another end of the house. The truth such a one when I am gone; Camilof it is, were we merely to follow lus knows, being in his favour is dinature in these great duties of life, rection enough to the grateful youth though we have a strong instinct who is to succeed him, without the towards the performing of them, we admonition of his mentioning it. should be on both sides very defi- These gentlemen are honoured in all cient. Age is so unwelcome to the their neighbourhood, and the same generality of mankind, and growth effect which the court has on the towards manhood so desirable to all, manners of a kingdom, their characthat resignation to decay is too diffi-ters have on all who live within the cult a task in the father; and defer- influence of them.

ence, amidst the impulse of gay de- My son and I are not of fortune sires, appears unreasonable to the to communicate our good actions or son. There are so few who can intentions to so many as these gengrow old with a good grace, and yet tlemen do; but I will be bold to say, fewer who can come slow enough my son has, by the applause and apinto the world, that a father, were he probation which his behaviour toto be actuated by his desires, and a wards me has gained him, occasioned son, were he to consult himself only, that many an old man, besides mycould neither of them behave him- self, has rejoiced. Other men's chilself as he ought to the other. But dren follow the example of mine; when reason interposes against in- and I have the inexpressible happistinct, where it would carry either ness of overhearing our neighbours, out of the interests of the other, as we ride by, point to their chil there arises that happiest intercourse dren, and say, with a voice of joy, of good offices between those dearest" There they go." Spectator. relations of human life. The father, according to the opportunities which

fection.

are offered to him, is throwing down 9. The Strength of Parental Afblessings on the son, and the son endeavouring to appear the worthy off- I went the other day to visit Eliza, spring of such a father. It is after who, in the perfect bloom of beauty, this manner that Camillus and his is the mother of several children. first-born dwell together. Camillus She had a little prating girl upon her enjoys a pleasing and indolent old lap, who was begging to be very fine, age, in which passion is subdued, that she might go abroad; and the and reason exalted. He waits the indulgent mother, at her little daughday of his dissolution with a resigna- ter's request, had just taken the knots tion mixed with delight, and the son off her own head to adorn the hair fears the accession of his father's for- of the pretty trifler. A smiling boy tune with diffidence, lest he should was at the same time caressing a not enjoy or become it as well as lap-dog, which is their mother's fahis predecessor. Add to this, that vourite, because it pleases the chilthe father knows he leaves a friend dren; and she, with a delight in her to the children of his friends, an easy looks, which heightened her beauty, landlord to his tenants, and an agree-so divided her conversation with the able companion to his acquaintance. two pretty prattlers, as to make them He believes his son's behaviour will both equally cheerful. make him frequently remembered, As I came in, she said, with a but never wanted. This commerce blush, "Mr. Ironside, though you is so well cemented, that without the are an old bachelor, you must not pomp of saying, Son, be a friend to laugh at my tenderness to my chil

dren." I need not tell my reader tenderness and fondness for them! what civil things I said in answer to how amiable is such a weakness of the lady, whose matron-like beha- human nature! or rather, how great viour gave me infinite satisfaction: a weakness is it to give humanity since I myself take great pleasure in so reproachful a name! The bare playing with children, and am sel- consideration of paternal affection dom unprovided of plums or marbles, should, methinks, create a more to make my court to such entertain- grateful tenderness in children toing companions. wards their parents, than we generally

Whence is it, said I to myself see; and the silent whispers of nawhen I was alone, that the affection ture be attended to, though the laws of parents is so intense to their off- of God and man did not call aloud. spring? Is it because they generally These silent whispers of nature find such resemblances in what they have had a marvellous power, even have produced, as that thereby they when their cause hath been unknown. think themselves renewed in their There are several examples in story, children, and are willing to transmit of tender friendships formed betwixt themselves to future times? or is it men, who knew not of their near rebecause they think themselves oblig-lation: such accounts confirm me ed by the dictates of humanity to in an opinion I have long entertainnourish and rear what is placed so ed, that there is a sympathy betwixt immediately under their protection; souls, which cannot be explained by and what by their means is brought the prejudice of education, the sense into this world, the scene of misery, of duty, or any other human motive. of necessity? These will not come The memoirs of a certain French up to it. Is it not rather the good nobleman, which now lie before me, providence of that Being, who in a furnish me with a very entertaining supereminent degree protects and instance of this secret attraction, imcherishes the whole race of man- planted by Providence in the human kind, his sons and creatures? How soul. It will be necessary to inform shall we, any other way, account for the reader, that the person whose this natural affection, so signally dis- story I am going to relate, was one, played throughout every species of whose roving and romantic temper, the animal creation, without which joined to a disposition singularly the course of nature would quickly amorous, had led him through a vast fail, and every various kind be ex-variety of gallantries and amours. tinct? Instances of tenderness in the He had, in his youth, attended a most savage brutes are so frequent, princess of France into Poland, that quotations of that kind are alto- where he had been entertained by gether unnecessary. the king her husband, and married

