l-^gi. the temple of Hytnen. 259 



to their habitations, to wrangle out their lives in as much 

 harmony as they could. 



Next appeared a giddy throng, whether greater or smal- 

 ler than the other, I was not able to discover. They 

 were on the same errand, but acted from dIfiFerent mo- 

 tives, if motives they could be called. They appear- 

 ed to be the thoughtlefs children of difsipation, and en- 

 tered this solemn scene, with as little reflection as they 

 use in every other action of life. They appeared to have 

 chosen their companions, just as chance or fancy directed, 

 without any regard to merit, or similarity of dispositi- 

 on. They came, were united, and returned all jovial, 

 airy, and chearful, as if they were entering a blifsful para- 

 dise, 



" Ah thoughtlefs mortals" said I, " how soon v\'ill your 

 fancied bloom be nipped in the bud I your idle dreams of 

 pleasure will vaniih as the morning dew, and you join the 

 disappointed marriage train, in expatiating onjthe uninter- 

 rupted pleasures of cehbacy." 



Next appeared a small company moving towards us 

 slowly, and with graceful easy pace ; their countenances 

 were neither clouded with gloom, nor distorted with levi- 

 ty j but sweet complacency sat easy smiling on each fea- 

 ture, proceeding from a well grounded hope, that the 

 most elevated degree of human telicity, would be the re- 

 sult of the union into which they were about to enter. 



But imagine my/urprise, when I saw among this happy 

 number my friend Maria. . She was attended by a most 

 engaging, accomplilhed youth j his eyes were piercing and 

 lively, his features strong, manly, and regular j his man- 

 ners' graceful and easy, and I discovered in his aspect, the 

 strongest traits of anart'ent, noble, disinterested, and gene- 

 rous alfection. He behavtd towards my friend with the 

 moit polite, engaging, tender attention j his kindnefs to- 



