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ESSAYS

MORAL AND LITERARY.

B Y

V I C E S I M U S K N O X. M. A.

THE FIFTH EDITION,

IN TWO VOLUMES.

VOL. II,

*HIAIH A'HHEITA IIEAFT.

Hxeio».

WON <^UIA DIFFICILIA SUKT, NOK AtTDEMVS
SED QUIA NON AUDEMUS, DI FFI CILIA SUNT.

SENECA;
LONDON:

PRINTED FOR CHARLES DILLV, IN THE POULTRT,!
MDCCLXXXIV,

CONTTENTS

OF THE

SECOND VOLUME.

No. Pajre

LXXXII. Oft the Means of Reading with tie me Jl Ad-
vantage. I
LXXXIII. On the Propriety of adorning Life, and fer-
iiing Society, by laudable Exertion. 6
LXXXIV. On PhilojcpbicalCntictJm, and on the little
AJJijtance it give ^ to Genius. 1O
LXXXV. On the Importance of a good CharaSler, ccn-
federcd only with rejpett to Interejt. 14.
LXXXVI. On the ojientatious AfieSatiw of the Cha-
racter of a Ltarncs Ludy , wit Lout Jitf-
jicient Lcarnmg, and cwithcut jfudgmn/jt,

17

LXXXVII. On the Folly and Wi^lecnrfs ofntflefting a

Family and Children, for the Pieajures of

Dijjipaticn. 22

LXXXVIII. Onjcrming Connexions. 27

LXXXJX. An Addrejs to a Young Sckclar, futpofed to

Le in the Courje of a Li^^m Education

at Schcol. ^ z

XC. Tve Want rf Piety arifcs frcm tie t'/'fiKt of

Senhb'dity : <j

XCI. On tbePleafures of a Garden. 38

XCJI. On the Grave and Gay Species cfPhikjl; • 'n -.

42

XCIIF. On Monumental Infcrif.icr.i. 4^

XC1V. Curjory Thoughts on Biography. 4^

XCIV. On HoJ'pitality, and the Civilities of Com-

man Life. c 5

XCVI. On the Merit of ilkftricus Birth. 57

A 2 XCVlf.

C O N T E ,N T S.

No. Page

XCV1I. Religious and Moral Principles ntt only con-
fejlent nvith, but promoti--ve of, True Po-
litenefs and the Art of Pleajing. 6l

XC VI II . On the Guilt of incurring Debts without either
a Pr off eft or an Intention of Payment 65
XCIX. Curforv Remarks on t&e Life, Style, Genius,
and Writings of Petrarch. 68

C. OntbcFolijandWickednefsofWar. 74
CI. OH the Effefis of intemperate Study on the
Health, and on the Duty of faying Regard
to the Prefers ation of Health. 77

CI1. On the Prej'ent State of Converfation. Si
CHI. On Goodnefs of Heart. 86

CIV. On the Charatters ^Theophraflus. 90
CV. On federal Pajfcges in the Enchiridion, or
Manuel of Epicletus. 93

CVI. O« S-iveetneJ} and Delicacy of Style. 99

C VII. Hints to thoj'e ivho are defegned for the Profef-
fanofPhyfec. 104.

^ ,;CVIII. The Complaints againjl Modern Literature
probabiy ill-founded. 108'

CIX. 0« the Caufes and Felly of DiJJentions in a
Country Neighbourhood. I f 1

CX. The Imprudence of an early Attachment to.
A fling Plays. [/» a Letter. ,] 1 1 5

CXI. Ow the Pleafures of Reflection. 119

CXII. Hints to thofe who are dejigned for the Pro-
fejfion of the law. I 2 I

CXHI. Of Jo me Incon-veniencies ivhieb unavoidably
attend Living Writers. 124.

CXIV. On the Obligations <which Learning o^ves to
the ChrijHan Religion. 128

CXV. Cuffort Remarks on the Life and Writings of
Dr. Jortin. 132

CXVI. On the Union of Extravagance in Trifles and
Pice, with Par/imony, in all the truly Ho-
nourable, Ufeful, and NcceJ/ary Expences.

]3i

CXVII. On aTafte for the Cultivation rf Flowers,

and of beautiful Shrubs and Trees. J 39

) CXVIII. On the Charter of Addifon as a Poet. 143

CXIX.

CONTENTS,

No. Page

CXIX. '•The Folly of bringing up Children to a Learn-
ed Profejfion, without the Probability of
providing them ivith a Competency, 1^.5
CXX. On Decency, as the only Motive of our ap-
parent Virtues, and particularly of our
Religious Behaviour. \ 49

CXXI. On the Animofities occafaned in the Country
by the Game Laivs, '5^

CXXII. On the Importance of governing the Temper*

ScXXIir. On the Moral Effeas of a good Tragedy. 162
CXX1V. On the Influence of Politics, as a Subject of
Conversation, on the State of Literature.

1 66

CXXV. O* Buffoonery in Con<verfation. 170

CXXVI, On the Style e/"Xenophon and Plato. 174
CXX VII. On the Advantages derivable from National
Ad-TJtrJity . \ 8

CXXVIII. Q»Jome of the Falfe Prettnficns and Impo-
Jttioas of the Artful and Avaricious. 1 8 1
CXX IX. On the Prevailing Tajle in Poetry. 185

CXXX. On the peculiar Danger of falling into Indo-
lence in a Literary and Retired Life. 1 89
CXX XI. On the Manners of a Metropolis, 193

CXXX1I. On Philelphus and Theodore Gaza, Polite
Scholars of the Fifteenth Century. 197
CX XXIII. On the Inejpcacy of that Style cf Speaking and
Writing, which may be called the frothy ',

2OO

CXXXfV. On the Geatus- e/Enfmus. 204.

CXXXV. On the Education of a Prince. 207

CXXXVI. Introductory Remarks on the Art of Printing.

21 I

CXX XVII. On the Circumftances ^hicb led to the Dif-
cc-very of the Art of Printing, with Mif-
cellaner>us Remarks on it. 21 ^

CXX XVIII. On the Moral, Political, and Religious Ef.
feds of Printing, vjith Concluding Re-
marks 2 20
- CXXXIX. Curfory Thoughts on Satire and Satirifts. 227
C X L. On Logic and Mctaphyfics. 23 I
CXLI. On Latin Ferfe as an £ \ercife at Schools. 23;

CXL1JU

CONTENTS.

No. Page

CXLII. On the Infe njibility of the Men to the Charms

cf a Female Mind, cultivated with Polite

and Solid Literature. [In a Letter .] 239

_^ CXLTII. On Parental Indulgence. 243

(TjiCXLlV. On tie Poems attributed to Rowley. 247

CXLV. On the Moral Tendency of the Writings cf

St'-rne, 251

CXLVI. On the Weight and Efficacy which Morality

may derive from the Influence and Example

of thofe who are called the Great. 255

C XL VII. On the Profligacy and confequent Mifery cf

the Lower Clares, and on the Means of

Prevention. 259

( CXLVIII. On feme Pa/ages in Ariftotle'j Rhetoric,

with Mijcellaneous Remarks on his Style,

Genius, and Works. . 64

CXLIX. On the Beauty and Happinefs of an open

Behaviour and an ingenuous Difpojjtion.

267

. CL. 4 Remedy for D if content. 271

CLI. On the Utility of Religious Ceremonies, and
of admitting Mu/ic and external Magnifi-
cence in places of Devotion. 274
CLII On the prejent State of Parliamentary Elo-
quence. 27 7
CLIII. A Lije of Letters ufually a Life of compara-
tive Innocence. 282
CLIV. On the Advantage which may be derived to
the Tender and Pathetic Style, frum it/ing
the Words and Phrajes of Scripture. 286
CLV. On the Figure Parrbefia, or on cxprejjing
one^s Sentiment'1 s freely. 289
CLVI. On Reading merely -with a Vievj to dmufe-
ment. 292
CLVII. On a Method cf Study, written by Joachim us
Fortius Ringelbergius. 295
CLVIII. On the Folly offacriftcing Comfort to Tafle.

:98

CLIX. On the Example of Henry V. and the Lad
Effefis of an Opinion that a profligate Youth
is likely to terminate in a wife Manhood. 303

CONTENTS.

No.

. CLX. A Good He art necej/ary to enjoy the Beauties

of Nature. 308

CLXI. On the peculiar Bafenefs of Vice in Nobility.

311

CLXII. On Ajfeftation of Extreme Delicacy and Sen-
fibility. 314

CLXIII. On True Patience, as diftinguijbed from In-
fenfebility. 318

CLXIV. Curfory Remarks en the Eloquence of the
Pulpit. [ In a Letter. ] 321

CLXV. On the fuperior Value of Solid Accomplijb-
ments. A Dialogue between Cicero and
IWChefterfield. 327

CLXVI. Conjetlures on the Difference between Orien-
tal and Septentrional Poetry. 3 30
C} CLX VII. Curfory Remarks on the Poetry of the Pro-
phets, o^Ifaiah in particular, and on the
Beauties of Biblical Poetry in general. 333
CLXVIII. On Preaching and Sermon Writers. 338
Q CLXIX. On the Neglefl of Antient Authors. [In a
Letter.] 345
£) CLXX. On the Retirement of a Country Town, [la
a Letter.] 343
£} CLX XI. Curfory Thoughts on Epiftolary Writers. 351
CLXX II. On the Necejfity of Excreife, Amufement, and
an Attention to Health in a Life of Study.
[In a Letter.] 357
CLXXIII. On the Merits of Cowley as a Poet. 362
CLXX1V. Curfory and General Hints on the Choice of
Books. 366
CLXXV. Curfory Remarks on the Odjjfey, on Pope'/
Tranjlation, Mr. Spence'j Eflay, &c. 371
CLXX VI. Thoughts on the Oedipus Tyrannus of bo-
phocles, and federal Circumftances re-
Jpefling the Grecian Drama. 373
CLXXVI1. Curfory Remarks on fame of the Minor Eng-
lifh Poets. 376
CLXXVIIJ. Curfery and unconnected Remarks on feme of
the Minor Greek Poets. 380
3 CLXXIX. A Concluding E/ay. 388

ESSAYS,
MORAL, &c.

No. LXXXII. ON THE MEANS OF READING
WITH THE MOST ADVANTAGE.

T is certain, that there are many ftudents who im-
pair their health in a continual courfe of" reading and
literary labour, without any adequate returns of
p-eafure or improvement. They read, indeed, becaufe
they coniiuer it as a duty, or becaufe they arc endea-
vouring to accomplifh themfelves for the praciice of a
profeffion ; but they are ready to confefs, that the whole;
tenour of their ttudies. is one continued toil, and thac MO
"pleafure they derive from them is by no means a reco.-n-
pence for exhaufted fpirits and habitual melancholy.

With a view to relieve ftudents of this defcription,
who are ufually '- irtu'ous and amiable, I will endeavour
to fuggcil a few hints, which may poflibly contribute to
render their reading more agreeable and advantageous.
But I wilh to premife, that in what I now lay, ami in
whatever I h we faid, in the ityle of direcYion ai.u uivke,
I mean only to offer, not to obtrude ; to fubmit, and
not to dictate.

In order to receive the proper advantage from r-ad-
ing, it muft be rendered a pleafmg employment. II i-
man nature is fo conftituted, that no practice will be con-
tinued long and regmarly, which is not attend
fome degree of pleafuie. We enter upon a ituj.
is irklbme and difguftful with reluclauce, we ausnj ,->

VOL. II. B

2 ESSAYS, No. 82.

it fuperficially, and we relinquim it without reflecting
upon it in a degree fufficient for the purpofe of improve-
ment. Inltead of thinking of it uniformly and fteadily,
we drive it from our minds as the caufe of uneafmefs.
But the heart and affe,-'ions, the imagination and the
memory, co operate with the underftanding, in deriving
all poffible advantage from the ftudy which we love.

The firft and moft important object is, therefore, to
form a ftrong attachment to thofe parts of fcience, or
to thofe books, which our judgment directs us to ftudy.
There are various methods conuucive to this end ; but,
perhaps, none are more effectual, than that of con-
verfing with men of fenfe and genius on the books
and the fubject which we purpofe to examine. There
is a warmth and fpirit in ccnverfation, which renders
fubjc-cts, which might orherwife appear cold and life-
leis, interelling and animated. When the company is
departed, and the converfation at an end, we are na-
turally inclined to fee what has been faid in books on
the fubjedts difcufled ; and the light let in by the pre-
ceding converfation is an excellent introduction and
guide to our fubfequent enquiries made in folitude.

As foon as we have obtained, by reading, a compe-
tent knowledge of a book or particular fubject, it will
contribute greatly to animate us in proceeding (till fur-
ther, if we talk of it either with our equals in attain-
ments, or with the learned and experienced. In fuch
converfation we venture to advance an opinion ; our felf-
love renders us felicitous to maintain it, we fn-k the aid
of a book as an auxiliary, we therefore read it with
eager attention ; and I believe it will be difficult to
avoid loving that which we attend to frequently and with
eagernefs ; fo that, in this manner, an attachment to
books and literary employments is gradually formed, and
what began in labour or nectflity becomes the choice,
and continues a moft agreeable pleafure.

Indeed, if we can once fix our attention very clofely
on a good book, nothing more will be necefTary to
jT>;lce us love it: As in nature, when two fubftances
apj roach each other very nearly, the attraction of co-
hef.on faftens them together ; fo when the mind at-
taci.es itfelf clofely to any fubject whatever, it becomes,

as

No. 8*. MORAL, &c. 5

as it were, united to it, and gravitates towards it with
a fpontaneous velocity. There is, indeed, no ftudy
fo dry, but by fixing our attention upon it, we may
at laft find it capable of affording great delight.
Metaphyfics and mathematics, even in their abltr-fed
parts, are known to give the attentive ftudent a vi-ry
exalted fatisfadlion. Thofe parts then of human learn-
ing, which in their nature are more entertaining, can.
not fail of being beloved in a high degree, when the
mind is clofely and conftantly applied to them.

In order to acquire the power and habit of fixing the
attention, it will at firll be neceffary to fummon a very
<onfiderable degree of refoludon. In beginning the
ftudy of a new language, or any book or fcience. which.
prefents ideas totally iirangc, the mind cannot but feel
fame degree of reludlance or difguit. But let the ftu-
dent perfevere ; and in a very fhort time, the difguil
will vanifh, and he will be rewarded with entert'.in-
ment. Till this takes place, let him make it an invio-
iable rule, however difagrceable, to read a certain,
quantity, or for a certain time, and he will infallibly
find, that what he entered upon as a taflc, he will con-
tinue as his beft amufernent.

There are many ftudents who fpend their days in.
txtra&ing paflages from authors, and fairly tranfcrib-
ing them in their common-place book ; a mode of ftudy
truly miferable, which feldom repays the ftudent either
with profit or pleafure, which waftes his time, and wears
out his eyes and his conftitution. I moft ferioufly advife
all thofe, who have been led to think, that the exercife
of the hand can imprefs ideas on the brain ; who inter-
rupt their attention by copying ; who torture themfelves
in abridging, and who thinfc, by filling their pocket-
books, that they (hall enrich their underltandings, to
flop while they have eyes to fee, or fingers to write.
They have totally miftaken the road to learning ; tind,
if they proceed in the way too long a time, they may fuf-
fer fuch injuries in it as mall difable them from return-
ing, or feeking a better* After many years fpent in this
wretched labour, it is no wonder thac they clofe their
books, and make the oldcomplaint of vanity and vexation.
No:hing really fervcs us in reading, but what the mind
B 2 makes

4 ESSAYS, No. 82.

makes its own by reflection and memory. That which
is tranfcribed is not in the leaft more appropriated than
when it flood in the printed page. It is an error, if any
fuppofe, that by the acl of marking the words on paper
with a pen, the ideas are more clearly marked on the
brain than by an attentive and repeated perufal.

The bell method of extracting and epiio izing, Is
to exprefs the, author's ideas, after (hutting his book,
in our own words. In this exercife, the memory is
exerted, and the ftvle improved. We make what we
-write our own ; we think, \\e are aftive, and we do not
condemn ourfelves loan employment merely manual and
mechanical. But after all, whatever a few may fay,
write, or think to the contrary, it is certain, that the
greatell fcholars were content with reading, without
making either extracts or epitomes. They were fatis-
fied with what remained in their minds aher a diligent
pertifal, and when they wrote, they wrote their own.
Reading is, indeed, moll juitiy called the food of the
mind. Like food, it mult be diverted and afnmilated ;
it muil (hew its nutritive power by promoting growth
and llrength, and by enabling the mind to briii'^ forth
found and vigorous productions It muft be converted
infucciinietjanguimm, into juice and blocd, and not make
its appearance again in the form in which it was origi-
nally imbibed, ft is indeed true, and the inilance may
be brought in oppofition io my doctrine, that Demo-
ithenes tranfcribed Thucydides eight times with his own
hand; but it Ihould be remembered, that Demolihenes
flourished long before printing was difcovered, and that
]ie was induced to tranfcribe . hucydides, not only for
the f:ke of improvement, but alib for the fake of mul-
tiplying copies of a favourite author.

A due degree of variety will contribute greatly to
render reading agreeable. For though it is tru
not more than one or two books mould be read at once,
yet, when they are nnifhed, it will be proper, if any
wearinefs is felt, to take up an author who writes in a^
.different llyle, or on a different fubjecl ; to change
from poetry to profe, and from profe to poetr> ; to in-
teimix the moderns with the ancients ; alternately to lay
down the book and to take up the pen ; and fome-

times

No. 82. M ORAL, &c. 5

times to lay them both down, and en'er vv'th alacrity
into agreeable company and public div.'-rlions i he
: . .liter a little cefTatinn, returns to books with all
th • voracious c.^^'neis of a literary lumber hut the
iiv.i i nuiiions mult not be long, or frequent enough to
iorm a habit of idlenefs or diffipatlon.

Ht- who would r.-ad with pleafure (and I repeat,
th,t all who read with real" profit muft read with plea-
fur-), will atte'nd to the times of the day, and the feaions
of the year. The morning has been-univerfally ap-
Kuved as the beft time for itudy ; the afternoon may be
mon. ridvantageoufly fpent in improving converfation.
Thoie laities, which before dinner are capable of en-
gaging in xj,e acuteit and fublimeft dilutions, are
found, by ger«rai experience, to be comparatively dull
and ftupid after •„ „ l know not how h h>,, ^ &
celebrated writer, " ^ ,„ my phiI0fophy, in which

I was fo warmly enga:, , in the morningf a
" like nonienfe as foon as 1 ha,^ Jincj "

Very hot weather is particula^ unfavourable to
reading. I he months of July, Auguit, j September,
are by no means the leafons in which the •;_,,,. Qf ^
mind arrive at maturity. A rigid philofopher .,-.j _
hnps maintain, that the mental faculties are rot ^ ^g
air.xted by the viciffitudes of cold and heat ; but wu.
will lilten to philofophy, who is already convinced by
aclual experience ? It is indeed remarkable, that thefe
months are felefted for vacation in the houfes of legif-
lata:e, in the courts of law, and in the feats of learn-
ing. In cold and inclement weather, when we are
driven to the fire-fide for comfort, we find that delight
in our books, which, in the vernal and autumnal fea-
fon, we feek in the funfhine. and in the Uveets of rural
fcenery. We no longer roam abroad, we collect our
Scattered ideas, and find, in the excrcife of rt;r facul-
ties, th.it delight, which is the c,;,iVquence ami
of exerting, in a proper method, the natuial ener^izs
of the divine particle which breathes within us.

But at all hours, and in all k-afons, if we can re-

flrain the licentious rovings of the fancy, footh the

pr.flions of the heart, and command our attention, fo

as to concentre it on the fubje«fl we examine, we fhall

B 3 be

6 ESSAYS, No. &j.

t>e fure to find it amply rewarded. Attend clofely, and
clofe attention to any worthy fubje& will always produce
folid fatisfaclion But particularly in reading, it may
be depended upon as an approved truth, that the degree
of profit, as well as pleafure derived from it, will ever
fee proportioned to the degree of attention.

No. LXXXIII. ON THE PROPRIETY OF
ADORNING LIFE, AND SERVING SOCIETY^
KY LAUDABLE EXERTION.

IN an age of opulence and luxury, w^n the native
powers of the mind are weakened *Y vice> and ,ha-
bits of indolence are fuperindur^ by umverfal indul-
gence, the moralift can fel^ «f»£ to fce examples
of that unwearied perf<—rance> °* lhat generous exer-
tion, which has f netimes^ appeared in the world,
and has been r-'^d heroic virtue. Indeed, it muit be
allowed tl-'t 'n ^ie earty periods of fociely there is
greater V-cafi°n* as we^ as greater fcope, for this ex-
^i^^.pecies of public fpirit, than when ail its real wants
,'v- fupplied, and all its fecurities eftablifhed.

Under thefe difadvantages there is, indeed, little op-
portunity for that uncommon heroifm, which leads ati
individual to defert his fphere, and to a6l in contra-
diction to the maxims of perfonal intereft and fafety,
with a view to reform the manners, or to promote the
honour and advantage of the community. Patriotifm,
as it was underftood and praftifed by a Brutus, a Cur-
tius, a Scasvola, or a Socrates, appears in modern
times fo eccentric a virtue, and fo abhorrent from the
diftates of common fenfe, that he who fhould imitate
it would draw upon himfelf the ridicule of mankind,
and would incur the danger of being ftigmatized as a
madman. Moral and political knight-errantry would
now appear in fcarcely a lefs ludicrous light than the ex-
travagancies of chivalry.

But to do good in an effectual and extenflve manner
\vithin the limits of profeffional influence, and by per-
forming

No. 83. MORA L, Sec. ^

forming the bufinefs of a ftation, whatever it may be,
not only with regular fidelity, but with warm and ac-
tive diligence, is in the power, as it is the duty, of
every individual who poffeffes the ufe of his faculties.
It is furely an unfatisfadlory idea, to live and die with-
out purfuing any other purpofe than the low one of per-
fonal gratification. A thoufand pleafures and advantages
we have received from the difmtereiled efforts of thofe
who have gone before us, and it is incumbent on every
generation to do fomething not only for the benefit of
contemporaries, but of thole alfo who are to follow.

To be born, as Horace fays, merely to con fume the
frui s of the earth ; to live, as Juvenal obferves of fome
of his countrymen, with no other purpofe than to gratify
the palate, though they may in reality be the fole ends
of many, are yet too inglorious and difgraceful to be
avowed by the bafeft and meaneft of mankind.

There is however little doubt, but that many, whofe
lives have glided away in an ufelefs tenor, would have
been glad of opportunities, if they could have difcover-
ed them, for laudable exertion. It is certainly true, that
to qualify for political, military, literary, and patriotic
efforts, peculiar preparations, accomplifbments, occa-
fions, and fortuitous contingencies are neceflary. Civil
wiidom without civil employment, valour without an,
enemy, learning without opportunities for its difplay,
the love of our country without power, muft terminate
in abortive vvimes, in defigns unfupported by execution.
They who form great fchemes, and perform great ex-
ploits, muft of neceffity be few. But the exertions which
benevolence points out, are extended to a great com-
pafs, are infinitely varied in kind and degree, and con-
fequcntiy adapted, in fome mode or other, to the ability
of every individual.

To the diitinguifhed honour of our times and of our
country, it muit be afTerted, that there is no fpecies of
diltrefs which is not relieved ; no laudable ir.ititution
which is not encouraged with an emulative ardour of
liberality. No fooner is a proper objedl of beneficence
preiented to the public view, than fubfcriptions are
railed by all ranks, who crowd with impatience to the
contribution. Not o"nly the infirmities of age and fick-
B 4 nei's

8 ESSAYS, - No. 83.

iiefs nre footlicd. by the beft concerted eftablimments,
and the lo{s/uil?.ined by the calamities of a conflagra-
tion repaired ; but our enemies, when reduced to a ftate
of captivity, are furnifhed with every comfort which
their condition can admit, and all the malignity of
pnrty hatred mehs into kindnefs under the operation of
charity. From the accumulated efforts of a community
of philanthropies, fuch as our nation may be called,
a fum of «ood is produced, far greater than any re-
corded of ihe heroes of antiquity, from Bacchus down
to Cccfar.

ft has been faid, that the ages of extraordinary
bounty are pafled. No colleges are founded in the pre-
ient times, it is true; yet not becaufe there is no pub-
lic fpirit remaining, but becaufe there is already a fuf-
iicient number raifed by the pious hands of our fore-
fathers, to anfwer all the purpoft-s of academical im-
provement. When a want is fupplied, it is not par-
fjmony, but prudence, which withholds additional mu-
r.incence. The infirmaries difFufed over every part of
the kingdom, are moil honourable teftimonies of that
. is to cover a multitude of fins. And there
is CM.- ii,.b-,.:ce of beneficence uncommon both in its d:-.
gree ai,d circumfhmces, which, though done without a
tiew to human praife, .muft not lofe even the fubordi-"
nnte reward of human virtue. He who lately devoted,,
during his life, a noble fortune to the relief of the
blind, will be placed bigber'in the eileem of polterity,
than the numerous train of pofthumous benefadors,
who gave what they could no longer retain, and forne-
times from motives reprefented by the cenforious as
little laudable. While angels record the name of He-
therington in the bock of life, let men infcribe it in the
rolls of fame.

The motive of praife, though by no mean 5 the befr,
is a generous and a powerful motive of commendable
conduct. He would do an injury to mankind who
fhould flifie the love of fame. It has burnt with ftrong
and lieady heat in the bofoms of the moft ingenuous.
Jt has infpired enthiifiafm in the caufe of all rhat is
good and great. Where patience muft have failed,
and perfeveran.ee been wearied', it 4ias urged through

troubles

No. 83. MORAL, &c. 9

troubles deemed intolerable, and ftimulated through
difficulties dreaded as infurmountable. Pain, penury,
danger, and death, have been incurred with alacrity
in the fervice of mankind, with the expectation of no
other recompence than an honourable dillin&ion. And
let not the frigidity of philofophical rigour damp this
noble ardour, whi<;h raifes deljghtful fenfations in the
heart that harbour- it, and gives rife to all that is fub-
Hme in life and in the arts. When we are fo far re-
fined and fubdued as to ad merely from the flow fug-
geftions of the reafoning faculty, we lha!l indeed fel-
dom be involved in error ; but we fhall as feldom
atchieve any glorious enterprife, or fnatch a virtue be-
yond the reach of prudence.

The fpirit of adventure in literary undertakings, as
well as in politics, commerce, and war, muft not be
difcouraged. If it produces that which is worth little
notice, ncgleft is eafy. There is a great probability,
however, that it will often exhibit fomething condu-
cive to pleafure and improvement. But when every
new attempt is checked by fr verity, or neglected with-
out e-aminction, learning Magnates, and the mind is
deprefled, till its produilions fo far degenerate as to
julHfy difregard. Tafle and literature are never long
Itationary. When they ceaie to advance, they become
retrograde.

Every liberal attempt to give a liberal entertainment
is entitled to a kind excufe, though its execution fliould
not have a claim to praife. For the fake of encoura-
ging fubfequent endeavour?, lenitv fhould be difplayed
where there is no appearance of incorrigible ftupidity,
cf a/Turning ignorance, and of empty felf-conceit. Se-
verity chills the opening powers, as the froft nips the
bud that would elfe have been a bloflbm. It is blame-
able morofenefs to cenfure thofe who fincerely mean to
pleafe, and fail only from caufes not in their own
difpofal.

The praife, however, of well-meaning has ufually

been allowed with a facility of conceffon, which leads

to fufpecl that it was thought of little value. It has

alfo been received with apparent mortification. This

v B 5 furely

10 ESSAYS, No. 84,

furely is the refultof a perverted judgment ; for inten-
tion is in the power of every man, though no man can
command ability.

No. LX.XXIV. ON PHILOSOPHICAL CRITI-
CISM, AND ON THE LITTLE ASSISTANCE IT
GIVES TO GENIUS.

A RISTOTLE was the firft of thofe writers who
J~\ endeavoured to render talte fubjeft to philofophy.
His poetics are almoft the only parts of his works which
continue to be efteemed with a degree of implicit ve-
neration. Mutilated and imperfecl. as they have come
down to us, they yet contain many fentences pregnant
with matter, and which lead the mind into the moil
curious theory. Yet it is certain, that they never yet
formed a fingle poet, nor ailiftcd him in any other
refpecl than in the mechanical contrivance of a plan ;
a defedl in which is eafily forgiven, when it is fupplied
by the native charms of real genius. Of this our
Shakefpeare is a proof, who, with all his ignorance of
critical refinement, wrote in fuch a manner, as not
only to be preferred by thofe who idolife him through
prejudice, but by the moft impartial readers, to ^Ef-
chylus, Sophocles, and Euripides.

Though the old fcholaftic metaphyfics were fcarcely
evermore exploded than in the prefent times, yet there
is a tafle for metaphyiical criticifm particularly preva-
lent among our thoughtful neighbours in North Bri-
tain The author of the Elements of Criticifm has
penetrated deeply to difcern the caule of thofe emo-
tions, which literary compofitions are found to pro-
duce. He has difplayed great tafte, great elegance,
great reading, and a fubtilty of enquiry, which muft
have refulted from unwearied labour, and from a An-
gular (hare of natural fagacity. But I believe no reader
ever found himfelf better able to compofe, after hav-
ing peiufed his volumes, than before he f*vv them.

Nor

No. 84. MORAL, &c. it

Nor is it faid, that their author, with all his theoreti-
cal knowledge of poetry, is himfelf a poet or an orator.
This is not advanced to detract from his' merit ; for it
is true of Ariilotle, and of all thofe writers, who, with
a genius for logic and metaphyfics, have entered on
the provinces of tafte and criticifm. Dr. Campbell's
Philofophy of Rhetoric is a book of uncommon merit ;
it is read with great pleafure and improvement j yet it
will be readily owned, that it tends little to form the
orator. The author of the Origin and Progrefs of
Language has difplayed, as Harris fays, " many ju-
" dicious and curio as remarks on ftyle, competition,
" language, particularly the Englifti ; obfervations of
" the lad confequenwe to thofe who wrlh either to write
" or judge with accuracy and elegance. " This is cer-
tainly true; and yet man hav ritten, and many will
write, with accuracy and elegance, without even hear-
ing of this excellent uvaiife.

Moft of the books which the world has agreed to ad-
mire, were compofed previoufly to the appearance of
fyftematicai and abftrufc: theories of critic' fm, or by
authors who, it is well known, j. :;id them no attention-.
Homer, who is (till the bed heathen author in the world,
had neither archetype nor inftrudlor. Ha<l his mind
been calleu off from the bock of nature, to fuch fpecu-
lations as the Stagyrtte afterwards fabricated, from his
noble inventions, there is great reafon to believe, that
the Iliad and Odyfley had long ago gone whi.her all
the coldly correct productions a;e .!aily iiaftening.
Theocritus would probably have written with much lefs
cafe and fimplicity, had he r*>ad all that critical inge-
nuity has advanced on pailoral poetry. The Orations
of Demofthenes, however elaborate, were not formed
on the models of profeffed rhetoricians. No B.-ffu had
written when Virgil produced his magnificent work.
No treaafes on the fublime and oeautifu! had appeared,
when Milton poured his majeftic fong. Nature, glow-
ing nature, fuggefted the exquifitely fine ideas as they
flowed, and left laborious criticifm to weary herfelf in
forming rules and 1\ fteins from the unitudied efforts of
her happier temerity.

B 6 Zt

12 ESSAYS, No. 84.

It muft not, however, be immediately concluded,
that thefe books, v\hich difplay great ingenuity, are
ufelefs, and the refult of ill-employed time and tak-nts.
They conftitute a mod elegant fpecies of philofophy.
They lead to a knowledge of ;he human heart, and the
operation of the pafiions. They require genius of a
peculiar kind, the fubtile and penetrating, and they
pleafe readers who are pofieiTed of a correfponding
tafte. The point which 1 mean to evince is, that the
lover of poetry, of oratory, of all the objects of claf-
fical talte, who intencis to exercife himfelf in the com-
pcfition of them, will find himfelf miitaken in his plan
of ftudy, if he reads fuch writers as a preparatory dif-
cipline. Original authors muft at firft engrofs his atten-
tion ; and from thefe, if he is pofiefled of abilities, he
will infenfibly catch a portion of fire, with which he will
invigorate his own compofitions ; and in confequence of
which he will be read with pleafure, though he ihould
not have fludied one metaphyfical critic, from Ariilotle
to his modern rival, Harris of Sali/bury.

To learn in what this noble difHnclion of genius con-
fjfb, has been the fubjeft of much enquiry. Little fuc-
cefs has hitherto attended it ; for the mind, as it has
been often faid, like the eye, though it calls up all
rarojre to its view, cannot procure a fight of itfelf.
With great probability, it has been fuppofed, that
genius is an extraordinary power of attention; a ca-
pacity in the mind of attaching itfelf clofely and
itror.gly at a glance, to every object that folicits its
regard ; of taking in the whole of it in all its diftant
relations, dependencies, modifications, origin, and
confequertces. But if we allow an extraordinary power
of attention to be genius, which perhaps cannot be al-
lowed, the queflion recurs, by what means this atten-
tion is caufed and fecured ? Thus far the name is only
charged, and the fubjeft ftill involved in its original
difficulty."

It is too obvioufly true to be controverted, that there
is an efiential difference in the organization of different
i, en ; not merely in the external form, but in the in-
itnor ftru&ure of the inviiibJe fprings, which regulate

all

No. 84. MORAL, &c. i£

all the animal tendencies and motions. It is highly pro-
bable, that a delicate fyftem of nerves, or a firmer con-
texture of them, is better able to obferve the external
world with unerring accuracy, than a more callous or a
more relaxed aftemblage of thefe inftruments of fenfa-
tion. Tins favourable predifpcfition of the organs, fol-
lowed by peculiar opportunities for collecting ideas, and
by inducements to impart them to the world, may per-
haps conllitute what we call literary genius.

There is indeed little doubt, but that fome kind of ge-
nius, or, in other words, fome peculiar ability to receive
a certain train of ideas neceflary to the pra.'.ice of feme
art, or to the purfuit of fome profeflion, is pofleffed by
every individual not in a ftate of idiotifm. Nature, a
kind parent to all-herchildren, has ufually endowed them
all with a power of exerting themfelves, in fome way or
other, with fkill and advantage. The misfortune has
been, that the indications of nature are not always fuffi-
ciently manifcit to the conductors of education. Thede-
ftination is often neceflariiy fixed, before the faculties are
arrived at fuflicient ftrength to point out their propenfity.

Univerfal genius is indeed (paringly, perhaps never,
bellowed. For the prefervaiion of impartiality, where
nature has allowed an excellence in any remarkable de-
gree, fhe has often permitted a defed to counterbalance
it. Yet in the literary annals of almoil every nation, we
find many diftinguifhed by intellectual endowments above
the ordinary condition of humanity. It is a noble privi-
lege to excel men in the very perfection by which they
furpafs the irrational animals, and is doubtlefs permitted
by Providence, in a few individuals, for the happinefs of
mankind. Let it be confidered, as an inftance of the
advantage which mankind derives from fingular genius,
what a train of light has been diffufed far and wide on
thoufands and tens of thoufands, for the fpace of near
twenty hundred years, from the illumined undemanding
of the individual Cicero. Or, to take an example from,
our own polifhed age and country, let a conjecture be
formed of the number of thoie who have been led to
every thing good and great by an Addilon.

The world, hov.ever, has feldom been grateful to its
benefactors. It has neglected, baniftied, poifoned, and

crucified

14 ESSAYS, No. 85.

crucified them. But there was an inward fatisfa&ion in
confcious rectitude, a generous fpirit in heroic virtue,
which bore them through every thing with comfort, and
their merit increafed and triumphed in adverfity.

They who have been pofiefled of fubordinate degrees
of genius, have in later times been induced to affect a
Angularity of fentiment and practice, in order to draw
upon themfelves the eyes of mankind. In purfuic of
this end, they have adopted vices and principles which
their hearts and underftanding muft have condemned.
Eccentricity has been the object of their wifhes. Ruin
and difgrace h;ive been the ufual confequences, and the
admiration of others has at laft been extinguimed in com-
paffion. Poor man ! it has been often exclaimed, he was
indeed clever, but he wanted conduct, and he unfortu-
nately died in a gaol.

If moral could be combined with mental excellence;
if the native vigour of genius could fubmit to be guided
and retrained by the decifions of well-conducted art;
then might be fupplied, what none will venture to ex-
pect, the two grand defiderata in morals and literature,
a perfect man and a perfect work. But before perfection
can be reafonably expected in any thing which belongs
to man, this mortal muft put on immortality, and this
corruptible, incorruption.

No. LXXXV. ON THE IMPORTANCE OF A
GOOD CHARACTER, CONSIDERED ONLY WITH
RESPECT TO INTEREST.

Ai
they are therefore influenced in the choice of a
conduct by different inducements, the moralift muft omit
no motive, however fubordinate in its nature, while it
appears likely to lead fome among mankind to a laud-
able, or even a blamelefs behaviour. A regard to eafe,
tointereft, and to fuccefs, in the ufual purfuits of wealth
and ambition, may induce many topurfue an honeftand

honourable

No. 85. MORAL, &c. IJ

honourable conduct, who would not have been influ-
enced by purer motives : but who, after they have once
perceived the intrinsic excellence and beauty of fuch a
conduct, will probably perfevere in it for its own fake,
and upon higher considerations.

To thofe who are to make their own way either to
wealth or honours, a good character is ufually no lefs
necefTary than addrefs and abilities. Though humaft
nature is degenerate, and corrupts itfelf flill more by it*
own inventions; yet it ufually retains to the laft am
efleem for excellence. But even if we are arrived at
fuch an extreme degree of depravity as to have loft our
native reverence for virtue ; yet a regard to our own in-
tereft and fafety, which we feldoin lofe, will lead us to>
apply for aid, in all important tranfactions, to men
whofe integrity is unimpeached. When we chufe an
afliftant, a partner, a fervant, our firft enquiry is con-
cerning his character. When we have occalion for a
connfellor or attorney, a phyfician or apothecary, what-
ever we may be ourfelves, we always chufe to truft our
property and perfons to men of the bell character.
When we fix on the tradefmen who are to fupply us
with neceflaries, we are not determined by the fign of
the lamb, or the wolf, or the fox ; nor by a mop fitted
up in the mod elegant tafte, but by the faireil reputa-
tion. Look into a daily newfpaper, and you will fee,
from the highell to the loweft rank, how important the
characters of the employed appear to the employers.
After the advertifement has enumerated the qualities re-
quired in the perfon wanted, there conftantly follows,,
that none need apply who cannot bring an undeniable
character. Offer yourfelf as a candidate for a feat in
parliament, be promoted to honour and emolument, or
in any refpect attract the attention of mankind upon
yourfelf, and if you are vulnerable in your character,
you will be deeply wounded. This is a general tclli-
mony in favour of honefty, which no writings and no
practices can poffibly refute.

Young men, therefore, whofe characters are yet un-
fixed, and who, confequently, may render them juft iuch
as they wifh, ought to pay great attention to the firft
fleps which they take on entrance into life. They are
j ufually

16 ESSAYS, No. 85.

ufually carelefs and inattentive to this object. They
purfue their own plans with ardour, and negleil the opi-
nions which others entertain of ihem. By fome thought-
lefs a 3 ion or expreiTmn, they fuffer a mark to be i;n-
prefied upon them, which fcarcely any iubiequent merit
can entirely erafe. Every man will find ibme perfons,
who, though they are not profefied enemies, yet view
him with an envious or a jealous eye; and who will
gladly revive any tale to uhicn truth has given the
flighted foundation.

Indeed, all men are fo much inclined to flatter their
own pride, by detracting from the reputation of others,
tljat fuppoiing we were able to maintain an immaculate
conduct, it would ftill be difficult to preferve an imma-
culate character. But yet it is wifdom not to furnifh
this detracting fpirit with real fab; eels for the exercife of
its activity. While calumny is fupported only by ima-
gination, or by malice, we may fometimes remove, by
contradicting it ; but wherever folly or vice have fup-
plied facts, we can feidom do more than aggravate the
evil, by giving it an apparent attention. The malignity
of fome among the various difpofitions of which man-
kind are compofed, is often highly gratified at the view
of injured fenfibility.

In this turbulent and con fu fed fcene, where cur words
anc: Actions are often mifunderftood, and oftener mifre-
prefented, it is indeed difficult even for innocence and
integrity to avoid reproach, -abafe, contempt and hatred.
Thefe not only hurt our interelt and impede our advance-
ment in life, but foiely afflict the feelings of a tender and
delicate mind. It is then the part of wifdom firft to do
eve'-y thing in our power to preferve an irreproachable
character, and then to let our happinefs depend chiefly
on the approbation of our own confciences, and on the
advancement of our -'ntcreft in a world where liars mail
not be believed, and where flanderers (hall receive coun-
.tinance from none but him who, in Greek, is called, by
way of eminence, Diabolus, or the Calumniator.

No. LXXXVI,

No. 86. MORAL, &c. 17

No. LXXXVI. ON THE OSTENTATIOUS AF-
FECTATION OF THE CHARACTER OF A
LEARNED LADY, WITHOUT SUFFICIENT
LEARNING, AND WITHOUT JUDGMENT..

THE moft attractive beauty of the perfon refuhs
from the graces of the mind. Delicacy, fweet-
nefs, fenfe, and fenfibility, mining in the eyes, will com-
penfatean irregularity of features, and will fooner excite
love in a feeling heart, than the beft formed face" and the
finrft complexional liu* without exprefiio- .

Nature muft indeed have laid the foundation of thefe
amiable qualities in the difpofition ; but they are by no
methods fo effectually called forth and improved, as by
the cultivation of a literary tafte. In a vulgar inter-
courfe with the world, we cannot avoid feeing and feel-
ing the difagreeable pafiions ; fuch as have an effed in
diftorting the countenance, and in giving to the eyes an
envious, a proud, a difdainful, or an artful afpecl ; than
which r.othing'is more repugnant to the power of per-
nal allurement. Eyes that unfortunately have acquir-
ed any of thefe appearances, whatever beauties they may
be furrounded with, poflefs a repellent influence, and
operate like the bafilifk. But however wicked the world
is, books are for the moft part ftill virtuous. Human
nature appears in them in its moft pleafing colours.
They infpire generous and tender fentiments. She who
is judicioufly converfant with them, will find her coun-
tenance improving as her mind is informed, and her look
ennobled ;is her heait i.-> elevated. This mull be a power-
ful motive ffr application among the ladies ; and they
may reft affured, that perfonal and mental beauty,
though, when feparate, their dominion is net abfolute,
are truly irrefiftible and delpotic when combined.

An application to books, however, is often found not

nee any attractive effects ; nor is it to be wondered

at, when it is conducted in an injudicious and cefuhory

manner.

13 ESSAYS, No. 86.

manner. The advice of friends is at nrft necefiary to
point out the kind of books, and the times, the modes,
and the degrees of ftudy. Superficial and ill-direded
reading tends to infpire the moft odious of all vanity,
and to occafion a behaviour truly ridiculous.

Sempronia has itudied all the Magazines for thefe ten
years pad, and has now and then obtained the honour of
contributing a little piece to feme of her admired mifcel-
lanies. This flattering diftindlion, as (he thinks it, has
greatly elevated her in her own opinion. She deems it
fufficient to emancipate her from the ufual decorums of
external behaviour. She talks with an overbearing con-
fidence, which, if fhe were not excufed becaufe the is a
profefled wit, would be intolerable rudenefs. Her atten-
tion to the mufes has excluded the graces from any mare
of her notice. If you call upon her in the morning, you
find her with flipfhod (hoes, no apron, matted hair, a
dirty face, a cap awry, and fingers begrimed with ink.
If you afk her in what me is exercifmg her genius, fhe
informs you me is writing a Pindaric Ode on Spring,
and is looking in Byrne's Art of Poetry for a rhyme to
trees. It muft be fent immediately, fhe fays, or it will
not be inferted this month. She hopes, therefore, that
fhe may be excufed in declining company. Her vifitor
has reafon to rejoice at the difmiffion ; for the fight of
Ber, as Swift lefs delicately fays of Caelia, will operate
as an emetic, and the fmell as a poifon.

Corinna happened to fall upon fome of the works of
our modern fceptics. She could not understand them
perfectly ; but fhe difcovered enough to be affured that
fcepticifm v^as fuppofed to be a mark of fuperior fenfe,
of a freedom from thofe narrow prejudices which enthral
the vulgar. She cannot therefore talk on common af-
fairs ; but when fhe gets into company with enlightened
people, fhe expatiates on the happinefs of pofibffing a
philofophical turn, and pities the poor narrow fouls who
go to church and perform all their duties, as they call
them, with mechanical regularity, juft like their great
grandmothers. Voltaire, Roufleau, Bolingbrokc, and
Hume, are her oracles. She is dreaded by her own fex,
and indeed voluntarily gives up their fbciety. But the
men fhe thinks more entertaining, more converfable, and

No. 86. MORAL, &c. 19

lefs (hackled with prejudices. She imagines herfelf par-
ticularly attended to by them ; and indeed there are fome
humourifts who liften to her converfaiion, in order to lay
up llore for ridicule. All who are judges condemn and
diflike her for entering into ftudies which have a natural
tendency to darken the underftanding and to corrupt the
heart, and which are peculiarly odious in thofe who were
formed to increafe the comforts of life, and not to cut
them off by diffufing the gloomy notions of the fceptic.

It was the misfortune of Fulvia to live next door to a
circulating library. In every moment of liftleflhefs the
maid was difpatched for a handful of novels, no matter
by whom they were written, or what they were in them-
felves, provided they were fentimental. By an uninter-
rupted courfe of fuch reading, (he had acquired a tafte for
anecdotes, private hiltory, and all that relates to the ef-
fecls of love, which, (he was led to think, formed the
great bufmefs of human life. Her heart had been a
thoufand times melted, and pierced, and fmitten, and
wounded, and was at lalt fo mollified, that me felt the
tendereil fentiments for every man with little diftinction.
She could not pafs a few moments in a private interview
with a male acquaintance, without being confcious of
tender fentiments for him. She often doubted whether
fhe ought, upon the whole, to rejoice or lament that me
was endowed with fuch extreme fenfibility. But to be
fure, fo it was, her poor heart was fo full of love, that
every one who approached might have a mare unafked.
Her voice was faint and tremulous; her refinements were
elegant to a degree inconceivable. She was hardly fit
for this low orb. She was always miferable, except
when pouring out her fentiments in letters to fome be-
loved Eudoxus. She was, in (hort, too tender, too fuf-
ceptible, too pure, too elevated, to live in this world ;
and fo every body faid, till, in evil hour, me ran away
with a corporal quartered in the town, and has never
been heard of fince.

Lelbia, when very young, wrote a few rhymes, whicli,
as her age was considered, were much applauded by her
friends. Flufhed with praife, (he confidered herfelf as
a fecond Sappho, and has ever fince been devoted to the
mufes. Her reading was chiefly confined to the poet's

corner

20 ESSAYS, No. 86.

corner Jn nevvfpapers, and her prod unions hive rivalled
her models. She compofes acnigmas, acrcfti s, rebufics,
and fongs, for thofe little red pocfket-books \v.
annually publiflied for th? ladies, and ilie h?s Ivid the
honour of gaining the reward fir expounding The Pii/e
Riddle. Within the circle of her acquaintance fhc is
much admired. If a wedding happens among any of
them, fhe pays for her bride-cake with an epithalamium ;
and flie keeps in her drawers, like haberdafhers wares in
a fhop, odes, elegies, and epigrams, adapted to every
occafion. But, while me is foaring on the wings of
poetical genius in her ftudy, her poor little boys and
girls are left to the company of the fcullion in the
kitchen. Her mind is extremely active, and it is but
juRice to allow, that fhe neglects nothing but her duty.

Of all fubjects, politics feem the lea ft adapted to the
female character. Women are excluded, by the rude
framers of our confti'tution, from all leg-illative influ-
ence-; and, it is well known, that public affairs are fel-
dorn treated with temper, either in writing or converfa-
tion. But the female politician is by no means uncom--
mon. Cornelia derives all her learning, of which fhe
thinks fhe pofiefTes an ample {hare, from the mifcella-
neous volumes of a Woodfall. She has herfelf fome-
times ventured to communicate a paragraph or two, and
has been delighted, even- to rapture, with the thought,
that a plan or conjecture of hers has been wafted through-
out the empire by fo rapid a conveyance. On-common
fubjects fhe. is mild and reasonable; but while the gentle-
men are talking politics, fhe fubmits with great re-
luftance to the frigid rules of decorum, which require
that fhe fhould pay attention to the ladies. Her colour
comes and goes for a long time, till at*laft fhe can bear
it no longer, and burfts out with a blaze of eloquence,
fcarcely rivalled in the moft famous fchools of oratory,
thofe of Athens or of Billingfgate. A treaty of :n \r-
riage was on foot fome time ago ; but after t
liiiiinaries were all fettled, and a day for the ratification
of the articles fixed, a rupture epfued on the adjuil-
ment of the balance of power, and hoitilities have not
yet ceaied, nor is a coalition of the parties lil
take place.

In

No. "86. MORAL, Sec. 21

In thefe few instances, and in thofe many which ob-
fervation i.i' -t;;e world will fupply, there feems to have
been an original fii'd of parts, and a love of books,
which, properly directed, would have led to great im-
provements. Bat vague indultry and unguided emula-
tion, fliinuhted to pc-rlrr in a wrong path by the partial
| •••[" friends and relations, have precipitated even the

amiably di:'p:>fed into unfuppc.ried vanity, -and caufed
them to d ilii.guiiii themfelves without acquiring, fio-

11' U."

I'o be r.ffcft-d in any way is, at all times, in all
. and in all decrees, to be liiugreeable But af-
fectation of learning and authorship, in a woman with
very little merit, draws upon itielf the contempt and
hatred of both fexes They who excel oil in either
fex-, are found by experience to b? moil candid and mo-
deft; to aflame ieaft, and to join in conversation with,
others, withi ; the ienCe of their fuperimty.

Indeed it often happens, thar there is an amiable humi-
lity in true genius and learning, \vhuh compel the pof-
fellbr of them to think diffidently of his own character,
amid the united pruiies of all around. Let her then,
who' pofTefles the bright jf.velt of genius and learning,
take care to let them in a pL.in manner, and their luftre
will difpLy a luit:onal briiiiancy.

In theembellifhment of the perfon,a fufficient degree
of care is ufua-ly t:ik;-n tnat nothing unbecoming lhall
have a place in it. A :e«ard is commonly paid to age,
rank, and every circumitance which can point out the
line of propriety. But in adorning the mind, it is ufual
to attend to little elfe but the dictates of inclination.
Yet there i certainly a kinu of fexual difference in the
mind' of the Ic-xcr,, which admits and requires a d.iferent
fpecies of int llefl ;.l ftccjomplilhrnent- (Economy is
laid, indeed, to be the peculiar province of women ; yet
furely, as rational beings, their reafon may properly re-
ceive tii e cultivation Nor fliould their
attainments occaiion contempt or negled, unlels they
are fullied by obtruding arrogance, by a mafculiae bold-
neis, a critical ieverity, and an ill-timed and injudicious
oitentation.

No. LXXXVII.

ESSAYS, No. 87.

No. LXXXVII. ON THE FOLLY AND WIC-
KEDNESS OF NEGLECTING A FAMILY AND
CHILDREN, FOR THE PLEASURES OF DISSI-
PATION.

THOUGH it may be true, as it has been aflert-
ed, that one age is not better than another, yet
k is obvious to remark that the modes, if not the de-
grees, of vice, have varied at different periods; and
that, of modes equally criminal in themfelves, fome
are particularly deftriidVive. Whatever have been the
manners of preceding times, in our country, I be-
lieve it will be readily allowed, that the middle ranks
were never univerfally infecled with the love of a diffi-
pating life, till the prefent age. Domeftic induftry
•and ceconomy, or the qualities diftingiiiftied by the
homely titles of thriftinefs and good houfevvifery, were
always, till the prefent century, deemed honourable.
They are now, however, difcarded in difgrace ; and in
their place have fucceeded a paffionate love of (how
without fubftance, a never-ceafing attention to drefs,
and an infatiable hunger and thirft after diverfions
public and private.

Whoever conhders the natural effecl: of exceflive in-
dulgence, in relaxing and weakening the tone of the
mind, will immediately perceive how pernicious it muft
Be to human nature, in general, and to each particular
fociety. Thrre can remain neither inclination, nor
ability for exertion, when the firings which ihould give
«lafli ity are all loofe or broken ; and without exertion
what is man ? Behold what he is in the womanifh court
of an oriental tyrant. Sunk in floth, and proftrate in
meannefs, poor human nature, in fuch a fituation,
fcarcely equals, in fpirit or ingenuity, the monkey and
baboon.

But I mean not to enlarge on diffipation in general,
but to confider its «ffe&s in the limited circle of private

families j

No. 87. MORAL, &c. 23

families; from which, however, it gradually extends its
influence over the whole commun'ty, throughout all its
departments, like the undulations of a pebble thrown
into a pool.

Let us fuppofe a married couple in the middle ranks
of life (and 1 feleft my inftances from the middle ranks
becaufe they are the mod numerous and important).
Let us fuppofe them juft fetting out, as it is called, in
the world. The firft objecl is to form and extend con-
nexions. The oftenfible motive is the advancement of
the family intereft; the real and moft powerful motive,
the love of various company, in a continual fuccefiion.
Dinners and fuppers, dancing and card-playing, leave
little time, and no inclination, for the fober bufmefs of
the trade or profeflu n. A neglefled trade or profeflion
cannot fucceed ; and the poor young peop e, after hav-
ing fpent the little and hard-earned patrimony which,
it may be, thHr affectionate parents beftowed on them,
live the reft of their lives in fome poor lodging in penury
or fervitude, or die of difappointment.

But if, by uncommonly good fortune, they avoid
bankruptcy or ruin, yet their love of diflipation never
fails to poifon that happinefs which it pretends to
fw^eten. It prevents them from performing the moft
indifpenfable duties, and living the life of rational
creatures. All heads of families are prefidents of little
focieties, which they are bound to regulate by precept
and example. But how fhaii they be qualified to do
this, who are feldom at hem", and who, when they are
there, are conltantly engaged in vanity. Their own cor-
ruption defcends, with additional malignity of influence,
to the loweft menial fervant, who has fought protection
beneath their roof.

But let us confider them in the relation of parents.
Nothing can be more incor.filtent with the life of a
lady, who delights in the fafhionable amufements, than
the care of her new-born child. Her drefs would be
difconcerted, and herfhape fpoiied, were (he to attempt
to feed it herfelf with the food which nature has made
convenient for it. She could not be abfent from home.
She muft be liable to interruption at all hours. Her
health alfo muft fail under fo conitant a fatigue, added

to

24 ESSAYS, No. R7.

to, the neceflary toils of the ball and card- table, Her
phyfician, for me takes care to keep the dodor on her
fide, declares, that from the delicate imbecility of her
conftitution, it would be highly improper for her to
fubmit to the exhaufting tafk of fuckling an infant.
The little one, therefore, vvhofe heavenly fmiles would
repay every maternal care, is fent to the cottage, or the
garret, of ibme hireling nurfe. There, amidit poverty,
hunger, and naftinefs, it drags a precarious exigence,
with ,.o attention, but the cold charity of a mercenary
woman, s\ho has often, at the fame time, a child of
her own to engrofs her maternal endearments. The
mother, in the mean time, is engaged in the gay circle
of an aflembly, loiing that money at cards, or fpending
it in drels and pleafures, which ought to pay her huf-
band's creditors. Ah! little thinks flie how her poor
infant, which ought to be foftered in her bofom, is be-
wailing, in the expreffive language of tears, the neglect,
and the harfh treatment it undergoes, in the dreary
haunts of want and mifery. Many a severe menace, and
many a hard blow, does the fweet babe receive from the
pafiionate and ignorant nurfe, at which a mother's heart
would bleed, if it were not loft to fenfibility. Poor
nts, unhappy orphan?, deferted in your helplefs
flate, by thole who have brought you into a wretched
world ; imy lie who took the children up in his arms,
put his hands on them, ::nd blclTed them, have pity on
your woes on ihoie injuries which ye forely fufter, but
cannot have deferved !

Life, however, is not eafily extinguished ; and not-
withftanding all the pains and inconvenience^ which the
child undergoes from want of food, from wantofclean-
liiif'fs, from want of thole tender attentions which a
mother only can pay, it does indeed furvive ; but what
remains of its lot is even more miferable than that which
has already pafled. As it has always been abfent from
home, it is a ftr^nger there. Its paients feel but little
natural afftdlion for it ; tor natural affection fixes itfelf
in the heart moil deeply ac r\v period when the infant
is hanging at the breaft, and fmiling, as it were,, with
gratitude, in the face of IT r who iupplies it with de-
licious nourifhment from her own vital current. It
2 takes

Ho. 87. MORAL, &c. 25

takes dill firmer pofleffion of the heart when the child
begins to prattle, and to play thofe little tricks, which
none but a callous mind can behold without delight.
But, alas ! the little boy or girl are ftiil confidered as
obftacles to pleafure at home. They pay a fhort and
formal vifit there, and are again difmifled to a nurfe,
locked up with fervants in the garret, or transferred to
their grandmother. The laft is a mod enviable lot, in
comparifon with the former; in which they not only
experience harfti words and hard blows, but learn vulgar
ideas, vulgar language and habits of every kind, which
muft one day be unlearned.

As foon as they can walk firmly, and talk plainly,
they are removed to one of thofe convenient fchools or
academies, as they are called, where children, at a very
early age, are received as into nurferies. In the fubfequent
courfe of their education they are conflantly kept from
home; or if they are indulged in a vifitof a few days,
they fee little but what tends to miilead them. They
receive no fatherly advice, and whatever learning they
may acquire at their fchool?, they ufaally enter on the
ftage to aft their part in the drama of life, without
judgment, and without principles to regulate their con-
duct. There is ufually added to their misfortune of be-
ing neglefted and mifled, that of being deprived of all
fhare of th?ir parents poffeffions ; who, in the gay cir-
cles of pleafure, net only fpend their own property, but
involve themfelves and their paternal eftates in debt, and
in every fpecies of diftrefling and difgraceful embarrafl-
ment. There is no part of the family and afFairi of the
diflipated which has not a tendency to ruin. They are
themfelves in a conftant Mate of mortification and dif-
appoiniment. Their objeft in purfuing a perpetual
round of amufements, is to obtain perpetual pleafure;
an objed which human nature could never yet accom-
pli Ih. They, of all others, are leall likely to obtain it,
who make pleafure a bufinefs, and, in profecution of
it, negleft their moft important and their dnily duties.
Indeed, there is nothing more rnifapprehended than the
nature of pleafure. Men are deluded by a name, ari"d,
catching at a phantom, lofe reality. The trueit plea-

VOL.II, ' C

26 E S vS A Y S, No. 87.

fure refults from calm and moderate emotions. Noife,
tumult, violence, diforder, take off the fine fpirit from
that which is otherwife formed to pleafe, and leave
little behind but dregs or difagreeabie ingredients.
Balls, ademblies, feafts, public diverfions, cards, drefs,
various company, fhould be purfued only as, what they
are, temporary an ufements. Afk t'lofe who are whirled
in the vortex of fafhion whether they are happy ? Not-
withilanding they are engaged, without ceafing, in what
the world calls pleafure, they are as ready to complain
of languor and of mifery as any other part of mankind.
Pride and vanity compel them to move with others of
their rank or fortune ; but their countenances and words
abundantly teftify that they have, at leaft, their mare
of human uneafinefs. They feel, indeed, the fatif-
faftion of being diftinguifhed from the poor, becaufe
their fortunes enable them to pay for the diitinclion ;
but that happinefs is but flenderly fupported, which is
founded only on the gratification of a weak and wo-
manifh vanity.

With refpefl to that particular part of the evil re-
fulting frorri cftflipation, the negleft and confequent
mifery of families, it is certainly very extenfive and
important. Single nien, and fingle women, however
led aftray by the falfe lights of their own vain imagina-
tion, fufter by themfelves, or at leait draw but a few
in their train. But the whole rifing generation muft be
endangered, when diffipation is become univerfal among-
parents and the heads of families.

Selfifli arguments may fucceed when others fail ; and
I therefore wifh I could convince the generality of a
certain truth ; that there is really more pleafure to bs
found at the family fire-fide, and in the regular per-
formance of domeiHc duties, than in the never-ceafing
purfuit aftep falhionable am ufements. What is the de-
light of feeing an Italian or French dancer Hand upon
one leg, compared to that of beholding one's own fmil-
ing babes in the raptures of a game at play ? What is
the delight of glittering at a ball, a play, a mafque-
rade, compared to that of a home, in which are found
plenty, tranquillity, and love, uninterrupted by the

extra-

No. 88. MORAL, &c. 27

extravagance, the folly, the pride, and the reflleflhefs
of that ignorant, empty, weak, and fickle, yet arbitrary
tyrant, Famion ?

Not that the moralift is fevere. He prohibits no
moderate and reafonable enjoyments. He is too well
acquainted with human nature, and with life, fo to
moralize. He maintains only, that though diffipating
pleafures may be allowed as a temporary relief, they are
fatal to happinefs and virtue, when they are fuffered to
engage the whole attention, or to become the chief em-
ployment.

NO. LXXXVIII. ON FORMING CON-
NECTIONS.

ONE can never fufficiently admire the liberal fpirit
of the great philofopher and orator of Rome,
v\ho, in his fine treatife on friendship, has exploded the

idea, that the profpect of advantage is the foundation of
this virtuous union, and afierted, that it owes its origin
to a conviction of mutual excellence in morals and dif-
pontion.

This generous Opinion appears {till greater and more
amiable when it is contrafted with the precepts and the
practices of later ages, and particularly of the prefent.
It is now one of the firft admonitions given to a young
man, who is entering on the career of life, that he mult,
at all events, make connections. And inftead of in form-
ing him, that he is to be directed in his choice of them
by the appearance of moral and mental excellence, ac-
cording to the^ fublime ideas of the noble Roman, his
fagacious monitors fugged to him, that he is to be
folely guided by the proipect of his intereft and advapce-
ment in the road of ambition. Let a poor man of ap-
proved character, learning and genius, and a rich man
of failiion, with no preteniions to either, be introduced
to a fenfible and prudent young man of the world who
has been thus inilrucled ; and, while the rich man is
viewed with fubmiffion, complacence, and treated with
C 2 a melt

*8 ESSAYS, No. 88.

almoft idolatrous attention, the poor man ftands by un-
noticed, and probably defpifed. On the fl ght acquaint-
ance of a firft introduction, the youth who is deeply
verfed in worldly wifdom, will not fail to call at the
rich man's houfe, and leave a card with mofl refpeclful
compliments; he would not come into the neighbour-
hood without paying that refpeS, on any account what-
ever ; he is not half fo fcrupulous about going to church
and paying his court to his Maker ; but at the very time
while he is bowing at the threfhold of the rich man, the
philofopher (hall pafs by, and, becaufe he pofTefTes only
a competency without fupcrfluity, and without influence,
he ftiall not be honoured with the common civility of a
falutation. For it is a maxim with thefe men, that as it
is an honour to know and be knwon to perfons of for-
tune and title, fo it is a difgrace to acknowledge an ac-
Suaintance with thofe who have nothing to recommend
lem but honour, fpirit, learning, and virtue.
The formation of connections is confidered as fo im-
portant, that it becomes, in effedt, the principal object
in education. The boy, whofe parents are profefTed
people of the world, would not, on any account, fail
to place him at a fchool to which the fons of the no-
bility are often fent, though they are ready to confefs,
that little learning and great profligacy are the ufual
acquifitions in it. If the boy has grown intimate with
the fon of a Duke, a Lord, or a Baronet, his parents
are better pleafed with him, than if he had learned by
heart all Horace, Virgil, and Homer. There is no
fubmiflion fo mean, and no attentions fo fervile, but he
is ready to pay them with alacrity, in accomplishing the
important objec"l of forming connections. The mind i>
rendered, by thefe means, low and abjeft ; and though
the boy may afterwards rife to the honour of being a no-
bleman's chaplain, or his travelling companion, yet he
will retain, through life, the fentiments and fpirit of
his Lordfliip?s footman or valet-de-chambre.

A man, unacquainted xvlth the world, might fuppofe,
that the readielt road to preferment in feveral of the
profeflions, is to acquire the knowledge and accompjiifli-
ments which are neceflary to a fkilful practice of them.
Buc this is really not the cafe. The fureft'and moft

compendious

No. 88. MORAL, &c. 29

compendious method pointed out by the wife men of
this world, is to form connexions. Accordingly we ob-
fcrve many perfons in the profeffions, who aim at diiHnc-
tion and advancement, by no means confining themfelves
to their libraries ; but ftudying the graces of drefs and
addrefs, and the arts of fnnulat'on and difiimulation. We
fee them frequenting all public places, giving and re-
ceiving invitations to dinners and fuppers, and evidently
fpending fo much time in dillipation, as to leave
fcarcely an hour in a day for reading and ftudy.

We will fuppofe a young man entering on the prc-
feflion of a phyfician. The time before he is of age
is, perhaps, devoted to hearing faihionable lectures,
and to reading a few faperficial books ; fuch as tend to
acquaint him with the common and obvious modes of
practice. But he no fooner Iteps in^o the world than
both books and lectures are laid aiidf. Several years,
indeed, mult elapfe before he takes his doctor's degree.
But this time is not fpent in icudy only, by him who
knows how to play his cards, as it is called, and to
fecure fuccefs in life. No; he has learned a wifVr
leflbn, and is well allured, that the moil famiiiar ac-
quaintance with Galen and Hippocrates, will not ad-
vance him half fo \\ell HF connexions. Connexions are,
therefore, the fir ft and the laft Irudy of the day. !f }-,e
has been fortunate enough co procure an introduction •-->
a few titled perfons, and to prefcrtbe, with fucceis, ia
the cafe of feme Duchefs Dowager's pricked finger, his
fortune is made ; he cannot fall of being recommended
to mere connections in the fame fafhionable line. He
himfeif will become the fafhion, and people of famicn.
will vvifh to be ill, or pretend to be-ill, that they may
have the credit of calling Doctor fuch an one " our
*' phyfuian." Connections will now be made, and
money accumulated with fuch rapidity, that the doctor
will become a greater man than his •employers, and
venture to dictate to Lcrds and Dukes in politics, as
well as in a purge.

In the fubordinate V ranches alfo of the healing art,
and indeed in moft of the walks c-f life> iruch more de-
pendence is placed on connections than on merit ; much.
C 3 more

30 ESSAYS, No. 88.

more attention paid to acquiring connexions than in
acquiring merit; and to deferve connections is by no
means thought the fecureft method of obtaining them.
Deceit, external fhow, and pompous pretences, are
deemed infallible noftrums for making connections ; bur,
alas! can any lucrative advantage, refuhing from con-
nections, repay a rational creature for facrificing truth
and liberty ? Thefe connections are dignified by the
name of friendlhips. Shade of Cicero, what indigna-
tion muft thou feel at fuch prefumption !

In divinity too, I am forry to obferve, that many more
have rifen to ecclefiaftical emolument and dignity by
itudying, throughout their lives, to make connexions,
than by fuperior piety or by theological attainments.
It is lamentable to behold thofe vvhofe minds ought to
poflefs peculiar elevation, bowing and cringing, with
abjeft fervility, to the vileft peer of the realm, who
happens to have influence at court, or to be the patron
of a living. The lord fhall be a profeffed fcoffer at
all religion, and an avowed enemy to chriftianity in
parti ular, and yet {hall have a tribe of clergymen at
his levee, who rsnnot help admiring his wit and un-
derftanding. .Preferment, indeed, feems to be the only
objedl among many of thofe, who are fet apart to teach
the w°J'Jd that the riches of divine grace are the trueft
fifties, and the diftinclion of fuperior virtue the moft
enviable dignity. Horace has faid, that to have pleafed
the great is not the loweft praife ; many of the modern
inftruclors of mankind feem to confider it as the higbeft ;
and, in proportion as they are fervile to their patron,
they are infolent to their curate.

It is a maxim with many, founded, as they pretend,
on real obfervation, that mitres, flails, and pluralities,
are not attainable by any fuch qualities as are acquired
in the ftudy. You muft form connections. In order to
form connections, you muft recommend yourlelf to va-
rious company by the graces; you muft po/Tefs verfa-
tility of mind ; you muft frequent afiemblies, gaming-
tables, watering places : your confcience muft be as
eafy as your manners; you muft take care not to fpend
too much time in reading Greek, or any thing elfe but

the

No. 88. MORAL, &c. 31

the Court Calendar; and you can hardly fail of valu-
able connexions and valuable preferment, as thoufands
can teftify by aftual experience.

But though numbers may give confidence, furely thofe
whofe whole employment confifts in meanly hunting for
preferment under the garb of fan&ity and religion, are
moft contemptible characters. Indeed, their difpofi-
tions are ufually as narrow, felfifh, and flavilh, as their
purfuits are fordid, and unbecoming the dignity of a
facred profeflion. Arife, Cicero, for my ideas return
with pleafure to thee ; arife, behold a pompous preacher,
in a large peruke and folemn canonicals, cringing to
a debauched, unbelieving, and biiliop- making Lord,
and pretending all the while that he is cultivating friend-
fhip in all its purity !

But would you forbid a young man the formation of
connections, by which fo many have availed themfelves,
and rifen to real and deferved grandeur ? By no means ;
I would only teach him to prelerve a juit reverence for
himfelf, and to defpife all riches and all honours which
muft be purchafed at the expence of truth, virtue, and
a manly fpirit. I would, like others, advife every
young man (and it is chiefly to the young that I pre-
fume to fuggeft admonitions), to form conne&ions, or
rather friendships ; but to be guided in his choice of
them by perfonal merit and approved character. I do
not fay, for it would be unnatural and unwife, that he
fhould negledl intereft, or defpife advancement, when it
can be procured confidently with the fpirit and integrity
of an honeft and delicate mind. If preferment comes
unlocked for, and unfought by fervile compliance, it is
an honour as well as an advantage, and is doubly wel-
come. But if I muft facrifice my reafon and my con-
fcience, my honour and my freedom, in forming con-
nections and purfuing preferment, I relinquifh the
chace, and eagerly retire ta competency, contentment,
and liberty.

C 4 No. LXXXIX,

32 s s A y s,

No. LXXXIX. AN ADDJIBS5. TO.A VO,UN9
SCHOLAR, SUPPOSED TO BE IN 'THE' COURS£
OF A LIBERAL 'EDUCATION* AT

YOUR parents have watched over your helplefs
infancy, and conducted you, with many a pang1,
to an age at which your mind is capable of manly irn-
P'ovcmcnt. Their folicitude ftill continues, and no
trouble nor expence is fpared in giving you all the in-
ftruftjons and accomplimments which may enable yo_a
to acl your pare in life, as a man of poliihed fenfe and
confirmed virtue. You have, then, already contracted
a great debt of gratitude to them. You can pay it by
no other method bnt by uiing the advantages which,
thrir goodnefs has afforded you.

If \our own endeavours are deficient, it is in vain thst
you have tutors, book?, and all the external appanru- cf
literary purfims. Yru muft love learning, if }cu in-
tend to poiTefs it. Jn order to love it, you muft feel its
delights ; in order to feel its delights, you muft apply to
it, however irkfome at fir ft, cloieJy, conftantly, a^d for
a confiderable time. If you have refolution, encash
to do this, you cannot but love learning ; for the mind
always loves that to which it has been long, fteaclily,
and voluntarily attached. Habits are formed, which
render what was at firft difagreeable, not only pleafant,
but neceffary.

Pleafant, indeed, are all the paths w"hich lead to
polite and elegant literature. Yours, 'then, is furely a
lot. particular}' happy. Your education is of fuch a fort,
that its principal fcope is to prepare you to receive a
refined pleafure during your life. Elegance, or delicacy
of tafie, is one of the firft objects of a claflical difcipline ;
and it is this fine quality which opens a new world to
the fcholar's view. Elegance of tafle has a connection
with many virtues, and all of them virtues of the moft
amiable kiad. It tends to render you, at once, good

and

No. £9. M O R A L, Sec. 33

and agreeable. You muft therefore be an enemy to
your own enjoyments, if you enter on the difcipline
which leads to the attainment of a claflical and liberal
education with reluftance. Value duly the opportuni-
ties you enjoy, and which a*c denied to tboufands of
your fellow-creatures.

Without exemplary diligence jou will make but a
contemptible proficiency. You may, indeed, pafs through*
the forms of fchools and univerfities, but you will bring
nothing away from them of real value. The proper fort
and degree of diligence you cannot poffefs, but by the
efforts of your own refolution. Your inftruftor may,
indeed, confine you within the walls of a fchool a cer-
tain number of hours. He may place books before you,
and compel you to fix your eyes upon them ; but no
authority can chain down your mind. Your thoughts
will efcape from every external reftraint, and, amidft the
moil ferious leclures, may be ranging in the wild pur-
fuit of trifles or vice. Rules, reftraints, commands, and
punilhments, may, indeed, affift in ftrengthening your
refolution ; but, without your own voluntary choice,
your diligence will not often conduce to your pleafure
or advantage. Though this truth is obvious, yet it feems
to be a fccret to thofe parents who expecl to find their
fon's improvement encreafe in proportion to the number
of tutors and external afnftances, which their opulence
has enabled them to provide. Thefe afliftances, indeed,
are fometirnes afforded, chiefly that the young heir to a
title or eflate may indulge himfelf in idlenefs and no-
minal pleafures. The lefTon is conltrued to him, and
the exercife written for him by the private tutor, while
the haplefs youth is engaged in fome ruinous pleafure,
which, at the fame time, prevents him from learning-
any thing deiirable, and lea-ds to the formation of de-
flrudive habits, which can feldom be removed.

But the principal obftacle to improvement at your
fchoo!, efpecially if you are too plentifully fupplied
with money, is a perverfe ambition of being diftinguifh-
ed as a boy ot fpirit in mifchievous pranks, in r.t-g!ec~l-
ing the tafks and leiTons, and for every vice and irregu-
larity which the puerile age can admit. You will have
fenfe enough, I hope, to diicovsr, beneath the roaik of
C 5 gaiety

34- ESSAYS, No. 89.

gaiety and good-nature, that malignant fpirit of de-
traction, which endeavours to render the boy who ap-
plies to books, and to all the duties and proper bufinefs
of the fchool, ridiculous. You will fee, by the light of
your reafonr that the ridicule is mifapplied. You will
difcover, that the boys who have recourfe to ridicule,
are, for the moft part, ftupid, unfeeling, ignorant, and
vicious. Their noify folly, their bold confidence, their
contempt of learning, and their defiance of authority
are, for the mofi part, the genuine effects of hardened
infenfibility. Let not their infults and ill-treatment
difpirit you. If you yield to them with a tame and ab-
ject fubmiffion, they will not fail to triumph over you
with additional infolence. Difplay a fortitude in your
purfuits, equal in degree to the obftinacy in which they
perfift in theirs. Your fortitude will foon overcome
theirs ; which is, indeed, feldom any thing more than
the audacity of a bully. Indeed, you cannot go through
a fchool with eafe to yourfelf, and with fuccefs, without
a confiderable fhare of courage. I do not mean that
ibrt of courage which leads to battles and contentions,
but which enables you to have a will of your own, and
to purfue what is right, amidft all the perfecutions of
furrounding enviers, dunces, and detractors. Ridicule
is the weapon made ufe of at fchool, as well as in the
world, when the fortreffes of virtue are to be afTailed.
You will effectually repel the attack by a dauntlefs fpirit
and unyielding perfeverance. Though numbers are
againft you, yet, with truth and rectitude on your fide,,
you may be if/e agmen, though alone, yet equal to an,
army.

By laying in a ftore of ufefuf knowledge, adorning
your mind with elegant literature, improving and efta-
blifliing your conduct by virtuous principles, you cannot
fail of being a comfort to thofe friends who have fup-
ported you, of being happy within yourfelf, and of
being well received by mankind. Honour and fuccefs
in life will probably attend you. Under all circum-
ftances you will have an internal fource of confolation
and entertainment, of which no fublunary viciffitude-
can deprive you. Time mews how much wifer is your
choice than thai of your idle companions, who would

gladly

No. 90. MORAL, Sic. 35

gladly have drawn you into their aflbciation, or rather
into their confpiracy, as it has been called, againft: good
manners, and againft all that is honourable and ufeful.
While you appear in fociety as a refpe&able and va-
luable member of it, they have facritked, at the ftmne
of vanity, pride, extravagance, and falfe pleafure, their
health and their fenfe, their fortunes and their cha-
rafters.

No. XC. THE WANT OF PIETY ARISES FROM:
THE WANT OF SENSIBILITY.

IT appears to me, that the mind of man, when it is
free from natural defeds and acquired corruption,
feels no lefs a tendency to the indulgence of devotion,
than to virtuous love, or to any other of the more refin-
ed and elevated afte&ions. But debauchery and excefs
contribute greatly to deftroy all the fufceptible delicacy
with which nature ufually furnimes the heart; and, in
the general extinction of our better qualities, it is no
wonder that fo pure a fentiment as that of piety, mould
be one of the firfl to expire.

It is certain that the underflanding may be improved
in a knowledge of the world, and in the arts of fucceed-
ing in it, while the heart, or whatever conititutes the
feat of the moral and fentimental feelings, is gradually
receding from its proper and original perfection. Indeed, .
experience feems to evince, that it is hardly poffible to
arrive at the character of a complete man of the world,
without lofing many of the moft valuable fentiments of
uncorrupted nature. A complete man of the world is
an artificial being ; he has discarded many of the native-
and laudable tendencies of his mind, and adopted a
new fyltem of objefts and propenfities of his own crea-
tion. Thefe are commonly grofs, coarfe, fordid,
felfifh, and fenfual. All, or either of thefe attributes,
tend dircclly to blunt the fenfe of every thing liberal,
eodarged, diiinteretted ; of every thing which partici-
C. 6 pates

36 E :S S A Y S, No. 93.

pates more of an intellectual than of a fenfual nature.
When the heart is tied down to the earth by luft and
avarice, it is not extraordinary that the eye fhould be
feldorn lifted up to heaven. To the man who fpends
his Sunday (becaufe he thinks the day fit for little
elfe' in the counting-houfe, in travelling, in the ta-
vern or in the brothel, thofe who go to church appear
as fools, and the bufinefs they go upon as nonfenfe.
He is callous to the feelings of devotion ; bat he is
tremblingly alive to all that gratifies his fenfes or pro-
motes his intereft.

Jt has been remarked of thofe writers who have at-
tacked chriilianity, and reprefented all religions merely
as diverfifred modes of fuperftition, that they were in-
deed, for the rooft part, men of a metaphysical and a
elifputatious turn of mind, but ufually little diflinguilh-
cd for benignity and generofity. There was, amidft
all the preteniions to logical fagacitv, a cloudinefs of
ideas, and a coldnefs of heart, which rendered thera
very unfit judges on a qufiHon in which the heart is
chiefly intereited ; in which the language of nature is
more expreflive and convincing, than all the dreary fub-
tleties of the difmal metaphy^cians. Even the reafon-
jng faculty, on which we fo greatly value ourfelves, may
be perverted by excefTive refinement ; and there is an ab-
llrule, but vain and foolsfti philofoj-hy, which philofo-
phizes us out of the nobleft parts of our noble nature.
One of thofe parts of us is our iiyftirjftive fenfe of reli-
gion, of which not one of ihofe brutes which the philofo-
phers mod admire, and to whofe rank they wi/h to re-
duce us, is found, in the flighted degree to participate.

Such phiiofophers may be called, in a double fenfe,
the enemies of mankind. '1 hsy not only endeavour to
entice man from his duty, but to rob him of a moft
exalted and natural pleafure. Such, furely, is the
plecfuie of devotion. For when the foul rifes above
this iiule crb, and pours its adoraticn at the throne of
celeflia! Majffty, the hcly fervour which it feels is itfelf
a rapturous delight. Neither is this a declamatory re-
prcfentation, but a truth felt asd acknowledged by all
th« fons of iren ; except tlvofe who have been defective
in, ienfibiiiiy, or who hoped to gratify the pride or the

malignity

No. 90. MORAL, &c. 37

malignity of their hearts, by fingular and pernicious
fpeculatkm.

Indeed, all difputations, controverfial and meta-
phyfical writings, on the fubjecl of religion, are un-
favourable to genuine piety. We do not find, that the
moft renowned polemics in the church militant, were at
all more attentive than others to the common offices of
religion, or that they wer-.- actuated by any peculiar
degree of devotion. The truth is, their religion cen-
tred in their heads ; whereas its natural region is the^
heart. The heart ! confined, alas ! in colleges or libra-
ries, unacquainted with all the tender charities of hu£-
band, father, brother, friend ; feme of them have almoll
forgotten that they poflefs a heart. It has long ceafed
to beat with the pulfations of love and fympathy, and
has been engjrofled by pride on conquering an adverfary
in the fyllogiftic combat, or by impotent anger on a
defeat. With fuch habits, and fo defective a fyftem of
feelings, can we expeft that a Doctor of the Sorbonne, or
the difputing profeflbr of divinity, mould ever feei the

Sure flame of piety that glowed in the bofoms of Mrs.
owe, Mrs. Talbot, or Mr. Nelfon ?
An inexperienced and unobfervant man might ex-
pect to find extraordinary devotion and piety in the-
chapcls and colleges of our Englifh univerfities. Many
of our academics are fummoned to prayers, not left
often than four times every day throughout the year.
But do they jattend .voluntarily, or in obedience to a
ilatute ? Js.'there any particular piety or decency in the
performance of public worship ? Quite the reverfe ; for
in no place of worfhip are the prayers read in a more
careleis or perfunctory manaer ; in none are more in<-
decencies praftifed' and connived at,, than'in the chapels
of oar Englifh universities-. The reaion is, that thofe
who attend in them Confilt, for the molt part, either of
jolly fellousj wha: drown all thoughts in wine and its
concomitants; or -of dry logicians -<nd metaphysicians
who, in the towering heights of their wifciom, are
fuperior to the weaknefles of a idevotee. I have feen
in many a country church, where the congregation con-
fifted only of honeil huibandmen and their families,
more decency and more devotion, than in any chapel in
J the

J0 E S- S A Y S, No. 9*;

the venerable feats of learning and of religion. A very
amiable and ingenuous writer has ventured to fuggeft, ,
that even the clergy at large, from the habit of talking
and difputing with familiarity on fubjefts of religion,
are lefs apt to indulge the ardour of devotion, than the
common tribe of mankind, engaged in the varied and.
bufy fcene of many-coloured life.

It is however certain, that a devotional tafte and ha-
bit are very defirable in themfelves, exclufive of their
effecls in meliorating the morals and difpofition, and
promoting prefent and future felicity. They add dig-
nity, pleafure, and fecurity, to any age : but to old age
they are the mod becoming grace, the moft fubftantial
fupport, and the fweeteft comfort. In order to preferve
them, it will be neceffary to preferve our fenfibility ; .
and nothing will contribute fo much to this purpofe as
a life of temperance, innocence, and fimplicity.

No. XCI. ON THE PLEASURES OF A GARDENS

NO T he alone is to be efteemed a benefadlor to
mankind who makes an ufeful difcovery ; but
he alfo, who can point out and recommend an innocent
pleafure. Of this kind are the pleafures arifing from
the obfervation of nature ; and they are highly agree-
able to every tafte uncorrupted by vicious indul-
gence.

There will always be many in a rich and civilized
country, who, as they are born to the enjoyment of-
competent eftates, engage not in bufmefs either civil or
profeffional. But the reftlefs mind muft either find or
make an objeft. Pleafure, therefore, becomes, to the
unemployed, a ferious puriuit. Whatever is its eflence, .
and whatever thedeclaimer may urge agiinftit, pleafure
will be fought by all who poffefs the liberty of election, .
It becomes then incumbent on the moralift, not only to
urge the performance of duty, but to exhibit objefts
that pleafe without enervating the mind, and gratify
defire without corrupting the principles.

Rural

No. 91. MORAL, &c. 39

Rural fcenes, of almoft every kind, are delightful to
the mind of man. The verdant plain, the flowery
mead, the meandering ftream, the playful lamb, the
warbling of birds, are all capable of exciting emotions
gently agreeable. But the misfortune is, that the
greater part are hurried on in the career of life with
too great rapidity, to be able to give attention to that
which folicits no paflion. The darkeft habitation in the
dirtieit llreet of the metropolis, where money can be
earned, has greater charms, with many, than the groves
of Hagley.

Yet the patron of refined pleafure, the elegant Epi-
curus, fixed the feat of his enjoyment in a garden. He
was of opinion that a tranquil fpot, furnifhed with the
united fweets of art and nature, was the beft adapted to
delicate repofe. And even the feverer philofophers of an-
tiquity were wont to difcourfe in the made of a fpread-
ing tree, in fome cultivated plantation.

It is obvious, on intuition, that nature often intend*-
ed folely to pleafe the eye in her vegetable productions.
She decorates the floweret that fprings beneath our
feet, in all the perfection of external beauty. She has
clothed the garden with a conftant fucceffion of various
hues. Even the leaves of the tree undergo a pleafing vi-
ciffitude. The frefh verdure which they exhibit in the
fpring, the various (hades which they affume in fummer,
the yellow and ruflet tinge of autumn, and the naked- -
nefs of winter, afford a conftant pleafure to a lively-
imagination. From the fnow-drop to the mofs-rofe,
the flower-garden difplays an infinite variety of /hape
and colour. The taile of the florift has been ridiculed
as trifling ; yet furely without reafon. Did nature
bring forth the tulip and the lily, the rofe and the
honeyfuckle, to be neglefted by the haughty pretender
to fuperior reafon ? To omit a fingle focial duty for
the cultivation of a polyanthus, were ridiculous as well
as criminal ; but to pafs by the beauties laviflied before
us, without obferving them, is no lefs ingratitude than
ftupidity. A bad heart finds little amufement but in a
communication with the a&ive world, where fcope is
given for the indulgence of malignant paffions ; but an

amiable

4» ESSAYS, No^pr.

amiable difpofition is commonly known by a tafte for the
beauties of the animal and the vegetable creation.

The northern countries of Europe are by no means
well adapted to the true enjoyment of rural fcenerv.
Our vernal feafons, which the poets celebrate in afcl
the luxuriance of defcription, are commonly rendered
cold and uncomfortable, by the long continuance of an
eaflerly wind. Our poets borrowed their ideas of a
fpring from the poets of Italy, who collected theirs from
nature. A genial day in April, is among us the fubjeft
of general congratulation. And, while the lilac blof-
foms, and the laburnum drops its golden clufters, the
fhivering poftefTor of them is conftrained to feek warmth
at the fide of his chimney Yet, from the temperature
of our climate we derive a beauty unknown in the gar-
dens of a warmer country. Few objects are more
pleaiir.g than the fmooth lawn ; but the foft verdure
which continues its beauty, is not to be found in more
-fouthern climates. It is certainly true, that the rarity
of our truly vernal weather, like that of other delights,
increafes the pleafure of it ; and it is probable, for this
reafon, that an Engliihman, notwithstanding his com-
plaints againft his atmofphere, enjoys the pleafures of a
garden in their full perfection. A fine day, fays fcir
William Temple, is a kind of fenfual pleafure ; but furely
it would ceafe to be fuch, if every day were fine.

A practical attention to a garden, is by fome efleemed
a degrading employment. It is true, indeed, that paitoral
and agricultural manners, if we may form a judgment
from thi? dignified defcriptions of Virgil, are greatly de-
generated. The employments of fhepherds and hulband-
men are now become mean and fordid. The work of the
garden is ufually left to a peafant. Nor is it'unreafon-
able to aiilgn the labour, which wearies without amufe-
ment, to thofe who are fufiiciently amufed by the pro-
fpect of their wages. But the operations of grafting, of
inoculating, of pruning, of tranfplanting,' are curious
experiments in natural philofophy"; .and, that they are
pleating as well as curious, thofe can teflify, who re-
member what they felt on feeing their attempts in. the
amufement of practical gardening attended with fuccd's,,

'

No. 91. MORAL, &c. 41

Among the employments fuitable toold age, Cicero has
enumerated the fuperintendence of a garden. It requires
no great exertion of mind or body ; and its fatisfa&ions are
ef that kind which pleafc without violent agitation. Its
benciicial influence on health, is an additional reafon for
an attention to it at an age when infirmities abound.

In almoft every defcription of the feats of theblefied,
ideas of a garden feem to have predominated. The
word Paradife itfelf is fynonymous with garden. The
f.elds of Elyiium, that Avect region of poefy, are
adorned with all that imagination can conceive to be
delightful. Some of the molt pleafing paffages of
Milton, are thofe in which he reprefents the happy Pair
engaged in cultivating their blifsful abode. Poets have
always been delighted with the beauties of a garden.
Lucan is reprefented by Juvenal as repofing in his
garden. Virgil's Georgics prove him to have been,
captivated with rural fcenes ; though, to the furprife of
his readers, he has not afligned a book to the fubjeft c-f
a garden. Our Shenftone made it his ftudy ; but, with,
ait his tafte and fondnefs for it, he was not happy in it.
The captivating fcenes which he created at the Lea-
fowes, afforded him, it is faid, little pleafure in the
abfence of fpedlators. The truth is, he made the em-
belliflimcnt of his grounds, which fhould have been the
amufemcnt of his life, the bufinefs of it; and involved
himfelf in fuch tr ubles, by the expences it occafioned,
asneceflarily excluded tranquil enjoyment.

It is the lot of few, in comparifon, to pofTefs territo-
ries like his, extenfive and fufficiently well-adapted to
conftkute an ornamented farm. Still fewer are capable
of fupportir.g the expence of prefervingit in good con-
dition. But let not the rich fuppofe they have appro-
priated the pleafures of a garden. The pcffeflbr of an
acre, or a final ler portion, may receive a real pleafure,
from obferving the progrefs of vegetation, even in a
plantation of culinary plants. A very limited traft pro-
perly attended to, will furniih ample employment for aa
individual. Nor let it be thought a mean care ; for the
fame hand that raifed the cedar, formed the hyflbp on
the wall. Even the orchard, cultivated folely for ad-
vantage, exhibits beauties unequalled in the fluubbery ;

& ESSAYS, No. 92.

nor can the green-houfe produce an appearance to ex-
ceed the blofibm of the apple and the almond.

Amufement reigns, fays Dr. Young, man's great
demand. Happy were it, if the amufement of ma-
naging a garden were more generally relifhed. It would
furely be more conducive to health, and the preferva-
tion of our faculties to extreme old age, were that time,
which is now devoted to the dice and to the card-table,
fpent in the open air, and in aftive employment.

No.XCII. ON THE GRAVE AND GAY SPECIES
OF PHILOSOPHY.

THE world has ever been viewed, by men of differ-
ent difpofitions, in a light totally different. The
thoughtful and melancholy have reprefented it as a vale
of mifery ; the gay and the volatile, as a theatre abound-
ing with delightful entertainments, if the fpeftators
are but in good humour. The whole difference, indeed,
it has been faid, arifes from the various ftate of the
minds of men, and not from any inconfiftent diverfity-
in the conftitution of things. It would therefore feem
probable, that the greater part would embrace the more
agreeable fide, from motives of felf-intereft and gratifi-
cation. But the truth is, there are almoftas many fol-
lowers of Heraclitus as of Democritus.

That there is an effential difference in the original
form of minds, there is no doubt ; and to this caufe is
to be attributed, that fome are gloomy, others cheer-
ful. But habit is often no lefs concerned than nature.
For it is remarkable that, among moral writers, thofe
who have enjoyed wealth and the company of the great ;
and who consequently partook of various plcafures,
have commonly chofen the comfortable kind of philo-
fophy ; while they who were opprefled by want, and
excluded from enjoyment, have no lefs naturally repre-
fented life, fuch as they found it, as a ftate of mifery,
interrupted only by fhort-lived. and unfubftantial gratifi-
cations..

The:

No. 92. MORAL, &c. 4j

The Englifh nation is charafteriftically grave; and of
courfe the graver kind of philofophy has been much cul-
tivated in England. There are few books that pleafe
more generally than the Night Thoughts of Young.
Hervey's Meditations are more frequently read than
many works of humour, and Bunyan's Pilgrim's Pro-
grefs has given as much pleafure among the Englifh vul-
gar as the Quixote of Cervantes.

But our increafe of wealth, and our imitation of
French and Afiatic manners, have greatly altered our na-
tural difpofition. We begin to relilh none but the gayer
kind of philofophy. Horace would at prefent be more
read than Juvenal, and Lucian than Seneca.

Every admirer of dignified diclion and of folid fenfe
muft be delighted with the Rambler ; and yet it has been
faid, that the World, and other lefs folid performances,
are now more univerfally read and approved, at leaft in
the politer circles. Jt muft indeed be confefled, that be-
fides fome affectations which juftly give offence, thofe
excellent papers induce a melancholy by no means com-
patible with an active or a pleafurable life. They in-
fpire virtuous fentiments, but they deprefs thofe fpirits
which are neceflary to put them in practice. I venerate
the old age of their juftly celebrated author; I admire
his great exertions ; and when I affert, that the gloomy
grandeur of fome among his moral writings communi-
cates a fympathetic melancholy to the reader's mind, I
by no means detract from his literary honours.

The philofophy of Epicurus is in fome degree adopt-
ed by the greater part, moft of whom embrace his tenets
without having heard of his name. The truth is, human
nature is naturally inclined to ptjrfue pleafure, and to
avoid all that has the appearance of wretchednefs and
woe. Even they who devote themfelves to melancholy,
find a gloomy pleafure in it ; a pleafure fcarcely re-
cognized by the gay and luxurious, but yet real and
fatisfadlory.

The fevere philofophy, though lefs agreeable to the
gayer ranks, is the more favourable to virtue. Seneca
and Antoninus are fevere moralifts. They exhibit life
in its lefs pleafing afpedls, and exaft duties not to be per-
formed without painful efforts. But they call forth the

latent.

4* ESSAYS, No. 92,

latent powers of the mind, and by requiring an exertion
beyond the natural ftrength, really compel it to efFecl all
that it is able. Indolence prevents men in general from
effecting all that they are able. The pleafurable fyitern
difl'uades th-em from the attempt. And if there were
net fome auftere inftruclors, and fome faithful followers
of them, there would not be active virtue enough in a
community to preferve its political exigence.

In the earlier periods of fociety the grave philofophy
is moft cultivated. For then virtuous exertions are moft
neceilhry, and luxurious indulgences precluded. Sue-
cefs, and increafe in wealth and glory, are the ufual
confequence. Luxury fucceeds in a conrfe as certain in
all its ftages as any phyfical progrefs. A tafte for a light,
cheerful, fanciful philcfophy, foon explodes the fullen
precepts of rigid moralifts. Manners are relaxed, and
naturally bring on a decJenfion of empire. At leaft all
regard for liberty is loft; and the mind, enervated with
pleafure, gladly finks in the repofe of defpotifm.

It is evident that in our own country, the feverer phi-
lofophy lofes ground. This, among many others, is a
fymptcm of corruption, ?.nd the haibinger of decay. An
imitation of French manners has greatly accelerated this
revolution in our fentiments. And, after all, it is a forced
and unnatural change ; for an Englimman, whether from
the influence of climate, or fome caufe inherent in his
conftitmion, is by nature grave, and difpofed to admit
manly thoughts, and to praclife m?.nly actions.

The influence of books on the national manners in a
community, of which almoft every member devotes fome
part of his time to reading-, rr.uft be important. And
among other methods which might be ufed to excite the
fpirit of patriotifm and political virtue, it might be pro-
per to reft; re a tafte forfolid and fevere morality, and to
explode thofe light, fuperfkial, fentimental, and affected
productions, which, while they pleafe ihe fickly mind,
encreafe its imbecility.

No. XCIII.

No. 93. MORAL, Sec.

NO. XCIII. ON MONUMENTAL INSCRIP-
TIONS.

IT was the early wifh of Pope, that, when he d'ed,
not a Hone might tell where he lay. It is a wifh
that will commonly be granted with reluctance. The
affedion of thofe whom we leave behind us, is at a lofs
for methods to difplay its wonted folicitude, and feeks
confolation under forrow in doing honour to all that
remains. It is natural that filial piety, 'parental tender-
nefs, and conjugal love, mould mark, with fome fond
memorial, the clay-cold fpot where the form, Hill fofter-
ed in the bofom, moulders away. And did affection go
no farther, who could cenfure? But, in recording the
virtues of the departed, either zeal or vanity often leads
to an excefs perfectly ludicrous.

A marble monument, with an inscription palpably
falfe and ridiculoufly pompous, is far more offenfive
to true tafte, than the wooden memorial of the ruftic,
fculptured with painted bones, and decked out with
death's-head in all the colours of the rainbow. There
is an elegance and a claflical Simplicity in the turf-
clad heap of mould which covers the poor man's grave,
though it has nothing to defend it from the infults of
the proud but a bramble, The primrofe that grows
upon it is a better ornament, than the gilded lies on the
oppreflbr's tombftone.

The proftitution of praife is injurious to virtue. That
imaginary life after death, which confiits in a remem-
brance of our worth cherifhed in the breafts of others,
though it is defpifed by the fevere reafbner, has com-
monly been an additional motive for ejcenion to the
r.oblett fpirits that hav_- dignified human nature. But
when we fee the ftuuied panegyric engraven on the
marble that inclofes the remains of the worthbfs, we
defpife the eulogium ihat mankind are mean enough to
bellow on every one thai will pay the mafon. Thus one

powerful

46 ESSAYS, No. 93.

powerful motive is loft, which might operate on the ge-
nerous in (timulating them to a worthy condufl.

