upon the proper principles, are so easy and plain, that we need not turn into corners and sneaking by-lanes to find them out.'

L'enthousiasme des vertus sublimes est peu d'usage dans la société; en s'élançant trop haut on est sujet aux chutes; la continuité des petits devoirs, toujours bien remplis, ne demande pas moins de force que les actions héroïques; on en tiroit meilleur parti pour l'honneur, et pour le bonheur, et il valoit infiniment mieux avoir, toujours, l'estime des hommes que, quelquefois, leur admiration.2

How well would it be for us if we could often see ourselves in the same light that others see us in.

Whatever strengthens the understanding, expands the affections, or enlarges the sphere of our sympathies; whatever makes us feel our relation to the universe" and all that it inherits," to time and to eternity, to the great and beneficent Cause of all, must unquestionably refine our nature, and elevate us in the scale of being.3

When opening upon eternity, it will be our regret that so LITTLE has been DONE, SO MUCH left

UNDONE.

Let us remember that when the hour of trouble comes to the mind or the body,

hour of death comes, that comes to

and when the

high and low,

then it will na be what we hae

3 Channing (Preface to Works, 1829).

2 Rousseau.

dune for oursells, but what we hae dune for others, that we shall think on maist pleasantly.'

He who considers this earthly spot as the only theatre of his existence and its grave, instead of his first stage in progressive being, can never view nature with a cheerful, or man with a benevolent eye.

Labour, by a wise and virtuous life, to get thy soul so settled, that, which way soever she turns her eye, the heaven is calm and serene about her.

The separation of my soul and body is what I should think, of with little pain; for I am sure He that made it, will take care of it; and, in whatever state He pleases it to be, that state must be right.2

I hae naebody now - I hae naebody now
To meet me upon the green,

Wi' light locks waving o'er her brow

And joy in her deep blue e'en,

Wi' the soft, sweet kiss, and the happy smile,
And the dance o' the lightsome fay;
An' the wee bit tale of news the while,
That had happen'd when I was away.

I hae naebody now - I hae naebody now -
To clasp to my bosom at even,

O'er her calm sleep to breathe the vow,
An' pray for a blessing from Heaven;
An' the wild embrace, and the gleesome face,
In the morning that met mine eye;
Where are they noo? where are they noo ?.
In the cauld, cauld grave they lie.

1 Scott (Heart of Mid Lothian, not literal).
2 Pope (Letter to Swift Swift's Works, xii.)

Oh! dinna break, my puir auld heart,

Nor at thy loss repine;

For the unseen hand, that threw the dart,

Was from her Father, and thine.1

As she had lived, so she died- an example of every noble feeling of love, attachment, and the total want of every thing selfish. Endeavouring to the last to conceal her suffering, she evinced a resignation, a Christian courage, beyond all power of description. Her last injunction was to attend to her poor people.2

She had her senses to the very last gasp, and exerted them to give me all the marks of love in her power. The last words she said to me were the kindest of all; a reflection on the goodness of God, which had allowed us in this manner to meet once more, before we parted for ever. Not many minutes after that, she laid herself on her pillow in a sleeping posture.

Placidâque ibi demum morte quievit.

Judge what I felt on this occasion, and feel, at my age, under my infirmities. infirmities. I have no reliefs and supports but those with which reason and religion furnish me; and those I lay hold on, and grasp as fast as I can. I hope that He who laid the burden upon me (for wise and good purposes no doubt), will enable me to bear it, as I have borne others, with some degree of fortitude and firmness. GOD'S WILL BE DONE!!

1 The Ettrick Shepherd.

2 See a beautiful letter by the late Duke of Buccleugh, on his Duchess's death, expressive of deep feeling, and a fine, manly sense of duty. (Life of Scott, iv. 382.)

3 Dr. Atterbury (Pope's Works, viii.).

TO THE READER.

FAREWELL!-forgive my feeble sway:

Much have I owed this strain on life's long way,
Through secret woes the world has never known,
When on the weary night dawn'd wearier day,
And bitterer was the grief devour'd alone! 1

My task is done — my theme

Has died into an echo; it is fit

The spell should break of this protracted dream,
The torch should be extinguish'd which hath lit
My midnight lamp-and what is writ, is writ :
Would it were worthier! - but I am not now
That which I have been—and my visions flit
Less palpably before me and the glow,
Which in my spirit dwelt, is flutt'ring, faint, and low.
Farewell!-a word that must be, and hath been-
A sound which makes us linger-yet- Farewell! 2

1 Lady of the Lake.

2 Childe Harold.

342

ADDENDA.

TO CH. I.- Every effect presupposes an adequate cause; that cause in the scheme of the universe, by whatever name it be designated, is the Deity. Unless a man doubt that he exist, he cannot doubt that something caused him to exist;-that cause is the Deity.'

CH. II.A few cross instances, which to us, weaksighted mortals, may appear of evil tendency, ought not to make, and cannot, upon due reflection, make us doubt of the pure benevolence of the Deity. When we know so little of nature, it would be surprising, indeed, if we should be able to account for every event, and its final tendency. Unless we were let into the counsels of the Almighty, we can never hope to unravel all the mysteries of the

creation.

Now an argument from ignorance can never be a convincing argument in any case; and this difficulty of accounting for natural and moral evil can but appear in the shape of a difficulty, — not of a solid objection.

As spots in the sun's bright orb, so, in the universal plan, scattered evils are lost in the blaze of superabundant goodness.2

CH. IV. By religion, here, I do not mean merely devotion and prayer, which are of admirable use, and of great necessity; but the greater degree of all that is good ; the more sure conquest over all our passions; the more quiet possession of our souls in patience; the more profound submission to all the dispensations of God."

1 C.

2 Condensed from Essays quoted, p. 2. n. 6.

3 Hoadley on Acceptance.

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