INVOCATION OF THE GODDESS OF MIRTH. But come, thou goddess, fair and free, Haste thee, nymph, and bring with thee Quips, and cranks, and wanton wiles, MIRTH AND MELANCHOLY. Now, by two-headed Janus, Nature hath framed strange fellows in her times; And laugh, like parrots at a bag-piper; among them, that they are countenanced by so large a portion of the American people. Maxims. 1. He, that hearkens to counsel, is wise. 2. Courage-ought to have eyes, and ears, as well as arms. 3. Credit, lost, is like a broken looking-glass. 4. It is sweet to do good unscen and in secret. 5. Nature-unites the beautiful with the useful: hence, handsome is, that handsome does. 6. The mob hath many heads, but no brains. 7. A superior mind cares but little about dress, provided it be decent. 8. The world-is a large and interesting book, and is opened to us day and night. 9. Vanity-renders beauty contemptible. 10. Vows, made in storms, are forgotten in calms; because they are the offspring of fear. Anecdote. Play upon words. A poor drunken loafer-was picked up in the street, by the watchman, when the following decis ion was made: There is no sense in his head, no cents in his pocket, and a powerful scent in his breath: he was of course sent to the watchhouse. The Feet. There are seven bones in the ankle, five in the metatarsus, and fourteen phalanges in the foot, which are strongly fastened together by means of a gristle, which yields so as to enable us to tread, with equal ease, on level or unequal surfaces. We often hear of the small feet of the Chinese ladies; and we also see some ladies in a christian land who try to make themselves heathens, by wearing a very small shoe, under the false notion, that it is genteel to have small feet. Genteel to have corns, impeded circulation, and all their train of horrors! Oh, when shall we come to our senses, leave off tight shoes, and cease to worship the god of fash ion? VARIETIES. Like the lily, Her suny locks 463. THEATRES. If the lofty powers of the master tragedian were concentrated to the development of mind, in the presence of those, only, who can appreciate his genius; if the public display of them, on the As morning roses, newly washed with deto. stage, were unaccompanied by any of those There's nothing in the world can make me joy; excressences, which cling, incubus-like, to Life-is as talious-as a twice-told tale, modern theatres; the evil of which the phi-Vexing the dull ear of drowsy man. anthropist and patriot complain, would Love is blind, and lovers cannot see seem to be trifling. But when he throws The petty follies, that themselves commit. himself in the midst of such scenes, as he How far that little candle throws his beams! must necessarily meet, in all the theatres of So-shines a good deed-in this naughty world. the present day, he gives the sanction of his Penetration-has an aid of divination. presence, his example and reputation, to some of the most monstrous abuses, which exist among men. Although his moral character may be irreproachable, yet a man is always known by the company he keeps; and, in spite of himself and his friends, he is identified with all the theatres, in which he performs: his character is assimilated to his debased associates, who boast of his society; and ape his greatness. It is because he is HONESTY. Thou art full of love and honesty, And weigh'st thy words before thou giv'st them breath, Gold, silver, vases sculptur'd high, Paint, marble, gems, and robes of Persian dye, ECSTASY, RAPTURE, &c. 464. Ec ETASY, RAPTURE, TRANS PORT, express an extraor dinary eleva1:on of the sp.r.ts, an exeessive tenson of mind: they signify to be out of one's self, out of oi.'s mind, earried away beyond one's sei. ECSTABY-benumbs the faculties, takes away the power of speech, and sometimes of thought; it is generally occasioned by sudden and unexpected events; but RAPTURE often invigorates the powers and calls them into action. The former, is common to all persons of ardent feelings; especially, children, &c., the illiterate: the latter is common to persons of superior minds, and circumstances of peculiar importance. What followed, was all ecstasy, and trances: We feel the present Deity. Searns the base earth and crowd below, And, with a peering wing, still mounts on high. He play'd so sweetly, and so sweetly sung, That on each note the enraptur'd audience hung. 465. GARRICK. It is believed, that this tragedian greatly surpassed his predecessors, in his genius for acting, in the sweetness and variety of his tones, the irresistible magic of his eye, the fire and vivacity of