"In applying this censure to the Poets, it is very gratifying to meet with so much to applaud in the greatest of all their tribe. Milton's genius might harmoniously have mingled with the Angels that announced the Messiah to be come; might have shamed to silence the muses of paganism, or softened the pains of a Christian Martyr." Bat Cowper, for correctness of evangelical sentiment, for delicacy of expression, and for devotional feeling, stands pre-eminent. On him rests the spirit of the Son of Jesse, and whilst listening to his odes, with the scene of Calvary full in view, an unction falls from above, more soft and reviving than the dew descending on the top of Hermon. Montgomery is a beautiful writer, and the remarks which a Reviewer applies to one of his works, may with equal propriety be applied to all-"As a work of genius, the World before the Flood bears the stamp and contains a principle of immortality; while the purity of its sentiments, and the distinguished excellence of its tendency will render that immortality a moral benefit to the world; and constitute for the brow of its author, a crown whose glory shall out-live the verdure,

and out-shine the fairest honours of the lau. rel."*

But if you are anxious to enlarge the sphere of your intellectual vision you will not confine your reading to works of imagination. You will push your researches into other regions, and make yourself acquainted with the records of history, the economy of nature,t and some of the more useful branches, of general science.

The study of History is one of the most amusing, in which you can be engaged, but its real value and importance depend on the design for which it is pursued. To read merely for the sake of knowing when Rome was built, or Carthage destroyed, by what means Alexander extended his conquests, or America obtained her independence, may satisfy a literary taste, but

There are many other Poets equally deserving of censure and commendation, with those which have been mentioned, but to enumerate them, and give an opinion of the precise tendency of their writings, would have extended this letter to an immoderate length.

+ Goldsmith's History of Animated Nature is an interesting work, though the indelicacy of some parts is extremely offensive. Nature Displayed, by Abbe Pleuche, Derham's Physico-Theology, and some Sermons by the celebrated Jones of Nayland, will convey much information on this subject.

the Christian will have a nobler end in. view. He will watch the controling, and directing hand of Providence in making the revolution of empires, the elevation and degradation of indi viduals, the judgments and mercies attending a particular age or people, subserve the accomplishment of the great scheme of redemption. The reason why impiety has been permitted to ascend the throne, and virtue has been compelled to languish in a dungeon, will appear in their full force, destroying those sceptical notions which are intended either to impugn a belief of a presiding agency, or impeach the equity or wisdom of its counsels. It will check that high opinion of our own resources of prudence and of courage, which a superficial knowledge of ourselves will inspire, by presenting to us, numberless instances of failure, where these mental qualities have displayed the greatest energy. The works of Rollin, Bossuet, Robertson, Bigland, with some of inferior note, may be perused with safety, but when you take up the Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire, or the most popular History of your own country, you should not forget that you are in the presence of men whose enmity to the Christian, religion pervades the whole of their writings.

If the preceding remarks are correct, it is obvious that the moral principle is often in danger when you endeavour to improve the understanding. The greatest number of our elegant writers appear to be in league with some evil spirits, to counteract the tendency of evangelical truth; to overthrow religion under pretence of raising the fabric of human happiness on its ruins; to destroy an operative belief of a future state of existence. This design they pursue with daring effrontery or subtle craft, varying their modes of procedure according to the age and the character of their unhappy victims. To remain a silent and indifferent spectator of their triumphs would be criminal-you are warned of your danger, not to check the ardor of your literary pursuits, but to set you on your guard against an enemy, who by making a sly attack on your religious principles, which he represents as prejudices, aims at the entire extinction of that hope of a blissful immortality which he is forbidden to indulge.

LETTER VIII.

As you may sustain material injury by an ardent attachment to the polite literature of the age, some expedient should be adopted to prevent it; and I cannot conceive of one more effectual, than including in your general study, writings of a decidedly evangelical cast. But some caution may be necessary in making the selection, as there are many, more calculated to excite a feeling of disgust in a refined mind, than to produce a strong mental interest bearing any affinity to the grandeur of the subjects on which they are composed. If in the outset of your enquiries you should meet with a few of this description, you may probably feel more disposed to associate with your favourite Authors, than to continue with your new acquaintance. The poverty of thought which they discover, when contrasted with the astonishing fertility of the Poet's genius; and the peculiarity of style which is employed as the vehicle of communication, so much below the standard of