Young Peoples' wishes exposed.

1. THE present moment of enjoyment is all young people think of. So long as little Henry partook of the pleasure of sliding on the ice, and making snow up in various shapes, he wished it always to be winter, totally regardless of either spring, summer, or autumn. His father hearing him one day make that wish, desired him to write it down in the first leaf of his pocketbook, which Henry accordingly did, though his hand shivered with cold.

2. The winter glided away imperceptibly, and the spring followed in due time. Henry now walked in the garden with his father, and with admiration beheld the rising beauty of the various spring flowers. Their perfume afforded him the highest delight, and their brilliant appearance attracted all his attention. "Oh,' said little Henry, that it were always spring!' His father desired him to write that wish also in his pocketbook.

3. The trees which lately were only budding, were now grown into full leaf, the sure sign that spring was departing, and summer hastening on apace. Henry, one day, accompanied by* his parents and two or three of his select acquaintance, went on a visit to a neighbouring village. Their walk was delightful, affording them a prospect sometimes of wheat yet green, waving smoothly like a sea unruffled by the breeze, and sometimes of meadows enamelled with a profusion of various flowers.

4. The innocent lambs skipped about, and the colts pranced around their dams. But what was still more pleasing, this season produced for Henry and his companions a delicious feast of cherries, strawberries, and a variety of other fruits. So pleasant a day afforded them the most exquisite delight, and their little hearts were filled with joy.

5. Do you not think, Henry, said his father, that summer has its delights as well as winter and spring? Henry replied, he wished it might be summer all the year, when his father desired him to enter that wish in his pocket-book also.

6. The autumn at length arrived, and all the family went into the country to gather fruit. It happened to be one of those days that are free from clouds, and yet a gentle westerly wind kept the air cool and refreshing. The gardens and orchards were loaded with fruits, and the fine plums, pears, and apples, which hung on the trees almost to the ground, furnished the Ifttle visiters with no small amusement and delight.

7. There were also plenty of grapes, apricots, and peaches, which tasted the sweeter, as they had the pleasure of gather

ing them. This season of rich abundance, Henry, said his father, will soon pass away, and stern and cold winter succeed it. Henry again wished, that the present happy season would always continue, and that winter would not be too hasty in its approaches, but leave him in possession of autumn.

8. Henry's father desired him to write this in his book also, and, ordering him to read what he had written, soon convinced him how contradictory his wishes had been. In the winter, he wished it to be always winter; in the spring he wished for a continuance of that season; in the summer, he wished it never to depart; and when autumn came, it afforded him too many delicious fruits to permit him to have a single wish for the approach of winter.

9. My dear Henry, said his father, I am not displeased with you for enjoying the present moment, and thinking it the best that can happen to you; but you see how necessary it is that our wishes should not always be complied with. God knows how to govern this world much better than any human being can pretend to. Had you last winter been indulged in your wish, we should have had neither spring, summer, nor autumn; the earth would have been perpetually covered with snow. The beasts of the field, and the fowls of the air, would either have been starved or frozen to death; and even the pleasures of sliding, or making images of snow, would have soon become tiresome to you. It is a happiness, that we have it not in our power to regulate the course of nature: the wise and unerring designs of Providence in favour of mankind, would then most probably be perverted to their own inevitable ruin.

The four little Girls and their Mother.

1. A PRUDENT and affectionate mother had four daughters, whose names were Emilia, Harriet, Lucy, and Sophia, whom she loved with the greatest tenderness. Her principal wish was, that they might be virtuous and happy, and that they might enjoy all the comforts of life with tranquillity. They each experienced an equal share of her indulgence, and each received the same treatment, either as to pardon for errours, punishments, or rewards.

2. Her endeavours were crowned with the happiest success, and her four little girls became the most obedient and best of children. They told one another of their faults, and as readily forgave offences; they shared in each other's joys, nor were they ever happy when separated.

3. An unforeseen event, however, disturbed this happy tran

quillity, just at the very moment they began to taste its charms, which served to convince them how necessary it was to be guided by their prudent mother.

4. This good woman was obliged to leave her children for a time, to attend to some unsettled affairs at a distance. She left them with much reluctance, and even sacrificed her interest, in some measure, to the desire of speedily adjusting her affairs, and in the course of a month, returned in safety to her little flock, who received her with the warmest expressions of joy: but the alteration she perceived in her children very much surprised and alarmed her.

5. She saw it frequently happen, that if one asked the slightest favour of another, she was ill-naturedly refused, and thence arose tumults and quarrels. That gayety and cheerfulness which had used to accompany all their sports and pastimes were now changed to a gloomy perverseness; and, instead of those tender expressions of love and friendship which had constantly dwelt in all their conversations, nothing was now heard but perpetual jarrings and wranglings. If one proposed a walk in the garden, another would give some reason why she wished to remain in the house; and, in short, their only study seemed to be to thwart each other.

