THE FRUITS OF REFLECTION. ON SOLITUDE. TO a mind intent on study and improvement, solitude has charms more engaging than all the gaieties of public life. Every intrusive avocation is secluded, the strife of tongues is banished, and idle conversation does not beguile our thoughts. Here, without interruption we may commune with our own hearts, and B learn VOL. I. learn that best of sciences-to know ourselves. Here we may review our errors undisturbed, endeavour to amend them, rectify the evil impressions we have received, and expel the poison of pernicious example. Vain images and buzzing importunity are excluded, and we see things unembellished and in their natural colours; whereas, in the world our worthy resolutions are for ever shaken if not overthrown. Some favourite vanity again beguiles us, and the great work of amendinent is protracted from day to day; till at length death snatches his victim with all his follies on his head. In commending solitude it is not necessary for young people to estrange themselves from their families and friends and become hermits; but surely they can find some time daily in the quiet of their chamhers, alone, to examine their own hearts, and consequences. and consider their actions, motives, and When a person cannot bear this investigation it is a certain sign there is something wrong, and nothing can be more dreadful than to be necessitated to fly from our own reflections. In such cases, however painful the retrospection, let it be made; consider your errors in all their deformity, for though you may conceal them from man, you cannot hide them from your Heavenly Father. Do not only consider them, but endeavour all in your power to repent them, and in return you will find that there are few higher gratifications than that of reflecting on surmounted evils; 'tis true that you perhaps cannot retract their consequences, but if they serve as beacons to warn you from such dangers in future, they will surely be useful. There is no greater happiness on earth than to be able to look back on a life use |