was only disturbed by wonder, formed a striking contrast to the grief which appeared in every other face. The widow Princess, and the Infanta D. Maria, the Queen's sister, were in the next carriage, both in that state of affliction and dismay which such a moment might well occasion. The Princess of Brazil came next, in the octagon coach, with all her children, the nurse of the youngest babe, and the two Camareiras mores, or chief ladies of the bed-chamber. She had been indefatigable in preparing for the voyage, and now she herself directed the embarkation of the children and domestics, with a presence of mind which excited admiration. The royal family were distributed in different ships, not merely for the sake of being more easily accommodated, but that if shipwreck were to be added to their misfortunes, a part at least might probably be preserved.

The apprehension of this danger would occur more readily to the Portuguese than to any other people, because their maritime history is filled with the most dreadful and well-known examples; and the weather at the time of the embarkation gave a fearful specimen of what might be expected at that season. It blew a heavy gale, the bar was impassable, and continued so during the whole of the succeeding day. In the evening, M. Herman, and a Portuguese, by name Jose de Oliveira Barreto, came with fresh despatches from Junot; he

had sent them down the river in pursuance of that system of deception which was to be carried on to the last. Their arrival produced no effect upon the determination of the Prince; but every hour added to the alarm and danger of his situation; and orders were given to dismantle the fortresses which commanded the river, and spike the guns in the batteries. During the night the storm abated, the weather was fair at daybreak on the 29th, a favourable wind sprung up, and the fleet crossed the bar when the enemy were just near enough to see their prey escape.

THE BOY AND THE WASP.

A FABLE.

AMONG a garden's shrubs and flowers,
Which just had drunk spring's genial showers,
With tottering step, a lively child

Sported about, with rapture wild.

A gilded Wasp, with venom'd sting,
Circled about on busy wing;

And, round and round, he buzzing flew ;

Now farther off, now nearer drew:
His gold and splendour soon decoy,
The sportive, unsuspicious Boy;
Who, greedy of the glittering prize,
To catch the insect vainly tries:
The Wasp escapes from place to place,
The Boy pursues in eager chase,—
Just as he deem'd he'd caught his prey,
The nimble insect stepp'd away;
Till tired, at last, he sought repose
Upon the bosom of a Rose;
The attentive Boy, with silent steps,
Towards the flower on tip-toe creeps;
And cautious, now, lest he should lose
His wished-for prey, he seiz'd the Rose,
And held, within his ardent grasp,
The flower, together with the Wasp;
Who, thus assaulted, angry grew,
And, from its sheath, his weapon drew,
And straight transfix'd the tender hand,
By which he roughly was detain'd.
The luckless Boy now shriek'd with pain,
And never chas'd a Wasp again.

MORAL.

Learn from this fable, thoughtless youth,
Of which, ere long, you'll prove the truth,
That under pleasure's fairest guise,
A secret poison often lies.

PITY.

As blossoms and flowers are strewed upon earth by the hand of spring, as the kindness of summer produceth in perfection the bounties of harvest; so the smiles of pity shed blessings on the children of misfortune.

He who pitieth another, recommendeth himself; but he who is without compassion, deserveth it not.

The butcher relenteth not at the bleating of the lamb; neither is the heart of the cruel moved with distress.

But the tears of the compassionate are sweeter than dew-drops falling from roses on the bosom of the spring.

Shut not thine ear therefore against the cries of the poor; neither harden thine heart against the calamities of the innocent.

THE ADVANTAGE TO YOUTH FROM THE

SOCIETY OF OLD AGE.

No society can be more beneficial to the young than occasional intercourse with those whom length of days hath taught wisdom, and whose comforts are derived chiefly from reason and reflection, instead of appetite and passion. Were there, indeed, no other motives to enforce it, the pleasure arising from variety would be sufficient. Unvaried gratification soon becomes tiresome and insipid; if, therefore, we wish to cultivate true happiness, we must diversify even the rational