The power of affection

AS the vexations which parents ⟨receive⟩ from their children hasten the approach of age, and double the force of years, ⟨for⟩ the comforts which they reap from them are balm to all other sorrows, and ⟨disappoint⟩ the injuries of time. Parents repeat ⟨their⟩ lives in their offsprings; and their concern for them is so near, that they feel all ⟨their⟩ sufferings, and taste all their enjoyments as much as if they regarded their own persons.

​However strong we may suppose the ⟨fondness⟩ of a father for his children, yet they ⟨will⟩ find more lively marks of tenderness in ⟨the⟩ bosom of a mother.—There are no ties ⟨of⟩ nature to compare with those which ⟨unite⟩ affectionate mother to her children, when ⟨they⟩ repay her tenderness with obedience ⟨and⟩ love.

The best proof undoubtedly which ⟨parents⟩ can give of their affection to theie ⟨children⟩, is to endeavour to make them wise ⟨and⟩ good. The first class of duties which ⟨parents⟩ owe their children, respects their ⟨natural⟩ life; and this comprehends ⟨protection⟩, nurture, provision, introducing them ⟨into⟩ the world in a manner suitable to their ⟨rank⟩ and fortune, and the like. The second ⟨order⟩ of duties regards the intellectual and ⟨moral⟩ life of their children, or their ⟨education⟩ in such arts and accomplishments as are ⟨necessary⟩ to qualify them for performing the duties they owe to themselves and others. ⟨As⟩ this was found to be the principal design ⟨of⟩ the matrimonial alliance, so the fulfilling ⟨that⟩ design is the most important and ⟨dignified⟩ of all the parental duties. In order ⟨therefore⟩ to fit the child for acting his part ⟨wisely⟩ and worthily as a man, as a citizen, ⟨and⟩ acreature of God, both parents ought ⟨to⟩ combine their joint wisdom, authority, ⟨and⟩ power, and each apart to employ those ⟨talents⟩ which are the peculiar excellency and ​ornament of their respective sex. The father ought to lay out and superintend their education; the mother to execute and manage the detail of which she is capable. The former should direct the manly exertions ⟨of⟩ the intellectual and moral powers of his child; his imagination and the manner ⟨of⟩ those exertions, are the peculiar province ⟨of⟩ the latter. The former should advise, protect, command; and by his experience, masculine vigour, and that superior authority which is commonly ascribed to his sex brace and strengthen his pupil for active life, for gravity, integrity, and firmness in fuffering. The business of the latter is to bend and soften her male pupil by the charms ⟨of⟩ her conversation, and the softness and decency of her manners, for social life, ⟨for⟩ politeness of taste, and the elegant ⟨decorum⟩ and enjoyments of humanity: and to improve and refine the tenderness and ⟨modesty⟩ of her female pupil, and form her to ⟨all⟩ those mild domestic virtues, which are ⟨the⟩ peculiar characteristics and ornaments of ⟨her⟩ sex.

To conduct the opening minds of ⟨their⟩ sweet charge through the several periods ⟨of⟩ their progress, to assist them in each ⟨period⟩ in throwing out the latent seeds of ⟨reason⟩ and ingenuity, and in giving fresh accession of light and virtue; and, at length, with ⟨all⟩ these advantages, to produce the young ​adventurers upon the great theatre of human ⟨life⟩, to act their several parts in the fight of ⟨their⟩ friends, of society, and mankind; how ⟨gloriously⟩ does heaven reward the task, when the parents behold those dear images ⟨and⟩ representations of themselves, ⟨inheritng⟩ their virtues as well as fortunes, ⟨fustaining⟩ their respective characters gracefully and worthily, and giving them the agreeable prospect of transmitting their names with growing honours and advantages to a race ⟨yet⟩ unborn!

