ANECDOTE OF FREDERICK II. 14 



I allude to an anecdote of Frederick the Great of Prussia, 

 who being- anxious to overcome his natural inclination for 

 sleep, which interfered with his plans, first ordered his atten- 

 dants to awake him at four o'clock, at which .hour he intended 

 to leave his bed. They did so; but Frederick was naturally 

 fond of sleep, and therefore always begged for a little more 

 time, which it may easily be supposed he obtained without 

 difficulty; and thus, instead of four, he usually rose at six. 

 In vain he scolded and commanded, for the next morning 

 always found him entreating for more sleep; and where were 

 the attendants that could resist the requests of a despotic 

 monarch 1 ? Finally, determined to vanquish himself and his 

 nature, he commanded the person who called him, under pain 

 of being made a common soldier for life, every morning to 

 put upon his face a towel dipped in cold water. By this 

 violent measure, he conquered his natural love of sleep, and 

 continued to rise at four o'clock till an advanced period of his 

 fife.* 



MRS. F. 



Thank you, Esther, for the anecdote. None but those who 

 have felt its benefits, can be conscious of half the advantages 

 resulting from a habit of rising early. Indeed, I look upon 

 it, even in a stronger point of view, as a positive obligation 

 enjoined upon us; inasmuch as we are commanded to redeem 

 the time, and not to waste it in idleness and sloth. That it 

 is conducive to health we all must feel; and, of those persons 

 who have attained an extraordinary age, almost all have been 

 found to have been early risers. f Morning is the season of 

 devotion; and we have the example of Him who is our Law- 

 giver and our Guide, in favor of this practice, as we find it 

 recorded that He rose up " a great while before it was day," 

 and went out to pray4 If we only just rise from our beds 



* Lord Dover's Frederick II. t Sir J. Sinclair. 

 $ St. Mark, chap. xxxv. ver. 1st. 

 IS* 



