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party zeal; which when managed, and flattered to a certain point, would betray him sometimes into measures contrary to his ordinary rule of right and truth. The last act of his life was agreeable to his nature and phi losophy when he could no longer be what he had been; or when the ills of life overbalanced the good, which, by the principles of his sect, was a just cause for dying; he put an end to his life, with a spirit and resolution, which would make one imagine, that he was glad to have found an occasion of dying in his proper character. On the whole, his life was rather admirable, than amiable; fit to be praised, rather than imitated.--Middleton."

MILTON

HOLDS so large a space in the eye of every man of taste and understanding, and his writings are so generally, and indeed, universally, admired that the following character of him will be acceptable.

"JOHN MILTON was a man in whom were illustriously combined all the qualities that could adorn, or could elevate the nature to which he belonged--a man who at once possessed beauty of countenance, symmetry of form, elegance of manners, benevolence of temper, magnanimity and softness of soul, the brightest illumination of intellect, knowledge the most various and extended-virtue that never loitered in her career nor deviated from her course a man, who, if he had been delegated as the representative of his species to one of the superior worlds, would have suggested a grand idea of the human race-as of

beings affluent in moral and intellectual trea. sure raised and distinguished in the universe as the favorites and heirs of Heaven !"

Dr. Symmons.

PRAISE OF WOMEN

Is thus recorded by Ledyard, the famous traveller, who had visited most parts of the civilized world; we have given it in verse in the Parnassian Garland; the young reader, however will be gratified by having presented to him the original testimony, at once so just and impressive.

"I HAVE always remarked that Women in all countries are civil, obliging, tender, and humane; that they are ever inclined to be gay and cheerful, timorous and modest, and that they do not hesitate, like men, to perform a kind or generous action. Not haughty, nor arrogant, nor supercilious, they are full of courtesy, and fond of society; more liable in general to err than man, but, in general also, more virtuous, and performing more good actions than he ! To a Woman, whether civilized or savage, 1 never addressed myself in the language of decency and friendship, without receiving a decent and friendly answer. With Man it has often been otherwise !"

Ledyard.

THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE WORLD Is the object of fond contemplation to the wise and the good, and whilst religion sanctions the idea, it is pleasing to see the specu

lations of the philosopher adduced for the con. firmation of it.

"WHAT influence might not man acquire over his own species, if his inclinations were always directed by his intelligence? Who knows to what degree he might improve his moral as well as his physical nature? Is there a single nation who can boast of having arrived at the best of possible governments---a govern. ment which would render all men not equally happy, but less unequally miserable by attending to their preservation, by softening their labours, and sparing their blood--by culti vating peace, and procuring abundance of provisions? This is the moral end of every society, who are anxious to improve their condition. And with regard to the physical part of our nature, have the medical and other arts, whose objects are health and preservation, made an equal progress as the arts of destruction, invented for the purposes of war and carnage? In all ages it appears that man has reflected deeper, and made more researches concerning evil than good! In every society there is a mixture of both, and as of all sentiments which affect the multitude fear is the most powerful... great talents in the art of doing mischief, were the first which struck the mind of man---he was afterwards occupied with the arts of amusement, and it was not till after long experience in these two means of false honour, and unprofitable pleasure, that he, at last, recognized his true glory to be Science, and his true happiness, Peace !". Buffon.

LEAVING ENGLAND.

DR. FRANKLIN, in a letter, dated Portsmouth, August, 1762, thus expresses himself to Lord Kaimes, which shews how much that celebrated American was attached to the Mother Country.

"I AM now waiting here only for a wind to waft me to America, but cannot leave this happy island, and my friends in it, without extreme regret, though I am going to a country and people I love. I am going from the Old World to the New! And, I fancy, I feel like those who are leaving this world for the next--grief at the parting---fear of the passage --hope of the future; these different passions all affect their minds at once, and these have tendered me down exceedingly. It is usual for the dying to beg forgiveness of their surviving friends, if they have ever offended them. Can you, my Lord, forgive my long silence and my not acknowledging, till now, the favor you did me in sending me your excellent book, (Elements of Criticism)? Can you make some allowance for a fault in others which you have never experienced in yourself; for the bad habit of postponing from day to day, what one every day resolves to do to-morrow; a habit that grows upon us with years, and whose only excuse is that we know not how to mend it.

If you are disposed to favor me, you will also consider how much one's mind is taken up and distracted by the many little affairs one has to settle before the undertaking such a voyage, after so long a residence in this country."

Dr. Franklin.

TO THE SEA,

WHICH, whether we regard its smooth and glassy surface, or stand amazed at its rough and turbulent waves, suggests a thousand interesting ideas to the contemplative mind.

"HAIL! thou inexhastible source of wonder and contemplation -Hail thou multitudinous ocean! whose waves chase one another down like the generations of men, and, after a mo. mentary space, are immerged for ever in oblivion Thy fluctuating waters wash the va ried shores of the world, and while they dis join nations, whom a nearer connection would involve in eternal war, they circulate their labours, and give health and plenty to man. kind.

How glorious, how awful, are the scenes thou displayest! Whether we view thee when every wind is hushed,-when the morning sun silvers the level line of the horizon or when its evening track is marked with flaming gold, and thy unrippled bosom reflects the radiance of the overarching Heavens !---Or whether we behold thee in thy terrors! when the black tempest sweeps the swelling billows, and the boiling surge mixes with the clouds---when death rides the storm--and humanity drops a fruitless tear for the toiling mariner, whose heart is sinking with dismay!

And yet mighty deep! 'tis thy surface alone we view---Who can penetrate the secrets of thy wide domain?---What eye can visit thy immense 1ocks and caverns, that teem with life and vegetation?---or search out the myriads of ob

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