entreaties on his knees. At last the distressed to a very great degree; re merchant flew to him with great tender-flecting that his character was ruined, ness and took hold of his hand. 66 Rise, his business nearly lost, and his prospect young man," said he: "I have but one that of ending his days at a gallows: daughter in the world, for whose happi- but what harrowed his heart most was, ness I am concerned; I'll give thee my that all this was brought about by his daughter she must be happy with a own mother! Still his confidence in fellow of thy virtue; I'll settle upon that Providence which watches over all, you all my fortune; I'll release your did not entirely fail him. He could exfather out of prison, and make you all ercise hope; and that hope was sushappy together." And he was as good tained not in vain. For as the time for as his word. his trial drew near, two of the men who had worked in his manufactory were taken up, on the charge of having committed some petty depredations; and, feeling the torments of a conscience burdened with guilt, these wretched creatures voluntarily confessed to a magistrate, that they could no longer endure the thought that so innocent and so worthy a master should lie under the vile imputation; that they were the murderers of Mrs. -; and that the idea of getting her money and jewels had induced them to strangle her one night while in her sleep! The prison doors were soon thrown open to the suffering young man; joy was diffused through the town; his character shone out with a greater lustre ; God prospered his reviving business; his family increased; and his children and grandchildren treated him with the respect and tenderness which he always manifested to his mother. (k) GUSTAVUS AND THE PEASANT GIRL.-Gustavus III., King of Sweden, passing one morning on horseback through a village in the neighborhood of his capital, observed a young peasant girl, of interesting appearance, (j) LOVE FOR AN UNNATURAL MOTHER.-The Rev. James Churchill relates, in his "Analecta," that a widowed mother lived to see her youngest son, who was a babe at her husband's death, grow up to manhood in the esteem of all but herself. His temper was mild, and his manners affable; yet it is said that when he had attained the age of twenty, he had never known what the affection of a mother was towards him; nay, nor had ever received a single kind word from her. Blessed, however, by Providence, he flourished greatly in conducting his late father's business, employing a number of men. He took his mother under his own roof, settled upon her a liberal annuity, and studied to make her happy. It was all in vain. She murmured, reproached him, and, on one occasion, rushed into the manufactory and abused him violently before all the men. The people were shocked at her conduct; and the son withdrew, overwhelmed with grief. But worse events were yet in reserve for him. She immediately commenced legal proceedings against him for an assault! The men offered readily to appear on their mas-drawing water at a fountain by the way. ter's behalf. Their master thanked side. He went up to her and asked her them, but chose rather to be accounted for a draught. Without delay she lifted guilty, and suffer judgment to go by up her pitcher, and with artless simplidefault, than to appear against his own city put it to the lips of the monarch. mother: and though he had a fine to Having satisfied his thirst, and courtepay, this made no alteration in his con- ously thanked his benefactress, he said, dect towards her. About three months" My girl, if you would accompany after this, she was found dead in her me to Stockholm, I would endeavor to bed, with marks of violence about her fix you in a more agreeable situabody. The coroner's verdict was, wil- tion." ful murder, against her son. The poor youth was confined some months in prison, among the vilest of characters, to await his trial. His mind was at times "Ah, sir," replied the girl, "I cannot accept your proposal. I am not anxious to rise above the state of life in which the providence of God has placed me; but, even if I were, I could not for an | Mr. Cuthbert inquired the cause of his instant hesitate." "And why?" rejoined the king, somewhat surprised. "Because," answered the girl, coloring, "my mother is poor and sickly, and has no one but me to assist or comfort her under her many afflictions: and no earthly bribe could induce me to leave her, or to neglect the duties which affection requires from me." "Where is your mother?" asked the monarch. "In that little cabin," replied the girl, pointing to a wretched hovel beside her. The king, whose feelings were interested in favor of his companion, went in, and beheld stretched on a bedstead, whose only covering was a little straw, an aged female, weighed down with years, and sinking under infirmities. Moved at the sight, the monarch addressed her: "I am sorry, my poor woman, to find you in so destitute and afflicted a condition." "Alas, sir," answered the venerable sufferer, "I should be indeed to be