of money, to which his servant was likewise privy. The master having occasion to dismount on the road, the servant watching his opportunity, took a pistol from his master's saddle, and shot him dead on the spot; then rifled him of his jewels and money, and hanging a large stone to his neck, he threw him into the nearest canal. With this booty he made off to a distant part of the country, where he had reason to believe that neither he nor his master were known. There he began to trade in a very low way at first, that his obscurity might ́screen him from observation, and in the course of a good many years, seemed to rise by the natural progress of business, into wealth and consideration; so that his good fortune appeared at once the effect and reward of industry and virtue. Of these he counterfeited the appearance so well, that he grew into great credit, married into a good family, and by laying out his sudden stores discreetly, as he saw occasion, and joining to all an universal affability, he was admitted to a share of the government of the town, and rose from one post to another, till at length he was chosen chief magistrate. In this office he maintained a fair character, and continued to fill it with no small applause, both as a governor and judge, till one day, as he sat on the bench with some of his brethren, a criminal was brought before him, who was accused of murdering his master. The evidence came out full, the jury brought in their verdict, that the prisoner was guilty, and the whole assembly waited the sentence of the president of the court (which he happened to be that day) with great suspense. Meanwhile he appeared to be in unusual disorder

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and agitation of mind, his colour changed often; at length he arose from his seat, and coming down from the bench, placed himself just by the unfortunate man at the bar, to the no small astonishment of all present. You see before you,' said he, addressing himself to those who had sat on the bench with him, 'a striking instance of the just awards of Heaven, which this day, after thirty years concealment, presents to you a greater criminal than the man just now found guilty.' Then he made an ample confession of his guilt, and of all its aggravations. Nor can I feel,' continued he, any relief from the agonies of an awakened conscience, but by requiring that justice be forthwith done against me in the most public and solemn manner. Fordyce.

HEROIC INSTANCE OF FORGIVENESS OF INJURIES.

AT the siege of Namur by the allies, there were in the ranks of the company commanded by captain Pincent, in colonel Frederick Hamilton's regiment, one Unnion a corporal, and one Valentine a private sentinel: there happened between these two men a dispute about an affair of love, which, upon some aggravations, grew to an irreconcileable hatred. Unnion, being the officer of Valentine, took all opportunities even to strike his rival, and profess the spite and revenge which moved him to it. The sentinel bore it without resistance; but frequently said, he would die to be revenged of that tyrant. They had spent whole months in this manner, the one injuring, the other complaining; when, in the midst of this rage towards each other, they were commanded upon the attack of the

castle, where the corporal received a shot in the thigh, and fell; the French pressing on, and he expecting to be trampled to death, called out to his enemy, 'Ah, Valentine! can you leave me here ? Valentine immediately ran back, and, in the midst of a thick fire of the French, took the corporal upon his back, and brought him through all that danger as far as the abbey of Salsine, where a cannon ball took off his head his body fell under his enemy whom he was carrying off. Unnion immediately forgot his wound, rose up, tearing his hair, and then threw himself upon the bleeding carcase, crying, 'Ah, Valentine! was it for me, who have so barbarously used thee, that thou hast died? I will not live after thee.' He was not by any means to be forced from the body, but was removed with it bleeding in his arms, and attended with tears by all their comrades who knew their enmity. When he was brought to a tent, his wounds were dressed by force; but the next day still calling upon Valentine, and lamenting his cruelties to him, he died in the pangs of remorse.

Steele.

GOOD-NATURED CREDULITY.

A CHALDEAN peasant was conducting a goat to the city of Bagdat. He was mounted on an ass, and the goat followed him, with a bell suspended from his neck. I shall sell these animals,' said he to himself, for thirty pieces of silver; and with this money I can purchase a new turban, and a rich vestment of taffety, which I will tie with a

sash of purple silk. The young damsels will then smile more favourably upon me; and I shall be the finest man at the Mosque.' Whilst the peasant was thus anticipating in idea his future enjoyments, three artful rogues concerted a stratagem to plunder him of his present treasures. As he moved slowly along, one of them slipped off the bell from the neck of the goat, and, fastening it, without being perceived, to the tail of the ass, carried away his booty. The man riding upon the ass, and hearing the sound of the bell, continued to muse, without the least suspicion of the loss which he had sustained. Happening however, a short while afterwards, to turn about his head, he discovered, with grief and astonishment, that the animal was gone, which constituted so considerable a part of his riches and he inquired, with the utmost anxiety, after his goat, of every traveller whom he

met.

The second rogue now accosted him, and said, 'I have just seen in yonder fields, a man in great haste, dragging along with him a goat.' The peasant dismounted with precipitation, and requested the obliging stranger to hold his ass, that he might lose no time in overtaking the thief. He instantly began the pursuit, and having traversed, in vain, the course that was pointed out to him, he came back fatigued and breathless to the place from whence he set out; where he neither found his ass, nor the deceitful informer, to whose care he had entrusted him. As he walked pensively onwards, overwhelmed with shame, vexation, and disappointment, his attention was roused by the loud complaints and lamentations of a poor man,

He turned out of

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who sat by the side of a well. the way to sympathize with a brother in affliction, recounted his own misfortunes, and inquired the cause of that violent sorrow, which seemed to oppress him. Alas!' said the poor man, in the most piteous tone of voice, as I was resting here to drink, I dropped into the water a casket full of diamonds, which I was employed to carry to the caliph at Bagdat; and I shall be put to death on the suspicion of having secreted so valuable a treasure. Why do not you jump into the well in search of the casket?' cried the peasant, astonished at the stupidity of his new acquaintance. Because it is deep,' replied the man, and I can neither dive nor swim. But will you undertake this kind office for me, and I will reward you with thirty pieces of silver? The peasant accepted the offer with exultation, and whilst he was putting off his cassock, vest, and slippers, poured out his soul in thanksgivings to the holy prophet, for this providential succour. But the moment he plunged into the water, in search of the pretended casket, the man (who was one of the three rogues that had concerted the plan of robbing him) seized upon his garments, and bore them off in security to his comrades.

Thus, through inattention, simplicity, and credulity, was the unfortunate Chaldean duped of all his little possessions; and he hastened back to his cottage, with no other covering for his nakedness, than a tattered garment which he borrowed on the road.

Percival,