form its magic power. An astute writer has well observed, that "ambition makes the same mistake concerning power, that avarice makes relative to wealth." The ambitious man begins, by accumulating it as the desideratum of happiness, and ends his career in the midst of exertions to obtain more. So ended the onward and upward career of Napoleon-his life, a modern wonder-his fate, a fearful warning-his death, a scene of gloom. Power is gained as a means of enjoyment, but oftener than otherwise, is its fell destroyer. Like the viper in the fable, it is prone to sting those who warm it into life. History fully demonstrates these propositions. Hyder Ali was in the habit of starting frightfully in his sleep. His confidential friend and attendant asked the reason. He replied, "My friend, the state of a beggar is more delightful than my envied monarchy-awake, he sees no conspirators-asleep, he dreams of no assassins." Ambition, like the gold of the miser, is the sepulchre of all the other passions of the man. It is the grand centre around which they move, with centripetal force. Its history is one of carnage and blood-it is the bane of substantial goodit endangers body and soul, for time and eternity. Reader, if you desire peace of mind, shun ambition. and the ambitious man. He will use you as some men do their horses, ride you all day without food, and give you post meat for supper. He will gladly make a bridge of you, on which to walk into power, provided he can pass toll free. Let your aim be more lofty than the highest pinnacle ambition can rear. Nothing is pure but heaven, let that be the prize you seek,

"And taste and prove in that transporting sight,

Joy without sorrow, without darkness-light."

ANGER.

It doth appal me

To see your anger, like our Adrian waves,

O'er sweep all bounds, and foam itself to air.-Byron.

Those hearts that start at once into a blaze,

And open all their rage, like summer storms,

At once discharg'd, grow cool again, and calm.-Johnson.

BYRON seems to have viewed anger with contemptJohnson, with compassion. The latter is right, and the former not far wrong. It is folly not to control our anger and keep it in subjection-long indulgence gives it a mastery over us-it then becomes a confirmed disease, and calls for our pity. It is one of the misfortunes of our fallen nature, and can best be disarmed by kindness. The bee seldom stings the hand that is covered with honey-the cross dog can be appeased with a piece of meat, the angry man is soonest cooled by gentleness. Anger is a species of momentary insanity-all humane persons treat the unfortunate subjects of this disease, tenderly, as the best means of restoring them to their right mind.

When anger comes in contact with anger, it is like the meeting of two fires-the conflagration and damage are increased. As water extinguishes the one, so will gentleness the other. A soft answer turneth away wrath. Be angry and sin not. By these remarks, I do not become the apologist of those who indulge this inflammable, explosive propensity-the treatment of the disease is my object. The patient who has long been afflicted, may do much towards effecting his own cure-at first, the malady was under his control. An ounce of pre

vention then, was worth more than a pound of cure, after the habit is fixed. The disadvantages arising from anger, under all circumstances, should prove a panacea for the complaint. In moments of cool reflection, the man who indulges it, views, with deep regret, the desolations produced by a summer storm of passion. Friendship, domestic happiness, self-respect, the esteem of others, and sometimes property; are swept away by a whirlwind-perhaps a tornado of anger. I have more than once seen the furniture of a house in a mass of ruin, the work of an angry moment. I have seen anger make wives unhappy, alienate husbands, spoil children, derange all harmony, and disturb the quiet of a whole neighbourhood. Anger, like too much wine, hides us from ourselves, but exposes us to others. If the man who has, for years, been a confirmed drunkard, can form, and religiously keep, a resolution to refrain from the fatal poison, the man who has often been intoxicated with anger, should go and do likewise. He can but try-the effort may be crowned with triumphant success.

APOTHEGMS.

SELECT AND ORIGINAL.

A SAGE and poor shepherd looked for truth. The former sought her among the stars, the latter found her at his feet.

Life, to youth, is a fairy tale just opened; to old age, a tale read through, ending in death. Be wise in time, that you may be happy in eternity.

Happiness, like a snail, is never found from home, nor without a home.

The rose is sweetest when it first opens; the spikenard root, when the herb dies. Beauty belongs to youth, and dies with it, but the odour of piety survives death, and perfumes the tomb.

Never be cast down by trifles. If a spider breaks his thread twenty times in a day, he patiently mends it each time. Make up your mind to do a good thing, it will be done. Fear not troubles, keep up your spirits, the darkness will pass away. If the sun is going down, look at the stars; if they are hid by clouds, still look up to heaven, rely upon the promises of God, and be cheerful. Never yield to misfortunes. Mind what you run after; avoid bubbles that will burst, and fire-works that end in smoke; get that which is worth keeping, and can be kept.

Fight against a hasty temper; a spark may set a house on fire; a fit of passion may cause you to mourn long and bitterly. Govern your passions, or they will govern you. Conquer your enemies by kindness, preserve your friends by prudence, deserve the esteem of all by goodness.

The road ambition travels, is too narrow for friendship, too crooked for love, too rugged for honesty, too dark for science, and too hilly for happiness.

Evil thoughts are dangerous enemies, and should be repulsed at the threshold of our minds. Fill the head and heart with good thoughts, that there be no room for bad ones.

Drinking water, neither makes a man sick nor in debt, or his wife a widow. Prosperity gains a thousand intimates, adversity often shows us that not one

of them is a real friend.

green flies of society.

Sunshine friends are the

Instruction by precept is tedious, by example, more effectual and short.

Life consists not in mere existence, but in spending our time in doing good here, that we may be forever happy hereafter.

Take special care what, and to whom you speak of any individual.

Fools and obstinate people make lawyers rich; the wise keep out of the law labyrinth.

Help yourself and heaven will help you; every man is the architect of his own fortune.

AVARICE.

O cursed lust of gold, when for thy sake,
The fool throws up his interest in both worlds,

First starv'd in this-then damn'd in that to come.-Blair.

A JUDICIOUS Writer has well remarked, that avarice is the father of more children than Priam, and, like him, survives them all. It is a paradoxical propensity-a species of heterogeneous insanity. The miser starves himself, knowing that those who wish him dead, will fatten on his hoarded gains. He submits to more torture to lose heaven, than the martyr does to gain it. He serves the worst of tyrannical masters, more faithfully than most Christians do the best, whose yoke is easy and burden light. He worships this world, but repudiates all its pleasures. He endures all the miseries of poverty through life, that he may die in the midst of wealth. He is the mere turnkey of his