WWWW*Wwvw*w^^vw ^^^^'C^vWgMiW'^-^V i^JVVW^^ ^v^^vg;;w^v^ y^^gwO'v^ggg^g^ggv^W^Wi lyuugUi ' ' ^wggwvwwyg. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. # k UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.} yvwg^.y ^WWWW^W^ ;^^g^gggvwgww^W!^WWWw^ ^^ywv^w;^^' y^®v^^\^ ^J^Wggg>y^Vgg^y^y^\ *ww^^ ^^ ivJ^vgvw^ ^¥W\ '¥'»VWW'v* 'syXXs/MoCv'^ W^W*^"-Vwwwwv '000^ ww^^v, 'Vv^w, -:::V.w/. . ^wvw^ ^V^vy^w^^-^' ^vyv^sjV^^Vv, vv'Vv'vV ^ ^VWWW^ WW^V^^V^^gg,,^ iVWWW'^^WVvv^ ^y^vy^V^vJ^g^jW^V^^ '"^^Wwwg vwwwgggwvwW juwg^gwg wWWwwi i^gvwggwwwww^ ■^=«s4*rr!'^ ^v«if«H^«w«V^^V^ y^^^\j\ti,j^'^^^'^ ^^wwwwvwwv^y v"^ .yw^ywg««^ *«^y«P%y^.,,,,,^_^, ^V^wv^-^vv. /V>^ WVv t / TFIE PLEASING LIBRARY, CONTAINf^G A SELECTION OF HUMOROUS, ENTERTAINING, ELE- GANT AND INSTRUCTIVE PIECES, IN PROSE AND POETRY;. FROxM THE T!;rOST CELEBRATED WRITERS. '-X>=rXX><:s<>::XX'^'^-^X>C:=D::XXX-- By NATHANIEL HEATON, Jun. "-XXXXXXXXXXX-^-5^-5|^XXXXXX:XXXXX- ^FUBLISHED ACCORDING ^Q jcT OP COh-CRFSS. W R E N r H A M, (Ma,,.) Printed and fold b^ the AUTHOR ; fdd alfo \^j ^^avib Heaton, Providence, Oliver Fak^ s wort ii. New-- port, Epiiraim Goo^alc, Meit- don, &(; — x8ot ^J: CONTENTS^ RIENDSHIP 7 The Moor and Spaniard r^- - — ,9 , The Blackbirds — an xrlegy — *^ ^^ Seged of Ethiopia — -— ' ^3 Defcription of the Nurf^^ry of a Maiden Lady ^5 I Can't • — —- -^ a8 The Funeral Oration of a Peaiant — 3^ Rol^ ^- -i" — ■ 33 Falfc Education -^ ■— 37 The Bankrupt Tradefrnan ^^ -^' 43 The Happy Man ■*— — 47 ' Home — — Mavor 4^j '■ A fufpiclous Tsmper the Source of Mifery to its PoffelTor — — _ . — 51 On the Vanity of fome Men's Wifhcs ' and Prayers — Adbison So ^ On Ghofts and Apparitions . — Addison SJ Tt) begin Nothing of which- you have not well confidered the End -— ^ ' Ai) bison 59 Adventures of a family Bible Part i. Mayor * Co Adventures of a family Bible Payt n. Mayor G'^ Qninifclence and Omniprefenc'e of the Deity, the Source bf Qonfolation to Good Men AddisgxM Cj The Creator's Works attcfl his Greatnefs Addison ; i Oh Aerial Callle-Buildliig — — - 73 The Abfcnt Man — . —• f^ IV Singular Memoirs of Pat. O'Connor — g^ An odd way of bargaining for a Wife — 84. The Mouiuain-of Miferies — — * 86 The liauRted Houfe — — 90 The Creiition required to Praife its Aitthor- Anon 96' The Vifion continued from page %^' — 99 Moderation in our Wifhes Recommended Blair 103 Piety ami Gratitude enliven ProfperJty Blatr 106 On Spendhig Time — — 110 On Pieafure — — 115 Rank and Riches afford no Ground for Envy BlVirt 119 The Mortifications of Vice greater than thofie of Virtue — — Blair lai The Dignity ©f Virtue amidft corrupt Examples — - — Blair 1*3 The Clemency and amiable Charaand fome- times power to relieve them ; together with integrity to remove all fufpicion of deceit and felf intereft. In ihon the benefits accruing from real friendihip are inefti- mable. <* A true friend'' fays the fon of Sirach <* is a firong defence, and he that has found fuch a one has found a treafure. Nothing can countervail a true friend, and his excelleiiey is iavaluabk. A faithful - 3^ Ti&E PLEASING LIBRARY. friend is a medicine of life, and they that fear the • Lord Ihall iind hun. Suppofe a man to be' thrc>^ni upo'n a defclate Ifl- and let a ftfpyerior being approach him with a friend in onehandj, and all the riches of the. earth in the other, ^ and give the man leave to choofe which he moH de- ; fired. Would he 'hefitate a moirient to choofe the friend! Of what ufe could riches be in his prefent . fituation ? ' Is there not fomething Jnlrinfic in friend- ffiip, an mfepafable bleCng ufeful at all times, and In * all places, which, power ianddcHes deftitute of friends ^^ cannot beftovvv Our Fivti parent had all the beauties of creation t<^ ' contemplate, all the animals under his jurifdicdon, all- the beauties of paradife to enjoy. But when a true friend' was prefented to him, he was fo tranfported- with the gift that he- fee me d to negled all the other favors'he had received — We hope €ven at the hour of death, fooh to meet a virtuous friend, who has gone before us, or whom we leave behind us in this world ; - T^hereas riches and povv'er (except fo far as we have "^ made a virtuous- ufe of them) xire then to depart from - us forever. I blefs and magnify th^^holy nam'e, O my gracious God, for thofe ftiithful friends widi vrhich thou hafl ^ favored me. Let their good exam.ple excite me to love and {ervQ thee. And, z) Lord if it be confiftent with thy wifdom and juHice. let our friendfhip, begun through thy mercy hete, be cultivated and perpetuated througli- al! eternity; THE .PLEASING LIB'RARY/ ^ The moor and SPANIARD. — ^— ■ T HE ipaiilfli liiftorians relate u memo- " rable iftftance of honor -and regard to truth. A Span- ilh cavalier iii aiutlden quarrel flew a Moorifh gcnlle- man, and fled. His purfuers foon loft fight of him, for he had unperceived thrown himfelf jover a garden wall. The owner,, a MT)or5 happening to be " in his garden, was addrefled by the Spaniard on his knees^ - who acquainted him with his cafe, and implored con- cealment. - *^ Eat thiSj" faid the Moor, (giving him ' half a peach) *' you now know that you may confide in my proteaian.'' He then lockedhim up in his gar- den apartment, telling him as foon as it was night he would prov^ide-forhis efcape to a place of greater fafe- ty. The Moor then went into bis houfe, where he had '^ but juft feated himfelf, when a great crowd, with loud lamentations, came to his gate, brmging the-corpfe, of his fon, who had juft been killed by a Spaniard. When the firft fliock of furprife wis a little over, he learnt from the difcription given,- that the fatal deed was done by the very pcrfon' then in-his power.- He mentioned thisto no one ; but as foon as It V/as dark -retired to his garden, as if to grieve alone, giving ^ orders that none fhould folio Vv'- him. Theaaccofted the Spaniard, he faid, <« Chriftian, the perfon you have killed is my ion, his body is now in m-y houfe. You ought to fuf- fer ; but you have eaten with me, and I have given you my faith, which muft not be broken." He then led the aitoiiilhed Spaniard to hi^ ftable. and mounted-^ fto ' THE - PLEASmO JLIBRA'RY. • Kim on one of his fieeteft horfes, and fald, <' Fly farP, while night caa cover you ; you v/ill be fafe in the--' rnoraingr You are hidtjed guilty of my fon's blood ^• but God is jua and good, and I thank him I am inno- ' cent of yours, und that my laldi given is^prelerved.'* This point of honor is mod rehgiouny oblbrved by the Arabs and Saracens, from whom it v/as adopted ■ by the Moors of Ati'ica, and by them was brought into Spain ; the effeds of which remain to this day : fo that wlien there is any tear of a war breaking out be- tween England and Spain, an Englilh merchant there, ' who apprehends the confifc^tion of his goods as thofe of an enemy, thinks them fafe ?f he can get a Spaniard to take chargeof them i -fbr the Spaniard fscures them as'hrs own, and f^khfuUy -re-delivers them, or pays the value, whenever the Enghfhman demands them.- One inftance of Spaniih honor cannot but ftiil be frefii ^ in the memory of many living, a«d deftrves to be^ handed down to tbe-iatei^ poileriiy.'' ln-theTeaT'i74u, when we were in hot war "Nvith ' Spain, the Elizabeth of London, captain William Ed- wards, coming thmiigh the Gulph from. Jamaica, rich- ly laden, met with a m.oit :^7ioient Rorm.in which the fhip - fprung aleak,that obliged ihem, for the laving of their lives, to run into the Havannah, a Spanifn port. The captain went en fhore, and diredVly waited on the gov- ernor, told the occafion of his putting in, and that he furrendered the fliip^ a. prize, and himftlf and his" linen as prifoners of wM", only requefting good quarter/ **^No Sir," replied th&.Spanifb governor, " if we had t^kan you i-n fair war at fea, -or. approaching our CQJtl^'^ : THE PLEASING LIBRARY. zx vS^ith hoftile intentions, your fliip would then have been a prize, and your people prifoners ; but when diftreff- ed by a temped, you come into our ports for the fafe- ty of your lives^ we the enemies, being men, are bouird as fuch by the laws ^ of humanity to afford relief to diflrelled men \vho afk it of us. We cannot even a- gainft our enemies take advantage of anai5l of God* You hare kave therefore to unload your fhip, if it be ■ neceflary, to ftop the leak; you may refit her here, , and tr««^c fo far as fhall be neceffary to pay the charg- < es ; you may the'n depart, and I will give you a pafs to be in force till you are beyond Bermuda : if after that you are taken, you will then be a lawful prize j but now you are only a ftranger, and have a ftijanger^s right to fafety and protedion/* The fhip according- ;ly departed, and arrived fafe. in London. The BLACKBIRDJS -an elegy. — *^ — ;S> > PRING had'fetum'd and nature fmil'd^ >>f^ Verdure had crown'd each wood and vale, All was compos'd, ferene, and mild. And notes of pleafure fwelPd the gale. 'Twas then a blackbird and its xn^t^ In a feringo built her neft, ' The patient hen afljduerasfat •With trembling I'^ing and heaving breaft, T*^o chirpcrs foon reward thi^ir care, .T{ic ple-dge-s of their mutual love? s3ta THE- PLEASING LIBRARY, The pleafing tafk the parents fnare, And range forfood the blofTom'd grov^c. Re turning through a ftrubbery rn ead^ The gentle-pair, with anguiih, faw * Their little _ones -expiring bleed • Beneath a wanton tyrant's paw. In vam they feebly flatter'd rounds : In vain they pour* d a plaintive lay, Deaf to the fweet pathetic found, m The plunderer illU retained her prey. " Whither, ah, whither, fhall we fly ? Life has no value now," they fung; ** We'll melt the murd'rers heart, and die With wings ftretch'd fondly o'er-^our young. ^^ When he had finiflied, he thought fomething was f {till wanting ; — he had not paid a compliment to "Julia. He cut his pencil again and again, but it wouM •Tiot do ; the firing was too fine to touch upon. , He '.went toi bed in defpair. In the morning, when he took his leave, he prefented the paper to Julia. She : read the title, and put it into her bofom, with a fmile* Bui that fmile betrayed a fecret fhe wifhed to have concealed. — -It forced a tear down her cheek. Spirits of love andfympathy ! Infpirers of all the foft afFe^ions, of all that is beautiful in feeling, anS elevated initought 1 Ye alone can tell, ye who can a- wake fuch trilling harmony from that fweet inftrument the human foul, ye alone can. tell what fine, what e-x- quifitely fine cement unites congenial natures, what ■ magnetic principle operates upon them. THE PLEASING LIBRARY. xj ^EGED GF ETHIOPIA. — ^ — s. \ EGED, lord of Ethiopia, to the inhabi- tants of the world : To the fons of prefumption, ha- mility and fear ; and to the daughters of forrow, con- tent and acqiiiefcence. Thus, in the twenty- feventh year of his reign, fpoke Seged, the monarch cf forty nations, the diftributor of the w^aters of the Nile : " At length, Seged, thy toils are at an end ; thoU haft reconciled difafFediion, tliou haft fuppreifed rebellion, thou haft pacified the Jealoufies of thy courtiers, thou haft chafed war from thy confines, and eredled fortreftes in the lands of thy enemies. All who have offended thee, tremble in thy prefence, and wherever thy voice is heard, it is obey- ed. Thy throne is furrounded by artnies, numerous as the locufts of the fummer, ai\d refiftlefsas the blafls of peftilence. Thy magazines are ftored with amuni- tion, thy treafures overflow with the tribute of con- quered kingdoms. Plenty waves upon thy fields, and opulence glitters in t],iy cities. Thy nod Is as the earth- quake that flrakes the m.ountains, and thy fmilesasthe dawn of the vernal day. In thy hand is the ftrength o.^thouiands, and thy health is the health of miilionc, Ixiy palace is gladdened by the fong of praife, ar.d thy path perfumed by the breath of benediction. Thy lubjeds gaze upon tliy greatnefs, ai;d think of d^neer, of m. ery no more. Why, Seged, wilt thou rot Par- take the bleliings (hou beftoweft ^ Why fhcuJdeft thou U THE PLEASING LIBRAHY. only forbear to rejoice in this general felicity. Wb? fliould thy face be clouded with anxiety, >vhen the Hieaneft of thofe who call thee fovereign, gives the day to feilivity, and the night to peace ? At length, Se- ged, refled and be wife. What is the gift of conqueft but f^ifety, why are riches coIle<51:ed but to purchafe happinefs ?*' Segtd then ordered the houfe of pleafure, built in $n ifiand of the late Dambea, to be prepared for his reception. <* I will retire" fays he, '* for ten days from • tumult and care, from counfels and decrees. Long quiet is not the lot of the governors of nations, but a ceffation often days cannot be denied me. This fhort interval of happinefs may furely be fecured from the interruption of fear or perplexity, forrow or difappoint- ment. I will exdude all trouble from my abode,' and remove from my thoughts whatever may confufe the harmony of the concert, or abate the fweetnefs of the banquet. I will fill the whole capacity of my foul with enjoyment, and try what it is to live without a wiih unlati<>fied.'^ In a few days the orders were performed, and Se- ged haftened to the palace of Dambea, which flood in an liland cultivated only for pleafare, planted with ev- ery flower thatfpreads its colors to the^ fan, and every flirub that flieds fragrance in the air. In one part of this extenfive garden, were open walks for excurfions fn the morning ; in another, thick groves, and filent arbors, and bubbling fountains for repofe at noon. Ail that could folace the fenfe, or flatter the fancy, ^11 that induftry could extort from nature, or wealth fin-nifli to aVt, all that conqueft could feize, or benefit THE PLEASING LIBRARY. 15 ccnce attra<5t, was collected together, and every percep- tion of delight was excited and gratified. Into this dellcioas region Seged fummoned all the perlbns of his court, who Teemed eminently qualiiied to receive or communicate pkafare. His call was readily- obeyed ; the young, the fair, the vivacious, and the witty, were all in harie to be fated with felicity. They failed jocund over the lake, which feenied to fmooth its furface before them : Their pafHige was cheered with Hiufic, and their hearts dilated with expe<5tation. Seged landing here with his band of pleafure, deter- mined from that hour to break oiF air acquaintance with difcontent, to give his heart for ten days to eafe 'and jollity, and then fall back to the common ftate of man, and fuffer his life to be dLveifified, as before, with joy and forr<)w. •He immediately entered his chamber, to confider where he Ihould begin his circle of happinefs. He had all the artifts of delight before him, but knew not whom to call, fmce he could not enjoy one, but by de- laying the performance of another. ' He chofe and rejeded, he refolved and changed his refolutlon, till his faculties were harraffed, and his thoughts confufed ; then returned to the apartment where his prefence was expected, \vlth languid eyes and clouded countenance, and fpread the infedion of uneafmefs over the whole alTembly. He obferved their depreffion, and was of- fended, for he found his vexation increafed by thofe whom he expected to diilipate and relieve it. He re- tired again to his private chamber, and fought for con- l6 THE PLEASING LIBRARY. folation in his own mind ; one thought flowed in up- on another ; a long fucceffion of images feize'd his at- tention : the moments crept imperceptibly away thro* the gloom of penfivenefs, till having recovered his tran- quillity 3 he lifted up his head, and faw the lake bright- -^ned by the fetting fun, ** Such/' fa id Seged fighing, "is the longed day of human exiftence : Before we have learned to ufe it, we -find it at an end.'* The regret which he felt for the lofs of fo great a part of his firfl: day, took from him all difpofuion to enjoy the evening ; and, after having endeavored for the fake of his attendants, to force an air of gaiety,. and excite that mirth which he could not fhare, he re- folved to refer his hopes to the next morning, and lay down to partake with the Haves of labor and poverty, ths bleiling of fleep. He rofe early the fecond morning, and refolved now to be happy. He therefore fixed upon the gate of the palace an edifl, importing, that whoever, during nine days, fhould appear in the pre fence of the king witk dejei5ted countenance, or utter any expreffion of dif- content or forrow, fhould be driven forever from the palace of Dambea. This edidl was immediately made ktiown in eve- ry chamber of the court and bower of the gardens. Mirth was frighted away, and they who were before dancing in the lawns, or fingingin the fhades, were at once engaged in the care of regulating their look s, that Seged might find his will pundually obeyed, and fee none among them liable to banifhment* THE PLEASING LIBRARY. 17 Seged now met every face fettled in a fmlle ; but a fm'ile that betrayed folicitude, timidity, and conftraint. He accofted his favorites with familiarity anti foft- nefs ; but they durfl not fpeak without premeditation, left they fhould be convicted of difcontent or fcrrow. He propofed diverfions, to which no objection was made, becaufe objedlion would have implied uneafmefs ; but they were regarded with indifference by the court- iers, who had no other defire than to fignalize them- felves by clamoi-ous exultation. He offered various topics of conve:rfation, but obtained only forced jefts, and laborious laughter, and aftei' many attempts to animate his train to confidence and alacrit)'-, was ob- liged to confefs to himfelf the impotence ofcom.mand, and refign another day to grief and difappointment. He at lafl: relieYed his com.panicns from their ter- rors, and jfhut himreli up in his chamber to ascertain by' different meafures, the felicity df the ^fucceeding - days. At length h-e thre\v himfelf on the bed', and cidfed his eyes, but imagined, in his fleep, -that his palace and gardens were overwhelmed by an inunda- tion, and wakexi v/lth aU the terrors of a man (Iruggling in the water. 'He compofed himfelf again to reft, but was affrighted ■ by an imaginary irruptl-on into his kingdom, and ftriving, as is ufual in dreams, withont ability to move, fancied himfelf betrayed co his ene- mies; and 'dgciin itartcd up" with horror and indigna- tion, It was how d.iy, and fear was fo ftrongi/ impreffed on'his mind, that he could ileep no more. He roie, bat his thoughts v/ere filled with the deluge and inva- iion, nor was he able to difcngage his attention; or min~ i8 THE PLEASING LRABRY. gle with vacancy and eafe in any amufement. At length his perturbation gave way to reafon, and he re- foived.no longer to be harraffed by vifionary miferles ; but before this refolution could be completed, half the day had elapfed : He felt a new conviction of the uncertainty of human fchemes, and could not forbear to bewail the weaknefs of that being, whofe quiet was to be interrupted by vapors of the fancy. Having been firft difturbed by a dream, he afterwards griev- ed that a dream could difturb him. He at laft difcov- ered, that his terrors and grief were equally vain, and that to lofe the prefent in lamenting the paft, was vol- untarily to protract a melancholy vifion. The third day was now declining, and Seged again refolved to be happy on the morrow. On the fourth morning Seged rofe early, refrefhed with fleep, vigorous with health, and eager with ex- pedtatlon. He entered the garden, attended by the princes and ladles of his court, and feeing nothing a- bout him but airy cheerfulnefs, began to fay to his heart, " This day fliall be a day of pleafure.'* The fun played upon the water, the birds warbled in the groves, and the gales quivered among the branches. He roved from walk to walk as chance diredted him, and fometimes liftened to the fongs, fometimes min- gled with dancers, fometimes let loofe his imagination in flights of merriment : and fometim.es ^ttered grave reflexions, and fententious maxims, and feafled on the admiration wnth which they were received. Thus the day rolled on, without any accident of vex- ation, or iutrafiou of melancholy thoughts. All that THE PLEASING JLIBR.AXY. r^ .beheld him caught gladnefs from his looks, and the fight of happiiiefs conferred by himfelf filled his heart with fatisfadion : But having paffed three hours in this harmlefs luxury, he was alarmed on a fudden by an univerfal fcream among the women, and turning back, faw the whole affembly flying in confufion. A young crocodile had rifen out of the lake, and was ranging the garden m wantonnefs or hunger. Seged beheld him with indignation, as a diilurber of his fe- licity, and chafed him back into the lake, but could not perfuade his retinue to ftavj or free their hearts from the terror which had feized upon them. The prin- ceffes inclofed themfelves in the palace, and could yet fcarcely believe themfelves in fafety. Every attention was fixed upon the late danger and efcape, and no' mind was any longer at leifure for gay faliies or care-- lefs prattle. ' Seged had now no other employment than to con-- template the innumerable cafualties which lie in am- buih on every nde to intercept the happinefs of man, and break in upon the hour of delight and tranquillity. He had, however, the confolation of thinking, that he had not been difappointed by his own fault, and that the accident which had blafted the hopes of the day, might eafily be prevented by future caution. That he might provide for the pleafure of the next morning, he relblved to repeal his penal edi<5^, fmcehe had already found that difcontent and melancholy were not to be driven away by the threats of authority, and that pleafure would only refide where fhe was exempt- ed from control. Hs therefore invited all the com- c.o^ - THE PLEASmo LIBRARY. panions of his retreat to unbounded pleafantry, by pro- pofmg prizes forthofe who fliould oiithe following day, diftinguiih themfelves by any feftive performances ; the tables of the antechamber were covered with gold and pearls, and robes and garlands decreed the re- wards of thofe who could refine; elegance or heighten pleafure. ■ At this difplay of riches every ' eye immediately fparkled, and every tongue was bufied in celebrating the bounty and magnilicence of the emperor. But when Seged entered, in hopes of uncommon entertain- ment from univerfal emulation, he found that' any paf- ilon too ftrongly agitated, puts" an end ti5 that tran- quillity which is neceflary to mirth, and that the mindj that is to be moved by the gentle ventilations of gaie- ty mull be firft fmoothed by a total calm. ' Whateveir we ardently wiQi to gain, we mufl in the fame degree be afraid to lofe, and fear and plcafure cannot dwell together^ " All w£s now care and folicitude*. Nothing was dohe or fpoken, but with fo .vifible an endeavor at per- fedioii, as always failWi to delight, though it fome- times forced admiration : And Seged could not but obferve with forrow, that his prizes had more influence than himfelf. As the evening approached, the con- tef!: grew more earneft, and thofe who were forced to allow themfelves excelled, began to difcover the ma- iignity of defeat, firft by angry glances, and at laft by cdntemptucus murmurs. Seged hkewife ftiared the anxiety of the day ; for confidering himfelf as obliged. t4) diilribute with exa^ juftice the prizes whJch- had THE PLEASING LIBRARY. 21 been fo zealoufly fought, he durft never remit his at- Lention, butpafTed his time upon the rack of doubt in balancing different kinds of merit, and adjufting the claims of all the competitors. At laft, knowing that no exa^nefs could fatisfy thofe whofe hopes he fhould difappoint, and thinking that on a day fet apart for happinefs, it would be cruel to opprefs any heart with forrow, he declared that all had pleafed him alike,- and difmiffed all with prefents of eqiial value Seged foon faw that his caution had not been able to avoid offence. They who had believed themfelves fecure of the higheft prizes, were not pleafed to be lev- elled with the crowd ; and though, by the liberality of the king, they received more than Ms promife had intitled them to expedl, they departed unfatisfied, be- caufe they were honored with no dirtindtion, and want- ed an opportunity to triumph in the mortification of their opponents. " Behold here'' faid Seged, <' the condition of him who places his happinefs in the hap- pinefs of others." He then retired to meditate, and^ ^ while the courtiers were repining at his diilributions^ faw the fifth fun go down in difcontent. The next dawn renewed his rcfolution to be happy^ But having learned how little he could effed by fet- tled fchemes of preparatory meafures, he thought it beft to give up one day entirely to chance, and left - every one to pleafe and be pleafed his own Way. This relaxation of regularity diffufed a general com- placence through the whole court, and the emperor li~ THE PLEASING JLIBRARY. imagmed, that he had at lad found the fecret of ob- taining an interval of felicity. But as he was roving in this carelefs aiTembly. with equal careleunefs. he over- heard one of his courtiers in -a clofe arbor niurnmr- ing alone. ** What merit has Seged above us, that we" fhould thus fear and obey hlna, a m'anj whom \vhat- cver he may have formerly performed, his luxury now Ihows to hiT/e the fame weaknefs with bur ftlves ?*' This charge afFefted hihl' the more, as it was uttered bf one whom he had always obferved among the moil abjecl of his flatterers. At fird his indignation prompt- ed"' him to fc verity ; but refie<5ring, that wh^t was fpok- cn, without intention to be heard j was to be confidered as only thought, and was perhaps bnt the fudden burft of cafual and temporary vexation, he invented fome decent pretence to fend him -away, -that his retreat might not be tainted with the breath of envy ; and after the ilruggle of deliberation w^as paft, and all de- fire of revenge utterly fuppreifed, palled the evening not only with tranquillity, but triumph, thoughinone but himfelf was confcious of the vidOfy. The remembrance of this clemency cheered the be- gisning of the feventh day, and nothing happened to difturb the pleafure of "Seged, till ^looking on the tree that Ihaded him, he recoliedled that under a tree of th^ fame kind he had paffed the nigh & after his defeat in the kingdom of Goiama. The reflection on His lofs, his diihonor, and the miferies which his fubjeds fiiffered from the invader, filled him with fadnefs. At ]#^ he -ihook off the weight of forrow, and began to foiace himfelf with his ufual pleafures, when his tran- quillity was again difturbed by jealQufies which the THE PLEASING LIBRARY. 23 late conteft for the prizes had produced, and which, having in vain tried to pacify them hy perfuafion,^ he v;as forced to filence by command. On the eighth morning Seged was av/akened early by an miufual hurry in the apartment, and enquiring the caufe, was told that die princefs Balkis was feized with ficknefs. He rofe, and calling the phyficians, . found that they had little hope of her recovery. Here was an end of jollity. All his thoughts were now . upon his daughter, whofe eyes heclofed on.the tenth d^y. Such were the days which Seged of Ethiopia had appropriated to a fhort refpiration from the fatigues of war and the cares of government. This narrative he has hequeathed to future generations, that no man hereafter. may prefume to fay, ** This day Ihall be a day of happlnefs.'^ DESCRIPTION OF the NURSERY of a MAID«. EN LADY. w. _^ — HEN I went the other.day to vifit Mrs. Penelope Doat, after I had,ieen waiting fome time in the parlor, the fervant returned with her mif- trefs's com.pliments, and acquainted me, that llie was extremely bufy, and begged to be excufed coming down to me, but that fhe fhould be very happy to fee me in the nurfery. I was a good deal furprifed at the '^4 'X^HE PLEASING LIBRARY. ::meffage, as I Jknew (he was a maiden lady ; but I thought proper to follow the fervant up itairs to her miftrefs, whom I found combing a little w^hite dog that lay in her lap, w^th a grey parrot perched on one arm of the fopha where fhe fat> a monkey on the back, and a tabby cat with half a dozen kittens in the other corner. The whole room, which was a very large one, w^as a nurfery for all kinds of animals, except thofe of the human fpecies. Gages hung all round it, con- taining parrots, Canary birds, nightingales, linnets, goldfinches, &c. On the chairs were feveral cats re- pofmg themfehes on foft cufliions ; and ..there w^ere little kennels in the Chinefe tafte in almoft every cor- .ner of the room, filled I muft be brought ■ to worfliip do'gs as the Egyptians did of old ; and before I .>vould fo extravagantly dote upon a monkey^ I would, change my humanity with i baboon, jf My female friend is' not the only inftance of this rondncfs for tlie brute creation being carried to faci? .j6 THE PLEASING LIBRARY. ^ ncliculous lengths. Many grave do<^ors of the facial!- t:y have been called in to feel the pulfe of a lap-dog^ and infpedt the urine of a fquirrel, and one lady of my acquaintance, carried the abfuydity fo far, as to dif- charge her chaplain becaufe he refufed to bury her Hionkey ; another friend of mine, but of the other fe?:, caufed his favorite dog to be buried in Hyde- Park, his houfckeeper and ot7aer fervants attended, and they had each mourning rings upon the occafion, with the name and age of the dog enamelled thereon, the en- amel v^LW -white, becaufe my friend afferted that his fa- vorite was a bachelor. But of all follies, farely it is the greateft to provide for-thefe anim.als by will, which abfurd legacies de- ferve as little the title of humanity, as thofe doners merit the epithet of charitable, who in a death-bed fright flarve their relations by leaving their eftates to found an hofpital. It is very much to be wiflied, that money left in truft for fuch ufes, were fubjedl to fome flatutes of mortm.aln ; or at leafl, that the gentlemen of the long robe, would contrive fome fcheme to cut off the entail from monkeys, Italian grey-hounds, and tabby cats. ■i It is nol fo furpvifing that a ftage coachm.an fhould love his hcrfes better than his wife or chi'dren ; or a country Efquire be fond of his hounds and hunters, becaufe the reafon of this regard for them is eafily ac- counted for ; upon the fame principles, a fea captain has43ecn known to contract an affedion for his fhip ; ' but no coachman would like Caligula, tie his horfes to a golden rack, but thinks he fhcws fufficient kindneis by filling them with good v/holefcme provender ; and THE PLEASING LIBRARY. ^7 ' the country fportfman takes care to provide his hounJs ' . with a good kennel and horfe-flefti, but wouicl never di'eam of placing them on a cuiliion before ihe fire, feeding them 'with fricaffee, or breeding th^m wl:h as much care as the hc^ir to his eilare. Amongfl the fair fex this irregular palTion is mod frequently to be found. How often has the flighted gallant envied the careffes giVen to a lapdog, or kiir^s beftowed on a fqnirrtl ? and *' I would I ^vere thy brrd!'' har been the fond exclamation of many a Ro- meo. But this ait>:a:ion for birds and beafts genera ly wears oiT after marriage, and the ladies commoniy difcard their four-footed darlings, and feathered favor- ites, when they can beftow their endearments on an hufband. On thi^s account, thefe dry nurfes to pugs and grimalkins, are generally to bcmet w^ith amongll thofe femaks, who have been difappointed in the af- fairs of love, and have, againft their will, retained the flower of their virginity till it has withered in their poffeffion. Itfome:imes happens, that there is a kind of analogy between the gallant they once loved, and the animal on which they afterwards fixed their affec- tions ; and I very well remember an inftance of a la- dy's pafiion for a lawyer being converted into dotage on a parrot, and have an old maiden aunt, who once languifaed for a beau, whofe heart is now devoted to a monkey. After what has been faid, it will not appear ftrange, that a lady Ihould be very foiicitous to preferve the breed of her favorite animals ; a gentleman in Si, James's ftreet, lately fent his little Cupid in a fedaa aB THS PLEADING LIBRARY. chair as far as Grofvenor-fquare? to wait upon a I2-, dj^s Venus for this purpofe y and I fhall always re- member ^ card which was fent to another lady on a like occafion, expreiTed in the following terms : Mr. PI =k's compliments to lady Betty L-~ j h glad to hear Mifs Chloe is fafely delivered, and begs, as a particular favor, that her ladyfliip would be pleaf- ed to fet him down for a puppy* I CAN'T. jr\,SlC the Child to do his duty, obey his . !]^arents> — I can't— fays he~afk the youth to put up- on his fhoulders the prudent head of experienced age— I can't is his anfwer. ^Afk the hoiden to banifh dreams from her pillow-— I can't is her excufe. Afk the young mau, to forfake bad company, and the haunts of vice, I can't fays he for I love both. The fad: is, we leave tliefe things unattempted, and therefore difcover not the beauty, virtue, or merit of obedience. We can't forego the delufive charms of fancy and her airy fweets for the fober realities of a world, whofe bl-cflings we have never experienced, and of whofe pleafantnefs, we have had only a Pifgah prof- pefl. Efop tells us of a waggoner, v/hofe heavy wheels bad got faftened in a flough ——he called upon Her- THE PLEASING LIBRARY. 