Thesamenaturalaversiontoloquacityhasoflateyearsmadeaveryconsiderablealterationinourlanguage，byclosinginonesyllabletheterminationofourpreterperfecttense，asinthewords\"drown’d，\"\"walk’d，\"\"arriv’d，\"for\"drowned，\"\"walked，\"\"arrived，\"
whichhasverymuchdisfiguredthetongue，andturnedatenthpartofoursmoothestwordsintosomanyclustersofconsonants。Thisisthemoreremarkablebecausethewantofvowelsinourlanguagehasbeenthegeneralcomplaintofourpolitestauthors，whoneverthelessarethementhathavemadetheseretrenchments，andconsequentlyverymuchincreasedourformerscarcity。
Thisreflectiononthewordsthatendin\"ed\"Ihaveheardinconversationfromoneofthegreatestgeniusesthisagehasproduced。Ithinkwemayaddtotheforegoingobservation，thechangewhichhashappenedinourlanguagebytheabbreviationofseveralwordsthatareterminatedin\"eth，\"bysubstitutingan\"s\"
intheroomofthelastsyllable，asin\"drowns，\"\"walks，\"
\"arrives，\"andinnumerableotherwords，whichinthepronunciationofourforefatherswere\"drowneth，\"\"walketh，\"\"arriveth。\"ThishaswonderfullymultipliedaletterwhichwasbeforetoofrequentintheEnglishtongue，andaddedtothathissinginourlanguagewhichistakensomuchnoticeofbyforeigners，butatthesametimehumoursourtaciturnity，andeasesusofmanysuperfluoussyllables。
Imighthereobservethatthesamesingleletteronmanyoccasionsdoestheofficeofawholeword，andrepresentsthe\"his\"and\"her\"
ofourforefathers。Thereisnodoubtbuttheearofaforeigner，whichisthebestjudgeinthiscase，wouldverymuchdisapproveofsuchinnovations，whichindeedwedoourselvesinsomemeasure，byretainingtheoldterminationinwriting，andinallthesolemnofficesofourreligion。
As，intheinstancesIhavegiven，wehaveepitomisedmanyofourparticularwordstothedetrimentofourtongue，soonotheroccasionswehavedrawntwowordsintoone，whichhaslikewiseverymuchuntunedourlanguage，andcloggeditwithconsonants，as\"mayn’t，\"\"can’t，\"\"shan’t，\"\"won’t，\"andthelike，for\"maynot，\"
\"cannot，\"\"shallnot，\"\"willnot，\"&c。
Itisperhapsthishumourofspeakingnomorethanweneedsmustwhichhassomiserablycurtailedsomeofourwords，thatinfamiliarwritingsandconversationstheyoftenloseallbuttheirfirstsyllables，asin\"mob。，\"\"rep。，\"\"pos。，\"\"incog。，\"andthelike;andasallridiculouswordsmaketheirfirstentryintoalanguagebyfamiliarphrases，Idarenotanswerforthesethattheywillnotintimebelookeduponasapartofourtongue。WeseesomeofourpoetshavebeensoindiscreetastoimitateHudibras’sdoggrelexpressionsintheirseriouscompositions，bythrowingoutthesignsofoursubstantiveswhichareessentialtotheEnglishlanguage。
Nay，thishumourofshorteningourlanguagehadoncerunsofar，thatsomeofourcelebratedauthors，amongwhomwemayreckonSirRogerL’Estrangeinparticular，begantoprunetheirwordsofallsuperfluousletters，astheytermedthem，inordertoadjustthespellingtothepronunciation;whichwouldhaveconfoundedallouretymologies，andhavequitedestroyedourtongue。
Wemayherelikewiseobservethatourpropernames，whenfamiliarisedinEnglish，generallydwindletomonosyllables，whereasinothermodernlanguagestheyreceiveasofterturnonthisoccasion，bytheadditionofanewsyllable。——Nick，inItalian，isNicolini;Jack，inFrench，Janot;andsooftherest。
Thereisanotherparticularinourlanguagewhichisagreatinstanceofourfrugalityinwords，andthatisthesuppressingofseveralparticleswhichmustbeproducedinothertonguestomakeasentenceintelligible。Thisoftenperplexesthebestwriters，whentheyfindtherelatives\"whom，\"\"which，\"or\"they，\"attheirmercy，whethertheymayhaveadmissionornot;andwillneverbedecidedtillwehavesomethinglikeanacademy，thatbythebestauthorities，andrulesdrawnfromtheanalogyoflanguages，shallsettleallcontroversiesbetweengrammarandidiom。
IhaveonlyconsideredourlanguageasitshowsthegeniusandnaturaltemperoftheEnglish，whichismodest，thoughtful，andsincere，andwhich，perhaps，mayrecommendthepeople，thoughithasspoiledthetongue。Wemight，perhaps，carrythesamethoughtintootherlanguages，anddeduceagreatpartofwhatispeculiartothemfromthegeniusofthepeoplewhospeakthem。ItiscertainthelighttalkativehumouroftheFrenchhasnotalittleinfectedtheirtongue，whichmightbeshownbymanyinstances;asthegeniusoftheItalians，whichissomuchaddictedtomusicandceremony，hasmouldedalltheirwordsandphrasestothoseparticularuses。ThestatelinessandgravityoftheSpaniardsshowsitselftoperfectioninthesolemnityoftheirlanguage;andtheblunt，honesthumouroftheGermanssoundsbetterintheroughnessoftheHigh-Dutchthanitwouldinapolitertongue。
THEVISIONOFMIRZA-
Omnem，quaenuncobductatuentiMortaleshebetatvisustibi，ethumidacircumCaligat，nubemeripiam。
VIRG。，AEn。ii。604。
Thecloud，which，interceptingtheclearlight，Hangso’erthyeyes，andbluntsthymortalsight，Iwillremove。
WhenIwasatGrandCairo，IpickedupseveralOrientalmanuscripts，whichIhavestillbyme。AmongothersImetwithoneentitled\"TheVisionsofMirza，\"whichIhavereadoverwithgreatpleasure。I
intendtogiveittothepublicwhenIhavenootherentertainmentforthem;andshallbeginwiththefirstvision，whichIhavetranslatedwordforwordasfollows：
\"Onthefifthdayofthemoon，which，accordingtothecustomofmyforefathers，Ialwayskeepholy，afterhavingwashedmyself，andofferedupmymorningdevotions，IascendedthehighhillsofBagdad，inordertopasstherestofthedayinmeditationandprayer。AsIwashereairingmyselfonthetopsofthemountains，I
fellintoaprofoundcontemplationonthevanityofhumanlife;andpassingfromonethoughttoanother，’Surely，’saidI，’manisbutashadow，andlifeadream。’WhilstIwasthusmusing，Icastmyeyestowardsthesummitofarockthatwasnotfarfromme，whereI
discoveredoneinthehabitofashepherd，withamusicalinstrumentinhishand。AsIlookeduponhimheappliedittohislips，andbegantoplayuponit。Thesoundofitwasexceedingsweet，andwroughtintoavarietyoftunesthatwereinexpressiblymelodious，andaltogetherdifferentfromanythingIhadeverheard。TheyputmeinmindofthoseheavenlyairsthatareplayedtothedepartedsoulsofgoodmenupontheirfirstarrivalinParadise，towearouttheimpressionsoftheirlastagonies，andqualifythemforthepleasuresofthathappyplace。Myheartmeltedawayinsecretraptures。
\"Ihadbeenoftentoldthattherockbeforemewasthehauntofagenius，andthatseveralhadbeenentertainedwithmusicwhohadpassedbyit，butneverheardthatthemusicianhadbeforemadehimselfvisible。Whenhehadraisedmythoughtsbythosetransportingairswhichheplayed，totastethepleasuresofhisconversation，asIlookeduponhimlikeoneastonished，hebeckonedtome，and，bythewavingofhishand，directedmetoapproachtheplacewherehesat。Idrewnearwiththatreverencewhichisduetoasuperiornature;and，asmyheartwasentirelysubduedbythecaptivatingstrainsIhadheard，Ifelldownathisfeetandwept。
Thegeniussmileduponmewithalookofcompassionandaffabilitythatfamiliarisedhimtomyimagination，andatoncedispelledallthefearsandapprehensionswithwhichIapproachedhim。Heliftedmefromtheground，and，takingmebythehand，’Mirza，’saidhe，’I
haveheardtheeinthysoliloquies;followme。’
