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And the Lord sent Nathan unto David; and he went unto him, and said unto him,

"There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor. The rich man had exceeding many 5 flocks and herds : But the poor man had nothing save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought, and nourished up; and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his' bosom, and was unto him as a 10 daughter.

"And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the way-faring man that was come unto him ; but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man 15 that was come unto him."

And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan,

"As the Lord liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die: And he shall restore the lamb 20 four-fold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity."

And Nathan said unto David, "Thou art the man.'

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Two brothers, named Timon and Demetrius, having quarrelled with each other, Socrates, their common friend was solicitous to restore amity between them. Meeting, therefore, with Demetrius, he thus accosted 5 him; "Is not friendship the sweetest solace in adversity, and the greatest enhancement of the blessings of prosperity?" "Certainly it is," replied Demetrius ; "because our sorrows are diminished, and our joys increased, by sympathetic participation." "Amongst 10 whom, then, must we look for a friend?" said Socrates: "Would you search among strangers? They cannot be interested about you. Amongst your rivals? They have an interest in opposition to yours. Amongst those who are much older, or younger than yourself? Their

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20 feelings and pursuits will be widely different from yours. Are there not, then, some circumstances favorable, and others essential, to the formation of friendship?" "Undoubtedly there are," answered Demetrius. "May we not enumerate," continued Socrates, amongst the 25 circumstances favorable to friendship, long acquaintance, common connexions, similitude of age, and union of interest?" "I acknowledge," said Demetrius, "the powerful influence of these circumstances: but they may subsist, and yet others be wanting, that are essen30 tial to mutual amity." “And what,” said Socrates, are those essentials which are wanting in Timon?" "He has forfeited my esteem and attachment," answered Demetrius. "And has he also forfeited the esteem and attachment of the rest of mankind?" continued Socra35 tes.

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"Is he devoid of benevolence, generosity, grati"Far be it from

tude, and other social affections ?'' me," cried Demetrius, " to lay so heavy a charge upon him. His conduct to others, is, I believe, irreproachable; and it wounds me the more, that he should single 40 me out as the object of his unkindness."

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،، Suppose you have a very valuable horse," resumed Socrates, gentle under the treatment of others, but ungovernable, when you attempt to use him; would you not endeavor, by all means, to conciliate his affections, and 45 to treat him in the way most likely to render him tractable? Or, if you have a dog, highly prized for his fidelity, watchfulness, and care of your flocks, who is fond of your shepherds, and playful with them, and yet snarls whenever you come in his way; would you at50 tempt to cure him of his fault, by angry looks or words, or by any other marks of resentment? You would surely pursue an opposite course with him. And is not the friendship of a brother of far more worth, than the services of a horse, or the attachment of a dog? Why, 55 then, do you delay to put in practice those means, which may reconcile you to Timon ?" Acquaint me with those means," answered Demetrius, "for I am a stranger to them." "Answer me a few questions," said Socrates. "If you desire that one of your neighbors

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60 should invite you to his feast, when he offers a sacrifice, what course would you take ?"—"I would first invite him to mine." "And how would you induce him to take the charge of your affairs when you are on a journey?"-" I should be forward to do the same good 65 office to him, in his absence." "If you be solicitous to remove a prejudice, which he may have received against you, how would you then behave towards him?"

"I should endeavor to convince him, by my looks, words, and actions, that such prejudice was ill-founded." 70 "And if he appeared inclined to reconciliation, would you reproach him with the injustice he had done you ?” -"No," answered Demetrius; "I would repeat no grievances." "Go," said Socrates, "and pursue that conduct towards your brother, which you would practise 75 to a neighbor. His friendship is of inestimable worth; and nothing is more lovely in the sight of Heaven, than for brethren to dwell together in unity."

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Percival.

