Imatges de pàgina
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-"Tis slander!

Whose edge is sharper than a sword; whose tongue
Out-venoms all the worms of Nile; whose breath
Rides on the posting winds, and doth belie

All corners of the world. Kings, queens, and states,
Maids, matrons, nay, the secrets of the grave,
This viperous slander enters.

There is a tide in the affairs of men,
Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;
Omitted, all the voyage of their life

Is bound in shallows, and in miseries.

To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,
Creeps in this petty space from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time,
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools

The way to dusky death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow,-a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more! It is a tale

Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.

He that would pass the latter part of his life with honor and decency, must, when he is young, consider that he shall one day be old, and remember, when he is old, that he has once been young.

Avarice is always poor, but poor, by her own fault.

The maxim which Periander of Corinth, one of the seven sages of Greece, left as a memorial of his knowledge and benevolence, was, "Be master of your anger." He considered anger as the great disturber of human life, the chief enemy both of public happiness and private tranquillity; and thought he could not lay on posterity a stronger obligation to reverence his memory, than by leaving them a salutary caution against this outrageous passion.

The universal axiom, in which all complaisance is included, and from which flow all the formalities which custom has established in civilized nations, is, "that no man should give any preference to himself."-A rule so comprehensive and certain, that perhaps it is not easy for the mind to imagine an incivility, without supposing it to be broken.

The foundation of content must be laid in a man's own mind; and he who has so little knowledge of human nature, as to seek happiness by changing any thing but his own disposition, will waste his life in fruitless efforts, and multiply griefs which he purposes to remove.

No rank in life precludes the efficacy of a well-timed compli ment. When Queen Elizabeth asked an embassador how he liked her ladies, he replied, "It is hard to judge of stars in presence of the sun."

The crime which has been once committed, is committed again with less reluctance.

The great disturbers of our happiness in this world, are our desires, our griefs, and our fears; and to all these, the consideration of mortality is a certain and adequate remedy. "Think" (says Epictetus) "frequently on poverty, banishment, and death, and thou wilt never indulge violent desires, or give up thy heart to mean sentiments."

The certainty that life cannot be long, and the probability that it will be shorter than nature allows, ought to awaken every man to the active prosecution of whatever he is desirous to perform. It is true, that no diligence can ascertain success; death may intercept the swiftest career; but he who is cut off in the execution of an honest undertaking, has at least the honor of falling in his rank, and has fought the battle, though he missed the victory.

When we act according to our duty, we commit the event to Him by whose laws our actions are governed, and who will suffer none to be finally punished for obedience. But, when in prospect of some good, whether natural or moral, we break the rules prescribed to us, we withdraw from the direction of superior wisdom, and take all consequences upon ourselves.

Employment is the great instrument of intellectual dominion. The mind cannot retire from its enemy into total vacancy, or turn aside from one object, but by passing to another.

Without frugality, none can be rich; and with it, very few would be poor.

Though in every age there are some, who by bold adventures, or by favorable accidents, rise suddenly into riches; the bulk of mankind must owe their affluence to small and gradual profits, below which their expenses must be resolutely reduced. A man's voluntary expenses should not exceed his income. Let not a man anticipate uncertain profits.

The happiness of the generality of the people is nothing, if it is not known; and very little, if it is not envied.

To improve the golden moment of opportunity, and catch the good that is within our reach, is the great art of life. Many wants are suffered, which might have once been supplied; and much time is lost, in regretting the time that has been lost before. One of the golden precepts of Pythagoras directs us, "That a friend should not be hated for little faults."

LESSONS FOR YOUTH.

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47

NARRATION.

CHAPTER IX.

STORY OF THE COBLER AND HIS SON.

1. A young man, son of a cobler in a small village near Madrid, having pushed his fortune in the Indies, returned to his native country with a considerable stock, and set up as a banker in Madrid. In his absence, his parents frequently talked of him, praying fervently that heaven would take him under its protection; and the vicar, being their friend, gave them frequently the public prayers of the congregation for him.

2. The banker was not less dutiful on his part; for, so soon as he was settled, he mounted on horseback, and went alone to the village. It was ten at night before he got there; and the honest cobler was in bed, in a sound sleep, when he knocked at the door. Open the door, says the banker, 'tis your son Francillo.

3. Make others believe that if you can, cried the old man, starting from his sleep; go about your business, you thieving rogues, here is nothing for you: Francillo, if not dead, is now in the Indies. He is no longer there, replied the banker; he has returned home, and it is he who now speaks to you; open your door and receive him.

