until it will finally be said of him, "Cut it down, why cumbereth it the ground?"

I fear I shall be regarded as a gloomy prognosticator; but I dare not depart from the rules of my art, which are founded on universal experience, and on the established laws of cause and effect. However, lest I be thought too discouraging, I am happy to proclaim, that these destinies are, by no means, at present, to be considered as unchangeable. On the contrary, if the indolent should be roused by a dread of the consequences awaiting his disposition, to become active and industrious-the extravagant, moderate and frugal-the indulgent, self-denying and abstemious-the ill-tempered, mild and amiable-the undutiful, affectionate and tractable-and if the procrastinator resolves at once, that he will serve the Lord then, it is obvious, that all my dark predictions will be immediately reversed.

For instance; let us suppose an inquirer of a different description to any of the foregoing. A modest, ingenuous youth now approaches, wishing to know what encouragement he may expect in his exertions. He confesses that he is not gifted with superior talents, and therefore does not hope to arrive at any distinguished eminence. It appears, however, that he early acquired habits of attention and industry; that he has courage and perseverance to press forward in his undertak

ings, in spite of difficulties, till he has conquered them; that although his real wants are amply supplied, he has been trained in frugality and selfdenial; therefore his wishes are few and moderate, so that he has always his mite to spare for the poor and the destitute. He cannot boast of rich or powerful patrons, but his temper is sweet, and his manners obliging, by which he obtains the good-will of his neighbors; moreover, he is a good son and a kind brother; and having been taught that "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom," he has already found "His ways to be pleasantness, and his paths peace." Now, without presuming to guess whether this will be a rich man, I hesitate not to pronounce him a happy one: he may encounter difficulties, and pass through trials, but "his bread will be given him, and his water will be sure;" especially "that bread which he casts upon the waters will return" to him, when it is wanted, though" after many days." It is besides this, more than probable, that he will eventually be successful even in his temporal affairs; that he will be "blessed in his basket and his store;" rear an affectionate family; be beloved by his friends, and respected by all; finally, he will die in peace, and at last "enter into the joy of his Lord.

It is not unusual for fortunetellers to predict the day of death; and although, as I said, I make

no such pretensions, it may yet be expected that I should not be totally silent on the subject. And while they who presume to do so are miserable deceivers, I can with the most absolute certainty foretell what it is much more important to know, namely, that "it is appointed unto all men once to die;" the day and hour is indeed unknown; and yet each one may, for himself, look forward to a period not very distant, when he may be quite certain that he shall have reached his "long home." To know that we must die one day, is a far more interesting fact, than to know what day; and this is a circumstance which, surely, we may all foretell for ourselves.

Now,

Is it not strange, that the grandest event of our existence that part of our fortunes which it is of infinitely greater consequence we should foreknow than whether we are to be princes or beggars we should so seldom inquire about, although it is more easily ascertained than any question respecting our temporal affairs? I mean, whether we are going to heaven or hell? to know this, we have only to ask whether or not we are Christians: if conscience allows us humbly to hope that we are so, in the scriptural sense of the word, then we are sure that the Lord is gone "to prepare a place for us mansions in his Father's house." But if we know that we are not true Christians, nor earnestly striving to become such, then, the awful broba

among the "6 many

bility is, that we are doomed to the place "prepared for the devil and his angels."

Should

Thus, having explained and exemplified my method, so as to render it clear to their comprehensions, I trust that every one of my readers will be able to predict all that is good for them to know concerning their future lives; and I doubt not they will find it profitable to do so. any think it an unsatisfactory and uncertain plan, or flatter themselves, that although they may answer some of the above descriptions, yet, that they shall escape the appropriate punishment, I must tell them that it is for want of knowing the world and themselves, and for want of considering the natural and inevitable consequences of things.

A new year is now commencing, let every one inquire how they have begun it. Is it with a resolution to make renewed efforts to overcome their bad habits, and to improve their manners and characters? and have they actually begun to make such efforts? then I prophesy a happy new year to them; and that if they persevere in their resolutions, it will be the happiest they have ever known: but if on the contrary they are beginning it in the old way—not more attentive to business, nor watchful of their tempers and conduct-not more concerned for their intellectual and religious improvement than heretofore; then, although they may very likely have had a merry Christmas,

I cannot wish them a happy new year, because I know it would be in vain to do so. For the say

ing is as true as it is trite, that to be happy we must be good. The knowledge of this, is, in fact, the grand secret of my art; and it is by consulting this simple rule, that every man may be his own fortuneteller.

SIR,

V.

THE LIFE OF A LOOKING-GLASS.

To the Editor of the Youth's Magazine.

Ir being very much the custom, as I am informed, even for obscure individuals to furnish some account of themselves, for the edification of the public, I hope I shall not be deemed impertinent for calling your attention to a few particulars of my own history. I cannot, indeed, boast of any very extraordinary incidents; but having, during the course of a long life, had much leisure and opportunity for observation, and being naturally of a reflecting cast, I thought it might be in my power to offer some remarks that may not be wholly unprofitable to your readers.

My earliest recollection is that of a carver and gilder's workshop; where I remained for many months, leaning with my face to the wall; and