TO A CONTEMPLATIVE MIND. 285 



focus; and the highest productions of science, the brightest works of 

 genius, the finest workings of sensibility, and the benevolent schemes 

 of the philanthropist for the amelioration of the sufferings of his race, 

 thus spring into existence, which, but for the benign influence of 

 solitude on the heart, would in all probability never have found their 

 way to the public eye. 



It is only in solitude that mankind can calmly feel and truly estimate 

 the variableness and uncertainty of public opinion and popular applause. 

 In the sweets of retirement man feels how superficial and unfounded 

 are often the opinions of the giddy multitude. Far retired from the 

 contaminating influence of malice and uncharitableness, from the 

 attacks of which even the most virtuous are doomed to suffer, and 

 anxiously wishing to see universal happiness reign around and 

 harmonize with the unison of the universe, he soon learns to value 

 lightly opinions formed without reason or reflection, and to pity rather 

 than despise those who act with a destitution of that Christian charity 

 which is the golden chain that binds man to his fellow-man, and 

 teaches us that the feelings of another ought always to be held sacred. 

 If, however, the man of sensibility does allow the envenomed shafts 

 of malice occasionally to ruffle the philosophic calmness of his thoughts, 

 the consciousness of the purity of his own intentions soon restores his 

 wonted quietude. He turns to the inspection of his flower-beds with 

 patient resignation, and enjoying the rural harmony by which he is 

 surrounded, feels regret that the carpings and backbitings of the busy 

 world so little accord with the order and harmony of the works of 

 Omnipotence which surround him. In the incessant warfare which 

 the untoward circumstances of commercial life, and " the whips and 

 scorns of time," keep up his best principles and finest feelings, he 

 finds at last that the surest way to preserve the latter from the ruthless 

 desecration of thoughtless ignorance or base ingratitude is to retire to 

 sonic distance from the sphere of activity to which his choice of life 

 had destined him, to seek the seclusion of solitude, where, with a few 

 silent companions to conduct his thoughts to the glory and grandeur 

 of past ages and the contemplation of the purity and beauty of im- 

 maculate virtue, he may enjoy that tranquillity and happiness in the 

 bosom of his family and in the confidence of his friends, which leave 

 a far more delightful impression on the mind than the acclamations 

 which follow the conqueror's steps, or the glory that crowns the 



