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Forewarn'd, if little bird their pranks behold,
Twill whisper in her ear, and all the scene unfold.

But now Dan Phœbus gains the middle sky,
And liberty unbars her prison door;
And like a rushing torrent out they fly,
And now the grassy cirque had cover'd o'er
With boisterous revel-rout and wild uproar;
A thousand ways in wanton rings they run,
Heaven shield their short-lived pastimes, I implore!
For well may freedom, erst so dearly won,
Appear to British elf more gladsome than the sun.
Enjoy, poor imps! enjoy your sportive trade,

And chase gay flies, and cull the fairest flowers,
For when my bones in grass-green sods are laid;
For never may ye taste more careless hours
In knightly castles or in ladies' bowers.

O vain to seek delight in earthly thing!

But most in courts where proud ambition towers;
Deluded wight! who weens fair peace can spring
Beneath the pompous dome of kesar or of king.

ROBERT DODSLEY. 1703–1764.

THIS eminent bookseller and respectable author was born at Mansfield, in 1703. Being placed as an apprentice to a stocking-weaver, and not liking his situation, he ran off to London, and took the place of a footman, and in 1732 published a volume of poems under the title of "The Muse in Livery, or the Footman's Miscellany," which attracted considerable attention. His next production was a dramatic piece called "The Toyshop," which was acted with great success, and the profits of which enabled him to set up as a bookseller. Patronized by Pope and other authors of the day, his shop in Pall Mall soon became the resort of a large literary circle; and so rapidly did his business increase, that in his latter days Dodsley might be considered as standing at the head of the book selling trade in London. Having acquired a competent fortune by his double occupation of author and bookseller, he retired from business, to enjoy the fruits of his exertions, but died at Durham, while on a visit to a friend, September 25, 1764.

Besides the above, Dodsley wrote and published, anonymously, that well known and ingenious little work, "The Economy of Human Life," which is full of the best moral maxims. He also wrote a tragedy called "Cleone," which was well received, and a farce called "The King and the Miller of Mansfield." But he is now more known for the works which he projected and published, than for his own productions. One of these was the "Precepter," a very useful book, in 2 vols., containing treatises on various subjects, and for which Dr. Johnson wrote a preface. Another was his "Collection of Old Plays," in 12 vols. His "Collection of Poems in Six Volumes, by Several Hands," is still a very valuable book. But he is most known as the projector of the "Annual Register," in 1758, which still goes by his name. He also has the credit of having first encouraged the talents of Dr. Johnson, by purchasing his poem of London," in 1738, for ten guineas, and of having, many years afterwards, been the projector of the English Dictionary.

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EMULATION.

If thy soul thirsteth for honor, if thy ear hath any pleasure in the voice of praise, raise thyself from the dust whereof thou art made, and exalt thy aim to something that is praiseworthy.

The oak, that now spreadeth its branches towards the heavens, was once but an acorn in the bowels of the earth.

Endeavor to be first in thy calling, whatever it be; neither let any one go before thee in well-doing: nevertheless, do nct envy the merits of another, but improve thine own talents.

Scorn also to depress thy competitor by dishonest or unworthy methods; strive to raise thyself above him only by excelling him: so shall thy contest for superiority be crowned with honor, if not with success.

By a virtuous emulation the spirit of man is exalted within him; he panteth after fame, and rejoiceth as a racer to run his course.

The examples of eminent men are in his visions by night; and his delight is to follow them all the day long. He formeth great designs; he rejoiceth in the execution thereof; and his name goeth forth to the ends of the world. But the heart of the envi ous man is gall and bitterness; his tongue spitteth venom; the success of his neighbor breaketh his rest.

He sitteth in his cell repining; and the good that happeneth to another is to him an evil. Hatred and malice feed upon his heart; and there is no rest in him. He feeleth in his own breast no love of goodness; and therefore believeth his neighbor is like unto himself.

He endeavors to depreciate those who excel him; and putteth an evil interpretation on all their doings.

He lieth on the watch, and meditates mischief; but the detestation of man pursueth him; he is crushed as a spider in his own web.

TEMPERANCE.

The nearest approach thou canst make to happiness on this side the grave, is to enjoy from heaven health, wisdom, and peace of mind. These blessings, if thou possessest, and wouldst preserve to old age, avoid the allurements of voluptuousness, and fly from her temptations.

When she spreadeth her delicacies on the board, when her wine sparkleth in the cup, when she smileth upon thee, and persuadeth thee to be joyful and happy; then is the hour of danger, then let Reason stand firmly on her guard. For, if thou hearkenest unto the words of her adversary, thou art deceived and be trayed. The joy which she promiseth, changeth to madness; and her enjoyments lead on to diseases and death.

Look round her board, cast thine eyes upon her guests, and

observe those who have been allured by her smiles, who have listened to her temptations. Are they not meagre? are they not sickly? are they not spiritless?

Their short hours of jollity and riot are followed by tedious days of pain and dejection; she hath debauched and palled their appetites, that they have now no relish for her nicest dainties: her votaries are become her victims; the just and natural consequence which God hath ordained in the constitution of things, for the punishment of those who abuse his gifts.

But who is she, that with graceful steps, and with a lively air, trips over yonder plain? The rose blusheth on her cheeks; the sweetness of the morning breatheth from her lips; joy, tempered with innocence and modesty, sparkleth in her eyes; and from the cheerfulness of her heart she singeth as she walks.