\"Hethenledmetothehighestpinnacleoftherock，andplacingmeonthetopofit，’Castthyeyeseastward，’saidhe，’andtellmewhatthouseest。’’Isee，’saidI，’ahugevalley，andaprodigioustideofwaterrollingthroughit。’’Thevalleythatthouseest，’
saidhe，’istheValeofMisery，andthetideofwaterthatthouseestispartofthegreattideofEternity。’’Whatisthereason，’
saidI，’thatthetideIseerisesoutofathickmistatoneend，andagainlosesitselfinathickmistattheother？’’Whatthouseest，’saidhe，’isthatportionofEternitywhichiscalledTime，measuredoutbythesun，andreachingfromthebeginningoftheworldtoitsconsummation。Examinenow，’saidhe，’thisseathatisboundedwithdarknessatbothends，andtellmewhatthoudiscoverestinit。’’Iseeabridge，’saidI，’standinginthemidstofthetide。’’Thebridgethouseest，’saidhe，’isHumanLife;consideritattentively。’Uponamoreleisurelysurveyofit，Ifoundthatitconsistedofthreescoreandtenentirearches，withseveralbrokenarches，which，addedtothosethatwereentire，madeupthenumberaboutahundred。AsIwascountingthearches，thegeniustoldmethatthisbridgeconsistedatfirstofathousandarches;butthatagreatfloodsweptawaytherest，andleftthebridgeintheruinousconditionInowbeheldit。’Buttellmefurther，’saidhe，’whatthoudiscoverestonit。’’Iseemultitudesofpeoplepassingoverit，’saidI，’andablackcloudhangingoneachendofit。’AsIlookedmoreattentively，Isawseveralofthepassengersdroppingthroughthebridgeintothegreattidethatflowedunderneathit;and，uponfurtherexamination，perceivedtherewereinnumerabletrap-doorsthatlayconcealedinthebridge，whichthepassengersnosoonertroduponbuttheyfellthroughthemintothetide，andimmediatelydisappeared。Thesehiddenpit-fallsweresetverythickattheentranceofthebridge，sothatthrongsofpeoplenosoonerbrokethroughthecloudbutmanyofthemfellintothem。Theygrewthinnertowardsthemiddle，butmultipliedandlayclosertogethertowardstheendofthearchesthatwereentire。
\"Therewereindeedsomepersons，buttheirnumberwasverysmall，thatcontinuedakindofhobblingmarchonthebrokenarches，butfellthroughoneafteranother，beingquitetiredandspentwithsolongawalk。
\"Ipassedsometimeinthecontemplationofthiswonderfulstructure，andthegreatvarietyofobjectswhichitpresented。Myheartwasfilledwithadeepmelancholytoseeseveraldroppingunexpectedlyinthemidstofmirthandjollity，andcatchingateverythingthatstoodbythemtosavethemselves。Somewerelookinguptowardstheheavensinathoughtfulposture，andinthemidstofaspeculationstumbledandfelloutofsight。Multitudeswereverybusyinthepursuitofbubblesthatglitteredintheireyesanddancedbeforethem;butoftenwhentheythoughtthemselveswithinthereachofthem，theirfootingfailedanddowntheysunk。Inthisconfusionofobjects，Iobservedsomewithscimitarsintheirhands，whorantoandfrofromthebridge，thrustingseveralpersonsontrapdoorswhichdidnotseemtolieintheirway，andwhichtheymighthaveescapedhadtheynotbeenthusforceduponthem。
\"Thegenius，seeingmeindulgemyselfonthismelancholyprospect，toldmeIhaddweltlongenoughuponit。’Takethineeyesoffthebridge，’saidhe，’andtellmeifthouyetseestanythingthoudostnotcomprehend。’Uponlookingup，’Whatmean，’saidI，’thosegreatflightsofbirdsthatareperpetuallyhoveringaboutthebridge，andsettlinguponitfromtimetotime？Iseevultures，harpies，ravens，cormorants，andamongmanyotherfeatheredcreatures，severallittlewingedboys，thatperchingreatnumbersuponthemiddlearches。’’These，’saidthegenius，’areEnvy，Avarice，Superstition，Despair，Love，withthelikecaresandpassionsthatinfesthumanlife。’
\"Iherefetchedadeepsigh。’Alas，’saidI，’manwasmadeinvain！
howishegivenawaytomiseryandmortality！torturedinlife，andswallowedupindeath！’Thegenius，beingmovedwithcompassiontowardsme，bademequitsouncomfortableaprospect。’Looknomore，’saidhe，’onmaninthefirststageofhisexistence，inhissettingoutforEternity;butcastthineeyeonthatthickmistintowhichthetidebearstheseveralgenerationsofmortalsthatfallintoit。’IdirectedmysightasIwasordered，and，whetherornothegoodgeniusstrengtheneditwithanysupernaturalforce，ordissipatedpartofthemistthatwasbeforetoothickfortheeyetopenetrate，Isawthevalleyopeningatthefurtherend，andspreadingforthintoanimmenseocean，thathadahugerockofadamantrunningthroughthemidstofit，anddividingitintotwoequalparts。Thecloudsstillrestedononehalfofit，insomuchthatIcoulddiscovernothinginit;buttheotherappearedtomeavastoceanplantedwithinnumerableislands，thatwerecoveredwithfruitsandflowers，andinterwovenwithathousandlittleshiningseasthatranamongthem。Icouldseepersonsdressedinglorioushabits，withgarlandsupontheirheads，passingamongthetrees，lyingdownbythesidesoffountains，orrestingonbedsofflowers;
andcouldhearaconfusedharmonyofsingingbirds，fallingwaters，humanvoices，andmusicalinstruments。Gladnessgrewinmeuponthediscoveryofsodelightfulascene。Iwishedforthewingsofaneagle，thatImightflyawaytothosehappyseats;butthegeniustoldmetherewasnopassagetothem，exceptthroughthegatesofdeaththatIsawopeningeverymomentuponthebridge。’Theislands，’saidhe，’thatliesofreshandgreenbeforethee，amidwithwhichthewholefaceoftheoceanappearsspottedasfarasthoucanstsee，aremoreinnumberthanthesandsonthesea-shore：
therearemyriadsofislandsbehindthosewhichthouherediscoverest，reachingfurtherthanthineeye，oreventhineimaginationcanextenditself。Thesearethemansionsofgoodmenafterdeath，who，accordingtothedegreeandkindsofvirtueinwhichtheyexcelled，aredistributedamongthoseseveralislands，whichaboundwithpleasuresofdifferentkindsanddegrees，suitabletotherelishesandperfectionsofthosewhoaresettledinthem：
everyislandisaparadiseaccommodatedtoitsrespectiveinhabitants。Arenotthese，OMirza，habitationsworthcontendingfor？Doeslifeappearmiserablethatgivestheeopportunitiesofearningsuchareward？Isdeathtobefearedthatwillconveytheetosohappyanexistence？Thinknotmanwasmadeinvain，whohassuchanEternityreservedforhim。’Igazedwithinexpressiblepleasureonthesehappyislands。Atlength，saidI，’Showmenow，I
beseechthee，thesecretsthatliehidunderthosedarkcloudswhichcovertheoceanontheothersideoftherockofadamant。’Thegeniusmakingmenoanswer，Iturnedabouttoaddressmyselftohimasecondtime，butIfoundthathehadleftme;IthenturnedagaintothevisionwhichIhadbeensolongcontemplating：butinsteadoftherollingtide，thearchedbridge，andthehappyislands，IsawnothingbutthelonghollowvalleyofBagdad，withoxen，sheep，andcamelsgrazinguponthesidesofit。\"
GENIUS-
Cuimensdivinior，atqueosMagnasonaturumdesnominishujushonorem。
HOR。，Sat。i。4，43。
Onhimconferthepoet’ssacredname，Whoseloftyvoicedeclarestheheavenlyflame。
Thereisnocharactermorefrequentlygiventoawriterthanthatofbeingagenius。Ihaveheardmanyalittlesonneteercalledafinegenius。Thereisnotaheroicscribblerinthenationthathasnothisadmirerswhothinkhimagreatgenius;andasforyoursmatterersintragedy，thereisscarceamanamongthemwhoisnotcriedupbyoneorotherforaprodigiousgenius。
Mydesigninthispaperistoconsiderwhatisproperlyagreatgenius，andtothrowsomethoughtstogetheronsouncommonasubject。