29 ciiles for help. But Kercales told him to apply his bedlly ilrength to extricate himfelf, and his carrl^e from ditHciiky. If the waggoner had faid, good Her- cules, I can't, his bones would have lain in the flough till this time, for all Hercules would have done for him, • I can't is the appology of the Lazy Man — tell Tim- berham the farmer to weed his garden- — to clear his land — to plant his garden — to hoe hi^ coni — to reap his wheat and gather in his harveft he. can't, for why > He is better employed in diaining his neigk- beur's laft year's clder= in fmoaking his pipe, or fettling the aitairs of the nation in a bar-room. His barefooted children want fome ilioes, his wife a itw pounds of fiax, his daughters fome nece/Tary artiqlcs, which prudent v/omen always think of when on the brink of matrimony; • He can't get them — his lar. irj He fallow ; not on account of their prior fiiperaburJ- ailce of produce, but for lack of the proper beilo w- irient of labor — and his daughter's hufoands may pur- chafe their own diaper, for all him, for he will i.^.t dig, and to beg he is afhamed. ■ He who anfwers, T can't, to a reqiiirition, betrnvs at once mod of the weaknefs and the foibles of 1:U- man nature. Induary and perfeverance can affcc^ every thing but the reform.ation r_{ a drunkard, a^d ■" rbe cultivation of a nulckfand. C %■■■ JO THE PLEASING LIBUAKY. Uhe funeral oration of a PEASANT. P ASSING by a village, I faw a compa^ ny of peafants, their eyes deje^ed and wet with tears^ who were entering a temple. The fight ftruck me : I ordered the carriage to flop, and followed them in. I faw in the middle of the temple the corpfe of an old man, in the habit of a peafant, whofe white hairs hung, down to the ground. The paftor of the village mount-. ed a fraall eminence, and faid ** My' fellow-countrymen, '* The man you here fee was for ninety years a benefadlor to mankind. As foon as his legs could: fupport him, he followed his father In the furrows* When years had given him that flrength for w-hlch he long wllhed, he faid to his father, * Ceafe from your labors :' and from that time each rifmg fun has feeii him till the ground, fow, plant, and reap the harvefl. He has cultivated more than two thoufand acres of frefh land. He has planted the vine In all the coun- try round about ; and to him you owe thofe fruit-trees . that nouriln your village, and afford you fhelter from the fun. It was not avarice that made him unweari- ed in his labors. No, it was the love of induflry, for v/hich he was wont to fay man was born ; and the great and facred belief that God regarded him when culdvating his lands for the nourifhment of his chil- dren,—- THE PLEASING LIBRARY. 3i - *« He married, and had twenty-five children. He formed them all to labor and to virtue, and they have all maintained an unblemiflied charadler. He has tak- en care to marry them properly ; and led them with a fmiling afped, to the altar. All his grand-children have been well educated ; and you know what a pure - unalterable joy dwells upon their countenances. — All thefe brethren love one another, becaufe he loved them^ and made them fee what pleafure he found in loving them. On days of rejoicing, he was the firft to found tlie rural inftruments ; and his looks, his voice, his gef- ture, you know, were the fignals for univerfal mirth. You cannot hut remember his. gaiety, the lively eiFe(5l of a peaceful mind ; and his fpeeches full of fenfe and wit — ^for he had the gift of exercifmg an ingenious raillery without giving, offence. *' He cheriilied order, from an internal fenfe he had of virtue. Whom has he ever refufed to ferve ? When did he ihew himfelf unconcerned at public or private' misfortunes ? When was he indifferent in his country's caufe ? His heart was devoted to it ; in his converfa- tion he conftantly wifhed for its profperity. *' When age had bent his body, and his legs trem- bled under'him, you have feern him mount to the fum- mit of a hill, and give leffons of experience to the ■ young hufbandmen. His memory was the faithful depofitory of obfervations, made during the courfe of fourfcore fucceifive years, on the changes of the fev- eral feafons. Such a tree, pianted^by his hand in fuch a year, recalled to his memory the favor or the wrath of heaven. He had by heart what other mea forget — 3^ ■ th:e pleasing librai^^. the fruitful hai'vefts, the deaths and legacies to the poor. He feemed to be endowed with a prophetic fpirit ; and when he meditated by the light of th(^ tnoon^ he knew with v/hat feeds to enrich his garden. *' The evening before his death, he faid, ^ My chil^ dren, I am drawing nigh to that Being who is the Author of all good, whom I have always adored, and iri whom I truft. - To-morrow prune your pear-trees ; and at the fetting of the fun, bury me at the head of my grounds.' You are nov/ children, going to place him there, and ought to imitate his example. But^ before you inter thofe white hairs, which have fo long attra<5ted refpedt, behold with reverence his hardened hands i Behold the honorable marks of his long la^- ■ bors!" -• The orator then held up one of his cold hands. It " had acquired twice the ufual fize by continual labor, and feemed to-be invulnerable to the point of the bri- ar, or the edges of the flint. He then refpe(5lfully kif- fed the hand, and all the company followed his exam- ple. His children bore him to the grave, and buried' him as he had defired. Ah ! I cried—if th^ men celebrated by Boffuet^^ Fletcher, Mafcaron, and Neuville, had the hundredth- part of the virtue of this villager, I would pardon • ilie-m tlieir pompous and futile eloquence. .,Wi THE FLEASINO LIBRARY. 33,-: ROSA. -4— HAT afflids you, mj good man/' fald I. — Alas ! Sir, have you feen my vchild ?-^^The per- fon who thus anfwcred me, was a poor blind man^ feated on the trunk of a hollow tree, at the foot cf which iffued a filver fpring ; his bald forehead, rob- bed of its honors by the iron hand of time — his patch- ed wallet, unconfcious of the bounties of Ceres ;— . the hickory ftafF, on which he refted his debihtated arm ; — his body, that feemed fainting under the pref- fure of extreme hunger ;— his fightlefs eyes, and trem- ulous voice ; — ^altogether ftruck me with a kind of reverential horror. — I looked once more upon the ob- jedl which had fo ilvetted my amazement, and thought that Providence had deferted one of her weakeft chil- dren : — The limped ftream, that bubbled at his feet, murmured hoarfely in unifon with the language of dif- trefs, as if fenfible of "hisaccumulated forrow. I got off my horfe- — ^* I pray you inform m.e, my poor old man, have you, no one to conduct you to a roof, where plenty might gather joy, by wiping the tear of mifery from your furrov/ed cheek ?" — ^'No one," anfwered he, feebly raifuig his fnow- white head. He pronounced thefe lad words in a tone which made me think for a moment, that humanity had abandon- ed the world. — *^ What 1 not one, my old friend ;" — ** Alas ! Sir, my wife and children have- all deferted me ; I am poor, old, and blind, yet I muft forgive them ; but my daughter, O my daughter !" repeated he, with a deep figh that feemed to efcape from the inmoft receffes of bis heart. — *^ Are you fpeaking cf -- ^4' THE PLEASING LIBRARY. a- favorite child, my old man ?" " Ah i good SiV;' ilie is more than a child, fhe is mj friend I It was fhe •^^vhom of all my children, I negledled when the rays Oi piofperity gladdened my younger clays ; and novvv when I am fallen into the vale of years, and laden with horror, fhe is the only- one who will adminifter comfort to my miferies !"~^" When did ihe leave you ?"— «' Yeflerciay, Sir, for the firft time."—" You ' have not furely been unhappy from your youth 1 you could not have arrived at fo advanced an age, if the vifitations of forrovv had been contkiual".— The poor man fighed, and gave me his hi (lory in a few w^ords. — - *' I had labored forty years to amafs a few hundred dollars by the fweat of my brow, which I fuddenly loir, hj the perfon becoming a bankrupt in whofe hands 1- had entruiled my little capital ; the preffure of a mif- fortune fo ferious and -unexpected, wa-s- infinitely too powerful to be refilled by {o weak a philofopher as I ; even the force of Chriftianity failed to alleviate the fling of woe. For thefe ten years pad my bdng has been comfortlefs (faid the poor old man, pointing to the place where his eyes once v/ere) ; for thefe ten- years pad I have been praying for my diffolution : many miferable wretches., who were doomed to w^an- der through the darkfome caverns of affliction, havd hope at leaft to ilrengthen them upon their jour- ney ; but my expedations -of mortal blifs are over.''- ^ You .muft not lofe fight of hope, my good old man; it is poiTible you may yet be happy." ** Happy ! ah V dear Sir, circumftanced as I am, even to expedl fucht an event were prefumption." " You are not certain, my poor friend, but afliftance may be near you in the nioment of complaining.'' <« Affiftance ! I entreat THE PLEASING LIBRARY. .35 . yo'j, Sir, mock not my misfortunes ; can the power of kings give me a ray of light r'' — This.anfwer ftrudk me fo forcibly, that I immediately turned towards the fun, and could not help uttering a filent prayer of grat- itude to the Deity, that I was in poffelTion of fo invalu- able a gift. He remained filent for a moment, reft- ing his hands upon his ftafF, and bending his palfied head towards the earth, which feemicd, in the nftel^- choly ftate of my underftanding at that period, to call him to her bofom ; then iffuing. a woe-fraugkt figh, continued — ** Gh^ my daughter, my dear child ! but for her goodnefs I ihould long fmce have ceafed to exift ; when I determined to fupprefs my being, and die by the flow minillry of hunger — the poor child cries — embraces my nervelefs knees — calls me her fa- ther — her dear her honored father, in a tone of fup- plication fo perfuafive, and fo tender, that the iniluence of defperation yields to the entreaties of an angel ;^~ and yet — flie does not return ; Ah 1 Rofa, wilt thou leave me here to perifh without the confolation of a laft embrace — without the rapture of bellowing my final blefTmg on my child ?-rO, my Gcd ! doft tliQu then abandon me !" — The awful manner in. which he. uttered tbefe words chilled the very pulfes of my heart. I lifted my (Iream- ing eyes to heaven, and murmured involuntarily— :;•- God of nature ! is it.pofTible thou canft have aban- doned him ! The poor man thanked me, and I re- tired laden with anguifh. — I had wandered fome dif- tance from the. miferable man, when I perceived his daughter ; — I ran to announce the difcovery to her fa- ther ; — I would not have exchanged th^ commiffion to have been fovereign of the ■ world. — His greedy eitr 30 ITHE PLEASING LIBRARY^ drank the intelligence with rapture, and the good old inan was cheered once more with a moment of joy. ^is daughter arrived out of breath — flie had been far away, hegging charrty. for her unhappy father; I looked at the amiable Rofa with unutterable delight ; I thought her countenance was more than human ; ih^ uttered the fentiments ^of filial piety in fo graceful a manner^ tkat=^ pity, admiration, and refped:, at once ufurped the government of my tofom. I felt a delicious emotion in perceiving, with what - tindefcribabJe tendernefs the poor old 'man and his daughter embraced each bcher.— Oh ! Rouifeau !— ^ Oh ! YQrick ! if fuch a fcene was to pafs near yoEr tombs, would you not bmft from the cold monument of death,.to celebrate the virtues of the exemplary Rofa ! '^ Is it thee my deareft Rofa ;-— is it thee ?'' faid the aged father, flvetching out his withered hands, which feemed to feek the foadpbjeci of his regards with fyrn- pathetic agency >—'* where artthou' Rofa ? let me prefs thee to my panting hearty— you tarried fo long, that-I almofl began to think you had forfaken m.e." — Rofa in- ilantly killed the trembling forehead of her parent, and , w^et his filver locks with the tears of afFecfiion* '' I knew, my dear child,,.! well knew, that thou wouldll return ; come near m^t, that! may kifs thee ! once more.'' '' /i ..; v/iil iitvtr defert this old rnxun a- gain ; but conuaudy watch by his fide^ to foften the . pangs of aSlictlon.''— ^' Ah ! Sir," replied the lovely girl, •' do you not knoA'."— ^* What, Rola ?"— '^ that, he is my father 1" — What a fent,iinent»i — could vol- umes e:.prefs mere ! Ye parents, w]io boafl: cf ed- J ucating your children L^greeable to the piinciples oi C Chriiiianity, bid tbci^^xead this tale. ?PHE PLEASING LIBRARY. 37 FALSE EDUCATION. Jufl as the twig is bent, the trce*s inclin'd. A .T the age of twenty-five I fucceeded to an eftate of 15 col. a year by the death of a fa- ther, by whom I Avas tenderly beloved, and for whofe memory I ftlU retain the moft fmcere regard. Not long after I married a lady, to whom I had for fome time been warmly attached. As neither of us were fond of the buftle of the world, and as we found it every day become more irkfome, we took the resolu- tion of quitting it altogether; and foon after retired to a family-feat, which has been the favorite refi- dence of my anceftors for many fuceeffive generations. There I paffed my days in as peifed happinels as any reafonable man can expecfl to find In this world. My afFedion and efteem for rny wife increafed daily ; and as flie brought me three fine children, two boys and a girl, their prattle afforded a new fund of amuie- ment. There were, likewlfc, in our neighbourhood feveral families that might have adorned any fociety, -with whom we lived on an eafy, friendly footing, free from the reftralnts of ceremony, which, In the great world, may, perhaps, be neceflary, but, in private life, are the bane of all fecial iiitercourfe. D f.S THE PLEASING LIBRARY. There is no ftate, however, entirely free from care and uneafmefs. My folicitude about my children in- creafed with their years. My boys, in particular, gav.e me a thoufand anxious thoughts. Many plans of ed- ucation were propofed for tliem, of which the advan- tages and difadvantages were fo equally balanced, as to render the choice of any one a matter of no fmall perplexity. Meantime the boys grew up ; and the eldeft, who %vas a year older than his brother, had entered his tenth year, when an uncle of my wife, who, by his fervices in parliament, and ,an affiduous attendance at court, had obtained a very confiderable office under govern- ment, honored us with a vifit. He feemed much pleafed with the looks, the fpirit, and promifmg ap^ pearance of my fons ; he paid me many compliments .on the occafion, and I liftened to him with all the pleafure a fond parent feels in hearing the praifes qf liis children. After he had been feme days with us, he afked me in what manner I propofed to educate the boys, and what my vie ws were . as to their eflablifiiment in the •world ? I told him all my doubts and perplexities. He enlarged on the abfurdity of the old fafhioned fyf- tern of education, as he termed it, and talked much of the folly offending a boy to Eton or Weftmlnfter, to wade the mod precious years of his life in acquiring languages of little or no real ufe in the %vorld ; and l)egged leave tO' fugged a .plan, w^hich, he faid, had THE PLEASING LIBRARr. 3^^ b^eri attended with the greateft fuccefs m a variety of inftances that had fallea wiihiu his own particular knowledge. Kis fcheme was to fend my fons for two or three years to a private fchool in the neighbourhood of Lon- don> where they might get rid of their provincial dia- ivjfl, which J he obier/ed, would be alone fuiiicient to" difappoint ail hopes of their future advancement. He propofcd to fend them afterwards to an acade- my at Paris, to acquire the French language, with every other accomplilhment neceffary to fit them for the v/orld. " When your eldeft fon," added he, ** is thus qualified, k will be eafy for me to get him ap- pointed fecretary to an embaffy ; and if he fliall- then^ poflefs thofe abilities of w4iich he has now every ap- pearance, I make no doubt I fhail be able to procure him a feat in parliament ; and there wall be no office ia the ftate to which he may not afpire. As to your fec- ond fon, give him the fame education you' give his brother ; and, when he is of a proper age, get him a commiffion in the army, and puih him on in that line as faft as poffible.'* Though T faw fome objeffions to this fcheme, yet, I mufl confefs, the flattering profpe6l of ambition it opened, had a confiderable eifed upon my mind ; and, as my wife, who had been taught to receive the opin- ions of her kinfman with the utmoil deference,- warm- ly feconded his propofal, I at lengthy though net with- '»^ THE PLEASING- LIBRARY. out rdudance, gave my affeut to It. When theday ot departure came, I acco-mpanled my hoys part of the way ; and, at taking leave of them^ mt a pang i tlien endeavored^ to conceal, and,' which I need not now attempt to defcribe. ^ I had the fatisfaaion to receive, from. tim.e to time, the mod pleafmg accounts of their progrefs ; and af:. terthey went to Paris, I was ftill more and more flat- tered with what I heard of their improvement. At length the wifhed^for period of their return ap^ proached : I heard of their arrival in Britain, and that, by a certain day, we might exped: to fee them at- home. We were all impatience ; My daughter, in- particular, did nothing but count the hours and min- utes, and hardly flmt her eyes the night preceding the day on which her brothers were expe<5>ed : Her moth- er and I, though we flxewed it lefs, felt, I believe, equal: anxiety. When the day came, my girl, who had been conftant- ly on the look-out, ran to tell me fhe faw a poft-chaife driving to the gate. We hurried down to receive the^ boys. But, judge, of my aftonifliment, when I faw two pale emaciated figures get out of the carriage, in their drefs and looks refembling monkles rather than iraman creatures. What was ftill worfe, their man^ ners were more difpleafing than their appearance. When my daughter, ran up, with tears of joy in her eyes, to embrace her brother, he held her from him^ THE PLEASING LIBRARY, 4« and burft into an immoderate fit of laughter at fome- thing in her drefs that appeared to him ridiculous. He was joined in the laugh by his younger brother, who was plealed, however, to fay, that the girl was not ill-looking, and, when taught to put orfher clothes, and to ufe a little roiige^ would be tolerable. Mortified as I was at this impertinence, the partial- ity of a parent led me to impute it, in a great meaf- ure, to the levity of youth ; and I ftill flattered mylelf that matters were not fo bad as they appeared to be. In thefe hopes I fat down to dinner. But there the behaviour of the young gentlemen did not, by any means, tend to leifen my chagrin : There was nothing at table they could eat ; they ran out in praife of French ^ cookery, and feemed even to be adepts in the fclence : They knew the com^ponent ingredients of the molt falh- ionable ragoos and fncandeaus^ and were acquainted with the names and characters of the moil celebrated praditioners of the art in Paris, To flop this inundation of abfurdity, and at the iame time, to try the boys further, I introduced fome top- ics of converfation, on which they ought to have been able to fay fomething- But, on thefe fubjefe, they were perfectly mute ; and I could plainly fee their ii- lence did not proceed from the modefty and diffidence natural to youth, but from the moft perfed and pro- found ignorance. They foon, however, took their re- venge for the reftraint thus impofed on them. In their turn they began to talk of things, which, to' the red of the company, were altogether unintelligible. After D 2 4* THE PLEASING LIBRART. fome converfation, the drift of which we could not dit C0ver, they got into a keen debate on the comparative merit of the Dos de puce^ and the Puce en Couches ; and, in the courfe of their argument, ufed words and phrafes which to us were equally incomprehenfihle as the fub- jecl on which they were employed. Not long after my poor girl was covered #ith confufion, on her brother's aiking her, If fhe did not think th^ Cmjfe de la Reine the prettied thing in the world > But, Sir, I fliould be happy, were I able to fay, that Ignorance and folly, bad as they are, were all I had to complain of. I am forry to add, that my young men feem to have made an equal progrefs in vice. It was but the other day I happened to obferve to the eldeft> that it made me uneafy to fee his brother look fo very ill ; to which he replied, with an air of the moft eafy indifference, that poor Charles had been a little unfor- tunate in an affair with an Opera-girl at Paris ; but, for my part, added he, I never ran thofe hazards, as I al- w-ays confined my amours to women of falhion. In ihort, Sir, thefe unfortunate youths have returned ignorant of every thing they ought to know ; their minds corrupted, and their bodies debilitated, by a courfe of premature debauchery. I can eafily fee that I do not poffefs either their confidence or affed:ion, and they even feem to defpife^me for the want of thofe friv- olous accompliiliments on which they value themfelves fo highly. In this fituation, what is to be done ? Their vanity and conceit make them incapable of lif- tening to reafon or advice ; and to ufe the authority THE l^LEASING LIBRARY. 4J of a parent, "would probably be as inefFedltfal for their improvement, as to me it would be unpleafant. I have thus, Sir, laid my cafe before you, in hopes of being favored with your fentiments upon it. Pof- fibly it may be of fome benefit to the public, by ferving as a beacon to others in fimllar circumftances. As to myfelf, I hardly expe6l you will be able to point out a remedy for that affliction which preys upon the mind, and, in all likelihood, will fiiorten the days, of Your unfortunate humble fervant, The bankrupt TRADESMAN. Beware of Extravagance. x\. YOUNG man of good chara(fler, fets up in bufmefs with a moderate capital, and a good deal of credit ; and foon after marries a young wo- man, with whom he gets a little ready money, and good expedations on the death of a father, mother, uncle, or aunt. In two or three years he finds that his bufmefs increafes ; but his own health, or his wife's, or his child's, makes it neceffary for him to take lodgings in the country. Lodgings are foon found to be inconvenient, and for ^ very fmall additional ex- 44 THE PLEASING LIBRARY. penfe he might have a fnug little box of his own. A fnug little box is taken, repaired, new-modelled, and furniflied. Here he always fpends his Sundays, and common- ly carries a friend or two with him juft to eat a bit of mutton, and to fee how comfortably he is fituated in the country. Vifitors of this fort are not wanting. One is invited becaufe he is a cuftomer, another be- caufe he may affift hirn in his bufmefs, a third becaufe he is a relation of his own or of his wife^s, a fourth becaufe he is an old acquaintance, and a fifth becaufe he is very entertaining ; befides many who look in ac- cidentally, and are prevailed on to (lay to dinner, al- though they have an engagement fome where elfe. He now keeps his horfes for the fake of exercife ; but as this is a folitary kind of pleafure which his wife cannot fhare, and as the expenfe of a whiikey can be but trifling where a horfe is already kept, a whiikey is purchafed, in which he takes out his wife and his child as often as his time will permit. After all driving a whiikey is but indiiferent amufement to fober people ; his wife too is- timorous, and ever fmce Hie heard of Mrs. Threadneedle's accident, by the ilumbling of her horfe, will not fet her foot in one ; Befides the ex- penfe of a horfe and whiikey, with what is occafion- ally fpent in coach-hire, falls fo little fhort of what his friend Mr. Harnefs aiks for a job^oach, that it would be ridiculous not to accept of an offer that nev- er may be made him agaia.' THE PLEASING LIBRARY. 4S The job-coacb is agreed for, and the boy in a plain coat with a red cape to it, that ufed to clean the knives, wait at table, and look after the horfe, becomes a fmart footman with a handfome livery. Thefnug little box is now too fmall for fo large a family. There is a charming houfe, with a garden, and two or three acres of land, rather farther from London, but delightfully fituated, the unexpired leafe of which might be had a great bargain. The premlfes, to be fure, are fome- what more extenfive than he Ihould want, but the houfe is new, and, for a moderate expenfe, might be put into moll excellent repair. Hither he removes ; hires a gardener, being fond of botany, and fupplies his own table with every thing in feafon, for little more than double the money the fame articles would coft if he went to market for them. Ev- ery thing about him now feems comfortable ; but his friend Hamefs does not treat him fo well as he expedl-i- ed. His horfes are often ill matched, and the coach- man fometimes even peremptorily refufes to drive them a few miles extraordinary, for why, " he's anfwerable to his Mailer for the poor beads." His expenfes, it is true, are as much as he can afford ; but having, eoach- houfe and ftables of his own, with two or three acres of excellent grafs, he might certainly keep his own coach and horfes for lefs rnoney than he pays to Hamefs. A rich relation of his wife's too is dyingi and has often promifed to leave her fomething hand- fome. 4(^' Tl^E PLEASING LIBRARY. The job-coach is difcharged, he keeps his ovm car- riage, and his wife is now able to pay and receive ma- ny more vifits than fhe could before. Yet he finds by experience, that an airing in a carriage is hut a bad- fubftitute for a ride on horfeback, in the way of exer- cife I he mud have a faddle horfe ^- and fubfcribes to a neighbouring hunt for his own fake, and to the- near- eft aifemblies for the fake of his wife. Durino- aJI this progrefs, his bufmefs has not been^ negled^ed ; but his capital, originally fmall, has never been augmented. His wife's rich relations die one af- ter another, and remember her only by trifling lega- cies i his expenfes are evidently greater than his iii* come ; and in a very few years, with the beft inten- tions in the world,, and wanting no good quality but: forefight to avoid, or refolution to retrench expenfes which his bufmefs cannot fupport ; his country-houfe and equipage, affifted by the many good friends who almoft conftantly dine with him,, drive him fairly in- to the Gazette*. The country-houfe k let, the equipage is fold, his^ friends Ihrug up their Ihoulders, inquire for how much he has failed, wonder it was not for more, fay he was- a good creature and an honeft creature ; but they ^Jways thought it would come to ^his, pity him from their very fouls, hope his creditors will be favorable tQ. him, and go to find dinners elfe where. 7liZ- PLEASING LIBRARY. aJ TJIE HAPPY MAN IN all the diiFerent fchemes mankind purftie,. The end's the fame : 'tis happhiefs in view : -For this, the mariner, while breaking waves Threat inilant death, the dangerous paffage braves j For this th' aftrologer, whole fleeplefs, nights Fix'd to the tube, explores the ftarry lights ; For this, the mifer hoards his lliining pelf. And to be r/c/'/y happy ftarves himfelf ; For this, fome tread the (lip'ry paths of ftate, And fancy blifs annexed to being great ; Others to different pleafures give the reins, While difappointment crowns th^ir fruitlefs pains. All are deceived who here expedl to find Aught that can fatisfy the human mind. Search thro' the world you'll find their's nothing can Afford the proper happinefs of man, That Power alone who gave all beings birth : Who form'd the heavens, and upholds the earth, Whofe word firll made, whofe mercy flill fuftains Thofe worlds unknown, o'er which his juftice reins> Whofe fmiles create eternal joy and peace, Is the true centre of unfading blifs. That man alone obtains the end defir'd, Whofe bofom with immortal love is fir'd j ^3 THE PLEASING LIBRARY. Who follows happinefs in virtue's road, And fteadily obeys the will of god ; Who will by no temptation be betrayed .; Nor can by fear of puniflament be fway'd, ' Whofe fixt defign is ftedfailly purfu'd. To feek his maker as his chiefeft good : Who by God's holy word his way directs, Watches each word, and every thought infpe<5ls ; .Gives up his own to his- Creator's mind, To a(6l, or faffer, is alike refign'd — This man (of Heaven's protetflion ever fure) While thoufands fall around, fh all ftand fecure ; While thofe who placM their happinefs below, Shall wake from dreams of blifs to endlefs woe. He fhall thro' life be happy, and when death. In ghaftly form, demandshis fleeting breath, Th' expe6^ed fummonshe will gladly hear. While confcious .virtue diffipates his fear ; Safely he'll venture thro' the darkfome way. The deftin'd paffage to eternal day,; And crown'd with glory which fhall never fade ; -Enjoy in heaven that God he here obey'd*. * Hence learn the real cj^riflian is the only. happy jviaii aPHE ptHAsiNG Library. 45 HOME ! -^- Who vrouJd abroad in queft of pleafurc roam, That tafte the tranfports of a happy^home ! H. ^OW many fenfibillties mid tender emo- donsare excited ! howTnanypoignantrefledionsmay be conveyed, by a fmgle word ! One word may call up a thoufand ideas to delight or agonize ; and the ^.loft expreflii^ and energetic that language affords, either to footh or torment, is the fy liable — home. He who is ble/l in Iiis dorneftic relations, amidft the abftradions of bufinefs, and the infults or the in- gratitude of a felfifh world, confoles himfelf with the reflexion, that he will meet with arecompence for all tiis toils and difappolntments — at home. He who h engaged in diftant occupations, in the pur- luit of gain, or in the invefllgaticn of fclence, pleafes himfelf with the hope that he will find feme dear de- ferving connexions to participate Lis good fortune, or to v:hom he mny impart his knowledge— at home. While the cup of iirnocent picr.fure Invites tlie tafte ; while the charms of fociety enliven the hour, the mo- ments of reflection are mod delightfully filled up in every feeling heart, by the ftlll greater eiidcarments which await it — at hom.e^ E 50 THE PLEASING I.IBRART. When the ftorms of life or of the elements overtake us as we are journeying on, though the firft may pen- etrate to the heart, and the latter chill the vital frame, they cannot wholly overcome him who is able to re- ficcl, that he has fom.e to feel for him, or to take care of him — at hQme, All the .various purfuits in which all mankind, who have any rational aim, are engaged, tend to a fmgle point ; and that point is to be happy and beloved — ■ .at home. How wretched then mufthebe, who, under the prefTure of calamity, the tyranny of wrong, and the attacks of difeafe, has no kind confole|g—at home \ How can he ftrup^gle with fortune, and not defpondl^ •who knows that all his toil, all his care, and all his fo- iicitude, find no grateful recompence — at hom.e ? Wretched is that man, though he may be the ob- je(51 cf tnvy or applaufe ; though the public may hail liis nions wifhed to be the purchafer, that he might have an opportunity of deftroying t'he hnpioiis and heretical writings that oppofed the holy See. The poor manufcripts had no quarter — they w^ere imme- diately committed to the flames ; and Enghih being- little fhort of herefv, in my new mafter's opinion, I believe I was faved rather out of regard to my bind- ing than my contents. Tho??ias Aqiitnas^ however, was treated witli great diftindlion ; and for the fii;fl time I found, that the works of man were more val- ued than thofe of his Maker. I had fome hopes that I might have been able to infufe a fpark of Chrillian 64 THE PLEASING LIBRARY. charity into the Jcfult's heart 5 but the authority of. the church, in his fight, was more imperative than that on which it is pretended to be founded. I was at' bePr negleded, till a young fellow who occafionaliy uf- ed to difpute with my owner againft .Religion in gen- eral, taking a fancy to my exterior, and under (landing no language lave that in which I was printed, receiv- ed me as a prefent — probably in the hopes that I might have a chance of converting him to Chridianity — and then the Jefult might with more facility give him ZvV- ^^rn preilion of it. Alas ! in the hands of this, new and reprobate maf- t :r, I experienced not only neglect but infult. I was :.v/er opened, but to be turned into ridicule among his free-thinking companions; but as free-thinking generally leads to free-adion — drunkennefs, and every fpecies of debauchery, fooa fet me free from the ty- ranny of this impious poffeffor — He early fell a 'mar- tyr to his irregularities; and In his lad moments feem- cd to wlfii to fliew m:! fomt marks of his contrition ; but found timi too fh 3rt to be fatisSed, of my celeftial comforts. His mother was a worthy old woman ; and as I had belonged to a fiivorite, though an ungracious fon, ilie was vaiUy fond of me, as a relid : but I mufl do her the juftice to fay, that ihe lived according to my lilies ; and left the world in peace ; firmly relying on the profpefls which I held out in another ft ate. From this old lady, I pafTed into the hands of h^j;: THE PLEASING LIBRARY. 