He does not feem born to e enjoy life, but to deliver it down to others. This is not furprizing to confider in animals, which are formed for our use, and can finish their bufinefs in a fhort life. The filk-worm, after having spun her task, lays her eggs and dies. But a man can never have taken in his full meafure of knowledge, has not time to fubdue his paffions, eftablish his foul in virtue, and come up to the perfection of his nature, before he is hurried off the ftage. Would an infinitely wife being make fuch glorious creatures for fo mean a purpofe? Can he delight in the production of fuch abortive intelligences, fuch fhort-lived reasonable beings? Would he give us talents that are not to be exerted? capacities that are never to be gratified? How can we find that wifdom which fhines through all his works, in the formation of man, without looking on this world as only a nursery for the next, and believing that the feveral generations of rational creatures, which rife up and disappear in fuch quick fucceffions, are only to receive their firft rudiments of existence here, and afterwards to be tranfplanted into a more friendly climate, where they may spread and flourish to all eternity?

There is not, in my opinion, a more pleafing and triumphant confideration in religion, than this of the perpetual progrefs which the foul makes towards the perfection of its nature, without ever arriving at a period in it. To look upon the foul as going on from strength to ftrength, to confider that fhe is to fhine for ever with new acceffions of glory, and brighten to all eternity; that she will be ftill adding virtue to virtue, and knowledge to knowledge; carries in it fomething wonderfully agreeable to that ambition which is natural to the mind of man. Nay, it must be a profpect pleafing to God himself, to fee his creation for ever beautifying in his eyes, and drawing nearer to him, by greater degrees of refemblance.

Methinks this fingle confideration, of the progress of a finite spirit to perfection, will be fufficient to extinguish all envy in inferior natures, and all contempt in fuperior. That cherubim, which now appears as a God to a human foul, knows very well that the period will come about in eternity, when the human foul fhall be as perfect as he himself now is: nay, when the fhall look down upon that degree of perfection as much as the now falls fhort of it. It is true, the higher nature still advances,

and by that means preserves his distance and fuperiority in the fcale of being; but he knows that, how high foever the station is of which he ftands poffeffed at prefent, the inferior nature will at length mount up to it, and shine forth in the fame degree of glory.

With what aftonishment and veneration may we look into our own fouls, where there are fuch hidden stores of virtue and knowledge, fuch inexhausted sources of perfection! We know not yet what we shall be, nor will it ever enter into the heart of man to conceive the glory that will be always in referve for him. The foul, confidered with its Creator, is like one of those mathematical lines that may draw nearer to another for all eternity without a poffibility of touching it: and can there be a thought fo transporting as to confider ourfelves in these perpetual approaches to him, who is not only the standard of perfection, but of happiness! Spectator.

$10. The Duty of Children to their

Parents.

I am the happy father of a very towardly fon, in whom I do not only fee my life, but also my manner of life renewed. It would be extremely beneficial to fociety, if you would frequently refume fubjects which ferve to bind thefe fort of relations fafter, and endear the ties of blood with thofe of good-will, protection, obfervance, indulgence, and veneration. I would, methinks, have this done after an uncommon method; and do not think any one, who is not capable of writing a good play, fit to undertake a work wherein there will neceffarily occur fo many fecret instincts and biaffes of human nature, which would pass unobferved by common eyes. I thank Heaven I have no outrageous offence against my own excellent parents to answer for; but when I am now and then alone, and look back upon my past life, from my earlieft infancy to this time, there are many faults which I committed that did not appear to me, even until I myself became a father. I had not until then a notion of the yearnings of heart, which a man has when he fees his child do a laudable thing, or the fudden damp which feizes him when he fears he will act fomething unworthy. It is not to be imagined what a remorfe touched me for a long train of childish negligences of my mother, when I faw my wife the other day look out of the window, and turn as pale as athes upon fseeing my

younger

younger boy fliding upon the ice. These flight intimations will give you to underftand, that there are numberless little crimes, which children take no notice of while they are doing, which, upon reflection, when they fhall themselves become fathers, they will look upon with the utmost forrow and contrition, that they did not regard, before those whom they offended were to be no more seen. How many thoufand things do I remember, which would have highly pleafed my father, and I omitted for no other reafon but that I thought what he propofed the effect of humour and old age, which I am now convinced had reafon and good fenfe in it! I cannot now go into the parlour to him, and make his heart glad with an account of a matter which was of no confequence, but that I told it and acted in it. The good man and woman are long fince in their graves, who used to fit and plot the welfare of us their children, while, perhaps, we were fometimes laughing at the old folks at another end of the houfe. The truth of it is, were we merely to follow nature in thefe great duties of life, though we have a strong inftinct towards the performing of them, we fhould be on both fides very deficient. Age is fo unwelcome to the generality of mankind, and growth towards manhood fo defirable to all, that refignation to decay is too difficult a talk in the father and deference, amidst the impulfe of gay defires, appears unreafonable to the fon. There are fo few who can grow old with a good grace, and yet fewer who can come flow enough into the world, that a father, were he to be actuated by his defires, and a fon, were he to confult himself only, could neither of them behave himself as he ought to the other. But when reafon interpofes against inftinct, where it would carry either out of the interefts of the other, there arifes that happieft intercourfe of good offices between thofe dearest relations of human life. The father, according to the opportunities which are offered to him, is throwing down blef fings on the fon, and the fon endeavouring to appear the worthy offspring of fuch a father. It is after this manner that Camillus and his firft-born dwell together. Camillus enjoys a pleafing and indolent old age, in which paffion is fubdued and reafon exalted. He waits the day of his diffolution with a refignation mixed with delight, and the fon fears the acceffion of his father's fortune with diffidence, left he hould not enjoy or become it as well as

