LESSONS F O R . Y O U T H, SELECTED FOR THE USE OF SC HO L S. rilE SECOND PHILADELPHIA EDlTlGl^f, . % P H 1 L A D E L P H 1 A : POINTED 3Y BeNJAMIIsI if JaCQB ^'//A'SOy, N^ 147? HIGH STREET. 1801. 30 2> ^f / TO THE INSTRUCTORS of CHILDREN; AND PARTICULARLY THE COMMITTEE FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF WEST-TOWN SCHOOL- THIS Seleflion was made fome few years fmce in London, with a view to the Improvement of Youth. — As the Compiler frequently heard a comprint, ^' that notwith- A-ading many books w^re publilhed for the inlirudlion of Children, moft, or all of them^ contained pieces which were of a contrary nature to the Chiriftian'life, and militating againfl a guarded education. '^ It has fince undergone fome alterations bv a few Friends of Philadelphia, who have had confiderable experience in the tuition of Chil- dren, and fome fmall additions being made to the prefent edition, is now fubmitted to your confideration. Philadelphia^ 6th Mo. lotb^ i8qi. A 2 CONTENTS. jf\^FFECTION and duty to Parents - Page 10 Animals, the care of Providence over them du- ring the Winter Seafon - - - 21 Anger, refleftions on - - - - 41 Application to bufmefs recommended - 49 Androcles and the Lion - - - - 58 Applaufe, the danger of - - - 82 Air, its nature and properties • - - 138 Amufement, ufeful - - - - 180 Avarice, the nature of - - - - 164 Attainments, humility in our - - - 173 Blefiings granted us, too little regarded - 32 Brothers, the two, Alonzo and Fizarro - 99 Same continued - - - 103 Bear, of the Brown - - - 151 ~— Polar - - - irS Cain and Abel, their different employments and difpoiitions - - - - -• - 11 Caves and Grottos, of - - - - 171 Cyrus, his first LelTon - - - 44 Camel, an account of thfe - - - 98 Custom, the force of. - - _ 113 Chimpanze, of the - - _ - 130 Condu6l worthy of imitation - • 14^ Carriages, the vife of - - - 160 Deer, of the - - . igo Dog, a trusty animal, chara6ler of one - 29 remarkable story of - - 71 of the Gleenland - - - 167 of the - . . - 197 Exercife and temperance produflive of health Early improvement advifed Elephant, account of the A, « 50 63 68 i CONTENTS- - Earth, fpherical form .of it - . 95 Evening contemplation - - II9 Filial piety rewarded - - . . 42 Filial duty - . - , . 3q Fault, the advantage of confeffing a - 177 God and his attributes - - . 9 Hafiy judgment imprudent - - ^ 36 Hurricane, account of the - - lo7 Infefts, cruelty tov/ards them reprehenfible - 17 Job, hiftory of his life, and patience under fuf- ferings - - - ... 24 Induftry rewarded - - - - - 34 Joy and grief, their effecls - - 77 Ifiands, their formation - - - 88 Induiiry, its excellence and neceflity - 110 Ichneumon, an account of that creature - 112 Lion and dog, remarkable account of afFe6tion betv/een them - - - - - 18 Laplanders, an account of them - - 45 Lion, obfervations on the - - - 135 Modefty approved - - - 37 Man, obfervations on, and the brute creation 73 Mountains defcribed - - t- 79 Moufe, the - - - 189 Nature, through all its works, praifeth God - 26 J^ature, revolutions conftantly in - 75 Nature, every thing in, tends to the good of man- kind - . - - S3 Nothing new under the fun - - 147 Natural Bridge in Virginia • - 183 CONTENTS. Providence watcheth over all its works - 16 Pyrrhus and Fabricius, a converfation - 90 Paffion and Patience defcribed - - 92 Piety, early, the ^afdom oi - - 127 Property, the fenfe of - - - 162 Relative duties of parents and children - 13 Rhinoceros, an account of the - - 95 Rattle-fnake, an account of the - - 140 Repentance, example of - - 153 Rat, of the - 184 Spring, defcribed -• - - 14 Sloth, fome account of that creature - 31 Sno\v, its formation and eife6ls - - 64 Self-knowledge, expedient - - - 67 Sleep, its flate defcribed - - - 86 Storm, fome account of a remarkable one - 120 Sea, the luminous particles of - - 154 motion and the effefts on the land - 159 Seafons, their change - - - - 122 Shipwreck, defcription of a - - - 129 continued - 133 Sand-ftorm, an account of - .• 145 Truth and fmcerity, their advantages - - 106 Tides, the caufe of them explained - - 116 Vegetables which preferve their verdure in win- ter - - - - - 39 Vapours, bad efFe6ls of - - - - 62 Vegetables, their ufe - - - - 117 Vapours, efre6ts of fome - - - 165 Volcanos, of - - - - 149 Virtues, focial - - - - - 157 CO NTE NT S. Ufeful information - . - - - 53 continued - "53 Wifdom ....... 201 Water-fpouts, of - - - - - 170 Whirlpools, of 125 Worldly enjoyments, uncertainty of - - 108 Youthful Excefs - - - - - 200- LESSONS FOR TOUT H. LESSON I. OF GOD AND KIS ATTRIBUTES. THERE is but one God. He made the heaven and heaven of heavens, with all their hoft ; the earth, and all things that are therein ; the feas, and all that is therein. He faid, let them be, and it was fo. He hath ftretched forth the heavens, and laid the foun- dation of the earth. He hath Ihut up the fea as with doors, and faid, hitherto Ihalt thou come and no further, and here llialt thy proud waves be flayed. The Lord is an invinfible Spirit, in whom v/e live, and move, and have our being. He is the fountain of life. He preferveth man and beaft. He giveth food to all flefli. In his hand is the foul of every living thing, and the breath of all man- kind. C 10 ) The Lord make th poor and maketh rich. — - He bringeth low and lifteth up. He killeth and maketh alive. He woundeth and heal- eth ; and not a fparrow falleth to the ground without him. He appointeth the moon for feafons, and the fun knoweth his going down*^ He thundereth with his voice, and directeth it under the whole heaven, and his lightning into the ends of the earth. Fire and hail, fnow and vapour, wind and ftorm, fultil his word. The Lord is King for ever and ever, and his dominion is an everlafting^ dominion. LESSON H.- OF AFFECTION AND DUTY TO PARENTS, FROM the creatures of God let man learn wifdom, and apply to himfelf the inftruc- tion they give. Go to the defert, my*fon, obferve the young ftorck of the wildernefs, let him fpeak to thy heart ; he beareth on his wings his aged fire, he lodgeth him in fafety, and fupplieth him with food. The piety of a child is fweeter than the in* cenfe of Perfia ; yea, more delicious than o- dours wafted from a field of Arabian fpices^, by the gentleft gales. Be grateful-then to ( II ) thy father, for he ^gave thee life ; and to thy mother, for fhe fuftained thee. Hear the words of his mouth, for they are fpoken for thy good ; give ear to his admoni- tion, for it proceedeth from love. He hath watched for thy welfare, he hath toiled for thy eafe : do honour therefore to his age, and let not his grey hairs be treated with difre- fpeft. Alfo, forget not thy helplefs infancy, nor the frowardnefs of thy youth, and indulge the infirmities of thy aged parents ; affift and fupportthem in the decline of life. So Ihall their hoary heads go down to the grave in peace ; and thine own children, in reverence of thy example, ihall repay thy piety with fi- lial love. LESSON in. OF CAIN AND ABEi.. CAIN and Abel, the two firft fons of Adam and Eve, purfued very diiferent employ, ments. Abel was a keeper of Iheep ; but Cain was a tiller of the ground. Their tem- pers were as different as their occupations. — Abel was a lover of righteoufnefs. Cain was obftinate and wicked ; neither fearing God iior loving man. It was ufual, even in the infancy of the ( 12 ) world, to prefent oblations to God, the giver of every good gift. When, therefore, the two brothers brought their offerings, the fa* orifice of Abel, on account of .his piety and goodnefs, was more acceptable to God than the offering of Cain. Inftead of reforming his behaviour and tem- per, he grew worfe and worfe. He hated his brother more and more. At length his ma- lice and anger became fo violent, that he " rofe up againft Abel and flew him." The Lord alfo condefcended to reafon with Gain, and to affure him, that if he would be good and righteous, he and his offerings Ihould" likewife be accepted. He flattered himfelf that there was no wit- nefs of his guilt, and that no one would know it. But there is no fafety, except in inno- cence and virtue. Wherever we are, and whatever we do, v/e are under the immedi- ate eye of God. The Almighty Judge was a fpe£lator of the. crime, and afterwards expoftulated with him .: " Where is Abel, thy brother ? What haft tkou done ? The voice of thy brother's blood crieth from the ground." He then pronounce^ judgment upon the murderer. In confequence of which, Cain removed wi.h his wife and children from his habitati* on ; and, having wandered from place to place, " as a fugitive and. vagabond," at lengthy fettled in the land of Nod. He however ftill ( 13 ) carried the mark of his guilt along with him. He was vexed with the horror of confcieace within and calamities without. He walked upon earth a woeful fp^dacle, labouring under the diftemper of a wounded fpirit, which no medicine can cure. Let us guard carefully againft the firll ap- pearance of hatred and malice, left they fhould increafe upon us by degrees, and hur- ry us into the moft fhocking exceffes. 'V An angry man ftirreth up ftrife, and a furious man aboundeth in tranfgreiTions.'^ LESSON IV. RELATIVE DUTIES. T HE happinefs of parents is fo connected — with the goodnefs of children, that, if they are undutiful, negligent, and wicked, it will make their parents miferable. And can ye, my young friends, bear the thought of making thofe unhappy, whofe fole aim in life is to promote your felicity ? Can ye receive with fullennefs that advice, which is defigaed entirely for your good ? Do not they provide for all your wants ? And are ye not indebted to their kindnefs, for your food, your clothing, and every conveni- ence which ye enjoy ? Obedience to your parents is one of the firft ^duties ye can perform in life, and is the only B ( 14 ) return ye can make for thofe continual fa^ vours, which ye daily receive. As human nature is fubjeft to many wants, the Almighty has ordained that we {hould live together, and that numbers, by helping each other,(hould procure thofe conveniencies which no man alone could obtain. Every perfon, therefore, has fome duties to perform, which are known by the name of focial duties ; becaufe, if it were poffible for us to live quite alone, thofe duties could not be exerted. For, had we no parents, we could not obey them ; had we no brothers or fillers, we could not love them; had we no friends or inftruft- ors, we could not be thankful and attentive to them ; and, if we knew no perfons, who were poor and wretched, we could not be kind and charitable. LESSON V. THE SPRING. COME, let US go forth into the fields, let us fee how the flowers fpring, let us liften to the warbling of the birds, and feat ourfelves upon the bank, viewing the verdure of the new grafs. When winter is over and gone, the buds come out upon the trees, the crimfon bloffoms of the peach and the neftarine are feen, and the green leaves fprout. I ( 15 ) The hedges arebordered with tufts of prim, rofes, aiid yellow cowilips that hang down their heads ; and the blue violet lies hid be- neath the ihade. The young goflings run upon the green, when the\ are iuit hatched ; tiicir bodies are covered with yellow dovvn ; the oid ones niis with anger, if any one coaies near. The hen fits upon her. neil of ftraw ihe watches patiently the full time, then flie care- fully breaks the {liell, and the little chickens come out. The young lambs may be feen in the field, they totter by the fide of their dams, their weak limbs can hardly fupport their weight ; but in a little time they ikip about. But, if they -fall, it is upon a carpet of foft grafs, on which they may feed in i'afety. Tue butleniies flutter from bufli to bufh, and open their wings to the warm furi. The young animals of every kind are fport- ing about, they leem happy in their fituation, they are glad to be alive. If thev could fpeak, they would praife him w^ho made them. The birds can warble, and the young lambs can bleat ; but we can open our lips and ought to fpeak thankfully of all our Creator's goodnefs. Tiie trees that bloffom, and little lambs that ikip about, if they could, they would fay how good he is; but they are dumb, let us there- fore lay it for them. B 2 ( i6 ) LESSON VI. PROVIDENCE OVER ALL. BEHOLD the Ihepherd of the flock, he taketh care for his Iheep, he leadeththem among clear brooks, he guideth them to frefh pafture ; if the young lambs are weary, he carrieth them in his arms ; if they wander, he bringeth them back. But who is the fhepherd's fhepherd ? who taketh care for him ? who guideth him in th^ path hefliouldgo ? and if he wander, who ihall bring him back ? God is the fliepherd's Ihepherd. He is the Ihepherd over all ; he taketh care for all ; the whole earth is as his fold; we are all his flock ; and every herb, and every green field, is the pafture which he hath prepared for us. Themotherlovethherlittlechiid; fliebring- eth it up on her knees; ihe hourilheth its bo- dy with food; flie feedeth its mind with know- ledge : if it is fick, fhe nurfeth it with tender love; fhe watcheth over it when aileep; fhe teacheth it how to be good; ihe rejoiceth dai- ly in its growth. But who is the parent of the mother ? wlio nourifliethher with good things, and watcheth over her v.^ilh tender love, and remembereth her every evening and morning ? whofe arms ( 17 ) are about to guard her from harm ? and if Ihe is fick, who fiiall heal her t God is the parent of the mother ; he is the parent of all, for he created all. All the men, and all the wom.en, who live in the wide world, are his children ; he loveth all, he is good to alL God is our Ihepherd, therefore we will follow him : He is our father, therefore we fhould love and obey him : He is our king, therefore we fliould honour him, by being faithful to his laws. LESSON VII. ON CRUELTY TO INSECTS, JACOBUS indulged himfelf inthe crueleii- tertainment of torturing and killing flies. He tore off their wings and legs, and then watched with pleafure their impotent efforts to efcape from him. Sometimes he collected a number of them together, and crufhed them at once to death. His brother remonftrated with him in vain on his barbarous conduft. He could not perfuade him to believe that flies are capable of feelino-, and have a right, no lefs than ourfelves, to life, liberty, and en- joyment. The figns of agony which, when torment- ed, they exprefs by the quick and various B 3 ( i8 ) contortions of their bodies, he neither under- Hood nor would attend to. Alexis had a microfcope, and he defired Jacobus one day to examine a moft beautiful and furprizing animal. Mark, faid he, how it is ftudded from head to tail with black and filver, and its body all over befet with the mofl curious briftles ! The head contains a pair of lively eyes, en- circled with filver hairs ; and the trunk con- fifts of two parts which fold over each other. The v/hole body is ornamented with plumes and decorations of beautiful appearance. , Jacobus v/as pleafed and aftcnifhed Vv^ith what he faw, and impatient to know the name and properties of this wonderful ani- mal. It v/as withdrawn from the magnifier, and when offered to his naked eye, it proved to be a poor fly, which had been the viftim of his wanton cruelty. LESSON VIII. REMARKABLE ACCOUlSfT OF A LION AND A DOG. IT was cufiomary for thofe, who were una-^ ble to pay fixpence for the fight of the wild bealtsin the To#er, to bring a dog or a cat for the bea^s, in lieu of money to the keeper. Amongfl: others, a man had brought a pretty black fpaniel, which was thrown into the cage ( X9 ) of the great lion. Immediately the little ani» mal trembled and Ihivered, crouched a,nd threw itfelf on its back, put forth its tongue, and held up its paws, as if praying for mercy- In the mean time, the lion, inftead of de- vouring it, turned it over with one paw, and then turned it with the other. He fmelled to it, and feemed defirous of courting a farther acquaintance. The keeper, on feeing this, brought a large mefs of his own family dinner. But the lion kept aloof, and refufed to eat, keeping his eye on the dog, and inviting him as it were to be his tafter. At length, the little animal's fears being fomewhat abated, and his appetite, quickened by the fmell of the victuals, he approached jlowly, and with trembling, ventured to eat. The lion-then advanced gently, and began to partake, and they iinifticd their meal very quietly together. From this day a ftriftfriendlhip commenced between them, confifting of great aiieftion and tendernefs on the part of the lion, and of the utmoft confidence and boldnefs on the part of the dog ; infomuch that he would lay himfelf down to fleep, within the fangs and under the jaws of his terrible patron. In about twelve months the little fpaniel fickened and died ; for a time the lion did not appear to conceive otherwife than that his fa- ( 20 ) . vourite was afleep. He would continue to fmell at him, and then would llir him with his nofe, and turn him over with his paws. But, finding that all his efforts to awake him were vain, he would traverfe his cage from end to end with a fwift and uneafy pace. He would then flop, and look dov/n upon him. with a fixed and drooping regard ; and again lift his head, and roar for feveral minutes, as the found of diftant thunden They attempted, but in vain, to convey the carcafe from him. He watched it continually, and would fufFer nothing to touch it. The keeper then endeavoured to tempt him with a variety of food, but he turned from all that was offered, with loathing. They then put feveral livipg dogs into his cage, which he tore in pieces, but left their members on the floor. His paffions being thus inflamed, he would grapple at the bars of his cage, as if enraged at his reilraint from tearing thofe around him to pieces. Again, as quite fpent, he would ftretch himfelf by the remains of his beloved affoci- ate, lay his paws upon him, and take him in- to his bofom ; and then utter his grief in deep and melancholy roaring, for the lofs of his little playfellow, his late friend, the only companion of his den. For five days he thus languilhed, and gra- dually declined without taking anyfufl:enance or admitting any comfort ; till, one morning, ( 21 ) he was found dead, with his head reclined on the carcafe of his little friend. They were both interred together. N. B. There is now in the Tower of Lon- don, a little dog, that has for fome years lived in great friendfhip w^ith a lionefs, in her den. LESSON IX. THE CARE WHICH PROVIDENCE TAKES OE ANI- MALS DURING THE WINTER SEASON. HOWEVER wonderful the prefervation of human creatures may be, we can fay with truth, that the care of Providence to- wards animals, is ftill a greater proof of w^if- dom, power, and goodnefs. That the prodigious number of animals which our globe contains, lliould find food or habitation in fummer is not furprifmg, be- caufe all nature is then difpofed to concur tov/ards that end. But that, in winter, the fame number of creatures, thofe millions of quadrupeds, of reptiles, of birds, of infefts, and of fifhes, fliould continue to exift, is a cir- cumftance which muft excite our admiration. Nature has provided moft animals with a covering, by means of which they can bear the cold, and procure themfelves food in win- ter as well as in fummer. The bodies of wild beafts, which inhabit forefts and deferts, are fo formed, that their hair falls off in fummer, ( 22 ) and grows again in winter, till it becomes a fur, which enables the animal to endure the moft fevere cold. Other kinds of animals find an afylum un- der the bark of trees, in old crevices, in hol- lows of rocks and caves, when the cold obli>- ges them to quit their fummer dwelling. It is there, that fome carry beforehand the food v/hich is to ferve them, and thus live on what they ha,ve gathered in the fummer; others pafs the winter in profound fleep. Na- ture has given to feveral forts of birds an in- flinft, which prompts them to change place at the approach of winter. They are feen flying in great numbers into warmer climates. Several animals, who are not defigned for travelling find, notwithiland- ing, their wants fupplied in this feafon. Birds know how to find out infedls in mofs, and in the crevices of the bark of trees. Severa.1 kinds of quadrupeds carry provifion in fum- mer into caves, and feed on it in winter. Others are obliged to feek their fubfiftence under the fnow and ice. Several forts of in- fefts, in winter confined to marflies and frozen rivers, are deprived of food for that time, and ftill preferve life. Perhaps, alfo- m^any means, made ufe of by Providence for the preferva- tion of animals, are yet concealed from us. From theelenhant to the mite, afl animals owe to him their dwelling, their food and their life ; and even where nature herfelt ( 23 ) feems barren of refources, he finds means to make amends for her poverty. Let this confideration ftrengthen our confi- dence in God. How can anxiety, care, or anguifli, get accefs into our hearts, or make lis defpair of being preferved during the win- ter ? That God, who provides ffor the ani- mals, will not forfake mankind. He who