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while fragments of this remaining arch were continually dropping into the water.

In this extreme danger, a nobleman who was present, held out a purse of one hundred sequins, as a reward to any adventurer who would take a boat and deliver the unhappy family.

But the risk was so great, of being borne down by the rapidity of the stream, of being dashed against the fragments of the bridge, or of being crushed by the falling stones, that not one, in the vast number of spectators, had courage enough to attempt such an exploit.

A peasant, passing along, was informed of the proffered reward. Immediately jumping into a boat, he, by strength of oars, gained the middle of the river, brought his boat under the pile, and the whole family safely descended by means of a rope. "Courage!" cried he; "now you are safe." By a still more strenuous effort, and great strength of arm, he brought the boat and family to the shore.

"Brave fellow!" exclaimed the nobleman, handing him the purse, "here is the promised recompense. "I shall never expose my life for money," answered the peasant; my labor is a sufficient livelihood for myself, my wife, and children. Give the purse to this poor family, which has lost all."

LESSON FIFTIETH.

Fall of the Leaf.

See the leaves around us falling,
Dry and withered, to the ground;
Thus to thoughtless mortals calling,
In a sad and solemn sound:

"Sons of Adam, (once in Eden,

When, like us he blighted fell,)

Hear the lecture we are reading,
'Tis, alas! the truth we tell.

'Virgins, much, too much presuming
On your boasted white and red;
View us, late in beauty blooming,
Numbered now among the dead.

"Youths, though yet no losses grieve you,
Gay in health, and many a grace;
Let not cloudless skies deceive you;
Summer gives to autumn place.

"Yearly in our course returning,
Messengers of shortest stay;
Thus we preach this truth concerning,
Heaven and earth shall pass away.

"On the tree of life eternal,

Man, let all thy hopes be stayed;
Which alone for ever vernal,

Bears a leaf that shall not fade."

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Forgiveness of injuries, and a merciful disposition towards those who have injured us, is an infallible mark of a great and noble mind, and is our indispen sable duty as reasonable creatures, but more so as Christians. There is no instance more applicable to this point, than that in the life of the Marquis de Renty.

This illustrious nobleman was a soldier and a Chris tian, and had a peculiar felicity in reconciling the seeming opposition between the two different char

acters.

While he commanded in the French army, he had the misfortune to receive a challenge from a of distinction in the same service.

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The marquis returned answer, by the person that brought the challenge, that he was ready to convince the gentleman that he was in the wrong, and, if he could not satisfy him, he was willing to ask his pardon. The other, not satisfied with this answer, insisted upon his meeting him with the sword.

To this, he answered, that he was resolved not to do it, for God and the king had forbidden it; otherwise, he would have him know, that all the endeavors he had used to pacify him, did not proceed from any fear of him, but of the Almighty, and his displeasure; that he should go every day about his usual business, and, if he were assaulted, he should make him repent of it.

The angry man, not being able to provoke the marquis to a duel, and meeting him one day by chance, drew his sword and attacked him, who immediately wounded and disarmed both him and his second, with the assistance of a servant by whom he was attended.

But then did this worthy nobleman show the difference between a brutish and a true Christian courage: for he led them to his tent, refreshed them with wine and cordials, caused their wounds to be dressed, and their swords to be restored to them, and dismissed them with Christian and friendly advice, and was never heard to mention the affair afterwards to his nearest friends.

It was a usual saying of his, that there was more true courage and generosity in bearing and forgiving an injury for the love of God, than in requiting it with another; in suffering rather than revenging; because the thing was much more difficult: that wolves and bears had courage enough, but it was a brutish courage; whereas ours should be such as becomes reasonable creatures, and disciples of the benevolent Redeemer.

LESSON FIFTY-SECOND.

The Golden Mean.

Receive, dear friend, the truths I teach,
So shalt thou live beyond the reach
Of adverse fortune's power:
Not always tempt the distant deep,
Nor always timorously creep
Along the treacherous shore.

He that holds fast the golden mean,
And lives contentedly between
The little and the great,

Feels not the wants that pinch the poor,
Nor plagues that haunt the rich man's door,
Imbittering all his state.

The tallest pines feel most the power
Of wintry blast; the loftiest tower
Comes heaviest to the ground;
The bolts that spare the mountain's side,
His cloud-capt eminence divide,
And spread the ruin round.

The well-informed philosopher
Rejoices with a wholesome fear,
And hopes in spite of pain:
If winter bellow from the north,

Soon the sweet spring comes dancing forth,
And nature laughs again.

What if thine heaven be overcast?
The dark appearance will not last;
Expect a brighter sky;

The god that strings the silver bow
Awakes, sometimes, the muses too,
And lays his arrows by.

If hindrances obstruct thy way,
Thy magnanimity display;

And let thy strength be seen:
But oh! if fortune fill thy sail
With more than a propitious gale,
Take half thy canvass in.

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LESSON FIFTY-THIRD.

The Reformed Robber.

It was a custom with Archbishop Sharpe, in his journeys, generally to have a saddle horse attending his carriage, that, in case of feeling fatigued with sitting, he might take the refreshment of a ride. In his advanced age, and a few years before his death, as he was going in this manner to his episcopal residence, and was got a mile or two in advance of his carriage, a decently dressed, good looking young man, on horseback, came up to him, and, with a trembling hand, and faltering tone of voice, presented a pistol to his grace's breast, demanding his money.

The archbishop, with great composure, turned round, and, looking steadfastly at him, desired that he would remove that dangerous weapon and tell him fairly his condition. "Sir, sir," cried the youth, with great agitation, no words; 't is not a time for words now; your money instantly." "Hear me, young

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man," said the venerable prelate; "come on with me. I, you see, am a very old man, and my life is of little consequence; yours seems far otherwise. Sharpe, the archbishop of York; my carriage and servants are behind; but conceal your perturbations, and tell me who you are and what money you want, and, on the word of my character, I will not injure you, but prove a friend.

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Here, take this," giving him a purse of money; "and now tell me how much you want, to make you

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