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Gift  of     .J^   </a^y  ^^nx^ 


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LETTERS 


TO 


A  YOUNG  LADY, 


tN  WHICH 


THE  DUTIES  AND  CHARACTER  OF  WOMEN 
ARE  CONSIDERED, 


CHIEFLY  WITH 


A  REFEP.ENCE  TO  PREVAILING  OPINIONS. 

BY  MRS.  WEST, 

AUTHOR  OF  LETTERS  TO  A  YOUNG  MANj  STC» 


Favour  is  deceliful,  and  hiaitfy  is  vain;  lut  a  zvoman  thai  feareth  tie  Lord, 
Jhc  Jhall  b(  fraifid.  PfQV.  xxxi.  30. 


PUBLISHED 


BY  0.  PENNIMAN  AND  CO.  TROY,  AND  I.  RILEY  AND  CO. 
NEW-YORK. 

1806. 


O.  Penniman  &  Co.  Printers. 


THESE  LETTERS 

ON  THE  DUTIES  AND  CHARACTER  OF  WOMEN, 

ARE 

(BY  PERMISSION) 
APPROPRIATELY  AND  SUBMISSIVELY 

INSCRIBED  TO 

The  Queen's  Most  Excellent  Majesty; 

WHOSE  EXALTED  CHARACTER 

ENFORCES,  BY  AN  EXAMPLE  MORE  POWERFUL 
THAN  PRECEPT, 

THE  STRICT  PERFORMANCE 

OF  EVERY  DOMESTIC,  MORAL,  AND 

RELIGIOUS  DUTY, 

WITH  THE  DEEPEST  SENSE  OF  THE  HONOUR  OF 

THIS  ILLUSTRIOUS  PATRONAGE 

THE  AUTHOR  SUBSCRIBES  HERSELF 

HER  MAJESTY'S 

MOST  DUTIFUL, 

AND  MOST  GRATEFULLY 

DEVOTED  SERVANT, 

JANE  WEST. 


PREFATORY  ADDRESS. 


Since  the  publication  of  the  much  favoured  «  Letters"  re- 
ferred to  in  the  title  page,  the  author  has  been  repeatedly 
advifed  to  make  the  character  and  duties  of  her  own  fex  the 
fubjedt  of  a  feparate  work,  fimilar,  and  in  feme  refpedts  fup- 
plenientary,  to  the  former  ;  yet  ftill  preferving  thofe  pecu- 
liar features  which  would  render  it  more  interefting  and 
beneficial  to  women.  It  was  urged  on  the  one  hand,  that 
the  late  publication  was  in  fome  parts  adapted  to  female  ftu- 
dents.  This  was  admitted  j  but  it  was  further  obferved, 
that,  though  all  rational  creatures  are  circumfcribed  within 
one  general  pale  of  moral  and  religious  obligation,  the  pecu- 
liar path  of  each  fex  is  marked  by  thofe  nice  Ihades  of  ap- 
propriation, which  only  an  all-wife  Being,  intent  on  the  ge- 
neral benefit  of  the  whole  human  race,  could  impofe :  and 
this  remark  was  exemplified  by  fhewing,  that  any  violation 
of  this  prefcribed  decorum  expofed  the  offender  to  a  degree 
of  opprobrium  by  no  means  conimenfurate  with  the  ofience. 
To  the  remark,  that  of  late,  women  had  been  peculiarly  for- 
tunate in  having  had  a  number  of  admirable  auvifers,  It  was 
anfwered,  that  they  had  ulfo  been  milled  by  many  falfe  lights, 
and  were  more  expofed  than  at  any  former  period  to  the  ar- 
tifices of  feducers ;  who,  intent  to  polfon  the  minds  of  the 
unwary,  had  contrived  to  introduce  their  dangerous  notions 
on  manners,  morals,  and  religion,  into  every  fpecies  of  com- 
pofition,  and  all  forms  of  fociety  ;  the  fentlmeats  and  regu- 
lations of  which  had  lately,  as  far  as  concerns  women,  un- 
dergone an  alarming  change.  And  with  regard  to  the  many 
really  valuable  moralifts  who  have  attempted  to  ftem  this 
torrer.t^  the  obfervation  which  the  author  formerly  made  re- 


VI 

fpa^Ing  young  men  was  equally  true  of  women.  The  ext 
iremes  of  Ibciety  were  chiefly  attended  to ;  and  if  we  judged 
by  the  ftyle  generally  ufed  by  the  infl:ru(Si:or  of  the  fair  fex, 
we  fhoukl  think  that  the  whole  female  world  was  'livided 
jnto  *<  high-lived  company"  and  pauperc  ;*  that  numerous 
and  important  body  the  middle  clafies  of  fociety,  whof^  du- 
ties are  moft  complicated,  and  confequently  moft  diflicult, 
being  generally  overlooked  ;  and  yet  the  change  of  manners 
and  purfuits  among  thefe  are  {o  marked,  that  the  mofl:  fu- 
perficial  obfervers  muft  be  alarmed  at  the  profpect  of  what 
it  portends.  Something  too  was  jfeid  of  the  advantage,  as 
well  as  of  the  propriety,  of  intrufting  female  practitioners 
with  the  preparation  of  nofirums  for  the  moral  difeafes  of 
their  own  flfterhood ;  and  a  hint  was  given,  that  it  would 
be  patriotic  to  endeavour  to  reflore  the  reputation  of  the  fair 
college  of  pharmacopolifts,  which  has  been  grievoufly  tar-, 
niflied  by  the  pracSlice  of  thofe  charlatans  who  had  aggrava- 
ted the  difeafes  which  they  pretended  to  cure  by  ftimulants 
or  anodynes,  till  in  many  cales  they  were  become  too  obfti- 
nate  for  any  remedy.  It  was  urged  too,  that  a  popular  au- 
thor was  in  confcience  bound  to  employ  the  (perhaps)  tran- 
sient period  of  public  approbation  in  ufing  her  moft  ftrenu- 
ous  endeavour  to  repay  the  favour  of  generous  prote£lion, 
by  endeavouring  to  give  that  turn  to  the  tafte  and  morals  of 
fociety  which  would  be  moft  beneficial  to  its  temporal  and 
eternal  interefts.  This  folemn  conlideration,  enforced  by 
the  dying  injunctions  of  a  much  refpccled  friend,  who,  near 
the  clofe  of  his  valuable  life,  addreiled  an  awful  charge  to 
the  author,  that  flie  fliould  « Purfue  the  courfe  in  which 
flie  then  trod,  and  let  all  her  future  works  tend  not  only  to 
moral  but  religious  edification,"  has  determined  her  to  con- 
quer the  timid,  or  perhaps  prudential  motives,  which  advifed 
a  timely  retreat  from  the  field  of  literature,  before  the  fure 
indications  of  negleCl  ftiould  prevent  her  from  doing  fo  with 
honour.  The  prefent  work  is  the  confequence  of  this  re- 
covered hardihood. 

Aware  that  humble  views  are  beft  fuitcd  to  her  abilities, 
flie  does  not  attempt  to  compofe  a  correft  and  elaborate  fyf- 
tem  of  morals  •,  nor  will  flie  examine  the  evidences  and  doc- 
trines of  religion  with  logical  minutenefs  :  able  writers  have 
preceded  her  in  thefe  departments.     Her  aim  is,  to  prefent 

•  This  obftTvatton  mufl  he  taken  with  exceptions;  amnnq;  which,  Dr. 
CJIboriu'ii  Tfiid  on  the  Duties  of  Women  liolcls  a  prc-euilnetit  rank. 


vn 

re.iders  of  her  own  fcx,  and  ftatlon,  with  fome  admonitory 
reflexions  on  thofe  points  which  appeared  to  her  of  fuperi- 
or  importance,  either  from  their  having  been  omitted  or 
nightly  difcuffecl  by  other  writers,  or  from  the  prevailing 
temper  of  the  times  requiring  them  to  be  recalled  to  gener- 
al attention,  and,  if  poffible,  placed  in  a  novel  and  therefore 
more  attraftive  point  of  view.  To  arreft  the  attention  of 
thofe  who  are  terrified  by  the  uniform  aufterity  of  a  inelan- 
choly  cenfor,  the  fombre  hue  of  precept  will  be  relieved  by 
fuch  ornaments  as  can  be  adopted  without  injury  to  the  main 
defign.  Perhaps  this  lad  intimation  is  but  a  fpecious  apolo- 
gy for  a  manner  of  writing,  at  firft  natural,  and  now  fo  con- 
firmed by  habit,  that  a  determination  to  avoid  it  would  cer- 
tainly give  a  difgufting  ftifFnefs  to  the  following  lucubra- 
tions. 

The  author  is  aware  that  there  is  a  confiderable  refem- 
blance  between  this  and  her  preceding  work  on  a  fimilar 
fubjedl.  This  was  unavoidable,  unlefs  flie  had  omitted  what 
flie  judged  the  moft  important  part  of  her  undertaking,  or 
referred  her  prefent  readers  to  another  publication :  in  eith- 
er cafe,  the  prefent  would  be  incomplete.  She  has  endeav- 
oured to  give  all  the  variety  in  her  power,  by  varying  her 
expreffions,  and  the  order  of  her  refledlions  -,  by  throwing 
in  fuch  new  remarks  as  recent  occurrences,  or  her  own  fub- 
fequent  reading,  have  fupplied  ;  by  flightly  paffing  over  what 
flie  there  attempted  to  explain  in  detail ;  and  by  fupplying 
what  an  impartial  review  taught  her  to  think  deficient  in 
her  former  work. 

As  thefe  admonitions  are  chiefly  defigned  for  readers 
whofe  time  is  occupied  in  purfuits  and  duties  which  compel 
them  to  take  up  a  book  rather  as  an  improving  relaxation 
than  a  ferious  ftudy,  the  epiftolary  ftyle  was  adopted,  as  beil 
fuited  to  this  purpofe.  It  is,  however,  acknowledged,  that 
thefe  letters  were  originally  ivritien  for  the  purpofe  of  publi- 
cation, although  they  are  addrefled  to  a  young  lady,  the 
daughter  of  the  deareft  friend  of  the  author's  early  life.  By 
kindly  permitting  her  name  to  be  the  vehicle  for  thefe  re- 
flexions, Mifs  M has,  in  a  confiderable  degree,  beguil- 
ed the  fatigue  of  authorfliip  ;  for  certainly  there  have  been 
in%ments  when  the  awful  idea  of  public  obfervation  has  fail- 
ed to  opprefs  the  imagination  which,  infl:ead  of  a  load  of  fu- 
ture refponfibility,  pi-efented  the  foothing  image  of  lifl:ening, 
partial  friendlhip  j  endeared  by  the  lively  recolkXion  of  he- 


VUl 

reditary  virtues,  and  every  lively  fenfatlon  vhich  the  indeli- 
ble remembrance  of  a  long  loll;,  yet  ftill  dearly  regretted 
friend  can  awake  in  a  grateful  and  fufceptible  heart.  But, 
to  check  a  train  of  thought  foreign  to  the  purpofe  of  this 
prefatory  addrefs,  let  it  be  obferved,  that  though,  fo  far  as 
refpe£ts  the  feelings  of  the  author,  the  appropriation  of  this 
compofition  has  been  mofl:  beneficial  and  agreeable,  there  is 
a  kind  of  prefumptuous  impertinence  in  the  choice  of  the 
medium  through  Avhich  thefe  reflections  are  conveyed  to  the 

public,  which  only  the  fweetnefs  of  Mifs  M 's  difpofition 

could  excufe,  or  the  unequivocal  merit  of  her  character 
counteradt.  Within  the  reipeclable  circle  which  bounds  her 
fame  and  her  duties,  it  is  well  known,  that,  fo  far  from  want-" 
ing  the  advice  of  others,  flie  teaches  all  who  obferve  her 
condu£l,  by  that  nobleft  and  moft  imprelRve  mode  of  in- 
ftru^ion,  example. 


LETTERS. 

Is'c.    bfc.    ^C. 


LETTER  I. 

Introdudory  Sketch  of  the  Deftgn, 


MV  DEAR  MISS  M^ 


ri-< 

1  EN  years  have  elapfcd  fince  the  inevitable  confequences 
of  an  excruciating  and  lingering  decay  deprived  you  of  a 
mother,  whofe  counfels  and  example  would  have  been  your 
beft  guide  to  all  that  was  amiable  and  praife  worthy  in  your 
fex.  It  is  not  for  us  misjudging  mortals,  whofe  views  are 
bounded  by  the  narrow  horizon  of  feventy  years,  to  queftion 
the  decrees  of  that  infinite  Being  whofe  eye  pervades  the, 
meafurelefs  ages  of  eternity  ;  nor  can  we  fay  how  far  the  re- 
lations and  advantages  of  that  endlefs  exiftence,  on  which 
chriftianity  allows  us  to  believe  the  glorified  fpirit  of  your 
pious  parent  has  now  entered,  depended  upon  the  brief  ter- 
mination of  her  mortal  courfe.  Of  this  we  are  fure,  that 
the  merciful  Father  of  the  human  race  fees  it  expedient  to 
perf^dl  his  creatures  by  fufi:erings,  even  as  a  child  in  a  well 
regulated  family  is  trained  to  virtue  and  knowledge  by  a 
fyftem  of  difcipline  and  reftr^int,  of  which  it  does  not  then 

difcern  the  advantage.     Thus,  my  dear  Mifs  M ,  your 

mother  was  doomed  to  pafs  tlirough  a  rugged  and  painful 
paflage  in  her  early  journey  to  eternity ;  and  thus  alfo,  with 
refpeft  to  yourfelf,  the  young  fcion  was  left  expofed  juft  at 
that  period  when  it  feemed  moft  to  require  fhelter  from  the 
external  violence  of  jftormy  winds,  and  from  thofe  difeafes 
which  arife  from  premature  expofurc,  and  often  deflroy  the 
moft  promifing  vegetation. 

The  fame  ftroke  which  deprived  you  of  a  mother,  fepara- 
ted  me  from  the  friend  whom  I  beft  loved  ;  whofe  partial 
approbation  firft  ftimulated  me  to  break  through  oppofing 
B 


10 

difficulties,  and  to  beftow  all  the  cultivation  on  my  pafllon 
for  literature  which  my  fituation  in  life  allowed.  Encour- 
aged by  her  praifes,  guided  by  her  tafte,  and  (what  was  in- 
fmitely  more  important  to  mc)  corrected  and  improved  in 
my  moral  judgment  by  the  lllcnt  eloquence  of  her  blamciefs 
manners,  I  ftarted  In  the  career  of  authorfliip  with  the  moft 
flmguine  expectations  of  full  and  immediate  fuccefs.  The 
premonitory  cautions  which  flie  thought  it  right  to  beftpvv, 
were  too  gentle  to  reprcfs  the  warm  hopes  of  youthful  inex- 
perience -,  and  it  was  only  the  fucceffive  difappointment  of 
my  firft  attempts  which  taught  me  that  it  was  eafier  to  pleafe 
the  candid  and  judicious,  than  to  propitiate  the  multitude, 
when  unfanctioned  by  the  patronage  of  a  mighty  name,  and 
unrecommended  by  a  blamable  fiicrifice  to  fiilfe  princijile. 

I  fhall  not  forget  the  tender  folicitude  with  which  my 
late  friend  exerted  herfelf  to  obviate  the  eftctfls  of  thofe  mor- 
tifications of  which  her  prudence  had  in  vain  forewarned 
me,  and  from  which  her  enei'gctic  exertions  coulil  not  pro- 
tect an  unknown  inexperienced  writer.  To  the  happy  in- 
fluence of  her  kindnefs,  and  her  counfels,  I  may  attribute  my 
tfcape  from  the  morbid  prelTure  of  defpondency,  and  my 
ftill  happier  prefervation  from  the  torrent  of  falfe  theories 
;md  dlforganizing  principles  which  was  at  that  time  poured 
into  this  country.  As  the  effe6ls  of  thefe  fubverting  doc- 
trines had  not  then  appeared  ;  and  as,  like  their  author  Sa- 
tan, they  took  the  difgulfe  of  angels  of  light ;  a  half  cultiva- 
ted romantic  mind,  ignorant  of  men  and  manners,  and  en- 
thufiaflically  attached  to  thofe  vilions  of  indej-K^ndence,  phi- 
lanthropy, energy,  and  perfe<SHon,  which  are  fo  dear  to  the 
votaries  of  the  mufes,  might  have  been  feduced  by  the  fair 
femblance  in  which  thefe  apoftles  of  anarchy  were  then  en- 
veloped ;  efpecially  as  they  affefted  refpe£t  for  the  palladi- 
um of  religion.  The  mature  and  enlightened  underftanding- 
of  your  excellent  mother  faw  through  the  impofture,  and 
taught  her  credulous  friend  to  diftinguifli  between  pretences 
to  fuperior  virtue,  and  the  artlefs  unboaftful  reality.  You, 
doubtlefs,  recollect  the  apprehenfions  which  ihe  felt,  left  the 
fpirit  of  infubordi nation  and  difcontent,  though  difcounte- 
nanced  by  all  wife  and  worthy  Britons,  ihould  be  diffufed 
among  the  lower  orders,  who,  being  more  inclined  to  feel 
the  difad vantages  of  ignorance,  than  to  acknowledge  the 
comforts  of  obedience,  would  in  confequence  be  betrayed  to 
renounce  the  limple  path  in  which  their  forefathers  walked, 
and  to  follow  thofe  new  lights  which  pretended  to  dirc<^ 


11 

them  to  the  tree  of  knowledge.  She  lived  to  fee  her  appre- 
iienllons  verified,  nor  has  the  evil  yet  ceafed  to  work :  may 
the  Almighty,  in  his  mercy,  limit  its  progrefs  ! 

Such  were  the  obligations  that  I  owed  to  your  mother ; 
and  to  which  muft  be  fuperadded,  all  the  common  offices  of 
generous,  a(5live,  afFe(Slionate  friendlliip  :  no  wonder  then 
that  the  lapfe  of  years  has  not  diminilhed  my  attachment  to 
her  memory.  The  folemn  fcenes  which  preceded  her  diflb- 
luaon  afforded  an  inilru6live  example,  to  all  around  her,  of 
the  pofhbility  of  difcharging  the  hard  duty  of  confecrating 
afHiifiion  ;  and  they  taught  us  to  mingle  with  our  tears  for 
her  lofs,  the  confolations  Avhich  arlfe  from  a  conviction  of 
her  beatitude. 

Among  the  injun£lions  that  I  received  from  her  dying 
lips,  there  is  one  to  which  I  fliall  now  more  particularly  re- 
fer :  I  mean  her  earneft  delire  that  I  would  "  write  to  ycUf 
and  remind  yrM  of  our  friendiliip."  My  dear  young  friend, 
our  correfpondence  has  not  fufiered  any  long  interruption 
fince  that  period  ;  yet  I  often  feel  as  if  I  had  not,  in  my  pri- 
vate addrelTes  to  you,  fully  accompriflied  the  wiflaes  of  your 
mother.  It  is  a  mofl  inexpreffible  fatisfadlion  to  me,  to  per- 
ceive that  you  attain  the  age  of  majority  with  every  fair 
promife  of  being  the  true  reprcfcntativc  of  the  revered  de- 
ceafed  ;  nor  can  I  point  out  any  part  of  your  condudl  which 
my  knowledge  of  her  fentiments  perfuades  me  fhe  would 
have  wiflied  to  be  altered.  Yet  I  feel  fuch  an  exquillte  fat- 
isfaClion  in  the  idea  of  being  employed  in  (I  muft  not  fay 
her  fervice,  but  in)  fhewing  my  attachment  to  what  flie  befl 
loved,  that  I  cannot  refrain  from  alking  your  permiffion  to 
addrefs  to  you  fome  counfels  and  admonitions,  which  many 
young  women  ef  your  age  would  find  but  too  necelTary  in 
thefe  portentous  times.  That  "  myftery  of  iniquity,"  v/hofe 
courfe  is  marked  on  the  continent  of  Europe  by  fubverted 
empires,  and  defolated  realms,  has  on  this  ifland  been  at  pre- 
fent  bufy  in  effefting  thofe  moral  revolutions  Vk'hich  are  the 
precurfors  of  political  ones.  The  manly  fenie  and  indepen- 
dent pride  of  Britons  have  (with  few  exceptions)  nobly  dif~- 
dained  to  adopt  the  political  example  of  a  people  to  whom 
they  have  been  accullomed  to  give  laws  in  the  field  of  arms  ; 
but  it  is  much  to  be  feared,  that  they  have  not  with  equal 
warinefs  refifted  the  blandifhments  of  their  vicious  example, 
or  braced  up  their  minds  to  repel  the  confequences  which 
refult  from  luxury,  diffipation,  and  every  varied  form  of 
pleafurable  indulgence.     By  thefc  affailants  the  weaker  fex 


12 

arc  more  particularly  aiTaiilted.  Under  the  covert  of  con- 
tinual amufement,  pride,  levity,  felfifliners,  difregard  of  punc- 
tuality, extravagance,  and  religious  indifference,  have  fi:olen 
unfulpe(fl;ed  upon  our  unguarded  hearts,  and  often  have  fo 
far  alienated  us,  as  to  occafion  a  total  negleft  of  God's  holy 
word  and  commandments.  In  this  ftate,  the  mind  is  apt  to 
weigh  whatever  is  fubmitted  to  its  judgment,  rather  by  the 
loofe  fcale  of  prefent  expediency  and  con^'enience,  than  by 
the  immutable  ftandard  of  right,  or  the  certain  ex'^eclations 
of  future  confequcnces.  Such  is  the  procefs  by  which  many 
are  led  to  commit  a  crime,  rather  than  make  a  breach  in 
their  politenefs,  and  to  injure  their  probity  fooner  than  re- 
nounce an  indulgence  ;  and  thus  they  lofe,  in  the  tranfient 
gratifications  of  the  animal  fenfes,  the  uobleft  diftin<ftions  and 
fureft  rewards  of  their  intelledlual  being.  But  let  us  defcend 
from  general  declamation,  to  particular  inftances  of  the 
change  of  public  opinion  as  it  relates  to  our  fex. 

The  focicty,  which  young  women  who  are  devoted  to  a 
life  of  fafhionable  amufement  frequently  meet,  creates  a  fpe- 
cies  of  danger  which  in  the  prefent  times  is  moft  trulv  alarm- 
ing. The  unblufliing  effrontery  with  which  women  of 
doubtful  or  loft  charadler  obtrude  themfelves  upon  public 
notice,  is  a  marked  charafteriftic  of  the  age  we  live  in,  that 
was  unknown  to  our  anceftors  (except,  perhaps,  in  one  prof- 
ligate reign,)  and  ftrongly  demonftrative  that  the  out  pofts 
of  female  honour  are  given  up.  What  can  more  tend  to 
debafe  the  purity  of  virtue,  and  to  enfeeble  the  ftability  of 
principle,  than  to  find  that  a  notorious  courtezan  retains  all 
the  diftin^lions  due  to  unfpotted  chaftity ;  nay,  even  to  fee 
her  pointed  out  as  a  moft  engaging  creature,  with  a  truly 
benevolent  heart ;  while  all  retrofpecl  of  her  flagitious  cour- 
duel  is  prevented,  by  the  obfervation,  that  we  have  nothing 
to  do  with  people's  private  charafter.  Can  we  wonder,  that, 
fmce  the  age  is  become  fo  liberal,  profligacy  fliould  not  feel 
the  neceflity  of  being  guarded  in  its  tranfgreftlons  ? 

If  we  turn  from  thefe  flagrant  violations  of  divine  and  hu- 
man laws,  which  even  the  groffeft  depravity  cannot  juftify, 
por  the  moft  fubtle  fophiftry  palliate  ;  may  v.e  not,  in  the 
licenfcd  freedom  of  modern  manners,  trace  many  deviations 
from  reftitude  and  dehcacy  ?  To  what  defcription  of  condudl 
muft  we  refer  tliat  marked  attention  which  married  women 
permit  from  fafliionable  libertines  .''  Is  it  compatible  with  any 
of  the  peculiar  tr;tits  of  the  matronly  charat'ler,  prudence, 
decorum,  and  confiftcncy  ?  What  is  tliat  mode  of  drefs  which 


13 

they  fan^lion  by  their  example,  the  expenfe  to  which  they 
devote  their  fortunes,  or  the  amufements  to  which  they  fac- 
riiice  their  time  ?  A  young  woman  who  now  adventures  in- 
to the  labyrinth  of  life,  has  more  to  fear  from  the  feniors  of 
her  own  fex,  than  from  male  artifices.  The  Lovelaces  and 
Pollexfens  have  not  indeed  totally  difappeared  from  the  cir- 
cle of  fafhion  ;  but  it  is  not  youthful  beauty  and  virgin  in- 
nocence that  now  attraifl  their  purfuit.  While  the  fpright- 
ly  fpinfter  waits  till  the  coquetifh  wife  difmifTes  her  wearied 
Cecifbeo,  to  yawn  out  an  unmeaning  compliment  to  the  im- 
mature attractions  of  nineteen,  fhe  muft  conlole  her  chagrin 
by  refolving  to  take  the  firft  offer  that  flie  can  meet  with, 
provided  the  creature  pofleffes  the  requifites  of  wealth  and 
fafhion  to  enable  her  to  revenge  her  prefent  wrongs  on  the 
pajt  generation  of  beauties,  and  in  her  turn  to  triumph  over 
the  Jucceedlng. 

This  refle£lion  leads  me  to  that  paffion  for  genteel  appear- 
ance in  drefs,  equipage,  furniture,  and  every  mode  of  ex- 
penfe, which  is  fuch  a  ftrong  feature  in  the  afpeft  of  this 
luxurious  age  ;  and  which  really  defcends  to  every  rank,  even 
to  thofe  on  whom  poverty  has  ftamped  the  marks  of  wretch- 
edncfs.  To  outfliine  your  equal  in  tafte  and  fmartnefs,  is  a 
rule  which  every  underftanding  can  comprehend,  and  which, 
requiring  no  great  exertions  of  the  mental  .or  moral  powers, 
becomes  a  marketable  medium  of  fluiftuating  value  in  the 
commerce  of  life.  Though  the  effefts  of  this  abfurd  pro- 
penfity  are  moft  feverely  felt  in  the  lower  orders,  its  mif- 
chiefs  are  not  imknown  in  thofe  circles  from  which  it  wns 
iirft  derived.  We  females  have  had  many  monitors  on  this 
(to  us)  important  topic  ;  yet  as  the  evil  vifibly  gains  ground, 
and  even  threatens  to  fubvert  all  diftindlions  in  fociety,  all 
attempts  to  place  in  a  clear  point  of  view  the  abfurd ity  of 
endeavouring  to  impofe  upon  the  world,  by  pratSlIfing  a  cheat 
too  familiar  to  deceive  an  idiot,  deferve  commendation. 

Nor  are  the  evils  confequent  on  a  life  of  diffipation  the 
only  dangers  that  young  ladies  may  now  dread.  In  retire- 
ment, they  are  haunted  by  another  fpecies  of  enemies,  no 
lefs  alarming  to  their  underftandings,  to  their  morals,  and  to 
their  repofe.  The  fpecies  of  reading,  prepared  to  relieve  the 
toils  of  diffipation,  is  faithful  to  its  intereft,  and  is  either  in- 
tended to  miflead  or  to  gratify.  Under  the  former  defer ip- 
tion  may  be  ranked  all  thofe  fyftems  of  ethics,  and  treatifcs 
on  education,  which  are  founded  on  the  falfe  dodtrine  of  hu- 
man perfedlibility,  and  confequently  rejeCl  the  neceffity  of 


14 

divine  revelation  and  fupernatural  agency.  Many  elementa- 
ry works  on  the  fcienccs  come  under  tliis  defcription  -,  and  by 
thefc  the  young  ftudent  may  learn  that  fhe  is  a  free  indepen- 
dent being,  endowed  with  energies  which  (lie  may  exert  at 
will,  and  reftrained  by  no  conlldcrations  but  tliofe  which  her 
own  judgment  may  think  it  expc'dietit  to  obey.  She  is  taught, 
that  the  nature  flie  inherits  was  originally  perfect ;  that  its 
prefent  difordered  ftate  did  not  arife  from  an  hereditary  taint, 
the  confequence  of  primeval  rebellion,  but  from  wretched 
fyftems  of  worldly  policy,  ill  concerved  laws,  and  illiberal  re- 
ftraints  ;  which  if  happily  removed,  the  human  mind  would 
at  once  ftart  forth  in  a  rapid  purfuit  of  that  perfection  which 
it  is  luUy  able  to  attain.  She  will  hear  much  praife  beftow- 
ed  on  generofity,  greatnefs  of  foul,  liberality,  benevolence, 
and  this  caft  of  virtues  ;  but  as  their  offices  and  properties 
would  not  be  clearly  defined,  and  as  all  reference  to  the  pre- 
venting and  affifting  grace  of  God,  or  to  the  clear  explana- 
tions which  accompany  Chriftian  ethics,  are  fyftematically 
excluded  from  thele  compofltions,  it  will  not  be  wonderful 
if  the  bewildered  reader  fliould  beftow  thefe  titles  on  the  ac- 
tions of  pride,  pertinacity,  indifcretion,  and  extravagance. 
We  have  feen  the  effects  of  thefe  theories  on  the  vacant  im- 
petuous mind  of  uniuftructed  youth,  fufficiently  to  deter- 
mine, that,  like  the  pagan  corrupters  of  old  times,  who 
*'  changed  the  glory  of  the  invifible  God  into  an  image  made 
like  unto  corruptible  man,"  they,  while  *'  profefling  them- 
felves  to  be  wife,  have  become  fools." 

But  we  will  fuppofe  a  young  woman  happily  free  from  the 
metaphyfical  mania,  and  influenced  by  no  inordinate  defire 
to  diftingullli  herfelf  among  her  companions  by  the  difguft- 
ing  affedtation  of  fupcrior  knowledge  ;  I  mean  by  this,  a 
common  charac^ter,  who  is  willing  to  Aide  with  the  world  ; 
who  reads  to  kill  time  j  who  adopts  the  opinions  that  flie 
hears,  and  fuffers  the  paffing  fcene  to  flit  by  her  v/ithout 
much  anxiety,  or  much  reflection.  Unengaging  as  this  char- 
acter is,  I  confefs  that  I  greatly  prefer  it  to  the  petticoat  phi- 
lolophift,  who  feeks  for  eminence  and  diiiinction  in  infideli- 
ty and  i'cc})ticifm,  or  in  the  equally  monftrous  extravagancies 
of  German  morality.  Women  of  ordinary  abilities  were  in 
former  times  confined  to  their  famplers  or  their  confection- 
ary ;  and  furely  they  were  as  well  employed  in  picking  out 
the  feeds  of  .currants,  or  in  ftitching  the  "  tale  of  Troy  di- 
vine," as  now,  when  they  are  dependant  on  the  circulating 
liJTary  for  n^.ear.s  to  overcome  the  tedium  of  a  difeu^aged  day. 


15 

Novels,  plays,  and  perhaps  a  little  poetry,  are  tlie  limits  of 
their  literary  refearches.  Shall  we  inquire  what  impreflions 
romantic  adventures,  high  wrought  fcenes  of  pafaon,  and  all 
the  turmoil  of  intrigue,  incident,  extravagant  attachment, 
and  improbable  vlciilitudes  of  fortune,  muft  make  upon  a 
vacant  mind,  whofe  judgment  has  not  been  exercifed  either 
by  real  information,  or  the  conclufions  of  experience  and 
obfervation  ?  The  inferences  that  we  mufl  draw  are  felf- 
evident. 

Let  us  introduce  a  third  poffibility,  and  fuppofe  a  young 
woman  well  difpofcd,  and  pofTcfTed  of  fuch  a  fuperficial 
knowledge  of  religion  as  the  fafliion  of  the  prefent  day,  and 
the  time  allotted  to  the  acquifition  of  pohte  accomplifliments, 
feem  to  permit.  Such  a  one  will,  in  her  private  ftudies,  en- 
deavour to  improve  her  acquaintance  with  thofe  eternal 
truths  which  will  make  her  wife  unto  falvation.  If  fhe  pof- 
fefs  the  confcioufnefs  of  a  found  underitanding,  and  fuch 
pertinacity  of  temper  as  difpofes  her  to  independent  think- 
ing, is  there  not  great  danger  of  her  adopting  the  leading 
dogmas  of  that  indefatigable  fe£t,  which  teaches  us  tliat  rea- 
fon  is  the  paramount  quaUty  of  the  foyl,  and  that  it  is  our 
pofitive  duty  to  rejecl  whatever  we  do  not  wholly  comprehend, 
notwithftanding  any  weight  of  teilimony  which  fupports  the 
myfterious  tenet,  and  maugre  the  experienced  imbeciUty  (or 
to  ufe  a  more  appropriate  term)  unrlpcnefs  of  the  human  in- 
tellei^  ?  She  v»rill  not  find  fuch  aflaults  upon  her  faith  con- 
fined to  books  of  divinity,  nor  to  tradls  of  devotion.  Writ- 
ers of  this  clafs  are  extremely  numerous ;  I  hope,  and  I  be- 
lieve, that  they  are  proportionably  more  fo  than  their  converts  ; 
for  this  mode  of  thinking  is  intimately  connected  v.'ith  a  paf- 
fion  for  literary  reputation.  Their  rage  for  profelycifm  is 
jiot  impeded  by  the  fear  of  impropriety  or  abfurdity  :  be  their 
fubjecl  biography,  hiftory,  geography,  the  belles  lettres,  or 
indeed  any  of  the  more  abftrufe  fciences,  the  fame  perfevei- 
ing  eagernefs  to  thrufl:  in  an  often  refuted  objedlion  to  the 
efiabliihed  religion  is  apparent.  Nothing,  but  a  thorough 
inveftigation  of  the  foundation  \  on  which  that  religion  is 
built,  can  refill:  the  undermining  effects  of  thefe  reiterated 
afiaults. 

If  the  charaifter  of  the  ftudent  lean  to  the  fatui-nine  caft, 
if  (he  be  inclined  to  view  the  world  through  the  jaundiced 
eyes  of  mifanthropy  and  melancholy,  to  make  no  allowance 
for  human  frailty,  and  to  employ  her  attention  rather  in 
aggravating  the  errors  of  others,  tiian  in  regulating  the  pro- 


16 

pcnfitics  of  licr  own  heart ;  if  to  this  unhappy  dirpofitlon  to 
lelf-gratuhition  a  love  of  myfticifm,  and  an  enthufiaftic  im- 
agination, fhoiilJ  be  fuperadded,  fhe  is  prepared  for  the  af- 
laults  of  difputants  no  lefs  hoftile  to  the  religion  in  which  I 
fuppofe  her  to  be  baptized  and  educated.  By  tlieni  Ihe  will 
be  equally  complimented  with  a  liberty,  which  is  ever  moft 
precious  and  defirable  to  thofe  who  have  the  leaft  right  to 
claim,  or  power  to  exercife  it  •,  I  mean  that  of  judging  for 
themfelves.  She  will  be  as  much  exonerated  from  refpeft 
to  her  regular  paftor,  as  the  before  mentioned  difciple  of  rea- 
fon ;  and  ihe  will  imbibe  a  perhaps  fupcrior  contempt  for 
thofe  forms  and  ordinances,  with  which  I  reprefent  her  as 
having  complied  more  from  habit,  than  from  a  juft  compre- 
henfion  of  their  utility  and  efficacy.  If  her  underftanding 
or  imagination  be  of  that  caft  which,  can  be  warped  by  thofe 
foothing  delufions  of  converfion,  experience,  and  election, 
which  are  fo  inexplicably  captivating  to  fpiritual  pride,  Ihe 
will  enjoy  in  the  reveries  of  Calvinifm  a  degree  of  fclf-grat- 
ulation  beyond  what  the  fceptic  can  poffibly  feel ;  for  the 
belief  of  being  peculiarly  favoured  by  our  Creator  muft  ele- 
vate the  mind  to  a  higher  pitch,  than  the  fuppofed  liberty  of 
queftioning  the  verity  of  the  revelations  that  he  has  made  of 
his  nature  and  his  will  can  poffibly  effedl.  In  either  cafe, 
the  unhappy  convert  lofes  the  light  of  that  guiding  ftar 
which  would  beft  direct  her  fleps ;  I  mean  the  affiftance  of 
a  pure  and  holy  religion. 

I  forbear  to  mention  the  dangers  which  young  women  are 
cxpofed  to  from  faithlefs  confidants,  indifcreet  friends,  art- 
ful paralites,  needy  dependants,  and  all  that  routine  of  inter- 
efted  fervility  fo  commonly  appendant  to  beauty,  birth,  or 
fortune.  Thefe  reptiles  are  not  the  fpawn  of  modern  times  j 
I  rather  think,  that  as  the  world  has  grown  lefs  domeflic, 
and  more  felf-engrofTed,  fycophants  of  all  defcriptions  have 
been  lefs  neceflary,  and  confequently  the  trade  is  upon  the 
decline.  The  beft  antidote  to  the  enervating  affiduities  of 
thefe  ear-ticklers  is  contained  in  thofe  talismanic  words  which 
modern  manners  leave  little  leifure  to  obferve,  "  Commune 
with  your  own  heart,  and  in  your  chamber,  and  be  ftill." 

We  have  hitherto  confidcred  the  fair  adventurer  in  the 
voyage  of  life  as  only  expofed  to  external  aflnilants  ;  but  it 
muft  be  remembered,  that  ffie  carries  with  her  a  rebellious 
crew  of  paffions  and  aftedtions,  which  are  extremely  apt  to 
mutiny,  efpecially  in  times  of  extraordinary  peril.  The  per- 
ifhable  commodity  of  female  fame  is  embarked  in  a  flight 


^7 

felucca,  painted  and  gilded,  indeed,  and  externally  both  con- 
venient and  beautiful ;  but  by  no  means  fitted  for  thofe  dif- 
tant  voyages,  and  rough  encounters  with  winds,  feas,  and 
enemies,  which  attord  navigators  of  the  other  fex  a  welcome 
opportunity  of  lliowing  their  fkill  and  magnanimity  :  yet  the 
delicacy  of  the  merchandize,  joined  to  the  fragility  of  thefe 
adorned  veflels,  impofes  conftant  anxiety  and  labour  on  their 
commanders  •,  not  only  left  their  precious  cargo  fliould 
lofe  either  its  polifli  or  its  purity,  but  from  fear  of  falling  in- 
to the  hands  of  pirates,  who  are  ever  on  the  watch  to  pillage 
or  deftroy  them.  The  rifk  is  confiderably  increafed,  by 
knowing,  that  though  the  pilot  often  pofTefTes  many  excel- 
lent and  engaging  qualities,  the  helm  is  feidom  managed 
with  adroitnefs,  and  the  fliip  is  rarely  able  to  veer,  to  tack, 
and  to  feud  before  the  wind,  till  very  late  in  the  voyage  :  I 
cannot,  therefore,  think  it  expedient  that  thefe  fragile  barks 
fliould  venture  to  do  more  than  fail  coafvnvife^  till  they  are 
taken  in  tow  by  fome  ftouter  veiTel ;  efpecially  as  they  are 
totally  deftitute  of  all  materials  to  remedy  the  misfortunes 
incident  to  fliipwreck.  Whether  it  proceed  from  the  falfe 
opinions,  prejudices,  or  injuftice  of  men,  as  fome  fay  ;  or,  as 
I  am  inclined  to  think,  from  the  wifdom  of  divine  Provi- 
dence impoiing  a  greater  degree  of  charinefs  on  that  fex 
which  he  deligned  to  make  the  confervator  of  morals ;  fo  it 
happens,  that  women  find  a  greater  degree  of  difficulty  than 
men  in  throwing  ofF  any  fpecies  of  reproach,  whether  it  be 
deferved,  or  the  falfe  imputation  of  malignant  flander. 

We  may  inquire,  how  are  women  fitted  to  anfwer  thofe 
fevere  demands  which  cuftom,  and  I  may  add  reafon,  make 
upon  their  conduft  ?  This  inveftigation  will  lead  us  into  an 
ample  field ;  as  it  will  not  only  require  us  to  confider  what 
education  does  in  forming  habits  of  watchfulnefs  and  felf- 
controul,  and  in  invigorating  the  difcriminative  and  deliber- 
ative powers  of  the  mind  ;  but  alfo,  how  far  the  prefent  cuf- 
toms  of  fociety  aflift  us  in  the  proper  difcharge  of  our  re- 
quired duties.  In  the  courfe  of  this  inquiry,  we  fhall  dif- 
cover  ample  reafon  to  blefs  our  Creator,  who  originally  in- 
tended us  to  *'  take  our  noifelefs  way  along  the  cool  fequef- 
tered  vale  of  life,"  flnce  we  fhall  find  every  departure  from 
this  appointed  path  attended  with  danger,  either  to  our 
peace,  or  to  our  renown. 

What  thofe  duties  are  which  the  God  of  Nature  requires 
us  to  fulfil :  what  refources  he  allows  us  under  the  forroWs 
C 


i3 

incident  to  thofc  duties ;  and  what  arc  the  incidental  as  well 
as  future  rewards  which  we  are  authorized  to  expeft,  will 
form  an  agreeable  cxercife  to  the  well  difpofed  mind,  when 
it  is  wearied  with  viewing  the  labours  and  furrows  which  re- 
fult  from  faftidioufnefs,  felfifhnefs,  vanity,  irregular  defires, 
and  extravagant  expectations.     Think  you,  my  dear  Mlfs 

M ,  that  a  dlfcullion  of  fuch  fubjeifts  will  anfwer  that 

idea  of  a  correfpondence,  which  occurred  to  your  beloved 
mother  at  a  moft  awful  and  mournful  moment  ?  What  plea- 
fure  ihall  I  feel,  in  adureffing  my  fex  through  the  daughter 
of  that  friend  from  whom  I  derived  what  is  moft  valuable 
in  my  fentiments  and  principles  !  You  were  very  young  when 
you  met  with  that  fevere  misfortune  which  checked  the  gay 
career  of  fondly  foftered  childhood.  Your  age  had  not  per- 
mitted you  to  reap  the  full  profit  of  the  attentions  of  your 
ever  watchful  parent.  You  felt  that  her  fweet  temper  and 
ferene  cheerfulnefs  made  you  happy  ;  but  you  could  not  then 
juftly  appreciate  the  fuperiority  of  her  undcrftanding.  You 
had  learned  to  obey  her  injunclions,  but  you  could  not  know 
the  prudent  and  virtuous  ends  which  they  were  intended  to 
produce.  I  loft  her  at  a  time  when  experience  had  taught 
me  her  full  value.  Though  diftance,  and  the  intervention 
of  nearer  relations,  and  more  imperious  duties,  rendered  her 
life  of  lefs  daily  importance  to  me,  thofe  very  circumftances 
combined  to  imprefs  her  obfervations  and  example  deeper 
upon  my  memory.  While  my  hands  have  been  occupied 
in  attending  to  the  domeftic  calls  of  a  rifing  family,  my  im- 
agination has  wandered  to  the  fcenes  of  early  life,  and  to  the 
beloved  circle  of  which  flie  was  one  of  the  brighteft  orna- 
ments. The  lively  fally,  the  literary  difcufiion,  the  perfpic- 
uous  remark,  have  reflected  pleafure  on  the  fometimes  tedi- 
ous routine  of  daily  avocation  ;  and  efpecially  {fuch  is  the 
general  effect  of  true  friendfhip)  did  I  feel  the  juftnefs  of 
her  fentiments,  and  the  validity  of  her  arguments,  when 
<«  the  wheel  was  broken  at  the  ciftern,"  and  I  could  no  more 
draw  truth  and  knowledge  from  that  fountain. 

If  my  anxiety  to  difcharge  this  hereditary  obligation  fliould 
make  me  deviate  into  the  error  of  capricious  teftators,  who 
like  to  bequeath  their  riches  to  theii-  moft  ivcalthy  connex- 
ions, I  can  excufe  myfelf  by  pleading,  that  the  beneficial  ef- 
fe^s  of  moral  reflections  and  prudential  counfels  are  not  con- 
fined to  thofe  to  whom  they  are  Imparted.  Like  mercy, 
they  have  a  chance  of  "  being  twice  blcfled  j'*  the  giver  ia 
amended,  if  not  the  receiver.     If  ferious  reflections  on  "  our 


19 

being's  end  and  aim"  are  likely  to  produce  a  wholefome  in^ 
difference  to  the  tranfient  pleafures  of  this  world,  methodiz- 
ing and  improving  thofe  reflexions  muft  deepen  their  im- 
preffion  on  the  mind  where  they  originated  ;  and  that  heart 
mufl  indeed  be  obdurate  which  can  relift  the  energy  of  its 
own  reproofs.  Surely  no  common  proficiency  in  hypocrify 
is  neceflary  to  enable  us  to  pen  a  fententious  libel  on  our 
own  conduct,  or  to  fabricate  a  fyftem  contradi<5lory  to  our 
lives. 

I  am  aware,  that  the  lively  feelings  of  fentiment  and  af- 
fection which  dictated  my  admonitory  addrefles  to  my  eldefl: 
fon,  were  the  chief  attra(ftion  which  recommended  that  work 
to  public  favour.  By  permitting  me  to  fuppofe  your  welfare 
conne<fted  with  the  prefent  attempt,  you  will  enable  me  to 
embark  in  it  with  the  fame  llncerity,  and  nearly  equal  folici- 
tude.  Whatever  the  pretended  cofmopolites  may  boaft  of 
the  efFeCts  of  univerfal  philanthropy  and  general  benevolence, 
we  muft  embody  thofe  indefinite  ideas,  and  combine  them 
with  fome  ftrong  tic  of  nature  or  of  choice,  before  we  can 
be  really  interefted  in  the  anomalous  aggregate.  A  work 
coldly  written,  will  be  as  frigidly  perufed ;  that  on  which 
the  author's  heart  never  engraved  a  difcriminating  token, 
cannot  hope  to  ftamp  an  indelible  impreffion  on  the  feelings 
of  the  reader. 

You  fee,  my  dear  MIfs  M ,  how  much  of  my  literary 

reputation  is  in  your  power.  Am  I  too  prefumptuous,  if, 
building  on  our  long  friendfliip  and  your  habitual  kindnefs, 
I  anticipate  your  acquiefcence  with  my  wiflies  ?  As  foon  as 
you  announce  it,  I  fhall  enter  with  fpirit  on  my  then  pleaf- 
ing  tafk  ;  and  in  the  interim  I  remain 

Your  very  afreXionate  friend,  &c. 


20 

LETTER     II. 

Original  Dejiination  of  Women. 


MY  DEAR  MISS  M- 


1  HE  alTurance  that  I  have  not  impofecl  too  great  a  burden 
on  your  aiTeflionate  partiality,  by  your  promife  to  receive  my 
labours  with  pleafure,  and  to  perufe  them  with  attention, 
has  enabled  me  to  enter  on  my  propofed  undertaking  with 
alacrity,  to  which  the  manner  of  your  communicating  this 
welcome  intelligence  has  given  a  yet  more  powerful  impetus. 
I  fhall  now  hurry  you  along  without  any  ceremony,  and  im- 
mediately commence  the  propofed  inquiry  into  the  lituation, 
duties,  trials,  and  errors  of  our  lex. 

When  we  addrefs  chriftian  readers,  we  prefuppofe  their 
acquiefcence  in  the  fafts  that  are  recorded  in  holy  writ. 
Without  wafting  our  time  in  a  philofophical  analyfis  of  the 
peculiar  conftruftion  of  our  intellect,  or  the  phyilcal  organ- 
ization of  our  bodies,  we  may  reft  alTured  that  we  are  en- 
dowed with  powers  adequate  to  the  deftgn  of  our  creation  ; 
namely,  to  be  the  helpmate  of  man,  to  partake  of  his  labours, 
to  alleviate  his  diftreffes,  to  regulate  his  domeftic  concerns, 
to  rear  and  inftruct  the  fubfequent  generation  ;  and,  having 
finifhed  our  probationary  courle  as  accountable  beings,  to  en- 
ter on  another  ftate  of  endlefs  exiltence. 

It  would  be  foreign  to  our  purpose,  to  purfue  a  minute  in- 
veftigation  refpecling  the  fituation  of  women  in*  other  re- 
gions :  a  very  few  general  obfervations  fliall  fuffice.  The 
nearer  the  country  is  to  what  is  called  the  ftate  of  nature 
(but  which,  in  correal:  language,  fliould  be  termed  favage  de- 
generacy,) the  more  v/c  find  women  depreftcd,  fcrvile,  and 
miferab-le.  Tiie  rude  defcendants  of  thofe  wandering  tribes, 
v/hom  the  miraculous  interpofition  of  the  offended  Deity  at 
Babel  difperfed  through  the  diftant  quarters  of  the  globe, 
amidft  the  degradation  of  mutual  ignorance  and  mutual  pri- 
vation, have  uniformly  retained  that  fuperiority  of  the  male 
fpecies  which  it  received  at  the  creation,  and  which  prevail- 
ed during  the  primeval  ftate  of  the  world.  It  is  impoflible 
to  account  for  the  univcrLl  fubjugation  of  womerj  among 


21 

favacTcs  on  the  ground  of  their  mental  imbecility,  or  bodily 
disadvantages  ;  for  it  is  a  well  known  h€t,  that  exertion  in- 
vigorates both  the  intelledlual  and  corporeal  faculties ;  and 
as  thefe  wretched  victims  of  male  tyranny  execute  the  talks 
of  intenfe  and  continual  labour,  while  their  more  indolent 
lords  engrofs  all  the  fenfual  indulgencies  which  a  ftate  of 
barbarifm  affords,  the  general  laws  of  even  handed  Provi- 
dence mufk  repay  their  hard  fervices  with  more  athletic  vig- 
our and  acute  intelligence.  In  confequence,  travellers  re- 
mark, that  the  women  belonging  to  the  wandering  tribes  of 
barbarians,  whenever  the  reflraints  of  jealoufy  have  permitted 
them  to  hold  intercourfe  with  ftrangers,  have  generally  dif- 
played  more  quicknefs  and  refledlion  than  the  males,  as  well 
as  a  fuperior  Ihare  of  thofe  virtues  of  compallion  and  benev- 
olence, which  are  the  fure  indications  that  the  mind  has  ex- 
panded beyond  the  merely  felfifh  purfuits  of  animal  life. 
This  obfervation  has  little  reference  to  our  prefent  inquiry ; 
but  every  incidental  remark  that  corroborates  the  teftimony 
of  holy  writ,  is  conducive  to  the  main  defign  of  this  corre- 
fpondence. 

The  progrefs  of  any  people  toward  civilization  is  uniform- 
ly marked  by  allotting  an  increafed  degree  of  importance  to 
the  fair  fex  ;  but  this  is  not  always  done  with  benevolent  re- 
gard to  their  happinefs.  The  violent  paffions  and  capricious 
humours  of  men  intervene  ;  and  in  the  eaftern  and  louthern 
regions  of  the  earth,  where  thofe  paffions  are  moll  impetu- 
ous, women  are  ever  conlidered  rather  as  a  precarious  and 
valuable  property,, than  as  rational  creatures  pofleffing  a  claim 
to  felf-enjoyment.  Thofe  reftraints  of  barbarous  policy  un- 
der which  Mahometan  and  Gentoo  women  labour,  are  ftill 
more  injurious  to  our  genuine  charafter,  than  the  dangerous 
exertions  of  Patagonian  divers,  or  the  agricultural  toil  of  fe- 
male Africans.  When  women  are  only  taught  "  to  dance, 
to  drefs,  to  troll  the  tongue  and  roll  the  eye,"  voluptuous 
paffions,  frivolous  purfuits,  low  artifices,  and  all  that  envy, 
revenge,  jealoufy,  fear,  and  difguifed  hatred,  can  diftate  to 
the  doubtful  favourite  of  an  hour,  muft  agitate  the  female 
breaft ;  alternately  folicitous  to  repair  the  ruins  of  time  in 
her  own  perfon,  and  to  counteract  the  attractions  of  a  rival. 
In  the  fecluded  harem,  where  polygamy  immures  the  vic- 
tims of  its  paffions  and  the  difturbers  of  its  repofe,  we  muft 
not  look  for  the  friend  or  helpmate  of  man. 

In  Europe,  and  its  numerous  colonies,  the  blelTed  influ- 
ence of  divine  revelation  has  fixed  our  fex  in  a  more  happy 


22 

fituatioii.  Our  equal  claim  to  immortality,  which  the  gof- 
pel  recognized,  removed  many  prejudices  againft  us.  The 
abolition  of  polygamy  railed  us,  from  mere  objects  of  fenfu- 
al  defire,  to  friends  and  companions  ;  and  wherever  the  in- 
ftitution  of  marriage  is  formally  acknowledged,  women  be- 
come a  branch  of  the  body  politic,  amenable  to  the  laws  of 
their  country,  and  alfo  to  public  opinion,  which  alike  takes 
cognizance  of  their  condu(5t  and  protects  their  perfons.  To 
the  folemn  obligation  of  this  heaven  ordained  bond,  this 
facred  fource  of  all  domeflic  relations  and  charities,  all  pol- 
illied  nations  fuperadd  that  general  fenfe  of  courtefy  and  rc- 
fmed  attention  which  chivalry  introduced ;  to  whofe  enthu- 
liaftical  and  romantic,  yet  falutary  modification  of  the  rough 
martial  manners  of  the  middle  ages,  fociety  is  more  deeply 
indebted,  than  this  fceptical  age  is  willing  to  allow.  Its  ef- 
fefts  on  the  fituation  of  our  fex  muft  not  be  limited  to  thofe 
times,  when  the  miftrefs  of  the  jouft  awarded  the  prize  among 
contending  aflertors  of  her  charms ;  we  feel  them  in  every 
a<Sl  of  complacence  and  politencfs  which  we  continue  to 
receive  from  the  lords  of  creation,  in  the  high  importance 
affixed  to  female  virtue,  in  the  affiduities  of  love,  and  in  the 
decorums  of  fociety. 

Our  country  has  long  been  eminently  diftinguiflied  as  the 
feat  of  pure  religion  and  enlightened  laws.  It  cannot,  there- 
fore, excite  furprife  that  travellers  fliould  admire  the  envi- 
able ftate  of  our  countrywomen,  who  appeal'  to  move  in 
their  natural  fphcre,  and  are  neither  treated  with  the  phleg- 
matic negle(St  vifible  among  our  northern  neighbours,  nor 
with  the  oftentatious  oblequioufnefs  which  the  more  polifh- 
ed  nations  of  the  continent  practife  to  a  degree  of  farcical 
affeftation.  The  effecl  of  this  judicious  treatment  has  been 
equally  confpicuous  in  the  mild  chafte  attradlions  of  the 
Britifli  fair;  their  fimple  elegance,  domeftic  habits,  and  all 
the  graces  of  difcretion,  delicacy,  and  ingenuous  attachment, 
have  been  as  loudly  praifed,  as  the  valour,  magnanimity,  and 
found  fenfe  of  their  heroic  partners. 

I  know,  my  dear  Mifs  M ,  your  bofom  poflefles  that 

fliare  of  patriotic  virtue,  which  teaches  you  to  exult  with  the 
proud  feelings  of  confcious  participation  in  the  rank  which 
Britain  /wit'  holds  among  the  nations  of  the  earth.  In  every 
clime  that  the  fun  vlfits  is  her  ingenuity  admired,  and  her 
valour  revered.  But  can  this  pre-eminence  be  long  fupport- 
ed,  if  female  virtue,  degraded  and  abafiied,  Ilirinks  from 
iuvell:igation,  and  reiigns,  with  her  claim  to  fuperiority,  all 


23 

her  pretenfions  to  reward  the  prefent  race  of  heroes,  and  to 
model  the  future  ?  The  triumph  of  the  red-crofs  knight  ceaf- 
ed,  when  lovely  Anna  no  longer  rode  belide  him  in  the 
attired  panoply  of  \'-:ftal  innocence. 

Before  we  wander  through  the  mazes  of  fafhion,  or  re- 
view the  changes  which  wealth  and  luxury  have  produced 
in  our  charafters,  let  us  confider  our  fex  as  fulfilling  the  dc- 
figns  of  our  Creator  in  this  highly  favoured  country  ;  where 
the  laws  of  God  and  man  were  till  lately  affifted  by  the  hab- 
its of  fociety,  and  all  united  to  make  us  become  what  we 
ought  to  be.  It  is  not  only  in  the  conjugal  ftate  that 
we  are  deiigned  to  be  the  helpmates  of  our  coheirs  of  im- 
mortality •,  as  daughters,  fifters,  mothers,  miftrefles  of  fami- 
lies, neighbours,  and  friends,  the  active  duties  of  female  iife- 
fulnefs  may  be  happily  exerted.  Even  the  inlulated  fpinfter 
has  no  right  to  confider  herfelf  exempt  from  the  general  ob- 
ligation ;  the  paucity  of  nearer  claims  leaves  her  more  at  lib- 
erty to  purfue  the  wide  range  of  benevolence  ;  nor  can  fhe 
be  juftified  in  refigning  her  mind  to  the  waywardnefs  of  felf- 
indulgence,  while  there  is  a  human  being  within  her  fphere 
of  adlion  whom  (he  could  benefit  or  relieve  by  the  kind  of- 
fices of  humanity. 

In  our  progrefs  from  the  cradle  to  the  grave,  fucceflive 
duties  adapted  to  our  diffei^ent  powers  crowd  upon  our  at- 
tention. The  firft  talks  which  filial  duty  requires  are  affec- 
tion and  obedience ;  which  often  compel  us  to  participate  in 
the  forrows  and  labours  of  our  parents,  before  we  feel  from 
our  own  particular  diftrefl^es  "  that  man  is  born  to  woe.'* 
While  attending  on  the  fick  bed  to  which  fraternal  affection 
has  chained  us,  or  v^'hile  watching  the  languid  couch  of  the 
fource  of  our  life  with  all  the  anxious  obfervance  of  ready 
diligence,  we  gather  that  experience,  and  imbibe  thofe  hab- 
its of  tendernefs  and  patience,  which  in  riper  years  we  are 
required  to  exercife  in  our  own  families.  During  the  fhort 
reign  of  beauty  {or,  to  adopt  a  language  more  univerfally 
]vi%  while  courtlhip  gives  a  feeming  pre-eminence,)  difcre- 
tion  teaches  us  a  cautious  ufe  of  power,  efpecially  over  him 
whom  we  propofe  to  fele^l  as  the  arbiter  of  our  future  lot. 
And  when  the  awful  marriage  contract  removes  us  from  aiSt- 
ing  a  fubordinate  part  in  the  family  of  our  parants,  and  fixes 
us  as  vicegerents  of  our  huiband's  houfehold,  we  enter  upon, 
the  mod  extended  circle  in  which  (generally  fpeaking)  Prov-^ 
idence  defigned  us  to  move.  Nor  is  that  circle  fo  circum- 
fcribed  as  to  give  caufe  to  the  moft  adive  mind  to  complain 


24. 

of  want  of  employment ;  the  duties  that  it  requires  are  of 
fuch  hourly,  fuch  momentary  recurrence,  that  the  impropri- 
ety of  our  engaging  in  public  concerns  becomes  evident,  from 
the  confequent  unavoidable  negledt  of  o".r  immediate  aifairs. 
A  man,  in  moft  lltuations  of  life,  may  fo  arrange  his  private 
bufinefs,  as  to  be  able  to  attend  the  important  calls  of  patri- 
otifm  or  public  fpirit ;  but  the  prefence  of  a  woman  in  her 
own  family  is  ahvays  fo  falutary,  that  Ihe  is  not  juftiiied  in 
withdrawing  her  attention  from  home,  except  in  Ibme  call 
of  plain  pofitive  duty.  The  management  of  that  part  of  her 
hufband's  fortune  which  is  committed  to  her  truft ;  the  com- 
fortable arrangement  of  domeftic  affairs  ;  the  attention  which 
the  bodily  wants  of  a  rliing  family  require  ;  the  fllU  greater 
vigilance  which  fhould  be  beftowed  on  the  formation  of  their 
minds  and  the  regulation  of  their  tempers  ;  the  fuperlntcn- 
dance  of  fervants,  which,  as  the  eftabllfhment  increafes  in 
number,  becomes  more  important  and  more  perplexing,  and 
among  whom  a  miftrefs  ought  in  fome  fenfe  to  perform  the 
part  of  a  vigilant  obferver,  a  magiftrate,  and  a  protetfting 
friend  ;  when,  I  repeat,  it  is  confidered  that  v/e  owe  thefe 
perpetual  obligations  to  all  thofe  who  are  refident  under  our 
roof,  thofe  ranks  of  life  which  are  exempt  from  the  necefli- 
ty  of  bodily  labour  feem  fupplled  with  ample  occupation,  by 
diligently  obferving  the  apoftolical  injunciion,  "  of  keeping 
at  home,  and  guiding  their  own  houfes  with  difcretion." 
But  this  is  not  all :  by  becoming  wives,  we  do  not  ceafe  to 
be  daughters,  fiflers,  or  friends  ;  and  the  demands  which 
arife  out  of  thefe  relationflilps  are  certainly  of  the  number  of 
thofe  plain  pofitive  duties  which  juflify  a  temporary  derelic- 
tion of  our  own  immediate  charge.  Society  has  alfo  a  claim 
upon  us  :  they  Avho  entirely  limit  their  attention  to  their 
own  houfeholds,  and  will  neither  open  their  purfes  nor  their 
hearts  at  the  call  of  benevolence,  nor  beftow  their  time  and 
their  attention  on  the  demands  of  good  neighbourhood,  muft 
expert  to  live  difliked  or  defplfed  :  they  are  indeed  punifhed 
for  their  rebellion  to  general  laws,  by  growing  morofe,  nar- 
row minded,  or  whlmfical,  and  by  contracling  fuch  peculiar 
habits  as  are  the  forerunners  of  fpleen  and  mifanthropy. 
Home  fhould  be  made  pleafant  to  our  huibands  ;  and  men 
are  never  more  pleafed  with  it,  than  when  it  affords  them 
the  agreeable  change  of  pleafant  fociety.  The  intereft  and 
welfare  of  our  children  require  that  we  fliould  introduce 
them  to  proper  connexions.  Thefe  prudential  confidcra- 
tions  are  enforced  by  the  pofitive  duties  which  we  owe  to 


our  fuperiors,  equals,  and  inferiors  :  thence  follow  the  obli- 
gations of  refpC'fl,  complaifance,  and  benevolence  ;  whoever 
needs  our  fervices,  prefents  a  claim  to  them,  which  can  only 
be  obviated  by  fome  ftronger  obligation  j  and  here  difcre- 
tion  is  to  act  as  umpire. 

But  we  have  duties  ftill  more  important  than  what  we 
owe  to  kindred  and  fociety  :  I  mean  thofe  of  a  creatui'e  to 
its  Creator  ;  and  furely  a  married  v,roman,  whofc  fenli'oilities 
are  multiplied  in  fo  many  dear  connections,  has  the  leafh  ex- 
cufe  for  neglecting  this  moft  important  obligation.  Can  {he 
forget  the  mornino;  and  evening  facrifice,  whofe  tender  feel- 
jngs  are  fo  peculiarly  fufceptible  of  injury  from  every  quar- 
ter by  which  fin  or  forrow  can  afTiiil  the  human  mind  ? 

With  the  duties  of  a  refponfible  dependant  being,  thofe  of 
a  rational  creatui'e  are  necefTarily  blended.  What  is  that 
which  is  to  furvive  the  ruins  of  this  clay  built  tenement,  and 
to  exift  to  all  eternity  ?  Certainly  it  is  our  intelle(Stual  part ; 
and  Ihall  we,  v/liile  in  this  probationary  ftate,  negle£t  its  cul- 
tivation ?  Talents,  we  know,  are  not  beftowed  to  ruft  in  in- 
activity J  and  our  defire  for  ufeful  and  improving  knowledge, 
{hould  only  be  bounded  by  our  opportunity  for  acquiring  it. 
This  reftraint  makes  it  incumbent  upon  us,  not  to  fuffer  our 
literary  propenfities  to  fuperfede  the  active  duties  which  our 
fituation  and  relative  connexions  peremptorily  require ;  and 
as  thefe  claims  will  in  moft  cafes  leave  us  but  little  ieifure,  it 
behoves  us  to  hufband  that  little  by  applying  it  well.  The 
knowledge  that  will  be  moft  ufeful  claims  the  precedence  ; 
that  which  may  be  moft  eafily  acquired  feems  to  be  entitled 
to  the  fecond  preference.  Though  fomething  fhould  be 
graftted  to  peculiar  tafte,  efpecially  when  it  appears  to  be  the 
Itrong  propenfity  of  genius,  and  not  the  craving  of  caprice, 
it  is  in  general  advifable,  that  women  fhould  not  (efpecially 
after  they  have  embarked  in  the  adtive  duties  of  married 
life)  devote  their  attention  to  any  recondite  ftudy,  or  abftrufe 
,fcience.  Uninviting  as  their  afpeCt  is  to  ftrangers,  it  is  well 
known,  that  mathematical  problems,  and  metaphyfical  de- 
ductions, afford  fuch  gratification  to  thofe  who  have  made 
fome  progrefs  in  thofe  branches  of  learning,  that  they  often 
entirely  abforb  the  faculties,  and  render  the  common  duties 
of  life  taflelefs  and  difgufting. 

From  the  wide  range  of  occupations  which  call  upon  us 
in  middle  age,  let  us  extend  our  refearches  to  the  decline  of 
life  ;  and  here,  as  long  as  the  power  of  ufefulnefs  is  entruft- 
D 


26 

ed  to  us,  we  find  objects  to  claim  its  exertion.  If  we  are 
deprived  of  our  wedded  partners,  the  fole  management  of 
our  fortunes,  or  perhaps  the  a£live  fuperintendance  of  the  bu- 
finefs  which  fupports  our  famiUes,  devolves  upon  us.  We 
ihould  provide  for  this  in  early  life,  by  gaining  fuch  knowl- 
edge of  money  tranfaflions  as  will  preferve  us  from  impofi- 
tion  :  few  acquirements  are  more  ufeful  to  females  ;  and  the 
increafing  intricacy  of  public  impofts  and  legal  fecurities  ren- 
ders it  daily  more  requifite.  Here,  too,  that  knowledge  of 
the  world  which  accafional  intercourfe  with  fociety  affords 
becomes  of  high  importance,  as  it  enables  us  to  guard  againft 
the  blandishments  of  art,  and  the  fnares  of  villany,  to  which 
I  believe  our  fex  is  more  peculiarly  expofed.  "When  we  have 
iofi:  the  advantage  of  a  counfellor  and  friend,  whofe  intereft 
was  infeparably  connected  with  our  own,  we  become  doubly 
bound  to  recur  to  the  ilores  which  recolle^lion  furnilhes,  and 
to  exert  our  moft  wary  vigilance,  left  we  llaould  be  made  the 
dupes  of  knaves,  or  the  tools  of  parafites. 

Our  children,  probably,  at  this  period  will  not  require  our 
continual  attention  ;  but  numerous  occafions  will  arife  to  ex- 
crcife  our  care  and  love,  and  to  convince  us  that  we  do  not 
live  for  ourfelves  alone.  A  third  generation,  too,  generally 
fteps  forth,  in  whom  the  active  calls  of  earlier  life  again  re- 
vive. Much  of  the  comfort  of  our  old  age  depends  upon 
our  difcharging  the  claims  of  renovated  maternity  with  pro- 
priety. The  feafon  of  life  is  now  apt  to  fuggeft  the  love  of 
eafe,  and  at  the  fame  time  confines  our  views  to  prefent  ob- 
je6ls  and  local  purfuits.  It  now,  therefore,  becomes  more 
than  ever  our  duty  to  prevent  the  increafing  influence  of  felf- 
ifhnefs,  by  encouraging  thofe  benevolent  affections  which  at 
this  feafon  of  life  are  feldom  fo  lively  as  to  miflead  us,  un- 
lefs  we  fuffer  them  to  wander  into  devious  and  crooked  paths. 
It  is  now  in  our  power  to  be  highly  beneficial  to  our  fellow 
creatures,  without  thofe  adtive  exertions  which  our  infirmi- 
ties would  probably  render  painful.  Yet  let  it  be  remem- 
bered, that  it  is  by  kind  afilftance,  or  cautious  interpofition, 
not  by  ofiicious  interference,  that  age  is  enabled  to  reflect: 
the  light  of  its  own  experience  on  youth.  As  increafing 
pains  and  debilities  warn  us  of  the  fpeedy  termination  of  our 
earthly  journey,  it  becomes  indifpenfahly  neceflliry,  that  chcer- 
fulnefs,  patience,  and  fortitude  Ihould  be  our  conftant  com- 
panions J  for  unlefs  they  are  inmates  in  our  bofom,  we  can 
only  hope  for  the  cold  f^rvices  of  reluftant  duty,  or  intereft:- 
ed  affiduitifs,  inftead  of  the  grateful  attentions  of  attachment 


27 

and  eftcem.  It  not  unfrcquently  happens,  that,  added  to 
our  own  infii-mities,  we  are  ftill  required  to  lend  our  aid  to 
relieve  thofe  of  our  wedded  partner.  Generally  fpeaking, 
the  pains  and  privations  of  advanced  life  affect  men  more 
than  women  ;  for  their  happinefs  moftly  coniifts  in  aftive 
exertions ;  their  enjoyments  are  lefs  domeftic  ;  they  are  not 
fo  accuftomed  to  endure  and  to  fubmit ;  and  they  often  have 
it  in  their  power  to  co7itroid  or  to  efcape  from  unpleafant  fen- 
lations.  To  fympathize  in  the  anguifh,  and  endure  the  ir- 
ritability of  a  beloved  objecSi:,  and  at  the  fame  time  to  ftrug- 
gle  againffc  the  burden  of  our  own  infirmities,  is  a  tafk  which 
is  often  impofed  upon  our  declining  years. 

To  thefe  domeftic  duties  and  obligations,  may  be  added 
what  belongs  to  us  in  the  aggregate,  as  the  refiners  of  man- 
ners, and  the  confervators  of  morals  ;  and  in  thefe  c".fes  ev- 
ery judicious  llatefman  readily  allows  our  relative  impor- 
tance. No  nation  has  preferved  its  political  independence 
for  any  long  period  after  its  women  became  diffipated  and  li- 
centious. When  the  hallowed  graces  of  the  chafte  matron 
have  given  place  to  the  bold  allurements  of  the  courtezan, 
the  rifing  generation  always  proclaims  its  bafe  origin.  Lux- 
urious felf-indulgence  ;  frivolous  or  abandoned  purfuits  ;  in- 
diflfcrence  to  every  generous  motive  ;  mean  attachment  to 
intereft  ;  difdain  of  lawful  authority,  yet  credulous  fubfervi- 
ence  to  artful  demagogues  ;  the  blended  vices  of  the  favage, 
the  fybarite,  and  the  flave,  proclaim  a  people  ripe  for  ruin, 
and  inviting  the  chains  of  a  conqueror.  As  far  as  the  re- 
cords of  pail  ages  permit  us  to  judge,  female  depravity  pre- 
ceded the  downfall  of  thofe  mighty  ftates  of  Gi"eece  and 
Italy  which  once  gave  law  to  the  world.  We  have  infpired 
teftimony,  that  the  licentioufnefs,  pride,  and  extravagance  of 
*<  the  daughters  of  Sion,"  during  the  latter  part  of  her  firfl: 
monarchy,  accelerated  the  divine  judgments,  and  unfheathed 
the  fword  of  the  Babylonifli  deftroyer.*  The  events  that 
we  have  witnefl^ed  in  our  own  times  confirm  this  pofition  : 
in  moft  of  the  realms  that  have  been  overcome  by  the  arms 
of  France,  a  notorious  derelidtion  of  female  principle  prevail- 
ed ;  and  the  ftate  of  manners  in  France  itfelf,  as  far  as  rela- 
ted to  our  fex,  had  obtained  fuch  dreadful  publicity,  as  al- 
lows us  to  afcribe  the  fall  of  that  country  in  a  great  meafurc 
to  the  diflipated  indelicate  behaviour  and  loofe  morals  of  its 

*  See  various  paffages  in  tlie  prophetical  parts  of  Scripture  ;  cfpecially 
Ifaiah. 


28 

women.  Thus,  though  we  are  not  entitled  to  a  place  in  the 
fenate,  we  become  legijlatcs  in  the  moft  important  fonfe  of 
the  word,  by  iniprciling  on  the  minds  of  ail  around  us  the 
obligation  which  gives  force  to  the  flatutc.  Were  we  but 
fteadily  united  in  relifting  the  corruption  of  the  times,  the 
boaftful  libertine,  the  profclled  man  oi  gallantry,  the  vapid 
coxcomb,  the  profane  fcoiier,  the  indecent  jefter,  and  all  the 
reptile  fwarm  which  perverted  pride  and  falfe  wit  produce, 
would  dilappear.  It  is  us  that  they  feek  to  pleafe,  or  rather 
to  aftoniili  \  and  if  we  were  but  fteadily  relblved  to  repay 
their  vanity  with  contempt,  and  to  beftow  our  fmilcs  only 
on  what  was  meritorious,  or  really  brilliant,  the  habits  of 
the  gay  world  would  undergo  a  moft  happy  transformation. 
Women  are  generally  confidered  as  in  a  great  degree  the 
arbiters  of  tafte  -,  nor  is  this  a  trivial  diftincStion  :  tafte  is  in- 
fluenced by  the  moral  qualities  ;  the  quick  perception  of 
what  is  grotefque  or  abfurd,  even  in  what  are  termed  the 
fine  arts,  is  i-arely  confined  to  mere  mechanical  proportion 
or  efl'e<51:.  Undefined  ideas  of  "  pcrfeft,  fair,  and  good"  af^ 
fociate  with  the  rules  by  which  we  judge  the  merits  of  the 
performance.  As  thefe  arts  are  defigned  to  be  the  lively 
reprefentations  of  nature,  to  decide  on  the  fidelity  of  the  im- 
itation our  fouls  muft  be  alive  to  the  fublimeft  feelings,  ca- 
pable of  inveftigating  the  beauties  of  creation  ;  and  of  decid- 
ing on  the  genuine  expreffions  and  geftures  of  heroical  vir- 
tue ;  and  thus  exalted  moral  perceptions  become  requifite  to 
the  conncifTeur,  as  vv^ell  as  to  the  artift.  But  the  fine  arts 
are  capable  of  a  yet  fuperior  exaltation  :  we  do  not  merely 
admire  the  nice  touches  of  Flaxman's  chilTel,  nor  the  happy 
adjuftment  of  parts  which  are  fo  vilible  in  his  defigns  ;  we 
fee  in  them  the  chriftian  as  well  as  the  ftatuary.  While  de- 
votion kindles  at  the  paintings  of  Peters  ;  while  we  contem- 
plate with  the  rapture  of  anxious  emulation  the  pious  family 
burfting  from  the  dark  dungeon  of  the  grave,  or,  with  the 
fpirlt  of  the  beatified  child,  avert  our  eyes  from  the  diftant 
blaze  of  rainbow-tinclured  glory,  the  cogitations  of  critical 
virtue  are  fufpended  5  and  we  confefs  that  thefe  artifts  (like 
our  divine  bard)  have  derived  their  infpiration  from 

"  Siloa's  facrcd  brook  that  flow'd 
Faft  by  the  oracle  of  God." 

Let  us  turn  from  thefe  inanimate  produftions  of  genius, 
to  public  amufemcnts,  and  thofe  fpecies  of  literature  which 
are  allowed  to  be  inllucnccd  by  female  decilion.     What  am- 


29 

pie  improvements  are  here  offered  to  our  reforming  tafte  ! 
Surely  it  is  in  our  power  to  banilli  from  the  ftage,  not  only 
what  is  offensive  to  decency,  but  what  is  feduclive  to  princi- 
ple. I  even  think  that  we  might  extend  our  profcription  to 
what  is  grofsly  unnatural  and  abfurdly  improbable  ;  at  leaft 
we  might  only  leave  a  fufficient  quantity  of  thefe  latter  qual- 
ities to  exhilarate  the  fpirits,  and  relieve  the  fombre  effedl  of 
graver  fcenes.  I  have  no  aujlere  defign  of  banifhing  wit,  or 
even  broad  humour,  from  our  theatres.  The  laughable 
equivoque,  and  all  the  extravagance  of  low  charadler  and  ab- 
furd  fituation,  fliall  retain  their  place  :  they  are  truly  Eng- 
iilh,  and  may  be  fo  managed  as  to  be  perfectly  innocent ;  I 
only  declare  my  hoftility  to  praifcical  jokes,  extravagant  grim- 
ace, irreverent  allufions  to  facred  fubjedls,  and,  above  all,  to 
that  inexhauftible  fund  of  profane  fwearing,  which  liberal  ac- 
tors always  keep  at  hand  to  fupply  the  mental  poverty  of 
neceffttous  authors.  I  enter  my  ftrongeft  proteft  againft  the 
nvit  of  an  oath  ;  and,  maugre  the  authority  of  Sterne,  I  even 
doubt  its  benevolence.  Surely,  the  ancient  expletives  of  a 
cough,  or  an  application  to  the  cambric  handkerchief,  were 
better  fubftitutes  for  the  barrennefs  of  the  author's  brains,  or 
the  inattention  of  the  prompter.  The  vocabulary  of  blas- 
phemy is  too  limited  to  permit  the  lover  of  novelty  to  enjoy 
his  darling  gratification  ;  and,  as  Acres  humoroufly  obferves, 
«' nothing  but  their  antiquity  renders  common  oaths  refpeft- 
able."  The  moft  that  can  be  done  by  the  brighteft  imagin- 
ation is,  to  ring  changes  upon  a  few  worn  out  curfes,  by 
way  of  proving  its  fupreme  contempt  for  the  inftitutions  and 
religion  of  its  country,  and  of  inftru^ling  a  full  alTemblage  of 
high  born  beauty  in  the  language  of  Wapping  and  Billingf^ 
gate.  In  private  fociety,  the  prel'ence  of  a  woman  is  coniid- 
ered  by  all  well  bred  men  as  an  infurmountable  reftraint  on 
this  impious  propenfity :  does  the  number  of  the  offended 
diminifh  or  increafe  the  infult  ?  Are  the  penalties  which  our 
anceftors  wifely  impofed  on  pr ohncneCs  fn/pended  in  the  thea- 
tre ?  Thefe  reflections  are  equally  appropriate  to  thofe  fpe- 
cies  of  literary  compofition  to  which  female  cognizance  or 
dominion  extends.  By  lleadily  oppofmg  and  limiting  the 
circulation  of  what  is  reprehenlible,  we  might  teach  authors 
and  publifhers  to  feel  a  refpect  for  public  morals. 

Simplicity  is  the  chief  charadleriftic  of  juft  tafte  ;  and  Sim- 
plicity gives  name  to  one  of  thofe  amiable  properties  of  the 
female  heart  whofe  abfence  cannot  be  fupplied  by  affectation, 
nor  concealed  by  artifice.     We  have  confeffedly  improved 


30 

upon  our  anccflors  In  flmpliclty,  as  it  rcfpe^ls  drcfs,  decora- 
tion, and  manners ;  which  are  happily  rcftored  to  a  much 
greater  degree  of  genuine  elegance  and  claflical  purity.  I 
fear,  if  wc  fynonymife  this  term  with  ilnglenefs  of  heart,  the 
balance  Avill  not  be  in  our  favour ;  for  I  will  not  allow  the 
imblufhing  effrontery  of  hardened  guilt  to  advance  any  pre- 
tenfions  to  the  praife  of  ingenuoufnefs.  But  to  return  to 
the  fubjedl  immediately  under  difcuffion  :  gorgeous,  fuper- 
lluous  embellilhment,  offended  the  principles  of  propriety  in 
a  far  Icfs  important  point  of  view  than  indecent  expofure. 
How  far  the  attire  now  generally  adopted  calls  for  the  cor- 
reflion  of  pure  female  tafte  dcferves  our  ftrict  attention.  It 
is  a  fubjefl  which  we  muft  hereafter  refume  j  I  will,  there- 
fore, only  obferve  in  this  place,  that  among  thofe  heathen 
nations  whom  we  now  profefs  to  imitate,  the  vicious  and  the 
virtuous  parts  of  the  fex  were  as  mucli  diftinguifhed  by  their 
apparel  as  by  their  manners.  The  chafte  propriety  of  mat- 
ronly and  virgin  attraction,  was  prohibited  from  adopting 
the  incentives  allowed  to  the  courtezan,  who  avowed  her  aim 
by  f-icrificing  modefty  to  allurement.  It  is  true,  the  figures 
of  thefe  unhappy  women,  lightly  flaaded  with  loofe  drapery, 
fupplied  the  ftatuary  and  the  painter  with  thofe  wanton 
graces  which  they  confecrated  as  the  attributes  of  the  deity 
cf  licentious  pleafures  ;  yet,  with  a  decorum  which  marked 
the  prevailing  fentiments  of  the  times,  they  confi:antly  adopt- 
ed a  very  different  paraphernalia  when  they  formed  a  repre- 
fentation  of  the  goddeffes  of  marriage  and  wifdom.  When 
we  conlider  alfo,  that  this  coftume  of  Grecian  impurity,  this 
marked  characleriftic  of  the  fliamelefs  idol  of  Paphos,  has 
been  yet  further  debafed  by  being  adopted  by  Parillan  fiends, 
during  the  moft  bloody  and  moft  voluptuous  fcenes  of  a  rev- 
olution which  elevated  poiffardes  into  leading  fafliionables  ; 
Englifh  ladies,  diftinguilhed  for  modefty,  elevated  by  birth, 
and  enlightened  by  chriitianity,  fliould  certainly  njecl  the 
degrading  imitation  with  the  moft  lively  difdaiti. 

This  enumeration  of  the  offices  and  duties  of  our  fex  nat- 
urally leads  us  to  conlider,  by  what  peculiar  trials  our  heav- 
enly Father  exercifes  our  virtues,  and  prepares  us  for  a  hap- 
pier world.  They  feem  to  refult  chiefly  from  the  tempers, 
difpolitions,  infirmities,  and  misfortunes  of  our  near  connex- 
ions ;  for  wc  are  far  lets  able  than  men  to  be  the  carvers  of 
our  own  fortunes,  and  mufl  generally  confult  more  than  our 
own  inclinations  in  order  to  be  happy.  The  colour  of  our 
Jjves  is  fo  influenced  by  the  propenlities  of  our  wedded  part,- 


ncrs,  that  in  very  many  (perhaps  in  the  majority  of)  marri- 
ages, the  buiinels  of  the  wife  is  to  controul  her  own  inchna- 
tions,  inftead  of  projedling  how  fhe  may  gratify  them.  This 
fubfervience  is  not  folely  confined  to  the  conjugal  tie,  nor 
does  it  only  revert  backward  to  the  confecrated  claims  of  pa- 
ternity ;  our  brothers,  nay  even  our  fons,  will  reap  the  priv- 
ilege of  Adam  -,  and  whenever  we  fix  with  them  in  a  domef- 
tic  refidence,  wq  muft  conform  to  their  humours,  anticipate 
their  wifhes,  and  alleviate  their  misfortunes,  or  elfe  forfeit 
their  alFcftions  and  forego  their  fociety. 

Obferve,  then,  what  numerous  infeUcities,  from  ill  man- 
aged tempers,  corrupt  inclinations,  criniinal  purfuits,  capri- 
cious whims,  imprudent  determinations,  and  obftinate  vices, 
threaten  our  repofe  on  the  one  fide  ;  while,  on  the  other, 
how  frequently  muft  we  be  fummoned  to  attend  the  cpuch 
of  reftlefs  agony,  to  minifter  all  the  few  comforts  which 
finite  humanity  can  afford  to  lingering  ficknefs,  or  even  to 
fuftain  the  dying  head  on  the  bofom  of  faithful  fympathiz- 
ing  love.  Our  office  of  helpmate  is  not  limited  to  the  gay 
fealbn  of  life.  Like  Prior's  Emma,  we  are  not  only  requir- 
ed to  embark  "  on  the  fniooth  furface  of  a  fummer's  fea  :" 
we  are  not  permitted 

"  To  quit  the  fliip  and  feek  the  fliore, 

"  When  the  winds  rattle  and  the  furges  roar." 

Our  fervices  are  moft  valuable,  and  confequently  mofl  requi- 
fite,  in  the  dreary  feafon  of  diftrefs ;  whether  it  be  occafion- 
ed  by  adverfity  or  difeafe  ;  whether  the  ftorm  proceed  from 
falfe  friends  or  fecret  enemies,  or  from  the  imprudence  or 
guilt  of  the  fufFerer  •,  whether  it  afFedt  the  fortune,  the  rep- 
utation, or  the  perfon  of  him  with  whom  our  fate  is  inter- 
woven 5  the  faithful  wife,  the  tender  mother,  the  dutiful 
daughter,  or  the  afFedlionate  fifter,  muft  ftill  be  the  guardian 
angel  to  bring  the  cup  of  confolation  ;  and  though  the  world 
renounce  or  condemn  the  fufFerer,  her  arms  muft  (except  in 
cafes  of  very  extraordinary  turpitude)  afford  the  wretched 
outcaft  a  fecure  afylum. 

Of  all  the  forrovvs  that  threaten  our  fex,  none  feem  to  me 
fo  exquifitely  painful,  as  thofe  which  refult  from  the  vicious 
conduct  of  our  near  connexions.  Indeed,  thefe  are  fo  ex- 
cruciating, as  to  be  infupportable  without  the  aid  of  religion. 
Yet,  in  this  cafe,  even  her  golden  fliield  cannot  entirely 
blunt  the  Ihafts  of  adverfity ;  fince  the  views  that  fhe  pre- 
ients  of  the  future  ftate  of  unrepentant  finners,  muft  excite 


awful  apprehenfions.  Ixt  us  here  ftop  to  inquire,  how  far 
it  is  in  our  power  to  avoid  a  misfortune  wliich  it  is  fo  diffi- 
cult to  fuftain  •,  and  I  trufl  it  will  be  found,  that  it  is  in  our 
power  to  efcape  the  fliarpeft  of  its  many  pangs,  by  fo  regu- 
lating our  conduct,  that  we  may  never  have  caufe  to  reproach 
ourfelves  with  deferving  fuch  heavy  affliction.  Let  us  en- 
deavour to  lead  a  libertine  brother  or  a  deiftical  father  to  the 
fafe  paths  of  piety  and  virtue ;  fliowing  them,  by  our  own 
deportment,  that  they  really  are  the  paths  of  pleafantnefs. 
Let  us  refolve,  that  no  charm  of  perfon  and  manner,  no  at- 
traction of  rank  or  fortune,  fliall  prevail  upon  us  to  take  for 
the  partners  of  our  lives  men  whofe  vices  will  either  corrupt 
our  principles,  or  wring  our  hearts  with  moft  poignant  mif^ 
ery.  Give  not  your  unborn  offspring  a  father  whofe  exam- 
ple you  muft  teach  them  to  avoid.  Choofe  not  for  your 
companion  on  earth,  one  from  whom,  as  often  as  you  refle<rt, 
you  muft  hope  to  be  eternally  feparated.*  If  you  are  offer- 
ed one  who  will  affift  you  in  your  heaven-ward  journey,  and 
aid  you  in  the  highly  important  duty  of  leading  your  young 
ones  to  their  heavenly  home,  give  him  a  decided  preference, 
however  inferior  he  may  be  in  worldly  advantages  to  his 
profligate  rival.  And  here  we  will  obferve,  that,  though  a 
wife  rarely  has  power  to  reclaim  her  diffolute  fpoufe,  a  fed- 
ulous  attention  to  the  duties  of  a  mother,  in  the  important 
points  of  moral  and  religious  inftrudtion,  will  moft  probably 
preferve  her  from  the  fevereft  of  maternal  pains  :  I  am  forry 
to  fay  only  mofl  probably ;  for,  alas  !  we  have  feen  many  in- 
ftances  in  which  the  beft  inftrudtion  has  been  found  ineffec- 
tual. "  Education,"  faid  one  of  the  foundeft  divines  of  our 
church,  "  is  not  grace  ;"  and  he  felt  the  force  of  that  mel- 
ancholy conceffion.  One  point,  however,  will  be  fecured  ; 
we  fliall  then  know  that  we  fliall  not  be  called  to  account 
for  the  lofs  of  an  unhifxrucled  foul ;  belide,  while  the  offend- 
er lives,  we  lliall  never  renounce  the  hope  of  his  reforma- 
tion. "  We  caft  the  feed  upon  the  waters,"  obferves  an  em- 
inent profeffor  of  the  fcience  of  education  ,f  "  and  we  cxpetSt 
«'  not  to  find  it  till  after  many  days."  The  temptations  of 
the  world,  the  ebullitions  of  youthful  paffions,  the  fedutStions 
of  bad  example,  may  retard  its  germination  ;  but  if  it  has 
once  been  fown  in  early  youth  by  a  careful  hand,  while  the 
mind  was  vacant  and  the  memory  vigorous,  it  will  not  be  to- 

*  Sec  Letter  ij. 

I  Dr.  Vincent.    See  his  Defence  of  Public  Education. 


tally  deftroyed.  Even  at  the  eleventli  hour  the  labourer 
may  recoUeft  his  negledled  vineyard  ;  and,  if  he  were  early 
initiated  in  the  method,  he  may  ftill  anxioully  work  during 
the  fmall  portion  of  time  that  remains,  and  receive  a  limited 
reward. 

The  perplexities  which  purfue  us  in  the  management  of 
our  houfeholds,  belong  to  that  fpecies  of  vexations  which  for 
a  time  occupy  the  whole  mind,  and  afterwards  appear  in  fo 
trivial  a  light  that  we  wonder  how  we  could  fuffer  them  to 
teafe  us.  In  weak  frivolous  difpoiltions  they  are  apt  to  gain 
fuch  an  afcendancy,  as  to  form  that  very  difgufting  character 
a  fretful  fcold ;  and  fometimes  as  the  Lilliputians  contrived 
to  bind  down  Gulliver,  a  multifarious  combination  of  di- 
minutive inconveniences  will  entrammel  fuperior  faculties- 
Nothing  gives  us  fo  mean  an  opinion  of  human  nature,  as 
the  conhderation  of  what  petty  circumftances  are  neceJETary 
to  our  comfort,  and  how  much  the  beft  and  wifefb  of  our 
fpecies  owe  even  the  bleffing  of  felf-pofieffion  to  the  fuccefs 
of  mechanical  contrivances,  and  the  regularity  of  fervile  oc- 
cupations. An  ill  dreiTed  dinner  fliall  not  only  cloud  the 
temper,  but  alfo  retard  the  plans  of  a  ftatefman  ;  the  negli- 
gence of  a  valet  may  interrupt  the  formalities  of  law,  or  vi- 
olate the  decorums  of  parliament ;  the  inattention  of  a  clerk 
or  fubaltern  may  fufpend  the  mofl  important  naval  or  mili- 
tary operations.  No  wonder  then  if  women,  whofe  daily 
round  of  domeftic  infpe£tion  expofes  them  to  a  continual  re- 
currence of  domeftic  vexations,  and  who  muft,  if  properly  in- 
fluenced by  a  fenfe  of  duty,  feel  anxious  to  preferve  the  de- 
corums of  family  regularity,  fliould  often  feel  their  minds 
unhinged  by  the  inconveniences  ariiing  from  the  carelellnefs, 
ignorance,  or  depravity  of  thofe  from  whom  they  require 
diligence,  ability,  and  fidelity.  This  fpecies  of  trial  often 
makes  fevere  inroads  upon  our  tempers,  and  not  unfrequent- 
ly  contributes  much  to  alienate  the  afFeiStions  of  our  huf- 
bands  ;  who,  being  lefs  expofed  to  thefe  provocations  in 
trivial  concerns,  are  apt  to  underrate  their  power  of  irrita- 
ting the  mind. 

In  moft  fituations  of  life,  the  perfonal  offices  of  the  mif- 
trefs  of  a  family  are  occalionally  requifite  ;  in  all,  \vsx  fuper- 
intendance  is  indifpenfable.  It  is  our  duty  to  avoid  leading 
others  into  temptation  ;  and  we  unqueftionably  do  fo,  Avhen, 
by  a  total  intermiffion  of  obfervation,  we  teach  mercenary 
people  that  they  may  be  negligent  or  profligate  with  impu- 
E 


31. 

nlty.  To  fuperlntend  and  conduct  a  houfehold  with  regu- 
larity, propriety,  elegance,  and  good  humour,  is  a  happy  art. 
The  more  important  bufinefs  in  which  men  are  mollly  en- 
gaged, often  wearies  their  faculties  and  difcompofes  their 
minds  j  till,  without  confidering  that  their  little  monarchies 
at  home  are  liable  to  commotions,  they  think  themfclves  en- 
titled to  lind  them  at  all  times  a  pleafant  retreat  from  per- 
plexity and  contradi6lion.  This  expe<Station  may  be  unrea- 
sonable. I  do  not  pretend  to  juflify  men  from  the  charge 
of  being  felfilh  ;  but,  as  they  certainly  do  expefl:  that  the 
fmile  of  complacency  Ihould  always  illumine  the  countenan- 
ces of  their  female  companions,  whenever  it  is  not  fufpended 
by  fympathy  for  them,  it  is  both  politic  and  praile-worthy 
in  our  fex  to  endeavour  at  that  felf-command,  which  cer- 
tainly, when  acquired,  is  our  bell  title  to  fuperiority  in  the 
fcale  of  moral  excellence. 

The  care  of  children,  cfpecially  in  their  earlier  flages  of 
exiftence,  is  a  demand  upon  the  patience  and  firmnefs  of  the 
mother,  which,  if  Ihe  come  only  poetically  prepared  for  the 
undertaking,  flie  will  find  exceeds  her  ability.  Sleeplefs 
nights,  and  anxious  days,  fall  to  the  lot  of  thofe  who  ftead- 
ily  refolve  to  difcharge  every  duty  which  the  tender  fcion  of 
humanity  requires  to  raife  it  to  maturity.  Nor  is  the  talk 
or  teaching  the  *'  young  idea  how  to  fhoot"  always  delight- 
ful. The  fertile  foil  will  produce  weeds,  and  the  vigorous 
plant  will  often  fhoot  with  an  unhappy  curvature,  which  on- 
ly conftant  attention  can  reform.  "  Line  upon  line,  precept 
upon  precept,"  muft  be  fupplied  ;  and,  like  the  prophets  of 
old,  the  maternal  inftruclrefs  muft  throw  in  "  here  a  little 
and  there  a  little.''  And  while  we  are  thus  employed  in 
corredling  others,  we  muft  alfo  remember  to  watch  ourfelvcs 
with  a  fpecial  care.  The  obfervation  of  children,  like  their 
other  faculties,  is  more  acute  than  difcriminating  ;  they  can 
readily  difcern  when  Mamma  is  peeviih  or  paffionate  ;  but 
they  do  not  underftand  that  her  troubles  are  more  impor- 
tant than  the  dirtying  of  a  doll,  or  the  breaking  of  a  favour- 
ite toy. 

The  flighter  conftrudion  of  our  bodily  organs,  our  feden- 
tary  habits,  and  the  inconveniences  and  fuffcrings  attached 
to  maternity,  exercife  our  patience  in  a  fpccics  of  trials,  to 
which  men  are  by  nature  Icfs  expofed ;  though  in  a  ftate  of 
fociety  the  dangers  incident  to  war,  navigation,  and  hazard- 
ous occupations,  not  to  mention  more  frequent  expofure  to 
inclement  feafons,  or  the  difcafes  which  fpring  from  intenv 


J 


35 

perance,  prevent  the  comparifon  of  length  of  days  frompre-» 
ponderating  in  their  favour.  Yet  if  we  conlider,  that  the  ca- 
lamities of  war,  or  fudden  accidents,  generally  reniove  their 
vi<5lims  by  an  injlantaueous  ftroke,  we  muft  allow  that  women 
are  ofteneft  called  to  endure  lingering  decay  and  protracted 
fuffering.  Lefs  equal  to  fatigue,  lefs  capable  of  exertion,  we 
feel  more  of  the  evils  incident  to  debility  and  laffitude.  I 
am  here  fpeaking  of  Englifli  women  in  their  natural  ftate, 
not  in  the  artificial  charadler  which  fafliion  compels  them  to 
affume  ;  for,  certainly,  were  we  to  enumerate  the  toils  which 
a  fine  lady  voluntarily  endures,  v/e  mnft  allow  that  a  porter 
is  a  lefs  robufl:  animal. 

After  reviewing  the  evils  which  befet  us  from  without, 
let  us  revert  to  thofe  bofom  traitors  which  internally  afTault 
us  :  I  mean  the  paffions.  I  can  by  no  means  allow,  that  ours 
are  naturally  fo  violent  as  thofe  of  men  5  but  I  fear  they  are 
often  lefs  fubjefted  to  their  lawful  fovereign  reafon,  and  more 
tinder  the  domination  of  the  ufurper  fancy.  Precluded  by 
our  lituation  from  an  early  or  intimate  acquaintance  with  the 
world,  we  are  more  expofed  to  the  mifreprefentations  of  in- 
terefted  reporters  j  and  if  our  graver  friends  fhould  fall  into 
the  common  error  of  exhibiting  their  defcription  of  life  in 
the  dark  fhade  of  the  phantafmagoria,  the  buoyant  fpirits  of 
youth  will  determine  us  to  confider  the  magic  lanthorn  with 
which  our  chambermaids,  our  romantic  acquaintance,  and 
novel  writers,  amufe  us,  as  a  more  faithful  delineation  of 
living  manners.  Hence  ariles  the  eternal  expectation  of 
fplendid  conquefts,  faultlefs  adorers,  wonderful  events,  and 
extraordinary  conflicts,  all  ending  in  perfedl  and  uninter- 
rupted felicity,  which  haunt  the  mipd  of  youth.  To  this 
caufe  we  muft  attribute  the  vacillations  of  vanity,  the  di-eams 
of  expedlation,  the  fretfulnefs  of  coinpetition,  and  the  gloom 
of  difappointment.  Hence  the  humble  duties  of  focial  life 
are  rendered  difgufting,  and  its  fimple  pleafures  vapid.  Pub- 
lic places  are  thus  converted  into  a  field  for  knight-errantry  ; 
and  the  prudent  friends  who  endeavour  to  confine  us  within 
the  fphere  that  our  narrov/  fortunes  render  neceflary,  aiTumc 
the  part  of  thofe  giants  of  old  vrho  kept  princejjes  immured 
in  cajllcs.  In  this  fituation  of  our  minds,  every  tolerably 
agreeable  man  that  we  meet  is  in  danger  of  becoming  a  con- 
quering Paladin.  If  our  acquaintance  be  extenfive,  and  our 
tempers  lively,  coquetry  is  apt  to  fleal  upon  the  unpradlifed, 
yet  defigning  female ;  a  more  limited  circle,  and  greater  fuf- 
ceptibility  of  difpofition,  give  birth  to   fome  fixed  attach- 


.36 

mcnt  j  and  as  wc  perfuade  ourfelves,  that  a  union  with  the 
preferred  objecl  is  all  that  is  wanting  to  our  happinefs,  every 
obftacle  that  occurs  is  conlidered,  not  as  a  trial  incident  to 
our  mortal  being,  but  as  a  wicked  or  inhuman  contrivance 
againft  our  repol'e.  Hence  arife  envy  and  jealoufy  of  real  or 
imaginary  rivals ;  refentment  or  diflike  of  friendly  interfer- 
ence ;  and  hence  we  become  the  inevitable  prey  of  difap- 
pointment,  either  by  the  fruftration  or  by  the  poffefGon  of 
our  defires.  For  let  no  woman,  who  furrenders  her  mind 
to  all  the  extravagance  of  romantic  expeclation,  think  that 
it  is  even  p'^ffiblc  Ihe  fliould  ever  know  the  blils  of  full  frui- 
tion. If,  while  fhe  is  exempt  from  the  immediate  preiTure 
of  pain  or  diftrefs,  flie  fee  nothing  in  the  prefent  fcene  which 
can  call  forth  the  amiable  fympathies  of  her  heart,  let  her 
reft  aflured  that  the  gaily  decorated  future,  which  Ihe  paints 
in  fuch  vivid  colours,  is  but  the  vifion  of  fixncy.  It  is  like  a 
diftant  landfcape  illuminated  by  the  beams  of  the  riling  fun, 
all  lovely,  glowing,  and  fplendid  •,  but  when  fhe  comes  to 
travel  over  it,  flie  will  find  the  fame  inequalities  of  road,  and 
all  the  difficulties  which  require  that  watchfulncfs,  and  caufe 
that  laffitude,  of  which  flie  now  complains.  The  humoiirs 
of  a  hufband  will  feem  as  intolerable  as  thcfe  of  a  parent ; 
and  "  the  rofe  diftilled"  vvill  be  annoyed  by  the  fame  ene- 
mies which  vexed  it  "  while  it  grew  on  the  virgin  thorn." 

Our  internal  trials,  however,  do  not  always  proceed  from 
the  errors  of  vanity  or  the  fiftions  of  romance.  Our  fex 
generally  pOiTefTes  a  moft  acute  fenlibility,  which  fometimes 
proceeds  from  the  fufceptibility  of  our  bodily  organs  ;  often 
from  the  weaknefs  of  our  judgnient  •,  occafionally  from  bad- 
nefs  of  temper,  and  frequently  from  real  tendernefs  of  heart. 
Since  this  latter  muft  be  acknowledged  to  be  the  only  jufti- 
iiable  fource  of  impaffioned  feeling,  it  behoves  us,  from  our 
earlieft  years,  to  confider  the  irritation  that  proceeds  from 
any  other  caufe,  as  an  infirmity  which  we  muft  endeavour 
to  fabdue.  Corporeal  fragility  feems  to  belong  to  the  med- 
ical department ;  yet,  as  nervous  cafes  are  allowed  to  be  the 
opprobrium  of  the  healing  art,  and  as  they  are  alike  anoma- 
lous and  obftinate,  it  behoves  us  to  inquire,  whether  there 
are  -^ny  prevcnlivc  medicines.  Innocent  clieerfulncfs,  a  con- 
ilant  habit  of  varied  occupations,  exercife,  and  above  all 
"  Genial  air,  kind  Nature's  genuine  gift," 

happily  often 

"  Annihilate  the  train  of  nervous  ills." 


37 

Perfons  who  nre  a  prey  to  thefe  diforders  are  unqueftlonably 
real  objecSts  of  pity  ;  but  they  ufually  deal  fo  liberally  infelf- 
compn/fion,  that  they  require  to  be  but  fparingly  indulged  with 
the  commiferation  of  others.  They  would  probably  ftart  at 
being  told,  that  while  they  confider  thernfelves  as  the  moft 
unhappy  of  the  human  fpecies,  they  refemble  tyrants  in  more 
than  that  miferable  diftindtion.  A  nervous  lady  is  a  com- 
plete defpot,  who  rules,  if  not  with  a  rod  of  iron,  at  leaft 
with  a  fceptre  that  is  infinitely  more  formidable  to  a  gener- 
ous mind.  Happinefs  flies  her  approach,  and  even  humble 
comfort  cannot  refift  her  aflaults.  Thefe  victims  to  imagi- 
nary ills  and  evils  often  pofTefs  a  great  fliare  of  real  good- 
nefs  of  heart ;  and  an  imperative  appeal  from  benevolence, 
or  afFeftion,  generally  acts  as  an  invincible  ftimulant  to  roufe 
the  patient  from  the  languor  of  hypochondria,  and  efl'e^ls  a 
local  cure  though  the  dileafe  feldom  fails  to  return,  when  the 
relaxed  mind  has  loft  its  accidental  energy.  Does  not  this 
teftify,  that  the  malady  is  not  wholly  organic,  and  that,  at 
leaft  in  its  commencement,  feliiflmefs  and  imbecility  contrib- 
ute to  its  violence  ?  That  it  is  attended  with  real  fuffering, 
is  granted ;  but  it  is  equally  certain,  that  the  human  mind 
is  armed  with  power  fufficient  to  reiift  the  attack  of  pain ; 
becaufe  the  fame  perfon  who  often  ftnks  into  the  extremes 
of  nervous  depreffion,  at  other  times  may  be  produced  as  an 
inftance  of  fortitude,  by  enduring  extreme  agony  with  cheer- 
fulnefs.  It  is  thus  in  the  common  afF.airs  of  life,  we  fre- 
quently fee  that  mind  irritated  by  "  trifles  light  as  air," 
which  has  fuftained  real  affliction  with  unyielding  heroifm. 
The  ftate  of  the  cafe  leems  to  be,  tlr.it  when  by  bad  habits 
and  exceflive  diflipation,  or  through  long  confinement,  over 
watchfulnefs,  great  anxiety,  or  fl^vere  misfortune,  the  fpirits 
become  broken  and  the  body  debilitated,  every  little  addition 
of  pain  or  inconvenience  alarms  us  ;  felf  predominates  in  all 
our  thoughts  ;  we  no  longer  compare  ourfelvcs  with  others, 
and  judge  from  a  fair  drawn  parallel ;  but  we  accumulate 
upon  our  own  heads  every  calamity  and  every  difeafe,  he- 
reditary or  contagious,  which  we  can  by  any  enchanting 
fti'etch  of  fancy  carry  to  our  own  mountaiji  of  mifery.  The 
natural  confequence  is,  that  we  fink  under  its  preflure.  I 
have  beftowed  the  more  time  on  this  fubjetD:,  from  a  convic- 
tion that  this  malady  often  aiTaults  moft  amiable  women, 
who  would  flirink  from  thernfelves  with  horror  could  they 
forefee  the  uneafmefs  that  they  caufe,  or  the  lamentable 
transformation  which  they  fufFer,  while  they  are  under  the  in- 


38 

fluence  of  this  "  foul  fiend  •,"  whom,  though  it  is  almoft  Im* 
poffible  to  vanqu'ifjjy  it  is  eafy  to  avoid.  As  the  champion  of 
my  fex,  I  here  enter  my  protefl  againft  the  forced  confiruc-r 
tion,  that  I  fuppofe  hypochondria  to  be  merely  a  feminine 
infirmity.  As  it  cither  originates  in,  or  is  aggravated  by,  the 
patient's  permitting  the  imagination  to  revolve  on  the  nar- 
row pivot  of  felf,  tlie  lords  of  the  creation  are  indebted  to 
their  more  athletic  frames  and  adlive  occupations,  if  (which 
is  certainly  queftionable)  they  are  more  exempt  than  we  from 
the  afTaults  of  nervous  irritability. 

Sufceptibility,  proceeding  from  weaknefs  of  judgment  and 
badnels  of  temper,  takes  a  variety  of  forms.  Sometimes  it 
teafes  ourfelves  and  our  connexions  in  the  fhape  of  bodily 
complaint  5  but  it  often  aiTumes  the  colour  of  an  injured 
chara«^er,  fuficring  from  an  ungrateful,  perfidious,  undil^ 
cerning  world.  It  fharpens  fuppofed  neglects,  creates  imag- 
inary afilictions,  and  delivers  us  over  a  prey  to  faftidioufnefs, 
refentment,  and  fpleen  j  or  perhaps  it  aflumes  the  afpe(St  of 
exceflive  tendernefs  and  tremulous  philanthropy.  In  this 
difguife,  it  is  fo  admirably  delineated,  by  the  pencil  of  an 
unknown  mailer  in  the  fchool  of  poetry,  that  I  muft  recall 
thefe  well  known  lines  to  your  recollection : 

"  Taught  by  nice  fcale  to  mctc  her  feelings  ftrong, 

"  F<ilfe  by  degrees  and  esquifitely  wrong, 

^'  For  the  cruHi'd  beetle  lirft,  the  widow'd  dove, 

"  And  all  the  warbled  forrows  of  the  grove, 

"  Next  f')r  poor  fuffcring  guilt,  and  laft  of  all 

"  Fur  parents,  friends,  a  king's  and  country's  fall. 

•'  Mark  her  fair  votaries  prodigal  of  grief, 

*  With  curelefs  p^ings,  and  woes  that  mock  relief, 

"  Droop  in  loft  Ibrrow  o'er  a  faded  flower, 

"  O'er  a  dead  jackafs  pour  the  pearly  fhower."* 

Jt  is  moft  true,  my  dear  Mifs  M ,  that  this  pfeudo  hu- 
manity always  feats  herfelf  upon  an  inverted  pyramid,  which 
potters  under  her.  The  poor  fly  that  is  eaten  by  the  fpider, 
and  the  dear  dog  that  luoidd  die  of  old  age,  form  the  bafis  of 
an  ample  fuperftrudture  ;  and  her  pity  always  increafes  in 
violence  with  her  confcioufnefs  of  its  being  utterly  unavail- 
ing. She  is  moil  admirably  defcribed  in  a  defervedly  pop- 
ular allegory,-}-  as  gazing  through  a  telefcope  in  fearch  of  dii^ 
tant  diftrcfs,  and  overthrowing  the  petitioner  who  was  at 
her  elbow  ioliciting  her  hofpitality. 

•  New  MoraL'ty,  in  the  Poetry  of  the  Anti-Jacobi<x. 
f  Progrefs  of  the  Pilgrim  Good  Intent. 


The  trials  which  arlfe  from  real  fenfibllity  governed  by 
good  fenfe,  are  of  that  Improving  kind  which  immediately 
proceed  from  the  will  of  Divine  Providence,  and  bring  with 
them  prefent  complacency  and  future  reward.  Some  fevcre 
fe^ls  of  chriftians  feem  defirous,  by  their  too  rigid  interpre- 
tation of  particular  texts  of  fcripture,  to  deprive  us  of  all  the 
confolation  arillng  from  confcious  well  doing.  It  is  true,  if 
we  compare  our  finite  virtues  with  the  purity  and  goodnefs 
of  our  Creator,  the  largeft  accumulation  of  mortal  excellence 
mufi:  become  as  duft  upon  the  balance.  It  is  alfo  acknow- 
ledged, that  when  our  whole  lives  are  referred  to  the  teft  of 
his  holy  lav^s,  they  muft  fall  lb  infinitely  below  the  prefcrib- 
ed  llandard,  as  to  compel  us  to  trufi:  for  mercy  on  a  furer 
foundation  than  our  own  righteoulnefs.  We  grant  that  in 
many  things  we  offend,  and  tliat  our  befl  deeds  are  tainted 
by  infirmity.  Yet  virtue,  circumfcribed,  imperfect,  back- 
fliding  yet  fincere  virtue,  ft:ill  exifts  in  the  human  heart. 
Her  identity  is  acknowledged  by  every  precept  which  re- 
quires her  exertion  ;  nay,  ilie  is  even  authorized  to  expedl 
and  to  claim  a  reivard*  from  that  God  by  whom  fhe  is  ex- 
crcifed  and  fandlified. 

Amid  thofe  qualities  which  will  entitle  their  blefled  pof- 
feffors  to  lliine  like  ftars  in  the  kingdom  of  their  heavenly 
Father,  genuine  benevolence  claims  preeminence.  Let  us 
not,  then,  confider  that  tendernefs  of  heart  which  leads  our 
fex  to  exert  this  glorious  quality,  as  one  of  our  trials,  but  as 
our  nobleft  diftinftion  ;  a  diftindlion  which  the  concurrent 
voice  of  travellers  determines  to  be  limited  to  no  climate, 
enfeebled  by  no  external  circumftances,  but  as  active  amid 
the  privations  and  ignorance  of  favage  life,  as  in  the  refine- 
ment and  opulence  of  civilized  fociety.  In  every  age  and 
nation,  women  are  alike  difl:inguilhed  by  their  promptitude 
to  affift  the  miferable,  and  to  fympathize  with  the  unfortu- 
nate, even  at  the  expenfe  of  their  own  enjoyments. 

But  this  world  prefents  a  mixed  fcene,  in  which  artifice 
and  fraud  are  confl:antly  endeavouring  to  enfnare  unfufpicious 
generofity  ;  •  and  hence  arifes  the  duty  of  placing  our  hearts 
imder  the  guidance  of  our  under fl:anding,  and  of  enlighten- 
ing our  judgments  by  the  united  radiance  of  knowledge  and 
experience.  The  unavoidable  trials  of  real  fenfibility  chiefly 
arife  from  the  difficulty  of  ftriking  a  due  balance  between 
the  promptitude  of  a  generous  temper,  and  the  caution  of  aft 

'^  Matt.  XXV.  %i  and  Z3. 


40 

intelligent  mind.  Only  general  rules  can  be  prefcribed  for 
our  dire(Stion  in  this  inftance  ;  and  as  it  is  much  eafier  to  lay 
them  down,  than  to  apply  them  to  individual  cafes,  we  mull: 
a(Sl  for  ourfelves  after  all,  and  can  feldom  afpire  to  higher 
praife  than  purity  of  intention, 

I  forbear  to  mention  the  trials  that  proceed  from  change 
of  fortune,  from  falfe  friends,  artful  enemies,  and  oppofitc 
interefts ;  from  difappointed  ambition  and  defeated  enter- 
prize  ;  from  accidental  adventures,  myfterious  intrigue,  and 
intricate  bufinefs.  To  thefe  troubles  we  are  lefs  expofcd 
than  men  j  and,  fpeaking  colledlively,  we  only  feel  them  by 
repercuflion.  Providence  has  withdrawn  us  from  the  tur- 
moil of  worldly  contention  ;  and  it  is  only  fome  peculiar  cir- 
cumftanccs,  or  the  improper  encouragement  of  a  bufy  difpo- 
fition,  which  removes  us  from  our  proper  fphere,  domellic 
retirement. 

Inflead  of  prefuming,  with  culpable  hardihood,  to  queftion 
the  wifdom  or  the  juftice  of  that  difpenfation  which  has  de- 
termined our  lot  in  life,  let  us  direct  our  attention,  from 
what  we  might  have  been,  to  what  we  are  ;  and  if  we  find, 
by  the  general  conftitution  of  our  bodies,  and  the  frame  of 
our  minds,  that  we  are  rightly  placed  ;  if  we  difcover,  too, 
that  our  relative  lituation  in  fociety  has  many  real  advanta- 
ges, let  dilTatisfadtion  and  difobedience  yield  to  acquiefccnce 
and  gratitude. 

Our  weaker  ftrength  and  more  delicately  organized  frame 
evidently  point  out  our  unfitnefs  for  thofe  laborious  and  dan- 
gerous exertions,  which  the  common  wants  of  civilized  life 
demand  from  man.  The  necefllty  for  our  being  thus  ex- 
empted is  further  apparent,  becaufe  the  future  generation 
would  immaturely  perilh,  or  languifli  in  the  miferies  inci- 
dent to  neglected  infancy,  if  at  one  period  we  were  expofed 
to  fevere  fatigue  and  alarming  perils,  and  at  another  were 
compelled  by  extreme  toil  to  defert  our  feeble  ofispring, 
who,  unlike  the  brute  creation,  plead  by  their  helplefihefs 
for  indulgence  to  their  mothers.  The  laborious  and  hazard- 
ous undertakings  to  which  women  are  compelled  to  fnbmit 
in  favage  countries,  are  confidered  as  the  preventive  of  fucli 
an  increafe  of  inhabitants  as  would  prove  loo  redundant  for 
their  fcanty  fupply  of  provilions.  And  if  thefe  pliyfical 
caufes  prefent  infurmountable  obftacles  to  our  engagir.g  in 
athletic  or  dangerous  employments,  there  feems  to  be  no  lei'? 
fubflantial  moral  reafons  for  our  withdrawing  from  the  tur- 
moil of  that  fpecies  of  bulincfs  in  which  the  labours  of  the 


41 

head  are  principally  required.  An  eccentric  writer,  who 
thought  audacity  a  proof  of  genius,  and  miftook  infubordi- 
nation  for  independence  and  greatnefs  of  foul,  feemed  to  fup- 
pofe  that  the  profeffions  of  a  lawyer,  a  phyfician,  and  a  mer- 
chant, were  no  ways  incompatible  with  women.  Little  in- 
genuity is  necefTary  to  difprove  a  theory  which  puzzled  for 
an  hour,  and  then  funk  into  oblivion,  overwhelmed  by  the 
weight  of  its  own  abfurdity,  till  it  was  fiflied  up  again  by 
fome  fecond-rate  dealers  in  paradox  and  innovation.  That 
we  can  neither  gain  happinefs  nor  advantage,  from  renounc- 
ing the  habits  which  nature  communicated  and  cuftom  has 
ratified,  is  evident,  by  confidering  the  qualities  for  which  we 
have  been  mofh  valued,  and  how  fl^r  they  would  amalgamate 
with  an  alteration  in  our  relative  fituation.  Could  modefty 
endure  the  ftare  of  public  attention  ;  could  meeknefs  preferve 
her  olive  wand  unbroken  amid  the  noify  contention  of  the 
bar  ;  could  delicacy  efcape  uninjured  through  the  initiatory 
ftudies  of  medicine  ;  could  cautious  difcretion  venture  upon 
thofe  hazardous  experiments  which  private  as  well  as  public 
utility  often  require  ;  could  melting  compaffion  be  the  pro- 
per agent  of  impartial  juftice  •,  or,  would  gentlenefs  dictate 
thofe  fevere  but  wholefome  reftraints,  which  often  preferve 
a  nation  from  ruin  ?  Though  I  am  inclined  to  think  highly 
of  my  own  fex  (fo  highly,  that  I  fear  all  my  claims  in  their 
behalf  will  not  be  readily  allowed,)  I  confefs  that  I  can  fee 
nothing  in  the  Utopian  fcheme  of  an  Amazonian  republic, 
which  is  not  in  the  higheft  degree  abfurd  and  laughable. 
My  convidlion  that  we  fhould  make  wretched  generals,  pat- 
riots, politicians,  legiflators,  and  advocates,  proceeds  from  my 
never  having  yet  feen  a  private  family  well  conducSted,  that 
has  been  fubjeiled  to  female  ufurpation.  Notwithftanding 
any  degree  of  fcience  or  talent  which  may  have  illuminated 
the  fair  vicegerent,  the  awkward  fituation  of  the  good  man  in 
the  corner  has  always  excited  rifibility,  and  awakened  fuch 
prying  fcrutiny  into  interior  arrangements,  as  has  never  fail- 
ed to  difcover  "  fomething  rotten  in  the  ftate  of  Denmark." 
For,  alas  !  my  dear  Mifs  M ,  it  is  not  only  the  temper- 
ament of  our  virtues  which  indicates  the  necellity  of  our  be- 
ing fhielded  from  the  broad  glare  of  obfervation  ;  there  is, 
generally  fpeaking,  (and,  you  know.  Providence  acts  by 
general  rules  both  in  the  natural  and  moral  world)  too  much 
impetuofity  of  feeling,  quicknefs  of  determination,  and  lo- 
cality of  obfervation  in  women,  to  enable  us  to  difcharge 
F 


42 

public  trufts  or  extenfivc  duties  with  propriety.  The  warmth 
of  our  hearts  overpowers  the  duftility  of  our  judgments; 
and  in  our  extreme  defire  to  acSl  vt't-y  right,  we  want  for- 
bearance and  accommodation,  which  makes  our  beft  deflgns 
often  terminate  exa6lly  oppolitc  to  what  we  propofed.  The 
quahties  that  wc  poflefs  are  admirably  fitted  to  enable  us  to 
perform  a  fecond  part  in  life's  concert ;  but  when  we  at- 
tempt to  lead  the  band,  our  foft  notes  become  fcrannel  and 
difcordant,  by  being  ftrained  beyond  their  pitch  ;  and  our 
tremulous  melodies  caufe  a  difgufting  diffonance,  if  they  at- 
tempt to  overpower  the  bold  full  touv^s  of  manly  harmony, 
inftead  of  agreeably  filling  up  its  paufes. 

Experience,  which  enables  men  to  penetrate  into  the  de-» 
figns  of  others,  and  to  develope  fpecious  chara(fkers,  is  the 
refult  of  fuch  intimate  knowledge  of  the  world  as  mull:  by 
us  be  very  dearly  bought.  Fertility  of  refource  and  boldneft 
of  invention,  which  in  the  comprehenfive  mind  of  man  be- 
come the  parents  of  ftupendous  efforts,  when  modified  by 
female  paffions,  are  apt  to  degenerate  into  petty  craft.  More 
energetic  and  fanguine,  but  lefs  endowed  with  courage  and 
perfeverance,  we  lliould,  I  doubt  not,  make  well  intentioned 
and  adlive,  but  ralh  and  hafty  reformers.  Soon  roufed  and 
foon  intimidated  ;  eager  to  adopt  or  to  rejecl: ;  unwilling  to 
dOubt,  to  temporize,  or  to  examine  ;  diilradled  by  a  multi- 
plicity of  cares,  yet  engrofled  by  one,  how  could  we  fuccefl^ 
fully  manage  the  jarring  interefts  and  contending  pafllons  of 
the  inftruments  that  we  fhould  find  it  neceflln-y  to  employ. 
Thofe  nice  fufceptibilities  of  character,  and  that  acutenefs  of 
moral  feeling,  which  induce  us  to  attend  even  to  "  the  grace, 
the  manner,  and  the  decorum"  of  virtue,  would  never  per-' 
mit  us  to  connive  at  a  fmaller  evil  in  order  to  efcape  a  great- 
er •,  nor  could  we,  confiftently  with  our  ingenuoufnefs,  aft 
upon  the  politic  principle  of  "  divide  and  conquer."  Our 
compaflion  and  tendernefs  would  never  authoriije  us  to  ex- 
ert that  neceflary  feverity,  which  is  often  obliged  to  devote 
a  part  to  fave  the  v/hole  -,  yet  both  public  and  private  afl-aira 
muft  often  be  conduced  upon  thefe  principles.  O^ar  impa- 
tience of  calumny  would,  on  the  one  hand,  urge  us  to  that 
hafty  vindication  of  oiu'  motives  and  aftions,  which  would 
caufe  a  premature  difclofi'.re  of  our  defigns  ;  while,  on  the 
other^  our  ftrong  perception  of  impropriety,  and  horror  of 
reproach,  v*rould  reitrain  us  from  adopting  luch  meafures  a3 
<did  not  carry  on  their  £\ce  their  own  juftification.  In  fine 
"^c  have  too  little  of  the  "  ferpent's  worldly  wifdom"  to  in- 


demnify  us  for  bringing  the  "  harmlcfs  dove"  from  its  rural 
neft.  Our  adminiftration,  whether  of  pubHc  or  private  af- 
fairs, would  want  the  great  deiiderata  of  vigour,  confiftency, 
and  extenfion  j  and  we  fhould  ourfelves  be  mere  vifionary 
perfeftionifts,  the  dupes  of  the  fpecious,  and  the  prey  of  the 
ambitious.  Would  this  change  in  our  defignation  promote 
general  happinefs  ?  Should  we  ourfelves  have  caufe  to  re- 
joice in  it  ? 

It  is  poffible,  I  allow,  to  produce  many  illuftrious  exam- 
ples of  female  herolfm  and  capacity  ;  hut  fmgular  occurren- 
ces do  not  overthrow  the  general  conclulions  of  experience. 
The  reigns  of  fome  of  our  Britifh  Queens  may  be  fairly  urg- 
ed in  proof  of  women  being  capable  of  difcharging  the  mofl 
arduous  and  complicated  duties  of  government  with  ability 
and  perfeverance.  My  obfervations  are  not  deiigncd  to  re- 
commend the  expediency  of  a  Salique  law  of  exclufion  from 
hereditary  rank  •,  but  to  ftrengthen  the  principles  which  con- 
folidate  domejlic  harmony.  Belides,  the  fceptre's  being  of^ 
tenlxbly  grafped  by  a  female  hand,  does  not  reverfe  the 
general  order  of  government.  The  reprefentative  of  author- 
ity is  then  indeed  changed  in  gender  ;  but  power  is  lodged 
in  the  fame  fex  which  was  wont  to  exercife  it ;  men  ftill 
execute  the  meafures  which  men  advife  \  and  the  fovereign 
is  but  an  heirefs,  whofe  conduct  is  reftrifted  and  influenced 
by  thofe  laws  which  are  virtually  her  guardians.  But,  to  re- 
lieve the  tedium  of  a  difcuffion  which  I  fear  you  will  think 
dry  and  unneceflary,  fuppofe  we  indulge  in  a  flight  hifl:orical 
digrefllon.  Will  you  deem  me  very  hardy,  if  I  attempt  to 
ftrengthen  my  argument  by  fome  obfervations  on  the  in- 
ftances  which  our  own  ifland  has  aflbrded  us  of  female  fu- 
premacy  ?  I  v\nll  not  derive  them  from  \hs,  fuppofe d  influence 
of  royal  conforts  or  miftreflxes,  but  from  the  reigns  of  our 
aftuai  queens. 

The  hiftory  of  the  firfl:  Mary  is  directly  In  point.  She 
Was,  Indeed,  deftitute  of  thofe  amiable  qualities  of  mercy 
and  gentlenefs,  which  are  confidered  as  our  beft  and  moft 
natural  endowments ;  but  in  lieu  of  thefe,  flie  was  poflefled 
of  tremendous  perfeverance  and  a  fanguinary  confifl:ency. 
Good  intentions,  or  at  leafl:  fincerity  of  purpofe,  was  never 
denied  her  ;  flie  aimed  at  what  ihe  thought  reformation  ; 
fhe  unquefl:ionably  wiihed  her  people  to  become  "  wife  un- 
to falvation"  in  her  own  way ;  and  her  narrow  mind  pre- 
fented  no  better  expedients  to  make  them  fo,  than  the  fag- 
got and  the  block.     In  her  eagernefs  to  obtain  the  delired 


44 

end,  {he  overlooked  impoffibilities :  hence  her  marriage,  In 
the  decline  of  life,  with  a  young  foreign  prince  ;  hence  her 
mal-adminiftnition  of  the  domeftic  concerns  of  the  ftate,  and 
of  its  continental  alliances.  Her  reign  is  a  melancholy  ex- 
panfion  of  the  paffions  of  a  weak  woman,  driven  to  cruelty 
and  felf-difguft  by  the  oppofition  of  her  fubjects,  the  bigotry 
of  her  advifers,  and  her  own  ignorance,  ralhnefs,  and  ob- 
ftinacy. 

I  Ihall  not  be  driven  from  the  tenets  that  I  have  defended 
by  the  bright  fplendour  of  the  Elizabethian  lera ;  for  no 
writers,  except  the  paralites  of  her  own  court,  ever  afcribed 
feminine  virtues  to  that  renoivned  princefs.  Her  education, 
conformably  to  the  general  tafte  of  that  age,  was  learned  and 
compreheniive ;  and  her  underftanding  pofTefled  the  rare, 
advantage  of  being  alike  folid  and  penetrating.  The  diffi- 
culties of  her  early  life  taught  her  difcretion,  and  may  I  not 
alfo  add  diffimulation  ?  while  her  long  profpe£l  of  the  throne 
which  fhe  was  one  day  to  afcend,  induced  her  to  ftudy  the 
fcience  of  government  before  fhe  was  called  to  wield  the 
fceptre.  In  all  but  vanity,  her  mind  was  mafculine.  This 
vice  certainly  led  her  into  a  perfidious,  though  perhaps  po- 
litical facrifice  of  a  lovely  competitor  -,  and  induced  her, 
when  paft  her  grand  climacteric,  to  court  the  praife  of  beau- 
ty, which  even  in  youth  Ihe  never  pofl*efi~ed  ;  and,  unmind- 
ful of  the  deathlefs  laurels  which  crowned  her  vigorous  and 
fuccefsful  adminiftration,  to  decorate  her  withered  brows 
with  the  myrtle  of  afFecled  gallantry.  If  we  compare  her 
latter  years  with  thofe  of  our  firfi:  Edward,  whom  in  her 
public  aclions  ihe  much  refembled,  our  fe^f  muft  feel  humr 
bled  at  the  parallel. 

The  rniferies  of  the  unhappy  Queen  of  Scotland,  fo  ev- 
idently afcribable  to  the  graces,  the  virtues,  and  the  failings 
of  her  fv:;x,  muft,  while  they  ilill  draw  the  tear  ol  pity  for 
her  fate,  excite  our  lively  fympathy  for  every  woman  who 
is  called  to  the  dangerous  eftate  of  fovereign  power  ;  efpe- 
cially  in  a  realm  where  the  fundamental  rights  of  the  confti- 
tution  and  the  bounds  of  prerogative  are  not  decidedly  fettled. 
How  beautiful  was  the  pi(fture  which  fhe  exhibited  in  early 
life  of  conjugal  virtue  and  domeftic  felicity  !  how  muft  we 
regret  the  death  of  Francis,  which  baniihed  her  from  "  Fair 
France,"  and  fent  her  to  a  kingdom  barren  of  focial  delights, 
the  haunt  of  ambition,  and  the  den  of  morofe  fanaticifm ! 
How  do  we  participate  in  her  reluctance  to  relinquifh  the 
charms  of  elegance  and  refinement  •,  in  her  endeavours  tO) 


45 

foften  the  harfh  charafler  of  her  fubjecls,  and  to  conciHatc 
the  alarmed  fufpicion  of  EHzabeth,  to  whofe  fuperior  and 
more  wifely  cultivated  underftanding,  fhe  could  only  oppofe 
graces  and  accomplifhments,  which  were  to  her  not  only 
ufelefs,  but  actually  haftened  her  fall !  We  fee  the  weak  pre- 
cipitation of  her  fex  in  her  rafli  aflumption  of  her  rival's 
title,  and  her  hafty  marriage  with  Darnley  ;  and  we  difcov- 
cr  the  unreftrained  feelings  of  wounded  fenfibility,  in  her 
avowed  contempt  of  him  after  her  difcovery  of  his  ingrati- 
tude and  meannefs.  The  events  immediately  following  are 
fo  perplexed  by  contradictory  ftatements,  that,  though  gener- 
al opinion  now  feems  inclined  to  consider  her  condudl  rather 
as  imprudent  than  wicked,  I  will  pafs  them,  and  haften  to 
the  laft  fcenes  of  her  life  ;  when,  linking  with  fatigue,  del^ 
titue  of  friends,  abandoned,  helplefs,  and  forlorn,  the  lovely 
fugitive  threw  herfelf  upon  the  mercy  of  a  fifter  queen ;  and, 
through  eighteen  years  of  tedious  confinement,  faw  the  fun 
only  rife 

"  To  mark  how  fierce  her  angry  guardians  frown'd, 
^'  To  mark  how  faft  her  waning  beauty  flew." 

