`MIRTH, JOLLY LAUGHTER. 462. When delight arises from ludicrous or fugitive amusements, in which others share with us, it is called MIRTH, LAUGHTER OR MERRIMENT; which opens the mouth horizontally, shrivels the nose, raises the cheeks high, lessens the aperture of the eyes, and fills them with tears. INVOCATION OF THE GODDESS OF MIRTH. But come, thou goddess, fair and free, Haste thee, nymph, and bring with thee Quips, and cranks, and wanton wiles, MIRTH AND MELANCHOLY. Now, by two-headed Janus, And laugh, like parrots at a bag-piper; 463. THEATRES. If the lofty powers of the master tragedian were concentrated to the development of mind, in the presence of those, only, who can appreciate his genius; if the public display of them, on the stage, were unaccompanied by any of those excressences, which cling, incubus-like, to modern theatres; the evil of which the philanthropist and patriot complain, would seem to be trifling. But when he throws himself in the midst of such scenes, as he must necessarily meet, in all the theatres of the present day, he gives the sanction of his presence, his example and reputation, to some of the most monstrous abuses, which exist among men. Although his moral character may be irreproachable, yet a man is always known by the company he keeps; and, in spite of himself and his friends, he is identified with all the theatres, in which he performs: his character is assimilated to his debased associates, who boast of his society; and ape his greatness. It is because he is! among them, that they are countenanced by so large a portion of the American people. Maxims. 1. He, that hearkens to counsel, is wise. 2. Courage-ought to have eyes, and ears, as well as arms. 3. Credit, lost, is like a broken looking-glass. 4. It is sweet to do good unseen and in secret. 5. Nature-unites the beautiful with the useful: hence, handsome is, that handsome does. 6. The mob hath many heads, but no brains. 7. A superior mind cares but little about dress, provided it be decent. 8. The world-is a large and interesting book, and is opened to us day and night. 9. Vanity-renders beauty contemptible. 10. Vows, made in storms, are forgotten in calms ; because they are the offspring of fear. Anecdote. Play upon words. A poor drunken loafer-was picked up in the street, by the watchman, when the following decision was made: There is no sense in his head, no cents in his pocket, and a powerful scent in his breath: he was of course sent to the watchhouse. The Feet. There are seven bones in the ankle, five in the metatarsus, and fourteen phalanges in the foot, which are strongly fastened together by means of a gristle, which yields-so as to enable us to tread, with equal ease, on level or unequal surfaces. We often hear of the small feet of the Chinese ladies; and we also see some ladies in a christian land who try to make themselves heathens, by wearing a very small shoe, under the false notion, that it is genteel to have small feet. Genteel to have corns, impeded circulation, shall we come to our senses, leave off tight and all their train of horrors! Oh, when shoes, and cease to worship the god of fash ion? VARIETIES. Like the lily, Her suny locks As morning roses, newly washed with dew. There's nothing in the world can make me joy; Life-is as tedious-as a twice-told tale, Vexing the dull ear of drowsy man. Love is blind, and lovers cannot see The petty follies, that themselves commit. How far that little candle throws his beams! So-shines a good deed-in this naughty world. Penetration—has an aid of divination. HONESTY. Thou art full of love and honesty, And weigh'st thy words before thou giv'st them breath, Gold, silver, vases sculptur'd high, Paint, marble, gems, and robes of Persian dye, ECSTASY, RAPTURE, &c. 464. Ec STASY, RAPTURE, TRANS PORT, express an extraor dinary elevation of the spirits, an excessive tension of mind: they signify to be out of one's self, out of one's mind, carried away beyond one's self. ECSTASY-benumbs the faculties, takes away the power of speech, and sometimes of thought; it is generally occasioned by sudden and unexpected events: but RAPTURE often invigorates the powers and calls them into action. The former, is common to all persons of ardent feelings; especially, children, &c., the illiterate : the latter is common to persons of superior minds, and circumstances of peculiar importance. What followed, was all ecstasy, and