right disposition, and behave accordingly, nothing ought to make me melancholy, or unhappy, nothing can, nothing shall. Forward beyond this life, in this case I not only may, but ought to look, with joy and hope, with cheerfulness and alacrity of spirit. Forward in this life, it is not only painful, but faulty to look either with anxiety, or with self-flattering schemes. Yet on this present scene, from day to day, and forward, so far as is necessary to the duty of prudence, I may look with a smile of content and gratitude: for every day has something, has innumerable things good and cheerful in it, if I know but how to make the best of it.

In a change of situation, think not like a child, of the toys you leave, and the toys you shall find, to make you amends for them. All play-things are brittle. Think not, like a grazing animal, that you have changed one pasture for another: and shall graze on this, or that herb here, with delight: "The herb "withereth, the flower fadeth" every where. But think, like a reasonable creature.-This change was apointed for me: acquiescence is my duty duty must be my support. Yet I know, such is the condescendence of infinite

goodness, that I shall have many a slighter relief, and agreeableness thrown in: but these are by the bye: not to be reckoned on beforehand, nor to be grieved for, if they fail or intermit.

ESSAY XXIV.

On the Happiness derived from Society.

WHAT are my ideas of happiness? Negative ones present themselves first. A freedom from guilt-from self-dislike-from fear-from vexation-from languor-from pain-from

sorrow.

The joy of early youth and early morning, that is, vigour and capacity for continual improvement, and a long space before one to exert them in, with a variety of new and noble objects. But, alas, how am I fitted for this, who have acquired such strong habits of loitering indolence-lost all power of application.

Therefore application, a habit of it ought to be re-acquired, though the objects of it here, are looked upon with the indifference they so highly deserve.

The approbation, and protection, and guidance of the good, wise, amiable, and greathow much have I undeservedly experienced of that, even here! But mixed with a pain

fulness, and degree of suspicion, from feeling that I am nothing, and have no claim to it: and that the best of them are but a degree above nothing: are fallible, and may be deceived, in me, or mislead me: are mortal, and must forsake me, and leave me.-But look higher, and there is a power, that can make us what it will, and goodness that wills our happiness, and wisdom, that can fully fit us for it and majesty and amiableness-no expression can reach the ideas, that fill the soul, in this contemplation and hope. Total solitude in the enjoyment of thoughts like these, seems, to me, high happiness.-But the corruptible body would soon press down the mind: the exhausted spirits would sink into wretchedness, and there would be a self-reproach for the neglect of social duties. There will be duration enough for all, hereafter, and strength for every various exertion. There are some poor pleasures here, which are only such, because the mortal frame requires them, as it does food, and sleep. These are what one calls relaxations, amusements, trifles, that unbend the mind, and vary its ideas agreeably. The sight of gay flowers, or sunny landscapes; the song of birds; the sportings of innocent imagination, in some trifling book;

the gaieties of young animals *. I am very thankful for these, in their season, but past the moment they are necessary, the landscape soon fades, if seen by one's self alone; and the book gives it quite another kind of delight, if read in a society, that are equally pleased. The amusement of animals, is from seeing them happy, and all this tends to promote right dispositions, as the contemplation of beautiful objects, and sweet sounds, raises the mind to grateful adoration.

The mortal pleasure I can the least know how to lay out of my ideas, is the sweet forgetfulness of quiet and refreshing sleep: a great blessing here, but only here where there are cares, and fears and follies to be forgot. But if not indulged beyond needful refreshment, it ought, surely, while we are here, to be accepted with humble thankfulness.

The joys of society are of all others, most mixed with pain. Yet where all are perfect, and where all are happy, how sublime must

* How much delight the pious as well as elegant mind of Miss Talbot received from these innocent trifles is particularly observable in her Letters to Mrs. Carter from Cuddesden.

See the " Series of Letters." Vol. I