A CHRISTIAN and a Pagan, that had been old acquaintance and fellow-travellers, had several discourses upon the way together, about religion; and coming into Italy, the Christian advised the Infidel, for his better satisfaction, only to go to Mass once, and then tell him what he thought of it. The Pagan accordingly went to church, and being afterwards asked his opinion of the ceremonies and solemnity of the office, his answer was, "that he saw but one thing there that he disliked ; which was, that it looked a little uncharitable for one man to eat and drink by himself, and all the rest to look on.".

REFLECTION.

The poison of this fable, in the liberty of jesting with holy matters, would need an antidote to go along with it,

if it were not that it is a Pagan's conceit, and consequently suitable enough to the character and humour of an Infidel, to have the offices of christianity in derision. If we look at it on that side, it may serve for a reproof to those among ourselves that take the same freedom of scoffing at religion, and religious rites and ceremonies. These people pass in the world under the name of Christians, but in their hearts and manners they are little better than Pagans: the frolick of a merry word goes farther with them, than the conscience of their profession, and if they can but elude the dint of a pinching conviction by some trivial jest, the conceit, they think, atones for the wickedness.

A MAGPIE was wondering once to a Pigeon, why she would breed still in the same house, where her young ones were constantly taken away from her before they were able to fly. "Why, that is my simplicity," says the Pigeon. "I mean no harm, and I suspect none."

REFLECTION.

The truer hearted any man is, the more liable he is to 'be imposed upon: and then the world calls it out-witting a man; when, in truth, he is only out-knaved: and obliged, even in charity and good nature, to believe till he be completely cozened. This does not yet hinder sincere singleness of heart from being a virtue so necessary for the comfort and security of mankind, that human society cannot subsist without it. And therefore it is a thousand pities it should be so discountenanced, and

abused, as in the common practice of the world we find it is. But it stands firm however to the same tenor of life; as the Pigeon kept to the same house to lay her eggs in, whatever she lost by it.

In the evening of a summer's day, the Sun, as he descended behind the western hills, beheld a thick and unwholesome Vapour extending itself over the whole face of the valleys. Every shrub and every flower immediately folded up its leaves, and shrunk from the touch of this detested enemy. "Well hast thou chosen," said the God of day, "the hour of my departure, to spread thy pestilential influence, and taint the beauties of the creation. Enjoy for a short space the notable triumphs of thy malignity. I shall return again with the morning, repair thy mischiefs, and put an end to thy existence. May the slanderer, in thy fate, discern his own, and be warned to dread the return of truth."