fhews himfelf fo great in fmaller objefts, will be flill greater in the more im- portant. He who provides a covering for an- imals, will be able to clothe us. He who points out to them a retreat in the caves of the mountains, will find for us an afylum to pafs our days inquietnefs. He who has pre- pared for them, even under the fnow and ice, their proper food, will be able to pro- vide for us in the moft critical feafons. In fine, let thefe reflections lead us to imi- tate, as much as our faculties will permit, the generous care of Divine Providence, in con- tributing to theprefervation andhappinefs of our fellow-creatures, and even to the welfare of every living animal. To be cruel towards animals, to refufe them food and convenience, is to aft manifeftly contrary to the will of our common Creator, whofe beneficent cares extend even to. thofe beings which are inferior to us. ( M ) LESSON X. HISTORY OF JOB. TOB, who lived in the eaftern land of Uz, J was a pjgrfon of exalted rank. His fub- ftance and poffeflions were very great ; but he was more diftinguiftied and honoured for his piety and benevolence. He had feven fons and three daughters. In the hiftory of this good man, Satan is reprefentedas fufpe6ting his fmcerity, and al- ledging, that, if he were deprived of his for- tune and health, his temper and conduQ: would change with his circumflances. Permiffion, therefore, was granted by the Almighty, for the trial of his integrity, and accordingly affliflions were heaped upon his head. He became as remarkable for calami- ty as he had been for profperity. His oxen and camels were taken away by robbers; his ilieep were confumed by lighten- ing ; and his children overwhelmed by ahoufe blown down by a whirlwind. He himfelf was feized with a violent diftemper, v^^hich over- fpread his body from the crown of his head, to the fole of his foot. His friends concluded, from his uncommon calamities, that he was a great fmner and hy- pocrite, and advifed him to confefs his guilt. Job acknowledges that he was not infallible ( 25 ) and free from common failings, and that confequently he ought to be humble and fub- miflive under the hand of God* He infills, however, that he was honeft and fmcere in the difcharge of his duty, and ap- peals, in vindication of it, from the falfe judgment of men to the unerring judgment of God. He afferts, that there is little or no differ- ence between the good and the wicked, in the external adminiftration of Providence ; that both are liable to the fame misfortunes, and often involved in one common ruin. This fully proves, that there muft be a future ftate, in which the righteous, who fuffer here, will be fignally rewarded. At length, in order to determine the debate, the Unerring Judge himfelf is reprefented as interpofing, to fliew how unable men are to explain the ways and defigns of Heaven, and to declare in favour of Job againft the opinion of his friends. " Ye have not fpoken of me the thing that is right, as my fervant Job hath." He then put an end to his fufferings, bleffed him with a numerous offspring, and ^^ gave him twice as much wealth as he had before ;'^ fo that the latter end of his life was more profperous than the beginning. We Ihould learn from the hiftory of Job, not to judge and condemm others, becaufe they are poor or fick, or under any calamity. C ( 26 ) Affiidlions are n© proof of a perfon's being wicked and forfaken by God. ^^ Whom the Lord loveth he chafteneth, and fcourgeth eve- ry, fon whom he receiveth." The example of Job teacheth us to employ ourfelves and our wealth in doing good to others according to their various neceffities. He was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame, a father to the poor, a refuge to the ftranger, the defender of the opprelTed, the comforter of the widow, and the protestor of him that had none to help him. They who are rich in this world, fhould be " rich in good works, ready to give, glad to diftribute." It teaches us alfo, in all our affliftions, to be refigned to the will of our heavenly Father, and to rely upon him with full truft and con- fidence. [' What," fays Job, " fhall v/e re- ceive good at the hand of God, and fhall we not receive evil? The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away : BleiTed be the nnme ©f the Lord V' . LESSON XL THE WORKS OF NATURE PRAISt THEfR MAKER. TAKE up a handful of the fand, and try to number the grains of it. Let us try if we can count the blades of grais in the field, or the leaves on the trees. ( 27 ) The thiftle is ?trmed with Ihort prickles ; the mallow is foft and woolly. The hop layeth hold with her tendrils, and clafpeth the tall pole ; the oak hath firm root in the ground, and refifteth the winter llorm. The daify enamelleth the. meadows, and groweth beneath the foot of the paffenger : the tulip requireth a rich foil, and th5 care- ful hand of the gardener. The iris and the reed fpring up in themarfli: the rich grafs covereth the meadows; and the purple heath-flowers enliveneth the waftc- ground. The water-lilies grow benea^th the ftream ; their broad leaves float on the furface of the water: the walLflower takes root between the hard ftone, and fpreads its fragrance a- mongft broken ruins. ^ 'Look at the thorns that are white with bloffoms, and the fl.pwers that cover the fields, and the plants that are trodden in the green path. The hand of man hath not planted them ; the fower hath not fcattered the feeds from his hand, nor the gardener digged a place for them with his fpade. Some grow on fleep rocks, where no man can climb : in fliaking bogs and deep forefi:s, and defert iflands : they fpring up every where, and cover the bofom of the whole earth. Who caufeth them to grow every v/here, and bloweth the feeds about in winds, and C 3 ( 28 ) mixcth them with the mould, and watereth them with foft rains, arid cherifheth them with dews? Who fanneth them with the pure breath of Heaven; and giveth them colours and fmells, andfpreadeth out their thin tranf- parent leaves? How doth the rofe draw its crimfon from the dark brown earth, or the lily its Ihining white? How can a fmall feed contain a plant? How dotli every plant know its feafon to put forth ? They are marflialled in order : each one knoweth his place, and ftandeth up in his own rank. The fnow-drop and the primrofe hafle to lift their heads above the ground; when the fpring cometh, they put forth their beauty. The carnation waiteth for the full ftrength of the year ; and the hardy lauruftinus cheereth the winter months. Every plant produceth its like. An ear of corn will not grow from an acorn ; nor will a grape-ftone produce cherries ; but every one fpringeth from its proper feed. Who preferveth them alive through the cold of v/inter, when the fnow is on the ;{round ? Who faveth a fmall feed, and a lit- tle v/armth in trie bofom of the earth, and caufeth them to fpring up afrefli, and fap to rife through the hard fibres ? The trees are withered, naked and bare ; they are like dry bones. Who breatheth on them with the br-^ath of fpring, and they are ( 29 ) ' covered with verdure, and green leaves fprout from the dead wood ? Lo, thefe are apart of his v/orks, and a lit- tle portion of his wonders. There is little need that 1 {iiould tell vou of God, for every thing fpeaks of him. Every field is like an open book ; every painted flower hath a leffon written on its leaves. Every murmuring brook ha,th a tongue ; a voice is in every whlfpering wind. They all fpeak of him who made them ; they all tell us, he is very good* We cannot fee God, for he is invifible; but we can fee his works every where. They that know the moft, fliould praife him the belt; but which of us can number half his works ? LESSON XIL - A-CHARACTER. *^ A DOG,'' fays one of the Englifli poets, " X^ is an honeft creature, and I am a '^ friend to dogs." Of, all the beafts that graze the lawn or hunt the foreil, a dog is the only animal, that, leaving his fellows, at» tempts to cultivate the friendfliip of man. To man he looks, in all his neceflities, with a fpeaking eye for affillance ; exerts for him all the little fervicein hit Dower with cheer-^ C q ' ( 30 ) fulnefs and pleafure ; for him bears famine and fatigue with patience and refignation. Studious to pleafe, and fearing to offend, he is ftill an humble, fteadfall dependent ; and in him alone, fawning is not fla^ttery. By him the midnight robber is kept at a diftance, and the thief is often detected. The poor man finds in his dog a willing alTiftant, eager to IcfTen his toil, and content with a ve- ry fmall retribution. How unkind, then, to torture this faithful creature, who has left the foreft to claim the proteftion of man! How ungrateful a return to the trufty animal for all its fervices. Some few years ago, a fhip wa^s launched at Ipfwich, in Suffolk, and going off the frocks fooner than was expedled by the people on board, feveral perfons were thrown into the water ; fome boats were quickly employed to fave the people, though they could not give immediate afTiftance, But a large Newfoundland dog, feeing their fituation, rufhed into the water, and fwim- ming for their relief, towed firfl one and then another out of the deep into the fhallow wa- ter, and by this means faved the lives of fev-^ eral men and woman — though fome were drowned for want of timely afliftance* ( 31 ) LESSON XIIL . THE SLOTH. THE Sloth is a creature fo ill formed for moving^ that it can fcarcely advance more than a few paces in the coiirfc of a week. It has, indeed, fo little defire for changing its place, that it never thinks of going in queft of food, till forced by the fevere calls of hun- ger. It lives upon the leaves, fruit, and the flow- ei:s of trees, and often on the, bark itfelf, when nothing elfe is left for it to fubfill on. As it requires a great deal of food for its fup- port, for the moil part, it flrips a tree of its verdure in lefs than a fortnight ; and being then left without food, it drops down like a lifelefsmafs, from the branches to the ground. After being fome time in a torpid ftate, it prepares for a new journey to fome tree not far off, to which it crawls fo flowly, that one can hardly perceive it move. Having at length, reached the fpot, it afcends the trunk, and devours whatever it can find on the branches. By gna.ving the bark alfo, it foon deflroys the life of the tree; and thus the fource is loll from which it drew its fupport. This ftrange creature, which feems to lead a very wretched life, may ferve as a jull emblem of the Hoth- (32 ) ful, who fpend their time in doing nothing, while they ought to be feeking for thofe com- forts which render mankind happy. LESSON XIV. THE BLESSINGS jGRANTED TO US BY GOD IN WIN- TER, AND TO WHICH WE PAY TOO LITTLE ATTENTION. IF we were to exvamine the works of creati- on more attentively than we generally do, we Ihould find at this feafon ma.ny reafons to rejoice in the Creatol*, and to praife the won- ders of his wifdom. Few, without doubt, are fo infenfible as riot to feel emotions of pleafure and gratitude, when beautious nature difpla-ys the rich blef- fmgs of Providence in fpring, fummer or au- tumn. But even hearts the fulleft of fenfibility, are rarely excited to the fenfation of v/arm grati- tude, when they fee tlie>rees ftripped of their fruit, and the fields without verdure ; when the bleak wind whiftles round their dwelling; when a chilling cold com.es to freeze the earth and its inhabitants. But is it certain that this feafon is fo depri- ved of the blelTings of heaven, and of what is fufficient to kindle gratitude and piety in the hea,rt ofm.an? No certainly. Let us only accuftom curfel ves to be more attentive to the ( 33 ) works of God, more touched with the many- proofs of his goodnefs towards us, and we, fhall find opportunities enough, even in win- ter, to praife our benefador. Confider how unhappy we fhould be, if during violent cold, we had neither wood for fire, nor clothes to keep us warm. With what goodnefs the Lord prevents our wants, and furnifhes us (even in t^e feafon the moft void of refources) with the necefl*aries and conveniences of life* If it were given to mortals to know the chain of every thing in nature, how great would be our admiration at the wifdom and goodnefs of its Author! But however incapa- ble we are of forming to ourfelves anideaof the whole of his works, the little we underlland gives us fufiicient reafon to acknovv'ledge,that his government is infinitely wife and bene- ficent. Winter belongs to the plan he has formed. If this feafon did not exift, the fpring and fummer v/ould not have fo many charms for us, the fertility of our lands w^ould much di- miniili, commerce would be at an end in ma- ny provinces, and part of the woods and forefts would have been created for no pur- pofe, Confidered in this light, v/inter is certainly very ufeful, and fuppofing even that its advan- tages were not fo^ apparent, it ftiould be fuffi- cienl for us to reflet, that winter is the work ( 34 ) of the Creator, as well as fpring and fummer, and all which comes from him mull be for the belt. LESSON XV. INDUSTRY, THE Jews have a faying among them, that " He who does not bring his fon up to fome bufinefs, makes him a thief." Idlenefs they look on as the ground of all evil, whether public or private ; for, th*e mind of man v»' ill be employed, and, rather than do nothing, it will v/ork mifchief. TheParthianswerefuchenemiesto idlenefs, that tbey did not fuffer their children to eat till they had gone through fome exercifes, or done fomething which might contribute to the health of their bodies or improvement of their minds. Solon introduced a fevere lav/ into hiscom- monvv^ealth againft idlenefs, and the judges were very vigilent in enquiring into the life and manners of every particular fubjeft, and in feeing this law put in execution, as appears from the following narrative. "• There were at Athens two poor young men, who took pleafure in reading, in order to acquire wifdom and l^inowledge. They had no vifible means of fupport, yet they kept up ( 3^5 ) their flefh and colour, looked hale, well, and in good cafe. The judges had information given them of the retired life of thefe two, and that it did not appear they had any. thing to maintain them ; confequently, as they could not live without fuftenance, they muil have fome clan- deftine means of fubfifting. On this informa- tion, the young men were fummoned before the judges, and ordered to anfwer to the charge. One of the accufed faid, that little credit was given to what a man could urge in his own defence, becaufe it was natural to think that every criminal would either deny or exte- nuate the crime he was charged with; and as the te-limony of a difniterefled perfon was not liable to fufpicion, he defired a certain baker, whom he named, might be fummoned, in or- der to anfwer for him. The baker declared, that the young men under examination took it by turns to grind his corn every night; and that, for the night's work, he every morning paid the you.ng man, who ground at his mill, a drachma, or groat. The judges furprifed at their abftinence and induftry, ordered a reward of two hundred drachmas to be paid them out of the publrck treafury. How happy would it be for us, if there were laws againft idlenefs, and which fliould oblige every man to give an account of his time, and ( 36 ) be anfwerablc for his way of life ! How many- cheats and ftiarpers, who live by defrauding the unwary public, would be obliged to lay afide the name of gentlemen, and work for their livelihood in an honeft manner ! LESSON XVL JUDGE NOT TOO HASTILY. IN a corner of a farmer's garden, a neft of ants was one day difcovered. Thefe ani- mals, duringall the warm and pleafant months of the year, were fully occupied in dragging to their cells all the little feeds and grains of corn they were capable of colle£ling, A bed of flowers happened to be near the habitation of thefe ants, and was frequented by numberlefs flies, who diverted themfelves in fporting from flower to flower. The farmer's little fon, having frequently obferved the different empleyments of thefe animals, and being young and ignorant, he one day broke out into thefe expreffions : " Surely thefe ants arethe moll fimple of all creatures! How they toil and labour all the day, inflead of revelling in the warmth of the fun, and wandering from flower to flower, like thefe fiien, who feem to know how to en- joy themfelves ! It was not long after he had made this idle remark, when the weather began to grow ( 37 ) very cold, the fun felclom raade its appearance, and the evenings vv^ere fliarp and frofty. This ~" fame little boy, walking with his father in the garden at this period of the year, did not per- ceive a fmgle ant, but obferved that all the flies were lying about, either dead or dying. As he was a good natured youth, he could not help regretting the fate of the unfortunate flies, and afked his father, what vv as become of the ants he had fo often feen on the fame fpot. His father replied, " The flies, being carelefs animals, are all dead, becaufe ^they made no provifion againit the approach of fevere wea- ther. The ants, on the contrary, have been bufy during the fummer,in laying up a ftore againll the winter, and are now fnug in their cells, alive and well. When the warm weather fliall return, we may again fee them at their labour.'^ LESSON XVIL MODESTY. WHO art thou, O Man ! that prefumeft on thine ov/n wifdom ? or why doft thou vaunt thyfelf on thine own acquire- ments ? The firft ftep towards being wife, is to know that thou art ignorant ; and if thou wouldft not be efteemed foolifli in the judgment of D ( 38 ) Others, call ofF the folly of being wife in thine own conceit. As a plain garment beft adorneth a beauti- ful woman, fo a decent behaviour is the great- ell ornament of wifdom. He relieth not on his own wifdom ; he weigheth the counfels of a friend, and receiv- eth the benefit thereof. He turneth away his ear from his own praife, and believeth it not ; he is the laft in difcovering his own perfections. But behold the vain man, and obferve the arrogant : he clotheth himfelf in rich attire ; he walketh in the public ftreet ; he cafteth round his eyes, and courteth obfervation. He tolTeth up his head, and overlooketh the poor; he treateth his inferiors with infolence, and his fuperiors in return look down on his pride and folly with laughter. He defpifeth the judgment of others; he re- lieth on his own opinion, and is confounded. He is puffed up with the vanity of his ima- gination : his delight is to hear and to fpeak of himfelf all the clay long. He fwalloweth with greedinefs his own praife, and the flatterer in return eateth him up. ( 39 ) LESSON XVIII. VEGETABLES WHICH PRESERVE THEIR VERDURE IN WINTER. THE earth may now be compared to a mo- ther who has been robbed of thofe chil- dren from whom ilie had the bell hopes. She is dcfolate, and deprived of the charms which varied and embeliilhed her furface. However, fhe is not robbed of all her children. Here and there fome vegetables are ftill to be feen, which feem to defy the feverity of the winter. Here the wild hawthorn fhews its purple berries; and the lauruftina difplays its bloffoms in clufters, crowned with leaves which never fade. The yew-tree rifes like^a pyramid, and its leaves prefcrve their verdure. The weak ivy ftill creeps along the walls, and clings immova- ble, while the tempeft roars around it. The laurel extends its green branches, and has loft none of its fummer ornaments. The humble box fliews, here and there, in the midll of the fnow, its evergreen branches. Thefe trees, andfome others befides, prefervc their verdure in the coldeft climates, and in the fevereft feafons. They are emblems of the durable advanta- ges which he poffeffes whofe mind is cultiva- ted, and whofe temper is fweet and ferene. D 2 ( 40 ) The fplendour of drefs, which only dazzles the eye of the vulgar, is a trifling and tranfi- ent fplendour. TheiDoft brilliant complexion will fade, and all outward beauty is of fhort duration ; but virtue has charms which furvive every thing, The man who fears the Lord, " is like a tree planted by the fide of a riven" It grows and flourifhes, and its branches ex- tend far off. It bears fruit in due feafon, and its leaves fade not. It refrefhes him who feeks its flicker, and- the traveller bleffes it. What a delightful image is this of a pious man ! He borrows not his value from the ex- terior and arbitrary goods of fortune. His true ornaments are in himfelf. The ftorms of adverfity may fometimes fhake him, but they cannot overpower him; and he foon rifes a- gain above the ftormy regions. If he is reduced by misfortune to poverty^ he is ftill rich, in the poffeflion of peace, arif- ^ng from a good confcience, and the hope of bl e ITed immortality. This meditation leads me to the idea of a benevolent old man. In the decline of his days, he refembles the plants which preferve their verdure, even in that feafon of life. How many ftorms of fortune has he fupported with conftancy ! How many attrafting objefts has he feen wither! He yet exills, while moft of thofe of his time have difappeared. A miid cheerfulnefs is feen in him, the hap- ( 41 ) py remains of his fpring. However wrinkled his forehead may be ; whatever ravages the hand of time has imprinted upon his body, he is ftill adorned with virtues which make amends for the lofs of exterior charms. He grows young again in his children ; and his wifdom, his integrity, his great experi- ence, ferves Hill for examples and leffons to all around him* As the rofe breatheth fweetnefs from its nature, fo the heart of a benevolent man pro- duceth good works. He enjoyeth the eafe and tranquility of his own breaft, and rejoi- ceth in the happinefs and profperity of his neighbour. His defire is to do good, and he fearcheth out the occafions thereof ; in removing the oppreffions of another he reliev^eth himfelf.