pleasure shall be wrung from us, though in the very 
moment in which we préparé to enjoy it : even as 
the lingering frost shall wither the unopened violet ; 
as the canker shall destroy the fair promise of the 
rose ; and as the first blast of winter shall rudely 
bring down the blossom of the Jasmine. 
But not so if our hopes be heavenward, our pro- 
jects spiritual, and our schemes for happiness built 
on the “ sure Foundation” For these the coldness 
of the world cannot chill, the canker-tooth of remorse 
cannot prey upon, nor the blast of adversity humble. 
Let us not then indulge tbe gay dreams of fancy to 
the exclusion of more serious musings, let not our 
projects tend chiefly to the attainment of worldly 
objects, but may we rather labour for such as are 
everlasting ; and let us not pursue with too eager 
pace the phantom of earthly bliss, but strive for the 
substantial joys of heaven, which are freely offered to 
our acceptance. Then shall we prize the pretty 
Aconite for awakening a better train of thought, 
and she shall indeed prove to us a precious “ New 
Year’s Gift .” 
