HONESTY.-PROVERBS. 47 tience, and by its prospects and promises, throws a cheering ray into the darkest shade of human life. "Where dwells this sovereign bliss? Where doth it grow? HONESTY. To be punctual in our engagements, and just in our dealings, though it may sometimes seem to be contrary to our present advantage, is always sure in the end to promote our true interests. A fair and honest course of conduct will always be rewarded by the approbation of our fellow-creatures; and this approbation will naturally be followed by good offices and grateful returns, which will certainly tend to promote and give success to all our undertakings. It is a maxim worthy of being written in letters of gold, that there is no method so certain of defeating the plots of wicked men against us, as by acting uprightly. PROVERBS. "A fool's bolt is soon shot," or silly people speak without reflection. The instruction of this proverb lies in teaching us to govern the tongue with discretion and prudence. It is a lecture which enjoins deliberation, courtesy and affability in company and fidelity and secrecy in the affairs of life. "Cut your coat according to your cloth." This proverb 48 PARENTAL AFFECTION.-FLORA'S PARTY. contains good advice to people of several ranks and degrees, to balance accounts between their expenses and their income, and not to let their vanity lead them into debt. "As you brer, so shall you bake." This bitter taunt is applicable to such as act inconsiderately in matters of moment, without the precaution of good counsel and good advice. "Much falls between the cup and the lip," or many things which we expect, we do not realize. This is a cautionary proverb to persons who too confidently depend upon future hopes, unmindful of the contingencies that may intervene. PARENTAL AFFECTION. As the vexations which parents receive from their children, hasten the approach of age, and double the force of years, so the comforts which they reap from them are balm to all other sorrows, and repair, in some degree, the injuries of time. However strong we may suppose the fondness of a father for his children, yet they will find more lively marks of tenderness in the bosom of a mother. There are no ties in nature to compare with those which unite an affectionate mother to her children, when they repay her tenderness with obedience and love. FLORA'S PARTY. LADY FLORA gave cards for a party at tea, FLORA'S PARTY. First came the exotics, with ornaments rare, 49 With their dazzling new vests and their corsets laced tight; While the Soldiers in Green, cavalierly attired, Were all by the ladies extremely admired. At the smile of the lip, or the glance of the eye. And ne'er wet your fingers, don't know what I mean." 50 FLORA'S PARTY. And her husband, the Lilac, ne'er moved from her side, Though the belles giggled loudly, and said, "'T was a shame For a young married chit such attention to claim; They never attended a rout in their life, Where a city-bred man ever spoke to his wife." With the Ice-Plant, new spangled from forehead to feet And the Dahlias, with trimmings new furbished and dyed, And the Blue-bells and Hare-bells, in simple array, And that pure, fragrant Lily, the gem of the vale ; bowed To that virtue which seeks not the praise of the crowd. FLORA'S PARTY. 51 But the Monk's-Hood scowled dark, and, in utterance low, Declared "'t was high time for good Christians to go; He'd heard from his parson a sermon sublime, Where he proved from the Vulgate, to dance was a crime." So, folding the cowl round his cynical head, And pronounced they were "not in good keeping of taste;" While prim Fleur de Lis, in her robe of French silk, And magnificent Calla, with mantle like milk, Of the Louvre recited a wonderful tale, |