Amonggreatgeniusesthosefewdrawtheadmirationofalltheworlduponthem，andstandupastheprodigiesofmankind，who，bythemerestrengthofnaturalparts，andwithoutanyassistanceofartorlearning，haveproducedworksthatwerethedelightoftheirowntimesandthewonderofposterity。Thereappearssomethingnoblywildandextravagantinthesegreatnaturalgeniuses，thatisinfinitelymorebeautifulthanallturnandpolishingofwhattheFrenchcallabelesprit，bywhichtheywouldexpressageniusrefinedbyconversation，reflection，andthereadingofthemostpoliteauthors。Thegreatestgeniuswhichrunsthroughtheartsandsciencestakesakindoftincturefromthemandfallsunavoidablyintoimitation。
Manyofthesegreatnaturalgeniuses，thatwereneverdisciplinedandbrokenbyrulesofart，aretobefoundamongtheancients，andinparticularamongthoseofthemoreEasternpartsoftheworld。
HomerhasinnumerableflightsthatVirgilwasnotabletoreach，andintheOldTestamentwefindseveralpassagesmoreelevatedandsublimethananyinHomer。Atthesametimethatweallowagreaterandmoredaringgeniustotheancients，wemustownthatthegreatestofthemverymuchfailedin，or，ifyouwill，thattheyweremuchabovethenicetyandcorrectnessofthemoderns。Intheirsimilitudesandallusions，providedtherewasalikeness，theydidnotmuchtroublethemselvesaboutthedecencyofthecomparison：
thusSolomonresemblesthenoseofhisbelovedtothetowerofLebanonwhichlookethtowardsDamascus，asthecomingofathiefinthenightisasimilitudeofthesamekindintheNewTestament。Itwouldbeendlesstomakecollectionsofthisnature。Homerillustratesoneofhisheroesencompassedwiththeenemy，byanassinafieldofcornthathashissidesbelabouredbyalltheboysofthevillagewithoutstirringafootforit;andanotherofthemtossingtoandfroinhisbed，andburningwithresentment，toapieceoffleshbroiledonthecoals。Thisparticularfailureintheancientsopensalargefieldofraillerytothelittlewits，whocanlaughatanindecency，butnotrelishthesublimeinthesesortsofwritings。ThepresentEmperorofPersia，conformabletothisEasternwayofthinking，amidstagreatmanypompoustitles，denominateshimself\"thesunofglory\"and\"thenutmegofdelight。\"
Inshort，tocutoffallcavillingagainsttheancients，andparticularlythoseofthewarmerclimates，whohadmostheatandlifeintheirimaginations，wearetoconsiderthattheruleofobservingwhattheFrenchcallthebienseanceinanallusionhasbeenfoundoutoflateryears，andinthecolderregionsoftheworld，wherewecouldmakesomeamendsforourwantofforceandspiritbyascrupulousnicetyandexactnessinourcompositions。
OurcountrymanShakespearewasaremarkableinstanceofthisfirstkindofgreatgeniuses。
IcannotquitthisheadwithoutobservingthatPindarwasagreatgeniusofthefirstclass，whowashurriedonbyanaturalfireandimpetuositytovastconceptionsofthingsandnoblesalliesofimagination。Atthesametimecananythingbemoreridiculousthanformenofasoberandmoderatefancytoimitatethispoet’swayofwritinginthosemonstrouscompositionswhichgoamongusunderthenameofPindarics？WhenIseepeoplecopyingworkswhich，asHoracehasrepresentedthem，aresingularintheirkind，andinimitable;
whenIseemenfollowingirregularitiesbyrule，andbythelittletricksofartstrainingafterthemostunboundedflightsofnature，IcannotbutapplytothemthatpassageinTerence：-
IncertahaecsitupostulesRationecertafacere，nihiloplusagasQuamsidesoperam，utcumrationeinsanias。
Eun。，ActI。，Sc。1，I。16。
Youmayaswellpretendtobemadandinyoursensesatthesametime，astothinkofreducingtheseuncertainthingstoanycertaintybyreason。
Inshort，amodernPindaricwritercomparedwithPindarislikeasisteramongtheCamisarscomparedwithVirgil’sSibyl;thereisthedistortion，grimace，andoutwardfigure，butnothingofthatdivineimpulsewhichraisesthemindaboveitself，andmakesthesoundsmorethanhuman。
ThereisanotherkindofgreatgeniuseswhichIshallplaceinasecondclass，notasIthinktheminferiortothefirst，butonlyfordistinction’ssake，astheyareofadifferentkind。Thissecondclassofgreatgeniusesarethosethathaveformedthemselvesbyrules，andsubmittedthegreatnessoftheirnaturaltalentstothecorrectionsandrestraintsofart。SuchamongtheGreekswerePlatoandAristotle;amongtheRomans，VirgilandTully;amongtheEnglish，MiltonandSirFrancisBacon。
Thegeniusinboththeseclassesofauthorsmaybeequallygreat，butshowsitselfafteradifferentmanner。Inthefirstitislikearichsoilinahappyclimate，thatproducesawholewildernessofnobleplantsrisinginathousandbeautifullandscapeswithoutanycertainorderorregularity;intheotheritisthesamerichsoil，underthesamehappyclimate，thathasbeenlaidoutinwalksandparterres，andcutintoshapeandbeautybytheskillofthegardener。
Thegreatdangerintheselatterkindofgeniusesislesttheycramptheirownabilitiestoomuchbyimitation，andformthemselvesaltogetheruponmodels，withoutgivingthefullplaytotheirownnaturalparts。Animitationofthebestauthorsisnottocomparewithagoodoriginal;andIbelievewemayobservethatveryfewwritersmakeanextraordinaryfigureintheworldwhohavenotsomethingintheirwayofthinkingorexpressingthemselves，thatispeculiartothem，andentirelytheirown。
Itisoddtoconsiderwhatgreatgeniusesaresometimesthrownawayupontrifles。
\"Ioncesawashepherd，\"saysafamousItalianauthor，\"whousedtodiverthimselfinhissolitudeswithtossingupeggsandcatchingthemagainwithoutbreakingthem;inwhichhehadarrivedtosogreatadegreeofperfectionthathewouldkeepupfouratatimeforseveralminutestogetherplayingintheair，andfallingintohishandbyturns。Ithink，\"saystheauthor，\"Ineversawagreaterseveritythaninthisman’sface，forbyhiswonderfulperseveranceandapplicationhehadcontractedtheseriousnessandgravityofaprivycouncillor，andIcouldnotbutreflectwithmyselfthatthesameassiduityandattention，hadtheybeenrightlyapplied，’might’havemadeagreatermathematicianthanArchimedes。\"
THEODOSIUSANDCONSTANTIA。
Illa;Quisetme，inquit，miserametteperdidit，Orpheu？-
Jamquevale：feroringenticircumdatanocte，Invalidasquetibitendens，heu！nontua，palmas。
VIRG。，Georg。，iv。494。
Thenthusthebride：\"Whatfuryseiz’donthee，’Unhappyman！tolosethyselfandme？-
Andnowfarewell！involv’dinshadesofnight，ForeverIamravish’dfromthysight：
InvainIreachmyfeeblehands，tojoinInsweetembraces——ah！nolongerthine！\"
DRYDEN。
Constantiawasawomanofextraordinarywitandbeauty，butveryunhappyinafatherwho，havingarrivedatgreatrichesbyhisownindustry，tookdelightinnothingbuthismoney。Theodosiuswastheyoungersonofadecayedfamily，ofgreatpartsandlearning，improvedbyagenteelandvirtuouseducation。WhenhewasinthetwentiethyearofhisagehebecameacquaintedwithConstantia，whohadnotthenpassedherfifteenth。Ashelivedbutafewmilesdistantfromherfather’shouse，hehadfrequentopportunitiesofseeingher;and，bytheadvantagesofagoodpersonandapleasingconversation，madesuchanimpressioninherheartasitwasimpossiblefortimetoefface。HewashimselfnolesssmittenwithConstantia。Alongacquaintancemadethemstilldiscovernewbeautiesineachother，andbydegreesraisedinthemthatmutualpassionwhichhadaninfluenceontheirfollowinglives。Itunfortunatelyhappenedthat，inthemidstofthisintercourseofloveandfriendshipbetweenTheodosiusandConstantia，therebrokeoutanirreparablequarrelbetweentheirparents;theonevaluinghimselftoomuchuponhisbirth，andtheotheruponhispossessions。
