To avoid' all kinds of unnatura! and disagreeable tones, we should read with the same ease and freedom that would mark our private convĕrsă'tión, on the same subject. We do not hear persons convèrse in a tone; if we did, we should laugh at them. "Do not," says Dr. Watts, "affect to change that natural and easy sound with which you speak, for a strange, new, awkward tone, as some do when they begin to read. We should almost be persûa'ded that the speaker and the reader were two different persons, if our eyes did not tell us the contrary." We shall close these rules and ŏbşĕrvā'tiónş, by a remark of considerable importance to young persons who are desirous of learning to read well. Few rules on the subject àre intelligible to children, unless illustrated by the voice of a competent instructer. They should, there'fōre, pay great attention to the manner in which their teacher, and other persons of approved skill, perform' the business of reading. They should observe their mode of pronouncing the words, placing the emphasis, making the pauses, managing the voice, and adapting it to the various subjects they read; and, in all these respects, endeavour to imitate them as nearly as possible. reading. placing adapting ects, en SECTION I. TO be good is to be happy. Vice, soon or late, brings misery. We were not made for ourselves only. A good person has a tender concern for the happiness of others. Modesty is one of the chief ornaments of youth. Deceit discovers a little mind. Cultivate the love of truth. No confidence can be placed in those who are in the habit of lying. Neglect no opportunity of doing good. Idleness is the parent of vice and misery. Cleanliness promotes health of body and delicacy of mind. A contented mind is an inestimable treaş'ure. Boast not of the favours you bestow. Merit the approbation of the wise and good. It is a great blessing to have pious and virtuous† parents. The most secret acts of goodness àre seen and approved by the Al-migh'ty. SEC TION II. Our reputation, vir'tue, and happiness, greatly depend on the choice of our companions. Good or bad habits, formed in vouth. generally go with us We should be kind* to all persons, even to those who are unkindt to us. When we acknowledge our misconduct, and are sorry for it, generous and good persons will pity and forgive us. Our best friends are those who tell us of our faults, and teach us how to correct them. If tales were not listened to, there would be no tale-bearers. To take sincere pleaş'ure in the blessings and excellencies of others, is a sure mark of a good heart. We can never treat a fellow-creature ill, without offending the gracious Cré-a'tor and Father of all. A kind word, nay, even a kind look, often affords cóm'fórt to the afflicted. Every desire of the heart, every secret thought, is known to him who made us. .1 SECTION III. He that cares only for himself, has but few pleaş'ures, and those few àre of the lowest order. We may escape' the censure of others, when we do wrong privately; but we cannot avoid the reproaches of our own mind. Pàr-ti-ăl'i-ty‡ to self often hides from us our own faults; we see very clearly the same faults in others. Never sport with pain and distress in any of your ǎ-müşe'ments; nor treat even the meanest insect with wânton cruelty. Vicious pursuits may yield a few scattered pleas'ures but piety and virtue will make our whole life happy. Fancy paints pleaş'ures at a distance, with beautiful colours but poşşes'sión often takes away their beauty. We should accustom ourselves to bear small injuries pa tiently; we shall then be better able to support great ones When provoked by the follies of others, think of you own imperfections, be patient and hum'ble. Without frugality nóne can be rich; and with it very fev would be poor. The good or bad disposition of children, often shows i self, in their behaviour to servants and inferiours; it is see even in their treatment of dumb animals. where; but we can rejoice, that every where there is a God to do them good. SECTION IV. WHEN bles'sed with health and prosperity, cultivate a hum'ble and compassionate disposition think of the distresses of human life; of the solitary cot'tage, the dying parent, and the weeping orphan. Avoid all harshness in behaviour: treat every one with that cour'te-sy* which springs from a mild and gentle heart. Be slow in forming intimate connexions: they may bring diş-hon'our and misery. Almost all our desires àre apt to wander into an improper course to di-rect' them properly requires care; but that care will render us safe and happy through life. The days that are păst àre gone for ever; those that àre to come, may not come to us; the present time only is ours: let us, there'fōre, improve it as much as possible. They who are moderate in their expectations, meet with few disappointments: the eager and presumptuoust àre continually disappointed Whatever is worth doing at all, is worth doing well: but it is impossible to do any thing well, without attention. Let us not expect too much pleaş'ure in this life: no situation is exempt from trouble. The best persons àre, no doubt, the happiest; but they too have their trials and af flictions. SECTION V. How greatly do the kind offices of a dutiful and affectionate child gladden the heart of a parent, especially when sinking under age or in-fir'mi-tieş !|| What better proof can we give of wisdom and goodness, than to be content with the station in which Providence has placed us? An hon'est man, (as Pope expresses himself,) is the noblest work of God. How pleasant it is, when we lie down at night, to reflect that we are at peace with all persons! that we have carefully perform'ed the duties of the day' that the Al-migh'ty beholds and loves us! How readily should we forgive those who offend us, if we consider how much our heavenly Fà'ther has forgiven us ! *kur'te-se. † pre-zum'tshu-ŭs. kyind. in-fer'me-tis. Who would exchange the hum'ble peace which virtue gives, for all the honours and pleaş'ures of a vain world? Pridė, (to use the emphatical words of a sacred writer,) was not made for man. How can we spend our time foolishly, when we know that we must give an account hereafter, of our thoughts words, and actions? How glorious an object is the sun; but how much more glorious is that great and good Being, who made it for our use! Behold, how rich and beautiful àre the works of na'ture !* What a bountiful provision is made for our wants and pleasures! Surely, the Author of so many blessings is wor thy of our love and gratitude! SECTION VI. CYRUS, when young, being asked what was the first thing which he learn'ed, answered; "To speak the truth." E-păm-i-non'das, the celebrated The băn general, was remarkable for his love of truth. He never told a lie, even in jest. All our moral duties are contained in these few words "Do as you would be done by." The following was a favourite sentiment of the wise and good Soc'ra-teş: "We should eat and drink, in-order to live instead of living, as many do, to eat and drink.” Ar-ta-xerx'es Mne'mon, king of Per'si-a,t being, upon a extraordinary occasion, reduced to eat barley-bread an dried figs, and to drink water; "What pleas'ure,' " said he "have I iost till now, by my delicacies and excess." When Ca'to drew near the close of life, he made this mo benevolent declaration to his friends: "The greatest cóm fort of my old age, is, the pleasing remembrance of th friendly offices I have done to others. To see them eas and happy by my means, makes me truly so." Mark An'tony, when under åd'verse circum-stăn-ces, ma this interesting exclamation; "I have lost all except wh I have given ǎway!" The Em'per-or Màr'cus Au-re'li-us, a pious and go man, expressed the benevolence of his heart, in these word "I cannot relish a happiness which no one partakes of h my-self'." Ed'ward the VI. king of Engʻland,‡ being, when very you |