On the tombftones of the truly great, it is certainly
right that an infcription fhould be written confiftent with
their dignity. In order to be fo, it muft not be prolix.
When their names and age make all the fepulchral hif-
tory of diftinguifhed perfonages, it feems to be implied
that the reft is fufficiently known ; but when the marble
ambitioufly enlarges on their excellence, it argues that
the world wants the information. It is better that the
paflenger, when he fees an eminent name, fhould recol-
left, while he ftrikes his penfive bofom, the virtues of its
owner, than that his remarks mould be anticipated by
an obtruding narrative.

The llyle of epitaphs ufually adopted has been too
diffufe. The noble ancients, thofe patterns of unaf-
fedled magnificence, confulted real dignity in the bre-
vity of their epitaphs. As an hiflorical monument, at
an age when printing was unknown, they fometimes
engraved the exploits of a warrior on the marble ; but
in general they recorded little more than the name of
the departed. The Grecian mufe fometimes poured
the fweet melody of verfe at the mrine of a poet or
hero; but (he never condefcended to mean flattery,
nor difplayed the bloated oftentation of a modern pa-
negyric.

There are many excellent epitaphs in the Englifli
language, both in verfe and profe. In the diffufe kind,
that on the infamous Chartres is a fine model. Weft-
irrinfter Abbey exhibits many infcriptions written with
manly, forcible, and energetic elegance. The great
fault has been, a redundance of epithets in the fuper-
lative degree.

We have alfo many fine poetical epitaphs. Thofe
of Dryden and Pope are the moft defervedly celebrated ;
though thofe of Pope have been feverely criticifed. In
general, the metrical are inferior to the profaic. Some
of the beft are crowded with antithefes, a fault which
renders them inferior to the Grecian ; and fome of the
worft, many of which are found in the moft public
cemeteries, Hand forth a difgrace to national tafte.

The

No. 93. MORAL, &c. 47

The love of rhyme defcends to the low-ell ranks. The
parifh-clerk is commonly called upon for a Have or two
of verfes, by every ruftic that can raife a poll and rail
to the memory of his relation ; and there are few church-
yards in the kingdom, where that favourite ilanza " Af-
" flidions fore long time I bore," occurs not more than
once.

But our ef itaphs are moft commonly written in Latin ;
probably became it is intelligible to foreigners, and is
capable of more elegance and elevation. Our country
has produced many writers remarkable for beautiful
latinity : accordingly we find infcriptions in every part
of the kingdom abounding with claflical expreffions.
The misfortune has been, that many of them have en-
croached on the province of biography ; and real dig-
nity has been loll in the affectation of it, in a tedious
and circumftantial detail of defcents, pedigrees, and re-
lationfhip. The reader is tired, before he has obtained
a clear idea of the character ana family defcribed. His
eyes have failed, even if his attention perfevered. The
epitaph on the pious Nellon, for inllance, confifls of
above eighty lines.

The punning and epigrammatic epitaph was much,
in faftiion a century or two ago. That on fair Rofa-
mond at Godflow might furely have been replete with
the tendered fentiment, but it is merely a wretched di-
ftich of puns and monkifh rhymes. This fpecies is at
prefent quite exploded, and little need be faid to prove
its great impropriety. Falfe wit is always mifplaced ;
but the true feems to be excluded from the epitaph.
Who can bear merriment or buffoonery on a tomb-
ftone r The tender and elegiac, or the manly and fe-
vere ilyle, feems to be bell adapted to the monumental
infcription. But neither the pathetic nor fublime is com-
patible with the ludicrous.

The authors of our epitaphs are feldom known. One
of the bed that I can recoiled, was the claflical Bourne.
The few he has left us are mailer- pieces. That in
Weftminfler Abbey, on Dickenfon the archite«H, is truly
fublime.

In our ifland there has certainly been no dearth of ge-
nius for monumental infcriptions ; though there is one

circumllance

4$ ESSAYS, No. 94.

circumftance which might induce a foreigner to think
the contrary. The famous Diuchefs of Marlbo ough is
faid to have offered, without fuccefs, five hundred pounds
for an epitaph adequate to the dignity of her Duke.
Her grace, whofe tafte was not very juft, would probably
have expe&ed a hiftory long enough to cover with in-
fcription the unwieldy pile of ftones called Blenheim-
hoiife. I cannot help thinking, that a tedious epitaph,
imnutely relating his atchievements, would rather leflen
than exalt him in the eyes of mankind. Would not
Alexander the Great have appeared rather beneath the
dignity of that name, if it had been written on his
tomb, that the fon of Philip was reputed to have been,
in his day, the wifeft general, the boldeft hero, the moft
accomplifhed man, with a hundred other attributes ?
Would he have excited much admiration, if he had beea
handed down to us, merely in an epitaph abounding
uith thofe inflated fuperlatives, which goihic ideas of
grandeur have now introduced ? It might have ferved
as a complimentary epitaph on an Alderman, who died
of repletion ; and would perhaps have borne fome ana-
logy to him in the circumftance of unnatural tumour.

NO. XCIV. CURSORY THOUGHTS ON
BIOGRAPHY.

AMONG the many arguments advanced to recom-
mend the ftudy of hiftory, it has been faid, that
it teaches wifdom without the danger of experience, and,
by pointing out the paths of thofe who have gone before
us, facilitates the journey of life. Hiftory has been call-
ed philofophy teaching by examples. But, after all, it
jnuft be allowed, that civil hiftory at large is lefs capable
of regulating; moral than political conduct. The de-
fcriptions of battles, the accounts of debates, the cha-
racters of kinq;s and heroes, contain very little that can
direct the actions of the private and the more numerous
ranks in the community.

But

No. 94. MORAL, &c. 49

But an exaft and authentic account of individuals, who
have greatly excelled in any of the departments ofadive
or contemplative life, feems to be a mode of inftruftion
beft fuited to an animal, like man, prone to imitation.
When a fingle character is diflinftly delineated, we caa
purfue the outline, with an eafe equal to that with which,
the painter copies from the original picture placed before
his eyes. We have the exprefs authority of the pattern,
we havechofen to direct us in every emergency, and can
tread, with implicit confidence, in the footlteps of the moit
diflinguifhed men, without the furpence of deliberate fe-
leclion. It is a remark of Arillotle, that the ilory of an
individual, as it is a fingle object, is comprehended mere
fully, and therefore attended to with greater pleafure,
than a hiftory in which many perfonages are introduced.
For thefe reafcns, biography appears to be more ia«
ftrudive than civil hiftory, though it has commonly been
written with a lefs degree of attention. Herodotus is
all fweetnefs. Thucydides exhibits the folid and aullere
beauties. Xenophon, the Attic bee, prefer. ts us with a
ftyle flowing with honey. Livy difplays a moil mailer-
ly composition, and paints in glowing colours all that
he relates. Sallull rivals his Grecian mailer > Guicciar-
din and Vertot have exhibited in their writings fome of
the genuine graces of the hifioric mule. But among
biographers, Scarcely any can juftly claim a rank with
the firft writers of the golden age.

^ As a diligent colleftor of faft$, as a warm friend to
virtue, as an entraining narrator, I venerate the name
of Plutarch. His writings bear evident marks of exten-
five reading, and communicate much and multifarious
knowledge. Theodore Gaza has faid, that if ail books
were loll, and he might recover one, it mould be Plutarch.
He is indeed an invaluable treafure of ancient learning ;
for he feleSed paffiges from books now totally loil, and
inferted them very liberally in his works. Add to this,
that he is an admirable moralift. But his judgment
feems not to have been alv. enough to manage

the unwieldy mafs of learning he had aflembled. He
indulged the weakeil fupcrRhion. He is ever relating
ftories, which Horace calls ANILES, or the tales of old
wcMv.en. Merely for an oftcntatious difplay of erudition,
VOL. II. D he

$e> ESSAYS. No. 94.

he digreffes beyond all reafonable limits. His idea of
drawing parallels was excellent; and he has fometimes
drawn them admirably, though, as the critics fay, not
without a partiality to his own countrymen. They have
convicted him of this unphilofophical attachment in the
comparifon between Tully and Demofthenes, Cato and
Ariflides, Sylla and Lyfander, Marcellus and Pelopidas.

They who are willing to allow him every other merit,
give up his flyle as harm and inelegant. Though cer-
tainly an ufeful, he cannot be etteemed a fine writer;
and whatever merit he poflefles, his inftancedoes not re-
fute the aflertion, that biographical has never yet equal-
led civil hiftory.

The long and diffufe accounts of Plutarch have been
compared to coloflal ftatues ; the concife hi/lories of
Cornelius Nepos, to medallions. Cornelius Nepos has
a claim from the age he flourished in, from his language,
and from his fidelity, to the rank of a claffic ; but by no
means to the firft rank. It is fufpe&ed by many, that
as Trogus was epitomized by Juftin, fo Nepos was ab-
breviated by a writer, who flourilhcd under Theodofius
an the decline of polite literature. The life of Atticus,
if we may pronounce from internal evidence, continues
unaltered, and reflects great honour on its writer, as a
fne picture of a beautiful original.

Diogenes Laertius chofe a fubjeft well adapted to dif-
play ingenuity. The lives of the wifeft men whom the
world ever produced, if well written, would have been
a moil valuable acquifition to ancient learning. But,
with a fine fubjeft, he is deemed by the critics a poor
writer.

It is to be wimed, that Tacitus had more frequently
exercifed his talents in biography. His life of Agri-
cola is, perhaps, the beft biographical work that was
ever compofed. It is written in that beautiful energetic
Ityle, which charaderifes this fpirited hiftorian ; and it is
more pleating than his other works, becaufe it exhibits
not a deformed portrait. Mallet's Life of Bacon is a
good imitation of it.

Suetonius probably drew his pidlures from the life,
and they are loathfome to behold. They are, however,
ufeful to the philofophej-, as they enable him to form a

more

No. 94. MORAL, &c. 51

more complete idea of human nature in all the grada-
tions of degeneracy and perfedion. They are alfo to-
lerably well written. Concife, nervous, fimple, they
pleafe by their perfpicuity, and their freedom from am-
bitious ornament. To the honour of their author it
muft be faid, that Jie appears to have advanced nothing
through flattery or refentment, nor to have fupprefled
any thing through fear, but to have paid an undaunted
regard to veracity. Erafmus obferves, that he wrote as
freely as the emperors whom he defcribed had lived.

It is matter of furprife and regret, that we have not
more biographers. Thoufands and tens of thoufands,
eminent in every accomplimment, whofe examples might
have inftruded the world, are become as though they
had never been. In our own country, it is true that there
are many biographical compilations, but they are for the
moft part incomplete. Wood's Athens, though a book
that does honour to the moft celebrated univerfity, has
no merit as an elegant compofition. But I muft not
omit the tribute of praife to the writer of the life of
Cicero ; who has given us a molt accurate account of
one of the greateft men that ever lived, in a ftyle truly
claffical and manly. The public is alfo indebted to the
author of the Rambler for many mafterly pieces of bio-
graphy. His portraits would be more univerfally and
permanently pleafing, if he had not too often indulged
hi? fplcen, and converted a harlhnefs of feature into ab-
folute caricature. I never could admire either the writ-
ings or the life of the chief objeft of his panegyric, the
unfortunate Savage.

Worth is often unknown, or known imperfectly, till
after death ; till that period, when it is too late to learn
particular circumilances with accuracy. Hence it has
happened that many of our fecond-rate authors and
aftors in every department of life, though richly -de-
ferving a place in the annals of fame, are recorded only
in thoie volumes, where to be born and die, as Pope
fays, makes all the hiitory.

To preferve their o\vn actions from oblivion and mif-
reprefentation, fome writers have been their o\vn bio-
graphers. The tafk requires great delicacy. The very
1) 2 attempt

52 ESSAYS, No. 94.

attempt indeed implies a confiderable degree of felf-
value; but it has been jullified by the examples of
fj huanus and Hume.

Theie has appeared in our times and country a bio-
graphical work on an extenfive plan. The firft edition
of the Biographia Britannica was well defigned, yet un-
equally, and, upon the whole, indifferently executed.
Many diiHnguifhed lives are totally omitted; many, which
are infignificant, tedioufly dcfcribed. Though there is
fometimes much labour and fagacity exerted, yet there
are few mafterly remarks. Moil of the articles were
furnimed by writers of no great repute ; and there was
every reafon for the new edition now undertaken. If I
might prefume to fuggeft an improvement, I would
advife, that elegantly engraved heads mould be pre-
fixed to every life, whenever they can be procured ; and
that the materials mould not be collected from books
only, but from the traditionary reports, and the manu-
icript letters remaining in the families of defcendants.
The names of the living perfons who communicate the
hints mould be added, both to fecure and to confirm
their authenticity.

- In the fecond edition, which is now preparing, though
the embeliifhment of plates is not adopted, yet many
other mod important improvements are made ; parti-
cularly, that of collecting materials from traditionary
as well as printed documents, t am informed, that the
learned and accurate editor is in polTeffion of a great
number of anecdotes of this kind; and there is every
reafon to believe, that, under his conduct, the work
will refleft new honour on the Bruilh nation.

No. XCV.

No. 9$. M O R A L, &c. 53

No. XCV. ON HOSPITALITY, AND THE
CIVILITIES OF COMMON LIFE.

IN the days of Horace, our countrymen were reputed
to be fivage in their behaviour to Grangers. Thought
in ihe prefent age che charge would be unjuil, yet it mull
be owned, that there is a referve in the manner of an un-
adulterated Englifhman, which feems to confirm the opi-
nion, that he inherits a portion of that unfocial fpirit
which difgraced his anceftors. But whatever may be hi*
natural propenfuy, it is certain, that, in the liberal in-
tercourfe and comprehenfive education which prevail in
the prefent times, there is fcarcely any country in the
world where a more cordial hofpitality is difplayed, than
in fome parts of England.

The days of Elizabeth have been extolled as the days
of genuine hofpitality. The doors were thrown open,
and, at the found of the dinner-bell, all the neighbour-
ing country crowded to the fmoking table. Thefe were
happy times indeed, fays the railer againit modern refine-
ment. Yet it has been juftly doubted, whether this in-
difcriminaie hofpitality was laudable. There was fome-
thing generous and magnificent in the idea, and it gave
the nobles of the land the influence of kings over their
neighbourhood. Yet if its motive and its moral effeftj
are conddered, it will appear to be }u!tiy exploded. It
proceeded from the love of power and from oilentation,
and it produced gluttony, drur.kennefs, and all their con-
fequent vices.

Confidered in a charitable light, as affording food to
the hungry, it will be found a lefs ufeful mode than the
modern inftitutiom for the accomplishment of that pur-
pofe. It did not feleft its obf~£ts : it considered not the
- of indigence or of defcrt. The confequence was,
ih.it it Mcreafed indigence, andleflened defert; for expe-
rience has proved, that unnecefTary ah;, . tunable
the motive of them, do a real injury where they mean a
D 3 benefit,

54 ESSAYS, No. 95.

benefit. They promote idlenefs, by teaching poverty to
rely on other aid than the efforts of an honeft induftry.

The great number of houfes now eftablifhed for the re-
ception of travellers in every part of the kingdom, and
the expeditious modes of travelling, which render delay
wnneceflary, have contributed to reftrain that general
l»ofpitality which opened the door to all who came. Such
"hofpitality is no longer wanted ; but there never was a
time when judicious civility, of all kinds, was more li-
berally (hewn to ftrangers than theprefent. And what-
ever the old Romans or the modern Gauls may affert of
Britim ferocity of manners, no Italian or Frenchman of
character ever came to our feparated more, toto divifos
orbe Britannot, without having felt delight at his hearty
reception, and regret on his departure.

It feems probable that hofpitality keeps pace with ci-
vilization. As the minds of a people are enlarged by
improvements in knowledge, and communication with
their neighbours, the felfim and morofe afteftions gra-
dually lofe ground. In feveral parts of Europe, where
focial improvements have not yet reached, the traveller is
either confidered as lawful prey, or totally difregarded.
On the other hand, we find the natives of the Society
Ifles, feparated as they are from all the reft of the world,
and by no means far removed from the favage ftate, re-
markably hofpitable. Though fear might in fome de-
gree caufe their civility to Europeans, yet it 'yas not the
fole motive of it ; for we find their good offices, after all
apprehenfions were removed, evidently proceeding from
the tendereft and moft generous affection. On the firft
appearance of the Englifh on their coafts, they naturally
confidered them as enemies, and boldly oppofed their
invafion. Many of them exhibited adls of heroifm, in
defence of their country, fcarcely exceeded in the annals
of antiquity. But no fooner was the branch of peace
held out, than they received their wonderful vifitors with
open arms ; with a humanity that reflects difgrace on
the maritime villages of Europe, where a fhipwrecked
fellow-creature, and fellow-countryman, has been de-
ftroyed for the fake of plundering his vefiel. In other
iflands difcovered by our circumnavigators, we find, that
no kindnefs could mitigate the ferocity of the rude child

ef

No. 95. MORAL, &c. - 5£

of nature. The hofpitality of barbarians, like all virtues
that proceed not from principle, but from humour and
accidental caufes, is of Huh value. A clearer light than
the light of nature is necefiary to give a fteady operatiom
to theVeelings of humanity.

The idea which chriftianity has fuggefled of the rela-
tion in which all men ftand to each other, is wonderful!*
adapted to promote univerfal hofpitality. When we COR-
fider all men as brothers, we fhall naturally receive the
ftranger within our gates with cordial kindnefs, as a re
lation whom we have never yet feen before, and to whom
we wifh to difplay fome fignal of our love. It is indeed
true, that many who are juftly efteemed worthy perfo^s,
do not reduce this generous idea to practice; and the
reafon feems to be, that they fuffer the attachments ot"
domeftic life, and the connections of confanguinity, to
engrofs the whole of their affections. Add to this, that
the actual exercife of beneficence requires foraethin^
which is lefs in our power than benevolence.

However jufl the complaints of the mifery of life, yer
great occafions for the difplay of beneficence and liberali-
ty do not often occur. But there is an hourly necefiity
for the little kind offices of mutual civility. At the fame
time that they give pleafure to others, they add to our
own happinefs and improvement. Habitual acts of kind-
nefs have a powerful effect in foftening the heart. An
intercourfe with polifhed and humane company, tends to
improve the difpofnion, becaufe it requires a conformity
of manners. And it is certain, that a fenfe of decorum,
and of a proper external behaviour, will reftrain thofe
whofe natural temper would otherwise break out in acri-
monious and petulant converfation. Even the affecta-
tion of philanthropy will in time contribute to realife it.
The pleafure refulting from an act of kindnefs naturally
excites a wifli to repeat it ; and indeed the general efleem
which the character of benevolence procures, is fufficient
to induce thofe to wifh for it, who act only from the mean
motives of felf-intereit.

As-wc are placed in a world where natural evil abounds,

we ought to render it fupportable to each other, as far as

human endeavours can avail. All that can add a fweet

ingredient to the bitter cup muft be infufed. Amid the

D 4 multitude

56 ESSAYS, No. 9?.

multitude of thorns, every flower that will grow mail
be cultivated with care. But neither pomp nor power
are of themfeives able to alleviate the load of life The
Jicart requires to be foothed by fympathv. A thoufaad
little attentions from all arcund us are necefTiry to ren-
der cur days agreeable. The appearance of- neglect it*
any of thofe with whom \ve are conne&ed, chills our
bofcm with chagrin, or kindles the fire cf refentinent.
!Noihing therefore feejns fo likely to enfure happinefs,
as our mutual endeavours to promote it. Our fmgle en-
deavours, originating and terminating in ourieKci, a;e
ufually unfuccefsful.. Providence has taken care to fe-
cure that intercourfe which is necefTary to the exi!lei:ce
of fociety, by rendering it the greateft fweetener of hu-
man life.

By reciprocal attentions, we are enabled to beccme
beneficent without expence. A fmile, an aftable ad-
drefs, a look of approbation, are often capable of giv-
ing a greater pleafure than pecuniary benefits can be-
llow. The mere participation of the fhidies and
amufements f)f others, at the fame time that it gratifies
ourfelves, is:often an aft of real humanity; becaufe
others v\ou!d not enjoy them without companions. A
friendly viiit in a folitary hour, is often a greater ac~l of
jcir.c'nefs than a valuable prefent.

It is really matter of furprife, that thofe who are dif-
tinguidied by rank and opulence, mould ever be un-
popular in their neighbourhood. They muft know the
value of popularity, and furely nothing is more eafiljr
obtained by a fuperior. Their notice confers honour ;
and the afpiring heart of man is always delighted with
dilUnclion. A gracious look from them diffufes happi-
nefs on the lower ranks. But it ufually happens, than
an overgrown rich man is not the favourite of a neigh-
bouring country; and it is unfortunate, that pride or
inadvertence often prevent men from ailing the godlike
part of making others happy, even when they might do
it without inconvenience to themfeives.

No. XCVI.

Na. 96. MORAL, &c. 57

No. XCVI. ON THE MERIT OF ILLUSTRIOUS
BIRTH.

^" HKRE is fcarcely any truth of which the world
has been more frequently reminded by the mo-
ralifb, than the unreafonabienefs of that veneration
which is paid to birth. They have been told, that vir-
tue alone is true nobility ; but though they have ac-
knowledged the aflertion to be founded in reafon, they
have continued, uith uniform perseverance, in the /ame
error. The luminous glory of an illullrioiis anceltor,
feems to have difnifed a brilliancy over a long line of
defccndants, too opaque of tnemielves to emit any ori-
ginal irradiations.

Gratitude, which firft raifes a benefaclor to a diftin-
guiihed rank in chil honours, is willing to continue its
kindnefs to his immediate offspring. T. he diitinciion is>
rendered hereditary. This predilection for an anceftor
foon leads to the accumulation of honours and pofiefiions
in his fuccefibrs ; and the incenfe originally offered, be-
caufe it was deferred, is at laft laviQied at the Ihrine of
opulence, independently of merit.

Subordination is, indeed, eflential to fociety. The
order of nobles, as hereditary guardians of the la*s, is
found an ufeful political eifablifhment ; and none feerrt
fo well adapted to fupply it, as they who have been
railed to eminence by their ancestors, and who poflefs a
territorial patrimony in the land which they are to
protect. All that is contended for is, that the recom-
mendation of birth may not fet afide or depreciate real
merit, the praife of learning, and the intrinlic value of
-virtuous exertions.

Jt is a remarkable circumfbnce in the hiftory of man-
kind, that fome of the befl books have been written,
and fome of the greateft achievements performed, by
thofe whofe origin was truly^jplebeian. The politeit
and gentecleil bouks, whether the' fentiments or the
P 5 ftyle

58 ESSAYS, No. 96.

ilyle be confidared, have been produced by flavcs, or
the defcendants of Haves. Horace, Phredrus, and Te-
rence, wrote in a ftyle which muft have been the ftand-
ard of a court, to an intercourfe with which they were
by no means entitled by their extraclion. The founders
of the moft diflinguifhed families emerged from the
middle and the lower clafles, by the fuperior vigour of
their natural abilities, or by extraordinary efforts, aflifted
by fortune. And unlefs the adventitious circumftances
of wealth and civil honours can effeft a change in the
eonftituent principles of the mind and body, there is
certainly no real fuperiority to be derived in a boafted
pedigree of Tudors and Plantagenets.

And yet there have appeared flatterers who have in-
direflly fuggefted, that the minds of the nobility feem
to be caft in a finer mould, and to have an elegance
inherent in their original conftitution. According to
this hypothefis, we muft go on to fuppofe, that the
mind of a commoner, exalted to the higher order of
fenators, catches this elegance by the contagion of in-
vifible effluvia. On his creation he undergoes a kind of
new birth, and puts off the exuviae which encumbered
and degraded him in the lower regions. Thus are all
the occult perfections of noble blood to be infufed by
the mandate of a monarch. But no, faid Maximilian
to a man who afked to be ennobled by him, though
I can give you riches and a title, I cannot make you
noble.

In truth, there is many a nobleman, according to the
genuine idea of nobility, even at the loom, at the
plough, and in the fhop ; and many more in the middle
ranks of mixed fociety. This genuine idea contains in
it generofity, courage, fpirit, and benevolence, the qua-
lities cf a warm and open heart, totally unconnected with
the accidental advantages of riches and honour ; and
many an Englifh failor has pcfieiled more of the real
hero than a lord of the admiralty.

If indeed there is any fubftantial difference in the
quality of their blood, the advantage is probably on the
fide of the inferior claffes. Their indigence and their
manual employments require temperance and exercife,
the beli purifiers of the animal juices. But the indolence

which

No. 96. MORAL, &c. 59

which wealth excites, and the pleafures which fafhion-
able life admits without reftraint, have a natural tend-
ency to vitiate and enfeeble the body as well as the mind.
And among the many privileges inherited by him who
boafts nobility in his veins, he commonly receives the
feeds of the moft painful and the impureft difeafes. He
difplays, indeed, a coronet on his coat of arms, and he
has a long pedigree to perufe with fecret fatisfadion ;
but he has often a gout or a fcrophula, which make him
wifh to exchange every drop derived from his Norman
anceftors, for the pure tide that warms a peafant's
bofoin.

The fpirit of freedom, moral, mental, and political,
which prevails in England, precludes that unreafonable
attachment to birth, which, in the countries of defpo-
tifm, tends to elevate the noble to a rank fuperior to
humanity. In our neighbour's land, the region of ex-
ternal elegance united with real meannefs, the implicit
veneration paid to birth, adds to the weight of legal
oppreflion. A Frenchman of the plebeian order attends
to a Count or a Marquis with all the filent fubmiffion
of idolatry ; on the contrary, there is no doubt but that
an Englim Gondolier would box with the beft Lord in
the land, if he were affronted by him, without the leaft
regard for his ftar and ribbon. It would indeed be an
additional pleafure to the natural delight of conqueft,
to have bruifed a puny Lord. Even the more refined
and polifhed do not idolife illuftrious birth. In truth,
wealth appears to be the objeft of more univerfal vene-
ration. Noble blood and noble titles, without an eftate
to fupport them, meet with great compaffion indeed,
but wiih little refpedl -, nor is the man who has raifed
himfelf to eminence, and who behaves well in it, nc-
gleded and defpifed becaufe he derives no luftre from
his forefathers. In a commercial country, where gain
is the general objecl, they who have been moil fuccefs-
ful in its purfuit will be revered by many, whatever was
their origin. In France, where honour is purfued from
the monarch to the cleanfer of a jakcs, the diftinclion
of birth, even with extreme poverty, is enviable. The
brother of a Marquis would rather ilarvc on a beggarly
D 6 penfion,

6o ESSAYS, No. 96.

penfion, than pollute himfelf with a trade by which he
might acquire the revenues of a German kingdom. In
our land of good fenfe, this folly is lofmg ground ; and
the younger brothers of noble haute-, often think it no
difgrace to rival the heir in a princely fortune acquired
by honourable merchrmdife.

As the world becomes more enlightened, the exorbi-
tant value which has been placed on things m t really
valuable will decreafe. Of all the effefts of man's ca-
pricious admiration, there are few lefs rational than the
preference of illuitrious defcent to perfonal merit, of
difeafed and degenerate nobility to health, to courage,
to learning, and to virtue. Of all the objecls of pur-
fuit which are not in our own power, the want of dif-
tinguifhed birth may molt eafily be diipenfed with, by
thole who pofiefs a folid judgment of that which makes
and keeps us happy. There may be fome reafon to re-
pine at the want of wealth and fame ; but he who has
derived fiom his parent health, vigour, and all the
powers of perception, need not lament that he is un-
noticed at the herald's office.

It has been obferved, that virtue appears more ami-
able, when accompanied with beauty ; it may be added,
that it is more ufeful when recommended to the notice
of mankind by the diftinftion of an honourable anc'eftry.
It is then greatly to be wifhed, that the nobly born would
endeavour to deferve the refpeft which the world pr.ys
them with alacrity, by employing their influence to be-
nevolent purpofes ; to thoie purpolVs which can at all
times be accomplished, even when the patriotic exertions-
of the field and cabinet are precluded.

No. XCVII.

No. 97. MORAL,

No. XCVII. RELIGIOUS AND MORAL PRIN-
CIPLES NOT ONLY CONSISTENT WITH, BUT
PROMOTIVE OF, TRUE POLITENESS AND THE
ART OF PLEASING.

A PHILOSOPHER who, in the aufterity of his
j~\ virtue Ihould condemn the art of pleafing as un-
worthy cultivation, would deferve little attention from
mr.nkind, and might be difmifled to his folitary tub,
like his brother Diogenes. It is, indeed, the dictate of
humanity, that we mould endeavour to render ourfelves
agreeable to thofe in whofe company we are deftined
to travel in the journey of life. It is"6ur interefl, it is
the fource of perpetual fatisfaftion ; it is one of our
moil important duties as men, and particularly required
in the profeflbr of chriitianity.

I have therefore lamented, that they who have taken
the moil pains to recommend an attention to the art
cf pleafing, have urged it only on the mean motives of
felf-intereft. In order to attain the power of pleafing
they have recornmended flattery and deceit ; and though
they have required in their pupils the appearances of
many good qualities, they have not iniifted on any fub-
f.antial and confiftent virtue.

It is my wifh to exalt this amiable talent of pleafing
to the rank ot a virtue founded on principle, and on the
belt difpofuions of human nature. I would feparate it
from thofe varnifhed qualities, which, like whited
fepulchres, are bu: a clifguife for internal deformity.
A ftudent of the art of pleafing, as it is taught in the
fchool of fafhion, is ail foftnefs and plaufibility, all
benei'oience and gencrofity, all attention and alliduity,
all gracefulnefs and gentility. Such is the external
appearance ; but compare it with his private life, with
thofe actions which pafs unfeen, and you will find
them by no means corrcfpondent. You will ufuaily find
a hard heart, meannels, felfilhnefs, avarice, and a

.total

6z ESSAYS, No. 97.

total want of thofe principles from which alone true
benevolence, fincere friendfhip, and gentlenefs of di(*
pofition can originate. You will, indeed., find even the
appearances of friendfhip and benevolence proportioned
to the fuppofed riches and rank of him whofe favour
and patronage are cultivated.

It is a favourite maxim with thofe who teach the
art of pleafing, that if you delire to pleafe you can
fcarcely fail to pleafe. But what motive, according
to their doctrine, is to excite this defire ? A wifh to
render all with whom you converfe fubfervient to your
interefled purpofes of avarice or ambition. It is a
mean and defpicable motive, when made the fole and
confhnt principle of converfation and behaviour. If
this life is the whole of our exiftence, if riches and
civil honours are the chief good, if truth, honour, and
generofity, are but names to adorn a declamation, then,
indeed, they who praftife the art of pleafing, accord-
ing to the vulgar idea of it, are, after all, the truly and
the only wife. But let us not deem fo meanly of the
world and its Creator; and if our favourable opinion
of things be an error, it is not only pardonable but glo-
rious j and a generous man will fay, like the noble an-
tient, he had rather err with a Socrates and a Plato,
than be right with a Machiavel.

But, indeed, the virtues and the graces are much
more nearly allied, than they who are ftrangers to th«
virtues are willing to acknowledge. There is fomething
extremely beautiful in all the moral virtues, clearly
iinderftood and properly reduced to practice. Religion
is alfo declared to be full of pleafantnefs, in that vo-
lume in which its nature is defcribed with the greateil
authenticity. It muft indeed be allowed, that he who
is actuated in his defire of pleating by morality and re-
ligion, may very properly add all the embellifhments
of external gracefulnefs ; and he may reft affined, that
the fincerity of his principles, and the goodnefs of his
character, will enfure a degree of fuccefs in his attempts
to pleafe, which a falfe pretender, with all his dupli-
city, can never obtain.

If true politenefs confifts in yielding fomething of
oiir own preienfions to the felf-lov? of others, in re-

pjeffing

No. 97. MORAL, &c. 63

prefling our pride and arrogance, and ia a gentlenefs cf
fentiment and conduct ; furely nothing can be more con-
ducive to it than a religion which every where recom-
mends brotherly love, meeknefs, and humility. I know
not how paradoxical my opinion might appear to the
fa fhionable clubs at St. James's, or to the profefled men
of the world, or to the proficient in what I call the in-
Jincere art of pleafing ; but I cannot help thinking, that
a true chrillian, one who thinks and afts, as far as the
infirmity of his nature will permit, confidently with the
principles of his religion, poffeffes qualities more ca-
pable of pleafing, than any of thofe which are faid fo
eminently to have diftinguifhed a Marlborough and a
Bolingbroke. The pious and amiable Mr. Nelibn feems
to me to have deferved the epithet of all-acccmpliil.ed,
much better than he to whom it has been fo often ap-
plied ; and, if we may judge by his writings, and the
accounts given of his life, as, on the one hand, there
never was a better chri(Uan, fo, on the other, there never
appeared a politer gentleman. It is evident that he de-
rived his art of pleafing, not from a fludy of the world,
or pradiiing the tricks of little worldlings, but from the
lovely qualities recommended in the gofpel, and fiom an
imitation of the humble Jefus. They who ftudy the art
of pleafing will probably have recourfe, as ufual, to the
many volumes written on the fubjeft in the French lan-
guage, or to the pcfthumoir letters of afrenchified tn-
glifhman ; and perhaps they would fmile if an inllruftor
were to refer them, for the beft rules that have ever been
given, to the fermon on the Mount.

It is however certain, that the art of pleafing-, which is
founded on fincere principles, derived from religion and
morality, is as far fuperior to that bafe art which confifts
only in fimulation and diffimulation, as the fine bril-
Jiancy of the real diamond excells the luftre of French
pafte ; or, as the rofeate hue on the cheek of Hebe, the
painted vifage of a haggard courtezan. The infincere
art of pleafing refembles the inferior fpecies of timber
in a building, which, in order to pleafe the eye, requires
the affiftance of paint ; but the art which is founded en
fincerity, is more like that which difplays far greater

beauty

64 ESSAYS, No. 97.

beauty in the variety and richnefs of its own native veins
and colour. A fhort time, or a flight tou.h, deltroys
the fuperficial beauty of one ; while the other acquires
new graces from the hand of time.

The rules and doctrines of morality and religion 'tend
to correct all the malignant qualities of the heart; fuch
as envy, malice, pride, and refentment. In doing this,
they cut oft" the very fource of difagreeable behaviour.
Morality and religion inculcate whatever is juit, mild,
moderate, candid, and benevolent. In doing this, they
effectually promote a fyftem of manners, which, without
any finifter deilgn in the perfon who poflefles them, can-
not fail of being agreeable. If to thefe fubltantial
powers of pleafing are added the laft po'ifh of a grace-
ful deportment, the habits acquired in good company,
an acquaintance with men and manners, a tafte for pc-
lite arts and polke books, no other requifites will be
wanting to perfect the art. A man will be under no
neceffity of hurting his confcience and his character in
cultivating, I know not what, of a deceitful and af-
fected behaviour. He may be at once pleafing and re-
fpectable ; and grow in favour with men, without of-
fending his God.

It is one circumftance greatly in favour of that art of
pleafing which I recommend, that, even if it mould not
always fucceed in pleafing thofe with whom we converfe,
it will be fure to pleafe our own hearts ; it will be fure
to fatisfy our confcience with a fenfe of rectitude at the
time we are acting under its direction, and to furnim us
with a tranquil delight, unalloyed by the remembrance
of treachery and meannefs, on a retrofpective view o£"
our lives and couverfauons.

No. XCVIII.

No. 9$. M O R A L> &c»

No. XCVIII. ON THE GUILT OF INCURRING
DEBTS, WITHOUT EITHER A PROSPECT O&
AN INTENTION OF PAYMENT.

AMONG the various devices which young men
have invented to involve themfelves in difficulties
and in ruin, none is more frequent than that of in-
curring debt without any real necefllty. No fooner
is the afpiring youth emancipated from his fchool, or
his guardian and fuperintendants, than he- becomes, in
his own idea, a man, and not only fo, but a man of
confequence, whom it behoves to drefs and make a
figure. To accomplifli the purpofe of making a figure,
fome expenfive vices are to be affeded or praftifed.
Bat as the llipends of young men, juft entering into
life, are ufually inconfiderable, it is neccflary to bor-
row on the moft difadvantageous terms, or to purchafe
the various requifites of a pleafurab'le life on credit.
The debt fcon accumulates from fmall beginnings to>
a great fum. The young adventurer continues, while
his credit is good, in the fame wild career; but adieu
to real pleafure, to improvement, to honeft induflry, and
to a quiet mind. His peace is wounded. A perpetual
load fet ms to weigh him down ; and though his feelings
may, by length of time and habit, become too callous.
to be affected by the mifery of his fituation, yet he is
loft to all fincere enjoyment ; and if he does not fall a
victim of defpair, furvives only to gain a precarious ex-
iftence at the gaming table, to deceive the unvvar., and
to elude the refeaiches of perfecuting creditors. Even,
if he is enabled, by the death of his parents or rich
relations, to pay the debts which his youthful folly has
contracted; yet has he fufFared long and much, and
loll the beginning of life, the feafon of rational delight
and folid improvement, in diltrefs and fears; in fabri-
cating excufes and pretences, and in Hying from the
eager purfaits of duns and bailiffs.

But

C6 ESSAYS, No. 98.

But this folly, however pregnant with mifery, is en-
titled to pity, and may, in fome degree, admit of thofe
ufual palliations, youthful ardour, and want of experi-
ence. Thoufands, and tens of thoufands, have ruined
their fortunes and their happinefs by haftily running into
debt before they knew the value of money, or the con-
fequences of their cmbarraftment. We pity their mif-
fortune, but in the firit part of their progrefs we do not
ufually accufe them of difhonefty.

But the habic of incurring debt, though in the earlier
periods of life it may originate in thoughtleflhefs, com-
monly leads to a crime molt atrocious in itfelf, and
injurious to fociety. He who prayed againft poverty,
kit he fliould be poor and (teal, understood human na-
ture. Difficulties and diftrefles have a natural tendency
to le/Ten the reitraints of confcience. The fortrefs of
honour, when ftormed by that fort of poverty which is
occasioned by profligacy, and not defended with found
principles (fuch as men of the world do not often pof-
fefs), has for the molt part yielded at difcretion. He
then who began with incurring debt merely becaufe he
was ftrongly fKmulated by paffion or fancy, and was not
able to pay for their gratification, proceeds, when the
habit is confirmed, and the firlt fcruples difmifTed, to
contract debt wherever unfufpedting confidence will af-
ford him an opportunity.

If he pofieiTes titles, diitinftion, or any kind of emi-
nence, he will not find it difficult to gain credit.
Young tradefmen, defirous of making connections, are
ready to run any rifque ; and hope that, if it is long
before they receive their money, they fhall not be with-
out the great man's patronage or recommendation.
But here alfo they are often deceived ; for the great
man confiders all his creditors as his enemies, and ne-
ver thinks of them but to contrive methods to avoid
and deceive them. If he happens to receive any money,
he takes care to expend it among ftrangers, who have
no other demand upon him but for the commodity
which he pays for at the time of purchafe. The world
is wide; and when one fet of credulous tradefmen are
wearied with expectation and difappointment, the great
man migrates to another part of the town or country,

aud

No. 9§. MORAL, Sec. 6j

and condefcends to honour fome ambitious, but unfor-
tunate, mortal with the honour of dealing with him.
Thus the great man goes on during the greater part of
his life, and when the creditors are importunate, and
the horrors of a gaol impend, he collets his property
and withdraws from the kingdom, or living in difguiie,
enjoys his luxuries, and laughs at his deluded tradef-
men. Indeed, as moft ill qualities go together, his
pride is fo great, that he fcarcely vouchfafes to bellow
upon them a moment's confideration.

But while the builder, the draper, the taylor, the
butcher, the baker, and the chandler, remain unpaid,
the jockey and the horfedealer, the miltrefs and the bro-
ther gamefter, receive ready money with oltentatious
profufion. Sharpers and proftitutes, with all the quali-
ties of thievery, riot in thofe riches which ought to
be paid to honeft men, who, with their families, are
reduced to a ftate of ftarving, by feeding, cloa thing,
and accommodating fome hardened profligate, and ex-
travagant debauchee. Who but muft feel indignation
when he fees a man in high life, as it is called, eating
a joint of meat of fome poor tradefman, whofe children
are at the fame moment begging of their parent a mor-
fel of bread ? Who fees, without lifting up his hands,
my Lord, or fir John, fitting joyous at the head of a
plentiful table, fuppHed, gratis, with every article, by
the father of thofe children ?

Indeed, the pride and vanity of fome perfons, who
value themfelves on their birth, or their fafhionable
mode of life, induce them to look upon themfelves as
a fuperior order of beings, and to prefume that they
have a right to be flill fupported by their tradefmen in
profufion and elegance, even after they are reduced
in their circumftances either by misfortune or mifcon-
ducl. If an honefl man makes his demand, he is im-
pertinent ; his infolence is not to be borne ; he is
difmifled ; but not till he evidently mews that he *ill
no longer fupply the commodities in which he deals.
On his difmilfion, fome exception is taken to his ac-
count ; a difpute cnfues, and that difpute furnifhes the
fine gentleman or fine lady with a pretence for not
paying the bill. In the mean time card parties^

vifuings»

53 ESSAYS, No. 99.

vifitings, and all fafhionable pleafures proceed as ufual
— for who would be fo vulgar as to attend to the imper-
tinence of the fcum of the earth, or fuffer one fafhion-
able pleafure to be fet afide by the clamorous impor-
tunity of a mean mechanic j though his meannefs arifes
from his having fpent his fubftance in (applying the
perfon who dtefpifes him, with the initruments of lux-
ury, or the necefTaries of life ?

The profligacy, the vanity, the unceafing purfuit of
pleafure, and thepaffion for external appearance, which,
chara&erife the prefent age, are neceflarily productive
of expence ; expences occafion diftrefs, and diftrefs,
where principles are deficient, difhonefly. No wonder
then, that in no age have fharpers, fwindlers, and in-
folvent contractors of debt, fo much abounded. There
is hardly any mode of public life, efpecially in the me-
tropolis, in which you can be engaged, without having
your property expofed to the depredations of villains,
who have made cheating a profeiTion, and reduced the
art of robbery to a fyftem.

" Many of the perfons who live on the fubftance of
others, by borrowing, purchafing, or employing with-
out intending, and without being able to pay, make a
fplendid figure, and pafs for gentlemen and men of ho-
nour. But however they may felicitate themfeves on
their fuccefs, and in the gratification of their pride and
vanity, I mall nothefitate to pronounce them more cri-
minal and deteftable than highwaymen and houiebreak-
ers, becaufe, to the crime of a6lual theft, they add a
moll ungenerous breach of confidence.

No. CXIX. CURSORY REMARKS ON THE
LIFE, STYLE, GENIUS, AND WRITINGS OF
PETRARCH.

ONE of t'efirft and brighteft luminaries which ap-
peared in the literary horizon, after a long and
difm?J night,' was the illufcrous Francefco Petrarch. He
was born at Arezzo as he informs us himfelf, though

Yoffius

No. 99. MORAL, &c. 6>

Voffius denies it. He became archdeacon of Parma,
and canon of the cathedral church of Padua, and might
have arrived at the higheft preferments which the popes
can beftow, if he had not difdained fome difhoneft and
humiliating compliances.

To form an adequate idea of the merit of the writers
who arrived at excellence in the dawn of literature, it is
neceflary to confider, with attention, thofe peculiar cir-
cumitances which rendered even a mediocrity of learning
a difficult attainment. Books were fcarce, judicious in-
ftru&ors Hill more uncommon, and the powerful infliga-
tion of cotemporary models in a great meafure deficient.
Petrarch's claim to entire originality is not however uni-
verfally allowed. He certainly imitated Cino de Piftoja;
and Bayle fays, he itole many of his fentiments from him.
Dante, indeed, preceded Petrarch, but I do not find that
he made Dante his model. With real difficulties and
impediments, and with few circumftances to excite a fpirit
of enterprize, fufficiently ardent and perfevering to fur-
mount the very formidable obftacles, it is really wonder-
ful that any individual could afcend, by his own efforts,
the eminent heights of iuperior excellence.

Such, however, was the native force of Petrarch's ge-
nius, that in the middle of an unenlightened age he
became celebrated throughout the civilized nations of
Europe as an orator, philofopher, and poet.

His poetical fame is, indeed, the moil diitinguimed.
Formed with the fineft fenfibility of foul, he had the pecu-
liar felicity of being born in a country whofe language is
the language of love. The ardour, the cor.ftancy, and the
romantic nature of his paffion, rendered him univerfally
popular in an amorous and romantic age. In our own
country he became the pattern of one ofour earlieft poets,
Henry Howard earl of Surrey. And, amiclft all the dif-
advantnges of a Northern and Gothic language* the
Engiifn poet has celebrated his lovely Geraloine, in
Itrains which are faid, by fome, to difplay more of the
genuine tcndcrnefs of nature, than thofe in which the
great Italian iung his Laura.

" In the ion nets of Surrey," fays Mr. Warton, " \ve
are furprifed to find nothing of the; inetafJiyfical caft
which marks the Italian poets, hid fuppcled matters,

efpecially

70 ESSAYS, No. 99.

efpecially Petrarch. Surrey's fentiments are for the moll
part natural and unaffected, arifing from his own feel-
ings, and dictated by the prefent circumftances. His
poetry is alike unembarrafled by learned allufions or ela-
borate conceits. If our author copies Petrarch, it is Pe-
trach's better manner, when he defcends from his Platonic
abilraflions, his refinements ofpafiion, his exaggerated
compliments, and his play upon oppofite fentiments, into
a track of tendernefs, fimplicity and nature. Petrarch
would have been a better poet had he been a worfe fcholar.
Yet, upon the whole, I mould as foon think of preferring
Surrey to Petrarch, as of peferring a Gothic country
church to a Grecian temple.

It is certainly true, that feveral of the poets who have
devoted themfelves to the defcription of the tender paf-
fion, have fhewn that they really did not always feel it in
its greateft flrength and purity while they wrote. The
love which nature infpires does not diftate antithesis,
point, conceit," and witticifm. But Ovid, the poet of
Love, abounds with thefe even in his moft impaffioned
verfe. Cowley's miftrefs is by no means replete with
the language of paflion. I know not that even the
gentle Waller exprefles the fentiments which a tender
and ardent lover feels and utters. Hammond has writ-
ten like one who was but little fmitten with the tender
paflion. Petrarch alfo, has often addreffed his verfes to
the undemanding, when they mould have been directed
to the feelings ; has endeavoured to pleafe the imagina-
tion with an oppofition of images, when all his (kill
mould have been exerted in caufing the nerves to vi-
biate at the touch of fympathy. The mind of the
reader is difappointed, when, inftead of the fimple ex-
preffions of nature he finds the fubtilty of art ; nor does
he allow ingenuity on the fubjedl of love to be a com-
penfation for pathos.

It has been faid his diclion is obfcure. The want
of perfpicuity arifes chiefly from his having adopt-
ed a great many terms in the provincial language,
which, fince his time, has ceafed to be colloquial in
Italy, though it has been preferved by the poets in
imitation of their matter. The admiffion of antiquat-
ed exprcffions is allowed by the belt judges to be an
5 exquifuc

No. 99. MORA L, &c. 71

exquifite mode of adding a dignity to compo/ition. It
has been prefcribed by the beft critics, and praftifed by
the beft writers. And, with refpeft to the obfcurity it
may occafion, the fault is in the reader. Poetry has a
language of its own. For the fake of elevation it is con-
ftrained to feek a didion remote from convcrfation or fa-
miliar profe. He who reads and criticifes poetry, ought
to be acquainted with its peculiar and idiomatic language.
Homer, Virgil, Milton, wrote in a diction which will not
be underftood by him who has been folely converfant in
the profaic writings of their feveral languages. This, in-
deed, may be juftly faid, that the dignity of the epopcea
may require this method of contracting a venerable air,
much more than the humbler ftrains of the plaintive in-
amorato. If any part of Petrarch's obfcurity arifes from
the confufion of his ideas, or his perplexed method of
exprefling them, no veneration for his name muft pro-
tect, him from cenfure. Indeed feveral very able critics
have complained, that they could not underftand him
without an interpreter.

Enough of his meaning and of his beauties has been
underftood by his own countrymen, to give him the
title of the Father of the Tufcan poetry. The claflkal
excellence of his language has contributed to give a
name to the century in which he lived ; for the Italians
call it the good age cf their language, and attribute the
happy effect in a great meafure to Petrarch. Sweet,
indeed, are the greater part of his fonnets, fweet their
language, and fweet their fentiments. Though criti-
cifm may point our quaintne/Tes and unnatural conceits,
may cenfure one part as metaphyfica!, and another as
affected, yet the fenfible reader will not judge by
parts, but by the whole effect of an entire piece ; and
if his feelings have been often finely touched, and his
imagination delighted, he will give himfelf up to the
magic of the poet, and joining in the general applauf*,
leave the cold critic to whifper his detraction difre-
garded.

The love-verfes of many writers cannot be recom-
mended without danger. But the fort of love which
Petrarch felt, fuppofing the object a proper one, refines
and ennobles humanity. It is a fpecics of paffion which

72 ESSAYS, No. 99.

was never felt in the flighted degree by the modern de-
bauchee. It partakes ibmething of the nature of real
devotion, and while it elevates human nature in idea, it
contributes fomething to its real exaltation. Chaiiity
•was the virtue of the age in which romantic love pre-
vailed, and one virtue is allied to all. The age was vir-
tuous, in comparifon with thofe times in which love is
degraded to its loweft fpecies, and even the philofo-
phers endeavour to reduce man to the humiliating con-
dition of a mere animal.

But Petrarch is not to be considered only as an Italian
poet. He wrote Latin poetry with great reputation ;
and, indeed, during his life, fecms to have acquired
more honour from that, than from his vernacular pro-
<hiclions. It was for his Africa that he was crowned
with laurel in the capital of Rome. This work was a
kind of heroic poem in honour of Scipio Africanus,
whofe name, fays he, I know not how, was dear to me
from the earlift age.

His Africa is acknowledged to be an imperfeft work.
It had not the laft hand of its great author. But it
abounds with hiftorical matter, and with the fidlions of
poetry. The hand of a mailer is vifible. The poetical
£re fometimes burns with genuine heat and light. Yet,
upon the whole, it is a work more confpicuous for
tjenius than judgment, and wants that polifli which
a better age wou'd certainly have beftowed. Had
Petrarch written nothing but Latin poetry, he would
have poiTeffed but a fubordinate place in the temple of
fame.

The profe works of Petrarch are x'oluminous. He,
indeed, is honoured with the name of the reftorer of
the Latin language. Great was his merit in recalling
a language which had almoft funk into oblivion ; yet, I
think, it had been fortunate for the reputation of Pe-
trarch if he had wiitten all his works in his native lan-
guage, which he pofTefled in peifeftion, and which had
arrived, under the management of him and his cotem-
porary, at the ftandard of claflic elegance Though he
writes with fpirit, and abounds with ftriking and folid
fentiments, and difplays no inconfiderable mare of
learning, yet he cannot be called a good Latin writer,

His

No. 99; • MORA 1 , Arc. 73

His ftyle is harfh and uncouth ; his fentences rugged and
unpolifhed. There is a fingularity of manner which iets
him at a remote diftance from the clafllcs, and proves
that he infpefted their works rather for their matter than
their mode of treating it. There is, however, a native
force and vivacity, which would have conftituted dif-
tinguifhed excellence, if the writer had condefcended to
have become an imitator of the antients. An affec^a-
tion of originality has often fpoiled an ingenious work,
by rendering it quaint and difguftful. The greateft
beauty of his profaic writings, and a very valuable ex-
cellence it muft be efteemed, is the great and ferious re-
gard which he pays to piety and morality, and that
fpirit of philofophy, which, though of a melancholy
kind, is jurt and folid.

A reader is doubly pleafed when he can turn from the
works of a diilinguifhed writer, to his life, with equal com-
placency. In the life of Petrarch we find a noble and fu-
blime fpirit, which induced him to prefer his mufe, his
love, and his independence, to the favour of a papal de-
fpot. It is, indeed, ihe glorious privilege of genius to
feek and to find its happinefs from its own refources.
Emboldened by the confcioufnefs of its own ftrength, and
feeling an indignatidn at many of the changes andchances
of this world, it is apt to fpurn at worthlefs grandeur,
and to defpife thofe whom the multitude adores.

Human nature muft always have an object fufpended
in its view. The lovely Laura was the objedl of Pe-
trarch. The paiTion was romantic ; the idea of her ex-
cellence imaginary ; but it had a happy influence on the
poet's mind. It called forth the latent fire of his genius,
it exercifed his fine fancy ; and though the poet pours
his plaintive verfe in Itrains which affedl our fympathy,
yet we are by no means to confider him as unhappy.
For it is a truth collected from long obfervation on hu-
man nature, that the pleafure of the chace confifts in
the purfuit, not in the attainment ; and that it is often
better to expect than to enjoy.

I believe it is not on record, that the paffion of Pe-
trarch was criminally gratified. It is generally thought
that it began and terminated in imagination. But yet it
is impoffible not to lament, that the objedl of the poet's
fanciful idolatry was one on which he'tould not inno-
cently place hia afie&ions.

VOL. II. E Xo. C

74 ESSAYS, No. 100.

No. C. ON THE FOLLY AND WICKEDNESS
OF WAR.

TH E calamities attendant on a ftate of war, feem
to have prevented the mind of man from viewing
it in the light of an abfurdity, and an objecl of ridicule
as well as pity. But if we could fuppofe a fuperior
Being capable of beholding us, miferable mortals, with-
out compaflion, there is, I think, very little doubt but
the variety of military manoeuvres and formalities, the
pride, pomp, and circumflance of war, and all the in-
genious contrivances for the glorious purpofes of mutual
deftruftion, "which feem to conftitute the bufinefs of many
whole kingdoms, would furnifh him with an entertain-
ment like that which is received by us from the exhibi-
tion of a farce or a puppct-ftiow. But, notwithstanding
the ridkuloufnefs of all thefe folemnities, we, alas ! are
doomed to feel that they are no farce, but the conco-
mitant circumihnces of a mollwofiil tragedy.

The caufes of war are for the'rhoft part fuch as muft
difgrace an animal pretending to rationality. Two
poor mortals, elevated -with the diltinftion of a golden
bauble on their heads, called a croWn, take offence at
each other, without any'reafcn, or with the very bad
one of -wiihing for an opp6rtunity of aggrandizing
themfelves by making reciprocal depredations. The
creatures of the court, ' and the leadi-ng men of the
nation, who arc ufually under the influence of the court,
refolve (for it is their interelt) to fupport their royal
mafler, and are never at 'a' lofs to invent fome colour-
able pretence for engaging the nation in the honors of
war. Taxes of the moil burthenfome kind are levied,
foldiers are collected, fo as to leave a paucity of huf-
handmen, reviews and encampments fucceed, and at laft
fifteen or twenty thoufand men meet on a plain, ani
coolly fhed each other's blood, without the i'rnalleit per-
fonal animofity, or the ftuidow of a provocation. The

kings,

No. 100. MORAL, Sec. 75

kings, in the mean time, and the grandees, who have
employed thefe poor innocent vidlims to (hoot bullets at .
each others heads, remain quietly at home, and amufe
themfelves, in the intervals of balls, hunting fchemes
and pleafures of every fpecies ; with reading at the
fire-fide, and over a cup of chocolate, the difpatches
from the 'irmy, and the news in the Extraordinary
Gazette. Old Horace very truly obferves, that what-
ever mad frolicks enter into the heads of kings, it is
the common people, that is, the honeft artizan, and
the induftrious tribes in the middle ranks, unoffendid
and unoffending, who chiefly fufFer in the evil confe-
quences. If the king of FrufTia were not at the head of
fome of the beft troops" in the univerfe, he would be
judged more worthy of being tried, call and condemned
at the Old Bailey, than any (hedder of blood who ever
died by a halter. But he is a king ; but he is a hero ; —
thcfe names fafcinate us, and we enrol the butcher of
mankind among their benefactors.

When one confiders the dreadful circumftances that
attend even victories, one cannot help being a little
(hocked at the exultation which they occafion. I have
often thought it would be a laughable fcene, if there
\vere not a little too much of the melancholy in it,
when a circle of eager politicians have met to congra-
tulate each other on a piece of good news juft arrived.
Every eye fparkles with delight ; every voice is raifed
in announcing the happy event. And what is the
caufe of all this joy ? and for what are our windows
illuminated, bonfires kindled, bells rung, and feaits
celebrated ? We have had a fuccefsful engagement.
We have left a thoufand of the enemy dead on the
field of battle, and only nine hundred of our country-
men. Charming news '. it was a glorious battle ? But
before you give a loofe to your raptures, paufe a while ;
and conlider, that to every one of thefe nineteen hun-
dred, life was no lefs fweet than it is to you ; that to
the far greater part of them there probably were wives,
fathers, mothers, fons, daughters, fillers, brothers,
and friends, all of whom are at this moment bewailing-
that event which occafions your fooliih and brutal
triumph,

E 2 The

?6 ESSAYS, No. too*

The whole time of a war ought to be a time of ge-
neral mourning, a mourning in the heart, a mourning
much more fmcere than on the death of one of thofe
princes whofe accurfed ambition is often the fble caufe of
war. Indeed, that a whole people fhould tamely fub-
jijit to the evils of war, becaufe it is the will of a few
vain, felfim, ignorant, though exalted, individuals, is a
phenomenon almoft unaccountable. But they are led
away by falfe glory, by their paflions, by their vices.
They reflect not ; and, indeed, if they did reflect, and
oppofe, what would avail the oppofition of unarmed
myriads to the mandate of a government fupported by
a ftanding army ? Many of the European nations are en-
tirely military ; war is their trade; and when they have
no employment at home, or near it, they blufh not to
let themfelves out to fhed any blood, in any caufe of
the beft paymafter. Ye beafts of the foreft, no longer
allow that man is your fuperior, while there is found on
the face of the earth fuch degeneracy i

Morality and religion forbid svar in its motives, con-
duct, and confequences ; but to many rulers and po-
tentates morality and religion appear as the inventions
of politicians to facilitate fubordination. The princi-
pal objects of crowned heads, and their minions, are
the extenfion of empire, the augmentation of a revenue,
or the annihilation of their fubjects liberty. Their re-
ilraints in the purfuit of thefe objects are not thofe of
morality and religion ; but folely reafons of ftate, and
political caution. Plaufible words are ufed, but they
are only ufed to hide the deformity of the real princi-
ples. Wherever a war is deemed defirable in an interefl-
ed view, a fpecious pretext never yet remained unfound.
.Morality is as little conlidered in the beginning, as
in the profecution of war. The moll folemn treaties
and engagements are violated by the governing part
of the nation, with no more fcruple than oaths and
bonds are broken by a cheat and a villain in the walks
of private life. Does the difference of rank and fituation
make any difference in the atrocity of crimes ? If
any, it renders a thoufand times more criminal than
that of a thief, the villany of them, who, by violating
«verv facretl obligation between nation and nation,

giv*

STo. iar. MORAL, &c. 77

give rife to miferies and mifchiefs moft dreadful in their
nature; and to which no human power can fay, thus
far lhall ye proceed and no farther. Are not the natural
and moral evils of life fufficient, but they murt be
rendered more acute, more numerous, and mere em-
bittered b^artificial means ? My heart bleeds over thofe
complicated fcenes of woe, for which no epithet can
be found fufHciently defcriptive. Language fails in la-
bouring to exprefs the horrors of war amid private fa-
milies, who are fo unfortunate as to be fuuated on the
feat of it.

War, however, it will be faid, has always been per-
mitted by Providence,-. • This is, indeed, true; b-ut it
has been only permitted as a fcourge. Let a fpirit and
activity be exerted in regulating the morals of a nation,
equal to that with which war, and all itsjapparatus, are
attended to, and mankind will no longer be fcourged,
neither will it be necefiary to evacuate an empire of ics
members, for none will be fuperfluous. Let us, ac-
cording to the advice of a pious Divine of th-e prci eng-
age, think lefs of our fleets and armies, and more of
our faith and practice. While we are warriors, with all
our pretenfions to civilization, we are ravages.

No. CI. ON THE EFFECTS OF |NTEMPERATE
STUDY ON THE HEALTH, AND ON THE
DUTY OF PAYING REGARD TO THE PRE-
SERVATION OF HEALTH.

THERE is in general but little danger left goed
qualities and habits fhould be carried to excefs.
The moralift may, for the moft part,- recommend every
laudable and ufeful pra<3ice, without prefcribing any
boundaries to proficiency. The probability is, that
men will ftop on this fide, and not that they will go be-
yond the line of duty. But yet it is certain, that there
are fome ingenuous fpirits, who, actuated by a generous
emulation. Advance in the purfcit of a favourite ex-
E 3 cellence

?8 ESSAYS, No. 101.

cellence with fo immoderate an ardour, and afliduity of
application, as at once frustrates their purpofe, and in-
jures their abilities.

As I have then, on many occafions, recommended a
clofe attention to ftudy, 1 think myfelf obliged, by
motives of humanity, to fuggeit a few cautions which
may prevent the evils of an intemperate application.
I Ihould, indeed, greatly lament, that any thing I have
advanced in recommending to youth the cultivation of
the mincl, ihould lead them to neglect or injure that
body on which the vigour of the mind greatly depends,
and which, if it is disordered, often renders all other
means of happineis and improvement ineffectual.

I am, indeed, the more inclined to enter on this
fubjpct, as J have feen very melancholy inftances of
nervous difeafes entirely occasioned by intemperance in
iludy, and its necefl'nry concomitant, want of air and
exercife. Ic is one circumiHnce peculiarly unhappy in
thefe mod unhappy of all difeafes, that they feldom ad-
mit of cure, and therefore great and early vigilance
ihoiild be exerted in their prevention.

A great itudent ought to be particularly attentive in
the regulation of his diet. We Jearn from the writings
of phyficians, that the labour of the brain draws off
thofe fpirits which are neceffary to promote digeilion.
The leall and the lighteft food under which we can
poffibly be eafy, according to the advice of the
celebrated Cheney, is particularly proper for the
fludent. Such a diet will not only render the fpirits
cheerful, and invigorate all the faculties of the mind,
but enable us to enjoy health with but a fmall fhare of
•xercife.

Exercife, however, is to be taken on every opportu-
nity. But a folitary walk or ride, merely for the fake
of exercife, and with no other object to ftimulate our
progrefs, as it is of all amufements the dulleil, fo it is
found rather hurtful than advantageous. The mind
flill meditates in folitude, and the body at the fame
time labours ; fo that both are exhaulled at once, and
the ftudent returns to his clofet fatigued, dejected, and
difappointed. Some little amufement mult therefore
be contrived, or feme bufmefs engaged in, which may

operate

No. 101. M O Kf A L, &c. 79

operate as a loadftone in attracting us, without being
fenfible of our own efforts, frprn our libraries, up the
mountain, and along the foreft, where health, with all
her thousand joys, delights to fix her abode. A few
cheerful companions in our walks will render them
abundantly more healthful ; for, according to the an-
tient adage, they will ferve inftead of a carriage, or, in
other words, prevent the fenfation of fatigue.

Deje&ion of fpirits is a certain confequence of intem-
perate ftudy ; but dejedtion of fpirits, long continued,
cannot confift with health. After a morning fpent in a
clofer application than common, it will often be right
to devote the reft of the day to good company, and
innocent pleafures. Mufic is one of thofe pleafures,
and the molt delightful foother of the wearied mind.
The heart dances at the found of the lyre ; frefli fpirits
animate .the veins ; the clouds of dejection are ditfipated,
and the foul fliincs out once more like the fun after a
mi/1, in the blue expanfe of aether.

Nocturnal ftudies, too long and too clofely continued,
feldom fail to injure the eyes, and together with them,
the whole nervous fyftem. They who are impelled by
neceffity to work by night and by day, mult indeed fub-
mit with patience to their deftiny; but that he who is
malter of his time, mould chain hiirfelf down to a more
exhaufting toil than the labour of the galley- flave, is a
fpecies of folly approaching to infanity. And, indeed,
I know of nothing more likely to pfdduce madnefs than
intemperate ftudy, with want of exercife, want of air,
and want of fieep. It will, after all, be but a poor com-
fort, to have gone through a whole library, and to have
loft our eyes and our fenfes in the courfe of the labo-
rious progrefs.

Every man of fenfe will make life of all the known
methods of fecuring his health, were it merely on
felfilh motives, and for the fake of preferving his
faculties and prolonging his life. But, omitting all
felfifh regards, I cannot help thinking, that an attention
to the prefervation of health is an impoitant duty.
I do not recollect that it has often been recommended .
as a duty. But fmce our health is greatly in o.ir own
power i fmce we all enter into the world to engage in
E 4 many

«o ESSAYS, No. iei.

many aftive and necelTary employments, and fince the
want of health will render us incapable of them, I can-
not help thinking, that the care of our health may be
numbered among the duties of indifpenfable obligation.
A found constitution of body is a bleffing of heaven ;
and not to beitow the utmoft vigilance in preferving a
pearl of fo ineflimable a price, is a contempt of the
gift, an infuh on the Giver, and a fpecies of impious
ingratitude.

Ir is commonly faid, that he who wants the advice of
phyficians in the regulation of his ufual diet, after the
age cf thirty, wants alfo underftanding; a defeft which
no phyfician can fupply. It is indeed certain, that,
at the age of thirty, a fufficient degree ef experience
cf what may be agreeable or difagreeable to the confti-
turion IT: ay have been collected. But, alas ! few of us
;ire willing to do all that we arc able ; few of us are
fo attentive, in die i-ril pouion of -life, to the animal
irconorny, as to remark with accuracy the caufes cf
thofe flight indifpofitions which are occafioned by ac-
cidental excefs in the gay and thoughtlefs hours of
convivial enjoyment. We fubmit to them, however
they may undermine the conilitucion, from friendly and
benevolent motives. We art apt to think, that it
would be too felfifh to refufe to partake of the enjoy-
ments of others merely to preferve our own health. The
rniunight aflembiy and the luxurious banquet are often
lefs fought for their own fakes, than from good nature
and a focial difpofition. But, perhaps, if we confidered
that we are not taking care of ourfelves merely on our
own account, but for others, for our parents and our
children, for our friends and for the public, we mould
rot deem a fcrupulous regard to health, though it may
lead us to avoid the feaft and the revel, either ungene-
rous or unfocial. It would appear in the light of a very
ferious duty, derived from an obedience to the will of
heaven, and from the regard we owe to our neighbour ;
and we mould be obliged to confefs, that the nominal
pleafures of excefs ought always to give place to real
duty.

A fcrupulous regard to health is, indeed, a duty
incumbent on all j but, perhaps, more particularly

to

No. 102. tiT CT £ A L, &c. 8 1

to be attended to by the learned and ingenious, us they
are of all the moft fubjed to indifpofition. A delicate
frame is very often affociated with a ftrong intellect ;
and a life of ftudy, though a life of labour, is not
adapted, like that of the manual labourer, to give
elaiticity to the nerves, or vigour to the animal functions.
But exceffive eating, added to exceflive ftudy, mull wear
the machine much more than the fubftance of which it
is conftituted can long endure. If it is not foon brokea
in pieces, its wheels will be clogged, its fprings broken,,
and the whole rendered ufelefs and bnrthenfome. It is
recorded of Mr. Pope, that he was an immoderate eater,
that he kept a filver faucepan to drefs dainties for him-
felf in the intervals of his meals, and that he died of a
faucepan of lampreys.

Whatever part of the fyflem of human affairs we exa-
mine, one truth appears to pervade the whole compli-
cated mafs, which is, that there can be neither wildom
nor happinefs, nor even enjoyment of the fubordinate
kinds, independently of moderation. In the moil re-
fined and elevated part of our conduct and purfuits,
the fame truth is no lefs vifible, than In the lower occu-
pations of common life. Sweet are the pleafures of con.
templation, delightful the exercife of the mind in
reading and reflection ; but no pleafure, however pure,
muft be invariably purfued, till we are removed into the
world of fpirits, and are enabled to enjoy intellectual
delights unalloyed and uninterrupted.

NO. CII. ON" THE PRESENT STATE OF
CONVERSATION.

F • ^ H E R E is, perhaps, no method of improving the
j^ mind more efficacious, and certainly none mon*
agreeable, than a mutual interchange of fentiments in
an elegant and animated converfaiion with the ferious,
the judicious, the learned, and the communicative.
Light and heat are elicited by the collifion of minds.
Truths which appeared dull in the folitude of the rtudy,

8z ESSAYS, No. 102.

are no fooner agitated in converfation, than they affeSt
the mind with the livelieft impreffions. And it is one
circumltance which, in a peculiar manner, recommends
the mode of improvement by mutual difcourfe, that the
focial affeclions are no lefs powerfully exerted and
exercifed, than the powers of reafon. By the difplay of
both, the heart and the underltanding are at once
improved.

Such would be the defcription of him who mould de-
rive his ideas tin the fubjeft from a chofen few, or from
his books. But let him confider converfation as it really
appears in the living world, independently of theoreti-
cal and fpeculative refinement, and I fear, that, inflead
of finding it always attended with improvement, it will
often appear to him a fertile fource of corruption and
degeneracy.

A young man who has juft left his fchool, full of the
ideas which the poets, philofophers, and hiflorians of
antiquity fupply, will probably bid adieu to them all
at the fame time that he takes leave of his matter ; unlefs,
indeed, his own choice mould lead him to cultivate an
acquaintance wiili them in private. Suppofe him to
pals from the fchool to an univerfity. There, if he has
fpirir, he will of courfe feck the company, and imitate
the manner?, of thcie who poflefs a like fpirit, and who
are alib celebrated as men of fafhion. The converfation
will therefore turn upon the fubjecl of horfes, dogs, drink-
ing-, dreffing, debauchery, of cajoling the old gentleman
at home out of his money to be fpent in thefe laudable
pqrpofes, or of running in debt with credulous and un-
fortunate tradefmen. Such will he the fublime contem-
plations, and the philofephical topics of difcourfe in the
famed academic groves on the banks of the Cam and
the Ifis, and in the fchools of fcience and theology.
Even doftors, prcfeftbrs, tutors, and lecturers, induftri-
oufly avoid all topics conne&ed with the fpecies of
learning and fcience which they profefs, and in eft
agreeably condefccnd to expatiate, in the common and
combination room, on dogs, horfes, and all the re-
fineJ amuion-cnts of Granta and Rhedycina. Not
b'Jt that there are a few who take a pleahire in con-
verfing on letters ; but they are folitary mortals, ar;d

thetnfelves. .

No. 102. MORAL, &c. 8j

themfelves are ftigmatized, in the cant language of the
place, with the name of Quizzes, and their converfa-
tion, with that of an infufterable Sore.

If our ingenious youth fhould be tranfplanted from
the nurfery of a fchool into the army, he will find the
converfation, in almoft every refpedl, iimilar to that of
the iiniverfity. There will, indeed, be this difference,
that as letters are not the particular bufinefs of a mili-
tary life, they will fometimes be the topic of converfa-
tion among military men ; whereas, in the univerfity,
they are entirely laid afide, left they mould fubjett the
academic to the imputation of pedantry ; an imputation
deemed infinitely more difgraceful, than that of genteel
ignorance and famionable debauchery.

Should he be introduced into the fociety of nobles
and legiilators, he will ftill find dogs and horfes, with
all their concomitant fports and amufements, the fa-
vourite topics,gf difcourfe. Literature would be voted
dulnefs ; morality, preaching; philofophy, nonfenfe ;
and religion, hypocrify. ,-£Jis Plato and his Tully will
avail him little at the Cockpit, at a horfe-race, at a
gaming-table, in the ftud, and the dog-kennel. Such
places are the uiual reforts of the fpirited and fafhion-
able part of very great men ; of thofe, whom the young,
allured by the brilliancy of their career, .would be moft
likely to follow.

Let him proceed in his enquiry after this refined and
elegant converfation, and frequent, according to the
ufual intercourfe of neighbourhood, the houfes of the
rich, the refpe&able, and fafhionable, in private life.
They mall be perfons of fenfc and virtue, and yet no-
thing mall pafs in their converfation from which any
of the boaited advantages of it mall be perceived. For
what, indeed, are the methods of paffing time, among
perfons of the bed repute and genteeleil condition,
while they think it indifpenfably neceflary to move in
the vortex of famion ? Nothing grave, nothing abftrufe,
nothing fpeculative ; no moral maxim or critical re-
mark, would be admitted in a polite circle of polite
vi/itors. There is evidently an uneafmefs, a filence, an
awkwardnefs, a vacuity, till cards are introduced. It
is not a harfh delineation of modern manners to afiert,
E 6 that

84 ESSAYS, No. 102.

that in general, and even among thofe who certainly
have a right to efteem, there appears to be no tafte for
any thing that deferves the name of refined and ingeni-
ous convetfation. The time of a vifu is for the moft
part fpent in repeating the doubtful news of the day;
in mere chat without confequence or connection ; in
eating, drinking, and crowning the whole with whift
and quadrille. All this may be very innocent and
pleafant as a relaxation ; and the only point I maintain
is, that the fpecies of converfation from which improve-
ment is to be derived, is not often found in the prefent
fyftem of vifiting and converfing.

I know not whether our youth, were he to feek the
fociety of men in the profeffions, would be certain of
finding that fort of converfe, from which, philofophers
inform us, fo much moral and intellectual improvement
is received. It is, I think, remarked by fome one who
went into the company of the clergy at one of their
feails, in hopes of finding among them,, that elegance
and philofophical fpirit of converfe which he had in
vain fought among others, that nothing was talked of
with any apparent animation, but the flavour of the
venifon, the fine relilTi of the hams, the richnefs of the
pye-cruil, and the excellence of the claret. Thefe,
indeed, caufed the moft cordial congratulations; and
thefe, interrupted only by the conjectures on the next
vacancies in livings, ftalls,. and mitres, conftituted the
whole of the difcourfe in a fympofium confining of the
inftru&ors of mankind. If fuch be the cafe, we are not
to wonder that the fublimer fort of converfation is rarely
to be found in the common ranks, who are often too
deficient in education, to be able to interchange their
fentiments with any considerable advantage to the mind
or the morals.

It is faid, that a celebrated wit had fought the com-
pany of Addifon with uncommon folicitude, and with a
hope of being delighted with that fine humour which is
fo confpicuous in his writings ; but that Addifon did not
talk, though he paid it off in drinking, which he did
fo intern perately, that nature was obliged to throw
off" her load ; upon which circumftance the vifitor, on
his departure, remarked, that no good thing had come

out

No. 102. MORAL, &c. 8;

out of his month that night but the wine. Let it, how-
ever, be remembered by thole who bring fuch inflances
in their own juftification, that the caufe of Addifon's
taciturnity was, a natural diffidence in the company of
Grangers, to difmifs which he took his glafs more freely
than he might otherwife have done ; and that, among
a chofen few, his converfation was at once improving
and delightful.

In fome circles it is poflible to be a very excellent
companion without uttering a fingle fentiment, or a
fingle word more than is neceflary to repeat the toalh
In thefe, indeed, the wit of a Swift, the humour of a
Quin, and the fine philofophical fpirit of an Addifon,
would not be deemed half fo agreeable as the good-
natured eafe of him who counts no hours, but fiier.tly
fits and inhales and exhales, through a tube cf clay,
the fmoke of tobacco. If fuch perfons are philofophers,
one might guefs from their taciturnity, that they are the
difciples of Pythagoras.

In the lower ranks of mankind we muft not expeft
refinement. Liberal and ingenious ideas -muft have
been collected by reading, before converfation can be
advanced ta the perfection of which it is capable. Wo
readily therefore pardon thofe defects which could not
eafily have been fiipplied. We are not furprifed at
ribaldry, noife, and nonfenfe, in the fociety of the
vulgar, and of thofe who feek relief from bo-ily la-
bour, in coasfc mirth, and unfelecled fociety. But that
perfons who have improved their reafon, and who have
leifure for all the refinements of intellectual pleafure,
ihould neglect the means of fo much advantage and
fatisfadtion as might be derived from converfation pro-
perly concluded, is an additional inftance of our folly,.
in difregarding the moil obvious means of improving
our happinefs and our condition.

I know it may be faid, that, as relaxation is often
tLe principal object of our mutual intercourfe, to render
converfation a itudy, and the effect of care and medita-
tion, is to defeat its purpofe. But let it be remem-
bered, that the improvements in converfation' which I
recommend, contribute no lefs to encreafe the pleafure
than the advantage of it. I recommend no iUfrnefs,

S BO

86 ESSAYS, No. 103.

no improper folemnity, or difagreeable formality; but
eafe, elegance, politenefs, united with fenfe, tafte, learn-
ing, and with a communicative difpofition. Cards are
not difapproved in general ; nothing, however light,
while it is innocent, is totally prohibited ; and all that
I contend for is, that, where ci re um fiances admit, and
in a proper alternation, literature, the fine arts, natu-
ral and moral philofophy, hiitory, and whatever exer-
cifes the better powers of the underftanding, (hould con-
tribute to fill up the many hours which we ufually fpend
in company, Thefe things would often preclude infi-
pidity, fcandal, gaming, and intemperance. Such would
be their valuable effects confidered only negatively. But
they would do more, they tvould exalt and refine the
human mind, and would prove, what man fo often
boalts without exhibiting fufticient proofs of it, that he
is an animal not only focial, but rational.

No. CIII. ON GOODNESS OF HEART.

WHOEVER has made accurate obfervations on
men and manners, will eafily perceive, that the
praife of goodnefs cf heart is ufually accompanied with
an oblique infmuation of" intellectual imbecility. I be-
lieve him to be a well-meaning man, fays the malignant
panegyrift, and if there is any fault in him, it will be
found rather in his head than in his heart. Nothing
could be better contrived by a crafty and envious world,
to render this amiable quality contemptible, than to re-
prefent it as ihe effect, or as the companion of folly.

It is, indeed, true, that innocence and integrity are
ufually accompanied with fimplicity ; not, however,
with that fort of fimplicity which is fometimes fynony-
mous with folly ; but with an amiable opennefs of
manners, which had rather" lofe its objects, than obtain
them by deceit ; which leads the tongue boldly to fpealc,
what the heart honeftly conceives. If we weigh the
fati&factions of an open and upright conduct, of a clear

conference,

No. ioj. MORAL, &c. 87

confcience, and of that liberty which we enjoy by think-
ing, fpeaking, and adling, without mean and fervile rc-
ftraints, it will, I believe, be found, that this fimplicity
is true wifdom, and that the cunning of the worldly wife
is real and egregious imprudence.

Goodnefs of heart, whether it be a natural or acquired
goodnefs, is, indeed, in every refpeft, the higheft wifdom.
It is the only quality which can refcue human nature
from the difgrace and mifery of its wretched weakneffes,
and its powerful tendencies to evil. It raifes the poor
worm, that otherwife crawls on a dunghill, and ftings
and bites his wretched companions, to an exalted place
in the fcale of being, and caufes him to affimilate with
the divine nature.

I (hall exhibit to my'youthful readers, whofe hearts are
yet fufceptible of whatever bias they chufe to give them,
two characters : in one of which appeared goodnefs of
heart, and in the other, worldly wifdom or cunning, or
the art of pleafing for the fake of profit. Jf any one
ftiould hefitate in chufmg whether of the two fhall be
his model, he need not hefitate at beginning a reforma-
tion of himfelf, for he may depend upon it, that his own
heart (lands greatly in need of amendment.

Serpens (for fuch let us fuppofe to be his name) has
perfuaded himfelf that he fees farther into things than
the reft of his fpecies. He confiders religion as prieft-
craft, morality as the invention of politicians, and tafte
and literature as the amufements of fools. His philo-
fophy, and all his better purfuits and ideas, are circum-
fcribed within limits extremely narrow. Pleafure and
intereft are his chief good, his only objeds of ferious
purfuit ; and in the attainment of thefe he is not fcru-
puloufly delicate. There is, indeed, no virtue or good
quality, the appearance of which he does not aflume ;
becaufe, while mankind are weak enough to judge and
cfteem men according to moral and religious prejudices,
a platifible appearance is eflentially neceflary to fuccefs
in life. External decency is his higheft aim. Since-
rity or found principles would but retard his purpofes.
Compaflion he never felt, and is equally a ftranger to love
and friendfliip, though he is always prbfeiling them to

perfons

2* .ESSAYS, No. 103.

perfons of fortune and diftinftion, whom he idolizes with
jel'gious adoration ; and this is the only fentiment which
he feels, bordering upon religion.

By a life fpent in abject fervility, in courting a ca-
pricious world, in deceiving the credulous, in contriv-
ing fchemes of advantage or pleafure, and in hardening
his conference, he has at laft, in his fiftieth year, ob-
tained fome promotion, and accumulated a handfome
furn of rnoney. But he cannot enjoy it now he is pof-
fefted of it. The fame greedy feliifnnefs which taught
him to debafe his foul in purfuing intereil and private
gratification, fliil operates on his conduct, and renders
him a complete mifer. Though he has long enjoyed a
competency, he never had fpirit enough to marry.
He was afraid of the expence. He hates his relations,
becaufe he thinks they expect his fortune at his deceafe.
He has made no real friends, though he has deceived
thoufands by profelfing friendlhip for the ealier accom-
plilhment of his dirty defigns. All the neighbours
deleft him;* and he envies every one of them who ap-
pears to be happier than hlmfelf, which indeed they
all do ; for his heart is torn with malignity, with fears,
anxieties, and covetoufnefs. He bears, however, the
character of a fhrewd and fenfible man, one who knows
the world, and learned, at an eatriy age, to make it his
bubble. His advice is confide red as an oracle in ail
pecuniary bufmefs, and no attorney would be half fo
much confulted, if he did hot render himfelf almofl
inacceffible by the morofenefs of his temper. As in his
youth, he was all fubmiffion and gentlenefs, and per-
fedly fkilled in the celebrated art of pleating ; fo now,
when the mafque is no longer neceiTary, his natural
difpofition breaks out in all its horrid deformity. But
the mifery which he occafions to all around him, falls
upon himfelf, by the jult retribution of Providenc<-,
The heart, which has been the receptacle of every vice
and every meannefs, is always the feat of ur.eafy fen-
fation. The ftupid infenfibiiity with refpect to the finer
feelings, which ufually characterizes that fort of ilirewd
men, who are celebrated in the world as men who knew
things fo ivf/I, may, indeed, guard then; from pungent

affliction ;

No. 103. M O R 'A L, &c. «a

affliction ; but it is itfelf a curfe raofl devoutly to be de-
precated.

Simplicius was the fon of parents remarkable for the
piety and regularity of their lives. He received a libe-
ral education in its moft comprehenfive form, and found
every moral initruction which he derived from books,
and from his preceptor, confirmed by example at home.
Ail his delicate fenfibiliues were gradually nurfed to a
(late of perfection by the innocence and temperance of
his life ; by the piety and virtue of his family, in which
fuch refpect was paid to him while a boy, that not a
word that could convey a loofe or improper idea was
tver uttered in his prefence. He married early, and
obeyedcthe dictates of his heart in felecting a moft
anv.able woman of beauty, fenfe, and temper, but oF
little c,- ivj fortune. The ihrcvvd and wife men of the
world laughed and pitied. Simplicius, however, had
never any reafon to repent. His children are his chief
delight; but he loves his friends with fincere and un-
alterable affection ; and there is no fpecies of diftrefs
which he does not pity and relieve to the bell of hi*
power. The amiablenefs of his manners, and the re-
gularity of his conduct, gavedvim the advantage of cha-
racter, the want of which can feldom be fupplied by any
worldly policy. With this powerful recommendation he
has made his way to eminence, and enjoys his fuccefs
with the trueit relifh. It is, indeed, unembittered by
any reflection of finifter modes of fecuring it. He al-
ways proceeded in the ftrait road of common fenfe and
• common honefty. He knew of no obliquities ; for, in-
deed, he found the art of life very plain and eafy, and by
no means fuch as requires the precepts of a Machiavel.
His heart and his underilanding are both excellent ; and
co-operating with each ot^her, have conducted him to
happinefs through the flowery paths of innocence. Hi»
heart has been a perpetual fpring of agreeable fenfa-
tions to himfelf, and to all who were fo fortunate as to
be allied to him by kindred, by affinity, "-by acquaint-
ance, or in the courfe of his negociations, A good
conference will caufe the evening of life to clofo in the
fweeteft ferenity, as the day has been dittinguilhed by
4inclouded funfhinc.

Whatever

fo ESSAYS, No. 104.

Whatever the fhort-fighted votaries of avarice and
ambition may aflert, there is no doubt, but that real
goodnefs of heart is the nobleft ornament of human
nature, and the lead fallible fource of permanent fatif-
faflion. I have often therefore lamented, that in the
courfe of what is called a liberal education, very little
attention has been paid at our beft fchools to the culture
of the heart. While good feeds have been fown in the
underftanding, the heart has been fuffered to be overrun
with weeds and briars. In truth, learning and abili-
ties, without goodnefs of heart, conftitute that kind of
wifdom which is foolifhnefs in the fight of reafon and
of God. Without goodnefs of heart, man, however
accomplilhed, is fo far from being but a little lower '
than the angels, that he is fcarcely above the acc.urfed
fpirits, and by no means equal to many of the Brutes,
who often exhibit moft amiable inftances of a good
heart in the virtues of gratitude, fmcere affeftion, and I
fidelity.

No. CIV. ON'— -THE CHARACTERS OF
THEOPHRASTUS.

F portraits of the antient Athenians, painted from
the life by the artifts of the times, had defcended

to the prefent age, they would have attracted univerfal .
notice, and have been juftly ccnfidered as invaluable. 1
The productions, however, of the pencil are not proof
againft the corrofions of time ; but though we have no
original pictures of the perfons of the antient Athe-
nians, we have admirable {ketches of their minds deli-
neated by Theophraftus. I do not mean deferiptions of
heroes, philofophers, or poets. They are to be found
in the writings of the hiflorian. Theophraftus has taken
his pictures from private and common life; from per-
fons too obfcure to adorn the page of hiftory, but who
conflitute fubjefts well adapted to the purpofe of him
who ftudies the anatomy of human nature. It is, indeed,
extremely curious and amuling to difcover ftrokes of

character

No. 104. MORAL, fee. <jt

character in the citizens of Athens, who lived above
two tlioufand years ago, exaftly fimilar to the manners
of the prefent day as they appear in London, and ia
other parts of civilized Europe.

Theophraflus entered on the undertaking of deline-
ating the characters of his countrymen at the age of
ninety-nine ; an age at which he had treafured up a
multitude of ideas from converfe and obfervation. His
defign was to Itigmatize fo'iies, foibles, and little vices
rather than atrocious crimes. He meant, as he informs
us himfelf in his preface, that poflerity mould learn
from the patterns which he fhould leave them, to judge
of characters with accurate discrimination, and to feleft
fuch perfons for friendship and acquaintance as might
communicate excellence equal to their own, by exciting
a fpirit of generous emulation.

I will tranfcribe a fingle extraft for the amufement of
my reader, defirirg him to keep in his mind the idea,
that the writer of the character, and the perfon cha-
racterized, lived above three hundred years befo-e the
Chriftian sera. It will alfo be proper, in order to receive
all the pleafure which the perufal of Theophraftus is
capable of affording, that the reader mould confider,
whether many features of the character have not fallen,
under his own obfervation.

The following paffage is taken from his fedlion on the
art of pleafing; and mews, that this boafted art, as it
is now taught, is no modern difcovery ; but is, at all
times, the genuine offspring of meannefs and felf-
intereil.

* The art of pleafing," fays he, " is a kind of be-
tiavionr in the company of another, which tends, in-
deed, to give pleafure, but not for the bell of purpofes.
The perfon who ftudies it, is fuch an one as, after
having faluted a man a great way off, and called hint
the bell man in the world, and admired him fufficiently,
takes him by both his hands, and will not let him go;
but accompanying him a little way, aflcs when h».
Shall have the pleafure of feeing him again ; nor does
he take leave after all without a thoufand compliments
and praifes. When he is called in as an arbitrator,
he is not only defirous of pleafing the party on whofe

fide

*z ESSAYS, No. 104,

fide he appears, bin the adverfary alfo, that he may
feem to be the common friend of both. He tells a
foreign gentleman, that he really fpeaks the language
with a better accent than the natives. When he is
invited to dinner, he infills upon the gentleman's letting
the little children come in, and the moment he fees them,
he declares, they are more like their father than one fig
is like another ; and taking them by the hand, he kifTes
them, and makes them fit next to him, and plays with
them himfelf, faying, here is a little trinket for one,
and here is a little hatchet for the other -f and he lets-
them fall afleep on his lap, feeming to be highly de-
lighted, though he fits on thorns all the while.' He
fnaves his face very often ; he keeps his teeth accurately
clean ; lays afide his clothes, even while they are good,
becaufe the fafhion is changed, and takes care to bs
perfumed with the belt perfume. In all public places he
is feen talking, or fitting, with the principal perfons',&c."
It is not conliitent with my defign to fill my paper with
citations, or it would be eafy to produce many antient
pieces from this moral painter, xvhich deferve to b*
highly efleemed on account of their age and curiofity.
The paintings, it mult be o\vned, are rather in the Fle-
jnifh ftyle, and many of them partake of the caricatura.

But though I commend the pieces as curiofities, I
would by no means be underftood to praife them as
perfect, or as ftauuards for imitation. Whether they
have undergone mutilation or tranfpofitions, or whe-
ther the author, in extreme old age, had not fpirits to
review what he wrote, it is not eafy to determine :•
but it is certain, that there is often a total want
ef connection, arvd that many ftrokes are admitted nor
at all applicable to the character to which they are ap-
plied. Indeed it appears probable, that the characters
were real ones, an.d the remarks perfonal. So that
though the author began with a general foible or folly,
yet, purfuing the model from wfeich he drew in all its-
parts, he was led, by an accuratf delineation of the
whole, to fome particularities not at all connected with
the predominant features of the general character.

With refpeft to the ftyle of this little book, I cannot
diicover any beauties fo peculiarly Ariking as could

indue*

No. 105. MORA L,5 &c. 9?

induce Ariftotle to change this author's name from
Tyrtamus to that of •Theophrailus. There were, how-
ever, it is probable, in his other works, fome very diftin-
guifhed excellencies of diclion, fince they procured him,
from one of the beft critics whom the world ever faw, a
name, which fignified, that he expreffed himfelf like a
god. Diogenes Laertius informs us, that he wrote no fewer
than two hundred and twenty books ; :but fcarcely any of
them have efcaped the hand of envious time. The cha-
racters, we may venture to imagine, are greatly muti-
lated, and many of them loft. It is, indeed, fuppofed,
that as in this treadle he has reprefented faults only, he
wrote another, in which he prefented to the view the
more amiable picture of virtuous and agreeable charac-
ters. Very high commendations are paid to his Treatife
on Plants; but it is but little read, fince the great im-
provements which have been made by the moderns in the
fcience of botany. Upon the whole of his character,
Cafaubon appears to haw remarked, with jultice, that
he was worthy of that age which produced the glorious
triumvirate, Socrates, Plato, and Ariitotle.

Many commentaries have been written to facilitate
the reading of the characters ; but I cannot help think-
ing, that this is one of the few antient books, in the
illuitration of which, learning is lefs neceffary than a
knowledge of the world. .

No. CV. ON SEVERAL PASSAGES IN THE
ENCHIRIDION, OR MANUAL OF EPJCTETUS.

THERE is fcarcely any of the philofophical feels
which has not adopted fome abfurdity amidft a
great variety of wife and valuable doctrine. Like all
inventors and felectors of their own fyllems, they have
been hurried to excefs, and have difgraced the rational
parts of their philofophy by far-fetched refinements,
or by foolifh tenets, which could originate only in the
madnefs of enthufiafm. The ftoical fyftem, beautiful
-and noble as it is in a general view, abounds with

'bleaufhea

94- ESSAYS, No. 105.

blemimes which have altnoft rendered it contemptible.
It may, indeed, be faid, in vindication of them, that
they have a tendency to raife and ftrengthen human
nature; while the errors of many other fyftems tend
only to indulge its paffions, and to increafe its in-
firmity.

I fhall prefent my reader with a few extracts from
the admirable Enchiridion ; diverting them of the abfurd
doctrines, and retaining only what is really practicable
and interefting to mankind at large, independently of
any philofophical fyftem. The paflages are well known,
to the learned, to whofe notice it would be fuperfluous
to addrefs them. They are more particularly intended
for the ufe of the young; and of thofe who, from their
engagements in active or commercial life, have not1
time for the ftudy of Epictetus. Readers of this de-
fcription will, I hope, find them not only very curious
but ufeful fpecimens of heathen wifdom. I ihall tran-
icribe the few paflages which the limits of my paper will
admit, from the tranflation of a lady, who has long
done honour to her fex, and to Engliih literature.

" Require not things to happen as you wifh ; but
wim. them to happen as they do happen, and you will
go on well.

" Remember that you muft behave in life as at an
entertainment. Is any thing brought round to you ?
Put out your hand and take your fhare with moderation.
Does it pafs by you ? Do not ftcp it. Is it not yet
come? Do not ftretch forth your defire towards it, but
tvait till it reaches you. Thus "do with regard to chil-
dren, to a wife, to public polls, to riches ; and you wHl
be fome time or other a worthy partner of the fe alts of
the gods.

" Remember that you are an actor in a drama, of
fuch kind as the author pleafes to make it. If mort, of
a fhort one; if long, of a long One. If it be his pleafure
you fhould act a poor man, a cripple, a governor, or
a private perfon, fee that you act it naturally. For
this is your bufinefs, to act well the character afligned
you. To chufe it, is another's.

" If you have an earneft defire of attaining to phi-

lofophy, prepare yourielf from the very firlt to be

i laughed

No. 105. MORAL, &c. 9$

laughed at, to be fneered by the multitude, to hear
them fay, " he is returned to us a philofopher all at
once," and, " whence this fupercilious look ?" Now,
for your part, do not have a fupercilious look indeed ;
but ftill keep fteadily to thofe things which appear beft
to you, as one appointed by God to this ftation. For
remember, if you adhere to the fame point, thofe very
perfons who at firft ridiculed, will afterwards admire
you ; but if you are conquered by them, you will
incur a double ridicule.

" When a neighbour's boy has had a /light accident,
broken a cup, for inftance, we are prefently ready to fay,
" Thefe are things that will happen." Be aflured then,
that when your own cup likewiie is broken, you ought
to be affefted jult as when another's cup is broken.
Transfer this in like manner to other things. Is the
child or wife of another dead ? There is no one who
would not fay, f: This is an accident to which hu-
man nature is liable." But if any one's own child
happens to die, it is prefently, " Alas, how wretched
am I ?" But it fhould be remembered^ how we are
affe&ed in hearing the fame thing concerning others.

" If a perfon had delivered up your body to any one
whom he had met in the way, you would certainly be
angry. And do you feel no fliame in delivering up
your own mind to be difconcerted and confounded by
any one who happens to give you ill language ?

" Duties are univerfally meafured by relations. Is
any one a father ? Jn this are implied, as due, taking
care of him, fubmitting to him in all things, patiently
receiving his reproaches, his correction. But he is a
bad father. Is your natural tie then to a good father ?
No : but to a father. Is a brother unjuft ? Well : pre-
ferve your own fituation towards him ; confider not what
he does, but what you are to do. iu this manner you
will find, from the idea of a neighbour, a citizen, a
general, the correfponding duties, if you accuftom
yourfelves to contemplate the feveral relations.

" It is incumbent on every one to offer libations
and facrifices conformably to the cuftoms of his country,
with purity, and not in a flovenly manner, nor ne-
gligently, nor beyond his ability.

" Immediately

£6 ESSAYS, No. 105-

" Immediately prefcribe fome character and form of
behaviour to yourfelf, which you may preferve, both
•alone and in company.

*' We mult not difcourfe on any of the common
fubjefts, of gladiators, or horfe-races or athletic cham-
pions, or feafts, the vulgar topics of converfation; but
principally not of men, fo as either to blame, or praife,
or make comparifons. If you are able, by your own
converfation, bring over that of your company to proper
fubjecls ; but, if you happen to be taken among per-
fons of ideas totally different from yours, be filent.

" Let not your laughter be much, nor on many oc-
cafions, nor profufe. Avoid fwearing, if poffible, al-
together ; if not, as far as you are able.

" Avoid public and vulgar entertainments : but, if
ever an occafion calls you to them, keep your attention
upon the ftretch, that you may not imperceptibly Hide
into vulgar manners. For be affured, that if a perfon
be ever fo found himfelf, yet if his companion be in-
feded, he who converfes with him will be infe&ed
like wife.

" Before marriage preferve yourfelf pure ; but da
not, therefore, be troublefome, and full of reproofs, to
thofe who are licentious, nor frequently boaft that you
yourfelf are not.

*' If any perfon tells you, that fuch a perfon fpeaks
ill of you, do not make excufes about what is faid
of you j but anfwer; " He does not know my other
faults, elfe he would not havermentioned only thefe."

