THE mind delights to dwell on the fate of humanity, as on that which is the prime central movement of the mighty machine. We love not to think that we shall mix with the ages that have gone before us, as the broad black rain-drops mingle with the water of waters, making a trifling and momentary eddy, and are then lost for ever. WALTER SCOTT. -THERE's a steadiness of soul and thought, THE glitter of false wit, like the shine of false jewels, serves at once to shew the vanity and poverty of the possessor. OH! tis a blessed thing to know, That there is One, in weal or woe, To feel when not a friend is near, There is a soul which would not shrink, Which of the cup you drank would drink, Then flow no more, thou foolish tear, ALLEGIANCE, tempted too far, is like MASSINGER. To be good and disagreeable is high treason against virtue ; and yet how many people are guilty of this crime! Those who have no character to lose, and whose sole tenure in society depends on what they contribute to it, have strong motives for exerting their powers of pleasing; and in a world where people must be amused as well as edified, it would be wiser if agreeableness were as frequently united with the solid virtues, as unfortunately we find it joined with qualities of an opposite nature. DISHONOUR Waits on perfidy. The villain Should blush to think a falsehood: 'tis the crime Of cowards. DR. JOHNSON. CUSTOM forms all; Our thoughts, our morals, our most fix'd belief, Are consequences of our place of birth. BELIEVE me, That when the wind of Promise and of Hope HAVARD. O ELOQUENT! O just! O mighty Death! Whom all have trembled at, thy might has dar'd; With common ashes to an humble grave. SEWELL. THERE are some that use Humility to serve their pride, and seem Humble upon their way, to be prouder At their wish'd journey's end. DENHAM. THOU art the source and centre of all minds, COWPER. GOD is on the side of virtue; for whoever dreads punishment, suffers it; and whoever deserves it, dreads it. THE power to give creates us oft our foes: FROWDE. A LOVER'S hope resembles the bean in the nursery tale, let it once take root, and it will grow so rapidly, that in the course of a few hours the giant Imagination builds a castle on the top, and by and by comes Disappointment with the 'curtal axe,' and hews down both the plant and the superstructure. WALTER SCOTT. IN struggling with misfortunes, Lies the true proof of virtue. On smooth seas Or made a prey to Neptune. Ev'n thus SHAKESPEARE. HONOUR is a sacred tie, the law of Kings, ADDISON. |