substituted in the place of humility, arrogance in that of dependence, and indifference in that of duty! and instead of their children's submitting with docility to the experience of age, behold them vain through ignorance, and presumptuous through folly.

2.. It unfortunately happens, that the age which stands in most need of advice, should be the most prone to reject it. In China, so great is the veneration and respect in which the parental character is held, that an instance of its authority being disputed, is absolutely unknown. The virtue of filial tenderness is so strongly exemplified in the following instance, that one need only read it, to catch the virtuous sentiment, and imitate the pious example.

3. A Roman lady of rank was accused of a crime against the state, for which she was tried, and condemned to suffer death. The keeper of the prison, who was ordered to be her execu tioner, not only felt a great degree of repugnance to the office, but was absolutely incapable of performing it: yet, aware that his own life depended upon the discharge of his duty, he dared not attempt preserving her existence. Thus circumstanced, the cruel idea, which had compassion for its foundation, occurred, of letting her remain without sustenance, knowing that she must then die for want, and that he should escape the pain of becoming her executioner.

4. A man in that situation, who could shrink from the discharge of his duty from motives of humanity, it is natural to suppose, might easily be subdued by tenderness, and overcome by persuasion. It is no wonder that he yielded to the entreaties of the daughter, and permitted her to visit her unhappy mother; though he was under the necessity of searching her, to prevent her being the conveyer of any kind of nourishment.

5. Several days elapsed without any striking alteration in the unfortunate mother's appearance. This circumstance called forth the keeper's astonishment so much, that he began to imagine the daughter had contrived means of eluding his vigilance: he therefore resolved to watch them when the daily meeting Look place.

6. He did so, and beheld a sight that called forth his pity and admiration. An affectionate daughter was presented to his view, lengthening out her parent's existence by that nourishment nature had given for the support of her own offspring, and endeavouring to avert the decrees of justice by the nutritious qualities of the milk of tenderness.

7. The humane keeper instantly flew to her judges, described

the interesting scene he had beheld, and had the happiness of procuring a pardon for the unfortunate mother. The senate were so struck with this instance of tenderness, that they ordered a temple to be erected to filial piety on the spot where the prison stood, and both mother and daughter to be maintained at the public expense.

The Female Choice:

1. A YOUNG girl having fatigued herself one hot day with running about the garden, sat down in a pleasant arbour, where she presently fell asleep. During her slumber, two female figures presented themselves before her. One was loosely dressed in a thin robe of pink, with light green trimmings. Her sash of silver gauze flowed to the ground. Her fair hair fell in ringlets

down her neck, and her headdress consisted of artificial flowers interwoven with feathers. She held in one hand a ball-ticket, and in the other a fancy-dress all covered with spangles and knots of gay ribbon. She advanced smiling to the girl, and with a familiar air, thus addressed her:

2. My dearest Melissa, I am a kind genius, who have watched you from your birth, and have joyfully beheld all your beauties expand, till at length they have rendered you a companion worthy of me. See what I have brought you. This dress and this ticket will give you free access to all the delights of my palace With me you will pass your days in a perpetual round of evervarying amusements. Like the gay butterfly, you will have no other business than to flutter from flower to flower, and spread your charms before admiring spectators. No restraints, no toils, no dull tasks, are to be found within my happy domains. All is pleasure, life, and good humour. Come then, my dear, let me put this dress on you, which will make you quite enchanting; and away, away with me!"

3. Melissa felt a strong inclination to comply with the call of this inviting nymph; but first she thought it would be prudent at least to ask her name.

4. My name,' said she, is Dissipation.'

5. The other female then advanced. She was clothed in a close habit of brown stuff, simply relieved with white. She wore her smooth hair under a plain cap. Her whole person was perfectly neat and clean. Her look was serious, but satisfied; and her air was sedate and composed. She held in one hand a distaff; on the opposite arm hung a work-basket; and the girdle round her waist was garnished with scissors, knittingneedles, reels, and other implements of female labour. A

bunch of keys hung at her side. She thus accosted the sleep. ing girl :

6. Melissa, I am the genius who have ever been the friend and companion of your mother; and I now offer you my protection. I have no allurements to tempt you with like those of my gay rival. Instead of spending all your time in amusements, if you enter yourself in my train, you must rise early, and pass the long day in a variety of employments, some of them difficult, some laborious, and all requiring exertion of body or of mind. You must dress plainly; live mostly at home; and aim at being useful rather than shining. But in return, I will ensure you content, even spirits, self-approbation, and the esteem of all who thoroughly know you. If these offers appear to your young mind less inviting than those of my rival, be assured, however, they are more real. She has promised much more than she can ever make good. Perpetual pleasures are no more in the power of dissipation, than of vice or folly to bestow. Her delights quickly pall, and are inevitably succeeded by langour and disgust. She appears to you under a disguise, and what you see is not her real face. For myself, I shall never seem to you less amiable than I now do; but, on the contrary, you will like me better and better. If I look grave to you now, you will see me cheerful at my work; and when work is over, I can enjoy every innocent amusement. But I have said enough. It is time for you to choose whom you will follow, and upon that choice all your happiness depends. If you would know my name, it is Industry.'

