imposed upon; for it is not easy to believe, that all are thoroughly deceived who prefer the shadow to the substance-mere tinsel to gold; or, to speak more plainly, the mere semblance of virtue, piety, and benevolence, to these noble principles themselves.

But my design, in this essay, is not to condemn affability, politeness, good appearance, dress, and address, or any thing that may be comprised in that very comprehensive term, good breeding.

What is contended for is this, it is cheaper, better, more comfortable, useful, and honourable, to be possessed of real goodness, benevolence, and amiableness, so that the countenance may speak the true language of the heart, than, by infinite pains, and artful disguise, to counterfeit them. PERDUE

[For the Monitor.]

REMARKS ON POETRY.

The mind of man is capable of effecting great things. It puts in motion the bodily frame, commands its movements and directs its exertions. Employing the corporeal system as its instrument, it accomplishes works of astonishing power and magnitude, effects important changes, and produces mighty revolutions. Its more proper and peculiar efforts however are to be found in the pursuits of literature and the investigation of science. The particular branch of poetry may be considered as affording a wide and extensive field for the operation of the intellectual faculties.

The faculty of imagination is essentially requisite in poetry. The poet does not usually confine himself to the description of matters of fact, and the narration of events, as they actually occur. He transcends the limits which regulate the course of the historian and biographer-he enters the mist and obscurity, which surround the history of ancient days. The foundation and ornament of his productions are derived from the resources of fiction. To cultivate not only a brilliant but a correct imagination, to acquire the command of

restraining it within proper limits, of controlling and directing it at pleasure, is the desire and aim of every genuine poet. Without this culture and command of the imagination, the works of the poet must be destitute of that degree of instruction and those charms which excite interest and afford rational amusement. It is thought to be the business of the poet to please and amuse; but this ought not to be his ultimate end; it should ever be subordinate to the purposes of information and instruction.

It is acknowledged by all, that much pleasure is derived from the perusal of good poetry; though it rarely occurs to the mind, what constitutes this pleasure. Much of the satisfaction is derived from a consideration of the difficulties, that lie in the poet's path. It requires a mind of a peculiar constitution; such as is rarely to be found. This mind must be highly improved, and furnished with abundant sources of instruction-it must have a deep and accurate knowledge of human nature. Without this knowledge the poet would labour under serious disadvantages. His works would not be adapted to the benefit of mankind with so much exactness; neither could he so readily avail himself of the influence of the different principles of the human mind; and for this obvious reason, he would be unable to understand the occasion, variety, and tendency of their operations. GORDON.

THE IMPORTANCE OF HEALTH, AS CONNECTED WITH THE GREAT BUSINESS OF SERVING GOD.

THE moral government of God over this world, is carried into effect by human instrumentality. Consequently, every act of man has a bearing upon his kingdom in promoting its interests, or, in retarding its progress. The fact that men are employed as agents in building up the kingdom of Christ, shows, that, with right affections of heart, the greater a man's activity in his pursuits, the more extensive will be his influence in promoting the cause of religion.

The bearing then, that health has, upon the business of serving God, is easily seen. As human instrumentality is concerned in accomplishing the designs of God; whatever is calculated to destroy the faculties of man, must be attended with serious evil. For, whatever might be an individual's desire to do good-though his learning, his talents, and acquisitions were great; should the machine be deranged through which their influence is to be exerted, these qualifications, so excellent and important in themselves, would be comparatively of little benefit to the world. Let an individual be sinking under the resistless grasp of some fatal disease, and his plans for effecting important purposes must fail-his system of means for supporting the interests of the church would cease. For the man, instead of benefitting others, must be assisted himself.

The more the subject of health is contemplated in relation to man as an accountable being; the more will its importance impress itself upon the mind, and the more will it be seen that a due regard to a preservation is one very important part of christian duty.

He

But, notwithstanding the blessing of health is inestimable; yet, it is often thrown away in thoughtless negligence, or in sinful indulgence. It is sometimes sacrificed to gratify an unhallowed ambition, and often in consequence of an inordinate attachment to pleasure. "But the crime of squandering it is equal to the folly." who through any immoderate indulgence brings weakness and disease upon himself who for the pleasure of a few nights' merriment, confines himself to the chamberand the couch, is justly charged with the crime of squandering his talents, destroying his usefulness, and thus robbing God and his fellow men of their dues.

And who that has ruined himself unnecessarily by any kind of excess, but must, if the moral susceptibilities of the mind are awake in an hour of calm reflection, feel the keenest stings of conscience. In a situation preeminently calculated for meditation to look back on a life spent in sinful indulgence to the neglect of duty, and forward to the retributions of eternity; must produce

a kind of wretchedness approximating to that of the impenitent in a world of despair.

If, then, the preservation of health is a matter of so much importance, every laudable means for its promotion should be duly regarded. In reference to health, proper seasons of relaxation may be made perfectly consistent with the best of motives. As the body and mind so sympathize with each other that one cannot suffer without affecting the other, that exercise and relaxation necessary to the strength and activity of both, may have the same bearing upon one's usefulness, as his actual application to business. And to the student, especially, so indispensable are such means to the bodily and mental faculties, that nothing but an error in judg ment can atone for treating them with neglect.

That an unnecessary portion of time may be spent in gratifying an inordinate desire for pleasure, all must allow. The relaxation of some is, from an unrestrained indulgence of lawless passions which ruin the health and destroy all order and regularity.

So, every thing valuable is in danger of being perverted. Even the common bounties of Providence are constantly abused. Not only the drunkard and the glutton, but all who do not duly appreciate the gifts of Providence, are chargeable with the guilt of being servants to an unrighteous mammon. It is the abuse of blessings which renders them sinful. That there are amusements calculated to promote the usefulness and happiness of man, is a fact supported by scripture; but great caution is necessary that they do not become sinful by excess. A strict adherence to one principle, so universal in its application, not to engage in any transaction upon which the blessing of God might not be consistently supplicated, is a very good rule, on which to rely for guidance in the path of duty.

G. F.

[For the Monitor.]

THE FIRESIDE.

It was near the close of an afternoon, in the early part of May, that a Missionary from New England, who was travelling slowly on horseback in a retired part of the Western country, observing the decisive indications of an approaching storm, began to look out, with no little anxiety, for a lodging which might receive him for the night. For some time, his wishes were vain, and he went for several miles, over the lone and unfrequented road in which he was travelling, without finding any prospect of a shelter from the rain, whose drops were beginning to fall, and from the wind which was fast rising, as if at the commencement of a storm. At last, however, the traveller emerged from a long and dreary wood, and his eye sparkled as the view opened upon a beautiful valley through which his road winded, and in a distant part of which, was pleasantly situated a farm house of unusually cheerful and happy appearance. The numerous and extensive out buildings with which it was connected, the fields around it, which were already, in a considerable degree beautified with the verdure of spring, the forests in the back ground, and the distant hills beyond, which completed the view, would have constituted an enchanting picture, had it not been for the gloomy influence of the weather. The injury thus done, was, however, more than counterbalanced, by the ideas of relief from his uncomfortable situation, which were associated with the prospect; and as he approached the dwelling, all the discontented thoughts, with which his dreary ride had inspired him, were banished by the bright light which shone through the windows, although day light had not yet gone down, and by the promise of comfort and enjoyment within, which was thus afforded. He was met in the large yard, by the master of the household, who gave him a hearty welcome, even before the Missionary had informed him of his name and occupation; these, however, called forth an additional flow of cordiality, and the master and his guest entered the dwelling together.