hate vain thoughts, but thy law do I love." He knew that to love both was impossible, for he sets them in direct opposition to each other.

It is not necessary to describe, and we hope not needful to warn our readers against the last mentioned kind : indeed, if the two former be carefully guarded against, and dismissed from the mind as soon as they enter, there will be little danger that wicked thoughts should gain admission. But let none hope to escape even from these, if license be given to the others. The distance and difference between vain and wicked thoughts, is much less than may be imagined; it is but another step, a step soon and easily, and often unconsciously, taken. Who then will dispute that "the thought of foolishness is sin!" -Who but has need to "watch and pray that they enter not into this temptation!"

If a habit of indulging vain and sinful thoughts be so injurious to the moral and intellectual powers, how healthful, how desirable is a well regulated mind, which has acquired such a command over itself, so as to be able to call off the thoughts instantly from unprofitable wanderings, and fix them on useful and important subjects! Youth is the time for forming this habit: if neglected then, it will, in after life, be by painful laborious efforts only, that the mind can be brought to profitable reflection and meditation; from which it will be ever liable to be diverted by every trifle that presents itself to the

senses.

All mental superiority originates in habits of thinking. A child indeed, like a machine, may be made to perform certain functions by external means; but it is only when he begins to think that he rises to the dignity of a rational being. Are we at a loss for subjects of improving and interesting thought? O, look around! regard the heavens above and the earth beneath. The wonders and beauties of nature are of themselves inexhaustible

sources of delightful contemplation. That must be a low, frivolous mind, in which a glance at the starry heavens excites no interest, no curiosity, no admiration, no reverence for the great Creator. Many of our employments, (and this remark especially applies to female employments,) are happily of such a nature, as to leave the mind at liberty. Let no one imagine that she is not responsible for the manner in which that liberty is used. While the useful needle is performing its humble functions, what a noble privilege it is, that the mind may be engaged in the grandest pursuits that can occupy an intelligent being!

Why is it that so many who acknowledge generally the supreme importance of religion, yet from year to year neglect that great salvation? It is for want of thought. Idle and vain thoughts are the" weeds which spring up and choke" every good impression; and prevent all serious reflection. Oh, we should be ashamed to mention the trifles that, it is to be feared, occupy hours and years of eager, anxious thought, and cause such subjects as death, heaven, and eternity, to appear dull, insipid, and unimportant! Let our young readers inquire for themselves to what themes their thoughts most gladly and naturally recur. And happy, happy they, who, after such an investigation can sincerely exclaim, "O how love I thy law; it is my meditation all the day!"

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Let none be discouraged from attempting to acquire the right regulation of their thoughts, by the difficulties they may have to encounter. Habit will render that easy and delightful, which, at first, appears dry and difficult. The mind will gradually become enlarged and ennobled; will feel disgusted at the trifles which used to satisfy it, and aspire to pursuits and pleasures of the highest order. To be prepared for the great changemeetened for a world of intellectual and spiritual enjoy

ment, will then appear to us the grand concern of life, theone 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 off 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.

The morning was bright and promising. Who does not know-who, at least, does not remember, how unusually blue and bright the sky appears on a holiday morning? The fields were yet sparkling with dew-drops. Some early husbandmen going forth to their work, saluted us as we passed. The lark sang merrily over our 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 co

vered with the verdure of spring. We were, as may be 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 delighted 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; "so we shall see five counties, and Gloucester Cathedral!" Thus we went chatting along.

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But we had scarcely reached the third mile-stone, before our pleasure was greatly damped by the indisposition of one of our party. She had risen with a headach, but strove to conceal it: however, it became 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 it being cloudy during the heat of the day. "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 soon as we arrived, was to beg the charity of the servants; and we were completely occupied, for a full hour, in drying our clothes, and refitting, before a large fire in the housekeeper's parlour. By the time this was done, and we had partaken of some refreshments, we began to make ourselves so merry with the adventure, that some of us thought we gained as much in fun as we lost in sunshine.

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It still rained so giving up all thoughts of an excursion without, for the present, we proceeded to view the apartments. They were splendid indeed, and we were delighted; for my own part, the only thing that prevented my being quite as much so as I expected, was, that my exposure to the rain had brought on a slight toothach; it was not violent, but yet just enough to take off the edge of my enjoyment. I went about holding a handkerchief to my face; and when any of my companions