STORY OF MOSES.

"And he sat down by a well. Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and they came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father's flock. And the shepherds came and drove them away: but Moses stood up, and helped them, and watered their flock."-Exodus xi. 15, 16, 17.

In the juvenile days of Moses, that prophet having unfortunately interfered in a quarrel between an Egyptian and a Jew, went into voluntary exile. Provoked at the assassination of a subject, the reigning monarch sought to slay Moses, who fled from his wrath into the land of Midian. Here he took up his residence in the vicinity of a well, and led a sort of hermit's life, "unknowing and unknown." By a glance at the history of pastoral ages, it will be seen that the task of drawing water, either for household purposes, or for the use of the fold, generally devolved upon women. The simplicity, the indolence, or the rudeness

of the patriarchs caused them to forget that the obvious destination of the softer sex, was for lighter labour; and that men, as the natural guardians of females, should ever rescue their fair wards, from ignominious thraldom. But the priest of Midian, with all his learning, was it seems clownish and inattentive, in this respect, for he suffers his whole family of girls to "draw water, and fill the troughs to water his flock." In those days, and in that arid region, reservoirs, wells, and cisterns, attracted almost as great crowds as fashionable watering places have in times more modern, and in a climate less fiery. Indeed, throughout the east, wells were a kind of haunt; and at their margin were to be found, pilgrims and patriarchs, shepherds and herdsmen, blushing beauties and clamorous boors, all eager to allay their own thirst, or that of the animals, lowing and bleating around. In such a promiscuous crowd, grossness and incivility would always mingle, perhaps predominate; and not only delicate ears, but even graceful forms, would sometimes be wounded. The daughters of the Egyptian priest did not repair to the well of Midian, without exposure to the attacks of brutality. Certain

shepherds of the country, "fellows of the baser sort," in all probability Midianitish democrats, influenced by the wonted churlishness, impudence, boorishness, and ferocity of the republican character, came and drove these unoffending females away. Perceiving this harshness, and, in a spirit of gallantry, resenting it, Moses, with the courtesy of a cavalier, quitted his seat and his meditations, civilly helped the insulted maidens, and relieved them from the labour of watering their flocks. This is a pleasing instance of primeval politeness, and demonstrates that even in the simplest stages of society, the man of feeling, taste, and judgment, will always support the rights of woman.

The sex have a paramount claim to our protection, tenderness, and courtesy. Years cannot cause my dim eyes to survey the fair carelessly, or with indifference. My heart still palpitates at their approach, and, in despite of the discipline of philosophy, my nerves vibrate, like the keys of a harpsicord, from the lightest touch of a charmer. Once in the absurd misapprehension of youth, I thought the character of a woman-hater worth imitating, and even attempted to hurl a feeble lance at the daugh

ters of Eve. But time has taught me the impolicy and baseness of such a warfare. I have not only made a truce, but concluded a firm and lasting peace with the ladies. I pride myself that they still admit an old bachelor to their toilets, and that they will not refuse a dropped fan, though presented to them by a gray-headed gallant. If I hear the pleasing rustle of silk against my study stairs, I make shift to hide my spectacles, and at the expense of my gouty limbs, cheerfully resign my obsolete arm chair to the occupancy of the fair sex. I am a very Moses to resent any ill treatment they may receive; and did modern ladies watch and water sheep, like the seven shepherdesses of Midian, I am sure I should "right merrily" fill the bucket.

The gallantry of the attentive Moses was not unrequited. It procured him an invitation to the house of the priest, whose daughters had been thus protected by the shield of civility. The fruits of good breeding were the gratitude of a venerable divine, and the hand of Zipporah his daughter.

Thus it may be learned by every young man, eager for a pleasant passage through life, that

attention to women honours both the giver and the receiver. Nothing is to be gained by rudeness to the sex. By complaisance to them much may be acquired. He who is universally decried by women, is rarely very popular in male society. Nature intended the two sexes should live in amity. Let the good understanding continue. If we treat our female friends with courtesy, and with tenderness, if we listen to their voice with attention, bow at their approach, and sigh at their departure, we shall be liberally remunerated. Selfishness alone will dictate such politeness. Woman, naturally frank, generous and sensitive, will hasten to discharge the obligation. On him, who is thus watchful to please her, she will smile with radiance, she will smooth his pillow, she will, like Hotspur's consort, sing the song that pleases him," and "bind his aching head with flowers."