ELIZA, who, in the perfect bloom of beauty, is the mother of several children. She had a little prating girl upon her lap, who was begging to be very fine, that she might go abroad; and the indulgent mother, at her little daughter's request, had just taken the knots off her own head to adorn the hair of the pretty trifler. A smiling boy was at the same time caressing a lap dog, which is their mother's favourite, because it pleases the children; and she, with a delight in her looks, which heightened her beauty, so divided her conversation with the two pretty prattlers, as to make them both equally chearful.

Zaleucus, prince of the Locrines, made ⟨a⟩ decree, that whoever was convicted of ​adultery should be punished with the loss of both his eyes. Soon after this establishment the legislator's own son was apprehended in the very fact, and broughr to a public trial. How could the father acquit himself in to tender and delicate a conjuncture? Should he execute the law in all its rigour, this would be worse than death to the unhappy youth; should he pardon so notorious a delinquent, this would defeat the design of his salutary institution. To avoid both these inconveniences, he ordered one of his own eyes to be pulled out, and one of his son's

Adesilaus, king of Sparta, was of all mankind one of the most tender and indulgent fathers to his children. It is reported of him, that when they were little he would play with them, and divert himself and them with riding upon a stick: and that having been surprised by a friend in that action, he desired him "not to tell any body of it till he himself was a father."

The answer, which Cornelia, the illustrious mother of the Gracchi, gave to a Campanian lady, includes in it great instruction for mothers.

That lady, after she had displayed, in a visit she made, her richest jewels, earnestly ​desired Cornelia to shew her jewels also. Cornelia, pointing to her children, said, "These are my jewels, and the only ornaments I admire."

CAMBALUS, a young gentleman of character and fortune, in the city of Mulgeatum, being one day out a-coursing, was way laid and very near being murdered by the banditti that infested the country. The gentleman's father happened to come by that very instant on horseback, but no sooner had he heard the melancholy tale, than he leapt from his horse, desired his son to mount, and make the best of his way into the city; but he, preferring his father's safety to his own, conjured his father to leave him, and take care of himself. The father, struck with the generosity and affection of his son, added tears to intreaties, but all to no purpose. The contest between them is better conceived than described—while bathed in tears, they besought each other to preserve his own life, the banditti approached and stabbed them both.

IT may truly be said, that if persons are undutiful to their parents, they seldom prove good to any other relation.

The honour which children are required to give to their father and mother, includes in it love, reverence, obedience, and relief. It is usual with Providence to retaliate men's disobedience to their parents in kind: commonly our own children shall pay us home for it.

Where shall we find the person who hath received from any one benefits so great, or so many, as children from their parents? To them it is they owe their very existence, and consequently all the pleasures and enjoyments of life.

No one will expect a return of kindness. however considerable, from him who can show himself unmindful of what he oweth his parents.

​To see a father treating his sons like an elder brother, and to see sons covet their father's company and conversation, because they think him the wisest and most agreeable man of their acquaintance, is the most amiable picture the eye can behold; it is a transplanted self love, as sacred as friendship, as pleasurable as religion can make it.

Ifevery father remembered his own thoughts and inclinations when he was a son, and every son remembered what he expected from his father, when he himself was in a state of dependency; this one reflection would keep fathers from being rigid, or sons dissolute.

T. Manlius, the Roman dictator, having exercised great violence and cruelty over the citizens, was cited at the expiration of his office to answer for his conduct. Among other things that were laid to his charge, he was accused of treating with barbarity one of his own sons. Manlius, it seems, had no other cause of complaint against his son than his having an impediment in his speech. For this reason he was banished far from the city, from his home, and the company of those of his own age and fortune, and condemned to servile works, and a prison like a slave. All were highly exasperated against so severe a dictator, and so inhuman a father, except the son himself, who, ​moved with filial piety, and under the greatest concern that he should furnish matter of accusation against his father, resolved upon a most extraordinary method to relieve him. One morning, without apprising any body he came to the city armed with a dagger, and went directly to the house of the tribune Pomponius who had accused his father. Pomponius was yet in bed. He sent up his name, and was immediately admitted by the tribune, who did not doubt but he was come to discover to him some new instances of his father's severity After they had saluted each other, young Manlius desired a private conference; and as soon as he saw himself alone with the tribune, he drew out his dagger, and presented it to his breast, and declared he would stab him that moment, if he did not swear in the form he should dictate, "Never to hold the assembly of the people for accusing his father." Pomponius, who saw the dagger glittering at his breast, himself alone without arms, and attacked by a robust young man, full of a bold confidance in his own strength, took the oath demanded of him, and afterwards confessed with a kind of complacency in the thing, and a sincerity which sufficiently argued he was not sorry for what he had done, that it was not violence which obliged him to desist from his enterprise.

