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ish, he speaks of the "green pastures and still waters, beside which God had led him of his cup which he had made to overflow; and of the table which he had prepared for him in the presence of his enemies!" With what perfect tranquillity does he look forward to the time of his passing through "the valley of the shadow of death;" unappalled by that spectre, whose most distant appearance blasts the prosperity of sinners.

11. He fears no evil, as long as "the rod and the staff" of his Divine Shepherd are with him; and through all the unknown periods of this and of future existence, commits himself to his guidance with secure and triumphant hope: Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever."

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12. What a purified, sentimental enjoyment of pros perity is here exhibited! How different from that grossm relish of worldly pleasures, which belongs to those who behold only the terrestrial side of things: who raise their views to no higher objects than the succession of human contingencies, and the weak efforts of human ability: who have no protector in the heavens, to enliven their prosperity, or to warm their hearts with gratitude and

trust.

SECTION XXIII.

BLAIR.

a He-phes tion, he-fés'-tahun, a Mace-e Sti-pend, stl'-pênd, wages, settled pav donian, famous for his intimacy

with Alexander

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U-ten-sil, yu tên'-sil, any useful 1. ·

strument

Re-gal, rè'-gál, royal, kingly

Scep-tre, sep-tur, an ensign of royalty

diz-fu-têr-ês'-têd,]

Il-lu-sion, fl-l'-zhôn, false show, er

free from self-interest

i

d Ab-du-lon-y-mus, Ab-dá-lón'-¿-mûs, rour

one of the descendants of the kingsj Mur-mur, můr'-můr, a buzz, grumble,
of S.don
to buzz, to grumble

Virtue, when deeply rooted, is not subject to the influence of fortune.

1. THE city of Sidon having surrendered to Alexan✅ der, he ordered ephestions to bestow the crown on him whom the Sidonians" should think most worthy of that honour. Hephestion being at that time resident with two young men of distinction, offered them the kingdom; but they refused it, telling him that it was contrary to the laws of their country, to admit any one to that nonour, who was not of the royal family.

2. He then, having expressed his admiration of their disinterested spirit, desired them to name one of the royal race, who might remember that he had received the crown through their hands. Overlooking many, who would have been ambitious of this high honour, they made choice of Abdalonymus, whose singular merit had rendered him conspicuous, even in the vale of obscurity.

d

3. Though remotely related to the royal family, a series of misfortunes had reduced him to the necessity of cultivating a garden for a small stipend, in the suburbs of the city. While Abdalonymus was busily employed in weeding his garden, the two friends of Hephestion, bearing in their hands the ensigns of royalty, approached him and saluted him king.

4. They informed him that Alexander had appointed him to that office; and required him immediately to exchange his rustic garb, and utensils of husbandry, for the regals robe and sceptre. At the same time, they admonished him, when he should be seated on the throne, and have a nation in his power, not to forget the humble condition from which he had been raised.

5. All this, at the first, appeared to Abdalonymus as au illusion of the fancy, or an insult offered to his poverty. He requested them not to trouble him farther with their impertinent jests; and to find some other way of ainusing themselves, which might leave him in the peaceable enjoyment of his obscure habitation. At length, howerer, they convinced him, that they were serious in their proposal; and prevailed upon him to accept the regal office, and accompany them to the palace.

6. No sooner was he in possession of the government, than pride and envy created him enemies; who whispered their murmurs in every place, till at last they reached the ear of Alexander. He commanded the new elected prince to be sent for; and inquired of him, with what temper of mind he had borne his poverty.

7. "Would to Heaven," replied Abdalonymus, "that I may be able to bear my crown with equal moderation : for when I possessed little, I wanted nothing: these hands supplied me with whatever I desired." From this answer, Alexander formed so high an idea or his wisdom, that he confirmed the choice which had been made; and annexed a neighbouring province to the government of Sidon.

QUINTUS CURTIUS.

SECTION XXIV.

a Fa-bric-i-us, fá-brish'--ñs, a Latind Qual-i-fi-ca-tion, kwől-lé-fè-kå'-shan, writer in the reign of Nero, he was an accomplishment, abatement ambassador to Pyrrhus A-bil-i-ty, &-bil-e-tè, the power to do any thing

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b Am-bas-sa-dor, âm-bas-sá-ddr, an a gent from one government to anoth-f

er

e Pyrrhus, pir'-rus, a celebrated king
of Epirus, descended from Achil
les by the side of his mother, and h
from Hercules by that of his fa-

ther

Of-fic-i-ate, of-flsh'-è-åte, to perform another's duty

Au-gust, Aw-gust', great, royal, mag-
nificent

Con-fide, kon-flde', to trust in, rely
Ne-go-ti-a-tion, nè-go-shè-a'-shan,

treaty of business

The speech of FABRICIUS, a Roman ambassador, to king Pyrrhus, who attempted to bribe him to his interests, by the offer of a great sum of money.

1. WITH regard to my poverty, the king has, indeed been justly informed. My whole estate consists in a house of but mean appearance, and a little spot of ground; from which by my own labour, I draw my support. But if, by any means, thou hast been persuaded to think that this poverty renders me of less consequence in my own country, or in any degree unhappy, thou art greatly de

ceived.

