insure his ruin. Every moment I expected to see the dreadful catastrophe. I could not bear to look at him, and yet could not withdraw my gaze. A film came over my eyes', and a faintness over my heart. By this time the deck was covered with officers and crew, to witness this appalling, this heart-rending spectacle. All seemed mute. Every feeling, every faculty, seemed absorbed in one deep, intense emotion of agony.

At this moment, a stir was made ainong the crew about the gangway', when the Commodore, the boy's father', made his appearance. He had come on board without being noticed by a single eye. The Commodore asked not a question', uttered not a syllable'. He was an austere man`; and it was thought by some that he did not entertain a very strong affection for his son. All eyes were now fixed on him, endeavoring to read his emotions in his countenance.

The scrutiny, however, was vain'; his eye retained its severe expression'; his brow the slight frown it usually wore'; and his lip' its haughty curl. In short, no outward sign indicated what was passing within. Immediately on reaching the deck, he ordered a marine to hand a musket'; when, stepping aft, and leaping on the look-out block, he raised it to his shoulder', and took a deliberate aim at his son', at the same time hailing him with his trumpet', in a voice of thunder.

'Robert',' cried he', 'jump'! jump overboard! or I'll fire at you.' The boy seemed to hesitate, and it was plain that he was tottering;-for his arms were thrown about like one endeavoring to balance himself. The Commodore raised his voice again', and in a quicker and more energetic tone cried'' Jump'! 'tis your only chance for life. The words were scarcely out of his mouth, before he left the truck, and sprung out into the air. A sound, between a shriek and a groan, burst from many lips.

The father spoke not-sighed not'; indeed, he seemed not to breathe. For a moment of intense agony, a pin might have been heard to drop on deck. With a rush like that of a cannon ball, the body descended to the water'; and before the waves closed over it', twenty stout fellows', among them several officers', had dived from the bulwark. Another short period of suspense ensued. The boy rose'! he was alive! his arm was seen to move-he struck out towards the ship.

In spite of the discipline of a man-of-war, three loud huzzas, the outburst of unfeigned joy from the hearts of five hundred men', pealed through the air and made the welkin ring. Till this moment, the old Commodore had stood unmoved. His face was now ashy pale. He attempted to descend from the block', but his knees bent under him'; he seemed to gasp for breath, and attempted to tear open his vest'; but in the attempt he staggered, and would have fallen', had he not been caught by the bystanders.

He was borne to his cabin, where the surgeon attended him', whose utmost skill was required to restore his mind to its usual equilibrity and self-command', in which he at last happily succeeded. As soon as the former recovered from the dreadful shock, he sent for Bob, and had a long confidential conference with him'; and it was noticed, when the little fellow left the cabin', that he was in tears.

LESSON LXXIX.

DANCING.

THERE is probably no amusement more universally prevalent, and more fascinating, than dancing. One of the most prominent errors attendant upon this amusement is the unseasonable hours selected to engage in it'; balls and dancing parties being generally held at a time past the common hour of retiring', and beyond the hour too when nature has ordained that we should seek repose. The system is thus robbed of its restorative', sleep'; and to this privation there is superadded the unaccustomed and severe exercise and fatigue of dancing. Many delicate females, who would think it cruel in the extreme to be compelled to walk two miles', will dance almost constantly for half the night', when, from sheer exhaustion', they are obliged to desist. For sundry reasons the dress must on such occasions be light'; but when a person is freely perspiring from the exhilarating dance', a ball dress is not an adequate protection from taking cold during the intervals of repose. The fatigue from this exercise is the greater from the fact, that one half the females who are most fond of it' are unaccustomed to much active exercise of

any' sort; and while others feel no inconvenience', they are surprised to find themselves fatigued and exhausted.

From a mistaken notion of appearing very pretty', dresses at balls are worn very tight'; but if there ever is a time when the full, free, and uninterrupted play of the breathing apparatus is absolutely necessary', it is on occasions like the present. The writer is acquainted with more than one instance where ladies have suddenly expired in the midst of a dance', from no other cause, unquestionably', than impeded respiration from being too tightly laced.

Exposure to a current of air, such as sitting in an open window, or in a balcony after dancing', is the cause of much mischief. It is agreeable', no doubt, and is one of those sweet things which are very sure to be followed by bitterness.

