fter another, till the whole _firmament_ was
in a glow. The blueness of the _ether_ was _exceedingly_ heightened and
enlivened by the _season_ of the year.

YOUNG.

Let _Indians_, and the _gay_, like _Indians_, fond
Of feathered _fopperies_, the sun _adore_:
Darkness has more _divinity_ for me;
It strikes thought inward; it drives back the soul
To settle on herself, our _point supreme_.
There lies our _theater_: there sits our _judge_.
Darkness the _curtain_ drops o'er life's dull _scene_:
'T is the kind hand of _Providence_ stretched out
'Twixt man and _vanity_; 't is _reason's reign_,
And _virtue's_ too; these _tutelary_ shades
Are man's _asylum_ from the _tainted_ throng.
Night is the good man's friend, and guardian too.
It no less _rescues virtue_, than _inspires_.

SWIFT.

Wisdom is a fox, who, after long hunting, will at last _cost_ you the
_pains_ to dig out. 'T is a cheese, which by how much the richer has the
thicker, homelier, and the _coarser coat_; and whereof, to a _judicious
palate_, the _maggots_ are the best. 'Tis a _sack posset_, wherein the
deeper you go on you will find it sweeter. But then, lastly, 'tis a nut,
which, unless you choose with _judgment_, may _cost_ you a tooth, and _pay_
you with nothing but a worm.

HUME.

The _beauties_ of her _person_ and _graces_ of her _air combined_ to make
her the most _amiable_ of women; and the _charms_ of her _address_ and
_conversation aided_ the _impression_ which her lovely _figure_ made on the
heart of all beholders. _Ambitious_ and _active_ in her _temper_, yet
_inclined_ to _cheerfulness_ and _society_; of a lofty _spirit_, _constant_
and even _vehement_ in her _purpose_, yet _politic, gentle_, and _affable_,
in her _demeanor_, she _seemed_ to _par_take only so much of the _male
virtues_ as to _render_ her _estimable_, without _relinquishing_ those soft
_graces_ which _compose_ the _proper ornament_ of her _sex_.

GIBBON.

In the _second century_ of the _Christian era_, the _empire_ of _Rome
comprehended_ the fairest _part_ of the earth, and the most _civilized
portion_ of mankind. The _frontiers_ of that _extensive monarchy_ were
guarded by _ancient renown_, and _disciplined valour_. The _gentle_ but
_powerful influence_ of laws and _manners_ had _gradually cemented_ the
_union_ of the _provinces_. Their _peaceful inhabitants enjoyed_ and
_abused_ the _advantages_ of wealth and _luxury_. The _image_ of a free
_con