Harf. You must leave this poor hut, that is not fit to keep out the weather, and we must get you a snug cottage either in this village or some other.

John. Pray, my dear Sir, let us die in this town, as we have always lived in it. And as to a house, I believe that where old Richard Carpenter used to live in is empty, if it would not be too good for us.

Harf. What, the white cottage on the green? I remember it—it is just the thing. You shall remove there this

very week.

Mary. This is beyond all my hopes and wishes.

Harf. There you shall have a little close to keep a cow and a girl to milk. her, and take care of you both—and a garden well stocked with herbs and roots—and a little yard for pigs and poultry- and some good new furniture for your house.

John. O too much too much!

Mary. What makes me cry so, when so many good things are coming to us?

Harf. Who is the landlord of that house?

John. Our next neighbour, Mr. Wheatfield.

Harf. I'll go and speak about it directly, and then come to you again. Come, Beaumont.

God bless you both!

John. God in heaven bless you!
Mary. O happy day-O happy day!

THE SWALLOW AND TORTOISE.

a

A Tortoise in a garden's bound, An ancient inmate of the place, Had left his winter quarters under ground, And with a sober pace Was crawling o'er a suony bed, And thrusting from his shell his pretty toad-like head,

Just come from sea, a Swallow,
As to and fro he nimbly few,
Beat our old racer hollow :
At length he stopp'd direct in point of view,
And said, “ Acquaintance brisk and gay,
How have

you

far'd this many a day?" “ Thank you," (reply'd the close house-keeper) “ Since you and I last autumn parted, I've been a precious sleeper, And never stirr'd nor started, But in my hole I lay as snug, As fleas within a rug; Nor did I put my head abroad Till all the snow and ice were thaw'd.

“ But I," (rejoin'd the bird) Who love cold weather just as well as you, Soon as the warning blasts I heard, Away I flew, And mounting in the wind, Left gloomy winter far behind. Directed, by the mid-day sun, O'er sea and land my vent'rous course I steerd, Nor was my distant journey done Till Afric's verdant coast appeared.

There, all the season long,
I chas'd gay butterflies and gnats,
And gave my negro friends a morning song,
And hous'd at night among the bats.
Then, at the call of spring,
I northward turn’d my wing,
And here again her joyous message bring.”

“ Lord! what a deal of needless ranging ;".
(Return'd the reptile grave)
For ever hurrying, bustling, changing,
As if it were your life to save !
Why need you visit foreign nations?
Rather like me, and some of your relations,
Take out a pleasant balf-year's nap,
Secure froni trouble and mishap."

“A pleasant nap, indeed!" (replied the Swallow) << When I can neither see nor fly, The bright example I may follow;

I Till then, in truth not I! I measure time by its employment, And only value life for life's enjoyment. As good be buried all at once, As doze out half one's days, like you, you stupid

dunce!"

THE PRICE OF PLEASURE.

horse

“ I THINK I will take a ride," said the little Lord Linger, after breakfast : bring me my boots, and let

my be brought to the door.”

The horse was saddled, and his lordship's spurs were putting on.

“No”-said he-" I'll have my low chair and the ponies, and take a drive round the park.”

The horse was led back, and the ponies were almost harnessed, when his lordship sent his valet to countermand them. He would walk into the corn field, and see how the new pointer hunted.

“ After all”-says he—“I think I will stay at home, and play a game or two at billiards."

He played half a game, but could not make a stroke to please himself.