456. THE 'ASSIONS AND ACTIONS. The Laconics. 1. All men, possessed of real numan mind we contemplate under two power, are upright and honest: craft is but the grand divisions, called Will and Understand-substitute of power. 2. To answer trit by reason, ing: the former is the receptacle, or conti-is like trying to hold an eel by the tail. 3. Frenent, of our passions, emotions, affections;quent intercourse often forms such a similarity, the latter of our thoughts. To attend to that we not only assure a mental likeness, but contract some resemblance in voice and features. the workings of mind, to trace the power that external objects have over it, to discern. The more ideas included in our own words, and the more cases an axiom is applied to, the more the nature of the emotions and affections, extensive and powerful will they be. 5. The inand to comprehend the reasons of their being affected in a particular manner, must have a direct influence on our pursuits, character and happiness, as private citizens, and as public speakers. What nothing earthly gives, or can destroy, The soul's calm sunshine, and the heartfelt joy, La faith, and hope, the world will disagree; He gave to mercy-all he had, a tear; provement of the internal, will also be the inprovement of the external. 6. A little vice often deforms the whole countenance; as one single false trait in a portrait, makes the whole a carricature. 7. The noblest talents may rust in indolence; and the most moderate, by industry, may be astonishingly improved. Anecdote. A Good Hint. A clergyman and Garrick the tragedian, were spending an evening together; and among other top[friend.ics of conversation, that of delivery was in He gained from heaven, (twas all he wished.) a troduced. The man of the pulpit asked Gar In the fabhul husbandman-you see, rick." Why is it, you are able to produce so much more effect, with the recital of your fictims, than we do. by the delivery of the most important truths?" The man of the stage replied "My Lord, you speak truths, as if they were fictims; we speak fictions, as if they were truths." the property of a truly good man, to do great and good things, though he risk everything by it. Varleties. 1. The coin, that is most cur Honor, and shame, from no condition rise; Act well your part, there all the honor lies. 457. An accurate analysis of the passions and effections is, to the moralist, as well as Action. To do an ill action is base; to the student in elocution, what the science of do a good one, which involves you in no dan anatomy, and physiology is to the physi-ger, is nothing more than common; but it is cian and surgeon: it constitutes the first principles of rational practice for both; it is, in a moral view, the anatomy of the heart; discloses why and how it beats; indicates appearances in a sound and healthy state, rent among mankind-is flattery: the only and detects diseases, with their causes, and benefit of which is, that by hearing what we is much more fortunate in applying remedies. are not, we may be instructed what we ought Stages of Progress. Useful discoveries to be. 2. Bring the entire powers of your and improvements generally have four distinct mind, to bear on whatever study you understages in their progress to universality. The first take, with a singleness of purpose, and you 18, when the theory is pronounced false, contrary to will not fail of success. 3. The predomi experience, absurd and unworthy of the attention nance of a favorite study, affects all the subof sensil te men. The second is, when they are ordinate purposes of the intellect. 4. Vex cla med as having been known before; thus, de- not thy heart, in seeking-what were far betpriving the medium-of all credit for more indus-ter unfound. 5. In reference to certain prin try. discrimination and originality, than others. The third is, when they are denounced as perilous ▲movations, endangering the religion and morals of society. The fourth 8, when they are receiv ed as established truths by every body; the only wonder being, that they should ever have been doubted, they are in such perfect harmony with laws of the universe. The meek-ey'd morn appears, mother of dews, If, on a sudden, he begins to rise, No man that lives, can count his enemies. ciples and persons, unstable people cry out, Two tasks are ours, to know-an? understand, 458. THE PASSIONS. There are three Maxims. 1. A well instructed people, only, things involved in the exhibition of the pas can be a free people. 