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it much greater perfection. But if it be our fortune to live retired, to be, as it were, shut up in a corher of the world, and denied the pleasures of conversation, I mean those delights which naturally result from rational and instructive discourse, we ought to endeavour to become good company to ourselves, ought to consider, that, if we husband our time well, improve our abilities, lay in a rich stock of knowledge, and, by our diligence and industry, make a happy progress in the necessary as well as the pleasant parts of learning, we shall be always agreeably employed and perfectly easy without calling in foreign aids; we shall be cheerful alone, and entertaining to ourselves, without being indebted for any part of our satisfaction to those frivolous diversions to which the generality of mankind are obliged to have re

course.

What can afford a higher, a more masculine pleasure, a purer, a more transporting delight, than to retire into ourselves, and there attentively inspect the various operations of our minds, compare our ideas, consult our reason, and view all the qualities of our faculties, the inimitable work of divine wisdom, and the participations of inconceivable power which are discoverable in our wills and

acts!

Without us there is nothing but what will be a fit subject for our contemplation, and afford a constant and delectable entertainment. If we look on our bodies, their complicated composition, the admirable symmetry and exact proportion of their parts, the intelligence which appears in the face, the vivacity which sparkles in the eye, together with that promptness and energy which accompanies every motion, will afford ample inatter for meditation. If we extend our view to the VOL. XXXVIII.

animal and vegetative kingdoms, make a strict scrutiny into the individuals of each respective kind, consider their forms, their properties, their uses, and their peculiar virtues; and if to these we add the totally inanimate part of the creation, and observe nature as she there luxuriantly exhibits her skill in numberless productions, we shall find abundant matter on which to employ our thoughts. But if we still widen our prospect, and look beyond the narrow confines of this globe, we shall be pleasingly confounded with a stupendous variety of objects; we shall be lost in a delightful maze, and stray from one wonder to another, always finding something new, something great, something admirable, and every way worthy of that infinite, that incomprehensible wisdom to which the universe owes its origin.

Thus may we delightfully as well as advantageously employ ourselves in our studies, in our gardens, and in the silent lonely retirement of a shady grove.

By day the verdant fields, the towering hills, the winding rivers, the murmuring brooks, the bleating flocks, the lowing herds, the me lodious birds, the beauteous insects, the minute reptiles, together with the vast expanse of heaven, and that glorious fountain of light which adorns it, and imprints a pleasing lustre, imparts a delightful diversity of colours to every thing on which it shines, will suggest fresh hints at night ten thousand sublime objects will entertain us; unnumbered orbs of light roll over our heads, and keep our thoughts agreeably employed.

If at any time we find that too strict an attention, too great an intenseness of mind, brings a languor on our spirits, we may have recourse to books. In them (if judiciously

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chosen) we shall be sure to meet with rational amusement, something that will instruct as well as please; will make our hours glide easily along, and yet prevent their being lost.

Dear to the Gods ambrosia prov'd,
As dear are books, where they 're belov'd;
They 're still the mind's delicious treat,
Its healthful, most substantial meat;
The soul's ennobling sprightly wine,
Like nectar sweet, and as divine:
Castalian springs did ne'er produce
A richer, more spirituous juice.
When by't inspir'd we fearless rise,
And, like the giants, brave the skies;
Pelion on Ossa boldly lay,
From thence both earth and sea survey;
On them the huge Olympus throw,
Then to the tow'ring summit go,
Thence take a view of worlds on high,
From orb to orb with pleasure fly;
Still upward soar, until the mind
Effects does in their causes find,
And them pursue till they unite
In the bless'd source of truth and light.'

But none can be thus happy in solitude unless they have an inward purity of mind, their desires contracted, and their passions absolutely under the government of their reason. Learning without virtue will not, cannot, bestow felicity. Where there is an internal disturbance, a tumult of thought, a consciousness of guilt, and an anxiousness of soul, there can be no easy reflections, no satisfying pleasures.. No, there must be innocence, calmness, and a true understanding of the value of things, before the mind can find an enjoyment and complacency in itself. To render a retired life truly agreeable, there must be piety as well as human knowledge, incorrupt morals, as well as an insight into nature; a disregard of wealth, at least no eager solicitude for it; a being weaned from the world, from its vanity, its applause, its censure, from all the means it has of enticing or disturbing, all that it can give or take away; for without an absolute independence on all things here we

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A STROLLER!-- Pshaw!-I detest the name !'-perhaps some fair reader may ejaculate. Be that as it may, I am a stroller; and as nothing will alter my being a stroller, I trust the dear fair-one will not form an unfavourable opinion of me; but excuse me when I say, I am a good harmless sort of fellow, and mean no body any injury. My strolling has certainly taught me to be content; and let the world wag as it will, still I am happy: my bosom is serene,

'Like a peaceful sea that knows no storms.'

I envy no one; but as chance guides my steps, I cannot help now and then noticing some absurdities that present themselves: yet I am aware that roses as well as thorns spring up in every soil, so I take things as they fall. I was just going to say, I think your very amusing friends, J. M. L. and S. Y. are of my fraternity, for they are strollers to all intents and purposes; and if I consider them as such, I trust they will have generosity enough to forgive me: but on the other hand, if I should by saying thus much offend, why, I beg to affure them (as I do all others) I mean no harm, and would scorn to set a foot into either of their paths.

As I was strolling the other morn

across the fields, I met with an old school-fellow of mine; but you must know, some how or other he is fixed in what is called a higher situation than myself, and to prove to you he was in this instance, he was on horseback, and I on my legs: but I was content. Phillips once said,

Happy the man, who, void of care and strife,

In silken or in leathern purse, retains
A splendid shilling.'

