A.D. 1832; or, from the birth of Christ to the present day. The habit of swearing leads to a disrespect of the Divine name, and eventually to an indifference to the Divine laws; for, if we mingle oaths with the common business of the world, we shall feel as much indifference to an oath, as to our other business-it will be made subservient to the sordid principle of the love of gain; and, in the practice of swearing, we shall contract a habit which will be too apt to stain our private character. If it is wrong in one case, it is wrong in all, for one rule is laid down for the whole world. The Lord will not hold the swearer innocent.

1832, 1mo. 15th.—ON COWPER's Table Talk. -The plan of the poem is this:-A and B are supposed to talk at table on various topics. A is the querist, and objector to the arguments proposed by B. The sentiments of B are, I think, often opposed to good sense, and Cowper might have combated them, through A, more than he does. B advocates war undertaken in a just cause; but, who is the judge? Suppose France attacks England unjustly. According to

the rule, England ought to fight France, but France ought not to fight England; consequently there would be no war.

-2mo. 25th.-ON ANGER. -Anger may be defined to be a passion roused upon the receipt of an injury. Locke couples it with revenge; but, in some cases, the anger is on account of the injury, not on account of the cause of it. Horace says,

"Ira furor brevis est."

Anger is a short madness.

Some say anger is an innocent passion; but, if it is a passion, it surely ought to be controlled. What are its fruits? Was it not under its influence that Cain killed his brother, and that Alexander killed Clytus?-The incentive of anger is intemperance, and in this case Horace may be right. Revenge is often a consequence of anger.

A SIMILE.

BY F. J. POST.

When the stars light the canopy of heaven,
And the soft moonlight shews the quiet scene;

Oh! then to meditation pure is given,

Apart from all alloy of thoughts terrene,
Unsullied peace.!

Not when the tempests rage, and surges roar,
The thunders roll, and vivid lightnings flash;
Or, when the soldiers arm for dreadful war,

And men kill men, alas! with madness rash, Promoting strife!

I

1832, 3 mo. 12th. - I have lately read "Montgomery's World before the Flood." I think it good, but somewhat trifling after Milton. have almost finished "The Pleasures of Imagination, by M Akenside.”

3 mo. 22d. -How wonderful is the declaration of Josephus, speaking of Jesus" He was the Christ!"—They say it is an interpolation; but there are other wonderful coincidences between certain parts of his "Discourse on Hades," and parts of the New Testament.

– 3mo.25th. I cannot but think that much curious information is detailed in diaries not intended for publication, Think not that my diary

is intended for publication; but Evelyn or Burton, perhaps, thought the same. Think not that I am worthy of ranking with them. But if my diary might be discovered in the 20th century, and printed, I would offer to the reader a few remarks:

1. Various sentiments in this book there are, which, perhaps, I should now condemn. It is the history of a mind first developed in the puerilities of childhood, and now merging into youth; and which, if favoured with health and means, I purpose extending to the man. In it, I flatter myself, some advance of intellect may be discovered, but I am aware, I am still but a youth. The reader is unjust, if he accuse me of flattery or egotism in a history of myself.

2. The matters of fact in this diary, are matters of fact.

3. This diary is strictly private; it details private feelings; and feelings which, perhaps, were often to be checked.

4. Judge not of my present feelings by any thing I have written prior to this time.

5. Judge leniently. "What consequence some

people attach to the trash they write!" the reader, perhaps, may say-I write not for such; I write for myself; and if any one should find fault with my style, it is not my fault that they examine it is it?

Lastly. I have only spoken as I thought justice needed, and, as in a search after truth might be required my present sentiments must be judged by my present remarks.

1832-THE DEATH OF THE JUST.

A free Translation from the French of Massillon.

- F. J. P.

How religion makes the faithful great on the bed of death! How the spectacle of the just soul in this last moment is worthy of God, of angels, and of men ! It is then the faithful appears master of the world, and of all its ties. This soul, already a partaker of the grandeur and immutability of God, whom she is about to join again, is raised above all earthly thoughts-in the world, yet not taking part there-in a mortal body, without being attached there-in the midst of relations and friends, without seeing.