ThefatherofConstantiawassoincensedatthefatherofTheodosius，thathecontractedanunreasonableaversiontowardshisson，insomuchthatheforbadehimhishouse，andchargedhisdaughteruponherdutynevertoseehimmore。Inthemeantime，tobreakoffallcommunicationbetweenthetwolovers，whoheknewentertainedsecrethopesofsomefavourableopportunitythatshouldbringthemtogether，hefoundoutayounggentlemanofagoodfortuneandanagreeableperson，whomhepitcheduponasahusbandforhisdaughter。Hesoonconcertedthisaffairsowell，thathetoldConstantiaitwashisdesigntomarryhertosuchagentleman，andthatherweddingshouldbecelebratedonsuchaday。
Constantia，whowasoverawedwiththeauthorityofherfather，andunabletoobjectanythingagainstsoadvantageousamatch，receivedtheproposalwithaprofoundsilence，whichherfathercommendedinher，asthemostdecentmannerofavirgin’sgivingherconsenttoanovertureofthatkind。ThenoiseofthisintendedmarriagesoonreachedTheodosius，who，afteralongtumultofpassionswhichnaturallyriseinalover’sheartonsuchanoccasion，wrotethefollowinglettertoConstantia：-
\"ThethoughtofmyConstantia，whichforsomeyearshasbeenmyonlyhappiness，isnowbecomeagreatertormenttomethanIamabletobear。MustIthenlivetoseeyouanother’s？Thestreams，thefields，andmeadows，wherewehavesooftentalkedtogether，growpainfultome;lifeitselfisbecomeaburden。Mayyoulongbehappyintheworld，butforgetthattherewaseversuchamaninitas\"THEODOSIUS。\"
ThisletterwasconveyedtoConstantiathatveryevening，whofaintedatthereadingofit;andthenextmorningshewasmuchmorealarmedbytwoorthreemessengersthatcametoherfather’shouse，oneafteranother，toinquireiftheyhadheardanythingofTheodosius，who，itseems，hadlefthischamberaboutmidnight，andcouldnowherebefound。Thedeepmelancholywhichhadhunguponhismindsometimebeforemadethemapprehendtheworstthatcouldbefallhim。Constantia，whoknewthatnothingbutthereportofhermarriagecouldhavedrivenhimtosuchextremities，wasnottohecomforted。Shenowaccusedherselfforhavingsotamelygivenaneartotheproposalofahusband，andlookeduponthenewloverasthemurdererofTheodosius。Inshort，sheresolvedtosuffertheutmosteffectsofherfather’sdispleasureratherthancomplywithamarriagewhichappearedtohersofullofguiltandhorror。Thefather，seeinghimselfentirelyridofTheodosius，andlikelytokeepaconsiderableportioninhisfamily，wasnotverymuchconcernedattheobstinaterefusalofhisdaughter，anddidnotfinditverydifficulttoexcusehimselfuponthataccounttohisintendedson-in-law，whohadallalongregardedthisallianceratherasamarriageofconveniencethanoflove。Constantiahadnownoreliefbutinherdevotionsandexercisesofreligion，towhichheraffectionshadsoentirelysubjectedhermind，thataftersomeyearshadabatedtheviolenceofhersorrows，andsettledherthoughtsinakindoftranquillity，sheresolvedtopasstheremainderofherdaysinaconvent。Herfatherwasnotdispleasedwitharesolutionwhichwouldsavemoneyinhisfamily，andreadilycompliedwithhisdaughter’sintentions。Accordingly，inthetwenty-fifthyearofherage，whileherbeautywasyetinallitsheightandbloom，hecarriedhertoaneighbouringcity，inordertolookoutasisterhoodofnunsamongwhomtoplacehisdaughter。Therewasinthisplaceafatherofaconventwhowasverymuchrenownedforhispietyandexemplarylife：andasitisusualintheRomishChurchforthosewhoareunderanygreataffliction，ortroubleofmind，toapplythemselvestothemosteminentconfessorsforpardonandconsolation，ourbeautifulvotarytooktheopportunityofconfessingherselftothiscelebratedfather。
WemustnowreturntoTheodosius，who，theverymorningthattheabove-mentionedinquirieshadbeenmadeafterhim，arrivedatareligioushouseinthecitywherenowConstantiaresided;anddesiringthatsecrecyandconcealmentofthefathersoftheconvent，whichisveryusualuponanyextraordinaryoccasion，hemadehimselfoneoftheorder，withaprivatevownevertoinquireafterConstantia;whomhelookeduponasgivenawaytohisrivaluponthedayonwhich，accordingtocommonfame，theirmarriagewastohavebeensolemnised。Havinginhisyouthmadeagoodprogressinlearning，thathemightdedicatehimselfmoreentirelytoreligion，heenteredintoholyorders，andinafewyearsbecamerenownedforhissanctityoflife，andthosepioussentimentswhichheinspiredintoallwhoconversedwithhim。ItwasthisholymantowhomConstantiahaddeterminedtoapplyherselfinconfession，thoughneithershenoranyother，besidestheprioroftheconvent，knewanythingofhisnameorfamily。Thegay，theamiableTheodosiushadnowtakenuponhimthenameofFatherFrancis，andwassofarconcealedinalongbeard，ashavenhead，andareligioushabit，thatitwasimpossibletodiscoverthemanoftheworldinthevenerableconventual。
Ashewasonemorningshutupinhisconfessional，Constantiakneelingbyhimopenedthestateofhersoultohim;andafterhavinggivenhimthehistoryofalifefullofinnocence，sheburstoutintotears，andentereduponthatpartofherstoryinwhichhehimselfhadsogreatashare。\"Mybehaviour，\"saysshe，\"has，I
fear，beenthedeathofamanwhohadnootherfaultbutthatoflovingmetoomuch。Heavenonlyknowshowdearhewastomewhilsthelived，andhowbittertheremembranceofhimhasbeentomesincehisdeath。\"Sheherepaused，andlifteduphereyesthatstreamedwithtearstowardsthefather，whowassomovedwiththesenseofhersorrowsthathecouldonlycommandhisvoice，whichwasbrokenwithsighsandsobbings，sofarastobidherproceed。Shefollowedhisdirections，andinafloodoftearspouredoutherheartbeforehim。Thefathercouldnotforbearweepingaloud，insomuchthat，intheagoniesofhisgrief，theseatshookunderhim。Constantia，whothoughtthegoodmanwasthusmovedbyhiscompassiontowardsher，andbythehorrorofherguilt，proceededwiththeutmostcontritiontoacquainthimwiththatvowofvirginityinwhichshewasgoingtoengageherself，astheproperatonementforhersins，andtheonlysacrificeshecouldmaketothememoryofTheodosius。Thefather，whobythistimehadprettywellcomposedhimself，burstoutagainintearsuponhearingthatnametowhichhehadbeensolongdisused，anduponreceivingthisinstanceofanunparalleledfidelityfromonewhohethoughthadseveralyearssincegivenherselfuptothepossessionofanother。Amidsttheinterruptionsofhissorrow，seeinghispenitentoverwhelmedwithgrief，hewasonlyabletobidherfromtimetotimebecomforted——totellherthathersinswereforgivenher——thatherguiltwasnotsogreatassheapprehended——thatsheshouldnotsufferherselftobeafflictedabovemeasure。Afterwhichherecoveredhimselfenoughtogivehertheabsolutioninform：directingheratthesametimetorepairtohimagainthenextday，thathemightencourageherinthepiousresolutionshehadtaken，andgivehersuitableexhortationsforherbehaviourinit。Constantiaretired，andthenextmorningrenewedherapplications。Theodosius，havingmannedhissoulwithproperthoughtsandreflections，exertedhimselfonthisoccasioninthebestmannerhecouldtoanimatehispenitentinthecourseoflifeshewasenteringupon，andwearoutofhermindthosegroundlessfearsandapprehensionswhichhadtakenpossessionofit;concludingwithapromisetoher，thathewouldfromtimetotimecontinuehisadmonitionswhensheshouldhavetakenuponhertheholyveil。\"Therulesofourrespectiveorders，\"sayshe，\"willnotpermitthatI