63 waiting-maid, with a ftrldl injundlion to attend to me, and to be a good girl. For fome weeks I was not a little carefTed : wherever love or marriage was men- tioned, I was fure to be read ; and I was indeed con- fulted as an oracle in all that relates to what this world calls pleafures. It was foon found, however, that I gave no fandion to the irregular Tallies of the heart, to a perverfe dilpofition, or a deceitful conduci: ; and there- fore I foon ceafed to pleafe. The laft and lowed vice that can degrade woman— a propenfity to 'tippling, in a fliort fpace made it convenient for Al)igail to pawn me. I was wrapped up in a petticoat ; and, together, we were received as pledges for a guinea. A com^ mentator on the fcriptures, many months after, paffing the fliop where I lay unredeemed; turned his attention towards me ; I appeared of a fize fit for his purpdfe,. and was bought a great bargain. None of thofe who had hitherto ufed me had thotight of foiling me; but I was now filled with marginal notes and explanatlon-s. My light was fre- quently turned into darknefs ; and thofe -expreifioiis which themoft ignorant might have underllood, were loft in a cloud of erudition, and tortured into rnearv- ings which even the wlfeft could not have compre- hended. • How ridicLilous is the pride of human learn- ing when applied to biblical Illuilration ! Can it be fuppofed that my divine Author v/ould have left any doubt or difficulty in his ov/n injuncftlons ; or given a chance to none but the learned to underftaud what li^ has commanded all to nradlfe ? F z 66 THE PLEASING LIBRARY. During fome years it was the chief purfuit of this teamed gentleman to ftudy me, and confound my meaning ; or what was worfe, to wrell it to his own pre-concelved opinions. He was, however, confcien- tlous in what he did : he was Winded by his own im- aginary fagacity— and as a monument of his labors, bequeathed me, at his death, to the college library to which he had formerly belonged. I was admitted here with great formality — was de- pofited in a fine latticed cafe, among many of my brethren ; and for fome time was occafionally con- fulted : but novelty wearing off, and my commenta- tor's hand, by the lapfe of years, and the different form of writing, becoming too cramp to be eafily made out —-for the laft hundred years I have feldom been open- ed. The dud, indeed, is annually bruflied off; at the Vifitation of the library, I am. fometimes reported as lull of old-fa(hioned commcats ; but few have the cu- riofity to, examine them. From this afylum I have neither wifh or hope of be- ing liberated : I truft I have already done my duty, iind have made fome perfons better and wifer in af- fairs of everlafling importance- — and if my hiftory fliould fail to amufe or inflrudl, I fliall feel neither inoniiication or anger. The prejudices of men it was never rny intention to gratify, nor to flatter their paffions ; but happy are they, who entering into my benevolent viewS; lay hoW en my eternal rewards. THE PLEASING LIBRARY. 6t OMNISCIENCE and OMNTIPRESENCE of the DEITY, THE SOURCE of CONSOLATION TO GOOD MEN. I ~^- WAS yefterday, about fun-fet, walking in the open fidds, till the night infenfibly fell upoa me. I at firlt amufed myfelf with all the rlchnefs and variety of colors, which appeared in the weftern parts of heaven. In proportion as they faded away and went out, feveral ftars and planets appeared one after another, till th'C whole firmament was in a glow. The bluenefs of the ether was exceedingly heightened and enlivened, by the feafon of the year, and the rays of all thofe luminaries that paffed through it. The galaxy appeared in its mod beautiful white. To com- plete the fcene, the full-moon rofe, at length, in that clouded majefty, which Milton takes notice of ; and opened to the eye a new pi\rith thofe innumerable fets of plan- ets or worlds, whj^h were moving round their refpec- tive funs ; when I ftill enlarged the idea^ and fuppo- fed another heaven of funs and worlds, rifing ftill a^ feove this which we difcovered ; and thefe ftill enlight- ened by a fuperior firmament of luminaries, which are planted at fo great a diftance, that they may appear to the inhabitants of the former, as the ftars do to us ; in ftiort, while I purfued this thought, T could not but refled on that little infignificant figure, which I my- felf bore amidft the immenfity of God's works. Were the fun, which enlightens this part of the creation, with all the hoft of planetary worlds that move about him, utterly extinguifhed and annihilated, they would not be miffed, more than a grain of fand upon the fea-fhore. The fpace they poffefs is fo ex- ceedingly little in comparifon of the whole, it would fcarcely make a blank in the creation. The chafm would be imperceptible to an eye, that could take in the whole compafs of nature, and pafs from one end of the creation to the other ; as it is poffible there may be fuch a fenfe in ourfelves hereafter, or in creatures which are at prefent more exalted than ourfelves^ By the help of glaffes, we fee many ftars, which we do not difcover with our naked eyes ; and the finer our telefcopes are, the more ftill are our difcoveries. — Huygenlus carries this thpught fofar, that he does not THE I^LEASING LIBRARY. ^9^ think it Impofflble there may be ftars, whofe light has not yet travelled down to us, fmce their fir ft creation.. There is no queftion that the univerfe has certain- bounds fet to it ; but when we confider that it is the. work of infinite Power, prompted by infinite Goodnefs^ with an infinite fpace to exert itfelf in, how can our imagination fet any bounds to it ? To return, therefore, to my firft thought, I could not but look upon myfelf with fecret horror, as a being that was not worth the fmalleft regard of one who had fo great a work under his care and fuperintendency, I was afraid of being overlooked amidft the immen- fity of nature ; and loft among that infinite variety of creatures, which, in ail probability, fwarm through aH thefe immeafuraWe regions of. matter. In order to recover myfelf from this mortifying thought, I confidered that it took its rife from thofe narrow conceptions, which we are apt to entertain of the Divine nature. We ourfelves cannot attend to many different obje<5ls at the fame time. If we are careful to infped fome things, we muft of courfe neg,- led others. This imperfedion which we obferve in ourfelves, is an imperfedion that cleaves, in fome de- gree, to creatures of the higheft capacities, as tliey are creatutes, that is, beings of finite and limited natures. The prefence of every created being is confined to a certain meafure of fpace ; and confequently his obfer- vation is ftinted to a certain number of obje6ls. The fphere in which we move, and a(ft, and underftand, i^. of a wider circumference to one creature, than auoth? - 7<> THE^ PIs]|A5IN0 WBR;AP<¥. er, according as we rife one above another in the ftair of exiftance. But the wldeft of thefe our fpheres has its circumference. When, therefore, we refled: on the Divine nature, we are fo ufed and accuftomed to this mip^rfedlion in ourfelves, that we cannot forbear, in forne meafurej afcribing it to him, in whomthere is no fliadow of imperfection. Our reafon indeed allures us, that his attributes are infinite ; but the poornefs o£ our conceptions is fuchj that it cannot forbear fetting bounds to every thing it contemplates, till our reafon- eomes again to our fuccor, and throws down all thofe little prejudices, which rife in us unawares, and are natural to the mind of ffiam We Aall therefore utterly esctingmfli thi.s melancholy thought? of our being overlooked by our Maker, in the multiplicity of his works, and the infinity of tlwk objefts among which fee feems to be inceffantly em- ployed, if we confider in the firft place, that he is om^ niprefeut ; and in the ftcond, that he is omnifcient. If we cor/ider him m his omniprefence, his being pafles through, at^uatq^s^ andfupports, the whole frame of nature. His creation, and every part of it, is full of him. There is nothing he has made, t^iat is either fo diilant, fo little or fo inconfiderahle, which he does, not efTentlally inhabit. His fubftance is within the fubftance of every being, whether material or imma- terial, and as intimately prefent to it, as that being is to Itfelf. It would be an imperfecllon in him, were he able to move out of one place into another ; or to withdraw himfclf from any thipg he has. created, ot THE TfLEASl'NO LIBRAUY. ^I from any part of that fpace which he diffufed and fpread ' abroad to infinity. In fhort, to fpeak of hirn in the language of the old philofophers, he is a being whofe >x:entre is every where, and his circumference no where. In the feccnd place, he is omnifcient aswell as cm- nlprefent. His omnifcience indeed neceFarily and naturally flows from his omniprefence. He cannot but be confcious ofevtry motion that arifes in the whole material -world, which he thus eiTentially per- vades ; and of every thought that is ftirring in the in- ,telledual world, to every part of which he is thus inti- mately united. Were the foul feparat^e from the body, ^nd with one glance of thought Ihould ftart beyond the bounds of the creation; Ihould it, for millions of years, continue its progrefs through infinite fpace, with the fame a6livity, it would ftill find itfelf within the em- :brace of its Creator, and encompaifed by the imraen- iity of the Godhead. In this confideration of the Almighty's omnipre- fence and omnifcience, every uncomfortable thought vanifhes. He. cannot but regard every thing that has being, efpecially fucli of his creatures who fear they are not regarded by him. He is privy to all their thoughts, and to that anxiety of heart in particular, which is apt to trouble them on this OQcafion ; for, as it is impofTible he fhould overlook any of his creatures, fo we may be confident that he regards, with an eye of mercy, thofe who endeavor to recommend them- felves to his notice ; and, in unfeigned humility of heart, think themfelves unworthy tliat he ihould l>e mindful of thpii^. a THE PLEASmO LIBRARY. *The CREATOR'S WORKS attest his GREATNESS. Jl HE fpacious firmament on high, With all the blue etherial iky, And fpangled heav'ns, a fhining frame. Their great Original proclaim ; Th' unwearied fun, from day to day, Does his Creator's powV difplay, And publiihes to ev'ry land, The work of an Almighty hand. Soon as the ev'nir.g fhades prevail, The moon takes up the wond'rous tale. And, nightly, to the lill'ning earlh. Repeats the ftory of her birth : -Whilft all tlie ftars that round her burn. And all the planets in their turn, Confirm the tidings-as they roll, Andfpread»the truth from pole to pole. What though, in folemn fiience, ail Move round the dark terreftriai ball ! 'What tlio' no real voice nor found, Amid the radiant orbs be founds In Reafon's ear ibcy all rejoice, And utter forth a s^i^lonous voice, For ever finging as they fhinc, *■■ The hand that made us h: divine.*^' THE PLEASING LIBRARY, On aerial CASTLE-BUILDING. 'lie dreams of riches, grandeur, and a crown ; ^He wakes, and finds himfelf a fimple clown. A] -^- XNASCHAR was a very idle fellow, that never would fet his hand to any bufinefs ' during ^hls father's life. When his father died^ he left him to the value of an hundred drachmas in Perjian monQj^ Alnafcbar^ in order to make the heft of it, laid it out in glafTes, bottles, and the fineft earthen Ware. Thefe he piled up in a laiige open bafket, and having made -choice of a very littk ihop, placed - die bafket at his feet, and leaned his back againft the wall, in ex'pcda- tion of cuftomers. As he fat in this pofture, with his eyes upon the bafket, he fell mto a inoft iimufmg train of thought, and was overheard by one of his neigh- bours, as he talked to himfelf, in the following man- ner : <'This bafket, fliys he, coft me at the wholefale merchant's an hundred drachmas, which is' all I have in the world. I ihall quickly make two hundred of it, by felling it in retail. Thefe tv/o hundred drachmas will in a very little time rife to four hundred, which of courfe will amount in time to four thoufand. Four thoufand drachmas cannot fail of making eight thou- fand. As ^ccw as by this means I am mafter of ten thou- •ian4, 1 w\\\ lay afide my trade as a glafrnian, and turn t4 THE PLEASING LIBRARY. jeweller. I fiiall then deal in diamonds, pearls, atiS all forts of rich ftones. When I have got together as much wealth as I can defire, I will make a purchafe of the iineft houfe I can find, w^th lands, flaves, eu- nuchs andhorfes. Iftali then begin to enjoy myfelf, and make a noife in the world. I will not, however, .flop there, but continue my traffic tilf I have got to- gether^ an hundred thoufand drachmas. When I have thus made rayfelf matter of an hundred thoufand drachmas, I fhall naturally f€t'myf(rff'en the foot of a prince, and will demand the Grant! Vizier's daugfiter in marriage, after hanngfeprefented to that minifter the information wliieh I::kLave received of the beauty, wit, difcretion, and other high qualities which his daughter poffefles. I will let; him know, at the fame time, that it is my intention to make him a.prefcnt of a thoufand pieces of gold on cmv marriage night. As ibon as I have married the Grand Vizi^r'^s daughter, I ^vill buy her ten black .^upucjis, the youngeft and beft that can be got for money. I muft afterwards make my father-in-law a vifit ^ith a great train and equip- age. An^ when I am placed at his right, hand, w^hich he will do in courfe, if it be only to honor his daugh- ter, I will give him the thoufand pieces of gold which Ipromifcdhim ; and afterwards to his great furprife, Twill prefent him with another purfe of the fame value, with feme fhort fpeech ; as. Sir, you fee I arn a man of my my fyivox',v Thea will I, to imprmt ia her a tlaOTOugh vci;.trii'- tion for my pcrfon, draw t^ mj leg, and fpurn her from me with my foot in fuch a manner, that fhe flaall fall di^wB fcvieral pace^ from the fofa/' Alnafchar was entirely; iwallowed uJ) in this chimer- ical viiion, and could not forbear acting with his foot -wliat he had in his thoughts : fo that imluckily ilrik- mg his bafkct of brittle ware, which ^wras the founda- tion of all his grai^deur, h£ Mclced his glaffes to a great diAmcc from him- into the ftreet, and broke them into ten thoufand pieces. This is a humorous ridicule upon the foolifh- vanity of building caftles in the air, and idly wafting that time in empty flattering fchemes, which might have beejj ll&fully employed in attending our proper buiinefs. $^ THI. PLEASINGLIBR^RY. The absent MAN. Mr. THOUGHTFUJL, having devoted^ his early days to ftndy, became literally fo wrapt Up with his ideas as to be frequently infeniible of what was faid- or doing. His anfwers have been often inco- herent and ftrange ; his actions equally wonderful and unaccountable. His father foon repented of having left him. fo long at college; or fuffered him, when young, to apply his tnind incefTantly to learning : for^ that " A, little knowledge is a dapgcrouft thing," is the affertioa of a much-admired poet, who confe- quently exhorts all votaries to learning, «« To drink deep^ or tafte not th« Pierian §>ring.*' But hereis a fad proof that a man mzy drink Joo deep, or indeed y^ deep as to intoxicate his brain, and become as ftupid and difagreeable as one that is total- ly ignorant. The father was now deter.m^ned to provide a wife for his fon — in hopes that a woman might rouze him from, his lethargy — ^mjght awaken him from this pro- found ftupor; and.by amufmg his perplexing thoughts, give him fome life and animation. The father, according to. his defign , having fixed bis eye upon a young lady in the neighbourhood, watched an opportunity of hinting the matter to his fon. THE FLEASING LIBRARY. 77 Toung Thoughtful, who had been now fent by the houfekeeper to defire to know how his father wiflied the goofe to be dreft — appeared in a very mufmg pof- ture : " I am come,'' fays the fon," to a/k you- here he paufed, and began to think on what he had come about. " I find," cried his father, " that I muft provide fomebody to fharpen your memory^ — what think yoTi> of a wife, Charles? perhaps fhe may quicken your rccoUedion.'' " A wife ! A w^oman !''■ "Aye, a fine young girl.'' " Otway, I think, was divided in his opinion ; — in one of his plays he fays "We would be brutes without her ;" — in another, he calls her " the fountain oPall human frailty ;"— for my part I muft agree with Solon" "Plague on Solon, he is not 7?iy fen; I want to know if a wife is agreeable — nov/ tell me immediately — what do you fay? a. wife is a good difn, boy, for your nice appetites^— you are not afi'itkd cf matrimony; hey ! — fure it would be impofiible for any woman to make a goofe of fuch a fober, wife, young man." ' "A goofe 1 "thefon recollecled the dinner, and begged to know how he wiihed it to be dreft. This being foreign to the fubjecl, provoked the fa- ther, and be anfwered him both peevilhly and harflv-.- ly — "with fage and onions,'' Ke then refumed hls^ 73. ^ THE PLEASING LIBRARY. fubjea, and with fome difficulty procured his- acqmefr:/ cen e. The old man was highly delighted with hav- ing io far fucceeded, and gave him a twenty pound bill to buy cloaths for the occafion — recommending a iuit of white and filver, it being, in his opiiiion^ the fit- teil to celebrate a w^edding, and the moft becoHiing for: SI bridegroom. ^^ But," exclaimed the father,. ^* how would yoU; wiih to be dreffed ?" The fon ft arted— -looked foolifJir— coughed — mi cried." eh!" "How would you wifh to b^ dreffed ?" A long paufe now. At laft, the fon echoing " dr^f-: fed/' a^d the father anfwered «' yes," he replied, " oh,,,^, father as you do~as you do, {nthQV'-'wit^fage a^id pniom.'' The old gentleman was exafperated at this replyi and was obliged to repeat all he had faid before, for th^ better comprehenfion of his fon. At laft, having, as he thought, recovered his recoUedtion, he now left him , in a greater labyrinth than even.^ When alone, the vrife entered" into Ws head, and, fe ': me d to afford hirr\ fome temporary pleafure. He intended to go and fee her. The houfekeeper met him,;; and begged to know hov/ the goofe was to be dreffed. "Dreffed, oh, in white and filver ; that's my fa^ ther's.wifh." He now went out, but forgetting his hat, wasoblig- ei to return ; then anxious to fee a friend of his, whp , was a ftud^nt at Cambridge; he wrote a. few lines— »^ THE PLEASING LIBRART/ ^ folded ap the letter to put in the Poft-Offiee, but for* got to feal it — Then thinking of his miftrefs, he dire THE PLiASWG LIBRARY. - , We are not at liberty to proceed m the mlftakes of this abfent man. Suffice it to fay, that his wife in due time recalled his recolledion, and young Thoughtful feecaipe more Confiftent. Singular MEMOIRS of PAT. O'CONNOR. JL AT. G^Connor, who never boafted of his faniily, as they had been ^11 buried in obfcurityj^ having experienced the many heart-aches of being out of employ, and fometimes the many beilyfulls of being in a good fervice, after this round of ups and downs,* at lad engaged himfelf with a^ Engliih gentleman at Cork, who was now about leaving Ireland. The thoughts of quitting the dear land of faints, operated very much upon the heart of our hero, and forrpw be- Qoming dry, he applied himfelf frequently to a good glafs of whifkey, which, ihortly removed his grief. The day for departure came — ^^Pat. took leave of his friends and country ; while his conje&ires on his nev/ mafter engaged his prefent thoughts. He foon became acquainted v/ith London, as well as thq. intrigues and roguery of his employer, who having been the fon of a late refpedtable citizen, tho't he could never fpend a fmall fum that had. been left him too foon or extravagantly. A young lady near Windfor htfWng attracted his UPtkiP, he was refolved, In his general phi^afe, to hav^ THE PLEASING UJBRARr. S.c 'hsr^ notwithftanding fhe had already teftificd her difap- probatlon of his addrefles, as well as her diflike to his perfon : rhis, however, inftead of difcouraging, pro- voked ourvolatile.youth, to meditate adefign of ruin- ing her ; for, though his partiality for ladies was great, yet marriage feldojn entered his head. Her unele, with whom fhe lived, being a ftrange chara<5leT, that received the. company of every one who boafted of his parentage and lineage, he deemed it an eafy tafk to ingratiate himfelf in his favor; to accom- piiili this, however, he dared not acknowledge himfelf" the fon of a citizen, as that would totally mar his de- figns, and defeat his purpofe with the old geatleman— He was therefore refolved to drefs up Pat. O'Connor in grea| ftyle, and introduce him aa an Irifii baronet, being his fuppofed uncle, whom he intended to inftrudt, and enable to puff off his unknown family. The pro- jedt delighted poor Pat. who was highly pleafed with the thoughts of becoming a gentleman. He promifed to expatiate upon the excellence of his birth, and in- form this uncle of the large eftate which hq would give him. The day was accordingly fixed — An ap- pointment made with Mr. Primftiff, and Pat. was ih- troduced as a man of confequence and fortune. The mock hero now ftrutted about v/ith affumed ftate and airs-the old gentleman, on account of his fup- pofed rank, received him with the greateft cordiality^ and begged to know who the young gentleman's fa- ther was. " Why my bFCther,'' cries Pat. " my brother, do ye fte — ^was a very good fort of a gentleman, but not aU . In tHE PLEASING LIBRARYr te^gether as handfome as me.''— « And, pray Sir, wli^t fortune do you intend to give your nephew..^** " What fortune-r-^why faith-^ and troth, honey, it's: hard for me to fay when I don't Jcnow the extent of it myfelf."— ** Is it in landsy Sif ?^' *' Lands— oh, aye — it's in, the caomh-^^^xt PcfttlehoU-^^ 111 give him a bit of the //^^r/^-^a fcrap or two o£. Meath'fireet — a few yard^ of DSnnyhraoky and*' — *' Wbjy, Sir^ I aever heardlof fuah eftates^" *^ No-— tiea joii ware acrcr m fecet Dailia.** **"I hliv^ Seard m.WLj' ■ txpiitiiite va^tm its bcamdics i - iud^^d, from the traV'sUer^i* acccwiat, one loaay bs apt . am& imd honey.'* ** Milk aai liiMiej 5**'^ exclaims Pact. . ** Oli ! ^teaey» .. oil ! that's a iiiagnslar Bmoa audoid^— why . jtm. jnacaa.. mHi. mii^Ut^u^ jcm fx^l !'* The faimUaritf ©f uaiaies did not Jigrce with the , family pride of the old g^jatlemaxi ; »f z^-^-^t^ qaar- xei eafiiedi Pat, fweidiag hy St»^ Patrick he was as g^od as he J aind^ ia order to^roTC it^ .called out for Ills mafter.— The fotind ^f ;;z^^<®»'*^°®'XXX>^eYeral perfons who gave m* great diverfion upon this occafxon. I obferved o^e bnngmg m a farde! very carefully concealed under an Old embroidered cloak, which, upon his throwing it ^pon the heap, I difcovered it to be Poverty. Anoth- ll^f Ju!r' '''' °^P"*"S> threw down his lug- h a , ^nich, Hpon examining, I found to be his wife. whSr.cIltl'T''-'''^^'^''^^^^^^^ ^^'id'-d -i* very i-earts wou 11 h t ' *°"^^ '^'^ ^'^''^ ^^^ '^ ^^^^ fhey could n..™"^^" ^'^^^ ''""^'« of calamities, the hean lu ^u ""^^ themfelves to caft them into faint JonsZ fl "^T "P '° " ' "'^"^ ^^"^^^ ^ ^^^ heavy W it! "''''^' ^"'^ '"^^^'^^'^ ^-y - ; The truth of .t ,s, I was furprifed to fee thJ greateft part of the mountain made up of bodily de- formu.es. Obferving one advance towards the heap wuh a larger cargo than ordinary upon hi. back, I found upon his nearer approach, that it v.as only a naturax Immp which he difpofed of with great joy of .an among th.s collection of human mifeis. TlLre no. butobferve that there were many more imaginary STafl- , "^' P'^^^' ^ '^^"^^ "''^ '^"t take no^ fee of, which was a complication of all the difealbs .ncdent^o human na.ure, and was in the hand of a g.cat many hue people : this v.as called the fpleen. But what moft of all furprifed me, was a remark I ma Je, that there was not a fingle vice or folly throwQ ] THE PLEASING LIBRARY. 89 mto'the whole heap : at which I was very much af- tonilhed, having concluded within myfelf, that every one would take this opportunity of getting rid of his paffions, prejudices, and frailties. I took notice in particular of a very profligate fel- low, who I did not queftion came loaded with his crimes; but upon fearching into his bundle, I' found, that inftead of throwing his guilt from him, he kad only laid down b?s memory. He was followed by another worthlefs rogue, who flung away his modefty iaftead of his ignorance. When the whole race of mankind had thus call down their burdens, the Phantmi, which had been fo b\ify on this occafion, feeing me an idle fpeclator 01 what palfed, approached towards me. I grew uneafy at her prefence, when on a fudden fhe held her mag- nifying glafs full before mine eyes. I nofooner faw my face in it, but was ftai'tled at the Ihortnefs of it^ -which now appeared to me in the utmicri; aggravation. The immoderate breadth of the features made me very much out of humour with my own countenance, up- on which I threw it from me like a mafk. It happened very luckily that one who flood by me had juft before thrown down his vifage, which it feems was too long for bim. It was indeed ext-ended to a mod fliam.eful length! I believe the very chin was, (modeftly fpeakr- ing) as long as my Vv^hole face. We had bodi. of ua- an opportunity of mending oiirfelves ; and all jlhe con- tributions being now brought in, every man was at liberty to change liis misfortunes for thofe of anotl-tr perfon. But as there arofe many new incidents in the fequal, I (hall referve them for the ninety-ninth pap-c, 9° TH£ PLEASING LIBRARY, ,; The haunted HOUSE. In a village, fome diftance from town^ there lived a refpedlable family, who had once occu- pied an adjoining houfe, which, on account of the fre- quent knocklngs and difturbances they had heard and iwet with therein, they were under the difagreeable neceffitv of leaving. Mr. Goodwin, the owner there^ of, had inceffantly endeavored to let it, but in vain,, the report was too prevalent, and the houfe became a iad burthen on his hands ; he had often advertifed it, and, indeed, offered it at fo low a rent, that feverat were induced to try it. An old foldier, who had more than once buffeted all the dangers of war, now beg- ged permiffion to lodge in it for a few days upon trial, promifmg if it were polTible to inhabit it, that he would immediately take a leafe on the terms propofed. Pcrmiffion was readily granted for this effay, anc' this old follower of Mars, who deemed the whole ftory but a mere em.pty report, determined tx) fleepby him- felf that night in the houfe ; for which purpofe, he left in the day-time loaded piilols, and a broad fword, near the room which he intended for his bed-chamber, and folaced himfelf with the pleafmg idea of ;Jiaving obtained a very comfortable bargain ; having now properly fecured the hall door, refolved that there fliould be neither egrefs nor ingrefs, except to himfelf, . he went to take a fuOicient quantity of float bee?, and prepare himfelf for ikeVt^ck. ' THE PLEASING LIBRARY. 9$ It was rather late before he returned, and he went to bedfomewhat mellow, laughing at all the nonfenfe of ghofts, fpirits, and hobgoblins. After a ileep of a- bout two hours, a nolfe awoke him : he liftened — and lieard a foot afcending the ftairs fo plain, that he tho't It expedient to run mto the next room after his piftols; accordingly he armed himfelf with two, one in each hand, and now on the top of the flairs, he perceived a horrid figme, which undauntedly flood before him, appaiently very furious, and noddmg with feeming anger. Our hero repeatedly enquired, who and what he .was, whether dead or alive ? but there was no anfwer; he then threatened to fire, which fo evidently exafpera- ted the figure, that he ftamped feveral times with his foot againft the ground, and made fuch a violent noife, that the very flair-cafe Ihook with it ; the foldier pre- fented and fired, but the figure did not feem at all dif- mayed ; on the contrary, he fmiled with difdain ; find- ing this without efFe<3, he now difcharged the other, which, inflead of intimidating his unknown antagonift, rendered him if poflible, more refolute and fierce ; the foldier feemed fomewhat furprifed, and apprehended that it was neither flefh nor blood, fmce his piftols had failed ; however, not willing to remain longer defence- lefs, he haftened jfor his (broad fword ; the fpirit par- fued'him, and ere he could enter the room where it was, gave him fuch a violent blow, as almoft felled him to the ground ; as foc^i as he had recovered him- felf, for he was very much ftunned, he looked about bim, but tlie figure had vaniflied. This event having 9p» . THl PLEASING LIBRARY. taken place in the fummer time, the fun aflFordepay hi« rent for feveral fucceeding quarters. The creation Reqtjired to Praise ir« AUTPxOR. EGIN, my foul, tlf ..exalted lay ! B Let each enraptur'd thouglit obey, And praiie th' Almighty's name : LoJ heaven and earth, and feas and rkies, In one melodious concert rife, To fweil th' inipiriDg theme. Ye fields of light, celedial plains. Where gay tranfporting Beauty reigns^ Ye fcenes divinely fair ! Y^vOur Maker's vrondVous pow'r proc]aifn> Tell how he form'd your fliinirig frame^ And breath-d the ^uid air* THE PLEASING LIBRARY. ^^e angels, catch the thrilling found ! While all th' adoring thrones around His bocindlefs mercy ling : Let ev'ry lifVnlng faint above AVake all the tuneful foul of Love, And touch the fweeteft firing. Join, ye loud fpheres, the vocal choir ; Thou dazzhng orb of liquid fire. The mighty chorus aid : Soon as grey ev'ning gilds the plain^ Thou, Moon, protrad the melting flrain. And praife him in the fiiade. Thou heav'n of heav'ns his vaft abode ; Ye clouds, proclaim your forming God, Who calPd yon worlds from night t "Ye lliades, difpel !"— th' Eternal faid ; At once th' involving daiknefs fled, And Nature fprung to hght. Whate'er a blooming world contains, That wings the air, that fKims the plains^ United praife bellow : Ye dragons, found his awful name To heav'n aloud ; and rear acclaim. Ye fwelling deeps below. Let ev'ry element rejoice ; Ye thunders, 'burft v.ith awful voice To HIM who bids you roll ; His praife in fofter notes declare, lilach whifp'iing breeze of yielding a*r, And breath it to the foui 97 98 THE PLEASING LIBRARY. To. him, ye graceful cedars^ bow ; Ye towering mountains, bending low^ Your great Creator own ; Tell, when affrighted Nature Ihook, How Sinai kindled at his look, And trembled at his frown. Ye flocks, that haunt the humble vak, ^emfeasflutt'ringonthegale, In mutual concourfe rife • Crop the gay rofe's vermeil bloom, And wait us fpoils, a fweet perfume, In mcenfe to the fkies. Wake, all ye mounting tribes, and fmg , fe plumy warblers of the fpring, Harmonious anthems raife To HIM who fhap'd your finer mould, Who tipp'd your gUttVing wings with gold, And ttm'd your voice to praife. Let man, .by nobler paffions fway'd, The feeling heart, the judging head, In heavenly praife employ ; Spread his tremendous name around, Till heaven's broad arch -rings back the found, The gen'ral- burft of joy. ,, Ye whoni the charms of grandeur pleafe, Nurs'd on the downy lap of Eafe, Fall proHrate at his throne : Ye princes, rulers, all adore ; Praife him, ye kings, who makes your powV . An injage of his t5wn. THE PLEASING llERARY. 99^ Ye fair, by nature form'd to move, O praife tli* eternal source of love, With youth's enlivening fire : Let age take up the tuneful lay, Sigh his blefs'd name — th-cn foar away, And afk an angel's lyre. The vision continued from page ?.g* — ^— A\\ gracious Provivdece is p^ood a'nd v/ift , Alike hi what it ^-^ives, c.iA what denies. I jLiN the flrH part of the ViiiOUj I gave my readers a fight of that mountain of miferies which \^ as made up of thofe feveral calamities that afili(5l the minds of men : I faw, with unfpeakable pleafure, the whole fpecies thus delivered fromits forrows ; though, at the fame time, as we flood round the heap, and furveyed the feveral materials of which it was com- pofed, there was fcarce a mortal, in- this vail multi- tude, who did not difcover what he thought pleafures and bleffings of life ; and wondered how the owners of them ever came to look upon them as burdens and grievances. As we were regarding very attentively this confu" fion of miferies, this chaos of calamity, Jupiter iffued out a fecond proclamation, that every one was now at liberty to change his afflidion, and to return to his IQO THE PLEASING LIBRARY. habitation with any other fuch bundle as fhould.be de- livered to him. Upon this, F^;?ry began to beftir herfelf, and par^ celling up the whole heap with incredible adivity, re- commended to e^^ery one his packet. The hurry and confuuon at this time was not to be exprefled. Some obfervations which I made upon this occafion I fhall Lommnnicate to the public. A venerable grey-head-* ed man, who had laid down the cholic, and who I found wanted an heir to hiseftate, fnatched up an un- dutiful ion, that had been thrown into the heap by an - angry iather.