from a neglect of this great truth that evil can produce only evil that good ends must be wrought out by good means." "I will never forget it again," said Benjamin, bowing his head. "Remember," concluded his father, "that, whenever we vary from the highest rule of right, just so far we do an injury to the world. It may seem otherwise for the moment; but, both in time and in eternity, it will be found so.” To the close of his life Ben Franklin never forgot this conversation with his father; and we have reason to suppose that, in most of his public and private career, he endeavored to act upon the principles which that good and wise man had then taught him. LXXII.-NOSE AND EYES. COWPER. BETWEEN Nose and Eyes a strange contest arose ; So the Tongue was the lawyer, and argued the cause So famed for his talent in nicely discerning. "In behalf of the Nose, it will quickly appear, And your lordship," he said, "will undoubtedly find, That the Nose has had spectacles always in wear, Which amounts to possession time out of mind.” * In England, a judge is addressed as "your lordship," when spoken to in court; here, as "your honor." Then holding the spectacles up to the court, "Your lordship observes they are made with a straddle As wide as the ridge of the Nose is; in short, Designed to sit close to it, just like a saddle. "Again, would your lordship a moment suppose "On the whole, it appears, and my argument shows, Then shifting his side, as a lawyer knows how, He pleaded again in behalf of the Eyes; For the court did not think they were equally wise. So his lordship decreed, with a grave, solemn tone, - That whenever the Nose put his spectacles on, [St. Nicholas, or Santa Claus, as he is sometimes called, is an imaginary personage who is supposed to fill the stockings of good little boys and girls with presents, the night before Christmas.] 'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, The children were nestled all snug in their beds, I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick. More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, And he whistled and shouted, and called them by name: And he looked like a pedler just opening his pack. The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose. He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, LXXIV.-TIT FOR TAT. A LAW there is, of ancient fame, But if an English term be wanted, Give our next neighbor but a pat, He'll give you back as good, and tell you," Tit for tat." This tit for tat, it seems, not men alone, A mighty elephant, that swelled the state * The literal meaning of these two words is, the law of retaliation. † Delhi is a city in India, on the River Jumna, containing about two hundred thousand inhabitants. Aurengzebe was a powerful monarch, who reigned over the Mogul empire in Hindostan. He was born in 1618, and died in 1707. One day was taken by his driver To drink and cool him in the river. The driver on his neck was seated, And as he rode along, By some acquaintance in the throng, A cocoa nut's a pretty fruit enough, To find out its inside, And pick the kernel for his eating. At length, quite out of patience grown, He banged it on the forehead of his beast. An elephant, they say, has human feeling, And serve you faithfully and truly; But insults unprovoked he can't digest; He studies o'er them, and repays them duly. "To make my head an anvil," thought the creature, "Was never, certainly, the will of nature; So, master of mine, you may repent." Then, shaking his broad ears, away he went. The driver took him to the water, And thought no more about the matter. |