once his shame and his sufferings, declared himself the guilty person. He was instantly seized, ironed, and thrown into prison. The next day he was brought before the judge, and, being convicted, was condemned to the gallows.

When the time for the execution arrived, a great number of people flocked to the place, and among others the friend whose life he had saved, and in quest of whom he had left his native country.

This last had not forgotten the obligation, and luckily he recognised his friend. But what could be done at this juncture to save his life. He could think of only one method, and that was to devote himself for his friend. Having taken this sudden resolution, he exclaimed, "Good people, take care what you are about, and do not be guilty of the sin of punishing that innocent man. It was I who committed the murder."

This declaration astonished the assembly. The execution was suspended; the merchant was apprehended, and they already began to untie the stranger.

But the real assassin happened to be there. When he saw them fettering the merchant, he was seized with remorse. "What!" cried he to himself, "shall this honest man die for my crimes, whilst I escape? Though I may evade the justice of man, I cannot escape the vengeance of God. No; I will not charge my conscience with a second offence, but will rather expiate my crime by suf

fering here, than subject myself to the indignation of the Deity, who can punish for ever."

He then made a full confession, and was brought before the judges, who being puzzled at this extraordinary case, referred it to the king. He, no less perplexed than the judges, sent for the three prisoners, and promising them pardon if they would declare the truth, interrogated them himself. Each then recounted with fidelity what had happened; and the consequence was that they were all three pardoned and discharged.

The Syrian went home with his friend, whom he in his turn had had the good fortune to save. He ordered some refreshments to be served up to him, and said, "If you choose to reside here, my friend, I call God to witness that you shall never be in want of anything, but shall be as much master as myself of all I possess. If you prefer returning to your own country, I offer you the half of my fortune, or whatever part you like to take of it." The Egyptian declared his wish was rather to return home; and he departed, charged with presents.

A

THE ANGEL AND THE HERMIT.

CERTAIN person had embraced the life of a hermit from his earliest years. It often happens that alone in a wood one may enjoy more happiness than in the society of a convent, or even than in that of the wide world. This hermit for a long course of years had mortified himself and fasted to purify his soul. Watching and labour, heat and cold, all extremes had grown familiar to him; but after so long a penitence he began at last to think that he had not been sufficiently recompensed by God, and to murmur that he had not been raised to one of those enviable conditions to which he was often a witness when gathering his food. "What!" said he, "does the Almighty load with blessings such persons as neglect him, and leave another that serves him faithfully in wretchedness and want? Why did he not create the world an equal benefit to all mankind? Why so unequal a partition of good and evil? so strange a distribution confounds me!”

As the good man in the course of his recluse life had acquired but little experience, this con

sideration gave him much embarrassment. He was indeed so much puzzled by it that he resolved at last to visit the world, and to seek for a solution of his doubts. He accordingly took a staff, and set forward on his journey.

He had proceeded but a little way from his cell, when he was met by a young man of a very agreeable mien and well-proportioned figure, holding a javelin in his hand. His dress was that of a sergeant-at-arms, and he seemed to belong to the train of some rich lord. They saluted each other, and entered into conversation. said the hermit. 66 the whole world."

"Who is your master?"

Sir, it is he who is master of "For a certainty you could not have a better. And where are you going thus equipped?" "I have in this quarter a great variety of acquaintance, and I am going to visit them. But it is disagreeable to travel alone, and I wish to have some person to accompany me; you will confer a lasting obligation on me if you will do me that favour." The hermit, whose project would be greatly facilitated by such visits, readily agreed to the proposal, and they proceeded together.

The night overtook them before they could get clear of the wood. Fortunately, they descried a hermitage, whither they went to beg a lodging. The hermit gave them as good a reception as his hut could afford. He spread plenty of his frugal fare before them; but when they came to say grace,

the travellers remarked that, instead of praying like them, the hermit was busy in wiping and rubbing a cup made of curious wood, which he kept by him, and drank out of during the repast.

The angel observed where he laid it up, and rising softly in the night, took and hid it; and the next morning on setting off, without saying a word, he carried it along with him. On the road he mentioned the circumstance to his companion, who was quite indignant at his behaviour, and wanted to go back and return the cup to the hermit. "Hold!" said the angel; "I had my reason for acting in this manner, and you shall in due time be made acquainted with it. Perhaps you may have further motives hereafter for wondering at my conduct; but know that whatever you see me do, it is not without sufficient cause, and remember that you be not scandalised at it." The hermit on this reproof was silent; he bowed, and pursued his journey.

A prodigious fall of rain, which continued the whole day, wet them entirely through their clothes, they not being able to obtain any shelter. Night having come, fatigued and half-dead with cold, they entered a town; and as neither of them had money, they were obliged to go from house to house, asking in the name of God for an asylum. Everywhere they met with a refusal; for, as we observe people in general love money still better than they do God, the case was much the same at