trances: We feel the present Deity. Scorns the base earth and crowd below, And, with a peering wing, still mounts on high. He play'd so sweetly, and so sweetly sung, That on each note the enraptur'd audience hung. 465. GARRICK. It is believed, that this tragedian greatly surpassed his predecessors, in his genius for acting, in the sweetness and variety of his tones, the irresistible magic of his eye, the fire and vivacity of his action, the elegance of his attitudes, and the whole pathos of expression. The cause of which success was, his intimate and practical knowledge of human nature. Example. A certain gentleman, on returning from the theatre, asked his postillion, (who sat in his private box,) what he thought of the great Mr. Garrick. 66 Not much, my lord," was his reply, for he talked and acted just like John and I in the stable." When this was repeated to the tragedian, he declared it the greatest compliment ever paid him: for, said he, if nature's own children can't distinguish me from themselves, it is a pretty sure indication that I am about right. RAPTURES. But, in her temple's last recess inclos'd, How dost thou wear, and weary out thy days, Maxims. 1. He is not wise, who is not wise for himself. 2. If you wish a thing done, go; if not, send. 3. The silence of the tongue is often the eloquence of the heart. 4. The perfection of art is, to conceal art. 5. Every day is a little life; and a whole life but a day repeated. 6. We find it hard to forgive those, whom we have injured. 7. Fashionable women are articles manufactured by miliners; They want but little-here below, 8. Do nothing you would wish to conceal. 9. Appearances are often deceiving. 10. Riches cannot purchase mental endowments. Anecdote. Look at Home. The advice of a girl, to Thales, a Milesian astronomer, was strong and practical. Seeing him gazing at the heavens, as he walked along, and perhaps piqued, because he did not cast an eye on her attractions, she put a stool in his path, over which he tumbled and broke his shins. Her excuse was, that she wanted to teach him, before he indulged himself in star-gazing, to "look at home." VARIETIES. A proper judge-will read each work of wit, Th't mind and body- often sympathize, That sat on her seven hills, and from her throne Of beauty-ruled the world. Beware of desperate steps; the darkest day, With pleasure-let us own our errors past, And make each day-a critic-on the last. Thinking-leads man to knowledge. He may see and hear, and read and learn, whatever he pleases, and as much as he pleases: he will never know any thing of it, except that which he has thought over; that which, by thinking, he has made the property of his mind. Is it then saying too much, that man, by thinking only, becomes truly man. Take away thought from man's life, and what remains? "T was the bow of Omnipotence: bent in His hand, intermingled fingers, to the breast; eyes languishing and partly shut, as if doating on the object; countenance assumes the eager and wistful look of desire, but mixed with an air of satisfaction and repose; accents soft and winning, voice persuasive, flattering, pathetic, various, musical and rapturous, as in Joy: when declaring, the right hand, open, is pressed forcibly on the breast; it makes approaches with the greatest delicacy, and is attended with trembling hesitancy and confusion; if successful, the countenance is lighted up with smiles; unsuccessful love adds an air of anxiety and melancholy. 467. To the above may be added, Shakspeare's description of this affection, as given by the Good Shepherd, who was requested to tell a certain youth, what 'tis to love: It is to be all made of sighs and tears: All made of passion, and all made of wishes: LOVE DESCRIBED. Come hither boy; if ever thou shalt love, LANGUISHING LOVE. O fellow, come, the song we had last night: The spinsters, and the knitters in the sun, [bones, Do use to chant it; it is silly, sooth, Hail, wedded love, mysterious law, true source Of father, son, and brother, first were known. Maxims. 1. We must strike while the iron is hot; but we must sometimes make the iron hot by striking. 2. Books are to the young, what capital is to the man of business. 3. It is not good husbandry, to make a child's fortune-great, and his mind poor. 4. Some-excuse their ignorance, by pretending, that their taste lies in another direction. 5. Reading, makes a full man, and thinking, a correct man. 6. Not the pain, but the cause-makes the martyr. 