POWDER AND BALLS. REPUTATION. 239 POWDER AND BALLS. LET ancient or modern history be produced, they will not afford a more heroic reply than that of the Yankees at Stonington, to the British commanders. The people were piling the balls, which the enemy had wasted, when the foe applied to them, "We want balls; will you sell them?" They answered, "We want powder; send us powder, and we'll return your balls." REPUTATION. THE desire of praise, when it is discreet and moderate, is always attended with emulation and a strong desire of excelling; and so long as we can stop here, there is no harm done to ourselves or others. St Paul exhorts christians to follow, not only whatsoever things are right, but whatsoever things are of good report. The love of reputation, therefore, if it be not joined to a bad disposition, will scarcely of itself lead us to immoral actions. Yet the things which the world generally admires and praises most, are not the things in their own nature most valuable. They are those bright abilities and fair endowments, which relate to the present life, and terminate with it. Christian virtues are of a more silent and retired nature. God and good angels approve them; but the busy world overlooks them. So that he who principally affects popu lar approbation, runs some danger of living and dying, well known to others, and little known to himself; ignorant of the state of his own soul, and forgetful of the account which he has to render up to God. THE LITTLE VOYAGERS. THE lake was smooth and not a breath Stirr'd through the sleeping grove; The oak tree hung as mute as death Upon the hills above: "Come, sister," said the young Arnest, While sporting on the bank; "Come, o'er this water's silvery breast Let's sail upon this plank." "Yes, brother," and the plank she drew Around his neck her arms she threw Yet forth they drifted, till the lake, "Alas, my brother!" cried Florelle, So, they who sail on pleasure's streams, For every scene around them, seems But, when attracted from the shore By zephyr's scented breath, The threat'ning waves begin to roar, The puppy had an uncle, A sober quiet dog, Who said "I wish that urchin "Dear sister, if you don't, in time, Your visitors will quit your house, "You let him tumble you about, Jump up, and knock you down; You laugh at all his rudeness, When you rather ought to frown. "I think it right to laugh and romp, He went away; the mother cried, "My worthy neighbor, Billy Goat, Come in, I'm glad to see you all; The uncle's prudent caution was. The puppy jump'd about the horse, He nearly sprain'd the goose's leg, Politeness made them bear it once, The horse's kick, goat Billy's horn, Soon sent him yelping from the place; The puppy's mother frown'd and said: You are not fond of young folks, The horse replied, "Why really, ma'am, But I love them very dearly, ma'am, When well behaved and good." MORAL. Now that is what I say myself, That they can shew good manners |