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WONDERFUL EXAMPLE OF FILIAL

LOVE.

THE story which I here introduce, is one which I read in a French volume of stories, anecdotes, and reflections, which seem to have been drawn like the various matters in my own book, from the accumulations of a Scrinium. They were published at Marseilles in 1792; and the French writer says that the circumstance is recorded in the annals of Japan.

There was a widow who had three sons, whose joint labours were the support of their mother. Though in the humble sphere where they were placed, the simple necessaries of life were all to which they aspired; yet, the exertions of the three young men did not always produce enough even to procure them; for it often happened that their industry could not find employment.

Once, when a long want of work had reduced them to very great distress, and their mother, as well as themselves, was almost starving; it oc curred that a very great robbery was committed; and that a very great reward was promised to whoever would bring the robber to justice. As a means to afford relief to their parent, the brothers agreed, that two of them should accuse the other of the theft.

They drew lots to determine which should be the victim of filial love, and the lot of destruction fell on the youngest. The two eldest immediately accused their young brother, and he was con sequently seized and bound, and carried before the judge.

He was asked if it were he who committed the robbery, and he acknowledged himself to be guilty. In consequence of his confession he was sent to prison, and his accusers received the promised reward.

While the matter had been in agitation, they were all three insensible to the horrors of their conduct. But when the accused was confined, and the money was received, the accusers' hearts were touched by the danger of their brother; and they found means to visit him in his wretched confinement.

When they were in his melancholy chamber, they threw themselves upon his neck, pressed him with ardour to their bosoms, and wept over him with the fondest affection.

Accident brought the magistrate to the spot, and betwixt the bars of the grating he beheld the novel spectacle of marks of tenderness and love between the accusers and the accused; and he charged one of his people to follow the two witnesses, and not to lose sight of them til he could elucidate the cause of such extraordinary behaviour.

The domestic employed to make the discovery, acquitted himself duly of his commission; and brought word to his employer that he had fol lowed them with apparent carelessness, not to awaken their suspicion that they were watched, and saw them enter a very miserable habitation, which he had approached without being observed; and by listening at the door, had heard the youths recount to their mother what they had done, and offer her the money which was the price of her son's life. He went on to say, that at the recital, the poor woman had uttered the most lamentable cries, and ordered her sons to carry back the money which they had received, for that she had rather perish for want, than preserve her own life by the sacrifice of that of her dear boy.

The magistrate' scarcely crediting such a wonderful example of filial love, sent for the prisoner, interrogated him anew on the subject of his theft, and threatened him with the most cruel torments.

The young man, solely desirous to afford comfort and relief to his mother, persisted in the declaration of his guilt, and was unmoved by all that was said to aggravate the sufferings to which he would be condemned.

"It is too much," exclaimed the magistrate, "O, virtuous and dutiful son! your invincible constancy, and your inflexible filial piety, astonish me, and move me even to tears!"

He instantly reported the circumstance to the emperor, who, charmed by such heroic tenderness, ordered the three brothers to his presence, and loaded them with marks of his favour. He assigned a considerable pension to the youngest, who had, without reluctance, yielded to the lot which he had drawn, and remained undismayed amid the horrors of punishment: and one, not quite so large, on each of the others, who had submitted to the chance of death.

THE SECRET BENEFACTOR.

As the members of a family are proud of the actions of those among them, which do honor to the actors, as if the lustre of their conduct reflected brightness on themselves, so I feel a gratifying delight in those actions which do honor to human nature; and feel proud of the noble conduct of my species. I love to hear of a good ac tion, and I love to repeat it; therefore I insert the account of a transaction which occurred at Marseilles.

A young man, named Robert, was waiting near the shore at Marseilles, for a passenger to hire his boat. After he had been stationed there a short time, a stranger entered it, who very soon rose and would have quitted it, saying that as the master of the boat was not there he would go to another. "Sir," said Robert, "the boat belongs to me. Do you wish to go out of the harbour?"

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