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What is the songster's warble',
And the flow'rets blush refined',
To the noble thought of Deity
Within your opening mind'?

LESSON XXIII.

LETTER FROM A FLY.

MR. EDITOR, I am a poor little fly. Do not, on this account, turn a deaf ear to the voice of my lamentations. Listen but this oncè, I pray', to the tale of my griefs'—and I'll never trouble you again.

It was on a beautiful warm day in the month of June, that I came into existence. I was at first astonished at the novelty of every thing around me. The warmth of the beautiful surface upon which I stood'-the thousands of waving colors which seemed to touch mé, and the variety of noises around mé, quite bewildered my weak senses. I lay for some time in my snug corner', watching the movements of many of my species', in perfect wonder at the dexterity and velocity with which they moved themselves from place to place. Ah! how happy they seem', thought I. In a few days my wings will be large, and strong enough to carry me about. Then I'll play catcher` in the sunbeams with the rest', and I shall have nothing to do but fly about all day, full of enjoyment. How glad I am that I was made a little fly! Thus ever think the young and inexperienced. Life seems nothing to them but a dream of pure happiness. But days rolled on, and I grew large and strong. My mother left me to take care of myself', and, proud of my liberty', I flew round and round the room, which then seemed to me a large world. Being rather tired one day, I sought a resting place on the head of an elderly lady. What was my astonishment at my reception! I was rudely, and cruelly, brushed off immediately. This blow disabled me so much, that I had but strength sufficient to enable me to alight, once more, on the head of a little girl who stood by. Here I remained quietly for a few minutes, nestling among her pretty ringlets. Soon, however, she put up her soft hand, to brush me off, and I flew away.

Wondering to myself what all this could mean, I went immediately to inquire the cause of my mother', in whose judgment and knowledge I had unbounded faith.

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My dear daughter'," said she`, after I had told my story', "my dear daughter', you must know that without any just reason we are universally disliked by the race of human beings. You will find them your greatest enemies. Forgetting all the services which we render them by removing obnoxious things, which would otherwise create disease', they never fail to give us blows when we come near them. They have exerted all their ingenuity to invent traps, and machines, to put us to death by thousands. Never since the days of my Uncle Toby', a good man who, when one of our companions lit upon him', gently took him up', opened the window', and said to him as he flew gladly away,'-Therè, gò—there is room enough in the world for both you and mē;—never since then have I seen the least kindness exercised towards us poor flies." Just at this moment, the child that I have mentioned approached the window with an infant in her arms`. "Catch the fly', darling'," said shè, and before my poor mother could escape, she was torn limb from limb, by the dimpled hand of the little darling. Horror struck', I retired to my hole, loudly lamenting my mother's fatè-and secretly mourning' that I had been born a fly. Still I am' one, and a poor little onè

and the only way in which I can give vent to my feelings is to send this little tale, Mr. Editor', to you. Will you have compassion enough for our oppressed race to give it a place in your columns, that all your readers may know our sufferings', and that all, especially the younger part, may refrain from torturing us'-poor flies.

LESSON XXIV.

THE QUESTION SETTLED.

LITTLE ANNIE* and her mother had been to make a visit to Annie's grandmother. "Oh mother'," said Annie as they were returning homè, "grandmother has given me a nice, new silver half dollar'; how hard I shall have to think what I

*

* Pronounced An-ny.

had better do with it." After this the little girl kept quite silent for about five minutes', walking along by the side of her mother. At length she spokè, and by her very fast talking', showed that her thoughts had not been still', if her tongue had been. "Oh mother', I have thought what 1 can do with my half dollar'; it will buy a new head for my doll'; the old one, you know, is rubbed and soiled. But then, on second thought', I do not know that I will spend it sò; for though old Dolly's head is a little the worse for wear, yet I am used to her face', and I believe that I love her better than I should one of those smart, prim ladies, which I see up at the shop windows."

"I think that Dolly looks pretty well' when you take care to have her dressed neatly'," said Annie's mother'; "and I agree with you in liking old faces better than new ones."

