that he had not very much of that—and none to spare. "His principles, then'?" He was very indignant at such a proposal. "Would he part with his talents' ?" "And be a fool' ?" said he. "Of what good should I be to my family, then`?"

15. "You have eight children, you say: people are very happy with two, or four, or even one. Suppose you give up one child. Can you part with the eldest'?"

"Impossible! He is just eleven-and so clever! He is full of talent and application. With a book in his hand, he does not know whether one speaks to him or not."

16. “Then,” said Destiny, "perhaps you could more easily part with the second."

"No, not the second-the second and third are twins, and to separate them would be to destroy both. They are twin cherries on one stalk. I can't part with two.”

17. "And what do you say to parting with the fourth`?" "A little fellow of eight! the most beautiful child—like his mother and as gentle as an angel'! He meets me every day when I come home, and flings himself into my arms. I could not be such a heartless brute'!"

18. "I don't want to press you," said Destiny. "But you have a girl. Let her go. Women are often quite useless, and a heavy weight when you have to push them on in life."

19. "Useless'! My little Mary useless'! Though she is but six, you should see her help her mother. She knows where every thing is to be found, and will run for it, and back, almost before you know you want it. And when any body is ill, how still she keeps: and how good she is. You should see how the baby loves her!"

20. "A baby, too': oh, let the baby go," said Destiny. "What'! the baby'? No doubt it cries, and keeps one awake; but my wife loves it better than all the others. Its slightest illness puts her in misery. What would become of her if it should die'!”

21. "But there remain two more. Surely you can part with them' ?"

"No, no, the dear children'! One can but just speakand the first word was my name. And the other he is the only one that is sickly: he is always holding by his mother's finger, or is carried in my arms. Besides, perhaps he will grow stronger; and then, how happy we shall be'!"

22. "Really," said Mr. Destiny, "you seem to be a very happy family, even if you are poor; and your children are great comforts to you: but, of the many things you so highly prize, you seem unwilling to part with any of them for riches!"

23. "But I should' like to be rich'," said the poor man. Other people are rich'. My neighbor, Mr. Smith, has twelve' children; yet he is very' rich.”

"Would you change with him altogether'?"

"By no means."

"Why not'!"

For example: his

24. "For many very good reasons. children are very inferior to mine. I should never be proud of them; and I could never love them as I love my own. I should like to be in his situation', but would not be willing to be himself."

25. "Well," said Destiny, "I see you are like other people. You wish to keep what you have, and to add something more. But that's not the bargain. You may have something else', but not something more."

"Then I must bear my misfortunes as I can. I see there's no help. But I begin to think I am not so badly off as I thought I was. Farewell, sir."

26. Just at this moment a lady of wealth, alightingi from her carriage, entered the door. Her footman officiously' put aside the crowd, and she came forward, richly dressed, beautiful, and graceful, with the conscious ease of one who attracted all eyes, and disappointed none. What could that favored being wish for more'? Was it possible that she could covetk any thing farther'?

27. Mr. Destiny appeared to have some such ideas as these, for he inquired, "Is there any thing, madam, for which you can form a wish'?"

"I wish to be happy'," said the lady.

"Alas!" said Destiny, "if you are not happy', who

can' be?"

"I do not come to argue the matter," said the lady; “I only state my wish'."

28. "True, madam, I beg your pardon," answered Mr. Destiny. "You seem to have every external' means of happiness; but, if you are not happy', what would you part with to be' so?"

“With every thing," said the lady, really shedding tears, and wiping her eyes with a handkerchief trimmed with lace at a guinea a yard.

29. "Then," said Destiny, "I will describe a condition -that of an esteemed acquaintance of mine-and you may have a condition like hers, and be happy. It is that of a little, plain woman, who is devotedly loved by her hus band. She has a dutiful son, although he is rather dull; but she does not perceive it. She reads a good book on Sundays; she has some pleasure in putting on her silk gown, and a great deal in friendly gossip; she is busy all day, and sleeps all night; she murmurs an old song, and is truly happy."

