An old man had many sons, who were often quarrelling with one another. When the father had exerted his authority, and used other means to reconcile them, but all to no purpose, he at last had recourse to this expedient. He ordered his sons to be called before him, and a short bundle of sticks to be brought; then commanded them each to try if, with all his might and strength, he could break it. They all tried, but to no purpose; for the sticks being closely and compactly bound up together, it was impossible for the force of man to do it.

After this, the father ordered the bundle to be untied and gave a single stick to each of his sons, at the same, time bidding him try to break it. They all did this, with great ease, upon which, the father addressed them to this effect: "Oh, my sons, behold the power of union! For if you would but keep yourselves strictly joined in the bonds of friendship, as the sticks united in one bundle, it would not be in the power of any mortal to hurt you; but when once the ties of brotherly affection are dissolved, how soon you become exposed to every injurious hand that assaults you.”

MORAL.

Union is Strength.

PATIENCE.

Ir what we suffer has been brought on us by ourselves, patience is eminently our duty, since no one ought to be angry at feeling that which he has deserved. If we are conscious that we have not contributed to our own sufferings, if punishment falls upon innocence, or disappointment happens to industry and prudence, patience, whether more necessary or not, is much easier, since our pain is then without aggravation, and we have not the bitterness of remorse to add to the asperity of misfortune.

It seems as reasonable to enjoy blessings with confidence, as to resign them with submission, and to hope for the continuance of good which we possess without insolence or voluptuousness, as for the restitution of that which we lose without despondency or murmurs.

318 OPPORTUNITY.

HOPE. -BEAUTY.

OPPORTUNITY.

To improve the golden moment of opportunity, and catch the good that is within our reach, is the great art of life. Many wants are suffered, which might once have been supplied, and much time is lost in regretting the time which had been lost before.

He that waits for an opportunity to do much at once, may breathe out his life in idle wishes, and regret, in the last hour, his useless intentions, and barren zeal.

A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds. Men's behaviour should be like their apparel, not too strait, but free for exercise.

Neglect no opportunity of doing good, nor check thy desire of doing it, by a vain fear of what may happen. "Opportunity is the cream of time."

THE VALUE OF HOPE.

CEASE, every joy, to glimmer on my mind,
But leave-oh leave! the light of hope behind!
What though my winged hours of bliss have been,
Like angel-visits, few and far between ;

Her musing mood shall every pang appease,

And charm-when pleasures lose the power to please.

UNOBTRUSIVE BEAUTY.

As lamps burn silent with unconscious light,
So modest ease in beauty shines most bright;
Unaiming charms with edge resistless fall,

And she, who meant no mischief, does it all.

FORBEARANCE.

ALL that is good and great in the universe is on the side of clemency and mercy. If we look into the history of mankind, we shall find that in every age, those who have been respected as worthy have been distinguished for this virtue.

Revenge dwells in little minds; a noble and magnanimous spirit is superior to it. Collected within itself, it stands unmoved by the impotent assaults of our enemies; and with generous pity, rather than with anger, looks down on their unworthy conduct.

Anger and revenge are uneasy passions; "hence," says Seed, "it appears that the command of loving your enemies, which has been thought a hard saying, and impossible to be fulfilled, is really no more when resolved into its first principles, than bidding us to be at peace with ourselves, which we cannot be, so long as we continue at enmity with others."

THE PRESENT CONDITION OF MAN VIN-
DICATED.

HEAVEN from all creatures hides the book of fate,
All but the page prescribed, their present state,
Oh! blindness to the future! kindly given,
That each may fill the circle mark'd by heaven.
Hope humbly then; with trembling pinions soar;
Wait the great teacher death; and God adore.
What future bliss he gives not thee to know,
But gives that hope to be thy blessing now.
Hope springs eternal in the human breast;
Man never is, but always to be blest.

TO A DEAR LITTLE BOY, AFTER AN INTERVAL OF ABSENCE.

I MISS thee from my side

With thy merry eyes and blue;
From thy crib at morning tide,
Oft its curtains peeping through;
In the kisses, not a few,

Thou wert wont to give me then;
In thy sleepy, sad adieu,

When 't was time for bed again..

I miss thee from my side,
When the dinner bustle 's o'er;
When the orange I divide,

Or extract the apple's core ;
What avails my hoarded store

Of barley sugar, comfits sweet;
Thou art by my side no more;
Vacant is thy wonted seat!

I miss thee from my side,

With thy query oft repeated;
On thy rocking horse astride,
Or beneath my table seated;
Or when tired and overheated,
With a summer day's delight,
Many a childish aim defeated,
Sleep hath overpowered thee quite !

I miss thee from my side

When brisk Punch is at the door;
Vainly pummels he his bride, —

Judy's wrongs can charm no more!

He may beat her till she's sore,
She may die, and he may flee;
Though I loved their squalls of yore,
What's the pageant now to me!