ed alike by their talents and their vices, it is especially profitable to observe the gradual steps by which they arrived at the height, or rather the depth of their notoriety. There was a time when Nero appeared amiable and hu

mane.

Let us not, therefore, conclude, that we shall never be guilty of a crime, because we now shrink from the thought of it; but rather, if we find that we have not resolution to resist the small temptations of the present moment, let us remember that we are in the high road to vice, although as yet but at its commencement. It is presumption and ignorance of ourselves to imagine, that the power of resistance will increase with the strength of temptation. By such self-deception some once promising characters have become the tyrants and scourges of society: from their examples we should learn, "when we think we stand, to take heed lest we fall."

LESSON XCIII.

Benjamin Franklin.-JUVENILE MISCELLANY.

FEW individuals have been as useful to mankind as Benjamin Franklin; and very few, even in this happy land, where the path to honourable distinction is ever open to talents, industry, and integrity, have experienced a greater reverse of fortune.-In very early life, he served as apprentice to a tallow chandler; but he soon found that cutting wicks, and filling moulds, would never satisfy his strong and inquisitive mind. He had a great predilection for a sailor's life. He was eager to see mankind under all the variety of appearances, which manners, habits, and costume have given them. A spirit of enterprise was the first trait of character which developed itself very strongly.

He read, with eagerness, accounts of cabin boys, who had become admirals; of chimney-sweepers converted into mayors of London; of scholars, poor and secluded in early life, whose names had gone down to posterity, followed by a long wake of glory; and of rustic clerks, who by some fortunate venture at sea had amassed a splendid fortune. Had his father encouraged his propensity for a

sea-faring life, he probably would have been an industrious sailor, a skilful pilot and an economical and judicious captain. Luckily for him, however, Mr. Franklin thought best to thwart his boyish inclinations; and he lived to show all these qualities in the character of a philosopher and statesman.

The avidity with which he read all the books that came in his way, induced his father to bind him as apprentice to an elder son, who was then a printer in Boston. In this trade, he made a rapid proficiency, and was soon very useful to his brother; unfortunately, however, they could not agree together. Benjamin had published some verses, &c. in his brother's newspaper, which met with considerable praise. This flattered his youthful vanity; and according to his own account of their disagreement, he was as much to blame for forwardness and self-importance, as his brother was for severity. Whatever might be the causes of complaint, they became so irksome to him, that he absconded from Boston, and offered himself as a journeyman printer in Philadelphia.

The account of his first visit to that city, affords a striking contrast to his success in after life. "I was," says he, "in my working dress, which was covered with dirt, and my pockets were stuffed with shirts and stockings." Fatigued and hungry, with very little money in his purse, he roamed along the streets, until he met a child with a loaf of bread. He eagerly inquired where it was bought; and having the baker's pointed out to him, he purchased three large rolls which he devoured as he walked along through the principal streets. After this refreshment, he followed a crowd of well dressed people, who were all going the same way,-and very soon found himself in the interior of a Quaker meeting-house. It happened to be one of the Friends' silent meetings; and Mr. Franklin soon fell into a profound sleep.

Such was his first introduction to the city of Philadelphia; where his shrewdness, and talent for business, soon made him a distinguished citizen. The great cause of Doctor Franklin's rise in the world was his habits of close observation upon men and things. His attention was always wide awake,—always interested in what was around him. This led him to invent his metallic kite, with silken cords, to draw lightning down from the heavens; this led

him to apply his knowledge to a practical use, by the introduction of lightning rods; and to this we owe the sententious wisdom, which every where pervades his writings.

Perhaps economy was a still more striking trait of his character than shrewd discrimination. Every child has read the story of the dear-bought whistle; and most children have probably figured to themselves how Benja min Franklin looked, when he went home piping in the merriment of his heart, and thinking how his brothers and sisters would envy him the noisy play-thing,-and then his look of disappointment and vexation when every one in the house laughed at his purchase, and told him he had paid too dear for his whistle." This lesson seems to have made a deep impression upon him; for economy was the spirit breathed from all his actions, and all his writings.

