tersected the fields, and country seats and cottages scattered here and there.

34. So grand a prospect could not fail of delighting them, and they danced about for joy : while poor Caroline found herself obliged to remain below, overwhelmed with sorrow, at not being able to get up the hill.

35. In such a situation, she had leisure enough to make the most serious reflections. "To what purpose (said she to herself) am I dressed in these fine clothes? Of what a deal of pleasure do they debar me, and do not all my present sufferings arise merely from the possession of them ?"

36. She was giving up her mind to these distressing thoughts, when she suddenly saw her friends come running down the hill, and all crying out together, as they passed her, "Run, run, Caroline! there is a terrible storm behind the hill, and it is coming towards us! if not make haste, your fine silk slip will be nicely soused!"

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37. The fear of having her slip spoiled, recalled her strength; for she forgot her weariness, pinched feet, and tight laced waist, and made all the haste she could to get under co

ver.

33. In spite of all her efforts, however, she could not run so fast as her companions, who were not incommoded by their dresses.

39. Every moment produced some obstacle to her speed at one time, by her hoop and flounces, in the narrow paths she had to pass through: at another by her train, of which the furzes fre

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quently took hold and at others, by the fine scaffold work about her head, on which the wind beat down the branches of such trees as she was obliged to pass under, in her progress home.

40. At last, down came the storm with great fury, and hail and rain mixed together, fell in torrents. All her companions were safe at home before it began, and none were exposed to its rage but poor Caroline, who indeed got home at last, but in a most disastrous condition.

41. She had left one of her fine shoes behind her in a large mudhole, which, in her precipitate flight, she had hurried over without observing it. And to fill up the measure of her misfortunes, just as she had got over the meadow, a sudden gust of wind made free with her hat, and blew it into a pond of stagnated and filthy wa

ter.

42. So completely soaked was every thing she had on, and the heat and rain had so glued her linen to her, that it was with some difficulty they got her undressed as to her silk slip, it indeed afforded a miserable spectacle of fallen pride and vanity.

43. Her mother seeing her in tears, jocosely said to her," My dear, shall I have another slip made for you against to-morrow ?""Oh no, mamma, (answered Caroline, kissing her,) I am perfectly convinced from experience, that fine clothes cannot add to the happiness of the wearer. Let me again have my nice white frock and plain shoes, and I will no more be so foolish and vain.

44. Caroline soon appeared in her former dress, and with it she recovered her usual ease and freedom, and looked more modest and pleasing than she ever did in her gaudy finery. And her mamma did not regret the loss which she had sustained, since it was the means of bringing her daughter back to reason and prudence.

THE PEASANT AND THE ROGUES.

1. A Chaldean peasant was conducting a goat to the city of Bagdat. He was mounted on an ass, and the goat followed him with a bell suspended from his neck. "I shall sell these animals," said he to himself, "for thirty pieces of silver; and with this money I can purchase a new turban, and a rich vestment of taffety, which I will tie with a sash of purple silk. I shall then be the finest man at the mosque.'

2. While the peasant was thus pleasing himself with his future enjoyments, three artful rogues contrived a stratagem to plunder him of his present treasures. They agreed together what part each of them should act, and then set themselves to accomplish their fraudulent design.

3. As the peasant moved slowly along, one of them slipped off the bell from the neck of the goat; and fastening it without being perceived, to the tail of the ass, carried away his booty. The man riding upon the ass, and hearing the

sound of the bell, continued to muse, without the least suspicion of the loss which he had sustain ed.

4. Happening, however, a short time afterwards, to turn about his head, he discovered, with grief and astonishment, that the animal was gone, which constituted so considerable a part of his riches; and he enquired, with the utmost anxiety, after his goat, of every traveller whom he

met.

5. The second rogue now came up to him, and said, "I have just seen, in yonder fields, a man in great haste, dragging along with him a goat." The peasant immediately dismounted, and requested the obliging stranger to hold his ass, that he might lose no time in overtaking the thief.

6. He instantly began the pursuit ; and having traversed in vain, the course that was pointed out to him, he came back fatigued and breathless, to the place from whence he set out; where he neither found his ass nor the deceit ful informer to whose care he had intrusted him.

7. As he walked pensively onwards, overwhelmed with shame, vexation, and disappoint. ment, he was roused by the loud complaints and lamentations of a poor man, who sat by the side of a well. He turned out of the way to sympathise with a brother in distress; rècounted his own misfortunes; and enquired the cause of that violent sorrow, which seemed to oppress him.

8. Alas! said the poor man, in the most pit

eous tone of voice, as I was resting here to drink, I dropped into the water a casket full of diamonds, which I was employed to carry to the Caliph at Bagdat; and I shall be put to death, on the suspicion of having secreted so valuable

a treasure.

9. Why do you not jump into the well, in search of the casket? cried the peasant, astonished at the stupidity of his new acquaintance. Because it is deep, replied the man, and I can neither dive nor swim: But will you undertake this kind office for me, and I will reward you with thirty pieces of silver.

10. The peasant accepted the offer with exultation; and, whilst he was putting off his cassock, vest, and slippers, poured out his heart in thanksgiving for this providential succour. I shall now repair my loss, said he, and shall do a great kindness, besides, to this poor man.

11. But the moment he plunged into the water in search of the pretended casket, the man (who was one of the three rogues that had concerted the plan of robbing him) seized upon his garments, and bore them off in security to his

comrades.

12. Thus through inattention, simplicity, and credulity, was the unfortunate Chaldean duped of all his little possessions; and he hastened back to his cottage, with no other covering for his nakedness, but a tattered garment, which he borrowed on the road.

13. This story may teach us not to trust too much to the honesty of others, especially of strangers; who may appear, indeed to be desti