" In parties of converfation, avoid a frequent and ex-
ceffive mention of your own actions and dangers ; for,
however agreeable it may be to yourfelf to mention the
rifques you have run, it is noc equally agreeable to
others to hear your adventures. Avoid likewife an en-
deavour to excite laughter; for this is a flippery point,
which may throw you into vulgar manners ; and befides,
may be apt to leffen you in the efteem of your acquaint-
ance. Approaches to indecent diicourfe are likewife
dangerous. Whenever, therefore, any thing of this fort
happens, if there be a proper opportunity, rebuke him
who makes advances that way; or, at leaft, by filence and

blufhing.

No. 105. MORAL, Sic. ~ 97

blufhing, and a forbidding look, fliew yourfelf dif-
pleafed by fuch talk.

" If you are ftruck by the appearance of any pro-
mifed pleafure, guard yourfelf againft being hurried
away by it ; but let the affair wait your leifure, and pro-
cure yourfelf fome delay. Then bring to your mind
both points of time ; that, in which you (hall enjoy the
pleafure, and that, in which you will repent and re-
proach yourfelf, after you have enjoyed it : and fet be-
fore you, in oppofition to thefe, how you will rejoice
and applaud yourfelf, if you abftain. And even, though.
it mould appear to you a feafonable gratification, take
heed, that its enticing, and agreeable and attractive
force may not fubdue you ; but fet in oppofition to
this, how much better it is, to be confcious of having
gained fo great a victory.

" When you do any thing from a clear judgment
that it ought to be done, never fhun the being feen to
do it, even though the world fliould make a wrong fup-
pofition about it ; for, if you do not act right, fhun the
aftion itfelf ; but if you do, why are you afraid of thofe
who cenfure you wrongly ?

" If you have affumed any character above your
ftrength, you have both made an ill figure in that,
and quitted one which you might have fupported.

" Women, from fourteen years old, are flattered
with the title of miftrefles by the men. Therefore, per-
ceiving that they are regarded only as qualified to give
the men pleafure, they begin to adorn tliemfelves ; and
in that to place all their hopes. It is worth while, there-
fore, to fix our attention on making them fenfible thac
they are efteemed for nothing elfe, but the appearance
cf a decent, and modert, and difcreet behaviour.

" It is a mark of want of genius, to fpend much
time in things relating to the body ; as to be long in
our exercifes, in eating and drinking. Thefe mould
be done incidentally and flightly ; and our whole atten-
tion be engaged in the care of the undemanding.

" Never call yourfelf a philofcpher, nqr talk a great
deal among the unlearned about theorems ; but act
conformably to them. Thus, at entertainments, do not
tr.lk how perfons ought to eat ; but cat as you ought.

VOL. II. F There

9« ESSAYS, No. 105.

There is great danger in immediately throwing o-,:t
what you have not digefted. And if any one tci;.- you,
that you know nothing, and you are not nettled at it,
then you may be fure that you have bepnn your buunrfs.

" Sheep do not produce the graft, to fh»w how much
they have eaten ; but, inwardly digefling their food,
they outwardly produce wool and ml' ^ Thus, there-
fore, do you likewife not ihew theorems to the lin-
learned, but the aclions produced by them, after they
have been digefted.

" The condition and chara&eriftic of a vulgar perfon
are, that he never expeds either benefit or hurt from
hirnfelf ; but f.om externals I'he condition and cha-
rafterillic of a philofopher are, that he expects all hurt
and benefit fiom himieif.

'" Whatever rules \v-a have deliberately propofed to
yonrfeif for the conduct nf life, abide by them as fo
many laws, and as if you would be guilty of impiety in
tranigrefl>ngany of them ; and do not regard what any one
fays of you, for this, after all, is \o concern of yours.
How long will you defer to tnink y< iirftlf wortr.y of
the nob!eil imp.*, vemenrs, and in no inltance to tninf-
grefs the diiunctjons of reafon ? You ore no longer a
boy, but a grown man. If, therefore, you will be ne-
gligent and flothful, and always add procrnftination to
procraftination, purpofe to purpofe, and fix day after
day in which you will attend to yourielf, you will in-
fenfibly continue without proficiency; and living and
dying, perfevere in being onf of the vulgar. This in-
ftant then, think yourielf worthy of living as a man
grown up, and a proficient. Ler whatever appears to
be the beft, be to you an inviolable law. And if any
inrtance of pain or pleafure, or glory or difgrace, be
fet before you, remember that now is the comdat, now
the olympiad comes on, nor can it be put erf; and that,
by once being worftcd and giving way, proficiency is
loft; or, by the contrary, preferved. Thus Socrates
became perfecl, improving himfelf by every thing, at-
tenuing to nothing but reafon And, though you are
no.t yet a Socrates, you ought, however., to live as one
defirous of becoming a Socrates

«' Upon all occasions we ought to have this faying

of

No. 106.' MORA L, &Ci 99

of Socrates at hand, " O Crito, if it thus pleafes the
gods, thus let it be ! Anytus and Melitus may kill me
indeed, but hurt me they cannot."

The conferences of Epiflecus, from which, indeed,
the manual is in great meafure collected, quaint as they
appear, abound with pithy remarks ; fuch as fuggeit
much more to the mind of arefleSing reader, than meets
the ear. The gold, however, as it happens in the richelfc
mines, is furrounded with much drofs. The uncouth
manner in which the conferences appear in a tranfla-
tion, however excellent, has deterred many from per-
ufing them, who would have found th'eir perfeveranca
amply rewarded. I cannot, therefore, help wiping,
for the fake of liberal ana lludious young men, thru all
the valuable matter were extracted, and prdented to
their view, with accuracy ; but, at the Tame tii:ie, with
all the ornaments of an elegant and flowing diction. I
fhould, indeed, think it an excellent mode of improving
the minds and morals of thu:t; who :.re in :h» ccurie
of their education, if fome one paflage, like thofe cited
above, were fele&ed as a text or fubjedt on which the
preceptor might expatiate. For, next to the fcriptures
themfelves, the writings of the ftoics cqntribute moft to
raife and refcue human nature from the humiliation and
wretchednefs into which it is prone to fall, by natural
degeneracy, inherent weaknefs, and acquired corrup-
tion. They operate on the mind like thofe medicines
on the body which are called bracers, cr corroboratives,
and furely that philofophy ought to be encouraged by
every moralilt and ftatefman, which adds nerves to vir-
tue, and gives liability to empire.

NO. CVI. ON SWEETNESS AND DELICACY OF
STYLE.

AS there is in fbme flowers an exqtiifite fcenr, and in
fome fruits a delicious flavour, tore:-prefs \,.iLh
no language has a name ; 10 there u ., cm .

*' 2 and

l»o ESSAYS, No. 106.

and a delicacy which eludes defcription, and can only
be perceived by the fenfibility of tafte.

But though it may be difficult to analyfe this agreeable
quality, or to teach a writer how to infufe it into his
works, yet it is by no means equally arduous to point
out a few authors, in whom both the obfervations of
others, and our own feelings, have difcovered it. This,
indeed, is the only method of communicating it; and
though it is not to be taught by didadic and formal
precepts, it may be acquired by the contagious influence
of a captivating example.

Swcetnefs is chiefly to be found in Lyric poetry ; but
is by no means confined to it. Though Voflius is of
opinion, that fweetnefs is peculiar to Lyric, as gravity
to the epic, Simplicity to the paftoral, foftnefs to the
elegiac, jocularity to the comic, pathos to the tragic,
bitternefs to the fatyric, and pungency to the epigram-
matic ; yet I rather think, that they all admit, on fome
occafions, fomething of this captivating quality. Homer,
who will furnifh models of every ftyle, often mixes,
among his ruder beauties, a delicate fweetnefs of di&ioo,
•which, befidesits own inherent power of pleafmg, embel-
limes all the rougher parts by the power of contraft.

Theocritus is «11 fweetnefs ; and if a reader, with a
good ear, ihooM not underftand the bard of Syracufe,
he might lull be delighted with the delicious honey of
the doric dialed,

Many of the little, but elegant, compofitions in the
anthologize, owe all their excellence to the feleftion of
words, which convey enchanting mufic to the ear.
They feem, indeed, to trickle like liquid honey from
the honeycomb, and this without any affe&ation in
the writers ; for fuch are the peculiar beauties of the
Greek language, that it is difficult to write on fubjefts
connected with pleafure, love, and beauty, without
ufing fuch expreflions as, befides their real meaning.,
excite an idea of fweetnefs, fimilar to the objects re-
prefented.

Sweetnefs is the peculiar excellence of the joyous
bard of Teos. The bacchanalian fongs of modern
times partake very little of thofe delicate charms which
diftinguifh a ftyle truly anacreontic. It does not indeed

appear,

No. 106. MORAL, &c. toi

appear, that the modern bacchanals have thought it
poffible that their joys mould admit of delicacy. The
fongs, therefore, which have been written to enliven
and itimulate their mirth, have ufually been of acoarfer
kind, and fuch as necefTarily excluded fweetnefs of com-
pofition. They feem to have confidered a Bacchus as
lie is rudely reprefented on a fign-poft, and not as he
is defcribed by the poets and fculptors of antiquity, a
moft graceful and elegant figure. Anacreon, after all,
like the Greek epigrammatifls, muft be acknowledged
to owe much of his fweetnefs to a language,- which can-
not be otherwife than fweet on certain fubjefts,, without
unnatural violence.

The Latin language, though fufceptible of peculiar
delicacy, is certainly lefs capable of fweetnefs than the
dialed of Athens, Ionia, and Doris. But ftill there are
many authors in it, who have derived much of the power
of pleafing the human race, during near twenty centu-
ries, from the fingular fweetnefs of their ftyle.

Catullus, I believe, deferves to be mentioned among
the firft of thofe who have emulated the Greeks in their
diftinguifhed excellence. Few books would have been
better calculated to give boys a true tafle for fweet com-
pofition, if the decency of the poet's fehuments had beea
equal to the delicacy of his ftyle.

Horace was a very Proteus in the circumftance of a
verfatile and variegated didlion. His odes abound with
ftanzas, and his other works with heroic verfes, which
evidently prove, that if he had chofen to vie with
Virgil in ftrength and dignity, he would have approach-
ed his rival. But he was a man of pleafure, and his
favourite ftyle is that in which he celebrates love and'
wine. In this there is a remarkable fweetnefs ; and I
know not whether the curiofa f elicit at, or thnt charm
of his writings, which refulted from ftudy and hnppinefs
united, may not be faid to confift in fweetnefs and
delicacy. Such is the delightful fweetnefs of the ninth-
ode of the fourth book, and the fourth of the third,
that all readers have been charmed with them ; and
Julius Scaliger, a very warm critic, has aflerted, that he
had rather be the author of them than of all Pindar's
odes, or than be elevated to the rank of a monarch.
E J It

102 ESSAYS, No. 106.

It i?, I think, certain, that many of the odes of Horace,
and many of the works of other pcets of equal fame,
have delighted mankind from one generation to an-
other, far- lefs by their fentiments than by thofe con-
genial beauties, a fweetnefs of language, a delicate
choice of words, and a well modulated collocation.

The modeft bard of Mantua indifputably owes his
influence over the human mind, to his talent in attemper-
ing, in a inoft judicious union, foftnefs, fweetnefs, and
the niceft delicacy, with the moft majeftic grandeur.

Among the profe writers of Greece and Rome, every
reader cf tafte will immediately obferve, that Herodo-
tus and Xenophon, Cacfar and Cicero, claim the firft
?lace in the excellence of a fweet ftyle. The two
linies and Paterculus have a confiderable fh ire of it.
Thucydides, Salluft, and Tacitus are too fond of
aulterity to admit any great portion of fweetnefs.

Many of the modern Latin poets have diftinguimed
thcmfelves by the fweetnefs of their verfe. Some of
them have, however, carried it to excefs, and have writ-
ten in the worft manner of Grotius, Johannes Secun-
dus, and Bonifonius. Sweetnefs ought to be diflin-
guiftied from Jufcioufnefs ; the one afFecls us with the
ienfations durably agreeable; the other quickly cloys
tnd palls the appetite.

Tl>e eminent French writers, who certainly pofTefs
tafte, have difplayed a remarkable fweetnefs of ftyle.
The Italians can fcarcely compofe without difplaying it.
Ke who has formed a tafte for this quality, will find it
fully gratified in the writings of Fontaine, Metaftafio,
and, indeed, in all the celebrated authors of France
and Italy. Thofe nations, in modern times, have been
more defective in ilrength and nerve, than in any
of the fofter qualities, the purpofe of which is to
pleafe.

Though the French are difpofed to deny the Englifh
the praiie of tafte, I cannot help thinking, that we
have writers who can rival them in their prctenfions
to every excellence which can adorn compofition.
Our Addifon, like feme of the moft celebrated ancients,
pofTefles that f\veetnefs, that delicacy, and that grace,
^•hich is formed to pleafe the human mind, under all

tho

No. 106. MORAL, &c. 103

the revolutions of time, of fafbion, and of capricious
tafte. It is not only the exceJent matter which pro-
duces the efteft of gently compofing our paffions while
we are reading Addiion ; but it is alfo that fweet
ftyle, which c.innot be read. and t^n.ed without com-
mi'M ating to the inina fomething of its O'vn euuability,
Sir William Ternpie was, indetd, the mojel of .vd-
difo.i, ar.d he is remaikable for the fweeinefs of his flyle,
especially i/ he is compared with the writers of his own
tim-.

All our eminent poets have judicioufly mingled
Avcernefs with ihength, and er ice with digm'y. Waller
h~.s uiually obtained th. praife cf i\v-etrci~s ; but he has
been greatly exceeded by his fucce.Tors in this and e1 ery
01.1:0 fj ccies of poetry. If that fort of £emus which
conflitutes a Homer, a Shnkefpeare, a Mi I ion, lus not
been common among us; yet the iuboroinate fpecies,
which is difplayed in elegant mediocrity, and in what
we call pretty and pleafing opjfcula, has been no \vhcre
more : '-.uiiuaiu.

It ap:.c:ira to me, that the later writers of profe
have rath .r afiritea the mafculine and nervous, than the
fweet and o, T -ci\>\ The late Mr. Harris is, indeed, an
exception ; f ;r he coliefted the pureft honey from the
flowers of Attica. The author of Fitzofborne's letters
has exhibited both grace and fweetnefs ; and I wifh they
were not fometimes injured by verbofity. Johnfon,
Hawk-^fworth, Robertlon, are chiefly admired for
fbength and force. Hume has now and then dif^Iayed
fomething of Addifonian fweetnefs in a few of his
moral cfl'ays. It is to be wilhed he had difpiayed alfo
fomething of the Addifonian goodnefs of heart. The
Warburtonnn fchool, as Hume called it, though it has
produced ingenious and nervous writers, cannot boaft
either of fueetnefs or gracefulnefb. It has delighted
much in violent controverfy and arbitrary dictation, both
of which ufually bid defiance to the Graces, and prefer
bitternefs and acrimony to fweetnefs.

Though it may not be eaiy to define the whole of~

that, whatever it is, which conttitiites,fweeinefsof ftyle,

yet it is by no means difficult to difcover one or two

circumftances which are highly conducive to it. It is-»

F 4 indeed,

104- . ESSAYS, No. 107.

indeed, obvious to obferve, that the frequent ufe of
liquid letters, and of labials combined with fyllables,
confifting of vowels with few confonants, contributes
greatly to fweeten the didlion. But fo nice a point
is real excellen e, that the fmalleft excefs or affeflation
of any particular beauty will totally deftroy all its
agreeable effe£l. It muft refult from nature, cultivated,
indeed, but not too clofely confined and directed, by
art. Alliteration is conducive to fweetnefs, and is a
figure frequently ufed by the beft writers, antient and
modern. Ufed with caution it cannot fail to pleafe ; but
the caufe of the pleafure fhould be latent. When this
figure obtrudes itfelf too often, and in excefs, as it does
in feveral modern writers, it lofes all its grace, and the-
reader refents and loaths the paltry artifice of a writer
who depends on fo poor a claim to applaufe. This, in-
deed, and all oiher ornaments are to be ufed, as it has
been obferved, like fait at a meal, which agreeably
feafons every difh when mixed in moderation, but which
would fpoil the whole, if it were rendered the predo-
minant ingredient in the repaft.

No. CVII. HINTS TO THOSE WHO ARE DE-
SIGNED FOR THE PROFESSION OF PHYSIC.

IT was always a part of my defign, in thefe papers,
to fuggeft a few hints of advice to young perfons
who are juft entering on any of the liberal profefiions ;
not, indeed, with a prefumptuous intention to direcl
them in a technical or fcientific praftice, but merely to
give them feme general? ideas, which may render their
views more liberal, and their minds more generous, or
arm them with fome ufeful precautions. I remember
too well the impertinence of the fophill who read a
lecture to Hannibal on the art of war, to- think of in-
ftrucling any perfons in the peculiar or mechanical art
and fcience, which they have made the ftudy of their
lives. But there are certain univerfal truths which
men, attached to a particular purfuit, fometimes over-
look.

No. 107. M O R A L, Sec. 105

look. There is alfo a certain enlargement of mind,
which is loft in the narrow habits and confined views of
thole who take an active part in a lucrative profeffion.
He who furveys life in an extenfive profpect, may fee a
variety of magnificent objects which efcape the eye,
which is conftantly fixed on a few fingle circumftances,
and confined within a narrow circle. It is the bufinefs
of the moralift to infpect every part of human life, to
endeavour to correct its errors, and promote all the ex-
cellence and happinefs of which it is capable.

It has been jultly remarked, that they who enter on
the profeflion of medicine in any of its branches, have
commonly depended for fuccefs, rather on the culti-
vation of the graces than the fciences. And it is certain,
that many perfons whofe folid attainments were very
moderate, have run away with the greateft fhare of
wealth and popularity, with few other recommendations
than a fine perfon, a fhewy drefs, a fmgular equipage,
and an undaunted effrontery.

But fmce internal fatisfaction, a confcioufnefs of
having done all that was poflible to prepare for a pro-
feilion, and of having pretended to no more than we
are able to perform, is a furer fource of happinefs, than,
the applaufe, and even the guineas of the ignorant mul-
titude ; I advife every pupil, who values fubftantial hap-
pinefs more than the phantom of it, to devote the firft
period of his life to a very ferious pursuit of every part of
knowledge which contributes to give him, not only a
practical, but a theoretical {kill in his profeflion ; not
only the contracted ideas of a mercenary practitioner,
but the comprehensive fentiments of a lludent in phi-
lofophy.

The foundation fhould be kid in an education truly
liberal. It is really lamentable to obferve the extreme
ignorance of thofe among medical practitioners, who
are applied to in the firft inftance, and who conftitute
the moll numerous clafs. They are taken from a writing
fchool, or perhaps a grammar fchool, at the age of
fourteen, and bound apprentices. They have uiually
acquired a good hand writing ; but their knowledge of
the daffies is leldom worth mentioning; and, upon the
whole, their education may be faid to be about equal
F. 5 to

io6 ESSAYS, No. 107.

to that of a pauper in a parifh chanty fchool. Their bu-
fmeis is to Hand behind the counter, and compound
medicines by the prefcriptions of the doctor. Thefe are
" ufually in Latin, written very badly, and full of affedled
abbreviations. They are, indeed, often fo enigmatical,
that nothing lefs than the fagacity of an CEdipus can re-
folve their difficulties. The poor lad, if he has time,
will toil at his dictionary, where, however, he often toils
in vain ; but if he has not time, which is ufually the
cafe, he takes the moil expeditious method of doing
bufinefs. He is aftimned to confefs his ignorance, and
therefore pets up any medicine which his c njedure
fupgeits ; the phial is wrapt up, difpatched with all ex-
pedition, and the patient poifoned.

After having fpent feven years in a {hop pounding
drugs and fpreading pi alters ; and after having acquired
a little paltry portion of mechanical knowledge by
conftant habit, he is difmiffed as complete ; and goes
Into the country a bold profeffor of chirurgery and
pharmacy. With a fmart drefs, an unblufliing coun-
tenance, and a voluble tongue, he is fure of fuccefs,
and bids defiance to all the learning in the world. In,
his own opinion he is another Hippocrates or Heberden ;
and, indeed, he i? an objedl of real wonder to the
country people ; for he collects a few hard words from
Ms dictionary, which he utters with great gravity among
goflips and farmers, who confider him as a very learned
man, as well as prodigioufly clever in his profefiion.
Thofe who could bear witnefs againft his fkill, are all
fecured and filenced in the church-yard.

1 pfiert, that a knowledge of Greek as well as Latin,
is really necefiary to the apothecary, if he would perform
his bufinefs with that accuracy which is certainly re-
quired in fo important an employment. A boy, def-
tined to this employment, fhould by no means leave
his fchool till the age of fixteen or feventeen. The
knowledge of the learned languages, acquired before
that time, is merely elementary ; it is only of ufe as it
leads to farther improvement in the languages. It
cannot qualify for any profcilion, much lefs for the
apothecaries, the names of whofe inftrunients, medi-
cines.

No. 107. MORAL, &c. 107

ernes, and operations, are, for the moft part^ either
wholly Greek, or of Greek extra6tion.

But, indeed, if he wifhes to raife his profeffion above
the level of an empiric, or a farrier, he mould acquire
a libi-T.i! education for its own fake, independently of
its ule in n mercenary view ; for the fake of polifhing his
rniud, and elevating his fentiments. With a liberal edu-
cation and a a e,% Lenfive practice, he is in fact a phyfician,
though called an apothecary ; and though he mould nei-
ther have purchafed a diploma, nor have earned a regu-
lar degree by {pending his time, money, and health in
an Engii.h iM'.verlity, he is a gentleman ; and the pecu-
liar utility of his employments, when judicioufly and
humanely conducleJ, entitle him to the company and
converfation of ail who ueierve that diftinction.

Tatre never was an age in which they who intend
to lupport the dignified character of graduated phy-
ficb.is, had better opportunities for improvement in
pfeyfiotogy. Lectures, as well as books, in anatomy,
chcniiilry, and every pait of fcience and natural phi-
lofophy, never more abounded. Let the ft "dent devote
himieif to thefe with long and fericus application, and,
depend more upon them, than on the caprice of faftiion,.'
or any fingulanty in his chariot or livery. A popular
jphyfician in a great capitr.l, and indeed any where,
is a very important member of fociety, confidered
merely in a political view. The lives, limbs, health, and
fpims of a very great part of the fu-bjecls of a kingdom
depend upon his fkill and noncfty. A man who under-
takes this office, and recommends himfelf by addrefs
and artifice, .vithout qualifying himfelf with every pre-
paratory knowledge, and who abufes the confidence of
thofe wno ily to him as to a guardian angel, in the deepen;
diltrefs, has very little claim to the title of aahoneit man;
and daferves to be ftigmatized and punifhed with the
worlt of villains, and rhe viieil or' (harpers..

It has been obferved, and regretted, th.u fome in-
dividual in this liberal profeilion have exhibited fuch
an attention to interelt, as is incompatible with the
common feelings uf humanity. Such perfons are their
owa enemies ; for nc gratifications <•: fordid avarice can
equal the delicious fenfations of him, who delight., in
F a exer.iiing

108 E .S S A Y S, No. ioS.

exercifing his {kill, in diffufing joy through the haunts
of mifery, and in relieving the fick, the maimed, the
halt, and the blind.

There is, indeed, fomething godlike in the medical
profeffion, when it is humanely and difmtereftedly ex-
ercifed. Every one, it is true, ought to pay that regard to
intereft, which prudence, and a love of his own family
demand ; but he who alfo delights in relieving, from
the fatisfactions of fympathy and a fenfe of duty, may be
faid to refemble the great model of every perfection, Jefus
Chrift, who went about doing good, and healing all man-
ner of ficknefs and difeafes among the people.

NO. CVIII. THE COMPLAINTS AGAINST
MODERN LITERATURE PROBABLY ILL-
FOUNDED.

TO complain of the prefent, and to praife the pair,
has fo long been the favourite topic cf difap-
pointment, or of ignorance, that every ftrifture on the
degeneracy. of the times is looked upon as the effufion
of ill-nature, or the refult of fuperficial obfervation :
but the abfurdity of declamatory inveftive ought not
to preclude the cool remarks of truth, reafon, and ex-
perience."

The practice' of vice, or virtue, has indeed varied at
different periods, rather in the mode, than in the de-
gree ; but the (rate of literature has fuffered more vi-
olent revolutions ; it has fometimes fhone with the
brighteft luftre ; and at others has been totally over-
fhadowed with the darknefs of barbarifm.

To review the ftate of learning from the earlieft
periods, and to inveftigate the caufes of its fluctuation,
is a talk that requires much labour, fagacity, and eru-
dition. More fuperficial enquiries will, however, fuf-
fice to examine the juftice of the charge of literary
degeneracy in the prefent age, and, if it be well
founded, to difcover the caufes of it.

It has been obferved by an ingenious writer, that as
every age has been marked by fome peculiarity, from

which

No. 108. MORAL, Sec. 109

which it has derived its charafteriftic appellation ; fo
the prefent, were it to be diftinguifhed by a name from
its molt prevalent humour, might be called, the age of
authors. Of late years,, almoft every man has felt
an ambition of appearing in print, from the voluminous
lexicographer, down to the fcribbler in a pamphlet
or a newfpaper. It is, indeed, natural to fuppofe, that -
of a great number of competitors, fome would reach
the prize ; and that the univerfal combination of intel-
lects would efrecl fome ftupendous work, which mould
exceed all the productions of our predeceflbrs, and
demand the admiration of the lateft pofterity. It has,
however, been obferved, that the learning of the prefent
age is not deep, though diffufive ; and that its pro-
ductions are not excellent, though numerous.

The multiplicity of compofitions is an argument of
their hafty production ; and haftinefs is, at leaft, a pre-
fumptive proof of their want of merit. In this point,
the literary and the natural world refemble each other.
The productions of nature, whether vegetable or animal,
as they are either of a flow or fpeedy growth, arc
known to be durable or tranfuory, folid or unfub-
ftantial. The oak and the elephant are long before they
attain perfection, but are ftill longer before they decay :
while the butterfly and the floweret perifh as they arife,
almoft within a diurnal revolution of the fun. The
works of Virgil coft him much time and labour ; but
they have exifted near two thoufand years univerfally
admired, while the compofitions of that poet, who
boafted he could write two or three hundred verfes
while lie flood on one leg, were loft in a fpace almoft as
fliort as that in which they were produced.

But the hafty formation of literary works in modern
times, is not a greater obftacle to their excellence, than
the mercenary motives of their authors. The office of
inftrucling mankind in morality, and of informing them
in fcience, was once referved for thofe alone who were
particularly adapted to the tafk by the impulfes of
genius, by peculiar opportunities, and by fingular ap-
plication. In thefe times, however, the profeifion of
an author is become a lucrative employment, and is
praftifed rather by thofe who feel the inconvenience of

hunger,

"o ESSAYS, No. log.

hunger, _than by thofe who are Simulated with the
hope of immortality. But it is a known truth., that
avarice contrafts the mind, and renders it mcapab.t- of
elevated fentimcnts and generous enterpiizrs. It ceafes
therefore to be matter of wonder, that works are defti-
tute of fpirit, when they pruce? njt from the noble
iii-i'' iir infpired by the love of fame, but from the frJgid
incitements of the iove of m :icy.

The depiaved taile of re.iuers is another caufe of the
degeneracy of writers. They who writ.- /or the pubhc,
muft gratify the tafte of the public. In vain are their
compofitions formed on the ir>ouel of the befl \vri;°rs,
and regulated by the precepts of the moic judicious
critics, if they conform not to the popular caprice,
and the miftaken judgment of the vulgar. In an ; ;,c
\vhen the tafte for reading is un'uerfal, many \vo . '-;s,
contemptible both in defign and execution, will be re-
ceived by fome r^ .ders, with diftinguifhed applaufe.
The want of th" merits of juft reasoning at>d pure
language is, with the greater part, the half-iearnev. and
the ignorant no objection. In truth, urconn.Cted
thoughts, and fuperficial declamation, are congenial to
minds unaccuftomed to accurate thinking, and infenfible
of the charms of finiflied excellence. Hence writers of
acknowledged abilities and learning have been kn \vn,
when they aimed at popularity, to relinquish real ex-
cellence, and adopt a falfe tafte, in opposition to their
own judgment.

After all, it may not perhaps be abfurd, to attribute
many of the complaints agaiiiit the prefent fhue of letters
to ignorance, envy, and caprice. In every department cf
literature, in th gay regions of fancy, and in the depths
of philofophy ana fcience, many authors there are of
this age and nation, who have acquired an illulirious
reputation by deferving it: and if th >y want that
originality of thought and folidity of le;:rni;ig which
mark fome c.f the productions of our firft writers, yet
have they a force, ekgance, and correftnefi of ftyle, un-
known to their predeceflbrs.

No. CIX,

No. 109. M O R A L, &e. ii r

No. CIX. ON THE CAUSES AND FOLLY Of
DISSENTIONS IN A COUNTRY NEIGH-
BOURHOOD.

IT feems extraordinary, that with all our pretenfions
to the focial affedions and to chriftianity, there are
few country towns or villages, in which the families,
which are reckoned genteel by the right of fortune and
of felf-eftimation, live upon terms of cordial and fmcere
friendfhip. One might, I believe, venture to go far-
ther, and to affert, that there are few where a general
enmity and diflike do not lurk, under the formality
of ceremonious vifits, and civil falutation.

The foundation of all the unealinefs is a foolifh
pride, which, though it was not made for fo weak a
creature as man. yet adheres fo clofely to him, that he
can feldom divert himfelf of it, without fuch an effort
as few minds are able to make. Philofophy is vainly
applied ; for few are prouder than philofophers. Reli-
gion only can effectually eradicate a vice fo deeply
rooted ; that amiable religion, which teaches us to love
our neighbours as ourfelves ; and which has informed
us of a truth which experience abundantly confirms, that
from pride only cometh contention.

The moft trifling diftinclion or appearance of fupe-
riority, is fure to excite all the heart-burnings of fecret
envy and jealoufy. Inflead of rejoicing at any fortunate
event which contributes to the happinefs of a neigh-
bour, the greater part fecretly repine at it, and endea-
vour to leffen the fatisfaclion it might afford, by dif-
feminating fome mortifying furmife or infmuation.
Indeed, the fortunate perfon fometimes deferves fome
humiliation ; for as his neighbours are endeavouring to
lower him to their own level, he, on the other hand,
oflentatioufly difplays his fuperiority, and labours to de-
prefs them below their due rank, that his own elevation
may be more confpicuous. Ic would be entertaining to

behold

112 ESSAYS, No. icg,

behold the little contrivances which the petty gentry
invent for the purpofe of eclipfing each other, if there
were not always fomething of a malignity which dif-
gufts and hurts the mind of an humane man. The
rivalry is by no means of an amicable fort ; and though
the parties are wonderfully civil when they meet, they
often hate each other with the- greateft inveteracy.
Nothing would, indeed, give them greater pleafure,
than to hear of each other's lofles or ruin, though they
would not fail to vifit on the occafion, and to fympathife
in the politeft and moft approved fafhion.

Scandal, indeed, who has long reigned with arbitrary
fway in country towns, is ufually the caufe of all that
latent hatred which poifons the happinefs of families
whofe birth or fortune has placed them in the fame
neighbourhood ; and who, enjoying plenty* might alfo
enjoy peace, if they could prevail upon thcmfelves to
turn a deaf «ar to the tale-bearer. But fuch is the
perverferefs or malignity of many, that though they
have themfelves but juft fuffered from the falfe reports
of flanderers, they liften, with delight, to the next whif-
per, that flies like the arrow in the dark, and wounds a
neighbour's reputation If any favourable report begins
to prevail, it is with difficulty admitted; it is doubted,
contradicted, or extenuated. But there is no lie fo
improbably falfe, fo little like the truth, but it will
be joyfully received and believed without examination,
fo long as it tends to lower an objedl of envy in the
efteem of a neighbourhood, to injure the intereft of a
rival in vanity, or to wound the heart of him whom
we hate, only becaufe we feel the weight of his real
fuperiority.

It is to be wiflied, that people would confider from
how contemptible a fource moft of thofe calumnies ori-
ginate, which induce neighbours to entertain a bad
opinion of each other, and, in confequence, to live in
aftate ofconftant, though fecret enmity. They ufually
come from domeftic fervants, who, in revenge for a
juft reprimand, or from the wickednefs of an ungrateful
heart, delight in difieminating the moft cruel tales
without the fmalleft foundation in reality. Or, fup-
pofing fomething fimilar to the calumny did happen

No. 1*9. MORAL, &c. nj

in a neighbour's houfe, it is fo difguifed, altered, and
exaggerated, by the time it has gone from the top of
the town to the bottom, that what was, in truth, no
more than a trifle fcarcely worth attention, becomes a
charge of a moft atrocious and injurious kind, when it
has been tofled from tongue to tongue. The vileft
menial mail utter a lie, in the meaneft mop of the nv ft
paltry town ; and, in the fpace of half an hour, it mall
be republifhed with additions and embellimments, as a
known fad, by the Lady of the Manor.

The petty offices and diftindKons of churchwardens,
furveyors, mayors, lords of the manor, commiffioners
of turnpike-roads, and fimilar rural dignities, do in-
deed often fill their pofleflbrs, and their ladies, with
fo high a fenfe of their own importance, and at the
fame time excite fo much envy in the little minds which'
afpire at fuch little honours, that, in proportion as the
great perfonage advances in the path of glory, he is
often obliged to relinquim the comforts of good neigh-
bourhood. It is not, indeed, to be wondered at, if
thcfe who have had little or no education, and whofe
views have been confined to horfes, dogs, and the
affairs of a veftry and a court-leet, mould value
themfelves too much on petty diftin&ion ; and fhould
fuppofe the title of Efquire, Lord of the Manor, or
Jultice of Peace, fuch honours as may juftify them in
treating others with contumely. Neither is it wonder-
ful, that they who have never wandered beyond the
limits of their native parifh, mould furvey fuch dif-
tin&ions with an envious eye. All men ought, indeed, to
afpire at diftinftion, as it may lead them to afpire at
ufefulnefs and virtue; but it is certainly defirable, for
the fake of tranquillity, that envy and malice mould
not be mixed with laudable emulation.

But there are other caufes befides the love of fcandal
and the gratification of vanity, which powerfully operate
in interrupting the harmony of a good neighbourhood.
Avarice is the occafion of many and indeterminable
difagreements. In what part of the country can we
fix our refidence, where fome of the clergy are not
objedls of diflike, becaufe a regard to their wives and
children, whofe bread depends upoa their lives, induces

the a.-*

114 ESSAYS, No. 109.

them to infift on thofe dues which the laws have al-
lowed them. The clergyman in the mo!t defart parrs
of the country, is usually a man of learning, an;! of a
polite mind, who might diffufe a tafte for elegant and
improving converfation ; but he is excluded from the
fociety of his parifiiioncrs, becaufe he makes a jufl
claim upon their property. The mod (hocking calum-
nies are propagatec apainft him and his family j every
thing is done which can mortify and diftrefs him, an!
he is frequently involved for life by the farmers, and
a pettifogger at their head, in vexatious and expcnlive
litigation. He who preaches peace, ar.d who might
foften, by the influence of polifhed manners, the re-
mains of brutality among his favage and narrow-
minded neighbours, is hunted by them tii' he is forced
to take refuge in the lonely retreat of his parfonage.

The various meetings which are neceffary to conduft
parifh ::nd other public bufmefs in the country, are
often productive of violent animofities An oppofition
formed at a vellry, or a turnpike-meeting, is forretimes
carried on with more acrimony than in the Houfe of
Com i ons. Jt wou'd not be fo lamentable, if the con-
fequences of the difpute terminated at the time and
place in which it arofe; but it ufually happens, that
if the gentlemen h.-ive disagreed in the veiiry, the ladies,
at the next tea-drinking, put onfulien looks, and com-
mence a fecret attack on each other's perfons, drefs,
character, and conduft. Hoftilitie^, which owe their
rife to a difference of opinion concerning the mending
of a road, or the repairing of a fteeple, are carritv on
under the cover of external civility, and continue from
generation to generation.

It would be a very valuable point gained, if we
could prevail on the many thoufands, who, with all
the external means of happir.efs, lead uncomfortable
lives from the diffentions of their neighbourhood, to
confider duly the importance of a friendly intercourfe
with thofe in whofe vicinity they have been placed by
Providence. They may be confidently affured, that na
pleafure arifing from fcandal, from petty diftinclions,
from trifling matters of intereft, or from influence over
parilh or county meetings, can be compared to the

fatisfoftioa

No, no; MORA L, &c. 11,-

fatisfa&ion of living in love, and in a conftant interchange
of thofe good offices which alleviate adverfity, and give
to profperity its fweeteft enjoyments. The qualities
indifpenfably necefTary to the accomplifhment of this
defirable purpofe, are benevolence and humility.

No. CX. THE IMPRUDENCE OF AN EARLY
ATTACHMENT TO ACTING PLAYS,

IN A LETTER.

AS I was fauntering, a few days ago, on o.ie of the
public walks, I could not help particularly re-
marking a young man, whofe drefs fhewed marks of a
fhabby gentility, and whole countenance wore the
afpeft of a fettled melancholy.

The appearance of wretchednefs, in whatever filia-
tion, is always fufficient to awaken my curiofity. I felt
myfelf irrefiftibly impelled to enquire into the hiilory
of a perfon who feemed to be completely miferable.
After having walked a confiderable time, I perc.ived
him to throw himfelf, in a difconfolate attitude-, on
one of the feats of the walk. I did not neglect the
opportunity ; but feating myfelf by his fide, pre-
vailed on him, after fome introductory converfation,
to give me his hiftory, which he did in the following
words:

" Yes, Sir," faid he, " though my prefent appear-
ance may feem to invalidate my aflertion, I aflure you
I was the fon of one of the mod opulent traders
in the metropolis. I might at this time have been
enjoying all the happinefs that affluence can beftow ;
but now, alas! I have no where to lay my head,
no refuge to which I can fly for comfort. I am aban-
doned to the wide world without a friend ; and one
confideration aggravates all my mifery I Inve de-
fcrved my fufferings, and cannot juilly complain."
Here he paufed to conceal a tear which was juft
buriling from his eyes. After he had a little recovered

himfelf,

1 16 ESSAYS, No. i ro.

himfelf, his countenance gradually grew more ferene,
and he proceed d with lefs emotion.

" When I was at the age of eleven, my father
*' placed me at a celebrated grammar-fchool —
" there I fpent the happieft days of my life. Nature,
" as I was told, had given me parts ; I made a rapid
" progrefs in clafiical learning; all was encourage-
" ment, all was hope, and all was happinefs. But," in
" the midlt of my improvement, my father refolved,
*' in oppofition to the advice of my matter, to remove
'* me from fchool, and to fettle me in his own counting-
" houfe. My mafter urged, that though I might per-
" haps fucceecl in a learned profefiion, yet the vivacity
" of my difpofition would be an obftacle to my profpe-
" rity in a mercantile employment. My father, fen-
" fible of the lucrative advantages of an eftablifhed
" trade, was deaf to thefe remonftrances ; and on a
" fatal day I entered into engagements to plod at the
" defk a ad the counter for feven years.

" Rut nature- is not t:> be conftrained by indentures.
*•* Jnftead of cafting up fums, and meafuiing*ells, I em-
ployed my time in the perufal cf Shakefpeare, in
composing epilogues and farces, at d in difcuffing
the merits of every new dramatic production. In-
ftead of fpending my evenings in porting accounts,
and examining my ledger, I was always attending
the performances of a Foote or a Garrick. At length,
byconftantly frequenting the playhoufes, and mixing
with contemptible fciolifls, who called themfelves
theatrical critics, I became fo enamoured of the
ftage, as to look upon dramatic entertainments as
conftituting the mrft important builnefs, as well as
the molt agreeable enjoyment of human life. The
fliop continually refounded with my rants, in imita-
tion of fome favourite aftor ; and i went fo far as
to treat with the purchafers of a yard of Irifh, with a
theatrical tone, and a dramatic a?dlion.
" I had fo great an opinion of my own talents, that,
like the immortal Shakefpeare, I was ambitious of
fhining both as an aftor and a writer. Accordingly
I finimed a comedy wjth great care and pains, and
prefented it to one of the managers, who returned

"it.

No. no. MORA L, &c. 117

" it upon my hands, with evident marks of contempt.
" By no means dejefted, I was refolved to try my fuo
*' cefs as an aftor. But having, with great difficulty,
'« obtained pennifiion to fpeak before the managers,
«' and a circle of their friends, who ieeraed to enjoy
" ray diftrefs, I was again rejected.

" Though I could not fucceed at the theatres, I was
«« refolved to exert my abilities at fpouting and dif-
" puting clubs. And here, indeed, I eafily made a
" confpicuous figure; as I had the advantage of 9.
" claffical education, and moil of my competitors had
" no education at all. i he moft important topics of
" religion, learning, and politics I difcufled with
" more volubility than the gravril prelate, the pro-
foundeft academic, or the craftielt ftatefman. But I
triumphed, as it were, without an enemy, and the
facility of the conqueft diminiflied the pleafure of it.
I foon became weary of dry argumentation, and
eagerly panted to wear the bufkin, and to mouth the
fonorous periods of lome tragic bard.
" It happened that I had formed a connection
" with a young member of the club, whofe genius was
" entirely iimilar to my own, and who had been en-
tf gaged with a ilrolling company of players. He had
" often folicited me to go with him on an a&ing tour
" into the north of England, and I had as often re-
" fufed, from a principle of pride. But at length, an
" ardent defire of exhibiting on a flage, overcame every
" regard to duty, and every compunction of confcience.
" I in a fatal hour (I blufh to mention it), I embezzled
-«' a fum of money with which I was trufted in" the
" courfe of bufmefs, packed up my clothes and ac-
" companicd a fet of vagabonds, who, like myfelf, had
*' abandoned every reputable occupation, and devoted
*' themfelves to infamy and indigence, for the fake of
" enjoying the plaudits of a few ruftics affembled in a
" barn. «

" And now cornmences the asra of all my mifery.
" The money I had fraudulently taken, was foon
te fquandered away in a fociety of thoughtlefs mortals,
" who regarded not to-morrow, if they could feail to-
'« day. We were, indeed, received with applaule ;

" but

ii8 ESSAYS, No. no.

but the audience was commonly £b fcanty, that the
expences of reprefentation often exceeded the re-
ceipts. In every town we were looked upon with
fufpicion, and treated as vagrants. We were fome-
times reduced to fuch extremities, by the expences
of travelling, and the loffes of afling to empty
barns, that we have wanted even food to fupport
nature. Above charity, we could not be relieved,
and deftitute of credit, we could not be trufted. At
length I faw my folly, and after various refolves,
fent to a friend to enquire whether my father was
difpofed to receive me, mould I return and confefs
my fault. How, alas ! was I flruck, when I was
told in anfwer, that my father died a few days ago
of a broken heart ; and that his death was fo ludden,
that he had not time to alter his will, in which, in
the firft rage after his difcovery of my elopement, he
had cut me off with a (hilling.

*' It is impoffible to give you an adequate idea of
my grief on this occafion, and I mail -only inform
you, that it would have proved fatal, hid it not
been foon removed by emotions of a different kind.
During my indifpofition, one of the adlrefles of our
company, whofe beauty is only exceeded by the
goodnefs of her heart, watched me with all the
anxiety of a parent, and foothed me under the hor-
rors of defpair, with the fofteft blandifhments of
tendernefs. I foon felt a flame kindling in my
bread, which was anfwered with a fympathetic
paffion. In (hort, I was no fooner reftored to health
and vigour, than I married the lovely Emily : we
have now been united near a year, and yefterday me
was fafely delivered of twins. That (he is well,
thank Heaven ; but, alas, the reflection, that I am
deftitute of all the means that can give her eafe, or
provide for her offspring, fharpens all the darts of
ill fortune, and embitters every woe."
Here he flopped, and I was obliged to leave him,
after having given him an invitation to my houfe,
where I hope to be able to alleviate his misfortunes,
without hurtir.g his fenfibility. But I cannot help
exprefling my wifh, that all who, deluded by a heated

imagination,

No, in. M O R A L, &c* nj

imagination, feel themfelves inclined to quit the com-
forts of a parent and a home, in purfuit of a profeffion
which is prohibited by law, and which conftantly en-
tails on its followers mifery and difgrace, may avoid
his wretchednefs, by avoiding his conduct.

NO. CXI. ON THE PLEASURES OF REFLEC-
TION.

THAT the enjoyments of the undemanding ex-
ceed the pleafures of fenfe, is a truth confefied
by all who are capable of exerting the faculties of
thinking in rheir full vigour. But by thefe pleafures
are generally underftood fublime contemplations on
fubje&s of fcience and abilrufe difquifition ; contempla-
tions which can only be the refult of uncommon powers,
and extraordinary efforts.

But there are intellectual pleafures of another kind ; to
the enjoyment of which, neither great abilities nor learn-
ing are required. Thefe are no other than the pleafures
of reflection, which are open to the illiterate mechanic,
as well as to the fage philosopher, and conftitute fome
of the fweeteft fat;sfac~Hons of human life.

There nre few who have not felt pJeafing fenfations
arifing from a retrofpeclive view of the firil period of
their lives. To recoiled the puerile amufements, the
petty anxieties, and the eager purfuits of childhood,
is a talk in which all delight. It is common to obferve,
that on no fubjecl do men dwell with fuch pleafure,
as the boyifh tricks and wanton pran s which they
praclifed at fchool. The hoary head looks back ^ith a
fmile of complacency, mixed with regret, on the feafon
when health gk)wed on the cheek, when lively fpirits
warmed the heart, and when toil ftrung the nerves with
vigour.

Cicero has remarked, that events the moft difagree-
able, during their immediate influence, give an ex-
quiiite fatisfaclion when their confequences have ceafed ;
and jEneas folaces his companions, under the hardships

they

120 ESSAYS, No. in.

they endured, with the confideration, that the remem-
brance of their fufferings would one day give them
fatisfaction. That thefe fentim^nts are juft, is well
known to thofe who have enjoyed the converfation
of the foldier. Battles, fkirmimes, and fieges, at which,
perhaps, he trembled during the action, furnifh him
with topics of converfation, and fources of pleafure,
for the remainder of his life.

Reflection is the propereft employment, and the
fweetefl fatisfaction, in a rational old age. Deftitute of
Itrength and vigour, necefiary for bodily exertions, and
furnifhed with obfervations by experience, the old man
finds his greateft pleafure to confift in wandering in ima-
gination over part fcenes of delight, in recounting the
adventures of his youth, the viciffitudes of human life,
and the public events to whidrhe'is proud of having
been an eye-witnefs. Of fo exalted a nature are thefe
enjoyments, that theologifts have not hefitated to aflert,
that to recoiled a well-fpent- life, is to anticipate the
blifs of a future exiftence.

The profefibrs of philofophy, who will be acknow-
ledged to have underftood the nature of true and fub-
ftantial pleafure better than the bufy, the gay, and the
diflipated, have ever fliewn a predilection for privacy
and folitude. No other caufe have they affigned for
their conduct in forfaking fociety, than that the noife
and hurry of the world is incompatible with the exertion
of calm reafon and difpaffionate reflection. The
apophthegm of that antient, who faid, " he was never
*' lefs alone than when by himfelf," is not to be confi-
dered" merely as an epigrammatic turn. In vain was it to
purfue philofophy in the Suburra ; me was only to be
courted with fuccefs, in the fequeftered ^ made of rural
retirement.

Were the powers of reflection cultivated by habit,
mankind would at all times be able to derive a pleafure
from their own breafls, as rational as it is exalted. To
the attainment of this happinefs, a ftrict adherence to
the rules of virtue is neceflary ; for let it be remem-
bered, that none can feel the pleafures of reflection,
who do not enjoy the peace of innocence.

7 No. CXII.

No. nz. M ORAL, &c.

No. CXII. HINTS TO THOSE WHO ARE
DESIGNED FOR THE PROFESSION OF THE
LAW.

THERE is no order in the community more con-
temptible than that of thofe practitioners in the
law, who, without one liberal principle of juftice or
equity, poflefs a ikill in little elfe but quibbles, and ia
thofe points by which villany is taught to proceed
with impunity, cunning enabled to elude the fpirit by
mifreprefenting the letter, and truth perplexed, ob-
fcured, and loft, in the mazes of chicanery, It is
indeed furprifmg, that many who call themfelves men
of honour, and who profefs to have had a liberal
education, fliould allow themfelves, in the practice of
their profeffion, to afTert palpable falfehood in order to
confound the clca-reft evidence ; and defend, with all the
appearance of fincere conviftion, what they know to be
indefcnfible. It is not an admifiible apology to afTert,
that their profeffion requires fuch an abafement ; fora
fimilar j unification might be offered by the fharper
or the highwayman. There are, undoubtedly, certain
laws of honour and truth eftablifhed in the heart of
every honeil man, of which no regard for lucre, and no
jcfuitical pretence of profeffional neceffity, can juftify
the infringement.

There fecms, indeed, to be a very unfortunate error
in many among the ftudents of the law, whp value
abilities and technical knowledge at a high rate, buc
entertain no great eiteeni for goodnefs of heart, and
integrity of conduct. While the world allows them
abilities and knowledge, they depend with fecurity oft
fuccefs, though they fhould be notorioufly mercenary ia
public, and debauched in private life. Indeed, they
have had living examples to prove, that however bad
the morals of the man, if the impudence and eloquence
of the lawyer are approved, he may have what briefs
he pleafes, and even be advanced to the dignity of a

VOL. II. G Lord

*£2 ESSAYS, No. 112.

Lord Chancellor. An infamous character, blafted with
imputations of the moft atrocious kind in the walks of
private and domellic life, may be introduced, by his
known effrontery, and his fuppofed abilities, to that dig-
nified feat, where law is to be corrected by equity, and
where the confcience of the judge is the chief controul.

Whatever be the abilities of a man, yet if he be
notorioufly irregular and intemperate in the violation
of thofe laws which are prior to all human laws, he
ought not to be promoted to any offices of truft and
honour, particularly in the law. Jf the governing part
of a nation were fincere in its profeffion of a belief ia
the national religion, men who are remarkable for
breaking the laws of that religion, would be at leaft
iregledied, if not difgraced. The advancement of bad
men to the higheft offices in the law, is a difgrace to
the government, and an injury to the people, whom it
greatly corrupts ; not only by the example, but by
leading them to fuppofe, that the governors of the
nation, whom they naturally fuppofe wifer than them-
-felves, confider religion and morality merely as engines
of ftate.

Though, therefore, the ftudent may fee men of
infamous characters advanced and encouraged, let him
not be deluded. If he is wife, ke will Hill pay his
greateft attention to the cultivation of a pure and honeft
heart ; this will furnifh him with more fatisfadlion than
was ever derived to a bad man from the infignia and
emoluments of office, and the fees beftowed by popular
favour. Whatever practice or preferment can be ac-
quired confidently with this, accept with gratitude.
B«t if the public, or the rulers of the nation, dill pre-
fer the bold pretender, whofe appearance and abilities
nrife from that audacity which accompanies a bad and
unfeeling heart, .defpife all that they can Jbeftow, and
remember that this life is fhort, and that there is
another; that this world is the place of probation, and
the next of reward. Remember that a pure heart, a
clear confcience, an independent fpirit, and a foul
that fpurns the lucre which is to be gained by unmanly
lervility, are infinitely fuperior (confidered only as they
\tr-d to promote happinefs) to the polleflion of the

teals,

No. iiz. MORAL, &c. 123

feals, with their ufual appendages, a peerage and a
penfion.

With refpedl to the modes of preparation for this
profeffion, 1 fee, with regret, that an illiberal method
prevails, which confifts in confining the future advocate,
like a clerk in a merchant's counting-houfe, to the defk
of fome praftifing lawyer, and teaching him the or-
dinary bufinefs almoft mechanically. There he fits, and
copies a great number of dry formalities, fuch as, if he
attended to them, could not enlarge his mind ; fuch, in-
deed, as, without a remarkable dulnefs of difpofidon,
he cannot attend to. After labouring for feveral years
in a manual employment, as fedentary, and fcarcely
more liberal than that of the weaver or the watchmaker,
he comes forth a formidable barrifter; formidable, in-
deed, in fome refpedts, as he has probably acquired a
good deaJ of that low and dirty practice, and that nar-
row and confined mode of thinking, which a liberal
mind would defpife too much to be able to acquire.
He is, as it were, a fpider, and can fpin cobsvebs in
the dark and foul recedes of the heart, to catch thofe
diminutive objects, which a more generous animal
would not deign to enfnare.

The true method of arriving at an eligible fpecies of
fminence in the ftudy of the law is, to enlarge the ca-
pacity of the mind by a moft comprehenfive and claffical
education ; and then to furnifh it with fome portion of
every fpecies of human knowledge. A general and en-
larged philofophy, moral, natural, and theological,
ought to form the firm ban's of the future fuperftru&ure.
On this mould be added hiftory, antient and modern ;
general jurifprudence, and a particular acquaintance
with the fpirit of laws in all the civilized nations of
antiquity. Long and accurate obfervation of men and
manners ought to be added; and the virtues of exem-
plary benevolence and humanity mould complete the
fabric- Such mould be the preparation; — what it is,
\vc have already feen. But fomctimes even the toil of the
writing-defk, as well as every other ferious preparation,
is omitted, and the ftudent called to the bar, puts a
hrge wig over his powdered hair and pig tail, and
G 2 ftarts

124 ESSAYS, No. 113.

ftarts up a pleader ; ready to undertake any caufe either
of property, or of life.

Whoever has read the works of Cicero, will remember
how great a (hare of learning he requires in his orator,
who was, indeed, a pleader, or advocate; but not fuch
a pleader, or fuch an advocate, as many of thofe who
have difgraced the modern courts of judicature. The
great ftatefmen of Rome fupported the character of
lawyers with a peculiar dignity, unknown to modern
inftitutions. Adorned with philofophy, as well as law,
they defcended to the courts to defend their clients ;
not with the hope of a paltry fee, but induced by the
pure motives of friend/hip and humanity ; by a defire of
doing good, and a regard for juftice. Men, it is true,
muf! live by their profeflions ; and. therefore, the dif-
interefte-dnefs of the antients, who had other refources,
cannot be univerfally imitated. But, furely, in an age
that pretends to peculiar illumination and philanthropy,
and in a people who have long profefled a moft humane
religion, it is wonderful to find men, who affume fo
important a profeffion, ready to defend any fide for pay ;
and debafing their characters by an affeftation of ex-
treme libertinifm, of infidelity, and of every kind of
profligacy, which tends to harden the heart, and to
deaden the feelings of humanity, no lefs than to ftifle
the fenti men-is of true honour.

NO.CXIII. ON SOME INCONVENIENCES WHICH
UNAVOIDABLY ATTEND LIVING WRITERS,

THE compofition of a book has often been com-
pared to the furni filing of a feaft, in which,
whatever art may have been exerted, and variety pro-
duced, it feldom happens that every palate is equally
pleafed. Sometimes the difhes are not drefled and
feafoned as they ought to be; ajid fomedmes the organs
of fenfation in the gueits are languid and indifpofed.

No

No. 113. MORAL, &c. 125

No work, however excellent, ever yet appeared, which
was not blamed, as well as praifed, by many ; but we
hefitate not to pronounce that good, which retains,
during a confiderable time, a majority of fuffrages in
its favour. Longinus, very reafonably, makes the fa-
vourable opinion of various nations, for many ages, an
infallible criterion of an author's fingular excellence.
And it is certain, that to call in queftion the merits of
thofe books which have long furvived their authors,
contributes more to difgrace the critic, than to diminilh
the reputation of the author.

But it is not fo with living writers. They labour
under peculiar difadvantages ; not only from the dif-
ficulty of arriving at diftinition after fo many illurtrious
predecefibrs, but from the prejudices and the envy of
their equals and contemporaries. Men have always felt
an inclination to exalt departed genius, not only from
a fincere admiration of it, but alfo with a fecret defue
to degrade living merit, by introducing an invidious
comparifon. No one afpires at the diftin&ions of for-
tune, or civil honours, without exciting jealoufy and
envy. It would be therefore unreafonable to fuppofe,
that literary ambition fhould be exempted from the
attendants of all ambition. It aims at peculiar diftinc-
tion, and muft therefore excite peculiar oppofition.

There never yet was a moral writer, however fincere,
whofe life and external manners correfponded, in every
refpecl, with the dignity of his writings ; and who did
not, in fome degree, difappoint thofe who were led,
by the admiration of his works, to approach his perfon,
;md to feek his company and converfation in the ordi-
nary fcenes of familiar life. Too high an expectation is
ufually formed of him ; and we do not confider, that in
his book we furvey only the picture of his mind ; a pic-
ture, which is ufually fullied and deformed by the crazy
frame in which it is confined. When he fat down to
write, his foul was probably in its proper (late ; all
fpiritual, and all contemplative. No fooner ha? he
laid afide his pen, and departed from his library, thsn
he is neceflarily engaged in the common purfuits cf
mankind ; and difplays, like them, many frailties, and
many of thofe faults which he has very fmcerely con-
G 3 demned

126 ESSAYS, No. iij.

oemned in his moral di/Tertations. But when a fpec-
tator, unacquainted with life, manners, and the incon-
.ftancy of the human heart, beholds this difference
between the writer's book and his behaviour, he too
precipitately and feverely indulges his cenfure, and
learns to defpife him, whom, at a diftance, he admired.
Thus are enemies and calumniators multiplied, without
any other failings en the part of the injured perfon,
than the common imbecilities attendant on the molt
improved ftate of human nature. Foibles and errors,
which woujd fcarcely be noticed in ethers, are not only
remarked in him., but remembered and related in com-
pany as matter of entertainment. Even his fir.cerity
is doubted, and the writer is lowered by the imper-
fections of the man ; though the imperfections ::':c only
the common characteristics of humanity. If lie has
written againft avarice or ambition, and happens, by
honeftinduftry or good fortune, to gain money or promo-
tion, he is immediately reprefented as a hypocrite; not-
wuhftanding he may have a family dependent upon him
for fupport, or may have worn himfelf out in the fervice
of the public, without feeking or gaining any other
emolument than what may aiiord him an humble and
quiet retreat in his old age.

It is not eafy to write, without fometimes appearing
to affume an air of fuperiority. Moral precepts would
often be ineffectual, if they were not enforced in a ftyle,
which, though by no means dogmatical, is yet, in a.
due degree, authoritative. The neighbours, and the
familiar acquaintance of the moralift, who are accuf-
tcmed to eftimate importance by property, and to judge
of the weight of a man's opinions by the weight of his
purfe, are offended to find him, who has not a vote in
a county-meeting, nor an acre of arable or pafture on
the face of the earth, daiing to exprefs himfelf with as
much freedom, as if he were animated with the con-
fcioufnefs of keeping a pack of fox hounds, or had con-
fiderable influence at the election of a knight of the
{hire. Neverthelefs, if what he writes be true, truth
being great, he who is armed with it will certainly pre-
vail. Refiftance or contradiction will be ineffectual.
Nothing, therefore, remains but ridicule and detraction

to

No. 113. MORAL, ft* 127

to fap the fortrefs, which is proof again ft afTault. The
writer, therefore, is reprefented by the neighbouring
gentlemen as an oddity, a melancholy reclufe, and per-
haps a little cracked ; both he and his family are pitied
by the humane ladies, for being perpetually confined to
rmiily books, and total ftrangers to all true pleafure,
Eetvveen the fippings of the tea, and the dealing of the
cards, much crittcifm is difplayed, in which, it is not
eafy to determine which is the more confpicnou?, ig-
norance or ill-nature. It is not uncommon for ladies,
who can hardly write their names, or indite a love-letter,
without Entick's fpclling dictionary, to decide on the
merit of a celebrated poem, or any other new publica-
tion, with all the authority of an Ariftotle, or the foolifli
virulence of a Zoilus. And who, indeed, can con-
trovert a remark, however injudicious or malignant,
when it proceeds from lips which add a grace and fweeN
nefs to all they utter? And even the veteran virgin may
be allowed toconfole hen'clf, i:i th? intervals of fcruidaj,.
with the fe verity of literary criticifm. It mull indeed
be owned, that many lies and fal.'e cen fares en charac-
ters are publifl.eJ to the world at the tea and the card-
table ; but there is this comfort, that whenever it is
known whence they originate, they are fu fibred, by all
candid and fenfible perfons, to drop, ftill-born, from,
their prolific parents. Yet, fometimeps, they llruggle
into life, and are able to murder many a reputation be-
fore their own final extinction.

Every thing excellent is to be paid for at a certain
price of inconvenience or difficulty. The calumnies
of envy, ignorance, and impertinence, muft be fuf-
tained by him who endeavours, by worthy means, to-
procure the eileem of the worthy. He muft weigh the
jpraifes againft the cenfures, and enjoy the predominant
applaufe, while he neglects the fevere remarks of im-
pertinence or ill-temper, as trifles light as air. No
truth has been more repeatedly uttered, than that no-
thing in this fnblunary ftate is, in every refpeft, what
we wifh it. We muft then learn to fubmit to neceflity,
aad turn our attention from our evils, to our advan-
tages. After all our complaints, Providence is ufualiy
found kind and inapartial ; and, if we poflefs but
G 4 humility

iz8 ESSAYS, No. 114.

humility and patience, we fhall difcover, under our
moft difagreeable fit nation, fome copious fource of
placid enjoyment. The ill ufage of the world will re-
coil from the heart, which is Ihielded with faith and
innocence, as the billows are reverberated from the
rock.

Whatever difficulties or injuries a writer may fuftain,
he mny cor.fole himfelf, if he has always taken the part
of truth and virtue, that he has employed the ta-
lents which God gave him, in a manner at lead in-
ofrenfive ; and that, it is probable, many, in the
great mafs of mankind, may poflefs a kindred fpi-
rit, and at feme favourable moment may receive
pleafure and advantage from his lucubrations, even
when he is united with the duft from which he was
taken, and become equally infenfible to cenfure or
applaufe.

No, CXIV. ON THE OBLIGATIONS WHICH
LEARNING OWES TO THE CHRISTIAN RE-
LIGION.

MANY among thofe who have made the greatefl
pretenfions to learning have profefTed themfelves
enemies to Revelation. It is not, indeed, difficult to
account for their rejection of a religion which is all
humility, and by no means calculated to pleafe fuch
as confider the applaufe of men as the moft valuable
object, and who pride themfelves on the infallibility of
their own intellects. To the bold, the conceited, and
the half-learned pretender to philofophy, who is weak
enough to think his reafon commenfurate to every ob-
ject which falls under its notice, that fyftem, which
requires the exercife of faith more than of reafon, ap-
pears, as the fcriptures themfelves obferve, foolifhnefs.
Pride, and a very filly kind of pride, fuch, indeed, as
arifes from narrow views of things, and an ignorance of
human nature, is the foundation of infidelity.

It

No. 114. M O R A I, &c. 129

It is, however, no lefs ungrateful, than foolifli and
wicked, in the Tons of learning, to devote their abilities
to the extermination of the national religion. For it is
really true, that all the antient learning which now
remains, was preferved by fome peculiar circumftances
attending the propagation of Chrillianity ; and, 1 believe,
it will be thought very probable, that if the antient
languages, and the books written in them, had been
entirely loft, the civilized nations of Europe would
have (till continued in a ftateof darknefs and barbarifm.
Real fuperftition would then, indeed, have reigned
triumphant ; and the philofopher, as he calls himfelf,
who is now writing down Chriflianity, would have been
trembling at witches and goblins, fpells and enchant-
ments. He makes ufe of that very light, which has di-
reeled his fteps in the paths of learning, to difcover the
molt probable means of extinguishing the fource of all
illumination.

I was led into this train of reflections by the perufal
of a charge of a late very learned archdeacon of London,
in which he evinces, that our Saviour fpoke moll truly
in more fenfes than one, when he faid of hiinfelf,

*' I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD."

When any fpecies of literary indiiflry is confider-
ed as a duty founded on religion, care will be ta-
ken to preferve it. It might otherwife, from the
indolence and infirmity of the human mind, have
been lolt amidft revolutions, perfecutions, diflrefs, and
the fury of conquelt. In every difficulty, the Chriflians
fled for comfort to their fcriptures, and watched over
them with peculiar vigilance. The Septuagint pre-
ferved, in the worit times, a knowledge of Greek ; and
the Latin tranflations, which were multiplied with
avidity, refcued the Latin language from a total obli-
vion. Jofephus was ftudied, and therefore preferved
by the Chriftians more carefully than by the Jews ; and
the neceffity of Greek for the underftanding of the New
Teftament, caufcd that language not only to be faved
from the ravages of time, but alfo to be ftudied with
devout attention.

The Fathers of the church wrote in Greek during

three centuries j and at a time when the Latin language

G 5 was

130 ESSAYS, No. 114.

was gradually decaying, the Latin fathers contributed
fomething to its reiteration ; and wrote, as well as their
coeval writers among the Pagans, not indeed with
Auguftan elegance, but ftill well enough to preferve a
fkill in the conltrudlion and vocabulary of the lan-
guage.

A confiderable knowledge of hiftory, and fomething
.of chronology and philofophy, was necefTary in ftudying
and defending the fcriptures, even in the earlieft ages ;
and many Chriftians appeared well flcilled in thefe parts of
learning, at a time when they were generally neglected.
Religion and confcience operated as a ftimulus, when
all other motives were infufiicient to retard the mind in
its fwift progrefs down the declivity.

With a view, and folely with a view, to enable ec-
clefiaih'cs to read and underftand the fcriptures, even in
the moil difmal night of ignorance, there were fome
places of inflruclion in cathedrals and monafteries, in,
which the embers of literature, if we may venture to
ufe thatexpreflion, were preferved from total extinction ;
in which a fpark lay latent, which was one day to re-
lume alight to lighten the univerfe.

The little learning of thofe unfortunate ages, though
it did not enable the perfons who pofTeffed it .to taite
and underiland the beauties of the antient poets and
philofophers, yet gave them fome idea of the value of
books in general, and enabled them to tranfcribe, with
tolerable accuracy, even what they did not accurately
underftand. Thus were thofe ineftimable treafures of
all elegance and pleafing knowledge, the old Greek
and Latin authors, handed down to happier ages ; to
thofe who were able to unlock them, and pour out their
riches for the general utility. Nor are we indebted to
Chriirians for the claffics only ; but alfo for the Roman
law, and the codes of Juftinian and Theodofius. Books,
which were deftroyed by ignorant and angry kings and
conquerors, found a fafe afylum in religious houfes ;
and even Monkery, which has been juftly reprobated
as one of the follies of human nature, became, under
the direction of Providence, the inftrument of many of
thofe blcflings which now contribute greatly to the hap-
pinefs and dignity of an enlightened empire.

No. 114. MORAL, &c. 13*

The revival of learning, as it is termed, or its eman-
cipation from churches and monafteries, and genera^
difFufion over the world, is greatly owing to the efforts
of ecclefiaftics. There arofe, in that aufpicious morn-
ing, a conflellation of polite and profound Chriftian,
fcholars, whofe effulgence has fcarcely been out-
fhone by any fucceeding luminaries in the literary"
horizon.

The beft fchol-ars of modern times, not only in theo-
logy, but in every part of human learning, have been
Chriftian divines. They were led by their purfuit of
religious knowledge, into the collateral paths of philo-
fophy, philology, and all elegant and ufeful li-
terature.

It is to the piety of Chriflians that we owe the vene-
rable foundations of fchools and colleges ; thofe inftitu-
tions, which, though they have often been perverted,,
have ftill kept the light burning like the veftal fire, and
handed the torch from one generation to another
like the runners in the torch-race. It was the love of
Chrift which taught thofe towers to rife on the banks of
the Cam and the Ifis, and planted feminariesof learning
in every confiderable town throughout the kingdom.

" To the gofpel then," fays the learned divine who
fuggefted this fubjeft, " and to thofe who embraced
it, are due our. grateful acknowledgments for the-
learning that is at prefcnt in the world. The
infidels, educated in Chriftian countries, owe what
learning they have to Chriftianity, and aft the part
of thofe brutes, which, when they have fucked the
dam, turn about and ftrike her."

C fl No. C.XV.

132 ESSAYS, No. 115.

No. CXV. CURSORY REMARKS ON THE
LIFE AND WRITINGS OF DR. JORTIN.

THE mind feels a fecret complacency in con-
templating characters eminent for virtue, learning,
and religion ; and there are few who are not delighted,
as well as inftrufted by the praifes beftowed on de-
parted merit. Notwithstanding the depravity of human
nature, virtue ftill appears amiable to the vicious, and
knowledge to the ignorant. Experience, indeed, feems
to confirm the opinion of Plato, thatgoodnefs, exclufive
of its collateral advantages, is poffeffed of charms ir-
refiitibly captivating.

A review of the life of the late Dr. Jortin cannot
but fuggeft the moft pleafmg reflections. As a poet,
a divine, a philofopher, and a man, he ferved the
caufe of religion, learning, and morality. There are,
indeed, many writers whole reputation is more tiiffufed
among the vulgar and illiterate, but few will be found
whofe names ftand higher than Dr. Jortin's in the
eileem of the judicious. His Latin poetry is claffically
elegant. His difcourfes and difl'ertations fenfible, in-
genious, and argumentative. His remarks on ecclefiaf-
tical hiftory intereiting and impartial. His fermons
replete with found fenfe and rational morality, expreffed
in a ftyle fimple, pure, and perfpicuous.

Simplicity of ftyle is a grace, which, though it may
not captivate at firft fight, is fure in the end to give
permanent fatisfaftion. It does not excite admiration,
but it raifes efleem. It does not warm to rapture,
bat it foothes to complacency. Unfkilful writers feldom
aim at this excellence. They imagine, that what is na-
tural and common cannot be beautiful. Every thing
in their compofitions muft be ftrained, every thing af-
fcfted : but Dr. Jortin had ftudied the antients, and
perhaps formed himfelf on the model of Xenophon.
He wrote on fubjefts of morality, and morality is founded

No. 1 1 5. MORA L, &c. 133

on reafon, and reafon is always cool and difpnffionate.
A florid declamation, embellifhed with rhetorical figures,
and animated with pathetic defcription, may indeed
amufe the fancy, and raife a tranfient emotion in the
heart; but rational difcourfe alone can convince the un-
derftanding, and reform theconducl.

The firtt efforts of genius have commonly been in
pcetry. Unreftiained by the frigidity of argument,
and the confinement of rules, the young mind gladly
indulges the flights of imagination. Cicero, as well as
many other antient philofophers, orators, and historians,
is known to have facriflced to the Mufes in his earlier
productions. Dr. Jortin adds to the number of thofe
who confirm the obfervation. In his Lu/ui Poztici, one
of the firlt of his works, are united claffical language,
tender fentiment, and harmonious verfe. Among the
modern Latin poets, there are few who do not yield
to Dr. Jortin. His Sapphics, on the ftory of Bacchus
and Ariadne, are eafy, elegant, and poetical. The
little ode, in which the calm life of the philofopher is
compared to th; gentle llream gliding through a filent
grove, is highly pleafing to the mind, and is perfectly
elegant in the cempomicn. The Lyrics are indeed all
excellent. The poem on the Immortality of the Soul
is ingenious, poetical, and an exacl. imitation of the ftyle
of Lucretius. In fhort, the whole colleclion is fuch 'as
would fcarcely have difgraced a Roman in the age of an
Auguftus.

Time, if it cool not the fire of imagination, cer-
tainly ftrengthens the powers of the judgment. As our
author advanced in life, he cultivated his reafon rather
than his fancy, and defined from his efforts in poetry, to
exert his abilities in the difquifitions of criticifm. His
obfervations on one of the fathers of Englifh poetry,
need but to be more generally known, in order to be
more generally approved.

Clafilcal productions are rather amufing than inftruc-
tive. His works of this kind are all juvenile, and na-
turally flowed from a claflical education. Thefe, how-
ever, were but preparatory to his higher defigns, and
foon gave way to the more important enquiries which
6 were

134- ESSAYS, No. nj.

were peculiar to his profeflion. His difcourfes on the
Chriftian Religion, one of the firft fruits of his theolo-
gical purfuit?, abound with that found fenfe and folid
argument, which entitle their author to a rank very near
the celebrated Grotius.

His diflertations are equally remarkable for tafte,
learning, originality, and ingenuity.

His remarks on Ecclefiaftical hiilory are full of manly
fenfe, ingenious ftriclures, and profound erudition. The
work is highly beneficial to mankind, as it reprefents, in
its proper light, that fuperftition which difgraced human
nature, and gives a right fenfe of the advantages derived
from religious reformation. He every where exprefles
himfelf with peculiar vehemence againil the infatuation
of bigotry and fanaticifm. Convinced that true hap-
pinefs is founded on a right ufe of the reafoning powers,
he makes it the fcope of all his religious works, to lead
mankind from the errors of imagination, to the dictates
of difpa(T:onate reafon.

Polthumoos publications, it has been remarked, are
nfually inferior in merit to thofe which are publifhed
during an author's life. And, indeed, the opinion
feems pkufihle ;. as it may be prefumed, that an au-
thor's reafon for not pu'o'ifhing his works, is a con-
fcioufnefs of their inferiority. The Sermons of Dr.
Jortin are, however, an exception. Good fenfe and
found morality appear in them, not, indeed, drefledout
in the meretricious ornaments of a florid flyle, but in
all the manly force, and funple graces, of natural elo-
quence. The fame caprice, which raifes to reputation
thofe trifling difcourfes which have nothing to recom-
mend them but a prcttinefs of fancy, and a flowery
language, will again confign them to oblivion : but the
fermons of Dr. Jortin will always be read with pieafure
and edification.

The tranfition from an author's writings to his life, is
frequently difadvantageoiis to his character. Dr. Jortin,
however, when no longer confidered as an author, but
as a man, is far from being lefiened in our opinion. A
fimplicity of manners, an inoffenfive behaviour, an uni-
ver&l benevolence, candour, modcily, and good fenfe,.

were

No. 116. MORAL, Sec. 135

were his characterises. Though his genius, and love
of letters, led him to choofe the ftill vale of fequeftered
life, yet was his merit confpicuous enough to attract the
notice of a certain primate \vho did honour to epifco-
pacy. Unknown by perfonal acquaintance, and unre-
commended by the felicitation of friends, or the inter-
pofition of power, he was prefented, by Archbifhop
Herring, to a valuable benefice in London, as a reward
for his exertions as a fchclar and a divine. Some time
after he became chaplain to a late bifhop of London,
who gave him the vicarage of Kensington, and appoint-
ed him archdeacon of his diocefe. This was all the
preferment he had, nor had he this till he was advanced
in life. He did not, however, repine. Thus he fpeaks
of himfelf : — " Not to his erudition — but to his con-
" flant love and purfuit of it — he owes a fituation and
" a ftation better than he expedted, and as good as he
" ought to deiire."

No. CXVI. ON THE UNION OF EXTRAVA-
GANCE IN TRIFLES AND VICE, WITH
PARSIMONY IN ALL THE TRULY HO-
NOURABLE, USEFUL, AND NECESSARY EX-
FENCES.

NO appearance in the moral world is more remark-
able, than that combination which is often ob-
ierved in the fame character, of avarice with profufion,
of meannefs with liberality. Vanity, felfifhnefs, and a
want of ferious principles, are llriking circumftances
in the manners of the prefent age ; and as vanity leads
to expenfive oftentation, fo felnthnefs, and want of
principle, have a natural tendency to produce covet-
oufnefs and rapacity. Very few reftraints are allowed
to operate on the modes of acquiring or of laving
money, except the fear of detection. There is fcarcely
5 any

136 ESSAYS, No. 116.

any meannefs or bafenefs to which many perfon?, who
make the greateft (hew in drefs, furniture, and equipage,
are not ready to fubmit under the certainty of conceal-
ment.

The time has been, when a great family, refiding in
a great houfe of a village, was confidered as a blefling
to all the neighbouring country. The poor were em-
ployed in adorning and improving the grounds all
about it. The table in the parlour was always open
for the reception of the gentlemen who refided within,
ten miles of the houfe j and the kitchen afforded warmth
and plenty to the poor and induftrious tenant or la-
bourer. The rich man reiided in the houfe of his
fathers, and fpent his money among thofe who earned
it for him by the fw-/at of their brows. But, according
to the modern fyftem of fafhionable manners, fuch a
kind of life would be deemed intolerably dull, as well
as antiquated and vulgar. The family, therefore, fpend
as littie time as poflible at the noble feat of their an-
ceftors, but haften to the fea-fide, or the watering-places,
where they hire a littie hut, or cabin, and lavilh their
money on Grangers, with few returns of gratitude, or of
rational fatisfaftion. The farmer, who lives in their
native village, returning weary from his plough, (hakes
his head as he pa(Tes the cold kitchen, and turns with pity
and contempt from the fmokelefs roof. The fervants
are pinched, and even envy the comparative plenty and
independence of the next cottagers. The whole country
rings with reports of the meannefs and poor living at the
great houfe. In the mean time, the lord and lady, the
baronet or efquire, with their refpe&ive families, are
figuring, as it is called, in all the profufion of emulous
extravagance, at Bath, or Brighthelmftone. While they
grudge the bread and cheefe which is confumed in their
own houfe, or refufe to contribute to a brief, or any
charitable inftitution among their poor neighbours at
home, they fubfcribe, moil liberally, to an infamous
mafter of the ceremonies, and to every famionable
amufement; they give feaits to ftrangcrs whom they
{hall never fee any more, and whofe principal recom-
mendation is, that they appear, from their external

fplendour,

No. 116. MORAL, Sec. 137

fplcndour, not to want afliftance. Their vanity is gra-
tified in feeing the great and the rich at their table ; and
what fignifies it, they think, if the wretches at home,
whom nobody knows, ftarve and rot on the dunghills
whence they originated. They grudge the poor even
fmall beer in their own houfes; but drench every rich
gueft, who vifits them at their lodgings, with champagne
and burgundy. How fhall we account for fuch incon-
ftilency, but by fuppofing that thefe perfonages poffefs
large eftates and little fouls, immenfe vanity and dimi-
nutive underftandings ; and that the badnefs is only ex-
ceeded by the meannefs of their hearts ?

Jt is eafy to obferve perfons of this defcription, who
will not hefitate to expend many hundreds in drefs
alone, but who, when a book is praifed in their
prefence, will fpare no trouble in finding fomebody of
whom they may borrow it, alleging, in excufe, that
books are fo dear, it is impoflible to buy every thing
that comes out. The price of the book mall be three
Shillings, and it mall contain amufement for three
weeks, and yet they will not buy it becaufe it would be
extravagant ; though they will not fcruple to expend
three guineas, any night in the week, for three hours
paftime in a party at the public places of diverfion. The
milleners, the hair-dreflers, the perfumers bills, mall
amount to many hundreds a year ; but five pounds ex-
pended at the bookfeller's would be downright prodi-
gality. Guineas flow, without rettraint, in fubfcriptions
to balls, concerts, aflemblies ; to dancing-maflers, mufic-
mafters, and to players : but when the parifh lecturer's
bock is brought, or the Marine Society, or the Mag-
dalen, or the Infirmary, or the contribution for the
Releafe of Prifoners for Small Debts, or the fufFerers in
Harbadoes, or the prifoners of war, are recommended
as nt objefts to receive their fuperfluities, they immedi»
ately look grave, complain that taxes rife, and rents fall ;
r.nd aflert, with an unfeeling heart, that thefe are not
times to admit of any expencei which are not abfolutely
neceflary.

'I he education of their children ought certainly to con-
ftitute one of the firfl cares of the rich ; and no reafon-
able ex-pence mould be withheld in the accompliihment

of

I3« ESSAYS, No. 1 16.

of it. But there are many great families, in which this
is one of the finallell articles of annual expenditure.

Indeed, in all necefTaryand laudable expences, a de-
gree of frugality is difplayed which approaches to extreme
meannefs and pzrrfimony. The poor tradcfmen who fup-
ply the ordinary articles of domeitic confumption, are
not only denied their price, but, after every abatement,
are obliged to wait an unreafonable time for their mo-
ney. So far are fuch perfons from pofleffing an inclina-
tion to be generous, that it grieves them to be juft. But
though they who furnifh commodities, without which
life cannot be fupporteu, are il!-ufed and defrauded,
whoever can fupply any circumftances of drefs, equi-
page, luxury, by which felfimnefs and vanity may be
gratified, are profufely and immediately rewarded. Men
of lettersr or ingenuity in the profefiions, are kept at a
diftance ; but the door is always open to players, and to
figniors and figmoras. Chaolains and tutors are out
of fafhion ; but their place is abundantly fupplied by
fiddlers, pipers, caperers, and fcaramouches. A dancing
or muiic-mailer, who can enable the young ladies to dif-
play a fine finger or a fine foot, is immediately confider-
ed as the belt friend of the family, made a companion,
invited to the table, paid extravagantly, and compli-
mented with thanks and prefents ; neither is it wonder-
ful, if the young ladies fall in love with thefe fine
gentlemen, and marry them ; fince they appear both ia
their own and their parents eyes, to poflefs the fummit
of all human excellence. As to the perfon who may be
employed to form their minds, he is ufually engaged
from the recommendation of cheapnefs, and is, for the
moft part, made an object cf ridicule, becaafe he has
not the air of Noverre and Gallini.

An enormous fortune, coniidered in its true light, is a
facred truft, and intended to promote, not only the hap-
pinefs of its pofferTor, but of all with whom he is con-
neded, and who dcferve his beneficence. The time has
been, when the poor were thought to have a claim upon;
that fuperfluity, which is now lavifhed on the mean mi-
niilcrs to luxury, vice, and vain oltentation. We read
in the tablets in our churches, and in the records of alt
charitable foundations, that people of the higheit faihion

No. 117. MORAL, &c. ijf

were of opinion, that to be good was eflential to the cha-
rafter of true gentility. But now, if we were to afk
the reprefentative of a rich family, where he had 'be-
llowed the fuperfluities of the laft year, he might anfwer,
that he had depoiited fome (hare of it in the pocket of
an Italian, who had the extraordinary merit of being
able to ftand longer on one leg than the reft of the two
legged and unfeathered race. He might anfwer, that
he had loft it at the gaming table ; fpent it in the tavern
and brothel ; fported it away at Newmarket ; lavifhed
it on dogs, horfes, jockies ; and left the poor and the
deferving to the care of Providence.

That Providence, \vhofe bleffings he abufes and per-
verts, feldom fails to punifh his ingratitude. For as all
his external circumilances have more in them of fhew
than of folidity, fo alfo have all his boafixjd enjoyment?,
and all that happinefs, which he thinks to derive from
riches, independently of their proper application.

No. CXVII. ON A TASTE FOR THE CULTI-
VATION OF FLOWERS, AND OF BEAUTIFUL
SHRUBS AND TREES.

BEAUTY of every kind is formed to captivate,
and there is this peculiar advantage in contem-
plating the beauties of vegetable nature, that we may
permit our hearts to be enfnared by them, without ap-
prehenfion of a dangerous or a difhonourable fervitude.
A tafte for the beauties of vegetation is the matk of a
pure and innocent mind, and, at the fame time, one of
the beft prefervatives of purity rind innocence. It diverts
the attention from the turbulent fcenes of folly, and fu-
perinduces a placid tranquillity, highly favourable to
the gentler virtues, and to the permanency of our moil
refined enjoyments.

I have often been furprifed to find thofe, who poflefl-
ed a very acute fufceptibility of artificial or literary
grace, and were powerfully aire&ed by the beauties of

a poem,

1*0 ESSAY S, No. 117,

a poem, a piece of fculpture, or a painting, not at all
more feniible of the charms of atree, or a floweret, than
a common and inelegant fpectator. '1 hey have dwelt
with rapture on a fine description of the Vale of Tern pe,
they have entered into all the delight which a Shake-
fpeare or a Milton meant to communicate in their en-
chanting pictures of flowery and fylvan fcenes, and yet
can walk through a wood, or tread on a bank of violets
and primrofes, without appearing to be affected with
any peculiar pleafure. This is certainly the effect of a
fuperficial judgment ; for there is no truth of which phi-
lofophers have been longer convinced, than that the
realities of nature infinitely exceed the moil perfect pro-
ductions of imitating art.

.The beauty of colour, though juftly efteemed fubordi-
nate to that of fhape, is yet found to delight the eye more
immediately, and more univerfally. When colour and
lhape are united in perfection , he who can view them
with infenfibility, nuiit refign all pretenfions to delicacy
of perception. Such an union has been ufually effected
by nature in the formation of a flower.

There is fcarcely a fmgle object in all the vegetable
world, in which fo many agreeable qualities are com-
bined, as in the queen of flowers, the rofe. Nature
certainly meant to regale the fenfes of her favourite
with an object:, which prefents to him at once fremnefs,
fragrancy, colour, and fhape. The very foul feems to
be refrefhed on the bare recollection of the pleafure
which the fenfes receive in contemplating, in a fine
vernal morning, the charms of the pink, the violet,
the honey-fuckle, the hyacinth, the narciflus, the jon-
quil, the rocket, the tulip, and a thoufand others, in
every variety of figure, fcent, and hue; for nature is
no lefs remarkable for the accuracy and beauty of her
works, than for variety and profufion. Defects are
always difcovered in the works of art when they are
examined with a microfcope ; but a clofe examination
of a leaf cf a flower, is like taking off a veil from the
face of beauty. The fineit needle ever polifhed, and
pointed by the moil ingenious artift, appears, when it
is viewed by the folar microfcope, quite obtufe ; while
the iting of a bee, however magnified, ftill retains «ll

No. 117. MORA L, &c. 141

its original acutenefs of termination. The ferrated
border in the petal of a flower, and the fringe on the
wing of a fly, difplay an accuracy of delineation which
no pencil ever yet could rival. The tafte of the florift
has not, indeed, been much admired, or generally
afpired at ; while that of the connoifleur in painting,
is confidered as a mark of elegance of character, and an
honourable diftinftion. Yet, furely, it is an incon-
fiftency to be tranfported with the workmanfhip of a
poor mortal, and to feel no raptures in furveying thofe
highly finiihed pictures, in which it is eafy to trace the
finger of the Deity.

The poets have given us mod luxuriant defcriptions
of gardens and of rural fcenery ; and though they are
thought by fome to have exceeded reality, they have
indeed fcarcely equalled it. Enter a modern fhrub-
bery, formed of a feleclion of the moft agreeable
flowering fhrubs, and confider, whether there is any
thing in the garden of Alcinous, in the fields of
Elyfium, in Milton's Paradife, to be compared with the
intermixture of the lilac, the fyringa, the laburnum, the
double-blofTomed cherry, peach, and almond ; with
the rubinia, the jefTamine, the mofs-rofe, the mag-
nolia, and a great number of others, lefs common, but
not of greater, though perhaps of equal, beauty. As
we walk under cluflers of flowers, white as fnow, tinged
with gold, purple as the grape, blue as the expanfe
of heaven, and blufhing like the cheek cf youth, we
are led to imagine ourfelves in fairy land, or in another
and a better world ; where every delicate fenfe is de-
lighted, and all around breathes fragrance, and expands
beauty; where the heart feems to participate in the joy
of laughing nature. Groves and gardens have, in-
deed, been always fuppofed to footh the mind into a
placid temper, peculiarly favourable to the indulgence
of contemplation.

The excellent tafte which now prevails in gardening,
ufually combines the fhrubbery and the grove. The
tall trees of the foreft constitute the back-ground
in the living landfcape, and the fhrubs, beneath and
before them, form the underwood, in a delightful re-
femblance to the natural coppice, and the unculti-
vated

I-J2 ESSAYS, No. 117.

vnted foreft. The plane tree is one of the firft beauties
among thofe which are now moil frequently planted in
our gardens. Its large leaf, and permanent verdure,
render it peculiarly fitted to afford a fhade. I always
confider it as a claflical tree, for the antient writers
often mention it ; and fome of the finelt philofophical
dialogues of antiquity parted under the cool retreat of
its broad and vivid foliage. Socrates fought no other
theatre than the turf that grew under the plane tree,
on the banks of the IlifTus. The weeping-willow, that
droops over the babbling flream, conltitutes one of
thofe fine beauties which partake of the melancholy
and romantic. Such, indeed, are the charms of its
luxuriant branches, that, when properly fuuated, it is
of itfelf an enchanting picture. Beautiful as are all
the features of the modern garden, I mould not hefi-
tate to allot the firft place in an eftimate cf horticultu-
ral graces to the weeping-willow. The weeping birch
is at all times plealing, and a moft delightful object
in winter. Obferve yonder tall ftem, rifing from the
imedUces of a craggy rock, covered with a rind white
and glofly like lllver, and drooping with ten thoufand
fine twigs, fo attenuated as to appear almoft capillary.
View it when fprinkled with hoar froft, or with fnow,
and if you have a foul capable of being charmed with
natural beauty, you will be fen.lbly affected at the fight
with a fweet complacency. An old oak is not oftea
found in our gardens, becaufe of its tardy vegetation ;
but whenever it appears in them, it produces all the
effect of graceful majefty, and one may contemplate it
for hours with ftill new delight. The delicate acacia,
the conical poplar of Lombardy, the flowery chefnut,
the foft lime, the elegant mountain afh, the afpiring
j;.r, the gloffy laurel, thefe all form fo various and de-
lightful pictures, that while I am permitted to expa-
tiate over the lawn, and penetrate the mazes of the wood
and garden, I (hall not repine that it is not my lot to
faunter in the pifture galleries of a palace.

The taite for plantation prevails greatly in this coun-
try, ajid it ought to be encouraged, as it is a n.ever-
failing fource of pleafure to the planter, and of im-
provement to the community. But it is to be hoped.

that

No. 1 18. MORA I, &c. 143

that while we plant the tree for ornament, we fhall not
forget to drop the acorn, and raife that heart of oak,
which bears an analogy to the bravery of the people ;
and has ever been to this land, et prafidium et dccus, both
a bulwark and a beauty.

NO. CXVIII. ON THE CHARACTER OF
ADDISON AS A POET.

THE luftre of a great name not only fets off real
beauties to the greatefl advantage, but adds a
grace to deformity, and converts a defect to an excel-
lence. The enthufiaftical admirers of a favourite author,
like ardent lovers, view thofe objects with rapture, which
caufe in others indifference or difguft. Without confi-
dering the inequalities of the fame genius, and the di-
verfities of fubjects, they are Jed to conclude, from the
excellence of one part of an author's works, that all
are excellent ; and that whatever bears his fignature, is
genuine wit, and juft tafte.

I know not whether even Mr. Addifon, who Is fo de-
fervedly efleemed the honour of our nation, was not in-
debted for a fmall part of his reputation to the blind
bigotry of prejudice. On any other fuppofition, I know
not how he could have been admired as a very eminent
poet. The difpafiionate temperature which conilituted
a folid judgment, and qualified him for tue cool difqui-
fitions of criiicifm and morality, rendered him incapa-
ble of that animated fpirit which is the foul of poetry.
But the reader is unwilling to believe, that fo accurate
a critic, and fo correct a writer, is himfelf faulty ; and,
therefore, when he pafi'es from his profe to his poetry,
and obferves a manifeft inferiority and deficiency of
merit in the latter, he rather inclines to diflrult his own
judgment than the abilities of the author. Reader after
reader has toiled through the fame dull rhimes, perhaps
Wind to their faults, or, if fenfibJe .of .their defects, yet

inclined

144- ESSAYS, No. 118.

inclined to join in their praife, in oppofition to convic-
tion, from a dread of the imputation of a depraved tafte.
Had not a veneration for his name prevented critics from
fpeaking their real fentiments, though Addifon would,
as a moral eflayift, moft juftly have been called the So-
xrrates, Plato, or Xenophon of his age ; yet he would
liever have been efteemed the firft of poets.

It would be injuftice, while we infpeft thefe volumes,
to pafs over in filence, the elegant poem which is pre-
fixed to the works of Addifon, on the death of their
author. The melancholy flow of the verfe is well adapt-
ed to exprefs the tendernefs of the fentiments. The
beauty of the imagery, and the energy of the expreffion,
entitle this little piece to a very refpe&able rank among
the elegiac compofitions of the Englim writers. It was
for a long time little regarded ; but the arention lately
paid to it, and the commendations bellowed on it, are
proofs that literary merit, however unnoticed for a time,
through accident, prejudice, or party, is fure ta receive
the applaufe it deferves from impartial pofterity.

At the end of the verfes of Addifon to Mr. Dryden,
we lire told, that the author was but twenty-two years
of age when he wrote them. Whether the age was af-
fixed to extenuate the imperfections, or to enhance the
merits of the poem, certain it is, that both thefe inten-
tions are fruftrated by its extreme infignificance and fu-
tility. The production is unworthy the age of twenty-
two. Mr. Pope is known to have written his paftorals,
which infinitely exceed the verfification of Addifon, at
fixteen ; and Milton acquired an elegance in Latin verfe
at an earlier period. The thoughts in this piece are not
ftriking, the ftyle is contemptible, and the negligence
in the rhime alone would, in the prefent refinement of
tafte, confign the work to oblivion.

That all his pieces are upon a level with this, can-
not be aflerted. That fome of them abound with grand
conceptions, and have many good lines, muft be con-
fefled. But allowing Addifon all the merit in his
poetry, which candour, or even partiality in his favour
can allow, he never can be juftly efteemed one of the
firft poets of the nation. I never heard that Socrates

increafed

No. 119. MORAL, &c. 145

increafeJ his fame by his poetical verfion of JECc.p's Fa-
bles, and the beit profe-wricer iir the belt age of
wrote the line, " 0 for tun a! am, natam^ me confide, Ro~
." The truth is, nature ufually beito-.vs her
gifts with a prudent liberality even to her favourites.
One might on this occafion apply to Addifon the
of Martial, " FLc Cicercnis babes" This charafter of a
bad poet you have in common with the great Cicero.

To oppofe opinions univerfally received, is to incur
the imputation of vanity, ignorance, and want of tafte.
But as every individual has a right to private judgment,
and may offer his fentiments to others, while he does
it with modefty, profeffes a poffibility of miilake, and
keeps his mind open to conviction, I have ventured to
advance an opinion againft the poetical merit of Ad-
difon ; regardlefs how it may alarm thofe who fubmit
their jud ments to the direction of others, and who pay
an implicit obedience to authority.

NO. CXIX. THE. FOLLY OF BRINGING Ul»
CHILDREN TO A LEARNED PROFESSION,
WITHOUT THE PROBABILITY OF PROVIDING
THEM WITH A COMPETENCY.

THAT admiration is the effecl: of ignorance, is
. truth univerfally confefled ; and nothing ib
forcibly excites the wonder of the illiterate Plebeian, as
the chandler of profound erudition.

Dazzled by the fplendor of literary honours, many <r.i
lionert pnrent has prevented his fon from acquiring a
fortune behind the counter, to fee him itarve in a
pulpit.

Thefe reflections were occafioned by meeting
friend at a coffee- houfe one evening laft week. His
looks were meagre, his drefs fhabby, and he fufficiently
apologized for the rcftinefs of his coat, by the follow-
ing narrative :

VOL. II. H « r\I/

146 ESSAYS, No. 119.

" My father," faid he, after fomc preliminary con-
verfation, " was a fliQemaker of tolerable bufinefs in
" London ; a very honed man, and very much given to
*' reading godly books, whenever he could ft^al a
" moment from the lap-Hone and the laft. As [ was
" the only child, he took great delight in me, and
" ufed frequently to fay, that he hoped in time to lee
" me Archbifhop of Canterbury, and no fuch great
" matters neither; for as to my parentage, I was as
" good as many a one that had worn a mitre; and he
" would make me as good a fcbolard too, or it mould
'* go hard with him.

" My deftination to the church was thus unalterably
«* fixed before I was five years old ; and in confequence
" of it, I was put to a grammar- fchool in the city,
" whence, after a thoufand perils of the cane, and perils
" of the rod, I went to the Univerfity on an exhibition
" of fifteen pounds a year, which my father obtained
*' from one of the city companies, with no fmall diffi-
culty. So fcanty an allowance would by no means
defray the enormous expence of Univerfity education ;
and my father, whole pride would not let me ap-
pear meaner than my companions, very readily
agreed to pay me forty pounds out of tha yearly
profits of his trade, and to debar himfelf many in-
nocent gratifications, in order to accomplifh in me
the grand objeft of all his ambition.
" In confequence of my father's defire, that I mould
" complete the full term of academical education, I did
«' not go inio orders till I was of feven years Handing,
«' and had t;;ken the degree of Matter of Arts. I was
" therefore incapable of receiving any pecuniary
«' emoluments from my itudies, till I was fix and
" twenty. Then., however, I was refolved to make a
" bold pufh, and to free my father from the burthen
" of fupporting me with half the profits of his labours.
" The old man was eager that I mould attempt to get
" fome kind of preferment; net, as he would gene-
*' rouily fay, that he wanted to withdraw his afiiftance,
" but that he thought it was high time to begin to look
'* up at the Bifhopric.

" I-hattened

No. 119. MORAL, &c. 147

" I hafteried to London as the mod ample field for
" the difplay of my abilities, and the acqnifition of
" money and fame. Soon after my arrival, I heard of
" a vacant Ledlurefhip ; and though I was an entire
" ftranger to every one of the parimioners, I refolved
" to truft my caufe to honefl endeavours, and a fedu-
" lous canvafs. I mall not trouble you with an enu-
meration of the feveral indignities I fufrered (for I
had not loft my univerfity pride), from being under
the neceflity to addrefs, with the moft abjecl fuppli-
cations, chandlers, barbers, and green-grocers. Suf-
fice it to acquaint you, that myfelf, and another
young clergyman of regular education, appeared,
on the day of election, to have but feventeen votes
between us j and that a methodiftical enthufiaft, who
had once been a carpenter, bore away the prize with
a majority of a hundred and twenty.
" Though difappointed> I was not deje£led ; and I
applied to a certain Redor for his Curacy, the duty
of which, confiited in prayers twice a day, a fermon,
on Sundays, and innumerable burials, chriflenings,
and weddings. I thought myfelf happy, however,
in being offered forty guineas a year, without fur-
plus, or furplice fees; but how was I chagrined, on
being told by the Reftor, on the very firft Sunday I
went to officiate, that I need not trouble myfelf, as
another gentleman had undertaken the whole duty
at forty pounds !