— From the largenefs of his mind, he compre- hendeth in his willies the happinefs of all men; and from the generofity of his heart he cndeavoureth to promote it. LESSON XIX. ANGER, AS the whirlwind in its fury teareth up tvf^Qb^ and ch'angeth the face of Nature, fbthe rage o' ' . •:-- iranthrcweth mifchief aroi.mdhim, . :< and reflea on thine ■^^eakn' ihou pardon the fail* ( 42 ) ings of others. Indulge not thyfelf in anger ; it is like whetting a fword to wound thine own breaft, or to injure xhy friend. If it be a hard tafk to rule thine anger, it is wife to prevent it : avoid then thofe things which may e:^cite thy wrath, or guard thy- felf againfi: them, when they occur. Har- bour not revenge in thy breaft : it will tor- ment thy heart, and pervert thy beft thoughts. Be always more ready to forgive, than to return an offence : he that watches for re- venge, lieth in wait againft himfelf, and draweth down mifchief on his own head. A mild anfwer to an angry man, like water caft upon the fire, checketh his warmth, and from being a foe, he will become thy friend. Reflefl: and think, how few things are wor- thy of anger, and thou wilt wonder, that a- ny but fools fhould indulge it. In folly or weaknefs it always taketh its rife, but it fel- dom endeth v/ithout foiTow. On the heels of folly treadeth fname ; at the back of anger ftandeth remorfe. LESSON XX. riLIAL PIETY- ONE of the Roman judges had given up to the triumvir a woman of fome rank, con- demned for a capital crime, to be executed in prifon. He, who had charge of the execu- ( 43 ) tion, in confideration of her birth, did not immediately put her to death. He even ventured to let her daughter have accefs to her in prifon, carefully fearching her, however, as flie went in, left Ihe Ihould carry with her any fuftenance. He took it for granted, that in a few day^ the mother muft, of courfe, perifh for want, and that the feverity of putting a woman of family to a violent death by the hand of the executioner, might thus be avoided. Some days paffing in this manner, the tri- umvir began to v/onder that the daughter ftill came to vifit her mother, and could by no means comprehend how the latter Ihould live fo long. Watching therefore carefully what paifed in the interview between them, he found, to his great aftoniihment, that the life of the mother had been all this while fupported by the milk of the daughter, who came to the prifon every day, that her mother might fuck herbreafts. The ftrange contrivance betvv^een them was reprefented to the judges, vv^ho procured a pardon for the mother. Nor was it thought fufficient to give to fo dutiful a_ daughter the forfeited life of her condemned m^otber, but they were both maintained afterwards by a penfion fettled on tliem for life. What wiM not filial duty contrive, or what hazards will it not run, if it will put a daugh- ( 44 ) ter upon venturing, at the peril of her own life, to maintain her imprifoned and con- demned mother in fo unufual a manner ! For, what was ever heard of more flrange, than a mother fucking the breafts of her own daugh- ter ? It might even feem fo unnatural as to render it doubtful, whether it might not be in fome fort wrong, if it were not, that duty to parents is the iirft law cf nature. LESSON XXL THE riRST LESSON OF CYRUS. IT is reported of Cyrus, when young, that, being alked what was the firfl thing he learned, he anfwered, ^' To tell the truth ;'' which is indeed, " though no fcience, fairly worth the feven." When tke wife men were commanded by the king, to declare what was the firongeli power upon earth, fuch as exceeded even that of the monarch himfelf, they were all at a lofs lor an anfwer. At last the prophet Daniel was confulted who, being endowed with wifdom from on high, anfwered, that truth was the strongest ; and fupported his affertion by fuch weighty arguments, that nobody could controvert them. Thus his underflanding was approved by the king, and all the fages were humbled in his pre fence. I ( 45 ) Of all the qualities that adorn the humaii mind, truth is the mofl: refpeflable. It is a rich, though a fimple ornament ; and he wha is not poffeffed of it, let his rank and qualities be what they may, will be for ever defpicable in the light of the good and wife. We are naturally led to diflike thofewhoare always intent upon deceiving. Whereas, on the contrary, we make no fcruple to confide in thofe who are fincere, becaufe wsknow our- felves to be fafe in their hand. They will be either conftant friends or open enemies ; and, even if, through human frailty, they are fome- times led into errors, yet their generous ac- knowledgement of them makes amends, in a great degree, and is a good token of their avoiding them for the future. " Where Truth is found, bright Virtue ftill refides, " And equal juftice every adlron guides. *' In the pure heart and fpotlefs mind (he reigns^ ^' And with mild power her happy fway maintains ;. , *' The attribute of God himfelf ccnfeft, " That ftamps his image on the human bread," LESSON XXII. THE LAPLANDERS. IF I fix my eyes on the Laplanders, and the inhabitants of the lands nearelt the arftic pole ; I fee mortals, whofe tafte and manner of living, when compared with ours, we con- clude are not the happieft. Their country is ( 46 ) formed of a chain of mountains, covered with fnow and ice, which do not melt even in fum- nier ; and where the chain is interrupted, is full of bogs and marHies. A deep fnow overwhelms the vallies, and covers the little hills. Winter is felt during the greateil part of the year. The nights are long ; and the day gives but a dim light. The inhabitants feek ilielter from the cold in tents which can be removed from one place to an- other. They fix their fire-place in the middle of it, and furround it with ilones. The fmoke goes out in an opening at the top, which alfo ferves them for a window. There they fallen iron chains, to which they hang the caldrons, in which they drefs their food, and melt the ice, which ferves them for drink. The infide of the tent is furnifiied with furs, which preferve them from the wind; and they lie on fkins, fpread on the ground. It is there they pafs their winter. Six months of the year are to them perpetual night, during which they hear nothing round them but tlse whiftling of winds, and the hov/ling of woh:e:^., which are running every where in fearch of their prey. How could we bear the climate and way of life of thofe people ? How much fhould we think ourfelves to be pitied, if we had nothing before our eyes but an immenfe extent of ice, and whole deferts covered with fnow i the ab- ( 47 ) fence of the fun ftill making the cold more in-* fupportable; if, inftead of a convenient dwell- ing, we had only moveable tents made of fkins and no refource for our fubfiftence, but pain« ful and dangerous hunting. Are not thefe refle6tions proper to make us obferve thfe many advantages of our climate, fo little attended to? Ought it not to animate us to blefs the Divine Providence, for deliver- ing us from fuchdiftrelTes and inconveniences, and for diftinguifhing us by a thoufand ad- vantages? Yes. Let us ever blefs that wife Providence : and when we feel the feverity of the feafon, let us return thanks, that the cold is fo moderate where we dw^ell, and that we have fuch nu- merous ways of guarding againft it. But is the inhabitant of northern countries fo unhappy as we imagine ? It is true/he wan- ders through rough vallies and unbeaten roads, and is expofed to the imclemency of the feafons. But his hardy body is able to bear fatigue. The Laplander is poor, and deprived of many of the conveniencies of life ; but is he not rich, in knowing no other wants than thofe which he can eafily fatisfy? He is deprived for feveral months of the light of the fun; but to make the darknefs fupportable, the moon and the Aurora Borealies light his horizon. Even the fnow and ice, in which he is far- rounded, do not make him unhappy. Edu- ( 48 ) cation and cuflom arm him againftthe feverity of his climate. The hardy life he leads ena- bles him to brave the cold, and for the parti- cular wants which are indifpenfable to him, nature has made it eafy to obtain them. She has pointed out to him animals, whofe fur faves him from the fharpnefs of the air. She has given him the Rein-deer, which fur- nifhes him with his tent, his drefs, his bed, his food and his drink; with which he under- takes long journies, and which, in a word, fupplies almoft all his wants ; and whofe maintenance is but little trouble to him. If, in the midft of all their mifery, thefe poor mortals had a more perfect knowledge of God, a knowledge fuch as revelation gives us; and, if it is true, that the idea we form of happinefs depends more on opinion than on reajfon; if it is true alfo, that real happinefs is not fixed to particular people, or particular- climates; and that, with the neceffaries of life and peace of mind, one may be happy in ev- ery corner of the earth ; has not one a right to aflc, what the Laplander would want to make him happy ? ( 49 ) LESSON XXIII. APPLICATIONr SINCE the days that are paft are gone for ever, and thofe that are to come may not come to thee, it behoveth thee, O man ! to employ the prefent time, without regretting the lofs of that which is paft, or too much de- pending on that which is to come. This inftant is thine ; the next is in the womb of futurity, and thou knoweft not what it may bring forth. Whatfoever thou refolveft to do, do it quickly. Defer not till the evening what the morning may accomplifli. Idlenefs is the parent of want and of pain : but the labour of virtue bringeth forth plea- fure. The hand of diligence defeateth want ; profperity and fuccefs are the induftrious man's attendants. Who is he that hath acquired wealth, that hath rifen to power, that hath clothed himfelf with honour, and that is fpoken of in the ci- ty with praife ? Even he 'that hath Ihut out idlenefs from his houfe, and hath faid unto floth, thoa art mine enemy. He rifeth up eSrly, he exercifeth his mind with contemplation, and his body with adion, and preferveth the health of both. E ( 50 ) The flothful man is a burden to himfelf ; his hours hang heavy on his head ; he loiter- eth about, andknoweth not what he would do. His days pafs away like the Ihadow of a cloud, and he leaveth behind him no mark for remembrance. His body is difeafed for want of exercife ; he wilheth for aftion, but hath not power to move ; his mind is in darknefs ; his thoughts are confufed ; he longeth for knowledge, but hath no application. He would eat of the almond, but hateththe trouble of breaking its Ihell. His houfe is in diforder, his fervants are wafteful and riotous, and he runneth on to- wards ruin ; he feeth it with his eyes, he heareth it with his ears, he fhaketh his head, and wifheth, but hath no refolution ; till ruin cometh upon him like a whirlwind, and fhame and repentance defcend with him to the grave. LESSON XXIV. EXERCISE AND TEMPERANCE. PHYSIC, for the moft pan, is nothing elfc but the fubftitute of exercife or tempe- ranee. Medicines are indeed abfolutely ne- geiTary in acute diftempers, which cannot wait the flow operations of thefe two great in- ftruments of health ; but, did men live in an ( 51 ) habitual courfe of exercife and temperance, there would be but little occafion for them. Accordingly we find, that thofe parts of the world are the mod healtliy, where the inhabitants fubfiil by the chace ; and that men lived longeft, when their lives were em- ployed in hunting, and when they had little food befides w^hat they caught. Bliftering and bleeding are feldorn of ufe but to the idle and intemperate ; as all thofe inward applications, which are fo much in practice among us, are for the moft part, no- thing elfe but expedients to make luxury confident v/ith health. The apothecary is perpetually employed in countermining the cook and the vintner. It is faid of Diogenes, that, meeting a young man, who v/as going to a feaft, he took him up in the ftreet and carried him home to his friends, as one who was running into imminent danger, had he not prevent- ed him. What would the philofopher have faid, had he been prefent at the gluttony of a modem meal ? Would not he have thought the m^af- ter of the family mad, and have begged the fervants to tie down his hand, had he ken him devour fowl, fifli, and Hefh.; fwallow oil and vinegar, wines and fpices ; throw down fallads of twenty different forts of herbs ; fauces of an hundred ingredients ; confe6li- ons and fruits of numberlefs fweets and fla- vours ? E 2 ( 52 ) For my part, when I behold a fafliionablc table fet out in all its magnificence, I fancy that I fee gouts, and dropfies, fevers and le- thargies with other innumerable diftempers, lying in am-bufcade among the difhes. Nature delights in the moft plain and funple diet. Every animal, but man, keeps to one difh. Herbs are the food of this fpecies, fifli of that, and flefh of a third. But man falls upon every thing that comes in his way ; fcarce a berry or mufliroom can efcape him. It is impolTible to lay down a determinate rule for temperance, becaufe what is luxury in one m^ay be temperance in another. An eminent phyfician gives the following advice : " Make your whole repaft out of one difh, and feldom indulge in a fecond. At the fame time abftain from all fauces, or at leaft from fuch as are not the moft plain and fimple. Young people ought never to tafte fauces of any kind-" It is obferved by two or three ancient au- thors, that Socrates, notwithftanding he liv- ed in Athens, during the great plague, v/hich has made fo much noife through all ages, and has been celebrated, at different times, by the moft eminent authors ; I fay, notwith- ftanding that he lived in the time of this de- vouring peftilence, he never caught the in- fection ; v/hich thofe writers unanimoufly af- tribe to the uninterrupted temperance which he alvva.ys obferved. But the moft remarkable inftance of the ( 53 ) efficacy of temperance, towards the procur- ing of long life, is what we met with in a little book, publiflied by Lewis Cornaro, the Venetian ; which I rather mention becaufe it is of undoubted credit, as the late Vene- tian ambaffador, who was of the fame family^ attefted more than once, in converfation, when he refided in England. Cornaro, who was the author of the little treatife above mentioned, v/as of an infirm coniiitution till about forty, Vv'-hen, by obfti- nately perfifting in an exa,cl courfe of tem- perance, he recovered a perfeft ftate of health ; infomiuch, that at fourfcore he pub- lillied his book, which has been tranilated in- to Englifn, under the title of '^ Sure and Cer- tain Methods of obtaining a Long and Healthy Life." He lived to give a third or fourth edition of it ; and, after having paffedhis hundredth year, died without pain or agony, a*hd like one who falls alleep. LESSON XXV. USEFUL INFOKMATIOIsT. IN a late converfation amongft fome of the great and the wife, Theron, a man of wealth and figure, but not poffeffed of much knowledge, fat in the mMft of his friends of both fexes, in a large room, with a rich va- riety of furniture. E 3 ( 54 ) Theron cbferved, that he hxad often heard it faid, " how much we are all indebted to the country and the plough ;'' but for his part, he knew no obligation that we had to that low rank of mankind, whofe life is taken up in the fields, the woods, and the meadows ; but that they paid their rents well, to enable gentlemen to live at their eafe. Crito was pleafed to feize the occafion, and entertained the gay audience with a furprii- ing lecture of philofophy, *' Permit me, Theron, faid he, to be an advocate for the peafant ; and I can draw up a long account of particulars, for which we are indebted to the field and the foreft, and to the men who cultivate the ground, and are engaged in rural bufinefs. Look around on all the furniture of the room, let us furvey our own clothing* and the fplendid array of Therina and Perfis, and we fnall find, that, except a few glittering fl:ones, and a little gold and filver, which were dug out of the bowels of the earth, we can fcarce fee anything that did not once grow green tipon the ground through the various labours of the planter and ploughman. Whence came the floor we tread on, part whereof is inlaid with v/ood of different co- lours ? Whence thefe fair pannels of wainfcot, and the cornice that encompaffes and adorns the room ? Whence this lofty room of cedar, ( 55 ) and the carved ornaments of it? Are they not all the fpoils of the trees of the foreft ? Were not thefe once the verdant ftandard of the grove or the mountain ? What are the hangings of gay tapeftry ? Are they not owing to the fleece of the fheep, which borrowed their nourilhment from the grafs of the mea- dows ? Thus the finery of a parlour once was grafs; and, Ihould I take a turn into the bed-cham- bers, I could fhew that the curtairis, and the linen, and coftly coverings, where we take our nightly repofe, were fome years ago, all growing in the fields.'' LESSON XXVL THE SAME CONTINUED. ** T)UT I need not retire from the place Jt3 where we are feated, to give abundant difcoveries of this truth. Is not the hair of camels a part of the materials which compofe thofe rich curtains that hang down by the windows, and the eafy chairs, which accom- modate our friends ? And, if we think a lit- tle, we fhall find the camels with their hair, as well as ftieep with their wool, owe their fuftenance to grafs. What are the books that lie in the window^ and the little implements of paper and wax, pens and wafers, which, I prefume, may be ( 56 ) found in the efcrutoir ? Txhey have all the fame original, they were once mere vegetables. Paper and books owe their being to the tat- ters of linen vv^hich were woven of the threads of flax or hemp. The pafteboard covers are compofed of paper, and the leather is the fl^in of the calf, which drew its life and fuilenance from the meadows. The pen that ive write with v/as plucked from the w^ing of a goofe, which lived upon the grafs of the common. The wafer is made of the pafte of bread corn, and the wax is ori- ginally plundered from the bee, who gather- ed it out of a thoufand flowers. '' Permit me ladies, faidthe philofopher, to mention your drefs. Who gave Perfis the filken he.bit which fhe wears ? Did fhe not bor- rov/ it from the worm that fpun thofe fliinin^ threads ? And whence did the worm borrow it ? From, the leaves of the mulberry tree, which was planted and nouriihed for that purpofe by the country fvvain. May I alk again, how came Therina by the fine linen which ihe is pleafed to appear in ?' Was it not m?wde of the ft?Jks of flax, which^ grew up in the field like other vegetables ? And are not the fineft of your muflins made of the Indian cotton-tree ? Nor have we, Theron, one upper garment, whether coat, cloak, or night-gown, from our Ihoulders to our very feet, as rich and as new as we may think them, w^hich the flieep or the ( 57 ) poor filk-worm has not worn before us* It is certain the beaver wore ©ur hats upon his Ikin. That foft fur was his covering before it was ours ; and the materials of our very ftioes, both the upper part and the foles of them, co- vered the calf or the heifer, before they were put on our feet. All this was grafs at firft ; for, we have feen that all the animal world owes its being to vegetables. Theron acknowledged the juftice of Crito's whole argument, gave him hearty thanks for his inftru£tive le£lure, and refolved to remem- ber thofe amazing fcenes of the operations of nature, and the aftoniiliing wifdom of its Au- thor. Nor ihall I ever forget, faid he, the ftrange and unexpected dependence of man on all the meaner part of the creation. I am convinced, that " pride was never made for man," when I fee how much akin bis body is to '^ the fowls of the air and the beafts of tlie field." And I think, faid he, I am more indebted to my tenants than ever I could have imagin- ed ; nor will I caft fuch a fcornful eye again, on the grazier and the farmer, fmce the fur- niture of my houfc, and the clothes I wear, were once growing in the fields or the woods undsr iheir care and cultivation. . ( 58 ) LESSON .XXVII. ■ , ANDROCLES AND THE LION, ASLxWE, named Androcles, was fo ill tre?cted by his mafter, that his life be- came an infiipportable burthen. Seeing no probability of an end to his mifery, he deter- mined within himfelf, that it would be better to die, than to endure the feverities andhard- Ihips to which he was perpetually expofed. He accordingly determined to runaway from his flpwVery, and feek an afylum amongil: the favage inhabitants of the woods and fo- refts, lefs ferocious perhaps, than he had found fome of his fellow- creatures. He accordingly took an opportunity of quit- ting his mafter's houfe, and went and hid himxfelf in the receffes of a gloomy foreft, at fome diftance from the town. In endeavour- ing to fhun one mifery, v/e often run into another; thus poor Androcles, though he had efca,ped from the cruelty of his mailer, had frefa difficulties to encounter. He Found himifelf in a vaft and tracklefs wood, where he could find no food, and where his flefh w^as torn by thorris and bram* bles every ftep he took. At laft, coming by accident to a ^large cavern, he there lay down, overcome with hunger, fatigue, and defoair. 