MAY I.

System of the World.

Of all the parts which form the mundane system, the sun is the most striking and interesting. His form is spherical, and from him continually emanates an inexhaustible stream of luminous particles. By the telescope we discover in him certain spots by which we can ascertain that he turns round his axis. His distance from the earth is eighty-two millions of miles, and he is one million of times larger. He communicates his light to at least twenty opaque globes that revolve round him at different distances. The nearest to him is the planet Mercury, which is seldom seen, and little known. Next is Venus, called both a morning and an evening star; because she sometimes precedes the sun, and sometimes follows after him. After Venus comes our own planet, the external surface of which is composed of earth and water, of mountains and valleys, and its internal parts of beds and strata of differ ent substances. This earth is the abode of a multitude of creatures, animate and inanimate; plants, metals, and animals. The moon revolves round the earth, and accompa nies it in its revolution round the sun. She is fifty times less than the earth, and on her surface we discover seve ra! brilliant spots, as well as some which are opaque. If the surface of the moon was entirely level, the rays of light would be equally reflected from every part, and we could not then observe these spots, of which the brighter were formerly supposed to be continents, whilst those of a darker and more opaque appearance were considered as seas, appearing dark from their absorbing the rays of light but later observations have proved, that they are only vast cavities which do not reflect the sun's light so strongly; that the luminous parts are plain superficies, and those that are most brilliant are lofty mountains.

The remaining planets in our system are, Mars; Jupiter, and his four moons; Saturn, and his seven ; and Hers chel or Georgium Sidus, and his six moons. Saturn is at such an immense distance from the sun that he is nearly thirty years in performing his revolution. The vast dominion of the sun, above a thousand millions of miles, 3

but a part of the universe; for each of the fixed stars is a sun, equal in magnitude and brillianey to that which enlightens our sphere. Such is the grandeur of God, and such his glory, displayed in these admirable works; which invite us to pay our tribute of admiration, reverence, and praise, to the Being which formed them! Is there any thing in nature more proper to inspire in us exalted ideas of the Deity than the aspect of the heavens, nightly irradiated with thousands of revolving spheres? May we never view them without feeling the most lively sense of the munificence and grandeur of him who has created all things, and continues to preserve them with wisdom and rule them with merciful goodness.

MAY II.

Blossoms of Trees.

OUR gardens and fields are now decorated with the beauties of spring, and every part of Europe presents the most delightful aspect. The eternal word of the Creator, pronounced when he formed the world, has produced all these effects; his all-creating hand has again renovated the earth, and in a measure created it anew for the pleasure and happiness of his creatures. It is God alone who calls for the spring and orders it to appear. Approach, O man, and try what thy wisdom and thy power can execute! Canst thou make one tree to blossom, or one leaf to germinate? Canst thou call from the earth the smallest blade of grass, or order the tulip to rise in all its splendour ? Contemplate these flowers; examine them with attention. Can they be more perfect, can their colours be more beautifully blended, or their forms more elegantly proportioned? Can the pencil of the painter equal the warmth of the blossoming peach, or imitate the richness of a cherry-tree in bloom? So far from imitating, no one can conceive all the beauties of renovated nature; and if there were no other proofs of the power and wisdom of God on the earth, the flowers of spring would sufficiently display them.

y tree that blossoms, every plant, every flower, mani

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fests a portion of that wisdom and beneficence so abundantly diffused through the earth. There is an infinite diversity among the blossoms of trees; though all beautiful, they differ in degree, one surpassing another; but there are none which do not possess some beauty peculiar to themselves. Some have flowers of a pure white; others have streaks of red and shades, and add to beauty and elegance the most exquisite fragrance. But all these multiplied varieties do not affect their fecundity.

