sumption of consequence before men of age, wisdom, and experience.The advice, therefore, of Parmenio, the Grecian general, to his son, was worthy of him to give, and worthy of every man of sense to adopt: "My son," says he, "would you be great, you must be less;" that is, you must be less in your own eyes if you would be great in the eyes of others. An acute Frenchman has remarked, "that the modest deportment of really wise men, when contrasted to the assuming air of the young and ignorant, may be compared to the different appearance of wheat, which, while its ear is empty, holds up its head proudly, but as soon as it is filled with grain bends modestly down, and withdraws from observation." said an aged divine present, "of an instance I knew, of a calf that sucked two cows.' "What was the consequence?" said a third person.— " Why, Sir," replied the old gentleman, very gravely, "the consequence was, that he was a very great calf." A young minister once preaching for Mr. Brewer, evidently laboured to set himself off to the best advantage. Being afterwards very solicitous to know of Mr. Brewer what the people said of him, he received the following answer. "Why, Sir, the people said, and I said with them, that you said I am a very clever fellow." A very young clergyman, who had just left college, presented a petition to the King of Prussia, requesting Anthony Blackwall, the author of that his Majesty would appoint him that excellent work, the "Sacred Clas-inspector in a certain place where a sics Defended and Illustrated," had the vacancy had just happened. As it felicity to bring up many excellent was an office of much consequence, scholars in his seminaries at Derby the King was offended at the preand Bosworth. A gentleman who had sumption and importunity of so been his scholar, being patron of the young a man, and, instead of any anchurch of Clapham, in Surrey, pre-swer to the petition, he wrote undersented him to that living, as a mark neath, "2 Book of Samuel, chap. x. of his gratitude and esteem. This verse 5." and returned it. happening late in life, and Blackwall having occasion to wait upon the Bishop of the diocese, he was somewhat pertly questioned by a young chaplain as to the extent of his learning. "Boy," replied the indignant veteran, "I have forgot more than ever you knew." An answer this much like that of Sergeant Glanville to the young lawyer. Once, at a meeting of ministers, a question of moment was started to be debated among them. Upon the first proposal of it, a confident young man shoots his bolt presently. "Truly," said he, "I hold it so." "You hold, Sir!" answered a grave minister; "it becomes you to hold your tongue." Nothing is more ridiculous than to boast advantages of education which have not been improved. A young clergyman in America was lately boasting, among his relations, of having been educated at two colleges, Harvard and Cambridge. "You remind me," The young clergyman was eager to examine the quotation, but to his great disappointment found the words, Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown." FRIENDSHIP. IT has been observed, that a real friend is somewhat like a ghost or apparition; much talked of, but hardly ever seen. Though this may not be justly true, it must, however, be confessed, that a friend does not appear every day, and that he who has in reality found one, ought to value his boon, and be thankful. Where persons are united by the bonds of genuine friendship, there is nothing, perhaps, more conducive to felicity. It supports and strengthens the mind, alleviates the pains of life, and renders the present state, at least, somewhat comfortable. "Sorrows," says Lord Verulam, "by being communicated, grow less, and joys great er." "And indeed," observes ano- | dam, your Ladyship is come to see ther, sorrow, like a stream, loses me on a very remarkable day!" itself in many channels; while joy, "Why is this day so remarkable?" like a ray of the sun, reflects with a answered the Countess. "This very greater ardour and quickness when day, thirty years," replied the Doctor, it rebounds upon a man from the "I came hither to the house of my breast of his friend." good friend, Sir Thomas Abney, intending to spend but one single week under this friendly roof, and I have extended my visit to the length of exactly thirty years." Lady Abney, who was present, immediately said to the Doctor, "Sir, what you term a long thirty year's visit, I consider as the shortest visit my family evereceived." "Friendship! mysterious cement of the soul, ⚫ BLAIR. The very ingenious and amiable Bishop Berkley, of Cloyne, in Ireland, was so entirely contented