above the little troublesome ambition to be distinguished every moment, it hears in silence, and replies with modesty; fearing no enemy, and making none; and is as much ashamed of insolence as of cowardice.

No. 233.] UNREASONABLE FEAR. [TUESDAY.

UNREASONABLE fear is an unjust and ridiculous fear of any creature whatever, or of any occurrences in life: it is a timorous spirit, which subjects the whole nature to the power and tyranny of the passion of fear, beyond all reasonable grounds; as, for instance, a fear of being alone, or in the dark; a perpetual fear of evil accidents by fire or water, or wicked men; a disquieting fear of ghosts and apparitions, of little inconsiderable animals, such as spiders, frogs, or worms; fear of poverty or calamity of any kind, whereby we are too often restrained from our present duty, and our lives made very uncomfortable. All manner of fear becomes irregular when it rises to an excessive degree, and is superior to the danger.

No. 234.]

ADMONITIONS.

[WEDNESDAY.

By whatever means we may at first attract the attention, we can hold the esteem, and secure

the hearts of others, only by amiable dispositions, and the accomplishments of the mind.

Let us not forget, that something more than gentleness and modesty, than complacency of temper, and affability of manners, is requisite to form a worthy man, or a true Christian.

He who is a stranger to industry, may possess, but he cannot enjoy.

Deliberate slowly, execute promptly.

No. 235.]

HOME.

[THURSDAY.

"Where'er we roam,

Our first, best country ever is at home."

HOME! 'tis the name of all that sweetens life:
Oh! 'tis a name of more than magic spell,
Whose sacred power the wand'rer best can tell;
He who long distant from his native land,
Feels, at her name, his eager love expand;
Whether as parent, husband, father, friend,
To that dear point his thoughts, his wishes bend;
And still he owns wheree'er his footsteps roam,
Life's choicest blessings centre all--at home!

Home is the resort
Of love, of joy, of peace, and plenty, where,
Supporting and supported, polished friends
And dear relations mingle into bliss.

No. 236.]

CLEANLINESS.

[FRIDAY.

CLEANLINESS may be considered under the three following remarks. First, it is a mark of politeness, for no one unadorned with this virtue can go into company without giving a manifest offence. Secondly, cleanliness may be said to be the foster-mother of affection. Beauty commonly produces love, but cleanliness preserves it. Age itself is not unamiable, while it is preserved clean and unsullied. In the third place, it bears analogy with purity of mind, and naturally inspires refined sentiments and passions. It is an excellent preservative of health, and several vices destructive both to mind and body, are inconsistent with the habit of it.

No. 237.]

EQUIVOCATION.

[SATURDAY.

AN equivocation is nearly related to a lie. It is an intention to deceive under words of a double meaning, or words which, literally speaking, are true; and is equally criminal with the most downright breach of truth. A nod, or sign, may convey a lie as effectually as the most deceitful language. Whether we deceive by actions, or words, we are equally culpable.

Every engagement, though only of the lightest kind, should be punctually observed, and he who does not think himself bound by such an obliga

tion, has little pretension to the character of an

honest man.

No. 238.]

THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM.

[SUNDAY.

BAPTISM consists in washing or sprinkling the body with water, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, and the outward form is the sign of an inward and spiritual grace. It is a memorial of that purity of mind, and manners, which, as christians we are bound to preserve. And as water, the emblem of purity, is in daily constant use, it may bring to our mind every hour we live, the obligation of our baptism, and teach us to keep our souls and bodies untainted with any moral impurity.

No. 239.]

ADMONITIONS.

[MONDAY.

NEVER speak to deceive, or listen to betray.
Diligence in execution is the mistress of success.
While all is not lost, all is ultimately retrievable.

If a resolution must at last be taken, there is none so likely to be supported with firmness, as that which has been adopted with moderation.

Violent asseverations, or affected bluntness, look not more suspicious than strained sanctity, or over offended modesty.

N

No. 240.]

SENSIBILITY.

[TUESDAY.

CELESTIAL Spring to nature's favourite given,
Fed by the dews which bathe the flowers of heaven,
From the pure chrystal of thy fountain flow,
The tears that trickle o'er another's woe;
The silent drop that calms our own distress,
The gush of rapture at a friend's success.
Thine the soft showers down beauty's breast that
steal

To soothe the heart-wounds they can never heal;
Thine too, the tears of extasy that roll,

When genius whispers to the listening soul:
And thine the hallow'd flood that drowns the eye,
When pure religion lifts the thoughts on high.

No. 241.]

DUTIES OF PUPILS.

[WEDNESDAY.

THE duties of pupils consist in docility and obedience: respect for their preceptors, zeal for study, and a thirst after the sciences, joined to an abhorrence of vice and irregularity, together with a sincere and fervent desire of pleasing God, and referring all their actions to him. The exactness and severity of our teachers may displease sometimes, at an age when we are not capable to judge of the obligations we owe them; but when years have ripened our understanding and judgment, we discern that their admonitions, reprimands, and a severe exactness in restraining the passions of an imprudent and inconsiderate age, are the