To  the  laft  period  of  her  mournful  days,  fhe  felt  no  other 
f  ffedl  of  her  royal  birth,  than  from  its  elevating  her  to  be 
the  alternate  mark  of  jealoufy  and  ambition.  The  fymme- 
try  of  her  perfon,  the  fufceptibility  of  her  temper,  the  graces 
of  her  manner,  the  elegance  of  her  accomplifhments,  the 
warmth  of  her  attachments,  all  that  made  the  woman  amia- 
ble, deftroyed  the  queen. 

Our  fecond  Mary  only  occafionally  held  a  delegated  fcep- 
tre ;  and  as  her  tuneful  panegyrift*  juftly  obferves,  was 
*<  inftrudled  to  command,"  by  obeying  the  hero  William. 
Her  regencies  may  be  produced  as  the  brighteft  example  of 
female  adminiftration,  combining  all  thofe  qualities  of  firm- 
nefs,  promptitude,  vigour,  prudence,  and  clemency,  which 
conftitute  the  definition  of  a  well  ordered  firate.  Yet  this 
wife  and  amiable  Princefs  certainly  knew  that  the  paflive  vir- 
tues were  beft  fuited  to  her  fex.  "  Never,"  fays  a  cotempo- 
rary  author,  *'  were  the  reins  of  government  more  reluft- 
"  antly  afllimed,  more  wifely  managed,  nor  more  willingly 
"  refigned."  Her  conjugal  deportment  to  a  hulband  whom 
fhe  eclipfed  in  amiable  qualities,  is  a  fhining  example  of  dif- 
creet  acquiefcence  in  general  laws.  Her  pofitive  refufal  to 
accept  a  folitary  fceptre,  was  not  affeitation,  but  wifdoin. 

*  Prior. 


46 

Her  political  interference  was  always  marked  by  beneficial 
efFefts,  becaufe  it  was  nevei*  unneceflarily  obtrufive.  The 
revered  chara<5ler  of  this  exemplary  lady,  the  lacred  theme 
of  Prior's  chafter  mufe,  adorned  by  every  public  and  every 
private  excellence,  flill  call  the  virtues  to  weep  over  her  early 
tomb.  Should  her  imperial  robes  be  deftined  to  array  an- 
other Englilli  queen,  may  they,  like  the  mantle  of  Elijah, 
convey  a  portion  of  her  hallowed  fplrit ;  and  may  the  in- 
heritrix of  her  regalia  refemble  the  blefled  fpoufe  of  Wil- 
liam, in  all  but  her  premature  exchange  of  an  earthly  for  a 
heavenly  diadem  ! 

The  royal  filler  of  this  illuftrious  princefs  afcended  the 
tlirone  with  equally  good  intentions,  but  with  inferior  abil- 
ities. The  fplendid  fuccefles  that  attended  her  public  ad- 
miniftration  are  confefledly  attributable  to  the  wifdom  of  her 
ftatefmen,  and  the  heroifm  of  her  naval  and  military  com- 
manders. Her  private  infelicities,  and  the  diftradtions  of 
her  latter  years,  are  a  proof  of  the  unfitnefs  of  women  to 
manage  the  intricate  perplerdtles  that  arife  from  contending 
parties,  or  to  flruggle  againft  thofe  gentler  fympathies  of  na- 
ture which  in  elevated  fituations  muft  give  place  to  the  ftern- 
er  virtues  that  extenfive  refponfibility  impofes.  Her  fubfer- 
vience  to  thofe  violent  tempers  whom  her  ftation  authorized 
her  to  overawe ;  hex  deure  to  accomplifli  ends  which  were 
utterly  incompatible,  arid  to  reconcile  characters  elTentially 
dilcordant ;  her  attachment  to  her  exiled  difinherited  broth- 
er, and  to  many  ungrateful  favourites  who  had  recommend- 
ed themfelves  to  her  efleem  by  fpecious  qualities,  rendered 
her  dignity  a  crown  of  thorns,  which  prelled  hard  on  the 
aching  brows  of  imbecile  ficknefs.  Yet,  confidered  as  a  wo- 
man, what  can  we  cenfure  in  Queen  Anne  ?  Pious  and  fin- 
cere  as  a  chrifiian,  anxious  for  peace,  compaffionate  to  the 
affli<n:ed,  affevTtionate  to  her  kindred,  an  excellent  wife,  dif- 
pofed  to  friendfliip,  fincere,  placable  and  compliant. 

I  allow,  that  the  reigns  of  many  of  cur  kings  prefent  as 
many,  or  I  will  fay  more,  enonnous  errors  than  the  worft 
of  thofe  which  I  have  fpecified  ;  but  let  it  be  remembered, 
that  their  mal-adpiiniftration  arofe  from  what,  it  muft  be 
acknowledged,  v.-ere  their  errors  or  their  vices.  In  moil: 
cafes,  it  vv'as  from  the  predominance  of  fome  ainiable  female 
quality,  that  our  queens  erred  in  their  public  duties.  You 
\\ell  know,  that  it  is  not  my  aim  to  affirm  cur  abfolute  un- 
fitnefs to  take  the  lead,  whenever  peculiar  circumftances  en- 
force the  neceffity  of  cur  fo  doing ;  for  wc  may  then,  etjual^ 


■47 

ly  with  the  other  fex,  hope  for  that  fupply  of  preventing 
and  reftraining  grace  which  will  enable  us  to  do  our  duty  in 
the  flate  of  life  to  vv'hich  we  are  called ,-  and  whenever  the 
exaltation  of  a  woman  to  a  highly  refponfible  iituation  can 
be  forefeen,  a  particular  regard  to  her  education  and  early 
habits  may  enable  her  to  blend  the  authoritative,  magnani- 
mous, and  difcriminating  qualities  that  her  ftation  will  re- 
quire, with  the  milder  virtues  of  her  fex.  Thefe  afliftances 
we  cannot  hope  to  pofTefs,  if  we  rufii  madly  from  our  fphere, 
and  refolve,  uncalled,  to  venture  on  untried  and  forbidden 
paths.  Cheerful  acquiefcence  in  the  will  of  him  who  dif^ 
pofes  of  the  lot,  and  fteady  application  to  the  improvement 
of  the  talents  with  which  we  are  entrufted,  is  our  duty  j  wc 
have  already  proved,  that  it  is  alfo  our  intereft. 

The  propriety  of  our  fecluilon  from  public  affairs  is  necer» 
farily  interwoven  with  domeflic  fubjedlion.  The  humour  of 
the  prefent  age  leans  fo  ftrongly  to  the  afpiring  qualities,  in- 
dependence and  felf-controul  have  fuch  attradion  in  their 
magical  found,  that  I  muft  prudently  fhelter  my  oppoiition 
to  their  delulive  enchantment  under  the  protection  of  mighty 
names,  when  I  pronounce  the  dependant  fituation  of  our  fex 
advantageous.  "  One  very  common  error,"  fays  Dr.  Paley, 
"  mifleads  the  opinions  of  mankind  on  this  head  ;  viz.  that, 
•'  univerfally,  authority  is  pleafant,  and  fubmiffion  painful. 
<*  In  the  general  courfe  of  human  affairs,  the  very  reverfe  of 
*'  this  is  nearer  the  truth :  command  is  anxiety,  obedience 
**  eafe."  While  applying  this  admirable  obfervation  to  our- 
felves,  as  dependant  upon  the  Avills  of  our  near  connexions, 
I  fhall  not  become  the  advocate  of  male  tyranny.  Refer- 
ring to  the  origin  of  authority  and  fubmiffion,  we  may  be  af^ 
fured,  that  they  were  impofed  for  mutual  benefit.  "  Men 
**  do  not,"  as  another  great  divine  obferves,  *'  claim  the  fu- 
"  preniacy  for  any  inherent  fuperiority,  nor  for  their  own 
<*  individual  folace  ;  but  rather,  that  domeflic  peace  may  not 
**  be  violated  by  perpetual  competition.  The  right  of  com- 
*'.  mand  raufl  be  placed  fomewhere,  or  how  could  the  little 
*'  republic  be  regularly  ordered  ;  where  then  fliall  it  be  pro- 
*'  perly  beflowed  ?  Shall  it  be  confided  to  flrength  and  cour- 
*'  age,  enterprize  and  activity ;  or  fhall  thefe  qualities  be 
**  made  fubfervient  to  weaknefs,  apprehenfion,  gentlenefs, 
"  and  a  love  of  repofe  ?  Would  not  this  be  to  conftitute  ^ 
*^  flate  of  perpetual  warfare,  as  the  qualities  of  the  governor 
**  and  governed  would  be  diametrically  oppofite  to  what  their 
"  refpeclive  duties  required  ?" 


43 

No  portrait  can  be  more  truly  amiable,  than  that  of  a  well 
difpofed  well  informed  woman  ordering  her  domcftic  aftairs 
with  propriety,  and  guided  in  the  more  important  concerns 
of  life  by  the  judgment  of  a  worthy  intelligent  hufband  ; 
and  if  we  meant  alfo  to  draw  a  picture  of  human  felicity,  we 
could  not  do  better  than  copy  from  the  fame  original.  A 
well  difpofed  mind,  confcious  of  its  own  imperfections  (and 
no  mind  which  is  well  difpofed  can  avoid  feeling  them,) 
flirinks  from  the  burden  of  unneceflary  refponfibiiity.  It 
can  make  allowances  for  the  errors  and  failings  of  others  ;  it 
cannot  fo  lightly  pardon  its  own.  By  committing  our  af- 
fairs to  the  difpofal  of  one  in  whom  we  can  confide,  we  al- 
ways propofe  to  ourfelves  quiet  and  felf-enjoyment ;  but  in 
a  voluntary  choice  every  degree  of  mifmanagement  fubje6ls 
us  to  the  reproach  of  mifplaced  confidence  ;  where  the  choice 
is  made  for  us,  acquiefcence  is  at  leaft  entitled  to  the  folace 
of  confcious  rectitude  ;  the  authority  of  the  agent  will  not 
prevent  the  effects  of  his  imbecility  or  mifmanagement,  but 
our  fubmiflion  is  then  juftifiable. 

Domeftic  retirement  is  not  only  the  fcene  where  the  palT- 
jve  virtues  difplay  their  heavenly  energies ;  it  is  alfo  their 
fecure  afylum.  From  how  many  temptations  is  our  fex  pre- 
ferved,  by  being  placed  in  this  enviable  fliade !  We  are  fo 
hedged  in,  and  feparated  from  the  contagion  of  many  vices 
by  general  opinion,  eliabliihed  cuft:oms,  and  even  by  the 
natural  repugnance  of  our  own  minds,  that  we  muftufe  vio- 
lence before  we  can  burft  through  the  facred  enclofure,  and 
folicit,  or  rather  feize,  contamination.  We  will  mention,  as 
inftances,  intemperance,  profanenefs,  treachery,  and  cruelty. 
Even  in  the  eyes  of  debauchees,  a  female  bouviant  is  con- 
temptible ;  and  indecorum  of  exprefllon  flartles  the  moft 
profligate,  when  it  proceeds  from  that  lex,  whofe  prefence 
is  acknowledged  to  be  fuch  a  reftraint  upon  the  boldeft  blaf- 
phemcr,  as  only  ignorance  and  ill  manners  can  furmount. 
Well  might  the  infpired  writer  obferve,  that,  "  there  is  no 
wickcdncfs  like  the  wickednefs  of  a  woman  ;"  for  the  effron- 
tery which  enables  her  to  brave  infamy,  afcertains  the  anni- 
hilation of  thofe  lively  fenfibilities  which  might  have  led  her 
back  to  commiferation  and  contrition.  It  is  obferved  in  the 
lower  walks  of  vice,  that  when  a  woman  is  concerned  in  a 
robbery,  murder  generally  follows ;  this  is  a  probable  confe- 
quence,  for  cowards  are  always  cruel ;  and  thofe  fmall  re- 
mains of  generofity,  which  even  a  courfe  of  rapine  cannot 
always  eradicate,  are  foreign  to  a  heart  which  has  only  con-  • 


49 

quered  the  reftraints,  but  not  the  felfiflmefs  of  fear.  In. 
men  we  have  often  Cecn  ambition  united  with  many  excel- 
lent quahties ;  it  has  even  been  ftyled  the  error  of  great 
minds.  Confcious  of  abiUty,  and  infatiate  of  renown,  con- 
querors and  ftatefmen  have  generally  been  folicitous  to  do 
that  "  boldly  which  they  would  do  highly ;"  but  when  wo- 
man has  delivered  herfelf  up  to  unlawful  cravings,  her  lively 
paffions,  and  her  eager  dellre  to  attain  her  purpofe,  combat- 
ing with  the  fenfe  of  imbecility,  has  generally  driven  her 
upon  the  moft  deteftable  means  of  accomplifhing  a  bad  de- 
fign.  Macbeth,  in  the  very  a6t  of  murder,  retains  fomewhat 
of  the  "  milk  of  human  kindnefs  ;"  but  "  his  fiend  like 
queen"  has  no  other  thought  than  felf-fecurity.  Do  not  ob- 
jedl  that  we  contemplate  thefe  hiftorical  charadters  through 
the  medium  of  fiction  ;  their  portraits  are  delineated  witli 
the  moft  perfeft  rcfi^mblance  to  human  nature.  Tiiat  of 
Lady  Macbeth  prefcnts  what,  I  believe,  is  rather  rare  in  the 
annals  of  vice,  a  woman  genuinely  ambitious  ;  for  in  our  fex 
ambition  is  commonly  a  fabaltern  quality,  ftimulated  by  love, 
hatred,  revenge,  fear,  or  vanity.  Like  Henrida  in  Shen- 
flone's  elegies,  the  afpiring  female  moflly  anticipates  '^  li?\Y 
*'  fweet  are  (lumbers  on  a  couch  of  ftate/'  or  elfe  wifiies 
*'  To  crown  at  once  the  lover  and  the  love."  But  the  fame 
baleful  effeAs  proceed  from  the  mixed  as  from  the  primary 
paflion  ;  whenever  an  Athaliah  covets  undue  preeminence, 
Ihe  arifes  with  a  determination  "  to  cut  off  all  the  feed  roy- 
al."    Thefe  obfervations,  my  dear   Mifs  M ,    are  not 

wholly  irrelative  to  the  million.  Ambition  prefents  other 
temptations  befide  crovrns,  and  has  lefs  bloody,  though  equal- 
ly deftruclive  confequences  as  thofe  to  which  we  have  juft 
alluded.  I  am  perfuaded  that  we  muft  refer  to  this  paflion, 
when,  under  the  guidance  of  vanity,  many  of  thofe  extrava- 
gancies which  we  fhall  be  called  upon  to  lament  in  the  courfe 
of  our  correfpondence,  as  ruinous  to  domeftic  peace,  and  de- 
rogatory to  female  characfler. 

I  do  not  think  that  women  have  lefs  temptation  to  anger 
than  men  ;  becaufe  in  the  routine  of  family  affairs  they  ge- 
nerally meet  with  perpetual,  though  trivial,  trials  of  meek- 
nefs  ;  and  we  know,  that  the  folid  rock  is  more  likely  to  be 
fretted  by  continual  droppings,  than  broken  by  the  rufliing 
of  a  hafty  catara6l  •,  but  the  prefent  forms  of  fociety,  and  I 
grieve  to  add,  its  feemingly  irrefiftible  propcnfities,  may 
make  us  enumerate  as  one  of  our  advantages,  that  anger  is 
G 


50 

not  likely  to  involve  us  in  very  ferious  confco^uences.  While 
the  only  finful  part  of  chivalry  is  preferved  from  that  obliv- 
ion which  has  involved  its  high-foul'd  chaftity,  integrity,  and 
generofity,  we  muft  congratulate  ourfelves  that  we  are  not 
likely  to  be  called  out  for  an  unguarded  expreffion,  perhaps 
uttered  unconfcioufly  in  a  moment  of  temporary  delirium. 
You  will  fmilc  at  my  enumerating  this  fecurity  amongft  our 
advantages ;  but  the  bloody  regifter  of  falfe  honor  is  become 
fo  voluminous,  that  it  really  is  a  confobtion  to  reflect,  that 
the  whizzing  ball  or  gliding  fteel  are  not  likely  to  be  clafied 
in  the  lift  of  om-  mortal  difcafes. 

The  cuftoms  of  fociety  give  us  advantages  net  highly  val- 
uable of  themfelves,  but  capable  of  being  converted  to  real 
benefit.  The  attentions  that  we  receive  as  women  may  cer- 
tainly be,  as  Mary  Wolftonecraft  terms  them,  "  engines  of 
refined  voluptuoufnefs,"  when  they  minifter  to  our  caprice, 
our  vanity,  ?nd  our  frivolity  ;  but  they  are  capable  of  a  high- 
er diretfbion,  and  may  be  lo  received,  and  fo  directed,  as  to 
reform  the  morals  of  thole  from  whom  we  require  them. 
Gallantry  (I  here  ufe  that  term  in  its  /Vzo^w/^'w^rfigniScation) 
has  been  fo  modified  and  curtailed  by  prevailing  manners, 
that  it  is  to  be  hoped  women  will  not  join  in  a  confpiracy 
to  annihilate  the  fmall  degree  of  knightly  courtefy  which  yet 
cxifts,  by  themfelves  alTumlng  the  deportment  of  amazonian 
boldnefs,  or  affedting  amazonian  independence.  By  indeli- 
cacy of  habit,  by  unblufhing  confidence  in  converfation,  and 
by  the  difcovery  of  a  vindictive  difpofition,  we  forfeit  the  re- 
fpedt  to  which  the  paflive  virtues,  our  natural  endowments, 
are  entitled,  and  mufl  receive  from  all  but  brutes  or  mon- 
fters. 

The  paffive  virtues,  my  dear  young  friend,  are  not  mean, 
fervile,  or  cowardly.  Dr.  Paley  places  them  in  fuch  a  point 
of  view,  as  may  excite  the  emulation  of  the  moft  afpiring 
mind.  His  definition  is,  "  paflive  virtues  are  of  all  others 
"  the  feverefl:,  the  moft  fublimc,  and  perhaps  the  moft  ac- 
*«  ceptable  to  the  Deity."  The  foundation  on  which  they 
ftand  is  fortitude,  magnanimity,  and  difintereftedilefs  ;  and 
their  fure  reward  is  ielf-pofll'flion,  and  that  peace  of  God 
which  paiTeth  underftanding.  The  overftrained  foftnefs  of 
aftefted  refinement,  is  as  inimical  to  thefe  heavenly  qualities, 
as  the  fury  of  a  virago  ;  a  life  of  ufeleffnefs  and  indulgence 
can  never  be  a  life  of  happinels.  Whoever  ere(5ts  herfelf  in- 
to the  golden  idol  of  felf-importance  will  be  perpetually  ha- 
i-aflTcd,  by  feeing  inflexible  integrity  rcfufe  to  fall  proftratc 


51 

before  her.  Whatever  painted  gauds  may  pafs  upon  the 
AVorld  as  the  trappings  of  happinefs,  it  can  only  relide  in  the 
bofoms  of  thofe  who  are  exercifed  in  good  works.  The  of- 
fices which  are  daily  required  of  women,  enable  us  to  lay 
claim  to  this  enviable  diftinftion.  Our  relative  fituation  in 
life  preferves  us  from  many  temptations  ;  we  are  more  guard- 
ed  by  our  natural  propenfities  from  fome  vices  ;  and  from 
pthers,  we  are  more  fecured  by  habit  and  general  opinion. 
We  are  in  lefs  danger  of  having  our  integrity  cenfured  by 
the  allurements  of  fraud,  ambition,  or  contending  interefts  ', 
but  thefe  are  not  our  beft  advantages  :  our  moll:  glorious 
(diftindlion  is,  that  we  are  better  jQtted  for  receiving  the  te- 
nets and  obeying  the  precepts  of  that  faith  which  will  make 
us  wife  unto  falvation  •,  for,  however  infidels  may  mifrepre- 
fent  and  cavil  at  lowlinefs  and  finglenefs  of  heart,  thefe  arc 
the  difpofitions  v/hlch  lit  us  for  the  reception  of  the  ftupend- 
ous  plan  of  redemption,  and  prepare  us  for  evangelical  holi- 
nefs.  Credulity  and  terror  may  make  us  fuperftitious,  and 
obftinacy  and  ignorance  may  beget  bigotry  ;  but  bigotry  and 
fuperftition  are  mere  opprobrious  appellations  v^hen  applied 
to  true  religion,  and  only  reflccSt  odium  on  the  beftower. 
Here,  then,  our  peculiar  qualities  give  us  advantages,  which 
ftrength,  courage,  and  wifdom,  when  unfaniSlioned  by  piety, 
cannot  impart.  A  confcioufnefs  of  infirmity  is  the  admoni- 
tion of  nature,  bidding  us  look  up  to  "  the  rock  from  whence 
we  were  hewn,"  and  depend  upon  the  power  that  has  prom- 
ifed  **to  fave  all  who  trufi:  in  him."  Our  general  habits  of 
fubmiflion  and  conftraint  tend  to  fubdue  our  ftormy  paffions, 
and  to  eradicate  our  corrupt  defires ;  the  humble  ofiices  of 
life  in  which  moft  of  us  are  engaged,  make  us  acquainted 
with  the  wants  of  our  fellow-creatures,  and  alfo  difpofe  us  ta 
relieve  the  forrows  in  which  we  have  fuch  full  participation  ; 
while  all  the  emotions  of  hope,  fear,  joy,  grief,  aifedtion,  and 
gratitude,  to  which  our  fufceptible  hearts  are  fo  peculiarly 
alive,  form  the  very  bafis  for  a  pure  but  animated  devotion. 

Surely  then,  my  dear  Mifs  M ,  contemplating  thefe  in- 

eftimable  privileges,  thefe  fecurities  from  vice,  thefe  incen- 
tives to  virtue,  thefe  helps  of  grace  and  hopes  of  glory,  we 
may  adopt  the  language  of  a  nervous,  though  now  neglecled 
inftrudtor*  of  our  fex,  and  **  thank  God  that  we  v/ere  born 
women."  Leaving  you  to  improve  thefe  refle£lions  as  your 
piety  will  beft  fuggeft,  I  remain,  &c. 

*  The  Author  of  the  Ladies'  Calling. 


52 

LETTER     III. 

Change  of  Manners  in  the  Middle  ClaJJcs. 


MY  DEAR  MUSS  M- 


r  ROM  the  conflderation  of  what  we  are  defigned  to  be  by 
Providence,  the  propofed  feries  of  our  corrcfpondencc  leads 
us  to  inquire,  what  we  become  when  we  renounce  the  obU- 
gation  of  duty,  and  fubmit  to  be  new  modelled  by  caprice 
or  affedlation.  Though  the  woman  of  fafliion  boafts  of  hav- 
ing emancipated  herfelf  from  thofe  reftraints  which  fetter 
the  inclination  of  the  woman  of  propriety,  we  fliall  difcover 
that  fhe  really  is  in  a  ftate  of  bondage,  and  has  voluntarily 
fubmitted  to  injuncftions  no  lefs  numerous,  and  far  more  fer- 
vile,  than  thofe  which  fhe  has  rcje<fted.  She  has  her  trials 
too  ;  for  the  wifdom  of  Divine  Providence  never  fuffers  any 
glaring  violation  of  its  laws  to  brave  its  authority,  withouL* 
being  reproved,  or  at  leaft  feeling  the  internal  confequences 
of  its  pertinacity.  V/e  need  not  extend  our  refeaixhes  to 
the  comforts  and  advantages  of  a  life  of  voluptuous  diilipa- 
tion,  or  indolent  felf-indulgencc ;  they  poflefs  none.  The 
punifhments  of  the  wicked  do  not,  like  the  corre<Slions  of 
the  fiithful,  heal  the  heart  they  are  intended  to  probe. 

Moralifts  are  always  cenfured,  for  giving  an  exaggerated 
caricature  of  their  own  times.  I  am  ready  to  admit,  that  in 
fome  refpefts  we  have  improved  upon  our  anceftors ;  that 
vice  ceafes  to  be  grofs,  and  manners  are  no  longer  ftifF  or 
pedantic  ;  that  fociety  is  governed  by  more  agreeable  and 
convenient  laws,  and  that  drefs,  when  it  does  not  outrage 
modcfty,  is  regulated  by  a  purer  tafte  than  that  which  or- 
dained long  waifts,  long  ruffles,  high  pokes,  and  farthingales. 
It  is  alfo  acknowledged,  that  our  comforts  are  materially  in- 
creafed  by  mechanical  and  mathematical  difcoveries,  and 
that  knowledge  is  more  generally  diffufed.  I  believe  the 
learned  are  agreed,  that  in  profound  ftudies,  which  do  not 
depend  upon  experimental  philofophy,  mechanical  contriv- 
ance, or  natural  hiftory,  this  age  cannot  fuftain  a  comparifou 
with  thofe  which  laid  the  foundation  of  our  church,  and  per- 


fc£led  our  civil  conftitution.  If  the  moft  proper  ftudy  of 
mankind  is  man,  our  anceftors  had  the  advantage  of  us  in 
knowledge.  Nor  can  we  claim  uncontefted  preeminence  in 
charity  ;  becaufe  donations  from  thofe  ample  ftores  which 
internal  peace  and  commerce  have  difFufed  over  this  nation, 
muft  not  be  rated  in  arithmetical  proportion  with  the  pittance 
that  could  be  fpared  from  the  urgent  neceffities  of  individu- 
als, at  a  period  when  agriculture  was  ill  underftood,  and  often 
interrupted  by  civil  wars,  and  when  arts  and  manufaftures 
were  unknown.  The  benevolence,  public  fpirit,  and  mag- 
nificent liberality  of  thofe  perilous  and  needy  times,  are 
evinced  by  the  irrefragable  teftimony  of  many  religious  and 
charitable  foundations,  by  fbately  edifices  devoted  to  the  ad- 
vancement of  learning,  by  fplendid  afylums  for  infancy  and 
ficknefs,  and  by  comfortable  habitations  for  age  and  penury. 

Charity  is  therefore  only,  what  it  ever  has  been,  a  ftriking 
feature  in  our  national  charaiTter.  It  is,  indeed,  fo  predom- 
inant a  difi:in(Si:ion,  that  even  felfifhnefs,  languifhing  in  the 
diflipation  and  luxury  of  what  is  called  high  life,  cannot 
avoid  imparting  fome  of  its  fuperflux  to  the  poor  and  needy. 
Juflice  fhould  be  always  done  even  to  the  leaft  deferving  ; 
and  it  is  to  be  lamented,  that  the  author  of  a  very  fpirited 
and  well  principled  fatire,*  while  defcribing  the  "  barren 
and  dreary  defert  of  the  fafhlonable  world,"  has  negle6led  to 
mark  out  the  green  Oafis  of  charity.  Perhaps  it  would  have 
been  falfe  candour  to  have  applied  the  name  of  this  fublime 
chriftian  grace  to  the  liberality  of  philanthropy  ;  however, 
as  even  that  indicates  fome  remnant  of  moral  feeling,  fome 
interruption  of  the  frigid  cold  of  a  life  of  pleafure,  it  fliould 
not  be  pafled  over  without  commendation,  though  its  mo- 
tives do  not  entitle  it  to  the  praife  of  religious  obedience. 

It  is  no  new  obfervation,  that  the  extremes  of  fociety  are 
unfavourable  to  virtue.  Wife  Agur  formed  a  wifb  upon 
this  head  thre^  thoufand  years  ago,-(-  which  for  piety  and 
prudence  is  alike  entitled  to  everlafting  remembrance.  The 
levity  and  diflipation  of  the  middle  ranks  are  the  fingular 
and  alarming  chara^teriflics  of  the  prefent  times.  A  difTo- 
lute  fenfual  nobility  is  no  novelty.  It  is  alfo  upon  record, 
that  the  lower  orders  in  thefe  kingdoms  have  been  diflatisfi- 
ed,  clamorous,  negligent  of  their  proper  duties,  and  inclined 
to  afTume  political  fupremacy.     But  the  middle  clafTes,  where 

*  The  Fafl\ionabIe  World  Difplayed. 
f  Prov.  XXX.  8. 


5-1. 

temperance,  diligence,  and  propriety  iifed  to  refiJe,  the  fa* 
vourite  abode  of  recftitudc,  good  fenfe,  and  found  piety,  have 
undergone  a  change  within  the  laft  fifty  years  which  muft 
ftartle  every  confidcrate  mind  ;  fo  far  as  it  relates  to  \yomen, 
either  as  to  the  caufe  or  the  cure,  it  prefents  a  topic  de- 
manding oiu'  clofc  attention. 

Though  the  effects  of  commercial  profpeiity  are  in  fome 
degree  generally  difRifed  over  the  nation,  it  has  principally 
affccled  the  intermediate  orders.  Succefsful  adventure,  pro- 
feffional  Ikill,  patient  diligence,  or  laborious  induftry,  often 
bring  a  rapid  increafe  of  \vealth  to  families  that  have  not, 
either  by  habit  or  education,  been  taught  the  proper  ufe  of 
it.  The  firfl:  bleffing  which  fortune  feems  to  offer  to  an  ill 
regulated  or  ill  informed  mind  is  fclf-enjoyment,  the  fecond 
is  diftinction  ;  hence  arife  luxurious  modes  of  living,  and 
abfurd  exhibitions  of  gi-andeur.  It  would  be  well,  if  the 
confequences  of  thefe  errors  were  limited  to  what  inevitably 
follows  extreme  indulgence,  I  mean  difeafe  and  contempt  j 
but  the  effe£ls  are  rarely  confined  to  the  faulty  individual. 
The  gains  of  fuccefsful  adventure  are  foon  loft  by  a  reverfe 
of  fortune  ;  the  favings  of  diligence  and  induftry  cannot  fup- 
ply  the  wafte  of  careleffnefs  and  indolence  ;  the  profits  of 
the  profeflional  man  die  with  him,  and  nothing  remains  to 
his  family  but  the  hoard  which  frugality  referved  in  the  hour 
of  profperity.  Yet  if  people  fo  circumftanced  will  vie  in  ex- 
penfe  with  liereditary  wealth,  what  muft  be  the  confequence  ^ 
what  indeed,  but  that  which  we  hourly  fee,  in  bankruptcies, 
fuicides,  helplefs  widows  and  deltitute  orphans,  in  every  fpe- 
cies  of  nefarious  fraud,  extortion,  and  fwindling  impofition  ; 
we  muft  alfo  add,  th^t  the  ruin  caufed  by  this  rage  for  lux- 
ury and  fliow  is  vifible  in  the  madnefs  of  gaming-houfes,  and 
in  the  licentious  haunts  of  proftitution. 

Would  to  heaven  our  fex  could  be  vindicated  from  the 
heavy  cenfure  that  m^uft  fall  upon  thofe  who,  to  purchafe 
the  edat  of  a  few  years,  not  the  happinejs  of  an  hour,  involve 
themfelves  and  families  in  deftruclion  !  An  impartial  review 
of  living  manners  compels  me  to  confef;,  that  we  are  in  this 
point  often  mere  culpable  than  our  weakly  indulgent  jiart- 
ners.  It  is  Eve  who  again  entreats  Adam  to  eat  the  forbid- 
den fruit ;  he  takes  it,  and  is  undone.  Men  in  this  rank 
of  lite  have  generally  lefs  tajle  than  women  ;  they  are  amuf- 
cd  by  their  bufincfs  through  the  day,  and  at  its  weary  dole 
ihev  would  generally  be  contented  with  the  relaxation  which 
their  own  families  afforded,  if  thofe  fi\milics  were  focial,  do- 


55 

mcrtlcj  cheerful,  and  dcilrous  to  promote  their  amufement. 
But  fince  the  potent  decree  of  faihion  determined  it  to  be 
unfit  for  the  wife  of  a  man  in  reputable  circumftances  to  em- 
ploy herfelf  in  domeftic  arrangements,  or  uleful  needle  work, 
time  has  proved  a  fevere  burden  to  people  who  are  deftitute 
of  inclination  for  literature.  To  relieve  themfelves  from  a 
load,  the  weight  of  which  they  are  too  proud  to  acknow- 
ledge, they  have  felt  obliged  to  mingle  with  what  is  called 
the  world.  Did  any  of  thefe  adventurous  dames  conlider 
the  heavy  fervices  which  this  ailbciation  requires,  did  they 
fairly  rate  the  fatigue,  the  perplexity,  the  flavery  of  being 
'uery  genteel  upon  a  limited  fcale,  they  would  think  it  better  to 
prefer  a  plain  fyftem  of  focial  comfort,  even  at  the  expenfe 
of  that  ridicule  which,  I  lament  to  fay,  fuch  a  deviation  from 
refinement  would  incur.  Yet,  when  there  is  no  houfekeep- 
er  in  the  fpiceroom,  nor  butler  at  the  fideboard,  an  elegant 
entertainment  occafions  more  labour  and  perplexity  to  the 
miftrefs  of  the  houfe,  than  fhe  would  undergo  by  a  regular 
performance  of  fervices  highly  beneficial  and  praifeworthy. 
What  anxiety  is  there  that  every  part  of  the  fplendid  repaft 
fhould  be  properly  fele^ed,  well  drefTed,  and  ferved  in  ftyle  I 
"What  care  to  keep  the  every  day  garb  of  family  economics 
out  of  fight,  and  to  convince  the  guefiis  that  this  is  the  ufual 
ftyle  of  living ;  though,  if  they  credit  the  report,  it  muft 
only  confirm  their  fufpicion  that  their  hofliefs  is  actually  in- 
fane.  What  blufliing  confufion  do  thefe  demi  fafhionifts 
difcover,  if  detedled  in  any  employment  that  feems  to  indi- 
cate a  little  remaining  regard  for  prudence  and  oeconomy  \ 
What  irregularity  and  inconvenienee  muft  the  family  expe- 
rience during  the  days  immediately  preceding  the  gala  !  what 
irritation  of  temper,  what  neglect  of  children,  what  difre- 
gard  of  religious  and  focial  offices  !  And  for  what  is  all  this- 
facrifice  ?  to  procure  the  honour  of  being  talked  of ;  for 
happinefs,  or  even  comfort,  are  rarely  expe£led  at  fuch  en- 
tertainments. Notwithftanding  all  due  preparation,  fome- 
thing  goes  wrong,  either  in  the  dinner  or  the  company. 
The  face  of  the  inviter  difplays  mortification,  inftead  of  ex- 
ultation ;  and  the  invited  difguife  the  fneer  of  ridicule  un- 
der the  fixed  fimper  of  affected  politenefs.  Nor  let  the  giv- 
er of  the  feaft  complain  of  difappointment.  She  aimed  not 
to  pleafe,  but  to  dazzle  ;  not  to  gratify  her  guefts  by  the 
cheerful  hilarity  of  her  table,  but  to  announce  her  own  fu- 
periority  in  tafte  or  in  expenfe.  When  the  hofpitable  hof- 
tefs  fpreads  her  plain  but  plentiful  board  for  friendfhip  and 


56 

kindred,  for  thofe  whom  fl)e  loves  or  rcfpccls,  tliofc  whom 
Ihe  fceks  to  oblige,  or  thofe  to  whom  ihc  wifhes  to  ac- 
knowledge obligation,  where  vanity  and  fclf  are  kept  out  of 
fight,  and  real  generofity  feeks  no  higher  praife  than  that  of 
giving  a  fufficient  and  comfortable  repaft  with  a  pleafant 
welcome,  a  faftidious  obfcrvance  of  any  accidental  miftake, 
or  trivial  error,  might  be  juftly  called  ill  nature  and  ingrati- 
tude ;  but  when  oRentation  fummons  her  myrmidons  to  be- 
hold the  triumph,  let  ridicule  join  the  party,  and  proclaim 
the  defeat. 

But  this  infatiable  monfter,  a  rage  for  diftinclion,  is  net 
content  with  fpoiling  the  comforts  of  the  cheerful  regale  ; 
luxury  has  invented  a  prodigious  number  of  accommodations 
in  the  department  of  moveables  ;  and  the  miftrefs  of  a  tiny 
villa  at  Hackney,  or  a  ftill  more  tiny  drawingroom  in  Crutch- 
ed  Friars,  only  waits  to  know  if  her  Grace  has  placed  them 
in  her  baronial  refidence,  to  pronounce  that  they  are  com- 
forts without  which  no  foul  can  exift.  Hence  it  becomes  an 
undertaking  of  no  little  ftill,  to  condudl  one's  perfon  through 
an  apartment  twelve  feet  fquare,  furniflaed  in  Jl^le  by  a  lady 
oi  ta/ie,  without  any  injury  to  ourfelves,  or  to  the  fauteuils, 
candelabras,  confoletables,  jardiniers,  chiffoniers,  &c.  Should 
we,  at  entering  the  apartment,  efcape  the  workboxes,  foot- 
ftools,  and  culhions  for  lapdogs,  our  debut  may  ftill  be  cele- 
brated by  the  overthrow  of  half  a  dozen  top-gallant  fcrcens, 
as  many  perfume  jars,  or  even  by  the  total  demolition  of  a 
glafs  cabinet  ftuck  full  of  flufted  monfters.  By  an  inadver- 
tent remove  of  our  chair  backwards,  we  may  thruft  it  tlirough 
the  paper  frame  of  the  book  ftand,  or  the  pyramidal  flower 
baflcet ;  and  our  nearer  approach  to  the  fire  is  barricadoed 
by  nodding  mandarines  and  branching  luftres.  It  is  well,  if 
the  height  of  the  apartment  permits  us  to  glide  fecure  under 
the  impending  danger  of  cryllal  lamps,  chandeliers,  and  gilt 
bird  cages  inhabited  by  fcreaming  canaries.  An  attempt  to 
walk  would  be  too  prefumptuous,  amidfl:  the  oppofltion  of  a 
hofl  of  working  tables,  fofas,  rout  chairs,  and  ottomans.  To 
return  from  a  vifit  of  this  dcfcription  without  having  cotn- 
viitied  or  fuffered  any  depredation,  is  an  event  almoft  fmiilar 
to  the  famous  expedition  of  the  argonauts.  The  fair  mif^ 
trefs,  indeed,  generally  officiates  as  pilot ;  and  by  obferving 
how  Ihc  folds  or  unfurls  her  redundant  train,  and  enlarges 
or  contracts  the  waving  of  her  plumes,  one  may  practifc  the 
dilating  or  dimini{l:iing  graces  according  to  the  moit  c\a<ft 
rules  of  geometrical  proportion  j  happy  if  we  can  fteal  a  mo- 


57 

ment  from  the  clrcumfpeftion  that  our  arduous  fltuatlotl  re- 
quires, to  admire  the  quantity  of  pretty  things  which  are 
coIIe<n:ed  together,  and  enquire  if  they  are  really  of  any  ufe. 

Drefs  is  fuch  an  important  fubjedt  to  women,  that  I  muft. 
claim  permiffion  to  refer  to  it  frequently.  Two  chief  ends 
feem  to  be  purfued  by  thofe  who  imitate  the  great  in  this: 
particular  ;  namely,  that  it  fliould  fliow  their  wealth,  and 
proclaim  their  ufeleffnefs.  When  the  coft  of  a  gown  excels 
the  countefs's  which  it  refembles  in  fhape,  the  wearer  feels 
an  immcnfe  fatisfadlion,  no  inatter  though  her  drefs  be  but 
■a  publication  of  her  vulgar  manners  ;  elegance  is,  in  her  opin- 
ion, a  faleable  commodity ;  {he  has  the  draper's  bill  in  her 
pocket  (I  hope  with  a  receipt  to  it,)  and  fhe  knows  that  flie 
IS  better  drefled  than  her  ladyihip  by  fifteen  fhillings  a  yard. 
It  may,  however,  happen,  that  deficiency  in  cafli  or  credit 
may  limit  the  tafte  of  the  fafhionift  to  the  mere  vamping  up 
and  remodelling  her  old  wardrobe  •,  but,  as  an  exadl  copy 
would  argue  a  very  little  foul,  it  now  becomes  necefTary  to 
caf  icature  the  mode,  and  to  exhibit  in  full  extravagance  that 
which,  when  really  modified  by  talle  and  worn  with  propri- 
ety, was  graceful  and  becoming.  Either  way  the  wearer  an- 
nounces her  intention  of  not  being  miftaken  for  the  drudge 
of  patient  utility.  The  flow  of  her  drapery,  the  flight  tex- 
ture of  her  attire,  the  tafleful  arrangement  of  her  trefles,  and 
the  ftudioufly  inconvenient  fituation  of  her  ornaments,  pro- 
daim  an  airy  fylph,  a  Grecian  nymph,  a  "  mincing  mam- 
met,"  or,  to  fpeak  in  her  own  language,  a  very  fine  lady : 
they  cannot  poflibly  denote  the  induftrious  houfewife,  or  the 
helpmate  of  man. 

The  purfuits  of  this  /ufus  nature?.,  this  creature  formed  to 
feed  on  the  toils  of  induflry,  confift  of  laborious  idlenefs. 
As,  after  all  her  exertions,  her  fituation  in  life  does  not  al- 
low of  her  being  genteel  in  ever^  thing,  parfimonious  oecon- 
omy  and  heedlefs  expenfe  take  their  turn.  To  be  as  fraart, 
not  as  her  equals,  but  as  her  fuperiors,  it  becomes  necefTary 
that  fhe  fliould  excel  in  contrivance  j  I  do  not  mean  in  that 
prudent  forethought,  which  enables  a  good  wife  to  propor- 
tion the  family  expenditure  by  the  regular  order  of  necclE- 
ties,  comforts,  conveniences,  and  fuperfluities  :  this  grada- 
tion mufl  be  reverfed,  and.fuperfluities  take  the  lead.  Frendh 
wines  may  be  introduced  on  great  occafions,  by  a  daily  re- 
trenchment of  fmall  beer ;  and  wax  lights  may  be  had  for 
routs,  by  limiting  the  number  of  kiichea  candles.  If  her, 
H 


58 

hufband  and  children  dine  on  haflied  mutton,  flie  can  pro- 
vide ices  in  the  evening  ;  and  by  leaving  their  bed  chambers 
comfortlei's  and  inconvenient,  flie  can  afford  more  drapery 
for  the  drawing  room.  Even  white  morning  dreiTes  will  not 
be  fo  very  expenfive,  provided  you  are  expert  in  haggling 
with  the  waflier  woman,  and  do  not  diflike  being  dirty  when 
you  are  invifible  ;  and  if  you  know  cheap  fliops,  and  the  art 
of  driving  bargains,  you  may  even  fave  money  by  making 
nft'leff  purchafes.  New  modelling  yom-  houfehokl  and  per- 
fonal  ornaments  is,  I  grant,  an  indifpenfable  duty  ;  for  no 
ovic  can  appear  three  times  in  the  fame  gown,  or  have  fix 
parties  without  one  additional  Vandyke  or  feftoon  to  the 
window  curtains.  Thefc  employments  will  therefore  occupy 
your  mornings  till  the  hour  of  villting  arrives  j  then  you 
mud  take  care  to  difmifs  the  bed  gown  and  workbag,  and, 
having  crammed  every  thing  ungenteel  out  of  fight,  aflume 
the  airs  of  that  happy  creature  who  has  nothing  in  the  world 
to  do,  and  nothing  to  think  of  but  killing  time.  Fafliions 
are  now  to  be  difcufi'ed,  public  places  criticifed,  fliopping 
fchemes  adjufted,  and  evening  parties  fixed.  After  your 
morning  ramble,  you  will  juft  get  time  to  treat  your  own 
family  with  a  Uttle  of  thiit  fpleen  and  chagrin  which  have 
been  excited  by  your  having  feen  an  acquaintance  in  her  car- 
riage while  you  were  fiiill  compelled  to  be  on  foot,  or  by 
having  met  one  better  drelTed  than  yourfelf,  whofe  hufband 
cannot  half  {o  v/ell  aflFord  it.  You  muft,  in  compliance  with 
the  prefTure  of  time,  hurry  over  the  bufinefs  of  the  toilette  ; 
and  if  during  the  remainder  of  the  evening  you  are  not  quite 
in  fo  great  a  crowd  as  a  duchcfs,  you  may  at  leaft  confole 
yourfelf  with  the  confideration  that  you  are  as  ufelefs  to  your 
family. 

My  dear  young  friend  will  fmile  when  I  acfd,  that  our 
fecond  rate  ladies  plead  that  they  undergo  all  this  from  mo- 
tives  of  conjugal  duty  and  maternal  affccllon.  It  is  neceflary, 
they  fay,  to  keep  up  connexions ;  their  hufbands'  credit  de- 
pends upon  their  appearance  ;  nobody  notices  them  if  they 
do  not  live  like  other  people  ;  or  perhaps  the  good  man  him- 
felf  infiAs  upon  their  being  very  fmart  and  living  in  ftyle. 
When  this  latter  excufe  happens  to  be  the  fa«^,  we  certainly 
muft  feem  to  fail  with  the  llream  ;  but  the  plans  of  expenfe 
which  we  dare  not  oj^enly  oppofe,  a  regard  to  our  children, 
and  indeed  felf-lovc,  fliould  induce  us  to  counteraft  gradu- 
ally. Vanity  is  rarely  a  prevailing  feature  in  a  man's  charac- 
ter ;  men  foraetinies,  indeed,  choofe  that  their  wives  fliould 


59 

be  gaily  adorned,  and  hurried  through  a  round  of  amufe* 
meuts,  becaufe  they  are  their  property ;  but  much  oftenep 
they  do  this  out  of  gallantry,  with  a  view  to  gratify  them, 
and  by  way  of  fliowing  them  their  attachment.  In  the  lat- 
ter cafe,  it  is  very  poflible  to  decline,  with  afFedlion  and 
fteadinefs,  every  expenlive  attention  which  prudence  difap- 
proves  j  and  in  the  former,  this  mania  of  unconjugal  ojienta- 
tion  may  be  checked,  by  appearing  rather  to  endure  than  to 
enjoy  the  exhibition.  Men  are  far  more  fenfual  than  vain  ; 
they  are  lefs  influenced  by  general  opinion,  and  lefs  afFefled 
by  petty  detra<51;ion.  The  paffion  of  felf-indulgcnce  leads 
them  into  expenflve  habits.  Difdaining  the  fiftitious  hap- 
pinefs  which  depends  upon  the  breath  of  others,  diflipated 
men  purfue  what  they  czW  fubjiantial  blifs.  They  know  that 
the  club  will  at  leaft  for  an  hour  exclude  foiTow,  and  enfure 
gaiety.  The  circulating  glafs  has  with  them  the  united  pro- 
perties of  Lethe  and  Helicon.  To  a  man  of  this  cafl.,  the 
fociety  of  his  wife  and  children  is  vapid,  or  at  leaft  not  fuf- 
ficiently  poignant  to  be  long  entertaining.  If  his  tavern  en- 
gagements can  be  counterafted  by  a  well  drefTed  dinner,  and 
a  few  cheerful  friends  at  home,  a  woman  is  juftified  in  re- 
forting  to  thefe  meaiures,  by  way  of  weaning  him  from  his 
more  dangerous  propenlities  ;  even  though  flie  fliould  be 
obliged  to  facrifice  thofe  pure  domcftic  pleafures,  which  hap- 
py wedlock  affords  thofe  people  whofe  fortunes  are  commen- 
{urate  to  their  wants  ; 

"  An  elegant  fuflicicncy,  content, 

•'  Retirement,  rural  quiet,  friendiliip,  books, 

"  Eafe  and  alternate  labour,  ufeful  life, 

"  Progreflivc  virtue,  and  approving  heaven." 

I  cannot  admit  the  generally  received  excufe,  that  convivial 
meetings  and  tavern  afTociations  are  promoters  of  bulinefs  ; 
becaufe  I  have  known  men  tranfaft  a  great  deal,  and  even 
rife  from  low  life  to  opulence,  by  means  of  an  eftabliflied 
character  for  probity,  integrity,  and  fobriety.  The  general 
habits  of  the  fuperior  part  of  the  mercantile  world  confirm 
my  opinion  ;  but,  granting  that  the  convenience  of  driving 
a  bargain,  or  forcing  trade,  may  withdraw  the  hufband  from 
the  domeftic  circle,  the  diflipation  of  the  wife  is  left  without 
€xcufe.  The  craft  of  deceiving  by  falfe  appearances  is  fol- 
lowed by  too  many,  to  be  a  \yYo^\.Ah\Q /peculation  any  longer  ; 
and  wealthy  people,  whom  it  is  defirable  to  make  dupes,  are 
much  fooner  induced  to  truft  a  man  by  the  appearance  of 
order  and  oeconooiy  in  his  family,  than  by  hearing  that  it  is 


60 

the  gentecleft  in  the  ftreet ;  which  cautious  traders  often 
t;hink  is  the  furell  omen  of  approaching  bankruptcy.  Nor 
is  the  wifdom  of  the  mother  more  apparent  than  that  of  the 
wife,  in  thus  cukivating  tafte  at  the  expenfe  of  propriety, 
from  a  delign  of  procuring  refpectable  connexions  for  her 
daughter  ;  which  intention  is  ahiioft  fure  to  be  fruitrated  by 
one  circumftance  :  every  body  is  embarking  in  the  fame  traf- 
fic J  and  the  market  is  lb  full  of  well  drelfed  fpinfters  who 
are  adepts  in  the  art  of  fpending  money,  that  if  our  laws  per- 
mitted the  fame  plurality  of  wives  to  men  of  fortune,  as  the 
Koran  fanclions,  ftill  many  an  elegant  belle  would  be  in  want 
of  a  good  ejiahlij}jtncnt.  The  nymphs  of  modern  times,  \vho 
fpend  their  days  in  mufic,  and  dancing,  diUcr  much  from 
the  ancient  heroines  of  paftoral  and  romance  ;  for  thefe  lat- 
ter, if  they  fed  at  all,  fubfifted  upon  the  wild  produtSlions  of 
groves  and  meads,  quaffed  the  limpid  ftream,  and  repofed 
under  umbrageous  trees ;  fo  that  they  really  were  very  cheap 
companions.  But  now,  ornaments  are  no  longer  compofed 
of  natural  flowers,  unlefs,  like  Lady  Teazle,  the  fair  one 
purchafes  rofes  at  Chrillmas.  Penelope  (except  we  feck  for 
her  in  the  circle  of  royalty)  cannot  fabricate  a  veft  for  her 
fon,  or  fire ;  and  even  *'  white  handed  Phyllis"  difdains 
**  to  drefs  herbs  and  other  country  mefies  for  Corydon  and 
Thyiils ;"  and  indeed  I  much  fear  that  thofe  gentlemen 
would  no  longer  find  them  "  favoury."  The  rich  gudgeon, 
for  whom  pcrtionlefs  elegance  drops  fuch  numerous  baits,  ofteu 
poflefles  that  moft  ungallant  acquirement  arithmetic  ;  and, 
having  difcovered  that  a  dowerlcfs  wife  Vv-ill  have  the  fame 
conjugal  anxiety  to  fupport  his  pecuniary  reputation,  feen-.s 
inclined  to  ally  himfcli  to  a  gold  filli.  Compafilonating  the 
claims  of  thofe  numerous  young  women,  \A\o  found  their 
expectation  of  being  fupported  on  their  total  inability  of 
helping  themfelves,  I  wuuld  advife  by  way  of  experiment, 
that  fome  few  mothers  would  Ihow  a  wilh  of  furnilliing  the 
next  generation  with  luives,  by  cultivating  thofe  qualities  iu 
their  daughters  which  will  prevent  them  from  being  convert- 
ed into  7)iij}reJjl'S.  Diffidence,  frugality,  and  induftry,  are  in- 
deed quite  out  -,  but  for  that  very  reafon  they  will  certainly 
be  ftared  at,  and  may  give  their  pofieilbr  that  notoriety, 
which  thofe  who  only  herd  with  a  crowd  never  can  obtain  ; 
and  it  is  even  pofiible  that  fome  whimfical  humourift  may 
take  a  fancy  to  luch  vulgarity,  and,  remembering  his  old 
grandmother's  proverb,  inay  overlook  the  want  of  fortune 
witn  a  wife,  when  there  appears  to  be  foir.cthing  in  her  whicU 


61 

promlfes'towear  well.  I  grant  that  I'uch  a  man  muft  be  a 
quiz  ;  yet  quizzes  have  made  good  hufbands  ;  at  leaft,  it  is 
better  to  be  the  wife  of  fuch  a  one,  than  to  be  eternally  tranf-- 
forming  an  old  tambour  muflin  into  frefla  nets  to  entangle  a 
Titus  or  a  Brutus,  who,  being  himfelf  upon  his  preferment,  ' 
perfeftly  underftands  the  myftery  of  entrapment. 

I  can  no  longer  fupport  a  ftraln  of  irony.  My  foul  is 
moved  to  the  livelieft  indignation,  and  keenell  forrow,  at  the 
wilful  degradation  of  my  lex.  With  what  propriety  do  we 
complain  of  the  flate  of  dependence  in  which  God  and  the 
laws  of  our  country  have  placed  us,  when  we  render  ourlelves 
infinitely  more  helplefs,  more  deftitute  (fhall  we  not  fay  more 
fervile  and  dcfpicable  ?)  by  defcrting  our  proper  fphere,  by 
neglefling  the  ufeful  duties  that  we  might  perform,  by  facri- 
iicing  the  intereft  and  the  afi'e£tions  of  our  families,  not  to 
be  even  an  obje£V  of  admiration,  diltinguiflied  for  elegant 
frivolity  and  expenlive  nothingnefs  ;  but  for  the  fake  of 
fcarting  in  a  crowd  to  run  the  race  of  folly,  of  echoing  a 
forged  tale  of  happinefs  and  fplendor,  which  has  been  too 
often  told  to  be  even  fpecious  ?  For  let  me  once  again  repeat 
the  often  urged  fa^,  diflipation,  finery,  and  extravagance, 
are  too  frequent  to  attraB  attention. .  Even  if  you  flrain  the 
burfting  nerves  of  credit,  and  not  only  fquander  every  lliil- 
ling  of  your  children's  property,  but  ruin  every  one  v/honi 
you  can  enfnare,  fome  rival,  equally  unprincipled,  but  bet- 
ter lituated,  will  outfhine  you.  Could  thefe  poor  flaves  of 
vanity,  who  judge  by  the  fuppofed  opinion  of  the  world,  bear 
the  contemptuous  farcafms  which  this  unfuitable  parade  and 
cxpenfe  excite  from  thofc  whom  they  attempt  to  propitiate  ? 
It  is  poflible,  that  the  dread  of  ridicule  might  prove  a  more 
powei-ful  reftraint,  than  the  reproachful  tears  of  their  ruined 
oftspringj  and  the  curfes  of  their  creditors.  In  the  higher 
circles,  a  more  coftly  drefs  than  the  occalion  requires  is  con- 
fidered  as  an  indelible  proof  of  vulgarity  ;  the  grandeur  of 
the  lady's  paraphernalia  is  contrafted  with  the  pcttinefs  of 
her  attendant  lacquey,  the  ihabbinefs  of  her  buggy,  or  the 
leannefs  of  her  laborious  Rozinante  ;  and  the  fuitabiiity  of 
the  tout  enfemhle  muft  be  arranged  with  no  common  fkill,  if 
it  efcapes  the  prying  glance  of  piqued  fuperiority.  An  un- 
common affemblage  of  feathers,  a  treble  convolution  of  train, 
a  double  row  of  plaited  Valenciennes,  or  a  fleeve  decorated 
ifill  it  reminds  one  of  Petruchio's  whimlical  defcription,*  as 

*  "  What !  up  and  down,  carv'd  like  an  appletart, 
•'  With  fnip,  and  nip,  and  cut."        Shakespearb. 


62 

Indifputably  announce  the  entry  of  fomc  would  be  flhe  lady 
to  a  well  bred  aflembly,  as  a  copper  complexion  does  a  na-» 
live  American  to  the  Canadian  fettlers  ;  and  the  company^ 
wait,  with  the  ?ionchalance  of  good  breeding,  till  fome  cock- 
ney mifappllcation  of  the  W,  or  provincial  inverflon  of  the 
afpirate,  determines  the  ftranger^s  tribe  and  latitude.  For 
iet  it  not  be  fuppofed,  that  the  propenfity  to  appear  what  we 
are  not  is  limited  to  crowded  cities  :  few  retirements  are  fo 
fequeflered,  as  to  prevent  their  being  explored  by  the  vifita- 
tions  of  this  oflentatious  paflion  iox  faleable  refinement.  The 
village  madam  hopes  her  fhowy  array,  and  faftidious  fcru- 
pulofity,  will  convince  you  that  her  hufband  cannot  be  a 
farmer ;  and,  at  the  peril  of  a  brilTc  retort,  forbear  to  infin- 
uate  to  the  market  town  elegante^  that  flie  may  be  wanted  in 
the  ihop.  They  fuppofe  that  it  i::  very  vulgar  to  be  thought 
ufeful  \  and  the  acknowledgment  of  an  honeft  avocation  is 
to  them  a  reproach.  Yet,  though  wealth  and  commerce 
have  rendered  the  externals  of  the  gentlewoman  fo  attaina- 
ble, that  ihe  is  no  longer  to  be  diftinguifhed  by  her  habit ; 
we  have  left  it  to  more  patient  and  lefs  profperous  times  to 
tranfcribe  the  complaifance,  affability,  condefcending  atten- 
tion to  the  claims  of  others,  love  of  propriety,  and  regard  for 
decorum,  which  are  the  eflentials  of  this  deiired  diftinction  : 
the  adoption  of  thefe  is  too  arduous  an  undertaking,  and  re- 
quires too  many  privations.  Rudenefs  of  habit  is  foon  caft 
allde,  rudenefs  of  manner  is  more  adhefive.  The  country 
lafs  doffs  the  former  at  the  drefs  maker's,  where  fhe  leaves 
her  red  cloak  and  her  humility ;  but  fhe  is  Infinitely  too 
mucli  delighted  with  her  transformation,  to  fuppofe  refpe£l 
to  fuperiors,  or  civility  to  equals,  can  be  neceffary,  nov/  that 
the  Mlfs  Stitchv/ells  have  pronounced  her  quite  a?iother  thing. 

Is  there,  my  dear  Mifs  M ,  a  more  difgufllng  produce 

than  Infolence  engrafted  on  awkwardnefs  ?  or  are  any  airs 
(b  ridiculous,  as  thole  which  are  affumed  by  purfe-proud  Ig- 
nornnce  } 

Your  excellent  mother  filled  a  fituation  In  life  too  decid- 
edly rcfpeclable  to  derive  any  real  elevation  from  attempting 
to  outftep  the  modefty  of  nature.  Her  good  fenfe  tauglit 
her  both  to  perceive  and  preferve  its  advantages.  I  enjoy 
a  foothing  gratification  from  rellecStlng,  that  as,  by  avoiding 
the  extremes  of  psrlimony  and  extravagance,  fhe  gave  an 
example  of  prudence  to  people  of  her  own  rank  ;  fo  the  wii- 
dom  of  the  maxims  by  which  fhe  governed  her  condudt  was 
generally  U'feful.     Wlicn  the  prefiurc  of  the  tinie;>  prefented 


63 

thofe  claims  to  which  country  gentlemen  are  cipccially  cx- 
pofed,  ihe  did  not  plead  public  exigency  as  a  reafon  for  re- 
ftraining  private  benevolence  ;  nor  did  Ihe  make  her  domet 
tics  miferable  by  penurious  reftriclions.  "  The  world,"  fhe 
obferved,  *'  will  always  allow  you  to  fpare  from  yourfelf. 
«'  If  you  never  attempt  to  outfhine  your  neighbours,  they 
**  will  pardon  your  old  gown,  and  permit  you  to  flay  at  home 
<*  unqueftioned."  By  limiting  our  wardrobe,  or  giving  up 
an  excuriion,  it  is  pofGble  to  avoid  the  cenfure  of  being  mean, 
and  the  pain  of  knowing  that  we  embarrafs  our  hufband's 
aifairs. 

It  is  worth  confidering,  at  how  much  lefs  expenfe  of  time, 
fortune,  and  comfort,  you  may  purchafe  the  reputation  of 
folid,  than  you  can  of  brilliant  qualities,  provided  you  arc 
contented  with  being  a  good  p/ain  chara<Sler  j  for  few  are  in- 
clined to  conteft  the  right  of  a  claimant  to  that  diftindlion. 
I  do  not  advife  you  to  gain  it  by  ftruggling  againft  the  tor- 
rent, but  by  getting  out  of  Its  way,  and  fufFering  it  to  glide 
quietly  by  you.  If  the  attention  of  your  fuperiors  be  the 
object  at  wliich  you  aim,  this  is  the  fureft  way  to  obtain  it  j 
for,  to  return  to  the  obfervations  of  my  deceafed  monitor, 
*'  though  every  rank  in  life  has  prefTed  into  the  ftation  im- 
*'  mediately  preceding,  none  feem  confclous  of  their  own  ad- 
«  vancement,  while  all  are  piqued  at  the  exaltation  of  their 
**  inferiors."  The  clergyman's  daughter  will  exprefs  much 
indignation  that  the  MilTes  Flamborough  have  imitated  their 
Sunday  hat,  at  the  Very  moment  tliat  they  are  fabricating  a 
head  drefs  refembling  what  the  baronet's  lady  wore  at  the 
laft  county  aflembly.  It  is  in  vain,  therefore,  to  rufh  for- 
ward with  precipitation ;  our  fuperiors  will  only  fuffer  us  to 
overtake  them  for  one  moment ;  and  then,  with  a  fmile  of 
contempt,  they  will  vault  on  a  higher  eminence,  where  you 
muft  try  to  perch  befide  them,  or  elfe  be  thrown  down  by 
the  crowd  of  joftling  inferiors  who  are  prefSng  hard  upon 
you.  To  ftep  afide  is  the  only  wife  method ;  and,  to  be 
convinced  of  the  abfolute  neccfiity  for  our  fo  doing,  let  us 
for  a  moment  turn  our  eyes  on  the  lower  orders  of  fociety. 
Our  attention  ihall  be  firft  directed  to  that  with  which  we 
are  moft  connecled,  domeftic  fervants.  What  is  their  ap- 
pearance ;  what  are  their  purfuits  ;  what,  generally  fpeak- 
mg,  is  their  moral  character  ?  The  propeniity  to  appear  what 
they  are  not,  has  operated  fo  ftrongly  in  this  clafs,  that  few 
miftreiTes,  however  befotted  themfelves,  can  refrain  from 
complaining  of  its  ill  eff'zSts  ;  and  it  is  impolEble  to  go  into 


64 

a  mixed  company,  ^vithout  being  aflailed  with  narratives  of 
the  extravagance,  ignorance,  folly,  and  llnery  of  maidfervants. 
Yet,  to  fay  that  thc^y  only  faithfully  copy  the  examples  which 
are  fet  before  them,  would  not  (generally  fpcaking)  be  toa 
fevere  an  anfwer.  Lut  this  fubjedt  muft  be  referred  for  fu- 
ture difculfion.* 

We  have  feen,  that  no  fpeculative  advantages  can  accrue, 
cither  to  our  hufoands  or  our  daughters,  by  our  extrava- 
gance. Suppofe  we  now  eftimate  the  pleafure  really  enjoy- 
ed by  a  woman  who  devotes  herfelf  to  expenfive  gratifica- 
tions, who  wears  the  moft  elegant  drefs,  gives  tlie  moft  fump- 
tuous  entertainments,  goes  every  where,  and  fees  all  that  is 
to  be  {cen.  I  allow  that  the  Being  thus  occupied  muft  be' 
too  much  devoted  to  felf-enjoyment  to  feel  anxious  about 
her  deferted  family ;  to  care  whether  her  children  are  brutes, 
idiots,  or  cripples,  further  than  as  they  affe^  herfelf;  to  be 
folicitous  how  her  hufband  amufes  himfelf  in  her  abfence  ; 
to  fhrink  at  the  apprehenlion  of  the  carelefsnefs  or  the  dif- 
honefty  of  her  fervants ,  or  to  m.ind  having  her  morning 
flumbers  broken  by  a  levee  of  clamorous  duns.  We  may 
deny  that  fhe  ever  attains  what  ihe  purfues,  pleafure  ;  and 
our  proof  of  this  aflertion  is  derived  from  the  palling  effedt 
of  fatiety  on  the  phyfical  conftitution  of  our  bodies  ;  and 
from  the  certain  facSl:,  that  pieafure  ever  flies  away  the  fafteft 
when  it  is  moft  eagerly  purfued.  The  rational  dame,  who 
ipares  one  evening  in  the  week  from  domeftic  occupations, 
will  enjoy  a  lively  party,  a  well  acted  play,  a  concert,  or  a' 
ball.  She  will  feel  the  force  of  contraft ;  and  every  agreea- 
ble incident  will  be  engraven  on  her  memory,  for  the  pur- 
pofe  of  amufing  the  beloved  group,  who  will  croud  around 
her  next  morning  to  inquire  the  hiftory  of  the  gay  evening. 
She  has  a  ftill  greater  chance  of  being  gratified,  as  flie  wifl 
enter  the  feftal  fcene  with  fpirits  undeprefied  by  that  load 
of  bodily  debility  which  fleeplefs  nights  and  liftlefs  days  muft 
occafion ;  befide,  amufement  is  not  the  bufinefs  of  her  life ; 
►  and  if  what  fhe  eaters  into  falls  fhort  of  her  cxpctStation,  it 
is  but  a  petty  difappointment,  and  fhe  has  other  refources. 

"  The  fleep  of  the  labouring  man  is  fwcet,"'  fays  the  in- 
fpired  penman  j  and  furely  nothing  is  fo  delightful,  as,  after 
a  day  fpcnt  in  the  peaceful  exercife  of  fome  honelt  calling, 
to  fink  upon  our  pillows,  confcious  of  well  meant  endeavours, 
and  confiding  in  that  God  who  has  promifed  to  accept  them. 

**  Sec  Letter  XIViU, 


65 

Fatigue  of  this  kind  never  injures  the  animal  frame;  it  is 
repaired  by  reft  and  refrefliment  •,  and  the  morning,  which 
renews  the  demand  for  exertion,  revives  the  ponver  of  com- 
pHance.  The  fatigue  which  arifes  from  exceffive  diffipation 
is  of  another  defcription.  The  exhaufted  body  has  loft  the 
abihty  of  refufcitation  ;  the  clamour  of  mufic,  the  clafhing 
of  carriages,  aflail  its  feverifh  {lumbers  ;  the  mazes  of  the 
dance,  and  the  glare  of  theatrical  fcenery,  ftill  flit  before  the 
frequently  unclofed  eyes  ;  the  paffions  are  not  yet  calm  ift 
the  throbbing  bofom  ;  envy  enumerates  the  ornaments  of  a 
rival,  and  chagrin  dwells  upon  the  flight  curtefy  of  an  opu- 
lent acquaintance.  The  votary  of  pleafure  rifes  unrefrefhed, 
and  a  liftlefs  yawning  morning  is  the  penalty  which  fhe  mutt 
pay  to  nature  for  having  forced  her  beyond  her  ability- 
Thcfe  are  the  moments  that  engender  fpleen  ;  the  diflatis- 
faftion  that  flie  feels  is  averted  from  herfelf,  on  whom  it 
ought  to  fall ;  but,  as  flie  really  is  unhappy,  it  muft  fix  fome- 
where.  Very  probably,  flie  will  difcover  that  her  evening's 
chagrin  was  owing  to  her  hufband,  who  either  looked  as  if  he 
did  not  wifli  her  to  go  out,  or  prevented  her  making  a  more 
pleafant  party,  or  refirahicd  her  expenfes,  or  dropped  fome 
harfli  exprefiion  which  broke  her  fpirits,  always  meek  and 
tenderly  fenfitive.  Perhaps  the  children  are  troublefome, 
crofs,  humourfome,  and  want  more  attention  than  fhe  has 
leifure  to  give  them  ;  or  perhaps  the  French  governefs  may 
be  negligent,  the  Abigail  impertinent,  or  the  cook  tipfey. 
It  is  happy  when  the  difeafe  fixes  in  fome  remote  part,  and 
only  prompts  the  fufFerer  to  treat  her  family  with  a  detail 
of  the  cruel  ufage  that  flie  has  undergone  ;  and  a  pathetic 
explanation  of  the  extreme  hardfhip,  that  fhe,  who  has  fuch 
a  relifh  for  pleafure,  fhould  never  be  permitted  to  tafte  it. 
Miftaken  creature  !  who  told  thee  that  this  world  was  made 
for  butterflies  ?  Call  me  not  too  fevere,  nor  fuppofe  that  I 
overcharge  the  portrait.  I  know  the  depravity  of  the  hu- 
man heart  too  well  (fliall  I  own  too  experimentally  ?)  not  to 
be  convinced  that  they  who  have  no  time  for  felf-confidera- 
tion,  and  religious  communing,  may  be  efteemed  fortunate 
if  they  do  not  fall  into  ftill  grolTer  faults  and  misfortunes. 

To  defcend  a  little  from  the  line  of  fociety  that  we  have 
been  confidering  :  I  have  often  contemplated  the  good  city 
pair,  who  fet  out  for  their  box  in  the  country  on  Saturday 
night,  and  return  time  enough  to  open  fliop  on  Monday 
morning.  We  ruflics  might  fuppofe,  that  after  the  fatigue 
I 


G6 

of  fix  days  they  would  look  forward  to  the  fubbatical  reft 
with  ecftacy ;  and  that  their  purpofe  for  going  into  the  coun- 
try was  to  enjoy  the  heavenly  blcffings  of  reflection  and  de- 
votion in  retirement.  Qu^itc  the  reverfe  ;  their  intention  is 
to  have  a  party  of  friends.  The  travelling  vehicle  is  laden 
with  proviiions  ;  and  though  the  miftrefs  of  the  "  fnug  re- 
treat" arrives  at  it  late  and  weary,  fhe  muft  unpack  her  plate, 
duft  her  china,  and  arrange  her  deflert  that  evening.  A  lit- 
tle indulgence  next  morning  would  be  excufable,  provided 
the  family  were  in  readinefs  to  perform  the  appropriate  du- 
ties of  the  Sabbath  ;  but,  unhappily,  there  is  a  multiplicity 
of  reafons  to  prevent  this  obfervance.  The  church  is  a  long 
way  off ;  it  is  cold  and  damp  ;  the  pew  is  in  an  obfcure  cor- 
ner •,  the  weather  is  fufpicious,  and  a  Ihower  would  deftroy 
the  patent  net  mantle  ;  or  perhaps  (which  is  a  ftill  more  in- 
furmountable  difficulty)  the  patent  net  mantle  was  left  in 
London.  The  kitchen  too  now  begins  to  give  "  dreadful 
note  of  preparation  ;"  not  from  armourers  accomplifliing  the 
knights,  but  from  the  Ihop  maid's  chopping  force  meat,  the 
apprentice's  cleaning  knives,  and  the  journeyman's  receiving 
a  praEl'ical  leflbn  in  the  art  of  Vv^aiting  at  table.  For,  do  not 
fuppofe  that  the  entertainment  is  to  be  merely  comfortable 
and  focial.  No  ;  it  is  to  be  a  difplay,  a  fet  out,  and  as  much 
intended  to  elevate  and  furprife  as  a  Grofvenor  fquare  gala. 
Certainly  it  is  fortunate,  that  the  legiflature  ftill  prohibits 
opening  fhop  of  a  Sunday  ;  as,  but  for  this  rcmiffion  of 
worldly  toil,  many  people  would  be  obliged  to  leave  the  gar- 
den of  tafte  quite  uncultivated.  The  company  at  length  ar- 
rive 5  they  admire  the  furniture,  praife  the  garden,  and  de- 
clare their  intention  of  coining  very  cficn  ;  for  it  is  fo  delight- 
ful to  be  out  of  the  fmoke  of  London.  Dinner  is  now  ferv- 
ed  ;  and  then  "  they  eat,  they  drink,"  but  probably  not 
*'  in  communion  fweet ;"  nor  do  they  *'  quaff  immortality 
and  joy,"  becaufe  they  neglcft  to  vifit  the  fount  where  tliofe 
bleffings  are  difpenfed.  Surely,  if  it  were  not  for  being  a 
little  in  the  fafliion,  a  quiet  domeftic  religious  Sunday  would 
be  quite  as  comfortable.  But  I  betray  my  ignorance  in  ufing 
this  term  :  comfort  is  abjured  by  all  who  enlill  in  the  ranks 
of  vanity  -,  and  as,  among  the  high  ton,  the  eclat  of  the  fete 
depends  upon  the  violence  of  the  fqueeze  ;  fo,  among  fecond 
ton,  the  prodigioufnefs  of  the  preceding  fufs  determines  the 
pleafure  that  your  vifitors  are  to  give  you.  One  morning's 
trouble  would  be  enough  for  a  common  councilman's  wife  ; 
but  who  would  mind  being  perplexed  in  the  extreme  for  a 


67 

whole  week,  provided  one  could  fay  that  we  gave  a  dinner 
to  Alderman  Marrowfat  and  all  his  family  ? 

Permit  nie  to  attend  to  an  apology  which  is  often  made 
for  this  ftyle  of  gentiUty  ;  I  mean,  that  it  is  patriotic  -,  though, 
in  refuting  this  pretence,  I  may  deviate  a  little  from  the  pre- 
fcribed  bounds  of  female  authorfhip.  It  is  allowed,  that  fine 
ladies  of  all  defcriptions  are  nmfances  in  their  own  families ; 
but  then  it  is  faid  they  are  piihlic  benefits  ;  they  force  trade, 
promote  the  circulation  of  calh,  and  reward  the  ingenuity 
of  manufaclurers.  To  preferve  the  metaphor,  whatever  is 
forced  muft  be  proportionably  delicate  and  hazardous.  If 
luxury,  by  becoming  univerfal,  increafes  the  wealth  of  the 
community,  the  artificial  wants  of  each  individual  are  alfo 
multiplied  ;  and  though  the  merchant  receives  more  for  his 
commodities,  the  demands  of  his  family,  and  the  frequent 
infolvency  of  his  connexions,  leave  him  in  a  worfe  fituation, 
than  when  frugality  and  moral  honefiy  were  more  prevalent. 
Thofe,  indeed,  are  the  folid  pillars  u])on  which  trade  muft 
reft  j  remove  them,  and  its  defiru^lion  is  inevitable.  The 
maxim,  that  private  vices  are  public  benefits,  has  funk  into 
contempt,  with  the  deift*  who  endeavoured  to  eftablifh  it. 

All  civilized  flates  have  agreed  in  chcrilliing  thofe  priv- 
ileged orders  whofe  rank  or  wealth  made  them  the  proper 
patrons  of  learning  and  the  fine  arts,  and  the  encouragers  of 
all  the  happy  efforts  of  mechanical  induftry.  From  perfons 
thus  circumftanced,  fociety  demands  munificence,  fplendour, 
and  hofpitality.  Liberality,  elegance,  and  refinement,  are 
the  required  chara6lerifi:ics  of  their  immediate  inferiors.  The 
third  degree  fliould  be  contented  to  be  difi:inguilhed  by  be- 
nevolence, ceconomy,  and  propriety.  Humanity,  diligenceji 
and  frugality,  become  indifpcnfable  duties  to  the  fourth  clafs. 
Indullry,  humility,  and  general  good  will,  are  fo  fuited  to 
the  loweft  fi:ate  of  life,  that  wlien  the  poor  part  v.ith  thefe 
virtues,  they  deprive  themfelves  of  theii-  bell:  confolation  and 
richeft  pofiTeflions. 

Let  us  look  back  on  the  times  that  are  juft  paft,  and  efli- 
mate  the  prefent  by  them.  Soame  Jenyns's  popular  defcrip- 
tion  of  the  embarrafih^ent  of  a  country  knight's  family  at  an 
unexpected  vifit,  would  not  nov/  fuit  the  domeftic  fituation 
of  a  creditable  farmer.  Several  fireps  in  fociety  have,  there- 
fore, been  pafled  in  the  progrefs  of  refinement  fince  the  pub- 
lication of  Dodlley's  Mifcellanies.     I  have  heard  a  well  at-. 

*  Mandevillc. 


68 

tefted  tradition  of  a  country  lady  who  was  the  hcirefs  of  large 
poiTcflions,  and,  what  was  then  called,  genteelly  educated. 
It  was  determined  by  the  females  of  the  family  met  in  coun- 
cil upon  the  occafion,  that  Ihe  fhould  appear  in  the  great 
hall  clear  ftarching  lawn  ruffles,  when  fhe  received  the  firfl 
viiit  of  a  favoured  admirer.  It  is  impoflible  to  calculate  how 
many  degrees  of  manners  are  here  paiTed,  fince  the  few  who 
ftill  continue  to  be  notable,  blufli  to  be  thought  fo  :  yet  this 
event  happened  about  the  beginning  of  the  lall  century.  I 
need  not  multiply  anecdotes  of  this  kind ;  the  archives  of 
every  family  can  fupply  numerous  atteftations  in  point. 

In  low  life,  the  gradation  ufed  to  be  from  rags  and  dirt  to 
tidinefs  ;  from  thence  to  comfort ;  from  comfort,  improve- 
ment proceeded  to  fuperfluity.  But  even  the  pauper,  if  fhe 
move  at  all,  now  ftrides  from  filth  to  finery.  May  not  the 
difcontent  and  depravity  of  the  lovv'er  orders  be  attributed  to 
this  circumftance  ?  and  that  fuch  difcontent  and  depravity 
do  exiit,  thofe  who  have  the  opportunity  of  dole  obfervation 
cannot  doubt,  though  it  has  not  yet  afilimed  fufiicient  ripe- 
nefs  to  attract  legiflative  attention.*  When  pining  want  be- 
held its  neighbour  rifing  to  decent  comfort  by  unremitting 
induftry  and  frugality,  the  poflibility  of  obtaining  equal  ad- 
vantages ftimulated  him  to  equal  exertions.  But  the  enor- 
mous wages  which  artifans  now  receive  in  many  tradesf  fup- 
port  a  flyle  of  living,  to  which  the  moft  rigorous  toil  of  the 
day  labourer,  the  worfted  weaver,  or  many  other  lefs  profi- 
table occupations,  v/ould  be  totally  inadequate.  If  the  males 
in  the  artifan's  family  are  fober  and  indullrious,  their  earn- 
ings are  fiifTicient  for  the  maintenance  of  the  whole  houfe- 
hold  :  the  wife,  no  longer  feeling  the  daily  neceillty  of  add- 
ing to  the  common  ftock  by  the  notability  of  herfeif  and  her 
daughters,  is  often  induced,  not  only  to  remit  vlgilaficey  but 
to  allow  of  ivcijie.  A  ftyle  of  appearance  is  afilimed,  the  ex- 
penfe  of  which  leaves  them  totally  unprovided  in  an  hour  of 
fickncfs  and  misfortune  ;  and  alfo,  by  its  abfurdity  and  im- 
propriety, deprives  them  of  the  good  opinion  of  their  fupe- 
riors,  \\\%,o  certainly  would  have  been  inclined  to  have  ex- 
tended their  kind  aid  to  alleviate  that  diftrcfs,  againfl:  which 
prudence  had  in  vain  endeavoured  to  provide  an  adequate 

*  In  Letter  XlVth  t'lis  uihjecSt  is  rcfumcJ. 

f  In  fevcrni  brnrchrs  of  the  woollen  trade,  common  hands  may  earn 
twv)  guineas  a  week;  yet  evcu  a  lliort  ilLicra  reduces  tlicm  to  extreme 
diflreis. 


69 

deftnce.  What  fort  of  fervants,  or  poor  men's  wives,  young 
women  bred  in  idlenefs,  and  drefled  in  tafte,  are  likely  to 
make,  is  not  noiv  my  inquiry  :  I  fpeak  of  the  efFedts  of  this 
unfuitable,  and  indeed  ufelefs  abundance,  upon  the  mind  of 
the  really  indigent  man  •,  and  furely  it  mull  render  his  tat- 
tered garb  ftill  more  comfortlefs,  and  his  brown  cruft  more 
unfavoury  and  degrading.  He  could  have  paiTed  by  the 
magnificent  manllon  of  the  gentleman,  the  elegant  relidence 
of  the  re<Stor,  or  the  comfortable  dwelling  of  the  farmer, 
without  heaving  a  figh,  or  uttering  one  complaint  at  his  hard, 
lot ;  but  the  luxuries  and  indolence  of  thofe  whofe  birth  and 
education  are  the  fame  as  his  own  wring  his  foul  with  an- 
guifh  ;  and  he  fuppofes  himfelf  injurioufly  treated,  fince  all 
ranks  may  be  idle  and  extravagant  except  his  own.  Per- 
haps if  Vv'e  were  fo  fituated,  we  might  be  equally  faulty.  The 
contented  cottager,  quiet,  fober,  laborious,  and  cheerful,  is 
faft  difappearing  from  our  ruftic  haunts  ;  wretchednefs,  with 
all  its  attendant  train  of  vices,  or  thoughtlefs,  and  I  may  add 
infolent  extravagance,  the  refult  of  great  gains  and  little  fore- 
fight,  fupply  his  place. 

And  is  the  nation  really  benefited  by  this  change  of  man- 
ners .''  the  loom  may  have  more  employment ;  the  ftraw 
manufacturer  may  have  a  greater  demand  •,  indeed,  trade  of 
every  kind  may  receive  a  momentary  impetus  ;  but  morals, 
which  are  the  vital  part  of  fociety,  are  attacked  by  a  mortal 
dileafe.  The  middle  ranks  no  longer  feel  alhamed  of  being 
in  debt ;  the  lower  do  not  blufh  at  receiving  (I  Ihould  rather 
fay  at  demanding)  parochial  relief,  though  ceconomy  might 
have  preferved  to  them  the  blefllng  of  independence.  In 
vain  does  the  miftrefs  advife  her  fervants  to  lave  the  gains 
of  profperity  ;  fhe  is  anfwered,  that  what  they  earn  is  their 
own  ;  this  is  a  land  of  liberty,  and  they  have  no  notion  of 
fcreening  their  parifhes.  To  aflume  a  more  di<Slatorial  tone, 
even  to  paupers,  is  impofljble  ;  they  would  tell  you,  that 
God  made  all  men  equal,  and  quefi:ion  your  title  to  that  pre- 
eminence which  permits  you  to  reprove  them. 

Thefe  are  the  efi^edts  of  flourilhing  trade  and  profperous 
manufacture :  are  they  fymptoms  of  national  profperity,  or 
internal  decay  ?  Allow  me  to  quote  the  words  of  an  eloquent 
writer  •,*  who,  having  obferved  that  this  country  was  flour- 
ilhing in  all  the  arts  of  civil  life,  remarks,  that  "  perhaps  it 
•^^  is  running  the  fame  courie  which  Rome  had  done  before; 

*  Sec  Dr.  Middleton's  Life  of  Cicero. 


70 

**  from  virtuous  induftry  to  wealth  ;  from  wealth  to  luxury ; 
*<  from  luxury  to  impatience  of  difcipline,  and  corruption  of 
<*  morals  ;  till  by  a  total  degeneracy,  and  lofs  of  virtue,  be- 
"  ing  grown  ripe  for  deftruction,  it  falls  a  prey  to  fome  hardy 
"  oppreflbr  ;  and,  with  lofs  of  liberty  lofing  every  thing  that 
**  is  valuable,  links  gradually  again  into  its  original  barba- 

«  rifm."     Such  an  oppreflbr,  my  dear  Mifs  M ,  fecms 

near  at  hand.  He  wants  neither  ambition,  hatred,  boldnefs, 
nor  inclination  to  deftroy  us ;  but  let  us  hope  that  there  ftill 
remains  enough  of  true  religion  among  us,  to  obtain  a  refpite 
from  that  merciful  God  who  promifed  to  fpare  offending 
Sodom,  if  ten  righteous,  or  rather  religious  people,  could 
therein  be  found.  And  may  v;e  fo  profit  by  our  prefent 
chaftifements,  as  to  fee  the  neceffity  of  checking  that  career 
of  degeneracy  which  proved  deftruclive  to  every  nation  that 
has  preceded  us  in  empire,  wealth,  and  renown  ! 

My  conviftion  that  luxury,  and  affected  refinement,  have 
already  paffed  thofe  bounds  which  defend  private  happinefs 
and  public  fecurity,  would  induce  me  to  confine  our  corre- 
fpondence  entirely  to  thofe  orders  whofe  condu(ft  is  moft  im- 
portant to  fociety,  and  among  whom  the  infinuating  arts  of 
diffipation  have  lately  gained  a  mofi:  alarming  preponder- 
ance ;  but  a  regard  for  my  literary  reputation,  together  with 
the  zeal  natural  to  all  reformers,  prompt  rne  to  endeavour  to 
obtain  a  fair  hearing  for  my  remonfli'ances,  which  I  am  con- 
vinced my  prefent  labours  never  would  receive,  if  I  did  not 
occafionally  introduce  my  readers  to  -uery  good  company.  The 
fafcinating  names  of  the  Marquis,  and  Lady  Elizabetha,  have 
caufed  many  a  village  nymph  to  toil  through  fix  long  vol- 
umes of  intricate  adventure,  of  which  they  never  would  have 
perufed  fix  pages,  had  the  fame  fiiory  been  told  of  plain  John 
and  Betty.  It  is  with  fome  reluftance  that  I  qui',  a  field  of 
obfervation  in  which  I  have  few  competitors,  to  purfue  a 
beaten  track,  wlierein  T  am  alfo  preceded  by  perfonal  experi- 
ence and  fuperior  ability.  Remarks  on  the  manners  of  the 
great  world,  cannot  come  with  a  good  grace  from  one  who 
has  fcldom  emerged  from  the  bofom  of  retirement  (I  could 
almoft  fay,  of  domefi:ic  feclufion,)  and  who  confequently  rauft 
feel  a  doubt  whether  the  pictures  from  which  flic  copies  re- 
ally were  correctly  flcetched.  Yet  fince  I  have  promifed  to 
make  fome  obfervations  on  prevailing  opinions,  I  muft  not 
omit  thofe  leading  characters  whofe  confpicuous  fituation 
draws  the  attention  of  the  world,  and  who  give  law  to  nu- 
merous awkward  copyids.     ConfidereJ  in  this  point  of  view. 


the  manners  and  morals  of  the  great  afTumc  an  influential 
confequence  that  is  highly  important  to  fociety  ;  though,  if 
confined  to  themfelves,  their  depravity  is  lefs  intimately  con- 
nefted  with  national  ruin,  than  a  dereliction  of  principle  in 
the  great  mafs  of  the  people  would  be  ;  and  efpecially  among 
thofe  who,  by  being  placed  in  the  medium  between  riches 
and  poverty,  ihould  prefent  a  barrier  to  the  vices  and  temp- 
tations of  either  extreme,  and  at  the  fame  time  offer  an  afy- 
lum  to  every  thing  which  is  intriniically  eflimable  in  both. 
The  political  importance  which  this  rank  polTefles  in  Eng- 
land J  the  general  information,  found  fenfe,  and  unfophifti- 
cated  manners,  that  were  their  marked  charadleriftics  j  the 
blamelefs  occupations,  domeflic  tendernefs,  modefty,  iimplic- 
ity,  and  unaffefted  gentlenefs,  that  diftinguifhed  their  wedded 
partners,  all  heighten  my  regret  that  thefe  folid  excellences 
ihould  be  bartered  for  German  principles,  illuflrated  by 
French  praftice.  It  is  not  that  I  believe  the  middle  clafTes 
to  be  the  moil  corrupted ;  it  is  becaufe  that  corruption,  if  it 
fix  here,  deftroys  the  vital  principle,  that  I  addrefs  the  fe- 
males of  this  moll  enviable,  this  moft  refpedlable  order,  with 
energetic  entreaties  to  check  their  vain  purfuit  of  falfe  fame 
and  abfurd  importance,  and  to  refume  the  genuine  graces  of 
their  natural  chara6ler ;  befeeching  them  to  remember,  that 
none  can  become  contemptible,  or  ridiculous,  unlefs  they  de- 
fert  the  poft  at  which  the  God  of  Nature  has  commanded 
them  to  fland.  But  I  muft  now  forfake  my  compeers,  to 
addrefs  a  more  elevated  flation  ;  confcious  of  being  in  many 
refpecls  unequal  to  the  taflc  of  public  cenfor,  and  prefuming 
only  to  gather  a  few  fcattered  obfervations  that  have  been 
overlooked  by  my  predeceiTors,  or  to  difcover  fome  noxious 
weeds  which  have  recently  fhot  forth,  A  new  fubjeCl  feems 
a  hint  for  me  to  conclude  my  prefent  epiflle,  and  gives  mc 
an  opportunity  to  afTure  you  how  fervently  I  am,  Sec. 


LETTER    IV. 

j^hfurdit'ies  and  Liceniloufnefs  among  Women  of  Fojlnw. 


MY  DEAR  MISS  M , 

1  RESUME  our  corrcfponJence  ;  lip.ppy  in  the  afliirancc 
that  you  are  interefted  in  the  fubje<fl:s  I  have  hitherto  difcuff- 
ed  ;  and  prefuming  not  only  on  the  partial  afFc6lion  that  you 
have  long  fhown  me,  but  alio  on  your  natural  candour, 
which  I  know  induces  you  to  pardon  inadvertencies  wherein 
the  head  only  is  concerned,  provided  the  heart  be  free  from 
thofe  bad  intentions  which  transform  imperfections  into 
crimes.  We  will  enter  upon  the  topic  propofed  in  the  con- 
clufion  of  my  laft  letter,  without  the  formality  of  a  tedious 
prologue. 

There  are  numerous  and  popular  writers,  who  have  cm- 
ployed  themfelves  in  traducing  the  order  that  we  are  about 
to  fcrutinize  ;  defcribing  it  as  an  excrefcence  fpringing  out 
of  the  body  politic,  and  draining  every  ufcful  member  of  its 
vital  juices,  in  order  to  fwell  its  own  putrid  mals  into  a  moft 
hideous  and  moft  dangerous  deformity.  I  will  uU  you  a  few 
of  the  abufive  terms  bellowed  on  thefe  "  earth  treading 
flars,"  by  an  author  who  was  at  leaft  free  from  the  feminine 
fault  of  mincing  her  language,  and  fpoke  out  without  the 
leaft  ambiguity.  She  confidered  "  monarchy  and  heredita- 
*'  ry  rank  to  be  fuch  evils,  as  balanced  all  the  advantages 
"  which  Europe  derived  from  civilization  ;  and  fo  unnatur- 
"  al,  that,  in  order  to  account  for  their  introdutflion,  men 
*<  blafphrmoitjly  fuppofed  the  human  race  had  burft  from  its 
"  orbit,  like  a  lawlefs  planet,  in  order  to  fteal  the  ccleftial 
"  fire  of  reafon  ;  while  the  vengeance  of  Heaven,  lurking  in 
*'  the  fubtle  flame  like  Pandora's  box,  afflicted  the  earth  witli 
"  thcfc  retributive  curfcs  to  which  all  our  mifery  and  error 
*'  are  owing."  In  fine,  flie  thought  "  th:.t  it  was  the  pef- 
"  tiferous  purple,  and  the  honours  that  flow  from  it,"  which 
had  reduced  us  poor  women  to  the  ftate  of  woeful  degrada- 
tion in  which  her  writings  found  us,  namely,  without  polit- 


kal  rights,  without  mafculine  ftrength,  compelled  to  be  obe- 
dient to  our  hufbands)  and  inclined  to  expeft  filial  obedience 
from  our  children  ;  accuftomed  alfo  to  confider  modefty  and 
gentlenefs  as  conftituent  parts  of  our  own  character  ;  difpof- 
cd  to  attend  to  religious  duties,  and  to  look  forward  to  an- 
other world,  not  as  the  place  where  our  indefeifible  perfe£li- 
billty  is  to  expand,  but  as  the  region  where  the  promifes  of 
{lilvation  fliall  be  fulfilled.  If  the  inverfion  of  the  prefent 
orders  in  fociety  will  alfo  produce  this  change  in  the  relative 
fituation  of  our  fex,  how  ought  we  to  c/ing  to  the  prefent 
ftate  of  affairs,  znd  fi/pplicate  its  continuance  ! 

I  have  quoted  from  a  book*  which,  by  fupceminent  ab- 
furdity  and  audacity,  expofed  to  profound  contempt  the  prin- 
ciples that  it  meant  to  fupport.  It,  indeed,  amazed  and  con- 
founded for  a  day  ;  and  it  received  all  the  affillance  which 
an  elaborate  analyfis  could  beftow,  to  elevate  it  into  lafting 
celebrity.  It  was  foon  found,  however,  that  the  times  were 
not  fufficiently  illuminated  to  bear  fuch  a  ftrong  doclrine  ; 
and  the  difciples  of  the  fchool  of  equality  have  fince  found 
it  more  convenient  to  glofs,  and  foften,  and  mifreprefent. 
The  fame  democratical  principles,  however,  pervade  many 
popular  works,  efpecially  dramatic  performances,  to  which 
the  privileged  orders  (as  the  nobility  and  gentry  are  cabalifti- 
cally  called)  have  moft  unwifely  lent  their  patronage  ;  and 
that  not  merely  by  countenancing  the  author,  or  applauding 
the  fcenic  reprefentations  that  are  deeply  tainted  with  the 
leaven  of  democracy.  Party  rage  may  now  boaft  the  fame 
facrifices  as  public  virtue  formerly  enjoined  ;  and  though  we 
have  not  our  Curtii  or  our  Decii,  who  immolate  themfelves  to 
fave  their  country,  we  have  many  men  of  birth  and  rank  who 
feem  inclined  to  pile  their  pofleffions  and  honours  on  the 
very  brink  of  a  precipice,  to  exalt  the  minion  of  the  fa<^ion 
which  they  efpoufe.  The  firfl  people  In  the  kingdom  have 
not  fcrupled  to  fupport,  not  merely  the  equality^  but  the  fii- 
premacy  of  the  mob,  during  the  frenzy  of  a  democratical  con- 
tention for  parliamentary  honors  ;  and  thus  they  virtually 
figned  the  teftimonial  of  their  having  long  ufurped  unjufti- 
fiable  afcendancy,  and  the  certificate  of  their  deferved  degra- 
dation ;  little  thinking  that  the  fentiments  and  principles 
which  they  inftilled  into  their  clamorous  adherents,  would 
abide  with  them,  and  produce  ferious  e£Fe(Sts,  when  the  tem- 

*■  The  Rights  of  Women. 


74 

porary  purpole  for  which  they  were  promulgated  was  for- 
gotten. How  far  ambitious  motives  may  juAify  gentlemen 
in  thus  endeavouring  to  ajj'ajfiimie  their  own  importance,  is 
not  the  prefent  qucllion.  Modern  patriotifm  may  deter- 
mine, that  it  is  noble  to  reverie  the  part  of  Sampfon  when 
he  was  prifoner  among  the  Philiftines,  and  to  pull  down  the 
pillars  of  your  own  ftate,  when  you  find  that  you  cannot 
climb  into  its  upper  ftory.  But  lince  our  fex  are  happily 
prevented  from  engaging  in  thefe  turbulent  fcenes,  by  native 
<lelicacy,  by  regard  to  their  general  reputation,  and  even  by 
their  fears,  I  do  not  feel  myfelf  called  upon  to  vindicate  them 
from  the  charge  of  being  acceiTary  to  that  general  contempt 
for  their  i'uperiors,  which  Is  fo  marked  a  feature  among  the 
populace.  Imbibing  the  fpirit  of  Mrs.  Candour,  in  that  maf- 
terly  (though  in  fome  refpecls  dangerous)  play,  "  The  School 
for  Scandal,"  I  am  refolved,  "  let  the  neviffpapers  fay  what 
"  they  pleafe  of  canvaffing  beauties,  haranguing  toafls,  and 
"  mobbing  demireps,"  not  to  believe  one  fyllable  ;  and  if 
'♦  I  repeat  fuch  anecdotes,"  it  is  only  to  ufher  in  ray  obfer- 
\ation  that  the  world  is  grown  fo  cenforious,  it  even  credits 
hnpojfmlities.  I  wifh  I  could  acquit  the  illuflrious  culprits  of 
every  other  proof  of  their  being  concerned  in  a  confpiracy 
againft  their  own  order  and  confequence,  with  as  much  ex- 
pectation of  being  credit edy  at  leaft  by  my  country  readers. 

But  though  I  profefs  myfelf  a  fteady  advocate  for  that  gra- 
dation of  wealth  and  rank,  which,  if  not  pofitively  appointed 
by  God  in  fcripture,  is  there  fliown  to  have  been  nearly  co- 
eval with  the  world  that  we  inhabit ;  and  which  is  not  only 
the  natural  confequence  of  the  moral  government  of  the  Al- 
mighty, but  alfo  the  medium  through  which  he  thinks  fit  to 
convey  a  greater  portion  of  happinefs  to  the  human  race  than 
it  could  otherwife  enjoy ;  I  am  not  fo  infatuated,  as  to  main- 
tain that  the  bleffings  of  education,  wealth,  rank,  leifure, 
nuihority,  and  reputation,  are  granted  to  a  few  with  uncon- 
trollable occupation  ;  but  rather  that  their  pofleflbrs  fliould 
employ  them  to  the  benefit  of  the  whole  community  \  that 
fuch  as  labour  may  not  have  caufe  to  reproach  thofe  who 
reft,  for  being  drones  in  the  ftate.  The  God  and  Judge  of 
the  whole  earth  does  not  beftow  his  fpiritual  or  temporal 
bleffings  by  any  arbitrai'y  rules  of  unconditional  preference. 
When  a  talent  is  given  to  any  one,  an  account  is  opened 
with  the  giver  oi  it,  who  appoints  a  day  in  which  he  will  ar- 
rive and  «*  redemand  his  own  with  ufury."  Nor  are  thefe 
children  of  profperity  in  reality  fo  much  better  fituated  than 


75 

their  lowly  fellow-crcatnres,  as  the  jaundiced  eye  of  envy  Is 
apt  to  believe  :  at  leaft,  ignorant  envy  is  lure  to  fix  upon  a 
wrong  perfon,  and  to  fele^t,  as  the  object  whofe  affluence 
caufes  her  pining  difcontent,  fome  befotted  fenfualift,  who, 
forgetting  his  ftewardfliip,  prefumes  to  turn  the  eflate  of 
which  he  is  guardian  entirely  to  his  own  account,  and  not 
only  to  "  eat  and  drink  till  he  is  drunken,"  but  alfo  to  ncg- 
ie6t,  and  even  mifufe,  his  fellow-fervants.  Independent  of 
that  fearful  fentence  which  hangs  over  him,  fufpended  by 
the  goffiuner  thread  of  this  frail  exiftence  ;  namely,  "  the 
*'  Lord  when  he  cometh  iliall  appoint  him  a  portion  with 
*'  unbelievers,  where  fhall  be  weeping  and  gnafhing  of  teeth," 
the  prefent  lltuation  of  this  felf-devoted  Dives  is  moft  mif- 
erable.  Exceffive  indulgence  breeds  a  thoufand  bodily  pains 
and  mental  infirmities  ;  even  fuppoling  that  it  does  not  pro- 
ceed to  what  are  called  criminal  gratifications,  capricious  hu- 
mours and  unfeafonable  wilhes  haunt  that  breaft  'whofe  de- 
fires  centre  in  felf-enjoyment.  The  expedlation  that  we  may 
be  for  ever  lulled  on  the  bofom  of  delight.  Is  thwarted  by 
the  conftitution  of  the  world,  and  even  by  our  own  phylical 
qualities.  Pain  Is  necelTary,  or  v/e  fhould  never  truly  value 
pleafure.  Relt  muft  be  bought  by  exertion,  or  it  begets  en- 
iiiii.  We  cannot  tafte  the  full  blelilng  of  fuccefs,  if  we  have 
never  known  difappointment  or  anxiety.  The  animal  grat- 
ifications of  our  nature  muft  be  preceded  by  privations,  or 
our  appetites  will  not  be  fatisfied,  but  palled.  When  penu- 
ry has  toiled  hard  for  a  fcanty  meal  and  a  flight  covering,  it 
weakly  fuppofes  that  reft,  repletion,  and  fumptuous  attire, 
muft  be  felicity ;  the  indolent  victim  of  fpleen,  the  furfeited 
voluptuary,  and  the  capricious  vi<Stim  of  vanity,  whofc  tor- 
tured imaginations  are  ever  purfuing  fomething  new  and 
Itrange,  could,  if  pride  permitted  them  to  make  a  frank  dif- 
clofure,  prefent  a  very  different  pldture  of  enjoyment  ;  and, 
In  fpite  of  its  reftrI6tions,  the  tortures  of  a  difeafed  body,  and 
the  miferles  of  an  afflicted  fpirit,  often  wring  from  them  the 
agonizing  regrets  that  they  cannot  change  fituations  with  the 
poor  labourer  who  walks  whiftling  by  their  window,  return- 
ing cheerful  from  his  daily  tafic.  Amid  the  numerous  com- 
plaints vWth  which  dlfcontent  ungratefully  afTails  Divine  Prov- 
idence, the  moft  frequent  arife  from  thofe  who  have  fquan- 
dered  its  bounty  in  fuch  purfuits  as  are  incapable  of  fatisfy- 
ing  a  rational  being ;  or  who  have  fuppofed  that  the  cup  of 
blefiing  could  not  be  enjoyed,  but  by  quaffing  fuch  immod- 
erate draughts  as  produce  intoxication. 


"Where  a  woman  who  is  born  to  the  pofTcfrion  of  rank  and 
nffluencc  properly  appreciates  thofe  bleHing*;,  and,  inftead  of 
circumfcribing  them  witliin  the  narrow  fphcre  of  felf-enjoy- 
ment,  endeavours  to  ditfufe  improvement  and  comfort  wher- 
ever her  influence  extends  ;  if,  through  the  conviction  of 
being  merely  an  agent,  flic  Hft  her  eyes  to  him  who  entruft- 
ed  her  with  ample  powers,  (he  feels  in  the  confcioufneJs  of 
well  doing,  and  in  the  ferene  delight  of  reflected  blifs,  the 
purefl:  earthly  gratification.  Her  heart  frecjuently  fpeaks  to 
her  in  the  infpired  language  of  the  royal  Pfalmifl:,  "  The  lot 
"  is  fallen  unto  me  in  a  fair  ground,  yea  I  have  a  goodly 
"  heritage."  On  the  other  hand,  if  flie  fuppofe  herielf  to 
be  fome  "  mighty  leviathan,"  fent  into  the  ocean  of  exiflencc 
*'  to  take  her  pafiime  therein,"  the  chain  which  held  her  to 
fociety  is  broken,  or  at  leaft  held  together  only  by  the  fra- 
gile tie  of  interefted  dependence.  She  did  not  participate  in 
the  griefs  of  others,  her  ov/n  forrows  therefore  fhall  be  a/l 
her  own  ;  fiie  fought  not  to  make  her  fellow-creatures  hap- 
py, they  will  not  therefore  rejoice  in  her  profperity.  Now 
forrow  is  a  lonely  fenfation,  and  may  be  endured  with  heart 
breaking  poignancy  without  any  partaker,  or  even  witnefs  ; 
nay,  it  is  ever  moft  intolerable  and  overwhelming,  when  un- 
relieved by  fympathy  and  unfoftened  by  pity  ;  but  happinefs, 
at  leafl:  that  i'pecics  of  it  wliich  feliifli  characlers  purfue,  is  a 
fupervenient  quality,  and  fubfifts  by  the  agency,  or  at  leafl: 
upon  the  opinion,  of  the  multitude.  The  proudcft  beauty, 
when  fliinlng  in  the  full  glare  of  magnificence,  is  more  de- 
pendent than  any  of  the  wondering  fpcctators  pafl:  whom  flie 
glides  with  affedled  difdain  ;  for,  in  reality,  it  is  a  pcrfuaflon 
that  they  admire  her,  which  fwelis  her  vain  heart  with  im- 
aginary confequcnce.  Does  the  inerccnary  bride,  who  facri- 
fices  every  profpecl  of  domeftic  happiiiels  to  a  flately  equip- 
age, a  magnificent  manfion,  and  a  numerous  retinue,  really 
find  her  enjoyments  incrcafed  in  the  hours  of  folitude  by 
knowing  that  Ihe  poflxiTes  thefe  baubles  ?  No  ;  it  is  while 
fhe  fliows  her  diamonds  to  a  rival,  or  an  enemy,  that  her 
vitiated  tafle  appreciates  tlicir  value,  not  by  the  pleafure  ther 
befl;ow,  but  by  the  pain  they  excite.  For  be  it  remember- 
ed, tiiat  though  the  benevolent  paflions  poflefs  the  fuiativc 
quality  of  healing  their  ov/n  wounds  ;  or,  to  fpeak  without 
a  figure,  though  even  diiappolnted  goodnefs  admlnifters  fat- 
isfadiion  to  the  foul  •,  the  fclfilh  appetites  and  malignant  pro- 
penfiiies  have  but  odc  miferable  chance  of  affording  a  tran- 
ficnt  enjoyment  j  as  foon  a'",  tiie  animal  exhilaration  fubfides. 


or  the  demoniacal  conviction  of  having  tormented  another, 
has  taken  place,  depreffion  of  fpirits,  and  the  ftifled,  yet  pow- 
erful reproaches  of  the  heart,  convince  the  unhappy  being 
who  endures  them,  that  fhe  has  miftaken  her  road  to  the 
bower  of  blifs. 

Though  the  delire  of  living  folely  for  the'mfelves  has  been 
the  charadleriftic  of  mifufed  power  and  affluence  ever  lince 
the  days  of  Solomon,  yet  lince  commercial  acquifitions,  and 
mechanical  inventions,  have  increafed  the  number  of  luxuri- 
ous enjoyments,  and  alfo  the  rage  of  competition,  the  temp- 
tations which  bcfet  the  great  and  wealthy  are  in  thefe  days 
exceedingly  multiplied  ;  and  whoever  among  them  fhall  take 
that  miftaken  road  to  happinefs  which  we  have  juft  defcrib- 
ed,  will  feel  continually  ftimulated  to  deviate  further  from 
the  right  path,  by  that  rafh  purfuit  of  their  inferiors  which 
was  the  fubjecl  of  my  laft  letter.  Vanity  ever  labours  to  dif- 
prove  the  wife  king's  apophthegm,  "  that  there  is  nothing 
new  under  the  fun."  She  rejects  the  petition  of  every  vota- 
ry who  cannot  fupport  his  claim  to  eclat  by  the  teftimonial 
of  novelty.  What  was  efteemed  great  and  elegant  for  a  no- 
bleman fifty  years  ago,  would  now  be  vulgar  and  mean  for 
a  fuccefsful  mechanic.  Nay,  the  extravagancies  of  the  laft 
winter  muft  be  outdone  by  the  prefent,  on  peril  of  your  be- 
coming mhdy ,  a  term  of  reproach,  which,  though  not  form- 
idable in  its  found  to  thofe  who  have  not  been  initiated  in 
the  myfleries  of  fafliion,  is  known  by  adepts  to  contain  the 
very  quinteflence  of  abufe,  and  to  be  much  more  derogatory 
to  the  unhappy  being  to  whom  it  is  applied,  than  all  the 
epithets  that  Biiiingfgate  or  the  Rue  de  St.  Honore  could 
invent. 

i  Novelty  muft,  therefore,  be  obtained  ;  but  how  can  it  be 
acquired  ?  Though  loofely  arrayed,  like  the  fair  queen  Ogy- 
gia,*  you  fit  and  ling  by  your  fires  of  cedar  in  an  apartment 
decorated  by  the  pureft  rules  of  Attic  fimplicity ;  though 
you  convert  yourfelf  into  a  beauteous  Fatima,  and  recline  on 
an  embroidered  carpet  in  your  magnificent  alhambra,  where 
a  thoufand  lamps  refledl  the  blazing  diamonds  which  clafp 
your  robe  -,  though  the  eaftern  and  weftern  Indies  lavifh 
their  treafures  on  your  board,  where  the  fruits  of  the  tropic 
blaze  beneath  the  ice  of  the  pole,  the  wife  of  fome  rich  cit, 
whom  you  defpife,  will  have  a  coftume  more  truly  Greek  or 
Arabefque  \  fhe  will  fport  finer  diamonds,  have  richer  fla- 

*  Calypfo. — See  Tclemachus,  Book  I, 


78 

voured  wines,  or  produce  her  hot-houfe  delicacies  a  fort- 
night before  you.  Did  you  ever  refolve  to  effect  by  abfur- 
dity  what  you  cannot  do  by  taftc,  and  to  fetch  your  models 
from  countries  ignorant  of  juft  proportion  and  correfldefign, 
mandarins,  dragons,  pagodas,  may  be  purchafed ;  pyramids 
and  fphinxes  can  be  procured  ;  a  fignpofk  painter  can  de- 
vife  fcrawls  which  ninety-nine  out  of  a  hundred  will  fuppofe 
are  an  hieroglyphic  ;  and  the  rival  lady  and  her  villa  will 
become  completely  Egyptienne,  or  la  Chinoife,  at  the  next 
gala.  I  fcarcely  think  that  the  moft  glaring  indelicacy,  or 
the  grofTeft  vulgarity,  would  refcue  you  from  the  hazard  of 
having  that  palm  of  celebrity  which  novelty  beftows  wrefted 
from  your  grafp  by  frefli  difcovcries  •,  for  the  fafcination  of 
a  great  name,  and  the  magic  charm  of  being  e«//r,  would 
foon  fo  tranfmute  our  old  ideas  on  thofe  fubjecls,  that  we 
iliould  tliink  it  was  only  owing  to  prejudice  that  we  did  not 
before  difcover  the  refinement  of  immodefty,  and  the  delica- 
cy of  obfcenity.  The  partial  expofure  of  the  perfon,  or  the 
limited  rejection  of  thofe  reflraints,  which  formerly  fecured 
good  manners  and  good  morals,  have  been  found  of  no  avail. 
Your  infatiable  purfuers  have  followed  you  with  remorfelefs 
aftivity ;  they  have  difcarded  more  drapery,  and  dajhed  with 
lefs  fqueamifhnefs.  I  almoft  doubt  whether  it  wobld  be  poH- 
fible  for  you  to  fet  them  at  fault  by  ilieltering  in  the  bath 
of  Diana,  or  even  in  a  kraal  of  Hottentots.  What  then  muft 
become  of  you  ?  If  you  ftand  ftill,  you  will  not  only  be  over- 
taken, but  preceded  ;  and,  melancholy  to  add,  if  you  once 
give  up  this  ftruggle  of  competition,  your  former  triumphs 
are  of  no  avail.  It  will  be  ufelefs  to  fay,  "  I  ivas  in  fafliion 
in  the  year  four  j"  fafliion  admits  no  tenfe  but  the  prefent. 
If  fifty  ladies  fainted  at  one  of  your  routs,  the/2  the  fifteen 
who  died  away  /a^^  night,  at  Lady  Joftle's,  furnilhes  conver- 
fation  for  the  town  this  morning.  Though  your  fupper 
rooms  refembled  a  grove  of  cherries  la  ft:  May,  cherries  at  a 
guinea  a  pound  this  April  overwhelms  the  remembrance. 
You  have  entered  into  the  fervice  of  a  fevere  talk  mafter, 
who,  though  you  are  cripj)led  and  exhauft:ed  by  your  former 
eftbrts,  will  ft;ill  demand  the  wonted  tale  of  bricks  with  rig- 
orous exatl^tneis. 

What  is  then  to  be  done  .''  Renounce  all  allegiance  to  thefe 
arbitrary  mandates.  RecolleiSl  that,  though  in  proportion 
to  the  abundance  of  your  fortune,  or  the  vinciblencfs  of  your 
family  entails,  you  may  be  the  firft:  f^ifliionllt  for  one,  two, 
or  tliree  feafons  (nothing  fhort  of  Islidas  can  hope  to  hold 


79 

out  longer,)  frefli  competitors  are  every  year  ftarting ;  and 
as  the  philoibpher's  ftcne  is  ftiil  undifcovered,  you  muft  at 
laft  be  dethroned.  Soften  the  pain  of  your  certain  humiha- 
tion,  therefore,  by  a  timely  and  graceful  retreat.  Rcfignthe 
fceptre,  even  in  the  career  of  your  glory,  which  you  know 
you  cannot  long  retain  ;  and  moderate  the  triumph  of  your 
fucceflbr,  by  appearing  acceflbry  to  her  exaltation.  Thefe, 
I  grant,  are  the  counfels  of  worldly  prudence  ;  but  I  am  ad- 
dreffing  thofe  whom  I  fuppofc  to  be  incapable  of  nobler  mo- 
tives. 

Aware  of  the  evanefcent  nature  of  that  celebrity  which  is 
only  founded  on  expenfive  inventions,  fome  ladies  of  high 
ton  have  cheriflied  the  Satanical  ambition  of  becoming  pre- 
eminent in  vice.  Adopting  the  horrid  fentiments  alcribed 
to  the  prince  of  darknefs,  they  declare  by  their  adtions,  that 
*'  to  reign  is  worth  ambition,  though  in  Hell."  They  have, 
therefore,  torn  off  thofe  coy  difguifes  in  which  finners  of  paft 
times  enveloped  their  enormities,  and  with  unblufhing  fronts 
have  proclaimed  to  the  queftioning  world,  that  they  *'  dare 
do  every  thing,  becaufe  they  dare."  Their  contempt  of 
reputation,  and  bold  defiance  of  mankind,  were  foon  difcov- 
ered  by  a  fpecies  of  writers  that  are  fellow-labourers  with 
thofe  whom  I  mentioned  in  the  beginning  of  this  letter ; 
thefe  wifhing  to  reduce  the  world  to  an  equality  in  infamy, 
as  the  former  do  to  introduce  equality  of  mifery.  Aware 
that  this  marked  effrontery  of  charadler  fhocked  the  feelings 
of  all  beholders  too  much  to  gain  converts,  they  invetited  a 
iet  of  phrafes  which  foftened  its  atrocity,  and  at  the  fam.e 
time  preferved  its  publicity.  I  know  not  where  this  new 
mode  of  language  originated ;  but  as  it  confifts  in  nothing 
but  the  inverfion  and  perverjmi  of  terms,  it  cannot  be  confjd- 
ered  as  any  great  proof  of  genius.  It  has  been  as  eminently 
fuccefsful  in  the  diplomatic  papers,  and  other  ftate  fabrica- 
tions of  our  Gallic  neighbours,  as  the  wand  of  Mercury  in 
Dryden's  Amphytrion  ;  and  has  adlually  either  charmed  the 
world  to  fieep,  or  taught  them  that  "  black  is  not  black,  nor 
white  fo  verj  white  j"  {o  that,  though  a  found  more  threat- 
ening than  the  Indian  war  hoop  bellowed  in  their  ears,  they 
perfifl  in  calling  it  the  peaceful  lullaby  of  their  innocent 
rocker.  John  Bull's  natural  averiion  to  Mounfeer's  cradle 
has  hitherto  pi-evented  him  from  being  completely  fwaddled  ; 
but  his  difpolition  to  believe  that  people  are  what  they  call 
themfelves,  makes  him  run  fome  danger  of  being  duped  by 
a  mifconception  of  the  words  patriot,  iionourj  and  independ- 


so 

encc.  The  principles  of  John's  wife  have  been  attacked  in 
a  flronger  manner  by  thofe  liberal  apologifts  for  vice  and  fol- 
ly, who,  fetting  out  perhaps  with  a  mifapplication  of  a  fcrip- 
ture  text  in  praife  of  mercy,  or  enjoining  charity  to  repentant 
finners,  foon  proceeded  to  infufe  into  the  unwary  mind  a 
chanty  that  is  not  fcripturaly  by  apologizing  for  finners  nvho  do 
not  repent^  nay,  who  glory  in  their  crimes.  Hence  the  tm- 
refle<Sting,  but  well  meaning  reader,  who  poiTefTes  much  can- 
dour and  little  information,  is  led  to  believe  that  the  per- 
jured adulterefs,  from  whom  fhe  ihrunk  with  abhorrence, 
may  be  a  moft  amiable^  elegant^  inicrejling  creature,  with  only 
cue  failing,  a  too  fufccptible  heart ;  but  then  that  heart  was 
fo  benevolent,  fo  condefcending  to  the  wiihes  of  others,  or 
perhaps  fo  fmcere,  fo  incapable  of  difguillng  its  own  emo- 
tions, that  It  could  not  facrilice  what  It  felt  to  be  its  invinci- 
ble  propenfities  to  the  opinions  of  the  world ;  which,  after 
all  (for  nothing  is  certain,)  are  perhaps  only  founded  on  the 
dictates  of  prejudice.  Here  the  gullelefs  readers,  whom  I 
have  fuppofed  atttending  to  this  new  ethical  lecture,  will 
perhaps  flart ;  but  they  are  then  gently  reminded,  that  free- 
dom of  thought  is  the  indifputable  privilege  of  the  inhab- 
itants of  this  country  •,  that  many  learned  men  (and  here  a 
long  lift  of  well  founding  names  will  be  introduced,  blend- 
ing the  obfcure  with  the  celebrated,  to  fwell  the  pomp  of 
evidence,  and  mifquoting  without  fear  of  detedllon,)  men. 
moft  exaB  In  moral  conduct,  and  moft  celebrated  for  focial 
virtues,  have  doubted  whether,  all  things  confidered,  the  pre- 
fent  afpe»St  of  the  world  might  not  be  confiderably  improv- 
ed, by  a  departure  from  thofe  very  rigid  rules  which  were 
built  on  a  too  literal  interpretation  of  the  Jewlfh  claffics  and 
early  clorlftlan  writers.*  A  few  fliinlng  examples,  fuch  as 
Afpafia,  Sappho,  and  Ninon  de  I'Enclos,  will  then  be  brought 
forward,  to  prove  that  women  may  be  very  eminent  for  tafte 
and  fcience,  and  continue  to  be  much  refpefted,  who  have 
not  ftrI(Elly  adhered  to  the  decorums  prefcribed  to  the  fex. 
It  will  then  be  allowed,  that  thefe  fevere  tenets  have  expedi- 
ence to  recommend  them,  and  therefore  they  arc  highly 
neceflary  for  the  great  body  of  the  people,  who.  If  the  cords 
of  dlfcipllne  were  relaxed,  might  run  Into  grofs  depravity ; 
from  which  the  refinement  natural  to  cultivated  minds,  and 
polllhed  manners,  will  inevitably  preferve  that  part  of  our 

*  Thefe  denominations  have  been  moft  irrcYcrcatly  applied  to  that 
book  vrbtch  is  dicliited  by  the  fpirit  of  Cod. 


81 

fpecies  which  might  properly  claim  to  be  exempted  from 
law,  as  being  capable  of  giving  law  to  themfelves.  Thefd 
well-bred  authors  will  then  proceed  to  call  your  attention  to 
the  improvements  which  philofophy  has  introduced  into  arts 
and  fciences  of  late  years,  preparatory  to  the  bold  alTertioii 
that  morals  are  a  fcience,  and  as  much  capable  of  improve- 
ments and  difcoveries  as  mechanics,  chymiftry,  or  aftrono- 
my.  They  will  then  enter  that  metaphylical  maze  in  which 
plain  fenfe  is  fure  to  be  bewildered,  and  talk  to  you  concern- 
ing the  origin  of  moral  obligation  ;  but  whether  you  are 
taught  that  it  is  felf-love  which  vibrates  from  the  centre  to 
the  extremity  of  focial  being,  or  whether  you  are  aflurecl 
that  ethics  originated  from  man's  prepofteroufly  furrendering 
his  natural  rights  in  order  to  procure  the  doubtful  bleiling 
of  fociety  ;  in  either  cafe  the  freedom  of  man  as  an  agent  is 
preferved,  and  his  right  to  do  wrong,  if  he  judges  that  wrong 
to  be  expedient  to  his  well  doing,  is  implied.  Some  few, 
indeed,  of  thefe  apoftles  of  falfehood  have  readorned  the  old 
neceffitarian  fyftem,  and,  by  making  the  human  race  the 
paffive  machines  of  overruling  fate,  have  contrived  to  trans- 
fer our  crimes  either  to  our  nature,  or  to  the  ftars  ;  but  this 
fcheme  wants  the  glofs  of  novelty. 

The  principles  thus  laid  down,  the  application  follows. 
What  would  be  highly  criminal  in  the  footman,  and  the 
chambermaid,  becomes  a  pardonable  levity,  when  referred  to 
the  actions  of  thofe  whofe  rank  in  life  fecures  the  world  froni 
the  political  confequences  of  their  indifcretions.  The  op- 
probrious terms  of  precifenefs,  uncharitablenefs,  narrownefs 
of  fentiment,  and  littlenefs  of  foul,  will  be  employed  to  de- 
ter you  from  thinking  unfavourably  of  thofe  foft  indifcre- 
tions, which,  though  they  may  be  fomewhat  wrong,  hurt 
nobody  elfe,  and  are  accompanied  by  all  the  amiable  virtues, 
and  all  the  alluring  graces.  Perhaps,  indeed,  thefe  apolo- 
gifts  of  licentioufnefs  may  proceed  fo  far  as  to  affirm,  that  it 
is  not  vice,  but  virtue,  to  obey  the  dictates  of  nature,  and 
that  the  confcious  mind  is  its  own  awful  world.  This,  with 
an  obfervation  that  no  characters  are  faultlefs,  that  we  muit 
take  people  as  we  find  them,  that  many  mean  very  well  who 
a£t  a  little  indifcreetly,  and  that  chaftity  is  apt  to  be  fcanda- 
lous  and  religion  morofe,  includes,  I  think,  moft  of  the  ar- 
guments which  thefe  fedu£Vive  advocates  of  candour  employ, 
to  miflead  innocence  and  excufe  guilt. 
L 


oJ 

The  ranilflcations  of  this  pfciido  hbcrahiy  extend  very  far. 
They  branch  from  that  pernicious  fyftem  of  infideHty  which 
lias  done  fiich  mifthief  in  the  world  ;  and,  tliough  compell- 
ed to  difguiie  its  nefarious  deiigns  in  Enghind,  Hill  labours 
with  unwearied  but  cautious  diligence  to  fap  the  fair  foun- 
dation of  our  national  fame.  It  is  fuppofed,  that  there  are 
but  few  tainted  charadlers  in  England,  who  are  not  willing  to 
allow  the  political  expediency  of  religious  inftitutions.  They, 
however,  moirly  engraft  fomeuhat  of  papiftical  principles 
on  deiilical  pradlces,  and  feek  to  commute  with  the  laws  of 
their  country,  by  an  occafional  obfervance  of  one  of  its  in- 
jun<Stions ;  I  inean  attendance  on  public  worfhip.  I  know 
not  whether  this  folemn  mockery  of  the  Deity  be  not  more 
prejudicial  to  religion  and  morals,  than  if  they  "  flood  forth 
all  infidel  confefV'  and  verbally  denied  the  authority  which 
their  aftions  difclaim.  Certainly,  the  national  church  is  ex- 
pofed  lo  much  undeserved  odium  on  account  of  the  fcanda- 
lous  lives  6f  thefe  political  conformilts,  who  cannot  be  jufily 
I'anked  among  her  members.  I  have  often  heard  it  remark- 
ed, that  the  eyes  of  the  congregation  are  naturally  directed, 
during  the  reading  of  the  conunandments,  to  the  confpicu- 
ous  gallery  in  which  fome  high  born  violater  of  thefe  poli- 
tive  precepts  lolls  with  graceful  negligence,  hears  the  divine 
vengeance  plainly  pointed  at  his  offence,  and  perhaps  artic- 
ulately joins  in  the  petition  to  be  preferved  from  the  cher- 
iilied  fin  that  he  is  determined  to  hug  in  his  bofom.  The 
cffedl  of  fuch  mockery  upon  the  minds  of  a  large  afiembly, 
inferior  in  ftation  and  education,  probably  alfo  in  ability, 
muft  infinitely  overbalance  all  the  good  which  could  be  de- 
rived from  the  mofi:  imprefllve  difcourfe  that  chriftian  zeal 
and  chriftian  knowledge  ever  delivered  from  a  pulpit.  No- 
thing, indeed,  but  that  fupernatural  grace  which  the  Al- 
mighty has  promiled  to  thole  who  alk  it  of  him,  can  pro- 
tect all  who  witnefs  fuch  hypocritical  effrontery  from  feeling 
their  faith  and  hope  affected  by  its  contaminating  influence. 

It  is,  indeed,  much  to  be  wiihed,  that  the  church  of  Eng- 
land would  again  exert  its  ificrt  but  not  refcinded  authority, 
and  banifli  notorious  profligates  from  the  houfe  of  God, 
vhile  they  continue  to  glory  in  their  fhame.  It  would  be 
well  too  (I  mean  prudentially  well)  if  thefe  bold  defiers  of 
public  opinion  would  recollect,  that  the  populace,  whofe  fuf- 
i'rages  they  court  on  other  occafions,  cannot  be  fo  very  def- 
picable,  as  to  be  unv/orthy  of  being  even  treated  with  the 
decencies  of  outward  obfervance.     It  would  be  fniitlefs  to 


83 

» 

tell  the  arrogant  iniidel,  or  lofty  debauchee,  that  the  foub 
of  thofe  whom  he  puts  in  jeopai-dy  by  thus  triumphantly  dif- 
playing  his  impenetrable  vices,  will  rife  with  him  at  the  laft 
day,  equal  in  rank,  equal  in  duration  of  exiftence,  and  will 
accufe  him  at  the  judgment  feat  of  an  impartial  God,  for 
having  acled  the  part  of  the  arch  apoftate,  by  betraying  thofe 
who  raflily  confided  in  his  fuperior  intelligence  and  more  en- 
larged information.  To  thofe  vvho  are  armed  with  that 
fhield  of  licentious  derifion  which  is  only  vulnerable  in  the 
days  of  ficknefs  or  calamity,  I  raull  only  addrefs  temporal 
diffuafives.  I  muft  {hew  them  that  it  is  indifcreet,  and 
madly  adventurous,  to  thrufl  their  crimes  upon  the  obfer- 
vj^tion  of  thofe  who,  however  ignorant  or  misjudging,  per- 
fCiTdy  underftand  the  equalizing  nature  of  ignominy.  The 
grolTer  vices  receive  no  exaltation  from  being  clad  in  ermine  ; 
their  nature  is  fo  very  brutal,  that  their  combination  with 
education,  rank,  fplendour,  and  affluence,  cannot  diminifli 
their  hideous  afpeift,  or  lefTen  the  contempt  of  thofe  who 
know  that  it  would  be  very  eafy  to  rife  to  fuch  "  a  bad  em- 
inence." The  dutchefs  who  has  violated  her  marriage  oath, 
who  is  difcarded  by  her  hulband  and  married  to  her  gallant, 
is  but  the  fame  degraded  creature  as  the  porter's  wife  who 
is  transferred  at  Smithfield  to  a  new  piirchafer.  The  re- 
proachful epithets  that  we  beftow  upon  the  vulgar  linner, 
are  by  her  fcornfuUy  rebanded  to  her  digniiied  copartner  in 
guilt ;  and  let  not  the  oiiender,  who  has  only  birth  and 
wealth  to  boaft,  flatter  herfeif  that  the  world  in  general 
thinks  thofe  diftinflions  facred.  Public  opinion  is  not  yet 
fo  illuminized  as  the  ear  tickling  flatterers  of  greatnefs  rep- 
refent ;  and  if  they  value  their  pofi^eflions  more  than  they 
do  their  vices,  they  mufl:  rejoice  that  "  many  tlioufand  knees 
in  '  Britain'  have  never  yet  bowed  to  the  falfe  gods"  of  fo- 
phifticated  morality.  The  virtues  of  probity  and  chaftity  are 
clofely  allied ;  and  prefcription  will  be  found  to  be  but  a 
feeble  fupport,  where  the  folid  pillars  of  aff'ection  and  refpedt 
are  undermined.  But  to  return  from,  I  hope,  an  improba- 
ble contingency,  to  what  really  happens  :  though  the  op- 
probrious epithets  which  the  adulterefs  merits  may  not  reach 
her  own  ears,  they  echo  through  a  fpace  commenfurate 
with  the  circle  which  flie  was  originally  intended  to  enlight- 
en and  inform.  She  is  there  eftimated,  not  by  thofe  arbi- 
trary rules  which  her  own  depraved  aflbciates  decree  fhall 
fuperfede  common  fenfe  and  moral  obligation,  but  by  the 
principles  which,  when  fl^e  lies  upon  her  death  bed,  flie  will 


84 

own  arc  the  unfwcrving  dictates  of  rectitude  and  truth.  Ai 
the  bar  of  public  opinion,  the  titled  courtezan  receives  little 
mercy.  Every  plea  which  might  be  urged  in  flivour  of  the 
poor  night  wanderer,  who  offends  for  bread,  turns  into  an 
aggravation  of  the  guilt  of  her  who  courted  temptation.  The 
friendlefs  outcaft,  whom  no  one  acknowledges,  fins,  deeply 
fins  againft  her  own  foul ;  but  flie  who  was  hedged  in  from 
ruin  by  fortune,  fame,  and  family,  involves  a  holl  of  diftin- 
guilhed  connexions  in  her  difgrace,  and  ftamps  a  ftigma  of 
opprobrium  on  every  part  of  her  (perhaps  till  then  unfulli- 
ed)  lineage.  The  pennylefs  proftitute  is  precluded  from  re- 
pentance ;  for  will  any  one  afford  her  an  afylum,  to  try  if 
that  repentance  be  fincere  ?  The  proflitute  of  high  life  has 
only  to  ftop  in  her  fliamelefs  courfe,  and  to  retreat  to  that 
retirement  which  is  ever  ready  to  fhelter  her  difgrace  and 
confirm  her  contrition.  The  former  was  moft  likely  the 
child  of  ignorance,  who  knew  little  of  good  or  evil  till  ex- 
perience taught  her  a  fevere  leffon,  by  which  flie  became 
wife  too  late.  Her  paflions  were  probably  unrefirained  by 
difcipline  or  precept,  and  fome  feducer  fpread  a  fnare  for 
her  perfonal  chaftity,  before  refle(5tion  and  obfervation  taught 
her  its  value.  I  fear  I  Ihall  lay  too  much,  if  I  fuppofe  that 
the  noble  wanton  has  been  early  trained  in  the  principles  of 
truth  and  holinefs ;  but  we  mufl:  allow  that  flie  has  been 
taught  the  necefllty  of  reftraining  her  pafiilons,  accuflomed 
to  refpe^  the  opinion  of  the  world,  and  to  regard  thofe  de- 
corums in  her  outward  manners  which  awe  the  licentious. 
If  Ihe  was  a  wife  (and  I  grieve  to  fay  that  in  high  life  the 
major  part  of  loft  characTcers  belong  to  the  matronly  order,) 
the  libertine  was  deterred  from  "  affaying  by  his  devilifh  art 
to  reach  the  organs  of  her  fancy,"  by  the  apprelienfion  of 
thofe  large  pecuniary  mulcts  by  which  the  law  has  lately  at- 
tempted to  deter  adulterers,  holding  out  the  certain  profpect 
of  long  imprifonment,  or  banifhment  from  their  native  coun- 
try, to  that  tribe  of  led  capiains,  and  "  fecond  brothers  to 
men  of  cpiality,"  who  are  moft  apt  to  arrange  themfelvcs  in 
the  ranks  of  cecilbeos  and  gallants.  But  whether  the  lady 
be  wife  or  fpinllei-,  iLc  was  equally  defended  by  thofe  laws 
of  honour  which  compel  the  fafhionable  rake  to  be  an  ex- 
pert l\vordfman  before  he  afpires  to  be  a  I'educer  ;  and  few 
of  our  gay  Lotliarios  would  choofe  to  run  the  gauntlet  with 
hufbands,  fathers,  and  broiliei\s,  unlefs  preaffured  that  the 
guardians  of  their  Calilla's  honour,  "  fiercenefs  and  pride-, 


85 

would  foon  be  charmed  to  reft,"  and  the  yielding  fair  be 
content  to  give  up  all  for  them. 

