THE MOON

The moon shines lo give us light in the nighl, \vhen the sun is set. She is very fine, and while like silver. We may look at her always, for she is not so bright as to dazzle our eyes, and she never scorches us. She is mildand genlle. She lels even the litile glowworms shine, which are quite dark by day. The stars shine ail round her, but she seems larger and brighter Ihan the stars, because she is very much nearer us, and she looks like a large pearl amongst a great many small sparkling diamonds.

When you are asleep, she shines through your curlains, with her genlle beams, and seems to say : Sleep on, poor litile tired boys.

(L. Murray.) 4. THE LITIGIOUS CATS.

A fable.

Two cats having stolen a cheese, could not agrée about dividing their prize. Therefore, to seule their dispute, they consented to refer the affair to a monkey. The proposed arbilrator very readily accepted the ofiQce, and taking a balance, put a part into each scale. « Let me see )), said he; « ay! Ihis lump weighs more than the other » : and immediately he bit off a considérable pièce, in order to reduce it, he

gaiJ to an cquilibrium. The opposite scale now became llie lieavier, \vliich afforded ihe conscienlious judge a good rcason for a second moutliful. « Hold î liold ! » said Ihe hvo cals, who began lo be alarmed for ihe resuit, a give us our respective sliares ; we are salisfîed. » « If you are satiesfied », replied the monkey, « justice is nol : a case of ihis intricate nature is by no means so soon delermined. » Upon which he conlinued lo nibble flrst one pièce and Ihen the olher, till the poor cals, seeing Ihat Iheir cheese was gradually diminishing, enlrealed him lo give himself no farlher trouble, but deliver lo ihem Nvhat remained. « Not so fast, I beseech you, friends », replied the monkey, « we owe justice to ourseives, as well as to you : what reraains is due lo me in right of my olTice. » Upon which, he crammed Ihe whole inlo his mouth, and \Yilh great gravily dismissed the court.

{Dodsley.)

STORÏES FOR CHILDREN.

Selectcd from Ibe History of En^land.