​Among the incredible number of persons who were procribed under the second triumvirate of Rome, were the celebrated orator Cicero, and his brother Quintus. When the news of the proscription was brought to them, they endeavoured to make their escape to Brutus in Macedon. They travelled together sometime, mutually condoling their bad fortune; but as their departure had been very precipitate, and they were not furnished with money and other necessaries for their voyage, it was agreed that Cicero should make what haste he could to the sea-side to secure their passage, and Quintus returned home to make more ample provision. But as in most houses there were as many informers as domestics, his return was immediately known, and the house of course filled with soldiers and assassins. Quintus concealed himsels so effectually, that the soldiers could not find him; enraged at their disappointment, they put his son to the torture, in order to make him discover the place of his father's concealment; but filial affection was proof in the young Roman against the most exquisite torments. An involuntary sigh, and sometimes a deep groan was all that could be extorted from the generous youth. His agonies were increased; but with amazing fortitude he still persisted in his resolution of not betraying his father. Quintus was ​not far off, and the reader may imagine better than can be expressed, how the heart of a father must have been affected with the sighs and groans of a son expiring to save his life. He could bear it no longer; but quitting the place of his concealment, he presented himself to the assassins, begging with a flood of tears to put him to death, and dismiss the innocent child, whose generous behaviour the triumvirate themselves, if informed of the fact, would jndge worthy of the highest approbation and reward. But the inhuman monsters, without being the least affected with the tears either of the father or of the son, answered, that they both must die; the father because he was proscribed, and the son because he had concealed his father. Then a new contest of tenderness arose who should die first; but this the assassins soon decided, by beheading them both at the same time.

A woman of illustrious birth had been condemned to be strangled. The Roman prætor delivered her up to the triumvir, who cansed her to be carried to prison, in order to her being put to death. The goaler, struck with compassion, could not resolve to kill her. He chose therefore to let her die of hunger. Besides which, he suffered her daughter to see her in prison, taking care, ​however, that she brought nothing to eat. As this continued many days, he was surprised that the prisoner lived so long without eating; and suspecting the daughter, upon watching her, he discovered that she nourished her mother with her own milk. Amazed at so pious and at the same time so ingenious an invention, he told the fact to the triumvir and the trumvir to the prætor, who believed the thing merited relating in the assembly of the people. The criminal was pardoned; a decree was passed that the mother and daughter should be maintained for the rest of their lives at the publick expence, and that a temple sacred to piety should be erected near the prison.

Olympias, Alexander's own mother, was of such an unhappy disposition, that he would never let her have any concern in the affairs of government. She used frequently to make very severe complaints on that account; but he always submitted to her ill-humour with great mildness and patience. Antipater, one of his friends, having one day wrote a long letter against her, the king, after reading it, replied. 'Antipater does not know that one single tear shed by a mother will obliterate ten thousand such letters as this.'

THOUGH all mankind spring from the same head, and are bound to cultivate a mutual good-will to each other; yet this duty is not so obvious and striking as that which is incumbent on those who belong to the same family.