Such  are  the  inferences  which  common  fenfe  always  draws 
from  a  ftory  of  criminal  intrigue  ;  and  however  the  elo- 
quence of  the  bar  may  feek  to  divert  indignation,  and  in- 
genioufly  palliate  the  frail  fair  one's  guilt,  by  reprefenting 
her  as  the  vi<ftim  of  her  gallant's  unremitting  affiduity,  or  as 
being  fo  fupereminently  endowed  with  tafte,  eloquence,  and 
beauty,  that  all  who  beheld  her  mult  love  ;  this  rigid  cenfor, 
inflexible  as  a  Britilh  judge  on  the  bench  of  juftice,  adheres 
to  the  honeft  bluntnefs  of  her  original  conclulion  :  tafte,  el- 
oquence, and  beauty,  are  too  common  adjuncts  of  poliftied 
fociety  to  difarm  her  fecurity  ;  and  flae  determines  that  there 
muft  be  a  great  degree  of  criminal  levity  in  the  conduft  of  a 
woman  of  rank  and  fortune,  before  any  man,  efpecially  3 
mere  opera  lounger,  or  genteel  dependant  on  the  family, 
could  dare  to  affail  her  with  a  criminal  propofition.  Here, 
therefore,  the  term  feduction  muft  be  mifapplied,  except 
when  the  criminality,  or  ftudied  negligence  of  the  huftiand, 
has  made  him  the  active  agent  of  his  own  difgrace.  In  this 
cafe,  common  fcnfe  may  feel  inclined  to  extenuate  the  lady's 
offences  *,  but  it  will  only  be  by  lamenting  that  the  manners 
of  the  age  have  an  alarming  tendency  to  promote  conjugal 
infidelity,  by  fiinftioning  conjugal  indifference  ;  but  fhe  will 
ftill  infift,  that  though  a  libertine,  or  contemptuous  huf- 
band,  muft  make  his  wife  mifcrable,  it  is  her  own  indifcre^ 
tion  that  makes  her  criminal.  An  agreeable  infinuating 
young  man*  is  too  dangerous  a  companion  for  a  refentful 
offended  woman,  to  be  admitted  to  confidence  and  intimacy. 
If  her  furrows  are  too  poignant  to  be  confined  to  her  own 
bofom,  let  her  find  -a  female  friend  with  whom  fhe  may  more 
fafely  repofe  them.  If  the  folitude  of  home  be  infupporta- 
ble,  connexions  may  be  formed,  and  amufements  fought, 
which  cannot  endanger  her  fame,  her  virtue,  or  her  peace. 
It  is  the  madnefs  of  deipair  to  rufh  into  the  arms  of  ruin 
becaufe  fhe  has  drawn  a  blank  in  the  lottery  of  connubial 
happinefs.  Let  a  lady  fhew,  by  her  conduvS>,  that  though 
her  wedded  proteftor  deferts  his  charge,  fhe  ftill  refpecls  her- 
felf ;  and  fhe  will  excite  thofe  fentiments  of  efteem,  and  chaf- 
tifed  admiration,  which  fuit  the  hallowed  and  indelible  cha^ 
radler  that  flie  has  afllimed  j  nor  will  fhe  be  often  called  upon 
to  i'eprefs  the  infulting  attentions  of  prefumptuous  audacity. 

*  See  Letter  XII. 


3G 

But,  bcfkle  thcfc  pruJential  reflraints,  whitii  the  free  cen- 
fures  of  a  really  cnligl^ccncJ  ago  llioulJ  impolc  on  that  ele- 
vated ftation  whofe  acSVions  are  mod  confpicuoiis,  the  demo- 
cratical  turn  whicii  public  opinion  has  lately  taken,  ofl'ers 
ftill  more  imperioufy  momentous  confiderations  to  check  the 
rafh  career  oi  open  profligacy.  Tiie  melancholy  fall  of  birth 
and  grandeur  in  a  neighbouring  kingJom,  may  convince 
thofe  who  polTcfs  fuch  diftintSlions  in  our  own,  that  neither 
law,  juftice,  nor  power,  can  preferve  their  prefcnt  fuperiori- 
ty,  if  the  voice  of  popular  frenzy  decree  their  overthrow. 
With  whatever  feverity  we  may  juftly  reprobate  the  mif- 
chievous  do£lrines  which  impofe  on  the  commonalty,  and 
pen'uade  them  to  imagine  that  the  fupprellion  of  rank  and 
opulence  would  contribute  to  their  own  exaltation,  or  even 
advantage,  I  mufl;  execrate  the  unblulliing  vices  of  thofe 
confpicuous  ilnners,  who  court  publicity,  and  defy  reproach  ; 
for  they  are  a  ftill  furer  engine  of  deftruclion  to  overwhelm 
our  well  poized  ftale.  If  our  nobility  and  gentry  are  fwept 
away  from  remembrance,  their  ruin  muft  be  accelerated  by 
an  act  of  felf-murder  ;  I  fliould  rather  fay,  by  fratricide.  In 
proof  of  wdiat  I  have  alledged,  that  the  lower  orders  perfect- 
ly underftand  that  vice  puts  all  upon  a  level,  I  appeal  to  the 
tumultuary  applaufe  which  has  crowned  that  fcene  in  the 
play  of  John  Bull,  where  the  brazier  feizes  the  chair  lately 
occupied  by  the  juftice,  on  the  latter  refuling  to  receive  the 
frail  daughter  of  the  mechanic  with  open  arms  into  his  fam- 
ily, as  a  fuitable  wife  for  his  libertine  heir.  Have  not  the 
boxes  learned,  during  the  almoft  innumerable  reprefentations 
of  this  popular  piece,  that  when  they  echo  the  laugh  of  the 
galleries,  they  v  irtually  degrade  their  own  order  ? 

This,  tiiough  n  ftriking,  is  only  one  inftance  of  the  reign- 
ing humour  of  the  times.  To  reprcfent  the  higher  ranks  as 
mean,  abfurd,  vicious,  mercenary,  or  tyrannical,  feems  a  fure 
road  to  reputation  among  our  dramatifts  ;  and  the  higher 
they  have  coloured  the  caricature,  the  more  ample  has  been 
their  fuccefs.  Perhaps  the  paftion  for  German  imitation, 
v/hich  lately  gave  lav/  to  our  ftage,  may  have  hurried  our 
play-w rights  into  the  adoption  of  a  defamatory  libel  on  great- 
nefs,  without  fully  difeerning  its  mifchievous  tendency.  It 
IS  certain,  that  when  they  defcribe  poverty  as  the  native  foil 
of  exalted  fent'ment  and  dilinierefted  vii'tue,  they  neither 
derive  their  inlpiration  from  nature,  nor  the  mufe.  But  as 
this  abfurd  pafllon  fur  bombaft  fuftian,  trivial  events,  ex- 
travagant fentiment,  outrageous  liberality,  and  perverted  mo- 


87 

rality,  feems  declining  (thanks  to  the  fplrited  fatirc  with 
which  it  has  been  attacked,)  let  vis  hope  that  dramas  of  re- 
ally Enplifh  growth  will  be  clear  from  this  foreign  excref- 
ccnce.  Let  our  own  admirable  Shakefpeare  ferve  here,  as  in 
other  inftances,  for  the  model.  He  drew  the  great  as  they 
really  are,  difgraced  by  crimes,  or  glorious  for  virtues,  ftrug- 
gling  witlx  the  temptations  incident  to  their  ftations  or  their 
nature,  but  not  necefllirily  degraded  by  moving  in  that 
fphere  of  life  to  which  Providence  limits  their  trials  and 
their  duties.  He  depi£l:ured  the  unlettered  vulgar  too  in 
their  genuine  colour,  and  with  "  a  maiier's  hand  and  proph- 
et's fire."  Two  hundred  years  have  not  effaced  the  refem- 
blance,  notwithftanding  tiae  change  of  manners  and  opin- 
ions which  luxury  and  opulence  have  introduced.  Many  a 
valiant  Talbot  and  open  hearted  Hotfpur  ftill  fupport  the 
honour  of  their  country  in  the  tented  field ;  and  the  latter 
Teems  indeed  again  "the  glafs  wherein  our  noble, youth  do 
drefs  themfelves."  Many  a  pious  Cordelia  ftill  minifters,  in 
privacy,  to  the  forrows  of  a  petulant  unhappy  father  j  and 
many  a  faithful  Imogen  purfues  the  fteps  of  her  truant  lord, 
anxious  to  recover  his  affe<Slions,  even  at  the  expenfe  of  life 
and  fortune.  Be  it  remembered  too,  that  many  a  ferocious 
Cade,  and  v»'rong  headed  Bevis,  panting  for  change,  yet  ig- 
norant of  what  change  muft  produce,  are  watching  and  mag- 
nifying the  crimes  of  a  faithlefs  Margaret,  and  intriguing 
Eleanor.*     But  to  return. 

Next  to  that  bafe  abdication  of  her  own  importance, 
which  the  abandoned  woman  of  rank  tacitly  ratifies  when- 
ever {lie  permits  the  world  to  bruit  her  fliamc,  the  increaf- 
ing  facility  with  which  ladies  of  loft  charafler  are  readmit- 
ted to  the  once  feledl  and  decorous  circle  of  refined  fociety, 
becomes  a  fubjedl  of  alarm  to  confiderate  minds,  intent  on 
the  prefervatlon  of  every  barrier  to  female  innocence.  The 
maxims  which  induced  our  anceftors  to  determine,  that  even 
if  we  "  deplored  our  lofs  with  tears,  one  falfe  ftep  for  ever 
*«  damned  the  fame"  of  women,  though  apparently  fevere, 
were  in  reality  merciful.  This  degradation  might,  indeed, 
harden  u  few  reprobates  in  vice,  who  would  otherwife  have 
been  hypocrites ;  but  it  fent  n^any  a  real  penitent  to  that  re- 


•  See  Henry  VI,  part  a.  Tiie  characters  of  thefe  princefies  are  here 
fpokcn  of  in  thtir  poetical  drefs,  not  as  they  are  prefer ved  in  the  unpre- 
judiced page  of  hiilory,  which  dees  juflice  to  the  heroical  conftancy  and 
tonji;gai  affc^Ttioa  of  the  msguanimous  coufort  of  "Holy  Henry." 


88 

tiremcnt  which  true  repentance  loves,  and  it  preferved  thou* 
lands  of  thoughtlcfs  impaffioncd  viftims  from  the  allure- 
ments of  guilty  pleafure,  by  the  confcloufnefs  that  they 
could  not  endure  a  life  of  reproach.  Whatever  encourage- 
ment mercy  and  charity  may  hold  out  to  a  backfliding  fifter 
determined  to  renounce  the  evil  of  her  ways,  let  not  her 
who  hefitates  be  excited  to  otfend,  by  ftripping  vice  either 
of  its  punifhments  or  its  horrors.  Let  the  young  and  un- 
experienced ever  think,  that  if  they  pafs  the  bourne  of  chaf- 
tity,  fociety  will  difclaim  them,  and  to  return  to  it  will  be 
impraBicahle.  If  they  venture  on  the  guilty  deed  with  the 
forethought  encouragement,  that  they  ihall  foon  emerge 
from  their  night  of  Ihame,  their  fin  is  dreadfully  aggrava* 
ted.  Our  bell  divines  maintain,  that  whatever  hope  the 
heavenly  promife  of  forgivenefs  affords  to  true  contrition,  it 
is  moft  defperate  wickednefs  to  tranfgrcfs  "  that  grace  may 
abound."  If,  in  that  ftorm  of  paffions  which  attends  a  ftrong 
temptation,  reafon  can  be  heard  to  plead  that  it  will  be  but 
a  temporary  difgrace,  fhe  has  leifure  to  afiert  her  natural  fu- 
periority,  and  by  betraying  her  truit  becomes  the  ally,  in- 
ftead  of  the  curb,  of  incontinence. 

We  will  fuppofe  (which  I  fear  is  far  from  being  the  cafe) 
that  the  principles  of  matronly  ladies  are  lo  fixed,  that  they 
run  no  danger  of  contamination  by  frequently  hearing  the 
foft  glolTes  which  confcious  offenders  muft  caft  over  the 
crimes  of  which  they  have  been  publickly  conviElcd ;  yet  let 
us  compafiionate  the  tender  bloom  of  virgin  innocence,  and 
fave  the  youthful  part  of  our  fex  from  the  peflilential  blaft 
of  infeclious  fophiftry.  W^e  will  fuppofe  that  a  young  lady 
has  been  not  only  innocently,  but  wifely  educated  ;  taught 
to  efteem  virtue,  and  to  ihrink  with  abhorrence  from  au- 
dacious vice ;  accuitomed  only  to  contemplate  refpe<5lable 
charatSters,  and  full  of  thofe  ideas  of  worth  and  honour 
which  are  generally  aflbciated  in  an  ingenuous  inexperienc- 
ed mind.  She  fteps  from  the  fchool  room  to  the  crowded 
rout,  and  beJiolds  a  lady  fplendid  in  her  appearance,  molt 
fafcinating  in  licr  manner,  to  whom  every  one  pays  obfequi- 
ous  court ;  the  beaux  crov.'d  around  her  to  catch  her  fmiles 
and  hear  her  whifpers,  and  the  belles  Ihew  their  admiration 
by  wearing  her  uniform.  The  unlufpecling  tyro  in  the 
fubtle  game  of  life  fteps  forward  to  inquire  the  name  of  this 
fuppofcd  parragon  of  the  day,  this  Arria,  this  Cornelia,  ia 
whofe  hallowed  form  ftie  fancies  the  domcftic  virtues  are 
worlhipped  •■,  aud  Ihe  hears  with  horror  and  aftoniOicieiit 


89 

that  it  IS  one  who  has  been  branded  In  the  public  prints,  de- 
graded by  the  clear  evidence  of  impartial  juftice,  expofed  by 
obfcene  caricatures,  and  ridiculed  by  the  loweft  witticifais  ; 
in  fine,  that  flie  is  a  creature  whom  no  one  can  defame^  and 
whom  any  one  may  nbiife  with  impunity.  She  turns  away 
fliuddering  with  difguft,  and  perhaps  liftens  to  the  bon  mots 
of  a  faded  courtezan,  whofe  early  days  pafTed  in  the  low 
haunts  of  vulgar  licentioufnefs,  but  who,  in  the  wane  of  life, 
has  perfuaded  her  uxorious  keeper  to  give  her  the  name  of 
his  wife  j  not  that  fhe  may  repent  of  her  former  errors,  nor 
yet  to  fecure  her  fuch  a  competence  that  "  lack  of  means 
enforce  her  not  to  evil  j"  but  for  the  avowed  purpofe  of  in- 
troducing her  into  company  high  at  leaft  in  rank,  though 
low  in  ideas  of  decorum  j  and  who  nmft  prepare  themfelves 
for  her  reception  either  by  copious  draughts  of  Lethe,  or 
ftrong  dofes  of  candid  fentiment.  As  I  may  fuppofe  my 
fair  novice  poireiTes  too  much  good  fenfe  to  call  fuch  time- 
ferving  adulation  compaffion,  or  fuch  egregious  folly  gener- 
ous love,  what  muft  be  her  opinion  of  the  women  who  thus 
boldly  take  the  lead  v/here  they  fliould  not  fo  much  as  wifh 
to  appear,  and  of  the  fociety  who  fuffer^  nay  cciirt  the  intru- 
iion  ?  Will  flie  not,  on  comparing  the  world  of  manners 
and  the  world  of  books,  exclaim,  like  the  Roman  patriot, 
*'  O  virtue !  have  I  worlhipped  thee  as  a  fubflantial  goodj 
and  art  thou  but  an  empty  name  !" 

It  is  pleaded,  that  fociety  owes  fo  many  pleafures  to 
agreeable  talents  and  poliflied  manners,  that  thofe  who  pof- 
fefs  thefe  pafTports  fhould  be  allowed  to  go  every  where, 
without  being  fubjedled  to  a  rigorous  examination.  This  is 
to  weaken  the  bafis  of  fecial  intercourfe,  and  to  overload 
the  fuperftrufture ;  to  endanger  all  the  facred  "  charities  of 
father,  fon,  and  brother,"  that  we  may  return  from  the  fa- 
tiguing crowd  of  routs  and  affemblies,  amufed  by  a  few 
Uprightly  fayings,  or  foothed  by  the  fuavity  of  polite  attentions. 
Is  not  this  folly  limilar  to  that  of  fwallowing  poifon,  becaufe 
it  has  been  diffolved  in  a  well  flavoured  menftruum  ?  But, 
after  all,  are  we  certain  that  we  make  this  dreadful  facrifice 
to  real  wit  and  true  elegance ;  or  has  fafliion  played  the 
cheat  here,  as  fhe  has  done  in  various  inftances,  and  dreiTed 
up  a  falfe  Florimel  of  her  own  creation  to  impofe  upon  her 
fliort  fighted  votaries  ?  I  know  too  little  of  the  wiles  in 
which  thefe  phsenomena  move  to  determine  this  important 
inquiry.  I  can  only  fpeak  by  hearfay  evidence,  and  muft 
M 


9a 

confefs  that,  had  I  not  been  aflurcJ  to  the  contrary,  I  fliouU 
have  referred  what  has  been  repeated  to  me  as  the  pure  at- 
tic wit  of  thefe  Englifh  Ninons,  to  the  infpiration  of  ilreams 
lefs  funple  than  the  Pierian ;  while  the  manners  and  atti- 
tudes which  the  enraptured  defcriber  fpoke  of  as  copied 
from  the  graces,  feemed  to  me  the  fignpoft  daub  of  effronte- 
ry, or  the  hafty  Iketch  of  capricious  affeftation.  If  we  take 
our  ideas  of  wit  from  Cowley's  admirable  definition,  it  feems 
impoflible  that  any  trace  of  it  fhould  remain  in  the  mind 
of  a  woman  who  has  fo  long  renounced  the  diilinguifliing 
chara(Slerifi:ic  of  her  fex,  that  {he  can  fcarcely  know  how  to 
ape  its  language,  or  to  gurfs  what  were  its  pure  ideas.  And 
if  we  fuppofe  Milton  correct  in  his  notions  of  elegance, 
what  refemblance  can  the  impenitent  v/anton  bear  to  his 
picture  of  our  general  mother  in  her  ftate  of  innocence  ? 

"  Grace  was  in  all  her  flcps,  lieaven  in  her  eye, 
"  In  every  gtfture  dignity  'and  love.'' 

My  limited  knowledge  of  high  life  makes  me  fufpe*^:, 
that  the  blind  infatuation  of  the  worlliipper  often  afcribes 
luch  piquancy  to  the  manners  and  expreflions  of  the  idol, 
as  could  not  poffibly  be  tolerated  in  a  well  bred  circle ;  and 
therefore  that  thefe  veneered  ladies  are  not  quite  fo  impudent 
and  overwhelming  as  they  are  defcribed  to  be  j  yet  I  muft 
infill,  that  when  the  mind  is  deeply  contaminated  it  will 
ipeak  through  its  bodily  organs,  in  fpite  of  the  moll:  guard- 
ed caution.  The  eye  will  converfe  in  a  language  unknown 
to  the  timid  glances  of  moderiy ;  the  flexures  of  the  coun- 
tenance will  betray  fccrets  to  which  delicacy  is  a  ftrangcr  ; 
and  decorum  will  be  violated  by  a  thoufand  minutiit  to 
wliich  even  the  praclifed  aclrefs  has  neglected  to  attend. 
But  the  danger  does  not  reft  here :  limplicity  may  unwarily 
adopt  what  I'eems  to  procure  celebrity ;  and  though  it  folely 
aim  at  being  falhionable,  may  transform  its  exterior  into  a 
likcneis  that  it  would  abhor.  Thus,  while  debauchees  and 
deifts  rejoice  in  the  increaling  freedom  of  what  may  ftill  be 
called  virtuoi^s  fociety,  our  manners  are  in  the  molt  immi- 
nent danger  of  loling  the  proud  diftinctions  of  delicacy  and 
purity  i  compared  v/ith  which,  wit  and  elegance,  even  when 
genuine,  are  but  what  the  fetting  is  to  the  diamond. 

But,  it  rniiy  b;  alked,  v/ill  not  penitence  refcind  the  fe- 
Vere  interdidl  vi^hich  bar;;  the  doors  of  fociety  againft  female 
frailty  ?  Moft  uiu;ucTi;onab!y,  fo  far  as  frieiidihip  or  kindred 


91 

are  concerned.  A  very  able  inftruftrefs*  of  our  fex  has 
determined,  that  true  penitence  will  not  wifli  to  exceed  thofe 
bounds,  or  to  mix  in  the  crowded  haunts  of  public  life. 
Nor  let  a  decifion  be  cenfured  for  feverity,  which  is  really 
the  dictate  of  mercy,  fanclioned  by  a  thorough  knowledge 
of  the  human  heart,  and  proceeding  from  lively  fympathy 
for  thofe  who,  though  no  longer  offetiding^  continue  to  be 
iinfortimate.  When  the  foul  is  really  awakened  by  the  fenfe 
of  its  own  backllidings,  when  it  feels  the  reproofs  of  con- 
fcience  and  the  fliame  of  contrition,  it  will  naturally  fhrink 
from  returning  to  thofe  fcenes  which  it  knows  are  danger- 
ous to  reputation  and  peace.  Convinced  of  her  own  weak- 
nefs,  afraid  to  truft  her  fcarcely  confirmed  refolutions,  and 
concluding  by  the  publicity  of  her  ftory,  that  all  who  fee 
her  will  look  upon  her  either  with  contempt,  reproach,  or 
pity,  the  true  Magdalen  wiflaes  alike  to  avoid  the  hazard  of 
falling  into  nev^^  tranfgreffions,  and  the  contumely  attending 
the  paft.  She  is  deafer  than  the  adder  to  the  fyren  ftrains 
of  adulation  ;  fhe  knows  too  well  the  *'  ills  that  fpring  from 
beauty ;"  fplendour  has  loft  its  attractions ;  fhe  cannot  de- 
rive amufement  from  crowds,  becaufe  llie  can  no  longer 
mingle  in  them  without  feeling  a  fenfe  of  degradation. 
She  confiders  too,  that  if  flie  fliould  again  afpire  to  fafliion- 
able  celebrity,  her's  would  be  an  uphill  painful  taflc  ;  every 
eye  would  be  fixed  upon  her  condudl ;  every  tongue  inclin- 
ed to  queftion  the  fincerity  of  her  profeffions ;  v/hat  would 
be  thought  mere  vivacity  in  unfufpecled  innocence,  would 
in  her  be  levity ;  and  marked  reierve  would  be  confbrued 
into  a  prudifla  vizard  throv/n  over  the  worft  defigns.  Her 
whifpers  would  be  fuppofed  to  convey  affignations,  her  re- 
proofs would  be  called  the  fplenetic  dictates  of  jealoufly. 
Befides,  can  Ihe  that  has  fo  weighty  a  tafk  to  perform  af- 
ford to  trifle  away  the  important  hours  }  Turn  thee,  back- 
Hiding  daughter,  turn  to  the  cool  fequeftered  vale  of  life, 
and  thy  troubled  day  may  yet  have  a  peaceful  dole.  Ra- 
tional amufement,  renovated  efteem,  friendlhip,  content- 
ment, tranquility,  and  religious  hope,  may  flill  be  all  thine 
own. 

It  is  not,  therefore,  the  harfh  decree  of  outrageous  virtue, 
but  the  mild  counfels  of  kindnefs  and  fympathy,  that  deter- 
mine the  prefervation  of  thofe  diftinClions  which  cuftom 
has  long  preferved  between  unfufpefted  and  forfeited  char=? 

•■*  See  Mrs.  Moore's  EfTavs,  and  Stricfliircs  on  Education. 


•  92 

actcrs.  And  if  thofc,  in  wliofc  favour  thefe  barrievs  might 
be  broken  down  with  fafcty,  'arc  too  well  convinced  of  their 
expedience  to  require  their  abohtion,  let  us  determine  to  de- 
fend the  privileges  of  innocence  from  the  pertinacious  attacks 
of  impudence  and  hardened  depravity.  The  iucredllng  fa- 
cility of  intercourfe  between  the  mofl;  prodigate  and  the 
moft  irreproachable  women,  which  is  a  marked  and  peculiar 
feature  of  thefe  times,  threatens  more  than  our  manners. 
The  tranfition  is  very  eafy,  and  ger.crally  very  rapid,  from 
unreftrained  freedom  of  behaviour,  to  unreftrained  freedom 
of  condudl ;  and  efpecially  when  the  mind  has  not  been 
deeply  imbued  wath  religious  truths,  in  which  cafe  the  opin- 
ion of  the  world  forms  one  of  the  ftrongeft  bulwarks  of  vir- 
tue. Banifliraent  from  parties  of  high  ton,  and  eftrange- 
ment  from  the  amufements  which  every  one  talks  of,  have 
often  intimidated  the  wavering  fair  one,  and  Impofed  a 
guarded  decorum  of  manner  on  the  determined  wanton. 
Let  us  not,  then,  when  the  cardinal  virtue  of  our  fex  is  af- 
failed  by  unufual  perils,  rcfign  one  of  its  mcll:  mutei-ial  out- 
works :  we  have  an  encouraging  example  let  before  us,  which 
it  behoves  us  to  copy.  There  is  a  circle,  and  that  the  high- 
eft,  where  the  con'uicled  adultrefs  dares  not  fhow  her  auda- 
cious front.  May  this  prohibition  be  coeval  with  the  dura- 
tion of  our  monarchy  ;  and  may  the  eyes  of  a  Britifh  queen 
never  be  offended  by  the  prefence  of  fuch  as  glory  in  violat- 
ing thofe  laws  of  which  her  ivory  fceptre  conttitutes  her  the 
guardian. 

The  next  circumflancc  which  has  an  unfavourable  and 
alarming  effeft  on  female  virtue  is,  that  unremitting  purfuit 
of  amufcment  fo  unlverfal  in  the  great  world.  "  Commune 
with  thy  own  heart  in  thy  chamber  and  be  ftill,"  is  the 
precept  of  the  royal  penitent,  who  knew  too  well  what 
watchful  attention  the  human  heart  requires  in  order  to  fub- 
due  its  propenfity  to  evil.  Shall  I  injure  the  fair  falliionift, 
if  I  fuggeft  that  her  bofom  inmate  demands  as  frequent  ex- 
amination, and  as  conftant  controul,  as  that  of  the  highly 
endowed,  thougli  greatly  offending  David  .'*  Little  did  he 
think  when  he  twice  fparcd  the  life  of  his  inexorable  enemy 
Saul,  who  denied  him  a  flielter  even  aniong  the  rocks  and 
wilds  of  his  native  land,  that  the  time  would  come,  when, 
fecurely  fitting  on  the  tlirone  of  Ifrael,  he  fliould  meanly 
project  the  murder  of  the  faithful  veteran  who  bravely  re- 
fuled  repofc  while  the  enemies  of  his  king  remained  unfub- 
dueJ.     Can  wc  tnxc  any  llmilicude  between  tlie  felf  com- 


manding  hero,  who,  like  our  own  Sidney,  on  the  fatal  plains 
of  Zutphen,  refufed  to  tafte  the  eagerly  defired  waters  of 
the  well  of  Bethlehem,  becaufe  it  had  been  purchafed  by  the 
jeopardy  of  the  lives  of  three  of  his  valiant  captains,  and 
the  luftful  tyrant  whofe  infatiable  appetites  violated  the  hon- 
our of  defencelefs  beauty  ?  Yet  it  was  the  fame  man  who 
aiSled  in  thefe  different  characlers ;  it  was  he  who  v/as  alter- 
nately, as  fupported  or  deferted  by  the  Almighty,  the  iliep- 
herd  conqueror  of  Goliath,  whom  the  virgins  of  Ifrael  ex- 
tolled in  their  fongs,  and  the  aged  forlorn  fugitive  who  fled 
from  his  rebellious  offspring.  Modern  times  are  not  defti- 
tute  of  examples  to  prove,  that  honour  and  profperity  are 
alike  unftable ;  nor  can  we  preferve  either  our  fpiritual  or 
temporal  affairs  from  difordcr,  but  by  continual  vigilance. 
We  are  now  confidering  the  former ;  and  let  me  remind  all 
who  fhall  honour  thefe  reflections  with  a  perufal,  that  the 
road  from  the  heights  of  virtue  to  the  depths  of  vice  does 
not  lead  you  down  Tx/hep  precipice,  but  a  gradual  flope.  A 
flight  indifcretion,  which  fcarcely  alarms  the  moft  fcrupulous 
confcience,  if  fuffered  to  pafs  without  obfervation,  prepares 
the  mind  for  a  ferious  error  ;  error  delivers  it  over  to  crime  ; 
and  crime,  when  often  repeated,  petrifies  the  moral  feelings 
into  infenfible  depravity.  The  fcnflbilities  of  virtue  fliould 
be  cheriflied  with  as 'much  care  as  the  fenflbilitics  of  temper 
fliould  be  modified ;  and  unlefs  we  allow  the  foul  time  to 
whifper  to  us  in  retirement,  we  can  never  catch  its  fl:ill  foft 
voice  amid  the  bufy  turmoil  of  diflipation. 

Were  the  cliriftian  duty  of  felf-sxamination  rigoroufly 
performed,  I  am  perfuaded  the  world  v/ould  exhibit  a  very 
different  appearance,  both  with  refpedl  to  fin,  and  to  its  con- 
flant  affociate,  forrow.  Enfeebled  virtue  would  recover  its 
ftability ;  nay,  the  feducer  himfelf  would  paufe  in  his  guilty 
career,  and  perceive  ^'  conflderation  come  like  an  angel  to 
whip  the  oftending  Adam  out  of  him,"  and  fiiov/-  him  the 
little  value  of  what  he  feeks  to  purchafe  at  the  rifle  of  eter- 
nal perdition.  Nor  are  the  ufes  of  refledlion  and  meditation 
confined  to  our  rnorrd  conduce,  though  their  exercife  is  here 
moft  important,  It  is  by  thefe  means  that  the  difficulties 
of  fcience  are  conquered,  and  the  refinements  of  tafte  ac- 
quired. The  fkilful  artift  is  formed  by  this  felf-commun- 
ion  ;  and  the  plans  of  the  flatefman  and  the  warrior  are  thus 
ripened  into  perfection.  Even  that  which  is  known  by  the 
name  of  pleafure  is  more  truly  enjoyed  by  retrofpeCtion  in 
the  fllence  of  your  own  apartment,  than  when  the  gaudy 


94 

fccne  actually  pafTed  your  flaring  eyes,  and  the  confufetl 
buz  of  found  agitated  your  auricular  organs.  Such  an  aft 
of  tlie  memory  may  be  compared  to  the  animal  faculty  of  ru- 
mination ;  we  at  firft:  fwallow  pleafure  in  the  grofs,  and  are 
too  anxious  to  devour  much,  to  difcriminate  its  confcituent 
parts ;  but  when  remaflicated,  we  duly  appreciate  its  pun- 
gency. A  load  of  undigefted  pleafure  (futFer  me  to  continue 
the  allufion)  palls  the  fatiated  apj">etite  •,  a  fmall  quantity, 
taken  ait^r  proper  intervals,  exhilarates  the  fpirits,  and  infu- 
fes  alaarlty  into  every  part.  This  is  efpeci.  Uy  true  of  the 
pleafures  which  arife  from  converfation.  Rciined  wit  and 
brilliant  fcnfe  communicate  an  inward  degree  of  fatisfaftion 
every  tla;e  we  recall  them  to  our  remembrance.  Genius, 
whether  we  feek  her  in  the  walks  of  the  imitative  arts,  or  in 
the  "  nobler  growth  of  thought,"  does  not  immediately  pour 
her  full  radiance  on  our  eyes ;  we  muft  contemplate  her 
fplendour  before  we  can  appreciate  its  degree  of  brightnefs. 
Even  elegance  and  beauty,  when  they  belong  to  the  higher 
degrees  of  excellence,  folicit  mimite  attention,  and  refufe  to 
unveil  their  coy  graces  \o  the  carelefs  gaze  of  the  hurried 
beholder. 

Are  thofe  then,  may  we  not  afk,  true  voluptuaries,  who 
fly  from  pleafure  to  pleafure,  eager  to  grafp  all,  and  yet  k- 
curing  none  ?  No,  my  dear  young  friend,  they  are  only 
another  order  of  thofe  dnulging  flaves  of  vanity,  who  would 
inipofe  thernfelves  upon  us  rufrics  as  free  and  happy  beings  j 
or,  to  fpeak  in  faihionable  Jlcingy  as  people  of  very  high  ton. 
«'  Some  demon  vvhifpered  to  them,  have  a  tafte  ;"  but  as  na- 
ture had  VN'iihholden  from  them  that  property,  they  deter- 
mined to  affect  one.  Without  any  real  gufro  to  determine 
their  choice,  and  perplexed  by  the  decrees  of  fafliion,  as  ar- 
bitrary as  thofe  of  the  Medcs  and  Perfians,  but  more  varia- 
ble than  the  fhape  of  the  clouds  in  a  fqually  day,  thcfe  un- 
happy people,  without  a  relifh  for  any  thing,  are  forced  to 
fee  all  that  is  to  be  feen,  and  to  go  every  where,  left  they 
fliould  omit  the  one  amufement  on  which  their  eclat  de- 
pends. You,  who  are  accuftomed  to  fpend  a  happy  even- 
ing in  the  enjoyment  of  domeftic  tranquility,  would  laugh 
to  obfcrve  the  multitudes  which  the  world  of  falhion  pours 
forth  as  foon  as  the  world  of  bufinefs  has  retired  to  re- 
pofe.  Did  you  fee  that  inceflant  routine  of  carriages  which 
ri,y;b.tly  pour  through  the  ftreets  and  fquarcs  at  the  weft  end 
of  the  town,  you  would  at  leaft  conclude  that  reft  and  do- 
meiiic  comfort  were  facriiiced  to  fome  cxquifite  enjoyment ; 


95 

and  that  no  one  would  reverfe  the  order  of  nature  without 
having  Ibme  equivalent  to  balance  the  privations  they  muft 
endure.  Satisfied  that  the  owners  are  going  to  be  very  hap- 
py, I  fufpedl  that  your  humane  difpoiition  would  lead  you 
to  pity  the  fervants,  and  even  the  horfes,  who  muft  be  ex- 
pofed  for  many  hours  to  the  inclemency  of  the  weather ; 
but  could  you  look  within  thefe  fplendid  vehicles,  you  would 
confefs  that  the  real  objecfts  of  pity  were  there.  Lanpuid 
and  fpiritlefs,  the  fine  lady  fets  out  upon  her  nightly  round, 
more  reludlant  than  the  v/atchman  does  on  his  monoto- 
nous talk.  She  muft  ftep  in  at  all  the  places  that  are  mark- 
ed in  her  viftting  lift;  but  as  time  prefTes,  and  difpatch  is 
neceiTary  fhe  can  only  jufb  look  in  and  fee  who  is  there  be- 
fore £he  flies  to  another  quarter.  She  muft  go  to  fuch  a 
public  amufement,  becaufe  it  is  the  firft  night  of  an  exhibi- 
tion which  every  body  talks  of;  flie  can,  however,  do  no 
more  than  make  her  entry  and  exit,  for  her  time  is  minuted, 
and  a  vaft  deal  of  generaldiip  depends  upon  the  expedition 
of  her  coachman-  Aik  this  votary  of  fafhion,  whether  fhe 
liked  her  preceding  evening,  and  her  account  will  only  add 
to  Solomon's  mournful  catalogue  of  deceitful  vanities.  She 
cannot  tell  you  what  was  faid  or  what  was  done ;  it  is  al- 
moft  impoffible  for  her  to  recoUetTt  whor^  fhe  faw.  There 
was  the  ufual  fet  at  one  place,  and  a  very  vulgar  looking 
party  at  another.  At  a  third  houfe,  flic  heard  fome  deteft- 
able  mufic ;  and  every  body  feemed  fleepy  and  ftupid  at  a 
fourth.  She  made  ?.n  attempt  to  look  in  at  the  dear  dutch- 
efs's ;  but  the  crowd  was  fo  immenfe,  that  Ihe  could  pro- 
ceed no  farther  than  the  anti-room :  in  returning,  flie  heard 
the  moft  violent  fcreaming,  and  her  own  carriage  was  broke 
to  pieces.  On  the  whole,  flie  never  was  fo  alarmed  nor  (6 
weary  in  her  life ;  and  this  morning  flie  is  annoyed  by  an 
infufFerable  headache,  which  makes  her  miferabie.  Still, 
however,  flie  has  not  a  moment  to  fpare ;  a  party  v/aits  for 
her  at  Madame  Lanchefter's ;  from  thence  Hie  muft  go  to 
the  Exhibition,  where  fhe*  can  only  run  round  the  rooms, 
as  ihe  has  fix  calls  to  make  in  her  way  to  the  Park ;  from 
whence  fhe  muft  return  in  time  to  drefs  for  a  dining  party  ; 
fhen  to  the  Opera ;  and  after  that  flie  meets  a  fev/  private 
friends  at  a  petite  fouper.  Obferve,  indinaticn  and  pleafure 
are  never  ailigned  as  the  motives  for  thefe  Herculean  la- 
bours ;  compulfion  and  fiecejfdy  ftipply  the  impetus  for  motion. 
She  diflikes  all  that  fiie  fees,  the  fatigue  is  infupportable,  fhe 
knows  it  will  kill  her  j  but  rigid  duty  profcnbes  refleiliion 


96 

and  rcpofe.  To  whom,  you  will  aflc,  docs  flie  owe  this  du- 
ty ;  to  her  God,  her  King,  or  her  family  ?  No,  Ihe  owes  it 
to  vanityy  who  calls  tliis  a  life  of  pleafure.  The  toiling  mill 
horfe  is  not  a  greater  flave,  nor  are  his  motions  circumfcrib- 
ed  by  more  arbitrary  injunclions.  For  do  not  fuppofe  that 
a  certificate  of  your  having  driven  about  town  all  night  is 
fufficient  to  acquit  you  of  being  a  hum-drum  ;  you  muft 
prove  that  you  have  been  at  the  very  high  parties,  and  ex- 
a<Stly  at  the  genteel  hour.  You  may  naturally  admire  the 
graces  of  the  tragic  and  comic  mufes  ;  but  let  not  the  names 
of  Siddons  and  Jordan  tempt  you  to  enter  a  fide  box  till 
near  the  end  of  the  third  act ;  and  be  fure  never  to  look  at 
the  ftage  till  the  former  ftabs  herfelf,  or  the  latter  blind- 
folds Jack  Bannifter.  In  fliort,  be  content  to  fee  what  fafli- 
ion  requires,  and  do  not  venture  even  incog,  to  what  was 
only  a  lafi:  year's  amufement.  Learned  pigs,  invifible  girls, 
and  phantafmagorias,  have  been,  I  dare  not  venture  to  pro- 
nounce what  are  :  for  only  Sybilline  prefcience  could  ena- 
ble a  country  woman  to  name  "  the  Cynthia  of  the  min- 
ute." 

The  fame  rule  mufi:  regulate  your  fr'midJJjips :  I  believe 
this  term  is  ftill  preferved  in  the  vocabulary  of  polite  life, 
though,  as  it  only  means  herding  together,  it  ought  to  be 
changed  to  gregarious  afiTemblages.  Be  fure  to  be  always  late 
enough  to  cut  Mrs.  Plainly's  early  party,  and  jufl:  in  time 
to  take  tip  Lady  Bab  Frightful  as  flie  returns  from  the 
Countefs  of  Hurricane's ;  though  you  may  think  the  Plain- 
lys  very  pleafant  people,  and  Lady  Bab  and  the  Countefs 
deteftable  ;  but  then  the  two  former  are  ton,  and  the  latter 
knows  nobody.  You  may  vifit  the  Squanders,  though  they 
had  an  execution  in  the  houfe  laii  week,  becaufe  Lady 
Modcly  has  decided  that  they  ought  to  be  countenanced  ; 
but  never  think  of  calling  on  the  Overdo  family,  for  they 
went  quite  out  the  moment  it  was  hwivn  that  they  had  fpent 
their  fortune.  Be  equally  exa6t  in  your  eating,  and  imprint 
upon  your  mind,  that  as  fafliion  and  nature  are  antipodes  in 
climate,  it  is  right  to  devour  voracioufiy  in  April,  what  you 
faint  at  the  fight  of  in  Auguft.  This  is  called  eating  well, 
and  really  is  a  moft  complex  fcience,  involving  fo  many 
concurrent  circumftances,  that  a  fine  lady  muft  devote  much 
of  her  time  and  thoughts  to  this  fhudy  before  £he  can  hope 
to  fee  her  dinners  announced  in  the  Morning  Poft,  or  have 
the  honour  of  employing  the  toothpicks  of  the  moft  fapient 


97 

epicures  of  the  feafon,  whofe  landaulets  at  your  door  are  as 
fure  atteftations  of  your  cook's  abilities,  as  a  flight  of  vultures 
are  of  the  triumphs  of  a  general. 

I  fhould  be  a  mOil  mercilefs  tyrant,  if  I  fuppofed  it  poffi- 
ble  for  a  lady  who  lives  in  this  continued  buftle  "to  ex- 
amine her  ways,"  or  to  "  commune  with  her  own  heart." 
Once,  indeed,  the  fabbatical  reft  would  have  allowed  her 
a  few  com.pofed  moments,  which  flie  might  have  allotted  to 
ufeful  reflection  ;  but  now,  "  Sunday  ihines  no  day  of  reft" 
for  the  daughters  of  diflipation.  Some  time  ago  this  in- 
terregnum of  amufement  v.-as  appropriated  to  fleep  or  indlf- 
pofition ;  but  falhion  is  now  unwilling  to  fufpend  her  law 
of  perpetual  motion  even  for  one  day,  and  boldly  difputes  the 
palm  with  exhaufted  nature.  Her  votaries  muft  continue 
upon  the  whirl ;  and  as  ladies  can  do  nothing  elfe  during 
the  early  hours  of  Sunday  morning,  they  put  on  the  man* 
tie  of  devotion,  and  drive  to  fome  chapel  that  is  blefled  with 
a  fafmonahic  auditory  and  an  elegant  preacher.  But  for  fear 
the  liturgical  oflices  of  our  church  fliould  make  a  difagreea- 
ble  impreffion,  they  muft  hurry  from  thence  to  Kenflngton 
gardens,  to  fport  their  promenade  drefles,  and  obferve  who 
and  who  are  together.  During  the  fitting  of  parliament, 
this  is  the  day  for  dining  parties  ;  which,  v;ith  a  concert  in 
the  evening,  keeps  them  employed  all  day  long,  and  renders 
them  as  happily  forgetful  of  the  fervices  with  which  it  com- 
menced, as  if  they  had  devoted  their  morning  to  the  worfhip 
of  Morpheus. 

It  frequently  happens,  that  thefe  fcenes  of  continual  hur- 
ry and  confuflon  fo  exhauft  the  frame,  and  diflipate  the 
fpirits,  that  the  heart  lofes  both  its  inclinations  and  its  fym- 
pathies  ;  and  the  fine  lady  becomes  a  mere  felf-moved  au- 
tomaton, incapable  of  either  tendernefs,  refentment,  or  com- 
paflion.  To  a  being  that  can  neither  be  rotifed  to  virtue  nor 
fedticed  to  vice,  cautions  are  unnecelTary  ;  but  many  a  heart 
efcapcs  the  frigid  cold  of  this  arctic  circle,  and  repines  with 
fecret  forrow,  or  frets  with  fruitlefs  willies,  while  the  vacant 
eye  feems  only  to  ponder  the  fantaftic  fcene  of  which  it  is 
an  unconfcious  witnefs.  To  a  perfon  thus  fituated,  confid- 
eration  becomes  of  moft  momentous  importance  ;  for  the 
wifli  fhould  be  analyzed,  and  the  forrow  traced  to  its 
fource.  It  ought  to  be  known,  whether  her  bofom  anguifli 
originates  in  her  own  faults,  or  belongs  to  that  fpecies  to 
which  file  can  only  oppofe  the  defence  of  patience  and  re- 
N 


fign.itlon.  Her  defires  too  fliould  be  i'o  rcrutinlzed,  as  to 
dilcovei*  whether  they  aFC  of  that  innocent  kind  which  fhc 
may  pray  God  to  profper  ;  or  whether  Ihe  lliould  not  caft 
them  from  her  heart,  as  fhe  would  the  deadly  worm  of 
Nile.  We  fliall  not  inatirially  (lander  the  circles  of  diffipa- 
tiun,  if  we  embody  this  grief  in  the  fliape  of  a  negligent  or 
faithleis  hufband  ;  and  coime^  thofe  lu'i/Jjfs  with  the  perfon 
of  an  agreeable  cecifbeo,  whole  attentions  are  the  only  pleaf- 
ant  interruption  of  the  tedium  of  high  life.  It  would 
prove  me  to  be  a  mere  Goth,  if  I  fuppofed  that  a  man  and 
his  wife  could  deftgncdly  appear  in  the  fame  party ;  but  I  pre- 
fume  it  may  by  chance  happen,  that  my  lord's  chair  may  ar- 
rive before  my  lady's  chariot  is  ordered  up  ;  and  that  {he 
may  be  under  the  necellity  of  feeing  that  his  early  appear- 
ance Is  really  in  confequencc  of  an  ailignation  with  the  per- 
fon flie  has  long  fufpecled  to  be  Jiis  cbere  amie.  Can  any 
fituation  more  peculiarly  require  the  exercife  of  confidera- 
tinn,  even  if  a  fafliionable  Bronzely  were  not  whifpering 
agreeable  nothings  in  her  car  at  that  very  moment,  and  form- 
ing by  his  obfervance  a  marked  contraft  to  the  nonchalance^ 
or  perhaps  hauteur^  of  her  hufband  ?  Yet  flie  mull:  hurry  to 
fome  other  fcene,  as  joylefs  and  as  dangerous  as  what  fhc 
now  witnefles ;  and  conlideration  is  defei-red  to  thofe  ago- 
nizing hours,  when  her  mind,  torn  with  jealoufy  and  vain 
regret,  denies  repofe  to  her  wearied  body,  by  conjuring  up 
the  phantoms  of  Hern  ingratitude  and  refpedtful  alliduity. 

Surely,  my  dear  young  friend,  fafliion  never  pafled  any 
decree  fo  injurious  to  the  interefts  of  conjugal  fidelity,  as 
when  it  ordained  that  the  hufl:>and  and  the  wife  fhould  al- 
'wap  purfue  different  plans  of  pleafure.  I  do  not  wilh  the 
wedded  pair  to  be  infeparablc ;  I  know  that  occalional  ab- 
lence  renders  the  dearell;  fociety  more  delightful  j  and  that 
being  engaged  in  different  fcenes  gives  fpirit  and  variety  to 
the  conjugal  tetc-a-tete.  But  the  duties  of  life  impofe  a  fuf- 
ficient  neceffity  for  feparation  ;  and  when  the  hours  of 
amufement  arrive,  let  the  zeft  of  pleafure  be  heightened  by 
participation.  General  cuflom  feems  to  imply  that  there  Is 
clanger  in  public  places ;  or  why  do  ladies  require  protec- 
tors ?  and  can  a  man  of  reflecStlon  expert  to  efcape  the  re- 
proach of  wittol  hufband,  who  declines  efcorting  her  to 
thofe  haunts  of  Comus,  In  whole  prefervation  he  Is  moft  in- 
tereiled  }  I  am  aware  of  the  ridicule  that  a  family  party  in  a 
ftage-box  muft  excite  j  but  a  gentleman  in  Weftmlnfter  hall 
often  makes  a  more  ridiculous,  I  might  fay  deteftable  ap- 


99' 

pearance.  Much  may  be  there  {laid  refpedling  the  breach  of 
a  facred  truft ;  and  many  oratorical  flourilhes  may  be  in- 
troduced about  violating  the  laws  of  hofpitality,  and  betray- 
ing the  honour  of  confiding  friendlliip  ;  but  unlefs  the  plain- 
tiff can  give  better  reafons  for  abfenting  himfelf  from  his 
wedded  charge,  than  that  he  v^^as  in  purfuit  of  fome  other 
amufement,  reafon  and  experience  will  condemn  him  for 
being  guilty  of  culpable  folly,  in  putting  friendlliip  to  an  un- 
neceffary  teft.  Were  fuch  hufbands  candid,  they  would  ex- 
claim in  the  words  of  Carles, 

"  The  crime  was  mine, 

"  Who  piac'd  thee  there,  where  only  thou  could'fl  fail  5 
"  The'  well  I  knew  that  dreadful  pofl:  of  honour 
"  I  gave  thee  to  maintain.     Ah  !  who  could  bear 
"  Thofe  eyes  unhurt  i"  The  Revenge. 

Yoll,  my  clear  Mifs  M ,  will  readily  conceive  that  I 

am  not  pleading  for  the  treacherous  friend  or  the  recreant 
wife  •,  I  believe  that  genuine  virtue,  when  ftrengthened  by 
chriftian  principle  and  fupported  by  divine  grace,  can  van- 
quifli  every  temptation  ;  but  I  know  that  divine  grace  is  on- 
ly given  to  thofe  who  afk  it ;  and  I  fear,  chriftian  principles 
are  not  the  predominant  rule  of  conduiSt  am.ong  the  gay  and 
giddy  votaries  of  pleafure.  Chaftlty,  even 'when  fupported 
by  fuch  invulnerable  guardians,  fhould  not  be  wantonly  ex- 
pofed  to  fevere  trials ;  and  furcly,  when  flie  cannot  boaft 
fuch  prote<Stors,  the  fragility  of  all  human  aids  Is  too  indlf- 
putable,  to  render  it  fafe  to  put  her  upon  fuch  hard  proba- 
tion. Prudence  may  be  pacified  by  precaution,  pride  can 
be  foothed  by  flattery,  referve  is  often  conquered  by  obfe- 
quioufnefs.  When,  inftead  of  founding  female  honour  on 
the  immutable  decrees  of  an  omnipotent  God,  v/e  build  it 
upon  the  opinion  of  the  world,  we  have  only  to  be  aflured 
that  no  eye  feeth,  and  virtue  and  vice  lofe  their  identity. 
Affection  for  our  wedded  partners  will  not  be  an  equivalent 
barrier  ;  for  affection  is  but  a  vagrant  property,  that  may  be 
fubdued  by  ill  treatment,  defrroyed  by  contempt,  reftored 
by  generoiity  and  tenderneis,  or  even  created  by  affiduity 
and  folicitation.  We  may  appeal  to  thofe  melancholy  re- 
cords of  depravity  which  the  archives  of  our  civil  courts  will 
tranfmit  to  poflerlty,  in  proof  of  the  evanefcent  nature  of 
that  preference  which  occalions  what  are  cammonly  called 
love  matches.  The  ftart  of  pafiion,  which  leads  a  lady  to 
Scotland  to  become  a  wife,  too  often  proceeds  from  ibme  ro- 


IGO 

mantic  expectations  of  eternal  afTccHon  and  confummatc 
excellence,  which  is  not,  and  indeed  cannot  be  realized  ; 
and  if  flic  never  experiences  more  than  cafiial  neglert,  or 
common  infirmities,  llie  vrill  have  more  reafon  to  blcfs  her 
good  fortune,  than  her  precipitation  in  choofing  deferved. 
But  if,  inftead  of  "  the  faultlefs  monfter  which  the  world 
ne'er  faw,"  a  being  much  beneath  the  general  run  of  hu- 
manity ftarts  up,  in  the  form  of  a  ftern  tyrant,  or  negligent 
coxcomb,  and  ftill  deems  himfelf  entitled  to  the  continu- 
ance of  that  warm  affection  which  Ihe  once  profefied,  mere- 
ly becaufe  "  flie  had  eyes  and  chofe  him  ;"  I  fear,  aije£lion 
would  here  be  found  a  very  brittle  chain.  If  a  huiband, 
thus  circumftanced,  fhould  think  himfelf  juftified  in  purfu- 
ing  pleafure  through  every  haunt  in  which  he  fuppofes  he 
may  meet  it,  and  conceives  his  own  humour  entitled  to  full 
licenfe,  provided  his  lady  has  a  beau  to  attend  her  if  flic 
likes  to  go  out  •,  let  not  fuch  a  man  complain  of  being  z>/- 
juredf  either  in  friendlhip  or  in  love,  though  his  wife  drink 
deep  of  the  cup  of  infamy. 

But  it  is  my  own  fex  that  I  chiefly  hope  to  benefit  by  my 
admonitions ;  and  here  let  me  earneflly  entreat  thofe  ladies 
whofe  will  gives  law  to  the  world  of  fafliion,  to  endeavour 
to  refcue  matronly  manners  from  that  extreme  affe^lation 
of  levity,  which  is  now  become  fo  general,  that  it  is  confid- 
ered  to  be  the  aflbciate  of  perfetlt  innocency  of  intention. 
The  flirine  of  virgin  beauty  is  now  deferted  by  its  moft  de- 
firable  worfliippers,  who  hover  round  the  chair  where  love- 
lincfs,  already  "  link'd  and  wedlock  bound,"  diipenfes  her 
unmeaning  or  m/;j//w/fmiles.  The  m.arried  dame  trips  through 
the  light  maze  of  the  dance,  and  fliov.'s  her  gay  youthful 
partner  to  the  provoked  fpinfter,  who  is  obliged  to  fome  an- 
tiquated caro  fpofo  for  not  fuflering  her  to  fit  flxivering  on 
the  ottoman  all  the  evening.  A  married  lady  may  go  any 
where,  mix  in  all  companies,  drefs  in  any  flyle,  fay  any 
thing,  and  do  every  thing  not  abfolutely  fcandalous,  without 
impeachment  of  her  fair  fame.  If  any  allov/ancc  ought  to 
be  made  for  levity,  flioukl  it  not  be  granted  to  youthful  in- 
experience, to  indifcreet  fimplicity,  and  to  the  too  frank  dif^ 
clofure  of  that  wifli  to  win  hearts  which  is  very  natural  to 
the  early  part  of  our  lives  ?  "Why  fliculd  a  woman  who  has 
pledged  her  vows  at  the  altar,  and  is  thereby  appropriated 
to  one  man  by  the  laws  of  God  and  her  country,  try  to  gain 
admiration,  which,  if  acquired,  can  only  become  a  fnare  to 
her  virtue  or  her  peace  ?  Her  choice  is  made  j  it  will  there- 


101 

fore  be  in  vain  for  her  to  try  to  captivate  hearts  which  flie 
muffc  immediately  reftore.  Will  it  add  to  her  felicity,  to 
difcover  that  a  gentleman  fuperior  to  her  hufband  in  merit, 
fortune,  or  rank,  conliders  her  as  the  moft  charming  of  her- 
fex  ?  will  it  not  rather  lead  to  moft  dangerous  comparifons, 
to  regrets  fatal  to  every  hope  of  happinefs,  or  even  content  ? 
But  let  the  infatuated  woman,  who  gratifies  her  vanity  at 
the  hazard  of  her  peace  and  reputation,  know,  that  perhaps 
her  conquefr  is  not  fo  very  certain  as  fhe  fuppofes.  Her 
victim  may  have  very  different  ends  in  view  from  that  of 
fweliing  her  triumphs.  His  own  grofs  paffions  may  fix  him 
in  her  train,  not  to  be  trampled  upon  by  her  tyranny,  but 
to  be  her  conqueror.  Whatever  Ihe  may  fuppofe,  or  he  pro- 
fefs,  fhe  never  would  have  been  "  his  happieft  choice,"  ev- 
en had  he  feen  her  before  ihe  v/as  affigned  to  another.  He 
has  too  much  averfion  to  the  marriage  yoke,  for  her  charms 
to  vanquifli  his  prejudices  ;  and  her  principal  attraction,  in 
his  eye,  is  the  conviction  that  he  may  flirt  with  her  without 
iin  ofScious  friend's  requefting  to  know  whether  he  has  any 
icrious  intentions.  This  character  is  well  defcribed  in  the 
lively  farce  of  the  **  Wedding  day  ;"  the  regret  of  Lady 
Conteft  at  not  having  feen  the  engaging  lord  before  flae  had 
tied  herfelf  to  old  Sir  Adam,  and  her  furprife  at  his  declin- 
ing the  honour  of  her  hand  when  fhe  was  unexpectedly  re- 
leafed  from  her  former  bonds,  affords  a  valuable  leffon  to 
married  coquettes. 

Before  I  difmifs  the  fubje<St  of  matronly  Jlirting,  allow  me 
to  anfwer  one  objection.  Though  particular  attentions  to 
one  gentlemen  are  confeffed  to  be  botli  fufpicious  and  dan- 
gerous, general  eafe  and  freedom  are  defended,  on  the  ground 
of  improving  the  pleafure  and  vivacity  of  fociety.  I  am  fo 
great  a  lover  of  cheerfulnefs,  that  I  am  willing  to  admit  ev- 
ery fpecies  of  fprightlinefs  into  the  manner  of  married  la- 
dies, that  can  be  fairly  affirmed  to  be  deftitute  of  either  de- 
fign  or  immodefty.  I  acknowledge,  that  they  may  with 
propriety  take  a  greater  Ihare  of  converfation,  and  indulge 
in  more  latitude  of  remark,  than  their  juniors.  You  will 
perceive  by  that  limitation,  that  I  confider  thefe  more  as  the 
privileges  of  age,  than  as  part  of  the  hymeneal  dowry.  Let 
a  married  lady  endeavour  to  promote  the  focial  enjoyments 
of  the  circle  in  which  flie  moves.  Let  her  confult  her  glafs, 
and  allow  me  to  add  her  purfe  alfo,  in  the  choice  of  appro- 
priate and  becoming  ornaments.  I  permit  her  to  afpii-e  to 
the  character  of  a  very  agreeable  woman  ;  but  let  not  that 


102 

diftlnclion  be  laid  by  on  ordinary  occafions,  and  only  pro- 
duced to  male  witnciles.  If  the  bcft:  bon-mots  are  referved  for 
the  beaux,  if  the  favourite  head  drefs  is  only  worn  when 
Lord  Gaylovc  is  expe6t:ed,  if  her  cunui  and  headache  are  apt 
to  be  cured  by  a  teic-a-tete  with  a  man  of  fafliion,  if  fhe  finds 
female  parties  dull  and  female  converfation  inlipid  -,  I  muft 
entreat  the  advocates  for  the  eafe  and  freedom  of  married 
ladies  to  remember,  that  cheerfulnefs  is  of  no  fex,  and  is  as 
likely  to  vilit  a  party  of  old  women  with  her  agreeable  Tal- 
lies, as  a  circle  of  box  lobby  loungers.  Nay,  it  is  more  like- 
ly \  for  in  the  fu-fi:  inftance  it  will  be  ftimulated  by  the  hu- 
mane defire  of  amufing  laffitude,  while  in  the  latter  it  will 
be  checked  by  a  modeft  apprehenfion  of  mifconftruftion.  I 
fhould  have  premifed,  that  thefe  faid  old  women  Ihould  not 
htfplemiic ;  for  I  do  confefs,  ill  nature  gives  the  coup  de  grace 
to  vivacity. 

We  have  dwelt  fo  minutely  on  fome  of  the  increafing  im- 
proprieties of  failiionablc  manners,  that  we  muft  pafs  others 
with  lefs  obfervation.  A  rage  for  education  is  one  of  the 
marked  features  of  the  great  world  ;  and  it  has  been  much 
increafed  by  the  labour  of  writers  who  belong  to  tlie  new 
fchool  of  morals.  The  hope  of  forming  fomething  fuperior 
to  the  prefent  race  of  mortals,  by  merely  human  means,  is 
one  of  the  wildeft  theories  that  ever  entered  the  brain  of  a 
vidonary  reformer  ;  yet  it  is  ferioufly  a£lecl  upon  by  many 
indefatigable  mothers,  who  wxary  the  patience  and  injure  the 
conftitution  of  their  children  by  the  moil  unremitting  atten- 
tion to  a  multijilicity  of  purfuits ;  in  the  hope  of  being  able 
to  exhibit  in  their  own  families  this  mechanical  compound 
of  ethical  and  fcientiiical  perfeiSlion  ;  which  is  to  prove,  that 
divine  wifdom  is  not  necefTary  either  for  informing  our  ig- 
norance, or  retraining  our  propenfities  to  evil.  All  parents 
do  not,  indeed,  afpirc  to  this  high  flandard  of  philofophical 
erudition  and  impeccability  j  but  even  that  routine  of  maf- 
ters  who  are  neceflary  to  form  a  young  lady  into  the  accom- 
plilhed  amateur,  which  is  now  deemed  an  efTential  part  of 
the  character  of  every  woman  of  fafluon,  fubjects  a  young 
lady  to  more  privations,  as  much  bodily  fatigue,  and  a  far 
greater  excrcilc  of  patience  and  attention,  than  yonder  little 
fpinner  encounters,  who  by  her  induftry  procures  her  own 
fubfiftence.  We  muft,  however,  allow  due  praife  to  this  fe- 
vere  difcipline,  on  the  fame  ground  as  we  commend  the  rig- 
id injuniStions  of  liVcurgus  :  no  laws  but  his  could  have  form- 
ed the  fterii,  indefatigable,  impenetrable  Spartan  ;  nor  could 


103 

a  lefs  inexorable  courfe  of  felf-denial  and  aftivlty  convert  the 
artleis  happy  girl  into  that  extraordinary  being,  a  woman  of 
ton.  Befide  being  compelled  to  pafs  through  thofe  extremes 
of  climate,  without  dlfcovering  any  fenfe  of  bodily  incon- 
venience, as  Milton,  by  a  bold  flight  of  well  governed  fancy, 
fuppofed  to  be  part  of  the  punilhment  of  the  fallen  angels, 
the  candidates  for  this  evanefcent  honor  are  trained  from 
their  cradles  to  fuch  habits  of  obfervance,  patience,  and  con- 
trol, in  order  to  attra<St  the  attention  of  their  fellow-creatures, 
as,  if  they  were  influenced  by  better  motives,  would  fecure 
them  the  approbation  of  beings  of  a  higher  order.  What  a 
pity,  that  fo  much  pains  Ihould  be  exerted  for  fuch  a  fub- 
ordinate  purpofe ;  and  in  which,  fince  all  thofe  whom  you 
leek  to  amaze  are  your  competitors,  your  chance  of  fuccefs 
is  fo  very  limited  !  For  if  your  daughter,  after  fourteen 
thoufand  hours*  fpent  in  the  acquifition  of  mufic,  prove  at 
laft  but  a  fecond-rate  performer  •,  if,  after  all  that  the  danc- 
ing mafter  has  done  in  fcrewing  her  fhoulders  and  modelling 
her  fteps,  her  perfon  be  inelegant  and  her  motions  ungrace- 
ful ;  if  no  expenfe  nor  wafle  of  time  can  prevent  her  draw- 
ings from  being  daubs,  or  bagatelles,  for  what  have  the  hours 
of  early  life  been  facriiiced  ?  Tafte  and  ton  have  no  degrees 
of  glory  to  allot  to  their  worlhippers ;  nor  can  ardent  devo- 
tion, here,  claim  that  reward  for  its  luicerity,  to  which  it  is 
not  entitled  by  talent.  All  that  can  be  done  for  the  unfuc- 
cefsful  candidate  for  fafeionable  eclat  is,  to  remove  her  to 
fome  narrower  fphere.  A  fecond-rate  party,  or  a  fummer 
bathing  place,  is  the  only  meridian  which  fhe  can  hope  to 
jjlumine ;  while  all  who  witnefled  her  former  pretenfions  are 
tempted  to  exclaim,  "III  weav'd  ambition,  how  much  art 
thou  ihrunk !"  Might  not  prudence  here  fuggeft  the  expe- 
diency of  applying  to  another  mafter,  w^ho  adts  upon  very 
dift'erent  principles  from  the  cruel  defpot  Vanity,  by  giving 
a  certain  retribution  to  the  motives^  not  the  fuccefs  of  our 
anions  ? 

"  No  cold  neglcdl  the  faithful  heart  repays, 

"  W^hofe  ftedfaft  aim  foiicits  His  regard  ; 
*•  Each  wiHi  for  merit,  each  attempt  to  pleafe, 

"  He  views,  and  Hi»  benignant  fmiles  reward." 

Carter's  Poems. 


*  Mrs.  More  communicates  this  anecdote.  The  author  cannot  refer  to 
the  page,  not  being  in  poffeffion  of  that  Lady's  Striiftures  on  Education, 
which  Ihe  read  at  their  firfl  appearance,  and  took  from  them  a  few  ex- 


104 

It  mufl:,  however,  be  acknowledged,  that  the  favour  of 
this  wife  and  holy  Being  cannot  be  acquired  by  fuch  an  ex- 
ercife  of  our  faculties,  or  determination  of  our  views ;  for 
he  does  not  enjoin  us  to  e>:ccl  our  fellow-creatures,  but  to 
conquer  ourfelves  ;  nor  will  the  fplendour  of  the  crown  of 
immortality  be  decrcafed,  becaul'e  it  blazes  upon  the  brows 
of  myriads  of  happy  beings.  Envy  of  fuccefsful  competition, 
and  jealoufy  of  preeminent  abilities,  will  never  torment  the 
bofom  of  the  young  chriftian,  who,  engroffed  by  the  necefli- 
ty  of  looking  at  her  own  ways,  ccafes  to  be  a  fretful  obferv- 
er  of  the  progrefs  of  others  j  being  alTurcd,  that  at  the  day 
of  judgment  fhe  cannot  be  overl'.oked  amid  an  infinite  hoft  of 
happy  Ipirits  who  claim  the  kingdom  of  their  Father,  nor 
concealed  by  a  multitude  of  finners  who  call  in  vain  on  the 
rocks  and  mountains  to  hide  them  from  an  omnifcient  eye. 

In  judging  of  the  folly  of  thofe  who  feek  to  form  their 
children  upon  the  model  which  vanity  prefents,  we  mufl: 
add,  to  the  great  hazard  of  fuccefs,  the  brevity  of  the  acqui- 
fition.  As  the  career  of  a  fine  lady  is  ever  in  danger  of  be- 
ing arrefted  by  rivals  in  expenfe  and  tafle,  {o  rivals  in  ac- 
complifliments  are  coming  forward  to  difpute  her  pretenfions 
to  fuperiority.  Nor  is  this  all :  every  year  brings  in  a  new 
fafliion,  even  in  thefe  particulars,  and  the  bulinefs  of  educa- 
tion is  never  liniflied.  If  you  choofc  to  dance,  paint,  fing, 
and  play,  till  you  reach  your  climacteric,  you  muft  ftill  have 
mafters  to  teach  you  the  Injl  improvement,  or  you  will  be 
laid  afide  as  old  lumber.  Our  mothers,  who  danced  all  their 
lives  to  the  tune  of  Lady  Coventry's  minuet,  will  fcarcely 
conceive  how  ephemeral  are  the  triumphs  of  the  fucceflbrs 
of  that  paragon,  who  had  the  good  fortune  to  flourilh  at  a 
period  when  the  empire  of  beauty  and  tafte  dreaded  no  other 
enemies  than  the  fmall-pox  and  old  age.  The  minuet  de  la 
cotir  and  the  cotillon  were  afterwards  thought  better  calcula- 
ted to  difplay  the  female  figure  to  advantage,  and  thefe  laftcd 
in  fafliion  long  enough  for  one  generation  of  dancers  -,  but 
reels,  ftrathspeys,  and  waltzes,  now  fucceed  each  other  with 
fuch  rapidity,  that  only  the  mofl  flexile  form  and  fixed  at- 
tention can  rife  to  the  praife  of  having  learned  the  figure, 
before  they  mufl  afTume  different  contortions,  and  wind  in- 
to another  meander.     The  like  obfervation  extends  to  all 

tracts ;  to  which,  while  writing  thefe  Letters,  flie  has  occafionally  refer- 
red. She  will  feci  much  flattered,  if  the  reader  fliould  jilfo  trace  an  inci- 
dental and  undcfigncd  refcfiuWance,  arifin^  from  timiiarity  of  opinion  on 

irariyiu  ^loials. 


105 

other  accompliiliments :  there  is  even  a  fafhion  in  language ; 
the  accent  rhuft  retreat,  or  advance,  according  as  ton,  not 
fyntax,  has  ordained  ;  and  the  word  of  the  year  muft  hold 
a  prominent  place  in  our  converfation.  Our  paffions  and 
fenfations  muft  be  fubjeo:  to  like  control ;  we  muft  either  be 
immoderately  happy,  monftroufly  delighted,  intenfely  charm- 
ed, or  amazingly  interefted.  But  as  expreffions  of  extreme 
fufFering  are  beft  adapted  to  the  joylefs  career  of  a  fine  lady, 
we  muft  allow  that  her  tafk  of  learning  will  be  chiefly 
bounded  by  the  compound  epithets  of  immenfely  dull,  hor- 
ribly fatiguing,  and  infufferably  vapid.  A  few  mornings  ob- 
fervation  will  Ihow  her  what  misfortune  is  moft  in  vogue, 
and  give  the  proper  tinge  to  her  dolours  for  the  enfuing 
winter. 

If  the  quackery  of  education  only  extended  to  the  forma- 
tion of  vain  and  frivolous  beings,  Ave  fliould  have  far  lefs 
reafon  to  complain  of  its  prevalence.  Many  ftrong  minds 
would  reiift  thefe  fhackles,  and  difappointment  would  divert 
ill  directed  underftandings  to  fome  nobler  purfuit.  But  as 
we  have  before  obferved,  a  fyftem  of  morals  is  formed  ftill 
more  dangerous  than  this  fyftem  of  manners.  The  popu- 
larity of  either  mode  of  education  feems  to  depend  more  on 
the  lituation  than  on  the  intelledls  of  their  refpe(rtive  parti- 
fans  ;  yet  it  appears  as  if  the  frivolous  fyftem  was  moft  in 
repute  among  fecond-rate  gentility ;  while  the  bold  theory 
of  human  perfectibility  feeks  its  converts  among  thofe  who, 
feeling  themfelves  to  be  above  the  immediate  influence  of 
the  temporal  conflderations  which  reftrain  their  fellow-crea- 
tures, would  fain  get  releafed  from  the  eternal  confequences 
of  indulging  their  guilty  paflions.  A  morality,  therefore, 
which  rejects  the  balls  of  religion,  is  admirably  fuited  to 
people  who,  while  they  feem  to  make  the  opinions  of  others 
their  ftandard  of  right  and  wrong  in  affairs  of  vanity  and 
fancy,  really  bow  to  no  other  idol  than  felfiflmefs,  and  amidft 
a  life  of  real  privation  are  fecretly  purfuing  felf-enjoyment. 
To  banifh  from  the  mind  the  ideas  of  an  omnifcient  God, 
and  a  retributive  hereafter,  gives  an  amazing  releafe  to  the 
appetites  ;  but  this  emancipation  will  not  fatisfy  thefe  new 
organizers  of  the  human  foul.  The  paflions  muft  be  made 
tyrants ;  and  for  this  end  the  moft  fuitable  means  are  pro- 
vided. The  habitual  indulgence  of  violent  defires,  is  by  them 
called  exerting  the  nobleft  energies  ;  and  difcarding  the  re- 
ftraints  of  virtue,  is  mifnamed  ingenuoufnefs  and  obedience 
O 


106 

to  the  honeft  dilates  of  nature.  Thefe  nefarious  principles 
frequently  prefcrve  thofc  external  pretences  of  decorum, 
which  are  judged  expedient  to  forward  their  univeHal  adop- 
tion in  this  country  j  and  thofc  very  fyitcms  which  inculcate 
vice  profcfs  the  greatefl  regard  for  virtue.  To  conlinc  our 
obfervations  to  what  we  are  now  dii'culling  ;  volumes  liave 
been  written  on  the  fubject  of  education,  which  profefs  to 
form  a  moft  amiable  and  intelligent  being,  infinitely  fupcrior 
to  tlie  prefent  inhabitants  of  this  world,  and  which,  but  for 
the  ftudied  omifTIon  of  revealed  truths  and  religious  motives, 
might  pafs  for  the  effects  of  real  philanthropy.  The  difap- 
pointment  of  thofe  parents  who  attempt  to  form  their  chil- 
dren upon  thefe  models  cannot  be  pitied,  unlefs  they  really 
are  ignorant  that  human  wifdom  never  difcovered  a  perfect 
fyftem  of  ethics,  without  borrowing  the  aid  of  revelation  j 
nor  can  flie  even  then  devife  barriers  fufliciently  ftrong  to 
prevent  our  frail  natures  from  deviating  into  bye  paths  of 
error,  unlels  flie  renounce  the  guidance  of  her  own  pale 
fires,  and  fubmit  to  be  led  by  the  clear  radiance  of  the  gof- 
pel.* 

The  deficiency  of  this  new  fyflcm  of  felf-dependent  vir- 
tue, is  not  more  apparent  in  the  weaknefs  of  its  reftraints, 
and  the  feeblenefs  of  its  motives,  than  in  the  very  limited 
circle  to  which  it  even  pretends  to  direct  its  improvements. 
Many  chriftian  graces  are  excluded  from  its  good  deeds ; 
and  the  cardinal  virtue  of  our  anceftors,  the  very  bond  of 
focial  intercourfe,  is  now  little  inculcated  in  education,  or 
enforced  by  fafliionable  practice  j  I  fpeak  of  moral  honefty, 
and  the  fimple  but  energeiic  principle  of  paying  every  one 
his  juft  debts.  The  difficulty  which  I  find  in  treating  this 
point  in  fuch  a  manner  as  to  render  it  palatable  to  polite 
readers,  is  a  fufficient  proof  that  the  duty  is  quite  gotie  out. 
Yet  honour  and  honefty  were  once  thought  to  have  a  recip- 
rocal relation  ;  and  the  alliance  was  fo  congenial,  that  I  think 
the  former  quality  has  appeared  to  be  in  a  he<Stic  Hate  ever 
lince  it  has  been  Separated  from  its  corelative.  A  perfon  of 
ftrisTc  honour  and  independent  principles,  in  debt  to  every 
tradefman  he  deals  with,  and  adlually  living,  if  not  by  fliuf- 
fling  and  evafion,  at  leall  by  the  forbearance  of  people  whom 
he  defpifcs,  feems  a  contradidtion  in  nature ;  for  generofity, 
pride,  and  dignity  of  fentiment,  are  fuppoitiil  to  be  blended 
with  meannefs,  lervility,  and  cruelty  of  condu<ft.     To  live, 

*  The  fubjcft  of  education  is  rcfumcU  in  Letters  Vth  and  Xlllth. 


107 

to  breathe  at  the  mercy  of  another,  nay  to  feel  that  you  are 
really  injuring  thofe  on  whofe  forbearance  you  depend,  and 
introducing  anxiety  and  diftrefs  into  a  i-ank  of  life  of  which 
you  were  born  the  guardians  :  how  does  this  accord  with 
the  magnificent  nobleman,  or  high  fpirited  commoner,  who 
know  themfelves  to  be  parts  of  the  legiflature  of  their  coun- 
try ?  Yet  even  in  thofe  important  branches  of  the  ftate,  the 
art  not  only  of  ruining  themfelves,  but  of  living  after  they 
are  ruined,  is  prai^tifed  by  many  adepts  in  (muft  I  fay)  the 
myftery  of  fwlndling.  Living  within  the  bounds  of  your  in- 
come is  fo  hr  from  being  confidered  as  the  teft  of  a  gentle- 
man, that  in  the  Vv^orld  of  high  fafhion  it  conveys  the  oblique 
infinuation,  that  you  are  a  narrow  foul,  deftitute  of  tafte, 
or  at  beft  merely  a  good  fort  oifpiritlefs  creature.  This  pro- 
penfity  to  fquander  the  bounty  of  Providence  with  carelefs 
profuhon,  has  unhappily  defcended  from  the  high  to  the 
lowly  fccnes  of  life.  Its  effe«5ls  upon  the  middle  and  inferi- 
or orders  have  been  already  confidered  ;  in  the  higher  it  may 
be  lamented,  not  only  on  account  of  the  individual  diftrefs 
that  it  occafions,  but  as  tending  to  make  the  humble  clafles 
think  ftill  more  meanly  of  their  fuperiors.  I  have  ever  been 
of  opinion,  that  the  influence  of  birth  and  rank  was  more 
beneficial  to  the  community  at  large,  than  that  of  wealth, 
and  that  the  faults  of  tlie  former  were  lefs  prejudicial.  To 
inftance  in  pride ;  which  when  it  proceeds  from  hereditary 
fuperiority  is  generally  pollfiied  by  education,  and  foftened 
by  habitual  reftraint ;  whereas  the  pride  of  mere  wealth 
moftly  feizes  an  unimproved  mind,  at  a  period  of  life  in  which 
habits  have  been  formed  on  vulgar  models,  and  of  courfe  it 
mufl:  become  more  odious  to  thole  whom  it  afFe<5ls.  Wheth- 
er it  is  engrafted  on  native  ferviiity  or  rudenefs,  or  on  the 
lately  acquired  confequence  arifing  from  the  pofl^efilon  of 
money,  oftentation  and  felf-indulgence  will  be  the  refult, 
unlefs  checked  by  extraordinary  goodnefs  of  difpofition. 
The  man  of  rank,  on  the  other  hand,  knows  his  own  title 
to  the  refpedl  of  his  neighbourliood  to  be  indefeifible,  nor 
does  he  feel  the  necefi^ty  of  continually  defending  the  dig- 
nity which  was  handed  down  to  him  by  his  ancefiors.  He 
has  been  accuflomed  to  the  luxuries  of  life  from  his  infancy, 
and  his  relilh  for  them  is  too  much  palled  by  long  indul- 
gence to  allow  him  to-attach  importance  to  fuch  diftindlions. 
This  appears  to  be  the  natural  bias  of  thele  two  charadlers, 
unlefs  they  are  diverted  out  of  their  courfe  by  any  adventi- 
tious impulfe.  ,  Let  it  be  remembered  too,  that  attachment 


108 

to  hereditary  patrons,  and  refpcifl  for  the  old  manor  houfe, 
the  ancient  pofleflbrs  of  which  are  depofited  in  the  family 
vault  under  the  parilh  church,  are  feelings  congenial  to  the 
minds  of  the  common  people,  and  fuch  as  our  conhitution 
wifely  cherilhes.  The  influence  which  an  ancient  and  re- 
fpe<^table  family  poflelFed  over  its  tenantry  and  neighbour- 
hood, cannot  be  foon  acquired  by  the  nabob,  or  manufac- 
turer, who  purchafes  the  eflate,  however  ellimable  their  cha- 
radler,  or  conciliatory  their  condudt.  A  feries  of  years  muft 
elapfe  before  they  can  form  any  tie,  but  what  intereft  cre- 
ates ;  and  till  the  generation  which  ferved  the  old  family 
has  pafled  away,  the  new  will  be  confidered  as  interlopers, 
who  have  rifen  on  the  ruins  of  a  race  that  was  far  more  de- 
ferving.  I  muft  obferve,  that  in  thefe  times  every  thing 
which  tends  to  weaken  the  tie  that  conne£ls  the  pooreft  man 
in  the  kingdom  with  the  higheft,  is  to  be  deprecated  •,  and 
I  regret  the  degradation  v/hich  rank  and  ftation  fufter  in  the 
eyes  of  the  community,  not  only  by  the  contagious  influence 
of  unbounded  expenfe,  but  by  transferring  its  power  to  oth- 
er hands,  which,  even  if  as  well  difpofed,  will  be  lefs  able  to 
exert  it  beneficially. 

Shall  we  not  then,  my  dear  Mifs  M ,  reprobate  tliat 

falfe  candour,  which  induces  us  to  give  foft  names  to  fuch  a 
vice  as  extravagance  ?  Heaven  forbid  that  we  fliould  here 
withhold  that  pity  from  undefevved  diftrefs  to  which  it  is  ever 
entitled  I  I  am  not  fpeaking  of  thofe  who,  by  unforefecn 
unavoidable  misfortunes,  by  the  preffiire  of  domeftic  calam- 
ity, by  the  treachery  of  enemies,  the  uproar  of  the  elements, 
or  even  by  mifplaced  confidence,  are  involved  in  pecuniary 
difficulties.  The  forrows  of  fuch  are  facred  j  let  the  world 
compafllonatc,  and,  if  it  can,  afluage  them.  I  confine  my 
cenfures  to  thofe  who  voluntarily  otter  their  fair  pofieflions, 
their  extenfive  influence,  and  every  other  blefllng  of  which 
God  has  made  them  the  guardian,  at  the  flirine  of  vanity. 
Thefe  I  charge  with  contributing  to  the  ruin  of  their  coun- 
try, as  well  as  of  thcmfelves.  I  accufe  them  of  perverting 
their  highly  refponfible  Iration  to  the  corrupting  of  national 
habits,  and  to  the  iubverting  of  the  interefts  of  the  order  to 
v/hich  they  belong.  Thefe  ofl'ences  muft  not  pafs  oft"  with 
the  flight  cenfure,  that  they  were  very  generous  people,  and 
no  one's  enemies  but  their  own  ;  and  every  eulogy  on  their 
tafte,  fpirit,  and  hofpitality,  is  a  fevere  charge  againft  them, 
for  not  bounding  thefe  propenfities  by  their  lawful  ability  ot 
indulging  them. 


109 

It  is  indeed  allowed,  that  people  eminently  gifted  with 
genius  are  apt  to  fall  into  thefe  pecuniary  embarraffinents ; 
and  perhaps  it  is  juft,  that  a  more  lenient  cenfure  fhould  at- 
tach to  errors  which  feem  rather  to  proceed  from  the  limi- 
ted faculties  of  our  nature,  than  from  intentional  injuftice  to 
others,  or  overweening  attachment  to  ourfelves.  The  in- 
tenfenefs  of  thought  which  accompanies  any  extraordinary 
effort  of  intellect,  whether  it  be  engaged  in  "  bodying  forth 
the  forms  of  things  unfeen,"  in  developing  the  abftrufe  mazes 
of  recondite  fcience,  or  in  conducting  the  intricate  and  cum- 
berfome  machine  of  public  builnefs,  necelTarily  abftraiSIs  the 
attention  from  what  feems  comparatively  petty  confidera- 
tions  ;  and  the  harafled  mind,  flitigued  by  the  painful  ftretch 
of  its  faculties,  finds  the  hours  of  relaxation  infufhcient  to 
recruit  its  exhaufled  powers.  When  fuch  an  excufe  can  be 
fairly  urged  for  cmbarralTments,  let  us  abftain  from  reproach  ; 
fufhcient  to  fuch  a  culprit,  is  the  puniflimcnt  which  the  con- 
fequences  of  indifcretion  muft  inflidt ;  efpecially  as  people 
of  this  ftamp  are  generally  rather  dupes  than  knaves,  and 
fufFer  more  from  mifplaced  confidence,  and  the  extravagance 
of  their  connexions,  than  from  the  ungoverned  importunity 
of  their  own  defires. 

Few,  however,  are  lighted  to  ruin  by  the  ftarry  lamp  of 
genius  ;  and  fewer  yet  can  plead,  that  clofe  attention  to  the 
welfare  of  the  many  compelled  them  to  negledt  their  own. 
It  is  vanity  which  generally  mifleads  the  unthrifty  ;  and  the 
feduiStions  of  amufement,  not  the  calls  of  bufinefs,  deliver  the 
carelefs  fpendthrift  to  the  iron  gripe  of  infolvency. 

But  let  me  recoUeft  that  it  is  my  own  fex  I  am  now  ad- 
drefling ;  and  as  we  cannot  be  called  to  fuch  high  refponfi- 
ble  ftations  as  preclude  the  poflibility  of  thofe  domeflic  at- 
tentions wliich  form  a  principal  part  of  our  bounden  duty, 
we  can  never  plead  the  excufe  that  might  fhelter  the  im- 
provident legiflator,  general,  flatefman,  or  magiftrate,  from 
fevere  cenfure.  And  though  genius  does  not  deny  her  vifi- 
tations  to  women,  flie  feldom  pours  fuch  full  influence  upon 
our  fouls  as  to  abforb  the  fenfe  of  other  duties.  I  will  not 
permit  the  fabricator  of  a  novel,  the  compofer  of  a  poem, 
or  even  the  writer  of  moral  c/Jays^  to  claim  thofe  privileges 
of  abflradtion,  which  I  would  grant  to  a  Bm-ke  and  a  Bacon. 
Literature  is  with  us  an  ornament,  or  an  amufement,  not  a 
duty  or  profeflion  ;  and  when  it  is  purfued  with  fuch  avidi- 
ty, as  to  withdraw  us  from  the  efpecial  purpofes  of  our  cre- 
ation, it  becomes  a  crime. 


110 

So  far  arc  rank  and  ftatlon  from  cxcufing  us  from  thhi 
obligation  to  pecuniary  exaclnefs,  that  they  fcem  rather  to 
bind  it  upon  us  the  clofer  ;  for  in  the  higher  walks  of  life, 
the  attention  of  the  hulband  is  often  engrofled  by  what  he 
owes  his  country  ;  while  the  wife  cannot  ihew  her  patriotifm 
better  than  by  exonerating  her  partner  from  the  weight  of 
domeftic  incunibrance,  and  acting  as  a  faithful  Reward  and. 
intelligent  agent  in  every  aftair  which  can  be  fubmitted  to 
her  management.  Punctuality  and  regularity  in  money 
tranfaiStions  are  ftill  acknowledged  to  be  countinghoufe  re- 
quiiites.  May  they  long  continue  to  diftinguifh  and  give 
refpcctability  to  the  commercial  woi^ld  !  but  why  iliould  they 
be  difcarded  from  being  fupporters  to  the  fhield  of  anceftry 
and  the  coronet  of  nobility  ?  I  have  heard  it  remarked  (and 
the  obfervation  was  judicious,)  that  arithmetic  has  been  of 
more  real  fervice  to  the  world,  than  all  other  remains  of 
claffical  learning  or  fcience  ;  and  in  what  refpedl  does  con- 
fiderate  expenditure  (we  are  now  addrefling  a  clafs  to  which, 
the  term  frugality  may  feem  unappropriate)  imply  the  ab- 
fence  of  any  noble  quality  ?  Can  generofity,  can  benevolence 
fiibfift  upon  funds  which  are  not  your  own  ?  When  you  be- 
ftowcd  what  belonged  to  your  children  or  your  creditor,  you. 
did  not  give,  but  furrcptkiotijly  appropriated  the  poffefftous  of 
another.  The  character  of  Charles  Surface,  in  that  very  fu- 
perior  comedy  "The  School  for  Scandal,"  if  not  the  hafty 
fketch  of  inconfiderate  genius  unconfcious  of  its  dangerous 
tendency,  muft  be  deemed  a  marked  attack  on  the  probity 
which  is  om*  national  diftinction.  In  either  point  of  view, 
his  celebrated  animadverlions  on  the  old  proverb,  "  Be  jufl: 
before  you  are  generous,"  ought  to  be  received  with  groans 
and  hifles,  not  thunders  of  applaufe.  They  are,  indeed, 
chara£leriftic  of  a  dillioneft  fpendthrift ;  but  they  bear  no 
Hiark  of  integrity  hurried  away  by  the  violence  of  ill  regu- 
lated paffions ;  for  they  do  not  refult  from  the  ftrong  im- 
preffion  made  by  a  recent  tale  of  diftrefs,  but  from  a  mind 
7-efolved  to  be  unjuft,  and  enamoured  of  its  own  bafenefs. 
The  fentiment  which  reftrains  him  from  felling  the  picture 
of  his  friend  and  benefadlor,  ought  to  have  taught  him  that 
the  neceffities  of  Old  Stanley  might  be  fupplied,  by  dlfcharg- 
ing  his  four  valets  with,  their  bags  and  bouquets ;  fron> 
whofe  attendance  only  a  confummate  coxcomb  could  derive 
fatisfa^lion,  and  not  from  a  mifappropriation  of  what  he  owns 
belonged  to  his  tailor  and  hofier.  How  can  the  audience  \n 
the  lail  fccne  acquicfcc  in  Maria's  delliny  ?  Charles  indeed 


Ill 

tells  us,  that  he  never  more  can  err,  becaufe  he  fhall  now 
have  a  monitor  and  guide  ;  but  has  he  not  already  told  us, 
that  he  does  an  imprudent  action  precipitately,  left  he  fhould 
be  checked  by  the  monitor  within  him  ?  To  fuch  a  character, 
the  fober  paces  of  juftice  will  ever  appear  lame  and  hobling  j 
but  the  misfortune  is,  it  is  not  generofity,  but  difhonefty, 
which  outftrips  her.  The  infolvent  muft  relinquifli  the  fub- 
lime  pleafure  of  relieving  indigence,  from  an  abfolute  impof- 
fibllity  of  enjoying  it.  He  may  be  bafcy  he  cannot  be  benevo- 
lent in  any  thing  but  defire.  If  he  truly  valued  the  ability 
of  giving,  he  fliould  have  referved  fome  little  remnant  o£ 
his  polTeflions  from  the  gulph  of  diffipation,  and  faved  his 
tender  heart  from  the  exquilite  anguifh  of  finding  himfelf 
incapable  of  relieving  mifery. 

Companion  is  one  of  thofe  inherent  qualities  of  the  fe- 
male mind,  which  feem  to  defy  the  influence  of  lituation. 
Even  fafhion  dares  not  utter  a  decree  againfl  the  fovereignty 
of  benevolence ;  and  though  a  fine  lady  muft  be  too  frigid 
to  feelf  Ihe  thinks  herfelf  bound  to  cffeti  tendernefs.  She  is 
indeed  allowed  to  be  a  little  whimfical  in  the  objefts  of  her 
bounty,  as  all  muft  be  who  renounce  the  dictates  of  nature, 
and  refign  themfelves  to  the  caprices  of  art ;  yet,  as  it  is  ne- 
celTary  to  have  her  name  down  in  charitable  fubfcriptions, 
though  it  be  only  to  relieve 

"  A  fidlcr  of  note,  who,  for  lace  on  his  coat, 
"  To  his  tailor  ftands  much  in  arrears;" 

we  may  obferve,  that  without  fome  attention  to  pecuniary 
concerns  flie  cannot  be  (I  will  not  be  fo  uncouth  as  to  fay 
honeft,  but)  genteelly  benevolent.  And  yet,  after  all  the 
abufe  that  can  be  beftowed  upon  the  impertinence  of  tradel^ 
men,  they  are  neceflary  appendages  to  the  votaries  of  vanity, 
witliout  whofe  alliftance  every  attempt  to  propitiate  the  idol 
they  adore,  or  to  outfhine  a  rival,  would  be  impoffible. 
The  afpedt  of  a  decoration  painter,  when  he  fets  out  an  apart- 
ment in  a  ftyle  of  elegance,  is  fo  very  engaging,  that  if  the 
obligations  which  are  due  to  him  were  but  fubtilized  by 
pafling  through  the  alembic  of  German  fentiment,  they 
might  become  native  alcohol ;  and  no  longer  loading  the 
feeble  (houlders  of  the  old  beldame  Jti/lice^  they  would  even 
ferve  as  an  impetus  to  aid  the  flight  of  Charles  Surface's  ad- 
mired equeftrian  nymph  Generofity.  By  perufing  the  items 
which  form  the  debts  of  a  genteel  bankrupt,  we  might  dif- 


U2 

cover  what  portion  lliould  be  afligncd  to  lionour,  and  what 
to  honefty.  I  hope  no  well  bred  perfon  will  deny,  that  ex- 
penfive  furniture,  elegant  clothes,  magnificent  houfes,  and 
fumptuous  entertainments,  are  as  neceflary  to  eclat,  as  occa- 
fional  burfts  of  liberality,  or  even  as  fpirited  manctuvcrs  at 
the  gaming  table  ;  every  afliftant,  therefore,  who  lent  his 
aid  to  expedite  the  Herculean  labour  of  fquandering  a  large 
fortune  with  rapidity,  prefents  a  claim  upon  honour^  which  if 
people  are  faithful  to  the  principles  they  profefs  will  be  readi- 
ly accredited,  in  an  inverfe  ratio  to  the  real  utility  of  the 
fervice,  or  the  moderation  of  the  demanded  recompenfe. 

One  word  more  upon  an  evil  which,  on  account  of  its  de- 
ftru^live  tendency,  fhould  be  hunted  out  of  the  world,  by 
the  heavy  club  of  argument,  and  the  miffile  ihaft  of  ridicule  : 
does  not  this  inattention  to  the  diftrelTes  which  arife  from 
extravagance,  refult  from  the  want  of  more  enlarged  views 
in  thofe  who  form  the  principles  of  youth  ?  Education, 
whether  it  proceed  upon  the  fhowy  or  the  philofophical  plan, 
is  now  directed  to  the  formation  of  a  felfifli  charadler.  Even 
the  minute  attention  which  is  beftowed  upon  children  in- 
duces them  to  overrate  their  own  importance,  and  to  under- 
value others.  The  love  of  praife,  or  of  diftindlion,  to  which 
they  are  taught  to  make  fo  many  facrifices,  unqueftionably 
feeks  its  own  gratification  •,  and  when  the  exercife  of  benev- 
olence  is  recommended  as  a  means  of  enjoying  pleafant  and 
efcaping  painful  emotions,  felf  is  flill  held  forth  as  the  pre- 
dominant feature.  But  befide  thofe  whom  we  may  wifh  to 
gain  as  admirers,  or  as  penfioners,  there  is  a  very  numerous 
body  of  our  fellow-creatures  to  whom  people  of  rank  ought 
to  extend  their  views  ;  I  mean  thofe  whofe  good  opinion 
they  do  not  think  worth  courting,  and  whofe  ferviccs  they 
cannot  command.  Thofe  who  are  converfant  with  the 
great,  know  well  that  they  are  apt  to  confider  their  own  do- 
meftic  fervants  as  fuperior  in  fituation  to  refpetStable  tradef- 
men,  or  profellional  people  not  decidedly  in  the  line  of  gen- 
tlemen. A  contempt  for  every  thing  city,  or  bourgeois, 
forms  a  part  of  the  inftruilion  of  young  people  of  faihion  : 
this  is  certainly  very  blamable,  however  it  may  be  extenua- 
ted by  the  citizen  or  bourgeois  deferting  their  own  charac- 
ters and  afluming  the  calt  airs  of  quality. 

It  fecms  doubtful,  whether  manners  really  have  improved 
by  breaking  the  connexion  that  fublifted  in  feudal  times  be- 
tween the  chieftain  and  his  vafials.  It  might,  now  that  the 
fword  of  civil  difcord  deeps,  and  the  rage  of  family  animofi- 


113 

ty  has  ceafed,  be  converted  into  a  mofl:  powerful  means  of 
ameliorating  the  habits  of  every  order,  and  correcting  the 
faults  of  all.     But  then  the  nobleman  and  his  dependants 
jnuft  not   meet   on  terms  of  equality.     The  yeoman's  wife 
muft  not  affront  the  baronefs,  by  adopting  her  parapherna- 
lia, or  apeing  her  table  -,  nor  muft  the  baronefs  invite  her 
ruftic  neighbours  to  laugh  at  the  limplicity  which  it  is  her 
intereft  to  cherifh.*     I  am  indulging  a  Utopian  idea,  that  a 
fpot  in  this  ifland  can  ftill  be  found,  in   v/hich  affectation 
and  flalfe  refinement  has  not  corrupted  the  manners  of  the 
inhabitants ;  who  therefore  look  up  to  their  fuperiors  as  to 
their  benefactors  and  friends,  without  envy,  and  without  any 
ridiculous  intention  of  imitating  a  ftyle  unfuitable  to  their 
ftation,  and  derogatory  to   their   characters.      Could   fuch 
beings  be  found,  furely  occafional  intercourfe  between  re- 
fpetSlful  gratitude  and  generous  affability,  might  afford  fupe- 
rior  pleafure  to  what  the  beft  condu£ted  mafquerade  ever 
beftowed ;  as  the  miftrefs  of  the  feaft  would  enjoy  the  cer- 
tainty of  giving  delir^ht,  and  the  partakers  of  it  would  not  find 
it  dijpciih  to  exprefs  gp.tincation.     Such  meetings  would  alfo 
prove  a  noble  fchool  of  inftrudtion  to  the  riling  branches  of 
a  gentleman's  family,  who  would  thus  contemplate  charac- 
ters with  whom  they  had  no  other  means  of  becoming  ac- 
quainted, and  pra6life  duties  for  which  the  ordinary  routine 
of  high  life,  as  divided  into  London,  Bath,  and  Summer  ex- 
curfions,  leaves  no  opening.     By  learning  the  purfuits,  re- 
fources,  and  difficulties  of  claffes  not  remotely  feparated  from 
their  own,  they  v/ould  imbibe  a  ftrong  attachment   to  the 
obligations    of  juftice,   and    would    correct   that    criminal 
thoughtleffnefs  which  impedes  the  fulfilment  of  the  divine 
precept,  "  Whatfoever  ye  would  that  others  fhould  do  to 
you,  do  ye  even  fo  to  them."     They  would  fee  (and  furely 
to  fee   is   to   admire)  that  blunt  intelligence  which  forms  a 
predominant  feature  in  the  true  Englifhman.     They  would 
obferve  boldnefs  of  remark,  originality  of  idea,  and  all  thofe 
peculiar  traits  of  charaftcr  which  courtly  refinement  amal- 
gamates  into  one  mafs.     A  morning  fpent  in  unmeaning 
fhopping,  would  then  afford  lefs  retrofpe<ftive  pleafure  to  in- 
dolent beauty  ;  and  the  forefeen  perplexities  of  a  difappoint- 
ed  tradefman  would  arreft  the  profufion  of  the  prodigal. 
Patronage,  too,  would  be  thus  affifted  in  difcharging  its  high- 

.*  See  Letter  the  XlVth. 
P 


Hi 

ly  refponflble  truft ;  and  merit  would  have  fome  hope  of 
obtaining  that  attention  which  would  divert  the  fmiles  of 
greatnefs  from  paralltes  and  mercenaries,  whom  fickly  vanity 
or  capricious  folly  (confined  to  the  partial  fphere  of  domeftic 
obfervation)  felefted  as  proper  objects  of  reward.  But,  how- 
ever the  middle  orders  may  fufFer  from  the  cold  hauteur, 
the  contrafted  views,  or  the  carelefs  diiregard  of  greatnefs, 
they  Ihould  remember,  that  till  they  fubftitute  modcfty,  hu- 
mility, and  limpiicity  of  manner,  in  the  room  of  that  dafli- 
ing  air  of  equality  which  they  efteem  lo  genteel,  mutual  dif- 
gufl:  mufl  Increafe  that  di (lance  which  it  is  the  intereft  of 
both  parties  to  diminifh  by  mutual  kindnefs.  Such  condu<St 
our  holy  faith  inculcates  ;  and  the  coniidcration  of  what  this 
country  now  is,  leads  us  to  confider  what  it  would  become, 
fuppoilng  we  were  chriftians  in  practice  as  well  as  in  name. 
The  lukewarm  religion  of  the  filhionable  world  is  the  laft 
topic  that  I  mean  to  difcufs  in  this  letter.  I  am  told,  that 
the  afpec^l:  of  the  times  improves  in  externals ;  and  that,  ex- 
cept a  few  profefled  infidels  and  notorious  demireps,  ladies 
think  themlelves  bound  to  confccrate  one  hour  of  the  Sab- 
bath by  appearing  at  fome  place  of  public  worfliip.  But  the 
claims  of  another  world  are  not  to  be  commuted  by  fuch  a 
flight  penance  ;  the  oiTering  of  prayer  and  praife  mull  not 
be  immediately  fucceeded  by  the  facrifice  of  fools.  The  de- 
nunciations of  the  law,  and  the  promifcs  of  the  gofpel,  mufl 
be  meditated  upon  in  private,  and  the  preacher's  exhorta- 
tions muft  produce  other  eftects  than  a  compliment  to  the 
elegance  of  his  manner,  the  perfpicuity  of  his  language,  and 
the  happinefs  of  his  allulions.  The  chrifi:ian  mother  too> 
like  pious  Hannah,  lliould  take  care  to  bring  her  young  offs- 
pring to  God  as  foon  as  they  can  be  taught  habits  of  atten- 
tion ;  and  the  miftrefs  of  a  fimily  lliould  refolve  with 
jolhua,  that  ihe  "  and  her  houfehold  would  ierve  the  Lord." 
It  muft  alfo  be  remembered,  that  our  church  has  two  fervi- 
ces,  correfponding  with  the  divinely  inftituted  morning  and 
evening  worfhip  of  the  tabernacle.  Nor  is  this  all ;  religion 
has  her  private  as  well  as  her  public  duties  ;  meditation, 
prayer,  and  reading  the  holy  fcriptures,  require  retirement. 
She  who  pafies  the  day  in  a  crowd,  cannot  abffraft  her 
thoughts  from  temporal  objetSls  ;  fimilar  fccnes  mufl  excite 
fimilar  ideas,  and  the  purfuits  of  vanity  will  be  accompanied 
by  their  ufual  round  of  agitations  and  cares.  The  lady  who 
thus  attempts  to  divide  her  Sabbath  between  God  and  Mam- 
mon, feels  indeed  the  fervitude  of  both,  but  lofes  the  re- 


115 

ward  affixed  to  the  fpirltual  duty  ;  I  mean  the  ferenity,  the 
renewed  flrength,  and  the  refrefliment,  which  a  Sunday 
fpent  in  the  bofom  of  domeftic  enjoyment  and  cheerful  piety 
never  fails  to  beftow. 

I  fear,  my  dear  young  friend,  I  have  wearied  you  by  this 
long  review  of  abandoned,  frivolous,  or  capricious  charac- 
ters ;  who,  by  obtruding  upon  public  attention,  call  them- 
felves  the  world,  and  in  the  clamour  of  their  vices  and  fol- 
lies drown  the  mild  voice  of  retired  goodnefs.  I  am  con- 
vinced, that  even  in  the  higheft  circle  of  fafhion  the  num- 
ber of  really  excellent  women  far  exceed  the  profligate  and 
thoughtlefs ;  but  as  they  are  not  "  ravifhed  by  the  whirling 
of  a  name,"  they  choofe  to  let  their  modeft  worth  pals 
iilently  along,  content  with  domeftic  affe£lion,  friendfhip, 
and  cordial  efteem.  Do  not  mifconftrue  thofe  obfervations 
into  a  general  fatire  on  birth  and  affluence,  which  proceed 
from  a  convi£lion  that  vice  owes  her  moft  dangerous  allure- 
ments to  a  falfe  idea  of  her  univerfality,  and  that  flie  affords 
exquifite  though  temporary  enjoyments.  In  fpeaking  of  the 
fafhionable  world,  I  adopt  a  well  known  phrafe,  "rvhich  im- 
pHes  unity  and  populoufnefs  ;  but  I  know  that  it  contains 
many  inhabitants  who  are  difcontented  with  its  laws,  and 
many  who,  though  they  are  ranked  among  its  citizens,  yet 
never  bowed  down  to  its  idols.  It  is  my  wifh  to  prevent 
that  which  is  in  itfelf  dcteftable,  from  being  adopted  as  fafli- 
ionable  ;  being  aware  that  the  unguarded  are  often  cheated 
out  of  thofe  principles  by  the  magic  of  a  name,  which  they 
would  not  facrifice  to  paflion,  or  yield  to  criminal  importu- 
nity. 

Your  lenient  temper  may  probably  think  that  I  have  treat- 
ed the  mere  fine  lady,  the  pretty  butterfly  of  vanity,  with 
too  much  feverity  ;  but  if  I  could  awaken  thefe  triflers  from 
their  dangerous  torpor,  furely  feverity  would  be  mercy. 
They  are  probably  refponflble  for  many  mifemployed  talents, 
at  leafl:  they  are  fporting  with  that  important  truft,  cxift- 
ence.  While  they  falfely  conceive  themfelves  fent  into  the 
world  to  difplay  their  beauty,  their  accompliihments,  and 
their  tafte,  life  glides  from  them ;  the  opportunity  of  im- 
proving lofl:  time  ceafes  ;  and  at  the  bar  of  a  juft  God  they 
will  be  queft:ioned  for  flns  of  omijfion.  It  is  not  merely  the 
evil  that  they  have  committed,  but  the  good  which  they 
ought  to  have  done,  that  will  form  the  terrible  inquifition. 
A  life  of  felfifli  indolence  is  a  life  of  guilt ;  indulgence  is 
that  fcriptural  unfruitfulnefs  whofe  punifliment  is  fo  awfully 


116 

predicted.  The  attainments  to  which  they  fi'crlficed  their 
lives  will  perifli  amid  the  morbid  vapours  of  the  grave  j  and 
the  naked  Tpirit  will  appear  diverted  of  every  graceful  orna- 
ment, unlefs  its  almfdeeds,  its  piety,  and  its  works  of  juflicc 
and  mercy,  qualify  it  to  be  arrayed  in  the  robes  of  right- 
eoufnefs. 

I  am  not  fo  fanguine  as  to  expert  that  my  efforts  will  pro- 
duce an  effeft  which  has  been  denied  to  genius  enriched  by 
learning,  and  enforced  by  thofe  ftrong  powers  of  argument 
which  refult  from  the  united  bounty  of  nature  and  educa- 
tion. A  recollection  of  the  candid  treatment  which  I  have 
formerly  experienced  from  the  public  encourages  me  to  hope 
that  my  motives  for  this  undertaking  will  apologize  for  its 
deficiences.  Works  on  religion  and  morals,  in  this  country, 
can  rarely  pretend  to  any  novelty,  befide  the  title  and  the 
arrangement ;  but  the  mere  name  of  fomething  new  beftows 
a  momentary  celebrity  on  even  jejune  productions  ;  while 
the  fterling  compofitions  which  they  modernize  fleep  in  the 
library.  But  if,  while  employed  in  reading  a  recent  appeal 
to  their  confciences,  one  profligate  flaould  be  converted,  one 
prejudiced  mind  illuminated,  one  wavering  underftanding 
fixed,  or  one  thoughtlefs  being  awakened  from  the  dream 
of  vanity,  I  may  hope  for  more  than  an  earthly  reward,  pro- 
vided my  admonitions  are  dictated  hyfmglenefs  of  heart  and 
vpr'ightncfs  of  intention. 

That  you  approve  the  inftrudtions  which  you  fo  little  need, 
makes  that  a  pleafure  which  would  otherwife  be  a  laborious 

talk.     Adieu,  my  dear  Mifs  M -,  may  we  never  wafre 

the  rich  legacy  of  friendfhip  which  was  fo  tenderly  becjueath- 
ed  to  us,  prays  your  iiacercly  affe<5lionate  friend,  &c. 


117 

LETTER    V. 

On  Religious  Kmnvledgey  and  the  peculiar  Notions  of  Calvin. 


MY  DEAR  MISS  M- 


V\  E  have  confidered  what  our  fex  was  intended  to  be  by 
nature,  and  what  criminal  or  ridiculous  compliances  with 
the  caprices  of  vanity  and  affectation  would  make  us.  We 
have  examined  the  inroads  that  luxury  and  wealth  have  made 
in  our  manners  and  comforts,  and  the  temptations  to  which 
we  are  expofed  from  the  celebrity  that  fafliion  often  attach- 
es to  folly,  and  fometimes  to  vice.  We  have  alfo  feen  the 
neceffity  of  confideration  j  but  conllderation  is  of  no  avail, 
unlefs  the  mind  is  prepared  by  previous  inflru6lion  to  render 
its  own  reflcdlions  valuable.  If  criminal  defires,  vain  pur- 
fuits,  and  irritable  paflions,  follow  us  to  our  clofcts,  they  will 
never  become  the  fchool  of  wifdom. 

The  miftakes  which  the  moft  fuperior  underflanding  is 
apt  to  fall  into,  when  hurried  on  by  an  overweening  confi- 
dence in  its  own  powers,  mufh  ftrike  every  obferver  of  hu- 
man nature.  Genius,  indeed,  often  abfurdly  affedls  lingu- 
larlty,  and  diminiflies  both  its  refpe£lability  and  its  happinefs 
by  z  fettled  determination  to  differ  from  other  people.  The 
dangerous  miftakes  to  which  this  felf-dependance  betrays 
thoie  who  are  fo  unhappy  as  to  cheriih  it,  flaould  make  us 
rejoice  that  cuftom  has  immemorially  confidered  humility  of 
judgment  to  be  requilite  to  women.  The  general  docility 
of  our  underftandings  difpofes  us  rather  to  receive  dogmas, 
than  to  build  fyftems  ;  and  the  livelinefs  of  our  fenllbilities 
rather  fits  us  for  the  exercife  of  ardent  devotion,  than  for 
the  indulgence  of  chilling  doubts  and  perplexing  difculGons. 
We  pity  the  weaknefs  of  our  fsx,  when  we  fee  a  fifter  de- 
viate into  enthuliafm  or  fuperftition  ;  but  when  Ihe  turns  a 
declaiming  deift  or  contentious  fceptic,  we  look  upon  her  as 
an  unnatural  monfter  or  frightful  prodigy. 

From  the  time  that  pure  religion  emerged  from  the  cor- 
ruptions of  papal  impoiition,  to  the  middle  of  the  lafl  centu- 


118 

1  y,  no  one  doubtod  that  the  bcfl:  method  of  arming  an  inex- 
perienced girl  for  the  perilous  confllin:  which  flie  would  be 
called  to  fuftain  ngainft  the  world,  the  flefli,  and  the  devil, 
would  be  by  entrulling  her  with  "  the  fliield  of  faith,"  and 
teaching  "  her  to  wield  the  fword  of  the  fpirit,  even  the 
word  of  God."  Our  anceftors  knew  that  thcfe  were  the 
weapons  with  Avjuch  the  Captain  of  our  falvation  defeated 
the  prince  of  darknefs,  when  he  made  that  memorable  and 
inftruiSlive  aflault  upon  him  in  the  wildernefs,  and  vainly 
hoped  that  ambition,  prefumption,  or  the  Infirmities  incident 
to  his  afTumed  nature,  might  induce  him  to  defeat  the  ends 
of  his  incarnation.  Our  anceftors,  poor  indeed  in  philofo-> 
phiftical  illuminifm,  but  rich  in  heavenly  wifdom,  did  not 
fufpeck  that  by  imprinting  the  chrlftian  doctrines  deeply  on 
the  minds  of  their  daughters,  they  fettered  them  with  preju- 
dices ;  nor  ditl  they  fuppofe  that  they  would  make  better 
women,  by  being  kept  in  profound  ignorance  of  the  gofpel 
terms  of  falvation,  till  their  underftandings  were  arrived  at 
maturity,  and  enabled  to  meet  their  fpiritual  paftor  with  the 
bold  objeclions  of  an  expert  caviller.  They  reverenced  the 
book  of  God,  they  fincerely  reverenced  it ;  but  they  never 
thought  that  from  motives  of  rcfpedl  they  ought  to  with- 
hold it  from  childhood,  much  lefs  from  youth.  They  never 
fufpciStcd,  that  the  awful  fimplicity  of  its  narratives  could 
contaminate  the  innocent  ignorance  of  juvenile  modefty  j  and 
though  the  facred  volume  contained  many  abftrufe  doctrines, 
they  ever  found  it  eafy  to  reprefs  the  inquiries  of  awakened 
intelligence  when  they  verged  on  indecorous  curiofity,  by 
remarking  that  in  time  they  would  have  clearer  notions  than 
what  their  tender  age  now  permitted  them  to  entertain, 
though  the  full  developement  of  myftery  was  referved  for 
another  ftate  of  exiftence. 

The  indefatigable  ailiduity  of  infidel  philofophers  has  giv- 
en popularity  to  other  principles  of  inftruclion ;  and,  under 
the  pretence  of  avoiding  fuperftitious  prepoiTeffions,  the 
minds  of  young  women  are  now  often  fiibjecled  to  every  im- 
prefiion  that  will  prevent  them  from  making  revealed  reli- 
gion their  future  choice  ;  for,  will  a  rational  being  ever  fub- 
mit  to  a  code  of  laws  of  which  it  neither  fees  the  utility  nor 
the  obligation  .'*  Aflured  that  morahty  will  make  her  good, 
that  fcience  will  enrich  her  with  wifdom,  and  that  accom- 
plifliments  create  elegance,  what  is  there  in  the  precepts  of 
the  gofpel,  or  in  the  lives  of  its  profeirors,  to  induce  her  to 
make  it  a  voluntary  choice,  efpecially  when  llie  is  aiTured 


119 

that  file  is  free  to  rejedl:  it,  and  to  choofe  the  laws  by  which 
fhe  fliall  be  judged.  Liberality  looks  as  well  as  charity; 
conicious  merit  has  a  more  impofing  air  than  humility ;  a 
Sunday  rout  Teems  more  pleafant  than  family  devotion  ;  and 
if  faith  and  holinels  are  not  necelTary  paflports  to  a  better 
liate  of  exiftence,  the  woman  of  the  world  is  for  the  moft 
part  a  more  delirable  companion  than  the  pious  chriftian. 
if  the  tallc  of  religious  indruction  be  not  begun  while  learn- 
ing is  a  duty,  I  know  not  at  what  period  of  life  the  mind 
will  feel  its  own  deficiencies,  and  fet  about  acquiring  what 
it  perceives  that  it  can  do  very  well  without.  The  feeds  of 
fcience  are  {own  in  childliood,  and  left  to  ripen  with  our 
years ;  and  yet  we  do  riot  hear  of  prejudiced  geographers, 
nftronomers,  or  mathematicians.  As  the  underllanding  un- 
folds, clearer  views  are  obtained  ;  the  rudiments  by  which 
we  gained  our  firft  ideas  are  neglected,  the  eafy  but  perhaps 
circumlocutory  terms  by  which  we  were  enabled  to  conceive 
obje£ls  far  removed  from  our  obfervation  are  difufed,  and 
one  comprehenlive  v/ord  conveys  to  us  the  m.eaning  which 
we  firft  learnt  by  a  long  periphrafis.  The  firft  principles  of 
religion  are  not  more  difficult  to  be  conveyed  to  the  mind 
of  a  child,  than  the  rules  of  grammar  ;  and  they  who  affirm 
that  they  have  a  tendency  to  cloud  the  underftanding,  and 
limit  the  bounds  of  ingenuous  refearch,  muft  urge  their  falfe 
tenets  to  hearers  alike  deftitute  of  hiftorical  knowledge  and 
perfonal  obfervation. 

But  we  will  fuppofe  a  young  woman,  hitherto  uninftnifl:- 
ed  in  the  precepts  and  do(ftrines  of  revelation,  pofl^efied  of 
fufficient  humility  of  mind  to  think  all  her  literary  and  po- 
lite attainments  infufficient.  We  will  fancy  her  fo  ingenu- 
ouiiy  difpofed,  as  not  to  ftart  at  feveral  myfterious  palfages 
in  the  fcripture,  which  bear  hard  upon  the  pride  of  reafon, 
when  it  has  been  previoufly  nurtured  in  the  fchool  of  deifm ; 
and  that  flie  does  not  fhrink  from  many  pofitive  injunctions 
inimical  to  the  opinions  and  habits  that  llie  has  long  been 
accuftomed  to  adopt.  We  will  imagine  (contrary  to  the  ex- 
perience of  all  who  have,  in  latter  times,  attempted  to  make 
adth't  converts  among  thofe  who  are  totally  deftitute  of  re- 
ligious ftudies)  that  fhe  will  find  her  new  ftudies  eafy ;  and 
we  will  even  grant  that  their  difficulties  will  not  be  increal^ 
ed  by  the  intended  difciples  having  ever  refided  in  a  chrif- 
tian country,  againft  the  creed  of  which  (lince  fhe  has  not 
adopted  it)  fhe  muft  certainly  have  conceived  either  con- 
tempt or  diflike.     We  muft  fuppofe,  that  her  early  inftruc- 


120 

tors  have  l^een  able  to  give  fomc  fatlsfactory  reafon  (which 
we  cannot  divine)  why  this  knowledge  has  been  fo  long 
Avithheld,  and  alfo  have  convinced  her  that  there  is  tww  an 
imperious  neceflity  for  lier  being  acquainted  with  her  title 
to  eternity,  though  if  Ihe  had  died  younger  Ihe  need  not 
have  known  it.  We  muft  believe  her  willing  to  renounce 
what  appears  like  fafe  ignorance,  and  delirous  to  incur  the 
fearful  refponfibility  which  arifes  from  knowing  her  duty. 
After  all  thefe  allowances,  we  muft  ftill  aflc  how  will  fhe 
have  time  to  become  a  chriftian  ?  A  young  woman  of  fafli- 
ion  has  not  an  hour  to  fpare,  fcarcely  one  dilengaged  mo- 
ment, in  which  five  can  purfue  refleccion  and  Itrengthen 
conviction  ;  and  young  women  in  humbler  life  are  almoft  as 
fully  occupied  ;  for  they  muft  improve  their  fchool  accom- 
plilhments,  and  make  thofe  ornaments  in  the  morning  which 
their  evening  engagements  will  call  upon  them  to  difplay. 
And  yet,  if  they  become  chriftians  from  convidlion  at  this 
period  of  their  lives,  they  muft  encounter  the  labours  of  a 
philofopher  with  the  courage  of  a  hero.  They  muft  be  ar- 
gued out  of  the  deifm  in  which  they  have  been  tutored,  and 
perfuaded  to  renounce  the  motives  and  habits  which  they 
have  been  taught  to  adopt.  **  It  is  one  thing,"  fays  Dr. 
Waterland,  "  to  underftand  the  dodlrine,  and  quite  another 
to  be  mafter  of  the  controverfy."  A  girl  with  a  common 
capacity,  who  has  received  an  ordinary  education  on  chrif- 
tian principles,  knov\'s  enough  to  entertain  notions  that  are 
fufficiently  clear  to  her  own  judgment,  though  ihe  may  not 
be  able  to  anfwer  every  objeclion  that  may  be  urged  againft 
her  belief;  but  adult  converts  muft  examine  ftcp  by  ftep  the 
evidences  on  which  our  faith  is  built,  and  muft  be  able  to 
confute  all  gainlaying,  before  their  nev/  opinions  can  be  faid' 
to  be  confirmed.  And  after  they  .have  done  all  this,  they 
will  ftill  have  their  church  to  choofe ;  and  the  pretenfions 
of  every  denomination  of  chriftians  muft  be  examined  be- 
fore they  can  properly  determine.  This  is  requiring  more 
labours  from  &\ erf  private  membcrof  our  congregation,  than 
our  eccleflaftical  conftitutions  impofe  upon  thole  wl-.o  arc 
to  be  maftcrs  in  our  Ifrael.  The  longeft  life  (allowing  for 
thofe  interruptions  which  our  new  inftruiSlors  cannot  pretend 
to  exclude)  would  not  be  fuflicient  to  complete  thcfc  converts 
of  reafon^  who  are  fuppofed  to  be  fo  much  preferable  to  what 
are  fcornfully  called  hereditary  believers.  And  when  they  arc 
completed,  what  would  they  do  to  promote  their  own  hap- 
pii>el)!,  or  that  of  otiicrs  ?  'i'he  laboux*  of  acquiring  the  thco- 


121 

ry  of  duty,  would  occupy  that  feafon  of  life  which  ought  to 
be  devoted  to  the  practice  ;  there  would  be  much  fcholaftic 
difcuffion,  and  few  chriftian  graces.  Yet  thofe  who  recom- 
mend this  method  of  difciplining  the  world,  are  the  loudeft 
in  declaiming  againft  the  effecSls  that  theological  controverfy 
has  upon  the  heart  and  underflanding.  The  dry  difquili- 
tions  of  fchoolmen  and  divines  (for  thefe  difputants  are  al- 
ways coupled,  though  nothing  can  be  more  diffimilar)  is  the 
favourite  topic  of  abufe  and  ridicule  among  thofe  who  feek 
to  form  a  nation  of  controverilalifts,  and  to  forbid  even  a 
woman  from  clinging  to  the  mercies  of  her  Saviour,  unlefs 
fhe  can  refute  all  the  gainfaying  of  infidels  j  nay,  Ihe  muffc 
herfelf  have  been  reclaimed  from  deifm  by  the  power  of  ar- 
gument. I  by  no  means  inlinuate,  that  fuch  a  converfion 
is  impoflible.  I  only  maintain,  that  it  will  be  attended  with 
{o  many  difficulties  that  it  mufl  be  too  rare  to  be  depended 
upon  as  a  certain  confequence. 

We  might  now  appeal  to  ftatefmen  and  legiflators,  who 
know  the  political  importance  of  religious  reftraints,  whether 
it  be  fafe  to  run  fuch  a  rilk  of  national  infidelity.  Our  laws 
are  founded  on,  or  at  leaft  adapted  to,  our  religion ;  our 
habits  grow  out  of  both ;  our  well  being  as  a  people  is  inti- 
mately bound  and  connected  with  the  fincerity  and  univer- 
fality  of  our  chriftian  profeflion.  I  introduce  this  motive, 
becaufe,  though  a  free  thinker  may  renounce  his  God,  his 
creed  obliges  him  to  call  himfelf  a  patriot,  and  confequently 
he  muft  affeft  to  love  his  country.  It  is  acknowledged  too, 
that  in  his  individual  capacity  no  hufband  defires  to  have 
his  wife  deftitute  of  principle,  nor  his  daughters  atheifts  •, 
however  convenient  it  may  be  to  his  paffions,  that  other 
women  fliould  not  be  influenced  by  thofe  refi:ri(Stions. 

We  may  fafely  lay  it  down  as  a  pofition,  that  religion  inujl 
be  taught  in  youths  left  it  fhould  not  be  taught  at  all,  or  left 
we  Ihould  fee  the  doughty  polemic  fuperfede  devotion,  hu- 
mility, and  charity ;  the  times  alfo  require  that  it  fhould  be 
thoroughly  taught.  Let  the  young  chriftian  be  well  verfed  in 
the  principles  of  her  faith,  and  the  ground  on  which  it 
ftands  ;  fhe  will  often  hear  thofe  principles  ridiculed,  and 
Ihe  will  fee  that  foundation  fapped.  You  will  not  accufe 
me  of  contradifting  my  affertions  concerning  the  bad  efFecSts 
of  controverfial  ftudies  ;  for  it  is  very  different,  to  learn  doc- 
trines while  aflifted  by  the  fimplicity,  humility,  and  docility 
of  childhood  j  and  to  be  reafoned  into  their  verity,  when  you 


122 

have  long  been  under  the  influence  of  confirmed  habits  and 
pertinacious  opinions.  A  much  wider  range  of  learning 
mull  be  gone  over  in  the  latter  cafe,  than  when  our  inftruc- 
tions  are  limited  by  the  defign  of  enabUng  our  pupils  to  give 
**  a  reafon  for  the  hope  that  is  in  them."  We  may  under- 
ftand  the  Copernican  fyflem  of  the  heavens,  without  being 
able  to  refute  Tycho  Brahe's  ;  and  we  may  adopt  Sir  Ifaac 
Newton's  theory  of  gravitation,  without  knowing  how  to 
difprovc  the  abfurdity  of  Uefcartcs's  vorticesi  Blind  belief 
and  prefcriptive  acquiefccnce  have  been  expofed  to  much 
cenfure  ;  and  yet  I  truft,  in  times  when  religious  difputation 
was  unknown,  and  in  fituations  to  which  it  has  never  pene- 
trated, many  a  fincere  and  humble  foul  has  found  them  pafl^ 
ports  to  the  kingdom  of  God  ;  and  I  fear  too  many  indi- 
viduals have  reafon  to  lament  their  natural  tendency  to  doubt 
and  fcrutiny  in  matters  of  faith.  We,  however,  admit,  that 
in  a  general  point  of  view  religion  has  been  benefited  by  the 
violence  of  her  aflliilants.  Her  evidences  have  been  exam- 
ined ;  her  myfteries  cleared  of  many  adventitious  circum- 
ilances ;  the  errors  Avhich  had  been  furreptitioufly  introduc- 
ed into  her  doiftrines  have  been  exploded ;  and  her  pure 
precepts  have  been  more  clearly  enforced,  and  more  beauti- 
fully developed. 

We  now  live  in  times  peculiarly  dangerous  to  our  faith  ; 
yet  it  feems  as  if  the  good  providence  of  God  had  propor- 
tionably  multiplied  our  protecftions.  Holls  of  learned,  in- 
telligent, and  liberal  divines,  have  rallied  around  the  infult- 
ed  crofs  of  their  blefled  Mafter.  A  woman  in  humble  cir- 
cumftances,  with  common  abilities  and  moderate  informa- 
tion, may  now  know  more  of  the  religion  ihe  profefles,  than 
any  but  the  moft  ftudious  could  acquire  three  hundred  years 
ago.  As  fatanical  zeal  has  increafed  in  violence,  fo  the  pi- 
ous champions  of  our  faith  have  roul'ed  with  frefh  vigoin*  to 
the  combat.  Pernicious  doctrines  have  been  multiplied  and 
familiarized  in  every  form  j  and  the  moft  eminent  fcholars 
of  the  age  have  alio,  by  popular  treatifes,  and  even  by  ad- 
dreffes  to  the  loweft  vulgar,  repelled  their  afl'ailants.  The 
fubfcribers  to  a  market-town  circulating  library,  when  they 
choofc  their  novel  or  their  play,  may  truly  fay,  "  my  bane 
and  antidote  are  both  before  me."  This  is  certainly  confol- 
atory  ;  but  the  afilirance  that  our  principles  will  be  aflault- 
cd,  either  by  books  or  converfation,  renders  it  no  longer  fife 
for  us  to  reft  in  that  limited  information  which  was  once 
thought  fufficient  for  our   fc:x  ;  and  fince  we  may  become 


123 

enlightened  chriftians,  without  fuch  expenfe  of  time,  and 
hazard  of  our  peculiar  character,  as  makes  it  unadvifable  for 
us  to  be  in  general  deep  readers,  it  moft  ftriftly  behoves  us 
to  profit  by  the  judicious  inftruiftions  which  have  been  adapt- 
ed to  our  capacity  and  leifure  ;  not  in  order  that  we  may 
become  difputants,  but  to  prevent  our  being  "  tofled  about 
by  every  wind  of  doctrine,"  or  feduced  by  the  evil  fpirits 
who  are  fure  to  attempt  our  deflruftion. 

