515. FATIGUE-from severe or hard labor, | Laconics. 1. We too often form hasty opingives a general languor to the body; the counte-ions, from external appearances, assumed merely dance is dejected, the arms hang listless; the for deception, by the wolf in sheep's clothing. 2. body, (if not sitting, or lying along,) stoops as in old age; the legs, if walking, drag heavily along, While prosperity gilds your days, you may reckon and seem, at every step, to bend under the weight many friends; but, if the clouds of adversity deof the body; the voice is weak, and hardly arti- scend upon you, behold, they flee away. 3. Cow culate enough to be understood. ards boast of their fancied prowess, and assume an appearance of courage, which they do not possess. 4. The life of the true christian, is not one of melancholy, and gloominess; for he only resigns the pleasure of sin, to enjoy the pleasure of hoiness. 5. The blessings of peace cannot be too highly prized, nor the horrors of was too earnestly deprecated; unless the former is obtained, and the latter-averted, by a sacrifice of principle. 6. The conqueror is regarded with awe, and the learned man commands our esteem; but the good man atne is beloved. I see a man's life is a tedious one: 516. GRAVITY,-seriousness, as when the mind is fixed, or deliberating on some important subject, smooths the countenance, and gives it an air of melancholy; the eye-brows are lowered, the eyes cast downwards, and partially closed, or raised to heaven the mouth shut, the lips composed, and Sometimes a little contracted: the postures of the body and limbs composed, and without much mo.on; the speech, if any, slow and solemn, and the voice without much variety. Fathers! we once again are met in council: Anecdote. How to prize good Fortune. In the year preceding the French revolution, a servant girl, in Paris, drew a prize of fifteen hundred pounds. She immediately called on the parish priest, and generously put two hundred louisd'ors into his hands, for the relief of the most indigent and industrious poor in the district; accompanying the donation with this admirable and just observation, "Fortune could only have been kind to me, in order that I might be kind to others." Thy words-had such a melting flow, And spoke of truth, so sweetly well, Honor and Virtue. Honor is unstable, and seldom the same; for she feeds upon opinion, and is as fickle as her food. She builds a lofty structure on the sandy foundation of the esteem of those who are of all be [fix'dings the most subject to change. But virtue True Eloquence, is good sense, delivered in a natural and unaffected way, without the artificial ornament of tropes and figures. Our common eloquence is usually a cheat upon the understanding; it deceives us with appearances, instead of things, and makes us think we see reason, whilst it is only tickling our sense. Essential honor must be in a friend, Not such as every breath fans to and fro; BRONSON. 14 517. CONFIDENCE, COURAGE, BOASTING-is have lions and tigers to rule over you? hope elated, security of success in obtaining its Know you not that cruelty-is the attribute object; and cOURAGE is the contempt of any unavoidable danger in the execution of what is re- of wild beasts; clemency-that of man? solved upon: in both, the head and whole body Varieties. 1. There is no person so lit are erected rather gracefully, the breast projectle, but the greatest may sometimes need his ted, the countenance clear and open, the accents strong, round, full-mouthed, and not too rapid; assistance: hence, we should all exercise the voice firm and even. BOASTING,exagger- clemency, when there is an opportunity, to ates these appearances by loudness, blustering wards those in our power. This is illustraand railing, what is appropriately called swaggering; the eye-brows drawn down, the face ted by the fable of the mouse and the lion. red and bloated, mouth pouts, arms placed a- when the lion became entangled in the toils kimbo, foot stamped on the ground, large strides 'n walking, voice hollow, thundering, swelling of the hunter, he was released by the mouse, into bombast; head often menacingly, right fists which gnawed asunder the cords of the net clenched, and sometimes brandished at the per- in consideration of having been spared his son threatened. own life, by the royal beast, on a former occasion. 2. It is a universal principle-that an essence cannot exist out of its form; nor be perceived out of its form; nor can the quality of a form be perceived, till the form itself is an object of thought: hence, if an essence does not present itself in form, so that its form can be seen in thought, it is totally impossible to know anything about, or be affected with, that essence. 3. The truths Base men, that use them, to so base effect: GIVING A DAUGHTER IN MARRIAGE. If I have too severely punished you, Anecdote. Clemency. Alphonsus, king of Naples and Sicily, so celebrated in history for his clemency, was once asked, why he was so favorable to all men; even to those most notoriously wicked? He replied, "Because good men are won by justice; the bad, by clemency." Some of his ministers complained to him, on another occasion, of this clemency; when he exd aimed "Would you of religion, and the truths of science, are of different orders; though sometimes blended, yet never actually confounded: theology—is the sun, and science-the moon-to reflect its light and glory. My Mother. Alas, how little do we appreciate a mother's tenderness while living! How heedless, are we, in youth, of all her anxieties and kindness! But when she is dead and gone; when the cares and coldness of the world come withering to our hearts; when we experience how hard it is to find true sympathy, how few love us for ourselves, how few will befriend us in our misfortunes; then it is, that we think of the mother we have lost. The love of praise, howe'er conceal'd by art, Think not the good, The gentle