Ancient Paganism afforded no instruction consisted of prayers, sacrifices, and purifications Prayers for the preservation of the state and its allies, for the perfection of the fruits of the earth, and for rain; and for deliverance from pestilence and famine. This religion taught trust in the Deity, veneration for his power, belief in his mercy, and gratitude for his benefits; but it left the obligations of men one to another, and the nature of God's moral government, wholly in the dark; or more properly, by neglecting these subjects, it assigned them to the province of Philosophy.

2. Ancient Philosophy or Wisdom embraced Morals, or the rules of a right conduct; Politics, or the wise government of states; Metaphysics, the nature of minds; Theology, or the character of God; and the nature of true happiness. The Philosophers were not often men of fortune, but persons of moderate wishes in respect to wealth, and possessed of sufficient leisure to reflect upon the subjects which engaged their attention. They sometimes formed schools, and discoursed in public; their disciples paid for instruction, and the rich employed them in the education of their

sons.

3. The philosophers, except Socrates, appear to have had little regard for the poor, and for these numerous classes, the slaves and the common soldiers; but Christ first preached his gospel to the poor; and Paul, in teaching that God made of one blood all nations of the earth, meant that he made them all, bond and free, the subjects of happiness and virtue. This is one of the great differences between ancient philosophy, and Christianity.

4. Zeno, a native of Cyprus, was the founder of

the Stoic Philosophy. The principal doctrine of this philosophy was, that pain, and other afflictive circumstances, are not causes of discontent; that all evil must be endured, and should be supported with cheerfulness. The doctrines of the Stoics cannot be fully explained here. There were many good men among them; of these, the Roman emperor, Marcus Antoninus, is the most admirable. Pride, and a want of compassion for the misfortunes of others, have been imputed to the Stoics. It may be that they did not all deserve this reproach.

5. Epicurus, was the chief of the Epicureans. He held, in direct opposition to Zeno, that pain is the greatest of evils, and that whatever gratifies the senses-eating, drinking, and all that is com monly called pleasure, affords true happiness. So some of his followers pretended; others say, that he only asserted, and that very wisely, that part of our happiness belongs solely to the mind, and that another part is derived from our senses, and the elements around us. A true Epicurean was a refined man, neither more selfish nor sensual than other wise men; but those who corrupted the doctrine, might say, in the words of the gospel," Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow ye die." They took their portion in this world, and thought little of another. We, in modern times, call such principles Epicurism, and lovers of good eating, particularly, Epicures.

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Among the public spectacles which interest the people of the present time in America, Fairs, Cattle-shows, and Horse-races, are the most considerable. At the first, the best productions of industry and ingenuity are exhibited-the finest cloth, the firmest leather, the largest garden vegetables, and the most serviceable wares are displayed, that manufacturers and cultivators may be rewarded and encouraged.

2. The articles brought to the Fair are examined, compared together, commended as they deserve to be, and afterwards bought, and liberally paid for. The Fair is a very pleasant occasion, it brings large numbers of people together, shares and circulates the productions of nature and art, and gives honourable and just distinction to the

labour and the skill of the ingenious, and the persevering.

3. The Cattle Show is confined to the exhibition of animals. Brute creatures are necessary and useful to man, and man by his care and kindness, improves their strength and ability to labour in his service. It is a shocking spectacle to behold the mute and patient misery which they sometimes suffer, inflicted by the neglect and cruelty of those who ought to protect and cherish them. At the public Shows, the strongest, the handsomest, and the best-trained animals, claim for their owners a premium, for the method by which they have been rendered more comfortable, and more valuable than others of their species.

4. But of all the excitements of public curiosity the Horse-race is the strongest. In 1823, 20,000 persons from the city of New-York, and its neighbourhood, assembled to witness the competition of their favourite racer, Eclipse; and no public expectation could be more general or intense, than was manifested during the whole time in which the triumph of this extraordinary animal was undecided. Not only the spectators of his wonderful speed, but the absent and the distant were concerned for his victory; and the little boys, as well as the men, exulted in the final defeat of his competitor.

5. The Fair, the Cattle-shows, and the Horseraces of our country, may serve to give young persons some imperfect ideas of the splendid scenes, which in former ages, and in other countries, were displayed to vast assemblies of people collected from different states, to contend for prizes awarded to genius, to strength, and to wealth. Among

these, the most celebrated in ancient times, were the Olympic Games.

6. I suppose my young readers to be somewhat acquainted with Ancient Geography. They know that the little peninsula, at the southern extremity of modern Turkey, now called the Morea, shaped somewhat like a vine leaf, and slightly connected with northern Turkey, by the Isthmus of Corinth, was once divided into different states. They will remember the country of the warlike Spartans, and the pastoral Arcadians; and they may have traced the windings of the river Alpheus from the land of shepherds, through the small province of Elis, till it is lost in the Ionian. The banks of this river, and the fields of this province are renowned all over the world, for Olympia of Elis was the spot where once in every five years the Olympic Games were celebrated.

7. On the 11th day of the moon, after the summer solstice, some time in the month of July, the Olympic Games commenced. They were trials of strength and dexterity in various exercises, such as races on foot, by men and boys, wrestling, boxing, and throwing quoits. Races of Chariots and Horses succeeded to those of men, and nobler efforts than either, crowned the glories of this occasion. Hither poets, historians, and musicians-men of the finest genius, and rarest accomplishments, resorted, to offer to the nations of Greece talents they had received from Heaven, and to demand of their country those honours which the public alone can confer.

8. The judges who presided at these Games, were citizens of Elis, eight in number. They took care to inform themselves in every particular of