happiness according to the degree in which he commu

nicates it.

EXAMPLES.

Antisthenes being asked, what he got by his learning, answered, "That he could talk to himself, could live alone, and needed not go abroad and be beholden to others for delight." The same person 'desired nothing of the gods to make his life happy, but the spirit of Socrates; which would enable him to bear any wrong or injury, and to continue in a quiet temper whatever might befal him.

Count Oxenstiern, the Chancellor of Sweden, was a person of the first quality, rank and abilities, in his own country, and whose care and success, not only in the chief ministry of affairs there, but in the greatest negociations of Europe, during his time rendered him no less considerable abroad. After all his knowledge and honors, being visited in his retreat from public business, by Commissioner Whitelocke, at the close of their conversation, he said to the ambassador, “ I, sir, have seen much, and enjoyed much of this world; but I never knew how to live until now. I thank God, who has given me time to know him, and likewise myself. All the comfort I take, and which is more than the whole world can give, is the knowledge of God's love in my heart, and the reading of this blessed book, (laying his hand on the Bible.) You are now, sir, (continued he,) in the prime of your age and vigor, and in great favor and business; but this will all leave you, and you will one day better understand and relish what I say to you. Then you will find that there is more wisdom, truth, comfort and pleasure, in retiring and turning your heart from the world in the good pirit of God, and in reading his sacred word, than in all the courts and all the favors of princes."

The Romans, we are told, built their temple of Virtue immediately before that sacred to Honor, to teach that it was necessary to be virtuous before being honored. St. Augustine observes, that though these temples, were contiguous, there was no entering that of Honor, uvil after having passed through that of Virtue.

Seneca, after a serious study of all the philosophy in

his time in the world, was almost a Christian, in his severe reproos of vice, and commendations of virtue. His expressions are sometimes divine, soaring far above the common sphere of heathen authors. How beautiful is that sentence of his in the preface to his Natural Questions: "What a pitiful thing would man be, if his soul did not soar above these earthly things!" And though he was sometimes doubtful about the future condition of his soul, yet he tells his dear Lucilius with what pleasure he thought of its future bliss; and then goes on to argue, that the soul of man hath this mark of divinity in it, that it is most pleased with divine speculations, and converses with them as with matters in which it is most nearly concerned. "When this soul (saith he) hath once viewed the vast dimensions of the heavens, it despises the meanness of its former little cottage. Were it not for these contemplations, it had not been worth our while to have come into this world, nor would it make us amends for any pains and care we take about this present life."

The Spartans, we find, paid a particular attention to the peculiar genius and disposition of their youths, in order the better to adapt them to such employments as were most suitable to their capacities, and wherein they might be most beneficial to society. Among them it was not lawful for the father himself to bring up his children after his own fancy. As soon as they were seven years old, they were all cnrolled in several companies, and disciplined by the public. The old men were spectators of their performances, who often raised emulations among them, and set them at strife one with the other, that by those early discoveries they might see how their several talents lay, and, without any regard to their quality, dispose of them accordingly for the service of the commonwealth. By this means Sparta soon became the mistress of Greece, and famous through the whole world for her civil and military discipline.

Agesilaus, king of Sparta, being asked, "what ho thought most proper for boys to learn?" answered "What they ought to do when they come to be men.”

Thus a wiser than Agesilaus has inculcated: "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."

