afford. "This spot," cried one of the gentlemen, 66 is very fatal to me. Ten years ago, I lost here twelve thousand livres." Perrin listened with attention. "What search made you for them ?" said he. "It was not in my power," replied the stranger, "to make any search. I was hurrying to Port l'Orient to embark for the Indies, as the vessel was ready to sail." Next morning, Perrin showed to his guests his house, his garden, his cattle, and mentioned the produce of the fields. "All these are your property," said he, addressing the gentleman who had lost the bag: "the money fell into my hands; I purchased this farm with it; the farm is yours. The vicar has an instrument which secures your property, though I had died without seeing you." The stranger read the instrument with emotion: he looked on Perrin, Lucetta, and the children. "Where am I,” cried he," and what do I hear? What virtue in people of so low a condition! Have you any other land but this farm ?" " "No," replied Perrin; "but you will have occasion for a tenant, and I hope you will allow me to remain here." "Your honesty deserves a better recompense," answered the stranger. My success in trade has been great, and I have forgotten my loss. You are well entitled to this little fortune: keep it as your own. What man in the world could have acted more nobly than you have done ?" Perrin and Lucetta 66 shed tears of affection and joy. "My dear children," said Perrin, "kiss the hand of your benefactor. Lucetta, this farm now belongs to us, and we can enjoy it without any anxiety or remorse."-Thus was honesty rewarded. Let those who desire the reward, practise the virtue. SECTION XV. The female choice. DODD. A YOUNG girl, having fatigued herself one hot day with running about the garden, sat down in a pleasant arbour, where she presently fell asleep. During her slumber, two female figures presented themselves before her. One was loosely habited in a thin robe of pink, with light green trimmings. Her sash of silver gauze flowed to the ground. Her fair hair fell in ringlets down her neck; and her head-dress consisted of artificial flowers interwoven with feathers. She held in one hand a ball ticket; and in the other, a fancy-dress, all covered with spangles and knots of gay ribband. She advanced smiling to the girl, and with a familiar air thus addressed her. "My dearest Melissa, I am a kind genius who have watched you from your birth, and have joyfully beheld all your beauties expand, till at length they have rendered you a companion worthy of me. See what I have brought you. This dress, and this ticket, will give you free access to all the ravish ing delights of my palace. With me you will pass your days in a perpetual round of ever-varying amusements. Like the gay butterfly, you will have no other business than to flutter from flower to flower, and spread your charms before admiring spectators. No restraints, no toils, no dull tasks, are to be found within my happy domains. All is pleasure, life, and good humour. Come, then, my dear! Let me put you on this dress, which will make you quite enchanting; and away, away with me!" Melissa felt a strong inclination to comply with the call of this inviting nymph: but first she thought it would be prudent, at least, to ask her name. "My name," said she, "is DISSIPATION." She was The other female then advanced. clothed in a close habit of brown stuff, simply relieved with white. She wore her smooth hair unHer whole person was perfectly Her look was serious, but satis der a plain cap. neat and clean. : fied and her air was staid and composed. She held in one hand a distaff; on the opposite arm hung a work-basket; and the girdle round her waist was garnished with scissors, knitting-needles, reels, and other implements of female labour. A bunch of keys hung at her side. She thus accosted the sleeping girl, "Melissa, I am the genius who have ever been the friend and companion of your mother; and I now offer you my protection. I have no allurements to tempt you with, like those of my gay rival. Instead of spending your time in amusements, if you enter yourself of my train, you must rise early, and pass the long day in a variety of employments, some of them difficult, some laborious, and all requiring exertion of body or of mind. You must dress plainly; live mostly at home; and aim at being useful rather than shining. But in return, I will ensure you content, even spirits, self-approbation, and the esteem of all who thoroughly know you. If these offers appear to your young mind less inviting than those of my rival, be assured, however, that they are more real. She has promised much more than she can ever make good. Perpetual pleasures are no more in the power of Dissipation, than of vice and folly, to bestow. Her delights quickly pall, and are inevitably succeeded by languor and disgust. She appears to you under a disguise, and what you see is not her real face. For myself, I shall never seem to you less amiable than I now do; but, on the contrary, you will like me better and better. If I look grave to you now, you will see me cheerful at my work; and when work is over, I can enjoy every innocent amusement. But I have said enough. It is time for you to choose whom you will follow, and upon that choice all your happiness depends. If you would know my name, it is HOUSEWIFERY." Melissa heard her with more attention than delight; and though overawed by her manner, she could not help turning again to take another look at the first speaker. She beheld her still offering her presents with so bewitching an air, that she felt it scarcely possible to resist; when, by a lucky accident, the mask with which Dissipation's face was so artfully covered, fell off. As soon as Melissa beheld, instead of the smiling features of youth and cheerfulness, a countenance wan and ghastly with sickness, and soured by fretfulness, she turned away with horror, and gave her hand unreluctantly to her sober and sincere compa nion. BARBAULD. SECTION XVI. The noble basket-maker, THE Germans of rank and fortune, were formerly remarkable for the custom of having their sons instructed in some mechanical business, by which they might be habituated to a spirit of industry; secured from the miseries of idleness; and qualified, in case of necessity, to support themselves and their families. A striking proof of the utility of this custom, occurs in the following nar |