So priests, who would be

station, ought diligently to

useful in their cultivate these

four properties. First, that their tongue possess the power of a physician in healing the sick in heart, and probing the wounds of sin; being careful, at the same time, that too rough a treatment does not exacerbate rather than cure for it is the nature of dogs to lick the body's wounds. Secondly, as a dog, by keenness of scent distinguishes a fox from a hare, so a priest, by the quickness of his perception in auricular disclosures, should discover what portion of them appertains to the cunning of the fox-that is, to heretical and sophistical perverseness; what to internal struggles and timorous apprehensions, arising from the detestation of evil or hopelessness of pardon; and what to the unbroken ferocity of the wolf or lion, originating in a haughty contempt of consequences; with other gradations of a like character. Thirdly, as the dog is of all animals the most faithful, and ready in defence of his master or his family, so priests also, should shew themselves staunch advocates for the Catholic faith; and zealous

for the everlasting salvation, not of their parishioners alone, but of every denomination of true Christians, according to the words of our Lord, John x. "A good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep." Also, John i. "Christ laid down his life for us." And we, in humble imitation of our divine Master, ought to lay down our lives for our brethren. Fourthly, as a dog by barking betrays the approach of thieves, and permits not the property of his master to be invaded-so, the faithful priest is the watch-dog of the great King: one, who by diligence in his calling, prevents the machinations of the devil from taking effect; from drawing the soul out of that high treasury composed of the precious blood of Christ; and where alone the amazing price of our redemption is eternally reposited.

TALE XIII.

OF INORDINATE LOVE.

A CERTAIN Emperor was strongly attached to a beautiful wife. In the first year of their marriage, she was delivered of a son, upon whom she doated with extravagant fondness. When the child had completed its third year, the king died; for whose death great lamentation was made through the whole kingdom. The queen bewailed him bitterly; and after his remains were deposited in the royal sepulchre, took up her residence in another part of the country, accompanied by her son. This child became the object of an affection so violent, that no consideration could induce her to leave him; and they invariably occupied the same bed, even till

the boy had attained his eighteenth year. Now when the devil perceived the irregular attachment of the mother, and the filial return exhibited by the son, he insinuated black and unnatural thoughts into their minds; and from time to time repeating his detestable solicitations, finally overthrew them. The queen became pregnant; and the unhappy son, filled with the deepest horror, and writhing beneath the most intolerable agony, quitted the kingdom, and never was heard of again. In due time, the queen was delivered of a lovely female, whom her eyes no sooner beheld, than-(mark, ye who dream that one dereliction from virtue, may be tried with impunity-mark!) desperate at the remembrance of her fearful crime, and apprehensive of detection, she snatched up a knife that lay beside her, and plunged it into the infant's breast. Not content with this exhibition of maternal inhumanity, she cut it directly across the throat, from whence the blood rapidly gushed forth, and falling upon the palm of her left hand, distinctly impressed four circular lines, which no human power

could erase. Terrified, not less at the singular consequence of her guilt, than at the guilt itself, she carefully concealed this awful and mysterious evidence, and dedicated herself for life to the service of the blessed Virgin. Yet though penitent for what she had done, and regularly every fifteenth morning duly confessed, she scrupulously avoided any disclosure relating to that horrid transaction. She distributed alms with the most unbounded liberality; and the people experiencing her kindness and benevolence, evinced towards her the greatest respect and love.

It happened on a certain night as her confessor knelt at his devotions, repeating five times aloud the " Ave Maria," that the blessed Virgin herself appeared to him, and said, “I am the Virgin Mary, and have an important communication to make to thee." The confessor, full of joy, answered, "Oh! dear Lady, wherein can thy servant please thee?" She replied, "The queen of this kingdom will confess herself to you; but there is one sin she has committed, which shame and horror will not permit her to disclose. On the