Nothing can approach nearer to self-love than fraternal affection; and there is but a short remove from our own concerns and happiness to theirs who come from the same stock, and are partakers of the same blood. Nothing, therefore, can be more horrible than discord and animosity among members so allied; and nothing so beautiful as harmony and love.

In the begining of the sixteenth century, the Portuguese carracks sailed from Lisbon to Goa, a very great, rich, and flourishing colony of that nation in the East-Indies. ​Tnere were no less then twelve hundred souls, mariners, passengers, priests, and friars, on board one of these vessels. The beginning of their voyage was prosperous; they had doubled the Cape of Good Hope, and were steering their course north-east to the great continent of India, when some gentlemen on board, found in the latitude in which they were then sailing, a large ridge of rocks laid down in their sea-charts. They no sooner made this discovery, than they acquainted the captain of the ship with the affair, desiring him to communicate the same to the pilot; which request he immediately granted, recommending him to lie by in the night, and slacken sail by day, untill they should be past the danger.

The pilot being one of those self-sufficient men who think every hint given them from others, in the way of their profession, derogatory from their understanding, took it as an affront to be taught his art, and instead of complying with the captain's request, actually crowded more sail than the vessel had carried before. They had not sailed many hours, but just about the dawn of day, a terrible disaster befel them, which would have been prevented if they had lain by. The ship struck upon a rock. I leave to the reader's imagination, what a scene of horror this dreadful accident must occasion among twelve hundred perlons, all in the same ​inevitable danger; beholding with fearful astonishment, that instantaneous death which now stared them in the face!

In this distress the captain ordered the pinnace to be launched, into which having tossed a small quantity of biscuit, and some boxes of marmalade, he jumped in himself with nineteen others, who, with their swords, prevented the coming in of any more, least the boat should sink. In this condition they put of into the great Indian ocean, without a compass to steer by, or any fresh water but what might happen to fall from the heavens, whose mercy alone could deliver them. After they had rowed to and fro four days in this miserable condition, the captain, who had been for some time very sick and weak, died; this added, if possible, to their misery; for as they now fell into confusion, every one would govern and none would obey. This obliged them to elect one of their own company to command them, whose orders they implicitly agreed to follow. This person proposed to the company to draw lots, and to cast every fourth man over board; as their small stock of provifions was so far spent, as not to be able at a very short allowance to sustain life above three days longer. In the boat were a friar and a carpenter, who, with their new captain, they exempted, as their lives were of much consequence.

​The three first, after having confessed and received absolution, submitted to their fate. The fourth, whom fortune condemned, was a Portuguese gentleman that had a younger brother in the boat, who seeing him about to be thrown over-board, most tenderly embraced him, and with tears in his eyes besought him to let him die in his room, enforcing his arguments by telling him that he was a married man, and had a wife and children at Goa, besides the care of three sisters, who absolutely depended upon him; that as for himself, he was single, and his life of no great importance: he therefore conjured him to suffer him to supply his place. The elder brother, astonished, and melting with this generosity, replied, that since the divine Providence had appointed him to suffer, it would be wicked and unjust to permit any other to die for him, especially a brother, to whom he was infinitely obliged. The younger, persisting in his purpose, would take no denial; but throwing himself on his knees, held his brother so fast that the company could not disengage them. Thus they disputed for a while, the elder brother bidding him to be a father to his children, and recommended his wife to his protection, and as he would inherit his estate, to take care of their common sisters: but all he could say could not make the younger desist. This was a scene of ​tenderness that must fill every breast susceptible ⟨of⟩ generous impressions with pity. At last the constancy of the elder brother, yielded to the piety of the other. He acquiesced, and suffered the gallant youth to supply his place, who being cast into the sea, and a good swimmer, soon got to the stern of the pinnace, and laid hold of the rudder with his right hand, which being perceived by one of the sailors, he cut off the hand with his sword, then droping into the sea, he presently caught hold again with his left, which received the same fate by a second blow; thus dismembered of both hands, he made a shift notwithstanding to keep himself above water with his feet and two stumps, which he held bleeding upwards.

