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WITHOUT the gates of several great cities in China there are lofty towers, which seem chiefly designed for ornament, and for taking a view of the adjacent country. The most remarkable of these towers is that of Nankin, called the porcelain tower, from its being entirely covered with porcelain tiles, beautifully painted. It is of an octangular figure, contains nine stories, and is about two hundred feet high, being raised on a very solid base of brick-work. The wall at the bottom is at least twelve feet thick; and the building gradually diminishes to the top, which is terminated by a sort of spire or pyramid, having a large golden ball, or pine-apple, on its summit. It is surrounded by a balustrade of rough marble, and has an ascent of twelve steps to the first floor, whence one may ascend to the ninth story, by very narrow and incommodious stairs, each step being ten inches deep. Between every story there is a kind of penthouse or shed on the outside of the tower, and at each corner are hung little bells, which, being agitated by the wind, make a pleasant jing

ling. Each story is formed by large pieces of timber, and boards laid across them. The ceilings of the rooms are adorned with paintings; and the light is admitted through windows made of grates or lattices of wire. There are, likewise, many niches in the wall, filled with Chinese idols; and the variety of ornaments that embellish the whole, renders it one of the most beautiful structures in the empire. It has now stood above 350 years, and yet appears to have suffered but little from the wasting hand of time.

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It would be thought a hard government, that should tax its people one-tenth part of their time, to be employed in its service; but idleness taxes many of us much more: sloth, by bringing on disease, absolutely shortens life. "Sloth, like rust, consumes faster than labour wears, while the used key is always bright," as Poor Richard says. But, "dost thou love life? then do not squander

time, for that is the stuff life is made of," as Poor How much more than is necessary

Richard says.

do we spend in sleep! forgetting that "the sleeping fox catches no poultry," and that "there will be sleeping enough in the grave," as Poor Richard says.

"If time be, of all things, the most precious, wasting time must be," as Poor Richard says, "the greatest prodigality;" since, as he elsewhere tells us, "Lost time is never found again;" and what we call time enough, always proves little enough. Let us, then, be up and doing; and be doing to the purpose; so by diligence shall we do more with less perplexity. "Sloth makes all things difficult, but industry makes all easy: and he that riseth late, must trot all day, and shall scarcely overtake his business at night;" while "laziness travels so slowly, that poverty soon overtakes him.” "Drive thy business; let not that drive thee; and early to bed, and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise," as Poor Richard

says.

So what signifies wishing and hoping for better times? We may make these times better, if we bestir ourselves. "Industry needs not wish, and he that lives upon hope, will be fasting." "There are no gains without pains: then help, hands, for I have no lands; or if I have, they are heavily taxed. He that hath a trade, hath an estate; and he that hath a calling, hath an office of profit and honour," as Poor Richard says; but, then, the trade must be worked at, and the calling well

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followed, or neither the estate nor the office will enable us to pay our taxes. If we be industrious, we shall never starve; for, "at the working-man's house, hunger looks in, but dares not enter; for industry pays debts, while despair increaseth them." What! though you have found no treasure, nor has any rich relation left you a legacy, diligence is the mother of good luck, and God gives all things to industry; then, plough deep, while sluggards sleep, and you shall have corn to sell and to keep; work while it is called to-day, for you know not how much you may be hindered to-morrow," as Poor Richard says; and further, 66 never leave that till to-morrow, which you can do to-day." If you were a servant, would you not be ashamed that a good master should catch you idle? Are you, then, your own master? Be ashamed to catch yourself idle, where there is so much to be done for yourself, your family, your country, and your sovereign. "Handle your tools without mittens; remember that the cat in gloves catches no mice," as Poor Richard says. It is true, there is much to be done, and perhaps you are weak-handed; but stick to it steadily, and you will see great effects; for "constant dropping wears stones," and, "by diligence and patience, the mouse ate in two the cable;" and, "little strokes fell great oaks."

FRANKLIN.

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FATHER GERAMB, in the account of his pilgrimage to Jerusalem, relates an adventure, in which the merciful interposition of divine Providence was singularly visible. Mount Carmel, to which he paid a visit after leaving Nazareth, affords a haunt to wild beasts, that sometimes renders it dangerous to the unprotected traveller. A short time before his arrival, some naval officers, belonging to an Austrian frigate, which had put into the port of Caiffa, came to the monastery, which is situated on the mountain, and which affords hospitality to strangers. Their visit being ended, they requested a young lad, who acted as a kind of domestic in the convent, to show them a short way down the mountain, to their long-boat. He complied, and, after accompanying them a considerable distance, was returning tranquilly to the house of the community, when, on a sudden, he beheld an enormous panther rushing down upon him. At the sight of this formidable animal, alone as he was, and without strength to use arms, even

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