A noble lord, who once suffered himself to lose a thousand pounds to a man of modest merit, whom he knew to be greatly necessitated, and to whom he durst not offer it as a gift, surely did a very laudable action, and in which modesty had no small share. ALL parts of Christendom acknowledge one book, which is called the BIBLE, as the standard of all belief and practice; and tho' it is called but one book, it is a collection of many, and contains a variety of subjects that need not be enumerated. Wherefore, for those who acknowledge the scriptures to be authentic and divine, and who may want to know the best rules of living, in order to be happy in the next world, and even in this, such persons will find in that neglected collection of writings, what will be useful for both these ends, and an agreeableness of style very dis tinguishing. Would you see history in all her simplicity, and all her force; most beautifully easy, yet irresistibly striking? See her, or rather feel her energy, touching the nicest movements of the soul, and triumphing over our passions, in the inimitable narrative of Joseph's life.The representation of Esau's bitter distress; the conversation pieces of Jonathan, and his gallant friend; the memorable journey of the disciples going to Emmaus; are finished models of the impassioned and affecting.Here is nothing studied, no flights of fancy; no embellishments of oratory, yet, how inferior is the episode of Nisus and Eurialus, though worked up by the most masterly hand in the world, to the undissembled, artless fervency of these scriptural sketches. Are we pleased with the elevation and dignity of an heroic poem, or the tenderness and perplexity of a dramatic performance? In the book of Job they are both united, and both unequalled-the language glows, and the pathos swells, till at last the Deity himself makes his entrance, &c. If we sometimes choose a plaintive strain; such as soften the mind, and soothe an agreeable melancholy; are any of the ancient tragedies superior, in the eloquence of mourning, to David's pathetic elegy on his beloved Jonathan; to his passionate, inconsolable moan, over the lovely but unhappy Absalom; or that melodious woe, which warbles and bleeds in every line of Jeremiah's lamentation. If we want maxims of wisdom, or have a taste for the laconic style, how copiously may our wants be supplied, and how delicately our taste gratified! especially in the books of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and some of the minor prophets. Yet not the more Cease I to wander, where the muses haunt, Clear springs or shady groves, or sunny hill, Smit with the love of sacred song, but chief Thee Sion, and the flow'ry banks beneath, That wash thy hallow'd feet, and warbling slow Nightly I visit. King Alphonso was wont to say, that dead counsellors, meaning his books, were to him far better than living; for they, without flattery or fear, presented to him truth. & There is no end of books, many libraries are furnished for sight and ostentation, rather than use; the very indexes not to be read over in an age and in this multitude, how great a part of them are either dangerous, or not worth reading! A few books well chosen; and well made use of, will be more profitable than a great confused Alexandrian library. Such books as teach sapience and prudence, and serve to eradicate errors and vices, are the most profitable writings in the world, and ought to be valued and studied more than all others whatsoever. In vain do we look for true and lasting sat isfaction in any other books than the holy scriptures, wherein are contained all that is necessary to the happiness of this life, and the life hereafter. Some will read over, or rather over-read a book, with a view only to find fault, like a venomous spider, extracting a poisonous quality, where the industrious bee sips out a sweet and profitable juice. A great many people are too fond of books, -as they are of furniture, to dress and set off their rooms, more than to adorn and enrich their minds. Next to the study of the holy scriptures, it may not be amiss to recommend the reading of a little poetry, properly chosen. The faculty in which women most excel, (says the admirable-the judicious Mrs. Chapone) is that of imagination-and when properly cultivated, it becomes the source of all that is charming in society.-Nothing you can read will so much contribute to the improvement of this faculty, as poetry,-which if applied to its true ends, adds a thousand charms to those sentiments of religion, virtute, generosity and delicate tenderness, by which the human soul is exalted and refined. Natural philosophy, the study of nature, moral philosophy, &c. are strongly recommended, in an elegant, refined, and sublime style, by the amiable lady above-mentioned: As also the reading of Spectators, Guardians, Ramblers, and Adventurers, as particularly useful to young people, &c. Nor would I by any means, (she adds) exclude that kind of reading which young people are naturally most fond C of, though I think the greatest care should be taken in the choice of those fictitious stories, that so enchant the mind, most of which tend to inflame the passions of youth, whilst the chief purpose of education should be to moderate and restrain them. There are, however, works of this class, in which excellent morality is joined with the most lively pictures of the human mind, and with all that can entertain the imagination, and instruct the heart. CHASTITY. CHASTITY HASTITY consists in a fixed abhorrence of all forbidden sensual indulgences, a recollection of past impurities with shame and sorrow; a resolute guard over the thoughts, passions, and actions for the future; a steady abstinence from the most distant approaches of lust and indecency; a lively consciousness of the omnipresence of the Almighty, who sees and knows all our actions, and our most hidden thoughts, and who is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity. The libertine who builds a name, |