wicked thoughts, is much less than may be ima gined; it is but another step, a step soon an easily, and often unconsciously, taken. Wh then will dispute that "the thought of foolishnes is sin!"-Who but has need to "watch and pra that they enter not into this temptation!" If a habit of indulging vain and sinful though be so injurious to the moral and intellectu powers, how healthful, how desirable is a we regulated mind, which has acquired such a con mand over itself, so as to be able to call off th thoughts instantly from unprofitable wandering and fix them on useful and important subject Youth is the time for forming this habit: if ne lected then, it will, in after life, be by painful 1 borious efforts only, that the mind can be broug to profitable reflection and meditation; fro which it will be ever liable to be diverted b every trifle that presents itself to the senses. All mental superiority originates in habits thinking. A child indeed, like a machine, m be made to perform certain functions by exter means; but it is only when he begins to th that he rises to the dignity of a rational bei Are we at a loss for subjects of improving interesting thought? O, look around! reg the heavens above and the earth beneath. T wonders and beauties of nature are of then inexhaustible sources of delightful contemp tion. That must be a low, frivolous mind, which a glance at the starry heavens excites interest, no curiosity, no admiration, no r rence for the great Creator. Many of our ployments, (and this remark especially applies female employments,) are happily of such a Let no tre, as to leave the mind at liberty. Why is it that so many who acknowledge geneally the supreme importance of religion, yet om year to year neglect that great salvation? is for want of thought. Idle and vain thoughts te the "weeds which spring up and choke" very good impression; and prevent all serious eflection. Oh, we should be ashamed to menon the trifles that, it is to be feared, occupy ours and years of eager, anxious thought, and cause such subjects as death, heaven, and eterhity, to appear dull, insipid, and unimportant! et our young readers inquire for themselves to Shat themes their thoughts most gladly and naTrally recur. And happy, happy they, who, afTr such an investigation can sincerely exclaim, O how love I thy law; it is my meditation all le day!" Let none be discouraged from attempting to Squire the right regulation of their thoughts, by e difficulties they may have to encounter. abit will render that easy and delightful, which, first, appears dry and difficult. The mind will adually become enlarged and ennobled ; will el disgusted at the trifles which used to satisfy , and aspire to pursuits and pleasures of the ghest order. To be prepared for the great hange-meetened for a world of intellectual and airitual enjoyment, will then appear to us the grand concern of life, the "one thing needful." Then shall we be able to say with the Psalmist, "I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies." III. A DAY'S PLEASURE. ONE fine May morning a large party of young people, of which I was one, set out for the purpose of viewing a nobleman's seat at some miles distance. This was an excursion to which we had for some time been looking forward with much pleasure. It had been long promised us, and the day fixed more than once; but the weather, or some other untoward circumstance, had hitherto disappointed us. But now every obstacle was removed, the party assembled, and when, after many presages of bad weather, with which some of the least sanguine and more experienced of our number had alarmed us the night before; when, after all these forebodings, the carriages drew up, and we found ourselves safely seated and driving off, there was not an eye that did not sparkle with pleasure. 1. The morning was bright and promising. Who does not know-who, at least, does not remem-.. ber, how unusually blue and bright the us no pears on a holiday morning? The fio reveyet sparkling with dew-drops. of our embandmen going forth to their woly applies to as we passed. The lark sang me uch a na heads. There was not a cloud-no, not one, to be seen from east to west: O, it was a lovely morning! We were in open carriages; which was the more agreeable as the first part of our road, especially, lay through a most delightful country, richly cultivated, and now all covered vith the verdure of spring. We were, as may De imagined, in the highest spirits, and laughed we knew not why. When the first glow of happiness, occasioned by setting off, had subsided, we began to expatiate on the expected pleasures of the day. The place of our destination was one of the finest seats for many miles round. We had heard it talked of very often; but none of us young ones had yet seen it. Most of the beauties and curiosities had been described to us, and on these our imaginations fixed with delightful anticipation ;-The grotto; the hot-houses, with their rare collection of foreign plants; the picture-gallery; and, above all, the curious old tapestry hangings, which decorated one of the apartments, and which were esteemed the greatest curiosity of the place. Then there was the fine Belvidere at the top of the hill, which commanded, we were told, a most extensive prospect. You might from thence see five counties and on a very clear day you might just distinguish Gloucester Cathedral. 'Well, we could not have a clearer day than this," said we; 66 so we hall see five counties, and Gloucester CatheThus we went chatting along. feel it, and a highest ord 66 had scarcely reached the third milepleasure was greatly damped change- no. of one of our party. She spiritual A head-ach, but strove to conceal it: however, it become so much worse with the motion of the carriage that she was quite unable to proceed; so with great reluctance we were obliged to leave her at a friend's house, which stood by the road's side. This misfortune cast a gloom upon us during the greater part of the ride. She was one of the most lively and intelligent of our whole party; there was not one but could have been better spared. However, as we drew near the end of our journey our spirits revived, and our regret for the loss of our companion gradually subsided. But now a new cause of uneasiness arose :A few rather threatening clouds had for some time been gathering in the south-west, which the elder part of the company regarded with an anxious eye. We young ones, however, were persuaded they would soon pass off; and as they began to gather over head, we declared that we should prefer its being cloudy during the heat of the day. 66 Yes, it would be much pleasanter!" just as I said the word, I felt a large drop of rain upon my cheek which was quickly followed by many more; and now the most sanguine of us took the alarm. A soaking shower came on, when we were yet a mile from the place of our destination; to which, being without any shelter, we were completely exposed. Still we tried to laugh at our misfortunes: till, upon approaching the place, the rain fell with redoubled violence; and as we galloped up the avenue, it ran streaming off in spouts and torrents from our hats and parasols. We had, therefore, little inclination to look about us; the first thing, as |