to sooth his shattered frame, he wakes as from a dream, and becomes alive, alarmingly alive to the truth of his situation. Disappointed, deserted, taunted for his folly, morning, noon, and night find him still bemoaning the lost years of a misspent life: without resource, he pines away, suffering amidst lagging despondency and despair, the lazy hours to find him still a prey to deep remorse. This is not an over drawn picture : it is an every-day occurrence, that solicits our attention in every way, but is dispelled by the heedlessness of boyhood, the buoyancy of youth. Quæ lædunt oculum, festinas demere, si quid Est animum, differs curandi tempus in annum. Would you avoid the evils of neglected old age, or avert the sneer of contempt from declining life? then dare to be wise: Dimidium facti, qui cœpit, habet, sapere aude, Dare to look into nature with an eagle eye, dare to front her most appal- -Animam rege, qui nisi paret Imperat; hunc frænis, hunc tu campesce catenâ. Rise early in the morning, and while the gale is still fresh, and the cool breeze, with waking nature, invite to vigorous endeavour, ply hard the active mind, and the evening shall repay thee with its calm serenity. Dash the foaming goblet from thy lip, its contents are poison, though mixed with pleasure. Beware lest thou forget, ere it be too late, that the most exquisite delights, which pleasure paints, and young desire pants for, lovely as they are when on the horizon, when too narrowly inspected, and too often before our eyes, become like the trappings of a player, "afar all beautiful and bright," but in detail made up of flimsy tinsel and tattered remnants-stern law of our nature, yet true, that pain and pleasure must follow one another, as night follows day, else pleasure itself turns to ashes in the mouth. Once again, be wise; dare to appear wise; spurn the derision of all ignorant inexperienced ones, who would wish to make you believe that pleasure has a separate existence, that it is indestructible, that it does not depend on the contrast with pain. Remember all thy privileges as a man; remember thou art immortal; remember thou art the charge of an Omnipotent Being; remember He calls thee to enjoyment, see that thou refuse not the boon. If thou wouldst avoid the racking pains, the restless weariness of remorse, seek reality, listen to those who have run in the same course, and bought wisdom by hard experience, Esto bonus miles, tutor bonus, arbiter idem To these words of Juvenal I will add no more than "Love God:" remember he will reward thee. I leave Young, who knew wisdom, but in early life neglected its dictates, to tell you of the rich blessing of daring to be wise. Redeem we time? Its loss we dearly buy, What pleads Lorenzo for his high-prized sports? No blank, no trifle, Nature made or meant. Virtue or purposed virtue, still be thine; This cancels thy complaint at once; this leaves In act no trifles, and no blank in time, Tis not in things o'er thought to domineer; Guard well thy thoughts: our thoughts are heard in heav'n. Thus have I endeavoured to show that, the acting upon a conviction of a future judgment has many advantages in the style and mode of the happiness which it affords us here; that it renders the transition from this life to the next, comfortable and happy; and lastly, that it procures the fulfilment of the promises of the Saviour, in the fullest possible manner: and hence, I conclude, that it is the only rational and satisfactory mode of passing our present life. If it is so, it follows, that whatever is useful or admirable in society, flows from this grand actuating motive, and hence are seen, both what its effects have been, and what they may be. This is so fully and beautifully explained by Jenyns, that I shall conclude this essay with his delineation." The great plan and benevolent design of this dispensation, (the Christian) is plainly this; to enlighten the mind, purify the religion, and amend the morals of mankind in general, and select the most meritorious of them, to be successively transplanted into the kingdom of heaven-which gracious offer is impartially tendered to all, who, by perseverance in meekness, patience, piety, charity, and a detachment from the world, are willing to qualify themselves for this holy and happy society. Were this universally accepted, and did every man observe strictly every precept of the Gospel, the face of human affairs, and the economy of the world, would indeed be greatly changed; but surely they would be changed for the better, and we should enjoy much more happiness, even here, than at present: for we must not forget, that evils are by it forbidden, as well as