REFLECTIONS ON HUMAN NATURE.

HUMAN nature in its general principles is the same in all ages, and every where. Like the abundance or scarcity of fruit or foliage on the tree, induced by the favourableness of soil or situation, the sensibilities and analogies of the human race will vegetate, or model themselves in conformity with nature's established laws, but restrained or directed by the localities of time, place, and circumstance. Where is the excellence of one age, one nation, or one individual over another, but in self-esteem, or imagined superiority? Would he, who has for centuries reposed in death, were he now alive, and comparable with us or our day, admit himself deficient in knowledge or worth, and cringingly avow, that mankind were now happier, wiser, or better, than when he figured on the stage of existence? I fear his solidity of judgment and manners, his nervous and unabashed habits and ideas, would form his decision in favour of his own age, however wide the concerted changes and alterations of the present day. It is but too often forgotten by us, both in our private and public affairs, that selflove is an intuitive and a special impulse of our nature. We doubtless act, on all occasions, from that germ of the universe; but the glare of surrounding circumstances, the effect produced on us by enjoyment, the bewildering mazes of sense, draw a veil betwixt us and the power of calm dispassionate reflection, and unfit us for picturing rationally, and profiting accordingly, by the motives which either actuate our neighbours or ourselves.

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Curiosity, if it may be termed a motive, is an idle one, and, in most instances, only diverts the senses, without improving the mind I mean that curiosity, which so strongly characterizes our day, and which has been so finely satirized in the drama of Paul Pry. Were we to trace its growth in individuals from age to age, I apprehend it would invariably be found to be first engendered by the seed of spleen and fretfulness; and that envy, discontent, and a love of scandal, now feed and keep it alive.

It is remarkable, that, although the increase of population, and consequent necessity for greater activity and industry, be evident, this propensity, which occupies us in too many cases with the affairs of our neighbours, to the exclusion and neglect of our own, should be stronger in the present day, than it ever was in any by-gone age. But the fact is,-and it is not a new, though a somewhat stronger doctrine, that nature,

in its parts, and as a whole, exists upon itself: this, vegetable and animal nature attest by the closest analogies in a thousand ways. Hence, we need not marvel much, nor, by indulging useless regret, fall into despair, at the world's tendency to wrangle and jar; the very spirit of the existent state of society being such, that, although it may cause uneasiness for the present, and excite apprehensions about the future, it provides for our wants and necessities; and every body knows, by industry and rectitude, the most forlorn may live in hope, comfort, and happiness.

I cannot, however, admire a too prying curiosity, or a too keen opposition, as it respects another's affairs. Man is always too apt to compare himself with his superiors; hence the gangrene of his mind, and an excessive excitement in most of his undertakings, which rarely fails to sour or sicken his solitary hours. Perhaps it would be as well, if the wealthy and independent in society were to look with more liberality on the actions of him whose means forbid a competition in business or pleasure, and occupy themselves about their inferiors no more than is found absolutely necessary for the satisfaction and conveniency of both. I would venture to assign three-fourths of the misery of life to causes akin to these ; and surely the remedy to this always lies within a man's own power. If less intrusion into our neighbours' matters, and more attention to our own, were practised for a while, we should become habituated to manners less irksome to ourselves, and more agreeable to our fellow-men. This disposition will readily be promoted by occasional devotion of ourselves to retire→ ment and reflection; and though few are capable of this wise act without much wrestling and self-denial, still it is a step that can be attained, which wise men will often adopt, and which every man will ultimately admire.

“For the reasons mentioned in my last, ↑ Augsburg is a most agreeable place to live in. Touched with the sensations natural to a man who loved to see his fellowcreatures happy, my heart expanded to a system of peace and harmony, comprehending the whole globe; my mind expatiated involuntarily on the blessings and advantages derived from such a system; and, taking flight from the bounds of practicability, to which our feeble nature is pinned on this earth, into the regions of fancy, had reared a fabric of Utopian mould, which, I verily believe, exceeded in extravagance the works of all the Utopian architects that ever constructed castles in the air.

"Hurried on by this delightful vision, my person paid an involuntary obedience to my mind; and the quickness of my pace increasing with the impetuosity of my thoughts, I found myself, before I was aware of it, within the chapel-door of the Convent of Carmelites. Observing my error, I suddenly turned about, in order to depart, when a friar, a goodly person of a man, elderly, and of a benign aspect, called me, and advancing towards me, asked, in terms of politeness, and in the French language, why I was retreating so abruptly? I was confused; but truth is the enemy before whom confusion ever flies; and I told him the whole of my mistake, and the thoughts from which they rose.

"The good father, waving further discourse on the subject, but with a smile which I thought carried a mixture of benevolence for myself, and contempt for my ideas, brought me through the church, and shewed me all the curiosities of the place; and particularly pointed out to me, as a great curiosity, a sun-dial made in the form of a Madona, the head enriched with rays and stars, and in the hand a sceptre, which marked the hour.

“Quitting the chapel, and going towards the refectory, the friar stood, and looking at me with a smile of gaiety, said, 'I have yet something to shew you, which, while lady Madona marks the time, will help us to pass it; and, as it will make its way with more force and subtlety to your senses than those I have yet shewn you, will be likely to be longer retained in remembrance.'