with his It is said of the late Mr. Smeaton income in that diocese, that when of- (whom I have noticed under the artifered by the Earl of Chesterfield (the cle Precocity) that, early in life, he Lord Lieutenant) a bishoprick much attracted the notice of the late Duke more beneficial than that he possessed, and Duchess of Queensbury, from a he declined it with these words: "I strong resemblance to their favourite love my neighbours, and they love me; Gay, the poet. The commencement why then should I begin in my old of this acquaintance was singular, days to form new connexions, and but the continuance of their esteem tear myself from those friends whose and partiality lasted through life.kindness is to me the greatest happi- Their first meeting was at a public ness I enjoy?" Acting in this in-place, where, walking with Mrs. stance, like the celebrated Plutarch, Smeaton, he observed an elderly lady who, being asked why he resided in and gentleman fix an evident and his native city, so obscure and so lit-marked attention on him. At length tle, “I stay,” said he, "lest it should grow less." Lord Stanhope was at Eton School with one of the Scots noblemen who were condemned after the rebellion of 1715. While the Privy Council were deliberating upon the signing of the warrant for the execution of this unfortunate nobleman, Lord S. requested the life of his old schoolfellow (whom he had never seen since he was at school.) His request was refused, till he threatened to give up his place, if the Council did not comply with it. This menace procured him the life of his associate in early life, to whom he afterwards sent a handsome sum of money. Connexions and friendships are sometimes formed in schools, which are never forgotten through life! A lady of quality being on a visit to Dr. Watts, at Stoke Newington, the Doctor thus accosted her: "Ma they stopped him, and the Duchess (of eccentric memory) said, "Sir, 1 don't know who you are, or what you are, but so strongly do you resemble my poor dear Gay, we must be acquainted: you shall go home and sup with us; and, if the minds of the two men accord, as do the countenances, you will find two cheerful old folks, who can love you well, and I think (or you are an hypocrite) you can as well deserve it." The invitation was accepted, and, as long as the Duke and Duchess lived, the friendhip was as cordial as uninterrupted. Sir Philip Sidney was a person universally admired for his talents, knowledge and polite attainments.He was a subject of England, but was honoured with an offer of the crown of Poland. Queen Elizabeth used to call him "her Philip," and the Prince of Orange, "his Master." Lord Brooks was so proud of his friendship, that he would have it part tudes there are who are in all resof his epitaph-"Here lies Sir Phi- pects more unhappy than myself.— lip Sidney's friend;" and, as a testi-Thus I learn where true happiness mony of respect for his memory, his death was lamented, in verse, by the Kings of France and Scotland, and by the two universities of England. HAPPINESS. is placed, where all our cares must end, and how very little reason I have to repine or to complain." Great part of the infelicity of men rises not so much from their situations or circumstances as from their pride, vanity, and ambitious expectations. In order to be happy, these dispositions must be subdued; "we must always keep before our eyes such views of the world as shall prevent our expecting more from it than it is designed to afford. We destroy our joys by devouring them before hand with too eager expectation.We ruin the happiness of life when we attempt to raise it too high."Menedemus being told one day, that it was a great felicity to have whatever we desire, "Yes," said he, “but it is a much greater to desire nothing but what we have." None are more mistaken than those who imagine happiness consists in extensive riches, splendid retinue, or having a vast number of servants to wait on them. Bishop Mancini staying once on a visit to Monsieur Poussin till it was dark, Mons. P. took the candle in his hand, lighted him down stairs, and waited upon him to his coach. The prelate was sorry to see him do it himself, and could not help saying, "I very much pity you, Monsieur Poussin, that you have not one servant." "And I pity VARIOUS, sincere, and constant, are the efforts of men to procure that happiness which the nature of the mind requires; but most seem to be ignorant both of the source and means of genuine felicity. The estimate which men make of life is generally false, and the objects they pursue, however specious and fascinating, are found in the end delusory