"I felt for the unpleasantness of your situation yesterday, though I trust you will ultimately have no cause to regret it, as it may, if improved, be the means of correcting two or three evils, which I have, with much concern observed in your conduct. "And first, my dear Eliza, endeavour to overcome that want of application which prevents you from becoming mistress of any subject. It certainly appears to me disgraceful to be igno rant on those points, respecting which we have had the power to become well-informed. To gain a superficial acquaintance with any branch of study, is useless and irksome, whereas true knowledge confers both power and pleasure. But though I offer you this advice, my love, as most desirable, it is nothing in comparison of the importance of avoiding every thing of trick or artifice; in fact, every thing consistent with uprightness and simplicity of character. Never pretend to any thing you do not possess; and should credit, great or small, at any time attach to you through mistake, make a point of frankly disclaiming it at once. Believe me, it will render you more esteemed, and more happy, for deception generally leads to exposure, and even when that is not the case, it must leave on the mind itself a feeling of degradation and littleness. "I enclose you, my dear child, three beautiful ornaments, and if I can but have the joy to see them worn near your heart, I assure you, they will render you far more lovely in my eyes, than all the gold, or pearls, or costly array which the wealth of an empire would be able to purchase. That heart, however, must be renewed and sanctified before it can be arrayed in the beauties of holiness. But I will not enlarge now, upon this point. I took up my pen, merely to assist you in the regulation of your mind, on subjects of a still more serious nature. I shall rejoice at any time, to converse with you. Fear not the least degree of gloom in connection with true religion, her ways, I can affirm from happy experience, are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. That the God of all mercy may incline my Eliza, early to seek an interest in his redeeming love and sanctifying grace, is the daily importunate prayer of her tender and affectionate grandfather." The letter contained three elegantly embossed medallions, on which were written the words, HUMILITY, SIMPLICITY, SINCERITY. May all the readers of this little tale, rise with an increased desire to possess these "inward adornings," and be led to seek them from above. So shall they have no cause to regret the time that has been spent in perusing this account of Eliza's visit to Arundel. A few more circumstances connected with that visit, may perhaps, at some future period, be presented to the readers. S. S. S. REMARKABLE EPITAPH. At the entrance of the church of St. Salvador, in the city of Oviedo, in Spain, is a most remarkable tomb, erected by a prince named Silo, with a very curious Latin inscription, which may be read 270 ways, by beginning with the capital letter S in the centre. Silo Princeps fecit. TICEF SPECN CEPS FECIT ICEF SPECNINCEPS FECI CEFS PECNIRINCEPS FEC EFS PEC NIR PRINCEPS FE F SPECNIRPO PRINCEPS F SPECN IR POLO PRINCEPS PECNIRPOLILO PRINCEP ECNIRPOLISILO PRINCE PECNIRPOLILO PRINCEP SPECNIRPOLO PRINCEPS FSPECNIRPO PRINCEPS F EF SPECNIRPRINCEPS FE CEFSPECNIRINCEPS FEC ICEF SPECNINCEPS FECI TICEF SPECN CEPS FECIT DAILY MAXIMS FOR MARCH. *1 THE Sabbath was made a day of rest, that it might be a day of holy work. 2 Seeking the Lord is every day's work. 3 Nothing is gained by sin. 4 The works of darkness are unfruitful works. 5 Pride is the precursor of ruin. 6 If we do our part, God will do his. 7 The way to be beloved is to be lovely. *8 He sins against this life, who slights the next. 9 If you wish to gain affection, bestow it. #15 And thinkest thou still thou canst be wise too soon? 16 Sin is the sickness of the soul. 17 Grace is the cure of sin. 18 Neglected talents rust into decay. 19 Knavery is the way to slavery. 20 A guard upon the lips is a guard to the soul. 21 Grace in the heart will appear in the life. *22 As Christ is the Lord of the Sabbath, it is fit that the day, and all the work of it, should be dedicated to Him. 23 Reading makes a full man. 24 Writing makes a correct man. 25 Conversation makes a ready man. 26 Those who will not know God in a way of mercy, shall know him in a way of judgment. 27 'Tis converse qualifies for solitude. 28 The greatest and noblest sort of revenge is forgiveness. *29 Neglected Sabbaths bring aggravated guilt on the conscience. 30 Youth is the seed time of life and eternity. 