his
mercantile affairs in the city, (as the times were dreary,) and
return to the paternal estate.]

[_Alida_ page 153 (chapter XX):

He had long wished him to close his affairs of business in the city,
and settle himself on the paternal estate.]

The remembrance of his father for a long interval of time was in every
object around and about the mansion, in which he was established, and
reminded him of his bereavement, and he was affected with sorrowful
meditations, and a borrowed serenity was manifested in his appearance.

He reflected on his present condition,--he would say, how desultory is
the happiness of man, he lays plans of permanent felicity, when the
whirlwind of affliction arrives, and destroys the towering edifice of
creative hope, and his schemes of contentment are changed to
disappointment and wo.

[_NY Weekly_: Mrs. Mordaunt:

How desultory are the schemes of man, he lays plans of permanent
felicity, when the whirlwind of affliction arrives, and destroys the
towering edifice of creative hope.]

He had taken possession of the paternal estate, which had for some years
been the wish of his father. Like him he was fond of rural pleasures and
amusements, and to dissipate care amid the diversified scenes of rustic
life, afforded him satisfaction and pleasure.

[_Alida_ page 13 (chapter I):

The mind of its owner took particular delight in rural pleasures and
amusements; in dissipating a part of his time in the innocent scenes
of rustic life....]

To contemplate the inimitable works of Creation, was to him no less
pleasing than instructive. Where so many objects arrest the attention,
and afford abundance of entertainment, equally calculated to raise in
the human breast the most unfeigned offerings of wonder, gratitude and
praise to the great Dispenser of benefits to mankind, and the Author of
universal existence.

[_NY Weekly_: The School of Nature:

Nature presents to the imagination an inexhausted fund of rational
amusement. To contemplate the inimitable works of creation, is no
less instructive than pleasing. Animate as well as inanimate objects
afford an abundance of entertaining ideas, equally calculated to
raise in the souls of human beings the most unfeigned offerings of
wonder, gratitude, and praise. The gaiety of spring, the smiles of
summer, the secundity of autumn, and the dreariness of winter, all
combine to celebrate the Author of un