and a second time, when he was tempted to selfmurder, it was the all-powerful motives of religion which again arrested his hand. I do not care about its being known,' said he; I have often mentioned it myself in the pulpit, the only place where I wish to speak much of it.' Though all the arguments and advice which I have to offer have been addressed to the rash, the melancholy, and the agitated, a thousand times, with stronger motives, with more powerful language, with more striking examples, than the following pages contain; yet something new, something bearing upon recent transactions, recording events which the present age has noticed, or should regard, may excite more prompt attention, and enkindie deeper interest in the heart. For these purposes I have compiled the following pages. My wish is that they may be read by those who need them; that parents and guardians, friends and relatives, governors of Bethlehems and lunatic asylums, may put this portable volume in every room where agitation, despondency, disappointment, passion, revenge, ennui, and infidel rashness, may chance to come; and that, when it meets the eye of sorrow, wildness, vacancy, or distress, its pages may convey a lesson of alarm and adınoni tion, or instil the soothing cordials of consolation and support; and that, in its measure, it may contribute to prevent the monster, Suicide, any longer from stalking, with colossal stride, through our happy country, and involving widows, fathers, mothers, friends, and families, in shame, sorrow, and desolation. 7 CHAP. I. CAUSES AND PREVENTIONS. We blame the weather for the disorder of our nerves.' 'Pericula mille sævæ urbis.' STERNE. 'It is not air, but floats a nauseous mass Suicide a Subject on which all need to be cautioned-Sir Samuel Romilly-Number of Suicides-November the Month for them-Influence of the Weather-Excitement of the Passions to be avoided-Predisposing Causes-Intemperance -Use of Opium-Infidelity-Dr. Reid's Cautions respecting Nervous Affections—Examples. SUICIDE is a crime which startles us at the sound. Commit suicide! Who thinks of it?-who dares to mention it? Reader, did you never, in a fit of vexation, perplexity, disappointment, passion, and revenge, think of it yourself? But who, of wise and good men, ever dreamt of it? Ah! we know not our hearts. Obsta principiis. The steps which lead to it are so remote and unsuspected— the moral and religious principles which should guard us against it are so neglected—that men of the greatest worldly and scientific wisdom have been, for want of them, hurried to commit it. One earthly object gone on which they set their hearts, religious duties neglected, virtues unconfirmed, and principles unstrengthened by exercise, they have lost their balance, and fallen! Who forgets the deplorable case of Sir Samuel Romilly? He had attained the meridian of a career of intellectual labour, wise administration, prudent management, and benevolent exertions to lessen the miseries of others: but, alas! he had not the wisdom or the fortitude to bear his own, The loss of a beloved wife, in whom his heart seemed bound up, left him in wretched vacancy without resource; and, in an hour of despondent melancholy, he committed suicide! His servant found him weltering in his blood, from a wound he had inflicted on himself with a razor. And how many have been seduced, from the example of one so eminent, to dismiss their souls to perdition, upon an illusive presumption of the innocency of selfmurder! Several obscure individuals, soon after this catastrophe, hastily trod the awful steps of this celebrated Senator, whose self-murder deprived the bar, the senate, and the nation, of talent and wisdom requisite to promote that amelioration of our penal code which he declared so necessary. The mischievous effects of such an example are not to be appreciated. In imitation of persons of genius and attainment, others have foolishly rushed, from temporary distress, into interminable misery-have quitted a state where wrongs might be repaired, to enter on one where mistake is irreparable. Oh! would any who admire and are inclined to imitate these reputed sons of science inquire,-Have these suicides, with all their wisdom, ever studied the revealed wisdom of God-ever meditated seriously on the immortal soul-on the Father of spiritsand on a future state in eternity? Have they attended to the means of salvation? Have they set a good example in waiting upon God in his ordinances at church and in the family? Have they obeyed their Maker, served, and feared himsought his favour, implored the grace of his Spirit, the support of his arm, and the consolations of his promises? If not, their wisdom was very defective, their abilities misapplied; and perhaps it would be found, upon investigation, that such characters pursued their researches into jurisprudence and chymistry, and anatomy and philosophy, on the holy day of God, and profaned it by business or professional studies. No wonder, then, that such have met with a |