"He spoke a few words in German, which of course I did not understand, to a vision bearing the shape of a human being, who, I understood, was a lay-brother; and, turning down a long alley, brought me to his cell, where we were soon followed by the aforesaid lay-brother, with a large earthen

jug of liquor, two glasses, and a plate with some delicate white biscuit.

"You must know,' said the friar, 'that the Convent of Carmelites at Augsburg has for ages been famed for beer unequalled in any part of the world; and I have brought you here to have your opinion, for, being an Englishman, you must be a judge, the Britons being famed for luxury, and a perfect knowledge of the scavoir vivre.' He poured out, and drank to me: it looked liker the clearest champaigne than beer. I never tasted any thing to equal it; and he seemed highly gratified by my expressions of praise, which I lavished upon it as well from politeness as regard to truth.

"After we had drunk a glass each, 'I have been reflecting,' said the friar, 'on the singular flight of fancy that directed your steps into this convent: your mind was diseased, my son! and a propitious superintending Power has guided your steps to a physician, if you will but have the goodness to take the medicine he offers.'

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"I stared with visible marks of astonishment. You are surprised,' continued he, but you shall hear. When first you disclosed to me those sickly flights of your mind, I could on the instant have answered them; but you are young-you are an Englishman-two characters impatient of reproof: the dogmas of a priest, I thought, therefore, would be sufficiently difficult to be digested of themselves, without any additional distaste caught from the chilling austerity of a chapel.'

"I looked unintentionally at the earthen jug, and smiled. It is very true,' said he, catching my very inmost thoughts from the expression of my countenance, it is very true good doctrine may, at certain times, and with certain persons, be more effectually enforced under the cheering influence of the social board, than by the authoritative declamation and formal sanctity of the pulpit; nor am I, though a Carmelite, one of those who pretend to think, that a thing, in itself good, can be made bad by decent hilarity, and the animation produced by a moderate and wise use of the goods of this earth.'

"Then seest thou,' interrupted he, 'the extent of thy wish, suppose you could realize it, which, thank God, you cannot.' What! thank God that I cannot? Are these your thoughts?" "Yes, my son; and ere Madona marks the progress of ten minutes with her sceptre, they will be your's too.' Impossible!' 'Hear me, my son: is not death a horrible precipice to the view of human creatures?' Assuredly,' said I, the most horrible; man declares that, by resorting to it for punishment, as the ultimatum of all terrible inflictions.'

"When, then,' said he, • covered as we are with misery, to leave this world is so insupportable to the human reflection, what must it be if we had nothing but joy and felicity to taste of in this life? Mark me, my child!' said he, with an animated zeal that gave an expression to his countenance beyond any thing I had ever seen, the miseries, the calamities, the heartrendings, and the tears, which are so intimately interwoven by the great Artist in our nature, as not to be separated in a single instance, are, in the first place, our security of a future state; and, in the next place, serve to slope the way before us; and, by gradual operation, fit our minds for viewing, with some sort of fortitude, that hideous chasm that lies between us and that state, death. View those miseries, then, as special acts of mercy and commiseration of a beneficent Creator, who, with every calamity, melts away a link of that earthly chain that fetters our wishes to this dismal world. Accept his blessings and his goods, when he sends them, with gratitude and enjoyment: receive his afflictions, too, with as joyous acceptance, and as hearty gratitude. Thus, and no otherwise, you will realize all your Utopian flights of desire, by turning every thing to matter of confort, and living contented with dispensations which you cannot alter, and if you could, would most certainly alter for the worse.'

"I sat absorbed in reflection. The friar, after some pause, proceeded- Errors arising from virtuous dispositions, and the love of our fellow-creatures, take their complexion from their parent motives, and are virtues. Your wishes, therefore, my son, though erroneous, merit reward, and, I trust, will receive it from that Being who sees the recesses of the heart; and, if the truths I have told you have not failed to make their way to your understanding, let your adventure of to-day impress this undeniable maxim on your mind-so limited is man, so imperfect in his nature, that the extent of his virtue borders on vice, and the extent of his wisdom on error.'

“ I thought he was inspired; and, as he got to the last period, every organ of mine was opened to take in his words.

"Tis well, my son,' said he,' I perceive you like my doctrine:' (then changing his manner of speaking, his expressive countenance the whole time almost anticipating his whole words,) 'take some more of it,' at the same time gaily pouring out a fresh glass. I pleaded the fear of inebriety. 'Fear not,' said he, the beer of this convent never hurts the intellect.'

"Our conversation continued till near dinner-time; for I was so delighted, I scarcely knew how to snatch myself away: such a happy melange of piety and pleasantry, grave wisdom and humour, I had never met. At length, the convent-bell tolling, I rose: he took me by the hand, and, in a tone of the most complacent admonition, said, 'Remember, my child, as long as you live, remember the convent of the Carmelites; and, in the innumerable evils that certainly await you, if you are to live long, the words you have heard from old friar Augustine will afford you comfort.'