his action, the elegance of his attitudes, and the whole pathos of expression. The cause of which success was, his intimate and practical knowledge of human nature. Example. A certain gentleman, on returning from the theatre, asked his postillion, (who sat in his private box.) what he thought of the great Mr. Garrick. Not much, my lord,' was his reply, for he talked and acted just like John and I in the stable." When this was repeated to the tragedian, he declared it the greatest compliment ever paid him: for, eaid he, if nature's own children can't disunguish me from themselves, it is a pretty Bure indication that I am about right. RAPTURES. Bat, in her temple's last recess inclos'd, How dost thou tear, and weary out thy days, Maxims. 1. He is not wise, who is not wise for himself. 2. If you wish a thing done, go; if not, send. 3. The silence of the tongue is often the eloquence of the heart. 4. The perfection of art is, to conceal art. 5. Every day is a little life; and a whole life but a day repeated. 6. We find it hard to forgive those, whom we have injured. 7. Fashionable women are articles manufactured by miliners; They want but little-here below, And want that little-for a show. 8. Do nothing you would wish to conceal. 9. Appearances are often deceiving. 10. Riches cannot purchase mental endowments. Anecdote. Look at Home. The advice of a girl, to Thales, a Milesian astronomer, was strong and practical. Seeing him gazing at the heavens, as he walked along, and perhaps piqued, because he did not cast an eye on her attractions, she put a stool in his path, over which he tumbled and broke his shins. Her excuse was, that she wanted to teach him, before he indulged himself in star-gazing, to "look at home." VARIETIES. A proper judge-will read each work of wit, It comes o'er the ear, like the sweet south wind, Th't mind and body- often sympathize, That sat on her seven hills, and from her throne Of beauty-ruled the world. Beware of desperate steps; the darkest day, With pleasure-let us own our errors past, And make each day-a critic-on the last. Thinking-leads man to knowledge. He may see and hear, and read and learn, whatever he pleases, and as much as he pleas es: he will never know any thing of it, except that which he has thought over; that which, by thinking, he has made the property of his mind. Is it then saying too much, that man, by thinking only, becomes truly man. Take away thought from man life, and what remains? "T was the bow of Omnipotenz: bent in His hand, 466. Love gives a soft serenity to the countenance, a languish.ng to the eyes, a sweetness to the voice, and a tenderness to the whole frame: forehead smooth and enlarged; eye-brows arched; mouth a little open; when entreating, it clasps the hands, with LOVE, &c. intermingled fingers, to the breast; eyes languishing and partly shut, as if doating on the object; countenance assumes the eager and wistful look of desire, but mixed with an air of satisfaction and repose; accents soft and winning, voice persuasive, flattering, pathetic, various, musical and rapturous, as in Joy: when declaring, the right hand, open, is pressed forcibly on the breast; it makes approaches with the greatest delicacy, and is attended with trembling hesitancy and confusion; if successful, the countenance is lighted up with smiles; unsuccessful love adds an air of anxiety and melancholy. 467. To the above may be added, Shakspeare's description of this affection, as given by the Good Shepherd, who was requested to tell a certain youth, what 'tis to love: It is to be all made of sighs and tears: All made of passion, and all made of wishes: O fellow, come, the song we had last night: The spinsters, and the knitters in the sun, [bones, Hail, wedded love, mysterious law, true source Of father, son, and brother, first were known. Maxims. 1. We must strike while the iron is hot; but we must sometimes make the iron hot by striking. 2. Books are to the young, what capital is to the man of business. 3. It is not good husbandry, to make a child's fortune-great, and his mind-poor. 4. Some-excuse their ignorance, by pretending, that their taste lies in another direction. 5. Reading, makes a full man, and thinking, a correct man. 6. Not the pain, but the cause-makes the martyr. 7. Learn some useful art or trade, that you may be independent of the caprice of fortune. S. Nothing is harder for honest people, than to be denied the privilege of speaking their minds. 9. Some-are penny-wise, and pound-foolish. 