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THE ALPINE HORN.

THE Alpine Horn is an instrument constructed with the bark of a cherry tree; and which, like a speaking trumpet, is used to convey sounds to a great distance. When the last rays of the sun gild the summit of the Alps, the shepherd who dwells the highest on those mountains, takes his horn and calls aloud, " Praised be the Lord!" As soon as he is heard, the neighboring shepherds leave their huts and repeat those words. The sound lasts many minutes, for every echo of the mountains, and grot of the rocks, repeat the name of God. How solemn the scene! Imagination cannot picture to itself anything more sublime. The profound silence that succeeds the sight of those stupendous mountains, upon which the vault of heaven seems to rest ; everything excites the mind to enthusiasm.

In the meanwhile, the shepherds bend their knees, and pray in the open air, and soon after retire to their huts to enjoy the repose of innocence.

THE LITTLE BOY AND THE ROSE.

A FABLE.

A LITTLE boy was allowed one day to ramble about a garden, in which were many choice flowers; but he was desired not to touch any of them. He, however, soon forgot what was said to him; and seeing a pretty rose, he ventured to pluck it. In a few minutes, his fingers streamed with blood, for he was severely scratched, and he cried bitterly, and ran to his sister. She bound up the wound, but reproved him ; Ah, brother, if you had minded what was said to you, and not gathered the rose, Lou would not have been wounded by 'the thorn."

RULES FOR CONVERSATION.

THAT Conversation may answer the ends for which it was designed, the parties who are to join in it must come together with a determined resolution to please and be pleased. As the end of conversation is either to amuse or instruct the company, or to receive benefit from it, you should not be eager to interrupt others, or uneasy at being yourself interrupted.

Give every one leave to speak in his turn, hear with patience, and answer with precision. Inattention is illmanners; it shows contempt, and contempt is never forgotten. Trouble not the company with your own private concerns. Yours are as little to them, as their's are to you. Contrive, but with dexterity and propriety, that each person shall have an opportunity of discoursing on the subject with which he is best acquainted; thus, he will be pleased, and you will be informed. When the conversation is flowing in a serious and useful channel, never disturb it by an ill-timed jest.

In reflections on absent people, say nothing that you would not say if they were present. "I resolve," says Bishop Beveridge," never to speak of a man's virtues before his face, nor of his faults behind his back.' This is a golden rule, the observance of which, would, at one stroke, banish flattery and defamation from the earth.

SHORTNESS OF TIME.

REMEMBER that time is short.

Should your life be pro

tracted to the period of old age, you will say at its close, that it was only "as a watch of the night, as a dream when one awaketh."

FREDERICK AND HIS NEPHEW.

FREDERICK the Great was so fond of children, that the young princes, his nephews, had always access to him. One day, writing in his cabinet, where the eldest of them was playing with a ball, it happened to fall on the table; the king threw it on the floor, and wrote on. Presently after, the ball again fell on the table; he threw it away once more, and cast a serious look on the boy, who promised to be more careful, and continued his play. At last, the ball fell unfortunately on the very paper on which the king was writing, who, being a little vexed, put the ball into his pocket. The little prince humbly begged pardon, and entreated to have his ball again; but was refused. He continued for some time, praying for it in a very piteous manner, but all in vain. At last, grown tired of asking, he placed himself before his majesty, put his little hand to his side, and said, with a menacing look and tone, "Do you choose, Sire, to restore the ball or not?" The king smiled, took the ball from his pocket, and gave it to the prince, with these words; "Thou art a brave fellow; Silesia will never be retaken whilst thou art alive."

MY HEART LEAPS.

My heart leaps up when I behold

A rainbow in the sky;
So was it when my life began;

So is it now I am a man ;

So be it when I shall grow old,

Or let me die!

The child is father of the man ;

And I could wish my days to be,

Bound each to each, by natural piety.

ENVY.

ENVY is one of the meanest of all the passions. It is alike offensive in the sight of God and man. It is not only an unreasonable, but a malignant spirit. It looks with the eye of hatred upon a brother, for no other reason than because he either is, or is supposed to be, a special favorite of Providence. If this hateful passion ever rise in your breast, banish it as one of the worst enemies of ness, your character, and your soul.

your happi

THE ARCHER AND THE ARROW.

A FABLE.

AN archer complained of his arrow, because it did not hit the mark. "If you had directed me right," said the arrow, "I should not have failed."

By this we learn, that we too often blame others, when the fault is only in ourselves.

PROVERBS.

A BURTHEN Which one chooses, is not felt.

A hasty man never wants wo.

A man is a lion in his own cause.

A new broom sweeps clean.

As

ye

mak' your bed, sae ye maun ly down. Better be alone than in bad company.

Every man is the architect of his own fortune.

HONESTY THE BEST POLICY.

A NOBLEMAN travelling in Scotland, about six years ago, was asked for alms in the High street of Edinburgh, by a little ragged boy. He said he had no change; upon which the boy offered to procure it. His lordship, in order to get rid of his importunity, gave him a piece of silver, and the boy conceiving it was to be changed, ran off for that purpose. On his return, not finding his benefactor, whom he had expected to wait, he watched for several days in the place where he had received the money. At length, the nobleman happened again to pass that way; the boy accosted him, and put the change he had procured into his hand, counting it with great exactness. His lordship was so pleased with the boy's honesty, that he had him placed at school, with the assurance of providing for him.

THE FRIEND.

He is a friend, who scorns the little sphere
Of narrow self, and finds a joy sincere,
To see another blest; whose gen'rous heart
To all around would happiness impart,
If happiness were his; whose bosom glows
With warmth the frozen stoic never knows
If griefs oppress, or threatening woes impend,
Dear solace then, to find a real friend!
He is a real friend, whose passions know
The anguish of communicated wo;

Who feels the deep distress when sorrow mourns,

And from his inmost heart the sigh returns.
The kindred sigh conveys a strange relief!
How soothing is society in grief!

Less are the woes, and lighter are the cares
Which gentle sympathizing friendship shares.

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