his predeceffor. Add to this, that the father knows he leaves a friend to the children of his friends, an eafy landlord to his tenants, and an agreeable companion to his acquaintance. He believes his fon's behaviour will make him frequently remembered, but never wanted. This commerce is fo well cemented, that without the pomp of faying, Son, be a friend to fuch a one when I am gone; Camillus knows, being in his favour is direction enough to the grateful youth who is to fucceed him, without the admonition of his mentioning it. These gentlemen are honoured in all their neighbourhood, and the fame effect which the court has on the manners of a kingdom, their characters have on all who live within the influence of them.

My fon and I are not of fortune to communicate our good actions or intentions to fo many as thefe gentlemen do; but I will be bold to fay, my fon has, by the applaufe and approbation which his behaviour towards me has gained him, occafioned that many an old man, befides myfelf, has rejoiced. Other men's children follow the example of mine; and I have the inexpreffible happiness of overhearing our neighbours, as we ride by, point to their children, and fay, with a voice of joy, "There they go."

Spectator.

§ 11. The Strength of parental Affection.

I went the other day to visit Eliza, who, in the perfect bloom of beauty, is the mother of feveral children. She had a little prating girl upon her lap, who was begging to be very fine, that he might go abroad; and the indulgent mother, at her little daughter's requeft, had juft taken the knots off her own head to adorn the hair of the pretty trifer. A fmiling boy was at the fame time careffing a lap-dog, which is their mother's favourite, because it pleases the children; and fhe, with a delight in her looks, which heightened her beauty, fo divided her converfation with the two pretty prattlers, as to make them both equally chearful.

As I came in, the faid with a blush, Mr. Ironfide, though you are an old batchelor, you must not laugh at my tendernefs to my children.' I need not tell my reader what civil things I faid in anfwer to the lady, whofe matron-like behaviour gave me infinite fatisfaction: fince I myfelf take great pleafure in playing with

children,

children, and am feldom unprovided of plums or marbles, to make my court to fuch entertaining companions.

Whence is it, faid I to myfelf when I was alone, that the affection of parents is fo intenfe to their offspring? Is it be cause they generally find fuch resemblances in what they have produced, as that thereby they think themselves renewed in their children, and are willing to tranfmit themselves to future times? or is it because they think themselves obliged by the dictates of humanity to nourish and rear what is placed fo immediately under their protection; and what by their means is brought into this world, the fcene of mifery, of neceffity? These will not come up to it. Is it not rather the good providence of that Being, who in a fupereminent degree protects and cherishes the whole race of mankind, his fons and creatures ? How fhall we, any other way, account for this natural affection, fo fignally difplayed throughout every fpecies of the animal creation, without which the course of nature would quickly fail, and every various kind be extinct? Inftances of tenderness in the most favage brutes are fo frequent, that quotations of that kind are altogether unneceffary'.

fouls, which cannot be explained by the prejudice of education, the sense of duty, or any other human motive.

The memoirs of a certain French nobleman, which now lie before me, furnish me with a very entertaining inftance of this fecret attraction, implanted by Providence in the human foul. It will be neceflary to inform the reader, that the perfon whose ftory I am going to relate, was one, whose roving and romantic temper, joined to a difpofition fingularly amorous, had led him through a vaft variety of gallantries and amours.. He had, in his youth, attended a princefs of France into Poland, where he had been entertained by the King her hufband, and married the daughter of a grandee. Upon her death he returned into his native country; where his intrigues and other misfortunes having consumed his paternal eftate, he now went to take care of the fortune his deceased wife had left him in Poland. In his journey he was robbed before he reached Warfaw, and lay ill of a fever, when he met with the following adventure; which I fhall relate in his own words.

If we, who have no particular concern in them, take a fecret delight in obferving the gentle dawn of reafon in babes; if our ears are foothed with their half-forming and aiming at articulate founds; if we are charmed with their pretty mimickry, and furprised at the unexpected starts of wit and cunning in these miniatures of man: what tranfport may we imagine in the breafts of thofe, into whom natural inftinct hath poured tenderness and fondness for them! how amiable is fuch a weakness of human nature! or rather, how great a weakness is it to give humanity fo reproachful a name! The bare confideration of paternal affection fhould, methinks, create a more grateful tenderness in children towards their parents, than we generally fee; and the filent whispers of nature be attended to, though the laws of God and man did not call aloud.