10. A true friend sometimes ventures to be offensive. Anecdote. Two Lawyers. A wealthy farmer, being engaged in a law-suit against one of his opulent neighbors, applied to a lawyer, who happened to be engaged on the opposite side; but, who told him he would give him a recommendation to a professional friend; which he did in the following lines: "Here are two fat wethers, fallen out together, If you'll fleece one, I'll fleece the other, And make them agree like brother and brother." The letter being unsealed, the farmer had the curiosity to open and read it; he did so, and instead of carrying it to the other lawyer, he took it to the person, with whom he was at variance. Its perusal cured both parties, and ended the dispute. Inference-Lawyers live by the violation of the laws of goodness and truth. Conversation. When five or six we are together, it is curious-to observe the anxiety every one has to speak. No one wishes to hear; all he desires, is-an auditor. Rather than defer telling their respec tive stories, they frequently all speak at the same time. Varieties. The United States-is on a conspicuous stage; and the WORLD-marks her demeanor. 2. If a parent-withhold from his children-the light, and influence of Divine Truth, is he not, in part, responsible for their crimes? 3. Eloquence-is the language of Nature,-of the soul; it cannot be acquired in the schools, though it may be cultivated there. 4. What is the object of courtship? to get acquainted; to show off; to take in; or, to marry? 5. What a dreadful thing it is to be "cut out,"-and to "get the mitten!" They-know not my heart, who belive there can be HATRED, AVERSION. 470. When, by frequent reflections on a disagreeable object, our disapprobat.on of it is attended with a strong dsnelination of mind towards it, it is called hatred; And when this 18 accompanied with a painful sensation upon the apprehension of its presence and approach, there follows an inclination to avoid it, called aversion; extreme hatred is abhorrence, or detestation. Hatred, or aversion expressed to, or of any person, or any thing, that is odious, draws back the body to avoid the hated object, and the hands, at the same time, thrown out and spread, as if to keep it off; the face is turned away from that side, which the hands are thrown out; the eyes looking angrily and obliquely, or asquint, the way the hands are directed; the eyebrows are contracted, the upper lip disdainfully drawn up; the teeth set; the pitch of the voice is loud, surly: ehding, languid and vehement; the sentences are HATRED CURSING THE OBJECT HATED. The mortal coliness of the soul, like death itself comes down; He. whose mind Is virtuous, is alone-of noble kind; Maxims. 1. One true friend is worth a hundred relations. 2. Happiness is to be found every where, if you possess a well regulated mind. 3. Between good sense and good taste, there is the same difference as between cause and effect. 4. He, who profits by the mistakes, or oversights of others, learns a lesson of great importance. 5. The flight of a person accused, is a tacit acknowl edgment of his guilt. 6. He, is wise, who does every thing at the proper time. 7. Confession is r a medicine-to him who has gone astray. S. The love of liberty makes even an old man brave. 9. Children are heirs to the diseases of their parents, as well as to their possessions. 10. A man, who cannot forgive, breaks the bridge over which he might pass to Heaven. Thoughts. A man would do well to carry a pencil in his pocket, and write down the thoughts of the moment. Those that come unsought for, are commonly the most raluable, and should be secured, because they seldom return. Varieties. 1. What do you think of one, who gives away ten dollars, when he owes a hundred more than he can pay? 2. Let us follow nature, who has given shame to man for a scourge and let the heaviest part of the punishment be-the infamy attending it. 3. Can we perceive any quality in an object, without an act of comparison? 4. Falsehood often decks herself in the outer garments of truth, that she may succeed the better in her wily deceits., 5. The thing, which has been done, it is that which shall be; and that which is, it is that which shall be done; and there is no NEW thing under the sun. 6. Society cannot be held together without morals; nor can morals maintain their station in the huis worth having, unless it is founded on truth, man heart, without religion; and no religion which is the corner-stone of the fabric of human nature. 