He was frugal in his own expenses; frugal in his system of politics; and frugal even in his words. Thus instead of saying that it is difficult for a man deeply in debt to be independent in his integrity, and to avoid flattering the rich, he says with peculiar brevity, "It is hard for an empty bag to stand upright." Yet his economy seems to have had no tinge of meanness. He was always willing to lend money to those who were entering life destitute; and when these people were able and willing to pay him, he would often say, "Lend it to the first poor tradesman you find, who is industrious and honest; and tell him to lend it to another, as soon as he is able to spare it. In this way, with a small sum of money, I shall do good to the end of time."

This extraordinary man was born in Boston, in a house which formerly stood where the Commission Ware House, in Milk street, now stands; and he always said that he owed his thirst for knowledge entirely to the good education he received from the free grammar schools of that intelligent city. It was Doctor Franklin's misfortune, to have associated in early life, with some unprincipled characters, and to have read pernicious books. It is impossible to go through the temptations of life, with any degree of safety, without the protection of religious principle. Hence, we find this learned man bitterly regretting, in his old age, the errors of his misguided youth. Let this teach

the young, that they cannot be too careful in the choice of their companions, and their books.

And, if the laugh of the gay and fashionable, should ever make industry and economy appear like contemptible virtues; let them remember that Benjamin Franklin, a poor hard-working mechanic, became by means of these very virtues, a philosopher, whose discoveries were useful and celebrated throughout Europe. If they grow weary of application and despise frugality; let them think of a dirty printer boy, eating his roll of dry bread, in the streets of Philadelphia, afterwards Ambassador to the Court of France; welcomed to the most splendid Parisian saloons; and his grey hairs crowned with a wreath of laurel, by the young and fair of that enthusiastic nation.

LESSON XCIV.

Character of Lindley Murray.-MEMOIRS OF MURRAY.

MR. Murray seems to have been raised up by Providence, for peculiar purposes, to do good in the world, and to exhibit a beautiful specimen of a Christian character. His endowments, both moral and intellectual, were of a superior order. Few men have left behind them a higher character for wisdom, piety, and benevolence.

Good sense and sound judgment were the predominating qualities of his mind. He took a large, comprehensive, and accurate view of the objects presented to his mental eye; and he discerned, clearly and readily, which of those objects were to be preferred and pursued. His apprehension was quick, his memory retentive, and his taste delicate and refined. There did not appear in any of the faculties of his mind, either exuberance or deficiency. Their general harmony, as well as strength, constituted the distinguishing excellence of his intellectual character.

To the appellation of a man of genius, he has an undoubted claim; if true genius signifies, according to the definition of a celebrated author, "a mind of large, general powers, accidentally," or rather providentially, "determined to some particular direction." The strength of

his intellect, and the habit of close, vigorous application which he acquired early in life, enabled him, at will, to collect his thoughts, and to fix them wholly, and for a sufficient length of time, on any subject under his consideration. Hence, whatever he did, was well done, and with comparative ease.

And hence too, he would have excelled in every pursuit in which he had engaged, or on whatever subject to which he had turned his attention. His grammatical works have obtained so much celebrity, and they exhibit so high a degree of excellence, that it might not unreasonably be supposed, grammar was the principal study of his life; but it did not particularly engage his attention, until a short time previous to the publication of his first work on that subject.

Before he began any literary work, or engaged in any undertaking, he considered what was useful, practicable, and excellent. His imagination did not bewilder him with a diversity of plans and views. A few obvious and judicious means of accomplishing the end proposed, immediately presented themselves to his mind. These he considered with attention; selected from them what he thought best; and then proceeded to action, without any agitating hope of success, or fear of failure.

He pursued a strait forward path; not unnecessarily retracing his steps, nor wasting his powers in idle wanderings, or useless cogitations. He formed a grand outline of what he proposed, from which he seldom deviated: then he filled up all the parts successively; overcoming the difficulties as they occurred, and, on no account, suffering them to accumulate. He never undertook any thing to which he was not more than equal; and he seldom relinquished any thing which he had undertaken.

LESSON XCV.

Character of Washington.-AMES.

THERE has scarcely appeared a really great man, whose character has been more admired in his life time, or less correctly understood by his admirers. When it is com