mere external beauty is of little estimation; and deformity, when associated with amiable dispositions and useful qualities, does not preclude our respect and approbation.

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The four Seasons.

She has a and flowers foot. The

WHO is this beautiful virgin that approaches clothed in a robe of light green? garland of flowers on her head, spring up wherever she sets her snow which covered the fields, and the ice which was in the rivers, melt away when she breathes upon them. The young lambs frisk about her, and the birds warble in their little throats to welcome her coming; and when they see her, they begin to choose their mates, and to build their nests. Youths and maidens, have you seen this beautiful virgin? If you have, tell me who is she, and what is her

name,

WHO is this that comes from the south, thinly clad in a light transparent garment? her breath is hot and sultry; she seeks the refreshment of the cool shade; she seeks the clear streams, the crystal brooks to bathe her languid limbs. The brooks and rivulets fly from her and are dried up at her approach. She cools her parched lips with berries, and the grateful acid of fruits; the seedy melon

the sharp apple, and the red pulp of the juicy cherry, which are poured out plentifully around her. The tanned haymakers welcome her coming; and the sheep-shearer, who clips the fleeces of his flock with his sounding shears. When she comes, let me lie under the thick shade of a spreading beech tree;let me walk with her in the early morning, when the dew is yet upon the grass;-let me wander with her in the soft twilight, when the shepherd shuts his fold, and the star of evening appears. Who is she that comes from the south? Youths, and maidens, tell me, if you know, who is she, and what is her name?

WHO is he that comes with sober pace, stealing upon us unawares? His garments are red with the blood of the grape, and his temples are bound with a sheaf of ripe wheat. His hair is thin and begins to fall, and the auburn is mixed with mournful grey. He shakes the brown nuts from the tree. He winds the horn, and calls the hunters to their sport, The gun sounds. The trembling partridge and the beautiful pheasant flutter, bleeding in the air, and fall dead at the sportsman's feet. Who is he that is crowned with the wheat, sheaf? Youths and maidens, tell me, if you know, who is he, and what is his name?

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WHO is he that comes from the north, clothed in furs and warm wool? He wraps his cloak close about him. His head is bald; his beard is made of sharp icicles. He loves the blazing fire, high piled upon the hearth. He binds skates to his feet, and skims over the frozen lakes. His breath is piercing and cold, and no little flower dares to peep above the surface of the ground, when he is by. Whatever he touches, turns to ice. If he were to strike you with his cold hand, you would be quite stiff and dead, like a piece of marble. Youths and maidens, do you see him? He is coming fast upon us and soon he will be here. Tell me, if you know, who is he, and what is his name?

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Ingenuity and Industry rewarded.

A RICH husbandman had two sons, the one exactly a year older than the other. The very day the second was born, he set, in the entrance of his orchard, two young apple trees of equal size; which he cultivated with the same care, and which grew so equally, that no person could perceive the least difference between them. When his children were capable of handling garden tools, he took them, one fine morning in spring, to see these two trees, which he had planted for them, and called after their names: and when they had

sufficiently admired their growth, and the number of blossoms that covered them, he said: "My dear children, I give you these trees: you see they are in good condition. They will thrive as much by your care, as they will decline by your negligence; and their fruit will reward you in proportion to your labour."

The youngest, named Edmund, was industrious and attentive. He busied himself in clearing his tree of insects that would hurt it; and he propped up its stem, to prevent its taking a wrong bent. He loosened the earth about it, that the warmth of the sun, and the moisture of the dews, might cherish the roots. His mother had not tended him more carefully in his infancy, than he tended his young appletree.

His brother, Moses, did not imitate his example. He spent a great deal of time playing with such other boys as he could meet with as idly inclined as himself; and neglected his tree so far, that he never thought of it, till, one day in autumn, he, by chance, saw Edmund's tree so full of apples streaked with purple and gold, that had it not been for the props which supported its branches, the weight of its fruit must have bent it to the ground. Struck with the sight of so fine a tree, he hastened to his own, hoping to find as large a erop upon it but, to his great surprise, he

saw scarcely any thing, except branches covered with moss, and a few yellow withered leaves. Full of ill-humour and jealousy, he ran to his father, and complained that his tree was not near so good as his brother's. "It is as dry," he said, "as a broomstick; and I shall not have ten apples on it. My brother's is a great deal better: bid him at least share his apples with me.”- "Share with you!" said his father; 66 so the industrious must lose his labour to feed the idle! Be satisfied with your lot; it is the effect of your negligence; and do not think to accuse me of injustice, when you see your brother's rich crop. Your tree was as fruitful, and in as good order as his : it bore as many blossoms, and grew in the same soil, only it was not fostered with the same care. Edmund has kept his tree clear of hurtful insects; but you have suffered them to eat up yours in its blossoms. As 1 do not choose to let any thing which God has given me, and for which I hold myself accountable to him, go to ruin, I shall take this tree from you, and call it no more by your name. It must pass through your brother's hands, before it can recover itself; and from this moment, both it and the fruit it may bear, his property. You may, if you will, go into my nursery, and look for another, and rear jt, to make amends for your fault: but if you neglect it, that too shall be given to your bro ther, for assisting me in my labour.

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