Page images
PDF
EPUB

awe; and he viewed the rhinoceros with astonishment. But his attention was soon withdrawn from these animals, and directed to another, of the most elegant and beautiful form.

3. He stood contemplating, with silent admiration, the glossy smoothness of his hair; the blackness and regularity of the streaks with which he was marked; the symmetry of his limbs; and, above all, the placid sweetness of his

countenance.

4. "What is the name of this lovely animal," said he to the keeper," which you have placed near one of the ugliest beasts in your collection; as if you meant to contrast beauty with deformity?"

5. "Beware, young man," replied the intelligent keeper, "of being so easily captivated with external appearance The animal which you admire is called a tiger; and notwithstanding the meekness of his looks, he is fierce and savage beyond description. I can neither terrify him by correction, nor tame him by indulgence. But the other beast which you despise, is in the highest degree docile, affectionate, and useful.

6. "For the benefit of man he traverses the sandy deserts of Arabia, where drink and pasture are seldom to be found; and will continue six or seven days without sustenance, yet still patient of labour. His hair is manufactured into clothing; his flesh is deemed wholesome nourishment; and the milk of the female is much valued by the Arabs.

7. "The camel, therefore, for such is the name given to this animal, is more worthy of your admiration than the tiger; notwithstanding the inelegance of his make, and the two bunches upon his back. For mere external beauty is of little estimation; and deformity, when associated with amiable dispositions and useful qualities, does not preclude our respect and approbation."

SECTION VI.

The two bees.

PERCIVAL.

1. ON a fine morning in summer, two bees set forward in quest of honey, the one wise and temperate, the other careless and extravagant. They soon arrived at a garden

enriched with aromatic herbs, the most fragrant flowers, and the most delicious fruits.

2. They regaled themselves with the various dainties that were spread before them: the one loaded his thighs, at intervals, with provisions for the hive against the distant winter; the other revelled in sweets, without regard to any thing but his present gratification.

3. At length they found a wide-mouthed phial, that hung beneath the bough of a peach-tree, filled with honey ready tempered, and exposed to their taste in the most alluring manner. The thoughtless epicure, in spite of his friend's remonstrances, plunged headlong into the vessel, resolving to indulge himself in all the pleasures of sensuality.

4. His philosophic companion, on the other hand, sipped a little, with caution; but being suspicious of danger, flew off to fruits and flowers; where, by the moderation of his meals, he improved his relish for the true enjoyment of them.

5. In the evening, however, he called upon his friend, to inquire whether he would return to the hive: but he found him surfeited in sweets, which he was as unable to leave, as to enjoy.

6. Clogged in his wings, enfeebled in his feet, and his whole frame totally enervated, he was but just able to bid his friend adieu; and to lament, with his latest breath,that though a taste of pleasure may quicken the relish of life an unrestrained indulgence leads to inevitable destruction.

SECTION VII.

Ingenuity and industry rewarded.

DODSLEY.

1. A RICH husbandman had two sons, the one exactly a year older than the other. The very day the second was born, he set, in the entrance of his orchard, two young apple-trees of equal size; which he cultivated with the same care, and which grew so equally, that no person could perceive the least difference between them.

2. When his children were capable of handling gardentools, he took them, one fine morning in spring, to see these two trees, which he had planted for them, and called after their names: and when they had sufficiently admired theof

growth, and the number of blossoms that covered them, he said: "My dear children, I give you these trees: you see they are in good condition.

[ocr errors]

3. They will thrive as much by your care, as they will decline by your negligence; and their fruit will reward you in proportion to your labour."

4. The youngest, named Edmund, was industrious and attentive. He busied himself in clearing his tree of insects that would hurt it; and he propped up its stem, to prevent its taking a wrong bent.

5. He loosened the earth about it, that the warmth of the sun, and the moisture of the dews, might cherish the roots. His mother had not tended him more carefully in his infancy, than he tended his young apple-tree.

6. His brother, Moses, did not imitate his example. He spent a great deal of time on a mount that was near, throwing stones at the passengers in the road. He went among all the little dirty country boys in the neighbourhood, to box with them; so that he was often seen with broken shins and black eyes, from the kicks and blows he received in his quarrels.