deeds of mercy-thou hast done, Shall cry to heaven, and pull a blessing on thee. Where Fortune smiles; the wretched he forsakas Swift on his downy pinions, flies from grief. In Nature there's no blemish, but the mind; 520. GRATITUDE-puts on an aspect full of comlacency; (see Love;) if the object of it be a character greatly superior, it expresses much submission: the right hand is open with the fingers spread, and press'd upon the breast just over the heart, expresses, very appropriately, a sin cere and hearty sensibility of obligation. The engraving represents the deep-felt emotions of a noble mind. O great Sciolto! O my more than father! As 521. A man is never the less an artist, for not having his tools about him; or a musician, because he wants his fiddle: nor is he the less brave, because his hands are bound, or the worse pilot, for being upon dry ground. If I only have will to be grateful, I am so. gratitude is a necessary, and a glorious, so also is it an obvious, a cheap, and an easy virtue: so obvious, that wherever there is life, there is place for it: so cheap, that the covetous man may be gratified without expense: and so easy, that the sluggard may be so likewise without labor. To the generous mind, The heaviest debt-is that of gratitude, When 'tis not in our power to repay it. Tis the Creator's primary great law, That links the chain of beings to each other, Joining the greater to the lesser nature. When gratitude-o'erflows the swelling heart, And breathes in free and uncorrupted praise For benefits received, propitious heaven Takes such acknowledgments as fragrant incense, And doubles all its blessings. Anecdote. The bill of indictment, preferred against John Bunyan, author of Pilgrin's Progress, &c., was as follows: "John Bunyan hath devilishly and perniciously abstained from coming to church, to hear divine service, and is a common upholder of several unlawful meetings and conventicles, to the disturbance and distraction of the good subjects of this kingdom, contrary to the laws of our sovereign lord the king," &c., was convicted, and imprisoned twelve years and six months. Azd too bad of the right, to pursue the expedient. Views of Truth. We see truths through the medium of our own minds, as we see objects around us thro' the atmosphere; and, of course, we see them not as they are in themselves, but as they are modified by the quality of the medium thro' which we view them; and, as the minds of all are different, we must all have different views of any particular truth; which is the reason, that differences of opinion exist, and always will exist: hence, it is no argument against truth, that men have different views of it; and because they must have different views, it is no reason why they should quarrel about their opinions; for good uses, and not matters of opinion, are the touch-stone of fellowship. Thus it is, that the all of religion relates to life, and the life of religion is to do good, from a love of doing good. While we agree, and are united in doing good, we should not fight among ourselves, about mere matters of opinion; still, we must not be indifferent about them; for truth is necessary to give form to goodness; and every good person will naturally desire to know the truth, that he may regulate his conduct by it; and thus, acquire the greatest and highest degree of goodness. Varieties. 1. The young-are slaves to novelty; the old-to custom. 2. The volume of nature, is the book of knowledge, and he becomes the wisest, who makes the best selections, and uses them properly. The greatest friend of truth-is time; her greatest enemy-prejudice; and her constant companion is humility. 4. The best means of establishing a high reputation is-to speak well, and act better. 5. Be studious, and you will be learned; be industrious and frugal, and you will be rich; be sober and temperate, and you will be healthy; be virtuous, and you will be happy. 6. He, who governs his passions, does more than he, who commands armies. Socrates, being one day offended with his servant, said, "I would beat you, if I were not angry. 7. The best mode of gaining a high reputation, is-to be-what you appear to be. Like birds, whose beauties languish, half conceal'd, Till, mounted on the wing, their glossy plumes, Expanded, shine with azure, green, and gold; How blessings brighten-as they take their flight Deep-as the murmurs of the falling floods; Sweet-as the warbles of the vocal woods: The list ning passions hear, and sink, and rise, As the rich harmony, or swells, or dies! The pulse of avarice-forgets to move; A pure rapture-fills the breast of love; Devotion-lifts to heav'n a holier eye, And bleeding pity-heaves a softer sigh. I, solitary, court The inspiring breeze, and meditate upon the book Of nature, ever open; aiming thence, Warm from the heart, to learn the moral song. A dark, cold calm, which nothing now can break, Still- the breathless interval-between the flash and thundr 522. To act a Passion properly, we must Laconics. 1. When we behold a 'ull grown never attempt it, until the imagination has conceived clearly and distinctly, a strong and vivid idea of it, and we feel its influence in our inmost soul; then, the form, or image of that idea, will be impressed on the appropriate muscles of the face, and communicate, instantly, the same impressions to the muscles of the body; which, whether braced, or relaxed, (the idea being either active or passive,) by impelling, or retarding the flow of the affection, will transmit their own sensation to the voice, and rightly dispose the proper ges ture. COURAGE, DISTRACTION. [Danes ! A generous few, the vet'ran hardy gleanings Of many a hapless fight, with Heroic fire, inspirited each other, Resolved on death; disdaining to survive Their dearest country. "If we fall," I cried, "Let us not tamely fall, like passive cowards; No let us live, or let us die like MEN; Come on, my friends, to Alfred we will cut Our glorious way; or, as we nobly perish, Will offer, to the genius of our country, Whole hecatombs of Danes." As if one soul had moved them all, Around their heads, they flashed Their flaming falchions-"Lead us to those Our country! VENGEANCE!" was the gen'ral cry! 523. PASSIONS. 