubted whether he could lawfully retain it." The vicar eyed the young couple with attention: he admired their honesty, which appeared even to surpass their affection. Perrin," said he, "cherish these sentiments: Heaven will bless you. We will endeavor to find out the owner: he will reward thy honesty: I will add what I can spare. You shall have Lucetta."

6. The bag was advertised in the newspapers, and cried in the neighboring parishes. Some time having elapsed, and the money not having been demanded, the vicar carried it to Perrin. "These twelve thousand livres 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 Lucetta's father to the marriage was obtained. Perrin was employed in husbandry, and Lucetta in family affairs. They lived in perfect cordiality; and two children endeared them still more to each other.

7. Perrin 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. Ten years ago, I lost here twelve thousand livres." Perrin 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 Indies, as the vessel was ready to sail."

8. Next morning, Perrin showed to his guests his house, his garden, his cattle, and mentioned the proc of his fields. "All these are your property," said he, auuressing 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 Perrin, Lucetta, and the children. "Where am I," cried he, "and what do I hear! What virtue in people of so low a condition! Have you any other land but this farm?" "No," replied Perrin; but you will have

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occasion for a tenant, and I hope you will allow me to remain here." Your honesty deserves a better recompense, answered 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. Perrin and Lucetta shed tears of affection and joy. 'My dear children," said Perrin, kiss the, hand of your benefactor.-Lucetta, this farm now belongs to us, and we can enjoy it without any anxiety or remorse." Thus was honesty rewarded. Let those who desire the reward practise the virtue.

SECTION XV.

The female choice.

DODD.

1. A YOUNG girl, having fatigued herself one hot day, with running about the garden, set down in a pleasant arbor, where she presently fell asleep. During her slumber, two female figures presented themselves before her. One was loosely habited in a thin robe of pink, with light green trimmings. Her sash of silver gauze flowed to the ground. Her fair hair fell in ringlets down her neck; and her head-dress consisted of artificial flowers interwoven with feathers. She held in one hand a ball-ticket, and in the other a fancy-dress all covered with spangles and knots of gay riband.

2. She advanced smiling to the girl, and with a familiar air thus addressed her:

"My dearest Melissa, I am a kind genius who have watched you from your birth, and have joyfully beheld all your beauties expand, till at length they have rendered you a companion worthy of me. See what I have brought This dress and this ticket will give you free access to all the ravishing delights of my palace. With me you will pass your days in a perpetual round of evervarying amusements.

you.

3. Like the gay butterfly, you will have no other business than to flutter from flower to flower, and spread your charms before admiring spectators. No restraints, no toils, no dull tasks, are to be found within my happy domains. All is pleasure, life, and good humor. then, my dear! Let me put you on this dress, which will make you quite enchanting: and away, away with me!”

Come

Melissa felt a strong inclination to comply with the call of this inviting nymph; but first she thought it would be prudent at least to ask her name.

"My name," said she, "is DISSIPATION.'

4. The other female then advanced. She was clothed in a close habit of brown stuff, simply relieved with white. She wore her smooth hair under a plain cap. Her whole person was perfectly neat and clean. Her look was serious, but satisfied; and her air was staid and composed. She held in one hand a distaff; on the opposite arm hung a work-basket; and the girdle round her waist was garnished with scissors, knitting-kneedles, reels, and other implements of female labor. A bunch of keys hung at her side. She thus accosted the sleepy girl.

5. "Melissa, I am the genius who have ever been the friend and companion of your mother; and I now offer you my protection. I have no allurements to tempt you with, like those of my gay rival. Instead of spending all your time in amusements, if you enter yourself of my train, you must rise early, and pass the long day in a variety of employments, some of them difficult, some laborious, and all requiring exertion of body or of mind. You must dress plainly; live mostly at home; and aim at being useful rather than shining.

