which he was born. A remarkable instance of this is related by Dr. Plot, in his history of Staffordshire, in the case of an idiot, who, chancing to live within the sound of a clock, always amused himself by counting the hour of the day, whenever the clock struck. The clock being spoilt by some accident, the idiot continued to strike and count the hour without the help of it, in the same manner as he had done when it was entire. Indeed, it is very certain, that custom has a mechanical effect, upon the body, at the same time that it has a very extraordinary influence upon the mind. Custom has a wonderful efficacy in making every thing pleasant to us. A person who is addicted to play, or gaming, though he took but little delight in it at first, by degrees, contracts so strong an inclination towards it, and gives himself up to it so entirely, that it seems to be the sole end of his being. The love of a retired or of a busy life, will grow upon a man insensibly, accordingly as he is conversant in the one or the other, till he be utterly incapable of relishing that to which he has been for some time disused Nay, not to mention how our delight in any particular study, art, or science, rises and improves in proportion to the application we bestow upon it, a man may smoke, or drink, or take snuff, till he is unable to pass away his time without that gratification. Thus, what was, at first, an exercise, becomes at length an entertainment. The mind grows fond of those actions to which she is accustomed, and with reluctance, is drawn from those paths in which she has been used to walk. If we consider attentively this property of human nature, it may afford us useful moral instructions. It

teaches first, that no man should be discouraged with that kind of life, or series of action, on which the choice of others, or his own necessities may have engaged him. At first, it may be very disagreeable to him; but use and application will certainly render it not only less painful, but pleasing and satisfactory.

In the second place, it exemplifies an admirable precept which Pythagoras is said to have given to his disciples: "Pitch upon that course of life which is the 66 most excellent, and custom will render it the most

agreeable." The voice of reason is more to be regarded than the bent of any present inclination; since by the rule above mentioned, inclination will come over to reason at last, though we can never force reason to comply with inclination.

It is observed of great and heroic minds, that they have not only showed a particular disregard for those unmerited reproaches which have been cast upon them, bat have been, also, altogether free from the impertinent curiosity of enquiring after them, or the poor revenge of resenting them. The histories of Alexander and Cesar are full of instances of this kind. Vulgar souls are of a quite contrary character. Dionysius, the tyrant of Syracuse, had a dungeon which was a very curious piece of architecture, and of which some remains, it is said, are still to be seen in that island. This was called the ear of Dionysius, and built with several windings and labyrinths, in the form of a real car. Its structure, made it a kind of whispering place, but such a one as gathered the voice of him who spoke, into a funnel, which was placed at its very summit. The tyrant used to lodge all his

state criminals together in this dungeon. At the same time, he had an apartment over it, where he used to apply himself to the funnel, and by that means to overhear every thing which was whispered in the dungeon.

The man who, in ordinary life, is very inquisitive after every calumny which is spoken ill of him, passes his time very indifferently. He is wounded by every arrow which is shot at him, and puts it in the power of every insignificant enemy to disquiet him. Nay, he will suffer from what has been said amiss of him, when it is forgotten by those who said it, and those by whom it was heard. Therefore, they who would be telling every malicious report, every idle censure passed upon us, are officious and mischievous friends.

The tongue of man is so petulent, and his thoughts are so variable, that we should not lay too great a stress upon any present speeches and opinions.

Lord Clarendon, in his history, gives a lively picture of a statesman teazing himself with an absurd curiosity. "He had not that application, submission, and reverence for the queen, as might have been expected "from his wisdom and breeding; and he, often, even "crossed her pretences and desires with more rudeness than was natural to him. Yet he was impertinently solicitous to know what her majesty said of "him in private, and what resentments she had to"wards him. And when by some confidants, who "had their ends upon him from those offices, he

..

was informed of certain bitter expressions fallen "from her majesty, he was so exceedingly tormented " and afflicted with the sense of it, that sometimes, by

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བ བ བ ་མ ེ ན མ མ

passionate complaints and representations to the king, sometimes by more dutiful addresses and ex"postulations with the queen, in bewailing his misfortunes, he frequently exposed himself, and left his condition worse than it was before; and the eclaire"cisement commonly ended with his discovery of the Сс persons from whom he had received his most secret intelligence."

Silent nymph, with curious eye,
Who the purple evening lie
On the mountain's lonely van,
Beyond the noise of busy man;
Painting fair the form of things,
While the yellow linnet sings,
Or the tuneful nightingale
Charms the forest with her tale.
Come, with all thy various hues,
Come, and aid thy sister muse,
Now while Phoebus, riding high,
Gives lustre to the land and sky.

Virtue is of intrinsic value, of good desert, and of indispensable obligation; not the creature of will, but necessary and immutable; not local or temporary, but of equal extent and antiquity with the Divine Mind; not a mode of sensation, but everlasting truth; not dependent on power, but the guide of all power. Virtue is the foundation of honour and esteem, and the source of all beauty in nature, order, and happiness. Many of the talents and endowments which we

now possess, and of which we are too apt to be proud, will cease with the present state; but virtue will be our ornament and dignity in every future state to which we may be removed. Beauty and wit will die; learning will vanish away, and all the arts of life be soon forgotten; but virtue will remain for ever. This unites us to the whole rational creation, and fits us for conversing with any order of superior natures, and for a place in any part of God's works. It procures for us the approbation and love of all wise and good beings, and renders them our allies and friends. But what is of unspeakably greater consequence is, that it makes God our friend. Virtue is the law of the whole universe. It stands high in the estimation of the Deity. Its original is his nature, and it is the very object that makes him lovely. Such is the importance of virtue. Secure that, and you secure every thing. Lose that, and all is lost.

Though you be absent, here, I needs must say,
The trees as beauteous are, the flowers as gay,
As they were ever wont to be;
Nay the birds' rural music too
Is as melodious and as free,
As if they sang to pleasure you.

I saw a rose-bud ope this morn; I'll

swear

The blushing morn open'd not more fair.
How could it be so fair, and you away?
How could the trees be beauteous, flowers so gay?