1. The passions and desires, like the two twists of a rope, mutually mix one with the other, and twine inextricably round the heart; producing good, if moderately indulged; but certain destruction, if suffered to become inordinate. 2. Passion is the great mover and spring of the soul: when men's passions are strongest, they may have great and noble effects; but they are then also, apt to lead to the greatest evils. Anecdote. Pungent Preaching. An old man being asked his opinion of a certain sermon, replied, "I liked it very well, except that there was no pinch to it. I always like to have a pinch to every sermon." Want is a bitter and a hateful good, Because its virtues are not understood. Yet many things, impossible to thought, Have been, by need, to full perfection brought. The daring of the soul proceeds from thence, Sharpness of wit, and active diligence; Prudence at once, and fortitude it gives, And, if in patience taken, mends our lives; For even that indigence which brings me low Makes me myself, and him above, to know; A good which none would challenge, few would A fair possession,wnich mankind refuse. [choose, If we from wealth to poverty descend, Want gives to know the flatterer from the friend. The darts of love, like lightning, wound within, And, tho' they pierce it, never hurt the skin; They leave no marks behind them where they fly, Tho' thro' the tend'rest part of all, the eye. Darkness-the curtain drops on life's dull scene man, in the perfection of vigor and health, and the splendor of reason and intelligence, and are informed that "God created man in his own image, after his own likeness;" we are attracted with tenfold interest to the examination of the object, that is placed before us, and the structure of his mind and body, and the succinct develop ments of the parts and proportions of each. 2. A workingman without tools, tho' he has the best designs and most perfect practical skill, can do do nothing with the best of tools; and without nothing useful; without skill, his design could design, his skill and tools would be both inoperative thus again, three distinct essentials are seen to be necessary in every thing. Mercy! I know it not,-for I am miserable; 'Tis fallen! 'tis here! I felt it on my brain! Varieties. 1. Can actions be really good, unless they proceed from good motives? 2. By doubting, we are led to think; or, consider whether it be so, and to collect reasons, and thereby to bring that truth rationally into our minds. 3. The effects of music-are produced directly upon the affections, without the intervention of thought. 4. What shall we do, to obtain justice, when we are injur. ed? Seek recompense at law, if at all. 5. Suppose a person insults us in such a manner, that the law cannot give us redress? Then forgive him. 6. In the Lord, are infi- The beggar begs with it, the gay courtier 524. DESPAIR. Shakspeare has most exqui- | saw a spider climbing up one of the rafters ; Bitely depicted this passion, where he has drawn the insect fell, but immediately made a second cardinal Beaufort, after a most ungodly life, dying in despair, and terrified with the murder of duke attempt to ascend; and the hero saw, with Humphrey, to which he was accessory. The first regret, the spider fall the second time; it then example is Despair, the second, Despair and Re- made a third unsuccessful attempt. With much interest and concern the monarch saw morse. If thou be'st Death, I'll give thee England's treasures, Died he not in his bed? where should he die? the spider baffled in its aim twelve times; but the thirteenth essay was successful; when the king, starting up, exclaimed, "This despicable insect has taught me perseverance I will follow its example. Have I not been twelve times defeated by the enemy's supcrior force? On one fight more hangs the independence of my country," In a few days, his anticipations were realized, by the glorious victory at the battle of Bannockburn, and the defeat of Edward the Second. Varieties. 1. The bee-rests on natural flowers, never on painted ones, however inimitably the color may be laid on; apply this to all things. 2. The rapidity with which the body may travel by steam, is indicative of How far am I plunged down, beyond all thought, the progress which the mind is about to make; Which I this evening framed! Consummate horror! guilt-beyond a name! and improvements in machinery-represent those which are developing in the art of teach Were second guilt, and 'twere blaspheming heavening. 3. Equal and exact justice to all, of RO 525. GRIEF is disappointment, devoid of hope; but muscles braced instantly, imply hope strongly and a spirited vivacity in the eye, is the effect of pleasure and elevation. They are inconsistent with a passion that depresses, which grief manifestly does; because depression slackens the neta, and unbraced nerves deject the looks and air, necessarily; therefore, a relaxed mien, and languid eye, form the truest picture of natural sorrow. The smaller engraving represents vacant grief, and the other deep silent grief. I'll go, and, in the anguish of my heart, Weep o'er my child,—if he must die, my life Is wrapt in his; and shall not long survive; Tis for his sake, that I have suffered life, Grained in captivity, and outlived Hector, Yes, my As-ty-a-nax! we will go together; TOGETHER-to the realms-of night-we'll go. Anecdote. Lesson from a Spider. King Robert Bruce, the restorer of the Scottish monarchy, being out one day reconnoitering the army, lay alone in a barn. In the morning, still reclining on his pillow of straw, he whatever state, or persuasim, religious and DESPAIR makes a despicable figure, and descends from a mean |