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stow. Her delights quickly pall, and are inevitably succeeded by langour 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 mask 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 countenace 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 utili ty 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 honours of his family."

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3. "All this is very true," replied the father: "b

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 honours or property, does not possess some mechanical art, by which he may be able to support her in case of unforeseen events.

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4. The young nobleman, deeply affected with his determination, 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 honour, should prevent him from endeavouring 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 honour that the marriage should take place, if, at the expiration of the time limited, he should succeed in this 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 buisiness. 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 mar riage was solemnized to the satisfaction of all parties.

The young couple lived several years in affluence, and seemed, by their virtues and moderation, to have secured the favours 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 in tited. And now opens a most interesting scene.

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8. The young nobleman commenced his trade of basket-making; 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 remem brance of better days.

CHAPTER III.

DIDACTIC PIECES.

son.

SECTION I.

Tenderness to mothers.

1. MARK that parent hen, said a father to his beloved With what anxious care does she call together her offspring, and cover them with her expanded wings! The kite is hovering in the air, and, disappointed of his prey, may perhaps dart upon the hen herself, and bear her off in his talons.

2. Does not this sight suggest to you the tenderness and affection of your mother! Her watchful care protected you in the helpless period of infancy, when she nourished you with her milk, taught your limbs to move, and your tongue to lisp its unformed accents. In your childhood, she mourned over your little griefs; rejoiced in your innocent delights; administered to you the healing balm in sickness; and instilled into your mind the love of truth, of virtue, and of wisdom. Oh! cherish every sentiment of respect for such a mother. She merits your warmest gratitude, esteem, and veneration.

PERCIVAL.

SECTION II.

Respect and affection due from pupils to their tutors.

1. QUINCTILLIAN says, that he has included almost all the duty of scholars in this one piece of advice which he gives them: to love those who instruct them, as they love the sciences which they study; and to look upon them as fathers from whom they derive not the life of the body, but that instruction which is in a manner the life of the soul.

2. This sentiment of affection and respect disposes them to apply diligently during the time of their studies; and preserves in their minds, during the remainder of life, a tender gratitude towards their instructers. It seems to include a great part of what is to be expected from them.

3. Docility, which consists in readily receiving instruction, and reducing them to practice, is properly the virtue of scholars, as that of masters is to teach well. As it is not sufficient for a labourer to sow the seed, unless the earth after having opened its bosom to receive it, warms and moistens it; so the whole fruit of instruction depends upon a good correspondence between masters and scholars,

4. Gratitude towards those who have faithfully laboured in our education, is an essential virtue, and the mark of e good heart. "Of those who have been carefully instructed, who is there," says Cicero, "that is not delighted with the sight, and even the remembrance of his preceptors, and the very place where he was educated?" Seneca exhorts young men to preserve always a great respect for their masters, to whose care they are indebted for the amendment of their faults, and for having imbibed sentiments of honour and probity.

5. Their exactness and severity sometimes displease, at an age when we are not in a condition to judge of the ob- * ligations we owe them; but when years have ripened our understanding and judgment, we discern that admonitions, reprimands, and a severe exactness in restraining the passions of an imprudent and inconsiderate age, far from justifying dislike, demand our esteem and love. Marcus Aurelius, one of the wisest and most illustrious emperors that Rome ever had, thanked Heaven for two things espe

cially;-for having had excellent tutors himself, and for having found the like blessing for his children. ROLLIN.

SECTION III.

On filial piety.

1. FROM the creatures of God let man learn wisdom, and apply to himself the instruction they give. Go to .he desert, my son: observe the young stork of the wilderness; let him speak to thy heart. He bears on his wings his aged sire: he lodges him in safety, and supplies him with food.

2. The piety of a child is sweeter than the incense of Persia offered to the sun; yea, more delicious than odours wafted from a field of Arabian spices, by the western gales.

3. Be grateful to thy father, for he gave thee life; and to thy mother, for she sustained thee. Hear the words of their mouth, for they are spoken for thy good; give ear to their admonition, for it proceeds from love.

4. Thy father has watched for thy welfare, he has toiled for thy ease: do honour, therefore, to his age, and let not his gray hairs be treated with irreverence. Forget not thy helpless infancy, nor the frowardness of thy youth; and bear with the infirmities of thy aged parents: assist and support them in the deline of life. So shall their hoary heads go down to the grave in peace: and thy own children, in reverence of thy example, shall repay thy piety with filial love.

ECONOMY OF HUMAN LIFE.

SECTION IV.

Love between brothers and sisters.

1. You are the children of one father, provided for by his care; and the breast of one mother gave you suck. Let the bonds of affection, therefore, unite thee with thy brothers and sisters, that peace and happiness may dwell in thy father's house.

2. And when you are separated in the world, remember the relation that binds you to love and unity; and prefer not a stranger before thy own blood. If thy brother is in adversity assist him: if thy sister is in trouble, forsake her not. So shall the fortunes of thy father contribute to the

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