WITHERED LEAF.- -GRACEFULNESS. 185 in the sun; taking them, diversified as they are among many genera and species, they form ample and delightful study for the most active mind, through the most prolonged life. THE WITHERED LEAF. OH! mark the withered leaves that fall They say, " so passes man's brief year! Let wisdom be our sole concern, GRACEFULNESS. PE graceful in your manners. The different effect of the same thing, said or done, when accompanied or deserted by graceful manners, is almost inconceivable; they prepare the way to the heart. From your own observation, reflect what a disagreeable impression an awkward address, a slovenly figure, an ungraceful manner of speaking, whether fluttering, muttering, or drawling, make upon you at first sight, in a stranger, and how they prejudice you against him. PEEVISHNESS AND ANGER. PEEVISHNESS, though not so violent and fatal in its immediate effects, is still more unamiable than passion, and if possible more destructive of happiness; inasmuch as it operates more continually. Though the fretful man injures us less, he disgusts us more than the passionate one, because he betrays a low and little mind, intent on trifles, and engrossed by a paltry selflove, which knows not how to bear the apprehension of any inconvenience. By voluntarily enduring inconveniences, we shall habituate ourselves to bear them with ease and good humor, when occasioned by others. COMPLAISANCE. Ir we wish for the good will and esteem of our acquaintance, our good breeding must be active, cheerful and winning. Answer with complaisance when you are spoken to ; sit not while others stand; do everything with an air of cheerfulness, and not with a grave, sour look, as if you did it unwillingly. That life is long, which answers life's great end. 1 COMMODORE PERRY. Ar the famous battle of Lake Erie, when in the sweeping havoc, which was sometimes made, a number of men were shot away from around a gun, the survivors looked silently around to Perry, and then stepped into their places. When he looked at the poor fellows, who lay wounded and weltering on the deck, he always found their faces turned towards him, and their eyes fixed on his countenance. It is impossible for words to heighten the simple and affecting eloquence of this anecdote. It speaks volumes in praise of the heroism of the commander, and the confidence and affection of his men. NIGHT. ALL men are stretched upon their quiet beds; darkness is spread over the skies; every eye is shut, and every hand is still. The eye that sleeps not, is God's; his hand always protects us. He made sleep to refresh us when we are weary; he made night that we might sleep in quiet. — As the affectionate mother stills every little noise that her infant may not be disturbed; as she draws the curtains round its bed, and shuts out the light from its tender eyes; so God draws the curtain of darkness around us; so he makes all things to be hushed and still, that his large family may sleep in peace. When the darkness has passed away, and the beams of the morning sun strikes through our eyelids, let us begin our day by praising God, who has taken care of us through the night. Let his praise be in our hearts when we lie down; let his praise be on our lips when we awake. A MAN was angling in a river, and caught a small perch, which, as he was taking off the hook, and, going to put into his basket, opened its mouth, and began to implore his pity, begging that he would throw it into the river again. Upon the man's demanding what reason he had to expect such a favor; "Why," says the fish, "because at present, I am young and little; and consequently not so well worth your while, as I shall be, if you take me some time hence, when I shall be grown larger." "That may be," replied the man; "but I am not one of those fools, who quit a certainty in expectation of an uncertainty. As I have got you, I will keep you." So saying, he threw him into the basket among the rest of the fishes. This fable teaches us the same lesson, as the proverb, "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush." COLUMBIA. COLUMBIA, Columbia, to glory arise, The queen of the world and the child of the skies! Thy reign is the last, and the noblest of time, PATRIOTIC ADDRESS. YE martial bands! Columbia's fairest pride! Ye gallant youths! whose breasts for glory burn, |