106 12. We now see Catharina, raised from the low mudwalled cottage, to be empress of the greatest kingdom upon earth. The poor solitary wanderer is now surrounded by thousands, who find happiness in her smile. She, who formerly wanted a meal, is now capable of diffusing plenty upon whole nations. To her good fortune she owed a part of this pre-eminence, but to her virtues nore. 13. She ever after retained those great qualities which first placed her on a throne; and while the extraordinary prince, her husband, laboured for the reformation of his male subjects, she studied, in her turn, the improvement of her own sex. She altered their dresses; introduced mixed assemblies; instituted an order of female knighthood; promoted piety and virtue; and, at length, when she had greatly filled all the stations of empress, friend, wife, and mother, bravely died without regret,-regretted by all. SECTION XVIII. GOLDSMITH. Virtue and happiness equally attainable by the rich and the poor. 1. THE man to whom God has given riches, and blessed with a mind to employ them aright, is peculiarly favoured, and highly distinguished. He looks on his wealth with pleasure, because it affords him the means to do good. He protects the poor that are injured; he suf fers not the mighty to oppress the weak. 2. He seeks out objects of compassion; he inquires into their wants; he relieves them with judgment, and without ostentation. He assists and rewards merit; he encourages ingenuity, and liberally promotes every useful design. He carries on great works, his country is enriched, and the labourer is employed; he forms new schemes, and the arts receive improvement. 3. He considers the superfluities of his table, as belonging to the poor of his neighbourhood; and he defrauds them not. The benevolence of his mind is not checked by his fortune; he rejoices therefore in riches, and his joy is blameless. 4. The virtuous poor man also may rejoice; for he has - many reasons. He sits down to his morsel in peace; his " table is not crowded with flatterers and devourers. He is not embarrassed with a train of dependants, nor teazed with the clamours of solicitation. Debarred from the dainties of the rich, he escapes also their diseases. 5. The bread that he eats, is it not sweet to his taste? The water he drinks, is it not pleasant to his thirst? yea, far more delicious than the richest draughts of the luxurious. His labour preserves his health, and procures him a repose to which the downy bed of sloth is a stranger. 6. He limits his desires with humility: and the calm of contentment is sweeter to his soul, than all the acquisitions of wealth and grandeur.-Let not the rich, therefore, presume on his riches; nor the poor in his poverty yield to despondence: for the Providence of God dispenses happiness to them both. ECONOMY OF HUMAN LIFE. SECTION XIX, The Character of Christ. 1. WHOEVER Considers, with attention, the character of our blessed Lord, as it may be collected from the various incidents and actions of his life, (for there are no laboured descriptions of it, no encomiums upon it, by his own disciples,) will soon discover that it was, in every respect, the most excellent that ever was made known to mankind. 2. If we only say of him, what even Pilate said of him, and what his bitterest enemies cannot and do not deny, that we can find no fault in him, and that the whole tenour of his life was blameless, this is more than can be said of any other person that ever came into the world. 3. But this is going a very little way indeed, in the excellence of his character. He was not only free from every failing, but he possessed and practised every imaginable virtue. Towards his heavenly Father he expressed the most ardent love, the most fervent yet rational devotion; and displayed, in his whole conduct, the most absolute resignation to his will, and obedience to his commands. 4. His manners were gentle, mild, condescending, and gracious; his heart overflowed with kindness, compassion, and tenderness to the whole human race. The great em. ployment of 's life, was to de good to the bodies and rouls K 2 of men. In this, all his thoughts, and all his time, were constantly, and almost incessantly occupied. 5. He went about dispensing his blessings to all around him, in a thousand different ways; healing diseases, relieving infirmities, correcting errors, removing prejudices; promoting piety, justice, charity, peace, and harmony; and crowding into the narrow compass of his ministry more acts of mercy and compassion, than the longest life of the most benevolent man upon earth ever yet produced. 6. Over his own passions he had obtained the most complete command; and though his patience was continually put to the severest trials, yet he was never overcome, never betrayed into any intemperance or excess, in word or deed; 66 never once spake unadvisedly with his lips." 7. He endured the cruellest insults from his enemies, with the utmost composure, meekness, patience, and resignation; displayed astonishing fortitude under a most painful and ignominious death: and, to crown all, in the very midst of his torments on the cross, implored forgiveness for his murderers, in that divinely charitable prayer, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." 8. Nor was his wisdom inferior to his virtues. The doctrines he taught were the most sublime, and the most important, that were ever before delivered to mankind; and every way worthy of that God, from whom he professed to derive them, and whose Son he declared himself to be. 9. His precepts inculcated the purest and most perfect morality; his discourses were full of dignity and wisdom, yet intelligible and clear; his parables conveyed instruction in the most pleasing, familiar, and impressive manner; and his answer to the many insidious questions that were put to him, showed uncommon quickness of conception, soundness of judgment, and presence of mind; completely baffled all the artifices and malice of his enemies; and enabled him to elude all the snares that were laid for him. 10. From this short and imperfect sketch of our Saviour's character, it is evident that he was, beyond comparison, the wisest and the most virtuous person that ever appeared in the world. BIELBY, BISHOP OF LONDON, PART II. PIECES IN POETRY. CHAPTER I. SELECT SENTENCES AND PARAGRAPHS. SECTION I. Improvement of time. DEFER not till to-morrow to be wise; If good we plant not, vice will fill the place; Indulge the true ambition to excel In its true light, this transient life regard : Happiness domestic. For genuine happiness we need not roam; The human heart ne'er knows a state of rest Be humble; learn thyself to scan: Could wealth our happiness augment? Virtue is altogether lovely. Virtue is amiable, mild, serene: Without, all beauty; and all peace within. The faults of our neighbours with freedom we blame, How noble 'tis to own a fault! How gen'rous and divine to forgive it ! Troubles from ourselves. 'Tis to ourselves, indeed, we chiefly owe The multitude of poignant griefs we feel. Resignation. Nor love thy life, nor hate; but when thou liv'st, SECTION II. Integrity. THE man of pure and simple heart, Best use of riches. 'Tis thus, that on the choice of friends Our good or evil name depends. Christian morality. .....'Tis our part, As Christians, to forget the wrongs we feel foes To pardon tresspasses; our very |