day in which he had succeeded in exercising selfdenial; and he was on the very point of enumerating them to his brother Frank." But no," thought he, "here is another opportunity still of denying myself; I will not say a word about it; besides, to boast of it, would spoil all."

So Harry laid down quietly; making the following sage reflections:-"This has been a pleasant day to me; although I have had one great disappointment in it, and done several things against my will. I find that self-denial is painful for a moment, but very agreeable in the end. If I go on this plan every day, I shall stand a good chance of having a happy life; for life is made up of days and hours, and it will be just as pleasant and as easy:"-but here Harry's thoughts began to wander, and soon became quite indistinct. In fact, he was sound asleep before he had half finished his reflections; the remainder must be supplied by the reader.

One of them will, doubtless, be this—that selfdenial is no sinecure virtue; nor one which may be reserved for a few great occasions in life; but that it is wanted every day, and every hour; that is, as often as we are tempted to self-indulgence.

X.

A FABLE.

AN idle weed that used to crawl Unseen behind the garden wall, (Its most becoming station;)

At last-refreshed by sun and showers, Which nourish weeds, as well as flowersAmused its solitary hours

With thoughts of elevation.

Those thoughts encouraged day by day,
It shot forth many an upward spray,
And many a tendril band;

But as it could not climb alone,

It uttered oft a lazy groan

To moss and mortar, stick and stone,

To lend a helping hand.

At length, by friendly arms sustained,

The aspiring vegetable gained

The object of its labors:

That which had cost her many a sigh,

And nothing less would satisfy

Which was not only being high,

But higher than her neighbors.

And now this weed, though weak, and spent

With climbing up the steep ascent,

Admired her figure tall:

And then (for vanity ne'er ends

With that which it at first intends)

Began to laugh at those poor friends
Who helped her up the wall.

But by and by, my lady spied
The garden on the other side:
And fallen was her crest,
To see, in neat array below,

A bed of all the flowers that blow-
Lily and rose—a goodly show,
In fairest colors drest.

Recovering from her first surprise,
She soon began to criticise ;—
"A dainty sight, indeed!

I'd be the meanest thing that blows
Rather than that affected rose;

So much perfume offends my nose,"
Exclaimed the vulgar weed.

“Well, 't is enough to make one chilly, To see that pale consumptive lily Among these painted folks.

Miss Tulip, too, looks wondrous odd, She 's gaping like a dying cod ;— What a queer stick is golden-rod! And how the violet pokes!

"Not for the gayest tint that lingers
On honey-suckle's rosy fingers,
Would I with her exchange:

For this, at least, is very clear,
Since they are there, and I am here,
I occupy a higher sphere-

Enjoy a wider range."

Alas!

poor envious weed!-for lo,
That instant came the gardener's hoe,

And lopped her from her sphere:
But none lamented when she fell;
No passing Zephyr sighed farewell;
No friendly Bee would hum her knell;
No Fairy dropt a tear.

While those sweet flowers of genuine worth,
Inclining toward the modest earth,

Adorn the vale below:
Content to hide in sylvan dells,
Their rosy buds and purple bells;
Though scarce a rising Zephyr tells
The secret where they grow.

MORAL.

"Let no man think more highly of himself than he ought to think." What a vast alteration would take place in society if this reasonable rule were to be attended to! If every one were to fall into his proper place in self-estimation (as he must eventually do in the estimation of others) how many mistakes-how much mortification would be prevented! For it is in every sense true, that "he that exalteth himself shall be abased." They who value themselves on any account too highly, will certainly receive that humbling request from one or another - Friend, go down lower." How wise, then, how secure are they, who voluntarily take the lowest room:―

66

"He that is down need fear no fall."

But it requires years and much experience to know ourselves: hence it is, that self-conceit is the fault of youth and ignorance; while we look for true modesty among the wise, the learned, and the venerable.

How much better would it be to learn our own insignificance by observation and reflection, than to have it discovered to us by our friends and neighbors. Yet it often requires very broad hints from those around us, before we even begin to suspect that we had rated ourselves too highly; and sometimes even this will not do; rather than suppose themselves mistaken, some will imagine all the world to be so; and conclude that their merits are overlooked. But this is a kind of injustice that rarely takes place in society: and if, owing to accidental circumstances, it should in any instance be the case that we are thought of more meanly than we deserve, let it ever be remembered, that nothing can be done on our parts to redress the grievance. In most cases, indeed, the more we can help ourselves the better; and he that would have his business done must do it himself; but here it is just the reverse. If we set but one step towards our own exaltation, we shall assuredly have to take two or three downwards for our pains. To deserve esteem is in our power, but if we claim it, we cease to deserve, and shall certainly forfeit it.