4. Jacobo, said the woman, let us rise, then; I really believe 'tis Francillo, I think I know his voice. The father, starting from bed, lighted a candle; and the mother, putting on her gown in a hurry, opened the door. Looking earnestly on Francillo, she flung her arms about his neck, and hugged him with the utmost affection. Jacobo embraced his son in his turn; and all three, transported with joy after so long absence, had no end in expressing their tenderness.

5. After these pleasing transports, the banker put his horse into the stable, where he found an old milch cow, nurse to the whole family. He then gave the old folks an account of his voyage, and of all the riches he had brought from Peru. They listened greedily, and every the least particular of his relation, made on them a sensible impression of grief or joy. Having finished his story, he offered them a part of his estate, and entreated his father not to work any more.

6. No, my son, said Jacobo, I love my trade, and will not leave it. Why, replied the banker, is it not now high time to take your ease? I do not propose your living with me at Madrid; I know well that a city life will not please you; enjoy your own way of living; but give over your hard labor, and pass the remainder of your days in ease and plenty.

7. The mother seconded the son, and Jacobo yielded. To please you, Francillo, said he, I will not work any more for the public, but will only mend my own shoes, and those of my good friend the vicar. The agreement being concluded, the banker ate a couple of eggs, and went to his bed, enjoying that pleasing satisfaction which none but dutiful children can feel or understand.

8. The next morning, the banker, leaving his parents a purse of three hundred ducats, returned to Madrid; but was surprised to see Jacobo at his house a few days after. My father, said he, what brings you here? Francillo, answered the honest cobler, I have brought your purse; take it again, for I desire to live by my trade, and have been ready to die with uneasiness ever since I left off working.

CHAPTER X.

HONESTY REWARDED.

1. Perrin lost both parents, before he could articulate their names, and was obliged to a charity-house for his education. At the age of fifteen, he was hired by a farmer to be a shepherd, in the neighborhood of Lucetta, who kept her father's sheep. They often met, and were fond of being together.

2. Five years thus passed, when their sensations became more serious. Perrin proposed to Lucetta to solicit her from her father: She blushed, and confessed her willingness. As she had an errand to town the next day, the opportunity of her absence was chosen for making the proposal. You want to marry my daughter, said the old man. Have you a house to cover her, or money to maintain her? Lucetta's fortune is not enough for both.

But, replied Perrin, I twenty crowns of my

3. It won't do, Perrin, it won't do. have hands to work. I have laid up wages, which will defray the expense of the wedding. I'll work harder, and lay up more. Well, said the old man, you are young, and may wait a little. Get rich, and my daughter is at your service. Perrin waited for Lucetta's returning in the evening. Has my father given you a refusal? cried Lucetta. Ah Lucetta! replied Perrin, how unhappy am I for being poor; but I have not lost all hopes. My circumstances may change for the better.

4. As they were never tired of conversing together, the night drew on, and it became dark; Perrin, making a false step, fell on the ground. He found a bag, which was heavy. Drawing toward a light in the neighborhood, he found that it was filled with gold. I thank heaven, cries Perrin in a trans

port, for being favorable to our wishes. This will satisfy your father, and make us happy.

5. In their way to her father's house, a thought struck Perrin: "This money is not ours,-it belongs to some stranger,and perhaps this moment he is lamenting the loss of it. Let us go to the vicar for advice,-he has always been kind to me." Perrin put the bag into the vicar's hand, saying, that at first be looked on it as a providential present, to remove the only obstacle to their marriage, but that he now doubted whether he could lawfully retain it. The vicar eyed the lovers with

attention.

6. 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 your honesty,-I will add what 1 can spare, you shall have Lucetta. The bag was advertised in the newspapers, and cried in the neighboring parishes. Some time having elapsed, and the money not being demanded, the vicar carried it to Perrin:

7. "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 shall 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. Perrin one evening returning homeward from his work, saw a chaise overturned, with two gentlemen in it.

8. 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

What

twelve thousand livres. Perrin listened with attention. 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, for the vessel was ready to sail.

9. Next morning, Perrin showed to his guests his house, his garden, his cattle, and mentioned the produce of his fields. "All these are your property," addressing 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." The stranger read the instrument with emotion. He looked on Perrin, Lucetta, and the children.

10. Where am I? cried he,-and what do I hear? What virtue in people so low! Have you any other land but this farm? No, replied Perrin,-but you will have occasion for a

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