"Well, mother', if I should not do that, I might help the boys to buy their chessmen'; they are, you know, saving their money for it. Or, I might let it go towards a silver pencil-case for sister Mary'; I heard her say, the other day, that all the girls but herself had silver ones', and I am sure that she is as good as any of them', and ought to have as nice a pencil. Or I might"—what other plan Annie might have brought forward I cannot say', for, just at that moment', they came in sight of the cottage of poor old William. He was sitting in the porch of his house', looking to see the sun' which was very pleasantly setting.

"How pleasant and cheerful old William's cottage looks," said Annie, who, at the sight of it', forgot for a moment her plans for disposing of her cash.

"It does, indeed, look very pleasant," said her mother', "this mild, warm evening', but it is a sad cōld place in winter', and poor William suffers from the rheumatism'; you see that his face is all bandaged up. I have been talking with your grandmother about him this afternoon', and we determined to try to get him a stove', which will keep him warm and comfortable this winter. Your grandmother and I will both give what we can afford', and I shall ask some other of our neighbors to contribute'; and I do not doubt that we shall be able to get enough for the purpose."

"Oh mother'," cried Anniè, "that settles the question. Perhaps if grandmother had not seen me looking so sharp at the half dollar', when she took out her purse to give you the money for William', she would have added this half dollar to

to what she gave; and, if you please, I will give it to him for my part', and you can stop at his door, as you go by', and just drop it into his hand', and tell him what it is for'; becausé," (and Annie looked a little ashamed,) "if I do not give it to him quick, I might, perhaps, have some new plan."

Her mother, though she did not exactly approve of little Annie's hasty manner of deciding', yet gave her consent. She stopped', and told her plan of the stove to poor William', who was ve y thankful to her for her kindness. She gave him little Annie's half dollar, for which he thanked her most heartily', and begged her to come, in the winter', and sit in his warm cottage', and listen to some of his stories', which all the young people were fond of hearing. Little Annie trotted home beside her mother', happy that she had been able to contribute something to the comfort of the good old man', and relieved from the burden which the possession of money sometimes gives to older persons than she was.

LESSON XXV.

SELECTIONS FROM THE PROVERBS OF SOLOMON.

My son', hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother'; for they shall be an ornament of grace to thy head, and chains about thy neck.

My son', if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.

My son', forget not my law, but let thy heart keep my commandments; for length of days, and long lifé, and peacé, shall they add to thee.

Let not mercy and truth forsake thee. Bind them about thy neck', write them on the table of thy heart'; so shalt thou find favor, and good understanding, in the sight of God and man.

Trust in the LORD with all thy heart', and lean not to thine own understanding'; in all thy ways acknowledge him, and he will direct thy paths.

Be not wise in thine own eyes. Fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

Take fast hold of instruction`; let her not gò; keep her', for she is thy life.

Enter not into the path of the wicked', and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it'; pass not by it'; turn from it, and pass away. For they sleep not except they have done mischief'; and their sleep is taken away unless they cause some one to fall. For they eat the bread of wickedness', and drink the wine of violence. But the path of the just is as the shining light', that shineth more and more to the perfect day.

Keep thy heart with all diligence', for ont of it are the issues of life.

Put away from thee a froward mouth', and perverse lips put far from thee.

Go to the ant, thou sluggard', consider her ways and be wise; which, having no guide, overseer, or ruler', provideth her meat in the summer', and gathereth her food in the harvest.

How long wilt thou sleep', O sluggard'; when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep'?-yet a little sleep', a little slumber', a little folding of the hands to sleep'; so shall thy poverty come as one that traveleth', and thy want as an armed man.

These six things doth the LORD hatè; yeà, seven are an abomination to him-a proud look', a lying tongue', and hands that shed innocent blood', a heart that deviseth wicked imaginations', feet that are swift in running to mischief', a false witness that speaketh lies', and he that soweth discord among brethren.

My son', keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee. Kéep my commandments', and live'; and my law' as the apple of thine eye. Bind them on thy fingers'; write them on the table of thy heart.

LESSON XXVI.

EXTRACTS FROM EXODUS, CHAP. XIX. AND XX.

AND it came to pass on the third day, in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mount', and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud`; so that all the people who were in the camp trembled. And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God', and they stood at the nether part of the mount.

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