The  above  obfervations,  my  dear  Mifs  M ,  lead  us  to 

conclude,  that  we  muft  not  reft  in  what  our  parents  do  for 
us  ;  but  that  we  fhould  in  our  riper  years  build  upon  the 
foundation  which  they  laid  in  childhood,  in  order  that  our 
religious  knowledge  may  keep  pace  with  our  other  improve- 
ments. I  remarked  in  my  laft  letter,  that  the  work  of  ed- 
ucation is  as  endlefs  a  labour,  fo  far  as  relates  to  accomplilh- 
ments,  as  the  talk  of  Sifyphus  ;  for  grown  ladies  and  gen- 
tlemen learning  to  dance,  fing,  draw,  or  even  walk,  is  now 
too  frequent  to  excite  ridicule.  But  it  would  be  a  ferious 
misfortune,  if,  while  the  hoary  head  muft  bend  and  the  ftiff- 
ened  joints  relax,  to  acquire  the  graces,  and  to  excel  in  the 
amufements  of  youth,  the  fludies  mofl  proper  for  mature 
and  declining  life  fliould  be  laid  afide  the  moment  the  girl 
is  emancipated  from  the  fway  of  the  governefs.  If,  to  en- 
courage induftry  and  gratify  opulence,  we  permit  the  ordef 
of  the  feafons  to  be  reverfed,  and  fuffer  the  fruits  and  flow- 
ers of  fummer  to  adorn  winter,  Avho  in  return  gives  his  ices 
to  the  fervid  hours  of  July,  let  the  products  of  reafon  be  ftill 
reftrained  to  their  natural  periods.  The  aim  of  modern  ed- 
ucation is,  to  make  children  prematurely  wife  ;  but  as  the 
forced  plant  waftes  its  vigour  by  its  early  redundance ;  fo 
the  human  mind  feldom  fulfils  that  promife  of  future  excel- 
lence, which  an  extraordinary  degree  of  early  cultivation 
deceitfully  cherifiies  ;  it  generally  ftops  at  a  certain  point  of 
improvement ;  and  when  we  expected  our  affiduity  to  pro- 
duce a  genius,  the  labouring  mountain  brings  forth  a  cox- 
comb.* This  muft  be  the  confequence  of  a  fyftem,  which 
flops  too  foon  in  eflentials,  and  goes  on  too  long  in  mere  ap- 
pendages ;  which  fuppofes  a  girl  of  fifteen  fufficiently  taught 
in  what  relates  to  her  eternal  interefis  ;  and  that  a  woman 
of  fifty  muft  receive  leflbns  from  a  falhionable  mufic  mafter, 
that  fhe  may  execute  a  new  tune  with  all  its  fcientifical 
flourilhes. 

*  See  Letter  XIII. 


]24 

Religious  inftru<ftion,  therefore,  is  of  a  iwofold  nature. 
It  fhould  be  commenced  early,  not  to  inftil  prejudices,  but 
to  guard  againft  prepofTcfiions,  and  to  imprefs  the  learner's 
mind  with  a  proper  conviclion  of  the  importance  of  the 
work.  This  inltruction  muft  be  ever  fuited  to  the  age  and 
imderftanding  of  the  pupil,  both  in  matter  and  degree  ;  but 
when  the  girl  writes  woman,  let  the  mother  deeply  imprefs 
upon  her  daughter's  mind  this  folemn  confideration,  that  as 
religion  difclofes  to  us  another  world,  in  which  the  employ- 
ment of  the  blelTed,  during  the  circling  years  of  eternity, 
v/ill  be  to  know  and  to  adore  God,  if  we  would  enjoy  the 
promifed  heaven,  we  muft  in  this  life  cultivate  thofe  habits. 
For  the  foul  carries  with  it  the  propenfities  that  it  acquired 
below  ;  and  how  Ihall  we  become  meet  for  the  fociety  of 
angels,  if  we  neither  underftand  nor  delight  in  their  occu- 
pations ? 

The  fcientifical  turn  which  education  has  lately  taken,  in- 
creafes  the  necefllty  for  early  imbuing  the  juvenile  mind 
with  a  fenfe  of  the  divine  authority  of  fcripture,  and  of  the 
infufficiency  of  human  reafon  to  difcover  the  origin  and  end 
of  man.  Women  are  feldom  very  deeply  verfed  in  any 
branch  of  philofophy  j  and  a  fmattering  of  fcience  is  ex- 
tremely apt  to  generate  that  dependence  upon  fecond  caufes, 
which  is  one  of  the  ftrong  holds  of  deifm  in  weak  minds. 
A  half  informed  young  woman,  when  flie  has  found  out  the 
hiimediate  reafon  of  vegetation,  congelation,  or  any  elemen- 
tary procefs,  is  too  apt  to  think  that  Ihe  has  difcovered  all^ 
without  extending  her  views  to  the  great  God  who  at  lirft 
endowed  matter  with  thole  wonderful  properties  which  it 
has  pofltfled  for  many  thoufand  years,  and  without  whofe 
continual  influence  every  moment  in  the  Itupendous  ma- 
chine of  nature  would  become  confufed  and  difordei'ed. 
The  danger  of  the  young  ftudent's  views  being  thus  limited, 
is  increased  by  the  prevalent  ufe  of  terms,  adopted,  perhaps, 
from  a  perfuafion  that  they  are  coinprehenfive,  but  which 
an  ■  eminent  fcholar  and  divine*  proves  to  be  unphiloiophi- 
cal  ;  fuch  as  "  the  power  of  attraction,  the  law  of  vegeta- 
♦*  tion,  the  order  of  the  feafons,"  and  the  like.  Inert  mat- 
*'  ter,"  he  obferves,  "  has  no  power  •,  a  law  prefuppofes  a 
*'  law-giver  •,  and  a  propelling  impetus  muft  originate  in 
"  fomething  foreign  to  the  thing  thus  overruled."  Were 
we  fure  that  tJiefe  ftudies  would  be  extended  till  mind  ob- 

♦  Dr.  Pa!ey.  Sec  Natural 'i"{ifo!ogj'.  Dr.  Hey  makes  the  fame  remark. 


125 

tained  that  link  in  the  chain  of  fcience,  which  proves  the 
necefiary  dependance  of  material  nature  on  intelleftual  ex- 
iftence,  we  Ihould  be  certain  of  gaining  a  lincere,  though 
late  convert  to  revealed  truth  ;  but  when  we  coniider  how 
foon  the  progrefs  of  learning  will  be  arrefted  by  the  frivo- 
lous purfuits  or  bufinefs  of  life,  let  us  at  leaft  take  care  to 
run  no  hazard  of  unfitting  the  mind  for  the  reception  of 
what  it  is  moft  necefTary  it  Ihould  know. 

I  have  taken  for  granted,  that  the  books  feledted  for  the 
purpofe  of  fcientific  inftrudlion,  though  they  may  not,  like 
the  labours  of  the  pious  Ray,  be  purpofely  defigned  to  lead 
the  reader  from  nature  to  nature's  God,  have  yet  no  covert 
intention  of  perverting  the  mind  which  they  pretend  to  in- 
form. But  this  is  granting  moi-e  than  the  generality  of  ele- 
mentary tracts  on  the  fciences  will  warrant :  a  refpedlablc 
writer  has  clearly  afcertained,  by  her  highly  judicious  and 
falutary  (though,  to  herfelf,  irkfome)  invcftigation,*  that  a 
settled  defign  to  overturn  the  eftabliflied  fiith  of  this  coun- 
try, and  to  illuminize  the  minds  of  the  riling  generation,  arc 
the  chief  motives  of  the  multifarious  books  for  the  educa- 
tion of  youth  which  have  deluged  the  nation.  In  this  de- 
fign of  fitting  the  riling  hope  of  Britain  for  a  pandemoniunx 
of  philofophifls,  no  branch  of  information  has  been  fufFcred 
to  efcape  untainted.  If  the  young  lady  read  hlftory,  fhc 
will  find  it  queftioned  whether  the  propagation  of  the  gof- 
pel  really  was  accomplilhed  by  miracles  or  by  human  inge- 
nuity ;  whether  the  early  chriliians  were  martyrs  or  fanat- 
ics ;  and  whether  much  good  has  refulted  from  the  exten- 
fion  of  the  religion  of  Jefus  ?  In  biographical  Iketches,  flie 
will  fmd  piety,  or  at  leaft  attachment  to  any  peculiar  mode 
of  worlhip,  coupled  with  a  weak  underftanding,  or  a  con- 
tradled  heart  ;  while  heathen  perfecutors,  deifts,  and  liber- 
tines, are  adorned  with  the  freihcir  flowers  of  eulogy.  If 
fhe  read  geography,  or  travels,  fhe  will  perceive  it  doubted, 
or  perhaps  denied,  that  the  earth  is  of  the  age  which  the 
Mofaical  chronology  affirms,  or  that  the  events  recorded  in 
holy  writ  could  have  taken  place  in  countries  v/hich  it  de- 
fcribes  in  fuch  different  colours  from  their  prefent  ftate.  In 
natural  hiftory,  fhe  will  fmd  cavils  againfl  the  miracles  re- 
corded in  fcripture  ;  farcafms  on  the  hiftories  of  Balaam,  Jo- 
nah, and  the  prophet  of  Judah,  will  be  obtruded  into  de- 
fcriptions  of  the  natural  properties  of  the  afs,  the  whale,  and 

*  In  the  Guardian  of  Education. 


120 

the  lion ;  and  perhnps  the  wonderful  prefervation  of  the 
three  pious  captives  from  the  rage  of  Nebuchadnezzar,  may 
hwnoroujl^  illuftrate  the  fable  of  the  falamander.  In  chym-. 
iftry  and  mineralogy,  fhc  will  be  informed  of  the  aftoniftiing 
effects  that  various  combinations  of  ingredients,  mechanical 
contrivances,  and  geometrical  properties,  can  produce ;  and 
flie  will  be  reminded,  that  when  natural  preparations  can  af- 
fume  appearances  feemingly  miraculous,  we  fliould  fcruplc 
to  call  in  an  invifible  agent.  Some  inllances  will  be  given 
of  fucccfsful  cheats ;  and  it  will  then  be  aflced,  with  much 
apparent  modelly,  if  the  flowering  rod  of  Aaron  might  not 
have  been  a  flight  of  hand  illufion,  and  the  cures  of  Chrift 
linve  proceeded  from  a  degree  of  medicinal  knowledge  un- 
known in  a  barbarous  country  ?  Aftronomy  alfo  fupplies  a 
very  powerful  engine  for  fhaking  the  faith  of  thofe  who  ex- 
pefted  fcripture  to  develope  the  fecrets  of  nature,  inftead  of 
the  myfiieries  of  grace  ;  and  that  the  infpired  narrator  of  the 
creation,  fhould  have  prematurely  difclofed  the  laws  of  plan- 
etary motion,  to  gratify  the  curious  ;  when  his  miflion  was 
intended  to  preferve,  in  one  nation,  a  fenfe  of  their  obliga- 
tion to  worfliip  the  "  Lord  God,  who  fafhioned  the  earth 
and  all  things  that  are  therein,"  who  made  the  heavens  and 
all  their  hoft,  who  fanclified  the  clofnig  day  of  creation,  and 
who  fufpended  the  punifliment  of  difobedient  man,  and 
again  fet  life  and  death  before  him. 

When  a  young  woman  has  been  duly  informed  that  fcrip- 
ture narration  is  defigned  to  illuftrate  moral  and  theological 
truths,  fhe  will  not  reject  it  becaufe  its  language  is  accom- 
modated to  the  prevailing  ideas  of  the  times  in  which  it  was 
written.  She  well  knows,  that  "  the  pillars  of  the  round 
world,"  muft  be  metaphorically  underftood,  and  that  the  ro- 
tation of  the  fun  round  the  earth  is  a  condefcenfion  to  pop- 
ular opinion.  She  will  confefs  that  the  exiftence  of  deceit 
is  no  argument  againft  the  reality  of  truth  ;  and  ihe  will 
make  herfelf  miftrefs  of  the  different  criteria  by  which  true 
and  fall'e  miracles  are  diftinguiflied.  She  will  fee,  that  nat- 
ural properties  are  no  rcftraint  on  the  poffible  interpofition 
of  the  fupernatural  Power  who  beftowed  them  ;  and  that  if 
the  Deity  vifibly  interpofes,  he  muft  a6l  by  miracle.  She 
will  allow,  that  a  difference  in  government  and  cultivation 
will  change  the  natural  afpect  of  countries ;  and  fhe  will  pay 
little  refpccl  to  the  pretended  data  of  the  high  antiquity  of 
the  earth,  when  flie  perceives  that  the  allcdged  fa(rts  are  con- 
troverted, and  that  no  two  geologifls  draw  the  fame  infers 


127 

ences  from  the  Tame  analyfi^.  Laftly,  flie  will  rot  feel  her 
faith  fhaken  by  the  partial  obfervations  of  infidel  hlftorians, 
or  fceptical  biographers  ;  but  will  pity  the  fituation  of  thofc 
•vvho  are  refolutely  bent  to  misftate  and  niiflead.  Their  fu- 
tile fpleen  v»nll  only  ferve  to  confirm  her  faith ;  for  fiae  muft 
recollect  her  Lord's  prediction,  "  that  the  world  would  fay 
all  manner  of  evil,  falfelyy  of  his  difciples,  for  his  name's 
fake." 

After  this  certainlyy^?//;/  fpecimen  of  the  liberal  care  with 
which  our  pretended  perfeftionifbs  guard  the  du<fl:ile  mind 
of  youth  from  prejudices  and  tmfconceptw7iy  will  they  have  the 
effrontery  to  complain  of  unfair  prepoffellion,  if  we  endeav- 
our to  preoccupy  the  vacant  foil  ?  Had  thefe  or  fimilar  ob- 
je<ftions  to  the  verity  of  Scripture  any  weight,  had  they  never 
been  refuted,  or,  like  the  difpofllefled  demoniacs,  been  even 
forced  to  bear  teftimony  to  the  God  whom  they  refifted,  we 
might  for  a  moment  hefitate.  But  every  objc6lion  which 
deills  now  raife  againft  the  gofpel  has  been  refuted  number- 
lefs  times.  Our  modern  unbelievers  muft  feel  the  pangs  of 
wounded  pride,  at  knowing  that  they  can  only  throw  the 
broken  lances  of  vanquLihed  cavillers  againft  the  invulnera- 
ble bulwark  of  religion.  Thefe  pigmy  opponents  have  fo 
often  been  foiled  in  the  field  of  controverfy,  that  nothing  is 
left  them  but  to  lurk  in  bye  paths,  with  the  cowardly  hope 
of  enfnaring  filly  women,  and  kidnapping  unfufpe6Hng  chil- 
dren, under  the  common  pretence  of  extraordinary  kind- 
nefs.  We  have  hiftorical  teftimony,  that  the  nefarious  Illu- 
minati  gave  it  in  charge  to  their  propagandifts,  to  ufe  every 
poflible  method  to  rmke  female  converts  ,-  well  knowing  that, 
though  our  difpofitions  and  propenfitles  did  not  fo  ftrongly 
ftimulate  us  to  throw  off  moral  reftridlions  as  the  other  fex, 
our  minds  were  lefs  enabled  by  nature  and  education  to  re- 
fift  thefe  fophifts,  who  never  could  endure  the  Ithuriel  fpear 
of  learning  and  deep  Inveftigation. 

Religious  knowledge  will  enable  us  to  avoid  this  fnare  i 
and  from  my  zeal  to  recommend  this  defenfive  armour  to 
the  youth  of  boih  fexes,  I  have  been  accufed  of  enforcing 
theological  erudition  at  the  expenfe  of  religious  practice.  I 
can  only  fay,  that  fuch  was  not  my  defign ;  the  moft  guard- 
ed language,  however,  cannot  prevent  intentional  mifcon- 
ftruftion.  Many  of  our  firft  divines,  in  the  arguments  which 
they  oppofe  to  the  opinions  of  certain  fchlfmatics,  afiirm, 
that  though  our  Lord  improved  morality  to  its  highcft  pof- 
fiblc  perfe<Stion,  by  removing  it  from  external  behaviour  to 


128 

the  heart,  his  deflgn,  in  coming  into  the  world,  was  not  to 
teach  a  pure  fyftem  of  morahty,  though  this  fyftem  is  one 
of  the  confequenccs  appertaining  to  his  miiTion.  They  ex- 
tend this  obfcrvation  to  the  Mofaical  law,  which  they  affirm, 
was  buik  upon,  or  rather  took  for  granted,  thofe  notices  of 
right  and  wrong,  of  the  immortality  of  the  foul,  and  the 
being  of  a  God,  which  are  often  called  natural  religion  ;  but 
which  ought  to  be  referred  to  the  traditionary  remains  of 
that  firft  revelation  which  God  made  to  Adam  in  Paradife. 
When  morality  is  taught  upon  merely  worlcHy  motives,  how- 
ever refined  and  exalted  by  light  derived  from  the  gofpel 
difpenfation,  it  is  confined  to  exterior  deportment  •,  let  us 
fuperadd  the  inducements  which  chriftianity  prefents,  and  it 
then  becomes  that  perfetftion  of  virtue  to  which  we  are  all 
commanded  to  afpire  j  being  aflured,  that  though  it  is  un- 
attainable as  a  whole,  yet  if  purfued  with  finglenefs  of  heart, 
and  with  a  fincere  defire  of  progreflive  improvement,  the 
weaknefs  of  our  nature  will  be  pardoned  by  a  God  who 
knows  our  infirmities,  in  confideration  of  the  all  fuffi^cient 
merit  of  a  facrifice  ordained  by  himfelf,  to  prove  his  abhor- 
rence of  fin,  and  his  mercy  to  repentant  offenders. 

The  foundations  on  which  chriftianity  is  built,  and  its 
fuperiority  to  mere  moral  obligations,  fhould  be  underftood 
by  every  chriftian  j  but  to  feparate  faith  from  morals  is  the 
work  of  an  enemy.  It  is  only  "  through  faith,  working  by 
love,"  that  we  are  made  meet  for  the  inheritance  of  the  faints 
in  light.  The  degree  of  our  refpeclive  duties,  of  knowing 
and  adting,  depends  upon  our  opportunity  of  exerting  either 
faculty.  Thofe  whofe  limited  underftandings,  er  humble 
iiations,  prevent  them  from  acquiring  much  informatio«» 
may  be  truly  fincere  in  the  praflicc  of  chriftian  virtue  ;  but 
where  abilities  are  granted,  and  leifure  allowed,  a  more  am- 
ple ftock  of  chriftian  knowledge  is  indifpenfable  •,  and  for 
this  reafon,  becaufe  fuch  perfons  are  more  expofed  to  ihoic 
temptations  from  which  it  is  the  beft  human  prefcrvative. 
The  readers  whom  I  particularly  addrefs  require  this  fah> 
tary  aid.  General  opinion  (except  in  thofe  points  wherein 
it  is  partially  miflcd  by  fafliion)  prefcribes  thofe  outward  de- 
corums of  condu(Sl:  which  are  neceflary  to  pafs  well  in  the 
world  ;  but  thoft^  who  are  thus  circumftanccd  require  to  be 
taught,  that,  unlefs  they  found  this  decorum  on  inward  pu- 
rity of  heart,  and  a  defire  of  obeying  their  Maker,  bearing 
the  name  of  Chrift  will  not  determine  them  truly  to  belong 
x<i  the  fold  of  which  he  is  the  appointed  Shepherd. 


129 

■  Thofe  who,  \vc  muft  acknowledge,  appear  to  be  merely 
hominal  chriftians,  are  generally  thus  unfortunate  from  ig- 
norance or  inconfideration.  Some  few,  indeed,  are  preju- 
diced by  infidelity ;  but  I  hope,  in  this  country,  this  defcrip- 
tion  is  not  numerous.  The  generality  of  people  are  too 
much  engaged  by  pleafure,  or  bufinefs,  to  pay  due  attention 
to  the  important  diftindlions  which  are  implied  in  the  name 
they  bear  ;  and  many  are  perfuaded,  that  if  they  lead  regu- 
lar lives,  pay  every  one  his  due,  and  hurt  no  one,  they  need 
not  inquire  any  further.  On  the  other  hand,  as  every  vir- 
tue is  bounded  by  two  oppofite  vices,  fo  true  knowledge  lies 
in  a  happy  medium  between  grofs  ignorance  and  inquifitive 
refearch,  and  fhould  be  as  much  proportioned  to  the  capa- 
city and  ftation  of  the  incipient,  as  liberality  fliould  be  adapt- 
ed to  the  fortune  of  the  giver.  A  thirft  for  what  is  called 
religious  edification  has  transformed  many  an  indufl:rious 
fimple  mechanic  into  a  vagabond  fanatic,  empty  of  every 
Valuable  quality  fuited  to  his  rank  and  education,  but  fwoll- 
en  by  conceit  and  fpiritual  pride  into  a  falfe  belief  of  fuper- 
natural  endowments.  A  defire  to  penetrate  into  infcrutable 
myfteries  has  overfet  many  a  weak  underftanding,  and  per- 
verted many  an  excellent  houfewife  into  the  ufelefs  charac- 
ter of  an  enthufiaftical  devotee.  Thefe  misfortunes,  how- 
ever, generally  proceed  from  the  quality^  not  the  quantity^  of 
knowledge  which  is  imbibed.  Here,  as  in  the  groves  of 
Paradife,  the  tree  produces  both  good  and  evil ;  and  it  un- 
fortunately happens,  that  what  is  moft  fuitable  to  our  palates 
is  often  moft  pernicious  to  our  conftitutions.  By  fome  un- 
accountable propenfity,  weak  minds  are  always  moft  anxiouss 
to  dive  into  unfathomable  depths ;  their  very  incapacity  to 
acquire  what  others  know,  ftimulates  their  eagernefs  to  di{^ 
cover  what  cannot  be  known. 

As  right  principles  are  the  beft  human  means  of  procur- 
ing right  condufl,  I  would  earneftly  folicit  the  young  ftu- 
dent  to  confult  fuch  guides,*  as  will  afilft  her  in  founding 

*  Could  the  recommendation  of  an  obfcure  partially  informed  woman 
add  celebrity  to  the  names  of  Gilbert,  Weft,  Sherlock,  Paley,  Hey,  and 
Bryant,  flie  would  mention  thefe  authors  as  Inftances  of  that  clofe  invef- 
tigation,  and  full  viev/  of  the  fubjecfts  on  which  they  treat,  which  convey* 
perfpicuous  information  to  the  mind  of  the  reader.  The  name  of  Dr. 
Rogers  may  be  added  to  the  lift,  not  only  on  account  of  his  fermons,  but 
of  his  valuable  tratfl  on  the  viflble  and  invifible  church  of  Chrift  ;  in 
which  he  enforces  a  duty  now  too  much  difregarded,  I  m.ean  fubmiffion 
to  our  eccleliaftical  fuperiors,  in  a  clear  aad  convincing  manner. 


litr  faith,  rather  on  the  convictions  of  her  unclcrftancHrig, 
than  on  the  impulfcs  of  fancy,  or  the  warmth  of  devotional 
feehng  ;  though  thi:>  lad  will  be  i'uperadded,  in  proportion  as 
the  certainty  of  faith  increafcs,  and  as  habit  conlirms  piety. 
I  would  peculiarly  recommend  to  my  own  fcx  fuch  writer* 
as  aim  at  communicatiufj;  clfar  ideas.  When  our  under- 
ftanding  is  thoroughly  informed  by  thefe,  we  may  with  more 
fafety  confuk  florid  and  rhetorical  authors,  if  our  relilh  for 
their  manner  have  not  been  abated  by  a  more  improving 
courfe  of  lludy.  We  are  charged  with  being  «  of  imagina- 
tion all  compadl;"  and  one  reafon  that  is  fuggefted  againft 
the  expediency  of  our  becoming  deep  theological  readers,  is 
our  natural  turn  to  enthuliafm.  As  the  enthuiiaft  is  gener- 
ally unhappy  in  herfelf,  and  certainly  very  unamiable  ta 
others,  the  utmoft  care  Ihould  be  taken  to  avoid  this  dan- 
gerous lubflitute  for  true  piety ;  by  not  fuffering  fancy  to 
interfere  in  fo  momentous  a  point,  as  that  of  exam'wmg  our 
t'ltlc  tofalvaiion.  That  modefi:y  of  knowledge,  which  is  alike 
anxious  to  cvoid  being  ignorant  of  what  it  ought  to  know, 
and  of  penetrating  into  "  thofe  fecrct  things  which  belong 
to  the  Mofl  High,"  fhould  be  efpecially  recommended  to 
women.  This  would  be  our  beft  prefervative  againft  the 
fallacious  reprcfentations  of  a  party,  who  now  dreadfully  dif- 
turb  the  peace  of  the  church,  and  (I  hope  tmiUjtgncdly)  alTauIt 
the  foundation  of  the  edifice  which  they  aftedt  to  reverence. 
By  recommending  clear  diftin^l  ideas  to  the  young  members 
of  our  ellablilhment,  I  alfo  wilh  to  diicredit  the  aflertions 
of  another  fet  of  enemies  to  our  Sion,  who  reprefent  our 
creeds  as  formed  on  confufed  notions,  and  blind  credulity  y 
and  our  hierarchy,  as  one  of  the  impofitions  which  priell 
craft  and  ipiritual  ambition  forced  upon  the  fervile  mind  of 
half  awakened  ignorance. 

It  is  evident,  however,  that  while  we  are  encompafled  by 
this  wall  of  flefh,  our  perception  of  fpiritual  objects  mufl:  be 
faint  and  indiftin^l.  Of  the  perfonality  and  ubiquity  of  the 
Deity,  for  inftance,  the  molt  learned  men  confefs  that  no 
diftincft  notion  can  be  formed.  One  of  the  reafons  given  by 
our  philofophiftical  perfe«Slionifl:s,  why  children  fliould  not 
know  that  there  is  a  Gcd,  proceeds  from  the  impofllbility 
of  their  forming  juft  notions  of  Him.  This  overftrained  re- 
fpe^t  is  affeclcd  \  for  the  moft  exalted  human  intellefl;  la- 
bours under  the  fame  defe^Tl.  May  we  not  inquire,  in  what 
refpeft  tlie  doftrine  of  the  unity  of  the  triune  Godhead  is 


131 

iefs  commenilirate  to  the  capacity  of  his  finite  creatures,  than 
that  God  exifts  through  all  time  and  fpace  ? 

« Thus  far  flialt  thou  go  and  no  farther,  and  here  fliall 
thy  proud  waves  be  ftayed,"  faid  the  creative  Word,  when 
the  foaming  ocean  firft  poured  into  its  prepared  abyfs.  The 
limits  of  human  knowledge,  though  various  as  our  under- 
flandings,  have  a  fimilar  curb  affixed,  beyond  which  they 
cannot  pafs.  The  firft  bufinefs,  therefore,  of  tuition  is,  to 
draw  this  boundary  line,  and  to  inform  the  pupil  what  learn- 
ing and  attention  can  do,  and  what  it  muft  leave  undone  ; 
how  far  reafon  may  develope  myftery,  and  where  fhe  muft 
bow  her  head,  and  confefs  her  human  fallibility.  When  an 
ambaflador  afiures  us  that  he  comes  from  heaven,  we  may 
call  upon  reafon  to  inquire  into  the  nature  of  his  mefllige, 
and  the  validity  of  his  credentials.  When  he  preaches 
*'  righteoufnefs,  temperance,  and  judgment  to  come,"  fhe 
muft  confefs  that  he  fpeaks  the  language  of  his  native  coun- 
try ;  and  when  he  appeals  to  miracle  and  prophecy,  fhe  al- 
lows that,  according  to  her  own  preconceived  ideas,  the 
fovereign  who  employs  him  would  thus  accredit  his  mefl^en- 
ger.  He  may,  indeed,  difcover  fomething  of  the  infernal 
affairs  of  thofe  regions  different  from  what  reaibn  imagined 
was  the  cafe  ;  and  he  may  propofe  fuch  terms  of  peace  as  flie 
did  not  expect  or  enjoin  ;  fuch  confirmatory  ceremonies  as 
fhe  did  not  conceive  to  be  abfolutely  neceffary.  If  the  am- 
bafi^ador  only  came  from  an  unknown  country,  he  might 
juftly  anfwer  the  inquiries  of  reafon,  by  fiying,  "  Such  are 
*'  the  cuftcms  cxf  the  nation  to  which  I  belong.  With  us, 
*'  they  are  of  great  utility  ;  though,  as  they  are  founded  on 
*'  ufages  materially  different  from  yours,  I  cannot  fully  ex- 
*'  plain  them  to  you."  But  if  he  be  alfo  the  agent  of  our 
lawful  king,  againft  whom  we  have  rebelled,  and  with  whoni 
we  feek  reconciliation,  unlefs  reaibn  exceed  hertruft  flie  can 
only  afcertain  the  abfolute  verity  of  the  envoy,  and  advife 
us  to  accept  the  offered  mercy  on  the  terms  propofed.  Thefe 
may  feem  to  us  not  {o  honourable  to  the  nature  of  our 
prince,  as  fome  that  we  could  have  fuggefted  ;  but  as  we 
have  never  fecn  him,  and  do  not  know  the  precife  rules  of 
his  internal  government,  our  own  prefumption,  in  judging 
when  we  have  not  fufficient  ground  to  form  an  opinion,  de- 
ferves  the  fevereft  cenfure.  All  that  we  know  of  him  in- 
deed, either  by  his  vilible  acts,  or  by  the  difcoveries  made 
by  his  ambafFador,  befpeaks  him  holy,  wife,  juft,  and  mer- 
ciful \  but  as  we  cannot  difcover  how  thefe  attributes  blend 


132 

with  each  other,  fo  that  none  fhould  preponderate,  we  are 
incapacitated  from  prefcribing  bounds  to  any  of  them.  It 
cannot  be  faid,  that  this  ambalFador  may  have  mifrcprefent- 
ed  his  mafter  ;  for  he  has  filenced  this  obje<^ion,  by  fhcw^ 
ing  what  we  all  know  to  be  the  royal  fignet  ;  a  vifible  une- 
quivocal interruption  of  the  courfe  of  nature  ;  which  is,  un- 
queftionably,  the  method  by  which  God  would  fpeak  to 
nian. 

Reafon,  if  faithful  to  her  office,  will  alfo  acknowledge, 
that  a  direcH:  revelation  is  fuch  a  folemn  interpofition  of 
Heaven,  as  cannot  be  lightly  and  cafually  aftbrded.  It  mufl 
not  only  be  abfolutely  neceflary  to  thofe  to  whom  it  is  made  ; 
but  it  muft  difcover  truths  which  could  not  othcrwife  be 
known.*  Had  the  law  and  the  gofpel  taught  us  nothing 
but  what  human  reafon  could  have  discovered,  we  muft  then 
have  allowed  that  fceptics  are  right  in  affirming  that  belief 
in  revelation  fuppofes  a  needlefs  interpofition  of  the  Almigh- 
t}'.  Every  myfterious  dodlrine  that  fcripture  contains  is  in 
fact  a  confirmation  of  its  authenticity.  We  fliall  hereafter 
inquire,  whether,  by  its  analogy  to  the  incomprehenfible 
parts  of  vifible  nature,  we  may  not  further  afcertain,  that  the 
God  whom  we  chriftians  worfliip  is  moft  truly  the  Creator 
;and  Governor  of  the  world ;  or,  to  fpeak  more  fully,  that 


*  The  ncceffity  of  3.  divine  revelation  may  be  gathered  from  vhat  the 
celebrated  deiflical  writer,  Lord  Herbert  of  Cherbury,  lays  of  what  he 
calls  five  fliort  notices  imprinted  by  God  on  the  minds  of  all  men,  ifl. 
That  there  is  one  fupreme  God.  2dly,  'i'hat  he  is  chi(.tly  to  be  worlliip- 
ped.  3dly,  That  piety  and  virtue  are  tJie  prinrip.d  p.irts  of  his  worfliip. 
4thly,  That  we  mufl  repent  of  our  fins  ;  and  if  we  do,  God  will  pardon 
them.  Jthly,  That  there  arc  rewards  for  good,  and  punilliments  for  bad 
men,  in  a  future  ftate.  Our  divines,  in  anfwer  to  thefe  allegations  againft 
the  neceihty  of  revelation,  juftly  obfervc,  th:.:  wc  muft  not  judge  of  nat- 
xivaX  religion,  or  dcifm,  from  what  we  nciv  know,  fmce  even  thofe  who  re- 
jetTt  chriftianity  partake  of  the  light  that  it  has  diflufird;  but  from  what 
the  world  was  previous  t<^  the  coming  of  Chrift.  They  propofe  the  learn- 
ed age  of  Auguftus  as  a  fair  fpecimen.  The  i1rft  and  iecontl  notices  were 
tlien  difrcgarded  ;  for  no  nation,  but  the  Jews, acknowledged  orvvorfliip- 
ped  one  fupreme  God.  The  moit  enlightened  men  of  that  period  facri- 
iiced  to  fenfual  and  numerous  deities.  Nor  would  the  third  be  more  re- 
f;arded  ;  for  the  mode  of  propitiating  falfc  gods  was  by  abl'urd  and  bru- 
tifli  rites.  In  refpecl  to  the  fourth  notice,  the  luathens  reproached  the 
chriftians  for  declaring  that  God  would  pardon  finners  ;  and  as  to  the  jth, 
jt  was  hoped  by  fome  fc<£ls  of  philofophers,  denied  by  others,  and  doubt- 
ed by  all.     See  Hey's  Ledliires,  vol.  i.  p.  342. 

The  mere  belief  c.f  the  immortalitv  of  the  foul,  is  very  diftlrent  from 
a  perfuafion  that  this  future  ft.;tc  will  be  retributive.  Modern  heathens 
proceed  no  furtlier  than,  in  the  words  of  Pope,  to  expet'l  "  an  ec^ual 
iitaver,  in  which  tlicir  faithf»ii  dog  will  bear  them  company." 


133 

the  fyftem  of  the  univerfe,  the  operations  of  Providence,  and 
the  covenant  of  grace,  evince  unity  of  defign,  and  proceed 
ijtpon  the  fame  fundamental  principles. 

The  firfl  duty  of  reafon,  therefore,  is,  to  examine  the  ev- 
idences and  credibility  of  chriftianity,  confidered  as  a  whole ; 
her  next  care  fliould  be,  to  determine  to  which  of  its  vari- 
ous fedls  and  denominations  it  is  moft  expedient  to  belong. 
Solitary  worfhip  is  always  comfortlefs ;  and  opinions  infula- 
ted  from  all  others  are  fure  to  run  into  feme  wild  extreme  ; 
beflde,  it  is  moft  certain,  that  the  promifes  of  fupernatural 
affiftance,  which  Chrift  made  to  his  followers,  were  given  to 
tliat  collective  body,  or  (to  refer  to  our  ecclelxaftical  affirma- 
tion of  faith)  to  "  that  congregation  of  faithful  men,  where 
**  the  true  word  of  God  is  preached,  and  the  facraments  du- 
*'  ly  adminiftered,"  which  we  call  a  church.  By  thus  con- 
fecrating  community  to  the  purpofe  of  fan£lity,  the  author 
of  our  religion  has  not  departed  from  the  method  which  he 
follows  in  the  ordinary  providential  government  of  the  world ; 
where  we  fee  good  of  various  kinds,  comfort,  fecurity, 
ftrength,  pleafure,  wealth,  and  profperity,  all  flowing  from 
men  combining  together ;  and  mifery,  weaknefs,  and  pover- 
ty, enfuing  from  their  atSling  feparately  or  in  oppolition  to 
each  other.  That  it  was  the  defign  of  our  blefled  Lord, 
that  all  his  followers  fliould  be  knit  together  in  the  clofeft 
bond  of  concord  and  amity,  cannot  be  doubted  by  any  who 
carefully  examine  the  facred  records  of  his  life  and  conver- 
fation.  I  will  point  out  one  inftance,  the  folemn  commen- 
datory prayer  preferved  in  the  feventeenth  chapter  of  St. 
John's  gofpel,  which  is  particularly  in  point.  Remember, 
Chrift  oftcred  it  not  only  for  his  immediate  apoftles,  but 
"  for  all  who  fliould,  through  their  preaching,  believe  in  him 
in  all  the  world  ;"  and  that  it  was  an  a<Sl  imuicJiateiy  pre- 
ceding his  bitter  paflion.  How  urgent  is  the  motive,  how 
hnpreffive  are  the  requefts  that  are  contained  in  thcfe  awful 
words,  "  That  they  alfo  may  be  one,  even  as  thou,  Father, 
*<  art  in  me,  and  I  in  thee  ;  that  they  alfo  may  be  one  in  us, 
**  that  the  world  may  believe  that  thou  haft  fent  me."  Are 
they  indeed  flncere,  who  attempt  to  difFufe  the  light  of  the 
gofpel  among  heathen  nations,  and  conne(51;  their  miffionary 
zeal  with  reftlefs  folicitude  to  increafe  the  fchifms  and  dif- 
fentions,  which  our  Lord  deprecates,  as  preventives  of  the 

univerfal  reception  of  his  faith  ?  I  fear,  my  dear  Mifs  M , 

the  world  will  never  know  that  Jef^fs  noas  fent  h^  God^  while 
regard  for  truth  is  facrificed  to  a  bUnd  zeal  for  maftery,  and 


134 

the  very  name  of  evangelical  is  afiunied  as  a  mark  of  diflinc*! 
tive  preeminence,  and  a  taunting  proverb  of  reproach. 

The  texts  of  fcripture  that  enjoin  this  duty  of  unity  and 
chriftian  communion,  are  fo  numerous  in  the  gol'pcls,  the 
a(fts,  the  eplftles,  and  even  in  the  revelations,  that  it  is  diffi- 
cuh  to  imagine  how  this  vaft  body  of  evidence  can  be  evad- 
ed, or  rather  braved.     The  primitive  church  acted  upon  this 
principle  ;  and,  with  equal  firmnefs,  dealt  her  eccleiiaftical 
cenfures  on  all  who  difturbed  the  peace  of  the  community 
with  new  and  ftrange  dodrines,  or  difgraced  it  by  their  fcan- 
dalous  lives.     Different  formularies  were  indeed  adopted  in 
national,  and  even  in  provincial  churches  -,  but  "  one  Lord, 
one  faith,   and   one  baptifm,"   were  univerlally  preferved. 
Among  the  numerous  difperfed  and  perfecuted  members  of 
our  holy  religion,  the  leading  principles  of  all  churches  were 
the  fame  ;  the  members  of  all  joined  in  communion.     The 
obligation  to  this  unity  and  fellowfliip  appeared  fo  ftrong  to 
the  founders  of  the  Reformation,  that  it  was  with  the  ut- 
moft  reluctance,  and  in  confequence  not  only  of  the  fcanda- 
lous  corruptions,  but  the  invincible  obftinacy  of  the  church 
of  Rome,  that  they  at  length  ventured  to  apply  to  themfelves 
the  angelic  fummons  recorded  in  the  apocalypfe,  and  es- 
teemed it  to  be  their  duty  to  <*  come  out  of  the  corrupted 
Babylon."     Many  wife  and  temperate  men   have  lamented 
while  they  acknoivledged  the  neceffity  for  this  feceffion,  which 
doubtlefs  opened  the  door  to  numerous  diffenters,  who  have 
pleaded  for  a  licenfe  and  freedom  of  choofing,  to  which  that 
precedent  gives  no  countenance.     The  hazardous  expedient 
of  feparation  fhould  never  be  reforted  to,  unlefs  the  feceders 
can  prove,  that  the  church,  from  which  they  disjoin  them- 
felves, has,  like  that  of  "  Rome,  erred  not  only  in  their  Hv- 
ing  and  manner  of  ceremonies,  but  aifo  in  matters  of  faith." 
It  cannot  be  denied,  that  even  in  the  age  of  the  apoftles, 
and  efpecially  from  the  period  when  chriftianity  received  the 
fanftion  of  the  civil  power,  herelies,  fchiims,  and  furious  dif- 
putes,  have  difturbed  the  peace  of  the  chriftian  world.    Part 
of  thefe  troubles  muft  doubtlefs  be  afcribed  to  the  unremit- 
ting  zeal  with  which  the  arch  apoftate  (figuratively  Ityled 
the  dragon)  oppofes  the  myftical  fpoufe  of  God.     She  is 
fometimes  driven  into  the  wildernefs,  haraffed  by  perfecu- 
tion,  and  denied  repofe.     At  other  times,  llie  is  attempted 
to  be  lulled  by  a  fatal  fecurity  into  that  lukewarmnefs  and 
indifference,  which  is  ftill  more  dangerous  to  her  well  being. 
Her  affliiStions  arc  often  from  without,  but  yet  mere  fre- 


135 

quently  irom  falfe  brethi'en.  That  the  Ah-nlghij  fnJWs  thefe 
trials  of  his  people  as  a  community,  on  the  fame  principles 
as  he  permits  individual  correclion,  was  ever  acknowledged ; 
but  to  affirm,  that  he  tnade  men  to  differ  in  religious  matters, 
is  quite  a  modern  difcovery.  He  fuffers  evil,  but  he  cannot 
be  faid  to  be  the  original  author  of  it.  He  permits  calami- 
ty ;  this  world  could  not  elfe  be  a  probationary  llate ;  nor 
could  virtue  be  perfected  without  fatlering.  Patience  is  pre- 
fcribed  as  the  foftener  of  pain ;  pain  is  neceflliry  to  prepare 
us  to  refign  this  too  much  valued  life ;  but  will  any  one 
thence  afTert,  that  the  Almighty  made  his  creatures  on  pur- 
pole  to  fuffer  ?*  The  dcift,  who  believes  the  Creator  of  the 
world  to  be  a  God  of  order  and  unity,  would  blufii  to  aflert, 
that  phylical  and  moral  confufion  and  difcord,  were  parts  of 
his  deiign.  The  chriftian,  who  traces  the  attributes  of  the 
author  of  nature  through  the  courfe  of  two  fucceffive  reve- 
lations, mufi:  be  abfurdly  Impious,  if  he  ferioufly  affirm,  that 
God  *'  made  men  to  differ  on  fuch  an  important  point  as 
*^  religious  belief,  on  which  he  enjoined  unity  by  precept, 
*'  and  enforced  it  by  miracle." 

"  It  muft  needs  be  that  offences  will  come,"  faid  the  Sav- 
iour of  the  world.  It  is  neceflary  to  the  conftitution  of  a 
probationary  ftate,  that  there  fhould  be  trials  to  afilidl  and 
punilh  vice,  and  to  purify  and  exercife  virtue.  "  But,"  he 
continues,  *'  woe  to  that  man  by  whom  fuch  offence  com^ 
eth."  It  was  determined  by  the  foreknowledge  and  wifdom 
of  God,  before  the  foundation  of  the  world,  that,  in  the 
fulnefs  of  time,  Chrifl  fhould  be  offered  up  as  a  facrifice  for 
the  fins  of  the  world  ;  but  woe  to  the  treacherous,  avaricious 
Judas,  who  betrayed  his  meek  and  holy  mafler  !  All  ages 
and  nations  of  the  chriflian  world  have  joined  in  exewating 
the  perfidious  difciple,  who  was  the  immediate  means  of 
binding  his  Lord  upon  the  crofs,  at  the  fame  time  that  they 
have  clung  to  the  benefits  of  the  atonement.  Woe  alfo  to 
him  who,  through  the  pride  of  reafon,  fplritual  felf-fuffi- 
ciency,  contempt  of  fubordinatlon,  or  ambition  of  preemi- 
nence, unneceflarily  diffents  from  the  church  of  Chrift,  or 
attempts  to  fhake  the  faith  of  others,  and  to  alienate  their 
obedience !  His  vanity  may,  indeed,  be  gratified  by  the  ap- 
plaufes  of  thofe  who  adopt  his  tenets ;  but  what  recompenfe 
can  he  make  for  giving  occafion  to  the  enemies  of  God  to 
blafpheme  j    or  how  can  he  heal  thofc  breaches  which  reli- 

*•  See  Natural  Tlieologr,  o;i  the  Goodnefs  of  the  Deity. 


13G 

gious  difputation  always  makes  in  chriftian  charity  ?  If  he 
thus  offend  Hghtly  and  unadvifedly,  or  if,  from  fmlller  views, 
he  raife  his  diforganizing  voice  againft  the  fupplications  of 
his  dying  Lord,  the  commands  of  the  apoftles,  and  the  ufage 
of  the  primitive  chriftians,  how  fearful  muft  be  his  guilt ! 
He  will,  perhaps,  plead  fome  inward  illuminations,  forne 
fenfible  and  efpecial  call  of  the  Spirit  of  God  j  as  we  know, 
however,  that  the  figns  of  an  apoftle  have  always  accompa- 
nied any  peculiar  or  unufiial  call  to  the  miniiliry,  we  may 
well  demand  fuch  an  unequivocal  proof  of  extraordinary 
unftion  from  thefe  felf-commiffioned  teachers  of'the  fecret 
things  of  God.  But  if,  recolle(5l:ing  the  power  which  enthu- 
fiafm  always  aflumes  over  weak,  ill  regulated,  or  ill  inform- 
ed minds,  we  hope  that  folly  may  excufe  the  faults  of  ma- 
ny; let  us  ourfelves  beware  of  leaving  the  true  fold,  to 
hearken  to  irregular  or  unlkilful  fliepherds.  Of  their  in* 
ward  illuminations,  alTurances,  and  experiences,  we  can  form 
no  notion,  and  may  only  hope  that  they  feem  fo  far  con- 
vincing to  their  bewildered  minds,  as  to  excufe  them  on  the 
fcore  of  fincere  ignorance  -,  but  their  actions  prove  them  to 
be  amenable  to  the  church  of  God,  whofe  peace  they  dif- 
tifrb  by  verbofe  declamations,  and  contumacious  difputes, 
concerning  matters,  either  in  tliemfelves  unimportant,  or  ap- 
pertaining to  thofe  councils  of  God  into  which  we  dare  not 
pretend  to  penetrate.  It  is  confidered  as  a  fundamental  prin- 
ciple in  politics,  that  it  is  better  to  endure  a  fmall  evil,  than 
to  attempt  to  remove  it  with  hazard  of  interrupting  the 
public  peace ;  the  church  militant  is  a  fociety  of  human  be- 
ings, and,  as  fuch,  fallible  -,  fhe  muft,  therefore,  be  govern^- 
ed  by  coercive  laws,  fimilar  to  thofe  which  regulate  other 
communities ;  and  provided  her  errors  do  not  affeft  impor- 
tant points  of  faith,  which  might  juftify  her  members  in  re- 
nouncing their  allegiance,  fhe  may  claim  their  obedience  in 
things  indifferent,  even  on  the  fole  ground  of  her  own  au- 
thority, without  pofitive  warranty  of  fcripture.  If  fcruples 
of  confcicnce  are  really  felt,  on  account  of  fome  of  her  infti- 
tutions,  a  candid  difcovery  of  them  to  fome  judicious  and 
religious  friend,  (let  us  fay,  to  the  parochial  minillcr,)  might 
enlighten  the  dubious  judgment,  and  confirm  the  wavering 
mind.  If  after  thefe  mealures  are  taken,  apprchenfions  ftill 
remain,  we  mull  hope  that,  in  fuch  a  tnfe,  diffent  is  not  fin- 
ful.  But  let  it  be  remembered,  that  an  ingenuous  and  fin- 
cere  mind  is  more  apt  to  veil  its  difcrepance  in  modeft  fi- 
Unco,  and  to  luwent  it  a^  a  mibforluiic,  ihan  by  blozomn^  its 


137 

nonconformity  to  the  world,  to  communicate  its  fcruples  to 
others,  and  thus  to  make  a  merit  of  difobedience.  When 
converts  to  any  new  opinions  accompany  this  change  by  any 
marks  of  hoftiHty  to  the  party  which  they  have  deferted, 
fomewhat  very  different  from  gofpel  iincerity,  it  is  to  be  fear- 
ed, kirks  in  their  oftenhbly  regenerated  hearts. 

You  will  alk  me,  if  I  have  not  acknowledged  that  good 
has  refulted  to  the  church  from  thefe  internal  ftruggles  ? 
Mod  unqueftionably,  the  aflailing  weapons  of  falfe  brethren 
have,  like  the  cenfers  of  Korah  and  his  rebellious  partifans, 
been  converted  into  "  broad  plates  for  a  covering  for  the  al- 
tar." But  though  thus  appropriated  by  that  Providence 
who  brings  good  out  of  evil,  they  were  ftill  "  the  cenfers  of 
finners  asainft  their  own  fouls."*  That  the  defence  and  fe- 
curity  of  the  church  fhould  grow  out  of  the  means  that 
were  concerted  for  her  deftru(Stion,  is  analogous  to  the  fen- 
lible  operations  of  nature.  Thofe  violent  gufts  of  wind, 
which  wreck  our  ftately  veflfels,  and  cover  the  earth  with 
the  ruins  of  her  proudeft  ftru6lures,  or  fairefl:  products,  are 
deemed  falubrious  to  the  health  of  its  inhabitants,  by  fcat- 
tering  the  conglomerated  feeds  of  peftilence,  and  reftoring 
the  vital  purity  of  the  atmofphere  ;  yet  notwithftanding  this 
happy  effedl,  the  tempeft  is  ftill  a  fore  calamity.  Why  nat- 
ural evil  fhould  fublift,  has  perplexed  the  minds  of  many 
philofophers  ;  and  perhaps  the  beft  anfwer  tliat  has  been 
given  is,  that  the  fcale  of  being  is  fo  extended,  and  its  ram- 
ifications (efpecially  if  we  extend  our  views  to  other  worlds, 
and  other  orders  of  rational  and  dependant  beings)  are  fo 
complicated,  that  a  great  general  advantage  necelTarily  in- 
volves a  particular  calamity  ;f  which  calamity,  in  a  proba- 
tionary ftate  of  exiftence,  is  no  impeachment  of  the  juftice 
of  God.  How  moral  evil  came  into  this  world,  we  learn 
from  Holy  Scripture ;  and  when  the  Almighty  makes  good 
to  ilTue  from  it,  he  gives,  I  may  fay,  a  vifible  proof,  not  on- 
ly that  he  is  "  Lord  of  the  Evil  One,"  but  that  he  does  not 
*'wilUngly  afflift  the  children  of  men."  The  advantage, 
therefore,  which  has  refulted  to  the  church,  from  being  thus 
continually  forced  to  defend  and  examine  her  doctrines,  can- 
not be  urged  in  proof  that  God  made  men  to  differ  in  re- 
ligion 5  or  that  it  is  his  pleafure  there  fhould  be  a  diverfity 

*  See  Numbers,  i6th  chap,  verfe  38. 
f  This  is  the  opinion  of  Dr.  Palcj, 

s 


1.18 

of  worfliip  among  chriftians.  He  enjoins  concord  and  uni- 
ty. That  he  futlers  men  to  clilbbey  this  command,  is  no 
more  a  proof  that  it  did  not  proceed  from  him,  than  that 
the  exiftcnce  of  murder,  adultery,  and  tlieft,  nfcind  the  ol> 
ligation  and  difannul  the  authority  of  the  commandments. 

When  I  fpeak  of  the  church  in  general,  I  keep  our  nine- 
teenth article  in  my  eye.  This  church,  we  are  informed,  is 
iVattered  over  all  the  chriftian  world  ;  various  modes  of  wor- 
ihip,  and  particular  tenets,  belong  to  its  disjointed  parts  ; 
yet  I  truft,  in  fpite  of  the  efrorts  of  ill  difpofed  men,  fome 
bond  of  union,  fome  token  of  intercommunity,  ftill  fubfifta 
between  its  members ;  fufficient  to  allow  us  to  fpeak  of  it  as 
a  whole,  though  certainly  not  as  that  clofely  cemented,  well 
compacted  building  which  its  blefied  Founder  and  his  apof- 
tlcs  laboured  to  form  j  and  in  point  of  purity,  as  well  as  doc- 
trine, very  different  from  that  glorious  church,  which  (in 
the  language  of  eaftern  metaphor)  is  denominated  the  Spoufe 
of  the  Lamb,  and  is  to  be  prefented  to  her  Lord  without 
fpot  or  wrinkle,  holy,  undefiled,  and  glorious  in  majefty  and 
beauty  ;  while  myriads  of  myriads  join  in  linging  one  fpoufal 
Ibng.  Such  is  the  promifed  ftate  of  the  triumphal  church  : 
if  we  would  partake  of  it,  we  muft  adhere  to  her  during  her 
militant  probation ;  and,  in  the  fpirit  of  the  royal  pfalmift, 
«'  we  fliall  be  folicitous  to  heal  her  breaches  j"  we  "  fliall 
*'  rejoice  in  her  profperity ;  and  becaufe  of  the  houfe  of  the 
*'  Lord  our  God,  we  fhall  feek  to  do  her  good." 

The  church  of  England  is  that  branch  of  the  univerfal 
church,  under  whofe  lliadow  we  are  invited  to  take  fhelter. 
However  lightly  it  may  be  efteemed  by  various  fanatics  who 
have  fprouted  forth  under  its  mild  protection,  it  is  efteemed, 
by  foreign  proteftants,  as  the  preeminent  fan«^tuary  of  the 
reformed  religion.  I  will  refer  you  to  the  deciflon  of  an 
eminent  divine,  who  was  highly  celebrated  all  over  the  Con- 
tinent for  his  learning  and  moderation,  and  was  himfelf  a 
member  of  the  Prefbyterian  miniftry.  The  name  of  Lc 
Clerc  fandlions  his  opinions  with  theological  readers.  Speak- 
ing of  epifcopacy,  he  obfcrves,  *'  I  have  always  profeffed  to 
*'  believe,  that  epifcopacy  is  of  apojlolical  inftitution,  and  con- 
<*  fequently  very  good  and  very  lawful ;  that  man  has  no 
"  right  to  change  it  in  any  place,  unlefs  it  was  impofliblc 
"  otherwife  to  reform  the  abufes  that  crept  into  chriftianity  ; 
*<  that  it  was  juftly  preferved  in  Enghind,  where  the  refor- 
"  mation  was  practicable  without  altering  it  •,  and  that  there- 
"  fore  the  proteftants  in  England,  and  other  places  where 


139 

«  there  are  bifhops,  do  very  ivroug  to  feparate  from  that  dlf- 
«  cipline ;  that  they  would  do  ftill  vvorle  in  attempting  to 
•*  deftroy  it,  in  order  to  fet  up  prcfbytery,  fanaticifm,  and 
«<  anarchy.  Things  ought  not  to  be  turned  into  a  chaos, 
«*  nor  people  feen  every  where  without  a  call,  and  without 
*'  learning,  pretending  to  infpiration.  Nothing  is  more  pro- 
*<  per  to  prevent  them  than  the  epifcopal  difcipline,  as  by 
**  law  eftabliflied  in  England ;  efpecially  when  thofe  who 
**  prefide  in  church  government  are  perfons  of  penetration, 
"  fobriety,  and  difcretion."  He  afterwards  acknowledges 
that  it  has  been  fo  clearly  proved,  that  the  truth  of  it  cannot 
be  denied,  that  Chrift  and  his  apoftles  indituted  the  epifco- 
pal form  of  government  •,  and  that  the  church  never  had 
any  other  for  one  thoufand  five  hundred  years,  from  our 
Saviour's  days  downward.* 

The  teftimony  of  an  adverfary  has  great  weight.  From 
motives  of  political  expediency,  Mr.  Le  Clerc  exercifed  the 
fundlions  of  a  minifter  in  a  fociety  of  chriftians  who  had  rc- 
jetEled  the  epifcopal  form  which  he  fo  highly  commends. 

Notwithftanding  the  grateful  obligations  which  we  owe  to 
the  fathers  of  the  Reformation,  we  cannot  deny  that  they 
partook  of  the  paffions  and  infirmities  of  human  nature. 
The  cruel  and  perfidious  treatment  which  they  had  experi- 
enced from  the  Romifh  church  ftimulated  the  protcflants  to 
an  unwarrantable  degree  of  fury,  hatred,  and  revenge.  The 
aim  of  many  of  thefe  feems  to  have  been,  to  make  the  fepa- 
ration  and  diftindtion  between  themfelves  and  the  apocalyp- 
tical Babylon  as  marked  as  pofilble.  Thus,  inftead  of  taking 
the  fcriptures  for  their  guide,  and  the  primitive  churches 
for  their  model,  it  was  fufficient  for  them  to  rejecl  many  an- 
cient and  beneficial  cuftoms,  merely  becaufe  they  had  been 
adopted  by  their  opponents,  whole  touch  was  efleemed  to 
be  contamination.  Proteftantifm  was  not  without  fevers 
provocations  in  England,  as  the  reigns  of  Henry  the  Vlllth 
and  Mary  the  Ift  amply  teftify  ;  but  whether  it  was  owing 
to  the  more  enlightened  fobriety  of  the  nation,  or,  as  I  be- 
lieve, to  the  good  providence  of  God,  who  at  that  time  en- 
lightened our  Sion  with  luminaries  of  furprifing  fpiendour, 
the  founders  of  our  church,  as  well  as  its  firft  eftabliflimcnt 
under  King  Edward  the  Vlth,  as  at  its  reedification  under 
Queen  Elizabeth,  were  guided  by  the  molt  admirable  mod- 
eration.    Nothing  was  rejedled  merely  becaufe  it  was  the 

*  Biblloth.  torn.  ix.  page  159. 


140 

ufagc  of  popery,  unlefs  it  was  alfo  tainted  with  the  errors  of 
that  ambitious  hierarchy.  Nothing  new  was  adopted,  un- 
lefs the  utter  unfitncis  of  former  cuftoms  rendered  the  in- 
troduction of  novelty  unavoidable.  Hence  we  retain  not 
only  the  conftitution  of  the  primitive  church,  but  alfo  many 
of  its  ufages.  Nay  more,  our  liturgy  was  compiUdy  rather 
than  compofed  ;  with  a  refpeftful  reference  to  venerable  rit- 
uals, their  doxologies  and  creeds  were  adopted  ;  feveral  pray- 
ers of  our  fervice  were  entirely  tranflated  from  the  formu- 
laries of  early  times,  or  from  the  writings  of  the  fathers ; 
and  in  others  the  fenfe  has  been  condenfed,  and  fuited  to 
our  cuftoms,  modes  of  thinking,  and  the  alteration  of  man- 
ners and  iituation. 

Nor  is  it  merely  on  account  of  her  conftitution,  and  lit- 
urgical fervice,  that  the  church  of  England  claims  fuch  high 
confideration  ;  the  fame  wife  moderation  which  determined 
her  to  preferve  what  was  valuable  and  important  in  thefe 
points,  kept  her  alfo  in  a  happy  medium  between  thofe  op- 
pofite  errors  which  at  that  time  diftradled  the  peace  of  the 
world,  and  which,  I  grieve  to  fay,  fcill  fubfift.  Perhaps,  our 
)beft  way  of  gaining  a  clear  notion  of  the  doctrines  of  our 
national  church  will  be,  to  examine  the  notions  of  thofe  who 
diflent  from  her ;  and  though  the  antipodes  are  not  wider* 
from  each  other,  and  confequently  though  our  church  feems 
more  likely  to  accord  with  either,  than  for  them  to  form  an 
agreement ;  fuch  is  the  lamentable  animofity  with  which 
they  purfue  her,  that  they  almoft  feem  to  unite  their  difcor- 
dant  notions  in  order  to  procure  her  downfal.  Is  not  this 
coalition  a  teflimony  that  her  exiftence  is  the  firmed:  bul- 
wark againft  the  ambition  of  either  party  ?  Unlefs  they  are 
mutually  infincere  in  their  own  religious  profeffions,  it  is  ev- 
ident that  they  believe  they  would  mutually  prove  but  weak 
Opponents  to  each  other,  fuppoiirig   this  formidable  rival 

•  Nothing,  certainly,  can  be  more  pointedly  oppofite,  than  the  diflin- 
guilliin;;  tenets  of  the  Sociniaiis  and  tliofc  of  the  Uriel  CalvinifU.  The 
one  hoitis  CliriQ  to  have  done  all  for  our  falvation,  by  his  one  oblation 
of  himfelf ;  the  other  maintains,  that  fuch  oblation  never  was  olTcred. 
One  affirms,  that  wc  are  mere  machines  in  the  hands  of  God  ;  the  other, 
that  moral  virtue  entitles  us  to  reward,  &c.  Yet  in  numberlefs  periodi- 
cal publications:  profefTedly  hoftile  to  our  church,  we  may  trace  a  fufpi- 
cious  forbearance,  a  tacit'  agreement,  if  not  an  aiflual  approbation,  of 
works  of  cither  of  the  above  defcription,  if  hoftile  to  the  cflabliliiment ; 
which  hoftility  appears  to  be  the  rallying  point  of  either  party.  Does 
tliis  verfatility  conliU  with  that  f.'iglcnefs  of  heart  which  alone  can  jufU- 
fy  djiTtnt  ? 


141 

could  be  overthrown.  This  is  a  ftrong  argument,  to  per- 
fuade  every  lover  of  temperate  opinions  to  fupport  what  is 
fuch  an  obje£t  of  terror  to  thofe  of  violent  and  extreme  no- 
tions. 

But  before  we  proceed  to  the  propofed  inveftigation,  X 
•will  mention  one  other  claim  which  the  national  church  has 
to  our  obedience.  It  is  the  eftabliflied  form  of  v/orfliip.  I 
do  not  propofe  to  found  fpiritual  belief  on  political  expedi- 
ency ;  but  I  aflert,  that  the  religion  of  our  country  has  a 
prior  right  to  our  attention,  fo  far  as  to  induce  us  to  give  it 
a  ferious  inveftigation  ;  and  if  her  do6lrines  are  found  to  be 
evangelical,  and  her  ufages,  as  far  as  change  of  manners  will 
allow,  apoftolical ;  if  in  that  human  mixture  which  muft  al- 
ways be  admitted  into  eccleliaftical  inftitutions,  there  be 
nothing  contrary  to  fcripture  ;  if  flie  a£Fe£l  no  wanton  exer- 
pife  of  authority,  and  afTume  no  high  pretenfions  to  infalli- 
bility, nor  abfolute  control  over  the  confciences  of  men  ;  it 
feems  as  if  no  reafon  can  be  urged  for  renouncing  her  com- 
munion, except  it  be  the  ftrong  predilection  which  arifejj 
from  our  having  been  educated  in  fome  other  religious  fo- 
ciety.  Had  we  only  nonconformifts  of  this  latter  defcrip- 
tlon  to  lament,  the  afpe6t  of  the  prefent  times  would  not  be 
fo  alarming  to  the  friends  of  our  venerable  eftablifliment, 
becaufe  fuch  opponents  are  the  moft  moderate,  fteady,  and 
refpectable ;  but  the  dreadful  opinions  that  arife  out  of  the 
abufe  of  religious  toleration,  namely,  that  in  this  land  of 
liberty  every  one  has  a  right  to  choofe  his  religion,  gains 
ground  j  and  the  pride  of  exercifing  a  fuppofed  privilege, 
joined  to  the  delire  of  being  diftinguilhed  by  fuperior  intel- 
ligence and  difcrimination,  and,  I  fear  I  muft  add,  the  arts 
and  allurements  of  the  enemies  of  all  religion,  feduce  many 
unftable  minds,  efpecially  in  the  lower  ranks  of  life ;  who 
renounce  the  communion  of  the  church  from  which  they 
have  received  baptifm ;  with  the  fame  inconlideration  and 
indifference  as  they  affimilate  their  garments  to  the  prevail- 
ing falhion.* 

*  That  fcliifm  is  not  confidered  as  a  liglit  and  trivial  offence  by  the 
regular  minifters  of  the  prefbyterian  form  of  worfliip,  may  be  perceived 
in  the  following  extracSl  from  the  works  of  an  eminent  Scotch  divine,  who 
indeed  does  but  echo  the  fcntiments  of  all  well  conftituted  churches  an- 
cient and  modern,  not  excepting  thofe  founded  by  Calvin,  or  his  immediate 
difciples.  Dr.  Hill,  in  his  I'hcological  Inllitutes,  obfervcs,  "The  name  of 
f  fehifm,  therefore,  is  referved  for  fcparation  proceeding  upon  fome  friv- 
'■^  olous  reafon,  which  is  often  merely  a  pretext  for  gratifying  the  paffions 
"  of  ambition,  avarice,  refcntment,  and  envy.     When  attachments  to  par- 


142 

As  women  are  moft  difpofed  to  think  fcrioiifly,  and  to 
be  fincere  in  their  religious  profelTions,  hence  arifes  the  ne-. 
ceflity  of  their  not  only  being  well  inflrudted  in  the  general 
outline  of  chrillianity,  but  alio  that  they  fhould  know  the 
peculiar  tenets  of  the  church  to  which  they  belong,  and  the 
quilt  of  unneceflary  feparation  from  her ;  which  church,  as 
far  as  relates  to  my  readers,  I  fuppofe  to  be  that  by  law  ef- 
tablilhed.  You,  my  dear  young  friend,  have  had  the  hap- 
pinefs  of  improving  the  elementary  knowledge  which  you 
early  imbibed  of  this,  as  far  as  human  fallibility  will  admit, 
excellently  well  conftituted  fociety,  into  the  folid  preference 
which  reililts  from  having  inveitigated  the  propriety  of  its 
inftitutions  and  dodbines.  Yet,  as  I  know  that  your  atten- 
tion has  been  much  engrofled  by  your  favourite  ftudy  of 
elegant  literature,  it  is  probable  you  may  not  have  attended 
to  a  very  Unifter  attempt  to  overturn  our  church,  which  has 
been  inveloped  in  a  pretended  affection  to  her  original  in- 

"  ticular  teachers  form  chriftians  into  parties,  they  fall  under  the  cenfurc 
*  which  Paul  addrefled  to  the  Corinthians,  "  I  hear  that  there  are  con- 
"  tentions  and  fchifms  among  you.  Every  one  of  you  faith,  •  I  am  of 
«  Paul,  I  of  ApoUos,  and  I  of  Cephas,  and  I  of  Chrift.  Is  Chrift  divided  ?' 
"  When  the  feparation  proceeds  from  the  idea  of  forming  a  more  perfedl 
«  eftablifhment,  it  is  feldomduly  confidered  that  no  human  inflitution  can 
•'  be  faultlefs,  and  that  the  evils  which  ncceflarily  arife  from  fchifm  far 
"  counterbalance  any  advantages  which  may  be  expedlcd  from  improve- 
"  meats  not  eflcntial  to  the  conftitution  of  the  church.  When  chriftians 
"  feparate,  bccaufe  the  difcipHne  of  the  church  docs  not  appear  to  them 
"  fulFiciently  ftridl,  they  act  as  if  the  comfort  and  benefits  derived  from 
"  the  ordinances  of  religion  depended  upon  the  characSter  of  thofe  who 
"  partake  with  us  ;  or  as  if  the  purity  which  the  anabaptifts  require  in 
*'  the  church  of  Chrift  could  be  attained  on  this  fide  the  grave.  And 
"  when  their  only  complaint  is  with  fome  regulations  of  the  church  con- 
'•  ceriiing  matters  acknowledged  to  be  in  thcmfclves  indifferent,  they  for- 
"  get  that  it  is  impoliible  to  frame  any  regulations  of  fuch  matters  which 
"  will  meet  the  prejudices  and  ojjinions  of  all ;  that  obedience  to  compe- 
•*  tent  authority  enjoining  what  is  not  unlawful  for  the  fake  of  order, 
"  does  not  imply  a  facriiicc  of  chriftian  liberty  ;  and  that  the  new  con- 
"  gregation  cannot  exift,  and  attain  the  purpofes  of  its  inflitution,  with- 
"  out  fome  cxercife  of  the  fame  authority. 

"  Whatever  be  the  nature  of  the  frivolous  or  corrupt  motives  which 
"  give  to  reparation  the  character  of  fchifm,  the  conduct  of  all  who  attain 
"  the  name  of  fchifmatics  is  blameworthy.  It  does  not  correfpond  to  the 
•*  defcription  of  the  catholic  church,  which  is  faid  in  fcripture  to  be  '  one 
«'  body,  in  which  there  ought  to  be  no  fchifm ;'  it  is  contrary  to  the  ei- 
"  hortations  and  entreaties  of  tiie  apoftles,  recommending  unity  and  peace; 
"  and  in  all  a<^cs  it  has  appeared  to  the  church  deferving  of  the  fame  rc- 
"  prchenfion  and  cenfure  which  the  apoftles  diredied  againft  a  fimilar 
«  fpirit  in  their  Jays."  A  modern  author  calls  fchifm  '  a  bugbear,  that 
formerly  tormented  weak  confcienccs,  but  now  completely  exploded  like 
Witchcraft  and  magic' 


143 

ftitutlons,  and  zeal  agalnft  a  fuppofed  pcrverfion  of  what, 
it  is  alTerted,  were  her  fundamental  do6lrines.  This  con- 
troverfy  is  fo  extraordinary  and  recent,  that  I  conceive  I 
Ihall  be  of  fome  fervicc  to  my  readers,  by  enlarging  upon 
and  refuting  an  ill  founded  charge. 

The  party  which  thus  calumniates  our  exifting  church 
recommends  itfelf  to  the  favour  of  its  readers  by  arrogating 
the  title  of  evangelical  chriftians.  An  ephemeral  publica- 
tion is  circulated,  addrefled  to  our  fex  exclufivelyy  in  which 
the  names  of  about  one  hudred  and  fifty  chapels,  churches, 
and  meetinghoufes,  are  enumerated,  where  the  minifters 
whofe  names  are  fubjoined  are  faid  to  preach  the  go/pel.  The 
inference  fairly  is,  that  the  gofpel  can  only  be  heard  in  thofe 
fpecified  places.  The  moft  learned,  impreflive,  enlighten- 
ed, and,  I  may  add,  valuable  clergy  of  the  eftabliihment  are 
not  in  this  number  ;  it  is  therefore  obliquely  denied  that  the 
gofpel  is  preached  by  them. 

If  we  alk  thefe  pretenders  to  fuperior  light  what  their 
gofpel  is,  they  will  perhaps  anfwer  in  the  language  of  a 
charming  poet  and  worthy  man,  whofe  mind  was  unhappi- 
ly warped  by  this  prejudice,  "  It  is  the  divinity  of  the  glo- 
*'  rious  reformation ;  I  mean  in  contradi<ftion  to  armenian- 
*'  ifm,  and  all  the  ifms  that  ever  were  broached  in  this 
*'  world  of  error  and  ignorance.  The  divinity  of  the  re- 
"  formation  is  called  calvinifm,  but  injurioufly  -,  it  has  been 
**  that  of  the  church  of  Chrifl  in  all  ages.  It  is  the  divin- 
*'  ity  of  Paul,  and  of  Paul's  mafter,  who  appeared  to  him 
**  in  his  way  to  Damafcus."*  According  to  this  account, 
Luther,  Melanilhon,  Erasmus,  and  Cranmer,  were  twt  re- 
formei's. 


*  See  Mr.  Cowper'e  Life,  vol.  i.  page  374.  Does  tlie  letter  from  which 
this  extradt  is  taken  deferve  praife,  either  for  liberal  ideas,  enlarged  in- 
formation, or  corredl  expreffion  .'  When  were  the  peculiar  doctrines  of 
Calvin  the  religion  of  the  church,  unlefs  we  bound  the  church  to  his  im- 
msdlate  part'ifans  ?  and  to  \)\i  Jingular  tenets  only  can  the  term  Calvinifm  be 
juftly  applied.  Calvin  indeed  pretended  to  fliield  them  behind  fome  mif- 
conliru^Eted  texts  in  St.  Paul's  cpiftles ;  but  where  are  they  taught  by 
Paul's  mafler  ?  Surely  not  when  he  met  him  in  the  road  to  Damafcus  ; 
for  if  this  great  apoftle  was  predeftinated  to  be  faved,  that  aftonifliing  vi- 
fion  was  unneceflary.  "  Saul,  Saul,  why  perfecutcfl;  thou  me  ?"  is  not  a 
favourable  text  for  thofe  who  hold  unconditional  eledtion,  and  the  im- 
peccability of  the  eledk.  I  fliould  conceive  that  Mr.  Cowper  had  only 
read  one  fide  of  the  controverfy  between  the  Arminians  and  Calvinifls  ; 
and,  like  many  others,  confounded  Calvin's  very  dangerous  and  diftin- 
guifliing  tenets,  with  thofe  which  he  held  in  common  with  the  other  re- 
formers. 


144 

If  we  again  inquire  what  are  the  tenets  of  Calvin,  they 
will  anfwer  (at  leaft,  they  thus  anfwer  in  books  held  out  to 
enfnare  the  multitude,)  they  arc  the  docSlrine  of  original  fin, 
of  the  benefit  and  neceflity  of  the  -atonement,  of  the  Trini- 
ty, and  of  the  afliflanccs  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  But  thcfc  arc 
the  acknowledged  dodtrincs  of  the  church  of  England,  for 
which  fhe  has  been  long  afiailed  by  her  other  opponents, 
who,  with  a  degree  of  unfounded  felf-flattery  fimilar  to  the 
evangelical,  call  themfelves  unitarian  chriftians-,  forgetting 
that  the  firft  article  of  our  church  is  a  folemn  profefllon  of 
her  belief  in  one  God.  But  to  return  :  to  difcover  the  rea- 
fon  for  the  controverfy  that  we  are  now  confidering,  we 
muft  fearch  deeper,  and  we  fliall  then  find  that,  befide  the 
particulars  in  which  Calvin  joined  other  proteftants,  the 
fombrous  hue  of  his  imagination,  and  his  impatience  of  fu- 
periority,  induced  him  to  adopt  fingularities  in  doflrine 
and  difcipline.  In  the  former,  by  revi\ing  the  exploded 
notions  of  the  neceflitarians  ;  and  in  the  latter,  by  eftablifli- 
ing  the  prefbyterian  form  of  church  government,  which,  ac- 
cording to  the  concefiion  of  Mr.  Le  Clerc,  was  an  anomaly 
in  the  chrifirian  church.  As  the  church  of  England  pre- 
ferved  that  form  of  ecclefiaft:ical  government  which  had 
been  univerfal  for  fifteen  hundred  years,  we  might,  without 
going  further,  infer  that  flie  did  not  fubfcribe  to  the  ftill 
more  ^eprehenfible  parts  of  a  fyftem  that  has  caufed  fuch  a 
long,  and,  it  is  to  be  feared,  incurable  fchifm  among  the 
reformed  churches.  But  thefe  evangelical  teachers  affirm 
that  fhe  did  ;  and  it  is  thefe  very  doctrines,  which  in  their 
opinion  conftitute  that  purity  of  the  gofpel,  and  thole  ori- 
ginal principles  of  our  church,  which  they  are  anxious  to 
reftore. 

To  repel  this  charge,  not  only  from  our  prefent  hierar- 
chy, but  from  its  venerable  founders,  many  learned  divines 
have  flood  forward,  and  manfully  encountered  a  torrent  of, 
not  only  profefiional  but  perfonal  obloquy.  In  this  conteft, 
the  names  of  Kipling,  Daubeny,  and  Pcarfon,  are  efpccially 
celebrated.  The  firfi;  gentleman,  in  a  finall  but  irrcfiltible 
pamphlet,  plainly  Ihows,  by  extracts  from  Calvin's  works, 
what  thefe  much  debated  doctrines  really  are.  A  tranflation 
is  fubjoined,*  which  enables  even  the  unlearned  reader  to 

.*  They  are  given  in  Latin,  with  references  to  the  works  from  which 
they  arc  taken.  Al.uiy  cvafory  rejjlics  have  hc.u  made  to  tlxio  pamphlet ; 
but,  the  author  bthcvci,  uo  clear  refutation. 


145 

determine  how  far  they  are  fupported  by  the  authority  of 
fcripture,  or  corroborated  by  the  public  acls  of  our  church. 
I  hope  the  reverend  author  will  pardon  me,  if,  from  a  wifli 
to  introduce  his  valuable  remarks  to  thofe  to  whom  they 
may  prove  impenetrably  defenilve  armour  againft  the  aflaults 
of  very  vigilant  adverfaries,  I  take  the  hberty  of  making  a 
large  extract  from  this  work.  The  knowledge  of  what  ftridt 
calvinifm  really  is,  muft  precede  our  attempt  to  juftify  our 
church  from  the  charge  of  having  apoftatized.  The  opin- 
ions of  Calvin,  which  the  Dean  of  Peterborough  has  tranf^ 
lated,  are, 

Firft,  "  That  omnipotent  Being,  who  has  exifted  from  all 
"  eternity,  after  he  had  decreed  to  create  man  in  his  own. 
**  image,  foreordained  his  fall  from  original  righteoufnefs, 
*'  by  which  fall  Adam's  own  nature  would  be  corrupted  and 
*'  depraved  ;  and  viewed  with  the  eye  of  prefcience  the  whole 
*'  of  Adam's  offspring  as  a  mafs  of  corruption  and  perdition. 

2dly,  "  Among  the  vaft  multitude  of  human  beings  cora- 
*'  poling  this  mafs  of  corruption  and  perdition.  Almighty 
*'  God  decreed,  before  the  foundation  of  the  world,  to  bring 
"  fome  to  everlafting  falvation,  and  to  damn  all  the  reft 
*'  eternally.  This  decree  or  purpofe  of  God  is  termed  by 
*'  Calvin  predtjlltmtion ;  one  being  thereby  predeftined  to  ev- 
"  erlafting  happinefs,  and  others  condemned  by  it  to  ever- 
"  lafting  mifery. 

3dly,  « The  objefts  of  this  decree  are,  not  colle£live 
*'  bodies  of  men,  as  Jews,  Gentiles,  Greeks,  Romans  ;  but 
*'  individuals,  as  John,  Matthew,  Thomas,  Peter,  every  one 
"  of  whofe  fate  after  death  is  fixed  by  it,  before  he  is  born, 
*'  immutably  and  everlaftingly. 

4thly,  "  Adam,  agreeably  to  the  preordinance  of  God  (for 
*'  we  are  now  coming  to  the  execution  of  his  decrees,)  fell 
**  from  innocence  ;  and  in  confequence  of  this  lapfe,  the 
**  whole  of  man's  nature,  as  the  Deity  had  forefeen  and  fore- 
*'  ordained,  underwent  a  complete  change :  it  became  cor- 
*'  rupt,  depraved,  vicious ;  and  every  defcendant  of  Adam, 
**  through  his  firft  parents'  tranfgreflaon,  became  a  loft,  a 
*'  damned,  and  accurfed  creature,  and  fuel  for  the  flame  of 
**  divine  vengeance. 

5thly,  «  From  the  birth  of  Abraham  (if  not  from  an  ear- 

"  licr  period)  to  this  prefent  time,  the  Deity,  agreeably  to 

*«  his  eternal  purpofe  and  immutable  decree,  hath  conftantly 

*<  been  taking,  and  will  continue  daily  to  take,  thofe  indi- 

T 


14G 

"  vlduals,  whom  he  preJeftlnated  before  the  world  began  to 
"  everlafting  Talvation,  out  of  this  mafs  of  corruption  and 
"  perdition.  All  the  reft,  every  one,  vliom  he  pafleth  by, 
"  and  leaves  in  this  ftate  of  corruption  and  perdition,  he 
*'  reprobates  ;  /.  e.  abandons  to  wickednefs  in  this  life,  and 
"  will  torture  eternally  in  the  next.  Thole,  whom  he  makes 
"  choice  of,  feledls,  and  fegregates  for  falvation,  are  called 
**  e/ccl.  Thofe  whom  he  leaves  in  their  original  pollution, 
*<  abandons,  and  will  eternally  torment,  are  called  fometimes 
*'  preterites,  but  mofl  commonly  reprobates.  By  eleftion 
"  and  reprobation,  is  executed  the  immutable  decree  of  pre- 
"  dcftination. 

6thly,  "  This  diftrimination  made  by  the  Deity  between 
**  the  elect  and  the  reprobates  is  arbitrary  ;  in  no  degree 
*'  owing  to  any  fuperior  excellence,  worth,  or  merit  in  the 
*'  former,  either  prefent  and  a^lual,  or  future  and  forcfeen, 
"  but  wholly  and  folely  to  God's  will  and  pleafure.  He  ex- 
"  tricates  the  ele^l  from  dcftru(5lion  for  a  demonftration  of 
"  his  goodnefs.  He  leaves  the  reprobates  in  their  original 
"  ftate  of  perdition  for  a  difplay  of  his  power  and  glory. 

7thly,  "  After  the  ele^t  are  put  under  the  cuftody  and 
*'  protedlion  of  Chrift  Jefus  ;  do  what  they  •will  in  this  life* 
"  they  cannot  fail  of  being  finally  faved,  being  under  an  im- 
*«  mutable  decree  and  guarded  by  Omnipotence.  The  re- 
*'  probates,  how  much  j'ocvcr  they  may  exert  themfelves  for  the 
*'  piirpofey*  cannot  attain  everlafting  falvation,  being  hindered 
"  therefrom,  and  repelled  by  Almighty  God.  As  the  final 
*'  falvation  of  the  elecft  is  in  no  degree  doubtful,  from  their 
"  firft  entrance  into  this  world  to  their  departure  out  of  it, 
"  but  is  all  that  time  fixed  and  certain  ;  fo  neither  is  the 
"  eternal  damnation  of  a  reprobate  ever  uncertain  during  his 
"  pafl^ige  through  this  world,  but  is  even  before  he  is  born 
**  unalterably  fixed  and  fure.  That  he  fhould  perifta,  is  the 
*'  very  purpofe  for  which  he  was  created. 

8thly,  "  Neither  the  beft  purpofcs,  nor  the  beft  endeav- 
"  ours,  nor  the  beft  a£ls  of  an  eledt,  even  after  regeneration, 
*'  are  in  any  way  preparatory  to  eternal  falvation.  On  the 
"  contrary,  as  the  eledt  people  of  God,  under  the  Mofaical 
*'  difpenfation,  were  commanded  to  defift  from  their  world- 
<'  ly  occupations ;  fo,  in  refpecl  of  all  Ipiritual  concerns,  the 
"  t\t€t  under  the  gofpcl  difpenfation   are  enjoined  to  bid 


*  Tlie  advocates  of  Calvin  deny  that  the  woids   in   italics   arc  in  his 
writings,    Tlicy  arc  however  fair  inferences  from  what  precedes  them. 


147 

"  adieu  to  all  wills,  works,  and  endeavours  of  their  own,  and 
*'  to  keep  moft  religioufly  a  perpetual  Sabbath ;  that  there 
«'  may  be  free  and  ample  fcope  within  them  for  the  opera- 
*'  tions  of  God's  Spirit. 

pthly,  "  God,  who  of  his  own  will  and  pleafure  predefti- 
"  nated  the  eledl  to  eternal  falvation,  himfelf  prepares  and  fits 
*'  them  for  it.  The  means  ufed  by  him  for  this  purpofe  are 
*«  the  preaching  of  his  word,  and  the  operations  of  his  Spi- 
"  rit ;  both  which  together  conftitute  what  is  denominated 
*'  fpecial  ca'ling. 

iothly,"«The  operations  of  God's  Spirit  are  manifold. 
*'  I  ft,  He  forms  in  the  eledl  a  new  underftanding.  2dly,  He 
"  deftroys  their  natural,  and  creates  in  them  a  new  will. 
*'  3dly,  Every  propenfity  they  may  have,  and  every  effort 
**  they  may  make,  to  do  works  pleafing  and  acceptable  to 
*'  God,  is  liis.  4thly,  He  alfo  it  is,  who  begins,  continues, 
<'  and  fi,niflies  every  good  work  done  by  them,  and  who 
*'  makes  them  perfevere  to  the  end  in  well  doing.  In  each 
*'  of  thefe  operations,  he  does  not  concur  or  co-operate  witli 
<*  the  ele^l,  but  is  fole  and  entire  operator  j  and  they  are  his 
**  inftruments  or  organs. 

I  ithly,  "  Though  the  ele*^:  may  for  a  time  refift  the  grace 
*'  of  God,  they  cannot  finally  overcome  it.  This  grace  is 
*«  fovereign  and  invincible  in  its  operation. 

I2thly,  "God,  who  arbitrarily  predeftinated  the  repro- 
"  bates  to  eternal  deftru£tion,  himfelf  alfo  prepares  and  fits 
<*  them  for  it.  He  does  this  by  blinding  their  minds,  hard- 
«  ening  their  hearts,  ftupifying  their  intelledls,  depriving 
<'  them  of  the  knowledge  of  himfelf,  withholding  from  them 
*'  the  influence  of  his  Spirit,  and  delivering  them  over  to 
"  the  devil. 

I3thly,  "The  number  of  the  ele^  is  very  fmall ;  the  re- 
**  probates,  of  courfe,  muft  be  numerous. 

Laftly,  "  The  reprobates,  thofe  numberlefs  rational  beings, 
*'  whom  Almighty  God  hath  raifed  up  for  the  illuftration  of 
"  his  glory,  are  hateful  to  him.  He  alfo  hates  in  propor- 
"  tion  to  their  naughtinefs  the  chofen  few."* 

I  think,  my  dear  Mifs  M ,  I  fee  you  ftart  at  hearing 

fuch  abominable  tenets  afcribed  to  the  church  of  w^hich  you 
are  an  affedlionate  member ;  and  perhaps  for  a  moment  you 
may  wonder  how  you  overlooked  their  abfurdity  and  impie- 

*  Other  reformers  held  the  doilrlne  of  abfohite  predeflination,  partic- 
ularly Zuinglius. 


148 

ty,  when  you  gave  your  hearty  airent  to  the  compendium  of 
her  do6trines.  But  be  not  alarmed.  I  hope  thei'c  blaiphe- 
mous  dogmas  do  not  coiiltitute  the  gofpel  of  all  the  one 
hundred  and  fifty  meetinghoufes,  chapels,  and  churches, 
where  evangelical  minifters  deliver  their  numerous  lectures. 
I  am  certain,  that  fuch  are  not,  nor  ever  were,  the  tenets  of 
the  church  of  England.  Many  who  call  themfelves^Calvin- 
ifts  do  not  go  to  thefe  lengths  ;  that  is  to  fay,  though  they 
adopt  the  name  of  calviniftic,  as  a  rallying  point  for  their 
party,  they  really  are  not  difciples  of  Calvin  ;  and  among  his 
profefTcd  followers,  it  is  extremely  difiirult  to  peix^iiade  them 
to  flate  their  fentiments  ingenuoufly  when  engaged  in  con- 
troverfy  ;  though  in  their  extemporary  addrefTes  to  their 
flock,  they  infift  upon  the  abfolute  depravity  and  inertnefs 
of  man  ;  on  the  fuperiority  of  preaching,  as  a  means  of  grace, 
over  the  written  word  of  God  or  the  facraments ;  on  fenfi- 
ble  and  immediate  converfion,  or  regeneration  ;  and  on  the 
impeccability,  or,  as  I  believe  it  is  oftener  called,  aflurance 
of  the  eleft.  On  the  8th,  pth,  loth,  and  nth  dogmas,  ex- 
pounded by  fpiritual  pride  and  enthufiafm,  depend  all  the 
rhapfodies  relating  to  the  pangs  of  the  new  birth,  wrefHing 
with  God,  full  conviiSlion  of  future  falvation,  and  entire 
change  of  affedlions  and  difpolitions  :  this  they  fuppofe  is 
contained  in  the  fcriptural  exprefilon  regeneration ;  which, 
with  them,  is  to  turn  from  complete  wickednefs  to  finlefs 
purity,  though  the  early  chriftians  confined  this  term  to  the 
facrament  of  baptifm,  and  the  inward  grace  therein  convey-: 
ed.*  Thefe  opinions  are  founded  chiefly  on  fome  detache4 
texts  of  St.  Paul's  controverfial  epiftles  ;  in  which  he  wag 
debating  a  fubjecl  very  different  from  that  of  the  arbitrary 
eleftion  and  reprobation  of  individual  chriftians,  namely,  the 
rejection  of  the  Jewilii  nation,  and  the  call  of  the  gentile 
world.  By  feparating  thefe  texts  from  their  contexts,  and 
by  difdaining  to  attend  to  the  general  analogy  of  fcripture, 
a  faturnine  imagination  compofed  that  extraordinary  fyftcm 
which  Dr.  Jortin  defines  to  confift  of  "  human  beings  with- 
"  out  liberty,  doctrines  without  fenfe,  fajth  without  reafon, 
*'  and  a  God  without  mercy."  1  v^' 

I  purpofe,  in  a  fubfequent  letter,  to  folidit  your  attention 
to  a  few  inftances  of  mifquotation  ;  to  fhew  that,  by  the 
method  juft  alluded  to,  fcripture  may  be  made  to  prove 
whatever  an  artful  polemic  Ihall  think  fit.     I  muft  firft  refr 

♦  Sec  Hcy's  Lc<5lures,  vol.  iv.  page  292. 


149 

cue  the  church  of  England  from  the  charge  thus  brought 
againft  her  ;  and,  happily,  we  are  enabled  to  repel  it  by  thofe 
articles,  and  liturgical  formularies,  which  it  has  been  fo  long 
the  aim  of  our  unitarian  adverfaries  to  wreft  from  us.  Had 
we  been  deflitute  of  thofe  authoritative  ftandards  of  confift- 
ency  and  verity,  and  had  we  had  nothing  to  appeal  to  but 
the  writings  of  individuals,  or  the  loofe  unweighed  prayers 
and  exhortations  of  private  preachers,  we  could  not  have 
ftood  upon  our  defence  with  fo  much  boldnefs.  For,  though 
the  main  body  of  our  clergy  have  always  refifted  Calvin's 
do^lrines,  a  few  have  leaned  to  his  errors  ;  and,  it  is  melan- 
choly to  own,  men  of  profound  learning  as  well  as  piety  and 
goodnefs.  This,  however,  is  only  a  proof  of  human  infir- 
mity, and  no  more  alFedls  the  general  agreement  of  our 
church,  than  St.  Peter's  temporizing  opinions,  refpecling  the 
neceffity  of  Jewifh  obfervances,  impeached  the  validity  of 
the  fentence  pronounced  in  that  cafe  by  the  apollolical 
college. 

A  flight  review  of  our  articles  and  liturgy  will  be  fuffi- 
cient ;  In  which  I  fhall  clofely  follow  the  fteps  of  the  vene- 
rable guide  to  whom  I  have  juft  referred  you.*  It  muft  be 
obferved,  that  our  liturgy  is  addrefled  to  the  people,  our  ar- 
ticles to  the  learned.  In  the  latter,  it  was  neceflary  to  men- 
tion the  opinions  which  were  at  that  time  much  agitated  ; 
and  as  it  was  the  wifh  of  the  founders  of  our  church  to  en- 
large its  pale  as  widely  as  poliible,  many  of  thofe  articles 
were  couched  in  terms,  to  which  all  who  were  not  abfolute 
bigots  might  fubfcribe  j  if  therefore,  in  this  mitigated  and 
prudential  confeffion  of  national  faith,  Calvinlfm  be  abjur-? 
edjf  what  fhall  we  fay  of  the  principles  of  our  opponents, 
who  endeavour  to  fix  this  ftigma  upon  us  ? 

I  will  firft  obferve,  that  our  articles  uniformly  alTert  the 
univerfal  pojjibil'ity  of  falvation  ;  which  is  directly  contrary  to 
Calvin's  declaration,  that  much  the  greater  part  of  the  hu- 
man race  are  abfolutely  and  unconditionally  excluded  from 
mercy.  The  31ft  article  affirms,  "That  the  death  of 
*'  Chrift  is  a  perfect  redemption,  propitiation,  and  fatisfac- 
*'  tion  for  all  the  fins  of  the  whole  world,  both  original  and 
"  aftual ;"  which  implies,  not  only  that  ail  chriitlans  are  of- 
fered eternal  falvation  ;  but  that  the  heathen  world  are  de- 

*  Dr.  Kipling. 

f  By  Calvinifm,  nothing  can  be  meant  but  the  peculiar  tenets  which 
Calvin  held.     They  who  difown  thefe  are  not  Calvinifts. 


150 

livered  from  the  imputation  of  the  original  guilt  of  Adam, 
and  alfo  from  the  eternal  confequences  of  adiual  tranfgrcf- 
fion,  provided  they  frame  their  lives  according  to  the  im- 
perfect knowledge  which  they  pofTefs.  Unlcfs,  therefore, 
univerfal  redemption  can  be  reconciled  with  the  utter  re- 
probation of  a  vaft  majority  of  mankind,  this  article  might 
decide  the  controverfy.  You  well  know,  univerfal  redemp- 
tion does  not  mean  that  all  men  will,  but  that  all  men  may, 
be  fived. 

On  the  do(fi:rinc  of  original  fin,  our  church,  in  her  9th 
article,  acknowledges  that  in  every  one  born  into  the  world, 
even  in  the  regenerated  (or  baptized  and  obedient  chrif- 
tians,)  a  propenlity  to  evil  ftill  remains  (the  confcience  of  ev- 
ery one  muft  atteft  this  truth,)  which  partakes  fo  much  of 
the  nature  of  fin  as  to  deferve  damnation.  Between  deferi>- 
ing  damnation  from  the  juftice  of  God,  and  being  damned 
without  the  interpofition  of  mercy,  the  difference  is  im- 
menfe. 

Calvin  terms  good  works  the  fruits  of  grace  ;  that  is  to 
fay,  he  afcribes  them  folely  to  the  overruling  power  of  God. 
Our  1 2th  article  determines  them  to  be  "the  fruits  of 
faith ;"  that  is,  as  being  produced  by  our  co-operation  with 
our  divine  Afilftant.  This  is  farther  fpecified  in  the 
I  oth  article,  where  the  grace  of  God  "  is  faid  to  work  luith 
us." 

The  15th  and  i6th  articles  decide  fo  pointedly  againfl: 
Calvin's  idea  of  the  impeccability  of  the  eledl,  that  to  refer 
to  them  is  fufficient  to  fliow  that  our  church  never  held 
tenets  fo  contrary  to  fcripture,  and  fo  apt  to  engender  the 
deadly  fin  of  fpiritual  pride.  I  call  it  deadly,  becaufe  tljere 
is  fo  little  hope  that  they  who  have  fallen  into  it  fliould  ever 
experience  a  real  converfion  and  true  repentance. 

The  17th  article,  which  the  Calvinifts  chiefly  build  upon, 
ufes  the  term  eleffion,  indeed  ;  but  not  as  confined  to  par- 
ticular perfons.  It  fpeaks  of  the  deliverance  of  the  whole 
Chrifiian  world,  not  only  from  curfe  and  damnation,  but 
alfo  God's  intention  to  bring  them  to  everlafiing  falvation, 
as  vefl!els  made  for  honour.  While  it  encourages  godly 
perfons  to  rejoice,  and  to  meditate  on  the  high  promifcs 
to  which  as  chrifi:ians  they  are  entitled  ;  it  dilTuades  curious 
and  carnal  perfons  from  attempting  to  penetrate  into  thofe 
myfterics  of  God's  fecret  counfels,  by  which  the  "  devil 
doth  either  thrufl:  them  into  defperation  or  into  wretched- 
ncfs  of  unclean  living,  no  lefs  perilous  than  Jcfpcration." 


151 

The  word  reprobation  is  not  mentioned  in  this  article ;  in 
Calvin's  fyftem,  it  ever  ftands  oppofed  to  ele<Slion ;  the 
eleftion  therefore  here  meant,  cannot  1-^  Calvin's  ele(^ion. 
And  fure  it  was  a  Itrange  abfurdity  in  our  ecclcfiaftical 
founders,  to  diffiiade  the  members  of  their  community  from 
Jludying  the  doctrine  which  they  publicly  afferted,  by  afTur- 
ing  them  that  it  was  one  of  the  arts  by  which  the  devil  ivould 
attempt  to  plunge  them  in  lihertinifm  and  dejpair,  I  muft  prefs 
this  advice  upon  your  mind ;  it  is  a  proof  what  opinion  our 
primitive  divines  formed  of  the  tendency  of  Calvin's  diftin- 
guifliing  tenets.* 

The  proofs  from  our  liturgy  might  be  multiplied  to  al- 
moft  a  tranfcript  of  its  various  offices.  I  will  again  take 
Dr.  Kipling's  pamphlet  for  my  guide.  Our  abfolution  can- 
not accord  with  Calvinifm  ;  for  would  its  compiler  dare  to 
affront  the  Deity,  by  afcribing  to  him  attributes  dire£dy 
contrary  to  what  he  believed  him  to  poffel's  ?  Calvin's  God 
defires  and  ordains  the  death  of  myriads  of  fmners,  to  whom 
he  denies  all  power  <*  of  turning  from  their  wickednefs." 
The  prayer  of  St.  Chryfoftom,  the  colletSl  for  the  4th  Sun- 
day after  Trinity,  the  petition  to  be  delivered  from  eternal 
damnation  in  the  litany,  the  bleffing  which  concludes  it, 
every  fentence  which  teftifies  that  at  the  laft  judgment  all 
men  fhall  give  an  account  of  their  works,  the  firft  prayer  in 
the  office  of  baptifm,  the  exhortation  which  fucceeds  the 
gofpel  in  that  office,  the  prayer  which  confecrates  the  water, 
and  the  requefts  that  ivho  ever  is  dedicated  to  God  by  the 
prieflly  office  and  miniftry,  may  be  everlaftingly  rewarded^ 
are  anti-calviniftic  ;  and,  not  to  multiply  examples  without 
bound,  every  prayer  which  entreats  an  increafe  of  virtue,  or 
prefervation  from  guilt,  is  decidedly  hoftile  to  thefe  terrible 
ideas. 

The  Calvinifts,  when  hard  prefled  for  reafons  to  juftify 
God's  juftice  in  thus  arbitrarily  foredooming  his  creatures  to 
perdition,  reply,  we  cannot  fay  what  effedl  this  may  have  on 
probationary  beings  in  other  worlds.  In  anfwer,  it  is 
acknowledged  the  effefl  may  be  powerful ;  and  the  argu- 

•  It  is  mofl  carneftly  to  be  wiflied,  tliat  thofe  who  have  Icifure  would 
enlarge  their  knowledge  of  the  doctrines  of  our  church,  by  ftudying  fome 
of  our  later  expoiitors  of  the  articles.  Thefe  would  be  mofl  ufeful,  as 
they  treat  of  controverfies  now  iu  exigence,  and  agitated  with  uncom- 
mon animofity.  A  very  imperfeA  abftradt  was  attempted  in  another 
work  of  this  author,  which  can  only  be  ufeful  to  thofe  who  want  leifurc 
to  apply  to  the  fountains  from  whence  the  derived  information. 


152 

ment  would  be  valid,  if  thofe  beings  at  the  fame  time  per* 
ceived  that  the  wicked  man  periflies  on  account  of  his  wiclc- 
ednefs,  and  not  b)'  an  overruling  decree  which  he  cannot 
withftand. 

To  thofe  who  obje«fled  to  this  fyftem,  that  it  renders  pray- 
er not  only  ufelefs  but  abfurd,  Calvin  was  accuftomed  to  an- 
fwer,  that  as  no  individual  knows  whether  he  is  eleft  or  re- 
probate, therefore  fupplication  mufi:  be  permiffible.  It  fhoul J 
feem  as  if  his  followers  had  not  then  rifen  to  that  degree  of 
enthufiafm  which  they  have  fince  attained ;  for,  to  know 
this,  comes  under  thofe  terms  of  experience  and  illumina- 
tion, to  which  they  now  {o  generally  pretend.  But  what- 
ever he  might  urge  on  this  head  in  refoetrt  to  private  prayer, 
it  cannot  reconcile  the  propriety  of  fuch  general  addrcflcs 
as  the  confeffion,  in  which  God  is  im.plored  to  forgive  all 
linners,  or  the  entreaty  that  he  would  "  have  mercy  upon 
all  men,  Jews,  Turks,  Infidels,  and  Heretics ;"  or  that  the 
fins  of  dying  men,  which,  if  pardoned  at  all,  have  already 
been  pardoned  by  an  eternal  and  irreverfible  decree,  "  may 
**  be  done  away  by  his  m>ercy  in  Chrift  Jefus,  and  their 
«  pardon  fealed  in  heaven  before  they  go  hence,  and  be  no 
*«  more  feen." 

Thus  refuted,  our  adverfaries  ought,  in  propriety,  to 
have  confefTed  their  miftake,  and  renounced  the  charge  ; 
but  another  fubterfuge  remains  :  they  iniift,  that  our  firft 
reformers  v/erc  Calvinifts.  If  the  affiirance  of  their  own 
words  can  avail,  Cranm.er,  Hooper,  Latimer,  and  Ridley, 
were  decidedly  anti-calvinifts.'*  Hiftory  confirms  their  tef- 
timony  by  recording  their  condudl.  It  is  known,  that  the 
venerable  archbifhop,  to  whom  we  look  up  as  the  builder 
of  our  Sion,  rejeElcd  the  afiiftance  of  Calvin,  and  folickcd  the 
advice  of  Melanclhon,  who  was  the  moft  mild  and  candid 
of  all  the  foreign  reformers.  It  is  alfo  certain,  that  the  apof- 
tle  of  Geneva  was  dijfatisfied  with  what  he  thought  our  im- 
perfect reformation.  The  views  of  archbifhop  Parker  and 
his  coadjutors,  who,  on  the  acceffion  of  Elizabeth,  re-edified 
our  defolate  church,  were  congenial  to  their  renowned  pre- 
decefibrs.  It  is  acknowledged,  that  our  clergy  became  af- 
terwards much  tinctured  with  Calvinifm,  having  imbibed  it 
at  Geneva,  whither  many  of  them  had  fled  for  flieltcr  dur- 
ing the  Marian  perfccution.  But  ftill  thofe  who  adopted 
fuch  opinions  were  confidered  as  dijiurbers  of  the  cftablifli- 

*  See  Anti-Jacobin  Review  for  September,  iSci 


153 

ment,  not  as  ajfertors  of  its  original  do£trines ;  which  is  a 
ftriking  difference. 

In  the  reign  of  king  James  I.  this  party  grew  to  be  fo  very 
numerous,  that  a  conference  was  held  between  them  and 
their  opponents  ;  in  which  the  Calvinifts  attempted  to  ef- 
tablifh  feveral  new  articles,  that  had  been  agitated  during 
the  latter  part  of  the  reign  of  queen  Elizabeth.  As  a  proof 
that  the  abfolute  predeftinarians  in  thofe  days  were  more 
ingenuous  than  their  offspring,  by  confefling  that  our  thir- 
ty-nine articles  would  not  fuit  their  purpofe  in  their  prefent 
form,  I  will  fubjoin  a  copy  of  the  celebrated  Lambeth  arti- 
cles, propofed  by  the  Calvinifts  in  the  time  of  queen  Eliza- 
beth, and  brought  forward  at  the  Hampton  court  conference 
in  the  reign  of  her  fucceffor. 

I  ft,  God  from  eternity  hath  predeftinated  certain  men  to 
life  ;  certain  men  he  hath  reprobated. 

2d,  The  moving  or  efficient  caufe  of  predeftination  unto 
life,  is  not  the  forefight  of  faith,  or  of  perfeverance,  or  of 
good,  or  of  any  thing  that  is  in  the  perfon  predeftinated  ; 
but  only  the  good  will  and  pleafure  of  God. 

3d,  There  is  a  certain  number  of  the  predeftinated,  which 
can  neither  be  augmented  nor  diminiftied. 

4th,  Thofe  who  are  not  predeftinated  to  falvation,  fhall 
be  neceffarily  damned  for  their  lins. 

5th,  A  true  living  and  juftifying  faith,  and  the  fpirit  of 
God  juftifying,  is  not  extinguiiJied,  falleth  not  away,  it  van- 
ilhcth  not  away  in  the  elect,  either  finally  or  totally. 

6th,  A  man  truly  faithful,  that  is'5  fuch  an  one  who  is 
endued  with  a  juftifying  faith,  is  certain,  with  the  full  affur- 
ance  of  faith,  of  the  rerniflion  of  his  fins,  and  of  final  falva- 
tion by  Chrift. 

7th,  Saving  grace  is  not  granted,  is  not  communicated, 
to  all  men,  by  v/hich  they  may  be  faved  if  they  will. 

What  horrid  bbfphemy  ! 

8th,  No  man  can  come  unto  Chrift,  unlefs  it  fliall  be 
given  unto  him,  and  unlefs  the  Father  draw  him  •,  and  all 
men  are  tiot  draiun  by  the  Father. 

9th,  It  is  not  in  the  will  or  power  of  every  man  to  be 
faved. 

The  difference  of  thefe  articles  from  thofe  of  our  church 
need  not  be  pointed  out,  nor  will  I  expatiate  on  their  un- 
fcriptural  abfurdity  and  dreadful  tendency.  There  is  a  de- 
gree of  clumfy  management  in  the  8th  5  which,  confidering 
U 


154 

the  care  with  which  they  were  framed,  is  furprlfing.  It 
begins  with  a  text  of  fcripture,  which  is  made  to  fpcak  as 
they  would  have  it,  by  an  ahj'olute  additioti  of  their  own,  for 
which  there  is  not  the  leaft  authority.  But  to  return  to 
hiilorical  teftimony  :  though  king  James  had  been  educated 
in  tlic  Scotch  church,  he  diflikcd  thefe  harfh  fayings  j  his 
clergy  oppofcd  them  ;  and  it  was  by  the  advice  of  arch- 
bifliop  Laud  that  the  royal  declaration  waS  afterwards  pre- 
fixed to  our  articles,  ordering  them  to  be  underftood  in  their 
*' literal  grammatical  fcnfe."  The  Calvinifts  of  thefe  times 
have  a(Sbially  appealed  to  this  regal  inftrument,  to  teftify 
that  the  king  intended  our  articles  fliould  be  underftood  as 
favourable  to  their  opinions ;  though  it  is  pofitively  known, 
that  his  majefty  was  influenced  by  the  advice  of  Laud,  a 
knov\'n  (and,  confidering  the  times  he  lived  in,  imprudent) 
Armenian.*  In  the  clofe  of  king  Ciiarles  the  firft's  reign, 
Calvinifm  indeed  triumphed  ;  but  the  victory  was  not  gain- 
ed by  reafon  ;  the  fword  was  the  terrible  arbitrator  j  the 
king  and  the  primate  bled  upon  the  fcalfold  ;  the  houfe  of 
lords  was  abolifhed,  its  members  mafTacred,  or  exiled  •,  the 
gentry  ruined  j  the  clergy  fecjueftered  ;  and  the  country  be- 
came the  feat  of  civil  wai,  the  fport  of  contending  factions, 
the  fccne  of  fraud  and  oppreflion,  where  God  was  infultecl 
with  hypocritical  worfliip,  and  man  preyed  on  man.  The 
prime  mover  of  this  vaft  machine  of  mischief  clofed  his  guil- 
ty career  unrepentant  for  the  numberlcfs  murders  and  perju- 
ries which  his  ambition  had  prompted  him  to  commit ;  true, 
to  the  laft,  to  the  dreadful  tenets  of  his  faith,  and  in  full 
perfuafion  that  he  was  an  eledt  and  chofen  vclTel,  fo  entitled 
to  eternal  glory,  that  no  crimes  could  forfeit  his  claim. 

*  An  explanation  of  this  term  may  not  be  unufeful.  The  following  is 
an  cxtradl  from  the  Britifli  Encyclopedia  : — Armenius  was  the  great  op- 
pofer  of  Calvin  ;  on  predcftination,  he  held,  that  the  decrees  of  God  arc 
conditional,  in  confcquence  of  forcfcen  faith  and  virtue,  or  forcfccn  in- 
fidelity and  wickcdnefs.  On  univcrfal  redemption,  he  fays,  that  though 
Chrifl:  made  atonement  for  all  mankind,  none  but  thole  who  believe  in 
him  can  claim  that  benefit.  On  the  corruption  of  man,  it  is  his  opinion, 
that  we  are  incapable  of  doing  or  faying  any  thing  good,  without  the  re- 
generating power  of  the  Holy  Ghoft ;  yet  divine  grace  may  be  refifted, 
and  rendered  inefFeiflual,  by  the  pcrverfe  will  of  the  impenitent  finner. 
That  it  is  the  grace  of  God  which  prtferves  us  in  a  re;;cnerate  (late ;  but 
that  the  riglvteeus  may  lofe  thtir  juflifying  faith  and  die  in  their  fins. 

At  the  fyiiod  of  Dort,  fummoned  in  1618,  on  account  of  this  contro- 
verfy,  our  divines  bore  public  and  decided  teflimony  to  the  dotElrines  of 
univerfal  redemption  and  free  agency ;  and  the  king,  with  the  greatcfl: 
part  of  our  clergy,  difapprovcd  the  proceedings  of  that  fyuod,  and  pre- 
ferred Armenius  to  Calvin. 


155 

Allow  me  to  relieve  your  fatigued  attention,  by  dire(5ling 
it  to  the  death  of  a  gentleman,  who,  I,  think,  was  the  only 
eminent  inftance  of  a  perfon's  taking  the  dark  fide  of  Calvin- 
ifm,  by  believing  himfelf  to  be  a  reprobate,  and  incapable  of 
the  mercy  of  God  ;  I  mean  the  humble,  melancholy,  and 
too  keenly  fufceptible  Cowper.  In  early  life  when  he  had 
juft  recovered  from  a  dreaclful  mental  difeafe,  he  fell  into  the 
fociety  of  fome  well  meaning  people  who  had  adopted  thofe 
unfortunate  notions.  The  grateful  bard,  attached  by  their 
kindnefs,  united  himfelf  to  them  by  the  ftrongeft  ties  of  af- 
feiStion,  and  fufFered  his  enlarged  underftanding  to  be  warp- 
ed by  their  fyftem.  His  biographer  does  not  flate  at  what 
period  of  his  life  the  fatal  notion  of  his  own  reprobation  was 
imprinted  on  his  mind  ;  but  knowing  that  this  was  the  cafe, 
we  cannot  wonder  at  his  frequent  fits  of  dcfpondency,  nor 
at  that  frightful  lapfe  into  intenfe  defpair  which  at  laft  fwal- 
lowed  up  all  his  literary  and  Ibcial  talents,  and  almofi:  petri- 
fied his  benevolent  heart.  The  idea  of  his  utter  rejection 
by  God,  was  attended  by  a  belief  that  every  attempt  to  coun- 
teradt  it  would  but  aggravate  the  fevcrity  of  his  doom.  He 
did  not,  therefore,  dare  to  go  to  any  place  of  worlhip,  nor 
even  to  pray.  The  laft  of  his  polthumous  compolitioii?, 
publifhed  by  Mr.  Hayley,  entitled  the  Caft-away,  when  read 
with  this  clue,  appears  to  me  the  moft  affecting  lines  that 
ever  flowed  from  the  pen  of  genius ;  and  it  pleads  more 
ftrongly  than  a  thoufand  arguments  againfi:  permitting  fuch 
unworthy  ideas  of  the  Almighty  to  enter  into  our  minds. 
May  the  example  of  a  Cowper's  defpair  not  plead  in  vain  ! 
then  fliall  we  ceafe  to  lament  the  years  which  the  amiable, 
but,  in  this  point,  bewildered  fuiterer  fpent  in  agonizing 
woe ;  the  innocence  of  his  life,  and  the  amiable  tenor  of  his 
writings,  feem  to  juftify  the  refplendent  vifion  of  hope  whirh 
depi£lures  him  as  awakening  from  his  long  night  of  wretch- 
ednefs,  at  the  rapturous  found  of  "  Well  done,  good  and 
faithful  fervant,  enter  thou  into  the  joy  of  thy  Lord  !" 

To  return  to  our  hiftorical  detail.  It  is  not  even  pre- 
tended, that  Calvinifm  predominated  during  the  reign  of 
Charles  the  lid.  The  refignation  of  the  nonconformift  cler- 
gy during  that  period  proceeded  no  lefs  from  their  abhoi-- 
rence  of  epifcopacy,  than  from  their  difiatisfa^lion  at  the 
doBrines  of  the  reftored  church,  whofe  funds  they  had  ap- 
propriated to  themfelves  during  the  fufpenfion  of  her  lawful 
miniilers.     I  believe  the  temporary  favour  which  King  James 


156 

the  lid  fliowed  to  tlie  diflcnters  was  never  urged  in  proof 
of  the  prevalence  of  Calvinifm  in  his  reign  ;  for  this  often- 
llblc  countenance  was  merely  a  vi/.ard  to  cover  that  mon- 
arch's deiign  of  introducing  popery,  under  the  furreptitious 
pretence  of  univerfal  toleration.  The  fubfequcnt  reign  is 
accufed  of  patroni/cing  errors  of  a  different  fort  •,  and  the 
llyle  of  merely  moral  exhortation,  adopted  by  fome  of  our 
clergy,  has  been  urged,  as  a  reafon  for  the  revival  of  Calvin- 
ifm, under  the  name  of  IMethodifm,  about  the  middle  of  the 
laft  century.  During  the  period  in  v/hich  our  church  is 
charged  with  having  kept  the  great  doctrines  of  our  religion 
too  much  out  of  fight,  flie  ftill,  by  her  articles  and  liturgy, 
i-etained  her  original  tenets  and  integral  conftitution.  It  is 
remarkable,  that  thofe  eminent  divines  whofe  vindications 
of  the  myfheries  of  our  holy  faith  have  immortalized  their 
own  nameSj*  and  that  of  their  country,  flourilhed  at  this 
very  period,  vviien,  according  to  the  reprefentations  of  our 
enemies,  nothing  but  the  oratory  of  a  Whitfield,  or  the  la- 
bours of  a  Wefley,  couid  have  faved  us  from  the  total  lofs 
of  chriftian  principles  and  vital  religion. 

It  is  not  necefiTary  to  fubjoin  any  additional  proofs  to  the 
above  juftification  of  our  church  from  the  charge  of  Calvin- 
ifm ;  but  as  partial  cleclion  is  the  key  ftone  on  which  that 
fyfiem  is  built,  I  will  juft  mention,  as  a  corroborative  tefti- 
mony,  that  our  church  always  held  the  contrary  doclrine  of 
univerfal  redemption,  or  that  every  man  has  it  in  his  power 
to  be  faved.  I  will  refer  you  to  the  Homilies,  and  efpecial- 
ly  to  the  preface  to  them,  and  to  archbilhop  Parker's  pre- 
face to  that  tranflation  of  I'cripture  called  the  Bilhop's  bible, 
publifhcd  in  the  year  1572,  iuft  after  the  ratification  of  our 
articles.  Thefe  were  both  acts  of  authority ;  and,  as  fuch, 
may  be  properly  appealed  to,  in  teftimony  of  the  real  doc- 
trine of  our  church.  TVith  a  few  mifcellaneous  remarks  we 
will  difmifs  the  fubje£l  of  ftrict  Calvinifm  :  I  willi  I  could 
fay  to  the  oblivion  that  it  deferves. 

We  will  firfr  obferve,  that  preaching  Calvinifm,  as  Chrif- 
tianity,  muft  leficn  the  inlluence  of  pure  religion,  except  in 
weak  and  depraved  minds.  One  of  the  offices  of  reafon,  as 
we  have  before  remarked,  is,  to  judge  by  the  tenor  of  the 
mefi'age,  whether  it  comes  from  God.  Now,  whatever  di- 
ininilhes  our  fenfe  of  moral  obligation,  is  contrary  to  thofe 

. "  Tlllotfon,  Sherlock,  Seed,  Waiburton,  Rogers,  Waterlaud,  Jones,  &c. 


157 

preconceived  notions  of  the  juftice  and  goodnefs  of  the  Deity 
which  revelation  is  intended  to  confirm.  To  fay,  thei-e- 
fore,  that  the  ele£i  cannot  fin,  or,  what  is  nearly  the  fame, 
that  their  fins  will  not  make  them  forfeit  divine  favour,  or, 
that  the  reprobate,  do  what  they  will,  cannot  attain  it,  im- 
peaches the  attributes  of  God,  and  weakens  the  moral  feeling 
in  man.  A  confufed  underflianding  may  blunder  upon  this 
notion,  and  really  believe  it  to  be  tenable ;  but  a  depraved 
heart  will  cling  to  it  as  a  defence  of  its  own  enormities. 

On  the  other  hand,  no  good  can  arife  from  maintaining 
thefe  do<rtrines.  If  an  irreverftble  decree  fave  the  eledt  and 
condemn  the  reprobate,  faith  and  virtue  are  no  ways  necef- 
fary  to  the  future  bleffednefs  or  mifery  of  either  ;  and  if  be- 
lief in  the  great  doctrines  of  redemption  are  not  requifite, 
fuch  acquiefcence  in  the  opinions  of  Calvin  cannot  be  indif- 
penfable.  A  Socinian,  a  Papifi:,  a  Jew,  a  Turk,  or  an  Infi- 
del, if  prevloufly  ordained  to  blifs,  has  the  fame  title  to  glory 
as  the  mofi:  determined  propagandifl  of  unconditional  elec- 
tion. 

All  controverfies  on  points  which  are  mutually  allowed  to 
be  not  elTential  to  falvation  are  much  to  be  deprecated,  as 
they  engender  violent  animofitles,  inftead  of  that  fpirit  of 
brotherly  love  which  was  intended  to  be  the  diftinguifiaing 
token  of  chrifi:ianity.  They  unfettle  the  faith  of  weak  minds, 
who  in  a  variety  of  opinions  know  not  which  to  prefer  ; 
and  they  weaken  the  influence  of  our  faith  among  infidels, 
who  may  juftly  i-eproach  us  with  not  fuffering  our  principles 
of  unity  to  influence  our  practice.  The  feventeenth  chap- 
ter of  St.  John,  which  I  before  quoted,  fecins  alfo  to  jufiify 
me  in  obferving,  that  thefe  diflTentions  retard  the  extenfioii 
of  our  faith  among  heathen  nations. 

Some  may  here  aflc,  is  the  blame  of  controverfy  then  all 
on  one  fide  .'*  Why  does  not  the  church  give  up  thefe  dif- 
puted  points,  and  adopt  what  her  adverfaries  require  .''  It 
may  be  anfwered,  that  in  thefe  realms  Ihe  is  the  conftituted 
guardian  of  the  national  religion,  and  is  therefore  legally 
empowered  to  execute  the  divine  command  of  "  contending 
earneftly  for  the  faith  once  delivered  to  the  faints."  The 
forcible  ai-guments  by  which  fhe  proves  thefe  tenets  to  be 
founded  on  a  mifinterpretation  of  holy  writ,  and  particular- 
ly on  a  mifconception  of  St.  Paul's  defign  in  his  epiftles  to 
the  Romans  and  Galatlans,  which  feem  by  St.  Peter's  ac- 
count to  have  given  rife  to  early  controverfies  in  the  church. 


158 

would  take  more  fpace  than  I  can  allow  to  this  fubje<!^» 
The  authors  to  which  I  have  referred  you  will  fupply  them. 
I  have  only  endeavoured  to  recapitulate  that  part  of  their 
labours  which  vindicates  our  eftabhlhment  from  having  re- 
nounced her  original  doclrines. 

Before  I  conclude  this  letter,  two  circumftances  more  muft 
be  obferved.  Even  if  we  facrificed  truth  to  peace,  unity 
could  not  be  obtained.  The  nearer  we  advance  to  Calvin- 
ifm,  the  further  we  retreat  from  Socinianifm.  The  total 
annihilation  of  our  church,  (may,  God,  in  his  mercy,  avert 
that  evil !)  would  not  promote  the  univerfal  accord  for 
which  all  parties  afFe<n:  to  wifli.  Indeed,  from  the  moder- 
ation of  her  tenets,  Ihe  is  coniidered  by  impartial  foreigners 
to  be  the  rallying  point  at  which  it  may  be  hoped  her  con- 
trarlous  opponents  will  one  day  meet.  By  extending  her 
influence,  we  cement  the  bond  of  union ;  by  leiTening  the 
number  of  her  members,  we  recruit  the  armies  of  contention. 

An  eftabliflied  church  never  begins  controverfy.  Having 
gained  the  delired  afcendancy,  fhe  refts  fecure.  Her  errors 
proceed  from  fupinenefs,  not  from  activity.  They  who  wiflx 
to  obtain  the  eminence  that  fhe  occupies,  recommend  them- 
felves  to  thofe  who  are  impatient  of  controul,  or  delirous  of 
change,  by  complaints  againft  her  tyranny  or  apoftacy.  To 
the  firft  of  thefe  clamours  it  may  be  anfwered,  that  no  foci- 
ety  of  Chriftians  can  afTemble  without  adopting  various  rules 
and  forms  that  are  not  enjoined  in  fcripture  ;  that  the  ma- 
jority here,  as  in  other  cafes,  muft  have  power  to  bind  the 
minority  ;  and  that  the  decifions  of  the  former,  when  fiinc- 
tioned  by  the  civil  power,  poflefs  the  obligation  of  law,  to 
which  every  member  of  the  community  is  bound  to  yield 
obedience  \  unlefs  the  required  terms  of  communion  are  ev- 
idently contrary  to  the  law  of  God.  A  change  of  fpiritual 
mailers  would  only  produce  a  change  in  the  manner  of  gov- 
ernment, not  in  the  meafure  of  fubmillion  •,  and  I  quote 
from  a  known  enemy  to  our  church  when  I  aik,  "  Would 
"  not  the  loins  of  an  impofing  Independent,  or  Anabaptift, 
"  be  as  heavy  as  the  loins  of  an  impofing  Prelate,  or  Pref- 
ix byter  ?"* 

With  a  fentiment  \o  much  in  favour  of  acquiefcence  in 
the  preient  order  of  things,  from  one  who  was  fo  little  to 
be  fufpedted  of  partiality  to  epifcopal  fuprcmacy,  I  conclude 

*  Henry  Cromwell's  ktter  to  Flcctv.'ood.  See  Elegant  Epiftles,  page  361. 


159 

this  letter.  In  my  next,  I  muft  notice  fymptoms  of  hoftillty 
from  a  quarter,  whence,  according  to  their  profeffions,  we 
Ihould  look  for  the  moll  cordial  co-operation  in  the  great 
work  of  promoting  the  eternal  falvation  of  our  fellow-crea- 
tures. The  tallc  in  which  we  are  engaged  is  irkfome ;  but 
the  profpedt  of  the  times  announces  its  fad  neceffity.  In  the 
hope  that  my  labours  are  welcome  to  you,  and  may  be  ufe- 
ful  to  others. 


I  remain,  &c. 


160 

LETTER     VI. 

Further  Ohfervations  on  the  Calvini/Iic  Cofitroverfy. 


MY  DEAR  MISS  M- 


1N  juftlce  to  our  opponents,  we  muft  now  acknowledge, 
that  the  doctrines  of  Calvin,  arrayed  in  all  their  original  hor- 
rors, are  too  fombrous  for  the  adoption  of  all  who  arrange 
themfelves  under  his  di/lingn'ifJjing  banner.  A  more  limited 
(and  we  muft  add  indiftindl)  idea  of  predeftination  is  enter- 
tained by  many  who,  in  the  prefent  times,  aflume  the  title 
of  moderate  Calvinifts.  As  thefe  feceders  feem  rather  in- 
clined to  difpute  with  us  for  words  than  for  things,  and  are 
in  many  refpe6ls  highly  valuable  members  of  Chriftianity, 
we  are  in  this  inftance  rather  called  upon  to  lament  infirmi- 
ty, than  to  reprobate  grofs  error.  A  defire  of  being  wife 
above  what  is  written,  a  contentious  fpirit,  and  the  abfence 
of  clear  ideas,  are  failings  which  we  fliould  feek  to  remedy 
in  ourfelves,  and  meekly  endeavour  to  reform  in  others. 

Our  ablefi:  logicians  alFirm,  that  the  phrafe  moderate  Cal- 
vinifm*  is  a  folecifm  ;  that  this  fyftcm  mvft  be  adopted 
■wholly,  or  totally  rejeclcd  ;  that  without  reprobates,  no  mean- 
ing can  be  affigned  to  the  word  elect ;  and  that  without  hu- 
man agency,  there  can  be  no  virtue.  I  am  not  equal  to 
thefe  niceties  of  difputation ;  it  is  fufficient  for  my  purpofe, 
that  the  above  appellation  is  adopted  by  many,  who  ufe  it 
as  the  fign  of  their  diflent  from  the  great  body  of  the  ef- 
tablifhed  church.  To  me  it  appears  a  diPiinction  without  a 
difference  ;  or  rather,  that  the  difputed  points  are  of  fuch  a 
inetaphyfical  fubtile  nature,  as  to  elude  the  rcfearch  of  ordi- 
nary underftandings. 

It  is  not  my  wilh  to  lead  you  into  a  ma2e  of  controverfy  \ 
but  only  to  guard  you  againfl  all  fchifmatical  perfuallves, 

♦  Some  explain  moderate  Calvinifm  to  mean  people  who  hold  the  doc- 
trine of  ablolute  predeftination  tlicmfclves,  but  do  not  confidcr  fuch  be- 
lief to  be  necefl'ary  to  falvation,  or  an  eflcntial  article  of  Ciiriflian  faitli. 
Some  explain  it  to  be,  only  holding  parts  of  tliut  reformer's  fmguh'.r 
opinion;. 


IGl 

which  may  come  recommended  by  the  impofing  names  of 
ferioufnefs  and  extraordinary  piety,  or  of  more  profound  goi^ 
pel  knowledge.  Inftead  of  profcribing  piety  and  ferioufnefs, 
our  church  requires  them  from  all  her  members  ;  flie  has 
appointed  offices  for  morning  and  evening  prayer  ;  and  fhe 
commemorates  every  feftival  connedled  with  chriftianity, 
either  in  relation  to  its  myfteries,  or  to  the  example  of  its 
primitive  worthies.  So  far  fi-om  withholding  the  fcriptures 
from  the  congregation,  flie  enjoins  the  frequent  ufe  of  them 
to  all  her  members ;  and  flie  prays,  that  they  may  not  only 
"  read,"  but  "  mark,  learn,  and  inwardly  digeft  them."  If, 
therefore,  we  really  are  in  fearch  of  piety,  virtue,  and  know- 
ledge, we  need  not  wander  from  her  fold. 
•  It  is  true,  our  Church  rejedls  all  iimilitude  to  the  boaftful 
merit  of  the  Pharifee,  on  whatever  pretext  that  merit  is 
fuppofed  to  be  founded.  She  admits  no  pofitive  judging  of 
the  religious  ftate  of  others,  further  than  as  their  a6lions 
fpeak  their  hearts ;  and  fhe  encourages  us  to  direct  our  at- 
tention to  our  own  lives  as  well  as  principles.  She  requires 
great  modefty  of  judgment  on  abftrufe  and  myflerious  points, 
efpecially  as  to  what  relates  to  our  fpiritual  condition,  or  to 
the  manner  in  which  divine  grace  is  conveyed  to  the  foul ; 
and  it  muft  be  confeffed,  Ihe  expedls  her  members  rather 
to  be  learners  and  hearers.^  than  expojliilators  and  expounders  ; 
that  they  fhould  be  clothed  with  humility,  inftead  of  felf- 
fufficiency  ;  and  that  they  fiiould  fubmit  themfelves  to  their 
*'  fpiritual  paftors  and  mafters,"  inftead  of  cavilling  at  thofe 
who  "  watch  over  them  in  the  Lord."  What  pafTes  for 
fpiritual  gifts  in  the  eyes  of  many,  fhe  efteems  the  folly  of 
*'  curious  and  carnal  men  ;"  and  to  the  long  tautological  ex- 
temporary efaifions  of  overweening  confidence,  flie  oppofes 
her  formularies,  conceived  "  in  obedience  to  the  fober  coun- 
fels  of  the  Royal  Preacher  :"  Be  not  "  rafli  with  thy  mouth, 
and  let  not  thy  heart  be  hafty  to  utter  any  thing  before 
God." 

