since reaped (1) from it a very considerable advantage. The empress succeeded (2) so well in her discovery of the different uses of silk, as to cause several very beautiful pieces to be woven (3), and embroidered many of them herself with flowers and birds: the habits had till then been composed wholly of skins.

INTRINSIC VALUE.

All things have some kind of standard (4) by which the natural goodness of them is to be measured.

We do not therefore esteem a ship to be good because it is curiously carved and painted, but because it is fitted for all the purposes of navigation, which is the proper end (5) of a ship. It should be so likewise in our esteem of men, who are not so much to be valued for the grandeur of their estates (6) or titles, as by their own inward goodness and excellence. SENECA.

FILIAL PIETY.

(The following relation is found in the Japanese history.)

A woman was left a widow with three children, and

(1) To reap, moissonner, tirer.

(2) To succeed, réussir.

(3) Woven, participe de to weave, tisser.

(4) Standard, titre, modèle.

(5) End, fin, but, intention.

(6) Estates, possessions.

.

had no other means of subsistence, than what she derived from their labour. The young men never having been accustomed to a life of toil (1), scarcely earned common necessaries, and were above all things afflicted at not being able to procure their mother a more comfortable living.

It had been lately proclaimed that whoever would bring a thief to justice should receive a considerable reward. The three brothers, whom the poverty of their mother affected ten times more than their own indigence, unanimously made a resolution as strange as it was heroic. They agreed that one of the three should pass for a thief, and that the two others should accuse and carry him before a magistrate. Lots were drawn (2), which should be the victim of filial affection. It fell on the youngest, who was immediately bound and conducted to the judge, and as a criminal underwent (3) his examination, and confessed himself guilty. He was then sent to prison, and the brothers received the promised reward. Before they departed they found means to gain admission into the place of his confinement, in order to take a last farewell of their unfortunate brother; and supposing they were unobserved, threw themselves into the arms of the prisoner, and by their tears and groans, accompanied by the most tender embraces, evinced (4) the excess of their grief and despair.

(1) Toil, travail.

(2) To draw lots, tirer au sort, tirer la courte paille.
(3) To undergo, subir.

(4) To evince, montrer, témoigner.

The magistrate, who happened to be in a part of the prison whence they could easily be observed, was astonished at the scene he beheld, and gave orders to one of his servants to follow the informers (1) and watch (2) them narrowly. The man obeyed, and at his return related to his master, that he had traced the two brothers to their house, and entered unperceived, stopping at the door of their chamber where he could easily hear all they said.

Their first care, he said, was to give their mother the money which they had received as the price of their information the woman testified more inquietude than joy, at the sight of so considerable a sum; and questioned them with eagerness (3) on the absence of their brother. To which the unfortunate young men could only at first answer with their tears; but at length being threatened with the malediction of a parent so dear, they disclosed to her the dreadful truth. The mother penetrated with gratitude, terror, and admiration, abandoned herself to all the transports of a just despair, and rushed out of the room with an intention to go and declare every thing to the magistrate; but was restrained by her cruel, yet generous children, who both threw themselves at her feet, whilst she, a prey to all the most impetuous emotions that anger, grief, and tenderness united, could produce, no longer able to support the violence of so many distracting agitations, fell

(1) Informer, dénonciateur.

(2) To watch, surveiller, épier. (5) With eagerness, instamment.

CURIOUS EXPEDIENT.

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senseless into the arms of her sons. The magistrate on this recital immediately repaired (1) to the prison; and interrogated the youngest brother, but without being able to make him retract a word of his confession.

The judge then assured him, that he was acquainted with every circumstance of his history, and added, that he had only concealed for a moment this knowledge, because he wished to behold to what an excess filial piety might be carried in a virtuous breast. He then hastened to recount this adventure to the Cubo Sama, or sovereign; and this prince, delighted and astonished at an action so heroic, desired to see the three brothers, and the happy mother of these virtuous children; on whom he heaped (2) praises and marks of distinction, assigning to the youngest a pension of fifteen hundred crowns, and five hundred to each of the others.

CURIOUS EXPEDIENT.

About thirty years ago, two brothers Irishmen went to Jamaica: they were by trade blacksmiths (5). Finding soon after their arrival, they could do nothing without a little money to begin, but that with sixty or seventy pounds, and industry, they might be able to get on (4) a

(1) To repair to, se rendre à, aller.

(2) To heap, combler, entasser.

(5) Blacksmith, forgeron; de black, noir, et smith, ouvrier, marteleur, fabre, fèvre.

(4) To get on, faire des progrès.

little, they hit upon the following novel and ingenious expedient. One of them stripped himself naked, and the other blacked him from head to foot. This being done, he took him to one of the negro-dealers, who after viewing and approving his stout athletic appearance advanced eighty pounds currency upon the bill of sale, and prided himself on the purchase (1), supposing him to be one of the finest negroes on the Island. The same evening this newly manufactored negro made his escape to his brother, washed himself clean, and resumed (2) his former appearance. Rewards were in vain offered in handbills (5), pursùit was eluded, and discovery, by care and precaution, rendered impracticable. The brothers with the money commenced business, and actually returned to England not many years since with a fortune of several thousand pounds. Previous however to their departure from the island they waited upon (4) the gentleman from whom they had received the money, and recalled the circumstance of the negro to his recollection, and paid him both principal and interest with thanks.

HONOURS ARE NOT HEREDITARY.

He that boasteth of his ancestors, confesseth that he hath no virtue of his own. No other person has lived