C 'IGG ) 



WISHES. 



" Sic volo, sic juheo, stat pro latione voluntas." 



" If -vrtshes were horses, beggars would ride" — is an ancient pro- 

 verb, made no doubt to exemplify the inutility of wishes ; and many 

 will have it that such a thing as a reasonable wish cannot exist, inas- 

 much as wishes cease, or should cease, if attainable, and if not attain- 

 able, then they cannot be reasonable. I beg, however, to difler, toto 

 coeh, with such an argument ; nor will I yield implicit submission to 

 this doctrine, because I contend that whatever can, or might, or could 

 lead to our greater comfort is to be wished for. If not attainable, still 

 it is very desirable ; and if desirable, why should not a man wish for 

 comforts. 



There is in man an indisposition to be satisfied with his present state. 

 The mind is constantly filled with hopes and expectations after things 

 which it has not ; and it frequently — nay, daily happens, that we are 

 aspiring to better our condition, either in some worldly pursuit, or 

 improving our spiritual concerns : and if we see our fellow-men in a 

 more prosperous state than ourselves, a gentle wish creeps uppermost in 

 our thoughts, and, envying his better lot, we wish we were only pos- 

 sessed of his wealth, that we may make some use of 'it. This wish 

 is certainly against the tenth commandment. But is there any offence 

 in thus wishuig ? I wish, very often, that I eoiild wish ; for there is 

 about me that hanged placidity of discontent, which, dissatisfied with 

 all around and within, pre^-ents me from fastening on any object for 

 succour and relief. Now, what can be more disagreeable than to be 

 placed in circumstances like the following : — to sit across an unarmed 

 chair, staring at a fire so good as not to require replenishing or poking, 

 yet so bad as to be cheerless ; thinking of nothing but some old subjects 

 which one had long ago done with ; to feel an incumbrance in your 

 clothing, without knowing exactly whether the coat be too short or too 

 long in the cuffs ; to be neither full nor hungry, ill nor well; to require 

 nothing, vet having nothing ; — so circumstanced, what cure can there 

 be but the power to wish ? 



How multifarious are our wishes ! " Mine be a cot beside a rill," 

 sings one. " Would that I were a glove upon that hand," says ano- 

 ther. This man wishes he were some red cross knight. That one, that 

 he may obtain a smile from some Angelina or Maria ; whilst another 

 sio-hs for turbot and lobster sauce. 1 have my periodical wishes. I 

 wish every morning, as I cannot shave myself without inflicting many 

 serious wounds upon my phiz, which I am told is a handsome one, that 

 I could awake ready shorn, without my friend the barber, calling fcr 

 hot Vv'ater, lathering my face, and, proh pudor ! holding my nose ere he 

 removes the stubble from my phiz ; and in winter, when icicles hang on 



