a stone thrown by William hit him directly on one of his eyes. 25. The fright and pain together made Harry drop the gun, which went off, and in a moment both gardens resounded with the most dismal shrieks and lamentations.. 26. Harry had received a blow in the eye with a stone, and the whole charge of the gun had entered William's leg. The sad consequences of which were, the one lost his eye, and the other a leg. 27. Richard could not help pitying poor William and Harry for their terrible misfortune, and Mr. Stevenson did not blame his son for his tenderness. 28. "It is true, (said he) they were much to be pitied, and their parents still more, for having such vicious and disobedient children. Yet it is probable, if God had not early punished these boys, they might have continued their mischiev ous practices, as often as they found themselves alone; but by this misfortune they learned that God could find ways to punish any wickedness, which was done in secret. 29. This had the desired effect, as both of them ever after left off all kinds of mischief, and became wise and prudent young men." 30. Richard was very much struck with this story, and said he hoped he should never lose either a leg or an eye, by such imprudent conduct. This interesting conversation was interrupted by their arrival at their own house, when Richard hastened to find his brothers and sisters, to make them a present of some of his fine pears, and to tell them the adventures of his walk, and the history of William and Har ry. CLEOPATRA, OR THE REFORMED 1. A pert little hussy, whose name was Cleopatra, was continually teazing and commanding her poor brother. "So you will not do what I bid you, Mr. Obstinacy! (she would often say to him,) Come, come, sir, obey, or it shall be the worse for you.” 2. If Cleopatra's word might be taken for it, her brother did every thing wrong, but on the contrary, whatever she thought of doing, was the master-piece of reason and sound sense. If he proposed any kind of diversion, she was sure to call it dull and insipid, but it often happened, that she herself would, the next day recommend the same thing; and having forgotten what she said of it before, considered it as the most lively and entertaining. 3. Her brother was obliged to submit to her unaccountable whims and fancies, or, else endure the most disagreeable lectures, which a little female tongue could utter. If ever he presumed to be so hardy as to reason with her on her strange conduct, instant destruction to his play things was the inevitable consequence of it. 4. Her parents with regret saw this strange and tyrannical disposition of their daughter, and in vain did every thing they could think of to break her of it. Her mother, in particular, continually reminded her that such children never procured the esteem of others; and that a girl, who set up her own opinion against that of every one else, would soon become intolerable and insupportable to all her acquaintance. 5. This prudent advice, however, made no impression on her stubborn heart; and her brother, wearied out by her caprice and tyranny, began to have very little affection for her. 6. It one day happened that a gentleman of a free and open temper dined at their house. He could not help observing, with what a haughty air she treated her poor brother, and, indeed, every other person in the room. 7. At first the rules of politeness kept him from saying any thing; but at last, tired out with her impertinence, he began addressing his discourse to her mamma, in the following man ner. 8. "I was lately in France, and as I was fond of being present at the soldiers' exercise, I used to go as often as I could, to see their manoeuvres on the parade, nearly in the same manner as they do in this country. 9. "Among the soldiers, there were many I observed with whiskers, which gave them a very fierce and soldier-like look. Now, had I a child like your Cleopatra, I would instantly give her a soldier's uniform, and put on her a pair of whiskers, when she might, with rather mere propriety, than at present, act the part of a commander." 10. Cleopatra heard this, and stood covered with confusion! She could not help blushing, and was unable to conceal her tears. However, this reproach perfectly reformed her, and she became fully sensible of the impropriety of a tyrannizing temper. 11. It has been observed, that to be sensible of our errors, is half the work of reformation. So it happened with Cleopatra, who, with the assistance of her mother's prudent counsels, became a modest and amiable girl. 12. Her reformation was a great credit to her; and it is much to be wished, that all young ladies, who take no pains to conquer their passions, would at least imitate Cleopatra, and wish to avoid being told, or having it thought, that a soldier's dress, and a pair of whiskers would better become them, than decent female apparel. 13. Had Cleopatra attended to the advice of her parents, and not have imagined that greatness consisted in impertinence, she would have been happy much sooner than she was. 14. And now I will tell you how another little girl, who had contracted bad habits, was cured by a looking-glass. 15. There was a little stubborn dame, Ther At trifles oft she'd scold and fret, But both were vain, for every course A looking-glass was straight suspended, That it might show her how deform'd She look'd, and frightful, when she storm'd; And warn her, as she priz'd her beauty, To bend her humour to her duty. 19. All this the looking-glass achiev'd Its threats were minded and believ'd, The maid, who spurn'd at all advice, Grew tame and gentle in a trice : So when all other means had fail'd, The silent monitor prevail'd. CRAZY SAMUEL. 1. In the city of Bristol lived a crazy person whose name was Samuel Whenever he went |