been long at home, before a considerable employment in
his profession was conferred on him, with the unanimous approbation of
all who were acquainted with his character. This enabled him to gratify
his generous desire of promoting the felicity of his friends, and a
sense of their happiness added to his own. He was the comfort of his
parents in the evening of their lives, and with interest repaid their
attention and care of him in his childhood. An amiable wife, equally
endued with sense, virtue, and beauty, who bore him children like
himself, completed his happiness.

In the characters of Antony and Augustus, we see the fatal consequences
of giving way to folly and vice, and what a happy effect the contrary
conduct has. Antony fell a victim to the misguided indulgence of his
parents, while Augustus lived to be happy by the prudent management he
received in his infancy.

[Illustration]

THE DESTRUCTIVE CONSEQUENCES

OF DISSIPATION AND LUXURY.

[Illustration]

On a fine evening, in the midst of summer, Mr. Drake and his son Albert
took a walk in some of the most agreeable environs of the city. The sky
was clear, the air cool; and the purling streams, and gentle zyphyrs
rustling in the trees, lulled the mind into an agreeable gloom. Albert,
enchanted with the natural beauties that surrounded him, could not help
exclaiming, "What a lovely evening!" He pressed his father's hand, and,
looking up to him, said, "You know not, papa, what thoughts rise in my
heart!" He was silent for a moment, and then looked towards heaven, his
eyes moistened with tears. "I thank God," said he, "for the happy
moments he now permits me to enjoy! Had I my wish, every one should
taste the beauties of this evening as I do. Were I the king of a large
country, I would make my subjects perfectly happy."

Mr. Drake embraced his son, and told him, that the benevolent wish he
had just uttered came from a heart as generous as it was humane. "But
would not your thoughts change with your fortune? Are you certain, that
in an exalted station you should preserve the sentiments which now
animate you in that middling state, in which it has pleased Heaven to
place you?"

Albert was a little surprised that his father should ask such a
question, for he had no idea that riches could bring with them cruelty
and wickedness.

Mr. Drake told him, that indeed was not always the case. "The world has
produced fortunate persons," said he, "who have rememb