title: The American preceptor improved;
text: °^ **, ,G V ^o, ♦/^T«* A V I * o * V Nf •»,? .**.*'•♦ ^ dV . » ' .n^'* \> \> • ^ A ^4Vr V ^ * 2 * flC - ^ <w> «r <fc * P. *fc >* * 0„ »^ *L.*^L'. - ^ .•■ A°* AMERICAN ERECEPTOR ' <"■ IMPRO^JED; ^ BEING A NEW SELECTION OF LESSONS ~^^ F0R READING AND SPEAKING. DESIGNED FOR THE USE OF SCHOOLS. BY CALEB BINGHAM, A. M. AUTHOR OP THE COLUMBIAN ORATOR, CHILD'S COMPANION, &C 5 TRAIN UP A CHILD IK THE WAT HE SHOULD GO—" SIXTY-EIGHTH (EIGHTH IMPROVED) EDITION. Siufclisjetr tn Boston, BY J. H. A. FROST, LINCOLN AND EDMANDS, STIMPSON AND CLAPP, MARSH, CAPEN AND LYON : NEW-YORK, COLLINS AND HANNAY : TROY, N. Y.. WILLIAM S. PARKER: PHILADELPHIA, GRIGG AND ELLIOT : BALTIMORE, CUSHING AND SONS : CINCINNATI, HUBBARD AND EDMANDS. 1833. * %* — ' >' * - - » * •••■■ Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1832, By J. H. A. Frost, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachusetts. 1233 PREFACE TO THE FIRST STEREOTYPE EDITION, The sale of nearly a million copies of the American Pre- ceptor, since its first publication, is the best proof of ite popularity; and the continued demand for it, notwithstanding the numerous compilations of the same description, which have risen in competition with it, is no inconsiderable proof of its excellence. A new edition is called for, and the proprietor has been at the trouble and expense of revising the whole book, adapting the orthography and pronunciation to Walker's rules, and, what is of no little consequence, fixing its correctness by beautifully stereotyping the work. WM. B. FOWLK STEREOTYPED AT THE BOSTON TYPE AND STEREOTYPE FOUNDRY. CONTENTS. Page. History of Demosthenes, ■ 5 Select Sentences, • 7 A Hint to Parents, 12 i Parable against religious Persecution, 13 History of Joseph, abridged, 14 On the Instinct of Animals, - 18 Ingenious Villany finally punished, 21 The Child trainee! up for the Gallows, 23 Sketch of Jerusalem and Palestine, 25 The faithful American Dog, 29 The Miller of Mansfield,. . . 30 Of Queen Mary and the Martyrs, 33 Story of Logan, A Mingo Chief, 35 The aged Prisoner released from, the Bastile, 37 Account of Columbus, * 39 Columbia, 43 Parental Tenderness, 45 The Sailor and the Monkeys, 46 The brave Soldier's Revenge, 47 Sketch of the Life of William Penn, 47 Sketch of the Life of Fernando Cortez, 49 Dialogue between Fernando Cortez and "William Penn, .52 The Whistle, 55 True Patriotism displayed at the Siege of Calais, 56 Anecdote of Montesquieu,. . , « 60 The benevolent Pair, •- 61 The unfortunate Philanthropist, 62 St. Paul s Speech before King Agrippa, 63 Cruelty to Animals, 65 Speech of Nicolaus, . . , 66 The true Point of Honour, 63 The House of Sloth, 70 Advice to a young Tradesman, 72 Parental Affection. Story of the Bear, t 73 The Victim. An Indian Story, 75 Extract from the Speech of Mr. Phillips, 76 Conclusion of the foregoing Speech, 79 Example of Justice and Magnanimity, 80 Dialogue on Duelling, 81 Speech of Mr. Pitt on the Slave-Trade, , 84 The Slaves. An Elegy, 86 The humane Indian, .- 88 The Mammoth, 89 Fashionable Education misapplied, „ 91 Singular Adventure of General Putnam, % 94 Extract from Dr. Warren's Oration, ." 96 Self-Interest. A Dialogue, 97 On Profane Swearing, 101 The Triumph of Virtue, , 1 02 iv CONTENTS. Page Female Industry, 104 The Lap-Dog, 105 Extract from Mr. Dawes' Oration, 107 General Washington's Resignation, 108 Speech of a Scythian Ambassador, 109 The Revenge of a great Soul, .110 Cudjoe, the faithful African, . . 112 The Indian Chief, 13 Dialogue on Dress and Assurance, Speech of Publius Scipio, Speech of Hannibal,.. Dr. Belknap's Address. to the Inhabitants of New-Hampshire,. . .. Quackery. A Dialogue,... 124 Of the Elephant, 127 Speech of Mr. Walpole, 129 Mr. Pitt's Answer to Mr. Walpole, 131 Story of a second Joseph, . . 132 Scene between Cato and Decius, 134 The Beggar's Petition, 136 The Test of Goodness, 137 Description of Mount iEtna, 138 Dialogue between two Schools-Boys, 140 Extract from J. Q* Adams' Oration, 143 On Knowing the World at an early Age, 145 History of Pocahuntas, 148 Speech of Caius Marius, 151 Fraternal Affection, 153 Conveniences not always Necessaries, ^ . .156 The Hottentot and the Lion, ...... 159 Gustavus Vasa and Cristiern,. .160 Narrative of Four Sailors, » • • •. Pedigree. A Dialogue, Description of the Falls of Niagara, Messiah. A sacred Eclogue,. Narrative of Mrs. Howe's Captivity, Narrative of Mrs. Howe, concluded, Mr. Pitt's Speech, 1775,. The Lion, Story of the grateful Turk, The Quarrel of Brutus and Cassius, 19 Speech o£ Demosthenes, Judge Hale's Advice to his Children, Conclusion of Judge Hale's Advice to his Children, 206 Brutus' Speech on the Death of Caesar, 208 Antony's Speech over the Body of Caesar, .209 Rolla and Alonzo, • 212 General Wolfe's Address to his Army,. ., 214 Foscari, the unfortunate Venetian,- 215 Cicero's Oration against Verres, 219 History of WilliamTell, 220 The Field of Battle, .....223 Insincerity in Conversation, 224 The Yankee in England, 225 THE AMERICAN PRECEPTOR. History of the Orator Demosthenes. DEMOSTHENES, having lost his father at the age of seven years, and falling into the hands of selfish and avari- cious guardians, who were wholly bent upon plundering his es- tate, was not educated with the care which so excellent a genius as his deserved ; and the delicacy of his constitution did not allow his masters to urge him in regard to his studies. 