Page images
PDF
EPUB

having had excellent tutors himself; and for having found the like blessing for his children.

SECTION III.

On filial piety.

ROLIIN.

1. FROM the creatures of God let man learn wisdom, and apply to himself the instruction they give. Go to the desert, my son: observe the young stork of the wilderness; let him speak to thy heart. He bears on his wings his aged sire: he lodges him in safety, and supplies him with food.

2. The piety of a child is sweeter than the incense of Persia offered to the sun; yea, more delicious than odours wafted from a field of Arabian spices, by the western gales.

3. Be grateful to thy father, for he gave thee lite; and to thy mother, for she sustained thee. Hear the words of their mouth, for they are spoken for thy good; give ear to their admonition, for it proceeds from love.

4. Thy father has watched for thy welfare, he has toiled for thy ease: do honour, therefore, to his age, and let not his gray hairs be treated with irreverence. Forget not thy helpless infancy, nor the frowardness of thy youth; and bear with the infirmities of thy aged parents: assist and support them in the decline of life. So shall their hoary heads go down to the grave in peace: and thy own children, in reverence of thy example hall repay thy piety with filial love.

ECONOMY OF HUMAN LIFE.

SECTION IV.

Love between brothers and sisters.

1. You are the children of one father, provided for by his care; and the breast of one mother gave you suck. Let the bonds of affection, therefore, unite thee with thy brothers and sisters, that peace and happiness may dwell in thy father's house.

2. And when you are separated in the world, remember the relation that binds you to love and unity; and prefer not a stranger before thy own blood. If thy brother is in adversity, assist him; if thy sister is in trouble, forsake her not. So shall the fortunes of thy father contribute to the

support of his whole race; and his care be continued to you all, in your love to each other. ECONOMY OF HUMAN LIFE.

SECTION V.

Benevolence.

1. WHEN thou considerest thy wants, when thou behold est thy imperfections, acknowledge his goodness, O son of humanity! who honoured thee with reason; endued thee with speech; and placed thee in society, to receive and confer reciprocal helps and mutual obligations.

2. Thy food, thy clothing, thy convenience of habita ion; thy protection from the injuries, thy enjoyment of the comforts and the pleasures of life; all these thou owest to the assistance of others, and couldst not enjoy but in the bands of society. It is thy duty, therefore, to be a friend to mankind, as it is thy interest that man should be friendly to thee.

3. Rejoice in the happiness and prosperity of thy neighDour. Open not thy ear to slander: the faults and failings of men give pain to a benevolent heart Desire to do good, and search out occasions for it; in removing the oppression of another, the virtuous mind relieves itself.

4. Shut not thine ear against the cries of the poor; nor harden thy heart against the calamities of the innocent. When the fatherless call upon thee, when the widow's heart is sunk, and she implores thy assistance with tears of sorrow; pity their affliction, and extend thy hand to those who have none to help them. When thou seest the naked wanderer of the street, shivering with cold, and destitute of habitation, let bounty open thy heart; let the wings of charity shelter him from death, that thy own soul may

Live.

5. Whilst the poor man groans on the bed of sickness; whilst the unfortunate languish in the horrors of a dungeon; or the hoary head of age lifts up a feeble eye to thee for pity; how canst thou riot in superfluous enjoy ments, regardless of their wants, unfeeling of their woes

ECONOMY OF HUMAN LIE

[ocr errors]

SECTION VI.

Ingratitude to our Supreme Benefactor, is highly culpable.

1. ARTABANES was distinguished with peculiar favour by a wise, powerful, and good prince. A magnificent palace, surrounded with a delightful garden, was provided for his residence. He partook of all the luxuries of his sovereign's ble, was invested with extensive authority, and admitted to the honour of a free intercourse with his gracious masBut Artabanes was insensible of the advantages which he enjoyed; his heart glowed not with gratitude and respect; he avoided the society of his benefactor, and abused his bounty.

ter.

2. "I detest such a character," said Alexis, with generous indignation !" It is your own picture which I have drawn," replied Euphronius. "The great Potentate of heaven and earth has placed you in a world, which displays the highest beauty, order and magnificence; and which abounds with every means of convenience, enjoyment, and. happiness. He has furnished you with such powers of bodý and mind, as give you dominion over the fishes of the sea, the fowls of the air, and the beasts of the field. He has invited you to hold communion with him, and to exalt your own nature, by the love and imitation of his divine perfections.