Her name is Health; she is the daughter of Exercise and Temperance; their sons inhabit the mountains; they are brave, active, and lively; and partake of all the beauties and virtues of their sister.

Vigor stringeth their nerves; strength dwelleth in their bones; and labor is their delight all the day long. The employments of their father excite their appetites, and the repasts of their mother refresh them. To combat the passions, is their delight; to conquer evil habits, their glory. Their pleasures are moderate, and therefore they endure; their repose is short, but sound and undisturbed. Their blood is pure; their minds are serene; and the physician knoweth not the way to their habitations.

ANGER.

As the whirlwind in its fury teareth up trees, and deformeth the face of Nature, or as an earthquake in its convulsions overturneth cities; so the rage of an angry man throweth mischief around him: danger and destruction wait on his hand.

But consider, and forget not, thine own weakness; so shalt thou pardon the failings of others. Indulge not thyself in the passion. of anger; it is whetting a sword to wound thy own breast, or murder thy friend.

If thou bearest slight provocations with patience, it shall be imputed unto thee for wisdom; and if thou wipest them from thy remembrance, thy heart shall feel rest, thy mind shall not re proach thee.

Do nothing in thy passion. Why wilt thou put to sea in the violence of a storm? If it be difficult to rule thine anger, it is wise to prevent it: avoid, therefore, all occasions of falling into wrath; or guard thyself against them whenever they occur

Harbor not revenge in thy breast; it will torment thy heart, and discolor its best inclinations.

Be always more ready to forgive than to return an injury: he that watches for an opportunity of revenge, lieth in wait against himself, and draweth down mischief on his own head.

A mild answer to an angry man, like water cast upon the fire, abateth his heat; and from an enemy, he shall become thy friend. . Consider how few things are worthy of anger; and thou wilt wonder that any but fools should be wroth. In folly or weakness it always beginneth; but remember, and be well assured, it seldom concludeth without repentance. On the heels of Folly treadeth Shame; at the back of Anger standeth Remorse.

WOMAN.

Give ear, fair daughter of Love, to the instructions of Prudence; and let the precepts of Truth sink deep in thine heart: so shall the charms of thy mind add lustre to thy form; and thy beauty, like the rose it resembleth, shall retain its sweetness when its bloom is withered.

In the spring of thy youth, in the morning of thy days, when the eyes of men gaze on thee with delight; ah! hear with caution their alluring words; guard well thy heart, nor listen to their soft seducements.

Remember thou art made man's reasonable companion, not the slave of his passion; the end of thy being is to assist him in the toils of life, to soothe him with thy tenderness, and recompense his care with soft endearments.

Who is she that winneth the heart of man, that subdueth him to love, and reigneth in his breast? Lo! yonder she walketh in maiden sweetness, with innocence in her mind, and modesty on her cheek. Her hand seeketh employment; her foot delighteth not in gadding abroad.

She is clothed with neatness; she is fed with temperance; humility and meekness are as a crown of glory circling her head. Decency is in all her words; in her answers are mildness and truth. Submission and obedience are the lessons of her life; and peace and happiness her reward.

Before her steps walketh Prudence; Virtue attendeth at her right hand. The tongue of the licentious is dumb in her presence; the awe of her virtue keepeth him silent.

When Scandal is busy, and the fame of her neighbor is tossed from tongue to tongue, if Charity and Good-nature open not her mouth, the finger of Silence resteth on her lip. Her breast is the mansion of goodness; and therefore she suspecteth no evil in

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Happy were the man that should make her his wife; happy the child that shall call her mother.

She presideth in the house, and there is peace; she commandeth with judgment, and is obeyed. She ariseth in the morning; she considers her affairs; and appointeth to every one their proper business.

The care of her family is her whole delight; to that alone she applieth her study: and elegance with frugality is seen in her mansions. The prudence of her management is an honor to her husband, and he heareth her praise with silent delight. She informeth the minds of her children with wisdom: she fashioneth their manners from the example of her own goodness.

The word of her mouth is the law of their youth; the motion of her eye commandeth their obedience. She speaketh, and her servants fly; she pointeth, and the thing is done: for the law of love is in their hearts; her kindness addeth wings to their feet. In prosperity she is not puffed up; in adversity she healeth the wounds of Fortune with patience.

The troubles of her husband are alleviated by her counsels, and sweetened by her endearments; he putteth his heart in her bosom, and receiveth comfort.

Happy is the man that hath made her his wife; happy the child that calleth her mother.

RICH AND POOR.

The man to whom God hath given riches, and a mind to employ them aright, is peculiarly favored, and highly distinguished. He looketh on his wealth with pleasure; because it affordeth him the means to do good.

He protecteth the poor that are injured; he suffereth not the mighty to oppress the weak. He seeketh out objects of compassion; he inquireth into their wants; he relieveth them with judgment, and without ostentation. He assisteth and rewardeth merit; he encourageth ingenuity, and liberally promoteth every useful design.

He carrieth on great works; his country is enriched, and the laborer is employed: he formeth new schemes, and the arts re ceive improvement. He considereth the superfluities of his table as belonging to the poor, and he defraudeth them not. The be nevolence of his mind is not checked by his fortune. He rejoiceth therefore in riches, and his joy is blameless.

But woe unto him that heapeth up wealth in abundance, and rejoiceth alone in the possession thereof; that grindeth the face of the poor, and considereth not the sweat of their brows.

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