This moving spectacle so raised the pity of the whole company, that they cried out, he is but one man, let us endeavour to save his life; and he was accordingly taken into the boat, where he had his hands bound up as well as the place and circumstances could permit. They rowed all that night and the next morning, when the sun arose, as if heaven would reward the gallantry and piety of this young man, they discried land, which proved to be the mountains Mozambique, in Africa, not far from a Portuguese colony. Thither they all safe arrived, where they remained untill the next ship from Lisbon passed by and carried them to Goa.

OF all the pleasures that endear human life, there are none more worthy the ⟨attention⟩ of a rational creature than those ⟨that⟩ flow from the mutual return of conjugal ⟨love⟩.

When minds are thus engaged by the ties bf reciprocal sincerity, each alternately receives and communicates a transport that is ⟨inconceivable⟩ to all but those who are in ⟨this⟩ situation: hence arises that heart-ennobling solicitude for one another's welfare; that tender sympathy which alleviates affliction, and that participated pleasure which heightens prosperity and joy itself.

​A good wife makes the cares of the ⟨world⟩ sit easy, and adds a sweetness to its pleasures, she is a man's best companion in prosperity and his only friend in adversity; the carefulest preserver of his health, and the kindest attendant on his sickness; a faithful adviser in distress, a comforter in affliction, ⟨and⟩ a prudent manager of all his domestic affairs.

Good-nature and evenness of temper ⟨will⟩ give you an easy companion for life; ⟨virtue⟩ and good sense an agreeable friend; love and constancy, a good wife or husband.

A married woman should not be ⟨desirous⟩ of attracting the eyes of any man but ⟨those⟩ of her husband.

He that allows himself to taste those pleasures which he denies his wife, acts like a man who would enjoy his wife to oppose those enemies to whom he has already surrendered.

Leonidas king of Sparta, suspecting a conspiracy was formed against him, fled to ⟨the⟩ temple of Minerva for shelter, whereupon Cleombrutus, his son-in-law, seized the government. When Leonidas was informed of this, he made his escape, taking his daughter along with him, who chose rather to fly with her father than reign with her husband. Somc time after Leonidas being restored to the throne, he advanced at the head of a band of soldiers to the temple where Cleombrutus, upon this change of affairs, had ​⟨himself⟩ fled for refuge. He there reproached ⟨them⟩ with great warmth for assuming the re(illegible text)l power, in violation of the ties of affinity ⟨between⟩ them, and for expelling him from ⟨his⟩ own country in so ignominious a ⟨manner⟩. Cleombrutus, who had nothing to ⟨answer⟩ to these reproaches, continued seated ⟨in⟩ a profound silence, and with an aspect ⟨which⟩ sufficiently testified his confufion. His wife Chelonida stood near with her two ⟨children⟩ at her feet. She had been equally ⟨unfortunate⟩ as a wife and a daughter; but ⟨was⟩ equally faithful in each of those ⟨capacities⟩, and had always adhered to the ⟨unfortunate⟩ side. All those who were then present ⟨melted⟩ into tears at so moving a fight, and were struck with admiration at the virtue ⟨and⟩ tenderness of Chelonida, and the ⟨amiable⟩ force of conjugal love. The ⟨unfortunate⟩ princess, pointing to her mourning habit ⟨and⟩ dishevelled tresses, "Believe me, O my ⟨father⟩!" said she, "this habit of woe which ⟨I⟩ now wear, this dejection which now appears in my countenance, and these sorrows ⟨into⟩ which you see me sink, are not the ⟨effects⟩ of that compassion I entertain for Cleombrutus; but the sad remains of my ⟨affliction⟩ for the calamities you sustained in our flight from Sparta. On what, alas! shall I now resolve? While you reign for the future in Sparta, and triumph over the enemies who opposed you, shall I continue to live in the desolate state to which you see ​me reduced? Or, it is my duty to array ⟨myself⟩ in robes of royalty and ⟨magnificence⟩ when I behold the husband I received ⟨from⟩ you in the flower of my youth, on the ⟨point⟩ of perishing by your dagger? Should he ⟨be⟩ unable to disarm your resentment, and ⟨move⟩ your soul to compassion by the tears of ⟨his⟩ wife and children, permit, me to assure ⟨you⟩ that he will be punished with more ⟨severity⟩ for his imprudence, then was even ⟨intended⟩ by yourself, when he should see a wife ⟨who⟩ is so deer to him, expiring at his feet; so you are not to think, that in my present condition, I will ever consent to out-live him" Chelonida, at the conelusion of these words, reclined her cheek on that of Cloombrutus; while with her eyes, that spoke her sorrow in in her tears, she cast a languid look on those who were present.

