lus; but it is in our power always to recollect it. This is the use we should make of impressions. New-Year's day is now past: but is it therefore less important to redeem the time, and put our good resolutions in practice, than it was on that day? It is rather more so, because the year is now shortened by one considerable division of it: Let us then, conscious of the weakness and volatility of our hearts, and of the frailty of resolutions made in our own strength, look up to Him who "to them who have no might," has promised to increase strength: who will, if implored, confirm our wavering minds, and establish our weak resolutions. Finally, may we be permitted to ask, has the perusal of this paper produced any impressions? Has it, dear reader, called to your remembrance any seasons of seriousness and diligence, that have since passed away "like the early dew?" If so, endeavour and pray that it may not be so in this instance resolve that this, at least, shall be a permenant

IMPRESSION.

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X.

THE LIFE OF A LOOKING-GLASS.

To the Editor of the Youth's Magazine.

SIR,-It being very much the custom, as I am infomed, even for obscure individuals to furnish some account of themselves, for the edification of the public, I hope I shall not be deemed im

pertinent 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 having never known any livelier scene, I was very well contented with my quiet condition. The first object that I remember to have arrested my attention, was, what I now believe must have been a large spider, which, after a vast deal of scampering about, began, very deliberately, to weave a curious web all over my face. This afforded me great amusement: and not then knowing what far lovelier objects were destined to my gaze, I did not resent the indignity.

At length, when little dreaming of any change of fortune, I felt myself suddenly removed from my station; and immediately afterwards underwent a curious operation, which at the time gave me considerable apprehensions for my safety but these were succeeded by pleasure, upon finding myself arrayed in a broad black frame, handsomely carved and gilt; for you will please to observe, that the period of which I am now speaking was upwards of fourscore years ago. This process being finished, I was presently placed, very carefully, in a large packing-case, and sent a long journey, by waggon,

to London. That I may not be tedious, I will not here stay to relate the surprise and terror I endured during this transportation; nor the serious apprehensions I entertained that my delicate frame would never survive the jolts and jars it underwent in the course of it. Indeed, I have reason to believe that I was in imminent danger many times; not to mention the extreme darkness and dreariness of my situation. How sincerely did I then wish to be replaced in my old quiet corner; which appeared chearfulness itself, compared with my present forlorn condition. So little are we capable of judging what circumstances will eventually prove most conducive to our happiness! At last, after many, to me, unintelligible movements, I found to my great joy that my prison was being unbarred. The cheerful light once again shone upon me; and a person, whom I afterwards found to be my new master's apprentice, (and with whom I soon became well acquainted,) lifted me carefully out. No sooner had he cleared away from my face the straw and paper with which I had been well nigh suffocated, than, as I observed, he gave me a very significant look; which, to confess the truth, I took, at the time, for a compliment to myself:-but I have since learnt to interpret such compliments more truly. Striking, indeed, was the contrast between my late mode of life and that to which I was now introduced. My new situation was in the shop window with my face to the street: which was one of the most public in London. Here my attention was at first quite distracted by the constant succession of objects that passed before me. But it was

not long before I began to remark the considerable degree of attention I myself excited; and how much I was distinguished, in this respect, from the other articles, my neighbours, in the shop-window. I observed that passengers, who appeared to be posting away upon urgent business, would often just turn and give me a friendly glance as they passed. But I was particularly gratified to observe, that while the old, the shabby, and the wretched, seldom took any notice of me, the young, the gay, and the handsome, generally paid me this compliment; and that these good-looking people always seemed the best pleased with me; which I attributed to their superior discernment. I well remember one young lady, who used to pass my master's shop regularly every morning in her way to school, and who never omitted to turn her head to look at me as she went by; so that, at last, we became well acquainted with each other. must confess, that at this period of my life, I was in great danger of becoming insufferably vain, from the attentions that were then paid me; and, perhaps, I am not the only individual, to whom a sudden removal from retirement to a more public mode of life, has proved a hazardous and trying event to the character: nor the only one who has formed mistaken notions as to the attentions they receive in society.

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My vanity, however, received a considerable check from one circumstance; nearly all the goods by which I was surrounded in the shopwindow (though many of them much more homely in their structure, and humble in their destinations) were disposed of sconer than myself. I had the mortification of seeing one after ano

ther bargained for and sent away, while I remained, month after month, without a purchaser. At last, however, a gentleman and lady. from the country, (who had been standing some time in the street, inspecting, and as I perceiv ed, conversing about me,) walked into the shop; and after some altercation with my master, agreed to purchase me: upon which, I was once more packed up, and sent off on a longer journey than before. I was far less disconcerted, this time, by my unpleasant circumstances, than during my first journey, concluding they would terminate, as before, in a change for the better. Another proof of our incompetence to judge of the real tendency of passing events. I was very curious, you may suppose, upon arriving at my new quarters, to see what kind of life I was likely to lead. I remained, however, some time unmolested in my packing case, and very flat I felt there. Upon being, at last, unpacked, I found myself in the stone hall of a large, lone house in the country. My master and mistress,

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soon learned, were new-married people, just setting up house-keeping; and I was intended to decorate their best parlour; to which I was presently conveyed; and after some little discussion between them in fixing my longitude and latitude, I was hung up opposite the fireplace, in an angle of ten degrees from the wall, according to the fashion of those times. I felt, at first, very well pleased with my situation; and looked with complacency upon the various objects before me, which, like myself, were then new and handsome but perhaps I should have experienced some dismay, if I could have known