out distinction, who should embrace his doctrine, and live according to his precepts.

MR. HARCOURT. The perverseness of men's dispositions, and the limited faculties we possess whilst in our present state, will ever raise cavillers against the most clear conviction; but let us shut our ears against their conversation, and our eyes against their writings; contenting ourselves with the study of the New Testament, and relying upon the assurances the Gospel offers: convinced that this line of conduct cannot injure us, but is likely to lead us to peace and happiness.

Mrs. Harcourt. The period of man's life is too short to be wasted in speculative researches, which have no influence in correcting the disposition or amending the heart. The path of duty is plain and obvious to every one who sincerely endeavours to find it, and is equally adapted to the capacity of the unlettered mind, as to that of the learned philosopher. Each one has a part to perform, according to the circumstances in which he is placed. Superior intelligence calls for supefior excellence. A disposition to acknowledge

the goodness of the Supreme Being towards all the parts of his creation, and thanksgiving for all the peculiar blessings bestowed on each individual, are incumbent duties on every rational creature. Let us unite in offering this incense with unfeigned gratitude, and conclude this conversation in the words of the poet:

Almighty Power, amazing are thy ways,
Above our knowledge, and above our praise;
How all thy works thy excellence display!
How fair, how vast, how wonderful are they!
Thy hand yon wide extended heaven uprais'd,
Yon wide extended heaven with stars emblaz'd,
And each bright orb, since Time his course begun,
Has roll'd a mighty world, or shin'd a sun.
Stupendous thought! how sinks all human race,
A point, an atom, in the field of space.

Yet e'en to us, O Lord, thy care extends,
Thy bounty feeds us, and thy pow'r defends:
Yet e'en to us, as delegate of thee,
Thou giv'st dominion over land and sea.
Whate'er or walks on earth, or flits in air,
Whate'er of life the watery regions bear,
All these are ours, and for the extensive claim,
We owe due homage to thy sacred name.
Almighty Power, how wondrous are thy ways!
How far above our knowledge and our praise!

si

CONVERSATION XX.

PORCELAIN AND ENAMEL.

MR. HARCOURT. Sophia, the company has a claim upon you for the completion of your account of the porcelain manufacture, which was deferred for the sake of obliging Augusta with some information concerning the use of philosophical instruments. You have already amused us with a description of the materials: we are impatient to be informed of the manner of making them into porcelain.

SOPHIA. The proportion of petunse and kaolin varies according to the degree of delicacy of the texture of the ware required to be made. The best kinds demand a greater quanty of kaolin, than the coarser sorts. Kneading and tewing the two earths together, is the most laborious part of the work, which

operation is performed in large basins or pits, well paved and cemented, in which the workmen trample the materials with their feet, till the mass is well incorporated, and becomes of a consistence requisite for the use of the potter. When taken out of the basins, they are obliged to knead it with their hands, after having divided it into smaller pieces. On this operation the perfection, of the work depends, as the intervention of the smallest body, or the minutest vacuity, would be sufficient to spoil the whole: a grain of sand, or a single hair, will sometimes cause the porcelain to crack, splinter, run, or warp.

CECILIA. What extreme nicety is requisite in the workmen, to attend to such small circumstances!

MR. HARCOURT. Excellence in every art is attainable only by attention and accuracy.

SOPHIA. The different form of the vessel is effected by a turning wheel, as in our potteries; but moulds are used in the formation of figures of men or animals. Ornaments in relievo are also formed in moulds, and finished with the chisel. This part of the

work partakes more of the nature of sculpture than mere pottery; therefore, several other instruments, proper to dig, smooth, polish, and touch up the strokes that escape the mould, are necessary to give the piece its utmost perfection. Pieces in relievo, such as flowers, &c. are frequently formed first, and then added to the figure they are designed to ornament, by cementing them with porcelain earth, moistened with water, and the fissure is polished with an iron spatula.

CHARLES.

Of what material do they make the moulds for this purpose?

ཞ ན ་ ༈་

SOPHIA. They are made of a yellow, fat earth, which is kneaded till it is sufficiently dry, fine, and mellow, to be formed into the necessary shapes.

MRS. HARCOURT.

In the arts of design

and perspective, the Chinese are exceedingly deficient, and must therefore yield the palm undisputed to the Europeans in these respects; as the finest tints, laid on without taste or judgment, can only produce a glaring effect upon the eye, but are insufficient to please a correct fancy. In the brilliancy