mine the precise period when the leisure is sufficient, or the age enough advanced. It recedes as the destined season approaches. He continues to intend moving, but he continues to stand still.

Compare his drowsy sabbaths with the animation of the days of business, you would not think it was the same man. The one are to be got over, the others are enjoyed. He goes from the dull decencies, the shadowy forms, for such they are to him, of public worship, to the solid realities of his worldly concerns, to the cheerful activities of secular life. These he considers as bounden, almost as exclusive duties. The others indeed may not be wrong; but these he is sure are right. The world is his element. Here he breathes freely his native air. Here he is substantially engaged. Here his whole mind is alive; his understanding broad awake; all his energies are in full play; his mind is all alacrity; his faculties are employed; his capacities are filled; here they have an object worthy of their widest expansion. Here his desires and affections are absorbed. The faint impression of the Sunday's sermon fades away, to be as faintly revived on the Sunday following, again to fade in the succeeding week. To the sermon he brings a formal ceremonious attendance; to the world he brings all his heart and soul and mind and strength. To the one he resorts in conformity to law and custom: to induce him to resort to the other, he wants no law, no sanction, no invitation, no argument. His will is of the party. His passions are volunteers. The visible things

of heaven are clouded in shadow, are lost in distance. The world is lord of the ascendant. Riches, honour, power, fill his mind with brilliant images. They are present, they are certain, they are tangible; they assume form and bulk. In these, therefore, he cannot be mistaken; in the others he may. The eagerness of competition, the struggle for superiority, the perturbations of ambition fill his mind with an emotion, his soul with an agitation, his affections with an interest, which, though very unlike happiness, he yet flatters himself is the road to it. This factitious pleasure, this tumultuous feeling, produces, at least, that negative satisfaction of which he is constantly in search-it keeps him from himself.

Even in circumstances where there is no success to present a very tempting bait, the mere occupation, the crowd of objects, the succession of engagements, the mingling pursuits, the very tumult and hurry, have their gratifications. The bustle gives false peace by leaving no leisure for reflection. He lays his conscience asleep with the "flattering unction" of good intentions. He comforts himself with the creditable pretence of. want of time, and the vague resolution of giving up to God the dregs of that life, of the vigorous season of which he thinks the world more worthy. Thus commuting with his Maker, his life wears away, its close draws near-and even the poor commutation which was promised is not made. The assigned hour of retreat either never arrives, or if it does arrive, sloth and sensuality are resorted to as the fair reward of a life of VOL. I.

labour and anxiety; and whether he dies in the protracted pursuits of wealth, or in the enjoyment of the luxuries it has earned, he dies in the trammels of the world. MISS H. MORE.

ON RESIGNATION TO THE WILL OF PROVIDENCE.

Ir is too common for persons who are perfectly convinced of the duty of patience and cheerful resignation under great and severe trials, in which the hand of Providence is plainly seen, to let themselves grow fretful and plaintive under little vexations and slight disappointments, as if their submission in one case gave them a right to rebel in another: as if there was something meritorious in the greater sufferings, that gave them a claim to full indulgence in every trifling wish of their heart; and, accordingly, they will set their hearts most violently upon little reliefs and amusements, and complain and pity themselves grievously if they are at any time denied.

All this is building on a false foundation: the same gracious Providence, that sends real afflictions only for our good, will, we may be absolutely sure, afford us such supports and reliefs under them as are needful and fit; but it will not accommodate itself to our idle humour.

To be happy, we must depend for our happiness on him alone who is able to give it: we must not lean on human props of any kind; though when granted us, we may thankfully

accept and make use of them; but always with caution, not to lay so much weight upon them, as that the reed, broken under our hand, may go into it and pierce it.

On the loss of a friend, we must not say, This and that person, this and that amusement shall be my relief and support; but-To Providence I must submit-Providence will support me in what way it sees proper.-The means on which I must depend, under that, are a careful and cheerful performance of, and an acquiescence in whatever is my duty : I must accommodate myself to all its appointments; and be they health or languor; a dull or an active and gay life; a society agreeable to my fancy, or one that is not, or none at all-if I do but endeavour to keep up this right disposition, and behave accordingly, nothing ought to make me melancholy or unhappy, nothing can, nothing shall. Forward beyond this life, in this case, I not only may, but ought to look with joy and hope, with cheerfulness and alacrity of spirit: forward in this life, it is not only painful, but faulty, to look either with anxiety, or with self-flattering schemes. Yet on this present scene, from day to day, and forward, so far as is necessary to the duty of prudence, I may look with a smile of content and gratitude; for every day has something, has innumerable things, good and cheerful in it, if I know but how to make the best of it.

In a change of situation, think not, like a child, of the toys you leave, and the toys you shall find to make you amends for them: all playthings are brittle think not, like a grazing animal, that you have changed one pasture for another; and

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shall graze on this or that herb here with delight: "The herb withereth, the flower fadeth" every where. But think like a reasonable creature.This change was appointed for me: acquiescence is my duty; duty must be my support. Yet, I know, such is the condescendence of Infinite Goodness, that I shall have many a slighter relief and agreeableness thrown in; but these are, by the by, not to be reckoned on beforehand, nor to be grieved for if they fail or intermit.

MISS TALBOT.

ON THE PERVERSION OF TALENTS. AND least of all, let that man indulge the hope of impunity, who has profaned or perverted the glorious gift of high intellectual endowments. To see genius diffusing a malignant, instead of a beneficial influence-shining but to mislead-enchanting but to betray-to behold beings who were formed, not only to shed light and lustre over the sphere in which they move, but to shine as stars for ever and ever, voluntarily renouncing their high destiny, and led captive by Satan at his will, might make even angels weep. There is no instance of human perversity more deeply affecting-none over which a reflective and conscientious spirit mourns with keener feelings of regret.

Let the young and ardent mind, kindling with the love of knowledge, and delighting in communion with superior intellect, beware of the baneful influence of such perverted minds. Moderate your admiration-withhold your confi