2. Hearing them one day speak of a famous cause that was to be pleaded, and which made a great noise in the city, he importuned them very much to carry him with them to the bar, in order to hear the pleadings. The or- ator was heard with great attention, and, having been very successful was conducted home in a very ceremonious manner, amidst a crowd of illustrious citizens, who ex- pressed the highest satisfaction. 3. Demosthenes was strongly affected with the honours which were paid to the orator, and still more with the absolute and despotick power which eloquence had over the mind. He himself was sensible of its force, and, unable to resist its charms, he from that day devoted himself en- tirely to it, and immediately laid aside every other pleasure and study. 4. His first essay of eloquence was against his guardians, whom he obliged to restore part of his fortune. Encour- aged by this good success, he ventured to speak before the people, but he acquitted himself very ill on that occasion, for he had a faint voice, stammered in his speech, and had a very short breath. 5. He therefore was hissed by the whole audience, and went home quite dejected, and determined to abandon for ever a profession to which he imagined himself unequal. But one of his hearers, who perceived an excellent genius amidst his faults, encouraged him, by the strong remonstran- ces he made, and the salutary advice he gave him. He therefore appeared a second time before the people, but with no better success than before. I* 6 THE AMERICAN PRECEPTOR. 6. As he was going home with downcast eyes, and full of confusion, he was met by his friend Satyrus, one of the best actors of the age ; who, being informed of the cause of his chagrin, told Demosthenes only to repeat some verses to him, which he immediately did. 7. Satyrus then repeated them after him, and gave them quite another grace, by the tone of voice, the gesture, and vivacity with which he spoke them, so that Demosthenes observed they had quite a different effect. This made him sensible of what he wanted, and he applied himself to the attainment of it. 8. His endeavours to correct the natural impediment in his speech, and to perfect himself in utterance, of the value of which his friend had made him so sensible, seem almost incredible, and demonstrate that indefatigable industry can overcome all difficulties. 9. He stammered to such a degree that he could not pronounce certain letters at all, and among others that which began the name of the art he studied ; and his breath was so short that he could not utter a whole period without stopping. However, Demosthenes overcame all these obstacles, by putting little pebbles into his mouth, and then repeating several verses without taking breath. 10. He would do this when he walked, and ascended very craggy and steep places, so that at last he could pro- nounce all the letters without hesitating, and speak the long- est periods without once taking breath. But this was not all, for he used to- go to the sea-shore, and speak his orations when the weather was most boisterous, in order to prepare himself, by the confused noise of the waves, for the uproar of the people, and the cries of tumultuous assemblies. 11. He had a large mirror, before which he used to de- claim before he spoke in publick; and, as he had an ill habit of drawing up his shoulders, he hung a drawn .sword over them with the point downwards. He was well'' paid for his trouble, since, by these methods, he carried the art of declaiming to the highest perfection of which it was capable. 12. His application to study, in other respects, was equal to the pains he took to conquer his natural defects. He had a room made under ground, that he might be remote THE AMERICAN PRECEPTOR. 7 from noise and disturbance, and this was to be seen many centuries afterwards. There he shut himself up for months together, and had half his head shaved, that his ridiculous appearance might prevent him from going abroad. 13. It was there, by the light of a small lamp, he com- posed those excellent harangues, which smelt, as his enemies declared, of the oil, to insinuate they were too much labour- ed. It is very evident, replied he, yours did not cost you so much trouble. 14. Eschines,* a rival orator, opposed the decree which bestowed a crown of gold upon Demosthenes. The cause was argued with the greatest eloquence on both sides, but Eschines was unsuccessful, and suffered exile for his rash attempt. When he was departing from Athens, Demosthenes ran after him, and prevailed upon him to accept of a sum of money to pay his expenses. 15. Eschines, astonished at his liberality, exclaimed, I have reason to regret my departure from a country where my enemies are so generous that I do not expect to find friends equal to them elsewhere. He afterwards established a school for eloquence at Rhodes, which was long cele- brated. 16. He commenced his lessons by delivering to his audi- tors his own oration against Demosthenes, and that of De- mosthenes, which caused his banishment. They bestowed great praise upon his own ; but, when he came to that of De- mosthenes, their acclamations redoubled. If such is your applause, said he, at my delivery, what would you have said if you had heard Demosthenes himself? Select Sentences. Jl IME is more valuable to young people than to any others. They should not lose an hour in forming their taste, their manners, and their minds ; for whatever- they are to a certain degree, at eighteen, they will be more or less so, all the rest of their lives. 