" I waited now a confiderable time in expectation that
fomething would fall ; but heard of nothing in which
there was the lead probability of fuccefs, unfupported,
as I was by friends, and unknown to fame. At laft,
I was informed by an acquaintance, that a certain
Clergyman in the city was about to refign his
Le&urefhip, and that he would probably refign in my
favour, if I were early enough in my application.
I made all the hafte i poflibly could to reach this
gentleman before his resignation ; and found very
little difficulty in perfuading him to intercede in my
favour. In mort, his endeavours, joined to my own,
fecured the Lefturefhip, and I was unanimoufly cho-
fea. The electors, however, exprefled a .Icfire, that
Hz •« I would

i4S ESSAY S, No. 119.

" I would quit my place of refidence, which was at a
*' diftance, and live in the pari(h. To this requeft I
" confented ; and immediately fixed myfelf in a decent
" family, where I lodged and boarded for fifty pounds
" a year ; and as I was not fo ambitious as my father,
" I congratulated myfelf on the happy event, and fat
" down contented and fatisfied. But, alas! how was
I confounded, when my collectors brought the an-
nual contribution, to find it amount to no more than
an exacl fum of twenty-one pounds two (hillings and
three-pence three farthings ! I was under an imme-
diate neceflity of difcharging my lodging, refigning
my preferment, and quietly decamping with the lofs
of no inconfid'erable fum.
" Thus, Sir," faid he, " have I now for thefe
" twenty years been to/Ted about in the world, without
" any fixed refidence, and without any certain profpecl:
" of my bread. I muft not however complain, as I
«* am well aflured there are many in-the metropolis in
" fituations very fimilar to mine. Yet fometimes, I
" own, I cannot help being foolifh enough to imagine,
«« that I might, perhaps, have been happier, and I am
*' fure I could have been richer, had I been brought up
" to my paternal awl and laft. My poor father died
" about two years ago, and I have reafon to think, his
" difappcintmetu and forrow for my ill-fuccefs haftened
" his diffolution.

" I now fupport myfelf tolerably well in the capacity
" of, what the world ludicroufly calls, a Hackney
*' Parfon. And though I do not get quite fo much
" as a journeyman fhoemaker, I make fhift to keep
" foul and body together; and I thank God for that.
" If, Sir, you could recommend me, here is my ad-

" drefs, up four-pair of Hairs."

He was proceeding, but he had too powerfully ex-
cited my fympathy ; and after confoling him to the beft
of my power, I took my leave of him, not without
fevere reflexions on thofe parents, who, to indulge a
childifh vanity, bring up their offspring to mifery and
want.

No, CXX.

No. 120. MORAL, &c.

No. CXX. ON 'DECENCY, AS THE ONLY

MOTIVE OF OUR APPARENT VIRTUES, AND
PARTICULARLY OF OUR RELIGIOUS BEHA-
VIOUR.

WHATEVER may be the vices of this age,
it cannot be faid to be particularly diflinguiftied
by hypocrify. Selfiihriefs reigns triumphant ; and men,
for the moft part, purfue whatever they think conducive
to their own pleafure or intereft, without regarding ap-
pearances, or the o'pinions of others, except, indeed,
Avhen their interell or their pleafure are immediately-
concerned.

Even they who fill offices of confidence and honour
in the community, .ire, in this ag?, fond of diverting
themfclves of that external dignity with which the
\vifdom of our anceftors judged it right to furround them.
Tiiey defcend with a peculiar kind of pride from their
natural or political eminence, and will not even difplay
the appearance of thofe virtues and abilities which are
absolutely ne.ceflary in their offices and ftations. They
oftentatioufly exhibit a carelefihefs and profligacy in
their converfation and behaviour, which, if they really
poflefs, ought to difplace them from their rank, and
ftrip them of their blufhing honours.

In thofe who fill public offices, or who are fixed in
the more important profeilions, a regard to external
divncy is itfelf a virtue;. But, in truth, if the prefcnt
difordere-1 Hate of things would permit, none ought to
fill thofe offices and profeJions, whole regard to decency
dee.', not r.rife from a regard to virtue.

There are, indeed, many who are erteemed good fort
of perfons, but whofe goodnefs is unprincipled, and
appears to arife folely from a regard to external
decorum, or, what is called, the faving of appearances.
And this motive, poor and contemptible as it is, in
H 3 cow

i$o ESSAYS, No. U9.

comparifon with rational principles arising from con-
viction, is very often the only avowed motive for the
regular performance of all external duties ; but more
particularly of thofe which, concern religion. The
following imaginary tran faction will, perhaps, fuggeft
an idea of that poor and political decency which it is
thought a very extraordinary effort of virtue to main-
tain. Let us then invent a fceoe of fiction by way of
exemplification.

"" We muft have a Faft Day foon," fays the Statef-
jnan, " for the Americans have had one already."
" It is unneceffary," replies the Privy Counfellor in the
jockey drefs, aiming at a wretched pun, " it is all a
*' farce." " Between friends," fubjoins the Statet-
man, " 1 am not fonder of fjch formalities than you
" are ; but yon know it is decent, and we muft con-
•" form, externally at }eaft, to the prejudices of the
*' mob." " It is decent, my Lord," re-echoes the
bench of Bifhops.

" There is a Sermon preached to-day before ths
*' Honfe of Lords," fays a member ; " True," fays
another, " but I vote it a Bore; and befides, I a.m en-
" gaged to fee a fine bitch pointer that I think of buy-
«' ing." " Well," refumes the other, " but let us make
" a party of two or three to church, becaufe it is
'* decent." «< We beg, my Lords," foftly whifpers an
epifcopal voice, " you would not put yourfelves to the
•' fmalleft inconyenience, for half a dozen of us have
" determined, though we have a thoufand engagements,
" to pollpone them an hour or two for the fake of de-
" cency. Decency, my Lord, muft fuperfede every
'* confideration." " Will you go to church, my Lord
" Duke ?" fays one, lowly bowing to his patron.
'* No ; I think it decent, but you will be there on
" that account ; and as I am engaged to-day at bil-

*' liards, I muft beg to be excufed : but I hope

'-* there will be enough there to make a decent ap-
" pearance."

Among the gay fenators of the Britifh empire it has
been obferved, that very few, of late, have difplayed in
this inflance even that fubordinate virtue of which we

fpeak,

No. 120. MORA L, &t, 15-1

fpeak, a regard to external decency. Weftminfler Abbey,
indeed, is not a place to be frequented for pleafure by
thofe who chiefly (hine in the Hand at a horfe-race.
One or two officers however do attend a fermon officially,
and a few others for the fake of decency ; but the know-
ing ones confider the whole bufmefs, to exprefs their
own ideas in their own language, as a curfed lounge.
This bufmefs, therefore, and many others of a moft
folemn, facred, and venerable nature, beirrg confulered
merely as incumbrances by the jolly part, which is tl «
greater part, they are utterly negle&cd, or attended by
a few only, whofe intereit compels them to have a re-
gard to decency.

Our religion teaches us to feparate one day out cf
feven for religious purpofes. But many of the wife men,
who vi ere born to be our Englilh Solons and Lycurgi,
confider the inftitution merely as a foolifh fuperftition j
and therefore fpend the Sabbath, like the charming peo-
ple abroad, at cards and in diffipation, and very much
lament thofe grofs prejudices of the common people,
which render it decent and prudent not to open the thea-
tres, and enliven the horrid dullnefj> of the Seventh Day
by public diverfions. Even mighty good fort- of people,
as they are ufually called, hefitate not to confefsj that a
regard to external decency is one of the rhief motives
of their regular conduct in obierving the Sabbath, and
other virtuous practices of o»r forefathers

It would not be difficult to trace this motive of de-
cency in many of the apparent virtues, which ciilplay
themfelves with no little oftentation, in every depart-
ment of human life. But it is really better to pay that
deference to virtue which arifes from afiuming the
appearances, than by impudent and avowed contempt
of it, to injure others by the example. To have merely
a regard to decency in common life, and in a wicked
and unprincipled age, becomes, in feme degree,
virtuous. We will not, therefore, expofe this unfound
virtue to fevere cenfure, except when it appears in
religion, where, whatever appearances are infmcere,
conftitute hypocrify of a moft deteftable kind ; hypo-
crify, founded on felf-intereft. It is the man of decent
character (and with this view alone he is decent), who
H 4 rifcs

152 , ESSAYS,

rues to preferment, ami then laughs in his lawn
;;t the humble Chrillian in. tattered crape, \vho is too
fiBcere to he political, too found in the inner man to
wane or admit the varnith of the whifed fepuichrc.

Pope has faid, that Seeker was decent, and that
RundJe had a heart. Whether the cenfure or the praiib
xvusjuft is not mine to determine. All J (hall remark
on the pa/Tage is, th-t though decency may fmooth the
way to courts, and infmuate itfelf into the highelt
leats of preferment, it is a heart only which is capable
of deriving, frcm the fuccefs, a pure and folid fatif-
faift^cm. '('hough decency without fjncerity rer.y be
approved by narrow politicians, and even gain the ap-
n^ire of the multitude by deceiving them ; yet let not
the hypocrite triumph, but remember, that there is one
befoie whom all hearts are open, all defires known,
and from whom no fecrets are hidden.

No. CXXI. ON THE ANIMOSITIES OCCA-
SIONED IN THE COUNTRY BY THE GAME
LAWS.

IN a late paper on the difagreernents of a country
neighbourhood, I purpofely omitted one of the moft
fruitful cnufes of them, intending to confider it in a
paper by itfelf, confiftently with its exteniive and im-
portant operation. I believe it will be allowed by all
who have made remarks, that the individuals of this
nation are more ferioufly and inveterately divided by
difputes about the Game, than by controversies, which
make much more noife in the world on the fubjefts of
politics or religion. \Vhat remains among us of fa-
vv.genefs and brutality is chiefly preferved by the mean
and ielfifh gr'eedinefs of thole who poffefs a thoufand
peculiar advantages, and who yet meanly contend for
an exclufive right to deflroy the Game; that ufufruc-
tuary property, which the Creator intended to be
pofleffed by .the firil occupant, like the air, light, and
'water.

Some

No. 121. MORAL, &c, 153

Some feflraints however of that kind, which tend to
prevent the poor labourer from wafting .his valuable
time, might, perhaps, be neither unjull, nor, in any
refpeft, attended with inconvenience. But the Game
Law?, a~> they now fubfifl in England, are a difgrace to
the noble fabric of our free confKtution. They are
illiberal in their nature; they originated in flavery, and
they lead to tyranny. It is remarked by Burn, and
the great commentator en our legal fyftem, that, in
one Itatute only for the prcfervation of Game, there
are not lefs than fix blunders in Grammar, befides
other miftakes ; fo that one is led to conclude, that this
part of our boafted code was drawn up by a committee
of boorifli country cfquircs and ftupid fox-hunters.
Jndeed, the whole body of the Game Laws is replete
with perplexity, abfurdity, and contradiction. What
can be more ridiculous, than that the legiflature of a
mighty empire mould require one hundred a year as
a qualification to moot a poor partridge, and only forty
millings to vote for a Senator? " There is another
offence." lays Blackitone, " fo conftituted by a
variety of acts of parliament, which are fo numerous,
and fo confufed, and the crime itfelf of fo queftiou-
able a nature, that I fliall not detain the reader with
rmny obfervations thereupon. And yet it is an of-
fence which the fportfmen of England feem to think
of the higheft importance; and a matter, perhaps
the only one, of general and nati mi concern: af-
fociations having been formed all over the kingdom
to prevent its deftruitive progrefs ; I mean the
offence of dettroying fuch bealts and fowls as are
ranked under the denomination of Game." Upon
the whole, it may be truly faid, that an Englifhman,
who has a regard for the honour of his country, and
fenfe enough to fee the mean and arbitrary fpirit of
the Game Laws, and the nonfenl'e of the Letter, muft
hide his face in confufion, when he confiders how much
time and attention has been fpent upon them by the
Briiifh Legiflature.

Rural diverfions certainly conllitute a very pleafing
and proper amufemcnt for all ranks above the loweft*
livery man who has a jtifl claim to the title of gen-
ii 5 tleman,

1*4 ESSAYS, N». 121.

tleman, or, indeed, who is capable of fpending his
time in amufement, without injuring the public or
his own family, ought to be fuffered to partake of them.
Jf he gives up his hours, his labour, and his thoughts
to the purfuit, he has earned a right to the obj.eft,
fince the object is of a nature which cannot be appro-
priated while alive and at liberty. A fellow-creature
is agreeably amufedand benefited, and no man robbed,
iince the bird that flies in the air no more belongs to the
tenant of the manfion-houfe, than the fun-beam which
equally fhines on the cottage and the palace. Poor
is the opulence, and little the grandeur, which {hews
a difpofition which would undoubtedly engrofs, if it
were poffible, the light and the air.

With refpecl. to the matter of a trefpafs, it is certain,
that a Lord of the Manor is no lefs liable to be pro-
fecuted for it on his own manor than any other perfon,
whether qualified or unqualified. It fhews, therefore,
the ignorance, as well as arbitrary difpofition of thefe
petty princes, when they claim the privilege of prowling
for prey, without controul, on their neighbour's land,
and of excluding all others from their own. In fhort,
it is extremely doubtful what privileges the lord of
the manor poflefies ; and whether he has a better right
to hunt and fhoot, without a particular grant from the
king, than the meaneft fubjeft whom he bullies and
browbeats. The contemptible laws which have been
made on this bufmefs certainly want illuflration and
amendment. Indeed they ought to be torn out of the
ftatute book ; and the memory of them, like that of
feudal ignorance and flavery, execrated.

There is a practice particularly mean and oppreffive,
which very much prevails in this felfilh age, among the
engrofiers of that part of the creation which God and
nature have conftituted free as the feas and the winds..
They do not confider the purfuit of Game in the liberal
Jight of a gentleman-like diverfion, but view the hare
and the partridge as provender for the table at once
genteel and cheap. They therefore feldom give
thenifelves the trouble to join in the chnce, or carry the
gun over the furrows; but felecl fome idle peafant,
who, by poaching, has acquired a flail in the arts of

dellroying

No. 121. MORA L, &c. 155

defiroying Game ; clothe him in green plufh, and
fend him to provide pheafants, and bid defiance to his
fuperior.?, whenever the matter has company to dine
with him, and wifhes to fave an article in the butcher's
account. This green-coated hero, who is ufually
one of the greateft fcoundrels in the parim, Tallies
forth under the prote&ion of the lord or lady of the
manor; and if he meets a curate, or an apothecary, or
a reputable tradefman, or even a neighbouring lord of
the manor, boldly infults them, threatens to fliocc
their dogs, or feize their fowiing-piece§ ; and juflifies all
his infolence by alleging, that what he does or fays is
all by his mailer's order. Appeal to that mafter, and,
probably, the infults are aggravated ; or, if he pretends
to uncommon affability, he will allow that the fellow is
ap: to be a little foul-mouthed ; but, upon the whole, is
a very faithful fervant. The low wretch himfe'f might,
indeed, be punilhed both for his trefpafs and his ill-ufage;
but though he infulted his profecutors in the field, he
is ready, like all upftart and petty potentates, to bend
on his knees for mercy, and ufually difarms the geni-
rous by pleading a wife and fix children. I know not
which -ought to predominate, compnifion for the poor
deluded peafant, or contempt for his employer. It
is furely enough that the rich man claims an exclufive
right to the commoners of nature hirafeirj and he
ought by no means to be fuffercd to commifCon the
lowefl plebeian to do that which he prohibiis in gen-
tlemen of the profelTions ; of fortunes as independent,
if not fo great, as his own, and of minds often much,
greater.

It is in the power of thefe hirelings, who feldomv
poflefs much principle, to involve all the country in
snimofity. The landed gentry ufually poftefs a mare
of pride fully proportionate to their eilate and manfion-
houfe. The hireling of one treipafTei on the dominions
of another. Reprisals are made. Each defends his
representatives. One thinks himfrlf us good (for that is
the phrafe) as the oth-er. N-o conceffions can poffibly
be made. Hatred, of the bkten.lt and molt rancorous
kind mutually takes poflHion of theie lords in minia-
ture ; and many a hunting would end, if vaflals could
H 6 be

156 ESSAYS, No. 121.

be procured, like that of Chevy Chace, in a bloody
battle.

If compaflion did not intervene, one might be much
entertained with Ib ludicrous an objecl, as that of
creatures, who pretend to reafo_n, benevolence, chriit-
ianity, and education, rendering their exigence, mutu-
ally painful, by fierce quarrels, fecret but venomous
-hatred, expenfive and vexatious litigations, occafioned
by objedls of a nature truly trifling in themfelves, and
which, allowing them every potfible praife, can be
called no more than innocent diverfions. Are we not
ftill children with all our beard and gravity about us,
Sf we always play till we quarrel ? Our conduct, in this
refpeft, is almoft too abfurd to admit of ferious e.xpoflu-
lation. It may furnifh fcenes for mirth at a puppet-
fhew, or a farce at Bartholomew Fair.

However, I think it neceflary, before I conclude this
fubjecl, to declare, for the fake of avoiding the ma-
lignant rnifmterpretations of goffips and fcandal-dealers
by profefllon, that there are no allufions in this paper
cither perfonal or local ; and that I have not been
pleading for a privilege in which I am intereited, not
being inclined to hunt, nor able to (hoot.

I will beg leave to add one paffage on the fubjeft
from Blackuone, for the information of thofe among
fportfmen, who are too tenacious of their exclufive
rights, and who are able to read it.

" Another violent alteration of the Engllfh confti-

" tution, confifted in the depopulation of whole ccun-

<( tries for the purpofes of the King's royal diverfion ;

" and fubje&ing both them, and all the antient forefts

" of the kingdom, to the unreafonable feverity of

" Foreft Laws, imported from the continent; whereby

the fiaughter of a bead was made almoit as penal as

the death of a man. In the Saxon times, though no

man was allowed to kill or chafe the King's deer,

yet he might ftart any game, purfue and kill it,

upon his own cftate. But the rigour of tliefe new

conititutions veiled the fole property of all the

Cj:nie in England in the King alone; and no

r.,;jn was allowed to diftnrb any lowl of the air, or

; ny beaft of the field, of fuch kinds as were fpecially

2 " referved

No. 122. MORAL, Sic. 157

referred for the royal amufement of the Sovereign,
without exprefs licence from the King, by the grant
of a chace or free warren : and thofe franchifes were
granted as much with a view to preferve the breed
of animals, as to indulge the fubjeft. From afimilar
principle to which, though the Foreft Laws are now
mitigated, and by degrees grown entirely obfolete ;
yet from this root has fprung a baftard Hip, known by
the name of the Game Law, now arrived to, and
wantoning in, its higheft vigour: both founded upon
the fame unreafonable notions of permanent property
in wild creatures; and both productive of the fame
tyranny to the commons: but with this difference ;
that the Foreft Laws eftabliflied only one mighty
liunter throughout the land, the Game Laws have
ro.ijed a little Nimrod in every manor. And in one
relpect the antient law was much lefs unreafonable
than the modern ; for the King's gran tee of a chace
or free warren might kill game in every part of his
franchife ; but now, though a freeholder of lefs than
one hundred a year is forbidden to kill a partridge on
his own eitate, yet nobody elfe (not even the lord of
the manor, unlefs he hath a grant cffree warren) cart
do it without committing a trefpafs, and fubjeding
lumfclf to an adion."

No. CXXII. ON THE IMPORTANCE OF GO-
VERNING THE TEMPER.

OT WITHSTANDING the many complaints of
the calamities of human life, it is certain, that
more conltant uneafinefs arifes from ill temper than from
ill fortune. In vain has Providence beftowed every ex-
ternal blefling, if care has not been taken by ourfelves
to fmooth the afperities of the temper. A bad temper
embitters every fwcet, and converts a paradife into 3
place of torment.

The government of the temper then, on which, the
happinefs of the human race io greatly depends, can

never"

158 ESSAYS, No. 122.

never be too frequently, or too forcibly recommended.
But as it-was found by fome of the antients one of the
moft efficacious methods of deterring young perfons from
any difagreeable or vicious conduct, to point out a living
character in which it appeared in all its deformity, I mall
exhibit a picture, in which I hope a bad temper will ap-
pear, as it really is, a moil unamiable object.

It is by no means uncommon to obferve thofe, who
have been flattered for fuperficial qualities at a very early
age, and engaged in fo conitant a feries of diffipating
pleafure, as to leave no time for the culture of the mind,
becoming, in the middle and advanced periods of life,
melancholy inftances of the miferable effects refulting
from an ongoverned temper. A certain lady, whom I
(hall diftin;:uifh by the name ofHifpulla, was celebrated
from her infancy for a fine complexion. She had, in-
deed, no very amiable expreffion in her eyes, but the ver-
milion of her cheeks did not fail to attract admiration,
and (he was convinced by herglafs, and by the affevera-
tions of tl:e young men, that fhe was another and a fairer
Helen. She had every opportunity of improving her
mind ; but as we naturally bellow our firft care on the
quality which we moft value, fhe could never give her
attention either to books or to oral inftruction, and, at
the age of fifteen or fixteen, could fcarcely write her
name legibly, or read a fentence without hefuation^
Her perfonal charms were, however, powerful enough
to captivate the heart of a thoughtlefs heir, very little
older than herfelf. Her vanity, rather than her love,
was gratified by the alliance; and when fhe found the
affiduities of promifcuous fuitors at an end, fhe found
herfelf gradually finking in the dead calm of infipidity.
When love was no more, other paffions fprung up with
all the luxuriancy of rank weeds, in a foil where no fa-
lutary herb has been planted in the vernal feafon. Pride,
that fruitful plant, which bears every kind of odious
quality in abundance, took root in her heart, and
floHrifhed, like the aettle or the hemlock, on the banks
of the ftagnant pool.

Her hufband was the firit to feel its baneful effects.

Though the match was greatly to her advantage, (he

perfuaded herfelf that fhe might have dooe better ; and

7 that

No. 122. MORA L, &c. r$£

that her good fortune was by no means adequate to the
prize which her beauty and merit might have juftly
claimed. With this convidion, and without any habits
or abilities which might lead her to feek amulement in
books, fhe found no diverfion fo congenial to her heart,
as the tormenting a good-natured, young, and agreeable
hufband, who, by marrying, had excluded her from the
probability of a title. As a fmall compenfation for the
injury received, (he a/Turned an abfolute dominion over
him, his fortune, and his family. He durll not differ
in opinion from her ; for on the flighteft oppofition, her
eyes dart fire, her cheeks glow with indignation, and her
tongue utters every bitter word which rage and malice
can dictate. The comfort of every meal is poifoned by
a quarrel ; and an angry vociferation is re-echoed from
the parlour to the kitchen, from the cellar to the garret,
by night and by day, except in the awful and ominous,
paufe of a fallen filence.

The poor hufo.ind, who, with every amiable difpofi-
tion, pcflbiTed alfo the virtue of patience, bore the evil
as long as human nature could bear it ; but as years ad-
vanced, and her fury increafed, he fought a refuge at the
tavern, and in the compofing juice of the grape. Excefs
and vexation foon laid him in the only fecure afylum
from the flings and arrows of an outrageous temper, the
filent tomb.

The children, after fuffering every fpecies of perfecu-
tion which an angry, though foolifhly fond mother, could
inflict, no fooner arrived at maturity, than they began to
look for happinefs in an efcape from home, where neither
peace nor eafe could find a place. The daughters mar-
ried meanly, unworthily, and wretchedly, contented to
take refuge from the rage of a furious mother in the arms
of footmen and hair-dreflers. The fons ran away, and
became vagrant and wretched debauchees ; till, in mere
defpair, one of them enteiei as a foldier in the Eafi India
icrvice, and the other put an end to his own exiflence.

The mother, after fhedding a few natural tears, and
wiping them foon, began to feel her pride and paflion
amply gratified in an abfolute dominion over an eliate,
a manfion-houfe, and a tribe of fervants, whofe depend-
ant fuuation made them bear her fury with little refift-

ance.

160 ESSAYS, No. 122.

ance. But (he enjoyed her reign but a fhort time; for
as her mind was incapable of refting on itfelf for fup-
port, fhe fought relief from the bottle of cordial; and,
heated one day with a large draught, and a violent paflion
with one of the maids, (lie burft a blood vefTel, and ex-
pired in a fcolding fit, her tongue ftill quivering after
her heart had ceafed its pulfation.

I believe the originals of fuch a pifture as this, are
much lefs common in the prefent age, than they were
in the laft century. Ladies were then fecluded from the
world till marriage, and as they were very fuperficially
educated in every thing but potting and preferving, it is
no wonder if they became termagants or viragos. They
had no right ideas of themfelves or the world around,
and yielded,' without oppofition, to thofe violent emo-
tions, which arife, perhaps, in every mind when it is
totally uncultivated.

Culture of the understanding is, indeed, one of the befl
methods of fubduing the heart to foftnefs, and redeeming
it from that favage ftate in which it too often comes from
the hands of nature. The more our reafon is ftrength-
ened, the better fhe is enabled to keep her feat on the
throne, and to govern thofe paffions which were appoint-
ed to be her fubjefts ; but which too often rebel, and
fucceed in their unnatural revolt. But, befides theeffeft
of mental culture, in calling forth and increafing the
powers of the reafoning faculty, it feems to poflefs an
influence in humanizing the feelings, and meliorating
the native difpofition. Mafic, painting, and poetry,
teach the mind to feleft the agreeable parts of thofe ob-
jects which furround us, and by habituating it to a pure
and permanent delight, gradually fuperinduce an habi-
tual good humour. It is of infinite importance to hap-
pinefs toaccuftom the mind, from infancy, to turn from
deformed and painful fcenes, and to contemplate what-
ever can be found of moral and natural beauty. The
fpirits, under this benign management, contract a milk-
inefs, and learn to flow all cheerily in their fmooth and
yielding channels ; while, on the contrary, if the young
mind is teafed, frette^, and neglected, the paflages of
the fpirits become rugged, abrupt, exafpenited, ^nd the
whole nervous fyilem leems to acquire an exceiiive irri-
tability.

No. 122. MORAL, &c. 161

tability. The ill treatment of children has not only
made them wretched at the time, but wretched for life;
tearing the fine contexture of their nerves, and roughen-
ing;? by example, and by fome fecret and internal influ-
ence, the very confutation of their tempers.

So much cf the happinefs of private life, and the
virtues of mothers and daughters, in particular, depends
on the government of the temper, that the temper ought
to be a principal object of regard in a well-conducied
education. The fuffering of children to tyrannize, with-
out controul, over fervants and inferiors, is, I am con-
vinced, the ruin of many an amiable difpofition. The
virtues of humanity, benevolence, humility, cannot be
too early enforced ; at the fame time care mould be taken
that an infant of two or three years old fliould never be
beaten c<r fpoken to hardily for any offence which it can
poffibly commit. In fhort, let every method be ufed
which reafon, religion, prudence, and experience can
fuggeft, to accomplifh the purpofe of fweetening the
temper, and baniming the furies from fociety. May the
endeavours be fuccefsful ; and may we onlv read, that
there have, indeed, been fuch animals as mrews and vi-
ragos, but that the breed is extinct in England, like the
breed of wolves !

I have been much pleafed with the lovely picture of
Serena, in Mr. Hayley's inltructive poem, the Triumphs
of Temper -, and I cannot conclude, without earneftly
entreating the ladies to view it as a looking-glafs, by
which they may learn to drefs their minds in a manner
which can never be out of fafhion ; but which will enable
them to fecure, as well as extend, their conquefls; and
to charm, even when the lilies and rcfes are all withered.
If the poem mould effect its very laudable purpofe, the
Virtues, the Mufes, and the Graces, ihould unite to form
a wreath for the poet's brow, and hail him as the re-
llorer of a golden age. While every mother, wife, and
daugther, afpires at the virtues of a Serena, let Alecto,
.1, and Tifiphone, be confined in chains to the
internal regions, and forbidden ever more to arife and
aflurae the Ihape of a Brhim lady !

No. CXXIII.

ESSAYS, No. 123.

No. CXXIII. ON THE MORAL EFFECTS OF
A GOOD TRAGEDY.

IT is with regret I obferve, that a tafte for the nobleft
part of theatrical amufements, the reprefenrruion of
tragedy, is rather on the decline. It ftrongly marks the
frivolity of an age, when the bufldn is excluded for the
fock, and the public attention too much engaged by
dancers, fingers, and harlequins, to adroit the ierious,
yet lively pleasures of the Tragic Mufe.

There feems to me to be no method more effectual of
foftening the ferocity, and improving the minds, of the
lower clafles of a great capital, than the frequent exhi-
bition of tragical pieces, in which the diftrefs is carried
to the high-eft extreme, and the moral at once lelf-evi-
dent, affecting, and inftrnftive. The multitudes of thofe
who cannot read, or, if they could, have neither time
nor abilities for deriving much advantage from reading,
are powerfully impreffed, through the medium of the eyes
and ears, with thofe important truths, which, while they
illuminate the underftanding, correct and mollify the
heart. Benevolence, juftice, heroifm, and the wifdom ( f
moderating the paflions, are plainly pointed out, and
forcibly recommended to thofe favage fons of unculti-
vated nature, who have few opportunities, and would
have no inclination for inftruftion, if it did not prefent
itfelf under the form of a delightful amufement. The
human heart in general, whether it beats in the bofom of
him who has been improved by education, or of the neg-
lected child of poverty, is taught to exercife fome of its
moll amiable propenfites by the indulgence of cornmife-
ration in fcenes of fancied woe. Were the Theatre under
certain regulations, a man might go to it as he goes to
church, to learn his duty, and it might juftly be honoured
with the appellation, which it has often affumed, and be
called the School of Virtue.

There are certainly a thoufand tragedies of more claf-
Ccal merit, but few better calculated to fave the numerous

and

No. 123. MORA L, &c. 163

and important clafles of the plebeian order from wallow-
ing in vice, theft, intemperance, and wretchednefs of
every kind, than the tragedy of George Barnwel!. Com-
mon and illiterate minds cannot follow the high flights
of fublime poetry, nor underftand the beauties of blank
verfe; but the language of Lillo m this humble tale, is
level to the loweft degree of intellect. It muft, indeed,
give pleafure to every friend of unaffuming merit, to find
the due tribute of applaufe paid to the modeit Lillo by
one of the beftof all modern judges, the Critic and Phi-
lofopher of Salisbury. He, whole tafle was formed on
the pureft models, and corrected by the ftricteft rules, has
not hefuated to place the Fatal Curiofity in the very firft
rank of dramatic compofitions. And George Barnwel),
however it may be affectedly defpifed by the filly vota-
ries of fafhion, who abominate it as low, deferve no lefs
to be efteemed for its moral excellence, than the other
for its clallical. It has, perhaps, faved as many from an
ignominious end, as the Beggars Opera has haftened to
it. That any moralift, or man of obiervation, can en-
tertain a doubt concerning the effect on the upper gallery
of a play in which thieves and harlots are reprefented as
amiable and innocent characters, and all the reft of fo-
ciety as rogues, evinces, in this inftance, an ignorance
of human nature. 2The reprefentation of the Beggars
Opera is not only an outrage on civilized fociety, but
an extreme aft of cruelty to thofe wretched boys and
girls, who have been allured to the paths of deftruction,
by viewing them thus ftrewed with artificial flowers —
Take away the difgrace, the fliame, and the firft fine
fenfibilities of timid vice, and you remove a reftraint, the
force of whofe operation neither precepts nor laws can
ever fupply. Suppofe a country lad, with all his native
modeity. about him, allured to the Theatre by the Beg-
gars Opera. In a few hours he undergoes a perfect me-
tamorphofis. He thinks himfelf illuminated, and de-
fpifes the old honell folks at home, who have hitherto
confined him, as he fuppofes, in childifh ignorance. His
perverted ambition takes an unfortunate turn ; and if he
arrives not at the honour of dying like a Macheath, he
will at leaft endeavour to deferve it. Such, I am well
aflured, is ofcen a true cafe ; but even the miferable

creatures

ify ESSAYS, No. 123.

creatures who are far gone in the paths which lead
through villany to ruin may be called back by the me-
lancholy, tale of poor George Barnwell. There are
many other Tragedies in the Englifh language which
"convey admirable morals to the lower clafTes, and have
undoubtedly refcued many a wretch, who was deaf to a
parent's voice and a preacher's admonition, from the
dominion of an evil fpirit.

But, indeed, there is no clafs of the people, however
refined and polifhed, which may not receive fuch benefits
from a well-written Tragedy, a? fcarcely any other mode
of inftruftion can afford. He who has entered into all
the feelings of a Shakefpeare, an Otway, a Rowe, an
Addifon, may be faid to have affimilated with their fouls,
and fnatched a facred fpark, which cannot fail to kindle
fomething in himfelf refembling the etherial fire of true
genius. His nature will be improved, and a fpecies of
wifdom and elevation of fpirit, which was in vain fought
for in academic groves, may at laft be imbibed in the
Theatres. Philofophy may catch a warmth of the dra-
ma, which is capable of advancing it to nobler heights
than fhe would otherwife have attained. SocrateK, whofe
benevolence and wifdom appeared to have fomething of
divinity, was the voluntary afliftant of Euripides in the
compofition of his tragedies ; and undoubtedly was of
opinion, that he taught philofopy to inftruit the herd
of mankind in the moft effeclual manner, when he in-
troduced her to their notice in the bufkin.

Inftruftive, entertaining, animating, and ennobling,
as is the fpirit of the tragic mufe, is it not wonderful
that many can flight its efficacy, or view its fine produc-
tions on the ftage with perfect infenfibility ? Vet, he who
furveys the feats in the theatre where opulence a_nd fafhion
take their place, will find many a painted and powdered
figure of both fexes, which appears to view a Lrar, a
Shore, a Hamlet, and a Harlequin, with the fame heavy
eye; nor fhews one emotion, except it be of laughter,
while nature is moft powerfully attracting the {acred
fountain of tears, wherever it has not been clofed by
affectation, by a natural or an acquired flupidity. It
feems, indeed, to be a part of the contemptible vanity
which characterizes the age, to laugh at public fpeftacles

when

No. 123. MORAL, &c. i6j

when others are ferious, and to be ferious when others
laugh. " Who, indeed," fays the fine bred lady,
" would be fincerely affe&ed by any thing faid or done
" by the low creatures on the llage ?"

Some fpeiflators, on the other hand, lofe all the effecl:
of the piece by attending to the identical men and wo-
men who ad, rather than to the characters which they
reprefent. They alfo admire Mr. or Mrs. fuch an one's
coat, gown, cap, fhoe, leg, or hand, but forget the hero
and the heroine, the poet and the poem.

The talte for ridicule, which greatly prevails in a
mean, felfifli, debauched, and trifling age, contributes to
prevent the genuine effect of Tragedy. Great laughers
are feldom fufceptible of deep or ferious impreflions.
While the dead lie fcattered on the itage, and every
thing is prefented to the view which ought to excite
pity and terror, the joker difiipates the fweet forrow
of fympathy by the introduction of a ludicrous idea.
Ridicule indeed, feems to become a weapon in the
hands of the wicked, deftru&ive of tafte, feeling, mo-
rality, and religion.

The addition of a ludicrous epilogue, a farce, panto-
mime entertainment, and of dances between the afts,
has often been lamented as deftruftive of the effefts of
the fineft tragedy. It is true, that they who live topleafe,
muft pleafe in order to live ; and therefore the players
and their managers arc; not culpable. They mull not
only provide manly amufements for men, but childifh
diverfions for children and fchool-boys. Thefe enter-
tainments have, indeed, often tha: ingenuity and drollery
in them, which may, at a proper feafon, relax the moll
rigid philofophy. I cenfure not the things themfelves,
but the time of their introduction. After the foul has
been deeply imprefled with ferious and virtuous fenti-
ments, it is furely lamentable, that every mark fhould
be effaced by harlequins and buffoons. It mull be re-
membered, that I am fpeaking only of the moral effefts
cf the drair.a, and I believe every one will agree, that
thefe would be more fuccefsfully produced, if the enter-
tainment, as it is called by way of eminence, preceded
the Tragedy. The fpeftator would then retire to his
pillow with his fancy full of fine poetic images, and his

heart

*C6 ESSAY S, No, 124.

Sieart glowing with every elevaled idea of moral refti-
tude. But now, his feelings are fo trifled with and tan-
talized, that at Jail he grows callous to the tendered
pathos, and attends the theatre merely as a critic in
adling, inftead of an intercfted partaker in the fcenes
which pafs in review.

In times, when manly minds are neceflary to fave a
finking empire, and retard the decline of a degene-
rating people, every mode of improving the hearts of
the community at large, in the ferious and feverer vir-
tues, ought to be applied with avidity. The Theatre
opens a fine fchool for the accomplifhment of this end ;
and it would certainly contribute gicatly to accelerate
the general improvement, if there were lefs fmging,
dancing, and buffoonery, and more Tragedy. But
fome great man, by which epithet I mean, in this
place, a titled and fafhionable man, muft fet the ex-
ample of admiring it, or elfe all the mufes themfelves
might rack their inventions in compofmg the melan-
choly tale, with no other effecV than that of diffufing
fleep or fmiles throughout Pit, Box, and Gallery.

It is remarkable that, fmce this Paper was publifhed,
Tragedy has become fafhionable. I mean not to claim
the merit of producing this change ; but I cannot help
feeling a fatisfa&ion in it, as it is certainly conducive
to national reformation.

NO. CXXIV. ON "THE INFLUENCE OF POLI^-
TICS, AS A SUBJECT OF CONVERSATION^
ON THE STATE OF LITERATURE.

IT is a mark of the focial and public fpirit of this na-
tion, that there is fcarcely a member of it who does
not beftow a very confiderable portion of his time and
thoughts in ftudying its political welfare, its intereft,
and its honour. Though this general taile for politics,
from the higheft to the loweft orders of the people, has
afforded fubje&s for comic ridicule, yet I cannot help

considering

No. 124. MORA I-, fee. i6j

confidering it both as a proof of uncommon liberality,
and as one of the firmeil fupports of civil liberty. It
kindles and keeps alive an ardent love of freedom. It
has hitherto preferred that glorious gift of God from
the rude hand of tyranny, and tends, perhaps, more
than any other caufe, to communicate the noble fire of
true patriotism to the bofoms of polterity. While we
watch vigilantly over every political meafure, and com-
municate an alarm through the empire, with a fpeed
almoft equal to the Ihock of electricity, there will be no
danger left a King fhould eitablifh defpotifm, even
though he were to invade the rights of his people at the
head of his Handing army.

But as zeal without knowledge is fubveriive of the
purpofe which it means to promote ; it becomes a true
friend to his country, to endeavour to unite with the love
of liberty the love of knowledge. It unfortunately
happens, that political fubjecls are of fo warm and ani-
mating a nature, that they not only appear to intereft
in a very high degree, but to enjyofs the attention. The
newfpapers form the whole library of the politician, the
coffee-houfe is his fchool, and he prefers the Gazette,
and an acrimonious pamphlet, for or againil the mi-
niitry, to all that was ever written by a Homer, or dif-
covered by a Newton.

To be a competent judge either of political meafures
or events, it is neceffary to pofl'efs an enlightened un-
derftanding, and the liberal fpirit of philofophy ; it is
necerTary to have read hiftory, and to have formed
right ideas of the nature of man and of civil fociety.
But I know not how it happens, the molt ignorant and
paffionate are apt to be the molt decifive in delivering
their fentiments on the very complicated fubjefls of
political controverfy. A man, whofe education never
extended beyond writing and the four rules, will de-
termine at once, and with the moft authoritative air,
fuch queilions as would perplex the wifelt ftatefman
adorned with all human learning, and aflifted by the
experience and advice of the molt cultivated perfons in
the nation. Even gentlemen, according to the com-
mon acceptation of that title, or thofe who have
fortunes, and have received the common inftruftion

of

i63 ESSAY S, No. 124.

of the times, are feldom able to judge with propriety
in politics, though they are ufually inclined to dictate
with paffion. Is it poffible that, from having learnt
only the firft elements of Latin anu French, and the arts
of dancing, fencing, and fiddling, in perfection, a man
fhould be qualified, I do not fay to fit as a Senator,
but to expatiate, with fufficient judgment and intelli-
gence, on the propriety and nature of any public tranf-
action, or fyftem of government ? But he is worth an
eftate of a thoufand a year, and therefore, though all
his other merit, in kind and degree, may be like that
of a mafter of the ceremonies, or that of a fkilful groom
and whipper-in, he thinks he has a right to give law
to the neighbourhood in political converfation. His
ideas are confined to narrow li:i its ; and as his patrio-
tifm is for the moll part fpite, ib his fupport of a mi-
niflry is, in fome refpects, felf-intereft. It muft be fo ;
for a man, whofe mind is not enlarged and cultivated,
cannot entertain fo liberal a fyftem of opinions as thole
of real patriotifm.

But even, among perfons whofe minds are fufficiently
improved to diilinguifh and purfue the good of man
and of fociety, independently either of paffion or of
private advantage, the rage for politics often proceeds
too far, and abforba all other objects. In vain does
the hand of art prefent the picture or repeat the melody
of mufic ; for the eye is blind, the ear is deaf to all
but the news and the hewfpaper. Poetry, philology,
elegant and polite letters, in all their ramifications,
difplay their alluring charms in vain to him, whole
head and heart ftill vibrate v/ith the harm and dii-
cordant founds of a political difpute at the tavern.
Thofe books, whofe tendency is only to promote ele-
gant pleafures or advance fcience, which flatter no
party, and gratify no malignant paffion, are fnffcrcd
to fall into oblivion ; while a pamphlet, which efpoufes
the cauie of any political men or meafures, however
inconfiderable its literary merit, is extolled as one of
the firlt productions of modern literature. But meagre
is the food furnifhed to the mind of man by the decla>
mation of a party bigot. From a tafle for trafh, and a
difrelifh of the wholefome food of the mind, and from

the

No. 124. MORAL, Sec. 169

the confequent negleft of folid learning, mere politi-
cians are prevented from receiving valuable improve-
ment ; and the community, together with literature,
is at laft deeply injured. For when learning is little
refpefted, it will naturally decline; and that the
mental darknefs confequent on its decline, leads to the
eftablimment of defpotifm, every one who has furveyed
the pictures of mankind, as pourtrayed by the pencil of
hiftory, will immediately acknowledge. What did
Athens and Rome retain of their antient dignity when,
their learning and their arts were no more ? That the
light of learning mould ever again be extinguifhed, may
appear a vifionary idea to an Englifliman ; but fo ic
did to a Roman, in the days of Cicero. Notwithftand-
ing the multiplication of books by the art of printing,
both they, and all value for them, may vanifh, toge-
ther with the power of underftanding them, if the fury
of politics mould occafion a contempt for letters and for
education, and mould convert the leaders of a people
into Goths and Vandals.

He who would add an elegance to politics, and
diftinguim his converfation on the fubjed from the
vociferation of porters in an alehoufe, mould infpeft
the fmimed pieces of antiquity, and learn to view pub-
lic adls and counfels in the light in which they ap-
peared to thofe whom the world has long confidered
as fome of the beft and politeft teachers of political wif-
dom. If he poflefTes not tafte enough to relim the works
of poetical imagination, let him confine himfelf to
fuch authors as Thucydides and Xenophon, Polybiug
and Plutarch, Livy and Salluit. Politics will affume
new grace by communicating with hiftory and philo-
fophy ; and political converfation, inftead of a vague,
paflionate, and declamatory effufion of undigefted ideas,
will become a moft liberal exercife of the faculties, and
form a mental banquet, at which the beft and wifeft
of mankind might indulge their finer appetites with,
infatiable avidity. What can conllitute a more rational
objeft of contemplation than the noble fabric of fociety,
civilized by arts, letters, and religion ? What can bet-
ter employ our fagacity, than to devife modes for its im-
provement and prefervation ?

VOL. II. I Not

173 ESSAYS, No. 125.

Not only the underftanding, the tafte, the temper of a
people, but the fpirit alfo, will be greatly improved by
learning politics of the Greeks and Romans. No man of
feeling ever yet read Livy without learning to deteft
fiavery, and to glow with a love and emulation of public
virtue. The Greek and Roman fpirit cannot be too much
encouraged by thofe who have a juft idea of the dignity
of a true Englifhman, and defire to maintain it. And.
let it be remembered, that the Athenians, in their moil
glorious periods, were as much attached to politics and
news as Britons ever were; but that they preferved,
amidft the warmeft conteft, a refined tafte and delicate
paifion for the politeft learning, and the profoundeft
philofophy.

No. CXXV. ON BUFFOONERY IN CONVER-
SATION.

IT is fweet, fays the agreeable poet of Venufium,
to lay afide our wifdom, and to indulge, on a pro-
per occafion, a fpecies of temporary folly. He, indeed,
muft be outrageoufly fevere, who would prohibit any
pleafing mode of paffing our leifure hours, while it is
confident with innocence, and the nature of a being
eminently diftinguifhed by the fine faculties of reafon,
fancy, memory, and reflection. Charming is the
foc'.al hour when folidity of judgment is enlivened by
brilliancy of wit, and the lively fallies of imagination
by a fweet interchange of pen/ive gravity. Eafe, free-
dom, and the unftudied efFuTIon of the fentiments
which naturally arife in cultivated minds, form a very
delightful recreation ; and difmifs the mind to its
ferious empiovments with new.alacrity. Thofe among
the antients, who were moll celebrated for their wifdom,
were remarkable for a cheerful and equable gaiety, and
often diverted themfelves, in their intervals of feverer
meditation, with jefts and drollery. Who more cheer-
ful than the gentle Socrates? Who more delighted with
a joke than the dignified Cicero ? But, at the fame
7 time,

No. 125. MORAL, &c. 171

time, they were equally capable of maintaining a legiti-
mate converfation in all its gravity and elegance. The
converfations of Socrates, preserved by his eloquent
difuples, breathe a wifdom approaching to divine ;
and Cicero's book, de Orafore, is one of the noblefl
monuments of polimed urbanity, as are many of his
philofophical pieces of fpeculative wifdom.

But there prevails, at prefent, a tafle for low and
noify mirth, which totally precludes all delicacy of
fentiment, all exercife of reafon and invention, and al-
moft degrades us to the level of thofe ludicrous animals,
whom nature has rendered fo wonderfully expert in
the art of mimickry. Many perfons, who imagine them-
felves remarkably endowed with humour, and the
power of delighting whatever company they deign
to blefs with their prefence, are apt to give their
tongues a licence to wander without the reins of judg-
ment, to afteft uncommon expreffions, attitudes, gri-
maces, and modes of addrefs and behaviour; and to
imagine, that oddity is humour, eccentricity wit,
downright nonfenfe prodigioufly droll, and rudenefs
infinitely entertaining. If the company are as foolifh as
the pretended wit; or, indeed, if they are very polite
and good-natured, they feldom refufe the eafy tribute
of a laugh, either real or affecled ; and the joker, ani-
mated by his fancied encouragement, proceeds in his ex-
travagant fallies, till his afTumed folly approaches very
nearly to real idiotifm. In the mean time, as he draws
the attention of the company on himfelf, and engrofles
all the time and talk, he not only lowers himfelf, <but
prevents others from rifing ; relaxes the tone of his own
mind, and of all around, to a itate of imbecility, and at
once prevents the opportunity and the power of uttering
a fingle idea worth remembrance. Noife and laughter
are but meagre food for the mind ; and however pleafed
people may appear, they commonly retire from the
company in which thefe have formed the only entertain-
ment, with an unfatisfied and uneafy vacuily, with dif-
gull and difagreeable reflexion.

It very often happens, that thefe facetious gentlemen

rely upon more expeditious methods of becoming

frodigioujly enttrtaining than any thing which requires

I 2 utterance.

I72 ESSAYS, No. 125.

utterance. They enter a room, and fit down gravely,
with their wigs on one fide, or with the back part
of it over their forehead. They take great delight in
the practical joke ; and if they can pick your pocket
of your handkerchief, fmut your face, draw your chair
from under you, or make you a fool, as they call it,
they confider themfelves as other Yoricks, and as fel-
lows of infinite humour, endowed with peculiar talents
for fetting the table on a roar. It might, indeed, be
faid with truth, that they literally make fools of them-
felves, and appear ambitious of fupplying that order
which was once very common, but is now either a little
out of fafhion, or introduced in difguife ; I mean the
order of profefled and hireling fools, for the amufement
of the nobility. It has indeed been jocularly faid, that
many of the nobility in the prefent age, execute the
office in their own perfons to fave expence.

Now,though there were nothing criminal in buffoone-
ry, yet as it tends, when too long continued, to weaken
the faculties of the mind, to exclude all attention to any
thing ferious, and to divert converfation of its power of
affording improvement as well as pleafure, it is certainly
to be wiihed that it were, in fome meafure, reflrained.
J fay reftrained only ; for I do not know any juft reafon
why any method of innocently amufmg the mind,
during a fhort interval of iiiaftion, fhould be utterly
forbidden. Man is an animal that delights in variety;
mirth and mimickry, jeft and jollity, quips and cranks
and ivanfon wiles and laughter, holding both his fides,
are certainly no lefs allowable as the means of relax-
ation, than cards, backgammon, billiards, and the
bottle. He is wile who requires moderation in all thefe
indulgences ; but he who inveighs again ft any of them
in the grofs, and without exception, has taken a falfe
eftimate of human nature, and is not to be confidered
as a moralift, but £s a declaimer. If any one rule
will admit of univerfai application, it is that which di-
reds us to obferve the goiden mean.

I could never admire fhe wifdom of certain felf-
elefted legiflators of graceful behaviour, who feem to
forbid us to laugh, with much greater ilriftnefs than they
would have prohibited the violacion of the decalogue.

To

No. 125. MORAL, &c. 173

To be remarkable for laughing, is not only ungraceful,
but a fign of folly. But God has diftinguifhed man by
the power of rifibility, and there is no reafon why he
mould not exercife it on proper occafions ; and, perhaps,
there would be no occafion more proper, than when
a difciplined fop fhews by his behaviour, that he pre-
fers the varnifti of external grace to honour and to
honefty.

Wit, it has been faid, does not naturally excite
laughter. But this obfervation, though true in part,
is not univerfally true; for wit, united with humour,
poflefies fuch a command of the rifible mufcles, that he
mult be a ftoic, or a very ill-natured man, who is able
to refill the impulfe. I mould, indeed, have no fa-
vourable opinion of that man's heart or difpofition,
who could be prefent at a truly comic fcene without
laying afide his feverity, and making his fides with as
much glee as the ingenuous child of nature. And if
it is a weaknefs not to be able to refrain from laughter
at a ludicrous object, it is a weaknefs of all others the
moft pardonable ; and it is furely better to be weak than
malignant. But, in truth, the weaknefs confifts only
in laughing' immoderately, or frequently without an
adequate object.

Jn every convivial meeting of elegant and polifhed
company, the Mufes and the Graces mould be of the
party. rPiu1 firft honours and attention fhould be paid
to them; but let not Comus and Jocus be forbidden
to follow in their train, and under their command.
The entertainment will be thus heightened and varied,
and good fenfe and decorum derive new iuibre from
good-humour. We would, indeed, reitrain that ex-
cefiive and rude mirth which originates in levity and
folly, and becomes what is called buffoonery ; but far
be it from us to banim that fprightlincfs which naturally
refults from the gaiety of innocence. Joy, while we
are blelTed with health and eafe, and what the ftoics,
call EUROIA, or the well flowing of the llream of life,
is gratitude and obedience.

I 3 No. CXXVI.

174 ESSAYS, No. 126.

No. CXXVI. ON THE STYLE OF XENOPHON
AND PLATO.

WRITERS, who have difplayed any of that
uniform peculiarity in their ftyle which renders
it eafily imitable, however popular they may become
at their firft appearance by gratifying the paflion for
novelty, are by no means the moft perfeifl writers ; but
are to be clafled with thofe artifts of the pencil, whom
the painters diilinguiih by the appellation of Mannerifts.
Simplicity of didion, as it is one of the moft engaging
beauties, is alfo one of the moft difficult to imitate.
It exhibits no prominency of feature, but difplays one
whole, properly embellifhed with a thoufand little
graces, no one of which obtrudes itfelf in fuch a man-
ner as to deftroy the appearance of a perfect fymmetry.
In this fpecies of excellence Xenophon is confeffedly
a model. He has been called the Attic Mufe and the
Attic Bee. It has been faid, that the Mufes would
cxprefs themfelves in his language, that his ftyle is
fweeter than honey, that the Graces themfelves appear
to have aflifted in its formation ; but though all this
praife is jultly due, yet it would be difficult to point
out any one beauty which recurs fo often in the fame
form, as to characterife his compofition.

But the numerous writers who have imitated the
Rambler, or the Adventurer, are difcovered in their
affectation, before the reader has perufed a lingle page.
The very peculiar manner of thofe excellent perform-
ances has been eafily imitated by inferior writers, and
more eafily caricatured. Addifon is fimple and natural,
and, confequently, has not often been mimicked with
equal fuccefs. Indeed, the nearer we approach to
the manner of Addifon, the more agreeable is our
ftyle ; but, I believe, none ever admired the ftyle of
the Rambler, but in the hands of its original author.
The fatirical writer of Lexiphanes eafily rendered it

ridiculous ;

No. 126. MORAL, &c. 175

ridiculous *. and though, in fome of Aikm's profaic
pieces, there is a very ferious and good imitation of it,
yet we are rather difpofed to fmile than admire. Af-
feftation always borders on burlefque ; but a manner,
which derives its graces from nature, cannot be ren-
dered ridiculous. The ftyle of Xenophon, like the
philofopher whom he records, is proof againft the
fportive and malignant buffoonery of an Ariftophanes.

It is however certain, that every beauty cannot be
combined under one form. If the ftyle of Xenophon
difplays grace, eafe, and fvveetnefs ; it is deficient in
magnificence, in weight, in authority, and in dignity.
But it mould be remembered, that the Venus of Medici
is not to be cenfured, becaufe it wants the nerves and
mufcles of the Farnefian Hercules. It appears to me,
however, that though fome of the moft popular writers
of England yield to Xenophon in the fofter graces,
they greatly excel him in mafculine beauty. The
authors of the Rambler, of the Adventurer, and fome of
their imitators, will be found to poffefs a fuperiority in
this refpeft, on a fair comparifon. Indeed, if there were
more Angularities and deviations from fimplicity than are
to be found in thofe volumes, their excellent fenfe and
fine morality ought to exalt their authors to a degree of
honour, far fuperior to any which can be derived from a
fkill in compofition.

According to the opinions of the beft judges, an-
tient and modern, the greateft mafter of the beauties
of ftyle whom the world ever faw, was the divine
Plato. The antients hefitated not to aflert, in the zeal
of their admiration, that if Jupiter were to fpeak
in the language of Greece, he would infallibly ex-
prefs himfelf in the diftion of Plato. He poflefled
the art of combining feverity with grace, and fweet-
nefs with grandeur; and to him we owe a iimilar
combination, in the great orator and philofopher of
Rome, who formed his ftyle on the model of Plato ;
and has given us a refemblance fcarcely lefs exaft than
that of the bult to its mould, or of the waxen feal to the
fculptured gem.

The introductions to the dialogues of Cicero are

always peculiarly beautiful ; fo alfo are thofe of Plato.

I 4 It

176 ESSAYS, No. 126.

It is agreeable to call to mind the fweet fpot which
Plato repreients as the fcenes where the dialogues pafled,
in language no lefs delightful than the fcene itfelf.

The river Ili/Tus glided over the pebbles in a clear
fiream, but fo {hallow that you might have walked
through it without any great inconvenience. At a
i'mall diftance rofe a tall plane tree, fpreading its broad
foliage to a coaliderable diltance, and flourifhing in all
the inature luxuriance of fummer beauty. At the root
of the tree ifTued a fpring, dedicated to Achelous and
the Nymphs, and remarkable for its cool and limpid
water. The foftefl herbage grew round its little banks,
the verdure of which was rendered perpetual by the
refreshing moiflure of the fpring, as it flowed down a
gentle declivity. A fweet and cooling breeze generally
breathed along the made, and great numbers of Cicada?,
taking fhelter from the fun, reforted to the coverts,
and made an agreeable kind of natural mufic with their
little notes, which feldom ceafed. Plato adds feveral other
agreeable heightenings of the fcene, in which moral
and philofcphical beauty was to emulate the beauties of
'••nature. The language of Plato adds charms to the
whole, as variegated colours illuminate and embellifli
the plain fketches of the chalk or pencilled outline.

It is no wonder thatphilofophy, recommended by fuch
graces as thefe, was found to render her votaries en-
amoured. Virtue and public fpirit can fcarcely ever
want their admirers and followers, when they are deco-
rated in a manner which fets off their own lovelinefs.
to the greateft advantage. It is to be lamented, for the
fake of virtue, that Lord Shaftelbury was a fceptic. His
ftyle was a fine imitation of Plato, and difplays
fuch beauties, as might conceal the uglinefs of a de-
formed fyftem. Mr. Harris has alfo exhibited the
Platonic graces in high perfection ; and 1 cannot help
confidering it as a mark of defective tafle that he is not
more popular. His ftyle appears to be one of the moil
elegant, claffical, and judicioufiy ornamented among
all the Englim writers of the prefent century. They
who have raifed their tafle fo as to perceive his beauties,
will confider the ftyle of many writers, whom they once
ftdmired, as comparatively barbarous. He who never

tafted

No. 126. MORAL, &c. 177

tafted the pine-apple, the peach, and the nectarine,
bly fuppofe i"

may probably fuppofe that he enjoys the moil exquifite
flavour of the fruit garden while he is feafting on a
pippin ; as he, who never partook of the pippin, may
devour a crab, and admire it as a delicacy.

A critic of antiquity, Dionyfius the Halicarnaflian,
has difcovered many and great faults in the ftyle of
Plato. He feems to think the epithets too poetical, the
metaphors too bold, the matter too allegorical. Pom-
pey the Great difputed the point with him ; and there
is a curious letter extant on the fubjedl, from the
critic to the ftatefman. It is, indeed, obvious to re-
mark, that, though Plato would not admit Homer
into his republic, he has admitted many of his beauties
into his ftyle ; and has often written with an enthu-
fiaftic warmth, which they, who have not partaken of
the afflatus to which he fomewhere pretended, cannot
entirely approve. A cold critic, like Dionyfius, would
naturally be difgufted with it; but we cannot liften to
his cenfures of a noble genius, who fnatched graces be-
yond the reach of art ; whom Pompey approved, and
whom Tully almoft idolized. When fpecirnens of perfeft
compofition were to be pointed out, the choice has
fallen on the Georgics of Virgil, and the Menexenus of
Plato.

Both Xenophon and Plato difplay, what is more va-
luable than all verbal elegance, a fine fyftem of morality,
which long (hone forth in the world as a light unequal-
led, till the Sun of revelation arofe. If Xenophon's me-
moirs were diverted of a few fuperfl uities and a few abfur-
dities, I mould not fear to afiert, that they approach
very nearly to the Gofpel, in the exhibition of inftrudive
leflbns, and a fublime, yet encouraging example, ef all
human excellence; for, with refped to the calumnies
advanced againft Socrates, they undoubtedly origi-
nated from the father of lies. And thofe writers are to
be efteemed the enemies to human virtue and happinefs,
who employ their ingenuity in detracting from illuftrious
and eftabliihed reputation.

No. CXXVII.

17-8 ESSAYS, No. 127.

No. CXXVII. ON THE ADVANTAGES DE-
RIVABLE FROM NATIONAL ADVERSITY.

IT is very certain that national profperity, as It is
comprehended in the idea of numerous fleets and
armies, of extenfive empire, large revenues, advan-
tageous commerce, and a profufion of money in fpecie,
is a kind of good by no means neceffarily connected
with moral good, or with the fubftantial happinefs of
individuals. It makes a fplendid figure in imagina-
tion's eye ; but to reafon, it appears in a very queftion-
able fhape, and experience is able to evince, that it
has always diffufed profligacy and mifery through the
walks of private life; and, by introducing luxury, li-
centioufnefs, indolence, and corruption, has at onc«
deftroyed all that can render human nature dignified
and happy, and precipitated the decline and the downfal
of empires themfelves, while triumphing in fancied
glory.

It has been obferved, that the Bodies Politic and
Natural bear to each other a remarkable analogy.
A human form pampered, bloated, and plethoric,
will often have the appearance of ftrength, as well as
magnitude ; though no ftate of it can be lefs adapted to
facilitate the animal movements, or in greater danger
of a hafty diflblution. The body politic alfo lofes in
mufcular force, as much as it acquires of unwieldly fize,
till, by the gradual decreafe of vigour, and augmenta-
tion of weight, it totters on its bafelefs fupports, and,
at laft, lies level in the duft with Babylon and antient
Rome. Luxury, the inevitable confequence of what is
falfely called national profperity, becomes the grave
of empires, and of all that could adorn them ; or render
their longer duration a rational objeft of defire.

There is, undoubtedly, a certain degree of magni-
tude, at which, when a State is arrived, it muft, of
neceffity, undergo the alternative ; of being purged of
its peccant humours, cr falling into a nervelefs languor

aud

No. 127. MORAL, &c. 179

and confequent decline. Perhaps our own country has
already arrived at that degree, and is now, under the
operation of Divine Providence, fuffering the amputa-
tion of its morbid excrefcences for the falvation of its
health and exigence. It may lofe fome of its revenues;
but it will fave and meliorate its morals and its liberty.
Miniflers may be fhaken from their feats, penfioners
and placemen may be reduced to defpair, funds may
be annihilated, and eftates brought down to their
natural value; but freedom, but virtue, but induftry,
but the Britifh conftitution, but human nature, fhall
furvive the wreck, and emerge, like filver and gold
when tried by the fire, with new value and additional
luftre. After a ftate of political adverfity, fomething
may take place in the fociety, fimilar to the expected
renovation of all things, after the general conflagration
of the univerfe.

Diftrefs and difficulty are known to operate in private
life, as the fpurs of diligence. Powers, which would
for ever have lain dormant in the halcyon days of eafe
and plenty, have been called forth by adverfity, and have
advanced their pofleflbr to the moft enviable heights of
virtue, happineis, and glory. Man is naturally indo-
lent, and, when undifturbed, will bafk and fleep in the
funmine till the fleep of death; but, when roufed by
the blaft and the thunder, he rifes, {trains every finevv,
and marches on to enterprize. Succefs will almoft in-
fallibly attend great exertions uniformly and refolutely
continued ; fo that what began in mifery ends in
triumph, as the fun which rofe in a mill defcends
with ferenity, and paints the whole horizon with gold
and purpled

Public induflry may be excited in the fame manner,
and in the fame degree, by public misfortunes. The
nation is impoverifhed, or in other words, its fuperflui-
ties are retrenched. It is an event devoutly to be
wimed. Luxury, with ten thoufand evils in her train,
is obliged to withdraw, and the humble virtues, whom
fne had driven, by her infolenee, into exile, cheerfully
advance from their concealment. Induftry and frugality-
take the lead ; but to what a degree of vigour muft
every mufcle of the body politic be braced, when every
I 6 member

i8o ESSAY S, No. 127.

member is, in fome meafure, aftuated by induftry and
frugality. No man ever yet exerted himfelf to the ut-
moft of his ftrength ; nor is it on record, that any ftate
was ever yet fo exhaufted, but that, while it enjoyed
liberty, it might draw new refources from its own vitals.
Though the tree is lopped, yet, fo long as the root re-
mains unhurt, it will throw out a greater luxuriancy of
branches, produce fruit of better flavour, and derive
frefh vigour from the axe. If one has accidentally dif-
turbed an ant hill, or broken the fabric of the hive,
though the little animals appeared before to have ex-
erted their utmoft efforts, yet it is amazing, with what
additional diligence they apply themfelves to repair the
depredation. Not a moment is allowed for defpondency.
The earth end the air glow with motion, and the
misfortune feems immediately to add to their fpirits,
and ultimately both to their ftore and fecurity.

The beautiful defcription which Virgil has given
us of the bufy fcene in which the Tyrians are engaged in
building Carthage, reprefents, in a moft lively manner,
the. alacrity with which human creatures are found to
exert themfelves, when inftigated by the ftimulus of
neceffity. An emulation cf labour feizes every bofom.
No murmuring, no complainings in the ftreet, but
every one feels himfelf happy, in proportion as he renders
himielf ufeful. Men's abilities rile with the occafion j
and political evil, like other evil, under the conduct of
a merciful deity, has produced extenfive good, by
calling forth fome of the ncbleft exertions, and moflr
perfed characters which have adorned the records cf
human nature.

There is one beneficial effect of national adverfity, of
greater importance than any which J have enumerated.
It fubdues the haughty foul elevated with riches, and
inebriated with excefs, and turns the attention to the
King of kings, the Lord of lords, the only Ruler of
princes, who, from His throne, beholds all nations, and
bids the fceptre to depart from the wicked to the
righteous. It teaches us to rely lefs upon our German,
auxiliaries, our mufquets, our mortars, our cannon, our
copper-bottomed men of war, our generals, and our
admirals, than on the Lord of Hofts.

1 Whea

No. 128. . MO R A L, &c. ts»

When he fights for us we fhall conquer. Without
him, we fhall in vain put our truft in a Burgoyne, a
Keppel, or a Cornwallis ; but " the ball of empire
" fhall continue to roll on weftward as it has ever yet
" done, till it flops in America, a world unknown to
" the antients, and which may fave the tears of fome
" future Alexander."

If Providence fhall have decreed the downfal of
Britifh fupremacy, happy fhould I be to have fuggefled
one idea which may ftimulate the exertions of my
countrymen, once more to raife the noble column on
the bafis of liberty and virtue ; or which may confole
them on its ruins, and teach them, while they fit by
the waters of bitternefs, and hang their harps on the
willow, to think of Him who can make rivers of com-
fort to flow in the dreary defert.

No. CXXVIJI. ON SOME OF THE FALSE PRE-
TENSIONS AND IMPOSITIONS OF THE ART-
FUL AND AVARICIOUS.

NOTWITHSTANDING the pretenfions of
religion, philofophy, and education, the greater
part of mankind appears to be retrained in their aftual
conduct by few efficient principles, but thofe which are
dictated by a regard to intereft. To the love of gain,
and the weaknefs or want of principles, it mufl be
imputed, that every occupation and department of life
abounds wilh impofture. A mafque is eafily put on.
Appearances are, indeed, far more eafily affumed than
realities ; and they are often more fu-ccefsful and more
plaufible ; for the edifice of him, who employs all his
time and attention in gilding, painting, and carving the
front, will much iboner attraft the notice and applaufe
of the paffenger, than that of him who has been feli-
citous only in fecuring the ftrength of the beam, and
the mafTy firmnefs of a deep foundation.

So

i8z ESSAYS, No. 128.

So powerful are the inftigations of avarice, and fo
eafy is it to deceive the young, the fimple, the innocent,
and unfufpefting, that the intercourfe among mankind
would have been one uniform commerce of deceit, if it
had not fortunately happened, that the fame want of
principle and fuperfluity of felfifhnefs, which led the
deceivers to impofe upon mankind, induced them alfo
to betray the arts of each other. Rival cheats, in the
fury of jealous competition, have difcovered the fecrets
of the juggling art, and opened the eyes of the deluded
obfervers.

But, as there is always a rifing generation unac-
quainted with the fnares of the deceitful, nets and traps
are ftill laid wherever there is a probability of prey.
It "becomes thofe then, who have feen many of the arts
of life, to let others profit by their experience, and pre-
vent the generous game from falling into the hands of
the mercenary poacher.

It may be prefcribed as a rule which will not often
foil in the application, that where extraordinary pre-
tcnfions are made, either in the manual arts, the trades,
or the profeffions, there is juft ground for caution and
fufpicion. Solid merit, and real excellence of every
kind, ufually confide in their own power of recommend-
ing themfelves, while ignorance, and fuperficial flcill,
naturally endeavour to enfnare by cunning, what they
cannot earn by defert. There is a delicacy and fpirit
attendant on real worth and ingenuity, which had ra-
ther be without fuccefs, than attain it by artifice and
arrogant pretenfion.

The prudent and experienced are generally on their
guard againft thofe numerous adventurers, who rely
for fuccefs on advertifements in the public papers. Jf
there is any difference between the mercer, haberdafher,
or wine-merchant, who advertifes his goods, and him
who does not, it is, that the ad.vertifer fells, at a dearer
price, a worfe commodity. His (hop is a kind of trap,
the bait is pretended cheapnefs ; and many a young bird
is caught with the chaff of a bargain. A wife man will
take care not to lay out his money when things are to
be fold at prime coft, and under prir^e reft, and twenty

No. 128. MORAL, Sec. 183

fer cent, cheaper than the reft of the trade. Beware
of thofe generous fpirics, who fell their property, or
their induftry, pro publico bono ; beware, as you value
your health and your life, of thofe who will cure you
of all difeafes with a five fhilling pill box ; beware of
being poifoned by the vintner, who promifes you neat
as imported ; whieh words being interpreted, fignify
a liquor in which not a drop of grape juice, or foreign
fpirits, is to be found. Beware of your purfe and your
credulity, when you are offered to be taught more
of the languages and fciences by a new method, in fix
months, fix weeks, or fix hours, than thofe who prefide
over fchools can teach in fix or fixteen years. Beware
of a thoufand artful tricks which are difplayed in the
newfpapers, and which the deceitful heart of man
contrives, as the fpider weaves his web, to catch thofe
who are unfufpe&ing, becaufe they are innocent. The
true meaning of all pompous pretences, and inviting
advertifements is, that their authors being diitreffed,
and, probably, deflitute both of character, friends, and
merit, find an eafy mode of fupplying the defedl, by
digging pitfalls for the unwary, with whom the world
muft always abound, at the expence of a few Ihiliings for
every fnare. Such, indeed, is the credulity of mankind,
that many a quack and pretender has poflefled an eflate
in the corner of a newfpaper, equal to large freeholds
of dirty acres.

There are few departments in which more inftances of
deception occur, than in the lower walks of literature. It
happens, that they who are to be mechanically inftrumen-
tal in difleminating fcience and philofophy, and all the
productions of human wit, conftitute a very numerous
body, confifting of many members in extreme indigence,
from the author, by trade, down to the bookbinder
and the devil. Employment muft be provided for them
all, or both they and their families muft want bread.
The prefs muft, therefore, be conftantly in motion ;
but what is to fupply it? A very few preffes would be
fufficient to prepare for the public view all productions
really new and necellary. Compilations are formed
under a thoufand Ihapes and difguifes; and men of

ftraw,

184 ESSAYS, No. 12?.

ftraw, adorned with Doflors Degrees, and the dignity
of Fellows of the Royal Society, are created by the
jfiat of the adventurous publisher, and ftand forth as the
renowned authors, in all the dignity of a title page.
From thefe powerful men in buckram iffue grand and
Imperial Bibles, new Syftems of Geography, Hirtories
of England, and Collections of Voyages, with a per-
miffion to read the firft number, and return it if not
approved, and a promifibry note, generoufly engaging
that all numbers, exceeding a certain amount, mail be
given gratis. But if any deceit can be excufed, per-
haps it is fuch an one as this, which feeds the hungry,
clothes the nakeJ, and communicates much entertain-
ing and ufeful knowledge among the poor.

There are thole who call far lefs honelt arts than thefe,
innocent frauds ; but it is well remarked by a very found
moralift, that no frauds are innocent ; becaufe they
deftroy the confidence of fociety, on which our happi-
nefs and convenience in every part of our intercourfe with
each other, greatly depend. I will venture to add, that
he who will cheat without remorfe in one thing, will
cheat in another whenever he can do it with equal fe-
crecy and impunity. Though tricks in trade, or the
deceitful myfteries of a profeffion, may enable a man to
raife a capital houfe of bufinefs, to be in a great way,
or to become a good man, as the rh rales are in the
city, yet tlu-y can never be compatible with common,
honefty, nor render him more truly refpeftable, than
the humbler adventurer who adually invades your
purfe, or rifles your pocket.

No. CXXIX.

No. 129. MORAL, &c. 18$

No. CXXIX. ON THE PREVAILING TASTE
IN POETRY.

SWEET poefy ! thou lovelieft objeft of intelleftual
purfuit. But I am running into raptures,

when I intended only a cool di/Tertation. It is, indeed,
difficult not to be tranfported beyond the limits of
criticifm, in contemplating the beauties which the
magic hand of the poet raifes around, with all the-
creative power of a real enchantment. From the cares
of gain, the toils of ambition, the noife, the hurry, the
vexation of a difordered world, we rife on the wings
of poefy to ethereal regions, where all is fublime and
tranquil ; or are wafted to vifionary fcenes, in which
are difplayed all the delicious fweets of a paradife and
an elyfium. Away, ye fordid objefls ; ye pollutions
and incumbrances of the pure fpirit ! Man is not tied
down to you. Providence, in companion to wretched
mortals, has given them a power of forfaking this low
orb, and foaring awhile, all mind, all fpirit, all ex-
tacy, in the car of the fwan, on the wings of the
eagle.-

Reafon alone, with all her pretenfions, is feldomt
fufficient to footh our cares, and compofe our paf-
fions ; but melody and fancy united with her, are capa-
ble of pouring balm into the wounded heart. In all
nations, and in all ranks of the people, fope fpecies of
poetry has been cultivated ; and a talte for it was
undoubtedly implanted in our nature, that the fore
evils of reality might often be alleviated by the fweets
of fiction. When Pandora's box was opened on man-
kind, and mifery diffufed on every fide, fancy, as well
as hope, kindly lingered for our confolation.

While we are tracing the love of fong from the
favoured ifles of the Southern Ocean to the regions of
Iceland, we are naturally tempted to dwell, with par-
ticular attention, on the poetical talte of our own
country, and our own times.

I think;

186 ESSAYS, No. 129.

I think it is not difficult to perceive, that the ad-
mirers of Englifh poetry are divided into two parties.
The obje&s of their love are, perhaps, of equal beauty,
though they greatly differ in their air, their drefs, the
turn of their features, and their complexion. On one
fide are the lovers and imitators of Spenfer and
Milton ; and on the other, thofe of Dryden, Boileau,
and Pope.

Now it happens, unfortunately, that thofe who are
in love with one of thefe forms are, fometimes, fo blind
to the charms of the other, as to difpute their exiftence.
The author of the efiay on Pope, who is himfelf a
very agreeable poet, and of what I call the old fchool
of Englifh poetry, feems to deny the juftice of Mr.
Pope's claim to the title of a true poet, and to appro-
priate to him the fubordinate character of a fatirical
verfifier. On the other hand, the authors of the Tra-
veller, and of the Lives of the Englifh Poets, hefitate
not to ftrip the laurels from the brow of the Lyric
Gray.

Goldfmith, in his Life of Parnell, has invidioufly
compared the Night Piece on Death to Gray's Elegy ;
and in a manner, which betrays a little jealoufy of a
living poet's fame, given the preference to Parnell.
There is alfo a little cenfure thrown on the elegy, in
a collection which Goldfmith publifhed under the title
of the Beauties of Englim Poetry. 1 remember to have
heard Goldfmith converfe, when I was very young, on
feveral fubjecls of literature, and make fome oblique
and fevere reflections on the fafhionablc poetry. I be-
came a convert to his opinion, becaufe I revered his
authority. I took up the odes of Gray with unfavour-
able prepoffeflions, and in writing my remarks on them,
joined in the cenfure. I have fince read them with great
delight, and on comparing their ftyle, and even their
obfcurity, with many of the fineft pieces of Lyric com-
pofition in all antiquity, I find a very great refemblance.
I am not afliamed to retracl my former opinion, and to
pay the tribute of applaufe to thofe elegant friends, Gray
and Mafon. At the fame time, while it is eafy to
difcern that they differ greatly from the fchool of
Dryden and Pope, it is no derogation from their merit

to

No. 129. MORAL, &c. 187

to affert, that they are the genuine difciples of Spenfer
and Milton. Such alfo are the very elegant and
learned brothers, one of whom prendes, with fo much
honour, over the fchool at Winchefter, and the other
has written an elegant and elaborate hiftory of that
Englifh poetry in which himfelf excels.

Goldfmith's Traveller is certainly a beautiful poem,
and fo are Dr. Johnfon's Imitations of Juvenal; but
they, and a thoufand others of the fame fpeeies, are of
a different (lamp from the Englifh antique. They are
excellent productions in one kind, but not lefs fo are
thofe of Gray and Mafon in another. Let both fchools
flourifh and receive their due applaufe, nor let thofe who
have only acquired a tafte for one, treat the other with
contempt. Spenfer and Milton drew not from a Go-
thic model, but from the polifhed Italians, who, though
they had loft fome of the purity and fimplicity of
ancient Rome, yet retained much of her elegance.
I cannot help thinking that his poetical ideas are con-
fined, who has not obferved with delight, the fweet
lines, the fweet language, the fweet fancy of Spenfer;
and who has not been alfo charmed with the fmaller
pieces of Milton. All tafles, however various, allow
Shakefpeare's claim to poetry ; but it cannot be denied,
tkat fome of his beft defcriptions, and efpecially thofe
delicious morfels which occur in the form of fongs or
fonnets, partake much more of the antient than of the
modern fchool, either Englifh or French ; for we may
call it Englifh, if we attribute its origin to Pope, and
French, if to Boileau.

There feems to be an unreafonable prejudice enter-
tained againft blank verfe, by thofe who wifli to dictate
on the fubjedls of criticifm. It is fufficient, in the idea of
many, to condemn a poem, that it is written in blank
verfe. Though one may prefer rhyme upon the whole ;
yet, as blank verfe is fufceptible of great variety of
mufic, and of every ornament of di&ion, it is furely
abfurd to involve it in any general cenfure. It may,
however, be attributed to this idle prepofleffion, that
Mr. Mafon's Englifh Garden feems to be neglefted.
There is, indeed, a general prejudice againft all works
which appear to come from that fchool, and the very

fevere

180 ESSAYS, No. 129.

fevere criticifms of the late biographical preface to the
works of Gray, will, perhaps, contribute to explode
a moft delightful ftyle of pure poetry ; of poetry, con-
verfant folely in the regions of fancy, and clothed in
a luminous and mufical diftion appropriated to itfelf,
and mod remote from all that is profaic. Very high
commendations are due to Mr. Anftey, to the author of
a poetical epiftle to Sir William Chambers, to Mr.
Hayley, and to feveral others who are well known to
fame for their fuccefsful labours in the fchool of Pope ;
but, at leait, an equal mare of praife ought to be paid
to the fchoiars of Milton and Spenfer ; — Such as Mr.
Mafon, and the two poetical brothers. With refpeft
to Gray, he has received his tribute of applaufe from
a difcerning public, and has certainly deferved it.
The heart and the imagination have given it him ; and
they who can fee no beauty in his verfe, may probably
fucceed in writing a lampoon ; but would probably fall
far mort of the poet whom they cenfure, in lyric and
elegiac poetry.

None can entertain a higher veneration for our late
Prefatory Biographer of the poets than myfelf, and I
was therefore greatly concerned to fee him expofed
to cenfure by an nncandid, not to fay injudicious, piece
of cricicifm on the poems of Gray. He indeed allows
the merit of the elegy, but examines and cenfures
the odes with every appearance of wanton malignity.
Who but muft lament that the folid critic and moralift
fhould have been fo much under the influence of envy
and jealoufy, as to treat the fame of his cotemporary,
the iliuftrious Gray, with fingular harfhnefs, in a work
which contains very candid accounts of a Sprat and a
Yalden, a Duke and a Broome, and of others, with
whom, if Gray is compared, he will appear, as Shakef-
peare fays, like Hyperion to a Satyr.

The late collection of poets has reitored to temporary
life many a fickly and dying poet, who was haftening to
his proper place, the tomb of oblivion. Why was any
more paper wafted on Dorfet, Halifax, Stepney, Walfli,
and Blackmore ? How can a work pretend to the coin-
prehenfive title of the Body of Englifh Poetry, in which
the works of Spenfer and Shakefpeare are omitted to

make

No. 130. MORAL, &c. 189

make room for fuch writers as King or Ambrofe Philips ?
The writer of the prefaces is, indeed, fufficiently will-
ing to throw the blame from himfelf on the com-
pilers, whom he was not permitted, or did not endea-
vour to controul. A feledlion, formed under the di-
reclion of true taite, would have anfwered the two great
ends of the publication which it has now fruftrated ; it
would have amply paid the bookfellers, and reflected ho-
nour on Engliih literature. Then mould we have feen,
in the place of Rofcommon and Rochefter, Pomfret and
Fenton, the works of Goldfmith, of Glover, of Mafon,
of Aikin, of Carter, of Beattie, of the Wartons, of An-
ftey, and of many others, who would fhine among the
Hughes's, Pitts, and Savages, like the moon among the
diminifhed conftellations.

Upon the many and excellent living writers of poetry
\ve may obferve, that though the diftrefsful times of war
and political animofity are unfavourable to the gentle
arts of verfe; yet the adive and poliflied genius of this
nation feems capable of furmounting all obftacles in let-
ters, as its manly fpirit has ultimately borne all before
it in the unhappy conterts of war.

NO. CXXX. ON THE PECULIAR DANGER OF
FALLING INTO INDOLENCE IN A LITERARY
AND RETIRED LIFE.

IT is certain, that as our anceflcrs were induced to
found colleges by religious motives, fo they chiefly
intended them to anfwer the purpofes of religion.
Thofe pious benefactors to mankind did not mean to
eftabliflj feminaries to prepare men for the world, but to
teach them to defpife it. But more enlightened periods
than thofe in which thefe worthies lived, have difco-
vered, that man beft obeys his Maker when he takes an
adive part in the duties of fociety.

A long refidence in a college is, perhaps, fcarcely
lefs unfavourable to devotion than to focial activity.
For devotion depends chiefly on lively affections, exer-
cifed and agitated by the viciffitudes of hope and fear

190 ESSAYS, No. 130.

in the various tranfa&ions and events of human inter-
courfe. He, who is almoft placed beyond the reach of
fortune in the fhelter of a cloyfter, may, indeed, be led
by the ftatutes of the Inftitution to attend his chapel,
and doze over his cufhion, but he will not feel, in
any peculiar manner, the impulfe of devotional fervour.
The man who is engaged in the bufy and honourable
duties of aftive life, flies from the world to the altar
for comfort and refreshment ; but the cloiftered reclufe,
pants, while he is kneeling in all the formalities of
religion, for the pleafures and employments of that
world from which he is fecluded. During feveral cen-
turies, a great part of mankind was confined in monaf-
teries, folely for the advancement of religion and learn-
ing ; yet never was the earth more benighted than in
thofe periods, by bigotry and ignorance. Nor will any
one affert, that in fubfequent times, and in modern
univerfities, the improvements in knowledge and re-
ligion have been, in any degree, proportioned to the
numbers of thofe who have been feparated from the
world to facilitate their cultivation. The truth feems
to be, that when the common incentives to induftry are
removed, and all the natural wants fupplied without
the neceffity of exertion, man degenerates, as the pure
waters of the river ftagnate and become putrid in the
pool. At laft, the boalHng poffeflbr of reafon contents
himfelf with dreaming " the blank of life along," with
no other proofs of exiltence than the wants of the animal
nature. Take away love, ambition, the changes and
chances of this mortal life, and man will be contented
to eat, drink, fleep, and die.

Nor in colleges alone, though they may be confidered
as the temples of indolence, but in common life alfo,
the human mind becomes torpid, as the neceffity of
exertion is diminifhed. He who, confiding in the pof-
feflion of a fortune for his happinefs, avoids the avoca-
t'ons of a profeflion, and what he calls the fatiguing parts
of ftudy, will foon lofe thofe powers of mental activity
which he has not refolution to employ. If he does not
gradually degenerate to a level with the irrational
creation, he will not long be diftant from the vegetable.
When the habits are irretrievably confirmed, it might

. perhaps

No. 130. MORA L, &c. ion

perhaps be happy, if his nature would permit him to
become at lalt impaflive and quiefcent ; but as fponta-
neous fermentation takes place in mattes of putrefa&ion,
fo, in the mind which has ceafed to be exercifed by its
own effbr s, emotions and habits will voluntarily arife
both offenfive and dangerous. Pride and envy, con-
ceit and obflinacy, felfiihnefs and fenfuality, are among
the ugly daughters of indolence.

It may appear paradoxical, but it is certainly an opi-
nion authori/.ed by experience, that an aftive life is
the molt friendly to contemplation. The fire of the
mind, like culinary fire, has burned with a clear and
conftant flame, when opened and ventilated by perpe-
tual motion, as it has been fmothered and extinguished
in fmoke, when fuffered to remain long without dillurb-
ance. The bell, and many of the moll voluminous
writers, acled ftill more than they wrote. What could
be more unlike the life of the cloiller than the lives
of Xenophon, Julius Csefar, Erafmus, and a thoufand
others, whofe days were fo engaged in negotiation, in
fenates, in battles, in travelling, that it is not eafy to
conceive how they could find time even to write fo great
a quantity as they certainly compofed ? But fuch are
the eftedls of affiduity, of an uninterrupted accumula-
tion of efforts, that he who has been excited to reillefs
activity by the fpurs of honour, interefl, and a gene-
rofity of nature, has frequently accompliflied more by
himfelf, than a thoufand of his fellow-creatures employ-
ed in the fame fphere, and furnimed, by nature, with
equal abilities for improvement. A hackney writer of
catch-penny compilations, the printer of a newfpaper,
the maker of a magazine, though engaged in a multi-
plicity of daily and various avocations, will perform,
in a few months, a portion of literary labour, which
fhall infinitely exceed that of whole colleges, of thofe
who {lumber, or waile their acHvity on hounds and
hories on the borders of the muddy Cam, and the flow-
ly winding Charwell.

But it avails little to point out the diforders of lite-
rary indolence, without endeavouring to fuggeft a re-
medy. It appears then to me, that thofe whom Pro-
vidence has blefled with leifure, and the opportunity

of

ipz ESSAYS, No. 130.

of fpending it in the purfuits of learning, and the
liberal pleafures of retirement, too often languilh in
their purfuits, from negledling to render them the
fubjefts of debate and converfation. It is the warmth of
difcuffion in free and focial meetings which invigo-
rates folitary ftudy, and fends the fcholar back to
his books with frefh alacrity. The hope of making a
figure in a fubfequent meeting, the fear of a fhame-
ful expofure, and of appearing inferior to thofe
who are, in a natural and civil view, our equals,
will ftimulate all our powers, and engage all our atten-
tion, while we fit in thofe very libraries, where we once
nodded and {lumbered over the page even of a Homer.
Meetings mould be eitablifhed in all literary focieties
for the communication of remarks, and the rehearfal
of compofitions. But the ftrifteft rules mould be pre-
fcribed and obferved for the prefervation of decorum ;
or elfe a majority of Mafters of Arts would vote away
the books, the pens and the ink, and all the moral,
philofophical, and tafteful difcourfes, in order to in-
troduce pipes and tobacco, Joe Miller, and the punch
bowl.

It is right alfo, that contemplative men, however far
removed from the neceffity of employment by the
liberality of fortune, mould communicate with man-
kind, not only in pleafures and amufements, but in real
duties and active virtues, either conjugal, paternal,
profeflional, official, or charitable. Something mould
be engaged in, with fuch obligations to performance,
that an inclination to negleft mould be over-ruled by
legal compuliion, or the fear of certain lofs and fhame.
The beft method of avoiding the wretched ftate of not
knowing what to do, is, to involve one's felf in fuch
circumftances as mall force one to do fomething. The
natural indolence of the human heart is found to efcape
every reflraint but the iron arm of neceffity. Such is
our prefent condition, that we muft be often chained
down to our real happinefs and our beft enjoyments.

With refpedt to the prevention of indolence in an
academical life, it would certainly be a happy circum-
ftance, if none were allowed to refide in an univerfity
above feven years, who were not actually engaged in the

compofitiott

O R A L,

compofition of a learned work, or in fuperintending the
education of youth as Tutors, Profeflbrs, and Heads
of" Colleges. A Senior Fellow, without thefe employ-
ments, is one of the unhappieli and leaft ufeful members
cf the community.

NO. CXXXI. ON THE MANNERS OF A
METROPOLIS,

WHATEVER may be the political advantages
of a very populous capital, and I believe they
are of a very difputable nature, the moral and phyfical
evils of it are evidently numerous, and deftruclive of the
human race. This obfervation is, indeed, true of all
cities, in which too great a proportion of the people is
aflembled ; but I fhall confine my prefent obfervations
to the capital of the Britiih empire.

The junction of Weitminfler with London, or of the
Court with the City, is very juftiy fuppofed to have a
pernicious influence on both; on thofe who are engaged
in the employments of commerce, and on thofe who are
invited, from their paternal manfions, by the court and
the fenatc-houfe. The Courtier communicates to the
Citizen a love cf pleafure, of diflipation, of vanity; and
the Citizen to the Courtier, an idolatrous veneratioa
of opulence. The Courtier introduces the viciffitude*
of taile and falhion ; the Citizen imitates them, and
furnimes, in 'profufion, the means of their difplay and
gratification. Thus are luxury, and all its confequent
vices and miTeries, advanced to as high a degree as they
can rc-ach, by the union of ingenuity to invent modes
cf indulgence, with wealth toYupply the materials.

Lovers of pleafure in excefs, are always lovers of
themfelves in the fame degree; and their love, with
.ill the characteriftical blindnefs of the paflion, .commonly
injures its objecl.. We mail therefore find felfimnefs
prevailing in the metropolis, and producing all its
natural effects of avarice, private gratifications, mean-
nefs, fervility, and inhofpitality. True patriotifm and

VOL. II. K public

194 ESSAYS, No. 131.

public fpirit, though the very want of them will often
caufe the greatell pretenfions to them, will feldom be
found in the more numerous clafles who inhabit the
capital. Where money and pleafure are the fole objects
of ardent purfuit, public virtue, and indeed all virtue,
will be expofed to fale, whenever a purchafer can be
found to pay the price. " Money, O ye Citizens !"
fays Horace, in a ftyle of fatirical irony, '« is firft to
" be fought ; and it is time enough to think of virtue,
*' when you have fecured a fortune."

The inhabitants of a great city will often be inho-
fpitable and unneighbourly. Their attention is fixed
on advancing and gratifying themfelves, and they con-
iider their neighbours as rivals, or at lealt as not worth
cultivating, fince they can always buy amufement ac
the numerous places of public refort and diverfion.
But in the country, mutual good offices take place,
from a mutual defire and neceflity of a friendly inter-
courfe. The Londoner hardly knows the name of his
next door neighbour ; and. in accidents and diitrefs,
would as foon think of lending to Rome, as to him for
comfort and afnftance. But in any emergency in a
village, every hand is ready to afford relief. Biofpita-
lity to Grangers ftill linger:, in the diftant country, but
has long been banifhed from that region of avarice and
felfifh profufion, an overgrown city. Pay a vifit in Suflex,
in Devonshire, in Cornwall, in Wales, in the North,
and compare your reception among rtrangers with that
\vhichyoumeetwithin London andWeftniinller. Luxury,
avarice, and vice, have, indeed, a natural tendency to
annihilate every generous principle, and to harden the
heart againil all connections, which do not prorrife to
terminate in fenfual pleafure, or in'lucrative advantage.

The fecrefy with which crimes can be committed in
a croivd, is a powerful temptation. The Londoner may
be involved in debauchery, and engaged in fraud, with-
out being fufpefted at home, or in his neighbourhood.
In thecountry, the fear of fharr.e, and a principle of [ride,
ofien operate, when virtue, honour, and confcience,
would ceafe to reltrnin ; for no one can there be guilty
of an action' remarkably difnoneft or immoral without
detection. A gentleman who Ihould devote himfelf

ta

No. 131. MORAL, &c. 195

to the arts of the Avindler, or the pra&ices of the
profligate debauchee, in a village or country town,
would foon be compelled, by the hifTes of infamy, to de-
fert the place, or to live there in folitude. But in a city,
even men adorned with the robes of magiftracy may pro-
ceed, with little notice, in the mofl fcandalous conducl.

Weaknefs of body and weaknefs of underftanding are
often found to characterize the inhabitant of the capital.
Luxury, want of air, wantoffleep, excefs in food, and
in fenfual indulgence, have a natural tendency to debi-
litate. And if there were not continual fupplies from
the North, I know not whether the city would not
exhibit the human race in a moft lamentable condition
of imbecility, folly, diftortion, and deformity. Com-
pare the limbs of the volunteer foldiers in the metro-
polis with thofe of the ruftic militia, or regulars; com-
pare the conduct and underftanding of him who was
born within the found of Bow bell, with thofe of the
hardy native of Yorkfhire or Scotland.

The extremes of irreligion and enthufiafm mark tha
manners of the capital. Thefe, indeed, are the natural
confequences of fome among the many bad difpofitions
already enumerated. Sunday is confidered by the thrifty
trader as a holiday, on which he may indulge without
imprudence. It is therefore diftinguiflied by many from
the reft of the week, folely by excefs, and by vicious
indulgences. The parifh churches are neglefted ; nor
is there a great concourfe to any place of worfhip,
except where fome enthufiait or hypocrite has opened 3
receptacle for thofe who labour under the fymptoms of
idiotifm or infinity. The fymptoms are often con-
iirmed under 'th:s injudicious courfe, till they arrive at
a degree of real and molt melancholy madnefs.

I have pointed out fome peculiar evils in the manners
of the metropolis with two intentions. One is, to
prevent, in fome degree, the prevailing practice of
emigrating from the country, from the feats of health,
and comparative innocence, to that fink of fin, and that
grave of the human race, a city too crowded with
people, and over-run with every abomination. The other
is, to fuggeft a hint which may alleviate that part of the
evil which admits a remedy. The love of money, of
K 2 diftindion,

1.9.6 fi. S S. A Y S, No. i jr.

diftinftion, of pleafure, will probably fruftrate the
former purpofe ; but the latter, in a day of national
diflrefs, or under other circumftances favourable to vir-
tue, may poffibly be accomplifhed.

To promote a reformation of manners, additional
authority and efficiency muft be given to the clergy
and magiftrates of London. Both of them are at this
time looked upon by the vulgar, both high and low,
with fovereign contempt. The churches are left to
curates, or poor incumbents, who, in a place where
riches are idolized, hold a rank fcarcely equal to the
keeper of an alehoufe or an oil fhop. The juilices of
Middlefex have long been the Handing objedls of hatred
.and derifion. Are the London clergy, who labour
ftrenuoufly in their vocation, and on whom fo much of
the flate of morals and chriftianity depends, particularly
countenanced by the miniftry or the bifhops ? It is
parliamentary interefl which procures mitres, and flails.,
and livings; and though a city curate, or incumbent,
fhould convert millions from the error of their ways, he
would ftill be fuffered to elbow his way along Cheap-
fide in his thread-bare coat and tattered gown ; pointed
out and laughed at by every apprentice. The common
people will not difcriminate. They will defpife religion
and morals when they fee the teachers of them poor,
mean, and negleded.

Is it not a difgrace to the Defenders of the Faith, &c.
that a .London clergyman, who has promoted every
charity, and probably reformed great numbers, during
thirty or forty years, mail be fuffered to live and die
with nothing but a curacy and a beggarly le&urefhip ?
and that, in the mean time, he who is related to
a Lord, or connected with Members of Parliament,
though he never preached, and can hardly read, fhall
be loaded with dignities and pluralities ? He who would
reform the capital, I repeat, mult render the clergy re-
fpedlable in the eyes of the vulgar, and the magiltrate*
formidable*

NO. cxxxir.

No. 132. MORAL, &c. 197

No. CXXXII. ON PHILELPHUS AND THEO-
DORE GAZA, POLITE SCHOLARS OF THE
FIFTEENTH CENTURY.

/"TpHOUGH the admirer of elegant letters will
jt find his fweeteft, moil folid, and moftconrtant plea-
fures of the learned kind, in the writings of the Au-
-e ; y'-t he wii; often feel his curiofity powerfully
excite-J, and amply rewarded, by thofe among the
revivers of learning who are diitinguifhed by the polite-
nefs of their literary accomplifliments. I was lately
amufmg myfelf in this pleafant walk of clafiic.il litera-
ture, when I accidentally met with the Epiftlcs of
Philelphus. Though, they are not without a few ex-
preffions which mark the barbaiifm of his times, they
poflefs a confiderable -fiiare of elegance, and partake
much of the graces which mine fo agreeably in the
epiftles of Pliny and Cicero.

Philelphus was born at Tolentino, in Italy, in the
year 1398; a very early period for fo uncommon an
ihflance of proficiency. He died at Florence in 1480,
after having filled a long life with the moft laborious
application. Let it be remembered, that printing was
unknown at that time, and that not only the books
which were compofed, but which were alfo read, were
often painfully tranfcribed by the ftudent.

