that he might be deemed brave.

If his companions dared him to do any thing, it was done in an instant. He was such a brave fellow! But what think you was the result? Why, one day they dared him to jump into a quagmire, and he took the fatal leap, and lost his life. But brave

boys become sometimes, not only enemies to themselves, but to the world. Napoleon was what the world calls brave in his youth, and he became a scourge to Europe and Asia. I would not, however, suppose for one moment, that you will ever be such a one as Napoleon, nor will I do either you or him the honour of pronouncing you brave. Bold, reckless daring is not bravery, for that consists, not in actions of might or wantonness, but in courage amidst dangers: suffering the ills of life with patience and fortitude. You know that sometimes in our walks, I call to see a poor old cottager, named Wakefield, who has been bed-ridden for many a long year. Pain and anguish are his portion, but he endures all with such christian fortitude, that I never yet heard a sigh escape his lips. Here is a specimen of true fortitude. This poor man is a hero, indeed, and he will one day wear the crown of glory, and hold in his hand the palm of victory in heaven. I once repeated these lines of the poet to him :—

"Bear up, my friend,

Serenely, and break through the stormy brine,
With steady prow; know we shall once arrive
At the fair haven of eternal bliss

To which we ever steer; whether, as kings
Of wide command, we've spread the spacious sea
With a broad and painted fleet, or rowed along,
In a thin cock-boat, with a little oar.""

WATTS.

66

'Sir," replied the afflicted man, with a look of reproach, "I know in whom I have believed.

I

shall be more than conqueror through Him that loved us;" meaning our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

"If, therefore, you would wish to acquire a character for true fortitude, follow the example of this poor man.”

The lessons given to the two culprits on this occasion had a salutary effect on them both; for although Charles Murphy still indulged in his waggery, it was with more caution; and as for William Weston, I believe he no more aspired to be thought brave, as heretofore; for when he was once dared, in our walks, to jump over a ditch, to gather a daffodil beyond our reach, he looked significantly at Mr. White, who was then in the distance, and wisely forbore. Perhaps he thought that he should be immersed beyond the power of extrication; or, at least, expose himself to danger: if so, he was certainly mistaken, for the water and the mire together were not more than sufficient to cover his ankles.

I wish I could persuade myself that John Cope profited as much by Mr. White's instructions as Charles Murphy, and the over-brave Weston. But it was not so: his besetting sin was such as could not be so easily overcome. "John Cope, "our master was often heard to exclaim with a sigh, "I fear you are on the high road of becoming a rogue!" This was very strong language, but his fears have been verified.

Soon after John Cope was introduced into our community, it was observed that our store of

marbles, etc. became very low, and that his rose in proportion as ours diminished. As "fair play" had been the order of our play-ground before he entered, it did not at first occur to us that something was wrong in the matter. At length, however, when we were all fairly on the eve of bankruptcy, suspicions arose in our bosoms that all was not right. The honour of discovering the fact was afterwards, by universal consent, attributed to my sagacity; and I think, indeed, that I had a fair claim to that honour. Contrasting, one day, the shrivelled appearance of my bag with the bloated bag belonging to John Cope, and recollecting that I was considered by all my companions an adept in every species of games wherein marbles were concerned, I stealthily assembled many of them around me, and holding up my bag to their view, thus harangued them in a half-whisper: "You know that when John Cope entered our school, this bag was so full that it could hold no more. Look at it now!"

"Where is it?" inquired Charles Murphy; "I can scarcely see it, it is become so lean."

"It is lean indeed, Charles," I rejoined, as I heaved a deep sigh, which made them all laugh loudly; "but now only look at the bag which John Cope has on his arm yonder. How large are its dimensions, and how full!"

"Some of mine are there!" exclaimed the group, as the sigh went round, which made me laugh in my turn; "but what have we to do with his bag, or its contents?"

"Nothing at all," I rejoined; "for he has won

them, and it may be concluded that they are his. And yet, the question is, whether he has won them fairly?"

"I hope you do not mean to charge him with being a cheat," said the right-minded Arthur Sampson; "that would be too bad!"

"I charge him not, Arthur," I replied indignantly; "I am above such conduct without proof. Nay, recollecting our master's advice, which he has so frequently given us, that we should not even suspect any one of a fraud without reason, I am unwilling even to suspect John Cope. But," added I, as I whirled my bag round full in their faces, "is there not a reason for suspicion?"

If," said Charles Murphy, "your bag being nearly empty, Philosopher, may be considered a reason, then have you reason strong enough, for the clatter which its contents make is but very faint. How many have you left?"

"Only seven," I replied.

Only seven!" Charles rejoined; "well, never mind, Philosopher; seven is a lucky number, you know, and by your skill you may yet win your others back again, with some of ours, and even his own in the bargain."

"I mean to try whether I cannot," I replied; "but I have one request to make of you all ; namely, that you will form yourselves into a ring, and watch minutely to see whether there is fair play."

All my companions signified their ready acquiescence to my request, and I marched up to John Cope, and boldly challenged him to some game of skill at marbles.

Looking wistfully at my bag, Cope interrogated me as to how many it contained.

"Only seven," I replied; "you have won the rest."

"Only seven!" rejoined Cope; "they are hardly worth playing for: but as you say I have the rest, I may as well have them."

"I think so too," I rejoined, "if you can win them."

"If I can win them!" replied Cope, significantly, as he prepared for the contest; "I do not imagine that to be a very difficult task."

"Perhaps not," I rejoined, "for I will play you six out at once, and if you win these, you shall play for the seventh, my good old chinataw, afterwards."

Agreed," said Cope; and we commenced the game, watched eagerly by all around; and Charles Murphy observing that now, indeed, I acted just as a philosopher ought to act-nobly!

We had played a little while before either of us gained any advantage; but presently Cope, by an unfair movement, had placed me in such a position, that it was evident my marbles would soon be in his bag. As he knelt down for the purpose of completing his triumph, we looked at each other, and in one moment set up a loud shout of "A cheat!- -a cheat!' So clamorous were we, and withal so indignant, that John Cope turned pale, and jumping up, put himself into an attitude of defence, as though he expected we should fall upon him. But this he had no occasion to fear. Even if Mr. White had not been near, I believe we had all so profitea