exists, like its quickening soul, a pervading power, assuming the most varied aspects, giving to the whole its life and loveliness, and linking every portion of this material mass in a common bond with some great universal principle beyond our knowledge.

Whether, by the improvement of the powers of the human mind, man will ever be enabled to embrace within his knowledge the laws which regulate these remote principles, we are not sufficiently advanced in intelligence to determine. But if admitted even to a clear perception of the theoretical power which we regard as regulating the known forces, we must still see an unknown agency beyond us, which can only be referred to the Creator's will.

- Robert Hunt.

XVIII. THIS, Too, WILL PASS AWAY.

"GIVE me a motto," said a youth,

To one whom years had rendered wise,
"Some pleasant thought or weighty truth,
That briefest syllables comprise,

Some word of warning or of cheer
To grave upon my signet here;
And, reverend father," said the boy,
"Since life, they say, is ever made

A mingled web of grief and joy,

Since cares will come, and pleasures fade,
Pray let the motto have a range
Of meaning fitting every change."
"Sooth," said the sire, "methinks you ask
A motto somewhat overnice,

That well a finer brain might task;

What think you, lad, of this device,
Older than I, though I am gray,—
'Tis simply: This will pass away.
When wafted on by fortune's breeze,

In endless peace we seem to glide,
Prepare, by time, for rougher seas;
Though smiling joy be thine to-day,
Remember this will pass away.
When all the sky is draped in black,
And beaten by tempestuous gales,
Thy struggling bark seems all a rack,
Then trim again thy tattered sails.
Thus, O my son, be not too proud,

Nor yet cast down; judge thou aright:
When skies are clear expect the cloud;
In darkness wait for coming light;
Whate'er thy fate may be to-day,
Remember: this, too, will pass away."

-John G. Saxe.

XIX.-DOING NOTHING.

MANY young persons are growing up with the idea that industry, especially manual industry, is not quite respectable. There is no modern notion that more completely cuts at the root of wholesome sentiment and of national or individual prosperity than this. Whether idleness takes the form of street lounging and gossip, that begets more active vices, or of the dreamy sentimentalism that fritters away life in vague fancies, or the busy idleness that occupies itself in a hundred ways to avoid the steady, energetic pursuit of regular duty, it is equally culpable in its character and pernicious in its effects. To some degree, circumstances may tend to produce this evil.

Some climates and some seasons of the year induce lassitude; some constitutions have less energy and power of will than others; and many diseases deprive the body of its strength and the mind of its elasticity. Even in these cases, the complete surrender to such influences is the surest method of increasing their power, while a steady resistance will gradually weaken, and often remove, much of the

cause. In by far the larger number of instances, the vice of idleness results from the indulgence of luxurious habits, which break down the native energy of the character. The person who regards monetary gratification as the chief good, will soon lose the vigor and enterprise necessary to undertake, and the perseverance to carry through, any scheme requiring industry and self-command. Some, from a paucity of ideas, lack enterprise and become torpid, being unable to see the utility of proper undertakings; while others, overwhelmed with a vast conception of what is to be done, sit down in the inaction of despair. Others there are who begin with earnestness and hope, but, lacking perseverance, are intimidated by the first difficulty, and accomplish nothing because they have not the courage to face obstacles.

The want of method and habit in early life is largely answerable for this evil. Those accustomed in youth to regular and industrious employment will seldom lose such habits in after life; while those who have been suffered to pass a desultory childhood will require an extra fortitude of character to become persevering, energetic, and industrious in after life. A resolution of character, a firmness of principle, which seeks to do what is right, rather than that which is temporarily agreeable, is the great safeguard against this dangerous evil. Impulsive exertions may produce magnificent deeds; but without a methodical and steady resolution, without system and habit, and strength of will, but little that is permanently useful will ever be accomplished. Our natures are so constructed that it is only in the cultivation and improvement of all our faculties that we can properly enjoy any of them.

The listless lethargy shown by many young people is productive of many evils. To the body it is a predisposing cause of many forms of disease; the want of healthy excitement and occupation leads, too often, to intemperance in eating and drinking, "to pass away the time;" and this,

in its turn, brings fever, indigestion, and depression, and makes the frame less able to withstand the attacks of any disease. A large proportion of the drunkenness and dissipation of various forms, so common, may be traced directly to this source. Its effect on the mind is bad. While producing instability of purpose, it is in time followed by a humiliating sense of inferiority. No man has a right to go through life, whatever his position may be, without honest, useful, and regular employment of some kind.

XX. KEEP A STIFF UPPER LIP.

THERE has something gone wrong,
My brave boy, it appears,
For I see your proud struggle

To keep back the tears.

That is right; when you can not

Give trouble the slip, Then bear it, still keeping "A stiff upper lip!"

Though you can not escape

Disappointment and care,
There's one thing you can do,-
It is, learn how to bear.

If when for life's prizes

You're running, you trip,

Get up, start again,

Through childhood, through manhood,
Through life to the end,
Struggle bravely and stand

By your colors, my friend;
Only yield when you must,
Never "give up the ship,"
But fight on to the last
"With a stiff upper lip."

OIL YOURSELF A LITTLE.

ONCE upon a time there lived an old gentleman in a large house. He had servants and every thing he wanted, yet he was not happy; and when things did not go as he wished, he was very cross. At last his servants left him. Quite out of temper, he went to a neighbor with a story of his distresses.

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"It seems

to me," said the neighbor, sagaciously, "'t would be well for you to oil yourself a little." "To oil myself?"

"Yes; and I will explain. Some time ago one of the doors in my house creaked. Nobody, therefore, liked to go in or out by it. One day I oiled its hinges, and it has been constantly used by every body ever since."

"Then you think I am like the creaking door," cried the old gentleman. "How do you want me to oil myself?" "That's an easy matter," said the neighbor.

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Go home and engage a servant, and when he does right praise him. If, on the contrary, he does something amiss, do not be cross; oil your voice and words with the oil of love."

The old gentleman went home, and no harsh or ugly words were ever heard in the house afterwards. Every family should have a bottle of this precious oil; for every family is liable to have a creaking hinge in the shape of a fretful disposition, a cross temper, a harsh tone, or a faultfinding spirit.