numerous as our pleasures; and few there are who can look back upon the experience of life without acknowledging that every earthly good they have desired, pursued, or attained, has had its peculiar thorn. Who has ever cast himself into the lap of luxury without finding that his couch was strewed with thorns? Who has reached the summit of his ambition without feeling, on that exalted pinnacle, that he stood on thorns? Who has placed the diadem upon his brow without perceiving that thorns were thickly set within the royal circlet? Who has folded to his bosom all that he desired of earth's treasures without feeling that bosom pierced with thorns? All that we enjoy in this world, or yearn to possess, has this accompaniment. The more intense the enjoyment, the sharper the thorn; and those who have described most feelingly the inner workings of the human heart, have unfailingly touched upon this fact with the melancholy sadness of truth. Far be it from one, who would not willingly fall under the stigma of ingratitude, to disparage the nature or the number of earthly pleasures-pleasures which are spread before us without price or limitation, in our daily walk, and in our nightly rest pleasures which lie scattered around our path when we go forth upon the hills or wander in the valley, when we look up to the starry sky or down to the fruitful earth-pleasures which unite the human family in one bond of fellowship, surround us at our board, cheer us at our fireside, smooth the couch on which we slumber, and even follow our wandering steps long, long after we have ceased to regard them with gratitude or joy. I speak of the thorn which accompanies these pleasures not with murmuring or complaint; I speak of the wounds inflicted by this thorn with a living consciousness of their poignancy and anguish; because exquisite and dear as mere earthly pleasures may sometimes be, I would still contrast them with such as are not earthly. I would contrast the thorn and the wound, the disappointment and the pain, which accompany all such pleasures as are merely temporal, with the fulness of happiness, the peace, and the crown, accompanying those which are eternal. They smilingly fulfil MRS. ELLIS. All meekly bending 'neath the tempest's weight; By pride unvisited, Though richly raimented, As is a monarch in his robes of state. BUTTERCUP-KINGCUP. Ranunculus acris. LANGUAGE RICHES. To purchase heaven has gold the power? DR. JOHNSON. Why dost thou heap up wealth, which thou must quit, Or, what is worse, be left by it? Why dost thou load thyself, when thou'rt to fly, To catch Dame Fortune's golden smile, And gather gear by every wile COWLEY. BURNS. LANGUAGE CATCHFLY. Silene. - ARTIFICE, OR A SNARE. YOUNG men fly when beauty darts CAREW. Farewell! ah, farewell! though my spirit may droop, My pride and its purity nought shall degrade. I thought thee all perfect, as pure as the sun, My pride has been roused, and I'll meet thee no more. ANON The blossoms of passion, Gay and luxuriant flowers, are brighter and fuller of fragrance; But they beguile us and lead us astray, and their odor is deadly. LONGFELLOW. CAMOMILE. Anthemis Nobilis. LANGUAGE-ENERGY IN ADVERSITY. NEVER go gloomily, man with a mind; Hope is a better companion than fear; Providence, ever benignant and kind, Gives with a smile what you take with a tear; All will be right; Look to the light; Morning is ever the daughter of night; Many a foe is a friend in disguise; Many a sorrow a blessing most true, With lore ever precious and joys ever new; Strive like a man ; This is the bravest and cleverest plan; Trusting in God, while you do what you can ; TUPPER. If your resolutions be like mine, ANON. |
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