then I fhall have sense enough to take care of my own safety, and I am very well able to provide for my own living."

Immediately his understanding was enlightened he knew the nature and meaning of fnares, nets, hooks, lines, and of all the dangers to which fuch little trouts could be liable.

At first he greatly rejoiced in this knowledge, and faid to himself, Now furely I fhall be the happieft of all fishes; for, as I understand and am forewarned of every mischief that can come near me, I'm fure I love myself too well, not to keep out of harms way.

From this time forward he took care not to go into any deep holes, for fear that a pike or fome other huge, fifh might be there, who would make nothing of swallowing him at one gulp. He alfo kept away from the fhallow places, especially in hot weather, leaft the fun should dry them up

and

and not leave him water enough to swim in. When he faw the fhadow of a cloud coming and moving upon the river; "here are the fishermen," faid he, "with their nets," and immediately got on one fide, and skulked under the banks, where he kept trembling till the cloud was paft. Again when he faw a fly fkimming on the water, or a worm coming down the stream, he did not dare to bite, however hungry he might be "no no," faid he, " : my honeft friends I am not fuch a fool as that comes to; go your way and tempt them who know no better, who are not aware that you may ferve as baits to fome treacherous hook that lies hid for the deftruction of thofe ignorant and filly trouts that are not on their guard."

Thus did this over careful trout keep himself in continual frights and alarms; and could neither eat, drink, nor fleep in peace, least some mifchief should be at hand.

hand. He daily grew poorer; for he pined away with hunger, and fighed himself to skin and bone, till wasted almost to nothing with care and melancholy, he at last died, (for fear of dying) the most miserable of deaths.

66

When the youngest filver trout was afked what he wished for, "Alas," faid this little trout, you know I am but a very foolish and good for nothing fish, I don't know what is good or bad for me, and I wonder how I came to be worth bringing into the world. But if I must wifh for fomething, it is that you would do with me what you think beft: I fhall be pleafed to live or die even just as you would have me.

As foon as this little filver trout had made this prayer in his good and humble heart, God took great care of him because he trufted himself wholly to his love and pleasure, and was always with him:

he

he put contentment into his mind and joy into his heart; this little trout flept always in peace, and awaked in gladnefs; whether he was full, or hungry, whatever happened to him, he was still pleased and thankful, and was the happiest of all fishes that ever fwam in any

water.

or

"That is indeed a pretty story, Madam. I will endeavour to be like the good little trout, fatisfied with what God pleases, and then perhaps he will love me as well."

"Never doubt it my dear," replied Mrs. Corbett, "but as we have an hour more, I will read you an Indian ftory, called the School of Adversity."

THE

THE

SCHOOL OF ADVERSITY.

AN INDIAN STORY.

KALAHAD, a monarch of Indostan, reigned gloriously over a happy people, and feemed to want nothing to render his felicity complete, but a fon to fway his fceptre, and perpetuate his virtues. To obtain this happiness was therefore his conftant wish, and for which he inceffantly offered up his prayers to the Deity: but for fome years the fon foearneftly requested was denied. At laft, as he was one day enjoying the coolness of the air in an arbour, erected in a thick grove of citron trees, he fell