If we, who have no particular con- the daughter of a grandee. Upon cern in them, take a secret delight her death he returned into his nain observing the gentle dawn of rea- tive country; where his intrigues son in babes; if our ears are soothed and other misfortunes having conwith their half-forming and aiming at sumed his paternal estate, he now articulate sounds; if we are charm- went to take care of the fortune his ed with their pretty mimicry, and deceased wife had left him in Posurprised at the unexpected starts of land. In his journey he was robbed wit and cunning in these miniatures before he reached Warsaw, and lay of man: what transport may we ima- ill of a fever, when he met with the gine in the breasts of those, into following adventure; which I shall whom natural instinct hath poured relate in his own words.

"I had been in this condition for recovery than all the medicines the four days, when the countess of Ve- physicians gave me. In short, my • noski passed that way. She was in- fever left me, and I had the satisfacformed that a stranger of good fashion tion to see the lovely creature overlay sick, and her charity led her to joyed at my recovery. She came to see me. I remembered her, for I see me oftener as I grew better; and had often seen her with my wife, to I already felt a stronger and more whom she was nearly related; but tender affection for her, than I ever when I found she knew me not, I bore to any woman in my life; when thought fit to conceal my name. II began to perceive that her constant told her I was a German; that I had care of me was only a blind, to give been robbed; and that if she had the her an opportunity of seeing a young charity to send me to Warsaw, the Pole whom I took to be her lover. queen would acknowledge it, I hav- He seemed to be much about her ing the honour to be known to her age, of a brown complexion, very majesty. The countess had the tall, but finely shaped. Every time goodness to take compassion of me, she came to see me, the young genand ordering me to be put into a tleman came to find her out; and litter, carried me to Warsaw, where they usually retired to a corner of I was lodged in her house until my the chamber, where they seemed health should allow me to wait on to converse with great earnestness. the queen. The aspect of the youth pleased me

"

My fever increased after my wonderfully; and if I had not susjourney was over, and I was confined pected that he was my rival, I should to my bed for fifteen days. When have taken delight in his person and the countess first saw me, she had a friendship. young lady with her, about eighteen They both of them often asked years of age, who was much taller me if I were in reality a German? and better shaped than the Polish which when I continued to affirm, women generally are. She was very they seemed very much troubled. fair, her skin exceedingly fine, and One day I took notice that the her air and shape inexpressibly beau- young lady and gentleman, having tiful. I was not so sick as to over-retired to a window, were very inlook this young beauty; and I felt tent upon a picture; and that every in my heart such emotions at the first now and then they cast their eyes view, as made me fear that all my mis-upon me, as if they had found some fortunes had not armed me sufficient- resemblance betwixt that and my ly against the charms of the fair sex. features. I could not forbear to ask "The amiable creature seemed the meaning of it; upon which the afflicted at my sickness; and she ap- lady answered, that if I had been a peared to have so much concern and Frenchman, she should have imagincare for me, as raised in me a great ed that I was the person for whom inclination and tenderness for her. the picture was drawn, because it She came every day into my cham- exactly resembled me. I desired ber to inquire after my health; I to see it. But how great was my asked who she was, and I was an- surprise, when I found it to be the swered, that she was niece to the very painting which I had sent to countess of Venoski. the queen five years before, and

'I verily believe that the constant which she commanded me to get sight of this charming maid, and the drawn to be given to my children! pleasure I received from her careful After I had viewed the piece, I cast attendance, contributed more to my my eyes upon the young lady, and

then upon the gentleman I had The duties required of man are thought to be her lover. My heart such as human nature does not willbeat, and I felt a secret emotion ingly perform, and such as those are which filled me with wonder. I inclined to delay who yet intend thought I traced in the two young some time to fulfil them. It was persons some of my own features, therefore necessary that this univerand at that moment I said to myself, sal reluctance should be counteractAre not these my children? The ed, and the drowsiness of hesitation tears came into my eyes, and I was wakened into resolve; that the danabout to run and embrace them; but ger of procrastination should be alconstraining myself with pain, I ask-ways in view, and the fallacies of ed whose picture it was? The maid, security be hourly detected. perceiving that I could not speak To this end all the appearances without tears, fell a weeping. Her of nature uniformly conspire. Whattears absolutely confirmed me in my ever we see on every side, reminds opinion; and falling upon her neck, us of the lapse of time and the flux 66 Ah my dear child," said I, "yes, I of life. The day and night succeed am your father!" I could say no each other, the rotation of seasons more. The youth seized my hands diversifies the year, the sun rises, at the same time, and kissing, bathed attains the meridian, declines and them with his tears. Throughout sets; and the moon every night my life, I never felt a joy equal to changes its form.

