formances polluted, this the Caufe of our Accept- the the Difpofals of Heaven, 199-Quotations from Cafimir and Juvenal tranflated, 201, 203—A favourite Tenet of Mr. Pope's rightly stated, 204 The brute Creatures unaffected with Flowers: Their fine Qualities peculiarly intended to delight Mankind: All Things conftituted with a particular Regard to our Advantage; this, an endearing Obligation to Gratitude; but a more engaging Motive, is the Gift of an immortal Soul, 205Remark on the Notion of a great Poet, 209The cultivated Garden, an Image of a well-nurtured Mind; Addrefs to Perfons concerned in the Education of Youth, 216-Flowers in the Bud, figurative of a Niggard; Flowers in full Expanfion, expreffive of a benevolent Difpofition, 219Sun-Flower; its remarkable Attachment to the Sun; fuch fhould be our Adherence to the Saviour, 221-Paffion-Flower; its Defcription; with a religious Improvement, 225- Senfitive Plant; Shrinks from every Touch; fuch should be our folicitous Care to avoid Sin, 230-The Delicacy of Flowers, and Coarfenefs of their Roots; the ennobling Change of our Bodies at the Refurrection; this should reconcile us to the Thoughts of Diffolution, 234-Paffage from Theocritus the Perfections of Flowers foon decay; the Charms of Complexion Scarce more lafting, 236—Instances of tranfitory Continuance in the noblest Flowers; the the Honours of the future State unfading, 239All the Delights of the flowery Seafon pass away; the celestial Entertainments know no End, 242-. Not Flowers only, but the most durable Things in Nature, are perishing; their Felicity ftable, wha bave GOD for their Portion, 244-Retreat into an Arbour; Practice of St. Augustine, Pattern for our Imitation, 245-Coolness of this shady Situation; the infufferable Heat, that rages abroad; our Safety in all the Dangers of Life, and amidst the Terrors of eternal Judgment, if sheltered by the Redeemer's Protection, and interested in his Merits, 246-The Bees; their Ingenuity; their Industry; fet an Example for the Author, 250-A diftant Profpect of the whole Scene, with its various Decorations, reminds the Beholder of Heaven; its Glories not to be defcribed, but most passionately defired, 251. RE REFLECTIONS ON A FLOWER-GARDEN. In a LETTER to a LADY. MADAM, S OME Time ago, my Meditations took a Turn among the Tombs. They vifited the awful and melancholy Manfions of the Dead*; and you was pleased to favour them with your Attention.-May I, now, beg the Honour of your Company, in a more *Difcourfes on the Vanity of the Creature, which "reprefent the Barrennefs of every Thing in this World, and its Incapacity of producing any folid or fubftantial VOL. I. "Happi K more inviting and delightful Excurfion? In a beautiful Flower-Garden; where I lately walked, and at once regaled the Senfe, and indulged the Fancy. It was early in a Summer Morning. When the Air was cool; the Earth moist; the whole Face of the Creation fresh and gay. The noify World was scarce awake. Bufinefs had not quite fhook off his found Sleep; and Riot had but juft reclined his giddy Head. All was ferene: All was ftill: Every Thing tended to inspire Tranquility of Mind, and invite to serious Thought. 2 000 ONLY the wakeful Lark had left her Neft, and was mounting on high, to falute the opening Day. Elevated in Air, she seemed to call the laborious Hufbandman to his Toil, and all her Fellow-Songsters to their Notes. Earliest of Birds, faid I, Companion of the Dawn, may I always rife at thy Voice! Rife, to offer the Matting "Happiness, are useful. Those Speculations alfo, which "fhew the bright Side of Things, and lay forth thofe in"nocent Entertainments, which are to be\mep with "among the feveral Objects that encompafsus, are no "lefs beneficial." Spect. Vol. V. N° 393 Upon the Plan of thefe Obfervations, the preceding and following Reflections are formed. A 2 |