2. Nothing can be of greater service to a young man, who has any degree of understanding, than an intimate con- * Pronounced E'ski-neez. 8 THE AMERICAN PRECEPTOR. versation with one of riper years, who is not only able to advise, but who knows the manner of advising. By this mean, youth can enjoy the benefit of the experience of age ; and that at a time of life when such experience will be of more service to a man than when he has lived long enough to acquire it of himself. 3. The kindnesses, which most men receive from others, are like traces drawn in the sand. The breath of every passion sweeps them away, and they are remembered no more. But injuries are like inscriptions on monuments of brass or pillars of marble, which endure, unimpaired, the revolutions of time. 4. View the groves in autumn, and observe the constant succession of falling leaves ; in like manner, the generations of men silently drop from the stage of life, and are blended with the dust from whence they sprang. 5. Perfect happiness is not the growth of a terrestrial soil ; it buds in the gardens of the virtuous on earth, but blooms with unfading verdure only in the celestial regions. 6. He, who would pass the latter part of his life with hon- our and decency, must, when he is young, consider that he shall one day be old ; and remember, when he is old, that he has once been young. 7. He, who governs his passions, does more than he who commands armies. Socrates, being one day offended with his servant, said, " I would beat you if I were not angry." 8. We too often judge of men by the splendour, and not by the merit, «of their actions. Alexander demanded of a pirate, whom he had taken, by what right he infested the seas ? " By the same right," replied he boldly, " that you enslave the world. I am called a robber, because I have only one small vessel ; but you are styled a conqueror, because you command great fleets and armies." 9. Beauty, as the flowery blossom, soon fades ; but the divine excellences of the mind, like the medicinal virtues of the plant, remain in it when all those charms are withered. 10. There are two considerations which always imbitter the heart of an avaricious man ; the one is a perpetual thirst after more riches ; the other, the prospect of leaving what he hath already acquired. 11. There cannot be a more glorious object in creation. THE AMERICAN PRECEPTOR. 9 than a human being replete with benevolence, meditating in what manner he may render himself most acceptable to his Creator, by doing most good to his creatures. 12. A man should never be ashamed to own he has been in the wrong ; which is but saying, in other words, that he is wiser to-day than he was yesterday. 13. Knowledge will not be acquired without pains and application. It is troublesome digging for deep, pure waters ; but when once you come to the spring, they rise up and meet you. 14. The most unhappy effect of fashionable politeness is, that it teaches us the art of dispensing with the virtues which it imitates. Let us be educated to cherish the principles of benevolence and humanity, and we shall have politeness enough, or shall stand in no need of it. 15. If we should not have that which is accompanied by the graces, we should have that which bespeaks the honest man and the good citizen. We should stand in no need of having recourse to the falsehood of appearances. 16. Man is the only being endowed with the power of laughter, and perhaps he is the only one who deserves to be laughed at. 17. It is the great privilege of poverty to be happy unen- vied, to be healthful without physick, and secure without a guard ; to obtain from the bounty of nature what the great and wealthy are compelled to procure by the help of artists, and the attendance of flatterers and spies. 18. Prudence is a duty which we owe ourselves, and, if we will be so much our own enemies as to neglect it, we are not to wonder if the world is deficient in discharging their duty to us ; for, when a man lays the foundation of his own ruin, others, too often, are apt to build upon it. 19. There are no principles but those of religion to be depended on in cases of real distress ; and these are able to encounter the worst emergencies, and to bear us up under all the changes and chances to which our lives are subject. 20. Riches without charity are worth nothing. They are a blessing only to him who makes them a blessing to others. 21. The tongue of a viper is less hurtful than that of a slanderer ; and the gilded scales of a rattlesnake less dread- ful than the purse of the oppressor. 10 THE AMERICAN PRECEPTOR. 22. As benevolence is the most sociable of all the virtues so it is of the largest extent ; for there is not any man, either so great or so little, but he is yet capable of giving and of re- ceiving benefits. 23. When thou dost good, do it because it is good ; not because men esteem it so. When thou avoidest evil, flee from it because it is evil ; not because men speak against it. Be honest for the love of honesty, and thou shalt be uniformly so. He who doth it without principle is waver- ing. 24. Wish rather to be reproved by the wise than to be applauded by him who hath no understanding. When they tell thee of a fault, they suppose thou canst improve ; the other, when he praiseth thee, thinketh thee like unto him- self. 25. Set not thy judgement above that of all the earth ; neither condemn as falsehood what agreeth not with thine own apprehension. Who gave thee the power of deter- mining for others ? or who took from the world the right of choice 1 26. How many things have been rejected, which now are received as truths ; how many, now received as truths, will in their turn be despised ? Of what, then, can man be certain ! 