UPON THE SIGHT OF TWO SNAILS.

THERE is much variety even in creatures of the same kind. See there, two snails; one hath an house, the other wants it: yet both are snails, and it is a question whether case is the better: that which hath an house hath more shelter, but that which wants it, hath more freedom; the privilege of that cover is but a burden; you see, if it has but a stone to climb over, with what stress it draws up that beneficial load: and, if the passage proves strait, finds no entrance; whereas the empty snail makes no difference of way. Surely, it is always an ease, and sometimes an happiness, to have nothing; no man is so worthy of envy, as he that can be cheerful in want.

Bishop Hall.

A repining life is a lingering death.

Quarles.

LOSS OF A MOTHER.

THE loss of a mother is always severely felt; even though her health may incapacitate her from taking any active part in the care of her family, still she is a sweet rallying-point, around which, affection and obedience, and a thousand tender endeavours to please, concentrate; and dreary is the blank when such a point is withdrawn; it is like that lonely star before us, neither its heat nor light are anything to us in themselves, yet the shepherd would feel his heart sad, if he missed it, when he lifts his eye to the brow of the mountain over which it rises, when the sun descends.

Anonymous.

THE Dutch have been compared to their own turf, which kindles and burns slowly, but which when once kindled, retains its fire to the last.

RECREATION.

RECREATION is intended to the mind as whetting is to the scythe, to sharpen the edge of it, which otherwise would grow dull and blunt. He, therefore, that spends his whole time in recreation, is ever whetting, never mowing: his grass may grow, and his steed starve: as, contrarily, he that always toils and never recreates, is ever mowing, never whetting; labouring much to little purpose. As good no scythe as no edge. Then only doth the work go forward, when the scythe is so seasonably and moderately whetted, that it may cut, and so cut, that it may have the help of sharpening.

Bishop Hall.

WOULD you touch a nettle without being stung by it, take hold of it stoutly. Do the same with other annoyances, and hardly will any of them affect you.

THE DOG.

THE Almighty, who gave the dog to be companion of our pleasures and our toils, hath invested him with a nature noble, and incapable of deceit. He forgets neither friend nor foe; remembers, and with accuracy, both benefit and injury. He hath a share of man's intelligence, but no share of man's falsehood. You may bribe a soldier to slay a man with his sword, or a witness to take life by false accusation, but you cannot make a hound tear his benefactor.. He is the friend of man, save when man justly incurs his enmity.

Sir Walter Scott.

A MAN whose labour has acquired riches, and whose charity dispenses them, is like the revolving Sun, which draws the water from the ocean at the hour of noon, to dispense it over the earth in the evening dews.

MY CHILDREN.

My little ones, my darling ones, my precious things of earth,

How gladly do I triumph in the blessing of your

birth,

How heartily for praises, and how earnestly for

prayers,

I yearn upon your loveliness, my dear delightful

cares!

O children, happy word of peace, my jewels and my gold,

My truest friends till now, and still my truest friends when old,

I will be everything to you, your playmate and your guide,

Both Mentor and Telemachus for ever at your side!

I will be everything to you, your sympathizing friend, To teach and help, and lead and bless, and comfort and defend;