I NEVER IMPORTUNE. 
A ROSE LEAF. 
There was an academy at Amadan, whose 
statutes were couched in these terms, — 
“ The academicians think much, write little, 
and talk less! ” Dr. Zeb, celebrated all 
over the east, being informed of a vacancy 
in that academy, hastened to obtain it, but 
unfortunately arrived too late. The academy 
was in despair; it had just granted to power 
that which belonged to merit alone. The 
president, not knowing how to express a 
refusal which reflected so much discredit 
on the assembly, commanded a cup to be 
brought, which he so exactly filled with wa¬ 
ter, that one drop more would have caused 
it to overflow. The learned candidate un¬ 
derstood by this emblem that there was no 
place in the academy for him. He was re¬ 
tiring in disappointment, when he perceived 
a rose leaf at his feet. At this sight hope 
revived; he took the rose leaf, and placed it 
so gently upon the water which filled the 
cup, that not a single drop was lost. At 
this ingenious feat every one clapped their 
hands, and the doctor was received by accla¬ 
mation among the members of the silent 
academy. 