7. Learn some useful art or trade, that you may be independent of the caprice of fortune. 8. Nothing is harder for honest people, than to be denied the privilege of speaking their minds. 9. Some-are penny-wise, and pound-foolish. 10. A true friend sometimes ventures to be offensive. Anecdote. Tuo Lawyers. A wealthy farmer, being engaged in a law-suit against one of his opulent neighbors, applied to a lawyer, who happened to be engaged on the opposite side; but, who told him he would give him a recommendation to a professional friend; which he did in the following lines: "Here are two fat wethers, fallen out together, If you'll fleece one, I'll fleece the other, And make them agree like brother and brother." The letter being unsealed, the farmer had the curiosity to open and read it; he did so, and instead of carrying it to the other lawyer, he took it to the person, with whom he was at variance. Its perusal cured both parties, and ended the dispute. Inference-Lawyers live by the violation of the laws of goodness and truth. Conversation. When five or six men are together, it is curious-to observe the anxiety every one has to speak. No one wishes to hear; all he desires, is-an auditor. Rather than defer telling their respective stories, they frequently all speak at the same time. Varieties. The United States-is on a conspicuous stage; and the WORLD-marks her demeanor. 2. If a parent-withhold from his children-the light, and influence of Divine Truth, is he not, in part, responsible for their crimes? 3. Eloquence-is the language of Nature,-of the soul; it cannot be acquired in the schools, though it may be cultivated there. 4. What is the object of courtship? to get acquainted; to show off; to take in; or, to marry? 5. What a dreadful thing it is-to be "cut out,"-and to "get the mitten!" They know not my heart, who belive there can be PITY, COMPASSION. 468. PITY, benevolence to the afflicted; a mixture of love for an objeet which suffers, whether human or animal, and a grief that we are unable to remove those sufferings. It is seen in a compassionate tenderness of voice, a feeling of pain in the countenance; features drawn together, e y e brows drawn down, mouth open, and a gentle Hadst thou but seen, as I did, how at last, PITY. How many bleed, By shameless variance, between man and man! Show mercy, and thou shalt find it. The quality of mercy-is not strain'd; It is an attribute- -to God himself: Maxims. 1. He that feels as he ought, will be polite without knowing it. 2. Comon sense is the growth of all countries and all ages, but it is very rare. 3. Modesty is one of the chief ornaments of youth. 4. In every condition be humble; the loftier the condition, the greater the danger. 5. Feelings and thoughts are the parents of language. 6. To gain a good reputation, be, what you desire to ap pear. 7. In prosperity, we need consideration; in adversity patience. 8. Kindness is more binding than a loan. 9. Right should be preferred to kindred. 10. A wise man adapts himself to circum stances, as water does to the vessel that contains it. Anecdote. When Woodward first acted Sir John Brute, Garrick was induced, either by curiosity or jealousy, to be present. A few days afterward, they happened to meet, when Woodward asked Garrick, how he liked him in the part; adding, I think I struck out some beauties in it. Garrick replied, "I think you struck out all the beauties in it." Discretion. At the same time, that I think discretion-the most useful talent a man can be master of, I look upon cunning. to be the accomplishment of little, mean, ungenerous minds. Discretion-points out the noblest ends to us, and pursues the most pro-per and laudable methods of attaining them; cunning—has only private, selfish aims, and sticks at nothing which may make them suc ceed. Discretion-has large and extensive views, and, like a well-formed eye, commands a whole horizon; cunning-is a kind of short-sightedness, that discovers the minutest objects, which are near at hand, but is not. able to discern things at a distance. Varieties. 1. Said an Indian chief to the President, "May the Great Spirit bear up the weight of thy gray hairs, and blunt the arrow, that brings them rest. 2. The great truth has finally gone forth to the ends of the earth, that man shall no more render account to man, for his belief, over which he himself has no control. 