JANUARY. 29 



of enthusiasm. But we may expand the picture. 

 We may add to the zest of its personal, and almost 

 too selfish enjoyments, touches of generous and phi- 

 lanthropic sentiment which will signally heighten 

 its pleasures, and enlarge its power of improving 

 the heart. How delightful, whilst sitting in the 

 midst of our family, or friendly group, in actual 

 possession of the pleasures just enumerated, not 

 only to contemplate our own happiness, but to send 

 our thoughts abroad over the whole land ! To 

 think what thousands of families in this noble coun- 

 try are at the same moment thus blessedly collected 

 round the social flame. What hearths are lit up 

 with all the charms of kindred affection; of mature 

 wisdom and parental pride ; of youthful gladness, 

 gaiety and beauty ! How many rural halls and 

 city homes are shining, like stars in their own 

 places, in unabated warmth and splendour, though 

 hid beneath the broad veil of wintry darkness, 

 the lover's evening visit, song, wine, the wild tale 

 told to the listening circle, or the unfolded stores 

 of polite literature, making each a little paradise ! 

 Then to turn from the bright side of the picture to 

 the dark one. To 



The huts where poor men lie, 



where the elegances and amenities of life cast not 

 their glow, 



But frosty winds blaw in the drift 

 Ben to the chimla lug, 

 3* 



