my most precious gifts. I feel, however," said hē, "mōre pity than indignation tōwardṣ thēṣe offenders, since they were far greater enemies to themselves than to me. But there are a few outrageous ones, by whom I have been defrauded of so much of my substance, that it is difficult to think of them with patience, particularly that notorious thief Procrastination, of whom every body has heard, and who is well known to have wronged my venerable father of so much of his property. There are âlsō three nōted ruffians, "Sleep, Sloth, and Pleasure, from whom I have suffer'd much ; besides a certain busy-body câll'd Dress, who, under the pretence of making the most of mē, and taking great cāre of mē, stealṣ away mōre of my gifts than any two of them.

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'As for me, âll must acknowledge that I have perform'd my pärt towards my friends and foes. I have fülfill'd my utmost promise, and been mōre bountiful than many of my predeċessors. My twelve fair children have each in their turn aided my exertions, and their vārious tastes and dispositions have all conduced to the general good. Mild February, who sprinkled the naked boughs with delicate buds, and brought her wonted offerings of early flowers, was not of mōre essential service than

that rude blustering boy, Märch, who though violent in his temper, was well-intention'd and ūsefül. April, a gentle, tender-hearted gîrl, wept for his loss, yet cheer'd me with many a smile. Jūne came, crown'd with roses and spärkling in sun-beams, and laid up a stōre of costly ornaments for her luxuriant successors. But I cannot stop to enumerate the good qualities and graces of all my children. You, my poor December, därk in your complexion, and cold in your temper, greatly resemble my firstborn, January, with this difference, that he was most prōne to anticipation, and you to reflection.

"It is very likely that at least after my decease, many may reflect upon themselves for their misconduct towards me. To such I would leave it as my dying injunction, not to waste time in unavailing regret; all their wishes and repentance will not recâl me to life. I shall never, never return! I would räther earnestly recommend to their regärd, my youthful sucċessor, whose appearance is shortly expected. I cannot hope to live long enough to introduce him but I would fain hōpe that he would meet with a favorable reception; and that, in addition to the flattering honors which greeted my bîrth, and the fair promises which deceived my hopes, mōre diligent exertion and more persevering

efforts may be expected. Let it be remember'd, that one honest endeavor is worth ten fair promises."-Henderson.

THE WOODEN SPOON.

"Ah! child, do not believe that happiness and riches are âlwayṣ ūnīted," said the mother.

The girl lookt at her, as if she did not quite comprehend her meaning. "Mother must know that it is happiër to be great, and rich, and admired, than to bē poor and never thought of by any one."

"Sister Anna is like the wooden spoon, said Andrew, without stopping his work of making wooden spoons.

"Like the wooden spoon! Am I like a wooden spoon? Well, that is amūṣing!"

"Yes. You see, Anna, there was once on

a time a wooden spoon

"I will not listen to ÿoü, Andrew."

"That is no matter. There was once."

“I tell you, I do not hear you, Andrew."

That âlsō is nō matter. Once a wooden spoon, that waṣ sō fine, sō pretty, made of the best wood, and cärved in the most beautiful manner-one could never see a more delicate and tasteful wooden spoon; and no one took it

up without saying: "Oh, how pretty it is!" Thus the little spoon grew vain and proud. "Ah," thought the beautiful wooden "If

spoon,

I could only be like a silver spoon! Now I am üşed by the servants alōne; but if I were a silver spoon, it might happen that the king himself should eat rice-milk with me out of a gōlden dish; whereas, being only a wooden spoon, it is nothing but meal-porridge I serve out to quite common fōlk." So the wooden spoon said to the mistress, or meat-mother as she is câlled in Sweden; "Dear lady, I consider myself too good to be a simple wooden spoon; I feel within myself that I was not meant to bē in the kitchen, but that I ought to appear at great tableṣ. I am not suited to servants, who have such coarse habits, and handle me sō rūdely. Dear mistress, contrīve that I shall bē like a silver spoon." The meat-mother wisht to satisfy her pretty wooden spoon; sõ shē carried her to a silversmith, who promised to ōverlay her with silver. He did sō. The wooden spoon was silver'd ōver, and shone like the sun. Then was she glad and proud, and scorn'd all her old companions. When she came hōme, she lay in the plate-basket and became quite intimate with the family silver, wisht the tea-spoons to câll her äunt,

and call'd herself first-cousin to the silver forks. But it happen'd that when the other spoons were taken out for daily use, the silver'd wooden spoon was always left behind, although she took the greatest care to render herself conspicuous, and often placed herself uppermost in the basket, in order not to be forgotten, but to be laid with the rest on the great table. As this happen'd several times, ēven when there was company and all the silver was brought out, and the poor wooden spoon was still left alone in the basket, she complain'd again to the mistress and said; "Dear lady, I have to beg that the servants may understand that I am a silver spoon, and have a right to appear with the rest of the company. I shine ēven more than others, and cannot understand why I should be thus neglected."

Ah," said the mistress, "the servants know by the weight (pr. wait) that you are ōnly silver'd."

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"Weight, weight!" cried the silver'd spoon, "What is it not by the brightness alone that one knows a silver spoon from a wooden one?" "Dear child, silver is heavier than wood."

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Then pray, make me heaviër!" cried the spoon. "I long to be as good as the rest, and I have no patience with the sauċiness of that