And wake me, Robin, from my sleep, 4. When my breakfast is prepared, 5. And when around thy quiet nest, 6. No rude boy, in wanton sport, CHAP. XXI. THE RAT WITH A BELL. 1. A large old house in the country was so ex tremely infested with rats, that nothing could be secured from their depredations. They scaled the walls to attack the flitches of bacon, though hung as high as the ceiling. Hanging shelves afforded no protection to the cheese and pastry. They penetrated into the store room, and plundered it of preserves and sweetmeats. They gnawed through cupboard doors; undermined floors', and ran races behind the wainscots. : 2. The cats could not get at them they were too cunning, and too well fed, to meddle with poison', and traps only now and then caught a heedless straggler. One of these however, on being taken, was the occasion of practising a new device. This was, to fasten a collar with a small bell, about the prisoner's neck, and then turn him loose again. 3. Overjoyed at the recovery of his liberty, the rat ran into the nearest hole, and went in search of his companions. They heard at a distance the bell going tinkle, tinkle, tinkle, through the dark passages, and suspecting some enemy had got among them, away they ran, some one way and some another. The bell-bearer pursued; and soon guessing the cause of their flight', he was greatly amused by it. 4. Whenever he approached, it was all hurry scurry, and not a tail of one of them was to be seen. He chased his old friends from hole to hole, and room to room; laughing all the while at their fears, and increasing them by all the means in his power. Presently he had the whole house to himself. "That's right (quoth he)-the fewer mouths, the better cheer." So he rioted alone among the good things, and stuffed till he could hardly walk. 5. For two or three days this course of life went on very pleasantly. He eat and eat, and played the bug-bear to perfection. At length he grew tired of this lonely condition, and longed to mix with his companions again, upon the former footing. But the difficulty was, how to get rid of his bell. He pulled and tugged with his fore feet, and almost wore the skin off his neck in the attempt, but all in vain. 6. The bell was now his plague and torment. He wandered from room to room, earnestly desiring to make himself known to one of his companions, but they all kept out of his reach. At last, as he was moping about disconsolate, he fell in puss's way, and was devoured in an instant. 7. So little children, who love to tease and vex their companions, may think it very pleasant at first, but they may be assured that, in the end, they will make themselves feared and hated by all who krow them. Such illnatured, mischievous practices, always return evil upon the heads of those who indulge them. 1. One evening during the vacation, Frank, a tall school boy, amused his young brother, Harry, by reading an essay, which had given him the first prize at school. The subject was Self Denial. Frank was a clever lad, and had acquitted himself very well. He represented his subject in so striking a light, that it made a considerable impression on the mind of his young auditor; who as soon as it was finished, thanked his brother for his good advice, and expressed his determination of endeavouring to profit by it. 2. "I am afraid," said he, "I have never learned to deny myself as I ought, but I hope, brother Frank, that I shall not forget this lesson of yours; I wish you would be so kind as to give me some more good advice about it." 3. Now, Frank, instead of considering this the best possible compliment that could be paid to his sition, felt disappointed, that, instead of com 34 20ting upon the force of his arguments, or the graces of his style, he should begin gravely to moralize upon it: and confirmed him in a favourite opinion of his, that his brother Harry had not a spark of genius, nor ever would have. 4. Harry repeated his request, but finding his brothe. more inclined to discuss the merits, and relate the success of his essay, than to draw a practical improvement from it, he contented himself with his own private reflections.-"To-morrow," said he to himself, "to-morrow morning I will begin. But why not begin to night," continued he. The clock had just struck, and Harry recollected that his mother had desired them not to sit up a minute after the clock struck nine. He reminded his brother of this order. 5. "Never mind," said Frank-"Here's a famous fire, I shall stay and enjoy it."-"Yes," said Harry, "here's a famous fire, and I should like to stay to enjoy it, but that would not be self-denial, would it, Frank?" "Nonsense!" said Frank, "I shall not stir yet, I promise you." "Then good-night to you," said Harry. 6. Now whether or not his brother was correct in his opinion, of Harry's want of genius, we shall not stay to inquire; indeed it is a question of very little. importance either to us, or him, since it cannot be denied, that his reflections, and especially his conduct then, even on a trifling occasion, displayed good sense and strength of character; and these are sterling qualities, for which the brightest sparks of genius would be a poor exchange. 7. Six o'clock was the time at which Harry was to rise, but not unfrequently, since the cold weather set in, he had indulged an hour longer. When it struck six next morning, he started up, but the air felt so frosty, that he had a strong inclination to lie down again. "But no," thought he,"here's a fine opportunity for self-denial,” and up he jumped without further hesitation. 8. "Frank, Frank," said he to his sleeping brother, 'past six o'clock, and a fine star-light morning.' "Let me alone," cried Frank, in a cross, drowsy voice. "Very well then," said Harry, "a pleasant nap to you;" and down he ran, as gay as a lark. After finishing his latin exercise, Harry had time to take a pleasant walk before breakfast this morning, so that he came in fresh and rosy with a good appe-. tite, and what was still better, in good humour. 9. But poor Frank, who had just tumbled out of bed when the prayer-bell rung, came down lock pale, and cross, and cold, and discontented. Harry, who, if he was no genius, had some sly drollery of his own, was just beginning to rally him on his forlorn appearance, when he recollected his resolution. "Frank does not like to be laughed at, especially when he is cross," thought he; so he suppressed his joke, and it requires some self-denial even to suppress a joke. 10. "I should like another half, I think, mother," said Frank, that day at dinner, just as he had despatched a large semicircle of mince pie.. "Any more for you, my dear Harry ?" said his mother. "If you please'-ro, thank you though," said Harry, withdrawing his plate, "for," thought he, "I have had enough, and more than enough to satisfy my hunger', and now is the time for self-denial.” 11. "Brother Harry," said his little sister, after dianer, when will you show me how to do that pretty puzzle', you said you would, a long time ago?" "I am busy now child," said Harry—“ don't tease me now, there's a good girl." She said no more, but looked disappointed, and still hung upon her brother's chair. "Come then," said Harry, suddenly recollecting himself, "bring me your puzzle," and laying down his book, he very good naturedly showed his little sister how to place it. 12. That night, when the two boys were going to |