shouldseeyou;butyoumayassureyourselfnotonlyofhavingaplaceinmyprayers，butofreceivingsuchfrequentinstructionsasIcanconveytoyoubyletters。Gooncheerfullyinthegloriouscourseyouhaveundertaken，andyouwillquicklyfindsuchapeaceandsatisfactioninyourmindwhichitisnotinthepoweroftheworldtogive。\"
Constantia’sheartwassoelevatedwithinthediscourseofFatherFrancis，thattheverynextdaysheentereduponhervow。Assoonasthesolemnitiesofherreceptionwereover，sheretired，asitisusual，withtheabbessintoherownapartment。
TheabbesshadbeeninformedthenightbeforeofallthathadpassedbetweenhernovitiateandfatherFrancis：fromwhomshenowdeliveredtoherthefollowingletter：-
\"Asthefirst-fruitsofthosejoysandconsolationswhichyoumayexpectfromthelifeyouarenowengagedin，ImustacquaintyouthatTheodosius，whosedeathsitssoheavyuponyourthoughts，isstillalive;andthatthefathertowhomyouhaveconfessedyourselfwasoncethatTheodosiuswhomyousomuchlament。Thelovewhichwehavehadforoneanotherwillmakeusmorehappyinitsdisappointmentthanitcouldhavedoneinitssuccess。Providencehasdisposedofusforouradvantage，thoughnotaccordingtoourwishes。ConsideryourTheodosiusstillasdead，butassureyourselfofonewhowillnotceasetoprayforyouinfather\"FRANCIS。\"
Constantiasawthatthehandwritingagreedwiththecontentsoftheletter;and，uponreflectingonthevoiceoftheperson，thebehaviour，andabovealltheextremesorrowofthefatherduringherconfession，shediscoveredTheodosiusineveryparticular。Afterhavingweptwithtearsofjoy，\"Itisenough，\"saysshe;\"Theodosiusisstillinbeing：Ishalllivewithcomfortanddieinpeace。\"
Theletterswhichthefathersentherafterwardsareyetextantinthenunnerywheresheresided;andareoftenreadtotheyoungreligious，inordertoinspirethemwithgoodresolutionsandsentimentsofvirtue。ItsohappenedthatafterConstantiahadlivedabouttenyearsinthecloister，aviolentfeverbrokeoutintheplace，whichsweptawaygreatmultitudes，andamongothersTheodosius。Uponhisdeath-bedhesenthisbenedictioninaverymovingmannertoConstantia，whoatthattimewasherselfsofargoneinthesamefataldistemperthatshelaydelirious。Upontheintervalwhichgenerallyprecedesdeathinsicknessofthisnature，theabbess，findingthatthephysicianshadgivenherover，toldherthatTheodosiushadjustgonebeforeher，andthathehadsentherhisbenedictioninhislastmoments。Constantiareceiveditwithpleasure。\"Andnow，\"saysshe，\"ifIdonotaskanythingimproper，letmebeburiedbyTheodosius。Myvowreachesnofurtherthanthegrave;whatIaskis，Ihope，noviolationofit。\"Shediedsoonafter，andwasinterredaccordingtoherrequest。
Thetombsarestilltobeseen，withashortLatininscriptionoverthemtothefollowingpurpose：-
\"HereliethebodiesofFatherFrancisandSisterConstance。Theywerelovelyintheirlives，andintheirdeaththeywerenotdivided。\"
GOODNATURE。
Sicvitaerat：facileomnesperferreacpati：
Cumquibuseratcunqueuna，hissesededere，Eorumobsequistudiis：advorsusnemini;
Nunquampraeponenssealiis。ItafacillimeSineinvidiainveniaslaudem-
TER。，Andr。，Acti。se。1。
Hismanneroflifewasthis：tobearwitheverybody’shumours;tocomplywiththeinclinationsandpursuitsofthoseheconversedwith;tocontradictnobody;nevertoassumeasuperiorityoverothers。Thisisthereadywaytogainapplausewithoutexcitingenvy。
Manissubjecttoinnumerablepainsandsorrowsbytheveryconditionofhumanity，andyet，asifNaturehadnotsownevilsenoughinlife，wearecontinuallyaddinggrieftogrief，andaggravatingthecommoncalamitybyourcrueltreatmentofoneanother。Everyman’snaturalweightofafflictionisstillmademoreheavybytheenvy，malice，treachery，orinjusticeofhisneighbour。Atthesametimethatthestormbeatsonthewholespecies，wearefallingfoulupononeanother。
Halfthemiseryofhumanlifemightbeextinguished，wouldmenalleviatethegeneralcursetheylieunder，bymutualofficesofcompassion，benevolence，andhumanity。Thereisnothing，therefore，whichweoughtmoretoencourageinourselvesandothers，thanthatdispositionofmindwhichinourlanguagegoesunderthetitleofgoodnature，andwhichIshallchooseforthesubjectofthisday’sspeculation。
Good-natureismoreagreeableinconversationthanwit，andgivesacertainairtothecountenancewhichismoreamiablethanbeauty。
Itshowsvirtueinthefairestlight，takesoffinsomemeasurefromthedeformityofvice，andmakesevenfollyandimpertinencesupportable。
Thereisnosocietyorconversationtobekeptupintheworldwithoutgoodnature，orsomethingwhichmustbearitsappearance，andsupplyitsplace。Forthisreason，mankindhavebeenforcedtoinventakindofartificialhumanity，whichiswhatweexpressbythewordgood-breeding。Forifweexaminethoroughlytheideaofwhatwecallso，weshallfindittobenothingelsebutanimitationandmimicryofgoodnature，or，inotherterms，affability，complaisance，andeasinessoftemper，reducedintoanart。Theseexteriorshowsandappearancesofhumanityrenderamanwonderfullypopularandbeloved，whentheyarefoundeduponarealgoodnature;but，withoutit，arelikehypocrisyinreligion，orabareformofholiness，which，whenitisdiscovered，makesamanmoredetestablethanprofessedimpiety。
Good-natureisgenerallybornwithus：health，prosperity，andkindtreatmentfromtheworld，aregreatcherishersofitwheretheyfindit;butnothingiscapableofforcingitup，whereitdoesnotgrowofitself。Itisoneoftheblessingsofahappyconstitution，whicheducationmayimprove，butnotproduce。
Xenophon，inthelifeofhisimaginaryprincewhomhedescribesasapatternforrealones，isalwayscelebratingthephilanthropyandgoodnatureofhishero，whichhetellsushebroughtintotheworldwithhim;andgivesmanyremarkableinstancesofitinhischildhood，aswellasinalltheseveralpartsofhislife。Nay，onhisdeath-bed，hedescribeshimasbeingpleased，thatwhilehissoulreturnedtoHimwhomadeit，hisbodyshouldincorporatewiththegreatmotherofallthings，andbythatmeansbecomebeneficialtomankind。Forwhichreason，hegiveshissonsapositiveordernottoenshrineitingoldorsilver，buttolayitintheearthassoonasthelifewasgoneoutofit。
Aninstanceofsuchanoverflowingofhumanity，suchanexuberantlovetomankind，couldnothaveenteredintotheimaginationofawriterwhohadnotasoulfilledwithgreatideas，andageneralbenevolencetomankind。
InthatcelebratedpassageofSallust，whereCaesarandCatoareplacedinsuchbeautifulbutoppositelights，Caesar’scharacterischieflymadeupofgoodnature，asitshoweditselfinallitsformstowardshisfriendsorhisenemies，hisservantsordependents，theguiltyorthedistressed。AsforCato’scharacter，itisratherawfulthanamiable。JusticeseemsmostagreeabletothenatureofGod，andmercytothatofman。ABeingwhohasnothingtopardoninHimself，mayrewardeverymanaccordingtohisworks;buthewhoseverybestactionsmustbeseenwithgrainsofallowance，cannotbetoomild，moderate，andforgiving。Forthisreason，amongallthemonstrouscharactersinhumannature，thereisnonesoodious，norindeedsoexquisitelyridiculous，asthatofarigid，severetemperinaworthlessman。
