how different would it be from that which any of our species would draw up!

2. We are dazzled with the splendor of titles, the ostentation of learning, the noise of victories. They on the contrary, see the philosopher in the cottage, who possesses his soul in patience and thankfulness, under the pressures of what little minds call poverty and distress. They do not look for great men at the head of armies, or among the pomps of the court, but often find them out in shades and solitudes, in the private walks of life. The evening's walk of a wise man is more illustrious in their sight, than the march of a general at the head of his thousands.

3. A contemplation of God's works; a voluntary act of justice to our own detriment; a generous concern for the good of mankind tears that are shed in silence for the misery of others; aprivate desire of resentment broken. and subdued; in short, an unfeigned exercise of hu mility, or any other virtue, are such actions as are glorious in their sight, and denominate men great, and reputable. The most famous among us are often looked upon with pity, with contempt, or with indignation ; while those who are most obscure among their own species are regarded with love, with approbation and esteem.

4. The moral of the present application amounts to this: that we should not be led away by the censures and applause of men, but consider the figure every person will make at that time when wisdom shall be justified of her. children, and nothing pass for great or illustrious, which is not an ornament and perfection to human nature.

CHAPTER LXV.

THE HERO AND THE SAGE.

1 A WARRIOR, who had been the successful commander of armies, on boasting of the thousands he had slain in the field, or cut off by stratagem, roused the indignant but humane feelings of a Sage, who, unawed by military prowess, thus rebuked the insolence of his triumph: "You seem to exult, Sir, in the destruction of your kind, and to recapitulate with satisfaction the numbers you have deprived of life, or rendered miserable. As, a man, I blush for you; as a philosopher, I pity you; as a Christian, I despise you.”

2. The hero reddened with wrath; he frowned with contempt; but he did not yet open his lips. "I am patriot enough (continued the Sage) to wish well to the arms of my country. I honor her valiant sons who support her glory and independence, and who risk their lives in her defence; but however meritorious this may be, in a just cause, the truly brave will lament the cruel necessity they are under of sacrificing their fellow-men; and the generous will rather commiserate than triumph.

3. "I never read of a battle, of the destruction of thou-sands and tens of thousands, but I involuntarily enter into calculations on the extent of misery which then ensues. The victims of the sword are, perhaps, least the objects of pity; they have fallen by an honorable and an instant » death, and are removed from the consciousness of the woes they have left behind. I extend my views to their surviving relatives, and friends. I bewail the lascerated ties of nature. I sympathise with the widow and the orphan. My heart bleeds for parental agonies I depict the warm vows of a genuine affection forever lost; the silent throb of exquisite anguish; the tear which perhaps is forbidden to flow; and, from such a contemplation, I turn away.. with a sensibility that represses exultation for victory, however brilliant, and for success, however complete.'

4. The warrior clapped his hand on his sword; he looked with indignation, but still was mute. TheSage went

on.

"I almost forget the name of enemy, when I reflecton the misery of man. The malignant passions that ex-cite hostilities, between nations or individuals, seldom return on the aggressors' heads. Were this the case, moral justice would be satisfied, and reason would have less to censure or lament. But when the innocent suffer for the guilty, who can think without concern, or withhold commiseration, though fell necessity may sanction the devastations of war."

5. "Do you mean to insult me, Sir ?" sternly demand-` ed the Hero. "This canting hypocritical affectation of sentiment I will not brook. But you are too insignificant for my resentment." "I confess my insignificance, (rejoined the Sage) my actions have never been blazoned in gazettes; yet I have neither been idle nor uselessly employed. As far as my abilities would allow, I have en

deavoured to make mankind wiser and better. If I have failed to increase the stock of human happiness, my heart does not accuse me of diminishing its supplies. Few have an opportunity of doing much good; but the most insignificant and contemptible are qualified to do harm."

6. Here the Hero and the Sage parted; neither was able to convince the other of the importance of his sexvices; the former ordered his coach, and was gazed at with admiration by the unthinking mob; the latter re tired to his garret, and was forgotten.

CHAPTER LXVI.

THE FUNERAL.

1. IF there are a fortunate few who have little reason to“ complain of the fatigues and inconveniences of life, there are also many who drink deep of the cup of affliction ; so deeply that they court the icy hand of death to relieve them from the inquietudes and pains which render their existence insupportable. How mournful is the passing bell of those we love! how much more sadly solemn does it strike our ear when tolling for those we have lately seen in the bloom of health and cheerfulness of youth, and with whom we have conversed, with social ease, of pleasing prospects.

