their year on the eight of the calends of Jann. ary, which is now our Christmas-day, and the very night before, which is now holy to us, was by them called Mædrenack, or the Night of Mothers, because, as we imagine, of those ceremonies which were performed that night. The yule clog, therefore, hath probably been a part of that night's ceremony. The very name seems to speak it, and tells its original to every age. It seems to have been used as an emblem of the return of the sun, and the lengthening of the days. For as both December and January were called guili or yule upon account of the sun's returning, and the increase of the days, so I am apt to believe the log has had the name of the yule log, from its being burnt as an emblem of the returning sun, and the increase of its light and heat.

"This was probably the reason of the custom among the Heathen Saxons, but I cannot think the observation of it was continued for the same reason after Christianity was embraced. For Bishop Stillingfleet observes, that "though the ancient Saxons observed twelve days at that time, and sacrificed to the sun in hopes of his returning, yet when Christianity prevailed, all these idolatrous sacrifices were laid aside, and that time of feasting was joined with the religious solemnity of that season, which in other parts of the world were observed by Christians." And in like manner as the days of feasting were joined with the religious solemnities of that season, so the keeping up of this custom seems to have been done with another view than it was originally. If a conjecture may be allowed, it might have been done on account of our Saviour's birth, which happened that night. For as the burning of it before

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Christianity was an emblem of the coming of the sun, which they worshipped as their God, so the continuing of it after has been for a symbol of that light which was that night born into the worid !"..-Brand.

SENSIBILITY

Is that susceptibility of feeling which lies at the foundation of all rational enjoyment; it however requires to be kept under proper regulation.

"SENSIBILITY is the most exquisite feeling of which the human soul is susceptible: when it pervades us, we feel happy; and could it last unmixed, we might form some conjecture of the bliss of those paradisical days, when the obedient passions were under the dominion of reason, and the impulses of the heart did not need correction.

"It is this quickness, this delicacy of feeling, which enables us to relish the sublime touches of the poet, and the painter; it is this which expands the soul, gives an enthusiastic greatness, mixed with tenderness, when we view the magnificent objects of nature, or hear of a good action. The same effect we experience in the spring, when we hail the returning sun, and the consequent renovation of nature: when the flowers unfold themselves, and exhale their sweets, and the voice of music is heard in the land. Softened by tenderness; the soul is disposed to be virtuous. Is any sensual gratification to be compared to that of feeling the eyes moistened after having comforted the unfor tunate?

"Sensibility is indeed the foundation of all

our happiness; but these raptures are unknown to the depraved sensualist, who is only moved by what strikes his gross senses; the delicate embellishments of nature escape his notice; as do the gentle and interesting affections.---But it is only to be felt; it escapes discussion." Woolstoncraft.

MEDITATION ON A PUDDING

Is here introduced to shew the versatile talents of a great man, and as a proof of the play fulness of his fancy; it was written merely for amuse

ment.

"LET us seriously reflect of what a pudding is composed. It is composed of flour, that once waved in the golden grain, and drank of the dews of the morning; of milk, pressed from the swelling udder by the gentle hand of the beau teous milk-maid, whose beauty and innocence might have recommended a worse draught, who, while she stroked the udder, indulged no ambitious thoughts of wandering in palaces, and formed no plans for the destruction of her fellow creatures. Milk, which is drawn from the cow, that useful animal, that eats the grass of the field, and supplies us with that which made the greatest part of the food of mankind in the age which the poets have agreed to call golden. It is made with an egg, that miracle of nature, which the theoretical Burnet has compared to creation; an egg contains matter within its beautiful smooth surface, and an unformed mass, which by the incubation of the parent, becomes a regular animal, furnished with bones and sinews, and covered with feathers. Let us consider, can there be more

wanting to complete this meditation on a pudding! if more is wanting, more may be found. It contains salt, which keeps the sea from patrefaction; salt, which is made the image of intellectual essence, contributes to the for mation of a pudding.". Dr. Johnson.

DUTY TO PARENTS

Is a most sacred duty among Heathens, Jews, and Christians; it is thus pleasingly illustrated.

"THE piety of a child is sweeter than the incense of Persia offered to the sun; yea, more delicious than odours wafted from a field of Arabian spices by the western gales.

"Be grateful then to thy father, for he gave thee life; and to thy mother for she sustained thee.

"Hear the words of his mouth, for they are spoken for thy good; give ear to his admonition for it proceedeth from love.

"He hath watched for thy welfare, he hath toiled for thy ease; do honour therefore to his age, and let not his grey hairs be treated with irreverence.

"Forget not thy helpless infancy, nor the frowardness of thy youth, and indulge the infirmities of thy aged parents, assist and support them in the decline of life.

"So shall their hoary heads go down to the grave in peace, and thine own children in reverence of thine example, shall repay thy piety with filial love."--Dodsley.

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DELICACY OF CONDUCT

Is certainly of high importance to the cha racter of the individual, and to the comfort and happiness of society.

"THE most pleasing feature of the human mind is Delicacy, but few are capable of appreciating its just value. Immersed in business, or enchanted by pleasure; pursuing fame, or gro velling after wealth, the generality of mankind are either strangers to its beauties, or disdain to conciliate the affections of each other by the practice of it. And yet in the commerce of life, there are few circumstances occur which would not prove the omission of it injudicious.

"Where is the man of such elevated virtue, who, after receiving unseasonable admonition, however just, does not feel resentment firing his bosom? Stung with the sense of error, his heart beats with agitation; shame spreads a pale hue over his countenance, and his brow is moistened with the dew of mental pain. But had the advice been communicated in private, gratitude, and pleasure, no doubt, would have been the pleasing sensations of his breast.

"In every sphere of life mankind demand, and they have a right to expect, a degree of delicacy in all their intercourses with their fellow creatures. Who, with propriety, can expect vigilance and fidelity from their servants when every injunction is vociferated with a menace, or with surly superciliousness? To diminish the burthens of life, and to compensate in a measure for the inferiority of condition, every man of influence ought to give his commands