verb enjoins frugality and providence, and forbids excesses and luxury. It likewise admonishes us not to defer important duties, lest we should find, too late, that there is not time enough left, in which to perform them. "The more haste the less speed. This proverb reprehends too precipitate and hurrying tempers, and shows the value of calmness and sedateness, in the management of business. 'One swallow does not make a summer." This proverb teaches us not to consider ourselves or others good, from the practice of one single virtue, and that the right way of judging is to take into consideration the whole character and conduct. This proverb, "Nothing venture, nothing have." though it does not license an inconsiderate rashness, in running hazards against all probability of success, yet is a spur to industry, enterprise and resolution in any honest undertaking. HONOR DEARER THAN LIFE. AN American officer, during the war of Independence, was ordered to a station of extreme peril, when several around him suggested various expedients, by which he might evade the dangerous post assigned him. He made them the following heroic reply: "I thank you, my friends, for your solicitude-I know I can easily save my life, but who will save my honor, should I adopt your advice?" DOMESTIC REPROVED. ONE of the domestics of Frederick the Great one day TO AN INFANT AT ITS BIRTH. 135 came to wait upon him in an elegant flesh-colored coat, thinking to please the king by his dress, because it was his favorite color. Frederick, however, pretended not to observe him. The servant then perceiving the mistake he had made, slipped out, and put on a coat more suitable to his station. The king noticed the change, and with great affability said to him, "Tell me, friend, who was that coxcomb that appeared here just now, in a flesh-colored coat?" TO AN INFANT AT ITS BIRTH. So beautiful and bright, Whose bud has scarce an hour, Ope'd to the sun's sweet light. Midst storms thou 'st shown thy head; Arrayed like threat'ning hosts. But guardian hands are near To mantle thee around, Lest winds in wild career Should cast thee to the ground. Then, tender flower, arise, Nor droop thy lovely head; Nor storms around thee dread. And though the gardened earth May cease supporting thee,-- Thine age eternity! 136 DISCRETION.-KEEPING SECRETS.-AGE. And though thy lowly form DISCRETION. THERE are many more shining qualities in the mind of man, but there is none so useful as discretion; it is this which gives a value to all the rest, which sets them at work in their proper times and places, and turns them to the advantage of the person who is possessed of them. Without it, learning is pedantry, and wit impertinence; nay, virtue itself looks like weakness. Discretion not only shows itself in words, but in all the circumstances of action; and is like an under agent of Providence, to guide and direct us in the ordinary chances of life. KEEPING SECRETS. THE reply of Charles the Second, when importuned to communicate something of a private nature, deserves to be engraven on the heart of every man. "Can you keep a secret?" asked the subtle monarch. faithfully," returned the nobleman. the laconic and severe answer of the king. "Most "So can I," was AGE. PIETY is the only proper and adequate relief of decaying man. He that grows old without religious hope, as he declines into imbecility, and feels pains and sorrows incessantly crowding upon him, falls into the gulf COMPANY.-SIR WALTER SCOTT. 137 of bottomless misery, in which every reflection must plunge him deeper, one where he finds only new gradations of anguish, and precipices of horror. 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. An old age, unsupported with matter for discourse and meditation, is much to be dreaded. No state can be more destitute than that of him, who, when the delights of sense forsake him, has no pleasures of the mind. CHOICE OF COMPANY. ENDEAVOR, as much you can, to keep good company, and the company of your superiors; for you will be held in estimation according to the company you keep. By superiors, I do not mean so much with regard to birth, rank or condition, as merit, and the light in which they are considered in the world. SIR WALTER SCOTT. SIR WALTER SCOTT, when a boy, gave very slight indications of genius, nor did he shine in his early career as a scholar. In Latin, he did not advance far until his tenth year, when Dr. Paterson succeeded to the school at Musselburg, where young Scott then was. Dr. Blair, on a visit to Musselburg, soon after Dr. Paterson took charge of the school, accompanied by some friends, examined several of the pupils, and paid particular attention to young Scott. Dr. Paterson thought it was the youth's stupidity that engaged the doctor's notice, and said, "My predecessor tells me that boy has the thickest skull in the school." "May be so," replied Dr. Blair, "but through that thick skull, I can discern many rays of future genius." How fully the prediction has been verified, need not be told. MERCY. -Mercy is twice blessed; It blesseth him that gives, and him that takes : Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings; It is enthroned in the hearts of kings! It is an attribute of God himself! And earthly power doth then show likest God's WARREN'S ADDRESS BEFORE THE BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. STAND! the ground 's your own, my braves! Will ye look for greener graves? Hope ye mercy still? What's the mercy despots feel? Hear it in that battle peal! Read it on yon bristling steel! Ask it ye who will! |