pitied, had I not that kind and attentive girl, who labors to support me, and omits nothing she thinks can afford me relief. May a gracious God remember it to her for good," she added, wiping away a tear. Never, perhaps, was Gustavus more sensible than at that moment, of the pleasure of occupying an exalted station. The gratification arising from the consciousness of having it in his power to assist a suffering fellow-creature, almost overpowered him; and putting a purse into the hand of the young villager, he could only say, "Continue to take care of your mother; I shall soon enable you to do so more effectually. Good-bye, my amiable girl, you may depend on the promise of your king." On his return to Stockholm, Gustavus settled a pension for life on the mother, with the reversion to her daughter at her death. (1) THE CLERK'S DYING REGRÉT.-A young man, who was clerk to Mr. Cuthbert, a merchant in the East Indies, being taken very ill, became unusually thoughtful and melancholy. uneasiness. The young man replied, that he was not afraid to die; but he had a mother, and two sisters, in England, to whom he had been accustomed to send £100 every year; and his only regret at dying, was, that they would be left destitute. Mr. Cuthbert begged him to make his mind perfectly easy on that account, as he would take care of his mother and sisters. He was as good as his word, for he instantly went to his attorney, and executed a deed, granting an annuity of £100 a year, in favor of the mother and her two daughters, during their joint lives; and with the benefit of survivorship. He then sent the bond to his clerk, who, clasping it in his hands, exclaimed, "Now I can die in peace; my mother and sisters are saved;" and almost instantly expired. (m) THE INSOLVENT NEGRO. A negro of one of the kingdoms on the African coast, who had become insolvent, surrendered himself to his creditor, who, according to the established custom of the country, sold him to the Danes. This affected his son so much that he came and reproached his father for not selling his children to pay his debts; and after much entreaty, he prevailed on the captain to accept him, and liberate his father. The son was put in chains, and on the point of sailing to the West Indies; when the circumstance coming to the knowledge of the governor, through the means of Mr. Isert, he sent for the owner of the slaves, paid the money that he had given for the old man, and restored the son to his father. (n) THE INVALID AND HIS DAUGHTERS.-In the year 1773, Peter Burrell, Esq. of Beckenham, in Kent, whose health was rapidly declining, was advised by his physicians to go to Spa for the recovery of his health. His daughters feared that those who had only motives entirely mercenary, would not pay him that attention which he might expect from those who, from duty and affection united, would feel the greatest pleasure in ministering to his ease and comfort; they, therefore, resolved to accompany him. They proved pable of labor. God, in a wonderful manner, however, raised her up friends where she least expected them. For years she was comfortably supported, and circumstances were at length so ordered, that her maintenance to the end of life was almost as much insured, as any thing can be in this uncertain world. that it was not a spirit of dissipation and | gayety that led them to Spa, for they were not to be seen in any of the gay and fashionable circles; they were never out of their father's company, and never stirred from home except to attend him, either to take the air or drink the waters; in a word, they lived a most recluse life in the midst of a town then the rescrt of the most illustrious (P) WASHINGTON'S REGARD and fashionable personages of Europe. FOR HIS MOTHER.-General George This exemplary attention to their Washington, when quite young, was father procured these three amiable sis- about to go to sea as a midshipman ; ters the admiration of all the English every thing was arranged, the vessel at Spa, and was the cause of their ele- lay opposite his father's house, the little vation to that rank in life, to which their boat had come on shore to take him off, merits gave them so just a title. They and his whole heart was bent on going. all were married to noblemen : one to the After his trunk had been carried down Earl of Beverly; another to the Duke to the boat, he went to bid his mother of Hamilton, and afterwards to the Mar- farewell, and saw the tears bursting quess of Exeter; and a third to the from her eyes. However, he said noDuke of Northumberland. And it is thing to her; but he saw that his mother justice to them to say, that they reflect- would be distressed if he went, and ed honor on their rank, rather than de- perhaps never be happy again. He rived any from it. just turned round to the servant and (0) THE POOR SERVANT, AND said, "Go and tell them to fetch my HER AFFLICTED PARENTS.