549. VENERATION. In religious veneration, Anecdote. The benevolent and immortal the body always bends forward, as if ready to John Howard, a celebrated English philan prostrate itself before the Lord of Hosts; the thropist, having settled his account, at he arms are spread out, but modestly, as high as the close of a particular year, and found a bal breast, and the hands are open; the tone of ance in his favor, proposed to his ue to "mvoice is submissive, timid, trembling, weak, sup- ploy it, in defraying the expenses of a rpliant; the words are brought out with a visible anxiety, approaching to hesitation; they are few, ney to London; or for any other amusement she might prefer. and slowly pronounced; nothing of vain repeti"What a pretty cottage," tion, haranguing, flowers of rhetoric, or reflected she replied, "would this build for a por figures of speech; all simplicity, humility, lowli- family." The charitable hint met his app ness, such as become a worm of dust, when pre-bation, and the money was laid out acc suming to address the high and lofty One, who ingly. inhabiteth Eternity; yet dwelleth with the meek and contrite spirit, that trembleth at His Word. In intercession for our fellow creatures, and in thanksgiving, we naturally assume a small degree of cheerfulness, beyond what is clothed in confession and deprecation: all affected ornaiments in speech or gesture, in devotion, are very censurable. Example: Hail, Source of Being! Universal Soul Of heaven and earth! Essential Presence, hail! Almighty God,-'tis right,-'tis just, 551. WONDER-is inquisitive fear: and as it is inquisitive, it is steadfast, and demands firm. muscles but as it is fear, it cannot be properly expressed without the mark of apprehension and alarm. Were this alarm too much disturbed, Says the earth to the moon," You're a pilf'ring jade, No more thus brooding o'er yon heap, With av'rice painful vigils keep; Still unenjoy'd the present store, Still endless sighs are breath'd for mor Oh! quit the shadow, catch the prize, Which not all India's treasure buys! To purchase heav'n, has gold the pow'r ' Can gold remove the mortal hour? In life, can love be bought with gold? Are friendship's pleasures to be sold? No-all that's worth a wish—a thoughs. Fair virtue gives, unbrib'd, unbought. Ceasc, then, on trash thy hopes to bind; Let nobler views engage thy mind. Varieties. 1. When we are polite to others, entirely for our own sakes, we are deceitful; for nothing selfish has truth and goodness in it. But there is such a thing as true politeness, always kind, never deceitful. 2. The outward forms of politeness, are but the expressions of such feelings, as should dwell in every human heart. 3. True politeness is the spontaneous movement of a good heart, and an observing mind. 4. Will the ruling propensities of the parent, be transmitted to the child, and affect, and give bias to his char acter? 5. Folish people are sometimes so ambitious of being thought wise, that they often run great hazards in attempting to show themselves such. 6. Guilt may attain temporal splendor, but can never confer real happiness. 7. The principles, which your reason and judgment approve, avow boldly, and adhere to steadfastly; nor let any false notions of honor, or pitiful ambition of shining, ever tempt you to forsake them. A TALE OF WONDER. Now the laugh shakes the hall, and the ruddy While the music play'd sweet, and, with tripping Bruno danc'd thro' the maze of the hall; [so light, The monster of blood-now extended his claws, And from under the bed did he creep; [paws; With blood all besmear'd, he now stretch'd out his With blood all besmear'd, he now stretch'd out To feed-on the ungel-asleep. [his jaws, He seiz'd on a vein, and gave such a bite, And he gave, with his fangs, such a tug- "O have mercy!" they cried, "WHAT A BUG !” 552. VEXATION, occasioned by some real or imaginary misfortune, agitates the whole frame; and, besides expressing itself with looks, tones, gestures and restlessness of perplexity, adds to these complaint, fretting, lamentation, and re morse. ON NEGLECTING ONE'S DUTY. O what a rogue and peasant slave am I; Private ▲ broken voice, and his whole function suiting, With forms to his conceit; and all for nothing; For Hec-u-ba! What's Hec-u-ba to him, or he, to That he shoud weep for her? [Hecuba, 553. LANGUAGE OF THE HEAD. Every part of the body contributes to express our thoughts and affections; hence the necessity of training the whole man. The head is sometimes erect, denoting courage, or firmness; at others, down, or reclined, expressive of sorrow, grief and shame; again, it is suddenly drawn back, with an air of disdain, or shaken, as in dissent; or brought forward in assent; sometimes it shows, by a significant nod, a particular object, or person; threatens by one set of movements, approves by another, and expresses suspicion by another. practice must make all involuntary. As yet-'tis midnight deep. The weary clouds, Slow meeting, mingle into solid gloom. Now, while the drowsy world lies lost in sleep, Let me associate with the serious night, And contemplation, her sedate compeer; Let me shake off th' intrusive cares of day, And lay the meddling senses all aside. Where now, ye lying vanities of life! Ye ever tempting, ever cheating train! Where are you now? and what is your amount? Vexation, disappointment, and remorse. Sad, sick'ning thought! And yet, deluded man, A scene of crude disjointed visions past, And broken slumbers, rises still resolv'd, With new flush'd hopes, to run the giddy round. 