The way to silence calumny, says Bias, is to be always exercised in such things as are praise-worthy. Socrates, after having received sentence, told his friends, that he had always accustomed himself to regard truth and not censure, and that he was not troubled at his condemnation, because he knew himself free from guilt. It was in the same spirit that he heard the accusations of his two great adversaries, who had uttered against him the most virulent reproaches. "Anytus and Melitus," says he, "may procure sentence against me, but they cannot hurt me." This divine philosopher was so well fortified in his own innocence, that he neglected all the impotence of evil tongues which were engaged in his destruction. This was properly the support of a good conscience, that contradicted the reports which had been raised against him, and cleared him to himself.

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Others of the philosophers rather chose to retort the injury, by a smart reply, then thus to disarm it with respect to themselves. They show that it stung them, though, at the same time, they had the address to make their aggressors suffer with them. Of this kind was Aristotle's reply to one who pursued him with long and bitter invectives. "You," says he, "who are used to suffer reproaches, utter them with delight; I, who have not been used to utter them, take no pleasure in hearing them." Diogenes was still more severe on one who spoke ill of him; Nobody will believe you when you speak ill of me, any more, than they would believe me should I speak well of you.

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In these, and many other instances I could produce, the bitterness of the answer sufficiently testifies the uneasiness of mind the person was under who made it. I would rather advise my reader, if he has not in this case the secret consolation that he deserves no such reproaches as are cast upon him, to follow the advice of Epictetus, If any one speaks ill of thee, consider whether he has truth on his side; and if so, reform thyself, that his censures may not affect thee. When Anaximander was told, that the very boys laughed at his singing; "Ay?" says he, "then I must learn to sing better." But of all the sayings of philosophers, which I have gathered together for my own use on this occasion, there are none which carry in them more candour and good sense than the two following ones of Plato. Being told that he had many enemies who spoke ill of him, "It is no matter," said he, "I will live so that none shall believe them." Hearing, at another time, that an intimate friend of his had spoken detractingly of him; "I am sure he would not do it," says he, "if he had not some reason for it."

This is the surest, as well as the noblest way of drawing the sting out of a reproach, and the true method of preparing a man for that great and only relief against the pains of calumny, a good conscience. [To be continued.]

HAPPINESS.

THE happiness which we pursue in this world is deceitful and fugacious. It glitters before us like a false fire which embarrasses the benighted traveller: still we advance, and still it flies; in The gay vain we double our speed, and reach after what is not.

delusion still mocks our trial, and eludes our grasp; yet we still pursue. At last, having sufficiently sported with our credulity, it vanishes at once, and leaves us a prey to perplexity and despair. Not so the happiness of a future state. Like a light hung out upon a stormy coast, to direct the distressed mariner, we steer In vain the tempest to it through millions of surrounding waves. besets us, and night falls with all its shades. We keep it steady in our eye through all the gloom, and brave the opposition of the elements; secure that, and if we can but reach the destined haven, we shall find a shelter from the storm, and an agreeable and safe retreat from the perils of a disastrous voyage.

SYMPATHY.

Ir is a pure stream that swells the tide of sympathy; it is an excellent heart that interests itself in the feelings of others; it is a heaven-like disposition that engages the affections, and extorts the Mankind are ever sympathetic tear for the misfortunes of a friend.

subject to ills, infirmities, and disappointments. Every breast at some particular period, experiences sorrow and distress. Pains and perplexities are the long-lived plagues of human existence; but If a person who sympathy is the balm that heals these wounds. has lost a precious friend, can find another who will feelingly participate in his misfortunes, he is well nigh compensated for his loss. How delightful is the task to a feeling mind, of softening the painful pillow of the sick, amusing the thoughts of the unhappy, and alleviating the tortures of the afflicted. How satisfied is the conscience of him, who can reflect that he has added a comfort to the unfortunate, and a smile to the clouded features of the discontent

ed. What can afford more refined enjoyment, than to walk by the side of an unhappy friend, in the cooling shade, and hear him, repeat the history of his misfortunes, count over the number of his troubles, and kindly drop a tear of pity and condolence when his heart bleeds? Sympathy is a tender passion, the offspring of refinement, fostered in the bosom of friendship, and nurtured by love, compassion and benevolence. A mind fraught with sensibility is never destitute of this friendly sensation; and a good heart, however disquieted, will feel its consoling influence with thankfulness.

When sorrow presses on the mind,
'Tis sympathy the pain can find;
'Tis kind to heal the wounded heart,
To drop a tear is friendship's part.
Come then with me thy sorrows join,"
And ease my woes by telling thine.

::

YOUTHFUL BENEVOLENCE.

