lent ulcer. Nor is it any ordinary degree of virtuous magnanimity which that man has attained, who, upon such occasions, when he finds his own strength too feeble to resist the impression, can say to his friend, I am hurt, have pity upon me, and pour in the healing balm before the poison has reached the vitals. Churlishness. This depravity of character approaches so nearly to misanthropy, that it is needless to point out their connection. The particular remedies of these evils may be sought in what has been observed upon them severally; but the general remedy is charity. This, of all the principles in the universe, is the most powerful and active, and the grand spring of all the virtuous conduct that is found amongst men. It has no caprices; it affects no singularities, either of sentiment or behaviour; but, as far as it may be done with innocence, takes the ply of the occasion,,and is made all things to all men, in order to their good. It is lowly and unassuming, vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up. It renders all the civilities that are expressive of pure benevolence, and all the respects which belong to the different orders of society; honour to whom honour, fear to whom fear. In a word, when taken in its full extent, it comprizes the whole of human duty; every law of kindness or courtesy, of religion or humanity. < RURAL PHILOSOPHY. PART III. REFLECTIONS ON HAPPINESS. SECTION I. On the Happiness arising from the Independence, the Agricultural Pursuits, the Diversions, and Scenery, of a Country Life. THE idea of rural felicity is so congenial with the human mind, that we cannot wonder to find it cherished amidst all the hurry and dissipation of public life; espe cially if we consider, that such a life is often attended with labour and sorrow, with weariness and disappointment. When we look abroad into the world, we see one man fixed down to his desk or stationed behind his counter, and, from morning to night, busily engaged in casting his ac compts or dealing out his commodities, with scarce sufficient intervals for the refreshment or support of nature. We see another, in aspiring after some place of public honour or profit, racked with suspense in the pursuit, frequently baffled in his object, and, if at length successful, dissatisfied with the acquisition. While a third, whose situation may seem more enviable, who, alike exempt from the toils of the city and the ambition of the court, has no other concern than to enjoy the amusements and pleasures of life, is often found a miserable prey to chagrin, from the caprices and jealousies which are sure to infest the brightest circles of gaiety and fashion. In all these cases, the mind naturally looks forward to the country, to the independence of some rural retreat, the peaceful labours of hufbandry, the diversions of the field, or the scenery of nature, for purer sources of enjoyment. Let us then briefly enquire, under these several heads, how far they are likely to answer such an expectation. |