In  another  point  fhe  is  alfo  decided ;  I  mean  as  to  the 
independency  of  her  minifters  ;  who,  "  being  ftewards  of 
the  myfteries  of  God,"  derive  their  commiffion  from  him, 
and  certainly  ought  not  to  be  amenable  to  the  congregation 
whom  they  are  oi'dained  to  inftrutSt,  and  from  whom  they 
are  not  to  withhold  what  is  profitable.  The  liberty  of  choof- 
ing  their  own  inftru6lors,  or,  what  is  tantamount,  of  defert- 
ing  their  parochial  church  if  it  be  occupied  bv  a  clergyman 
W 


1G2 

whofe  manner  of  preaching  tlicy  tlifllkc,  is  nflcrtctl  by  mofl 
moderate  Calvinifts ;  who,  wliile  they  aftcct  rclpctfk  for  the 
hierarchy,  c\d\n\  a  degree  of  hceiice  for  its  lay  members 
inconfiftent  with  the  regular  fubordination  on  which  it  is 
founded  ;  and  degrade  a  fpiritual  function,  by  judging  it  with 
the  fame  rules  of  preference  and  inclination  as  they  apply 
to  temporal  occupations.  The  greatefl  law  authority  in  this 
kingdom  has  jull  given  a  public  opinion  on  the  incxpedi- 
ence  of  oHiciating  clergymen  being  ele^^ted  by  parochial  bal- 
lot;  by  which  means,  in  the  iirll  inllance,  a  ])arilh  is  fure 
to  be  rendered  the  feat  of  contention  and  cabal.  And  with 
what  lamentable  impediments  muit  the  fuccefsful  candidate 
commence  his  ficred  functions,  in  a  congregation  among 
whom  he  has  beeti  the  engine  of  difcord  before  he  can  at- 
tempt to  be  the  minilter  of  jicace  !  Can  the  word  of  charity 
•and  holiiiefs  be  received  with  due  efi'e<^t,  by  thofe  whom  the 
eager  zeal  of  a  popular  conteft  has  prepared  rather  to  cavil 
than  to  obey  ?  What  opinion  fhould  we  form  of  a  fchool, 
that  recommended  itfelf  to  public  attention  by  an  afl'urance 
tliat  the  boys  ihould  be  permitted  to  choofe  their  inftruct- 
ors,*  and  decide  upon  the  propriety  of  rewards  and  punilh- 
ments  ?  A  congregation  ckilh/g  the  teacher  who  fliall  diftri- 
bute  to  them  the  word  and  bread  of  life,  is  not  lefs  contra- 
di<Slory  to  the  fober  notions  of  ecclefiaftical  gradation  ;  for 
it  muft:  be  recollected,  that,  though  fome  of  its  members 
may  be  in  reality  enlightened  Chriftians,  the  deciding  ma- 
jority are  ignorant,  and  confequcntly  expoled  to  the  errors 
and  prejudices  of  ignorance.  The  very  idea  of  needing  in- 
ftruftion,  implies  the  unfitnefs  of  choofing  a  teacher  ;  if 
we  already  know,  why  do  we  alk;  to  be  taught  ;  if  we  are 
adequate  judges  of  the  degree  or  kind  of  information  that  we 
want,  we  have  advanced  beyond  the  bounds  of  pupilage. 
Befide,  muft  not  thcfe  fpiritual  guides,  who  owe  their  eleva- 
tion to  their  popularity,  feel,  that  a  "breath  may  unmake 
them,  as  a  breath  has  made  ?"  and  will  they  not  lie  Imder  a 
ilrong  temptation  to  a<St  like  the  feeble  minded  prophets  of 
Judah,  when  the  people  called  upon  them  to  "  prophecy 
unto  them  fmooth  things,"  antl  thus  preach  the  lying  words 
of  vanity,  inltead  of  the  law  of  God  ?  When  Ave  coniider 
the  manifcfl  dantver  that   muft   refult   to   faith   and  morals 


*  Ahfurd  as  ihis  fiiagcflidn  nuifl  ftcm,  it  wrs /-//V "y  projiofcJ  by  a 
philofophiftical  refornv.r,  as  a  likely  m(;a"s  ot  improving  uur  national  lyf- 
tcn\  of  cducittion. 


163 

from  thus  tranfpofing  the  fituations  of  tuition  and  ohedicncfCj 
making  powerlcfs  precept  depend  on  dominating  pupilage, 
we  muft  rejoice  that  a  very  fmall  part  of  the  eftablilhnient 
is  at  prefent  fubjeiSt  to  this  inverted  rule  of  patronage,  and 
fincerely  pray  that  moderate  Calvinifm  may  ever  want  power 
to  increafe  the  number  of  dependetit  clergymen. 

I  will  pafs  the  fubjeiTt  of  itinerance  in  public  v,or{hip  with 
a  brief  obfervation.*  It  is  one  of  the  evils  that  arife  from 
confounding  the  ideas  of  the  civil  licence  which  toleration 
has  given  us,  with  our  fpiritual  freedom  as  Chriltians.  The 
law  of  England  fays,  "  though  offices  of  high  truft  and  re- 
*'  fponnbility  can  only  be  delegated  to  thofe  who  are  profelP 
"  edly  members  of  the  eftabliflied  church,  you  are  permit- 
**  ted  to  worlhip  God  in  whatever  way  your  confcience  dic- 
"  tates,  without  fear  of  moleftation."  The  gofpel  enjoins 
us  to  avoid  "  hereiies  and  contentions;"  it  prefcribes  obedi- 
ence to  thofe  who  "  rule  over  us  in  the  Lord  ;"  it  bids  us 
mark  thofe  who  "  caufe  divifions  among  us  ;"  and  it  repre- 
fents  fchifm  as  a  moft  ferious  oiFence.  We  may  therefore 
choofe  what  teacher  we  will  follow  :  no  ph\ftcal  inability  pre- 
vents us  from  fo  doing  ;  nor  is  any  temporal  penalty  attached 
to  the  offence  ;  but  if  we  choofe  unadvifedly,  or  from  any 
Unifier  motive,  we  exercife  this  freedom  at  the  peril  of  our 
own  fouls.  Wandering  from  our  parifh  churcli  in  fearch  of 
a  palatable  preacher,  is  perhaps  one  of  the  leafi:  culpable  me- 
thods of  exerciihig  this  fuppofed  right  ;  but  the  breaking  of 
any  mental  barrier  is  like  the  letting  out  of  waters.  When 
once  we  depart  from  that  humility  and  regularity  which  we 
are  enjoined  to  revere,  no  one  can  fay  at  what  degree  of 
fcepticifm  or  fanaticifm  we  (hall  finally  arrive. 

Thefe  wanderings  are  generally  juftified  on  the  fcore  of  a 
love  of  edification.  When  the  pretence  of  edification  leads 
the  congregation  of  a  found,  learned,  and  pious  divine,  to 
follow  thofe  who  diftinguilh  themfelves  by  the  appellation 
of  Gofpel  preachers,  I  confefs  myfelf  at  a  lofs  to  underfiand 
in  what  fenfe  they  apply  this  term  ;  for  it  is  well  known, 
that  thefe  orators  delight  to  expatiate  on  God's  part  of  the 
covenant  of  grace  in  fuch  ftrong  language,  as  to  induce  a 
fufpicion  that  they  mean  to  reprefent  man  as  a  paffive  agent. 
The  topicks  on  which  they  chiefly  treat,  are  thofe  refen-ed 
to  in  the  fccond  book  of  our  articles ;  which  are  rather  ren- 


*  This  fubjeifl  is  more  copioufly  treated  in  a  former  publication  of  the 
Author's. 


164 

dered  more  abftrufe,  than  explained,  by  dltTufive  expofl- 
tions ;  and  which,  when  taught  to  unlearned  Chriftians, 
fliould  never  be  feparately  enforced,  but  delivered  as  a  whole  ; 
one  tenet  limiting  and  explaining  another.  Sermons  of  this 
defcription  are  aUo  very  apt  to  be  myftical  and  parabolical, 
full  of  abrupt  tranfitions  and  rhapfodical  addreffes  to  the 
paflions  of  their  hearers ;  and  we  very  frequently  meet  a 
Icantinefs  of  moral  inftruftion,  if  not  a  fyflematic  exclulion 
of  the  obligations  of  Chrlftian  obedience.  If  we  add  to  thefe 
faults,  the  verboiity  and  repetition  which  diftinguilh  thefe 
harangues,  we  mull:  conclude  that  they  really  are  difficult  to 
be  underftood  by  unlearned  hearers.  A  learned  divine  ob- 
ferves,  "  that  he  never  lillened  to  a  preacher  of  this  defcrip- 
"  tion,  without  reflefling  how  very  different  their  manner 
"  is  from  that  of  Chrill  and  his  Apoftles,  whofe  diicourfes 
*'  were  alio  generally  addrefTed  to  the  multitude."  Clear- 
nefs,  comprehenfivenefs,  and  perfuallve  initruction,  were  (as 
might  be  expelled)  the  tokens  of  that  peculiar  infpiration 
which  accompanied  the  Divine  Founder  and  firft  promulga- 
tors of  our  faith  ;  and  if  after  the  lapfe  of  eighteen  centu- 
ries, notwithftanding  the  difadvantages  which  muft  attend 
that  diffimilarity  of  manner,  climates,  cuftom,  and  language, 
under  which  we  now  receive  the  facred  canon,  we  feel  our 
hearts  burn  within  us  at  the  perufal,  what  muft  have  been 
their  power  of  afFecling  thofe  to  whom  they  were  firft  ad- 
drefled  !  Well  might  the  word  of  God  be  then  compared  to 
a  two  edged  fword,  piercing  the  reins  and  the  heart. 

The  embarraflment  which  unlearned  preachers  evidently 
feel,  when  they  attempt  to  make  abllrule  doclrines  familiar 
to  ignorant  minds,  may  tempt  one  to  fay  to  them,  "  Under- 
ftandefl  thou  what  thou  teacheft .?"  A  favourite  topic  with 
them  is,  that  the  righteoufnefs  of  Chrift  is  imputed  to  the 
redeemed,  and  our  fins  to  him.  This  dotftrine,  which  Dr. 
Hey  rightly  terms  wholly  inconceivable,  "  is  not  fiipportcd  by 
the  exprejs  words  of  Scripture^''  and  is  a  human  refinement  up- 
on the  atonement  of  Chrifb,  that  great  key  ftone  of  our  re- 
ligion ;  proceeding  upon  the  fuppofition,  that  a  juft  God 
would  not  punifh  an  innocent,  or  pardon  a  guilty  perfon  ; 
therefore,  as  mankind  were  all  finners,  and  are  yet  forgiven  ; 
and  as  Chrlfi,  though  perfc<5tly  fpotlefs,  was  offered  up  for 
us,  he  not  only  "  bore  our  infirmities  and  became  a  curfe  for 
us,"  but  our  ofi^ences  were  adually  attributed  to  him,  and  our 
fpotted  garments  were  not  only  wafihied  in  his  blood,  but  we 
are  alfo  attired  in  the  robes  of  his  righteoufnefs.     Your  in- 


165 

timate  acquaintance  with  the  facred  volume  will  llievv  vou 
how  much  human  fubtilty  has  refined  upon  the  llmplicitv  of 
fcripture  ;  deducing  doclrines  from  the  figurative  language  of 
ardent  devotion  or  prophetical  fervour,  which  even  go  be- 
yond the  glowing  colours  of  the  enraptured  original.  The 
preacher  who  enters  on  this  difiicult  and  (I  conceive)  uned- 
ifying  topic,  ought  to  poflTefs  a  clear  head,  a  found  judg- 
ment, great  precilion  of  expreflion,  and  command  of  lan- 
guage, in  order  to  convince  his  unlettered  auditors  that  there 
is  an  infurmountable  difi:in£lion  between  imputed  and  inherent 
righteouinefs,  and  that  they  may  as  eafily  difcard  the  cover- 
ing of  their  Redeemer's  merits,  as  renounce  the  benefits  of 
his  paffion.  The  orator  Ihould  alfo  recoUefl,  that  when 
once  he  exceeds  the  limit  of  fcripture,  he  is  in  danger  of 
approaching  the  confines  of  blafphemy ;  and  that  while  he 
exalts  the  humility  of  the  Lamb  of  God,  he  muft  alio  re- 
member that  he  was  a  holy,  undefiled,  and  fpotlefs  facrifice. 
In  fpeaking  of  doiSlrines  above  our  comprehenfions,  the  lan- 
guage of  Scripture  Ihould  be  preferred  :  and  though  this 
authorizes  us  to  fay  the  "  Lord  our  righteoufneis,"  fureiy 
we  exceed  our  warrant  when  we  affirm  that  his  perfonal 
obedience  is  attributed  to  us.  Chrifi:  is  made  unto  us  "  wif- 
dom,"  as  well  as  righteoufnefs  :"*  does  this  text  authorize 
us  to  claim  the  omnifcience  of  our  Saviour  ?  I  fhould  an- 
fvver,  in  the  fame  fenfe  as  it  does  his  holinefs. 

Our  Church  has  not  admitted  this  idea  of  imputation  in- 
to her  offices,  or  articles.     Dr.  Hey,  in  explaining  the  fen- 
tence,  "  accounted  righteous  before  God,"  diftlnguifiies  be- 
tween beincj  «  accounted"   and  "  belncr   made  righteous. "4- 
...  -  ^  ' 

It  is  a  Icadijig  idea  in  many  devotional  traces  compofed  as 

preparatory  to  the  Sacrament ;  but  is  not  admitted  into  the 
found  and  mafterly  compofition  of  Bifliop  Wilfon  on  that 
fubject.  It  was  much  amplified  in  the  woi'ks  of  the  late  Mr. 
James  Hervey,  who  Ihould  rather  be  termed  a  devotional  post 
than  an  injlrncllve  divine.  Indeed,  it  is  more  like  a  poetical 
idea  than  an  article  of  belief  \  and,  though  it  may  warm  an 
ardent  imagination,  feems  incapable  of  practical  application. 
When  united  v/ith  the  Calvlniftic  do£lrine  of  eledlion,  it  is 
extremely  dangerous,  tending  to  confirm  fplritual  felf-fuffi- 
ciency,  and  all  the  extravagance  of  religious  frenzy.  To 
know  that  our  Blefi^ed  Lord  fuffered  to  redeem  us,  mufl;  fuf- 

*  ift  Corinthians,  ill  chapter,  30th  verfc. 
f  Hey's  Leisures,  vol.  3d,  page  268. 


166 

ficiently  infpire  abhorrence  of  fin,  and  gratitude  to  the  Re- 
deemer, without  entertaining  thofe  confuling  notions  of  al- 
ternate imputation  which  confound  every  idea  of  identity 
and  refponlibiUty.  Wlien  Jeius  poured  forth  his  blood  up- 
on the  croj's,  he  did  an  adtion  highly  acceptable  to  his  Heav- 
enly Father,  and  was  no  more  guilty  than  the  pardoned  thief 
became  innocent  by  our  Saviour's  promlling  to  admit  him  in- 
to Paradife.  Omnipotence  has  no  power  over  the  pnjl. 
Sins  once  committed  cannot  be  unperformed.  The  penitent 
was  forgiven,  on  account  of  his  extraordinary  faith  in  the 
great  act  of  expiation  which  he  was  admitted  to  witnefs,  and 
enabled  to  difcern.  In  the  language  of  Scripture,  "  his  robes 
were  walhed  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb  ;"  but  it  is  in  his 
own  robes  of  inherent  righteoufnefs  that  Chrift  pleads  for  us 
at  the  mercy  feat  of  God.* 

Another  favourite  prad^tice  of  thefe  preachers  is,  to  intro- 
duce a  philippick  againft  morality,  under  the  term  of  *'  the 
filthy  rags  of  our  own  righteoufnefs."  This  metaphorical 
expreflion  is  adopted  from  the  Prophet  Ifaiah,  who  was  then 
lamenting  the  grofs  corruption  and  approaching  defolation 
of  the  Jewifli  Cliurch.  By  comparing  the  6th  verfe  of  the 
64th  chapter,  with  the  57th  and  58th  chapters,  we  lliallfind, 
that  the  Jews  called  the  outward  ceremonial  obfervances  of 
the  law  by  the  name  of  righteoufnefs,  and  expected  juftifi- 
cation  from  fafts  and  facrifices,  while  they  went  on  in  the 
practice  of  every  atrocious  wickednefs.f  Well  might  the 
prophet,  in  his  penitentiary  addreflTes  to  Heaven,  call  fucli 
obedience  by  the  name  of  "  filthlnefs  j"  and  all  his  earneft 
expoftulations  "  to  put  away  the  evil  of  their  doings,  to 
ceafe  to  do  evil,  to  learn  to  do  well,"  clearly  point  out  that 
he  had  no  intention  to  decry  moral  ohfervance.  If  the  con- 
text were  regarded,  the  text  might  be  ufed  as  an  admonition 
to  thofe  who  neglccSt  their  duties,  and  their  honeft  callings, 
to  liileu  to  florid  unedifying  harangues.  When  this  quota- 
tioji  is  introduced  without  any  explanation  of  the  fenfe  in 
which  it  Ihould   be  applied,  it  may  be  called  a  declamation 


*  There  is  a  text  in  Revelations  which  feems  to  difprovc  the  tenet  of 
imputed  rig!ittoufaefs ;  but  I  fpeak  as  an  Englilli  reader  ignorant  of  the 
original  iHiignage  :  it  occurs  in  the  19th  chapter,  8tli  veri'c,  where  the 
Jicavenly  IpouJ'c  (or  the  Church)  is  defcrlbLd  as  attired  "in  the  right-* 
counicfs  of  tlie  Saiats." 

f  Sec  .ilfj  the  ifl:  chapter  of  Ifaiali. 


1G7 

agninfl:  all  the  foci:il  virtues ;  and,  inflcftd  of  beinjr  an  effort 
to  fave  fouls  from  Satan,  is  indeed  an  attempt  to  extend  his 
empire. 

They  who  wifli  to  have  their  offences  excufed,  rather  than 
eradicated,  are  often  allured  from  their  regular  minifccr  by 
the  exonerating  explanations  of  thofe  who  enlarge  the  doc- 
trine, that  man  has  no  power  "  to  come  to  God  unlefs  he  is 
drawn  by  him,"*  till  they  utterly  abolifli  human  refponfibil- 
ity.  That  we  are  "  unable  of  ourfelves  to  help  ourfelves," 
is  a  truth  which  even  the  dim  light  of  natural  religion  dif- 
covered.  "  In  God  we  live,  and  move,  and  have  our  being." 
On  God  we  depend  for  health,  life,  profperity,  and  under- 
ftanding.  But  as  in  our  natural  life  our  dependance  on  the 
Deity  does  not  fuperfede  human  exertion,  fo  in  our  fpiritual 
exifi:ence  our  beft  endeavours  muft  co-operate  with  the  di- 
vine influence.  To  fay  that  <*  we  are  unable  of  ourfelves  to 
help  ourfelves,"  is  a  devout  acknowledgment  of  the  depend- 
ance of  creatures,  who  feel  that  the  power  of  motion  and 
ratiocination  depends  upon  the  will  *of  the  Creator ;  who 
can  in  an  inflant  fufpend  the  operation  of  every  animal  func- 
tion or  mental  organ,  as  eafily  as  he  can  interrupt  the  ordi- 
nary routine  of  inert  nature.  But  becaufe  miracles  have 
fometimes  happened,  we  are  not  to  expe<fl;  their  frequent  re- 
currence in  the  natural  world  ;  nor  becaufe  there  have  been 
iingular  interpofitions  of  divine  grace,  and  extraordinary 
converfions,  are  we  allowed  "  to  dafh  our  foot  againfl  a  ftone," 
in  expectation  of  angelical  interference  ;  nor  to  "  tempt  the 
Lord  our  God,"  in  aflurance  that  he  will  draiv  us  into  the 
fold  of  faith. 

The  manner  in  which  divine  prefciencc  influences  human 
free  will,  is  an  undifcovered  myftery,  to  which  probably  our 
prefent  faculties  are  not  commenfurate ;  but  no  one  ever 
omitted  a  duty,  or  yielded  to  a  vice,  wixXxout  feelitig  that  they 
had  a  poiver  of  ohfcrving  the  commandment,  or  aimding  the 
tranfgreflion.  When  a  man's  underflanding  is  fo  far  en- 
lightened as  to  know  his  duty,  he  may  certainly  be  faid  to 
be  drawn  of  God.  A  fuperior  intelle<51:  may  perhaps  poffefs 
fufficient  acutenefs  to  difcover  a  difi'erence  between  that 
foreknowledge  which  difcerns,  and.  that  which  propels,  and 
may  alio  perceive  that  they  feel  in  themfelves  that  power  of 
choofmg  which  is  an  irrefragable  evidence  of  the  juftice  of 
God.     Such  perfons  may  not  find  it  dangerous  to  pufli  their 

*  Sec  Remarks  on  the  Lambeth  Articles,  Letter  the  5th. 


1G8 

inquiries  into  thefc  fubtlle  (and  wc  muft  add  unprofitable) 
fpcculations  j  but  the  edification  of  a  popular  audience  can- 
not be  promoted,  by  confuihig  their  inftruclion  to  tlie  obvi- 
ous truth,  that  they  can  neither  fi:rve  God  nor  Man  unlcls 
God  enables  thein  fo  to  do.  This  doctrine  (which  is  but 
another  way  of  faying,  that  we  can  neither  walk  nor  breathe 
without  Almighty  permifllon)  fliould  always  be  coupled  with 
an  aflairance,  that  God  enables  all  who  are  fincerely  defirous 
of  fo  doing  "  to  work  out  their  own  falvation,"  or  wc  refer 
our  own  perverfe  courfes  to  the  Author  of  our  exiflience, 
and  make  the  holy,  wife,  and  jufi:  God  culpable  for  our  wil- 
ful reprobation.  For,  if  we  had  no  power  to  do  right,  how 
can  we  be  faid  to  do  wrong  ?  or  how  are  we  refponfiblc  for 
the  mifufe  of  a  talent  that  we  never  poflefTed  ?  Surely  the 
perverfenefs  of  human  nature  cannot  be  more  ftrongly  flicwn, 
than  by  thus  turning  the  omnipotence  of  God  into  a  cloak 
for  fin.  If  our  opponents  plead  fcripture  in  I'upport  of  their 
opinions,  we  muft:  here,  as  in  other  cafes,  bid  them  look  at 
the  ivhole  fcripture  ;  for,  in  order  to  prevent  this  truth  from 
being  puflied  into  a  dangerous  extreme,  it  is  fenced  in  by 
every  moral  precept  and  perfuafive  to  holinefs,  which  imi- 
formly  admit  the  free  agency  of  man,  by  fuppofing  him  ca- 
pable of  "  choofing  good  and  refufing  evil." 

Our  abfolute  dependence  upon  God,  both  for  fplritual 
and  temporal  good,  is  inculcated  to  give  ardour  to  our  de- 
votion and  fpirituality  to  our  thoughts ;  not  to  palfy  the  ef- 
forts of  piety,  virtue,  and  induftry.  Saving  grace  is  given 
to  all  who  implore  it ;  and  they  who  know  this,  yet  do  not 
aflc  for  this  blefling,  "  refift  the  Spirit  of  God,"  and  deferve 
the  condemnation  which  w^ill  be  their  portion. 

Conncdled  with  the  preceding  dodlrines,  are  the  favourite 
methodiftical  tenets,  that  Chrift  has  done  all  for  us,  and  that 
the  human  heart  is  utterly  depraved.  This  laft  doctrine  is 
faid  to  be  the  foundation  of  humility ;  but  hunnlity  is  de- 
fcribed  as  thinking  "foberly"  of  itfelf;  and  furely,  to  fup- 
pofe  ourfelves  utterly  vile  and  diabolical  cannot  confift:  with 
fobriety  of  judgment ;  for  from  fuch  a  corrupt  tree  good 
fruit  cannot  be  expefted.  Humility  is  founded  on  a  confid- 
eration  of  our  own  individual  demerits,  and  not  on  the 
weakncfs  or  imperfc(Slion  of  the  order  of  creatures  to  which 
we  belong.  But,  left  you  fliould  fufpeft  the  validity  of  my 
unauthorifed  opinion,  I  will  fan<^ion  my  fentiments  by  tliC 
introduction  of  a  jufily  venerated  name.  "  It  is  lao  acl  of 
«  humiliation,"  fays  Bifhop  Taylor,  "  to  confcfs  a  crime  that 


169 

<^  all  the  world  are  equally  guilty  of,  that  could  not  have 
"  been  avoided  by  our  timelieft  induftry,  and  that  ferves  for 
"  fo  many  ends  in  the  excufe  and  minoration  of  our  a£lual 
**  impieties ;  fo  that,  as  Diogenes  trampled  upon  the  pride 
"  of  Plato  with  a  greater  faftuoufnefs  and  humorous  oftenta- 
*'  tion,  fo  do  we  with  original  fin,  declaim  againft  it  bitter- 
**  ly,  to  fave  the  other  harmlefs ;  and  are  free  in  the  publi- 
"  cation  of  this,  that  we  may  be  inftructed  to  conceal  the 
*'  aftual.  We  charge  our  guilt  upon  Adam,"  continues  he, 
*'  to  lelTen  the  imputation  upon  us,  or  to  increafe  the  licence 
"  or  the  confidence  ;  when  every  one  of  us  is  the  Adam, 
**  the  man  of  fin,  and  the  pr.rent  of  our  own  impurities ; 
*'  whatever  mifchief  Adam  did  to  us,  we  do  more  to  our- 
**  felves."*'  It  will  fcarcely  be  infinuated,  that  Jeremy  Tay- 
lor was  infecled  with  the  Pelagian  herefy  ;  that  he  infifted 
on  the  do6lrine  of  felf-juftificadon,  or  doubted  the  necefiity 
of  a  Saviour.  But  he  lived  in  times  which  afforded  moll: 
lamentable  examples  of  the  effects  of  pufliing  fcriptural  doc- 
trines too  far  ;  an  error  which  the  primitive  reformers  un- 
queftionably  fell  into,  in  their  zeal  for  oppoling  the  Romifli 
doctrine  of  man's  merits,  which  at  that  age  was  generlly  un- 
derftood  to  mean  fuch  fuperftitious  fervices  and  obfervances 
as  bore  a  near  refemblance  to  what  the  prophet  Ifaiah  juftly 
decried  in  his  admonitions  to  the  corrupted  church  of  Ifrael. 
But,  as  juftification  by  faith,  if  it  be  inforced  without  its 
correlative  reftriiStion,  of  the  neceffity  of  good  works,  muft 
inculcate  Antinomian  licentioufnefs ;  fo  if  the  preacher  in- 
lifts  on  human  corruption,  further  than  to  convince  his  hear- 
ers of  the  neceffity  of  a  Saviour  and  a  Sandtifier,  he  gives 
them  an  exa/fe  for  their  fins,  inftead  of  a  motive  to  vanquifh 
them.  It  is  true,  many  paffages  in  Scripture  defcribe,  iu 
vivid  colours,  the  taint  which  mankind  received  by  the  fill 
of  their  anceftor  •,  but  it  is  likwife  true,  that  the  fame  fcrip- 
ture  as  flrongly  and  clearly  reprefents  every  individual  of- 
fender as  the  author  of  his  own  deftruftion,  and  the  vi(Stim 
of  his  own  vices.  Are  we  then  to  employ  Scripture  to  com- 
bat Scripture,  and  thus  engage  the  members  of  Chrifl  in 
eternal  controverfy  ?  No ;  furely  thefe  feemingly  oppofite 
paffages  were  inferted  in  the  facred  volume  to  pirferve  us  from 
falling  into  extremes  of  opinion.  A  text  that  afferts  our  free 
agency,  is  intended  to  be  our  barrier  againft  believing  abfo- 

*  Life  of  Chrlft,  pages  37  and  38. 

X 


170 

lute  predeftination ;  and  v.'C  can  have  no  ftronger  proof, 
that  we  muft  not  take  the  "  defperate  vvickcdncfs  of  man" 
in  its  ftronj^eft  fenfe,  than  the  affurance  that  wc  are  capable 
of  "  becoming  good  and  faithful  fervants  of  God." 

In  the  heat  of  controverly  (as  I  before  obferved,)  m^any  of 
our  great  reformers  made  life  of  cxpreflious,  which  even  the 
bold  iigures  of  oriental  imagery  fcarcely  juftilied  them  in 
adopting.  I  can  no  where  lind  in  holy  writ,  that  at  the  fall 
"  Adam  loft  the  image  of  God,  and  became  the  image  of 
*'  the  Devil;  that,  inftead  of  the  citizen  of  Heaven,  he  be- 
"  came  the  bond-flave  of  Hell,  having  in  himfelf  no  one 
"  part  of  his  former  purity  and  cleannefs,  but  being  alto- 
«  gether  fpotted  and  defiled  ;  infomuch  that  he  now  feemed 
"  to  be  nothing  but  a  lump  of  iin,  and  therefore,  by  the 
♦*  juft  judgment  of  God,  was  condemned  to  everlafting 
*<  death."*  If  this  defcription  refer  to  the  natural  uulividiial 
Adam,  it  is  moft  certainly  contradidled  by  fcripture,  where 
the  father  of  the  human  race  is  reprefcnted  as  a  finner,  but 
as  a  reprieved  contrite  iinner,  depending  upon  the  divine 
promife,f  full  of  hope  in  the  God  who  had  puniflied  him, 
and  favoured  (as  we  may  infer  from  the  4th  of  Genelis, 
14th  verfe)  with  fpeciaf  manifeftations  of  the  Deity.  And 
iince  fcripture  has  no  where  told  us  what  was  the  final  fate 
of  this  cmminent  offender,  with  whom  the  covenant  of  mer- 
cy was  firft  made,  it  is  highly  indecorous  in  us  to  prefumc 
to  explain  "  Death"  in  any  other  than  its  temporal  fenfe. 
Rather  let  us  hope  that,  like  all  his  redeemed  offspring,  the 
firft  Adam  will  be  made  alive  by  the  fecond. 

If  Adam  be  fpoken  of  metaphorically  in  the  above  paifage, 
as  the  reprefentative  of  mankind,  we  have  fcripture  proof 
that  even  the  grofs  corruption  and  extreme  wickednefs  of 
the  antediluvian  world  did  not  efface  the  image  of  God  in 
man 4  The  "  Righteoufnefs"  of  Abel  is  acknowledged  by  an 
apoflle  j§  and  of  Enoch  it  is  exprefsly  faid,  that  "  he  pleafed 
God."||  If  it  be  urged,  that  it  was  faith  which  entitled 
thefe  worthies  to  this  exalted  eulogium,  my  argument  is  not 
weakened  •,  for  I  confider  £uth  as  a  virtue  which  is  produc- 
ed by  our  co-operating  with  the  grace  of  God,  and  not  an 

•  Romily  on  Salvat'.on.     In  Rending  controvcrfial  works,  wc  fhould 
carefully  diftinguilli  between  rheti)ric  and  argument. 
■}•  Obfeive  tlie  names  of  liis  children. 
\  Genelis,  9th  chap.  6th  verfe. 
§  Hebrews,  I ith  chap,  vcrfc  4th.  ||   Ibid,  vcrfc  jth. 


171 

extraneous  quality  forcibly  fuperinduced  into  a  paffive  ma- 
chine by  an  overruling  power.  Is  it  not  charging  God  fool- 
ifhly,  when  we  give  thefe  dark  colourings  to  human  nature  ? 
for  if  man  be  fo  utterly  vile  and  diabolical,  has  not  God  been 
partial  in  excluding  Satan  and  his  rebel  hoft  from  the  pojfi- 
bility  of  falvation  ?  Why  are  they  referved  in  chains  and 
darknefs  to  the  judgment  of  the  great  day,  and  man  permit- 
ted to  rejoice  in  the  mercies  of  a  Saviour  ? 

The  guilt  of  feli-righteoufnefs,  cannot  be  charged  upon 
the  belief  that  God  has  given  us  a  nature  capable  of  obeying 
him,  or  in  affirming  that,  notv/ithftanding  our  hereditary 
debafement,  it  is  ftill  poffible  for  us  fo  to  do  ;  for,  whether 
this  power  of  ferving  God  be  derived  from  nature,  or  from 
the  affifting  grace  of  God,  the  glory  is  ftill  his,  as  he  is  our 
Creator  and  Sanclifier.  The  moft  offenfive  fpecies  of  felf- 
righteoufnefs  muft  be  incurred  by  attributing  to  oui"felves 
what  we  deny  to  our  fellow-creatures  ;  and  believing  that  we 
are  the  chofen  veffels,  into  which  God's  fpiritual  bleffings 
are  largely  poured  ;  while  others,  though  their  external  con- 
du6b  feems  as  pious  and  correal  as  our  own,  are  reprobated 
as  formalifts  and  flaves  of  perdition. 

We  may  call  upon  Calvinifts,  and  Semi-Calvinifts,  to  ex- 
plain how  they  can  expedt  the  Chriftian  grace  of  humility 
will  fpring  out  of  a  foil  that  tends  to  engender  thofe  excufes 
for  fin  which  prevent  the  {trSo.  of  contrition.  I  cannot  be 
humbled  by  the  recollection  of  fins  which  I  could  not  avoid  ; 
but  if,  knowing  that  I  was  "  made  a  little  lower  than  the 
angels,"  and  intended  to  be  *'  crowned  with  glory  and  wor- 
Ihip,"  I  have  fold  "  myfelf  to  work  all  uncleannefs  with 
greedinefs,"  I  am  indeed  felf-degraded,  and  muft  feem  vile 
in  my  own  eyes.  "  The  confeffion  of  original  fin,"  fays  the 
venerable  prelate  whom  I  havejuft  quoted,  "  is  no  imitation 
*'  of  Chrift's  humility  in  fuftering  circumcifion  ;*  but  too 
**  often  an  a£t  of  pride,  car&lefsnefs,  and  fecurity." 

You  fee  that  in  the  opinion  of  this  truly  evangelical  author. 
It  is  dangerous,  inftead  of  edifying,  to  inculcate  a  belief  of 
origwaly  without  endeavouring  to  awaken  the  confcience  to 
a  fenfe  oiaEhml  depravity.  The  divines  of  our  Church  muft, 
if  they  conform  to  her  dodlrines  and  ofHces,  teach  their 
flock,  that,  with  power  to  ftand  upright,  man  has  a  natural 
propenfity  to  fall  j  but  the  confcioufnefs  of  this  weaknefs 


*  Life  of  Chrift,  page  ^f^.    Bifhop  Taylor  is  then  meditating  on  Chrift's 
Circumcifion. 


172 

fhoukl  make  us  fly  to  the  mercies  of  Him  for  whofc  fake 
imperfetSl  obedience  will  be  accepted,  if  it  be  the  willing  fer- 
vice  of  a  fincere  mind  ;  but  lince  we  are  unable  even  to  do 
this  of  ourfelves,  we  fliould,  "  by  diligent  and  fervent  pray- 
er," implore  that  "  fpecial"  or  peculiar  grace  which  will 
make  us  "  continually  given  to  all  good  works  •,"  which  fup- 
plications  we  are  encouraged  to  oiler  by  the  aiTurance  that 
God  "  is  ever  more  ready  to  hear  than  we  to  pray."  Tljis 
view  of  human  agency,  and  divine  afliftance,  correfponds 
with  experience,  and  is  fandlioned  by  fcripture.  Every  ter- 
ror or  unealmefs  v/hich  wicked  men  feel  when  they  commit 
fin,  tells  them  that  they  might  have  avoided  the  crime  at 
which  they  Ihudder  to  look  bqf  k  •,  they  are  alfo  proofs,  that 
even  in  its  moft  faulty  copies  human  nature  retains  fome 
remnant  of  its  original  purity  ;  and  that  when  we  break 
through  the  barriers  of  confcience,  we  participate  in  the 
guilt,  as  well  as  in  the  punifhment  of  Adam  •,  v/ho  like  our- 
felves was  "  free  to  fland  or  fall,"  though  it  is  luppofed  that 
his  inclinations  did  not  fo  powerfully  incline  him  to  evil> 
nor  did  his  paffions  rife  in  fuch  ftroiig  oppofition  to  his  in- 
telledlual  faculties.  Every  exhortation  in  the  New  Teftament 
which  enjoins  us  "to  make  our  calling  and  ele£lion  fure," 
to  walk  "  worthy  of  the  vocation  whereunto  we  are  called,^* 
and  <♦  to  ftrive  for  the  prize  of  our  high  calling  v/hich  is  in 
Chrlft  Jcfus,"  alike  proves  the  n:ixcd  nature  of  man,  and 
that  the  merits  of  Chrill  v/ill  only  be  applied  to  thofe  Avho 
(do  not  relift  the  Spirit  of  God. 

The  extravagant  exprefiions  by  which  Calviniftic  teachers 
dilguft  fober  hearers,  and  captivate  or  afloniih  weak  minds, 
often  proceed  from  an  injudicious  imitation  cr  erroneous 
application  of  fcriptural  phraleology.  Allegorical  allufions, 
types,  and  parables,  formed  a  mode  of  inftruction  which  was 
ufed  by  our  Lord  with  remarkable  clearnefs  and  effedt.  It 
was  peculiarly  fuited  to  the  cuitoms  of  Eaftern  nations  j  but 
our  great  dillimilarity  in  manners  renders  the  propriety  of 
fimilar  apologues  in  this  kingdom  queftionable ;  I  mean  as  a 
popular  method  of  inftruc^ing  the  ignorant ;  for  there  can 
be  no  doubt  of  the  fuitability  of  appolite  ailuhon,  and  pictur- 
cfque  fimiiitude,  Avhen  we  addrefs  our  difcourfcs  to  thofe 
who  are  competently  informed.  Whenever  the  allegorical 
and  figurative  ftyle  is  adopted,  perfpicuity,  precifion,  and 
appropriatenefs,  are  inclifpenfable,  especially  when  it  is  ap- 
plied to  a  pafTage  of  fcripture  j  otherwife  the  text  is  dark- 
ened, not  clucidi'.ted,  by  the  defi^jncd  explanation.     A  voU 


173 

lime  of  fermons  lies  before  me,  from  which  I  will  quote  an 
inftance  of  what  I  call  ftrained  fimiUtude  and  perverted  al- 
legory. The  author  fancies  that  at  the  remarkable  appear- 
ance of  the  Almighty  which  is  recorded  in  the  nineteenth 
chapter  of  the  flrfh  book  of  Kings,  *'  the  fmall  ftill  voice"  in 
which  God  only  was  to  be  found  was  an  emblem  of  the  vir- 
tue of  humility  •,  and  that  ftorms  and  tempefts,  earthquakes 
and  lightnings,  were  the  ante-types  of  moral  commotions, 
bluilering  paffions,  and  political  revolutions,  becaufe  thefe 
latter  were  brought  about  by  the  agency  of  the  prince  of  the 
power  of  the  air.  This  is  imng'matmi^  not  hijlrnclion.  Who 
can  grow  wifer  or  better,  by  lillening  to  fuch  reveries  ? 

It  is  moft  certain,  that  the  coming  of  our  blefTed  Lord, 
and  the  great  events  of  his  life,  were  typified  by  many  anal- 
ogous events  that  are  recorded  in  the  old  teftament.  This 
iimilitude  was  intended  as  a  preparatory  mode  of  inftruiStion, 
to  fit  the  Jews  for  the  appearance  of  the  Meiliah.  It  is  ob- 
fcrved,  that  chrifcianity  makes  no  ufe  of  types,  becaufe  it 
leads  to  no  future  difpenfition.  A  flrong  fancy,  when  it  is 
not  refirained  by  an  equally  found  judgment,  may  multiply 
refemblances  between  the  Old  and  New  Teftament,  or  what 
is  ftlU  more  prejudicial,  between  the  important  events  which 
they  record,  and  the  common  incidents  of  life ;  till  what 
was  in  itfelf  ferious  and  awful  becomes  ludicrous,  and  a  theme 
for  profane  wit.  Le6lures  on  fcripture  chara^lers  appear  to 
me  not  v/holly  free  from  the  cenfure  of  overftrained  allulion, 
or  from  the  charge  of  fentimental  refinements  on  the  noble 
fimplicity  of  holy  Avrit.  When  the  humour  of  typifying  and 
allegorizing  is  unrefirained  by  learning  or  genius,  the  con- 
fequences  are  moll:  lamentable  •,  for  fcripture  is  thus  convert- 
ed into  a  bye-word  of  reproach  among  the  profligate.  We 
ihould  reflect,  that  though  fantaftical  hearers  always  think 
that  fermon  the  beft  which  they  can  leaft  underftand,  it  is 
impofftble  that  they  can  be  edified  by  what  they  cannot  com" 
prehend.  What  imagination  can  figure  to  itfelf  any  idea  of 
Death  and  Hell  concjuered,  as  being  one  of  the  difhes  that 
Ihall  be  ferved  up  "  at  the  feaft  of  fat  things,"  which  the 
prophet  Ifaiah  mentions  as  prepared  by  God  for  his  chofen 
people  ?  Who  can  fuppofe,  that  Abigail  falling  at  the  feet 
of  David,  prefigured  Mary  anointing  the  feet  of  Chrift ;  or, 
that  the  two  thieves  between  whom  Chrift  was  crucified 
were  types  of  Lucifer  and  Adam  ? 

I  once  queftioned  a  rather  intelligent  perfon  in  low  life, 
refpedling  the  purport  of  a  difcourfe  which  had  been  juft 


174 

delivered  by  a  clergyman  who  aiTecled  to  be  diftinguifticd 
as  a  Gofpel  preacher,  I  was  told,  that  they  were  ordered  to 
*'  kick  away  the  thorns  and  briars  which  lay  in  their  road 
"  to  Heaven."  I  inquired  whether  thefe  thorns  and  briars 
were  fuppofed  to  mean  their  cares,  their  forrows,  or  their 
fins  ;  and  was  anfwcred,  that  the  gentleman  *<  did  not  tell 
them  what  they  were."  This  is  a  proof,  that  whoever  ad- 
mits thefe  forts  of  decorations,  fhould  take  care  that  the 
comprehetifton  of  their  hearers  keeps  pace  with  the  fallies  of 
their  own  imaginations. 

I  ihall  here  perhaps  be  told,  that  the  Holy  Spirit  will  af- 
fift  the  influence  of  the  word  of  God,  and  caufe  it  to  ope- 
rate on  the  heart  and  life  of  the  true  believer.  I  anfwer, 
that  iince  the  miracles  which  eftabliftied  Chriftianity  have 
ceafed,  the  method  by  which  God  feeks  to  convince  us  of 
facred  truths  is  by  an  appeal  to  our  underfkandings.  The 
fenfible  and  apparent  influences  of  the  Holy  Ghoft,  are  a 
favourite  theme  with  Calviniftic  teachers.  That  the  Divine 
Comforter  aflift:s  all  true  worfhippers,  is  a  certain  and  moft 
confolatory  truth  ;  but  that  we  can  diftinguifh  his  workings 
from  the  ordinary  fuggeillons  of  our  own  minds,  is  an  uti- 
ivarrantable  inference*  Dr.  Law,  prebendary  of  Carlifle,  in 
a  fermon  on  the  Limits  of  our  Inquiries,  obferves  "  Much 
<<  perplexity  and  infidelity  have  refulted  from  too  minute  in- 
«*  veftigation,  efpecially  of  three  points,  which  reafon  muft 
**  ever  in  vain  attempt  to  refolve  :  Firfl:,  concerning  the  in- 
«  fluence  and  operation  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  <  The  Com- 
**  forter,'  lays  Chrift,  is  to  abide  with  ye  for  ever.*  "  Yet 
**  is  there  no  paffiige  in  fcripture  which,  Vfhcnjciir/y  interpre- 
**  tedy  will  afford  any  countenance  to  the  opinions  of  thofe 
«*  who  pretend  to  a  fenfible  experience  of  the  Spirit,  an  ir- 
<*  refiftible  impulfe,  an  immediate  converfion,  and  who  at- 
**  tempt  to  point  out  the  exa<5t  line  of  partition  between  hu- 
"  man  efforts  and  divine  illumination.  This  fpecies  of  ig- 
•*  norance  our  Saviour  feems  to  intimate  in  his  difcourfe  with 
"  Nicodemus.  The  wind  blovveth  where  it  lifteth,  and  ye 
*'  hear  the  found  thereof,  but  cannot  tell  whence  it  cometh,^ 

•  The  venerated  name  of  Gilborne  fancftions  the  above  affertion.  In 
a  fermon  on  Religious  Comfort  he  levercly  arraigns  the  methodiftical  te- 
net above  referred  to,  and  afks,  "  Where  is  your  warrant  to  place  your 
"  conlidence  on  an  inward  feehng;  to  regard  an  indeterminate  impulfe 
<•  as  an  impreiiion  from  the  Holy  Choft,  as  a  token  aud  fcal  of  for<jive- 
«  ncfs  i" 


175 

«  nor  whither  it  goeth :  fo  is  every  man  that  is  born  of  the 
"Spirit."* 

The  other  points,  on  which  this  learned  divine  cenfures 
the  folly  of  too  minute  inquiry,  are,  attempting  to  reconcile 
human  liberty  with  God's  foreknowledge,  and  the  myftery 
of  the  Trinity. 

We  muft  regret,  that  the  defire  of  being  wife  above  what 
is  written,  iliould  induce  many  well  meaning  people  to  per- 
plex themfelves,  by  endeavouring  to  difcover  the  manner  in 
which  this  myflerious  limllitude  to  a  rufhing  wind  adts  upon 
the  human  heart.  No  fubjecl  has  afforded  an  ampler  field 
for  ridicule,  than  thofe  pretenlions  which  go  under  the  name 
of  calls,  experiences,  and  converlions,  and  which  are  fo  fre- 
quent among  enthuflafts ;  and  though  I  cannot  allow,  that 
even  fanaticifm,  when  really  accompanied  by  lincerity,  is 
a  proper  fubjedl  for  ridicule,  I  cannot  afcribe  any  merit  to 
the  wounded  feelings  of  thofe  who  may  rather  be  faid  to  pro- 
voke obloquy  by  their  abfurdity,  than  to  endure  perfecution 
for  their  piety.  This  is  not  enduring  the  crofs  as  a  difciple 
of  Jefus  Chrifl,  but  Jnatching  at  it  like  a  partizan  of  Swift's 
Jack.  Whoever  appeals  to  his  inward  feelings,  removes  the 
matter  in  debate  from  the  jurifdi£tion  of  real  on,  and  leaves 
it  wholly  dependent  on  his  own  veracity.  Let  him  take 
care  that  his  character  will  endure  the  fcrutiny  which  his  af- 
fectation of  fuperior  fandlity  provokes.  Let  him  remember 
too,  that  he  is  not  now  contending  for  the  great  truths  of 
the  gofpel,  in  which  difpute  he  would  be  fupported  by  Scrip- 
ture, but  about  an  inward  confcioufnefs  refpecling  v/hich 
Scripture  \%Jilenty  or  (judging  from  the  acknowledgment  of 
the  great  apoftle  to  the  Gentiles)  hojlile  to  his  pretenfions. 
Though  St.  Paul  was  favoured  by  vifions  and  revelations, 
and  guided  by  the  Spirit  of  God  in  a  fupereminent  degree, 

*  It  is  verjr  evident,  that  the  Apoftles  and  Prophets  were  fenfible  of 
infpiration  ;  but  the  above  obfervations  only  extend  to  thofe  ordinary- 
gifts  of  the  Spirit  w^hich  are  promifed  to  all  Chriftians  :  fnch  as  enable 
us  to  bring  forth  the  fruits  of  faith,  and  to  fccure  our  individual  falva- 
tion ;  not  fuch  as  gave  the  founders  of  our  religion  power  to  convert 
heathen  nations,  and  to  fpread  the  knowledge  of  the  Lord  over  all  the 
earth. 

By  the  continual  fuperintendancc  of  the  Spirit,  the  facred  penmen  were 
furnillied,  in  the  gofpels,  in  the  doctrinal  parts  of  the  epifUcs,  and  in  the 
prophecies  which  they  delivered,  with  that  meafure  of  infpiration  which 
the  nature  of  the  fubjecfl  required  ;  io  as  to  render  their  writings  sn  in- 
fallible ftandard  of  Chriftian  faith.  As  chofen  miniHers  of  the  grace  of 
God,  their  actions  alfo  were  governed  by  a  more  immediate  and  overrul- 
ing providence,  than  others  can  prefume  to  expedl. 


176 

thefe  diftlnfllons  were  not  vouchfafeJ  him  for  his  own  fake; 
His  converfion  was  miraculous ;  but  it  was  fo  ordained,  in 
order  that  his  authority  among  thofe  to  whom  he  was  to 
preach  the  Gofpel  might  be  unqueftioned.  Even  when  he 
was  near  the  clofc  of  his  glorious  labour,  he  appeared  not  to 
confider  his  own  falvation  as  certain,  but  that  he  might  ftill 
forfeit  *'  llie  prize  of  his  high  calling,"  and,  "  after  having 
preached  to  others,  become  a  caft-av^ay."  Previous  to  his 
appearance  before  Nero,  he  implores  the  prayers  of  his  con- 
verts, that  utterance  m.ight  be  given  him ;  at  other  times  he 
confeffes  himfelf  uninfpired ;  and  in  his  exhortation  to  the 
Centurion,  that  the  foldiers  fliould  be  prevented  from  efcap- 
jng  from  the  wreck,  he  intimates  that  even  in  miraculous 
interpofitions  the  Deity  works  by  the  powers  of  nature,  or 
by  human  agency.  At  other  times  St.  Paul  writes  like  one 
who  was  lifted  out  of  the  body,  fenfible  of  infpiration,  glo- 
rying in  unutterable  vifions,  confident  of  future  bllfs,  and 
anxious  to  depart  this  life,  that  he  might  be  with  his  Lord< 
This  is  a  lively  and  juft  picture  of  a  pious  mind,  in  which 
human  weaknefs  and  religious  fortitude  alternately  prevail ; 
in  which  we  fometimes  fee  the  perfecuted  and  afflicted  man, 
and  at  others  the  infpired  Apoftle.  But  to  return  from 
thefe,  in  fome  degree,  digreffive  remarks  (which  will  apply 
to  other  points  of  the  ccnteft  that  v/e  are  at  prefent  con- 
fidering  ;)  when  we  allow  for  the  deceitfulncfs  of  our  own 
hearts,  and  the  defigned  my  fiery  in  which  the  awful  fubjecft 
of  fupernatural  affiliance  is  involved,  we  muft  own  that  the 
brighteft  underftanding  may  err,  if  it  attempt  to  afcertain 
when  and  where  it  a<^ted  under  the  immediate  guidance  of 
God  ;  to  expatiate,  therefore,  on  our  capability  of  fo  doing, 
can  no  way  edify  a  popular  audience.  The  general  ftate- 
ment,  that  God  puts  into  our  minds  good  delires,  and  that 
the  Devil,  our  own  corrupt  inclinations,  and  the  fedu(Slions 
of  the  world,  tempt  us  to  fin,  appears  to  be  as  clear  an  ac- 
count of  this  intricate  bulinefs  as  it  is  requifite  for  us  to  give. 
If  we  would  employ  the  time  fpent  in  fuch  unprofitable  dif- 
quifitions,  which  can  only  end  in  uncertainty  and  error,  in 
earneft  prayers  to  God  that  he  »vould  enable  us  to  improve 
all  godly  motions,  edification  would  be  efFedlually  promoted. 
I  proceed  to  another  obfervation  on  the  conduct  of  many 
difl^enters  from  the  eftablifliment :  I  mean  the  comparatively 
little  importance  which  they  afiix  to  the  duty  of  prayer, 
efpecially  if  ofi:'crcd  in  a  prefcribed  form  of  devotion.  The 
lermon  is  the  attrin^ion  to  molt  itinerant  hearers  j  and  if 


177 

they  can  hurry  into  the  diftan-t  fan£luary,  where  their  favour- 
ite orator  harangues,  time  enough  to  catch  the  honey  drop- 
ping from  his  Hps,  they  are  content  to  omit  their  own  indif- 
peniable  duty,  of  offering  the  Chriftian  facrifice,  by  praying 
to  the  Lord  God,  Creator  of  Heaven  and  earth,  the  Father 
of  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrift,  who  fandlified  the  fabbath  for  kis 
nvorJJjip.  The  number  of  thofe  who  go  to  church  totally  ig- 
norant of  Chriftianity,  or  of  moral  duty,  is  comparatively 
fmall ;  yet  tlie  duty  of  publicly  afTembling  ourfelves  togeth- 
er is  incumbent  upon  all.  Our  better  informed  ancellors 
knew,  that  bearing  was  not  the  principal  occupation  of  the 
day  of  reft ;  but,  that  inftrudlion  ought  to  be  preceded  and 
fan<?tified  by  holy  fupplication.  The  advantage  of  a  fet  fornx 
of  prayer,  in  which  all  may  join  with  premeditated  attention, 
is  too  obvious  to  be  denied  j  and  when  fuch  a  compolition 
as  our  liturgy,  for  fenfe,  copioufnefs,  fublimity,  and  piety, 
folicits  our  preference,  a  compolitioa  compiled  from  the  beft 
devotional  tracts  of  the  ancient  fathers,  and  from  the  pure 
rituals  of  early  churches,  aided  by  the  labours  of  thofe  ex- 
emplary founders  of  our  own  who  became  martyrs  and  con- 
feflbrs  to  the  truths  which  they  maintained  ;  fui-ely  it  muft 
be  no  ordinary  felf-fufficiency,  no  common  portion  of  vanity 
and  conceit,  that  can  decry  this  admirable  fervice  as  formal 
and  cold,  and  prefer  to  it  the  rhapfodies  of  an  extemporary 
preacher,  who,  in  defpite  of  Solomon^s  caution,  pours  forth, 
a  torrent  of  words  before  his  Creator.  It  is  evident,  that 
the  congregation  cannot  join  in  thefe  unpremeditated  ad- 
drefles  ;  for  deilre  muft  precede  requeft,  and  knowledge  muft 
go  before  aflent.  Edification,  therefore,  cannot  be  promo- 
ted, if  prayer,  the  means  by  which  God  has  promifed  to 
convey  his  Spirit  to  them  who  afk  it,  be  omitted,  or  only 
performed  by  one  perfon.  Thofe  who  liften  to  the  devo- 
tions of  the  preacher  may  be  called  hearers  of  his  luord,  but 
not  the  IVord  of  God.  They  imbibe  the  words  of  a  man, 
who  has  confidence  and  vanity  enough  to  think  himfelf  able 
to  fpeak  better  things  than  the  moft  diligent  refearch  into 
paft  times  can  collect.  Here,  again,  we  are  called  upon  to 
lament  that  unfortunate  rage  for  novelty  which  characlerifes 
the  prefcnt  times. 

If  you  will  truft  my  judgment,  edification  cannot  be  pro- 
moted by  that  ftyle  of  enamoured  familiarity  which  appears 
in  the  hymns,  the  ejaculatory  addrefles,  and  often  in  the  fer- 
mons  of  difienting  congregations.     Allowing  Calvin's  idea 
Y 


178 

of  the  Deity  to  be  juft,  and  believing  ourfelves  alfo  (as  his 
modern  difciples  often  do)  of  the  number  of  the  eleft,  thofc 
fond  and  paffionate  epithets,  which  are  borrowed  from  the 
amorous  foftnefs  of  fenfual  attachment,  muffc  be  iiiapphcable 
to  the  unpitying  and  remorfelefs  power,  who,  folcly  from 
his  own  determination,  wills  the  greater  part  of  his  creatures 
to  defi:ru(^ion.  Our  fex  has  been  charged  with  being  pecu- 
liarly apt  to  confound  the  very  oppofite  charatSters  of  their 
Redeemer,  and  an  earthly  lover  ;  and  it  is  laid,  that  the 
Church  of  Rome  has  reconciled  many  a  virgin  vidlini  to  nio- 
naftic  fcverities  and  feclufion,  by  captivating  her  imagination 
with  the  fallacious  title  of  the  Spoufe  of  God.  The  poeti- 
cal latitude  of  Eaftern  literature  has  certainly  beflowed  this 
name,  among  many  others,  on  the  Church ;  and  the  meta- 
phor, when  taken  in  this  general  fenfe,  is  as  appropriate  and 
beautiful,  as  it  is  dangerous  and  abfurd  when  lowered  by  in- 
dividual application.  The  compofitions  that  I  reprobate 
profefs  to  take  the  Song  of  Solomon  for  their  model ;  which 
is  known  to  be  an  Epithalamium  addrelTed  by  that  uxorious 
monarch  to  one  of  his  brides.  It  is  preferved  in  our  canon 
of  fcripture  as  the  produdlion  of  an  infpired  writer,  and  on 
account  of  its  containing  feveral  prophetical  allufions  to  the 
different  ftates  of  the  Jewifli  and  Chriftian  Churches,  which 
(as  I  have  before  obferved)  were  often  poetically  defer ibed 
under  the  images  of  a  beautiful  and  fpotlefs,  or  a  faithlefs 
and  rejected  wife,  according  as  they  have  abounded  in  graces 
or  been  degraded  by  impiety.  The  Church  of  England  re- 
ceived it,  as  fhe  did  all  the  other  Jewifli  fcriptures  ^  but  by 
palling  it  over  in  her  rubrics,  and  offices,  we  may  conclude 
that  flie  confiders  it  to  be  of  too  allegorical  and  myftical  a 
nature  to  be  fafely  recommended  to  the  ftudy  of  her  ordinary 
members.  That  it  is  particularly  unfuitable  to  the  younger 
part  of  our  fex,  who  are  apt  to  mingle  the  idea  of  lovers  and 
conquefts  with  fubje(Sl:s  extremely  diffimilar,  muft  be  appa- 
rent to  every  fober  minded  perlbn.  A  particular  recom- 
mendation of  this  poem  to  the  young  and  inexperienced,  ac- 
companied with  an  analyfls  of  its  contents,  in  which  the  mif- 
intcrpretation  that  I  have  juft  objefted  to  is  adopted,  and 
the  Redeemer  is  dcfcribed  as  making  love  to  the  foul  in  the 
charafter  of  its  bridegroom,  is  furely  a  difgrace  to  the  party 
that  has  admitted  it  into  an  annual  pocket-book,  calculated 
to  allure  the  well  meaning  by  its  plaufiblc  title,  and  which 
muft  mijlead  thofe  readers  whom  it  does  not  difguji. 


179 

The  Song  of  Solomon  is  juftly  admired  by  all  lovers  of 
exquifite  poetry,  beautiful  allegory,  and  fplcndid  didlion  j 
but  the  work  itfelf  (much  lefs  its  grofs  and  almoft  blafphe- 
mous  imitations)  does  not  feem  calculated  to  enlighten  the 
ignorant  mind,  or  to  amend  the  depraved  heart.  So  much 
previous  information  refpedling  the  defign  of  the  compofl- 
tion,  fo  much  knowledge  of  oriental  cuftoms,  fuch  clear 
judgment,  and,  ought  we  not  to  add,  fuch  a  chafte  and  cor- 
rect imagination,  are  necelTary  for  underftanding  it  rightly, 
that  the  fong  of  fongs  appears  beft  fuited  to  be  the  cabinet 
companion  of  a  Horfley,  a  Bryant,  or  a  Jones.  Allegories 
addrefled  to  the  paflions  have  done  infinite  harm  in  unlkil- 
ful  hands  :  I  will  not  abfolutely  fay  that  they  have  occafion- 
ed  grofs  vices  •,  but  they  have  bewildered  the  weak  under- 
ftandings  of  many,  who,  under  the  tuition  of  fober  paftors, 
might  have  become  fincere  humble  cliriftians  and  valuable 
members  of  fociety. 

The  ideas  which  are  generally  promulgated  refpe^ling  in- 
nocence, guilt,  and  holinefs,  by  this  fpecies  of  dilTenters,  are 
very  oppofite  to  the  tenor  of  fcripture  exhortation,  and  argue 
great  ignorance  of  the  human  charafter,  and  the  ordinary 
affairs  of  life.  Moft  unqueftionably,  in  the  eyes  of  an  infi- 
nitely holy  and  pure  God,  we  mufi:  all,  even  the  beft  of  us, 
be  confidered  as  offenders  ;  yet  comparatively,  and  with 
reference  to  one  another,  the  diftinftion  of  virtuous  and  vi- 
cious behaviour  becomes  fuitable.  No  notion  can  be  more 
prejudicial  to  the  caufe  of  religion,  than  that  we  muft  be 
called  from  a  ftatc  of  indifference  or  depravity,  by  the  ter- 
rors of  an  alarmed  confcience,  to  a  fuppofed  affurance  of  ho- 
linefs and  falvation.  The  Gentile  world  was  indeed  "  call- 
ed from  darknefs  into  light ;"  and  the  Apoftles,  with  great 
propriety,  enlarge  upon  the  amazing  change  which  the  pure 
precepts  and  rational  doftrines  of  chriftianity  made  in  the 
lives  and  fentiments  of  thofe,  who  had  been  taught  to  pro- 
pitiate brutifh  deities  by  moft  infamous  actions.  But  this 
contraft  between  paft-  and  prefent  morals  can  rarely  take  place 
among  the  members  of  a  Chriftian  Church,  Vv'ho  have  been 
educated  in  the  knowledge  of  the  true  God,  without  fcandal 
to  the  faith  that  v/e  profefs.  Every  exhortation  to  early 
piety  contained  in  fcripture,  every  inftrutftion  which  is  be- 
ftowed  on  youth,  even  our  dedication  of  infants  to  God  by 
the  initiatory  facrament  of  baptifin,  implies  our  being  in  a 
ftate  of  grace,  and  proves  innocence  more  acceptable  to  the 
Almighty  than  repentance.     Our  Lord,  indeed,  is  faid  to. 


180 

have  preached  the  docbine  of  forgivenefs  of  fins ;  but  it  mufi: 
be  remembered,  that  the  Almighty's  difpofition  to  be  recon- 
ciled to  finners  was  till  then  unknown.  Natural  religion 
never  difcovered  this  truth.*  The  law  promljed  it,  as  far  as 
refpedls  the  temporal  remiffion  of  national  puniihments  j  but 
only  typically  flaadowed  out  the  hope  of  eternal  mercy  to  in- 
dividual offenders,  under  the  promife  of  a  future  prophet, 
whom  the  Jews  were  commanded  to  hear,  and  the  annual 
commemoration  of  an  anticipated  expiatory  facrifice.  Well, 
therefore,  might  he,  in  whom  the  fulnefs  of  the  Godhead 
dwelt,  rejoice  the  hearts  of  his  hearers  by  his  beautiful  par- 
ables of  the  loft  fliecp,  and  the  returning  prodigal ;  but  the 
ftray  charge  is  not  defcribed  as  being  dearer  to  the  heavenly 
fliepherd,  than  the  ninety  and  nine  who  had  not  wandered 
from  the  fold  j  nor  was  the  weeping  fpendthrift  preferred  to 
his  induftrious  obedient  brother,  who,  though  tinctured  with 
jealoufy  and  envy,  is  yet  pronounced  heir  to  all  his  father's 
ivealth.  Indeed,  as  our  divines  juftly  obferve,  one  of  the 
proofs  that  Jefus  was  more  than  man  conlifts  in  his  perfect 
developement  of  human  nature,  which  could  only  arife  from 
his  knowing  the  fecrets  of  all  hearts.  Except  the  blefTed 
author  of  our  religion,  fcripture  delineates  no  perfect  por- 
trait. The  Saint  and  the  Sinner  are  intermixed,  and  alter- 
nately prevail,  in  every  character  that  is  minutely  detailed. 
In  the  fame  chapter  our  Lord  addrefTes  the  fervent,  irrefo- 
lute,  yet  fmcere  Peter,  with  "  BleCed  art  thou  Simon  Bar- 
"  jona ;"  and.  Get  thee  behind  me  Satan,  for  thou  favour- 
"  eft  not  the  things  that  be  of  God."  Our  own  hearts  can 
teftify,  that  this  is  the  cafe  with  us  all.  At  times  we  feem 
to  rile  above  the  corruption  of  our  nature  ;  at  other  times, 
to  fink  beneath  its  acknowledged  imbecility. 

We  fhall  not,  therefore,  make  any  progrefs  in  real  edifi- 
cation, by  endeavouring  to  afcertain  cur  afTurance  of  having 
received  faving  grace,  or  to  ftate  the  time  when  we  felt  a 
callj-  to  newnefs  of  life.  I  hope  that  I  am  addrelling  read- 
ers who  have  never  been  ignorant  that  they  were  accounta- 
ble beings,  and  commanded  to  "  work  out  their  own  falva- 
tion  witk  fear  and  trembling."    I  truft  they  have  ever  avoid- 

*  Hey's  Ledlures,  vol.  ift,  p.  316. 

f  The  wor<l  called,  or  converted,  is  indeed  always  ufed  by  the  Apof- 
.tles  ;  but  fcripture  offers  no  iuftancc  of  a  pcrfgn  burn  of  chriflian  parents, 
and  regularly  educated  in  chiiftinn  knowledge.  The  cafe  of  Timothy 
comes  ncarefi ;  and  tlie  cliildren  of  the  elccl  Lady  (fee  the  ad  epiflle  of 
Johu)  were  probably  tuucaied  in  chrilUanity. 


181 

cd  grofs  enormities ;  and  I  fear  that  they  have  found,  and 
ever  will  find  it  difficult  to  reach  that  ftandard  of  perfection 
to  which  they  know  it  is  their  bounden  duty  to  afpire.  If 
their  minds  are  properly  fortified  by  found  principles,  found- 
ed on  that  clearnefs  of  idea,  and  humility  of  inquiry,  which 
becomes  our  finite  but  improveable  faculties,  they  will  frart 
at  the  prefumption  of  attributing  an  inftantaneous  converfion 
to  the  florid  declamation  or  theatrical  geftures  of  a  popular 
orator,  while  the  written  w-ord  of  God  has  failed  to  effedl  it, 
and  which  did  not  refult  from  an  humble  and  fteady  ufe  of 
thofe  means  of  grace  that  are  of  divine  appointment ;  I  mearr 
prayer,  and  the  holy  eucharift.  Should  the  preacher  whom 
we  attend  attempt  to  iilufa'ate  his  profelyting  labours  by  tell- 
ing his  auditory,  that  from  a  grievous  finner  he  was  meta- 
morphofed  into  an  eminent  inflrument  of  God's  glory  to 
convert  others  from  carnal  formality  to  vhal  religion.,  I  truft 
we  fliall  rather  feel  dlfgufted  at  the  egotifm  of  felf-praife, 
and  the  effrontery  of  avowed  wickednel's,  than  induced  to 
believe  that  we  are  liftening  to  a  repentant  Peter,  or  a  mi- 
raculoufly  converted  Paul.  Contrition  weeps  over  its  crimes, 
and  confefles  them  to  God  in  fecret ;  but  true  contrition 
will  never  glory  in  its  ihame,  by  fuch  a  public  contraft  of 
its  paft  and  prefent  life  as  adds  to  the  number  of  its  offences 
the  fins  of  vanity  and  prefumption  ;  vanity  in  boafling  of 
its  prefent  fcate,  and  prefumption  in  publifliing  the  tranl- 
grefiions  which  unfitted  it  for  the  office  that  it  hai;  af- 
fumed.* 

You  will  not,  my  dear  Mlfs  M ^  infer  from  thefe  ob- 

fervations,  that  I  wilh  to  difcourage  you  from  a  fincere  and 
frequent  examination  of  your  growth  in  grace.  To  com-»- 
mune  with  our  own  hearts,  is  not  only  an  import.mt  but  an 
indifpenflible  duty  ;  but  it  muft  not  be  performed  under  the 
guidance  of  enthufiafm.  We  are  not  to  examine  ourfelves 
in  order  to  determine  whether  we  belong  to  the  clafs  of  faints 


*  We  are  forbidden  to  fay  our  prayers  flanding  in  the  public  comers 
of  the  ftreets  ;  farely  then  we  are  retrained  fruin  publilhing  our  former 
fins,  as  a  contraft  to  our  prefent  purity,  efpalally  In  th:  fatiB'.:ary.  The  Mo- 
faical  law  required  pcrfonal  fymnietry  and  decorum  of  manners  from  its 
otBcials  ;  the  rehgion  of  Chrift  alters  thefe  qualirications,  to  the  utmoft 
polTible  purity  of  life  and  morals.  See  Timothy,  3d  chapter,  Titus  ill: 
cliapter.  Our  Church  requires  tefHmonials  of  fobrtety  and  regularity 
from  every  candidate  for  holy  orders ;  a  pious,  or  at  leail  an  iaofleniivc 
previous  conduit  feems  indifpenfable  to  all  v/ho  Vi'ould  become  teachers 
of  the  gofpel.  What  iliall  we  hy,  then,  oi^  thoi'e  fclf-convi^inJ  reprobatfs, 
who  prove  their  prefent  light  by  their  former  darknei's  ? 


182 

or  finners ;  the  mixed  nature  of  man  only  allows  us  to  ufe 
thefe  terms  in  a  qualified  fenfe ;  and  if  we  read  our  own 
hearts  aright,  we  Ihall  dii'covcr  many  things  partaking  of  both 
thofe  characters.  If,  by  being  born  again,  we  are  to  under- 
fland  perfect  holinefs  in  thought,  word,  and  deed,  the 
church  tnumphant  can  receive  no  addition  in  numb^T  from 
her  militant  aflbciate.  It  is  certain  from  fcripture,  that  the 
fame  perfon  does  in  the  courfe  of  life  many  times  of- 
fend and  be  forgiven,  and  is  alternately  at  peace  or  at  enmity 
with  God.  "  If  the  finner  departs  from  his  evil  ways,  his 
"  oftences  fhall  be  remembered  no  more ;"  again,  « if  the 
"  upright  man  forfakes  his  integrity  and  does  evil,  in  the 
"  fin  whicli  he  committed  he  fliall  die."  When  fcripture 
ufes  this  plain  language,  to  what  purpofe  is  it  to  perplex  our- 
felves  by  an  inquilitive  fcrutiny,  whether  we  have  ever  felt 
the  ajfurance  cf  falvation^  or,  in  the  w^ords  of  the  evangeli- 
zers,  been  horn  again  ?  If  we  feel  in  our  hearts  a  lively 
faith,  and  a  fincere  purpofe  of  obedience  to  the  divine  laws ; 
if  in  our  converflition  and  actions  we  feek  to  promote  God's 
glory,  and  the  good  of  our  fellow-creatures  ;  if,  denying  all 
ungodlinefs  and  worldly  lufls,  we  endeavour  to  go  on  from 
grace  to  grace,  fubmitting  ourfelves  and  all  our  concerns  to 
the  divine  will,  may  we  not  hope  (I  fay,)  when  we  find  our 
minds  fo  difpofed,  that  we  are  in  "  that  flate  of  falvation" 
to  which,  in  the  language  of  our  church,  we  ivere  called  by 
baptifm  ?  But  fince,  owing  to  the  infirmity  of  human  nature, 
we  can  rarely  continue  flationary  in  our  Chriflian  duties,  felf- 
examination  becomes  necelTary,  to  difcover  whether  we  are 
progreffive  or  retrograde  in  faith  and  virtue.  If  we  perceive 
an  'improvement  in  our  habits  of  piety  and  goodnefs,  let  us 
rejoice  with  that  humility  which  becomes  thofe  who  cannot 
be  confident  that  "  they  fland,  without  being  in  danger  of 
falling."  If  we  difcover  that  our  conflitutional  bad  habits 
have  gained  ground  upon  us,  or  that  fome  new  fin  afTails  us 
with  powerful  and  fuccefsful  temptation,  let  our  repentance 
be  as  fincere  and  profound  towards  God,  as  it  is  unobvious 
and  unobtrufive  to  man.  Long  indulged  habits  are  apt  to 
return  ;  the  ftrongeft  motive  by  which  we  endeavour  to  de- 
ter youth  from  tranfgrevTxng  God's  laws  is,  the  extreme  dijE- 
culty  of  weaning  the  mind  from  finful  courfes  ;  f^lf-exami- 
nation  will  difcover  to  us  our  natural  propenfities,  and  teach 
us  to  place  guards  where  tliey  are  moft  required. 

I  have  ever  thought,  that  the  difputcs  fubfifting  between 
\\\Q.  fteady  members  of  the  Church  of  England,  and  moderate 


185 

Calvinifts,  on  the  fubje^  of  regeneration,  have  proceeded 
more  from  the  want  of  clear  ideas  and  definite  language,  than 
from  any  material  difference  of  opinion  on  the  fubje<Sl. 
Both  hold  falvatlon  to  be  the  free  gift  of  God  by  Jefus  Chrift ; 
and  both,  I  truft,  acknowledge  that  good  works  are  required 
to  be  the  fruit  of  Chriftian  faith  j  by  which,  though  we 
cannot  in  ilridlnefs  be  faid  to  merii  falvation,  we  difcharge 
our  part  of  the  chriftian  covenant,  and  become  capable  of  it. 
Our  adverfaries  cartainly  mifreprefent  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land, when  they  defcribe  her  as  diftinguifliing  between  bap- 
tifm  and  regeneration ;  the  very  anfwer  in  the  catechifm  to 
which  they  appeal  confutes  them ;  as  it  makes  the  facra- 
ment  of  baptilm  (like  that  of  the  Lord's  fupper)  to  confift 
of  two  parts ;  of  which  "  water  is  the  outward  lign ;"  and 
"  a  death  unto  fin,  and  a  new  biith  unto  righteouinefs,  the 
inward  and  fpiritual  grace."  To  fay  that  we  look  only  to 
the  external  fprinkling,  is  to  charge  us  both  fallely  and  fool- 
ifhly ;  but  we  fay  that  we  cannot  judge  of  the  heart,  and 
therefore  the  Church  fuppofes  all  on  whom  this  outward 
lign  is  impreffed  to  be  called  to  a  flate  of  falvation,  regene- 
rated, received  as  the  adopted  child  of  God,  incorporated 
into  the  holy  church,  dead  to  fin,  living  unto  righteoufnefs, 
and  partaker  of  the  death  of  Chrift.*  Of  another  determi- 
nate pofitive  new  birth,  fubfequent  to  baptifm,  we  know 
nothing  jf  though  every  time  that  we  turn  from  fin,  to  ferve 
the  living  God,  we  may  be  faid  to  rife  to  newnefs  of  life,  but 
not,  as  I  before  obferved,  to  impeccable  holinefs. 

I  have  never  been  able  clearly  to  underftand  what  Meth- 
odifts,  or  moderate  Calvinifi:$  (for  I  confider  thefe  terms  as 
nearly  fynonymous,)  mean  by  regeneration.  They  feem  to 
intimate,  that  a  fenfible  change  takes  place  at  fome  period 
of  a  perfon's  life,  almofl:  fimilar  to  what  heathen  converts 
formerly  experienced  ;  and,  if  I  am  rightly  informed,  a  young 
perfon  is  required  to  give  proof  that  this  change  has  paffed 
in  his  mind,  before  he  is  admitted  to  break  bread.  A  de- 
fcription  of  this  perceptible  call,  and  of  the  manner  of  God's 
dealing  with  his  foul,  is  to  bs  repeated  to  the  elders  of  the 
congregation,  who  are  to  judge,  by  the  anfwers  given  to 
their  inquiries,  whether  the  candidate  for  full  communion 
has  experienced  a  coriverfton.  This,  in  my  opinion,  is  open- 
ing the  door  to  loquacious  prefumption  and  hypocrify,  and 

,  *     Sec  the  Thankfgiving  after  Baptifm. 

f  See  Bifiiop  Taylor's  Life  of  Chrift,  page  31 4- 


184 

iiuitting  it  againn:  dlfiklencc,  which  is  mol-c  likely  to  prove 
the  cnlket  in  which  genuine  piety  is  inflirincJ.  But  to  pro- 
ceed :  After  this  regenerating  operation  has  once  taken  place 
in  the  mind,  the  liinclified  convert  appears,  in  their  opinion, 
to  be  placed  in  a  much  greater  ftate  of  fecurity  than  he  was 
before  ;  contrary  to  the  tenor  of  experience,  and  the  words 
of  fcripture,  which  alike  \varn  us  to  beware  of  thinking  that 

wc  ftaiid.     You  will  perceive,  my  dear  Mifs  M ,  that 

no  rule  is,  or  indeed  can  be,  laid  down,  to  fhew  us  when  and 
how  this  work  Ihould  be  performed ;  and  I  am  perfuaded, 
that  perfons  who  hold  thefe  notions  muft  find  their  opinions 
as  to  their  being  effectually  regenerated  vary  with  their  differ- 
ent difpofitions  of  mind,  and  even  the  ftate  of  their  nerves ; 
being  fometlmes  difpofed  to  think  themfelves  the  "  children 
of  wrath,"  and  at  others  "  born  from  above  •,"  I  mean  that 
if  fpiritual  pride  have  not  entirely  vanquiflied  humility,  the 
backflidings  of  a  regenerated  Methodift  muft  wear,  in  his 
own  eyes,  a  moft  formidable  afpeft.* 

Far  more  confolatory,  and  fcriptural,  is  the  avowed  opin- 
ion of  our  Church,  Avhich  holds,  that  though  we  are  all  made 
in  baptifm  "the  children  of  God,  members  of  Chrifr,  and 
inheritors  of  the  kingdom  of  Heaven,"  we  xi\x^  forfeit  thefe 
privileges  by  fin,  and  recover  them  by  repentance.  Far  more 
charitable  and  juft  is  the  judgment  by  which  fl:ie  determines 
on  the  conciuft  of  her  members,  whom,  if  fiie  fees  them  reg- 
ular in  their  religious  and  moral  duties,  flie  fuppofes  to  be 
in  a  ftate  of  grace,  and  does  not  terrify  nor  offend  them  by 
an  inquifitorial  examination  as  to  vvhat  peculiar  fancies  and 
opinions  they  may  privately  indulge,  provided  thefe  do  not 
affe<ft  their  outward  condufl.  To  notorious  ill  livers  fhc 
denies  the  euchariftical  feaft  as  long  as  they  continue  in  their 
fms.  An  externally  fober,  honeft,  and  religious  perfon,  has 
no  right  to  be  thru  ft  from  the  Lord's  table  by  a  fellow-crea- 
ture, who  does  not  poffefs  the  gift  of  omnifcience.  Such  a 
one  ma-j  be  a  hypocrite  ;  and  a  ftrong  perfuafion  that  he  has 
been  regenerated,  will  not  prefcrve  him  from  the  crime  of 
dijfimulation.  To  the  Searcher  of  hearts  we  muft  leave  that 
offence  which  walks  unfeen  on  earth,  and  can  alike  affume 
the  lawn  of  epifcopacy,  or  the  ftiff  garb  of  Puritanical  fin- 
gularity. 

*  Whoever  wiflics  ftir  a  fpccimcn  of  the  nrgumrnts  of  ov.r  oppnnenf  j 
on  this  head,  may  confult  two  fcrn;ons  on  Original  Sin_,  and  tJu;  New 
Birtli,  printefl  by  J.  Paramore,  at  the  Fonndry,  Moorfulds,  ijSi,  an<l 
which  arc  faid  on  the  title  p^ge  not  to  be  fold,  but  given  away. 


185 

The  laft  remark  which  I  mean  to  malce  on  that  pretend- 
ed defire  of  edification  which  leads  many  to  defert  their 
church,  or  at  leaft,  while  they  abide  within  its  pale,  to  ex- 
hibit a  compound  of  hoftility  and  conformity,  iliall  relate  to 
that  objedtion  of  "  moral  preaching,"  which  is  often  brought 
againft  the  fermons  of  our  regular  divines.  We  might  pro- 
perly enough  reply,  that  as  the  temptations  to  offend  God 
are  more  apt  tQ  fpring  up  in  the  way  of  our  practice,  than 
in  that  of  our  faith,  our  fpiritual  guides  are  right  in  fixing 
their  ftrongeft  guards  in  thofe  places  where  their  flock  may 
be  moft  eafiiy  aflailed.  The  liturgy  of  the  church  is  doc- 
trinal, as  well  as  fupplicative  -,  fo  are  her  articles ;  and  the 
manual  in  which  they  are  contained  is  in  the  pofTeffion  of 
nearly  all  her  members.  She  has  provided  efpecial  offices 
for  the  education  of  her  youth  ;  and  if  parents  and  fponfors 
did  thqir  duty,  our  knowledge  of  the  myfteries  of  religion 
could  not  depend  on  the  difcretionary  infl:ru£lions  of  our  paf^ 
tors.  We  might  further  obferve,  that  knowledge,  once  ac- 
quired, is  not  in  danger  of  being  foon  loft ;  but  that  the  de- 
ceitfulnefs  of  fin  fo  difguiles  darling  vices  and  fafhionable 
indulgences,  that  we  need  more  impartial  obfervation  than 
our  own  to  refcue  our  inflamed  paffions  from  the  fatal  fafci- 
nation  of  habit,  authority,  or  importunity.  Nor  are  we  on 
this  point  compelled  to  ftand  merely  on  the  defenfive  :  did 
not  a  fear  of  widening  the  breach  that  is  between  us  enjoin 
a  degree  of  caution  which  almofl  exceeds  the  prefcribecl 
bounds  of  moderation,  we  might  afk  thofe  who  urge  this: 
charge  againft  it,  if  they  think  that  depreciating  a  life  of 
comparative  innocence  is  the  beft  method  of  recommending 
our  religion  to  infidels.  The  loth  chapter  of  the  A6ls 
teaches  us,  that  though  morality  is  not  fufficient  to  falvation, 
it  is  the  likeliefl  means  of  difpoling  the  mind  for  the  recep- 
tion of  Chriftian  graces.  We  have  an  apoftolical  command 
to  add  to  our  faith  virtue ;  and  the  inquifition  at  the  great 
audit  will  proceed  upon  the  principle,  that  righteoufnefs  is 
acceptable  to  God.  "Well  done,  good  and  faithful  fer- 
vant  j"  and  *'  Depart  from  me,  ye  workers  of  iniquity  ;"  are 
words  addrefTed  to  free  and  moral  agents,  who  come  to  re- 
ceive the  reward  of  good  deeds^  or  the  punifhment  of  evil 
anions. 

It  Is,  however,  by  no  means  true,  that  the  preachers  of 
our  national  church  are,  generally  fpeaking,  mere  moral  ef- 
fayifts.     Some  few  fpruce  chaplains  may  indeed,  like  Pope's 


186 

foft  Dean,  avoid  "  naming  hell  to  cars  polite  *,"  as  fbme  few 
among  the  more  ignorant  of  our  opponents  preach  open  An- 
tinomianifm ;  but  in  a  very  numerous  majority  of  our  church- 
es, virtue  is  always  recommended  on  Chriftian  motives,  and 
enforced  by  Chriftian  hopes.  A  fermon  is  a  popular  and 
brief  addreis  to  a  mixed  auditory,  who  are  fuppofcd  to  be 
previoufly  inftru^ted  in  the  elementary  knowledge  of  their 
religion.  On  particular  feftivals,  the  myflcry  then  efpecial- 
ly  commemorated  is  judicioufly  fele£ted  as  the  prevailing 
topic,  either  by  commenting  on  the  fcripture  narrative,  {hew- 
ing its  connexion  witli  preceding  prophecies,  and  refuting 
the  cavils  of  fceptics  ;  or,  by  drawing  fuch  practical  inferen- 
ces from  the  difpenfations  of  Almighty  God,  as  may  induce 
us  to  add  to  our  faith  that  "  holinefs  without  which  no  man 
fhall  fee  the  Lord."  Thofe  who  reproach  us  as  mixing  per- 
fuafives  to  moral  purity  with  the  doctrines  of  the  gofpel, 
furely  forget  that  the  moft  perfe6l  ethical  compofition  was 
fpoken  by  our  BlefTed  Lord  to  the  multitude  who  flood 
around  the  Sinai  of  the  Gofpel,  and  heard  our  High  Prieft 
extend  the  precepts  of  the  Decalogue  to  univerfal  holinefs 
and  purity  of  heart.  He  condemned  particular  vices  -,  he 
pronounced  the  beatitude  of  particular  virtues ;  and  fhall 
they  who  labour  in  the  fold  that  he  has  fet  up  in  this  king- 
dom, be  blamed  for  following  his  example  ?  By  a  mofl  live- 
ly allufion  to  an  ill  erected  building,  he  illuftrated  the  im- 
portant truth,  that  profitahle  attendance  on  the  word  of  God 
confifb,  not  merely  in  hearing,  but  in  doing  his  will ;  and 
if  they  built  but  upon  a  fandy  foundation,  who  only  Itjlened 
to  the  Son  of  God,  what  term  fhall  we  find  appropriate  to 
the  bafelefs  fabrics  of  thofe  who  negleft  their  ufeful  voca- 
tions, and  fuppofe  that  religion  conflfts  in  colle£1:ing  a  crude 
undigefted  mafs  of  confufed  ideas,  perplexing  their  minds 
with  vain  inquiries  and  minute  diflindtions,  preferring  the 
faflidioufnefs  of  the  critic  to  the  docility  of  the  pupil,  and 
complaining  of  iinivholejome  doctrine,  bccaufe  their  lawful 
teachers  ftrive  to  ameliorate  t\ie\r  Jiubborn  hearts^  and  to  cor- 
reEl  their  vicicus  lives y  inftead  of  gratifying  their  itching  ears, 
or  foothing  their  fantaftic  imaginations  ? 

Were  we  to  follow  the  brainfick  inconfl:ancy  of  enthufl- 
afm  in  all  its  deplorable  changes,  we  might  lament  that  the 
hungry  wanderers  from  our  epifcopal  chiu-ch  are  often  fed 
with  the  meagre  ebullitions  of  flrained  metaphor,  forced 
conceit,  colloquial  impertinence,  and  irreverent,  or  I  might 
fay,  frequently  blafphemous  applications  of  fcriptural  Ian- 


187 

guage  or  events  to  familiar  occurrences  ;  fuch  as  the  fuppoC* 
ed  converfion  of  the  gifted  mechanic  who  harangues  them, 
or  the  providences  and  experiences  that  have  befallen  a  re- 
cent convert.  It  is  particularly  obfervable,  that  this  fpecies 
of  feceders  from  the  eftablifhment  avoid  enforcing  the  du- 
ties appending  to  the  fifth  commandment.  The  reafon  is 
evident  j  for,  were  they  to  be  explained  as  they  are  in  that 
admirable  comment  upon  them  which  is  contained  in  the 
church  catechifm,*  they  would  bear  fo  hard  upon  the  diflent 
of  thefe  felf-appointed  teachers,  as  would  convince  their  fol- 
lowers that  they  greztXj fimied  by  that  fchifmatical  pertinaci- 
ty to  their  true  fpiritual  paftors,  which  they  are  now  taught 
to  confider  as  their  duty.  To  preach  the  fame  doftrine  with 
thofe  from  whom  we  wifh  to  gain  hearers,  is  but  to  open  a 
new  feminary  upon  an  old  place.  Novelty  of  manner  is  not 
fufficient ;  there  muft  be  novelty  of  matter  too.  The  reafon 
which  illiterate  people  generally  give  for  deferting  their  reg- 
ular minifter,  is,  that  he  does  not  teach  them  how  they  are 
to  be  faved.  Afk  them,  if  he  has  never  faid,  that  by  God's 
mercy,  through  Jefus  Chrift,  and  through  faith  in  his  merits, 
their  lincere  though  fallible  obedience  to  his  laws  will  be 
rewarded  with  life  everlafting  ?  and  they  generally  anfwer 
by  a  hefitating  yes  ;  and  then  add,  that  they  want  to  know 
more.  What!  more  than  our  liturgy  teaches  .'*  Yes.  More 
than  the  Holy  Scriptures,  which  our  Church  exhorts  all  her 
members  to  read  diligently,  reveals  ?  I  am  grieved  to  fay, 
that  I  was  once,  by  implication,  anfwered  yes ;  and  that  too 
by  a  perfon  who  has  fince  officiated  as  a  lay  teacher.  What 
poifonous  herbage  muft  that  flock  devour,  whofe  fhepherd 
fancies  that  man  can  relate  more  than  God  has  told  him. 
This  morey  when  ingenuoufly  difcovered,  proves  to  be  the 
dangerous  do£lrine,f  that  a  finner's  acceptance  with  God- 
does  not  reft  or  depend  on  the  conformity  of  his  will  to  the 
divine  law  -,  but  that,  as  Chrift  has  done  all  for  us,  and  as 
his  righteoufnefs  is  imputed  to  us,  we  have  nothing  to  do 
but  to  lay  hold  on  him.  It  muft  be  apparent  to  you,  my  dear 
Mifs  M ,  that  rigid  Calvinifm  is  fo  totally  adverfe  to 


*  "  To  love,  honour,  and  fuccour  my  father  and  mother ;  to  honour 
"  and  obey  the  king  and  all  that  are  put  in  authority  under  him ;  to  fub- 
"  mit  myfelf  to  all  my  governors,  teachers,  fpiritual  paftors  and  mafters ; 
«  to  order  myfelf  lowly  and  reverently  to  all  my  betters." 

f  That  this  doflrinc  is  eminently  dangerous,  fee  Matthew,  7th  chap- 
ter, vcrfes  aift,  22d,  and  a3d. 


188 

imman  refponfibllity,  that  it  will  be  difTicult  to  Uifcovcr  any 
motive  which  a  teacher,  who  profefTes  thofc  opinions,  can 
confiftently  ufe  to  difTuade  his  auditors  from  the  moft  atro- 
cious crimes ;  and  even  the  more  moderate  adherents  to  the 
apoftle  of  Geneva,  who  hold  man  to  be  merely  pafllve  in  the 
work  of  falvation,  certainly  deprive  thcmfclvesof  the  ftrong- 
eft  arguments  that  can  be  urged  on  the  fide  of  virtue,  name- 
ly, the  promife  of  its  future  reward ;  which  term,  though 
aftually  ufed  by  our  Saviour,  they  frequently  cavil  at  in  the 
difcourfes  of  our  clergy.  We  may  generally  obferve,  that 
no  ftyle  of  preaching  can  promote  Chriftian  edification  which 
diminifhes  the  fenfe  of  human  refponfibllity,  and  makes  eith- 
er our  Maker  or  our  nature  anfwerable  for  our  acftual  oft'en- 
ces.  I  believe  we  have  examined  with  fufficient  minutenefs 
that  pretended  love  of  edification,  which  draws  many  weak 
people  from  the  church  in  which  they  received  baptifm,  and 
from  whofe  pale  it  is  crhninal  for  them  to  depart  on  light 
and  frivolous  pretences.  We  have  {^ttw  how  little  reafon 
they  have  to  expe(ft  fuch  advantages,  either  from  the  matter 
or  the  manner  of  their  new  inftruftors  ;  but,  on  the  other 
hand,  how  much  danger  there  is,  that  the  light  within  them 
will  be  quenched  by  a  fupcrincumbence  of  words  without 
knowledge,  and  opinions  without  argument.  It  is  moil:  earn- 
eflly  to  be  wiflied,  for  their  own  fakes,  as  well  as  for  the 
peace  of  our  Jerufalem,  that  thefe,  perhaps  well  meaning, 
but  certainly  blamable  wanderers,  would  be  content  to  fee 
what  is  plainly  their  duty,  and  to  avoid  fuch  curious  myfte- 
ries  as  human  intellecft  can  never  clearly  explore. 

Sometimes,  dillatisfacSiiion  proceeds  no  further  than  cen- 
fure  and  complaint  againfi:  our  ordinances  and  officials,  and 
docs  not  amount  to  that  breach  of  communion  which  con- 
flitutes  the  offence  of  fchifm.  I  would  earneftly  exhort  per- 
fons  thus  circumfijanced,  in  the  words  of  a  very  learned  and 
amiable  divine,  **  You  are  haunted  with  fcruples  and  mif- 
**  givings  ;  purfue  your  own  courfe,  and  fee  what  will  be 
"  the  refult.  You  are  difcontented  with  fomcthing  in  your 
«  own  church  ;  look  out  for  another  :  fuppofing  you  found 
*«  one  perfectly  to  your  mind ;  yet  even  then  you  ought  not 
"  to  join  it,  except  the  change  will  compeni'ate  for  the  mif- 
"  chiefs  of  fchifm,  and  for  any  accidental  inconveniencies, 
"  fuch  as  increafe  of  diftance,  <?<c.  But  the  fuppofition  of  a 
**  church  perfecftly  unexceptionable  is  not  to  be  admitted  ; 
*^  fuch  perfe(Slion  is  ib  improbable,  that,  guiding  ourfclves  by 
**  experience,  we  muft  expect  that  if  you  find  any  number 


189 

«'  of  errors  or  faults  in  your  own  church,  you  will  find  fome 
«  in  other  churches ;  perhaps  as  many  as  in  your  own,  or 
"  more :  you  cannot  then  be  conllftent  in  that  cafe,  except 
«*  you  quit  them  all :  the  queftion  then  would  be,  whether 
«'  you  may  quit  all  religious  focieties,  and  worfhip  God  in 
"  folitude  ?  We  anfwer,  every  thing  in  the  nature  of  the 
<'  thing,  every  thing  in  the  expreffions  of  fcripture,  is  againft 
«  fuch  a  meafure.  If  you  are  alone,  you  muft  lofe  moll  of 
*'  the  benefits  of  religion  ;  infl:ru6tion  and  fympathy  wholly, 
"  and  aflbciation  in  a  great  degree ;  even  reading  and  med- 
«'  itation  grow  either  dead  or  extravagant.  And  the  pre- 
**  tence  is  trifling  ;  nor  are  you  at  liberty  to  acTt  upon  it,  ex- 
**  cept  you  alio  determine  to  retire  from  civil  Ibcicty,  and  to 
<*  fix  yourfelf  in  fome  defart  or  uninhabited  ifland,  becaufe 
*'  in  monarchies  you  have  found  fome  oppreflion,  in  democ- 
**  racies  fome  turbulence,  and  in  every  form  of  civil  govern- 
*'  ment  fomething  inconfiftent  with  your  ideas  of  perfec- 
«  tion."* 

I  have  been  thus  copious  on  what  I  feel  to  be  a  very  pain- 
ful fubie(Sl,  on  account  of  the  rapid  progrefs  which  ccclefi- 
aftical  infubordination  is  making,  efpecially  among  the  hum- 
bler walks  of  life.  I  have  not  ufed  the  name  of  evangelica*, 
aflumed  by  our  opponents,  out  of  reproach  ;  nor  yet  by  any 
means  as  acquiefcing  in  the  arrogant  pretenfion,  that  they 
have  a  fuperior  right  to  the  title,  or  that  the  light  of  the 
gofpel  is  no  where  difFufed  in  this  ifland,  but  where  they 
have  raifed  the  ftandard  of  feparation  from  the  church,  or 
furreptltiouily  attempted  to  pafs  for  her  only  genuine  off- 
fpring.  Lefs  danger  refults  to  our  eftablifliment  from  open 
foes,  than  from  thofe  who  excite  difputations  under  the  pre- 
text of  zealous  duty.  I  call  upon  thefe,  in  the  name  of 
God,  to  fay  why,  if  they  really  teach  the  fame  dodlrine  as 
their  clerical  brethren,  they  affect  to  confider  themfelves  as 
a  diftinfl  body  ?  Why  do  they  treat  their  fellow-labourers 
with  contempt  and  obloquy  ?  Why  do  they  lay  claim  to  fu- 
perior knowledge,  illumination,  and  purity,  and  prevent  the 
advantages  which  would  refult  from  mutually  labouring  to 
promote  the  interefts  of  unity  and  holinefs  ?  Difcord  is  not 
only  the  natural  impediment,  but  the  prediBed  hindermice  to 
the  progrefs  of  the  gofpel  of  peace.  Are  they  difputing 
about  words  only  .''  Can  vague  expreffions,  or  peculiar  ftyle 
in  the  preacher,  be  a  juftifiable  caufe  of  contention  ?  Or  caa 

*  Hey's  LetStures,  vol.  sd,  pages  119,  120. 


190 

nice  points  and  fubtilties,  which  few  can  comprehend,  and 
all  muft  ufe  much  circumfpection  and  precifion  to  ftate  with 
accuracy,  be  a  defence  for  fchifm  ?  Can  fuch  pretences  jufti- 
fy  them  at  the  day  of  judgment  for  all  the  mifchiefs  which 
angry  difputations  occafion  ?  If  worldly  motives  influence 
their  condu6t ;  if  they  clamour  for  fame,  eminence,  or  val- 
uable preferment,  they  muft  rellgn  all  pretenfions  to  lingle- 
nefs  of  heart.  If  they  really  imagine,  that  the  interefts  of 
true  Chriflianity  can  be  promoted  by  inflaming  the  imagi- 
nations, perplexing  the  undcrftandings,  and  unfixing  the 
principles  of  their  ignorant  auditors,  by  their  continually  ex- 
patiating on  obfcure  and  diforganizing  topics,  we  may  pity 
the  cohiuilon  of  their  minds,  and  give  thofe  allowances  to 
their  fincerity  which  we  detracfl  from  their  fanity. 

I  may  poflibly  alarm  the  well  intentioned  part  of  fuch  fe- 
eeders,  by  tranfcribing  the  opinion  of  the  learned  tranflator 
of  Moflieim.  Speaking  of  the  dangers  to  be  apprehended 
to  the  Proteftant  religion,  he  obferves,  "  If  Popery  fliould 
"  any  way  be  re-introduced,  it  muft  be  through  the  means 
«  of  fanaticifm  ;  which  by  difcrediting  free  inquiry,  decry- 
«  ing  human  learning,  and  encouraging  thofe  pretended  illu- 
V  minations  and  impulfes  which  give  the  imagination  an  un- 
«  due  afcendant  in  religion,  lays  weak  minds  open  to  the  fe- 
•'  du(ftions  of  a  church  which  has  always  made  its  conquefts 
*'  by  wild  vifions  and  falfe  miracles.  Cry  down  reafon, 
«  preach  up  implicit  faith,  make  inward  experience  the  teft; 
«  of  truth,  extinguifli  free  inquiry,  and  the  main  barriers  to 
*'  Popery  will  be  removed." 

Supported  by  fuch  authority  I  will  venture  to  give  my 
opinion,  that  itinerant  Calvinifts*  little  fufpedl  how  far  they 
are  advanced  toward  the  moft  odious  dodlrines  of  popery. 
But,  indeed,  thofe  who  fet  off  with  a  violent  refolution  to 
get  as  far  as  poffible  from  what  they  hate,  are  ever  doomed 
to  run  in  a  circle,  and  thus  finally  meet  what  they  determine 
to  avoid.  For,  not  to  draw  the  obvious  parallel  between  the 
lying  wonders  of  the  Rornifh  church,  and  the  extraordinary 
interpofiticns  of  Heaven  which  they  ftyle  providences  and 
experiences,  is  not  their  paflion  for  gifted  preachers,  that  is 
for  cnthuiiarrical  coxcombs  deftitute  of  learning,  exactly  iim- 
ilar  to  the  Romilh  doctrine,  which  holds  the  power  of  the 
prieft  to  te  not  only  declaratory  and  minijlcrialy  but  ejfentiai 

•  By  tills  phrafc  is  nitant  all  who  leave  their  rcgulur  teachers. 


191 

TXiA  conciufive  ?  a  tenet  that  our  church  folemnly  abjures.* 
How  fhall  we  elfe  account  for  the  inconveniencies  to  which 
thefe  eager  hearers  expofe  theralelves,  by  deferting  the  more 
regular  minifter  of  their  own  perfualions,  to  follow  him 
who  has  had  the  late/i  call  F  It  is  certain,  that  among  thefe 
people  popularity  is  never  lading,  and  the  benefit  of  holy 
worfhip  always  fcems  to  depend  upon  thofe  who  adminiftei* 
it.  The  merit  alfo  which  they  feem  to  attach  t6  the  long 
journeys  and  fevere  privations  that  they  undergo  to  hear  a 
fine  new  man,  favours  greatly  of  the  fuppofed  benefits  that 
were  formerly  afcribed  to  penances  and  pilgrimages.  Do 
thefe  profefled  haters  of  anti-chrift  and  lovers  of  liberty  know, 
that  their  favourite  dodrine,  that  no  one  fhould  fubmit  to 
the  civil  inftitutions  of  any  ftate  unlefs  he  had  firft  given 
liis  confent  to  them,  was  invented  by  the  agents  of  the  pa- 
pacy to  raife  the  power  of  the  Pontiff  over  fecular  princes, 
■and  was  found  eminently  ferviceable  to  the  clergy  of  that 
hierarchy,  who,  having  an  unbounded  fway  over  the  con- 
fciences  of  the  people,  by  making  popular  authority  para- 
mount to  regal  dominion,  cunningly  eftablifhed  their  own 
Supremacy  ?f 

«  Herefies,"  as  the  venerable  Bifliop  Home  obferves, 
**  however  defeated,  however  triumphantly  anfwered,  are 
"  only  conquered  for  a  time.  They  feem  to  make  their  pe- 
"  riodical  revolutions  in  the  church,  like  comets  in  the  hea- 
•*  vens,  now  difappearing,  and  now  appearing  again  in  their 
"  erratic  courfe."  Can  this  be  wondered  at  ?  It  is  the  fpirit 
of  the  myllery  of  iniquity,  which  always  fpeaks ;  and  whea 
the  old  embroidered  fuit  of  popery  is  worn  thread-bare,  it 
will  difpute  in  the  quaint  garb  of  puritanifm. 

Theological  controverfy,  confidered  in  its  befi:  light,  I 
•mean  as  keeping  alive  a  zeal  for  religion,  is  even  then  a  moft 
humiliating  proof  of  human  imperfe^Siion,  and  fliews  that  we 
are  fi;ill  at  an  immenfe  diftance  from  polTefiing  that  peace 
which  Chrift  bequeathed  to  us.  *'  The  wolf  cannot  dwell 
*'  with  the  lamb,  nor  the  leopard  with  the  kid  ;  the  lion 
**  will  not  eat  ftraw  with  the  ox,  nor  the  fucking  child  play 
**  with  the  afp  ;"  while  the  trumpet  of  difcord  founds  **  in 
"  the  holy  mountains  j"  nor  "  ihall  the  knowledge  of  the 

*  Article  26th- 

f  The  cuftom  among  Diflcntcrs  and  Mcthodifts,  of  teachers  changing 
congregations  with  each  other,  is  more  political  than  pious,  and  turns  re- 
ligion into  an  entertainment. 


192 

"  Lord  cover  the  earth  as  the  waters. cover  the  fea,"  till  m'lC- 
iions  are  no  longer  founded  in  fchifm,  nor  children  taught 
that  a  diverfity  of  opinions  in  rehgion  is  acceptable  and  pleaf- 
ing  to  God.  Contention  is  always  a  punifliment,  unanimity 
a  bleffing  \  and  never  was  difcord  among  lincere  Chriftians 
more  to  be  dreaded  than  in  thefe  times, ^when  irreligion  and 
•licentioufnels  wear  fuch  a  formidable  afpe<fl:.  Let  us  hope, 
then,  that  the  truly  devout,  aware  of  the  evils  of  affecfled 
fingularity,  and  controverfies  on  points  which  both  parti^ 
confefs  are  not  ejjential  to  fahntion^  will  avoid  the  fxn  of  caufe- 
lefs  reparation,  by  cheerfully  facrificing  their  private  fcruples 
to  the  great  blefllng  of  public  uniformity.  "  And  may  the 
«  God  of  Peace  fo  compcfe  our  minds,  that  if  our  brains 
"  differ,  our  hearts  and  tongues  may  agree."  At  leaft,  may 
all  who  profefs  to  have  the  fame  God,  Lord,  faith,  and  bap- 
tifm,  in  their  individual  capacities,  iliew  forth  that  meek 
and  holy  charity  "  which  feeketh  not  her  own,  is  not  eafily 
provoked,  thinketh  no  evil,  and  vaunteth  not  itfelf."  The 
wounds  of  our  Sion  would  then  be  fpeedilj  healed. 

Before  I  clofe  this  letter,  I  will  remark,  that  in  this  difli- 
pated  and  licentious  age,  the  charge  of  methodifm  is  often 
unwarrantably  urged  againfi:  many  valuable  and  fteady  mem- 
bers of  our  church  ;  merely  en  account  of  the  extraordinary 
piety  and  ferioufnefs  of  their  behaviour.  Pretenfions  to  fu- 
perior  fandlity  are  always  dangerous,  as  they  provoke  a  fcru- 
tiny  which  human  rectitude  can  rarely  fuftain.  God  forbid, 
however,  that  becaufe  there  have  been  devotees  and  hypo- 
crites, we  fliould  therefore  deny  the  exiftence  of  geiiuine  de- 
votion. It  is  much  to  be  wifhed,  that  perfons  w^ho  have  a 
regard  to  religion  would  never  deviate  into  morofenefs  of 
manner,  nor,  by  a  total  feclufion  of  themfelves  from  the 
world,  negleft  the  precept  of  letting  their  light  fhine  before 
men.  Might  we  not  hope,  that  if  the  truly  good  would 
oftener  mix  in  the  public  haunts  of  men,  their  prefence  and 
union  might  awe  the  effrontery  of  the  licentious,  and  correct 
the  frivolity  of  the  diffipate^  ?  Might  they  not  (for  1  do  not 
confider  this  body  to  be  inconfiderablc  either  in  rank  or 
number)  introduce  fuch  a  change  into  public  amulements, 
and  general  cuftoms,  as  would  produce  the  happieft  effedts 
on  public  morals  ?  The  undertaking,  I  grant,  would  be  ar- 
duous -,  it  would  require  great  exertion  of  fortitude,  perfeft 
command  of  temper,  and  above  all,  fuch  an  alTumption  of 
confequence,  and  avowal  of  merit,  as  is  mod  repugnant  to 
the  modcit  feelings  of  real  defert.     Virtue,  then,  mufl:  gc- 


193 

nerally  refide  in  the  fhade  :  it  is  the  region  in  which  fhe  beft 
flouriflies.  Yet,  confcious  of  her  own  fallibility,  let  her  ex- 
amine herfelf  there,  and  be  cautious  of  acquiring  peculiari- 
ties that  will  lefTen  her  influence.  On  the  other  hand,  let 
us  make  allowances  for  natural  temper,  for  the  preflure  of 
fevere  calamity,  for  difappointments,  or,  poffibly,  for  the 
lively  feelings  of  remorfe,  in  a  really  contrite  and  renovated 
heart ;  nor  let  us  ftamp  with  the  opprobrious  ftigma  of  fchif- 
matic  a  devout  Anna,  who  fpends  her  time  in  the  temple ; 
an  attentive  Mary,  who  liftens  to  the  voice  of  her  Lord ;  a 
repentant  Magdalen,  who  bathes  the  feet  of  Jefus  with  tears  ; 
or  a  charitable  Dorcas,  who  makes  garments  for  the  naked. 
The  Church  to  which  we  belong  interdicts  no  degrees  of 
virtue  or  piety.  Serioufnefs  is  not  feparation  ;  flridtnefs  is 
not  nonconformity.  If  a  few  of  her  community  feem  to  pay 
too  little  attention  to  things  of  this  world,  the  majority  of 
her  profeffors  are  too  indifferent  to  that  which  is  to  come. 
That  the  divine  Power,  who  enables  us  "both  to  will  and  to 
do"  what  is  good,  may  ever  preferve  you  in  the  happy  medi- 
um, prays  your  finccrely  affe^ionate,  &c. 


104. 


LETTER     VII. 


0/t  the  Tenets  of  Rat'minl  Ckrijlians,  or  Unitarians.* 


MY  DEAR  MISS  M- 


nlNCE  you  permit  me  to  purfue  the  courfc  adopted  in  a 
former  publication  of  a  limiiar  nature  to  my  prefcnt  attempt, 
I  {liall  now  call  your  attention  to  a  fct  of  Diflcnters,  who  err 
in  the  contrary  extreme  from  what  we  lail  confidered.  For, 
as  thofe  generally  decry  the  guidance  of  reafon,  and  the  ad- 
vantages of  human  learning,  thefe  latter  maintain  the  fu- 
premacy  of  our  limited  faculties,  and  are  too  apt  to  difcard 
every  tenet  of  revelation  that  cannot  be  lowered  to  the^r^ 
of  our  fcanty  intellect,  or  which  can  in  any  way  be  fuppofed. 
to  contradi(^  the  difcoveries  of  fcience.  While  the  Calvin- 
ifts  tell  us,  that  Chrift  has  done  all  for  us,  and  that  we  are 
mei"e  machines,  unrefifting  recipients  of  the  overwhelming 
grace  of  God ;  the  Socinians  reje<ft  the  atonement  and  me- 
diatorial office  of  the  Redeemer,  depofe  him  from  his  exalt- 
ed rank  of  filiation,  and  lower  him  to  a  created  being,  nay 
even  to  mortal  and  peccable  man.  Proud  of  the  dignity  of 
their  nature,  they  aflert  our  free  agency,  at  the  expence  of 
divine  fupremacy ;  and  they  make  our  falvation  to  depend 
fo  entirely  on  ourfelves,  as  to  limit,  if  not  annihilate,  the 
co-operating  affiitance  of  the  Spirit  of  God.  You  will  per- 
ceive, that  thefe  opinions  are  rather  addrefled  to  the  pride 
of  philofophy,  than  to  the  paflions  of  the  multitude ;  they 
are,  however,  difl^minated  with  great  zeal  amongft  all  ranks 
of  fociety  ;  and  they  are  combined  with  fuch  pretentions  to 

*  Here,  as  in  the  cafe  of  tl)e  opponents  whom  wc  have  juft  difmifTed, 
\vc  may  compluin  of  the  unfainicfs  of  the  diftinguilliiiig  terms  tliat  arc 
adopted  by  our  advcrfaries.  'I'he  Calvinifts  liivc  no  more  claim  to  the 
term  evangelical,  than  churchmen  ;  and  when  we  are  as  rational  and  as 
true  believers  in  our  God,  as  the  Unitarians,  thefe  denominations  are  af- 
fiimed  for  liuifler  and  political  purpofcs.  The  uninformed  always  feci  a 
great  charn^  in  word*. 


195 

free  inquiry,  the  right  of  private  judgment,  and  abfolute  im-^ 
punity  in  matters  of  opinion,  as  are  moft  likely  to  enfure 
their  popuUiriry  Much  mental  ftrength  is  enrolled  in  the 
ranks  of  thefe  dilputants ;  and  a  periodical  work,  efteemed 
by  many  to  be  unique  in  wit  and  vigour,  is  the  avowed  cham- 
pion of  this  caufe,  and  the  vigilant  and  mercilefs  caftigator 
of  its  adverfaries.  It  is  believed,  that  a  moji  decided  majority 
of  the  people  of  England  refufe  to  be  laughed,  or  reafoned, 
out  of  what  they  have  long  conlldered  to  be  the  pectdiarly 
dijlingn:j}nng  tenets  of  their  religion.  I  cannot  help  fufpe£t- 
ing,  however,  that  the  amazing  pains  which  were  taken  a 
few  years  ago  to  inftill  into  the  unfufpicious  mind  of  youth 
a  firm  perfuafion,  that  modes  of  faith  are  uneflential,  and 
fettled  religious  principles  another  name  for  bigotry,  have 
not  been  without  efFe£l,  though  they  may  not  have  added  to 
the  numbers  of  the  fe^l  by  whom  this  laxity  of  faith  was  pe- 
culiarly recommended.  Whence  is  it,  that  this  age  is  fo 
fertile  in  new  and  ftrange  opinions  }  How  comes  it,  that  the 
auftere  but  fincere  piety  of  former  periods  fliould  lapfe  into 
lukewarm  acquiefcence  with  eftablifhed  forms,  of  the  mean- 
ing of  which  we  rather  glory  than  blufli  to  be  ignorant ;  or 
elfe  evaporate  into  the  frothy  ebullitions  of  whimfical  en- 
thuliafm .''  It  is  certain,  that  the  latitudinarian  and  the  fa- 
natic mutually  prepare  profelytes  for  each  other.  When 
once  the  mind  is  loofened  from  the  fteady  anchor  of  fixed 
principles,  it  is  ready  to  drive  with  every  wind  of  dodtrine, 
and  never  knows  the  comfort  of  fecure  repofe.*     The  re- 

*  There  cannot  be  a  fairer  fpecimen  of  the  ftyle  of  criticifm  whieh  is 
employed  to  fnake  the  foundations  of  reiigious  principle,  than  the  follow- 
ing remarks  on  the  maternal  inftru6lioiis  which  a  lady  of  fafliion  ad- 
dreffed  to  her  fon.  The  refpedlablc  author  had  the  hardihood  to  exchange 
vague  and  indefinite  admonitions,  for  an  cxprefs  recommendation  of  the 
national  faith.  "  With  refpccl  to  the  doSirines  of  Cirijiianiiy,  without  com- 
"  bating  the  pofitions  here  laid  down,  we  confefs  we  fliouid  have  been 
"  better  pleafed,  if  the  orthodox  faith  of  the  fair  writer  had  been  offered  to 
"  her  pupil  in  a  more  modeft  and  Icfs  decided  tone.  When  an  author'* 
"  tenets  are  founded  folely  on  the  authority  of  the  Englifli  tranflation  of 
"  the  New  Tcftament,  which  may  chance  to  convey  more  or  lefs  than  the 
"  original  fairly  implies,  a  certain  degree  of  diffidence  fhould  furely  ac- 
"  company  aiTertions,  efpecjally  on  points  which  are  yet  conteflcd  among 
"  the  learned  divines  of  the  reformed  churches.  A  fingle  text  may  be 
•'  good  'verbal proof,  and  fuch  as  may  prove  fatisfacflory  to  fair  divi/ice ;  but 
"  there  are  others  who  would  hefitate  to  eftablifb  their  faith  on  fuch 
"  flender  grounds,  and  they  would  recoiled:  the  remark  of  the  poet  :  In 
»'  rel'gion 

"  What  damned  error,  but  fome  fober  brow 

"  Will  blefs  it,  an^  approve  it  with  a  text. 

«'  SHAKEg?tARE." 


196 

peated  admonitions  that  have  been  given  to  parents,  to  avoid 
making  their  children  bigots,  or  teaching  them  myllcries 
before  their  reafon  ripened,  has  caufed  young  people  to  be 
trained  up  in  fuch  ignorance  of  the  faith  which  they  pro- 
fefs,  as  would  have  aftonifhed  every  age  fince  the  Reforma- 
tion. To  this,  I  am  perfuaded,  we  muft  afcribc  the  recent 
progrefs  of  Calvinifm  ;  and  not,  as  it  is  invidioufly  ftated,  to 
the  ncgleEl  of  our  regular  clergy.  Elementary  inftruttion  is 
a  branch  oi parental  duty  ;  it  is  the  foundation  on  which  the 
fuperftruiSlure  of  Chriftian  knowledge  muft  be  raifcd ;  and 
we  might  as  well  cavil  with  Eton  and  Weftminfter  for  not 
teaching  the  primer,  as  condemn  our  fpiritual  paflor  for 
not^  publicly  teaching  "  the  firft  principles  of  the  doctrine 
of  Chrift."  If,  under  the  idea  of  being  an  enlightened  and 
liberal  parent,  we  fuffer  our  children  to  remain  in  ignorance 
of  the  terms  and  obligations  of  their  baptifmal  vow ;  if  we 
tell  them,  that  they  are  fr^ee  to  choofe  the  way  in  which  they 
will  worfhip  the  univerfal  God,  who  is  alike  pleafed  with 
the  homage  of  "  the  Saint,  the  Savage,  and  the  Sage,"  let 
us  not  feek  for  the  reafon  of  their  future  maladies  in  the 
unwholefome  nutriment  that  they  receive  from  their  paro- 
chial minifter,  but  in  our  having  neglected  to  feed  their  in- 
fant years  with  the  milk  of  Gt>d's  holy  word,  left  we  ihouid 
thereby  prejudice  them  in  favour  of  what  the  wifeft  of  man- 
kind have  pronounced  to  be  ten  thoufxnd  times  inovt  pre- 
cious than  the  riclies  of  Ophir. 

There  is  fomething  fo  formidable  in  the  term  higot,  efpe- 
cially  when  coupled  with  its  ally  peyfecutG-y  that  I  do  not 
wonder  our  latitudinarian  fectaries  have  found  thefe  names 
nioft  ufeful  artillery  to  drive  weak  mothers  from  performing 
their  duty,  and  to  intimidate  difndcnt  people  from  avowing 
the  principles  that  tliey  profelied.  What  if  I  fliew,  that 
thcfe  alarming  epithets  are  not  appropriate,  if  afcribcd  to 
the  confcientious  members  of  a  church  conltitutcd  upon  fuch 
principles  as.  that  to  which  we  belong  !  But  I  muft  appeal 
from  the  judgment  of  thofe  who  do  not  acknowledge  the  di- 

Mi,<Kt  not  one  aflc  the  author  of  this  ingenious  mode  of  rumbatinjj  fair 
dvlMs,  on  wliat  finglc  text  liHs  our  church  founded  :<ny  of  its  dod:rints  ?  Is 
it  inipoirihle  for  a  mere  Englilli  reader  to  ohtain  fiicli  a  view  of  the  con- 
troverfy,  :is  to  dilcovcr  which  party  brui^^s  the  ftrongefl:  fcriptural  evi- 
tl:-nce,  or  mofl  ably  fiipports  its  opinion  ?  I  prelunie,  tlic  conductors  of 
tiiis  review  only  mc m  to  prohibit  orthodox  females  from  ufuig  a  dicidcd 
tone  ;  for  I  recollect  tiiat  the  daring  aflertions  «>f  an  audacious  advocate 
of  impiety  and  revolt  received  no  liarlli  reproof;  but  the  public  were  in- 
vited to  read  /aj-  writings,  by  callin\^  tiieni  lp!rit(.d  and  original. 


197 

vine  authority  of  our  whole  Scriptures,  and  only  ufe  a  mu- 
tilated and  garbled  edition  of  luch  parts  of  the  facred  writ- 
ings as  fuit  their  own  purpofes.  I  might  advert  to  the  epif- 
tles  of  St.  Paul,  who  authoritatively  denounces  various  here- 
fies,  and  excommunicates  heretics  in  the  churches  which  he 
founded,  and  governed,  either  by  himfelf  or  his  immediate 
agents.  I  might  bring  forward  the  examples  of  St.  Peter 
and  St.  Jude,  who  exhorted  their  converts  to  "  beware  of 
"  thofe  who  privily  bring  in  damnable  herefies,  even  dcny'nig 
**  the  Lord  who  bought  them  ;"  and  "  to  contend  earneftly  for 
*^  the  faith  once  delivered  to  the  faints,"  becaufe  certain  men 
**  have  crept  in  unawares,  who  were  before  of  old  ordained 
"  to  this  condemnation  ;  ungodly  men,  turning  the  grace 
*'  of  God  into  lafcivioufnefs,  and  denying  the  only  Lord  God 
**  and  our  Lord  Jcfus  Chrift ;"  but  I  will  reft  my  proof  on 
the  doftrines  of  the  beloved  difclple  St.  John.  As  he  was 
moft  honoured  with  the  friendfhip  of  his  mailer,  we  have 
reafon  to  believe  that  his  character  was  moft  ailimilated  to 
that  perfedl  model  of  all  excellence  which  the  incarnate 
Deity  prefented.  In  his  writings  we  trace  two  dlftlnguifliing 
features  j  a  fublime  and  clear  view  of  the  facred  myfteries, 
and  an  ardent  afFe^lion  for  his  fellow-creatures.  His  Gofpel 
opens  with  a  full  and  unequivocal  teftimony  of  the  divinity 
of  his  Mafter  ;  a  text  which,  according  to  the  conception  of 
the  learned  German  commentator  Michaelis,  has  never  been 
in  the  leaft  affected  by  the  moft  diligent  inquiry,  and  minute 
critlcifm,  of  thofe  who  would  baniila  that  doctrine  from  the 
articles  of  religion.  Inftead  of  its  authenticity  being  Jhaken 
by  the  collections  of  two  celebrated  collators  of  manufcripts, 
Mills  and  Wetftein,  it  has  been  rendered  more  certain  than  e-v- 
er.*  When  we  coniider  that  the  numerous  manufcripts  of 
this  gofpel  which  are  preferved  have  been  made  by  tran- 
fcribers  dliiering  in  fentlments,  and  for  oppofite  purpofes  ; 
that  they  lived  In  countries  and  ages  remote  from  each  other, 
and  ufed  different  languages  and  idioms  •,  we  muft  look  up*- 
on  the  authentic  identity  of  this  text  as  a  peculiar  interpo- 
iition  of  the  fame  Holy  Spirit,  which  firft  infpii-ed  the  ven- 
erable apoftle  to  pen  this  important  truth,  to  refute  the  fal- 
lacies of  heretics  who,  even  in  the  flrft  ages  of  the  church, 
refufed  to  bow  the  pride  of  human  reafon  to  thofe  attefting 
miracles  which  wltnefted  the  Incarnation  and  fufferings  of 
the  Son  of  God.     It  is  generally  acknowledged,  that  the 

*  The  fame  is  obfervcd  of  Romans,  9th  chapter  and  jth  vcrfc. 


198 

gofpel  of  St.  John  was  written  at  a.  time  when  herefies  had 
crept  into  the  church  ;*  and  every  attentive  reader  of  this 
facred  trcatifc  mull  acknowledge,  that  it  is  diametrically  op)- 
poiite  to  the  notion  of  the  mere  humanity  of  our  Lord.  It 
feems  fingular,  that  the  Socinians  iliould  venture  to  afTert, 
that  their  opinions  were  what  was  anciently  eireemed  to  be 
orthodox,  in  the  very  teeth  of  an  aportolical  hiftory,  com- 
pofed  for  the  efpecial  purpofe  of  afierting  the  doctrine  which 
is  maintained  by  every  Chriftian  community  but  their  own. 
I  fear  that  I  have  been  led  to  digrefs  a  little  from  my  pur- 
pofe. It  was  rather  my  defign  to  propofe  to  you  the  exam- 
ple of  St.  John,  than  at  this  time  to  enlarge  upon  his  docirine. 
The  proofs  of  thofe  fundamental  articles  of  our  faith  (the 
divinity  and  atonement  of  Chriil)  are  more  numerous  in  the 
writings  of  this  apoftle,  than  in  any  other  of  the  facred  pen- 
men \  yet  none  of  them  appear  to  have  glowed  with  fuch 
ardent,  fuch  univerfal  benevolence,  as  this  evangelill.  He 
even  makes  our  love  to  cur  brother  the  pledge  and  criterion 
of  our  boalled  love  to  our  Maker.  His  firft  or  catholic 
epiftle  is  generally  believed  to  have  been  written  in  extreme 
old  age,  when  he  was  on  the  eve  of  beholding  his  friend 
and  mafter  in  the  full  fruition  of  uncreated  glory.  How  pa- 
thetic, how  energetic  are  his  admonitory  adieus  to  that  flock 
which  he  had  fo  long  attended  !  He  falutes  them  with  the 
epithet  of  «  beloved  j"  he  calls  them  "  his  little  children  j" 
he  conjures  and  entreats  them  "  to  keep  fteadfaft  in  the 
faith  ;  and  he  admonilhes  them  "  to  love  one  another,"  as 
the  mark  of  their  religion.  Did  he,  who  leaned  on  the  bo- 
fom  of  Chrill:,  believe  modes  of  faith  to  be  immaterial^  or 
that  the  charadl;ers  of  a  firm  champion  of  the  truth,  and  a 
genuine  philanthropic,  are  incompatible  ?  Did  I  fay  philan- 
thropy ?  Let  me  reject  a  term  io  often  perverted  to  the  baf- 
effc  purpofes,  and  fubllitue  !he  chriftian  epithet  of  charity. 
Shall  we  accufe  the  beloved  difciple  of  inconflftency  or  big- 
otry ;  and  can  the  mafter,  who  felected  him  from  all  human 
beings  as  moft  worthy  of  the  glorious  title  of  his  friend,  be 
fere  ned  from  the  charge  of  Aveak  partiality?  We  will  not 
tax  God  fooiithly,  nor  lightly  impeach  the  conduct:  of  the 
moft  diilinguiihed  of  mankind.  True  benevolence  extends 
to  the  fouls  as  well  as  to  the  bodies  of  our  fellow-creatures  ; 
and  what  greater  kindncfs  can  be  ihewn  to  the  former,  than 
in  fteadily  refilling  dreadful  and  fedu£tive  do(Strines  ? 

•  The  lirfi  denlcrs  of  Chrift's  divinity  were  the  GnoQics. 


199 

From  the  teftlmony  which  the  writings  of  St.  John  aiFord 
of  his  charatfler  in  advanced  life,  we  may  difcover'the  efhca- 
cy  of  ills  mafter's  leiTons  on  his  naturally  vehement  and  vin- 
didlive  chara(5ler.  In  the  warm  enthufiafm  of  early  youth, 
he  was  anxious  to  "  call  down  fire  from  Heaven"  on  thofe 
cities  that  would  not  receive  his  Lord  ;  but  the  un(5tion  of 
that  blefled  Spirit,  of  which  he  received  fo  copious  a  fhare 
on  the  day  of  Pentecofl,  taught  him  the  manner  in  which  he 
was  to  enforce  his  million.  He  now  knew,  that  he  was  not 
appointed  ruler  of  the  Afian  churches  to  ufe  the  arm  of  the 
flefh,  or  to  affli£l  and  torment  others.  But,  as  no  two  things 
can  be  more  oppofite,  than  tacit  acquiefcerice  in  falfe  opin- 
ions,  and  cruelty  to  erring  brethren,  he  has  left  us  a  flaining 
example  of  zeal  for  truth,  without  that  bafe  alloy  of  unchar- 
itablenefs,  which  human  paflions  are  fo  apt  to  intermix  in 
whatever  deeply  interefts  the  mind.* 

Bigotry  and  prejudice  are  as  much  the  bugbears  of  this 
age,  as  the  Pope  and  the  Pretender  were  formerly.  It  is 
impoffible  to  defend  what  is  right,  without  danger  of  en- 
countering the  obloquy  annexed  to  tyranny,  perfecution,  ig- 
norance, fanaticifm,  and  narrownefs  of  foul.  Yet  it  feems 
as  if  few  were  fo  bigoted  as  thofe  who  loudly  declaim  in 
praife  of  unbounded  freedom  of  opinion  ;  which,  when  nice- 
ly analyzed,  is  generally  found  to  mean  a  reftlefs  delire  of 
eftablilhing  our  own  fentiments  as  the  univerfal  do(Slrine. 
Surely,  when  we  praife  the  liberality  of  our  own  notions,  we 
difcover  too  much  vanity  to  bring  the  fentiments  of  our  ad- 
verfaries  into  difcredit  with  any  intelligent  reader. 

*  T  am  unwilling  to  mix  with  the  certain  authority  of  fcripture,  the 
doubtful  atttftation  of  liuman  teflimony ;  yet  I  willi  to  repeat  two  anec- 
dotes of  this  apoftle,  authenticated  by  Irena;us,  a  fatiier  of  the  fecond  cen- 
tury, who  profefled  that  he  had  thcni  from  Polycarp,  the  immediate  dif- 
ciple  of  St.  John.  Whatever  may  be  their  authenticity,  Irenseus  muft 
have  thought  that  they  corrcfponded  with  the  then  well  known  charadler 
of  this  aportle.  The  one  is,  that  coming  into  the  bath  at  Ephefus,  and 
hearing  that  the  noted  heretic  Cerinthus  was  then  there,  he  immediately 
left  it,  warning  his  followers  to  do  the  fame,  ItR  the  place  which  contain- 
ed fo  great  an  enemy  to  the  truth  fliould  fall  upon  their  heads.  Tlie  oth- 
er anecdote  is,  that  when  age  difabled  him  from  preaching  at  every  pub- 
lic meeting,  he  exhorted  his  flock  with  thefe  words,  "Little  children, 
love  one  another."  His  auditors,  wearied  with  the  repetition,  inquired 
the  reafon  of  it  ;  and  received  for  anfwer,  "This  is  what  our  Lord  com- 
manded ;  and  if  we  can  do  this,  we  need  do  nothing  elfe."  I  have  quoted 
this  account  from  an  excellent  work,  once  ftudied  by  every  family  ;  1  mean 
•Nelfon's  Companion  to  the  Feafts  and  lafts  of  the  Church  of  England. 
It  may  be  found  iu  various  authors. 


200 

To  apply  this  remark  to  that  fpecles  of  Diflentcrs  which 
is  moft  vehement  in  charging  the  eftabliiliment  with  bigot- 
ry :  According  to  their  acknowledged  tenets,  modes  of  faith 
are  vnmnter'ml  in  the  eyes  of  the  Deity.  The  Romanifts, 
who  believe  falvation  to  be  circumfcribed  within  the  papal 
pale,  are  juftifiable  in  their  zeal  for  making  converts ;  but 
what  motive  can  we  affign  to  thofe,  who  teach  that  "  God 
made  men  to  differ  in  points  of  faith,"  and  who  yet  purfue 
every  method,  and  move  every  engine,  to  bring  the  world 
to  a  conformity  with  their  own  opinion  ?  Is  not  this  ufing 
one  meafure  for  our  neighbours,  and  another  for  ourfclves, 
and  crying  out  againft  tiie  intolerance  that  we  praftife  ? 
Does  this  proceed  from  zeal  for  truth  ?  No  ;  with  them, 
**  the  confcious  mind  is  its  own  awful  world  j"  and  what 
feems  right  to  a  man  is  determined  to  be  right  to  him.  The 
motive  muft,  therefore,  be,  either  the  love  of  contention,  or 
that  ambitious  dciire  of  fuperiority,  and  bigoted  attachment 
to  their  own  notions,  which  they  charge  as  heinous  offences 
againft  us  ;  who  dreading  the  threatenings  denounced  againft 
thofe  that  mutilate  the  facred  volume,  dare  not  erafe  a  truth 
which  pervades  the  whole  feries  of  fcripture,  from  the  brief 
but  awful  and  inftrujSlive  narrative  of  the  formation  and  fall 
of  man,  to  that  prophetical  clofe  of  the  facred  volume  which 
lifts  the  myfterious  veil  of  futurity,  to  fhew  us  the  final 
renovation  of  the  human  fpecies  in  the  city  of  the  living 
God. 

