gaily, on the prayers and sermons in the pulpit. It is an every where and ever present principle of human nature—a wen on the heart of man; less painful, but quite as loathsome as a cancer. It is, of all others, the most baseless propensity. We have nothing of which we should be vain, but much to induce humility. If we have any good qualities, they are the gift of God-in the best of men, there are bad ones enough, if they can see themselves, to strangle Vanity. Let every one guard against this allpervading principle, and teach their children, that it is the shadow of a shade. VARIETY. Nature, through all her works, in great degree, VARIETY has been called the spice of life, that gives it all its flavor-hence, many people use so much spice, that every thing becomes artificial, and nature no longer borrows blessings from Variety; which must be governed by discretion, and made subservient to the wants of nature; not those of a vitiated taste and pampered appetite. Variety is the opposite of monotony, and should be so used, as to produce an equilibrium between the two-as designed by a wise Creator. Then, and only then, will the mind reap the fruit of both. Alone, the fruit of the former produces satiety-that of the latter, disgust. Frugality is the parent of health-if we eat of twenty dishes at the same meal, or of more than is necessary to support nature, we are not only liable to overload the digestive organs, but impose upon them a cumbrous load, always more burdensome to carry, than a consolidated one. The man who is engaged in several kinds of business at the same time, must have great versatility of talent, united with great energy; or some of his irons will burn. Nature is generally best served, when we bend our energies to some particular occupation, which seems to indicate, that variety was created to please the fancy and exhilarate the mind, as a gentle wind does the body in a hot day. The reason why mechanical work is better executed in England, and some other parts of Europe, than in our country, arises from the fact, that where articles are composed of different parts, each piece is made by a separate workman; whose whole energies are spent upon this single part-he works at nothing else. Here, American genius grasps the entire thing in all its parts, in one and the same person, and of course, work is not so rapidly, cheaply, or perfectly executed, as by our more systematic neighbors, especially fine and delicate articles. Variety is most beautifully exemplified in our intercourse with each other. In our business transactions, several small coins of different denominations, are necessary to make change. So in our hourly and daily intercourse, there are numerous courtesies and kindnesses, that should be as current, and more plenty, than half dimes and dimes. They give the finishing touch to our pleasures. Withhold them, a variety of ill feeling is the inevitable consequence. As in dealing, if you know a man expects the penny in change, or the half-penny, give it to him if in your power; so in the kind offices of intercourse, give every one the small W change as well as the large. Nothing promotes this kind of necessary change, unalloyed, so much as pure Religion. WIT. Sense is our helmet-wit is but a plume; The plume exposes 'tis our helmet saves.-Young. GENUINE Wit may be compared to a kaleidoscope; every time it is shook, it presents new and beautiful figures. The latter please the eye, and enables carpet and calico manufacturers to obtain new designs for their work; the former pleases us all over, without really benefitting us any where. Like lightning in a dark night, its illuminations are momentary in most cases. Sheridans and Hopkinsons are very rare. They were as highly charged with Wit, as a cloud sometimes is with the electric fluid, emitting flashes in such quick succession, that darkness is scarcely visible. Wit, like a coquette, is pleasing company for the time being; but no man, knowing her character, courts her with the intention of marriage, and no sensible man is long edified with her company. Wit and wisdom may be found in the same person, but when the former is flashing, its glare hides the latter. It serves to amuse and exhilarate, but rarely produces profitable reflection, or elevates sound common sense. It is emphatically a plume, and exposes the head it ornaments, to many an arrow from the bow of revenge. Some wits had rather lose a friend than a keen, cutting remark upon him. This has often occurred, and is exchanging treasure for trash. Wit may obtain many conquests, but no willing subjects. It is like echo, it always has the last word. It is more difficult to manage than steam, and often wounds by its explosions. It produces many bon mots, and but few wise sayings. It is like some heartless sportsmen, who shoot every bird indiscriminately, and kill more innocent ones, unfit for food, than hawks, that prey upon our poultry. In no way is Wit so pernicious, as when perverted to injure the Bible and the Christian religion. It then forfeits, to its possessor, the esteem of all good men; and every flash serves to render the incumbent more obnoxious to them, and endangers his own happiness. Finally, flashing WIT is an undefined and undefinable propensity-more to be admired than coveted; more ornamental than useful; more volatile than solid; a dangerous, sharp-edged tool, often cutting its most skilful master; rarely imparting substantial benefits to mankind; but often serious injury. Let those who have it, endeavor to control it, and those who have it not, can make better use of the sense they have. WOMAN. The man who lays his hand upon a woman, Whom 'twere gross flattery to call a coward.-Shakespeare. To write an essay upon Woman, and do her impartial justice, is an imposing and delicate task. On no other subject have writers run into greater extremes, or differed more widely. The most nauseating flat tery, the keenest satire, and most vindictive anathemas; have been showered upon Woman, in copious effusions. She merits neither, no more than man. The second cast of some metals refines them more, so only Woman differs from man in her nature. Frailty is stamped upon both. The man who flatters is apt to betray Woman. The man who condemns the sex as a species, has been unfortunate in his associations, or in his advances—perhaps both. The vilest of men have been Women haters good men-never. Dominic, the author of the infernal Inquisition, and sainted by the Roman Church, was so bitterly opposed to women, that he never would look one in the face. The man who cherishes a contempt for the female sex, shows that he has never been favored with the company of intelligent, refined Women, or that he has a very bad heart. It is an insult upon Deity, who made her, to advance the happiness of man, and if the end is not accomplished, the fault is his, not hers. Some men use their wives, as farmer's girls do split brooms; when new, they only sweep the parlour with them; then the kitchen, then scrub with them, then take them for oven brooms, and when the splits are burnt off, they use them for cow knockers. O! shame, where is thy blush! Man was made to protect, love, and cherish, not to undervalue, neglect, or abuse Woman. Treated, educated, and esteemed, as she merits; she rises in dignity, becomes the refiner, and imparts a milder, softer tone to man. No community has ever exhibited the refinements of civilization and social order, where Women were held in contempt, and their rights not properly respected and preserved. Degrade Woman, and |