Thispartofgoodnaturehowever，whichconsistsinthepardoningandoverlookingoffaults，istobeexercisedonlyindoingourselvesjustice，andthattoointheordinarycommerceandoccurrencesoflife;for，inthepublicadministrationsofjustice，mercytoonemaybecrueltytoothers。
Itisgrownalmostintoamaxim，thatgood-naturedmenarenotalwaysmenofthemostwit。Thisobservation，inmyopinion，hasnofoundationinnature。ThegreatestwitsIhaveconversedwitharemeneminentfortheirhumanity。Itake，therefore，thisremarktohavebeenoccasionedbytworeasons。First，becauseill-natureamongordinaryobserverspassesforwit。Aspitefulsayinggratifiessomanylittlepassionsinthosewhohearit，thatitgenerallymeetswithagoodreception。Thelaughrisesuponit，andthemanwhouttersitislookeduponasashrewdsatirist。Thismaybeonereasonwhyagreatmanypleasantcompanionsappearsosurprisinglydullwhentheyhaveendeavouredtobemerryinprint;
thepublicbeingmorejustthanprivateclubsorassemblies，indistinguishingbetweenwhatiswitandwhatisill-nature。
Anotherreasonwhythegood-naturedmanmaysometimesbringhiswitinquestionisperhapsbecauseheisapttobemovedwithcompassionforthosemisfortunesorinfirmitieswhichanotherwouldturnintoridicule，andbythatmeansgainthereputationofawit。Theill-
naturedman，thoughbutofequalparts，giveshimselfalargerfieldtoexpatiatein;heexposesthosefailingsinhumannaturewhichtheotherwouldcastaveilover，laughsatviceswhichtheothereitherexcusesorconceals，givesutterancetoreflectionswhichtheotherstifles，fallsindifferentlyuponfriendsorenemies，exposesthepersonwhohasobligedhim，and，inshort，sticksatnothingthatmayestablishhischaracterasawit。Itisnowonder，therefore，hesucceedsinitbetterthanthemanofhumanity，asapersonwhomakesuseofindirectmethodsismorelikelytogrowrichthanthefairtrader。
NEXTESSAY-
Quisenimbonus，autfacedignusArcana，qualemCererisvultessesacerdos，Ullaalienasibicredatmala？-
JUV。，Sat。xv。140。
Whocanallsenseofothers’illsescape，Isbutabrute，atbest，inhumanshape。
TATE。
Inoneofmylastweek’spapers，Itreatedofgood-natureasitistheeffectofconstitution;Ishallnowspeakofitasitisamoralvirtue。Thefirstmaymakeamaneasyinhimselfandagreeabletoothers，butimpliesnomeritinhimthatispossessedofit。Amanisnomoretobepraiseduponthisaccount，thanbecausehehasaregularpulseoragooddigestion。Thisgoodnature，however，intheconstitution，whichMr。Drydensomewherecalls\"amilkinessofblood，\"isanadmirablegroundworkfortheother。Inorder，therefore，totryourgood-nature，whetheritarisesfromthebodyorthemind，whetheritbefoundedintheanimalorrationalpartofournature;inaword，whetheritbesuchasisentitledtoanyotherrewardbesidesthatsecretsatisfactionandcontentmentofmindwhichisessentialtoit，andthekindreceptionitprocuresusintheworld，wemustexamineitbythefollowingrules：
First，whetheritactswithsteadinessanduniformityinsicknessandinhealth，inprosperityandinadversity;ifotherwise，itistobelookeduponasnothingelsebutanirradiationofthemindfromsomenewsupplyofspirits，oramorekindlycirculationoftheblood。SirFrancisBaconmentionsacunningsolicitor，whowouldneveraskafavourofagreatmanbeforedinner;buttookcaretopreferhispetitionatatimewhenthepartypetitionedhadhismindfreefromcare，andhisappetitesingoodhumour。Suchatransienttemporarygood-natureasthis，isnotthatphilanthropy，thatloveofmankind，whichdeservesthetitleofamoralvirtue。
Thenextwayofaman’sbringinghisgood-naturetothetestistoconsiderwhetheritoperatesaccordingtotherulesofreasonandduty：forif，notwithstandingitsgeneralbenevolencetomankind，itmakesnodistinctionbetweenitsobjects;ifitexertsitselfpromiscuouslytowardsthedeservingandtheundeserving;ifitrelievesaliketheidleandtheindigent;ifitgivesitselfuptothefirstpetitioner，andlightsuponanyoneratherbyaccidentthanchoice——itmaypassforanamiableinstinct，butmustnotassumethenameofamoralvirtue。
Thethirdtrialofgood-naturewillbetheexaminingourselveswhetherornoweareabletoexertittoourowndisadvantage，andemployitonproperobjects，notwithstandinganylittlepain，want，orinconvenience，whichmayarisetoourselvesfromit：inaword，whetherwearewillingtoriskanypartofourfortune，ourreputation，ourhealthorease，forthebenefitofmankind。Amongalltheseexpressionsofgoodnature，Ishallsingleoutthatwhichgoesunderthegeneralnameofcharity，asitconsistsinrelievingtheindigent：thatbeingatrialofthiskindwhichoffersitselftousalmostatalltimesandineveryplace。
Ishouldproposeitasarule，toeveryonewhoisprovidedwithanycompetencyoffortunemorethansufficientforthenecessariesoflife，tolayasideacertainportionofhisincomefortheuseofthepoor。ThisIwouldlookuponasanofferingtoHimwhohasarighttothewhole，fortheuseofthosewhom，inthepassagehereaftermentioned，HehasdescribedasHisownrepresentativesuponearth。Atthesametime，weshouldmanageourcharitywithsuchprudenceandcaution，thatwemaynothurtourownfriendsorrelationswhilstwearedoinggoodtothosewhoarestrangerstous。
Thismaypossiblybeexplainedbetterbyanexamplethanbyarule。
Eugeniusisamanofauniversalgoodnature，andgenerousbeyondtheextentofhisfortune;butwithalsoprudentintheeconomyofhisaffairs，thatwhatgoesoutincharityismadeupbygoodmanagement。Eugeniushaswhattheworldcallstwohundredpoundsayear;butnevervalueshimselfabovenine-score，asnotthinkinghehasarighttothetenthpart，whichhealwaysappropriatestocharitableuses。Tothissumhefrequentlymakesothervoluntaryadditions，insomuch，thatinagoodyear——forsuchheaccountsthoseinwhichhehasbeenabletomakegreaterbountiesthanordinary——hehasgivenabovetwicethatsumtothesicklyandindigent。Eugeniusprescribestohimselfmanyparticulardaysoffastingandabstinence，inordertoincreasehisprivatebankofcharity，andsetsasidewhatwouldbethecurrentexpensesofthosetimesfortheuseofthepoor。Heoftengoesafootwherehisbusinesscallshim，andattheendofhiswalkhasgivenashilling，whichinhisordinarymethodsofexpensewouldhavegoneforcoach-hire，tothefirstnecessitouspersonthathasfalleninhisway。Ihaveknownhim，whenhehasbeengoingtoaplayoranopera，divertthemoneywhichwasdesignedforthatpurposeuponanobjectofcharitywhomhehasmetwithinthestreet;andafterwardspasshiseveninginacoffee-house，oratafriend’sfireside，withmuchgreatersatisfactiontohimselfthanhecouldhavereceivedfromthemostexquisiteentertainmentsofthetheatre。Bythesemeansheisgenerouswithoutimpoverishinghimself，andenjoyshisestatebymakingitthepropertyofothers。
Therearefewmensocrampedintheirprivateaffairs，whomaynotbecharitableafterthismanner，withoutanydisadvantagetothemselves，orprejudicetotheirfamilies。Itisbutsometimessacrificingadiversionorconveniencetothepoor，andturningtheusualcourseofourexpensesintoabetterchannel。Thisis，I
think，notonlythemostprudentandconvenient，butthemostmeritoriouspieceofcharitywhichwecanputinpractice。Bythismethod，weinsomemeasuresharethenecessitiesofthepooratthesametimethatwerelievethem，andmakeourselvesnotonlytheirpatrons，buttheirfellow-sufferers。
