tabanes was insensible of the advantages which he enjoyed; his heart glowed not with gratitude and respect; he avoided the society of his benefactor, and abused his bounty. 66 I detest such a character," said Alexis, with generous indignation!" It is your own picture which I have drawn," replied Euphronius. "The great Potentate 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 nature, by the love and imitation of his divine perfections. 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 sovereign Dispenser of all good; and you have too often slighted the glorious converse, and forgotten the presence of that om

nipotent Being, who fills all space, and exists through all eternity."

ON FILIAL PIETY.

FROM the creatures of God, let man learn wisdom, and apply to himself the instruction they give. Go to the desert, 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.

The picty of a child is sweeter than the incense of Persia offered to the sun; yea, more delicious than the odours wafted from a field of Arabian spices, by the western gales.

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 are spoken for thy good; give ear to their admonition, for it proceeds from love.

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Thy father has watched for thy welfare, he has toiled for thy ease: do honour, therefore, to his age, and let not his grey hairs be treated with irreverence. Forget not thy helpless infancy, nor the frowardness of thy youth; and bear with the infirmities of thy aged parents: assist and support them in the decline of life." So shall their hoary heads go down to the grave in peace and thy own children, in reverence of thy example, shall repay thy piety with filial love.

LOVE BETWEEN BROTHERS AND SISTERS.

You are the children of one father, provided for by his care; and the breast of one mother gave you milk. Let the bonds of affection, therefore, unite thee with thy brothers and sis ters, that peace and happiness may dwell in thy father's house.

And when you are separated in the world, remember the relation that binds you to love

and unity; and prefer not a stranger to thy own blood. If thy brother is in adversity, assist him; if thy sister is in trouble, forsake her not. So shall the fortunes of thy father contribute to the support of his whole race; and his care be continued to you all, in your love to each other.

ON BENEVOLENCE.

WHEN thou considerest thy wants, when thou beholdest thy imperfections, acknowledge his goodness, O son of humanity! who honoured thee with reason; endued thee with speech; and placed thee in society, to receive and confer reciprocal helps and mutual obligations. Thy food, thy clothing, thy convenience of habitation; thy protection from the injuries, thy enjoyment of the comforts and the pleasures of life; all these thou owest to the assistance of others, and couldst not enjoy but in the bands of society. It is thy duty, therefore, to be a friend to mankind, as it is thy interest, that man should be friendly to thee.

Rejoice in the happiness and prosperity of thy neighbour. Open not thy ear to slander; the faults and failings of men give pain to a benevolent heart. Desire to do good, and search out occasions for it; in removing the distresses of another, the virtuous mind relieves itself.

Shut not thine ear, against the cries of the poor; nor harden thy heart 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 none to help them. When thou seest the naked wanderer of the street, shivering with cold, and destitute of habitation, let bounty open thy heart; let the wings of charity shelter him from death, that thy own soul may live. Whilst the poor man groans on the bed of sickness; Whilst the unfortunate languish in the horrors of a dungeon; or the hoary head of age lifts up a feeble cye to thee for pity; how canst thou riot in superfluous enjoyments, regardless of their wants, unfeeling of their woes?