3. "Yet have your eyes wandered, with brutal gaze, over the fair creation, unconscious of the mighty hand from which it sprung. You have rioted in the profusion of nature, without suitable emotions of gratitude to the sovereign Dispenser of all good and you have too often slighted the glorious converse, and forgotten the presence of that omnipotent Being, who fills all space, and exists through all eternity."

SECTION VII.

Speculation and practice.

PERCIVAL.

1. A CERTAIN astronomer was contemplating the moon through his telescope, and tracing the extent of her seas, the height of her mountains, and the number of habitable territories which she contains. "Let him spy what he

pleases," said a clown to his companions; "he is not nearer to the moon than we are."

2. Shall the same observation be made of you, Alexis ? Do you surpass others in learning, and yet in goodness remain upon a level with the uninstructed vulgar? Have you so long gazed at the temple of virtue, without advancing one step towards it? Are you smitten with moral beauty, yet regardless of its attainment? Are you a philosopher in theory, but a novice in practice? The partiality of a father inclines me to hope, that the reverse is true. I flatter myself, that by having learned to think, you will be qualified to act; and that the rectitude of your conduct will be adequate to your improvements in knowledge.

3. May that wisdom which is justified in her works, be your guide through life! And may you enjoy all the felicity which flows from a cultivated understanding, pious and well-regulated affections, and extensive benevolence! In these consists that sovereign good, which ancient sages so much extol; which reason recommends, religion authorises, and God approves.

PERCIVAL:

CHAPTER IV

DESCRIPTIVE PIECES.

SECTION I.

The eagle.

1. THE Golden Eagle is the largest and the noblest, of all those birds that have received the name of Eagle. It weighs above twelve pounds. Its length is three feet; the extent of its wings, seven feet four inches; the bill is three inches long, and of a deep blue; and the eye of a hazel colour. In general, these birds are found in mountains and thinly inhabited countries; and breed among the loftiest cliffs. They choose those places which are remotest from man, upon whose possessions they but seldom make their depredations, being contented rather to follow the wild

game in the forest, than to risk their safety to satisfy their hunger.

2. This fierce animal may be considered among birds, as the lion among quadrupeds; and, in many respects, they have a strong similitude to each other. They are both possessed of force, and an empire over their fellows of the forest. Equally magnanimous, they disdain small plunder; and only pursue animals worthy the conquest. It is not till after having been long provoked, by the cries of the rook or the magpie, that this generous bird thinks fit to punish them with death.

3 The eagle also disdains to share the plunder of another bird; and will take up with no other prey than that which he has acquired by his own pursuits. How hungry soever he may be, he stoops not to carrion; and when satiated, never returns to the same carcass, but leaves it for other animals, more rapacious and less delicate than himself. Solitary, like the lion, he keeps the desert to himself alone; it is as extraordinary to see two pair of eagles in the same mountain, as two lions in the same forest.

4. They keep separate, to find a more ample supply; and consider the quantity of their game as the best proof of their dominion. Nor does the similitude of these animals stop here: they have both sparkling eyes, and nearly of the same colour; their claws are of the same form, their breath equally strong, and their cry equally loud and terrifying. Bred both for war, they are enemies of all society; alike fierce, proud, and incapable of being easily tamed.

5. Of all the feathered tribe, the eagle flies the highest; and from thence the ancients have given him the title of the bird of heaven. He possesses also the sharpest sight; but his sense of smelling, though acute, is inferior to that of a vulture. He never pursues, but when his object is in view; and having seized his prey, he stoops from his height, as if to examine its weight, always laying it on the ground before he carries it off. He finds no difficulty in taking up geese and cranes. He also carries away hares, lambs, and kids; and often destroys fawns and calves, to drink their blood; and bears a part of their flesh to his retreat.

6. Infants themselves, when left unattended, have been destroyed by these rapacious creatures. An instance is recorded in Scotland, of two children having been carried off

pur

« ՆախորդըՇարունակել »