554. LANGUAGE OF THE FACE. The face, being furnished with a great variety of muscles, does more in manifesting our thoughts and feelings, than the whole body besides; so far as silent language is concerned. The change of color-shows anger by redness, fear by paleness, and shame-by blushes every feature contributes its portion. The mouth open, shows one state of mind; closed, another, and gnashing the teeth-another. The forehead smooth, and eye-brows easily arched, exhibit joy, or tranquillity; mirth opens the mouth towards the ears, crisps the nose, half shuts the eyes, and sometimes suffuses them with tears; the front, wrinkled into frowns, and the eye-brows overhanging the eyes, like clouds fraught with tempests, show a mind agitated with pity. There is a history-in all men's lives, Figuring the nature of the times deceased: The which observed, a man may prophecy, With a near aim, of the main chance of things As yet not come to life; which, in their seeds, And weak beginnings, lie intreasured. Luxury-gives the mind a childish cast. Moderation in Disputes. When we are in a condition to overthrow falsehood and error, we ought not to do it with vehemence, nor insultingly and with an air of contempt; but to lay open the truth, and with answers, full of mildness, to refute the falsehood. Anecdote. An amiable youth, lamented deeply, the recent death of a most affectionate parent. His companion made an effort to console him, by the reflection, that he had always behaved towards the deceased with du ty, tenderness and respect. "So I thought," replied the son, "while my parent was liv ing; but now I recollect, with pain and sorrow, many instances of disobedience, and neglect, for which, alas! it is too late t make atonement." Happy the school-boy! did he prize his bliss, Reason. Without reason, as on a tem pestuous sea, we are the sport of every wind and wave, and know not, till the event hath determined it, how the next billow will dispose of us; whether it will dash us against a rock, or drive us into a quiet harbor. What stronger breast-plate than a heart untainted! Varieties. 1. The dullest creatures are sometimes as dangerous as the fairest. 2 He, who puts a man off from time to time, is never right at heart. 3. What can reason perform, unassisted by the imagination? While reason traces and compares effects, does not imagination suggest causes? 4. Whenever we are more inclined to persecute than persuade, we may be certain, that our zeal has more of ing victory, more than truth, and are beginself-love in it, than charity; that we are seekning to feel more for ourselves, than for others, and the cause of righteousness. 5. Is it possible, without divine aid, to obey the commandments? 6. As soon think of sending a man into the field, without good tools, as a child to school, without proper books. What is more low and vile, than lying? and when do we lie more notoriously, than in disparaging, and finding fault with a thing, for no other reason, than because it is out of our power to accomplish it? 7. Rise with the lark, and with the lark to bed. Anecdote. Tweedle-dum and Tweedie dee. About the year 1720, there were two musical parties in England; one in favor of two Italians, Buo-non-ci-ni and At-til-io, and the other admirers of Handel: and the con tention running high, Dean Swift, with his usual acrimony in such cases, wrote the fol 555. The eyes, considered only as tangi- Nature hath framed strange fellows in her time: Some say, that signior Buononcini, Compared to Handel's a mere ninny: Others do swear, that to him-Handel Is hardly fit to hold a candle. Strange-that such high contests should be "Twixt tweedle-dum-and tweedle-dee. True Phrenology-treats of the mant festations of man's feelings and intellect; his heart and his head; his will and under standing; and their related objects, physical and moral; principles, giving a knowledge 556. The images of our secret agitations of one's original character; of his excellen are particularly painted in the eyes, which cies and talents, and how to make the most appertain more to the soul, than any other of them; of his defects, and how to remedy organ; which seem affected by, and to par- them; of reasoning and persuading—of ed ticipate in all its emotions; express sensa-ucation and self-government: a system of tions the most lively, passions the most tu- mental and moral philosophy, challenging multuous, feelings the most delightful, and investigation. sentiments the most delicate. The eye--explains them in all their force and purity, as they take birth, and transmits them by traits so rapid, as to infuse into other minds the fire, the activity, the very image, with which themselves are inspired. It receives and reflects the intelligence of thought and warmth of the understanding. One world sufficed not Alexander's mind: 557. LANGUAGE OF THE EYES. The eye is the chief seat of the soul's expression; it shows the very spirit in a visible form. In every different state of mind, it appears differently: joy-brightens and opens it; grief, half closes, and drowns it in tears; hatred, and anger, flash from it, like lightning; love-darts from it in glances, like the orient beam; jealousy—and squinting envy, dart their contagious blasts through the eyes; and devotion-raises them, or throws them back or the mind, as if the soul were about to take its flight to heaven. From women's eyes--this doctrine I derive: Varieties. 