2. To ask for a leing, with sions; viz. the tones of the voice, the appear. out labor, would be to ask for a curse, instead of a ance of the countenance, and rhetorical ac-blessing. 3. No one looks after his own affairs, as tion; the first is addressed to the ear only, well as himself. 4. Fruitless advice is like pourthe latter to the eye. Here, then, is anothering water on a duck's back. 5. The more our tallanguage to learn, after the pupil has learned ents are exercised, the more will they become dethe written, and the vocal languages: how-veloped. 6. Unless the laws are executed on the ever, the language of the passions may be great, they will not be obeyed. 7. He, who toils said to be written by the hand of Nature, with pain, will reap with pleasure. 8. The torContemplate the passions separately, and ment of enry--is like sand in the eye. 9. Laziness combined, and seek for examples to illus-often gives occasion to dishonesty. 10. The error trate them. For praise, too dearly loved, or warmly sought, Will brave the inclement blast, When summer days-are past; 459. TRUTH. Some men say, that "wealth is power" and some that "talent-is power"-and some that "knowledge-is power" and others, that "authority-is power"-but there is an apothegm, that I would place on high above them all. when I assert. that, "TRUTH-is power." Wealth cannot purchase, talent-cannot refute, knowledge -camot over-reach, authority-cannot silence her; they all, like Felix, tremble at her presence: enst her into the sevenfold heated furnace of the tyrant's wrath-fling her into the most tremend ous billows of popular commotion-she mounts aloft in the ark-upon the summit of the deluge She is the ministering spirit, who sheds on man that bright and indestructible principle of life, which is given, by its mighty author, to illuminate and to inspire the immortal soul-and which, like himself, "is the same yesterday, to-day, and forever." The wintry blast of deathKills not the buds of virtue; no: they spread Beneath the heavenly beams-of brighter suns, Through endless ages-into higher powers. The scale of being-is a graduated thing; And deeper, than the vanities of power. On the vain pomp of glory-there is writGradation-in its hidden characters. EPITAPH. Here rests his head-upon the lap of earth, A dandy-is a thing, that would The course of true love--never did run smooth. of an hour-may become the sorrow of a schols life Anecdote. Father Aurius said, when Bourdaloue preached at Rouen, the tradesmen forsook their workshops, the lawyers their clients, and the physicians their sick, to hear the orator: but when I preached there, the following year, I set all things right; every inan minded his own business. Luxury. When I behold a fashionable table, set out in all its magnificence, I fancy that I see gouts and dropsics, fevers and lethargies, with other innumerable distempers, lying in ambuscade among the dishes. Nature delights in the most plain and simple diet. Every animal, but man, keeps to one dish. Herbs are the food of this species, fisk of that, and flesh of a third. Man falls upon every thing that comes in his way; not the smallest fruit or excrescence of the earth, scarce a berry or a mushroom can escape hin. Varieties. 1. Without exertion and dili gence, success in the pursuits of life, is rarely attained. 2. It is the business of the judge to decide as to the points of law, and the duty of the jurors--to decide as to the matters of fact. 3. The essence of our liberty is-to do whatever we please, provided we do not violate any law, or injure another. 4. A handful of common sense is worth a bushel of learning. 5. Few things are more injurious to our health and constitution, than indulgence in luxuries. 6. Did God, after creating the universe, and putting it in moestimable value, whether to a nation, or an tion, leave it to itself? 7. Credit-is of inindividual. THE MINISTRY OF ANGELS. And is there care in heaven? and is there love In heavenly spirits-to these creatures base, That may compassion of their evils move? [case There is: else, much more wretched were the Of men than beasts. But, oh! the erreeding grac Of highest Heaven! that loves his creatures so: And all his works-with mercy doth embrace, That blessed angels he sends to and fro, To serve to wicked man,-to serve his wicked foo How oft-do they their silver bowers leave, To come to succor us, that succor want! How oft-do they, with golden pinions, cleave The flitting skies, like flying pursuivant, Against foul fiends-to aid us militant! They for us fight, they watch and duly ward, And their bright squadrons round about us plan, And all for love, and nothing for reward: Oh! why should the Lord to man have such regard! TRANQUILLITY, &c. 460. Tranquillity appears by the open and composed countenance, and a general repose of the whole body; mouth nearly closed; eyebrows a little arched; forehead smooth; eyes passing with an easy motion, from one object to another, but not dwelling long on 33y; cast of happiness, bord ring on cheerfulness; Maxims. 