might be permitted to return to her, and prove, by my future behaviour, that I repent. Should death fnatch her from me, I could never forgive myself; I should think that my ingratitude had multiplied her forrows: I know her to be too fufceptible of tender impreffions not to have felt with equal force-I can no more, griefftops my hand, and I can only wish this confeffion may reach her eyes, and incline her heart to receive her penitent child.

MORAL MISCELLANY,

MATERNAL AFFECTION.

THERE are no ties in nature to compare with those which unite an affectionate mother to her children, when they repay her tenderness with obedience and love.

Cornelia, the illuftrious mother of the Gracchi, after the death of her husband, who left her twelve children, applied herself to the care of her family, with a wisdom and prudence, that acquired her universal esteem. Only three out of the twelve, lived to years of maturity, one daughter and two fons, whom she brought up with fo much care, that, though they were born with the most happy geniuses and difpofitions, it was thought they were more indebted to education than nature. The an

fwer she gave a companion lady concerning them, is worthy of remark, and includes in it inftructions which deserve the attention of every affectionate mother and daughter.

The lady, who was very rich, and still fonder of pomp and fhew, after having displayed in a vifit she made her, her diamonds, pearls, and richest jewels, earnestly defired Cornelia, to let her fee HER jewels alfo. Cornelia dextrously turned the conversation to another subject, till her children were returned from fchool. When they entered their mother's apartment, she said to the companion lady, pointing to them with her hand, These are my jewels, and the only ornaments I admire.” And fuch ornaments, which are the strength and support of fociety, add a brighter luftre to the fair, than all the jewels of the eaft,

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BEAUTIES OF HISTORY.

CONJUGAL AFFECTION

EXEMPLIFIED IN THE STORY OF CYRUS, KING OF PERSIA.

Of all the pleasures that endear human life, there are none more worthy the attention of a rational creature, than those that flow from the mutual return of conjugal love.

When two minds are thus engaged by the ties of reciprocal affection, each alternately receives and communicates a transport, inconceivable to all, but thofe that are in this fituation: whence arifes, that heart-ennobling

foli

folicitude for one another's welfare; that tender fympathy, which alleviates affliction; and that participated pleasure, which heightens profperity and joy itself.

The following is a beautiful inftance of this exalted paffion :

Cyrus, king of Perfia, had taken captive the young prince of Armenia, together with his beautiful and blooming princefs, whom he had lately married, and of whom he was paffionately fond. When they, along with other prisoners, were brought before the tribunal, Cyrus afked the prince, What he would give to be ‹ reinstated in his kingdom?' He answered, with an air of indifference, That, as for his crown, and his own

liberty, he valued them at a very low rate: but, if Cyrus would restore his beloved princess to her native dignity, and hereditary poffeffions, he fhould infinitely rejoice; and would pay' (this he uttered with tenderness and ardour) would willingly pay his life for the purchase.'

When all the prisoners were difmiffed with freedom, it is impoffible to exprefs how much they were charmed with their royal benefactor. Some celebrated his martial abilities, fome applauded his focial virtues: all were prodigal of their praise, and lavish in grateful acknowledgements. And you,' faid the prince, addreffing himself to his bride; What think you of Cyrus?'‘I • did not observe him,' said the princess. Not observe him! Upon what then was your attention fixed ?'

Upon that dear and generous man, who declared, that he would purchase my liberty, at the expence of his own life!'

ON THE SAME SUBJECT.

FROM MILTON'S PARADISE LOST.

Hail wedded love! myfterious law, true source
Of human offspring, fole propriety

In paradife, of all things common elfe!

By thee, adult'rous luft was driven from man
Among the bestial herds to range; by thee,
(Founded in reafon, loyal, juft, and pure),
Relations dear, and all the charities

Of father, fon, and brother, first were known.
Perpetual fountain of domestic fweets!

Here Love his golden fhafts employs; here lights
His conftant lamp, and waves his purple wings.
When fix'd to one, Love fafe at anchor rides,
And dares the fury of the wind and tides..

THE WOMEN OF HENSBERG.

WHEN the emperor Conrade the Third had befieged Gullphus, duke of Bavaria, in the city of Henfberg, the women finding that the town could not poffibly hold out, petitioned the emperor, that they might depart out of it with as much as each of them could carry.

The

The emperor knowing they could not take away any great quantity of their effects, granted their petition; when the women, to his great surprise, came out of the place, each of them with her husband upon her back. The emperor was so moved at the fight, that he burft into tears; and, after having much extolled the women for their conjugal affection, gave the men to their wives, and received the duke into his favour.

STORY OF

MR. POPE AND A HACKNEY COACHMAN.

WITH A MORAL REFLECTION FOR THE LADIES.

It is remarkable that the expletive Mr Pope generally used by way of oath, was, " God mend me!" One day in a dispute with a hackney coachman, he used this expreffion. Mend you!" faid the coachman,--"It would not be half fo much trouble to him to make a new one." f it be allowable to draw a moral reflection from a ludicrous ftory, it is heartily to be wished that the ladies would every morning seriously address to their Maker this invocation of Mr Pope's; and, after devout meditation on the divine patronage to whom they have recommended their charms, apply themselves by all poffible means to obtain the accomplishment of their prayer. I flatter myself that this advice may be palatable,

as