while to conform even to these con- that from which they derive their ditions, however rigorous and we highest gratifications. They spend see, by numerous examples, that it is four or five months of every year in not more than human creatures are London, where they keep up an incapable of, when fully persuaded that tercourse of hospitality and civility their eternal interests demand it. But with many of the most respectable if, in fact, the laws of God are no other persons of their own, or of higher than directions for the better enjoy- rank; but have endeavoured rather ment of our existence-if he has for- at a select than a numerous acquaintbidden us nothing that is not pernici-ance; and as they never play at ous, and commanded nothing that is cards, this endeavour has the more not highly advantageous to us-if, like easily succeeded. Three days in the a beneficent parent, he inflicts neither week, from the hour of dinner, are punishment nor constraint unneces- given up to this intercourse with sarily, but makes our good the end what may be called the world. Three of all his injunctions-it will then ap-more are spent in a family way, with pear much more extraordinary that a few intimate friends, whose tastes we should perversely go on in con- are conformable to their own, and stant and acknowledged neglect of with whom the book and workingthose injunctions. table, or sometimes music, supply the

Is there a single pleasure worthy intervals of useful and agreeable conof a rational being, which is not, versation. In these parties their chilwithin certain limitations, consistent dren are always present, and partake with religion and virtue ?—And are of the improvement that arises from not the limits, within which we are such society, or from the well-chosen permitted to enjoy them, the same pieces which are read aloud. The which are prescribed by reason and seventh day is always spent at home, nature, and which we cannot exceed after the due attendance on public without manifest hurt to ourselves, or worship; and is peculiarly appropriothers?—It is not the life of a hermit ated to the religious instruction of that is enjoined us: it is only the their children and servants, or to life of a rational being, formed for other works of charity. As they keep society, capable of continual im- regular hours, and rise early, and as provement, and consequently of con- Lady Worthy never pays or admits tinual advancement in happiness. morning visits, they have seven or Sir Charles and Lady Worthy are eight hours in every day, free from neither gloomy ascetics, nor frantic all interruption from the world, in enthusiasts; they married from af- which the cultivation of their own fection, on long acquaintance, and minds, and those of their children, perfect esteem; they therefore enjoy the due attention to health, to econothe best pleasures of the heart in the my, and to the poor, are carried on in highest degree. They concur in a the most regular manner. rational scheme of life, which, whilst Thus, even in London, they conit makes them always cheerful and trive, without the appearance of happy, renders them the friends of quarrelling with the world, or of shuthuman kind, and the blessing of all ting themselves up from it, to pass the around them. They do not desert greatest part of their time in a reatheir station in the world, nor deny sonable and useful, as well as an themselves the proper and mode- agreeable manner. The rest of the rate use of their large fortune; year they spend at their family seat though that portion of it, which is in the country, where the happy efappropriated to the use of others, is fects of their example, and of their

assiduous attention to the good of all made the confidants of all their family around them, are still more observa- grievances, and the casuists to settle ble than in town. Their neighbours, all their scruples of conscience or diffitheir tenants, and the poor, for many culties in conduct. By this method miles about them, find in them a sure of conversing freely with them, they resource and comfort in calamity, find out their different characters and a ready assistance to every and capacities, and often discover scheme of honest industry. The and apply to their own benefit, as young are instructed at their ex- well as that of the person they distinpense, and under their direction, guish, talents which would otherwise and rendered useful at the earliest have been for ever lost to the public. period possible; the aged and the From this slight sketch of their sick have every comfort administered manner of living, can it be thought that their state requires; the idle that the practice of virtue costs them and dissolute are kept in awe by vi- any great sacrifices? Do they appear gilant inspection; the quarrelsome to be the servants of a hard master? are brought, by a sense of their own-It is true, they have not the amuseinterest, to live more quietly with ment of gaming, nor do they curse their family and neighbours, and ami- themselves in bitterness of soul, for cably to refer their disputes to Sir losing the fortune Providence had Charles's decision. bestowed upon them: they are not

ment.

