ants, that this was a spot to which Dioclesian might have retired with pleasure. 8. The impression had remained so strong on his mind that he pitched upon it as the place of his retreat. It was seated in a vale of no great extent,watered by a small brook, and surrounded by rising grounds, covered with lofty trees From the nature of the soil as well as the temperature i of the climate, it was esteemed the most healthful and delicious situation in Spain. 9. Some months before his resignation he had sent an architect k thither, to add a new apartment to the monastery, for his accommodation; but he gave strict orders that the style of the building should be such as suited his present station, rather than his former dignity It consisted only of six rooms, four of them in the form of friars' cells, with naked walls; the other two, each twenty feet square, were hung with brown cloth, and furnished in the most simple manner. 10. They were all on a level with the ground; with a door on one side into a garden of which Charles himself had given the plan and had filled it with various plants, which he proposed to cultivate with his own hands. On the other side, they communicated with the chapel of the monastery, in which he was to perform his devotions. 11. Into this humble retreat, hardly sufficient for the comfortable accommodation of a private gentleman, did Charles enter with twelve domesticks only. He buried there in solitude and silence, his grandeur, his ambition together with all those vast projec s which, during half a century, had alarmed and agitated Europe; filling every kingdom in it by turns, with the terrour of his arms, and the dread of being subjected to his power. 12. In this retirement, Charles formed such a plan of life for himself as would have suited the condition of a private person, of a moderate fortune. His table was neat but plain; his domesticks few; his intercourse with them familiar; all the cumbersome and ceremonious forms of attendance on his person, were entirely abolished, as destructive of that social ease and tranquility, which he courted, in order to sooth the remainder of his days. 13. As the mildness of the climate together with his deliverance from the burdens and cares of government, procured bim, at first. a considerable remission from the acute / pains with which he had been long tormented, he enjoyed, perhaps, more complete satisfaction in this humble solitude, than all his grandeur m had ever yielded him. 14. The ambitious thoughts and projects which had so long engrossed and disquieted him, were quite effaced from his mind. Far from taking any part in the political transactions of the princes of Europe, he restrained his curiosity even from any enquiry concerning them; and he seemed to view the busy scene which he had abandoned, with all the contempt and indifference arising from his thorough experience of its vanity, as well as from the pleasing reflection of having disentangled n himself from its cares. DR. ROBERTSON, 18 PART II. PIECES IN POETRY. CHAPTER 1. SELECT SENTENCES AND PARAGRAPHS. SECTION I-SHORT AND EASY SENTENCES, "TIS education forms the common mind; With pleasure let us own our errours past; A soul without reflection, like a pile Secret Virtue. The private path, the secret acts of man, Necessary knowledge easily attained. Disappointment. Disappointment lurks in many a prize, The mind that would be happy, must be great; Charity In faith and hope the world will disagree; Note-In the first chapter, the Compiler has exhibited a considerable variety of poetical construction, for the young reader's preparatory exercise. The prize of virtue. What nothing earthly gives, or can destroy, Sense and modesty connected. Distrustful sense with modest caution speaks; Heaven gives us friends to bless the present scene : Like birds, whose beauties languish, half conceal'd, Hope, of all passions most befriends us here; Who noble ends by noble means obtains, No radiant pearl, which crested fortune wears, SECTION H -VERSES IN WHICH THE LINES ARE OF DIFFERENT LENGTH Bliss of celestial origin. RESTLESS mortals toil for nought: Bliss in vain from earth is sought; Bliss, a native of the sky, Never wanders: Mortels, try; For to seek her is to gain. ́ ́ The passions. Curb these licentious sons of strife; 'Tis Providence alone secures, In ev'ry change, both mine and yours. Epitaph. How lov'd, how valu'd once, avails thee not, A heap of dust alone remains of thee; 'Tis all thou art and all the proud shall be. Fame. All fame is foreign, but of true desert; Plays round the head, but comes not to the heart. And more true joy, Marcellus exil'd feels, Virtue the guardian of youth. Down the smooth stream of life the stripling darts, |