"Father,' returned I, 'be assured I carry away from you a token that will never suffer me to forget the hospitality, the advice, or the politeness, of the good father Augustine. Poor as I am in natural means, I can make no other return than my good wishes, nor leave any impression behind me: but as my esteem for you, and perhaps my vanity, make me wish not to be forgotten, accept this, (a seal ring which I happened to have on my finger;) and whenever you look at it, let it remind you of one of those, I dare say, innumerable instances in which you have contributed to the happiness and improvement of your fellow-creatures.'

"The good old man was affected, took the ring, and attended me to the convent gate, pronouncing many blessings, and charging me to make Augsburg my way back again to England, if possible.”

OLD TIMES IN ENGLAND.

SUCH was the pedantry of the fourteenth century, that all account-books, even of domestic expenses, were kept in Latin; and, as Roman terms could not be found for many articles, the items were stated ludicrously in English.

In the twenty-third year of Henry VIII. (A. D. 1531,) the serjeants at law kept a feast for five days, at Ely House in Holborn, where the king, queen, and foreign

parts is fenny, and intersected with streams of brackish water; and that salt fish is the common and favourite food of the poor.

"I am persuaded that the island would be far more healthy, if the use of these rushes were quite laid aside, and the chambers so built as to let in the air on two or three sides, with such glass windows as might be either thrown quite open, or kept quite shut, without small crannies to let in the wind. For, as it is useful sometimes to admit a free air, so it is sometimes to exclude it. The common people laugh at a man who complains that he is affected by changeable and cloudy weather; but for my part, for these thirty years past, if I ever entered into a room which had been uninhabited for some months, immediately I grew feverish. It would also be of great benefit, if the lower people could be persuaded to eat less, and particularly, less of their salt fish ; and if public officers were appointed to see that the streets were kept free from mud and other nuisances, and that not only in the city, but in the suburbs. "You will smile, perhaps, and think that my time lies upon my hands, since I employ it in such speculations; but I have a great affection for a country which received me so hospitably for a considerable time, and I shall be glad to end the remainder of my days in it, if it be possible. Though I know you to be better skilled in these things than I pretend to be, yet I could not forbear from giving you my thoughts, that, if we are both of a mind, you may propose the project to men in authority, since even princes have not thought such regulations to be beneath their care and inspection."

In the year 1351, the price of labour in this country was regulated by act of parliament, when corn-weeders and hay-makers, without either meat or drink, were to receive one penny per day. About this time the pay of a chaplain to the Scotch bishops, then prisoners in England, was three-halfpence per day.

In the eighth year of the reign of Edward the Second, (A. D. 1315,) parliament decreed that, in consequence of a great dearth, an ox fatted with grass should be sold for fifteen shillings, and with corn, for twenty shillings; the best cow, for twelve shillings; a fat hog of two years old, for three shillings and fourpence; a fat sheep which was shorn, for one shilling and twopence; and unshorn, one shilling and eightpence; a fat goose, twopence halfpenny; a fat capon, twopence; and a fat hen, one penny. In 1314 the price of a pair of shoes was four-pence.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE SOUL.

"The soul, secure in her existence, smiles
At the drawn dagger, and defies its point:
The stars shall fade away, the sun himself
Grow dim with age. and nature sink in years;
But thou shalt flourish in immortal youth,
Unhurt amidst the war of elements,

The wreck of matter, and the crush of worlds." THERE are some things connected with metaphysical science, so high and mysterious in their nature, that reason fails us in the attempt to arrive at a knowledge of them; and, conscious of our limited powers, we hesitate to launch into the infinity that is presented to our inquiries. Yet, though it is impossible to comprehend them altogether, we do not return from our search without eliciting something worthy of the labour that has been bestowed, if the subject be intimately connected with ourselves, and important for us to know.

An inquiry into the nature of the soul is, of all others, the most abstruse and momentous; but so little do we know of ourselves, that we vainly look within to discover how and where the incorporeal tenant of the flesh resides. The veil, however, that hides it from our eyes, allows us a faint glimpse of its powers and qualities, and from these we are enabled to conclude that it is immortal, and to infer the nature of its afterexistence. It may be said, that revelation gives us every necessary information on these points, and that it is presumptuous to reason respecting them. Where the authenticity of revelation is received, this, no doubt, is strictly true; but it is no unprofitable task to convince him who opposes reason to revelation, that they stand in relaiton to each other as a part to the whole; that revelation is not dissonant to reason, but superior to it.

The human soul, derived from our Creator, is an immaterial essence, whose active energy is reason; an energy that is weak and fallible so long as its principle is encumbered with the grossness of humanity, but which shall become infinitely more enlarged, comprehensive, acute, and penetrating, when the soul shall have left its earthly habitation, and entered into the presence of Him whose essence is perfection. Whilst residing in the body, the soul may be said to resemble the sun when obscured by clouds, or, more appositely, a covered light, whose rays cannot extend beyond the barrier assigned them.

It is necessary to distinguish between the soul and mere animal life. Possessed of the latter, yet wanting the former, we should only be wonderful machines. The brute creation, when placed in comparison with man, appear to us as surprising automata,