




















16 INTRODUCTION. 
} | that blews’’ would add to our felicity; where 
by itil the most agreeable and delightful companions 
were assembled to pass the hours in heedless 
pleasure,—where no care,—no sorrow,—no 
till unpleasant recollections of past disappoint- 
| ments,—of hopes destroyed,—or the overthrow 
iil of anticipated happiness,—are allowed to in- 
terrupt our joy, and mar the beauty of the en- 
chanted scene. Alas! these are but day-dreams 
scattered by a breath. The rude realities of 
life—the continual frustration of long cherished 
designs,—and the constant blighting, if not 
extinction of our fondest hopes,—all prove how 
utterly fallacious are the projects on which 
unassisted man attempts to construct a durable 

felicity. Readit! Does it not carry our fancy 
to an airy Eden ? ‘ 
Shall I sing of happy hours 
Numbered by opening and closing flowers ? 
Of smiles, and sighs that give no pain, 
And seem as they were heard in vain— 
Softly heard in leafy bowers, 
Blent with the whispers of the vine, 
The half blush of the eglantine, 