-The gracelels youth, in lefs than a quar- ter of an hour, pulled the old gentleman by the beard, and had like to have knocked his brains out ; fo that meeting the true father, who came towards him in a fit of the gripes, he begged him to take his fon again, and give him back his cholic ; but they were incapa- ble either of them to recede from the choice they had made. A poor galley-flave, who had thrown down his chains, took up the gout in their ftead ; but made fnch wry faces, that one might eafily perceive he w^as no great gainer by the bargain. It was pleafant e- nough to fee the feveral exchanges that were made for ficknefs againft poverty, hunger againfl want of appe- tite, and care again Tt pain. The female world were very bufy among themfelves in bartering for features : one was trucking a lock of gray hairs for a carbuncle ; another w^as making over a fliort waift for a pair of round ihoulders, and a third cheapening a bad face for a loft reputation : but on all theft occafions, there was not one of them who did THE PLEASING LIBHARY. loi not think the new blemifh, as foon as flie had got it into her po/Teffion much more diiagreeable than the old one. I made thp lame obfervation on every other misfortune or calamity, which every one in the affcm- bly brought upon himfelf, in lieu of what he had part- ed with : whether it be that all the evils which befal us are in fome meafure fuited and proportioned to our ftrength, or that every ill becomes more fupportable by our being accuftomed to it, I Ihall not determiner I eculd not from my-heart forbear pitying the poor humpbacked gentleman mentioned in the firft part cf this Viiion, who went off a very well iliaped perfcn With a flone in his bladder ; nor the fine gentleman. Vv'ho had ftruck up a bargain witli him that limped through the whole affembly of ladies, who ufed to ad- mire him, with a pair of Ihoulders peeping over his aead. I muft not omit my own particular adventure. My * liiend with the lono; vifa^-e had no fooner taken UDon him my fhort face, but he made fuch a grolefqae fig- ure en it, that as I looked xipon him, I could not for- bear laughing at myfelf, in fo much that I put my own face out of countenance. The poor gentleman was fo fenfible of the ridicule, that I found he was ailianied of what he had done : on the other fide, 1 found that I m}^eif had got no great reafon to triumph ; for as I went to touch my forehead, I rhiffed the place, and clapped my finger on my upper lip. Bendes, -■ - nofe^vas^xceedingly prominent, I gave it two orthre-f unlucky knocks, as I was playing mj hand about m^r face, and aim'nn; a': fome other part of it. [ iliw two 1 2 IQO 'THE PLEASING LIBRARY. habitation with any other fuch bundle as fhouId.be de- livered to him. Upon this, Faf7cy began to beftir herfelf, and par* celling up th^ whole heap with incredible adivity, re- eommended to e^ery one Ms packet. The hurry and confufion at this time was not to be exprefled. Some obfervations which I made upon this occafion I fhall communicate to the public. A venerable grey-head- ed man, who had laid down the cholic, and who I found wanted an heir to hiseftate, fnatched up an un- dutiful ion, that had h^cn thrown into the heap by an . angry tather.-The graeelefs youth, in lefs than a quar- ter of an hour, pulled the old gentleman by the beard, and had like to have knocked his brains out ; fo that meeting the true father, who came towards him in a fit of the gripes, he begged him to take his fon again, and give him back his cholic ; but they were incapa- ble either of them, to recede from the choice they had made. A poor galley-flave, who had thrown down his chains J took up the gout in their ftead ; but made fnch Vv^ry faces, that one might eafily perceive he was no great gainer by the bargain. It was pleafant e- nough to fee the feveral exchanges that were made for ficknefs againft poverty, hunger againft want of appe- tite, and care again(t pain. The female world were vei y bufy among themfelves in bartering for features : one was trucking a lock of gray hairs for a carbuncle ; another was making over a Ihort waift for a pair of round ihoulders, and a third cheapening a bad face for a loft reputation : but on all thefs oc.cafions, there was not one of them who did THE PLEASING LIBHARY. loi not think the new blemifh, as foon as flie had got it into her po/TefTion much more difagreeable than the old one. I made th^ fame obrervation on every other misfortune or calamity, which every one in the affcm- bly brought upon himfelf, in lieu of vAat he had part- ed with : whether it be that all the evils which befal us are in fome meafure fuited and proportioned to our ftrength, or that every ill becomes more fupportable by our being accuftomed to it, I Ihall not determiner I could not from my- heart forbear pitying the poor humpbacked gentleman mentioned in the firfl: part of this Viiion, who went off a very well iliaped perfcn with a flone in his bladder ; nor the fin^ gentleman v/ho had ftruck up a bargain with' him that limped through the whole affembly of ladies, who ufed to ad- mire him, with a pair of Ihoulders peephig over his I muft not omit my own particular adventure. My * tiiend with the Ions: vini2:e had no fooner taken UDon him my fhort face, but he made fuch a grolefqae fig- ure en it, that as I looked upon him, I could not fo:- bear laughing at myfelf, in fo much tliat I put my own face out of countenance. The poor gentleman was fo fenfible'of the ridicule, that I found he was ailiarned of what he had done : on th- other fide, 1 found that I m}^elf had got no great reafon to triumph ; for as I went to touch my forehead, I rhlfled the place, and clapped my finger on my upper lip. Bendes, as mv nofe was exceedingly prominent, I gave it tvv-o or three unlucky knocks, as I was playing mj hand about niv face, and alm'np; at fome other part of it. I favr two I 2 ip^ THE PLEASING LIBRARY. Other gentlemen by me, who were In the fame ridicu^ lous circumftances. Thefe had made a foolifli fwap between a couple of thick bandy legs, and two long trap-fticks that had no calves to them. One of thefe looked like a man walking upon (lilts, and was fo lifted trp in the air above his ordinary height, that his head turned round with it ; while the other made fuch aukward circles as he attempted, to walk, that he fcarce knew how to move forward upon his new fupporters# Obferving him to be a very pleafant kind of a fellow, I ftuck my cane into the ground, and told him I would- lay him a bottle of wine that he did not march up to it on a line, that I drew for him, in a quarter of an hour. The heap was at lafl: diftributed among the tv/o fex^ es, who made a, moft piteous fight, as they wandered: up and down under the preffure of their feveral bur* dens. The whole plain was filled with murmurs and complaints, groans apd lamentations. Jupiter at length, taking compaffion upon the poor mortals, or- dered them afecond time to lay down their loads, with a defign to give every one his own again. They dif- charged them with a great deal of pkafure ; after which the Fhanfom, which had led them into fuch grofs delufion, was commanded to difappear. - There was fent in. her Head a goddefs of a quite diiferent figure i . iler motions were fteady and compofed, and her af-r peel ferious and cheerful. She every now and then <;art her eyes towards heaven, and ^xtd them upon Ju- piter.. Her name v/as Patience. She had no fooner placed herlclf by die Mount ^of Sorrows, but, what I^ THE PLEASING LIBRARY. i«-r bought very remarkable, the whole heap funk to fuch a degree, that it did not appear a third part fo big as Tt was before. She afterwards returned every man bis own proper calamity, and teaching him how to bear it in the. mod commodious manner, he marched oiF with it contentedly, being very well pleafed that he had not been left to his own choice as to the kind of evils which fell to his lot. Befides the feveral pieces of morality to be drawn out of this vifion, I learnt from it, never to repine at my own misfortunes, or to envy the happinefs of an- other, fmce it is impoffible for any man to form a right judgment of his neighbour's fufFerings ; for which rea- fon alfo I have determined never to think too lightly of another's complaints, but to regard the forrows of my fellow- creatures with fentiments of humanity and compaffion, — x>'v:xxxxx<0>'^*0*xxxxxx:x:--- MODERATION in our WISHES* RECOM. MENDED. — ^ — J-^J^HE aclive mind of man feldom or nev- er rells fatisfied with its prefent condition, how profper- ous foever. Originally formed for a wider nmp-e of objefts, for a higher fphere of enjoyments, it finds itfelf^ in every fituation of fortune, ftraitened and confined; Senfible of deficiency in its ftate, it is ever fending "ferth the fond defire, the afpiring wifli, after fomething. 10=4 THE PX.EASING LlBRARy. beyond what is enjoyed at prefent. Hence, that^refl* leffnefs v/hich prevails fo generally among mankinde Hence, that difguft of pleafures which they have tried ; that pafTion for novelty ; that ambition of rifmg to fome degree of eminence or felicity, of which they have formed to themfelves an indiftin^l" idea. All which may be confidered as indications of a certain native, original greatnefs in the human foul, fwelling beyond the limits of its prefent condition ; and pointing at, the higher objedls for which it was made. Happy, if thefe latent remains of our primitive ftate, ferved to direct our wifhes towards their proper deftination, and to lead Bs into the path of true^blifs ! But in this dark and bewildered ftate, the afpiring : tendency of our nature unfortunately takes an oppo- fite direction, and feeds a very mifplaced ambition. The flattering appearances *which here prefent them- felves to fenfe ; the diftindion which fortune confers; the advantages and pleafures w^hich we imagine the world to be capable of beftowing, fill up the ultimate wifh of mod men. Thefe are the objects which eigrofs their folitary mufings, and Simulate their adive labors 5 which warm the breads of tlie young, animate the in- duftry of the middle aged, and often keep alive the - paffions of the old, until the very clofe of life. Afloredly, there is nothing unlawful in our wifliing to be freed from whatever is difagreeable, and to ob- tain a fuller enjoyment of the comforts of life. But v/hen thefe wiilies are not tempered by reafon, they are in danger of precipitating us into much extrava- gance and folly. Defires and wilhes are the firft THE PLEASING LIBRARY. 205 firings o{ action. When they become exorbitant, the whole charadler is likely to be tainted. If we fmfFer our. fancy to create to itfelf worlds of ideal happinefs, we, fliall difcompofe the peace and order of our minds, and • foment many hurtful paffions. Here, then, let Mod- eration begin its reign ; by bringing within reafonable bounds the wifhes that we form. As foon as they be- come extravagant, let us check them, by proper re- fledtions on the fallacious nature of thofe objedls, which the world hangs out to allure defire. You have ftrayed, my friend, from the road which^ conduds to felicity ; you have diflionored the native dignity of your fouls, in allowing your wifhes to ter- minate on nothing higher than worldly ideas of great- nefs or happinefs. Your imagination roves in a land of rtiadows. Unreal forms deceive you. It is no more than a phantom, an illufion of happinefs, which atiratfts ^ your fond adrpiration ; nay, an illufions of happinefs, which often conceals much real mifery. Do yoift imagine, that all are happy, who have at-- tained to thofe fum mi ts of diftindlion, towards which your wifhes afpire ? Alas ! how frequently has experi* ence fhowm, that where rofcs were fuppofed to bloom,, nothing but briers and thorns grew ? Reputation, beauty, riches, grandeur, nay, royalty itfelf, would,, many a time, have been gladly exchanged by the pof- feifors, for that more quiet and humble ftation, with which you are now dilfatisfied. With ail that is fplei> did and fhlning in the world, it is decreed that there fliDiddmix many deep fliades of woe. On the eleva* .'c6 TH^ PLEASING LIBRART: ted fituations of fortune, the great calamities of life chiefly fall. There, the ftorm fpends its violence, and" there, the thunder breaks ; while, fafe and unhurt, the inhabitant of the vale remains below. — -Retreat, then, from thofe vain and pernicious excurfions of extrava- gant defire. Satisfy yourfelves with what is rational ^ and attainable. Train your minds to moderate views of human life, and human happinefs. Remember, and ; admire, the v/ifdom of Agur's petition : " Remove far " from me vanity and lies. Give me neither poverty nor riches. Feed me v.?ith food convenient for me • Left I be full, and deny thee ; and fay, who is the Uord ? or left I be poor, and fteal ; and take the name of Ged in vain." - xxxx><>:::«©t-j^«©9XX>;:x>-::x- PIETY AMD GRATITUDE enliven PROS- FERITY. p. _^_ lETY, and gratitude to God, contri- bute, In a high degree, to erJiven prcfperity. Grati- tude is a pleafing emotion. The fenfe of being diftin- guiQied by the kindnefs of another, gladdens the heart, warms it with reciprocal aifedion, and gives to any poffeflion which is agreeable in itfelf, a double relifti, from its being the. gift of a. friend.^ Favors con- ferred by men, I acknowledge may prove burden- fome. For human virtue is never perfed ; and fome- ti^es unreafonabie expectations on the one fide^fome-' THE PLEASING LIBRARY. I07 : ^irnes a mortifying fenfe of dependence on the others corrode in fecret the pleafure of benefits, and convert .the obligations of friendfliip into grounds of jealoufyo But nothing of this kind can affedl the intercourfe of gratitude with Heaven. Its favors are v^diolly dif- incerefted ; and with a gratitude the moft cordial and unfufpicious, a good man looks up to that Al- mighty Benefadlor, w^ho aims at no end but the happinefs of thofe whom he bleffes, and who defires no return from them, but a devout and thankful heart. While others can trace tl^eir profperity to no : higher fource than a concurrence of .worldly caufes; and, often, of mean or trifling incidents, which occa- fionally favored their defigns ; with what fuperior fat- isfadion does the fervant of God remark the hand of that Gracious Power which hath raifed him up 5 which hath happily conduced him tlirough the vari- ous fteps of life, and crowned him with the moft. fa- vorable diftindtion> beyond his equals ? Let us farther confider, that not only gratitude for the paft, but a cheering fenfe of Divine favor at the -prefent, enters into the pious emotion. They are only the virtuous, who in their profperous days hear tliis voice addreffed to them, " Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a cheerful heart ; for God now accepteth thy works." He who is the Author of their profperity, gives them a title to enjoy, with complacency, his own gift. While bad men fnatch the pleafures of the world as by ftealth, without countenance from the Great Proprietor of the world ; the righteous fit openly down to the feaft of loS THE PLEASING LIBRARY. life, under the fmile of approving Heaven. Ne -guilty fears damp their joys. The bleffing of God Tefts upon all that they poiTefs ; his protedlion fur- rounds them; and hence, "in the habitations of the righteous, is found drie voice of rejoicing and faiva-* ?tion." A luftre unknown to others, invefts, tn their fight, the whole face of nature. Their piety refleds a funfhine from heaven upon the profperity of th^e W' orld ; unites in one point of view, the fmiling afpe6t, both of the powers above, and of the objects below. Not only have they as full a^relifh as others, of the Innocent pleafiires of life, but, moreover, " in thefe they hold communion v/ith their Divine Benefador. In ail that is good or fair, they trace his hand. From 'the beauties of nature, from the improvenients of art, from the enjoyments of focial life, they raife their affedtion to the fource of all the happinefs which Surrounds them ; and thus widen the fphere of their pleafures, by adding inteileclual, and fpiritual, to .earthly joyjs. 'For illuftration of what I have jfaid on fhis head, remark that cheerful enjoyment of a profperous Piate, which King David had when he wrote the twenty- third Pfalm ; and compaTe the higheft pleafures of t];e riotous finner, v/idi the happy and fatisfied fpirit which breathes throughout that Pfaim. — In the midft of the fplendor of Toyalty, with what amiable nmphc- ity of gratitude does lie look up to the Lord as " his Shepherd ;" happier in afcrlbing all his fuccefs to Divine favor, than to the policy of his councils, or to the force of his arms ? How many indances of THE PLEASING LIBRARY. n^ Divine goodncfs arofe before him in pleafing re- membrance, when with fuch rcliih he fpeaks of the *' n-reen paftures and ftill waters, befide which God had led him ; of his cup which he had made to over- flow ; and of the table which ho had prepared for him in the prefence of his enemies !" With what per- fe(5t tranquilhty does he look forward to the time of his paffing through <* the valley of the Ihadow of death ;'* unappalled by that fpe(5i:re, whofe moft diftant appearance blafts the profperity of fmners ! He fearS no evil, as long as "the rod and the ftaff" of his Divine Shepherd arc with him ; and, through all the unknown periods of this and of future exiftence, com- mits himfelf to his guidance with fecure and triumph- ant hope : " Surely goodnefs and mercy will follow^ me all the days of my life ; and I fliall dwell in the hcufe of the Lord forever.'*' — What a purified, fen- timental enjoyment of profperity is here exhibited ? How different from that grofs relifh of worldly pleafures, which belongs to thofe who beliold.only the tcrreftrial fide of things ; who raife their views to no b.igher objecls tlian the fuccffPton of human con- tingencies, and the wccil: eiTcrts of human ;:.biiity \ who have no proicS^ov cr patron in the heavens, to enliven their profperity, or to warm their hearts with gratitude and truit ! i^ro THE PLEASING UBRARX Gn spending TIME- — -^ — Time in advance behind him hides his wings, And feems to creep decrepid with hh age : Beheld him when pail by, w hat then is feen, But his broad pinions ijeeter than the wind. \^^ E all -^of , us complain of the fliprtnefe or time, faith Senecay and yet have much more than We know what to do with. Our lives, fays he? are fpent either in doing nothing at all, or in doing nothing to the purpofe, or in doing noticing that we ought to do. We are always complaining our days are few, and ac- ting as though there would be no end of them. That noble philofopher has defcribed our inconfiftency with ourfelves in this particular, by all thofe various turns of expreEion and thought which ate pecuhar to his y/ri tings. I often confider mankind as wholly inconfiftent w4th itfelf in a point tha,t bears fome affinity to the former. Though we feem grieved at the faortnefs of life in gen- eral, we are wiiliing every period of.it at: an end. The minor longs to be at age, then to be a man of bufmefs, then to make up an eilatCj then to arrive at honors^ then to retire. Thus, although the whole of life is al- lowed by every one to be ihort,.the feveral divifions of it appear to be long and tedious. We are for length- ening our fpan in general, but\^^uld fain contrad the parts of which it is compcied. The ufurer would be very well faUc.|ied to have all the time annihilated that THfe PLSA^ING LIBRARY. rti lies between the prefent moment and next quarter day. The politician would be content to lofe three years in his life, could he place things in the pofture which he fancies they will ft ind In after fiich a revolution of time. The lover would be glad to (Irike out of his exiftence all the moments that are to pafs away before the hap- py meeting. Thus, as fail as our time runs, we fhould be very glad. In mod part of our lives, that It ran much fafler than it does. Several hours of the d'^^y- hang upon our hands, nay, we wllh away Vv-^hole years, and travel through time as through a country filled with many" wild and empty v>^a(lei?, which v>'c v.-ouM fain hurry over, that we may arrive at tii-'^-^e fcvcrnl little iet'lerrisjats, or imaginary points of red, which are difperfedup and down in it. If we divide the life of mod men into twenty parts:, we fnall find that at lead nineteen of them are mere gaps and chafms, which are neither filled with pleafure nor bufmefs. I do not, however Include in this calcu- lation the life of thofe men w^ho are In a perpetual hur- ry of affairs, but of thofe only who are not always engaged in fcenes of adlon ; and I hope I fhall not do an unacceptable piece of fervice to thofe perfons, if I point out to them certain methods for the filling up their empty fpaces of life. The methods I Ihall pro- pofe to them are as follov/ : The firft is the exercife of virtue, in the mod gener- al acceptation of the word. That particular fcheme which comprehends the focial virtues, may give emw ployment to the mod indudrlous temper, and find a man more bufmefs than the mod aclive dation of lif^. jiz THE PLEASING LIBRAB.ir. To advlfe the ignorant, relieve the needy, comfort the afBided, are duties that fall in our way almoft every day of our lives. A man has frequent opportunities of mitigating the fierccnefs of a party ; of doing juil- ice to the charadter of a deferving man ; foftening the envious, quieting the angry, and redtifyirig the prejudiced ; which are all of them employments fuited to a reafonable nature, and bring great fatisfadion to the perfonwho can bufy hi-mfelf iu them with difcre- tioru There is another kind of virtue that may find en> ployment for thofe retired hours in which we are alto- gether left to ourfelves, and d^ftitute of company and couverfation ; I mean that intercourfe and communi- cation which every reafonable creature ought to main- tain with the great Author of his being. The man who lives under an habitual fenfe of the Divine pret ence, keeps up a perpetual cheerfulnefs of temper, and enjoys every moment the fatisfadtion of thinking him- feif in company with his deareft and beft friend. The time never lies heavy upon him : it is impoffible for him to be alone. His thoughts and paffions are the mod bufied atfich hours, when thofe of other men are the mod inadive. He no fooner flt::ps out of the w^orld, but his heart burns with devotion, fwells with hope, and triumphs in the confcioah^fs of that pref- ence which every where furrounds him : or, on the, contrary, pours out its fears, its forrows, its apprehen- fions, to the great Supporter of its exiftence. I have here only confidered tlie neceffity of a man's ..being vinuous, that he may have fomething to do f THE PLEASING LIBRARY. 113 bin if I coiifiJer farther, that the exercife of virtue Is not only an amiifement for the time it lafts, but that its influence extends to thofe parts of our exiilencc •which lie beyond the grave ; and that our whole eter- nity is to take its color from thofe hours which we here employ in virtue or in vice, the argument redoubles upon us, for putting in prafllce this method of pacing away our time. When a man has but a little flock to improve, and has opportunities of turning it all to good account, what ihall we think of him if he fuifers nineteen parts of it to He dead, and perhaps employs even the twenti- eth to his ruin ©r difadvaptage ? But becaufe the mind cannot be always in its fervors, nor ilrained up to a pitch of virtue, it is neceiiary to find out proper em- ployments for it in its relaxations. The next method therefore that I would propofe to fill up our time, fhould be ufeful and innocent diver- fion. I muft confers I think it is below refonablc crea- tures to be altogether converfant in fuch diverfions as are merely innocent, and have nothing elfe to recom- mend them; but that there is no hurt in them. Wheth- er any kmd of gaming has even thus much to fay tor itfelf, I fiiall not determine ; but I think it is very wonderful to fee perfons of the beft fenfe pafling away a dozen hours together in frrufliing and dividing a pack of cards, with no other converilition but, what is made^ up of a few game phrafes, and no other Ideas but thofe of black or red fpots ranged together in different fig- ures. Would not a man laugh to hear any one of tl;is fpecies complaining that life is fhort ! K 2 114 THE PLEASING LIBRARY. The Rage might be made a perpetual foiirce of the moll noble and uieful eatertahiments, were It under proper regulations. But the mind never unbends itfelf fo agreeably as in the converfation of a well chofen friend. There is In- deed no bleffing in life that Is any way comparable to the enjoyment of a difcreec and virtuous friend. It cafes and unloads the mind, clears and Improves the underftanding, engenders thought and knowledge, an- imates virtue and good refolutions, footlis and allays the pailions, and finds employment for moll of the va- cant hours of life. Next to fuch an intimacy with a particular perfon, one would endeavor after a more general converfation with fuch as are capable of edifying.and entertaining thofe with whom they converfe, which are qualities that feldom go afunder. There are many other ufeful amufements of life which one would endeavor to multiply, that one might, on all occafions, have recourfe to fomething, rather than fuifer the mind to lie idle, or run adrift v/ith any paffion that chances to arife in it. A man that has a talle for mufic, painting, or arch- iteftare, is like one that has another fenfe, when com- pared with fuch as have no relilh of thofe arts. The fiorlit, the planter, the gardener, the hufbandman, v/hen they are only as accompllfhments to the man of fortune, are great reliefs to a country life, and ma- ny ways ufeful to thofe who are poiTeifed of them, I-i THE PLEASING LIBRARY. iijl On pleasure. — -^ — r has been tlie objecft of writers of every age to fijo-.v that pleafure is in us, and not in the ob- jects olrered for our amufement. If the foul be happily difpofed, every thing becomes capable of affording en- tertainment, and dillrefs will almoft want a name. Every occurrence paffes in review like the figures of a proceflion ; fome may be aukward, others ill-dreiTed j but none but a fool is for this enraged with the mafter of the ceremionies. An inftance of the truth of this was feen in the per- fon of a flave in a fortification in Flanders, who ap- peared no way touched w^ith his fituation. He was maimed, deformed, and chained ; obliged to toil from the appearance of day till night-fall, and condemned to this for life ; yet, w^ith all thefe circumftances of ap- parent wretchednefs, he fung, would have danced but that he wanted a leg, and appeared the merrieft, hap- pieft man of all the garrifon. What a practical phi- lofopher was here ? a happy conftitution fupplied phi- lofophy; and, though feemlngly deftitute of wifdom, he was really wife. No reading or ftudy had contrib- uted to difenchant the fairy-land around him. Every thing ftwnlfhed him with an opportunity of mirth ; and, though fome thought him, from his infenfibility, a fool, he was fuch an idiot as philofophers fhould wifh*' to imitate ; for all phllofophy is only forcing the trade of happinefs, when nature feems to deny the means. tf& rnP. PLEASING LIBRARf. Tliofe who, like our flave, can place themfelves ort that fide of the world in which every thing appears in a pleafing light, will find fomething in every occur- rence to excite their good humor. The mod calami- tous events, eidher to themfelves or others, can bring no new affliction ; the whole w^orld is to them a the- atre, on v/hich comedies on^y are aded. All the baf- tle of hcroifm, or the rants or ambition, ferve only to heighten the abfardity of the fcene, and make the humor more poignant. They feel, in fhort, as little anguift at their own didrefs, or the com.pl aints of oth- ers, as the undertaker, though- drcffcd in black, feels forrow at a funeraL- The famous cardinal di Retz poffeffed this happi- nefs of temper in the higheft degree, more perhaps^ than any other man in the world. As he was a man of gallantry, and defpifed all that w^ore the pedantic appearance of philofophy, wherever pleafure was to- be fold, he was generally forenioft to raife the aiid:ion. Eeino- an imiverfal admifer of the fair fex, when he found one lady cruel, he generally fell in love with an- other, from whom he expeded a more favorable re- ception : if fhe too reje . Andrew," faid the expiring mifer, "my whole eftate,. and deiire him to be- frugal'' ^ Andrew, in a forrow- ful tone as Is ufual on tliefe occafions, prayed heaven- to prolong his life and health, to enjoy It himfelf. " I recommend Simon, my third 'fon, to the care of his elder brother, and leave him befide four thoufand pounds.*' *♦- Ah ! father," cried Simon (in great af-- fliflion to be fure) ** May heaven give you life and health to enjoy it yourfelf."^ At laft, turning to poor Dick, <^ As for you, you have always been a fad dog ; you will never come to good ; you v/ill never be ricb; I will leave you a fliilling to buy an halter." " Ah-1 father," cries Dick, without any emotion, **may heavea give you life a.nd health to tiirjoy it yourfeif."" This was all the trouble the lofs of fortune gave this thought- lefs imprudent creature. However, the tendernels of an uncle recompenfed the negledl of a father ; and he is now not only exceiUvely good-humored, but cc/m- petently ricK.. Let the world cry out at a bankrupt who appears: at a ball ; at an author who laugKs at the public which ■. pronounces him a dunce ; at a general who fmiles at the reproach of the vulgar, or the lady who keeps her good-liumor infpite of fcandal ; but fuch is the >\'ifeft behaviour that any of us can poffible affum.e ; it is certainly a better way to oppok calamity by diiiipa- tton, than to take up the arm.s of reaibn or refolution^ te.opnoieit : by the Brll method, we forget our raifa- THE PLEASING LIBRARY. irp :fres ; by the*4ail, we only conceal them from others ; by ftruggling with misfortunes, we are iVire to receive fome wounds in the conflid ; but a fure method to come oiF vf^orious, is by running away. RANK and'RICHES afford no GROUND FOR ENVY. -^>- Oi fF all the grounds of envy atncng men, iuperiority in rank and fortune is the moft general. -Hence, the malignity which the poor commonly bear to the rich, as engroffmg to themfelves all the com- forts of life. -Hente, the evil eye with which perfons of inferior ftation fcrutinize thofe who are above them in rank ; and if tliey approach to that rank, their en- vy is generally ftrongeft againft fucli as are juft one Hep higher than themfelves. — Alas ! my friends, all this envious difquietude, which agitates the world, ^ •arifes from a deceitful figure which impofes on the pub- lic view. Falfe colors are hung out : the real (late of men is not what it ieenis to be. The order of fo- ciety requires a diftindion of ranks to take place ; but in point of hiy^pinefs, all men come much nearer to equality than is comj3:ionly imagined ; and the cir- cumflanccs, which -form any material diiFerence of happinefs among them, are not of that nature whidfi renders them grounds of envy. The poor man pof- -ieffes not, it is true, fome of the conveniences and leafures of the rich j but, in return, he isiice ix^^m ^20 THE PLEASmG LIBRARV: many embarrafTments to which they are fubjedl. By the fimplicity and uniformity of his life, he is deliv- ered from that variety of cares, which perplex thofe who have great affairs to manage, intricate plans to purfue, many enemies, perhaps, to encounter in the purfuit. In the tranquillity of his fraall habitation, and private family, he enjoys a peace which is often unknown at courts. The gratifications of nature, which are always the moft failisfadlory, are pofTeffed by him to their fell extent ; and if he be a flranger to the refined pleafures of the wealthy, he is unacquaint- ed alfo with the defire of them, and by confequence, feels no want. His plain meal fatisfies his appetite, with a reliili, probably, higher than that of the rich man, who fits down at his luxurious banquet. His fleep is more found ; his health more firm ; he knows not what fpleen, languor, and liflleiTnefs are. His ac- cuftomed employments or labors are not more oppref- five to him, than the labor of attendance on courts and the great, the labors of drefs, the fatigue of amule- ments, the very weight of idlenefs, frequently are to the rich. In the m^an time, all the beauty of the face of nature, all the erjoymcnts of dcmeftic fociety, all the gaity and chcerfulnefs of an eafy mind, are as open to him as to thofe of ihe highcfi: rank. The fplendor of retinue, the fr-rmd of tides, the appearances of hign re^pecl, are indeed fnoth^r.cr, f.-.