DIALOGUE V.

On the Nature of human Happiness.

LISAURA was complaining one day to Paulina, that happiness was no where to be found. How do you contrive, said she, to be cheerful and easy, so constantly contented in your appearance? When, I am convinced, that at the bottom, you must have some lurking dissatisfaction, some concealed uneasiness, that secretly diffuses its venom over your enjoyments ?

It is true, said Paulina, my history is pretty extraordinary, and my life, has been crost by a thousand accidents, that reason and religion. apart, would make my happiness appear doubtful enough. But prithee, Lisaura, how do you come to suspect it, who, I am persuaded, know little of my real story, and are young enough to judge of the sincerity of other people's appearance, by your own.

Why, it is from that very cause you name, replied Lisaura. In all the bloom of health and youth, in all the ease of situation imagin,

able, I still perceive a discontent, that preys upon my heart. Sometimes, I am anxious for the long futurity even of common life, that lies before me: that lies, like a wild, unknown, and barren plain, wrapt up in thick fogs of uncertainty. Sometimes I lose myself in melancholy reflections on the past. My cares, and attentions, which then so busily engaged me, seem now such a heap of impertinences, and follies, that I sicken at them, and at myself. And then, what a strong presumption do they give one, even against those of the present hour! That present hour, how vain is it, how uneasy, what a very trifle will entirely sour it! With all this, any body that considered my situation in life, would pronounce me happy. How then can I be secure of the happiness of any other person?

Shall I tell you, answered Paulina, why you are not sure of your own?

Oh most willingly, cried Lisaura.

Well then, resumed Paulina--but come my dear, tell me a little of the assembly you were at, last week.

The transition is a little hasty, said Lisaura, smiling.

No matter for that, you will lose nothing

S

by it, in the end: perhaps I may give you a more studied discourse in the afternoon.

Well then, what can I tell you, but that I was fatigued to the greatest degree; and after long expectation, and five hours vain pursuit of amusement, came home, at last, utterly dissatisfied.

Amusement! That is a very general word : in what shape did you think, that it was to appear to you?

Lisaura coloured, and Paulina went on.

Your mistake, dear Lisaura, in life, is the very same, that it was in this assembly, and will lead you into the same dissatisfied satiety. You, not you only, but most young people, form to yourself a general and vague idea of happiness, which, because it is uncertain in its being, is as variable as your temper: so that whenever you meet with any thing that does not exactly suit the present humour, you imagine you have missed of happiness: and so indeed you have; but quite in a different way. The perfect idea of happiness, belongs to another world: as such it is always to be kept in view, and therein consists the point of human happiness, which no vicissitudes of human affairs can alter.

But human happiness has separate from this, a very real existence, and has distinguishing characteristics of its own. One of these is imperfection: and a necessary one it is to be known. Our business, in this world, was not to sit down, and be satisfied, but to rub on through many difficulties, and through many duties, with just accommodations enough to support us among them in a cheerful frame of mind; such a cheerful and easy frame of mind, as is at all times, disposed to relish the beauties of nature, and the comforts of society, though not enough attached to them, to make the parting difficult.

To form any other notion of happiness, than this, is a folly that will punish itself. Duty excepted, all the concerns of human life are of slight importance: and when once we have possessed our minds of that belief, all those mysterious phantoms, that gave us such real anxiety, will immediately disappear. The opinion of the world, figure, obscurity, poverty, wealth, contempt, fear, pain, affliction, will appear to be momentary concerns, and therefore little worth long hours of serious thought. Yet all these things are worth so much, hat just as far as reason directs us, it is matter of duty to pursue, or avoid them. But when`

choice has nothing to do, content is every thing. Content did I say? I should have added, gratitude; for much indeed, the state even of this world deserves. For that, however, I will refer you to Dr. Barrow. He lies upon my table, above stairs and has something in his style so sweet, so strong and animated, that I cannot recommend you a better companion.

I have often been charmed with him at home, replied Lisaura, and, as fond as you see me of idle amusement, I am not insensible to the excellencies of so grave an author. I have been pleased to hear very good judges call him the English Demosthenes: and I have felt a secret delight in hearing applied to this noble orator, who (in spite of those peculiar expressions, which the copiousness of his diction seems to call in, from all parts) has so often warmed me with sentiments unknown before, what Longinus says of the other, that one might as well face the dazzling lightening, as stand against the force of his eloquence.- -Bless me, how do I run on! You were teaching me to be happy, pursue the lesson. I have done.

I'll tell you then, my dear Lisaura: attend
Convinced by reason and religion,

to me.