8. "If you be solicitous to remove a prejudice, which he may have received against you, how would you then behave towards him ?"-"I should endeavor to convince him, by my looks, words, and actions, that such prejudice was ill founded.""And if he appeared inclined to reconciliation, would you reproach him with the injustice he had done you? "No," answered Demetrius; "I would repeat no grievances." 66 9. Go," said Socrates, "and pursue that conduct towards your brother, which you would practice to a neighbor. His friendship is of inestimable worth; and nothing is more lovely in the sight of Heaven, than for brethren to dwell together in unity." LESSON XLII. The dead Horse.-STERNE. 1. AND this, said he, putting the remains of a crust into his wallet--and this should have been thy portion, said he, hadst thou been alive to have shared it with me. I thought by the accent it had been an apostrophe to his child; but it was to his horse, and to the very horse we had seen dead in the road, which had occasioned La Fleur's misadventure. The man seemed to lament it much; and it instantly brought into my mind Sanco's lamentation for his; but he did it with more true touches of nature. 2. The mourner was sitting upon a stone bench at the door, with the horse's pannel and its bridle on one side, which he took up from time to time-then laid them down-looked at them, and shook his head. He then took his crust of bread out of his wallet again, as if to eat it; held it some time in his hand -then laid it upon the bit of his horse's bridle-looked wistfully at the little arrangement he had made—and then gave a sigh. 3. The simplicity of his grief drew numbers about him, and La Fleur among the rest, while the horses were getting ready; as I continued sitting in the post chaise, I could see and hear over their heads. 4. He said he had come last from Spain, where he had been from the furtherest borders of Franconia*: and had got so far on his return home, when his horse died. Every one seemed desirous to know what business could have taken so old and poor a man so far a journey from his own home. 5. It had pleased Heaven, he said, to bless him with three sons, the finest lads in all Germany; but having in one week lost two of them by the small pox, and the youngest falling ill of the same distemper, he was afraid of being bereft of them all, and made a vow, if Heaven would not take him from him also, he would go in gratitude to St. Jago in Spain. 6. When the mourner got thus far in his story, he stopped to pay nature her tribute-and wept bitterly. He said Heaven had accepted the conditions; and that he had set out from his cottage with this poor creature, who had been a patient partner of his journey—that it had eat the same bread with him all the way, and was unto him as a friend. 7. Every body who stood about heard the poor fellow with concern. La Fleur offered him money-The mourner said he did not want it-it was not the value of the horse-but the loss of him—Tac horse, he said, he was assured loved him—and upon this told them a long story of a mischance upon their passage over the Pyrenean mountains,* which had separated them from each other three days; during which time the horse had sought him as much as he had sought the horse, and that neither had scarce eat or drank till they met. 8. "Thou hast one comfort, friend,” said I, "at least, in the loss of thy poor beast; I am sure thou hast been a merciful master to him."-"Alas!" said the mourner, "I thought so, when he was alive-but now he is dead, I think otherwise-İ fear the weight of myself and my afflictions together have been too much for him—they have shortened the poor creature's days, and I fear I have them to answer for."-" Shame on the world!” said I to myself" Did we love each other, as this poor soul but loved his horse-'twould be something." LESSON XLIII. Biographical Anecdotes. 1. AN amiable youth, lamented, in terms of deep and moving grief, the recent death of a most affectionate parent. His companions made an effort to console him by the reflection, that he had always behaved toward the deceased with duty, tenderness, and respect. "So I thought," replied the youth," while my parent was living, but now recollect, with pain and sorrow, many instances of disobedience and neglect, for which, alas! it is too late to make atonement." Py-re'-ne-an mountains, between France and Spain. 2. Sir Isaac Newton* possessed a remarkably mild and even temper. This great man, on a particular occasion, was called out of his study to an adjoining apartment. A little dog named Diamond, the constant, but incurious attendant of his master's researches, happened to be left among the papers; he threw down a lighted candle, which consumed in a moment, the almost finished labors of many years. Sir Isaac soon returned, and had the mortification to behold his irreparable loss. But, with his usual self-possession, he only exclaimed, O Diamond! Diamond! thou little knowest the mischief thou hast done. 3. Queen Caroline, having observed that her daughter, the princess, had made one of the ladies about her, stand a long time, while the princess was talking to her on some trifling subject, was resolved to give a suitable reprimand. Therefore, when the princess came in the evening, to read to her, as was usual, and was drawing a chair to sit down, the queen said to her, no, my dear, at present you must not sit; for I intend to make you stand this evening, as long as you suffered lady Bto remain in the same position. 4. The benevolent and immortal John Howard, having settled his accounts at the close of a particular year, and found a balance in his favor, proposed to his lady to employ it_in defraying the expense of a journey to London, or any other amusement which she might think preferable. What a pretty little cottage, she replied, would this build for a poor family. This charitable hint met his cordial approbation, and the money was laid out accordingly. 5. Horace, a celebrated Roman poet, relates that a countryman, who wanted to pass a river, stood loitering on the banks of it, in the foolish expectation, that a current so rapid would soon discharge its waters. But the stream still flowed, (increased perhaps by fresh torrents from the mountains,) and it must forever flow; because the source from which it is derived, is inexhaustible. Thus the idle and irresolute youth, trifles over his books, or squanders, in childish pursuits, his precious moments, defering the business of improvement, (which at first might be rendered easy and agreeable, but which, by delay, becomes more and more difficult,) until the golden sands of opportunity have all run, and he is called to action without possessing the requisite ability. 6. Philip III. king of Spain, when he drew near the end of his days, (seriously reflecting on his past life, and being greatly An English philosopher, born in 1642, and died in 1727. A celebrated English philanthropist, born in 1726, and died 1790 T ard from every quarter of the city; women embracing their sbands, children their parents, and all taking an eternal fareTh of each other. When the married men were all thus collected, Demetrius, whom an elevated situation was provided, reproached them ingratitude in the most feeling manner, insomuch that self could not help shedding tears. Demetrius for some elemained silent, while the Athenians expected, that the words he uttered would be to order his soldiers to massacre *ina all. 66 it is hardly possible to say what must have been their e when they heard that good prince say,—" I wish to ....ce you how ungenerously you have treated me; for it ot to an enemy you have refused assistance, but to a who loved you, who still loves you, and who wishes to re himself only by granting your pardon, and by being our friend. Return to your own homes: while you been here, my soldiers have been filling your houses with 'sions." LESSON XLV. Death of Prince William. HENRY I.* king of England, had a son called William, a ve and active youth, who was arrived at his eighteenth year. 2 king loved him most tenderly, and took care to have him ognized as his successor by the states of England; and car1 him over to Normandy, in the north of France, to receive homage of the barons of that duchy. 2. Having performed the requisite ceremony, the king set sail England, accompanied by a splendid retinue of the princial nobility. William, his son, was detained by some accident, or several hours;-and the crew having spent the interval in drinking, became so intoxicated, that they ran the ship upon a rock and it was immediately dashed to pieces. 3. The pr had he He pre was put into a boat, and might have escaped his reign, A. D. 1100. He die‹ |