DIALOGUE I.

Description of a Moral but not Gloomy
Retirement.

My dear friend Imagination, what place will you allot for my Winter's habitation, when I have a mind to retire from the hurry of the town, and review the actions of every passing day?

A little hermitage, on the eastern side of the highest mountain, in the kingdom of Katascopia *.

Order a set of ideas to be put to your rapid chariot, and transport me thither as soon as you please; for I am already charmed with the proposal.

A winding path leads you by an imperceptible ascent, through groves of laurels, bays, pines, oaks, cedars, myrtles, and all kinds of beautiful ever-greens, with which the sides of the mountains are eternally covered, to an

*Contemplation..

apartment cut out in the substance of the rock, and consisting of two rooms. You enter into the first, through an arch hewn out, without much art; and whose only ornaments are the ivy, with which it is almost entirely overgrown, and the chrystalline isicles, which winter hangs on the inequalities of its surface. The only light that it receives, is through this arch; and the plainness of the furniture is answerable to that of the building. The floor is covered with a kind of moss, that is always dry; and a couch of the same goes round the room. On the right side, at the further end, is a little stone-table, with the Hermit's usual furniture, a book, a skull, an hour-glass, and a lamp. Near the mouth of the cave is a telescope and on the left side, a small door opens into a little square apartment, formed to indulge less melancholy meditations. Opposite to the entrance, are shelves filled with books, of a serious and moral nature, that take up one side of the room. A bed of plain white dimity, with two chairs of the same, is opposite to the chimney, where a cheerful wood fire is continually blazing. Near the fire is placed a little table, and a low seat, more for conveni, ence, than show; and the walls are covered

with a white paper, over which, a vine seems to spread its leafy shade.

You have described this retirement to my wish. A mere hermitage would be too gloomy for a constant dwelling. And yet there are many hours in which the solemnity of the outward cell, with the moon shining into it, and faintly gleaming on its melancholy furniture, would suit my turn of thought, better than the brightest sun, glittering on the gayest scenes.

I have not yet mentioned to you the most agreeable circumstance of the outward cell, its delightful and extensive view.

Is not that obstructed by the groves of evergreens, through which you ascend to this seat of calm wisdom?

It is placed high enough for the spectator to look over their venerable tops, and see the current of life, a wide extended ocean, gliding swiftly along, at the foot of the mountain. Beyond it, but half concealed in woods, lie the happy islands, and the bleak and doleful regions, where all that infinite number of barks, that cover this immense ocean, sooner or later dislodge their weary passengers. The observations you will make, from this eminence, on the course of the sea, the various rocks and whirlpools, that make its passage

dangerous; the conduct of the pilots, and the behaviour of the passengers, will give you important instructions, for the guidance of your own bark. You may even see your own: and by a timely observance, avoid every danger that threatens it, and improve every favourable gale, to the best advantage.

DIALOGUE II.

Enquiry how far Practice has kept pace with Intention.

WHAT have you done, this Summer?
Rode, and laughed, and fretted.

To learn geography, mathematics, decimal fractions, and good humour: to work a screen, draw copies of two or three fine prints, and read abundance of history: to improve my memory, and restrain my fancy to lay out my time to the best advantage: to be happy myself, and make every body else so. Το read Voltaire, Newton, Whiston's Euclid and Tillotson's Sermons.

Have read nothing?

you

Yes: some of the Sermons; Mrs. Rowe's Works: the Tale of a Tub; a book of Dr. Watts's; L'Histoire du Ciel; Milton, and abundance of plays and idle books.

Do you remember nothing of your geography?

Not so much as what belongs to England.
Mathematics