7. In short, he neglected his tree so far, that, he never thought of it, till, one day in autumn, he, by chance, saw Edmund's tree so full of apples streaked with purple and gold, that had it not been for the props which supported its branches, the weight of its fruit must have bent it to the ground.

8. Struck with the sight of so fine a tree, he hastened to his own, hoping to find as large a crop upon it: but, to his great surprise, he saw scarcely any thing, except branches covered with moss, and a few yellow withered leaves.

9. Full of passion and jealousy, he ran to his father, and said; "Father, what sort of a tree is that which you have given me? It is as dry as a broomstick; and I shall not have ten apples on it. My brother you have used better: bid him at least share his apples with me."

10. "Share with you!" said his father; "so the industrious must lose his labour, to feed the idle! Be satisfied with your lot: it is the effect of your negligence: and do not think to accuse me of injustice, when you see your brother's rich crop. Your tree was as fruitful, and in as good

[ocr errors]

order as his : it bore as many blossoms, and grew in the same soil, only it was not fostered with the same care.

11. "Edmund has kept his tree clear of hurtful insects; but you have suffered them to eat up yours in its blossoms. As I do not choose to let any thing which God has given me, and for which I hold myself accountable to him, go to ruin, I shall take this tree from you, and call it no more by your name.

12. "It must pass through your brother's hands, before it can recover itself; and from this moment, both it and the fruit it may bear, are his property. You may, if you will, go into my nursery, and look for another; and rear it, to make amends for your fault: but if you neglect it, that too shall be given to your brother, for assisting me in my labour."

13. Moses felt the justice of his father's sentence, and the wisdom of his design. He therefore went that moment into the nursery, and chose one of the most thriving appletrees he could find. Edmund assisted him with his advice in rearing it; and Moses embraced every occasion of paying attention to it.

14. He was now never out of humour with his comrades, and still less with himself; for he applied cheerfully to work: and, in autumn, he had the pleasure of seeing his tree fully answer his hopes. Thus he had the double advantage, of enriching himself with a splendid crop of fruit; and, at the same time, of subduing the vicious habits he had contracted. His father was so well pleased with this change, that, the following year, he divided the produce of a small orchard between him and his brother.

SECTION VIII.

The secret of being always satisfied.

BERQUIN.

1. A CERTAIN Italian bishop, was remarkable for his happy and contented disposition. He met with much opposi tion, and encountered many difficulties in his journey through life: but it was observed, that he never repined at his condition, or betrayed the least degree of impatience.

2. An intimate friend of his, who highly admired the virtue which he thought it impossible to imitate, one day asked the prelate, if he could communicate the secret of

being always satisfied. Yes," replied the good old man, I can teach you my secret, and with great facility. It consists in nothing more, than in making a right use of my eyes."

3. His friend begged him to explain himself. "Most willingly," returned the bishop. "In whatever state I am, I first of all look up to heaven; and reflect, that my principal business here is to get to that blessed abode. I then look down upon the earth, and call to mind that, when I am dead, I shall occupy but a small space in it.

4. "I then look abroad into the world, and observe what multitudes there are, who, in every respect, are less fortunate than myself. Thus I learn where true happiness is placed; where all our cares must end; and how very little reason I have to repine, or to complain."

SECTION IX.

Beneficence its own reward.

1. PIGALLE, the celebrated artist, was a man of great humanity. Intending, on a particular occasion, to make a journey from Lyons to Paris, he laid by twelve louis d'ors to defray his expenses. But a little before the time proposed for his setting out, he observed a man walking with strong marks of deep-felt sorrow, in his countenance, and deportment.

2. Pigalle, impelled by the feelings of a benevolent heart, accosted him, and inquired, with much tenderness, whether it was in his power to afford him any relief. The stranger, impressed with the manner of this friendly address, did not hesitate to lay open his distressed situation.

3. "For want of ten louis d'ors," said he, "I must be dragged this evening to a dungeon; and be separated from a tender wife and a numerous family." "Do you want no more?" exclaimed the humane artist. "Come along with me; I have twelve louis d'ors in my trunk; and they are all at your service."

4. The next day a friend of Pigalle's met him; and inquired whether it was true, that he had, as was publicly reported, very opportunely relieved a poor man and his family, from the greatest distress. "Ah, my friend!" said Pigalle, "what a delicious supper did I make last night,

« PreviousContinue »