Poems and Essays ... Fifteenth edition, etc

Preface

vi Introduction .. viii POEMS. Ode to Hope 1 Elegy on the Death of Mr. Garrick 7 A Ballad 10 Subject Love, for the Vase of Batheaston Villa 15 To Miss , then two Years old 18 Louisa , a Tale ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 21 Envy; a Fiagment ... ... ... ... ... ... 33 On the New Yeai* 39 ESSAYS. On Sensibility ... ... ... ... ••• ■•• ••• 51 On the Character of Lætitia 76 On Politeness 93 On the Character of Curio 118 On Fortitude 123 On Candour 137 On the Advantages of Affliction 161 On the Pleasures of Religion '68 On Gratitude lsi On Happiness 20" On Christian Perfection 2'8 On Resignation 2o" On the Duties and Advantages of Sickness

PREFACE.

. The following Poems and Essays were written to relieve the tedious hours of pain and sickness. The reader who seeks for amusement only, may possibly receive no gratification from the perusal of them ; but for such readers they are not intended. To the humble and pious Christian, who feels the pressure of distress, and seeks in religion for that support and consolation which nothing else can bestow ; to him is presented an example of patience and resignation which no sufferings could conquer. He will not find in the following pages the b VI pride of stoicism, or the cold precepts of unfeel ing prosperity. The Author of these Essays felt, with the keenest sensibility, the uncommon misfortune which condemned her for ten years, in the prime of life, to constantly increasing sufferings ; but she found, in the principles which are here laid down, such motives of consolation as rendered her superior to all the sorrows of life, and to the lingering tortures of a most pain ful death.

They who were present at that awful scene, can need no other evidence in support of a truth which the reader will find often repeated in these Essays, viz. that " though religion cannot pre " vent - losses and disappointments, pains and "sorrows; yet in the midst of them all, and "when eveiy earthly pleasure fails, it com " mands, it instructs, it enables us to be happy."