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Article THE PILLOW. ← Page 2 of 3 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Pillow.
THE PILLOW .
WHAT a delicious balm is diffused over the whole frame when the candle is extinguished , and the head on the pillow ! If ; on a strict scrutiny of the . soul , we cannot discover any thing which could offend our fellow creature , then sleep is almost a celestial
reverie . It is never so delicious , or so tranquil , as after a day on which we have performed some good act , or when we are conscious of having spent it in some useful or substantial emplo 3 'ment . The instant the head is laid on the pillow , is that in which conscience delivers its decrees . If it has conceived any evil design , it is surrounded with thorns ; the softest down is hard under the
restless head of the wicked . In order to be happy , a man must be on good terms with his pillow ; for the nightly reproaches it can make must be heard . The conversation of the pillow with the placeman , the man of the world , the intriguer , the satirical author , would be very poignant . What a number of secret discoveries ! And what might not the
pillows of kings and ministers tell us ! It is at this moment that truth speaks ; for conscience , when we are inclined to listen to it , will tell us pretty nearly what we are . Nero ' s father used to say , I know Agrippina , I know myself ; the child she will bring forth must be a monster . We must be happy or miserable at night by recollection . Memory
recalls our faults and negligences , and this should put us in a method to avoid them ; for they will not lose sight of us , they will banish sleep from pur eyes , they will intrude in our dreams , they will fatigue us , in order to teach us that there is neither repose nor happiness but in the harmony of an upright conduct , and in the exercise of charity . Others guess at us , but ourselves only can see ourselves ; we only know what we really are . Do not abide by tbe judgment of mensays
, Montaigne , abide by your own . The pillow gives us notice of-what we are to do the following day : he who knows how to consult his pillow will probably receive friendly admonition . If the head repels it , it is a charitable warning ; but if it quietly reposes on it , a man may proceed iri his intended design . Happy is he who can say ,. When he lies down—No man can
reproach me with his affliction , his misfortune , or his captivity ; I have notinjured the reputation of . any one ; I have paid due respect to the property of others , the certain pledge of the repose of families ; and the labourer ' s hire has never remained in my hands at sun-setting , according to the expression in Scripture . Those testimonies of con- , science , those internal enjoyments of soul , give a delicious repose , and a still more delicious awaking .
1 he literary work we can again read over , when reclined on the pillow , a long time after its composition , is not to be desoised , The VOL . V . ' O
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Pillow.
THE PILLOW .
WHAT a delicious balm is diffused over the whole frame when the candle is extinguished , and the head on the pillow ! If ; on a strict scrutiny of the . soul , we cannot discover any thing which could offend our fellow creature , then sleep is almost a celestial
reverie . It is never so delicious , or so tranquil , as after a day on which we have performed some good act , or when we are conscious of having spent it in some useful or substantial emplo 3 'ment . The instant the head is laid on the pillow , is that in which conscience delivers its decrees . If it has conceived any evil design , it is surrounded with thorns ; the softest down is hard under the
restless head of the wicked . In order to be happy , a man must be on good terms with his pillow ; for the nightly reproaches it can make must be heard . The conversation of the pillow with the placeman , the man of the world , the intriguer , the satirical author , would be very poignant . What a number of secret discoveries ! And what might not the
pillows of kings and ministers tell us ! It is at this moment that truth speaks ; for conscience , when we are inclined to listen to it , will tell us pretty nearly what we are . Nero ' s father used to say , I know Agrippina , I know myself ; the child she will bring forth must be a monster . We must be happy or miserable at night by recollection . Memory
recalls our faults and negligences , and this should put us in a method to avoid them ; for they will not lose sight of us , they will banish sleep from pur eyes , they will intrude in our dreams , they will fatigue us , in order to teach us that there is neither repose nor happiness but in the harmony of an upright conduct , and in the exercise of charity . Others guess at us , but ourselves only can see ourselves ; we only know what we really are . Do not abide by tbe judgment of mensays
, Montaigne , abide by your own . The pillow gives us notice of-what we are to do the following day : he who knows how to consult his pillow will probably receive friendly admonition . If the head repels it , it is a charitable warning ; but if it quietly reposes on it , a man may proceed iri his intended design . Happy is he who can say ,. When he lies down—No man can
reproach me with his affliction , his misfortune , or his captivity ; I have notinjured the reputation of . any one ; I have paid due respect to the property of others , the certain pledge of the repose of families ; and the labourer ' s hire has never remained in my hands at sun-setting , according to the expression in Scripture . Those testimonies of con- , science , those internal enjoyments of soul , give a delicious repose , and a still more delicious awaking .
1 he literary work we can again read over , when reclined on the pillow , a long time after its composition , is not to be desoised , The VOL . V . ' O