stances, but do not know theirs.

Those ladies

whom you imagined to be so happy only because they were travelling, and wore pretty riding dresses, have, very probably, some outward trial, or some secret uneasiness, which makes them less so than you. But besides this, there are, as I said, some things which we have forgotten to include in our list of desirables: and they possess this great advantage above all the rest, that if we wish for them aright, wishing will not be vain. I would therefore, in addition to all we have mentioned, wish for an amiable, obliging disposition; a cheerful, open temper; a peaceable and contented spirit. I would wish also, for industry and activity, which are the best securities against languor and discontent; and without which, no circumstances can make us happy. Above all, I would desire a good conscience, and a heart right towards God. These are things, my Lucy, which, if we wish for them, not feebly and lazily, but seriously and earnestly, may certainly be obtained. With these, in any circumstances, we shall be happy; and without them, we should not be contented, even with twenty thousand a year!"

dear

IV.

EVERY MAN HIS OWN FORTUNE-TELLER.

THERE is a strong propensity in the human mind to look forward to distant years, and to penetrate the secrets of futurity. This desire in the minds of the

vulgar and ignorant, has given rise to the foolish and wicked practice of consulting pretended fortunetellers. In these enlightened days, I have little fear that any of my readers should wish to have recourse to such absurd and sinful means of information: and yet as it is very likely that they may sometimes feel curiosity respecting their future destiny, they will I hope listen to the plan I have to propose; which, without incurring either guilt or disgrace, will enable them, each for himself, to foretell with considerable accuracy, what they may have to expect in future life.

To prevent disappointment, I here candidly confess, that I do not pretend to enable them to divine the amount of their fortunes what connexions they may form-in what parts they may residenor at what period they will die: nor do I regret this; nor need they: since these are circumstances which it is better for us not to know beforehand; but, with regard to things of still greater importance than these, such as the degree of success and of happiness they may reasonably expect in their undertakings and situations in the world, they will find the proposed method may be depended on.

I shall, then, suppose myself to be consulted by a number of young persons, wishing to be initiated in my secret; but they will not find me commencing my instructions with any mystical ceremony, nor pronouncing any unintelligible charm. I do not even wish to examine the palms of their hands; although I may perhaps take the liberty to notice the expression of their faces; all I require is, some insight into their present characters and past conduct.

Suppose one of them, for instance, should appear to be a lad of an indolent, inactive disposition; to whom exertion, whether of body or mind, was always irksome and burdensome, performed as a task, and by compulsion; he is looking forward anxiously to the time when coercion will cease, and when he shall be free from the necessity of exertion.- In this case, I do not hesitate to shake my knowing head, and in the technical language of my profession to pronounce bad luck to him. I need not ask, nor can I guess, what may be his line of business, nor what the extent of his capital; but I can foretell, with great confidence, that he will be neither successful, respectable, nor happy. That when restraints are removed, and he is thrown upon himself, life will be burdensome to him; and that it will, very probably, end in poverty and disgrace.

I shall suppose my next applicant to be a gay young lady, desirous of knowing how soon she shall be her own mistress, and how large her fortune will · be; as she is in want of a thousand things that she is not allowed to purchase: she is very fond of jewels and laces, and of all that is showy and expensive ; and wishes extremely to be able to gratify her desires. Here again I could augur no good; so many husbands and fathers have been ruined by expensive wives and daughters, (for, as Poor Richard says, "silks and satins put out the kitchen fire,") that what could I see in her destiny but bills and bailiffs, a husband in prison, children in want, and herself in indigence?

Another approaches with his pockets stuffed with

gingerbread, and his hands full of macaroons; he professes himself to be so fond of good things that he spends the greater part of his pocket money at the pastry-cook's; his parents allow him to partake of every dish that comes on table, and to stuff as long as he pleases; and he owns that he considers dinner-time the best part of the day. I need not feel this young gentleman's pulse in order to predict to him an impaired constitution, and an early decay of his mental powers. Complicated disease, and premature old age, are the invariable rewards of indulgence. These habits will increase with his years: a listless, burdensome life, and early death is his probable destiny.

The next applicant appears with a frowning brow, and a discontented, clouded aspect: his temper is sullen and obstinate, or fretful and irritable: he wishes to know if any thing agreeable will ever befall him, for at present he has known only unhappiness. Alas! nothing but unhappiness can I predict to him. He may grow rich and prosper in the world, but he will ever" dwell in Meshech;" his family will dread, and his neighbours dislike him; and his gold, if he has it, will never purchase that ease and content which is the reward of good nature only.

Another inquirer I shall suppose to be an undutiful son, who has ever rewarded his parents' care and kindness with neglect, disrespect, and disobedience. Now on this case, I can pronounce with a greater degree of certainty than on any of the pre ceding. Some faults never appear to meet their proper punishment in this world; but it is a common

remark, founded on long observation, that unkindness to parents, above all other crimes, reaps its reward even here. This youth then, if he becomes a parent, will be taught by refractory, rebellious children, the anguish he has inflicted on his own parent. A rebellious son, an ungrateful daughter, must expect in due time to become an unhappy father, or despised mother.

Another informs me he has had a religious education, and that he is in a great degree aware of the importance of religion, and of the value of his soul; morever, he intends before long to give it the attention it demands; but hitherto he has delayed to do so, from time to time, hoping it would be less difficult at some future period than it appears now; so that, at present, he is as far from being truly religious, as he was when he first began to think upon the subject. Now it requires little sagacity to foresee the probable consequences of this temper. I solemnly warn him that the same indisposition that has hitherto prevailed, will, unless strongly counteracted, continue and increase; while he is intending and purposing, his heart will grow harder and harder, until it will finally be said of him, "Cut it down, why cumbereth it the ground?"

my

I fear I shall be regarded as a gloomy prognosticator; but I dare not depart from the rules of art, which are founded on universal experience, and on the established laws of cause and effect. However, lest I be thought too discouraging, I am happy to proclaim, that these destinies are, by no means, at present, to be considered as unchangeable. On the