Heaven is the region of gentleness and friendship; nell, of fierceness and animosity.

The path of truth, is a plain and a safe path; that of falsehood, is a perplexing maze.

Modesty is one of the chief ornaments of youth; and has ever been esteemed a presage of rising merit.

Life, with a swift, though insensible course, glides away; and, like a river which undermines its banks, gradually impairs

our state.

The violent spirit, like troubled waters, renders back the images of things distorted and broken; and communicates to them all that disordered motion, which arises solely from its own agitation.

Levity is frequently the forced production of folly or vice; cheerfulness is the natural offspring of wisdom and virtue only.

Persons who live according to order, may be compared to the celestial bodies, which move in regular courses, and by stated laws; whose influence is beneficent; whose operations are quiet and tranquil.

CHAP. III.

Containing applications of the Colon, &c.

Grammar, p. 265. Exercises, p. 151.

The three great enemies to tranquillity, are vice, superstition, and idleness: vice, which poisons and disturbs the mind with

bad passions; superstition. which fills it with imaginary terrors; idleness, which loads it with tediousness and disgust.

To sail on the tranquil surface of an unruffled lake, and to steer a safe course through a troubled and stormy ocean, require different talents: and, alas! human life oftener resembles the stormy ocean, than the unruffled lake.

When we look forward to the year which is beginning, what do we behold there? All, my brethren, is a blank to our view: a dark unknown presents itself.

Happy would the poor man think himself, if he could enter on all the treasures of the rich: and happy for a short time he might be but before he had long contemplated and admired his state, his possessions would seem to lessen, and his cares would grow.

By doing, or at least endeavouring to do, our duty to God and man; by acquiring a humble trust in the mercy and favour of God, through Jesus Christ; by cultivating our minds, and properly employing our time and thoughts; by governing our passions and our temper; by correcting all unreasonable expectations from the world, and from men; and, in the midst of worldly business, habituating ourselves to calm retreat and serious recollection: by such means as these, it may be hoped, that, through the Divine blessing, our days shall flow in a stream as unruffled as the human state admits.

A Metaphor is a comparison, expressed in an abridged form, but without any of the words that denote comparison: as, "To the upright there ariseth light in darkness."

All our conduct towards men, should be influenced by this important precept: "Do unto others, as you would that others should do unto you."

F

Philip III. king of Spain, when he drew near the end of his days, seriously reflecting on his past life, and greatly affected with the remembrance of his mis-spent time, expressed his deep regret in these terms: "Ah! how happy would it have been for me, had I spent these twenty-three years, that I have held my kingdom, in retirement !"

Often is the smile of gaiety assumed, whilst the heart aches within though folly may laugh, guilt will sting.

There is no mortal truly wise and restless at once: wisdom is the repose of minds.

CHAP. IV.

Containing insertions of the Period, &c.

Grammar, p. 266. Exercises, p. 153.

The absence of evil is a real good. Peace, quiet, exemption from pain, should be a continual feast.

Worldly happiness ever tends to destroy itself, by corrupting the heart. It fosters the loose and the violent passions. It engenders noxious habits; and taints the mind with false delicacy, which makes it feel a thousand unreal evils.

Feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, comforting the afflicted, yield more pleasure than we receive from those actions which respect only ourselves. Benevolence may, in this view, be termed the most refined self-love.

The resources of virtue remain entire, when the days of trouble come. They remain with us in sickness, as in health; in poverty, as in the midst of riches; in our dark and solitary

hours, no less than when surrounded with friends and cheerful society. The mind of a good man is a kingdom to him, and he can always enjoy it.

We ruin the happiness of life, when we attempt to raise it too high. A tolerable and comfortable state, is all that we can propose to ourselves on earth. Peace and contentment, not bliss nor transport, is the full portion of man. Perfect joy is reserved for heaven.

If we look around us, we shall perceive that the whole universe is full of active powers. Action is indeed the genius of nature. By motion and exertion, the system of being is preserved in vigour. By its different parts always acting in subordination one to another, the perfection of the whole is carried on. The heavenly bodies perpetually revolve. Day and night incessantly repeat their appointed course. Continual operations are going on in the earth, and in the waters. Nothing stands still.

Constantine the Great was advanced to the sole dominion of the Roman World, A. D. 325; and soon after openly professed the Christian faith.

The letter concludes with this remarkable Postscript: "P.S. Though I am innocent of the charge, and have been bitterly persecuted, yet I cordially forgive my enemies and persecutors."

The last edition of that valuable work, was carefully compared with the original MS.

CHAP. V.

Containing applications of the Dash; of the Notes of Interrogation and Exclamation; and of the Parenthetical

characters.

Grammar, p. 267. Exercises, p. 155.

Beauty and strength, combined with virtue and piety,-how lovely in the sight of men! how pleasing to heaven! peculiarly pleasing, because with every temptation to deviate, they voluntarily walk in the path of duty.

Something there is more needful than expense:

And something previous e'en to taste;-'tis sense.

"I'll live to-morrow," will a wise man say?
To-morrow is too late :-then live to-day.

Gripus has long been ardently endeavouring to fill his chest and lo! it is now full. Is he happy? and does he use it? Does he gratefully think of the Giver of all good things? Does he distribute to the poor? Alas! these interests have no place in his breast.

What is there in all the pomp of the world, the enjoyments of luxury, the gratification of passion, comparable to the tranquil delight of a good conscience?

To lie down on the pillow, after a day spent in temperance, in beneficence, and in piety, how sweet is it!

We wait till to-morrow to be happy: alas! Why not to-day? Shall we be younger? Are we sure we shall be