ties to which his character still entitled him, if he would merit them by a recantation, he agreed, in an unguarded hour, to subscribe to the doctrines of the papal supremacy, and the real presence.

But the court, no less perfidious than cruel, determined that this recantation should avail him nothing; that he should acknowledge his errors in the church, before the people, and afterwards be led to execution. Whether Cranmer received secret intelligence of their design, or repented of his weakness, or both, is uncertain; but he surprised the audience by a declaration, very different from what was expected.

After explaining his sense of what he owed to Goa and his sovereign, "There is one miscarriage in my life," said he, "of which, above all others, I severely repent; and that is, the insincere declaration of faith, to which I had the weakness to subscribe. But I take this opportunity of atoning for my error, by a sincere and open recantation; and am willing to seal with my blood that doctrine, which I firmly believe to be communicated from heaven."

As his hand, he added, had erred, by betraying his heart, it should first be punished, by a severe, but just doom. He accordingly stretched it out, as soon as he came to the stake; and, without discovering, either by his looks or motions, the least sign of weakness, or even feeling, he held it in the flames till it was entirely consumed.

His thoughts, to use the words of an elegant and learned historian, appeared to be totally occupied in reflecting on his former faults; and he called aloud several times, "This hand has offended! this wicked hand has offended!" When it dropped off, he discovered a serenity in his countenance, as if satisfied with sacrificing to divine justice the instrument of his crime. And when the fire attacked his body, his soul, totally collected within itself, seemed superior to every external accident, and altogether inaccessible to pain.

LESSON FORTIETH.
The Orphan.

Where shall the child of sorrow find
A place for calm repose?
Thou Father of the fatherless,
Pity the orphan's woes.

What friend have I in heaven or earth,
What friend to trust, but thee?
My father's dead, my mother's dead,
My God, remember me!

Thy gracious promise now fulfil,
And bid my troubles cease;
In thee the fatherless shall find
Both mercy, grace, and peace.

I've not a secret care or pain,
But he that secret knows—
Thou Father of the fatherless,
Pity the orphan's woes!

It was customary for those who were unable to pay sixpence for the sight of the wild beasts in the Tower, to bring a dog or a cat, as a gift to the beasts, in lieu of money to the keeper. Among others, a man had brought a pretty black spaniel, which was thrown into the cage of the great lion. Immediately the little animal trembled and shivered, crouched, and threw itself on its back, put forth its tongue, and held up its paws, as if praying for mercy.

In the meantime, the lion, instead of devouring it,

urned it over with one paw, and then turned it with the other. He smelled of it, and seemed desirous of courting a further acquaintance. The keeper, on seeing this, brought a large mess of his own family dinner. But the lion kept aloof, and refused to eat, keeping his eye on the dog, and inviting him, as it were, to be his taster.

At length, the little animal's fears being somewhat abated, and his appetite quickened by the smell of the victuals, he approached slowly, and, with trembling, ventured to eat. The lion then advanced gently, and began to partake, and they finished their meal very quietly together.

From this day, a strict friendship commenced between them, consisting of great affection and tenderness on the part of the lion, and of the utmost confidence and boldness on the part of the dog; insomuch that he would lay himself down to sleep, within the fangs and under the jaws of his terrible patron.

In about twelve months, the little spaniel sickened and died. For a time, the lion did not appear to conceive otherwise than that his favorite was asleep. He would continue to smell of him, and then would stir him with his nose, and turn him over with his paws.

But, finding that all his efforts to wake him were vain, he would traverse his cage from end to end at a

swift and uneasy pace. He would then stop, and look down upon him with a fixed and drooping regard; and again lift up his head, and roar for several minutes, as the sound of distant thunder.

They attempted, but in vain, to convey the carcass from him. He watched it continually, and would suffer nothing to touch it. The keeper then endeavored to tempt him with a variety of food, but he turned from all that was offered, with loathing.

They then put several living dogs in his cage, which he tore in picces, but left their members on the floor. His passions being thus inflamed, he would

grapple at the bars of his cage, as if enraged at his restraint from tearing those around him to pieces.

Again, as if quite spent, he would stretch himself by the remains of his beloved associate, lay his paws upon him, and take him to his bosom; and then utter his grief in deep and melancholy roaring, for the loss of his little playfellow, his late friend, the only companion of his den.

For five days, he thus languished, and gradually declined, without taking any sustenance or admitting any comfort, till, one morning, he was found dead, with his head reclined on the carcass of his little friend They were both interred together.

Found in the trap, where he had been confined all night by Dr. Priestly for the sake of making experiments with different kinds of air !

O hear a pensive prisoner's prayer,

For liberty that sighs;

And never let thine heart be shut
Against the wretch's cries!

For here, forlorn and sad, I sit,
Within the wiry grate;

And tremble at th' approaching morn,
Which brings impending fate.

If e'er thy breast with freedom glowed,
And spurned a tyrant's chain,
Let not thy strong oppressive force
A freeborn mouse detain!

O do not stain with guiltless blood
Thy hospitable hearth;

Nor triumph that thy wiles betrayed
A prize so little worth.

The scattered gleanings of a feast
My frugal meals supply;
But if thine unrelenting heart
That slender boon deny,—

The cheerful light, the vital air,
Are blessings widely given;
Let nature's commoners enjoy
The common gifts of heaven.

The well taught philosophic mind
To all compassion gives;
Casts round the world an equal eyc,
And feels for all that lives.

If mind, as ancient sages taught,—
A never dying flame,

Still shifts through matter's varying forme
In every form the same;

Beware, lest, in the worm you crush,
A brother's soul you find;
And tremble lest thy luckless hand
Dislodge a kindred mind.

Or, if this transient gleam of day
Be all of life we share,
Let pity plead within thy breast
That little all to spare.

So may thy hospitable board

With health and peace be crowned,
And every charm of heartfelt ease
Beneath thy roof be found.

So, when destruction lurks unseen,
Which men, like mice, may share,
May some kind angel clear thy path,
And break the hidden snare.