^ a (liort time, to the great. But, become fimilinr. tliey are U)on forgotten. Cuftom effaces their imT^refiion. They fmk into the rank of thofe ordinary thinp:^, which daily recur, with- out rairing any fenfation cf ]oy. — T.et rs cea^e, there- fore, from looking up withdifcontent and envy to thofe, T^E PLEASING LIBRARY. lai whom birth or fortune has placed above us. Let us ad- jull the balance of happlnefs fairly. When we think of the enjoyments wq want, \vq ihould think alio of the troubles from which we are free. If we allow their jutl value to the comforts we poifefs, we Ihall ^d rea- fon to reft fatisiied, wiih a very moderate^tJihough not an opulent and fplendid condition of fortune. Often, did we know the whole, we mould be inclined to pit / the Uate of thofe whom we now envy. The mortifications of VICE great£& THAN THOSE OF VIRTUE. T -^— HOUGH no condition of human life is free from uneafmefsjyet it rcuft be allowed, that the un- •^afinefs belonging to a frnful courfe, is far greater, thaa what attends a courfe of well-doing. If we are wear/ of the labors of virtue, we In ay be afiured, that the world, whenever v.e try the ei charge, will lay upon us a much heavier Icud. It is the oulfidc, only, of a licentious life, which is gay and miiilng. "Withui, it conceals toil, and trouble, and deadly fonow. For vice poifons human happirefs in ilie "pig, by intic- ducing diforder into the heart. Ihoie paiixns v^hith it feems to indulge, it only feeds v/ith irnpeifed grati- ilcations ; and thereby llrengtLcns than for preying, m the end, on their unhiippy via* nis. It is a great mi/lake to imagine, iLat the } ain of fcir-utaial Is crnfircd to \iiluc. Hv wl.o -b- lv. ^ ili-i 2^^ THE PLEASING LIBRAtifT. world, as much as he v/ho follows Chrift, muft <'t^k« up his crofs ;" and to him affuredlv, it will prove a ^more oppreffive burden. Vice allows all our paffions to range uncontrolled ; and where each claims to be fuperior, it is impoffible to gratify all. The pre- ' dominant defire can only be indulged at the expenfe of its rival. No mortifications which virtue exads, are more fevert than thofe, which ambition impofes upon the love of eafe, pride upon intereft, and covet- oufnefs upon vanity. Self-denial, therefore, belongs, in common, to vice and virtue ; but with this remark- able difference, that the paflions which virtue requires us to mortify, it tends to w^eaken ; whereas, thofe w^hich vice obliges us to deny, it, at the fame time, ftrengthens. The one diminillies the pain of felf-deni- al, by moderating the demand of paffion ; the other in- creafes it, by rendering thofe demands imperious and violent. What diftrelTes, that occur in the calm life of virtue, can be compared to thofe tortures which re- morfe of confcience inflicls on the wacked ; to thofe fevere humiliations, arifmg from guilt combined w^ith misfortunes, which fmk them to the. du ft ; to thofe violent agitations of iliamiC and difappoiDtment, which fometlmes drive them to the mcft fatal extremities, and make them abhor their exiftence ? Hov/ often, in the midil: of thofe difailrous ficuations, into which their crimes have brought them, have they execrated the feduclions of vice ; and, w^ith bitter regret, looked back to the day on which they firil forfcok the pafb of innocence ! THE PLEASING LIBRARY^ lai' The dignity of VIRTUE amidst corrupt EXAMPLES. _^_ X HE moft excellent and honorable char- • a: l^6 THE PLEASING LIBRARY. tbem, was the moll critical one of his life? and the moil: decifivc of his charafler. It is fuch as rarely oc- curs in the courfe of human events ; and is calculated to draw the higheft attention of all who are endowed with any degree of fenfibility of heart. From the whole tenor of the narration it appears, that though Jofeph, upon the arrival of his brethren in Egypt, made himfelf Ilrangc to them, yet from the be- ginning he intended to difcoverhimfelf ; and ftudiedfo to condufl the difcov3ry> as might render the furprife of joy complete. For this end, by afFe5 fhe was very fur e, all ef- teem fiie could entertain for him muft certainly be at an end ; and that Ihe would fuffer any thing on her part before ftiQ would marry him. This very deliberate manner of addrefs and remon- itnmce had no kind of effe6t upon Wilding- on the con- trary it only ferved to fpur him on more in his wicked defigns, and excite new projeds of malicious gallant- ry. He now proceeded to violence. Such w^as Eli- za's frjuation, that flie did notinterpofe — fearful if fhe- had difcoveredherfclf, flie would fecm to have fufpedl- ed the frFendfhip of Mifs Harcourt, or met with the ill-timed farcafms of an unthinking libertine However, the feafonable interruption ©f Jermy, the fervant, put an end at prefent to Mr. Wilding's inten- tion. He feemed exceedingly mortified at the intru- iion, and fpeedily took leave. Mifs, Harcourt was determined to>be revenged on him for this audacious attempt. She communicated her fentiments to Jenny, who wifhed much to invent fome flratagem for punilhing the prefumption of the youth, and make him at the fame time fenfible of the injury he had offered Mifs Harcourt. THJS PLPlASING LIBRARY. 157 Eliza, v»ho had overheard their wlfhes to be accom- plices in a plot, now refolved, as fhe was moil partic- ularly concerned, to be herfeif the inventrefs. She ac- cordingly imparted her defign to a nephew of the late Mr. Seymour ; who, having fortunately procured an acquaintance with Wilding, allured her that every thing in his power he would, without the leafl: hefita- tion accomplifn. This young man, whom we iliall call Charles, affociated on purpofe with WiMing; feem^ ed an advocate for pleafure like hlmfelf and fharcd ia all manner of wild intoxication* Mifs Seymour had now moved her refidence to a country village, and, in order to allure Wilding to fol- low them, Charles (who was prudently admitted into the fecret) very fagaciouily laid a wager with his friend Wilding, that he wo*uld never accompiifh his de- fign over Mifs Harcourt. This ftimulated the young man to follow them ; and Charles, with Colonel Riot (who was not in the plot) were confequently his com* panions* . The place which Mifs Seymour repaired to, was a lonely unneighbourly town, The cottage, formerly a caftie, was large, wild, and difordered — a gloomy afpedt hung over the place, and was feeniir.gly well- fuited for the daring projecl which ran in her head- Jenny, and Tom a m.aa-fervant, were the only aitend- ants which flie took. Wilding, in order to gain his purpofe over Mifs. Harcourt, attempted to bribe Jeimy. This fagacious- girl, to avoid fiifpicion, accepted his mvoney (v.^hich was rather templing, being plentifully cfFtiLd) \\\di little or no ^eludance, fcemiiig ratht:r 10 accnicfce M z 1^3 TH£ PJLEASlNajLIBRAR.Y. •With his defigns, and inclined to give the afliftancc v^hich he pretended to v/ant fo much, Charles, on the evening intended for Wilding's bold effay, now under pretence of fpiriting him up to ac- tion, invited him to a bottle. This was the time for him to perform his arduous part, on which depended the whole (Iratagem, and this he did bcih honorably and fuccefsfully. He feized a happy opportunity of mixing opium with Wilding's Hquor, which, in addi- tion to the fplrits (for Charles made him drink more than ufual) had fuch an effe<^ over his uaderftanding, as to rendet him totally ii^fenfible^ and almoft dead. While in this honid (late of ignorant inebriation, Charles had the infenfible body of his friend conveyed^ by proper fervants, to a room which was on purpofe iitted up in this melancholy and wild refidence that Mifs Seymour had defignedly chofen : it was hung with black and every thing that could render it dif. mal and awful was mod induftrioufly executed : the ikuUs and bones of departed friends were here and there fcattered ; Memtnto m&ri feemed to be the mot- to of all around ; a coffin with glimmering lights was carefully placed before him. In ihort, the whole fcene was both interefting and tremendous. Wilding, who had been, during his trarJlation, ig- norant of all that was faid or done, now fnored away his intoxication, and fuddenly awaked in this room of horror ; he rubbed his eyes, for fome time gazing with wonder around, then doubtful that he was yet awake, hi lubbed again ; he looked at the fkulls ; took them IHE Pi EASING lirRARY. 7^ up m his hands, then gazing at the arms and legs he went to the door, behed two mutes who looked - horror and death $ he (poke to them, but they gave no anfwer, nor feemed to perceive him ; he returned^ , walked about, beheld the coffin ; this roufed his curt- ofity ; he read the fupei-fcrlption, and was no doubt aftoniflied to find thvt John Wilding (hlmfelf) died fuddenly the very day that he was drinking with his friend Charles. This amazed him ; he could not be- lieve his eyes, and indeed no wonder ; he was however refolved to examine more clofely into the matter, and endeavored to open the coffin for the pleafure of fee- ing his own dead body ; but herein he was difappoint- td ; for the projedlors of the fcheme- had it fo well fcrewed down, that all his ability was in vain ; now, in a (late of melancholy refledion, he ftood Tome time | at laft Mifs Seymour and her confidant entered in deep Tnouming ; he addreffed them, but they took no no- tice of him ; he fpoke to them, but they did not an- fv/er ; and, when they did break filence, their words were entirely foreign to the queflions propofed. « I will — cried Mifs Seymour in a fit of feeming diilradion — I will give vent to my forrow and bewail the untimely death of this poor youth.'^ ** No, don't,'* cried Wilding, ** look at me, I am not dead, upon my foul." Totally indifferent to Mr. Wilding's requefl, flie mourned moft pientifnily over the coffin, and now and then would ftare him in the face, to convince him that fee did not fee him. 140 THE PLEASING LIBRARY. " Come away ;" exclaimed Mtfs Harcourt, who nader pretence was admlniftering all the confolation in her power, " come, you did not know the charader of this man, or you would not now lament his deferved fate ; he had the impudence (I would not confefs it to you, my dear, only he is now dead and gone) to attack even my virtue, and feek my utter ruin ; laft night I am told he had determined to complete his evil purpofe ; and heaven (I am fure) infiiaed this punlfii-"* ment upon him, for which I muft ahvays be thankful, to frultrate his dangerous defign ; otherwife he would not fo fuddenly have died of that fmall cruil of breads which I am told ftuck in his throat.'^ « Speak not fo harfiily I conjure you,'' cried Mifs. Seymour, " he was young, and farely youth is fome plea for his foibles ; look at his coffin, he is no more than twenty, poor young man, had he lived, no doubt,, he would have atoned for all his errors," ** Perhaps, my dear, it is happier for you that he is now gone ; confider tliat you are thereby releafed from a deteriable contradl, you are free, and I am fure, if men fufFer puniQiment after their death, he muft feel now for his cruel treatment to you, and his wicked defigns upon me/* «< Suffer !'' echoed Wilding, "dear! dear! I be- lieve I fnall always be in hell.'' Jenny now entered, and feemed to bewail with e* qual -narrow the untimely fate of poor Wilding : he- did a)! in his power to fhew himfelf, but fuch was his». misfortune, he could not appear to any 5 it was now THE PLEASING LIBRARY. 141 Jeimy difcovered his intention of procuring admittance to Mifs Harcourt by the bribes he had given her ; in ihort, all his fins and iniquities feemed to ftare him in die face, and rife, as it were, in judgement againil him. The fervant man brought in word that the under- taker was ready to inter the body ; they all prepared, as mourners, to attend this awful funeral, even Charles now appeared in fable drefs with watery eyes ; the la- dies went out firft, and Wilding, who was left alone with his companion, endeavored all in his power to appear to him, but to no efFe(5l, he could not, for he would not fee him. " Well by the — no I won't fwear as I am dead,'* exclaimed Wilding, " but ' by my foul, for that is dill living, if you won't hear me, you fliali feel me." * Upon this Wilding^ gave Charles a mofl violent knock on the head, but, happily, the other attribut- ed it to a fudden head-ach, and convinced poor. Wild-? ing that he was a penitent ghoft indeed* The difmal fituation of our hero cannot be defcrib* ed, particularly when he faw Charles, his bofom friend, preparing to pay his fad refpedls to his fuppofed re- mains — The women, Mifs Seymour, Mifs Harcourt, and Jenny, went into one coach. Wilding refolved to be among them, and, both out of refpe^: to them, and love for the memory of himfelf, joined them in this ftrange excurfion — the ladies artfully took no notice of his entering the carriage, and he fat between Eliza 3:4^ THE PLEASING LIBRARY. arid Lydia, who alternately lamented his fate, partic- ularly the latter, who hoped (with a ferious face while gazing inattentive to him) that heaven would have pi- ty on his youth, and forgive him the manifold crimes that he was guilty of. <* But, alas !^' continued Mifs Harcourt, ** when I think on the heinous vices he has been guilty of^ I f«ir that brimftone and fire mull be his eternal ' lot — " *' Heavea deliver me," ejaculated the terrified Wilding, who became confcious of the fins he had committed, and was - rather apprehenfive of future punifhment, - In this afFe(fting m.^nner the company proceeded ; ■while Jenny, who fat oppofite to Wilding, was railing violently againft his juvenile follies, the tender Eliza befeeching her to defift, for this was no time to war with the dufl While thus they were adding flill tO'the terrots of Wilding, to complete both his aflon- ifhment and perturbation, they fung the following DI R G E. fafewcl, farcwel, my love, my heart t- Poor Jack, Poor Jack, Is 'flown away ! Alack, Alack, A&4 weli»»-day 1 THE PLEASING LIBRARX. X43 Adieu, adieu, dear foul, dear youth ! Poor Jack, Poor Jack, Is fhatch*d away By tyrant death*s devouring tooth I Alack, Alack, And ^ well-s^day ? -» 1 They now defcended from their coaches m folemn and filent forrow ; Wilding approached the ground where he faw himfelf laid. The funeral rites (being on purpofe paid for by Mifs Seymour) were duly per- , formed, and Wilding was left in the church-yard to ^ bewail his difmal and untimely end. Now was the time when this tinfortunate youth be- gan to repent ; now was the lime when he faw his fol- lies, and wifhed himfelf alive again, that he might lead a new life. Eliza, who had fo contrived that he fhould be left behind, returned. as it were to mourn o- ver the remains of her dear but unworthy inconftant Wilding beheld her weil-difFembled grief ; he ..looked at her, and wept likewife— — —She, with fea- fonable cunning, ftarted at his appearance " Good heaven 1" exclaimed (he, " it is — :it is the fhade of Mr. Wilding- — '' Wilding was happy that fiie faw him— -he confefled that he was that unfortunate youth that was juft now buried; he implored her forgivnefs, and earneftly prayed that fhe vrould intercede for him with her friend, and procure his. pardon for the infults he had . offered ; '< this perhaps may be the m^ans (he. added) 144 EHT PLEASING LIBRARY. of rendering me fome reft ; for I affure you, though I do fleep in this yard, I have not had one moment's quiet fmce I died.'' During this interefting fcene Colonel Riot happen- ed to pafs by, and, being '* ripe for fport," hailed his friend Wilding, whofe pallid and melancholy coun- tenance fomewhat aftonifiied him. " Heyday!" cries he, "What is the matter. Jack ?" " And do you fee me too — Oh then, my friend, take warning — beware of my untimely end — forbeai thefe unlimited bounds of pleafure — be wife ere it be too late." " Why ? why \ What the devil is the matter ? yoi: feem to be quite dull— you that was once all alive, Come, let us take a bottle together." « Afk me to take a bottle with you — ^What do yoi mean ? Confider what I am." " Why, what the devil are you ? I thought yoi were an honeft fellow -Come — Oh 1 Mifs Sey mour, are you here ? — So, fo, I fee what you havi been both at — but what an odd place you have choi en to meet in. Come, what's the matter with you?' " The matter ! Why do you afk — Why do you in fult me ? Oh beware, my friend, left a cruft of brea( may fatally explain to you what has happened ty -me ^' THE PLEASING LIBRARY. 145 At this inftant Charles, who had accolnpanied Eli- za, and during this icene fecreted himfelf behind a tree, difcovered himfelf by a loud laugh — the noife of which furprifed Wilding; for, ilruck with every found, he feemed apprelieniive that the devil was coming for him he "was happy however to fee him in the Ihape of Charles his friend, who now revealed the plot ; flat- tering himfelf that the efFed thereof was both happy and fuccefsful. Wilding, re]oicii}g to hear that he was not dead, availed himfelf of the glad opportunity of repenting ; and changed the rites of hiffuneral to the tranquil cer- emonies of Hymen ; while Lydia, participating of the tiniverfal happinefs, made a double union by giving her hand to Ch^trles. --^XX7:;Xo(^*?|?*«(SloXXX:>=::X'XX — The close of LIFE. _^_ Our life is nothing but our death begun ; As tapers wafte the inftant they take fire. W HEN we contemplate the clofe of life ; the termination of man's defigns and hopes ; the fiknce tliut now reigns among thofe who, a little while ago, were fo bufy, or fo gay ; who can avoid being touched with fenfations at once aAvful and tender ? What heart but then warms with the glow of humanity ? In whofe eye does not the tear gather, on revoifing tlie ffite J. p affing and fhort-lived man? ' N .^,^1S '^JIE PLEASING LIBItAR.Y. Behold the poor man. who lays do\ni at laft th« ^"barden of his wearifome. life. No more fhall he groan .under the load of poverty and toll. No more fhail he 'hear the infolent calls of the mafter, from whom he received, his fcanty wages. No more Ihall he be r^ifed from needful flumber an his bed of draw, nor be hurried away from, his homely -jneal, to undergo ..the repeated labors of the -dc^y^ "W^ile . his humble grave is preparing, and a few poor and decayed neighbours are carry irjg him thither, it is good for us to think, that this man too was qtir -brother ; that for hhn the aged and deftitute ^vife, and the needy child- ren, now weep ; that, , uegle<5led ^S; he was by the world, he poffefied perhaps both a found underftand- ing, and a worthy heart; andis now. carried by angels to reft in Abraham's bofom. — At no great diftance from him, the grave is opened to receive the rich and proud man. For, as It is faid with .emphafis in the parai)le, " ihe rich man alfo died, and was buried.'* He alfo died. His riches preventednot his, Sharing the fame fate with the poor man ; perhaps, tWough luxury, they accelerated his doom. then, indeed, ** the mourners go about the ftre^ts ;" and while, in all the pomp and magnificence of woe, his funeral jp prepared, his heirs, impatient to examine his W;^, are looking on one another with jealous eyes, and already beginning to difpute about the divifion of his fubftance. — One day, we fee carried along the cofEn of the fmiling infant ; the flower juft nipped as It 'began to bloifom in the parent's view : and the next day, v/e behold the young man, or young v;cman, pf blooming form and promifmg hopes, laid in an un* THE PLEASING LIBRARY. t^f tirricly grave. While the funeral is attended by a numerous unconcerned company, who are difcouning to one another about the news of the day, or the ordi- nary affairs of life, let our thoughts rather follow to , the houfe of mourning, and reprefent to themfelves \^1iat is pafling there. There, we ihould fee a difcon» folate family, fitring in filent grief, thinking of the fad breach that is made in their little fociety ; and, with tears in their eyes, looking to the chamber chat. is now left vacant, and'to every memorial that pre- fents itfelf of thf ir departed friend. By fuch aiLentiori to cfie woth of otlurs, the felfifh hardnefs of our htiiiis will be gradually foftened, and melted down into hu- manity, - Another day, we follow to the grave, on$ who, in old age, and after a long career of life, has in full ma- turity funk atlaftinto reft. As we are going alorlg tathe manfion of the dead, it is natural for us to think, and to difcourfe, of all the changes which fuch a per- fon has feen during the courfe of his life. .He • has paffed, it is likely, through varieties of fortune. He has experienced profperty, and adverfity. He has feen families and kindreds rife and fall. He has feen peace and war fucceeding in their turns ; the face of his country undergoing many alterations ; and the very city in which he dwelt rifing, in a manner, new around him. After all he has beheld, his eyes are now clofed forever. He was becon'iing a itranger i*n the midft of a new fucceffion of men. A race who knew him not, had ariien to fill the earth. Thus paffes the world away. Throughout all ranks and condition, " one generation paffeth, and another gtu^ 148 TBE •PLEASING LIBRARY. eration cometh ;" and this great inn is by turns evac- uated, and replenifhed, by trpops of fucceeding pil- grims, ~D vain and inconftant world 1 O fieetiijg and tranfient life ! When will the fons of men learn to think of thee, as they ought ? When will they learn humanity from the afflidions of their brethren ; or moderation and wifdom, from the fenfe of their ovfn; fugitive ftate. On the justice of PROVIDENCE in th£ DISTRIBUTION of. RICHES. — *4^ — Tc whom can riches give repute or truft, Content or plealure, but the good and juft ? Ci ^HREMYLUSy who was an old and^ a. gGoJ'man, and wkhal ej^ceeding poor, being defirous to leave fome richco to his fon, confalts the oracle of Apollo upon the fubjexfl. The oracle bid him follow the iirft man he IKpuld fee upon his going out of the templt?. The perfon he chanced to fee was to appear- ance, an old, fordidj blind man ; but upon his follow- ing him from place to place, he at laft foundfcby his own confeffion, that he was Plutus, the god^ riches, and that he v/as juii come out of the houfe df a mif- er. Plutus further told him, that wh.en he was, ajpoy he ufad to declare, that as foon as he came to a^ he would diHribute wealth to none but virtuous and juft men i upoa which Jupiter, confidering the pernicious THE PLEASING LIBRARY. 149^'^ GOnfequences of fuch a refolution, took his figHt away from him, and left him to ftroU about the world in the blind condition wherein Chremylus beheld him. With much ado Chremylus prevailed upon Jiim to go to his houfe, where he met an old woman in a tatter- ed raiment, who had been his gueft for many years, and whofe name was Poverty. The old woman refuf- ing to turn out {o readily as he would have her, he threatened to banifh her, not only from his ow^n houfe, but out of Greece, if fhe made any more words upon the matter. Poverty on this occafion pleads her caufe very notably, and reprefents to her old landlord, that fhould (he be driven out of the country, all their trades, arts, and fciences, would be driven out with her ; and tfiat if every one was rich, they would never be fup- plied with thofe pomps, ornaments, and conveniences of life, w^hich made riches defirable. She likewlfe reprefented the feveral advantages which fhe beftovred upon her votaries, in regard to their fhape, their health, and their adlivity, by p^teferving them from goats, dpopfies, unwieldTnefs, and intemperance. But what- ever fhe had to fay for herfelf, ihe was at laft forced to move off. Chremylus immediately coiifidered how he might reftore Piutus to his fight ; and in order to do it, conveyed him to the temple of Efcullpius, who was famous for cures and miracles of this natilre. By this means Piutti:^ recovered his eyes, and began ro make a right ufe of them, by enriching every oiie that was didinguiflied by piety towards God, and jtidice towards man ; and at tJKe fame time by taking iSTftay his gift's from the impious and undcfervirigo N a J50 THE PJbEASING LIBRARY. This produced feveral m^rry incidents till ia the laft ad: Mercury defceads wich great complaints from the gods, that fince the 'good men were grown rich they had received no facriiices, which is confirmed by a pried of Jupiter, who enters with a remonftrance, that, fince thefe late Innovations he was reduced to a ftarv- ing condition^ and could not live upon his office., Chremylus, who in the beginning of the, play was re- ligious in his poverty, concludes with a propofal which v/as reliihed by. alLthe good men, who v/ere now grown rich as well as himfelf, ( i. e. ) that they fhould carry Plutus in folemn proceffion to the temple, and indall him in the place of Jupiten This allegory inO:rud:ed the Athenians in two points 5 firft, as it vindicated the condud of Providence in its ordinary didribution of wealth ; and, in the next place, as it (hewed the great tendency of riches to corrupt the morals of thofe who , poffeiTed them. CARAZAN's VISION : or,' social LOVE ah^ * BENEFICENCE recommended. Grafp the whole world of reafon, life, and fenfe, In one clofe fyflera of benevolence ; Happier, as kinder, in whatever degree j A height of blifs is height of charity. \^j 'ARAZAN> the merchant of Bagdat,, was eminent throughout ail the Eaft for his avarice and wealth ; his original is obfcur^ as^hat of the fpark, THE PLEASING LIBRARY. i^!^ ? which by the collifion of fteel and adamant is ftriick out of the darknefs ; and the patient labor of perfevcr- ing diligence alone had nnade him rich. It was re- membered, that when he was indigent he was thought to be generous ; and he was ftill acknowledged to be inflexibly juft. But whether in liiis. dealings with men he difcovered ii perjfidy which tempted him to put his truft in goiJ ; or whether in proportion as he accumu- lated weaitli, lie difcovered his own importance by in- creafe, Carazan prized it more as he ufed it lefs : he gradually loft the inclination to do good, as he acquir« ed the power ; and as tlie hand of time fcattered fnow upon his head, xhe freezing influence extended to his bcifom. But though the door of Cafazian was never opened by hofpitaiity, nor his hand by compaffion, yet fear led him conftantly to the mofque at the dated hours of prayer : he performed all the rites of devotion with the moft . fcrupulous pundhiality, and he had thrice ^ paid his vov/s at the tepnple of the Prophet, That devotion which arifes from the love of God,, land nee- e/Hirily includes the love of man, as it connects gratis fade with beneficence, and exalts that which was mor- tal to divine, confers new dignity upon goodnefs, and is the ob;e6t not only of affedion but of reverence. On the contrary, the devotion of the felfiQi, whether it be thought to avert the punifliraent which every one wifties to be inflided, or to infure it by the complica- tion of hypocrify with guilt, never fails to excite in- dignation and abhorrence. Carazan, therefore, when, he had locked his door, and turning round with a look k£ Qircuinfp*.' not been ac.cepted^, be- caufe it was not prompted by the love of God ; nel- . iher can thy righteoufnefs be.rewarded, becaufe it was., not produced by the love of man : for thy own fake only haft thou rendered to every man hi.s due: and ti^ou haft approached the Almighty only for thyfelf. Thou h^ft nqt. looked up with gratitude, nor round ihee with kindnefs. Around thee thou haft indeed' beheld vice and folly : but if vice Jcud foUy could juf- tify thy parfimony, would they not condemn the bo.unty of heaven ? If not upon the foolifli and the vicious, where fhall the fun diifufe his light, or the clouds diftil tWr dew..^ Where fh^ll the lips of the... 1^4 'J^^E PLEASING LlBRjlUT.' j^^ring breathe fragrance, or the=hand of autumn dif^' fufe plenty ? Remember, Carazan that thou haft fhut ' GOmpaiHoii from thy heart, and grafped thy treafures ' with a hand of iron : thou haft-hved for thyfelf ; and, therefore, he'nceforth forever thou ilialt filbiill alone. From the light of heaven, and from the fociety of all - beings, fhalt thou be driven ; folitude fhall protradt the .lingering hours of eternity, and darknefs aggravate- the horror of defpair/' At this moment I was driven, by fome fecret and ' irrefiilable power, through the glowing fyftem of ere* at-ion, and palfed innumerable worlds in a moment. As I approached the verge of nature, I perceived the fhadows of total and boundlefs vacuity deepen before me, a dreadful region of eternal filence, folitude, and darknefs ! unutterable horror feized me. at the prof- pe6l, and this exclamation burfl from me with all the vehemence of defire. Oh 1 that I had been doomed for e^er to the corm7i?on receptacle of impenitence and guilt I their fociety nxjoiild have alleviated the tortnent of defpair^ and the rage of fire could rM have excluded the ccnnfort of light. Ori if I had been condeijined to rejide on a cornet^ that t t^ be recorded for the benefit of pofterity. 25^ THE PLEASING LIBRARY, T«E PASSIONS' -AN GDE. w, HEN Music, heav'nlymaid ! was yeuTi'g? While yet in early Greece fte fung. The Passions, oft, to hear her fnell, Throng'd around her magic cell, Exulting, trembling, raging, fainting, / Poffeft beyond the Mufe's painting. -^ By turns they felt the glowing mind Difturb'd, delighted, rais'd, refin'd. Till once, 'tis faid, when all were fir'd, FilPd with fury, rapt, infpir*d, From the fupp or ting myrtles round They fnatch'd^her inftruments of found : And, as they oft had heard apart •'Sweet leiTons di her forceful art, Each, (for Madnefs ruPd the hour) Would prove its own exprefiive power. Firft Fear— his. hand, its (kill to try. Amid the chords bewildered laid ; . And back recoiPd— he knew not why ! . Ev'n at the found himfelf had made. Next Anger ruili'd— his eyes on fire. In lightnings own'd his fecret ilir;gs : With one rude clafh he (Iruck the lyre, ^nd fwept witji hurried hand the ftririgs. THE PLEASING LIBRARY. i^^y With woful meafures wan Despair- Low, Allien founds, his grief begullM ; A folemn, (Irange, and mingled air ! 'Twas fad by fits — by ftarts 'twas wild. But thou, O Hope ! with eyes fo fair. What was thy delighted meafure ? ♦Still it whifper'd promised pleafure, And bade the lovely fcenes at diftance hail ! Still would her touch the drain prolong ; And, from the rocks, tlie woods the vale>, -She calPd on Echo ftill through all her fong. And where her fweeteft theme fhe chofe, A foft refponfive \''oIce was heard at ev'ry clofe, And Hope enchanted fmiPd, and Avav'd h^ gold- en hair, x^nd longer had ihe fung — ^but, with a frown, Revenge impatient rofe : He threw his blood-ftain*d fword in thunder down. And, with a withering look. The war-denouncing trumpet took ; And blew a biaft fo loud and dread, Were ne'er prophetic founds fo full of woe : And ever and anon he beat The doublinor drum with furious heat, o And though fomctimes, each dreary paufe be- tween, Dejedled Pity, at his fjde. Her foul-fubduing voice applied. Yet flill he kept his wild imalter'd mien, While each fllain'd ball of fight feem'd blirflittg from his h^ead, O ^ja THE PLEASING LIBRARY, Thy numbers, Jkalousy. to nought were fix^d-i Sad proof of thy diftrefsful ilate ! .Of diixerent themes the veering fong was mix'd ; Aad now it courted Love — then, raving, calFd on Hate. With eyes uprais'd, as one infpir'd ; Pale Melancholy fat retir'd ; And, from her wild fequefter'd feat, In notes, by diftance made more fweet? Pour'd through the mellow horn her penfive foul And, dafhing foft from rocks around, Bubbling runnels joined the found. Through glades and glooms the mingled meafure ftole ; Or o*er fome haunted fir earn, with fond delay, Round an .iioly calm diffufmg, Love of peace and lonely mufmg, In hollow mur^murs died away. But O bow alterM was its fprightlier tone, When CH£s,RFULNEss,,a n}vmph of healthieft hue^ Her bow acrofs her fhoulder Jung, Her buikins gem.m'd with morning dew, Blew an infpiring air, that dale and thicket rung, The liunler's call — to Fawn and Dryad known f The oak-crown'd fiflers, and their chafte-ey'd queen. Satyrs and Sylvan boys, were feen Pi^eping from forth their allies green. Brown Exercife rejoiced to hear ; - Aad Sport leap'd up, and feiz'd hrsbeechen fpeari JLdii came Joy's extatic trial :' He, with viny crown advancing, THE PLEASING LIBRARY, i^s¥ Tlrft to the lively pipe his hand addrefs'd ; But foon he faw the briik awak'ning viol, iVhofe fweet entrancing voice he lov'd the h/^Jl. 'they would have thong^ht, who heard the drain, They faw in Tempe's vale her native maids, Amidft the the feftal founding (hades, To frme un weary M minftrel dancing ; While, as his flying fingers kifs'd the ftrings, Love frani'd with Mirth a gay fantaftic rounds Loofe were her treffes feen, her zone unbound ; And he amidft his frolic play, As if he woTvld the charming air rcr:vy, Shook thoufand odors from his dewy wings. 6 Tvfusic, fphere-defcended maid 1 Friend of pleafure wifdom's aid, Why, Goddefs, why to us deny'd ? I^ay'ff thou thy ancient lyre afide ? As in that lov'd Athenian bow'r, You learn'd an all-commanding pow'r. Thy mimic foul, O nymph endearM I Can well recal what then it heard. Where is thy native fimple heart, Devote to Virtue, Fancy, Art ? Arife, as in that older time. Warm, energetic, chafte, fublime ! Thy wonders, in that godlike age, Fill thy recording fifter's page. 