If thou well observe

The rule of not too much, by temperance taught,
In what thou eat'st, and drink'st; seeking from thence
Due nourishment, not gluttonous delight,

Till many years over thy head return :

So mayst thou live: till, like ripe fruit, thou drop
Into thy mother's lap, or be with ease

Gather'd, not harshly pluck'd, for death mature.

-MILTON.

If a man lose all else, and four things still are left him, he can take no harm: Temperance, Cheerfulness, Truth, and trust in God.

-"JAVIDAN-KHIRAD." *

Through fowle intemperaunce

Frayle men are oft captiv'd to covetise:

But would they thinke with how small allowance
Untroubled nature doth herselfe suffise,

Such superfluities the ywould despise,

Which with sad cares empeach our native joyes.

-SPENSER.

Not even pleasure to excess is good:

What most elates, then sinks the soul as low.
-THOMSON.

Avoid extremes, and shun the fault of such
Who still are pleased too little or too much.

-POPE.

*From Ancient Iranian and Zoroastrian Morals, by D. J.

Medhora.

Sudden leaps from one extreme to another are

unnatural.

-SIR R. L'ESTRANGE.

Is there anything which reflects a greater lustre upon a man's person than a severe temperance, and a restraint of himself from vicious pleasures?

It is impossible to lay down any determinate rule for temperance, for what is luxury in one may be temperance in another.

Temperance has the particular advantages above all other means of health, that it may be practised by all ranks and conditions, at any season or in any place. -ADDISON.

It is clear that to operate advantageously on the masses, their moral, intellectual, and physical condition must be raised. Let the friends of temperance direct their energies to these objects. Wherever an effort is making to establish schools, to substitute harmless public entertainments for what are vicious, to remedy social grievances and disorders, to encourage a love of the fine arts, to rouse the fancy and stimulate the moral and religious sentiments-there let the friends of temperance be foremost.*

I have always looked upon the temperance question as the most important question of life. It is not to me a metaphysical or political problem; it is not one which we can solve by mere speculations conducted on prin

From Chambers's Miscellany.

ciples of political economy. I look upon it as a great moral and religious question. It is one in which we are spiritually interested. It is God's command to us all to be temperate, and we must do all in our power to put down intemperance and promote temperance and sobriety amongst all nations.

-KESHUB CHUNDER SEN.

THE TWO BEES.

On a fine morning in May, two bees set forward in quest of honey; the one wise and temperate, the other careless and extravagant. They soon arrived at a garden enriched with aromatic herbs, the most fragrant flowers, and the most delicious fruits. They regailed themselves for a time on the various dainties that were spread before them the one loading his thigh at intervals with provisions for the hive against the distant winter; the other revelling in sweets without regard to anything but his present gratification. At length they found a widemouthed phial, that hung beneath a bough of a peachtree, filled with honey, ready-tempered, and exposed to their taste in the most alluring manner. The thoughtless epicure, spite of all his friend's remonstrances, plunged headlong into the vessel, resolving to indulge himself in all the pleasures of sensuality. The philosopher, on the other hand, sipped a little with caution; but being suspicious of danger, flew off to fruits and flowers; where, by the moderation of his meals, he improved his relish for the true enjoyment of them. In the evening, however, he called upon his friend, to inquire whether he would return to the hive; but found him surfeited in sweets, which he was as unable to leave, as to enjoy, clogged in his wings, enfeebled in his feet, and his whole frame totally enervated, he was but just able to

bid his friend adieu, and to lament with his latest breath, that, though a taste of pleasure might quicken the relish of life, an unrestrained indulgence is inevitable destruction.

THE PLUM-CAKES

OR

THE FARMER AND HIS THREE SONS.

A farmer, who some wealth possessed,
With three fine boys was also blessed;
The lads were healthy, stout and young,
And neither wanted sense nor tongue.
Tom, Will and Jack, like other boys,
Loved tops and marbles, sport and toys.
The father scouted that false plan,
That money only makes the man;
But to the best of his discerning,
Was bent on giving them good learning:
He was a man of observation,

No scholar, yet had penetration;

So, with due care, a school he sought,
Where his young sons might well be taught.
Quoth he, "I know not which rehearses

Most properly his themes or verses;
Yet I can do a father's part,

And school the temper, mind and heart;
The natural bent of each I'll know,
And trifles best that bent may show."
'Twas just before the closing year,
When Christmas holidays were near,
The farmer called to see his boys,
And asked how each his time employs.
Quoth Will, "There's father, boys, without;
He's brought us something good, no doubt."

The father sees their merry faces,
With joy beholds them, and embraces.

"Come, boys, of home you'll have your fill." "Yes, Christmas now is near," says Will; "Tis just twelve days-these notches seeMy notches with the days agree." "Well," said the sire, "again I'll come, And gladly fetch my brave boys home. You two the dappled mare shall ride, Jack mount the pony by my side. Meantime, my lads, I've brought you here No small provision of good cheer." Then from his pocket straight he takes A vast profusion of plum-cakes;

He counts them out, a plenteous store;
No boy shall have or less or more;
Twelve cakes he gives to each dear son,
When each expected only one;

And then, with many a kind expression,
He leaves them to their own discretion;
Resolved to mark the use each made
Of what he to their hands conveyed.

The twelve days past, he comes once more,

And brings the horses to the door;
The boys with rapture, see, appear
The pony and the dappled mare;
Each moment now an hour they count,
And crack their whips and long to mount.
As with the boys his ride he takes,

He asks the history of the cakes.

Says Will, "Dear father, life is short;
So I resolved to make quick sport.
The cakes were all so nice and sweet,
I thought I'd have one jolly treat;