alas! the soldier, on leaving the cave, discovered that one of the bodies had been stolen, and, as this neglect subjected the soldier to death, he determined to kill himself; but the widow, having preserved her life for him, determined that he should preserve his life for her, and she therefore caused the body of her husband to be removed from the coffin, and hung up in the place of that which had been stolen. All this happened, the death of the one, the intended death of the other, the marriage of the soldier and the widow, and the sacrifice of a dead husband for a living one, in the short space of a few hours!" Without doubt, the newly married woman experienced a return of her sorrow, but, if she had suffered it to flow less copiously, it would not have been so soon exhausted, and thus she might have acted more consistently.

Sometimes a painful thought breaks in and mars the delightful imagery which is flitting through the mind; and then, like a beautiful vapour which is suddenly condensed, it falls in tears. When Xerxes beheld his magnificent army crossing the Hellespont, his countenance brightened with exultation; but, when he remembered that this immense multitude would pass away in an age, he wept. All pleasures are transitory, and the most powerful are the most evanescent. The human mind is like mercury; it is elated or depressed by the influence of external causes. On some occasions, however, the contending influence of sorrow and joy is so equal, that the mind is placed in a state of equilibrium. Rabelais mentions an old man who, at

the same time, was blessed with a son and deprived of a wife; and the opposing influences were so equal, that he neither rejoiced nor lamented.

As grief should be moderated on all occasions, and as calmness is preferable to agitation, so cheerfulness is more contributive than mirth to real happiness. Addison has compared mirth to a flash of lightning, and cheerfulness to a continual sunshine. Playfulness arises, sometimes, from the latter feeling. The lamb frisks and gambols on the lawn; the colt gallops about the pasturage; the kitten performs all kinds of antics on the carpet; birds flutter and play, they know not why: but all arises from buoyancy of spirits, from a feeling of joy. When Agesilaus, king of Lacedæmon, amused his children and himself by riding on a wooden horse, his feelings were, probably, tranquil and happy; but it was an action which was appropriate for children only, and therefore none but children should have known it.

Mirth is a more boisterous feeling; it is like blustering winds, rioting in noise and confusion. Cheerfulness is the gentle breeze which blows steadily and permanently. Mirth arises from excitation; it is a period in which the reason possesses little control over the inclinations: propriety of conduct is seldom studied on such occasions. Many actions that are ridiculous, injurious to the character of the performer, and hurtful to the feelings of others, are then allowed. But a disposition which would enable a person to act agreeably with sound principles, and in harmony with the inclinations and enjoyments of others, will allow him to

pilot his bark free from self-reproaches and the condemnation of his fellow-creatures. Dr. Johnson observes, in "The Rambler:"-" It is imagined, by some persons, that whenever they aspire to please, they are required to be merry, and to show the gladness of their souls by flights of pleasantry and bursts of laughter. But though these men may be, for a time, heard with applause and admiration, they seldom delight us long." And as some men, when they are intoxicated with drink, quarrel with every one; so others, when they are exhilarated and mirthful, criticise and banter every one they address. The listener may bear it, and smile; and this may be an evidence of good humour and good sense; but he will dislike the speaker. In social society, there ought to be not only no intention to offend, but there should be a studious avoidance of offence.

Some men, who are usually dull, become lively and cheerful when they are under the influence of a stimulus. At a public feast, where the viands delight their hearts, and gastric sympathies are stirred within them, and a bottle of wine has invigorated their powers, then they become joyous; they talk, they sing psalms or songs; they are witty; their fancy, like a bird at sunrise, mounts, and exhibits its plumage glittering in the rays of enjoyment. And thus we have brilliant speeches at public dinners, sparkling like champagne; and witty sayings, prompt and frisky, like bottled porter. But this is only a temporary hilarity; such bons vivans soon return to their original dulness. Many persons accustom themselves to a

stimulus before they transact any affair of importance. Some authors excite themselves to write by artificial methods; but it is much the same as walking on crutches. If excitements be continued, in a short time nothing will be done by the natural energies of the mind. Cheerfulness, and the capability arising from sprightliness of intellect, must proceed from a sound and healthful body; from a contented and well-trained mind: from a continual series of engagements, not oppressive, but somewhat pleasing and agreeable with our wishes.

Sometimes a feeling of excessive joy in large bodies of persons has occasioned an impressive effect. When the foundations of Solomon's temple were laid, the multitude shouted with a loud voice, like the noise of many thunders; and thousands of musical instruments struck up in a grand and overwhelming harmony; and the people wept and sobbed for joy. And when David returned from the slaughter of the Egyptians, the women came out with tabrets, and with other instruments, and sung, and danced, and shouted with gladness of

heart.

Joy, in order to be powerful, should be attended by unexpected circumstances. Thus, if an army return from battle, bringing the welcome news of victory, they would not appear elated; but the inhabitants of the city to which they come, their friends and countrymen, would evince every demonstration of joy. The warriors would have anticipated this; the residents at home would not. The combatants would have exhausted their spirits, the others would be fresh. Besides, the re

turn to their native city would be neither new nor unexpected; but the entrance of a victorious army would always have an imposing and exciting influence on the inhabitants. When the body or the mind has been greatly exerted, as, for example, on deliverance from any danger, there will be a pensiveness, or gloom, rather than a buoyancy or brightness of spirits; and thus a shipwrecked sailor, or a person rescued, after much fatigue and difficulty, from a burning house, will appear depressed rather than elated.

A joyous feeling occasions a smiling countenance, and a disposition to laughter. It must be remembered, that sadness will follow excessive laughter; and yet a moderate portion of this influence stimulates the circulation and improves the health. Gloom will always succeed unusual brightness; but brightness will not, in the same degree, be the follower of gloom; because excessive feelings are hurtful; and, when the health is disordered, the spirits are generally depressed. There is sometimes a fitful glare, like the gleam of the meteor; or, as Moore says,

"That ecstasy, which, from the depth of sadness

Glares like the maniac's moon, whose light is madness;"

but it is an uneasy, an unhappy feeling.

On some occasions the impression on the mind has been too powerful for language; and on others so excessive as to check all bodily action. Some men, under impressions of this nature, have been fixed as a statue; the muscles of the face motionless, and the eye without a tear. This may arise,