7. Melissa heard her with more attention than delight; and though overawed by her manner, she could not help turning again to take another look at the first speaker. She beheld her still offering her presents, with so bewitching an air, that she felt it scarcely possible to resist; when, by a lucky accident, the mask with which dissipation's face was so artfully covered, fell off. As soon as Melissa beheld, instead of the smiling features of youth and cheerfulness, a countenance wan and ghastly with sickness, and soured by fretfulness, she turned away with horrour, and gave her hand unreluctantly to her sober and sincere companion.

The Father redeemed from Slavery by his Son.

1. A YOUNG man named Robert, was sitting alone in his boat, in the harbour of Marseilles. A stranger stepped in, and took his seat near him, but quickly rose again; observing, that since

:

the master was not present, he would take another boat. This, sir, is mine,' said Robert; would you sail without the har bour?? 'I meant only to move about in the basin, and enjoy the coolness of this fine evening. But I cannot believe you are a sailor.' Nor am I yet on Sundays and holidays, I act the bargeman, with a view to make up a sum.' 'What! covetous at your age! your looks had almost prepossessed me in your favour." Alas! sir, did you know my situation, you would not blame me.' Well; perhaps I am mistaken. Let us take our little cruise of pleasure; and acquaint me with your history.'

2. The stranger having resumed his seat, the dialogue, after a short pause, proceeded thus: 'I perceive, young man, you are sad. What grieves you thus?'My father, sir, groans in fetters, and I cannot ransom him. He earned a livelihood by petty brokerage; but in an evil hour embarked for Smyrna, to superintend, in person, the delivery of a cargo, in which he had a concern. The vessel was captured by a Barbary corsair and my father was conducted to Tetuan, where he is now a slave. They refused to release him for less than two thousand crowns, a sum which far exceeds our scanty means. However, we do our best. My mother and sisters work day and night; I labour hard at my stated occupation of a journeyman jeweller; and, as you perceive, make the most I can of Sundays and holidays. I had resolved to put myself in my father's stead; but my mother, apprized of my design, and dreading the double privation of a husband and an only son, requested the Levant captains to refuse me a passage.' Pray, do you ever hear from your father? Under what name does he pass? or what is his master's address?' His master is overseer of the royal gardens at Fez; and my father's name is Robert, at Tetuan, as at Marseilles.' Robert, overseer of the royal gardens?' Yes, sir.' I am touched with your misfortunes; but venture to predict their termination.'

6

3. Night drew on apace. The stranger, upon landing, put into young Robert's hand a purse containing eight double louisd'ors, with ten crowns in silver, and instantly disappeared.

4. Six weeks passed after this adventure; and each returning sun bore witness to the unremitting exertions of the good family. As they sat one day at their unsavoury meal of bread and dried almonds, old Robert entered the apartment, in a garb little suited to a fugitive prisoner; tenderly embraced his wife and children, and thanked them, with tears of gratitude, for the fifty louisd'ors they had caused to be remitted to him on his

sailing from Tetuan, for his free passage, and a comfortable supply of wearing apparel.

5. His astonished relatives eyed one another in silence. At length, the mother, suspecting that her son had secretly concerted the whole plan, recounted the various instances of his zeal and affection. Six thousand livres,' continued she, ‘is the sum we wanted; and we had already procured somewhat more than the half, owing chiefly to his industry. Some friends, no doubt, have assisted him upon an emergency like the present.'

6. A gloomy suggestion crossed the father's mind. Turning suddenly to his son, and eyeing him with the sternness of distraction, Unfortunate boy,' exclaimed he, what have you done? How can I be indebted to you for my freedom and not regret it? How could you effect my ranson, without your mother's knowledge, unless at the expense of virtue? I tremble at the thought of filial affection having betrayed you into guilt. Tell me the truth at once, whatever may be the conse quence.'

7. Calm your apprehensions, my dearest father,' cried the son, embracing him. No, I am not unworthy of such a parent, though fortune has denied me the satisfaction of proving the full strength of my attachment. I am not your deliverer; but I know who is. Recollect, mother, the unknown gentleman who gave me the purse. He was particular in his inquiries. Should I pass my life in the pursuit, I must endeavour to meet with him, and invite him to contemplate the fruits of his beneficence. He then related to his father all that passed in the pleasureboat, and removed every distressing suspicion.

8. Restored to the bosom of his family, the father again partook of their joys, prospered in his dealings, and saw his children comfortably established. Some time afterwards, on a Sunday morning, as the son was walking on the quay, he discovered his benefactor, clasped his knees, and entreated him, as his guardian angel, as the preserver of a father and a family, to share the happiness he had been the means of producing. The stranger again disappeared in the crowd-but, reader, this stranger was Montesquieu.

Inkle and Yarico.

1. AMONG the various vices to which human nature is prone, and which mark the degradation it has suffered, none more strikingly evince its debasement than the practice of ingratitude. For other vices, and other failings, reason may be able to assign