I considered him superior to myself in magnanimity and generosity.-GULISTAN.

THE ROMAN CITADEL SAVED BY GEEse.

The Gauls observed the footsteps on the side of the hill, and an attempt was made by Brennus to scale the side as the Roman had done. Accordingly a few of the most courageous ascended to the base of the wall undiscovered; but the well-known watchfulness of some geese, that belonged to the temple of Juno (to whom they were sacred), saved the capitol. The poor birds, made more watchful by their hunger, awakened the men who lay near. A Roman hastened to the wall, and found that two Gauls had mounted it. They were both struck and hurled down the rampart. The sentinel was punished, and the geese ever after were held in due honour.-STORIES FROM THE HISTORY OF ROME.

SIR PETER LELY AND THE RICH MERCHANT.

Sir Peter Lely had agreed for the price of a portrait he was to draw for a rich London merchant, who was not indebted to nature either for shape or face. The picture being finished, the merchant endeavoured to lower the price, saying, that if he did not purchase the picture it would remain on the painter's hands. "That is a mistake," said Sir Peter, "for I can sell it for double the price I demand." How can that be?" enquired the merchant, for it is like no one but myself." "True," replied the painter, "but I will draw a tail to it, and then it will be a capital monkey." The merchant at once paid the money demanded, and carried off the picture.-ANON.

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THE WOMAN AND HER LOVER.

A certain woman was walking along, and a man seeing her, proceeded after her. The woman enquired, "Why do you follow me?" He replied, "Because I am in love with you." She rejoined, "Why should you be in love with me, my sister is more handsome, and she is coming behind me ; go and make love to her." The man departed thence, and seeing that the damsel was ugly became much displeased, and again approached the former woman, exclaiming, "Why did you speak falsely?" she replied, "you too did not adhere to the truth, since if you were in love with me why did you turn away to another person?"-PERSIAN

TALES.

PRINCE HENRY AND THE JUDGE.

One of the favourites of Prince Henry, eldest son of King Henry IV. of England being arraigned for felony before Chief Justice Gascoigne, the prince resolved to be present at the trial, with the design to overawe the judge. But his presence not preventing the criminal's condemnation, he was so enraged that he struck the judge on the face. The chief justice, considering the consequences of such an act, instantly commanded him to be arrested on the spot, and conveyed to prison, The royal offender, instead of resisting, as might have been expected, permitted himself to be taken away. Hearing this, the king was so much gratified that he exclaimed, "Happy the king who has so faithful a magistrate, and still more happy the parent who has a son willing to submit to such a chastisement."-STORIES FROM ENGLISH HISTORY (HALL).

FABLE-THE SKYLARK.

When day's bright banner, first unfurl'd,
From darkness frees the shrouded world,
The Skylark, singing as he soars,
On the fresh air his carol pours;

But though to heaven he wings his flight,
As if he loved those realms of light,
He still returns with weary wing,

On earth to end his wandering.

NORTHCOTE'S FABLES.

HATIM TAI AND THE AMBASSADOR.

The Greek Emperor sent an ambassador to Yaman to demand on the part of his master a favourite horse which Hatim Tai possessed. The generous Arab had received no intimation either of the embassy or of its object: when the ambassador therefore arrived, Hatim was quite unprepared for his reception. In order to prepare a suitable entertainment for his illustrious guest and his attendants, he had no other resource than to cause his favourite horse to be killed and roasted on the occasion. This was accordingly done: and after the feast the ambassador stated his master wish. "It is too late," replied Hatim, "the horse has been killed for our repast. When you arrived, I knew not the object of your journey, and I had no other food to offer you."-D'HERBELOT.

SIR RICHARD STEELE AND THE WORKMAN.

When Sir Richard Steele was fitting up his great room for public orations, he happened at one time to be in arrear in paying his workmen; coming one day to see how the work was progressing, he ordered one of them to get into

the reading-desk and make a speech with a view of testing the capabilities of the room.

to say, not being an orator.

The man was at a loss what "Oh," said Sir Richard,

"no

matter for that, speak anything that enters your mind." Why Sir," exclaimed the workman,

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we have been work

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ing for you these six weeks, and cannot get any money: pray Sir, when do you design to pay us?" "Stop, man!" said Sir Richard, somewhat embarrassed, I have heard enough. I cannot but own you speak very distinctly, though I must admit I do not admire your choice of a subject."-ANON,

THE LAWYER AND HIS UGLY DAUGHTER.

A lawyer had a daughter-ugly in the extreme-arrived at the verge of maturity, and, despite a dowry and much wealth, no one showed an inclination to marry her. Hideous would be the stuff of gold tissue, and the coloured silk brocade.

Which were on an uncomely bride!

In brief, under pressure of necessity, they married her to a blind man. They tell that at that time a physician arrived from Ceylon, who used to restore sight to the eyes of the blind. They said to the lawyer, "Why dost thou not have thy son-in-law treated?" He replied, “I fear he would recover his sight and divorce my daughter."

The husband of an ugly woman is best blind.GULISTAN.

CANUTE'S REPROOF TO HIS COURTIERS.

Canute's reproof to his courtiers is well known. These unworthy flatterers declaring him the commander of the ocean itself, he ordered the chair of his dignity to be placed

on the sea-beach, and thus addressed the tide that was rolling to shore:-"Keep back, thou proud ocean! the island on which I sit is mine: thou art a part of my dominions, and I forbid thee to ascend my coasts, or to presume to wet the borders of my robes." That this mandate was disregarded will be obvious, and Canute availed himself of the occasion to impress on the mind of his courtiers this sublime truth, God only is the Great Supreme! let Him only have the name of Majesty whose everlasting laws the heavens, earth and sea with all their hosts obey!"-Stories from EnGLISH HISTORY (Hall.)

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FABLE-THE FOX AND THE GOAT.

A fox having tumbled by chance into a well, had been casting about for a long while to no purpose, how he should get out again, when at last a goat came to the place and wanting to drink asked Reynard whether the water was good. Good!" says he, "ay, so sweet, that I am afraid I have surfeited myself, I have drunk so abundantly." The goat, upon this, without any more ado, leapt in; and the fox, taking the advantage of his horns, by the assistance of them, as nimbly leapt out, leaving the poor goat at the bottom of the well, to shift for himself.-ESOP'S FABLES.

THE SLAVE AND HIS MASTER.

A slave fled from his master. After several days, the latter, on visiting another city, saw him there and seized him, saying, "Why did you run away?" The slave laid his hand on his master's sleeve and exclaimed, "You are my servant, and have robbed me of much money, and fled: now I have found you I will punish you." In short, both of them repaired to the judge and demanded justice. The