1. All are modest, when they feel that they are estimated, at what they considder their just value; and incline to presume, in the proportion they feel they are slighted. 2. It signifies but little-to wish well, without doing well; as to do well, without willing it. 3. None is so great, but that he may one day need the help, or feel the unkindness-of the meanest of mortals. 4. The more business a man has, the more he is able to accomplish: for he learns to economize his time. 5. A ready recollection of our knowledge, at the moment we have use for it, is a rare and important acquisition. 6. The passions are pleaders, and their violence sometimes goes directly to the heart. 7. As a vessel is known by the sound, whether it is whole or not, so, men are known by speeches and actions, whether they are wise of foolish. All the souls that were, were forfeit once, . If pow'rs divine Behold our human actions, (as they do,) That happy minglement of hearts, Beg after our own harm, which the wise power So very still that echo seems to listen; 557. The MOUTH. Who does not know aow much the upper lip betokens the sensations of taste, desire, appetite, and the endearments of love? how much it is curled by pride or anger, drawn thin by cunning, smoothed oy benevolence, and made placid by effeminacy? how love and desire, sighs and kisses, cling to it by indescribable traits. The under lip is little more than its supporter, the easy cushion on which the crown of majesty reposes. The chaste and delicate mouth, is one of the first recommendations we meet with in common life. Words are the pictures of the mind, we often judge of the heart by the portal; it holds the flaggon of truth, of love, and enduring friendship. If there's on earth a cure For the sunk heart, 'tis this-day after day To be the blest companion of thy way!To hear thy angel eloquence-to see Those virtuous eyes forever turn'd on me; And, in their light, re-chasten'd silently, Like the stain'd web, that whitens in the sun, Grow pure-by being purely shone upon! 558. LANGUAGE OF THE ARMS AND HANDS. The arms are sometimes both thrown out; at others the right alone; they are lifted up as high as the face, to express wonder, or held out before the breast to show fear; when spread forth with open hands, they express lesire and affection; or clasped in surprise on occasions of sudden grief and joy; the right nand clenched, and the arms brandishedthreaten; the arms set a-kimbo, (one hand on each hip,) makes one look big, or expresses contempt, or courage. As a beam-o'er the face of the waters-may glow, 559. QUINCTILLIAN says, that with the hands, we solicit, refuse, promise, threaten, dismiss, invite, enireat, and express aversion, fear, doubting, denial, asking, affirmation, negation, joy, grief, confession and penitence. With the hands we describe, and point all circumstances of time, place and manner of what we relate; with them we also excite the passions of others and soothe them, approve or disapprove, permit, prohibit, admire and despise; thus, they serve us instead of many sorts of words; and, where the language of the tongue is unknown, or the person is deaf, the language of the hands is understood, and is common to all nations. Between two worlds-life hovers like a star, "Twixt night and morn, upon the horizon's verge: How little-do we know that which we are! How less-what we may be! The eternal surge Of time and tide-rolls on, and bears afar Our bubbles; as the old-burst, new-emerge, Lash'd-from the foam of ages; while the graves f empires-heave, but like some passing waves. Your very goodness, and your company, O'erpay all th❜t I can do. U Laconics. 1. There is no great necessity for us to be anxious about what good works we shall do, in order to salvation; because the business of religion is-to shur all evils as sins. 2. Never be so sinfully inconsistent, as to tell a child, that sich and such things are naughty, and then, because his self-will is unyielding, leave him to persist in doing it; better, far better would it be, to let the poor child do wrong, in ignorance. 3. Every one should receive a scientific, civil, and religious education, and then he will be fitted for the life that now is, and that which is to come. 4. Teach children what is good and true, and lead them to goodness, by precept and example. 5. Gratitude is the sure basis of an amiable mind. Anecdote. Right of Discovery. A gen tleman, praising the personal charms of a very homely woman, before Mr. Foot, the comedian, who whispered to him, "And why don't you lay claims to such an accomplished beauty?" "What right have I to her?" said the other. "Every right-by the law of nations, as the first discoverer." Meanwhile, we'll sacrifice to liberty. Remember, O my friends, the laws, the rights, Varieties. 1. Will the time ever arrive, when the air will be as full of balloons, as the ocean now is with ships? 2. Reading history and traveling, give a severe trial to our vir tues. 3. It is not right to feel contempt for any thing, to which God has given life and being. 4. Four things belong to a judge: to hear cautiously, to answer wisely, to con sider soberly, and to give judgment without partiality. 