time it expresses that diffidence of my ability to execute it properly, which I then felt, and which I fear my readers will discover was too well founded:

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"In selecting The Seasons of Life' as the subject of her first efforts in literary composition, the Writer is well assured that she has far more to hope from the kind indulgence of friends and patrons, than to dread from the sternness of criticism; were it not so, a fearful task would have been self-imposed upon her. But the theme is boundless; and though utterly incapable of doing justice to it (for those who are versed in all the arcana of science, and sound the depths of philosophy,' can do no more), she has endeavoured to place in a natural point of view, the various relations which Human Life may be said to bear to the Seasons in their progressive stages. And it has been her especial aim so to blend the whole with moral sentiments and to support it by scriptural authorities, that her Work may be an acceptable manual for youth, and an occasional companion for all, in fact, who 'look through Nature up to Nature's God !'",

My task is at length accomplished, and I ar dently hope that my Friends and the Public will not be disappointed. I have endeavoured to carry out my original design, to what extent I may

have succeeded in so doing, must be left to the candid judgment of the Reader; but I forbear to expatiate on the nature of its contents, or even to presume that its merits are not more than counterbalanced by its defects. To know that I have been most anxious to render it worthy of the flattering encouragement I have received during its progress, or to cherish a vain hope that my time had been usefully occupied, would be little consolation to me, were the Work open to censure on the score of its not enforcing those religious and moral duties which a contemplation of nature and human life, everywhere, and under every aspect, unfolds to our view.

I make no hesitation in avowing, that as the subject often transcended the utmost reach of my limited powers, I scrupled not on such occasions, to avail myself of the sentiments of more experienced writers, the better to enrich and amplify my theme. And this I did from a persuasion that it behoved me, by every means in my power, to render "The Seasons of Life" an agreeable and instructive volume. Should it be thought that I have too frequently gleaned from others, I hope I may be allowed, with becoming deference, to meet the objection in the well-known words of Rollin"Que n'importe d'ou il soit, pourvu qu'il se trouve utile." Generally speaking, I have ac

knowledged the sources whence they were derived; but to have multiplied references unnecessarily, would have been both useless and pedantic.*

In conclusion, I have to reiterate my most grateful acknowledgments to the Ladies and Gentlemen whose names grace my List of Subscribers; and to hope that they will approve of my humble endeavours.

* The poetical illustrations throughout the volume, it is hoped, will be found both applicable and interesting. They are chiefly taken from the works of Milton, Pope, Cowper, and R. Montgomery, with some from other writers, and a few original attempts.

INTRODUCTION.

ON THE CREATION, AND PRIMEVAL STATE OF MAN.

FEEBLE and inadequate as our finite conceptions may be of the incomprehensible power manifested in the works of Creation, yet as the Almighty architect has not withheld from our comprehension the motives of his marvellous designs, nor the boundless resources of his creative wisdom, let us, with all humility, direct our earnest attention to it, not merely as a shadow that has passed away, or as a vision dimly seen through the mist of countless ages, but as a work of ineffable grandeur, mystery, and beauty, calculated at all times to awaken in every rational mind emotions of gratitude and admiration. From the exquisite volume of nature we shall trace the mighty hand of Him whom we cannot visibly contemplate; and while we furnish our minds with a similitude of its order

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and excellence, our understandings, however limited, will be strengthened; and, assisted by the operation of Divine grace, our hearts will be enlarged and purified.

The sacred writings of Moses, bearing the stamp of Divine authority and inspiration, greatly excel human wisdom; they convey to us an intelligent and faithful representation of the Supreme Original of the world; and give such a plain, concise, and unaffected account of the Creation, as should induce every Christian to receive their testimony with zealous attention. Throughout the holy Scriptures, indeed, there is an admirable and striking harmony; they are one professed and continued illustration of Infinite Power and Beneficence; and, guided by their light, we are enabled, without the extraneous aid of the imagination, to arrive at a knowledge of the mysterious ways of Providence, not only as they refer to the stupendous works of Creation, but as they affect man's present state, and lead to his eternal salvation. And surely we need no apology for entering into a consideration of a subject so truly grand and important; for, as the poet simply and naturally expresses it :