27. An immoderate desire of riches is a poison lodged in the soul. It contaminates and destroys every thing which was good in it. It is no sooner rooted there, than all virtue, all honesty, all natural affection, fly before the face of it. 28. Drunkenness is but voluntary madness ; it imboldens men to do all sorts of mischiefs ; it both irritates wickedness and discovers it ; it does not merely make men vicious, but it shows them to be so. 29. Every man should mind his own business ; for he who torments himself with other people's good or ill fortune will never be at rest. 30. To set about acquiring the habit of meditation and study late in life, is like getting into a go-cart with a gray beard, and learning to walk when we have lost the use of our legs. In general, the foundation of a happy old age must be laid in youth; and he who has not cultivated his reason young will be utterly unable to improve it when old. THE AxMERICAN PRECEPTOR. 11 31. Endeavour to be first in your profession, and let no one go before you in doing well. Nevertheless, do not envy the merits of another ; but improve your own talents. 32. Never reveal your secrets to any, except k be as much their interest to keep them as it is yours they should be kept. Intrust only thyself, and thou canst not be be- trayed. 33. Glory, like a shadow, fleeth him who pursueth it ; but it followeth at the heels of him who would flee from it. If thou court it without merit, thou shalt never attain unto it ; if thou deserve it, though thou hide thyself, it will never forsake thee. 34. Pursue that which is honourable, do that which is right, and the applause of thine own conscience will be more joy to thee than the shouts of millions, who know not that thou deservest them. 35. Love labour. If you do not want it for food, you may for physick. The idle man is more perplexed to know what to do than the industrious in doing what he ought. There are few who know how to be idle and innocent. By doing nothing, we learn to do ill. 36. Honour thy father with thy whole heart, and forget not the sorrows of thy mother. How canst thou recompense them the things which they have done for thee ? 37. It is a mark of a depraved mind to sneer at decrepit old age, or to ridicule any one who is deformed in his person, or lacketh understanding. Who maketh one to differ from another 1 38. The merciful man is merciful to his beast ; and he, who takes pleasure in tormenting any of God's creatures, although ever so inferiour, ought to be banished from human society, and ranked among the brutes. 39. Admonish thy friend ; it may be he hath not done it ; and, if he hath, that he do it no more. Admonish thy friend; it may be he hath not said it ; or, if he hath, that he speak it not again. Admonish a friend ; for many times it is a slan- der ; and believe not every tale. 40. Be not forward in leading the conversation. This belongs to the oldest persons in company. Display your learning only on particular occasions. Never oppose the opinion of another, but with great modesty. 13 THE AMERICAN PRECEPTOR. 41. On all occasions, avoid speaking of yourself, if possible Nothing that we can say ourselves will varnish our defects, or add lustre to our virtues ; on the contrary, it will often make the former more visible, and the latter obscure. 42. Without a friend, the world is but a wilderness. A man may have a thousand intimate acquaintances, and not a friend among them all. If you have one friend, think your- self happy. 43. There is but one way of fortifying the soul against all gloomy presages and terrours of the mind ; and that is, by securing to ourselves the friendship and protection of that Being who disposes of events and governs futurity. A Hint to Parents. J.T is to be wished that parents would consider what a va- riety of circumstances tend to render the evil reports of their children, respecting their teachers, false and exaggerated.* 2. They judge hastily, partially, imperfectly, and improp- erly, from the natural defects and weakness of their age. They, likewise, too often intentionally misrepresent things. They hate those who restrain them; they feel resentment for correction ; they love change ; they love idleness, and the indulgences of their home. 3. Like all human creatures, they are apt not to know when they are well* and to complain. Let parents, then, con- sider these things impartially, and be cautious of aspersing the character, and disturbing the happiness, of those who may, probably, deserve thanks rather than ill usage ; whose office is at best full of care and anxiety ; and, when it is interrupted by the injudicious interference or complaints of the parents, becomes intolerably burdensome. 4. If a father suspect his confidence to have been mis- placed, it is best to withdraw it immediately, without alter- cation and without reproaches. I have often heard old and experienced instructers declare, that the whole business of managing a large school, and training pupils to learning and virtue, was nothing in comparison with the trouble which was given by whimsical, ignorant and discontented parents. # Pronounced ex-ad'jer-a-ted. THE AMERICAN PRECEPTOR. 