In the best quiet to its course allowed; And such is mine, save only for a hope That my particular current soon will reach The unfathomable gulf, where all is still!" END OF THE THIRD BOOK. State of feeling produced by the foregoing Narrative A belief in a superintending Providence the only adequate support under affliction - Wanderer's ejaculation account of his own devotional feelings in youth involved — Acknowledges the difficulty of a lively faith - Hence immoderate sorrow doubt or despondence not therefore to be inferred Consolation to the SoliExhortations How received tary Wanderer applies his discourse to that other cause of dejection in the Solitary's mind disappointment from the French Revolution- States grounds of hope insists on the necessity of patience and fortitude with respect to the course of great revolutions - Knowledge the source of tranquillity Rural Solitude favourable to knowledge of the inferior Creatures Study of their habits and ways recommended - Exhortation to bodily exertion and Communion with NatureMorbid Solitude pitiable - Superstition better than apathy Apathy and destitution unknown in the infancy of society — The various modes of Religion prevented it illustrated in the Jewish, Persian, Babylonian, Chaldean, and Grecian modes of belief Solitary interposes - Wanderer points out the influence of religious and imaginative feeling in the humble ranks of society - Illustrated from present and past times - These principles tend to recall exploded superstitions and popery - Wanderer rebuts this charge, and contrasts the dignities of the Imagination with the presumptive littleness of certain modern Philosophers Recommends other lights and guides- Asserts the power of the Soul to regenerate herself - Solitary asks how ReplyPersonal appeal - Happy that the imagination and the affections mitigate the evils of that intellectual slavery which the calculating understanding is apt to produce Exhortation to activity of body renewed How to commune with Nature - Wanderer concludes with a legitimate union of the imagination, affections, understanding, and reason - Effect of his discourse - Even ing Return to the Cottage. 131 BOOK THE FOURTH. DESPONDENCY CORRECTED. HERE closed the Tenant of that lonely vale That did not falter, though the heart was moved, "One adequate support For the calamities of mortal life Exists, one only; an assured belief That the procession of our fate, howe'er Sad or disturbed, is ordered by a Being Of infinite benevolence and power, The darts of anguish fix not where the seat "How beautiful this dome of sky, And the vast hills, in fluctuation fix'd At thy command, how awful! Shall the Soul, Human and rational, report of Thee Even less than these? Be mute who will, who can, Yet I will praise thee with empassioned voice: |