and vain, while the very thing they neglect and despise is the most productive of real good; I mean the knowledge and enjoyment of the favour of God. Religion alone can afford true joy and permanent peace.It is this that inspires fortitude, supports patience, and, by its prospects and promises, darts a cheering ray into the darkest shade of human life. An Italian Bishop struggled through great difficulties without repining, and met with much opposition in the discharge of his episcopal function without ever betraying the least impatience. An intimate friend of his, who highly admired those virtues which he thought it impossible to imitate, one day asked the prelate, if he could communicate his secret of being always easy? "Yes," replied the old man, "I can teach you my secret, and with great facility: it consists in nothing more than making a right use of my eyes." His friend begged him to explain himself.— "Most willingly, (returned the Bishop:) in whatever state I am, I first of all look up to heaven, and remember that my principal business here is to get there; I then look down upon the earth, and call to mind how small a space I shall occupy in it when I come to be interred. I then look abroad in the world, and observe what multi-them." you more, my Lord, (replied Poussin,) that you have so many." Were the happiness of the humble and retired weighed with that of the great, the former, I believe, would abun dantly preponderate. It was a good speech of an empe-ror, "You," said he, gaze on my purple robe and golden crown; but, did you know what cares are under it, you would not take it up from the ground to have it." It was a true saying of Augustine: "Many are miserable by loving hurtful things; but they are more miserable by having One saying to a philosopher, "Couldest thou but please Dionysius, thou needest not eat herbs and roots;" the philosopher answered, "Couldest thou but eat herbs and roots, thou needest not please Dionysius." To the humble-minded, temptations to greatness are no great temptations. HOGARTH'S TAIL-PIECE. A FEW months before that ingenious artist Hogarth was seized with the malady which deprived society of one of its most distinguished ornaments, he proposed to his matchless pencil the work he has entitled the Tail-Piece. The first idea of this is said to have been started in company at his own My next undertaking," "shall be the end of He who would wish to maintain happiness through life, must elevate table. his mind above those little trifling said Hogarth, vexations incident to all. A person all things." "If that is the case," rehaving behaved very rudely to Mr. plied one of his friends, "your busiBoswell, he went to Dr. Johnson, ness will be finished; for there will and talked of it as a serious dis-be an end of the painter." "There tress. Dr. Johnson laughed, and said, will so," answered Hogarth, sighing "Consider, Sir, how insignificant this heavily, "and, therefore, the sooner will appear twelve months hence."— "Were this consideration (says Mr. cordingly he began the next day, and my work is done the better." AcB.) applied to most of the little vex- continued his design with a diligence ations of life, by which our quiet that seemed to indicate an apprehentoo often disturbed, it would prevent sion (as the report goes) he should many painful sensations. I have tried not live till he had completed it.— it frequently and with good effect." Dr. Cotton Mather gives the fol- ingenious manner, by grouping every This, however, he did, in the most lowing plain but suitable advice to his son on this head.-"It may not all things;-a broken bottle-an_old thing which could denote the end of be amiss for you to have two heaps; broom worn to the stump-the butt a heap of unintelligibles, and a heap end of an old firelock-a cracked bell of incurables. Every now and then -a bow unstrung-a crown tumbled you will meet with something or in pieces-towers in ruins the signother that may pretty much distress post of a tavern, called the World's your thoughts: but the shortest way End, tumbling the moon in her with the vexations will be, to throw wane-the map of the globe burning them into the heap they belong to,a gibbet falling, the body gone, and and be no more distressed about them. the chains which held it dropping "You will meet with some un-down-Phoebus and his horses dead accountable and incomprehensible in the clouds-a vessel wreckedthing, particularly in the conduct of Time, with his hour glass and scythe many people. Throw them into your broken; a tobacco-pipe in his mouth, heap of unintelligibles; leave them the last whiff of smoke going out-a there. Trouble your mind no far- play-book opened, with exeunt omther; hope the best, or think no more nes stampt in the corner-an empty about them. purse-and a statute of bankruptcy "You will meet with some unper-taken out against Nature. "So far suadable people; no counsel, no rea- good," cried Hogarth; "nothing reson, will do any thing upon the obsti- mains but this," taking his pencil in nate, especially as to the making of a sort of prophetic fury, and dashing due submissions upon offences.