30. "It is all very well," said the lady, interrupting him; "but it is not possible that I could be happy under those circumstances."

"Only she is happy," said Destiny; "and the bargain is that you shall be happy, if you will consent to take a condition like hers."

31. "Better be miserable than be so ignorantly happy," said the lady, suddenly rising. "I prefer my present condition to such a change."

"Just as you please," said Destiny. And, with a graceful and gracious bend of the head, she rustled through the shop, and, entering her elegant carriage, drove off.

32. There were many more applicants who came with their wishes; but few of them were willing to part with what they had, for what they so much coveted; and most of those who came to terms, seemed to me to make very poor bargains.

33. One good-looking young fellow's wish was to marry an heiress. Mr. Destiny was rather hard upon him. "It is all fair that you should marry an heiress,” said he; "and, if your wife has only money, what will you give?"

34. "Will you give up her beauty'?" "Yes." "Sense'?" "Yes." "Good temper'?" "Yes." "Your own way'?" "Oh! I'll manage to get that." "No; it is in the bargain that you shall not have it; will you give it up'?" "Well, yes; I'll give up all for money.' all for money." "You certainly deserve a very rich bride, since you lose every thing else,' said Destiny. "Have your wish, then."

35. And now, as the interest in others began to slacken, I thought I might as well express my own wishes; and, approaching Mr. Destiny, I told him that I wished for health. A long dialogue followed. I was told that I must give up half of my successful business, regain half of my time, and give that for health.

36. "Sir, I must think about it."

"Don't think too long," said he, "for fear the opportunity should pass."

"Well, I dare say you are right; and to-morrow I will let you know."

37. I reached my office, somewhat confused by what I had seen and heard. I soon returned home, and next morning, when I awoke in bed, I was in the chills of a nervous fever. Ideas raced through my brain with a rapidity which defied" my efforts to catch them. I talked, but I knew not what I said. Sometimes I cried; sometimes I laughed; and I remember but little till complete exhaustion seemed to sink me into a profound sleep, from which I awoke, and heard some one say, "He will live.” 38. And live I did. I was frightened at what had hap

H

pened. It was only the fear of losing life itself that prevailed; and I did at length take measures to exchange a portion of my wealth for health. I gave up one half of my business; I bought a horse, and took abundance of exercise. I soon got better, and was again a happy man; but, what is remarkable, although I went several times in search of " Providence Street," and "Mr. Destiny's Wishes' Shop," I never could find either. In truth, the whole now seems to me almost like a dream.

12.

[1. How is this story of "The Wishes' Shop" introduced? Describe Mr. Destiny's office, and his principle of doing business. 5. Describe the interview with the lame man. 9. With the woman who had a sick son. What trait of character is here illustrated? Describe the interview with the poor gentleman. What principles are here illustrated? (That the poor are often better off than the rich. The poor gentleman's children were his blessings-worth more to him than riches, for they brought him that happiness which riches could not bestow.) 26. Describe the interview with the lady of wealth and fashion. What moral may be deduced from this story? 32. What is said of other applicants? 33. Of the one who wished to marry an heiress? 35. Of the narrator, who wished for health?

This lesson is not an allegory, because one object is not described in such a manner as to represent another. Wherein does it differ, in character, from the "Story of Tip-top," and the "Valley of Tears?" It is a picture of human life-a supposed dream-but each story in it has a moral. The whole shows that, although all have their afflictions, they are not so severe as they are often regarded; that all have their enjoyments end blessinga also, which they are very unwilling to part with; that few would exchange their conditions in life with others; and, what is unreasonable, most people are even averse to parting with wealth for the sake of health.]

LESSON LVI. •

ROLL-CALL.-N. G. SHEPHERD.

1. "CORPORAL GREEN!" the orderly cried;

"Here!" was the answer, loud and clear,
From the lips of a soldier who stood near;
And "Here!" was the word the next replied
2. "Cyrus Drew!"-then a silence fell-

This time no answer followed the call;
Only his rear-man had seen him fall,
Killed or wounded, he could not tell.