resistance; injuries as well as revenge; all unwillingness to diffuse the enjoyments of life, as well as solicitude to acquire them; all obstacles to ambition, as well as ambition itself; and, therefore, all contentions for power and interest would be at an end, and the world go on much more happily than it now does. But this universal acceptance of such an offer was not expected from so depraved a creature as man, and, therefore, could never have been any part of the design for it was foreknown, and foretold, by him who made it; that few, very few, would accept it on those terms. He says, 'Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.' Accordingly we see, that very few are prevailed on by the hopes of future happiness, to relinquish the pursuits of present pleasure or interest, and, therefore, these pursuits are little interrupted by the secession of so inconsiderable a number. As the natural world subsists by the struggles of the same elements, so does the moral, by the contentions of the same passions, as from the beginning: the generality of mankind are actuated by the same motives,-fight, scuffle, and scramble for power, riches, and pleasure, with the same eagerness; all occupations and professions are exercised with the same alacrity, and there are soldiers, lawyers, statesmen, patriots, and politicians, just as if Christianity had never existed. Thus, we see this wonderful dispensation has answered all the purposes for which it was intended. It has enlightened the minds, purified the religions, and amended the morals of mankind; without subverting the constitution, policy, or business of the world; opened a gate, though a strait one, through which all, who are wise enough to choose it, and good enough to be fit for it, may find an entrance into the kingdom of heaven.' [17] VINCENTIO'S RING. DON Vincentio de las Muerta, considered himself the handsomest cavalier in Seville, and, in this opinion, all the fair Donnas of his acquaintance perfectly coincided, consequently, we must presume this point granted; for, however willing we may be to question the impartiality of the first opinion, the latter, thank heaven, we are not ungallant enough to doubt. Don Vincentio, likewise, considered his figure perfectly unexceptionable, and his dancing master conceded that point with great alacrity, and the Donnas were again kind enough to acquiesce. Those pretty maidens whom he honoured with a moonlight serenade, thought the fine tenor voice which accompanied his guitar, the most melodious in Spain; and the troublesome fellows who perversely interrupted these midnight assignations, confessed his skill with the rapier unimpeachable. His steward averred his master was rich, and none who knew of his fine old castle in Murcia, and his groves of fragrant orange trees in Andalusia, thought proper to contradict the assertion. Don Vincentio dressed in the newest fashion, wore his hair in long curls down his back, and surmounted his high alabaster forehead with a splendidly jewelled hat and drooping feather: the Don drank deep of the Tuscan grape; the Don gamed and lost with any Don in Seville; in short, the Don was what we of the English Metropolis should call, a "pretty fellow." If there was one being in the world whom Don Vincentio loved more than his sweet self, it was the beautiful, elegant, and accomplished Isidora, daughter of the Count Valento: and those keen observers of human nature, who expatiate on a sigh, dwell on a gesture, or pause to meditate on some involuntary movement of the little finger, said, that as far as deep reserve and pride would admit, the fair one returned his passion. Be that as it may, Vincentio was not vain enough to discover any of these symptoms; and the idea, that the only being he sincerely loved, was insensible to his passion, and, perchance, favoured another, was almost the only real unhappiness with which he could charge that scapegrace, Ill-fortune, with having administered to embitter the joys of his existence. It chanced one evening that the Don entered his usual lounge, the gaming saloon of the Grand Square, in spirits much inferior to those of which he generally boasted: he carelessly stretched himself on one of the rich ottomans with which the room abounded, and haughtily accepted the chocolate which the ready and obsequious attendant servilely presented. "How unfortunate I am!" sighed the Don, as he sipped his chocolate— "how unfortunate I am!" he again ejaculated as he finished his draught. "Unfortunate!" echoed a voice near him, "impossible." Vincentio looked up, and gracefully bent to his friend Don Ricardo. "Yes Ricardo, unfortunate; my wishes are thwarted, and my