languages that very few people in England comprehend.

It is often, when we think ourselves safe, that we are in the greatest danger. Just when the little boat was free from the breakers, and sailing in smooth water, two burly ill-looking fellows arrived at the beach, and began, the moment they saw the boat, to fling stones at it. Encouraged by their example, the ill-natured boys showered other stones into the water, with as much energy as if they were attacking or repulsing an enemy's fleet with cannon balls from a battery, while the sailor boy entreated in vain.

For a season, the little boat seemed to escape, and the tempest fell around it harmlessly. Shower followed shower, and the surface of the smooth water was made rough by the stones that plunged therein; but the boat, though frequently upset, righted, and again rode triumphantly on the tossing waves. At last, a large stone, big as a brickbat, struck it full on the side, when it turned bottom uppermost, and floated a wreck upon the water. One by one, the ill-natured boys went away, and the ill-natured men too, followed by the sailor boy, who appeared not at all pleased with the loss of his little boat.

As I stood musing a moment, looking at the capsized boat, I thought in my mind,

"I should be sorry to trust myself alone with those ill-tempered fellows, lest they should do me a mischief; and, as to the ill-natured lads, not one among them could I be persuaded to take for a friend." It is a black mark on a boy's brow, and a reproach to his heart, when it can truly be said of him, that he had rather give pain to another than pleasure.

P. J.

GREEDINESS.

It is my custom to give my little scholars a treat once a year, namely, on my birthday. On such occasions, I provide some cake, and other nice things. As my birthday happened a short time ago, the children assembled at the time appointed; all faces looked cheerful, and all their hearts were as light as children's generally are when they are about to enjoy themselves. After many innocent games, the cake was handed round. Lizzy was first, and she took the piece that came next to her; Anne Morris, Fanny Reed, and Susan Tomkins, I was glad to see, followed so good an example. Poor little Alphonso was not well, and therefore was not able to enjoy the feast. Little Dickey looked with eager eyes upon the cake, and when it came to his turn, 1 am sorry to say, he was not content with doing as the others had done, but

turned the pieces over and over, and at last said, "Governess, as Alphonso is ill, and can't eat, may I have his piece?" Without waiting for an answer, he seized two of the largest pieces he could find, and bit them both, and in his hurry spilt some of the drink over Susan Tomkins's new frock, at which I was very angry. The child then began to cry; not only because he had spoiled Susey's frock, but because he soon found that I disapproved of his conduct. I hope his tears showed sincere sorrow, for he promised to do so no more, and I am glad to say that he has kept his promise.

My young readers, take a lesson from this short account of little Dickey; and if any of you, like this little boy, are naturally fond of securing all for yourselves, remember, this is not kind, it is not right, it is self-love, and we should love our neighbours as well as ourselves: remember the golden rule of our Saviour

"To be to others kind and true,
As you'd have others be to you.'

But, perhaps, you may say, Alphonso was ill, therefore Dickey might eat his piece; but he should have considered there were others present who were able to eat cake as well as himself, and it was very evident that he was looking only to himself. We are told we should be“ kindly affec

tioned one to another; in honour preferring one another," Rom. xii. 10.

And now I hope that my readers will avoid greediness, and pray to God to pardon them, and enable them to remember, that, whether we eat or drink, or whatsoever we do, we should do all to the glory of God.

MAUD.

LEARNING TO CONVERSE.
CHAPTER IV.

"I FEAR I disturb you, uncle; as I see you arc reading a book."

66

No, Edmund, come in, and sit down;

for I want to show you how possible it is for persons to converse by the hour together, without saying anything that will give each other the least information."

"I cannot make out how that can be, uncle."

"What I mean is this, that they leave each other's minds just in the same situation as they find each other. You have seen a

squirrel run up the side of a cage that turns round no doubt the lively creature has the feeling of getting on very fast; but neither he nor his cage moves one inch from the place. In like manner, two persons may go on talking, very fast too, without giving each other any more information than as if they had remained silent."

"That puzzles me, however."

"We must try to make it clear. Suppose I were to talk to you in this way: Edmund, I am older than you are, and you are younger than I. Summer is hotter than winter, and winter is colder than summer. The sun shines by day, and the moon and stars by night. Food is always most welcome when we are hungry, and water most pleasant when we are thirsty. Books are made to be read, chairs to sit on, and candles to give us light.' Now, do you not see, that, if I were to talk for an hour in this way, it would give you no more information than if I were silent."