I  need  not  inform  my  dear  young  friend,  that  the  truth 
to  which  I  have  alluded  is,  the  atoning  facrifice  of  the  Son 
of  God  ;  by  which  the  Almighty  Father  was  pleafed  at  once 
to  fliew  his  hatred  to  fin,  and  his  compaflion  to  finners.  I 
do  not  intend  to  purfue  the  long  feries  of  promifes,  analo- 
gies, ceremonial  inftitutions,  and  prophecies,  by  which  the 
world  was  prepared  for  this  great  event ;  a  volume  devoted 
to  the  fubjeifl  would  give  but  a  brief  view  of  the  types  and 
prediftions  which  announced  its  unexampled  importance. 
To  this  point  all  the  promifes  made  to  Adam,  Noah,  Abra- 
ham, and  the  reft  of  the  Patriarchs,  preeminently  tended  j 
even  thofe  which  appear  to  us  to  be  merely  of  a  perfonal, 
temporary  nature,  to  them  (as  we  may  lear)i  from  other  parts 
of  fcripture)  difclofed  views  which  extended  beyond  this 
tranfitory  fi:ate,  and  the  temporal  concerns  of  their  offspring. 
To  prepare  mankind,  by  previous  conceptions  of  the  manner 
in  which  the  offended  juflice  of  the  Almighty  muft  be  pro- 
pitiated, fi'.crifices  were  introduced  (and  it  is  believed  by  di- 


201 

vine  appointment)  Immediately  after  the  fall ;  they  were  re- 
vived in  the  renewed  covenant  made  with  Noah  after  the 
flood  ;  and  pofitively  enjoined  to  the  Patriarchs  during  their 
various  migrations.  When  the  Mofaical  law  was  given  by 
God  to  the  Jews,  it  was  efteemed  of  fuch  confequence,  that 
the  regulation  of  it  forms  one  entire  book  of  the  Pentateuch ; 
and  during  the  whole  of  the  Jewifh  ceconomy  this  ceremo- 
nial was  regularly  obferved,  though  often  contaminated  by 
idolatrous  intermixture. 

Conlidered  in  itfelf,  flaying  a  beafl  in  honor  of  a  fpiritu- 
al  being,  muft  appear  an  abfurd  and  indecorous  mode  of 
homage.  There  is  no  natural  connexion  between  fliedding 
of  blood,  and  pardon  of  fin ;  thefe  purple  libations,  there- 
fore, muft  originally  have  been  of  fuperhuman  appointment, 
and  intended  to  prepare  the  minds  of  men  for  that  event 
which  was  to  happen  in  fulnefs  of  time.  It  is  evident,  from 
the  numerous  reproofs  of  the  prophets,  that  the  Jews  were 
apt  to  look  no  further  than  to  the  mere  viflble  ordinance  ; 
the  50th  Pfalm,  and  the  ift  chapter  of  Ifaiah,  are  .lively  in- 
ftances  of  an  endeavour  to  fpirituaU'ze  the  minds  of  the  peo- 
ple, and  to  convince  them  that  it  was  not  the  blood  of  calves 
and  of  goats  that  was  really  acceptable  to  God. 

If  it  be  aflced  by  our  opponents,  why  Go* would  not 
grant  the  pardon  that  he  intended,  without  requiring  fo  fe- 
vere  a  ranfom  as  the  precious  blood  of  Chrift  .>*  we  may  an- 
fwer,  "  it  was  not  his  pleafure  fo  to  do."  To  argue  on  this 
point  from  what  we  fhould  fuppofe  to  be  noble  in  the  con- 
duct of  a  human  creature,  is  to  produce  a  parallel  which 
fails  in  all  the  known  points  of  refemblance.  It  is  to  com- 
pare finite  with  infinite,  in  every  point  of  view  in  which  we 
can  fuppofe  prefcience,  purity,  juftice,  mercy,  power,  and. 
remuneration  to  a6l.  The  king,  who  fhould  offer  the  heir 
of  his  throne  as  a  facriflce  for  the  critnes  of  his-fubje£ls,  muft 
have  the  power  of  railing  him  from  the  grave,  before  he  can 
be  produced  as  a  comparifon  for  the  Almighty ;  and  he  muft 
be  himfelfji^ilefs,  before  he  can  conflftently  thus  exprefs  his 
irreconcilablenefs  to  gt/iit.  From  our  confeft  incapacity  of 
judging  of  any  thing  fo  remote  from  us  as  the  Deity,  acqui- 
efcence  in  what  he  has  revealed  becomes  not  only  expedient, 
but  our  bounden  duty.  All  that  we  know  of  God  is  from 
the  works  of  his  hands,  and  the  book  di£lated  by  his  Spirit  ; 
and  from  both  we  may  learn,  that  "  he  feeth  not  as  man 
*'  feeth ;  that  his  ways  are  equal,  though  ours  are  unequal ; 
Bb 


202 

<*  and  that  his  purpofes-are  part:  finding  out."  At  pvefcnt, 
*'  we  fee  through  a  glafs  darkly ;"  becaufe  our  faculties  are 
too  limited  to  give  us  a  juft  and  adequate  idea,  either  of  his 
attributes,  or  of  the  laws  of  that  inviilble  ii.x^e  m  which  he 
is  more  confpicuoufly  revealed.  Is  it  fo  extracrdinary,  that 
the  creature  cannot  comprehend  the  Creator  .''  Does  fuch  a 
defcription  of  the  God  whom  we  Chriftians  worfhip,  prove 
him  to  be  any  ways  different  from  that  author  of  nature,  for 
.  whofe  myfterious  operations  philofophers  cannot  fatisfadlo- 
rily  account  in  many  minute  inflances,  though  the  general 
refult  of  the  vilible  creation  compels  them  to  confcfs  that 
he  is,  and  that  he  is  infinitely  wife  and  benevolent  ."*  In  the 
moral  government  of  the  world,  docs  not  Providence  fre- 
quently permit  afili£tion  to  fall  upon  virtue,  and  fufter  vice 
to  profper  even  by  the  means  of  its  own  wicked  machina- 
tions ?  This  correfpondence  between  the  character  and  con- 
duct of  the  Aimiglity,  as  described  by  his  word  and  his 
works,  opens  a  very  copious  field  for  obfervation,  upon  wliiclx 
we  will  prefently  touch,  though  my  'knowledge  of  natural 
philofophy  and  fcience  is  too  limited  to  enable  m.e  to  do  it 
the  juftice  that  I  wifli. 

IJut  let  us  firft  purfue  our  obfervations  on  the  teftimony 
of  holy  writ  on  thefe  two  momentous  points,  the  redemp- 
tion of  the  world,  and  the  plurality  of  perfons  in  the  God- 
head. The  opponents  with  whom  we  now  contend  admit 
Jefus  Chrift  to  be  a  prophet  fent  from  God  ;  and  by  their 
lately  afcrlbing  to  him  the  term  Lord,  I  hope  they  have  ge- 
nerally rejected  Dr.  Prieftley's  impious  notion  that  .he  was 
mere  man,  and  acknowledge  him  to  be  a  great  preexiftent 
fpirit,  probably  the  fir  ft  of  created  beings,  and  the  delegated 
head  of  the  Chriitian  church.  As  they  mufi,  therefore, 
have  got  over  what  was  to  them  fo  long  a  {tumbling  block, 
the  miraculous  incarnation,  it  is  much  to  be  lamented  that 
they  could  not  bring  their  minds  to  receive  the  w/^o/e  truth ; 
for  how  we  can  addrefs  prayers  to  or  through  any  created 
being  without  being  guilty  of  idolatry,  or  having  mean  and 
unworthy  ideas  of  God,  they  muft  explain  j  and  if  he  be 
our  Lord  and  fpiritual  head,  it  \sfrom  him,  as  well  z^for  his 
fake,  that  we  muft  expert  blcfllng  and  protection.  They 
ftill  deny  the  atonement,  or  that  the  world  was  reconciled 
W5  God  by  the  death  of  Chrift  ;  but  they  admit  that  Jie  re- 
ally was' crucified,  and  rofe  from  the  dead  in  proof  and  con- 
firmation of  the  truth  of  the  dodtrine  that  he  was  fent  into 
the  world  to  teach  j  n-dincly,  the  refurreftion  of  the  body, 


and  immortal  life.  They  fay,  it  is  inconfiftent  v/ith  the 
ideas  that  we  ought  to  form  of  divine  jufticc,  to  fuppofe  that 
God  would  not  pardon  the  guilty,  vnthout  feme  innocent 
perfon  paid  the  ftipulated  ranfom  of  their  fouls,  by  fubmit- 
ting  to  temporal  death,  to  refcue  the  world  from  eternal 
punifliment.  As  they  make  fuch  a  point  of  explaining  all 
the  actions  of  the  Deity  on  human  grounds,  they  muft  tell 
us  how  they  juftify  God  for  fuffering  this  innocent  perfon 
to  die,  in  order  to  convince  a  ftubborn  and  incredulous 
world  of  the  truth  of  his  million.  We  may  tell  them^  that 
God  could  have  made  ufe  of  means  more  fuited  to  onf  ideas 
of  rectitude,  to  convince  fceptics  who  had  refifted  the  pow- 
er of  unexampled  mlraclgs,  with  as  much  applicability  of  ar- 
gument to  their  notions,  as  they  can  urge  againft  our  creeds, 
that  a  lefs  exceptionat'Ie  mode  of  pardoning  linners  might 
have  been  adopted.  If  they  plead,  that  the  refurrecStlon  of 
Chrift  removes  all  idea  of  Injuftlce  from  their  explanation  of 
this  proceeding,  we  may  reply,  that,  that  event  is  equally 
juftificatory  of  the  righteous  dealings  of  God  in  our  fyftem. 
According  to  them,  the  Refurre^Ion  of  Chrift  merely  told 
the  world  that  he  was  a  true  prophet ;  we  have  the  words 
of  an  apoftle  on  our  fide  when  we  add,  that  it  was  alfo  the 
joyful  confirmation  of  our  own  reftoration  to  divine  favour. 
*'  Chrift  is  rifen  from  the  dead,  and  therefore  our  faith  is 
*'  not  vain  ;  we  are  no  longer  in  our  iins."*  The  Unitari- 
ans generally  allow,  that  Chrift  intercedes  for  us  in  Heaven. 
Is  it  not  as  derogatory  to  the  divine  attribute  of  mercy,  as 
meafured  by  our  finite  reafon,  that  finners  Ihould  need  an 
advocate  and  remembrancer  to  move  the  Almighty  to  pardon 
their  failings  and  relieve  their  wants,  as  that  their  offences 
fliould  require  a  rafifom  ?  Into  thefe  abfurdlties  and  contra- 
diftions  men  are  apt  to  fall,  v/ho  open  the  facred  volume 
with  a  predetermined  idea  of  making  it  bend  to  their  own 
notions,  not  of  humbly  learning,  and  ploufly  fubmitting  to 
what  they  are  there  taught. 

If  thedodtrlnes  of  the  Trinity,-]'  and  the  atonement,  reft- 
ed  upon  a  few  particular  pailages  of  fcripture  of  doubtful 

*   ifl:  Corinthians,  15th  chapter,  17th  verfe. 

f  The  Socinians  ftrongly  objecSl  to  fevera!  of  the  terms  and  exprcffions 
that  are  ufed  in  our  church,  as  unfcriptural ;  efpecially  to  tliis  of  the- 
Trinity.  It  is  acknowledged,  thr.t  this  word,  or  any  aggregate  epitome  of 
this  dodlrinc,  is  not  to  be  i'ound  in  holy  writ.  It  is  a  compendious  ex- 
preflion  adopted  by  the  early  fathers  in  their  controverfy  v/ith  the  Her- 
etics who  denied  this  doclrinc,  as  more  convenient  than  a  long  periphra- 


204 

interpretation,  as  is  the  cafe  with  the  pofitive  decrees  that 
we  lately  confidcred,*  it  would  be  incumbent  on  us  to  re- 
flect, whether  we  are  not  called  upon  to  make  conceflions 
for  the  fake  of  unity,  and  even  to  enter  upon  a  careful  re- 
vilion  of  our  national  belief,  that  we  might  cxi'cind  what 
was  unfcriptural.  But  the  reverfe  of  this  is  fo  far  acknow- 
ledged by  our  adverfaries,  that  as  they  cannot  by  the  moft 
minute  inveftigation,  the  moft  fubtle  arguments,  the  moft 
ftrained  conceffions,  and  every  varied  rule  of  interpretation, 
get  rid  of  the  numerous  and  ftubborn  texts  which  not  only 
prefs  hard  upon,  but  adlually  annihilate  their  notions,  they 
have  been  forced  to  fay,  that  fcripture  vv^as  early  inteypoluted 
for  the  purpofes  of  the  Trinitarians.  No  attempt  at  prov- 
ing the  time  or  place  when  this  was  done  has  ever  been 
made  \  indeed,  as  there  is  not  the  fmalleft  hiftorical  teftimo- 
ny  to  fupport  this  alTertion,  they  are  forced  to  reft  it  upon 
conjedlure.  They  tell  us,  that  marginal  notes,  written  by 
fome  partizan  of  our  caufe,  may  have  been  foifted  into  the 
original  text,  through  the  ignorance,  carelefsnefs,  or  bigotry 
of  the  tranfcribers.  But  then  all  tranfcripts  of  the  bible 
muft  have  had  thefe  marginal  notes,  and  all  tranfcribers  muft 
have  a6ted  in  concert  (a  fuppofition  that  would  prove  all  the 
early  Chriftians  to  have  been  Trinitarians  ;)  for  it  is  difficult 
to  conceive  how  thefe  faults  in  any  particular  copy,  or  fet 
of  men,  could  occalion  an  exactly  fimilar  change  in  the  thou- 
fands  of  thoufand  manufcripts  of  the  New  Teftament  that 
certainly  had  been  in  exiftence  previous  to  the  difcovery  of 
the  art  of  printing. 

The  Unitarians  again  aflert,  that  thefe  myfterious  doc^ 
trines  are  often  contained  in  pafTages  evidently  parenthetical. 
Is  the  parenthefis  only  ufed  by  facred  writers ;  is  it  not  a 
common  licence  adopted  by  all  authors,  efpecially  early  ones  •, 
and  has  the  genuinenefs  of  the  text  of  any  ancient  claffic 
been  difputed,  merely  becaufe  of  the  involution  of  his  fen- 
tenccs  ?  We  might  further  afli,  if  all,  or  even  the  greater 

fis.  It  would  not  be  too  great  a  facrifice  for  peace  to  give  up  this  word, 
if  another  equally  conrtprelienlive,  and  of  as  acknowledged  and  determi- 
nate import,  could  be  fubftituted  by  mutual  confent.  But  it  is  well 
known,  that  this  is  not  what  our  adverfaries  defire.  Their  oppofition 
glances  from  the  expreffion  to  the  docflrine,  which  is  fo  plainly  inculca- 
ted in  the  New  Teftament  that  we  dare  not  relinquifh  it,  left  we  fliould 
incur  the  curfe  pronounced  on  thofc  who  diminiili  from  the  book.  Set 
Rev.  lath  chap.  19th  vcjfc. 

*  Letter  V. 


205 

part  of  texts  averting  the  divinity  and  the  atonement  of  our 
Lord  are  of  this  defcription  ;  but  the  grofs  abfurdity  of  a 
charge,  of  which  they  do  not  attempt  to  give  any  proof, 
fcarcely  deferves  confutation. 

Another  mode  of  evafion  has  alfo  been  adopted.  We  arc 
told,  that  our  prefent  received  gofpels,  &c.  are  "  far  from 
<'  being  unchanged,  or  the  only  ones  given  and  ufed  here- 
*'  tofore  on  equally  alloived  authority."  This  affirmation  muft 
indeed  conflderably  alarm  the  unlearned  female  chriftian, 
who  may  well  tremble  with  the  apprehenfion  that  what  fhe 
coniiders  as  her  charter  of  falvation,  is  only  a  mutilated  frag- 
ment full  of  errors  and  unwarranted  dodlrines  ;  in  fliort,  the 
compolition  of  prieftcraft  and  fraud,  or  the  melancholy 
wreck  of  a  clearer  and  more  inftrudtive  title  to  the  kingdom 
of  her  father.  But  let  her  be  comforted  ;  this  is  an  ajfertioriy 
not  zfacl.  Other  hiflories  of  the  Life  of  our  Saviour  have 
indeed  exifted,  and  other  compofitions  have  been  attributed 
to  the  apoftles  ;  but  they  were  only  human  imitations  of  di- 
vinely tutored  originals  j  or  the  pious,  though  unauthenti- 
cated,  compofitions  of  well  meaning,  but  uninfpired  men  ; 
which  never  had  any  authority  in  the  church,  though  they 
might  be  occafionally  read  by  individuals,  as  we  read  literary 
forgeries,  or  continuations  of  the  works  of  different  authors 
by  inferior  hands.  Our  learned  divines  have  proved,  by 
unanfwerable  arguments,  that  though  early  heretics  forged 
fpurious  gofpels  to  fupport  their  falfe  doctrines,  the  primi- 
tive church  detected  and  difowned  them.  The  quotations 
made  from  the  gofpels  and  epiftles  which  we  now  poflefs, 
are  fo  numerous  in  the  works  of  the  fathers  of  the  fecond 
and  third  centuries,  that  they  almoft  amount  to  a  tranfcript 
of  the  New  Teftament.  The  interpolation  of  paffages,  or 
change  of  treatifes,  which  our  opponents  pretend  to  have 
happened,  muft  therefore  have  taken  place  in  the  firft  cen- 
tfh'y  •,  that  is  to  fay,  during  the  life  time  of  Saint  John,  who 
is  known  to  have  furvived  till  anno  94 ;  and  his  own  gof- 
pel,  which  on  the  earlieft  calculation  was  not  written  till  70, 
niuft  have  been  more  interpolated  and  altered  than  any  other 
part  of  fcripture,  and  this  even  during  his  life.  Till  we  are 
Ihewn  an  hiftorical  record  which  proves  when  and  how 
this  was  done,  we  will  iimply  anfwer,  the  crime  luas  impof- 
sibJe. 

Another  fuppolition  has  been  ftarted,  which  It  is  to  be 
feared  may  open  a  new  door  for  controverfy  ;  this  is  an  opin- 
ion, that  the  firft  three  evangelifts  wrote  from  fome  com- 


.   206 

mon  document,  from  which  they  paraphraftically  tranfcribcd 
their  refpc<5i;ive  gofpels.  Tliis  is  the  fuggcftion  of  a  very 
learned  commentator,  who,  in  his  defire  to  produce  a  perfect 
harmony  among  the  facred  writers,  and  to  account  for  every 
leiTer  difficulty  which  a  critical  fcrutiny  may  find  in  their' 
narratives,  hazarc^ed  an  opinion,  probably  without  fully  ap- 
preciating the  alarming  conclufions  that  might  be  drawn 
from  fuch  a  conceffion,  lanctioiied  by  fuch  a  name.  No 
ftronger  proof  can  be  given  that  fuch  a  document  never  ex- 
ifted,  than  that  for  eighteen  centuries  the  Chriftian  church 
has  never  heard  of  it.  The  preface  to  St.  Luke's  gofpel, 
about  v/hich  fo  much  has  been  lately  faid,  far  from  warrant- 
ing the  idea  of  one  fanilioned  original  hiftory  of  the  life  of 
Chriil:,  nofitively  afTerts  that  many  had  even  then  "  taken  in 
*'  hand  to  fet  forth  in  order  a  declaration  of  thofe  things 
"  which  are  moft  furely  believed."  Spurious  gofpels,  there- 
fore, exifted  at  that  time,  as  well  as  the  genuine  compofitions 
of  St.  Matthew  and  St.  Mark.  The  fimilitude  of  expreffion 
between  the  evangelifts,  which  induced  Mr,  Marfh  to  form 
this  novel  and  unfatisficlory  hypothefis,  may,  as  a  periodical 
writer  juftly  remarks,*  be  eafily  accounted  for,  by  admitting 
**  that  they  really  did  all  draw  from  one  common  fource ; 
**  but  that  this  fource  was  no  other  than  the  remembered 
**  converfations  and  miracles  of  their  Lord,  which  they  had 
"  often  difeufled  among  themfelves,  and  which  alfo  the  Ho- 
"  ly  Spirit  was  promifed  more  efpecially  to  bring  to  their 
«  remembrance." 

With  regard  to  the  verity  of  the  fa(fl:s  recorded  in  fcripture, 
we  may  obferve,  that  from  what  we  now  know  of  the  fpu- 
rious  narratives  of  our  Lord's  life,  they  all  joined  in  defcrib- 
ing  the  fame  fort  of  character,  and  relating  the  fame  great 
out' "he  of  his  birth,  habits,  doftrine,  and  fufferings.  The 
early  enemies  of  our  religion  alfo  lend  their  unwilling  tef- 
timony  to  the  fame  events.  When  Conftantine  the  Grftt 
eftablilhcd  Chriilianity  as  the  religion  of  his  extended  em- 
pire, the  works  of  thofe  who  had  v^rftten  againft  it  funk 
into  gradual  contempt,  and,  it  is  certain,  foon  difappearcd. 
Of  all  that  wit  and  fcience  compofed  againfi:  the  verity  of 
our  faiih,  ncthing  remains,  but  a  few  fcattered  fragjuents 
of  Cellus  iind  Porphyry,  two  philofophers,  and  of  the 
emperor  Julian,  furnamed  the  Apollate;  and  thefe  are  pre- 
Ibrvt'cl  in  the  writings  of  thofe  fathers  who  refuted  their  er- 

■*  ^\nti-JacobiQ  Review  fo:-  June,  1S05,  page  125. 


207 

rors.  Their  arguments  are  fo  completely  puerile,  that  they 
would  not  now  unfettle  the  weakeft  Chriftian  ;  but  their 
teftimony  to  the  general  truth  of  our  religion  is  invaluable. 
For'thelc  bitter  enemies  of  Chrift,  who  were  delirous  that 
his  name  fliould  never  more  be  heard  among  men,  and 
who  lived  within  two,  three,  or  four  hundred  years  of 
the  events  recorded  in  our  gofpels,  acknowledged  the 
identity,  fufferings,  and  miracles  of  our  Lord,  and  teftifi- 
ed  the  general  promulgation  of  his  religion.  But  the 
point,  which  I  now  wifh  more  particularly  to  obferve,  is, 
that«  they  quoted  out  of  the  Gofpels,  the  Acts,  and  many  of 
the  epiftles,  which  we  nonu  polTefs,  and  not  out  of  any  of 
thofe  fuppoiititious  gofpels,  &c.  which  we  are  now  told  were 
of  equal  authority. 

I  have  mentioned  to  you  the  name  of  Michaelis,  a  mofl 
laborious  commentator  on  the  original  text  of  the  New  Tef- 
tament,  which  he  was  anxious  to  bring  to  the  greateft  poffi- 
ble  degree  of  verbal  purity.  After  the  moft  minute  invefti- 
gation,  and  collation  of  manufcripts  and  verfions,  he  obferves, 
*«  That  though  the  number  of  paflages  which  afTert  the 
<f  myfterious  doctrines  of  Chrifi:ianity  may  be  leflened  by  the 
<*  various  readings  which  occur,  the  proof  is  not  weakened, 
*'  when  we  remember  that  the  manufcripts  now  in  our  pof- 
**  feffion  are  of  various  dates  and  nations,  and  poflefled  by 
•«  perfons  of  various  fedts  and  herefies,  as  well  as  by  the  or- 
«  thodox."  He  adds,  "  That  the  moft  important  readings 
*<  v/liich  make  an  alteration  in  fenfe,  relate  in  general  to  fub- 
*'  je£ts  that  have  no  connexion  with  articles  of  faith  ;  by  far 
*'  the  greater  part  are  trifling,  and  make  no  alteration  in  the 
"  fenfe."  His  general  conclufion  is,  "  That  the  facred  writ- 
"  ings  have  been  tranfmitted  to  us  from  the  earlieft  times 
*«  to  the  prefent  age,  without  material  alteration ;  and  that 
«  our  text,  if  we  except  the  palTages  which  are  rendered 
**  doubtful  by  an  oppofition  in  the  readings,  is  the  fame 
*'  which  proceeded  from  the  hands  of  the  apoftles." 

You  will,  I  doubt  not,  cordially  rejoice  in  this  teftimony, 
which  you  muft  recollect  does  not 'come  from  the  pen  of  a 
fair  divine^  or  the  devoted  bigot  of  any  fe6t  or  eftabiilhment ; 
but  from  a  man  of  uncommon  erudition  and  eager  inveftiga- 
tion,  who  feems  to  have  brought  to  the  important  ftudy  to 
which  he  devoted  his  life,  a  mind  open  to  conviftion,  arid 
ready  to  acquiefce  in  whatever  concluiion  truth  fliould  com- 
pel him  to  adopt.  We  unlearned  Chriftlans  may  enjoy  the 
benefit  of  labours  to  which  v/e  are  fo  unequal ;  and  with 


208 

due  reverence  to  the  venerable  repoCtorics  of  apoftollcal  in- 
fpiration  entruftcd  to  our  care,  let  us  ftudy  the  facred  code 
of  life  and  immortality  with  double  dilligence.  "  To  throw 
**  away  notices  frnm  Heaven,  becaufe  v/e  do  not  underftand 
**  them,  i';  like  favages  throwing  gold  and  jewels  into  the 
"  fea.  -It  is  the  fame,  if,  in  order  to  avoid  dilllcult  difcuf- 
«  lions,  we  loiucr  them  to  what  we  think  common  fcnfe. 
*«  Whether  we  underftand  God's  meflage  or  not,  it  is  our 
"  bulinefs  to  record  it  faithfully ;  and  by  prayers,  fermons, 
"  hymns,  &c.  to  imprint  it  on  our  minds."* 

We  muft  not,  therefore,  out  of  affecled  refpecl  to  the 
fcruples  of  others,  prefume  to  difpute  the  terms  on  which  we 
are  ofi'ered  the  c^ift  of  eternal  life.  Nor  can  a  Liturgical 
fervice  be  framed  fo  as  to  fuit  Socinian  fcruples,  with  which 
we  ought  to  be  contented.  It  is  melancholy,  therefore,  to 
difcover,  that  with  this  fociety,  who  call  themfelves  by  the 
name  of  Chrift,  we  w.v//  not  be  in  communion.  There  can- 
not be  "  one  Lord,  one  faith,  one  baptifm,"  with  thofe  who 
may  rather  be  faid  to  fabricate'  than  receive  their  creed  ; 
who  deny  the  mod:  important  fenfe  in  which  Chrift  is  our 
Lord  ;  and  who,  in  baptifm,  do  not  admit  that  dedication 
to  the  blefled  Trinity,  which,  as  enjoined  by  the  higheft  au- 
thority, we  dare  not  omit.f  With  them,  the  facrament  of 
the  Lord's  fupper  is  merely  a  commemoration  of  a  benefac- 
tor j  with  us,  it  is  a  feaft  upon  a  facrifice,  or  the  fetting  forth 
of  our  Lord's  death  until  he  come ;  being  as  truly  deilgned 
to  indicate  and  flxew  our  faith  in,  and  reliance  on  the  merits 
of  Chrift's  death,  as  the  anterior  facrifices  of  the  Mofaical 
law  were  defigned  to  convey,  to  the  fouls  of  all  who  fincere- 
ly  offered  them,  the  benefits  arifing  from  the  death  of  the 
Lamb  of  God,  llain  in  the  counfels  of  the  Moft  High  before 
the  foundation  of  the  world.  The  change  therefore,  to 
which  we  arc  invited  in  the  moft  fpecious  terms,  is  not  light 
and  trivial  ;  it  is  not  to  abandon  "  a  few  obfolete  creeds, 
mufty  articles,  and  unmeaning  forms."     It  is,  to  reject  the 


*  PIcy's  Lectures. 

f  The  Monthly  Reviewers  for  Odtober  1804,  page  216,  inquire  "  what 
"  adx'antagc  the  pioiis  author"  of  a  work  then  under  conlitleration  "  can 
"  fuppofc  tlic  youtliful  reader  will  derive,  trvm  being  told  that  the  IVin- 
"  itv  created  the  world  ?"  1  fuppofe  tJie  youthful  re-idcr  is  one  v,ho  has 
been  dedicated  to  the  Trinity  in  baptifm.  He  mufl  therefore  derive  feme 
valuable  information  in  learning  (if  he  has  never  before  been  tauolit)  that 
the  God  whom  he  has  vowed  to  obcv  is  the  Creator  of  all  thiiij^'s  viiibie 
and  inviliblc  in  Heaven  and  in  Earth. 


209 

inward  and  fpiritual  meaning  of  thofe  outward  and  vlfible 
figns  which  were  inftituted  by  Chrift  himfelf.  It  is  obferv- 
ed,  that  the  two  great  dodtrines,  of  atonement,  and  the  Trin- 
ity, form  the  moft  marked  diftin^ons  between  the  Mahom- 
edan  and  the  Chriftian  faith.*  May  the  Ahiiighty  expedite 
the  fulfilment  of  thofe  prophecies,  which,  from  prefent  ap- 
pearances, feem  to  be  rapidly  unfolding ;  and  may  we,  v/ith 
our  miftaken  brethren,  who  have  long  believed  in  the  lying 
teftimony  of  the  Arabian  impoftor,  meet  in  focial  worfliip" 
before  the  altar  of  the  true  God  !  but  this  event  cannot  be 
forwarded  by  our  renunciation  of  the  truths  which  are  com- 
mitted to  our  charge.  Whenever  the  feven  golden  candle- 
fticks  fhall  be  replaced  in  the  defolated  cities  of  Aiia  Minor, 
and  the  feven  angels,  purified  by  affliclions,  return  with  ren- 
ovated ftrength  to  their  reedified  churches,  the  fong  of  the 
thrice  holy  Lord,  and  the  praifes  of  "  Alpha  and  Omega,  the 
firfl:  and  the  laft,  who  was  flain  and  behold  he  livcth,"  muft 
echo  through  the  long  filent  walls,  as  it  did  in  thofe  early 
times  v/hen  true  Chriftianity  flouriflied  in  thofe  beautiful  re- 
gions, under  the  fbftcrino:  care  of  the  beloved  dlfciple. 

You  will  perhaps  be  told,  that  as  the  Scriptures  were  writ- 
ten in  the  eaft,  the  lively  metaphors,  bold  allufions,  and 
ftrained  fimilitudes,  which  are  fo  congenial  to  oriental  idioms 
will  be  made  to  imply  more  than  was  originally  intended,  if 
literally  tranflated  into  our  vernacular  tongue  ;  and  you  will 
be  particularly  fliewn,  that  the  term  Son  of  God  has  been 
applied  to  many  created  beings.  Three  pafi^ages  of  fcripture 
will  be  fuiEcient  to  enable  you  to  efcape  the  danger  of  this 
cautionary  fuggeftion.  Is  there  any  fcriptural  evidence,  that 
a  created  being  v/as  ever  joined  with  the  Almighty  in  the 
folemn  aft  of  dedication  or  benedidlion  ?  The  archangel 
Michael  is  faid  to  be  the  guardian  angel  of  the  Jews  ;  he  is 
alfo  defcribed  as  high  among  the  heavenly  hoft,  if  not  the 
higheft.  Mofes  was  the  moll  honored  of  the  human  race ; 
he  was  the  mediator  through  whom  God  made  the  firft  fol- 
emn covenant  with  mankind :  in  this,  as  well  as  in  his  per- 
fonal  and  intimate  intercourfe  with  the  Deity,  and  in  his 
prophetical  and  legiflative  capacity,  he  is  no  unfit  comparifon 
to  our  Saviour.  Were  the  infant  Ifraelites  dedicated  to  God, 
Michael,  and  Mofes  ?  Did  God,  Michael,  and  Mofes,  blefs 
the  people  ?  The  form  of  our  initiatory  facrament  was  pre- 

*  See  Lady  W.  Montague's  Letters,  vol.  ad,  page  6,  3d  Edition. 
C  c 


210 

fcribcd  by  Chrid:  lilmfclf :  "  Go  yc,  therefore,  and  teacli 
**  all  nations,  baptizing  them  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and 
"  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Gholl."*  The  apoftoHcal 
benedi<n:ion  is  as  decifive  :  "  The  grace  of  our  Lord  Jefus 
"  Chrift,  and  the  love  of  God,  and  the  communion  of  the 
"  Holy  Choft,  be  with  you  all.     Amen."f 

Our  Lord's  reply  to  the  High  Prieft,  as  recorded  in  the 
fourteenth  chapter  of  St.  Mark  gives  a  ftill  ftronger  attefta- 
■  tion  of  his  right  to  a  peculiar  and  dt'lfyi/ig  fonlhip  :  "  Art  thou 
the  Chrift,  the  Son  of  the  Bkfled,"  is  the  queftion  ;  to  which 
our  Lord  anfwcrcd,  "  I  am,"  and  appealed  to  the  laft  judg- 
ment, at  which  time  they  fhould  fee  him  villbly  enthroned 
In  divine  majefty.  On  which  the  fanhedrim  condemned 
him  to  death,  as  being  guilty  of  blafphemy.  If  the  title  that  our 
Lord  here  afTumed  only  meant,  as  the  Socinians  fay,  Meffiah 
or  prophet,  the  Jews  would  not  have  condemned  him  for 
blafphemy,  but  impofiure.  The  pretended  crime,  therefore, 
for  which  our  Lord  was  doomed  to  die,  was  the  declaring 
himfelf  to  be  the  Son  of  God  in  that  fenfe  of  the  word 
which  the  moft  learned  of  the  Jewlfh  nation  (who  were  ac- 
cuftomed  to  its  other  definitions)  conlidcred  to  be  hlafphemous  ; 
that  is,  as  afiuming  the  divine  nature.:]: 

But,  fay  fome,  "  Reafon  can  never  aflure  nor  ftrengthen 
"  a  faith  which  is  contradictory  to  it  \  nor  is  it  poffible  to 
**  induce  an  unprejudiced  mind  to  believe,  that  a  wife  and 
"  good  Creator  will  ever  offer  a  mode  of  faith,  to  regulate 
**  the  conducft  of  his  dependant  creatures,  wholly  inconfiftent 
*'  with,  and  repugnant  to,  that  faculty  with  which  he  has  In 
**  a  fupreme  degree  endowed  them,  In  order  to  guide  and 
*'  dlrcdl  them  In  judging  of  right  from  wrong."  If  Chrlf- 
tianlty,  as  taught  by  our  national  church,  really  were  fuch  a 
mode,  we  might  doubt  how  It  could  be  defended.  But 
myfterious,  or,  as  they  are  fometlmes  called,  unintelligible 
doctrines,  are  of  two  kinds  •,  one  of  which  Is  above  our  com- 
prehenfion,  the  other  contradiftory  to  our  experience  or  our 
feelings.  It  Is  contradi«5lory  to  all  our  received  opinions,  to 
make  God  the  author  of  evil,  and  delighting  in  the  deftruc- 
tion  of  his  creatures,  or  willing  their  damnation  from  arbi- 
trary motives.     It  is  contradI<n:ory  to  our  fcnfcs  to  fay,  that 

»  Matthew,  i2tli  chapter,  19th  verfc. 

f  ad  Ciirinlliians,  ijtli  cluipter,  14th  vcrfc. 

\  See  tlie  3d  chapter  of  John,  ijlh  verfc,  which  afcribcs  ubiquity  to 
our  Lojd. 


211 

three  are  one,  and  that  one  is  three ;  but  we  do  not  violate 
any  natural  or  moral  fenfe,  when  we  fay,  fcripture  has  re- 
vealed to  us,  that  with  the  mo  ft  perfect  unity  of  counfel  in 
the  Godhead,  there  is  a  diverfity  of  perfon  ;  or  that  the  wil- 
ful difobedience  of  Adam  fo  far  debafed  his  nature,  that  it 
is  impoffible  for  his  offspring,  of  thcmfelves,  to  attain  fuch 
degrees  of  piety  and  holinefs,  as  would  gain  the  approbation 
of  a  perfectly  pure  and  righteous  God.  I  am  perfuaded, 
that  many  a  fceptic,  who  ftarts  at  thefe  propofitions,  admits 
many  fa<fls  in  natural  philofophy  equally  myftei-ious  j  I  mean 
equally  beyond  the  clear  comprehenlions  of  our  limited  fac- 
ulties ;  and  I  greatly  wonder,  that  thofe  who  rejedl  them  on 
the  fcore  of  their  being  contrary  to  reafon  and  analogy,  can 
yet  profefs  their  belief  in  the  properties  of  magnetifm  and 
electricity.  If  we  were  commanded  to  tell  why  or  how  thefe 
things  are  fo  ordered,  we  might  allowably  ftart  at  what 
would  then  really  be  "  a  hard  faying :"  but  we  are  only  re- 
quired to  acknowledge  that  fuch  things  are^  and  this  on  the 
weight  of  fuch  evidence  as  luas  never  before  offered  to  the  world. 
Added  to  this,  we  are  alfo  afTured,  that  as  the  underfrand- 
ing  of  an  infant  by  a  gradual  progrefs  ripens  in  to  the  know- 
ledge of  the  man  :  "  fo  we,  who  now  can  only  know  in  part, 
fliall  hereafter  know  even  as  we  ?.re  known." 

The  evidence  on  which  Chriftianlty  is  offered  to  our  ac- 
ceptance, is  not  difputed  by  our  prefent  adverfaries,  becaufe 
they  alfo  affeft  to  receive  it  as  an  originally  divine,  but  fince 
falfified,  revelation.  It  may,  hov/ever,  be  expedient  to  re- 
mind you,  that,  befide  its  antecedent  attellation,  prophecy, 
and  its  accompying  teflimony,  miracle,*  the  inimitably  con- 
ceived and  exquifitely  original  character  of  our  Saviour,  fo 
perfectly  fimilar  in  all  the  gofpels,  and  fo  unlike  every  other 
that  has  been  exhibited  to  our  view,  is  to  us,  in  thefe  latter 
ages,  a  wonderfully  corroborating  proof  of  its  divine  origin. 
The  fufferings  of  the  firft  preachers  of  our  faith,  its  fpeedy 
promulgation  in  defiance  of  all  human  methods  to  oppofe 
its  courfe,  the  dignity  of  its  fentiments,  and  the  unrivalled 
purity  and  preciiion  of  its  moral  precepts,  are  all  circumitan- 

*  The  miracles  of  the  New  Tcftament,  it  fliould  ever  be  remembered, 
were  a  feries  of  fadls  tending  to  eflablilli  a  fupernatural  miffion.  What  is 
in  itfelf  incredible,  becomes  a  proof  of  divine  interpoiition  when  referred 
to  Ibme  important  end.  It  is  thus  that  the  miracles  of  the  gofpel  were 
diftinguillicd  from  all  other  lyin-;  v.'onders,  wliich  are  defcribed  as  tending 
to  no  end  at  all,  or  to  a  criminal  or  tricing  purpofe. 


212 

ces  which,  when  minutely  inveftigated,  atteft  "  that  this  work 

and  counfel  came  from  God."* 

The  praife  which  is  juftly  due  to  the  exahed  morality  of 
the  gofpel,  brings  me  to  the  point  wherein  wc  differ  both 
from  the  Calviniftic  and  Socinian  fchool.  The  former,  by 
fuppoling  man  to  be  fo  wholly  dependant  that  it  is  impofll- 
ble  for  him  even  to  ajjijl  in  working  out  his  own  falvation, 
by  implication  accufe  our  divine  inflrucStor  of  inconllrtency, 
in  prefcribing  a  law  which,  on  the  one  hand,  it  was  impolli- 
ble  for  us  to  obey,  and  on  the  other,  if  we  did,  would  not 
have  rendered  us  more  acceptable  to  the  Deity.  The  latter, 
by  reprefenting  Chrift  as  a  mere  moral  teacher,  or  the  proph- 
et of  the  refurre^tion  and  life  everlafting,  omit  the  real  pur- 
pofe  of  his  coming  upon  earth ;  namely,  the  redemption  of 
the  world.  It  correfponds  with  what  we  fliould  fuppofe  of 
the  infinitely  wife  and  holy  God  (as  our  church  always  ac- 
knowledges,) that  ChriiL  fhould  infiru^l  his  followers  in  the 
laws  of  righteoufnefs  ;  but  that  this  v/as  the  ultimate  end  of 
our  Lord's  million  is  denied  by  our  beft  divines  \  v/ho  juftly 
obferve,  that  no  ncnv  dijcovcries  can  he  made  in  morals.  Our 
Lord  perfefted  the  natural  notices  of  reafon  and  confcience, 
and  increafcd  the  knowledge  which  the  Ptlofaical  law  had 
diffuled  of  moral  obligation  •,  removing  the  obligation  to 
purity  from  vifible  adlions,  to  the  unfeen,  and  almoft  un- 
acknowledged, intentions  of  our  hearts  •,  teaching  us  to 
eradicate  the  feeds  of  thofe  evil  inclinations  which  are 
within  us,  when  they  firil  begin  to  germinate ;  and  ex- 
citing us  to  holinefs,  not  fo  much  by  any  particular  fpe- 
cific  compliance  with  any  prefcribed  rule,  as  by  a  general 
determination  of  doing  every  thing  to  the  glory  of  God. 
Yet  our  Lord  did  not  teach  thefe  fublime  ctliics  as  a  regular 
fyftem,  or  as  the  exprefs  purpofe  fcr  which  he  was  come  in- 
to the  v/orld.  Except  in  a  few  pallages  (the  fermon  on  the 
Mount  for  inftance,)  moral  improvement  feems  to  rife,  inci- 
dentally, from  refleiStlons  that  VA-ere  more  intimately  connecl- 
ed  with  his  chara<Sler  as  the  Redeemer  of  the  world.  The 
beautiful  parable  of  the  prodigal  fon  was  not  intended  to  en- 


•  The  juniy  celebrated  work  of  Archdeacon  Palcy,  on  the  Evidences 
of  Chiiftianitv,  and  the  Treatife  on  the  Authtnticity  of  the  Scriptures  by 
the  learned  Mr.  Bryant,  may  here  be  recommended  to  the  attention  of 
young  women,  as  ptrfpicuous  and  latisfacVory,  capable  of  ftrengthening 
their  faith,  without  engaging  them  in  a  maze  of  controverfy.  Some  ex- 
ctllcnt  remarks  on  tiie  incidents,  manners,  fentlments,  and  expreflions  of 
Ehc  Cofptls,  may  be  fouaJ  iu  Key's  Ledturco,  vol.  ift,  page  138. 


213 

force  relenting  tendernefs  to  offended  fathers  ;  but  to  incul- 
cate the  do£lrine  of  forgivenefs  of  fins,  then  firft  authorita- 
tively  preached  to  the  Avorkl.  To  us,  the  good  Samaritan 
teaches  univerfal  benevolence  •,  but  it  was  originally  meant 
to  fhew  the  prejudiced  Jew,  that  the  partition  wall  between 
him  and  the  Gentile  was  about  to  be  broken  down ;  and 
that  even  the  hated  Samaritan,  the  impoftor*  who  reviled 
his  religion,  the  enemy  who  cruelly  triumphed  in  his  difi:refs,-|- 
was  virtually  his  neighbour. 

It  will  appear,  that  moral  inftru<Slion  was  not  the  princi- 
pal purpofe  of  our  Lord's  miffion,  by  attentively  confidering 
the  preparatory  miniftry  of  the  baptlft.     This  extraordinary 
perfonage  had  all  the  marks  of  a  reformer  of  merely  human 
origin.     Auftere  in  his  manners,  blamelefs  in  his  condudl, 
fingular  in  habit,  bold  in  reproof,  fuperior  even  to  the  inno- 
cent indulgences  of  natural  appetite,  unawed  by  danger,  un- 
feduced  by  flattery,  he  "  preached  in  the  wildernefs   the 
baptiiin  of  repentance  for  the  remiffion  of  fins."     No  fyf- 
tera  of  ethics  could  be  more  flricSt  than  the  Baptifii's,  no  re- 
prover of  vice  could  be  more  free   from  finifter  defigns  or 
criminal  indulgences.     From  the  defpifed,  and  almoft  infa- 
mous publican,  with  w^hom  the  meaneft  Jew  fcorned  to  alTo- 
ciate,  to  Herod  on  the  throne  of  tributary  royalty,  his  pen- 
etrating eye  difcovered  vice,  and  his  energetic  voice  boldly 
reproved  it,  and  enjoined  the  oppofite  courfe  of  virtue  and 
integrity.     When  we  confider  that  this  new  Elias  was  fore- 
told by  prophecy  and  prefigured  by  type,  that  his  birth  was 
miraculous,  and  that  he  too  died  in  confirmation  of  the  doc- 
trine he  taught,  why,  may  we  not  aflc,  did  v^re  need  another 
moral  teacher  to  repeat  the  fame  precepts  and  endure  fimi- 
lar  fufFerings  ?  Yet  we  have  all  the  teftimony  that  the  pofi- 
tive  alTertion  of  fcripture  can  give,  to  fhew  that  the  baptifm 
of  John  was  infufficient  to  filvation.     Himfelf  acknowledges 
the  inferiority  of  his  introductory  office.     With  all  the  no- 
ble candour  fuited  to  his  exalted  merit,  he  anticipates  and 
rejoices  in  the  future  triumphs  of  him  who  was  to   eclipfe 
his  fame  and  fuperfede  his  office.     "  He  it  is,"  faid  the  mag- 
nanimous Afcetic,  "  v/ho,  coming  after  me,  is  preferred  be- 
**  fore  me.     He  mufc  increafe,  but  I  muft  decreafe.     He 
"  that  hath  the  bride  is  the  bridegroom  ;  but  the  friend  of 
^'  the  bridegroom,  %viiich  frandeth  and  heareth  him,  rejoiceth 

*  St.  John,  4th  chapter,  3:d  verfe. 
f  Nehemiah,  4th  chapter  8th  verfe. 


214 

"  grently  becaufc  of  the  bridegroom's  voice.  This  my  jor, 
"  therefore,  is  fulfilled."  He  refers  every  inquirer  to  the 
true  Meffiah,  whofc  coming  he  was  merely  to  announce  ;  and 
fo  entire  was  his  conqueft  over  the  mofl;  lively  paflions  of 
human  nature,  that  he  fends  two  of  his  own  converts  to 
Chrift,  with  this  fublime  intimation,  «  Behold  the  Lamb  of 
God,  who  taketh  away  the  fins  of  the  world."*  The  infuf- 
ficiency  of  repentance,  without  faith  in  Chrift,  is  clearly  af- 
firmed in  two  pafliiges  of  the  Afts  -,  namely,  the  i8th  chap- 
ter, 25th  and  26th  verfes;  and  the  19th  chapter  and  2d 
verfe ;  where  it  is  judged  neceftary,  that  thofe  converts  who 
had  only  received  the  former  (or  John's)  baptifm,  Ihould 
have  the  way  of  God  expounded  to  them  more  perfectly, 
and  receive  the  initiatory  rite  of  the  Chriftian  faith. 

The  eternity  of  hell  torments,  is  a  fubjeft  upon  which  we 
differ  from  the  Socinians  j  and  many  perfons,  who  reject  the 
other  errors  of  that  fe<St,  entertain  a  hope,  that  after  a  cer- 
tain period,  when  the  punifhment  of  linners  can  no  longer 
anfvver  the  purpofe  of  deterring  offenders,  it  will  not  be  con- 
tinued as  a  means  of  vengeance.  Dr.  Hey  obferves,  that  it 
is  owing  to  the  moderation  of  our  Church,  that  her  minif- 
ters  are  not  called  upon  to  fubfcribe  to  this  dodtrine  of  eter- 
nal torments,  which  was  part  of  the  original  articles  in  the 
reign  of  Edward  the  fixth. 

The  terms  everlafting  death,  everlafting  fire,  and  other 
fimilar  expreflions  in  our  liturgy,  are  taken  from  fcripture  ; 
and  whether  they  are  to  be  confidered  in  their  full  tremen- 
dous import,  or  in  the  more  limited  fenfe  of  long  duration,  I 
prefume  not  to  determine.  I  think  (with  fubmiffion  to  the 
learning  and  piety  of  thofe  who  have  defcanted  upon  this 
awful  fubjedt)  this  is  one  of  thofe  fecret  purpofes  of  God  in- 
to which  it  is  prcfmnptuous  to  attempt  to  penetrate.  Our  in- 
terpretation of  his  decree  in  this  point  will  not  affeft  its  na- 
ture or  duration ;  and  if  the  terrors  of  eternal  punifliment 
are  found  infuificicnt  to  deter  finners  from  guilt,  or  to  awak- 
en them  to  repentance,  furely  holding  forth  more  lenient 
profpe6ts  may  tend  to  encourage  them  in  fin  ;  and  what  ex- 
cufe  will  they,  who  fuggeft  thefe  falfe  hopes,  make  at  the 
day  of  judgment,  if  they  Ihall  then  be  found  to  have  pro- 
ceeded without  the  warranty  of  fcripture,  and  only  on  thofe 
notions  of  reafoiiahlenejs  and  expediency  which  muft  be  futile 
when  oppofed  by  the  exprefs  word  of  God  ?  We  may  fur- 

*  See  Bifliop  of  London's  Le<flures  on  the  Gofpel  o(  St.  Mattluv. 


215 

tlier  obferve,  that  thefe  thrcatenings  to  finners  are  couched 
in  the  fame  terms,  in  refpe(5t  to  duration,  with  the  promifes 
of  eternal  Hfe  to  the  righteous  \  and  as  we  hope  that  millions 
of  years  will  not  diminilli  the  happinels  of  the  blefled,  may 
we  not  fear  that  the  fufterings  of  the  impenetrably  wicked 
will  be  commenfurate  ?  At  leaft,  let  us  reft  alTured,  that  the 
wrath  of  a  long  fufFering  and  placable  God,,  when  roufed  by 
obftinate  and  determined  guilt,  muft  be  infinitely  terrible. 
We  do  not  limit  his  mercy  by  exhorting  all  men  to  fear  his 
vengeance.  The  charge,  that  we  take  delight  in  gloomy 
doctrines,  and  deliver  our  fellow-creatures  to  endlefs  damna- 
tion without  remorfe,  is  equally  falle  and  injurious.  Our 
voice  at  the  day  of  judgment  will  be  lifted  up  in  imploring 
pardon  for  ourfelves,  not  in  imprecating  punifhment  on 
others  ;  and  if  our  Clergy  refufe  to  difguife  or  to  palliate  the 
threatened  terrors  of  the  Lord,  and  diffuade  men  from  dan- 
gerous fpeculations,  it  is  not  from  cruelty  or  bigotry,  but 
from  that  chriftian  charity  which  feeks  to  enlarge  the  king- 
dom of  the  blefled.  No  man  was  ever  driven  from  religion 
by  believing  the  threatenings  of  the  Almighty. 

The  future  ftate  of  the  heathen  world,  is  another  fubje£t 
on  which  much  difcuffion  has  arlfen.  I  know  not  that  it  is 
properly  connected  with  the  prefent  controverfy  •,  for  I  be- 
lieve our  church  has  not  officially  declared  any  further 
opinion  on  the  fubje^V,  than  what  is  contained  in  the  eigh- 
teenth article ;  namely,  that  "  we  cannot  be  faved  by  obe- 
*'  dience  to  the  laws  or  religion  we  profefs ;  but,  folely,  by 
<'  the  merits  of  Chrift."  This  moft  fcriptural  dodlrine  has 
been  ftrained  by  our  adverfaries  into  a  pofitive  fentence  of 
damnation  to  the  whole  heathen  world  •,  but  the  charge  on- 
ly proves,  that  they  who  bring  it  are  tyros  in  theology. 
Why  we  are  faved,  and  by  what  we  fliall  be  judged,  are  very 
diftinfl  inquiries.  **  There  is  no  other  name  under  Heaven 
by  which  men  can  be  faved  but  that  of  Jefus  Chrift  j"  but 
it  is  certain,  "  he  died  for  all  the  world  ;"*  and  we  are  alfo 
afTured,  "that  the  Judge  of  all  the  earth  will  do  right." 
At  the  great  day  of  audit,  we  Chriftians  fhall  be  judged  by 
the  holy  law  that  we  have  received ;  the  Jews,f  by  their 
preparatory  covenant  j  the   Gentiles,  by  the  law  of  nature. 

*  Article  31  ft.  This  article  fliould  be  compared  writh  the  i8th,  which 
it  illuftrates. 

+  This  is  only  meant  of  tliofc  Jews  who  lived  before  the  coming  of 
Chrift,  or  who  have  never  heard  of  the  Mefliah. 


216 

"\Vc  are  only  concerned  with  what  relates  to  our  own  ftate  ; 
but  if  curiofity  prompt  us  to  fcarch  further,  the  nth  of  St. 
Matthew's  gofpci  21II  vcrle,  the  12th  chapter  41ft  and  426. 
verfes,  and  Romans  the  2d  chapter  nth  and  following 
verfes,  will  fhew  us  by  what  rules  juflice  will  be  meted  to 
the  heathen  world.  Our  reformers  were  too  well  vcrfed  in 
fcripture  to  overlook  fuch  plain  tefHmony  j  but  we  cannot 
wonder  that  the  Socinians  Ihould  endeavour  to  mifreprcfcnt 
the  eighteenth  article ;  it  being  framed  againft  the  Pelagian 
herefy,  of  which  their's  is  a  branch. 

I  will  now  requeft  your  candid  attention  to  a  few  remarks 
on  the  wonderful  coincidence  between  the  covenants  of 
grace,  the  ordinary  dealings  of  Divine  Providence,  and  the 
works  of  nature.  I  make  them  with  a  full  confcioufnefc  of 
my  own  inadequacy  to  the  fubject ;  which  yet  appeared  to 
me  to  be  too  Ifriking  and  appoiite  to  be  wholly  omitted  in 
a  work  of  this  kind,  intended  for  readers  to  whom  popular 
topics  are  moft  ufeful.  What  I  fay,  may  probably  induce 
others  to  meditate  on  what  mnft  confirm  their  faith,  and  to 
purfue  the  inquiries  which  muil  prefent  themfelves  to  their 
minds,  till  they  fliall  become  able  to  give  fuitable  anfwers  to 
gainfayers,  who  are  generally  more  competent  to  fnake  than 
to  anfiuer  objeftions.  I  am  convinced,  that  if  this  fpecies  of 
argument  were  purfued  with  the  learning  and  ability  necef- 
fary  to  give  it  full  force,*  a  deifl:  would  find  it  difHcult  to 
decry  revelation  on  the  ground  of  its  being  oppofite  to  the 
divine  attributes  ;  and  he  mufl  either  take  refuge  in  the  deep 
gloom  of  atheifm,  or  acknowledge  that,  -as  the  moft  High, 
fpeaks  the  fame  language  in  his  revealed  will,  as  he  does  in 
the  vllible  creation,  the  holy  f:riptures  bear  indubitable 
marks  of  proceeding  from  the  Creator  of  the  world. 

It  has  been  aflced,  why,  if  fo  many  bleffings  and  privileges 
arc  annexed  to  the  proftiTIon  of  Chriftianity,  it  has  been  fo 
limited  in  its  extent .''  why  do  not  all  the  nations  of  the 
earth,  why  did  not  all  pall  generations  rejoice  in  the  rifing 
of  this  Sun  of  righteoufnefs  ?  It  has  been  anfwered,  that  if 
Chriftians  are  blelTed  with  a  purer  law  and  better  promifes, 
they  alfo  incur  a  more  fearful  refponfibility.  They  are  the 
fervants  entrufted  with  ten  talents,  while  only  one  is  com- 
mitted to  the  charge  of  pagan  ignorance.  But  may  not  the 
natiu-aliil  afk  thefc  fceptics  to  account  why  the  earth  is  not 


*  Thr  Author  hat  Iicard  that  Butlcr'$  Analo^;^  nrocccds  on  tliii  pla». 
S!ic  rci^rcti  not  havinj.';  read  it. 


217 

J' 

one  temperate  zone  ?  why  the  vegetating  powers  of  light 
and  heat  are  unequally  heftowed  ;  fo  that  the  inhabitants  of 
Africa  fcorch  beneath  a  vertical  fun,  while  the  human  ftat- 
ure  flirinks  to  dwarfifh  deformity,  and  the  mind  chills  into 
idiotic  infenlibility,  in  the  polar  regions,  where  the  fummer 
fun,  enveloped  in  mii%  and  fhorn  of  his  golden  effulgence, 
creeps  in  a  narrow  circle  along  the  diftant  verge  of  the  hor- 
izon,* and  gives  a  long  protrafled  day,  that  affords  neither 
variety,  plenty,  nor  that  fweet  viciffitude  of  reft,  and  toil, 
which  the  quick  fucceffion  of  day  and  night  beflows  on  hap- 
pier climates  ?  Are  the  Efquimaux  and  the  Greenlanders 
offspring  of  another  Creator  ;  or,  is  <«  the  God  of  all  the 
families  of  the  earth,"  to  them  only  a  fevere  and  cruel  Lord, 
inflead  of  a  kind  and  indulgent  parent  ?  The  naturalifl  will 
receive  a  fimilar  anfwer  to  what  the  vindicators  of  Chrif- 
tianity  have  given.  Thefe  apparently  miferabie  beings  have 
their  peculiar  joys.  The  flory  of  the  Greenlander  who 
pined  in  captivity,  and  repeatedly  attempted  to  efcape  from, 
all  the  comforts  of  a  milder  climate  and  civilized  life,  proves 
that  we  do  not  indulge  a  merely  poetical  fancy,  when  we 
defcribe  them  as  attached  to  "  their  long  night  of  revelry 
arid  eafe."  Yet  we  mufl  allow,  that  to  our  judgment  there 
is  a  great  apparent  inequality  of  bleffings  ;  and  if  we  be  wife, 
we  fliall  not  purfue  this  fubjedl  into  infolent  cavils  againfl 
the  impartial  juftice  of  God,  but  refl  in  faying,  *«  fecret 
tilings  belong  to  the  Mofc  High." 

Correfponding  to  this  is  my  next  obfervation.  "Why,  it 
has  often  been  afked,  was  the  feed  of  Abraham  fele£led  as 
the  peculiar  people  of  God,  and  honored  with  a  clearer  no- 
tion of  the  divine  nature  than  other  nations  who  appeared 
to  be  more  deferving  ?  Ingenious  Greece,  martial  Rome, 
learned  Egypt,  and  refined  Perfia,  ferved  gods  of  wood  and 
{lone,  images  of  the  moft  licentious  of  mortals,  or  even  re- 
femblances  of  brute  beafls  and  creeping  things  ;  while  *'  a 
ftiffnecked  flubborn  generation,"  undiftinguiflied  in  the  hif^ 
tory  of  the  world,  the  illiberal  prejudiced  inhabitants  of  a 
narrow  flip  of  land,  without  power,  arts,  or  commerce,  were 
made  the  repofitories  of  the  laws  and  promifes  of  God. 

We  might  anfwer,  that,  as  the  Jews  are  the  only  early  nation 

•  See  this  circumftance  beautifully  defcribcd  in  Acerbl'a  TraT^els,  who 
viewed  this  awful  appearance  of  the  fun  from  the  lofty  promoatory  that 
forms  the  northern  extremity  of  Lapland. 

Dd 


218 

of  whom  we  polTefs  an  impartial  hiftory,  it  is  very  probable 
that  they  were  not  fo  much  inferior  to  their  cotemporaries 
as  is  fuppofed  •,  but,  on  the  contrary,  as  their  prophets  vre- 
corded  their  crimes  and  difgraccs  for  example's  fake,  while 
other  hillorians  chiefly  dwelt  on  the  renown  and  the  virtues 
of  their  countrymen,  we  have  rcufon  to  think  tliat  thefe  de- 
ipifed  people  really  might  pofTefs  more  merit  than  thofe  who 
have  been  fo  highly  extolled,  though  they  fell  far  fliort  of 
that  holinefs  which  their  peculiar  endowments  required. 
Martial  celebrity,  in  particulai",  it  is  well  known,  rarely  in- 
creafes  the  moral  virtues  of  any  people.  But,  waving  this 
defence,  we  direct  the  objector's  attention  to  the  ordinary 
difpenfations  of  Providence,  and  aflc  him  to  tell  us  why  are 
wifdom,  ftrength,  beauty,  learning,  tafte,  riches,  power,  and 
any  other  endowment  of  mind  or  body,  or  any  relative  ad- 
vantage, (o  diverfely,  and,  as  it  Ihould  feem,  capricioufly  be- 
ftowed  ;  hnce  often  they  neither  reward  nor  accompany  de- 
fert,  but,  on  the  other  hand,  frequently  fcem  to  be  more  of 
a  trial  than  a  bleffing  to  their  immediate  poflelTor  ?  Few  men 
were  moi-e  eminently  endowed  with  graces  and  talents  than 
our  illuftrious  Cranmer  ;  yet  from  the  period  of  his  attraft- 
ing  the  notice  of  the  capricious  and  tyrannical  Henry,  till, 
at  the  mandate  of  that  bloodthirfty  monarch's  more  cruel 
daughter,  our  venerable  archbilliop  expired  in  tortures,  his 
days  were  confumed  by  continual  anxiety,  peril,  and  forrow ; 
for  he  held  his  domeflic  comforts,  and  even  his  life,  by  the 
moft  dubious  and  uncertain  tenure.  May  we  not  fay,  that 
he  was  raifed  up  by  Providence  as  an  .extraordinary  inftru- 
ment  to  forward  the  work  of  reformation  in  this  country  ; 
and  that  his  v/onderful  endowments  were  more  a  bleffing  to 
others  than  to  himfelf,  at  leaft  fo  far  as  relates  to  this  ftate 
of  exiftence  ?  This  is  one  inftance,  but  thoufands  might  be 
given,  of  fuperior  abilities  irjlrumcntally  beftowed,  from  which 
the  pofTtlTor  reaped  little  individual  advantage  or  enjoyment. 
Other  equally  numerous  cafes  might  be  fuggefted,  in  which, 
though  the  gift  was  evidently  mifapplied  and  ill  bellowed,  it 
was  not  withdrawn ;  efpecially  the  gift  of  power,  of  which 
we  have  ktn  in  thefe  days  a  fearful  example ;  the  ability  of 
doing  further  injury,  appearing  to  increafe  with  the  mifap- 
plication  of  the  means  of  doing  good.  If  all  thefe  inftances 
do  not  impugn  our  belief  in  tlic  general  government  of  a 
wife  and  gootl  Providence,  why  (laould  our  faith  be  flagger- 
cd  (allowing  the  Jews  to  have  been  as  unworthy  as  their  en- 
emies reprefent,)  becaufe  the  lively  oracles  of  God  were  en- 


219 

trufteJ  to  a  people  who  reaped  comparatively  few  advanta- 
ges from  the  facred  depoiit ;  and  who,  though  they  were  al- 
ternately rebellious  apoftates  and  miferable  captives,  yet  ap- 
proved themfelves  equal  to  the  talk  that  was  required  of 
them,  by  faithfully  preferving  their  facred  truft. 

The  analogy  between  all  the  various  parts  of  animated  and 
inanimate  nature ;  the  fuitability  of  parts  to  the  whole,  and 
of  the  whole  to  parts  j  the  fitnefs  of  each  element  to  the 
creatures  that  inhabit  it ;  the  admirable  appropriation  of  la- 
bour to  day,  and  refl  to  night ;  thefe  and  various  other  co- 
incidences in  the  works  of  God  are  admirably  delineated  by 
a  Chriftian  philofopher,  with  whofe  inilrudlive  and  popular 
work  on  Natural  Theology  every  young  woman  above  the 
lower  clafles  would  do  well  to  be  intimately  acquainted ;  for 
it  teaches  us,  that  God  is  the  God  of  order,  and  that  delign, 
minute  intricate  delign,  pervades  every  branch  of  creation. 
And  fhall  the  fceptic  fcofiingly  qi3,efi:ion  the  divine  authori- 
ty of  the  Jewifh  ceremonial  law,  becaufe  it  feems  derogatory 
from  his  notion  of  the  dignity  of  the  high  and  holy  One 
who  inhabits  eternity,  to  fpecify  the  forms  and  dimenfions 
of  the  curtains,  the  rings,  the  candlefticks,  the  fockets,  the 
bars,  the  fliovels,  the  flefhhooks,  and  the  firepans,  that  were 
to  be  ufed  in  his  fan6luary ;  or  the  ephod,  breaftplate,  em- 
broidery, and  mitre  of  his  confecrated  high  prieft  ?  Idle  re- 
viler  of  what  thou  dofi:  not  underhand,  this  is  the  fame  God 
who  formed  the  probofcis  of  a  bee  with  fuch  jufl  propor- 
tion, and  who  painted  the  tufted  creft  of  a  gnat  with  fuch 
diverfified  colours.  It  is  by  a  thoufand  imperceptible,  yet 
nicely  adjufted,  mechanical  contrivances,  feemingly  as  unim- 
portant in  the  wide  fyftem  of  univerfal  nature,  that  thou  art 
now  able  to  raife  thy  voice  againll  hiin  who  endowed  thee 
with  ability  to  employ  the  exquilltely  organized  mufcles 
which  conftitute  that  property. 

I  will  here  flop  to  make  a  remark  rather  than  a  compari- 
fon.  Scientifical  obfervations  generally  afcend  in  a  climax 
from  the  leaft  perfecft  to  the  mod  highly  finifhed.  Is  it  in 
imitation  of  the  order  of  creation,  or  is  this  coincidence  (as 
I  fufpecfl)  an  undefigned  analogy  ?  The  book  of  Genefis  was 
written  before  fyftem  and  arrangement  were  efiablilhed 
among  the  learned ;  yet  let  us  obferve  the  gradation  in 
which  the  various  produclions  of  the  earth  appeared  ;  firft 
grafs,  then  herbs  and  plants,  trees,  fifhes,  birds,  beafts  ;  and 
laftly,  man.  The  fcale  gradually  rifes  in  importance,  and 
ends  in  the  delegated  Lord  of  animated  nature. 


220 

It  is  afked,  why  was  God's  defign  of  redeeming  the  world 
fo  long  enveloped  in  oblcurity,  and  at  laft  lo  partially  and 
cautioufly  revealed  ?  Should  it  not,  inftead  of  being  darkly 
iliadowed  in  metaphor,  type,  and  allegory,  imparted  in  pro- 
phetic vifions  to  a  few  individuals,  and,  as  it  iliould  feem, 
shrouded  in  myftery  from  the  generality  of  mankind,  have 
been  proclaimed  by  angels,  announced  by  aftonifhing  prodi- 
gies, ^nd  forced  by  inconteftable  atteftations  on  an  aflenting 
world  ?  We  may  anfwer,  that  faith,  like  virtue,  mufl  have 
its  trials  ;  and  that  when  incontrovectible  evidence  bears 
down  oppofition,  acquiefcence  has  no  claim  to  approbation. 
But  very  high  authority*  permits  me  to  recognize  a  fimiii- 
tude  between  this  gradual  developement  of  the  Chriftian 
covenant,  and  the  flow  perfetflionating  of  the  natural  Avorld. 
I  fhall  confine  my  obfervations  to  the  progreilive  ftate  of  the 
human  underflanding  from  childhood  to  manhood.  Why 
are  we  brought  into  the  world  lefs  perfect  in  refpe<5l:  to  our 
nature,  and  more  dependant,  than  any  other  creature ;  fee- 
ble and  helplefs  in  body  j  imbecile,  and  almoft  idiotic,  in 
mind  ?  Who,  in  the  irritable  and  tender  infant,  which  ap- 
pears to  be  only  alive  to  animal  fenfations,  can  trace  the 
dawning  genius  of  a  Milton,  or  the  clear  intellecl:  of  a  New- 
ton ?  and  when  the  underflanding  begins  to  unfold,  how 
flow  is  its  progrefs  !  A  fifth  part  of  the  a^live  period  of  our 
lives  is  confumed  in  the  mere  acquifition  of  elementary  know- 
ledge, and  another  fifth  nearly  tranfpircs  in  connecting  and 
methodizing  thofe  acquiHtions,  in  gaining  a  complete  know- 
ledge of  the  trade  or  profefHon  by  which  v/e  are  to  earn  our 
livelihood,  or  in  obtaining  that  acquaintance  with  men  and 
things  which  is  called  experience.  Would  it  not  have  been 
more  fuitable  to  the  dignity  and  happinefs  of  a  rational  crea- 
ture, at  leafl  would  it  not  have  conduced  much  more  to  the 
improvement  of  the  arts  and  fciences,  if  we  had  come  into 
the  world  with  all  our  faculties  perfect:,  and  capable  of  being 
immediately  exerted  on  the  flage  of  trial  ?  It  would  be  im- 
poflible  to  doubt  but  God  cou/d  have  thus  formed  us.  We 
are  alio  fure,  that  if  he  had  fo  pleafed,  the  obedience  of  the 
fecond  Adam  might  have  immediately  fucceedcd  to  the  of- 
fence of  the  firft.  In  either  inftance,  it  feemed  good  to  the 
Almighty  to  determine  othervvife.  And  as  the  wants  of  hu- 
r>ian  nature  in  inf  mcy  exercife  the  tendernefs  and  patience 
of  mature  age ;  fo  may  we  fay  in  rcfpedl  to  the  promulga- 

•  The  Bi/liop  of  St.  David's. 


221 

tion  of  Chriftlanlty,  fuch  a  degree  of  evidence  has  been  im- 
parted as  is  fufficient  to  exercife  the  faith,  not  to  cverwhelm 
the  underftanding,  of  probationary  beings. 

It  is  univerfally  allowed  by  thole  who  have  thought  deep- 
ly upon  the  fubjecV,  that  the  pure  and  fublime  doctrines  of 
Chriftianity  are  mofl  fuited  to  a  highly  civilized  and  improv- 
ed ftate  of  fociety.  It  was  therefore  withheld  from  the  dark 
eyes  of  the  early  world,  when  man  firft  felt  the  fatal  confe- 
quences  of  "  that  forbidden  tree,  whofe  mortal  tafte  brought, 
death  into  the  world,  and  all  our  woe."  Abandoned  in  a 
great  meafure  by  fupernatural  aid,  and  left  to  his  own  mif- 
rule,  man  llowly  and  by  painful  experience  gathered  thofe 
fruits  of  knowledge  for  which  he  had  forfeited  the  tree  of 
life.  Our  religion  (we  urge  this  in  triumph  to  our  ene- 
mies) was  produced  to  mankind  at  a  time  when  human  in- 
tellect had  exerted  all  its  capability,  when  fcience,  learning, 
acutenefs,  and  curioiity,  had  reached  its  height.  Like  the 
more  abllrufe  and  recondite  parts  of  learning,  it  was  adapted 
to  the  manhood  of  the  world.  Whether,  from  fome  lubtile 
mechanical  arrangement  that  has  eluded  human  refearch,  it 
is  a  necefiary  part  of  the  prefent  formation  of  our  fouls  to 
unfold  their  powers  flowly,  and  expand  with  the  extenlion 
of  the  corporal  frame  in  which  they  are  incafed,  it  is  im- 
probable that  any  anatomifi:  will  be  able  to  difcover  while  he 
himfelf  is  in  the  body ;  but,  allowing  (as  moft  political  ob- 
fervers  do)  that  the  rtages  of  fociety  correfpond  with  thofe 
of  the  individual  in  gradual  amelioration  and  decay,  we  muft 
acknowledge  that  our  Saviour,  by  appearing  in  the  Auguftan 
age,  chofe  the  period  moll:  fivourable  to  the  invefligation 
and  reception  of  his  dodlrines.  The  text  that  terms  him 
*'  the  Lamb  flain  from  the  foundation  of  the  world,"  will 
here  be  prefent  to  your  mind  ;  and  you  will  remember  it  is 
exprefsly  revealed,  that  the  benefits  of  his  facrifice  were  ret~ 
rofpeclive  as  well  :isft!tufe. 

The  apparent  diffolution  and  revivification  of  feed  in  the 
earth,  is  compared  to  the  refcoratlon  of  man  from  the  grave, 
by  the  infpired  Apoflle  of  the  Gentiles,  with  all  the  bold  il- 
lullration  of  fublime  fimplicity.  No  comparifon  can  be 
more  juft,  no  analogy  more   convincing,  and  (we  may  alfo 

fay)  confolatory.    Thofe  precious  relics,  my  dear  Mifs  M , 

which  ws  have  feen  committed  to  the  earth,  would,  if  now 
expofed  to  infpection,  difguft  our  loathing  eye,  and  excite  at 
once  grief  and  horror.  But  they  contain  the  apparently 
perilhed,  though  really  unfolding,  feed  of  immortality.     Or, 


222 

to  change  the  figure,  the  exuvia  of  (in  the  hiftance  to  which 
I  allude,  the  flrongeft  expreflions  of  chrillian  hope  are  per- 
miffible)  a  glorified  being,  who  at  the  hour  determined  in  the 
counfels  of  the  Moft  High  Ihall  burft  from  its  incrufting 
mafs  of  corruption,  and  rife  to  its  promifed  bleflednefs.  You 
have  often  watched  the  torpid  chryfalis,  which  is  another 
expreffive  fymbol  of  the  ftate  of  mortality.  Could  you,  un- 
lefs  experience  had  prepared  you  for  the  event,  expedt  a 
beautiful  v/inged  animal  to  burft  from  that  fliapelefs  and  in- 
ert mafs  ?  When  you  fee  the  earth  defolate  and  difconfolate 
in  winter,  could  you,  without  previous  notice,  conceive  that 
its  prefent  dreary  and  inanimate  appearance  was  only  a  fuf~ 
penjion  of  its  productive  powers,  or  that  the  great  work  of 
vegetation  was  even  then  proceeding  in  the  feemingly  with- 
ered fibres  of  the  naked  plants  that  furround  you  ?  We  are 
fo  prepared  to  expe<St  thefe  events,  that  we  ceafe  to  think 
them  furprizing  ;  but  their  conftant  recurrence  fhould  teach 
us  to  reft  with  undoubting  confidence  in  the  promifes  of  that 
God,  who  has  alTured  us,  that,  like  the  grain  we  caft  into 
the  earth,  our  mortal  bodies  will  moft  truly  live  after  they 
}x7X\e  feemed  to  die. 

My  next  obfervation  rather  relates  to  the  difpenfations  of 
Providence  in  the  relative  fituation  of  mankind,  than  to  an 
exprefs  doCb-ine  of  revelation  ;  but  as  the  conditions  of  high 
and  low,  rich  and  poor,  are  fanctioned  by  the  authority  of 
holy  writ,  which  propounds  to  each  rank  its  refpe(Stive  and 
diftingiiifliing  duties,  and  alfo  by  the  teftimony  of  our  only 
authentic  account  of  the  infant  world,  which  afllires  us  that 
fuch  diftindtions  have  taken  place  from  the  earlieft  times  ;  it 
will  not  be  foreign  to  my  purpofe  to  call  your  attention  to 
the  various  gradations,  both  in  rank  and  value,  that  are  vif- 
ible  in  the  creation,  and  the  clofe  connection  between  the 
refpeCtive  orders,  v/ith  the  advantages  which  are  mutually 
derived  from  this  difference  of  deftination  and  diverfity  of 
faculties.  If  our  obfervations  commence  in  the  celeftial  re- 
gions, we  fhall  not  only  perceive,  in  the  language  of  St. 
Paul,  that  "  one  ftar  differcth  from  another  ftar  in  glory ;" 
but  we  Ihall  alio,  by  means  of  the  mechanical  inltruments 
that  have  afiilted  the  wonderful  difcoveries  of  aftronomy  in 
latter  times,  afcertain  that  they  differ  alio  in  fize,  quality, 
and  ufe.  One  ftar  is  a  globe  of  ignited  matter  ever  burning, 
yet  never  confumed  j  another,  a  denfe  opaque  fubftance,  re- 
fembling  (as  far  as  our  diftant  infpc^Ttion  can  difcover)  the 
orb  on  which  we  x-elide.     Thefe  latter  revolve  (fliall  we  fay 


223 

duteoujly  or  a^vantageotijly  PJ  around  the  vivifying  centre  from 
v/hich  they  in  «  their  golden  urns  draw  hght."  Again,  as 
the  moft  perfect  order  is  obferved  in  their  motions,  fo  there 
feems  to  be  a  difference  in  the  properties  beftowed  upon 
them,  which  points  out  their  relative  rank  in  the  creation  ; 
for  while  the  comparatively  diminutive  orb  of  Mercury 
fcorches  in  the  vicinity  of  that  immenfe  luminary  which  en- 
forces his  near  attendance  by  a  more  powerful  exercife  of 
the  magnetic  influence  of  attra<Slion  ;  Saturn,  and  the  newly 
difcovered  Georgium  Sidus,  fixed  near  the  outer  verge  of 
the  fpace  which  our  Sun  illuminates,  as  diligently  perform 
their  ftupendous  rotations  around  a  fpheroid,  which,  if  their 
worlds  and  the  vifual  organs  of  their  fuppofed  inhabitants, 
are  conflituted  like  ours,  affords  them  but  little  more  light 
and  comfort  than  we  derive  from  the-"  fcintillations  of  the 
dog-flar.  Yet  are  thefe  folitary  and  cheerlefs  regions  gov- 
ernors (may  I  not  ufe  this  term  to  indicate  commanding  in- 
fluence ?)  of  feveral  opaque  attendants,  who  refpedlively 
await  on  them,  and  afford,  by  their  mutually  refracted  light, 
thofe  advantages  which  their  remote  fituation  from  the  com- 
mon centre  would  not  otherwife  allow  them  to  enjoy. 

The  fame  law  of  diflinilion  of  degree,  and  reciprocity  of 
benefit,  extends  through  every  rank  of  created  being.  The 
benefits  which  we  derive  from  the  animal  creation  are  too 
many,  and  too  well  known,  to  need  any  enumeration.  Nor 
can  it  be  doubted,  but  that,  while  man  fulfils  his  original  de- 
iign  of  being  the  ruler,  not  the  tyrant  of  the  vifible  world, 
all  domeftic  creatures  who  have  fubmitted  to  his  government 
derive  many  comfor,ts  from  his  prefcience  and  humane  at- 
tention to  their  wants  and  misfortunes.  You  will,  perhaps, 
think  me  degenerating  into  fophiflry,  or  trifling,  and  quote 
againfh  me  the  couplets  of  Pope,  "Man  exclaims,  fee  all 
things  for  my  ufe  ;  See  man  for  mine,  &c.  ;"  but  certainly 
it  is  not  merely  for  his  own  fpecies  that  man  labours.  ''  The 
birds  of  heaven  will  vindicate  their  grain ;"  and  in  a  well 
cultivated  country  the  mofl  valuable  and  ufeful,  as  well  as 
the  moft  happy  tribes  of  irrational  exiftence  receive  an  amaz- 
ing increafe.  Do  we  not  alfo  fee,  in  ail  animals  fubmitted 
to  our  minute  obfervatioh,  degrees  of  beauty,  fymmetry, 
fLrength,  fwiftnefs,  and,  in  many,  diverfity  of  underftanding  .'' 
The  inference  is  plain,  and  flridlly  applicable  to  the  variety 
of  talent,  fortune,  and  happinefs  which  is  proportioned  among 
the  human  race.  In  this  refpeft,  certainly,  God  made  men 
to  differ ;  fince  by  their  diverfity  of  rank  the  world  is  made 


224 

capable  of  containing  a  larger  number  of  inhabitants,  and  all 
are  bound  together  by  that  chain  of  mutual  convenience 
and  dependancc  which,  if  rightly  confidered,  muft  prepare 
our  minds  not  only  for  mere  benevolence,  but  for  the  exer- 
cife  of  that  fublime  virtue  Chriftian  charity.  I  will  conclude 
this  obfervation  by  reminding  you,  that  as  revelation  always 
prefuppofcs  natural  religion,  this  order  and  cohefion  of  all 
the  parts  of  creation  w'as  one  of  thofe  ftriking  notices  of  the 
Deity  which  St.  Paul  often  reproves  his  heathen  converts 
for  not  having  regarded.* 

I  wifla  here  to  introduce  an  idea  that  floats  in  my  mind, 
but  of  the  philofophical  or  theological  precifion  of  which  I 
dare  not  be  confident.  I  will  preface  it  with  a  remark  of 
Dr.  Hey's,  who  obferves,f  that  "  he  recoUedls  nothing  in 
**  the  account  Mofes  gives  of  the  creation,  that  is  contrary  to 
«'  modern  difcoveries  in  the  planetary  fyftem."  This  feems 
a  wonderful  confirmation  of  the  divine  origin  of  the  penta- 
teuch,  efpecially  confidering  the.ftate  of  fcience  at  the  time 
he  wrote,  and  that  revelation  was  not  intended  to  improve 
it.  I  offer  it  as  my  humble  opinion,  that  tlie  modern  con- 
clufion  refpecting  the  probability  of  a  plurality  of  inhabited 
worlds,  is  rather  ftrengthened  than  weakened  by  holy  writ. 
Near  two  hundred  generations  of  men  have  finifhed  their 
mortal  courfe  fince  the  creation  of  this  earth.  We  are  aflur- 
cd,  that  the  fouls  of  all  thefe  exift  either  in  happinefs  or 
mifery,  waiting  their  reunion  to  their  fsemingly  annihilated 
bodies  \  the  particles  of  which  muil,  after  having  paflTed 
through  a  variety  of  mutations,  now  form  no  inconfiderable 
part  of  this  terreftrial  globe.  Of  the.  nature  and  wants  of 
ipiritual  exifi:ence,  we  know  very  little.  Scripture  informs 
us,  that  angels  are  fpii'its,  and  gives  us  frequent  accounts  of 
their  'uifibly  miniftering  to  mankind.  Whether  they  aflum- 
ed  the  appearance  of  a  bright  glorified  body,  in  compliance 
with  our  limited  organs  of  perception ;  or  whether  fuch  a 
body  be  a  conftituent  part  of  their  exillence,  we  know  not. 
We  generally  find,  that  the  defcription  of  an  angelical  vifion 
includes  the  circumflrance  of  their  being  clothed  in  white  or 
fhining  garments ;  and  they  are  frequently  faid  to  have  par- 
taken of  thofe  earthly  aliments  which  contribute  to  the  fup- 


•  See  Romans,  ift  chapter,  i9ih  verfc. 

f  Hey's  Lciflures,  vol.  ill.  paje  196.  ThU  obfervation  maybe  extend- 
ed to  wliat  St.  Paul  I":iys  of  the  apparent  glory  of  the  ftars;  it  being  e4i1.1l- 
ijr  true  of  their  real  fupcriority  of  purpoic.  ' 


225 

port  of  our  grofs  and  material  bodies.  "  Angel's  food"  is 
more  than  once  mentioned  in  fcripture,  efpecially  as  a  de- 
fcriptive  epithet  of  that  fuftenance  which  fed  the  children 
of  Ifrael  in  the  wildernefs.  Thefe  may  be  all  fymbolical  al- 
lufions,  or  affumed  properties  adapted  to  our  prefent  percep- 
tions, or  they  may  be  real  notices  of  the  ftate  of  the  invifible 
world.  SuppoUng  them  to  be  the  latter,  I  do  not  fee  how 
we  can  oppofe  them  by  thofe  conclufions  of  any  effential 
difference  between  matter  and  fpirit,  which  arife  merely 
from  our  having  only  analyzed  the  former  quality  as  far  as 
we  can  difcover  its  inherent  principles  in  this  world.  He 
furely  would  be  a  hardy  chymift  who  fliould  alTert,  that  ma- 
terial fubftance  may  not  be  fo  modified  in  other  parts  of  the 
tiniverfe  as  to  conduce  to  the  prefervation  of  fpirit  or  glori- 
fied matter,  and  that  (according  to  the  fublime  painting  of 
the  apocalypfe)  "  the  trees  of  heaven  may  not  bring  forth 
fruit"  meet  for  the  fuftenance  of  its  bleffed  inhabitants.  The 
fine  poetical  ufe  which  Milton  makes  of  this  fcriptural  de- 
fcription  is  too  well  known  to  require  quotation ;  efpecially 
as  I  am  cautious  of  warming  your  imagination,  where  I  wifh 
to  recommend  the  utmoft  humility  of  devout  inquiry. 

The  conclufion  that  prefents  itfelf  to  my  mind  is,  that 
many  worlds  like  our  ov/n  are  neceHary  for  the  inhabitude  of 
paji  generations  of  the  human  race.  Suppoling  that  there 
are  more  probationary  beings  than  ourfelves,  we  fhall  foon. 
find  inmates  for  the  numerous  globes  which  we  have  every 
reafon  to  believe  roll  their  fully  peopled  regions  through  the 
immenllty  of  fpace,  befide  thofe  happy  glorious  beings  who 
neither  die  nor  are  born,  and  thofe  depraved  fpirits,  who 
have  fallen  from  their  original  purity,  and  are  become  the 
accufers  and  feducers  of  their  fellow-creatures,  and  who  pro- 
bably may  be  allowed  to  wander  from  orb  to  orb  till  confin- 
ed to  fome  fearful  region  of  punifhment  by  the  fentence  of 
the  lall:  day.  It  feems  to  enlarge  our  conception  of  the  im- 
menlity  and  coincidence  of  the  Almighty's  defigns,  and  of 
the  primitive  dignity  of  man*  (which  is  never  v/holly  oblit- 
erated, and  is  capable  of  being  completely  reftored  by  the 
divine  mercy,)  to  confider  this  minute  point  of  the  vaft  cre- 
ation as  a  mother  country  fending  out  her  colonies  to  people 
the  flarry  regions.     But  I  am  fo  well  aware  of  the  danger 

*  True  piety  will  not  cavil  at  this  eiprcfiion ;  It  was  for  man  that  the 
King  of  Glory  died. 

Ee 


226 

and  mifchief  that  arifes  from  ^  defirc  of  ftarting  new  ideas, 
And  I  am  fo  little  capable  of  appreciating  the  conclufions 
that  may  be  dr?.wn  from  this  opinion,  that  1  merely  fuggeft 
it  becaufc  it  feemed  to  me  to  be  capable  of  filencing  fome 
objections  againi^  the  fcripturcs,  on  the  fcore  of  their  being 
contrary  to  philofophical  deductions. 

I  am  indebted,  for  one  analogy,  to  a  writer  with  whofe 
works  I  have  already  taken  great  liberty.  After  acknowledg- 
ing that  the  original  autographs  of  Scripture  do  not  exift. 
Dr.  Hey  obferves,*  "  Let  no  one  be  difcouraged  by  this : 
«*  the  Author  of  nature  may  be,  neverthelefs,  the  Author  of 
"  the  gofpel ;  for  we  are  left  to  take  the  bad  confequences 
"  of  the  carelefTnefs  of  mankind  in  the  things  of  nature,  as 
**  well  as  in  the  difpenfations  of  grace.  Thofc  who  are  dif- 
"  couraged  by  human  accidents  happening  to  the  facred 
"  writings,  feem  to  miftake  the  nature  of  what  is  called  a 
"  particular  providence."  You  will  permit  me  to  dilate  this 
comprehenlive  idea.  Conformably  to  the  covenant  with 
Noah,  fummer  and  winter,  feed  time  and  harveft,  have  never 
ceafed  fince  the  flood ;  and  thus  God  preferved  a  witnefs  of 
his  exiftence  during  the  night  of  Pagan  ignorance  and  de- 
pravity. But  to  compel  men  to  improve  thefe  difpenfations 
with  induftry  and  intelligence,  would  have  been  to  bind 
**  human  will,  as  well  as  nature,  flift  in  fate."  The  feafons 
return  in  their  accuftomed  courfe  ;  but  plenty  and  famine 
are  often  made  to  depend  injlrumentally  upon  human  exertion 
or  fkill  •,  and  thus,  though  the  original  promife  has  remain- 
ed unbroken,  its  confequences  have  been  partially  fufpended. 
The  earth  has  never  experienced  an  annihilation  of  fecundi- 
ty by  a  fufpenlion  of  its  produ£ls.  She  feemed  but  to  wait 
for  the  neceiTary  contingents,  to  command  *'  her  vallics  to 
laugh  and  fing"  beneath  the  burden  of  her  plentiful  crops. 
Hufbandmcn  can  tell  you,  that  Ihe  proves  a  moft  trufly  de- 
poiit  to  whatever  fpecies  of  vegetation  has  been  committed 
to  her  care.  A  ftate  of  pafturage  is  fo  unfavourable  to  the 
growth  of  fome  fpecies  of  plants,  that  they  are  never  found 
in  grafs  grounds  ;  but  let  the  plough  be  introduced,  and  the 
torpid  feeds  that  have  lain  beneath  the  furface  perhaps  for  a 
longer  period  than  the  life  of  man,  exert  their  germinating 
powei*,  and  in  a  few  harvefts  they  will  produce  a  crop  that 
fhall  almoJl  equal  in  quantity  the  lately  introduced  grain. 
Your  attention  to  horticulture  has  taught  you  the  extreme 

*  Hcy's  Ledturci,  vol.  i(V,  page  37. 


227 

difficulty,  If  not  abfolute  impoffibility,  of  eradicating  indige- 
nous plants,  which,  though  never  fuffered  to  reach  maturity, 
are  continually  threatening  to  overpover  the  flowers  that 
you  wilhed  to  cultivate.  Thus  careful  is  the  God  of  nature 
of  all  even  her  meaneft  productions,  which  are  very  rarely 
deftroyed  either  by  the  careleffiiefs  or  the  purpofes  of  man. 
The  obfervation  extends  to  animal  life  :  thofe  tribes  of  crea- 
tures who,  from  their  minutenefs,  defenceleffiiefs,  or  difguft- 
ing  qualities,  feem  moft  in  danger  of  being  annihilated,  are 
preferved  by  fuperabundant  fecundity.*  It  has  been  quef- 
tioned,  whether  any  fpecies  of  plant  or  animal  has  entirely 
difappeared  iince  the  creation.  If  we  contraft  this  doubt 
with  the  difcoveries  or  inventions  of  man,  how  vaft  is  the 
difference  ! 

We  will  not  fall  into  an  error  that  we  condemn,  by  giv- 
ing identity  to  a  quality.  The  prefervation  of  all  the  numer- 
ous tribes  of  animal  and  vegetable  life  does  not  depend  upon 
the  care  of  nature y  but  on  the  power  of  God.  Scripture  and 
ecclefiaftical  hiflory  afford  us  equal  proof,  that  he  is  the  fame 
God  who  fays  all  his  "  counfels  lliall  fland,  and  that  he  will 
do  all  his  pleafure,"  by  the  extraordinary  prote<Slion  he  has 
afforded  to  his  luritten  word  and  vifiMe  church.  In  your 
biblical  fludies  you  Avill  meet  with  ample  occafions  to  remark, 
how  often  the  true  church  has  been  fnatched  like  a  burning 
brand  out  of  the  fire,  when  the  malice  of  her  enemies,  or 
the  corruption  of  her  members,  threatened  her  immediate 
deilruCtion.  The  remark  of  Michuelis  on  the  almoft  mirac- 
ulous prefervation  of  every  effential  point  of  faith  and  doc- 
trine, amid  the  numerous  tranfcripts  of  fcripture  that  have 
been  made  by  ignorant,  prejudiced,  or  carelefs  tranfcribers, 
leads  me  to  refiecl  on  the  extraordinary  continuation  of 
Chriftianity,  amidft  the  general  wreck  of  arts  and  learning 
which  follow  ed  the  overthrow  of  the  Roman  empire  by  the 
northern  barbarians  in  the  fifth  century,  when  every  thing 
elfe  that  was  ufeful  and  elegant  was  obliterated  by  thofe 
fierce  conquerors.  We  may  again  obferve,  that  the  reform- 
ed religion,  emerging  from  papal  corruption  and  tyrannical 
reftraint,  was  truly  analogous  to  the  revification  of  feed  that 
has  been  long  buried  in  the  earth  ;  and  though  the  greater 
part  of  thofe  who  then  laboured  in  the  Lord's  heritage  feem- 
egl  more  defirous  to  burn  the  wheat  than  to  red  out  the  tares, 
the  care  of  the  celefiiial  Sower  was  wonderfully  exemplified. 

*  See  Paley's  Natural  Theology,  page  385. 


228 

Amid  the  terrors  of  perfccution,  renovated  Chriftianlty  grew 
and  flouriflied,  and  feemed,  as  in  her  early  trials,  to  be  re- 
frefhed  and  enriched  by  the  blood  of  mr.rtyrs.  In  thefc 
times  of  peril,  when  the  enemy  tempts  us  with  external  prof- 
perity  and  internal  difcord,  it  will  be  confolatory  to  us  to 
recollect  the  pofitive  afllirances  of  fcripture,  that  the  church 
of  God,  when  founded  on  the  rock  of  Chrifl:,  cannot  be 
overthrown.  Vain  are  the  machinations  of  infidel  adverfa- 
ries,  vain  are  the  wicked  devices  of  falfe  brethren.  "  The 
counfcls  of  the  Holy  One  of  Ifi-ael  are  from  everlafting."  I 
need  not  inform  you,  that  here,  as  in  other  parts  of  fcrip- 
ture, the  epithet  lirael  does  not  imply  the  defcendants  of 
Abraham ;  but  the  ancient  church,  to  which  the  firft  cove- 
nant was  addrelTed,  and  which,  on  the  death  of  Chrift,  gave 
place  to  the  Chriflian. 

We  might  extend  our  inquiries  very  far  ;  but,  however 
inftrudlive  the  refearch  would  prove,  the  fpace  that  I  am 
called  upon  to  allot  to  other  fubjedls  will  not  permit  me  to 
extend  this  topic.  Enough  has  been  faid  to  prove  the  fimil- 
itude  which  I  wiflied  to  enforce.  The  Creator  and  Gover- 
jior  of  the  world  is  the  God  of  revelation  :  a  God  of  order, 
wifdom,  juftice,  and  mercy  ;  but  a  God  who  "  hideth  him- 
feif,  and  whofe  ways  are  pall:  frndiog  out."  To  this  fcien- 
tific  philofophizing  age  he  fays,  as  he  did  in  early  times  to 
the  Arabian  fages,  "  Shall  he  that  contendeth  with  the  Al- 
'■'*  mighty  inftruft  him  ?  He  that  reproveth  God,  let  him 
*'  anfwer  it.  Where  wert  thou  when  I  laid  the  foundations 
*'  of  the  earth  ?  declare,  if  thou  haft  underitanding." 

When  all  the  mylleries  of  vifible  nature  are  fatisfactorily 
folved,  not  by  the  ufe  of  ahjlraci  indejiinte  terms,  not  by  al- 
cribing  power  to  inert  matter,  nor  by  a  reference  to  the  laws 
of  qualities  that  are  adled  upon,  inftead  of  a6ling  ;  but  by 
explanations  fuited  to  the  comprehenfions  of  plain  under- 
f  irandings  •,  v/e  may  then  debate  upon  the  expediency  of  re- 
jecting the  rnyfteries  relating  to  that  part  of  revelation  which 
"  eye  hath  not  feen,  ear  hath  not  heard,  neither  hath  it  en- 
*'  tered  into  the  heart  of  man  to  conceive."  When  we 
know  why  the  loadllone  attract  only  one  metal,  why  a  thin 
covering  of  lilk  repels  a  fubtile  fluid  which  can  penetrate  the 
moil  denfe  bodies,  nay  even  when  we  can  analyze  ourfelves 
and  name  the  organ  of  confcioufnefs,  or  diffctft  the  minute 
veffels  of  intellectual  perception,  we  may  with  lefs  apparent 
audacity  talk  of  the  fupremacy  of  fovereign  reafon,  an^  re- 
fufe  to  adn-;it  as  truths  what  fhe  czxinot  fully  comprehend. 


229 

In  many  Inftances,  we  fee  only  the  immediate  agent  by  which 
God  a£ls  in  the  material  world.  In  many  things  we  difcov- 
er  infinite  care  and  pains  employed  for  apparently  a  trivial 
purpofe  ;  but  as  we  enlarge  our  refearches,  and  extend  them 
into  the  more  abftrufe  parts  of  nature,  we  become  convinc- 
ed that  means  and  ends  are  fo  blended,  that  nothing  can  be 
faid  to  be  independent ;  and  that  what  appears  in  itfelf  un- 
important, really  is  a  neceffary  part  of  fome  fuperior  con- 
trivance, which  alfo  fills  a  fubordinate  ftation  in  a  yet  more 
confeqiiential  defign.  Providence  a^ls  by  the  fame  rules  in 
human  affairs.  No  one  (uniefs,  like  Mrs.  Wolftonecraft's 
lawlefs  planets,  they  rufli  madly  from  their  fphere)  lives  for 
himfelf.  We  are  formed  for  fociety  ;  and  in  fociety  we  muft 
a£1:,  or  be  wretched.  Nothing  but  incurable,  and,  I  may- 
add,  criminally  indulged  forrow,  or  the  ftrong  enthufiafm  of 
abftra6ted  devotion,  can  fupport  the  miferies,  the  deftitution, 
and  the  privations  of  total  feclufion. 

And  is  not  Chriftianity,  as  taught  by  our  church,  a  hu- 
manizing, a  focial,  and  benevolent  theory  ?  Admitting  the 
confequences  of  Adam's  tranfgrefllon  to  imply  that  total  de- 
pi-avity  which  is  afcribcd  to  us  by  thofe  of  our  divines  who 
have  leaned  to  Calvin's  notions,  and  that  thefc  really  were 
the  original  tenets  of  our  church*  (a  fade  which  our  prefent, 
as  well  as  our  former  oppofers  would  find  it  impojfible  to 
prove,)  even  here  we  fliall  find,  that  a  remedy  has  been  pro- 
vided commenfurate  to  the  difeafe.  The  hatred  of  the  Al- 
mighty to  fin  (fo  ft:rongly  marked  by  the  vicarious  facrifice 
of  Chrift)  is  not  more  alarming,  than  the  proof  of  his  mercy 
to  finners,  which  that  event  confirms,  is  confolatory  :  what 
right  then  have  thofe,  who  afi^ecl  to  be  difiiinguifhed  by  the 
name  of  Unitarians,  to  fay,  as  is  done  in  the  periodical  work 
which  is  confidered  as  their  organ,f  "  that  as  long  as  the 
"  prevailing  religion  of  a  country  is  blended  with  gloom,  it 
*'  will  be  no  eafy  matter  to  induce  parents  to  bring  up  chil- 
"  drcn  under  convidlions  contrary  to  their  own  impreflions  ?" 
Equally  infidious  is  their  more  recent  declaration,  "  that 
"  they  thought  the  quefiiion  of  the  divinity  of  Chrift  had 
"  been  fet  at  reft  for  ever."  Their  fubfequent  critic  on  a 
learned  work,  which  adds  frefh  confirmation  to  this  doc- 

*  The  church  of  England  is  not  founded  in  cxacl  conformity  to  the 
doctrines  of  any  reformer.  The  errors  of  Luther  and  Calvin  v/ere  alike 
rejecSted,  as  was  the  rigid  fyfiem  of  Zuingllus. 

f  See  monthly  Review  for  Auguft  i8o2,  ptige  413. 


230 

trine,  by  fhewing  the  peculiar  ufe  of  the  definitive  article  in 
the  Greek  language,  forbids  us  to  look  upon  the  preceding 
remark  as  a  confeffion  of  their  having  recanted  their  former 
opinions  ;  and  they  certainly  are  not  ignorant,  that  this  doc- 
trine has  received  the  ftrongeft  confirmation  by  refearches 
into  Afiatic  antiquities  j  by  more  acute  inveftigation  of  the 
feptuagint  copy  of  the  pentateuch  ;  by  the  labours  of  Mich- 
aelis,  who  has  fo  carefully  infpected  the  various  verfions  of 
the  New  Teftament  ;  and  by  the  mafterly  difquifitions  of 
many  of  our  own  divines,  efpecially  by  feveral  eminent  or- 
naments of  epifcopacy  who  have  lately  turned  their  attention 
to  the  fundamental  do6b-ines  of  our  church.  It  is  by  fuck 
bold  remarks,  and  unfounded  afl'ertions,  that  they  often 
fhake  the  principles  of  the  uninformed  ;  and  it  is  by  decry- 
ing the  utility  of  orthodox  inftrudlion,  that  they  hope  to 
recommend  their  own  fyllem  of  faith  to  the  eafy  aflent  of 
the  credulous. 

Our  difpute  with  our  prefent  opponents  about  church  gov- 
ernment, and  eftablifhed  forms  of  worfliip,  proceeds  upon 
the  principles  that  we  had  before  occafion  to  difcufs.  We 
may  briefly  repeat  the  remark,  that  as  union  is  enjoined  by 
Chrifl,  difunion  is  a  breach  of  his  command.  The  diredt 
form  of  Chriftian  worfliip  is  not  abfolutely  ftated  in  the  New 
Teftament ;  but  numerous  ceremonies  were  pofitively  com- 
manded in  the  Old  ;  and  we  know  that  the  orders  of  our 
hierarchy,*  and  many  of  our  liturgical  forms,  ufages,  and. 
cuftoms,  exprefiily  correfpond  with  thofe  of  primitive  times, 
to  which  the  apoftles  in  their  epiftlcs  frequently  allude.  No 
fociety  can  exift  without  government  j  and  God  has  not 
only  biefled  fociety  for  the  ordinary  ufes  of  life,  but  it  is  to 
a  Jinnly  united  fociety y  that  his  go/pel  promifes  are  efpecially  made. 

We  will  fum  up  all  that  we  have  faid  in  anfwer  to  thofe 
who  rejecl  our  eftabliflied  faith  becaufe  it  contains  myfteries 
which  are  above  our  compi-ehenlion,  by  repeating  the  re- 
mark, that  this  is  the  ftrongeft  internal  teftimony  that  the 
revelation  on  which  it  is  founded  proceeds  from  the  Author 
of  Nature.     Incomprehcnfibility  may,  in  this  fenfe,  be  con- 


*  Dr.  HIH,  who  writes  in  Support  of  the  Scotch  Prcfoyterian  church, 
argues  ftrongly  in  favour  of  tiie  union  of  churcli  and  ftatc.  lie  admit^y 
tbHt  in  the  Itcond  century  tiic  oiiice  of  bifliop  was  fcparatcd  from  that  of 
prefbytcr,  and  applied  as  epifcopalians  now  ufe  it.  In  the  firft  century 
•wi  can  name,  as  bifliops,  Titus  at  Crete,  Timothv  at  Eplicfus,  Epaphro- 
ditus  at  Philippi,  and  the  fcven  angtls  of  the  fcven  churclics  of  Afia  Mi- 
nor.   None  of  thefc  were  apollles. 


231 

iidcred  as  the  attefting  feal  of  the  Moft  High ;  for  could  wc 
have  received  that  manifeftation  of  our  Creator  as  being  re- 
ally of  divine  origin,  which  lowered  the  ineffable  and  infi- 
nite nature  of  the  Deity  to  the  bounded  capacity  of  fallible 
man  ?  It  is  true,  our  reafon  is  capable  of  progrefhve  improve- 
ment ;  but  by  that  very  circumftance  it  is  confelTedly  unfit, 
in  our  prefent  infancy  of  exiftence,  to  contain  ideas  com- 
menfurate  to  the  unbounded  eflence  of  the  Power  who  be- 
ftowed  upon  us  this  wonderful  faculty.  In  the  management 
of  this  our  prime  diflindtion  from  the  brute  creation,  the 
humility  of  a  true  Chriftian  is  exemplified  ;  for  a  mind  duly 
imprefTed  with  fentiments  of  piety  and  veneration  will  alike 
fear  to  reje<Sl  the  notices  of  Heaven,  or  to  pry  into  "  thofe 
fecret  things"  which  mufi:  in  this  world  remain  unknown. 

Believe  me,  my  dear  Mifs  M  -    ,  your  mofl  affedlion- 
ate,  &c. 


232 


LETTER     Vni. 


On  the  Duty  of  JIudying  the  Script nrcsy  and  on  Religious 
Conformity. 


MY  DEAR  MISS  M- 


JlIISTORY  prefents  fuch  numerous  examples  of  the  dif- 
gufting  extravagancies  into  which  religious  fimaticifm  has 
betrayed  probably  well  intentioned  people,  as  are  fufficient 
to  deter  a  prudent  and  confiderate  perfon  from  venturing  to 
forfake  "  the  old  paths,"  by  adopting  or  inventing  new  and 
jftrange  opinions.  The  word  of  God  does  not  countenance 
that  rage  for  novelty  which  is  a  marked  chara6lerifi:ic  of 
thefe  times.  In  the  hiftory  of  four  thoul^ind  years,  only  two 
changes  in  the  religious  fyftem  of  the  world  are  recorded. 
Both  were  predicted  by  prophecy,  both  were  confirmed  by 
miracle  -,  and  the  former  was  exprefsly  prelufive  of  the  fec- 
ond,  which  is  as  plainly  declared  to  be  final. 

Inftead,  therefore,  of  there  being  any  real  reproach  in  the 
terms  "  obfolete,"  "  antiquated,"  and,  "  mufty,"  which  I 
have  feen  applied  to  the  do(Slrines  and  conftitutions  of  our 
Church  by  fome  of  her  enemies,  who  polTefs  more  zeal  than 
elegance  or  argument,  fhe  claims  a  fuperior  fhare  of  confid- 
eration  on  the  very  ground  of  her  being  a  faithful  rcpofitory 
of  old  do(n:rines,  and  of  having  fafliioned  her  conftitution  to 
as  clofe  a  refemblance  of  primitive  rules  as  the  prefent  hab- 
its of  the  world  will  admit.  For,  though  fcriptural  know- 
ledge is  moft  eminently  requifite,  it  fhould  not  be  the  only 
qualification  of  thofe  who  undertake  the  arduous  ofllce  of 
uniting  a  mixed  multitude  in  one  afibciated  congregation, 
for  the  purpofe  of  Chriftian  worfhip  and  edification.  How 
eminently  our  reformers  were  diftinguifhed  by  thefe  efTential 
ingredients,  knowledge  of  the  human  heart,  and  political 
wifdom,  need  not  be  Hated  to  any  who  are  in  the  leaft  verf- 
ed  in  the  hiftory  of  thofe  times.  They  had  indeed  two  pe- 
culiar advantages  j  they  were  affifted  in  their  efibrts  by  the 
civil  power,  and  they  v/cre  warned  by  the  previous  mifcar- 
riages  of  feveral  reformers  on  the  continent,  who,  concciv- 


233 

Ing  zeal  to  be  the  one  thing  needful  In  the  great  work  that 
they  had  undertaken,  difcarded  expediency  ;  and,  being 
heated  by  perfecution  and  oppoiition,  fancied  that  pulling 
dowK  an  old  fabric  was  fimilar  to  eredling  a  new  one.  For- 
getting that  all  human  focieties  muft  be  accommodated  to 
the  imperfedllons  and  neceffities  of  the  fallible  beings  of 
whom  they  are  compofed  ;  in  their  attempt  to  fabricate  a 
religious  eftablifhment  on  the  bafis  of  ideal  perfedlion,  and 
uncomplying  auftere  fimplicity,  they  opened  a  door  for  the 
grofleft  enthufiafm  and  wildeft  mifrule.  Their  notions  of 
Chriftian  liberty  led  them  to  exclude  the  authority  of  the 
civil  maglftrate  ;  and  thus  they  ruflied  Into  the  enormities 
of  open  rebellion.  They  extended  their  notion  of  the  ob- 
ligation of  charity  to  that  communion  of  goods,  which,  ex- 
cept in  times  that  are  guided  by  the  extraordinary  Influence 
of  the  Holy  Spirit,  muft  produce  Idlenefs,  extravagance,  and 
txtreme  poverty.  They  conftrued  the  prohibition  of  fwear- 
ing  fo  literally,  as  to  refufe  taking  an  oath  In  a  court  of  juf^ 
tice,  which  has  been  confldered  by  the  wifeffc  law  givers  as 
the  fureft  guard  of  the  life  and  property  of  ourfelves  and 
others.  They  denied  the  lawfulnefs  even  of  defenfive  war  ; 
and  thus,  by  laying  themfelves  open  to  the  aflaults  of  every 
enemy,  virtually  furrendered  to  aliens  that  liberty  which 
they  fo  fcrupulofly  guarded  from  the  regulations  that  their 
lawful  rulers  fought  to  impofe  ;  and  by  an  erroneous  and 
flralned  Interpretation  of  the  fixth  commandment,  they  de- 
clared agalnft  the  legality  of  capital  punlfhment,  even  for 
the  moft  atrocious  crimes.  Our  laft  three  articles,  which 
oppofe  the  notions  of  thefe  would  be  perfeftlonlfts,  are  dic- 
tated by  th(3  moft  found  knowledge  of  fcripture,  combined 
with  the  jufteft  Ideas  of  civil  government. 

A  prefcribed  form  of  liturgical  fervice ;  a  fixed  compen- 
dium of  doftrine,  to  which  every  officiating  minlfter  muit 
fubfcrlbe,  and  promlfe  to  teach  nothing  contrary  to  the  con- 
tents thereof;  and  a  minlftry  independent  of  the  congrega- 
tion to  whom  they  are  to  impart  the  faving  truths  of  the 
gofpel ;  which  minlftry,  rifing  In  rank  and  fortune  In  degrees 
nearly  fimilar  to  the  gradations  of  civil  foclety,  is  governed 
by  laws  not  wholly  dependent  upon,  but  yet  amenable  to, 
the  legal  maglftrate ;  muft  have  powerful  recommendations 
to  the  favour  of  all  who  do  not.  In  their  rage  for  chriftian 
liberty,  overlook  the  duties  of  chriftian  fubmiffion  and  hu- 
mility. But,  befide  private  benefit,  there  is  one  great  pub- 
Ff 


234 

lie  confideratlon,  which  I  mufl:  beg  to  repeat.  While  thft 
nation  is  faithful  in  its  allegiance  to  its  ecclefiaflical  inftitu- 
tions,  it  is  "  not  blown  about  by  every  wind  of  doctrine." 
Not  to  mention  lefs  numerous  or  more  equivocal  feceders, 
we  maintain  (as  I  hope  I  have  proved)  a  happy  medium  be- 
tween two  extremes  of  opinion,  that  are  contradiflory  to  the 
general  tenor  of  fcripture,  and  highly  prejudicial  to  moral 
and  chriftian  improvement. 

I  muft  here  admit,  that  all  our  fcdliaries  (except  the  Socin* 
ians,  who  make  reafon  paramount  to  revelation,  and  refolve 
to  difcard  what  they  cannot  fully  explain)  plead  fcripture  as 
the  ground  of  their  opinions  j  and  this  leads  me  to  confider 
the  mifchiefs  that  have  arifen  from  private  interpretation  of 
difficult  pafl'ages  of  holy  writ  by  illiterate  and  enthuiiaftic, 
and  fometimes  by  learned,  but  uncandid  and  obftinate  peo- 
ple. Has  not  the  Reformation,  it  is  alkcd,  reftored  the  fcrip- 
tures  to  the  common  people ;  and  docs  not  our  church  au- 
thorize, nay  enjoin,  all  her  members  tojiudy  them  ?  Moft  un- 
queftionably,  fo  far  as  moral  improvement,  or  the  funda- 
mental I'ules  of  faith,  are  concerned.  I  believe  too,  that 
every  Englifhman  has  a  right,  and  is  required,  to  fludy  the 
laws  of  his  county  ;  and  1  think  it  the  duty  of  all  to  knovr 
fo  much  of  them,  as  to  avoid  infringing  them.  But  I  do 
not  conceive  that  every  underftanding  is  capable  of  difcern- 
ing  the  exact  bounds  of  regal  prerogative,  of  comprehend- 
ing the  law  and  ufage  of  parliament,  and  the  origin  and 
foundation  of  our  civil  and  political  rights.  Few  people 
have  leifure  to  ftudy  the  flatutes  at  large  ;  and  though  you 
and  I  ought  to  know  enough  to  be  good  fubjedts,  it  would 
be  advifable  in  us  both,  in  cafe  of  a  lawfuit,  to  be  directed 
by  the  advice  of  an  able  folicitor.  We  may  have  fome  little 
notion  of  the  phyfical  organization  of  our  bodies,  and  may 
even  dabble  fo  far  in  medicine  as  to  prepare  a  few  com- 
pounds, and  adminifler  them  in  trifling  indifpofitions ;  but 
in  cafe  of  a  ferious  illnefs,  we  Ihould  think  it  madnefs  not 
to  call  in  fuperior  judgment.  And  fhall  we  controvert  thofc 
religious  principles  which  are  eftablifhed  by  laborious  inves- 
tigation and  profound  learning,  with  the  knowledge  derived 
from  flight  inveftigation  and  fuperficial  refearch  .'*  I  will  not 
afk  yoiif  whether  we  fliall  refign  our  national  creed  tranfmit- 
ted  to  us  from  apoflolical  times,  and  adopt  the  fancies  of  il- 
luminated coblers,  bruinfick  weavers,  or  philofophiflical  half 
educated  fceptics,  whom  we  fliould  ridicule  for  coxcombs  if 
they  prefumed  to  give  an  opinion  refpecting  the  temperature 


235 

of  our  pulfe  or  the  management  of  our  fortune,  and  yet  are 
willingly  fubmttted  to,  as  expounders  of  the  oracles  of  God  ? 
This  qucjftion  is  to  you  happily  unappropriate ;  but  it  is  real- 
ly neceiTary  to  many,  who,  but  for  this  ridiculous  mixture 
of  pride  and  fervility,  this  ftrange  proftration  of  the  liberty 
of  which  they  are  fo  tenacious,  to  the  quackery  that  they 
would  defpife  in  the  common  affliirs  of  life,  might  pafs  for 
intelligent  people. 

The  hiftory  of  the  Reformation  affords  us  fo  many  Inftan- 
ces  of  the  evils  which  arife  from  mifinterpreted  texts  of  fcrip- 
ture,  and  promifcuous  preaching,*  that  we  cannot  be  too 
grateful  for  living  under  an  eftablifhment  which  limits  and 
difcountenances  thefe  dangerous  licences.  To  underftand 
God's  word  aright,  I  mean  fo  to  comprehend  it  as  truly  to 
expound  its  difficulties,  a  knowledge  of  the  original  language 
is  abfolutely  necefTary,  To  this  fhould  be  added,  a  thorough 
acquaintance  with  the  cufloms  and  hiftory  of  the  nation  of 
which  it  treats ;  for,  %vithout  this,  the  allufions  that  oriental 
writers  abound  in  cannot  be  underftood.  Other  requifites 
might  be  mentioned  :  but  I  mean  chiefly  to  dwell  upon  one. 
The  interpreter  ought  to  have  a  clear  comprehenfion  of  the 
general  defign  and  plan  of  the  ivkole  fcripture.  Such  an  en- 
larged idea  is  required  from  every  commentator  on  an  an- 
cient clafKc  ;  and  certainly,  as  the  New  and  Old  Teftament, 
though  disjoined  into  parts,  are  connc<fled  as  a  whole,  we 
cannot  here  be  fatisfied  with  the  omifRon  of  what  is  deemed 
indifpenfable  in  other  interpreters. 

A  text  taken  without  its  context,  or  without  reference  to 
the  main  defign  of  the  fpeaker  or  a<5t:or,  may  be  brought  to 
recommend  falfehood,  herefy,  blafphemy,  or  any  other 
«  damned  error."  I  promifed  to  give  fome  explanatory  in- 
ftanccs  of  fuch  mifapplications ;  and  we  will  caft  a  curfory 
glance  over  the  firft  chapters  of  St.  John's  Gofpel.  Did  we 
look  no  further  than  Nathaniel's  reply  to  Philip,  chapter  ift, 
verfe  46th,  "  Can  any  good  thing  come  out  of  Nazareth  ?" 
we  fhould  determine  that  this  inquirer,  inftead  of  following, 
rejeBed  the  Mefliah,  and  that  he  was  an  example  of  preju- 
dice, inftead  of  finglenefs  of  heart.  The  next  verfe  contains 
the  higheft  eulogium  on  this  man's  charafter,  pronounced 
by  the  voice  of  Omnifcience  ;  the  context  fhews  that  he  be«» 


*  It  is  moft  certain  that  Luther,  in  the  heat  of  his  oppolition  to  Rome, 
affcrted  the  right  of  private  judgment  in  religion,  in  an  indefinite  way^ 
«f  which  he  afterwards  repented. 


236 

came  an  immediate  difciple  and  follower  of  our  Lord  ;  and 
he  is  generally  fuppofed  to  have  been  the  fame  as  St.  Bar- 
tholomew, and  one  of  the  chofen  twelve.  Does  not  this  re- 
mark apply  to  thofe  who,  from  fome  expreflions  occafionally 
ufed  by  our  Saviour  with  reference  to  his  humanity,  over- 
look or  deny  the  force  of  thofe  paflages  in  which,  in  his  di- 
vine nature,  he  claims  to  be  equal  with  God  ? 

At  the  4th  verfe  of  the  2d  chapter  of  St.  John,  we  have 
what  many  have  called  a  harfh  anfwer  from  the  blciTed  Je- 
fus  to  a  friendly  intimation  of  his  mother's  •,  which  might 
be  blafphemoufly  explained,  as  if  that  rude  independent  de- 
portment to  parents,  which  is  fo  marked  a  feature  in  thefe 
times,  was  fanftioned  by  the  conduct  of  this  our  perfecl"  Ex- 
emplar. That  the  words  were  not  intended  to  convey  an 
abrupt  refufal,  is  evident,  by  our  Lord's  immediate  compli- 
ance with  her  wiflies.  We  muft  conclude,  therefore,  that 
they  were  either  proverbial,  or  alluded  to  a  particular  idiom 
which  in  this  remote  time  and  nation  we  cannot  fully  un- 
derltand.  But  to  clear  our  Lord's  chara^er  from  this  afper- 
iion,  we  muft  look  further.  The  5 ill  verfe  of  the  2d  of 
Luke,  and  the  26th  and  27th  of  the  19th  chapter  of  St. 
John,  prove,  that  they  who  feek  to  juftify  filial  impertinence, 
or  difrefpe^l,  by  the  above  paflage,  contradicl  inftead  of  ex- 
plaining  fcripture,  and  miftake  the  charadler  of  him  who, 
though  Lord  of  all,  was  eminently  diftinguilhed  by  his  du- 
tiful condudl:  to  the  fource  of  his  mortal  being. 

I  have  heard  the  difcourfe  of  our  Lord  with  the  woman 
of  Samaria  fo  explained  (and  that  from  the  pulpit  of  inftruc- 
tion)  as  to  reprefent  it  to  be  immaterial  where  and  how,  that 
is  to  fay,  in  what  place  and  v^^ith  what  forms,  God  is  wor- 
Ihipped.  The  words  thus  mifapplied  were  *'  The  hour  com- 
«  eth,  and  now  is,  when  the  true  worlhippers  Ihall  worfhip 
*<  the  Father  in  fpirit  and  in  truth  \  for  the  Father  feeketh 
**  fuch  to  worfhip  him."  Was  the  preceding  verfe  inteiition- 
alh  or  accidentally  overlooked  ?  John,  4th  and  2  2d  verfe, 
*'  Ye  worfhip,"  fays  our  Lord  to  the  fchifmatical  Samari- 
tans, "  ye  know  not  what ;  but  we  know  what  we  worfhip, 
iov  falvation  is  of  the  Jeivs."  It  will  be  difficult  to  find  a 
plainer  teftimony  in  favour  of  a  faith  founded  on  divine  rev- 
elation, or  of  an  authorized  ecclefiaftical  eftablifhment. 

I  will  give  but  one  more  exprefs  inftance  of  the  poffibility 
(or  rather  the  probability)  of  fuch  miilnterpretation  of  fcrip- 
ture by  wiJhUful  or  dijhonejl  hands.  It  is  the  behaviour  ot 
our  Lord  to  the  woman  taken  in  adultery,  which  is  record- 


237 

ed  in  the  8th  chapter  of  this  gofpcl.  When  flie  tells  him 
that  no  man  had  condemned  her,  he  replies,  "  Neither  do  I 
condemn  thee  ;  go,  and  fin  no  more."  What  !  did  not  our 
Lord  condemn  this  heinous  crime  ?  how,  then,  could  he  fay- 
he  came  to  "  fulfil  the  law  and  the  prophets,"  which  with 
one  voice  condemn  and  reprobate  this  grofs  violation  of  per- 
fonal  purity  and  folemn  obligation  ?  It  may  be  anfwered, 
that  the  words  are  plain,  level  to  every  underftanding  ;  and 
that  the  fact  correfponded,  for  the  woman  was  difmtjfed. 
Sinning  no  more,  therefore,  cancels  the  preceding  otFence  ; 
and  thus  the  bands  of  wickednefs  may  be  loofed,  and  Ger- 
man morality  founded  upon  a  literal  confl:ru6tion  of  our 
Lord's  words. 

But  we  muft  not  refl:  in  fuch  partial  examinations  of  fcrip- 
ture.  We  muft  look  at  the  hiftory  of  Jefus,  and  at  the  de- 
figns  of  his  enemies.  The  Scribes  and  Pharifees  wha 
brought  this  offender  to  our  Lord,  were  defirous  of  enfnar- 
ing  him  by  fome  action  v/hich  they  might  conftrue  into  an 
exercife  of  regal  or  magifterial  power,  and  -thus  find  a  pre- 
tence of  accufing  him  to  the  Roxnans  as  an  infringer  of  the 
authority  of  Cxfar.  Their  laws  (obferve,  they  were  alfo  the 
laws  of  God)  condemned  the  adulterefs  to  death  ;  and  they 
infidioufly  brought  this  acknowledged  culprit  to  Chrift,  in 
the  hope  that  if  he  merely  ratified  the  juftice  of  the  fentence 
which  Mofes  had  pronounced,  they  might  fo  pervert  his 
words  as  to  turn  them  into  conftniBive  rebellion.  This  in- 
cident, therefore,  is  recorded  as  an  inftance  of  the  extraordi- 
nary ivifdom  with  which  our  Saviour  fruftrated  the  intrigues 
of  an  infamous  cabal  who  fought  his  deftruclion  ;  and  can- 
not, without  raifapplication,  be  adduced  for  any  moral  pur- 
pofe,  except  to  check  that  cenforious  fpirit  Mdaich  is  eager  to 
punifli  others,  while  unrepented  tranfgreffions  rankle  in 
their  own  bofoms.  It  is  not  as  the  omnifcient  Judge  of  man, 
but  as  one  who  was  expefted  to  zSt  as  the  temporal  ruler  of 
Ifrael,  that  he  refufes  to  condemn  the  guilty  creature  who 
flood  trembling  before  him.  As  a  teacher  of  pure  morals, 
he  difmifies  her  with  an  exhortation  to  fin  no  more  \  which, 
if  her  heart  was  not  entirely  hardened,  would  be  the  means 
of  obtaining  forgivenefs  for  her  at  the  tribunal  of  Heaven. 
A  reference  to  the  27th  and  28th  verfes  of  the  fixth  chap- 
ter of  St.  Matthew's  gofpel,  will  fhew  you  the  rule  of  inward 
purity  by  which  Chriftians  muft  regulate  even  the  fecret  af- 
fections of  their  hearts.  The  Redeemer  of  the  world  was 
no  inconfiftent  teacher ;  he  had  no  alternately  loofe  and 


238 

rigid  morality,  no  convenient  doflrines  fuitcd  to  times  and 
feafons,  no  palliatives  to  fcrcen  the  mighty,  no  ftimulants  ta 
goad  the  unprotecSled  ;  no  popular  morality  for  the  mob,  no 
fpecious  difquifitions  for  the  learned.  They  who  attribute 
fuch  incongruity  to  him,  look  at  a  part,  not  at  the  whole. 
It  is  from  luch  partial  and  confined  views  of  fcripture  that 
diflentions  and  herefies  arife.  The  Calvinifts  build  their 
notions  on  a  miftaken  conception  of  St.  Paul's  defign  in  his 
cpiftles  to  the  Romans  and  Galatians,  wherein  the  words 
election  and  rejeftion  are  mentioned ;  but  certainly  in  ge- 
neral terms,*  and  with  application  to  the  calling  of  the  Gen- 
tiles to  occupy  that  place  in  the  church  of  God  which  the 
Jews  forfeited  by  not  acknowledging  the  MefRah.  Yet  that 
tliis  great  body  of  unbelieving  Ifrael  would  not  be  finally 
reprobate,  or  fhut  out  from  the  Chriftian  covenant,  the 
eleventh  chapter  of  Romans,  and  many  prophetical  parts  of 
fcripture,  unequivocally  declare ;  and  its  whole  tenor  pro- 
nounces univerfal  redemption.  Equally  confined  are  the 
views  of  thofe  who,  denying  the  divinity  of  our  Lord,  ad- 
duce thofe  expreffions  in  the  gofpels  to  confirm  their  no- 
tions, in  which  he  acknowledges  inferiority  to  the  Father, 
which  in  refpedl  to  his  human  nature  is  unquejliofiably  true. 
Confidered  in  this  view,  their  favourite  reference  to  the  Sent 
and  the  Sender,  and  even  the  text  of  "  My  Father  is  great- 
er than  I,"  are  eafily  reconcilable  to  orthodox  opinions. 
But  as  a  learned  Prelatef  obferves,  **  the  texts  that  afiirm 
"  the  divinity  of  Chrift  are  too  plain,  and  too  pofitive,  to 
*«  bend  to  their  expofitions  ;  they  muft  therefore  erafe  them, 
*«  or  receive  the  doctrines  they  contain."  Contrary  to  all 
evidence  or  probability,  they  prefer  the  latter. 

To  guard  againft  thefe  and  many  other  evils,  I  ftrongly 
recommend  to  my  fex  an  early  and  thorough  intimacy  with 
their  bibles.  I  wifh  them  to  be  fo  verfed  and  grounded  in 
fcriptural  knowledge,  that  they  may  comprehend  the  whole 
feries  of  hiftory  and  prophecy,  as  well  as  the  moral  inftruc- 
tion  which  the  facred  volume  contains.  Such  blefled  advan- 
tage OTer  the  prefent  age  was  polTefled  by  our  anceftors  at 
the  time  of  the  Reformation.  Thus  did  the  primitive  Chris- 
tians digeft  and  underftand  the  nvhole  word  of  God  j  and  at 

*  Commentators  have  agreed  that  no  inftance  of  individual  clcdlion 
appeara  in  fcripture. 

f  This  remark,  is  taken  from  the  Bifliop  of  Lincoln's  Elements  of  The- 
Qlogy  ;  but  not  having  the  work  to  refer  to,  the  page  caouot  be  fpecificd. 


239 

both  thcfc  periods,  it  was  this  thorough  conviction  of  the 
truth  and  purport  of  holy  writ,  which  fupported  timid  beau- 
ty and  feeble  youth  through  the  torments  of  martyrdom 
with  more  than  manly  courage.  We  are  not  called  to  mount 
the  blazing  pile,  nor  to  ftep  into  the  bloody  amphitheatre, 
for  the  love  of  Chrift.  Blefled  be  his  name  that  we  are 
not  I  for  could  we  be  expedled  to  die  for  him  of  whom  we 
have  fcarcely  heard  ?  But  we  are  called  to  endure  that  trial, 
of  mocking  and  fcofEng,  to  which  the  dodbrine  (now,  as 
once  the  perfon)  of  our  Saviour  is  expo  fed.  It  is  a  moft 
perverfe  and  wicked  wit,  which  can  attempt  to  debafe  the 
charter  of  falvation  by  profane  or  ludicrous  allufions.  In 
this  country,  the  New  Teflament  at  prefent  is  feldom  open- 
ly traviftied  •,  but  fome  unguarded  expreffions  ufed  by  a  pop-  . 
ular  divine,  only  intended  to  aflert  that,  from  the  clearnefs 
of  its  internal  and  hiftorical  evidence,  the  go/pel  of  Chrift 
may  reft  on  its  own  fupport,  without  recurring  to  the  Old 
Teftament  for  proofs,  feem  to  have  been  hailed  as  an  aufpi- 
cious  fignal  by  »*  filthy  talkers  and  jefters,"  proclaiming  that 
the  firft  covenant  may  be  lawfully  turned  into  ridicule.  Can 
.a  public  corrector  of  tafte  and  morals  be  juftified  for  defcrib- 
ing,  as  an  "  exquifite  addition"  to  a  poem,  "  a  droll  tranf. 
,«  formation  of  the  ftory  of  Nebuchadnezzar  and  his  fiery 
**  furnace,  with  the  three  Hebrew  falamanders  who  could 
*<  not  be  burnt ;"  owning,  "  that  for  this  burlefque  exhibitioa 
*'  of  his  Majefty  of  Babylon  they  owe  to  the  playful  poet  a 
*«  hearty  laugh  ?"  Was  the  editor  of  this  critique  aware,  that 
the  book  in  which  this  aiFe<Sling  narrative  is  contained  was 
authenticated  by  two  exprefs  quotations  of  our  Lord  ;*  in 
one  of  which  he  acknowledges  Daniel's  prophetical  charac- 
ter ?  Does  a  jocular  parody  of  a  folemn  and  inftru<Stive  event, 
recorded  by  one  whofe  prefcience  is  divinely  attefted,  be- 
come him  who,  as  a  Chriftian,  muft  defend  the  verity  of  all 
our  Lord's  affertions  ?f 

*  Sec  Mattacw,  13th  chapter,  43d  vcrf<r,  a4tk  chapter,  15th  verfc. 

f  The  following  anecdote  is  given  on  ncvrfpaper  teilimony,  with  a  wiflt 
that  it  may  have  had  no  foundation  in  truth ;  for  it  will  then  acb  as  a 
caution,  iaftead  of  a  cenfure ;  A  New  Jerufalem  teacher  furreptitioufly 
obtained  an  appointment  to  a  meeting  belonging  to  fome  regular  diffent- 
crs.  A  trial  at  law  enfued  ;  and  the  preacher,  who  had  been  an  itinerant 
mufic-mafler,  and  petty  fliopkeeper,  was  defended  by  his  very  elaborate 
counfel,  who  is  faid  to  have  introduced  David's  fkill  upon  the  harp,  and 
the  humble  profeffions  of  the  apoUles,  ai  a  parallel  that  was  applicable  to 
this  fchifraatic's  change  of  occupation.  Did  this  learned  gentleman  not 
know,  or  did  he  purpofely  forget,  that  thcfe  apoftles  were  miraruloufly 


240 

A  thorough  acquaintance  with  holy  writ  will  Infpire  fucli 
habitual  reverence  for  it,  as  a  whole,  as  muft  prevent  us 
from  encouraginiT  thofc  degrading  parodies  of  any  detached 
part  of  it,  which  fome  voluble  unprincipled  rhymers  brought 
into  fafhion,  whofe  works  are  now  happily  Unking  into  the 
oblivion  which  they  deferve ;  I  hope,  never  more  to  be  re- 
vived or  imitated.  In  the  writings  of  a  certain  florid  ge- 
nius, whofe  richly  drefled  poetry  for  fome  time  directed  the 
national  ton  (I  will  not  call  it  tafte,)  there  are  feveral  allu- 
fions  to  the  narratives  of  holy  writ,  which,  though  ferioufly 
worded,  are  degraded  by  being  applied  to  petty  limilitudes. 
Since  we  are  affured  in  the  New  Teftament,  that  "  all  fcrip- 
ture"  (by  which  the  Jewilh  fcriptures  only  could  be  meant) 
*'  is  given  by  infpiration  ;"  fince  the  two  moft  extraordina- 
ry, and,  it  fhould  feem  to  us,  improbable  occurrences  which, 
they  contain,  the  hiflories  of  Jonah  and  Balaam,  are  con- 
firmed, the  former  by  five  comparifons  in  the  difcourfes  of 
our  Lord,  the  latter  by  the  inferences  of  St.  Peter  and  St. 
Jude  ;  "  droll  transformations  of  narratives,"  or  even  light 
^allufions  to  biblical  hiflories,  muft  be  confidered  not  only  as 
criminal  in  thofe  who  thus  abufe  their  talents,  but  as  argu- 
ing great  ignorance  of  the  foundation  of  their  religion,  and. 
its  connexion  with  Jewifli  hiftory,  in  every  admirer  of  thefe 
perverted  efforts  of  wit  and  ingenuity. 

