even beneath frost and snow, shall supply all your wants in times the most critical.

Let these reflections, O Christian! call forth your imitation of the generous kindness of God, by contributing to the preservation and happiness of every living creature. Cruelty towards animals is in direct opposition to the commands of our common creator, whose benign nature condescends to watch over the most minute of his works: and, if the brute creation has such claims upon our pity, how much more is it our duty to assist our suffering fellow mortals! Let us, therefore, not rest contented with providing for our own wants; but let us make provision for those of others, lest, through our neglect, they sink beneath the rigours of this inclement

season.

JANUARY 7.

OF THE PLEASURES OF WINTER.

WINTER possesses many pleasures and beauties which are peculiar to itself, although prejudiced persons are insensible to the benevolent intentions of its Creator. To these persons I venture to point out a few of the charms it presents to our senses and our hearts.

Is it not a magnificent sight to see the rising sun tinting a landscape covered with snow? to watch the gradual disappearance of those nocturnal vapours which concealed from us every object? to view all nature bursting forth in brilliant majesty every tree sparkling with the light hoarfrost-every hill, every valley reflecting the

rosy hue of morning? to behold this beauteous world emerge from the sleep of death, and start to life at the presence of the resplendent orb of day? Oh! with what ecstasy the weary traveller must hail this burst of glory! How must his heart beat when the first faint chirpings of the feathered tribe steal upon his ravished ears! Hast thou ever, O man! attentively considered the formation and shape of snow? Hast thou ever reflected upon the wonders it displays? Observe it minutely, admire the symmetry of each flake, and then endeavour to calculate the numbers of those which are falling around you! What a spectacle does the surrounding scenery present to thy view-the hills, the forests, the groves, the dales, all clothed in the same resplendent robe! What charms arise from the uncertain yet pleasing confusion around you! Surely thou canst never be satisfied with gazing upon such a landscape. Behold the trees of the forests bending under the weight of the thick veil which covers them, and every object as far as eye can ken!

Insensible indeed must be the heart which does not glow with delight at the phenomena displayed on every side by a bountiful Creator: and ye who pass your lives in ungrateful murmurs against the laws of nature-how much I pity you! If ye pass by unnoticed the charms of winter, I doubt whether the flowering spring will excite your admiration. But come, my friends, let us together contemplate the goodness of the Almighty-his wisdom, his unlimited generosity to us during the season of winter.

Nature, however barren she may appear to us at this inclement season, nevertheless displays the power and majesty of God; but these are hidden from our blind eyes, and we can only trace them in their effects. Yet every part of the creation beams with the rays of a divine wisdom; but it is not for us to presume to follow the Almighty in all his ways: neither are we so inclined, for we are only attentive to that which flatters our senses or excites our passions. In this we show no superiority to the animal world: beasts are observed to gaze upon the sun, the snow, and other phenomena, but without understanding-without looking from nature up to nature's God.

Oh! with what exquisite delight would our souls be filled if we duly appreciated the works of the Almighty during the winter! The gentle air may become agitated by stormy winds, the sky may be covered with gloomy clouds, and nature stripped of her leafy honours; but our souls, in the midst of this desolated scene, may still enjoy true pleasure; for in it we can discover traces of the wisdom, and power, and goodness of our great Creator. Our faculties, though limited, are yet capable of discerning subjects sufficient to occupy our senses and our mind. We have no need to seek so eagerly after amusements in the dissipation of the world -such as gaming and dancing. True pleasures are ever at our command: they may be found equally in solitude and in society; in the bosom of our own family, and in the joys of a virtuous friendship.

Rouse thyself, O my soul! seek these only true delights. Meditate frequently on the works of thy maker, and this meditation will enable thee nobly to bear up against the ills of this transitory life. Mount step by step from the

consideration of the creatures which surround thee, until thou hast reached the threshold of that heaven where resides the Omnipotent; and let thy prayers, thy praises, at all times and at all seasons, ascend in grateful odour, till the Almighty shall call thee to himself.

JANUARY 8.

OF THOSE VEGETABLES WHICH PRESERVE THEIR VERDURE.

THE earth may at this season be compared to a mother deprived of her most promising offspring. Solitary and despoiled of those charms which embellished her surface, she appears more fondly to cherish those children she still retains, and which, with herself, brave the rigours of the winter season. Here the hawthorn displays its purple berries; there the laurestinus, with its clustering flowers, lifts its ever verdant head: the pyramidal yew stands proudly with its leaves of deepest green; while the twining ivy still clings to the ruined tower, and remains uninjured by the howling tempest. The laurel, too, preserves its leafy honours amid the snows of winter; and the box peeps unhurt from beneath the drifted snow. These trees and some few others preserve their verdure through the circling year

and in the coldest climates. They are emblems of the lasting advantages possessed by those who pass their days in peace with all mankind: the splendour of dress may dazzle the eye of the vulgar-but it is vain and frivolous; the most brilliant complexion will fade, and all personal attractions vanish. Virtue alone possesses never fading charios: the man who fears the Lord" is like a tree planted by the water side, that will bring forth his fruit in due season. His leaf shall not wither; and look, whatsoever he doeth, it shall prosper."

What a beautiful picture does the pious man present! He needs not the superficial ornaments of fortune and birth; his true worth is found in himself. He may sometimes bend under the pressure of adversity, but never be completely crushed; quickly will he raise his head above the storm. If unexpected misfortunes reduce him to poverty, he still is rich in the possession of the favour of God, a good conscience, and the hopes of a blessed immortality. While the rich and the proud, rebelling against the Almighty, are brought low, he stands firm; in his humility he triumphs, for the Lord is his support.

This meditation presents to me a virtuous man in the winter of his days: he resembles the plants which preserve their verdure at this season of the year. How many storms of fortune has he not weathered! How many beautiful objects has he seen wither like the passing flower! Yet he still exists; while the greater part of those who appeared upon earth at the