The Immortality of the Soul, proved from its The Mountain of Miferies: Or, A Treatife of Calamities, both real and whimsical: Showing the Wisdom and Prudence of bear- ing thoje Misfortunes with Chearfulness, which the Divine Providence in his infinite A Friend of mine refolving upon Marriage, I think it not improper to give him the following Advice, in the Lines of the Reverend Mr. Pomfret. I [mate Would not have you, Strephon, chuse a From too exalted, or too mean a state: For in both thefe, we may expect to find A creeping spirit, or a haughty mind. Who moves within the middle region, shares The leaft difquiets, and the smallest cares. Let her extraction with true luftre fhine, If fomething brighter, not too bright for Her education liberal, not great, [thine. Neither inferior, nor above her ftate. Let her have wit, but let that wit be free From affectation, pride, and pedantry: For the effect of woman's wit is fuch, Too little is as dangerous as too much. But chiefly, let her humour close with thine, Unless where yours does to a fault incline; The least disparity in this destroys, Like fulph'rous blafts, the very buds of joys. Her perfon amiable, ftrait, and free From natural, or chance deformity, Let not her years exceed, if equal thine, For women paft their vigour foon decline; Her fortune competent, and if thy fight Can reach fo far, take care'tis gather'd right. If thine's enough, then her's may be the lefs, Do not afpire to riches in excefs; For For that which makes our lives delightful Is a genteel fufficiency, and love. [prove, ADVERTISEMENT. T 'HIS Book, however efteem'd or rejected, is entirely my own Collection. My Reverend Friend who intended to affift me herein, was providentially call'd into the Country after he had finifh'd the Dedication. I have taken all the Care that lay in my Power to render it as ufeful and as pleafant as poffible. And I hope the Rea der will not enquire fo much into the Abilities of the Performer, as confider the Merits of the Performance. And further, I have been advis'd, at my first setting out, by fober and pious Members of the Church. of England both Clergy and Laity, to take any thing good and impartial from any Author whatfoever; which I have done with fuch Caution, as not in the leaft to injure, but rather promote the fale of each particular Book, from whence I have borrow'd these delightful and edifying Pieces. If, after all my Care, any Mifmanagement fhou'd be discover'd in this Work, it must be attributed to No-Body but, Your Humble Servant, JOHN LEWIS, |