THE TEMPER AND PASSIONS. 281 



play our best affections, and we may all be happy 

 if we will. 



When we are grown old enough to be taught 

 these things, we shall, if we have any regard for 

 our health and comfort, never indulge in bursts of 

 violent passion, in fits of anger, or in sullenness. 

 To do so, is to commit the greatest folly of which 

 we are capable. We can enjoy nothing when our 

 hearts are filled with bad thoughts; because as our 

 internal feelings or disposition are bright or gloomy, 

 so does every thing around us appear. 



If then we are cheerful and contented, all nature 

 smiles with us : the air seems more balmy, the 

 sky more clear, the ground has a brighter green, 

 the trees have a richer foliage, the flowers a more 

 fragrant smell, the birds sing more sweetly, and 

 the sun, moon and stars all appear most beautiful. 

 We take our food with relish, and whatever it may 

 be, it pleases us. We feel better for it stronger 

 and livelier, and fit for exertion. 



Now what happens to us if we are ill-tempered 

 and discontented ? Why, there is not any thing 

 which can please us. We quarrel with our food, 

 with our dress, with our amusements, with our 

 companions, and with ourselves. Nothing comes 

 right for us; the weather is either too hot or too 

 cold, too dry or too damp. Neither sun, nor 

 moon, nor stars have any beauty; the fields are 

 ^barren, the flowers lustreless, and the birds silent. 

 We move about like some evil spirit, neither 

 loving nor beloved by any thing. 

 2 A 2 