13 A Parable against Religious Persecution. xtLND it came to pass, after these things, that Abraham sat at the door of his tent, about the going down of the sun. And, behold, a man, bent with age, coming from the way of the wilderness, leaning on a staff! And Abraham arose, met him, and said unto him, Turn in, I pray thee, and wash thy feet, and tarry all night, and thou shalt arise early in the morning, and go on thy way. 2. And the man said, Nay, for I will abide under this tree. But Abraham pressed him greatly; so he turned, and they went into the tent. And Abraham baked unleav- ened bread, and they did eat. And when Abraham saw that the man blessed not God, he said unto him, Wherefore dost thou not worship the most high God, Creator of heav- en and earth? 3. And the man answered and said, I worship the God of my fathers in the way which they have appointed. And Abraham's zeal was kindled against the man, and he arose, and fell upon him, and drove him forth with blows into the wilderness. And God called % unto Abraham, saying, Abra- ham, where is the stranger ? 4. And Abraham answered and said, Lord, he would not worship thee, neither* would he call upon thy name ; there- fore have I driven him out before my face into the wilder- ness. And God said, Have I borne with him these hun- dred and ninety years, and nourished him, and clothed him, notwithstanding his rebellion against me, and couldst not thou, who art thyself a sinner, bear with him one night? 5. And Abraham said, Let not the anger of my Lord wax hot against his servant ; lo, I have sinned ; forgive me, I pray thee. And Abraham arose, and went forth into the wilderness, and sought diligently for the man, and found him, and returned with him to the tent ; and when he had treated him kindly, he sent him away on the morrow with gifts. 2 14 THE AMERICAN PRECEPTOR. The History of Joseph, abridged. J.SRAEL loved Joseph more than all his children, be- cause he was the son of his old age ; and he gave him a coat of many colours. But when his brethren saw their father's partiality to him, they hated him, and would not speak peaceably unto him. And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it to his brethren. 2. Behold, he said, we were binding sheaves in the field ; and, lo, my sheaf arose, and stood upright, and your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf. And his brethren said unto him, Shalt thou indeed have dominion over us ? and they hated him the more for his dreams and for his words. 3. It happened that his brethren went to feed their fa- ther's flock at Dothan. And Joseph went after his breth- ren ; but, when they saw him afar off, they conspired against him to slay him; and they said one to another, We will tell our father that some evil beast hath devoured him. 4. But Reuben wished to deliver him out of their hands ; and he said, Let us not kill him, but cast him into this pit, that is in the wilderness. And they followed his coun- sel, and cast him kito the pit, which then contained no water. 5. A company of Ishmaelites from Gilead passed by at this time, with their camels, bearing spicery, balm and myrrh, which they were carrying into Egypt. And Judah said unto his brethren, Let us sell Joseph to the Ishmael- ites, and let not our hands be upon him, for he is our broth- er and our flesh. And Joseph was sold for twenty pieces of si lv er. 6. And his brethren killed a kid, and dipped his coat in the blood thereof. And they brought it to their father, and said, This have we found. And Jacob knew it; and, believ- ing that Joseph was devoured by an evil beast, he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth on his loins, and refused all com- fort, saying, I will go down into the. grave to my son, mourn- ing. 7. Thus wept his father for him. But Joseph was car- THE AMERICAN PRECEPTOR. . 15 vied into Egypt, and sold to Pot'iphar, the captain of Pha'- ra-oh's guard. And the Lord was with him, and prospered him ; and he found favour in the sight of his master. But, by the wickedness of Potiphar's wife, he was cast into the prison, where the king's prisoners were bound. 8. Here, also, the Lord continued to show him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And all the prisoners were committed to his care ; amongst whom were two of Pharaoh's officers, the chief of the but- lers, and the chief of the bakers. 9. And Joseph interpreted the dreams of the king's ser- vants ; and, his interpretation being true, the chief butler recommended him to Pharaoh, who had dreamed a dream, which Joseph thus showed unto him : Behold, there shall come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt ; and there shall arise after them seven years of famine ; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt, and the famine shall consume the land. 10. And the king said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shown you all this, thou shalt be over mine house ; and according to thy word shall all my people be ruled. And Joseph gathered up all the food of the seven years, and laid up the food in the store-houses. Then the seven years of dearth began to come, as Joseph had foretold. 