4f-^9 ) Androcles had not been long repofmg in the cavern, when he heard a dreadful noife, refembling^ the roar of a wild beaft^, which ter- rified him exceedingly. He ftarted up, in order to make his efcape, and ran to the mouth of the cave, when he fav/ an enormous lion coming towards him, and from whom^ there feerned no poffibility of efcaping. He now gave himfelf up as devoted to de- llru6tion ; but great indeed was his aftonifh- mentj when he faw the animal advancing to- wards him in a grave and gentle pace, with- out fliewing the leaft mark of rage or fury, but uttered a kind of mournful found, as if he himfelf wanted affistance. This unexpected event gave frefn courage to Androcles, who was naturally bold and refolute. He attentively furveyed every part of his new favage acquaintance, vvho stood still to give him leifure for that purpofe. He obferved, that the lion did not put all his feet to the ground, and that one of them feemed wounded. He boldly advanced, took hold of it, and attentively furveyed it, when he perceived in it a large thorn, which must have occafioned great pain to the animal, as the leg was in confequence very mucji. fwelled. However, he carefully pulled out the thorn, and then fqueezed the foot to force out the matter that had p-athered therg. ( 6o ) The operation was no fooner completed, than the grateful animal jumped round him, and put himfelf into as many attitudes of joy, as does the pampered lap-dog, when^ after a iliOrt abfence, he again finds himfelf with his fond and delicate miflrefs. Androcles became the lion's furgeon and completely cured his patient, who, in return, never went out in purfuit of prey, without bringing fomething for the fupport of his kind phyfician. Our fugitive and his favage friend lived in this ftrange kind of hofpitality for fome months, when Androcles, happening one day to wander too far from his retre?vt, was taken by a party of foldiers, and conduced back to his mafter. Being tried and convided by the fevere laws of of his country, he was condemned to be devoured by a lion, kept fome time with- out food, to make him the more fierce and ravenous. The fatal moment arrived, and the wretched Androcles v/as expofed, unarmed, in a fpaci- ous place properly inclofed, round which were affembled an innumerable crowd to be wit- nelTes to this inhuman fcene. A den was opened, and out of it rufhed a furious lion, uttering fo dreadful a yell as filled all the fpe6lators with horror. He fprang to- wards the helplefs viftim, with an erected mane, ■flaming eyes, and jaws gaping with rdeftruftion. Pity commanded a mournful filence, and every eye was turned on the devoted viftim^ whofe miferies feemed to be haftening to a period. Pity and horror, however, v/ere foon chang- ed into wonder and aftonifhment, when they beheld the .furious animal, inftead of tearing the viftim in pieces, flop fuddenly in his ca- reer, and fubmifllvely crouch at the feet of Androcles, as a faithful dog does at thofe of his maRer. Androcles then loudly called upon by the governor of the town, to explain to him and the fpeflators the caufe of fo unintelligi- ble a myflery, how fuch a fierce and favage wild beaft ihould, in a moment, be converted into a quiet and peaceful animaL Androcles then related every thing that had palled between him and the lion in the wood, and in what munner he had there entertained him. Every cne prefent was equally delighted and aftonifhed at the honeft narrative, ?.nd were happy to find, that even the moft favage beaft may be foftened by gratitude, and mov- ed by humanity. They unanimoufly exerted their interefts to gain pardon for Androcles, and they fucceed- ^d in their endeavours. He was pardoned and F ( (>^ ) prefented with the lion, to whom Androeles twice owed his life. LESSON XXVIII. Cy THE BAD ETFECTS OF VAPOURS. IN mines, there are many and various hurt- ful damps and vapours, and many have been the fatal effefls of them on the labour- ing miners. The moft dangerous of all are found in thofe places where the vapour has been long confined : the air ruftiing out from thence, frequently ca^'ries death along with it ; and fcarce any efcape to tell the manner of its operations. Some colliers in Scotland, working near an old mine that had been long clofed up, happened, without knowing danger fo nigh, to open a hole into it, from the pit where they were then employed. Happily at that time they faw their error, and inllantly fled for their lives. The next day,however,they wererefolvedto renew their work in the fame pit, but coming within the vapour, they all inftantly dropped down dead, as if they had been fliot. Amongft thefe unhappy men, there wa.s one, whofe wife was informed that he was ftifled in the mine, and as he happened to be next the entrance, flic fo far ventured dowit as to fee where he lay. ( 63 y As llie approached the place, the fight of Her hufband infpired her with'a defire to re- fcue him, if poflible, from that dreadful fitu- ation ; though a little refleaion might have Ihewn her that it was then too late. But nothing could keep her back, fhe ven- tiired forward, and had fcarce touched him with her hand when the damp prevailed, and the mifguided, though faithful woman, fell dead by his fide. LESSON XXIX. ON EARLY IMPROVEMENT, LET not the feafon of youth be barren of improvement, fo elTential to happinefs and refpedt. Thy future condition very much depends on thy condudl at this time of life, whether good or bad. Embrace the op- portunity while nature is yet pliable and foft, and bad habits have not eltablilhed their do* minion. While prejudices have not darkened thy mind, and the world has not had time to de» bafe thy affedlions. All thy powers are more lively, difembarraifed, and free, tl^an they will be, perhaps at any future period. What- ever bent thou now giveft thy heart unto, the direction is likely to continue. It will form the channel ia which thy life is to run, nay, it may determine an everlalU r2 ( -64 ) ing iffue. Confider then the employment oi this important period^ as the higheft trufl which Ihall ever be committed to thee, as in a great meafure, decifive of thy happinefs, in time and in eternity. As in the facceilion of the feafons, each by the invariable lav/s of Nature, affects the prc- diiCiions of what is next in coiirfe ; fo in hu- man life, every period of our age, according- ly as^ it is well or ill fpent^ inSuenees the happinefs of that which is to follow. Virtuous youth gradually brings forward ^ ripe and flourifning manhood, and fuch a. manhood panes of itfelf, without uneafmefs^ into refpedtable and peaceful old age- But vwhen the heart is turned out of a vir- tuous eourfe, diforder takes, place in the mo- ral, as in the vegetable world. If the fpring puts forth no blolToms, in fummer there will be no beauty, and in autumn no fruit ; fo if youth be trifled away without improvement, manhood will be contemptible, and old age miferable. LESSON XX}i. SNOW. SNOW Gonfifts of watery particles which are frozen in the air. Experiments have been made, which prove that fnow is twenty four times lighter than water ; and, that i£ ( 65 ) _ fills up ten or twelve times more fpace, at the moment of falling, than the water produ- ced from it when melted ; which could not be the cafe, if fnow was not a water extremely rarified. But fnow is not mere water. For the con- ftrudion of its particles, and the effects it produces, are different from that of water and ice. In this refped, the manner in which the fnow forms itfelf ^has fomething very re- markable. When particles of vapour, colle£ted toge- ther, freeze in the atmofphere, they appear in the form of a little dart, of an hexagonal iliape. While a great number of fuch little daFts unite together, the particles of water which are among them grow bard, and take the form of falt-petre. This accounts for the flakes with fix fides^ which are compofed of points like little nee- dles, at each fide of which, darts or linaller threads, join themfelves, though their form frequently alters, when carried here and there by the wind. How wonderful the form of thefe flakes of fnow would appear to us, if we were not ac- cuftomed to fee them every year ! But be- caufe certain wonders occur often, is that a reafon for being inattentive to them ? No, far from it : Let us be the more care- ful to examine into them, and to admire the power of God, v/ho, in every fisafon, fliews F3 ( 66 ) himielf fo rich, fc inexhaufiible in means to provide for the conveniencies and pieafares of mortals. Have we a right to compLain, that winter does not fupply variety of amufements for the fenfes and the underftanding ; Is itnot an aftonifhing fpeilacle to fee that nature has formed even the flakes of fnow with the moft cxa6l fymmetry ? to fee fuch a prodigious number of them fall from the Iky ? to obferv9 the feveral forms water take^ under the creat- ing hand of God ? Sometimes it forms itfelf into hail ; fome- times hardens into ice; and fometimes chang- es into fnov/, and into innumerable flakes of it,. All thefe changes ferve at the fame time for the ufe and embellifliment of the earth, and even in the fmalleft phenomena of nriture, God fliews himfelf great and v/orthy our ado- ration. Look no longer upon fnow vvith indiffer- ence. Its form and the advantages refulting from it, flioald lead us to adare him who made it, and fpreadeth it upon the earth ; covering and prefervin=g many a root and plant from the keen frofty winds. To him, w^hcm all nature obeys ; who caufeth the fnow to fall in flakes like wooL; v/ho fpreadeth ihe v/hice froft like afhes ;• who cafteth hail as in pieces; who ordereth the cold to biefs and fertilize the earth ; to him .be all praife, honour, and glory. ( 67 ) LESSON XXXL ON THE KNOWLEDGE OF OURSELVES, IN the firft place, let us C0nfider well, what are the chara£lers we bear amongft our e-- nemies. Our friends very often flatter usr^ as much as our own hearts. They either do not fee our faults, or conceal them from uSj orfoftenthem by their partial reprefentati- ons, in fuck a manner, that we think them; too tri^jial to be taken notice of. An adverfar}% gu the contrary, makes a ftriflier fearch into us, and difcovers every flaw and imperfection in our tempers; and, though his malice may fet them in too ftrong: a light, it has generally fome ground for what it advances. In order, likev/ife, to come to a true know- ledge of aurfelves, v/e Ihould confider, on- the other hand, how far we may deferve the praifes and approbations which the world be- llows on us ; v/hether the actions it applauds proceed from, right a,nd worthy motives ; and how far we are really poffeiTed of the virtues^, which it celebrates or fets forth, and which gain us credit amongfi thofe with whom we eonverfe. There is nothing of greater importance to us, than thus diiigentiy to fift our thoughts, and examine all thefe dark recelTes of the mind) ifwe would cilablifti our hearts in fuel! ( 68 ) a folid and fubftantial virtue, as will turn to account in that great day, when it muft Hand the teft of infinite wiidom and juftice. And laftly, fearch me, O God and know my heart, try me, and know my thoughts. And fee if there be any wicked way in me^ and lead m^e in the way everlafting. LESSON XXXIL OF THE ELEPHANT. ^*^HIS animal, when tamed, is gentle, o- ^ bedient and docile ; patient of labour, it fubmits to the moll toilfomc drudgery ; and ib attentive is he to the commands of his go- vernor, that a word or look is fufficient to ftimulate him to the moll violent exertions. It is fo attached to its keeper, that it ca- relTes him witli its trupik, and frequently will obey no other mailer ; it knows his voice, and can diftinguifn the tone of command, whether of anger, or of approbation, and re- gulates its actions accordingly : it receives his orders with attention, and executes with eagernefs, but without precipitation. All its motions, are orderly, and feem to correfpond with the dignity of its appearance, being grave, m^ajeftic, and cautious, it kneels down for the accommodation of thoi'e who would mount upon its back, and with its pli- ant trunkj afiifts them to afcend. ( 69 ) It fufFers itfelf to be hanielTed, and feems to have a pleaiure in the finery of its trap-# pings ; it is ufed in drawing chariots, wag* goas, and various kinds of machines. One of thefe animals will perform with cafe, the work of many horfeso^ The m^uiner of taking, taming, and ren- dering thefe animals fubmiffive, is curious^ and Vv^ell deferves a place in the hiftory of the elephant* In the midft of a forell, abounding with e- lephants, a large piece of ground is marked out, and furrounded with ftrong palifades, in- terwoven with branches of trees : one end of the inclofure is narrow, from which it wid- ens gradually, fo as to take in a great extent of country* Several hundreds of men are employed up- on the occafion, who place themfelves in fuch a manner, as to prevent the wild elephants from making their efcape : they kindle large fires at certain diftances, and make a dread- ful noife, with drums and various kinds of difcordant inftruments, calculated for the purpofe of ftunning and terrifying the poor animals ; whilft another party, confifting of fome thoufands, v/ith the affiftance of thefe- male elephants, trained for the purpofe, drive the wild elephant ilowly to the great opening of the inclofure, the v/hole train of hunters clofmg in after them, fhouting and making a_ great iioifcj till the ekphams are (fc'ivenj by ( 70 y ihfcnfible degrees, into the narrow part of the inclofure, through- which there is an o- pening into a fmaiier ^ace, Ilrongly fenced in, and wdl guarded on all fides. As foon as one of tlie elephants enters this firait, aftrong bar clofes the parage from be- hind, and he finds himfelf completely envi- roned. On the top of' this narrow pafl'agey^ fome of the huntrmen ftand with goads in' their hands, urging the creature forward to the end of the paiTage, where there is an o- pening juft wide enough to let him pafs. He is now receiv^ed into the ciifl:ody of two' female elepha-nts- who fl:andoneach fide of him, and prefs him into the fervice : ifhe is^ likely to prove refractory, they begin to dif- cipline hini with their trunks, till he is re- duced to obedience, and fufFers himfelf to be led to a tree, where he is bound by the leg with flout thongs, made of untanned elk or buck ikin, Th^ tame elephants are then led back to the inclofure, and the others are made to fubmit in the fame manner. They are all fuffercd to remain fafl: to the trees for feveral days. Attendants are placed by the fide of each animal, who fupply him with food by little and little, till he is brought by degrees to be fenfible of kindnefs and carefTes, and al- lov/s himfelf to be led to the flable. In the fpace of fourteen days, entire fub- miffion is completed* During that time he d 71 ') ps fed daily with, cocoa nut leaves, and led I once a day to the water by the tame ones. He becomes accuftomed to the voice of his keep- er, and at laft quietly refigns his prodigious powers to the fervice of man. This animal feems to exceed moft of the brute creation in fagacity. The following account taken from Goldfmith, is an inftancco /" In Delhi, an elephant pafiing along the ftreets, put his trunk into a taylor's Ihop, where feveral people were at worL One of the perfons of the ihop, defirous of amufement, pricked the animal's trunk with his needle, and feemed highly delighted with this flight punifhment. The elephant, however, paffed on with- out any immediate figns of refentment ; but .coming to a puddle of dirty water, he filled his trunk, returned to the fliop, and fpurted the contents over all the finery upon which vthe taylors were then employed:^' rLESSON XXXIII. .REMARKABLE STORY OF A DOG- U R I N G the reign of Charles V. of France, Aubri de Montidier, travelling alone in the foreft of Bondi, was murdered and buried at the foot of a tree. His dog re- mained upon the grave feveral days, and would not leave the place till he was^om- .pelled-toiio foby hunger. t 73 ) He came at latl to Paris, to the houfe of aPx intimate friend of the unhappy Aul^ri, and by his doleful howlings, feemed to wilh to acquaint him of the lofs they had fuilained. After receiving fome viftuals, he renewed his noife, went to the door., and turning a- bout to fee if he was followed by any one,, -came back to his mafler's friend, and pulled him by the coat, as it were to perfuade him to go along with him. This extraordinary behavi6ur>of the dog, his returning without his mafter, whom he never quitted, and v/he all at oncedifappear- ed, and perhaps that diftribution of juftice and of events, w^hich feldom permits any long concealment of atrocious crimes ; all thefe put together <)ccafi<}ned the dog's being followed. As foon as he came to the foot of the tree^ be began to howl more violently than ever, and to fcratch up the ground, as if marking out the fpot where they Jhould dig- They dug, and found the body of the unfortunate Aubri! Some time after, he accidently fpied the murderer, whom all hiftorians agree in call- ing the Chevalier Macaire. He flew at hi^ throat immediately, and it was with much difficulty he was forced to quit his hold. Ev- ery time the dog met him, he purXued and at- tacked him with the fame fury. The dog's inveteracy againft this man a- lone, began to be taken notice of ; and peo. ( 73 ) pie not only called to mind the affeftion which he had always fliewn for his nailer, but fe- veral inftances of the Chevalier Macaire's hatred and envy Cigainft Aiibri de Montidier came alfo to be recoilecled. Some other circumftances increafed the fufpicion. The king, being informed of what had pafTed, had the dog feat for, who re- mained perfectly quiet till fuch time as the Chevalier Macaire appeared, when immedi- ately, in the midft of a fcore of other courti- ers, he turned about, barked, and attempted to rulh upon him. At tail he feized him by the throat, and brought him to the ground, and in this fitua- tion, he acknowledged his crime in the pre- fence of the king and of the whole court, LESSON XXXIV. OBSERVATIONS ON MAN AND THE BRUTE CREATION. TVfEXT to man, in the vifible creation, •^^ are the beafts : and certainly, with re- gard to the ftrufture of the body, the differ- ence is not extremely great between man and other creatures. It principally appears in this ; that a man is perfeaiy ered :;ad his form more elegant ; that no bead hasthe feet of mtin, much lefs a hand fo well fitted for every purpofe ; and G ( 74 ) laftly, that no other animal has a brain, fo large, in proportion to its bulk, as man. ^ Concerning the prone polture of their bo- dies, we may obferve two things ; the parts minillering thereto, and the ufe thereof. As to the bodily parts^ it is obfervable, that in all thefe creatures, the legs are made ex- aftly conformable to their pofture, as thofe of man are to his : and further, that the legs and feet are always admirably well fuited to the motion and exercife of each animal. In fome they are made for ftrength, to fup- port a vaft and unwieldly body ; as in the e- lephant, which being a creature of fuch pro- digious weight, has its legs accordingly made like pillars. In others, they are made for agility and fwiftnefs. So deers, hares, and feveral o- ther animals, have their legs very flender, but ftrong withal, and every way adapted to quick motion. In fome they are formed only for walking and running ; but in others, for fwimming alfo : thus in the feet of the otter, the toes are all conjoined ivith membranes, as they are in geefe and duck^ ; and in fwimming it is obfervable, that when the foot goes for- ward in the water, the toes are clofe, but when backward, they fpread out ; whereby they more forcibly ftrike the water, and drive themfelves forward. In fome, as moles, they are made for walk- ( 75 ) irig and digging : and, in others, for walking and flying, as in the bat and Virginian fiyiiig Iquirrel. In'fome they are made more weak, for the plainer lands ; in others, ftiif and lefs flexible, as thofe of the elk, for traverfmg ice ; and the goat for dangerous places. There are many more to defcribe, which could not be done in this leffon ; but if cun- ofity leads, they may be fought for in " Trca.