These filent whispers of nature have had a marvellous power, even when their caufe hath been unknown. There are feveral examples in ftory, of tender friendships formed betwixt men, who knew not of their near relation: Such accounts confirm me in an opinion I have long entertained, that there is a fympathy betwixt

"I had been in this condition for four days, when the countess of Venofki passed

that way.

She was informed that a stranger of good fashion lay fick, and her charity led her to fee me. I remembered her, for I had often feen her with my wife, to whom she was nearly related; but when I found fhe knew me not, I thought fit to conceal my name. I told her I was a German; that I had been robbed; and that if he had the charity to fend me to Warsaw, the queen would acknowledge it, I having the honour to be known to her Majefty. The countefs had the goodness to take compaffion of me, and ordering me to be put in a litter, carried me to Warsaw, where I was lodged in her house until my health fhould allow me to wait on the queen.

"My fever increased after my journey was over, and I was confined to my bed for fifteen days. When the countefs firft faw me, fhe had a young lady with her, about eighteen years of age, who was much taller and better fhaped than the Polish women generally are. She was very fair, her skin exceedingly fine, and her air and shape inexpreffibly beautiful. I was not fo fick as to overlook this young beauty; and I felt in my heart fuch emotions at the firft view, as made me fear that all my misfortunes had not armed me fufficiently against the charms of the fair fex.

C

"The

"The amiable creature feemed afflicted at my fickness; and the appeared to have fo much concern and care for me, as raifed in me a great inclination and tenderness for her. She came every day into my chamber to inquire after my health; I asked who the was, and I was answered, that she was niece to the countess of Venoski.

"I verily believe that the conftant fight of this charming maid, and the pleasure I received from her careful attendance, contributed more to my recovery than all the medicines the phyficians gave me. In fhort, my fever left me, and I had the fatisfaction to see the lovely creature overjoyed at my recovery. She came to fee me oftener as I grew better; and I already felt a stronger and more tender affection for her, than I ever bore to any woman in my life: when I began to perceive that her constant care of me was only a blind, to give her an opportunity of feeing a young Pole whom I took to be her lover. He feemed to be much about her age, of a brown complexion, very tall, but finely fhaped. Every time she came to fee me, the young gentlemán came to find her out; and they ufually retired to a corner of the chamber, where they seemed to converse with great earnestnefs. The afpect of the youth pleafed me wonderfully; and if I had not suspected that he was my rival, I fhould have taken delight in his person and friendship.

They both of them often asked me if I were in reality a German? which when I continued to affirm, they seemed very much troubled. One day I took notice that the young lady and gentleman, having retired to a window, were very intent upon a picture; and that every now and then they caft their eyes upon me, as if they had found fome refemblance betwixt that and my features. I could not forbear to ask the meaning of it; upon which the lady anfwered that if I had been a Frenchman, she should have imagined that I was the perfon for whom the picture was drawn, becaufe it exactly resembled me. I defired to fee it. But how great was my furprise, when I found it to be the very painting which I had fent to the queen five years before, and which fhe commanded me to get drawn to be given to my children! After I had viewed the piece, I caft my eyes upon the young lady, and then upon the gentleman I had thought to be her lover. My heart beat, and I felt a fecret emotion which filled me with wonder. I thought I traced in the two young perfons fome of

my own features, and at that moment faid to myself, Are not these my children? The tears came into my eyes, and I was about to run and embrace them; but conftraining myself with pain, I asked whose picture it was? The maid, perceiving that I could not speak without tears, fell a weeping. Her tears abfolutely confirmed me in my opinion; and falling upon her neck, Ah, my dear child,' faid I, yes, I ' am your father!' I could fay no more. The youth feized my hands at the fame time, and kiffing, bathed them with his tears. Throughout my life, I never felt a joy equal to this; and it must be owned, that nature infpires more lively emotions and pleafing tenderness than the passions can poffibly excite." Spectator.

§ 12. Remarks on the Swiftness of Time.

The natural advantages which arife from the pofition of the earth which we inhabit, with respect to the other planets, afford much employment to mathematical fpeculation, by which it has been discovered, that no other conformation of the fyftem could have given fuch commodious diftributions of light and heat, or imparted fertility and pleasure to fo great a part of a revolving sphere.

It may be perhaps obferved by the moralift, with equal reason, that our globe feems particularly fitted for the refidence of a Being, placed here only for a fhort time, whofe tafk is to advance himself to a higher and happier state of existence, by unremitted vigilance of caution, and activity of virtue.

The duties required of man are fuch as human nature does not willingly perform, and fuch as thofe are inclined to delay who yet intend fome time to fulfil them. It was therefore neceffary that this universal reluctance should be counteracted, and the drowsiness of hesitation wakened into refolve; that the danger of procraftination fhould be always in view, and the fallacies of fecurity be hourly detected.

To this end all the appearances of nature uniformly confpire. Whatever we fee on every fide, reminds us of the lapfe of time and the flux of life. The day and night fucceed each other, the rotation of feafons diverfifies the year, the fun rifes, attains the meridian, declines and fets; and the moon every night changes its form..

The day has been confidered as an image of the year, and a year as the reprefentation

7