ciples, to teach them how they must receive the kingdom of heaven, and shall He not, out of the mouths of babes and sucklings, here, both ordain strength and perfect praise?

THE DISCONTENTED RIVULET.

I was walking one hot summer's day through a very delightful wood. The shade and coolness seemed much more refreshing, as in my walk thither I had been exposed to the rays of an unclouded sun. Whilst walking along, I suddenly came upon a pretty little rivulet; the tall oak and elm trees by which it was surrounded, had so completely overshadowed it, that had I not heard the sweet music it made running over the loose pebbles, I might have passed by without observing it.

I was fatigued; so seating myself upon a grassy bank at the foot of an aged oak, I took out my drawing book and pencil for the purpose of sketching a beautiful fern which grew on the opposite side of the brook. I had not sat long before the brook seemed to murmur these words: O! shall I ever leave this dark and dismal shade? Shall I ever escape from the sight of these trees that I have seen ever since I was born? As to the sun I never see it, and but now and then get a sight of

the clear blue sky. No merry birds visit my gloomy borders and sing their gladsome songs, but the mournful thrush comes at sunset, and he is as melancholy as myself! Oh! that I were flowing through some open field, with a clear blue sky smiling in my face. Just then methought the fern, which was bowing gracefully over the brook changed into a beautiful fairy, and these words she spoke in a clear silvery tone: If, complaining brook, you wish to leave this cool refreshing shade, these trees which have protected you, these flowers which fringe your banks, speak, and your wish shall be accomplished. Quickly, said the impatient brook, quickly let me go.

In a moment the beautiful stream was changed; there were no tall trees waving over it—no sweetbriar and roses upon its banks; the musical pebbles and the large mossy stones round which its beautiful waters played, were all gone. It was broad sunshine, and the little brook hurried on, reflecting only the bright blue sky, and it sparkled awhile with light and gladness, but it soon seemed to grow smaller, till at last it totally disappeared. Then I saw again the place where the little rivulet was running along so beautifully when I first discovered it. The flowers were fading and drooping over its empty channel, and even the stones looked sad. Alas! said I, the sweet stream is lost forever. Not forever, whispered the fairy; it

will return the wiser for its sufferings. The hot sun has turned it into vapour. Look at yonder cloud and you will see what has become of it. It will soon descend in a gentle shower upon its own green flowery home, and never wish to stray again, but flow on rejoicing in its own sweet music. As the silvery tones of her voice died away, I awoke, and found it was a dream.

THE RETURN OF THE SUN IN SPRING.

WINTER has at last retired. The tempestuous winds no longer howl and whistle through the air, obscured by the driving snow. We no longer hear the hail driven with violence against our windows. The sad Hyades no longer pour from their never-emptying urn into the orchards of Pomona. Every thing is renewed. The fountains, long time held captive, have resumed their wonted course. Already have the flowers peeped from the bosom of the earth. The young buds rise upon their tender stalks. The trees, despoiled of their yellow leaves, appear in a new verdure. The bees fly amongst the perfumed buds, and their humming resounds through the fields.The flocks frisk amongst the fresh-springing grass. It is the sight of thee, Oh SUN! which diffuses every where this joy and gladness. Disappear

then before this lamp of the Heavens, storms, hail, rain-all of you disappear, and hide no longer from our sight these glad and pleasing scenes.

Permit us to contemplate these majestic mountains, which rise to the clouds, and have sustained since the origin of the world the immense vault of the Heavens. Thy beams, most brilliant orb, chase away every thing unpleasant. Thou risest suddenly from the waves like a ball of fire; and in the same instant the vast extent of sea seems covered with rolling flames.

Thy beams pierce the air and disperse in their luminous course the dark veil which covers the earth. Every thing is animated-all are happy. Upon the summit of the highest mountain, in the depth of the most profound forest-every where is the genial influence of thy rays felt, and it gives the same life and light from one century to another.

AN artful rogue of a Wolf came to a stately Elephant and humbly begged to be received as one of his dependants, imagining it might be of some advantage to him to be in the retinue of such a noble protector; but the sagacious Elephant, who well knew the vile nature of the animal, plainly told him that he had been credibly informed of his blood-thirsty character. This made the Wolf prick up his ears, and he most earnestly prayed that his excellency the Elephant would

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