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Simonides, an excellent poet, the better to support himself under narrow circumstance, went the tour of Asia, singing from city to city the praises of their he roes and great men, and recieving their rewards. By this means having at last become wealthy, he determined to return to his own country, by sea, being a ïauve Ine island Ceos. Accordingly he went on board a vessel which had not been long on the voyage before a terrible tempest arose, and reduced it to a wreck in the midst of the sea. Upon this, some of the people packed up their treasures, others their most valuable merchandise, and tied them around their bodies as the best mea's of supporting their future existence, should they escaps the present dangers. But amidst all their solicitude, a certain inquisitive person observing Simonides quite inactive, and eemingly unconcerned, asked him, "What! don't you lot after any of your effects?" No, (replied the poet calmly,) all that is mine is with me." Then some few of them, and he among the rest, took to swimming; and several got safe ashore; while many more perished in the waves, wearied and encumbered with the burdens they had bound about them. To complete the calamity, some plunde ers soon after came down upon the coast, and seized all that each man had brought away with him, leaving them naked. The ancient city of Clazomene happened to be near at hand, to which the shipwrecked people repaired. Here a certain man of letters, who had often read the verses of Simonides, and was his great admirer, hearing him one day speak in the marketplace, inquired his name, and finding it was he, gave him a welcome reception to his own house, and sup plied him with clothes, money, and servants to attend him; while the rest of the company were forced to carry a letter about this foreign city, setting forth their case, and begging bread. The next day Simonides met with them in his walks, and thus addressed them: Did I not tell you, my friends, that all which I had VOL. 1.

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was with me? but you see all that which you could carry away with you perished." Thus wisdom is proved to be the most durable possession, and the best security amidst every want and trial.

The famous Torquato Tasso, by his poem entitled Rinaldo, extended his reputation throughout all Italy but greatly chagrined his father, who thought it might seduce him from studies more advantageous. Accordingly he went to Padua, where his son then was, to remonstrate against his apparent purpose of devoting himself to philosophy and poetry, and made use of many very harsh expressions; all which Tasso heard with patience and tranquillity which made the old gentlemen still more angry. At last, of what use, (cried he) is that philosophy on which you value yourself so much?" "Sir, (replied Tasso calmly,) it has enabled me to endure patiently the harshness even of your reproofs."

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Sir Thomas Smith Secretary of State to Queen Elizabeth, a few months before he died, sent to his friends the bishops of Winchester and Worcester, entreating them to draw up for him, out of the word of God, the plainest and best directions for making his peace with him; adding, "That it was great pity men knew not to what end they were born into the world till they were just at the point quitting it."

Sir John Mason was born in the reign of Henry VII. and lived in high esteem with Henry VIII. Eďward VI. Queen Mary, and Queen Elizabeth, having been a privy counsellor to each of the four last, and an accurate observer of all the various revolutions and vicissitudes of those times. When he lay on his deathbed he called his family together, and adressed thei in the following terms: "Lo! here I have lived to see five princes, and have been a counsellor to four; I have seen the most remarkable things in foreign parte, and been present at most state transactions for thirty years together; and I have learned this, after so many years experience. That seriousness is the greatest wisdom, temperance the best physician, and a good conscience the best estate. And were I to live again.

I would exchange the court for a cloister; my privycounsellor's bustles for a hermit's retirement; and the whole life I have lived in the palace, for one hour's enjoyment of God in my closet. All things else forsake me, except my God, my duty, and my prayers."

CIRCLE OF THE SCIENCES, WITH SUITABLE REFLECTIONS.

ASTRONOMICAL SKETCHES.-NO. IX.

THE MOON.

THE Contemplation of the works of an infinitely wise, powerful, and good Being, are fully calculated to produce in your minds sentiments of reverence, delight, and love. These works are infinitely diversified, and afford a never-failing source of mental pleasure to all who delight in them. "The works of the Lord are great, sought out by all them that have pleasure therein."

Among these amazing and multiplied productions, some are more conspicuous than others, and strike our senses at once with their magnitude, lustre, and beauty.

The Sun that shines daily upon the Earth is at once beautiful and glorious. The stars that shine by night afford the most delightful prospects to the eye, and endless employment for our most soaring thoughts. And the pale Moon that rules the night, affording light to millions by sea and land, influencing our atmosphere, and governing the mighty deep, is, next to the great orb of day, the most interesting of the celestial bodies, and affords to the studious mind full scope for all its powers.

The Moon is the nearest of all the heavenly bodies to our Earth. She is its faithful companion and attendant through its mighty round from year to year, from century to century, accomplishing all the designs of the great Creator of the universe.

The Moon is the first heavenly body that seems to arrest the attention of little children. Shining amidst the heavens, and diffusing her mild and silvery beams, she can be gazed at for any length of time without