furnished with a good watch. Go, therefore, to such a watchmaker, tell him you are in my service, and he will give you a good silver watch, for which he will ask you forty crowns. "You will want, besides," said the king, "half a dozen of shirts, some stockings, cravats, and pocket handkerchiefs, which will come to about so much. Go and purchase the articles, and be always exact, faithful, and discreet in my service. As to means for your subsistence and sundry expenses, I will allow you ten crowns per month, which will be sufficient to procure all you will want. The first thought of the young soldier, in the midst of his joy, was directed to his parents. "I have such abundance of money,' said he, and my father and mother are in the greatest necessity! Is there no means of sending them the forty crowns given me for the watch, and of borrowing that sum of some of my fellow-soldiers, on the condition of repaying them at the rate of five crowns per month? What remains will be quite enough for necessaries." He could not resist this idea, and, accordingly, he borrowed the forty crowns among several of his fellowsoldiers. He procured the watch, and relieved his parents. But he was yet ignorant that kings know every thing, and that the first law imposed by Frederick on those who served him, was to disclose to him whatever facts they became acquainted with. The next day, he sent for his new dependant, and said to him, “I gave you money to buy a watch, and you sent it to your parents. You supposed you were doing a noble action, without being conscious that it was a breach of your fidelity to me. It is right and meritorious, to assist one's relations when they are indigent, and particularly when they are infirm or old; to do so, is a most sacred duty. But, at the same time, we should appropriate to such a purpose, only hat is our own. E "In sending the money I gave you, you disposed of what did not belong to you. This money was not yours, since I gave it you only on condition that you should use it as I directed. It was no more than a deposit in your hands, and you have violated the law imposed on persons who receive a trust. For this time, however, I pardon you, because your fault has arisen out of a sentiment both respectable and pure; out of a kind feeling, and without once reflecting on the nature of the case, as I have now explained it to you. "The borrowing of the forty crowns was an aggravation of your first fault; for we should never borrow, but under circumstances of great necessity, what we are not sure we shall be able to repay. For example, how would this debt be paid to your comrades, if you were to die, or if I were to dismiss you? On this occasion, I will enable you to discharge your debt, but recollect, I absolutely forbid your contracting any other." LESSON THIRTY-THIRD. Frederick and the Hussar; or, The faithful and affectionate Servant. It was not long before Frederick felt the beneficial consequences of the kindness he had bestowed on this He was attacked by a violent fit of the gout His physician was sent for, who found him in a raging fever, with his skin extremely dry. The physician's first object, was to bring on a perspiration, and, accordingly he ordered him a potion for that purpose; but Frederick was possessed of the weakness of so many great commanders, who, like Mithridates, imagine themselves excellent physicians. He insisted on knowing the ingredients of the potion, and immediately after declared he would not take it He next dismissed the physician, telling him he was a fool. The physician informed the attendants in the antichamber, that the king's malady was of the most serious nature; that it was of the highest importance to bring on a perspiration, but that he would take no medicine which would be likely to produce that effect; that he had even said the most affronting things to him; that, as a physician, anxious to do his duty, and preserve, if possible, the life of so great a king, he would leave the necessary prescription, and it would afterwards be their part to prevail on the king to take it. He assured them, that this was of the last importance, as nothing less than the life of the sovereign was at stake. He added, that, should he swallow the potion, the greatest care should be taken to keep every part of his body well covered, and that some addition should be made to his bedclothes, till he should have perspired plentifully. The The attendants, after much deliberation, decided that the young hussar was the fittest person to be employed on this occasion, and he was accordingly appointed to watch by the king the same night; a charge he accepted, not without apprehension, but without repugnance, and even with considerable zeal. potion was brought about ten o'clock; the hussar entered the king's apartment, with it in his hand. "What have you there?" said the king. "I have a potion, sire, which the physician declares to be absolutely necessary for your recovery." "but, 66 Sire, "The "I will not take it; throw it into the fire;' 99 - will not take it. sire, it is so necessary the physician ordered us to present it to you.' physician is a fool. I tell you I will not take it.""Alas! sire, he assured us that the necessary perspiration could not be produced without it."-" He knows not what he says; throw it into the fire, and let me be quiet." 66 "Ah! sire, what shall we do? It is of the greatest importance that you should take this potion; was it not ordered by a physician who feels a personal attachment towards your majesty?"-"You tire my patience; pray leave me. Sire, he assured us your preservation depended on your compliance." "He is a fool; I command you to withdraw, and let me be tranquil.' "Is it not our duty to supplicate your majesty to take a potion which can effect your recovery?" وو The king was at length quite angry; he swore, threatened, commanded, and sent every one to the devil. The young man, still with the potion in his hand, begged, conjured, entreated, threw himself on his knees, wept; in short, he was not prevailed upon. to desist. The contest lasted till midnight; when the king, absolutely exhausted, determined to take the potion, that he might get rid of his importunities, and obtain some sleep. A short time after, a new struggle arose; the medicine, as it began to operate, threw the king into so violent a heat, as to render him absolutely restless and refractory. The king wanted to uncover himself. The hussar would not allow of it. The king threw off a counterpane; the hussar put it on again. If the king put but an arm outside the bedclothes, the hussar instantly covered it as well as he could; constantly entreating, soliciting pardon, and bending over the patient, who threatened, swore, and disputed in vain. This new struggle lasted till near three in the morning, when the perspiration made its appearance Feeling his uneasiness diminish, the king, by degrees became calmer, and no less sensible that both the physician and hussar were in the right. He said to the latter, " My good fellow. I do not want you any longer; the perspiration is come, and I am no longer oppressed by the violent burning I complained of. I promise you not to uncover myself any more; you may take my word; go, therefore, and take some repose, which you must stand in need of.” The hussar made as if he obeyed, but retired to a corner of the room, where, without being perceived, he continued to watch the king till he fell fast asleep. By daylight, his majesty found himself much better; when he dressed himself, and, sending for the hussar, he said to him, "You are an excellent lad; you do your duty faithfully. You have served me, on this occasion, with the greatest zeal, and I am much satisfied with you. Here are fifty ducats. You may send them to your parents, if you like it.” LESSON THIRTY-FOURTH. Love is Eternal. They sin who tell us love can die. In heaven ambition cannot dwell, Its holy flame forever burneth, From heaven it came, to heaven returneth; At times deceived, at times opprest, Then hath in heaven its perfect rest; |