ÆäÀÌÁö À̹ÌÁö
PDF
ePub

3. Fre

456. THE PASSIONS AND ACTIONS. The Laconics. 1. All men, possessed of real numan mind we contemplate under two power, are upright and honest: craft is but the grand divisions, called Will and Understand-substitute of power. 2. To answer wit by reason, ing the former is the receptacle, or conti- is like trying to hold an eel by the tail nent, of our passions, emotions, uffections; quent intercourse often forms such a similarity, the latter-of our thoughts. To attend to that we not only assure a mental likeness, but the workings of mind, to trace the power 4. The more ideas included in our own words, and contract some resemblance in voice and features. that external objects have over it, to discern the more cases an axiom is applied to, the more the nature of the emotions and affections, extensive and powerful will they be. 5. The imand to comprehend the reasons of their being affected in a particular manner, must have provement of the internal, will also be the improvement of the external. 6. A little vice often a direct influence on our pursuits, character deforms the whole countenance; as one single and happiness, as private citizens, and as false trait in a portrait, makes the whole a carri public speakers.

What nothing earthly gives, or can destroy,
The soul's calm sunshine, and the heartfelt joy,
I VIRTUE'S prize.

[friend.

cature. 7. The noblest talents may rust in indolence; and the most moderate, by industry, may be astonishingly improved.

Anecdote. A Good Hint. A clergyman and Garrick the tragedian, were spending an evening together; and among other topics of conversation, that of delivery was introduced. The man of the pulpit asked Garrick, "Why is it, you are able to produce so much more effect, with the recital of your fictions, than we do, by the delivery of the most important truths?" The man of the stage replied-"My Lord, you speak truths, as if they were fictions; we speak fictions, as if they were truths."

the property of a truly good man, to do great and good things, though he risk everything by it.

In faith, and hope, the world will disagree; But all mankind's concern-is charity. He gave to mercy-all he had, a tear; He gained from heaven, ('twas all he wished,) a In the faithful husbandman-you see, What all-true christians-ought to be. Speak of me, as I am nothing extenuate, Nor set down aught-in malice. Honor, and shame, from no condition rise; Act well your part, there all the honor lies. 457. An accurate analysis of the passions and affections is, to the moralist, as well as Action. To do an ill action is base; to the student in elocution, what the science of do a good one, which involves you in no dananatomy, and physiology is to the physi-ger, is nothing more than common; but it is cian and surgeon: it constitutes the first principles of rational practice for both; it is, in a moral view, the anatomy of the heart; discloses why and how it beats; indicates appearances in a sound and healthy state, and detects diseases, with their causes, and is much more fortunate in applying remedies. Stages of Progress. Useful discoveries and improvements generally have four distinct stages in their progress to universality. The first 18, when the theory is pronounced false, contrary to experience, absurd and unworthy of the attention of sensible men. The second is, when they are claimed as having been known before; thus, depriving the medium-of all credit for more industry, discrimination and originality, than others. The third is, when they are denounced as perilous innovations, endangering the religion and morals of society. The fourth is, when they are received as established truths by every body; the only wonder being, that they should ever have been doubted, they are in such perfect harmony with

Le laws of the universe.

The meek-ey'd morn appears, mother of dews,
At first, faint glimmering-in the dappled eart;
Till, far o'er ether-spreads the wid'ning glow;
And, from before the lustre of her face,
White break the clouds away. With quicken'd step,
Brown night-retires; young day pours in apace,
And opens all the lawny prospect wide.
The dripping rock, the mound Lin's misty top,
Swell on the right, and brighten-with the down.

If, on a sudden, he begins to rise,
No man that lives can count his enemies.

Varieties. 1. The coin, that is most current among mankind-is flattery: the only benefit of which is, that by hearing what we are not, we may be instructed what we ought to be. 2. Bring the entire powers of jour mind, to bear on whatever study you undertake, with a singleness of purpose, and you will not fail of success. 3. The predomi nance of a favorite study, affects all the subordinate purposes of the intellect. 4. Vex not thy heart, in seeking—what were far better unfound. 5. In reference to certain prin ciples and persons, unstable people cry out, at first, "ALL HAIL, but afterwards, "CRUCIFY! CRUCIFY!" 6. Luxury is an enticing pleasure, which hath honey in her mouth, but gall in her heart, and a sting in her embrace. 7. Let your rule of action be, to perform, faithfully, and without solicitude, the duty of the present hour; let the future take care of itself.

