good nature at the young folks, immediately conducted them to the uppermost room in the house, in which he carried on his business. It was a light airy apartment; and there was a pleasant view of the adjacent country from its long low window. The children were much interested in watching the process, and in listening to the intelligent explanation he gave them of his trade; for he was a very ingenious mechanic: and he told them many things which they had never heard before. When their curiosity was a little satisfied, they began to look around the room, where their attention was attracted to a few shelves, containing his small library. Upon examining the title of the books, they found that several of them treated of subjects more or less connected with his own line of business. There were, however, a few of a more general nature, and such as the children were surprised to see in the possession of so plain a man. But the greater part of the collection were well-chosen books of divinity; with a little Bible, which had the appearance of being well read. They now again listened to the stranger's discourse with their father; and were struck with the mild and pleasing expression of his countenance, when he was telling him how happily his hours passed in that solitary chamber. "I often think, sir," said he, "that I cannot be sufficiently thankful that my calling is of a nature that allows me so much retirement, and opportunity for thinking: so that while I am labouring for the meat that perishes, I am also able to seek after that which will endure to ever lasting life. Indeed, sir," continued he, "I am a happy man. The cheerful hope of another life is surely enough to make a man unspeakably happy. In addition to this, God is pleased to give me many comforts to render this life pleasant to me. I have a wife like-minded with myself; and when my working hours are over, I want no other recreation than that of going down to her and our children, whom it is our delight to train up, as far as we are able, to wisdom and virtue. I have great pleasure in reading to her and to them such books as we possess: and thus we increase our little stock of knowledge, as opportunity allows. But, sir, though I mention these things, my happiness, I trust, does not depend upon them; but is fixed upon that good hope which sweetens comfort, and softens every trial." The father and his children were pleased with their visit; which, for some time after they took leave, forming the subject of their conversation; until Philip, suddenly perceiving that they were on their return home, exclaimed," But, are not we going to see the wise man ?"-" My dear," said his father, "we have but just left him.' "What, was that a wise man ?" said all the children at once. Father. That was the person of whom you heard me say last night, that he was a truly wise man. Philip. But papa,-I thought Father. Well, what did you think? Philip. Why, although he appears very good, and happy, and industrious, and all that, yet he certainly is not at all the kind of person we expected to see. Frederic. No, not at all. Father. I cannot help that: and I still think that what I said of him was perfectly correct. What kind of a person, did you expect to see? Philip. Why, papa, we thought he would at least be a scholar, you know, with his head stuffed full of Latin and Greek; or a philosopher, or an author, or something of that sort. Father. You mean, that you expected to see a learned man, or a clever man: but that was your own fault: I promised you no such thing. Are you not aware, children, that a man may be learned, or clever, or both, without being wise; and that a man may be wise who is neither the one nor the other? Frederic. Yes, wise in some things. Father. Wise in every thing with which he has to do. Can you recollect, Frederic, that definition of wisdom we met with the other day? Frederic. Something of this sort, was it not? -that "wisdom consists in employing the best means for the attainment of the most important end." Father. Very well. Then I think we have unquestionably seen a wise man this morning. You heard from himself the grand object of this good man's pursuit: and this must by every one be allowed to be the most important of all objects. He aims at nothing less than eternal life : and to this end, he appears to employ the best means; such as God himself prescribes. And this wisdom which is from above, teaches him to conduct himself wisely in all the relations of life. He is wise as a tradesman ;-being honest and industrious; and exerting his ingenuity in his calling, as a talent which God has given him; so that he is one of the most ingenious mechanics in the neighbourhood. He is wise as a neighbour;-living in peace and charity with all around him. He is wise as the master of a family;-being contented with such things as he has; never attempting to vie with his superiors, nor aiming to be thought what he is not. He showed himself to be a wise man, by choosing for a partner a wise woman; that is, a pious and prudent woman: and he conducts himself wisely as a husband and a father-guiding his house with discretion, and training his children to tread in his own steps. He eminently displays also one of the invariable characteristics of true wisdom by his modest and unassuming deportment. But above all, and as the cause of all, this man is wise, in making it his chief concern to be a Christian not merely by profession, but in earnest. His religion, you see, is of the true sort. It not only gives him a hope of being happy hereafter, but it makes him happy now. It shines in his face, and reigns in his dwelling. In that solitary room, where many would think it a punishment to pass an hour, he enjoys, daily, the high honour and happiness of holding communion with his Maker; while the noisy world below are disquieting themselves in vain, with every passing vanity. And in his daily walk and conversation he has this testimony, that he pleases God. Now, children, have I not performed my pro mise?—tell me, if you have not seen, according to the strictest sense of the word, A WISE MAN? XXVI. THE CLEVER FOOL. NOT very long after the father and his children had paid their visit to the wise man, the effects of a gentleman lately deceased in that neighbourhood, were advertised for sale by auction. As it was well known that his house contained many curiosities, persons for miles round flocked to attend the sale: and, among the rest, this gentleman and his children; for he was so good a father that he suffered no opportunity to escape that might afford instruction or rational amusement to his family. "Children," said he to them, as they were driving to the place" you remember that some time ago I took you to see a wise man: you were surprised by that visit; perhaps you will be still more so when I tell you, that we are going this morning to the late residence of a man, who, according to all that appeared of his character, might with equal propriety have been called a clever fool." Philip. A clever fool! Julia. It seems a contradiction. Frederic. Papa will explain it, I dare say. Father. As this poor gentleman was a stranger to you, and as our opinions can now do him |