lly, and make a continued
System of practical Divinity.

As Sir Roger was going on in his Story, the Gentleman we were talking
of came up to us; and upon the Knight's asking him who preached to
morrow (for it was _Saturday_ Night) told us, the Bishop of St. _Asaph_
in the Morning, and Dr. _South_ in the Afternoon. He then shewed us his
List of Preachers for the whole Year, where I saw with a great deal of
Pleasure Archbishop _Tillotson_, Bishop _Saunderson_, Doctor _Barrow_,
Doctor _Calamy_, with several living Authors who have published
Discourses of Practical Divinity. I no sooner saw this venerable Man in
the Pulpit, but I very much approved of my Friend's insisting upon the
Qualifications of a good Aspect and a clear Voice; for I was so charmed
with the Gracefulness of his Figure and Delivery, as well as with the
Discourses he pronounced, that I think I never passed any Time more to
my Satisfaction. A Sermon repeated after this Manner, is like the
Composition of a Poet in the Mouth of a graceful Actor.

I could heartily wish that more of our Country Clergy would follow this
Example; and in stead of wasting their Spirits in laborious Compositions
of their own, would endeavour after a handsome Elocution, and all those
other Talents that are proper to enforce what has been penned by greater
Masters. This would not only be more easy to themselves, but more
edifying to the People.

THE VANITY OF HUMAN LIFE

'The Vision of Mirzah,' from the Spectator, No. 159

When I was at _Grand Cairo_, I picked up several Oriental Manuscripts,
which I have still by me. Among others I met with one entitled, _The
Visions of Mirzah_, which I have read over with great Pleasure. I intend
to give it to the Publick when I have no other entertainment for them;
and shall begin with the first Vision, which I have translated Word for
Word as follows.

On the fifth Day of the Moon, which according to the Custom of my
Forefathers I always keep holy, after having washed my self, and offered
up my Morning Devotions, I ascended the high hills of _Bagdat_, in order
to pass the rest of the Day in Meditation and Prayer. As I was here
airing my self on the Tops of the Mountains, I fell into a profound
Contemplation on the Vanity of human Life; and passing from one Thought
to another, Surely, said I, Man is but a Shadow and Life a Dream.
Whilst I was thus musing, I cast my eyes towards the Summit of a Rock
that was not far from me, where I discove