which they have been applied. These particulars it would be tedious to detail; perhaps the recollection of our readers may furnish them as well. But we must notice one circumstance; upon turning to a certain page in his accounts, the old man was much affected, and the tears streamed down his furrowed cheek. This was no other than the register of the forty-eight Sundays which he has already issued; and which, of all the wealth he had to dispose of, has been, it appears, the most scandalously wasted. "These," said he, "were my most precious gifts. I had but fifty-two of them: alas! how lightly have they been esteemed." Here, upon referring back to certain old memorandums, he found a long list of vows and resolutions which had a particular reference to these fifty-two Sundays. This, with a mingled emotion of grief and anger, he tore into a hundred pieces, and threw them on the embers, by which he was endeavouring to warm his shivering limbs.

"And yet, I feel," said he, "more pity than indignation towards these unhappy offenders; they were far greater enemies to themselves than to me. But there are a few outrageous ones, by whom I have been defrauded of so much of my substance, that it is difficult to think of them with patience that notorious thief Procrastination, for instance, of whom every body has heard, and who is well known to have wronged my venerable father of so much of his property. There are also three noted pick-pockets, Sleep, Sloth, and Pleasure, from whom I have suffered much: besides a certain busy-body called Dress, who under the pretence of making the most of

me, and taking great care of my gifts, steals away more of my property than any two of them.

"As for me, all must acknowledge that I have performed my part towards friends and foes. I have fulfilled my utmost promise, and been more bountiful than many of my predecessors. My twelve fair children, have each in turn, aided my exertions; and their various tastes and dispositions have all conduced to the general good. Mild February who sprinkled the naked boughs with delicate buds, and brought her wonted offering of early flowers, was not of more essential service than that rude, blustering boy, March, who though violent in his temper, was well-intentioned and useful. April, a gentle, tenderhearted girl, wept his loss, yet cheered me with many a smile. June came crowned with roses, and sparkling in sun-beams, and laid up a store of costly ornaments for her luxuriant successors. But I cannot stay to enumerate the graces and good qualities of all my children. You, my poor December, dark in your complexion, and cold in your temper, greatly resemble my first-born January, with this difference, that he was most prone to anticipation, and you to reflection.

"If there should be any, who, upon hearing my dying lamentation, may feel regret that they have not treated me more kindly, I would beg leave to hint, that it is still possible to make some compensation for their past conduct, by rendering me, during my few remaining days, as much service as may yet be in their power: let them testify the sincerity of their sorrow by an imme

diate alteration in their behaviour. It would give me particular pleasure to see my only surviving child treated with respect : let no one slight her offerings: she has a considerable part of my property still to dispose of, which, if well employed, will turn to good account. Not to mention the rest, there are four precious Sundays yet in her gift; it would cheer my last moments to know that these had been better prized than the past.

"It is very likely, at least after my decease, that many may reflect upon themselves for their misconduct towards me. To such I would leave it as my dying injunction, not to waste time in unavailing regret all their wishes and repentance will not recal me to life. I shall never, never return! I would rather earnestly recommend to their regard my youthful successor, whose appearance is shortly expected; I cannot hope to survive long enough to introduce him; but I would fain hope that he will meet with a favourable reception; and that in addition to the flattering honours which greeted my birth, and the fair promises which deceived my hopes, more diligent exertion, more persevering effort may be employed. Let it be remembered, that one honest endeavour is worth ten fair promis

es.

Having thus spoken, the Old Year fell back on his couch, nearly exhausted; and trembling so violently as to shake the last shower of golden leaves from his canopy. Let us all hasten to testify our gratitude for his services, and repentance for our abuse of them, by improving the few remaining days of his existence, and by re

membering the solemn promises we made him This is the best preparation we

in his youth.

can make for his expected successor.

XIX.

ECCLESIASTES XI. 8.

"If a man live many years and rejoice in them all, yet let him remember the days of darkness, for they shall be many."

"TRULY the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun :" and perhaps the truth of the remark is never felt more forcibly than on a New Year's morning. Not the brilliancy of a summer's sun can excite a more cheerful feeling than his aspect on a fine winter's day, especially at that season when festive pleasures and holiday feelings impart imaginary charms to every object. With the NewYear we seem to begin life anew and forgetting that we are, in fact, advanced so much farther on our course, we are apt to imagine that a period is added rather than lost to us.

The pains, the fears, the mistakes, the follies of the past are forgotten; at least we hope now to escape or avoid them, because it is a New Year. Thus, it is hope rather than sunshine, that inspires us with cheerfulness, while dismissing the painful remembrance of past disappointments, we anticipate the unknown advantages and pleasures of the untried future. It is right and wise

to rejoice, with a thankful and cheerful heart, in the circumstances of comfort which surround us. Especially let us acknowledge the goodness of our heavenly Father, in sparing us to behold the cheerful beams of another New Year's sun. In this temper, it is truly "a pleasant thing for the eyes to behold it."

There is, however, a peculiar suitableness, at this season, in the admonitory words of our mot to; namely, to "remember the days of darkness." The preacher here, for argument's sake, supposes a very improbable case; that is, that a man who lives many years, may rejoice in them all. None knew better than King Solomon himself that such a thing never happens; for he, who possessed every thing in this world in which a man may rejoice, declared that "all was vanity and vexation of spirit." But, though well aware of this, he chooses to admit the possibility of such a circumstance, in order to meet every objection. He considered, perhaps, that the young, to whom he addressed himself, would not think it so unlikely as he did. "Suppose, then," he says, "that a man should have a long life of uninterrupted happiness, yet let him remember the days of darkness, for they are many ;" and this is the reason why it is so very important to remember them.

By "the days of darkness" we are to understand the state of the dead. But when Solomon wrote this passage, perhaps he himself did not apprehend how long a period, how “many days,” he should spend in the region of darkness. What a succession of ages have rolled away since he first" slept with his fathers, and was buried in