gentle mind, there is a charm infinitely more powerful than in all the studied manners of the most finished courtier. True gentleness is founded on a sense of what we owe to him who made us, and to the common nature of which we all share. It arises from reflection on our feelings and wants, and from just views of the condition, and the duty of man. It is native feeling, heightened and improved by principle. It is the heart which easily relents, which feels for every thing that is human, and is backward and slow to inflict the least wound. It is affable in its address, and mild in its demeanour; ever ready to oblige, and willing to be obliged by others; breathing habitual kindness towards friends, courtesy to strangers, long-suffering to enemies. It exercises authority with moderation, administers reproof with tenderness, confers favours with ease and modesty. It is unassuming in opinion, and temperate in zeal. It contends not eagerly about trifles; slow to contradiction, and still slower to blame, but prompt to allay dissention, and to restore peace. It neither intermeddles unnecessarily with the affairs, nor pries inquisitively into the secrets of others. It delights, above all things, to alleviate distress; and, if it cannot dry up the falling tear, to sooth at least the grieving heart.

Gentle

Gentleness is, in truth, the great avenue to mutual enjoyment, as well as a principle ingredient in general happiness. Amid the strife of contending parties, and interfering interests, it tempers the violence of competition, and keeps alive the seeds of harmony: it softens animosities, renews endearments, and renders the countenance of man a refreshment to man.

Banish gentleness from the earth; suppose the world to be filled with none but harsh and contentious spirits, and what sort of society would remain? the solitude of the desart were preferable to it. The conflict of jarring elements in chaos; the cave, where the subterraneous winds contend and roar; the den, where serpents hiss, and beast of the forest howl, would be the only proper representations of such assemblies of men.

Besides its social effects, the influence of this virtue on our internal enjoyment is certain and powerful, That inward tranquillity which it promotes, is the first requisite to every pleasurable feeling it is the calm and clear atmosphere, the serenity and sunshine of the mind. When benignity and gentleness reign within, we are always least in hazard of being ruffled from without: every person, and every occurrence, is beheld in the most favourable light. But let some

clouds

clouds of disgust and ill humour gather on the mind, and immediately the scene changes; nature seems transformed, and the appearance of all things is blackened to our view.

The gentle mind is like the smooth stream, which reflects every object in its just proportion, and in its fairest colours. The violent spirit, like troubled waters, renders back the images of things distorted and broken, and communicate s to them all that disordered motion which arises solely from it own agitation.

Attacked by great injuries, the man of mild and gentle spirit will feel what human nature feels; and will defend and resent, as his duty allows him. But to those slight provocations, and frivolous offences, which are the most frequent causes of disquiet, he is happily superior. Hence his days flow in a far more placid tenour than those of others-exempted from the numberless discomposures which agitate vulgar minds; inspired with higher sentiments; taught to regard, with an indulgent eye, the frailties of men, the omissions of the careless, the follies of the imprudent, and the levities of the fickle, he retreats into the calmness of his spirit, as into an undisturbed sanctuary, and quietly allows the usual current of life to hold its course.

ANEC

B

ANECDOTE OF BROUWER,

(A CONTEMPORARY OF REUBENS.)

ROUWER, going to Antwerp, was taken

up as a spy, and imprisoned in the same place where the Duke d'Arenberg was confined. That nobleman had an intimate friendship with Reubens, who often went to visit him in his confinement. The Duke having observed the genius of Brouwer, (by some slight sketches which he drew with black lead) without knowing who he was, desired Reubens to bring with him, at his own request, a pallet and pencils, for a painter who was in custody with him.

The materials requisite for painting were given to Brouwer, who took for his subject a groupe of soldiers, who were playing at cards in a corner of the prison. When the picture was finished, and shewn to Reubens, he cried out, it was painted by Brouwer, whose works he had often seen, and as often admired. The Duke delighted with the discovery, set a proper value on the performance; and though Reubens offered six hundred guilders for it, the Duke would by no means part with it, but presented the painter with a much larger sum.

Reubens immediately exerted all his interest to obtain the enlargement of Brouwer, and procured it by becoming his surety. He took him into his own house, cloathed and maintained him, and took pains to make the world more acquainted with his mcrit. But the levity of Brouwer's temper would not suffer him to continue long with his benefactor; nor would he consider his situation in any other light than as a state of confinement. He, therefore, quitted Reubens, and died not long afterwards, destroyed by a dissolute course of life.

INSTANCE OF COURAGE.

PORSENNA, the most potent King then in

Italy, havingunder taken to restore the Tarquins to the throne of Rome, from which they had been banished for their cruelty and oppression, sent proposals to the Senate for that purpose; but finding they were rejected with scorn, he advanced towards Rome in a confident persuasion that he should easily reduce it.

When he came to the bridge, and saw the

Romans drawn up in order of battle before the river, he was surprized at. their resolution, and

not