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"Let us imagine, not a patient stockfish like Griselda, but an accomplished woman, "paired, not matched," with "a sullen, silent sot, one who is ever musing but never thinks;' an animal who, like London small beer, gets sour if not soon drunk ; or united to a drone and a dunce, who lounges all day long before the fire, spitting into it like a great roasting apple ;-or submitted to the caprices of a man who keeps his good temper for company, and his bad for his wife; abroad as smiling and promising as a Siberian crab, while at home his heart's core is sour;-or tormented with a profligate, who —But I must have done, although I have not half finished, for I might stretch the line to the crack of doom.' When I consider all the hardships and trials to which the fair sex are subject by those unjust institutions of society which exact the greatest strength from the weakest vessel, and reflect, moreover, that Nature has unkindly imposed upon it all the pains and penalties of continuing the race, I can only repeat once more, that I thank Heaven for not having made me a woman."

There is much truth, it must be acknowledged, in the preceding observations, but the writer has certainly pored too much on the dark side of the picture. In the particular circumstances of both males and females, there are mutual advantages and disadvantages. As, however, it may be safely admitted that, in some respects, the female has more than her share of disadvantages; to balance these, she claims a proportionate degree of tenderness, kindness, and sympathy, from the male.

The great advantage of a Single Life is liberty; and, as there are some spirits that cannot bear restriction, they find a pleasure in remaining single. Lord Bacon observes, "There are some self-pleasing and humorous minds, which are so sensible of every restraint, as they will go near to think their girdles and garters to be bonds and shackles."

The following song, by the Countess of Winchelsea, will conclude this section:

Would we attain the happiest state

That is design'd us here;

No joy a rapture must create,

No grief beget despair.

No injury fierce anger raise,

No honour tempt to pride; No vain desires of empty praise Must in the soul abide.

No charms of youth or beauty move
The constant settled breast;
Who leaves a passage free to love,
Shall let in all the rest.

In such a heart soft peace will live,
Where none of these abound;
The greatest blessing Heaven does give,
Or can on earth be found.

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CHAP. XV.

SOCIETY.

Man, in society, is like a flower

Blown in its native bed; 'tis there alone

His faculties, expanded in full bloom,

Shine out; there only reach their proper use.

MAN was formed for social life, and its pleasures are universally esteemed Society improves us in the knowledge of mankind. It supplies the best means of exercising our mental powers, of enlarging the sphere of our views, of rectifying and bringing into action the knowledge we have already acquired, and of increasing it with new discoveries. In Society, the intellect is awakened and stimulated by collision; lights are mutually kindled, brilliant thoughts elicited, and benevolent schemes promoted; for," as iron sharpeneth iron, so doth a man the countenance of his friend." Without Society, life would lose every relish; whilst the empire of knowledge, truth, peace, righteousness, and charity, would soon cease to

exist.

The following are an American's ideas of a happy Society :

"Were I to form a picture of happy society, it would be a town consisting of a due mixture of hills, valleys, and streams of water. The land well fenced and cultivated; the roads and bridges in good repair; a decent inn for the refreshment of travellers, and for public entertainments. The inhabitants mostly husbandmen; their wives and daughters domestic manufacturers; a suitable proportion of handicraft workmen, and two or three traders, a physician and lawyer, each of whom should have a farm for his support. A clergyman of any denomination, which should be agreeable to the majority,

a man of a good undertanding, of a candid disposition, and exemplary morals; not a metaphysical, nor a polemic, but a serious and practical preacher. A schoolmaster, who should understand his business, and teach his pupils to govern themselves. A social library, annually increasing, and under good regulation. A club of sensible men, seeking mutual improvement. A decent musical society. No intriguing politician, horse-jockey, gambler, or sot; but all such characters treated with contempt. Such a situation may be considered as the most favourable to social happiness of any which this world can afford."

We are not, however, to suppose that Society can only be enjoyed abroad. At home, also, its pleasures are experienced by the wise and good. Home is the haven of rest, when vice and folly, and pride and vanity, are shut out, and all the members of the family, illumed by the sunshine of domestic love, endeavour to please and be pleased.

From those delightful springs

Such streams of comfort flow,
As no increase of riches brings,
Nor honours can bestow.

It is in Society that we enjoy the gaieties of conversation, the charms of mirth, and the many agreeable occupations and amusements of our senses and our mind. These pleasures recruit our spirits after finishing some laborious task; furnish relaxation to the mind after intense application, and reward us for our industry and fidelity in the duties of our callings.

It would seem that the writer of the following exquisitely beautiful lines, duly appreciated the pleasures of Society. They appear to have been penned after a return home from the social circle:

Too late I staid, forgive the crime,
Unheeded flew the hours;

How noiseless falls the foot of Time,
That only treads on flow'rs!

What eye with clear account remarks
The ebbing of his glass,

When all its sands are di'mond sparks,
That dazzle as they pass?

Ah! who to sober measurement
Time's happy swiftness brings,
When birds of Paradise have lent
Their plumage for his wings?
All in their stations move,
And each performs his part,
In all the cares of life and love,
With sympathizing heart.
Form'd for the purest joys,
By one desire possest;
One aim the zeal of all employs,
To make each other blest.

No bliss can equal theirs,

Where such affections meet;
While praise devout, and mingled pray'rs

Make their communion sweet.

'Tis the same pleasure fills

The breast in worlds above;

Where joy like morning dew distils,
And all the air is love.

Montgomery thus speaks of the pleasures of home :

There is a spot of earth supremely blest,
A dearer, sweeter spot than all the rest,
Where man, creation's tyrant, casts aside
His sword and sceptre, pageantry and pride,
While in his soften'd looks benignly blend
The sire, the son, the husband, brother, friend;
Here woman reigns; the mother, daughter, wife,
Strews with fresh flowers the narrow way of life:
In the clear heav'n of her delightful eye,
An angel guard of loves and graces lie;
Around her knees domestic duties meet,
And fire-side pleasures gambol at her feet.
Where shall that land, that spot of earth, be found?
Art thou a man?-a patriot?-look around;
Oh! thou shalt find, howe'er thy footsteps roam,
That land THY COUNTRY, and that spot THY HOME!

Mrs. Hamilton interestingly describes the social pleasures to be enjoyed at home, in the following

verses:

O, I hae seen great anes, and been in great ha's,'
Many lords and many ladies a' cover'd with braws;

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