370 QUARTERLY JOURNAL. 



servation. With the taper, which first fixes the gaze of the infant 

 eye, the child conannences his observations on heat and hght. With 

 throwing from him his playthings, to the great perplexity of his 

 nurse, he begins his experiments in mechanics, and pursues them 

 successively as he advances in age, studying the laws of projectiles 

 and of rotary motion in the arrow and the hoop, of hydrostatics in 

 the dam and the water-wheel, pneumatics in the windmill and the 

 kite. I have in my possession an amusing and well executed en- 

 graving representing a family scene, where a young urchin had cut 

 open the bellows to find the wind. His little brother is looking over 

 his shoulder with innocent and intense curiosity, while the angry 

 mother stands behind with uplifted rod, and a countenance which 

 bespeaks the woe that impends over the young philosopher. A 

 more judicious parent would have gently reproved the error ; a 

 more enlightend parent might have hailed the omen as indicating a 

 Newton in disguise. 



MORAL POWER OF A KIND SPIRIT. 



One of the most pleasing acquirements that adorn mankind, is aflfa- 

 bility. This one virtue calls into action many others, which, were it 

 not for its influence, would probably be dormant. But of itself in its 

 own intrinsic worth, it assuredly is the certain avenue of success in 

 gaining the esteem and respect of others. Man's chief aim through 

 this transitory life is happiness ; and the safest and shortest method 

 to obtain this blessing, is by the strict cultivation of amiability of 

 manners and softness of temper. How frequently do we hear the 

 morose and sullen acknowledge that in their intercourse with man, 

 an impression exists that they had dealt wiih a gentleman, because 

 he was amiable and gentle ; and yet it does not follow that every 

 one who shows forth this amiableness is a gentleman, but he can 

 be no gentleman who does not possess it. In all walks of society, 

 this gentleness of temper and of conduct sheds its beloved influence 

 upon those with whom it comes in contact ; for the truth of Holy 

 Writ assures us that a " soft answer turneth away wrath :" and 

 where, I would ask, is that being, young or old, that hath not ex- 

 perienced this truth ? And does not this gentleness of temper ensure 

 to their heart calmness of mind, and with it does it not command 

 the respect of others ? This is undeniable ; for, gentle reader, have 

 you not heard the remark of the ungoverned, " I could not say 

 another angry word to him, he was so mild, so gentle in his speech 

 and manners." Oh how insignificant does sucii an acknowledgment 

 make the morose appear in comparison with this heaven-like ascen- 

 dancy over our faults ! 