From the consideration of these circumstances, we may receive profit and instruction. We may reflect,that, though we are not favoured with the same advavtages that some possess, we should neither be discouraged nor afflicted. The privation of some accidental benefits can in no degree injure our well-being. Though we may not be quite so rich, so powerful, or so handsome, as some are, these are trifling things in the estimation of the virtuous and the wise; for without them we can be equally happy, equally useful to our fellow-creatures, and equally pleasing to God. True beauty consists in the works of piety, and the fruits of virtue. The blossoms of a fruit-bearing tree please more than the splendour of the tulip, or the richness of the auricula; because from the one we expect, when the blossoms are over, to receive fruit; while the others please for a moment, and are seen no more. Let us not then prefer the mere lustre and charms of external beauty: the rosy tints of health, the elegance of form, and the freshness of youth, are fleeting, and soon fade; they alone cannot secure present peace, nor durable happiness. Those blossoms only which promise fruit worthy of God, and useful to mankind, deserve our regard, and merit our approbation. As the beauties of the blossoming trees hastily perish, so will the youth, now in the spring of life, fluttering in the gaiety of their charms. Let us, then, whilst in the morn of life, and in the vigour of health, prepare, by study and application, to produce in the eve ning of our days, when divested of ail external charms, abundant fruits of piety, of virtue, and of knowledge.

MAY III.

Of the continual Revolutions and Changes that take place in Nature.

MOTION and change seem necessary to the preservation of the corporeal world. If we pay the least attention to what passes on the globe which we inhabit, we shall be convinced that the smallest particle of matter in the uni verse cannot be considered as in a state of absolute and continued rest.

The earth turns round its axis once in twenty-four hours, and by this motion all the points of its surface change their situation with more or less rapidity. Under the line or equator, where this motion is performed with greater celerity, each body is carried more than one thousand miles every hour, besides the annual revolution of the earth round the sun, which is at the astonishing rate of fiftyeight thousand miles every hour. This motion is not perceptible, but the relative motion of earthly bodies is more observable. Small streams uniting form greater, till at length torrents and rivers are formed, which again are lost in the sea. Water is also raised in exhalations, and forms clouds, which produce the rain, snow, and fogs: from these, streams are formed, which once more enter the sea; and tides, storms, and torrents, keep the water in perpetual motion. The atmosphere is not less in a state of rest. Between the tropics an east wind continually blows; and in other places, where no agitation is perceptible, the thermometer and barometer prove that the air is never perfectly calm: and the frequency of meteors sufficiently evinces the continuance of its motion.

The surface of the earth is also subject to frequent revolutions: the hardest rocks cleave, and stones gradually wear away, or break into small particles; some lands sink down, others are inundated, and some are removed by earthquakes. Hills are swept away, and valleys are filled up; marshes are drained and become covered with trees; the depths of the sea are made to wave with corn: and that which was land is now water. Light succeeds to darkness, cold to heat, and wet to drought; and bo dies are continually experiencing alterations, many of

which are imperceptible. To these we may add the changes to which animal life is subject; and we shall then be able to form some idea of the continual revolutions of nature. Man himself is continually losing a portion of his substance by the process of perspiration, and in a few years is clothed with an entirely new body. Thus every thing upon the earth is in motion, every thing alternately grows and perishes; and to be born and to die, is the lot of all created beings. These continual revolutions are salutary warnings, and teach us that this present world is not the abode for which we are destined. When I consider the perpetual changes and constant vicissitudes incident to all terrestrial objects, I feel the vanity and insignificance of earthly things: and from the frailty and shortness of this life anticipate a better and more perfect state in a future world. Every thing cries aloud that we are only as travellers upon the earth, who have a certain time to sojourn, and then accomplish the end and receive the reward of our pilgrimage. And in the midst of these changes and revolutions, the pure and devout soul receives consolation and support from the contemplation of an almighty and eternal Being, who, though the mountains shake, and the hills leave their places, the seas be agitated and tossed by the fierce storm, and all earthly bodies return to original dust, still exists the same, regarding his children with compassionating love, and assisting the helpless in the hour of necessity, and in the day of tribulation.

MAY IV.

An Invitation to seek God in the Works of Nature. AWAKEN, O my soul, from the slumbers which have so long benumbed thy faculties, and attentively regard the surrounding objects. Reflect upon thy own nature, and upon that of other creatures; consider their origin, structure, form, and utility, with every additional circumstance that can fill thee with love and adoration of the all-wise. Creator. When thou seest the variegated and brilliant colours of the heavens, the lustre of the numerous stars