"There are some remembrances (said Harley) which rise involuntarily on my heart, and make me almost wish to live. I have been blessed with a few friends, who redeem my opinion of mankind. I recollect, with 5 the tenderest emotion, the scenes of pleasure I have passed among them--but we shall meet again, my friend, never to be separated. There are some feelings which perhaps are too tender to be suffered by the world. The world, in general, is selfish, interested, and unthinking, 10 and throws the imputation of romance, or melancholy, on every temper more susceptible than its own. not but think, in those regions which I contemplate, if there is any thing of mortality left about us, that these feelings will subsist:-they are called-perhaps they 15 are weaknesses, here ;-but there may be some better modifications of them in heaven, which may deserve the name of virtues." He sighed, as he spoke these last words. He had scarcely finished them, when the door opened, and his aunt appeared leading in Miss Walton.

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20 "My dear (says she) here is Miss Walton, who has been so kind as to come and inquire for you herself." I could perceive a transient glow upon his face. He rose from his seat.-"If to know Miss Walton's goodness (said he) be a title to deserve it, I have some 25 claim." She begged him to resume his seat, and placed herself on the sofa beside him. I took my leave. His aunt accompanied me to the door. He was left with Miss Walton alone. She inquired anxiously after his health. "I believe (said he) from the accounts 30 which my physicians unwillingly give me, that they have no great hopes of my recovery."-She started, as he spoke; but, recollecting he rself immediately, endeavored to flatter him into a belief, that his apprehensions were groundless. "I know (said he) that it is usual 35 with persons at my time of life, to have these hopes which your kindness suggests; but I would not wish to be deceived. To meet death as becomes a man, is a privilege bestowed on few: I would endeavor to make it mine nor do I think, that I can ever be better pre40 pared for it than now ;-'tis that chiefly, which determines the fitness of its approach." "Those sentiments," answered Miss Walton, 66 are just; but your good sense, Mr. Harley, will own, that life has its proper value.— As the province of virtue, life is ennobled; as such, it 45 is to be desired. To virtue has the Supreme Director of all things assigned rewards enough, even here, to fix its attachments."

The subject began to overpower her.-Harley lifted up his eyes from the ground-"There are (said he, in a low voice)-there are attachments, Miss Walton." 50 His glance met hers-they both betrayed a confusion, and were both instantly withdrawn.-He paused some moments." I am (he said) in such a state as calls for sincerity: let that alone excuse it—it is, perhaps, the last time we shall ever meet. I feel some55 thing particularly solemn in the acknowledgement; yet my heart swells to make it, awed as it is by a sense of my presumption,-by a sense of your perfections."-He paused again" Let it not offend you, (he resumed,)

to know their power over one so unworthy. My heart 60 will, I believe, soon cease to beat, even with that feeling which it shall lose the latest.--To love Miss Walton could not be a crime.-If to declare it is one, the expiation will be made." Her tears were now flowing without control." Let me entreat you, (said she) to 65 have better hopes-let not life be so indifferent to you; if my wishes can put any value upon it-I will not pretend to misunderstand you-I know your worth—I have long known it-I have esteemed it-what would you have me say?—I have loved it, as it deserved!" He 70 seized her hand :--a languid color reddened his cheek

-a smile brightened faintly in his eye. As he gazed on her, it grew dim, it fixed, it closed-he sighed, and fell back on his seat-Miss Walton screamed at the sight-his aunt and the servants rushed into the room 75 they found them lying motionless together. His physician happened to call at that instant-every art was tried to recover them--with Miss Walton they succeeded-but Harley was gone forever.

Mackenzie.

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To-morrow, didst thou say ?

Methought I heard Horatio say, To-morrow.
Go to-I will not hear of it-To-morrow.
"Tis a sharper, who stakes his penury

5 Against thy plenty-who takes thy ready cash,
And pays thee nought but wishes, hopes and promises,
The currency of idiots-injurious bankrupt,

That gulls the easy creditor!-To-morrow!

It is a period nowhere to be found

10 In all the hoary registers of Time,
Unless, perchance, in the fool's calendar.

Wisdom disclaims the word, nor holds society
With those who own it. No, my Horatio,
'Tis Fancy's child, and Folly is its father;

15 Wrought of such stuff as dreams are, and as baseless As the fantastic visions of the evening.

But soft, my friend--arrest the present moment:

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