that was well-built and water-tight; neither was it the masts, they were straight, strong, and of the best materials; the rigging was good in every respect, and the sails, bellying with the wind, excited universal admiration. It was, at length, observed, that some tons of sand, apparently of no use, were stowed in the bottom of the vessel, and all agreed that it must be the sand which impeded their progress. They set to work immediately, and in a short time the sand was thrown into the sea. Scarcely had they ended their labour when a storm arose, and the vessel, first on one side and then on the other, rolled about on the waves. Their rigging torn, their sails rent, and their masts broken, they saw their mistake, and would gladly have given the whole of their cargo for the sand which they had imprudently cast into the sea; but it was too late: deprived of her ballast, the vessel, having tossed about for some time, turned bottom upwards, and the whole of the crew perished in the waves.

MORAL.

In all their troubles the wise reflect whether their trials are such as can be safely and advantageously removed, being willing rather to endure temporary annoyances, than to plunge themselves, by rash remedies, into deeper calamities.

S

A PASSING SUGGESTION.

OLD Humphrey has been a tramper in his day: many a weary mile has he trudged along the highways and byways of life, and he ought therefore to think of his sore-footed and weary-limbed fellow pilgrims.

Often and often, when exhausted with fatigue, does the traveller look around for a comfortable resting-place, without finding one. Now, never are we so sensible of a favour as when it is conferred at a season when we most require it: this sentiment, common-place as it may be, might be turned to a national advantage.

If stone benches were to be erected on the turnpike and other roads, a few miles asunder, throughout the kingdom, it would much accommodate the toil-worn traveller, and strengthen the ties which bind Englishmen to their native land. The celebrated Mirabeau, when he visited London, burst into an exclamation of pleasure while he regarded the pavements of broad flat stones, and expressed his joy at being in a country where the comfort of those who were

obliged to walk was considered. Now, would not such erections as those before alluded to, be a source of accommodation and comfort to the poor, and would not they deservedly excite the approbation of foreigners? We have national pillars, and obelisks, and statues erected, which call forth the admiration of the intellectual part of mankind, and why should we not have national resting places to call forth the thankfulness of the poor ? A milestone is an erection that gives comfort to many a dejected spirit, and a resting-place would do the same.

Oh that I could persuade some one with a warm heart and a long purse, to set the thing going, that the sore-footed, heat-oppressed soldier and sailor might have a resting-place when tramping to their friends, and the worn and the weary traveller be comforted and refreshed!

A SKETCH IN A HIGH WIND.

"FAITHFUL TO A FAULT."

HERE am I sitting in my study while the wind is blowing a perfect hurricane, and the rain descending one minute in a shower, and another almost in a torrent. Oh the delight of a dry, warm, snug habitation! Seasons such as this make us sensible of our comforts, and the heart counts over treasures, which, at other times, are disregarded.

What a hubbub and commotion there appears to be abroad! The smoke from the houses flies swiftly on the wings of the wind, and the cowls at the tops of the chimneys are rapidly turning backwards and forwards. The sumach tree is writhing about, turning up the light underside of its glossy green leaves, and twisting to and fro, as if in a state of torment. The variegated holly, too short and stiff to wave, trembles as if with passion. The lilac bends, backwards and forwards, all together. The poplars give way to the blast; and the graceful laburnums lash each other with

with rage.

their long, slender branches, as though maddened The tall hollyhocks are broken short off near the root, and the sun-flowers, with all the humiliation of faded grandeur, lie prostrate on the ground. Shrubs and flowers which lately were watched and watered with pleasure, are now destroyed, and will soon be forgotten. Even so will it be with us also!

"The world is gay and fair to us, as now we journey on, Yet still in little space 'twill be the same when we are

gone.

Some few, perchance, may mourn for us, but soon the transient gloom,

Like shadows of the summer cloud, shall leave our narrow tomb."

Well! well! we won't make ourselves unhappy about that. Whether our friends mourn for us, or not, if we get safe through the "golden gates," we shall have right little cause for mourning among ourselves.

The storm continues, and sweeps along the turnpike road. Most of the carmen and wagoners have thrown bags across their shoulders, while the manes and tails of their horses are ruefully ruffled by the sudden gusts which toss them to and fro. There is an old man forced along, the loose collar of his blue great coat blown up