6. It happened one day, that not contented with showing each other how much they delighted in perverseness, they mutually distressed themselves with reciprocal reproaches.

7. Their tender mother beheld this scene with the greatest uneasiness, and could not help shedding tears on the occasion. She did not then think it prudent to say any thing to them, but retired to her room, in order there to think of the most proper means of restoring peace and harmony among her unhappy children.

8. While she was turning these afflicting thoughts in her mind, all her four young daughters entered her apartment with a peevish and uneasy look, each complaining of the ill-temper of the rest. There was not one, but what charged the other three with being the cause of it, and all together begged their mother would, if possible, restore to them that happiness they once possessed.

9. Their mother put on a very serious countenance, and said, I have observed, my children, that you endeavour to thwart each other, and thereby destroy your pleasures. In order, therefore, that no such thing may happen again, let each take up her corner in this room, if she choose it, and divert herself in what manner she pleases, provided she does not in

terfere with either of her sisters. You may immediately have recourse to this mode of recreation, as you have leave to play till night but remember, that none of you stir from the corner in which I shall place you.'

:

10. The little girls, who were no way displeased with this proposal, hastened to their different quarters, and began to amuse themselves each in her own way. Sophia commenced a conversation with her doll, or rather told her many pretty little. stories; but her doll had not the gift of speech, and consequently was no companion. She could not expect any entertainment from her sisters, as they were playing in their respec

tive corners.

11. Lucy took her pin-cushion and needle-work; but there were none to admire them; besides, she was not allowed to speak to any one in the room.

12. Harriet was very fond of her old game of hunt the slipper; but what was she to do with the slipper by herself; she could only shove it from hand to hand. It was in vain to hope for such service from her sisters, as each was amusing herself in her assigned corner.

13. Emily, who was a very skilful, pretty house-wife, was thinking how she might give her friends an entertainment, and, of course, sent out for many things to market; but there was, at present, nobody near, with whom she might consult on the occasion, for her sisters were amusing themselves, in the other corners of the room.

14. Every attempt they made to find some new amusement failed, and all supposed that a compromise would be most agreeable; but, as matters were carried so far, who was first to propose it? This, each would have considered as a humiliating circumstance; they therefore kept their distance, and disdainfully continued in their solitude. The day at last closing, they returned to their mother, and begged her to think of some other amusement for them, than the ineffectual one they had tried.

15. I am sorry, my children,' said she, to see you all so discontented. I know but of one way to make you happy, with which you yourselves were formerly acquainted, but which, it seems, you have forgotten. Yet, if you wish once more to put it into practice, I can easily bring it to your recollections.' They all answered together, as though with one voice, that they heartily wished to recollect it, and stood attentive, while their mother was looking at them, in eager expectation to hear what she had to say.

16. What you have lost, or at least forgotten,' replied their mother, is that mutual love and friendship which you once had for each other, and which every sister ought cheerfully to cherish. O my dearest children, how have you contrived to forget this, and thereby make me and yourselves miserable !'

17. Having uttered these words, which were interrupted by sighs, she stopped short, while tears of tenderness stole down her cheeks. The little girls appeared much disconcerted, and struck with sorrow and confusion. Their mother held out her arms, and they all at once instantly rushed towards her. They sincerely promised that they would tenderly love each other for the future, and perfectly agree, as they formerly had done.

18. From this time no idle peevishness troubled their harmonious intercourse; and, instead of disputes and discontents among them, nothing was seen but mutual condescension, which delighted all who had the opportunity of being in their company. May this serve as a useful lesson to my youthful readers. How easy it is for us to promote or disturb our own happiness.

Old Age made Happy.

1. OPPOSITE to the house in which Charlotte's parents lived, was a little opening, ornamented with a grass-plot, and overshaded by a venerable tree, commanding an extensive view before it. On this delightful spot Charlotte used frequently to sit in her little chair, while employed in knitting stockings for her mother.

2. As she was one day thus employed, she saw a poor old man advancing very slowly towards her. His hair was as white as silver, and his back bent with age; he supported himself by a stick, and seemed to walk with great difficulty. 'Poor man,' said Charlotte, looking at him most tenderly, he seems to be very much in pain, and perhaps is poor, which are two dreadful evils!'

3. She also saw a number of boys, who were following close behind this poor old man. They laughed at his thread-bare coat, which had very long skirts, and short sleeves, contrary to the fashion of those days. His hat, which was quite rusty, did not escape their notice; his cheeks were hollow, and his body thin. These wicked boys no sooner saw him, than they all mocked him. A stone lay in his way, which he did not perceive, and over it he stumbled, and had like to have fallen.