181 and endearingly induced to draw consequences from analogy, favourable to the fear of God, and the admiration of his wisdom and goodness. A child knows that a house, a statue, a picture, or a piece of furniture, did not make itself: he knows it from observation; and let us show him what we will, if he remarks uniformity and regularity in it, he will not fail to afk who made that? This disposition is natural to all children, and this disposition, judiciously cherished, and improved will naturally open their minds to as rational and extensive a knowledge of God as it is pofsible for weak mortals to obtain. Notwithstanding the pride and nonsense of false philcsophy, and scholastic theology, I maintain that in this respect young people are more upon a par with their elders than we are willing to allow. It appears also to me, that the only way by which we can exclude that superstition or personification of unknown causes, to which mankind, from the powers of reflection co-operating with fear, are so subject, is by substituting the first principle of rational religion in its stead. If we say, that such a notion is too sublime for a child, I say it is too sublime for him to whom Sir Isaac Newton were as a little child. But the early imprefsion being properly made, it will always carry along with it the afsociate idea of divine intelligence, and will lay a foundation for the unfolding understanding to receive proper instruction, and for the inquisitive youth, to direct his attention more to the ultimate properties of nature by observation, and experiment than by theorising on secondary causes; and thus he will be early taught to set his foot upon the first step of the ladder of the illustrious Lord Ba con. To be continued. AN ANECDOTE. A FEW years ago, a woman who rented a snug house in Dublin, alarmed the neighbourhood with a strange story of a ghost, dressed as a female in black robes, that opened the curtains of her bed, surrounded by an illumination like lightening, and with a countenance labouring under some heavy burden, beckoned the woman to follow her. The person haunted, called in two relations to sleep with her next night; but they were also equally frightened with groans and an uncommon noise, and left the house next day. The occupier of the house still persisted that he was not only haunted, but threatened by the ghost; and to this she made the most solemn oaths, as well as imprecations, and accordingly took lodgings in a neighbouring, street. The story having gone abroad, hundreds were daily drawn by curiosity into the street where the haunted house was and it becoming the subject of conversation every where, Mr Nolan, so well known for his poetical and political abilities, took up a sporting bet, that he would suffer himself to be locked up in the house one whole night, without the company of any human being. About nine o'clock he went, and was fhut up; but for the sake of defence against any improper practices, he took with him a dog and a case of loaded pistols, and was not re leased till six o'clock next morning, when he was found by his companions-fast asleep. The following elegant stanzas will best fhow the situa tion of his mind during the time of his vigils. Suffice it to say, he saw no ghost, though he heard a great deal of noise; and loudly threatened to fhoot the first one whe should approach him, whether of this world or of the other. This discreet ghost desisted, and the people got rid of their fears in that neighbourhood. STANZAS, WRITTEN IN A HAUNTED ROOM. IF from the cearments of the silent dead, To see again those friends whom once we knew? Father of All! thou gav'st not to our ken, That can the mind appal.-The truly brave, O! if the flinty prison of the grave Could loose its doors, and let the spirit flee, In this lone room where now I patient wait, O could a Burgh escape his prison gate, Or could I think Latouche's form was near. A little onward in the path of life, And all must stretch in death their mortal frame; A few short struggles end the weary strife, Torn from the promontory's lofty brow, THE INDIAN COTTAGE, Continued from page 152, and concluded. AFTER this conversation, the paria took leave of his guest, and left him to his repose, retiring with his wife and his child's cradle into a little adjoining apartment. Next morning the doctor was early awaked by the singing of birds, having their nests in the branches of the Indian fig, and by the voice of the paria and his spouse repeating together their morning prayer. He arose, and was much vexed when upon the paria and his wife opening their door to wish him good morning, he saw that they had no other beds in the hut, except the conjugal couch; and that they had sat up all night to yield it to him. After they had saluted him, they made haste to get ready his breakfast; mean time he took a turn in the garden. He found it, as well as the hut, encircled with arches of the Indian fig, interlaced in such a manner that they formed a hedge impervious even to the eye. He perceived only above their foliage the surface of the red rocks, which formed the vale, all around him. From these descended a little spring, which watered this little garden, planted without any regular plan. One saw there intermixed mangoustans, oranges, cocoa trees, and other vegetables, all loaded with fruits or flowers: even their trunks were covered with them. The betel twined around the arched palm, the pepper around the mangoustan. The air was perfumed with their fragrant sweets. Tho' most of the trees were still in the shade, the first rays of the morning already shone upon their tops. One saw there colibris sparkling as rubies and topazes, while the Bengal birds and those of the Sema Soule, and five hundred other voices, concealed under the dewy leaves on their nests, formed a delightful concert. The doctor was walking under these charming fhades undisturbed by thoughts suggested either by learning or ambition, when the pa. ria came to afk im in to breakfast. 'Your garden is a paradise, said the doctor; I find no fault with it except its small extent. Were I in your place, I would add a bowling green and extend it farther into the forest' Sir,replied the paria, the lefs ground one occupies, he easier he is concealed; a leaf is enough for a nest to the fly bird." Saying these words they entered the cottage, where they found in a 66 9 Corner, the paria's wife suckling her child. She had served up the breakfast. After a silent repast, the doctor was about to take his leave the Indian says to him" My guest, the plains are as yet over. flowed with yesterdays rain; the roads are impafsible. Spend this day with us." I cannot, answered the doctor, my attendants are too numerous.' "I see, replied the paria, you are in haste to leave the country of the brahmins, to return to that of the Christians, who se re ligion makes all men live as brethren." The doctor rose with a sigh. Then the paria made a sign to his wife, who with downcast eyes, and without uttering a word, presented to the doctor a basket of flowers and fruits. The paria in her name says to the Englishman, "Sir, excuse our poverty, we have neither ambergris, nor wood of aloes to perfume our guest, according to the custom of India. We have only flowers and fruits; but I hope you will not contemn this little basket filled by the hands of my wife. There are neither poppies nor marygolds; but jefsamins, mougris, bergamots, by their duration, symbols of our love, the recollection of which we will cherish when we shall see you no more." The doctor took the basket, and said to the paria, 'I cannot be too grateful for your hospitality, and I cannot express in a suitable manner the esteem I have for you: accept this gold watch; it was made by the most famous watch maker in London: it needs to be wound up only once a year.' The paria replied, " We have not the least occa sion for a watch. We have one that goes continually, and is never out of order; it is the sun." My watch strikes the hours, added the doctor.'"The birds chaunt them, replied the paria." At least, replied the doctor, accept these coral beads to make red necklaces for your wife and child.' My wife and my child shall never want red necklaces, replied the paria, so long as my garden fhall produce Angola peas." Take then these pistols to defend yourself from robbers in this your solitary retreat.' "Poverty, says the paria, is a rampart which keeps robbers at a distance; the silver ornaments with which your arms are decorated would serve to attract robbers. In the name of God who protects us, and from whom we expect our reward, do not rob as of the price of our hospitality." Meanwhile, replied the Englishman, I would wish that you would retain some memorial of me." "Well, replied the paria, since you wish it, I will venture to propose an exchange; give me your pipe, and take you mine; when I shall smoke with your's, I fhall remember that an European pandect has not disdained to accept the hospitality of a poor paria." Instantly the doctor gave him his English leather pipe, whose head was of yellow amber, and VOL. Xvii. 66 6 AA |