unreasonable, and hence it had been diffused through all ancient religious institutions, even where the same motives to frequent ablutions did not exist. However whimsical their ablutions may appear to the unreflecting, it strongly marks the wisdom of the institutors. And even in cold and temperate climates, few things would tend more to prevent disease than a frequent practice of them. Were every person, for example, after visiting the sick, handling a dead body, or touching any thing that might convey infection, to wash before he went into company or sat down to meat, he would run less hazard of catching the infection himself, or of communicating it to others. Whence does it arise that the Asiatics and Africans have such fine teeth, and that in our cities, the fair sex especially, rarely possess fine teeth, or for any length of time? It is owing to the ablution of the mouth after meals by the former, and to the neglect of it by the latter. Frequent washing not only removes the filth and sordes which adhere to the skin, but likewise promotes the perspiration, braces the body, and enlivens the spirits. The custom of washing the feet, though less necessary in cold climates, is nevertheless a very agrecable piece of cleanliness, and contributes greatly to the preservation of health. This piece of cleanliness would often prevent colds and fevers. Were people careful to bathe their feet and legs, in lukewarm water, at night, after being exposed to cold or wet through the day, they would seldom experience the bad effects which proceed from these causes. The Armenians, who are the quakers of the east, are the most healthy people in Asia, and attribute this happiness to the constant use of the hot baths. SOLOMON'S TEMPLE. The inward part of the temple, the ceiling, floor, and walls, were covered round about with thick and massy gold; the outward part was built of the finest and whitest marble. When the travellers to Jerusalem beheld the temple at a distance, it seemed to be a great, clear, and white mountain of snow: but the sun shining with its beams upon the top of the temple, which was overlaid with fine polished golden plates, it appeared as if a vast number of burning lamps, and flames of fire, broke out of this mountain of snow. One evening, when summer had vermell'd the sky, I stray'd with AMANDA the sea-margin nigh, I stoop'd, and I wrote her dear name on the sand, "As the sea shall efface, by the next rolling tide, So may the same fate your AMANDA betide, "The cold winds of poverty bleakly may blow, A thousand harsh tempests that happen below, And as to the charms AMANDA may boast, Like the name thou hast wrote on the shore, "Not so, my AMANDA! thy beauty shall live STREPHON. THE HARVEST ROSE. [WRITTEN BY T. M'CREARY.] When autumn wing'd the blast with power Declar'd love's emblem was a rose! With curious, though with eager haste, My heart with fond affection glows; "When first its vivid blooming hue The amorous zephyrs kiss'd with pride, When first I clasp'd my blushing bride. It proves, though love's warm ardor die, That friendship lives-sweet harvest rose!" FOR THE HALCYON LUMINARY. Translation of the Latin epigram, AD SOмNUM, in the first number of the Luminary-by Dr. Wolcott, or Peter Pindar. TO SLEEP. Come, gentle SLEEP! attend thy votary's prayer, FOR THE HALCYON LUMINARY. THE RUSTIC. While birth and rank attractions boast, While splendor lures the wandering eye: Victims, alas! to comfort lost, In vain for happiness we try. The rustic only true contentment knows, In gaudy robes, in tinsel show, As each succeeding night he sinks to calm repose: He lives content, he envies not To the kind author of his fate. As each succeeding night he sinks to calm repose. FOR THE HALCYON LUMINARY. MUSIC-AN ODE. Long had the race of mortals here below, Here as she touch'd, and clapp'd her downy wings, Hail! heavenly maid, what wondrous deeds of old, 86 When Thracian Orpheus caught celestial fire, The high, the low, the savage, and the sage. |