'Tis faid — and I believe the tale — Thy humbleft reed could more prevail, Had more of ftrength, diviner rage, Than all which charms this laggard age ^ E'en stll at once together found »do THE FLEA:?ING library. Cecilia's mingled world of foundc O bid our vain endeavors ceafe ! Revive the juftdefigns of Greece! Return in all thy fimple ftate : Confirm the tales her fons relate ! On the HEAD.DRESS of the LADIES. HERE is not fo variable a thing in na-. %ure as a lady's head-drefs : within my own memory, I have known it rife and. fall above thirty degrees. A- bout ten years ago it (hot up to a very great height, in- ibmuch that, the female part of our fpecies were much taller than the men. The women were of fuch an e- normous ftature, that " we appeared as grafshoppers before them.'' At prefent, the whole fex is in a man- ner dwarfed, and fhrunk into a race of beauties that {qqui almoft another fpecies. I remember feveral la- dies who were once very near feven feet high, that at prefent want fome inches of five : how they came to be thas curtailed, I cannot learn : whether the whole fex be at prefent under any penance which we know nothing of, or whether they have caft their head-dref- fes, in order to farprife us with fomething in that kind which ihall be entirely new ; or whether fome of the talleft of the fex, being too cunning for the reft, have contrived this method to make themfelves appear fize- able, is ftill a fecret ; though I find moft are of opin- ion, they are at prefent like trees. new lopped andpm- THE PLEASING LIBRARY. i6l ned, that will certainly fprout out, and floiirlfh with greater heads than before. For my own part, as I do not love to be inlulted by women who are taller than myfelf, I admire the fex much more in their prefent humiliation, which has reduced them to their natural dimenlions, than when they had extended their perfons, and lengthened themfelves out into formidable and gi- gantic figures, I am not for adding to the beautiful edifices of nature, nor for raifing any whimfical fuper- ftru(5lure upon her plans ; I mud therefore repeat it, that I am highly pleafed witli the coiffure now in fafli- ion, and think it fnews the good fenfe which at pre- fent very much reigns among the valuable part of the fex. One may obferve that women in all ages have tak- en more pains than men to adorn the outfide of their' heads ; and indeed I very much admire, that thofe ar- chiteds, who raife fuch powerful ftruflures out of rib- ands, lace, and wire, have not been recorded for their refpedive inventions. It is certain there have been a^ many orders in thefe kind of buildings, as in thofe wh^ch have been made of marble; fometimes they rife in the fhape of a pyramid, fometimes like a tower,' and fome- times like a ileeple. In Juvinile's time, the building, grew by feveral orders and (lories^ as he has very hu- liioroufly defcribed it. — ^ — With curls on cnrls they build her head heforc, And mount it with a formidable tow'r ; A giuntefs fhe feems; but look behind, And then fae dwindles to the pigmy kind. Eiu I do not reinember, in any part of my reading, that the head- drefs afpired to fo great an extravagance, as in o % J 6a THE PLEASING LIBR-^niY. the fourteenth century; when it was built up in a coupte of cones or fpires, which flood fo exceffively high on each fide of the head, that a woman, -who was but a pigmy without her head-drefs,. appeared like a Coloflus upon putting it on. Moniieur Paradin fays, "That thefe old fafhioned fontages rofe an ell above the head, that they were pointed like fteeples, and had long loofe pieces of crape faftened to the tops of them, which \vere curioufiy fringed, and hung down their backs like fireamers/' The women might poffibly have carried this Gothic building much higher, had not the famous monk, . Thomas Connedte by name, attacked it v/ith great Zealand refolution. This holy man travelled from place to place to preach down this monHrous com- jrnode ; and fucceeded fo well in it, that, as the magi- ci|n£ facrifice. their, books to the^ flames upon the , preaching of an apoftlcj m.any of the women threw down their head^-drefs. m the middk of his fermon, and made a bonfire of them within fight of the pulpito ~ He was fo renowned, as well for the fandlity of his life as his manner of preaching, that he had often a congregation of tv^enty thoufand people ; the men placing themfeives on the one fide of his pulpit ; and tiie women on the other, they appeared, to ufe the fi- iniiicude of an ingenious writer^ like a forefl of cedars^ with their heads reaching to the clouds. He fo warm- ed and animated the people againfl: this monftrous or- nament, "that it lay uiider a kind of perfecution ; and* whenever it appeared in public, was -pelted down by the rabble, who flung ftones at the perfons who wore it* . But, notwithflanding this prodigy vanifhed- while the.: THE' PJUEASING LIBRARY. 163 preacher was among them, it began to appear again feme months after his departure, or, to tell it in Mon» fieur Paradin^s own words, " The women, that, like fnails in a fright, had drawn in their horns, fhot them out again as foon as the danger was over." This ex- travagance of the women's head-dreffes in that age is taken notice of by Monfieur d' Argentre, in the hiftory of Bretagne, and by other hiftorianjs, as well as tlie perfon I hav€ here quoted^ It is ufually obferved, that a good reign is the only proper time for the making of laws againft the exor- bitance of power $ in the fame manner, an exceflive head-drefs may be attacked the moft effectually w^ien ' the fafliion is againft it. I do therefore recommend - this paper to my female readers, by way of pr£ven- - liOHc I would defire the fair fex to confider how impoffi» ^ ble it is, for them to add any thing that can be orna- mental to what is already the mafter-piece of nature. The head has the moft beautiful appearance, as well as the higheft ftation in the human figure. Nature has laid out all her art in beautifying the face ; She has touched it with vermillion ; planted in it a double row of ivory ; made it the feat of fmiles and blufiies 5 lighted it up, and enlivened it with the brightnefs of the eyes ; hung it on each fide with curious organs of fenfe ; given it airs and graces that cannot be defcrib- ed ; and furrounded it with fuch a flowing fliade of hair, as fets all its beauties in the moft agreeable light^t^ - in fliort, fhe fcems to have defigned the head as the cu- • pola to the moft glorious of her works ; and, when we load it with fuch a pile of fupernumerary ornaments,' 1^4 T^'HE PLEASING LIBRARY. we deftroy the fymmetry of the hurna* figure, and foollflily contrive to call off the eye from great and real beauties, to childifh gewgaws, ribands, and bone** lace. -*-x>c><:>'tx:xxo©o*^c(^x:: as each happened to become mafters, plundered it at difcretion ; but hunger had tamght her to defpife the dangers and fatigue5 of the way. One evening, upon her journey, as fhe had entered a cottage by the way-fide, to take up her lodgings for the night, fhe was infulted by two Sweedifh foldiers who infifted upon qualifying her, as they termed it^ ta follow the camp. -They raight, probably, have I^^E PLr£A&ING LIBRARY. r6/ parried their infults into violence, had not a fubaltern ofFicer, accidentally paffing by, come to her affiilance. Upon his appearing, the foldiers immediately defiil- ed : butjier thankfulnefs was hai'dly greater than her furprife, when flie iiiflantly recolleded, in her de- liverer, the fon of the Lutheran miniiler, her former inIlru6lor, benefactor and friend. This was an happy interview for Catharina. The little flock of money fhehad brought from home was by this time quite exhautled ; her cloihes were gene, piece by piece, in order t© fatisfy thofe who had entertained ,her in their houfes ; her generous countryman, there- fore, parted with what he could ^are, to buy her clothes, furniilied her with a horfe, and gave her let- ters of recornxmendation to Mr. Gluck, a faithful friend of his father, and fuperintendant of Marien- , burgh. Our beautiful ftranger had only to appear to be well received : flie was immediately admitted into the fu- perintendant's family, as governefs to his two daugh- ters ; and, though yet but leveiueen, ihewed herfclf capable of inftructing her fex, not only in virtue, but politenefs. Such wab her good fenfeand be^iuty, that lier mafter himfelf in a lliort tim.e offered her his hand, which to his great furprife {lie thought proper to re- fufe. Aduated by a principle of gratitude, Ihe was refolved to marry her deliverer ouly, even though he had left an arm, and was other wife disfigured by -wounds, in the fervice. Jn order, therefore, to prevent further folioitatioa& , 2:68 THS PjLEASlNtJv LIBRJtRY, from others, as foon as the officer came to town upon duty, flie offered him her perfon, which he accepted with tranfport ; and their nuptials were folemnized as ufaal. But all th« lines of her fortune were to be flriking : the very day on which they Were marriedj the Ruffians laid fiege to Marienburgh. The unhap- py foldier had now no time to enjoy the well-earned pleafures of matrimony ; he was called off before confummation to an attack, from which he was nev- er after feen to return. In the mean time, the fiege went on with fury, ag-- gravated on one fide by obftinacy, on the other by re- venge. This war between the two northern powers at that time was truly barbarous 5 the innocent peafant .. and the harmlefs virgin often iliared the fate of the foldier in arms. Marienburgh was taken by affault ; . and fuch was the fury of the affailants, that not only the garrifon, but almoil all the inhabitants, men, wo- men, and children, were put to the fwoird. At length, when the carnage wasL pretty well over, Catharina was found hid in an oven. She had been hitherto poor, but ftill was free; the ' was now to conform to her hard fate, and learn what it was to be a flave : in this fituation, however, ihe be- haved with piety and humility ; and, though misfor- tunes had abated her vivacity, yet ilie was cheerfuL The fame of her merit and refignation reached even Prince Menzikoff, the Jluffian General : he delired to fee herj was ftruck with her beauty, bought her from the foldier, her mafter,-and,placed her under the direc- THE PLFASING LIBRARY. i6'<> tion of his own fifter. Here flie was treated with all the refpea which her merit deferved, while her beauty every day improved with her good fortune. She had not been long in this iituation when Peter the Great paying the Prince a vifit, Catharina happen- , ed to come in with tome dry fruits, which Ihe ferved round with peculiar m.odefty. The mighty monarch faw, and was llruck with her beauty. He returned the next day, called for the beautiful fiave, aiked her feveral queftions, and found her underflanding even more perfect than her perfon. He had been forced, when young, to marry from motives of interelt ; he was now refolved to marry purfuant to his own inclinations. He immediately enquired the hiftory of the fair Levonian,who was not yet eighteen. He traced her through the vale of ob- fcurity, through ail the viciintudes oFher fortune, and found her truly great in them all. The meannefs of her birth was no obftrudion to his defign ; their nup- tials were folemnized in private : the Prince afTuring his courtiers, that vinue alone was the propereft lad- der to a throne. We now^ fee Catharina, from the low, mud-walled cottage, Emprefs of thegreateft kingdom upon earth. The poor folltary wanderer is now furrounded by thoufands, who had happineis in her fmile. vSht who formerly wanted a meal, is now c:-ipablc of diflufin^^ plenty upon whcle nations. To her fortu'^e (he. ow^d a. pan of this pre- eminence, but to her virtues TL'Ore. \7c THE PLEASING LIBRARY. She ever after retained thofe great qualities whicii fir ft placed her on a throne ; and while the extraordi- nary prince, her hufband, labored for the reformation of his male fubjedls, fhe (ludied, in her turn, the im- provement of her own fex. She altered their dreffes, introduced mixed ailemblies, iniiituted an order of fe- mak knighthood ; and, at length, when fhe had great- ly filled all the flations of em.prefs, friend, wife, and mother, bravely a'ied without regret — regretted by all. — xx>">i::::Live well, and then how foon foe*er you diCs Thou art of age: to claim Eternity. JL HE human fpecies only, to the great reproach of our nature, are filled v/ith complaints, that the day 'hangs heavy on them, that they do not know what to do with themfelves, that they are at a lofs how to pafs' away their time, Vv^ith many of the like Ihamefui murmurs, which we often find in the mouths of thofe who are fliled reafbnable beings. Howmon- ilrous are fuch expreflions among creatures who have the labors of the mind, as vvell as thofe of the body, to farnifh them v>^ith proper employm-ent ; who, befides i-the bufmefs of their refpeclive callings and profeffionSj can apply themfelves to the duties of religion, to med- itation, to the reading of ufeful books, and to difcourfe; THE PLEASING LIBRARY. iji n\. a word, who imay exeixife themfelves in the un- bounded purfuits of knowledge and virtue, and every hour of their lives make themfelves wifer cr better thaft they were before* After having for fome time been taken up with this courfe of thought, I diverted myfelf with a book, according to mv uliial cuilom, in order to unbend my mind before I went to ileep. The book I made ufe of on this occafion was Lucian, where I amufcd mv thoughts^ for about an hour among the dialogues of the dead, which, in all probability, produced the fol- lowing dream \ I was conveyed, raethought, into the entrance of the infernal regions, where I faw Rhadamanthus, one of the judges of the dead, feated in his tribunal. On his lefc hand flood the keeper of Erebus, ^6n his right Hand the keeper of Elyfmm. I was told he fat judge on women that day, there being feveral of the fex lately aiTived, who had not yet their mxanfions affign^ ed them. I was furprifed to hear him afk every one of them the fame queftion. What they had been do-' ing ? Upon this queiiion being propofed to the whole'' affembly, they ftared upon one another, as not know- ing what to anfwer. He then interrogated each of them feparately. Madam., fays he to the iirll of them, you have' been upon the earth about fifty years ; what have you been doing thtre all this while ? Doing ! fays fne, really I do not know what I have been doing : ' I defire I may have time given me to recolledl. Af- ter about half an hour^s paufe, fhe told him flie had been playing at crimp 5 upon which Rhadamanthus beckoned to the keeper on his left hand to take her tf% THE PLEASING LIBRARY. into cnftody. And you, Madam, fays the judge, who look v/ith fuch a foft and languiihirg air, I thmk you fet out for this place in your nine and twentieth year, what have you been doing all this whriie ? 1 had a- great deal of bufmefs on my hands, fays ftie, being taken up the firil twelve years of my life in dreffing. a jointed baby, and the remaining part of it in read- ing plays and romances. Very well, fays he, you have employed your tirme to good purpofe : away with her^ The next v/as a plain country woman ; well, maftrefs, fays Rhadamanthus, and what have you been doing ? If it pleafe your Worihip, fays ihe, I did not live quite forty years ; and in that time brought my bufband {qwqw daughters, made him nine thoufand cheefes, and left my eldeft girl with him, to look after his houfe in my abience, and who I may venture to fay is as pretty a houfe-wife as any in the country. Rhadamanthus fmiied at the fimplicity of the good woman, and or- dered the keeper of Elyfium to take her into his care. And you, fair lady, fays he, what have you been do- ing thefe live and thirty years > I have been doing no hurt, Sir, I affure you, laid fhe. That is well fays he ; but what good have you been doing ? The lady was in great confufion at this que(lion,and not know- ing what to anfwer, the two keepers leaped out to feize her at the fame time ; the one took her by the hand to convey her to Elyfium, the other caught hold of her to carry her away to Erebus. But Rhadam^an- thus obferving an ingenuous modefty in her counte- * nance and behaviour, bid them both let her loofe, and fet her afide for re-examination when he was more at leifure. An old woman, of a proud and four look, THE PLEASING LIBRARY. I7j prefented herfelf next to the bar, and being afl^ed what fhe had been doing ? Truly, fays llie, I lived threefcore and ten years in a very wicked world, and was fo angry at the behaviour of a parcel of yourig flirts, that I pail moft of my lafl years in condemning the lollies of the times : I was every day biasing the iilly condud of the people about me, in order to de- ter thofe I converfed with from falling into the like errors and mifcarriages. Very well, fays Rhadaman- thus, but did you keep the fame v/atchfui eye over your own anions ? Why, truly, fays ihe, I was fo tak- en up with pubafhing the faults of others]' that I had not time to confider my own. Madam, fays Rhada- manthus, be pleafed to file oft to the left, and' make room for the venerable matron that ftands "behind you. Old- gentlevroman, fays he, I think* you are fourfcore : yoii have heard -the quefnon, what have you been do- ing fo long in the world? Ah, Sir ! fays fhe, I have been doing what I fhouldnot have done ; but I had made a hrm refolutidn to have changed my life, if I ^^-ad not been fiiatched off by an untimely end.' Mad-?* am, fays he, -you will pleafeto follow your leader ; and fpying another of the iame age," interrogated her in the fame fofm. To whom the matron replied, I . have been the wife of a hufband, who was as dear to me in hfs-old age as in his youth. I have been a moth- er, and very happy in my children, v^^hom I endeavor- ed to bring up in every thing that was good. My eld- eft fon is bleffed by the poor, and beloved by every one that knows him. 1 lived within my own family, and Jeft it much more wealthy than T found it. Rhada-' 174 THE PLEASING LIBRARY. manthus who knew the value of the old lady, fmiled upon her in fuch a manner, that the keeper of Elyfi*. nm, who knew his office, reached out his hand to her. He no fooner touched her, but her wrinkles vanifhed, iier eyes fparkled, her cheeks glowed with blulhes, and ihe appeared in full beauty. A young woman obferv- ing, that this officer who conducted the happy to Ely- fmm, was fo great a beautifier, longed to be in his hands ; fo that prefflng through the crowd, flie was the next who appeared at the bar. And being afked, v/hat fhe had been doing the five and twenty years fhe had been in the world, I have endeavored, fays ihe, ev- er fmce I came to years of difcretion, to make myfeif lovely, and gain admirers. In order to it, IpafTed my time in bottling up May dew, inventing white wafhes, mixing colors, cutting out patches, confulting my glafs, fuiting my complexion, tearing off my tucker, finking my flays. Rhadamanthus, without hearing her out, gave the fign to take her off. Upon the approach of the keeper of ErelAs, her color faded, her face puck- ered up with wrinkles, and her whole perfon was loll in deformity. I was then farprifed with a diftant found of a whole troop of females that came forward laughing, fmging, and dancing. I was very defirous to know the recep- tion they would meet vv^ith, and withal was very ap- prehenfive that Rhadamanthus would fpoil their mirth: but at their nearer approach, the noife grew fo very great that it awakened me. I lay fome time, reflecling in myfeif on the oddnefs ef this dream;» and could not forbear afl^ing my own THE PLEASING LIBRARY. r^^ heart what I was doing ? I anfwered myfelf, that I was writing guardians. If my readers make as c;ood a life of this work as I defign they fiiould, I hope it will never be imputed to me as a work that is vain and unprofitable. I fhall conckide with recommending to them the fame Ihort felf-examination. If every one of them fre- quently lays his hand upon his heart, and confiders what he is doing, it will check him in all the idle, or, what is wori€, the vicious moments of life ; lift up his mind when it is running on in a feries of indiiferent actions, and encourage him when he is engaged in thofe that are virtuous and laudable. In a word, it will ve- ry much alleviate that guilt which' the bed of men have reafon to acknowledge in their daily, confeffions, €)i leaving undone thofe things which they ought to have done, and of doing thofe things which they ought not CO have done. ■-— XXXX\:right there.?' THE PLEASiNG LIBRARY. ijf Souls are my charge — to me 'tis giv'n To train them for their native heav'n." "Know then — who bow the early knee^ And give the willing heart to me ; Who wifely, when Temptation waits, Elude her frauds, and fpurn her baits ; Who dare to own my injur'd caufe, Though fools deride my facred laws ; Or fcorn to deviate to the wrong, Though Perfecution lifts her thong ; Though all the fons of hell confpire To raife the (lake and light the fire ; Know, that for fuch fuperior fouls, There lies a blifs beyond the poles ; V/here fpirits fhine with purer ray ;> And brighten to meridian day ; Where love, where boundlefs friendfhip rules:, (No friends that change,, no love that cools ;) Where lifing floods of knowledge roll, And pour, and pour upon the foul !" " But Where's the paffage to the ikies? The road through Death's black valley lies Nay, do not fhudder at my tale ; ^ Tho' dark the ihades, yet fafe the vale. This path the beft of men have trod ; And who'd decline the road to God ? Oil, 'tis a glorious boon to die ! This favor can't be prlz'd too high.'^ While thus flie fpoke? my looks exprefs'd The raptures kindling in my br^afl: ; My foul a fix'd attention gave ; When the ftern Monarch of the Grave r^g THE PLEASING LIBRARY. With haughtj ftrides approach'd — amaz^'ci I ftood and trembled as I gaz'd. The feraph calm'd each anxious fear, And kindly wip'd the falling tear ; Then hatlen'd with expanded v/ing To meet the pale, terrific king. Biit now what milder fcenes arife 1 The tyrant drops his hoftlle guife ; He feems a youth divmclj fair, His .graceful ringlets -w^yc his hair ; His wings their whit'ning plumes difplay 5 His burniili'd plumes reflet the day ; Light flows hirs fkining azure veil, And ail the angel ilands confefsM. I view'd tho change with fweet furprife ^ And, Oh ! I panted for the flr.ies ; Thank'd Heav'n, that e'er I drew my breath . And triumph'd in the thoughts of Death. CHARGE DELIVERED by PRESIDENT MAxcY, to the GRADUATES of the COLLEGE, RHODE ISLAND, Sept. 4, ^793- •■• A> -#- .DVICE from the young appears like an intrufion on the rights of age and experience. It is not, therefore, without the moft anxious concern tha^T rife to addrefs you ^ efpecially when I confider- THE ^LEASING LIBRARY. jt.?^ ,Khe fplendid abilities of thofe great men, who on fim- liar occafions have ftood in this place. They needed not for an apology the admonition of Paul, <* Let no man defpife thy youth." The attachment, to which your conduct has given birth, forbids me to let you depart without exprefiing my folicitude for your welfare. This day prefents to you a new fcene cf things. It brings you from the re- treats of fcience, and places you onthe theatre of a<51ion«, It commences your public exiftence. As the firft im- preffions which your abilities and conduct will make on the minds of men will be lailing, it will be your in-, t ere ft to be careful that they be favorable. Errors in condudl, when you are firft thrown on the public eye^ will be critically noted ; and, of confequenc^, will create prejudices, which in any ftibfequent period df life a knowledge of your abilities would prevent. Hence you cannot be too folicitpws after the advice of aged, experienced men. You canpot be too anxious to know your duty, nor too adive to perform it. A fear to do wrong, and a defire . to do right, are brilliant traits in the character of the young. In the firft part of life, when our paffions are winged with fire, we are too apt to defpife counfel, and to follow our own rafti refolutions. Hence we unavoidably run into er- rors, becaufe deftitute of that knowledge which no- thing but experience can give, and carelefs of thofe rules of life v/nich nothing but the wifdom of age can , form, and nothing but the rafcnefs of youth would re- jecTt. When you engfage in the buftntffes of life* you will :ive to deal with men. The ideas you have formed , jsJi^ THE PLEASING Li:3RA5^Y. .in retirement, of the manners of the world, arid the principles of human adion, it is probable are very er- roneous. Time and experience onlj can corre(5l them. What is commonly called the knowledge of the worlds of which fo niany boaft, is nothing more than the ac- quirement of its deceitful manners, and the practice of its polite vices. To travel many countries, to fee ' many people, thefe are highly deferable ; but theft, without refledtion, without deep ftudy and accurate ob- * fervation, inftead of making a man of merit, will only make a fplendid fop. You muil learn- to read men as well as books, but read books fird. Human nature is a regular, though complicated m.achine. It can be learned by its operations only. Unlefs you know the fprings by which it is moved, you can never manage it to advantage. He will gain his point naoft eifeflual- ly, and govern men beft, who -pofTeffes fuch^a du6tiU' ty of difpofition, as will enable him to enter into the circumftances, ,to furvey in a true light the interefts, and to realize the feelings of others. In fociety, you -will be connected with men of different characters, dlf- pofitions and purfuits. You wilLiind.many ignorant and unreafonable ; many who are vv^ell informed, and a few religious ; but none who are not fond of ap- plaufe, and defirous of fuperiority. . If you can get into your liand the hopes and fears of men, you c^iii ^ do as youplcaie. Perhaps the ipien.:'' :es and extenfive acquire- ;.ments of fome, may, on |.-^nicular occadons, create a "temporary diicouragement, and deter yen from thnt jpxo^ciency which would render you ulcful, though it THE PLEASING LIBRARY. i5x might not gratify your ambition. But you v/ill do Vi^eli to remember, that true greatnefs, and real excel- lency, confiR neither in the excefflve iplendor, nor ift the occafional difplays of genius. Men whofe fouls are winged with lightning, are ever fearing above the fphereof ufeful employment. The fierce ardor of their fpirit difdains attention to the ordinary duties aiid bufmeffes of life, from which human profpcjiiy and happinefs principally refult. They appear to be formed and de/lgned for nc thing but extraordinary occafions. The untameable wildnefs of their minds fits them to dwell in the tempeft and whirlwind. Than envy thefe, rather envy the virtuous, good^ honeil man. Men who poffefs talents a little above jnediocrity, generally make the greatefl: proficiency in learning, and-render it the moft ufeful. The benefits accruing from education are not con- fined to the prefent world. As they belong to the foul, they refpcd Immortaliiy. Since the capacity of the mind may he enlarged, and its powers rendered more vigorous by cxercife, ic appears fufceptible of au endlefs progrefiion hi imprcvemsnt. Much is left to your own exertious;. God has given you talents, but he has given them, as he has every thing elfe to be improved. Confider noiiiinff as Pivinp- vcu a refcecTt- able fiiperiority but real kaniiiig and ptxj, Rtmcm- ber that all kinds of fupejiority not oiJginating in theic, are vain, tranfitory, unceruan ; and il:at, if the caufes which produ*.€ do not deflroy them, death cer- tainly will But as learning and piety belong lo the fbul^ they give a fi?pcxiciity ihat will iurvive die riiih,' i^% THE PLEASING LIBRAP.Y. of death ; a fupericrlty that will afFord permanent fat- isfadion, and increafe as the foul progreffes in exiftence= In your farther acquirements, therefore, in literature, confider yourfelves as ennohling your natures, and already treading on the ground of immortality. That vain fiiperiority which arifes from falfe notions of hon- or, from nobility of birth, or the poffeffion<)f wealth* is truly contemptible : byt that which arifes from perfonal merit, from real excellency of charader, is truly laudable, and worthy the moll: exalted ambition. Seek the grcatell attainable things In this world, but always feek greater in the next. Should your fitu- ation ever be exalted, you will be the more expofed ; you muil therefore be thejaiore humble and prudent, .The road which leads to the temple of honor is fteep and fiippery. Would you enter there ? be careful how you walk. The higher you^ afcend, the greater will be your dirgr;ace and rain, .if you fall. Never feek after fame ; for if you deferve it, it w^ill follow you. Be your merit ever fo great, yet you can- not expedl tru^ fame, while envy can hope to injure you. " The fun of glory never iliines but on the tombs of the gi-^at.'^ Never foffer yourfelves to form a judgment either of men or things, while you are under the influence " either of prejudice or paffion% Thefe put out the eyes of reafon. Give due praife to merit, whether in your friends or enemies. You come forward into life in an asra full of events^ which Will aftonlfn and rejoice pofterity. Man h rap- THE PLEASING LIBRARY. i8j ' Idly afcending to that dignified ftation for which he was defigned by the God of nature. The fun of lib- erty Ihines bright. His beams flame through Imprlf- oned kingdoms, to enlighten the eyes, and cheer the hearts of enflaved millions. That bright sera begins to dawn, when peace ihall diffufe her miJd influence through every heart, fubjc^^ling every hoftile paflion, and cementing all nations in one great family of broth- ers,* ■ Then the heart of the foldier will not leap at the found of war, nor the eye of tlje orphan float in tears for the lofs of a father flain In battle. Liberty will then be uncon lined as air, and glorious as that heaven to which Vac tends. That fair goddefs will defcend iu all her charms, and in one foftering grafp embrace every fon of Adam. Perhaps you may live to fee the glories of a kingdom, whofe duration will be that of eternity. Here let me caution you agalnft infidelity. Be not de'ceived, merely becaufe fome great men have been. But if infidelity can boafl: great names, Chriflianlty much greater, Amidfl the blaze of evidence in fa- vor of revelation, it requires more faith to be an inii'» del than would make a complete Chriitian. Be careful not to choofe your particular mcdiQ of religion in too much hafle. Bigots are as often made by a fudden adoption of particular fentiments, as by fuperftition. Neither Is wcrthy a wife man^ and both are difgraceful to a Chriilian. The more you exam- ine, the more reafon you will find for deferring an ab« folute decifTion refpea good to all ; for by fo doings, you will do the greatcil good to yourfelves. Purfue a uniform courfe of virtuous condud. This will unavoidably lead you to eminence. In fuch a country as this, true*merit cannot fail to diftinguifli you ; for, like the fun, it will always carry its own light with it. Time now requires me to part with you, I fmcerely wifh you much happinefs ; and fhall rejoice to find that you are ufefui and ornamental to your country. tkU PLEASING LIBRARY. i^S The rose. _^_ X HE rofe had been wafh'd, juft wafh'd in a (hower^ Which Mary to Anna conveyed ; The plentiful moifture encumber'd the flower, And weighed down its beautiful head. The cup was all fiU'd, and the leaves were all wet^r ' And it feem'd to a fanciful view, ' ^ To weep for the buds it had left with regret, On the flourifhing bufh where it grew. I haftily feiz'd it, unfit as it was For a nofegay, fo dripping and drown'd ; ' And fwinging it rudely, too rudely, alas I ' I fnappM it— it fell to the ground. And fuch, T exclaimed, is the pitilefs part, Some act by the delicate mind, Regardlefs of wringing and breaking a heart, Already to fonow refign'd. This elegant rofe, had I fliaken it lefs, Might have bloom'd with its owner a- while ; ' And the tear that is wip'd wdth a little addrefs^ ' May be follow'd perhaps by a finiier iZ& THE PLEASING LIBRARY, I THE CAPTIVE. SAT down clofe to my table ; and, leaning my head upon my hand, I began to figure to myfelf the miierles of confinement. I was in a right frame for it ; and fo I gave full fcope to my imag- ination. - I was going to begin with the millions of my fel- low creatures born to no inheritance but flavery : but finding, however afFcding the picture was, that I could not bring it near me, and that the multitude of fad groupes in it did but diftradt me — I took a fmgle Cap- tive ; and, having firft ihut himupin his dungeon, I looked through the t^^ilight of his grated door to take, his picture. I beheld his body half walled away with long.ex-^ pe6iation and confinement, and felt what kind of fick- nefs of the heart it was which arifes from " h-ope de- deferred." Upon looking nearer, I faw him pale and fevcriih. In thirty years the weftern breeze had not once fanned his blood ;-r-he had feen no fun, no mooa in all that time, nor had the voice of friend or kinfman breathed through 'his lattice. His children— but here my heart began to bleed, and I was forced to ga on with another part of the portrait. He was fitting on the ground, upon a little ftraw, in the fartheft corner of his dungeo-n, which was al- ternately his chair and bed. A little calander of fmall THE PLE.ISING LIBRARY, i^; fticks were laid at the head^ notched all over with the diimal days and nights *he had paffed there. He had- one of thefe little fticks in his hand ; and> with a rufly nail, he was etching another day of mifery to add to the heap. As I darkened the little light he had, he lifted up a hopelefs eye towards the door — then caft it do\^ni^ — fhoo'c his head, and went on with his work of afflidion. I heard his chains upon his legs as he turned his body to lay his little ftick upon the bundle.