THE GOODNESS OF THE DEITY. 259 



impatience of rest; whilst, to the imbecility of age, quiet- 

 ness and repose become positive gratifications. In one im- 

 portant respect the advantage is with the old. A state of 

 i^ase is, generally speaking, more attainable than a state of 

 pleasure A constitution, therefore, which can enjoy ease, 

 is preferable to that which can taste only pleasure. The 

 same perception of ease oftentimes renders old age a con- 

 ditiV)n of great comfort ; especially when riding at its an- 

 chor, after a busy or tempestuous life. It is well describ- 

 ed by Rousseau, to be the interval of repose and enjoy- 

 ment, between the hurry and the end of life. Hovv far the 

 same cause extends to other animal natures cannot be judg- 

 ed of with certainty. The appearance of satisfaction, with 

 which most animals as their activity subsides, seek and en- 

 joy rest, affords reason to believe, that this source of grati- 

 fication is appointed to advanced life, under all, or most, of 

 its various forms. In the species with which we are best 

 acquainted, namely, our own, I am far, even as an observer 

 of human life, from thinking, that youth is its happiest sea- 

 son, much less the only happy one : as a Christian, I am 

 willing to believe that there is a great deal of truth in the 

 following representation given by a very pious writer, as 

 well as excellent man.* " To the intelligent and virtuous, 

 old age presents a scene of tranquil enjoyments, of obedient 

 appetites, of well regulated affections, of maturity in knowl- 

 edge, and of calm preparation for immortality. In this se- 

 rene and dignified state, placed, as it were, on the confines 

 of two worlds, the mind of a good man reviews what is 

 past with the complacency of an approving conscience, and 

 looks forward, with humble confidence in the mercy of God, 

 and with devout aspirations, towards his eternal and ever 

 increasing favour." 



What is seen in different staores of the same life, is still 

 more exemplified in the lives of different animals. Animal 

 enjoyments are infinitely diversijiert. The modes of life, to 

 which the organization of different animals respectively de- 

 termines them, are not only of various, but of opposite kinds. 

 Yet each is happy in its own. For instance ; animals of 

 prey, live much alone ; animals of a milder constitution, in 

 society. Yet the herring, which lives in shoals, and the 

 sheep, which lives in flocks, are not more happy in a crowd, 

 or more contented amongst their companions, than is the 

 pike, or the lion, with the deep solitudes of the pool, or the 

 forest. 



' Father's Instructions, by Dr. Percival of Manchester, p. 317. 