2. I have no reason to complain of fortune: she supplies me with all that nature requires; and if I am without superfluities, I am also free from the desire of them. With these, I confess I should be more able to succour the necessitous, the only advantage for which the wealthy are to be envied; but small as my possessions are, I can still contribute something to the support of the state, and the assistance of my friends.

3. With respect to honours, my country places me, poor as I am, upon a level with the richest: for Rome knows no qualifications for great employments, but virtue and ability. She appoints me to officiate in the most augusts ceremonies of religion; she intrusts me with the command of her armies; she confides to my care the most important negotiations. My poverty does not lessen the weight of my counsels in the senate. The Roman people honour me for that very poverty, which king Pyrrhus considers as a disgrace.

4. They know the many opportunities I have had to enrich myself, without censure; they are convinced of my disinterested zeal for their prosperity: and if I have any thing to complain of, in the return they make me, it is only the excess of their applause. What value, then,

ean I put upon thy gold and silver? What king can add any thing to my fortune? Always attentive to discharge the duties incumbent upon me, I have a mind free from self-reproach; and I have an honest fame.

SECTION XXV.

In-of-fen-sive, In-of-fên'-siv, harmless, innocent

> Sa-tire, sa-tår, såt'-őr, så'-tire, or såt'-
tre, a poem in which wickedness or
folly is censured

c Con-tem-po-ra-ry, kôn-têm’-pô-ra rẻ,
living in the same age, one who lives
at the same time with another
a Pod-antry, pèd-dân-trẻ, awkward

e

ostentation of learning

Pa-cif-ick, på-sif”-fik, mild, gentle
Pu-sil-lan-im-i-ty, pů-si-lân-îm'-mē-
tè, meanness of spirit, cowardice
Nu-tral-i-ty, nů-trål'-é-té, a state of
indifference

In-tri-cate, hr'-trè-kåte, entangled,
perploxod

De-void, dè vald, empty, vacant

Character of JAMES 1. king of England.

1. NO PRINCE, so little enterprising and so inoffensive. was ever so much exposed to the opposite extremes of calumny and flattery, of satire and panegyric. And the factions which began in his time, being still continued, have made his character be as much disputed to this day, as is commonly that of princes who are our contemporaries.

2. Many virtues, however, it must be owned, he was. possessed of; but not one of them pure, or free from the contagion of the neighbouring vices. His generosity bor dered on profusion, his learning on pedantry, his pacific disposition on pusillanimity, his wisdom on cunning, his friendship on light fancy and boyish fondness. While he imagined that he was only maintaining his own authority, he may perhaps be suspected in some of his actions, and still more of his pretentions, to have encroached on the liberties of his people.

8. While he endeavoured, by an exact neutrality, to ac quire the good will of all his neighbours, he was able to preserve fully the esteem and regard of none. His capacity was considerable, but fitter to discourse on general xims, than to conduct any intricate business.

His intentions were just, but more adapted to the conduct of private life, than to the government of kingdoms. Awkward in his person, and ungainly in his manners, he was ill qualified to command respect: partial and undiscerning in his affections, he was little fitted to acquire general love. Of a feeble temper, more than of a frugal judgment; exposed to our ridicule from his van

SECTION XXIV.

a Fa-bric-i-us, fá-brish'-e-is, a Latind Qual-i-fi-ca-tion, kwol-le-fe-ka-shon, writer in the reign of Nero, he was an accomplishment, abatement ambassador to Pyrrhus A-bil-i-ty, &-bil-e-tè, the power to do any thing

Je

b Am-bus-sa-dor, âm-bas-sá-dår, an agent from one government to anoth-f

er

c Pyrrhus, pir'-rus, a celebrated king
of Epirus, descended from Achil
les by the side of his mother, and h
from Hercules by that of his fa-

ther

a

Of-fic-i-ate, of-flsh'-d-ate, to perform another's duty

Au-gust, aw-gust'; great, royal, mag

nificent

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The speech of FABRICIUS, a Roman ambassador, to king Pyrrhus, who attempted to bribe him to his interests, by the offer of a great ŝum of money.

1. WITH regard to my poverty, the king has, indeed been justly informed. My whole estate consists in a house of but mean appearance, and a little spot of ground; from which by my own labour, I draw my support. But if, by any means, thou hast been persuaded to think that this poverty renders me of less consequence in my own country, or in any degree unhappy, thou art greatly deceived.

2. I have no reason to complain of fortune: she supplies me with all that nature requires; and if I am without superfluities, I am also free from the desire of them. With these, I confess I should be more able to succour the necessitous, the only advantage for which the wealthy are to be envied; but small as my possessions are, I can still contribute something to the support of the state, and the assistance of my friends.

3. With respect to honours, my country places me, poor as I am, upon a level with the richest: for Rome knows no qualifications for great employments, but virtue and ability. She appoints me to officiate in the most augusts ceremonies of religion; she intrusts me with the command of her armies; she confides to my care the most important_negotiations. My poverty does not lessen the weight of my counsels in the senate. The Roman people honour me for that very poverty, which king Pyrrhus considers as a disgrace.

4. They know the many opportunities I have had to enrich myself, without censure; they are convinced of my disinterested zeal for their prosperity and if I have any thing to complain of, in the return they make me, it is only the excess of their applause. What value, then,

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