-trunk back. I will not go away to A female servant, who was past the break my mother's heart." His mother prime of life, in an inferior station, but was struck with his decision, and she much respected for her piety and integ- said to him, " George, God has promised rity, had saved a little money from to bless the children that honor their her wages, which, as her health was parents, and I believe he will bless you." evidently on the decline, would probably soon be required for her own relief. Hearing that her aged parents were, by unavoidable calamity, reduced to extreme indigence, and having reason to fear they were strangers to the comforts of religion, she obtained leave to visit them; shared with them the little she had, and used her utmost endeavors to make them acquainted with the consolations and supports of the gospel, apparently not without success. Being reminded by an acquaintance that, in all probability, she would soon stand in need of what she had saved, she replied, "that she could not think it her duty to see her aged parents pining in want, while she had more than was needful for her present use, and that she trusted God would find her some friend, if he saw good to disable her for service." Having continued to assist her parents till their death, she was soon after deprived of health, so as to become inca 10. Affection, Fraternal. (a) TIMOLEON AND HIS WOUNDED BROTHER.-Timoleon, the Corinthian, was a noble pattern of fraternal love. Being in battle with the Argives, and seeing his brother fall by the wounds he had received, he instantly leaped over his dead body, and with his shield protected it from insult and plunder; and though severely wounded in the generous enterprise, he would not on any account retreat to a place of safety, till he had seen the corpse carried off the field by his friends. (b) THE WATER-BEARER AND HIS BROTHER.—As one of the waterbearers at the fountain of the Fauxbourg St. Germain, in Paris, was at his usual labors, in August, 1766, he was taken away by a gentleman in a splendid coach, who proved to be his own brother, and who, at the age of three years, had AFFECTION. been carried to India, where he made a considerable fortune. On his return to France, he made inquiry respecting his family; and hearing that he had only one brother alive, and that he was in the humble condition of a water-bearer, he sought him out, embraced him with great affection, and brought him to his house, where he gave him bills for upwards of a thousand crowns per annum. (c) THE BROTHERS AND THE SNOW-STORM.-In the year 1804, some young men of the Morayshire and Inverness-shire militia, being quartered at Edinburgh, obtained a short furlough. They were seven in number, two of them being brothers, named Forsythe. They had to walk, in the very depth of winter, one hundred and thirty miles. As they proceeded, they were overtaken by one of those sudden snowstorms which are usual in the mountains. And now the night began to close in around them, while the snow and the wind still grew thicker and stronger. At last, being bewildered by the shade of the evening, which was rendered yet more dismal by the incessant snow-drift, they strayed, as might be expected, from the right path, and exhausted their strength. They could just see one another; but the storm was so violent, they could not converse. Thus struggling onward, and scarcely knowing where they went, one of them sank in a hollow in the rock, and was buried. The others passed on, unconscious of his loss. Soon after, the younger Forsythe also dropped down, being quite spent. His body lay in the pathway of the rest, but being much weakened themselves, they, without helping him, stepped on; all did so but one. This one was the elder Forsythe, who, knowing that he had a brother amongst the party, stooped when he came up to him, and felt his features. Having in this manner assured himself that it was his own brother, he, without hesitation, took him up, and placed him on his back. And now the number rapidly diminished; one after another perished, being frozen to death. Forsythe yet went on, bearing his burden, which neither his fatigue, nor the difficulties of the way, could induce him to cast off 34 As long as he had any strength, he per severed, holding his brother on his back, until at length, his powers giving way before his affection, he sank beneath the weight, and immediately expired. Be fore, however, he thus died, it appeared that he had succeeded in saving his brother, though he lost himself: for the younger Forsythe had been gradually reanimated by the warmth of his brother's body; and, when he dropped, was so thoroughly aroused, that he was enabled to reach his home, having escaped death by his brother's generous sacrifice of himself, and had the melancholy duty imposed upon him of attending his kind brother's funeral. 