1. The follies we tell of others, are often only mirrors to reflect our own. 2. Righteousness--exalteth a nation; but sin-is a reproach to any people. 3. The best mode o. dealing with a quarrelsome person, is, to keep out of his way. 4. Good thought, couched in an appropriate simile, is like a precious stone, set in gold. 5. Great minds may produce great vices, as well as great rirtues; an honest man-is the noblest work of God. 6. Nature, and natural causes, are nothing else, than the way in which God works. 7. 'Tis use that constitutes possessian. 8. No sooner is a law made, than the wicked seek to evade it. 9. One lie draws ten mors after it. 10. Idleness-buries a man alive. Irresolution. In matters of great con desiring to please and be pleased; gaity, good cern, and which must be done, there is no humor, when the mouth opens a little more. CHEERFULNESS IN RETIREMENT. Now my co-mates, and brothers in exile, Miscellaneous. 1. Timidity-often obscures the brightest powers of orators, at their outset; like the chilling vapor, awhile retarding the beauty of a morning in spring; but the day of success, attained by persevering efforts, when it comes, will well repay for its late appearance, and its splendor more than atone for its morning shade. 2. By taking in the widest possible range of authors of all ages, one seems to create, within himself, a sympathy for the whole brotherhood of man, past, present, and to come, and to approximate continually, to a view of Universal Truth, tho' never attaining it. 3. All good speakers and writers, are addicted to imitation: no one-can write or speak well, who has not a strong sympathy with, and admiration for-all that is beautiful. Anecdote. A Pun. Purcell, the famous Dunster, being desired, one evening, when in company, to make an extempore pun, asked, "on what subject ?" "The king;" was the answer. "O sir," said he, "the king is not a subject." I have to see a boy-so rude, That one might think him-raised surer argument-of a weak mind, than irresolution; to be undetermined, where the case is so pluin, and the necessity so urgent. To be always intending to live a new life. but never to find time to set about it; this is as if a man should put off eating, and drinking, and sleeping, from one day and night to another, till he is starved and destroyed. Varieties. 1. Every evil, that we conquer, is a benefactor to our souls. The Sandwich Islander believes that the strength and valor of the enemy he kills, passes into himself. Spiritually, it is so with us; for we gain strength, from every temptation we resist. 2. It is absurd. to think of becoming good, in any thing, without understanding and practicing what we learn. 3. Have we life of our own? or, are we dependent on God for it, every moment of our lives! 7. All the moments of our lives, produce eternal consequences. How sweet-the words of truth, May do the task of many, when the mind Corcombs-are of all realms, and kind; 461. JOY, a pleasing elation of nind on the actual or assured aitainment of good; or deliverance from some evil. When moderate, it opens the countenance with smiles, and throws a sunsaine of delectation over the whole frame; when sudden and violent, it s expressed by clapping the hands, exultation and weeping, raising the eyes to heaven, and perhaps suffusing them with tears, and giving such a spring to the body, as to make attempts to mount up as if it could fly: and when it is extreme, goes into transport, rapture, and ecstasy; the voice often raises on very high pitches, and exhilarating; it has a wildness of look and gesture that borders on folly, madness and sorrow; hence the expression, "frantic with joy." Joy, mirth, &c., produce a rousing, exciting, lively action. JOY EXPECTED. Ah! Juliet, if the measure of thy joy Be heaped, like mine, and that thy skill be more MISCELLANEOUS. Talents-angel-bright, If wanting worth, Are shining instruments In false ambition's hand-to finish faults Tis easiest-dealing with the firmest mind, [kind. Maxims. 