That the good archbishop did not want credulity in other inftances appears from this, that, after having ftocked the bottoms of the lakes with birds, he stores the clouds with mice, which fometimes fall in plentiful fhowers on Norway and the neighbouring countriest.

Some of our countrymen have given credit to the fubmerfion of fwallows; and Klein patronifes the doctrine ftrongly, giving the following history of their manner of retiring, which he received from fome countrymen and others. They afferted, that fometimes the fwallows affembled in numbers on a reed till it broke and funk with them; and their immerfion was preluded by a dirge of a quarter of an hour's length; that others would unite in laying hold of a fraw with their bills, and fo plunge down in fociety. Others, again, would form a large mafs by clinging together with their feet, and fo commit themselves to the deep §.

Such are the relations given by those who are fond of this opinion; and, though delivered without exaggeration, muft provoke a smile. They account not for these birds being able to endure fo long a fubmerfion without being fuffocated, or without

decaying, in an element fo unnatural to fo delicate a bird; when we know that the otter, the corvorant, and the grebes, foon perish if caught under ice, or entangled in nets: and it is well known, that thofe animals will continue much longer under water than any others to whom Nature hath denied that particular structure of the heart, neceffary for a long refidence beneath that element.

Though entirely convinced in our own mind of the impoffibility of thefe relations, yet defirous of ftrengthening our opinion with fome better authorities, we applied to that able anatomift, Mr John Hunter, who was fo obliging as to inform us, that he had diffected many fwallows, but found nothing in them different from other birds as to the organs of refpiration; that all those animals which he had diffected of the class that fleep during Winter, such as lizards, frogs, &c. had a very different conformation as to thofe organs; that all these animals, he believes, do breathe in their torpid state; and, as far as his experience reaches, he knows they do; and, that therefore he esteems it a very wild opinion, that terrestrial animals can remain any long time under water without drowning.

DEAR MISS,

γου OU are now going from the company, the converfation, and amufements of children, into a fcene of life which affords more rational pleasures, and will engage you in more important purfuits: the world is opening before you, a wilderness in which many have been loft; and in which, among a thoufand broad ways, there is but one narrow path

that leads to happiness and ho nour. If this path is missed at fetting out, it is very difficult to recover it; it is therefore of great confequence to be directed into it at first; and though I hope you will be long under the protection and guidance of parents in whom there is all that can be wifhed in the relation, yet I fall give you a few plain inftructions, which I hope will affist

† Derham and Hildrop.

you

you n fulfilling your duty to them, in obtaining the good-will of others, and promoting your own welfare.

As my affection to you firft led me to this defign, my knowledge of your capacity encouraged me to purfue it. Do not imagine that I think you inclined to all the faults and follies that I fhall warn you againft, but you must remember, that all men have faults and follies, and that to caution perfons while they are innocent, may prevent the fhame and an guish of being reproved or upbraided after they are guilty.

Great part of the happiness of every individual depends upon the opinion and actions of others: it is therefore defirable to gain and to preferve the good-will of all: nor would I have you think any perfon either fo mean in their state of life, or fo undeferving in their character, as that their good-will is of no confequence to you. Every one who thinks you love them will love you; for this reafon be always ready to thow your good-will to all, by fuch acts of friendship as are in your power, ftill taking care to avoid a partiality which may lead you to do any thing in favour of one perfon at the expence of another, or of yourfelf.

There are many acts of friendship to mankind in general, which are neither difficult, troublefome, nor expenfive: the principal of thefe is fpeaking well, or at least not speaking ill, of the absent.

If you fee a fault in another, don't make it the fubject of converfation; hide it with as much care as if it was your own. Do not think yourfelf juftified by faying that what you report to another's difadvantage is true if all the failings which are true of the best of us were to be told to our dearest friend, perhaps all our virtues could fcarce fecure his esteem. But this rule must not extend to the concealing any thing by which anoher may be injured in his property

or character, if by revealing it the evil may be prevented; and this is the only inftance in which you are allowed to fpeak of the faults of others.

Be always punctual in returning what the world calls civilities. The failing in this, however trifling, is often taken for contempt, or at least for want of efteem; and I have known the omitting to return a vifit, or to anfwer a letter in due time, attended with coldnefs, indifference, and worfe confequences. That perfons ought not to fet fuch a value on thefe trifles is true; but if they do, it behoves us to act as if they ought: however, as the refenting a breach of these punctilios is really a fault, take care that you are not betrayed into it. Let it be a rule with you, never to refent any thing that was not intended as an affront; mere negligences fhould be below your refentment; though, for the fake of the infirmities of others, you should guard against them in yourself.

There are two ways of gaining the good-will of the world, which weak people practise because they know no other; one is flattery, the other is lavish profeffions of friendthip, which begin and end on the lips. Never ftoop to either of these low and infamous arts; whatever is thus gained is bought too dear. To refrain from this fault is easy, but to guard against the ill effects of it in others difficult; it is not, however, more difficult than neceffary. Always fufpect that a perfon who com. mends you to your face endeavours to gain a confidence that intends to betray. Remember that whoever makes profeffions of friendship which are not merited, is an hypocrite; and beware that your own vanity does not encourage you to think that you have merited uncommon and exceffive inftances of favour and zeal to ferve you.

