it proved to be nothing else than so much space filled with young shrimps in the act of bounding into the air from the shallow margin of the water, or from the wet sand. If any motion of a mute animal could express delight, it was this; if 45 they had meant to make signs of their happiness, they could not have done it more intelligibly. Suppose, then, what I have no doubt of, each individual of this number to be in a state of positive enjoyment; what a sum, collectively, of gratification and pleasure have we here before our view!

50

The young of all animals appear to me to receive pleasure simply from the exercise of their limbs and bodily faculties, without reference to any end to be attained, or any use to be answered by the exertion. A child, without knowing anything of the use of language, is in a high degree delighted with being 55 able to speak. Its incessant repetition of a few articulate sounds, or perhaps of the single word which it has learned to pronounce, proves this point clearly. Nor is it less pleased with its first successful endeavours to walk, or rather to run (which precedes walking), although entirely ignorant of the importance of the 60 attainment to its future life, and even without applying it to any

present purpose. A child is delighted with speaking, without having anything to say; and with walking, without knowing where to go. And, prior to both these, I am disposed to believe that the waking hours of infancy are agreeably taken up with 65 the exercise of vision, or perhaps, more properly speaking, of learning to see.

But it is not for youth alone that the great Parent of creation hath provided. Happiness is found with the purring cat no less than with the playful kitten; in the arm-chair of dozing age, 70 as well as in either the sprightliness of the dance or the animation of the chase. To novelty, to acuteness of sensation, to hope, to ardour of pursuit, succeeds what is, in no inconsiderable degree, an equivalent for them all, "perception of ease." Herein is the exact difference between the young and the old. The 75 young are not happy but when enjoying pleasure; the old are happy when free from pain. Ard this constitution suits with the

degrees of animal power which they respectively possess. The vigour of youth was to be stimulated to action by impatience of rest; whilst to the imbecility of age, quietness and repose beSo come positive gratifications. In one important step the advantage is with the old. A state of ease is, generally speaking, more attainable than a state of pleasure. A constitution, therefore, which can enjoy ease, is preferable to that which can taste only pleasure. This same perception of ease oftentimes renders 85 old age a condition of great comfort, especially when riding at its anchor after a busy or tempestuous life. It is well described by Rousseau to be the interval of repose and enjoyment between the hurry and the end of life. How far the same cause extends to other animal natures, cannot be judged of with certainty. 90 The appearance of satisfaction with which most animals, as their activity subsides, seek and enjoy rest, affords reason to believe that this source of gratification is appointed to advanced life under all or most of its various forms. In the species with which we are best acquainted, namely, our own, I am far, even 95 as an observer of human life, from thinking that youth is its happiest season, much less the only happy one.

NOTES.

(The numbers refer to the lines.)

2 teem; (Sax. tyman, to bring forth) to bring forth, be full,

3

5

6

7

swarm.

myriad; the Greek word means properly ten thousand; an immense number.

pinions; wings, feathers.

wanton mazes; frolicsome turnings or windings.

gratuitous, voluntary, without apparent cause.

16 proper; peculiar, natural, own.

17

offices; duties, functions.

20 aphides; a species of insects found on plants.

24

alacrity; (Lat. alacer, brisk, lively) cheerfulness, vivacity, liveliness.

27

sprightly; (from spirit) full of spirit, lively.

28 fry; a swarm of young fishes.

35

43

44

55

ebbing; flowing out, retiring from the land.
shallow; (from shoal) not deep.

mute; speechless, without the power of articulating sounds. (See next note.)

articulate sounds; sounds which are so distinct that they can be formed into words.

63 prior to; before (with regard to time).

68

purring; this is an example of an onomatopoetic word, formed in imitation of the sound it is supposed to signify, like buzzing, humming, etc.

78 stimulated; (Lat. stimulus, a goad) goaded, excited, urged.

imbecility; weakness, feebleness.

positive gratifications; actual, real, not mere absence of grief.

Rousseau; Jean Jacques. A celebrated French author (1712-1778). Wrote "Emile," "La Nouvelle Héloise,” and other works.

COMPOSITION.

THE Pupil Teacher at the end of the Second Year should consult the remarks on Composition contained in our books for Candidates and First Year Pupil Teachers.

As an additional specimen of English Composition we here insert one of Cowper's letters. Cowper is considered one of our best letter-writers, and the pupil could not have placed before him a better model of the epistolary style.

"TO JOSEPH HILL, ESQ., OLNEY, November 11, 1782.

"MY DEAR FRIEND,-Your shocking scrawl, as you term it, was, however, a very welcome one. The character, indeed, has not quite the neatness and beauty of an engraving; but if it cost me some pains to decipher it, they were well rewarded by the minute information it conveyed. I am glad your health is such that you have nothing more to complain of than may be expected on the down-hill side of life. If mine is better than yours, it is to be attributed, I suppose, principally to the constant enjoyment of country air and retirement; the most perfect regularity in matters of eating, drinking, and sleeping; and a happy emancipation from everything that wears the face of business. I lead the life I always wished for, and, the single circumstance of dependence excepted (which, between ourselves, is very contrary to my predominant humour and disposition), have no want left broad enough for another wish to stand upon. "You may not, perhaps, live to see your trees attain to the dignity of timber: I nevertheless approve of your planting, and

the disinterested spirit that prompts you to it. Few people plant when they are young; a thousand other less profitable amusements divert their attention; and most people, when the date of youth is once expired, think it too late to begin. I can tell you, however, for your comfort and encouragement, that when a grove which Major Cowper had planted was of eighteen years' growth, it was no small ornament to his grounds, and afforded as complete a shade as could be desired. Were I as old as your mother, in whose longevity I rejoice, and the more because I consider it as in some sort a pledge and assurance of yours, and should come to the possession of land worth planting, I would begin to-morrow, and even without previously insisting upon a bond from Providence that I should live five years longer.

66

I saw last week a gentleman who was lately at Hastings. I asked him where he lodged. He replied, at P's. I next inquired after the poor man's wife, whether alive or dead. He answered, dead. So then, said I, she has scolded her last; and a sensible old man will go down to his grave in peace. Mr. P—, to be sure, is of no great consequence either to you or to me; but, having so fair an opportunity to inform myself about him, I could not neglect it. It gives me pleasure to learn somewhat of a man I knew a little of so many years since, and for that reason merely I mention the circumstance to you.

"I find a single expression in your letter which needs correction. You say, I carefully avoid paying you a visit at Wargrave. Not so; but connected as I happily am, and rooted where I am, and not having travelled these twenty years-being besides of an indolent temper, and having spirits that cannot bear a bustle -all these are so many insuperables in the way. They are not, however, in yours; and if you and Mrs. Hill will make the experiment, you shall find yourselves as welcome here, both to me and to Mrs. Unwin, as it is possible you can be anywhere. "Yours affectionately, W. C."