11. Affection, Maternal. Joanna Martin, the wife of a day-labor(a) A MOTHER'S SACRIFICE.Somersetshire, England, was left a wier at Huntspill, in the northern part of dow with six young children, and not a shilling in the world to feed them with. receive the children into the poor-house; The parish officers had no objection to but the good mother would not part with them, determining to depend, under Providence, on her activity for their support. "For many a long month," said she, the morning, done what was needful for "have I risen daily at two o'clock in the children; gone eight or ten miles on foot, to a market, with a large load of pottery-ware on my head, sold it, and returned with the profits before noon." year, she saved a guinea and a half; By this hard labor, in the course of a when, being under the necessity of leaving her cottage, she determined to erect one for herself. She did much of the labor with her own hands; and told some gentlemen, some years afterwards, 66 God, I was able to finish my cottage; Well, with the assistance of a gracious which, though I say it myself, is a very tight little place." pony, travelled still to market, brought She afterwards bought a cart and up her family, and, without either begging, or seeking relief from the parish, obtained a living. To what labor and privation will pa rental affection animate the heart! How much may be done by a person under the influence of industry, temperance, and piety! (b) THE FISHERMAN'S WIFE. -One of the small islands in Boston Bay was inhabited by a single poor family. The father was taken suddenly ill. There was no physician. The wife, on whom every labor for the household devolved, was sleepless in care and tenderness by the bedside of her suffering husband. Every remedy in her power to procure was administered, but the disease was acute, and he died. Seven young children mourned around the lifeless corpse. They were the sole beings upon that desolate spot. Did the mother indulge the grief of her spirit, and sit down in despair? No: she entered upon the arduous and saered duties of her station. She felt that there was no hand to assist her in burying her dead. Providing, as far as possible, for the comfort of her little ones, she put her babe into the arms of the oldest, and charged the two next in age to watch the corpse of their father. She unmoored her husband's fishing boat, which, but two days before he had guided over the seas, to obtain food for his family. She dared not yield to those tender recollections, which might have unnerved her arm. The nearest island was at the distance of three miles. Strong winds lashed the waters to foam. Over the loud billows, that wearied and sorrowful woman rowed, and was preserved. She reached the next island, and obtained necessary aid. With such energy did her duty to her desolate babes inspire her, that the voyage, which depended on her individual effort, was performed in a shorter time than the returning one, when the oars were managed by two men, who went to assist in the last offices to the dead. (c) THESE ARE MY JEWELS. -A Campanian lady, who was very rich, and fond of pomp and show, being on a visit to Cornelia, the illustrious mother of the Gracchi, displayed the diamonds and jewels she possessed, with some ostentation, and then requested Cornelia to permit her to see her jewels. This eminent woman dextrously con trived to turn the conversation to another subject, till her sons returned from one of the public schools; when she introduced them, saying, "These are my jewels." (d) THE SLAVE MOTHER CROSSING THE OHIO.-We remember, says a writer in the True American, the story of a cruel master, who, without cause, had determined to sever a slave mother, and her only child. She had been faithful under the very worst usage, and she determined to remain so, until he told her, that on the morrow, her child must be borne to New Orleans to be sold there in the slave mart. It was mid-winter. The earth was frosted with a hard crust, yet at midnight she started for the Ohio, determined, if she could, to live and die with her child. She reached its banks as the pursuers rose on the hill beyond -no boat was near-masses of broken ice were sluggishly drifting alongwhat was she to do? Trusting to hea ven, she put her feet on the treacherous element, and with it bending and breaking beneath her, (spectators on either side expecting to see her and her child sink at every moment,) she boldly pushed on from cake to cake, until she landed safely on the Ohio shore. Five minutes sooner and she must have perished-two minutes later and she would have met with a watery grave, for before she had proceeded twenty steps the ice behind her, close on the Kentucky side, had broken and was scattered ere she reached the mid river. "Thank God you and your child are safe," exclaimed the hard-hearted master, as he saw her land, rejoiced that he had escaped the responsibility of their death. "Brave woman," said a Kentuckian who had wittnessed her escape and met her at the landing, "you have won your freedom and shall have it." The mother and the child were kept together, and liberty and love is now their lot in their humble but happy home. Was there not true heroism here, and is not the scene worthy the sweetest song of poetry or the holiest praise of man? (e) "THE MOTHER'S ROCK.”. Humboldt, in his celebrated travels, tells |