tears run down his cheeks for the first time; such is the force of virtue that even barbarians adore it.

The king, after Selico had finished, stretched forth his hand, and raised him up, then turning to the European merchants, whom this sight had brought there," tell me," says he," you whom wisdom, and long experience have taught the nicest valuation of a man, how much is Selico worth??? The merchants blushed at this question; but

The

a young Frenchmen, bolder than the rest, cried out, ten thousand crowns of gold. Let them be given directly to Berifsa, replied the king, and with this sum fhe shall not purchase, but marry Selico. After this order, which was immediately executed, the king retired, surprised at feeling a sensation of joy which he had never before experienced. Faculho this same day gave his daughter to Selico. next day they all three set out with their treasure, for the hut of Darinà, who almost expired with joy, as well as his brothers, at the sight of them. This virtuous family were never again separated,-enjoyed their riches,-and in a barbarous country, were, for a long time, the brightest example under heaven, namely, happiness and opulence acquired by virtue.

ANECDOTE.

SOME time since, a young man, with two of his compani ons, went to Weaver's tavern, in Philadelphia, and ordered a supper to be prepared. He sent his companions about three miles on the other side of the Connestogoe, to bring in a girl who had promised to be ready to marry him that night. The young fellows returned, and informed the groom, that the girl said " she had quite forgot, and that it was then too late." The groom (who in the mean time had obtained the licence) was very much enraged at

Aug. 15. the disappointment; but, upon recollecting that he had another string to his bow, desired the young fellows to wait a little while, and swearing he would not go home without a wife, he rode about six miles and brought in his other sweetheart; they went to the minister, who, upon reading the licence, told the groom that the name in the licence was not the same as that of the girl, and that there must be some mistake. "I know that well enough, says the groom; there is no mistake; this is not the same girl neither." The parson, upon hearing the story, had the name altered, they were married, returned to the tavern, and eat of the supper that had been prepared for the woman that made default.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

THE query by a constant reader, shall have a place as soon as possible. The affecting verses by Elvina are received, and shall have a place with the first conveniency.

The communication by H. R. has been accidentally too long overlooked. The verses, considering the situation of the composer, are surprising. The greatest fault is their length; we will try to find room for them. Philologus fhall have a place in his turn.

The fragment by D. P. R. S. is received and fhall be admitted. The Editor is much obliged to Cosmogony Secundus; his communication fhall be attended to.

The Tuter is received. The attempt is not without merit; but it bears so near a resemblance to a noted story, and is so much inferior to that in point of composition, that the parallel, which almost every reader must involuntarily make would prove disadvantageous to the writer. Perhaps at a future period, with a little more originality, he may succeed better.

The communication by Phila Moris is too long, and in other respects not suitable for the Bee. Perhaps time and experience may enable this writer also to do better. But be has many steps to advance before he could, with propriety, appear in public, in good company.

If we thought the country school-master would be effectually attended Ito, his paper should be admitted. But as this is not to be expected, and as it could prove little interesting to most of our readers, we beg leave to decline inserting it.

The remarks on Young's tour in France, by an old correspondent, are thank fully received, and shall be duly adverted to. As also the hints by Biographicus.

The hints by Rondo fhall also be attended to; and if the subject be not soon treated by some correspondent, some remarks upon it fhall be offered by the Editor.

88.

THE BEE,

OR

LITERARY WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER,

FOR

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22. 1792.

TIMOLEON's THIRD LETTER.

To the people of Great Britain.

THOSE who have wished to frustrate the views of "the society of the friends of the people," seem to have rested their hopes of success upon misrepresentation alone. With this intent they have held us up to public view as enemies to all distinctions of rank, and honorary dignities: they have said we wished to abolish all orders of nobility, and have represented us as turning into ridicule the notion of having a set of hereditary legislators. Nothing can be more calumnious than such allegations. We are fully aware of the benefits that a well ordered, community may derive from distinctions of rank, and honorary dignities; and it is so far from being in our mind to destroy these, that our best endeavours fhall ever be exerted to preserve them. As to hereditary, legisla

tors, we are too well read in

the constitutional histo

ry of Britain, and have too great respect for the fundamental principles of that constitution, not

to venerate that branch of our legislature, as that part of it which approaches the nearest to its original. We cannot forget that when the foundations of this constitution were laid, every free-man in the state, was, by birth, an undoubted legislator for the country. Hereditary legislation is, therefore, so far from being an innovation in our constitution, that it may be considered as the oldest, and the most undoubted fundamental part of it; and that part to which it owes its permanence and stability. When, indeed, a great majority of these hereditary legislators found it convenient, from a change of circumstances, voluntarily to relinquish their privilege of legislating, a new mode of supplying that deficiency, and of guarding against the power of a domineering aristocracy, became necessary to be adopted. It was' this arrangement, which went to compel the people of smaller property, mach against their wills indeed, still to retain a fhare in the legislature, that at length produced that mixed form of government we now enjoy, which pofsefses the advantages of all the forms of government adopted by the ancients, without the inconveniencies to which these were severally subjected. We venerate this system, and we would almost adore the wisdom that formed it, could we flatter ourselves with the idea that chance had not, at the beginning, had a considerable fhare in the formation of it. Without entering into this discussion, our object is, by a retrospective view, to examine that system, and to correct such abuses, as by imperceptible edegrees have begun to prevail, and, acquiring strength by a continuation of habit, threaten at length, if not

adverted to, gradually to overturn that goodly fabric we so much admire. Though it now appeareth to be strong, "and the height thereof reacheth unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth;" yet if its basis be not firm, the foundation begins to give way, and the fabric itself must ultimately fall to the ground, however beautiful the superstructure may appear. Without, therefore, trenching so near as to be in danger of undermining it, or heedlefsly pulling out any of these important pegs on which it now materially rests, our aim is, merely to take a narrow and circumspect view of these foun dations; to mark those parts that are evidently decayed, and mouldering to dust; and to have these repaired in the best manner that the situation of things will admit of. These are the objects we have in view; and if we fhall act up to these principles, who can deny that we fhall be well entitled to the name we have afsumed to ourselves, that of "the friends of the people!".

:

We are sufficiently aware of the delicacy of the undertaking in which we are engaged; and therefore we have resolved to proceed with the utmost caution. We know that, to external view, a particu-lar part may appear rotten and decayed, which is still sound and entire within; and that if these parts were: hastily removed, the whole might tumble down: at once, and crush not only ourselves, but many others in the ruins. We know also, that if we were to attempt to lay open all the sores atx once, the sound parts, by being left destitute of support on several sides, at the same time, would be in in the most dangerous state. To avoid these.