Chap. 3.]

Didac'tick Pre'ces.

45

after having opened its bo'şóm to receive it, wârms and moistens it; so the whole fruit of instruction depends upon a good correspondence between masters and scholars.

4. Gratitude towards those who have faithfully laboured in our education, is an essential vir'tue, and the mark of a good heart. "Of those who have been carefully instructed, who is there," says Cic'e-rō, "that is not delighted with the sight, and even the remembrance of his preceptors, and the very place where he was educated?" Sen'e-çă exhôrts young men to preserve' always a great respect for their masters, to whose care they are indebted for the amendment of their faults, and for having imbibed sentiments of hōn'our and probity.

5. Their exactness and severity sometimes displease, at an age when we are not in a condition to judge of the obligations we owe them; but when years have ripened our understanding and judgment, we diş-çern' that admonitions, réprimànds', and a severe exactness in restraining the passions of an imprudent and inconsiderate age, far from justifying dişlike, demand' our esteem' and love. Màr'cus Au-ré'li-ùs, one of the wisest and most illustrious emperors that Ròme ever had, thanked Heaven for two things especially; for having had excellent tutors himself; and for having found the like blessing for his children.

SECTION III

On filial piety.

ROL'LIN.

1. FROM the crea'tures of God let man learn wisdom, and apply to himself the instruction they give. Go to the deş'ĕrt, my son observe the young stork of the wilderness; let him speak to thy heart. He bears on his wings his aged sire: he lodges him in safety, and supplies him with food.

2. The piety of a child is sweeter than the incense of Pěr'si-ă* offered to the sun; yea, more delicious than odours wäfted from a field of Ă-rā'bi-ăn spices, by the western gales.

3. Be grateful to thy father, for he gave thee life; and to thy mother, for she sustained thee. Hear the words of their mouth, for they àre spoken for thy good; give ear to their admonition, for it proceeds from love.

4. Thy father has watched for thy welfare, he has toiled for thy ease: do hōn'our, there'fore, to his age, and let not

helpless infancy, nor the frowardness of thy youth; a bear with the in-fir'mi-ties* of thy aged parents: assist a support them in the decline of life. So shall their ho heads go down to the grave in peace: and thy own childr in reverence of thy example, shall repay thy piety w filial love.

ECONOMY OF HUMAN LIFE

Love between brothers and sisters.

1. You are the children of one father, provided for by care; and the breast of one mother gave you suck. the bonds of affection, there'fore, unite thee with thy broth and sisters, that peace and happiness may dwell in father's house.

2. And when you àre separated in the world, remem the relation that binds you to love and unity; and prefer a stranger before thy own blood. If thy brother is in adv sity, assist him; if thy sister is in trouble, forsake her So shall the fôr'tunes of thy father contribute to the supp of his whole race, and his care be continued to you all your love to each other.

ECONOMY OF HUMAN LIFE

1. WHEN thou considerest thy wants, when thou behold thy imperfections, acknowledge his goodness, O son humanity! who hon'oured thee with reason; endued t with speech; and placed thee in society, to receive confer reciprocal helps and mu'tü-ălț obligations.

2. Thy food, thy clothing, thy convenience of habitati thy protection from the injuries, thy enjoyment of the co fórts and the pleas'ures of life; all these thou owest to assistance of others, and couldst not enjoy but in the ba of society. It is thy duty, there'fore, to be a friend mankind, as it is thy interest, that man should be frien to thee.

3. Rejoice in the happiness and prosperity of thy ne bour. Open not thy ear to slănder; the faults and fail of men give pain to a benevolent heart. Desire to do g

4. Shut not thine ear against the cries of the poor; nor harden thy heàrt against the calamities of the innocent. When the fatherless call upon thee, when the widow's heart is sunk, and she implores thy assistance with tears of sorrow, pity their affliction, and extend thy hand to those who have nóne to help them. When thou seest the naked wânderer of the street, shivering with cold, and destitute of habitation, let bounty open thy heàrt; let the wings of charity shelter him from death, that thy own soul may live.

5. Whilst the poor man groans on the bed of sickness; whilst the unfortunate languish in the horrours of a dungeon; or the hoary head of age lifts up a feeble eye to thee for pity; how canst thou riot in su-per'flu-ous enjoyments, regardless of their wânts, unfeeling of their woes?

ECONOMY OF HUMAN LIFE

SECTION VI.

Ingratitude to our Supreme Benefactor is highly culpable.

AR-1A-BA'NES was distinguished with peculiar favour by a wise, powerful, and good prince. A magnificent palace, surrounded with a delightful garden, was provided for his residence. He partook of all the luxuries of his sóv'er-eign's table, was invested with extensive authority, and admitted to the honour of a free intercourse with his gracious master. But Ar-ta-ba'nes was insensible of the ǎdvăn'tages which he enjoyed; his heart glowed not with gratitude and respect; he ǎ-voided the society of his benefactor, and a-buş'ed his bounty. 2. "I detest such a character," said Ă-lex'is, with generous indignation!"It is your own picture which I have drawn," replied Eu-phrō'ni-us. "The great Pō'tentāte of heaven and earth has placed you in a world, which displays the highest beauty, order, and magnificence; and which abounds with every means of convenience, enjoyment, and happiness. He has furnished you with such powers of body and mind, as give you dominion over the fishes of the sea, the fowls of the air, and the beasts of the field. He has invited you to hold communion with him, and to exalt your own na'ture,* by the love and imitation of his divine perfections."

3. "Yet have your eyes wandered, with brutal gaze, over the fair creation, unconscious of the mighty hand from which it sprung. You have rioted in the profusion of nature, without suitable emotions of gratitude to the sóv'ĕr-eign Dis

*na'tshure.

PER CIVAL

1. A CERTAIN astronomer was contemplating the m through his telescope, and tracing the extent of her seas, height of her môûn'tains, and the number of habitable te tories which she contains. "Let him spy what he pleas said a clown to his companions; "he is not nearer to moon than we are."

2. Shall the same observă'tión be made to you, Ă-lě Do you sur-pass' others in learning, and yet in good remain upon a level with the uninstructed vulgar? Have so long gazed at the temple of virtue, without ad-văn' one step towards it? Are you smitten with moral bea yet regardless of its attainment? Are you a phi-los'o-phe theory, but a novice in practice? The par-ti-ali-ty* father inclines me to hope, that the reverse is true. I fla my-self', that by having learn'ed to think, you will be qual to act; and that the rectitude of your conduct will be quate to your improvements in knowledge.

3. May that wisdom which is justified in her works your guide through life! And may you enjoy all the fel which flows from a cultivated understanding, pious and regulated affections, and extensive benevolence! In t consists that sóv'er-eign good. which ancient sages so n ex-tŏl'; which reason recommends, religion authorizes, God approves.

THE Golden Eagle is the largest and the noblest c