- tifes on Natural Hiftory." LESSON XXXV. REVOLUTIONS WHICH ARE CONSTANTLY IN NATURE. THE fun, moon, and flars, continue con- ftantly the fame eourfe, once prefcribed to them. But who is it that fupports and di- redls them ? Who teaches thefe bodies the eourfe they ought to take ? Whopoints out to them the time for their revolutions ? Who empowers them to move always with the fame force ? Who prevents them from falling on our globe, or from lofing their way in the immenfe fpace of the heavens ? All thefe queftions lead us to God. It is he who appointed the circles they were to defcribe ; it is he who fupports, who guides, and prevents them from confufion. By laws, unknown to us, he caufes thofe ce- G 2 I 70 ) leftial bodies to move with incredible fwift- nefs, and with fuch perfedl regularity, that nothing can difturb ic. Nearer to us, there are, in the elenients continual revolutions, though they are not vifible to coininon ebfervers. The air is in perpetual motion ; the water continues its courfe without ceafing ; the rivers run into the fea ; and, from its broad furface, va- pours rife, which produce clouds. Thefe fall again upon the- earth, in rain, fat)w, and hail ; they penetrate into the mountains, and fill the fprings ; from whence the rivulets become rivers, when they have met, and are thereby augmented in their 'courfe. Thus, the water which had fallen from the clouds, returns back into the fca. The fea- fons laft a lunitcd time, and fucceed each o- ther, according to the order c!l:abliihed. Each year the fertile earth produces again its plants, and its harveft. Yet it is never exhaufted ; for by means of this continual circulation, whatever the earth vields is reflored to it ag^ain. The win- ter comes at the appointed time, and brings the repofe it has occafion for ; and, when it has fulfilled the defigns of the Creator, the fpring fucceeds ; and this reftcres to the earth a fucceiT^cn cf its fruits. The fame circulation takes place in the body of every living creature : the blood flows continu?vily tlirough its feveral chan- ( 77 ) nels, diftributes to each limb the nouriftiing juices it requires, and then returns to the heart from whence it came. AH thefe revolutions lead us to refle6l on the Supreme Being, who laid the foundation of them ; and who, by his power and wif- dom, continues to diredt them to this very moment* • LESSON xxxvr, JOY AND GRiEFo LET not thy mirth be fo extravagant a^ to intoxicate thy mind, nor thy forrow fo heavy as to deprefs thy heart. This world afFordeth no good fo transporting, nor inflidt- eth any evil fo fevere,as lliould raife thee far above, or fink thee much beneath, the baV- ance of moderation, Lo ! yonder ftandeth the houfe of joy* It is painted on the outfide and looketh gay ; thou mayelt know it from the continual noife of mirth and exultation that iffueth from it. The miftrefs ftandeth at the door, and call- eth aloud to all that pafs by ; fne fmgeth and ihouteth, and laugheth without ccctfing. She invitelh them to go in and tafte the pleafures of life, which fhe telleth them are no where to be found but beneath her roof. But enter thou not into her gate ; neither alTociaie thyfelf with thofe v/ho frequent her houfe. G 3 ( /S ) They call themfelves the fons of joy ; thev laugh and fee m delighted : but madnefs and. lolly are in all their doings. They are linked with mifchief hand in hand, and their fieps lead down to evil. — Dangers befet them round about, and the pit of defiruftion yawneth beneath their feet. Look now on the other fide, and behold, in that vale overfhadowed VvUth trees, and hid from the fight of men, the habitation of for- row. Her bofom heaveth with fighs, her mouth is filled with lamentation ; Ihe delighteth to dwell on the fubjedl of human mifery. She looketh on the common accidents of life, and weepeth ; the weaknefs and wick- ednefs of man is the theme of her lips. All nature to her teemeth with evil, every objecl ilie feeth is tinged vvith the gloom of her own mind, and the voice of complaint faddeneth her dwelling day and night. Come not near her cell ; her breath is con- tagious ; fliewillblaft the fruits, and wither the fiowers, that adorn and fweeten the gar- den of life. In avoiding the houfe of joy, let not thy feet betray thee to the borders of this difmal manfion ; but purfue with care the middle path, which fliall lead thee by a gentle af- cent to the bower of tranquility. With her dwelleth Peace, with her dwell- eth Safety and Contentment. She is chearful, ( 79 ) but not gay ; fne is ferious, but not grave ; Ihe vieweth the joys and the forrows of life with an equal and Heady eye, LESSON XXXVIL OF MOUNTAINS. THERE is not, perhaps, in all nature, any thing that impreffes an unaccuftomed fpeClator, with fuch ideas of awful folemnity, as thefe immenfe piles on the bofom of the earth, v/hich feem to mocic the littlenefs of human magnificence. In countries, where there are nothing but plains, the fmallefl elevations or hills are apt to excite wonder. In Holland, which is all flat, they fnew a little ridge of hills near the iea fide, v/hich Boerhaave generally marked out to his pupils, as being mountains of no fmall confideration. What would be the feelings of fuch an au- ditory, could they at once be prefented with a view of the heights and precipices of the Alps or Andes ? Even amongfi: us, in England, we have not fufficient ideas of a mountain profpe6t ; our hills are'generally floping from the plain and cloathed to the very top with verdure ; we can fcarcely, therefore, lift our imagina- tions to thofe alloailliing piles, whofe tops peep up behind the high and intervening ( >o ) clouds, ftiarp and cragged, reaching to heights, that human avarice or curiofity have never been able to afcend. It has been afked by the curious, how mountains eome to be formed, and what are their ufes ? In our own happy region, we gen- erally fee no inequalities, but fuch as contri- bute to life and beauty ; and, therefore, we are amazed at a queftion, how fuch neceffa- ry things, though inequalities, came to be formed ; at the fame time, wondering at the beauty and fitnefs of all things within our profpect. LESSON XXXVIIL ON FILIAL DUTY* AS ilorks live to a very advanced age, their limbs grow feeble, their feathers fall off, and they are incapable of providing for their food or fafety. Being birds of paf- fage, they are under another inconvenience ; for, they are not able to remove themfelves from one cauntry to another at the ufual fea^ fon. In all thefe circumilanCes, it is reported that their young ones affift them, covering them with their wings, and nourifhing them with the warmth of their bodies. They even bring them provifions in their beaks., and car- ry them from place to place on their backs, or fupportthem with their wings. ( Si ) In tliis manner they return, as much as lies in their power, the care which was befto.ved on them when they w^ere young in the neil. A llriking exam.pie of filial piety, iufpired by inilinft, from which reafon itfelf needs not' be afliamed to take example. " Hoiv)ur thy father and thy mother, :hat thy days may be long in the land, which the Lord thy Ood giveth thee/' was an exprefs commandment, and the only one to which a prornife was annexed. Among the Ifraelites, the fughteft offence againft a parent was pun- ilhed in the moft exempbvry manner. Certainly, nothing can be more juft or reafonable, than that we ihould love, honour, andfuccour thofe, 'who are the very author? of our being, and to whofe tender care (under Heaven) we owe the continuance of it during the helplefs ftate of our infancy. Love, charit}^ and an interccurfe of good offices, are v/hat v/e undoubtedly owe to all mankind; and he who om.its them, is guilty of fuch a crime as generally carries its pun- iflnnent with it. To our parents, however, more, much more than all this, is due ; and, when w^e are ferving them, we ought to reflect, that, whatever difficulties we go through for their fake, we cannot do more for them than they have done for us ; and that there is no dan- ger of our over-paying the vail debt of grati- tude they have laid, us under. In fine, we fiiould confider, that it is a (■ 82 ) duty moft peculiarly infilled on by Heaven itfelf ; and if we obey the command, there is no doubt, but we Ihall alfo receive the re- ward annexed to it. LESSON XXXIX. The dangeh oi applause. HOV7 vain a thing is man ! Howready to be puffed up with every breath of ap- plaufe, and to forget that he is a creature and a finner ! He that can bear to be furrounded with approbations and honours, and yetkeep the fame air and countenance, without fwel- ling a little at heart, hath paffed an hour of temptation ?cnd come off conqueror. As the fining pot for filver, and the fur- nace for gold, fo is a man to his praife. Eu- doxus is a man of exalted virtue and unftain- ed reputation ; every one that knows him, -fpeaks well of him ; he is fo m.uch honoured, and {o well beloved in his nation, that he would have need to flee his country to avoid praifes. So fenfible is he ot the fecret pride that ia fo apt to taint human nature, that he holds himfelf in perpetual danger, and maintains an everlafl:ing watch. He behaves now with the fame modefty^ as when he was unknown and obfcure. He receives the praifes of his fellows with an humble mien, and an indifference af fnl- ( 83 ) rit, that is truly admirable and divine. It is a lovely pattern, but the imitation is not eafy. 1 took the freedom one day to aflc him, how- he acquired this wonderful humility, or whe- ther he was born with no pride about him, or fubjeft, like other men, to the fame evil ? " Ah no ! (faid he with a fecret figh) I feel the working poifon, but I keep the antidote at hand ; when my friends tell me of many good qualities and talents, I have learned with Paul to fay, What have I that I have not received ? My own confcioufnefs of many follies and fins conftrains me to add, What have I that I have improved? And then right reafon and religion join together to fupprefs my vanity, and teach me the proper language of a crea- ture and a finner ; what then have I to glory m?'' LESSON XL. EVERY THING IN NATURE TENDS TO THE GOOD OF MA^JKIND, WE cannot be too fenfible of th^ love and preference with which we are honour- ed, by God's diftinguilhing us fo advantage- oufly from other creatures. Let us feel, as we ought, the great happi- nefs of being particularly the objedls of his beneficent liberality ; of being, in fome mea- ( 84 ) fare die centre of ail he has produced for the manifeftation of his glorious attributes^ - It is for us that all nature afts and labours in the earth, in the air, and in the waters. For us the horfes hoof is furnifhed with that horn, which it would have no occafion for, were it not to draw burdens, and to climb the mountains. For us the filk-worm fpins its bag, ihuts it- felf up in it, and afterwards leaves us this web fo artfully contrived- For us the gnat lays its eggs in the water, to feed the filh, which ferve themfelves for our fubfiftence. For us the bee gathers, from the flovv^ers, their exquifite honey. For us the ox is put to the plough, and defires no other reward than a little food. It is alfo for us that the forefts, the fields, and the gardens, abound in riches. For us alfo are defigned the trea- fures the mountains contain. It is true that v/e have, beyond compari- fon, more wants than the brute creation, but we have alfo many more faculties, talents, and induftry, to make c-ery thing around us ferve for our ufe and pleafure. Numbers of creatures contribute towards our food, cloaths, and habitations ; and fur- nifh us with innumerable conveniences and enjoyments. If God has created us with fo many wants, it is to procure us a greater va- riety of agreeable fenfations. It would be impolTible for us to f atisfy thofe ( 85 ) • multiplied wants, if animals had as manv as we have ; and it is in order that we fhould have plenty of every thing, that the things they require, are generally fuch as mankind can make no ufe of. But it is not our food only, that God has provided with fo much goodnefs : He has de- figned to procure us a thoufand other enjoy- ments. It is for us that the lark and the nightingale fmg ; that the flowers perfume the air ; that the fields and the garden are a- dorned with fo many different colours. Above all, he has given us reafon, to ena- ble us to make every thing contribute to our fupport and pleafure ; to rule over animals ; to fubdue the whale and the lion ; and what is ftill more |or€cious in another way, to take pleafure in his works ; to contemplate the beauty, the greatnefs, and magnificence of them ; to adm.ire their order and harmony. O man ! thou art fo endowed^and fo load- ed with favours, how canft thou ever be grate- ful enough to thy heavenly Benefadlor ? — What love can be perfe£l enough, to anfwer in any degree, to that v/hich he has ihewn unto us ! Let us frequently refleft on the li« beral bleffings which w€ receive from him ev- ery hour. But above all, let us acknowledge the mer- cies of God, in the bleffings he referves for us hereafter. For what are the bleilings of life, in compa.rifoa of the glory which awaits us in heaven. H < 86 ) It is true, that even here, we continually experience the wonderful effeds of his bene- volence, .and are furrounded with the won- ders of his goodnefs ; but our pleafures are mixed with pain, and perfect and durable happinefs can only be found in heaven. LESSON XLL ON THE STATE 07 SLEEP. LET US obferv^ what wifdom is difplayed in thefe remarkable in<:id€nts of our frame, fleep and dreams : fo remarkable, that they are a kind of experimental myftery, a ilanding miracle. Behold the moil vigorous conflituti^n, when refigned to the flumbers of the^ night. Its activity is opprelTed with indolence ; its flrength fuffers a temporary annihilation. The nerves are like a bow unftrung, the whole animal like a motionlefs log. Behold a perfon of the moil delicate fenfations and amiable difpofitions. His eyes difcern no light, diilinguiili tio objects. His ears, with the organs unimpair- ed^ perceive not the founds that are round a- bout them. The very fine fenfe of feeling is overwhelmed with an utter ilupefacSion. Where are his focial aifeClions ? He knows not his tender parent, nor the friend that is as his own foul. ( ^7 ) Behold the moft ingenious fcholar, fl^ilful In learning. In this flate, how are all his thinking faculties unhinged, and inftead of clofe connefted reafonings, there is ndthing but a disjointed mixture of abfurd notions. Inftead of welLdigefted principles, nothing but a diforderly jumble of conceptions. Yet, no fooner does he awake, than he is pofTeffed of all his former endowments. His fmews are braced and fit for a£lion, his fen- fes briik and keen. The frozen affedionsmelt with tendernefs : the romantic vifionary is a- gain the mafter of reafon. And (what is very furprifing) the confufed mind does not regulate itfelf by degrees, but; in the twinkling of an eye, it is poffeffed of all its faculties ! Why does not the numb- nefs, which feized the animal powers, chain the limbs perpetually ? Why does not the llu- por, that deadened all the fenfe, hold faft its poffeffion ? W-hen the thoughts are once dif- adjufted, why are they not always in confu- fion ? How is it, from an ina6livity refembling death, and from extravagancies little differ- ing from madnefs, that the body and mind are fo fuddenly reftored to their natural pow- ers ? The body to its vigour and agility, the mind to fedatenefs and harmony ? Surely it is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in: our eyes ! H z ( 88 ) LESSON XLII. OF THE i'ORMATION OF ISLANDS. ■^TEW iflands are formed in two ways ; ei- X^ tber fuddenly, by the aftion of fubter- raneaa fires, or more flowly, by the depofi* tions of mud carried down by rivers, and flopped in its courfe at the mouths of the ri- vers or elfewhere, by various accidents. With refpeft, particularly, to the firft, an» cient hiftorians and modern travellers, give ^s fuch accounts as we can have no room to uoubt. Seneca affures us, that in his time the iiland of Therafia appeared, unexpected- ly, to fome mariners. Pliny affures us, that thirteen iflands in the Mediterranean appeared at once, fpringing up, as it were, from under the water; the caufe of v/hich he afcribes, rather to the re- tiring of the Tea in thofe parts, than to any power under the earth. However, he mentions the ifland of Hiera, near that of Therafia, as formed by fubterran- cous explofions ; and adds to his lift feveral others, formed in the fame manner. In one of which he relates, that fifli in great abun- dance were found, and that all thofe who eat of them, died flaortly after. *' On the twenty-fourth of the month cal- led May, in the year 1707, a flight earth- ( 89 ) quake was perceived at Santorin ; and the day following, at funrifing, an objeft was feen by the inhabitants of that ifland, at two or three miles diftance at fea, which appear- ed like a floating rock. Some perfons, either from a defire of gain or to gratify their curiofity, v/ent there, and found, even while they flood upon this rock, that it feemed to rife beneath their feet. They perceived alfo that its furface was covered with pumice itones and oyfters, which it raifed from the bottom. Every day after, until the fourteenth of the next month, this rock feemed confiderably to increafe ; and then was foimd to be half a mile round/ and about thirty feet above the fea. The earth of which it was compofed, ap- peared whitifh, with a fmall portion of clay»" Soon after this, the fea was again troubled, and fleams arofe, which were very ofienfive to the inhabitants of Santorin. But on the fixteenth of the followingmonth, feventeen or eighteen rocks were feen to rife out of the fea, and at length to join together. All this was accompanied with the moft ter- rible noife and fires, which proceeded from the ifland that was newly formed. The whole mafs, however, of all this new formed earth uniting, increafed every day, both in height and breadth, and by the force of its explofions, call forth rockV to feveo miles diftance.