-off the similitude of a painter's palThrow them into the heap of incu- let broken-"Finis," exclaimed Horables; leave them there. And so do garth: "the deed is done, all is over." you go on to do as you can what you It is a very remarkable and wellhave to do. Let not the crooked known fact that he never again took things that cannot be made straight the pallet in hand. It is a circumencumber you." stance less known, perhaps, that he died about a year after he had finished this extraordinary Tail-Piece. HUMAN NATURE. When some one was talking before that acute Scotchman, Doctor Cheyne, of the excellency of human nature," Hoot, hoot, mon," said he, "Lo! this only have I found," "Human nature is a rogue and a saith Solomon, "that God made man scoundrel, or why would it perpetuupright, but they have sought out ally stand in need of laws and relimany inventions." If just observa-gion?" And, surely, if a cause be tion, general experience, and the de- examined by its effect, if a principle cisions of Scripture, are to be regard-be considered by its operation, that. ed, every one must know that hu- man must indeed be blind who will man nature is corrupt, that all our not acknowledge the depravity of hupowers are contaminated by 'sin, yea, man nature. that there is not only imbecility, but Dr. Gill once preaching on human awful depravity, in the heart of eve- inability, a gentleman present was ry man. Indeed, the very heathens much offended, and took him to task themselves had some faint glimmer- for degrading human nature. "Pray, ing of the consequences of original Sir," said the Doctor, "what do you sin. Xenophon, in his Cyropædia, think that men can contribute to their speaks of a young nobleman of Me- own conversion?" He enumerated a dia, who, having yielded to a tempta- variety of particulars." And have tion he had no distrust of, so confi- you done all this?" said the Doctor. dent was he of his own strength, con- "Why, no, I can't say I have yet; fessed his weakness to Cyrus, and but I hope I shall begin soon.""If told him he found he had two souls; you have these things in your power, that one of them, which inclined him and have not done them, you deserve to do well, had always the superiority to be doubly damned, and are but ill in his prince's presence; but that the qualified to be an advocate for freeother, which led him to do ill, gener-will, which has done you so little ally got the better out of his sight. He who boasts of absolute innocence, and that no infirmity supposes attaches to his character, is a stranger both to his heart and his life. The learned, judicious, and pious Boerhaave relates, "that he never saw a criminal dragged to execution without asking himself, Who knows whether this man is not less culpable than myself? On the days when the prisons of this city are emptied into the grave, let every spectator of the dreadful procession put the same question to his own heart. Few among those that crowd in thousands to the legal massacre, and look with care lessness, perhaps with triumph, on the utmost exacerbations of human misery, would then be able to return without horror and dejection. For, who can congratulate himself upon a life passed without some act more mischievous to the peace or presperity of others than the theft of a piece of money?”. good." HUMANITY, "IT is just we should have a supe rior tenderness for a father, a wife, a child, or a friend; but there is a sort of affection which we owe to all mankind, as being members of the same family of which God is. the Creator and Father. Let us illustrate: this by the circular undulations which the fall of a stone causes on the surface of a clear and tranquil water.. The agitation in the centre, by communicating itself afar off, forms a great number of trembling circles, the in: faintness of whose impression proportion to the largeness of their circumference, till the last seems to escape from our sight.. Here is an image of the different degrees of our affections. We love, principally, that which touches us the most nearly; and less and less in proportion to the distance. We consider mankind, with relation to us, as divided into. 5* |