that you are present at this melancholy scene?" said Emilius.

"Melancholy scene!" replied Poeticus, "have you not heard of the butterfly's ball,—and that we also intend to get up a ball this very night?"

"What!" rejoined Emilius, "do you intend to promote gaiety while so many miserable bees are here in dreadful suspense of losing their lives?-none but butterflies would think of dancing at such a ball."

"You, Emilius, are far too rigid; wherever a number of bees are assembled, there are animation and buoyancy of spirits, and it is desirable now and then to drive away the cares of life. As for the bees who have committed depredations, they must, for the general safety, be punished or removed from the hives. If we are to dwell with painful commiseration on the fate of all whom the law condemns, our lives would be one continued series of sorrow and lamentation. These evils always have existed, and always will existy."

The bustle that now took place announced the

This reply is the ordinary refuge of the indolent and unreflecting. Bishop Butler remarks: "And just so we might have argued, before experience, concerning the remedies provided in nature for bodily diseases, to which by nature we are exposed; for many of these were unknown to mankind for a number of

approach of the Judicatores, and several of the bees in office went forth to receive them. On the following morning the court assembled ; and the criminals, although they dreaded the day of trial, were so much worn down by delay that they had become anxious for the decision of their fate. Emilius and his friend took a station in one corner, from whence they could observe all the proceedings. As the criminals were led forth with drooping heads and lacerated wings, Emilius was shocked at their forlorn appearance. They were in general very young workers, and had all been placed under circumstances less fortunate than those through which the Judicatores who presided at their trials had passed. There were two or three older than the rest, and whose offences were of a more aggravated character. The evidence against them was most conclusive; but owing to some trifling informality in the proceedings they contrived to escape.

It was late in the day before the young worker who had picked the wax-pocket of Orpheus was brought He was of a delicate frame, and there was

out.

ages; are known but to few now; some important ones probably not discovered yet; and those which are, neither certain in their application, nor universal in their use."-Preface to Analogy of Religion Natural and Revealed.

a degree of interest in his appearance which together with his extreme youth excited the sympathy of the whole court. "Surely," exclaimed Emilius, you would not think of visiting with punishment one so young? "The younger,” replied Orpheus, "the more necessary the punishment, to arrest his progress in evil courses."

The charge was fully substantiated; and after the Judicator had condemned him to imprisonment, he admonished him to pursue a more virtuous course on his liberation.

The youthful prisoner was about to be led from the bar, when in feeble accents he begged permission to address the court. The application was altogether so new, and the occasion so interesting, that he was listened to with mute attention, while he thus expressed himself.

"I feel so poignantly the ignominy of my present situation, that I hope I shall be excused in detailing a few particulars of my past life, not as affording any justification of the deed for which I stand convicted, but as some extenuation of my general character. I was born in a loathsome part of the hive, and scarcely had I emerged from the pupa state when I found myself surrounded by vicious bees, who taught me to practise deceit, to pass my time

E

in idleness, and to live by plunder. Once upon a time, when I was hardly capable of reflection, I do remember that the lamentable condition of our portion of the hive attracted the notice of some humane bees; and their opinions and advice, although new to me, were still so consolatory, that my mind was exhilarated by some glimmering hopes of better days. They told me that if I would follow their instructions I should soon learn to take delight in beholding the lilies of the valley, and in collecting the sweetest honey from the rose of Sharon. My mind was deriving some amendment from their benevolent efforts; but too often these benefits were rendered ineffectual by the contagion of bad example: and as it was not in the power of my humane friends to improve the circumstances surrounding me, while they imparted the most useful truths, I became the victim of the demoralizing influence of vicious associates. The Judicator advises me henceforward to pursue a different course. Most gladly would I extricate myself from the thraldom of vice and misery; but woful experience has proved that the affluent bees will not employ those who have once appeared as culprits at the bar of justice.'

The Judicator remarked, that it was his duty solely to judge according to the laws, and that it was

not for him to regulate the circumstances or to frame the institutions of the hive. That task devolved upon the learned civilians, aided by the still more learned apiarian œconomists. He acknowledged that the young worker had made a powerful appeal, and humanely promised that his case should be taken into consideration.

The court broke up, and through the intercession of Emilius a pardon was obtained for the culprit. Emilius took him into his own service, and by kind and judicious treatment and instruction he became one of the most industrious and faithful of bees.

Often would Emilius remind his friend Orpheus, that besides precept, example and other circumstances strongly impressed the mind, and that a combination of their best influences was essential to the formation of superior characters".

A few years after the revolution, and towards the close of summer, a war broke out on the Pentland

y The benevolent advocates for universal instruction should consider, that by investigating and adopting plans for improving the circumstances of the working classes, they would disarm their opponents of one of their most powerful arguments. How often has it been reiterated, that since education has become so general, crime, and more especially juvenile delinquency, have alarmingly increased. As if vice were the offspring of intelligence!