1. The abuse of money is worse than the want of it. 2. Revenge is a mean plensure; but no principle is more noble, than that of forgiving injuries. 3. Without friends, the world is but a wilderness. 4. Flattery to ourselves-does not change the nature of that which is wrong. 5 When a man is not liked,, whatever he does is amiss. 6. If a man is unfortunate, and reduced in the world, it is easy to find fault with him. 7. .A pure heart makes the tongue impressive. 8. A man's best fortune, or his worst-is a wife. Health is better than wealth. 10. Unexperienced persons think all things easy. Free Schools; or the road to Honor open to all. When the rich man-is called from the possession of his treasures, he divides them as he wills, among his children and heirs. But an equal Providence deals not so with the living treasures of the mind. There are children, just growing up in the bosom of obscurity, in town and country, who have inherited nothing but poverty and health, and who will, in a few years, be striving, in stern contention, with the great intellects of the land. Our system of free schools, has opened a straight way from the threshold of every abode, however humble, in the village, or in the city, to the high-places of usefulness, influence and honor. And it is left for each, by the cultivation of every talent, by watching, with an eagle-eye, for every chance of improvement; by bounding forward like a gray-hound, at the most distant glimpse of honorable opportunity; by grappling, as with hooks, the prize, when it is won; by redeeming time, by defying temptation, and scorning sensual pleasures; to make himself useful, honored and happy. Varieties. 1. God, who loveth all his creatures, and is no respecter of persons, would have us be good for our own sakes. 2. What is the difference, between the love of being wise, and the love of wisdom? 3. Every age has its own predominant features, taste and propensities, that each may be fitted, and inclined, to discharge the offices allotted to it. 4. God has planted in the irrational brute, memory, sense, and appetite; but to rational man-he has given all these, and superadded thought, intelligence, will, immortal reason, and undying uffection. 5. All orders of good and truth are capable of an infinite display of the varieties, proper to that order; and of an infinite mus tiplication of each. Munc! thou rest of life, and balm of age, To cheer man's path-through this dark pilgrimage, INVOCATION OF THE GODDESS OF MIRTH. But come, thou godless, fair and free, Haste thee, nymph, and bring with thee Quips, and cranks, and wanton wiles, MIRTH AND MELANCHOLY. Now, by two-headed Janus, 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 stage, were unaccompanied by any of those excressences, which cling, incubus-like, to modern theatres; the evil of which the philanthropist and patriot complain, would seem to be trifling. But when he throws himself in the midst of such scenes, as he must necessarily meet, in all the theatres of the present day, he gives the sanction of his presence, his example and reputation, to some of the most monstrous abuses, which e tist 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 pe his greatness. It is because he is among them, that they are countenanced by so large a portion of the American people. Maxims. 1. He, that hearkens to counsel, in wise. 2. Courage-ought to have eyes, and cars. as well as arms. 3. Credit, lost, is like a broken looking-glass. 4. It is steeet to do good unseen 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 worll-is a large and interesting book, and is opened to us day and night. 9. Vanity-renders beauty contemptible. 10. Vores, made in storms, are forgotten in calms; because they are the offspring of fear. Anecdote. Play upon words. A poor drunken loofer-was picked up in the street. by the watchman, when the following decision 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 fight shoes, and cease to worship the god of fash ion? VARIETIES. Like the lily, Her suny locks As morning roses, newly washed with dew. There's nothing in the world can make me joy; Life-is ns tedious-as a twice-told tale, Vexing the dull ear of drowsy man. Love is blind, and lovers cannot see The petty follies, that themselves commit. How far that little candle throws his beams! So-shines a good deed-in this naughty world. Penetration--has an aid of divination. HONESTY. Thou art full of love and honesty, And weigh'st thy words before thou giv'st them breath, Gold, silver, vaser sculptur'd high, Paint, marble, gems, and robes of Persian dye, |