Two tasks are ours, to-know-and understand,
Evil, and good, and name their various band;
But worthier far, with cheerful will, to choose
Whate'er is good, and all the ill-refuse.
Why all this toil-for triumphs of an hour?
What though we wade in wealth, or soar in fams /
Earth's highest station ends in-" Here he les :""
And-dust-to dust"-concludes her noblest song.
Virtue itself, 'scapes not calumn.cas strokes.

458. THE PASSIONS. There are three [ Maxims. 1. A well instructed people, mly, things involved in the exhibition of the pas- can be a free people. 2. To ask for a leing, with sions; viz. the tones of the voice, the appear-out labor, would be to ask for a curse, instead of a ance of the countenance, and rhetorical ac- blessing. 3. No one looks after his own affairs, as tion; the first is addressed to the ear only, well as himself. 4. Fruitless advice is like pourthe latter to the eye. Here, then, is anothering water on a duck's back. 5. The more our tallanguage to learn, after the pupil has learned ents are exercised, the more will they become dehe written, and the vocal languages: how-veloped. 6. Unless the laws are executed on the ever, the language of the passions may be great, they will not be obeyed. 7. He, who toils said to be written by the hand of Nature. with pain, will reap with pleasure. 8. The torContemplate the passions separately, and ment of envy-is like sand in the eye. 9. Laziness combined, and seek for examples to illus-often gives occasion to dishonesty. 10. The error

trate them.

For praise, too dearly loved, or warmly sought,
Enfeebles all internal strength of thought;
And the weak, within itself unblest,
Leans, for all pleasures, on another's breast.
Friendship, like an evergreen,

Will brave the inclement blast,
And still retain the bloom of spring,

When summer days-are past;
And tho' the wintry sky should lower,
And dim the cheerful day,
She still perceives a vital power,
Unconscious-of decay.
Jealousy! thy own green food,
Thy joy-is vengeance, death, and blood!
Thy love-is wrath! thy breath—is sighs!
Thy life-suspicious sacrifice!

459. TRUTH. Some men say, that "wealth is power"-and some that "talent-is power"-and some that "knowledge-is power" and others, that "authority-is power"-but there is an apothegm, that I would place on high above them all, when I assert. that, "TRUTH-is power." Wealth cannot purchase, talent-cannot refute, knowledge - cannot over-reach, authority-cannot silence her; they all, like Felix, tremble at her presence: cast her into the sevenfold heated furnace of the tyrant's wrath-fling her into the most tremendous billows of popular commotion-she mounts

aloft in the ark-upon the summit of the deluge

She is the ministering spirit, who sheds on man

that bright and indestructible principle of life, which is given, by its mighty author, to illumin ate and to inspire the immortal soul-and which, like himself, "is the same yesterday, to-day, and forever."

The wintry blast of death

Kills not the buds of virtue; no: they spread
Beneath the heavenly beams-of brighter suns,
Through endless ages-into higher powers ●
The scale of being-is a graduated thing;
And deeper.-than the vanities of power.
On the vain pomp of glory-there is writ-
Gradation-in its hidden characters.
ЕРІТАРН.

Here rests his head-upon the lap of earth,
A youth-to fortune and to fame unknown;
Fair science-frown'd not-on his humble birth,
And melancholy-mark'd him for her own.
A dandy-is a thing, that would
Be a young lady-if he could;
But, as he can't. does all he can.
To show the world-he's not a man.

The course of true love--never did run smooth.

of an hour-may become the sorrow of a chole life

Anecdote. Father Aurius said, when Bourdaloue preached at Rouen, the tradesmen forsook their workshops, the lawyers their clients, and the physicians their sick, to hear the orator: but when I preached there, the following year, I set all things right; every man ninded his own business.

Luxury. When I behold a fashionable table, set out in all its magnificence, I fancy that I see gouts and dropsies, fevers and lethargies, with other innumerable distempers, lying in ambuscade among the dishes. Na ture delights in the most plain and simple diet. Every animal, but man, keeps to one dish. Herbs are the food of this species, fish of that, and flesh of a third. Man falls upon every thing that comes in his way; not the smallest fruit or excrescence of the earth, scarce a berry or a mushroom can escape him.

Varieties. 1. Without exertion and diligence, success in the pursuits of life, is rarely attained. 2. It is the business of the judge to decide as to the points of law, and the duty of the jurors--to decide as to the mat. ters of fact. 3. The essence of our liberty is-to do whatever we please, provided we do not violate any law, or injure another. 4. A handful of common sense is worth a bushel of learning. 5. Few things are more injurious to our health and constitution, than indulgence in luxuries. 6. Did God, after creating the universe, and putting it in moestimable value, whether to a nation, or an tion, leave it to itself? 7. Credit-is of in

individual.

