the several exchanges that were made, for sickness against poverty, hunger for want of appetite, and care against pain.

The ladies were very busy among themselves in bartering for features; one was exchanging a lock of grey hairs for a carbuncle; another was making over a short waist for a pair of round shoulders, and a third was offering a plain face for a doubtful reputation.

But on all these occasions, there was not one of them who did not think the new blemish, as soon as she had it in her possession, much more disagreeable than the old one.

I could not avoid pitying the poor humpbacked gentleman, mentioned before, who went off a well shaped person in exchange for the gravel; nor the fine gentleman who had made this bargain with him, that limped through a whole assembly of ladies who had been accustomed to admire him, with a pair of shoulders peeping over his head.

I must not omit my own particular adventure; my friend with the long visage, had no sooner taken upon him my short face, than he made so curious an appearance, that as I looked upon him, I could not forbear laughing at myself, insomuch that I put my own face out of countenance.

The poor gentleman was so sensible of the ridicule, that I found he was ashamed of what he had done; on the other side, I found that I had no great reason to triumph, for as I tried to touch my forehead, I only reached my upper lip; besides, as my nose was exceedingly prominent, I gave it two or three unlucky blows, as I was playing my hand about my face, and aiming at some other part of it.

I saw other two gentlemen by me who were in the same ridiculous circumstances; they had made a foolish

exchange between a pair of thick bandy legs, and two long trap sticks that had no calves to them.

One of these looked like a man walking upon stilts, and was so lifted up into the air, above his ordinary height, that his head turned round with it; while the other made such awkward circles as he attempted to walk, that he hardly knew how to move forward upon his new supporters.

Observing him to be a pleasant kind of gentleman, I stuck my cane in the ground, and told him I would lay him a bottle of wine, that he did not march up to it, on a line that I drew for him, in a quarter of an hour,

The heap was at last distributed among the two sexes, who presented a most piteous appearance, as they wandered up and down under the pressure of their several burdens; the whole plain was filled with murmurs and complaints, groans and lamentations,

Jupiter, at length, taking compassion on the poor mortals, ordered them a second time to lay down their loads, with the design of giving every one his own again; they discharged themselves with a great deal of pleasure, after which, the phantom who had led them into such gross delusions, was commanded to disappear.

There was sent in her place a goddess of quite a different figure; her motions were steady and composed, and her aspect serious but cheerful; she every now and then cast up her eyes towards heaven, and fixed them upon Jupiter; her name was PATIENCE.

She had no sooner placed herself by the Mount of Sorrows, but, what I thought very remarkable, the whole heap sunk to such a degree, that it did not appear a third part so large as it was before,

She afterwards returned every man his own proper calamity, teaching him how to bear it in the most convenient manner; he marched off with it contentedly,

being very well pleased that he had not been left to his own choice, as to the kind of evils which fell to his lot.

Besides the moral to be drawn out of this vision, I learned from it never to repine at my own misfortunes, nor to envy the happiness of another, since it is impossible for any man to form a right judgment of his neighbour's sufferings.

For which reason also, I have determined never to think too lightly of another's complaints, but to regard the sorrows of my fellow creatures with sentiments of humanity and compassion.

LESSON XCV.

SCOTLAND.-IRELAND.

SCOTLAND, the northern part of the island of Great Britain, is separated from England by the Solway Firth, the Cheviot hills, and the river Tweed, and divided into thirty-three counties.

The highlands of Scotland, that is, the northern parts, are in general mountainous and barren, and the climate cold and moist; towards the south it is much milder, and in some districts the soil is fruitful, and in a high state of cultivation.

The middle parts of Scotland afford excellent pasturage for rearing sheep and black cattle, great numbers of which are annually sold to be fattened in the rich pastures of England.

Edinburgh, the capital, sometimes called "the modern Athens," is a handsome city, and it has long been distinguished as the seat of science and learning; its population is about one hundred and fifty thousand.

Glasgow, on the Clyde, is a large and wealthy city; it ranks next to Manchester in manufacturing greatness; its staple article is cotton, but it also manufactures silks, linens, lawns, threads, and other small wares, in large quantities.

The other chief towns are Paisley, celebrated for its handsome shawls; Aberdeen, a commercial port, on the Dee; Dundee, on the Firth of Tay; and Greenock, a most flourishing port, on the Firth of Clyde.

Scotland contains nearly three millions of inhabitants. The Scotch are a temperate, hardy, moral, and persevering people; the blessings of education are widely diffused among the humbler classes, and crime does not exist in so great a degree as in its sister kingdom, England.

IRELAND is a considerable island, separated from England and Wales by the Irish Sea, and St. George's Channel; it is divided into four provinces, namely Ulster, in the north; Leinster, in the east; Munster, in the south; and Connaught, in the west; and these are subdivided into thirty-two counties.

The climate of Ireland is, in general, warmer than that of England, and more inclined to moisture; to these two circumstances may be attributed the perpetual greenness of its fields, which has given it the name of the Emerald, or Green Isle.

A considerable part of the soil of Ireland is very fertile, and where well cultivated, highly productive; other parts abound in extensive bogs, and barren tracts, which would not probably pay for cultivation.

Dublin, its capital, seated on the Liffey, is a handsome city, containing about three hundred thousand inhabitants; its commodious bay, and the beautiful scenery of the surrounding country, are justly admired.

Cork, the second city of Ireland, possesses a fine harbour, called the Cove of Cork, and is largely engaged. in commerce; Belfast is, perhaps, the most thriving, and commercial town in the country, and the seat of several manufactories.

Limerick is a large and populous town, seated on the noble river Shannon, and has a considerable export trade; Waterford is a considerable port on the south of Ireland, chiefly engaged in exporting the productions of the country.

Ireland was united to England in the year 1801, and it sends twenty-eight peers to the House of Lords, and one hundred and five members to the House of Commons; it is governed by a viceroy, or lord lieutenant, appointed by the British government.

The Irish are considered a hardy, brave, and kindhearted people, and the higher classes are hospitable, liberal, and polite.

LESSON XCVI.

WILLIAM IV.-QUEEN VICTORIA,

George IV. was succeeded by his brother, the Duke of Clarence, under the title of WILLIAM IV., in the year 1830. William was in great favour with the people, when he ascended the throne, and his affability, his benevolence, and his constant zeal to promote the interests of his subjects, made him popular to the end of his reign.

During William's reign, a most important bill was passed, usually known by the name of "The Reform Bill;" by this bill, the privilege of sending members of