5. Regard talents and genius, as solemn mandates to go forth, and labor in your sphere of usefulness, and to keep alive the sacred fire among your fellow men; and evil; neither offer them on the altar of vanity, turn not these precious gifts, into servants of nor sell them for a mess of potage, nor a piece of money. 6. The last war between the United States and England, commenced on the eight months and eighteen days; when did it 18th of June, 1812, and continued two years, end? 7. Let us manage our time as well as we can, there will yet some of it remain unemployed. fares the land, to hastening ills a prey, The kindest, and the happiest pair, 560. POLYGLOTT OF BODY AND MIND. Thus, we see that the body, in connection with the mind, speaks many languages; and he is a learned elocutionist, who understands and can speak them. In view of which, well might Hamlet exclaim, "WHAT A PIECE OF WORK IS MAN!" Observe well this strange being, as embodied in the works of the painter, and statuary: in what kingly wondrous manner, appear his force of attitude and looks! Who, but would covet the glorious art of making the flat canvas and rocky marble, utter every passion of the human mind, and touch the soul of the spectator, as if the picture, or statue, spoke the pathetic language of a Shakspeare? Is it any wonder that masterly action, joined with powerful elocution, should be irresistible? If poetry, music, and statuary, is good, is not ORATORY more excellent? for in that we have them all. Woe for those, who trample o'er a mind! A deathless thing. They know not what they do, Or what they deal with! Man, perchance, may 'The flow'r his step hath bruis'd; or light anew{bind The torch he quenches; or to music-wind Again the lyre-string from his touch that flew ; But, for the soul!-oh! tremble, and beware,To lay rude hands-upon God's mysteries there! 561. THE WRITTEN PAGE can but ill express the nicer shades of sentiment, passion, and emotion which the poet has painted. There are depths of thought, which the eye cannot penetrate-and sublimities of flight, which it cannot reach. The loveliest and sublimest of written poetry-even that contained in sacred scripture-cannot speak to the eye with that vivid power and intensity of expression, drawn from it by the human voice, when trained to the capacity given to it, by the Creator. Hence, the ordained efficiency of preaching; hence, the trembling of Felix, as the great Apostle reasoned-" of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come." So, with the production of the most consummate human genius: For ill-can poetry express, Full many a tone-of thought sublime; Steals but one glance from time. But, by the mighty actor's power, And sculpture-to be dumb. 562. The following-is an example of the sublime, falling far short of a hyperbole; for, as St. John observes, "even the WORLD ITSELF-Could not contain the books, that should be written" on the subject of INFINITE LOVE and INFINITE WISDOM-displayed in man's REDEMPTION and SALVATION. Could we, with ink, the OCEAN fill, Were the whole earth-a PARCHMENT-made, Were every single stick-a QUILL, And every man-a SCRIBE by trade; Nor would the scroll-contain the plan, The mind-untaught, Is a dark waste, where fiends and tempests howl; As Phabus-in the world, is science-to the Sul. Anecdote. No hero was more distinguished in ancient times, than Alexander the Great, king of Macedon. His courage was undaunted, his ambition boundless, his friendship ardent, his taste refined; and what was very extraordinary, he seems to have conversed with the same fire and spirit, with which he fought. Philip, his father, knowing him to be very swift, wished him to run for the prize, at the Olympic games. "I would comply with your request," said Alexander, "if KINGS were to be my competitors." The ocean-when it rolls aloudThe tempest-bursting from her cloud, In one uninterrupted peal! When darkness sits amid the sky; And shadowy forms go trooping by ; And everlasting mountains reel-All-all of this is Freedom's song- 'Tis pealed-'tis pealed eternally! And all, that winds and waves prolong, Are anthems rolled to Liberty! Varieties. 1. Although the truth can ne ver come to condemn, but to save, the world has ever pronounced its condemnation. 2. Garbled extracts from any work, are no more stone, mortar, boards, glass, and nails, are a a correct representation of the work, than fair specimen of a splendid palace. 3. Never let private interest, poverty, disgrace, danger, or death, deter you-from asserting the liberty of your country, or from transmitting to posterity, the sacred rights to which you were born. 4. What are the pleasures of the bodily senses, without the pleasures of the soul? 5. Themistocles, when asked to play the lute, replied, I cannot play the fiddle, but I can make a little village a great city. 6. The skin-co-operates with the lungs in pu rifying the blood. 7. How shall we know that the American government, is founded on the true principles of human nature? By learning what the true principles of human nature are and an extensive induction of facts, derived from the study of history, and our own observation. Yet, though my dust-in earth be laid, For I shall spring-beyond the tomb, Where all is light, and life, and bloom; I had a friend, that lov'd me: I was his soul: he liv'd not, but in #e: If I have any joy when thou art absent, I grudge it to myself: methinks I rob Stillest streams Oft water fairest meadows; and the bird, That flutters least, is longest on the wing. |