- H 3 ( 9^ ) This continued to bear the fame dreadful appearance, till nearly the end of the fame year ; and it is at prefent a volcano, which fometimes renews its eruptions. It is about three miles in circumference, and from a- bout thirty to forty feet high. LESSON XLIII. PyHHIIUS AND FJIB^ICIUS. A TREATY being on 'foot between the Romans and Pyrrhus, King of Mace- don, for the exchange of prifcners ; the lat- ter, after having given a general audience to the am.baffadors, took Fabriciu's afide, and converfed with him to the following purport : He told him, he was fenfible of his merit ; that he was convinced of his excellence as a general, and perfecl qualifications for the command of an army ; that juftice and tem- perance were united in his character, and that he juftly palled for a perfon of virtue. But he lamented the certainty of his po- verty, and faid, that fortune, in this particu- lar, had treated him with injuftice, by mif- placing him in the clafs of indigent fenators. In order, therefore, to fupply that defi- ciency, faid Pyrrhus, (provided thou wilt af- fift me to negociate an honorable peace) lam ready to give as much gold and filver as will raife thee above the richeil citi2eiiof Rome ; ( 91 ) being fully perfuaded, that no expence can be more honourable to a prince, than that which is employed in the relief of great men who are compelled by their poverty to lead a life unworthy of their virtue, and that this is the nobleft purpofe to which a king can poffibly devote his treafures. The anfwer of Fabricius v/as as follov/s : ^' As to my poverty, thou, haft indeed, been rightly informed. My whole eftate confifts in a houfe cf but mean appearance, and a little fpot of ground, from which, by my own labour, ' I draw my fupport. ^' But if any have been perfuaded to think, that this poverty makes me iefs confideredin my country, or in any degree unhappy, they are extremely deceived. " I have no reafon to complain of fortune; Ihe fupplies me with all that nature requires; and, if I am without fuperfluities, I am alfo free from the defire of them. *' With thefe, I confefs, I Ihould be more able to fuccour the neceffitous, the only ad- vantage for which the wealthy are to be envi- ed. But fmall as my poffelTions are, I can flill contribute fomething to the fupport of the ftate and the afliftance of my friends. " With regard to honours, my country places me, poor as I am, upon a level v/ith the richeft ; for RomekiiOws no qualifications for great employments, but virtue and abili- ty- *^ She intrufts me v^rith the commajid of her ( 92 ) armies, and confides to my care the moft im>- portant negociations. My poverty does not leffen the weight and influence of my counfeis in the fenate. The Roman people honour me for that very poverty which fome confider as a difgrace. They know the many opportuni- ties I have had in war to enrich myfelf, with- out incurring cenfure. " They are convinced of ray difmterefted zeal for their profperity ; and, if I have any thing to complain of in the return they make, it is only the excefs of their applaufe. " What value, then, can I fet upon gold and filver ? What king can add any thing to my fortune ? Always attentive to difcharge the duties incumbent on me, I have a mind free from felf-reproach, and I have an honeft fame. LESSON XLIV. PASSION AND patience/ PASSION is a fever of the mind, whicE ever leaves us weaker than it found us. It is the threfliold of madnefs and infanity : and indeed they are fo much alike, that they fometimes cannot be diftinguifhed, and their efFe£ls are often equally fatal. The firft ftep to moderation is, to perceive that v/e are falling into a paflion. It is much eafier, wholly to prevent ourfelves from fall- ing into a paffion, than to keep it within juil ( 93 ) bounds : that which few can moderate, al- moil any body may prevent. Envy and vvu^ath lliorten life : and anxiety bringeth age before its time. We ought to diftriift our paffiohs, even when they appear the moft reafonable. He who overcomes his paflion, overcomes his ftrongeft enemy. If we do not fubdue our anger,, it will fubdue us. A paffionate temper renders a man unfit for advice, deprives him of his reafon, robs him of all that is great or noble in his nature, deftroys friendiliip, changes juftice into cru- elty, and turns all order into confufion. Herod, the Tetrarch of Judea, had fo lit- tle command over his paiTion, that upon eve- ry flight occafion, his anger would tranfport him into abfolute madnefs. In fuch adefpe- rate fit he killed Jofippus. Sometimes he would be forry, and repent of the folly and injuries he had done^ when anger had cloudeci his underftanding ; .and foon after commit the fame outrages, fo that none about him were long fafe : and no won- der, for unreftrained anger quickly breaks out into madnefs. There is no difference between a madman and an angry man while the fit continues ; becaufe both are void of reafon, inexorable and blind. PafTion is a vice that few men are able to conceal, for if it do not betray itfelf, by ex- ( 94 ) ternal figns, fuch as a fudden palenefs of the countenance and trepnbling of the joints, it is more impetuous within ; fecretly knaws the very heart, and produces dangerous effedts in thofe who nourifh it. How different is the condud of him who fuffereth not anger to deprive him of reafon. The temper of Sir Ifaac Newton is faid to have been fo equal and mild, that no acci- dent could dillurb'it ; and a remarkable in- Ilance of it is authenticated l>y a perfon who is ftill living. He had a favourite little dog, which he called Diamond, and being one day called out of his iludy into the next roomj Diamond was left behind him.. When Sir Ifaa:C returned, having been ab- fent but a few minutes, he had the mortifi- cation to find, that his dog having thrown down a lighted candle among fome papers, the nearly-finilhed labours of many years was in flames, and almoft confumed ta aflies. This lofs, as he wa;s very far advancedin years, was irretrievable. ; yet, without once Itrikingthe dog, he only rebuked him with this exclamation ; — " Oh Diamond ! Diamond L thou little knowell the mifchief thou hall done." . ( 95 ) LESSON XLV/ <0F THE RHINOCEROS. THE Rhinoceros, next to the elephant, is the moft extraordinary animal in the Eaft-Indies. He is equal in height to a mid- dling horfe, but is Ihaped like a wild boar, only he is much larger, and has fhorter legs. His fkin is without hair, but ih thick and hard, as to be almoft impenetrable : at a dif- tance it looks as if covered with fcales. On his nofe he has a horn of a dark brown colour, which bends backward, and is often two feet long ; he has another horn a little a- bove this, which never exceeds fix inches. His eyes are very fmall, and he only fees Uraight forward ; therefore he always runs in a ftraight line, tearing up whatever Hands in his way. With his horn, he throws ftones over his head to a great diftance, and even tears up trees by the roots. He grunts like a hog ; but when purfuing his prey, he makes a terrible noife. He feeds much on the boughs of fuch trees, as are thick fet with ftrong and tough thorns ; but he prefers the flefhcf animals when they come in his way. He has a natural antipathy to the elephant, ;a^d places all his fafety in flight. He feldom ( 96 ) attacks a man unlefs he is dreffed in red, a co- loui5 to which he has a ftrong aver fi on. The ufual method of taking this animal is in pits dug in the paths by which he goes to drink, and covered with branches, grafs, &c. LESSON XLVI. THE SPHERICAL FORM 0¥ OUR EARTH, MANY people are apt to fancy the earth an even plane, a round flat furface : — But, if that Vv as the cafe, the exterior limits of this furface would, be found out; and, in approac^jing any place, it would be impoffi- bletofeenhe tops of tov/ers and mountains before the lower parts of them. The earth, then, muft be a globe ; but it is not exactly and ftrialy fpherical, for it is a a little more railed under the line, and flatter toVv-ards the poles, nearly refembling an o- range. But that deviation from a circular form is very inconfiderable, at the moft only ten German miles, which is fcarcely perceptible in a globe, whofe circumference is five thou- fand four hundred German miles, and the di- ameter one thoufand feven hundred a»d twenty. There will be no doubt of the form of the earth being nearly fpherical, if we cenfider, that, in the eclipfes of the moon, the Ihadow ( 97 ) wTiich the earth cafts on that planet is always. round. Befides, if the earth were not round, how could they have failed round it, or how fhould the liars rife and let fooner in the eaftern than in the weftern countries. Here, again, is the wifdom of the Creator rnanifeft. The form he has given to the earth is the moft proper and convenient for a world like ours, and for its inhabitants. Light and heat, fo neceiTary for the prefervation of creatures, are by this means, diftributed over the whole earth. — From thence, alfo, proceed the daily returns of night and day, and the annual re- turn of heat and cold, &c. The water is equally diftributed over the globe, and the falutary ufe of the winds is felt over every part of the earth. We fnould be deprived of all thofe advantages, if our earth had any other form. In fome countries, it wotild be a paradife, in others a chaos ; — one part of it would be fwallowed up in wa- ter, the other burnt up with the heat of the fun. In certain countries, mankind would be ex- pofed to furious tempefts, which v/ould de- ftroy everything, while they v^^ould be ftifled in other places by the want of air, the cur- rent of which would be nearly flopped. One part of the earth would enjoy the be- nign influence of the fun, while the other would be frozen with cold. What pride and ignorance fnould we not betray, if Vv^e cSiinot I ( 98 ) mcknowledge in this, the hand of an almigh^ ty and benevolent Creator ? Should we de- ferve to inhabit a world, where all is fo wifely ordained, if, like the brutes, we were infenfible to this admirable plan, and the numberiefs bleffings which accrue from it ? LESSON XLVIL OF THE CAMEL. ANOTHER native of the EaftJndies is the camel, one of the moft ferviceable creatures in the world. He kneels down to receive his burdens, and when he has his ac cullomed load, gets up on his feet again ; but if he feels himfelf overburdened, he will not rife, but cry till part of it is taken oiF. One of them will carry ten or twelve hun- dred weight, forty miles a day, for thirty or forty days together. They have no teeth in the upper jaw. They will travel forty hours without either meat or drink, and nine days without drink : they have two llomachs admirably contrived for this purpofe. The perfon, who diffefted one at Paris, found in his fecond llomach feveral fquare holes, which were the mouths of about twenty cavities, like bags, placed between the two mem- branes, which compofe the fubftance of the llomach. In thefe receivers, he has enough of water to ferve him for fo many days. The hunch on ( 99 ) his back is not flefh, much lefs bone, bat mere hair ; for when this is preffed clofe down, he is no more hunch-backed than a fwine. They fubfift on very little, which enables them to travel through thofe vaft and barren deferts. How wife is he, who caufed thefe to be natives of thofe countries, v/here fuch creatures are abfolutely neceflary. A fur- ther inftance of this h, that the African cam- €l, wiiohas ftill greater and rougher journeys to make, is larger and ftronger, and capable of carrying heavier burdens than thofe of Afia. Another wonderful property in camels is, that of forefeeing the poifonous winds, which kill in a moment. A little before thefe come they run together and cry, and hide their na- fes in the earth : and, as foon as they are paft, they lift up their heads and continue their journey. LESSON XLVIIL THE TWO BROTHERS. AMONGST the numerous adventurers', who went to South-America, in purfuit of gold and filver, was a Spaniard, whofe name was Pizarro, and, who, like others, was anxious to try his fortune. As he had a great aiFeaion for his elder brother, he communicated to him his defign, and earneilly entreated him to go along with ( I^^ ) hioi, promifmg to give him an equal fhare of whatever the expedition fliouid produce* Mis brother, whole name was Alonzo, was a man of good underftanding and eafy tem- per. He did not much like the propofed ex. pedition, and endeavoured to perfuade Pi- zarro to abandon it, reprefenting to him the certain dangers he would have to encounter, and the great uncertainty of fuccefs. However, perceiving that all arguments were in vain, he confented to accompany him, declaring at the fame time, that he wanted no part of the riches he might pro- cure, and only alked to have a few fervants and his baggage. Pizarro then difpofed of all his effe6ls, pur- chafed a veffel, and embarked with feveral o- ther adventurers, who had no doubt of ma- king immenfe fortunes. Alonzo, on the other hand, took with him only a few-ploughs, harrows, and other im- plements of hufoandry ; together v/ith fome corn, and feeds of different forts of vegeta- bles. Though this condu6l appeared very ftranga to Pizarro, yet he took no notice of it to his brother, wifliing to avoid the leail appearance of altercation. A profperous gale wafted them acrofs the Atlantic, when they put into the laft port they intended to ftop at, until they fliould reach the land of gold and fiiver. ( loi ) Here Pizarro purchafed feveral imple- ments, ufed in digging for^ melting' and re- lining, the gold he doubted not of finding, and alfo procuring labourers to affift him ia the v/ork. Alonzo purchafed only a few Iheep^ and four ftout oxen, proper with their har„ nefs for ploughing. From hence they fet fail, and arrived fafc at their deftined port. Alonzo then acquain- ted his brother, that as his intentions were only to accompany and affift him in the voyage, he fliould ftay near the borders of the fea with his fervants and cattle, whilil he traverfed the country in fearch of gold ; and as foo^ as he had procured as much as^ he wanted, he fhould be ready to accompany him back to Spain, whenever he fliould re- turn to the coafto PizPvrro fet cut immediately, and though he fa,id nothing to his brother, yet could not help expreffing his confempt of him to his companions. *' I have always been accuftom- ed, (faid he to his followers) to confider my^ brother as a man of fenfe ; but I now ner- ceive my miftake. He intends taamufe himferf with his fneep and oxen, as if he were adlually on his own farm in Spain. We, however, know better than to wafte our time in that manner. We, in a fliort time iha.ll enrich ourfelves for the ?eft of our lives. ^^ His fpeeeh was univerfally applauded^ ex- I 3 { I02 ) ceptingby one Spaniard, who, as he inarched on, fiiook his head, and told Pizarro, that he probably might not find his brother fo gre at a fool a3 he imagined. They continued their journey into the country for feveral days, and met with num. berlefs obftacles, fuch as being obliged to crofs rivers, to afcend craggy mountains, and penetrate almoft impervious forefts ; fome- times fcorched with the intenfe heat of the fun, and then foaked by the violent rains that fell. In fpite of all difficulties, they purfued their fearch for gold, and at laft came to a place where they found it in tolerable quan- tities. Succefs infpired them with courage, and they continued their labours, till their .provifions were all expended. Though they gained gold, they fufFered much from hunger, but contented them- feives with living on fuch roots and berries as the earth fpontaneoully produced. Even this fupply at laft failed them, and, after lo- fing feveral of their company by fam.ine and hardihips, the reft with difficulty crawled back to the place v/here they had left Alon- :^o, carrying with them that pernicious gold, for which they had expofed themfelves to the dangers of death in fo many mifer?vble fliapes. ( I03 ) LESSON XLIX. THE SAME CONTINUED. IN the mean time, Alonzo, who forefaw all thefe difailers, was employing himfelf in a far more ufeful manner. His knowledge in hufbandry, pointed out to him him a fpot of confiderable extent and fruitful foil, which he ploughed up, by the affiiiance of his fer- vants and the exen he had brought. He then committed the different feeds, which he had furnifhed, to the bofom of the earth. Every thing prcfpered beyond expec- tation, and #1 plentiful harveft rewarded his toils. His fneep alfo proved prolific. In the intervals of time, Alonzo and his fervants employed themfelves in fiihing ; and the fifn they caught was dried and faUed, having found fait upon the fea fnore. So that by this time, they had formed a tolera- ble quantity of provifions. Alonzo received his brother Pizarro, on his return, with the utmoft refpeft, and enquir- ed what fuccefs he had met with. Pizarro then informed him of the vail quantity of gold they had found, but that fe- veralof his comrades had perifhed, and thofe who remained, were in a starving condition. He immediately requested his brother to give him fomething to eat, having tasted no C 104 ) other food for two days, than the roots and barks of trees* To this requeft Alonzo very cooly replied, that his brother Ihould remember, on their departure from Europe, that they had agreed not to interfere with each other ; and that, as he had relinquilhed all pretenfions to the gold they might difcover, they could have no right to any part of the produce of his kbour. *' If thou thinkeft proper (added Alonzo) to exchange fome of thy gold for provifions^ I Ihall then be ready to accommodate thee.'' Howeverunkind Pizarro thought this beha- viour of his brother, he and his companions^ being in a fiarving condition, were obliged to fubmit to his demands. Alonzo placed fo high a value on his provifions, that he foon became riiafterof all the gold they had collefled, mere- ly to procure them articles of fubfiitehce. Alonzo then propofed to his brother to em- bark for Europe, as the veffel in which they had arrived at America was ftill in good condition, and the winds and weather favour- able. Pizarro, with a ftern, haughty, and difdain- ful look, replied, that fmce; he had ftripped him of all the wealth he had acquired witb fuch danger and fatigue, and treated him fa -unbrotherly, he might return without him. As to himfelf, he faid, he would remain up- on that defert fliore, and there endhis life. Alonzoj inltead of rcfenting this langua^ge;, ( 105 ) caught his brother in his arms, and thus ad- drcffed him : Is it poffible, that my dear brother could believethati meantto deprive him of the gold he had fo dearly bought ? May all the gold in the univerfe perifh, rather than that I ihould treat thee in fuch a manner ! I perceived thy impetuous defire for gold, and I have taken this method to draw thee from thy attach- men^to it. My prudence and induftry appeared tothee as chimerical, fmce thou imagined that no* thing can be wanting to him who poffeffes gold ; but thou haft now lea^rned, that all the gold thouhadftfound, would not have prevent- ed thee and thy followers from flarving, had not my induftry and forefight prevented it. I am willing to flatter myfelf, that thou wilt be wifer for the future ; and therefore^ take back thy gold, and make a proper ufe of it for the time to come.'^ This unexpected generofity of Alonzo, fil- led Pizarro with aftoniftiment and gratitude, and he was, for the firft time, obliged to con- fefs, that induftry and prudence were prefer- able to gold. They then embarked for Europe, and, after an eafy paffage, arrived fafe in Spain. Pizarro, during the voyage, often intreated hi^s brother to accept of one half of the gold, which Alonzo fteadily refufed, faying, that he who can raife what is fufficientfor the fupply ( io6 ) ef his natural wants, Hands in no need of the alTiftance of gold. LESSON L. ON TRUTH AND SINCERITY. TRUTH has, in reality, all the advanta- ges of appearance, and many more. If the fhew of any thing be good for aught, I am fure fincerity is better : for why does any man diffemble, or feem to be that which he is not, but becaufe he thinks it good to have fuch a quality as he pretends to ; to counter- feit and drffemble, is to put on the appear- ance of fome real excellency. Now the beft way in the world, for a man to feem to be any thing, is really to be what he would wilhto be taken fon Befides thai, it is many times as trouble- fome to make good the pretence of a good quality, as to have it ; and if a man have it not, it is ten to one, but he is difcovered to want it, and then all his labour and pains^ that he might feem to have, are loft. There is fomething unnatural in painting, which a fkilful eye will eafily diftinguifh from natural beauty and complexion. It is hard to perfonate and aft a falfe part long, for where truth is not at the bottom, nature will always be endeavouring to return^ ( I07 ) aud will peep out and betray herfelf one time or other. Therefore, if ai|y perfon think it conveni- ent to feem good, let fuch an one be fo in- deed, and then his goodnefs will appear to ev- ery one's fatisfaftion ; fo that, upon all ac- counts, fmcerity is a part of true wifdom. LESSON LI- OP THE HURRICANE. THE Cape of Good Hope, and many if. lands in the Weft-Indies, are famous for their hurricanes, and that extraordinary cloud which is faid tp produce them. This cloud, which is the forerunner of an approaching hurricane, appears, when iirft feen, like a fmall fpot on the edge of the fea, and is called by failors the bull's eye, from being feen fo minute at a vaft diftance. All this time a perfeft calm reigns over the fea and land, while the cloud grows gradually broader as it approaches : at length, coming to the place where its fury is to fall, it fills the whole horizon with darknefs. During all the time of its approach, an hol- low murmur is heard in the cavities of the mountains ; and beafts and animals, fennble of its approach, are feen running over the fields to feek for fhelter. NQthing can be more terrible than its vio- ( io8 ) lence, when it begins. The houfes in thofe countries, are made of timber, which better refifts its fury. The fun, which but a moment before blaz- ed with mid-day fplendor, totally difappears, and a midnight darknefs prevails ; except that the air is inceffantly illuminated with gleams of lightning. The rain fails at the fame time in torrents. The hurricanes are not lefs ofFenfive to the fenfe of fmelling, alfo; and never come with- out leaving the moft noifome ftench behind them. The firfl: mariners who vifited thofe regions, fuffered greatly, and many were the wrecks w^hich were made by thofe dangerous llorms ; but at prefent they efcape better, being made wife by experience. Thefe awful winds a- bound, more or lefs, in all hot climates. LESSON LII. ON THE UNCERTAINTY OF WORLDLY ENJOYMENTS. WE fee the inftability of fnow, and how fuddenly the heat of the fun, mild and damp air, or heavy rains, make it difappear. Every thing around us, changes its appear- ance in a few hours : and there fcarce re- mains the leaft trace of that fnow, which had covered the ftreets, villages, and fields. ( ^^9 ) Is not this ftidden revolution calculated to make us refleft on the uncertainty and vani- ty of all earthly goods ? Undoubtedly, it is ;not without defign, that nature prefents us with fuch images of the inflabiLlty of worldly things. In every feafon, in every variation which their return occaiions, nature proclaims with a ftrong and perfuafive voice, this great truth, ail is vanity. Let us look around us ; do we fee any thing that is not frail and perilhable ? How foon are we deprived of the pleafures of the fenfes ? They difappear when we have fear ce- ly begun to enjoy them. We are often at fun-rife cheerful and content : and before it lets, we are plunged into forry and diftrefs. Has not every one experienced, in the courfe of their life, how uncertain and tranii- ent the enjoyments here are ? The riches, of which we are fo proud, make theaifelves wings and fly away, like an eagle, from the poffelTor, at a time when he flattered himfelf moft with a peaceable and uninterrupted en- joyment of them. The ftep from the greatefl opulence, to want and mifery, is often as fudden as the coming of a thaw after the fevereft cold.