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sense being accustomed to receive her discoveries without labour or study, she cannot so easily wait for those truths, which being placed at a distance, and lying concealed under numberless covers, require much pains and application to unfold.

But though good sense is not in the number, nor always, it must be owned, in the company of the sciences; yet is it (as the most sensible of poets has justly observed)

"fairly worth the seven."

Rectitude of understanding is indeed the most useful, as well as the most noble of human endowments, as it is the sovereign guide and director in every branch of civil and social intercourse.

Upon whatever occasion this enlightening faculty is exerted, it is always sure to act with distinguished eminence; but its chief and peculiar province seems to lie in the commerce of the world. Accordingly we may observe, that those who have conversed more with men than with books; whose wisdom is derived ra ther from experience than contemplation; generally possess this happy talent with superior perfection. For good sense, though it cannot be acquired, may be improved: and the world, I believe, will ever be found to afford the mostkindly soil for its cultivation."--Pratt.

ANGER

Is so turbulent and destructive a passion that we must do every thing to restrain it within proper bounds; to guard against its first ap. proach is an incumbent duty.

"IN reality, it is much easier to keep our. selves void of resentment, than to restrain it from excess, when it has gained admission; for if reason, while her strength is yet entire, is not able to preserve her dominion, what can she do when her enemy has in part prevailed and weakened her force? To use the illustra tion of an excellent author, we can prevent the beginning of some things, whose progress afterwards we cannot hinder. We can forbear to cast ourselves down from a precipice, but if once we have taken the fatal leap, we must descend, whether we will or not. Thus the mind, if duly cautious, may stand firm upon the rock of tranquillity; but if she rashly forsakes the summit, she can scarce recover herself, but is hurried away downwards by her own passion, with increasing violence.

Do not say that we exhort you to attempt that which is impossible. Nature has put it in our power to resist the motions of anger. We only plead inability, when we want an excuse for our own negligence. Was a passionate man to forfeit a hundred pounds, as often as he was angry, or was he sure he must die the next moment after the first sally of his passion, we should find, he had a great command of his temper, whenever he could prevail upon himself to exercise a proper attention about it. And shall we not esteem it worthy of equal attention, worthy of our utmost care and pains, to obtain that immoveable tranquillity of mind without which we cannot relish either life it self, or any of its enjoyments? Upon the whole then, we both may and ought, not mere. ly to restrain, but extirpate anger. It is impati. ent of rule; in proportion as it prevails, it

will disquiet our minds; it has nothing com. mendable in itself, nor will it answer any valu able purpose in life."--Holland.

FIRMNESS OF MIND

Is desirable in every station of life, but on some occasions it is of indispensible necessity. The following instance is remarkable, and is deserving of being introduced to the notice of the rising generation.

"WHILST Alexander Severus lay at Antioch, in his Persian expedition, the punishment of some soldiers excited a sedition in the legion to which they belonged. Alexander ascended his tribunal, and, with a modest firmness, represented to the armed multitude the absolute ne. cessity, as well as his inflexible resolution, of correcting the vices introduced by his impure predecessor; and of maintaining the discipline, which could not be relaxed without the ruin of the Roman name and empire. Their clamours interrupted his mild expostulation. "Reserve your shouts," said the undaunted emperor, "till you take the field, against the Persians, the Germans, and the Sarmatians. Be silent in the presence of your sovereign and benefactor, who bestows upon you the corn, the clothing, and the money of the provinces. Be silent, or I shall no longer style you soldiers, but citizens; if those, indeed, who disclaim the laws of Rome, deserve to be ranked among the meanest of the people." His menaces inflamed the fury of the legion, and their brand. ished arms already threatened his person. "Your courage," resumed the intrepid Alexander, “would be more nobly displayed in a

field of battle: me you may destroy; you can. not intimidate; and the severe justice of the republic would punish your crime, and revenge my death." The legion still persisting in cla morous sedition, the emperor pronounced, with a loud voice, the decisive sentence," Citizens! lay down your arms, and depart, in peace, to your respective habitations." The tempest was instantly appeased; the soldiers, filled with grief and shame, silently confessed the justice of their punishment, and the power of discipline; yielded up their arms and military ensigns and retired, in confusion, not to their camp, but to the several inns of the city. Alexander enjoyed, during thirty days, the edifying spectacle of their repentance; nor did he restore them to their former rank in the army, till he had punished those tribunes, whose connivance had occasioned the mutiny." Gibbon.

SINGULAR VERACITY,

WILL be found exemplified in the subsequent story; it is an extraordinary case, and whether true or false may be rendered conducive to moral improvement.

"A Spanish cavalier, having assassinated a Moorish gentleman, instantly fled from justice. He was vigorously pursued; but availing him. self of a sudden turn in the road, he leaped, un. perceived, over a garden wall. The propri etor, who was also a Moor, happened to be at that time, walking in the garden; and the Spaniard fell upon his knees before him, acquainted him with his case, and in the most pathetic manner implored concealment. The

Moor listened to him with compassion, and ge nerously promised his assistance. He then locked him in a summer-house, and left him, with an assurance, that, when night approached, he would provide for his escape. A few hours afterwards, the dead body of his son was brought to him; and the description of the murderer exactly agreed with the appearance of the Spaniard, whom he had then in custody. He concealed the horror and suspicion which he felt; and retiring to his chamber, remained there till midnight. Then going privately into the garden, he opened the door of the summerhouse, and thus accosted the cavalier: "Christian," said he, "the youth whom you have murdered was my only son. Your crime merits the severest punishment. But I have solemnly pledged my word for your security; and I disdain to violate even a rash engagement with a cruel enemy." He conducted the Spaniard to the stables, and furnishing him with one of his swiftest mules, "Fly," said he, "whilst the darkness of the night conceals. you. Your hands are polluted with blood; but God is just; and I humbly thank him that my faith is unspotted, and that I have resigned judgment unto him."--Dr. Percival.

THE CONTENTED PORTER

Is a striking proof that happiness is not exclusively confined to any one condition of human life; the tale may leave some useful im pression on the heart.

"A PORTER, one day, resting himself with his load by him, groaned aloud, and "wished he had five hundred pounds." "Why," says a

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