Literary cadet, and Saturday evening bulletin. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1826-1827, 1826-12-23

tory of her own bad health, or of some
melancholy accident that has befallen one
of her daughters children. Thus she
lnsensibly sinks her own spirits, and the
spirits of all around her and at last dis
covers, she knows not why, that her
friends are grave.
Melissa is the reverse Of all this. By
constantly habiiua,ing herself to look
only on the bright side of objects,
she preserves a perpetual cheerfulness in
herself, which by kind of happy con-
lagion, she communicates to all about
her. If any misfortune has befallen her,
she considers it might have been worse
and is thankful to Providence for an es-
cape, she rejoices in solitude; as it gives
her an opportunity of knowing herself +;
and in society, because she can commu-
nica,e the happiness she enjoys: She op-
poses every mans virtue TO his faillngs,
and can find out something to cherish
and applaud in the very worst of her ac-
quaintance. She opens every book with
a desire to he entertained or instructed,
and therefore, seldom misses what she
looks for. Walk with her, though il be
on heath or common, and she will
discover numberless beauties, unobServ-
I'd before, in the hills, the dales, tie
brooms, the brakes, and the variegated
flowers Of weeds and poppies. She en-
ioys every change Of weather and Of sea-
son, as bringing with il something Of
Lealth or convenience. In conversation,
it is a rule with her, meyer ~ start sub
ec, that leads TO any thing gloomy or
disagreeable. You therefore never hear
her repeating her own grievances, or
those of her neighbors; or, (what is
worst of alDtheir faults and imperlectlons.
If any thing ofthe latter kind be mention
ed in her hearing, she has the address to
turn it into entertainment, by changing
the most olious railing into pleasant rail
lery. Thus Melissa, like the bee, gathers
honey from every weed; while Arachne,
like the spider, sucks poison from the
falest flowers. Tie consequence is,
that, of two tempers once very near
ly allied, the one is ever sour and dissat-
isfed, the other always gay and cheerful ;
the one preads universal gloom, the
other continual sunshine.
There is nothing more worthy of our
attention, than This art of happiness. Ir
conversation, as well as life; lrappines:
very often depends upon the slightest IN
cidents. The taking notice Of the bad.
ness of the weather, a northeast wind
the approach of winter, or any trifine
circumstance of the dlsagreeable kind
shall nsensibly rob whole company o
its good humor, and Amg every member
of I INTO The vapors. If, therefore, w
would be happy in ourselves, and are de
sirous of communicating that happlnes
to all about Us; these minuliae of conver
sation ought carefully to be attended to
The brightness Of the sky, the leng.hen
ing Of he day, the increasing verdure o
the spring, the arrival of any little piec
Of good news, or whatever carries with
the most distant glimpse ofjoy, shall fire
+ q,ently be the parent Of a socia and hap
py conversation. Good manners exaC
from us this regard to our company. Th
clown may repine at the sunshine whic
ripens the harvest, because his turnip
are dried up by it but the man Of refine
ment will extract pleasures from th
thunder storm to which he is exposed
by remarking on the plenty and refresh
ment which may be expected from th
suct eeding shower.
Thus does poli,eness, as well as goo
e sense direc, US to look at every object o
! The bright side and by thus acting, "
y cherish and improve both. By this praC
! tice il is that Melissa is become the wi
est and best bred woman living /: and b
this practice, may every person arrive {
that agreeablcness oi temper. of whic
the natural and never failing fruit is hap
!. piness.