This amiable pair are not less continually in public places, nor highly prized by the genteel families stifled in crowded assemblies; nor of their neighbourhood, who are sure are their hours consumed in an inof finding in their house the most po- sipid interchange of unmeaning chat lite and cheerful hospitality, and in with hundreds of fine people who are them a fund of good sense and good perfectly indifferent to them; but humour, with a constant disposition then, in return, the Being whom they to promote every innocent pleasure. serve indulges them in the best pleaThey are particularly the delight of sures of love, of friendship, of parental all the young people, who consider and family affection, of divine benefithem as their patrons and their ora- cence, and a piety, which chiefly concles, to whom they always apply for sists in joyful acts of love and praise! advice and assistance in any kind of not to mention the delights they distress, or in any scheme of amuse- derive from a taste uncorrupted and still alive to natural pleasures; from Sir Charles and Lady Worthy are the beauties of nature, and from culseldom without some friends in the tivating those beauties joined with house with them during their stay in utility in the scenes around them; the country; but, as their methods are and above all, from that flow of spirits, known, they are never broken in upon which a life of activity, and the conby their guests, who do not expect to stant exertion of right affections, nasee them till dinner-time, except at turally produce. Compare their counthe hour of prayer and of breakfast. In tenances with those of the wretched their private walks or rides, they usu- slaves of the world, who are hourly ally visit the cottages of the labouring complaining of fatigue, of listlessness, poor, with all of whom they are per- distaste, and vapours; and who, with sonally acquainted; and by the sweet- faded cheeks and worn-out constituness and friendliness of their man- tions, still continue to haunt the ner, as well as by their beneficent ac-scenes where once their vanity found tions, they so entirely possess the gratification, but where they now hearts of these people, that they are meet only with mortification and

disgust; then tell me, which has his Maker?-The Supreme Being chosen the happier plan, admitting does not only confer upon us those for a moment that no future penalty bounties which proceed more immewas annexed to a wrong choice? diately from his hand, but even those Listen to the character that is given benefits which are conveyed to us by of Sir Charles Worthy and his lady, others. Every blessing we enjoy, by wherever they are named, and then what means soever it may be derived tell me, whether even your idol, the upon us, is the gift of Him who is world, is not more favourable to them the great Author of good, and Father than to you. of mercies.

Perhaps it is vain to think of re- If gratitude, when exerted towards calling those whom long habits, and one another, naturally produces a the established tyranny of pride and very pleasing sensation in the mind vanity, have almost precluded from a of a grateful man; it exalts the soul possibility of imitating such patterns, into rapture, when it is employed on and in whom the very desire of this great object of gratitude, on this amendment is extinguished; but for beneficent Being, who has given us those who are now entering on the every thing we already possess, and stage of life, and who have their parts from whom we expect every thing we to choose, how earnestly could I wish yet hope for.

for the spirit of persuasion-for such Most of the works of the Pagan a warning voice" as should make poets were either direct hymns of itself heard amidst all the gay bustle their deities, or tended indirectly to that surrounds them! it should cry the celebration of their respective atto them without ceasing, not to be tributes and perfections. Those who led away by the crowd of fools, with- are acquainted with the works of the out knowing whither they are going Greek and Latin poets which are still -not to exchange real happiness for extant, will, upon reflection, find the empty name of pleasure-not to this observation so true, that I shall prefer fashion to immortality-and, not enlarge upon it. One would not to fancy it possible for them to be wonder that more of our Christian innocent, and at the same time use- poets have not turned their thoughts less. Mrs. Chapone. this way, especially if we consider, that our idea of the Supreme Being is not only infinitely more great and noble than could possibly enter into

$85. On Gratitude.

There is not a more pleasing ex- the heart of a heathen, but filled with ercise of the mind than gratitude. every thing that can raise the imaIt is accompanied with such in- gination, and give an opportunity for ward satisfaction, that the duty is the sublimest thoughts and concepsufficiently rewarded by the perform- tions.

ance. It is not like the practice of Plutarch tells us of a heathen many other virtues, difficult and pain-who was singing a hymn to Diana, ful, but attended with so much plea- in which he celebrated her for her sure, that were there no positive delight in human sacrifices, and other command which enjoined it, nor any instances of cruelty and revenge; recompense laid up for it hereafter-upon which a poet who was present a generous mind would indulge in it, at this piece of devotion, and seems for the natural gratification that ac- to have had a truer idea of the dicompanies it. vine nature, told the votary, by way

If gratitude is due from man to of reproof, that in recompense for man-how much more from man to his hymn, he heartily wished he

might have a daughter of the same and the wretch whom thine eye comtemper with the goddess he celebrat- passionates, thou canst not deliver." ed. It was indeed impossible to " To deliver thee," said Omar, “bewrite the praises of one of those false longs to Him only, from whom we deities, according to the Pagan creed, should receive with humility both without a mixture of impertinence good and evil: yet hide not thy life and absurdity. from me; for the burthen which I'

The Jews, who before the time of cannot remove, I may at least enable Christianity were the only people thee to sustain." Hassan fixed his who had the knowledge of the true eyes upon the ground and remained God, have set the Christian world an some time silent; then fetching a example how they ought to employ deep sigh, he looked up at the herthis divine talent, of which I am mit, and thus complied with his respeaking. As that nation produced quest.

