that the author of this noble action was discovered; and perhaps, by the obscurity in which, from motives of delicacy, he had involved it, it never would have been known that Sir Frederic Rutledge was the man, if his steward had not helped to reveal it, by casually acknowledging, one day, that, at the precise period of the event, he had furnished the Baronet with sums to the exact amount of what the two honest, though industrious tradesmen had so seasonably received.

"Think my dear children, of the necessity you are under of contributing as much as in you lies, to the relief of virtuous poverty! Imitate Sir Frederic, and like him you will never go abroad, but to do good, nor return home but to be happy.

The time of our separation draws nigh, yet I believe I can extend it a little, to read to you. a very pretty Eastern fable called Zaphna."

ZAPHNA,

ZAPHNA.

AN EASTERN FABLE.

ZAPHNA

was the son of Abnor: the blossom of his strength: the first fruit of his love to Rishama. The heavens smiled on the moment of his birth-his statue was as the cedar on mount Libanus-his beauty as the blush of the morning-his strength surpassed the sons of men-and his mind was formed to receive knowledge.

The fire of youth inflamed the pride of his heart-he lived as he listed; and knew no law beside his will. Pleasure courted his enjoyment; and glory waited on his steps. He saw beauty, and it melted in his embrace the wings of his speed outflew the fears of the hind-the lion shrunk

under

under his hand; and the lioness fled affrighted from her whelps before him. Danger faded in his frown-he heard the noise of the battle with a smile; and the number of his foes increased his glory. He was sated with pleasure-he found that fame was but an empty sound.

The sun had climbed the heavens; and the brightness of his beams burned fiercely. Zaphna laid him down, on the verge of a fountain, to consider what he should enjoy next. Cooler thought opened new pursuits: knowledge looked tempting to his mind; and prudence inclined his heart to wealth. He turned over the writings of the sages: he considered the sayings of the wise. He found that all was vanity-he desisted from the fruitless search.

Riches promised more solid enjoyment: he traversed the parched desart-the raging of the sea stopped not his course his-wealth knew no bounds-his horses and his ca

mels

mels were without number: his flocks and his herds, as the sands on the shore: and the sea groaned beneath the ships of his merchandize. Unhappiness came with riches he lost the quiet of his mind-care filled his pillar with thorns-and sleep fled. from his eyelids. The whistling of the winds terrified him-the robber in the night, broke his rest-the noise of a falling leaf made him start.

He climbed an high mountain-he built him a strong castle-and laughing in his heart, said to himself, "here shall I be safe." But fear followed him, and unhappiness broke into his fortress. He was amazed-he communed with his heart, and said, "whence can this be?"

His eyes were opened-the errors of his. life were displayed before him. He humbled himself before heaven-he determined to alter his ways. Reason came at his call, and shewed him the path that leads to happiness.

piness. He descended fromthe mountain— he shared his wealth with his friends-his flocks and his herds became a blessing to the poor. Peace returned to his heart, and happiness smiled upon him.

The sun was gone behind the hills-the breath of the evening refreshed him, after the fatigues of the day-he sat down among his friends, in the shade of his own vinehe recounted the accidents and labour of his life-he compared things past with the present-he shewed what is to be, by what has been experience opened his mouth; and benevolence tuned his voice. Wisdom and safety flowed from his lips; and pleasure accompanied his sayings. The aged heard him with delight-the instruction of his words was written on the hearts of the young. The measure of his happiness was full-the name of Zaphna is a sweet odour ascending to heaven.