ries generally begin with kings. The kinds of government are three, the monarchy, the aristocracy, and the democracy. But each of these governments has its defects as well as its advantages. The constitution of Great Britain is ресиliarly beautiful and happy, as by uniting the three, it avoids the inconveniences of each, and possesses the advantages of all. No. 101.] WAR. [WEDNESDAY. War has very justly, as well as emphatically, been styled the scourge of mankind.' It has its origin in pride, avarice, envy, and revenge; and generally ends in cruelty, injustice, and all sorts of crimes. While war prevails, it is impossible society can flourish that party which is the weakest cannot employ a single moment on the liberal arts and embellishments of life, while the victorious party flushed with conquest, generally sink into luxury and vice. War however is just and necessary, when undertaken in the defence of virtue, or for the repression of injustice and lawless power. It is sometimes necessary for the sake of peace. Thus God, who says to the sea "Thus far shalt thou go and no farther!" sets bounds to the violence of man, and makes even his worst actions productive of some good. No. 102.1 PEACE. [THURSDAY. For it Peace is the ultimate wish of all men. is in a state of peace alone that we can enjoy the acquisition of knowledge, riches, or honours. Nothing is so agreeable to the mind of man as peace and tranquillity, yet the quiet and ease men enjoy in peace, have a tendency to make them careless and irreligious; are apt to put them off their guard, and make them become a prey to every vice. Peace gives the human faculties liberty to expand themselves, and has generally been styled the Nurse of Arts, yet if not accompanied by virtue, it is often productive of as many evils as war; for, without religion and virtue no state can afford true enjoyment. No. 103.] DIVERSIONS. [FRIDAY. The words commonly used to signify diversion are these three, relaxation, amusement, and recreation. When diversion becomes the business of life, its nature is changed; all rest presupposes labour. A sentence is passed upon all poor men, that if they do not work, they shall not eat; and a similar sentence seems passed upon the rich, who, if they are not in some respect useful to the public, are almost sure to become burthensome to themselves. As labour is necessary to procure an appetite to the body, there must also be some previous exercises of the mind to prepare it for enjoyment; indulgence on any other terms is false in itself, and ruinous in its consequences. Mirth degenerates into senseless riot, and gratification soon terminates in satiety and disgust. No. 104.] CONTEMPLATION., [SATURDAY. Contemplationis directing and fixing the intellectual eye upon suitable objects, attended with proper reflections. It is one of the noblest employments of a rational creature, and productive of the greatest advantages, as well as the most refined delights. Contemplating the heavenly bodies raises our minds to adore the power and glory of the deity; viewing the earth, with its various animals, excites us to admire his wisdom and benevolence; and the profusion of beautiful and salutary vegetables shews his superabundant goodness and condescension: they all declare with united voice," The hand that made us is divine!" "I read thy awful name emblazon'd high, With golden letters on th' illumin'd sky; Wrought in each flower, inscrib'd on ev'ry tree." No. 105.] [SUNDAY. REFLECTIONS ON THE CREATION. Who can sufficiently declare the works of thy power, wisdom, and goodness. O thou all-creating and all-supporting God? Who can utter all thy praise? Imprint upon my mind a deep sense of thy infinite excellencies: and teach me, thou Father of Spirits, to love thee with all my heart, to fear thee with the profoundest reverence, to put a steady trust and confidence in thee, to worship thee with a pure adoration, and to honour and obey thee in the whole course of my life. No. 106.] SOLITUDE. [MONDAY. IN solitude, we commune with ourselves under the character of spiritual and immortal beings, and ponder on those paths which we are treading to eternity. It is the hallowed ground which religion has in every age, chosen for herself. There, her inspiration is felt and her secret mysteries elevate the soul. There, falls the tear of contrition; there, rises towards heaven the sigh of the heart; there, the soul melts with all the tenderness of devotion, and pours itself forth before him who made and redeemed it. The great and worthy, the pious and virtuous, have ever been addicted to serious retirement. Refined and en larged minds leave the world behind them, feel a call for higher pleasures, and seek them in retreat. That man cannot discharge any part of his duty aright, who never suffers his passions to cool; and his passions cannot cool, if he is continually engaged in the tumult of the world. A total seclusion from the world is so far from being the perfection of religion, that it is no other than the abuse of it. No. 107.] [TUESDAY. EMBLEM OF A VIRTUOUS FEMALE. Sweet stream, that winds through yonder glade, Apt emblem of a virtuous maid Silent and chaste she steals along, Far from the world's gay busy throng; Intent upon Graceful and useful all she does, And heav'n reflected in her face. For nothing lovelier can be found In woman, than to study household good. |