ence. Her unhappy captives still inspire the sage at his meditation. I turned their faces towards the tem- mingle in the crowd of cities, and ple, and always hoped to arrive there; bless the hermit in his cell. I have but the ground seemed to slide from a temple in every heart that owns my beneath their feet, and they found influence; and to him that wishes themselves at the bottom, before they for me I am already present. Scisuspected they had changed their ence may raise you to eminence, but place. The placid serenity, which I alone can guide you to felicity !— at first appeared in their countenance, While the goddess was thus speaking, changed by degrees into a melan- I stretched out my arms towards her choly languor, which was tinged with with a vehemence which broke my deeper and deeper gloom, as they slumbers. The chill dews were fallglided down the stream of Insignifi- ing around me, and the shades of cance; a dark and sluggish water, evening stretched over the landscape. which is curled by no breeze, and I hastened homeward, and resigned enlivened by no murmur, till it falls the night to silence and meditation. into a dead sea, where startled pasAikin's Miscel. sengers are awakened by the shock, and the next moment buried in the gulph of Oblivion.

$6. On the Love of Life.

Of all the unhappy deserters from the paths of Science, none seemed. Age, that lessens the enjoyment of less able to return than the followers life, increases our desire of living. of Indolence. The captives of Ap- Those dangers which, in the vigour petite and Passion could often seize of youth, we had learned to despise, the moment when their tyrants were assume new terrors as we grow old. languid or asleep to escape from their Our caution increasing as our years enchantment; but the dominion of increase, fear becomes at last the Indolence was constant and unre- prevailing passion of the mind; and mitted, and seldom resisted, till re- the small remainder of life is taken sistance was in vain. up in useless efforts to keep off our

After contemplating these things, end, or provide for a continued exI turned my eyes towards the top of istence.

the mountain, where the air was al- Strange contradiction in our naways pure and exhilarating, the path ture, and to which even the wise are shaded with laurels and other ever- liable! If I should judge of that greens, and the effulgence which part of life which lies before me by beamed from the face of the goddess that which I have already seen, the seemed to shed a glory round her vo- prospect is hideous. Experience tells taries. Happy, said I, are they who me, that my past enjoyments have are permitted to ascend the moun- brought no real felicity; and sensatain!—but while I was pronouncing tion assures me, that those I have felt this exclamation with uncommon ar- are stronger than those which are dour, I saw standing beside me a yet to come. Yet experience and form of diviner features and a more sensation in vain persuade; hope, benign radiance. Happier, said she, more powerful than either, dresses are those whom Virtue conducts to out the distant prospect in fancied the mansions of Content! What, beauty; some happiness, in long prosaid I, does Virtue then reside in the vale? I am found, said she, in the vale, and I illuminate the mountain I cheer the cottager at his toil, and

spective, still beckons me to pursue ; and, like a losing gamester, every new disappointment increases my ardour to continue the game.

Whence then is this increased love |lows: "Great father of China, beof life, which grows upon us with hold a wretch, now eighty-five years our years? whence comes it, that we old, who was shut up in a dungeon thus make greater efforts to preserve at the age of twenty-two. I was imour existence, at a period when it be- prisoned, though a stranger to crime, comes scarce worth the keeping? Is or without being even confronted by it that nature, attentive to the pre- my accusers. I have now lived in soservation of mankind, increases our litude and darkness for more than fifty wishes to live, while she lessens our en-years, and am grown familiar with joyments; and as she robs the senses distress. As yet, dazzled with the

you

of every pleasure, equips Imagina- splendour of that sun to which tion in the spoils ? Life would be have restored me, I have been waninsupportable to an old man, who, dering the streets to find out some loaded with infirmities, feared death friend that would assist, or relieve, no more than when in the vigour of or remember me; but my friends, my manhood; the numberless calamities family, and relations are all dead; of decaying nature, and the con- and I am forgotten. Permit me then, sciousness of surviving every plea- O Chinvang, to wear out the wretched sure, would at once induce him, with remains of life in my former prihis own hand, to terminate the scene son; the walls of my dungeon are to of misery; but happily the contempt me more pleasing than the most splenof death forsakes him at a time when did palace; I have not long to live, it could only be prejudicial; and life and shall be unhappy except I spend acquires an imaginary value, in pro- the rest of my days where my youth portion as its real value is no more. was passed; in that prison from Our attachment to every object whence you were pleased to release around us increases, in general, me.'

