The hog never looks higher than his More than to eat, the hog does not aspire; Being WE have here a representation of a hog who devours the fruit around him without looking, or seeming to care from whom it comes. but a swine, he looks no higher than his head, and appears to be totally unmindful of him who is shaking the tree to give him fruit to eat. Contented to find food in plenty about him, he feels no desire to know the source from whence it came; intent only on satisfying his gluttony, he eagerly devours whatever is in his reach: having satisfied his appetite, he falls into a stupid sleep. No thought of gratitude induces him to lift his eyes to the source of his plenty, and he seems to take the profusion around him as a matter of course. Thus it is with many animals of the human kind, surrounded by the blessings which a kind Providence has showered down around them; they are content to eat, drink, and take their fill without one thought of the Divine Hand which bestows all their blessings. In other respects, beside those of stupidity and unthankfulness, the hog is a proper emblem of many human beings. Those who are addicted to low and groveling pursuits, who aspire to nothing higher than the gratification of their animal appetites, should have a hog depicted in a prominent manner upon their coat of arms. Unlike many of the animal creation, the hog delights in filth and mire. Instead of reposing on the green carpet of the earth, in the bright sunshine, or in the cool shade, he seeks some dirty puddle by the way-side, where he can wallow in the filth by which he is surrounded. Similar is the conduct of those of the human race, of the "baser sort," who, having no taste for pursuits ennobling and elevating, seek their happiness or gratification in a course of beastly degradation. Where love is, there is no labor; and if there is labor, the labor is loved. The surest way of governing both a private family and a kingdom, is for a husband and a prince to yield at certain times something of their prerogative. He that contemns a shrew to the degree of not descending to word it with her, punishes her more than to beat her. Suspect a talebearer, and never trust him with thy secrets who is fond of entertaining thee with another's. No wise man will put good liquor into a leaky vessel. There is no crime more infamous than the violation of truth; it is apparent that men can be sociable beings no longer than they can believe each other. When speech is employed only as the vehicle of falsehood, every man must disunite himself from others, inhabit his own cave, and seek prey only for himself. Lying is practised to deceive, to injure, betray, rob, destroy, and the like; lying, in this sense, is the concealing of all other crimes, the sheep's clothing upon the wolf's back, the pharisee's prayer, the harlot's blush, the hypocrite's paint, the murderer's smile, the thief's cloak, and Judas' kiss. Lie not in mirth; jesting lies bring serious sorrows. He is a fool that destroys his own soul te make sport for other people. Plain truth must have plain words; she is innocent, and accounts it no shame to be seen naked: whereas the hypocrite, or double dealer, shelters and hides himself in ambiguities and reserves. There are lying looks as well as lying words, dissembling smiles, deceiving signs, and even a lying silence. An honest man is believed without an oath; for his reputation swears for him. There cannot be a greater treachery, than first to raise a confidence aud then to deceive it. All a man can get by lying and dissembling is, that he shall not be believed when he speaks truth. If falsehood, like truth, had but one face only, we should be upon better terms; for we should then take the contrary to what the liar says for certain truth. Where drunkenness reigns, there reason is an exile, virtue a stranger, God an enemy, blasphemy is wit, oaths are rhetoric, and secrets are proclamations. Of all the vices take heed of drunkenness; other vices are but fruits of disordered affections; this disorders, nay banishes reason; other vices but impair the soul, this demolishes her two chief faculties, the understanding and the will; other vices make their own way, this makes way for all vices. He that is a drunkard is qualified for all vices. While the drunkard swallows wine, wine swallows him. God disregards him, angels despise him, men deride him, virtue declines him, the devil destroys him. In the first warmth of our liquor we begin to have an opinion of our wit; the next degree of heat gives us an opinion of our courage. The first error brings us often into a quarrel, and the second makes us come off as pitifully. He that goes to the tavern first for the love of company, will at last go there for the love of liquor. Make good use of time, if you love eternity; reflect that yesterday cannot be recalled, to-morrow cannot be assured, to-day is only yours, which if you procrastinate, you lose; which lost, is lost forever. One day present is worth two to come. Little strokes fell great Oaks. The oak that lifts its stately head on high, We have here a representation of a man chopping down a large oak. This tree may have, for a century or more, resisted the fury of many a storm and tempest, and has remained strong and vigorous as ever. A new settler has arrived |