ways intent upon deceiving. Whereas, on the contrary, we make no scruple to confide in those who are sincere, because we know ourselves to be safe in their hands. They will be either constant friends, or open enemies; and, even if, through human frailty, they are sometimes led into errors, yet their generous acknowledgement of them makes amends, in a great degree, and is a good token of their avoiding them for the future. "Where truth is found, bright virtue still resides, In the pure heart and spotless mind she reigns, That stamps his image on the human breast." wwwwwma LESSON FIFTEENTH. Pyrrhus and Fabricius. A treaty being on foot between the Romans and Pyrrhus, king of Macedon, for the exchange of prisoners, the latter, after having given a general audience to the ambassadors, took Fabricius aside, and conversed with him to the following purport. After telling him he was sensible of his merit, that he was convinced of his excellence as a general, and perfect qualifications for the command of an army; that justice and temperance were united in his character, and that he justly passed for a person of virtue; he lamented the certainty of poverty, and said that fortune, in this particular, had treated him with injustice, by misplacing him in the class of indigent sena tors. "In order, therefore, to supply that deficiency," said Pyrrhus, "provided thou wilt assist me to negotiate an honorable peace, I am ready to give as much gold and silver as will raise thee above the richest citizen of Rome; being fully persuaded that no expense can be more honorable to a prince, than that which is employed in the relief of great men, who are compelled by their poverty to lead a life unworthy of their virtue, and that this is the noblest purpose to which a king can possibly devote his treasures. The answer of Fabricius was as follows: "As to my poverty, thou hast, indeed, been rightly informed. My whole estate consists in a house, of but mean appearance, and a little spot of ground, from which, by my own labor, I draw my support "But, if any have been persuaded to think, that this poverty makes me less considered in my country, or in any degree unhappy, they are extremely deceived. I have no reason to complain of Fortune; she supplies me with all that nature requires; and, if I am without superfluities, I am also free from the desire of them. "With these, I confess, I should be more able to succor the necessitous, the only advantage for which the wealthy are to be envied. But, small as my possessions are, I can still contribute something to the support of the state, and the assistance of my friends. With regard to honors, my country places me, poor as I am, upon a level with the richest; for Rome knows no qualifications for great employments, but virtue and ability. "She intrusts me with the command of her armies, and confides to my care the most important negotiations. My poverty does not lessen the weight and influence of my counsels in the senate. The Roman people honor me for that very poverty which some consider as a disgrace. They know the many opportunities I have had in war to enrich myself, without incurring censure. "They are convinced of my disinterested zeal for their prosperity; and, if I have any thing to complain of in the return they make, it is only the excess of their applause. What value, then, can I set on gold and silver? What king can add any thing to my fortune? Always attentive to discharge the duties incumbent on me, I have a mind free from self-reproach, and I have an honest fame." Like to the falling of a star, The winds blow out, the bubble dies; LESSON SEVENTEENTH. The Ungrateful Guest. A soldier in the Macedonian army, had, in many instances, distinguished himself by extraordinary acts of valor, and had received many marks of Philip's favor and approbation. On some occasion, he embarked on board a vessel, which was wrecked by a violent storm, and he himself was cast on the shore, helpless and naked, and scarcely with the appearance of life. A Macedonian, whose lands were contiguous to the sea, came opportunely to be witness of his distress; and, with all humane and charitable tenderness, flew to the relief of the unhappy stranger. He bore him to his house, laid him in his own bed, revived, cherished, comforted, and, for forty days, supplied him freely with all the necessaries and conveniences which his languishing condition could require. The soldier, thus happily rescued from death, was incessant in the warmest expressions of gratitude to his benefactor, assured him of his interest with the king, and of his power and resolution of obtaining for him from the royal bounty, the noble returns which such extraordinary benevolence had merited. He was now completely recovered, and his kind host supplied him with money, to pursue his journey. Some time afterwards, he presented himself before the king: he recounted his misfortunes; magnified his services; and this inhuman wretch, who had looked with an eye of envy on the possessions of the man who had preserved his life, was now so abandoned to all sense of gratitude, as to request that the king would bestow upon him the house and lands, where he had been so tenderly and kindly entertained. Unhappily, Philip, without examination, inconsiaerately and precipitately granted his infamous request; and this soldier, now returned to his preserver, repaid his goodness, by driving him from his settlement, and taking immediate possession of all the fruits of his honest industry. . The poor man, stung with this instance of unparalleled ingratitude and insensibility, boldly determined, instead of submitting to his wrongs, to seek relief, and, in a letter addressed to Philip, represented his own, and the soldier's conduct, in a lively and affecting manner. The king was fired with indignation. He ordered that justice should be done without delay; that the possessions should be immediately restored to the man whose charitable offices had been thus horribly repaid; and, having seized this soldier, caused these words to be branded on his forehead-The Ungrateful Guest;' a character, infamous in every age, and among all nations, but particularly among the Greeks, who, from the earliest times, were most scrupulously observant of the laws of hospitality. wwwww LESSON EIGHTEENTH. Contentment. My mind to me a kingdom is; That God or nature has assigned— Content I live, this is my stay; I seek no more than may suffice- Look, what I lack, my mind supplies. Some have too much, yet still they crave; LESSON NINETEENTH. Beauty and Virtue. Where does beauty chiefly lie, Which doth yield us greatest pleasure, |