"O yes, sir," said the boy, stepping up and taking hold of the bridle. He held the horse till Mr. Bradley was ready to start, and then said, "Good night, sir," and was stepping away.

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Stop a moment," said Mr. Bradley, taking a half-crown from his pocket, "here is some money to pay you for your trouble, and I feel very grateful to you besides."

"No, sir," said the boy, drawing himself up erect, and casting his eye full in Mr. Bradley's face, “do you think I would take money for such a thing as that?"

"Ah!" said Mr. Bradley, as he related the story to me, "I saw by his noble look, that he had run from half to three quarters of a mile for the sake of doing a kindness to a stranger, and not for the hope of pay; and I could not find it in my heart to urge him to take money, for I knew that the thought of having done good, was a greater reward to him than money could have been. So I bade him good night, and he ran toward home, while I gave the whip to my horse, and again rode briskly on; but I often think of that journey of mine through Hampshire, and the noblehearted boy who lived among its hills."

LESSON LXV.

THE SCHOLAR.

THE greatest, the wisest, and best men that ever lived, were once boys. It is very common for children to feel that they can never be as great and learned and good, as the men whom they read of in books, and who have done so much for the world. But it is true, that the boys of the present day have more advantages than those who lived in former years; and it is easier now to become wise than it was when our fathers were young.

What is a scholar? He is one who tries to learn; he makes use of books if he can obtain them, and applies his mind to study, and thinks while he reads. A person may read many books and learn but little from them, unless he thinks closely, and tries to understand and to remember what he reads.

The scholar is always learning something,-the more he studies, the more he finds there is to be learned. This is true of any one science that he takes up. If he is studying astronomy, the science that treats of the stars, he never reaches the end of his work, there is something new that always invites him upward and onward.

It is so with the studies that he attends to in school. He will never know so much about Grammar, or Arithmetic, or History, that he need not think any more of these sciences. He will feel his ignorance

when he has become very learned, and will desire to learn more.

I know a boy who prefers his book to his play. He is often playing with other boys, as he should be, but he loves to read and to think, more than to mingle in the sports of children, and as he finds pleasure in his books, he will certainly learn. I should not be surprised if he were to become an author, and make books himself. Perhaps he will be a philosopher, like Bacon, or Newtou, or Locke, and his name will then be known all over the world.

But it is right for boys to play. Let them enjoy their amusements in the time of youth, but they should not think that this is the season only for sport. They should be scholars now. If they will improve their time and their minds when they are young, they are preparing themselves for usefulness and enjoyment when they grow up and become men,

LESSON LXVI.

THE BOYHOOD OF WASHINGTON.

SOME of the most interesting anecdotes of the early years of Washington, are such as connect him with his mother, or were derived from her narrations. She was a dignified and excellent woman, and is remembered with respect and love by all who had the honour of her acquaintance.

Her husband died while their children were young. So she had the sole care of their government and education. For this great charge she was eminently qualified. She was often asked what course she had pursued in training up her illustrious son. And her reply was, "I only required obedience, diligence, and truth."

These were the simple rules by which Washington became good and great. They were wrought in with the elements of his character, until his goodness became greatness, and his greatness goodness. Is there anything in these three precepts of obedience, diligence, and truth, which those who read this book are unwilling or careless to observe?

Washington, when a boy, was taught to be accurate in all his statements. He told things exactly as they were, and repeated words just as they had been spoken. If he had committed a fault, he did not try to conceal it, or lay the blame upon others. Whatever his errors were, and the best child in

the world sometimes does wrong, he always spoke of them to his mother, without disguise, and without delay. This was the foundation of that noble frankness and contempt of deceit which distinguished him through life, and made him revered by all.

Once, from an indiscretion of his boyhood, a considerable loss was incurred. He knew that it would interfere with favourite plans of his mother, give pain to her feelings, and perhaps awaken her severe displeasure. But he did not hesitate in his duty. He went immediately to her, and made a full acknowledgment; and she said, "I had rather this should have taken place than my son should be guilty of a falsehood."

She was careful not to injure him by indulgence, or luxurious food. She required him to rise early, and never permitted him to be idle. Labours were sometimes assigned him, which the children of wealthy parents might have accounted severe. Thus he acquired strength, firmness of frame, and disregard of hardship.

He was taught to have certain hours for certain employments, and to be punctual. The systematic improvement of time, thus early taught, was of immense service when the mighty concerns of a nation devolved on him.-Then he found leisure for the transaction of the smallest affairs, in the midst of the most important and conflicting duties.

It was observed by those who surrounded his person, that he neglected nothing, and was never known to be in a hurry. He was remarkable for neatness, yet spent but little time in arranging his dress.