with objects, sordid and impure. A smith from his forge, or a husbandman from his fields is obliged sometimes to appear stained with the smut of the one, or the dust of the other. A writer, on the contrary, sitting in an easy chair at a polished desk, and leaning on white paper, or examining the pages of a book, is, by no means, obliged to be soiled by his labours. I see no reason why an author should not be a gentleman, or at least as clean and neat as a quaker. Far from thinking that filthy dress marks a liberal mind, I should suspect the good sense and talents of him, who affected to wear a tattered coat, as the badge of his profession. Should I see a reputed genius totally regardless of his person, I should immediately doubt the delicacy of his taste, and the accuracy of his judgment. I should conclude there was some obliquity in his mind, a dull sense of decorum, and a disregard of order. I should fancy that he consorted with low society; and, instead of claiming the privilege of genius, to knock and be admitted at palaces, that he chose to sneak in at the back door of hovels, and wallow brutishly in the sty of the vulgar.

It is recorded of Somerville and Shenstone, that they were negligent, and of Smith that he was a sloven. But disregard of dress is by no means a constant trait in the literary character. Edmund Waller, Prior, Swift, and Bolingbroke, were remarkably neat in their persons, and curious in the choice of apparel; and of David Mallet, Dr. Johnson observes" that his appearance was agreeable, and he suffered it to want no recommendation that dress could give.”

The orientals are careful of their persons, with much care. Their frequent ablutions, and change of garments are noticed in every page of their history. My text is not the only precept of neatness that can be quoted from the bible. The wise men of the east supposed there was some analogy between the purity of the body and the mind; nor is this a vain imagination.

I cannot conclude this sermon better than by an extract from the works of count Rumford, who in few and strong words, has fortified my doctrine.

With what care and attention do the feathered race wash themselves and put their plumage in order; and how perfectly neat, clean,

and elegant do they ever appear. Among the beasts of the field, we find that those, which are the most cleanly, are generally the most gay and cheerful; or are distinguished by a certain air of tranquillity and contentment; and singing birds are always remarkable for the neatness of their plumage. So great is the effect of cleanliness upon man, that it extends even to his moral character. Virtue never dwelt long with filth; nor do I believe there ever was a person scrupulously attentive to cleanliness, who was a consummate villain."

STORY OF JACOB.

"In the morning behold it was Leah."-Gen. xxix. 25.

THIS, as Macbeth says, inspecting his crimsoned hand in the play, was "a sorry sight" to the luckless Jacob. From the "blear eyes" of an unexpected bride, the gazing patriarch could discern reflected no very charming prospect of matrimonial felicity.

Without anticipating too soon the reflections, or fancying the chagrin of the injured Jacob, it is better to narrate certain of his youthful bargains, describe his apprenticeship, or rather vassalage to Love, and sketch a picture of the sanguine hopes, and abused credulity of a young

man.

Jacob, the favourite son of a fond mother, is advised by Rebekah, terrified at the hatred and menaces of Esau, to flee from the effects of fraternal resentment, and to lurk for a time in the obscurity of Haran, a remote village, in the

east, where he would not only find the safe shelter of solitude, but the still more friendly cover of a relation's love. Haran was a sweet and pastoral country, amidst whose delicious landscapes he could lose, or at least suspend, the recollection of domestic misfortunes. Haran was the abode of Laban, an uncle and a friend. If the terrors of a brother's vengeance were not lost amid the glories of nature and the charms of sylvan life, they would be miti. gated by the kindness, they might be braved by the strength of a relative and a pastoral chieftain. Jacob, who had most unjustifiably defrauded Esau of his father's benediction, was suf ficiently alarmed for his own safety, to discern the correctness of this reasoning. He immediately commences his tour, arrives at his asylum, "the land of the people of the east," and suddenly finds himself among a company of shepherds, busied in watering their flocks. This was the very scene for a love adventure, and it immediately occurs. Inquiring of this simple company with the friendly zeal, or, perhaps the rude curiosity of a New-England man, where they belonged, &c. he is answered, that they are inhabitants of Haran; that they know Laban;

K