But the conftant fteady esteem and friend

friendship of a perfon long tried and well known, who has obtained a reputation for virtue and fincerity, is an invaluable treafure: if you find it, preferve it with a religious care, and return it with fidelity and zeal.

In this place I would caution you never to be trusted with the fecrets of others, if you can by any means avoid it with decency: reject it as an enemy to your peace, and as a fnate for your good name. Whoever tells you a fecret, tells it as a fecret to twenty more; at length it is betrayed; and as this breach of faith is always denied by the guilty, the innocent are always fufpected. It has been thought good advice not to reveal your own fecrets, but I would rather advise you to have none: do nothing that if known would wound your reputation, or fill your own bofom with fhame and regret. To lie at the of accident; to be obliged conftantly to watch over our words and actions, left what we with to hide should be discovered; is the life of a flave, full of fear, fufpicion, and anxiety: thofe who have nothing to fear but falfehood and detraction enjoy their own innocence, have an open look, a noble confidence, native chearfulnefs, and perpetual peace.

mercy

to be in fault, from their zeal to defend themselves, than you from your filence; for it is a confcioufnefs that others will condemn us which makes us fo eager to anticipate their judg. ment. This rule extends to the talking of yourself and of your private affairs on every other occafion, except when it has fome pertinent relation to the difcourfe of the company, or when it is neceffary to obtain fome valuable purpose.

Never

As to your behaviour at home, keep yourself always above the fervants; your flation is above them as their master's daughter, while they are your father's fervants; and every one should act fuitably to their ftation. But do not think I mean that you should treat them haughtily, or look upon the meaneft of them with contempt; that you should put on a commanding air, or fpeak to them in a peremptory tone: this would be most effectually to lofe the fuperiority of your ftation, and to become defpifed and hated by those who ought to regard you with refpect and efteem. My meaning is, that you should treat them courteously, but permit no familiarity, fuffer yourself to be made their confidante in any thing that they would conceal from their mafier and miftrefs; never make yourself a party in their difcourfe; and if they should addrefs themselves to you, decline the converfation with as much addrefs as you can, not to incur the imputation of pride, or ill nature, by frowning looks and harsh language. Avoid alfo the oppofite extreme: do not watch their most trivial acons as a fpy, nor report every little mildemeanor which falls under your obfervation with the low pleasure and pet- ' ty officioufnefs of an informer: never fteal the knowledge of what paffes between them when they think they are alone, by fecretly liftening with a vain or malevolent curiofity; what you over-hear by fuch means may

probably

Probably do you more harm, than any thing which may be thus difcovered can do you good. If your mama fhould delegate part of her authority to you in the management of the household affairs, use it with moderation, and give orders to the maid rather in her name than your own; you will then be obeyed without feeming to affume a command, or to value yourfelf upon it.

If your papa or mama fhould at any time exprefs a difapprobation of your conduct, immediately refolve to amend it, apologize for the paft, and promife for the future: never feem in hafte to juftify yourself; and though you should ingine their difpleasure unmerited, in which it is a thoufand to one but you will be mistaken, yet be fure to avoid all pert and felf-fufficient replies on the one hand, and on the other fullen looks and dumb refentment, If it fhould happen that an harth expreffion escapes them when their temper is ruffled by the perplexing accidents and difappointments of bufinefs, as it would be the highest ingratitude and indecency in you to exprefs impatience and difcontent, fo, as the reward of a contrary conduct, their own reflections upon what is paft when the mind is calm will be in your favour, and their affection will feek an opportunity of compenfating your uneasiness. You should regard thefe accidents as opportunities of endearing yourfelf to them, and as tefts of your prudence, duty, and affection.

What may not children expect from a father who is a friend to the whole circle of his acquaintance? It is your happiness to have fuch a father; think yourself fecure of every thing that is fit for you in his affection, and do not anticipate his bounty by requests: the pleasure of both will be leffered if you receive because you afk, and if he gives because he cannot deny you, How

very shameful then is the common triumph of favourites for having gained by importunity what is denied to merit, and withheld by prudence! Whatever is thus gained from the hand is loft in the heart. I have feen with grief and refentment every tender moment watched, to urge a request, and wreft a promife, from the generous weakness of unguarded affection. How mean and felfish is fuch a practice? Remember that a noble mind will difpofe a perfon to fuffer much, rather than afk a favour which he knows cannot be refufed, if he thinks that his friend may notwithstanding have reason to with it had not been afised.

I fhall finish this long letter with a note of yet higher importance.

If you fucceed in every defign which you form, and the world gives you 'till its utmost bounty is exhaufted, your happiness will fill be imperfect, you will find fome defire unfatisfied, and your poffeffion will never fill your wishes.

But do not fuffer the prefent hour to pafs away unenjoyed by an earnest and anxious defire of fome future good; for if this weakness is indulged, your happiness will still fly from you as you purfue it, and there will be the fame distance between you and the object of your wishes, till all the vifions of imagination fhall vanish, and your progrefs to further degrees of temporal advantage fhall be ftopped by the grave,

It is notwithstanding true, that the expectation of future good, if the object is worthy of a rational defire, pleafes more than any prefent enjoyment. You will therefore find that a well-grounded hope of Heaven will give a relish to whatever you shall poffefs upon earth. If there is no time to come that we can anticipate with pleasure, we regret every moment that paffes; we fee that time is flying away with all our enjoyments; that youth is fhort, health precarious,

and