and suspending a large stone round his neck, threw him into the nearest canal. With the booty he had thus gained, the servant set 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; at first in a very humble way, that his obscurity might screen him from observation; and in the course of many years, seemed, by the natural progress of business, to rise 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 was admitted into a share of the government of the town. He 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 governor and judge; until one day as he presided 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 fully; the jury brought in their verdict that the prisoner was guilty, and the whole assembly waited the sentence of the president of the court with great suspense. 66 The president appeared to be in unusual disorder and agitation of mind; his color changed often; at length he arose from his seat, and descending from the bench, placed himself close to 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 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. He then made a full confession of his guilt, and of all its aggravations. "Nor can I feel," continued he, " any relief from the agonies of an awakened conscience, دو but by requiring that justice be forthwith done against me in the most public and solemn manner. We may easily suppose the amazement of all the assembly, and especially of his fellow judges. However, they proceeded upon his confession to pass sentence upon him, and he died with all the symptoms of a penitent mind. LESSON SIXTY-NINTH. Shepherd and Philosopher. Remote from cities lived a swain, I ne'er the paths of learning tried: Can grave and formal pass for wise, Kites, hawks, and wolves, deserve their fe. LESSON SEVENTIETH. Pizarro and the Inca of Peru. It happened that just at the time of the arrival of Pizarro and Almagro in Peru, the inhabitants of the country were at war with each other. Two brothers were contesting the right of succession to the government of the country; and one of the two, whose name was Atahualpa, solicited the Spaniards to assist him in gaining his end. Pizarro saw what advantage this would give him. He pretended to be sent from a distance, on purpose to assist Atahualpa in overcoming his enemies, and marched directly to join him. Every thing the Spaniards saw, contributed to give them a high idea of the riches of the country, and to inflame their avarice; and Pizarro, who recollected how much Cortes had gained by seizing Montezuma, formed a plan of the same kind, for getting the person of Atanualpa into his possession. He resolved that the next day, when he had invited this prince to visit him, he would put his scheme, if possible, into exe cution. The monarch, or Inca, (as he was called,) made great preparations for his visit to the Spaniards. Pizarro grew so impatient, that he sent him several messages, to assure him of his friendly intentions; at the same time, arranging his soldiers in such a manner as seemed most likely to secure his success. At length the Inca came. Four hundred men, in a uniform dress, walked first, in procession, to clear the way before him. He himself appeared, sitting on a throne, or couch, almost covered with plates of gold and silver, and precious stones. He was followed by his officers and troops, in all amounting, it was supposed, to 60,000 men. As he drew nigh, a Spanish priest advanced, and read to the poor prince a long account of the doctrines of religion, and informed him that the pope had given the kingdom of Peru to the Spaniards, who were come to take possession of it; promising, that if he submitted to them, and embraced the Christian faith, he should be treated with kindness, and enjoy their favor and protection; but if not, he denounced war against him, and threatened him with the most dreadful vengeance. The Inca, very much surprised at all this, which was imperfectly interpreted to him, at last answered, that he did not understand what right the pope, of whom he knew nothing, had to give away his king dom; that he had been brought up in the religion of Peru, and as yet had seen no reason for changing it; but he begged to know where the priest had learned all he told him. "From this book," said the priest, holding out his prayer book to him. The Inca eagerly took the book, |