in one of our large cities fifty young men, clerks in stores, who used to frequent a particular place, to spend their evenings in a social way, with the wine bottle as a companion of their social cheer. One evening, one of them after retiring, began to reflect upon the consequences of the course he was pursuing. He came to the conclusion, that if he went on it would be his ruin. He resolved he would never go again. The next evening he found himself on the way to the same place. But as he came to the corner of the street which turned towards the place, he thought of his resolution. He hesitated a moment, and then said to himself, "Right about face!" He returned, and was never seen there again. That man is now one of the most wealthy, respected, and useful men in the country; while forty of those who continued their resort to the public house became intemperate, and I believe have all gone down to the drunkard's grave.

Gaming is another evil habit, which leads to all manner of evil company and evil practices. It has proved the destruction of thousands of promising youth.

NEVER SUFFER YOURSELF TO BECOME THE SLAVE OF any HABIT. Abstain entirely from intoxicating drinks, tobacco, gaming, and profane language. For when you once begin with any of these, it is like the "letting out of waters." At first they run very slowly; but soon they wear away a channel, and rush on with an impetuosity which defies all attempts to stop them. On the coast of Norway there is a great whirlpool, called the Maelstrom, which sometimes swallows up great ships. When a vessel comes near this terrible abyss, it is first drawn very gently with a circular motion. But after it has made one or two rounds, it goes more

and more rapidly, and draws nearer and nearer the centre, till finally it reaches the vortex, is swallowed up, and is seen no more. So it is with these bad habits. When one gets fairly within the circle of their influence, his fate is well nigh sealed. The only safety with young men and boys is to keep far away from the very outer edges of the whirlpool.

Illustrations.

PUNCTUALITY.

WHEN Washington appointed the hour of twelve to meet Congress, he never failed to be passing the door of the hall while the clock was striking twelve. His dinner hour was four o'clock. If his guests were not there at the time, he never waited for them. New members of Congress, who were invited to dine with him, would frequently come in when dinner was half over; and he would say to them, "Gentlemen, we are punctual here. My cook never asks whether the company has arrived, but whether the hour has." In 1799, when on a visit to Boston, he appointed eight o'clock in the morning as the hour when he would set out for Salem. While the Old South Clock was striking eight, he was mounting his horse. The company of cavalry, who had volunteered to escort him, was parading in Tremont Street, and did not overtake him till he had reached Charles River Bridge. On their arrival, the General said, "Major, I thought you had been too long in my family not to know when it was eight o'clock."

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PUNCTUALITY.

SAMUEL WESLEY, ESQ.

SAMUEL WESLEY, Esq., was one of the greatest mu. sicians of his age. His musical powers were developed while he was a child, and excited the greatest admiration. But he was as great a lover of regular habits as of song. No company or persuasion could keep him up beyond his regular time for going to bed. For this reason, he could seldom be persuaded to go to a concert in the night. The moment the clock struck eight, away ran Samuel, in the midst of his most favourite amusement. Once he rose up from the first part of the Messiah, saying, "Come, mamma, let us go home, or I shan't be in bed by eight." When some friends talked of carrying him to the queen, and his father asked him if he was willing to go, he replied, "Yes, with all my heart; but I won't stay beyond eight." This was a wise resolution; for children are sadly injured by being kept up late at night.

FIVE MINUTES TOO LATE.

THE following amusing sketch, though perhaps fictitious, gives a pretty faithful picture of many a man's life:

scolded for being too late

was

"When a child, I was at school; when a boy, I being too late at my work; and turned away for being behind

cuffed and kicked for when a man, I was time on a particular

my

occasion when my services were wanted.

"My uncle Jonathan was well to do in the world, and as his nephews were his nearest relations, we had reason to expect that his property would come among

FIVE MINUTES TOO LATE.

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us. He had, however, one peculiarity, which effectually shut his door against me. He never was five minutes too late in an appointment in his life, and thought most contemptuously of those who were. I really believe that I was a bit of a favourite with him until my unfortunate failing justly offended him.

"He had occasion to go a journey, and I was directed to be with him at seven in the morning, to carry his portmanteau to the coach. Alas! I was 'Five minutes too late,' and he had left the house.

"Knowing his particularity, I hurried after him, and running till I could scarcely stand, arrived at one end of the street just in time to see the coach go off with my uncle at the other. Dearly did I pay for being 'Five minutes too late.'

"My Uncle did not return for a month, and certainly showed more forbearance toward me than he was ever known to do on a similar occasion; for in a letter he stated, that if I could be punctual, he should wish me to meet him on his return, to take charge of his portmanteau, and thereby make some amends for my misconduct. Off I set, but knowing that coaches frequently arrive a quarter of an hour after their set time, I thought a minute or two could be of no consequence. The coach, unfortunately, was 'horridly exact,' and once more I was after my time, just Five minutes too late.'

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"My Uncle Jonathan never forgave me, fully believing that I had done it on purpose to get rid of the trouble of carrying his portmanteau. Years rolled away, and I was not so much as permitted to enter the door of my Uncle Jonathan.

“Time, however, heals many a sore, and while it ruffles many a smooth brow, smooths many a ruffled temper. My Uncle Jonathan so far relented, that