Philelphus was no inconfiderable poet, but was
crowned with laurel, according to the fafhion of the
times, by Alphonfo king of Naples. He wrote five
different works in verfe, and, according to his own
account in one of his letters, they confided of ten books-
of fatires, five books of miscellaneous poems, the
Sfortiad in eight books, ten books of epigrams, and
three bocks of Greek poems. The number of verfes in
the whole, as calculated by himfelf, amounted to
thirty-three thoufand eight hundred. He Ins omitted,
in this computation, his Nicholaus, a poem in two
books, and in fapphic verfe, which he compofed in
K 3 honour

798 E S S A Y S, No. 13?.

honour of Pope Nicholas the Fifth, by whom he was
greatly efieemed, and who had invited him, by a
large prefenf, to undertake the transition of Homer
into Latin. He was fcarcely lefs voluminous in profe,
but lefs original, as his prcfaic works confirt chiefly of
^inflations from Lyfjas, Ariftotle, Xer.ophcn, Hippo-
crates, and Plutarch ; though he has aifo written
two books of Convivia, three entitled Coinmentationes
}-;:orentins% fi\e en Moral Difcipline, and the Life and
Exploits of Francis Sfortia, in compliment to whom
the Sfortiad, which has been mentioned already, was
compofed. -There are alfo Orationes, of which Eraf-
jr.us fpeaks rather anfavourably in this Ciceronianus.

But the only work of Philelphus which I have had
r;n opportunity of infpecling, is the EpiiUes, of which
this prolific author, in the courfe of a long life, has
\vritten no fewer than thirty-feven books. Thefe
abound with eloquence, and with fuch literary anec-
dotes and particulars, as cannot but afford amufement
to the curious fcholar. Though Morhoff rather flights
them, yet Erafmus, a much better judge, acknowledges
that they refemble Cicero.

I prefent there.ider with an extraft from one of them*
felecled for no other reafon than that I happen to be
reading it at the time I am writing, and that it cha-
rafterizes the fpirit of the author, and the great
attachment which he bore to books. Cardinal Beflario,
the patriarch of Conftantinople, had applied to him,,
defiring him to fell his copy of Homer's Iliad ; to
\vhich requeft Philelphus thus replies, " That copy
•' of Homer's Iliad which the very learned Theodore
" Gaza has written out for me, I value fo much, that
44 I would not part with it to any man, for all the vafl
" and wonderful treafures of Crrefus. I am really
" furprized that you fhould think that T, who always
«' had the character of generofity, fhould be fo much
" changed as to be capable of avarice. I have learned
" to give away many things, but to fell nothing; par-
** ticularly books ; than which I efteem nothing of
" greater value. But this book of Homer is fo dear
" to my heart, and affords me fo much pleafure, that
" life itfelf can furnilh nothing more delightful. There-

" fo;e

No. 132. MORAL, &c. 199

" fore pardon me in this one thing. If I can gratify
*' you in any thing elfe, you may command me, and,
*' lhall not be difappointed." My paper will not ad-
mit a number of citations, and I will therefore content
myfelf with referring the lover of elegant Latinity and
literary anecdotes to the original collection.

It is a circumftance which adds to our furprize in
contemplating this example of literary induftry, that
Philelphus was very much 'engaged in wars and in
embaffies; fo true is it^ that the greateft exertions
of mind are compatible with the moft aclive life. His
writings are not free from faults, from that inaccuracy
which proceeds from hafte ; but he is Hill a ftupendous
inftance of diligence and excellence. Who but muft
lament, that, after having done fo much to enlighten a
dark age, and enjoyed the friendship of princes and
pontiffs, he fhould die in his eighty-fecond year fo
poor, that his bed, and the utenfils of his kitchen, were
obliged to be fold to pay the expences of his funeral.
But few men of real genius love money ; and of the
liberality of Philelphus, the fragment which I have
inferted is an ample testimony.

I hope it will not be tedious or difagreeable to the
Yeader, if I mention a few circumftances relative to the
friend and contemporary of Philelphus, Theodore
Gaza, of whom he fpeaks in his epiflle, as having
tranfcribed for him a very fine copy of Homer's
Iliad.

Theodore Gaza was born at Theflalonica, bat re-
ceived a part of his education in Italy. He was an
elegant writer both in the Greek and the Latin lan-
guages ; but he difplayed his abilities chiefly in tranfla-
tion ; a moft ufeful labour when the learned languages
were imperfectly underitood. He translated parts of
Ariftotle, Theophraftus, and Hippocrates, into Latin j
and the treatife of Cicero on Old Age into Greek.
He wrote alfo a treatife on Grammar in four books,
which has been greatly celebrated. Greek learning,
and indeed all antient learning, is greatly indebted to
this diftinguifhcd reviver of it, Theodore Gaza.

But he alfo was unfortunate, and adds to the number

of thofe whom Providence has exhibited to prove,

£ 4 that

200 ESSAY S, No. 133.

that the rewards of virtuous and ufeful labonr do not
ronfift in riches, honours, or any thing elfe which the
ruiers of this world are able to beflcw. Poor Gaza had
dedicated his tranfi?.tion and Commentaries on Arif-
totle's Book on Animals to Pope Sixtus the Fourth, in
hopes of procuring- from his patronage a little provision
for his old age. The Pope gave him only a purfe with
a few pieces in it, and accompanied his gift with a
manner, which induced Gaza to conclude, that it was
the laft favour he mould receive. Gaza received it in
lilence ; and as he walked home, all melancholy and
indignant, along the banks of the Tiber, he threw the
purfe into the itYeam ; and foon after died of vexation
and difappointment.

I have introduced thefe examples with a view to ani-
mate the ftudent to induflry ; and at the fame time, to
teach him to feek his reward in his own heart, in the
approbation of Heaven, in the private fatisfac~lions of
fludy ; and not to depend too much on princes, pontiffs,
or popular favour.

NO. CXXXIII. ON THE INEFFICACY OF
THAT STYLE OF SPEAKING AND WRITING
WHICH MAY BE CALLED THE FROTHY.

ON the decline of antient learning and Augnftan
tafte, there arofe a number of fophifts and de-
claimers, who, in purfiiit of an excellence in ftyle
fuperior to the natural graces of a better age, deviated
into a mod contemptible affectation. Quai< t, awk-
ward, and frivolous, as were their embellilhments, the*y
paid their principal attention to them, and totally
neglected folidity and fubitance. This ftyle of writing
characterizes the decline of a genuine and manly elo-
quence. It is, indeed, like the hectic efH ore fee nee on
the countenance of an invalid far advanced in a con-
fumption.

In feveral departments of modern literature, and
even in our own country, a ftyle of writing has ap-
peared

No. 153.' MORAL, &c. 201

peared which very much refembles the fophiftical and
declamatory. But I know not that it has been foconfpi-
cuous in any -of our publications, as in the popular
addrefles from the pulpit. Several of the favourite
preachers in the capital, who feldom fail to fill
every church in which they harnngue, and to raife the
largeit contributions to charity fcKools, have pre-
fented the public with their fermons, in order to
inske the experiment, whether that oratory which:
delights the lower orders in the pulpit, would-be
equally well received in the clofet. It was an unhappy
experiment for the reputation of the orators; for there
hardly ever appeared more remarkable ipecimens of
florid, frothy, and meretricious eloquence. Sounding
brafs, and tinkling cymbals, are defcriptions of it truly
emblematical. If there is any fweetnefs, it is a fweet-
nefs which cloys, and makes you fick ; if there is any
brightnefs, it is a brightnefs which dazzles and gives
you pain ; if there is any gold, it is not like the bul-
lion, but like the leaf, expanded to a fuperficies almofl
impalpable, under the operation of the goldbeater.
Indeed, this fpacies of ftyle is very well defcribed by
the common epithet of the frothy; but, as a means of
fupplying aliment, or as a conilant diet, what is a
fyllabub to a firloin ?

Indeed, almoft all the popular preachers in London
have found it eafier to themfelves, a-nd more agreeable
to an illiterate and unthinking audience, to addrefs the
ears, the fancy, and the paflions, than the faculties of
reafon and judgment. If their difcourfes were found to
produce any better effeft on their hearers, than that of
furniihing an amufement for a leifure half-hour, it
would be wrong to cenfure them, merely becaufe they
are oiFenfive to a delicate and a refined tafte. But the
truth is, that they excite only transient emotions,
which, though they may laft long enough to dravy
from the hearer a milling for the churchwarden's plate
at the church door, will feldoin go home with him, or
produce an uniform influence on his perfonal and focial
conduct. He goes to hear a fine preacher as he goes to a
play, to be entertained when he has nothing elfe to do ; he
pays for his entertainment at the. door, and gives himlHf
K 5 no

202 ESSAY S> No. isj,

no farther concern on fuch fubje&s, but to look out
for a fimilar one, when his fhop or warehoufe, or
counting-houfe, are fhut up, through the neceflity of
complying with the laws and cuftoms of the country.

It may be faid, that though a tafte, formed by the
pure models of Greece and Rome, may reprobate the
frothy ftyle, yet, fince it is found to entertain the
vulgar of a great capital, fometimes ufefully, and
always innocently, it ought not to be exploded. But
perhaps we are not able to grant, that it does entertain
them either ufefully or innocently. It certainly gives
them wrong ideas of religion, and teach-as them to
neglect and defpiie the difpaffionate fuggeftions of reafon.
But it is one of the principal objections to this popular
or frothy preaching, that it allures men from their
own" parifh churches, and induces them to defert the
pulpit of a modeft and regularly educated clergyman,
for fome noify and bold, fome ignorant and hypo-
critical, pretender. It leads them from the light of the
fun to thofe meteors and vapours, whofe dancing
and uncertain gleam often conducts them into quag-
mires. There are few pariihes in the metropolis which
do not contain fome thoufands of inhabitants ; but you-
will often find, in their refpecYtve churches not more
than one hund.red, and fometimes fcarccly half that
number. \yhither are they gone ? Many, indeed, are
caroufing in -the delectable retreats of the rural Hoxton ;
hsjt many are alfo gone to the new built chapels, or the
crowded churches, where fome filver-tongued orator is

? reaching himfelf, with all the pathos of a white
anckerchief, the fplendor of a diamond ring, the fmart-
r.efs of a well-drefled head, and the deceitful grimaces
of an importer. Religion, however, muft lofe much of
her venerable air, when, inflead of the decent clothing
of a chafte and honourable matron, fhe is reprefented
in the taudry and flimfy garment, the painted checks,,
the glafs ear-rings, the falle brilliants of the falfe
courtezan.

I think I may confidently affirm, that the frothy ftyle
would not be tolerated at the bar or in the fenate.
It would be thought too trifling for the important
fubjects of property and politics. It would be an-

object

No. 135. MORAL, &c. 2»5

objed of ridicule. And ftiall that oratory which is
hooted from the forum, not only take refuse, but lift up
her head in triumph in the pulpit? It is not furprifing,
that men of fenfe pafs by wagging their heads when
they find an orator haranguing in a church with all the
afteded language and fentiments of a fafhionable auc-
tioneer. The eloquence which has diftinguimed many
of the moft favourite preachers, and writers of palpic
harangues, is not that of St. Paul, of Demolthenes, of
Cicero ; but of thofe great mailers of florid defcription,
Meflieurs Langford and ChrilHe.

I believe it will appear connftent with reafon, that a
peculiar degree of gravity and folidity, far exceeding
that of the fenate or bar, is required to produce the
due effed of pulpit oratory. Practical divinity is the
gravelt fpecies of moral philof-phy, deriving additional
dignity and force from the authenticity of revelation.
The appearance of truth and fimplicity is its moft
becoming ornament. To apply to it the little arts of
rhetoric, and the petty graces of affedation, would be
like painting, in tawdry and variegated colours, thofe
Corinthian columns of St. Paul's Cathedral, which derive
all their beauties from their fimple and fymmetrical gran-
deur. When we go to church we hope to hear faiutary
truth, and to receive improvement of mind and morals.
When we wifh to be only amufed, we fhall repair to the
opera and the puppet-fhew.

I will take the liberty to hint to young and fafhion-
.able divines, who are in general fmittcn with the falfe
graces of ityle and delivery, that their congregation would
be much more edified, if, inftead of moral effays, in
.what- they cz\\_fi»e language^ they would preach ferraons,
properly fo called, in the plain ftyle of truth and fcrip-
ture. Let them alfo take care, as they will anfwer it to
Him in whofe name they aicend the pulpit, not to
preach themfelves, but the Gofpel ; not to be fo felicit-
ous in the difplay of a white hand, as of a pure heart j
cf a diamond ring, as of a fhining example.

No. CXXXIV.

^04. ESSAYS, No. 134.

'NO. CXXXIV. ON THE GENIUS OF ERASMUS.

BA T A V I A and Bceotia are by no means remark-
able for the production of genius ; but Bosotia
may boait ,her Pindar, and Batavia her Erafmus.

I mean not to eonfider the theological opinions of Eraf-
mus, but his learning and his genius; and of thefe-
I may venture to affirm, that if Erafmus had lived in
an Aiiguftan age, they would have advanced him to
a rank among the beft of the daffies. But the theology
and theologians of his times were at open war with
the graces of tafte and elegance ; and, confidering the
authority which they pofTefled, and the fcarcity of any
other writings than thofe which proceeded from the
cloifter, it may be pronounced almoft impoflible to have
lived and written in that age, without contracing a
tinge of the prevailing barbarifm.

The ftyle of Erafmus is not therefore perfectly pure-
and claflicnl ; but it is his own, and it has a native
charm which renders it agreeable. I would not advife-
a young man to view it as a model ; nor, indeed, to-
be much converfant in the works of Erafmus, or any
modern writer of Latin, till his tafte be formed, an4
his judgment regulated, by Terence, Virgil, Casfar,
and Cicero.

But he, whofe mind is mature, and whofe compre-
henfive powers are capable of grafping all pre-eminent
authors, whether antient or modern, will receive plea-
fure and improvement in a great degree from the writings
of Erafmus. They have ufually been ftudied only by
divines, and for theological information. But I warmly
recommend them to the lover of philology, or of claffi-
cal learning, as furniiliing a difh for fuch a palate,
both plentiful and highly feafoned. Erafmus was born
to cultivate the Liters Human/ores, or the politer parts
of learning; and I have often lamented, that he fhould
Jbave been diverted from thofe flowery paths into the
rough icjds of controverfial divinity,

6 The

No, 134. M O R A L, &c. zo5

- The Colloquies, or Dialogues of Erafmus, are often
ufed to initiate boys, at an early age, in the fludy of
the Latin language. They are uncommonly lively,
entertaining, and inftruftive ; and as there is not much
danger of corrupting the ftyle of a very young bo)v
there are, perhaps, few books better adapted to the-
purpofe. Indeed we muft not do Erafmus the injuftice
to afTert, that he is devoid of elegance in ftyle ; for
though, wherever he exprefles theological ideas he is
almoll under the neceflity of ufing words unknown to
the writers of a better age, yer, on other occafions, he>
really abounds with phrafes of the purelt and fweeteft*
Latinity. Neither are his Dialogues to be confidered'
as fit only for boys, fince they abound in wit, humour,
gcod fenl'e, and in allufions which ftrongly mark the-
fertility of the mind from which they originate. In a-
comparative eftimate of genius, according to its kinds
and degrees, I fhould not hefitate to place Erafmus in-
the fame clafs- with Lucian; There i% indeed, a fea-
ibning of fait in all his writings, in which the neceflity
of being grave did not forbid him to be facetious. The
Ciceroniantis is an admirable fpeehiion of judgment and'
plea fan try.

His Praife of Foily is a molt humorous fatire, and re-
flects no lefs honour on the inventive powers, than on
the good fenfe of its author; as it was written, if I
miitake not, in the fpace of one week, for the amufe-
ment of himfelf and Sir Thomas More, at whofe hoiife he
was upon a vifit. It made its author many enemies ; but;
his genius rofe like the arm of- a giant againft a hoft of
pigmies, and defeated them all after a fhort conflict.
His forgivenefs of the vain and angry Dorpius, who firft'
attacked him, evinces his magnanimity and goodnefs of;
heart. Spite and envy may fecretly undermine, but can
feldom make an open and fuccefsful attack on the fort-
refs of true genius and fincere virtue.

But the Epiftles of Erafmus will, perhnps, be found
to furnifh the ftudent in philology with more amufe-
ment than any other of his woii:s. They are, indeed,
a valuable treafure of curious information. Their clear
and lively language, their poignant wit, and good-
natured humour, render it difficult io lay them Vide,

wheo.

2o6 ESSAY S, No. 154.

when once we are engaged in the ferious perufal of them.
f[ hey are very numerous, but they are by no means alt
which Erafmus wrote. He complains, indeed, of being
obliged to write fo manv, that there was not a poffibi-
lity "of taking copies of them all. A great (hare of
knowledge of the world, and of human nature, as well
as of letters and literary characters, may be collected
from them by the attentive reader.

But, indeed, to whatever part of his voluminous works
we turn our attention, we can fcarcely avoid the fenti-
ments of pleafure and furprize. He has written more
than many ftudents were ever able to read. He has
written fo excellently, that all the learned, except a
few envious contemporaries, fron his own times to
ours, have uniformly confidered him as a prodigy.
And let it never be forgotten, that, under Providence,
he owed his education and fubfequent improvements
entirely to himfelf. He was ufed ill and neglected in
his youth. He abounded neither in books nor in in-
ftruclors ; but he poflefled a genius and a love of let-
ters, before which all obftacles ufually give way, like
the Alps to an Uannibal.

It adds greatly to our wonder, in contemplating his
large, and crowded tomes, when we recollect that he
fpent his life in a moft unfettled (late, and in conitantly
travelling from city to city, and from kingdom to king-
dom. But his mind was employed in itudy wherever he
went, and he compofed many parts of his works as he
rode on his horfe. He was alfo attacked by many ene-
mies ; and though he was placable, yet as he was alfo
jraicible, much of that-time and attention, which would
otherwife have been devoted to calm contemplation, was
neceflarily loll in controverfy.

He was certainly the greateft man of his time. Popes,
kings, archbifhops, bifhops, and cardinals, hide their
diminifhed heads in his prefence. One is, irrde d, al-
moit tempted to laugh when one furveys a groupe of
ftupid perfonages, with crowns and mitres, riches and
titles, fitting on their thrones and in their cathedrals, yet
bowing with an homage at once abject and involuntary,,
to the perfonal merit of the poor Erafmus. He, indeed,
\yas permitted, by Providence, to pafs through his pil-
i grimage

No. 135. MORAL, &c. 207

grimage in this world without ecclefiaftical riches or
dignity ; he was defigned as an inftance to prove, that
great merit is its own reward, and that temporal dif-
tinclions are allowed, like trifles beneath the notice of
heaven, to fall indifcriminately on the dcferving and the
undeferving, the learned and the ignorant. Erafmus
had no mitre ; but he had the internal fatisfacHons of
genius ; he had glory, he had liberty.

Though I am fenfible he wants no addition to his famer
and could not receive any from my applaufe, yet I have
ventured to pay him thi» humble tribute, as the oblation,
of gratitude for the great and repeated pleafure which his
works once afforded me in the retirement of a college.

No. CXXXV. ON THE EDUCATION OF
PRINCE.

AN opinion has often prevailed, that the education
of a prince ought to be totally different from that
of other gentlemen, and that any remarkable fhare of
learning would difgrace him. I fhall not hefitate to
affirm, that they were the enemies of princes who ad-
vanced fucli an opinion ; for nothing can contribute'
more effectually to the general abolition of the mo-
narchical form of government, than to render the cha-
racter and perfon of the monarch contemptible. In an
age and country enlightened like our tmn, if a king
were the only gentleman unadorned with a liberal edu-
cation, his kingly office would ferve only to augment
the contempt, and roufe the indignation of his people.
Though he mould fit on his throne, furrounded by his
cringing courtiers, and his Handing army ; and thoug'h,
he mould number among the provinces of his empire,,
the regions of the call and the weft ; yet, in the eyes of
every lenfible and independent fpeclator, his perfonal
littlenefs would be rendered ftill lefs, by a companion
with his hereditary and official magnificence. The
faults of the perfon would be attributed to the form of his

government i

2i>8" E- S $ A Y S, No. 13^.

government; and men of the greateft moderation, if
they were exempt from royal influence, would heave an
involuntary figh for a republic or a revolution.

Every friend therefore to a reigning family, every
lover of political tranquillity, and of regular fubordi-
nation, will vviih to augment the perfonal accompliih-
ments of that youth who is deftined, at fome future
period, to wield a fceptre. He will recoiled, that the
mind of a prince comes from the hand of nature, in a
ftate no lefs rude than the mind of a peafant ; and that,
if it is not formed by early culture, it will foon become -
much ruder, more refractory, and more vicious^ under •
the many unfavourable circumftances of an exalted fta-
tion. It will be. readily allowed, that a peculiar polift,
enlargement, and liberality, is required in him who is
to look with a comprehenfive eye through all the ranks
of fociety., and eitimate the true interefts of nations, and*
of mankind at large. Both the heart and the under-
itanding of fuch an one, Inould be expanded to the ut-
moft degree of poffible dilation.

But no method of culture is found fo much to ferti-
lize the human mind, as that kind of difcipline which.
is called the claflical. A prince, therefore, though he
fhould certainly be educated in private, ought to be-
trained according to the modes which the experience of
ages has eftabliihed as the moft fuccefsful in a public
feminary. No whimfical fyftems of pragmatical and
conceited tutors ihould be admitted. The boy mould-
be taught his grammar like other boys ; for though there •
is indeed a royal game of the goofe, I never have yet-,
heard of a royal method of learning Latin and Greek ;
and if there be fuch an one, the fuccefs of it itill re-
mains among the arcana of ftate.

An heir to a crown mould certainly learn the antient-
as well as the modern languages ; and he will not be
able to learn them effeftually, without learning them-
radically. Away then with the indolence and indul-
gence which grandeur foolifhly claims as a happy
privilege ! Let the boy, if -you wilh him to maintain-
the dignity of a man and a king, be early enured to
mental labour. Let his memory be exerciled in learn-
ing the rules of Lilly's grammar. Let him. be confine^-

to

No. 135. MORAL, &c. 209

to his books and papers all the morning, and part of the
evening, from the age of five to nineteen. The maids
of honour will cry out lhame ! the fycophantic herd of
young noblemen, who crowd, with all the fervilhy of
their own footmen, around a throne, will repine that
they cannot have an opportunity of introducing them-
felves to the familiarity cf the future King ; — but re-
gard neither the foolim exclamations of vanity, nor the
mean murmurs of felf-intereit. Proceed with him re-
gularly, from the fables of Phscdrus to the philofcphy cf
Cicero, from the Cyropaedia of Xenophon to the hiitorieg
and politics of Herodotus, Thucydides, Livy, Salluft,
and Polybius. Let his ear be familiarized to the fine
language and fentiments of Cicero and Demofthenes,
and" his heart ennobled by the examples of the brighteit
characters of Greece and Rome.

Why mould his fuperintenciants b* fo cruel as not to
cultivate in him a tafte for the beauties of poetry, or
leave him unacquainted with Homer and Virgil? An
elegant tafte, an humanized difpofition, an enlightened
understanding, will adorn him more than the jewels in
his crown, or the robes of his coronation. It will give
him an internal fource of happinefs, and will teach him
rather to feek his pleafures in a humane and generous
conduct, than in the difplay of pomp, or the indulgence
of luxury. A prince, with a mind uncultivated, muft
neceflarily take his chief delight in mifchief, in vice, OF
in unprincely occupations ; but he, whcfe undemanding
is illuminated, and heart purified by a right discipline,
will deferve a title which has been often unjuilly claimed
— that of Heaven's Vicegerent.

When, by the clofe application of ten or twelve years,
a firm and broad bafis is laid of antient learning, let the
ftripling be introduced to the avenues of all the vans of
human knowledge. Let the years which elapfe till he
is of the age of three or four and twenty, be empio-. ed
in acquiring proper ideas cf all the objects, whether na-
tural or civil, which furrour-d him, under the tuition of
a governor, who poflefles not only official and titular, but
pcrKMvJ authority ; under one who is not frightened by
the laughter of falhion, of diflipation, or of falfe philo^.

fophy,

zio ESSAYS, No. 13;.

fophy, from filling his pupil's mind with moral virtues,
and a fincere, not a political, veneration for chriflianity.

All this is a general preparation for the particular
purfuits which become a King ; and thefe are law and
politics. I mean not the narrow fyftem of a mercenary
practitioner and a cunning ftatefrnan, but the general
principles of juftice and equity ; the wife maxims of go-
vernment, as it is inftuuted for the diffuiion of happi-
refs and virtue among the individuals of a nation, and
not for the exten/ion of empire, or the accumulation of
deftruftive opulence. What a fituation is a throne
for the indulgence of the feelings of a chriftian, and of
a companion ate friend to wretched human nature! I
would not, indeed, refer a prince for maxims of equity
and government to Puffendorf and Grotius, the dull
and unfeeling deliberators of queftions on which a good
heart and underftanding can intuitively decide ; but to
his own heart and eyes, to his oivn enlightened reafon,
to the page of fcripture, and to the volumes of authen-
ticated hiftory.

Princes have been almoft uniformly confined in their
views to the narrow fyftems of worldly politicians, and
of interefted courtiers. Falfe grandeur has fafcinated
themfelves, and their fubjects. National profperity has
been eftimated by fleets and armies, commerce and reve-
nues. The morals, the health, the religion of the in-
dividuals, are confiderations which do not claim the
attention of a cabinet, but are difcarded as fubjecb of
declamation in the church or in the fchools. '* What
" is it to me," cries aloud the Wifdom of this world,
*' while his lordfhip knows how to fuperintend the navy,
" whether he believes in God or the Devil, and whether
" he has kept fuch laws as I neither underftand nor
" value, the laws of relative and chriRian duty r" A
nation thus advances in the devious paths of a falfe wif-
dom, till an incenfed Providence, wearied with repeated
provocation, vifus it at laft with a curfe. Look from
the Ganges to the Thames, and acknowledge the evi-
dent vilitation of a chaflifing Providence.

Imagination triumphs in the profpecl: of a golden age^
when Princes, and all who are concerned in the executive

parts

No. 136. MORAL, &c. 211

parts of government, fhall be early formed to virtue, to
learning, to humanity, to religion. How happy, it has
been faid, would it be, if Philofophers, who are juftly fo
called, were Kings; or Kings, Philofophers!

No. CXXXVI. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS
ON THE ART OF PRINTING.

THAT the defire of knowledge for its own fake,,
is an adventitious paflion unknown to nature,
and to be clafied among the refinements of civilization*
is an opinion unfupported by experience, and deroga-
tory from the native dignity of a rational creature.—
Fancy and fentiment, the powers of the intellect, and
the feelings of the heart, are, perhaps, by nature equally
ftrong and fufccptible in the rude Indian, and in the po-
lifhed member of an eftablifhed community. Perhaps
thefe fimilar powers would be equally fit for exertion, and
thefe propenfnies equally importunate for gratification, if
the favage were not conftantly engaged in providing for
that neceflary fuftenance, which, without his own inter-
pofition, is commonly fecured to the philofopher.

The pupil of nature, under all his difadvantages, feels
the impulfe of a fpecies of literary curiofity, and feek>
its fatisfaftion. He pofTeffes the faculty of memory ;
he muft, therefore, without the co-operation of his will,,
remember many of the impreflions received by the fenfes:
he has a power of reflection, which will teach him to
reafon and draw inferences, without defigning it, from
the objeds of his experience and obfervation. He
feels within himfelf an imagination, capable of recalling
paft ideas of pleafure and pain, and apt to be delighted
by beauty, novelty, and grandeur. Every natural ex-
ertion of natural faculties is attended with fatisfaflion.
He feels it from the unpremeditated exertions of the
mental powers ; he tacitly acknowledges it to be conge-
nial to his mind, and of courfe endeavours to repeat,

to

*i2 ESSAYS, No. 136.

to extend, and to prolong it : but the objecls which fall
under the notice cf his own fenfes, and his perional ex-
perience, are inPjfiiciep.t in number and importance to
iatisfy his capacity. He is led to enquire what patted
among his forefathers, and in his turn is requelled by
his progeny to communicate his own remarks, fuper-
added to the information of his anceitors.

Such, probably, is the origin of Tradition ; a mode
of communicating knowledge, once univerfal, and ilill,
perhaps, fubfilting in the newly difcovered iilands of
the Pacific Ocean, on the banks of the Senegal, and at
the foot of the Andes. Beneath the (hade of his plan-
tain, the patriarch Indian flill recites the divine origin
of his tribe or family, the warlike actions of his an-
Ceftor, and of his own perfonal prowefs. The attentive
audience carry aw-iy the talc, and fupply the defecls
of memory by the aid of imagination. The flory
fpreads, time gives it a fan&ion, and at lalt it is found
to conftitute the molt authentic hiftory, however obfcure
and fabulous, cf the origin of a nation, after it has
emerged from barbarifm, and is become the feat of arts
and learning.

In the earlieft and rudeft ftate of literature, if we
may give that appellation to the efforts of the intel-
lectual faculties where letters are unknown, is often
produced the moft animated, and perhaps moft perfedl,
though leaft nrtificial, poetry. Hiftoric truth is, indeed,
little regarded, as it is addrefli-d to reafon rather than
to fancy ; but poetic compofuion appears with marks of
genius approaching to infpirarion. From his memory,
or his invention, or from both, the favage is heard to
pour forth the fong of war, and to warble the notes of'
love, warm with the fentiments of a feeling heart, and
compenfating the want of regularity and grace, by the
ftrength and vivacity of natural expreftion.

If we believe the reprefentations of foir.e writer?,,
poems equal in length to the moil celebrated Epopeas
of Greece and Rome, have been handed down, without
the aid of letters, from the remoteft antiquity to the*
prefent day ; and in our own country and times, tradi-
tionary tales,, poetic and profaic, are known to abound

No. 136. M O R A L, &c. '13

in that lowed clafs among us, who are yet unacquainted
with the elements of learning. The rmant of the cot-
tage, ftupid and incurious as he may appear to the polite
obferver, has his fund of entertaining knowledge, and
knows how to enliven the winter evening with tales of
.fairies, giants, and inchantments, which he believed oa
the word of his progenitors, and which his hearers re-
ceive with equal pleafure and credulity, intending to
tranfmit them to the rifing generation.

The early appearance, and the univcrfality of tra-
ditional learning, leems to eftabHm the opinion, that
the love of knowledge is among the f:rfl: and importu-
nate dcfires inherent to the human heart. We fee it
"believing abfurdity, and admiring nonfenie ; we fee it
bearing one of the ftrongeft characteriftics of natural
inclinations, a proneneis to neglect reafon in purfuit of
gratification.

'i his aident love of knowledge which gave rife to
tradition, Icon invented improvements whLh frperfeded
its general necefiit/. Tradition was foon found to be at-
tended \\ith gre t ii. onveniencie?, and to be defective
in its moft perfect Mate. A thoufand important circum-
ftances muft neceffarily elude the moft retentive memory;
>.nd, befide the" evils refulting from the weakr.efs of that
faculty, and from the .general inclination to exaggerate
and embellifh the llmplicity of truth, the want of writ-
ten rtandards to appeal to, afforded conftant opportuni-
ties for impofition. Uprightnsfs of intention, and
ftrength of memory, were not always united in thofe who
undertook the recital of events. Accuracy and juftnefs
of reprefentation were rare; and the civil hiftory of every
people, without a fingle exception, is, in its firft pe-
riods, dark and incoherent; fuch, indeed, as might be
expected from oral authority.

The inventor of means to fupply the defects of me-
mory, and to preclude the opportunity of deceit, it Is
obvious to conclude, would be confidered as a great
benefactor to mankind, and elevated by the exube-
rant gratitude of a rude age, above the rank of
humanity. To Theuth, the inventor of letters among
the Egyptians, and to ihe fame perfonage, under

the

214 ESSAYS, No. 136.

the name of Hermes among the Greeks, divine ho-
nours were paid; an apotheofis furely more juftifi-
able on principles of reafon, than that of Bacchus,
the cultivator of the vine, or of Hercules, the cleanfer
of a ftable.

To communicate their difcovery, the inventors of
literary fymbols found it neceflary to mark them on
fame fubftance fufceptible of impreffion or penetration.
What that fubftance was, is a fubjecl: of curious, but
unimportant enquiry. The original mode of infcrib-
ing the newly difcovered characters, however conducted,
was probably very imperfect; but, as it happens in all
difcoveries of momentous confequence, the idea of it,
once ftarted, was purfued with that general ardour and.
attention, which never fails to produce a great improve-
ment. The flone, the palm leaf, the biblos or bark of
the linden tree, the leaden tablet, the papyrus manu-
factured into the charta, the parchment, and the pugil-
Jares, refpectively ferved, as progreflive advancement
fuggefted, or as convenience required, to receive the
-written lucubrations of the antient poet, philofopher,
legiflator, and hiftori.in.

That many of the nobleft efforts of antient genius,
though committed to writing on fubftances fo frail as
the papyrus, and fo fubject to erafure as the waxen tablet,
ihould have reached the prefent age, is an event only to
be accounted for by fuppofing, that their confpicuous
beauties occafioned uncommon vigilance and iolicitude
in their prefervation.

At a very late period, a fubftance formed of mace-
rated linen, was found fuperior in beauty, convenience,
and duration, and better adapted to the purpofes of
literature, than all the prior devices of mechanical in-
genuity. It derived its name from the flag that grew
on the banks of the Nile, which, though it in fome
•degree refembled, it greatly excelled. Porous, yet of
iirm contexture, it admitted the infcription of charac-
ters with a facility, equalled only by the Detention with
which it preferved them. By the eafe with which it is
procured and infcribed, it refcued the antient authors
from the poffibiiity of oblivion, and may ftrictly be faid

No. 137. MORAL, &c. 215

to have formed that monument more durable than brafs,
which a celebrated poet prophefied to himfelf with a
confidence, juftified at length by the accomplifliment
of his prediction.

No. CXXXVII. ON THE CIRCUMSTANCES
WHICH LED TO THE DISCOVERY OF THE
ART OF PRINTING, WITH MISCELLANEOUS
REMARKS ON IT.

THE bufincfs of tranfcribing the remains of Grecian
and Roman literature, became an ufeful, an inno-
cent, and apleafing employ to ma -..y of thofe who, in the
dark ages, would elfe have pined in the liftlefs languor
of monatlic retirement. Exempt from the avocations
of civil life, incapable of literary exertion from the want
of books and opportunities of improvement, they devoted
the frequent intervals of religious duty, to the tranfcrip-
tion of authors whom they often little underftood. The
fervile office of a mere copyirt was not difdained by thofe
who knew not to invent; and the writers in the fcripto-
rium were infpired with an emulation to excel, in the
beauty and variety of their illuminations, the fidelity of
their copy, and the multitude of their performances.

But when every letter of every copy was to be formed
by the immediate operation of the hand, the moft per-
ievering afllduity could effec"l but little. They appear
not to have been written with the rapidity of a modern
transcriber, but with a formal itiffnefs, or a ccrrecl ele-
gance, equally inconfiftent with expedition. They were
therefore rare, and confequently much valued, and when-
ever fold, were fold at a great price. Few, indeed, but
crowned and mitred heads, or incorporated communities,
were able to procure a number fufficient to merit the ap-
pellation of a Library ; and even the boafted libraries of
princes and prelates, were fuch, as are now eafily ex-
ceeded by every private collection. To be poor, with
whatever ability or inclination, was, at one time, an in-

furmoun table

•zi6 ESSAYS, No. 137,

.fiirmourktable obftacle to literary improvement: and, per-
haps, we indulge an unreafonable acrimony in our gene-
aral cenfure of Monkifh floth and ignorance, net confider-
ing that an involuntary fault ceafes to be biameablej
that ignorance is necefiary where the means of inform-
ation are fcarce ; and that floth is not to be avoided,
where the requifites of proper employment are not at-
tainable without great expence, or earned folicitation.

It was, perhaps, lefs with a view to obviate thefe in-
conveniencies, than from theinterefled motives of deriv-
ing greater gain by exacting the ufual price for copies
multiplied with more eafe and expedition, that a new
, mode was at length practifed, derived from the inven-
tion of the Art of Printing; a difcovery which, of all
thofe recorded in civil hiftcry, is of the moil important
and extenfive confequence.

That the firft productions of the prefs were intended
to pafs for manufcripts, we are led to conclude from the
refemblance of the type to the written characters, from
the omiflion of illuminations which were to be fuppJied
by the pen to facilitate the deception, and from the in-
ventor's concealment of his proceft, fo far as to incur
fufpicion of witchcraft or magic, by which alone ihe
firft obfervers could account for the extraordinary mul-
tiplication of the tranfcripts or copies.

But the deceit was foon detected. The perfect re-
femblance in the fliape of the letters, in the place raid
number of the words on every page, the ilngular ccr-
redtnefs, and, above all, the numerous copies of the
fame author, inevitably led to a difcovery of the truth.
To conceal it, indeed, was no longer deilred, when
experience had fuggefted the great lucrative advantages,
and the practicability of multiplying books without end
by the procefs nevyly invented. It foon appeared,
though it was not obvious at firft, that the new mode
would be more agreeable to the reader, as well as caller
to the copyift, and that printed books would univerfaliy
fuperfede the ufe of manufcripts, from a choice founded
on judicious preference.. The art was foon profefled
as a trade, and the bufinefs of copying, which had once
afforded only amufement or gain to the curious and
the idle, became the ccnftant employment and fupport

of

No. 157. MORAL, &c, 117

of a numerous tribe of artifans, and conftituted a very
confiderable fource of mercantile advantage.

Of an art, which, though it had yet acquired but
fmall degrees of perfection, appeared of moll extenfive
utility in religion, in politics, in literature, and even
in commerce, no labour has been fpared to inveftigate
the hiftory; but, unfortunately, the enquirers into the
origin of arts, inftigated by the zeal of minute cu-
riofity to pulh their refearches too far, often difcovef
them fo rude, obvious, and inartificial at their com-
mencement, as to refledl very little honour on thofe
whom they oftentatioufly exhibit as the earlieft inven-
tors. Such has been the refult of the inveftigation*
of thofe who, difiatisfied with the commonly received
opinions on the date of the invention of printing,
pretend to have difcovered traces of it many years
before the firit production of Fauftus, in 1457 ; and it is
true, that the Speculum Salutis, and a few other books
are extant, which are, on good reafons, judged to have
been ftamped, not prin ted fecundum artem, long before
the erection of a prefs at Mentz : but the mode in which
they were executed, like the Chinefe, bears but little
refemblance to the art of printing, properly fo called;
it appears not, by any hiftorical memoir, to have fug-
gelled the firlt hint of it, and is too imperfeft to deferve.
notice as even the infant itate of this momentous
invention.

National pride, like the pride of individuals, is often
founded on flight or dubious pretenfions. Thus have
Germany and Holland contended, with all the warmth
of party, for the imaginary honour of giving birth to
the Inventor of Printing, who, after all, was probably
led to the difcovery, not by the enlarged views of
public utility, but by fortunate circumftances concur-
ring with the defire of private and pecuniary advantage;
but though the hiftory of Printing, like all other hifto-
ries, is in fome degree obfcure and doubtful at its ear-
lieft period, though Straiburg has boafted of Mentel,
and Harlaem of Coxier, as the inventor; yet is there great
reafon to conclude, that the few arguments advanced
in their favour are fupported only by forgery and falfe-
hood : and we may fafely aflert, with the majority of

VOL. IX. 1, writer*,

2i8 ESS A Y S, No. 137.

writers', and with the general voice of Europe, that the
time of the invention was about the year 1440; the
place Mentz, and the perfons Gutenberg, Fauftus, and
Schaeffer, in conjunction.

He who wiflies to trace the art in its gradual progrefs,
from the wooden and immoveable letter to the move-
able and metal type, and to the completion of the
whole contrivance, will receive fatisfaftory information
from the annals of the elaborate Mattaire In the
mean time, the eflayift will avoid the repetition of fads
already too well known and eftablimed to admit addi-
tional illuftration, and will think himfelf more properly
employed in making reflections on the literary, the
moral, the political, and the religious effects which,
have refulted from the invention.

It is, indeed, generally true, that the hiftory of a
mechanical art affords but infipid entertainment to a
mind which is tinctured with the liberality of philofophy,
and the elegance of claffical literature. It often exhibits
manual excellence united with fuch meannefs of fenti-
ment, and vulgarity of manners, as unavoidably mingles
difguft with admiration : but to the truth of this gene-
ral remark, the annals of typography are a fingular
exception. Many are recorded to have laboured at the
prefs, whofe literary attainments would have done ho-
nour to the chair of a profeflbr. By their annotations,
they ill uftrated the fenfe and fpirit of thofe authors, the
letter of whofe writings they embellifhed by the moft
beautiful and accurate impreflions.

The names of the Aldi, of Robert and Henry Ste-
phans, of Turnebus, and of many more who united
mechanical ingenuity with profound erudition, will
ever be remembered with refpedl and gratitude by
the votary of antient learning. Happily for letters, at
a time when the valuable works of antiquity were con-
tained in manufcripts, fometimes illegibly written, and
often mutilated or corrupted, a number of men arofe
whofe knowledge and fagacity enabled them to ascertain
and exhibit, by the newly difcovered art, the genuine
reading. Such men were greater benefactors to man-
kind, than many who have been more celebrated ; nor
is it an ill-grounded glory which Italy derives from

her

No. 137. MORAL, &c. 219

her Manutii, Germany from her Froben, France from
her Stephani, the Netherlands from their Plantin, and
England from her Caxton.

Every lover of accurate editions looks back with re-
gret on thofe times when an Erafmus corrected what
an Aldus printed; when, like the painter of antiquity,
a printer expofed his production to the paflenger, and
folicited cenfure ; and when the legiflature of a great
nation provided by a ftatute, with a penalty, for the
correctnefs of publications.

To prefer, with implicit attachment, all the earlier
productions of the art to the more recent, were to be
actuated with the narrow fpirit of a typographical
virtuofo ; yet the truth is, what indeed was to be ex-
pected from the fuperior learning of thofe who were
formerly concerned in the procefs, they furpafs the
more fplendid editions of later times, in the one great
excellence of correctnefs. It is true, indeed, that the
fungous production of the modern writer, appears with
a fplendour of paper, and brilliancy of type, unknown
in the fifteenth century : and, if the work is written in
the vernacular language, and on a familiar fubject, is
perhaps fufficiently correct. It is true, likewife, that
confidering the expedition of the artifan, the degree of
correctnefs with which the common papers of intelli-
gence appear, is really wonderful, and affords a
rtriking inflance how much induftry can effect, when
Simulated to exertion by the hope of that abundant
gain, which our more than Athenian love of political
information conitantly fupplies. Of fuch difpatch, a
Plantin would, perhaps, have denied the poifibility.
Rut books of learning, efpecially when written in the
dead languages, are more flowly brought forth, and
by no means with equal perfection. The miftaken ava-
rice, and the grofs ignorance, of fome modern typo-
graphers, often frultrate all the pail labour of correctors
and commentators, who have toiled with aching eyes in
the revifai of proof Iheets, and in the collation of ma-
nufcripts.

NO, cxxxvm.

220 ESSAYS, No. 138.

NO. CXXXVIII. ON THE MORAL, POLITI-
CAL, AND RELIGIOUS EFFECTS OF PRINT-
ING, WITH CONCLUDING REMARKS.

BY one of thofe laudable artifices which prevent pri-
vate avarice from withholding public benefits, the
art of printing was ftolen from Harlaem, and brought to
Oxford by Frederic Corfellis. But while we are confi-
dering the introduction of printing into England, not to
commemorate the names of Bouchier, Tumour, and
Caxton, who were molt inftrumental to it, would be
an omiffion equally negligent and ungrateful. "Nor
Ihould the tribute of praife be any longer withheld by
negleft from earl Tiptoft and earl Rivers, who, at this
period, were reftorers and patrons of learning in our
own country, and who contributed to its advancement,
in imitation of their contemporary, Pius the fecond in
Italy, both by their munificence and example.

The literary advantages derived from the invention
are fo obvious, that to point them out with all the for-
mality of difquifition is unneceflary.

But the moralift, no lefs than the man of letters,
finds himfelf interefted in the confequences refulting
from the mechanical mode of multiplying the copies of
books. To this caufe, he attributes that change in the
manners and fentiments which has taken place within
the interval of a century or two, and which cannot
efcape even fuperficial obfervation. Philofophy, once
preferved among a chofen few, with the felfiihnefs of
an Alexander, who reprimanded Ariftotle for divulging
the fecrets of fcience, has now diffufed its influence on
the mean as well as the great, the gay and the fair as
xvell as the fevere and iludious, the merchant and the
manufa&urer as well as the contemplative profefibr.
Pamphlets and manuals, on every fubjed of human en-
quiry, are circulated by the affiduous trader at a fmall
price, among the lowefl ranks of the community, the
sreateft part of whom have been furnifhed with the
ability of reading by an eJeemofynary education. A

tinfture

No. 138. MORAL, &<:. 221

tin&ure of letters, which was once rare, and formed a
ihining character, has pervaded the mafs of the people,
p.nd in a free country like our own, where it is not
checked in its operation by political reftraints, has pro-
duced remarkable effefts on the general fyftem of mora-
lity. Much good has Fefulted from it : happy, if it
had not been mixed with that chara&eriftic alloy of
human happinefs, much evil. Learning, thus commu-
nicated to the vulgar, has taught the favage ferocity of
grofs ignorance to yield to gentlenefs and humanity ,
but it has alfo fuperinduced a general indolence, refine-
ment, and falfe delicacy. Jt has been the means of
exhibiting, to the beft advantage, the image of virtue
in her natural beauty; but it has alfo held up to view
the meretricious charms of vice in the falfe ornaments
fuperadded by a corrupt imagination. It has been a
Heady light to lighten men in the path of truth; but
it has alfo been an ignis fatuus leading them into the
mazes of error, and plunging them at laft into the
depths of mifery. If it has often tempted us to boaft of
living in an enlightened age, it has no lefs frequently
induced us to regret the old times of ignorant, but
innocent limplicity. If we fometimes look back with
a mixture of fcorn and pity on the unlettered ages that
preceded us ; we alfo fometimes confefs ourfelves ready
to renounce the pride of fuperior knowledge for the
folid happinefs of that national probity, which, though,
it may not have receded, has not kept pace with our
progrefs in fcientific improvement. Here, however, the
old maxim will be fuggefted to every one, that a good
argument againft the ufe of a thing, cannot be drawn
from its abufe. It will at the fame time be remem-
bered, that the prefent times are ever feen through the
fallacious mediums of prejudice and pafiion ; and that
the cenfures of the fatiriit may not arife from real
degeneracy, but that common propenfity which has,
in all ages, given rife toinveclives againft the prevailing
manners. If it is true, that improvement in knowledge
is a natural and laudable objeft of human defires, the
more general that improvement, the happier and more
perfeft is human nature, and the more eitimable that
art from which it is principally derived.

L 3 But

222 E S S A Y S, No. 138.

But however equivocal the effects of the univerfal
diflemination of literature on the morals of thofe who
cannot judge and felect with the fame eafe with which
they can procure books, there is no doubt of their
being beneficial among others, whofe judgment is di-
rected by liberal culture, and whofe fentiments are
undepraved by fafhionable diflipation. Before the in-
troduction of printing, the ftudent, who revoked at
the idea of languifhing in the floth of Monkery, had
fcarcely any fcope for his induftry and talents, but
in the puerile perplexities of a fcholaftic philofophy, as
little adapted to call forth the virtues of the heart, as
to promote valuable knowledge: but fince that im-
portant sera, in the annals of learning, every individual,
even the pooreft of the Mufes' train, has been enabled
to obtain, without difficulty, the works of thofe great
matters in practical and fpeculative ethics, the Greek
and Roman philofophers. He is taught by the fame
inilructcrs who formed a Xenophon and a Scipio, and
can hold converfe, in the retirements of his chamber,
with the celebrated fages of antiquity, with nearly the
fame advantages as if he actually fat with Socrates beneath
the {hade of the plane-tree, walked with Plato in
the Lyceum, or accompanied Cicero to his Tufculan
villa.

Whatever tends to difFufe new light on the under-
ftandings of a whole people, or to effect a change in
the general fyftem of manners, foon pruduces a iimilar
revolution in their political character. Airy fabrics,
which, when feen through the rnifts of ignorance, were
fuppofed to be realities, vanifhed at the light of learning,
as the inchantrnent is diflblved by the operation of the
Talifman. The fun of fcience arofe, the profpect
cleared around, and they who had muddered at the
ideal phantoms of the night, ventured to walk forth
and examine every object that folicited attention. The
prejudices on the fubject of civil government, formed
by ignorance and foftered by the policy of power, when
once the art of printing had multiplied books, and
roufed the fpirit of enquiry, foon gave way to the
dictates of inftructed reafon. The natural rights of
mankind became well underftood, the law of nations

was

No, 138. MORAL, &c. ?23

was attended to, implicit obedience was neither ex-
a&ed on the one part with the fame rigour as before,
nor paid on the other with equal fervility. What re-
mained of the feudal inftitutions could not long fabfift,
when more liberal ideas of the nearer equality of man-
kind were imbibed from books, and when a great
degree of dignity and power was attainable, not only
by birth and riches, but by mere literary eminence.
The diftinclion of VafTal and Lord foon ceafed to be
the only one in the community, when mea were led by
the eafe with which books were procured, to afpire
after the fine arts, philofophy, and erudition. Such
ftudies infufed a noble generofity of fpirit, which fcorn-
ed to pay an abject homage to ignorant opulence. Ig-
norant opulence, indeed, could not maintain, or even
exact by force, that truly valuable refped which is
naturally due, and cheerfully paid, to perfonal dignity.
Men, by reading, were led to reflect, and by reflection
difcovered, that they had been under an error when
they looked up to their governors as to a fuperior Order
of Beings ; but at the fame time they learned the hap-
pinefs of living under a well-regulated conftitution,
the duty of obedience in return for protection, and the'
political neceffity of fubordination. Hiitory, and trea-
tifes of politics, fuggefted juft notions of civil fociety,
and a fenfe of expediency produced at length that vo-
luntary acquiefcence which was once exacted by pre-
tenfions to divine right, or by the immediate interpo-
fition of authority. The luft of dominion which dif-
graced the iron reign of the fullen and unlettered tyrant,,
was fucceeded, in the enlightened father of his people,
by a fpirit of benevolence and philofophical moderation.
That power, which was once placed on the fandy foun-
dation of popular prejudice and fear, when thofe fears
and prejudices were diffipated by free difquifition,
acquired an eftablifhment on the bafis of reafon.
Nor let it be deemed idle fpeculation to attribute thefe
falutary confequences to the invention of printing, fince
to him who attentively confiders all its remote as well
as proximate effects, it will appear fully adequate to their
production. When all ranks of people on a fudden
were enabled to exert with vigour the faculty of accurate
L-4. and

«4 ESSAYS, N(h 13$.

and comprehensive thought, which had only Iain dor-
mant for want of opportunity, the effect on the moral
and political world muft be as firiking, as that which
takes place in the phyfical, at the return of day after
night, and fpring after winter.

Thus has Fauitus and Mentz, by an art invented
and exercifed with views of private emolument, ulti-
mately contributed more to the empires, and caufed
more important events in their hiftory, than all the
efforts of the renowned conquerors and lawgivers of
antiquity. That the fame art which has produced thefe
falutary confequences, has alfo been the means of en-
couraging licentioufnefs, of animating fedition, and
kindling the flames of civil war, is to be attributed to
that lamentable condition of human affairs which is ob-
ferved to counterbalance every good, with a proportion
of concomitant evil.

To the Art of Printing, however, it is acknowledged,
we owe the reformation. It has been jultly remarked,
that if the books of Luther had been multiplied only
by the flow procefsof the hand-writing, they muft have
been few, and would have been eafily fuppreiTed by the
combination of wealth and power: but, poured forth
in abundance from the prefs, they fpread over the
Jand with the rapidity of an inundation, which acquires
additional force from the efforts ufed to obftrucl its
progrefs. He who undertook to prevent the difperfion
of the books once iffued from the prefs, attempted atafk
no lefs arduous than the deftruclion of the Hydra. Re-
Jiftance was vain, and religion was reformed: and we
who are chiefly interefted in this happy revolution
muft remember, amidft the praifes bellowed on Luther,
that his endeavours had been ineffectual, unaffifted by
the invention of Fauftus.

How greatly the caufe of religion has been promoted
by the art, muft appear when it is confidered, that it
has placed thofe facred books in the hand of every
individual, which, befides that they were once locked
up in a dead language, could not be procured without
great difficulty. The numerous comments on them of
every kind, which tend to promote piety, and to form
the Chriflian philofopher, would probably never have

been

No. ij8. M O R A L, &c. 22;

been compofed, and certainly would not have extend-
ed their beneficial influence, if typography had (till
beeo unknown. By that art, the light, which is tr»
illuminate a dark world, hns been placed in a fituatiou
more advantageous to the emiflion of its rays : buc
if it has been the means of illuftrating the doclrines,
and inforcing the praftice of religion, it has alib, par-
ticularly in the prefent age, flruek at the root of
piety and moral virtue, by propagating opinions favour-
able to the fceptic and the voluptuary. It has enabled
modern authors wantonly to gratify their avarice, their
vanity, and their mifanthropy, in difleminating novel
fyilems fubverfive of the dignity and happinefs of hu-
man nature : but though the perverfion of the art is la-
mentably remarkable in thofe volumes which ifTue, with
ofFenfive profufion, from the vain, the wicked, and the
hungry, yet this good refults from the evil, that as truth
is great and will prevail, me mult derive frefli luitre, by
difplaying the fuperiority of her itrength in the conflict
with fophiftry.

Thus the Art of Printing, in whatever light it is
viewed, has deferved refpeft and attention. From the
ingenuity of the contrivance, it has ever excited mecha-
nical curiofity ; from its intimate connection with learn-
ing, it has juftly claimed hiflorical notice ; and from
its extenfive influence on morality, politics, and* re-
ligion, it is now become a fubjeft of very important
fpcculation.

But however we may felicitate mankind on the in-
vention, there are perhaps thofe who wifh, that,
together with its compatriot art of manufacturing gun-
powder, it had not yet been brought to -light. Of its
effects on literature, they aflert, that- ft -has increafed
the number of books, till they diltradl, rather than
improve the mind ; and of its malignant influence on
morals, they complain, that it has often introduced a falfs
refinement, incompatible wuh the fimplicity of primitive
piety and genuine virtue. With refpeft to its literary
ill confeqnence, it may be faiu, tliat though it produces
jo the world an infinite number of worth lefs publica-
tions, yet true wit and fine compofitlon will Hill retiin
their value, ami ii will be an cafy tafk for critical dif.
L 5 cerniiie.it

226 ESSAY S, No. 138.

cernment to feleft thefe from the (unrounding mafs of
abfurdity: and though, with refpect to its moral effects,
a regard to truth extorts the confeflion, that it has
diffufed immorality and irreligion, divulged with cruel
impertinence the iecrets of private life, and fpread the
tale of fcandal through an empire ; yet thefe are evils
which will either fhrink away unobferved in the
triumphs of time and truth over falfehood, or, which
may, at any time, be fuppreffed by legiflative inter-
pofition.

The Liberty of the Prefs is a fubjecl not to be touched
upon, but with a trembling caution. Every ftudent muft
abhor the thought of erecting the tribunal of a ftar-
chamber in the republic of letters ; every lover of his
country muft reject with difdain the propofal of
iilencing the voice of truth by the menace of authority :
but, at the fame time, every true friend to learning
and mankind, who, free from the enthufiafm of party,
underftands their real intereft, would rejoice to fee
the day when the advantages of the Liberty of the
Prefs mall be unalloyed with thofe evils of its licenti-
oufnefs ; which, without fome expedient of controul,
will prevail, as long as there are, on one hand, indi-
gent and avaricious publifliers, and on the other, factious
and unprincipled readers.

But innovations in a particular intimately connected
with civil liberty, will ever be guarded againft in a
free country, with all the .vigilance of jealous circum-
fpection. Men will often patiently fupport the prefent
evil, the nature and extent of which is afcertained by
experience, rather than incur the hazard of a future
detriment, which may poffibly outweigh the beneficial
ends propofed» If then the unreftrained ufe of the
Prefs is, as it has been commonly termed, the Pal-
ladium of liberty, may it never be taken from us by
fraud or force ; and perhaps the evils refulting from
the abufe of this privilege are of that kind, which,,
when permitted to take their courfe, ultimately remedy
themfelves: for it is certain, that there may be a
period, and perhaps our own times approach to it, when
the petulant licentioufnefs of public prints and pam-
phlets becomes too contemptible to gain attention, and

therefore

No, 139. MORA L, Sic. 227

therefore fails of producing a malignant effeft. Avarice
will ceafe to publilh, when men are too wife to pur-
chafe ; faftion and vanity will be iilent, when they no-
longer find an audience : but penal and coercive mea-
fures are known to give weight to the nonfenfe of fedi-
tion and impiety, by alarming that attention which it
could not other wife excite, and to occafion the evils in-
tendea to be obviated ; as the means ufed to extinguiih,
a flame fometimes increafe its violence.

But referring the difcuflion of this complicated fub--
jecl to legiflative wifdom, we may venture to exprefs an
honeft wiih without danger of preemption ; and furely
all the good and enlightened part of mankind will fym-
pathize in the derire, That the time may not be diftant,
when the qualities of the heart (hall be cultivated with
the fame general ardour as the powers of the underfland-
ing ; when the affectation of finguiarity, and the love
of money, fhall no longer multiply treatiies tending to
teach the people a falfe philofophy, an erroneous belief,
or a faclious conduct ; when the Art of Printing fhall no
more be perverted to embellifh vice and juflify folly,
but operating in the accomplishment of its proper purpo-
fes, at once promote the intereft, which cannot indeed
without natural violence be feparate, of found learning
and unaffeited virtue.

No. CXXXIX.. CURSORY THOUGHTS ON,
SATIRE AND SATIRISTS..

THE good reception which that fpecies of poetry,
called Satire, has commonly met with in the
world, is perhaps owing to- fome difpofitions in the
human nature not the moft amiable. It derives noc
its power of pleafing, like other poetry, from its effefts
on che imagination. It raifes no enchanting profpefts ;
it is not necefTarily employed in fidion. A fpirit of
indignation is its efiential principle, and by caufing a
ijmilar fpirit in the reader, it gently gratines the irafci-
bk paflions,

L 6 Ik

223 ESSAYS, No. 139.

It mufl be owned, that it has feldom anfwered its
oftenfible end of reforming the age. Yet allowing it to
be of little ufe in reformation, it is often compofed with
fach evident marks of genius as render it interefting to
men of tafte. And though fpleen may have given rife to
its firft production, and the love of cenfure enfured its
/uccefs, yet the beauties of the compofition will caufe it
to be read, even by thofe who difapprove perfonal in-
vedive, long after the refentment that occafioned it has
fubfided.

Horace, the politeft writer whom the world ever
produced, adopted fatirical writing, and fncceeded in
it, tho»gh there is every reafon to believe that hrs
natural difpofition xvas not fevere. The truth is, he was
a man of the world, as well as a man of reflection, and
wrote his remarks on men and things in carelefs verfe ;
not without cenfuring them indeed, but without indulg-
ing the afperily of farcafm. He probed every wound
with fo gentle a hand, that the patient fmiled under the
operation. The gay friend of Maecenas had lived in
courts, and knew too much of the world to think he
could reform the gay and voluptuous part of it by abrupt
leverity.

Not fo the ftern Juvenal. With all the warmth of
a zealot in the caufe of virtue, he pours his majeftic
verfe, and, amid the moft fpirited inveftive and the fine It
morality, emits many a luminous irradiation of poetry
beautifully defcriptive.

His predeceflbr Perfius had afforded him a noble
model. He improved on it in nothing but perfpicuity.
Perfius is all fire, fpirit, animation. The frequency of
his interrogations roufes the attention of the reader,
and it is not eafy to read and undcrftand him without
catching the glow with which he evidently wrote. If his
obfcurity arofe from fear, it does not indeed depreciate
his merit as a writer; but it has caufed him to be lefs
read and admired than he deferves. The laft lines of
his fecond fatire are alone fufficient to entitle him to
immortality.

The Englifh feem to have copied the manner of
Juvenal rather than of Horace. Our national fpirit is
indeed cf the manly and rougher kind, and feels fome-

thing

No. 139. MORAL, &c. 229

thing congenial with itfelf in the vehemence of the in-
dignant Juvenal.

The Roman is remarkably harmonious. But Donne,
his imitator, feems to have thought roughnefs of verfe,
as well as of fentiment, a real grace. It is fcarcely pof-
fible, that a writer who did not ftudioufly avoid a fmoorh
verification, could have written fo many lines without
Humbling on a good one. Pope has revived his fame
by atcuning his harfh numbers ; a work whofe very
excellence makes us regret that a genius fo fertile as was
the bard's of Twickenham, mould have wafted its vi-
gour in paraphrafes and tranflntions.

This verfatile poet has imbibed the very fpirit of Ho-
race. Nor can the mere Englifh reader obtain, by tile
tranflations of Creech or of Francis, fo clear and ade-
quate an idea of the true Horatian manner, as from the
liberal imitations of Pope.

Dryden fcems to have preferred the model of his
favourite Juvenal. His nervous line was well adapted
to fatirical compofition. He fays himfelf, " he couTd
" write feverely, with more eafe than he could wrice
" gently." His Abfalom and Achitophel, and his Mac
Flecknoe, are mailer-pieces and models in the ferious
and vehement kind of fatire.

Boiieau feems to have blended with judgment the
manner of Horace and Juvenal. Yet whatever degree
of elegance he poflHTes, the natural monotony of French
verfe tires an ear accnftomed to the various harmony of
our Englifli poets. The French language never ap-
pears fo mean as in the heroic couplet. He who reads
the Henriade, and at the fame time thinks of Milton,
Dryden, Garth, or Pope, .muft clofe the volume with
all the loathing of difguft. He who reads Boileau, will
find his improving imitator Pope rife in his opinion.
Pope roufes the attention by all the changes of mufical
modulation ; Boileau fooths it to dull repofe by the
lullaby of fimilar paufes uniformly repeated.

A poet of our own, little attended to at prefent,
once enjoyed a very high degree of fame as a fatirical
writer. Oldham has been called the Englifh Juvenal.
His fatire on the Jefuits has indeed much of the fpirit
of Juvenal. It difplays wit, force, pungency, and a

very

.230 ESSAYS, No. 139.

very copious invention ; but it is no lefs diftingui/hed by
a vulgarity which muft prevent Oldham from keeping
his place among the claflics of our country. He has
lafhed the Jefuits with deferved and unrelenting rigour;
but though fevere punifhment is often necefTary, yet to
fee it inflidtcd with the wanton cruelty of an aflaflin, is
not agreeable There are fome works of poetry as well
as of painting, which, though well performed as pieces
of art, lofe the praife their excellence demands, by the
Clocking nature of their reprefentations.

A later fatirift, Dr. Young, is ftill read with plea-
fure. But he has the fault of Seneca, of Ovid, of
Cowley; a profufe and unfeafonable application of
wit. His fatires have been jufily called a firing of
epigrams. A lover of originality, he did not regard
models. Had he endeavoured to imitate Juvenal or
Perfius, he would have avoided this fault. Thofe great
matters were too much engrofTed by the importance of
their fubjefts to fall into the puerility of witticifm.
There is alfo fomething in Young's verification which
a good ear does not approve.

But even Young, popular as he was, has been
eclipfed by a poet who has (hone with the effulgence
and the in liability of a meteor. Churchill pofTefled merit;
a merit which was magnified when fecn through the me-
dium of party, beyond that degree which it was able to
fupport. When reafon at Jail viewed what paflion had
exaggerated, fhe was diiguftecl with the difappointmeut,
and turned away with negleft. Thus the celebrated
Churchill, with whofe applaufe the town re-echoed, is
finking to an oblivion which he hardly deferves ; for
though he wrote many carelefs lines and many dull
paflages, yet the greater part of his productions difplayed
a genuine vein of fatirical genius.

Within a few years Satire has re-affumed her original
rude form of fcurrilous and petulant abufe. An im-
proved verification has given a glofs to illiberal, calum-
nious, and anonymous invecYives. An undaunted ef-
frontery, recommended by elegant verfe, has fupplied
the want of every claffical and noble ornament. That
it has been well received, is no proof of its folid ex-
cellence as compofition, fmce, to the greater part of

readers,

No. 140. M O R A L, &c. 231

readers, the abufe which it lavifhly pours on public and
private characters, is a fufficient recommendation.

It differs from claflical fatire in this, as well as other
circumftances. Horace, Perfius, Juvenal, though fome-
times difgraced by obfcenity, yet abound with fine
moral fentiments. They not only put vice to fhame,
but countenanced virtue, and pointed out the way
to attain to it. But the fatirifts of our times feem
to have little elfe in view, than to gratify private
pique, or party-prejudice. It is indeed fcarcely to be
expefted, that, in a degenerate age, many will be found
to poflefs dignity of character and folidity of judgment,
in a degree fufficient to enable them to ftand forth dif-
interefted and efficient cenfors of prevailing folly and
faihionable vice.

No. CXL. ON LOGIC AND METAPHYSICS*.

TO falfe and carelefs reafoning moft of the mif-
fortunes of life are to be attributed. Logic then,
as an art, is perhaps fo far ufeful in the condudl of life,
as it fuperinduces a habit of accurate reafoning.

But what fays experience? Is the man who has di-
gefted Burgerfdicius found to be wiferin his aclionsthan
others ? The beft difputant that ever conquered in the-
fchools, when he has defcended to the walks of com-
mon life, has been found no lefs prone to deviate into
the paths of error, to be involved in the clouJs of
paffion, and mifled by the falfe lights of imagina-
tion, than the bufy multitude who nerer heard of the
categories.

They who po/Tefs common fenfe in a competent de-
gree, will difcover, with no other aid, the fallacy of
wrong reafoning. Tney who are deficient in it, will
not find a fubititute in the ufe of a fyllogifm.

The great- numbers who fupply civil and commercial
offices, in which there is a conftant neceflity for the
exertion of reafon, and who conduct the mofl important
affairs without the aid of fcholaftic logic, are proofs that
vigorous nature wants not this {lender affiftance. To

imagine

*32 ESSAYS, No. 140.

imagine that a well-formed mind cannot reafon well
without logic, is no lefs abfurd, than to fuppofe that
the folid oak wants the fupport of the ivy that creeps
around it.

The beft fchool for the improvement of reafon, after
a competent education, is the living world. We find
even the illiterate, who have fpent their lives in conftant
action, pofleffing a very extenfive knowledge of things,
and a mod accurate method of judging of them ; a know-
ledge and a method to which the cultivated but inexpe-
rienced reafoner can fcldom attain. It is common to fee
the learned academic, whofe labours arc at lalt rewarded
by a rural benefice, unable, notwithltanding his acquired
ftrength of reafon, to cope with the rude rutlic in a bar-
gain for dues which the laws have allotted him.

It feems, then, that the gradual decay of fcholaflic
logic, and the contempt in which fyllogiftic fkill'is
held, is not unreafonable. It contributes little to the
benefit of fociety. It is rather injurious to it, by draw-
ing off that attention which might be ufefully beilowed.
What then (hall we fay ? Mufl an art, which our fore-
fathers have itudied from age to age, and to which many
of us have devoted our firlt years at the hntverfities, be
'exploded ? A veneration is due to long eftablifhed
opinions. The powers of judging, which Itimulate the
prefent age to innovation, were poffeffrd by the pad in
equal perfection. They had fome reafon for their in di-
lutions. The lame reafon may perhaps remain to pre-
vent the total abolition of them ; for truth and reafon
are unchangeable. Our anceilors eftabliftied logical ftu-
dies in the univerfities, becaufe in their days there were
few other books to be obtained, and no other learning
was prized. Their defcendants muft continue to bellow
on them a moderate attention, becaufe every part of
knowledge contributes to accomplifh the profefled fcho-
lar. But they need give no more than a moderate atten-
tion, becaufe the improvement? of philofophy, and the
great multiplication of books in every part of human
learning, enable the ftudent to fpend his time and exer-
cife his fagacity more ufefully and more agreeably.

He who poile/Fes the genius and tade, together with
the philofophical fpirit of the Attic Harris, will do right

No, 140. MORAL, &c. 233

to cultivate them by ftudying the unread works of an-
tient logicians. Our Englifh Ariftotle, whofe produc-
tions are at once the quintefTence of elegance, and pro-
digies of analytical ingenuity, has pointed out flowers
in thofe paths of learning where thorns only were fecn
before. The Stagyrite was literally idolized ; and had
it been the fate of Harris to have lived a few centuries
ago, he alfo would have been honoured with a fubordf-
nate deification. If any thing can reftore a tatle for
thefe languifhing fludies, it is the grace which his ftyle
and his accuracy have given them.

For metaphyfics what can be faid ? If every book that
has been written on them, and thoufands have^been
written, were annihilated, not a /ingle individual in the
great community of all mankind would in any one re-
fpecl have juft reafon to lament the lofs. Mathematical
and arithmetical ftudies are fpeculative, it is true ; but
they do not terminate in fpeculation. They afford a
great pleafure, abftraftedly confidcred, by the full evi-
dence with which they difplay their truths ; but they
tend to obvious utility as well as to delight. The builder,
the navigator, almoft every mechanic art, is affifted by
geometry, and all men, without exception, are benefited
by arithmetic. But metaphyfics tend only to benight the
underftanding in a cloud of its own making, to lofe it
in a labyrinth of its own contrivance.

Metaphyfics were once encouraged and cultivated, be-
caufe they ferved the purpofes of fuperftition. They
involved theological fubjedls in a perplexity which the
fimple could never unravel. They gave an air of myf-
tery and depth, which caught the admiration of the vul-
gar. They are now employed, in a fimilar manner, in
the fervice of infidelity. They have induced the half
learned and the conceited, thofe who think they under-
ftand them, and thofe who wifh to be thought by others
to underftand them, to adopt, without being apprehen-
five of danger, opinions fatal to their own happinefs
and to the exiftence of fociety.

Even when cultivated by the honeft and truly inge-
nious, they exhibit an inftance of blameable pride.
They aim at a fcience to which man can never attain.
It is truly laughable, to obferve a creature with hardly
6 knowledge

234 ESSAYS, No. 140,

knowledge enough of the things around him to guide
him with fafety, perplexing himfelf with ontological
enquiries into the nature of angels, and the eflence of
the devil.

The ontologifts and pneumatologifls, the nominates
and reates, the docicres ferapbici, and all the tribe of
microfcopic philofophers, are, in the prefent age of
difcernment, totally negleded. Even Malebranchc and
Locke, the moft rational of the metaphyficiaus, are
daily lofing ground. As a talk they are attended to in
public feminaries, where fome obfolete plan of ftudy
requires metaphyfical exercifes ; but the multitude of
more agreeable works feldom leave time or inclination,
to the itudent who is at liberty to chuie his books, for
the controverfy concerning innate ideas. A few, how-
ever, in the prefent times, have been fo unfortunate,
as to wafte their labour in defending materialifm, in
expatiating on liberty and neceffity, in diffufmg fcep-
ticifm, and in proving that man is no more than an
animal. This laft fentence and this dodlrine will pro-
bably induce them to prove, in their own inftances, that
he is an irritable animal— genus irritabile.

Such miferable effe&s of metaphyfical refearch have
induced an amiable writer, whofe heart and abilities
vie with each other for excellence, to vindicate the na-
ture and immutability of truth, to expofe the futility
of metaphyfics, to confound the devices of their pa-
trons, and to eftablifli the natural rights of common
fenfe. This formidable champion has given the laft
fatal blow to languifliing fophiftry ; a blow which, that
Ihe may never recover, every man muft wifh, who knows
the baneful influence of a Hume's dark inventions, and
who defires to counteract it.

To put an end to fpeculative error, it might perhaps,
in fome degree, be effectual to lay lefs ftrefs upon me-
taphyfics in academical education. Thofe who prefide
over our feminaries are no lefs liberal than enlightened,
and will furely, on fome future day, if any part of the
prefent fyftem of inftruclion is trifling or pernicious, re-
nounce it with alacrity. But a proper deference to their re-
fpeftable opinions renders it reasonable to fuppofe, that
aa attention to this abllrufe, though otherwife ufelefs

fcience.

No. 141. MORAL, Sec. 235

fcience, may tend to give the young mind a habit of
thinking with depth and precifion. As a fevere dif-
cipline, it may be advantageous. Many a manoeuvre it
taught the foldier in his courfe of preparation for war,
which will feldom be ufeful in the field of battle.

All thofe who have little opportunity of being ac-
tively ferviceable to others, have an unquestionable right
to feek amufement in nbftrufe fpeculation, or in any
other paftime which is innocent. They may puzzle
themfelves for diverfion even in metaphyfics. But if,
in the courfe of their enquiries, they fhould fall upon
a wonderful difcovery, which, when divulged, would
diflurb the happy ignorance of mankind, let them for
Once be felfim, enjoy it in private, and with-hold it
from the community.

No. CXLI. ON LATIN VERSE AS AN EXER-
CISE AT SCHOOLS.

NO part of claffical education has been more ge-
nerally cenfured and more firmly adhered to,
than that of exercifmg boys in the compofition of Latin
poetry. The trite remark, that a poet is born, and
rot formed by difcipline, has been urged againfl it. It
has alfo been alleged, that the time bellowed on it
would be more advantageoufly fpent in the ftudy of
things, and in acquiring a right method of exprefiing
our fentiments in humble profe. It is abfurd enough,
fay the objeftors, to exaft a certain portion of Englifti
verfe from the fcholar ; but to perplex him with Latiu
verfe, at a time when he might be learning a thoufand
ufeful things ; what is it but extreme imprudence, coun-
tenanced indeed by general practice, but neverthelefs
both culpable and truly ridiculous ?

They allow, however, that the cuftom is general, and
of long duration. Surely then that degree of refpeft is
due to the general opinion of mankind, and to the wif-
dom of our predecefibrj, which leads us to prefume,
that there muft have been fome benefit perceived by ex-
perience

236 ESSAYS, No. 141-.

perience from an inilitution thus antient and univerfal.
And it is natural to confider, whether a few arguments
may not be found in favour of a mode illently and uni-
formly purfued, amid the loud clamour every where
raifed againft it.

The defenders of pra&ices unjuftly cenfured, often do
an injury to their caufe, by admitting none of the objec-
tions to be reafonable. We will then allow, that to
learn to make Latin verfe is to lofe tims, when- the
fcholar is deftined to fpend his life in commercial or in
mechanical employments. But, at the fame time,, we
muft infift on its utility to the man of independent for-
tune, to the divine, the lawyer, the phyfician, and per-
haps to the accomplifhed military commander.

To all thefe an acquaintance with the claflics will
add an elegance, fuch as tends to complete their cha-
racters as gentlemen, as well as fcholars. It is the
finifhing polifh of education, and operates on the mind,
like dancing on the perfon, by fuperadding a graceful
habit. But there is no method fo well calculated to
ittfufe an intimate knowledge of an author, as to imi-
tate and endeavour to rival his excellences. To writs
Virgilian verfe with true elegance, it is necefTary to
commit to memory every phrafe ; to catch the very
fpirit of Virgil ; to mark the varied paufes of his verfes,.
the length of his periods, the peculiar grace of his ex-
preflions ; and to give the whole composition a majeftic
dignity. All thefe requifites to poetical compofition in
Latin, can only be acquired by a frequent and attentive
perufal of the noble Mantuan.

The firft-fruits of genius produced by the fine/I
writers that adorn our annals, were compofuions in.
Latin verfe. Milton, at a boyiih age, wrote it with,
great elegance. Cowley excelled in it early. Addifon
was much celebrated for his juvenile eflays in it. Prior
began with writing Latin epigrams. All the great
men who have been educated at public fchools, where
it is invariably an exercife, were, during feveral years»
obliged to compofe it as a daily tafk ; and though
many of them were never diftipguifhed in poetry, yet
they derived confiderable advantages from the attempt,
as will probably appear from the following reflections :

Difficulty

No. 141. M O R A L,, &c. 237

Difficulty is naturally painful ; but to overcome it
caufes a very fenfible pleafure, and facilitates future
conqueib, by adding courage. To write Latin verfe,
is certainly an arduous taflc to a young boy; but the
authority of his mailer, and a fpirit of emulation, urge
him to attempt with alacrity what his own indolence
would have led him to neglect. Long practice gives
facility. He finds he has overcome what he once
thought infurmountable. When any new undertaking
offers itfelf in future with a difficult and forbidding
afpect, he is not affrighted ; for he recollects, that he
hac already performed that which, appeared to him im-
practicable. The exertion neceflary to accomplifh what
is not eafy, has a natural tendency to give the mind
frefh vigour.

A fubject taken from a claffic, a moral fentiment, or
an ingenious remark, is given to a boy as a fubject of
meditation to employ his leifure during the intervals of
fchool. He is taught, that there muft be an unity in
his defign ; that he muft invent a thought, on which he
is to difplay, if he can, good fenfe, and Auguftan wit,
exprefted in the moft elegant verfificaiion. This tends
to give a knowledge of things, at the fame time that it
renders it necefl'ary to call to his affiitance all his claflical
phrafeology. He muft revolve many ideas in his mind
before this thought 'occurs. In this procefs he exercifes
the powers of judgment, of difcrimination, of tafte. He
recollects all his reading, he reviews all he has feen and
heard, he fearches his books on fimilar topics, and at
once improves what he has obtained, and makes new
acquifitions.

He who has been converfant in great fchobls will
have feen copies of verfes written as the exercifes of
an evening, in which were difplayed wit, humour,
fine language, ingenious turns, harmonious verfe, and
very fhrewd obfervations on men arvd things. Such
were the Lufus Weilmonafterienfes ; fuch were many
in the Mufaj Etonenfes, and fuch are thoufands that
have never yet been offered to the public view. It is a
known truth, that many of the boys who were engaged
in thefc ttfeful fports of a fertile genius, afterwards be-

238 ESSAYS, No, 141,

came diftinguifhed members of the literary or the politi.
cal republic ; and they owed much of that good reception
which they met with in the world, to the fame and merit
of clafiical fcholarmip, acquired at their fchool.

Every liberal fcholar defires to extend his views, and
to be enabled to derive literary pleafure from all that
is capable of affording it. If he has formed no tafte for
modern Latin poetry, he will be a ftranger to many
moft pleafing productions. But he cannot have a juft
relifh for them, unlefs he has a knowledge of profody,
and of their various metres ; and of thefe he can feldom
have a perfect: knowledge, fuch a knowledge as will
enable him to judge of their finer graces, without hav-
ing compofed Latin poetry as an exercife.

It is certain, that none of the modern Latinifls have
equalled Virgil and Horace, and that the claffical
ftudent can no where find entertainment fo unmixed as
in their original writings. But the daintieft fare that
an Apicius ever invented, ceafed to pleafe when con-
ftantly repeated. Nor can he be faid to have an un-
diftinguifhing tafte, or a coarfe appetite, who feeks
variety in the writing of the Virgilian Vida, and in the
fweet flrains of our own Vincent Bourne. There is
often a happy union of the beauties that diftinguifh
Ovid, Tibullus, and Martial, in the Carmina Quadra-
gefimalia. Rapin, Vanier, Buchanan, and Browne,
feem to have written Latin verfe with an eafe, which
would almoft lead to a fuppofition that Latin was their
vernacular language. In mifcellaneous publications of
our own and other nations, the man of tafte will find a
multitude of poematia, which he may read with plea-
fure, and without danger of corrupting the purity of his
ftyle.

Merely as the means of enjoying a fweet and inno-
cent pleafure in greater perfection, of filling up a
leifure hour with an elegant amufement, the compo-
fition of Latin verfe may be juftly recommended to the
affluent and the generous youth, who enjoys, and knows
how to value, a liberal education. Others, it muft be
owned, will be much better employed in learning their
pence-table.

4 No. CXLII.

-No. 14:. MORA L, &c.

No. CXLII. ON THE INSENSIBILITY OF THE
MEN TO THE CHARMS OF A FEMALE MIND
CULTIVATED WITH POLITE AND SOLID
LITERATURE. IN A LETTER.

S I R,

I AM the only daughter of a clergyman, who, on the
death of my mother, which happened when I was
about three years old, concentered his affections in me,
and thought he could not difplay his love more effectually
than in giving me a good education. His houfe was
fituated in a folitary village, and he had but little pa-
rochial duty, fo that there was fcarcely any thing to di-
vert his attention from this object. He had ever been
devoted to letters, and confidered learning, next to
virtue, as the nobleft diftinction of human nature.

As foon as I could read, I was initiated in Lilly's
Grammar, and, before I was eight years old, could re-
peat every rule in it with the greateft accuracy. I was
taught indeed all kinds of needle-work ; but two hours
in every day were invariably fet apart for my improve-
ment in Latin. I foon perfected myfelf in the element-
ary parts, and had read Phasdrus and Cornelius Nepos
with a ftrict attention to the grammatical conftruftion
of every word and phrafe which they contained. From
thefe I was advanced to Virgil and Horace. Under the
direction of fo good a claffic as my father, I foon ac-
quired a tafte for their beauties, and not only read them
through with great delight, but committed their more
beautiful paflages to memory.

My father was fo well pleafcd with my proficiency,
and with the taik of inftructing the object of his ten-
dereft love, that he refolved to carry my improvements
higher, and to open to my view the fpacious fields of
Grecian literature. The Greek Grammar I mattered
with great cafe, and I found a fweetnefs in the lan-
guage which amply repaid me for the little difficulties I

fomctimes

r. * -ESSAYS, No. ir.

forne times encountered. From the Greek Teftament I
proceeded to the Cyropxdia of Xenophon, the Orations
of Demofthenes, the Dialogues of Plato, and the Iliad
and Odyfley of Homer. That I received great im-
provement from this courie, cannot be denied ; bat the
pleafure of it alone was to me a fufficient reward. I was
enabled to drink at the fountain-head, while others
were obliged to content themfelves with the diftant and
polluted flream. I found that no tranflacions what-
ever, however accurately they might exhibit the fenfe
of originals, could exprefs the beauties of the language.
I was pofieffed of a power of infpe&ing ihofe volumes,
in admiration of mhich the world has long agreed, but
from which my fex has been for the moll part unrea-
fonably excluded. It was a noble privilege, and I va-
lue myfelf upon it ; but I hope and believe I did not
defpife thofe who had not partaken of it folely for want
of opportunities.

The French and Italian languages became eafy after
my acquaintance with the Latin, and my father was of
opinion that they are indifpenfably necefiary to the mo-
dern fcholar. In French I read Rollin, Boileau, Fonte-
selle, Voiture, Bonhours, Brnyere, Roufleau, Voltaire,
and Marmontel ; in Italian, Petrarch, Taflb, ArioHo,
Gnicciardin, and theCortegiano of Ca&glione. All thefe
gave me a degree of pleafure, which I am fare none would
be without, who are capable of obtaining it.

After having laid a foundation in the language?,
which I believe is feldom done with fuccefs but at an
early age, my father allowed me to feaft without ccn-
troul on die productions' of my own country. The learn-
ing I had acquired enabled me to read them critically,
and to underftand all their allufions. The beft writers
abound fo much in quotations, that I cannot help
thinking that they who are unacquainted with the an-
tient languages, mnft often be mortified at their inabi-
lity to unlock the concealed treafure.

AH theclaffical poets, from Shakefpeare to Pope, were
myftndy and delight. Hiflory, which my father always
recommended as peculiarly fuited to adorn the female
mind, was a favourite purfuit. I digefted Hume and
Robertfon, and took a pleafure in every biographical

anecdote

No. 142. MORAL, *c.

anecdote I could colled. After reading a life, or the
hiftory of any particular event, I was always defired.
by my father to give my featiments upon it in writing;
an exercile which I found to be attended with great
advantage.

I never penetrated deeply into the fciences, yet I
could not reft fatisfied without a foperfioal knowledge
of agronomy, of the folar fyftem, of experimental philo*
fephy, and of geography mathematical, phyftcal, and
political. This little was neceflary for rational convex-
lation, and I had neither time nor tafie for fcientific
refinements. Poetry was my delight, and I fometimes
wrote it, as the partiality of my poor rather led him to
affert, in a pleaiing manner.

I do not make it a merit of my owa, becanfe it was
entirely owing to my father's direction, that with all
my attention to books, I did not negkd the ornamental
accomplifiments. My father excelled in me fie, and
he taught me to play on the harpfichord. He en-
gaged a good mafter to inftruft me in dancing, and lie
always cannoned me againft that ncgleft of drefs and
of accurate cleanlinefi, which, he (aid, had ibmetimes
involved literary ladies in deferred difgrace. He like-
wife inculcated the necefEty of avoiding a pedantic
manner of converfation, and ftri&ly charged me never
to be overbearing, or to (hew in the company of others
the leaft appearance of confcious faperioncy. I believe
I may venture to fay, that I complied with his direc-
tions, and that I talked with perfecf. cafe among the
fuperficial, and neither ejcprefled nor felt contempt, er-
cept where vanity and affedanon were combined with
ignorance.

otwithftanding my improvements and mrearneft -

endeavours to prevent them from becoming invidious, I

find myfelf received in the world with lefs cordiality

than I had region to exped. My own fcx ftand too

much in awe of me to bear me any affection. When I

cooie into their company, an univerfal faience would

. were not interrupted by myfelf. Thoof h

: fay that I am treated rudely, yet I can eaSly

: ::es I receive are conftrained ;

ive every reafon to believe, chat no final! pains

II. M ' a:*

ESSAYS, No.

142,

are taken to traduce my character, and to ridicule my
tafte in drefs, and all the circumitances of external
behaviour. Ic is kindly hinted, rhat a little awkward-
neis and impropriety may he excufed in a learned lady,
and that drefs and decorum arc beneath the notice of
a poetefs.

I have no reafon to think that my pcrfon is particu-
larly difagreeable ; yet, I know not how it is, I am
avoided by gentlemen who are ambitious of the com-
pany of other ladies. They have dropt, in the hearing
of fome of my friends, that though they think me
extremely clever, yet they cannot reconcile the ideas of
female attractions and the knowledge of he Gieek.
They do not mean to detract from my praife ; but they
muft own, that I am not the woman after their hearts.
They entertain a notion, that a lady of improved un-
derltanding will not fubmit to the lefs dignified cares of
managing a houfehold. She knows how to make verfes,
fays the \vitling, but give me the woman who can make
a pudding.

£ mud confefs, I ever thought it the moft valuable re-
commendation of a wife to be capable of becoming a
converfable companion to her hufband ; nor did I ever
conceive that the qualifications of a cook-maid, a
laundrefs, or a houfe- keeper, were the moft defirable
accomplifhmenfs in a partner for life. A woman of
improved underftanding and real fenfe is more likely to
fubmit to her condition, whatever it may be, than the
uneducated or the half-learned ; and fuch an one will
always be willing to fuperintend ccconomy when it
becomes her duty ; and to take an aftive part in houfe-
hold management, when the happinefs of him me
loves, and of herfelf, depends upon her perfonal inter-
ference.

' The education of children in the earlier periods,
particularly of daughters, naturally belongs to the mo-
ther. Her inclination to improve them, feconded by
her ability to take the proper methods, mud be attended
with the moft valuable effefts. The world is acquaint-
ed with the happy conferences of a Cornelia's parental
care. But it feems probable, that little nourishment of
mind can be imbibed from a mother, whole ideas harJ1-

No. 143. M ORAL, &c. 243

ever wandered beyond the limits either of a kitchen or
a drefling-room. Neither is there ftifficient reafon to
conclude, that me whofe intellectual acquifitions enable
her to entertain her hufband, and to form the minds of"
her children, muft be incapable or unwilling to fuper-
intend the table, and give a perfonal attention to do-
meftic osconomy.

That learning belongs not to the female character,
and that the female mind is not capable of a degree
of improvement equal to that of the other fev, are nar-
row and unphilofophical prejudices. The prefent times
exhibit moft honourable inftances of female learning and
genius. The fuperior advantages of boys education are,
perhaps, the fole reafon of their fubfequent fuperiority.
Learning is equally attainable, and, I think, equally va-
luable, for the fatisfaclion arifing from it, to a woman
as a man. For my own part, I would not lofe the little
I pofTefs., to avoid all thofe difagreeable confequences
of which I have juil now complained.

No. CXLIII. ON PARENTAL INDULGENCE.

'""T~r H E love of progeny feems to operate as ftrongly
J_ in the brute creation as in the- human fpccies,
during the hdplefs ngc of immaturity. The guidance
ol initial, indeed, a.j it is more decisively determinate,
feems to bring up an offspring with lefs deviation from
the purpnfes of nature, than the fuperior facility of
reafon. The greater acuteneis of reafon leads to he-
Htation, and involves in error, while it is dhlracled bv
the variety of objecls it aflemblcs for its choice. The
bird never injures its young by repletion. The young,
indeed, of few animals, when left to the care of the
parent, without the interference of man, is found to
perifh. But it is well known how large a proportioa
of children die under the age of two years, in our me-
tropolis. The caufe is in general the negleft of nature
for the aids of art, proceeding from a degree of fondnefs
which llimulatcs the parent to take all the care upon
M z herlHf.

244 ESSAYS, No. 143.

herfelf, and to leave little to the invinble procefs of na-
. tural energies.

If the child furvive by the vigour of its conftitution
to a puerile age, even then the fondnefs of the parent,
moft amiable in its origin, but mofl injurious to the
objeft it moft wifhes to benefit, is found to deftroy the
very purpofes of living, by endeavouring to render life
pleafurable to excefs, and without viciffitude. If his
abfence can be fo far borne as to permit him to enter
at a fchool, an earneft defire is exprefled that he may
be indulged in all thofe luxuries of the table which
pollute the pure ftream of the infant blood, and, by
overloading the organs of intellect, preclude the pof-
fibility of folid improvement. He, whofe attention
Ihould be engrofled by his book, and who mould learn
to look on every pleafure of the fenfes as a fubordinate
pleafure, is taught, by the overweening attachment of
a parent, to have little other care than to pamper the
grofleft among the animal appetites.

Regularity of diet, and modeft decency in all the
circumftances of fcholaftic life, are often reprefented as
the refult of a too penurious ceconomy ; and the young
pupil no fooner returns, in the days of vacation, to his
paternal roof, than he is crammed with delicacies, to
compenfate the penance he has undergone at the place
of his education.

We can derive but little improvement from the
teacher we contemn. Yet how can the boy avoid con-
tempt for the mafter, whom he is taught to confider
as totally regardlefs of any thing but his own fordid
interefl, and capable of -depriving the child committed
to his care of his proper fultenarice ? But they who are
fenfible in other refpefts, are rendered, by their fond-
nefs, weak enough to believe any calumny which a fro-
ward child utters for the -fake of changing his place of
education, or_of remaining at home.

The properi£tr"t6' Indulgence is fo ftrong, that at
the matureft a'ge,' and with the moft improved reafon,
it is difficult to reftrain it within the limits of modera-
tion. To encourage, inftead of checking this natural
tendency, is, in effect, to nurfe thofe vices of the
future youth, and to caufe thofe excefles of early man-
hood,

No. 143. MORAL, ice. 245

hood, which in the end haften the grey hairs of
the inconftderate parent with forrow to the grave. Fev*1
would be profligate in the extreme, if they were not
untaught all the virtue they learn under their tutors,
by the example and inadvertence of their own family.
When immorality is obliquely recommended by a fa-
ther's pradice, the infection is irrefiftible. A tutor's
admonitions are foon fuppofed to proceed merely from
official care, when they contradidl the conducl of him
whom a child naturally loves above all others.

The general cultom of allowing a considerable
weekly ftipend, and of giving pecuniary prefents to
the fchoolboy, often frustrates the intentions of educa-
tion. It is not likely that he mould give his thought«
to literary improvement, who is obliged to ftudy how
he mall fpend the bounty of his aunts and coufins ; and
whofe pocket always enables him to find recreation
without feeking it in books. Jt would ;>e hr.ppy if
things could be fo contrived, that, for want of employ-
ment, he mould be driven to thofe volumes where em-
ployment of the fweeteft kind may be always found,
attended with the moft valuable advantages. A pro-
fufion of money at a childifh age is not uncommonly
the caufe of fubfequent extravagance, and tends to
introduce one of the moft pernicious and leaft curable
vices, a propenfity to gaming. But reafoning can avail
little againft the partiality of fome fond relation, who
cannot fuffer prefent pleafure to be neglecled by her
favourite, for the fake of an advantage which is diftant
and uncertain.

It is ufually fuppofed that maternal affeftion is
ftronger than paternal. There is no doubt but that
it often interpofes in adjulting the plan of education.
Its kind folicitude is too amiable to be cenfured with
afperity. Yet we muft aflert, that it is not poffible
that a mother, though fenfible and accomplished,
mould be fo well qualified to direft the care of a boy's
education in all its parts, as a father of equal abilities.
All the important departments in civil life are filled
by men. The pulpit, the bar, the fenate-houfe, are
appropriated to men. Men, from the facility with
which they travel, and their fuperior hardinefs, fee
M 3 more

24& ESSAYS, No. 145,

more of the world than women, who, with the fame
opportunities, might indeed make the fame obfcrva-
tions; but who, in the preferit Uite cf things, cannoi
judge of thofe qualifications, attainments, manners,
and char?.fter~, which recommend to notice in all the
profefiicns of life, and tend to in fare fuccefs. Hence
It is that they are obferved to fet the higheil value on or-
namental accomplilhments, of the grace of which their
iine tafte is peculiarly fcnfi'o'e ; and to under- rate the
more folid attainments, with the utility and, beauty of
which their iituation often keeps them unacquainted.
Many a fond and fenfible mother has controverted the
necefiity of learning Latin, as a dead language, in which
there can be no ufe, while the living languages of France
and Italy are moreeafily attainable, and infinitely more
fafhionable. Such a judgment is not to be wondered at ;
nor does it proceed from natural weaknefs, but from an
«navoidable unacquaintance with the charms of the
daffies, and the utility of Latin in the practice of every
liberal art, in the converfation of the enlightened, and
in the ftudy of the mod: admired modern books, which
abound in Latin quotations, in allufions to the claffics,
and in words which cannot be fully underflood with-
out underftanding the language from which they are
derived.

Add to this, that the extreme tendernefs of maternal
afFeftion will not permit that ft rift difcipline to be
exercifed on a beloved fon, which, though it has
nothingin.it of harm feverity, refembles not the foft
and indulgent treatment of the mother or nurfe.
Scarcely any thing of value is brought to perfection
without feme care analogous to this fcholaftic difcipline.
The tree will not produce its fruits in fuilicient abun-
dance, or with a proper flavour, unlefs it is chnftifed in
its luxuriances by the hand of art. It is requifue that
the flubborn foil fhould be broken by cultivation. The
moft ferviceabk animals are either ufelefs or hurtful,
till reduced to obedience by coercion. Man, above all,
po/Tefled as he is of ftronger powers and acuter per-
ceptions, of ill qualities no lefs than good, in a fupe-
rior degree, requires all the aids of art to correft his
enormities, and teach him to aft a rational and con.

fiftent

No. 144. MORA L, &c. 247

fjllent part in the theatre of the world. Although the
iii:ii;tion of ial'Jtary difcipline may give pain even to
thofe who know it to be falutary, yet they mull not, for
the i.ike of fparing their own feelings, aft in contradic-
tion to their judgment, and do an irreparable injury to
thoie whom they moll tenderly lore. Exceffive lenity
and indulgence are ultimately exceifive rigour.

With the excellent eftecls of Spartan dik'ipline, every
one is acquainted. Of the lamentable coniequences ot
modern relaxation, daily experience furnifhes examples.
The puerile age is patient and traftable. Reformation
mull begin there. Temperance, diligence, modeily,
and humility, cannot be too early inculcated. Thei<-
will lead through the temple of virtue to the temple of
honour and happinefs. In this progrefs, ftrifl difciplinf
will fometimes be neceiTary ; but let not the pretence of
proper correction give an opportunity for the gratification
of viadidive cruelty. Inhumanity, even in a Bufby, ad-
xnhs not of palliation*.

No. CXLIV. ON THE POEMS ATTRIBUTED
TO ROWLEY.

THERE are many truths which we firmly believe,
though we are unable to refute every argument
which the extreme fubtilty of refined learning may ad-
vance to invalidate them. When I read the refearches
of thofe learned antiquaries who have endeavoured to
prove, that the poems attributed to Rowley were really-
written by him, I obferve many ingenious remarks in
confirmation of their opinion,, which it would be tedious,
if not difficult, to controvert. But I no fooner turn to
the poems, than the labour of the antiquaries appears only
a waile of time and ingenuity, and I am involuntarily,
forced to join in placing that laurel, which he feems fo
well to have deierved, on the brow of Chatterton.

The poems bear fo many marks of fuperior genius,

thai they have, defervedly excited the general. attention of

M. 4 polhe

*4* ESSAY S, No. 144.

polite fcholars, and are confidered as the moft re-
markable productions in modern poetry. We have
many inftances of poetical eminence at an early age ; but
neither Cowley, Milton, nor Pope, ever produced any
thing, while they were boys, which can juftly be com-
pared to the poems of Chatterton. The learned antir
quaries do not indeed difpute their excellence. They
extol it in the higheft terms of applaufe. They raife
their favourite Rowley to a rivalry with Homer ; but
they make the very merit of the works an argument
againft the real author. Is it poffible, fay they, that
a boy could produce compositions fo beautiful and fo
mafterly? That a common boy fhould produce them
is hot poffible; but that they fhould be produced by
a boy of an extraordinary genius, fuch a genius as is that
of Homer and Shakefpeare ; fuch a genius as appears
not above once in many centuries ; though a prodigy,
is fuch an one as by no means exceeds the bounds of
rational credibility.