There is another train of evils, of a somewhat different character, connected with this fascinating amusement'; and if they are not quite as conspicuous, they are not the less certain to be felt. A ball is an event of no little importance to a female', and of no small magnitude in her estimation', especially if she be of the younger and less experienced class'; and her mind is, at such a time, more agitated by conflicting emotions than she is, perhaps, herself aware', or willing to acknowledge. It may be that young ladies of the prêsent day have a little sprinkling of pride, vanity, jealousy, and the like turbulent ingredients, in their composition'; and whatever mortal tenement these passions inhabit', they are sure, when occasion offers, to make their influence felt', and their power known. It is not impossible that a young lady, who is to attend a ball or dancing party, may feel ambitious to acquire glory, by excelling in the splendor of her appearance-she may be desirous of exciting general admiration', or of making a more particular impression. The anxiety of mind for two or three days previous to the grand event, is oftentimes so intense as to destroy the appetite', and not unfrequently to cause the nights to be spent in a sleepless, feverish state. A young female, then, with a naturally delicate constitution', thus debilitated and rendered irritable', and already on the threshold of disease', is compelled to undergo the fatigue and excitement of a ball, and perhaps its consequent exposure.

The young of both sexes should be taught that they have minds', that they are rational creatures, born for social intercourse', and that all enjoyment is not to be found in the

fashionable follies and amusements of the day. The effect of most popular amusements, if indulgence is not regulated by moderation and discretion, tends to the destruction of intellectual enjoyment', as well as to sever the bands of social and kindred feeling'; so that the devotees of pleasure think of but little else than gratifying their own taste', even at the sacrifice of all sympathy for their fellow-creatures. Look at those who have a great fondness for fashionable recreation, or, more properly, dissipation', and see if they regard the claims of society', or the wants and necessities of needy relatives. Are their names found in looking over the list of contributors to any benevolent enterprise'? Are they found in the ranks of philanthropists'? Their charities are all

or a

bestowed on their own dear selves', and their pecuniary sacrifices are made on the altar of pleasure. Their names may, indeed, be found at the head of the catalogue of those who are foremost in getting up a "benefit" for a K'K'—; and they may be remembered with a peculiar gratitude in the diary of some strolling actor', or, peradventure, in the more celebrated journal of some "Fanny."

Having been called, not long since, to visit the family of an old acquaintance, in a professional way', I have thought best to insert in this place the substance of an interview which presents this subject in its true light. My advice was requested in the case of a young lady' who was indisposed after a night's dissipation at a fashionable party. I found her reclining in an easy chair', with cheeks flushed', hurried respiration', and the whole countenance expressive of great anxiety. After a few preliminaries, a conversation occurred, nearly as follows:

"Were you in usual health till last evening'?"

"Yes, nearly', except the anxiety of preparing for the party."

"Did your anxiety destroy your appetite'?"

"Oh no, not much'; it only kept me a little flurried." Her father, an honest, plain man', very promptly answered', "She has hardly taken food enough to keep her alive, the last two days."

"Have you slept well at night'?"

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Yes', generally, very well."

Her sister, a frank, open-hearted girl, replied', "Why, Jane'! we have both of us lain awake, and talked almost all night about the party', ever since we received our invitations."

"How long was you at the party'?"

"About three hours."

"At what time did you return home`?” "About one o'clock."

"Did you feel chilly when coming home' ?"

Yes', doctor', and before too'; for when I sat by the window to rest me, after dancing', I felt as if I was taking cold." "Did you dance much in the course of the evening' ?"

Oh, no`, indeed, I never dance much at parties'; I only danced ten times."

"Did you experience any shortness of breath when dancing'?"

(With her hand on her side, and panting.)* "No', doctor', I never get out of breath'; I could breathe last night just as

well as I can this moment.'

Her sister again says', "Why, Jane'! how can you say so'? I wonder how you could breathe at all, for you know we broke three strings before you were laced to suit you'." "Did you rest well last night', or rather this morning', after you retired' ?"

'No', doctor'-I had such a pain in my stomach that I could not sleep."

"By the way', did you take any thing last night to disagree with your stomach' ?"

'No', not in the least."

"I presume, you at least tasted the refreshments' ?”

Yes', I ate five or six pickled oysters', and drank a little coffee."

"Did you eat a bit of the tongue' ?"

"I just tasted it.”

"A-la-mode beef' ?"

"Only a morsel."

"Did you try a bit of the turkey' ?"

"Just a wing."

"How was the jelly' ?"

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Very fine, but I only tasted it."

"Did you try the sweetmeats', blanc-manger',† ice-creams',

oranges', custards', and cakes' ?"

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Only a mouthful' of each.”

The parenthesis should be omitted in reading.

+ Monj,-a kind of jelly.