SirThomasBrown，inthelastpartofhis\"ReligioMedici，\"inwhichhedescribeshischarityinseveralheroicinstances，andwithanobleheatofsentiments，mentionsthatverseintheProverbsofSolomon：\"HethatgivethtothepoorlendethtotheLord。\"Thereismorerhetoricinthatonesentence，sayshe，thaninalibraryofsermons;andindeed，ifthosesentenceswereunderstoodbythereaderwiththesameemphasisastheyaredeliveredbytheauthor，weneedednotthosevolumesofinstructions，butmightbehonestbyanepitome。
ThispassageofScriptureis，indeed，wonderfullypersuasive;butI
thinkthesamethoughtiscarriedmuchfurtherintheNewTestament，whereourSaviourtellsus，inamostpatheticmanner，thatheshallhereafterregardtheclothingofthenaked，thefeedingofthehungry，andthevisitingoftheimprisoned，asofficesdonetoHimself，andrewardthemaccordingly。PursuanttothosepassagesinHolyScripture，Ihavesomewheremetwiththeepitaphofacharitableman，whichhasverymuchpleasedme。Icannotrecollectthewords，butthesenseofitistothispurpose：WhatIspentI
lost;whatIpossessedislefttoothers;whatIgaveawayremainswithme。
SinceIamthusinsensiblyengagedinSacredWrit，IcannotforbearmakinganextractofseveralpassageswhichIhavealwaysreadwithgreatdelightinthebookofJob。Itistheaccountwhichthatholymangivesofhisbehaviourinthedaysofhisprosperity;and，ifconsideredonlyasahumancomposition，isafinerpictureofacharitableandgood-naturedmanthanistobemetwithinanyotherauthor。
\"OhthatIwereasinmonthspast，asinthedayswhenGodpreservedme：Whenhiscandleshineduponmyhead，andwhenbyhislightI
walkedthroughdarkness：WhentheAlmightywasyetwithme;whenmychildrenwereaboutme：WhenIwashedmystepswithbutter，andtherockpouredmeoutriversofoil。
\"Whentheearheardme，thenitblessedme;andwhentheeyesawme，itgavewitnesstome。BecauseIdeliveredthepoorthatcried，andthefatherless，andhimthathadnonetohelphim。Theblessingofhimthatwasreadytoperishcameuponme，andIcausedthewidow’shearttosingforjoy。Iwaseyestotheblind;andfeetwasItothelame;Iwasafathertothepoor，andthecausewhichIknewnotIsearchedout。DidnotIweepforhimthatwasintrouble？Wasnotmysoulgrievedforthepoor？Letmebeweighedinanevenbalance，thatGodmayknowmineintegrity。IfIdiddespisethecauseofmyman-servantorofmymaid-servantwhentheycontendedwithme：WhatthenshallIdowhenGodrisethup？andwhenhevisiteth，whatshallIanswerhim？Didnothethatmademeinthewomb，makehim？anddidnotonefashionusinthewomb？IfIhavewithheldthepoorfromtheirdesire，orhavecausedtheeyesofthewidowtofail;Orhaveeatenmymorselmyselfalone，andthefatherlesshathnoteatenthereof;IfIhaveseenanyperishforwantofclothing，oranypoorwithoutcovering;Ifhisloinshavenotblessedme，andifhewerenotwarmedwiththefleeceofmysheep;IfIhaveliftedmyhandagainstthefatherless，whenIsawmyhelpinthegate：Thenletminearmfallfrommyshoulder-blade，andminearmbebrokenfromthebone。IfI[have]rejoicedatthedestructionofhimthathatedme，orliftedupmyselfwhenevilfoundhim：NeitherhaveIsufferedmymouthtosin，bywishingacursetohissoul。Thestrangerdidnotlodgeinthestreet;butI
openedmydoorstothetraveller。Ifmylandcryagainstme，orthatthefurrowslikewisethereofcomplain：IfIhaveeatenthefruitsthereofwithoutmoney，orhavecausedtheownersthereoftolosetheirlife：Letthistlesgrowinsteadofwheat，andcockleinsteadofbarley。\"
AGRINNINGMATCH-
Removeferamonstra，tuaequeSaxificosvultus，quaecunqueea，tolleMedusae。
OVID，Met。v。216。
Hencewiththosemonstrousfeatures，and，O！spareThatGorgon’slook，andpetrifyingstare。
POPE。
Inalatepaper，ImentionedtheprojectofaningeniousauthorfortheerectingofseveralhandicraftprizestobecontendedforbyourBritishartisans，andtheinfluencetheymighthavetowardstheimprovementofourseveralmanufactures。Ihavesincethatbeenverymuchsurprisedbythefollowingadvertisement，whichIfindinthePost-boyofthe11thinstant，andagainrepeatedinthePost-boyofthe15th：-
\"Onthe9thofOctobernextwillberunforuponColeshill-heath，inWarwickshire，aplateofsixguineasvalue，threeheats，byanyhorse，mare，orgeldingthathathnotwonabovethevalueof5
pounds，thewinninghorsetobesoldfor10pounds，tocarry10
stoneweight，if14handshigh;ifaboveorunder，tocarryorbeallowedweightforinches，andtobeenteredFriday，the5th，attheSwaninColeshill，beforesixintheevening。Also，aplateoflessvaluetoberunforbyasses。Thesamedayagoldringtobegrinn’dforbymen。\"
Thefirstofthesediversionsthatistobeexhibitedbythe10
poundsrace-horses，mayprobablyhaveitsuse;butthetwolast，inwhichtheassesandmenareconcerned，seemtomealtogetherextraordinaryandunaccountable。WhytheyshouldkeeprunningassesatColeshill，orhowmakingmouthsturnstoaccountinWarwickshire，morethaninanyotherpartsofEngland，Icannotcomprehend。I
havelookedoveralltheOlympicgames，anddonotfindanythinginthemlikeanass-race，oramatchatgrinning。Howeveritbe，Iaminformedthatseveralassesarenowkeptinbody-clothes，andsweatedeverymorningupontheheath：andthatallthecountry-
fellowswithintenmilesoftheSwangrinanhourortwointheirglasseseverymorning，inordertoqualifythemselvesforthe9thofOctober。Theprizewhichisproposedtobegrinnedforhasraisedsuchanambitionamongthecommonpeopleofout-grinningoneanother，thatmanyverydiscerningpersonsareafraiditshouldspoilmostofthefacesinthecounty;andthataWarwickshiremanwillbeknownbyhisgrin，asRomanCatholicsimagineaKentishmanisbyhistail。Thegoldringwhichismadetheprizeofdeformity，isjustthereverseofthegoldenapplethatwasformerlymadetheprizeofbeauty，andshouldcarryforitspoesytheoldmottoinverted：
Deturtetriori。
Or，toaccommodateittothecapacityofthecombatants，Thefrightfull’stgrinnerBethewinner。
InthemeanwhileIwouldadviseaDutchpaintertobepresentatthisgreatcontroversyoffaces，inordertomakeacollectionofthemostremarkablegrinsthatshallbethereexhibited。
ImustnothereomitanaccountwhichIlatelyreceivedofoneofthesegrinningmatchesfromagentleman，who，uponreadingtheabove-mentionedadvertisement，entertainedacoffee-housewiththefollowingnarrative：-UponthetakingofNamur，amidstotherpublicrejoicingsmadeonthatoccasion，therewasagoldringgivenbyaWhigjusticeofpeacetobegrinnedfor。Thefirstcompetitorthatenteredthelistswasablack，swarthyFrenchman，whoaccidentallypassedthatway，andbeingamannaturallyofawitheredlookandhardfeatures，promisedhimselfgoodsuccess。Hewasplaceduponatableinthegreatpointofview，and，lookinguponthecompanylikeMilton’sDeath，Grinnedhorriblyaghastlysmile。
Hismusclesweresodrawntogetheroneachsideofhisfacethatheshowedtwentyteethatagrin，andputthecountryinsomepainlestaforeignershouldcarryawaythehonouroftheday;butuponafurthertrialtheyfoundhewasmasteronlyofthemerrygrin。
