and, with cards in his hands, the hours appear to him to pass rapidly. At last, this animal of a man goes from play to the table, and from the table to bed; but he does not find sweet sleep there. Restlessness or frightful dreams disturb his nights. However, of all the ways of lavishing the days, and the long winter evenings, those are not the most reprehensible. How ingenious is man in multiplying ways to shorten his time with trifling amusements! Sometimes it is hunting which induces him to quit the town; then he pursues the timid hare, or the fearful deer, who, at the last gasp, sinking through weakness, becomes the prey of the hunter, whose inhuman pleasures disturb the repose of the country, and of nature. Some times luxury leads him to the ball, where he often loses, with his innocence, his peace of mind, and his health. Sometimes it is the pleasures of public places which enchant him. There, passions glide imperceptibly into his heart, or strengthen themselves in it: Passions which make him incapable of tasting real pleasures. Sometimes he runs. to other entertainments, to other diversions, which too often also draw sins in their train.

Perhaps I have pointed out enough of winter. Give me leave now to remind my fellow-creatures of their duty in regard to these amusements. I do not blame the love of society, which is particularly necessary at this season; but let not this inclination degenerate into a strong passion. Let it not take possession of your whole soul. Suppose, even in your society, there should pass nothing contrary to virtue and good morals, it may, notwithstanding, be hurtful to you, if it takes up too much of your time; if it makes you neglect your duties ; or, if your domestic affairs are deranged by it. Pleasures are not our daily work:

It is for relaxation only that our Creator permits them. Too strong an inclination for them, instead of answering the purpose they were designed for, is seeking enjoyments, which may, in the end, prove sources of regret and remorse. I particularly advise you, to be very attentive to the choice of your sociable pleasures. Do not waste your time in amusements, which you cannot enjoy without endangering your virtue, your reputation, or the welfare of your family. Never let those mad pleasures, which may wound your neighbour, give rise to complaints, or cause tears to flow, which may make you neglect the duties of society and religion, ever find access into your heart. Do not let even the most innocent pleasures so far take possession of you, as to make you insensible to the pure and solid pleasures of Christianity, or take away your taste for serious occupations.O God! govern thou thyself my heart, and grant that I may never forget thee in the enjoyment of earthly pleasures. May the remembrance of thy presence guard me against temptations in the midst of the world! May I ever be more attached to the exercise of my duties as a Christian, as a citizen, a father, &c. than to seeking those pleasures which so easily divert me from my duties, or, at least, lessen my love of goodness! Why should I be so earnest about trifling amusements, while, even in these winter days, I find purer pleasures within my reach: If I find a taste for the contemplation of the works of God in nature, the stormy sky, the fields covered with snow, and a thousand other phenomena of winter, will serve at once to amuse my mind, and to increase my devotion. For, in winter also, the works of the Lord are great: and he who will

reflect upon them, will enjoy a continual variety

of pleasures.

JANUARY VI.

THE CARE WHICH PROVIDENCE TAKES OF ANIMALS DURING THE WINTER SEASON.

MILLIONS of rational beings, dispersed in the different countries of the world, are provided at this season with all the necessaries of life. The greater the number of them is, the greater variety of wants they have, according to their condition, their age, their manner of living. The less we are able to form a plan, and take secure measures for our own preservation, the more the arrangements,. so full of wisdom and goodness, made by our Creator, to provide for it, deserve our attention and admiration. But there would be a sort of selfishness in confining the divine goodness and wisdom. to the preservation of mankind alone, without remembering the care that Providence also takes of animals during winter. A care which he extends. to creatures much greater in number on the earth, than the rational beings who inhabit it..

However wonderful the preservation of human creatures may be, we can say, with truth, that the cares of Providence towards animals are still more astonishing proofs of the wisdom, power, and goodness of God.

That the prodigious number of animals which our globe contains, should find food or habitation in summer, is not surprising, because all nature then is disposed to concur towards that end. But that, in this season, the same number of creatures, those millions of quadrupeds, of reptiles, of birds,

of

of insects, and fishes, should continue to exist, is a circumstance which must excite the astonishment of every one capable of reflection. Nature has provided, most animals with a covering, by means of which they can bear the cold, and procure themselves food in winter, as well as in summer. The bodies of wild beasts which inhabit forests and deserts, are so formed, that the hair falls off in summer, and grows again in winter, till it becomes a fur which enables the animal to endure the most severe cold. Other kinds of animals find an asylum under the bark of trees, in old crevices, in hollows of rocks and caves, when the cold obliges them to quit their summer dwelling.

It is there, that some carry before-hand the food which is to serve them, and thus live on what they have gathered in the summer; others pass the winter in profound sleep. Nature has given to several sorts of birds an instinct, which prompts them to change place at the approach of winter. They are seen flying in great numbers into warmer climates. Several animals, who are not designed to travel, find, notwithstanding, their wants supplied. in this season. Birds know how to find out insects in moss, and in the crevices of the bark of trees. Several kinds of quadrupeds carry provision in the summer-time into caves, and feed on it in winter. Others are obliged to seek their subsistence under the snow and ice. Several sorts of insects in winter, confined to marshes, and frozen rivers, are deprived of food for that time, and still preserve life. Perhaps, also, many means, made use of by Providence for the preservation of animals, are yet concealed from us.

Adore, with me, our almighty and gracious Preserver, whose goodness and majesty does not make

make him disdain attention to the weakest creature existing under the heavens.

From the elephant to the mite, all animals owe to him their dwelling, their food, and their life; and, even where nature herself seems barren of resources, he finds means to make amends for her poverty.

Let this consideration strengthen our confidence in God. How can anxiety, care, or anguish, get access into our hearts, or make us despair of being preserved during the winter? That God, who provides for the animals, will not forsake mankind. He who shews himself so great in smaller objects, will be still greater in the more import-

ant.

The God who provides a covering for animals will be able to clothe us. The God who points out to them a retreat in the caves of the mountains, will find for us an asylum to pass our days. in quietness. The God who has prepared for them, even under the snow and ice, their proper food, will be able to provide for us in the most critical seasons.

In fine, let these reflections lead us to imitate, as much as our faculties will permit, the generous cares of divine Providence, in contributing to the preservation and happiness of our fellowcreatures, and even to the welfare of every living animal. To be cruel towards animals, to refuse them food, and indispensible conveniencies, is to act manifestly contrary to the will of our common Creator, whose beneficent cares extend even to those beings which are inferior to us. And, if animals have a real right to our attention, how much more are we obliged to soften, as well as we can, the evils of our fellow-creatures? Let it not be sufficient for us to supply our own wants, but

let