THE MINISTRY OF ANGELS. And is there care in heaven? and is there love In heavenly spirits-to these creatures base, That may compassion of their evils move? [case There is: else, much more wretched were the Of men than beasts. But. oh! the exceeding grace Of highest Heaven! that loves his creatures so: And all his works-with mercy doth embrace, That blessed angels he sends to and fro, To serve to wicked man,—to serve his wicked foe How oft-do they their silver bowers leave,

To come to succor us, that succor want! How oft-do they, with golden pinions, cleave The flitting skies, like flying pursuivant, Against foul fiends-to aid us militant! They for us fight, they watch and duly ward, And their bright squadrons round about us plant, And all for love, and nothing for reward: Oh! why should the Lord to man have such regard.

TRANQUILLITY, &c.

460. Tranquil. lity appears by the open and composed countenance, and a general repose of the whole body; mouth nearly closed; eyebrows a little arched; forehead smooth; eyes passing with an easy motion, from one object to another, but not dwelling long on any; cast of happiness, bordering on cheerfulness;

desiring to please and be pleased; gaity, good humor, when the mouth opens a little more.

CHEERFULNESS IN RETIREMENT.

Now my co-mates, and brothers in exile,
Hath not old custom-made this life more sweet,
Than that of painted pomp? Are not these woods
More free from peril, than the envious court?
Here-feel we but the penalty of Adam;
The season's difference; as the icy fung,
And churlish chiding of the winter's wind;
Which, when it bites and blows upon my body,
Ev'n till I shrink with cold, I smile and say,
This is no flattery; these are counsellors,
That feelingly persuade me what I am:
Sweet-are the uses of adversity,
That, like a toad, ugly and venomous,
Wears yet a precious jewel in its head.
And this our life, exempt from public haunts,
Finds tongues, in TREES, books, in running BROOKS,
Sermons in STONES, and GOOD in everything.

Miscellaneous. 1. Timidity-often obscures the brightest powers of orators, at their outset; like the chilling vapor, awhile retarding the beauty of a morning in spring; but the day of success, attained by persevering efforts, when it comes, will well repay for its late appearance, and its splendor more than atone for its morning shade. 2. By taking in the widest possible range of authors of all ages, one seems to create, within himself, a sympathy for the whole brotherhood of man, past, present, and to come, and to approximate continually, to a view of Universal Truth, tho' never attaining it. 3. All good speakers and writers, are addicted to imitation: no one-can write or speak well, who has not a strong sympathy with, and admtration for-all that is beautiful.

Anecdote. A Pun. Purcell, the famous Dunster, being desired, one evening, when in company, to make an extempore pun, asked, "on what subject ?" "The king;" was the answer. " sir," said he, "the king is not a subject."

I hate to see a boy-so rude,
That one might think him-raised
In some wild region of the wood,
And but half-civilized.

Maxims. 1. The follies we tell of other are often only mirrors to reflect our own. 2. Righteousness--exalteth a nation; but sin-is a reproach to any people. 3. The best mode o. dealing with a quarrelsome person, is, to keep out of his way. 4. Good thought, couched in an appropriate simile, is like a precious stone, set in gold. 5. Great minds may produce great vices, as well as great virtues; an honest man-is the noblest work of God. 6. Nature, and natural causes, are nothing else, than the way in which God works. 7. 'Tis use that constitutes possession. 8. No sooner is a law made, than the wicked seek to evade it. 9. One lie draws ten mcre after it. 10. Idleness-buries a man alive.

Irresolution. In matters of great concern, and which must be done, there is no surer argument-of a weak mind, than irresolution; to be undetermined, where the case is so plain, and the necessity so urgent. To be always intending to live a new life. but never to find time to set about it; this is as if a man should put off ealing, and drinking, and sleeping, from one day and night to another, till he is starved and destroyed.

Varieties. 1. Every evil, that we conquer, is a benefactor to our souls. The Sandwich Islander believes that the strength and valor of the enemy he kills, passes into himself. Spiritually, it is so with us; for we gain strength, from every temptation we resist. 2. It is absurd, to think of becoming good, in any thing, without understanding and practicing what we learn. 3. Have we life of our own? or, are we dependent on God for it, every moment of our lives! 7. All the moments of our lives, produce eter nal consequences.

How sweet-the words of truth,
Breathed from the lips-we love.
One alone
May do the task of many, when the mind
Is active in it.

