liquorish appetite. For there are those who would not stick to bring desolation upon their country, and run the hazard of their own necks into the bargain, rather than balk a wicked inclination, either of cruelty, ambition, or avarice. But it were to be wished, all who are hurried by such blind impulses would consider a moment before they proceed to irrevocable execution. Injuries and wrongs not only call for revenge and reparation with the voice of equity itself, but oftentimes carry their punishment along with them, and, by an unforeseen train of events, are retorted on the head of the actor of them; and not seldom, from a deep remorse, expiated upon himself, by his own hand.

THE CAMELEON AND THE TRAVELLERS.

Two Travellers happened on their journey to be engaged in a warm dispute about the colour of the Cameleon. One of them affirmed it was blue; that he had seen it with his own eyes, upon the naked branch of a tree, feeding on the air, in a very clear day. The other strongly asserted it was green, and that he had viewed it very closely and minutely on the broad leaf of a fig-tree. Both of them were positive, and the dispute was rising to a quarrel; but a third person luckily coming by, they agreed to refer the question to his decision. "Gentlemen," said the arbitrator, with a smile of great self-satisfaction, "you could not have been more lucky in your reference, as I happen to have caught one of them last night; but indeed you are both mistaken, for the creature is totally black." "Black!

impossible !" "Nay," quoth the umpire, with great assurance; "the matter may soon be decided, for I immediately inclosed my Cameleon in a little paper box; and here it is." So saying, he drew it out of his pocket, opened his box, and behold it was as white as snow. The positive disputants looked equally surprised, and equally confounded; while the sagacious reptile, assuming the air of a philosopher, thus addressed them. "Ye children of men, learn diffidence and moderation in your opinions. 'Tis true, you happen in the present instance to be all in the right, and have only considered the subject under different circumstances. But pray, for the future, allow others to have eye-sight as well as yourselves; and be candid enough not to condemn any man for judging of things, as they appear to his own view."

REFLECTION.

The different lights in which things appear to different judgments, recommend candour to the opinions of others, even at the time that we retain our own.

A DOG was lying in a Manger full of hay; a Horse, being hungry, offered to eat of the hay; but the envious, ill-natured cur snarling at him, would not suffer him to touch it. Upon which the Horse, in the bitterness of his heart, said, "A curse light on thee, for a malicious wretch, who wilt neither eat hay thyself, nor suffer others to do it."

REFLECTION.

Envy is the most unnatural and unaccountable of all the passions. There is scarce any other emotion of the mind, however unreasonable, but may have something said in excuse for it; and there are many of these weaknesses of the soul, which, notwithstanding the wrongness and irregularity of them, swell the heart, while they last,

with pleasure and gladness. But the envious man has no such apology as this to make; the stronger the passion is, the greater torment he endures; and subjects himself to a continual real pain, by only wishing ill to others. Revenge is sweet, though cruel and inhuman; and though it sometimes thirsts even for blood, yet may be glutted and satiated. Avarice is something highly monstrous and absurd; yet, as it is a desire after riches, every little acquisition gives it pleasure; and to behold and feel the hoarded treasure, to a covetous man, is a constant uncloying enjoyment. But envy, which is an anxiety arising in our minds, upon our observing accomplishments in others, which we want ourselves, can never receive any true comfort, unless in a deluge, a conflagration, a plague, or some general calamity that should befal mankind: for, as long as there is a creature living, that enjoys its being happily within the envious man's sphere, it will afford nourishment to his distempered mind: but such nourishment, as will make him pine, and fret, and emaciate himself to nothing.