"Flesh is the vilest and the least Ingredient of our frame- "Pleasures of sense we leave for boys- CHAP. V. THOUGHTS ON MAN'S INNATE POWER OF IMPROVEMENT. THE CHARACTER OF MATT NORDEN.-A SCENE AT THE COACH OFFICE.-MATT'S FURSUIT OF THE COACH. HIS FATHER'S DESIGNS OF BRINGING HIM UP TO THE CHURCH FRUSTRATED BY HIS INACTIVITY. — THE CHARACTER OF A DUTIFUL SON DELINEATED. — MATT NORDEN LOCATED IN LONDON. THE EFFECTS OF HIS INDOLENT HABITS.-BECOMES INSOLVENT.-ADVICE TO THE READER. "Call now to mind, what high capacious powers Expand the blooming soul! What pity, then, It has been well said, that "well-being and happiness are not an inheritance of which we take possession at our birth, and which we are destined to enjoy at our ease." We enter upon life, in fact, destitute of every thing but simple existence, and all that we enjoy in our passage through life are acquisitions they are the results and rewards of our own diligence and care, communicated by the diligence and care of others. And it is wonderful how rapidly man may acquire the acquisitions of diligence. Let any one devote himself to any art or science ever so much, he may still find leisure to make considerable progress in other acquirements. The greatest painter of his age, Leonardi da Vinci, was at the same time no mean mathematician, musician, poet, and anatomist; and the pictures of Sir Joshua Reynolds are not so polished and classical as his discourses. The real labour of man, indeed, lies in a nut shell; let the mind but make one Herculean effort, and all the rest will be mechanical. Let youth climb the steep and narrow precipice of learning in one particular branch of study, and once gain its heights, and he will then find the way broad and easy, so that he may with ease drive several accomplishments abreast. But it too frequently happens in the pursuit of knowledge that youth sees a lion in the way," and turns aside from the path which would inevitably lead him to honour. This maxim of the American philosopher, Franklin, is worthy of being inscribed in letters of gold over every domestic hearth: "Resolve to perform what you ought: perform without fail what you resolve." 66 Had my old friend, Matthew Norden, acted upon this maxim from his youth upwards, he would have escaped many of the ills of this life. The cane of his schoolmaster would not have been so often called into action as it was, and when advanced to manhood he would not have met with the many disappointments and anxieties which have embittered his life. Matt Norden, as I used familiarly to term him, was the son of a rich old farmer, who had, for a series of years, imitated the lark for early rising, and the bee for industry, by which means he had chiefly acquired his wealth. If example could have made Matt Norden industrious, then he would have become a worthy prototype of his father. But Matt Norden did not see the utility of being active. And it is probable that his father's activity might have had the effect of lessening that of his son; he might have thought that his father's gold would support him as a gentleman through life, without any very extraordinary efforts of his own. Be this as it may, Matt proved one of the most indolent spirits I ever met with in the round of my acquaintances. He was so inert, indeed, that he could never be depended upon. If he promised to join me and others of his companions in a game at any particular hour, the game was sure to be half over at the least, before he made his appearance; and many a fine walk has he missed altogether, from being behind the appointed time of meeting. "Matt is not come again," we used to say to each other; “we must go without him, and leave him to follow if he pleases." Many amusing instances recur to memory of Matt Norden's lack of punctuality. On one occasion he, myself, and others engaged to go by our village coach to see one of our companions, who had a few month's before left our village, and who sent us a general invitation to spend the day with him. William Doane was a great favourite of us all, and especially of Matt Norden's; and I thought, to be sure, that for once in his life he would be punctual. At the same time, I thought it as well to caution him. "Now recollect, Matt," I observed, "that Coachy is the soul of punctuality, and that if you are not at the inn in time, although you may have taken I your place and have paid your fare, he will surely drive away without you." Matt replied, that he should certainly pay his fare, and that he would as certainly be in time. We were all assembled at the time appointed, however, except Matt Norden, and it was in vain that we looked after him in the direction of his father's residence. "Coachy," said one of my companions, "will certainly be here before him, and if he does we shall have no Matt Norden with us to-day." He had scarcely uttered these words, when "Coachy" made his appearance. The horses were changed in a minute, and there was yet no sign of Matt Norden's arrival. Now the reins are adjusted, and "Coachy" steps upon his box. "Be pleased to mount, gentlemen," he said, as he took his seat; "you are all here, I suppose." "No, Coachy, we are not," I replied, "Matt Norden is not come; cannot you wait a minute or two? he will surely be here directly." "Can't, indeed, sir," said Coachy, touching his hat; "time's up, and I must go." "Only wait one minute, Coachy," we all vociferated; "Matt will be much disappointed if he misses the opportunity of going." "Can't help that, gentlemen," Coachy exclaimed with an air of impatience; and again touching his hat-"Can't help that, gentlemen; he should have been here in time. Time and tide waits for no man, you know. Please to take your seats, gentlemen.' It was quite clear, that if we had not taken our seats, Coachy would have driven off without |