were there no other, is preferable to the castle of wishes, if we could find it at the end of this avenue*."

But if another life is taken into the question, the argument grows stronger against a power of enjoying all we could wish for. As we are accountable creatures, and are pouring fast out of time into eternity, religion undoubtedly ought to be the main business of mortals; that religion which is a living principle, spring or root of actions in the soul; wrought there by the hand of him that made us;

and

* In the second volume of Familiar Letters between the characters in David Simple, the reader will find an excellent story in relation to wishing, which the ingenious female writer calls a Fragment of a Fairy Tale,' in the conclusion of which there is the following sensible observation: "The good Fairy came often to visit me, confirmed me in my resolution, never again to be so unreasonable, as to desire to have all my wishes completed; for she convinced me, that the short-sighted eyes of mortals were not formed to see, whether the event of any of their own wishes would produce most happiness or misery: and that our greatest felicity, often arises from the very disappointment of those desires, the gratification of which, at the first view, seems to be necessary to our welfare."-Familiar Letters, ut supra, 1747. 8vo. vol. ii. p. 225. 272.

and which requireth us to honour and fear God, as the supreme Lord, to esteem him as the chief good; and to exercise and express that honour, that fear, and that esteem, by all the means, and in all the ways which reason and revelation appoint for such exercise and expression; that we may gain the love of the Almighty, and obtain the established seat of happiness above: but such force hath the objects of sense upon the mind, that it is more than probable they would outweigh the distant hopes of religion, if wishing could bring in even a tenth part of what the vanity of man, and his senses would call for. It would be so far from being an advantage to mankind, if they could wish and have vast fortunes, all the pleasures the pomps and honours of the world, that they would thereby be deprived of the rational joys of life, and be influenced to think no more of the excellency and beauty of religion, and the good consequences of serving God truly. They would not even divide themselves between this world and the other. The idol gods of this state would have all their service. The wish then should be for daily bread and of the kingdom of God may come, his will be done in our souls. In these are comprised the greatest and most valuable blessing, and we are sure we can obtain them, if we will add to asking an industry and prudence in acquiring, and take care

ness.

by culture, to bring up the seeds of virtue and holiThis is enough to make us as happy here as reason can desire. We have a sufficiency to go through this world to that other where we are to be stationed for ever, and against the accidents of the way, we have the supports which innocence and virtue to the good administer. Peace and tranquillity of mind here, and hopes full of comfort with respect to hereafter, are the ingredients of our happiness; a happiness the greatest! and we are certain that he, upon whose mercy and goodness we confess we exist, will, in regard to our confidence and trust, our faith and religion, when this fleeting scene is over, make us glorious and ever blessed in the kingdom he has prepared for those that rely on the Divine Goodness, and do their best to advance the state of true virtue in the world. Let us not regret, then, the want of a Castle of Wishes. Let us not have a desire of that wealth, dominion, and splendor, which lives in contempt of the prophets, and riots in the heinous pleasures of irreligion,

Let our great Master's Will be made the rule of all our actions, and let his interest be regarded, as our interest. Let us consult his honour, as our own honour; and having food and raiment, be content, as we are hastening away with a never ceasing pace, to the realms of eternity and unmixed bliss.

This is reason and light. This only deserves our care. There is nothing worth wishing for, but the happiness of God's presence in our hearts; and the more immediate communications of his love and favour in the regions of day.

Thus did Reflection entertain me, as I rode up this grand shady walk, which looked like the avenue I had read of in the Tales of the Fairies, and brought me to a natural grotto, more beautiful than Ælian's description of Atalanta's, or that in Homer, where Calypso lived. It was a large cavern at the bottom of a marble mountain, and without, was covered round with ivy, that clung about some aged oaks, on either side the entrance, that seemed coeval with the earth on which they grew. Abundance of large

laurel trees, in clumps, adorned an extensive area before the door; and saffron, and hyacinths, and flowers of many colours, covered in confused spots the green carpet. The beautiful ground refreshed the sight, and purified the air; and to enhance the beauties of the spot, a clear and cold stream gushed from a neighbouring rock; which watered the trees and plants, and seemed to combat with the earth, whether of them most contributed to their growth and preservation. It was a sweet rural scene. For charms and solitude the place was equally to be admired.

The inside of this grotto was a beautiful green

marble, extremely bright, and even approaching to the appearance of the emerald. It was thick set with shells, and those not small ones, but some of the largest and finest kinds: many of them seemed as it were, squeezed together by the marble, so as to shew the edges only; but more were to be seen at large, and filled with the purest spar. The whole had a fine effect, and as the cave had been divided by art into six fine apartments, and had doors and chimnies most ingeniously contrived, both the mansion and its situation charmed me in a high degree. On either side of it were many cottages, pretty and clean, and as sheep were feeding on the field, some cows grazing, and various kinds of tame fowl before the doors, I concluded it was an inhabited place, before I saw any one.

44. The first human being I beheld, was an old woman, who appeared at the grotto door, and I requested her to inform me, who lived in this delightful place; and which was my best way to Cumberland or Bishopric? Sir, replied the good old woman, you are welcome to Burcot-lodge. Women only are the inhabitants of this spot and over the hills before you, you must go, to get to the countries you mention. We are an hundred souls in all that live here, and our mistress, superior and head, is a young Her name is AZORA. Yonder she comes,

woman,