11. But in all the land of Egypt there was bread ; and people from all countries came unto Joseph to buy corn, because the famine was sore in all the lands. Now amongst those who came, were the ten sons of Jacob, from the land ef Ca'-naan. 12. And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange unto them, and spake roughly to them, saying, Ye are spies. And they said, Thy servants are twelve brethren, the sons of one man in the land of Ca- naan; and, behold, the youngest is this day with our father, and one is not. 13. But Joseph said unto them, Ye shall not go forth hence except your youngest brother come hither. Let one of your brethren be bound in prison, and go ye to carry corn for the famine of your houses, and bring your youngest brother unto me. 14. And their consciences reproached them; and they 16 THE AMERICAN PRECEPTOR. said one to another, We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear. Therefore is this dis- tress come upon us. 15. And they knew not that Joseph understood them, for he spake unto them by an interpreter. And he turned him- self about from them, and wept; and returned to them again, and communed with them; and took from them Sim- eon, and bound him before their eyes And they returned unto Jacob, their father, in the land of Canaan, and told him all that had befallen them. 16. And Jacob, their father, said unto them, Me ye have bereaved of my children. Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away also. But my son shall not go down with you ; for his brother is dead, and he is left alone. If mischief befall him in the way in which ye go, then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave. 17. But the famine continued sore in the land; and when they had eaten up the corn which they had brought but of Egypt, Jacob said unto them, Go again, and buy us food. And, if it must be so, now take also your brother Benja- min, and arise, and go unto the man. And they brought presents unto Joseph, and bowed themselves to bim to the earth. 18. And he asked them of their welfare, and said, Is your father well ? Is he alive 1 And he lifted up his eyes, and saw Benjamin his brother; and he was moved with compassion ; and he sought where to weep ; and he entered his chamber, and wept there. And he washed his face, and went out, and refrained himself. 19. Then he commanded the steward of his house, say- ing, Fill the men's sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put my cup, the silver cup, into the sack of Ben- jamin, the youngest. And the steward did according to the word that Joseph had spoken. As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away, they and their asses. 20. But Joseph commanded his steward to follow them, and to search their sacks, and to bring them back. A.nd when Judah and his brethren were returned into the city, Joseph said unto them, What deed is this ye have done ? THE AMERICAN PRECEPTOR. il the man in whose hands the cup is found shall be my ser- vant : and as for you, get you in peace unto your father. 21. But they said, Our father will surely die, if he seeth that the lad is not with us ; and we shall bring down the gray hairs of thy servant, our father, with sorrow to the grave. Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him ; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me ; and there stood no man with him whilst Joseph made himself known unto his brethren. 22. And he wept aloud, and said unto his brethren, I am Joseph ; doth my father yet live ? and his brethren could not answer him, for they were troubled at his presence. And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you ; and they came near. And he said, I am Joseph, your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. 23. Now, therefore, be not grieved, nor angry with your- selves, that ye sold me hither ; for God did send me before you to save your lives by a great deliverance. Haste you, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord over all Egypt. Come down unto me ; tarry not. 24. And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen ; and thou shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy children, and thy children's children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast. And there will I nourish thee ; for yet thare are five years of famine ; lest thou, and thy household, and all that thou hast, come to poverty. 25. And, behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my broth- er Benjamin, that it is my mouth which speaketh unto you. And you shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and all which you have seen ; and ye shall haste, and bring down my father hither. 26. And he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck, and wept ; and Benjamin wept upon his neck. Moreover, he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them ; and, after that, his brethren talked with him. And the fame thereof was heard in Pharaoh's house ; and it pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants. 27. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Invite hither thy fa- ther and his household ; and I will give them the good of the land of Egypt ; and they shall eat the fat of the land. 2* 18 THE AMERICAN PRECEPTOR. 28. And the spirit of Jacob was revived when he heard these tidings ; and he said, My son is yet alive ; I will go and see him before I die. And he took his journey, with all that he had. And Joseph made ready his chariot, and went up to meet Israel, his father, to Goshen ; and, present- ing himself before him, he fell on his neck, and wept for some time. 29. And Joseph placed his father, and his brethren, and gave them possessions in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, as Pharaoh had commanded. 30. This interesting story contains a variety of affecting incidents, is related with the most beautiful simplicity, and furnishes many important lessons for instruction. 