— Even our life and health are as tranfitory as all other fublunary things. It is too true, however, that thefe forts of reflexions feldom occur to us, whilft we are in pofTeflxon of earthly enioyments, V/e are tike thofe who, in a fine winter's morn, ga abroad, without thinking of the fudden chan- ^ges of weather, fo frequent at that feafon. When fortune fmiles upon us, and we are in the midft of Joy and pleafure, we think we Jiave nothing to fear ; and we do not con- fider, how fuddenly the happieft fituatioa may be changed into mifery. And fuppofing we have not hitherto had this fad experience ; a time will come, when we fhall be convinced, of the nothingnefs and frailty of every thing her^. To thofe who are at prefent in the fpring or fummer of life, winter will foon come ; and they will then experience how tranfient thofe enjoyments are, on which they had de- pended with fo much confidence- They will learn, that all earthly pleafures are like fnow, which dazzles the eye indeed, but foon melts and is no more. LESSON LIU. THE EXCELLENCE AND NECESSITY OF INDVSTRY,. DILIGENCE, induflry, and proper im- provement cf time, are material duties of young people. To no purpofe are they endowed with the bell abilities, if they want activity for exerting them. ( lit ) Unavailing, in this cafe, will be every di- redtion that can be given them, either for their temporal or fpiritual welfare. In youth^ the habits of induftry are moft eafily acquired : in youth, the incentives to it are flrongeft, from defire and from duty, from hope, and from all the profpe£ts which the beginning of life affords. If dead ta all thefe calls, thou fliouldeft al- i^eady begin to languifli in flothful eafe and inadlion, what will be able to roufe thee in. the morefluggifli current of advancing years? Induftry is not only an inftrument for im- provement,, but a foundation of much fatis^- faftion. Nothing is more contrary to the true en- joyment of life than the relaxed and feeble ftaie of an indolent mind. He, who is a ftranger to industry, may poffefs, but he can^ not enjoy ; for it is labour only, which gives arelifh to the things of this life. It was an ufeful appointmeat for man^. Thou flialt get thy bread by the fweat of thy brow. It is the neceffary condition of our poffeffmg a found mind in a found body. Sloth is fo inconfisteat with both, that it is hard to determine, whether it be a greater foeto vir- tue, or to health of body. Inadive as it is in itfelf, its effedls are fa- tally powerful. Though it appear a flowly- flowing stream, yet it undermines all that is stable and flourilhing. It not only faps the K z ( 112 ) foundationof every adtive virtue, but pours Bpon us a deluge of evils, and, too often, Ihameful crimes. It is like water which putrefies by stagna- tion, and then fends up hurtful vapours, and fills the air with death. Fly, therefore, from idlenefs, as the certain parent both of guilt and of ruin. LESSON LIV. QT THE ICHNEUMON. AN animal, of a very peculiar fort, is the Ichneumon. It is of the weafel kind,, with a longer and narrower body than a cat,, fom^ewhat approaching to the Ihape and co- lour of a badger. Its nofe is black and Jharp like that of a ferret. Its legs are Ihort, and each of its feet has five toes. Its tail is very long, and its teeth and tongue much like thofe of the qat.. It is a very cleanly animal, very brilk and nimble, and of great courage. It will combat a dog, and destroy a cat, by biting its throat. But it is quite inoffenfive to mankind, and is kept tame in Egypt, running about the lioufes, destroying all vermin, and playing tricks like a fpaniel. His legs being ftiort, he is not ealily feen ; ' but he has a way of concealing himfelf yet XTiore^ by crawling v/ithhis belly clofe to tbe* C "J ); ground. But on the leaft noife^ (for his hearing is very quick) he Harts up ereft on his hind legs. If the noife be made by any reptile, bird, or fmall beaft, he obferves whereabouts it is, then places hi^ nofe direftly in a line with it, and begins to move towards it. He is filent and Dow, but conftant in his^ approach, often Hopping to hear or to look forward, and to know exaftly where his ob- }t&, is ; when h^ has got v/ithin about five feet, he Hops, and having taken good aim, he fprings direftly from the place on his prey. Thus he deals with birds and beafts. But to ferpents he gives chace, andto avoid their* bite, always feizes them by the neck. Gefner tells us, that the Ichneumon is not only an enemy to^ ferpents themfelves, but to their eggs alfo, wWch he hunts after, and continually deftraysy though he does not feed upon them. How merciful is our great Creator ! See- this animal given to thofe countries, where fuch terrible reptiles abound ! They would' otherwife moft probably be uninhabitable.- LESSON LV. T^nE rORCE OJ* CUSXOM.^ IT is both a true and a common faying, that " cuftom is a fecond nature.'^ It is K3: c 1^x4 r able, indeed, to form a man ?.ne\v, and give him inclinations and capacities, altogether different from thofe he was born with. Dortor Plot, in his Hiftory of StaiFordfhire, tells us of an idiot, who lived within the found of a clock, and always amufed himfelf with counting the hour of the day, whenev- er the clock ilruck.. The clock being fpoiled by fome accident^, the idiot continued to count the he>ur without the help of it, in the fame manner as whert it was entire* Though I dare not vouch for the truth of this ftory, it is very certain, that cullom has- a mechanical eiFeCl upon the body, at the^ fame time that it has a very extraordinary influence on the mind- Cuftom makes every thing pleafant to us^. Sir Francis Bacon obferves, in his Natural Philofophy, that our tafte is never better pleafed, than with thofe things which were at lirft unpalatable. He gives particul?vr infta.nces of claret, cof-^ fee, and other liquors, which the palate fel- dom approves on the iirft tafte ; but when it has once got a relifh of them, it generally retains it for life. The mind is conftituted after the fame man- ner ; and, after having habituated herfelf to any particular exercife or employment, not only lofes her firft averfion to it, but con- ceives a certaia fondnefs and aiTedion for it.. ( "5 ) One of the greateft geniufes this age has produced, who had been trained up in all the polite ftudies of antiquity, aifured me that upon his being obliged to fearch into fe- veral rolls and records, notwithstanding fuch an employment was at first very dry and irkfome to him, he at last took a plcafure in it. I would therefore recommend to every one that admirable precept which Pythagoras is faid to have given to his difciples : ** Pitch upon that courfe of life which is the most ex- cellent, and custom will render it the most delightfuU" Men, whofe circumstances will permit them to chufe their own way of life^ are inexcufabie, if they do not purfue that which their judgment tells them is the most laudable. Since custom is a feeond nature, we must gain habits of virtue in this life, if we would enjoy the pleafures of the next. The stata of blifs, we call heaven, will not be capable of affedling thofe minds which are not thus qualified for it. We must, in this world, get a relifli for truth and virtue, if we would wifh to taste that* knowledge and perfection which are to make us happy in the next. The feeds of thofe joys and pleafures^ which are to rife up and flourilh in the foul to all eternity, must be planted during the pTefent state of probation. In lliort, heaven ( ii6 ) is the natural effeft of a religious^ life as well as the reward of it. LESSON LVI. OF THE TIDES. THE moft obvious, and the moft general ly acknowledged motion, is that of the tides. This element is obferved to flow foi; certain hours, fromfouth to north; in which flux or motion, which lafts about fix hours^ the fga gradually fwells ; fo that, entering the mouths of rivers, it drives back the ri- ver waters to their heads. After a continual flow for fix hours^ the lea feems to reft for a quarter of an hour, and- then begins tctebb, or retire back again, from Rorth to fouth, for fix hours more ; in which time, the waters finking, the rivers refume their natural courfe.^ After a feeming paufe for a quarter of ^n hour, the fea again begins to flow as before i and thus^ it has alternately rifen and fallen, twice a day, fince the firil time it was formed. This amazing appearance did not fail to ex^ cite the curiofity, as it did the wonder, of the ancients. After fome wild eonjeSt'ures of the earlieft' fages, it became well known about the time of Pliny, that the tides were under the influ- ( 1^7 } ence, in a fmali degree, of the fun ; but in a much greater,* of the moon. Though others have endeavoured, with to« lerabie fuccefs, to explain this wonderful fafcl; yet it never was precifely defcribed before our famous Newton, as we know of. Thus, as well as governing the day and the night, according to the divine appointment, thefe two great lights ferve other grand pur- pofes^ particularly the latter luminary, in the motion of the fea. LESSON LVIL USE OF VFGET^BLES. WHEN I confider the great number and variety of vegetables, I difcover in this as in every thing elfe, the beneficent views of my Creator. What, indeed, could be propofed by co- vering the earth with fo. many different herbs, plants, and fruits, but the advantage andhap- pinefs of his creatures ? They already reck- on above thirty thoufand fpecies of plants, and every day there are new fpecies and new claiTes found. Their increafe is infinite. For example, v/ho v/ould not be afloniflied, that a fingle grain of wheat fhould produce two thoufand (Others, and that a fingle grain of poppy flioukl ( "8 ) multiply to fueh a degree, that in two or three' years, a whole field miglit be fowed with it. Can we fuppofe, that God had not the ad- vantage of his creatures in view, when he ordained this prodigious -increafe of plants ? There can remain no doubt of the Creator's intention, if we confider the ufe made of vegetables from the r^moteft times. - Do not plants and fruit furnifh us every day \vith the moft wholefome nourilhlng food ; Do we not moftly owe our cloaths, houfea and furniture to the vegetable world. There is no part of plants that has not its ufe; The roots furnifli medicines; they ferve for food and fuel, to make pitchy dyes, and" all forts of utenfils. Of wood, they make co^al, buildings, fires, medicines, paper, dyes, and a vail number of inftruments. Even the bark has its utility in medicine, in tanning, &c. The afhes ferve to manure and improve the ground, to bleach cloth, to make falt-petre, and they make ufe of potafh- es in many manufaftures. Rofin is ufeful tcr painters. They make ufe of turpentine in medicine; hard rofin to varnifli, to folder. Flowers pkafe and delight, both by their colour and fmell. They ferve as medicine, and are particularly ufeful in furnifhing bees with wax and honey. The fruits which ripen by degrees, ferve for our food, and are eaten either raw, baked> C 119 ) dried, or preferved. But vegetables are not for the ufe of man alone. They are of ftill greater ufe to animals, moft of which have no other food. The reafon there are fo many fields, and fa great variety of herbs and plants, is, that all the different animals may find their proper food. Who can reckon all the bleifings tjie vegetable world affords us ; LESSON LVIII. AN EVENING CONTEMPLATION. BEflNG yefl:erday, about funfet, walking in the open fields, till th^ night infen- fibly fell upon me, I at firft amufedmyfelfwith all the richnefs and variety of colours, which appeared in the weftern parts of the firma- ment : in proportion as they faded and went out, feveral ftars and planets arofe, one after another, till the whole expanfe was in a glow. The bluenefs of the ether was exceedingly heightened and enlivened by the feafon of the year, and by the rays of all thofe luminaries which palTed through it. That fpace, called the milky. way, appeared in its mofl: beautiful •white. To complete the fcene, the full moon rofe at length in clouded majefl:y, and opened to th€ eye a new pi£lure of nature, which was more finely Ihaded and difpofed amongil foft- ( I20 ) er lights, than that which the fun had befort clifcovered in the day. As I was thus furveying the moon walking in her brightnefs, and taking her progrefs a- mongft the confteilations, the language of Da- vid was brought to my remembrance, ^ When I confider the heavens, the work of thy hands, the moon and the ftars which thou haft or- dained; what is man that thou art mindful of him, and the fon of man that thou regardeft him !'' From thefe andfuch like refle£lions, I could not but look upon myfelf as a very infignifi- cant creature, in the immenfity of the works of God ; and with great caufe of belief and aftonifliment, that I v/as alfo the objedl of his general and efpecial providence. LESSON LIX. AN ACCOUNT OF A REMARKABLE STORM IN ENGLAND. ONE of the moft dreadful ftorms we have an account of, in this kingdom, v/as that of Hertfordfnire, in the year 1697- It -began by thunder and lightning, which con« tinued for fom.e hours ; when fuddenly, a black cloud came forward againft the wind, and marked its palTage with devaftation. The hail-iiones, v/hichit poured down, be- ing meafured, were found to be many of them ( "^ ) fourteen inches round, and confequently a- bout the fize of a bowlingball, fuch as idle men trifle away their time with. Wherever this ftorm came, every plant fell before it ; it tore up the ground, fplit great oaks, and other trees without number ; the fields of rye were cut down, as if levelled with a fcythe ; wheat, oats, and barley fuf- feVed the fame damage. The inhabitants found but a precarioug Ihelter, even in their houfes ; their tiles and windows being broken by the violence of the hailftones. The birds, in this general wreck, vainly tried to efcape by flight ; pigeons, crows, rooks, befides many of the feebler and fmall- er kind, were brought down. An unhappy young man, who had not time to take Ihelter, was killed ; one of his eyes was llruck out of his head, and his body was all over black with the bruiles : another h-ad juft time to efcape, but not without the moft imminent danger, his body being bruif- cd all over. But what is moft extraordinary^ all this fell within the compafs of a mile. ( "2 ) LESSON LX. THE CHANGE OP SEASONS. IN the warmeft climates as well as ia the coldeft, there are but two feafons of the year really different. The coldeft countries have fummer for about four months ; during which the heat is great, occafioned by the length of the days, and the vertical polition of the fun. Their winter lalls eight months. Spring and autumn are fcarcely perceptible there ; be<:aufe, in a v^ry few days, an extreme heat fucceeds an extreme cold; and on the con^ trary, the great heats are immediately follow- ed by the moft fevere cold. The hotteft countries have a dry and burn* ing feafbn for feven .or ^ight months. After- wards comes rain, which lafts four or five months ; and this rainy feafon makes the differ.ence between the fummer and winter. It is onl)Mn temperate climates, that there are four feafons really different in the yean The fummer heats gradually decreafe ; fo that the autumnal fruits have time to ripen by degrees, without being hurt by the cold of winter. In the fame manner, in fpring, the plants have time to (hoot, and grow infenfibly, with- out being deftroyed by late frofts., or too much ( 1^3 ) haftened by early heats. In Europe, thcfe four feafons are moft perceptible : and parti- cularly in Italy, and in the fouth of France. If the mel'te-d fnovv and rain remained on the ground withxDut evaporating, the water would annually rife- to the height of a foot and three quarters in moft countries. This change of feafons deferves our admiration. It cannot be attributed to chance ; for in fortuitous events there can neither be or- der nor conftancy. Now, in every country throughout the worlds the feafons fucceed each other with the fame kind of regularity as the nights and days, and change the appear- ance of the earth, nearly at the ufual time. We fee it fucceffively adorned, fometimes with herbs and leaves, and fometimes with flowers, and fometimes with fruit. After- wards it is ftripped of all its ornaments, till fpring returns. Spring, fummer, and autumn, provide food for men and animals, in giving them a- bundance of fruits. And though nature ap- pears dead in winter, that feafon is not with- out its bleflings ; for it moiftens and fertilizes the earth, and by that preparation makes it fit to produce its plants and fruits in due fea- fon. As the feafons fucceed in nature, fo do they in the courfe of our lives ; but with this dif- ference, that thofe which are past never re- turn. ( 1^4 ) LESSON LXL OF THE CHIMPANZE, hc. THE Chimpanze is an animal found in Angola, in Africa. It nearly approach- es the human figure ; but it is of a fierce difpofition, and remarkably mifchievous. In the year 1738, one of thofe creatures was brought to England. It was about twenty months old. It' was of the female fex, walked ere£l, was not hairy on all parts of the body, like thofe of the monkey fpecies, and was of a ftrong mufcular make. It would eat any coarfe food, but was very fond of tea, which it drank out of a cup, with milk and fugar. It flept in the manner of the human fpecies, and its voice refembled ours, when we fpeak ha^ftily, but without diftindt or articulate founds. The female generally grows to about five feet high : the males larger, they are very bold and will fight a man, though he be arm- ed. There is a great variety of the monkey kind. There is a remarkable fort in the Weft-Indies, of the fize of a fox. Its face is raifed high, its eyes black and Jhining, and its cars fmall and round. Its hairs are fo nicely difpofed all over the body, that it appears perfeftly fmooth ; and ( "J ) are much longer under the chin, fo that they form a kind of beard there. Thcfe are found in great numbers in the woods, and make a loud and frightful noife. But it is very com- mon for one only to make a noife» and the reft form a mute affembly round him. Marcgrave fays, " I have frequently feen great numbers of them meeting about noon, at which time they formed a circle, and one, placing himfelf above the reft, began to make a loud noife. ** When he had thus proceeded by himfelf for fome time, the reft all remaining filent, he lifted up his hand, and they all inftantly joined in a.fort of chorus. ^* This intolerable yell continued, till the fame monkey, who gave the fignal for their beginning, lifted up his hand a fecond time ; on this they were all filetit again, and fo finilhed the bufinefs of the affembly.'' LESSON LXII. OF WHIRLPOOLS* THE number of currents at fea, are im- poffible to be recounted, nor indeed arc they always known ; new ones are daily pro- duced by a variety of caufes, and as quickly difappean When a regular current is oppo- fed by another in a narrow ftrait, or where the L 3 ( iz6 ) bottom of the fea is uneven, a whirlpool is often formed. Thefe were formerly confidered as the for- midable obftrudtions to navigation, and the ancient poets and hillorians fpeak of them with terror ; they are defcribed as fwallow- ing up ihips, and dafhing them againft the rocks at the bottom : imagination helping to paint them more dreadful. But it is certain, that fome of thefe whirl- pools are very dangereus, where the tides are flrong and the tempefls fierce. I Ihall men- tion only one, called the Maelftroom, upon the coaft of Norway, which is confidered as the mofl dreadful and devouring in the world. This name which it has received from the natives, fignifies the naval of the Tea, fince they fuppofe that a great fhare of the water of the fea, is fucked up and difcharged by its whirlpool, A particular defcriptlon ,of the internal parts is not to be expefted, fmce none who have unhappily goc in there, returned to give information. The body of the waters, which form this whirlpool, are extended in a circle above thirteen miles in circumference. In the midft of this ftands a rock, againft which the tide, in its ebb, is dafhed with inconceivable fury. At this time, it inflantly fwallows up every thing that comes within its power. No Ikiil in the mariner, nor flrcngth in ( in ) rowing can cnfure an efcape ; the failor at the helm, who guides the veffel, finds her go, at firft, ih a current oppofite to his in- tentions ; his veffePs motion, though flow in the beginning, becomes every moment more rapid ; it goes round in circles ftill narrow* er and narrower, till at 1 aft it is dafned a- gainft the rocks, and inftantly difappears : nor is it feen again for fix hours, till the tide flowing, it is vomited forth with the fame violence with which it was drawn in. The