The  ftudy  that  I  fo  earneflly  recommend  will,  if  afSfted 
by  the  invaluable  labours  of  found  and  able  expofitors,  en- 
able you  to  repel  many  oblique  attacks  which  may  be  made 
upon  your  faith,  on  account  of  the  feeming  incongruity  of 
particular  incidents.  The  miracles  of  our  Lord  have  not 
efcaped  the  petulant  criticifm  of  fhort  fighted  cavillers. 
They  are  faid  to  have  been  limited  and  puerile  ;  and  certain- 
ly they  were  upon  a  lefs  grand  and  awful  fcale  than  the  im- 
preflive  wonders  which  freed  the  Hebrew  captives  from 
Egyptian  bondage,  and  prepared  them  for  the  reception  of 
the  Mofaical  covenant.  Our  Lord  came  to  a  people  who 
were  in  expectation  of  a  wonderful  perfonagc  •,  to  a  natior^ 
by  whom  it  was  preordained  that  he  was  to  be  rejected  and 
facriliced  ;  yet  among  whom  he  was  to  meet  with  many 

endowed  by  the  Spirit  of  God  with  all  knowledge,  all  faith,  and  the  pow- 
er of  curing  all  difcafes  ?  What  refembhnce  then  can  poffibly  exift  be- 
tween theJ'e  fiipernatiirally  inftru<ftcd  teacher?,  and  an  ignorant  and  (as 
was  clearly  proved)  knavifli  mechanic  .''  Surely  the  wit  of  this  abfnrd 
comparifon  is  too  Qr.iined  to  pafs,  even  in  a  carelefs  auditory,  a  an  ex- 
cul'e  for  its  fallthood  and  irreverence. 


241 

converts,  and  from  whofe  narrow  region  his  gofpel  was  to 
burft  like  a  refiftlefs  torrent,  and  overflow  the  world.  The 
power  of  working  miracles,  which  was  in  the  firft  inftance 
confined  to  the  Jewifli  Lawgiver  and  High  Prieft,  was  in 
the  latter,  with  great  propriety,  extended  to  every  ambafFa- 
dor  who  bore  this  high  miflion  to  any  part  of  the  world. 
As  in  the  Afiatic  and  Grecian  cities,  fo  on  the  barren  rock 
of  Melita,  and  in  the  remote  confines  of  imperial  Rome,  St. 
Paul  difplayed  the  unequivocal  atteftations  of  accompanying 
Deity.  Eccleflaftical  hidrory  afTures  us,  that  the  like  eftefts 
attended  the  yet  more  diftant  journies  of  the  other  apoftles. 

In  number  therefore,  though  not  in  individual  importance, 
the  miracles  which  ulhered  in  the  gofpel  exceeded  the  fu- 
pernatural  evidences  of  the  law.  They  were  alfo  ftridlly 
applicable  to  the  different  natures  of  the  two  difpenfations. 
For  recalling  the  world  to  the  almofl:  extinguiflied  know- 
ledge of  one  God,  terror  and  majefty  were  awfully  combin- 
ed. Benevolence  was  the  charaderiftical  feature  of  thofe 
mild  wonders,  which  announced  the  purpofe  of  the  Almigh- 
ty to  be  reconciled  to  his  offending,  but  repentant  creatures. 
"  Thus,  though  the  whole  fyftem  of  Chriftian  miracles  was 
"  intended  to  convince  men  that  Jefus  was  fent  by  God,  and 
*'  not  to  confer  extraordinary  benefits  on  particular  perfons  9 
**  yet  their  incidental  benevolence,  this  going  about  doing 
"  good,  is  a  ftrong  atteftation  of  the  divine  origin  of  that 
"  miraculous  power  which  Jefus  Chrift  poffeffed."* 

May  we  not  expeft  that  this  general  enlarged  attention  to 
the  whole  defign  of  fcripture  will  confiderably  abate  the 
virulence  of  that  religious  animofity,  which  is  moft  apt  to 
arife  from  contradled  views,  and  partial  attachment  to  fome 
few  peculiar  doctrines  ?  We  fometimes  adopt  erroneous  opin- 
ions from  pertinacity,  or  intentional  Angularity  j  but  oftener 
through  that  infirmity  of  judgment  which  will  not  permit 
an  ardent  imagination  to  rell:  within  the  fober  bounds  of 
truth,  or  to  confine  itfelf  to  the  prefcribed  limits  of  revela- 
tion ;  which,  it  muft  ever  be  remembered,  is  calculated  to 
comfort  the  faithful,  and  to  fupport  the  weak  ;  not  to  fatisfy 
*<  curious  and  carnal  perfons."  Charity  has  received  as  much 
injury  from  exti-eme  refinements  and  minute  fubtilties  of 
expreffion,  as  myfterious  doctrines  have  from  diffufe  expla- 


*  This  remark  ij  taken  from  Hev'»  Lectures. 

Gff 


242 

nations,  or  injudicious  and  unwarrantable  applications.  Thus 
people  are  often  brought  to  differ  in  words,  who  agree  in 
things ;  and  to  attach  confequence  to  merely  fpeculative  dif- 
tin<n:ions,  which  they  do  not  under<"^and.  Hence  arofe  thofc 
miferable  and  unaccountable  diilenlions  (which  may  be  juft- 
ly  termed  theological  quibbling)  that  perplexed  the  fchool 
divines  ;  hence  the  difputcs  between  Friars  of  different  or- 
ders, the  quarrels  of  Jefuits  and  Janfenifts,  and  the  numer- 
ous altercations  that  have  divided  and  fubdivided  all  clalTes 
of  dlfTcnters  from  our  efbablilhment.  But  if,  inftead  of  thus 
infpedl:ing  a  part  of  our  religion  with  microfcopic  attention, 
of  lifihig  tip  cm  text  as  our  banuer^  and  fighting  under  it 
againfl  all  our  fellow-chriflians,  we  applied  ourfelves  to  ifudy 
the  beauty  and  confiflency  of  all  the  facred  volume,  our  zeal 
for  peculiar  tenets,  and  all  that  criminal  defire  of  being  An- 
gular which  makes  men  hazard  the  welfare  of  their  fouls  in 
vindication  of  fuppofed  rights,  would  be  abfbrbed  by  the 
anxious  deiire  of  truly  obeying  what  we  felt  to  be  fo  excel- 
lent, and  knew  to  be  fo  divine.  Then  might  we  hope  that 
the  profefTors  of  the  faith  of  Jefus  would,  as  in  early  times, 
be  marked  by  this  flattering  dillinelion,  "  Behold  how  thefe 
Chriftians  love  one  another." 

At  the  time  when  the  impoftor  Mahomet  promulgated 
his  bloody  and  voluptuous  do<Slrines,  the  eaftern  part  of  the 
Chriftian  world  was  torne  by  miferable  contention,  and  the 
weflern  was  wafted  by  war  and  deprefTed  by  ignorance.  All 
hiflorians  concur  in  fiating,  that  the  hatred  and  animofity 
which  Chriflians  bore  to  each  other  expedited  the  triumphs 
of  the  cruel  Arabian  and  his  profelyting  banditti.  The 
fchifms  which  then  rent  the  church  difpofed  many  to  be- 
come his  converts  ;  to  flate  what  they  were,  is  to  give  an 
awful  lefTon  to  thefe  times  ;  many  then  queflioned  the  d'lvin- 
ity  of  our  Saviour  ;  and  the  do<n:rine  of  ahfolute  predtjlhiation 
was  inculcated  with  great  zeal  by  the  adherents  of  St.  Au- 
gufline. 

May  we  not  now  inquire,  what  are  the  figns  of  the  times 
in  which  v/e  live  ?  Within  our  church  there  is  a  fchifm,  in 
which  the  old  Pharifaical  fupercilioufnefs,  of  "  ftand  apart, 
I  am  more  holy  than  thou,"  is  too  apparent.  Beyond  her 
pale,  we  fee  new  modes  of  worfhip  multipled,  and  difunion 
engrafted  on  difTention.  The  church  of  Scotland,  which 
was  one  of  the  firfb  to  reje<ft  prefcription,  and  to  venture 
boldly  in  untried  paths,  terrified  at  the  unwarrantable  licence 


243 

aflumed  by  her  refra^^lory  members,*  is  forced  to  refume  the 
renounced  reftraint  of  ecclefiaftical  coercion.  With  us,  the 
bleffing  of  toleration  has  let  in  the  curfes  of  fanaticifm,  fcep- 
ticifm,  and  licentioufnefs.  Holls  of  ignorant  felf-fufficient 
preachers  are  yearly  licenced  to  miflead  the  weak  and  irres- 
olute, and  to  infpire  the  illiterate  with  contempt  for  their 
proper  paftors.  Among  the  higher  ranks,  the  latitudinari- 
an  gains  many  converts  to  the  attractive  found  of  liberality, 
and  enlarged  opinions  ;  and  from  the  latitudinarian  the  fcale 
of  error  mounts  to  infidelity.  But  indifference  is  the  more 
prevailing  charafteriftic  of  this  age ;  and  it  is  fo  very  preva- 
lent among  the  higher  circles,  that  ferioufnefs  and  devotion 
are  conftantly  confounded  with  fetflarian  enthufiafm.  The 
duty  of  worlhipping  the  God  of  our  fathers  is  made  to  de- 
pend upon  convenience,  upon  fafhion,  upon  a  warm  chapel, 
or  upon  an  agreeable  preacher.  From  the  lives  of  thefe 
nominal  Chriftians,  or  from  the  repulfive  manners  of  thofe 
who  "  make  broad  their  phylacteries,  and  enlarge  the  hem 
of  their  garments,"  the  well  bred  deift,  and  mere  moral  man 
of  the  world,  afl'ecl  to  form  their  notion  of  the  influence  of 
religion  upon  the  heart  and  mind.  Alas  !  that  the  many 
thoufands,  who  in  this  ifland  have  *'  never  bowed  the  knee 
to  Baal,"  nor  omitted  that  "  worfliip  in  fpirit  and  truth" 
which  our  Creator  prefcribes,  would  fometimes  emerge  from 
their  beloved  retirement,  and  fliew  an  admiring  world, 
"  Virtue  in  her  own  fliape  how  lovely." 

It  muft  however  be  acknowledged,  that  the  lives  of  too 
many  lincere  Chriftians  will  not  bear  a  comparifon  with  the 
pure  and  holy  rules  which  they  profefs  to  receive  as  the 
guide  of  their  conduCl ;  and  I  am  informed,  that  our  prefent 
race  of  delfts  juftify  their  rejection  of  religion  by  faying, 
'*  Why  do  not  you  believers  lead  better  lives  ?  I  entertain 
**  no  fuch  hopes  refpeCling  futurity  as  you  do ;  I  reje<Sl  your 
**  creed  ;  I  difavow  the  divine  affiftances  which  you  pretend 
'*  to  receive ;  yet  my  moral  reClitude  challenges  a  compari- 
*'  fon  with  your's.  I  acknowledge  no  laws  that  debar  me 
**  from  thofe  gratifications  which  you  folemnly  renoiwce  as 
*'  fins,  yet  frequently  pradlife.  Allowing,  therefore,  the  ver- 
"  ity  and  reality  of  your  religious  obligations,  my  offences 
"  muft  receive  a  lefs  fevere  condemnation  than  your's." 

The  reply  to  this  juftificatory  recrimination  is  fo  appar- 

*  For  this  account  of  the  ftatc  of  the  prefbytery  in  Scotland,  fee  Dr. 
Hill's  Theological  Inftitutcs. 


244 

cnt,  that,  had  I  not  been  afTured  that  fuch  exprelllons  are  tlxe 
common  apology  of  deifts,  I  Jhould  have  thouglit  it  deroga- 
tory to  their  aciitenefs  to  attribute  to  them  fuch  mean  and 
jejune  fubterfuges.  Here  a  remark  of  our  Saviour's  muft 
recur  to  your  remembrance,  and  you  will  again  feelingly 
acknowledge  that  he  knew  what  was  in  man  :  "  Men"  llill 
**  love  darknefs  better  than  light,"  and  for  the  fame  reafon 
as  when  Chrift  was  upon  earth,  *<  becaufe  their  deeds  are 
evil."  It  is  the  purity  and  holinefs  of  the  gofpel  that  make 
the  flaves  of  Mammon  and  Belial  cavil  at  its  authority.  It 
is  not  becaufe  it  rcfts  on  infufficient  evidence,  that  they  de- 
ny its  divine  origin  ;  but  becaufe  it  will  not  accommodate 
itfelf  to  a  darling  vice,  or  a  predominant  paffion,  that  they 
determine  not  to  let  it  rule  over  them. 

But  whether  we  reject  or  acknowledge  the  government 
of  the  bleffed  Jefus  in  this  world,  v/e  fliall  all  ftand  at  his 
judgment  feat  hereafter.  The  pleas  that  will  be  admitted 
in  behalf  of  thofe  to  whom  the  evangelical  tidings  of  a  Re- 
deemer were  never  proclaimed,  cannot  be  urged  in  favour 
of  Pagafis  by  choice,  who,  though  born,  baptized,  and  educa- 
ted in  a  Chriftian  country,  preferred  the  darknefs  of  Deifm 
to  the  light  which  flione  around  them.  Whoever  lives 
where  Chriftianity  is  profefTed,  is  by  birth  a  fubject  of  the 
Lamb  of  God.  He  may  renounce  his  allegiance,  he  may 
infult  and  defpife  his  Sovereign  •,  but  thefe  frantic  acts  do 
not  transform  him  into  an  alien,  but  a  rebel.  Born  under 
the  legiflation  of  the  gofpel,  it  is  againft  that  difpenfation 
that  he  lins,  and  it  is  by  that  he  will  be  judged.  His  boaft- 
ed  liberty,  of  being  free  to  choofe  his  mafter,  extends  only 
to  the  grave.  Even  if  his  moral  conduct  were  fuch  as  to 
fuggefh  hopes  of  efcaping  future  Vvfno;cance,  the  penalty  will 
attach  to  his  principles.  The  gaudy  fliow  of  benovolence, 
integrity,  or  liberality,  which  proceeded  not  from  the  dciire 
of  pleafing  God,  and  were  not  offered  to  him  with  the  fweet 
fmelling  lavour  of  faith  in  Chrill,  only  conllitute  that  defec- 
tive righteoufnefs  which,  we  are  afTured,  will  not  be  accept- 
ed by  God  from  thofe  whom  he  has  called  to  the  knowledge 
of  his  Son. 

It  is  certain,  that  the  "  infecHiion  of  man's  nature,'"*  as 
our  church  terms  it,  remains  in  fome  degree  in  us  all ;  fo 
that,  even  in  tlie  moft  iincere  Chriftians  "  there  is  a  law  of 
ihc  flsili  that  is  continually  warring  againft  the  hw  of  God." 

*  Article  9th. 


245 

The  Church  of  England  makes  no  pretenfions  either  to  ag- 
gregate or  individul  perfection.  In  conformity  with  the  fa- 
cred  code  from  which  fhe  derives  her  ordinances,  fhe  ac- 
knowledges her  mihtant  ftate  j  and,  confcious  that  her  mem- 
bers "  are  befet  with  fo  many  and  great  dangers,  that  by 
*'  reafon  of  the  frailty  of  their  mortal  nature  they  cannot  al- 
"  ways  ftand  upright,  Ihe  implores  fuch  fupplies  of  ftrength 
*'  and  protection  as  may  carry  them  through  all  tempta- 
**  tions."*  The  allulions  to  a  Chriftian's  life  on  earth  are 
not  taken  from  a  ftate  of  triumph,  fecurity,  or  even  repofe  : 
it  is  ever  defcribed  as  an  arduous  race,  a  painful  conflict,  a 
day  of  labour  and  forrow,  a  ftruggle  with  the  powers  of 
darknefs.  We  have  fcripture  and  our  maternal  church  on 
our  iide,  when  we  fuggeft  an  opinion,  that  the  fpiritual  en- 
emy is  more  bufdy  employed  in  aflailing  the  liege  fubjeCts 
of  the  King  of  Heaven,  than  in  fecuring  the  condemnation 
of  thofe  who,  by  their  anti-chriftian  prejudices,  have  furren- 
dered  their  minds  to  that  infidelity  which  is  the  parent  of 
every  vice.  Thefe  the  prince  of  darknefs  can  leave  to  work 
out  their  own  deftruCtion  ;  but  he  muft  penetrate  into  the 
retirements  of  piety,  and  endeavour  to  difturb  the  prayers, 
corrode  the  temper,  or  feduce  the  integrity,  of  thofe  who  he 
fears  are  becoming  "  meet  for  the  inheritance  of  the  Saints 
in  Light." 

But  beiide  thofe  who,  though  not  exempt  from  human 
error,  yet  on  the  whole  appear  to  "  walk"  worthy  of  the  vo- 
cation whereunto  they  are  called,  there  are  many  who,  with 
iincere  intentions  of  keeping  the  fear  of  God  always  before 
their  eyes,  do  occalionally  fall  into  great  and  aggravated  fins. 
Oftenders  of  this  defcription  furnifii  the  infidel  with  much 
feeming  occafion  for  exultation ;  but  the  triumph  is  merely 
vifionary.  When  we  fearch  into  the  hiftory  of  thefe  un- 
happy culprits,  we  fhall  find  many  natural  reafons  for  their 
infirmities ;  either  they  have  ftrong  paflions,  or  defective 
tempers  j  perhaps  their  education  has  been  injudicious,  or 
their  relative  fituation  in  life  is  attended  with  fome  peculiar- 
ly irritating  or  dangerous  circumftances.  The  fceptic's  pre- 
judice againft  religion  leads  him  to  confider  it  as  the  caufe 
of  thole  errors  which  it  is  conftantly  endeavouring  to  cotm- 

*  "  A  good  Chriflian,  not  being  one  who  has  no  inclination  to  fin  :  but 
"  one  who,  through  the  grace  of  God,  immediately  checks,  and  fuffers  not 
"  fuch  inclinations  to  grow  into  evil  habits."  See  Bifliop  Wilfon's  fliort 
and  plain  inftrudlions  for  the  Lord's  Supper,  page  50. 


246 

ieraB.  I  muft  exclude  from  the  pale  of  true  Giriftianitr, 
(that  is,  from  the  number  of  fmcere  fervants  of  the  blefled 
Jefus)  all  who  live  in  the  habitual  practice  of  what  they 
know  to  be  vice  ;  but  they  who  divide  their  time  between 
finning  and  forrowing,  who  promife  with  the  impaffioned 
and  confident  Peter,  and  like  him  offend  and  weep,  exhibit, 
though  not  fo  glorious,  yet  as  ftrong  a  proof  of  the  power 
of  religion  on  a  weak  but  ilnjere  mind,  as  the  dying  Stephen 
did  when  he  prayed  to  his  Lord  in  glory,  amid  his  mortal 
agonies.  Though  the  certainty  of  another  world  has  not 
eradicated  the  bofom  infirmity,  it  makes  "  the  ftrong  man 
tremble,"  and  compels  the  rebel  inclinations  to  fall  proftrate 
for  pardon  before  the  throne  of  Mercy  ;  by  whom,  we  truft, 
though  they  may  be  correHed  as  offenders^  they  will  not  be 
fetitenced  as  apojlates. 

Deift,  doft  thou  inquire  what  religion  has  done  for  thofe 
who  continually  tranfgrefs  and  reform  ?  I  anfwer,  it  is  the 
powerful  attradtion  which  prevented  them  from  flying  off, 
as  thou  haft  done,  into  the  dark  and  cheerlefs  regions  of 
chaotic  doubt  and  terror.  What  would  thefe  half  emanci- 
pated flaves  of  furious  paffions,  irregular  defires,  and  pervert- 
ed inclinations  have  been,  if  they  had  alfo  denied  their  God, 
and  rejected  the  faving  mercies  of  their  Saviour  ?  "  He  who 
**  knows  whereof  we  are  made,  and  remembers  that  we  arc 
**  but  duft,"  will  not  be  extreme  to  mark  what  is  done  amifs 
by  thofe  who  maintain  a  conftant  ftruggle  with  an  ill  regu- 
lated ill  tutored  mind.  Leave  them  to  the  mercy  of  the 
mafter  they  have  cliofen.  But  if,  in  the  pride  of  moral  rec- 
titude, thou  prefumeft  to  fet  thy  fpecious  goodnefs  in  oppo- 
fltion  to  the  contrite  Publican  who  weeps  befide  thee ;  be- 
ware, Sinner ;  thou  too  art  weighed  in  the  balance  and  art 
found  wanting.  Doft  thou  pofiefs  a  native  fweetnefs  of  dif- 
polition ;  this  is  the  foil  in  which  thou  fhouldft  have  plant- 
ed the  Chriftian  grace  of  charity.  Haft  thou  a  keen  percep- 
tion of  what  is  perfedl,  fair  and  good  ;  this  talent  was  given 
thee  to  be  improved  into  a  "  knowledge  of  the  ^\tays  of  the 
Moft  High."  Do  thy  well  regulated  paflions  obey  the  curb, 
of  dilcretion,  convenience,  and  regard  to  character ;  this  is 
not  enough ;  thou  fliouldft  have  fubjeCted  them  to  that  in- 
ward purity,  without  which  "  no  man  can  fee  the  Lord." 
Is  thy  reputation  unfpotted ;  doft  thou  feed  the  hungry, 
and  clothe  the  naked  ;  art  thou  exacl  in  thy  dealings  be- 
tween man  and  man,  and  guarded  in  thy  words  as  well  as  iix 
thy  actions ;  n;;ture  and  habit  have  done  much  for  thee,  but 


247 

thou  haft  not  foHcited  for  that  grace  which  would  have 
done  infinitely  more.  "  The  wifdom  that  is  from  above" 
would  have  told  thee,  that  the  praife  of  men  is  not  ahvays 
compatible  with  the  praife  of  God,  and  that  they  who  idol- 
ize reputation  muft  often  facriiice  confcience  to  her  man- 
dates. "  They  who  do  their  good  deeds  to  be  feen  of  men, 
receive  in  the  praife  of  men  their  reward."  But  it  is  an 
apoftle  who  tells  thee,  that  thou  mayeft  « beftow  all  thy 
goods  to  feed  the  poor,  and  yet  it  fhall  profit  thee  nothing." 
Honefty  and  puncStuality  are  the  virtues  of  prudence,  on 
which  induftry  and  convenience  depend  for  many  temporal 
advantages  :  the  outward  obfervance  of  them  is  enforced  by 
human  laws  ;  but  in  the  fight  of  God  they  are  of  no  value, 
unlefs  they  are  rooted  in  the  inward  man  of  the  heart,  and 
confirmed  by  the  affiirance  that  with  "  whatfoever  meafure 
we  mete,  it  fhall  be  meafured  to  us  again."  Thou,  who  haft 
hidden  thy  numerous  talents  under  the  cold  inveftment  of 
moral  fitncfs,  inftead  of  applying  them  to  the  purchafe  of 
the  ineftimable  merchandize  of  chriftian  graces,  fcofF  not  at 
him  who,  confcious  of  infirmity,  clings  to  the  rock  of  his 
falvation,  and  fupplicatesyor^z-y^;;^-,  not  reward.  The  world 
cannot  judge  between  the  good  deeds  that  thou  doft,  to  be 
feen  of  men,  and  the  fecret  afpirations  of  the  foul  of  the 
penitent ;  for  the  world  is  not  endued  with  omnifcience,  and 
can  only  determine  by  what  it  is  permitted  to  fee.  But  it 
is  by  thy  inward  motives,  not  by  thy  oftenfible  deeds,  that 
thou  fhalt  be  fentenced  at  the  awful  tribunal  of  him,  the 
King  of  Kings  and  Lord  of  Lords,  who  will  fearfully  reclaim 
the  apoftate  v/ho  rejeded  his  authority,  in  the  clofing  fcenes 
of  his  mediatorial  kingdom,  before  it  emerges  into  the  full 
dominion  of  paternal  Deity. 

The  prevalence  of  fuicide  is  another  inftance  by  which  wc 
may  judge  of  the  ftate  of  religion  in  this  kingdom  ;  for  un- 
queftionably,  unlefs  it  proceed  from  mental  derangement, 
we  muft  pronounce  the  felf-murderer  ignorant  of  the  obliga- 
tions and  pon^fr  of  Chriftianity.  If  he  really  believed  in  God, 
would  he  dare  to  rufh  uncalled  into  his  prefence,  or  make 
the  laft  action  of  his  life  a  crime  of  which  he  never  can  re- 
pent ?  The  prevalence  of  this  offence  among  the  Pagans  of 
old  times  is  indifputable  ;  it  was  even  confidered  as  fome- 
what  of  a  brave  and  commendable  a£lion,  by  which  their 
greateft  and  wifeft  men,  and  their  moft  virtuous  women,  he- 
roically refolved  to  efcape  from  pain,  difgrace,  and  forrow. 
Equally  indifputable  is  the  fa6l,  that  the  religion  of  Jefus 


248 

conquered  this  daring  propenfity ;  fincc  its  mofl:  eminent 
profeflbrs  deemed  it  lefs  infamous  to  expire  in  excruciating 
tortures  as  public  criminals,  than  gently  to  languilh  away 
with  the  mock  dignity  of  a  Seneca,  or  to  tear  open  their  own 
bowels  with  the  ruthlefs  frenzy  of  a  Cato.  The  revival  of 
this  humour  of  felf-deftrudlion  in  France  is  fo  notorious, 
that  it  is  lamented  even  by  thofe  who  ftill  fee,  in  that  athe- 
iftical  revolution,  much  to  admire,  and  who  fruitlefsly  wifli 
to  palliate  all  its  enormities.* 

Self-murder,  when  it  is  not  a  fudden  a£l  of  madnefs  or 
paffion,  muft  proceed  from  the  fullen  rcfolve  of  wounded 
pride,  confcious  of  merit  and  impatient  of  difappointment. 
How  oppofite  is  this  temper  to  the  felf-abafement,  the  lowly 
refignation  of  a  chriftian  foul,  wdio  receives  temporal  calam- 
ities as  the  deferved  chajlifemcnts  of  his  Father  and  his  God, 
and  who  hopes,  through  his  mercy,  not  only  the  pardon  of 
his  fins,  but  the  promifes  annexed  to  patient  fubmillion  !  It 
is  thofe  who  prefume  to  think  highly  of  their  own  deferv- 
ings,  who  depend  upon  merit,  who  detnatid  reward,  and  who 
limit  their  views  of  happinefs  to  temporal  poiTeffion  on  this 
fide  Jordan,  that  are  mofl:  inclined,  like  treacherous  centi- 
nels,  to  defert  the  poft  which  they  deem  unworthy  of  their 
high  defervings. 

Suicide,  therefore,  is  moft  frequently  the  fl:ern  determi- 
nation of  indignant  deifm,  warring  in  its  pride  againft  the 
will  of  the  Higheft.  It  often  too  proceeds  from  the  keen 
tortures  of  accufing  confcience,  or  from  a  poignant  fenfe  of 
the  embarrafl^ments  and  anxieties  to  which  a  life  of  guilt  ge- 
nerally expofes  the  offender.  Divines  have  remarked,  that 
as,  in  this  life,  the  natural  confequences  of  fin  often  con- 
tinue to  purfue  the  offender,  in  the  fliape  of  bodily  pain  or 
calamity,  long  after  he  has  become  fincerely  penitent  for  his 
faults,  the  heathens  had  no  chance  of  difcovcring,  from 
what  they  faw  of  the  Almighty's  providential  government 
of  the  world,  that  the  eternal  confequences  of  fin  would  ev- 
er be  remitted.  As  Chriflians  have  brighter  hopes  on  this 
Important  fubje£l,  penitence  is  now  bound  by  ftrongcr  bonds 
to  endure  the  temporal  afHidfions,  which  it  is  confcious  of 
defcrving,  from  the  hope  that  its  prefent  refignation  may 
cancel  its  former  mifdeeds,  and,  in  the  language  of  the  apollle, 
that  it  "  may  live  to  bring  forth  fruits  meet  for  repentance." 

*  It  is  afTirmctl,  on  an  average  calculation,  that  five  Frenchmen  pcrifH 
in  two  d:m  hy  their  own  hands.     See  Holcroft's  Travel*  into  i'ramc. 


249 

There  are  yet  other  reafons  which  bind  the  Chriftian  even 
to  a  joylefs  and  miferable  exiftence.  In  a  probationary  ftate^ 
the  time  of  trial  cannot  be  over  till  our  Mafter  bids  «  us  reft 
from  our  labours."  The  dying  flame,  which  feems  expiring 
in  the  focket,  may  yet  caft  out  a  light  fufiicient  to  recall 
fome  wandering  connexion  from  the  broad  road  of  deftruc- 
tion.  Are  we  not  in  the  hands  of  a  merciful  God,  who 
'  willeth  not  the  eternal  death  of  a  linner ;  and  may  we  not 
hope,  that  if  we  patiently  abide  his  fummons,  he  will  not 
remove  us  hence,  but  "  with  all  due  advantage  for  eternity, 
"  when  we  fhall  be  in  a  holy  difpolition  of  foul,  in  a  perfedt 
**  renunciation  of  the  guife  of  this  mad  and  finful  world  ?"* 

That  the  crime  of  felf-deftru£tion  by  aftual  violence  has 
not  yet  made  fuch  progrefs  amongft  us,  as  it  has  done  amongft 
our  revolutionized  and  illuminized  neighbours,  affords  great 
folace  to  the  refleiSling  mind,  anxious  to  difcover  fome 
grounds  for  confiding  in  the  protection  of  the  Moft  High 
during  our  prefent  arduous  conflidl.  But  the  frequency  of 
that  felf-defl:ru(ftion  which  is  accomplifhed  by  diflipation  and 
vice  prefents  a  lefs  confolatory  profpedt.  However,  as  this 
fpecies  of  fuicide  does  not  alTume  fuch  determined  hoftility 
to  Heaven  in  its  afpedt,  we  may  charitably  hope  that  a  death 
bed  isfomethnes  the  fcene  of  true  repentance. 

Poffibly  I  fhall  here  be  arraigned,  for  limiting  that  un- 
bounded mercy  and  compafRon  of  the  Deity,  which  is  fuch 
a  favourite  topic  among  our  new  expofitors  of  the  Chriflian 
religion.  I  acknowledge  thefe  qualities  to  be  infinite ;  all 
the  attributes  of  the  Godhead  are  fo ;  their  only  limits  arc 
thofe  other  attributes  which  we  alfo  know  to  be  eflential  to 
his  nature.  Whenever  we  enter  on  the  iiicomprehenfible 
theme  of  Deity,  whether  our  attention  be  turned  to  his  at- 
tributes or  his  nature,  we  ought  to  advance  with  trembling 
fteps ;  and,  confcious  of  the  awful  difficulties  by  which  we 
are  furrounded,  we  fhould  be  alike  careful  of  touching  the 
myflerious  palladium  with  irreverent  hands,  or  defending  it 
by  injudicious  means.  Uzzahf  muft  not  officioufly  attempt 
to  fupport  the  ark  ;  a  power  unfeen  refides  within,  who  will 
as  furely  repel  the  obtrufive  aid  of  ignorance  and  folly,  as  it 
will  punifh  the  wickednefs  of  blafphemous  impugners  of  the 

*  See  the  admirable  prayers  in  the  fervice  for  Eafter  Eve,  ia  Nclfoa'g 
Companion  to  the  Fafts  and  Feflivals. 

t  Sec  3d  of  Samuel,  6th  chapter,  7th  yerfc. 

Hh 


250 

truth.  In  one  in  fiance,  the  inconceivable  union  of  pfrfefl 
juflice  and  perfecl  compaffion  was  levelled  to  the  comprehen- 
fion  of  man.  In  the  facrificc  of  Chrift,  the  Almighty  fhew- 
ed  his  hatred  to  fin  and  his  mercy  to  finners.  Let  not  the 
^vicked  man,  therefore,  go  on  in  his  wickedncfs,  left  he 
fliould  experience  ilie  terror  of  infinite  juflice,  who  would 
not  be  reconcilcil  to  nn  oiFendir.g  v/orld  without  an  expiato- 
ry offering  of  incftimable  price  ;  and  let  not  the  contrite 
heart  defpair  of  being  forgiven  by  Him,  "  who  fo  loved  the 
world,  that  he  ^ive  his  only  fon  for  us."  Even  in  the 
eleventh  hour,  if  true  repentance  knock,  the  door  of  mercy 
will  be  opened  j  but  the  application  muft  be  made.  Religion 
now,  as  ihe  did  of  yore  ;*  crieth  without  and  uttercth  her 
voice  in  the  fireets.  Infinite  are  her  blellings  •,  but  ftill 
they  are  only  found  of  thofe  who  feek  them.  "  If  we  fcarch 
"  for  them  as  hidden  treafures,  then  {hall  wc  underftand 
"  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  and  find  the  knowledge  of  God." 

This  knowledge  differs  fo  eflentially  from  the  worldly 
>virdom  which  men  of  intrigue,  ambition,  and  bufinefs  pur- 
fue,  inftead  of  the  true  riches  ;  and  from  the  inquifitive 
fpeculative  philofophy  which  fports  upon  the  furface  of  the 
material  world  j  that  we  cannot  wonder  at  a  period,  where- 
in a  long  continuance  of  temporal  fecurity  and  profperity 
has  engendered  a  dependance  on  fecond  caufes,  an  undue  re- 
gard for  this  life,  and  an  indifference  to  future  profpefts  j 
that  the  ordinances  of  religion,  which  afe  riot  recommended 
by  their  relation  to  political  confiderations,  fliould  fink  into 
negle<rt ;  cfpecially  if  we  (mighty  difputants)  cannot  difccrn 
the  reafon  of  their  inftitution,  owing  to  their  abfiract  and 
fpiritual  nature.  To  this  muft  we  afcribe  the  general  difufe 
of  the  facrament  of  the  body  and  blood  of  Chrift,  the  dear 
remembrance  of  his  meritorious  death,  and  which  is  not  on- 
ly the  memorial  of  a  benefadlor,  but  the  appointed  means  of 
conveying  his  mercy  to  us,  and  of  exprelling  our  gratitude 
for  the  benefit.  Of  this  duty  it  may  be  remarked,  that  the 
difclples  w^erc  prepared  to  obferve  it  by  a  prophetical  admo- 
nition. A  year  preceding  that  memorable  feaft,  which  de- 
termined that  the  Chriftian  fhould  fuperfede  the  Jewifli  Paf^ 
chal  fupper,  our  Lord,  as  we  find  by  the  fixth  chapter  of 
St.  John's  gofpel,  informed  his  auditors  of  the  nature  and 
fign  of  the  future  facrament  of  the  new  covenant.  The 
Jews,  interpreting  this  communication  as  they  did  their  own 

*  Proverbs,  ift  chapter,  20th  verfc. 


251 

law,  according  to  the  letter  and  not  the  fpuit,  exclaimed 
with  incredulous  aftonifhment,  "This  is  an  hard  faying. 
Can  this  man  give  us  his  flefh  to  eat  ?"  And  the  facred  nar- 
rative proceeds  to  inform  us,  "  that  from  that  time  many  of 
his  difciples  went  back,  and  walked  no  more  with  him." 
So  exa£lly  do  the  infpired  hiftorians  adhere  to  the  truth  of 
chara<^er.  A  myfterious  ordinance,  painfully  appealing  to 
the  paffions,  repulfive  of  the  pride  of  human  nature,  ab- 
ftradled  from  every  fcheme  of  policy  or  worldly  advantage, 
and  requiring  total  refignation,  and  dependance  upon  God, 
to  fandlify  the  means  whereby  he  choofes  to  convey  his 
promifed  graces  to  us,  was  likely  to  prove  a  ftumbling  block 
to  thofe  who  looked  to  temporal  profperity  as  the  end  of  re- 
ligious worfhip.  Our  Lord  did  not  then  inform  thefe  gain- 
fayers  by  what  fign,  or  vifible  medium,  this  living  bread  was 
to  be  reprefented.  He  properly  referved  this  difcovery  for 
the  vigil  of  the  facrifice  which  it  was  to  commemorate.  The 
facred  rite  was  then  folemnized,  and  the  command  given  for 
its  perpetual  obfervance.  The  three  evangelifts  who  firft 
publifhed  their  gofpels  having  recorded  this  aBion  of  their 
Mafter's,  St.  John,  who  wrote  with  a  defign  of  fupplying 
their  omiffions,  pafTes  over  the  hijlory  of  the  inftitution,  and 
enlarges  on  the  doBrinal  part.  Nothing  can  be  more  author- 
itative and  obligatory  than  the  foiemn  declaration  which  our 
Saviour  made  to  the  amazed  Synagogue  at  Capernaum ; 
**  Verily  verily  I  fay  unto  you,  except  ye  eat  of  the  flefh  of 
**  the  Son  of  Man,  and  drink  his  blood,  ye  have  no  life  in 
**  you.  Whofo  eateth  my  fiefh,  and  drinketh  my  blood, 
**  hath  eternal  life,  and  I  will  raife  him  up  at  the  laft  day. 
*<  For  my  flefli  is  meat  indeed,  and  my  blood  is  drink  in- 
<*  deed.  As  the  living  Father  hath  lent  me,  and  I  live  by 
«  the  Father ;  fo  he  that  eateth  me,  even  he  fhall  live  by 
"  me."  If  we  combine  this  explanation  of  the  benefits  of  the 
facrament,  with  the  narrative  of  our  Lord's  breaking  the 
bread  and  blefEng  the  wine,  and  delivering  them  to  his  apof- 
tles,  commanding  them  to  "  do  {o  in  remembrance  of  him," 
we  mufl  difcern  the  pofitive  obligation  which  all  Chriftians 
lie  under  to  partake  of  this  memorial  of  their  redemption.* 
We  know,  from  infpired  teftimony,  that  the  primitive  church 
was  conftant  and  frequent  in  the  ule  of  this  outward  vifible 
fign  of  the  inward  fpiritual  grace  ;  for  there  are  many  allu- 
lions  to  this  holy  rite  in  the  A<Sts  and  the  EpifUes,  befidQ 

*  Sec  Bifliop  CIeavcr'8  fermons  on  the  nature  of  th«  facrament. 


252 

dircftions  for  the  orderly  management  of  the  eucharlftical 
feaft  contained  in  the  eleventh  chapter  of  the  firft  of  Corin- 
thians. How  grace  and  pardon  are  conveyed  to  the  fouls 
of  thofe  communicants  who,  with  fincere  faith  and  devout 
minds,  partake  of  this  holy  ordinance,  remains  among  the 
fecrets  of  the  Moft  High.  It  was  no  more  neceflary  that 
we  fhould  penetrate  into  this  myftery,  than  that  we  fhould 
comprehend  all  God's  part  of  the  covenant  of  grace ;  but 
though  the  reafons  on  which  his  purpofes  are  founded  arc 
hidden  from  curiofity,  his  determinations,  and  the  promifes 
annexed  to  his  commands,  are  plainly  difclofed,  to  excite 
faith  and  to  ftimulate  obedience.  The  humble  arc  inftruft- 
cd,  the  wife  in  their  own  conceit  are  left  uninformed. 

It  is  true  that  our  Lord  has  declared,  *'  Except  ye  eat  the 
*'  flefh  of  the  Son  of  Man,  and  drink  his  blood,  ye  have  no 
*•  life  in  you  ?"  Is  it  alfo  an  acknowledged  fa6l,  that  imme- 
diately preceding  the  laft  fcenes  of  his  mortality  he  took 
bread  and  wine,  blelTed  them,  pronounced  them  his  body 
and  blood,  and  commanded  his  difciples  to  receive  thofe  con- 
fecrated  elements  in  "  remembrance  of  him  ?"  How  dare  we 
then,  knowing  thefe  things  to  be  true,  omit  the  rite,  difobey 
the  command,  and  brave  the  threatening  ?  Alas  !  being  uni- 
ted with  the  Saviour  of  the  world  in  fpiritual  communion, 
is  of  far  lefs  confequence  than  being  admitted  into  a  fafhion- 
able  circle,  or  ranked  in  a  certain  fet.  In  fpite  of  the  ge- 
neral levity  with  which  facred  things  are  treated,  the  eucha- 
rift  ftill  exadls  fomewhat  of  awful  reverence,  even  from  thofe 
■who  relifh  "  droll  transformations"  of  holy  writ,  and,  under 
the  feemingly  modeft  plea  of  unworthinei's,  decline  under- 
taking thofe  duties  of  examination,  confeflion,  and  ferious 
exclufion,  which  they  ftill  think  ought  to  precede  this  more 
immediate  approach  to  the  prefence  of  God.  But  have  we 
not  pofitive  aflurance,  that  the  fins  and  negligences  which 
unfit  us  for  the  Lord's  table  will  effectually  bar  the  everlaft- 
ing  doors  of  Heaven  againft  us  ?  The  wedding  garment, 
which  we  are  required  to  put  on  for  the  facrificial  feaft  at 
the  altar,  is  the  fame  robe  which  we  muft  wear  in  the  New 
Jerufalem,  at  the  marriage  fupper  of  the  Lamb.  And  fure- 
ly,  every  wilful  omifllon  of  the  enjoined  memorial  of  "  the 
*'  exceeding  great  love  of  our  Mafter  and  only  Saviour  Jefus 
"  Chrift,"  muft  add  to  the  number  of  thefe  excluding  offen- 
ces. For  the  cafe  of  the  negligent  Chrijlinn^  whofe  attach- 
ment to  worldly  pleafurc  or  bufinefs  operates  more  power- 
fully Qn  his  mind  than  obedience  to  his  Lord's  commands, 


253 

and  that  of  the  deijy  living  in  a  Chrifiian  country y  are  fimilar  j 
they  will  be  judged  by  the  laws  which  they  kneiuy  but  refufei 
to  obey. 

That  eagernefs  of  inquiry,  and  laxity  of  performance^ 
which  is  another  fign  of  thefe  times,  is  forcibly  defcribed  in 
the  facred  pages  by  the  epithet  of  **  having  itching  cars,  ev- 
**  er  learning,  and  never  coming  to  the  knowledge  of  the 
«  truth."  Again  let  me  prefs  on  the  attention  of  every  fe- 
male into  whofe  hands  thefe  pages  may  fall,  to  confider  fe- 
rioufly  how  much  this  reftlefs  fpirit  t)f  curiofity,  this  fcepti- 
cal  doubt,  this  diflatisfadlion  with  the  religious  knowledge 
of  paft  times,  is  inimical  to  the  diffident  and  retired  charac- 
ter which  our  fex  fhould  conftantly  preferve.  From  the; 
partial  rejedtion  of  doubt,  the  mind  eafily  Aides  to  the  con- 
tumacy of  difbehef.  A  female  politician  is  the  favourite 
theme  of  fatire  ;  a  female  deift,  if  not  fo  ridiculous,  is  more 
alarming  and  deteftable.  Devout  dependance  on  a  heavenly 
protestor,  is,fo  congenial  to  the  apprehenfions  of  weaknefs, 
and  the  privations  of  fubmiffion,  that  to  renounce  religious 
hope  appears  to  be  a  far  more  mafculine  a<Slion,  than  to  take 
the  command  of  an  army.  In  all  the  peculiar  fufferings  to 
which  our  fex  are  expofed,  notwithftanding  all  the  mortifi- 
cations, difappolntments,  and  forrows,  which  the  predomi- 
nant controul  of  man  necefTarily  occafions  us,  our  peculiar 
fitnefs  to  embrace  the  truths,  and  to  obey  the  precepts  of 
the  gofpel,  gives  us  advantages  that  far  exceed  the  boafled 
privileges  of  our  temporal  fuperiors.  Let  us  not  renounce 
our  high  hopes,  through  the  fpecious  allurements  of  the 
agents  of  the  Prince  of  Darknefs,  who,  in  a  new  form,  again 
invite  the  inquifitive  daughters  of  Eve  to  pluck  the  forbid- 
den fruit  of  knowledge.  Infidelity  pofl"efles  no  real  advan- 
tage over  faith ;  it  can  only  "  know  in  part  j"  there  are 
myfteries  in  nature  which  will  elude  penetration  as  long  as 
this  world  endures;  and  if  we  reje6l  the  myfteries  of  grace 
becaufe  we  cannot  lower  them  to  our  finite  comprehenfion, 
we  only  ftart  new  difficulties,  and  difcover  the  infignificance 
of  our  boafted  penetration. 

I  have  little  hope,  that  my  humble  lucubrations  will  influ- 
ence the  judgment  of  thofe  whofe  fituation  enables  them  io 
promote  the  beft  human  means  of  preferving  true  religion 
among  us  •,  I  mean  the  maintenance  of  our  national  church  ; 
which  may  be  juftly  entitled  a  hiding  place  from  the  tem- 
pers of  falfe  and  contrarious  do6lrines,  as  Avell  as  the  firm 
ally  and  niox'al  fanftioner  of  our  civil  rights.     I  know,  that 


254. 

coercive  laws,  and  fevere  reftriclions,  are  generally  found  to 
defeat  the  purpofes  for  which  they  are  framed ;  and  my 
wifhes  extend  no  further,  than  that  our  rulers  and  legiflators 
would,  in  their  private  conducH:,  as  well  as  in  their  public 
ftation,  evince  their  fincere  reverence  for  that  fpiritual  parent 
into  whofe  arms  they  were  received  at  baptifm,  and  alfo  uni- 
formly confult  her  welfare,  and  recommend  her  doctrines. 
Taking  fcripture  for  her  guide,  and  acknowledging  God  as 
the  foundation  of  all  civil  authority,  fhe  repreffes  the  ebulli- 
tions of  violence  and  fadtion  ;  yet,  as  Ihe  annexes  no  infalli- 
billity  either  to  her  fpiritual  or  temporal  rulers,  fhe  not  on- 
ly prays  for  them,  but  admonifhes  them  of  their  high  refpon- 
libility,  and  inculcates  no  tenets  that  are  inimical  to  the  tem- 
perate exercifc  of  Chriftian  liberty.  Her  explanations  of 
thofe  myfterious  doiSlrines  which  are  necelTary  to  be  believ- 
ed, are  couched  in  reverent  and  modeft  terms  ;*  and  in  her 
anathemas  againft  unbelievers,  {he  proceeds  no  further  than 
fcripture  authorizes.f  On  doubtful,  obfcure,  and  compli- 
cated opinions,  fhe  delivers  her  judgment  in  fuch  a  manner 
as  might  rather  tend  to  reconcile  than  widen  the  differences 
between  Chriftians.  She  expreffes  a  juft  fenfe  of  the  merits 
of  the  Redeemer,  and  the  neceffity  of  divine  revelation, 
without  opening  the  door  of  communion  to  Antinomian  li- 
centioufnefs  and  fceptical  morality,  or  barring  the  gates  of 
Heaven  on  thofe  to  whom  the  glad  tidings  of  falvation  have 
never 'been  made  known  ;  and  after  having  declared  her 
confidence  in  the  promifes  of  God,  fhe  cautions  her  mem- 
bers againft  curious  nicety  of  inquiry  on  points  which  are 
rather  fpeculativc  and  dangerous,  than  pradlicable  and  prof* 
itable.:|: 

The  ceremonies  inftituted  by  the  church  of  England  are 
few  and  impreffive ;  conne^ed  on  the  one  hand  with  the 
apoftolical  command,  "  that  all  things  fliould  be  done  de- 
cently and  in  order  ;"  and  on  the  other,  with  the  imperfec- 
tions and  wants  of  thofe  fallible  creatures  of  which  every  af- 

"*  I  belitve  the  beginning;  of  our  firft  article  has  never  been  obje(5led 
to:  it  is  wonderfully  lublimc  and  imprefTive.  Yet  the  underftanding  that 
can  form  clear  conceptioni  of  a  Being  without  body,  parts,  or  paflions 
(as  God  certainly  inuft  be.)  muft  pofTcfs  fuch  an  acutencfs  and  profundity  of 
intellccl,  as  will  prevent  it  from  finding  the  latter  part  of  this  article  in- 
comprehenJlbU. 

f  Sec  Dr.  Hey  on  the  Athanafian  creed  ;  which  is  confidered  at  the 
molt  objvcHonable  part  of  our  liturgy. 

\  See  articles  iitix  aud  17th. 


255 

fembly  of  militant  Chrifiians  inuft  be  compofed.  Our  lit- 
urgical fervices  afford  the  itioft  fublime  uninfpirfd  examples 
of  devotion  in  all  its  various  branches,  of  humiliation,  ado- 
ration, thankfgiving,  intercefiion,  and  petition,  that  any  na- 
tional ritual  can  prefent.  The  litany,  both  in  its  deprecato- 
ry and  fupplicatory  claufcs,  breathes  in  an  extraordinary  de- 
gree the  fpirit  of  glory  to  God  and  good  will  to  man.*  As 
our  entrance  into  life  is  marked  with  a  religious  ceremony 
of  divine  appointment,  our  church  has  judicioufly  prepared 
a  moft  pathetic  fervice  to  diflinguilh  our  return  to  our  pa- 
rent earth  with  decent  folemnity.  It  feems  impoflible  for 
man  to  compofe  a  form  of  words,  in  which  plaintive  condo- 
lence is  more  happily  blended  with  religious  confolation,  or 
which  more  ftridly  correfponds  with  the  idea  of  not  for- 
rowing  as  men  without  hope.  The  concluding  prayers,  in 
which  the  minifter  bleffes  God  for  taking  "  the  deceafed  out 
of  the  miferies  of  this  iinful  world,"  and  entreats  him  to 
raife  the  witneffes  of  this  fad  fcene  from  "  the  death  of  fin 
<'  to  the  life  of  righteoufnefs,  that  when  they  depart  this 
"  life  they  may  all  reft  in  him,  as  they  hope  the  fpirit  of  him 
<«  whofe  mortal  remains  they  have  depofited  in  the  earth 
<*  doth,"  exprefs  a  triumph  of  piouS  confidence  over  human 
V  anguifh,  which  I  truft  feldom  fails  to  convey  a  more  than 
momentary  confolation  to  the  agonized  bofom  of  bereaved 
affedVion  ;  while  the  dejected  eye  is  raifed  from  the  grave  at 
the  exhilarating  found,  and  purfues  the  holy  confolation  to 
the  Heaven  from  which  it  defcended.  Thus  is  that  com- 
mon event,  which  happens  to  us  all,  improved,  by  our 
church,  into  an  opportunitiy  of  diftributing  the  moft  admir- 
able inftruclion  to  her  members,  who,  either  as  fpe6lators  or 
mourners,  are  frequently  called  to  behold  the  laft  fccne  of 
the  ruined  exuvix  of  immortal  man.  It  is  to  be  lamented, 
that  this  pious  defign  is  often  counteradled  ^by  the  cumbrous 
pomp  and  unfenfonable  parade  which  oftentatious  wealth  an- 
nexes to  this  ceremony,  and  thus  converts  the  moft  impref- 
five  leflbn  into  "  a  gaze  for  fools."     When  the  minifter  of 

•  To  thofe  who  objedl  to  the  frequent  repetitions  which  occur  in  our 
liturgy,  wc  can  plead,  not  merely  primitive  and  apoftolical,  but  alfo  di- 
vine example.  Otir  bleffed  Lord,  oa  the  fame  night  that  he  was  betray- 
ed, thrice  retired  to  prefent  hi*  forrowful  petitions  to  his  Heavenly 
Father,  ufiag  the  fame  words  (Matt.  »5th  ehaptcr,  44th  verfe.)  And 
furcly  our  frail  nature,  and  vain  wandermg  imaginations,  muft  perceive 
the  advantage  of  having  more  than  one  opportunity  of  addrefling  our 
great  Creator,  cfpecially  in  thofe  comprehenlivc  words  which  have  been 
confecratcd  by  the  injun<5lions  of  filial  Deity. 


255 

God  receives  the  plain  and  fimple,  but  decent  pfoceffion,  at 
the  bounds  of  the  confecrated  precindls,  how  does  the  unaf- 
fected tendernefs  of  real  afFection,  filling  up  the  paufes  of 
the  folemn  fervice  with  the  half  fmothered  burfts  of  heart- 
felt forrow,  exceed  the  trappings  of  pompous  magnificence, 
with  its  numerous  retinue  of  venal  mourners,  who  feel  no 
other  intereft  in  the  corpfe  that  they  attend,  than  that  the 
fhow  fliould  be  very  great,  and  the  expence  very  enormous  I 
Allow  me  here  to  introduce  the  modeft  funeral,  which  evetl 
refpedtable  affluence  would  do  wifely  to  prefer,  as  defcribed 
by  fraternal  love  di<51:ating  to  the  pen  of  genius : 

"  I  fee  the  hearfc, 
"  With  fable  plumes  and  fullen  footed  ftecds, 
"  The  village  church  approach.     I  fee  the  corfe, 
"  From  its  dark  cell  releas'd  by  many  a  hand, 
"  Uplifted  heavily.     I  hear  the  bell 
"  Toll  to  the  dull  and  melancholy  found 
"  Of  mute  procellion  ;  the  white  priell  before, 
"  The  mourners  following ;  and  in  the  midft 
"  Thee  my  delight,  my  treafure,  and  my  hope, 
"  Borne  through  the  portals  of  thy  native  church ; 
"  Thence  never  to  return.     I  hear  a  voice 
«  Confign  thee  to  oblivion ;  dud  to  duft, 
«  Aflies  to  allies." 

Tears  of  AffeSlloni  by  Hurdlst 

A  fimilar  regard  to  our  relative  fituations  in  life  has  de* 
termined  our  church,  in  her  feleftion  of  offices  appropriate 
to  momentous  changes  in  our  connexions,  to  the  ignorance 
of  childhood,  the  precipitancy  of  adolefcence,  and  the  ap- 
prehenfions  of  ficknefs.  Marriage  is  not,  with  us,  merely  a 
civil  contract,  as  was  the  cafe  with  the  republican  Calvinifts 
during  the  CromwelHan  ufurpation ;  nor  is  it  elevated  into 
a  Sacrament,  as  the  church  of  Rome  ftill  confiders  it.  It  is 
fandtioned  by  a  religious  ceremony,  at  once  inftru<ftive  and 
fupplicatory,  to  ftrengthen  the  obligations  that  affeftion  con- 
tracts ;  and  the  vows,  which  death  or  enormous  guilt  alone 
can  dijfolve^  are  pledged  in  the  prefence  of  God.  A  brief  com- 
pendium of  the  conditions  of  the  Chriftian  covenant  with 
refpedt  to  faith  and  morals,  together  with  an  explanation  of 
the  advantages  and  duty  of  prayer,  and  the  nature  and  de- 
(ign  of  the  initiatory  and  commemorative  facraments,  is  com- 
manded to  be  taught  to  the  young  members  of  our  church, 
as  foon  as  they  are  able  to  "  learn  what  a  folemn  vow, 
"  promife,  and  profeffion,  they  made  at  their  baptifm  to 
"  God."     It  would  be  well  for  our  civil,  and  alfo  for  our 


257 

ccclefiaftical  Sion,  If  all  who  have  the  care  of  children  would 
tcio^i  fcrupuloujly  attend  to  this  pofltive  duty,  by  giving  their 
charge  not  merely  a  verbal.,  but  a  practical  and  intelligent  ac- 
quaintance with  that  excellent  compofition  the  church  cate- 
chifm.  The  anfwer  to  the  queftion  refpeiTting  our  duties  to 
our  neighbours,  would,  if  deeply  engraven  on  the  heart  of 
the  learner,  be  found  a  fure  prefervative  from  the  errors  of 
the  times.  Even  in  nurfery  compofitions,  children  are  now 
taught  to  decide  on  the  functions  and  obligations  of  fitua- 
tions  which  it  is  not  only  improbable,  but  impoffible,  they 
fho«ld  ever  fill.  The  evil  fpirit  of  infubordination,  thus 
eaidy  acquired,  accompanies  the  pupils  in  their  progrefs 
through  life.  The  fubjedl  firfl  ftudies  the  duties  of  a  king  ; 
the  fcholar  learns  what  his  teacher  out  to  be  ;  the  flock  are 
taught  to  fcrutinize  the  defeats  of  their  paftor  ;  the  fervant 
proclaims  his  maftcr's  improprieties  j  the  inferior  fees  every 
aggravation  of  his  fuperior's  faults  ;  and  yet,  at  the  laft  day, 
we  lliall  only  be  queftioned,  whether  we  ourfelves  have  done 
«<  our  duty  in  that  ftate  of  life  to  which  it  pleafed  God  to 
**  call  us."  Our  crimes  as  fubjects,  fcholars,  fervants,  or  in- 
feriors, win  be  proclaimed  before  men  and  angels.  Our 
cruel  oppreflbrs,  or  negligent  infbrudlors,  will  anfwer  for 
their  oivn  offences. 

When  the  feeds  of  ihorality,  and  the  words  of  found  doc- 
trine, are  thus  incorporated  with  the  firft  imprefllons  of 
memory  and  dawnings  of  refle^lion,  we  muft  watch  them 
while  they  ripen  into  perfect  holinefs.  Supposing  we  fcould 
not  plead  apofrolical*  or  primitive  practice  in  favour  of  the 
rite  of  confirmation,  what  better  or  more  probable  means 
could  we  ufe,  to  implore  the  ftrengthening  and  dire^li  ng 
grace  of  God,  than  to  lead  the  catechumens  to  the  altar,  and 
there  to  require  of  them  a  folemn  avowal  of  their  religious 
obligation ;  concluding  the  fervlce  with  epifcopal  benedic- 
tion, and  benevolent  interceflion,  that  t;he  "  evei'lafting  God 
**  would  for  ever  extend  his  fatherly  hand  over  thefe  (felf- 
**  devoted)  fervants  ;  that  his  holy  fpirit  would  fo  lead  them 
*'  in  the  knowledge  and  obedience  of  his  word,  that  in  the 
"  end  they  might  attain  eternal  life  ?"  Such  a  fervice  our 
Church  has  provided  •,  and  both  for  its  venerable  antiquity, 
and  excellent  intention,  it  deferves  far  better  than  the  ridi- 
cule and  contempt  which  it  too  generally  experiences  frona 

*  See  Hebrews,  6th  chapter,  ad  verfe. 
li 


258 

inveterate  enemies  or  tliouglitlefs  neutrals.  The  Romanifts 
crroneoufly  rank  confirmntion  among  their  fiicraments  -,  we 
do  not  prefume  to  fay  that  "  it  was  given  and  ordained  by 
Chrift  himfelf." 

The  pecuhar  trials  of  our  fex  have  not  efcaped  the  benev- 
olent attention  of  tlie  compilers  of  our  liturgical  ferviccs. 
Befide  the  petition  in  the  litany  for  thofe  undergoing  the 
pains  of  parturition,  an  office  is  prepared  to  rewelcome  the 
joyful  mother  to  the  conr^regation,  in  which  the  Levitical 
oblation  and  fin  offering  of  a  iamb,  and  a  young  pigeon,  is 
commuted  for  the  chriftian  facrifice  of  praife  and  intercef- 
lion.  In  this  fervice,  the  pious  intentions  of  former  times 
are  preferved,  and  the  fuperjl:itious  idolatrous  pomp  which 
the  Church  of  Rome  interpolated  is  wifely  rejecSted. 

With  equal  wifdom  of  difcrimination,  the  v/ants  and  for- 
rows  of  ficknefs  are  fupplied  with  a  fpiritual  comforterc 
Interceffion,  exhortation,  and  examination,  precede  confef- 
iion  of  fins ;  and  in  cafe  of  the  humble  and  hearty  defire  of 
the  fick  perfon,  the  officiating  priefl  is  permitted  to  ufe  a 
more  authoritative  form  of  abfolution,  than  our  church  pre- 
fcribes  in  her  other  fcrvices.  Still,  however,  this  form  is 
confidered  as  merely  declaratory  and  conditional,  afcribing 
no  efficacious  power  to  the  minifb*ing  inftrument,  fave  v/hat 
our  Lord  bequeathed  to  his  church  in  St.  John's  gofpel, 
20th  chapter,  23d  verfe.  This  abfolution,  therefore,  de- 
pends as  much  upon  the  faith  and  contrition  of  the  penitent, 
as  thofe  that  are  couched  in  the  petitionary  form,  which  our 
church  probably  changed  upon  this  occafion,  to  comfort  the 
feeble  minded  in  the  hour  of  extreme  diftrefs.  The  pray- 
ers that  follow  this  abfolution,  rank  among  the  mof\  pathet- 
ic and  impreffive  compofitions  of  human  fympathy,  yearning 
over  the  Icverefl  trials  of  mortal  man.  As  at  fuch  a  period 
the  moft  folemn  rite  of  religion  fhould  never  be  omitted,  a 
fhort  communion  fervice,  fuited  to  the  occafion,  has  been 
provided  ;  but  the  ceremony  of  extreme  unction,  which  the 
Romifli  Church  engrafted  on  the  practice  of  the  primitive 
Chriftians,  has  been  properly  difcarded.  We  learn  from  St. 
James,  that  while  miraculous  powers  were  vefted  in  the  dif- 
ciples  of  Jcfus,  the  elders  of  the  church  were  accuftomed, 
at  the  requeft  of  difeafed  perfons,  not  only  to  pray  over  them, 
and  affiil  tlieir  fpiritual  neceffities,  but  alfo  to  "  anoint  them 
"  with  oil  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  ;  and  the  prayer  of  faith 
**  would  fave  the  fick,  and  the  Lord  would  raife  him  up, 
*'  and  if  he  had  committed  fins  they  Ihould  be  forgiven." 


259 

The  continuance  of  this  un£lion,  after  the  fupernatural  en- 
dowments from  which  it  originated  had  been  refumed,  is 
one  proof,  among  many,  of  the  reftlels  avidity  with  which 
the  Romifh  hierarchy  exercifed  domination  over  the  con- 
fciences  of  men  ;  fince  they  could  not  pretend  to  work  bod- 
ily cures,  they  extended  the  fuppofed  efficacy  of  their  min- 
iftry  to  a  world  from  which  no  telltale  traveller  could  return 
to  complain  of  impofition ;  and  they  have  had  the  audacity  to 
give  a  foiuxe  of  emolument  and  aggrandifement  the  name 
of  a  facrament  j  that  is  to  fay,  of  "  the  outward  vfible  fign 
of  an  inward  fpiritual  grace  ordained  by  Chrift  himfelf ;" 
none  of  which  eflential  diftinftions  are  to  be  found  in  the 
Romanics  anointing  a  dying  perfon  withr-oil,  as  an  aflin'ance 
of  forgivenefs  of  fins. 

The  offices  for  the  ordination  of  priefts  and  deacons,  and 
for  the  confecration  of  Bifhops  and  Archbirtiops,  form  a  mofl 
fublime  and  inftrudlive  part  of  our  ritual.  It  feems  perfect- 
ly confident  with  every  preconceived  idea  of  decency  and 
order,  that  the  minifters  who  are  deftined  to  wait  upon  the 
altar  fliould  be  prepared  by  education,  diftinguifhed  by  hab- 
its, feparated  from  the  common  mafs  of  fociety  by  a  partic- 
ular provifion,  which  excludes  the  neceffity  of  their  applica- 
tion to  any  ordinary  calling  ;  and  alfo  that  they  fhould  be 
dedicated  to,  God  by  exprefs  and  folemn  appropriation.  The 
Old  Teftament  fan(5lions  all  thefe  fuggeftions,  by  the  rules 
therein  laid  down  for  the  infi:ru<ftion,  attire,  endowment,  and 
confecration  of  the  Levitical  Priefthood.  The  folemnity 
which  fubftituted  the  faithful  apoftle  Matthias  in  lieu  of  the 
traitor  Judas,  is  recorded  in  the  firft  chapter  of  the  Adlrs. 
From  many  other  palTages  of  that  moft  inftru<ftive  treatife 
we  may  gather,  that  an  exprefs  defignation,  or  fetting  apart, 
preceded  the  affiimption  of  minifterial  powers  ;  and  from 
various  parts  of  the  epiftles  we  difcover,  that  the  cuftom  of 
imparting  the  office  of  Deacon,  Prieft,  or  Bifhop,  by  the 
impofition  of  hands,  was  continued  as  long  as  we  pofl^efs  any 
infpired  record  of  the  practice  of  the  primitive  church.  It 
is  true,  in  thofe  days  the  extraordinary  gifts  of  the  Spirit  of 
God  precluded  the  neceflity  of  human  learning ;  and  the 
liberality  and  zeal  of  the  early  converts  fupplied  the  want  of 
a  pecuniary  provifion  for  thofe  who  watched  over  them  in 
the  Lord ;  for  a  fixed  maintenance  could  not  be  completely 
and  regularly  provided  for  the  Clergy,  till  the  predicted 
time  fo  rapturoufly  anticipated  by  prophecy,  when  "  Kings 
«  and  Queens  were  to  become  the  nurfing  fathers  and  mo-* 


2G0 

"  thers  of  the  Church  of  God."  The  comfort  and  recip* 
rocal  benefit  of  an  indcpcndetit  miniftry,  v/ho  may  fpcak  the 
word  of  God  with  'all  boldnefs,  has  been  difcufled.  The 
utiHty  and  importance  of  human  learning  for  expounding 
the  truths,  and  clearing  the  difficulties  of  fcripture,  is  too 
obvious  to  be  difputed  by  any  but  fanatics,  diftcmpered  by 
the  inflated  deceits  of  fpiritual  pride  :  and  furely  the  decent 
regularity  of  a  prefcribed  form,  deftined  to  imprefs  the  mind 
of  him  who  is  thus  awfully  feparated  from  the  common  mafs 
of  mankind,  niufl:  be  apparent  to  all  who  wifh  to  be  able  to 
confider  previoufly  what  they  promife  to  perform,  and  to 
join  with  intenfe  purpofe  of  fupplication  in  the  petitions  that 
are  to  be  offered  j^  vyhich  cannot  be  the  cafe,  vin\ck  forehioiu- 
ledge  precedes  utterance.  Here  again  we  are  called  upon  to 
remark  the  moderation  of  our  rnother  church,  while  fteering 
her  courfe  between  two  oppofite  errors  :  alike  avoiding  the 
llovenly  negligence  which  difcerns  no  difference  between 
facred  and  profane  funtStions,  and  the  idolatrous  prieftcraft 
of  Popery,  who,  as  fhe  exalts  her  minifters  into  infallible 
teachers  of  truth  and  workers  of  miracles,  confiftently  with 
her  own  dodlrines,  numbers  the  ceremony  of  their  confe-^ 
cration  among  her  facraments.  General  readers  may  de-^ 
rive  much  ufeful  information,  refpecling  the  degrees  and 
authority  of  the  Chriftian  Priefthood,  from  Nelfon  on  the 
Ember  Fafts.  Every  member  of  the  Church  would  do  well 
to  fortify  his  mind  againlt  the  errors  of  the  times,  by  acquir- 
ing a  competent  knowledge  of  his  relative  duties  as  a  mem-i 
ber  of  that  fociety  of  which  Chrift  is  the  head.  The  tenets 
now  too  generally  fcouted,  under  the  opprobrious  term  of 
high  churdi  doftrines,  would  be  found  fafc  prefervatives 
from  that  predifted  "  gaini'aying  of  Korah,"  which  ha?  fo 
long  diflurbed  the  peace  of  the  Cliriftian  world. 

We  have  now  briefly  reviewed  the  offices  of  our  church, 
except  five  fervices  for  particular  days.  To  the  firft  day  of 
Lent  a  folemn  form  of  humiliation  is  appointed,  preceded 
by  denunciations  of  God's  vengeance  againft  impenitent  fin- 
ners  ;  repeated  verbatim  from  fcripture,  and  introduced  by 
an  explanation  of  the  defign  of  the  ceremony  ;  namely,  "  that 
<*  the  congregation,  being  admonilhed  of  the  great  indigna- 
<  'tion  of  God  againft  finners,  may  the  rather  be  moved  to 
«  earnefi:  and  true  repentance.  This  fervice  has  been  flan- 
Qcroufly  named  curling  our  neighbour.  Reading  the  inv 
precatory  plalms,  or  the  27th  chapter  of  Deuteronomy, 
from  whence  this  part  of  the  fervice  is  taken,  as  juftly  de» 


261 

ferves  fuch  a  cenfure ;  which,  en  the  fame  forced  and  fafti" 
dious  pretence,  might  induce  us  to  pafs  over  all  moral  pro- 
hibitions of  the  New  Teftament,  left  fome  individual  offend- 
er fliould  rujh  to  our  minds,  when  we  read  over  the  black 
catalogue  of  crimes  which  St.  Paul  affures  us  will  prevent 
our  inheriting  the  kingdom  of  God. 

Three  great  national  events  are  made  the  diftindl  fubjc<fls 
of  folemn  commemoration.  The  deliverance  of  the  three 
eftates,  affembled  in  Parliament,  from  a  ferocious  confpiracy, 
intended  to  reftore  the  horrors  of  papal  tyranny  and  fupei*- 
ftition,  formed  a  fubject  of  devout  exultation  to  our  anceftors, 
who  remembered  the  blazing  piles  of  Smithfield,  and  ab- 
horred the  idolatrous  worfhip  of  the  mafs  and  crucifix.  In 
thofe  times,  they  had  not  learned  that  "  God  made  men  to 
differ"  in  their  way  of  worlhip,  or  that  diverfity  of  religions 
was  of  no  confequence.  A  fubfequent  deliverance  from 
the  fame  enemy,  and  the  eftablifliment  of  regal  power  upon 
a  more  defitied  and  drcumfcrihed  yttfecurer  balis,  excited  the 
devout  gratitude  of  the  lucceeding  age  ;  who,  in  the  landing 
of  the  *'  hero  V/illiam,"  on  the  fame  day  as  "  quenched  the 
fiery  mine,  and  ftill'd  the  tempeft  under  ground,"  difcover- 
ed  the  fame  providence  which  had  preferved  our  Sion  from 
all  her  enemies,  and  fruftrated  their  devices. 

The  murder  of  a  religious  and  well  principled  (if  ill  ad- 
vifed)  Prince  upon  the  fcaffold,  by  a  party  who  had  over- 
turned the  civil  and  religious  conftitution  of  the  kingdom, 
fown  the  feeds  of  difcord  in  the  courts  of  the  Lord's  houfe, 
and  broken  the  bands  of  that  juftice  which  they  pretended 
to  revere,  was  coniidered  as  a  deep  national  difgrace  by  all 
ranks  of  people,  as  foon  as  the  phrenzy  raifed  by  the  cry  of 
King  Jefus,  and  the  viiionary  dreams  of  a  Utopian  republic, 
had  fubfided  into  the  chilling  convictions  of  fhame  and  fol- 
ly. Let  us  hope,  that  the  erafure  of  thefe  reminifcentiae 
from  our  calendar  is  yet  dlftant.  The  mementos  of  the  ma- 
levolence of  our  two  ancient  enemies  fhould  not  be  fwept 
from  the  public  mind,  while  indifference  to  an  eftablifhment 
which  neither  fan6tiiies  murder,  nor  authorizes  rebellion,  is 
taught  as  a  liberal  rudiment  of  enlarged  education.  The 
creft  fallen  hierarchy  of  Rome  need  not  be  infulted  in  this 
day  of  their  humiliation  ;  but  as  we  have  {^tn^  that  what 
again  appeared  "  like  the  deadly  wound  of  the  beaft"  has 
been  healed,  and  its  temporal  annihilation  fufpended,  by  its 
union  with  apoftacy  and  infidelity,  we  fliould  be  affured,  that 
the  fpiritual  pretenfions  of  the  papacy  are  lowered,  and  that 


262 

it  has  renounced  its  fyftem  of  perfidious  hoftility,  before  we 
again  leave  thcin  at  lib(^rty  to  fharpen  their  blunted  weap- 
ons of  offence.  And  wc  Ihould  alio  know,  from  incontef- 
table  evidence,  that  the  attachment  of  Calvinifm  to  the  lim- 
ited monarchy  of  this  realm,  proceeds  fi-om  more  than  re- 
gard to  expediency,  or  refentment  at  having  been  deceived 
by  thofe  airy  vows  to  liberty,  which  a  fortunate  marauder 
long  finee  gave  to  the  winds,  before  we  can  permit  her  to 
ftand  (as  ihe  demands  to  do)  by  the  fide  of  Epifcopacy,  as  a 
twin  fupporter  of  the  Englifli  throne.* 

Another  fervice  was  appointed,  to  welcome  the  re-eftab- 
lifliment  of  regal  and  ecclefiaftical  authority  upon  its  ancient 
balls.  The  manners  of  the  prince  under  whofe  reign  this 
was  accompiifhed,  have  given  occafion  to  many,  befide  the 
champions  of  republicanifm,  to  doubt  whether  the  Reftora- 
tion  of  the  fecond  Charles  was  indeed  a  blefiing.  The  evils 
which  his  adminifiiration  and  debaucheries  introduced  have 
paffed  away  •,  the  good  which  his  reftoration  confirmed  ftill 
remains.  The  nation  welcomed  the  prepojpjfwg  fon  of  their 
murdered  Prince  with  frantic  rapture  ;  and,  as  was  natural, 
rufhed  from  the  extremes  of  four  grimace  and  infolent  per- 
tinacity, to  licentious  gaiety  and  fawning  obfequioufncfs. 
Rebellion  was  changed  to  fervility ;  profanenefs  occupied 
the  place  of  hypocrify ;  arbitrary  meafures  on  the  part  of 
the  court,  rendered  the  neceffity  of  a  better  check  in  the 
conftitution  apparent ;  and  this  happy  alteration  known  by 
the  name  of  the  Revolution,  was  appointed  to  be  commem- 
orated by  thofe  additional  prayers  and  praifes  to  "  Him  who 
reigneth,  be  the  earth  ever  fo  unquiet,"  on  which  we  have 
before  remarked,  in  treating  of  the  fervice  for  the  fifth  of 
November.  Let  our  enemies  explain,  on  what  grounds  they 
can  pretend  to  charge  with  fandtioning  arbitrary  power,  a 
church  which  has  thus  folemnly  aflerted  the  expedience  of 
fober  and  judicious  refinance  to  tyrannical  and  unconflitu- 
tional  meafures.  She  who  blefi^es  God  for  a  deliverance 
from  arbitrary  power,  cannot  be  a  preacher  of  the  docb"ine 
of  paflive  obedience ;  though,  with  true  Chrifiian  piety  and 
found  political  wifdom,  flie  refers  every  extraordinary  event, 
whether  humiliating  or  joyful,  not  to  the  agency  of  man, 
but  to  the  overruling  will  of  God,  and  founds  obedience  to 
Kings  on  fubmiflion  to  the  Molt  High. 


*  The  author  alhides  to  the  attempts  to  abolifli  theTcft  and  Corpo- 
ration Ads  in  England. 


263 

The  fifth  office  is  intended  for  the  day  on  which  the 
reigning  Sovereign  afcends  the  throne  of  his  anceftcrs.  We, 
who  have  been  lb  long  blefled  with  the  paternal  fv/ay  of  a 
mild  and  virtuous  monarch,  muft  join  in  this  fervice  with 
fentiments  of  peculiar  gratitude  ;  for  we  muft  ardently  im- 
plore the  prolongation  of  his  valuable  life,  and  that  he  may 
be  protected  from  every  foreign  and  domeftic  enemy.  But 
tliis  form  of  prayer  is  not  of  fuch  a  limited  and  local  nature, 
as  to  depend  upon  the  perfonal  virtues  of  the  fovereign  for 
its  propriety.  A  regular  government  is  a  blefling ;  it  is  a 
bleffing  to  be  under  the  protedlion  of  wife  and  beneficent 
laws ;  it  is  a  bleffing  to  enjoy  perfonal  fecurity,  to  poflefs 
political  rights,  and  to  have  full  power  over  our  lawful  pro- 
perty, or  honeft  earnings  ;  "  to  fit  under  our  own  vine,  and 
to  pluck  the  fruit  of  our  ovim  figtree."  By  commemorating 
the  acceffion  of  a  limited  monarch,  we  hail  the  confirmation 
which  thofe  bleflings  derive  from  the  renewal  of  that  regu- 
lar adminiftration.  In  praying  for  the  duration  of  the  pre- 
fent  royal  race,  we  pray  againft  anarchy  and  confufion,  and 
all  the  evils  that  attend  revolutionary  interruptions  of  the 
fucceffion,  and  the  infirm  and  capricious  government  of  a 
new  dynafty  with  a  doubtful  title  to  fovereignty.  The 
Church  of  England  is  too  fenfible  of  her  heavenly  truft,  to 
adopt  the  mean  adulation  v/Iiich  afpiring  fe6ls  pour  into  the 
greedy  ear  of  ufurped  or  dubious  greatnefs,  to  gain  the  long 
defired,  long  envied  fupremacy.  An  eftablifhed  religion 
has  nothing  more  to  afk  from  the  ftate,  and  readily  acqui- 
efces  in  the  modeft  dignified  obedience  of  a  contented  Tub- 
je6l.  The  fawning  whine  of  the  fycophant,  or  the  bafe  arts 
of  the  Have,  would  degrade  the  purity  of  refpedlful  loyalty. 
She  renders  to  her  Caefars  the  tribute  and  the  honour  which 
are  their  due.  She  calls  them  gracious  and  excellent ;  and 
fhe  has  fcripture  on  her  fide,  when  (he  addrefies  perfons  of 
high  eminence  in  terms  of  refpect  and  honour  ;*  but  fhe 
confiders  even  her  prefent  beloved  and  venerable  King  as 
moft  honoured  by  the  title  of  "  the  fervant  of  God."  She 
requefts  "  that  he  may  be  endued  with  wifdom  and  ftrength, 
*'  that  juftlce,  truth,  hollnefs,  and  peace,  and  all  other  chrif- 
*<  tian  virtues,  may  flourlfla  in  his  days."  She  implores 
<<  Heaven  that  he  may  rightly  difcharge  his  high  duty,  and 
*'  that  the  work  of  God  may  profper  in  his  hand  •,"  and  fhe 
carneftly  fupplicates  for  that  unity  of  «  mind  and  dodrine" 

*  See  A(fls,  26th  chapter,  z^tli  verfc;  Luke,  ift  chapter,  3d  verfe. 


264 

which  the  Prince  of  Peace  fo  ftrongly  enjoined.  She  re- 
quefts  "  that  all  her  members  may  obey  their  King  cheer- 
fully and  willingly,  for  confciencc  fake  ;"  and  thus,  dividing 
her  attention  between  the  fafety,  honour,  and  welfire  of  the. 
prince,  and  the  huppinefs  of  the  fubjecl,  flie  implores  for  the 
one  "  immortal  life,  after  a  long  and  profperous  reign,"  nnd 
for  the  other  every  bleffing  that  religious  peace  and  virtue 
can  beftow.  Though  worldly  profpcrity  may  refult  from  the 
fuccefsful  machinations  of  crooked  policy,  immortal  life  can 
only  be  given  to  fincere  worfliippers  and  faithful  fervants  of 
God.  It  will  be  difficult  in  thefe,  or  any  other  addrtfies  of 
our  Church,  to  trace  that  fervile  fpirit  of  adulation,  that 
paffive  fubmiffion  to  mere  domination,  with  which  our  ene-» 
mies  reproach  us.* 

We  will  now  paufe.  The  importance  of  religion  to  eve- 
ry human  charafter  is  generally  acknowledged  ;  the  peculiai* 
comfort  and  fupport  which  it  affords  to  our  fex  is  equally 
indifputable  ;  the  obligation  to  Chriftian  unity,  and  com- 
munion of  worfiiip,  is  plainly  aiTerted  in  fcripture  •,  it  remains 
therefore  to  inquire,  to  what  fociety  do  we  belong  ?  If  we 
have  been  baptized  into  the  eftablilhed  Church,  our  choice 
was  decided  by  that  adt  in  our  infancy  •,  for  unlefs  we  are 
conviticed  that  flie  is  unfcriptural,  we  cannot  ivander  from  hef 
pale  and  be  guiltlefs.  We  have  examined  her  doftrines,  as 
contrafted  with  the  oppofite  tenets  of  her  moft  confpicuous 
opponents ;  and,  from  their  yet  more  marked  diffimilarity 
to  each  other,  we  have  feen,  that,  fo  far  from  promoting  the 
caufe  of  union,  the  deftruclion  of  our  hierarchy  would  de- 
ftroy  that  rallying  point  at  which  we  truft  contending  par- 
ties may  one  day  meet :  her  prefervation,  therefore,  ought 
to  be  the  wilh  of  all  v.'ho  ixally  pray  for  the  peace  of  the 
Chriftian  world. 

In  a  fecondary,  but  not  vniimportant  point  of  view,  we 
have  confidered  the  eftablifhment,  not  only  as  being  a  faith- 
ful expounder  of  the  word  of  God,  but  as  accommodating 
herielf  to  the  charadler  and  habits  of  fociety,  cfpccially  to 
the  conAitution  and  fentiments  of  this  nation  ;  her  claims  to 
our  preference,  confequently  ftand  upon  very  high  ground. 
She  is  fandlioned  by  the  word  of  God,  and  fupported  by  the 

*  I  have  not  been  able  to  find,  in  our  ritual,  more  than  one  epithet 
that  can  be  confhued  into  a  pcrfonal  compliment  to  a  fi)Vfrei;;n,  and  thyt 
is  "relij'i>.lus"  in  the  jirayer  for  tlie  lugh  court  of  parliament.  In  the 
prefcnt  reign,  every  one  will  acknowledge  it*  peculiar  appropriitcutl*  ; 
yet  it  fccnu  only  gr'ncrully  dcligned  to  denote  protVinug  Chriftiariity. 


265 

hws  of  the  realm,  general  advantage,  and  individual  feel* 
ing.  A  willing  obedience  to  wife  and  falutary  inftitutions, 
is  the  nobleft  and  the  happieft  ufe  that  we  can  make  of  the 
liberty  of  choice,  of  which  we  are  fo  juftly  tenacious.  In 
the  ark  which  refts  on  the  fure  promifes  of  God,  we  fhail 
be  preferved  from  being  tolTed  about  "  with  every  wind  of 
doftrine ;"  a  vaft  advantage  in  times  like  the  prefent.  But 
let  us  not  attribute  to  our  church  the  talifmanical  powers  of 
an  impenetrable y^z^r/^j?.  The  pureft  conftituted  fociety  can- 
not beftow  impeccability  on  its  individual  members.  Ma- 
ny who  drank  inftruftion  at  the  fountain  of  all  truth,  and 
received  the  words  of  life  from  the  lips  of  the  Son  of  God, 
will,  we  are  affured  by  indubitable  tefbimony,  be  command- 
ed at  the  laft  day  to  "  depart  as  workers  of  iniquity."  Sataa 
ftlU  continues  to  range  to  and  fro  through  the  earth,  feeking 
to  accufe  the  brethren ;  and  no  feverer  charge  can  he  bring 
again  ft  them,  than  that  they  have  neglected  to  improve  thofe 
means  of  grace  which  have  been  amply  afforded  them. 

The  fruit  of  right  principles  is  a  life  of  piety  and  virtue. 
Chriftianity  is  the  leaven  which  imparts  its  fan^ifying  ener- 
gy to  every  aflion  of  this  probationary  exiftence.  No  re- 
quired duty  is  too  humble  to  be  precluded  from  intermix- 
ing with  evangelical  graces.  The  cup  of  cold  water,  kindly 
and  devoutly  offered  to  the  thirfly  lip  of  want,  will,  like  the 
widow's  mite,  be  meafured  by  the  ability  and  intention  of  the 
giver  ;  while  the  pompous  alms  of  oftentation  will  receive  their 
reward  in  that  praife  of  men  which  they  fought  to  obtain. 

We  will,  in  my  next  letter,  difcufs  thofe  amiable  virtues 
of  womanhood  which  flow  from,  and  are  fandlioned  by,  a 
fpirit  of  true  religion.  The  fhort  remains  of  the  prefent 
epiftle  fhall  be  devoted  to  a  confideration,  which  ought  nev- 
er to  be  banifhed  from  theological  controverfy ;  I  mean 
Chrifliati,  not  philofophijiical  liberality.  As  the  latter  holds  all 
forms  of  faith  indiiTerent,  the  former  determines  that  if  we 
would  work  out  our  own  falvation  we  muft  not  reft  in  form. 
As  the  latter  conceives  difputation  to  mean  the  art  of  ef- 
tablifhing  your  own  importance  by  the  defeat  of  your  adver- 
fary,  the  former  feparates  the  caufe  from  the  advocate,  and 
mingles  compaffion  for  deceivers,  with  abhorrence  of  decep- 
tion.*    With  one,  all  means  are  lawful  that  fecure  conquefi ; 

*  "  Though  Ghrift  hath  no  fellowfliip  with  Beh'al,"  fays  the  feraphle 
Taylor  in  his  life  of  Chrifl ;  «  yet  the  confideration  of  the  crime  of  her- 
"  efy,  which  is  a  fpiritual  wickedncfs,  is  to  be  feparated  from  the  perfoQ 

Kk 


26G 

with  the  other,  truth  itfelf  muft  not  be  defended  by  unwar- 
rantable meafures. 

Again  let  me  repeat,  that  as  there  were  offenders  under 
the  old  law,  and  yet  the  law  was  "holy,  jud,  and  good;" 
fo  in  the  pureil  congregation  in  point  of  doctrine,  there  may 
be  the  moft  corrupt  and  barren  members.  Our  church 
urges  no  general  or  particular  claims  to  infallibility.  She  is  a 
**  congregation  of  faithful  men,  in  which  the  pure  word  of 
"  God  is  preached,  and  the  facraments  duly  miniflered  ac- 
**  cording  to  Chrift's  ordinance,  in  all  things  that  of  necefll- 
"  ty  are  requilite  to  the  fame."*  But  "  as  no  congregation 
"  can  be  alTembled  in  unity  of  worfhip,  without  many  pre- 
*'  vious  forms  and  binding  rules,  not  abfolutely  prescribed 
"  by  Icripture,"]-  it  follows,  that  as  what  is  human  muft  be 
imperfe(ft,  there  will  be  fome  defeats  in  the  conftitution  of 
the  fociety,  as  well  as  faults  in  the  practice  of  its  members. 
xVllowing  that  thofe  who  feek  to  remedy  thefe  errors  are  re- 
ally influenced  by  llnglenefs  of  heart,  thefe  renovators  are 
ftill  not  angels,  but  men,  finite  beings,  not  the  unerring  wif- 
dom  of  God.  Whoever  knows  the  world,  will  confefs  that 
more  mifchief  is  done  by  defective  judgment,  than  by  pofi- 
tive  depravity.  The  wifdom  of  paft  ages  has  erected  for  us 
a  noble  pile,  under  which  we  may  fafely  flielter.  Its  archi- 
tedlure  is  conftructed  by  thofe  eftablifhed  rules  which  enfure 
beauty,  ftrength,  convenience,  and  durability.     In  the  orna- 

"  of  the  heretic,  who  i»  material;"  page  i8S.  He  proceeds  to  Rate  the 
danger,  to  weak  minds,  of  coiivcrfing  with  fubtle  heretics  ;  and,  quoting 
the  ftory  of  St.  John  and  Cerinthiis  from  Irenaus,  commends  the  apoftlc 
in  fuch  an  extreme  cafe,  but  cautions  us  againft  fcverity  of  judgment  on 
Jtight  grounds.  The  name  of  Bifliop  Taylor  having  been  mentioned,  it 
may  not  be  improper  to  obfcrve,  that  though  his  fervent  piety,  acting  up- 
on a  lively  and  brilliant  imagination,  fometimes  tranfports  him  into  the 
bounds  of  niyflicifm  and  fancy,  yet  he  appears  rather  inclined  to  afcetic 
than  puritanic  errors.  He  borrows  his  illuflrations  from  pagan  hiflory, 
or  popilli  martyrologies.  On  the  difputed  points  of  dodlrine,  he  appearj 
fteadily  in  oppolition  to  Calvin's  diftinguifliing  tenets.  He  was  himfelf  a 
prelate,  and  a  found  friend  to  epifcopacy.  He  determines  predeflination 
to  be  "  God's  great  fecret,  not  to  be  inquired  into  curioufly ;"  (ibid,  page 
313.)  His  opinion  of  original  fin  has  been  already  noticed.  In  oppofi- 
tion  to  the  dodlrine  of  affiirance  or  certainty  of  falvation,  he  quotes  the 
ftrong  cafe  of  Judas,  to  whom  a  throne  in  Heaven,  and  the  judgment  of  a 
tribe,  were  promifed.  In  oppolition  to  the  dodtrine  of  invincible  gr*ce, 
fee  page  216.  Thefe  references  are  enough  to  difprove  what  fome  of  our 
opponents  would  perfuadc  the  uninformed  to  believe,  that  this  great  lumi- 
nary of  our  church  was  a  Calvinift. 

•  Article  ipih.  •{•  Key's  Lc^urts. 


267 

ments,  the  builders  have  fomewhat  indulged  their  fancy  j 
and  neglect  has  not  only  obliterated  Ibme  of  its  exquifite 
carvings,  but  the  injuries  that  it  has  received  from  external 
violence  make  it  necellary  to  repair  its  parapets,  and  to 
ftrengthen  its  walls  with  additional  buttx-elTes.  Yet  all  who 
feel  the  comfortable  proteflion  of  this  venerable  fandtuary, 
will  equally  guard  againft  the  admiffion  of  new  zndfantajii- 
cal  embellifliments  on  the  one  hand,  and  thofe  retrenchments  ^ 
that  would  eventually  weaken  the  building  on  the  other ; 
even  though  they  were  recommended  by  the  plea  of  render- 
ing it  more  light  and  airy,  and  better  adapted  to  the  prefent 
times.  The  errors  and  the  pertinacity  of  the  papacy  impofed 
an  awful  refponjtbllity  on  our  anceftors.  BlefTed  be  God  !  we 
are  not  called  upon  to  build  a  church,  but  to  defend  one. 
Let  us  fight  her  battles  with  the  holy  weapons  of  Chriftian 
charity,  and  endeavour  by  tJie  livelinefs  of  our  faith,  and 
the  innocency  of  our  lives,  to  prevent  her  from  becoming 
that  adulterous  and  barren  fpoufe,  who  fhall  be  finally  rC' 
pudiated  by  her  long  fuffering  but  righteous  Lord. 

While  one  defci"iption  of  our  adverfaries  accufes  us  for 
negledling  morals,  another  charges  us  with  being  cold  for- 
malifts,  and  dependers  upon  our  own  righteoufnefs.  I  truft 
thcfe  censures  are,  generally  fpeaking,  unjuft.  But  the  ap- 
peal mufl  be  made  to  the  Searcher  of  hearts,  not  to  the  par- 
tial imbecile  judgment  of  man.  Much  induftry  has  of  late 
been  ufed,  in  obtruding  upon  popular  attention,  the  biograph- 
ical charafters  of  fchifmatics  and  nonconformifts.  I  mean 
not  to  queftion  the  verity  of  the  high  qualifications  afcribed 
to  them.  I  fincerely  wifli  their  virtues  may  be  fuch  as  will 
ftand  the  fcrutiny  of  the  great  audit.  But  as  a  warning  to 
others  I  muft  remark,  that  the  diftinguifning  feature  of  their 
characters,  which  feems  to  be  the  reafon  for  giving  them 
this  celebrity,  was  a  faidt  or  a  raisfortttns,  not  an  excellence  or 
advantage.  While  their  dilTent  from  the  eftablifhmentHs 
placed  in  the  moft  prominent  point  of  view,  are  we  uncan- 
did  in  fufpe^ling  that  thefe  worthies  are  not  removed  from 
**  the  cool  fequeftered  vale  of  life,"  and  held  up  to  public 
eflimation,  to  recommend  the  pradlice  of  Chriftian  or  do- 
meflic  duty ;  but  to  give  a  preponderance  to  the  party  which 
they  efpoufed,  and  to  feduce  thofe  by  example,  who  cannot 
be  convinced  by  argument .''  The.  true  method  of  parrying 
fuch  aflaults  is,  not  to  rake  into  the  fecrets  of  private  fami- 
lies for  petty  anecdotes  of  detraction  ;  but  to  remember,  that 
we  alfo  are  inhabitants  of  "a  city  that  isfct  en  a  hdl andcau" 


2G8 

■not  be  hid."  Though  we  are  forbidden  to  "  do  our  good 
works"  purpofely  "  to  be  feen  of  men,"  or  to  look  to  the 
praife  of  our  fellow-mortals  as  an  adequate  and  fubflantial  re- 
ward ;  yet  we  are  commanded  to  avoid  all  occallon  of  re- 
proach, and  to  "  let  our  light  limine  before  men,  that  they 
*'  may  fee  our  good  works,  and  glorify  our  Father  who  is 
*'  in  Heaven." 

But  if  the  force  of  our  arguments,  or  the  fan£lity  of  our 
manners  (which  are  the  true  Chriftian  weapons  of  contro- 
verfy,)  will  not  avail  to  enlarge  the  courts  of  the  daughter 
of  Sion,  we  muft  not  adopt  the  Satanical  warfare,  of  unjuft 
coercion  or  illiberal  invedlive.  You  are  not  compelled  to  em- 
brace the  fcruples  and  conceits  of  your  neighbours,  to  whom 
you  are  required  to  render  all  the  common  offices  of  general 
benevolence  or  particular  good  will.  Though  the  abfurd  or 
vicious  confequences  of  their  fingularities  of  opinion  may 
ftrike  you  forcibly,  their  intelledlual  perception  may  be  too 
indiftinct  to  difcover  their  own  backflidings  ;  and  thus,  what 
in  you  would  be  ftn^  may  in  them  be  only  error.  To  con- 
clude :  let  us  be  efpecially  careful,  never  to  render  railing 
for  railing,  nor  to  charge  our  adverfaries  falfely,  nor  to  tranf- 
fer  the  fayings  or  vices  of  any  individual  to  the  whole  party 
to  which  he  belongs.  To  ufe  the  words  of  an  eminent  or- 
nament and  champion  of  our  church,  "  As  we  know  not 
*'  what  degrees  of  incredulity  will  exclude  men  from  Heav- 
*'  en,  let  not  Chriftian  zeal  overthrow  Chriftian  charity. 
•*  The  Searcher  of  Hearts  alone  knows  the  circumftances 
*'  which  may  diminifh  the  guilt  of  infidelity  ;  and  to  his  un- 
**  covenated  mercies  let  us  leave  the  rejecter  of  his  revela-» 
*'  tion,  and  the  impenitent  breaker  of  his  laws."* 

I  remain,  my  dear  Mifs  M ,  &c. 

*  Bifliop  of  Lincoln's  Elements  of  Theology. 


269 

LETTER    IX. 

On  the  Virtues  more  efpecially  feminine. 


MY  DEAR  MISS  M , 

JLT  has  often  been  obferved,  that  principle  fpeaks  in  prac- 
tice ;  right  opinions,  faithfully  adhered  to,  will  operate  in 
virtuous  and  fteady  condudl ;  otherwife  they  muft  increafc 
the  condemnation  and  confirm  the  mifery  of  the  mind  that 
lives  at  variance  with  its  own  determinations,  and  fuffers  its 
judgment  to  fatirize  its  adlions. 

If  we  look  at  the  general  manners  of  the  age,  and  partic- 
ularly of  our  own  fex,  fince  fixed  religious  principles  were 
voted  to  be  the  cumbrous  brocade  of  illiberal  bigotry  j  wc 
mufh  acknowledge,  that  indiiFerence  has  drefled  out  the  world 
in  a  very  airy  fummer  fuit  of  changeable  levity.  Novelty 
prefcribes  the  mode  which  negligence  adopts  \  and  provided 
there  be  but  a  change,  no  matter  whether  we  vary  from  bad 
to  good,  or  from  bad  to  worfe.  We  plume  ourfelves  on 
having  renounced  the  ftubborn  pertinacity  of  our  anceftors  \ 
but,  alas  !  our  attachment  to  our  new  cuftoms,  new  difcov- 
eries,  new  virtues,  and  new  religions  (don't  fmile  at  my  fup- 
pofed  miftake ;  "virtues  and  religions  now  fprout  like  mufli- 
rooms,  and  are  of  as  equivocal  a  generation,)  makes  up  in 
warmth,  what  it  wants  in  duration  ;  and  thus,  like  Drydcn's 
Zimri,  we  continue 

"  Stiff  in  opinions,  always  in  the  wrong; 
"  Every  thing  by  ftarts,  and  nothing  long." 

To  commence  our  obfervations  with  the  cardinal  virtue  of 
our  fex.  General  opinion  has  undergone  an  amazing  change 
within  a  few  years  on  the  fubje^l  of  chaftity  :  I  do  not  fpeak 
of  thofe  who  have  really  violated  her  laws,  but  of  the  indif- 
ference or  playful  farcafm  with  which  untainted  characSlers 
fpeak  of  the  moft  flagrant  derelidlions  of  decorum.  I  am 
not  one  of  thofe  rigid  cenfors,  who  would  bar  an  unhappy 
woman's  return  to  virtue,  by  excluding  her  from  every  cheer- 


270 

ing  profpeft  of  compaffion  and  hope.  The  punifhrnent  of 
iufprits  fhould  in  this,  as  in  every  other  inftance,  be  deter- 
mined by-  what  ifr  due  to  the  umffend'mg  part  of  fociety.     It 

•was  formerly  thought,  that  with  rcfpect  to  women,  a  forfeit- 
ed reputation  iu  this  particular  could  never  be  regained.  It 
was  not  from  enmity  to  real  penitence,  but  from  an  anxiety 
to  prefer ve  innocence,  that  a  woman  was  fuppofcd  to  have 
{o  fir  degraded  herfelf  by  unchaftity,  as  to  be  rendered  in- 
capable of  ever  more  filling  her  former  rank  in  foclcty.  To 
hide  herfelf  from  the  world,  or  to  fly  to  fome  fpot  where 
her  fliame  was  unknown,  ufed  to  be  the  wifli  of  humbled, 
but  not  abandoned  frailty ;  and  while  her  weeping  compan- 
ions pitied  her  forrovv'-,  they  were  roufed  by  her  difgrace  to 
more  vigilant  circumfpeflion  j  and  thus  the  mournful  con- 
fequences  of  one  fedudiion  prevented  many. 

*  How  pathetically,  and  with  v/hat  delicate  rcfpedt  to  the 
charinefs  of  female  reputation,  has  Shenftone  pourtrayed  his 
lovely,  deluded,  and  repentant  Jeffy !  She  is,  indeed,  the 
artlefs  maid,  *'  fuftain'd  by  virtue,  but  fubdued  by  love." 
She  falls,  as  a  really  innocent  girl  is  mofl:  likely  to  fall,  not 
by  the  temptation  of  vanity,  avarice,  or  ambition ;  but  by 
the  defire  of  removing  from  the  mind  of  the  beloved  objedl, 
•^  affeiSted  fcorn,  artful  doubts,  and  pretended  rage."  She 
will  facrifice  herfelf,  rather  than  fufFer  her  infidious  feducer 
to  fufpect  the  reality  of  her  affedlion.  The  facrifice  is  made, 
and  fhe  becomes,  not  as  a  poet  would  now  paint  her,  more 
jnterefling,  more  amiable,  by  her  credulity  ;  "  but,  fcorn'd 
by  virtue,  Itigmatlz'd  by  fame,"  and  compelled  to  fly  from 
a  deriding  world,  fhe  implores  the  compaflion  of  the  traitor 
by  whom  Ihe  had  been  undone.  But  what,  fhall  we  afk,  is 
the  purport  of  her  appeal  ?  Is  it  to  call  upon  him  to  fulfil 
the  prouiife  which  enfnared  her  weaknefs,  or  to  threaten 
him  with  public  punifhment  ?  Does   an  ohjlrcperous  abufive 

'  father  accompany  the  vindicative  oiiender ;  propofing,  by 
his  overwhelming  infolence,  to  found  the  future  aggrandife- 
ment  of  his  family  on  his  daughter's  fliame  ?  No,  the  de- 
jcdled  Jefiy,  deeply  confcious  that  Henry's  arts  could  not 
have  completed  her  ruin  had  not  her  treacherous  heart  been 
his  ally,  comes,  without  thofe  v/hofe  cheeks  Ihe  had  tinged 
with  fhame,  to  folicit  fuch  a  pittance  as  migfit  preferve  her 
from  mingling  in  "  the  vulgar  crew,"  or  begging  "  her 
fcanty  bread,"  and  allow  her  to  hide  her  woes  in  fome  re- 
mote corner,  where,  "  banifh'd  from  the  form  fhe  "  lov'd, 
her  weeping  virtue  would  relaple  no  more."     With  a  deli- 


271 

cacy  of  fentiment  which  could  only  enter  Into  the  mofl:  re- 
fined imagination,  flie  appeals  to  no  other  pafllon  than  his 
pity.  The  name  of  wife,  which  fome  artful  female  might 
endeavour  to  acquire,  would,  fhe  juftly  obfcrves,  "  neither 
footh  her  grief  nor  clear  her  f;\me  ;"  iince  it  could  no  long- 
er be  the  free  gift  of  generous  love,  but  the  reluclant  bond 
of  reproachful  compaffion.  With  all  the  mildnefs  of  genu- 
ine modefty,  fhe  rather  confiders  the  pangs  that  her  miferies 
may  give  her  betrayer,  than  the  woes  which  fhe  herfelf  en- 
dures ;  and  though  every  object  that  fhe  beholds  fpeaks  re- 
proach to  her  fufceptible  heart,  and  tells  her,  **  we  are 
fpotlefs,  Jefly ;  we  are  pure  •,"  fhe  dares  not  a(k  for  the 
death  for  which  fhe  languiflies,  "  left  her  fad  fate  fhould 
nourifh  pangs  for"  her  ftill  beloved  Henry. 

If  we  form  an  opinion  of  the  prefent  ftate  of  national  man- 
ners from  the  moft  favoured  productions  of  the  theatre,  how 
great  muft  be  our  falling  off;  not  in  verbal  decorum  indeed, 
but  in  what  is  far  more  important,  virtuous  principle.  In 
what  we  now  confider  as  the  licentious  period  of  Britifh  com- 
edy, vicious  women  were  introduced ;  but  it  was  in  the  light 
of  degraded  and  difgufting  obje^s.  It  is  true,  even  the  he- 
roines often  talked  indelicately ;  but ,  they  always  adted 
chaftely.  The  times  were  then  unrefined,  and  blunt*  coarfe- 
nefs  of  exprcflion  v/as  not  confidered  as  an  offence  againft 
morals  or  manners.  I  am  unwilling  to  admit,  that  the 
charadler  of  our  fex  is  really  as  much  debafed  as  their  theatri- 
cal portrait  perfuades  us  to  fuppofe.  I  rather  hope,  that 
the  magic  of  the  fcene,  and  the  attra<Slive  colourings  of  fa- 
vourite aiTtors,  have  made  exceptionable  paflages  pafs  unre- 
garded, and  diverted  the  attention  of  the  audience  from  the 
tendency  of  the  plot,  to  the  fprightlinefs  of  the  exhibition. 
Yet  it  is  an  extraordinary  coincidence,  that  in  the  three 
pieces  that  have  been  of  late  moft  honored  with  public  fa- 
vour, the  Stranger,  Pizarro,  and  John  Bull,  the  heroines  are 
women  of  loft  charadter.f  The  firft  of  thefe  plays  has  al- 
ready encountered  the  juft  reprehenfions  of  an  admirable 
moralift.i:  I  think  this  Lady  obferves,  that  Adelaide  was 
the  firft  adulterefs  who  was  ever  exhibited  in  a  favourable 
point  of  view  to  a  Britiih  audience.     It  efcaped  her  recol- 

*  Examples  of  what  we  fiiould  now  call  inelegant  bluntnefs  may  be 
taken  from  tlie  juUIy  admired  letters  of  Lady  Rachel  Ruffell. 

\  The  fame  remark  applies  to  Lover's  Vows.  - 

^  See  Mrs.  More's  Siriiflurcs  ou  Education. 


272 

lc£tIon  at  the  moment,  that  Rowc  had  contrived  to  givfi 
our  fex  an  excellent  lefion  in  his  hiftorical  play  of  Jane 
Shore.  But  though  we  pity  and  forgive  this  real  penitent, 
and  though  (he  is  by  far  the  mofl:  intcrcfiing  charafter  in 
this  captivating  tragedy,  we  return  from  feeing  it  exhibited, 
with  very  different  fentiments  from  thofe  with  which  wc 
have  witnefTed  the  efforts  of  its  German  copyift.  By  the 
one,  virtue  is  confirmed,  from  feeing  the  predi<fted  "  ruin,  re- 
proach, and  endlefs  ihame,"  dreadfully  exemplified ;  by  the 
other,  her  foundation  is  undermined,  and  conjugal  infidelity 
feems  not  fo  fad  or  fo  irreparable  an  offence  ;  fince  it  appears 
hkely  that  Adelaide  and  her  injured  Lord  will  be  very  hap- 
py after  all  that  has  paffed. 

Elvira,  in  the  play  of  Pizarro,  does  not  lay  claim  to  our 
favour  by  even  the  pretence  of  repentance.  As  a  profeffed 
religioniil,  ihe  is  perjured ;  as  a  daughter,  difobedient  •,  as  a 
woman,  indelicate  ;  as  a  miftrefs,  furious  and  vindictive.  She 
follows  a  foldler  of  fortune  in  queft  of  adventures  ;  her  love, 
ftung  by  negledl,  changes  to  hatred  :  and  flie  endeavours  to 
inftigate  a  man,  whom  her  gallant  had  injured,  to  commit 
the  murder  which  her  heart  dictated,  though  her  arm  want- 
ed courage  to  perform.  Yet  fhe  is,  after  all,  a  moft  benev- 
olent creature,  and  by  much  the  beft  of  the  Chrifl:ian  groupe 
in  this  avowedly  Pagan  compofition.  Cora,  the  all  attrac- 
tive favage,  only  alludes  to  the  former  part  of  her  hiftory  in 
this  piece  •,  but  if  we  trace  it  through  the  firft  part  of  Kot- 
zebue's  Peruvian  Drama's,  we  fliall  find  her  equally  quali- 
fied, by  liberality  of  idea,  and  freedom  of  conduct,  to  fecure 
the  applaufe  of  a  German  auditory.  I  muft  felicitate  my 
country  women  that  the  Virgin  of  the  Sun,  Stella,  and  the 
Robbers,  are  flill  thought  too  ftrong  to  be  fubmitted  to  the 
decifion  of  an  Englifh  audience  ;  the  inference,  that  we  arc 
lefs  corrupted  than  our  neighbours,  would  prefent  fome  con- 
folatory  ideas,  did  not  a  play  of  native  growth  call  for  fevere 
caftigation.* 

The  fedu^ion  of  Mary  Thornbury,  in  John  Bull,  is  fo 
uncjfmtial  to  the  plot,  that  many  believe  it  was  gratuitoufly 
introduced,  to  conciliate  the  favour  of  the  frail  lifterhood, 
who  form  fo  numerous  and  confpicuous  a  part  of  the  audience. 
A  broken  contradt  would  have  ferved  the  author's  ends  quite 

*  There  is  fo  much  genuine  humour  in  the  low  characters  in  rliis  play? 
that  it  is  mortifying  to  fee  it  fophiftitatcd  by  a  mixture  of  niawkift  icnt'x- 
Bicat  and  pfeudo  morality. 


273 

as  well  as  peiTonal  violation,  and  given  (in  the  opinioi?  of 
fome  people)  a  better  pretence  for  that  fine  ftage  efFeft  in 
which  a  IBritifh  handicraftfman  blackguards  a  Britifli  magis- 
trate, to  the  infinite  fatisfaftion  of  the  roaring  galleries. 
That  a  young  woman's  being  a  ftrumpet  gives  her  a  right  to 
be  a  wife,  is  7jen.u  docVrine  ;  but  it  muft  be  in  perfedl  unifon 
with  the  fentiments  of  all  the  pretty  houfemaids  and  fmart 
abigails  in  the  kingdom ;  and  muft  induce  them  to  perfe- 
vere  in  that  ftyle  of  drefs,  and  mode  of  behaviour,  which  is 
beft  calculated  to  convince  the  young  heir  of  the  family  that 
they  may  be  prevailed  upon  to  qualify  for  the  title  of  *'  My 
Lady."  It  is  fo  evidently  the  author's  defign  to  compliment 
the  mobility,  at  the  expence  of  the  privileged  orders,  that  I 
fuppofe  he  confidered  the  very  moderate  fhare  of  intelleft 
which  he  has  allowed  to  Mary,  as  giving  her  fuch  a  decided 
fuperiority  over  h\s  fools  of  quality,  that  it  would  have  been 
invidious  fupererogation  to  have  added  the  difcretion  and 
innocence  of  a  Pamela.  Are  our  gentry  and  nobles  then  fo 
very  corrupt,  that  a  brazier's  daughter  is  too  deferving  to  be 
adopted  into  a  great  family,  unlefs  proftitution  has  lowered 
her  to  the  level  of  their  contamination  ? 

But  would  not  the  libertine's  being  compelled  to  marry 
the  vi6lim  of  his  treachery  be  a  means  of  checking  the  crime 
of  fedudlion  ?  It  might,  indeed,  make  men  more  guarded 
through y^'^r ,-  but  is  there  not  great  reafon  to  conclude,  that 
it  would  render  women  proJUgate^  from  cunning  and  ambition  ? 
The  fex  of  the  offence  might  be  changed,  but  the  frequency 
of  feduclion  would  be  increafed.  Let  women  (efpecially 
thofe  in  humble  life)  fufpedl  that  modefty  and  innocence  are 
no  longer  their  chief  recommendations  to  a  creditable  eftab- 
lifhment,  and  inconceivable  mifchiefs  will  enfue.  The  con- 
trary opinion  has  already  gained  ground.  Seduftion,  ftri6t- 
ly  fpeaking,  is  now  a  rare  offence.  Jealoufy  for  the  honour 
of  my  own  fex  makes  me  wifh,  that  the  Henrys  of  the  pre- 
fent  day  did  not  find  us  too  eafy  a  conqueft,  to  need  "  that 
expence,  and  art,  and  toil,"  which  conftitute  the  fuperior 
guilt  of  the  betrayer  of  unfufpe6ting  virtue.  I  fear  the  crim- 
inals of  either  fex  now  meet  on  more  equal  ground  ;  for  in 
that  rank  of  life  in  which  the  prowling  debauchee  ufed  to 
look  for  his  bafhful  and  retiring  prey,  I  fee  the  wanton  lure 
of  artifice,  and  the  bold  front  of  invitation. 

An  examination  of  the  tendency  of  that  clafs  of  literature 
which  meets  with  the  moft  numerous  readers,  would  prove 
LI 


^274 

very  derogatory  to  tiiofe  pure  elevated  ideas  of  virtue  by 
which  we  ufed  to  eftimate  the  character  of  Englilh  women. 
Not  to  dwell  on  the  tenderncls  with  which  moft  novel  writ- 
ers treat  female  uachallity,  let  us  advert  to  the  recent  pro- 
ducTtion*  of  a  fair  illuminati,  as  a  proof  of  the  melancholy 
juftnefs  of  the  remark,  that  loofe  morals,  difguifed  in  guard- 
ed language,  are  more  dangerous,  becaufe  lefs  alarmingly  ob- 
vious, than  the  warm  colouring  of  Congrcve  and  Farquhar, 
or  the  grofs  indecency  of  Vanbrugh.  Nothing  can  be  fo 
dangerous  to  virtue,  as  the  foft  names  that  are  given  to  vice. 
Dreiled  in  the  engaging  Ihape  of  "  amiable  indifcretions," 
and  "  venial  errors,"  or  perhaps  in  the  bolder  attire  of 
**  thofe  frailties  which  honour  the  heart,"  we  muft  take  fome 
time  to  reflect,  before  we  can  difcover  that  we  are  fpeaking 
of  Sin,  the  daughter  of  Satan,  and  mother  of  Death.  / 

I  have  already  cautioned  you  againft  the  phrafes  of  liber- 
ality of  fentiment,  enlarged  ideas,  and  univerfal  philanthro- 
py, as  far  as  relates  to  your  religious  opinions.  I  have  ven- 
tured to  afliire  you,  that  principle  is  not  prejudice,  nor  ftead- 
inefs  bigotry.  Thcfe  cautionary  fuggellions  will  extend  to 
the  fubjeft  of  v/hich  we  now  treat.  At  a  period  wherein 
the  diftant  motives  oj^  a  future  flate  of  exiftence  have  fo  lit- 
tle hold  upon  moft  people,  the  opinion  of  the  world,  and 
general  behaviour,  ought  not  to  relax  in  any  point  which 
may  be  favourable  to  innnorality.  I  know  of  nothing  more 
likely  to  do  this,  than  the  turn  which  the  public  mind  has 
taken  on  the  fubjecl  of  female  profligacy.  It  really  feems  as 
if  beauty  could  not  be  made  engaging,  nor  fimplicity  amia- 
ble, unlefs  relieved  by  the  dark  fliade  of  illicit  love.  In  the 
high  walks  of  fociety,  how  few  hefitate  at  vifiting  blajled  char- 
acters, or  fliewing  them  the  refpeft  to  which  only  untainted 
reputation  was  once  thought  entitled  !  and  thofe  who  ftill 
avoid  them  are  fure  to  be  ranked  among  the  outrageoufiy 
virtuous,  who,  piquing  themfclves  upon  one  good  quality, 
commute,  by  their  feverity  to  a  fallen  After,  for  every  fordid 
or  fplenctic  inclination.  Opinion  (I  know  not  on  what  fta- 
ble  ground)  has  eftablifhed  a  fantaflic  alliance  between  light 
behaviour  and  benevolence,  and  a  good  heart  is  always  plead- 
ed in  excufe  for  vile  condu(Sl. 

But  fhall  not  the  penitent  be  forgiven  ?  Unqueflionably 
ihe  fliall.  Let  kindred  and  friendfliip  haflen  to  lead  home 
the  wanderer,  aiid  act,  as  nearly  as  frail  mortality  can,  the 

*  Dclphine,  by  Madame  Slacl. 


•    275 

pa"i't  of  thofe  pure  and  blelTed  fpirits  who  rejoice  over  the 
contrite  finner.  Let  her  home  be  made  as  comfortable  as 
forgivenefs  can  make  it ;  but  let  not  kindnefs,  with  miftak- 
en  zeal,  feek  to  divert  the  mild  dejecStion  which  ought  to 
accompany  remorfe,  by  Tcenes  of  diffipation,  or  by  giving  ce- 
lebrity to  what  requires  to  be  concealed.  The  interefls  of 
virtue  cannot  be  promoted,  by  permitting  thofe  who  have 
wandered  from  her  path  to  prefide  at  fcenes  of  public  feftiv- 
ity,  or  to  dictate  amufements.  The  penitent  Jeffy  had  no 
wifli  to  fliew  the  face  \\  hich  grief  had  furrowed,  among  the 
happy  and  the  innocent :  concealment  and  forgetfulnefs 
bounded  her  earthly  views. 

Humanity  t9  the  broken  hearted  victim  of  confcious  er- 
ror, differs 'fo  widely  from  the  fervile  court  which  we  every 
day  fee  paid  to  profperous  vice,  that  nothing  but  an  invidi- 
ous deiign  of  lowering  all  moral  diftlntftlons  could  confound 
the  two  principles.  If  we  rightly  analyze  the  opinions  and 
practices  of  thefe  advocates  for  indifcriminate  mixture  of 
company,  we  fhall  find,  that  it  is  not  for  the  fake  of  the  fad 
reclufe,  that  thefe  tender  hearted  apologifts  foHcit  us  to  be 
kind  to  a  frail  fifter's  faults ;  but  for  fome  moft  engaging 
creature,  the  "  ornament  of  foclety,""  who  it  is  "  millions  of 
pities"  fliould  be  loil:  to  the  world.  It  is  fome  faded  cour- 
tezan, fome  elegant  accomplilhed  genius,  who  has  rather  de- 
viated from  the  ftraight  path  of  virtue,  and  who  now,  find- 
ing herfelf  deferted  by  lovers,  v/Iflies  to  acquire  patrons  and 
friends.  It  is  fome  one  who  forrows^  not  repents  ,•  and  let 
us  obferve,  that  this  diftin61:ion  is  important.  The  one,  like 
Julia  In  Meafure  for  Meafure,  "  repents  her  that  It  is  a  fin, 
and  takes  the  fhame  with  joy."  The  latter,  like  the  volup- 
tuous Cleopatra,  laments  that  flie  has  loft  "  her  curled  An- 
<'  thony,"  that  the  juice  of  Egypt's  grape  no  more  ihall  moifl 
*'  her  lip,"  or,  "  that  fhe  fliall  be  Ihewn  In  her  fallen  ftate 
"  to  the  flioutlng  varletry  of  cenfuring  Rome." 

It  is  not  uncommon  for  women  of  this  latter  defcriptlon 
to  complain  of  cruel  ufage,  and  to  cenfure  the  world  which 
they  have  fcandallzed  by  their  condu^l.  They  once  indeed 
enjoyed  celebrity  •,  but  it  was  the  celebrity  of  guilt  and  ex- 
travagance j  and  where  is  it  promlfed,  that  thefe  fliall  poflefs 
**  an  abiding  city"  even  In  this  world  ?  The  treafures  which 
thefe  daughters  of  licentioufnefs  fquandered  were  not  only 
the  wages  of  fin,  but  purloined  from  the  funds  of  juftlce  or 
benevolence  ;  or,  pofiibly,  the  long  accumulated  depofit  of 
fome  noble  family,  whofe  thoughtlefs  heir  eafily  fell  ioto 


276 

their  net,  and  facrificed  to  their  caprice  the  honourable  re- 
ward of  the  labours  or  heroifm  of  his  anceftors.  The  par- 
afites  and  followers  which  thofe  treafures  purchafed  were 
nothing  but  a  fwarm  of  fummer  infects,  who  prey  upon  the 
foflering  carrion.  The  winter  of  affliction  or  neglect  ever 
fends  "  thefe  flaves  to  thoufands"  to  feek  a  new  idol,  who 
then  "  flames  in  the  afcendant."  We  have  all  of  us  but  too 
great  reafon  to  fay  with  the  prophet,  "  Wherefore  fhould  a 
*'  living  man  complain  ?  a  man  for  the  punifhment  of  his 
*<  fins  ?"  But  furely  the  exculpatory  ftyle  of  flighted  merit, 
or  injured  defert,  is  peculiarly  unfuitable  to  thofe  polluted 
lips,  whofe  voice  fhould  never  be  publicly  heard,  but  in  fup- 
plications  for  mercy  and  forgivenefs.  Women  of  pleafure 
have  formerly  publifhed  their  hiftories  ;  but  I  believe  thofe 
licentious  compofitions  were  then  thought  only  calculated 
for  their  own  impure  meridian,  nor  did  they  pub/lc/y  lie  on 
the  toilette  of  high  born  uncontaminated  beauty.  As  a 
pFOof  that  gentle  words  and  infinuating  addrefs  increafe  the 
dangerous  attradT:ions  of  vice,  let  me  remark,  that  no  woman 
now  bluflies  to  own  that  fhe  has  read  the  apologetical  nar- 
ratives of  the  courtezans  of  thefe  days.  Infamy  is  fo  dif- 
guifed,  fo  drefTed,  fo  tricked  out  with  falfe  colours,  that  ev- 
en chaflity  ftops  to  inquire  whether  any  thing  really  was 
wrong  ;  perplexed  by  the  well  founding  fentences  of  "  mar- 
riages made  in  Heaven,"  "  attachments  of  the  heart,"  and 
*'  interefting  friendfhips." 

Severe  cenfors  are  apt  to  complain,  that  the  freedom  of 
modern  manners  borders  upon  a  degree  of  levity  inimical  to 
decorum.  As  the  ftarched  formality  of  our  anceliors  feem- 
ed  better  calculated  to  be  the  flate  cloak  of  defign,  than  the 
every  day  attire  of  artlefs  innocence,  I  do  not  lament  that 
fomc  of  the  lines  of  circumvallaticn,  which  fage  fagacity  drew 
around  heedlefs  beauty,  are  demolifhed  j  and  that  the  youth 
of  both  fexes  are  permitted  to  enjoy  the  pleafure  of  eafy  fo- 
ciety,  without  the  eternal  reftraint  of  the  prying  duenna,  or 
fufpicious  maiden  aunt.  But  this  relaxation  in  manners 
more  flrongly  enforces  the  neceflity  of  defending  the  heart 
by  a  yet  ftronger  horror  of  vice.  Unlcfs  principle  guards 
the  mind,  bars  and  bolts  cannot  protetSl  the  perfon.  By  fill- 
ing a  young  woman's  ideas  with  fuppofed  plots  againft  her 
honour,  you  teach  her  intrigue  and  cunning,  inftead  of  dif- 
cretion  ;  and  it  is  very  probable,  that  you  may  infpire  the 
generally  fatal  wifh  of  fpreading  her  net  to  entrap  the  imag- 
inary feducer,  and  thus  really  expofe  herfelf  to  the  fnares 


277 

which  her  own  folly  has  created.  A  prudent  young  woman, 
who  is  deflitute  of  any  finifter  defign,  unlefs  befide  the 
treacherous  gift  of  beauty  jQie  happen  to  be  placed  in  a  lltu- 
ation  of  confpicuous  danger,  or  uneafy  dependance,  has  little 
caufe  to  fear  the  arts  of  a  libertine  ;  who,  like  the  felon  kite, 
rarely  pounces  but  upon  certain  prey. 

The  decline  of  what  are  termed  gallant  attentions  to  the 
younger  part  of  our  fex,  and  the  yawning  indifference  with 
which  our  fine  gentlemen  endure  the  fatigue  of  talking  to 
the  girls  at  public  places,  befpeak  a  ftrange  revolution  in  man- 
ners, which  our  grey  haired  fpinfters  attribute  to  the  relax- 
ed deportment  of  the  prefent  race  of  belles,  befpeaking  them 
ready  to  be  won  before  they  are  ivooed.  I  feel  more  apt  to 
transfer  the  cenfure  to  the  married  part  of  our  fex,  who  too 
often  fet  an  example  of  freedom  of  carriage,  and  improprie- 
ty of  drefs,  which  cuflom  has  not  yet  warranted  a  young 
woman  to  adopt.  Chaftity  is  finely  defcribed,  as  a  beauti- 
ful form,  "  With  bluflies  reddening  as  flie  moves  along,  dii^ 
order'd  at  the  deep  regard  flie  draws  ;"  not  becaufe  her  pure 
imiagination  has  converted  every  beholder  into  a  tremendous 
giant,  who  is  preparing  to  enmefh  her  in  his  ponderous  net ; 
but  becaufe  obfervation  hurts  her  retiring  delicacy.  Should 
fuch  a  gentle  pafTenger  fall  into  any  of  thofe  deep  abyffes 
which  are  fcattered  in  her  path,  it  will  not  be  from  her  cu- 
riofity  to  explore  thofe  i-egions  of  darknefs,  nor  from  hav- 
ing her  attention  diverted  from  her  own  fteps,  by  a  defire 
to  captivate  the  bye-ftanders  with  her  foft  attradtions.  Her 
danger  will,  however,  be  materially  increafed,  if  the  mouths 
of  thefe  caverns  are  firewed  with  flowers  j  the  peril  becomes 
more  imminent^  if  thofe  warning  memorials,  which  were  in- 
fcribed  with  the  narratives  of  paft  misfortune,  are  infidiotijly 
removed  ;  but  if  the  witneffes  of  this  fair  lady's  pilgrimage 
unite  to  afiure  her,  that  thefe  fearful  caves  are  in  reality  on- 
ly pleafant  agreeable  grottos,  and  that  if  (contrary  to  their 
expe<Station)  Ihe  Ihould  happen  to  diflike  the  fociety  and  ac- 
commodations which  they  afford,  fhe  will  not  be  detained  a 
prifoner  in  thefe  fubterraneous  dwellings,  but  may  revifit 
the  light  of  day,  or,  like  the  famous  twins  of  Leda,  alter- 
nately inhabit  the  infernal  and  celeftial  regions,  partake  of 
the  impure  banquet  of  Proferpine,  or  drink  nedlar  with  the 
gods  -,  to  whom  fhall  we  afcribe  the  fault,  if  the  fair  travel- 
ler no  longer  paffes  on  with  "  unblemiihed  majefty,"  but 
yields  "  to  pride  or  to  prefumption  ?" 


278 

Allegory  is  a  pleafant  mode  of  lUuftrating  our  opinions. 
Let  us  fuppofe  another  pilgrim  journeying  through  the  wilds 
of  life,  whofe  character  rcndei's  thefe  mementos  of  danger 
ftill  more  nece0ary,  though  certainly  her  fall  would  be  Icfs 
lamented.  The  manner;  of  the  times,  and  the  prevailing 
ftylc  of  education,  tend  to  render  women  at  once  exti'.ivn-Tant 
and  dependant  -,  girls  can  do  nothing  to  maintain  thcmfelves  ; 
they  muft  therefore  at  all  events  get  hujhands ;  it  requires  a 
conllderablc  expcnce  to  fupport  them  in  ftyle  *,  there  is  no 
living  out  of  ftyle  •,  a  rich  hiijhand  therefore  is  alfo  neceffary  ; 
I  grant,  that  a  good  eftablilliment  in  life  has  been  the  point 
at  which  young  women  always  have  aimed  ;  but  as,  formerly, 
they  were  not  quite  reduced  to  fuch  a  ftyle  of  helplefsnefs, 
as  to  be  merely  a  peg  on  which  you  are  to  hang  finery,  it 
was  not  necefiliry  that  hufbands  fliould  be  fo  very  rich ;  and 
then,  as  there  was  more  of  the  commodity  in  the  market, 
the  intended  purchafers  were  not  forced  to  look  lb  very 
fliarp.  As  adventurers  of  this  latter  defcription  are  more 
likely  to  fall  jnto  ambufcades,  and  as  I  fear  their  number  is 
far  more  numerous  than  that  of  thofe  faintly  maidens  whom 
^  we  have  juft  noticed,  furely,  inftead  of  cutting  down  the  di- 
recflion  pofts,  they  fhould  be  multiplied  at  every  corner.  In 
that  conteft  between  the  fexes,  which  coniifts  in  the  lady's 
endeavouring  to  entrap  a  wealthy  partner  who  will  let  her 
dafti,  and  the  gentleman's  wilhing  to  feize  upon  fome  pret- 
ty girl  who  will  look  fmart  in  his  phaeton,  fuccefs  (as  it  is 
called)  generally  croums  the  hero.  Let  not  this  combat  of 
artifice  be  rendered  yet  more  unequal  on  the  heroine's  fide, 
by  her  being  preafTured  that  to  yield  is  to  conquer ;  nor  let 
the  fmiling  fophift  of  falfe  compafllon  alTure  her,  that  fo  lit- 
tle difgrace  is  attached  to  defeat,  that  people  go  on  juft  as 
well  ivithout  as  ivith  a  charaffter. 