3. Let every one feel, think, act and say whatever he pleases; provided, he does not infringe upon like privileges of And earthly power-doth then show likest God's, others. 4. Virtue-promotes worldly pros When mercy-seasons justice. But from the mountain's grassy side, A guiltless feast I bring: A scrip, with fruits and herbs supplied, And water from the spring. Thou great, thou best prerogative of power! perity; vice destroys it. 5. Who can fully realize the strength of parental affection, without experiencing it? and even then, who can describe it. 6. Grief, smothered, preys upon the vitals; give it vent into the bosom of a friend. 7. Nothing is of any service, Justice may guard the throne, but, join'd with thee, that does not help to re-unite the soul to God. On rocks of adamant it stands secure, And braves the storm beneath. Mercy-is the becoming smile of justice; But, whate'er you are, That in this desert inaccessible, Under the shade of melancholy boughs, Lose and neglect the creeping hours of time, If ever you have looked on better days, If ever been where bells have knoll'd to church; 469. HOPE is a mixture of joy and desire, agitating the mind, and anticipating its enjoyment; it ever gives pleasure; which is not always the case with wish and desire; as they may produce or be accompanied with pain and anxiety. Hope erects and brightens the countenance, opens the mouth DESIRE, HOPE. to half a smile, arches the eye-brows, gives the eyes an eager and wistful look; spreads the arms with the hands open, ready to receive the object of its wishes, towards which it leans a little; the voice is somewhat plaintive, and manner inclining to eagerness, but colored by doubt and anxiety; the breath drawn inward more forcibly than usual, in order to express our desires more strongly, and our earenest expectation of receiving the object of them. But thou, O HOPE! with eyes so fair, And where her sweetest theme she chose, Maxims. 1. It is one thing to know how to give, and another to know how to keep. 2. Every thing perfected by art, has its source in nature. 3. He who tells you the faults of others, intends to tell others your faults. 4. Opinion is free, and conduct alone amenable to the law. 5. Extravagant praise is more mortifying than the keenest satire. 6. Love all beauty, and you will love all goodness. 7. A foolish friend does more harm than a wise enemy. 8. When our hatred is violent, it sinks us below those we hate. 9. There should be no delay in a benefit, but in the modesty of the receiver. 10. A cup of cold water, in time of need, may save a man's life. Acquaintance with Human Nature. He, who has acquired a competent know!edge of the views, that occupy the generality of men; who has studied a great variety of characters, and attentivly observed the force and violence of human passions; together with the infirmities and contradictions they produce in the conduct of life, will find in this knowledge, a key to the secret reasons and motives which gave rise to many of the most important events of ancient times. Varieties. 1. Some people will do almost anything, rather than own a fault; tho' everything depends on it: thus, Seneca's wife, to conceal her blindness, declared that the whole world was in darkness, and none could see. 2. What is the difference between pleasure and happiness? 3. There is, in all A soft responsive voice was heard, at every close, things, a threefold principle, by which they And HOPE, enchanted, smil'd, and wav'd her O Hope, sweet flatterer, whose delusive touch The captive, bending under the weight of bonds, Anecdote. A traveler in a stage-coach, not famous for its swiftness, inquired the name of the coach. A fellow passenger replied, "I think it is the Regulator, for I observe that all the other coaches go by it." Hast thou power?-the weak defend; A disputable point-is no man's ground. exist; an inmost, middle, and outermost; and in human beings, there is a soul, mind, and body; will, understanding, and act; affection, thought and speech; intellectual, rational, and scientific; end, cause, and effect, all essentially distinct. 4. Our Lord does not say-if a man see a miracle, he shall know that my doctrine is from God; but, "if any man will do my will.” The flower-soon dies, but hope's soft ray True hope is swift, and flies with swallow's wings; A beacon shining o'er a stormy sea; A fifth-shall close the drama with the day; |