The pyramids were certainly tombs, by means of which the Kings, who were tainted with the prejudices of their country, wifhed to make themfelves immortal, as they would thus fecure to their bodies, a habitation inacceffible, and proof against the attacks of time. Befides fuperftition, probably a defire of preventing difturbances was another motive for impofing fuch tedious tasks upon the people.

But whatever was the reafon, it may not be im proper to remark, that the princes who caused these pyramids to be raised, became fo hateful by the oppreffive labour which they imposed on their fubjects, that they did not enjoy those tombs, nor fave their names from oblivion.

The Labyrinth is a curiofity, thought to be more wonderful than the pyramids themselves. It is partly under ground, and cut out of a marble rock, confifting of 12 palaces, and 1000 houses, the intricacies of which occafion its name.

OF

Humility in Company.

F all the qualifications of converfation, humi-. lity, if not the moft brilliant, is the fafeft, the most amiable, and the moft feminine. The affectation of introducing fubjects with which others

are unacquainted, and of difplaying talents fuperior to the rest of the company, is as dangerous as it is foolish.

There are many who never can forgive another for being more agreeable and more accomplished than themselves, and who can pardon any offence rather than an eclipfing merit. The fable of the nightingale fhould be ever had in remembrance, as it conveys a most useful leffon replete with valuable instructions. Had the filly warbler conquered his vanity, and refifted the temptation of fhewing a fine voice, he might have escaped the talons of the hawk. The melody of his finging was the cause of his deftruction; his merit brought him into danger, and his vanity coft him his life.

A

ANECDOTE.

NEGRO, who had become bankrupt, furrendered himself to his creditor, who, according to the established custom of the country in fuch cafes, fold him to the Danes. Before the departure of the veffel for the Weft Indies, the fon of this man came to him on fhipboard. After the tenderest effufions of fenfibility on both fides, the fon refpe&fully reproached the father for not

having made ufe of the power the law gave him, of felling his children for paying his debts; and demanded with great earnestness, to be allowed to take his place: but the father, not less generous than the fon, having refused to agree to this exchange, the fon applied to the owner of the slaves, and had no difficulty in perfuading him, that a young robuft perfon was better able to bear the fatigue, than a man already advanced in years. This offer was accepted; the fon was put in chains, and the father, in spite of himself, not being able to prevent it, was fet at liberty. Mr. Ifert having been witness to this generous conteft, was fo affected by it, as to reprefent it to the governor, who, moved by the story, fent for the owner of the flaves, paid out of his own pocket the money he had given for the old man, and restored the fon to his father.

Those who wish to degrade human nature, and vilify the works of God, muft often meet with facts which contradict their deteftable hypothefis. God made man upright; and there are traces of the original propenfity of the human mind to beneficence and kindnefs, in all nations, and among every people.' Whoever attempts to inculcate an oppofite doctrine, is guilty of treason,-not against the King,-not against the nation, but against the majesty of human nature,

L12

VERSES

VERSES ON HAPPINESS.

'S there a man who ne'er has forrow known,

Is

Nor felt the pang of fickle fortune's frown? Is there a prince or peer of noble birth,

Who ne'er knew care difturb the hour of mirth?

I fear alas! to fearch for fuch is vain:
The rich, the poor, alike of fate complain;
'Tis not in pow'r nor riches to bestow
One happy moment which but grief fhould know,

Who is it then that feels the leaft diftrefs?
Who has more joys, or who fears evils lefs?
Who does most hours of happiness enjoy?
I look me round, and fain would fay the boy.

Without a figh, we think he fpends the day,
From play to school, from school again to play,
And seems not e'er a penfive hour to pafs;
But 'tis not fo, he alfo feels diftrefs.

The boy is ftill the miniature of man,
He has his views, fo lays his little plan;
If unfuccefsful, then his little cares
Deprefs his mind, yet tender as his years.

We look to youth, and hope we there fhall fee
A mind more calm, from anxious care more free.
Here too we err;-the youth ambition fires,
And racks his heart with numberlefs defires.

Нс

He only views the pinnacle of fame,
Of flatt'ring pow'r and an immortal name,
But while he gazes on with eager eyes,
Another gains the envied bauble prize.

Thus difappointment all his hope destroys,
Breaks his proud heart, and blafts his promis'd joys,
Then is his temper four'd and manhood spent,
A scene of fretful, peevifh difcontent!

Now let us caft our eyes on hoary age,
Here features grave no happy heart presage;
The feeble body and the wrinkl'd brow
Would seem to fay, here dwells no pleasure now.

Yet we conjecture wrong; his bosom glows
With no wild paffion, nor ambition knows;
Tho' his pursuits have unsuccessful been,
Yet is he chearful, yet his mind ferene.

Tho' ne'er his foot has enter'd fortune's door,
And during life been deftin'd to be poor;
These bring not forrows on the aged head,
So foon to rank among the filent dead.

His course is run;-life's goods or evils feem
Not much difhinguifh'd, but an empty dream;
The scene is paft; unending joys await

His rifing spirit in a future ftate,

ANECDOTE.