1

In the Institution of Saint Catherine at Petersburg, under the direction of Madam Bredhoff, an elderly lady of distinguished talents and sweetness of disposition, the following little circumstance occurred In this institution, which is supported by the Empress dowager, a limited number of young ladies are admitted, free of expense, by ballot; but others are received upon paying, as it is termed, a pension. At the last admission, two little girls, the eldest not exceeding ten years of age, the daughters of a naval captain, the father of a large family, presented themselves and drew, the one a prize, and the other a blank. Although so young, they concluded that fate had, in this manner, resolved upon their separation they felt it and wept. Another young lady, to whom the next chance devolved, drew a prize; and observing the distress of the sisters, without holding any communication with their parents, or with any other person, spontaneously ran up to the luckless little girl, presented her with the ticket, and leading her up to the directress, said, "See Madam, I have drawn a prize! but my papa can afford to pay the pension, and I am sure, will pay it for me; pray, let one who is less fortunate, enjoy the good that has happened to me." This charming anecdote was immediately reported to the Empress dowager, who expressed the highest delight, and paid out of her own purse the pension of the little benefactress.

EVENING THE TIME FOR REFLECTION.

The evening, drawing her sables over the world, and gently darkening into night, is a season peculiarly proper for sedate consideration. All circumstances concur to hush our passions, and sooth our cares; to tempt our steps abroad, and prompt our thoughts to serious reflection.

THE BENEFITS OF ADVERSITY.

We are taught in Scripture, that the Almighty chastens whom he loves; and scourges the men whom he receiveth to himself. Adversity is a school, in which both private persons and public societies have learned the most heroic virtues.

EXTRACT.

A martyr was asked, whether he did not love his wife and children, who stood weeping by him? "Love them? yes," said he, "if all the world were gold, and at my disposal, I would give it all for the satisfaction of living with them, though it were in a prison. Yet, in comparison of Christ, I love them not.

CONTENTMENT.

Do you wish for happiness? Enjoy what you possess without consuming life in vain expectations; learn to be patient and set proper boundaries to your desires. Without moderation nothing can be really enjoyed.

The chief source of human discontent is to be looked for, not in our real, but in our facticious wants; 'not in the demands of nature, -but in the artificial cravings of desire.

A man cannot be happy here, without a well grounded hope of being happy hereafter.

A noble spirit must not vary with his fortune; in your worst estate, hope; in the best, fear; and in all, be circumspect.

AMUSEMENT.

FAMILY SECRETS.

THERE was a lady of the west country that gave a great entertainment at her house to most of the gallant gentlemen thereabouts ; and amongst others, sir Walter Raleigh was one. This lady, though otherwise a stately dame, was a notable good housewife; and in the morning betimes she called one of her maids that looked to the swine, and asked, "Are the pigs served ?" Sir Walter Raleigh's chamber was near the lady's, so as he heard her ask this question.

A little before dinner, the lady came down in great state into the great chamber, which was full of gentlemen; and as soon as sir Walter Raleigh set eye upon her, "Madam," said he, 66 are the pigs served?" The lady answered, "You know best whether you have had your breakfast."

A PAIR OF MISERS.

Guy the founder of the noble hospital which bears his name, was a bookseller, and lived in Stock's-market, between Cornhill and Lombard-street. He was so complete a pattern of parsimony, that the famous miser, Vulter Hopkins, once called upon him to crave a lesson on the art of saving. Being introduced into the parlour, Guy as it was in the evening and dark, lighted a candle. Hopkins said, "Sir, I always thought myself perfect in the art of getting and husbanding money; but as I have been informed you far exceed me, I have taken the liberty of waiting upon you, to be satisfied upon that subject." "O sir," said Guy, "if that be all your bus iness, we can just as well talk it over in the dark." Having thus said, he put out the candle. This was enough for the Vulture: he took his leave with this acknowledgement: "I thought myself perfect in the arts of saving, but you have taught me that I had one important lesson still to learn: I thank you for your instruction, and you may be assured my future conduct shall make amends for my past prodigality in candles."

That he carried his resolution into effect, seems probable from these lines of Pope :

"When HOPKINS dies, a thousand lights attend
The wretch, that living sav'd a candle's end."

A FAIR INFERENCE.

A gentleman of reduced fortune came to a person who had formerly been his servant, to borrow money of him. The upstart servant gave him a very mortifying reception, and asked him in a haughty tone, " Sir, why do you give me all this trouble? upon my honor I have no money to lend you, or any one else." am certain what you say is false," said the gentleman; you were not rich, you dare not be so saucy."

THE FAIR SIDE.

" I "for if

of

When any man was speaking ill of another, in the presence Peter the Great, he first listened with great attention, and then interrupted him, saying, "Is there not a fair side also to the character of the person you are speaking of? Come, tell me his good qualities."

FORTITUDE.

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A man related to his friend the whole of his misfortunes, and asked him what he would have done under such a pressure. should have put an end to my life, like a hero," said the friend. "I acted still more like a hero," said the other, "for I had the courage to live on."