procured a silver medal, and suspended it at his desk, in sight of the school, with the annunciation that, at the end of the term, it should be the prize of the scholar who should excel. A spirit of eager rivalry was awakened in the school-all strived assiduously to gain the glittering reward. But the eye of memory rests particularly upon two lads, of nearly an equal age, who bore the most prominent part in this intellectual strife. The disparity in their circumstances was striking. The one, the son of a man of wealth and high standing, was promised additional rewards by his relatives did he secure the prize. The father of the other was poor-all he possessed was honesty and industry and to the son no other inducement could be held out, than the prize itself and the honor of obtaining it. And this was sufficient to fire his ambition. The son of poverty formed a fixed determination that the medal should be his. He applied himself to study with the most indomitable perseverance—nothing could divert his attention or thwart his purpose. His efforts resulted in complete success, his industry and perseverance met their certain reward. He was crowned victor; and with the blushes of boyhood received the envied reward! In this instance, perseverance accomplished, what wealth could not. Let us trace the history of these lads a little farther. After living side by side, engaged in the same sports and amusements, a few years after the incident above related, they parted. The son of the man of wealth entered higher seminaries, to obtain the advantages of a more extended education; while the other was put to a mechanical occupation. It was then that the latter first felt with force the disparity of the gifts of fortune-first sensibly realized the evils of poverty. While he was engaged in laborious business as a means of subsistence, his early compan ion was expanding his mind with the lights of literature and science, with every prospect of occupying a station in life as superior to the other as were his advantages. But the poor lad, notwithstanding his adverse circumstances, was not disposed to remain in obscurity. He firmly resolved to make every exertion in his power, to rise above the disadvantages of birth and indigence. He summoned Industry and Perseverance to be his handmaids in the career he had marked out and determined to pursue. Every effort was put forth - every means of improvement within his reach was diligently used and every possible advantage secured. Nor were his efforts unavailing. Success, beyond his most sanguine expectations, attended him, and now at the penning of these lines he occupies a station in one of the most enlightened communities in the world, which, while requiring far more talent, is as elevated, as respectable, and honor able, as that filled by the wealthy companion of his childhood. These circumstances are not narrated to cast any disparagement upon the latter. His course thus far in life has been prosperous and honorable. He occupies a station, which none can obtain but those well skilled in his profession. But they are adverted to, solely to convince young men, that enlightened perseverance can overcome almost every obstacle in an honorable career. ECONOMY. WHEREIN is economy to be practised? is the question which first arises in the mind, when seriously exercised on this subject. We will endeavor to an swer it. Attire should be com 1. In dress. fortable and decent. It should be com No per fortable, having regard to the climate and the season of the year. son, in the exercise of judgment, would wear the same clothing in all respects in the torrid, that he would in the frigid zone; in summer, that he would in winter. Reason dictates the suitableness of different apparel. Yet some are so regardless of propriety, or so improvident, that they seem to reverse this order of nature. Their clothing is unsuitable and unbecoming, and discovers great deficiency in judgment and taste. Attire too should be decent, neither so costly, mean, nor singular, as to attract attention. Habiliments may be so ordinary as to cast contempt upon him who wears them, and they may be so expensive as to produce the same unpleasant effect. The coarsest and the finest cloth is less durable than that of a medium quality. The latter, therefore, should be preferred. While some persons are so fond of costly dress as to have their minds engrossed with it, |