Walking in the open air is not only an agreable amusement, by the variety of pleasing and natural objects, which are prefented to the view, but affords also that gentle exercife, which is adapted. to the female conftitution.

A Garden has also been esteemed for it's pecuGate Me liar beauties. Mr. Harvey has made it the fubject of religious reflections: And Mr. Addison thus fpeaks of it. "I look upon the pleasure, "which we take in a Garden, as one of the most "innocent delights of human life. A Garden 66 was the habitation of our first parents before "the fall. It is naturally apt to fill the mind "with calmness and tranquillity; and to lay all its "turbulent Paffions at reft. It gives us a great "infight into the contrivance and wifdom of "Providence and fuggefts innumerable fubjects " for meditation." To raise the tender Plantsto observe the variegated flowers, and to mark the progrefs of vegetation, are grateful amusements, and particularly adapted to the female Mind.

To look through Nature up to Nature's God, cannot fail of furnishing you with useful reflections. A knowledge of the vegetable Kingdom is called the science of Botany. "And the fair "Sex may derive confiderable advantage from "this fource. The fixed attention, which the "comparison of natural objects, with the defcrip❝tions of them neceffarily requires, will bestow "that fleadiness and folidity, in which the

"female

"female mind is generally supposed to be defi "cient."+

The ftudy of nature, for which the Country is particularly favourable, will never tire. The -diverfity of its objects will always furnish fomething new. But should they, who habituate themfelves to Town Amusements, retire from these diffipated fcenes, at that feafon of the Year, when many of the places of public diverfions are shut, and betake themselves to the country, they would, however, derive but little pleasure from the change; because their Minds are not prepared to enjoy it's natural beauties, or relish the calm delights which it affords. To them, the purling of a ftream-the lowing of herds-the bleating of Sheep, and even the melody of Birds are but melancholy founds. Rural occupations are too fimple to excite the notice of fuch Perfons, as have been long accustomed to exhibitions of artificial fplendour, decoration, and ornament. Hence it is, that many have attempted to carry with them fome of the diverfions of the Town; and to difturb the quiet of retirement, by the noise of mirth and diverfion.

The quiet of retirement-what a dreadful idea to thofe, who never think! But the reflecting Mind will not, even in folitude, feel itself alone. It will confider itself in the prefence of the

+ English Review.

greatest,

greateft, and best of Beings; with whom it will maintain an intercourse, by contemplating his perfections and by confidering the works of his hands. "It is in the depth of retirement, the filence of "Thought and Paffion, that this infpiring Pre"fence fteals upon the mind, and whispers a lan"" guage, which the heart may hear, but the 66 tongue not exprefs.. Nor is it in the Closet "only that his Almighty voice is heard; but ftill 66 more in the open air, in the fields, amidst the "general chorus of the Creation, where all " around conspires to raise, to footh, to harmo"nize the Soul, and lift it up on wings of "Praise, to the great Author of Beings and of "Beauty."+

t Goadby.

LECTURE

LECTURE XVI.

-Thought fond Man

Of these, and all the thoufand nameless Ills,
That one inceffant Struggle render Life,
One Scene of Toil, of Suffering and of Fate,
Vice in his high Career would stand appall'd,
And heedlefs rambling Impulse learn to think;
The confcious Heart of Charity would warm,
And her wide Wish, Benevolence dilate.

THOMSON.

To improve the Temper is one of the princi

pal objects of Education. By Temper, I mean, in general, a difpofition to Virtue or Vice; and in particular, thofe feveral propensities and inclinations which form the character, and govern the conduct of every Perfon. Great Talents may be obfcured by immoral habits; and whilft we admire the former, we have often too much reason to lament the latter. In the one cafe, we contemplate with pleasure the efforts of human reafon; but in the other, we pity the depravity of human affections: Yet as the last has the greatest influence on Society; and is more obvious to common obferva

tion

tion than the first, we usually form our opinions of Mankind, not from their abilities, but their manners. And indeed when we fee knowledge united with bad difpofitions, or with a vicious practice, it lofes it's value and respect. Virtue itself is difgraced, from the confideration, that thofe, who are the best informed, are the worst examples of their own doctrines.

It is from moral attainments, that a Character is established. Thofe, who are defirous of acquiring and preferving a good one, must regulate their temper in early life; and bring the mind to habits of virtue and goodness. And as focial and domestic happiness fo much depends on the tempers and difpofitions of the female Sex, it is a duty particularly incumbent on them to order their affections aright. A good temper is not always conftitutional: And though fome have more favourable propenfities than others, yet every dispofition is fufceptible of improvement. A bad temper may be reformed by feasonable discipline: And a good one may be corrupted by neglect. If, instead of restraining an evil inclination, it should be encouraged and indulged, the worst confequences may be expected from it. But if it's malignity be checked in due time, that heart, which might have been totally depraved, will be prepared for the best principles and habits.

To govern the Temper betimes is a very neceffary rule of conduct. I fhall, therefore, proceed

to