7. How far have moral percep tions been influenced by physical phenomene? How very precious-pra se Is-to a young genius, like sunlight-on flowers Ripening them into fruit. One hour Of thoughtful solitude-may nerve the heart There is not, in this life of ours, One bliss-unmixed with fears; And the dew, that show'rs o'er dearest flow'rs the bitter dew-of tears. In all our strictures-placid we will be. ANGER, RAGE, FURY, 471. Imply excitement or violent action: when hatred and displeasure rise high, on a sudden, from an apprehension of injury received and perturbation of mind in consequence of it, it is called ANGER: and rising to a very high de gree, and extinguishing humanity, it be Comes RAGE and FURY: anger always renders the muscles protuberant; hence, an angry mind and protuberant muscles, are considered as cause and effect. Violent anger or rage, expresses itself with rapidity, noise, harshness, trepidation, and sometimes with interrruption and hesitation, as unable to utter itself with sufficient force. It wrinkles and clouds the brow, enlarges and heaves the nostrils; every vein swells, muscles strained, nods or shakes the head, stretches out the neck, clenches the fists, breathing hard, breast heaving, teeth shown and gnashing, face bloated, red, pale, or black; eyes red, staring, rolling and sparkling; eye-brows drawn down over them, stamps with the foot, and gives a violent agitation to the whole body. The voice assumes the highest pitch it can adopt, consistently with force and loudness; Tho' sometimes, to express anger with uncommon energy, the voice assumes a low and forci ble tone. Hear me, rash man; on thy allegiance hear me; Anger is like A fall hot horse; who, being allow'd his way, The short passing anger but seem'd to awaken New beauty, like flowers, that are sweetest when shaken. As zephyrs blowing below the violet, Laconics. 1. A little neglect may breed great mischief. 2. Retrospection and anticipation may both be turned to good account. 3. He, who would be well spoken of himself, must speak well of others. 4. Wildness of eccentricity, and thoughtlessness of conduct, are not necessary accompaniments of talent, or indications of genius. 5. Vanity and affectation, often steal into the hearts of youth, and make them very ridiculous ; yet, no one is contemptible, for being what he is, but for pretending to be what he is not. 6. No speech can be severe, unless it be true; for if it he not true, it cannot apply; consequently, its severity is destroyed by its injustice. 7. Mutual benevolence must be kept up between relatives, as well as between friends; for without this cement, whatever the building is called, it is only a castle in the air, a thing talked of, without the reality. Education. Education is to the mind, what cleanliness is to the body; the beauties of the one, as well as the other, are blemished, if not totally lost, by neglect: and as the richest diamond cannot shoot forth its lustre, wanting the lapidary's skill, so, will the latent virtue of the noblest mind be buried in obscurity, if not called forth by precept, and the rules of good manners. Varieties. 1. He that thinks he can be negligent of his expenses, is not far from being poor. 2. Extended empire, like expanded gold, exchanges solid strength for feeble splendor. 3. Similarity in sound, weakens contrast in sense. 4. There being differences of mind, each member of a family, and of the community, is best qualified for the performance of specific duties. 5. The notions of some parents are very extravagant, in wishing the teacher to make great men of their sons; while they would be much more useful, and happy, in the field, or in the workshop. 6. Write down all you can remember of a lecture, address, or book, and the RESULT will enable your teacher, as well as yourself, to decide, with a good degree of accuracy, upon your character, and the stu Not wagging his sweet head; and yet as rough, dies most appropriate for you to pursue. Their royal blood enchaf'd, as the rud'st wind, You are yoked with a lamb, Anecdote. Sowing and Reaping. A countryman, sowing his ground, two upstarts, riding that way, one of them called to him with an insolent air-"Well, honest fellow, 'tis your business to sow, but we reap the fruit of your labor." To which the countryman replied ""Tis very likely you may; for I am sowing hemp." The world's a book,-writ by the eternal art What is wedlock forced, but a hell, Which seldom the rose of enjoyment adorns; And the heart that is soonest awak'd to the flowr's, The soul of music-slumbers in the shell, Till waked and kindled, by the master's spell, And feeling hearts, (touch them but lightly,) pour A thousand melodies, unheard before. When all things have their trial, you shall fed, |