182 



sublimest present pleasures and the least envied, together with 

 the most encouraging hopes of future happiness. 



Next to the pleasures resulting from the exercise of the ini- 

 dcrstanding, and those of the moral sense, we may rank those 

 of the imagination, in the composition of poetry, j)ainting 

 and music. These, however, being derived from intiate 

 powers, of which nature is very sparing, can fall to the lot 

 of very k\v. Qtios Jupiter ccquiis amavit. 



Of the pleasures of serious studies of any sort. Dr. Young 

 gives an eloquent description in a letter to the author of Sir 

 Charles Grandison, of which the following is an extract* : 

 " Composition, to men of letters and leisure, is not only a 

 " noble amusement, but a sweet refuge; it improves their 

 " parts and promotes their peace ; it opens a back door out 

 " of the bustle of this busy and idle world, into a garden of 

 *' moral and intellectual fruits, the key of which is denied to 

 " the rest of mankind ; when stung with idle anxieties, or 

 ♦' teized with fruitless impertinence, or yawning over insipid 

 " diversions, then we see the blessings of a lettered recess ; 

 " then we retire to our disinterested and immortal friends in 

 " our closet, and find our minds, when applied to some fa- 

 " vourite theme, as naturally and as easily quieted and re- 

 " freshed as a peevish child when laid to the breast. Our 



" happiness 



• British Plutarch, vol, 2. p. 222. Irish edition. 