That Chatterton was fuch a genius, Ms manners and
Vs-j iifv in U ii;c tit-glee e.iroe. iit had all the trei¥.u!cit3
ic-rfibiiiiy of genius, all its eccentricities, all Its pride,
and all its fpirit. Even his death, unfortunate and
wicked as it was, difplayed a magnitude of foul, which
urged him to fpurn a world, where even his exalted
genius could not vindicate him from contempt, indi-
gence, and contumely.

Againft the opinion of his fuperiority of genius, the
mifcellanies which he publiftied in a periodical pamphlet
are triumphantly produced. But what proof is there,
that all which are attributed to him were really his own ?
They are collected after his death ; collected, I foppofe,
by conjefture, and published in a feparate volume,
with all the typographical errata of the hafty pamphlets
from which they are reprinted. But in many of the
pieces which were confefTedly written by him there are
marks of genius, not indeed equal to thofe of the
counterfeit Rowley, but fuch as prove, that the boy
who wrote them could write better. In compofing the
ancient poems all his attention had been exerted. It
was thefirft, and feems to have been the greateft, objed
of his life, to raife himfelf, to future eminence by the

inftru-

No. 144- MORA L, &c. 249

inftrumentality of a fi&itious poet of a former age.
Nights, if not days, were devoted to the work ; for we
have it on record, that he ufed to fit awake in his cham-
ber during the filence of midnight. But the little com-
pofitions which he wrote for the magazines, were either
written in a carelefs mood, when he relaxed his mind
from his grand work, or in a moment of diftrefs, when
an extemporary eflay or copy of verfes was neceflary to
procure him a halfpenny roll and a draught of frnall beer.
When he found that the editors were more defirous of
quantity than quality, and amidft the numerous volun-
teers in their fervice, feemed backward to engage with,
one who wanted a ftipend, he forefaw that even the lit-
tle which nature wan ted would not befupplied— He faw,
and refigned his indignant fpirit.

Unfortunate boy! fhort and evil were thy days, but
thy fame mail be immortal. Hadft thou been known to
the munificent patrons of genius— But waft thou not
known to one ? If fame report thy treatment truly, it
was not kind of thee, Horatio; it was not like thyfelf,r-
for thou art gentle in thy nature. Waft thou not confi-
dered as the oracle of tafte, the inveftigator of all that is*
curious in arts and literature ?-^It was then, atlaft, thy
only pride and pleafure to bring to light a catalogue of
roya/and «0^/Vauthors. — What hadft thou to do with rep-
tiles ? with a poor, friendlefs, and obfcure charity-boy ?
Befides, exclaims Horatio, it was a forgery — a horrid, a
vile forgery — Importers are not to be encouraged — But
let us afk thee, Didft not thou put a falfe name to thy
own romance,— to thy own poor production, for fuch it
is when compared with the fublime excellence of Chat-
terton ? If, indeed, thy negleft of the poor toy arofe from
miftake or inadvertency, and I think it might, the gene-
rous Public freely forgives thee j— but if from pride and
infolence, the prefent and all future times will probably
refent an omiffion, which haftened one of the~greateft ge»
niufes which England ever knew, at the age oVa boy, to
that 'bourne from which no traveller returns.

Unfortunate boy ! poorly waft thou accommodated

during thy (hort fojourning among us ; — rudely waft

thou treated,— forely did thy feeling foul fuffer from

the fcorn of the unworthy ; and there are, at laft, thofe

M 5 who

250 ESSAYS, No. 144,

who wifh to rob thee of thy only meed, thy pofthumous
glory. Severe too are the cenfurers of thy morals. la
the gloomy moments of defpondency, I fear thou hail
uttered impious and blafphcmous thoughts, which none
can defend, and which neither thy youth, nor thy fiery
fpirit, nor thy fituation, can extenuate. But let thy mere
rigid cenfors reflect, that thou waft literally and ilriclly
but a boy. Let many of thy bitiereft enemies reflect
what were their own religious principles, and whether
they had any, at the age of fourteen, fifteen, and fixteen.
Surely it is a fevere and an unjuft furmife, that thou
wouldft probably have ended thy life as a victim, of the
laws, if thou hadft not finifhed it as thou didfl ; fince the
very aft by which thou durfl put an end to thy painful
exiitence, proves, that thou thoughteft it better to die,
than to fupport life by theft or violence.

The fpeculative errors of a boy who wrote from the
fudden fuggeftions of paffion or defpondency, who 15
not convicted of any immoral or difhoneft aci in con-
fequence of his fpeculations, ought to be excufed and
configned to oblivion. Eut there feems to be a genera!
ami inveterate diflike to the boy, exclufively of the
poet ; a diflike which many will be ready to impute,
and, indeed, not without the appearance of reafon,
to that inference and envy of the little great, which
cannot bear to acknowledge fo tranfcendent and com-
manding a faperiority in the humble child of want and
obfcuricy.

Malice, if there was any, may furely now be at reft j;
for " Cold he lies in the grave below." But where
vere ye, O ye friends to genius, when flung with dif-
appointment, diftrefied for food and raiment, with every
frightful form of human mifery painted on his fine
imagination, poor Chatterton funk in defpair? Alas!
ye knew him not then, and now it is too late,,— — •

For now he is dead ;,

Gone to his death-bed,

All under the willow tree.

So fang the fweet youth, in as tender an elegy as ever
tit wed from a feeling heart.

In return for the pleafure I have received from thy-

poeim, I p?-y thee, poor boy, the trifling tribute of"

fe my

No. i4j-. NT" O R A' L, &c. 251

my praife. Thyfelf thou haft emblazoned ; thine own
monument thou hail erefted. But they whom thou hafl
delighted, feel a pleafure in vindicating thine honours
from the rude attacks of detraction. Thy fentiments,.
thy verfe, thy rhythm are all modern, are all thine. By
the help of gloflaries and dictionaries, and the perufal
of many old Englilh writers, thou haft been able to
tranilate the language cf the prefent time into that cf
former centuries. .Thou haft built an artificial ruin.
The flones are mo-fly and old, the whole fabric appears
rtally antique to the diitant and the c?.relefs fpedtator ;,
even the connoifleur, who pores with fpedtacles on the
fingle ftones, and infpecls the moffy concretions with an
aniiquarian eye, boldly authenticates its antiquity; but
they who examine without prejudice, and by the crite-
rion of common fenfe, clearly difcover the cement and
the workmanilnp of a modern mafon.

But though I cannot entertain a doubt but that the
poems were written by Chatterton, .yet I mean not to
didate to others, nor will I engage in controverfy. I
have exprefled my feelings as thole of a reader, who,,
though he refpecls the iludy of antiquities, diilikes the
blind prejudices of the mere antiquary. I leave the
weapons of controverfy to be wielded bv thofe powerful
champions in the caufe of Chatterton, a Tyrwhit and a
Warton. I give a Jingle vote for Ghatterton ; but I car.
make no intereil in his favour.

N-O. CXLV. ON THE MORAL TENDENCY OF
T.HE WRITINGS OF STERNE.

IT is the privilege of genius, Hkre ths fnn, to gild
every objeft on which it em.its its lurlre. Jf the in-
fluence of its light and heat be directed on deformity
itft'lf", fometliing of ?.n agreeable tinge is communi-
cated ; and that which naturally excites horror and
r.verfion, begins at laft to pleafc. Genius, like the fabu
lous power of a Midas, ken>s to convert all its touches
into gold, and with the wonderful property of" the
en itone, to tranfmute t!ie bafeil to the purcft
M 6 raeul.

252 ESSAYS, No. 145.

metal. Hence it has happened, that doctrines which
common fenfe and common prudence have repudiated,
are no fooner recommended by writers of genius, than
they are received without debate, and admired as the
ultimate difcoveries of improved philofophy. Let the
fame opinions be advanced by a dull writer, and even
the vain and the vicious, whom they tend to encourage,,
will refute and difavow th«m from principles of pride
and of fhame.

That Sterne poffefled a fine particle of real genius, if
our reafon were difpofed to deny it, our fenfations on
perufing him will fully evince. It is, I think, an infallible
proof of real genius, when a writer poflefles the power of
lhaking the nerves, or of affecting the mind in the mod
lively manner in a few words, and with the moft perfect
Simplicity of language. Such a power confpicuoufly
marks both a Shakefpeare and a Sterne ; though Sterne
is far below Shakefpeare in the fcale of genius.

I am ready to allow to Sterne another and a moft ex-i-
alted merit beiides, and above the praife of genius.
There never was a heathen philofopher of any age or
nation, who has recommended, in fo affecting a manner,
the benignant doctrines of a general philanthropy. He
has corrected the acrimony of the heart, fmoothed the
afperities of natural temper, and taught the milk of hu-
man kindnefs to flow ail-cheerily (it is his own expreffion)
in gentle and uninterrupted channels.

To have effected fo amiable a purpofe is a great
praife, a diftinguiflied honour. Ilament that the praife
is leflened and the honour fullied by many faults and
many follies, which render the writings of Sterne juftly
and greatly reprehenfible.

If we confider them as compofitions, and are guided
in our judgment by the dictates of found criticifm,
and by thofe ftandards of excellence, the rectitude of
which has been decided by the teftimony of the politeit
ages, it will be neceflary to pronounce on them a fevere
fentence. The great critic of antiquity required, as the
neceflary conftituents of a legitimate compofition, a
beginning, a middle, and an end. I believe it will be
difficult to find them in the chaotic eonfufion of Triftram
Shandy. But, difregarding the tribunal of Ariftotle,

to

N9, US- MORA L, &c. 253.

to which the modern pretenders to genius do not con-
fider themfelves as amenable, it will {till be true, even
by the decifions of reafon and common fenfe, that his
writings abound with faults.

Obfcurity has always been deemed one of the greateft.
errors of winch a writer can be guilty; and there have
been few readers, except thofe who thought that the-
acknowledgment would derogate from their reputation
for wifdom, who have not complained that Triftram,
Shandy is in many places difguftfully obfcure.

The admirers o£ Sterne extol his wit. But I believe-
it will be found that his wit is of the loweft kind, and
the eafieft of invention ; for is it not for the moft part
allufive oWcenity? a fpecies of wit to be found in
its fulleft perfection in the vulgareft and vileft haunts of
vice i It is, indeed, eafy to attract the notice and
the admiration of the youthful and the wanton, by
exhibiting loofe images under a tranfparent veil. It is
true indeed there is ufually a veil, and the decent are
therefore tempted to read ; but the veil, like the affected
modefty of a courtezan,, ferves only as an artifice co fa-r
cilitate corruption.

The praife of humour has been lavished on him wich-.
peculiar bounty. If quaintnefs is humour, the praife
is all his own, and let Cervantes and Fielding bow
their heads to Sterne. They who admire Uncle Toby,
Doctor Slop, and Corporal Trim, as natural characters,
or as exhibiting true humour in their manners and con-
verfations,. are little acquainted with nature, and have
no juft tafte for genuine humour. It is evident enough,
that the author meant to be humorous and witty, and
many of his readers, in the abundance of their good-na-*
ture, have taken the will for the deed.

But till obfcurity, till obfcenity, till quaintnefs, till
impudence, till oddity, and mere wantonnefs, wildnefs,
and extravagance, are perfections in writing, Triitram
Shandy cannot juft!y claim the rank to which it has
been raifed by folly and fafliion, by caprice, libertinifm,
and ignorance. I know that this cenfure will be con.
fidered as blafphemy by the idolaters of Sterne; but
1 hope it will not four that milk of human kindnefs
which they may have imbibed from his writings j and

to

254- ESSAY S, No. i4j.

to an excefiive degree of which many foft and effeminate
perfons affectedly pretend. Let their philanthropy re-
prefs awhile their refentment, and I will venture to
predict, that time will infenfibly ftrip the writer of thofe
honours which never belonged to him.

But will you allow his ferraons no merit ? I allow fome
ef them the merit of the pathetic ; but the laborious at-
tempts to be witty and humorous have fpoiled the
greater part of them. The appearance of fincerity is one
of the belt beauties of a fermon. But Sterne feems as if he
were laughing at his audience, as if he had afcended the
pulpit in a frolic, and preached in mockery. Had he
however written nothing but his fermons, he certainly
would not have been cenfured as the dellroyer of the
morals and the happinefs of private life.

There are, indeed, exquiihe touches of the pathetic
interfperfed throughout all his works. His pathetic
ftories are greatly admired. The pathetic was the chief
excellence of his writings ; his admirers will be dil-
pleafed if one were to add, that it is the only one
which admits of unalloyed applaufe. It is certainly this
which chiefly adorns the Sentimental Journey ; a work
which, whatever are its merits, has had a pernicious
influence on the virtue, and conlequently on the happi-
nefs, of public and private fociety.

That ioftnefs, that affected and excefllve fympathy at
firii fight, that fentimental affeclion, which is but luft..
in difgmff, and which is fo llrongly infpired by the
Sentimental Journey, and byTriiiram Shandy, have been
the ruin of thoufands of our countrymen and country-
women, who fancied, that while they were breaking the
laws of God and man, they were actuated by the fine
$e?\\ngs-Qtfer.tirnenialnfj~e<:i!<>ri. How much are divorces
multiplied fince Sterne appeared !

Sterne himfelf, with all his pretenfions,. is faid to
have difplayed, in private life, a bad and a hard heart;
and I. (hall not hefuate to pronounce him, though many
admire him as the firitofphilofophers, the grand promoter
of adultery, .and every fpecies of illicit commerce. .

No. CXLVL-

No. 146. MORAL, &c.

No. CXLVI. ON THE WEIGHT AND EFFI-
CACY WHICH MORALITY MAY DERIVE
FROM THE INFLUENCE AND EXAMPLE OF
THOSE WHO ARE CALLED THE GREAT.

IT is true, indeed, that the world abounds with
moral inftruclion, and that there is fcarcely any
good thing fo eafily obtained as good advice; but it 13
no lefs true, that moral inftruftion and good advice
are found to poflefs a very fmall degree of influence in
the bufy walks of active life. In thechurch, we hear the
fcriptures read and fermons preached ; in the library,
we itudy and admire the morality of the philofophers ;.
but how few, in the aclual purfuits of ambition, of intc-
relt, of pleafure, and even in the common occupations and
intercourfe of ordinary life, fuffer their conduct to be
regulated by the precept of a Solomon, of a Socrates,,
or of him who was greater than either !

No fentence is Writer, than thafc all example is
more powerful than precept; but when the example
is fet by the rich and the great, its influence on the
herd of mankind becomes irrelillible. What can books
effecl? what avail the gentle admonitions of the retired
moralift, againfl the examples of lords, dukes, and
Earl India Nabobs ? Can the ftill fmall voice of confci-
ence be heard by thofe who live in the noiie and tumult
of pleafurable purfuits ? or can the mild doctrines of
the humble Jcfus be attended to, amid the agitations of
the gaming-table, and the debaucheries of a brothel ?-
A vicious nobleman, or profligate man of falhion,.
contributes more to extirpate morality, and diminilh the
little portion of happinefs which is allowed to mankind,
than all the malignant writings of the fceptics, from
r»1andeville and Bolingbroke, down to the feeble and
cowardly, yet Conceited writer, who infinuates his cor-
nipt and infidel opinions under the fair femblunce of
an elegant hiftory. I cannot help obferving, when I

think

*S5 ESSAYS, !*>. 14$.

think of this lafl and recent attempt, that it refembles
that of the evil fpirit, who, when he beguiled the
mother of mankind, and ruined all her progeny, ufed
the foft words of an affefted eloquence. The ferpent
was however curfed ; but the wily hiftorian is invited
to a court, rewarded with places of honour and ad-
vantage, and eagerly enrolled in the legiflative body of
a mighty and a chriftian nation.

It is certainly true,, that when a government beftow*
peculiar honour on men who have written againft the
religion of the country, and who have impioufly fought
againft the King of kings, it muft lofe the refpeft and
attachment of all good men. The religion of a country
is unqueftionably worthy of more folicitude in its
prefervation than the political conftitution, however
excellent and admirable. Kings, with all their minions
and prerogatives, lawgivers and laws, are trifles com-
pared to that fyftem of religion, on which depends
the temporal and eternal welfare of every individual
throughout the empire. What avails it, that under a
fuccefsful adminiftration the French are beaten, and
the Americans fcourged for the fin of rebellion, if
the fame adminiflration ruins our beft, our fweeteft
hopes ; thofe which rely on the proteflion of a kind
Providence, and thofe which cheer us in this vale of
mifery, by the bright gleams of a fun which fhall rife to
fet no more ?

But fuppoiing the narrow-minded minifters of a
government fo involved in gaming, fenfuality, and tem-
poral concerns, as to view all religion as impofture,
and all modes of faith as political contrivances ; yet
furely they aft inconfiftently with the dictates of their
own mean and low fpecies of wifdom, when they extir-
pate, by their example, that religion which they allow-
to be politically ufeful. What ideas can the multitude
entertain of the truth or advantages of a religion, when
they Tee thofe who openly deride, and profefs to dif-
believe it, poflefling the greatell power of the ftate,
appointing bi/hops, and archbimops, and Signing,
while they fit at the table with a ftrumpet, prefenta-
tions to the cure of half the fouls in the three kingdoms ?
Who, unlefs he is corrupted by thefe inftances, but

No. 146. MORAL, &c, 257

mud feel an honeft indignation, if a man were raifed
to the chancellorfhip of England, in whofe difpofal are
fo many ecclefiaftical preferments, were a bully in his
profeffion, and in private life a whoremafter ? Who can
wonder that the thoufand little imitators of him mould
think it a mark of fpirit, wifdom, and abilities, to fol-
low his fleps in the paths of vice, and, if pcflible, to
exceed his enormities? What muft the common people
think when profligate men are advanced to the head of
a profeffion ? They cannot but believe, that thofe who
are reputed to be fo much wifer than themfelves, and who
are evidently greater, in a worldly fenfe of the epithet,
muft have ehofen that fyftem of opinions, and that plan
of condufr, which are moft likely to be juft and rational,
£ife and pleafant. " If my Lord, or his Grace," fays
the mechanic, " of whofe wifdom liftening fenates
(land in awe, is a debauchee and an infidel, I muft
conclude, that my pariih preacher, an obfcure and
homely man, is a hypocrite, religion a farce, mora-
lity a- ufelefs reftraint on the liberty of nature. Wel-
come, then, univerfal Jibertinifni ! and let us haften
to the houfe of the harlot; let us drink the fweet cup
of intoxication ; let us fcorn the creeping manners of
vulgar induftry, and, like men of fpirit, feek our for-
tune with a piftol on the highway."
We will fuppofe the cafe of a great officer of ftate*
but of an abandoned character, refiding at a great houfe
in a populous ftreet of the metropolis. His confpicuous
Aation draws the eyes of all the neighbours on every
part of his private as well as his public conduct. His
neighbours, we will proceed to fuppofe, are honed men,
bred, in what he calls the prejudices, but which they
really believed the virtues, of their forefathers. They
are faithful hufbands, they are conftant churchmen.
They are temperate and ceeonomical. They are induf-
trious in their occupations, and jull in the payment of
their debts. But the great man produces in them a to-
tal metamorphofis. He lives in a Hate of famionablc fe-
pr.ration from his wife,, whom he treated cruelly and
wickedly. He keeps a miftrefs. His houfe is a conftant
fcene of intemperate feilivity. His Sundays are, in a
peculiar manner, devoted to jollity, gaming, and de-
bauchery.

2,8 ESSAYS, No. 146.

bauchery. He would as focn think of going to heaven
as to church ; and as to paying debts, it is quite unfa-
ihionabk', and lie has gentecicr methods of expending
his money than on the low tnidefrnen who fuppiy him
with nothing elfe but neceflaries. Who, that has any
pretenfions to faihion, could bear to neglecl a horfc race
and the gaming-table, merely to fatisfy the greafy inha-
bitants of Clare-market r Such is fomeLimes the exam-
ple of the great neighbour.

Now I afk, whether the reftraints of a common edu-
cation or of common principles, whether the maxims of
books or the admonitions of preachers, can counterba-
lance the weight of i'uch an example, rendered brilliant
by riches and grandeur, and iHll farther recommended
by the patronage of a king, and the authority of office 'i
Vice and mifery are communicated from him, fJrii to
his neighbourhood, and then to the public at large, like
infeftious and fatal difeafes from the foul contagion of a
putrid carcafe.

But if a king, a court, a miniflry, a parliament,
were to honour and reward thofe only, or chiefly, whofe
charaders were unimpeached, and to brand with
infamy, or at lead to neglect, the abandoned libertine
and the audacious blafphemer, however celebrated for
eloquence and abilities, then would the empire be
fixed on a bafis of adamant; then would faction and
rebellion be no more ; and the rulers of this world
would deferve to be honoured with a title to which
they have ufually but little claim, that of the Reprefeot-
atives of the Beneficent and Almighty Lord of all
Creation.

No. CXLVII,

No. 147. MORAL, &c, 259

No. CXLVII. ON THE PROFLIGACY AND
CONSEQUENT MISERY OF THE LOWER
CLASSES, AND ON THE MEAN'S OF PRE-
VENTION.

A Contemplative and benevolent man can fcarcely
J~\ look down for a moment on the lower walks of
life without feeling his compaflion powerfully excited.
On whatever fide he turns, he beholds human nature fadly
degraded, and finking into the moil deplorable wretch-
cdnefs, in proportion as it recedes from irs natural and
its attainable perfection . Ye philofophers, w ho exert your
ingenuity to explode, as unneceflary, the little virtue
and religion that remain among us, leave your clofets
awhile, and furvcy mankind as they are found in the
purlieus of a great metropolis, in the haunts of old
Drury, of St. Giles's, of Duke's Place, ofHotkley in
the Hole, of the brothel, of the prifon-houfe, and then
fay whether your hearts do not finite you on the recollecr
tion, that you have exercifed thofe talents which God,
Almighty gave you for benignant purpofes, in breaking
down the fences of morality! Let him who coolly con-
troverts the difHnction between moral good and evil, and
who, inftigated by vice and vanity, boldly fights againlt
the religion of Jefus, and the comfortable doctrines of
grace and redemption, repair to the cells of the convict,
to the condemned hole, and fpend the midnight hour
with the murderer who is doomed to fall a vidim on the
morrow to the jutfice of his country. Ah ! little think,
the conceited fophiits who fit calmly at their defks, and
teach men to laugh at all that is ferious and facred, to
what an abyfs of mifery the actual practice of their fpe-
culative opinions will reduce the poor loll child of fallen,
/\d,Tm ! Jf they thought on this and poflefled hearts ca-
pable of feeling, they would fhudder at the tendency cf
their writings, and henceforth employ their abilities in,
reftoring human nature to happincfs and dignity.

The

«6o ESSAYS, No. 147.

The evils arifing from the poverty of the lower
Tanks are trifling, when compared with thofe occa-
iioned by their depravity. There is, indeed, no real
and fubitantial happinefs of which poverty, when
accompanied with health and innocence, is not capable ;
but wallowing in vice, involved in the perplexities of
fraud, haunted by the fears of detection, and diftrefled
and tormented with the difeafes of intemperance, it
becomes fuch a ftate of wretched nefs and wickednefs as
can only bs exceeded in the regions of infernal torture.
And can the rulers of this world pofiefs a plenitude
of power without attempting to exert it in its fulled
force in the prevention, or at leaft the mitigation, of
extreme mifery among the loweft, the moft numerous,
and perhaps the moft ufeful members of the commu-
nity ? I have no eP.e>m for that fpecies of politics
which pretends to purfue a national good independently
of the happinefs of individuals ; and I cannot help
thinking, a fyftem of government which derives any
part of its wealth from the wretchednefs of the greater
part of its fubjecls, not only defective but diabolical.
To encourage intoxication for the fake of encreafmg
a revenue, though it may be natural in a confede.ncy
of (harpers, is an idea fo mean, fo bafe, fo cruel, that
the ftatefman who entertains it, however loaded with
jcivil honours, and renowned for his wifdom, deferves to
be ftigmatized with immortal infamy. That the vices
and miferies of the lower claffes chiefly arife from
the multiplication of houfes of public entertainment,
is a truth which none have ever controverted. And
perhaps no effectual and permanent remedy can be
applied, without the interpofition of the legislature, in
leitening the number of public houfes, and in exacting
a ftridl fcrutiny into the characters of thofe to whom l'*-
cences are allowed.

But in the prefent conftitution o-f affairs, it is greatly
to be feared, that the defire of raifing a large revenue
will ufually fuperfede all moral confiderations. What,
indeed, is the moraliit to the financier? The greatnefs
of empire, like that of private life, is for the moft
part eftimated by riches, exclufively of private virtue
and of intellectual excellence. If then we vainly appeal

No. 147. MORAL, &c. 261

to the legiflature, we muft feek, in other refources, for
the alleviation of a difeafe which perhaps the legiflature
alone can radically cure.

Now it is certain, that much of the profligacy of
the plebeian order arifes from extreme ignorance. All
men purfue with ardour the pofleffion of fome good,
real or imaginary. What is it which muft conftitute
this good, and appear fuperior to all other objecls, in
the mind of a wretch born in a cellar or a garret of
Kent-ftreet, or Broad St. Giles's, almoft ftarved with
cold and hunger during his infancy, beaten, reviled,
abufed, negle&edwhileaboy, and conduced to manhood
amidft the moft mocking examples of cruelty and fraud,
of drunkennefs and debauchery ? Is it probable that,
for the moft part, he mould have an idea of any other
good but the pofleflion of money, and the indulgence
of the groffeft fenfuality? Can he have any principles
or habits of virtue to reftrain him from fecret fraud
and open violence? His underftanding is no lefs rude
and uncultivated than that of the favage, and becomes
at laft incapable of admitting any inftrudlion but in tha
low tricks of a thief, and the artifices of a proftitute.
The world exifts not to him, but as it appears amidft the
vileft, the moft degenerate, and the moft ignorant of
the human race. He purfues nfummum bonum, or a chief
good, which appears to him to confift in feizing the
property of the incautious, and in ufmg his gains as
the inftrument of indulgence in brutal excefs. Poor
unfortunate brother ! for a brother we muft acknowledge
thee, deformed as thou art with rags, and loathfome
to the eye of delicacy. — Haplefs boy ! if thou hadft
Jknown purer pleafures and better objects, thou would ft
probably have fought them with the fame eagernefs
which has brought thee to the gibbet. The dignified
ilatefman, the venerable bimop, the authoritative
judge who tries and who condemns thee to die, might
probably have done as thou haft, and fuffered as thou
itiffereft, had he been born as thou waft born, the
child of mifery, the out-caft of fociety ; friendlefs,
homelefs, unbeloved, unregarded, unknown, and un-
knowing of the means and motives of an honeft in-
duftry. Thou falleft a victim to the laws indeed, and

perhaps

-62 E S . S A y S, No. 147,

perhaps a jufl victim ; but I will pity thee, my heart
fliall bleed for thee, and venture (till to predict, that the
iweet mercy of Heaven will mitigate the feverity of hu-
man juittcc.

• He who can enjoy the pleafures of affluence without
conlidering the miiery of the lower claflc-s, and endea-
vouring, according to his influence and abilities, to
alleviate the burthen, probably poffefles a difpofuion
which no riches can render happy. Charity is cha-
racteriflic of this country, and is, indeed, the natural
effect of Britifh generofuy. Our clergy are conitantly
recommending it in the metropolis ; and the many
palaces of the poor which lift up their roofs around if,
are eminent and honourable testimonies, that their
preaching is not in vain when they recommend munifi-
cence. There are, however, few charitable eitablifh-
ments that fo immediately tend to fnatch the loweit claflbs
from wretchednefs and ruin as that of the Marine
Society ; and if my praife could contribute to effect
it, the fame of its infHtutors mould be immortal.
But their own benevolent hearts, and that God, in
whofe gracious purpofes they co-operate, are able to
beftow on them a reward infinitely fuperior to all hu-
rnnn glory.

They who inform the understandings of the poor,
in fuch a manner and degree as to amend their morals,
contribute more to their happinefs than the moil: mu-
nificent among their pecuniary benefactors. In a great
and commercial nation honeft induftry will fci'Jom
be destitute of employment and reward. And here
I cannot help remarking the fingular utility and import-
ance of the clergy. The church-doors are open to all ;
and valuable initruction in every duty of human life
is afforded gratuitoufly. Our Saviour, who knew and
felt for the wretchednefs of the lower claffes, feems to
have defigned the gofpel, in a peculiar manner, for the
poor; and the poor of this country have the gofpel
preached to them, if they are willing to liften to ir, in
every part of the kingdom. But it is a melancholy
truth, that the poor in general, but efpecially thofe of
the metropolis, neglect to avail themfelves cf this
fingular and unfpeakable advantage. Thofe among

them

No. 147. MORAL, &c. 263

them who give any attention to religion, are often
Jed to a itate approaching to lunacy, by illiterate and
fanatical pretenders to heavenly illumination,

1 venture to affirm then, that more weight and
authority mould be given to the regular clergy, whe-
ther drflenters or on the eftablifliment. I mean not to
erec"l a fpiritual tyranny, for I abhor all tyranny; but
I wifh thnt fome mode fhould be devifed for rendering
the regular clergy more rcfpeclable than they new
are in the eyes of the vulgar. And I (houid imagine
the moil effectual method of accomplishing this purpofe
is, to reward thofe who are eminently diitinguifhed
for piety and for their parochial labours, with thofe
preferments, and with thofe honours, which, in the
eye of reafon and of God, are jullly their due. In the
prefent Itate of things, the worthy curate, who fpends
all his days in preaching, praying, and in vifiting the
fick, fhall earn lefs, and be lefs refpecled than a
fmith and a carpenter ; and at his oe;.th leave his wi-
dow and his children to the cold prutivtion of charity.
But a young rake, who happens to be coufui to a lord
or a bifhop, or to be connected with thofe who have
influence at an cleftion, fhall get himieH ' blackai ever
or japanned, as he vulgarly phrafes it, at an ordination,
and thenceforward be preferred to pluralities, and fliine,
as a fenfible author obiervcs, in all public -places but his
own pulpits.

But, after all that the clergy can do, even when
abufcs are removed, it is to be fe.;ml that the lower
clan>s will be led by the examples of the higher. But
oh ! ye who call yourfelves the great, condefcend once
in your lives to vifit a goal, and to furvey the man-
fions of woe and wickednefs in the out-fkirts of the
town ! I apply not to your purfes ; you are liberal in
fubfcribing to all kinds of charitable institutions. Ye
do well. But give me leave to tell yen, that the fettingof
a good example to the lower clafies, confidered merely
as an acl of charity, will do more good, and prevent
more mifery, than if ye cut down your lail oak, or give
all yew in at the gaming table, to found an hofpital or
eftablifh a difpenfary.

No. CXLVIII.

264. ESSAYS, No. 148,

No. CXLVIII. ON SOME PASSAGES IN ARIS-
TOTLE'S RHETORIC, WITH MISCELLANEOUS
REMARKS ON HIS STYLE, GENIUS, AND
WORKS.

ARISTOTLE eftablifhed an intelle&ual empire,
more glorious and univerfal than the conquells of
his pupil. But he is a remarkable inftance of the ca-
price of human judgment and the revolutions of tafte.
After having been idolized with a veneration almoft
blafphemous, he is now moft undefervedly neglected.
And yet his works, though unentertaining and obfcure
to the reader who perufes them with the fame attention
which he gives to a novel and a newfpaper, abound
with matter which cannot fail to enrich the mind, and
to delight a philofophical tafte by its beautiful truth and
accuracy. In his three books on the rhetorical art, are
many paflages, which defcribe human nature in the moft
<urious manner, and with the greateft fidelity of deli-
neation. He characterizes the manners of different ages
no lefs fcientifically, than a Hunter would defcribe an
anatomical fubjeft, or a Linnaeus a plant. The fine
pictures of the manners of young and old men in the fe-
cond book, are fuch as Horace has imitated, but not
equalled ; fuch as might have richly fertilized the ima-
gination of a bhakefpeare. The celebrated fpeech of
Jaques, is not equal to the accurate and complete de-
icriptions of the manners of different ages in the life of
man by the neglected Ariftotle.

The clofe, yet comprehenfive language of Ariftotle,
will fcarcely admit of a literal translation. I mall not
then attempt to deliver his fentiments in Englifh, fince
I fhould not fatisfy myfelf ; but I will refer the young
ftudent to the admirable original, where, in the four-
teenth, and a few fubfequent chapters of the fecond
book, he will be able to acquire a very accurate know-
ledge of human nature.

4 I hnv«

No. 148. M O R A L, &c. 265

I have fele&eJ thefc paflages as a fpecimen of Ariilotle,
with an intention to obviate the prepoilefiions of thofe
who imagine, that every part of his works is abflrufe and
difficult of comprehenfion. A good tranflation would
be the beft commentary that could be given of them ;
but he who was the belt qualified to perform ic in per-
fection is now no more. It is, indeed, much to be la-
mented, that the great philofopher of Salifbury did not
condefcend to enrich his country with a tranflation of
the beil among the works of his admired Stagirite. Mr.
Harris's Ityle is, indeed, for the molt part, the ftyle of
Plato ; but we may conclude from the many paffkges
from Ariitotle, which he has moft accurately tranflated
in his notes, that he would have rendered whole treatifes
in Engiifh to the gre..teft advantage. He has, however,
caufed the want of a tranflation of Ariftotle to be lefs
felt, by fupplying fuch originals himfelfas certainly vie
with his Grecian mailer.

I cannot help remarking, that though this is an age in
which many ingenious authors delight in metaphyfical
refearches, yet few attend to the writings of Ariftotle.
jiuieed, many of the French philofophers, who have done
all they can to obfcure the light of nature, common
icnfc, and revelation, by the clouds of metaphyfics, have
not been ftifficiently acquainted with Greek, or with aa-
tient learning, to be able to improve themfelves by the
fine philofophy of the poliflied ages of Greece and Rome.
Like fpiders in a dark and dirty corner, they have drawn
{linuy cobwcbi from themfelves, with which they cruelly
endeavour to enfnare the giddy and unwary.

It L indeed my misfortune, if it be a misfortune, to
have no great idea of the utility of metaphyikal difqui-
fition. And though Ariftotle's logic and metaphyfics
principally contributed, in the middle ages, to render
him the idol of the world, I cannot help confidering
them as the leait ufeful parts of his various lucubrations.
Ti-.v-y are, indeed, valuable curiofitries, and illuario^s
monuments of human ingenuiry ; but at the fame time,
when compared to his rhetorical, ethical, and political
books, they are as the hufk and the fliell to the pulp and
the kernel. It was thefe, however, together with his er-
roneous phyfics, which induced the bigoted theologiils to
• II.' N , number

266 ESSAY S, No. 148.

number Ariftotle among the faints in the calendar, and
to publifh a hiftory of his life and death ; which con-
cluded with afTerting, that Ariftotle was the forerunner
of Chrilt in philofophy, as John the Baptift had been in
Grace. Images of him and of the founder of chriftiani-
ty were beheld at one time with equal veneration. It
is faid, that fome feels taught their difciples the catego-
ries inftead of the catechifm, and read in the church a
feftion of the ethics inftead of a chapter in the gofpel.

If the exclamation which he is related to have made
at his death be true, he appears to have pofTefled very
rational ideas on the fubjeft of religion.

A chriftiah might have faid, as it is reported he faid,
juft before his diffolution, " In fin and (harne was I born,
" in-forrow have I lived, in trouble I depart ; O ! thou
" Caufe of caufes, have mercy upon me !" — 1 found this
anecdote of Ariftotle in the Centuries of Camerarius,
but I am not certain of its authenticity.

The ftyle of Ariftotle has been cenfured as harm and
inelegant; but it muft be remembered, that few works,
of which fo much remains, are fuppofed to have fuffered
more from the carelefnefs or prefumption of tranfcribers,
and the injuries of long duration, than the works of the
great legiflator of tafte and philofophy. We may fairly
attribute any chafms and roughneffes in the ftyle to fome
rude hand, or to accident. Strabo, indeed, relates, that
the works of Ariftotle were greatly injured by damps, as
they were buried in the earth a long time after the death
of their writer. When they were brought to Rome, and
tranfcribed, they were again injured by the hand of ig-
norance. It is not credible that fo accurate a writer
fhould have neglecled thofe graces of ftyle which the
nature of his fubjecls admitted. The ftyle of his beft
works is truly pure and Attic; and Quintilian, whofe
judgment ought to decide, exprefles a doubt whether he
ihould pronounce him more illuftrious for his know-
ledge, his copioufnefs, his acumen, his variety, or the
Cweetnefs of his elocution.

No. CXLIX.

No. i if; MORAL, &c. ±67

No. CXLIX. ON THE BEAUTY AND HAPPI-
NESS OF AN OPEN BEHAVIOUR AND AN IN-
GENUOUS DISPOSITION.

A Great part of mankind, if they cannot furnift
themfelves with the courage and generofity of the
lion, think themfelves equally happy, and much wifer,
with the pitiful cunning of the fox. Every word they
fpeak, however trivial the fubjeft, is weighed before it is
uttered. A difguftful filence is obferved till fomebody
of authority has advanced an opinion, and then, with a
civil leer, a doubtful and he/hating aflent is given, fuch
as may not preclude the opportunity of a fubfequent re-
traction. If the converfation turn only on the common
topics, of the weather, the news, the play, the opera,
they are no lefs referved in uttering their opinion, thart
if their lives and fortunes depended on the fentiment
they mould at lait venture, with oracular dignity, to ad-
vance. Whatever may be their real idea on the fubjecT",
as truth is a trifle compared to the objeft of pleafing
thofe with whom they converfe, they generally contrive
gently to agree with you ; unlefs it mould appear to
them, on mature consideration, that their opinion (if
contingencies to the number of at leaft ten thoufand
mould take place) may, at the diftance of half a cen-
tury, involve them in fome fmall danger of giving a
little offence, or of incurring a trifling embarraflment.
They wear a ccmftant fmile on their countenance, and
are all goodnefs and benevolence, if you will believe
their profeflions : but beware ; for their hearts are as
dark as the abyfl'es which conftitute the abodes of the
evil fpirit. A man of this charartcr nlger eft, as Horace
fays, and thou, who j'liHy claimeft the title of an ho-
nell Englimman, be upon thy guard when thine ill for-*
tune introduces thee into his company.

Thefe crafty animals are even more referved, cautious,

timid, and fcrpemine, in aftion tha» in converfation.

N 2 They

»6* ESSAY S, No. 149,

They lay the deepeft fchemes, and no conclave of cardi-
nals, no combination of confpirators, no confederacy of
thieves, ever deliberated with more impenetrable fecrecy.
Connections are fought with the molt painful folicitude.
No arts and no afficiuities are neglecled to obtain the fa-
vour of the great. Their hearts pant with the utmofl
anxiety to be introduced to a family of diitinclion and
opulence, not only becaufe the connection gratifies their
pride, but alfo becaufe, in the wonderful complications
and viciflitudes of human affairs, it may one day prombte
their itvtereft. .Alas! before that day arrives, their per-
petual uneafinefs has ufually put a. period -to their ambi-
tion, by terminating their exiftence. But even if they
gain their ends after a youth and a manhood confumed
in conflant care and fervitude, yet the pleafure is not
adequate to the pain, nor the advantage to the labour.
Every one is ready to complain of the fhortnefsof life;
to fpend, therefore, the gresteft part of it in perpetual
fear, caution, fufpence, and folicitude, merely to accom-
plish an object of worldly ambition or avarice ; what is
it but the proverbial folly of him who Jofes a pound to
iave a penny ? Give me, O ye powers ! an ingenuous
jnan would exclaim, give me health and liberty, with a
competence, and I will compaflionate the man of a timid
and fervile foul, who has at lad crept on hands and
knees, through thick and thin, into a Hall, and feated
his limbs, after they have been paliied with care, on the
bench of judges or of bifhops.

Indeed, the perpetual agitation of fpirit5, the torment-
ing fears, and the ardent hopes, which alternately dif-
orcler the bofom of the fubtle and fufpicious worldling,
are more than a counterbalance to all the riches and titu-
lar honours which fuccefsful cunning can obtain. What
.avail croziers, coronets, fortunes, manlion-houfes, parks,
.and equipages, when the poor poffeilbr of them has worn
out his fenfibility, ruined his nerves, loft his eyes, and
perhaps ftained his honour, and wounded his confcience,
in the toilfome drudgery of the moft abject fervitude,
from his youth up even to the hoary age of feeblenefs and
decrepitude ? When a man has a numerous offspring, it
may, indeed, be generous to facrifice his own eafe and
happinefs to their advancement. He may feel a virtuous

pleafure

No. 149. MORAL, &c. 269

pleafure in his conduct, which may foothe him under
every circumftance of difagreeable toil or painful fub-
r.iiiTion. But it is obvious to obferve, that the moft art-
ful of men, and the greatest flaves tointereft and ambi-
tion, are frequently unmarried men ; and that they were
unmarried, becaufe their caution and timidity would
never permit them to take a ftcp which could never be
revoked. Themfelves, however unamiable, have been
the only objects of their love ; and the relief mankind
have been made ufe of merely as the inftruments of tneir
mean purpofes and felfilh gratifications. But the relief
mankind need not envy them, for they inflict on thein-
felves the punifhments they deferve. They are always
craving and never fatisfied ; they fuffer a torment which
is juflly reprefented as infernal ; that of being perpetu-
ally reaching after blefiings which they can never grafp,
of being prohibited to talle the fruit whofe colour ap-
pears fo charming to the eye, and whofe flavour fo de-
licious to the imagination.

How lovely and how happy, on the other hand, an
open and ingenuous behaviour. An honeft, unfufpicious
heart diffufes a ferenity over life like that of a fine day,
when no cloud conceals the blue aether, nor a blaft rufiles
the ftillnefs of the air; — but a crafty and defigning bo-
fom is all tumult and darknefs, and may be faid to re-
femble a mifty and difordered atmofphere in the comfort-
lefs climate of the poor Highlander. The one raifes a
man almoft to -the rank of an angel of light; the other
finks him to a level with the powers of darknef?. — The
one constitutes a terreftrial heaven in the breart; the other
deforms and debafes it till it becomes another hell.

An open and ingenuous difpofition is not only beau-
tiful and moli conducive to private happincfs, but pro-
ductive of many virtues efiential to the welfare of focicty.
What is fociety without confidence t — But if the felfifh
ant! mean fyftem, which is eltablimed and recommended
among many whofe advice and example have weight,
faoiilii univcrfally prevail, in whom, and in what mall
we be able toconfide? — It is already mocking to a liberal
Blind to obferve, what a multitude of papers, parchment?,
oaths, and folemn engagements are required, even in .1
N 3 trivial

27° ESSAYS, No. 149,

trivial negotiation. On the contrary, how comfortable
and how honourable to human nature, if promifes were
bonds, and aflertions affidavits. What pleafure, and
what improvement would be derived from converfation,
if every one would dare to fpeak his real fentiments,
with modelty and decorum indeed, but without any un-
manly fear of offending, or fervile defire to pleafe for
the fake of intereft. To pleafe by honeft means, and
from the pure motives of friendship and philanthropy,
is a duty ; but they who ftudy the art of pleafing mere-
ly for their own fakes, are, of all characters, thofe which
ought leaft to pleafe, and which appear, when the mafque
is removed, the moft difguftful. Truth, and fimplicity
of manners, are not only effential to virtue and happi-
jiefs, but, as objects of tafte, truly beautiful. Good
minds will always be pleafed with them, and bad minds
tve need not wifh to pleafe.

Since cunning and deceit are thus odious in them-
felves, and incompatible with real happinefs and dig-
nity, I cannot help thinking, that thofe inftruclors of
the rifing generation who have infilled on Emulation and
diffimulation, on the penjieri Jlretti, on the thoufand
tricks of worldly wifdom, are no lefs miftaken in their
ideas, than mean, contracted, and illiberal. Liften not,
ye generous young men, whofe hearts are yet untainted,
liften not to the delufive advice of men fo deluded, or
fo bafe. Have courage enough to avow the fentiments
of your fouls, and let your countenance and your tongue
be the heralds of your hearts. Pleafe, confiftently with
truth and honour, or be contented not to pleafe. Let
juftice and benevolence fill your bofom, and they will
ihine fpontaneoufly, like the real gem without the aid
of a foil, and with the tnoft durable and captivating
brilliancy*

NO.CL.

No. 150. MORAL, &c. 271 ,

No. CL. A REMEDY FOR DISCONTENT.

COMPLAINTS and murmurs are often loudeft and
moft frequent among thofe who poflefs all the
external means of temporal enjoyment. Something is
ftill wanting, however high and opulent their condition,
fully to complete their fatisfaction. Suppofe an indul-
gent Providence to accomplifli every defire ; are they
now at laft contented ? Alas ! no ; their uneafinefs feems
for ever to encreafe, in proportion as their real necef-
fities are diminifhed. It is in vain then to endeavour to
make them happy by adding to their ftore, or aggran-
dizing their honours. Their appetite is no lefs infati-
able than their tafte faftidious.

But there may yet remain a remedy. Let thofe, who
are miferable amonc, riches and grandeur, reave, for a
moment, their elevited rank, and defcend from their
palaces to the humble habitations of real and unaf-
fedled woe. If their hearts are not deftitute of feeling,
they will return from the fad fcenes to their clofets, and
on their knees pour forth the ejaculations of gratitude to
that univerfal Parent, who has given them abundance,
and exempted them from the thoufand ills, under the
prefl'ure of which the greater part of His children drag
the load of life. Inflead of fpending their hours in
brooding over their own imaginary evils, they will de-
vote them to the alleviation of real mifery among the
dcftitute fons of indigence, in the neglected walks of
vulgar life.

That one half of the world knows not how the
other half lives, is a common and juft obfervation.
A fine lady, furrounded with every means of accommo-
dation and luxury, complains in a moment of ennui,
that furely no mortal is fo wretched as herfelf. Her
fufferings are too great for her acute fenfibility. She
expeifls pity from all her acquaintance, and pleafes
herfclf with the idea that fhe is an example of fingular
misfortune, and remarkable patience. Phyficians at-
N 4 tend,

272 ESSAY S, No. isc,

(end, ard with affected folicitude feel the healthy pulfe,
which, however, they dare not pronounce healthy, left
they mould give offence by attempting to fpoil the
refined luxury of fancied woe. To be fuppofed always
ill, and confequently to be always exciting the feeder
attention and enquiries of all around, is a ftate fo
charming in the ideas of the weak, luxurious, and
indolent minds of fome falhionable ladies, that many
ipend their lives in a perpetual ftate of imaginary con-
valefcence. There is fomething fo indelicate in being
hale, hearty, and ftout, like a rofy milk-maid, that a
very fine and very high-bred lady is almofi ready to faint
at the idea. From excefiive indulgence, me becomes at
lalt in reality what me at firll only fancied herfelf, a
perpetual invalid. By a juit retribution, me is really
punimed with that wretchednefs, of which flie ungrate-
fully and unreafonably complained in the midft of
health, eafe, and opulence.

Or,e might afk all the fifterhood and fraternity of
rich and healthy murmurers, Have you compared
your fituaticn and circumftances with that of thofe of
your fellow-creatures who are condemned to labour in
the gold mines cf Peru ? Have you compared your
Situation with that of thofe in your own country, who
Lave hardly ever feen the fun, but live confined in
tin mines, lead mines, Hone quarries, and coal pits ?
Before you call yourfelf wretched, take a furvey of the
gaols, in which unfortunate and honeft debtors are
doomed to pine for life ; walk through the wards of an
hofpital ; think of the hardfhips of a common foldier or
failor ; think of the gal!ey-flave, the day-labourer ; nay,
the common fervant in your own houfe ; think of ycur
poor neighbour at the next door ; and if there were not
danger of its being called unpolite and methodiitical,
I would add, think of Him who, for your fake, Aveat-
ed, as it were, drops cf blood on Calvary.

It is, indeed, a duty to confider the evils cf thofe
who are placed beneath us ; for the chief purpofe of
chriflianity is, to alleviate the miferies cf that part of
mankind, whom, indeed, the world defpifes ; but
whom, He who made them, pities, like as a father
pitieth his own children. Their miferies are not fanci-
ful,

No. 150. MORA L, &c. 273

ful, their complaints are not exaggerated. The clergy,
when they are called upon to vific the fick, or to bap-
tize new-born infants, are often fpeclators of fuch fcenes,
as would cure the aiicontented of every inalndy. The
following representation is but too real, and may be pa-
ralleled in many of its circumstances in almoit every
pariih throughout the kingdom.

The rninifter of a country village was called upon to
baptize an infant jufl born. The cottage was fituated
on a lonely common, aixi as- it was in the midft of
the winter, and the floods were out,, it was abfolutely
seceflary to wade through the lower room to a ladder,
which ferved in (lead of flairs. The chamber (acd it
was the only one) was fo low, that you could not Hand
upright in it ; there was one window which admitted air
as freely as light, for the rags which had been fluffed
into the brokenr panes were now taken out to contri-
bute to the covering, of the infant. In a dark corner
of' the room Hood a fmall bedflead without furniture,
and on it lay the dead mother, who had juft expired in
labour for want of affiflance. The father was fitting on a
little itool by the fire-place, though there was no fire,
arid endeavouring to keep the infant warm in his bo-
fom. Five of the feven children, half naked, were afk-
ing their father for a piece of bread, while a fine boy, of
about three years old, was Handing by his mother at the
bed-fide, and crying, as he was wont to do, " Take me,
" take me, mammy." — " Mammy is aileep," faid one
of his filters, with two tears flanding on her cheeks ;
" mammy is afleep, Johnny, go play with the baby on
" daddy's knee." The father took him up on his knee,
and his grief, which had hitherto kept him dumb, and
in a itate of temporary infenlibility, bnrfl out in a
I of tears, arid reHeved his heart, which teemed
ready to break.. " Don't cry, pray don't cry," faid the
eldeft boy, " the nurfe is coming up ituirs with a two-
" penny loaf in her hand, an*d mammy" will" wake pre-
" iently, and I will carry her the large'l piece." Upon
this, an old woman, crocked with age, and xrlothed in
tatters, came hobbling on her little Kick into. the
room, and, after heaving a groan, calmly fat down,
drefled the child in its ra^3 ; then divided tb« loaf r.s
K 5

274 ESSAYS, No. 151.

far as it would go, and informed the poor man that
the churchwardens, to whom Ihe had gone, would fend
fome relief, as foon as they had difpatched a naughty
baggage to her own parifh, who had delivered herfelf
of twins in the Efquire's hovel. Relief indeed was
fent, and a little contribution afterwards raifed by the
anterpofition of the minifter. If he had not feen the
cafe, it would have pafTed on as a common affair, and
a thing of courfe.

Minifters and medical practitioners are often witnefles
to fcenes even more wretched than this ; where, to
poverty, cold, nakednefs, and death, are added, the
languors of lingering and loathfome difeafes, and the
torments of excruciating pain. A feeling heart among
the rich and the great, who are at the fame time que-
ru-lous without caufe, would learn a leffon in many a
garret of Broad St. Giles's or Shoreditch, more effica-
cious than all the leftures of the moral or divine phi-
lofopher.

I cannot help mentioning and applauding a mode
of charity of late much encouraged in this metropolis,
which is indeed diftinguifhed above all others for the
xvifdom and variety of its eleemofynary inftitutions.
Difpenfaries are eftablifhed for the poor, and patients
vifited at their own habitation by phyficians of allowed
fkill and diftinguifhed character. I will only take the
liberty to exprefs a wifli, that fome regulations may be
made to prevent this noble defign from being perverted,
like many others, to purpofes of private intereft.

No. CLI. ON THE UTILITY OF RELIGIOUS
CEREMONIES, AND OF ADMITTING MUSIC
AND EXTERNAL MAGNIFICENCE IN PLACES-
OF DEVOTION.

IF all men were enlightened by education and phi-
• lofophy, and at all hours actuated by the principles
of reafon, it would be unnecefTary to have recourfe to
external objefts in producing devout and virtuous affec-

Nb'. 151. MORA L, &c. 275

tions. But as there muft always be a great majority,
who, from the want of opportunities or capacities for im-
provement, are weak and ignorant; and as even among
the wife and learned there are none who are conftantly
exempted from the common infirmities of human nature,
it becomes expedient to devife modes of operating on the
foul through the medium of the fenfes. It was for this
reafon, that in all great communities the officers and of-
fices of religion have been furrounded with whatever is
calculated to roufe the attention, to intereft the heart, .
to ftrike the eye, and to elevate the imagination. -

I cannot help thinking, therefore, that thofe well-
meaning reformers, who wim to divert religion of exter-
nal fplendour, are unacquainted with the nature of man,
or influenced by narrow motives. They mean, perhaps,
to fpiritualize every thing, and the purpofe is laudable ;
but they know not, or they confider not, that ordinary
fpirits, fuch as are thofe of the vicious and vulgar, are •
moft eafily and effectually touched by the inftrumentality
of exterior and material objects. He who wifhes to pe-
netrate to the recefles of the vulgar foul, will fucceed
better by the co-operation of the eyes and the ears, than •
merely by addreffing the rational faculty.
- An idea may be formed of the potency of founds and
fights, unaffifted by reafon, if we contemplate their effect
in war. The drum, the fife, the habiliments of a fol-
dier, the flag, and all the pomp and parade of military
tran factions, contribute, perhaps, more than any fenfe -
of duty, or any native or acquired fentiments of bravery,
to lead on the embattled phalanx even to the cannon's
mouth. It is fomething operating in the mind in a fi-
milar manner, which molt eafily bows the ftubborn knees
of the hardened offender, and fubdues to foftnefs thfr-
fleely heart on which no force of argument could of it-
felf ftamp an impreflion. There are few who cannot
hear or fee, but many who cannot underftand. All can
feel a powerful itroke on the fancy or paflions, but few,
in comparifon, are affeded by a fyllogifm.

Mufic, therefore, poetry, painting, and architecture,

may very rcafonably be aflbciated as auxiliaries of an

tmprefs, whofe f objects are rebellious. And I cannot

help thinking, that they who repudiate all ornament,

N 6. and..

276 ESSAYS, No. 151;

and all the modes of affecting the fenfes of the vulgar in
the offices of religion gs indecent, impious, or improper,
do not recoiled the temple of Solomon, but fuffer their
good fenfe to be overpowered in this inftance by the
zeal of a barbarous fanaticifm.

The offices of religion where mufic and artificial em-
bellimments are admitted, become fo alluring, that thofe
who would never think of their more ieriuus duties,
are often invited by them to the church, and gradually
converted. Like the rake of antiquity, who mingled
in the audience of a philofopher with a defign to ri-
dicule him, but who was made a convert before his de-
parture, many of the loofe and profligate votaries of
vice, have been enticed by the mufic, and afterwards
reformed by the fermon, which they intended to flight,
and perhaps to deride.

The proceffions and pompous formalities of religion,
however exploded in the warmth of reformation as pa-
piftical reliques, are certainly ufeful in the community,
when they are not fuftered to exceed the bounds of mo-
deration. They were eiteemed and obferved in antient
Athens and antient Rome, by thofe who loved and en-
joyed liberty in its fulleft extent. They were found to
aggrandize the majefly of empire, to ir.fpire a generous
enthufiafm in the minds of the people, and 10 furniih
them with an amufement, not only innocent and im-
proving, but attended with a very high and fatisfatflory
pleafure. None can deleft popery more than myfelf ;
but yet it appears to me, that many of the fplendid
snd auguft fcenes which that perfuafion admits, are
highly ufeful, if confidered only as furnifhing a harm-
lefs entertainment to the lower order? of mankind. What
charms can a London carman, chairman, hackney-
coachman, fiftnvoman, find in an Englifh meeting or a
church ? but they would be delighted, and very power*
fully affedled with the grandeur and folemnity of a Re-
mifh proceffion. As we have no allurements adapted to
their ignorant and rude minds, they fpend the Sunday at
an alehoufe, even at the next door to the church, without
a wifh to enter the confecrated place. All that paffes
there is above their comprehenfion. They are but little
removed from the flate of the brutes, and they rault re-

No. 152. MORAL, &c. 277

main fo ; for there is nothing, in the only places in
which they have an opportunity of" initrudion, to ftrike
their imaginations, and penetrate through the paflage
of the fenfes to the dormant foul.

It is true, indeed, that we admit mufic in the eita-
bliihed church ; but it is alfo true, that it is in general
a kind of mufic which is little better than difcord to the
vulgar ear. For in the metropolis, where organs are
chiefly to be found, the performers are too fend of
(hewing thoir powers of execution, raid feldom play
thofe liinple tunes which can alone affect the minds of
the fimple and uninformed.

There has been much converfation on the fuhjedl of
adorning St. Paul's cathedral with the productions of tire
pencil. Many artilts, it is laid, have offered to contri-
bute the efforts of their ingenuity. Some fcruples have
arifen to impede the defign. In this age they cannot
be puritanical. I really think that judicious paintings
\vculd produce a defirable effecl on the morals of the low-
er clafles, But if painting is not to be admitted, there
furely can be no objection to fcuJpture. \Veftminfler-
Abbey is crowded with monuments ; and I will venture
to predict, that our pofteriey will fee St. Paul's equalty
honoured. I hope the event will not take place fo late
as to exclude fuch artifts as Bacon* or if painting is ad-
mitted, fuch as Reynolds, Weft, and Romney.

No. CLII. ON THE PRESENT STATE OF
PARLIAMENTARY ELOQUENCE.

IN taking a- view of parliamentary eloquence, I mean
to confider it as totally independent of party and po-
litics, and folely as a fubjecl of literary taite. It mull
be a peculiar narrownefs of fpirit which bellows or re-
fufes applaufe to the productions of genius, bccaufe they
are found to favour either a court or an oppofition. I
would allow an equal mare of praife to equal genius,
whether it appeared in a leader of the minority, or in
the firlt minifter of Itate*

The

27« ESSAYS, No. i5z.'

The fpeeches from the throne are little more than the
formalities of office. It would be unreafonable to expect
in them the fire, the pathos, the argument of genuine and
animated oratory. They poflefs an air of dignity highly
proper and characteriftical. They breathe a fpirit of
Sincerity and paternal tendernefs, which at once marks
the judgment of the compofer, and endears the fpeaker
to his people. There was one on the commencement of
the war with America, .which deferves to be felected as a
very fpirited and memorable harangue. It would have
adorned the page of a Livy. " The refolutions of par-
" liament," fays his Majefty, " breathed a fpirit of mo-
" deration and forbearance. — I have acted with the fame
" temper; anxious to prevent, if it had been poffible,
" the effufion of the blood of my fubjects, and the cala-
" mities which are infeparable from a flate of war ; Hill
" hoping, that my people in America would have dif-
" cerned the traiterous views of their leaders, and have
" been convinced, that to be" a fubject to Great Britain,
" with all its confequences, is to be the freeft member
'* of any civil fociety in the known world.

" The rebellious war now levied is become more
" general, and is manifeftly carried on for the purpofe
" of eftablifhing an independent empire. I need not
«' dwell on the fatal effects of the fuccefs of fuch a plan.
" The object is too important, the fpirit of the Britifh
" nation too high, the refources with which God hath
'* befled her too numerous, to give up fo many co-
lonies which fhe has planted with great induftry, .
nurfed with great tendernefs, encouraged with many
commercial advantages, and protected and defended

at much expence of blood and treafure. The

conilant employment of my thoughts, and the mod
earneft wiflies of my heart, tend wholly to the fafety

and happinefs of all my people." The fpirit of

a great King, and the tender folicitude which fpeaks
the true father of his people, render this fpeech truly
excellent, and, indeed, its excellence was evinced by
its effect ; for foon after it was difieminated over the
nation, the American war, which ws once univerfally
odious, became a popular meafure. Little did the com-
pofer of the above paifane conceive, that in a few years
A the

No. 152. MORAL, &c. zy^.

the high fpirit of the Briti/h nation would be reduced to
the humiliating neceffity of almoft fupplicating for peace
the Jellified people of America.

In an afTembly, like the higher houfe, confining of
men, in whofe education no expence has been fpared,
who- are, or who ought to be, animated by their own
exalted fituation and the examples of an illuftrious an-
ceftry, one might reafonably expect to find frequent
examples of diftinguifhed eloquence. But it really
would be difficult to name a (ingle peer who has at-
tracted notice or admiration for the claffical elegance
of his matter or his language. The law lords, relying
on their profeffional knowledge, do, indeed, frequent-
ly make long and bold fpeeches. Accuftomed to brow-
beat the evidence at the bar, and dictate on the bench,
fome of them have retained their infolence and effrontery
when advanced to the woolfack. But noife, obftinacy, .
and imperious dictation, though even an upftart chan-
cellor ftiould ufe them, cannot pleafe an Attic or a Ro-
man tafle, nor obtain the praife of pure and legitimate •
oratory. Its rough and boillerous vehemence may, in-
deed, frighten a puifne race of peers into an implicit
acquiefcence with the will of a minifter, but it will not
deferve the elteem of thofe, who, in the recefles of
their libraries, appretiate its merit as a work of litera-
ture. A few dukes and lords in oppofition have not .
been deficient in noife nor in violence, but their bar-
barous language, matter, and manner, muft affign :
them a rank among the Goths, and not among the po-
limed fons of Athens and Rome. Of all the fpeeches
fpoken in the houfe, how few have ever been collected
nnd preferved in libraries, as models of claffical ele-
gance. Pafiion and perfonal animofity have, indeed,
produced many invectives, which gratify the fpleen of
party, and are for the time extolled beyond all the
productions of preceding ingenuity. But is there ex-
tant a fingle volume of fpeeches, by the moft famous
among the orators of the upper houfe, which can be
produced as a clafiical book, or ftand in competition
with the orations of Cicero ? I think it nece/Tary to re-
peat, that my remarks have not the leaft reference to
party. I am in fearch of an orator to whom the epithet

of

iSo ESSAYS, No. ip.

c f da£cal may be juftly applied. I regret that tire fury
of party and the meannefs of ferviJity, has for the mofi
part excluded that true tafte, true grace, and true fpirit,
which is neceflary to form a clafiical orator, from the
harangues of an afiembly, which may be deemed the
m/cft auguit in Europe.

The Houfe of Commons has always been efteemed
a very diftinguifhed theatie of modern eloquence. And
there indeed, notwithftanding the fame impediments
which prevail among the peers, it is eafy to produce
many fplendid examples. In the Houfe of Commons,
men have been ftimulatcd by the moil powerful motives,
by the hopes of rifmg ; in the Houfe of Lords they
have already rifen. But though we join in the ap-
plaufe of common fame, yet let us afk, where are to be
found the volumes of oratorical elegance ? Have the
fpeeches which have gained the praife of admiring
kingdoms, been no where collected and recorded ? Do
we lock them up in our book-cafes, and put them into
the hands of our children as models for imitations, as
leflbns to form their young minds, and raife a fucceffion
of orators and patriots ? No ; the fpeeches are celebrat-
ed at firit, and while they anfwer a temporary purpofe.
They are like vegetables of a night, or infefts of a dav.
They have feldom that folidity of merit which can. ren-
der the ore valuable when the ftamp is effaced, and the
occafion of it almcft forgotten and quite difregarded ;
which can preferve the plate iliJl. faleable after the fa-
fhion is antiquated. Glorious was the eloquence of
Mr. Pitr. Nations (hook at the thunder of his voice.
But where are the harangues ? are they preferved. as il-
luftrious models for the inftruftion of poilerity ? Inftead
of being engraven oa brafs,,they are almoft funk into
an oblivion, like the foldiers whofe bones once whiten-
ed the plains of Germany. Yet I. mean not to detract
from his glories. Language, can fcarcely fupply terms
to exprefs the weight of his authority, the magnitude
of his mind, and his character, and the efficacy with
which he thought, decided, fpoke, .and acted. But let
it not efcape the reader's attention, that we are enquir-
ing for a rival to the mafterly and tranfceodent excel-
lence of a Cicero and a Demofthenes. If fuch has of

fete

No. 152. MORA L, &c. zSr

late appeared among us, the curiofity of this age would
have prefervcd it; and if it be preferved, let the vo-
lume be openly produced, and the public will embrace-
it as an invaluable treafure.

There are, indeed, in the fenate, feveral defperate
declaimers, who, wifhing to make themfelves of confe-
qtience, and to retrieve their own affairs, which they
have ruined at the gaming-table, exert all their effron--
tery and all their volubility in any caufe, and on any
fide which eventually may promote their intereir., or
gratify their ambition. The ignor.int and difconterit-
td extol the bravado who thus draws courage from de-
fpair, as a prodigy of abilities, and the mirror of elo-
quence. But the good, the wife, and the judicious
ebferver, pities and defpifes him as an unprincipled
brawler, with as little tafte in eloquence as honeity ;
and as the mere rival of the noify fpouters at the Fo-
rum, or the Robinhood.

The applaufe indeed beftowed on one orator, Is fcarce-
Jy adequate to his literary merit. Mr. Burke has pro-
duced to the world very honourable testimonies of his
natural abilities, and his acquired taite. What orations
are there publifhed of modern Members, which can bear
a comparifon with thofe of Mr. Burke? With what dig-
nity he addrefled the people of Briftol ; and how mean
and little did they appear, con trailed with him whom
they rejected. Like Socrates before the judges, he ap*
peared more like their mafter than their fuppliant. He
concludes with a fpirit worthy of him who wrote on the
fublime and beautiful ; worthy of a polifhed antient in
the bell of ages. " And now, gentlemen," he con-
cludes, " on this ferious day, when I come, as it were,
to UMtko up my account with you ; let me take to
myfelf fome degree of honell pride en tne nature of
the charges brought agaiaft me. J do not here iland
accufed of venality, or negledl of duty. It is not
faid that, in the long period of my fervice, I have,
in a fingle inilance, lacriliced the flighted of your
intereits to my ambition, or to my fortune. It is
not alleged, that to "ratify -'my anger or revenge of
my own, or of my party, 1 have had a faare in wrong-
ing or oppreffing any one man in any ddcription. —

•' No;

28z ESSAYS, No. 153;

Ko ; the charges againft me are all of one kind,
that I have pufhed the general principles of general
juftice and benevolence too far; further than a cau-
tious policy would warrant, and further than the opi-
nions of many would go with me. In every accident
which may happen through life, in pain, in forrow,
*' in depreffion, and diftrefs, I will think of this accu-
** fation, and be comforted."

There are not indeed many of the members who fa-
vour the public with their harangues, fo that we have
not an opportunity of judging of all fo well as of Mr.
Burke's. We muft, however, acknowledge our great
obligations to the ingenious Mr. Woodfall, the editor of
the Morning Chronicle, whofe memory feems equal to
the inilances of which we read, but which do not often
occur in our intercourfe with fociety.

NO. CLIII. A LIFE OF LETTERS USUALLY A
LIFE OF COMPARATIVE INNOCENCE..

TT T is not the lead among the'happy effefts of a ftudiou*
J. life, that it withdraws the ftudent from the turbulent
fcenes and purfuits, in which it is fcarcely lefs difficult
to preferve innocence than tranquillity. Succefsful ftudy
requires fo much attention, and engrofies fo much of the
heart, that he who is deeply engaged in it, though he
may indeed be liable to temporary lapfes, will feldom
contract an inveterate habit of immorality. There is
in all books of character a reverence for virtue, and a
tendency to infpire a laudable emulation. He who is
early, long, and fuccefsfully converfant with them, will
End his bofom f.lled with the love of truth, and finely
aff^&ed with a delicate fenfe of honour. By conftantly
exercifmg his reafon, his paflions are gradually reduced
to fubjeftion, and his head and heart keep pace with
each other in improvement. But when I afiert thatfuch
are the confequences of literary purfuits, it is neceffary
to diftinguim between the real and pretended ftudent ;
for there are many defultory readers and volatile men

of

No. 153. MORAL, &c. 283

of parts, who affeft eccentricity, whofe lives, if one may
fo exprefs it, are uniformly irregular, and who confe-
quently exhibit remarkable inilances of mifery and mif-
fortune.

Folly and imprudence will produce moral and natural
evil, their genuine offspring, in all fituations and modrs
of life. The knowledge of arts and fciences cannot
prevent the vices and the woes which mull arife from
the want of knowing how to regulate our private and
focial conduct. But where prudence and virtue are not
deficient, I believe few walks of life are pleafanter and
fafer than thofe which lead through the regions of li-
terature.

Many among mankind are involved in perpetual tu-
mult, fo that if they felt an inclination to confider their
duty, their nature, thdr trued happinefs, they really
would not be able to find an opportunity. But he,
whom Providence has We/Fed with an enlightened mind,
and the command of his own time, is enabled to form
his heart, and diredt his choice, according to the dictates
of the molt improved intellects, and the examples of the
moft accomplimed characters. He is, indeed, a creature
far fuperior to the common herd of men ;' and being ac-
quainted with pure and exalted pleafures, lies not under
the neceffity of feeking delight in the grofler gratifica-
tions. He confiders not property as the chief good ; he
is therefore free from temptations to violate his integri-
ty. Difappointment in matters of interelt will never
render him uneafy or difcontented, for his books have
difcovered to him a treafure more valuable, in his elli-
mation, than the riches of Peru. Through all the vi-
cifiitudes of life, he has a fource of confolation in the
retirement of his library, and in the principles and re-
flections of his own bofom. From his reading he will
collect a juft eflimate of the world and of all around him ;
and, as he will cherifh no unreafonable expectations, he
will be exempted from fevere difappointment.

The converfation of many abounds with flander and
detraction, not originally and entirely derived from a
malignity of nature, but alfo from ignorance, from a
vacancy of intellect, and from an inability to expatiate
on general and generous topics. But whatever be the

motive

s34 ESSAY S, No. r3->

motive of them, it is certain that few crimes are more
injurious to private happinefs, and opoofire :o the fpirit
of our amiable religion, than flander and detraction.
The man of reading is under no temptation to calum-
niate his neighbour from the defeft of ideas, or a want of
taiie for liberal and refined converfation. He intereih-
hinifelfin his neighbour's happinefs; but does not pry
into the afiairs, nor iit in judgment on the domeftic ar-
rangements, of another's family. Molt of the topics of
fcandal are too little and too low for him. He will not
ftoop from his elevation low enough to. pick the dirty
trifles from the ground. His thoughts -are engaged in
elegant and fpeculative fubjecls, far removed from all
which tend to excite envy, jealoufy, or malevolence.

The want of employment is one of the frequent caufes
of vice; but he who Icves a book will never want em-
ployment. The purfuits of learning are boundlefs, and
they prefent to the mind a delightful variety which can-
not be exhaufted. No life is long enough to fee all the
beautiful pictures which the arts and fcience?, or which
hiltory, poetry, and eloquence are able to difplay. The
man of letters pofTeffes the power of calling up a fuccef-
iion of fcenes to his view infinitely numerous and diver-
ged. He is therefore fecured from that unhappy ilate
which urges many to vice and diff.pation, merely to fill
a painful vacuity. Even though his purfuits ihou]d be
trifling, and his difcoveries unimportant, yet they are
harmlefs to others, and ufeful to himfelf, as preferva-
tives of his innocence. Let him not be ridiculed or
condemned, even though he mould fperid his time in,
collecting and defcribing moths, rccfies, (hells, birds,
weeds, or coins; for he who loves thefe things feldoai
fet: his afredions on pelf, or any of thofe objects which
corrupt and divide human ibciety. He who fuids his
pleasures in a mufeum or a library, will not often be feen,
in the tavern, in the brothel, or at the gaming-table.
He is plealed if he pofiefles a non-defcript folul, and
envies not the wretched enjoyments of the intemperate,
nor t!i ill-gotten wealth of the opprefibr or extortioner.

But his purfuits have ufunlly a title to much greater
praife than that of being incffenfive. Suppofe him in
any of the liberal profciuons. If a clergyman, for i-n-

(lance,

No. 153. MORA L, &c. 285

fiance, he devotes his time and abilities to the preparation
of diffuafives from vice, from folly, from mifconduct,
from infidelity, from all that contributes to aggravate
the wretchednefs of wretched human nature. Here the
pleafures naturally refuking from literary occupation are
improved by the fublime fenfarions of active benevo-
lence, the comfortable confcioufnefs of advancing the
truelt happinefs of thofe among our poor fellow-creatures
.who have not enjoyed the advantages of education. In
the performance of the godlike office of a true parifh
prieil, there is a neceflity of fetting an example, and of
preferving decorum .of character ; a neceffity which con-
duces much to the fecurity of innocence. It is ofteji a
-great happinefs to be placed in a rank where, to the .re-
Itraints of confcience and mobility, are added the fear
of peculiar fhame, lofs, and difgrace, neceflarily confe-
quent on ill behaviour. Human Nature wants every
fupport to keep it from lapling into depravity. Eve«
intereft and a folicitude for reputation, when, in fome
thoughtlefs interval, the pillars of virtue begin to tot-
ter, may flop the fall. The pofTefiion of a valuable cha-
racter which may be loft, and of a dignity which mull
be fupported, are often very ufeful auxiliaries in defend-
ing the citadel againfl the temporary a/Faults of paffion
and temptation.

Since, then, the purftiit of letters is attended with
many circum fiances peculiarly favourable to innocence,
and confequently to enjoyment of the purelt and moil
permanent fpecies, they who have been fixed in fo de-
firable a life as a life of learning, ought to be grateful
to Providence for their fortunate lot, and endeavour to
make the belt return in their power, by devoting their
leifure, their abilities, and their acquirements, to the
God, and the benefit of mankind.

No. CUV.

286* ESSAYS, No. 154,

No. CLIV. ON THE ADVANTAGE WHICH
MAY BE DERIVED TO THE TENDER AND
PATHETIC STLYEj FROM USING THE WORDS
AND PHRASES OF SCRIPTURE.

IT is obfervable that an audience often laughs or
yawns in the moft interefting fcenes of a modern
tragedy;— a lamentable proof of the poet's imbecility.
The poet ! he may, indeed, be a verfifier and a declaimer,
but he is no poet, who tells a tragic tale without eliciting
a tear. Let us not profane the facred name of poet by
beftowing it on the feeble poetafter.

It is not enough that the language of a tragedy is
flowery, the fimilies and metaphors brilliant, the verfe
melodious ; there muft be a charm added by the creative
power of almighty genius, which no didactic rules can
teach, which cannot be adequately defcribed, but which
is powerfully felt by the vibrations of the heart- firings,
and which caufes an irrefiilible overflowing of the
A»x£vuv mir/ou, the facri fonfes lachrymarum.

Florid diction and pompous declamation are, indeed,
found to be the leaft adapted of all modes of addrefs
to affeft the finer fenfibiltties'of nature. Plain words,
without epithets, without metaphors, without fimilies,
have oftener excited emotions of the tendereft fympathy,
than the moft laboured compofition of Corneille. Ye
who would learn how to touch the heart, go not to the
fchools of France, but become the difciples of Sophocles,
Shakefpeare, Sterne, and Chatterton. Thou captivating
limplicity ! 'tis thine at once to effe£l what all the arti-
fices of rhetoric, with all its tropes and figures, tedioufly
and vainly labour to accomplifh. 'Tis thine to diflblve
the hardeft heart, and to fcrce even ftubborn nerves to
tremble. A few words of fimple pathos will penetrate
the foul to the quick, when a hundred lines of declama-
tion mail afTail it as feebly and ineffectually, as a gentle
gale the mountain of Plinlimmon.

A writer

No. 154. MORAL, &c. 287

A writer of tafte and genius may avail himfclfgreatly
in pathetic compofitions, by adopting the many words
and phrafes, remarkable for their beautiful fimplicity,
which are interfperfed in that pleafing, as well as ve-
nerable book, the holy bible. I cannot, indeed, en-
tirely agree with thofe zealous critics who pretend to
difcover in the fcriptures all the graces of all the beft
claflics. To pleafe the ear and imagination, were very
inferior objecls in the benevolent mind of Him who
caufed all holy fcripture to be written for our ufe. But,
at the fame time, it is certain that they abound in.
fuch beauties as never fail to pleafe the moil cultivated
tafte. Befides their aftoniming fubliinity, they have
many a paflage exquifitely tender and pathetic. Our
admirable tranflation has preferved them in all their
beauty, and an Englifli writer may feleft from it a
didlion better fuited to raife the fympathy of grief,
than from the moil celebrated models of human com-
pofition.

Sterne, who, though he is juftly condemned for his
libertinifm, poflefled an uncommon talent for the pa-
thetic, has availed himfelf greatly of the fcriptural lan-
guage. In all his moll afteding paflages, he has imi-
tated the turn, ftyle, manner, and fimplicity, of the fa-
cred writers, and in many of them has tranfcribed whole
fentences. He found no language of his own could
equal the finely expreffive diftion of our common tranf-
lation. There are a thoufand inflances of his imitating
fcripture interfperfed in all the better parts of his works,
and no reader of common obfervation can pafs by them
unnoticed. I will quote only one or twoinftances taken

from the molt admired pieces in the tender ftyle.

Maria, though not tall, was neverthelefs of the firft
order of fine forms. Affliction had touched her looks
with fomething that was fcarce earthly, and fo much
was there about her of all that the heart wilhes, or the
eye looks for in woman, that could the traces be ever
worn out of her brain, or thofe of Eliza out of mine,
me mould not only eat of my bread, and drink of
my cup, but Maria mould lie in my bofom, and be
unto me as a daughter.

" Adieu,

283 ESSAYS, No. 1^4.

" Adieu, poor lucklefs maiden! imbibe the oil and
*' wine which the companion of a Granger as he fo-
" journcth on his way, now pours into thy wounds.
<{ The Being who has twice bruifed thee can only bind
"*' them up forever." Again, in his description of the
captive, " As I darkened the little light he had, he
" lifted up a hopelefs eye to\vards the door, then
•" caft it down, fhook his head, and went on with his
•" work of affliction. I heard his chains upon his legs,
*' as he turned his body to lay his little ftick upon the
" bundle. Ke gave a deep figh. I faw the iron enter
•«• into his foul." It is eafy, but it is not necefTary,
to adduce many more inftances in which a writer, who
eminently excelled in the power of moving the affeflions,
felt himfelf unequal to the taflc of advancing the ftyle
of pathos to its higheft perfection, and fought affiftance
of the bible.

It is eafy to fee that the writer of fo many tender and
fimple paflages had imitated the delightful book of Ruth.
"With what pleafure did a man of his feeling read, " In-
"" treat me not to leave thee, or to return from follow-
'" ing after thee; for whither thougoeft, I will go ; and
** where thou lodged, I will lodge; thy people mall be
" my people, and thy God my God ; where thou dieft
te will I die, and there wiil I be buried." Sterne ftole
the very fpiritof this paftage, and indeed of all the fine
ftrokes of tendernefs, and many an one there is in a
book which is often laid afide as abfjJrd and obfolete.
The choice which Sterne has made of texts and of cita-
tions from the fcriptures in his fermons, are proofs that
he (who was one of the beft judges) was particularly
ftruck with the affedling tendernefs and lovely fimplicity
of fcriptural language.

The poet, therefore, who means to produce a tra-
gedy, which mail be able to fland its ground even after
the firft nine nights, without the aid of puffing, and with-
out filling the pit and boxes with orders, mould fome-
times go to the fame fountain, and drink the waters of
poetical infpiration of which Sterne drank fo copiously.
He will improve greatly by ftudying the language and
hiftories-crf Jofenh, Saul, and Jonathan, of Ruth, of
6 Job,

No. 155. MORAL, Sec. 289

Job, of the Pfalms, of Ifaiah, of Jeremiah, of many fingle
paflages every where interfperfed, and of the parables
in the New Teftament. Judgment and tafte are cer-
tainly neceflary to feleft; but he may depend upon ir,
that a word or two well fele&ed will gain him the trueft
applaufe, that which is conveyed in fighs and tears.
Let him fully perfuade himfelf, that the only method
of operating powerfully on the feelings of nature, is to
renounce art and affectation, and to adhere to truth and
Simplicity.

Something is neceflary to be done to produce an alter-
ation. The theatric ftate is in its decline* It cannot
much longer be fupported by fine drefles, painted fcenes,
mufic, dancing, and pantomime. We have hearts as
well as ears and eyes ; if they know not how to touch
our paflions at Old Drury, let us haften to the Opera-
houfe, and fee the man itand upon one leg.

No. CLV. ON THE FIGURE PARRHESIA,-
OR ON EXPRESSING ONfi's SENTIMENTS
FREELY.

TH E Y, whofe wifdom confifts in cunning and
caution, who coniider preferment as the only or
molt valuable objeft of human purluir, and who Itand
in awe or" grandeur independently of prrfonal merit and
character, will often fhake their heads as they read my
eflays (if they read them at all, which is not likely), and
blame the writer's imprudence, in venturing to exprefs
lumfelf on many dangerous fubjecls without referve.
]t is madnefs, they exc.laim, to cut himfelf off from
al! chance of eccleiiaftical preferment, to exclude him-
felf from the funihine of patronage; and (to ufe
the words of a celebrated orator) " to create a loup-,
" dull, dreary, unvaried vifto of defpair, andexcl.

But, «' O ye wife ones of the world" (an honed and in-
dependent writer might fay), " fignificandy as yc hif-
«« per among each other, and hug yourfelves on your own

VOL. II. O » pro-

290 ESSAYS, No. 155.

profound fagacity, T value not yourfpuricus vvifdom ;
and though I pretend not to defpife either honours or
emoluments fairly and openly obtained, I think the
means ye ufe in their purfuit bafe and mean, and that
ye purchafe all you poflefs at a price too dear. Ye
refign your reafon, your liberty, and", I fear, too
often, your truth and honour Ye are real flaves, and
the robes of office and dignity, in which ye pride your-
felves, are but the liveries of a fplendid fervitude.
From one inftance of your fpirit and wifdom let the
public judge of all. Dare ye, if raifed by a longcourie
of mean fervility to a feat in the Britiih fenate, 1 1 give
a vote, or exprefsa fingle fentiment according to your
own judgment, and without firft religioufly confult-
ing the god of your idolatry? Cenfure me no more
for an honeft freedom, Blufh rather at your own
meannefs and cowardice. Pity me no more, as ex-
cluding myfelf by temerity from the favours of the
great. I am happier in the liberty of ranging, in
thought, through all the mazes of human lift-, a;id of
uttering my undiiguifed fendments on whatever I fee
and hear, than in gaining favour where favour is to
be gained, merely by fubmitting to the meannefs of
concealing truth, and fpeaking according to the dic-
tates of felf-intereft alone. Blame me no more till
you point out the paiTage in the gofpel, where bold-
nefs of rebuke is prohibited, and where a profefled
fervant of Jefus Chriil is taught to bow the knee to
an unbelieving and debauched ruler of this world.
" But you are actuated by envy, foftly fuggefts the
fuccefsful chaplain, the quondam tutor, and travelling
companion of a gracele's duke. You rail, fays he, at
what you cannot reach. But, my lord, give me leave
to aik, whether you are not actuated by avarice and
worldly ambition ? vices in a chriitian paftor, no lefs
culpable than envy. By what were you actuated when
you gained the favour of the patron who raifed you to
your honours, merely by drinking and caballing for
him at a contelted election ? Your patron prufefles
himfelf a deift, and you know he keeps many con-
cubines. By what were you aduated when you were
always feeking his company, and dining at his table?

• <« Was

No. 15;. M O R A L, &c. aqi

" Was it a defire to convert him from -the error of his
" ways ? Did you ever dare to hint your uifpleafure at
" ihc'm : Did they difpleafe yen ?

" And, with refpedt to envy as the motive of my fre e-

" dom, your lordfhip will do right to coofider, tnat re

''• who envies, eagerly wilhes to obtain the object. He

who eagerly def:res to obtain, ufually purfuesthe mort

probable means of fuccefs. But your lordihip mall

judge by your own experience, whether what I have

faid is, in the fmalleft degree, like the methods »vhich

are found moll fuccefsful. Does it tally with your own

receipt for rifing at court ?

" Indeed, my lord, you muftexcufe me. Icannot think
as you do ; your objects and mine are totally different,
and rnufl be differently purfued. Enjoy your mitre and
your cuihion ; but let me alfo enjoy my liberty, or, if
you chnfe to call it fo, my humour. I will boaft a
Superiority in one refpedl ; I have no matter, faveone*
" But you fay lam gratifying my vanity. Jf to feelc
an honeit fame, be to feek the gratification of my
vanity, I plead guilty to the charge. I dare avov a
\vifh to poifefs the public eiloem, but I purfue no mean
or finiiter method to procure it. I rely for their favour
on my love of truth, and the fincerity of my z.^al i;i
their fervice. Their good opinion is a delightful and
fufHcient reward. Not that I ever affected to renounce
or to defpife preferment, but it comes on/ought for,
as well as unlocked for, if it comes at all.
" To preferve the favour of the public, and the ap-
probation of my own heart, I think it neceflary to
continue, while I write, the open declaration of my
fentiments fuch as they are, equally uninfluenced by
mean hope?, and cowardly apprehenfions. Indivi-
duals may apply what was never meant to be applied,
to themfelves ; and, in the warmth of an exafperated
mind, may fliew their refentment by neglect or cen-
fure. Hitherto I have known nothing of that kind
of which I can complain.

" Let me then be permitted (fuch awriter might pro-
ceed to fay in his defence) to employ myfelf in peac:
and innocence, and to amufe readers of congenial fen-
timents, by a free communication of feelings un it"-
O 2 «« &-. ifeJ

9* ESSAYS, No. 156.

' gulfed by art, and uttered boldly as they were excited
' warmly, by men and manners palling in review. Let
' the fympathetic tribe, who, in the exuberance of their
' companion, exprefs their anxiety left I mould hurt my
' intereft, referve their pity for objects of more merit. I
( am happy in the idea, that nothing which I have writ-
' ten can injure the interelt of any one but the writer.

" Jn times of peculiar exigency (he might add), thefe
' maybe a moral as well as military heroifm. He de-
' ferves to be degraded from his rank, who is not ready
' to incur every hazard in the caufe which he has juftly
1 undertaken ; and not only to forego honours and ad-
' vantages in the defence of what he deems the truth,
' but, if circumftances mould require it, to die in its
' confirmation. A timid and lukewarm prudence in a
' good caufe is little better than defei tion."

Such, I fay, is the apology which an independent
writer might make to thole who (houkl fay to him, Sunt
quibiis in fatira --videris nimis acer. If it contains in it
any thing fevere, be it remembered, that the feverity is
applied to manners, not to perfons ; that no individual
is pointed at ; and that he who complains of it probably
deferves it.

No. CLVI. ON READING MERELY WITH A
VIEW TO AMUSEMENT.

THERE are many who fpend much of their time
in reading, but who read as they play at cards,
with no other intention but to pafs the time, without la-
bouring under the intolerable burthen of a total inacti-
vity. The more trifling the book, the better they fnp-
pofe it fuited to their purpofe. Plays, pamphlets, me-
moirs, novels, and whatever entertains them without re-
quiring any great degree of attention, conftitute the
whole of their library. Even thefe are read in a deful-
tory manner, without the interference of taile, or the
trouble of feleclion. Indeed this light food for the mind
is fo much wanted, that the circulating libraries lay in a
ftock of it every year; and an afibrtmentof funvner

reading

No. 156. MORA I, &c. 293

reading is in as great requeft at the bookfellers in the
\vatering-placey, as a variety of new fpring patterns ac
the filk-mercers in Pall-Mall. The fine lady and gen-
tleman, who have nothing to do but to purfue their
amufement, and in whole Je:icate minds the drelfing of
the hair is a bufmefs of the lirii importance, commonly
fpend two or three hours every day under the hands of
the frifeur; but then the time is by no means wafted, for
it is fpent in fummer-reading ; and as the volumes which
contain ftimmer reading are not large folios, and neither
printed on the fmalleft type, nor on the moft crowded
page, one of themjuft ferves to fill up the hours devoted
to the artiri. of the comb. The gentle ftudent rifes from
his chair when the operation is completed, takes oft" his
flannel gown, fends back the half bound book to the li-
brary, and enters upon the momentous bufmefs of mak ng
calls, without any odious gravity or ferioufnefs, wl
might perhaps have remained with him, had his morn
ftudies required deep thought, or communicated to i
a feries of fober reflections. He can, indeed, inari
day, devour half a dozen volumes of fu miner r.-a.ii
and be no more incommoded than when he fwallows as
many puffs and fyliabubs at the fafhionable confectioner'.
It muft be allowed that this kind of reading, trifling
as it is, may often conrtitutc an amufing and a very in-
nocent paftime. But I will venture to fay, that ufeful
and improving reading might be found, that fhould be
equally, and indeed more entertaining. The fame time
fpent on books of charader, which is lavifhed away on
literary trafh, would remier many a mind, which is now
vain and fupcrficial, really elegant, prudent, and well
informed. The time fpent unJer the operation of the
hair-drefler is very properly fpent in reading; but why
fhould not the woiks of the Englifh claffics be ufed in
preference to a vile translation from a fooiiih French no-
vel ? To a taftc not vitiated, the works of Shakefpeare,
Milton, Cryden, Pope, Adiiifon, and many of their
fuccefsful followers, are much more pleafing than the
inelegant and hafty productions of hireling writers,
whofe indigence compels them to be lefs felicitous about
quality than quantity ; who ftudy not fo much what is
ccngruous to talle and truth, as what will catch the no-
O 3 tice

294 ESSAYS, No. 156,

lice of ihe general reader, and anfwer the venal purpofe
of their employer by a rapid fale. Have we not many
tn.e hiilories, elegant in their ftyle, abounding with
uir.ster melt imprpvir.g to the heart and underftanding,
and calculated to intereft and entertain, in a very high
degree, by gratifying curiofity ? Uniefs we renounce our
pretensions to reafon, we muil ccnfefs that fuch books
jsre capable of furnifhing more pleafure, exclufively oF
the improvement, than anonymous and unauihenticated
anecdotes, memoirs,, novels, voyages, travels, lives,
and adventures.

There are thofewho have read more" volumes than the
profoundeft fcholars in the nation, who are yet unac-
quainted with the elements of fcience, with the moft in-
terefting facts of true hiftory, with the maxims of philo-
fophy, with the beauties of ityle, and with the extent
ind force of the language. They have read inattentive-
ly what indeed was fcarcely worth attention ; and they
have immediately forgotten what was too futile to de-
ferve remembrance. Had they poflefied judgment fuf-
ficient to point out the proper books, and resolution to
purfue the dictates of their judgment, they would have
enriched their minds with ineftimable treasures, and ac-
quired the reputation and fatisfaclion of folid fcholars.
The fame exertion of their eyes, the fame confumption
of their time, the fame fedentary confinement, would
have earned a prize of fufiicient value to repay them
amply for every effort of diligence. But now they have,
perhaps, injured their eyes, ruined their health, neglect-
ed their affairs, vitiated their tafie, and poffibly corrupt-
ed their morals, cr weakened their faith, with no return,
bjt tho amufement of the moment, or the retention of
falfe fads, diftorted figures of life and manners, or trifling
anecdotes, the lumber of the head and not the furniture.

l^erfons advanced in life, or labouring under fick-
refs and infirmity, have an unqueftionable right to
amufe themfelves with whatever can innocently alle-
viate their evils, and enable th?m to pafs away the
Ingging hours in afvveetand tranfitory oblivion. Their
reading, like their diet, may be light a <d more adapted
to tickle a fickly palate, than to afford folid and fub-
Jtantbl nourilhment. But in ycuth, health, and vigour

who

No. 157. MORAL, &c. 295

\vho would voluntarily confine themfelves to the weak-
ncfs and infipidity of water-gruel ?

It is, indeed, lamentable to obferve young perfons of
lively parts, and with a love of reading, devoting thofe
years and thofe abilities, which might render them va-
luable members of fociety, to fuch ftudies as tend only to
diffipate their ideas, to vitiate their morals, to womanize
their fpirits, and to render them the daftardly and dege-
nerate fons of thofe to whom it was once a glorious dif-
tindion to bear the name of Britons.

No. CLVII. ON A METHOD OF STUDY, WRIT-
TEN BY JOACHIMUS FORTIUS RINGELBERGIUS.

THERE is a little treatife on the method of ftudy
written by Ringelbergius, which, in the two lalt
centuries, was a great favourite among fcholars, and con-
tributed much to animate their induilry. The learned
Erpenius acknowledges himfelf originally indebted to it
for all his acquifitions. He met with it at the age of fix-
teen, and, in confequence of its fuggeftions, though he
was then totally averfe from a ftudious life, and had
made no proficiency in learning, yet he afterwards be-
came a diitinguiflied fcholar. The treatife had becoma
fcarce, and Erpenius generoufly printed a new edition,
that others might partake of the benefit which he had
himfelf enjoyed. He publifhed it with the title of Li-
ter <uere ditreus, or the truly Golden Treatife.

In the epiftle to the reader which Erpenius has pre-
fixed, he fpeaks of the animating efteft of the book in
terms fo warm, and with fo much gratitude, that a
Itudent would be wanting to himfelf not to gratify his
curiofity, by at leaft giving it a perufal. It is fhort, and
contains many paflages which tend to encourage the
fcholar in his purfuits, and to infpire him with an ar-
dour and enthufiafm, like that excited in the foldier by
the drum and trumpet, as he is marching on to battle.
I believe there could not be found a better exhortation
O 4 to

296 ESSAYS,

to ftudy for the ufe of boys, if the good paflages were
rot difgraced by others fo ridiculous, as almolt bring the
writer under the imputation of lunacy. His literary
enthuiiafm had ce.-tainly tranfported him, in fevcrai in-
ilanres, b:yond the limits of his own reafon.

I -will felc£t a few hints iVom the little tract, which
rrny not only ferve as a curious fpecimen to the Englifli
reader, but may roiife him frs.xn his indolence. The
whole is, indeed, mere valuable for the fpirit and fire
which it conduces to raife, thiu for its particular di-
rections. It is rather exhortatory than didadic.

"' How mean," fays he, fpsaking of the fcope at
which ftudents ought to aim, " how timid, how abjeft,
" muft be that fpirit which can fit down contented
" with mediocrity. As for myfelf, all that is within
" me is on fire. I had rather," he proceeds in his
ftrong manner, " be torn in a thoufand pieces, than
" relax my refoluticn of reaching the fublimeit heights
" cf virtue and knowledge. I am of opinion, that no-
" thing is fo arduous, nothing fo admirable in human

affairs, which may not be obtained by the induftry of

man. We are defcended from heaven, thither let us

go, whence we derived our origin. Let nothing

fatisfy us lower than the fummit of all excellence.

This fummit then," fays he, " I point out as the

proper fcope of the ftudent."

" But labour muft be beloved, and the pleafures of
" luxury defpifed. Shall we fubmit to be extinguished
" for ever without honour, without remembrance,
tf dvfyu&r cvott tn$t9ry[4fa>it without having done any
*' thing like men ?" The whole of this chapter is writ-
ten in a very uncommon ftyle of literary enthufiafm,
and I think it can hardly fail of inflaming a youthful
imagination. If fuch ideas were early infixed in the bo-
fom of an ingenious and ingenuous boy, what improve-
ment in virtue, and in all ufeful qualities, might not be
expected ?

" That we muft never defpair," is the title of his
third chapter. " If in our afcent we fhould fall head-
" long a thoufand times, we muft begin to climb again
" every time more ardently, and fly to the fummit
" with recruited vigour! Let no one be dejected if he

" is

No. 157. MORAL, &c. 297

" is not ccnfcious of any great advancement at firft.
" The merchant thinks himfelf happy if, after a ten
«' years voyage, after a thoufand dangers, he at laft
" improves his fortune ; and mail we, like poor- fpirited
" creatures, give up all hopes after the firft onfet. Quod-
" cunqueimperavit animus obtinuit. Whatever the mind
" has commanded itfelf to do, it has obtained itspurpofe.
" Riches muft have no charms, compared to the
" charms of literature. Poverty is favourable to the
fuccefs of all literary purfuits. I mean not to throw
contempt on money in general, b'ut on that exor-
bitant wealth which allures the mind from ftudy.
But your parents," fays he, " will rather chufe that
you mould be guilty of peijury or murder, than not
know how to value money.

" The ftudent muft be defirous of praife. It is a
" promifing prefage of fuccefs to be roufed by praife
" when cne (hall have done well, and to be grieved and
" incited to higher aims, on finding himfelf blamed or
" outdone by another. He who aipires at the fummit
" muft be paffionately fond of glory.

" Thus have the firft qualities, indifpenfably requi-
*' fite in a youth devoted to ftudy, been mentioned. He
" muft aim at thr higheit points, he muft love labour,
" he muft never def] air, he muit defpife riches, he muft
" be greedy of praiie. It remains that we prefcribe the
" methods. There are then three gradations in the
" modes of ftudy; hearing, teaching, writing. It is a
" good and eafy method to hear, it is a better and eafier
" to teach, and the bcft and eafieft of all to write.
" Ledures are dull ; becaufe it is tedious to confine the
" liberty of thought to the voice of the reader. But
" when we teach or write, the very exercife itfelf pre-
" eludes the tasdium."

