ESSAY Vİ. Volvuntur varia pereuntium forma, et omni imagine mortium. SUCH UCH and fo great is the power of deceit, that while health is our own, fpecious fhews and fair appearances will blind the judgment of the deepest observer. In order therefore to know the true ftate of the human heart, we must wait till the clofing hour of life, for then only, in the hearts of many, fincerity takes poffeffion; then indeed whatever fhews we may have made, if they were Numb. VIII. Vol. II. Nn falfe 282 The STUDENT. falfe, the prospect of approaching death, will foon discover the deceit. Full of these reflections I fell asleep, and was methought infenfibly conveyed on to an eminence, whence I faw a city crouded with inhabitants, who feemed in general afraid of a spectre that conftantly ftalk'd among them arm'd with a dart, with which whofoever was ftruck immediately expir'd. Some indeed I obferv'd who feem'd not to fly from him, but I perceiv'd nevertheless that whenever he pass'd they fhrunk and turn'd pale. His arm was conftantly employ'd fome, and those the most indeed, he met and kill'd, while he follow'd others and ftruck them unseen or unapprehended. I long'd eagerly to go among them, because I faw that whenever DEATH (for it was he) lifted up his arm to ftrike any one, his breaft appear'd transparent, so that one might behold what pafs'd within; but tho' my ardent curiofity excited me to join them, yet the stronger fear of the fpectre restrain'd me. While I was thus agitated by fear and defire, a Youth approach'd me with an inftrument in his hand, open'd my breaft, took thence my heart, and preffing it, the fomes peccati flow'd out fo abundantly, that I was ftruck with fhame at the fight; he then breath'd fresh vigour into it, replaced it in me, clos'd the wound, and disappear'd. Every one will imagine I was not a little ftartled at this operation, but I was not lefs pleas'd with the wonderful effects of it that I felt in me; all fear of the late-dreaded spectre vanish'd, and I defcended the hill, and made one in the croud. As I was under no apprehenfion or concern for myself, I kept near him, in order to obferve the hearts of thofe he approach'd. We enter'd a houfe together, where I heard a confus'd noise in a room which we made up to; it proceeded from a fet of atheists and blafphemers, one of whom was particu→ larly loud in praife of the poor arguments of Spinofa; As Over Over him triumphant Death his dart I difcover'd his heart, wherein fat Ignorance with her eyes fhut, and Fear, who upon fight of the uplifted dart, forc'd him upon his knees, made him beg his life, renounce his principles, and own the Deity. Upon the fpectre's withdrawing his arm, and ftalking out of the room, I follow'd him, rejoicing at this wretch's apoftacy, when I was furpriz'd with hearing the noife renew'd afresh; and his voice diftinguish'd in blafphemies and lies above the rest. The next was indeed a fight of pity: A young lady in the bloom of beauty lay expecting the final stroke. I will not describe the affecting scene of mourners round her; indeed it is not to be defcrib'd: but fhe herfelf most engag'd (as the most merited) my attention. I trembled, while I faw the uplifted hand of DEATH; but the view of her heart difpell'd that concern and fill'd me with a generous pleasure. I there beheld FAITH with a smile upon her countenance as expreffive-nay, nothing could be so expreffive of expected happiness; VIRTUE, in the form of an angel, and RELIGION with uplifted hands and eyes, were the visible inmates of her heart. The dart defcended; fhe dy'd (angelic creature!) and foar'd to the feats of immortal life and joy. We then approach'd a Youth whofe heart, at fight of the impending dart, was in wonderful agitations; hope and fear, rage and trembling reign'd in it alternately; it fometimes fhrunk to nothing, and immediately after fwell'd to a more than ordinary fize; but when the dart, after fome delay, ftruck him, it burft amidst the moft dreadful execrations imaginable. I was in amaze at his fearful exit, and was fomething pleas'd at hearing another whom we approach'd, profess an entire resignation to providence; when the dart was rais'd I examin'd his breaft, but could perceive no paffage from Nn 3 bis his heart to his tongue; he ftill continued his proteftations, when he was ftruck with a lye in his mouth. Leaving him DEATH follow'd several, but at last turn'd into the house of one of my friends: tremblingly I follow'd: but how delighted was I to find that while the dart was pendent over him, religion, peace, and quiet reign'd in his breast. His tongue, from the fincerity of his heart, breath'd unaffected piety. When DEATH brought down his arm, he clos'd his eyes, and dy'd in the utmost ferenity of foul and body. . I cou'd relate many more occurrences, but thro' fear of being too long I forbear; tho' I cannot but mention one in a red coat, was notorious for perpetual boasting how little he fear'd any thing, who, but upon the diftant profpect of the spectre, fainted, funk, and dy'd away. After many flaughters the horrid image fac'd about, and turned upon me. I remember that I was under no manner of furprize or concern, but upon his ftriking me, fell, in hopes of foon finding my self in fome Elizium, but to my forrow found I was in bed, and that all had been a dream. the This use however let me (and with me, my readers) make of it, that it may be my care, to die the death righteous, and that my laft end may be like his. of On the SYMPATHY between the BREECHESPOCKET and the ANIMAL SPIRITS. Mr. STUDENT, HE following important discovery is recommended to TH the literati in general, but more particularly to the College of Phyficians; as it may be of the greatest confequence to them in their future practice. You must know then, that a wonderful connection and fympathy has lately been obferv'd between the BREECHES РОСКЕТ POCKET and the ANIMAL SPIRITS; which continually rife or fall, as the contents of the former ebb or flow; infomuch, that from conftant observation I cou'd venture to guefs at a man's current cash, by the degree of vivacity he has discover'd in his converfation. When this cutaneous refervoir is flush, the spirits too are elate: when that is funk and drain'd, how flat, dull and infipid, is every word and action! The very muscles and features of the face are influenc'd by this obfcure fund of life and vigor.The heart proves to be only the inert receptacle of the blood, and those groffer fpirits, which ferve for the animal function: but the pocket is fraught with those finer and more fublime fpirits, which constitute the wit, and many other distinguishing characters. - I cou'd tell, how a certain poet's finances stood by the very fubject of his muse: gloomy elegies, biting fatires, grave foliloquies, and dull tranflations, were certain indications of the res angufta; as pindaric odes, and pointed epigrams, intimated a fresh recruit. So a grave politician, who frequented a noted coffee-house, when these pocketqualms were on him, us'd to give the moft melancholy and deplorable account of the state of the nation; the encrease of taxes, abuse of the public revenue, the national debt, the decay of trade, and the excess of luxury, were the continual topics of his discourse: but when the cold fit of this intermitting diforder left him, the scene was quite alter'd, and then he was eternally haranguing on the power, grandeur, and wealth of the British nation. In fhort this barometer of state always rofe or fell, not as the quick, but current filver contracted, or expanded itself within its fecret cell. Under the influence of the fame powerful charm, I have remark'd a certain physician in the chamber of a wealthy patient clear up his countenance, and write his recipe with infinite vivacity and good humour; but in the abode of poverty what a clouded brow,-hopeless vibration of the head and languor of the nerves? like the fenfitive plant he fhrunk from the cold hand of neceffity.-Not that the doc tor |