noife of this dreadful whirlpool, ftill further contributes to encreafe nts terror, which, with the daftiing of the waters, and the dreadful valley, if it maybe fo called, caufed by their circulation, makes one of the moft terrible objects in nature. LESSON LXIII. THE WISDaM OF EARLY PIETY. AS foon as we are capable of refle£lion, we muft perceive, that there is a right and a wrong in human adlions. We fee, that thofe who are born with the fame worldly advantages, are not all equally happy, or e- qually profperous in the courfe of life. Whilft fome of them, by a wife and ftea-' dy condud, attain diftinftion amongft the virtuous part of mankind, and pafs their days^ with comfort andrefpedt,; others of the fame ( 1-^8 ) rank by mean and vicious behaviour, forfeit the advamageof their birth, plunge themfelves into much miiery, and end, in becoming a dilgrace to their friends and a burden on fo- ciety^ Early then wo may learn, that it is not on the outward condition in which we find oar- lelves placed, but on the part we are f. aft that our welfare or happinefs, our refped a * mongtt men, or our infamy depend. Now, when in the beginning of life, what can be of greater moment, than to regulate our condua with, the moft ferious attention before we have yet committed any Ihameful and irretrievable errors ? If inlleadof cultivating the mind for this valuable purpofe, we deliver ourfelves up at fo precarious a time, to floth and pJeafur'e ; ifwerefufe to liften to any counfellor, but humour, or to attend to any purfuit, bat that of amufement ; if we allow ourfelves to float Joofe and carelefs on the tide of lire, ready to receive any diredion whi:h the current of fafhion may happen to give us ; what can we expea will follow from fuch a beginning ? ^ Whim fo many around us are fuffering the fad confequence of fuch indifcrelion, for what reafon (hall not thefe confequences extend to us? Shall happinefs grow up to us of its own accord, and folicit or beg our acceptance; when, to the reft of mankind, it is the fruit of long cultivation, and the acq^ifition of la- bout and care ? ( 129 ) O then, let us remember our Creator in the days of our youth, being fully affured^ that no good can be done, which does not proceed from him ; yet, feeing that without we exert our minds and hearts towards him, Avhich in fcripture is called occupying the talent, we fhall not partake of his goodnefs ; let us in the name of his fon, be faithful and given up to ferve him : fo faall we not only enfure to ourfelves, what happinefs is beft for us in this life, but full peace and glory in that which is to come. LESSON LXIV. THE SHIPWRECK. SPITZBERGEN is a far northern country, which is perpetually covered with ice and fnow, owing to the. feverity of the wea- her. The foil is hardly capable of producing a- ny vegetable, and only a few animals are found in the country, ^he illand is, a great part of the year, in perpetual darknefs, and is at that time inacceffible to fliips. Though it is hardly poffible to form to the mind a more dreary country, and where hu- man life must be fupported with greater diffi- culty ; yet in fpite of all thefe obstacles, four tnea struggled with them for fix years, and three of them returned fafe totheir own coun- try. C 130 ) The nerthern feas, owing to the exceffive cold of the climate,, are frequently fo full of rce, as ta render it exceedingly hazardous to Ihips, which are thereby expofed to the dan- ger of being cruftied. between two immenfe bodies of lee, or of being fo completely fur- roundect, as to deprive them! of every power of moving from the fpot. In this latter alarming fituation were the crew of aRuffia-n fliip. A council was im- mediately heh^ when the mate mentioned what he recoUeaed to have heard, that a fliip's crew from Mefen, fometime before, had formed a refolution of paffing a winter upon this iHand, and for that purpofe had carried timber proper for building a hut at a little diftance from the fliore. This information led the whole company to form the refolution of wintering there, Ihould the hut be fortunately remaining. They were induced to adopt this meafure, from the certainty of perifliing, Ihould they remain in the fhip. They therefore deputiz- ed four of their crew to go in fearch of the hut, and make what further difcoveries they could. Thefe were Alexis Himkof the mate, Iwan Himkof his grand-fon, Stephen Scha- rofibf, and Feodor "Weregin. As no human creature inhabited the- fhore on which they were to land, it was abfolutely neceffary to carry fome provifions with them for their fupport.. < ^3^ ) They had to make their way, for nearly two miles, over loofe heaps of ice, which the water had raifed, and the wind had driven a- gainft each other ; and this made it equally difficult and dangerous. From this confideration they avoided load- ing themfelves too mucli with provifions, lefl: their weight might fmk them betvv^een the pie- ces of i.ce, where they muft inevitably perifh* Having previouily .confidered all thefe matters, they provided themfelves only with a maflcet and powder-horn, containing twelve charges of powder and ball, an ax, a fmall kettle, a bag with about twenty pounds of flour, a knife, a tinder-box, and tinder, a bladder filled with tobacco, and every man his wooden pipe. Thus poorly equipped, thefe four failors reached the ifland, litcle thinking what they were to endure whilft they remained on it. After exploring fome fmail part of the country, they dilicovered the hiat they were in feareh of, at the diftance of about an En- glifli mik aad an half from the Ihore. Its length was thirty fix-feet, and its height and breadth eighteen. It confifted of a fmall autichamber, about twelve feet broad, having two doors, the one to excl-ude the outer air, and the other to form a communication with the inner room. This .contributed not a little to keep the lar- ger room warm, when it was once heated. < i3 2 ) Th^y found in the larger room an earthen ftove, conftruded in the Ruffian manner. They rejoiced exceedingly at this difcove- ry though they found the hut had fuffered ve- ry much from the feverity of the weather, it having been built a confiderable time. How- ever they contrived to make it fupportable for the night. The n=ext morning early they repaired to the fliore, in order to acquaint their comrades with their fuccefs, and alfo to get from the veffel fuch proviCons, ammunition, and o- ther neceffari^s, as might in fome meafure enable them to llruggie with the approaching winter. But what pen can properly defcrihe the terrible fituation of their minds, when, com- ing to the place at which they landed, they dilcovered nothing but an open fea, clear of all ice, though but a day before, it had cover- cd'the ocean V During the night, a violent ftorm had arif- en, which had been the caufe of this change of appe ^rance in the ocean. Whether the ice, which had before furrounded the veffel, being put into motion by the violence of the winds a,nd waves, had crulhed the Ihip lo pieces, or whether ftie had been carried by the current into the main ocean, it was impoffible for them to determine. However, they faw the fhip no more, andas flie was never afterwards heardof, it is mofl ( 133 ) likely that fhe went to the bottom with every perfon on board. This dreadful event deprived thefe poor unhappy people xif all hopes of ever again feeing their native country. They returned to the hut, and there bewailed their deplora- ble lot, more, perhaps, to be pitied, than thofe who were buried in the bofom of the deep, LESSON LXV. THl^ SAME CONTINUED. THEIR thoughts were, of courfe, firft di- refted to procure fubfiftence, and to re- pair their hut. Their twelve charges of pow* derand fhot foon procured them as many rein- deer, of which there fortunately happened to be many on the ifland. They then fet about repairing their hut^ and filled up all the crevices, through which the air found its way, with the mofs that grew there in plenty. As it was impoffible to live in that climate without fire, and as no wood grew upon the ifland, they were much alarmed on that account. However, in their wanderings over the beach, they met with plenty of wood, which had been driven on fhore by the waves. This principally confifl:ed of the wrecks of fhips ; but fometimes whole trees with their roots came on fliore, the undoubted produce M < 134 ) of fome more hofpitable clime, which were w^alhecl from their native foil by the overflow- ings of rivers, or fome other accident. As foon as their pcv/der and ihot were ex- haufted, they began to be in dread of perifli- ing with hunger ; but good fortune, and their own ingenuity, to which neceffity always gives a fpar, removed thefe dreadful appre- henfions. In the courfe of their traverfing the beach, they one day difcovered fome boards, in which w^ere large hooks and nails in abundance. By the aliiftance of thefe they made fpears and arrows, and, from a yew tree, which had been thfown on fhore by the waves, ^they formed plenty of bows. With thefe Vv'eapons, during the tirne of their continuance on the ifland, they killed upv'ards of tw^o hundred and fifty rein-deer, befides a great number of blue and white fox- es. The flefii of thefe animals ferved them for food, and their f!^:ins were equally ufeful in fupplying them with warm clothing. The number of white bears they killed were only ten ; for thefe animals being very ftrong, defended themfelves with great vi- gour and fury, and even ventured to m.ake their appearance frequently at the door of their hut, from whence they were driven Avith [oine difficulty and danger. Thus thefe three different forts of animals were the only food of thofe miferabie mariners, ( ^35 ) during their long and dreary abode on this . illand. The intenfenefs of the cold, and the want of proper conveniencies, rendered it impoffi. ble for them to cook their viftuals properly, fo that they were obliged to eat their provi^ lions almoil raw, and without bread or fait. There was but one Hove in the hut, and that being in the Ruffian manner, was not proper for boiling. However, to remedy this inconvenience as much as pofFible, they dried fome of their pro- vifions during the fummer, in the open air, and then hung them up in the upper part of the hut, which being continually filled with fmoke, they thus became thoroughly dried. This they ufed inftead of bread, which made them relifh their half^ boiled meat the better. They procured their water in fummer from the rivulets that fell from the rocks, and in the winter from fnow and ice thawed. This was their only drink, and their fmall kettle was the only convenience they had to make ufe of for this and many other purpofes. As it was neceffary to keep up a continual fire, they were particularly cautious not to let the light be extinguittLied ; for, though they had both fteel andflints, yet they had no tinder, and it would have been a terrible thing to be without light in a climate, where dark- nefs reigns fo many months during winter. They therefore fafhioned a kind of lamp, ( ^36 ) which they filled with rein-deer fat, and ftuek into it fome twilled linen, fhaped in the form of a wick. After many trials, they at laft brought their lamp to complete perfeftion^ and kept it burning, without intermiffion, from the day they firfl made it, till they embarked for their native country. /^ They alfo foundthemfelves in wantof fhoes, boots, and other necelTary articles of drefs, for all which they found wonderful refources in that genius, to which neceffity gives birth. Having lived more than fix years upon this dreary and inhofpitable iiland, a fhip arrived there, which took three of them on board, and carried them back to their native coun- try. The fourth man had been feized with the fcurvy, and being naturally indolent, and not ufmg proper exercife, he died, after linger- > ing for fome time, and his companions buri- ed him in the fnow, LESSON LXVL OF THE LION* THE lion feldom attacks any animal open- ly, except when compelled by extreme hunger ; in that cafe no danger deters him : but as moll anim.als endeavour to avoid him, ( 137 ) he is obliged to have recourfe to artifice, and take his prey by furprife. For this pin pofe, he couches on his belly in fome thicket, where he waits till his prey approaches ; and then, with one prodigious fpring, he leaps upon it at the diftance of fif- teen or twenty feet, and generally feizes it at the firft: bound. If he mifs his objedl, he gives up the pur- fuit ; and returning to the place of his am- buih, he again lies in wait. The lurking place of the lion is generally chofen near a fpring, or by the fide of a river ; where he frequently has an opportunity of catching fuch animals as come to quench their thirfl:. The following inftance of the lion's method of taking his prey, is related by Sparrman, in his voyages. A Hottentot, perceiving tft^t he was fol- lowed by a lion, and concluding that the ani- mal only waited the approach of night ta make him his prey, began to confider of the beft method of providing for his fafety ; which he at length effedled in the following fingu- lar manner : — obferving a piece of broken ground, with a precipitate defcent on one fide, he fat down by the edge of it ; and found, to his great joy, that the lion alio made a halt, and kept at the fame diftance as before. As foon as it grew dark, the Hottentot, fit- ding gently forward, let himfelf down a lit^ tie below the edge of the hill, and held up his Ms ( 138 ) cloak and hat upon a ftick, making at the fame time a gentle motion with it ; the lion, in the mean while, came creeping foftly to- wards him like a cat, and miftaking the ikin cloak for the man himfelf, made a fpring^ and fell headlong down the precipice ; by which means, the poor Hottentot was fafely deliver- ed from his enemy. LESSON LXVIL THE NATURE AND PKOTERTIES OF AIR. AIR is that fluid and fubtile body which furrounds our globe, and which every living creature breathes. Although it is fo near us, that it furrounds us on all fides, and that its effefts are contiually experienced, we do not however know its real nature. What we do know is, that air muft be fome- thing coporeal ; for we m.ay be convinced of this, when we move our hands quick, and drive it towards our face. It is not lefs cer- tain, that air is fluid ; that its parts are fepa- rate, pafs eafily one over another, and by this means yield to every impreflion. Weight is a property common to this, as to all other bodies. Although air is a thou- fand times lighter than water, its weight is neverthelefs very confiderable. The force with which air weighs on any furface of a foot fquare is two thoufandpounds. ( 139 ) A man fix feet high, vvhofe furface is about fourteen feet fquare, fupports continually a mafs of air of two hundred and eighty ftone weight. This perhaps may appear incredible. But the refillance of the air which is in our bodies, prevents our feeling the weight of the jout- ward air ; for the air contained in the human body, preferves the balance with that which furrounds us on all fides. The elafticity of the air is no lefs certain. It continually endeavours to extend itfelf in- to a larger fpace ; and 'though it fufFers com- preffion, it never fails to unloofe itfelf as foon as the preffure is removed. Fire and heat fhew this property in the air; and by means of thefe, it may occupy a fpace of five or fix hundred thoufand times greater than what it occupied before without lofing any of its elaflic force by this prodigious dila- tation. Thefe are fo many wonders well worth our admiration ; and in them we find the caufe of a multitude of aftonilhing effeds. It is con- fined rarefied air, which caufes a bladder or balloon to afcend from the earth. It is in the air that the clouds meet, which affume fo many different forms and colours ; and which, accordingly as they are condenfed or rarefied, colled the vapours, or Ihed them in rain, hail, or fnow, upon the earth. Without air, we could not make ufe of our ( I40 ) fenfes, or breathe. Therefore, the air alfo, proclaims the rich refources of God's vvifdom and knowledge, as well as his goodnefs and mercy. LESSON LXVITI. OF THE RATTLE-SNAKE* THIS is a wonderful creature, whether wc confider his form, nature, or difpofiti- on. It is certain, that he is capable, by a punfture or fcratch of one of his fangs, not only to kill the largell animal in America, and that in a few minutes time, but to turn the whole body into corruption. Yet fuch is the nature of this dreadful reptile, that he cannot run or creep fafter than a man or child can walk, and he is never known to ftrike until he is firft afl'iialted, or fears himfelf in danger; and even then, he always gives the earlieft warning by the rattles at the extremity of the tail. I have in the courfe of my travels in the fouthern ftates (where they are the large ft and moft numerous^ and fuppofed to be the moft venomous and vindiftive) ftopt unknowingly fo clofe, as almoft to touch one of them with my foot, and when I perceived him, he was drawn up in circular coils ready for a blow. But however incredible it may appear, this generous, I may fay magnanimous creature^ ( 141 ) lay as ftill and motionlefs as if inanimate ; his* head crouched in, his eyes almoft ihut. I precipitately withdrew, unlefsvvhenlhave been lb fliocked with furprize and horror, as to be in a manner rivitced to the fpot for a ftiort time, not having ftrength to go away ; when he often flowly extends himfelf, and quietly moves off in a direft line, unlefs pur- fued, in which cafe he erefts his tail as far as the rattles extend, and gives the warning a- larm by intervals. But if you purfue and overtake him with a fhew of ^ enmity, he inftantly throws himfelf into the fpiral coil ; his tail, by the rapidity of its motion, appears like a vapour^ and makes a quick tremulous found, his whole body fwells through rage, continually rifmg and falling as a bellows, his beautiful parti- coloured Ikin becomes fpeckled and rough by dilatation ; his head and neck are flattened, his cheeks fwollen and his lips conftridled, difcovering his Uiortal fangs ; his eyes red as burning coals, and his brandifliing forked tongue, of the colour of the hotteft flame, continually menaces death and deftruflion, yet never ftrikes unlefs fure of his mark. The rattle-fnake is the largeft ferpent yet known to exift in North-America, I have heard of their having been feen formerly, at the firft fettling of Georgia, feven, eight, and even ten feet in length, and fix or eight inches in diameter; but there are none of that fize ( 142 ) now to be feen ; yet I have feen them above fix feet in length, and above fix inches in thicknefs, or as large as a man's leg, but their general fize is four, five, and fix feet in length. They are fuppofed to have the power of faf- cination in an eminent degree, fo as to en- thral their prey. It is generally believed, that they charm birds, rabbits, fquirrels, and other animals, and by ftedfaftly looking at them, poffefs them with infatuation ; be the caufe what it may, the miferable creatures undoubt- edly ftrive by every polfible means to efcape, but alas ! their endeavours are in vain : they at lafi: lofe the power, flutter or move flowly but reluftantly, towards the yawning jaws of their devourer, and creep into their mouths, or lie down and fuffer themfelves to be taken and fwallowed. LESSON LXIX, WORTHY OF IMITATION. DURING the retreat of the famous King Alfred, at Athelney in Somerfetfhire, after the defeat of his forces by the Danet;, the follov/ing circumftance happened, which, while it convinces us of the extremities to which that great man was reduced, will give us a ftriking proof of his pious and benevol- ent difpofition. ( 143 ) A beggar came to his little caftle there, and requeded alms ; when his queen informed him, that they had only one fmall loaf remain- ing, which was infufficient for themfelves,^ and that their friends were gone abroad in queil of food, though with little hopes of fuccefs. The king replied, " Give the poor Chrifti- an one half of the loaf. He that could feed five thoufand men with five loaves and two fiilies, can certainly make that half of the loaf fuflice for our neceffities." Accordingly, the poor man was relieved, and this noble acl of charity foon recompen- fed by a providential ftore of frefh provifions, with which his people returned. Of all the fingular virtues, which united in the charafter ofGuftavusAdolphus of Sweden^ that which crowned the Vv^bole, was his exem- plary piety. The following is related of him, when he was in his camp before Vv^erben. He had been alone in the cabinet of his pavilion, fome hours together, and none of his atten- dants, atthefe feafons, durft interrupt him. At length, however, a favourite having fome important matter to tell him, camefoftly to the door, and hooking in, beheld the king very devoutly en his knees at prayer. Fear- ing to molell him in that facred exercife, he was about to turn hisheadv/henthe kingfpied him, and bidding h MTU com.e in, faid, " Thou wondereft to fee me in this pofture, ( 144 ) fince I have fo many thoufands of fubje