inseparable from innocence. Solitude is not without its advantages: it is in solitude we form those dignified resolves which add a strength, a stability to the human character. It is in solitude we calmly meditate on the actions and the impulses of our own natures-hence we discover the beauty of virtue, and the deformity of vice. It is in solitude too we learn justly to appreciate the vanity of worldly gratifications; and hence we bend our minds to the adoration of, and fix a firm reliance on, the Great Supreme. But be it remembered that man was not formed for solitude alone: We were made for society, and it is our duty to benefit and ornament society by active virtue. As to the advantages of a country life, they are indeed so very evident that few dare deny them. For my own part I have felt the joys so connected with a rural life, that I am disposed to think the golden age, as painted by the poets, existed in reality.

Lost to our folds, for so the fates ordain,

The dear deserters shall return again.

Come thou, whose thoughts as limpid springs are clear,

To lead the train, sweet Modesty appear:

Here make thy court, amidst our rural scene,

And shepherd girls shall own thee for their queen:

With thee be Chastity, of all afraid,

Distrusting all, a wise suspicious maid.

Yet 'midst the blaze of courts she fix'd her love

On the cool fountain, or the shady grove;

Still with the shepherd's innocence her mind
To the sweet vale, or flow'ry mead reclin'd;
And oft as spring renew'd the plains with flow'rs
Breath'd his soft gales, and led the fragrant hours;
With sure return, she sought the sylvan scene,
The breezy mountains, and the forests green.
Her maids around her mov'd, a duteous band,
Each bore a crook, all rural on her hand :
Some simple lay of flocks and herds they sung;
With joy the mountain and the forest rung.
Be every youth like royal Abbas mov'd,
And every Georgian maid like Abra lov'd!

COLLINS.

The stranger politely expressed his coincidence to these propositions; but methought I saw a tear besprinkle his manly cheek: it was the tear of a noble mind, which was soon composed. I wished much to have sympathized with him in his sorrows. I am certain that Corvinus anticipated my feelings. "My. young friend (said the stranger) you speak of virtue as a thing in itself endearing to the world-you consider it as tantamount to every other possession. You speak of men's duties without knowing the motives, the ruling principles of man-at least those principles which shew themselves in the world. You have seen human nature in the best attire, and you are candid enough to believe that she always is dressed so. Ah! that experience may never teach you that virtue is not its own reward. Ah! that you may never see humble merit trampled with

the dust-nor consummate villainy placed on the eminence triumphant. Just God! thou, and thou only, knowest the secrets of the heart-its a consolation -by Thee goodness will not go unrewarded." Corvinus spoke this with a warmth-with an emphasis so pregnant with sincerity, that I felt from that moment interested in his fate. The stranger honoured me with an invitation to visit his cot, and this condescension was to me a source of infinite pleasure.

Retirement thus presents my searchful thought,

What heaven inspir'd, and what the muse has taught.

Come contemplation, whose unbounded gaze,
Swift in a glance the course of things surveys;
Who in thyself the various view canst find,
Of sea, land, air, and heaven, and human kind;
What tides of passion in the bosom roll;
What thoughts debase, and what exalt the soul.

SAVAGE.

Musing in this manner I returned to the home of my father, and on the ensuing morn, bent my steps to the habitation of the stranger.

Hence! from the bounteous walks

Of flowing spring, ye sordid sons of earth--
But come ye generous minds-

Like silent Heav'n, surprising oft

The lowly heart with unexpected good.

THOMSON.

I entered the humble roof, and was by Corvinus received with much warmth. With a sort of pleasing astonishment I surveyed the few ornaments that decorated the building: books were the principal, and on them our conversation chiefly turned. Corvinus evinced a thorough intimacy with the classics, and no less convinced me that our English authors of eminence had not escaped his minute perusal. His observations and criticisms were acute yet liberal, and his philology no less profound than charitable. To history he attributed much praise. He said it was the grand magazine, the gallery of the world, from which we may incessantly extract true and valuable information. Biography and moral pieces merited his mead of approbation; and poetry he contemplated as an enchanting goddess, presiding over the finest feelings in our nature. As to novels and romances, "they were (he asserted) a source of poison, and a dangerous vehicle, by which vicious principles were widely promulgated; good productions of this kind there might be, but few there are; and those very few get musty in our libraries, while the more flimsy effusions of a corrupt mind are read with avidity." Speaking of authors, Corvinus said, " they were unquestionably a class of beings who merited well of society, but who too frequently deviated from the very maxims they laboured to establish. Their maxims were the grave meditations of the closet-their actions

-the wild impulse of human passion and of human infirmities.

We partook of some simple food prepared by an aged attendant, and gratefully enjoyed the diet of innocence and health. Few are our wants, if we could only be led to believe so. The features of mine host sparkled with delight and affability

My young friend, (said the stranger,) you must consider the tenor of our acquaintance no less romantic than singular; but when I unfold to you a portion of my own history, I am confident you will not accuse me for thus secluding myself from the bustling haunts of men; nor will you, my young friend, contemn me as a recluse, when you are more fully acquainted with my misfortunes and resolves." I was impatient to hear him proceed. Corvinus, pressing my hand, observed, "that the day was considerably advanced, and the impending clouds threatened a torrent of rain which might impede my passage home; he therefore begged to recite the occurrences of his life at some future period -and let that period be soon,” added the stranger. I acknowledged myself honored by his confidence, and intimated a wish to meet him on the morrow to which Corvinus readily assented.

Say then through ages by what fate confin'd
To different climes, seem diff'rent souls assign'd,
Here measur'd laws, and philosophic ease,
Fix and improve the polish'd arts of peace;