~He gave a deep figh — Ifaw^ the iron ei\*:er his foul — I burft into tears — I could not fuftain the pidure of confinement which my fancy had drawm. — •XXXXXXKo©o)3^:<^oXXXX>::X'^<— THE MOUSE'S PETITION. ^^- V^ H ! hear a penfive prifoner^ prayer^ > For liberty that fighs : And never let thine heart be fhut Againft the wretch's cries^ For here forlorn and fad I fit, Within the wiry grate < And trenble at th' approaching morn, Which brings impending fate. .ly* e'er thy breaft with freedom glow'd; - " And fpurn'd a tyrant's chain. Let not thy ftrong oppreflive force A free born moufe detain. THE PLEASING LIBRAkt. Oh ! do not ftaift with gulltlefs blood ' Thy hofpitable hearth? Nor triumph that thy wiles betray'd A prize fo little worth* The fcatter'd gleanings of a feaft My frugal Meals fupply ; But if thine unrelenting heart That {lender boon deny. The cheerful light, the vital air, * Are bleffings widely given ; Let nature's commoners enjoy" The common gifts of heaven* ' The' well taught philofophic mind To all compaflion gives ; Calls round the world an equal eye^ ' And feels for all that lives. t^ mind, aH ancient fages taught, - A never dying flame, Still fhifts through matter's varying forms^ And every form the- fame. Beware, left in the worm you crufli, ' A brother's foul you find ; And tremble left thy lucklefs hand Diflodge a kindred mind. Or, if this tranfient gleam of day. Be all of life we fhare, Let pity plead within thy breaft;^ That little all to fpare. THE PLEASING LIBRARY. xg^. So may thy hofpitable board With health and peace be crovvTk'd ; And every charm of heart felt eafe Beneath thy roof be found. So when defVru(5lIon lurks unfeen. Which men like mice may fhare, May fome kind angel clear thy path^ And break the hidden fnare. The story of FATHER NICHOLAS. I . T was at a fmall town in Brittany, irv which there was a convent of Benedidlnes, where par- ticular circumflances had induced me to take up my refidence for a few weeks. They had forne pictures which ftrangers ufed to vlfit. I went with a party whofe purpofe was to look at them; mine in fuch places is rather to look at men. If in the world we -behold the ihifiing fcene which prompts obfervation, we fee in fuch fecluded focieties a fort of ftill life, whic& notrr- ilhes thought, which gives fubjedl for meditation. I confefs however I have often been difappointed ; I have leen a group of faces under their cowls, on v/hich fpec- ulation could build nothing ; mere common-place countenances, which might have equally well belonged to a corporation of bakers or butchers. Moft of thofe in the convent I now vifited were of that kind : one however was of a very fuperior order ; that of a moni^^ iW' THE FLEASII>fG LIBRARlT. who kneeled at a diftance from the altar, near a Goth- ' 3C window, through ^he painted panes of which a-^ gleamy light touched his forehead, and threw a dark Rembrandt i\i:idt on the hollow of a large, black,"' melancholy eye. It was impoffible not to take notice of him. He looked up, hivoluntarily no doubt, to a pimation of a youiig man, for any want of that protec- ..tion or of guidance which another parent might havjs aifcrded. After having paffed with applaufe through :the ordinary ftudles which the capital of our province allovs^ed an opportunity of .acquiring, my mother fent me to Paris, along with the fon of a neighbouring family, who, though of lefs honorable defcent, was mu-ch richer than ours. Young Delaferre (that was my companion's name) was intended.for the army.: me, fiom particular c ire un: fiances^ which promifcd fuccefs in that line', my mother and her friends had dci- lined for tie long r:Obe, and had agreed for the pui'- .chafe of .a charge for me when I fliould be qualified for It. Delaferre Irdd k fovereign contempt for any profeffion but that of aims', and took every opportu- nity of infjpiiing me wiih ihe fame fentiment^s. In the capital I had this prejudice every day more and -more confirmed. Th^ perU of every m.an who had .iervcd^ the ixScIztC: {ii^tilcni) he clai^mcd ^over his fel- THE PLEASING. LIBRARY. ,^3 loW-citizcns, dazzled my ambition, nnd awed my baPn- fulneis. Fjrom nature I liad that extreme fenfihllity ' of fliame, which couki not ftand againft the ridicule even of much Inferior men. Ignorance would often confound me in matters of which I was perfedly well informed, from his fuperlor effrontery ; and the beft eftablifhed principles of my mind would fome- times yield to the impudence of aiTuming fophiftry, or of unbluftiing vice. To the profefiion which my relations .had marked out for me, attention, diligence, and foLer manners were naturally attached ; having once fet down that profefficn as humiliating, I conclud- ' ed its attendant qualities to be equally difhonorable. I was afnamed of virtues to which I was naturally in- clined ; a bully in vices which I hated and defpifed. Delaferre enjoyed my apoftacy from innocence as a victory he had gained. At fchool he was rmich my infe- rior, and I attained every mark of diillndlion to v/hich he had afpired in vain. In Paris he triumphed in his turn ; his fuperior wealth enabled him to command the appearances of fuperlor dignity and fliow ; the cockade in his hat infpired a confidence which my fit- nation did not allow ; and, bold as he was in difflpa- tion and debauchery, be led me as an inferior whom lie had taught tlie art of living, whom he had firft trained to indepeudence and to manhood. My moth- er's ill-judged kindnefs fupplied me with tlie means oi thofe pleafures which m,y campaniojQs induced me to fhare, if pleafures they miglit be called, which I often partook with uneafmcfs, and refle(5led on with re- ■ morfe. Scmetimcs, though but too feldom, I was R 196 THE PLEASING LIBRARY. fuppofed to feel. I propofed our repioving for fomc^ weeks to Paris, where ihe niignt have abler affiHancx than our provmce could afford m thofe^moments of danger which fhe foon expeded. To this flie objed- ed wiih earneflnefs, from a variety of motives; bat moil of my neighbours applauded my refolution ; and one, who was the nephew of a Farmer- General, and had purchafed the efiate on which his father had been a t#nant, told me, the danger from their country accoucheurs w-as fuch, that nobody who could afford to go to Paris would think of trufting them. J was a little tender on tliQ reproach of poverty, and abfo- lutely determined for the journey. To induce my vvife's confent, I had another pretext, being left exec- utor to a friend who had died in Paris, and had effeds remaining there. Emilia at laft confented, and we re-. moved to town accordingly. For fome time I fcarcely ever left our hotel : It was the fame at which Emilia and her father' had lodged when he came to Paris to die, and leave her to my love. The recolleclion of thofe fcenes, tender and interelting as ihey were, fpread a fort of melancholy •indulgence over our mutual fociety, by which the ompany of any third perfon could fcarcely be brpok- . de My wife had fome of thofe fad prefages' which v/omen of her fenfibility often feel in the condition fhe was- then in. All my attention and folicitude v/ere ex- cited to combat her fears. " I fhall not live,*' fhe w^ould fay, ^' to revi/it Santonges 1 but iny Henry will think of rne there. In thofe woods in which we have fo often walked, by tliat brook to the fall of which THE PLEASING LIBRARY. 197 we have liftened together, and felt in filence what language, at lead what mine, my love, conld not fpeak." — The good father was overpowered by the tendernefs of the images, that ruihed upon his mind, and tears for a moment choaked his utterance. After a fhort fpace he began, with a voice faultering and weak ; — Pardon the emotion that ftopped my recital. You pity me ; but it is not always that my tears are of fo gentle a kind ; the images her lj)eech recalled foft- ened my feelings into forrow ; but I am not worthy ^ of them. — Hear the conf einon of my remorie. The anxiety of my Emilia was at laft diffipated by her fafe delivery of a boy; and on this object of a new kind of tendernefs- we gazed with mexprciuble delight. Emilia fuckled the - infant heriW, as well irom the idea of duty and of pleafure in tending it, as from the difficuhy of finding in Paris a nurfe to be trufted. We propofed returning to the country as foon as the re-eftabliiliment of her ilrenglh would per-- mic: meantime, during her hours'ofrellj 1 gener^ ly went but to iinifh the bufmefs which the truil of my deceafed friend had dev^olved upenme. In paffing tiirough the Thuillcries, in one of ihofe walks, I met my ojd companion Delaferre. He em- braced me with a degree of warmth which I fcarce expeded from my knowledge of his difpoiition, or th^ lengdi of dme f:)r which our correfpondence had been broken oir. He had heard, he faid, accidentaUj^ ef K z XpS THE PLEASING LIBRARY. my being in town, but had fought me for feveral days in vain,. In truth, he was of all men one whom I was the moft afraid of meeting. I had heard in the coun- try of his unbounded diffipation and extravagance ; and there were fome ftories to his prejudice Vv^ich were only not believed, from an unwillingnefs to believe them in people whom the corruptions of the world had not fa- miliarifed to bafenefs ; yet I found he ftill pofleffed a kind .of fuperiority over my mind, which I was glad to excufe, by forcing myfeif to thmk him lefs unwor- thy than he was reported. After a- variety of enquir- ies, and exprefUng his cordial fatisfadlion at the pref- cnt happinefs I enjoyed, he preffed me to fpend that evening with him fo earneftly, that though I had made it a fort of rule to be at home, I was afhamed to offer- an apology, and agreed to meet him at the hour he 3j>pointed, . Oar company confifted only of Delaferre himfelf, and two other officers, one a good deal older than any of us, who had the Crbfs of St. Louis, and the rank^ of Colonel, whom I thought the mofl agreeable man I had ever met with.- The unwillingnefs. with which I had left home, and the expectation of a very differ- ent fort of party where I v/as going, made me feel the ptefent one doubly pleafant. . My fpirits, v^rhich were rather low when I went in, from that conftraint I was , prepared for, rofe in proportion to the pleafantry a- r(5und me, and the peifed eafe in which I found my- iclf with this old officer who had information, wit, feitiment, every thing I valued moft, and every thing I ieaft €x^e4led in a fociety felefted by Delaferre. It, THE PLEASING LIBRARY. 199 was late before we parted ; and at parting I received, not without pleafure, an invitation from the Colonel to fup with him the evening after. The company at his houfe I found enlivened by his fitter and a friend of her's, a widow, who, though not a perfedt beauty, had a countenance that impreffed one much more in her favor than mere beauty couldo When filent, there was a certain foftnefs in it infinitely bewitching ; and when it was lightened up by the ex- prefl^n which her converfation gave, it was equally attra<^ive. We happened to be placed next each oth- er. Unufed as I was to the little gallantries of fafli- lonable life, I rather wifhed than hoped to make myfelf agreeable to her. She feemed, however interefted in my attentions and converfation, and in hers I found myfelf flattered at the fame time and delighted. We played, againft the inclination of this lady and me^ and we won rather more than I wifhed. Had I been as rich as Delaferre, I fliould have obje6ted to the deepnefs of the flakes ; bift we were the only perfons of the company that feemed uneafy at oiir fuccefsj, and we parted with the mtoft cordial good humoro Madame de Trenville (that was the widow's name,) fmiling to the Colonel, afked him to take his revenge at her houfe, and faid, with an air of equal modefty and franknefs, that as I had been the partner of her fuccefs, fhe hoped for the honor of my company, to take the chance of fnaring a lefs favorable fortune. At firft my wife had expreffed her fatisfadion at my finding amufement in fociety, to relieve the duty of attending her. But when my abfence grew very ao« ^ THE P1.E ASING LIBRARY/ frequent, as indeed I was almoft every day at Mad^ ame de Trenville's, though her words continued the fame, fhe could not help expreffing by her countenance her dlffatisfadion at my abfence. I perceived this at firft with tendernefs onlyj and next evening excuf- i ed myfelf from keeping my engagement. But I found 1 my wife's company not what it ufed to be ; thought- ful, but afraid to tru ft one another with our thoughts? ^^ Emilia fhewed her uneafinefs in hei looks, and I cov- ered mine but ill with an affumed gaiety of appear- ancco > The day following, Delaferre called, and faw Emi- lia for the firft time. He rallied me gently for break- ing my laft night's appointment, and told me- of an- other which he had made for me, which my wife in- fifted on my keeping. Her coufin applauded her con- dudl, and joked-on the good government of wives. Before 1 went out in the evening, I came to wifii Emi- lia good night. I though t'^I perceived a tear on her cheek, and would have ftaid, but for thie fhame of not gging; ♦ The company perceived my want of gaiety, and Delaferre was merry onthe^ occafion. Even my friend the Colonel, tlirew in^ a little raillery on the fub- jed of marriage. 'Twas the firft time I felt fome- what awkward at being. the- only married man of the p^rty. We played deepef and fat later than formerly. ; but iHvas to ihew myfelf not afraid of my v/ife, and objcded to neither. I loft confiderably, and returned home mortified and chagrined. I faw Emilia neit THS PLEAsING library. 201 ' morning, whofe fplrits were not high. Methought her looks reproached my condu<^, and I was enough m the wrong to be angry that they did fo. Delaferre came" to take me to his houfe to dinner. He obferved as we went, that Emilia looked ill. " Going to the comitry will re-eftabli(h her," iaid I. — " Do you leave Paris ?"— laid he — " In a few days.'*—" Had I fuch .motives for reniaining in it as you have.'' "What ' motives?" — «< The attachment of lucli friends : but friendfhip is a cold word; the attachment of fuch a woman as De Trenville." I know not how I looked, but he preffed the fubjed no farther ; perhaps I was > lefs offended than I ought to have been. We went to that lady's houfe after dinner. She was dreifed mod elegantly, and looked more beautiful than ever I had feen her. The party wa^ more nume- rous than ufual, and there was more vivacity in it. ■The converfation turned upon my intention of leaving Paris ; the ridicule of country-manners, of country* opinions, of the infipidity of country- enjoyments, was ^ kept up with infinite fpirit by Delaferre, and mioft of - the younger members of the-company. Madame de> Trenville did not joia in their mirth, and fometimes looked at me as if the fubjedt was too ferious for her to be merry on. I was half afhamed and half forry that I was going to the country; lefs uneafy than vain at the preference that was fhown me. I was a coward, however, In the wrong as well as in the right, and fell upon an expedient to fcreen myfelf - from a difcovery that might have faved me. Ixor-^- dry^i- THE PLI^IASING LIBRARY. trived to deceive my wife, and to conceal my vifits to Madame de Trenville's, under the pretence of fome perplexing incidents that had arifen In the management of thofeafFairs with which I was intrufled. Her mind was too pure for fufpicion or for jealoufy. Itw^as eafy even for a novice In falfehood, like me, to deceive her. But I had an able affillant in Delaferre, w^ho now re^ fumed the afcendency ov-er me he had formerly poffef- fed, but w^ith an attradion more por;erful, from the infatuated attachment w^hich my vanity and weak- nefs, as much as her art and beauty, had made me con- ceive for Madame, de, Trenville. It happened, that judat this time, a young man arrived from our province, and brought letters for E- miiia from a female friend of hers in the neighbour- hood of Santonges. He had been bred a miniaturer painter, and came to tow^n for improvement in his art. Emilia, who doted on her little boy, propofed to him to draw his pidure in the Innocent attitude of his fleep. The young painter was pleafed with the idea, pro^ vided Ihe would allow him to paint the child in her arms. This w^as to be concealed from me, for the fake of furprifrng me with the pidure when it fliould be finiihed. That ilie might have a better opportunU ty of effeding this little concealment, Emlha would often hear, with a fort of fatisfaaion, my engage* ments abroad, and encourage me to keep them, that the pidure might advance in my abfence. She knew not what, during that abfence, was my employment. The fiave of vice and of profufiou, I THE PLEASING LIBRARY. W5 i^as violating my faith to her, in the arms of the moft artful and worthlefs of women, and lofing the for- tune that (liould have fupported my child and hers, to a fet of cheats and villains. Such was the fnare that Delaferre and his affociates had drawn Jitround mce It was covered -with the appearence of love and generofity. De Trenville had art enough to make me believe, that (he was every way the vi(5lim of her af- fedion for me. My firll great loffes at play Gie pre- tended to reimburfe from her own private fortune, and then threw herfelf upon my honor, for relief from thofe diftreffes into which I had brought her. After having exhaufted all the money I poffefled, and all my credit could command, I would have flopped fhort of ruin ; but when I thought of returning in difgrace and poverty to the place I had left refpeded and hap- py, I haid not refolution enough to retreat. I took refuge in defperation, mortgaged the remains of my eftate, and flaked the produce to recover what I had loft, or to lofe myfelf. The event was fuch as might have been expedled. After the dizzy horror of my fituation had left mc power to think, I hurried to Madame de Trenville's, She gave me fuch a reception as fuited one who was no longer worth the deceiving. Convidion of her falfehood, and of tliat ruin to which Ihe had been em- ployed to lead me, ilafhed upon my mind. I left her witli execrations, which fhe received with the coolrtefs of hardened vice, of experienced fedudion. I rufli- ed from her Koufe I knew not whither. My fteps in- voluntarily led mie hom£. At my vwn door I ftoppcdt ->&04 ' THE PLBA SING LIBRARY. .^s if it had been deatli to enter. When I had fnrunk back fome paces, I turned again ; twice did I attempt - to knock, and could not ; my heart throbbed with un- speakable horror,, and my knees fmote each other. It was night, and the ftreet was dark and filent aroiind -me, I threw myfelf down before the door, and wifh- . ed fome ruflian^s hand to eafe me of life and thought together. At laft the recolleclioh of Emilia and of .my infant boy croiTedmy difordered mind, and a gufii of tendernefs bur it from my eyes. I rofe, knocked at the door. When I was let in, I went up foftly to my wife's chamber. She was afleep with a night- lamp burning by her, her child ileeping on her boiom, and its little hand grafping her neck. Think what I felt as I looked 1 She fmiled through her fleep, and feemed to dream of happinefs. My brain began to madden again ; and as the mifery to w^hich fhe muft wake croiTed my imagination, the horrible idea rofe within me—rl fKudder yet to tell it ! — to murder them as they lay, and next myfelf I— I ftreached my hand towards my wife's throat ! — The infant unclafped its little fingers, and laid hold of one of mine. The gen- tle preffure wrung my heart,.; its foftnefs returned: I burft into tears..; but I could. not ilay to tell her of our ruin. ;I rufhed out of the room, and, gaining an obfcurehotel in a diftant part of tlie to%\n.i, wrote a . few diftraded lines, acquainting her of my folly and o( my crimes ; that I meant "immediately to leave France, and not return till my penitence Hiould wipe out my offences, and my Induftry repair tliat ruin in which I had involved her. I recommended her and THE i?LEASING LIBRARY. 405 my child to my mother's care, and to the protedlon of that hcciven which Ilic had never oiFended. Hav- ing fent this, I left Paris on the inftant, and had walk- ed feveral miles from town before it was light. At fun-rife a ftage-coa-ch o\^rlook mt. It was going on the road to 13reiL r entered it without arranging a- ny future plan, and fiit in fullcn and gloomy filence, in the corner of the carriage. That day and next night I went on tnechanically, with feveral other paf- fengers, regardlefs of food, and incapable of reii. But the fecond day I found my firength fail, and when we flopped in the evening, Ii;'eli dov/n in a faint in the pafi^.ge of the inn. I was put to bed, it feems, and lay for more than a week in the flupefadion of a low fever. A charitable brother of that order to which I now belong, who happened to be in the inn, attended me with the greateft care and humanity ; and when I be- gan to recover, the good old man tninillerd to my foul, as he had done for my body, that afilflance and con- fblation be eafily difcovered it to need. By his tender affiduities I was now fo far recruited as to be able to bfeathe the frefh air at the window of a little parlor. As I fat there one morning, the fame ftage-coach in which I had arrived, flopped at the door of the inn, when I faw alight out of it the young painter who had been recommended to us at Paris. The fight over- powered my weaknefs, and I fell lifelefs from my feat. The incident brought feveral people into the room, and among ft others the young man hlmfelf. Whetl they had rcftored me to kidc^, 1 had recoUedion ey s t?c6 THE PLEASING LIBRARY. nough to defire him to remain with me alone. It was fometlme before he recognized me; when he did, with horror in his afpesfl, after much hefitation, and the rnoft folemn intreatj from me, he told me the dreadful fe- quel of my misfortunes. My wife and child were no more. The fnock which my letter gave, the ftate of weaknefs (he was then in had not Pcrength to fupport. The eiFefls were a fever, delirium,, and death. Her infant perifhed with her. In the interval of reafon preceding her death, fhe called him to h-er bed-fide ; » gave him the pi(5]:ure he had drawn ; and v/ith her laft breath charged him, if ever he could find me out, to deliver that and her forgivenefs to me. He put it in- to my hand. I know ,not how I furvived. Perhaps it was owing to the outworn flate in which my difeafe had left me. My heart was too weak to burft, and there was a fort of palfy on my mind that feemed in- fenfible to its calamities. By that holy man who had once before faved me from death, I was placed here, where, except one melancholy journey to the fpot where they had laid my Emilia and her boy, I have ever fince remained. My ftory is unknown, and they wonder' at the feverity of that life by which I endc^i- vor to atone for my offences.— But it is nor by fuffer- ing alone that Heaven is reconciled ; I endeavor by works of charity and beneficence to make my being not hateful in its fight. Ble&d be God 1 I have at- tained the confolation I wifked. — Already, on my wafting days a beam of mercy fheds its celeftial lighto The vifions of this flinty couch are changed to mild- nefs. 'Twas but laft night Emilia beckoned me ir* {iXiiles; this little cherub was with her I His voicf I'HE PLEASING LIBRARY. aojr f^eafed— he looked on the piaure, then towards Hea- ven; and a faint glow croffed the paleneis of his cheek, r flood awe.ftruck at the fight. The bell for vefpers tolled — he took my hand — -I kiffed his, and my tears began to drop on it — ** My fon'* faid he, ^' to feelings like your's it mTij not be utipleafing to recal my (lory. ■ — If the world allure thee, if vice enfnare with its pleafures, or abafh with its lidicule, think of Father' Nicholas — be virtuous, and be happy." Tk« POWER OF INNOCENCE. w. HEN firft the nuptial ftate we pfove'^^ We live the happy life of love : But when familiar charms no more Ihfpire the blifs they gave before^ Each lefs delighting, lefs is lov'd ; Firft this, then that, is difapprov'd : Complaifance flies — Negle<>c;=<><:><::s<<0»''^3^'=©>x>^>t:x The story of VIRGINIUS/- Vi IRGINIUS, a Roman foldier, famous ' iri the city for probity, and in the army for his valor, had a daughter about fixteen years of age. She had been promi fed in marriage to Icilius, who had lately been tribute, and was at that time the greatefl beauty in Rome. She had loft her mother, and was under ' the tuition of governeiTes who took care of her edu-'- tio THE PLEASING LIBKART. cation. Appius Claudius, the Roman decemvir,* ac- cidentally meeting her one day, was ftruck with her beauty, and thought of nothing from thenceforth* but the means of gratifying his criminal defires. He em- ployed all the methods to tempt her that a violent paf- iion could fuggeft ; but ftill found in the invincible chaftity of Virginia a refiftance, proof againft all his attacks and endeavors. When he faw that her fevere modefty left hinn no hopes of feducing her, he had re- courfe to violence. He fuborned one of his dependants, named Claudius, and perfedlly inftru(fted him how to 'd€L This creature of his was bold and frontlefs,. and one of thofe kind of people who introduce themfelves into the contidence of the great oulj by a criminal romplacency for their pleafures. The infamous mih- iftdr of the decemvir's debauches, meeting Virginia as ihQ was walking v/ith her governefs, flopped her^ and claimed her as his flave, bade her follow him, or he would oblige her to do fo by force. Virginia, in a^ mazement, and trembling with fear, did not know what he m.eant ; but her governefs raifed a great cr^, implored the affiiiance of tlie people. Tiie names c£ Virginius her father, and Icilius her intended husband, were heard on all fides. Heiations and friends ran to join her, and the nioft indiiferentv^ere moved with the light. This fecured her againft violence. Claudius^ affuming a milder tone, faid, there was no occafion for fo much ftir ; that he had no defign to employ vi-" olence, but folely the ufual methods of juftice : and immediately cited Virginia before the magiftrate, whkher flae followed, by the advice of her relations. * A Roman Magiilrate. THE PLEASING LIBRARY. ^It ^ When they came to Appms' tribunal, the claimant repeated his well-known tale to the judge with whom it had been concerted. He faid that Virginia was born in the hoafe of one of his flaves, from whence fhe had been ftolen, and carried to Virginius' wife, who being b.irren, through grief to fee herfelf with- out childi'en, had pretended this girl to be- her daugh- ter, and had brought her up as fuch in her houfe : that he had incoutelHble proofs of th© fail, againPc the evidence of which, Virginius himfeif, who had fo ^ much intereftin the affair, could have nothing to ob-- je<5t.. H$ concluded with demanding, as the abfenc^ of Virginius prevented the matter from being finally adjudged, that it Ihould be decreed pro vifion ally, that ; the Have Ihould follow her mailer. This requeft was - in dired oppofition to an exprefs law enaded by the ^ decemvirs themfelves, and which decided the cafe in . favor of . Virginia. It dec^ared, "That if a perfon ■ enjoying their liberty ihould be claimed as ailave, fuch ^ perfon Ihould continue at liberty till a definitive judg- ment in the cafe/' Numitorius, Virginia's uncle, al- - leged this equitable lav/ in vain. , In vain did he rep- ^ refent, that as Virginius was abfent in the fervice of the coramonw^ealth, it was but juR the fentence fhould : be fufpended, till he could appear to defend his daugh- ter in perfon. Appius decreed that fhe Ihould be put into the hands of Claudius, \vho- fhould give good fe=» - curity to produce her when her father arrived. This fentence was followed by the cries and tears of Virginia, and the women that attended her. All v/h o were p refent at this trial trembled witli horr*:r } . ! %Tt TH1E PLEASINfe LtBRARY. indignation, but'nobody ventured to explain themfelves openly, Icilms raifing great cries, advanced through the crowd to defend Virginia. The lidor, faying the judge had paffed fentence, oppdfed and ftruck him back roughly. So injurious a treatment would have en- raged themoft moderate. Icilius, who was naturally warm and violent, did not fuiFer it patiently. "You muft remove me from hence, Appius,*^ fatd he, " with a fword, if you would ftifle' the knowledge of your infamous defigns* I am to marry this maid', but to iriarry her chafte and a virgin, Therefpre afremblc, if you pleafe, all your own lidloi-s, and thofe of your colleagues, and bid them make ready their rods and axes; but the wife of Icilius fhall not ftay out of her father's houfe.- Though you and your colleagues have deprived the people of their tribunes and appeals^ the two fupporcs of their liberty, do not imagine that you hav€ an abfolate power to treat our v/ives and children according to the dictates of your luft. Rage, tyrannize, if you will, over our perfons ; blK let chaf- tity and innocence at leaft be exempt from your vio^ lence.'' Icilius added feveral other circumftances of equal force ; and concluded with protefting, that as long as he had life he fhould retain the courage and conftancy with which a juft and chafte paffion for the defence of his wife's liberty ought to infpire him. The whole multitude were in great emotion, and ' ready to proceed to the utmoft extremi>ies. Appius, who perceived it, and did not exped: fo much refift- ance, was obliged to give way to it. He faid> " lit THE PLEASING LIBRARY. 2x3; pftTceiVed that Icilius, ftill full of the pride and vio- lence of the tribune, fought only to excite iv^mult ?. that, for the prefent, he would not fupply him with oc- caiion : that in refpecl: of Virginias' abfence, his qnaU ity of father, and alfo in favor of the common cauls of liberty, he was fatisfied to defer judgment until the next day : but that, if Virginius did not appear, he- gave warning to Icilius, and all fuch feditious perfons,. that he fhould proceed in the affair, and that his own lie- tors,, without having recourfe to theSt ot his colleagues, would fuffice for chaftifing the infolence of the turbu- lent and refradory.'' After having continued fitting., for fome time, that he might not feem to have come hither folely on account of this affair, as nothing far-- ther offeredj he rofe and returned home much, mortis ikd with what had happened*. The fir ft thing he did after he entered his houfe. was to write to his colleagues in the camp not to fuf- fer Virginius to leave it, and even to keep him confin- ed under a ftrowg guard. The courier was difpatched' immediately, but was too late by fome hours. The affair of Virginia no fooner made anoife, than IciliuiJ* brother, and Numitorious' fon, two a<5live young men» full of ardor and good- will, took horfe, and riding full fgeed, arrived in good time at the camp. Virgin- ius had gotten leave to be abfent, and was fet out be- fore Appius' courier arrived. For his greater fecuri- ty, he took the bye-road to Rome, The news of Virginius* arrival confiderably embar- raffed the decemvir, but did not extinguifh his paf- f;on. The next day, early in the morning, Virginius 3^14 'fHE PLEASING LIBRARf. repaired to the forum with his daughter. It was irri*' poflible to behold her without being fenfibly moved. The fad and negleded ait vvlth which Ihe appeared, her mournful and-dejeded looks, her eyes heavy and ftreaming with-tears, and the rays of beauty, which" however broke through that cloud of fadnefs, made powerful impreflions upon all hearts. Her father, weeping ftill more than flie, held out his hands to the citizens, and implored their aid, repr-efenting to them, in a pathetic manner, his own misfortunes, and the danger to which themfelves were upon the point of being expofed, in refpedl to their wives and daughters,* Icilius faid as much on his fide. In the meantime Appius arrived, atid v;ith an af- fured and menacing air, afcended his tribunal. To prevent all refiftance,'he had caufed the troops under his command to march down from the capltol, and take poiTeffion of the forum. • The whole city were aflembled to hear the fentence. Claudius complained of not having, juftice done him the evening before^ and repeated in few words the proofs upon which he founded his claim. The father of the maid, and the reft of her relations, refuted with fo^d and nnanfwera- bleVeafons the pretended imppfture of Virginia's birth. The judge who was nov/ no longer mafter of him- felf, without hearkening farther to her defenders, pro- nounced Virginia the pn^operty of Claudius. Upon hearing that fentence, all who were prefent lifted up, their hands to heaven, and raifed a great outcry, thai- CiXprefled their g;rief and indignation. THE PLEASING LIBRARY. '5^x5 "^Virglnius provoked to the highefl; degree at fo unjufl: -and cruel a decifion, could not contain himfelf. He trembled with rage, and accompanying iiis words with a threatening geriure, « Infamous wretch," faid he, " I never defigned my daughter for thee ; I educated her for a lavi^ul husband, and not to be a prey to a luftful ravager ; muft then brutal paflions among us take place of honorable.marriage ? How the citizens will bear with thefe things I know not, but I truft tliat the army will rei^enge my wrongs." The peo- ple approVed the wifh by their fighs, tears, and excla- mations. But the decemvir having iirtl caft his cjqs on ail fides, to fee how hi^ crealtires and dependants were polled, told the multitude, with a threatening voice, that he wa| not unacquainted with the plots that had been laid to caufe an infurredion ; but that he neither wanted power nor reroiuticn to infli(5l exempla- Xj puniihments on fuch as ihouid offer to difturb the public peace. *^ Let e.very one therefore," faid he, "retire to his cv/a houfe, and none prefuoie to give law to a fuprjm;^ magiftrate. As for you, Claudius, feize your flave, and .make u. ' of iriy guard to dif' perle the crowd/* The unfortunaJ:e father, feeing there was no other remedy, and roi:rultir:g only his defpair, formed with- in himielf a dreadA)] jefolutiona He drew near the tribunal, and in a ii.n;.uarit tone addreffed the decem- vir thus : " Pardon, Appius, the unguarded words %vhich have ef:aped me in the firfi transports of grief, and allow mt to afk in this young womanls prefencc;^ fome queftions of her nurfe, that I may carry home ^t ■%fS THE PLEASING LIBUART. 