Though the treatife of Ringelbergius is fhort, yet
to make an ufeful ab^reviiiti^n of it, would require
more room than the limits I ufually prefcribe to
my papers will allow. I mean only to give a little
fpecimen of the manner in which this very extra-
ordinary writer has conipofed his once celebrated
treatife. There are certainly many tilings |u jc which
can fcarcely fail to ftimulate an honeft nntid, f: nee rely
O 5 and

2SS ESSAYS, No. 158,

and fericufly devoted to letters. A fevere critic, or a
lover of" ridicule, will find much, both in the matter
and the ftyle to cenfure and deride. But ftill there is
fomething fo honeft and fo warm in this writer, that a
good-natured mirvd cannot help being entertained evert
with his abfurdities, and inclined to overlook them
amidft the greater abundance of valuable advice. I be-
Jieve the copies are not very fcarce, and earneftly recom-
mend, both to the young ftudent and the lover of lite-
rary curiofities, to devote half an hour to the perufal of
it, if it Ihouid fall into their hands.

Ri gelbergius was a very ingenious man, not only
in polite learning and in the Iciences, but in the arts
of mechanical writing, painting, and engraving. In-
deed thefe were his firti purfuits and employments, and
he did not apply himfelf to learning Latin till his feven-
teenth year; but fuch was the force of his genius, that
he then made a rapid proficiency. He was certainly a
man of genius, and though not quite correcl in his lan-
guage, yet he wrote Latin with much more fpirit and
vivacity than moft of the Dutch and German writers of
his age. He acquired the Greek language, and could
almoit repeat Homer from beginning to end. He was
Vvell verfed in various fciences, and wrote ingeniously
upon them ; but his tracts arc, I believe, more curious
than ufeful. He would have been an excellent writer,
and profound philofopher, had he lived in an age when
the follies of judicial aftrology were exploded, and hy-
pothefis reduced to the teft ot experiment.

No. CLVIII. ON THE FOLLY OF SACRL-
FlCING COMFORT TO TASTE.

THERE are certain homely, but fweet com-
forts and convenience?, the abfence of which
JK> elegance can fupply. Since, however, they have
nothing of external fplendour, they are often facrificed
to ihe gratification of vanity. We live too much ia

the

No. 158. MORAL, Sec. 299

the eyes and minds of others, and too little to Our own
hearts, too little to our own confciences, and too little
to our own fatisfaclion. We are more anxious to ap-
pear, than to be happy.

According to the prefent modes of living, and ideas
of propriety, an oftentatious appearance muft be at all
events, and in all inftances, fupported. If we can pre-
fcrve a glittering and glofly varnifli, we difregard the
interior materials and fubftance. Many (hew a dif-
pofition in every part of their conduct, fimilar to that
of the Frenchman, who had rather go without a ftiirt*
than without ruffles ; rather ftarve as a count, than
enjoy affluence and independence as an honeft mer-
chant. Men idolize the great, and the diltin&ions of
fafhionable life, with an idolatry fo reverential and
complete, that they feem to miftake it for their duty
towards God. For, to ufe the words of the Catechifm,
' do they not appear to believe in them, to fear them,
' to love them with all their hearts, with all their
' minds, with all their fouls, and with all their
4 ftrength, to worfhip them, to give them thanks, to
' put their whole truft in them, to call upon them,
' to honour their names and their words, and to fcrye
f them truly all the days of their lives?" As they
worfhip f;;Ife gods, their bleilings are of the kind which
correfponds with the nature of their deities. They are
all fiiadowy and unfubftantial ; dreams, bubbles, and
meteors, which dance before their eyes, and often lead
them to perdition.

It is really lamentable to- behold families of a com-
petent fortune, and refpedlable rank, who (while th^y
deny themfelves even the common pleafures of a plen-
tiful table, while their kitchen is the cave of cold and
famine, while their neighbours, relations, and friends
pity and defpife, as they pafs, the comfortlefs and un-
hofpitable door) fcruple net to be profufely expenfive
in drefs, furniture, building, equipage, at public en-
tertainments, in excurfions to Bath, Tunbridge, or
Brighthelmflone. To feed the faihionable extrava-
gance, they rob themfelves cf indulgences which they
know to be more truly fatiifaclory ; for which of them
reiurneth from the midnight afl'cinbly, or from the fum-
U 6 mer

300 E S St A Y S, No. 158.

.::•.' excurfion?, without complaining of dulnefs, fa-
;r'ue, prm";, and infipidity ? They have fhewn them-
.~y have icrn many fine perlons, and many fine
•> •n.igs, but have they felt the delicious pleafures of do-
meflic pe :ce, the tranquil delights of focial intercourfe
at the: ;* lowns ;:nu villages, the folid fatisfaftions
of a co:'CJteJ mind, the comforts arifing from a dif-
embam.litv. ibite of finances, and the love and refpeft of
a neighbourhood ?

T o ruii in debt, and be involved in danger of arrefts
and imprifonment, are, in this age, almolt the objedlsof
fafhionable ambition. To have an execution in the
houfe, is to be in the fame predicament with this ba-
ronet and the other lord, or with his grace the duke.
The poor imitator of fpltodu; miicry, little greatnefs,
and litied infamy, riques fas liberty and lait (hilling to
become a man of talte and falhion. He boafts that he
is a happy man, for he is a man of pleafure ; he
knows how to enjoy life ; he profeil'es the important
fcience called the Sfavefr Vi<vre. Give him the dif-
tindlion which, in the littleneis and blindnefs of his
foul, he confidcrs as ths fource of happinefs and ho-
nour. Ailowhim his claim to ufte, give him the title
of a man of pieafure, and lince he infift upon it, grant
him his pretenfions to S$avcir Fivre. But at the fame
time he cannot deny that he is haunted by his creditors,
that he is obliged to hide himfelf, left he mould lofe
his liberty ; that he is eating the bread and the meat,
a d wearing the clothes of thofe whofe children are
crying for a morfel, and mi.ering in rag?. If he has
trought himfelf to furh a ftate as to feel no uneaiinefs,
when he reflects on his embarraflment, and its confe-
quences to others ; he is a bafe, worthlefs, and dege-
nerate wretch.. But if he is uneafy, where is his hap-
pinefs ? where his exalted enjoyments ? how much hap-
pier ad been this boafter of happinefs, had he lived
within the limits of reafon, duty, and his fortune, in
love and unity with his own regular family, at his
own fire-fide, beloved, trufled, refpeded in the neigh-
bourhood, afraid of no creditor or perfection, nor of
any thing elfe, but of doing wrong ? He might not
iadeed have made a figure on the turf; he might not
£ liavc

No. 158. MORAL, &c. 301

have had the honour of leading the fafhion ; but he
would probably have had health, wealth, fame, and
peace. Many a man who is feldom feen, and never
heard of, enjoys, in the filence and fecurity of a private
life, all which this fublunary ftate can afford to fweeten
the cup, and to lighten the burthen.

In things of an inferior nature, and fuch as are not
immediately connected with moral conduit, the fame
predilection for external appearance, and the fame ne-
glect of folid comfort, when placed in competition with
thedifplay of an affected taltc, are found to prevail. Our
houfes are often rendered cold, final], and inconvenient,
for the fake of preferving a regularity of external
figure, or of copying the architecture of a warmer
climate. Our carriages are made dangerous or incom-
modious, for the fake of attracting the paflengers eye,
by ibmething new or fingular in their fhape, ftrength,
or fabric. Our drefs is fafhioned in uneafy form?, and
with troublefome fuperfluities, or uncomfortable de-
feels, juft as the Proteus, Jraihion, ifTues out the ca-
pricious edicts of a variable taite. We even eat and
drink, fee and hear, not according to our own appe-
tites and fenfes, but as the prevalent tafte happens to
direct. In this refined age we are all perfons of tafte,
from the hair-drefler and millener, to the duke and
duchefs. The queition is not what is right, prudent,
pleafmg, comfortable, but what is the talle. Hence
beggarly finery, and lordly beggary.

'1 he iacrifice of comfort to talte is vifible in our mo-
dern gardens. I rejoice in the explofion of the Dutch
manner. I expatiate with raptured eye and imagina-
tion over the noble fcenes created by a Kent and a
Brown. But at the fame time I lament that our cold
climate often renders the fublime and magnificent tafte
in gardening incompatible with comfort Winter, as
the poet lays, often lingers in the Jap of May. How
pleafmg to itep out of the honfe, and balk under a funny
wall covered with bloom, to watch the expanfion of a
rofe-bud, and to fee even the humble pea and bean
fhooting up with all the vigour of vernal fertility. But
now the manfior. houfe ftands naked and forlorn. You
defcend from the Eight of ilej-s. You are faluted by

the

302 ESSAYS, No. isg.

the rudeft breath of Eurus and Boreas. No trees, no
walls, no out-houfes, even the kitchen and offices fub-
terraneous. Not a corner to feek the genial warmth
of a meridian fun. Fine profpevfis inJeed all around.
But you cannot ftay to look at them. You fly to
your chimney corner, happy if the perfecuting blaft
purfues you not to your laft recefs. We allow all that
tafte can claim. We admire and love her beauties?
but they are dearly bought at the expence of comfort.

A little and eiiclofed garden adds greatly to the real
enjoyment of a rural retreat. Though tafte has thrown
down the walls, and laid all open ; I venture to pre-
dict that before the lapfe of half a century, good fenfe
and the love of comfort will rebuild them. The
grounds beyond may ftill be laid out in the grandefl
and moil beautiful (tyle ; but let the houfe ftand in the
midft of a little cultivated fpot, where every vegetable
beauty and delicacy may be difplayed, and where the
rigours of our inclement clime may be foftened with
elegant enclofures. The con:rail between this, which
I would call the domeftic, and the other which might
be named the outer garden, or the grove, would pro-
duce an effect by no means unpleafing. They who
have no tafte for flowers, and the thoufand beauties of
an inclofed garden, are but pretenders to any kind ctf
tafte in the graces of horticulture.

Indeed, fuch is the nature of man, we commonly
advance improvement to the verge of impropriety. We
now loath the idea of a ftraight line, and a regular row
of trees. But let us not, in the pride of our hearts, flat-
ter ourfelves with the unerring rectitude of our tafte.
Many of the ancients who poflefled the beft tafte, not
only in poetry and eloquence, but in arts, in painting,
fculpture, architecture, were great admirers of planta-
tions perfectly regular, and laid out in quincunxes,
However vanity and faihion may dictate and declaim,
the world will not always believe that Homer, Virgil,
Cyrus, Cicero, Bacon, and Temple, were totally mif-
taken in their ideas of horticultural beauty.

Cicero informs us, in a fine quotation from Xeno-
phon's ceconomics, that when Lyfander came to Cy-
rus, a prince equally diftinguiilied, for his glorious em-
pire

No. 159. MORA L, &c. 303

pire and his genius, Cyrus (hewed him apiece of ground
•well enclofed and completely planted. A fter the vifuor had
admired the tall and ftraight trees, and the rows regular-
ly formed in a quincunx, and the ground clear of weeds,
and well cultivated, and the fweetnefs of the odoury
which exhaled from the flowers, he could not help ex-
prefling his admiration not only of the diligence, but the
fkill of him by whom all this was mcafured and marked
out; upon which Cyrus anfwered, " It was myfelf who
" measured every thing, the rows of trees are of my dif-
" poling, the plan is mine, and many of the trees were
'< planted with my own hand." An illuftrious pattern,
which 1 hope our Englim noblemen and gentlemen will
no be afraid to follow. Why always employ a profefT-
ed plan-maker ? Why facrifice their own amufement and
inclination to the will of another, and to the imperious
edicts of capricious famion.

No. CL1X. ON THE EXAMPLE OF HENRY
THE FIFTH, AND THE BAD EFFECTS OF AN
OPINION, THAT A P~ROFLIGATE YOUTH IS
LIKELY TO TERMINATE IN A WISE MAN-
HOOD.

THERE are thofe who confider early profligacy
as a mark of that fpirit, which feldom fails to
produce, in the fubfequent periods of life, a wife and a
virtuous character. The example of Henry the fifth
is often cited in confirmation of their opinion. Shake-
fpeare has indeed reprefented his errors and reformation
in fo amiable a light, that many are not difpleafed
when they fee a young man beginning his career in riot
and debauchery. While there is an appearance of fpi-
lit, they regard not the vice.

The example of Henry the fifth has been applied
particularly to heirs apparent of a crown. If the fu-
ture king is found to be early initiated in the exceffes of

ienfuality,

304 ESSAYS, No. 159.

fenfuality, it is a favourable prefage, and we are referred
to the example of FalfhrPs H'd. Jf he devote his time
to drinking, and be actually involved in continual in-
toxication, it is all the better, for do we not recollect
Hal's exploits at the Boar's Head in Eaftcheap ? Dame
Quickly, Doli Tr:;riheet, are illuitriuus initances to
prove what company a prince ihoi-iu keep in order to
become hereafter a great king. It is in the haunts of
intemperance 31:1 vie •,:. in the company of fycophants
and knaves, that he is, according to the vulgar phraie, to
fow his wild oats, to fpend the exuberance of his fpirit,
to fubdue the ebullition of hi> blood, .and to acquire a
valuable fpecies of moral experience.

It ic rue, indeed, that Henry the fifth is a remai kable
inftance of early profligacy and lubfequent reformation,
He \:y a '^markable, becaufe he is a rare inltance. For
one who hicceeds as he did, a thoufand become either
incurable debauchees, drunkards, and rogues, ruin their
character and fortunes, or die under the operation of
fo rough an experiment. We hear not of thcfe who are
obliged to go to the Raft Indies, to hide rhcmfelves on the
Continent, to fkujk in the garrets of blind allies, to
fpend their days in gaols, or are early carried to the
church-yard, amidft the thanks and rejoicings of their
friends for fo hap;:y a deliverance from mame and ruin.
But if one wild youth becomes but a tolerably good man,
we are ftruck with the metamorphofis, as we are with
every thing uncommon. We exaggerate his go.' :neis,
by comparing it with his previous depravity. We cite
the example, as a confolatory topic, wherever we be-
hold a young man, as the fcripture beautifully exprefles
it, walking in the ways of his own heart, and in the
fight of his own eyes. We talk as if we al moil congra-
tulated a parent, when his fon has ipiric enough to vio-
late, not only the rules of decency, but alfo the molt fa-
cred laws of morality and religion.

Such fatal ideas have broken the heart of many a vir-
tuous and feeling father. They have brought his hairs,
before they were grey, to the grave. I have been much
pleafed with a paflage in the fermons of the late worthy
Dr. Ogden, in which he recommends regularity and
virtue to young men folely for the fake of their pa-
rents.

No. i^g. MORA L, Sec. 305

rents. " Stop, young man," fays he, " flop a little to
" look towards thy poor parents. Think it not too
" much to bellow a. moment's reflexion on thofe who
" never forget thee. Recollect what they have done
" for ihee. Remember all — all indeed thou canft
" not; alas! ill hnd b-en thy lot, had not their care
" begun, before then couldft. remember or know any
" thing.

" Now fo proud, felf-willed, inexorable, then
" couldft thou only aflc by wailing, and move them
" with thy tears. And they were moved. Their
" hearts were touched with thy diilrefs ; they relieved
" and watched thy wants before thou kneweft thine
" own neceflities, or their kindnefs. They cloaihed
" thee ; thou kneweit not that thou waft naked : thou
" afkedft not for bread ; but they fed thee. And
" ever fmce — for the particulars are too many to be
" recounted, and too many furely to be all utterly for-
" gotten, it has been the vrry principal endeavour,
" employment, and fludy of their lives to do fervice
" unto thee. If by all thefe endeavours they can ob-
•' tain their child's comfort, they arrive at the full ac-
" coniplifhment of their wiflies. They have no higher
" ohjod of their ambition. Be thou but happy, and
" they are fo.

" And now tell me, is not fomething to be done, I
" do not now fay for thyfelf, but for them ? If it be
" too much to defire of thee to be good, and wife, and
" virtuous, and happy for thy own fake; yet be happy
" for theirs. Think that a fober, upright, and, let
" me add, religious life, befides the bleffings it will
" bring upon thy own head, will be a fountain of un-
" feigned comfort to thy declining parents, and make
" the heart of the aged fing for joy.

" What lhall we fay ? which of thefe is happier ? the
" fon that maketh a glad father ? or the father, blcfTed
" with fuch a fon ?

" Fortunate young man ! who haft an heart open fo
" early to virtuous delights, and canft find thy own
" happinefs in returning thy father's bleffing upon his
" o\vn head !

" And

306 ESSAY S, No. 159.

" And happy father! whofe years have been pro-
*' longed, not, as it often happens, TO fee his comforts
" fall from him one after another, and to become at once
old and deintute ; but to tafte a nevvpleafure, not to
be found among the pleafures of youth, referved for
his age; to reap the harveftof all his c res and labours,
in the duty, affection, and felicity of hi.; dear child.
His very lock befpeaks the inward fatisfaclion of his
heart. The infirmities of his age fit light on him.
He feels not the troubles of life : he fmiles at the ap-
proach of death; fees himfelf Mill living and honoured
in the memory and the perfon of his fon, his other
dearer felf ; and pafles down to the receptacle of all
the living, in the fullnefs of content and joy.
" How unlike to this is the condition of him, who
" has the affliction to be the father of a wicked off-
*' fpring ! poor, unhappy man ! No forrow is like
" unto thy forrow. Difeafes and death are bleffings,
" if compared with the anguifh of thy heart, when
" thou feeft thy dear children run heedlefsly and head-
" Jong in the ways of fin, forgetful of their parents
" counfel, and their own happinefs. Unfortunate old
" man ! How often does he wifh he had never been
" born, or had been cut off before he was a father ?
" No reflection is able to afford him confolation. He
" grows old betimes ; and the afflictions of age are
*' doubled on his head. In vain are instruments of
" pleafure brought forth. His foul refufes comfort.
" Every bleffing of life is loft upon him. No fuccefs
" is able to give him joy. His triumphs are like that
" of David: while his friends, captains, foldiers, were
*' rending the air with fhouts of victory — he, poor con-
'* queror, went up, as it is written, to the chamber
" over the gate and wept : and as he went, thus he faid ;
*' O, my fon Abfalorn ! my; fon, my fon Abfalom !
" would to God 1 had died for thee ! O Abfalom, my
" A-n, my fon !"

I have introduced this pafTage, with a hope that gay
and thoughtless young men may be properly afrectei
by it ; and though they fhould have no regard for them-
felves, that they ihould be led to have pity on their

poor

No. 159. MORA L, &c. 307

poor parents, and to chufe the right way, that they may
not caufe affliction to him who often has dandled them
in his arms, nor to her at whofe breaft they hung in the
fweet and innocent period of their infancy. It is in-
deed a melancholy confideration that children, who
have been the delight of their parents during the ear-
lier ages, no fooner arrive at maturity, than they often
prove^ a fcourge and a curfe. They hurry thofe out of
the world, who brought them into ic. They embitter
the old age of thofe who devoted the health and
ilrength of manhood to their welfare and fupport. Sad
return ! to plant the pillow of reclining age with thornsl
— O have pity, have pity on your father- behold him
with tottering ftep approaching you ! With fuppliant
hands and tears in his eyes, he begs you — to do what ?
to be good and happy. O fpare him, wipe away his
tears ; make him happy, be fo yourfelf, - fo when it
fliall be your turn to be a father, may you never feel the
pangs you have already inflifted !

There are parents, indeed, who feem to have little
concern but for the pecuniary intereft or worldly ad-
vancement of their children. While their children ex-
cel in drefs, addrefs, fimulation, and diflimulation,
they are allowed to be as debauched and immoral as
they pleafe. While they poflefs a poor, mean, and
contemptible kind of wifdom, commonly called the
knowledge of the world, their parents are perfectly
eafy ; though they ihould be notorioufly guilty of every
bafe artifice, and plunged in the grofleft and moft
unlawful fpecies of fenfuality. That poor man, Lord
Chefterfield, was one of thofe parents who are ready to
faciifice their children's honour, confcience, and falva-
tion, for the fake of gaining a little of the little ho-
nours and riches of a world, where not even the
highelr. honours of the molt abundant riches are com-
parable to the pofTefiton tf an honeft heart. That
wretched Lord fecms to have entertained very little
natural affection for his fpurious offspring. His pater-
nal attention was all avarice and ambition. ,He would
probably have been delighted if his fon had been at
an early age a remarkable debauchee. He would have
thought the fpirit which vice difplaycd, a fureprcg-

noltic

308 ESSAY S, No. 160.

noftic of future eminence. Providence defeated his pur-
pefe, and permitted his letters to be exhibited as a
Joathibme monument of wickednefs, vanity, and worldly
wiidom. 'uch wifdom is indeed ufu^ily folly, even
\vhare its effccls and confequences ate confined to the
prefect p riod of exiiience.

Every father then, and every mother who deferve that
tender and venerable appellation, will itrenuoufly endea-
vour, whatever have been their own errors and vices, to
preferve thofe whom they have introduced into a trouble-
fome world from the foul contagion and pollution of vice.
If they have any regard for their children, for their coun-
try, for themfelves, they will ufe every probable means to
refcue the riiing generation from early profligacy. Selfilh
motives often prevail when all others axe inefficacious.
I repeat then, that, for their own fakes, they mult guard
their offspring from riot, intemperance, and prodigality.
If they are mifguided by the example of Henry the Fifth,
or any other reformed rake, fo as to encourage their
children in evil, or even to be negligent of them, they
will probably repent in the day of old age, and find po-
verty, ftiame an4 anguifli, fuperadded to the weight of
years, and the unavoidable eviis of a natural decay.

No. CLX. A GOOD HEART NECESSARY TO
ENJOY THE BEAUTIES OF NATURE^.

BY a juft difpenfation of Providence, it happens that
they who are unreafonably felfifh, feldom enjoy fo
jnuch happinefs as the generous and contented. Al-
moft all the wicked deviate from the line of reftitude,
that they may engrofs an extraordinary portion of
fbme real or imaginary advantage. Their hearts are
agitated in the purfuit of it with the moft violent and
painful emotions, and their eagernefs, apprehenllons,
and folicitude, poifon the enjoyment after they have ob-
tained the polieflion. The nature of their pleafures is at
belt grofs, fenfual, violent, and traniitory. They are

always

No. 160. MORAL, &c. 309

always difiatisfied, always envious, always malignant.
Their fouls are bent ciown to the earth ; and, deltitute of
all elevated and heavenly ideas, c&leftium inanes They
have not powers of perception for the iublime or refined,
fatis factions ; and are no lefs infenfibie to the tranquil
delights of innocence and fimplicity, than the deaf and
blind to the beauty of colours, and the melody of mufic.

To the wicked, and indeed to all who are warmly
engaged in the vulgar purfuits of the world, the con-
templation of rural fcenes, and of the manners and na-
ture of animals, is perfectly infipid. The odour of
flowers, the purling of dreams, the fong and plumage
of birds, the fportive innocence of the lamb, the fide-
lity of the dog, are incapable of attracting, for one mo-
ment, the notke of him whofe conscience is uneafy,
and paflions unfubdued. Invite him to a morning
walk through a neighbouring wood, and he begs to be
excufed ; for he loves his pillow, and can fee no charms
in trees. Endeavour to allure him, on a vernal evening,
when, after a fhower, every leaf breathes fragrance and
frefhneis, to faunter with you in the garden ; and he
pleads an engagement at \vhift, or at the bottle. Bid
him liften to the thrufli, the blackbird, the nightingale,
the woodlark, and he interrupts you by afking the price
of docks, and enquiring whether the Welt-India fleet is
arrived. As you walk over the meadows enamelled
with cowflips and daifies, he takes no other notice, but
enquire! who is the owner, how much the land lets for
an acre, what hay ibid for at the lad market. He pre-
fers the gloomielt day in November, on which pecuniary
bufinefs is tran fueled, or a feait celebrated, or a public
diverfion afforded, to all the delights of the merry month
of May. He who is condantly engaged in gratifying
his luft, or in gaming, becomes in a fhort time 10 very
wife, as to confider the itndy of the works of God in the
creation, and the external beauty both of vegetable and
animated nature, as iittle fup^rior to a childilh entertain-
ment. How grave his afpedt! No Solon ever looked fo
fapient as he does, when he is on the point of maki - a
bet, or infidioufly plotting an in:rigue. One im^nt
conclude, from his air of importance, that man was

born

3io ESSAYS, No. 160.

born to (hake the dice, to ftiuflle the cards, to drink
claret, and to deftroy, by debauchery, the innocence of
individuals, and the peace of families. Ignorant and
miftaken wretch ! He knows not that purity and li-.n-
plicity of heart would furnifh him with delights, which,
while, they render his life tranquil and pleafurable,
would enable him to refign his foul at death into the
hands of his Maker unpolluted. What ilains and filth
it ufually contrails by an indifcriminate commerce with
the world! how comparatively pure amidft the genuine
pleafures of a rural and philosophical life !

As a prefervative of innocence, and as the means of
a moft agreeable paftime, the love of birds, flowers,
plants, trees, gardens, animals, when it appears in boys,
as indeed it ufually does, fhould be encouraged, and
iu a fubordinate degree cultivated. Farewel, inno-
cence, when fuch things ceaie to be capable of afford-
ing pleafure ! The heart gradually becomes hardened
and corrupted, when its objects are changed to thofe of
a worldly and a fenfual nature.

Man may indeed be amufed in the days of health and
vigor with the common purfuits of ordinary life ; but
they have too much agitation in them for the feeble
powers of old age. Amufements are then required
which are gentle, yet healthy ; capable of engaging the
thoughts, yet requiring no painful or continued exertion.
Happy he who has acquired and preferved.to that age a
tafte for fimple pleafures. A fine day, a beautiful
garden, a flowery field, are to him enjoyments fimilar
in fpecies and degree to the blifs of Elyfuim. A farm
yard, with all its inhabitants, conftitutes a moft delight-
ful fcene, and furnifhes him with a thoufand entertain-
ing ideas. The man who can fee without pleafure a hen
gather her chickens under her wing, or the train of
ducklings following their parent into a pond, is like him
who has no muflc in his foul, and who, according to bhake-
fpeare, is fit for treafons, murders, every thing that can
difgrace and degrade humanity. Vetalo iifdemfub trabi-
bus,fragilemque mecumjol'-vat phafelum, I will forbid him,
fays Horace on another occafion, to be under the fame
roof with rce, or to embark in the fame vefTel.

2 Let

No. 161. M O R A L, &c. 311

Let it: operate as an additional motive in flimulating
us to preferve our innocence, that with our innocence
we prefcrve our fenlibility to the charms of nature. It
is indeed one of the rewards of innocence, that it is en-
abled to tafte the purelt pleafure which this world can
bellow, without the ufual confequences of pleafures, re-
morfe and fatiety. The man of a bad heart can r-nd no
delight but in bad defigns and bad actions — nominal
joys and real torments. His very amufements are of
nec'-ffitv connected vviih the injury of others, and with
a thotifand painful fenfations which no language can ex-
prefs. But the mind of the honeil, fimple, and ingenuous,
is always gay and enlivened, like fome of the fouthern
climates, with a ferenity almoft perpetual. Let a man
who would form an adequate idea on the different dates
of the good and bad heart, with refpect to happinefs,
compare the climate of Otaheite with that of Terra del
Fuego, as defcribed by our Britifh circumnavigators.

No. CLXI. ON THE PECULIAR BASENESS
OF VICE IN NOBILITY.

MANY, who have been raifed to titles and eftates
by the virtue or good" fortune of their anceitors,
:o confider themfelves as privileged to infringe all
the common reltraints eftablifhed by a regard to de-
cency, by moral philofophy, by natural and by revealed
religion. They have noble blood in their veins, there-
fore they prefume that the world was made for them to
take their pallime in it. Who, they exclaim (with a
volley of oaths and execrations) who (hall dare to fay
to us, thus far (hall ye go, and no farther ? Rules, laws,
and modes of y///, -rjlition were made for the cana>lle, for
the mufhrpom race, who fprung from dunghills, and
on whom the fun of royalty has never fhed its luftre.
Scarcely any of the ancient philofophers could boall of
this noble blood, and iVjall they prefume to dictate to a
nobleman, that is, perhaps, to a baftard of King Charles's

ftrumpct,

3*2 ESSAYS, No. 161.

ftrumpet, or to the difeafed offspring of a leprous, fcro-
phulous, forry race of puifne lordlings, whole names
ate only recorded in the books of ruined tradefmen, and
whofe-illultrious exploits are limited to the regions of a
cock-pit, a horfe-race, a tavern, and a bawdy-houfe ?
Shall a carpenter's fon dictate to a Fitzroy ? His lord-
fhip pleads his privileges. Let him riot in debauchery,
feduce innocence, break the peace of private families,
laugh at all that is facred and ferious, for is he not a
duke ?

You are indeed a duke ; or, in other words, your
great-grandfather, by good fortune or good deeds, ac-
quired for you that noble old manfion-houfe, that park,
thofe woods, thofe lands, thofe titles, all of which you
bafely dimonour. Though in your appearance you have
not much of ducal dignity, yet we fee your ducal coronet
on your proftitute's vis-a-vis : we fee you glorying in
your fhame, neglecting to pay your tradefmen, yet la-
viming your gold on horfes and harlots ; ftooping to the

~ meanell company and diverfion , yet retaining all the
petty infolence of family pride : we fee you meanly
fneaking in a court ; we iee you rewarded, notwith-
ftanding the infamy of your private life, with offices of
trufl and honour; we therefore acknowledge that you
have all the common attributes and outward figns of the
title which you happen to inherit. You have alfo had
the honour of a divorce, and enjoy the envied and bril-
liant reputation of a profefled adulterer. With a cha-
racter and qualities fo noble, every Briton muft ac-
knowledge how juflly you are ialuted by the appellation
of your Grace! how juitly you are made the compa-
nion of a prince, and the privy counfellor of the king
of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, defender of tie

faith, and over all caufes, ecclefiaftical as well as civil,
lupreme ! But, irony apart, who can be furprized, or
who can lament, when fuch wretches as yourfelf a>«
the counfellors of kings, that the fubjefts rebel, and
that the empire is difmembered ? Under a ruler like
you, who would not glory in the illuftiious character
tnd conduct of a Wafhington ?

When we read the liil of dukes, marquifes, earls,
vifcounts, barons, and baronets, exhibited in the Court

Calendar,

No. 16 r. MORA L, &c. 313

Calendar, we cannot help wondering at the great num-
ber of thofe who are funk in obfcurity, or branded with
infamy; and at the extreme paucity of characters to
which may be applied with jultice the epithets of decent,
virtuous, learned, and devout. Here we lee a long lift
of titled fhadows, whofe names are feldom heard, and
whofe perfons are feldom feen but at Newmarket and the
chocolate-houfe. There we mark a tribe whom fame
has celebrated for thofe feats of gallantry called, in an
old-fafhioned book, adultery. Here we point out a
wretch ftigmatized for unnatural crimes, there a blood-
thirfty dueHift. Debauchees, drunkards, fpendthrifts,
gamefters, tyrannical neighbours, and bad matters of
families, occur to the mind of the reader fo frequently,
that they almoft ceafe by familiarity to excite his ani-
madverfion. All this may be true, it will be faid ; but
will it not be true of any other equal number of men ?
I venture to affirm that it will not. The power, rank,
and opulence of the nobility, aJded to bad company
and often to a bad education, lead them beyond the line
of common depravity. There is this alfo which diftin-
guifhes their errors from the ufual errors of human in-
firmity ; they boaft of their enormities, and glory in their
difgrace; exorbitant profligacy is confidered as a mark
of manly fpirit ; and all who are decent and regular,
are ridiculed by the majority as tame, pufillanimous,
hypocritical, fuperftitious, methodiilical, prejudiced, or
narrow-minded.

But allowing, what experience refutes, that the -enor-
mities of the nominal great are not worfe than thofe of
others, yet it cannot be denied that their influence on
the community is infinitely more detrimental. The
greater part of mankind are weak and ill-educated ; but
to a feeble and ill-informed underftanding, riches and
titles appear to be the nobleft diiUndlions of human
nature. Whatever is faid or done by the pofteflbrs of
them, operates both as precept and example with irre-
fiftible force. It is fufficient, in the opinion of many a
filly man and woman of fafhion, to juftify any eccen-
tricity of behaviour, that a lord or a lady, whom they
proudly name among their acquaintance, has fet the ex-
ample. Deformity jtfelf, nwk\vardnefs, rudencfs, be-
VOL. II. P' come

3?4 ESSAYS, No. 162.

come grace and politenefs, when exhibited by fome
duchefs who affects fame by an impudent fingulariry.
The court in Doctors-Commons exhibits frequent proofs,
in the prefent times, that vices, direclly repugnant to
the law of God, pregnant with injuries to fociety, and
fatal to private virtue and private happinefs, are become
fafhionable. It is a pride and pleafure among the blaft-
«d lordlings of the day, to ftand forth in a court of juf-
tice, and avow themfelves the deftroyers of female virtue
and nuptial felicity. They are travelled men ; and, like
true patriots, emulating the manners of that nation which
is endeavouring to deilroy our political exigence, they
attempt to introduce the loofe principles of conjugal li-
bertinifm into their own country. Thofe who have not
travelled, imitate the noble youths who have ; and thus
is the fweet cup of domeitic felicity almoit univerfally
embittered among thofe who, in the regions of fafhion,
pretend to fuperior fkill in the art of enjoying life.

No. CLXII. ON AFFECTATION OF EXTREME
DELICACY AND SENSIBILITY.

EXTREME DELiCACY,foefteemed at prefent, feems
to have been unknown in times of remote antiquity.
It is certainly a great refinement on human nature ; and
refinements are never attended to in the earlier ages, when
the occupations of war, and the wants of unimproved life,
leave little opportunity, and Jefs inclination, for fanci-
ful enjoyments. Danger and diftrefs require flrength of
mind, and neceffarily exclude an attention to thofe de-
licacies, which, while they pleafe, infallibly enervate.

That tendernefs which is amiable in a Hate of perfecl
civilization, is defpifed as a v/eaknefs among unpolimed
nations. Shocked at the fmalleft circumlrances which
are difagreeable, it cannot /upport the idea of danger
and alarm. So far from exercifing the feverities which
are fometimes politically neceHary in a rude flate, it ftarts
with hoiror from the %ht, and at the description of them.

It

No. 162. MORAL, &c. 315

It delights in the calm occupations of rural life, and would
gladly refign the fpear and the fhield for the fhepherd's
crook and the lover's garland. But in an unformed
community, where conftant danger requires conftant de-
fence, thole difpofitions which delight in eafe and retire-
ment will be treated with general contempt ; and no tem-
per of mind which is defpifed will be long epidemical.

The antient Greeks and Romans were the mod civi-
lized people on the earth. They, however, were unac-
quainted with that extreme delicacy of fentiment which
is become univerfally prevalent in modern times. Per-
haps fome reafonable caufes may be affigned. The ftoic
philofophy endeavoured to introduce a total apathy, and
though it was not embraced in all its rigour by the vul-
gar, yet it had a fufficient number of votaries to diffufe
a general infenfibility of temper. It perhaps originally
meant no more than to teach men to govern their affec-
tions by the dictates of reafon, but as a natural want of
feeling produced the fame effefts as a rational regulation
of the paffions, infenfibility foon patted amongthe vulgar,
for what it had no claim to, aphilofophical indifference.

That refpedful attention to women, which in modern
times is called gallantry, was not to be found among the
antients. Women were unjuftly confidered as inferior
beings, whofe only duty was to contribute to pleafure,
and to fuperintend domeftic oeconcmy. It was not till
the das s of chivalry that men (hewed that defire of pleaf-
ing the fofter fex, which feems to allow them a fuperio-
rity. This deference to women refines the manners and
fof tens the temper; and it is no wonder that the an-
tieuts, who admitted not women ro their focial converfa-
tions, mould acquire a roughnefs of manners incompa-
tible with Delicacy of Sentiment.

Men who acted, thought, and (poke, like the antients,
were unqueltionab'y furnifhed by nature with every feel-
ing in great perfection. But their mode of education
contributed rather to harden, than to mollify their hearts.
Politics and war were the only general objects of puriuit.
Ambition, it is well known, renders all other paflions
fubfervient to itfelf; and the youth -who had been ac-
cuftomed to a military difcipline, and had endured the
-bard {hip? of a campaign, though he might yield to the
P 2 allurements

Si6 ESSAYS, No. 162.

allurements of pleafure, would not have time to cultivate
the refinements of delicacy. But the modern foldier,
in the prefent mode of conducting war, is not compelled
to undergo many perfonal hardmips either in the prepa-
ration for his profeflion, or in the exercife of it. Com-
merce, but little known to many antient nations, gives
the moderns an opportunity of acquiring opulence with-
out much difficulty or danger; and the infinite numbers
who inherit this opulence, have recourfe, in order to pafs
away life with eafe, to the various arts of exciting plea-
fure. The profeffions of divinity and law, leave fuffi-
cient time, opportunity, and inclination to moft of their
profeflbrs to purfue every innocent amufement and gra-
tification. The general plan of modern education,
which, among the liberal, confifts of the itudy of poets
and fentimental writers, contributes perhaps, mere than
all other caufes, to humanize the heart and refine the
fentiments: for, at the period when education is com-
menced, the heart is moft fufceptible of impreffions.

Whatever difpofition tends to foften, without weak-
ening the mind, muil be cherifhed ; and it murt be al-
lowed that an unaffected Delicacy of Sentiment, on this
fide the extreme, adds greatly to the happinefs of man-
kind, by diffufmg an univerfal benevolence. Jt teaches
men to feel for others as for themfelves ; it difpofes
them to rejoice with the happy, and, by partaking, to
encreafe their pleafure. It frequently excludes the ma-
lignant paffions, which are the fources of the greateft
mifery in life. It e.vcites a pleating fenfation in cur
own breait, which, if its duration be confidered, may
be placed among the higheft gratifications of fenfe.
The only ill confequence that can be apprehended from
it is, sn effeminacy of reind, which may cifqualify us
for vigorous purfuhs and manly exertions.

In the moil faccefsful courfe of things, obftacles will
impede, and difagreeable circumftances difguft. To
bear thcfe without feeling them, is fometimes necef-
iary in the right corJduct of life ; but he who is trem-
blingly alive all over, and whcfe fenfibility approaches
to lorenefs, avoids the conteft in which he knows he
mt;;i be hurr. He feels injuries never committed, and
K-i-r.ii ajTronis nevs>r intended. Difguited with men

and

No. 162. MORAL, &c. 317

and manners, he either fecks retirement to indulge his
melancholy, or, weakened by continual chagrin, con-
ducts himfelf with folly and imprudence.

How then (hall we avoid the extreme of a difpofition,
which, in the due medium, is productive of the moft fa-
lutary confeqiiences ? In this excefs, as well as all others,
reafon mult be called in to moderate. Senfibility muft
not be permitted to link us into fuch a ftate of indo-
lence, as effectually repreffes thofe manly fentiments,
which may very well con flit with the moft delicate. The
greateft mildnefs is commonly united with the greateit
fortitude, in the true hero. Tendernefs joined with
refolution, forms indeed a finifhed character, to which
reafon, co-operating with nature, may eafily attain.

The affectation of great fenfibiliy is extremely com-
mon. Jt is however as odious as the reality is amiable.
It renders a man deteftable, and a woman ridiculous.
Inftead of relieving the afflictrd, which is the neceflary
effect of genuine fympathy, a character of this fort flies
from milery, to (hew that it is too delicate to fupport
the fight of diitrefs. The appearance of a toad, or thi
jolting of a carriage, will caufe a paroxyfm of fear. It
pretends to a fuperior (hare of refinement and philan-
thropy But it is remarkable, that this delicacy and
tendernefs often difappear in folitude, and the pretender
to uncommon fenfibility is frequently found, in theab-
fence of witnefles, to be uncommonly unfeeling.

To have received a tender heart from the hand of na-
ture, is to have received the means of the higheft enjoy-
ment. To have regulated its emotions by the dictates
of reafon, is to have acted up to the dignity of man, and
to have obtained that happinefs of which the heart was
conflicted fufceptible. May a temper, thus laudable
in itlelf, ne\er be rendered contemptible by affectation,
or injurious to its poffefTor and to others, through the
want of a proper guidance.

P 3 No. CLXIII.

E S .S A Y S, No. 165.

No. CLXIII. ON TRUE PATIENCE, AS DIS-
TINGUISHED FROM INSENSIBILITY.

HOWEVER common, and however intenfe the evils
of human life may be, certain it is, that evils
equally great, do not affect all men with an equal de-
gree of an guifh ; and the different manner of fullaining
evils, arifes from one of thefe two caufes, a natural in-
fenfibility, or an adventitious fortitude, acquired by the
exertion of PATIENCE.

Apathus, when a fchool-boy, was not remarkable for
quicknefs of appreheniion, or brilliancy of wit; but though
his progrefs was flow, it was fure, and the additional
•opportunities of ftudy, which he enjoyed by being free
from thofe avocations which vivacity and warmth of
conftitution occafion, made him a tolerably good fcholar.
The fullennefs of his deportment, however, alienated the
affections cf his teachers; and, upon the flighted mif-
cemeanotirs, he often underwent the punifhment of the
rod, which he always bore without a tear, and without
complaint.

He had not long been at fchool, before his father and
mother died of a contagious fever. Preparatory to the
difclofure of fo mournful an event to an orphan fon,
"many precautions were taken, many phrafes of condo-
lence ftudied. At length, the matter took him afide,
and after feveral obfervations on the inflability of human
affairs, the fuddennefs of death, the neceffity of lubmif-
iion to Providence, and the inerHcacy of forrow, told him,
that his parents were no more. To this, young Apathus
replied, by obferving, without any vifible alteration in
his countenance, that he fufpedted fomething of that
kind had happened, as he had not received his letters at
the ufual time; but that he had not faid any thing on
the fubject, as he thought his being poffeffed of a fine
fortune by the event, was a matter that concerned na-
bcdy but himfelf, " For (fays he) as the death was fud-
*' den, chere probably was no will* and my father being

" pretty

No. 163- MORAL, &c. 319

" pretty warm, as they call it, and I being an only fon,
" I think I fliall be very well off." Here he was inter-
rupted by his mailer, who was now defirous of feme de-
gree of that grief which he had before been felicitous to
prevent — " And are you not affected (faid he) with the
lofs of the dearcft friends you had in. the world;1' —
Why, Sir, (replied the inlenfible) you have j.uli now-
been teaching me to fubmit to Providence, and telling
me, we mult all die, and the like ; and do I not prac-
' tife your precepts ?" The maftcr was too much aflo-
nilhed to be able to anfwer, and haftily loft the young,
man ; who probably concluded the day with a feaft of
gingerbread, or a game at marbles.

Soon after he left fchool, he took it into his head to
enter into the llate of matrimony. But here let the gentle
reader be informed, that he was not induced to fubmit
his neck to the yoke by any of thofe fine feelings which,
conilitute Icve. The object of his choice had ten thou-
fand pounds ;<ind hj coriidered that ten thoufand pounds
would pay for the hdy's board. When the little prattlers
were arrived at that age when none can behold them,
without pleafure, they were feized with an unfavourable
finall-pox, and feverally carried from the cradle to the
grave. The conflant attendance of the mother, on this
eccafion, brought on a fever, which, together with a
weaknefs occafioned by an advanced ftate of pregnancy,
.proved fatal. Then, at laft, Apathus was obferved to
fetch a figh, and lift up his 'hands to Heaven — at the
fight of the undertaker's bill. A thoufand misfortunes
in bufmefs have fallen to his lot, all which he has borne
with feeming fortitude. He is now, at length, reduced
to that ftate, in which gentlemen choofe to take lodg-
ings within the purlieus of St. George's fields : but there
is no alteration in his features ; he Hill lings his long,
takes his glafs, and laughs at thofe filly mortals who
weary thenifelves in wandering up and down the world
without controul.

Thus Apathus affords a ftriking inftance of that power
of bearing afflictions which arifes from natural infen
fibility. Stoic us will g;ve us a better idea of Patience
as a virtue..

B 4 From

3"> ESSAYS, No. 165.

From that period at which the mind begins to think,
Stoicus was remarkable for a quality, which, in children,
is called (hamefncednefs. He could never enter a room
full of company without mexving his diftrefs, by a violent
iurTufion of biumes. At fchool, he avoided the commif-
i>on of fault?, rather through fear of fhame than of pu-
nishment. In iliort, an exquifite fenfibility, at the fame
time that it gave him the moft exalted delight, frequently
expo'td him to thekec-neil affliction. Thus, from being
acquainted wiih grief, though a ftranger to misfortune,
he acquired a habit of bearing evils "before any heavy
ones befd him.

Stoicus was clefigned for a literary life, which, to the
generality of mankind, appears almoft exempt from the
common attacks of ill-fortune : but if there were no
other inihnces of the peculiar miferies of the ftudent,
Stoicus alone might evince the groundlefihefs of fuch an
opinion. From a fanguine temper, he was prone to anti-
cipate fuccefs ; and from an enterprizing difpofition, was
lirde inclined to fit down contented without a confider-
able fhare of reputation. Influenced by his love of fame,
he ventured to appeal to the public tafte, and actually
fem into the world a performance of great merit : but
as the work wanted fome popular attractions, it was foon.
negledted and funk into oblivion.

An evil of this kind, perhaps, the merchant or the ma-
nofadlurer may treat with contempt. They, however,
Who, with the fame feelings, have been in the fame pre-
dicament, will know the anguifh which fecretly torment-
ed the diiconfolate Stcicus. This difappointment was
the firft affliction of his life, and on this he long medi-
tated without intermiiuon. He has not again ventured
to publifh, and therefore has had no caufe of uneafinefs
from the ingratitude of the many-headed monfter : but
the evils of his private life have been numerous and af-
fliftive beyond conception. The death of an amiable
wife, a conftant ftate of ficknefs, expectations continually
difappointed, have concurred to overwhelm him - but
all their efforts have been fruitlefs. The reflections of
philofophy and religion fortify him againft every attack,
and I never vifit him without obferving a placid fmile of

refignation

No. 164. MORAL, &c. 321

refignation diffufed on his countenance. He is /enfibl*
of the real weight of every evil, and at the fame time
fulhins it with alacrity. He draws refources from him-
felf in every emergency, and with the niceft feelings is
become perfedly callous.

This is genuine Patience, and though the former may
by fome, be thought a happinefs, thelatteronlycan.be
efteemed a virtue.

Senfibility, with all its inconveniencies, is to be che-
riflied by thofe who underftand and wifh to maintain the
dignity of their nature. To feel for others, difpofesus to
exercife the amiable virtue of charity, which our religion
jndifpenfably requires. It conititutes that enlarged be-
nevolence which philofophy inculcates, and which is in-
deed comprehended in Chriftian chanty. It is the pri-
vilege and the ornament of man ; and the pain which it
canfes is abundantly recompenfed by that fweet fenfation
which ever accompanies the exercife of beneficence.

To feel our own mifery with full force is not to be
deprecated. Affliction foftens and improves the heart.
Tears, to fpeak in the ftyle of figure, fertilize the foil
in which the virtues grow. And it is the remark of one
who underftood human nature, that the faculties of the
mind, as well as the feelings of the heart, are meliorated
by adverfity.

But, in order to promote thefe ends, our fufFerings
mult not be permitted to overwhelm us. We muft op-
pofe them with the arms of rcafon and religion ; and to
exprefs the idea in the language of the philofopher, as
well as the poet, of Nature ; every one, while he is com-
pelled to feel his misfortunes like a man, fhould refolve
alfo to bear them like a man.

No. CLXIV. CURSORY REMARKS ON THE
ELOQUENCE OF THE PULPIT. IN A LETTER.

ELOQUENCE i*s numbered among thofe arts which,
inflead of making a progr Hive improvement in the
courfe of revolving ages, have greatly receded from their
original excellence.

P 5 The

322 ESSAYS, No. 164,

The funeral orations and panegyrics of a few French-
men, are the Only pieces among the moderns which make
pretenfions to rhetorical competition. Thefe, however,
appear very elaborate and unnatural ; whether from the
barrennefs of the fubjedts, or from the weak nefs of the
orators, is foreign to our purpofe to determine. From
whatever caufe it proceeds, it appears, that antient elo-
quence is not reftored by thofe efforts which are allowed
to have been moft fuccefsful.

In England, fo generally is a tafte for folid argument
andfubtlereafoning diffufed, that mere flights of imagi-
nation, when unfupported by truth and argument, are
little attended to. Thus it has been faid, we have no
truly claffical hiftory of our own country. Elaborate col-
lections of facts, proceedings of parliament, and accurate
tlefcripdons of our navies and armaments, fill up, with a
jejune detail, fome of our moft celebrated hiftories. A
great deal of fagacity has, indeed, been exerted in the ad-
juilment of contefted asras, unwearied labour in illuftrat-
ing obfcure paflages in our annals, and much patience
in the examination of our records. But where, after all,
is the painting of a Livy, and the concife elegance of a
Sallutl ?

It is not therefore furprifing, that a people who admit
r.ot unneceffary embelliftiments in matters of tafte, and
who can fall in love with naked truth even when (he is
at liberty to drefs herielf in the garb of fancy, fhould re-
ject mere ornamental flourimes in the important tranf-
aftions of political debate, and the ferious proceedings
of a court of judicature.

Thus the eloquence of the antients is not, perhaps, to
be found either in the fenate or the forum of Britain.—
There is, indeed, a very great degree of merit in many
of the harangues fpoken in thofe places, but they come
not up to the idea of Grecian or Roman eloquence. The
defetft however is probably not fo much owing to a want
of ability, as to a voluntary compliance with the tafte
and genius of the nation.

In the pulpit, indeed, we may find fome veftiges of
antient gratory : but waving at prefent the enquiry,
whether we referable the antients in this point, 1 fhall
p'roceed to transcribe a few obfervations on pulpit elo-
quence

No. 164. M ORAL, &c. 525

quence in general, which I collected not long ago by,
accident.

One evening laft autumn, as I was walking in the fields
near the city, to enjoy a Jittle frefh air, I obferved a man,
fomewhat advanced in years, and of a compofed afpecT-
faimtering in the fame path with myfelf, -feemingly in
profound meditation. For a confiderable time neither
of us chofe to commence a converfation ; till at length,
when a tacit familiarity between us had removed the re-
ferve of ftrangenefs, the old man opened with an ufual
introductory topic, the ferenity of the evening. For my
own part, I never refufe to join in one of themoft reafou-
able, as well as moft agreeable pleafures of human life.
By degrees, thefeverity of my companion's countenance
brightened up as the converfation grew warm, and he
told me he had juit been hearing an excellent fermon at
an evening leclure, and, as was his ufual way, had taken
this little turn in the fields to meditate on ferious fub-
jeds withou.t interruption. I muft: own I was rather
itartled at hearing this, apprehending I had fallen into
the company of fome methodiftical en.thufiaft, who would
endeavour to make a profelyte ; but upon farther
converfation, I found myielf agreeably miftaken. The
old man made fome refleclions, which, as they rcruck me
at the time, I entered among my minutes aj> icon as I
returned home.

" You muft know, Sir," faid he, " that I am an old--
" faihioned man. i go to church on VT^ednc-fdays an<l
" Fridays, according to my good old grandmother's
" direftions, who (well I remember it) ufed always to
" appoint me the bearer of her large print prayer-book
*' bound in purple morocco. To thefe early impref-
** fions, perhaps, I owe all my oddides ; and you wilt
eafily imagine what a queer fellow I am, when I in-
form you, that I put my family to the iiiconvenienci.-
of dining, on Sundays, a full hour fooner than com -
mon, for no other reafon in the world" but that I may
do my duty towards my Maker, by going to church,
in the afternoon. While my neighbours are at the
playhoufe, or the tavern,. I can make fliift to kill time
at an evening lecture ; and I often follow a famous
preacher of a charity ferrnon, with all theardo.;.

P 6 *• which

3H ESSAYS, No. 164:.

" which a favourite player infpires the frequenters of
" theatrical entertainments. Thefe are my ufual di-
" versions, and really, Sir, they have fome advantages
" attending them. In the firft place, they are not ex-
" penfive ; for what is a fhilling thrown away now and
'* then upon a trifling whim, fince every man has his:
" hobby-horfe ; fuch as relieving a fufFering fellow-
"- creature, or contribviting to the education and fupporc
" of a poor orphan ? Secondly, lean go into any church,
" within the Bills of Mortality, without danger of being
" pufhed, and fqueezed, and trodden upon, and ftifled to
" death, as fometimes happens to thofe who follow
" more faihionable diverfions ; nay, and I can fit ths
«' whole time without being in the leaft overheated.

*' Now, Sir, as I have conitantly attended to various
" forts of pulpit eloquence, I fuppofe I may pretend,
" without vanity, to be fome judge of it. Do not,
" however, exped that 1 (hall bring proofs of the jull-
" nefs of try remarks from your Ariftotles, your Tul-
" lies, or your Quiiuiiians ; for I am a plain, common
" man, and if J have any fenfe, God knows it is only
" plain common fenfe.

" Let me premife,. that I fhall now and then make ufe
•' of the ufual terms of divifion and fubdivilion. Stichr
" for initance, as thofe edifying little words, Firlt, fe-
*' condly, thirdly, to conclude, to come to my next
" head, and the like. Confider, Sir, Ihavebeen long
" ufed to this ft)le, and naturally run into it.

'* Of preacheisr 1 lliall reckon four kinds; the Fine
" Man, the Pretty Preacher, the Good Textman, and'
" the Humdrum.

" Firft then of the iirft (forgive my fermonical Aylc)',.
" namely, of the FINE MAN :

" A ftentoroplionic voice is the fundamental e:\cel-
" lence of your Fine Man, and a powerful excellence
" it is. No fooner .has the Fine Man uttered the pa-
" thetic and fignifkant phrafe, ' to conclude,' than I
" have heard the whole row of matrons, in the middle"
" aifle, with one accord cry, *' humph,' and immedi-
" ately fccond their exclamation with a torrent of tears,
" which Sowed clown their withered cheeks, interrupt-
0 ed only by figus and fobs. The next qualification is

" flexibility

No. 164. M OR A L, Ac. 325

" flexibility of mufcles. From this excellence arife thefe
" violent contortions of the body, that wringing of the
" hands, beating of the breaft, rolling of the eyes, foam-
" ing of the mouth, and one or two more fymptoms of
*' madnefs, which never fail to gain the applaufe of the
" weeping congregation. The next — but what am I
" about, Sir ? In truth I cannot recollect any real ex-
" cellencies; as for fenfe, learning, argument, thefe
" are not to be expefted in your Fine Man : but then
" the want of thefe is abundantly fupplied by noife,
•' nonfenfe, and grimace.

" To come to my fecond head. Secondly then, as
*' was before laid down, we treat of the PRETTY
•' PREACHER.

" The Pretty Preacher is an imitator of the Fine Man.
*' As a copy, he is fomewhat fainter than the original.
*' He whines, he fobs, he roars, but roars like any
" nightingale, as Shakefpeare has it. A foft effemi-
" nate voice, a pretty face (for look ye, Sir, a pretty
" face is a more powerful perfuafive than the argti-
' ' ments of a Chillingworth), and a white handkerchief,
" are the conflituent parts of a Pretty Preacher.

" Thefe two forts of Preachers are complete matters
" of the paffions, without in the Icail addrefling the un-
" derftanding. in troth, I cannot help comparing them
•' to a fiddler of old time, I remember to have heard
" ofatfchool, who made flocks and ftones dance jni-
" nuets, ai>;l rivers run the wrong way, and played a
•' hundred i'uch pranks merely by the found of the
*'• nddle-ltring- Juit in the fame manner a Fine Man,
" and a Pretty Preacher, can force the tear from the
" eye, and the (hilling from the inmoll receffcs of the
•' pocket, by dint of found, which, in this cafe, is never
" the echo of fenfe.

" To come to my third head. Thirdly then, the
*' GOOD TEXT MAN lays down good plain rules of mo-
•' rality, and confirms every precept by a quotation from
" holy writ. The grace of elocution he never aims at.
" Rhetorical flourishes, new remarks, or beautiful Jan-
" guaSe> are no: to ^e required of him. In fhort, the
" intelligent part of the congregation will fcldom find
*' their underitandinga enlightvneJ, or their fancy amu-
I «» fed

326 ESSAY S,, No. 164.

" fed By him ; but the plain fober-minded Chriftian,
" provided he can diilinguifh what the preacher fays.,
" may carry away fomething for his edification.

" To conclude with .my fourth and laft head. The
*' HUMDRUM feems to confider preaching and praying
" as a kind of woi k, which if he performs fo as to
«< get his wages, he is fatisf;ed. He reads the liturgy
" as he would read a news-paper. In his preaching,
" he endeavours neither to pieafe, tofirike, nor to cora-
." vince, but thinks the duty fufficiently well done, if
" it is but done according to the rubrick, and at the
«' eftablifhed feafons. To give him his due, he com-
" monly preaches the beft divinity in the language ; for
" as he is too lazy to compofe, he has nothing to do but
'* to make choice of the molt celebrated compofitions
'* of others, lie, however, murders every fentence he
" reads. For the molt part, he chufes dodlrinal rather
" than practical difcourfes ; but the misfortune is, that
" while he is making the inyileries as clear as the fun
" at noon-day, his audience is commonly afleep as fall
" as a church. In a word, you may form fome idea of
'M this kind of preacher, by taking a view of Hogarth's
" print of the fleepy congregation, wh-re there is a
" Humdrum holding forth,, fo as effectually to infufe
'•' peace and quietneis into the rainds of his hearers."

Here the old man's avocations obliged him to conclude
the converfation, with expreffing a wiih, " That men
" of virtue and learning, as the clergy generally are,
" would not fuffer the efteft of their excellent prayers
t{ and difcourfes, which, if well celivered, might-re.
" form the world, to be in a great meafure loil through,
«' indifference or affeclation,"

No, CLXV.

No, 165. MORAL, &c. 32.7

NO. CLXV. ON THE SUPERIOR VALUE OF
SOLID ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

A DIALOGUE BETWEEN CICERO AND LORD-
CHESTERFIELD.

EJfe quam widen. SALL.

Cicero. T\ /TlSTAKE me not. I know how to value
i.VJL tne fsveet courtefies of life. Affability,,
attention, decorum of behaviour, if they have not been
ranked by philofophers among the virtues, are certainly-
related to them, and have a powerful influence in pro-
moting fccial happinefs. 1 have recommended them, as
well as yourfelf. But I contend, and no fophiitry fiiall
prevail upon me to give up this point, that, to be truly
amiable, they muft proceed from goodnefs of hciirt. — >
AiTumed by the artful to ferve the purpofes of private
intereit, they degenerate to contemptible grimace, and
deteliible hypocrify.

Cbeft. Excufe me, my dear Cicero; I cannot enter
farther into the controycrfy at prefent. I have a hun-
dred engagements at leail ; and fee yonder my little
elegant French Comptefle. I promifed her and myfelf
the pleafureof a promenade. Pleafant walking enougb
in thefe elyfian groves. So much good company too,
that if it were not that the canaille are apt to be troiible-
fome, I fhould not much regret the dirtance from the
Thuilleries. But adieu, mon chcrami, for I fee Ma-
dame * * * is joining the party. Adieu, adieu!

Cic. Contemptible wretch !

Chejl. Ah! what do I hear? Recolleft that I am x
man of honour, unufed to the pity or the infults of an
upltart, a no<vus homo. But perhaps your exclamation
was not meant of me — If fo, why —

Cic. I am as little inclined to infult as to flatter you.
Your levity excited my indignation ; but my compaf-

fion

328 ESSAY S, No. 165.

fion for the degeneracy of human nature, exhibited in
your inftance, abforbs my contempt.

Cheft. 1 could be a little angry, but, as bienfeanee
forbids it, I will be a philofopher for once. — A-propos,
pray do you reconcile your, what mail I call it — your
unfmooth addrefs to thofe rules of decorum, that gen-
tlenefs of manners, of which you fay you know and
teach the propriety as well as my lei f?

Cic. To confefs the truth, I would not advance the
arts of embellifhment to extreme refinement. Orna-
mental educaiion, or an attention to the graces, has a
connection with effeminacy. In acquiring the gentle-
man, I would not lofe the fpirit of a man. There is a
gracefulnefs in a manly character, a beauty in an open
and ingenuous difpofition, which all the profefled teach-
ers of the arts of pleafing know not toinfufe.

Cbeft. You and I lived in a ftate of manners, as dif-
ferent as the periods at which we lived were diftant.
You Romans, pardon me, n.y dear, you Romans -had
a little of the brute in you. Come, come, I muft over-
look it. You were obliged to court plebeians for their
fuffrages ; and if faults femili gaudet, it mufl be owned,
that the greateft of you were fecure of their favour.
Why, Beau Nam would have handed your Catos and
your Brutufes out of the ball-room, if they had mewn
their unmannerly heads in it; and my Lord Modiih.,
animated with the confcious merit of the large/I or
fmalleft buckles in the room, according to the tempo-
rary ton, would have laughed Pompey the Great out of
countenance. Oh, Cicero, had you lived in a modern
European Court, you would have caught a degree of
that undefcribable grace, which is not only the orna-
ment, but may be the fubftitute of all thofe laboured
attainments which fools call folid merit. But it was
not your good fortune, and I make allowances.

Cic. The vivacity you have acquired in ftudying the
writings and the manners of the. degenerate Gauls, has
led you to fet too high a value on qualifications which
dazzle the lively perceptions with a momentary blaze,
and to depreciate that kind of worth which can neitlur
be obtained nor underftood without ferious attention,
and foraetimes painful efforts. But I will not contend

with

No. 165. MORA L, &c. $29

with you on the propriety or impropriety of the outward
modes which delight a monkey nation. I will not fpead
arguments in proving that gold is more valuable than
tirUel, though it glitters iefs. But I muft cenfure you,
and with an afperiry too, which, perhaps, your graces
may not approve, for recommending vice as graceful, in
your memorable letters.

CbejL That the great Cicero fhould know fo little of
the world, really furprifes me. A little libertinifm, my
dear, that's all ; how can one be a gentleman without a
little Jibertinifm ?

Cic. I ever thought that to be a gentleman, it was
requifite to be a moral man. And furely you, who
might have enjoyed the benefit of a light to direcl you,
which 1 wanted, were blameable in omitting religion
and virtue in your fyllem.

Cbeji. What ! fuperititious too ! — You have not then
converied with your fupcrior, the philofopher of Ferney.
I thank Heaven, I was born in the fame age with that
great luminary. Prejudice had elfe, perhaps, chained me
in the thraldom of my great grandmother. Thefe are
enlightened days, and I find I have contributed fomething
to the general illumination, by mypofthumous letters.

Cif. Boait not of them. Remember you were a father.

Cheji. And did I not endeavour moft effectually to
ferve my fon, by pointing out the qualifications nece/Tary
to a foreign ambaflador, for which department I always
defigned him? Few fathers have taken more pains to ac-
complim a fon than myfelf. There was nothing I did
not condefcend to point out to him.

Cic. True: your condefcenfion was great indeed. You
were the pander of your fon. You not only taught him
the mean arts of diflimulation, the petty tricks which de-
grade nobility ; bat you corrupted his principles, fo-
mented his paflions, and even pointed out objects for
their gratification. You might have left the talk of
teaching him fafluonable vice to a vicious world. Ex-
ample, and the corrupt affections of human nature, will
ever be capable of accomplishing this unnatural purpofe.
But a parent, the guardian appointed by nature for an
uninftr lifted offspring introduced into a dangerous world,
who hlmfelf takes upon him the oftics of feduftion, is a

moniler

.33° ESSAYS, No. 166.

•moniler indeed. I alfo had a Ton. I was tenderly feli-
citous for the right cpnducl of his education. I intruded
him indeed to Cratippus at Athens; but, like you, I
could not help tranfmitting inilrudions dictated by pa-
ternal love. Thofe inilrudions are contained in my
book of Offices; a book which has ever been cited by
the world as a proof to what a height the morality of
the heathens was advanced without the light of revela-

.tion. I own I feel a confcious pride in it ; not on ac-
count of the ability which it may difplay, but for the
principles it teaches, and the good, I flatter myfelf, it has
diffufed. You did not indeed, intend your initruflions
for the world ; but as you gave them to a fon you loved,
it may be concluded that you thought them true wifdom,
.and withheld them only becaufe they were contrary to
the profe.Ions of the unenlightened. They have been
generally read, and tend to introduce the manners, vices,
and frivolous habits of the nation you admired — to your

..own manly nation, who, of all others, once approached
jnoft nearly to the noble Simplicity of the Romans.

Cbejt. Spare me, Cicero. I have never been accuf-
tomed to the rough converfation of an old Roman. I
feel myfelf little in his company. I feem to flirink in
his noble prefence. I never felt my inEgnificance fo
forcibly as now. French courtiers and French philofo-
phers have been my models; and amid the diffipation of
pleafure, and the hurry of affeded vivacity, I never con-
fidered the graceful nefs of virtue, and the beauty of an
.'open, fincere, and manly character.

No. CLXVI. CONJECTURES ON THE DIFFE-
RENCE. BETWEEN ORIENTAL AND SEPTEN-
• TRIONAL POETRY.

THE productions of the mind, like thofe of the earth,
are found to have different degrees of vigour and
beauty in different climates. In the more northern re-
gions, where the nerves are braced by cold, thofe works
axe the- commonefl:, and attain to the greateft perfection.,

which

No. 166. MORAL, &c. 33 /

which proceed from the exertion of the rational powers,
and the painful efforts of the judgment. The fciences,
like the hardy pine, flourifh on the bleakefl mountains ;
while the works of talte and fancy feem to ihrink from
the rude blaft, with all the tendernefs of the fenfuive-
plant, and to require the genial warmth of a nearer fun
to give them their full luxuriance and maturity. Arif-
totle, Newton, and Locke, were the natives and inhabit-
ants of temperate regions. Experience indeed feems to
prove, that all the mental powers exifl in their greatelt
degree of llrength and perfection among thofe who inha-
bit that part of the globe which lies between the tropic of
Cancer and the Arctic circle. No complete and celebrat-
ed work of genius was ever produced in the torrid zone.

But whether the diverfity of genius in countries nearer
or remoter from the fun proceeds from natural caufes, or
from the adventitious circumltances of difierent modes of
education, different views, and a different fpirit of emu-
lation, it is certain that the productions of Eaftern and
Northern genius are diffimilar. Some ingenious ciitiqs-
have indeed pointed out a refemblance between the Go-
thic and Oriental poetry, in the wild enthufiafm of an,
irregular imagination. And they have accounted for it,
by fuppofing, with great probability, that in an emi--
gration of the Afiatics into Scandinavia, the Eailerft
people brought with them their national fpirit of poetry^
and communicated it to the tribes with whom they unit-
ed. The refemblance, therefore, in works produced
fmce this union, does not prove that the Northern and
Oriental genius were originally alike. Thofe produc-
tions of either which are allowed to be original, and to
bear no marks of imitation, have perhaps no other re-
femblance than vhat which commonly proceeds from the
fimilar operation of fimilar faculties.

It feems, indeed, that a caufe may be affigned for this
diverfity of Northern and Oriental productions, without
attributing it to an eflential difference in the original
conftitution of the human understanding. The imagi-
nation is ftrongly affecled by furrounding objects, and
acquires vigour by frequent exercife. He who is place4
in a climate where the ferenity of the weather conilantly:
prcicnts him with blue Ikies, luxuriant plantations, and

funny

332 ESSAY S, No. 166.

funny profpedts, will find Ms imagination the ftrongeft
of his faculties ; and, in the expieflion of his fentiments,
will abound in aliufions to n.-.tural objects, in fimilies,
and the moft lively metaphors. His imagination will
be his diilingtufhing excellence, becaufe it will be more
exercifed than any other of his faculties; and all the
powers both cf body and mind are known to acquire
vigour by habitual exertion. He, on the other hand,
whofe lot it is to exift in a lefs favoured part of the
globe, who ii driven by the inclemency of his climate
to warm roofs, and, in Head of bafking in the iunfhine
amidft all the combined ber.uties of nature, flies for re-
fuge from the cold to the blazing hearth of a fmoky
cottage, will feek, in theexercife of his reafon, thofe re-
fources which he cannot find in the actual employment
of his imagination. Good fenfe find juft reafoning will
therefore predominate in his productions. Even in the
wildeft of his fights, a methodical plan, the refult of
thought and reflection, will appear, on examination, to
reftrain the irregularities of licentious fancy.

Confidently with this theory we find Oriental poetry
exhibiting the moft picturefque fcenes of nature, and
illuftrating every moral fentiment or argumentative af-
fertion by fimilies, not indeed exact in the refemblance,
but fufficiently analogous to {hike and gratify the ima-
gination. Strong imagery, animated fentiment, warmth
and vivacity of expreilion, all of which are the effects of a
lively fancy, are its conftant characterises. The accu-
racy of logic, and the fubtilty of rcetaphyfics, are of a
nature too frigid to influence the Oriental writer. He
feels not the beauty of demonftration, he purfues not a
chain of argument, and he fubmits to the force of per-
fuafion, rather from the dictates of his feelings than from
rational conviction. He endeavours to influence his
reader in the fame manner, and commonly excites an
emotion fo violent, as to produce a more powerful effect:
than would be experienced even from conclufive argu-
mentation.

No. CLXVII.

No. 167. MORAL, Sec. 333

No. CLXVII. CURSORY REMARKS ON THE
POETRY OF THE PROPHETS, OF ISAIAH IN
PARTICULAR, AND ON THE BEAUTIES OF
BIBLICAL POETRY IN GENERAL.

THE Sibylline oracles owed their folemn air, their
credit, and their power over the fancy, to the
dark and difficult ftyle in which they were compofed.
Virgil's Pollio, fuppofcd to have been written from a
hint taken from the Locks of the Sibyls, is the mofl ad-
mired of his Eclogues ; and a great fhare of the pleafure
derived from the perufal of it, is jultly attributed to the
judgment of the poet, in leaving more to be underftood
than meets the ear. The forebodings of Caflandra were
not attended to by the Trojans ; and perhaps the true
reafon was, that they were not completely underilood.
The witches in Macbeth add to the terrible folemnity of
prophetical incantation, by itsdarknefs and uncertainty.

Obfcurity feems to have been the characterise of all
writings pretending to prediction. It certainly incrcafed
their poetical merit, though, among the Greeks and
Romans, it was probably no more than a ftudied arti-
fice to evade, if the event did not correfpond to the pro-
phecy, the imputation of impofture. Thus were the
oracles of Apollo delivered in ambiguous phrafes which
frequently admitted a contrary, and always a doubtful,
interpretation.

Without this artful proceeding, their authority had
not been fo long maintained. Frequent failure, with-
out any fubterfuge to preferve the prophetical power un-
fufpecled, would foon have filenced the Delphic prieftefs.
But while the aenigmatical prediction preferved the dig-
nity of the oracle, by infpiring awe, it contributed 10
it:> fecurity by facilitating evafion.

The Sacred Prophecies have that obfcurity which dif-
tinguiflies this fpecies of writing. The final caufe of it,
hcuever, was to excrcife the faith and fagacity of man-
kind.

334- ESSAYS, No. 167.

kfnci. The beauty which it adds to the poetry cannot
be fu*ppofed to arife from defign or fkill in poetry as an
art, but is the nrceiTary refult of natural propriety. And
none but the unbeliever will fuppofe that, like the oracles
at Delphos, they admitted a doubtful, in order to ad-
roit a double conftruclion.

The prophecy of Ifaiah abounds in the beauties of
Oriental poetry. The tranflation is a literal one, and,
though it may be found inaccurate by a Lowth or a
Kennicot, will, I believe, hardly admit of improve-
ment in force, frmplicity, and animation. It does ho-
nour to the feelings of the tranflators, who, though they
have performed their ta£ with fo much fpirit, had no-
thing elfe in view but fidelity. To refinement and
tafte they trade no pretenrions ; and that their work is
.fo well executed, muft have been owing to the excel-
lence of their natural fentiment. We have feveral lite-
ral tranflations of the antient poets into Englifh profe,
which are in requeft among fchool-boys. In thefe we
fnd no remains of that beauty which has been cele-
brated in every age from its firft production. Few of
thefe are rendered fo faithfully, word for word, from
their originals, as the Scriptures, which, notwithitand-
ing this difadvantage, are the fublimeit and mollinte-
reiling books in the Englifh language.

That they are thus excellent, it may indeed be faid,
is not to be v/ondered at. They proceeded from that
real infpiration to which the celebrated writers of anti-
ouity only pretended. And if the enthufiafm, which
the imaginary affiltance of a fabulous deity excited,
could diffufe that captivating fpirit over the works of a
mortal poet which has charmed every fucceeding age,
it will be an obvious inference, that the genuine afflatus
of the great Author of the univerfe mud produce a
work of eminent and unqueftionable beauty. Such
reafor.ing is plaofible ; but, in the prefent cafe, it may
not be improper to obferve, that the divine infpiration
operated intentionally no farther than in dictating truth
of reprefentation, and in laying open fcenes of futurity ;
and that the beauties difcoverable in the medium of com-
po'fition, by which thofe primary ends are accompliflied,
are but collateral and fubordinate effects. Considered

No. 167. MORAL, Sec. 33;

as fuch, every man of fentimcnt feels them of a fupe-
rior kind, and if he judges by the criterion of his ua-
difTembled feelings, muit acknowledge, that though
they are fometimes refemblod in Homer, they are fel-
dom equalled, and never excelled. Take a view of the
poetical beauties merely as the productions of Ifaiah, a.
very antient poet of Juda;a, and his writings will furely
claim the attention of a man of letters, as much as thofs
of the native of Smyrna or of A fern.

They who pretend to an exemption from prejudice,
evince the futility of their pretenfions, when they attri-
bute the general admiration of the Scriptures, as com-
pofitions, to opinions formed in their favour in the early
period of infancy. The truth is, the prejudices which,
they have unreafonably adopted r.gainit the doctrines de-
rived from thofe antient books, extend tliemfelves to the
ftyle and ientiment : but, furely, excluilve of the religious
tendency, and of the arguments for the authenticity of
the books, they claim a grent degree of veneration from
their antiquity, and jullly excitetthe attention of criti-
cifm, as curious fpecimens of Oriental cornpofition.

It might, indeed, have been expected, from the ge-
neral taile which at prefent prevails for the remains of
antient Englifh poetry, that thofe works, which juftly
boall a higher antiquity than any of the productions of
North or South Britain, would have been particularly
regarded. But, while the ballad of a mirrltrel, beau-
tiful, perhaps, and well worth preferving, has been re-
covered from its duft, and committed to memory, the
family Bible has been fuffercd to lie unopened, or has
been perufed by many only with a view to painful im-
provement, without an idea of the poflibiiitv of deriving
from it the elegant plea Aires of literary entertainment.
Yet even the vulgar often feel the full efFccI of beau-
ties which they know not how to point out ; and are
affecled with a very Itrong (VrBfe of pkaAire, while they
are reading the Scriptures fole'y from motives of duty,
and a defue of edification. Ji; truth, among thofe whofe
natural taite is not corrupted by falfe refinement, which
perhaps is the moft numerous, though not the moll dif-
•linguifhed part of the community, the Bible is read as
5 affording

33* ESSAYS,

affording all the delight of pleafing poetry and hiftory ;
and it may, therefore, juftly be faid to be the moit
popular book in the Englifh language.

But all readers, whether vulgar or refined, who fully
feel and acknowledge the admirable touches of nature
and fimplicity, which are obfervable in many parts of
thofe writings, will, perhaps, receive additional fatif-
faclion, when they difcover that their tafte is often con-
formable to claffical ideas of literary excellence.

There is, in the prefent age, a very numerous tribe
of readers, who have formed their tafte and fentiments
from the writings of the philofophers of Geneva, and
from the fceptical fophiftry of our own countrymen.
They are known to make pretenfions to a very uncom-
mon degree of refinement in their judgmsnt of compo-
fition, and to condemn every work, whatever marks it
may bear of a ftrong, though uncultivated genius,
which wants the laft polifh of delicacy and corredlnefs,
and has nothing fimilar to thofe modern productions,
with which alone they have been converfant. With all
their boafled comprehenfion of mind, they feem to want
ideas, which may operate as principles in forming a
jtift opinion of thofe works, which were compofed be-
fore the invention of fyftematic rules, and before na-
tive fentiment was fuperfeded by the feeble, though
elegant, feelings, of which we boaft in a very advanced
flate of civilization. Under thefe unfavourable prepof-
feffions, the Bible appears to them as an afiemblage of
grofihefs and vulgarifms, which, therefore, without de-
termining upon the authenticity of it, they avoid read-
ing, apprehending that they can derive no pleafurc from
it, and that they may poffibly corrupt their ftyle, and
catch inelegance.

With thefe it would be a valuable point gained, for
their own fakes as well as for fociety, if they could be
prevailed on fo far to lay afide their prejudices as to open
the book, and judge of it from what they feel and re-
mark on a fair examination. If they could once be in-
duced to read it with avidity, from an expectation of
literary amufement, they could fcarcelyfail of receiving,
at the fame time, a more important benefit.

In

No. 167. MORAL, &c. 3<7

In an age like the prefent, when all orders are, in
fome degree, attached to letters, he certainly renders
great fervice to religion, and confequentlv to fociety,
who unites tafte with theology, and exciu-s the attention
or" the carelefs and fceptical to thofe books, of which a
fenfe of duty enjoins the perufal, by fetting their beau-
ties in a new or a ftronger light.

And that this opinion of the peculiar beauties of
Ifaiah is not fingular, if it is neceflary to appeal to any
other proof than the common feelings of mankind, is
evident from the judgment of a popular writer of our
own, who, as he was indifputably a poet himfelf, will
be allowed, by the mod rigid critics, to be a competent
judge of poetry. Mr. Pope's Mefliah is one of the beft
known and moft efleemed of his fliorter works ; but that
it derived its chief merit from Ifaiah there can be no
doubt, and the amiable poet felt a pleafure to acknow-
ledge. Though fufpefted to have been lefs a friend
to religion than to virtue, he neglecled not the op-
portunity which this paftoral afforded, to form a coin-
parifon between Ifaiah and Virgil, in a few parallel
pafTages, fairly exhibited in a tranflation equally literal,
and to exhibit the Oriental poet to great advantage.
There are many parodies, imitations, and paraphrafes
of this animated prophet's poetry, all which, at the
fame time that they evince how difficult his excellencies
are to be equalled, are proofs that he has been gene-
rally admired as a poet.

But, after all, the reader muft judge of the facred
writings for himfelf. If he attends to what he feels,
and lays afide prepofTeflion, his judgment will be fa-
vourable and juft. To remove a fingle prejudice,
which can prevent the univerfal acceptance of books of
univerfal concern, is to contribute greatly to the gene-
ral happinefs. An attempt to render the prophetic
writers objefts of particular attention, in an age when
our moft ingenious theologiils are employed in illuftrat-
ing their meaning at a lecture wifely eftablifhed for that
purpnfe, muft, at leaft, have the merit of being well-
timed.

And furely every one who wifhes to promote the de-
firable coalition of tailc with pietv, muft accept, with

VOL. II. Q_ gr*.

33« ESSAY S, No. 16*.

gratitude, the labours of the venerable Lowth, whofe
ledtures on the facred poetry of the Hebrews, and ob-
fervatio.ns on Ifaiah, have difplayed, in biblical litera-
ture, the unexpected charms of claflic elegance.

NO. CLXVIII. ON PREACHING AND SER-
MON WRITERS.

FEW inftitutions can contribute more to preferve
civilization, and promote moral and intellectual
improvement among all ranks of people, than the efta-
blifhment of public lectures, in every part of the king-
dom, periodically repeated after a fhort interval.

Such is the light in which are to be confidered the
difcourfes appointed by the wifdom of the church, to
be every where read on the recurrence of the feventh
day. By thefe the meaneft and the moft illiterate are
enabled to hear moral and philofophical treatifes on
every thing that concerns their feveral duties, without
expence, and without felicitation.

And \vhatever is urged by men who are ill-affecled to
all religious initiations, there is no doubt but that
great political, as well as moral, benefit is derived to
fociety from a practice thus univerfal. But it is a mif-
fortune long ago lamented, that men are incapable of
eftimating the real value of advantages, till experience
has fhevvn what it is to want them.

It is certainly true, that fmce the acquifition of
books has been facilitated by their numbers, oral in-
itru&ion is rendered lefs neceflary. But though books
are eafily procured, yet, even in this age of informa-
tion, there are thoufands in the lower claffes who can-
not read. Befides, it is a well-known truth, that the
fame precepts inculcated by a living inftruftor, adorned
by a proper oratory, enforced by a ferious and autho-
ritative manner, produce a powerful efteft, not to be
experienced in folitary retirement. There is likewife a
fympathy communicated in a numerous audience, which
attaches the mind more ftrongly to the fubjedt.

4 The

No. 168. MORAL, &c. 339

The obvious utility of difcourfes from the pulpit is
proved by the decifions of experience. For, notwith-
ftanding the complaints againft the levity and profane-
nefs of the age, churches are ftill frequented with ap-
parent pleafure. And to be placed in a fituation where
a go'od preacher prefides, is by many efteemed a very
eflential requifite to an agreeable retreat.

For excellent preachers this nation has been long
diftinguifhed ; excellent, not fo much in the talents or*
an orator, as in the compofition of difcourfes. With
an uncultivated voice, in an uncouth manner, accom-
panied with awkward attitudes, they have delivered ha-
rangues fcarcely excelled in the fchools of Athens. As
the French have exhibited their characleriftic levity
even in their boafted fermons, fo the EngUfh have dif-
played their natural folidity.

The fermons of the laft century are indeed too long
for the attention of modern indolence, but they abound
with beauty that would reward it. Jeremy Taylor pof-
fefled an invention profufely fertile ; a warm, rich, lively
imagination; a profound knowledge of authors, facred
and profane, poetical, hiftorical, philofophical. He
has embellifhed his fermons with citations from them,
and has interwoven their gold into the rich tifTue of his
own compofition.

Nearly at the fame time with Taylor arofe Ifaac
Barrow, a mighty genius, whofe ardour was capa-
ble of accomplifhing all it undertook. The tide of his
eloquence flows with fmooth yet irrefiftible rapidity.
He treats his fubject almoft with mathematical precifion,
and never leaves it till he has exhaufted it. It- has been
faid, that a late moft popular orator of the Houfe of
Lords aflerted, that he owed much of" the fire of his elo-
quence to the ftudy of Barrow.

His editor, Tillotfon, is more popular. His merit
is unqueftionably great, and his fame has been extended
to very exalted heights by the praifes of Addifon. He
writes with fufficient judgment and perfpicuity ; but
there are thofe who venture to fuggert, that he has been
too much celebrated as a model of fine compofition.
They allow him every praife as a mofl: excellent divine ;
but when they confider him as a writer, they think his
Q^z periods

340 ESSAY S, No. 16?.

periods might have been fhorter, and his rhythm more
harmonious.

Sharp has been juftly celebrated for the perfpicuity of
his ftyle, and the ardent flow of unaffected piety.

Of a very different character from thefe, South has
obtained a great and deferred reputation. Wit was his
talent, yet he often reaches fublimity. He is, however,
one of thofe authors who is to be admired and not imi-
tated. To excite a laugh from the pulpit, is to infpire
the hearer with a levity of temper ill-adapted to the in-
dulgence of devotional feelings. The tafle of the age in
which South flourifhed gave countenance to pulpit jocula-
rity. But though it is true that the lovers of comedy have
found their talte gratified in the perufal of South's fer-
rnons, yet the man of ferious judgment alfo will difcover
many folid arguments, many judicious obfervadons, and
many fine expreflions, and a great deal of true eloquence,
intermixed with a fei ies of profaic epigrams.

The fagacious Clarke pretended not to wit. He
affected not the ambitious ornaments of rhetoric. He
rarely reaches the fublime, or aims at the pathetic ;
but in a clear, manly, flowing ftyle, he delivers the
moil important doctrines, confirmed on every occafion
by well-applied paflage* from fcripture. If he was not
a finning orator, according to the ideas of rhetoricians,
he was a very agreeable as well as ufeful preacher. He
was not perfectly orthodox in his opinions; a circum-
jftance which has lowered his character among many.
Certain it is, that he would have clone more good in the
world, had he confined his labours to practical divinity.
Speculative and polemical divinity commonly diffufes
fcepticifm, without contributing any thing to moral re-
formation.

The Term ens that have been preached at Boyle's
Ledtures are among the belt argued in the language.
They have been the laboured productions of the mod
ingenious men. But the whole collection never did fo
much good as a fingle practical difcourfe of Tillotfon.

.Atterbury was a polite writer. His fermons probably
owed fome of their fame, among his cotemporaries, who
have lavifhly applauded him, to his mode of delivery
iu the pulpit ; for the Tatler fays, it was fuch as would

have

No. 168. MORA L, &c. 341

have been approved by a Longinus and Demofthenes.
He feems to have introduced the very judicious method
of addreJling the underftanding in the beginning of the
fermon, and the paffion^ at the clofe.

Rogers, fays his panegyrift Dr. Burton, pofiefled an
eloquence, nervous, iimple, perfuafive, and beautiful.
An unftudied elegance marks his Itvle. He feems to
have attained to that nice judgment, which adapted the
fame difcourfe to a ruflic, a city, an academical congre-
gation. In a profefled eulogium it is indeed allowable
to exaggerate; yet what Burton has advanced is confirmed
by perufing the fermons of Rogers. They are | erfpicu-
ous, folid, and written with remarkable cafe.

Seed has obtained a great and deferved popularity.
With a rich and fportive fancy he combined a folid
judgment. Unlike the generality of thofe writers who
affecl to be flowery, he abounds in found argument,
and in juft remarks on human life. A fevere critic
would condemn him for a profufion of embellimment ;
but I know not how it is, he had the fkill to give re-
peated pleaiure without fatiety.

Such are the more popular of our Englifh fermon-
writers, the models of thofe many divines, who, with very
great merit, poflefs not the reputation of remarkable ori-
ginality. To enumerate them all were an endlefs talk ;
for of no books in the Englifh language has there been
fo unceafing a fucceflion, as of fermons ; and to fpeak of
living writers with freedom, is too often like thrufting a
hand into the neft of the home:.

Of late there have appeared publications of fermons
addrefled to pedons of particular ages or defcriptions.
Though fome of them exhibited a highly florid elo-
quence, and were received with great applaufe, yet they
were too much ornamented, and, like many kinds of
food, poflefied a fweetnefs which delights for a moment,
but foon terminates in loathing. They amufed the
imagination, and fometimes touched the heart ; but they
left to the underftanding little employment.

Sermons, which came forth with lefs eclat, will ftand

a better chance of defcending to poilerity. Such are

thofe of Sherlock, Seeker, and Jortin. The happinefs

of mankind is concerned in the prefervation of their

Q_3 works,

342 ESSAYS, No. 168,

.works, while thofe of the frothy declaimer are daily
dropping unregretted into the gulph of oblivion.

It is to be lamented, that the glaring and meretricious
embellifhments of the fuperficiai writer are more com-
monly imitated by young preachers, than the chatter
beauties of the found divine. Fine language, as it is
called, with a few hacknied fentiments and addreffes to
the paffions, often conftitute the whole merit of dif-
courfes preached before the mofl numerous congrega-
tions in the metropolis.

The paftors of the largeft flocks ufually affect popu-
larity. Extemporary preaching is one of the jnoft ef-
fectual means of obtaining it. It always pleafes the
vulgar ; probably becaufe it conveys the idea of imme-
diate infpiration. It is true alfo, that by pleafmg the
vulgar, it is enabled to affect them. But yet there are
many reafons to prevent its reception among the judi-
cious. It may raife the paflions, it may communicate a
momentary fit of devotion; but from its hafty produc-
tion it can feldom be correct or folid. It is, indeed, fel-
dom attempted but by the fuperficial. The greuteit di-
vines have not been prefumptuous enough to lay before
their audience the effufions of the moment, but have
ufually beftowed much time and care in the competition
of a fingle fermon. We are indeed informed that
Clarke fometimes preached without written notes ; but
the number of his printed fermons is a proof that this
was not his general practice. They who poflefi the abi-
lities of a Clarke may, however, fafely venture to pro-
duce an unpremeditated harangue. But they alfo would
do right to recollect, that the orations even of Demo-
fthenes himfelf fmelt of the lamp.

Againft thofe who prepare their difcourfes, a general
complaint has been made, that fermons are become in
thefe days merely moral efl'ays. There was a time when
apaflagefrom fcripcure, well introduced, was efteemed
a flower of fpeech far furpafling every ornament of
rhetoric. It is now avoided as an ugly patch, that
chequers with deformity the glofly contexture.

A profefled chriftian preacher, addreffing a profeffed
chriftian audience, mould remember, that, however
beautiful his difcourfe, if it is no more than a moral

dif-

No. 169, M O R A'L, &c. 343

difcourfe, he may preach it, and they may hear it, and
yet both continue unconverted heathens.

Every congregation of real chriftians wiflies to find
all morality deduced from fcripture, and confirmed by
it. Moral precepts, thus adorned, come from the pul-
pit as from an oracle. Scriptural language is not inele-
gant; but if it were, a preacher mould let motives of
duty exclude oftentation. In truth, he never appears to
greater advantage, than when he feems to forget his own
excellence, and to lofe fight of himfelf in the earneft-
nefs of his endeavours to promote the welfare of his au-
dience.

No. CLXIX. ON THE NEGLECT OF ANTIENT
AUTHORS. IN A LETTER.

7' HOUGH it be true, as you remark, that, in the
prefent times, learning is univerfally admired,
and the character of a man of talte and letters is aftefted
not only in colleges, but in polite circles ; not only by
the pnilofopher, but by the be^u and the coxcomb; yet
is it to be lamented, that there feems to remain no ge-
neral relifh for folid erudition, very little veneration for
the fnimitable productions of Greece and Rome, and
but a flight attention to the more abitrufe fciences, and-
abitra&edciifquifnions. We read for pleafure, foramufe-
ment, for mere paftime, which dry argument and con-
nected reafoning cannot always furnifh Light, airy,
fuperficial compofitions, without fatiguing the intellect,
flatter the imagination ; and for the fake of this empty
fatisfaction, to this trivial kind of reading is our time
devoted, without regard to improvement of morals, or
enlargement of underflanding.

From neglecting the writers of antiquity, we become
ignorant of their beauties, vainly fuppofe that excel-
lence is confined to modern authors, and that the
ancients can be admired only by prejudice and bigotry.
Even they who are really fenfible of the excellence of
CU the

344 K S S A Y S, No. 169.

the claHics, sre willing, became they have negledled the
ftudy of them, to depreciate their merits, and to exte-
nuate the infamy of their ignorance, by pretending that
the knowledge of them is not defirable. Some there
ate, who, though they profefs an admiration of the
ancients, read them nofin the original?, becaufe they
think i: poflible, without the trouble of loading their
memories with dead languages, to talteall their beauties
through the medium of tranflations.

To thofe who affirm, that an admiration of the an-
tients is founded on prejudice, it is fufficient to reply,
that the unanimous applaufe of whole nations, for many
ages, cannot, with the appearance of reafon, be attri-
buted to implicit attachment, or ignorant wonder.

At for thofe who condemn the Greek and Latin au-
thors, becaufe they will not take the pains to underftand
them, they are to be cenfured for their indolence, and
defpifed for their artifice: and they who read a Horace,
or a Virgil in an Englifh tranfiation, however well per-
formed, muft be told, that they will form no better idea
of the inexprefiible graces of thefe poets, than they would
receive of the mafter-pieces of a Raphael or a Guido,
from the daubing of a mere copyift. In the transfufion.
from one language to another, as it has been frequently
remarked, the fpirit evaporates, and feldom any thing
remains but a caput mortuum.

The matter may be preferved, the ideas juftly exhi-
bited, the hiftorica) part accurately reprefented ; but the
manner, the ftyle, the beauties of didion, which confti-
tute more than half the excellence of the claffics, can fel-
dom be transferred to a modern language. They who
read Tranflations only, are like thofe who view the figures
of a beautiful piece of tapeilry on the wrong fide.

7 muft then eirneftly recommend it to you, if you
wiih to tafte the genuine fweets of the ciaffic Itreams, to
drink at the fountain,

No, CLXX.

No. 170. MORAL, &c. 345

No. CLXX. ON THE RETIREMENT OF A
COUNTRY TOWN. IN A LETTER.

Rom<e rus optas, abfentem rufticus urbem
1'ollis ad aftra Ho R .

S I R,

MY father had a lucrative place in the Cuftoms ;
but as his family was large, he was unable to
leave us fortunes, and contented himfelf with placing
us in fucli fituations in the world, as would give us an
opportunity of acquiring a decent provifion, if wefhould
not be wanting to ourfelves. It was my lot, after hav-
ing received a tincture of claflical education, to be put
apprentice to a genteel bufmefs at the well end of the
town. As foon as I was out of my time, I fet up for
myit'lf ; and though I cannot boait that I ever was in a
very great way, yet, by attention and frugality, I had
accumulated, at the age of forty, a fum fufiicient to
enable me to live in a comfortable manner, without the
anxiety and confinement of trade. A handfome legacy
from a relation of my wife, at once determined me, in
niy long meditated intention, to fell off at prime coft,
and retire.

I had always entertained a great idea of the happinefc
of living in the country. It was, indeed, natural m
one who had dwelt near forty years in a dufly warehoufe,
amidit the dirt, fmoke, and noife of the Strand ; aod
who had feldom made an excurfion beyond the cake-
houfe at Hoxton, or the bowling-green at Hackney.

One morning, while I was revolving in my mind the
idea of retirement, I happened to caft my eye on an
advertifement in the news-paper, in which a koufe,
garden, and grounds, in a market town, about five and
thirty miles from London, were announced to be let at
fifty pounds a year. ThU appeared to me too advanta*
gtou.. a Bargain to be negleded ; for, you mult know,
Igave a hundred a year for my (hop, the area of which

346 ESSAYS, No. 170.

was no more than three yards by four ; and here were
twenty acres of land, and a manfion that would contain
my houfe ten times over, to be let for half the money.
There was no time to be loft : I {hut up ihop, took my
wife and family down, and fettled immediately.

As I did not go into the country on an oeconomical

flan, I was refolved to launch out a little, and live, as
could very well afford it, in a moderately genteel ftyle.
I fet up a poft-chaife, kept feveral horfes, and two
livery-fervants. This appearance placed me on a level
with the beft families in the neighbourhood, and ac-
cordingly I was vifited by all who claimed the rank of
gentlefolks.

But, alas ! I found not, in this place, that happinefs
which I expedled. I have been convinced by expe-
rience, that a market town is not a proper fituation for
the retirement of thofe who wifh to tafte the pleafures of
rural life, and to pafs the evening of their days in a
ilate of tranquillity. That you may judge of the im-
propriety of fuch a retreat, I fhall give you an account
of my reception in it, and of feveral circumflances,
which render it lefs fit for the enjoyments of thofe
peaceful and domeflic pleafures, which every one who
retires from bufinefs expedts, than the noifiefl ftreet in
the metropolis of the empire.

The firft vifits were paid us from motives of curiofity,
under the pretence of politenefs. Our perfons, our ad-
drefs, our characters, were examined with all the feve-
rity of criticifm, but without the candour of benevo-
lence. The various remarks that were made, furnifhed,
with improvements and embellifhments, an inexhauft-
jble fund of converfation for the next three months ;
and I have had an opportunity of procuring the literal
reports of one or two of our examiners, which, as
they have entertained me, I fhall communicate for your
amufement.

In the morning, after her firft vifit, the 'fquire's wife
fet out to eafe her mind of the burden of intelligence un-
der which it laboured ; which me did, in every houfe
fhe entered, in nearly the following words :

" Well, have you feen the new-comers ? Pray how
" do you like Mrs. Townfend ? Oh ! I have a charm-

" ing

No. 170. M O R A L, &c. 347

" ing little anecdote concerning her. You mufl know,
" 1 have learnt who fhe was before fhe was married. I
" thought as much— do you know her father was a
" cheefemonger in Thames ftreet— but he broke, you
" muft know, and fo Mifs was taken from boarding-
fchool, and in procefs of time arrived at the high
dignity of upper-maid to alderman Portfoken's lady.
But, being vait pretty, you muft know, and having
had a prodigious fine education, Mr. Townfend the
common-council-man fell in love with her, and mar-
ried her. This is all fact, you may depend upon
it ; for our Sally heard it this very morning at the
fhop. — Can't flay; but thought I would call and let
you know. You fee how high fome people hold up
their heads, but you'll underltand how to look upon
'em now. — I have a little hundred places to call at ;
fo good morning."
Mifs Prue, a maiden lady of irreproachable chancier,
fet oft" on the fame expedition, as foon as fhe had put on-
her morning-cap. Brimful of news,, me could hardly
contain herlelf till fhe arrived (as Foote defcribesit) at
the lawyer's brafs-knockerand mahogany-coloured door.
Jvo fooner was fhe feated, than ou.t it flew —

" Well, Mrs. Leafuni, we were at the new-comers'
" laft night; and fuch a night; Why they know no
*' more of cards, than if they had not been ufed to play
" above five or fix times a week in their lives. As to
" the father and mother, one fhould not expect much
" from perfons, who, I fuppofe, got all their money
" in Houndfdhch; but really I pity the poor girls,
" They fat filent half an hour; and then a iked me,
Lord help 'em ! if 1 had read the laft new thing that
came out ? Pray what do you think of th-:
- Some people fay the younger is handlonie ; and
indeed fhe does feem very good-natured. But as to
beauty ! — all I fh.ill fay is — fhe floes net pleafe me.
To be fure, they are both fair enougu too — their
features pretty regular, and fome think their eyes
very fine — but, Lord ! fo awkward, fo model}, and
yet, at the Tame time, fomuch of the city air about
them, that they are abfolutoly intolerable. — In fliorr, .
1 don't chufe to fpeak out -I am always tender of
Q.6 « the

348 ESSAYS, No. 170.

" the fubjeft of chara&ers - but I have heard fome-
" thing— " Here flie concluded with a whifper, and
in a great hurry withdrew.

