Oh! what is silence here below? And, to the wayworn pilgrim here, From earthly agonies set free, Tir'd with the path too slowly trod, In proportion as any one is excellent, does he stand less in need of extrinsic testimony: for a good man, satisfied with himself, does nothing in order that it might be known. If he wants commendation, he has virtue ever with him for his best commender; if he wants defence, and it is no uncommon thing for him to be assailed by slander and envious abuse, he intrenches himself in his own integrity, and in the impregnable consciousness of righteous deeds; where, as within a rampart and strong fortress, he receives the vain assaults, and frustrates the darts of unprincipled men. MILTON. NOT seldom is the soul depress'd For there are woes that wring the breast Sorrows that do not fade with years, But, dwelling all too deep for tears, Rankle eternally! A. A. WATTS. It THE sound, and proper exercise of imagination, may be made to contribute to the cultivation of all that is virtuous, and estimable in the human character. leads us in particular, to place ourselves in the situation of others, to enter into their feelings and wants, to participate in their distresses. It thus tends to the cultivation of sympathy, and the benevolent affections; and promotes all those feelings which exert so extensive an influence in the duties of civil and religious intercourse. We may even say, that we exercise imagination, when we endeavour to act upon that high standard of morals, which requires us, to do to others, what we would be done by." For in this situation, we must imagine ourselves in the situation of other men, and in their character, judge of our own conduct towards them. Thus, the man deficient in imagination, though he may be free from any thing unjust or dishonourable, is apt to be cold, contracted, and selfish, regardless of the feelings, and indifferent to the distresses of others. 66 ABERCROMBIE. WHAT is the worst of woes that wait on age? Before the Chastener humbly let me bow, BYRON. THE Voice of reason is more to be regarded than the bent of any present inclination; since inclination will at length come over to reason, though we can never force reason to comply with inclination. ADDISON. LIFE. 66 WHAT is the gift of life?" Speak thou, in young existence revelling; There is a path of light mark'd out for thee, Yes, Life indeed may seem a joyous thing. "What is the gift of Life" To thee, subdued and taught by wisdom's voice, Whose cup of joy is ebbing out in haste, Of what Life was, and what it might have been; "What is the gift of Life" To him who reads with Heav'n-instructed eye? The future Heaven just breaking on the sight; Oh! is not Life a bright inspiring thing? "What is the gift of Life" To him whose soul through this tempestuous road No sin to sully, and no grief to blight; Is not that better light a glorious thing? EMILY TAYLOR. A PERFECT democratical representation may exist, and, for aught I know or care, may exist beneficially as a whole. But I am not sent to Parliament to inquire into the question whether a democracy or a monarchy is the best. My lot is cast under the British monarchy: under that I have lived, under that I have seen my country flourish, under that I have seen it enjoy as great a share of prosperity, of happiness, and of glory, as I believe any modification of human society to be capable of bestowing, and I am not prepared to sacrifice, or to hazard the fruit of centuries of experience, of centuries of struggles, and of more than one century of liberty, as perfect as ever blessed any country upon the earth, for visionary schemes of ideal perfectibility, or doubtful experiments even of possible improvement. CANNING. WHAT are the ensigns of imperial sway? When bleeds the heart as Genius blooms unknown, OGILVIE. |