born to succeed to large properties, or getting a great deal of money with scarcely any trouble. Now, this grumbling and discontent is wrong. If we have been born in a station in life where we need to work hard for our daily bread, we have no right to envy the position of others, whom God has placed beyond the need of such toil. We ought to do our duty faithfully, in the station which we occupy, endeavouring, as far as we can, to remove from it all that is disagreeable, and to make it as much better as possible; and not repining when any unexpected misfortune overtakes us, or when we behold others more prosperous than we are.

It is not only wrong to be envious and discontented, it is also foolish. We will never make ourselves rich or wise by grumbling at those who have more money or knowledge than we have; nor can we do any good by repining when rain prevents our amusements, or an accident destroys any of our playthings.

If, instead of repining, we set ourselves to learn diligently, or to work industriously, we shall soon find that we can make ourselves much better; and in a free and happy country like ours, there is no saying what we may come to if we only be honest and diligent. At the same time, we must not suppose that by making ourselves richer, we shall be happier; for happiness does not depend on money, and many who are rolling in wealth would part with much of it for the health and real pleasure which those in a lower station enjoy. We think that if we were in some other rank, or were of some other profession, or had more money, or something different from what we really have, we would be wiser, and do more good in the world; but we do not know the disadvantages which attach to the position which we so much envy, or perhaps we would be better pleased to remain as we are. Perhaps, if we could know the secret wishes of those whom we

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envy, we might be surprised to find that they were not satisfied with their own condition, and envied us. Nor should we forget, that after all we shall only be in the world for a short time, that our chief duty is to prepare for another world, and that it matters little though we should suffer some inconveniences here, if we are rewarded with eternal happiness hereafter.

THE FLYING FISH.-A FABLE.

THE flying fish, says the fable, had originally no wings, but being of an ambitious and discontented temper, she repined at always being confined to the waters, and wished to soar in the air. "If I could fly like the birds," said she, "I should not only see more of the beauties of nature, but I should be able to escape from those fish which are continually pursuing me, and which renders my life miserable." She therefore petitioned Jupiter

for a pair of wings; and immediately she perceived her wings to expand. They suddenly grew to the length of her whole body, and became at the same time so strong as to do the office of a pinion. She was at first much pleased with her new powers, and looked with an air of disdain on all her former companions; but she soon perceived herself exposed to new dangers. When flying in the air, she was incessantly pursued by the tropic bird, and the albatross; and when for safety she dropped into the water, she was so fatigued with her flight, that she was less able than ever to escape from her old enemy the fish. Finding herself more unhappy than before, she now begged of Jupiter to recal his present; but Jupiter said to her, "when I gave you your wings, I well knew they would prove a curse; but your proud and restless disposition deserved this disappointment. Now, therefore, what you begged as a favour, keep as a punishment!"

THE CONTENTED PEASANT.

ROBINET, a peasant of Lorrain, after a hard day's work at the next market town, was returning home with a basket in his hand. "What a delicious supper shall I have!" said he to himself. "This piece of kid well stewed down, with my onions sliced, thickened with my meal, and seasoned with my salt and pepper, will make a dish fit for the bishop of the diocese. Then I have a good piece of barley loaf at home to finish with. How I long to be at it!"

A noise in the hedge now attracted his notice, and he spied a squirrel running nimbly up a tree, and popping into a hole between the branches. Ha! thought he, what a nice present a nest of young squirrels will be to my little master! I'll try if I can get it. Upon this he set down his basket on the road, and began to climb up the tree. He