from the length of our acquaintance The old man's passion for confinewith it. "I would not choose," says ment is similar to that we all have a French philosopher, "to see an old for life. We are habituated to the post pulled up, with which I had prison, we look round with disconbeen long acquainted." A mind tent, are displeased with the abode, long habituated to a certain set of ob- and yet the length of our captivity jects, insensibly becomes fond of see- only increases our fondness for the ing them; visits them from habit, cell. The trees we have planted, the and parts from them with reluctance: houses we have built, or the posterity from hence proceeds the avarice of we have begotten, all serve to bind us the old in every kind of possession; closer to the earth, and embitter our they love the world and all that it pro- parting. Life sues the young like a duces; they love life and all its ad- new acquaintance; the companion, vantages; not because it gives them as yet unexhausted, is at once inpleasure, but because they have known structive and amusing; its company it long. pleases, yet, for all this it is but little Chinvang the Chaste, ascending regarded. To us, who are declined the throne of China, commanded that in years, life appears like an old all who were unjustly detained in pri- friend; its jests have been anticison during the preceding reigns pated in former conversation; it has should be set free. Among the num- no new story to make us sinile, no ber who came to thank their deliver- new improvement with which to surer on this occasion, there appeared a prise, yet still we love it; destitute majestic old man, who, falling at the of every enjoyment, still we love it, emperor's feet addressed him as fol- husband the wasting treasure with

increasing frugality, and feel all the sides of the valley were roughpoignancy of anguish in the fatal ened by small irregular, thickets; separation. and the whole scene had an air of

Sir Philip Mordaunt was young, solitude and retirement, uncommon beautiful, sincere, brave, an English- in the neighbourhood of a populous man. He had a complete fortune of town. The Duke of Bridgwater's his own, and the love of the king canal crossed the valley, high raised his master, which was equivalent to on a mound of earth, which preservriches. Life opened all her trea- ed a level with the elevated ground sures before him, and promised a long on each side. An arched road was succession of happiness. He came, carried under it beneath which the tasted of the entertainment, but was brook that ran along the valley was disgusted even at the beginning. conveyed by a subterraneous passage. He professed an aversion to living; I threw myself upon a green bank, was tired of walking round the same shaded by a leafy thicket, and resting circle; had tried every enjoyment, my head upon my hand, after a weland found them all grow weaker at come indolence had overcome my every repetition. If life be, in senses, I saw, with the eyes of fancy, youth, so displeasing," cried he to the following scene.

66

himself, "what will it appear when The firm-built side of the aque age comes on? if it be at present in- duct suddenly opened, and a gigan different, sure it will then be execra- tic form issued forth, which I soon ble." This thought embittered every discovered to be the Genius of the reflection; till at last, with all the se- Canal. He was clad in a close garrenity of perverted reason, he ended ment of russet hue. A mural crown, the debate with a pistol! Had this self-indented with battlements, surrounddeluded man been apprised, that ex-ed his brow. His naked feet were istence grows more desirable to us discoloured with clay. On his left the longer we exist, he would have shoulder he bore a huge pick-axe; then faced old age without shrinking; and in his right hand he held certain he would have boldly dared to live; instruments, used in surveying and and served that society by his future levelling. His looks were thoughtful, assiduity, which he basely injured by and his features harsh. The breach his desertion. Goldsmith. through which he proceeded instantly closed, and with a heavy tread he advanced into the valley. As he approached the brook, the Deity of the Stream arose to meet him. He was habited in a light green mantle, and A delightfully pleasant evening the clear drops fell from his dark hair, succeeding a sultry summer-day, in- which was encircled with a wreath of vited me to take a solitary walk; and, water-lily, interwoven with sweetleaving the dust of the highway, I scented flag; an angling rod supfell into a path which led along a ported his steps. The Genius of the pleasant little valley watered by a Canal eyed him with a contemptuous small meandering brook. The mea- look, and in a hoarse voice thus bedow ground on its banks had been gan; lately mown, and the new grass was "Hence, ignoble rill! with thy springing up with a lively verdure. scanty tribute to thy lord the Mersey; The brook was hid in several places nor thus waste thy almost exhausted by the shrubs that grew on each side, urn in lingering windings along the and intermingled their branches. The vale. Feeble as thine aid is, it will

$7. The Canal and the Brook.

A Reverie.