this; and it must be owned, that na- The day has been considered as ture inspires more lively emotions an image of the year, and a year as and pleasing tenderness than the the representation of life. The mornpassions can possibly excite." ing answers to the spring, and the Spectator. spring to childhood and youth; the noon corresponds to the summer, and the summer to the strength of

Time.

10. Remarks on the Swiftness of manhood. The evening is an emblem of autumn, and autumn of declining The natural advantages which life. The night with its silence and arise from the position of the earth darkness shows the winter, in which which we inhabit, with respect to all the powers of vegetation are bethe other planets, afford much em- numbed; and the winter points out ployment to mathematical specula- the time when life shall cease, with tion, by which it has been discover- its hopes and pleasures.

ed, that no other conformation of He that is carried forward, howthe system could have given such ever swiftly, by a motion equable and commodious distributions of light easy, perceives not the change of and heat, or imparted fertility and place but by the variation of objects. pleasure to so great a part of a re- If the wheel of life, which rolls thus volving sphere. silently along, passed on through unIt may be perhaps observed by the distinguishable uniformity, we should moralist, with equal reason, that our never mark its approaches to the end globe seems particularly fitted for of the course. If one hour were like the residence of a Being, placed here another; if the passage of the sun only for a short time, whose task is did not show that the day is wasting; to advance himself to a higher and if the change of seasons did not imhappier state of existence, by unre- press upon us the flight of the year; mitted vigilance of caution, and ac- quantities of duration equal to days tivity of virtue. and years would glide unobserved

If the parts of time were not vari- and so mischievous, let it be every ously coloured, we should never dis- man's study to exempt himself. Let cern their departure or succession, him that desires to see others happy, but should live thoughtless of the make haste to give while his gift can past, and careless of the future, with- be enjoyed, and remember that every out will, and perhaps without power moment of delay takes away someto compute the periods of life, or to thing from the value of his benefaccompare the time which is already tion. And let him who proposes his lost with that which may probably own happiness, reflect, that while he remain. forms his purpose the day rolls on, But the course of time is so visibly and "the night cometh, when no marked, that it is even observed by man can work the passage, and by nations who have raised their minds very little above animal instinct: there are human beings, whose language does not supply them with words by which they An ancient poet, unreasonably discan number five, but I have read of contented at the present state of none that have not names for Day things, which his system of opinions and Night, for Summer and Winter. obliged him to represent in its worst

$ 11.

Idler.

The Folly of mis-spending
Time.

Yet it is certain that these admo- form, has observed of the earth, nitions of nature, however forcible," That its greater part is covered by however importunate, are too often the uninhabitable ocean; that of the vain; and that many who mark with rest, some is encumbered with naked such accuracy the course of time, mountains, and some lost under barappear to have little sensibility of the ren sands; some scorched with undecline of life. Every man has some- intermitted heat, and some petrified thing to do which he neglects; every with perpetual frost; so that only a man has faults to conquer which he few regions remain for the producdelays to combat. tion of fruits, the pasture of cattle,

So little do we accustom ourselves and the accommodation of man." to consider the effects of time, that The same observation may be things necessary and certain often transferred to the time allotted us in surprise us like unexpected contin- our present state. When we have gencies. We leave the beauty in deducted all that is absorbed in sleep, her bloom, and, after an absence of all that is inevitably appropriated to twenty years, wonder, at our return, the demands of nature, or irresistibly to find her faded. We meet those engrossed by the tyranny of custom; whom we left children, and can all that passes in regulating the suscarcely persuade ourselves to treat perficial decorations of life, or is them as men. The traveller visits given up in the reciprocations of in age those countries through which civility to the disposal of others; all he rambled in his youth, and hopes for that is torn from us by the violence merriment at the old place. The man of disease, or stolen imperceptibly of business, wearied with unsatis- away by lassitude and languor; we factory prosperity, retires to the town shall find that part of our duration of his nativity, and expects to play very small of which we can truly away the last years with the compa- call ourselves masters, or which we nions of his childhood, and recover can spend wholly at our own choice. youth in the fields where he once Many of our hours are lost in a rowas young. tation of petty cares, in a constant From this inattention, so general recurrence of the same employments;