which people the deep, from the great leviathan, rolling in unfathomed waters, to the most minute zoophyte, cleaving to the rock; the inventions of adventurous man for traversing its immense surface, from the flexible, buoyant canoe, that finds its safety in yielding to the wave, to the gigantic man of war, that braves its fury, relying on the complex adaptation of its parts, and the imperturbable regularity of its manoeuvres, which even the voice of the tempest cannot put to flight: all these cannot fail to engage the thoughts, and interest the feelings.

Beauty, and sublimity, by turns, characterize the ocean the magnificence of its transitions can only be equalled by their rapidity. We may visit the beach when the blue wave reflects a cloudless sky, and the stately ship glides, with every sail set, before the calmest breath of heaven: but while we yet gaze on the serene picture, partial clouds arise; the prevailing tint of the waters changes. from azure to deep grey, though the sun is still shining, and each wave, as it distinctly raises its swelling head, appears crowned with living gold; but, as the sun declines towards the horizon, their sparkling summits seem to unite, and form one uninterrupted surface of light: its duration is

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almost momentary; the luminous expanse gradually contracts and recedes, and the waves near shore roll in comparative darkness; while those in the horizon shine as if ignited by the glorious luminary that is sinking behind them. These soon darken in their turn, and form a gloomy boundary to the vivid streak, which yet glows, though fast expiring, in the western sky. A rougher breeze begins to agitate the waters; it comes at first in cold gusts, each stronger than the preceding; fantastic clouds are scudding fast across the stars, which now begin to appear, burning in tranquil brightness, like the distant spirit of eternity, mocking the revolutions of time. It is evident that a storm is gathering; a long line of white foam, now the only object distinctly visible, marks the winding outline of the shore; the murmur of the waves increases; the winds, in opposition, raise their voice. Where is now the tranquil enjoyment with which we gazed so lately on the calm sea? It has given place to far different sensations; our minds are filled with awe and admiration; we retire from the strife of elements, yet turn again and again, and linger to behold a scene of such majesty. Our thoughts revert to the tall ship that floated by, e'en now, spreading her canvas, and

walking the waters so proudly and so erect, as it were to challenge the winds. Her yards are lowered, her canvas reefed; she is labouring among liquid mountains, which threaten to overwhelm her; her huge sides shiver, her planks strain and gape; vain were the toil, and vain the hopes, of the crew; but that He, who raised the tempest, will not desert them. Yet many an aching heart on shore listens fearfully to the tempest of this night.

Perhaps I am enthusiastic when speaking of the sea; and pardonably so: for I find health on its shores, and inhale new energy with the breeze that blows over it. All nature is lovely: yet total seclusion, even in the most favoured retreat, has few charms for me; but if any thing can make solitude delightful, it is the sea.

"There is society, where none intrudes,

By the deep sea, and music in its roar."

There is "a rapture on the lovely shore," which belongs to it exclusively: the imagination seems to have so much room to expand, and is so irresistibly excited by the wild sublimity of the scene, that it appears to enjoy an increased consciousness of its own powers: no other situation seems to be

so favourable to reflection, or so well calculated to suggest the most sublime contemplations of which the human mind is capable.

The majesty of the Creator, and the insignificance of the creature, are forcibly impressed on the beholder by the glorious immensity of sea and sky: man never feels himself so little, so powerless, as when placed individually in contrast with this noble element. But in proportion as his bodily powers sink into insignificance by the comparison, is that wonderful force of intellect, that combination of reason, science, and courage exalted, which can boast no greater triumph than that of having attained to a partial dominion even over the waves.

Let not vain-glory sully this joyful exultation. It is excusable, nay more, it is right to rejoice in our powers, before Him who confers them; provided, at the same time, that we humbly acknowledge our weakness and fallibility, and, in all our feeble achievements, GIVE GOD THE GLORY.

ESSAY XVIII.

ON THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GENEROSITY AND EXTRAVAGANCE.

"But, my bairn, set not your thought on riches as an end, but only as a means, for something more solid to yoursel, and pleasing in the sight of Him, who in this favor has given you erls of the servitude he claims from you; the which is to be kindly and generous, but neither to be inconsiderate nor lavish."

Sir Andrew Wylie of that Ilk.

Ir is extremely difficult to determine the precise point at which generosity swells into extravagance, or economy dwindles down to penuriousness; but it may easily be shewn that each of these virtues is perfectly different in its nature and tendency from its kindred vice. For extravagance is the most frequent obstacle to the exercise of generosity, and a proper degree of economy is the only security against being driven to acts of meanness. "L'économie," says Madame Geoffrin, "est la mise de la libéralité." We are apt to attach too