bought with the rest of the money; and they laughed at me so much for my folly, that I cried with vexation. My reflections on the subject gave me more chagrin, than the whistle gave me pleasure. This little event, however, was afterwards of use to me, the impression continuing on my mind: so that often, when I was tempted to buy some unnecessary thing, I said to myself, Do not give too much for the whistle; and so I saved my money. As I grew up, came into the world, and observed the actions of men, I thought I met with many, very many, who gave too much for the whistle. When I saw any one too ambitious of courtfavour, sacrificing his time in attendance on levees, his repose, his liberty, his virtue, and perhaps his friends, to attain it, I said to myself; This man gives too much for his whistle. When I saw another fond of popularity, constantly employing himself in political bustles, neglecting his own affairs, and ruining them by that neglect; He pays, indeed, said I, too much for his whistle. If I knew a miser, who gave up every kind of comfortable living, all the pleasures of doing good to others, all the esteem of his fellow-citizens, and the joys of benevolent friendship, for the sake of accumulating wealth; Poor man! said I, you indeed pay too much for your whistle. When I met a man of pleasure, sacrificing every laudable improvement of mind, or of fortune, to mere sensual gratification; Mistaken man! said I, you are providing pain for yourself, instead of pleasure; you give too much for your whistle. If I saw one fond of fine clothes, fine furniture, fine equipage, all above his fortune, for which he contracted debts, and ended his career in prison; Alas! said I, he has paid dearly, very dearly, for his whistle. In short, I conceived that great part of the miseries of mankind, are brought upon them by the false estimate they make of the value of things, and by their giving too much for their whistles. DR. FRANKLIN. SECTION VIII. A generous mind does not repine at the advantages others enjoy. Ever charming, ever new, When will the landscape tire the view! The fountain's fall, the river's flow, The woody valleys, warm and low; The windy summit, wild and high, Roughly rushing on the sky; The pleasant seat, the ruin'd tow'r, The naked rock, the shady bow'r ; DYER, Alexis was repeating these lines to Euphronius, who was reclining upon a seat in one of his fields, enjoying the real beauties of nature which the poet describes. The evening was serene, and the landscape appeared in all the gay attire of light and shade. "A man of lively imagination," said Euphronius, "has a property in every thing which he sees and you may now conceive yourself to be the proprietor of the vast expanse around us; and exult in the happiness of myriads of living creatures, that inhabit the woods, the lawns, and the mountains, which present themselves to our view." The house, garden, and pleasure-grounds of Eugenio formed a part of the prospect: and Alexis expressed a jocular wish, that he had more than an imaginary property in those possessions. "Banish the ungenerous desire," said Euphronius; "for if you indulge such emotions as these, your heart will soon become a prey to envy and discontent. Enjoy, with gratitude, the blessings which you have received from the liberal hand of Provi dence; increase them, if you can, with honour and credit, by a diligent attention to the business for which you are designed; and though your own cup may not be filled, rejoice that your neigh bour's overflows with plenty. Honour the abilities, and emulate the virtues, of Eugenio; but repine not that he is wiser, richer, or more powerful, than yourself. His fortune is expended in acts of humanity, generosity, and hospitality. His superior talents are applied to the instruction of his children; to the assistance of his friends; to the encouragement of agriculture, and of every useful art; and to support the cause of liberty and the rights of mankind. And his power is exerted to punish the guilty, to protect the innocent, to reward the good, and to distribute justice, with an equal hand, to all. I feel the affection of a brother for Eugenio; and esteem myself singularly happy in his friendship." PERCIVAL. SECTION IX. Insolent deportment towards inferiors reproved. SACCHARISSA was about fifteen years of age. Nature had given her a high spirit, and education had fostered it into pride and haughtiness. This temper was displayed in every little competition, which she had with her companions. She could not brook the least opposition from those whom she regarded as her inferiors; and if they did not instantly submit to her inclination, she assumed all her airs of dignity, and treated them with the most supercilious contempt. She domineered over her father's servants; always commanding their good offices with the voice of authority, and disdaining the gentle language of request. Euphronius was one day walking with her, when the gardener brought her a nosegay, which she had ordered him to collect. "Blockhead!" she cried, as he delivered it to her; "what strange flowers you have chosen; and how awkwardly you have put them together!" "Blame not the man with so much harshness," said Euphronius, "because his taste is different from yours! he meant to please you; and his good intention merits your thanks, and not your censure. "Thanks!" replied Saccharissa, scornfully. "He is paid for his services, and it is his duty to perform them." "And if he does perform them, he acquits himself of his duty," returned Euphronius. "The obligation is fulfilled on his side; and you have no more right to upbraid him for executing your orders according to his best ability, than he has to claim from your father, more wages than were covenanted to be given him." "But he is a poor dependant," said Saccharissa, "and earns a livelihood by his daily labour." "That livelihood," answered Euphronius, "is the just price of his labour; and if he receives nothing further from your hands, the ac |