'leaft the comfort of being fet right In this matter.^^ Appius readily granted his f equeft. The c*iowd made way for him to pafs, and Virginius taking his daughter in his arms, and wiping the tears which flowed mcef- fantly from h&r eyes, he Infenfibly led her up to aihop in the forum. There fnatchlng up a butclier's kniie, -and turning to Virginia, " My dear daughter" fays he, «< by this only means in my power I defend thy liberty and thy lionor i Go to thy anceftors^ whilft thou art yet a free woman, pure and uadefiled ;" and plunged it into her heart. Then drawing out the knife, and turning to Appius, " By this blood," he crie3, ^' I d^ •vote thy head to infernal gods/^ A horrid noifeimmediacely etifued. Virginius, all covered with his daughter's blood, and holding tlie knife ftill fmoaking in'his hand, ran like a madman oti all iides of the forum, animating the citizens to recov- er their liberry. He afterwards opened himfelf a way» with the favor of the multitude, to the gates of the citj, from whence he made his efcape to the camp. Icilius, Virginians attended husband, and Numitorl- ous her uncle, continued v ith her body, deploring the .guik of Appius. the fatal beanty of Virginia, and the -cruel neceflity to which her father had been reduced. The women cried otitj % at the fam6 time- ke half p^rfuaded the doting old' woman, that it was only the effed: of deltrium in the- deceafed. • This idea v/as but- too well ftppcrted by the firfl; queftion Matilda aifced, who exclaimed, as i"ho " came to herfelf ;- ■ " where am I ? fure 'tis n dream ! • niy fatlier could not'f^y I fliould be happy; he could not bid me tear that fatal will; Speak, am I really awake ; " or does m.y fancy mock me ?"' The artful Conrad a^- - fared her that nothing of the kind had pa^Jed,- teilino> her, that her father had only mentioned Albert's n:)m^ • to curfe him ; and witli his laft. breath, had command- ed her to take the veil at the expiiation of the v.^eek.^ ^ Ail this the perjured nurfe confirmed. Matildaj bein^^ ; T * »X'ji THE PLEASING LIBRARY. now perfedlly recovered, faw the horrors of her fitua- tioii : it was in vain for her to deny what they affert- eJj. or renionftrate againft their combined perfidy. She was foon, by force re-conveyed to her nunnery, in a (l:ate of mind, much eafier to imagine, than def- rribe. On her retifln to the convent, fhe was more than ever attacked by Therefa's perfecution, who wged^ with increafed vehemence, the pretended pofitive com- mands of her dying father ; and by .the advice of Con- rad, ufed feverities of a conventual difcipline, which alrnofl robbed the devoted victim of her reafon ; the ^riitl Abbefs ftill pleading that religion jufllfied her conducl:. Can it be wondered, that fuch cruel treat* inenc iliould at length difturb the piety and faith of the faifering Matilda ? And 'wduce her to exclaim, •with prefumptuous bitternefs, againft the holy inftitu- tions of our church, and brand the facred ordinances of our religion with unjufl fufpicions, ** Why, (faid fhe) why are thefe maify gates, thcfe naked walls, fad prifons of youth and innocence, where fraud and cru- elcy have power to torment, and confine the helplefs, permitted to exiR ? Religion is the plea, religion which, fhould bring peace and not aiHiclion to its votaries ; but furely that religion, which juftifies thefe gloomy dun- geons, muft be falfe, and I will abjure it ; yes, I will ly to happier regions,' where prifon's are allotted only to the p-uilty ; where no falie vows to Heaven are ex- adled, but where Albert and Matilda may yet be hap- py.'^— The poffibility of an efcapc had never before prefeiited itfelf, and indeed, it could never have occur- red, bui to one v^hoft reafon was diiordcred^ for Ihe THE PLEASING LIBRARY. aaj Wei! knew that the doors were well fecured by many bars and locks, and that the keys were always depofit- ed beneath the pillow of the abbefs. Her imagination, however, was now too much heat- ed to attend to any obftacles : and with a mixture of foiefight, infpired by infanity, (he packed up ail her lit- tle ornaments of value, carelefsly drew on her clothesi, and put in her pocket fome bread and provifions, which had been left in her cell ; then wrapping round her elegant form, one of the blankets from tlie bed, fhe lighted a taper, and fearleisly walked towards the cloifter door, idly expedting it would fly open, of its own accord, to innocence like hers — methinks I fee her, with hair dlflie veiled, face pale anjrwan, her large black eyes wildly flaring, and the w^iole of her ghaft« ly figure lighted by the feeble glimmer of the taperj majeftically ftalking through the gloomy vaulted halL She arrived at the great door and found it partly open^ and fcarce believing what flie faw, flie quickly glided through it : but, as fhe pafied, an iron bar which ihe had not obferved, and which projected, llightly grazed 6er temple ; and though flie fcarccly felt the wound,, yet it added new horrors to her look, by covering her ghoft-like face with ftreaks of blood. Although M:itilda had never confidered the improb- ability of paiTinor this door, fhe now refieded with won- der how {"he had pafTed it : and the fear of a difcovery began to operate, as flie with more cautious fteps mov- ed filently through the cloifter to the outer gate ; which when fhe approached, Tne heard Therefa's voice whif- pering thefe words. "Adieu, dear Conrad 5 but re- ai44 THE PLEA. becaufe thy wayward pafllons are checked ; but know, fhort-fighted youth, the utility of thefe inftitutions will not be lefs eileemed becaufe they prevent the un- ion of Albert and Matilda, an union which would an- fwer no other purpofe than to propagate a race of in- fidels and murderers." I (topped, for I perceived the gentle Albert was touched with my rebuke ; he fell on his knees, and exclaimed, in the pathetic words of fcripture : *' Father I have fmned againft heaven, and in thy fight." '^ Tt is enough my fon, I compaiTion- ate your fituation ; and will do more ; for though I cannot detain Matilda longer than tiilfte is well enough to be removed ; yet in that time ( if heaven approves my endeavors) I may contribute to your happinefs, by interceding with her father ( wh ofe death we were Ebot then acquainted with ;) and Ihould I fail in the THE PLEASING LIBRARY. 233 attempt, this roof, which thy hafty paffion has profaiv ed, fliall yet be a refuge to thee from defpair ; and I will ftrlve to raiie thy thoughts above the trifling dlt appointments of a tranfitory world.'^ « I could not wait the reply of Albert, faid the pri- or, being at this time called out to welcome a (Iran- ger, wlio they faid was dangeroully ill : this proved to be no other than the wounded Conrad. He explain- ed in a few words the motive of his viiit, telling rne, that immediately after the rencounter, dreading, that awful prefence in which no fecret is concealed, and to which he apprehended he was fummoned by his own fword in the injured hand of Albert, he had vowed, if heaven fhould grant his life, to repair the wrongs he had com.mltted.- He had already executed a d^td^ refigning all the fortune of her father, in favor of Ma- tilda ; he had declared his guilty- commeixe with The- refa, that Ihe might repent or fuiTer puilifhment ; he had paid all the debts of Albert, and juflified his char- ader to the world ; and, fmally, he had reiolved to implore the -prayers of myfelf, and the venerable fa- th-ers of this houfe, to make him worthy of tecomin!.^ one of our holy order, that if he lived, he xni^ht be ufeful, and if he died, iiappy." The prior coflcliidtd his narrative, by fayingy -tlial Albert and Matilda were united. - He then britliy hinted arguments in favor of monadic inflitutions ; yet ilUerally allowed, that the reh'gion of his country, might in certain points be wrong, and knowing me to be a proteftant, I fuppofc he acknowledged move ilr^s^ 2^34 THE PLEASING LIBRARY. I ought 111 juftice to his candor to relate ; for this rea- lon.l^^VQ purpofbly flippreil^d the najiie and lltiaa. tion^^his convent^ but I iliall ever remember the words wa-which h^ iinifhed this diftourfb : " True reh'gion, faid he, howfoever it may vary in outward ceremonies, or articles of faith, will always induce xnanldnd to do good, to love and help each other ; it will teach us, that no fm, however fecret, can long re- main concealed ; and ihat when the world and all its vanities, have palled the fated appetite, you muft feek refuge in confcious innocence, or a fmcere repentance. Tlien, no matter whether you choofe ^ convent for retirement, or commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be dill.'' The distressed WIDOW- — ^ — 1 URN not your eyes, ye happy, from my door 5 Nor fiiun tlie Vv^idow— helplefs nov/, and poor, Once better day's were mine : falfe friends obey'd My iavitations, and e'en homage paid. My hearth could then the needful warmth afford^ And decent Plenty crown'd my cheerful board. That hearth with genial warmth no longer glows j That board no more the fplendid banquet fhov/s. Forc'd with thefe babes the coarfeft food to fharej Hard is our lot, and fcanty is our fare. Let her whofe tender bofom has confefs'd Maternal joys (her offspring at her breaft) To mild CQmpaiSoa's power her heart VQilgnr THE PLEASINGLIBRARY. ^35 And for a moment think on me and mine. Compell'd my manfion for a cot to guilt. Soon flidl each crevice piercing blaft admit : On my weak babes difeafe mufl iliortly prey : Feeble am I — and feebler ftill are they. What pangs mud that ingenuous bofom feel, Thus torc'd impending horrors to reveal ! Ah I were thofe cruel fuff 'rings all my own, I could expire without a figh or groan 1 Yet ftill on earth I am content to grieve, And for my babes alone defire to live. Parent of All ! whofe power direds each field > To birds, herds, flocks, due nourifhment to yield? > To me — at leaft to thefe — thy aid impart. And raife com.paffion in fome gentle heart. Few are the comforts wdiich we humbly crave : I'hey weep for food ; — and I — requeft a grave. HISTORY OF DEMETRIUS.. D 'EMETRIUS, one of Alexander's fuc- ceflbrs, who confidered vain pomp and fuperb magnif- icence as true grandeur, rendered himfelf contempti- ble to the Macedonians in the very circumftance by which he thought to obtain their efteem. His head was enriched with the novelty of a double diadem, and his robes feemed fitter for a ftage than a court. The ornaments of his feet were altogether extraordi- nary ; and he had long employed artifls to make hirrj- X0'' THE PLEASING LIBRARY. a mantle, on which the fyftem of the world, with all the ftars vifible in the firmament, w^ere to be embroi- dered in gold. The change of his fortune prevented the finiihing of this work, which remained for ages af- ter a monument of his pride, and the modefty of his fucceiTors, who neither w^ore it, nor fo much as fufFer- ed it to be completed. But that which rendered him ftill more odious, was his being fo difficult or approach. He was either fo proud and difdainful., as not to allow thofe who had any affairs to tranfacl with him the lib- erty of fpeech, or elfe he treated them with fo much rudenefs as obliged them to quit his prefence with dif- guft. He fuffered the Athenian ambafTadors to wait two whole years before he gave them audience ; and one day when he came out of his palace, and feemed to have more affability than was ufual for him to af- fume, fome perfons w^ere encouraged to prefent a few petitions to him. He received them w^th a gracious air, and placed them in one of the folds of his robe ; bat as he was paffing over a bridge on the river Axius, he threw all thefe petitions into the ftream. A prince mud certainly know very little of mankind, not to be fenfible that fuch a contemptuous behaviour is fufH- cient to provoke his fubjeccs to revolt from his author- ity. This proved to be the cafe with regard to De- metrius ; for his pride and infolence rendering liis gov-- emment infupportable, he was expelled the throne. THE PLEASING LIBRARY- 5^37 V£KSES SUPPOSED TO BE WRITTEN BY ALEX- ANDER SELKIRK, DURING HIS SOLITARY ABODE IN THE. ISLAND of JUAN FER- NANDEZ.. — ^ I AMinonai-ch of all I furvey, My right there is none to dilpiite ; From the cortre all round to the feaj, • I am lord of the fowl and the biute^ Oh Solitude ! where are the charms, That fages have feen in thy face ? Better dwell in tlie midft of alarms, . Than reign In this horrible place* I.am oat of Iramanity^s reach j. I mud finifli my journey alone ; Never hear the fweet mufic of fpeech j -: I ftart at the found of my own. . The beafls that roam over the plain, , My form with indifference fee : They are fo unacquainted with man,.. Their tamenefs is ihockinoj.to me. . Society, friendfliip,>and love, . Divinely beftow'd upon man, Oh had I the wings of a dove, . How foon would I tafte you again ! My forrows I then might affuage In the ways of Religion and Truth ; Might learn from the wifdom of age^^ , And be cheer'd by the falliesof youth.. 13» THE PLEASING LlBkAR^^ Religion ; what treafure untold Refides in that heav'nly word ! - More precious than filver or gold^- Or all that this earth can afford. But the found of the church-going hell Theie vallies and rocks never heard ; Ne'er fjgh'd at the found of a knell, Or fmil*d when a Sabbath appear'd. Y^ winds that have made me your fport, - Gonvey to this defolate fhorCj Some cordial endearing report Of a land I ihall vifit;-no more. My friends, do they now and then fend - A wiih or a thought after rae I ■ O tell me I yet have a friend, Though a friend I am never to iie. How fleet is a glance of the muid I Gompar'd witb the fpeed of its ffight. The temped itfelf lags behind, And the- fwift -winged arrows of lighto When I think of my own native land. In a moment I feem to be there ; But, alas ! recollection at hand Soon hurries me back to defpair. But the fea-fowl is gone to her neft^ - The bead: is laid down in his lair i Ev'n here is a feafon of reli:, And I to my cabin repair. There's mercy in every place ; And mercy — encouraging thought ! Gives even afflidion a grace. And reconciles man to his lot»-^ THE PLEASING LIBRARY. %,y^ A DISERTATION on the AMBIGUITY of NOTHING. JSj OTHING !— thou negative to atiy- ^ Jing, reverie to everything, and eternal oppofite to foine^ thiJig ; thou art, and yet thou art not ; thou art nominal^ ly fornething, and really nothing ; thou art felfexijient, 2indfelfdepe?ident ; and yet thou doft not exift nor de- pend at aU. Thou^didft (?r/^//7^/^ from thy fil/, and thjfelf originated ixcmi the^ ; and yet thouhadft no ori^ gin. Thou art antecedent to everything, becaufe thou waft before anythmg ; and yet liou never didft exiji not even in idea, uW fomething appeared to prove thee 7iothing ; and although thou art eternally at variance with foviething, yet, if thou fhouldft obtain, thou there- by infureft thine ,^w«.deftru6i:ion; for "when jQ>??iething is no more th^ou confequently muft ceafe for want of an oppofite. Thou art not capable of addition nor diminution, for if we ^idd fofnething to nothing, thou art no more ; 2.\\d fomething is thy fucceffor ; and if we add nothing to nothing It 3II ^amounts to nothing, and the feveral n&things fmgular amount to nothing plural, and an infinity of nothi?igs plural, v/ili terminate in 7iothi?ig faigular. Thou art indebted to nothing, and as thou haft 72othing to pay, nothing, will be expedted and fiothin^ will be demanded. Therefcre tkou art felf-indebted, felf infolvent, felf expeded and feif- demanded, and yet .without debts, without infolvericy, wid:iout expetftation and without demand. TLouh2& nothing to hope nor :^40 THE PLEASING LIBRAHY. nothing to fear, and yet thou art no deity ; nor zrtthm :- completely or incompletely happy/ncr miferable, and yet we frequenly fay, ''^ Nothing is ..more happy '^ — ^^^ Nothing is more miferalky Many people, who have a great opinion of their . own fagacity, have pretended to difcover thy moft fe- , cret recelfes, and have given out diat thou mayefl he found in the /mrr^^^/V^;;/ of a Pool^ the recantation of , a T(?ry, the fmcerity o£.k Courtier^ the charity of a Mi/efy the pockets of the Poor, the faith of a Nat ion ^ the lenity of a Briton^ thehonefty of a ^arter-Maf- tery and confequently in the bowels of the Soldier ; but if we inquire at moflof thefe places, we fliall find that there is ;2<7if^/>/o- in the affertion. Thou art frequently invoked and as often deprecated hj the fame perfon ; for v/hen we hear a. piece of, bad nenvs^ we hope there is ?2othing m it,. and when we hear a piece oi good nenjjs.^ * ive are afraid there is ?2othJng in it. Thou art prefent with us at our birth and at our death ; for " we brought , nothing into the world, and we .can carry nothing out." Thou art not capable of creation nor propagation^ and yet than art tha. author of nobody that great vll- lian and confummate.mjfchief-maker. In facl, thou ;art NOTHING.* * As the Writer has made much ado ahcut nothing, it h to he ■ fuppofed his time Is worth, nothing and as he has fairly proved .nothings he is honeftly intitled to mthingy and to nothing he is wel- s THE PLEASING LIBRARY. CA^ VIR^rtJOUS ACTIVITY. ^^_ EIZE, mortals 1 feize the tranfient hour ; Improve each moment as it flies : Life 's a (hort fummer — man a 'flow'r ; He dies — Alas ! how foon he dies ! I'hc fources of happinefs. Reafon^s whole pleafare, all the joys of fenfe. Lie in three words, health, peace, and competenc-e. But health confifts with temperance alone ; And peace, O Virtue ! peace is all thy o-wti. Solitude^. O facred folitude ! divine retreat ! Choice of the prudent ! envy of the great ! 'By thy pure ftream, or in thy waving lliade, We court f?ir Wifdom, that celeftial maid : The genuine offspring of her lov'd embrdc^. {Strangers on earth,) are Innocence and Peace. Th&re, from the ways of men laid fafe afiiore, We fmiie to hear the diftant tempeft roar ; There, blefs'd with health, with bus'nefs unperplex'd, Thiy life we relifli, and enfure the next. • The golden uiean. He that holds fafl: the golden mean, And lives contentedly between The little and the great, *By folitude here is meant, a temporary feclufion from the worldr W U^ THE PLEASING LIE=;;-srs;=s;=' A. STORY OF IDRIS, — ^ — .MONO the dancers of the place in the reign of Abbas the Great, king of Perfia, there was a young maid named Idris, whom the mafter of' the revels, on the report of her charms, had fent for from Casbin to Ifpahan. Her mother being of the fame profeffion, fhe had followed the fame way of life : but as Ihe honorably diftinguilhed herfelf from her female companions, flie demonftrated, that virtue is pradicable in every fituation of life, however flip- pery or dangerous it m.ay be.-- Scarcely had Idris appeared on the theatre of the capital, but Ihe found herfelf befet by the grandees, who drove to pleafe her by the fame means that had won otliers in that ftation. One exhaufted all his rhet- oric in commending her ihape and manner 5 another 2U THE PLEASING LIBRARY. extolled the form of her face, her complexion, andtHci^ regularity of her features. A third, to give weight to the encomiums he had beftowed on her voice, re- peated an air he had heard her fmg, and declared his diftrac^ion to arrive at that grace with which fhe gave life to the words. A fourth, boafted his precifion and ikill in dancing, exhibited inftantly fome of the atti- tudes he had learned of her. A firft-rate Sir fopling gave her a lift of the pretty women he had deferted from the moment he firft faw her. A young man, by birth entitled to become a Mollah, filently difplay- cd his figure and his drefs. An old fingerer of the pubhc money dazzled her eyes with a diamond of the firft water : andoflF«cred it, befides the perquifites of the contracts, which it was his cuftom to beftow upon his iriirtrcfs. An oificer of the crown made a pompous defcrlption of the prefents with which he had reeom^v penfed the friendSiip of the little Zaki. In iint<> eve- ry one exerted his facuUies and his addrefs in order to gain the preference over his rivals. But Idi'is was not to be caught with fuch b-^its* At the palace, at ailembiies, in the public walks, and. in all places, the dircourfe turned upon the new dancer. Every one talked of her beauty, her wit, and her en- gaging behaviour ; and, which was more than they had faid of any other of. her profeffion, they agreed in acknowledging her to be very virtuous. It is the property of none but the mo ft exalted virtue to gain the refpecl and admiration of young courtiers. Mah- xnut conceived a high opinion of Idris's virtue, from ^he extraQrdinary eiFed it prodivced. TttE PLEASING LIBRARY. 24S MiihiTKit bore among the lords of the court the fame charader which Idris mahitahied among the dan- cers of her fex ; proof againft the defeds of his equals and the vices of his ftation. As foon as he began to appear in the world, he became fenfible of the ridicu- loufnefs of that noifj, obftreperous glddinefs, which moft young people of quality aiFe<5l ; and being hap- pily prejudiced againft the idle life he faw them lead, he took care not to follow their example, yet without feeming to condemn them. While their days were divided between the toilet, table, vifits, and gaming, he fpent the morning in his clofet among his books,*' or with thofe whofe converfation could- inftrudt him better. In the afternoon he frequented the manufac- tories and working' places about the palace ; talked with the ableiT: hands in the.feveral arts ; and obferv- ed, with the utmoft attention, how they proceeded in their works. In the 'evening he was at fome or other of the public entertaihmehts, which he enjoyed with a inbderati'on that is "ever infeparable from tafte and difcernmen't; After which he repaired to feme of the moft brilliant affemblies of ifpahan, as well to avoid a fingularity that would have rendered him odious,' - as- to acquire a greater Ihare of the complaiiance and ' politenefs which reigued in them; Mahmut's wit, and ' the ufe he made of it, rendered him fuperior to thofe w^ho were his equals in birth ; and befides the advan- tages of a good figure and a graceful air, he diftin- " guiilied himfelf no lefs among them by his natural and • acquired talents. Idris could not behold this amiable Perfian without emotion ; fne ihunned all her Impor-*'" 246 THE PLEASING LIBRARY. tunate fuitors, and complacently fancying him free from all their faults, ilie fecretly wifhed that the beau- ty which they had fo highly extolled might make an impreflion on him. Her wiihes were met more than half way ; Mahmut foon let her know that he loved her moft paiTionately ; and her anfwer to this declara- tion, on account of itsfiagularity, deferves to be giv- en entire. *' Doubtlefs you give the name of love," faid (he, with a charming fmile, '' to that which is only an ef- fed of your tafte for novelty ; I will not, my lord, go farther at prefent on this head ; it is your bufmefs to fix my judgment. I will ingenuoufly confefs, though it will give you fome unfavorable opinion of me if you are not the man I take you to be, that I am not dif- pleafed at your liking me. But if ever I fee occafion to alter the idea I have conceived of you, hope not that I fhall in the leaft indulge my inchnation, I fhall not take it ill if you give your heart to a woman m.ore virtuous than I, therefore do not complain of your lot if I difpofe of mine in fevor of any man whom I may find fuperior to you in virtue." Mahmnt, ftruck with admiration, and overflowing with joy, labored to rife to fuch a pitch as might ob- lige Idris to be conftant to himc. He applied himfelf v^'ith frefh vigor to acquire the arts and fciences necef- iary for a man in his ftation. He made it his bufmefs to relieve indigent merit and unfortunate virtue. .His humanity, C;enerofity, capacity, and modefty, were equally confpicuous ; and Idrfs abundantly reward- ed him for all the pains he took to pleafe h^r. Praife> THE PLEASING LIBRARY. 247 - grounded on truth, and coming iVomilie mouth offo charming a peribn, filled the tender Mahmut's heart W'hh joy and fatisfadlion. He read hi the eyes of his beauteous niillrel^ how dear he was to her : lie talked of his pailicii, and defcribed its violence. Idris iiften- ed to him with pleafure, vowed fhe would make him a juft return, and thus animated him to give her no occafion to repent Iter engagement. In thefe over- flowings of their hearts, which none but true lovers can know and feel all the fweetnefs of, the/ laid open to each other the moti fecret recefles of their fouls. Mahmut was grieved when he took leave of Idrisj nor could Ihe bear his abfence without a vifible con- - cem. They always parted under the great eft impa- tience to meet again. Between two neighbours fo powerful as the Grand - Seignior and the king of Perfia, there can be no long . 'peace ; a war foon broke out, and Mahmut was oblig- ed to fet out for the army. He waited upon Idris, to deplore with her the dire neceffiry that forced them afunder; but whilft he lay at her feet,- he durft not difclofe to her all his grief. The fortittide of the fair one daunted him ; he was afraid of lefTening himfelf . in her efteem, by difcovering any weakiiefs. Idris per- ceived the fore confiift in his breaft, and loved him for it more intenfely. Mahmut had not been gene a month when he gave way to his defire of an interview with Idris. He flip- ped away privately from the army, and with the help of relays, vrhich he had provided on the road, he was at the gates of Ifpahan before they miffed him in the &4B»'' THE PLEASING LIBRARY/ C£tmp, Alighting at the houfe of one of his old fer- vatnts, he difgulfed himfelf in the apparel of a peafantj that he might not be known m the city ; and, impa- tient of an interview with his Idris, he flew to her houfe. The charming maid was fitting at her balcony, as Mahmut was advancing ; and knew him, not with (land- ing his difguife. Grieved to fee him thus negle<5t his glory and his duty, fne ran diredlly to her clofet, charg- ing her flave to admit no vifiter whatever. She melt- ed into tears at the weaknefs of her lover ; but foori recovered herfelf, and wrote him the following billet. Idris to the peafant. *' Friend, I know thou art to be forthwith at the army. Call upon Mahmurt, and tell him from me, that I defire him to remember that condition on which the_heart of Idris is to'be ftcured." Mahmut was too much confounded with thefe words to alk any q^iellioHs of the flave that delivered him the billet. He went back to his domeftic's houfe to put off his difguife ; and fluduating between admira- tion, grief and fear, he repaired again to the army wkh as much hafte as he had travelled up to Ifpahan. His chief ftudy being to make amends for the fault he had committed, he behaved the reft of the campaign, with fo much ardor, bravery and con dud, that he was defervedly promoted to a higher poft, which the king confei*red on him, with the moft honorable eulogies, at the head of the army. Idris wr^ote him a congrat- '' - idatory letter on bis promotion, in which) without men^ THE PLEASING LIEFAR^. 249' tionuig his weaknefs, flie gave him to underftand that fhe had forgiven him. Mahmut, traniported with joy, haftened back to If- pahan as foon as the army was ordered into winter- quarters, and liftened to no other confiderations but his efteem for the virtuous girl : he intreated her to complete his happinefs by becoming his wife. " Your wife, my lord !" cried Idris, with an emotion that at once difcovered the tendereft paffion and concern for the glory of her lover : << what ! would Mahmut forget himfelf fo far ? In difpofing of your he'art you ■ may indeed confult nothing, but your inclinations ; - but when the queftion is to choofe a partner in your dignity and fortune, you are accountable to thofe cf whom you hold both. I have the deepeft fenfe of gratitude- for this figiial teftimony of your efteem ; :■ but what will your relations fay ? What will all Perfia fay, whofe eyes are upon you, and who fee nothing in me but the mean profefTion I was bred to ? No, Mah- mut, it muft not be ; I fee my errer, I am afhamcd of my weaknefs ; I that am ready to facrifice my iifej, . were it neceffary, to preferve your glory, cannot be in- ftrumental myfelf. in fuUying it." Sentiments like thefe made the paHlon ate Mahmut : only more preffing. ** What are thofe things," fald he, " which create fo.great a difparity between us ? An inftant may deprive me of them ; but the dowry which . you will bring me, charming Idris, is a bleiTmg that depends not on man nor on fortune." In uttering thefe words his countenance began to be clouded with > grief: frefli denials drove, him to defpair ; he drewv ^'^ ~ THE PLEASING LIBRARY. his poinard, and was going to plunge it into his bfeail. The tender Idris could hold out no longer. " Ah I Mahmut,'^ cried fhej " flop your hand and live; to- •morrow I fhali be yours, grant rae this Ihort refpite.'^ She could utter no more, tears put an end to her fur- prife, and flopped her breathy ^ --" -'^'"* ^W- i The news of their marriage foon took wind; and ' thofe who envied him the polfefTion of fo much beauty, abufed him for his meannefs ; while the fober and think- ing part of the world extolled her virtues, and only lamented that h^r birth and fortune had not rendered ' them more confpicuous and attrading^ She was pre- fented to the king, who was- charmed with^ her perfon, and finding. her heart -and hex fentime^its would not difgrace the higheft quality, added that which recon-*" ciled all parties, a title and place at court." I The INDIAN STUDENT; or, the FORCE OF NATUHE. X ROM Siifquehannah's utmoit fpriisgs, Where favage tribes purfue their game, • (His blanket ty'd with yellow firings) . A fliepherd of the Ferefl came. From long debate the council rofe ; And, viewing Shalum's tricks with joy, • To harvard-hall, o'er waftes of fnows, They Jent the tawny-color'd boy^ - •THE PLEASING LIBRARY. nS^t 'Awhile he wrote ; awhile he read 5 Awhile he learn'd their grammar-rules : An Indian Savage fo well bred. Great credit ^romis'd to the fchooU. Some thought he would in law e^cel ; Some faid in phyfic he would fhlne ; And one, who knew him paffing well, Beheld in him a found divine. ^But thofe of more difceming eye E'en then could other profpeds fhowj And faw him lay his Virgil by, To wander with his dearer bow. The tedious hour of ftudy (pent. The heavy moulded le<5lure doncj •He to the woods a hunting went ; But figh'd to fee the fetting fun. •The jQiady bank, the purling ftream. The woody wild his heart pofTefs'd ; The dewy lawn his morning dream, In fancy's fined colors dreft. *< And why," iTe cry'd, *rdid I forfake My native woods for gloomy walls ? The filver ftream, the limpid lake, For muRy books and coU^ge halls ? A little could my wants fupply ; — Can wealth and honor give me mere-? ■Or will the fylvan god deny The hunible treat he gave befpre;? j^^ THE PLEASING LIBRAR'Y. Where nature's ancient forefts grow. And mingled laurel never fades, My heart is fix'd 5 and i muft go To die among my native fliades.'^ He fpoke — ^and to the weftem fprings (His gown -difeharg'd — ^Iiis money fpent— His blanket ty'd with yellow firings) The Shepherd of the foreft went.. ^Returning to the rural reign, The Indians welcom'd him with joy ; The council took hira home again, And bleft the tawny-color'd boy. WISDOM. — .^ — X$E Wifdom therefore your peculiar care, ' Nor wafte the precious hours in vain defpair j Affociate with the good, attend the fage, And meekly liften to experienc'd age. V/hat, if acquirements you have faiPdto gain^ Such as the wife may want, the*bad attain, Know, that Religion's facred treafures lie Inviting, open, pkin to ev'ry eye, "For ev'ry age, for ev'ry genius nt. Nor limited to Science, or to Wit ; To elevated talents not confin'd, *But all may. learn, the truths for all defignM ; She callsj follclts, courts you to be blefi:, ^And points to maxifions of eternal reil. 'nmmrrr ^f^K^f^^^^^f^^^^ftp^*^'T^^^'^'^ ^'^* ■ 'mmMM ^^^ffffMWf^ ^/^'^A^^'^en^ ^MA;^,,^^Aa;^^^^^^^^^ -^^^gagsss^AOfl ^^m^rt^ f\^^^f^-rf^r\f<^ A^N^rrf^t^'''^ '^AAAA^, Kirj^'fnnmm^mmm^., .'^r'.m, '^^r,A^^^. v;^o-:^o^Qa«. ^/^A^.^AA^, '^fSA^r^f^'^'^^'^^' 'N^.^n^,^. A.^a«'=^|?'^/^,^M^ffl^ao . ; " ^Af^iJ^i^*/ ^^^«.aafi.affl/ 'J^^'ii^^^^a^f.^^^^'Noc^^^ftooa.^^ ^Vr^A'O^'O^/^'/ ^'^^^/^^r^^r^A^i iArrn^Ar^^nr^^lM^^ ^/^.^/^,^A ^^,^^flroflAAft^rf'''^W^^'^r^^ .A*/^A AA _A/ LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 013 978 318 9