knowing the ingredients of the potion, and imme diately after declared he would not take it

He next dismissed the physician, telling him he was a fool. The physician informed the attendants in the antichamber, that the king's malady was of the most serious nature; that it was of the highest importance to bring on a perspiration, but that he would take no medicine which would be likely to produce that effect; that he had even said the most affronting things to him; that, as a physician, anxious to do his duty, and preserve, if possible, the life of so great a king, he would leave the necessary prescription, and it would afterwards be their part to prevail on the king to

take it.

He assured them, that this was of the last importance, as nothing less than the life of the sovereign was at stake. He added, that, should he swallow the potion, the greatest care should be taken to keep every part of his body well covered, and that some addition should be made to his bedclothes, till he should have perspired plentifully.

The attendants, after much deliberation, decided that the young hussar was the fittest person to be employed on this occasion, and he was accordingly appointed to watch by the king the same night; a charge he accepted, not without apprehension, but without repugnance, and even with considerable zeal. The potion was brought about ten o'clock; the hussar entered the king's apartment, with it in his hand. "What have you there?" said the king. "I have a potion, sire, which the physician declares to be absolutely necessary for your recovery."

وو

"I will not take it; throw it into the fire;"-" but, -I will not take it."— sire, it is so necessary Sire, the physician ordered us to present it to you.' "The physician is a fool. I tell you I will not take it." Alas! sire, he assured us that the necessary perspiration could not be produced without it."—"He

knows not what he says; throw it into the fire, and let me be quiet."

66

"Ah! sire, what shall we do? It is of the greatest importance that you should take this potion; was it not ordered by a physician who feels a personal attachment towards your majesty?""You tire my patience; pray leave me. Sire, he assured us your preservation depended on your compliance." "He is a fool; I command you to withdraw, and let me be tranquil."—"Is it not our duty to supplicate your majesty to take a potion which can effect your recovery?"

The king was at length quite angry; he swore, threatened, commanded, and sent every one to the devil. The young man, still with the potion in his hand, begged, conjured, entreated, threw himself on his knees, wept; in short, he was not prevailed upon to desist. The contest lasted till midnight; when the king, absolutely exhausted, determined to take the potion, that he might get rid of his importunities, and obtain some sleep.

A short time after, a new struggle arose; the medicine, as it began to operate, threw the king into so violent a heat, as to render him absolutely restless and refractory. The king wanted to uncover himself. The hussar would not allow of it. The king threw off a counterpane; the hussar put it on again. If the king put but an arm outside the bedclothes, the hussar instantly covered it as well as he could; constantly entreating, soliciting pardon, and bending over the patient, who threatened, swore, and disputed in vain.

This new struggle lasted till near three in the morning, when the perspiration made its appearance. Feeling his uneasiness diminish, the king, by degrees became calmer, and no less sensible that both the physician and hussar were in the right. He said to the latter, " 'My good fellow, I do not want you any longer; the perspiration is come, and I am no longer

oppressed by the violent burning I complained of. I promise you not to uncover myself any more; you may take my word; go, therefore, and take some repose, which you must stand in need of."

The hussar made as if he obeyed, but retired to a corner of the room, where, without being perceived, he continued to watch the king till he fell fast asleep. By daylight, his majesty found himself much better; when he dressed himself, and, sending for the hussar, he said to him, "You are an excellent lad; you do your duty faithfully. You have served me, on this occasion, with the greatest zeal, and I am much satisfied with you. Here are fifty ducats. You may send them to your parents, if you like it.

They sin who tell us love can die.
With life all other passions fly,
All others are but vanity.

In heaven ambition cannot dwell,
Nor avarice in the vaults of hell;
Earthly these passions of the earth,
They perish where they have their birth;
But love is indestructible.

Its holy flame forever burneth,

From heaven it came, to heaven returneth;
Too oft on earth a troubled guest,

At times deceived, at times opprest,
It here is tried and purified,

Then hath in heaven its perfect rest;
It soweth here with toil and care,
But the harvest-time of love is there.
Oh! when her mother meets on high
The babe she lost in infancy,

Hath she not then, for pains and fears,
The day of wo, the watchful night,
For all her sorrow, all her tears,
An overpayment of delight!

wwwwwww

LESSON THIRTY-FIFTH.

Magnanimous Conduct.

At the time the Russian troops were in Holstein, says Captain Bruce, General Baur, who commanded the cavalry, and was himself a soldier of fortune, his family or country being a secret to every body, took an opportunity to discover himself, which surprised and pleased those who were about him. Being encamped near Husum, in Holstein, he invited all his field officers, and some others, to dine with him, and sent his adjutant to bring a miller and his wife, who lived in the neighborhood, to the entertainment.

The poor couple came, very much afraid of the Muscovite general, and were quite confused when they appeared before him, which perceiving, he bade them make themselves quite easy, for he only meant to show them kindness, and had sent for them to dine with him that day, and talked with them familiarly about the country. The dinner being set, he placed the miller and his wife next to himself, one on each hand, at the head of the table, and paid great attention to them, inviting them to make free and eat hearty.

In the course of the entertainment, he asked the miller a great many questions about his family and his relations; the miller told him that he was the eldest son of his father, who had been also a miller, at the same mill he then possessed; that he had two brothers, tradesmen, and one sister, married to a tradesman;

that his own family consisted of one son and three daughters.

The general asked him, if he never had any other brother than those he had mentioned; he replied, he had once another, but he was dead many years ago, for they had never heard of him since he enlisted, and went away with soldiers, when he was very young, and he must certainly have been killed in the wars The general observing the company much surprised at his behavior to these people, thinking he did it by way of diversion, said to them, "Gentlemen, you have always been very curious to know who and whence I am; I now inform you, this is the place of my nativity, and you have now heard, from this my elder brother, what my family is."

And then, turning towards the miller and his wife, he embraced them very affectionately, telling them, he was their supposed dead brother; and, to confirm it, he related every thing that had happened in the family before he left it. The general invited them all to dine with him next day at the miller's, where a plentiful entertainment was provided, and told them that was the house where he was born. General Baur then made a generous provision for all his relations, and sent to Berlin, for his education, the miller's only son, who turned out an accomplished young man.

LESSON THIRTY-SIXTH.

Smiles and Tears.

Speechless interpreters of thought,
And feeling's hidden dower;
With eloquence resistless fraught,
How touching is your power!