a sure to drop asleep. Her mistress now and then gave her dose of physic', and then she was better for a little whilè; but at last she was quite laid up', and they had a doctor for her. He said it was a bilious fever', and added something about the blood flowing to the head. I did not rightly understand his learned words', but, by what I could make out', he meant that the blood was clogged up', and could not flow freely, and that this made her so heavy and stupid'; but I have never forgotten what he said when he cautioned her, as she recovered', against eating much meat', or drinking much beer. He said, "I dare say that your health was much better when you had only water to drink', and but little meat to eat. Now, if you wish to keep well, you must have resolution to bring your diet much nearer to what it was then. Though you can get so much more victuals and drink', it is no proof that more would do you good'; indeed, this illness is a proof to the contrary. It is a sad mistake to suppose that a great quantity of food is nourishing and strengthening. It is not what persons eat, but what they digest, that strengthens them'; and if they eat a little more than they can digest', all this is so much hoarded up towards making them ill. It is against my interest to say so', for I can assure you that more than half the doctor's work consists in attempting to undo the mischief that people have done themselves by habitually taking a little too much." I am afraid that Nancy had not resolution enough strictly to follow the doctor's directions. As her appetite returned, she was eager after a little more meat, and beer, and pastry', than was quite proper for her. She could not be persuaded but that they would help her to recover her strength', which, however', was very long in being restored; and as long as she was in that family, which might be five or six years', she was more or less unwell', and obliged to take physic. At length she was married to a poor, laboring man', and once more restored to cottage fare. She found it very hard at first'; and, indeed, I have heard her say, that for years she could not get a relish for the plain food to which, in her childhood, she had been accustomed. A few months after she was married, she was very ill', and had gatherings on the tops of all her fingers. Dr. Collins attended her again', and told her that they were caused by the sudden change of liv ing'; but that he thought, if she once got over the change', she would have better health than she had known while liv. ing in the midst of plenty', and feeding to the full`; and so indeed it turned out. She became a very healthy woman', and the mother of a fine healthy family. She often looked back with regret on the years of her self-indulgence`, and she brought up her children to be content with the homeliest fare', and to drink nothing stronger than water'; and when they grew up, and went to service', it was one of her great concerns that they should not learn to eat or drink more than was good for them. In particular', she used to caution them against becoming fond of strong beer', porter' or wine', and especially spirits, even in the smallest quantity. Some heads of families, out of false kindness, allow these things', when there is washing or any extra work about'; but these things neither give strength', nor prevent taking cold', nor indeed do any real good whatever'; and, too often', they form a habit that lasts through life', and proves very injurious in every respect. I remember a poor, dirty, half-starved old woman', who, it was often said, had seen better days', and who, if she had but a few cents to provide for all her wants through the day', might be seen every morning coming out of the public house with her little cream-jug of gin. She said that she learned to take it from having a glass allowed her, before she began washing, by a very excellent and pious lady', who would have shuddered at the thought of being the occasion of sin to any one'; but thus the poor creature got the wretched habit', and though she owned it to be the cause of her poverty and misery', she said that now it was impossible to do without it. I fear that she never tried in good earnest'; but oh`, how important is it that young people should guard against forming habits which may bring them into such disgraceful bondage! The only way to keep quite free from it, is by resolutely resisting the first temptation', from whatever quarter it may proceed. LESSON XCIX. THE SPIDER AND THE FLY. "WILL you walk into my parlor' ?" said a spider to a fly'; ""Tis the prettiest little parlor that ever you did spy. The way into my parlor is up a winding stair', And I have many pretty things to show when you are there.” "Oh no, no!" said the little fly', "to ask me is in vain, For who goes up your winding stair' can ne'er come down again." "I'm sure you must be weary, with soaring up so high'; Will you rest upon my little bed'?" said the spider to the fly'. "There are pretty curtains drawn around', the sheets are fine and thin'; And if you like to rest awhile', I'll snugly tuck you in." "Oh no, no!" said the little fly', "for I've often heard it said', They never, never wake again', who sleep upon your bed!" Said the cunning spider to the fly, "Dear friend', what shall I do' To prove the warm affection I've always felt for you'? “Oh, nō, no!” said the little fly`, "kind sir', that cannot be`; I've heard what's in your pantry', and I do not wish to see.' "Sweet creature!" said the spider', "you're witty', and you're wise. How handsome are your gauzy wings', how brilliant are your eyes'! I have a little looking-glass upon my parlor shelf', If you'll step in one moment, dear', you shall behold yourself." "I thank you, gentle sir'," she said`, "for what you're pleased to say', And bidding you good morning now', I'll call another day." The spider turned him round about, and went into his den, Then he went out to his door again', and merrily did sing', wing'; Your robes are green and purple—there's a crest upon your head'; Your eyes are like the diamond bright', but mine are dull as lead." Alas, alas! how very soon this silly little fly', Hearing his wily, flattering words, came slowly flitting by`; With buzzing wings she hung aloft', then near and nearer drew', Thinking only of her brilliant eyes, and green and purple hue'; Thinking only of her crested head-poor foolish thing`!— At last', Up jumped the cunning spider', and fiercely held her fast. He dragged her up his winding stair, into his dismal den', LESSON C. ON THE DEATH OF A FAVORITE CAT, DROWNED IN A TUI OF GOLD FISHES. "Twas on a lofty vase's side' The azure flowers that blow', Demurest of the tabby kind', Her conscious tail her joy declared'; Her coat that with the tortoise vies', * The name of the cat Accent on the first syllable. Still had she gazed', but, 'midst the tide', The hapless nymph with wonder saw': She stretched, in vain, to reach the prize': Presumptuous maid'! with looks intent' Eight times emerging from the flood', No Dolphin came`,-no Nereidt stirred',— A fâv'rite has no friend! From hence, ye Beauties, undeceived', Not all that tempts your wandering eyes', * Genii; good or evil spirits, supposed by the ancients to preside over the lives and destinies of men. + Nereid, a sea-nymph; pronounced Nee-re-id. 22 |