Leonidas, after a few moments discourse with his friends, ordered Cleombrutus to rise, and immediately to puit Sparta; but earnestly importuned his daughter to continue there, and not forsake a father who gave her such a peculiar proof of tendernass as to spare the life of her husband. His solicitations were, however, ineffectual; and the moment Cleombrutus rose from his seat she placed one of her children in his arms, and clasped the other in her own; and when she had offered up her prayers to the goddess, and kissed the altar, she beceme a voluntary exile with her husband.

⟨From⟩ the creatures of God let man learn wisdom, and apply himself to the instruction they give.

(illegible text) to the desart, my son; observe the young stork in ⟨the⟩ wilderness; let him speak to thy heart. He ⟨bearesh⟩ on his wing his aged fire; he lodgeth him in ⟨safety⟩, and supplieth him with food.

AFFECTION is not merely confined to the rational part of creation, but is universal law of Nature; and, from the ⟨instance⟩ that follows, extends to a great degree the irrational creation also. Mr Bruce, describing the manner of hunting the ⟨elemnant⟩ in Abyssinia, mentions a singular ⟨instance⟩ of affection in a young one:

"There now remained but two ⟨elephants⟩ of those that had been discovered, ⟨which⟩ were a she one with a calf. The ⟨people⟩ having observed the place of her retreat ⟨thither⟩ we hastily followed. She was very ⟨soon⟩ found, and as soon lamed; but when ⟨they⟩ came to wound her with the darts, as ⟨every⟩ one did in their turn, to our very great ⟨surprise⟩, the young one, which had been ⟨suffered⟩ to escape unheeded and unpursued, ⟨came⟩ out from the thicket, apparently in ⟨great⟩ anger, running upon the horses and ⟨men⟩ with all the violence it was master of. ​I was amazed; and as much as ever I ⟨was⟩ upon such an occafion, afflicted, at seeing ⟨the⟩ great affection of the little animal ⟨defending⟩ its wounded mother, heedless of its ⟨own⟩ life or safety. I therefore cried to them, ⟨to⟩ spare the mother, though it was then too late; and the calf had made several rude ⟨attacks⟩ upou me, which I avoided ⟨without⟩ difficulty; but I am happy, to this day, ⟨in⟩ the reflection that I did not strike it. ⟨At⟩ last, making one of its attacks upon a gentleman, it hurt him a little on the leg; upon which he thurst it through with his lance as others did after, and it then fell dead before its wounded mother, whom it had ⟨so⟩ affectionately defended. It was about ⟨the⟩ size of an ass, but round, big bellied, ⟨and⟩ heavily made; and was so furious, and unruly, that it would easily have broken ⟨the⟩ the leg either of man or horse, could it ⟨have⟩ overtaken them and jostled against them properly.

Here is an example of a beast (a young one too) possessing abstracted sentiments to a very high degree. By its flight on ⟨the⟩ first appearance of the hunters, it is plain ⟨in⟩ apprehended danger to itself, it also reflected upon that of its mother, which was ⟨the⟩ cause of its return to her assistance."