Thenextthatmountedthetablewasamalcontentinthosedays，andagreatmasterinthewholeartofgrinning，butparticularlyexcelledintheangrygrin。Hedidhispartsowellthatheissaidtohavemadehalfadozenwomenmiscarry;butthejusticebeingapprisedbyonewhostoodnearhimthatthefellowwhogrinnedinhisfacewasaJacobite，andbeingunwillingthatadisaffectedpersonshouldwinthegoldring，andbelookeduponasthebestgrinnerinthecounty，heorderedtheoathstobetendereduntohimuponhisquittingthetable，whichthegrinnerrefusing，hewassetasideasanunqualifiedperson。Therewereseveralothergrotesquefiguresthatpresentedthemselves，whichitwouldbetootedioustodescribe。Imustnot，however，omitaploughman，wholivedinthefurtherpartofthecounty，andbeingveryluckyinapairoflonglanternjaws，wrunghisfaceintosuchahideousgrimacethateveryfeatureofitappearedunderadifferentdistortion。Thewholecompanystoodastonishedatsuchacomplicatedgrin，andwerereadytoassigntheprizetohim，haditnotbeenprovedbyoneofhisantagoniststhathehadpractisedwithverjuiceforsomedaysbefore，andhadacrabfounduponhimattheverytimeofgrinning;
uponwhichthebestjudgesofgrinningdeclareditastheiropinionthathewasnottobelookeduponasafairgrinner，andthereforeorderedhimtobesetasideasacheat。
Theprize，itseems，fellatlengthuponacobbler，GilesGorgonbyname，whoproducedseveralnewgrinsofhisowninvention，havingbeenusedtocutfacesformanyyearstogetheroverhislast。Attheveryfirstgrinhecasteveryhumanfeatureoutofhiscountenance;atthesecondhebecamethefaceofspout;atthethirdababoon;atthefourththeheadofabass-viol;andatthefifthapairofnut-crackers。Thewholeassemblywonderedathisaccomplishments，andbestowedtheringonhimunanimously;butwhatheesteemedmorethanalltherest，acountrywench，whomhehadwooedinvainforabovefiveyearsbefore，wassocharmedwithhisgrinsandtheapplauseswhichhereceivedonallsides，thatshemarriedhimtheweekfollowing，andtothisdaywearstheprizeuponherfinger，thecobblerhavingmadeuseofitashisweddingring。
Thispapermightperhapsseemveryimpertinentifitgrewseriousintheconclusion。Iwould，nevertheless，leaveittotheconsiderationofthosewhoarethepatronsofthismonstroustrialofskill，whetherornotheyarenotguilty，insomemeasure，ofanaffronttotheirspeciesintreatingafterthismannerthe\"humanfacedivine，\"andturningthatpartofus，whichhassogreatanimageimpresseduponit，intotheimageofamonkey;whethertheraisingsuchsillycompetitionsamongtheignorant，proposingprizesforsuchuselessaccomplishments，fillingthecommonpeople’sheadswithsuchsenselessambitions，andinspiringthemwithsuchabsurdideasofsuperiorityandpre-eminence，hasnotinitsomethingimmoralaswellasridiculous。
TRUSTINGOD。
Sifractusillabaturorbis，Impavidumferientruinae-
HOR。，Car。iii。3，7。
Shouldthewholeframeofnatureroundhimbreak，Inruinandconfusionhurled，He，unconcerned，wouldhearthemightycrack，Andstandsecureamidstafallingworld。
ANON。
Man，consideredinhimself，isaveryhelplessandaverywretchedbeing。Heissubjecteverymomenttothegreatestcalamitiesandmisfortunes。Heisbesetwithdangersonallsides，andmaybecomeunhappybynumberlesscasualtieswhichhecouldnotforesee，norhavepreventedhadheforeseenthem。
Itisourcomfort，whileweareobnoxioustosomanyaccidents，thatweareunderthecareofOnewhodirectscontingencies，andhasinHishandsthemanagementofeverythingthatiscapableofannoyingoroffendingus;whoknowstheassistancewestandinneedof，andisalwaysreadytobestowitonthosewhoaskitofHim。
ThenaturalhomagewhichsuchacreaturebearstosoinfinitelywiseandgoodaBeingisafirmrelianceonHimfortheblessingsandconveniencesoflife，andanhabitualtrustinHimfordeliveranceoutofallsuchdangersanddifficultiesasmaybefallus。
ThemanwhoalwayslivesinthisdispositionofmindhasnotthesamedarkandmelancholyviewsofhumannatureashewhoconsidershimselfabstractedlyfromthisrelationtotheSupremeBeing。AtthesametimethathereflectsuponhisownweaknessandimperfectionhecomfortshimselfwiththecontemplationofthoseDivineattributeswhichareemployedforhissafetyandhiswelfare。
HefindshiswantofforesightmadeupbytheOmniscienceofHimwhoishissupport。Heisnotsensibleofhisownwantofstrengthswhenheknowsthathishelperisalmighty。Inshort，thepersonwhohasafirmtrustontheSupremeBeingispowerfulinHispower，wisebyHiswisdom，happybyHishappiness。HereapsthebenefitofeveryDivineattribute，andloseshisowninsufficiencyinthefulnessofinfiniteperfection。
Tomakeourlivesmoreeasytous，wearecommandedtoputourtrustinHim，whoisthusabletorelieveandsuccourus;theDivinegoodnesshavingmadesuchrelianceaduty，notwithstandingweshouldhavebeenmiserablehaditbeenforbiddenus。
Amongseveralmotiveswhichmightbemadeuseoftorecommendthisdutytous，Ishallonlytakenoticeofthesethatfollow。
Thefirstandstrongestis，thatwearepromisedHewillnotfailthosewhoputtheirtrustinHim。
Butwithoutconsideringthesupernaturalblessingwhichaccompaniesthisduty，wemayobservethatithasanaturaltendencytoitsownreward，or，inotherwords，thatthisfirmtrustandconfidenceinthegreatDisposerofallthingscontributesverymuchtothegettingclearofanyaffliction，ortothebearingitmanfully。A
personwhobelieveshehashissuccourathand，andthatheactsinthesightofhisfriend，oftenexertshimselfbeyondhisabilities，anddoeswondersthatarenottobematchedbyonewhoisnotanimatedwithsuchaconfidenceofsuccess。Icouldproduceinstancesfromhistoryofgeneralswho，outofabeliefthattheywereundertheprotectionofsomeinvisibleassistant，didnotonlyencouragetheirsoldierstodotheirutmost，buthaveactedthemselvesbeyondwhattheywouldhavedonehadtheynotbeeninspiredbysuchabelief。ImightinthesamemannershowhowsuchatrustintheassistanceofanAlmightyBeingnaturallyproducespatience，hope，cheerfulness，andallotherdispositionsofthemindthatalleviatethosecalamitieswhichwearenotabletoremove。
Thepracticeofthisvirtueadministersgreatcomforttothemindofmanintimesofpovertyandaffliction，butmostofallinthehourofdeath。Whenthesoulishoveringinthelastmomentsofitsseparation，whenitisjustenteringonanotherstateofexistence，toconversewithscenes，andobjects，andcompanions，thatarealtogethernew——whatcansupportherundersuchtremblingsofthought，suchfear，suchanxiety，suchapprehensions，butthecastingofallhercaresuponHimwhofirstgaveherbeing，whohasconductedherthroughonestageofit，andwillbealwayswithher，toguideandcomfortherinherprogressthrougheternity？
DavidhasverybeautifullyrepresentedthissteadyrelianceonGodAlmightyinhistwenty-thirdPsalm，whichisakindofpastoralhymn，andfilledwiththoseallusionswhichareusualinthatkindofwriting。Asthepoetryisveryexquisite，Ishallpresentmyreaderwiththefollowingtranslationofit：
I。
TheLordmypastureshallprepare，Andfeedmewithashepherd’scare;
Hispresenceshallmywantssupply，Andguardmewithawatchfuleye;
MynoondaywalksHeshallattend，Andallmymidnighthoursdefend。
II。
WheninthesultryglebeIfaint，Oronthethirstymountainpant;
TofertilevalesanddewymeadsMyweary，wand’ringstepsHeleads;
Wherepeacefulrivers，softandslow，Amidtheverdantlandscapeflow。
III。
ThoughinthepathsofdeathItread，Withgloomyhorrorsoverspread，Mysteadfastheartshallfearnoill，Forthou，OLord，artwithmestill;
Thyfriendlycrookshallgivemeaid，Andguidemethroughthedreadfulshade。
IV。
Thoughinabareandruggedway，Throughdevious，lonelywildsIstray，Thybountyshallmypainsbeguile：
ThebarrenwildernessshallsmileWithsuddengreensandherbagecrowned，Andstreamsshallmurmurallaround。