2. Some favorites of fortune pass on so easy and so tranquil, have so many delightful scenes in view, are engaged in so many enchanting plans of amusement, that they dread the gloomy messenger should announce their tour to be completed. They dream not that the period of their enjoyments is so near.

3. In the pleasurable hurry of dissipation they are unmindful of the inevitable hour. We start with horror from the pangs of dissolution! Let us pause upon this mournful truth. Is it the monitor within that makes us tremble? Do we feel the misery, arising from conscious guilt? Do we shudder at the doom that awaits us? The virtuous look forward with a patient eye; send up a sigh to heaven; and drop a tear of chaste repentance over all their errors.

4. Could we wipe them from our hearts, we would commit no more. But we are human, and must, there fore, err. The frailties we regret are interwoven with our

frame; our Maker sees, and will forgive them: When we have paid this last great debt of nature, those who loved us living, will no more remember the imperfections that marked our conduct; the tears of sorrow shed at our exit, will wash all our improprieties from their recollection.

5. Death may be esteemed the veil which conceals, or obliterates, all we wish to be thrown into oblivion; or it may be viewed as a mirror that reflects every softening tint, all the pleasing, all the engaging qualities which endeared us to our friends, or rendered us agreeable to our acquaintance. In this reflector, with all the tender partiality with which we could wish to be contemplated in the most ambitious moment, of towering vanity, every shade is lightened to the eye, and every varied color enlivened in the memory.

CHAPTER LXVII.

ON CONFUCIUS.

1. THE celebrated Chinese philosopher, Confucius, did not grow in knowledge by degrees, as children usually do, but seemed to arrive at reason and the perfection of his faculties almost from his infancy. He had a grave and serious deportment, which gained him respect, ander plainly foretold what he one day would be.

2. What distinguished him most was his unexampled and exalted piety. He honored his relations, he endeavoured in all things to imitate his grandfather, who was then alive in China, and a most holy man. It was observable that he never ate any thing but he prostrated himself on the ground, and offered it first to the supremes Lord of heaven.

3. One day when he was a child he heard his grandfather fetch a deep sigh; and going up to him with much reverence," may I presume," say he, "without losing the respect I owe you, to inquire into the occasion of your grief? Perhaps you fear that your posterity should degenerate from your virtue, and dishonor you by their vices."

4. What put this thought into your head, says his grandfather to him; and where have you learnt to speak: in this manner? «From yourself," replied Confucius. "I attend diligently to you every time you speak; and I s

have often heard you say, that a son, who does not by his own virtue support the glory of his ancestors, and imitate the virtues of his parents, does not deserve to bear their name."

5. At the age of twenty-three, when he had gained considerable knowledge of antiquity, and acquainted himself with the laws and customs of his country, he began to project a scheme for a general reformation; for then all the little kingdoms depended upon the Emperor; but it often happened that the imperial authority was not able to keep them within the bounds of their duty, each of the kings being master of his dominions

6. Confucius, wisely persuaded that the people could never be happy, so long as avarice, ambition, voluptuous-ness, and false policy should reign in this manner, resolved to preach up severe morality; and accordingly he began to enforce temperance, justice, and other virtues, to inspire a contempt of riches and outward pomp, to excke to magnanimity and a greatness of soul, which should make men incapable of dissimulation and insincerity.

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7. He used every mean he could devise, to redeem his countrymen from a life of pleasure, to a life of reason. He was every where known, and as much beloved. His extreme knowledge, and great wisdom, soon made him known his integrity, and the splendour of his virtues, made him beloved, Kings were governed by his wisdom, and the people reverenced him as a saint. He inculcated fidelity and candour. among the men, exhorted the women to chastity and simplicity of manners. By such methods he wrought a general reformation, and established every where such concord and humanity that the whole kingdom seemed as if it were but one great family.

8. Thus the people, regulated by the wise maxims and precepts of Confucius, enjoyed general happiness, till at length, the jealousy of the neighboring kings was excited. They were convinced that a king, under the counsel of such a man as Confucius, would soon become too powerful. Confucius had the misfortune to live in times, when rebellion, wars, and tumults raged throughout the empire.

9. Some philosophers among his contemporaries were so affected with the terrible state of things, that they had rusticated themselves into the mountains and deserts, as