Corcombs-are of all realms, and kind,
They're not to sex, or age confined,
Of rich, or poor, or great, or small,
"Tis vanity-besets them all.
True happiness-had no localities;
No tones provincial; no peculiar garb.
Where duty went, she went; with justice went i
And went with meekness, charity, and love.
Where'er a tear was dried; a wounded heart
Bound up; a bruised spirit-with the dew
Of sympathy anointed; or a pang
of honest suffering soothed; o injury,
Repeated oft, as oft-by love—forgiven ;
where'er an evil passion was subdued.
Or Firtue's feeble embers fanned; where'er
A sin was heartily abjured, and left;
Where'er a pious act was done, or breathed
A pious prayer, or wished a pious wish-
There was a high-and holy place, a spot
Of sacred light, a most religious fane.

Faith-is not built-or. disquisition's ratna

[blocks in formation]

:s expressed by clapping the hands, exultation and weeping, raising the eyes to heaven, and perhaps suffusing them with tears, and giving such a spring to the body, as to make attempts to mount up as if it could fly: and when it is extreme, goes into transport, rapture, and ecstasy; the voice often raises on very high pitches, and exhilarating; it has a wildness of look and gesture that borders on folly, madness and sorrow; hence the expression," frantic with joy." Joy, mirth, &c., produce a rousing, exciting, lively action.

JOY EXPECTED.

Ah! Juliet, if the measure of thy joy

Be heaped, like mine, and that thy skill be more
To blazen it, then sweeten, with thy breath,
This neighbor air, and let rich MUSIC's tongue
Unfold the imagin'd happiness, that both
Receive, in either, 'by this dear encounter.
See! my lord, [veins
Would you not deem it breath'd, and that those
Did verily bear blood? O sweet Paulina,
Make me think so twenty years together;
No settled senes of the world can match
The pleasure of that madness.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Talents-angel-bright,

If wanting worth,

Are shining instruments

In false ambition's hand-to finish faults
Illustrious, and give to infamy renown.

Tis easiest-dealing with the firmest mind, [kind.
More just, when it resists, and when it yields, more

A mirror-has been well definedAn emblem-of a thoughtful mind, For, look upon it-when you will, You find-it is reflecting still. Life-is a sea, where storms must rise; "Tis folly-talks of cloudless skies; He, who contracts his swelling sail, Eludes the fury of the ga Anecdote. A painter-was employed in painting a ship, on a stage, suspended under her stern. The captain, who had just got into the boat to go ashore, ordered the cabin voy to let go the painter. The boy went aft, and let go the rope by which the painter's stage was held. The captain, surprised at the boy's delay, cried out," Confound you for a lazy dog; why don't you let go the paintcr?" "He's gone sir," replied the boy, "puls and all."

Maxims. 1. The abuse of money is worse than the want of it. 2. Revenge is a mean plea. sure; but no principle is more noble, than that of forgiving injuries. 3. Without friends, the world is but a wilderness. 4. Flattery to ourselves-does not change the nature of that which is wrong. 5 When a man is not liked, whatever he does is amiss. 6. If a man is unfortunate, and reduced in the world, it is easy to find fault with him. 7. 1 pure heart makes the tongue impressive. 8. A man's best fortune, or his worst-is a wife. Health is better than wealth. 10. Unexperienced persons think all things easy.

Free Schools; or the road to Honor oper to all. When the rich man-is called from the possession of his treasures, he divides them as he wills, among his children and heirs. But an equal Providence deals not so with the living treasures of the mind. There are children, just growing up in the bosom of obscurity, in town and country, who have inherited nothing but poverty and health, and who will, in a few years, be striving, in stern contention, with the great intellects of the land. Our system of free schools, has opened a straight way from the threshold of every abode, however humble, in the village, or in the city, to the high-places of usefulness, influence and honor. And it is left for each, by the cultivation of every talent, by watching, with an eagle-eye, for every chance of improvement; by bounding forward like a gray-hound, at the most distant glimpse of honorable opportunity; by grappling, as with hooks, the prize, when it is won; by redeem. ing time, by defying temptation, and scorning sensual pleasures; to make himself useful, honored and happy.

Varieties. 1. God, who loveth all his creatures, and is no respecter of persons, would have us be good for our own sakes. 2. What is the difference, between the love of being wise, and the love of wisdom? 3. Every age has its own predominant features, taste and propensities, that cach may be fitted, and inclined, to discharge the offices allotted to it. 4. God has planted in the irrational brute, memory, sense, and ap petite; but to rational man-he has given all these, and superadded thought, intelligence, will, immortal reason, and undying uffection. 5. All orders of good and truth are capable of an infinite display of the varieties proper to that order; and of an infinite mul tiplication of each.

