uneasiness, of all around us, depends on the state of our own temper, we should surely endeavour 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 honoured 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, 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.

your

They who are accustomed to view their companions in the most favourable 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 those which 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 endeavoured 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 labours 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

daughter, the princess

observed that her

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

remain in the same position."

to

The benevolent John Howard, having settled his accounts at the close of a particular year, and found a balance in his favour, proposed to his wife to make use of it in a journey to London, or 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.

in

any

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 the 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.

CHAPTER II.

NARRATIVE PIECES.

SECTION I.

The pious sons.

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