men of great genius, without consi- It is now six years since our mighty dering them as inspired writers, lord the Caliph Almalic, whose methey have transmitted to us many mory be blessed, first came privately hymns and divine odes, which excel to worship in the temple of the holy those that are delivered down to us city. The blessings which he petitionby the ancient Greeks and Romans, ed of the prophet, as the prophet's in the poetry as much as in the sub- vicegerent, he was diligent to disject to which it is consecrated. This, pense: in the intervals of his devoI think, might be easily shown, if tion, therefore, he went about the there were occasion for it. city relieving distress and restraining Spectator. oppression: the widow smiled under his protection, and the weakness of age and infancy was sustained by his

$86. Religion the Foundation of bounty. I, who dreaded no evil but Content: an Allegory.

sickness, and expected no good beOmar, the hermit of the mountain yond the reward of my labour, was Aubukabis, which rises on the east singing at my work, when Almalic of Mecca, and overlooks the city, entered my dwelling, He looked found one evening a man sitting pen-round with a smile of complacency; sive and alone, within a few paces perceiving that though it was mean of his cell. Omar regarded him with it was neat, and though I was poor I attention, and perceived that his appeared to be content. As his habit looks were wild and haggard, and was that of a pilgrim, I hastened to that his body was feeble and emaci- receive him with such hospitality as ated the man also seemed to gaze was in my power; and my cheerfulsteadfastly on Omar; but such was ness was rather increased than rethe abstraction of his mind, that his strained by his presence. After he eye did not immediately take cogni- had accepted some coffee, he asked zance of its object. In the moment me many questions; and though by of recollection he started as from a my answers I always endeavoured to dream, he covered his face in con- excite him to mirth, yet I perceived fusion, and bowed himself to the that he grew thoughtful, and eyed ground. "Son of affliction," said me with a placid but fixed attention. Omar, "who art thou, and what is I supected that he had some knowthy distress?""My name," replied ledge of me, and therefore inquired the stranger, "is Hassan, and I am his country and his name. "Hasa native of this city: the Angel of san," said he, "I have raised thy adversity has laid his hand upon me, curiosity, and it shall be satisfied; he

who now talks with thee, is Almalic, his bounty; and accused that cheerthe sovereign of the faithful, whose fulness of folly, which was the conseat is the throne of Medina, and comitant of poverty and labour. I whose commission is from above." now repined at the obscurity of my These words struck me dumb with station, which my former insensiastonishment, though I had some bility had perpetuated: I neglected doubt of their truth: but Almalic, my labour, because I despised the throwing back his garment, disco-reward; I spent the day in idleness, vered the peculiarity of his vest, and forming romantic projects to recover put the royal signet upon his finger. the advantages which I had lost : and I then started up, and was about to at night, instead of losing myself in prostrate myself before him, but he that sweet and refreshing sleep, from prevented me: Hassan," said he, which I used to rise with new health, "forbear: thou art greater than I, cheerfulness, and vigour, I dreamed and from thee I have at once derived of splendid habits and a numerous humility and wisdom." I answered, retinue, of gardens, palaces, eunuchs, "Mock not thy servant, who is but a and women, and waked only to reworm before thee: life and death are gret the illusions that had vanished. in thy hand, and happiness and mi- My health was at length impaired by sery are the daughters of thy will." the inquietude of my mind; I sold "Hassan," he replied, "I can no all my moveables for subsistence; otherwise give life or happiness, than and reserved only a mattress upon by not taking them away: thou art which I sometimes lay from one thyself beyond the reach of my boun- night to another.

ty, and possessed of felicity which I In the first moon of the following can neither communicate nor obtain. year, the Caliph came again to MecMy influence over others fills my ca, with the same secrecy, and for bosom with perpetual solicitude and the same purposes. He was willing anxiety; and yet my influence over once more to see the man, whom others extends only to their vices, he considered as deriving felicity whether I would reward or punish. from himself. But he found me, not By the bow-string, I can repress vio- singing at my work, ruddy with lence and fraud; and by the delega- health, vivid with cheerfulness; but tion of power, I can transfer the in- pale and dejected, sitting on the satiable wishes of avarice and ambi- ground, and chewing opium, which tion from one object to another: but contributed to substitute the phanwith respect to virtue, I am impotent; toms of imagination for the realities if I could reward it, I would reward of greatness. He entered with a it in thee. Thou art content, and kind of joyful impatience in his counhast therefore neither avarice nor tenance, which, the moment he beambition to exalt thee would de- held me, was changed to a mixture stroy the simplicity of thy life, and of wonder and pity. I had often diminish that happiness which I have wished for another opportunity to adno power either to increase or to dress the Caliph; yet I was concontinue." founded at his presence, and, throwHe then rose up, and commanding ing myself at his feet, I laid my hand me not to disclose his secret, depart- upon my head and was speechless. ed. Hassan," said he," what canst thou As soon as I recovered from the have lost, whose wealth was the laconfusion and astonishment in which bour of thine own hand; and what the Caliph left me, I began to regret can have made thee sad, the spring of that my behaviour had intercepted whose joy was in thy own bosom?