Music! thou rest of life, and balm of age,

To cheer man's path-through this dark pilgrimage,
In every state-be thou my partner made:
By night, by day, in sunshine, ard in shade;
Teach me, while here, the strain that angels sing,
From hearts devout, to Heaven's Eternal King:
Tune my last breath--with pure seraphic love,
And hymn my passage-to the choir above.
So very still, that echo-seems to listen;
We almost hear-the music of the sphere,
And fancy, that we catch the noter of angels.

[graphic]
[blocks in formation]

INVOCATION OF THE GODDESS OF MIRTH.

But come, thou goddess, fair and free,
In heav'n yelep'd Euphosyne;
And of men-heart-easing MIRTH;
Whom lovely Venus bore:

Haste thee, nymph, and bring with thee
Jest and youthful Jolity,

Quips, and cranks, and wanton wiles,
Nods, and becks and wreathed smiles,
Such as hang on Hebe's cheek,
And love to live in dimple sleek;
Sport, that wrinkled Care derides,
And Laughter, holding both his sides;
Come, and trip it as you go
On the light fantastic toe,
And in thy right hand-lead with thee
The mountain-nymph, sweet Liberty.

MIRTH AND MELANCHOLY.

Now, by two-headed Janus,

Nature hath framed strange fellows in her times;
Some, that will evermore peep through their eyes,
And laugh, like parrots at a bag-piper;
And others-of such vinegar aspect,
That they'll not show their teeth in way of smile,
Though Nestor swear the jost be laughable.

463. THEATRES. If the lofty powers of the master tragedian were concentrated to the development of mind, in the presence of those, only, who can appreciate his genius; if the public display of them, on the stage, were unaccompanied by any of those excressences, which cling, incubus-like, to modern theatres; the evil of which the philanthropist and patriot complain, would seem to be trifling. But when he throws himself in the midst of such scenes, as he must necessarily meet, in all the theatres of the present day, he gives the sanction of his presence, his example and reputation, to some of the most. monstrous abuses, which exist among men. Although his moral character may be irreproachable, yet a man is always known by the company he keeps; and, in spite of himself and his friends, he is identified with all the theatres, in which he performs: his character is assimilated to his debased associates, who boast of his society; and ape his greatness. It is because he is

among them, that they are countenanced by so large a portion of the American people.

Maxims. 1. He, that hearkens to counsel, 18 wise. 2. Courage-ought to have eyes, and ears, as well as arms. 3. Credit, lost, is like a broken looking-glass. 4. It is sweet to do good unseen and in secret. 5. Nature-unites the beautiful with the useful: hence, handsome is, that handsome does. 6. The mob hath many heads, but no brains. 7. A superior mind cares but little about dress, provided it be decent. 8. The world-is a large and interesting book, and is opened to us day and night. 9. Vanity-renders beauty contemptible. 10. Vows, made in storms, are forgotten in calms; because they are the offspring of fear.

Anecdote. Play upon words. A poor drunken loafer-was picked up in the street, by the watchman, when the following decision was made: There is no sense in his head, no cents in his pocket, and a powerful scent in his breath: he was of course sent to the watchhouse.

The Feet. There are seven bones in the ankle, five in the metatarsus, and fourteen phalanges in the foot, which are strongly fastened together by means of a gristle, which yields so as to enable us to tread, with equal ease, on level or unequal surfaces. We often hear of the small feet of the Chinese ladies; and we also see some ladies in a christian land who try to make themselves heathens, by wearing a very small shoe, under the false notion, that it is genteel to have small feet. Genteel to have corns, impeded circulation, shall we come to our senses, leave off tight and all their train of horrors! Oh, when shoes, and cease to worship the god of fash

[graphic]

ion?

VARIETIES.

Like the lily,
That once was mistress of the field,
I'll hang my head, and perish.

Her suny locks
Hang on her temples, like a golden fleece.
She looks as clear,

As morning roses, newly washed with dew. There's nothing in the world can make me joy; Life-is as tedious-as a twice-told tale, Vexing the dull ear of drowsy man. Love is blind, and lovers cannot see The petty follies, that themselves commit. How far that little candle throws his beams? So-shines a good deed-in this naughty world. Penetration-has an aid of divination.

HONESTY.

Thou art full of love and honesty,

And weigh'st thy words before thou giv'st them breath
Therefore, these stops of thine fright me the more
For such things, in a false disloyal knave,
Are tricks of custom, but, in a man that's just,
They are close denotements, working from the heart,
That passions cannot rule.

Gold, silver, vases sculptur'd high,

Paint, marble, gems, and robes of Persian dye,
There are, who have not, and, thank heaven! there are
Who, if they have n think not worth their care.

« ÀÌÀü°è¼Ó »