The New Hampshire Gazette

N.W. of the scene inspired my mind with serious reflections on happiness, that object so universally regarded, and the methods of attaining it. The following I still remember; and if you will insert them in your Monthly Magazine, which will oblige,

Your reader and admirer,

EMILIA.

The man who would enjoy happiness here, must not make too many reflections on the mis- fortunes of life, as he will certainly meet with something to disgust him, and imbitter the rest of his pleasures. He ought therefore only to indulge such thoughts as will enable him to act his part well in the drama; for he who will sit down attentively to reflect on his mis- fortunes, without striving to raise his spirits to encounter them, must expect to be miserable; since continual reflections on his unhappy lot will render himself unable to bear it with that cheerful resignation which alone makes the turns of life supportable.

A man therefore who is unfortunate ought to seek in exterior objects that pleasure which the state of his mind will not permit him to enjoy in reflection, and be in a manner sometimes absent from himself. Gloomy thoughts will only tend to increase his misery, and, instead of lessening, add a weight to his misfortunes.

But though I think uneasy reflections ought to be avoided, I am aware, that, in the midst of pleasure, it is as difficult to attain that state of serene happiness all aim at, as in misfortunes to avoid thinking on them. A mediocrity alone can raise pleasures to that exalted pitch; for when they remain unconfined, they lose that refinement which renders them agreeable, and degenerate into a loose un- governed passion, that debases human nature. That reflection which adds to misfortunes, will heighten pleasures by softening them, since it tends to make us return with fresh desire; for the same continued round of pleasure would grow insipid, and lose all its charms.