Afpafio proves the point, from the liturgy, the Afpafio re-establishes the tenet, from the fcriptures Afpafio relates a remarkable panic-Terrors of Theron takes a curfory view of the habitable crea- Afpafio takes occafion to display the no lefs admi- Afpafio defcribes a drought-Majesty and beauty of the fun, after a night of rain-The meritorious ex- cellency of Chrift's righteoufnefs illuftrated, from Theron's account of the western cliffs, the won- Afpafio enumerates the much richer benefits re- Shews their happy influence on holiness of heart, LETTER XI. Afpafio exemplifies the laft particular in two very LETTER XII. Afpafio touches upon union with Chrift-How DIALOGUE XV. Afpafio revifits Theron-Theron under anxiety of DIALOGUE XVI. Harvest. scene-Philenor's gardens-Statues DIALOGUE XVII. A river-voyage-The diverfified profpect-Com- THERON AND ASPASIO: OR, A SERIES OF DIALOGUE S. A DIALOGUE XIV. SPASIO was employed in preparing for his jour ney. Theron, free from bufinefs, and difengaged from company, had the greateft part of the day to himself, which he spent in reviewing the fubftance of their late conferences; not without intermingled afpirations to God, for the guidance of his divine Spirit. At evening, he went, like the patriarch of old, into the field to meditate, Gen. xxiv. 63. amidst the calm of nature, to meditate on the grace of the gofpel. The fky was peculiarly beautiful, and perfectly clear; only where the fine indigo received an agreeable heightening, by a few thin and fcattered clouds; which imbibed the folar rays, and looked like penfile fleeces of pureft wool. VOL. 11. A All things appeared with fo mild, fo majestic, fo charming an afpect, that, intent as he was upon a different fubject, he could not but indulge the following foliloquy. "How delightful are the fcenes of rural nature! efpecially to the philofophic eye, and contemplative mind. I cannot wonder that perfons in high life are fo fond of retiring from a confpicuous and exalted station, to the covert of a fhady grove, or the margin of a cooling ftream; are fo defirous of quitting the fmoky town, and noisy street, in order to breathe purer air, and furvey the wonders of creation, in the filent, the ferene, the peaceful villa. : ""Tis true, in the country, there are none of the modifh, I had almost faid, meretricious ornaments of that falfe politenefs, which refines people out of their veracity but an easy fimplicity of manners, with an unaffected fincerity of mind. Here the folemn farce of ceremony is feldom brought into play, and the pleafing delufions of compliment have no place. But the brow is the real index of the temper, and speech the genuine interpreter of the heart. "In the country, I acknowledge, we are feldom invited to fee the mimic attempts of human art. But we, every where, behold the grand and masterly exertions of divine power. No theatre érects its narrow ftage, furrounds it with puny rows of afcending feats, or adorns it with a fhifting feries of gorgeous fcenery: But fields extend their ample area; at first, lightly clad with a fcarf of fpringing green; then, deeply planted with an arrangement of fpindling ftalks; as a few more weeks advance, covered with a profufion of bearded or husky grain; at laft, richly laden with a harvest of yellow plenty. "Meadows difclofe their beautiful bofom; yield a foft and fertile lap for the luxuriant herbage; and fuckle myriads of the fairest, gayest flowers; which, without any vain oftentation, or expenfive finery, outvie each other in all the elegance of drefs. Groves of various leaf; arrayed in freshest verdure, and liberal of their reviving fhade, rife, in amiable, in noble profpects, all a |