I knew I had that in my possession, but really cannot answer for this old school-companion. As

passed him, I gave a look-direct, but he feigned not to recollect me; yet, as he crossed his nose with a white handkerchief (which I believe to be his mother's), he condescended to return me a look-oblique. I really think that I appeared to him no bigger than one of Gulliver's Lilliputians, while no doubt he conceited himself as big as one of his Brobdignagians; so apt are some people to suppose themselves great, because they happen to be placed in an exalted situation.

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At first sight I scarcely knew this exalted youth, and I firmly believe he had been using a little of that certain something, which (excuse me) many of you fair creatures make use of; for when we used to go to school together I recollect his face was as brown as a nutmeg, while mine (though I say it), was as fair as a lily, but now it was (as Tim says in the farce) all over red and white like the inside of a shoulder of mutton. Perhaps some of our modern finical sparks may hang their jibs, and say, what business is it

to you, Mr. Stroller, what we gents do; we are of the beau monde, and will do as we please.' To such I an swer, you may do as you please, and so will I.-Now, fair readers, I submit myself to your smiles and protection; and if this trifle should meet your approbation, you may shortly for I have kept on till my paper is anticipate something more from me, full, and for the present I resign my pen.

Such the vanity of great and small; Contempt goes round, and all men laugh at YOUNG.

all.'

ANECDOTE.

OLD Giffard the player, lately deceased, used to relate an anecdote which exhibited, in a strong point of view, one of those failings by which, it is well known, the lustre of Garrick's transcendant merits was somewhat obscured. He and that great hero were performing together in Hamlet, and Giffard had the part of the Player King assigned him; which he acted to admiration, and with unceasing and rapturous ap plause from all parts of the house. On his retiring behind the scenes, he was greeted with the cordial congratulations of his fellow-performers; but one, more sage than the rest, observed, that though he could not but witness his success with pleasure, yet he feared that that might prove one of the most unfortunate days of his life, and that Garrick and he would never be seen on the same boards together again.' 'And,' said Giffard,his fears were but too well founded; we never were.'

POETICAL ESSAYS.

TO THE PRIMROSE.
By JOHN MAYNE.

BY murm'ring Nith, my native stream,
I've hail'd thee with the morning's beam;
Woo'd thee among the Falls of Clyde,
On Levin's banks, on Kelvin-side;
And now, on Hanwell's flow'ry plain,
I welcome thy return again-
At Hanwell! where romantic views,
And sylvan scenes, invite the Muse;
And where, lest erring man should stray,
Truth's blameless Teacher leads the way!
Lorn tenant of the peaceful glade,
Emblem of Virtue in the shade,
Rearing thy head to brave the storm
That would thine innocence deform!
Of all the flow'rs that greet the Spring,
Of all the flow'rs the Seasons bring,
To me, while doom'd to linger here,
The lowly Primrose shall be dear!
Sprung like a Primrose in the wild,
Short, like the Primrose, MARION smil'd;
The Spring that gave her blossoms birth,
Tore them for ever from the earth;
Nor left, ah me! one bud behind,
To tranquillize a Parent's mind,
Save that sweet bud which strews the way,
Blest Hope! to an eternal May!
Lorn tenant of the peaceful glade,
Emblem of Virtue in the shade,
Rearing thy head to brave the storm
That would thine innocence deform!
Of all the flow'rs that greet the Spring,
Of all the flow'rs the Seasons bring,
To me, while doom'd to linger here,
The lowly Primrose shall be dear!

I'd sing thee many a merry tale,
Or paint thy charms in amorous measure;
I'd swear the swiftly varying gale

Ne'er, varying, blew on such a treasure. With fifty more such flights as these,

Such as the dreaming bard composes, Who but in fancy's wand'rings sees

The coral lip, the check of roses : Or in my song to nature true,

I'd paint the bliss I oft have known,
When, whilst each moment swifter flew,
Beneath yon hill with thee alone,

I've clasp'd thee to my glowing breast,
And sworn I lov'd thee o'er and o'er;
And as to mine thy bosom prest,

I still have lev'd thee more and more: 'Till feeling I could never tell

Thee how I lov'd, or paint my bliss, I've press'd thy lips' bewitching swell, And drown'd the accents in thy kiss.

Whilst every kiss still made me feel

That I did love thee more sincerely, Then from my heart a sigh would steal, And I would say I love you dearly!" 'Twas all my rapture, let me say,

But, Fanny! 'twas sincerely true; And I was bless'd to hear thee say, Blushing, My William, I love you!"

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Thus many a happy night I've pass'd, And thought it Hed but as a minute, And I would ever think the last

Had most of heav'nly rapture in it. This be my theme! no more I'll sigh, No more I'll strike the Lyre of Woe; From hence be mine the Harp of Jey, And sweetly may its numbers flow.

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To the EDITOR of the LADY'S MAGAZINE, Sir,

THE two following Poems I have every reason to believe are original, but I cannot pledge myself that they are so. They fell into my hands by mere chance, in the remains of some letters from one female to another, which from the appearance of the paper, writing, &c. must have been written nearly fifty years. At allevents, I trust you will join with me in thinking they are deserving of a public perusai, and a place in your esteemed Magazine. I am, Sir, yours, &c. J. M. L.

A LADY'S WISH.

COULD we our present wish obtain,

Should we contented rest? Perhaps that wish might fatal prove, Lamented, if possess'd.

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