31 As thy days decrease in number let them increase in wisdom. Three months departed, never to return! R. C. STRIKING INSTANCE OF HOSPITALITY IN AN ARAB CHIEF. THE following account is taken from a letter of Mr. Bruce, which did not appear in his work, neither has it been published. When Mr Bruce was in Arabia, he was desirous of visiting some remains, supposed to be Roman: the way to them lay through a country inhabited by different tribes of Arabs, who, being at variance with one another, travelling was very dangerous; he, however, procured an escort of fourteen men, who accompanied him within less than one day's journey of the place, when they refused to proceed, alleging that they were insufficient to protect him. In this dilemma he retired to his tent, whence he was soon aroused by a noise of persons disputing at the door: he arose and opened it, and found an Arab on horseback, contending with his men, who endeavoured to prevent him from entering :-he immediately asked Mr. Bruce, in Arabic, where he came from and what was his business? he then enquired whether he understood Italian: Mr. Bruce did, and the Arab, who spoke it fluently, asked if he had ever been at Nice, and whether he knew General Paterson, of that place. Mr. Bruce had been at Nice, and it happened, that he not only knew General Paterson, but that their families were connected by marriage. "Many years ago," said the Arab, "I was a slave at Nice; General Paterson saw me, visited me, and even paid part of my ransom; although I have long since repaid him, I have not forgotten his kindness, and am rejoiced at this opportunity of shewing my gratitude to any one who is in the least connected with him. Tell me honestly what brought you here." Mr. Bruce informed him of the object of his journey, and of the refusal of his guides to proceed. "If you will accompany me to my camp," said the Arab, "I will engage that you shall see all you desire, without any danger." He did so, and although the people poured down from the hills as they approached, on speaking a few words with his guide,they immediately retired : he staid several days there and made some of his best sketches; he then proposed to return, but the Arab chief insisted on his staying till he had seen every thing worthy of notice, and at parting, said to him, in Arabic, "God is merciful, God is gracious, and surely he will not exclude from Paradise two such men as yourself and General Paterson." ANECDOTE OF ALEXANDER. ALEXANDER 1st, late Emperor of Russia, was a man of a generous temper. His conduct after the invasion of the French, was in some cases quite unparalleled. Kosakoski, a Polish Nobleman, followed Napoleon not only through his campaign in Russia, but in the war succeeding it, and attended him to Elba. Then finding all his property confiscated and that the Russians were victorious, he went to Alexander himself and begged restitution. On presenting himself at a private levee of the Emperor's, Alexander asked him if it were true he was the individual who followed Napoleon to Moscow and Fontainbleau, "Yes sire" he replied, "not only to Fontainbleau but Elba, and if Napoleon had wished me to remain with him I should have done so without hesitation." The Emperor instead of being offended at the boldness of Kosakoski, imme diately ordered the restitution of the whole of his estate. From "the life of Mdl, de Genlis.” THE BOY AND THE ROMISH PRIEST. A YOUTH desirous of exposing the fallacy of the Church of Rome, went to a Romish priest with a most pitiable tale of his having lost his father, adding, that he was under great distress of mind relative to the immortal state of his father, and beseeched the priest to do what was necessary for the repose of his soul. The priest hearing so much, enquired after the usual fee, when the boy stated his inability to pay the sum required; but it was finally arranged between them, that the money should be paid in different portions; in the mean time the priest promised to proceed with the necessary formula. The lad was punctual to his first and second instalments, and then enquired if the priest were proceeding with the usual steps taken in such cases, when he received a reply in the affirmative Finally the last payment was made, when the boy of course enquired if his father were safe out of" purgatory," when the priest informed him that all was right, and his father happy; upon which the boy in a firm manner said, "thou deceiver of the weak and credulous, my father is still living." It is needless to add that the priest was completely confounded. W.C. |