31. It displays the mischiefs of parental partiality ; the fatal effects of envy, jealousy and discord amongst breth- ren ; the blessings and honours with which virtue is reward- ed ; the amiableness of forgetting injuries ; and the tender joys which flow from fraternal love and filial piety. On the Instinct of Animals. HP J- HE arguments for Providence, drawn from the natural history of animals, are, in my opinion, demonstrative. The make of every kind of animal is different from that of every other kind, and yet there is not the least turn in the mus- cles, or twist in the fibres of any one, which does not ren- der them more proper for that particular animal's way of life than any other texture would have been. 2. It is astonishing to consider the different degrees of care that are shown by parents to their young, only so far as is necessary for leaving a posterity. Some creatures cast their eggs as chance directs them, and think of them no further ; as insects and several kinds of fish. 3. Others, of a nicer frame, find out proper beds to de- posite them in, and there leave them ; as the serpent, the crocodile, and ostrich : others hatch their eggs, and tend the birth, until the little one is able to shift for itself. What can we call the principle, which directs each different kind of bird to observe a particular plan in the structure of its THE AMERICAN PRECEPTOR. 10 nest, and directs all of the same species to work after the same model ? 4. It cannot be imitation ; for though you hatch a crow under a hen, and never let it see any of the works of its own kind, the nest it makes will be the same, to the laying of a stick, with all the nests of the same species. It cannot be reason ; for were* animals endued with it to as great a degree as man, their buildings would be as different as ours, as their conveniences might require. 5. It is net remarkable that the same temperature of weather, which raises this general warmth in animals, should cover the trees with leaves and the fields witth grass for their security and concealment, and produce such infinite swarms of such creatures as aret the support and sustenance of others. 6. But, notwithstanding that natural love in brutes is much more violent than in rational creatures, providence has taken care that it should be no longer troublesome to the parents, than it is useful to the young ; for, so soon as the wants of the latter cease, the mother withdraws her fondness, and leaves them to provide for themselves. 7. And, what is a very remarkable circumstance, we find that the love of the parent may be lengthened out beyond its usual time, if the preservation of the species re- quires it; as we may see in birds, who drive away their young as soon as they are able to get their livelihood, but continue to feed them if they are tied to the nest, or confin- ed within a cage. 8. This natural love is not observed in animals to ascend from the young to the parent, which is not at all necessary for the continuance of the species. Take a brute out of his instinct, and you find him wholly deprived of understanding. We will give an instance which comes under the observation of every one, and will show the distinction between reason and instinct. 9. With what caution does the hen provide herself a nest in places free from noise and disturbance ! When she has laid her eggs in such a manner that she can cover them, what care does she take in turning them frequently, that all parts may partake of the vital warmth I * Pronounced wer. f ar. 20 THE AMERICAN PRECEPTOR. 10. When she leaves them, to provide for her necessary sustenance, how punctually does she return before they have time to cool, and become incapable of producing an animal ! In the summer, you see her giving herself greater freedoms, and quitting her care for above two hours to- gether ; but in winter, when the cold would chill the princi- ple of life, she is more constant in her attendance, and stays away but half the time. 11. When the birth approaches, with how much nicety and attention does she help the chick to break its prison ! How does she cover it from the weather, provide it proper nourishment, and teach it to help itself, not to mention her forsaking the nest, if, after the usual time of sitting, the young one does not make its appearance ! 12. But, at the same time, the hen, with all this seeming ingenuity, is, considered in other respects, without the least glimmerings of thought or common sense. She mistakes a piece of chalk for an egg } and sits upon it in the same man- ner; and she is insensible of any increase or diminution in the number of those she lays. 13. She even does not distinguish between her own and those of another species ; and, when the birth of ever so dif- ferent a bird appears, she will cherish it as her own. In all these circumstances, which do not carry an immediate re- gard to the subsistence of herself or her species, she is a very idiot. 14. There is not, in my opinion, any thing more myste- rious in nature than this instinct in animals, which thus rises above reason, and falls very far short of it. It cannot be accounted for by any properties in matter, and, at the same time, works after so odd a manner, that one cannot think it the faculty of an intellectual being. 15. For my own part, I look upon it as upon the princi- ple of gravitation in bodies, which is not to be explained by any known qualities inherent in the bodies themselves, nor by any laws of mechanism, but, according to the best notions of the greatest philosophers, is an immediate impression from the first Mover, and the divine energy acting in the creatures. THE AMERICAN PRECEPTOR. 