The next houfe Ihe called in at, was the apothecary's.
The apothecary was glad of a mouthful of news for his
patients. His patients fwallowed it eagerly, and foon
afterwards evacuated themfelves on all their vifitors, who
went home in great fpirits, to fpread what they had
picked up among their families and friends; and thus,
in the fpace of twenty-four hours, it was communicated
over the \vhole panfh.

With refpecl to myfelf, at the firft weekly club after
or.r arrival, the 'Iquire, the attorney, the apothecary,
and two or three gentlemen fots, who lived upon their
means, as it is called, fat in judgment upon my charac-
ter. After much debate, in which an equal portion of
candour and dilcernment was difplayed, I was found
guilty of being a cockney, of never having hunted, of
never having mot a partridge, of keeping a poor table,
:ind yet, at the fame time, living above my fortune;
and laftly, of having a great'deal of pride that little be-
cair.e me. The refult was, that though they mould
ccndefcend to call upon me, as long as my pipe of
excellent Port laited, yet I was not to be admitted a
member of their jolly fociety.

It is true, I vifit, and am vifited ; but as I really do
not take much pleafure in a drunken bout ; as I am not
very well fk.il! ed in farming or fox-hunting ; and from a
tendernefs of conltitution, am obliged to be abftemious
in the a;iicles of eating and drinking, we commonly
have mere form in our meetings than cordiality. To
afTemble together for the fake of liberal and mar.ly con-
venation is held infipid. My fons are never at home ;
and my daughters, who have been taught to fet a high
value on mental accompliflmients, neither give nor re-
ceive much fati&faction in the company of thofe, who
think it the very lumir.it of education, to have learned,
at a boarding-lchool, to dantr and play a minuet.

The envy, thejealoufy, and the impertinence of the
lower fort of people is not left ccnfpicuous and trouble-
ionie than that of their fuperiors. If we fend to -buy
«n\ lining, \ve are forced to pay Something more than

any

No. 170. MORAL, &c. 349

anybody elfe, becaufe we are the rich new-corner. If
my cow happens to break into neighbour Hodge's field,
Ihe is pounded without notice, becaufe, forfooth, fhe is
the Londoner's cow. If we walk down the town, all
the doors and windows are flung open, and crowded with
fpe&ators, jull as it is in London at my Lord Mayor's
{how. My poor wife and daughters filks and fattins are
criticifed with unrelenting feverity.

Whenever my fervants go to any fhop, a fet of gof-
fips make a point of meeting them, in order to afkwhat
I had for dinner, how much fmall beer is confumed by
us in a week ? and a thoufand fimilar queftions. No lit-
tle art is matie ufc of to perfuade them that I am ftingy,
and that my place is the worft in the town ; though, to
my certain knowledge, I am fo far impofed upon, being
a ftranger, as that I am forced to pay a third more wa-
ges than any body elfe in the neighbourhood.

Nothing pafles in my houfe which does not become
matter of general converfation. If a coufmor an old ac-
quaintance comes from London to fpend a few days with
me, no pains are fpared to learn of the fervants who and
what he is ; and if my fervants know nothing about him,
Mifs Prue takes care to fuggeft, that he is in fome low
trade, a mere mechanic in his beft fuit of cloaths. If he
mould take an evening walk with my daughters, unac-
companied with me or my wife, he is going to be mar-
ried to one of them direftly. His name, his age, his
origin, are immediately divulged ; the fortune on both
fides afcertained, and the day fixed.

If my wife and I happen to fpar a little, as is ufual
among thole who love one another with the fincereft
affeclion, a report is immediately circulated that I ufe my
wife, or that Ihe uies me, ill, and that, notwithftanding
appearances to the contrary, we do not live h , :pilj to-
gether. I ca-n never buy nor fell a horfe, a co«v, or a
pig, nor change a iervant, but I am called behind my
back a fool for my pains, and it is hinted that I do not
know what I am about ; and indeed how mould I, fmce
1 am a cit. If I make an alteration in my garden, dig
a ditch, mend a pigllye, or thatch a hovci, my taite,
my judgment, my prudence, are called in queihon,
and it is charitably wiHied that I do not bring my noble

to

3$o ESSAYS, No. 170.

to nhrepence, and my ninepence to nothing. If, by
the careleffhefs of my cook-maid, a joint of meat mould
happen to be a little tainted in the dog-days, it gets
wind, and it is immediately faid that I feed my family
on ftinking meat for cheapnefs. If a loaf mould be a
little mouldy in damp weather, I am railed at for keep,
ing my bread till it is fpoiled, rather than give it to a
poor creature who is periming with hunger. In fhort,
hardly a moufe can ftir in.any part of the houfe, from the
parlour to the fcullery, but the barber, the chandler-
fhop-keeper, the landlady at the alehoufe, the mantua-
maker, and the chair-woman, find means to get a know-
ledge of it for the entertainment of their cuftomers.

Till I lived in this place, I never thought myfelf of
fuch confequence as to merit general attention. In
London, my next door neighbour neither knew nor
cared what pafTed in my parlour and kitchen. I can
however eafily account for this difference. In a market
town, of no great opulence or extent, there are not ob-
jeds enough to divert the idle. No plays, no auctions,
no fine (hops, no fbew-glafles. Scarcely any amufement
for fots, goffips, and old maids, but thinking and talk-
ing on the affairs and families of other people. The
fettlement of a itranger in their town is food to them for
years. They have been too long ufed to the natives to
find any novelty in their concerns, and perhaps have
been induced to regard them with that partiality of
long acquaintance or of relation fliip, which precludes
malevolence. But ftrangers are lawful game ; and the
cruelty of little minds is found to take a pleafure in de-
tracting from their characters, and defeating, by falfe
and malignant representations, thofe fchemes of happi-
nefs with which they flattered themfelves in retirement.

Sick of fuch impertinence, and difgufted with the
ill-natare of all around me, I have refolded to quit the
market town, and have jult hired a houfe delightfully
fituated in a diitant village. It is the paternal habita-
tion of a man, who, having hopes of riling at court,
chufes to leave this charming retreat, for a fmall dark
houfe in one of the difmal lanes that lead into the
Strand. I fhall have no near neighbours but the vicar,
who is not only a learned, virtuous, religious, and be-
nevolent,

No. 171. MORAL, &c. 35r

nevolent, but alfo an agreeable man. His family, all
of whom have that elegance of mind which refults from
a tafte for letters, will be much with mine. They have
already formed a reciprocal attachment. And I hope
to have found at laft, in this place, that happinefs
which I vainly fought in a more frequented lituation.
Of this I am confident, that the honeft fimplicity of the
ruilics, if it is not agreeable, is far lefs difgufting, than
the pert, affedled, ill-natured airs and manners of the
little half-bred gentry in little country towns.

The beauties of nature untouched by art, an air fweet
as it blows over the bloflbmed vale, peaceful hours, focial
cheerfulnefs, domeftic joys, rural dignity — thefe are
mine in my village retreat. Nor do I regret the lofs of
formal vifits, ana that wretched intercourfe with little
minds, which, while it wore away life in infipidity,
expofed me to the envenomed fhafts of unmerited de-
traction.

No. CLXXI. CURSORY THOUGHTS ON EPIS-
TOLARY WRITERS.

WHEN a writer has diftinguifhed himfelf in his
ftudied performances, and pleafed us in thofe
works which he intended for our perufal, we become
interefted in all that concerns him, and wifh to be ac-
quainted with his ideas, as they flowed, without any
view to their publication, in the open communications
of a private and friendly correfponder.ee. Beautiful
minds, like beautiful bodies, appear graceful in an un-
drefs. The awe which they infpire, when furrounded
with all their dignity, is fometimes more llriking than
pleafing ; but we feel ourfelves relieved when admitted
to their familiarity. We love to retire behind the fcenes,
and to obferve the undifguifed appearance of thofe who
pleafe us, when induilrioufly decorated for public exhi-
bition. From this caufe it has arifen, that the private
letters of great men have been always read wilh peculiar
avidity.

The

3$2 ESSAYS, No. 171.

The Greeks, remarkable as they were for diverfity of
compofition, have not left many models in the epifto-
lary ftyle. There is no doubt but that Xenoplion excel-
led in it, though mod of the letters which he wrote,
have either not been collected orpreferved. Thofe of
Socrates, Antifthenes, Ariilippus, Xenophon, ^Efchi-
nes, andPhilo, have never been popular. Thofe which
pafs under the name of Ariitenetus, are of a tafte lefs
refenxbling the attic than the oriental. The defcrip-
tions in them are poetically luxuriant, but the language
is not pure, nor the ftyle fimple.

The epiltles of Phalaris have bean much read by the
learned ; but though they are curious monuments of the
genius of the tyrant, they are not admirable fpecimens
of epiftolary compofition. 'J hey are better known
from the violent difpute they occaiioned between Bent-
ley and Boyle, than from their intrinfic merit. In fome
part of that famous controverfy, Bentley fays, with his
ufual acrimony, that Boyle had made a bad book worfe
by a bad edition of it.

Cicero, the world's great model in the oratorical and
the philofephical, is no lefs eminent in the epiilolary
ftyle. He rivalled his great patterns, the Greeks, in
eloquence and philofophy ; and he excelled them in his
letters. His letters, indeed, were the genuine produc-
tion of his unafliited genius, and have a grace peculiar
to themfelves. Many cf his other works are profe/Tedly
imitations ; but concluded with that art which charac-
terifes genius, and appropriates all it handles. His
letters were not lludied, they were the effufions of the
moment, they arofe from the occafion, and plenfe from
their air of truth and unaffe&ed propriety. Whether
bufinefs, pleafure, politics, phiiofophy, 01 conjugal and
paternal affection, are their fubjecls, they arc equally
excellent, and always pleating. He wrote ti.em with-
out the leaft view of tlieir coming to the public eye,
and to this circumftance they owe a great fuare of their
merit, their freedom from affectation. Near a thouland
of them remain, and furniih abundant of hiltorical in-
formation, at the fame time that they exhibi the befl
models for this fpecies of writing. They are thought
not to appear to the bed advantage in the Specimens

which

No. 171. MORAL, &c. 353

which Dr. Middlcton has inferted in his life of Cicero.
No one was better able to do them juftice than that
great biographer ; but it is faid, 4ie committed the talk
of tranfiation to fome inferior affiftant.

There was an age when the letters of Pliny were pre-
ferred to thofe of Cicero. They have, indeed, the
glitter of an artificial polifh, but they want the more
captivating grace of natural beauty. They were ftudied,
and they wear the appearance of ftudy. He who delights
in elaborate and highly finimed compofition, will be gra-
tified in the perufal of Pliny; but he will at the fame
time regret, if he has a tafte for propriety, that this la-
bour was not beftowed where it would have been better
placed. In a philofophical difcourfe, or a formal ha-
rangue, we expeft the interpofuion of art ; but, in an
epiftle, we are better pleafed with the genuine effufions
of nature, than with the efforts of ingenuity.

beneca's Moral EfTays have little right to the name
of Epiftles, with which he dilHnguimed them. They
are little more than a collection of common-place ob-
fervations, abounding in wit and ingenious turns, but
wholly deftitute of elegance and grace. His faults, in-
deed, are fweet, as Quintilian faid j but it is a fweet-
nef? which cloys, and can fcarcely pleafe any but a vi-
tiated appetite.

After the Latin had ceafed to be a living language,
many excellent books of letters were written in it. It
was the univerfal language of learning. The literati
of different nations, the rude languages of which would
not repay the labour of cultivation, wifely chofe to
communicate their thoughts in the pure dialed of the
court of Auguftus. borne of the earlieit of thefe are
difgraced by the barbarifm of the times. But Petrarch
fhines amidft the furrounding obfcurty. True genius,
like his, was fure todifplay its luftre, though it laboured
under the difadvantage of a prevailing corruption of
tafte. His language is by no means a model.

Politian had juit pretenfions to true genius. There
is a warmth and vigour in his poetry, which fully proves
him to have poflefTed the metis d'winior His epiftles
are elegant, but, like thofe of Pliny, whom he imi-
tated, they are formal and afte&ed. Upon the whole

they

354 ESSAY S, No. 171.

they are not unpleafing, and abound with beautiful
language.

Erafmus, a name that mines forth with peculiar glory
in the annals of literature, juilly poffeffes the nrft rank
among the modern epiiiolary writers. His ftyle indeed
is not purely Ciceronian, though it difplays many of its
graces, it is entirely his own, though it often rifes to a
level with claflical excellence. He was not fo fcrupu-
loufly exaft in his taile, as to reject ^ barbarous and Go-
thic exprefiion, if it conveyed his ideas precifely. But
he had the fkill to ufe it with fuch propriety, that it ac-
quired, in his writings, a grace and dignity. No man
was better acquainted with the works of Cicero, and no
man, after a few prejudices, formed in his youth, were
removed, entertained a higher opinion of his beauties,
or knew better how to imitate them. But he defpifed
the feclcf Ciceronians, who would fcarcely admit a par-
ticle that was not to be found in their favourite author.
He ridiculed them with admirable wit and eloquence,
in his dialogue Ciceronianus ; nor wou! I he give coun-
tenance to fo ridiculous an affectation, by any part of
his writings. More ftudious of copioufnefr and variety
ef matter, than of a fcrupulous imitation of any model,-,
he fele&s the moft expreihve word he cs.:i find in the
language, and, by a judicious compo.rao:;, renders it
agreeable and proper. Wkh all their tieffvito in point
of purity of language, his letters are uncommonly enter-
taining ; and have that fpirit which genius can always
exhibit, but which laborious dulneis vainly imitates.
There is a fund of Lucianic humour in all his more fa-
miliar writings ; in his colloquies it is moft conspicuous ;
but it is alfo very remarkable in many of his epiftles.
Had he lived in an age when polite learning was more
generally encouraged and cultivated, his productions
would have been models of elegance, not inferior to the
boafted reliques of antiquity. But, unfortunately, he
was engaged in the unpleafmg difputes of pedantic the-
ologifts ; and, inftead of treading the flowery paths of
Greek and Roman literature, for which he was adapted
by nature, was obliged to toil through the thorny mazes
of a barbarous, perplexed, and irrational fyftem of di-
vinity. His liberal mind foon perceived, and as foon

avowed,

No. 171. MORAL, &c. 35£

avowed, the abfurdity of the received modes and opi-
nions; but he had too great a veneration for genuine
chriltianity, to neglecT: thofe ftudies, which his profef-
Jion, as a chrillian and an ecclefiaftic, naturally led him
to cultivate. He favv, and in great meafure avoided,
the inelegancies which abounded in the theological writ-
ings of his times ; but it was not eafy always to be upon
his guard againft them ; and his mind retained a tindlure
of them, as waters are polluted with the impurities
through which they flow.

I omit a great number of epistolary writers, who had
little merit of their own, and who derived all their
fame from a fervilc imitation of Cicero. Among thcfe
is Paul us Man u this, who is faid to have often fpent a
month in writing a fingle letter. We fee, indeed, in,
confequence of this fcrupulous attention, an elegant and
truly Ciceronian phrafeology ; but we obferve none of
the native graces of unaffected compofition.

Our neighbours, the French, have arrogated great
merit as epillolary writers. Their genius and their
language appear to be well adapted to excel in ic. But
fome of their molt celebrated writers have renounced
the advantages which nature gave them, and have
fpoiled all the beauties of feiriment and vivacity, by
an unfeafonable profuf:on c.f wit. Ealzic wearies his
reader with the comlant recurrence of laboured inge-
nuity.

Voiture abounds with benutiful thoughts exprefled
with great elegance. The language of compliment
difgufts, in other writers, by its unmeaning famenefs
and formality. He has given it the grace of delicacy.
But even h^, though indisputably a fine writer, isjuftly
cenfured by Bohours, for thoughts which the critic calls
falfe. Like many others, he has n gleded real beauties
for artificial ornaments

Our own countrymen have honourably diitinguifhed
themfelves in this, as well as in every other kind of
elegant compofition. The • piltolary ityle of Swift is
thought, by many, to excel all others. It has purity,,
eafe, exprefCon, and force. Pope's Letters are lively
and delicate. Shenltone's are much read ; but it may
be doubted whether they have that peculiar and fink-
ing:

355 E S S A Y S, No. 171.

ing excellence, which mould place them among the
claffics of our country.

The late Lord Chefterfield, though juftly decried as
a moral inilruclor, is admired as a writer of peculiar
elegance. No man more clofely and fuccefsfully imi-
tated the French in every circumftance. Like them, he
writes with perfpicuity, vivacity, and that gracefulnefs
which is fure to pleafe, and which he fo ftrenuoufly re-
commends. He is himfelf a proof of the efficacy of the
traces ; for, with all his merit, he was certainly fuper-
cial, and yet obtained a degree of fame> which more
folid writers have feldom pofTeiled.

Much has been faid on the epiftolary ftyle ; as if
any one ftyle could be appropriated to the great variety
of fubjecls which are treated of in letters. Eafe, it is
true, mould diftinguifh familiar letters, written on the
common affairs of life; becaufe the mind is ufually at
eafe while they are compofed. But, even in thefe,
there incidentally arifes a topic, which requires elevat-
ed expreflion, and an inverted conftruftion. Not to
raife the ftyle on thefe occafions, is to write unnatural-
ly; for nature teaches us to exprefs animated emotions
of every kind in animated language.

The impaffioned lover writes unnaturally, if he writes
with the eafe of Sevigne. The dependant writes unna-
turally to a fuperior, in the ftyle of familiarity. The
fuppliant writes unnaturally, if he rejects the figures
dictated by diftrefs. Converfation admits of every ftyle
but the poetic, and what are letters bat written conver-
fation ? The great rule is, to follow nature, and to
avoid an affected manner.

NO. CLXXII. ON THE NECESSITY OF EXER-
CISE, AMUSEMENTS, AND AN ATTENTION
TO HEALTH IN A LIFE OF STUDY. IN A
LETTER.

I HAPPENED accidentally to meet a feiiow-collegian,
with whom, before we were feparated by the ca-
price of fortune, I was intimately acquainted. Surely

No. 172. MORA L, &c. 357

it is he, faid I; but, alas, how changed! pale, ema-
ciated, with hollow and lack-luftre eye, is this my old
fchool-fellow, whofe ruddy checks and cheerful coun-
tenance difplayed health and happinefs ? What can have
reduced my poor friend to fo wretched acondition? In-
temperance, or fome dreadful difeafe, muft have ftolen.
away his youth, and hurried him to a premature old age.

While I was tftus reflecting, hepafledme without tak-
ing notice. He feemed indeed to be fo entirely wrapped
up in contemplation, as to pay no regard to external ob-
jedls. My curiolity and friendmip were too much inte-
reited, to fufler him to leave me without giving fome
account of himfelf. 1 foon overtook him, and he no
fooner recognifed me, and perceived my furprife at his
appearance, than he proceeded to aflign the caufes of it.
" You know, my friend, faid he, my firftand ftrong-
" eft paflion was for literary fame. Flattered by my
" friends, and encouraged at my fchool, I perfuaded
' " myfelf I was advancing in the career of glory, and,
" with all the ardour of enthufiafm, devoted every
moment of my life to the purfuit of learning. Puerile
diverfions had no charms for me. A book was my
folc delight, my conftant companion, and was never
laid afide, but while my mind was employed in com-
pofition. During my refidence at the univeifity, I
fpent the time which my companions alloted to rural
amufements,in examining thofe repofitories of ancient
learning, the public libraries. I law indeed the fu-
tility of fcholaftic logic, but a define to qualify myfelf
for the public exercifes, led me to the attentive per-
ufal of VVallis and Sanderfon. The fame motive
engaged me in the dreary fubtilties of metaphyfics.
Such (tudies engrofled the greater part of my firit three
years, with little advantage and no pleaiure. The
fatigue would have been intolerable, had it not fome-
times been alleviated by the charms of poetry. My
favourite Virgil and Horace, and every polite writer
of modern times, afforded, in their turn, an agree-
able recreation. My exercifes were honourably dif-
tinguifhed, and praife to an ingenuous mind is the
bcit reward of learned labours.

2 " With

;8 ESSAYS, No. 172.

" With my character for application and fobriety
(not to boaft of ray attainments), I found no difficul-
ty in obtaining orders. The head of my houfe pro-
cured me a curacy in a fmall country town. Thither
I went, not without my collection of books, the ufe
of which I would not have foregone for a mitre. I
had no other wiih than to improve myfelf in learn-
ing, and to perform the duty of an ecclefiaftic with
decency and devotion. I was happy in the profpect
of fpending my time uninterrupted by the intrufion
of my academical friends, whom youth and high
fpirits would often lead to a noify behaviour little
confiftent with meditation. My want of experience
concealed from me the difficulty of purfuing the line
of conduct which inclination pointed out. I found
it was nece/Tary, to my good reception among my pa-
rifhioners, to give up the greateft part of the day to
a participation in their amufements. In vain was it
that I laboured to excel in the pulpit. There was
not a man in the place who had an idea of the dig-
nity or utility of literary excellence, and who would
not moft cordially have hated even a Clarke or a Til-
lotfon, if he had never been in at the death of a
hare, nor drunk his bottle at the club. The parfon,
in their idea of his character, was a jolly fellow in
black, who ivas to lead a carelefs life all the week,
and preach againft it on Sundays. I could not bring
myfelf to take delight in a fox-chace, and, though
good-nature prevented me from fhewing my diflike,
I could never meet any of the hunters with fatisfac-
tion. The little pleafure I took in the only fociety
that was to be obtained, ftill farther confirmed me in
my reclufe mode of life. When my refolution ap-
peared unchangeable, I was fuffered to live as I
pleafed, with the character of an odd, but inoffen-
five man. IP. this unmolefted retreat I found time
to 30 through a complete courfe of ecclefiaiHcal hif-
" tory. I acquired a fufficient knowledge of the ori-
•« ental languages to enable me to read the Polyglott.
" I wrote a great number of fermons and theological
4f treatifes, and made many corrections, in the vulgar

" tranflation

No. 172. M O R A L, &c. 359

" tranflation of the Bible. So wholly engrofied was I
«* by my darling purfuits, that I feldom left my cham-
«' ber. In vain did the vernal fun invite. The mufic
" of a pack of hounds, .which frequently patted my
" window, had no charms in my ears. The rural
" fports of every kind were tedious and infipid. To
" my books I returned from every trifling avocation
" with redoubled pleafure, and endeavoured to repay
" the lofs of an hour in the day, by devoting a great
«« portion of the night to ftudy.

'• It is really true, that my chief motive for appli-
" cation was a,love of learning. Yet I will be fo in-
" genuous as to own, I fomedmes formed a vvifh that my
" fmall fhare of merit, if I had any, might attracl the
" notice of my fuperiors. There is a time of life when
" fame alone appears to be an inadequate reward of great
" labour. It flatters that natural love of diftindlion
*' which we all poflefs, but it furnifhes no convenience
" in the time of want and infirmity. There was in the
" neighbourhood a little living of one hundred a year,
" with a houfe and garden, in a ftyle of decent elegance
which becomes a fcholar. The patron was the efquire
of the next pari/h, who had always treated me with
fmgular reip°ft. I was foolifh enough to fuppofe his
regard for my character would induce him to beflow
his benefice on rne ; but I found when it became va-
cant, he had flaked and loft the next prefentation at a
game at whift with a clerical fox-hunter.
" 1 was at laft taken notice of by my diocefan. He
had heard of my indefatigable diligence, and recom-
mended me to an eminent publifher, as a proper per-
fon to make an index to a very voluminous work.
I eagerly undertook the tafic, with a view to pleafe
fo great a man, an;l finifhcd it in lefs than a year and
a half. The books were printed on a fmall letter,
and this work did my eyes an injury which they will
never recover; but it mull be owned, on the other
hand, that the bookfeller gave me in return a bank
note of ten pounds. An index author feldom ac-
quires reputation. He is indeed feldom known; but
if he happens to be difcovered, the accuracy of his
work is, in the opinion of many, a kind of difgrace

" to

3&J ESSAYS, No. 172.

<c to him. It feems to argue a degree of phlegmatic
" dulnefs and of patient labour, rarely in the power
*' of genius. It will not therefore be thought wonder-
c< ful that this laborious work produced no other effedh
" than the injury of my eyes, and the payment of my
«' taylor's bill.

" In this curacy Iftill continue, without any profpeft
" of change, unlefs when blindnefs, occafioned by in-
" temperate ftudy or the infirmities of age, mall oblige
" me to refign. I am not of a difcontented difpofition,
'•* nor do I relate my condition with a defign to crimi-
" nate others for their negledl of me^ Preferment I
: never fought by thofe methods which the world
agrees to be the beft fuited to procure it. I have
therefore no right to complain of the want of that
which I did not rightly purfue. My motive for this
communication is to prevent others from incurring
mifery by a too great attachment to objecls laudable
in themfelves. I can never difcountenance an atten-
tion to literature. I ftill love it. I ftill venerate
thofe that have excelled in it. But a fincere regard
for many of the moft amiable and ufeful of my fpecies,
induces me to remind them, that they have a body
which requires a great mare of their attention, and
that no fatisfadion arifing from ftudy can ulti-
mately counterbalance the lofs of fight, and that long-
train of nervous difeafes fuperinduced by unremittea
application.

" I mean not to excite your fympathy ; nor will I ex-
aggerate my evils by defcription. My appearance
has already convinced you that I am the victim of
difeafe. Nor will you hefitate to believe that the
ftone, the gout, the hypochondria, which have worn
out my tender frame, were derived from an attention
unrelieved by the ufual and neceflary relaxations. —
Had I been wife enough to have mounted a horfe
during the intervals of reading, and to have entered
into cheerful company at the clofe of a thoughful
day, I might have prolonged my favourite enjoy-
ments to a happy old age.

" I am philofopher enough to bear with patience a
condition which I cannot alter; yet I fometimes

«« think,

No. 172. MORAL, &c. 361

" think, though without the leaft degree of envy, that
" an old fchool-fellovv of mine, of a Very different turn
" from myfelf, is far happier. I remember I ufed to
" laugh at him, and think him very filly, when, at the
«« time we were at the Univerfity together, he ufed to
*' mifs an ingenious lefture for the fake of a ride, and
" fpend the three millings with which I mould have
«' bought a book, in the hire of a horfe. It is true, in-
" deed, that he need not, and ought not, to have ne-
«' glefted his mental improvement, becaufe he had marry
" opportunities of relaxation after the hours of ftudy were
" elapfed. Yet if I judge of his conduft by the appa-
" rent efft&s or it at prefent, it appears to me in a left
" blameable light than it ufed to do. He is now at
t{ the age of fixty-three, for he was fomewhat older than
" myfelf, and retains all the vigour and alertnefs of a
" young man. His countenance is hale, his limbs muf-
" cular, and he reads the fervice and the newfpaper,
" the only things he does read, without fpedtacles.

** He fet out in life as friendlefs as myfelf. He en-
" gaged in a curacy in a fporting country. His love
" of field-diverfions foon introduced him to what was
" called the belt company. He poflefled the external
" graces of behaviour, and at the fame time was
" deeply (killed in horfe-flefh, and had Bracken's Far-
«' ricry by heart. Such merits could not long pafs un-
" rewarded. A baronet in the neighbourhood grew
*' fond of him, and introduced him to his family; one
" of whom was an only daughter, of no great perfonal
«* or mental accompHfhments. My friend, however,
f* admired her fortune, and found no difficulty in ob-
*' taining her hand. The living on which he now re-
«' fides was part of her portion, and, though of no great
" value, yet it furnifhes him with a pretty fnug fporting-
•' box. Hecommonly reads prayersin his boots and fpurs,
" while his hunter Hands neighing in the porch till honeft
" Mofcs has twanged through his nofe the final and joy-
" ful Amen. It is true, my old friend has no tafle, no
" learning, no refinement, but he has the ufe of his eyes,
" and a never- ceafing flow of fpirits ; he can walk as well
" as ever, polleflcs an excellent digeftion, and plenty to
" furnim it with conitant employment.

VOL. II. R " But

36* ESSAYS, No. 173.

" But his example is not to be followed, fince he has
run into an extreme, more culpable, though lei's per-
nicious to himfelf than mine is to me. Far happier
and wifer the philofophical Euphrancr, who, with
the warmeft affeftion for learning, retrained it, as
he has every other inordinate attachment, by the rules
of prudence; and by paying all the attention which
nature and reafon require, to his body and to his
mind, has advanced the condition of both to a high,
degree of attainable perfection."

NO. CLXXIII. ON THE MERITS OF COWLEY
AS A POET.

THE biographers of our Englim authors have fome-
times fallen into a miitake, which renders the
truth of their ftory fufpe&ed. Their accounts are truly
panegyrics. The hero of their tales, like the lover in
the romance, is adorned with every good quality. Not
content to relate fafts with impartiality, they extenuate
what is culpable, and exaggerate all that can admit of
commendation. In truth, they who have exhibited the
lives of our authors, have ufuaily been the editors of
their works ; and either from a real and natural fondnefs
fcr thofe things on which they have beftovved care, or
from the lefs laudable motive of promoting the circula-
tion of a book in which they were interefted, have fpoken
too highly even of thofe who merit moderate applaufe.
Rut it is not wonderful if the trader reprefents his own
merchandize as the bell in the market-place.

It was the lot of Cowley to be handed down to pofie-
rity by a writer who was famous in his day for eloquence.
Dr. Spratt probably undertook the office of a biographer,
with a defign to difplay his talents in a fpecies or oratory
which the Roman rhetoricians called the demonftrative.
He difcharged it well as an artift, but failed as an accu-
rate hiflorian. By placing Cowley in the firft rank of
poets, he has in effect degraded him from the fubahern
itation which he had elfe preferved unniolefted. Dr.

- Spratt

No. 173. MORAL, &c. 365

Spratt owed much of his own fame to the poet who had
compared his ftyle to the gentle and majeftic current of
the Thames ; and returned the compliment, perhaps
from other motives than thofe of gratitude ; for the
higher Cowley was exalted, the greater honour was re-
fleded on thofe whom he had commended. Of this ce-
kbrated Bifliop of Rochefcer, Lord Orrery has faid, few-
men have gained a greater chafa&er for elegance and
corre&nefs, and few men have defcrved it lefs. And of
the poet whom he praifed, the great Dryden has with,
difiidence remarked, that fomewhat of the purity of
Englim, fomewhat of more equal thoughts, fomewhat
of fweetnefs in the numbers ; in one word, fomewhat of
a finer turn and more lyrical verfe, is yet wanting.

Whatever are his defects, no poet has been more li-
beraliy praifed. Lord Clarendon has faid, he made a
flight above all men ; Addifon, in his account of the
Englifh poets, that he improved upon the Theban bard ;
the Duke of Buckingham upon his Tombftone, that he
was the Englifh Pindar, the Horace, the Virgil, the De-
light, the Glory of his Times. And, with refpecl: to the
harihnefs of his numbers, the eloquent Sprait tells us,
that if his verfes in fome places feem not as foft and
flowing as one would have them, it was his choice, and
not his fault.

Such is the applaufe lavifhed on a writer who is now
feldom read. That he could ever be efteemed as a Pin-
daric poet, is a curious literary phenomenon. He to-
tally miftook his own genius, when he thought of imi-
tating Pindar. He totally miftook the genius of Pindar,
when he thought his own incoherent fentiments and
numbers bore the lead refemblance to the wild, yet re-
gular fublimity of the Theban. He neglefted even
thofe forms, the ftrophe, antiltrophe, and epoae, which,
even imitative dulnefs can copy. Sublime imagery, ve-
hement pathos, poetic fire, which conftitute the eflence
of the Pindaric ode, arc incompatible witn witty con-
ceits, accurate antithefes, and vulgar expretTion. All-
thefe imply the co> Irefs of deliberate compoiition, or
the meannefs of a little mind; both of them molt re-
pugnant to the truly Pindaric ode, in which ;Hi is rap-
turous and noble. Wit of any kind would be impro-
R 2 perl/

364 ESSAYS, No. 173.

properly difplayed in fuch composition ; but to increafe
the abfurdity, the wit of Cowley is often falfe.

If the end of poetry is to pleafe, harmony of verfe
is effential to poetry, for, without it, poetry cannot
pleafe. It is not pofiible, that any whofe ear has been
attuned to the melody of good compofition, fliould read
a fingle ode of Cowley without being fhocked with dif-
cord. There is often nothing left but the jingle at the
end to diftinguifti poems renowned for their fublimity,
from affedled profe. Such poetry may juftly incur the
ridiculous title of Profe run mad.

Yet is there fometimes interwoven a purple patch, as
Horace calls it ; a fine expreffion, a truly poetical thought,
an hanronious couplet ; but it occurs not often enough to
repay the reader for the toilfome taflc of wading through
a tedious aflemblage of difproportioned and difcordant
ftanzas. Of fuch confift his Pindarics ; which, though
they procured him the greateft fhare of his reputation,
deferved it leaft. Many of his other poems, ifwecon-
fider the rude ftate of verification, and the bad tafte of
the times, have great merit; and had he made Tibullus
his model, inftead of Pindar, his claim to the firft rank
of elegiac poets had not been called in queftion. The
tendernefs of love, and the foft language of complaint,
were adapted to his genius. But he chofe to tread in the
footfteps of Alcsus, as he fays himfelf, who, according
to the Halicarnalfian, combined the p.tyx\<.!pvts *a» r,$v9
or adopted the grand, as well as the fvveet.

That he had a taile for Latin poetry, and wrote in it
with elegance, the well-known Epitaph on himfelf, up-
on his retirement, and an admirable imitation of Horace,
are full proofs. But, furely, his rhetorical biographer
makes ufe of the figure hyperbole, when he affirms that
Cowley has excelled the Romans themfelves. He was
inferior to many a writer of lefs fame in the Mufa; An-
glicana?. But itill he had great merit ; and I muft con-
fefs I have read fome of his Latin verfes with more plea-
iure, than any of his Englifh can afford.

But, after all the honours that have been accumulat-
ed on his name as a poet, his great merit confifted in
profaic compofition. In this department he is an ele-
gant, apleafing, a judicious writer. His love of retire-

No. 173. MORA L, &c. 365

ment and contemplation qualified him for a moralift ;
and it is much to be lamented, that he did not devote
a greater part of his time to a kind of writing which
appeared natural to him, and in which he excelled.
The language of his heart mines forth in the little he
has left us, and we cannot but love it,

Much more of that language would have defcended
to poitemy, if his friends, from a miilaken opinion of
propriety, had not fupprefled his private letters. Dr.
Sprattand Mr. Clifford were avowedly pofle fled of many;
and the very reafon afligned by the biographer, for their
fuppreffion, mould have operated in their publication.
The letters that pafs between particular friends, fays he,
if they are written as they ought to be, that is, I fuppofe,
in an artlefs manner, can fcarcely ever be fit to fee the
light. How great an injury would polite learning have
fuftained.if the friends of Cicero had thought like Spratt
and Clifford !

They would better have confulted the reputation of
the poet, had they pronounced the Pindarics unfit to fee
the light. Editors, in general, would aft more honour-
ably, in exhibiting only the beft of their author's pro-
ductions, than in praifmg, as well as publifhing, all
that has fallen from his pen. But, in truth, to have
left out any part of his poems, would, in that age, have
been an unpardonable omiffion ; for who mould dare to
mutilate a Pindar ?

Time, the great arbiter of reputation, has already be-
gun to ftrip the poet of his borrowed honours. A critic,
whofe genius and judgment keep pace with each other,
and who illuminates every fubjeft on which he treats,
has allotted Cowley his juft fpecies of praife, and has
given the world, in a judicious feledion of his works,
all that they poflefied of real value.

Of thefe the profe forms a principal part. It is writ-
ten in a ilyle fufficiently flowing to prove that Cowley
was not deftitute of a mufical ear ; a circumftance which
countenances the opinion of thofe who maintain that he
affected a rugged ftyle. Was it a compliance with the
tafte of the age, that induced him to affed deformity ?
Unfortunate compliance with a deplorable tafte. He,
as well as they whom he imitated, Donne and Johnfon,
R 3 wer«

366 ESSAYS, No. 174.

were unqueftionably pofTefTed of great learning and in-
genuity; but they all neglected the graces of competi-
tion, and will, therefore, foon be numbered among
thofe once celebrated writers, whole utility now coniiits
in filling a vacancy on the upper fhelf of feme dully and
deferred" library.

No. CL.XXIV. CURSORY AND GENERAL
HINTS ON THE CHOICE OF BOOKS.

THE fcarcity of Books, a few centuries ago, was the
principal obtlacle to the advancement of learning.
The multitude of them is become, in the prefent age,
Scarcely lefs injurious to its interefts, by diitrading the
ftudent in his choice, and by diffufing an incorrect and
undiftingnifhing tafte.

To read all bocks on all fubjedts, would require an
uninterrupted attention during the longeft life even of
an Antediluvian. To read only the moil celebrated,
written in a few languages, is an employment fufficient
to fill up every hour of laborious application. For the
fake then of faving time, and of directing the judg-
ment of the inexperienced, it becomes an uleful attempt
to fuggeft fome general hints, which may tend to facili-
tate /election.

One rule of the greateft confequence is, to read only,
or chiefly, the original treatifes in all the various depart-
ments of fcience, and of literature. Nearly the fame
fpace of time, though not the fame degree of attention,
is necefiary to perufe the faint copies of imitative in-
duftry, as would appropriate to the ihident the folid
productions of native genius. This rule is more par-
ticularly to be obferved on the firft entrance on ftudy.
The foundation muft be laid deep, and formed of folid
materials. The fuperftrudture will often admit flight
and fuperficial appendages. When we have ftudied the
fine reliques of thofe who have lived before us, we may
derive much pleafure from attending to the additional
labours of contemporary genius. But to begin with

thefe

No. 174. MORAL, Sec. 367

thefe is to found, like the fool recorded in the Gofpel,
an edifice in the fand.

It were no lefs prefumptuous than fuperfluous to ad-
drefs directions in the choice of authors, to the (earned.
But we may venture, without arrogance, to point out
a few to the notice of the young and ingenuous pupil,
with a defign to abbreviate or facilitate his labour.

He who is entering on the Itudy of divinity, will na-
turally devote his firft attention to the fcriptures. The
original language of the Old Teilament is often un-
known even to the learned and ingenious ; and not-
withltanding what fome critics have, as it were, offi-
cially obferved on the fubjecl, the neglect of it, though
culpable, is feldom attended with much difadvantage.
Put the knowledge of Greek is indifpenfably neceflary,
if theology is purfued as a profefiion.

The prophetical parts will claim the greateft (hare of
attention in the perufal of the Old Teftament. Dr.
Kurd's Introduction to the Study of the Prophecies will
te a fufficient guide for fubfequent application to them.
To illuftrate the New T'eftament, it will be proper to
have recourfe to Percy's Key to it, to Trapp's Notes, to
Locke on the Epiftles, and to Mede on the Apocalypfe,
With thefe affiltances the ftucicnt, who is not deficient in
natural ability, will make a competent profidc rev, '
though he (hould totally neglect tliofe myriads of trea-
tifes, which have rendered the bo<iy of divinity, a; it is
called, enormous beyond comprehenfion.

The Jtudent in phyfic is commonly introduced to the
knowledge of it by a public lecturer, who fuperintends,
or at leait directs, his courfe of reading. Natural and
experimental fciencc, in all their ramifications, are in
fome degree requifite to his further advancement. Thefe
alone will indeed render him ingenious in his clofet, but
will avail little at the beufide without other aid. To
thefe ir.uit be added a moil accurate obfervation of the
human frame in all its viciflitudes of health, difeafe,
and ccnvaiefcence. The reading of cafes accurately de-
lineated, is found to be the belt lucccdaneum where ac-
tual practice and obfervation are precluded. Syllem is
in general deluiTve and infuirkLnt.

To the profefled lawyers, fcarcely any book on the

fubjed of law is utiinterelting or ufelefs. But he who

K 4 purfues

3<5» ESSAYS, No. 174.

purfues the ftudy merely as an accomplifliment in a
comprehenfive plan of education, will find all the ne-
ceflary lights in the volumes of Grotius, Puffendorf,
Taylor, Burn, and Blackitone.

He who wifhes to gain a complete knowledge of
grammar, may fucceed in his attempt, without loading
his memory, with the works of Prifcian, or of thofe
thoufands who have toiled in this circumfcribed pro-
vince. Let him, after having rtudied grammatically
the elements of Latin and Greek, digeil the Hermes
of Harris, and the Introduction of Lowth.

The art of rhetoric never yet formed an Englifli ora-
tor. It is one of thofe artificial affiftances of genius,
•which genius wants not, and of which dulnefs can little
avail itfelf. But as there are excellent books written on
it, the general fcholar mart pay it his attention. Let
him then read Cicero on the Orator, and Quinclilian's
Inftitutes, and he need not trouble himfelf with thofe
meagre treatifes which give a hard name to the natural
modes of exprefllon, and teach us that, like Hudibras,
•we cannot ope our mouths, but out there flies a trope.

He who is impelled by neceffity or inclination to at-
tend to logic, may with propriety neglect all the rub-
bim of the fchools, and, next to the Stagyrite himfelf,
ftudy only the works of Saunderfon, Wallis, Watts, and
Harris.

If the barren field of metaphyfics is ever capable of
repaying the toil of cultivation, it can only be when
the attention is confined to fuch authors as Locke,
Huchefon, and Beattie.

If ethics are to be confidered in the fyftematical me-
thod of a fcience, the moral philofophy of Huchefon
may be recommended as one of the cleared, the moft
elegant, and the concifeft treatifes that have appeared
upon them. The numerous writers who have fabricat-
ed fanciful and deflrufVive fyftems, may be fuftered to
fink in the gulph of oblivion never to emerge.

In natural philofophy, the airy fabrics of hypothetical
vifions ought not to claim the attention of a moment.
The fun of Newton has abforbed the radiance of all
other luminaries in this department. His works and
thofe of his followers will, of courfe, fuperfede the in-
finite number of folios, which, to ufe the expreffions

of

No. 174. MORAL, &c. 369

of Horace, may be fent to wrap up frankincenfe and
perfumes, the only way in which they can now be, ufe-
ful.- He to whom the works of the great philofopher
are untelligible, may acquiefce with fecurity in the il-
Juftrations of Pemberton and Rowning. The lover of
natural hiftory, zoology, and botany, will not be at a
lofs in the feleftion of books, while fame refounds the
names of Buffbn, of Pennant, of Linnaeus. The Ro-
mances of Pliny and his imitators will have no charms
with the lover of truth.

To the claflical fcholar, the proper books are ufually
pointed out by the fuperintendants of his education,;
and when once he has tailed them, his Ovvn cultivated
feelings will direct him in the choice of modern pro-
ductions. Every one knows who were the belt authors
in the Auguftan age; and the chief caution necefl'ary is,
that the text of a Virgil, a Horace, an Ovid, may not be
loft in the attention given to the tedious comments of a
few Dutchmen. I have known thofe who have toiled
through the claffics, cum notij •variorum, much lefs ac-
quainted with them than he who never read them but
in Sandby's edition. In attending to Burman and Hein-
fius, they overlooked the text ; which .was loft like a
jewel in a dunghill. Thefe laborious annotators explain
what needs not explanation, and, with a little critical
knavery, pafs by a real difficulty without notice. I am
convinced that a tafte for the claffics is rather impeded
than promoted by the Dauphin edition, in which boys
are initiated ; but in which the words of the author are
choaked, like wholefome plants among weeds, by the
notes and interpretation. To be poifefled of comments
on the claffics is however definable, for difficulties will
fometimes occur which at firft fight perplex the moft in-
genious ; but I mould prefer, for common reading, fuch.
editions as that of Jones's Horace.

Directions for the formation of the lady's librnry
have often been wanted by thofe, who, with an incli-
nation for the elegant amufement of reading, have been
unable to indulge it without danger, becaufe they had
none to guide them in their choke. In my humble
opinion, the following books might have a place in it,
not or.ly without hazard of ill tonfequences, but with
R 5 great

370 ESSAYS, No. 175.

great advantage to tafle, and to that perfonal beauty
which arifes from mental. All the periodical publica-
tions of repute that have been written on the model of
the Spectator, Rollin's Works, Plutarch's Lives, Shake-
fpeare, Milton, Pope, and the moil: efteemed hiflorians
of their own country, may be ftrongly recommended.
To thefe, for the fake of imbibing a claflkal talle, may
be added the beft tranflations of the antients, Pope's
Homer, Dryden's Virgil, and Melmoth's Pliny. If
French Books are required, thofe of Boileau, Fontenelle,
Le Pluche, and fome feleft pieces of Voltaire and Rouf-
feau, may with propriety be admitted. Novels, it is
feared, will not be difpenfed with : Thofe then of Ri-
chardfon and Fielding are allowed, yet not without re-
luctance. Every thing indelicate will of courfe be ex-
cluded ; but perhaps there is not lefs danger in works
called fentimental. They attack the heart more fuc-
cefsfully, becaufe more cauti&ufly. Religious books
will find a place, but not without reftridlion ; for there
is a fpecies of devotional compofition, which, by in-
flaming the paffions and imagination, contributes to
corruption, while it feems to promote the warmeft piety.
From their fenfibility of heart and warmth of fancy,
the fpfter fex is fuppofed to be moft inclined to atomic
the errors of myltics and enthufiafts.

NO; CLXXV. CURSORY REMARKS ON THE
ODYSSEY, ON POPE'S TRANSLATION, MR*

SPENCE'S ESSAY, &c.

IT is generally agreed, that the OdxfTey is inferior to
the Iliad. It is thought by Longinus, as well as by
other critics, to have been the production cf Homer's
eld age, when it may reasonably be fuppofed the ardour
ef nis genius was'in feme degree abated. " In the
*' OdyfTey," fays that critic, " he may be juftly faid
44 -to referable tne felting fun, whofe grandeur iliil re-
" mains without the original heat of his beams. Like-
i " th*-

No. 175. MORAL, &<r. 371

the ocean, whofe very mores, when deferted by the
tide, mark out how wide it (onetimes flows -r fo-
Homer's genius, when ebbing into all thole fabulous
and incredible ramblings of Ulyffes, mews plainly
how fublime it once had been. I am fpeaking of old
age, but it is the old age of Homer."
It is certain, that if the Odyftey is not to be placed
in the fame rank with the Iliad, fo neither ought it to
obtain fo low a clafs as to be overlooked and difregard-
ed. It has, however, been negledled by the moderns,,
and they who have been able to repeat the Iliad, have
fcarcely deigned to read the Odyfley. Every fchool-
boy is acquainted with the anger of Achilles and its
confequences, while he neither knows nor is felicitous
to learn the adventures of the wife Ulyfles : though wif-
dom, it may be fuppofed, would be commonly a better
model for his imitation th-an valour.

An ingenious writer has endeavoured to vindicate the
Odyfley from the negleft in which it has long lain ; but
a prepofTeffion in favour of eftablifhed culloms, has hi-
therto prevented our public fchools from fubftituting it
in the room of the Iliad. That the Iliad mould be ne-
glefted is not indeed to be wiihed, but that it fliould
engrofs our whole attention, to the utter exclulion of
the Odyfley, is certainly unreafonable.

The Iliad prefents its with a rough profpeft, like that
of high mountains, crao-gy rocks, and framing cata-
rafts ; while the Odyfley exhibits a fofter fcene, and
fuggells idea; fimilar to thofe which arife from the land*
(cape, where all is mild, ferene, and beautiful. The
one is like the pictures of Pouifin, the other li'.ce thofe
of Claude Lorain. A reader admires the Iliad,, but he
loves the Odyfley.

The works of Homer appeared fo early in the world,
and fince their appearance have been fo frequently praifed
and illuftrated, that at this late period it is not neceffary
to add to the general panegyric. Suffice it to recommend
the perufal of a few authors, which may clear the vvs.y to
the ftudy of the OdylFey. Amon-g thefe, are the papers
in the Adventurer on this fubjecl, Pope's Notes to hi*
Tranflation, anJ abuve all Mr. Spence's very elegant
and ingenious Eflay» As to the Tranflation itfelf, it
& 6 abounds

372 ESSAYS, No. 175.

abounds with faults and abfurdities. Without derogat-
ing from the merit of Pope as an original poet, we may
venture to pronounce his OdyfTey a paraphrafe, rather
than a juft tranflation of Homer. The copy no more
refembles the pifture, than the portrait on a fign-poft
ufually refembles the perfonage intended to be exhibited.
The chief beauty of Homer is fimplicity, which, in the
Tranflation, is facrificed to a gaudy glare and artificial
embellifliments. As a poem confidered by itfelf, it has
many beautiful paflages ; but as a tranflation, it is per-
liaps unworthy the reputation it has obtained.

To cenfure fo celebrated a name, might appear ar-
rogant in an individual, were he not fupported by
many and judicious critics. Mr. Spence, whofe opinion
is decifive, and, inftar omnium, points out defefts in
Pope's Tranflation, which could never have efcaped fo

freat a poet but from hafte and wearinefs. In this work,
ope was affifted by inferior writers ; but as the whole
is publifhed under his name, he will ever be anfwerable
for its faults. The tranflation of the Iliad, though a
very excellent model of verification, exhibits not a juft
pifture of the fimple, yet magnificent, Masonian.

Mr. Spence's Eflay, at the fame time that it will ex-
hibit the deformities of the Tranflation, will infpire a
tafte for the beauties of the original ; and, indeed, the
general remarks, which are interfperfed with the greateft
judgment and elegance, will contribute to teach a juft
method of criticifm in almoft every fpecies of poetry.

Mr. Spence was a truly claflical writer. He was no
lefs amiable in his manners than pleafing in his produc-
tions. That he chiefly wrote in dialogue is to be la-
mented ; for that form, where the perfons are fictitious,
has feldom been approved in England, though it has
cften fucceeded in France.

CLXXVI.

No. 176. MORAL, &c. 373

No. CLXXVI. THOUGHTS ON THE OEDIPUS
TYRANNUS OF SOPHOCLES, AND SEVERAL
CIRCUMSTANCES RESPECTING THE GRECIAN
DRAMA.

OF the three Greek dramatic poets, Sophocles is the
mod celebrated; and of the productions of So-
phocles, the GEdipus Tyrannus is the moft excellent.
It has flood the tefl of the feverefl criticifm. The unities
of time, place, and action, are inviolably preferved : and
while the Tragedy fatisfies the critic, who judges it by
the laws of Ariftotle, it pleafes the common reader and
fpeclator, who forms his opinion from the feelings of
his nature. Never was there a tale more affefting thr.n
that of CEdipus, and never was it told more patheti-
cally than by Sophocles. Many a tear has it excited
from an Athenian audience, whofe hearts were ever
finely fufceptible of the fentiments of humanity : but
the befl tranflation of it would not equally pleafe in a
modern theatre. Many other caufes of its failure may
be afCgned, befides that fimplicity, artlefihefs, and in-
complexity of fable, which the tafle of the moderns is
too much vitiated to relim.

In the firfl place, it mull be confidered, that every
original compofition mud lofe fomething of its beauty
from the befl tranflation. It is a common remark, that
the fpirit of an author, like that of fome efTences, eva-
porates by transfufion. Foreign manners, and foreign
cufloms, are feldom underflood by a common audience,
and as feldom approved. The majority of an Englifh
audience are unacquainted with antient learning, and
can take no pleafure in the repreientation of men and
things which have not fallen under their notice. Add
to this, that they love to fee Tragedies formed on their
own hiftories, or on hiftories in which they are in fome
manner nearly interefled. When Shakefpeare's hiflo-
rical dramas are reprefented, they feel as Englifhmen ia

every

'374 ESSAYS, No. r;5.

every event ; they take part with their Edwards and
Henries, as friends and fellow-countrymen ; they glory
in their fuccefTes, and fympathize with their misfortunes.
To a fimilar circum(tance may part of the aoplaufe,
which the Athenians beftowed on this Tragedy of So-
phocles, be attributed ; for CEdipus was king of a
neighbouring country, with which the Athenians were
always intimately connected either in war or peace.
. Thefe confiderations fhould teach us to content our-
felves with admiring Sophocles in the clofet, without at-
tempting to obtrude him on the ftage, which muft always
accommodate itfelf to the taite of the times, whether un-
jeafonable or juft, confident or capricious.

In truth, the warmeft admirer of antient Greek poetry
muft acknowledge a barrennefs of invention in the choice
of fubjecls. The Trojan war, and the misfortunes of
the Theban king, arealmoft the only fources from which
thofe great mafters of compofition, Homer, ./Efchylus,
Euripides, and Sophocles, have derived their fubjefl
matter. They have, indeed, embellifhed thefe little
parts of hiltory with all the fire of imagination and me-
lody of poetry ; but is it not ftrange, that in a country
like Greece, where the reftlefs fpirit of military virtue
was continually forming noble defigns, and atchieving-
glorious exploits, the poets could diicover no illuftrious
deed worthy of being painted in never fading colours, but
the worn-out ftories of a wooden horfe, and a Sphinx's
riddle ? It is difficult for an age like the prefent, which
hungers and thirfts after novelty, to conceive that an
audience could fit with patience during the recital of a
ftory which all muft have heard a thoufand times ; efpe-
cially as it was unadorned with the meretricious artifices
of players, with thunder and lightning, hail and rain,
tolling bells, and tinfel garments.

But the famenefs of the ftory in the Grecian poets
became agieeable to the audience, through that ve-
neration which every record of antient hiftory de-
mands. That the flory on which a dramatic poem is
founded, mould not be of modern date, has, I think,
been laid down as a rule. Nor is it the precept of an
arbitrary critic, but is juftified by nature ,and reafon.
Imagination, always exceeds reality* The vulgar could

No. 176. MORAL, &c. 375

never prevail upon themfelves to look on fcene?, to the
reality of which they have been eye-witnefles, with the
fame ardour as on thofe which they have received from
their anceftors, and have painted with the ftrongeft co-
lours on their fancy. In obedience to this rule, the
Greek poets took their fubjecls from antient fafts uni-
verfally known, believed, and admired: and the audi-
ence entered the theatre, to behold a lively reprefentation
of the picture already formed in their own imagination.

A modern reader has not a preparatory difpofition of
mind neceflary to receive all that pleafure from thefe
compofitions, which tranfported an antient Greek. He
does not glow with that patriotic ardour which he would
feel on reading glorious deeds of a fellow-countryman,,
when Homer reprefents a hero breaking the Trojan pha-
lanx and encountering a Heclor. He does not confider
an antient Theban or Athenian involved in the guilt of
undefigned parricide or incell, nearly enough connected
with him to excite his fympathy in a violent degree ; but
all thefe feelings in a Grecian audience, occafioned by a
Grecian fufferer, account for that uncommon delight
which ,hey took in their dramatic reprefentations, and
for their freedom from that fatiety which might otherwife
have been occafioned by a fimple and reiterated tale.

An Englifh audience has lately fhewn itfelf not fa
averfe from the antient Tragedy, as was expeded, by
its favourable reception of Elfrida and Cara&acus, writ-
ten on the Grecian model : but, perhaps, this event i*
not fo much to be attributed to the revival of the refin-
ed taite of an Attic auJience, as to the infatiable avi-
dity of fomething new. The Englifh are as fond of
the *«usv T» in literature, as the Athenians were in po-
litics: but, whether caprice or reafon, whether tafte or
fafhion, gave them a favourable reception on the Eng-
lifh ibge, it is certain that Elfrida and Caraclacus are
elegant poems, formed exactly on the antient model, and
may be read with great advantage by thofe who wifh to
er.urtain a juft idea of the Greek Tragedy without a
knowledge of the language.

No, CLXXVH,

ESSAYS, No. 177,

No. CLXXVII. CURSORY REMARKS ON SOME
OF THE MINOR ENGLISH POETS.

WE are told in the epiftle to the Pifos, that poeti-
cal mediocrity is intolerable ; yet we find that
Poets, of inferior merit as well as fame, are read with
pleafure.

It is true, indeed, that the loudeft melody of the grove
is poured forth by the lark, the blackbird, the thrufli,
and the nightingale; but it is no lefs true, that their
paufes are often filled by the fweet warblings of the lin-
net and the red-breaft. The lofty cedar that waves on
the fummit of the poetic mountain, feems to overfhadow,
and exclude, by its luxuriance, all other vegetation. He,
however, who approaches it, will find many a violet and
primrofe fpringing at its root. He will often difcover,
amid a plentiful growth of weeds, a modeft flowret lift-
ing its humble head, and becoming more beautiful by
feeming to conceal the native fweetnefs of its odour,
and the luftre of 'its hues.

The firft dignities in the political commonwealth are
pre-occupied by fuch writers as Spencer, Milton, Dry-
den, and Pope; but, at the fame time, the numerous
fubaltern ftations are frequently filled with honour.

Many Poets of original beauty were in their own times
fo obfcure as to be now totally unknown. Such are the
authors of our moft popular ballads, the general recep-
tion of which is a proof of their excellence, more con-
vincing than the decifions of criticifm. The learned
Poet has commonly owed much of hij excellence to imi-
tation ; but the ballad-writer drew only from his own
refources when he fung the wild wood-notes of nature.
There metre often poffefles a kind of harmony quite dif-
ferent from claflical verification ; yet, at the fame time,
truly pleafing to the uncorrupted ear.

Of Poets or.ce known and admired, feveral are fallen
into total difrepute. Drayton was honoured by a com-
mentator who muit have given fame to any writer. If

Selden's

No. 177. MORAL, &c. 3.77

Selden's tafte was equal to his learning, Drayton is in-
deed moft highly diftinguifhed. The Polyolbion is,
however, no more read ; and the flow length of the te-
dious Alexandrine in which it is written, will prevent its
revival, as it has haftened its oblivion.

The Gondibert of D'Avenant has been the fubjefl
of critical controverfy from the time of its publication,
Its plan was originally defended by the great Hobbes,
and its execution has been greatly praifed. Yet few
have attended to it with any plcafure, and ftill fewer
have had a degree of patience fufficient to bear them
through the perufal of it. The truth is, the ftanza
which he adopted, is better fuited to elegiac than to he-
roic poetry. A beautifully defcriptive paflage, inter-
fperfed in the courfe of two or three hundred lines, will
not alleviate the tedium of the reft ; as an occafional flafh
of lightning cannot illuminate the continued gloominefs
of an extenfive profpect.

For the honour of Englifli literature, moft of the poe-
tical productions which were admired in the reign of
Charles, mould now be configned to everlafting obli-
vion. They difplay, indeed, a fportive licentioufnefs
of fancy, but they are incorrect beyond the example of
any age. Some of the belt poets of the times, among
whom were Mulgrave, Dorfet, and Rofcommon, though
poflefled of wit and tafte, produced nothing worthy of
immortality. The morals of the age were as licentious
as the tafte; and the love of pleafure introduced an in-
dolence, which admitted not an application fufficient to
give the laft polifh of correct elegance.

The ftudy of the antients, and of the French, has
gradually refined the national tafte to a degree of fafti-
dious delicacy ; and writers who have pollelled clafiical
beauty have been read with admiration, though they
have had nothing to recommend them to the notice of
a Charles the Second or a Sedley.

The number of minor poets who difplayed great
merit, yet who feem to have derived it all from imita-
tion, is too tedious to enumerate. Philips and his friend
Smith were correct and clafiical in a degree fuperior to
their contemporaries. Philips has performed the tafk
of imitation, with an accuracy of rcfemblance fcarcely

equalled

378 ESSAYS, No. 177.

equalled by any of his followers but Browne. The
Phsedraand Hippolitus of Smith has ever been efteemed
a fine poem, and the b?auty of the ftyle, and harmony
of the verfe, induce us to regret that he lived to finilh fo
few productions.

Within the fpace of half the laft century, a defire to
imitate the excellent models of our more celebrated
bards, has crowded the middle ranks with a multitude
too great to obtain, even for the deferving individual,
any very diftinguimed fame. One Poec has arifen after
another, and iupplanted him as the fucceeding wave
feems to fwallovv up the wave that went before. Moil
of them have exhibited an harmonious verification, and
have felecled a profufion of fplendid expreffions ; but
have in general been deficient in that noble fire, and
thofe fimple graces, which mark originality of genius.
They are, however, read with pleafure, and fweetly fill
up the intervals of avocation among the bufy and com-
mercial world, who are not acquainted with the Greeks
and Romans, and with whom novelty often poffeiles the
charm of beauty.

There is a force and folemnity in the poems of Tickell,
•which at lead place him on a level with his patron as a
poet. His Colin and Lucy is one of the moil fweetly
pathetic poems in the language.

Broome, though honourably aflbciated with Pope in
the work of tranflation, feems to have had fcarcely any
other merit than this to bear him down the ftreara of
time.

Trapp wrote Latin verfe with elegance, and was 3
good critic; but it has been obferved of his Virgil, that
he had done wifely to have ftopped at his preface.

The genius of Collins feems in fome meafure to have
refembled that of Tickell. Dignity, folemnity, and
pathos, are the ftriking features of his compoiitions.
None but a true poet could have written the long over
Ficiele in Shakefpeare's Cymbeline.

The Englilh Tibullus, Hammond, has written truly
elegant verfe ; but I know not whether his reprefenta-
tions greatly affeft the heart, though they are approved
by the judgment and imagination. They have, how-
£ver, ferved as patterns for the love-fick nymphs and

fwains,

No. 178. MORAL, &c. 37$

jfwains, who delight in giving vent to their paflion in the
language of poetry.

Love and its efre-cls were beautifully defcribed by the
elegantly fenfible Lord Lyttehon. To afiert that he
was remarkable for poetical genius, were to leflen, by
endeavouring to exaggerate, his praife. Force, fire,
and an exuberance of invention, were not his excel-
lences ; but that equable beauty of fentiment and
diftion, which refuhs from an elegant mind. The
graces diflinguiih his compofidons, as the virtues mark-
ed his honourable life.

Moore's Fables difplay indubitable marks of genius ;
but he wants the fimplicity of Gay and Fontaine. He
fhews, however, a talent for defcription, which would
have (hone in the higher kinds of poetry; and a deli-
cacy of mind, which, it'might be fuppofed, could be
acquired only in a higher fphere than that in which he
was born.

Genius and learning were poflefTed in a very emi-
nent degree by Merrick. He had that peculiar kind of
genius which qualified him to excel in the department
of facred poetry. It is to be wifhed, that his verfion of
the Pfalms were adopted in churches, not only in the
place of Sternhold and Hopkins, but of Brady and
Tate. Such an event would be no lefs advantageous to
piety, than to tafte.

No. CLXXVIII. CURSORY AND UNCON-
NECTED REMARKS ON SOME OF THE MINOR.
GREEK. POETS. .

TH E intrinfic graces of the claffic writers have
charmed every mind which was fufccptiblc of the
beauties of fpirit, taile, and elegance. Since the revival
of learning, innumerable critics have employed them-
felvesin dilplaying the beauties which they felt, or in re-
moving the difficulties and obftrudlions which retarded
their rrogrefs in the perufal of the antients. At prefent,
there is Icarcely any room for criiicifin on the antients :

and

380 E S S A Y S, No. 17*.

and the moft laborious Commentator finds, with regret,
his profoundeft refearches, and his acuteft remarks, anti-
cipated by the lucubrations of former critics : but as there
is fcarcely a greater difference between the features of the
face, than between the faculties of the mind in different
men, and as objeds muft ftrike various feelings in vari-
ous manners, the works of tafte and genius may, on
different reviews, furnifh inexhauftible matter for criti-
cal obfervation. Upon this principle, authors of the
prefent age venture to add to the labours of their pre-
deceflbrs, without fearing or incurring the imputation
of vanity or impertinence.

The prefent remarks.fhall be confined to fome of the
Greek Minor Poets, without minutely attending to
chronological or any other order.

In the union of dignity with fweetnefs, of melody*
with ftrength, the Greek is better adapted to beautiful
compofition, than any modern language. The Italian
has all its foftnefs, but wants its force. The French
poflefles elegance and expreffion, but is deficient ia
found and dignity. The Englifh is ftrong, nervous^
flowery, fit for animated oratory and enthufiaftic poetry,
but abounds with Saxon monofyllables, ill adapted to
exprefs the mufic of mellifluous cadence. To compare
the Dutch and the German with the language of Athens,
were to compare the jarring noife of grating iron, with
the foft warblings of the flute. The other languages of
Europe are equally unfit for harmonious modulation,
and indeed cannot properly be examined in this place,
as the people, who fpeak them, have not yet diftinguifh-
ed themfelves by any writings truly claffical.

The Greek Epigram naturally falls firil under our
prefent confideration. Of thefe little competitions,
which owe their origin to Greece, none can beinfenfible
of the beauty, whole talk is not vitiated by the lefs de-
licate wit of the modern Epigrammatift. Indeed, to re-
lifh the fimple graces of the Greek Epigram, the tafte muft
not be formed upon the model even of the celebrated
Martial. Among the Latin poets, Catullus approaches
neareft to the Greeks in this fpecies of compofition.

The Anthologize, ftill extant, are written by various
authors* and there are fcarcely fufficient Epigrams of

any

No. 178. M O R A L, &c. 38 1

anyone, to difcriminate his manner from that of others.
Suffice it to remark in general, that their beauty does
not often confift in a point, or witty conceit, but in a
fimplicity of thought, and a fweetnefs of language.

The golden verfes of Pythagoras, though not re-
markable for fplendor of di&ion, or flowing verifica-
tion, are yet highly beautiful in the concife and forcible
mode of inculcating morality, and virtues almoft Chriftian.
The earlier philofophers of Greece conveyed their tenets
in verfe, not fo much becaufe they afpirecTto the charac-
ter of poets, as becaufe precepts, delivered in metre,
were more eafily retained in the memory of their difci-
ples. Pythagoras has comprifed every neceflary rule for
the conduft of life in this little poem, and he that com-
mits it to memory, will not want a guide to direft his
behaviour under any event: but though the morality of
thefe verfes is their more valuable beauty, yet are they
by no means deftitute of poetical merit.

Thatgenerofity of foul, which ever accompanies true
genius, has induced the poets and philofophers, of all
ages, to ftand forth in thecaufe of liberty. Alcseus, of
whofe merits from uie monuments of antiquity we may
form the moft exalted idea, firil raifed himfelf to emi-
nence by a poem, intitule j Stafiotica, a violent inveftive
againft Pittncus, at that time the tyrant of Athens. It has
not eftaped the general wreck, and we have only a few
broken fpecimens of this celebrated writer's works pre-
fcrved by the nntient grammarians. We mult, therefore,
be content to learn his character from the judicious
Quin&ilian, and the learned Dionyfius of Halicarnaflus :
the former of whom aflerts, that he was concife, fublime,
accurate, and in many refpefts refembled Homer ; the
latter, that he had a grandeur, brevity, and fweetnefs,
equally blended throughout all his compofuions.

Stefichorus, according to Quintilian, was remarkable
for ftrength of genius. He gave to lyric poetry, all the
folemnity of. the Fpopcea. Had he known how to re-
ftrain the impetuofity of his genius, it is faid, he would
have rivalled Homer : but unfortunately, the noble
warmth of his temper urged him beyond the bounds of
juft writing, and he Teems to have failed of excellence
by a redundancy of beauties.

4 The

382 ESSAY S, No. 178.

The fragments of Menander are fufficiently excellent
to induce every votary of learning to regret the lofs of
his works. Some indeed have thought, that time never
gave a greater blow to polite literature, than in the de-
flruftion of the Comedies of Menander : but as Terence
has preferved his fpirit and his ftyle, perhaps the want of
the original is compensated by the exaft copyings of that
elegant author. Quinailian, from whofe judgment there
is fcarcely an appeal, has reprefented Menander as alone
fufficient to form our tafte and ftyle. The few remains,
preferved by Stobjeus, whether the beauty of the fenti-
ments, or the purity of the diction, be regarded, mufl
be pronounced uncommonly excellent. They are, how-
ever, too generally known to require illuftracion.

Simonides is characlerifed by Longinus, as a poet re-
markable for the pathetic. Of his writings, very few
have furvived the injuries of time. The little poem on
Danae, is, however, fufficient to juftify the judgment
of Longinus. Nothing can be more delicately tender,
or more exquifitely pathetic. There is fomething inex-
preffibly pleafmg to the mind, in the reprefentation of a
mother addreffing a ileeping infant, unconicious of its
danger, with all the endearing biandiihaients of mater-
nal fondnefs.

The other remarkable poem of this author, which time
has fpared, is of a very different kind. It is a Satire on
Women, and is well known by aprofaic tranflation of it,
inferted in the Effays of a celebrated modern writer.

Alcman of Laconia is another melancholy inftance of
the depredations which the hand of time has made on
the moll valuable works of antiquity. Of this author,
once celebrated throughout Greece, quoted by the
learned, and repeated by the fair, fcarcely the name is
known in the prefent age. Athensus, Hephaeftion, the
fcholiaft on Pindar, Euftathius, and Plutarch, have vin-
dicated him from abfolute oblivion, by preferving a few
of his fragments. Love verfes, which fince his time have
employed fome of the greateft writers, and have been ad-
mired by the mcft fen fible readers, were of his invention.
All who preceded him had mvariably written in Hexame-
ter. He fuojoined the elegiac verfe, and may juftly claim
the honour of having invented that fpecies of poetry,

which

No. 178. MORA L, Sec. 3^3

\vhi,h Ovid and the other Latin elegiac writers have fince
ad, 'need to a moft pleafing fpecies of compofition.

Arohilo.hus wrote iambics and elegiacs j the former,
fatiri :aj ; the lattt-r, amorous. That he iucceeded in his
a.tciiif-ti, \ve have Sufficient reafon to conclude from the
teftimonies of the greatelt critics of antiquity, Horace
anu Lo.g.sius. '1 here is not enough of him rernui-.ing,
to enable us to form a judgment of the impartiality of
their decilj^n, and we rnuft be contented to acquiefce in
their authority..

Lucian. lays, in one of his Dialogues, that the poets
have given Jupiter . any of his moil pompous epithets,
merely for the fake of a fonbrous word to fill up a verfe.
The hymns of Orpheus abound with thefe expletives;
and the reader is often difgulK'd with founding verfe al-
moll deititute of fenfe.* If, however, they were compofed
for mufic, they may pafs uncenfured bv fooie : for it leems
to have been generally and moil abfurdly agreed, and it
is obfervable at this day, that very little attention is to be
paid to the words of Operas, Odes, and Songs, which
are written merely for mufic. The poems of Orpheus,
if thofe which are extant are like all his productions,
would certainly move no ftones. What has been faid of
the hymns of this poet, may be extended to many other
Greek compofitions of the fame fpecies. General cen-
fure will, however, feldom be juit, and it mufi be con-
feiled, that there are fome among them, particularly
thofe of Callimaciius, truly fublime and beautiful.

There was a fpecies of poetry among the Athenians,
which, in fome meafure, refembled many of our ling-
li(h ballads. At the approach of a war, or after a vic-
tory or defeat, the poets andJtatefmen ufually difperfed.
among the people fome fhort compofmon, which tend-
ed to animate them with courage, or to infpire them with
joy. Solon, the wife legiflaior of Athens, was too well
acquainted with the power of poetry over the human
heart, to negleft this efficacious method of enforcing his
laws, and propngatin.; his inihtutions among the lower
ranks of the Athenians. There are ftill extant fome of
hrs pieces, which bear internal marks of having been
purpofely written to give the people a pafiion for hberty,
to inipirc them with a love of virtue, and to teach them

obe.

3^4 ESSAYS, No, 17$.

obedience to the laws. They are, indeed, written in the
elegiac meafure, but have nothing of the foft amorous
firain which diftinguifhes the Ovidian elegy. They are
manly, moral, and fevere. By thefe, it is a well known
fact, the Athenians were animated to refume a war which
they had dropt in defpair ; and in confequence of the ar-
dour which thefe infpired, they obtained a complete vic-
tory over their enemies.

Tyrtasus wrote in a fimilar ftyle, but entirely confined
himfelf to martial fubjects. So ftrongly is military va-
lour, and the love of liberty enforced in his little com-
pofitions, that it would by no means be abfurd to at-
tribute the victories of the Grecians over the Persians,
as much to a Tyrtaeus, as to a Miltiades or Themif-
tocles. The effects of fuch political ballads have been
frequently feen among the Englifh in a time of a war.
Every one has heard of Lillabullero. — Many a poor fel-
low has been tempted to quit the plough and the loom for
the fword, on hearing a fong in praife of Hawke or Wolfe
roared by his obitreperous companions. Thefe verfes are
too deficient in point of elegance to admit of quotations,
and the frequent opportunities of hearing them from the
mouths of the vulgar, render repetition in this place un-
neceflary. The bards of Grub-itreet are commonly the
authors of our martial ballads ; but at Athens they were
written by poets, ftatefmen, andphilofophers. We may
judgeof the influence of their productions, by the power-
ful effect of our rude and even nonfenfical rhymes.

Few antient authors have been lefs read than Ly-
cophron. His obfcurity not only retards, but difgults
the reader; yet, perhaps, his want of perfpictiity, though
highly difagreeable to the ^udent, is an excellence in a
work confifting of predictions. Prophecies and oracles
have ever been purpofely obfcure, and almoft unintel*
ligible. The mind that attends to thefe uninfpired pre-
dictions of paganifm, voluntarily renounces reafon, and
believes the more as it underftands the lefs ; but whether
Lycophron is to be praifed or cenfured for obfcurity,
certain it is, that on this account he will never become
a favourite author. Notwithftanding the labours of the
great Potter, he is ftiil difficult, and will probably con-
tinue to repofe in duft and darkneis, amidil the dull col-
lections of antiquated mufeums.

The

No. 178. MORAL, &c. 385

The poems of Bacchylides, however he is neglefted
by the moderns, were highly honoured by an ancient,
who was efteemed a complete judge of literary merit.
Hiero hefitated not to pronounce them fuperior to the
odes of Pindar, which have been generally celebrated
as the utmoft efforts of human genius. The opinion of
Hiero may, however, beqnefHoned with an appearance
of juftice, when it is confidered, that his cha rafter, as
a critic, was eftablifhed by his courtiers, who, to gaia
his favour, might not fcruple to violate the truth.

The gay, the fprightly, the voluptuous Anacreon Is
known to every reader. His fubjedls, and his manner
of treating them, have captivated all who are fufceptible
either of pleafure or of poetry. There is, indeed, an
exquifue tendernefs, delicacy, and tafte in the fenti-
ments ; but 1 have always thought he derived no fmall
mare of his beauty from the choice of expreffions, and
the peculiar harmony of his verfes. It has been objecled
to him by rigid moralifts, that his writings tend to pro-
mote drunkennefs and debauchery. But this objection
might in fome degree be extended to a great part of the
fin eft writers, ancient and modern. A man of fenfe and
judgment will admire the beauties of a composition,
without fuffering its fentiments to influence his prin-
ciples or his conduft. He will look upon the more li-
centious fallies of Anacreontic writers, as little jeux
d^efprit defigned to pleafe in the hour of convivial fefti-
vity, but not to regulate his thoughts and adlions in the
ferious concerns of life. Whatever may be the moral
tendency of his writings, it is certain that as a poet he
is unrivalled in that fpecies of compofition which he
adopted. Many have been the imitations of him, but
few have fucceeded. The joys of love and wine have
indeed been defcribed by his followers, but their touches
are more like the dawbings of an unflcilful painter, than,
the exquifue traits of a m-iftcrly hand. • Cowley, whofe
genius certainly partook more of the Anacreontic than of
the Pindaric, has been one of his happieft imitators, for
he is rather to be called an imitator than a tranflator : but
the Englifh reader will not form a juil idea of the merits
of Anacreon, from thofe Bacchanalian fongs which fo
frequently appear under the title of Anacreontic.

VOL, II. S The

386 ESSAYS, No. 178.

The pafilon of love was never moreflrongly felt or de-
fcribed than by the fenfible Sappho. The little Greek
ode, preferved by Longinus, the metre of which derives
its name for her, has been tranflated by Mr. Phillips
with all the air of an original. The Latin tranflation of
Catullus appears much inferior to that of our country-
man. The Greek indeed is much corrupted, and, as it
now Hands, is leis pleating than the Englifh. Every
one, who on reading it recollects its occafion, muft la-
ment that fo warm a paftion, fo feelingly reprefented,
was excited by an improper objedl.

Scaliger, whofe judgment, though fometimes called
in queition, ought certainly to have great weight, be-
llowed very extraordinary praifes on the writings of Op-
pian ; a poet, who, though he has been compared to
Virgil in his Georgics, is only perufed by the curious in
Grecian literature, and is known only by name to the
common reader. The emperor Caracalla, under whom he
fiourifhed, is faid to have been fo charmed with his poems,
as to have ordered him a (later for each verfe. IVJodern
critics will, however, dare to call in queftion the taile of
Caracalla. The works of Uppian confifted of halieutics,
cynogetics, and ixeutics, the latter of which have perifhed
by the injuries of time. He was a grammarian, which,
in the idea of the Greeks, meant a profefled fcholar ;
and in every age, the poems of men, who profefled li-
terature, have been lei's admired than the vigorous and
wild productions of uncultivated genius. The furmer
are contented to avoid faults, bin genius labours after
beauties only. Apollonius is more correft than Homer,
and Johnfon than Shakefpeare ; but Appollonios and
Johnfon are coldly approved, while Homer and Shake-
fpeare are beheld with aftonifnment almofl equal to
idolatry. It fhould however be remarked to the honour
of Apollonius, that the judicious Virgil borrowed feveral
of his moft celebrated fimilies from him, and perhaps he
is not to be ranked among the poet<e Minors*. Oppian
has met with the ufual fate of grammarians, and has
fcarely been read ; but the reader of tafte will yet find
many pafiages, which, if they are not fublime, he muft
confefs to be beautiful.

Tryphiodcrus has been introduced to the Englifti
leader, by the excellent translation of the ingenious Mr.

Merrick.

No. 179. MORAL, &c. 387

Merrick. Homer he certainly imitated, and has fuc-
ceecled in the imitation. Copies taken by great matters,
though inferior in general, yet in fome parts commonly
rival their originals. Tryphiodorus reaches not the fab-
limer flights of the M?jonian bard, but he fometimes
follows his lefs daring excursions at no diitant interval.
It is enough to recommend him to general approbation,
that with a moderate portion of Homer's fire, he has more
correclnefs. He may be read with advantage not only
in a poetical, but in an hiltorical view. Where Homer
difcontinued the thread of his ftory, Tryphiodorus has
taken it up. Indeed this poem is a necefi'ary fupplement
to the Iliad, without which the reader is left unfatisiied.
Tryphiodorus is Add to have written another poem, cal-
led' OaW™* A£io-,>^a/x,,u.a''r, in which he has omitted,
through each book, the letter which marked the num-
ber of it. Such a kind of compofuion is trifling, .and
beneath a man of genius; but it muft be allowed to be a
•work of great difficulty, and confequently a proof of
great applicatio <. Nor ought it to injure the character
of Tryphiodorus as a poet, but to be viewed as the wan-
ton production of an ingenious, but ill-employed gram-
marian. If Homer wrote the battle of the Frogs and
Mice, and Virgil dcfcanted on his Gnat, without lo-
fmg the dignity of their characters ; inferior writers may
indulge the inoffenfive fallies of whim, without the im-
putation of folly or puerility.

In the peruial of fome of thefe, and other cf the
Minor Poets, whofe works are extant, the lover of the
Grecian Mufe finds a pleating variety, after reading the
more iublime and beautiful produdlionscf Homer.

No. CLXXIX. A CONCLUDING ESSAY.

Til E writers of periodical papers have ufually fub-
joined, at the clofe of their lucubrations, an ac-
count of the origin and progrefs of their work, explained
the fignatures of correfpondents, and afligned each paper
to its proper claimant. — 1 am now arrived at the End of
S 2 the

383 ESSAYS, No. 179.

the Second Volume, the boundary prefcribed to my ex-
curfions :' but 1 have, 1 believe, no information of this
kind remaining to be communicated. I have already ac-
counted for the origin of this work, and intimated, that
the compofition of it has ferved, at various times and
an different filiations, to amufe a few intervals of lite-
rary leifure ; and, with refpedl to afiiftants and corre-
fpondents, the nature cf the undertaking could not poffi-
bly admit them. If, therefore, any praife fhould be
thought due, it muft come undivided, and contribute to
Jeflen whatever feverity of cenfure may be incurred, the
whole weight of which muft fall without participation.

1 mean not, however, to delude myfelf with an idea
of influencing a reader by apologies: the fubmiffions
and excufes of authors are of little importance ; the
Public claims an uncontrovertible right to decide for
itfelf on every compofition which /elicits regard : its
final decificns are ufually no lefs juft than immutable.

Inftead then of dwelling on fuch topics, I will take
leave of. the candid reader, if any reader mould have had
pstience to accompany me fo far, by a fummary recapitu-
lation, and perhaps addition of a few admonitions which
jnay be falutary. I pretend not to collect all the fcat-
tered remarks, which have preceded, into one point of
view, but merely to repeat and add fuch as may poflibly
occur in filling up the paper which now lies before me.
I hope the egotifm will be pardoned on this and feveral
other occafions, as it is by no means eafy at all times to
fpeak in the third perfon of one's felf, without evident
affectation.

I have endeavoured, thoughout the whole feries of
thefe papers, to warn thofe who are entering into life
(and to them my admonitions are chiefly addreffed)
againft the fafhionable examples of the rich and great
•vulgar, which often militate againft all that is decent,
regular, virtuous and learned. Unlefs we are taught in
cur youth to be on our guard againft their deftruclive
influence, we fhall certainly incur imminent danger of
corrupting our principles and practice, by a blind and
bigoted imitation. Experience daily evinces, that
without this precaution, all the advantages of a virtu-
ous and learned education, all the documents of pater-
nal

No. 179. MORAL, Sec. 389

nal care, all prudential, moral, and religious reftraints,
may be totally fruftrated. The rich and great may be
considered as beacons on a promontory ; and if they
hang out deceitful lights, they who will allow no other
fignal to direft them (and the number of thefe is infi-
nite), will probably be mifguided in the voyage of their
lives, till they are dafhed on rocks, or funk in whirlpools.
I think I can confidently declare, that I was not in-
fluenced by fplenetic or envious motives, when I attack-
ed the Pride, Folly, and Wickednefs of the nom nal great,
whojuftify every enormity, under the name of fafhion-
able indulgence ; but that I have been actuated folely by
a fincere conviclion, that fuch an attack is the moil ef-
fedlual means of promoting the interells of Virtue. Even
an enemy will allow that it is not the moft approved me-
thod of advancing private intereft.

If I have at any time indulged an afperity of cenfure,
it has arifen from an honeft detection of vice, meannefs,
felfilhnefs, and infolence, in thofe whofe example is fe-
ducing, and confequently moft injurious. The rank and
opulence of worthlefs perfons has had no other effect on
me than to excite additional indignation. If any fsel
themfelves hurt by my animadverfions, their very pain is
a proof that they fuffer defervedly. Nothing in this book
can make a worthy man my foe ; and ivith refpcft to the
unworthy, I fear not their power, and I defpife their
malevolence.

In adopting modes of addrefs and external behavioar,the
ftudy of which appears to engrofs the attention of many,
I have advifed the young man to begin his work at the
foundation ; to corrcft his heart and temper, that the
graces of his appearance may proceed from that copious
and infallible fource of whatever is plea/Ing, a difpoiuion
truly virtuous and unaffeftedly amiable. I have exhort-
ed him to avoid fervility, adulation, preferment-hunting,
and meannefs of every kind ; to endeavour indeed to
pleafe thofe with whom he converfes, but to let the en-
deavour arife from benevolent motives, from an humane
and ChrilHan dciire of difftifing cafe and happinefs
among the children of one Almighty Father, and the
partakers of the fame miserable nature. I have advifed
him to be firm, yet gentle, — manly, yet polite : to cul-
S 3

39° ESSAYS, No. 179.

tivate every ornamental accomplifhment which leads not
to effeminacy, and to ftudy to be as agreeable as poflible,
while he can be at the fame time fin cere ; to defpiie,
and molt ftudioufly avoid, that common but bafe cha-
rafter, which, with motives peculiarly felfifh and con-
traded, pretends to uncommon good- nature, friendfhip,
benevolence, and generofity ; whofe afliduities are pro-
portioned to the rank or fortune of the perfons whofe
favour is courted, without the leaft regard to virtue or
attainments ; whofe politenefs is that of a valet or French
dancing-mafter, and whofe objects, after all its profef-
fions andpretenfions to liberality, are no lefs mean and
dirty than thofe of a Jew-ufurer. I have advifed him
to value the approbation of his own heart, and the com-
forts of a clear confcience, above the fmiles, the applaufe,
and the rewards of a vain, a wicked, a deceitful, and a
tranfitory world.

In literature, I have recommended the union of tafte
with fcience, and of fcience with tafte ; a feleftion of
the bell authors on all the fubjedls- which claim his par-
ticular attention ; a love of originals, and a due diftruft
of translations; a conftant effort to obtain depth and
folidity ; a perfevering, regular, indefatigable induftry,
efpecially in the earlier periods of a ftudious courfe,
not only becaufe no ciftinguifhed excellence can be ob-
tained without it, but alfo becaufe a clofe attention to
ftudy, and an ardent love of letters in the juvenile age,
is a great prefervative of innocence, and conduces much
to thediverfion or extinction of paffior.s, and tendencies,
which cannot be habitually indulged without fin, fhame,
and mifery.

The general tenor of the moral admonitions of this
book, has been to urge the young man to labour incef-
fantly in overcoming the natural propenfity of human
nature to evil : to aim at perfection, though he knows
he cannot reach it ; to aim at it, becaufe he will thus
approach much nearer to it than if he gives ep the pur-
fuit in the timidity of indolence : to hav:e courage
enough to withftand ridicule, the weapon of the wicked
in their fubtle attacks upon virtue : to beware of the
refinements of fophiftry, and to be humble enough to
learn his duty both to God and man, from the plain

doctrines

No. 179. MORAL, &c. 391

doftrines of his catechifm : to beware alfo of the feducing
influence of famionable vice ; of thofe unfortunate per-
fons who, from a want of education, or from foolifh.
pride, live without Goal in the <world, and even in con-
tradiction to the obvious precepts of natural religion ;
cxilting in a ftate which might almoft be called the vege-
table, if it did not in a greater degree participate of bru-
tality.—Addrefles of a ferious kind are to them, for the
molt part, ufelefs, as that pride, felf-conceit, and felf-
importance, which leads them to adopt with oftentation
the tenets of infidelity and the pra&ices of immorality,
ufually renders them deaf and blind to allreprefentations
which come unrecommended by opulence, rank, and libertiit-
ifm. They are wifer in their own eyes, though they often
neither read nor think, than the wifeit moralifts who have
yet appeared. But the young man who has been taught
not to be dazzled by the falfe lullre of their characters,
will foon learn to pity thtir errors and ftiun their ex-
ample. It is a jufl remark, which has been made by
men intimately acquainted with the living world, that
more are ruined by vices which they have adopted
through vanity and filly imitation, than to which they
have been feduced by the violence of paifion and tempt-
ation. He who leflens the force of fuch examples, and
oblcures thofe glofly colours which they derive from high
ftaticns and large fortunes, greatly promotes the caufe of
morality, and contributes much to prevent the nuiery
and ruin of a rifmg generation.

In forming political principles, I would uniformly
maintain the expediency of always leaning to the fide of
liberty and the people, and of withftanding, by all legal
and rational means, the encroachments of power. All
men who poflefs power, well eitablilhed and confirmed,
are naturally inclined to extend and engrofs it. Let a
fpirit then be conftantly encouraged among the people
at large, which may lead them to a jealous vigilance over
the poflefibrs of power, and animate them to a manly re-
fiftance on the flighteil infringement of liberty. But at
the fame time, we muft not luffer the artful purfuers of
their own intereit to delude us by a name enchanting in
the found : we are bound to coniider, in our difpaflion-
ate moments, the nature of liberty j to fee and acknow-
ledge

393 ESSAY S, No. 179.

ledge the neceffity of fubordination, and the happinefs
of being governed by the equitable operation of impar-
tial laws ; to confider the prefervation of good order and
public tranquillity as greatly conducive to the perpetual
tion of liberty, when it is once eftablifhed on a folid ba-
fis : to dilHnguiih between a real love of liberty and a
mere impatience of controul, which is found to prevail in
the bofom of envious and malignant men : to difcern the
difference between real patriotifm and a felfifh oppofi-
tion to prefent authority, in whomfoever inverted, ari-
iing from a hope of partaking of it on their deprivation :
to remember tnat experience has abundantly confirmed
the remark, that the loudeft advocates for liberty, while
out of power, are often the moft arbitrary and tyranni-
cal, both in the exercife of power, when they have ob-
tained it, and in their private lives and natural difpofi-
tions : to beware of the needy adventurer in politics,
who has nothing to lofe, and has no profpedl of gain
but in demoliihing the fabric raifed by others, and en-
riching himfelf in the general plunder. Such cautions
can never be too frequently repeated to th« middle
ranks, who have been too frequently deluded by the
wicked pretenfions of pfeudo-patriotilm.

I have endeavoured to evince the propriety of ap-
pointing men of private virtue and good character to the
great, honourable, and efficient offices in the vnrious
departments of the ftate. It is difficult to conceive but
that the accumulation of public honours and emolu-
ments on profefied infidels, on notorious gameilers, and
on infamous debauchees, is at once deftruftive of mora-
lity, religion, and national profperity. If, for inftance,
it ihould ever happen, that a Chancellor of Great Bri-
tain, whofe office is peculiarly facred, who has the dif-
pofal of church preferment, and whofe life ought to have
been free from infamous enormities, and whofe character,
no lefs unimpeached than that of an archbifhop, ihould
be rtigmatized as' a feducer of innocence, fhould live in a
ftate of concubinage at the time in which he holds his
venerable office, and evidently mew, by the powerful tef-
timony of his o-ivn condufi, a contempt for that union of
the fexes which the laws of his country, and of his God,
have infiituted ; would it not be fuch an infult on virtue,

religion,

No. 179. MORA L, &c. 393

religion, decency, and equity, as all, whofe feelings are
not dellroyed by diflipation, mult deeply deplore and re-
fent ! — Could upftart infolence, a brow-beating audaci-
ty, and a dogmatical mode df decifion, in the fenate
and at the tribunal, compenfate the injuries which fuch
an example muft inflid, not only on the morals of a tin-
gle profeflion already too licentious, but of the commu-
nity in all its ramifications ? The promotion of notorious
gameiters, infidels, and debauchees, to high offices of truft
and honour; of men publicly known for the enormous
profligacy of their private lives, argues a want of fince-
rity in governors, and eventually tends, more than any-
foreign enemy, to (hake their thrones from under them.
Such appointments counteract, in the mind- of the majo-
rity of a people, all the precepts of religion and mo-
rality. Refinance, indeed, under governors who aft,
in their appointment of minifters and officers, as if they
considered the national religion merely as a mode of fu-
perftition, and morality as a bafelefs fabric of fancy or
policy, and who yet aflume the management of the
church as well as of the ftate, and claim the title of De-
fenders of the Faith, becomes virtue inftead of treafon,
and patriotifm inftead of rebellion. He who militates
by all legal means againft fuch men, engages in a ra-
tional and an honourable croifade. No Turk was ever
a greater enemy to the religion of Jefus Chrift, than fuch
moft facred and mnj} Cbrijiian Governors.

It is certainly right to difbelieve and to reprobate all
pretenfions to public virtue, wherever private virtue is
aotorioiijly deficient. Where private virtue is wanting,
there can be no foundnefs of principle, and, without
foundnefs of principle, no real virtue of any kind can
fubfift. Patriotifm in a bad man is but difguifed wick-
ednefs, of a molt malignant nature, and ufually pro-
ceeding from a deceitful, a proud, an envious, a jealous,
a cruel, and a felfifli difpofition. The boafted abilities
of profligate and corrupt charaflers, are often but the
defperate efforts of a diilrefs which has overcome all
diffidence and restraint, and leads men to fight their
way to promotion, by noife, effrontery, and overbear-
ing prefumption.

We

39 f ESSAYS, No. 179.

We all, indeed, Jove power, and it is an ufeful im-
ptilfe which urges us to afpire at eminence; but though
we may reafonably vvifh for a (hare of power, let us learn
tie virtue not to obitruct its falutary operation in the
hands of others, merely becaufe it is not in our own.
The true/t patriotifm may often be evinced, by fubduing
the lull of power, by fubmilHve filcnce, and by cheerful
acquiefcence, in a contented retirement, and in an hum-
ble exercife of the private and focial virtues. The luft
of power, like all other luft, is often moft violent in
diabolical difpolltions, and the turbulent fpirit which it
produces is the bane of fociety.

But amidA our cautions, we mall do well conftantly
to remember that liberty, with all its attendant evils of
faction and fedition, is, upon the whole, infinitely more
conducive to the happinefs and to the improvement of
human nature, than the tranquil repofe of eftablifhed
defpotifm. An arbitrary government diffufes a be-
numbing, freezing, foporinc influence over the human
faculties, efpecially in the middle and loweft walks of
life ; and th.re is no danger or inconvenience which,
ought not to be cheerfully incurred to deftroy it from,
the face of the earth. The tree of liberty, fo well
planted and watered in America, will, I hope, flourifli
more and more ; and impart many a flip and fucker to
grow in climates which now appear molt ungenial to its
cultivation. In our own ifland, we muft never neglect the
opportunity afforded by a time of diftrefs, to correct, the
abufes of the conftitution, and to pufh back the gigantic
ftrides of power, with its auxiliary, corruption. Such are
the aufpicious periods, the golden moments, in which a
portion of new health is to be infufed into the vitals of
the body politic : fuch the times in which the people
themfelves thought to amputate excrefcences, and purge
that corrupting influence which contains the feeds of
difeafe and death to a free commonwealth ; in which the
right of election mould be communicated to all who pay
taxes to a certain amount, petty boroughs disfranchifed,
and counties enabled to fend a number of members in
proportion to their fize, wealth, and populoufnefs ; in.
which Old Sarum mould no longer be permitted to con-

ftitute

No. 179. MORAL, Sec. 395

ftitute as many reprcfentativcs of the people of England
as the county of York, and hatf as many as the metro-
polis of the empiie. But as all great political changes
are attended with danger, the Bruifh feoate evinces its
wifdom in its reluctance to introduce them without
the matured deliberation.

It is impoiiibie to recapitulate all the variety of fug-
geftions which have preceded, or to make any great ad-
dition to them, in the limits of a fingle paper ; neither
was it my original intention. It is fuffiaent that a few
of the molt important points are touched upon in the
conclufion of thefe volumes, with a view to leave a due
impreflion on the mind of the reader, who may be in-
duced, for want of fomething betttr, to beftow an idle
hour on their peiufal. The fubjects of Behaviour, Let-
ters, Morals, and Politic?, have been already mention-
ed : it would be a reprehenfible omiiaon not to have re-
ferved a place for a few hints on Religion.

It appears to me to be one of the moil important pre-
cepts, in forming our religious principles and ideas, not
fully to depend on the conclufions of our own reafon ; to
diitruil the acuteit undemanding ; to be really humble ;
to reverence the cpi :ions received by our forefathers ; to
remember the fhortnefs of life, the imbecility of human
nature, and to accept with pious hope, rather than with
difputatious curioihy, the comfortable doctrines and pro-
rnifes of the icceived Revelation. It will be a great in-
ducement to this prime virtue of humility, to reflect on
the difeafes and pains both of mind and body incident
to our nature ; on the terrible degeneracy into which we
may fall, when defer ed by the grace of God ; and, at
the fame time, on the confolation and improvement of
heart which may be, and is derived, under every calamity
and on the bed of death, from (incere devotion ; to pray
for faith when doubts arife; to beware of that weak and
wicked vanity which inlligates the deillical and fceptical
pretenders to fuperior powers of reafoning, to write and
publim their fophiftical and presumptuous tenets on the
national religion. Let us ever remember that common,
but excellent maxim, that we can loie nothing but what
would hurt us, and may gain every thing that is valu-
i able,

396 ESSAY S, No. 1-9.

ble, by receiving, with humble hope, the religion of
Jefus Chrift.

Upon the whole, and after all the fubtle difquifitions
of proud philofophy ; all the inventions which owe their
origin to malice, vanity, or ingenuity ; all the whim-
fical modes of living and thinking which fafhion dic-
tates for the employment of her idle hoi'rs, or for the
gratification of her full-blown pride ; the plain virtues,
as they are underftood by plain men of honeft hearts and
good faculties, improved by a competent education, are
the beft fecurity for comfort under all the circumftances,
and in all fituations of human life. Sedentary and
reclufe perfons may amufe themfelves, in the reveries of
inactivity, with fpeculative refinement and fceptical
fubtleties ; but they who are really wife, and earneltly
wifh to obtain all the happinefs of which they are capa-
ble in this fublunary date, muft defcend from the ele-
vated regions of fophiftry, and labour to acquire, with
the affiftance of common fen fe and common honefty, the
virtues of faith, humility, piety, and benevolence. — I
am happy in the opportunity of adding my teftimony,
inconfiderable as it may be efteemed, that all plans of
conduft, and profpe&s of happinefs, independent of
thefe virtues, muft terminate in vanity and vexation ;
and that thefe mail fupply a perennial fountain of fuch
confolation as the world can neither give nor take
away.

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