“Whatever diff’rent paths mankind pursue,
“Oh, Happiness! ’tis thou they keep in view.”
Mrs. ROWE.
Thou art the being that the whole race of mortals are in search of, or
more properly, thou art the _phantom_ they seek! how different their
pursuit! The king endeavours to find thee in his palace, while
surrounded by his courtiers. The courtier thinks he is happy when paying
adulation to his prince. The statesman pursues thee, when fulfilling the
duties of his station. The citizen seeks thee in his family. The
debauchee frequents the brothel, in hopes to find thee. The seducer is
happy when betraying to the paths of infamy the unwary female. The
votary of religion imagines thou art no where to be found but in the
duties it enjoins. The poet seeks thee in his garret. The critic thinks
he has thee in possession while venom trickles from his pen. The mariner
is aiming at thee while he explores the “trackless path.” The warrior is
so fascinated with thee that even rivers of blood cannot impede his
progress.
The beautiful SYLVIA was grasping at thee, while at her feet were
expiring a groupe of lovers, whom she affected to treat with cold
disdain; no kind looks, no tender glances were bestowed. She completely
acted the coquet. At length she promised her hand to SIGISMUND; but in
the short space of time that was to precede their nuptuals, she
manifested the greatest partiality for the libertine FREDERICK. She
afterwards said it was only done to try the firmness of her lover. Her
folly appeared obvious when too late. When SIGISMUND beheld himself
slighted after the promise she had made him, he imagined he was odious
in her eyes. He chose, therefore, for his partner, one that would not
act deceitfully, the blushing LYDIA became his bride.
Do these different characters follow after happiness. They do--And are
they happy?---Go to the monarch, seated on his throne, with his brows
encircled with a crown of gold; to him let the question be put. Should
he answer, “I am the only happy mortal,” would it not induce you to
laugh in his face, and tell him that you were by far the happiest?