THE LITTLE VOYAGERS. THE lake was smooth and not a breath Stirr'd through the sleeping grove ; The oak tree hung as mute as death Upon the hills above: "Come, sister," said the young Arnest, While sporting on the bank; "Come, o'er this water's silvery breast Let's sail upon this plank." "Yes, brother," and the plank she drew Along the slippery sand, Around his neck her arms she threw - That ray, which dazzles now the eye, Yet forth they drifted, till the lake, The puppy had an uncle, A sober quiet dog, Who said "I wish that urchin "Dear sister, if you don't, in time, Your visitors will quit your house, "You let him tumble you about, Jump up, and knock you down; You laugh at all his rudeness, When you rather ought to frown. *I think it right to laugh and romp, He went away; the mother cried, "My worthy neighbor, Billy Goat, The uncle's prudent caution was, It seems, The puppy jump'd about the horse, He nearly sprain'd the goose's leg, Politeness made them bear it once, They thought the puppy's conduct The horse's kick, goat Billy's horn, Soon sent him yelping from the place; The puppy's mother frown'd and said: You are not fond of young folks, The horse replied," Why really, ma'am, But I love them very dearly, ma'am, When well behaved and good." MORAL. Now that is what I say myself, That they can shew good manners SLOTH. THE whole structure of our nature, and the whole condition of our being, prove that our Maker intended us, not for a life of indolence, but for one of active exertion. All the organs of the body, and all the faculties of the mind, are instruments of action, and are to be employed in the vigorous pursuit of happiness. It is only by constant exercise, that these powers can be preserved in a sound and healthful state. If the body be suffered to remain long inactive, it will lose its strength and become a prey to disease; at the same time, the mental faculties will be gradually enfeebled, and the whole fabric of human happiness be undermined by fretfulness and spleen. It is, on the contrary, a matter of constant experience, that a regular course of bodily exercise is conducive to health, exhilarates the spirits, and contributes to the easy and successful employment of the intellectual powers. THE ART OF HAPPINESS. A GOOD temper is one of the principal ingredients of happiness. Almost every object that attracts our notice, has its bright and its dark side. He that habituates himself to look at the displeasing side, will sour his disposition, and consequently impair his happiness; while he who constantly beholds it on the bright side, insensibly ameliorates his temper, and in consequence of it, improves his own happiness, and the happiness of all around him. By this practice, we may arrive at that easy benevolence of temper, which the world calls good-nature, and the scriptures charity, whose natural, and never failing fruit is happiness. |