hopes are blasted. I wish I resembled you!" "Resembled me! you jest Vincentio; it is impossible you can seriously wish to resemble or envy one not half so wealthy or so deeply indebted to dame Nature as yourself." "Nevertheless it is true," replied Vincentio; "good luck is far preferable to any other species of gift bestowed by bounteous Providence. Gold cannot always purchase the wants of the heart, while, if ready luck is at your elbow, hopes are no sooner expressed, or even fancied, than gratified." "Your reason, Vincentio, for applying these remarks, in particular, to me?" : "Tis this; I have frequently observed with what a strange facility your hopes or wishes, however slightly framed, are gratified under favour, senor, did a familiar spirit tend to your beck, they could not be more readily performed." Don Ricardo smiled as he said, "I knew not I was so wondrous forWhat have you so remarkably observed?" tunate. "Every thing. Last night, at the gaming table, you wished for luck, and won till all around gazed with amazement at such good fortune." "But afterwards, as we walked homewards, you wished some beauteous Donna would appear and smile upon you.' 66 66 Well, most observant, what followed?" Why, scarce had we paced onwards some dozen steps, when a young houri threw open a verandah, and stepped into the balcony, fixed her eyes on you, and beckoned you to approach, whilst I, Don Vincentio de las Muerta, stood unnoticed!-oh most excellent luck!" "I grant, twas lucky, Vincentio." “And then again, she said, 'the night is so dark, I scarce can discern you:' you replied, 'would to heaven yon clouds would pass away, and then in the fair moonlight, I might see my lady love:' and lo, anon there came a gentle breeze, and the moon sailed out unsullied." 66 "Is there any thing extraordinary in the wind blowing the clouds?" No, but at that precise moment:-common events may be rendered singular by the circumstances under which they occur." "Pshaw! this is mere trifling. Do you imagine I can command the elements?" 66 Marry, no: man is born to be the slave of circumstances, and not the master: nathless, your luck is worthy of envy, and if such a power did exist on earth, to be acquired at any risk, I would possess it." "You, Don Vincentio? and wherefore pray you? you have health, wealth, youth, power, and influence; are universally admired and courted; are abundantly endowed by nature and art: what more would you ?" "I would be like you, Ricardo, lucky: have every wish performed as soon as framed, in short, I would be powerful beyond all others; but alas, this is mere folly; full well I know no power, like that I wish for, was ever gained by mortal. Oh! for some wine, my envy-for, truth to tell, I envy you, Ricardo-has made me thirsty." "The attendants," rejoined his companion, "are engaged in waiting on those employed in the game. I would have wine too, but much fear this wish is vain." He was mistaken, a servitor approached, and bowing lowly, intreated to know what wine the Dons would drink. The order was given and obeyed, Vincentio gazing in mute astonishment. Ricardo glanced at him,—— "Are you ill?" "Ill at ease, Ricardo; your power is most unlimited; would to heaven mine but equalled it!" "If you but really wish it, it shall be yours." "You dream, Ricardo!" "I speak truth Vincentio:" as he spoke he rose, and, followed by his friend, led the way to a more retired position. 66 May I indeed believe you, Don Ricardo?" demanded the astonished Vincentio. 66 You may,-recollect last night, and now,—the wine.—” "True: you have said enough: but how can you communicate this supernatural gift?" "The virtue lies in this;" and he pointed to a curiously figured ring which sparkled on his finger. "I once, like you, imagined that unbounded power must be happiness: for years and years did I study to attain it,—I succeeded, and have proved the delusion. Since I have possessed this charm, misery, not the open anguish which claims public sympathy, but secret, concealed, and therefore doubly stinging misery has been my portion." "How! misery! with that invaluable treasure on your finger? impossible!" “You know not human nature, Don Vincentio: when did content ever follow the attainment of a wished for object? Never! I have wasted the best of life over a forbidden science, and, with the power to command pleasure, I have lost all wish to enjoy it. Health too is gone, and that is a blessing no supernatural power can purchase. Can you ask why misery is the tenant of my bosom?" "You have not daunted me, Ricardo: what price do you affix to the ring?" "Price! 'tis yours, take it;" he drew it from his finger and presented it to Vincentio. |