eases and pains of the most opposite nature, repeated and redoubled on the wretched patient. For, since the actor's greatest wish was to keep Dr. Woodward in his company as long as possible, that he might make the more observations on his gestures, he loaded his poor imaginary spouse with every infirmity which had any probable chance of prolonging the interview. At length, being become completely master of his errand, he drew from hispurse a guinea, and, with a scrape, made an uncouth offer of it.

Put up thy money, poor fellow, (cried the doctor): thou hast need of all thy cash and all thy patience too with such a bundle of diseases tied to thy back!

The actor returned to his employer, and recounted the whole conversation with such true feeling of the physician's character, that the author screamed with approbation. His raptures were soon checked; for the mimic told him, with the emphasis of sensibility, that he would sooner die than prostitute his talents to the rendering such genuine huma

2

nity a public laughing-stock.-The' player's name was Griffin.

After these instances. you will be shocked to hear the following example of ingratitude, which is a crime so shameful, that there never was a man found who would own himself guilty of it.

When Xerxes, king of Persia, was at Celene, a city of Phrygia, a Lydian, named Pythius, who resided in that city, entertained him and his whole army with incredible magnificence, and made him an offer of all his wealth towards defraying the expences of his expedition.

Xerxes surprised and charmed at this generous offer, had the curiosity to ask to what sum his riches amounted.

Pythius told him, that having the design of offering them he had taken the exact account, and that he had 5,957,000 pounds sterling. All this money he offered him, telling him that his revenue was sufficient for the support of his household.

Xerxes declined accepting this present;

but entered into a very particular friendship with him.

Some time after Pythius begged Xerxes to spare him, as a comfort to his old age, the eldest of his five sons, all of whom served in his army; but the king was so enraged at the proposal, though so reasonable in itself, that he caused the eldest son to be killed before the eyes of his father! telling him at the same time, it was a favour he spared him the rest of his children.

It is needless for me, continued Mr. Mason, to make any remarks on this subject, as I see by your countenances with what detestation you hear of it: but we have kept you longer than usual, go now and amuse yourselves.

CHAP. XI.

Soon after Mrs. Stanly, Augusta, and her cousins had partaken of their breakfast, the servant brought in the box from Mrs. Roseville. It was eagerly opened by the sisters, who were delighted to behold a quantity of books, as well as a telescope, a microscope, a large magic lanthorn, and a small packet for Mrs. Stanly.

Never having seen any thing of the kind before, they did not know the use or even the names of them, till explained by their kind aunt; who, in answer to their numerous questions, said, let us take one thing at a time; suppose we begin with the telescope.

They are made for viewing distant objects; and were invented, it is said, by a man of the name of Jansen, who no sooner found that the arrangement of glasses produced the effect he desired, than he inclosed them in a tube, and

ran with his instrument to Prince Maurice, Elector of Saxony; who, immediately conceiving that it might be of use to him in his wars, desired the maker to keep it a secret. It was, however, soon known; and many others applied themselves to the making and selling of telescopes. Jansen having a philosophical turn, presently directed his instrument towards the celestial bodies, and distinctly viewed the spots on the surface of the moon, and discovered many new stars.

Augusta. What sort of glasses did they make use of?

Mrs. Stanly. Spectacle glasses, which had been found out some time before, and were first brought into general use by a native of Pisa, who was very ingenious in executing whatever he saw or heard of, as having been' done by others. He happened to see a pair of spectacles in the hands of a person who would not explain them to him; but he suc

ceeded in making a pair for

himself, and

immediately made the construction public,

for the good of others.