6. "But in return, I will insure you content, even spirits, self-approbation, and the esteem of all who thoroughly know you. If these offers appear to your young mind less inviting than those of my rival, be assured, however, that they are more real. She has promised much more than she can ever make good. Perpetual pleasures are no more in the power of Dissipation, than of Vice and Folly to bestow. Her delights quickly pall, and are inevitably succeeded by languor and disgust. She appears to you under a disguise, and what you see is not her real face.

7. "For myself, I shall never seem to you less amiable than I now do; but on the contrary, you will like me better and better. If I look grave to you now, you will see me cheerful at my work; and, when work is over, I can enjoy every innocent amusement. But I have said enough. It is time for you to choose whom you will follow, and upon that choice all your happiness depends. If you would know my name, it is HOUSEWIFERY.'

8. Melissa heard her with more attention than delight ; and though overawed by her manner, she could not help turning again to take another look at the first speaker. She beheld her still offering her presents with so bewitching an air, that she felt it scarcely possible to resist ; when, by a lucky accident, the inask with which Dissipation's face was so artfully covered, fell off. As soon as Melissa beheld, instead of the smiling features of youth and cheerfulness, a countenance wan and ghastly with sickness, and soured by fretfulness, she turned away with horror, and gave her hand unreluctantly to her sober and sincere companion.

SECTION XVI.

The noble Basket Maker.

BARBAULD.

1. THE Germans of rank and fortune were formerly remarkable for the custom of having their sons instructed in some mechanical business, by which they might be habituated to a spirit of industry; secured from the miseries of idleness; and qualified, in case of necessity, to support themselves and their families. A striking proof of the utility of this custom, occurs in the following narrative.

2. A young German nobleman of great merit and talents, paid his addresses to an accomplished young lady of the Palatinate; and applied to her father for his consent to marry her. The old nobleman, amongst other observations, asked him, "how he expected to maintain his daughter.' The young man, surprised at such a question, observed, "that his possessions were known to be ample, and as secure as the honors of his family."

3. "All this is very true," replied the father, "but you well know that our country has suffered much from wars and devastation; and that new events of this nature may sweep away all your estate, and render you destitute. To keep you no longer in suspense, (continued the father, with great politeness and affection,) I have seriously resolved never to marry my daughter to any person, who, whatever may be his honors or property, does not possess some mechanical art, by which he may be able to support her in case of unforeseen events.

4. The young nobleman, deeply affected with his de

termination, was silent for a few minutes; when recovering himself, he declared," that he believed his happiness so much depended on the proposed union, that no difficulty or submissions, consistent with his honor, should prevent him from endeavoring to accomplish it." He begged to know whether he might be allowed six months to acquire the knowledge of some manual art. The father, pleased with the young man's resolution, and affection for his daughter, consented to the proposal; and pledged his honor that the marriage should take place, if, at the expiration of the time limited, he should succeed in his undertaking.

5. Animated by the tenderest regard, and by a high sense of the happiness he hoped to enjoy, he went immediately into Flanders, engaged himself to a white twig basket-maker, and applied every power of ingenuity and industry to become skilled in the business. He soon obtained a complete knowledge of the art; and before the expiration of the time proposed, returned and brought with him, as specimens of his skill, several baskets adapted to fruit, flowers, and needle-work.

6. These were presented to the young lady; and universally admired for the delicacy and perfection of the workmanship. Nothing now remained to prevent the accomplishment of the noble youth's wishes: and the marriage was solemnized to the satisfaction of all parties.

7. The young couple lived several years in affluence; and seemed by their virtues and moderation, to have secured the favors of fortune. But the ravages of war at length extended themselves to the Palatinate. Both the families were driven from their country, and their estates forfeited. And now opens a most interesting scene.

8. The young nobleman commenced his trade of basketmaking; and by his superior skill in the art, soon commanded extensive business. For many years, he liberally supported not only his own family, but also that of the good old nobleman, his father-in-law; and enjoyed the high satisfaction of contributing, by his own industry, to the happiness of connexions doubly endeared to him by their misfortunes; and who otherwise would have sunk into the miseries of neglect and indigence, sharpened by the remembrance of better days.