Outward charms or inward treasure?
Which with firmest links doth bind,
The lustre of the face or mind?

Beauty, at some future day,
Must surely dwindle and decay;
And all its energy and fire,
Ignobly perish and expire;

Low levelled with the humble slave,
Alike must moulder in the grave!

But inborn excellence, secure,

Shall brave the storm, and still endure;
Time's self subduing arm defy,

And live when Nature's self shall die:
Shall stand unhurt amidst the blast,
And longer than the world shall last.

LESSON TWENTIETH.

Noble behavior of Scipio.

Scipio the younger, at twenty-four years of age, was appointed by the Roman republic to the command of the army against the Spaniards. Soon after the conquest of Carthagena, the capital of the empire, his integrity and virtue were put to the following exemplary and ever memorable trial, related by historians, ancient and modern, with universal applause.

Being retired into his camp, some of his officers brought him a young virgin, of such exquisite beauty, that she drew upon her the eyes and admiration of every body. The young conqueror started from his seat with confusion and surprise, and seemed to be robbed of that presence of mind and self possession, so necessary in a general, and for which Scipio was very remarkable. In a few moments, having recovered

himself, he inquired of the beautiful captive, in the most civil and polite manner, concerning her country, birth, and connexions; and finding that she was betrothed to a Celtiberian prince, named Allucius, he ordered both him and the captive parents to be sent for.

When the Spanish prince appeared in his presence, Scipio took him aside; and, to remove the anxiety he might feel on account of the young lady, addressed him in these words: You and I are young, which admits of my speaking to you with freedom. They who brought me your future spouse, assured me at the same time, that you loved her with extreme tenderness; and her beauty and merit left me no room to doubt it. Upon which, I reflected, that, if I were in your situation, I should hope to meet with favor. I therefore think myself happy, in the present conjuncture, to do you a service.

Though the fortune of war has made me your master, I desire to be your friend. Here is your wife; take her, and may you be happy! You may rest assured, that she has been amongst us, as she would have been in the house of her father and mother.

Far be it from Scipio to purchase any pleasure at the expense of virtue, honor, and the happiness of an honest man! No; I have kept her for you, in order to make you a present worthy of you, and of me. The only gratitude I require of you, for this inestimable gift, is, that you will be a friend to the Roman people."

Allucius's heart was too full to make him any answer; but, throwing himself at the general's feet, he wept aloud. The captive lady fell down in the same posture, and remained so, till the aged father, overwhelmed with transports of joy, burst into the following words: "Oh, excellent Scipio! Heaven has given thee more than human virtue. O glorious leader! O wondrous youth! what pleasure can equal

that which must now fill thy heart, on hearing the prayers of this grateful virgin, for thy health and prosperity!"

Such was Scipio; a soldier, a youth, a heathen! nor was his virtue unrewarded. Allucius, charmed with such magnanimity, liberality, and politeness, returned to his own country, and published, on all occasions, the praises of his generous and humane victor; crying out, "that there was come into Spain a young hero, who conquered all things less by the force of his arms, than by the charms of his virtue, and the greatness of his beneficence.

LESSON TWENTY-FIRST.

The Happy Choice.

Beset with snares on every hand,
In life's uncertain path I stand:
Father Divine! diffuse thy light,
To guide my doubtful footsteps right.

Engage this frail and wav'ring heart,
Wisely to choose the better part;
To scorn the trifles of a day,
For joys that never fade away.

Then let the wildest storms arise;
Let tempests mingle earth and skies:
No fatal shipwreck shall I fear,
But all my treasures with me bear.

If thou, my Father! still art nigh,
Cheerful I live, and peaceful die;
Secure, when mortal comforts flee,
To find ten thousand worlds in thee.

LESSON TWENTY-SECOND.

Socrates and Lamprocles.

Lamprocles, the eldest son of Socrates, fell into a violent passion with his mother. Socrates was witness to his shameful behavior, and attempted the correction of it in the following gentle and rational manner. "Come hither, son," said he, have you never heard of men who are called ungrateful?" 'Yes, frequently," answered the youth.

"And what is ingratitude?" demanded Socrates. "It is to receive a kindness," said Lamprocles, "without making a proper return, when there is a favorable opportunity." "Ingratitude is therefore a species of injustice, " said Socrates. "I should think so, answered Lamprocles.

"If then," pursued Socrates, "ingratitude be injustice, doth it not follow, that the degree of it must be proportionate to the magnitude of the favors which have been received?" Lamprocles admitted the inference; and Socrates thus pursued his interrogation.

"Can there subsist higher obligations than those which children owe to their parents; from whom life is derived and supported, and by whose good offices it is rendered honorable, useful, and happy?" "I acknowledge the truth of what you say, replied Lamprocles; "but who could suffer, without resentment, the ill humors of such a mother as I have?"

"What strange thing has she done to you?" said Socrates. "She has a tongue," replied Lamprocles, "that no mortal can bear." "How much more,' said Socrates, "has she endured from your wrangling, fretfulness, and incessant cries, in the period of infancy! What anxieties has she suffered from the levities, capriciousness, and follies of your childhood and youth! What affliction has she felt, what toil and watching has she sustained in your illness!

"These and various other powerful motives to filial duty and gratitude, have been recognised by the legislators of our republic. For, if any one be disrespectful to his parents, he is not permitted to enjoy any post or trust of honor. It is believed, that a sacrifice offered by an impious hand, can neither be acceptable to Heaven, nor profitable to the state; and that an undutiful son cannot be capable of performing any great action, or executing justice with impartiality.

"Therefore, my son, if you are wise, you will pray to Heaven to pardon the offences committed against your mother. Let no one discover the contempt with which you have treated her, for the world will condemn and abandon you for such behavior. And if it even be suspected, that you repay with ingratitude the good offices of your parents, you will inevitably forego the kindnesses of others; because, no man will suppose, that you have a heart to requite either his favors or his friendship."

When life's tempestuous storms are o'er,
How calm he meets the friendly shore,
Who lived averse to sin!

Such peace on virtue's path attends,
That, where the sinner's pleasure ends,
The good man's joys begin

See smiling patience smooth his brow!
See the kind angels waiting now,
To lift his soul on high!
While eager for the blest abode,
He joins with them to praise the God,
Who taught him how to die.