21 Ingenious Villany finally punished. A STRANGER, well mounted, and attended by a ser- vant in rich livery, entered a market town in Somersetshire, where the court was then sitting, and, having put up at one of the principal inns, inquired of the landlord as to the cu- riosities and amusements of the place. 2. The landlord, who was extremely well qualified to an- swer these inquiries, answered, with a low bow, that there was no want of entertainment, as the players were in town, and the court sitting, accompanying his remarks with a rec- ommendation that the gentleman should by all means go to hear the trial that morning, as a highwayman was to be brought up. 3. The stranger made some objection to this invitation, upon the ground of his being unknown, and the little chance he stood of being properly accommodated. This difficulty was, however, removed by the landlord's assuring him that a gentleman of his appearance would be readily ad- mitted. 4. Indeed, to make it more certain, he attended him to the court-house, and represented him in such a way to his friends, the constables, that he obtained a seat at a little dis- tance from the judge. The appearance of the stranger, who was of elegant person and polished manners, arrested for a moment the attention of the court. 5. The witnesses were not numerous, and the evidence was only circumstantial ; but, although no person saw the atrocious murder and robbery committed, yet the circum- stances which fixed the guilt upon the prisoner were very numerous, and his being unable to give any satisfactory ac- count of himself increased the suspicion. The judge, then, for the last time, asked the prisoner if he had any thing to say in his defence. 6. The poor culprit assured the judge that he was not guilty of the robbery, and there were people, if he had time to find them, who could prove that, at the time it was committed, he was in another part of the country. At this 22 THE AMERICAN PRECEPTOR. moment, the poor wretch happened to catch sight of the stranger, and fell backwards on the floor. 7. He was, however, with some difficulty recovered, when the judge humanely inquired into the cause of his ex- travagant behaviour. The poor wretch exclaimed, with tears in his eyes, O my lord, how providential ! for that gentleman, on your left hand, can prove I was not present when the robbery was done. 8. Pray, sir, said the judge, addressing the stranger, do you know any thing of this man ? Upon this, the traveller surveyed the criminal with the most scrupulous attention, and then said, I am very sorry to assure your lordship that I do not know the prisoner. I thought as much, replied the judge; it is mere trifling with justice. 9. The prisoner, however, still insisted that the stran- ger knew him, and the stranger again as positively denied the assertion, till the judge, displeased at the criminal's pre- sumption, was about to receive the verdict of the jury. The poor culprit on his knees entreated permission to say one word. 10. Indeed, my lord, cried he, the gentleman does know me, although he may have forgotten my person. Only give me leave to ask him three questions, and it will save my life. The judge humanely consented, and the curiosity of all the spectators was strongly excited. 11. Pray, sir, said the prisoner, addressing the stranger, did not you land at Dover about three months since 1 I be- lieve I might, replied the gentleman. And pray, sir, do you not recollect that a man, in a sailor's jacket, carried your trunk from the beach to the tavern? I cannot say that I remember it, returned the stranger, but it might possibly bq so. 12. At these words, the prisoner, not disheartened at the difficulties he had met with, pulled off his wig, and again interrogated the stranger. Do you not remember, sir, that the man who carried your trunk on that day showed you a scar he had got on his head, in fighting for his king and country 1 This is the same scar ; look at it. 13. The stranger was astonished. I do, indeed, perfect- ly remember the circumstance, said he, and have every reason to believe this to be the man, although I had forgot- THE AMERICAN PRECEPTOR. 23 ten his face ; but, my lord, added the stranger, I can deter- mine the question to a certainty, for I have a memorandum of the day I arrived at Dover from Calais. 14. The date was compared with the day mentioned in the indictment, and found to be the same. The whole court felt the impression, and joy was visible in every face ; when, after swearing and examining the gentleman as to his name and place of abode, the foreman of the jury pronounced the verdict of not guilty. 15. A few evenings only had elapsed, when the prisoner, the stranger, and his livery servant, were all taken up on the road, in their original capacities of experienced high- waymen ; and, the circumstances of the above imposition being recollected, they were easily convicted, and all three executed together. The Child trained up for the Gallows. AS any father so unnatural as to wish to have his son hanged, let him bring him up in idleness, and without put- ting him to any trade. Let him particularly inure him to spend the Lord's day in play and diversion, instead of at- tending on public worship; and, instead of instructing him, on that day, in the principles of the Christian religion, let him rob a neighbouring hen-roost, while the proprietor of it is gone to divine service. 