not be unacceptable to that master it were directed in a straight, unvastream himself; for, as I lately cross-ried line. They prize the irregular ed his channel, I perceived his sands wildness with which I am decked, loaded with stranded vessels. I saw, as the charms of beauteous simpliciand pitied him, for undertaking a ty. What you call the weeds which task to which he is unequal. But darken and obscure my waves, afford thou, whose languid current is ob- to the botanist a pleasing speculation scured by weeds, and interrupted by of the works of nature; and the pomisshapen pebbles; who losest thy-et and painter think the lustre of my self in endless mazes, remote from stream greatly improved by glittering any sound but thy own idle gurgling; through them. The pebbles which how canst thou support an existence diversify my bottom, and make these so contemptible and useless? For ripplings in my current, are pleasing me, the noblest child of Art, who objects to the eye of taste; and my hold my unremitting course from hill simple murmurs are more melodious to hill, over vales and rivers; who to the learned ear, than all the rude pierce the solid rock for my passage, noises of your banks, or even the and connect unknown lands with dis- music that resounds from your statetant seas; wherever I appear I am ly barges. If the unfeeling sons of viewed with astonishment, and ex- Wealth and Commerce judge of me ulting Commerce hails my waves. by the mere standard of usefulness, Behold my channel thronged with ca- I may claim no undistinguished rank. pacious vessels for the conveyance of While your waters, confined in deep merchandise and splendid barges for channels, or lifted above the valleys, the use and pleasure of travellers; roll on, a useless burden to the fields, my banks crowned with airy bridges and only subservient to the drudgery and huge warehouses, and echoing of bearing temporary merchandises, with the busy sounds of industry! my stream will bestow unvarying ferPay then the homage due from Sloth tility on the meadows, during the and Obscurity to Grandeur and Utili- summers of future ages. Yet I ty." scorn to submit my honours to the "I readily acknowledge," replied decision of those whose hearts are the Deity of the Brook, in a modest shut up to taste and sentiment: let accent, "the superior magnificence me appeal to nobler judges. The and more extensive utility of which philosopher and poet, by whose layou so proudly boast; yet in my bours the human mind is elevated and humble walk, I am not void of a refined, and opened to pleasures bepraise less shining, but not less solid yond the conception of vulgar souls, than yours. The nymph of this will acknowledge that the elegant depeaceful valley, rendered more fertile ities who preside over simple and naand beautiful by my stream; the tural beauty, have inspired them with neighbouring sylvan deities, to whose their charming and instructive ideas. pleasure I contribute; will pay a The sweetest and most majestic bird grateful testimony to my merit. The that ever sung, has taken a pride in windings of my course, which you owning his affection to woods and so much blame, serve to diffuse over streams; and while the stupendous a greater extent of ground the re- monuments of Roman grandeur, the freshment of my waters; and the lov- columns which pierced the skies, and ers of nature and the Muses, who are the aqueducts which poured their fond of straying on my banks, are waves over mountains and vallies, are better pleased that the line of beauty sunk in oblivion, the gently-winding marks my way, than if, like yours, Mincius still retains his tranquil ho

nours.

And when thy glories, proud undergo more real hardships in one Genius! are lost and forgotten; day, than those of a more exalted when the flood of commerce, which station suffer in their whole lives. It now supplies thy urn, is turned into is inconceivable what difficulties the another course, and has left thy meanest of our common sailors and channel dry and desolate; the softly soldiers endure without murmuring flowing Avon shall still murmur in or regret; without passionately desong, and his banks receive the ho- claiming against Providence, or callmage of all who are beloved by Pho- ing their fellows to be gazers on their bus and the Muses." intrepidity. Every day is to them a

Aikin's Miscel. day of misery, and yet they entertain their hard fate without repining.

With what indignation do I hear

8. The Story of a Disabled Sol- an Ovid, a Cicero, or a Rabutin,

dier.

complain of their misfortunes and hardships, whose greatest calamity

No observation is more common, was that of being unable to visit a and at the same time more true, than, certain spot of earth, to which they That one half of the world are igno- had foolishly attached an idea of haprant how the other half lives. The piness! Their distresses were pleamisfortunes of the great are held up sures, compared to what many of the to engage our attention; are enlarg-adventuring poor every day endure ed upon in tones of declamation; without murmuring. They ate, drank, and the world is called upon to gaze and slept; they had slaves to attend at the noble sufferers: the great, un- them; and were sure of subsistder the pressure of calamity, are con-ence for life: while many of their scious of several others sympathizing fellow-creatures are obliged to wanwith their distress; and have at der without a friend to comfort or once the comfort of admiration and assist them, and even without shelter pity. from the severity of the season.

There is nothing magnanimous in I have been led into these reflecbearing misfortunes with fortitude, tions from accidentally meeting, some when the whole world is looking on: days ago, a poor fellow, whom I knew men in such circumstances will act when a boy, dressed in a sailor's bravely, even from motives of vanity; jacket, and begging at one of the but he who, in the vale of obscurity, outlets of the town with a wooden can brave adversity; who, without leg. I knew him to have been hofriends to encourage, acquaintances nest and industrious when in the to pity, or even without hope to alle- country, and was curious to learn viate his misfortunes, can behave what had reduced him to his present with tranquillity and indifference, is situation. Wherefore, after having truly great; whether peasant or cour- given him what I thought proper, I tier, he deserves admiration, and desired to know the history of his should be held up for our imitation life and misfortunes and the manner and respect. in which he was reduced to his preWhile the slightest inconveniences sent distress. The disabled soldier, of the great are magnified into ca- for such he was, though dressed in a lamities; while tragedy mouths out sailor's habit, scratching his head, and their sufferings in all the strains of leaning on his crutch, put himself eloquence, the miseries of the poor into an attitude to comply with my are entirely disregarded; and yet request, and gave me his history as some of the lower ranks of people follows: