the deftruction than to the security of our species.

Phar. And what would you infer from this melancholy conclufion?

Fred. This obvious truth, that as fhe has taken but little care to preferve thefe bleflings fhe has given us, they are of no great confequence in her eftimation.

Phar. Without doubt.

Fred. Your envy and your grief were both rational, as grief and envy can at any time be, when excited by the lofs of thofe objects you have fixed your heart upon. Your kite was of as much confequence to you then, as any other thing can be at present; and there is nothing which you now

Phar. Suppofing that to be the cafe,lay to heart, that is not equally liable it is not eafy to fee what confolation to difappoint you; that may not be fo very mortifying a doctrine can af-taken from you by a blast of air. Yet ford.

Fred. O, the greatest imaginable. Phar. I am profoundly ignorant of this.

Fred. Does not our beft and trueft wisdom arise from the principles of nature?

Phar. Certainly; there is no other fource for it.

Fred. Then we shall think most wifely, when we hold every object in the fame eftimation that the appears to hold it.

Phar. I understand you. Upon this principle it is our wifdom to set but little value on this life of our's, because nature herself, feems to have fet but little upon it.

Fred. This is what I would conclude.

Phar. Alas! my friend, you may call it wisdom, but the confolation it fhould bring is fill out of fight.

Fred. This kind of wifdom renders it unneceffary.It has fomething more, and better confolation to afford us-it places us above the want of it. Phar. It fhews us our weakness and infignificancy-

you fmile at your boyifh forrow, while you are ready to indulge it for caufes not in the leaft more reafonable. Dear Pharamond, we are ftill children till philofophy has opened the mind, divested it of its unprofitable attachments, and fhewn it the vanity of its idle regrets. A philofopher looks upon the miferies of men, as men look upon the diftreffes of children: to him their caufes appear equally unreasonable, and the forrows they raife upon them not lefs ridiculous.

Phar. That exalted state of mind is, I own, truly valuable.

Fred. To afpire to it is to obtain it. And when on a due eftimate of life itfelf, and the feveral circumstances that attend it, we find nothing of a perishable nature worth either our forrows, for our cares, the mind will feek for fome object of an immortal and unchangeable quality, wherein it may exercife its faculties, and that object is, virtue. When the Roman writer. mentions this as the folid armour with which philofophy invefts her votaries, I make no doubt that he means greatnefs of foul. Such was the general. idea that their word virius conveyed, and, in his progreffive account of phiPhar. This is a doctrine which it lofophy, he naturally leads to it." It must be very difficult to reduce to is the property of her operations," practice. fays he, to wean the foul from its Fred. Have you not, when a fchool-affections, and by that means to seboy, lamented the fall of your kite when it was whirled down by fome fudden and unexpected gust of air?

Fred. And at the fame time teaches us not to be anxious about that which is not worth our anxiety.

Phar, Nothing more likely. Fred, And envied the fuccefs of thofe who had not met with the fame misfortune?

cure it within the ftrong fortifications of virtue." As if he had faid, when, the mind is dif-attached to meaner purfuite, it will naturally recur to fuch as are worthy of it; it will require a dignity which is the foundation of vir tue, which, in hort, is virtue itself.

Here

The Matron. No. LXX.

259

ing quite contrary to their opinions, but compleating their own infelicity by the imprudence of their conduct. In every stage of my journey through life, I have feldom known thofe mar

Here we behold the mind of man in its happiest ftate of philofophic excelJency, afpiring to virtue by confulting its proper dignity. Thus far we confider the effects of those operations : a little refpite, I believe, will be agree-riages happy, which wanted the appro

able to us both.

THE MATRON.

By Mrs. GREY.

NUMBER LXX.

bation and confent of friends and relations on both fides. What confi dence can be reposed either in him or her, who wilfully deceives a near and dear relation in a matrimonial contract, and without confidence what happiness can be found in the marriage-ftate-Let Eliza's aunt, there Am now going, agreeably to my fore, be affured, that she will do a vepromife, and at the request of my ry bad action by commanding or perfair correfpondent Eliza, to give her fuading her niece to conceal the affecthat advice which she is fo bbligingly tion Mr. H. Thornton profeffes for defirous to follow. Sorry am I to her, from his father, and to return the differ from her (apparently) only acknowledged kindneffes fhe has refriend and relation, who has hitherto ceived from the old gentleman, by fe been fo kind to her, and who thinks, ducing his fon, and drawing him from I am perfuaded, that he is acting like that line of duty and affection from a parent, in wishing to fee her niece which he ought on no account to deconduct herself in fuch a manner, as to viate. By inftigating her niece to fa fecure an eligible provifion for life.- unjust a mode of behaviour, Eliza's How many parents, indeed, would re- aunt is extremely reprehenfible, she is joice at fuch a profpect, and like Eli-doubly fo for having endeavoured to za's aunt, encourage the young people corrupt her mind. Happily, however, under their protection to lofe no time, Elizas hitherto fhewn a degree of but to make use of, what they call, e-fortitude fufficient to prevent her comvery honest art to fix the affections of pliance with importunities of too dif the man who happens to have diftin-honourable a nature to merit a juftifiguished them, not in the leaft caring whether his friends approve of the projected union or not yet whatever the generality may think of fuch a proeeeding, it is a proceeding which cannot be defended, as every fpecies of duplicity is blameable, efpecially that which prompts children to be unduti ful and difobedient. Ingratitude at large is a capital vice; filial ingratitude is a vice of the worst kind; it wounds moft deeply. The affection ofvour of another lady for his fon, (and a parent to a child is the ftrongest to fuch prejudices are often entertained be conceived; what diftrefs, therefore, by parents, to the great unhappiness and anxiety must parents endure, when of their children) fhould this be the they fee thofe whom they dearly, cafe, fhould this father abfolutely redoatingly love, whom they have ten-fufe to fee his fon united to Eliza, derly reared, carefully educated, and truly deferving as the is, let her not fondly indulged, make the most un-be tempted by fuch a refufal to fwerve grateful returns by deceiving them; and not only rendering them unhappy, by fighting their admonitions; by act

cation, and I with pleasure make her fentiments public, as they do her infinite credit; not without hoping that they will induce the elder Mr. Thornton to confent to his fon's alliance with a young lady, who has given the strongest proofs of her affection for that fon, by refolving not to connive at the deception of his father. However, fhould this father, blind to her uncommon merit, or prejudiced in fa

from her moft laudable refolution; let her nobly give up the fon rather than be the cause of his acting in on

pofition to his father's will; fhe may be affured of an ample reward for the juftnefs of her conduct. With fo excellent a difpofition, and with fo ex alted a mind, he cannot but appear in a ftriking, an amiable light, to many very deferving men. But were the never to receive another offer, (tho' the foppofition is groundlefs) the fatisfaction which the muft neceffarily feel in confequence of having done her duty, of having acted like a woman of the ftricteft honour, will be a rich compenfation for her difappointment.

Who would not rather chufe to marry him to one who had it not in her pow er to brag of her money; to a woman' fincerely attached to him by the ties of affection, and ready to acknowledge herfelf under obligations to him, and studious, from the lively operation of her heart-felt gratitude, to return all his kind attentions in the most winning manner? Such a woman will deem it her duty to make herfelf every way pleafing in the eyes of her generous hufband, and confider his happiness as an object never to be neglected, as her own is materially concerned in it.-— Such a wife Eliza will, undoubtedly, prove, and I fhall not fcruple, there fore, to recommend her for a daughter to Mr. Thornton, whofe many civilities, for a number of years, fhe gratefully acknowledges, and amply repays by fcorning to deceive him; her conduct, indeed merits fo confiderable an increase of his esteem and friendship, that I am fanguine enough to believe he will not only gain that addition foon, but long enjoy the fatisfactions arifing from it..

The following letter I publish in compliance with the writer's requeft, making no doubt but that the lady to whom it is addreffed will fend a reply to it.

Thus having complied with Eliza's request, I cannot but earnestly with that the advice I have given her may contribute to the happiness which the fo truly deferves, for the noble franknefs of her behaviour. Before I conclude, however, I muft beg leave to fay a few words to thofe parents who may find themselves inclined to reject opportunities of fettling their children with companions for life every way agreeable to them, by confining their views to what they think of moft importance in a matrimonial engagement equal to their interested expectations. Money is, doubtlefs, a neceffagy article; and no inan, who loves a woman fincerely, ought to think of marrying her without a competency on her fide or his own, or from the union of their fortunes: but when once that competency is fecured, it is fufficient if they are contented with it. Riches alone cannot parchafe felicity, nor can the largelt incomes make thofe couples happy, whofe hands are joined without the free confent of their hearts.ucd, an epithet I ftudiously endeavour I have also known women affume many not to deserve. Forgive my boldness high airs, in confequence of having for prefuming to take pen in hand to brought their husbands feveral thou- fo happy a lady. You feem to attack fand pounds, and even run into fach me as if I had written against mardifproportioned expences, that they riage; once more perufe mine, and have not only found their infulencë suf- you will find it quite otherwife. I ficiently mortifying, but their extre-diffuade Mifs Partlett from it, and fo sagane ruinoudy deflru&tive. When a woman of this caft marries a man with a determination to live up to the fortune in every refpect, the generally gef beyond it. To fuch a woman where is the prudent father or mother who would with to fee a fon united?

To the happiest of married Womer.

"What a fweet signature have you chofen! though I perceive you have miftaken mine: it meant pafter alone, without the ugly appellation of all-naq

I would any woman at her time of life. I think youth, undoubtedly, the feafon for marriage: it is the great law of nature, and what ought to be encouraged for the good of the community. But when the parties are not young the cafe is quite altered

and

Thoughts on the Return of Spring. 2

and from Mrs. Grey's account our friend Pen is part her prime, and her fortune feems the bait: then ought

261

THOUGHTS on the return of SPRING. (Concluded from p. 176.)

HOW

the not to be warned of her danger? this delightful feafon ! Flowers OW gay is the face of nature at In regard to fettlements, (forgive the repetition of your own words) you fay in rich abundance fpring wherever we "a worthy man who loves and efteems tread, bloom wherever we look. Evehis wife, will be careful not to hurt ry brake and every thicket wears a ruher intereft." Granted: but can the ral nofegay. The fields and groves worthieft, beft of men, infure himself are covered with the deepest_green, from misfortunes?-No; he cannot; and enamelled with flowers of every they will, unavoidably, arife: there hue, which, when viewed at a distance, fore ought they not to be guarded a have a fine effect upon the eye, appear gainft? Is the man hurt by his wife's blended together, and form a curious having a fettlement?-Is it not fhared fhining carpet, fuch as art has never in common? You, my dear, by your woven. The plaited daify, and the writing, I perceive, are a lucky wo- gold cups embroider the meadows, and man, who have flung yourself and your befpangle the plains; and at the bot-. fortune into the power of a worthy tom of the hedges, in the fequeftered man; but you are not to infer from fhade, the aromatic violets open their thence that every woman is to do the treafures, and breathe a moft delightfame.--What is prudence in one, ful fragrance all around. O nature! would be madness in another. I could how wonderful art thou in thy works, produce many inftances where it has and all for the pleasure, the enjoyment been highly neceffary; but as com- of man!-How curious, how delicate, mon life will every day furnish them, inimitable are thy operations !--The I shall fay no more. You advise the view of fo much beauty, fo much elewoman to be more generous. Pray, gance, fo much magnificence, muft my dear happy woman, in what re-furely ftrike the beholder with aftofpect? and wherein would the men benifhment, and infpire a perceptible emore juft? Believe me, I think a wo- latement of mind. Who can furvey man quite generous enough, when the the charms of the season, without a condefcends to bestow herself and her glowing transport of heart? Who but fortune, under proper restrictions.--the most infenfible can fee this proDoes the not give up the most valuable confideration in this life, her liberty? I mean a prudent woman, who wishes to infure her own happiness in that of her husband (as to the giddy triflers of the age, they are below our notice). Can you, who boaft of fo much happiness, but fay, that it is the tudy of your life to oblige your fpoufe?-You must do it is not that hewing your generofity? And do you not, at fome times, find it a hard tafk? If you don't, you are matched to an angel. But I shall grow tire fome, therefore once more apologize for troubling you but all you can will never alter the fentiments of

Berkshire,

:

mifing profpect of fertility; can fee the approaching rites of autumn, and got feel his heart beat high with a peculiar fatisfaction?

See what the vivifying heat, and the genial fhowers of fpring have done!— The trees are no longer bare and expofed, but ftand dreffed in the deepeft verdure. The hedges and thickets have changed their decrepid aspect, and wear again the fmiling marks of juvenility. The verdant family and flowery tribes, that exhibited only a few withered stalks, feel the genial inAuence, break through the glebe, and fayrefume all thofe beauties and attract

A SPINSTER.

(To be continued.)

ve charms that the dreary winter had deprived them of. Myriads of herbs, beyond the power of botanifts to number their kinds, fpring up with a fpontaneous profufion in the fields, and e

even the uncultivated lanes teem with herbage while the feathered fongfters that were ftruck mute, and had toft their melody, renew their notes, congratulate the delightful feafon, and with their inimitable harmony elevate our hearts to fympathize with their raptures.

Tis extremely pleafing to those who have a capacity of relifhing the beauties of nature, to obferve the process, the gradual procefs of vegetation in this flourishing and animating seafon. Mark how the trees put forth their buds, when the kindly influence of returning warmth fhakes off the torpid inaction of winter, and rouzes the fap from its dormant state. At first the leaves and blossoms are locked up from the fight by feveral hues or bandages: this preferves the embryo fruit from nipping cold, and from the ravages of winter, which, were it not thus protected by external coats, would inevitably be deftroyed long before it would be able to unfold. At length the balmy fhowers and increasing warmth of the fpring incite them to unfold their verdant covering, and expand their fragrant bloom. The buds fwell upon the admiring fight, and every day venture farther into the inviting air; till, at length, by a beautiful gradation, and imperceptible degrees, the leaves are fully expanded, and the trees appear robed in all their verdant honours.

fluence, the quadruped class also con cur in the celebration of this charming feafon with conjugal and parental rites. In fhort, all nature teems with life, which it seems difpofed and anxious to continue.

A little while ago nature, divefted of all her charms, fat like a difconfolate widow in her weeds. The ground was strongly bound with frozen fetters, and floods of rain, or deep snow, blocked up the roads. The trees were deprived of all their leafy honours, and a death-like filence reigned amidst the vales. The face of the heavens wore a gloomy afpect, and dreadful ftorms mustered up their forces, and made a fierce attack upon our isle.The groves were no longer gay, nor the fields inviting.The bloomy meads and flowery plains were no more. In short, all the beauties of nature, all the decorations of the landfcape were effaced, totally effaced !— But now (amiable, lovely change!) the dreary melancholy feafon is expired, and nature stands dreft in all the charming robes of fpring. In fact, the vernal months are come; the clouds drop fatnefs, and the air foftens into balm. The ground affumes a new covering, over all the furface the chearing green fpreads itself, and is continually upon the advancing hand, till the verdant carpet covers the hills and dales, the plains and fields. FloHow exhilarating to the mind of man ra has alfo vifited us, and spread flowis this youth of the year, this renova- ers in rich profufion all over the tion of nature !-'Tis the feafon of ground.--See with what a liberal pleafing hope, lively energy, and rapid hand the has thrown them over the deincrcafe. Not only the vegetable tribe lightful landfcape! Ten thoufand dif appear flushed with new life, but ani- ferent kinds appear around us. They mals of every order, every denomina- breathe balm on the gentle gales, and tion, exult in the chearing influence, perfume the foft delicious air. How and begin to generate. The feather-beautifully are the hills and plains ened race are now employed in the pleaf-amelled! The meads also are most eing occupations which are to engage them the whole feason. Animated by returning fpring, thofe vital fpirits which were locked up during the winter, begin to expand; thofe warblings which were hufhed during the colder feafons, enliven the fields, and every bufh-refounds with the delightful con cert. Affected by the fame. foft in

legantly embroidered. Nothing, Ithink, can be more exhilarating to the mind, than this fweet tranfition of nature.Before the frowned; but now the smiles upon us. Again the resumes her gaiv ety; again fhe wears the charming, the enchanting, the attracting robe of beauty.

Market-Lavington, Wilti. ` \ J. L-a.