It  is  fuperfluous  to  ftate  how  ftrongly  religion  recommends 
the  virtue  of  which  we  have  been  treating,  or  how  pofitively 
it  denounces  the  wrath  of  God  againft  all  who  live  in  a 
courfc  of  thofe  fins,  which  are  now  adorned  in  fuch  foft  col- 
ours by  our  pfeudo  fentimental  moralifts.  It  is  only  by  a 
dereli<Stion  of  religious  principle,  that  the  world  can  lofe 
fight  of  the  enormity  of  thofe  vices  which  are  oppofite  to 
purity.  I  will  therefore  only  repeat  the  obfervation,  that 
our  Lord  has  extended  thofe  pcrfonal  reftraints,  which  the 
jaw  of  nature  and  the  Mofajcal  covenant  enjoined,  to  "  the 
inward  man  j"  and,  having  baniftied  fin  from  its  fecret  holds, 


-    279 

he  pronounced  the  fublime  beatitude  of  the  pure  In  heart, 
namely,  that  «  they  Ihall  fee  God." 

The  next  feminine  quality  on  which  I  mean  to  offer  a 
few  remarks  is  benevolence.  This  is  a  plant  which,  if  not 
of  native  growth,  is  fo  congenial  to  the  foil  of  this  country, 
that  there  is  no  period  of  our  hiftoryin  which  its  fruits  have 
not  been  copious.  Wealth,  like  a  rich  manure,  has  produc- 
ed a  yet  more  redundant  crop ;  and  in  thefe  times  of  com- 
mercial profperity,  it  feems  only  neceflary  to  publifh  diftrefs 
to  procure  liberal  aid.  To  ftimulate  the  hand  of  affluence 
to  ihake  its  funerflux  to  want,  is  therefore  an  unnecefTary 
talk  ;  faihlon  has  lent  her  aid  to  beneficence  ;  and  avarice 
is  with  one  confent  hunted  from  fociety,  and  forced  to  hide 
in  contempt  behind  his  heaps  of  gold.  Shall  I  be  clafTed 
among  his  latent  votaries,  if  I  lament,  that  in  the  rage  of 
crying  down  parftmofiy^  a  very  valuable  houfewife  of  paft 
times,  who  affifled  our  anceftors  in  diftributing  their  frugal 
bounty,  has  been  fent  to  Coventry,  after  that  "  curfed  carle 
hated  of  God  and  men  ?"  And  yet,  without  ceconomyy  benev- 
olence can  have  few  difciples.  To  give  what  you  fcarcely 
know  how  elfe  to  apply,"  can  hardly  be  called  an  exercife  of 
that  charity  "  which  feeketh  not  her  own."  It  is  by  the 
facrifice  of  our  pleafures,  or  by  the  limitation  of  our  defires 
and  accuflomed  comforts,  that  we  fulfil  the  two  injunctions 
of  "  letting  our  moderation  be  known  to  all  men,"  and  of 
**  doing  to  others  as  we  would  they  lliould  do  unto  us." 
Beneficence^  like  *'  mercy,  is  blefi!ed  in  him  who  gives  and  in 
him  who  takes,"  when,  by  exercifing  this  quality  at  the  ex- 
pence  of  a  favourite  inclination,  we  prevent  our  paffions 
from  gaining  domination  over  us,  and  obtain  a  real  conqueft 
over  ourfelves  by  the  adt  which  adminifters  fuccour  to  the 
atfliiSied.  The  pleafure  of  giving,  is  never  fo  exquifitely  felt 
as  when,  by  experiencing  fome  privation,  we  can  mere  forc- 
ibly contrail  the  different  fenfations  of  enjoyment  and  want. 
In  proportion  as  the  cravings  of  felf-love  are  forced  into  a 
narrow  fphere,  the  generous  feelings  of  good  will  expand. 
Nor  is  the  advantage  limited  to  this  one  point ;  by  thinking 
lefs  of  our  own  wants  and  defires,  the  real ,  evils  of  life  are 
rendered  more  fupportable.     I  have  feen  (and  your  recol- 

lecSlion,  my  dear  Mifs  M ,  will  enable  you  to  identify 

the  inftance  I  allude  to)  the  pangs  of  an  excruciating  difeafe 
diminiihed,  by  the  attention  of  the  fufferer  being  diverted 
to  the  wants  of  the  fick  villagers ;  and  when  food  failed  to 
ftrengthen  her  owa  languid  frame,  and  medicine  had  noth- 


280 

ing  to  offer  but  the  Lethean  draught  oi  fufpendcd  fenfe,  \vc 
have  both  beheld  the  pallid  countenance  lighted  up  by  the 
benevolent  intentions  of  a  heart  pradlifed  in  the  duty  of  con- 
fidering  the  neceffities  of  its  fcUovv-creatures. 

Unlefs  benevolence  chance  to  be  the  adopted  child  of  af- 
fluence, it  muft  acknowledge  fclf-denial  and  oeconomy  for  its 
parents.  If  it  have  the  Chriftian  grace  of  charity  for  its  in- 
ftrudlor,  and  the  love  of  God  for  its  motive,  it  muft  prefer 
but  not  affcB  privacy.  It  fpeaks  in  all  the  anions  of  focial 
life,  and  it  brightens  the  fmile  of  conjugal  or  maternal  affec- 
tion. As  a  daughter,  it  is  attentive  and  dutiful ;  it  is  liber- 
al and  confiderate  as  a  iifter.  It  exercifes  its  heavenly  mind- 
cdnefs  in  various  ways,  befide  the  mere  a£l  of  giving  ;  and 
among  its  valuable  endowments  we  muft  reckon  the  meek- 
nefs  with  which  it  endures  the  reproach  of  parhmony,  from 
thofe  who  only  difcern  its  care  to  avoid  unnecefTary  cxpencc, 
but  not  its  appropriation  of  its  little  hoards.  It  is  not  anx- 
ious to  be  known  as  the  firft  patronefs  of  any  new  infthu- 
tion ;  but  if  the  wants  of  thofe  who  have  a  claim  to  its  af- 
fiftance  leave  any  furplus,  it  drops  its  dole  unobferved  into 
the  treafury  of  fome  approved  inftitution.  You  will  obferve, 
I  am  here  fpeaking  of  that  ftyle  of  beneficence  which  fuits  a 
woman  of  a  private  ftation  and  moderate  fortune.  When 
rank,  power,  or  afRuence,  enlarge  the  fphere  of  our  influ- 
ence, our  efforts  to  ferve  our  fellow-creatures  jhould  tak« 
a  wider  range,  and  confequently  muft  attradl  celebrity.  It 
is  the  confideration,  that  limited  powers  cannot  do  much, 
well  -,  and  that  a  little^  well  performed,  is  better  than  a  lame 
partial  execution  oi  great  defigns,  which  makes  me  recom- 
mend to  the  generality  of  my  fex  the  regular  performance 
of  known  virtues,  in  preference  to  that  eager  purfuit  of  dif^ 
tant  theoretical  good,  which  is  likely  to  expole  them  to  the 
afTaults  of  vanity,  or  the  mifcry  of  clifappointment.  In  the 
ftation  where  Providence  has  placed  us,  our  exertion  is  moft 
required  and  will  be  moft  beneficial. 

Contra ftcd  with  the  character  of  inborn,  and  often  unob- 
ferved benevolence,  let  us  next  exhibit  that  flaowy  liberality 
which  pafTes  fo  extremely  well  in  the  world.  It  has  been 
humoroufly  identified,  by  a  perfon's  anxioufly  foliciting  to 
carry  the  plate  at  public  contributions,  as  the  only  way  of 
efcaping  from  fubfcribing  his  mite.  Great  zeal  for  the  indi- 
gent, is  adopted  by  many  as  the  readieft  pafTport  to  the  ta- 
bles of  the  great ;  where,  by  a  willing  facrifice  of  time,  and 
a  little  adroit  management,  they  gain  the  name  of  "  mol^ 


281 

tirorthy  creatures."  If  they  have  no  near  connexions  to  re- 
proach them  with  inattention,  I  have  only  to  hope  that  their 
judgment  and  integrity  are  as  unqueftionable  as  their  zeal 
is  confpicuous ;  they  may  then  prove  fafe  and  expeditious 
channels  to  convey  the  overflowings  of  profperity  to  the 
thirftv  foil  of  want.  Yet,  unlefs  circumftances  impofe  a  ne- 
ceffity  for  fo  doing,  I  would,  on  many  accounts,  interdidl 
the  intervention  of  an  almoner  ;  and  this  on  more  general 
motives  than  the  mifapplications  which  fometimes  occur. 
The  giver  fliould  not  lofe  the  benefit  of  that  perfonal  ac- 
quaintance with  forrow,  which  ftrengthens  the  focial  ties, 
corrects  the  caprices  of  faftidious  felf-importance,  and  turns 
the  narrow  aims  of  individual  gratification,  into  gratitude  to 
that  Providence  who  appoints  wealth  as  the  Jleward  and  d'tf- 
pertfer^  rather  than  the  confumer  of  its  accumulated  bounties. 
I  might  alfo  add,  how  much  this  benevolent  intercourfe  be- 
tween the  rich  and  poor,  the  great  and  lowly,  enlarges  the 
mind  and  improves  the  manners  of  both  parties.  When  a 
lady  of  rank  furveys  a  healthy  groupe  of  young  cottagers, 
vying  with  each  other  for  fkill  and  adroitnef<  at  their  vari- 
ous occupations,  and  watching  with  anxious  glance  the  hour- 
glafs,  which,  if  nearly  exhaufted,  upbraids  them  with  hav- 
ing previoufly  loitered,  and  reminds  them  of  the  probability 
of  their  dame's  inflicting  an  additional  tafk,  fhe  may  form, 
fome  notion  of  the  value  of  the  moments  which  fhe  is  anx- 
ious to  wafte.  Or  when  fhe  fees  the  care-worn  mother  di- 
viding the  brown  loaf  in  equal  portions  among  her  children, 
whofe  countenances  brighten  with  the  glow  of  pleafure  as 
they  fucceflively  relieve  the  cravings  of  hunger,  fhe  may 
learn  to  compare  the  expences  of  vanity  and  benevolence, 
and  to  efl:imate  their  fpecific  gratifications.  But  the  bed  of 
licknefs,  efpecially  when  attended  by  its  frightful  concomi- 
tant, penury,  v/ill  afford  her  the  beft  ieflbn  to  check  the  re- 
pinings  of  difcontent,  and  all  the  various  pangs  of  envy,  am- 
bition, and  pnde,  which  teach  the  fickly  daughters  of  fpleen 
to  quarrel  with  profperity.  On  the  fide  of  the  indigent, 
this  focial  intercourfe  with  their  fuperiors  would  prove  the 
beft  check  to  the  democratical  fpirit  that  is  let  loofe  among 
them.  They  would  find  themfelves  often  called  upon  to 
obferve  the  attractions  of  graceful  manners,  and  the  advan- 
tage of  fuperior  information.  The  narrow,  but  too  general 
prejudice,  which  has  been  excited  againft  the  apparently 
more  favoured  part  of  our  fpecies,  would,  be  abated  j  and 
M  m 


282 

grateful  attachment  to  friends  and  benefactors,  would  foon 
eradicate  the  idea  that  lords  and  ladies  are  but  poor  crea- 
tures, were  it  not  that  they  have  got  the  upper  hand  in  this 
world. 

Much  previous  knowledge  of  humble  life  's  neceflliry,  to 
enable  the  liberally  difpofed  heart  to  diftribute  its  bounty 
with  difcretion.  Indifcriminate  relief  is  worfe  than  injudi- 
cious j  it  is  prejudicial.  Knowledge  of  what  a  poor  family 
ought  to  earn,  and  what  they  muft  fpend,  fhoukl  (except  in 
extreme  cafes)  precede  relief.  Much  public  injury  is  done 
by  increafing  the  luxurious  habits  which  are  become  fo  very 
prevalent  in  the  lower  clafTes.  High  wages  and  great  earn- 
ings are,  in  general,  the  parents  of  diliipatlon  and  want. 
As  a  trading  nation,  thefe  exorbitant  demands  muft  ulti- 
mately ruin  our  manufactures,  by  enhancing  their  price  ; 
and  if  we  confider  the  cafe  as  relating  to  a  Chrlftian  coun- 
try, we  have  only  to  compare  the  morals  of  the  poor  in  a 
flourifliing  manufa<Sluring  town,  and  in  an  obfcure  country 
village,  to  fee  the  evils  that  enfue  from  profufe  gains. 

Society,  therefore,  cannot  be  benefited  by  introducing  ex- 
penlive  refinements  into  humble  life  5  and  it  is  melancholy 
to  reflect,  that  habitual  eleemolynary  relief,  if  very  liberally 
bcftovved,  often  corrupts  the  manners  of  the  individual  whom 
it  particularizes.  Induftry  Ihould  be  (ijftfted  and  Jlimulaiedy 
not  deadened  ov  fuperfeded ;  and,  except  in  cafes  of  urgent  ca- 
lamity, a  moral  preference  fhould  be  obferved.  This  is  cer- 
tainly contrary  to  the  inverted  climax,  by  which  falfc  phi- 
lanthropy afcends  "from  the  crufli'd  beetle,"  to  "  poor  fuf- 
fering  guilt,"  and  excludes  from  its  fympathy  only  thofc 
objects  which  fhould  moft  powerfully  attract  it ;  but  falfe 
philanthropy  is  the  puling  offspring  of  fentiment  and  feeling, 
not  of  principle.  Beneath  its  influence,  a  Peregrine  Roch- 
dale, who  has  rim  away  from  his  father  without  any  provo- 
cation, iliall  only  be  anxious  to  preferve  the  ten  thoufand 
pounds  which  he  capricioufly  deftines  to  reward  an  acciden- 
tal benefaction  ;  but  fliall  exprefs  no  folicitude  to  know 
whether  his  deferted  family  are  in  exiftence,  or  need  his  af- 
fiftance  ;  though  he  certainly  muft  have  owed  them  infi- 
nitely fupcrior  obligations,  which  he  does  not  even  pretend 
were  cancelled  by  unkiiidiiefs.  A  Charles  Surflice,  directed 
by  the  fame  tutor,  fliali  defraud  a  creditor,  and  beftow  a 
large  fum  on  an  unknown  petitioner.  But  thofewho  dirc(St 
the  feelings  of  humanity  by  the  liglit  of  the  gofpel  well 
know,  that  they  arc  firft  required  to  ihevv  "piety  at  home, 


283 

"  and  to  requite  their  parents  ;  for  that  Is  good  and  accep- 
«  table  before  God  ;"*  becaufe  « if  any  provide  not  for  his 
«  own,  and  efpecially  for  thofe  of  his  own  houfe,  he  hath 
"  denied  the  faith,  and  is  worfe  than  an  infidel."  Thus  ex- 
prefsly  does  the  religion  of  the  blelTed  Jefus  ftrengthen  and 
confirm  that  evidence  which  nature  bears  to  the  primary  ob- 
ligation of  domeftic  duties,  and  efpecially  to  the  filial  and 
parental,  which  our  philanthropifts,  in  their  rage  for  im- 
provement, call  the  "  blindeft  modification  of  felf-love,"  and 
determine,  that  **  the  mind  fhould  be  fteeled  againft  the  ab- 
*'  furd  prejudice  of  obeying  a  parent,  merely  becaufe  he  is  a 
*'  parent."  And  with  refpedl  to  our  allowing  liberality  to 
precede  honefty,  fcripture  records  a  decided  prohibition,  by 
exhorting  us  to  "  pro'vide  things  honeft  in  the  fight  of  all 
*'  men,"  and  "  to  owe  no  man  any  thing,  fave  to  love  one 
**  another."  Thefe  are  plain  contradiftions  to  the  tenets  of 
the  new  Lyceum,  which  here,  as  in  every  other  cafe,  decrees 
that  pleafure  fhould  precede  duty.f 

We  muft  not,  however,  argue  from  thefe  pofitive  precepts, 
that  becaufe  we  have  relations  or  creditors,  we  may  fiegkEt- 
the  general  exercife  of  benevolence.  One  fcripture  rule  muft 
be  expounded  by  another ;  and  every  virtue  kept  in  its  right 
pofition  by  a  clofe  contadt  with  its  neighbouring  good  quali- 
ty. "  Whofo  hath  this  world's  goods,  and  feeth  his  brother 
<«  have  ne<^d,  and  fhuttcth  up  the  bowels  of  compaflion  from 
«'  him,  how  dwelleth  the  love  of  God  in  him  ?"  Compaflion 
and  lenity  are  placed  in  the  Gofpel  on  a  much  more  ftable  ba- 
fis  than  fentiment  or  feeling  could  provide.  We  are  to  for- 
give our  offending  brethren,  becaufe  "  God  has  forgiven  us  ;" 
we  are  to  relieve  the  diftrefTes  of  thofe  who  want  our  aid, 
*«  becaufe  of  the  exceeding  great  kindnefs  which  our  heaven- 
"  ly  Father  and  our  only  Saviour  have  fhewn  to  us."  If  our 
limited  means  will  not  keep  pace  with  our  wifhes  of  doing 
good,  we  muft  not  enlarge  them  by  an  unjuft  appropriation  of 
what  is  not  lawfully  our  own,  but  by  the  cheerful  retrench-, 
ment  or  facrifice  of  individual  enjoyment.  We  muft  hujhand 
our  little  modicum  with  more  care,  beftow  it  with  more  cau- 
tious feleftion  ;  and  endeavour  to  add  to  its  value  by  fuch  an 
appropriation  of  time  or  talents^  as  our  confcience  fhall  tell  us 

*  ift  Timothy,  chapter  jth,  4th  and  8th  verfes. 

f  Who  ever  beftowed  aa  alms,\vitlicut  fecHngthat  giving  v/as  tlic  mofi 
cx^uiiitc  of  pleafures  ? 


284 

will  bcfl  anfwer  the  end  of  promoting  the  glory  of  God  and 
the  good  of  our  fclIow-creaturcs. 

As  a  contrail  to  the  random  or  difhoneft  fchemes  wliich 
falfe  hberality  prcfents,  in  fantaftic  arbitrary  rewards  of  mere 
favourites,  accidental  benefactors,  partizans,  or  interefting 
fufl'crers,  ^vho  have  only  local  or  capricious  claims  to  atten- 
tion, permit  me  to  recommend  to  your  ferious  confideration, 
that  example  of  difcreet  bemvolefice,  which  the  fccondary  pur- 
pofe  of  the  parable  of  the  Good  Samaritan  prefents  to  all 
fubicquent  ages  of  the  Chriftian  world,  as  forcibly  as  'w^firjl 
intention  fpake  to  the  hearts  of  its  immediate  hearers.  This 
truly  beneficent  character  does  not  neglect  his  own  immedi- 
ate concerns,  and  fet  off  on  a  romantic;  pilgrimage  in  fearch 
of  people  in  diftrefs.  lie  is  quietly  journeying,  when  he 
meets  with  a  man  lying  on  the  road,  robbed,  ftripped  of  his 
raiment,  feverely  wounded,  and  half  dead.  A  prieft  and  a 
Levite,  the  interpreter  of  the  law  and  ofiiciating  minifter  of 
religion,  have  not  only  fcen  the  fuffercr  at  a  diftance,  but 
have  actually  gone  near  him,  difcovered  it  to  be  no  cafe  of 
pretended  calamity,  and  having  thus  gratified  their  curiofity, 
Avith  unnatural  indifference  they  "  have  paffed  by  on  the 
other  fide,"  and  left  him  to  the  care  of  chance  paffengers, 
regardlefs  whether  thefe  will  affifl  his  miferies,  or  imitate 
their  own  inhumanity.  But  in  the  heart  of  the  Samaritan 
companion  is  an  innate  principle,  which  only  waits  to  be 
cal  ed  into  adlion.  He  ftays  not  to  inquire,  whether  the  fuf- 
ferer  be  a  countryman  or  a  ftranger,  a  friend  or  a  foe.  He 
haAens  to  him,  *'  binds  up  his  wounds,  pours  in  oil  and 
<'  wine,  fets  him  upon  his  own  beaft,  brings  him  to  an  inn, 
"  and  takes  care  of  him."  A  fentimental  philanthropift  of 
the-  new  fchool  would  have  confidered  this  delineation  of  the 
offices  of  benevolence  as  very  cold  and  vifp'id.  The  Samari- 
tan, with  them,  would  have  devoted  himfelf  to  the  fcrvices  of 
this  unhappy  unknown  j  every  plan  of  bufinefs,  every  tie  of 
private  affection  or  early  connetftion,  would  have  hccn  fuper- 
seded,  if  not  annihilated.  We  ihould  have  feen  the  kind  ben- 
efactor inceffantly  watcliing  by  the  bed  of  the  wounded  man, 
who,  if  he  recovered,  would  have  become  from  thenceforth 
his  dearefl  friend,  or  if  he  died  would  have  been  the  object 
of  his  perpetual  regret.  The  fcripture,  however,  informs 
us,  that  the  Good  Samaritan  departed  on  the  morrow  in  pur- 
fuit  of  his  own  affairs  ;  but,  not  fatisfied  with  having  brought 
the  mifcrable  being  whom  he  had  faved  from  death  to  a 
place  where  his  wants  might  be  fupplied,  he  depofited  a  fum 


285 

of  money,  fuited  either  to  his  own  moderate  ability  or  to  the 
probable  wants  of  the  fufxerer,  with  an  injuniSlion  to  the  hoft 
to  take  care  of  him  ;  afiurlng  him  that  if  it  fhould  be  necef- 
fary  to  incur  more  expence,  it  fhould  be  faithfully  repaid. 
Any  long  comment  on  this  inftrudlive  parable  (which  many 
have  fuppofed  to  be  a  real  hiftory)  is  unnecefTary.  The 
prejudiced  Jew  learned  by  it,  that  the  bond  of  neighbourly 
good  will  and  affiflance  was  intended  to  comprize  all  man- 
kind ;  and  while  it  reproves  the  ftony  heart  of  apathy  or  av- 
arice, to  the  remoteft  ages  of  the  world,  it  will  alfo  injlriift 
the  foul  of  melting  tendernefs  fo  to  regulate  its  feelings,  that 
one  virtue  fliall  not  encroach  upon  another. 

Candour  is  a  virtue  clofely  allied  to  benevolence  ;  and 
here  alfo  the  humour  of  the  times  makes  it  rather  neceflary 
that  we  fhould  define  its  reftraints  than  encourage  its  un- 
bounded exercife.  It  is  moft  true,  that  every  virtue  is  fitu- 
ated  between  two  oppolite  vices,  into  one  of  which  we  arc 
fure  to  fall  the  moment  we  exceed  the  limit  of  moderation. 
To  define  what  that  moderation  is,  we  mull:  take  fcripture 
for  our  guide  •,  and  here,  as  I  before  obferved  in  points  of 
dodlrine,  we  are  not  to  force  a  particular  text  into  the  fer- 
vice  of  a  preconceived  opinion  or  ruling  pafRon  ;  but  by  a 
faithful  examination  of  the  vv^hole  tenor  of  the  facred  pages, 
endeavour  with  finglenefs  of  heart  to  difcover  how  far  our 
own  belief  and  pradlice  accords  with  the  revealed  will  of 
God.  As  it  is  certainly  contrary  to  the  purpofes  of  the  Al- 
mighty, to  confound  the  difi:in6lion  of  right  and  wrong, 
truth  and  falfehood,  vice  and  virtue,  we  are  not  required,  in 
cur  manner  of  fpeaking  of  thcfe  oppolite  qualities,  to  forget 
that  they  are  not  only  dijVmcl  but  irreconcilable.  When  we 
read  or  hear  of  monftrous  crimes,  the  equivocal  expreffions 
of  "  we  hope  all  is  for  the  beft,"  or  "  whatever  is,  is  right," 
do  not  imply  candour,  but  imbecility,  indifference,  or  even 
a  latent  prepofTeflion  in  favour  of  what  we  ought  to  condemn 
in  pofitive  terms ;  unlefs  we  further  explain  our  meaning  to 
be,  that  we  entirely  rely  on  the  fecret  counfels  of  that  Di- 
vine Being,  who  makes  even  the  ftubborn  wills  and  unruly 
defires  of  men  advance  the  defigns  of  his  overruling  Provi- 
dence. 

The  foft  extenuating  tone  which  is  often  ufed  when  we 
defcribe  the  licentious  vices,  is  as  ofFenlive  to  true  candour, 
as  it  is  to  genuine  purity.  We  may  (nay,  indeed,  as  Chrif- 
tians,  we  muft)  pity  the  flaves  of  fin  ;  but  then  we  mufl  pity 
them  zsjlaves  zndi  Jltwers.     Apology  for  great  offences  is  not 


286 

•nly  undue  lenity  to  offenders,  but  it  Is  uncharitablencfs  to 
innocence,  whofe  danger  (as  it  has  been  before  obferved)  is 
thereby  incrcafcd.  I  cannot,  liowevcr,  allot  the  praife  of  fn- 
perior  candour,  or  even  gentlenefs^  to  thofc  who  thus  profcfs 
themfelvcs  the  excufers  of  vice.  They  arc  fcldom  unfkilled 
in  "  taunting  provei-bs  of  reproach,"  which  are  beftowed 
with  little  mercy  on  all  the  venial  errors  of  the  friends  of 
order,  decoruni,  and  religion,  if  not  in  the  fhape  of  perfonal 
invedlive,  at  leaft  as  an  aggregate  body.  Abftradl  abufe  is 
here  very  ferviccable  j  bigotry,  rigidity,  formality,  faftidiouf- 
nefs,  and  fcrupulous  punctilio,  may,  by  that  latitude  of  in- 
verted meaning  which  the  new  fyftem  of  elocution  permits, 
be  converted  into  moft  powerful  engines  to  batter  down  re- 
fpe<ft  for  all  ancient  inftitutions,  and  even  for  the  laws  of 
God,  which  candour  (a  heavenly  emanation  from  the  pure 
fpirit  of  charity)  may  thus  be  made  to  deftroy. 

Is  candour  then  to  be  totally  baniflied  in  thefe  cafes  ?  By 
no  means.  When  we  read  a  controverfial  work,  or  one 
that  oppofes  our  own  principles,  we  mufb  not  flrain  the  au- 
thor's meaning,  by  fuch  Inuendos  and  inferences  as  an  im- 
partial umpire  would  pronounce  to  be  unfair,  I  do  not  fay, 
as  the  author  would  himfelf  difclaim ;  for  ingenuoufnefs  is 
not  the  charaiTteriftic  of  literary  difcuffion ;  or  do  they  who 
are  fmitten  with  the  wifla  of  making  converts,  always  difcover 
the  yoke  to  which  their  pupils  are  to  fubmit.  Do  not,  with- 
out fufficient  evidence,  believe  that  a  reafonable  creature  can 
coolly  juftify  the  horrid  deeds  which  anarchy  and  atheifm 
have  recently  committed  j  but  if  you  perceive  the  leaven  of 
democracy  to  work  in  the  mafs,  a  few  condolatory  exclama- 
tions at  the  ihd  extremes  to  which  good  intentions  have  been 
hurried  by  cppofitiony  muft  not  cheat  your  fimplicity.  And 
with  refpeift  to  flagrant  breaches  in  moral  redlitude,  your 
fentiments  muft  principally  be  determined  by  the  proofs  on 
which  the  acculation  refts.  To  detect  flander  is  the  pro- 
vince of  candour  •,  yet  if  the  guilt  be  indifputable,  you  muft 
not  let  the  confideration  of  the  beauty,  fweetnefs,  elegance, 
benevolence,  or  local  fituation  of  the  oftender,  make  you  in- 
fenlible  of  the  enormity  of  the  offence  ;  for  candour  does 
not  confift  in  mitigating  crimes,  but  in  diftrufting  their  re- 
ality, or  in  hoping  that  the  culprits  retain  fome  good  proper- 
ties which  may  ultimately  lead  them  back  to  repentance. 

Our  chief  opportunity  for  exerciUng  candour  is  with  the 
leffer  errors  and  imperfections  of  our  fellow-creatuers,  and 
cfpecially  of  thofe  with  whom  we  arc  inoft  nearly  conneded< 


TTie  allowances  that  \vc  are  called  upon  to  make  for  humaa 
infirmity,  whenever  our  minds  become  painfully  imprefled  by 
a  feiiie  of  ill  ufage,  mifcondudl,  unkindnefs,  negle<51:,  or  fe- 
verity,  will  be  moft  properly  confidered  under  the  head  of 
f  weetnefs  of  temper ;  a  quality  which  our  male  partners  con- 
fider  as  fo  indifpenfably  necelTary  to  our  fex,  that  they  fel- 
dora  will  allow  any  other  virtue,  however  preeminently  ex- 
cellent, to  be  an  adequate  fubftitute  for  this  fundamental 
principle  of  female  worth  and  utility. 

I  am  one  of  thofe  who  think,  that  a  predilection  for  un- 
relifting  fweetnefs  may  be  urged  to  an  extreme  that  is  unfa- 
vourable to  the  virtue  and  happinefs  of  both  fexes.  The 
primeval  delign  of  God  in  the  creation  of  woman,  that  flie 
fhould  be  the  help-mate  of  man,  certainly  extended  to  his 
fpiritiial  as  well  as  temporal  exiftence.  If,  from  mixing  left 
with  the  bufy  fcenes  of  aftive  life,  flie  be  lefs  capable  of  de- 
ciding with  propriety  in  points  wherein  acutenefs,  penetra- 
tion, and  what  is  termed  policy,  are  neceflary,  her  principles> 
it  muft  be  granted,  are  for  this  I'eafon  lefs  likely  to  be  con- 
taminated by  coilifion  of  intcreft,  and  all  the  crooked  machi- 
nations of  overreaching  ambition.  This  fubje6t  might  bd 
beft  confidered,  when  v/e  come  to  that  moft  intimate  connex- 
ion with  men,  of  which  obedience  forms  our  diftiniEtive  ob- 
ligation. But  as,  with  fev/  exceptions,  fubfervience  is  claim- 
ed from  us  by  all  our  male  relatives,  it  m.ay  not  be  improper 
to  obferve,  that  whenever  they  err,  either  in  morals  or  prin- 
ciples, a  mild  yet  marled  difapprobation  is  not  pertrnacityy  but 
fortitude.  It  is,  perhaps,  the  moft  dilSrult  inftance  which  a 
really  amiable  woman  can  give  of  command  of  temper ;  fincc 
nothing  can  be  more  contrary  to  her  feelings,  than  to  find 
herfcif  called  upon  by  confcisnce  to  prefer  contention  to  ac- 
quiefcence,  or  conftraint  to  cordial  intercourfe.  You  will 
readily  fuppofe,  that  I  am  not  claiming  a  licence  to  defend 
the  vanities,  the  punctilios,  or  the  difiinftions,  which  weak 
or  wayward  women  deem  of  fo  much  importance,  but  for 
!T~  which  the  wife  would  never  rilk  the  blefiing  of  domeftic 
concord.  I  am  fuppofing  the  occafion  which  gives  rife  to 
oppofition  to  be  i-eally  important,  and  to  proceed  from  a 
fenfe  of  duty  to  a  parent,  juftice  to  an  injured  lifter,  affection 
to  an  ill  treated  child,  attachment  to  a  defcrving  friend,  or 
a  full  conviction  of  the  bad  confequences  of  the  errors  that 
we  wilh  to  check.  The  lefs  the  queftion  in  uifpute  is  con- 
nected with  felfy  the  lefs  fufpicious  will  be  the  conteft  -,  and 
as  the  ohjeB  for  which  we  contend  fhould  be  indubitably  im- 


283 

portant,  the  meatis  by  which  we  endeavour  to  gain  our  pomt 
Ihould  be  l^lamclefs.  Loud  keen  invective,  known  by  the 
name  of  fcolding,  is  not  only  blameable,  but  injudicious  ;  for 
it  is  the  fureft  means  of  defeating  the  purpofe  which  it  feeks 
to  fecure.  Sullen  morofcncls  is  ftill  worfe ;  and  tears  of 
anger  or  dilllain,  affected  indifpofition,  and  every  fpecies  of 
art  and  trick,  though  more  generally  fuccefsful  than  the 
ftraight  forward  method  of  the  blunt  virago,  conftitute,  in 
the  opinion  of  every  ingenuous  perfon,  a  far  more  deteftable 
character. 

I  muft  here  obferve  (though  with  fome  degree  of  appre- 
henfion,  for  I  feel  that  I  am  treading  on  very  tender  ground, 
and  tremble  at  the  thought  of  leaguing  every  fon  of  Adam 
againft  me  in  defence  of  their  darling  prerogative,)  that  when 
men  elevated  fmiUng  acquiefcence  into  the  firft  of  female 
excellences,  they  indulged  their  humour  at  the  expence  of 
their  underftandings.  This  preference  indicates  a  confciouf- 
nefs  that  they  themfelves  are  wayward  childreti^  who  require 
to  hefoothed  -Andjiatteredy  and  not  the  guardians  and  hijlruc- 
tors  of  the  inferior  fex ;  the  Have  of  their  own  paffions,  and 
not  the  "  offspring  of  heaven  and  earth,  and  all  earth's  lord." 
Are  a  fycophant  and  a  flave  really  more  valuable  than  a 
monitor  and  a  friend  ?  They  muft  not  pretend  to  urge,  that 
they  need  no  monitor  ;  for  in  that  cafe  they  would  be  defti- 
tute  of  thofe  capricious  humours  for  which  they  claim  in- 
dulgence, and  which  they  fay  it  is  our  chief  duty  and  defti- 
nation  to  attend  to.  Is  not  fidelity,  I  would  alk,  valuable  ; 
is  not  difcretion  a  pearl  above  price,  and  pure  afFeftion  a 
blefling  which  makes  earth  like  heaven  ?  And  can  fhe  be 
faithful,  difcreet,  or  affectionate,  who  fees  you  totter  on  a 
precipice,  or  madly  fport  with  your  reputation,  health,  or 
fortune,  and  can  yet  prcferve  the  fmile  of  tranquillity,  and 
forbear  to  warn  you  of  your  danger  ?  But  I  muft  ftop  this 
excurflve  expoftulation ;  our  prefent  defign,  my  dear  Mifs 

M ,  is  with  the  charadlers  and  duties  of  women  ;  and  as 

the  latter  often  fpring  out  of  the  faults  of  men,  we  fliould 
confiiler  how  we  may  beft  adapt  our  minds  to  our  lot,  rather 
than  fpend  our  time  in  ufelefsly  lamenting  that  this  *'  lot  is 
not  always  caft  in  fair  ground." 

The  right  (I  fliould  fpeak  more  corre^ly  In  faying  the 
duty)  of  refiftance,  upon  really  important  occafions,  being 
admitted,  and  the  cxercife  of  it  limited  within  the  moft  c:.- 
zOi  bounds  of  prudence  and  ingcnuoufncfs,  I  muft  now  ob- 
ferve, that  as  our  relative  fituation  caufe.s  us  many  trials  from 


289 

the  coercion  of  onr  wills,  and  from  oppofition  to  our  inter- 
efts,  we  fliould  be  careful  of  adding  to  the  number,  by  in- 
troducing domeftic  traitors  into  our  own  bofoms.  For  a 
very  fliort  period  of  our  lives,  during  the  reign  of  youth  and 
beauty,  man  afFedts  to  compliment  us  with  an  oftentatious 
fhow  of  preeminence ;  I  fliould  rather  have  faid,  ufed  to  offeEl 
to  compliment  us  ;  for  fafhion  has  now  almoft  annihilated 
our  fantaftic  empire,  by  confining  the  attentions  of  gallantry 
to  that  part  of  our  lives  when  they  muft  either  be  unmean- 
ing or  criminal.  Many  (may  I  not  fay  moft  ?)  of  our  fex, 
from  their  cradle  to  their  grave,  fcarcely  know  the  exercife 
of  free  will,  either  in  the  difpofal  of  their  time  or  their  for- 
tunes, in  the  choice  of  pleafures  or  purfuits,  in  the  feleftion 
of  friends  or  acquaintance,  or  even  in  determining  the  fpot 
of  earth  on  which  they  would  refide.  I  am  far  from  insin- 
uating, or  believing,  that  this  dependant  ftate  is  really  a  mis- 
fortune ;  I  acquiefce  in  the  fapient  concluiion,  that  to  a  con- 
fcientious  mind  "  Command  is  anxiety,  and  obedience  eafe  ;'* 
yet  as  obedience  is  our  lot,  how  ought  we,  from  early  youth, 
to  cultivate  the  paiSive  virtues  ;  how  carefully  fhould  we  re- 
strain and  check  thofe  ftormy  paflions,  irregular  defires,  and 
eager  wifhes,  which  will  in  our  future  lives  prove  to  us  like 
the  ftream  which  increafed  the  confuming  thirft  of  Tanta- 
lus !  Since  there  is  a  probability  that  we  fhall  never  be  per- 
mitted to  fet  out  in  fearch  of  adventitious  pleafures,  at  leafl 
not  to  feledt  fuch  as  we  fancy  would  be  moft  gratifying  to 
our  tafte,  how  careful  fliould  we  be  to  make  our  own  bo- 
foms the  feat  of  that  peace  which,  as  *<  the  world  cannot 
give,"  fo,  moft  happily,  "  the  world  cannot  take  away  !"  I , 
am  not  here  recommending  melancholy  abftradion,  or  mor-  ' 
tified  indifference  to  fublunary  things  ;  the  difpoiition  of 
mind  that  I  would  inculcate,  is  humble  refignation  and 
cheerful  content.  It  is  a  rejoicing  in  the  good  that  we  pof^ 
fefs,  and  a  quiet  furrender  of  our  own  wills ;  which  temper 
refults  alike  from  a  firm  confidence  in  the  goodnefs  of  God, 
a  proper  fenfe  of  our  own  unworthinefs,  and  a  juft  eftima- 
tion  of  terreftrial  objects,  whether  confidered  with  refpedl 
to  their  value  or  duration,  as  they  affe6t  ourfelves  or  our  fel- 
low-creatures. When  fweetnefs  of  temper  is  thus  founded 
upon  principle,  I  will  not  fuff^er  any  male  orator  to  be  its 
more  devoted  panegyrift.  It  deferves  every  epithet  of  heav- 
enly and  angelical ;  for  it  is,  indeed,  the  temper  of  angels, 
and  the  frame  of  mind  which  predominates  among  the  bleff^ 
Nn 


290 

ed  inhabitants  of  Heaven.  Yet,  notwithftanding  this  holy 
elevation  of  foul,  and  benign  compofednefs  of  chara£ler,  I 
muft  fuppofe  it  polHble,  that  a  woman  thus  endowed  is  not 
an  indifferent  fpe(ftator  of  the  pafling  fcene.  She  cannot  meet 
the  man,  to  whom  Ihe  is  linked  by  the  tic  of  kindred  or  af- 
fection, with  a  gay  good  humour,  when  he  is  difguifcd  by 
paffion  or  deformed  by  vice.  Sincerity  (I  muft  repeat)  is  a 
prime  ingredient  in  the  chara(Ster  of  real  fweetnefs ;  and 
when  pained  afFcdlion  forcibly  wrings  the  heart,  the  fmile  of 
gentlenefs  can  but  feebly  break  (not  through  the  cloud  of 
paffion  but)  through  the  night  of  woe. 

Little  merit  fliould  be  afcribed  to  that  fort  of  animal  good 
humour,  which  coniifts  in  being  infenflble  to  the  finer  feel- 
ings of  morality.  If  we  analyze  this  quality,  we  fliall  per- 
ceive that  it  is  really  nothing  better  than  mere  fclfiflinefs, 
which,  provided  no  immediate  ill  affects  itfelf,  is  willing  (in 
the  well  known  phrale)  to  "  let  the  world  flide."  I  allow 
as  little  credit  to  that  exterior  polijlj^  and  ground  down y/w^/^- 
nejs  of  deportment,  which  fubftitutes  command  of  temper  for 
real  fuavity.  The  known  predilection  which  men  entertain 
for  eafy  partners,  has  made  many  female  hypocrites,  and 
(cfpccially  in  the  fecond  clafTes  of  fociety)  has  introduced  an 
unvarying  foftnefs,  a  guarded  acquiefcence,  a  cautious  equa- 
nimity of  manner,  as  remote  from  real  gentlenefs,  as  the 
drawling  fentimental  whine  by  which  it  is  accompanied  is 
fi-om  true  benevolence.  A  remarkably  low  tone  of  voice, 
and  an  unfwerving  quietnefs  of  manner,  are  the  difguifes 
which  the  confcious  termagant  would  naturally  afTume,  who, 
fearing  her  own  vehemence,  dares  not  permit  her  feelings 
the  leafl  indulgence  in  public  ;  and  atones  for  thefe  occa- 
fional  reftridtions,  by  fuffering  the  accumulated  load  of  fpleen 
to  burft  in  a  torrent  on  her  near  connexions  or  dependants. 
But  as  the  eafy  elegance  of  the  true  woman  of  fafhion,  is 
cafily  diftinguifhable  from  the  overcharged  finery  of  vulgar 
imitators,  who  endeavour  to  awe  you  into  admiration  of  their 
coftly  attire  j  fo  a  difcerning  eye  will  foon  dilcriminate  be- 
tween the  artlcfs  eafe  of  real  meeknefs,  and  the  guarded 
evennefs  of  aflunied  gentlenefs.  The  confcioufnefs  of  hav- 
ing nothing  to  difguiie,  will  give  an  honeft  animation  to  the 
countenance  of  the  former  ;  while  every  feature  of  the  lat- 
ter remains  fixed  in  the  icy  coldnefs  of  frigid  propriety ;  for 
it  dares  not  venture  on  the  honefl  blufh  of  kindling  fenfi- 
bility,  or  the  fpontaneous  exclamation  of  generous  indigna- 
tion.    The  whole  deportment  of  the  iludied  chai-ader  will 


291 

be  fo  very  right,  as  to  be  In  reality  wrong  ;  fo  very  obliging, 
as  never  to  oblige ;  and  fo  uniformly  amiable,  as  to  excite 
the  diftrufi:  of  all  who  give  themfelves  time  to  refledl,  that 
where  fo  much  care  has  been  beftowed  upon  tnannersy  the 
inward  difpofltions  of  the  heart  are  likely  to  have  remained 
unregulated.  Yet  fo  many  refolute  bafhaw  batchelors,  {kill- 
ed in  the  theory  of  connubial  defpotifm,  have  furrendered  at 
difcretlon  to  thefc  piratical  fhrews,  cruifing  under  the  falfe 
colours  of  unrefifting  fuavity ;  that  I  am  perfuaded,  an  in- 
verfion  of  the  plot  of  the  celebrated  comedy  of,  "  Rule  a 
Wife  and  have  a  Wife,"  would  prefcnt  a  juft  refemblance  of 
the  interior  oeconomy  of  many  families.  I  can  only  account 
for  its  nonintrodu6lion  on  the  ftage,  at  a  time  when  novelty 
is  fo  much  required,  by  fnppofmg  that  John  Bull's  high  at- 
tachment to  his  ov/n  prerogative  would  not  patiently  permit 
an  exhibition  which  would  difcover  "  the  fecrets  of  his  pri- 
son houfe." 

Having  removed  the  feat  of  Gentlenefs  from  the  features 
and  manner  to  the  heart,  let  us  now  attend  to  her  condu£V, 
and  enumerate  her  attendant  graces.  She  is  nearly  allied  to 
Chriftian  charity,  or  rather  fhe  is  fuch  an  integral  part  of 
that  celeftial  quality,  that  it  cannot  exift  without  her.  In 
the  eye  of  the  world,  her  attention  being  diverted  from  her- 
felf,  ingenuoufnefs  often  precedes  conlideration  ;  but  in  the 
privacy  of  retirement,  and  amidfl:  the  narrow  circle  of  do- 
meftic  duty,  fhe  walks  with  circumfcribed  attention.  She 
does  not  permit  difdain,  envy,  pride,  or  malice,  to  intrude 
into  the  hallowed  facriily  of  her  bofom.  Shrinking  from 
every  tendency  to  tyranny,  caprice,  or  petulance,  fhe  confld- 
ers  the  wants  and  errors  of  all  with  whom  ilie  Is  connedled  j 
flie  allows  for  human  infirmities  ;  and  if  her  refentment  be 
roufed  by  flagitious  offences,  fhe  remembers  the  apoflollcal 
precept,  znd  fms  not  in  her  anger.  She  is  particularly  ob- 
fervant  in  her  condufl  to  all  who  are  in  any  way  dependant 
upon  her  humour  j  and  the  claims  of  an  inferior  are  in  her 
eye  facred.  She  cannot  only  endure,  but  obey,  the  way- 
wardnefs  of  an  aged  friend  •,  and  fhe  can  fubmit  without 
murmuring  to  the  privations  wiiich  miftaken  tendernefs,  or 
too  officious  care,  unwarrantably  impofes.  For  patience  is 
one  of  her  handmaids,  by  v/hofe  Inftru^ions  fhe  not  only 
fuftains  difappointments  and  vexations,  but  endures  the  fHll 
more  difficult  trial  of  perfonal  fuffering.  This  paffive  for- 
titude, fo  highly  becoming  to  our  fex,  is  generally  found  to 
exiit  in  its  higheit  perfedlion  in  thegentlelt  'tempers  and 


i292 

nioft  delicate  conftitutions.  Indeed,  as  it  is  the  cxaft  re- 
verfe  of  pride  and  felfiflineis,  where  flaould  we  look  for  it, 
but  in  the  foil  in  which  humihty  and  benevolence  generally 
abound.  From  whence  proceed  all  the  irreverent  complaints 
againfl  the  difpenfations  of  Providence  ?  Who  are  they  that 
are  perpetually  quarreling  with  their  lot  in  this  world,  and 
who  have  always  fome  fbory  of  extreme  diftrefs,  or  cruel 
ufage,  to  weary  the  good  natured  ear  of  thofe  who  long  to 
blend  reproof  with  pity  ?  Are  they  not  the  felfifh,  the  proud, 
and  the  envious  ?  Have  not  their  difappointments  proceeded 
from  an  extravagant  opinion  of  their  own  deferts  •,  and  may 
we  not  oftener  trace  the  unkindnefs  of  which  they  complain, 
to  a  previous  infenfibiUty  of  the  claims  and  expeiStutions  of 
others  ? 

Contentednefs  is  fo  genuine  a  feature  of  good  temper, 
that,  unlefs  in  cafes  of  very  peculiar  diftrefs,  it  rarely  fails  to 
be  the  predominant  diftiniiion  of  a  placid  well  difpofed 
mind.  It  is  unqueftionably  a  branch  of  that  charity  which 
*'  feeketh  not  her  own,  and  endureth  all  things  -,"  but,  un- 
lefs it  be  the  refult  of  natural  apathy  and  colducfs  of  difpo- 
fition,  it  alTumes  many  more  of  thcfe  glorious  epithets  which 
difcriminate  the  exalted  character  of  the  true  Cliriftian.  A 
confcioufnefs  of  our  own  unworthinefs,  leads  us  to  confider 
every  blefling  that  we  enjoy  as  the  undeferved  favour  of  a 
liberal  benefaclor :  and  every  pain  that  we  endure  and  every 
privation  that  we  feel,  as  the  merciful  correftion  cf  a  wife 
parent  and  juft  mafler.  Thus  contentment  becomes  united 
with  humility,  refignation,  and  devout  gratitude  -,  and  how 
truly  proper  are  thefe  fentiments  to  this  fallible  and  militant 
ftate  !  Where,  my  dear  young  friend,  fhall  we  find  the  un- 
happy wretch  who  has  no  endowment  of  body,  mind,  for- 
tune, or  connexion,  for  which  he  is  not,  with  refpect  to  the 
donor,  an  infohent  debtor  ?  And  where  lliall  we  meet  with 
that  unfullied  virtue  which  does  not  require  to  be  pcrJiFu'd 
through  affliBion. 

There  is  a  placid  calm  contentednefs  which  is  even  prac- 
ticable in  fevere  fuffering  ;  but  when  our  temporal  affairs  are 
profperous,  cheerfulnefs  muft  be  confidered  as  a  moft  agree- 
able addition  to  compofure  and  placidity.  Its  attradlions 
are  fo  powerful,  efpecially  to  the  majority  of  men,  that  mere- 
ly on  prudential  reafons,  I  would  urgently  advife  every  wo- 
man to  endeavour  to  embellifli  home  with  this  ftrong  al- 
lurement. It  is  moft  certain,  that  the  loi'ds  of  the  creation 
•re  in  general  Icfs  diipoled  to  acquiefcc  in  mortifications  and 


293 

uncomfortable  fenfations  than  women  ;  their  a£live  natures 
prompt  them  to  fubdue  difficulties,  and  tojly  from  trouble  ;. 
and  few  men  require  a  better  excufe  for  a  habit  of  diffipa- 
tion,  than  that  their  own  firelides  prefented  nothing  that 
was  agreeable.  To  the  mothers,  fifters,  or  wives  of  young 
men,  this  admonition  is  efpecially  feafonable.  The  words 
<f  a  dull  evening,"  have  a  magnetic  influence  upon  the  im- 
petuous paffions  and  quick  animal  Ipirits  of  youth  ;  and  it  is 
generally  in  the  early  period  of  life  that  thofe  habits  are 
formed,  which  determine  man  to  be  the  domeftic  compan- 
ion, or  the  bon  vivant.  I  fear  there  are  fome  natures  {o 
very  erratic,  that  even  the  wit  of  a  Sevigne,  or  the  elegant 
archnefs  of  a  Montagu,  would  not  detach  them  from  the 
circling  glafs  and  its  noify  merriment ;  but  I  wifh  fuch  peo- 
ple to  be  left  without  excufe,  and  that  the  deferted  female 
fliould  never  accufc  herfelf,  during  the  lonely  hours  of 
watchful  folicitude,  of  having  hunted  her  ftray  turtle  from  his 
neft  with  the  fcream  of  difTonance,  or  the  hum  of  melan- 
choly. I  dwell  more  ferioufly  on  this  fubje^l,  as  I  am  con- 
vinced that  many  valuable  women  fall  into  this  error,  efpe- 
cially thofe  who  ftill  belong  to  the  diminifhing  order  of  do- 
meftic induftrious  houfewives.  The  crofs  events  that  are 
continually  occurring  in  the  little  monarchy  of  our  own 
houfeholds,  though  individually  petty  and  trivial,  become 
important  by  accumulation,  and  teazingby  frequency.  One 
confideration  fhould  here  be  attended  to ;  if  we  find  that 
our  attention  to  good  management  materially  affedts  our  tem- 
per or  harafles  our  fpirits,  we  may  be  aiTured  that  we  arc 
giving  an  undue  weight  to  worldly  concerns,  and  are  purfu- 
ing  a  duty  till  we  advance  into  the  confines  of  error.  A 
recoUedtion  of  our  motives  for  thefe  exertions,  and  an  efti- 
mation  of  the  intrinfic  value  of  all  temporal  things,  will  re- 
cal  us  within  the  prefcribed  limits  of  what  is  right.  Wc 
cannot  ferve  our  family,  if  we  make  home  difgujling  to  the 
members  of  which  it  confifts  ;  and  we  cannot  be  faid  to 
*  fet  our  afFeclions  on  things  above,"  if  we  furrender  our 
whole  mind  to  the  encumbering  cares  of  Martha. 

Nothing  Is  more  unjuft  than  to  confound  cheerfulnefs 
with  levity ;  their  chara6teriftics  are  efl^entially  diftindt.  The 
one  is  perfeddy  independent,  or  at  leaft  requires  nothing  but 
the  abfence  of  pain,  calamity,  and  ill  humour ;  the  other  can 
only  live  in  a  crowd,  where  it  meets  with  the  food  on  which 
it  fubfifts,  admiration  and  amufement.  Cheerfulnefs  is  felf- 
amufed  ;  all  nature,  in  its  eftiination,  wears  a  fmiling  afpedt ; 


294 

and  it  goes  forth,  like  the  child  in  the  fable,  inviting  etery 
objec^t  "to  play  with  it,"  and  partake  of  its  hilarity.  Ler- 
ity  has  fmiles  for  its  ball-drefs,  and  tears  for  its  dilhabille. 
It  is  not  unufual  for  cheerfulnefs  to  feel  overpowered  in  a 
crowd,  diftrafted  by  clamour,  and  fatigued  by  a  fucceffion 
of  V  hit  are  generally  termed  nle.ifures,  which  do  not  leave 
it  Icifure  rn  commune  v/iih  the  agreeable  inmate  in  its  own 
boiom.  The  cheerful  woman  feels  more  fatisfaclion  from 
defcribing  gay  fccnes  to  a  friendly  circle,  than  from  the  ab- 
folute  enjoyment  of  them.  The  diffipated  female  languifh- 
es  at  the  recolle<fi:ion  of  part  delights,  and  can  only  be  faid 
to  live  while  fhc  either  participates  in,  or  plans  fplendid 
amufements.  She  who  can  remain  at  home  without  im- 
bibing melancholy  or  morofenefs,  who  can  contrive  diver- 
fions  within  the  precindls  of  retirement,  who  never  com- 
plains of  ennui,  and  can  at  all  times  exert  fufficient  mental 
flrength  to  throw  a  ftone  at  the  Goliath  fpleen,*  gives  furc 
indication  of  poflefling  that  "  peace  of  mind  which  pafieth 
all  underftanding."  But  fhe  who  hurries  from  one  crowd 
to  another,  and  wafle's  in  public  that  time  which  is  themoft 
precious  of  our  entrufted  talents,  and  thofe  animal  fpirits 
which  were  ffiven  her  to  exhilarate  the  labours  of  focial  du- 

o 

ty,  difclofes  the  mournful  fecret,  that  (he  is  flying  from  a 
hated  enemy,  whofe  converfation  is  injupportable ;  I  mean, 
herfelf 

Befide  the  prudential  value  of  cheerfulnefs,  as  it  affedls 
our  connexions,  or  our  own  eflimation  with  others,  allow 
me  to  prefcribe  it  as  one  of  the  beft  noftrums  for  the  prefer- 
vation  of  health.  Cheerfulnefs,  unlefs  incapacitated  by  fome 
infirmity,  is  always  adlive  ;  and  the  value  of  an  agile  body, 
and  energetic  mind,  can  only  be  eftimated  by  thofe  who 
have  e::perienced  an  accidental  fufpenfion  of  thofe  enjoy- 
ments. How  much  may  the  comforts,  and  indeed  the  ani- 
mal ufes,  of  food  be  augmented  or  diminished,  by  devoting 
the  focial  meal  to  cheerful  and  inftrucflive  converfation,  or 
by  rendering  it  the  chofen  feafon  of  debate  and  complaint ! 
A  hearty  laugh  after  dinner,  has  been  prefcribed  as  a  me- 
dicinal recipe  to  promote  nutritive  concoction  ;  and,  thank 
God  !  every  family  may  occafionally  enjoy  the  luxury  of 
this  ivhokfome  deffert.  Very  little  is  necelTary  to  compound 
it,  fuppofing  (as  I  before  obfcrved)  the  abfence  of  fevere  pain 


"  Thro-vY  but  a  fione,  the  giant  dies." 

Greens  Poctr.  en  Spin 


295 

or  calamity.  It  is  but  endeavouring  to  be  pleafed  ;  it  is  on- 
ly giving  agreeable  anfwers,  and  avoiding  long  mournful 
narratives  of  trivial  diflrefles  j  a  ftyle  of  converfation  more 
infeiSlious  than  the  influenza,  and  always  fure  of  heaping  up 
fuch  a  mountain  of  miferies,  as  the  moft  fprightly  difpoii- 
tion  muft  fink  under.  I  am  not  here  endeavouring  to  ban- 
ifh  improving  and  ferious  converfation  ;  for  the  latter,  there 
^re  due  times  and  ftated  feafons,  in  which  mirth  would  be 
not  only  unbecoming,  but  criminal.  I  only  want  to  exile 
thofe  tmedifying  dolours,  which  make  a  party  uncomfortable, 
they  know  not  why,  and  mopifh  inllead  of  intelligent.  It 
is  a  falfe  idea,  that  improvement  mull:  fpeak  in  a  tone  of  pu- 
ritanical folemnity.  Wit  is  a  more  ufeful  ally  to  wifdom, 
than  fpleen  ;  and  humour  has  vanquifhed  many  a  foible, 
againft  which  gravity  remonftrated  in  vain. 

But  tlie  bounds  of  cheerfulnefs  muft  be  defined  ;  it  muft 
never  attempt  to  triumph  over  the  forrows  of  a  dejedled 
broken  fpirit ;  for  then  it  is  no  longer  the  child  of  benevo- 
lence, but  of  oftentation  and  malignity.  When  an  effort  to 
exhilarate  would  be  unfeafonable,  it  mufb  gently  try  to  amufe 
forrow  or  to  foothe  defpair.  In  its  gayefl  fallies,  it  muft 
ever  preferve  the  fan£lities  of  decorum  ;  for  it  has  no  allbnce 
with  indelicacy,  profanenels,  malice,  or  flander.  Its  raille- 
ry fliould  be  the  light  tickling  of  a  feather,  not  the  excori- 
ating lafh  of  punifhment.  Defirous  to  pleafe  others,  not 
fedulous  to  difplay  itfelf ;  carelefs  of  admiration,  playful, 
eafy,  and  difcreet ;  obfervant  to  ftop  the  laugh  when  the  jeft 
is  grown  vapid,  and  to  fufpend  the  jell:  when  the  inclination 
to  laugh  is  exhaufted  :  in  fine,  always  remembering  the 
wife  King  of  Ifrael's  admonition,  "  that  there  is  a  time  to 
*«  weep  as  well  as  a  time  to  laugh,  a  time  to  dance,  and  a 
*'  time  to  mourn." 

I  know  no  furer  indication  of  a  happy  difpofition,  i:ior  ar 
more  likely  means  to  promote  the  comfort  of  thofe  around 
us,  than  the  habit  of  attending  to  little  obfervances,  and 
avoiding  petty  contradi£lions.  No  minutiae  are  undeferving 
of  ferious  confideration,  which  contribute  to  the  peace  and 
good  will  of  the  little  kingdom  over  which  we  exert  vicere- 
gal dignity.  Goldfmith  proved  his  intimacy  with  human 
nature,  when  he  made  his  engaging  Dr.  Primrofe  afcribe  the 
harmony  of  his  family  to  his  ilridt  enforcement  of  the  laws 
of  good  breeding.  It  was  obferved,  by  one  who  well  knew 
hov/  to  appreciate  the  excellences  of  your  revered  mother, 
that  flie  poiTefTed  the  amiable  and  fingular  quality  of  "nev- 


296 

cr  dirappolnting  any  one  by  her  replies."  It  rras  not  meant 
by  this,  that  ihe  never  refufed  an  improper  requeft,  nor 
checked  an  impertinent  obfervation  ;  but  that  her  anfwers 
were  always  fuch  as  the  reconfideration  of  the  party  to  whom 
they  were  adJrcflcd  could  not  fail  to  approve.  Thofe  who 
have  obferved,  how  often  the  happinefa  of  a  party  is  inter- 
rupted by  an  untoward  or  contradictious  anfvver,  will  ricrht- 
ly  value  this  happy  fuitability.  But  I  am  wandering  from 
the  quality  of  good  temper,  to  that  outward  expreflion  of  it 
which  properly  belongs  to  another  department. 

Amufement  and  occupation  are  fo  necelTary,  in  order  to 
preferve  our  minds  in  a  happy  contented  ftate,  that  idlenefs 
is  ever  rightly  denominated  the  parent  of  fpleen,  ill  humour, 
and  caprice.  To  anfvver  the  delirablc  ends  of  employment, 
it  is  neceflary  that  our  purfuits,  whether  of  buiinefs  or  plea- 
fure,  fhould  be  innocent.  Nor  is  it  an  improper  reftricHon 
(at  leaft  to  the  generality  of  my  fex)  to  add  that  they  fhould 
be  unexpenfive,  as  well  as  rational.  Some  fpecies  of  employ- 
ment is  effential  to  every  flation  ;  but  in  amufement  (after 
duty  has  determined  the  portion  of  time  that  it  fliouid  claim) 
tafte  may  be  allowed  in  fome  degree  to  make  thd  fele<Sl:ion  j  I 
fay  in  fome  degree ;  for  our  connexion  with,  and  depend- 
ance  upon,  the  other  fex,  will  feldom  allow  us  to  he.  fovereig?!^ 
even  in  the  choice  of  our  rattks.  Two  cautions  may  here 
be  ufeful  to  the  younger  part  of  my  fex.  In  the  firft  place, 
let  them  avoid  acquiring  a  tafte  for  expenfive  amufements  ; 
their  fortunes  and  expecSlations  muft  be  the  rule  by  which 
they  are  to  determine  what  they  are  to  call  fo  ;  recollecting 
alfo,  that  ceconomy  fhould  be  more  rigidly  exercifed  in  the 
department  of  bagatelles.  Drawing  and  mufic,  though  moft 
pleafing  accomplilhments  and  agi-eeable  methods  of  employ- 
ing leifure,  may  be  fo  far  purfned,  as  to  prove  a  ferious  con- 
fumption  of  time  and  fortune.  Gardening,  if  fufFered  to 
deviate  into  an  artificial  tafte  for  what  is  curious,  and  tender, 
is  liable  to  the  fame  objedtion.  Indeed,  like  many  other 
overftrained  propenfities,  it  ceafes  to  be  what  nature  defign- 
ed  it,  one  of  our  moft  fimple,  rational,  healthful,  and  inno- 
cent enjoyments ;  and  afTumes  the  fhape  of  thofe  faftidious 
vanities,  which  luxury  has  introduced  to  fupplant  genuine 
delight.  Tafte  may  be  gratified  and  difplayed  in  the  difoo- 
fition  of  a  rofarie,  as  well  as  in  an  orangerie ;  and  "  Neri- 
na's  woodbine  bower,"  or  even  a  cottage  garden,  with  its 
clipped  hedge  and  almoft  fpontaneous  flowers,  often  comprize 
as  many  beauties,  though  not  fo  many  cares  and  difappoint- 


297 

merits,  as  the  ftately  confervatory,  or  the  ihaded  partefre 
ftored  with  the  "  pride  of  Ganges." 

I  can  fcarcely  tear  myfelf  from  a  fubje£l  which  has  afford- 
ed me  fo  many  hours  of  amufement  and  days  of  heakh.  It 
is  fortunate  that  I  have  enough  felf-command  to  avoid  re- 
minding you,  that  gardening  was  the  employment  of  Para- 
dife,  or  quoting  all  that  our  beft  poets  have  faid  on  this  en- 
chanting theme.  I  muft,  however,  ftop  to  fay,  that  that 
forrow  muft  indeed  be  of  a  defperate  nature,  which  can  re- 
fift  the  foft  allurements  of  "  vernal  delight."  Nature  reviv* 
ing  from  the  ileep  of  winter,  flourifhing  in  plants,  bloffom- 
ing  in  flowers,  and  produdtive  in  fruits,  exhibits  an  afpe£l  of 
cheerfulnefs  which  no  well  regulated  mind  can  fail  to  enjoy, 
unlefs  heavily  laden  with  the  burden  of  recent  mifery. 

We  will  chat  hereafter  about  thofe  ftudies  which  may 
agreeably  and  ufefully  fill  up  the  intervals  of  avocation ;  but 
having  fomewhat  prematurely  introduced  the  topic  of  amufe- 
ment as  influencing  temper,  it  would  be  confidered  as  an  un- 
pardonable negligence  to  omit  mentioning  cards.  I  hear 
you  obje6l,  that  I  fhall  arrange  them  improperly  under  that 
head  j  cards  being  now  really  a  fcience  and  a  labour,  if  not 
a  duty.  As  an  amufement,  I  am  inclined  to  treat  cards  with 
lenity ;  but  then  they  muft  be  confined  within  the  limits  of 
recreation.  They  muft  not  confume  much  time  ;  they  muft 
be  enjoyed  at  a  fmall  expence  ;  and  they  muft  exhilarate  the 
mind,  not  opprefs  and  agitate  the  temper.  Cards,  when  ac- 
companied by  vivacity  and  good  humour,  often  afford  relief 
to  the  flagging  converfation ;  and  efpecially  in  the  decHne  of 
life,  they  offer  a  happy  interruption  to  that  liftlefsnefs  which 
is  apt  to  overcloud  the  fpirits,  a  fure  attendant  on  decaying 
faculties  and  fatigued  attention.  But  in  this  point,  as  in 
moft  others,  refinement  has  banifhed  comfort.  The  focial 
but  fmall  party,  with  all  its  friendlinefs,  eafe,  and  hilarity, 
no  longer  poffeffes  any  attraction ;  and  if  compaffion  ftill 
plead  in  behalf  of  fome  decrepit  invalid,  fo  far  as  to  induce 
the  votaries  of  pleafure  to  employ  a  difengaged  evening  in 
diverting  the  pains  of  infirmity,  the  fevere  penance  is  rank- 
ed among  thofe  works  of  fupererogation,  the  merits  of  which 
may  be  drawn  upon  to  commute  for  former  iins.  Yet  in 
this  crowded  rout,  with  all  its  brilliant  lights,  elegant  re- 
frefliments,  whifpering  beaux,  and  fafliionable  habiliments, 
the  heart-felt  gaiety  which  our  anceftors  enjoyed  at  five-card 
loo,  or  one-and-thirty,  are  utterly  unknown 
Oo 


298 

The  dreadful  vice  of  gaming  muft  here  be  mentioned,  at 
the  moft  certain  corroilcr  of  the  temper,  as  well  as  the  dc- 
ftroyer  of  every  beauty,  delicacy,  or  grace,  that  is  ufually  af- 
cribed  to  women.  Let  us  imagine  the  contracted  heart  of 
a  mifer,  joined  to  the  countenance  of  a  fury ;  let  us  unite 
inordinate  covetoufnefs,  v/ith  rage,  envy,  terror  and  defpair  ; 
behold  dependance  and  imbecility  on  the  one  hand,  on  the 
other  impending  ruin  and  infamy,  from  which  the  wretched 
viiflim  has  no  reiource  but  death.  And  can  it  be  wondered 
at,  that  fhe  who  has  dared  to  fport  v/ith  the  reputation  and 
fortune  of  her  family,  Ihould  ftake  the  interefts  of  that  here- 
after, of  which  perhaps  fhe  has  heard  little,  and  meditated 
lefs,  as  madly  as  flie  has  riflced  thofe  temporal  enjoyments 
to  which  her  covetous  and  feliifli  heart  was  attached  with 
fuch  deftruCtive  idolatry  ?  A  female  gamefler,  like  a  female 
deift,  fms  againft  all  thofe  moral  reftraints  which  general 
opinion,  education,  and  cuftom  had  placed  around  her  fex, 
as  well  as  againft  the  natural  feelings  of  her  heart.  Inftead 
of  delicacy,  timidity,  and  generoiity,  flic  becomes  confident, 
bold,  and  mean  ;  avarice  and  chicane  ufurp  the  place  of  lib- 
erality and  ingenuoufnefs.  Peace  will  never  more  enter  in- 
to her  bofom ;  and  if  placidity  dwell  upon  her  lips,  it  will 
be  but  the  meretricious  fmile  of  diffimulation,  "  the  painted 
fepulchre,"  that  covers  the  moft  humiliating  veftige  of  de- 
graded mortality. 

There  needs  little  rhetoric  to  prove,  thaj  all  criminal  pur- 
fuits  and  violent  paffions  muft  be  deftructive  of  real  good 
humour  ;  because  fweetnefs  of  temper  can  only  fubfift  with 
a  confcience  fatisfied  with  its  general  condufl.  It  will  be  a 
,  more  difficult  tallc  to  perfuade  my  young  readers,  that  the 
very  fenfibility  which  renders  good  humour  fo  attraftive,  if 
indulged  beyond  its  proper  bound,  infallibly  deftroys  its 
charming  aflbciate.  '  Yet,  as  this  finely  tempered  human 
machine  is  fo  conftituted,  that  a  redundance  of  any  vital  fe- 
cretion  begets  difeafe  ;  fo  in  the  moral  world,  vice  treads  fo 
clofe  upon  the  heels  of  virtue,  that  you  cannot  open  the  door 
to  one,  without  danger  of  admitting  the  other.  Hence  the 
utility  of  conftant  watchfulnefs ;  hence  the  neceffity  of  fre- 
quent application  to  Heaven  for  its  dire£ling  and  reftraining 
grace  j  and  in  no  point  is  divine  afiiftance  more  necefTary, 
than  in  the  warfare  which  is  continually  kept  up  between  our 
feelings  and  our  judgriunt.  If  wc  renounce  the  former,  wc 
become  a  difgufting  lump  of  apathy ;  if  the  latter,  a  whirl- 
pool of  confulion. 


299 

There  is  no  circumftance  by  which  the  keen  fenfations  of 
Tlrtuous  feniibility  are  more  agonizingly  diftended,  than  by 
the  mifcondu^l  of  near  and  dear  connedlions,  I  think  this 
is  fuch  a  hard  trial  of  temper,  that  mere  human  complacence 
murt  fhrink  from  the  conflidl.  With  God,  however,  all 
things  are  poffible.  The  only  earthly  means  of  rendering 
fuch  an  affli<ftion  fupportable  is,  to  behave  to  all  around  us 
with  fuch  a  confcientious  obfervance  of  duty,  and  to  preferve 
fuch  a  purity  of  condu<5l,  that  we  may  truly  fay,  "  neither 
"  through  negleft  nor  evil  example  have  I  expedited  this 
**  mifery."  When  to  this  confolatory  felf-refle(fiion  we  add 
our  prayers  to  Heaven  for  the  reformation  of  the  finner, 
wifdom  direfts  that  we  Ihould  as  much  as  poffible  withdraw 
our  attention  from  the  painful  objedl ;  and  (if  juftice  and 
propriety  afcertain  the  fultability  of  fuch.condu^l)  endeavour 
te  beftow  our  mifplaced  affeclions  on  a  more  dcferving  per- 
fon.  This,  I  grant,  cannot  and  ought  not  always  to  be  done  ; 
but  when  it  is  imprafticable,  and  the  cord  that  binds  us  to 
the  offender  is  drawn  clofer  in  proportion  as  it  cuts  deeper  ; 
ftill  let  us  reflect:,  that  it  is  the  memento  of  one  never  fail- 
ing friend,  who,  by  fhewing  us  the  painful  nature  of  all 
worldly  dependence,  endeavours  to  attach  us  clofer  to  him- 
felf. 

The  like  confolatory  refleciions  may  be  extended  to  the 
other  trials  of  virtuous  feeling  ;  I  mean  the  lofs  of  health, 
of  fortune,  or  of  friends.  When  forrov/  appears  as  the  im- 
mediate inflidlion  of  Providence,  a  well  difpofed  mind  will 
find  lefs  difiiculty  in  fubmiflion ;  and,  however  agonizing  it 
may  be  to  the  feelings  of  felf-love,  it  certainly  does  not  wear 
fuch  an  alarming  afpe£l  with  refpedt  to  futurity ;  as  the 
Chriftian  believer  muft  difcern,  when  fhe  contemplates  the 
condudl  of  fome  dear  but  hardened  finner,  whom  fhe  can 
neither  renounce  nor  reclaim.  Examples,  however,  have  not 
been  wanting,  of  thofe  who,  while  they  were  ever  ready  with 
moft  lively  compaflion  to  intereft  themfelves  in  the  forrows 
of  others,  have  endured  the  pangs  of  *'  their  own  diftrefs," 
with  magnanimous  fortitude*  This  triumph  of  benevolence 
and  refignation,  over  native  tendernefs  and  felf-love,  is  one 
of  the  mofl:  exalted  perfedtiono  to  which  women  can  afpire. 
It  may  be  ufeful  to  fuggeft  to  all  who  are  called  to  this  hard 
duty,  that  though  complaint  luearies  friends,  it  does  not  di- 
miniJJj  fuffering.  When  we  offer  a  facrifice  to  God,  let  us 
endeavour  to  make  it  perfect.     If  he  call  upon  us  to  furrcn- 


500 

der  otir  comforts^  let  us  lay  our  regrets  alfo  on  his  altar.  Alas ! 
while  I  pen  this  admonition,  how  forcibly  does  my  rebel 
heart  remind  me,  that  it  is  eafier  to  preach  than  to  perform. 

But  fenfibility  oftener  fiiffers  from  trials  of  its  own  creat- 
ing, than  from  the  correftions  of  Heaven.  The  praife  which 
the  imitators  of  Sterne  beftowed  on  acute  feeling,  gave  our 
fex  a  fantaflical  irritability  of  mind,  which  was  every  thing 
but  amiable  and  meritorious.  Some  few  years  ago,  our  fouls 
were  harrowed  up  by  pathetic  narratives  of  the  fufferings  of 
harts,  partridges,  fifhes,  horfes,  and  reptiles  ;  and  man  was 
abufed  for  tyranny,  in- deftroying  his  fellow-animals,  and  for 
gluttony  in  devouring  the  joint  tenants  of  this  fublunary 
fphere.  At  laft,  fome  fapient  difcoverer  perceived  that  many 
of  thefe  much  pitied  beings  actually  fubfifted  by  deftroying 
fome  other  fpecies  ;  and  then  the  benevolent  feelings  of 
many  good  children  were  exercifed  in  refcuing  "  captive 
mice,"  and  "  benetted  flies,"  at  the  hazard  of  ftarving  cats 
and  fpiders.  The  German  fchool,  efpecially  the  illuminized 
Bifhop  of  Saxe  Weimar,*  refined  upon  this  fyftem,  till  there 
was  manifeft  danger  not  only  of  our  becoming  a  nation  of 
Bramins,  biit  that  eating  luould  be  cried  do%vn  as  an  act  of  cru- 
elty 5  fince  it  is  impoffible  to  cultivate  the  ground,  or  to  pro- 
duce vegetables,  without  annihilating  many  harmlefs  worms, 
deftroying  colonies  of  induftrious  ants,  or  crufliing  a  facred 
depofit  of  minute  caterpillars,  who  would  in  time  expand  in- 
to beautiful  butterflies.  As  I  do  not  profefs  myfelf  one  of 
thofe  abitracled  Fakirs  who  would  willingly  abdicate  our  fub- 
lunary empire  to  gnats  and  cockchaffers,  I  muft  rejoice  in 
the  popularity  of  fuch  a  work  as  "  Natural  Theology  ;"  in 
which  the  ridiculous  refinements  of  extreme  fufceptibility 
are  admirably  correflcd,  by  thofe  juft  fentiments  which  an 
enlarged  mind  is  fure  to  inculcate  after  it  has  contemplated 
the  tuhole  luorks  of  God. 

Among  the  falfe  glofies  by  which  feniibility  deceives  and 
corrodes  the  heart  in  which  it  is  fufl^'ered  to  have  too  great 
influence,  I  wifli  to  mention  the  exaggeration  of  trifles,  or 
the  giving  of  too  much  weight  to  things  really  important. 
Many  an  amiable  heart  is  at  this  moment  bleeding  under  the 
wounds  which  vmkindnefs,  neglect,  and  cruelty,  are  fuppof- 
cd  to  have  inflidled.  The  wounds  are  real,  but  the  inflidt- 
crs  of  them  arc  imaginary,  or  rather  it  was  miftake,  inadver- 

*  Herder. 


501 

tence,  or  abfence  of  mind,  which  fhot  a  few  random  darts, 
as  they  were  running  after  feme  other  objedt.  Women  can- 
not too  deeply  imprint  upon  their  minds  the  connubial 
counfels  of  Defdemona  ;  "  Men,"  Heaven  knows,  "  are  but 
men  ;"  I  much  doubt  whether  even  women  are  really  angels. 
The  lords  of  the  creation  are  apt  to  have  their  "  tempers 
puddled,"  and  they  are  n:iore  inclined  to  require  than  to 
^^Jheiv  obfervance."  Certainly  they  are  often  guiltlefs  of  the 
wrong  which  fufceptibility  fo  deeply  laments  ;  and  as  oftea 
heartily  defirous  of  reparing  the  undciigned  injury,  if  they 
can  do  it  without  derogating  from  their  own  dignity.  Yet 
let  our  fox  beware  of  taxing  the  generous  warmth  of  affec- 
tion, by  impofing  upon  it  the  hard  duty  of  unpleafant  ac- 
knowledgement. Rather  let  us  fet  about  the  pradticable  tafk 
of  ftrengthening  our  own  weaknefs.  AiTuredly,  the  intend- 
ed reproof  or  avowed  difpleafure  of  a  parent  or  a  hufband 
fhould  never  be  difregarded  ;  even  their  tindefer-vedT^tlvX-AncQ 
fhould  be  watched,  foothed,  and  diverted  ;  and  as  afluredly 
we  fhould  beware  of  exercifing  our  imaginations  at  the  ex- 
pence  of  our  repofe,  in  fearching  for  Jlights^  taunts^  and  neg" 
leBsy  which  exift  only  in  our  own  perturbed  fpirits. 

As  extreme  fenfibility,  whether  it  a6t  in  the  Ihape  of  over- 
trained benevolence  or  keen  fufceptibility,  is  deftruclive  of 
equanimity  of  mind  j  fo  meeknefs  and  fortitude  are  the 
faithful  guardians  of  fweetnefs  and  tranquility.  No  virtues 
are  more  requilite  to  our  fex,  and  it  behoves  every  mother 
to  imprefs  them  upon  the  minds  of  her  daughters.  A  pa{^ 
fionate  woman  is  but  like  a  wafp  in  a  glafs  phial ;  her  fren- 
zy and  her  impotence  can  only  excite  difguft  and  ridicule. 
The  phyfical  ftrength  of  man,  as  well  as  his  political  fitua- 
tion,  gives  dignity  to  his  refentment ;  but  we  can  only  ftamp 
and  rave ;  our  little  powers  will  be  foon  exhaufted,  and  we 
muft  link  into  an  abjedl  depreffion,  proportioned  to  our  vain 
attempt  to  fwell  into  undue  confequence.  Aware  of  the 
impoffibility  of  vanquifliing  by  violence,  many  women  have 
attempted  to  raife  their  empire  out  of  their  imbecility;  and 
thus  originated  a  numerous  groupe  of  exquiftte  creatures,  who 
founded  their  confequence  on  their  being  really  good  for 
mthingy  either  as  friends,  companions,  helpmates,  or  hand- 
maids. They  feemed  indeed  of  lefs  intrinflc  value  than  the 
painted  blocks  on  which  the  prieftelTes  of  fafliion  difplay 
their  facrificial  garlands ;  lince,  though,  like  the  race  I  am 
fpeaking  of,  thefe  dolls  could  neither  ivalk  nor  work^  they 


302 

really  could  Jiandy  and  were  not  mifchtevous.  I  rejoice  that 
the  revolutions  of  falhion  have  decreed  ufelefsnefs  to  be 
outre,  or  at  leaft  a  flimfy  appendage  to  that  fecond-rate  gen- 
tility which  is  no  gentility  at  all.  Strength  of  mind,  and 
bodily  agility,  are  now  confidered  as  elegant  rtquifltes  to  the 
female  c)iara£ler  j  and  a  woman  of  high  ton  at  leaft  pretends 
to  be  equal  to  the  labours  of  Hercules,  or  the  mental  exertions 
of  Locke.  As  I  am  a  ftaunch  advocate  for  all  the  rights  of 
my  fex,  I  wifli  our  claims  to  aftivity  and  fortitude  really 
might  be  permitted  to  ftand  upon  a  more  permanent  bafis 
than  lohim.  I  wifh  that,  inftead  of  "  daring  to  do  every 
thing  becaufe  we  dare,"  it  were  made  an  eftabliflied  law  to 
dare  to  do  all  we  ought.  I  feel  hurt  at  any  attentions  from 
men,  which  indicate  affe^ed  weaknefs  in  us.  If  a  man  help 
to  carve  our  food,  or  fetch  us  a  chair,  with  an  air  that  feems 
to  fay,  "  thefe  poor  creatures  cannot  afEft  themfelves,"  the 
attention  is  mortifying ;  but  if  he  do  this  with  a  view  of 
obliging  his  'coheirefs  of  immortality,  we  ought  to  repay  the 
modern  Amadis  with  our  beft  curtefy.  But  it  is  abfurd  to 
talk  of  manners  that  are  only  preferved  among  a  few  anti- 
quated itudents  of  Sir  Charles  Grandifon  ;  and  I  perceive 
that  I  am  bewildered  in  the  labyrinth  of  digreffion.  To  re- 
turn to  thofe  mincing  "  minaudieres,"  who  found  their  im- 
portance on  being  able  to  "jig,  Hfp,  amble,  and  nick-name 
God's  creatures,"  I  exclude  theie  fomething  nothings  from 
all  pretenfion  to  gentlenefs ;  for  though  they  claim  that  dif- 
tinilion,  becaufe  they  are  always  in  tempei',  we  muft  never 
confound  the  qualities  of  the  bee  and  the  buiterjly.  Gentle- 
nefs and  fweetnefs  are  the  offspring  of  inward  peace  of  mind  ; 
and  can  thofe  pofTefs  them,  who  are  only  excufed  from  the 
torment  of  reproach  by  being  utterly  void  of  reflexion  ? 

I  will  mention  but  one  more  circumftance,  which  is  inju- 
rious alike  to  temper  and  charadfer ;  I  mean  the  permitting 
■nwj fmgle  circumffance  or  delire  to  imprefs  the  fancy.  Dif- 
fipation  has  many  temptations  ;  but  it  is  a  great  folly  to  fup- 
pofe,  that  retirement  is  free  from  them,  or  that  by  lincerely 
pcrfevering  in  a  courfe  of  duty  we  are  fafe  from  the  attacks 
of  our  ghoftly  enemy.  It  was  well  imagined  by  an  old 
writer,"*  that  one  fleeping  devil  was  fufficient  to  fecure  the 
allegiance  of  a  riotous  difqrderly  town,  while  a  legion  of  ac^ 

•  Sir  P.  Herbert,  m  his  Conceptions  to  hit  Son.  It  is  a  part  of  the 
ftory  on  which  ParncI  founded  his  Hermit. 


305 

tivi  mlfchievous  inferiials  were  necefTary  to  vanqulfli  a  con- 
vent full  of  pious  monks.  We  have  fcripture  authority  for 
believing,  that  when  we  are  beft  employed  Satan  is  moil:  ac- 
tive. A  garden  ajnd  a  wildernefs  were  the  fcenes  of  the 
moft  memorable  temptations  that  ever  were  recorded.  To 
apply  this  truth  to  our  prefent  fubjedl :  as  folitude  engend- 
ers ftrong  paffions,  fo  a  lively  deiire  of  doing  right  is  apt  to 
infufe  a  wilh  for  acquiring  fome  peculiar  excellence.  Let  ub 
beware  of  nourifhing  a  hope  of  being  diftinguifhed  by  any 
particular  virtue  or  grace,  however  excellent  or  eftimable. 
By  giving  up  our  time  to  the  purfuit  of  any  one  accomplifh- 
ment  or  ftudy,  there  is  reafon  to  fuppofe  that  we  may'  be  an 
amateur  in  fomething,  and  a  fool  in  every  thing  elfe ;  but 
in  morals  there  is  great  danger  of  overfhooting  the  mark, 
and  miffing  what  we  rifqued  all  to  obtain.  She  who  aims 
at  praife  for  her  piety  will  run  great  hazard  of  being  only  a 
devotee.  She  who  wiflies  to  be  thought  remarkable  for 
ceconomy  and  houfewifery,  will  moft  likely  be  a  vixen  and 
a  drudge.  Thofe  who  are  ambitious  to  be  thought  very 
good  humoured  and  pleafant,  are  apt  to  prove  criminally 
compliant,  or  offenfively  loquacious.  As  one  idea  taking 
pofleffion  of  the  imagination  is  the  general  forerunner  of  in- 
fanity,  or  morbid  gloom  ;  fo  fixing  our  defires  on  one  fpe- 
cies  of  excellence  is  the  fure  ftimulant  of  error ,-  poffibly  al- 
fo  the  precurfor  of  depravity. 

Providence  has  provided  for  all  our  moral  difcafes.  The 
love  of  praife  is  deeply  imprinted  on  the  human  mind ;  and 
I  believe  the  fofter  texture  of  our  fouls  makes  us  peculiarly 
fufceptible  of  its  influence.  This  fufceptibility,  which,  un- 
der the  guidance  of  merely  human  motives,  betrays  us  to  all 
the  littlenefTes  of  vanity,  idle  fear,  and  falfe  Ihame,  is  yet 
capable  of  a  moft  exalted  direftion.  Only  let  us  fubftitute 
the  praife  of  God  for  the  praife  of  men,  and  look  to  our 
own  confciences  for  a  fatisfaftion  which  public  acclamations 
cannot  beftow ;  and,  unlefs  our  judgments  arc  warped  by 
falfe  principles,  we  are  fafe.  If  with  "  finglenefs  of  heart 
we  do  our  duty  as  to  the  Lord,  and  not  unto  men ;"  not 
abfolutely  itidi^erent  to  the  opinions  of  our  fellow-creatures, 
but  far  from  propoling  their  applaufe  as  the  reward,  or  their 
judgment  as  the  criterion  of  our  adlions  j  wc  may  reft  affiir- 
ed,  that  our  backflidings  will  not  be  numerous  or  irretrieva- 
ble. No  o?je  virtue  will  mount  us  heavenward,  if  it  be  coun- 
terpoifed  by  the  Aveight  of  oppojuc  offences. 


304 

Though  I  have  been  very  diffufe  on  the  fubjeft  of  femalft 
graces,  I  muft  not  omit  to  mention  their  crowning  gem  ;  I 
mean,  piety.  But  as,  like  the  fun  in  the  lirmamcnt,  it  dlf- 
fufes  its  fplendor  over  the  whole  moral  world,  and  pervades 
every  good  ac^tion,  every  well  feafoned  expreffion,  every 
chaftencd  thought,  I  need  not  feparately  enlarge  on  this 
point.  On  the  principles  on  which  it  fliould  be  founded, 
we  have  already  largely  defcanted ;  the  duty  and  advanta- 
ges of  devout  exercifes,  and  habitual  recollections  of  the  Al- 
mighty, will  give  rife  to  a  few  brief  obfervations,  with  which 
I  jQiall  conclude  this  epiflle. 

Since  no  fituation  in  life  is  exempted  from  the  inflicllon 
of  death  or  calamity,  our  abfolute  dependance  upon  the  Rul- 
er of  the  Univerfe  ihould  excite  in  every  mind,  not  an  oc- 
cafional  and  ftated,  but  a  conftant  and  uniform  remembrance 
of  Him  "  in  whom  we  live,  move,  and  have  our  being." 
The  ftill  more  important  views  which  revelation  difclofes, 
the  certainty  of  future  judgment,  and  the  knowledge  that 
neither  rank,  wealth,  talents,  nor  beauty,  can  avail  us  at  the 
awful  audit,  added  to  the  lively  confcioufnefs  of  our  weak- 
nefs  and  infirmity,  of  which  Scripture  has  told  us  the  origin, 
and  we  feel  the  eff^eHs  in  ourfelves,  ftrengthen  this  obligation. 
To  weak,  helplefs,  and  frail  womanhood,  it  becomes  the  on- 
ly ftaff  of  fure  dependance,  whei'eon  we  can  fafely  lean  dur- 
ing our  earthly  pilgrimage. 

So  congenial  are  the  fentiments  of  piety  to  our  fex,  that 
even  a  life  of  diffipation  can  hardly  eradicate  them.  Sterne 
tells  us,  that  French  women  regularly  pafs  through  the  ftat- 
ed  gradations  of  Beauties,  Belles,  Efprits,  and  Devotees.  I 
truft  the  intermediate  clafs,  who  diftinguifh  themfelves  by 
ridiculing  that  religion  at  which  they  foon  after  tremble,  is 
not  fiumerous  in  England.  Yet  I  fear  too  many  of  us  may 
be  juftly  reckoned  under  the  oppolite  banners  of  indiff'ereiits 
and  enthiijuijls^  v/ho  muft  be  equally  ftrangers  to  the  com- 
forts of  true  devotion,  and  to  the  principles  of  found  piety. 
But  we  have  in  the  preceding  pages  lamented  this  criminal 
negligence  of  the  "  pearl  of  price,"  and  this  infufion  of  the 
"  bitter  leaven"  of  moror<:ncfs  into  the  bread  of  life. 

I  think,  however,  that  in  thofe  animadveruons  I  did  not 
fufRciently  explain  an  error  whicli  fanaticifm  has  introduced 
into  devotion.  The  dotStrine  that  Chrifthai  done  all  for  us, 
is  apt  to  engender  in  a  weak  and  impalllonsd  mind  a  fort  Oa 
amatory  attachment,  fo  very  different  from  the  lowl}',  aw- 


305 

ful,  and  reftrained  affection,  which  the  character  of  our  Cre- 
ator, our  Redeemer,  and  our  SancSlifier,  ought  to  infpire, 
that  addreffes  compofed  for  the  purpofe  of  expreffing  this 
affe£lion  are  not  only  apt  to  be  irreverent,  but  to  favour  of 
blafphemy.  The  terms  celeftial  Bridegroom,  or  Spoufe  of 
the  Soul,  become  dangerous  when  lowered  to  individual  ap- 
plication. But  fuch  expreffions  as,  "  Thou  abfent  love, 
thou  dear  unknown,  thou  faireft  of  ten  thoufand  fairs,"  are 
fitter  for  a  fong  than  a  hymn,  and  are  more  fuited  to  exprefs 
carnal  paffion  than  a  deiire  for  fpiritual  communion.  It 
would  be  eafy  to  quote  epithets  and  defcriptions  from  fome 
admired  Calviniftical  compoiitions,  which  far  outgo  the  ut- 
moft  warranty  of  Scripture,  even  if  we  pervert  the  prophet- 
ical allegories  of  Eaftern  poetry,  by  degrading  them  from 
the  general  communion  of  Chrift  with  all  his  faithful  fol- 
lowers, to  the  particular  feelings  of  one  impaffioned  foul. 

The  ftandard  which  our  bleffed  Lord  prefcribed  as  the 
pattern  for  devotion,*  is  fo  diredlly  oppofite  to  thefe  amato- 
ry addreffes,  that  we  may  with  confidence  alTert  that  they 
cannot  be  pleafing  to  a  pure  and  fpiritual  God.  From  the 
examples  which  holy  writ  records  of  the  prayers  of  devout 
men  in  paft  ages,  we  may  learn,  that  good  fenfe,  perfpicui- 
ty,  diffidence,  humility,  and  fpirituality  of  fentiment,  have 
conftantly  charadlerized  the  favoured  petitions  of  man  to 
Heaven.  Our  liturgy  is  framed  in  this  fpirit ;  let  the  fame 
predominate  in  the  compoiitions  which  you  feledl  for  your 
clofet  exercifes.  It  is  not  necelTary,  in  order  to  your  prayers 
being  heard,  that  you  fhould  work  up  your  feelings  tofei-vid 
ebullition.  Intenfenefs  of  thought,  and  fmcerity  of  purpofe, 
are  the  human  means  of  making  thofe  requefts  heard  at  the 
throne  of  grace,  which  are  offered  with  faith  in  the  great 
IntercefTor. 

Rational  piety  is  our  befl  defence  againfh  the  temptations 
of  the  world.  You  well  know,  that  piety  fhould  not  be 
confined  to  the  church  or  the  clofet.  When  genuine,  fhe 
is  our  conjlant  companion  ;  fpiritualizing  every  event,  influ- 
encing all  our  a6lions,  feafoning  our  ordinary  converfation, 
and  lifting  our  fouls  in  frequent  ejaculations  above  this  tran- 
fitory  world,  to  hold  communion  with  that  which  is  eter- 


*  Some  fanatics  in  low   life  have  afSrmcd,  that  the  Lord's  Prayer  it 
not  worth  uling,  and  that  they  ars  abo-jt  the  Commandments. 


306 

nal.  It  is  piety  which  muft  fan«^fy  chaftity,  or  we  fhall 
only  be  difcreet  from  fear,  "  not  pure  in  heart."  She  muft 
direft  the  alms  of  benevolence,  or  liberality  will  ftop  (hort  of 
the  bleflednefs  of  charity.  Candour  is  only  caution  without 
her ;  and  fweetnefs  of  temper,  a  mere  animal  propenfity. 
May  this  facred  plant  continue  to  increafe  and  flourifh  in 
your  foul,  till  it  ripens  into  the  fruit  of  immortality,  prays 
your  truly  affcdionate  friend,  &c. 


307 


LETTER    X. 


On  Female  Employments  and  Studies. 


MY  DEAR  MISS  M- 


W  E  have  confidered  employment  as  neceflary  to  preferve 
our  minds  in  that  happy  flate  of  equilibrium  which  is  eflcn- 
tial  to  good  humour  -,  but  we  might  have  taken  a  more  en- 
larged and  formidable  view  of  idlenefs,  and  defcribed  her 
efFe(ft  upon  the  extremes  of  fociety,  where  fhe  appears  as  the 
clofe  ally  of  diffipation  and  profligacy.  For,  as  perfect  in- 
a£livity  is  repugnant  to  our  natures,  vice  and  mifchief  alike 
fpring  from  the  fource  of  indolence  ;  and  when  we  are  not 
occupied  in  doing  what  is  right,  our  frail  natures  continual- 
ly urges  us  to  do  what  is  wrong. 

With  refpe6l  to  employment,  women  are  more  happily 
circumftanced  than  the  other  fex  j  the  important  and  fa- 
tiguing avocations  of  men  neceiTarily  impofe  feafons  of  in- 
a£livity ;  and,  unlefs  among  thofe  of  a  literary  turn,  there: 
are  many  hours  in  a  day  which  a  man  fcarcely  knows  how 
to  occupy.  That  ufeful  implement  the  needle,  which  is  no 
interruption  to  converfation,  which  does  not  abfolutely  chain 
down  attention,  and  fatigues  neither  the  body  nor  the  mind, 
is  otir  conftant  prefervative  from  laffitude ;  at  the  fame  time 
that  in  the  majority  of  families  it  is  an  invaluable  ally  to 
oeconomy,  neatnefs,  and  elegance.  I  do  acknowledge,  that 
fomctimes,  when  it  gets  into  the  hands  of  a  pretty  trifler, 
its  produdlions  deferve  no  better  name  than  laborious  idle- 
nels  ;  but  the  thorough  houfewife  would  not  exchange  it 
for  the  ceftus  of  Venus  ;  and^he  knows  how  to  make  it  as 
powerful  a  talifman,  to  preferve  conjugal  efteem  and  domef- 
tic  order. 

I  think  the  goddelTes  all  excelled  in  the  arts  of  female  in- 
duftry,  except  the  hoyden  Diana  j  and  you  know  fhe  always 
continued  z  fpinjler.  The  heroines  of  old  time  fhone  at  the 
loom  and  the  diftaff,  and  were  fo  paffionately  attached  to 
thefe  occupations,  that  it  is  even  recorded  xhtyji^hed  at  be^* 


308 

ing  called  from  them  to  look  at  martial  beaux.  The  hiftory 
of  the  fair  Naullcaa  proves,  that  the  operation  of  wafhing 
clothes  was  not  only  venerable  and  falutary,  but  really  digni- 
jied.  The  Goddefs  of  Wifdom  defcends  from  Olympus  to 
order  a  Princefs  to  fuperintend  the  fuds  ;  and  gives  as  the 
oftenfible  reafon,  that  fuch  a  houfewifely  occupation  would 
expedite  the  time  of  her  nuptials.  I  recommend  this  book  of 
the  Odyfley  to  our  treble  refined  fecond-rate  elegantes,  who 
confider  laundrefs  as  a  more  reproachful  name  than  courte- 
zan J  reminding  them  at  the  fame  time,  that  the  "  Father 
of  verfe"  and  firft  of  mortal  bards  has  immortalized  that  em- 
ployment which  they  call  fervile  and  degrading ;  a  convinc- 
ing proof,  that  only  falfe  tafte  will  confider  that  to  be  con- 
temptible which  is  ufeful.  The  moll:  diftinguifhed  women 
of  our  own  country  have  handed  down  their  names  to  pof- 
terity,  by  excelling  in  works  of  tafte  and  ingenuity.  But 
we  need  not  fearch  old  annals  to  defcribe  the  tapeftry  and 
embroidery  of  our  Matildas  and  Marys  ;  induftry  and  tafte 
ftill  claim  an  intimate  alliance  with  royalty  ;  and  where  they 
cannot  excite  emulation,  at  leaft  roufe  commendable,  though, 
humble  imitation.* 

I  feel  great  pleafure  in  the  expectation,  that  doing  nothing 
will  fpeedily  be  as  vulgar  and  gothic  as  being  nothing ;  and 
that  thofe  to  whom  ufeful  employment  is  a  pofitive  duty, 
will  be  obliged  to  have  recourfe  to  it  in  order  to  be  thouglit 
genteel.  In  one  particular,  I  think  the  legiflature  might  in- 
terfere with  advantage  to  female  induftry.  I  am  not  going 
to  propofe  fo  bold  a  meafure,  as  that  fummer  bathing  places 
fhould  be  made  inacccjfible  to  all  but  real  invalids  ;  or  that  no 
lady  fhould  fpend  her  mornings  in  fnopping,  but  thofe  who 
really  want  to  make  purchafes.  The  regulation  that  I  wiflx 
to  propofe  relates  to  my  own  Hfterhood.  Suppofc  no  wo- 
man fhould  be  permitted  to  publifh  an  eftay  on  induftry,  till 
flie  can  produce  a  written  certificate  that  her  own  wardrobe 
is  kept  in  perfecfl  ordc:r  ;  or  to  drefs  out  fictitious  chara<fter, 
unlefs  fhe  can  prove  (like  the  good  wife  in  the  Proverbs) 
that  fhe  has  elothed  her  houfehold  with  the  labour  of  her 
hands.  Some  advantages  would  certainly  relult  from  fuch 
an  ordinance  ;  the  readers  of  fmall  wares  might  hope  to  keep 
pace  with  the  luriters  ;  and  tlxe  price  of  paper  would  be  di- 


*  Sec  tJie  behaviour  of  Helen,  jn  the  third  Iliad,  v/hcn  fumnioned  by 
\i\%  to  the  Trojan  walls. 


309 

minifhed  by  the  prefs  being  only  .occupied  with  fuch  works 
as  are  not  tiie  labours  of  idlenefs. 

But,  except  in  the  inferior  claiTes  of  fociety,  female  induf^ 
try  is  not  compelled  to  conftant  diligence  in  mechanical  em- 
ployment. We  are  deiigned  to  be  the  companions  as  well 
as  the  help-mates  of  man  ;  and  it  is  as  much  our  duty  to 
render  ourfelves  converfable  and  agreeable,  by  enlightening 
our  minds,  as  it  is  to  fuperintend  our  houfeholds,  and  to  en- 
deavour by  our  perfonal  exertions  to  conduct  every  thing 
with  frugality  and  propriety.  As  the  age  feems  difpofed  to 
pay  at  leafz  fiifficient  regard  to  what  are  called  accomplifh- 
ments,  fome  detached  obfervations  on  female  fludies  Ihall 
form  the  fubject  of  this  letter. 

When  a  competent  ftock  of  religious  knowledge  has  been 
acquired  in  early  life,  we  may  fafely  turn  our  minds  from 
the  word  to  the  works  of  God  ;  but  I  muft  efpecially  pref* 
it  upon  mothers,  that  fuch  theological  information  as  may 
infure  {lability  of  principle,  fliould  precede  all  but  an  ele- 
mentary acquaintance  with  the  fciences.*  Much  injury,  I 
am  perfuaded,  has  been  done  by  purfuing  the  contrary  or- 
der of  infcru^tion  ;  for  knowledge  is  extremely  apt  to  puff 
up  the  mind  of  young  ftudents,  who  are  foon  fatisfied  with 
their  own  acquirements.  Many  have  been  thus  taught  to 
reft  in  fecond  caufes,  and  many  have  been  confufed  by  fuch 
an  erroneous  application  of  abftrn6l  terms,  as  afcribes  almoft 
divine  powers  to  the  paffive  inftruments  of  the  Almighty. 
When  we  have  learned  to  diftinguilh  between  the  Creator 
and  the  created ;  when  we  have  obtained  fjinclent  know- 
ledge of  the  limits  of  human  underftanding,  to  beware  of 
pulhing  our  enquiries  into  thofe  regions  of  obfcurity,  where 
reigns  the  "God  who  hideth  himfclf-,"  when  our  faith  is 
too  firmly  built  to  be  ihaken  by  thofe  difficulties  and  objec- 
tions whi,ch  lurk  at  the  threfhold  of  fcience,  and  prove  dan- 
gerous ftumbling  blocks  to  precipitation  and  felf-conceit, 
then,  and  not  till  then,  we  may  attempt  to  become  philofo- 
phers ;  for  the  fruit  of  the  tree  of  knowledge  muft  not  be 
gathered  in  preference  to  the  fruit  of  the  tree  of  life. 

Great  caution  Ihould  be  ufed  in  the  feleiSlion  of  authors 
from  which  we  receive  fcientific  inftru6tion.  French  writ- 
ers have  generally  a  pleafant  method  of  conveying  informa- 
tion j  but  many  of  their  works  (as  alfo  feveral  popular  Ger- 
man produftions  of  this  kind)  are  fo  tin£tured  with  deifm, 

*  Sec  Letter  5th,  where  this  fubjc<5l  is  more  largely  treated 


310 

as  to  be  tmfafs  preceptors ;  efpecially  to  inexperience,  which 
is  ever  more  apt  to  be  charmed  by  wit  and  elegance,  than 
attentive  to  argumentative  dedudlions.  My  knowledge  of 
the  Iciences  is  by  much  too  limited  to  permit  me  to  ftate 
what  books  would  be  moll:  proper  for  tyros.  I  would  only 
advifc  the  young  ftudent  to  make  fondnefs  of  principle  an 
effential  requilite  in  inquiries  of  this  fort  \  and  never  to  ven- 
ture on  the  pcrufal  of  a  deillical  author  (however  celebrated,) 
unkfs  Ihe  be  guided  in  her  ftudies  by  fome  judicious  friend, 
who  will  point  out  the  objedlionable  palTiiges,  and  deteft  the 
fallacies  which  thev  are  intended  to  fupport. 

I  have  already  obfer'^ed,  that  profound  or  abftrufe  learn- 
ing dots  not  fccm  To  well  fuited  to  our  fcx  as  ethics  and  the 
belles  lettres ;  becaufe  the  length  of  time  and  abftra«^ion  of 
mind  that  the  former  require,  are  generally  incompatible 
with  our  duties  in  life,  which,  though  comparatively  lefs  im- 
portant than  thole  of  men,  are  hourly  recurring.  Many 
women,  however  are  exempted  by  fituation  from  thefe  obli- 
gations ',  and  when  lelfure  and  inclination  are  united  to  abil- 
ity, there  can  be  no  reafonable  objection  to  our  employing 
our  talents  in  luch  refcarches  as  muft,  when  properly  dire£l- 
ed,  promote  the  glory  of  God  and  the  good  of  our  fellow- 
o'eatures.  Natural  hiftory,*  experimental  philofophy,  bota- 
ny, and  aflronomy,  open  a  delightful  field  of  inftrudtive  en- 
tertainment to  every  young  v/oman ;  and  if  purfued  with 
propriety  and  difcretion,  cannot  fail  to  furnifh  them  with 
many  agreeable  ideas  to  folace  the  winter  of  life,  when  our 
infirmities  in  a  great  meaiure  feclude  us  from  fociety,  and 
the  falling  away  of  our  dear  connexions  compels  us  to  de- 
pend on  felf-amufemenc  A  temperate  purfuit  of  thefe  fci- 
cnces  will  alfo  be  of  great  fervice  in  quickening  our  obferva- 
tion,  or  rather  in  diverting  it  from  frivolous  objecls,  and  in 
forming  habits  of  clofe  attention  and  argumentative  deduc- 
tion ;  qualities  in  which  women  are  fuppofed  to  be  defeftive. 
But  I  muft  alfo  add,  that  intenfe  ftudy  is  apt  to  engender 
querulous  irritability,  and  all  that  train  of  evils  which  attend 
on  nervous  aiTeclions ;  and  if  the  more  vigorous  flrength, 
more  capacious  intelledl,  and  more  folid  judgment  of  man 
cannot  rclift  thefe  effects  ;  what  may  we  not  expe(fl  will  be 

*  The  delicate  r.nd  compairionate  female  ntzA  not  be  cautioned  againft 
difgufling  (jr  cruel  experiments.  She  will  not  be  required  to  perform 
f'.irgical  operations,  which  c\\\\  alone  warant  thofr  cxpouirtg  of  the  liuman 
form  divine,  or  thole  wanton  tortures  of  anim4l^,  vrhich  can  be  cxcuftd 
pi)  iio  other  groui-'d. 


311 

the  refult,  when  the  infirmities  of  nature  arc  added  to  the 
infirmities  of  recondite  abftraftion  ?  Men  of  profound  fci- 
ence  generally  acquire  fome  unpleafant  habits  ;  and  the  ridi- 
cule attached  to  their  foibles  is  not  entirely  obviated  by  the 
confideration  of  the  utility  of  their  labours,  or  the  necejjity 
for  their  profecuting  them  with  avidity.  As  cuftom  has  not 
taught  us  to  expedl  fuch  advantages  from  the  philofophical 
refearches  of  women,  we  feem  to  have  a  lefs  juft  defence  from 
raillery  when  we  overflrain  them.  The  learned  lady,  in 
Roderic  Random,  is  a  more  amufing  caricature  than  Madam 
D'Arblay's  Dr.  Orkbone  ;  and  the  reafon  is  that  fhe  appears 
more  out  of  her  fphere  and  latitude,  and  like  the  bear  in  a 
boat,  encountering  an  element  on  which  fhe  had  no  bufinefs 
to  embark.  When  a  woman  y^'j-  up  for  the  diJlitiElion  of  fci- 
entific,  fhe  at  leaft  fliews  that  fhe  has  vanquifhed  thofe  wife 
fenfibilities  of  her  fex,  which  made  her  peculiarly  fufceptible 
of  the  {hafts  of  fatire. 

Will  you  pardon  me  fliould  my  peculiar  tafte  give  a  bias 
to  my  judgment  when  I  determine  that  hifliory,  and  thofc 
fpecies  of  compofition  which  have  been  diftinguiflied  by  the 
name  of  Britiflx  claflics,  confi:itute  the  fpecies  of  ftudy  that 
is  mofl:  fuitable  to  the  capacity,  fituation,  and  difpofition  of 
women  .'*  Precluded  from  taking  an  adhxal  view  of  human 
nature  as  it  is  exhibited  in  the  different  walks  of  life,  it  is 
yet  highly  neceffary  that  we  fhould  know  the  beings  with 
whom  we  are  deftined  to  fojourn.  Hiftory  and  thofe  agree- 
ably inftru£live  effayifts  who  form  an  almoft  unique  clafs  in 
our  national  literature,  mutually  illuftratc  the  refpeftive  pa- 
ges which  teach  us  what  man  is  in  private  life,  and  how  he 
has  adled  as  an  aggregate  body.  In  the  hiftorical  record,  it 
is  delightful  to  obferve  how  the  individual  nature  of  man 
has  been  modified  by  external  circumftances,  and  how  the 
fame  train  of  political  caufes  uniformly  produces  fimilar 
events,  varied  in  circumfliances,  but  correfponding  in  refult. 
From  tracing  the  progrefs  of  fociety  through  the  gradations 
of  barbarifm,  improvement,  civilization,  refinement,  luxury, 
degradation,  corruption,  and  decay ;  we  turn  with  delight 
to  thofe  powerful  moralifts  who  develope  the  minute  fprings 
of  action,  and  endeavour  to  reftrain  thofe  bofom  traitors  who 
fap  the  foundation  of  private  virtue,  and  prove  more  defi:ruc- 
tive  to  ftates  and  empires  than  legions  of  enemies ;  and  we 
riie  from  the  perufal  with  a  virtuous  determination  not  to  ac- 
celerate the  ruin  of  oyr  country,  either  by  iacrcafing  the  fa- 


312 

tal  preponderance  of  natioAal  guilt,  or  the  burden  of  collec- 
tive imbecility. 

<'  Among  thofe  finidry  advantages,"  fays  the  learned  and 
intelligent  Howel,  "  which  accrue  to  a  reader  of  hiftory,  one 
«  is,  that  no  modern  accident  can  feem  Itrange  to  him.  He 
**  will  leave  off  wondering  at  any  thing,  in  regard  he  may  re- 
<'  member  to  have  heard  the  fame,  or  much  the  fr.me  event, 
*'  which  hath  happened  in  former  times  -,  therefore  he  doth 
*'  not  ftand  ftaring  like  a  child  at  an  unufual  fpedtacle,  like 
<'  that  fimple  American  who,  the  firft  time  he  faw  a  Span- 
*'  iard  on  horfeback,  thought  the  man  and  the  beaft  to  be 
"  but  one  creature.  Now  indeed,  not  to  be  an  hiftoriaR, 
"  that  is,  not  to  know  what  foreign  nations  and  our  forefa- 
*'  thers  did,  is  ftill  to  be  a  child  who  gazeth  at  every  thing ; 
*'  whence  may  be  inferred  that  there  is  no  knowledge  which 
<'  ripeneth  judgment,  and  puts  one  out  of  his  nonage,  fooncr 
*«  than  hiftory."  The  peculiar  applicability  of  thcfe  obfer- 
vations  to  the  alarming  and  eventful  times  in  which  we  live, 
is  too  obvious  to  need  difcuffion. 

If,  as  is  generally  allowed,  judgment  be  the  point  where- 
in women  are  moft  defective,  the  advantage  of  hiftorical 
reading,  to  our  fex,  is  at  once  decided.  But  as  information 
and  utility  fhould  always  precede  amufement,  I  muil  rcquelt 
the  young  ftudent  to  fit  down  to  the  venerable  folio,  or 
thick  odlavo,  rather  with  a  determination  to  be  entertained 
by  injlructiony  than  to  apply  to  itijiniciiou  for  the  mere  purpofe 
of  entertainment ;  fhe  Ihould  therefore  be  taught  to  prefer  di- 
gefted  details  of  fa^Sls,  to  bundles  of  anecdotes.  The  rage 
for  multitudinous  acquifitions,  which  has  unhappily  fuperfe- 
ded  a  delire  oi  foUd  attainments,  has  given  popularity  to  writ- 
ers of  memoirs  and  detailers  of  bon  mots,  to  the  great  difad- 
vantage  of  grave  narrators.  Events  drelTed  up  in  the  ftyle 
of  romance  partake  too  much  of  ficSlion  to  be  inftru<5live  j 
and  the  hillorian  Ihould  be  too  much  devoted  to  the  fervice 
•of  truth,  to  ftep  out  of  his  road  for  any  embelliftiment  for- 
eign to  his  great  defign.  Court  gallantries  are  as  uninftruc- 
tive  as  the  memoirs  of  courtezans,  and  probably  as  exagger- 
ated, if  not  as  fpurious.  Readers  who  confine  their  know- 
ledge of  paft  times  to  thefe  faint  Iketches,  may  become  good 
gofjlps,  but  can  never  be  hjhrians. 

Biography  is  a  branch  of  hiftory,  and  in  ikilful  and  ingen- 
uous hands  becomes  a  fource  of  elegant  and  inlh-u<rtive  en- 
tertainment. I  lament  that  public  curiofity  ihould  Lave 
ftimulatcd  this  very  agreeable  fix'cies  of  literature  into  the 


313 

confines  of  tittle  tattle ;  or  that  private  affeiStlon  ftiould  have 
adorned  it  with  the  too  vivid  colours  of  eulogy.  No  fooner 
does  a  diftinguifhed  writer  take  his  flight  to  the  world  of 
fpirits,  but  approbation  fwells  into  admiration  ;  every  defeat 
in  his  moral  or  literary  reputation  is  for  the  moment  oblite- 
rated, and  not  only  do  his  precious  notes  feem  fweeter,  but 
every  ear  is  turned  to  catch  the  unknown  ftrains  of  the  de- 
parted Swan,  and  to  learn  every  particular  of  a  character  on 
which  death  has  fet  its  feal.  Friendfliip  readily  prepares, 
not'  merely  his  requiem,  but  his  apotheofis.  Vices  are  either 
palTed  in  filence,  or  fo  drefled  and  painted,  that  an  illicit 
attachment,  or  a  notorious  error,  has  a  chance  of  becoming 
the  feraphic  flame  of  Platonic  love,  or  the  ingenuous  devo- 
tion of  a  flrong  mind  to  truth.  We  might  allow  Ibme  pal- 
liation of  infirmity,  or  fome  exaggeration  of  excellence,  to 
the  wounded  feelings  of  bereaved  afitftion,  agonized  by  a 
recent  lofs;  but  fuch  impofitions  on  public  principle  are 
often  too  audacious  to  pafs  unchaflifed.  Even  the  genius  and 
ftern  virtue  of  a  Milton,  fhould  not  be  permitted  to  fanc- 
tion  his  defence  of  what  the  exprefs  words  of  our  Saviour 
pofitively  forbids  •,*  nor  fhould  the  romantic,  but  unquef- 
tionably  pure  affeftion  of  the  devout  bard  of  Vauclufe,  be 
produced  as  an  allowable  parallel  for  the  equivocal  Laura  of 
a  deillical  voluptuary. 

Can  the  caufe  of  morals  or  of  juft  tafre  be  benefited  by 
that  very  minute  refearch  into  the  aflies  of  the  dead,  which, 
now  conftitutes  the  ton  of  reading  ?  Human  nature  is  never 
free  from  en-ors  or  weaknefles  ;  and  a  benefadtor  of  the  pub- 
lic (which  every  good  writer  certainly  is)  deferves  better  tlian 
to  have  all  his  lelTer  peccadillos  exhibited  to  the  triumphant 
gaze  of  literary  eaves-droppers.  No  one  who  enters  on  the 
thorny  maze  of  lettered  life  can  hope  to  efcape  enemies ; 
hov/  precious  to  fuch  is  every  petty  detail,  which,  in  reality, 
only  proves  that  the  author  was  a  frail  as  well  as  a  mortal 
being  !  Even  the  utility  of  their  labours  is  diminifhed,  by 
thus  raking  into  the  private  chara6lers  of  thofe  who  have 
deferved  renown  as  public  infl:ru(9:ors.  Steele  was  elegant 
as  a  writer,  and  perfuafive  as  as  moralift.  True  ;  but  Steele 
a<fl:ed  by  other  laws  than  thofe  which  he  Enforced  ;  for  he 
was  a  debauchee  and  a  fpendthrift.  Will  thofe  who  know 
this  be  equally  convinced  by  his  arguments,  or  refl:rained  by 

*  On  the  fubjedl  of  divorce,  fee  Matt,  jth  chap.  3 ad  verfe. 


:314 

his  fatirc  ?  Johnlbn  was  a  flovcn,  a  dogmatifl:,  and  a  vora- 
cious eater,  uncouth  in  his  perfon,  and  difpleafing  in  his 
manners.  Had  we  only  known  him  from  liis  Hterary  re- 
mains, we  fhould  have  pronounced  him  a  gentleman,  a  fage, 
and  a  fnnt. 

And  {hall  we  then  make  enquiries  after  thofe  whofe  voice 
was  once  heard  in  all  lands,  after  they  are  laid  cold  and 
filent  in  the  dark  houfe  of  their  forefathers  ?  Shall  no  me- 
morial be  placed  upon  their  graves,  but  what  their  own  ge- 
nius raifed  during  their  lives  ?  None,  perhaps,  can  be  equal- 
ly appropriate  -,  but  if  we  allow  friendlliip  or  literary  attach- 
ment to  bring  an  offering,  let  the  garland  be  chafte  and  dig- 
nified. Let  not  an  irreverent  hand  heedlefsly  tear  away 
that  facred  veil,  which  fliould  cover  the  failings  as  well  as 
the  ruins  of  mortality.  But  if  their  errors  were  fo  inter- 
woven with  their  hiftory  that  they  muft  be  mentioned,  or  if 
the  good  of  the  living  ftimulates  you  to  difregard  the  priva- 
cy of  the  grave,  beivarcy  as  you  value  your  own  immortal 
foul,  or  would  avoid  being  refponfible  for  the  fedudlion  of 
thoufands  whom  your  falfe  glolTes  may  vitiate,  beware  of 
giving  to  what  is  wrong  the  difguife  of  tncrit.  Call  not  im- 
piety by  the  name  of  fingularity  ;  afcribe  not  the  praife  of 
liberality  to  licentioufnefs.  Let  not  a  traducer  of  the  word 
of  God  be  recorded  as  its  zealous  illuftrator  j  and  never  call 
an  apoftle  of  fedition  a  peaceable  and  valuable  fubjedh  If 
you  narrate  the  actions  of  a  Toui  Paine  or  a  Jonathan  Wild, 
do  not  copy  their  mental  portraits  from  a  Walfingham  or  a 
Crichton.  The  life  of  a  bad  man  may  be  rendered  as  in- 
ilructive  as  the  adventures  of  a  hero  ;  but  not  hy  confounding 
their  irreconcilabk  charadleriftics. 

When  a  biographer  avoids  thefe  errors,  and  remains  alike 
faithful  to  truth  and  to  delicacy,  his  labours  may  be  claffed 
among  the  moft  inftruflive  ftudies,  provided  he  be  fuffi- 
ciently  guarded  againft  the  prevailing  error  of  dilation.  Of 
late  years,  books  feem  to  be  infected  with  the  difeafe  of  the 
enchanted  helmet  of  Otranto  ;  and  have  taken  to  fuch  an 
enormous  heaving  and  fwelling,  that  many  fage  prognofiica- 
tors  foretel  that  they  will  certainly  overwhelm  the  caftle  of 
literature.  Confcious  that  my  own  labours  have  fomewhat 
contributed  to  this  ftupendous  mafs,  I  will  confine  my  cen- 
fures  to  a  fpecies  of  publication  in  which  at  prefent  I  have 
clean  hands.  The  private  letters  of  deceafed  public  charac- 
ters, promife  to  fui-nilh  fuch  an  inexhauftible  fupply  of  ma- 
terials to  the  gormandizing  appetite  of  readers,  that  it  may 


315 

indeed  be  doubted  (if  we  mzj)  without  irreverence,  apply 
the  words  of  infpiration  to  another  fubje£t)  "  whether  the 
world  will  contain  the  books  that  luill  be  written."  Nothing 
can  be  better  calculated  to  gratify  thofe  who  devour  rather 
than  (iige/f  reading,  than  fragments  happily  refcued  from  the 
lumber  garrets,  and  efcaped  the  brooms  of  houfemaids  and 
the  fury  of  cooks  ;  for  the  majority  of  thefe  compofitions  will 
never  prove  the  Icaft  burden  to  the  memory,  and  muft  at 
every  perufal  poflefs  all  the  charms  of  novelty,  fave  that  of 
being  wet  from  the  prefs.  When  the  confidential  communi- 
cations of  really  eminent  people  are  thus  forced  into  notice, 
we  may  call  it  the  moft  barbarous  method  of  aflaffinating 
literature  that  has  ever  been  invented ;  for  it  is  compeUing 
the  dead  to  murder  their  own  reputation,  and  enjoining  the 
living  to  reftrain  all  thofe  ebullitions  of  the  heart  which  give 
value  to  friendly  correfpondence.  It  is  ftrange,  that  con- 
fcience  does  not  operate  as  a  check  upon  this  book  making 
propenfity.  The  fuggeftions  of  a  literary  friend  are  too 
facred  to  be  cxpofed  to  vanity  ;  nor  fhould  a  page  of  a  de- 
ceafed  author  be  committed  to  public  view,  which  we  are 
convinced  the  writer  intended  to  confign  to  oblivion.  Sure- 
ly, to  do  fo  is  as  indecorous  as  to  tear  the  decaying  body 
from  the  concealing  grave,  and  to  exhibit  its  humiliating 
corruption.  Let  thofe  whofe  eager  curiofity  is  gratified  by 
thefe  perufals,  put  themfelves  in  the  place  of  the  writer, 
and  then  decide  on  the  rectitude  and  delicacy  of  thefe  ex- 
pofures. 

The  hiftory  of  the  globe  that  we  inhabit,  unqueftionably 
holds  the  next  place  to  the  ftudy  of  the  nature,  duties,  and 
aftions  of  mankind.  Voyages  and  travels,  illuftrated  by  a 
competent  acquaintance  with  geography  and  natural  hiftory, 
form  a  moft  inftructive  branch  of  literature,  extremely  well 
calculated  to  improve  and  inform  the  underftanding  of  our 
fex  j  for  here,  as  I  before  obferved  of  hiftory,  we  muft  ge- 
nerally be  contented  to  know  things  by  report,  inftead  of 
actual  obfervation.  It  is  much  to  be  lamented,  that  this  fpe- 
cies  of  knowledge,  like  natural  philofophy,  has  been  ufed  as 
a  medium  for  conveying  the  poifon  of  deifm  ;  and  that  na- 
ture, in  this  inftance  alfo,  fhould  be  fo  mifreprefented  as  to 
make  her ^fa;&  a  language /:'o/?//f  to  revelation,  Thofe  pefts 
of  fociety,  the  illuminized  philofophifts  of  anarchy,  have  ftill 
further  foiled  the  pure  page  of  fcience,  by  the  introduction 
of  defcriptions  at  which  chaftity  would  revolt,  and  have 
ihewn  themfelves  fuch  hardy  advocates  of  depravity,  as  ta 


facrlfice  unity  of  defign  to  the  defire  of  contaminating  oth- 
ers. There  are,  however,  many  works  of  this  kind  exempt 
from  thefe  ftrong  objections  9  and  a  young  woman  in  eafy 
circumftances  cannot,  without  grofs  ignorance,  negledl  a 
branch  of  information  which  brings  her  acquainted  with  the 
world  of  which  fhe  is  an  inhabitant. 

The  adventures  of  travellers  and  failors  are  often  {o  ex- 
traordinary, and  the  viciffitudes  and  dangers  to  which  they 
:ire  expofed  are  fo  interefting,  that  I  cannot  help  recom- 
mending this  defcription  of  reading,  to  roufe  the  attention 
and  correct  the  errors  of  thofe  pitiable  people,  who  are  the 
vitftims  of  imaginary  diflreffes.  Spleen,  ennui,  chagrin,  laf- 
fitude,  and  all  the  various  train  of  miferies  which  extreme 
indulgence,  diffipation,  or  romantic  expeclation,  are  apt  to 
engender,  muft  furely  feel  their  own  infignificance,  and  the 
abfurdity  of  their  petty  woes,  when  they  accompany  a  By- 
ron around  the  barren  fliores  of  Terra  del  Fuego,  in  fcarch 
of  the  fpontaneous  produtflions  of  penurious  nature  ;  or  fail 
with  an  Inglefield  in  an  open  boat,  dellitute  of  food,  acrofs 
the  wide  expanfe  of  the  Atlantic  ocean.  Is  it  really  fuch  a 
mifery  to  be  left  out  of  a  pleafant  party,  to  have  a  dinner 
fpoiled,  or  a  gown  ill  made  ?  Look  at  Alexander  Selkirk  on 
his  folitary  ifland,  divided,  as  the  experience  of  many  an  an- 
nual fun  had  told  him,  from  human  fociety,  and  expofed  to 
the  horrid  profpedl  of  perifliing  for  want,  when  decrepitude 
fhould  prevent  him  from  employing  his  bodily  agility  in 
procuring  his  daily  food.  Contemplate  tlie  hercical  aflbci- 
ates  of  Cook  at  their  loathed  repall ;  yet  undauntedly  perfe- 
vering  in  the  magnanimous  defign  of  afcertaining,  whether 
the  cheerlefs  domains  of  the  Antarctic  Pole  could  add  to  the 
renown  or  firength  of  their  country.  Behold  the  brave 
Ledyard,  or  the  patient  Park,  naked,  lick,  and  deftitute  in 
the  wilds  of  Samojedia,  or  the  morafTes  of  Bambara.  Re- 
member that  they  had  bodies  and  minds  framed  of  the  fame 
m:iterials  with  your  own  ;  blufh  at  difguifmg  your  faftidious 
felfilhnefs  unddr  the  name  of  fenlibility,  and  lift  up  your 
eyes  to  heaven  in  pious  gratitude  at  your  happi^T  lot. 

Trom  fact  and  moral  iiluftration,  let  us  now  turn  to  the 
regions  of  fiftion  j  where,  with  your  permiffion,  I  will  en- 
deavour to  draw  a  brief  contraft  between  ancient  and  modern 
romance,  as  far  as  it  may  be  fuppofed  to  be  connected  with 
national  charafler.  That  fair  alfjmblage  of  lovelinefs,  peace, 
iimplicity,  and  purity,  which  youthful  poets  ufed  to  paint, 
and  Surreys   and  Sydneys  purfucd,  has  now  deferted  the 


517 

ideas  of  the  bard  and  romancer.  I  fcarccly  dare  confefs  the 
partiaUty  which  I  feel  for  the  exiled  mufes,  or  lament  that, 
unlefs  they  are  devoted  to  fome  local  or  farcaftical  riibje<51:, 
they  can  fcarcely  be  endured  by  the  fair  languid  ftudent,  ev- 
en during  the  moment  when  "  her  gentle  foubrette  tafte- 
fuUy  arranges  her  braided  trefles,"  or  folds  in  feeming  neg- 
ligence the  undulating  flow  of  her  drapery.  Modern  dif- 
coveries  have  clearly  afcertained,  that  it  was  a  geographical 
abfurdity  to  fuppofe  that  Arcadia  ever  formed  a  part  of  Old 
England  ;  and  the  removal  of  this  region  of  dilinterefted 
love  and  pure  fentiment  has  been  followed  by  the  banifli- 
raent  of  all  its  inhabitants.  Nymphs  and  fwains,  dancing 
fauns,  and  piping  fatyrs,  all  have  vaniflaed,  together  with 
thofe  invaluable  tokens  of  inviolable  attachment,  "  true  lov- 
ers knots,"  and  *'  crooks  beftudded"  around.  We  are  be- 
come fo  much  more  enlightened  than  our  immediate  prede- 
cefTors,  that  I  queflion  whether  Maid  Marian  would  now 
condefcend  to  accept  a  garland  of  vale  flowers  from  Colin 
Clout,  without  informing  him  that  Mifs  Betty  Blackberry 
laughed  at  all  flov/ers  which  were  not  made  by  the  mil- 
liner. 

The  fair  hnaginer  of  the  prefent  day  is  formed  upon  tlic 
model  of  fome  lovely  heroine,  whofe  name  runs  through 
Ave  fyllables  of  vowels  and  liquids,  and  whofe  character  and 
endowments  are  a  compendium  of  the  wonderful.  She  is 
either  born  in  very  high  life,  or  by  fome  happy  arrangement 
gets  among  Dukes,  Earls,  and  Lords,  or,  it  may  be,  a  Prince 
or  two,  by  way  of  variety  ;  where  flie  vanquilhes  a  fufficient 
number  of  hearts,  and  lofes  her  own  to  fome  very  rich  and 
exemplary  man,  with  whom  it  is  neceflary  flie  Ihould  have 
a  vafi:  many  m.ifunderftandings  ;  fometimes  ariiing  from  mif- 
takes,  and  fometimes  from  the  villany  of  rivals  or  relations. 
Either  the  gentleman  or  the  lady  muft  be  fure  to  lofe  a  for- 
tune ;  but  then  they  muft  ah'b  (do  what  is  fo  very  common 
in  real  life)  And  a  much  greater  tinexpt'cled'y.  They  muft 
alfo  be  very  near  dying  ;  but  this  irmft  be  about  the  end  of 
the  fixth  volume,  by  way  of  fmoothing  all  diflicuities  to  tlie 
marriage  ceremony,  which  takes  place  in  the  feventh,  and 
difmiffes  the  unparallelled  pair  to  certain  felicity  ;  the  event- 
fid  part  of  their  lives  being  now  over^  they  are  only  to  frifk 
like  lambs  or  coo  like  doves. 

It  may  indeed  happen,  that  the  coftume  of  the  romance 
may  change,  and  the  heroine  be  conduced  through  the  en- 
chanted labyrinth  of  gothic  fcenery  and  adventure,  inftead 


318 

of  fummer  bathing  places  and  winter  galas.  Here  it  will  be 
neccfTary  to  produce  lefs  embarrafsment  and  more  mifery. 
If  there  be  lefs  edifying  converfation,  the  reader  will  be 
oftener  chilled  by  horror  and  petrified  with  aftonifhment. 
She  will  here  recognize  many  old  acquaintance  ;  the  mod- 
ern valet  and  pert  chambermaid  will  be  antiquated  in  noth- 
ing but  drefs  and  name.  Parents  and  rivals  will  retain  their 
inveterate  obliquity ;  and  the  grand  requifites,  an  unexcep- 
tionable lover  and  a  fplendid  fortune,  will  never  be  omitted. 
Few  ftudies  would  be  more  improving  than  the  perufal  of  a 
familiar  fictitious  narrative  really  written  in  days  of  yore. 
To  know  how  the  belles  of  antiquity  thought,  talked,  and 
acted,"*  would  afford  an  exquifite  treat  to  (I  hope  not  irrev- 
erent) curiolityj  but  we  can  derive  but  little  gratification 
from  feeing  the  luxurious,  fentimental,  philofophizing  fe- 
male of  the  eighteenth  century,  placed  in  the  bower  win- 
dow, where,  three  hundred  years  ago,  the  Lady  of  the  Caf- 
tle  "  fat  in  penfive  mood,  and  look'd  o'er  hill  and  dale."  Is 
it  not  like  a  Bond-ftreet  drefs  maker  attired  in  the  ftolc  of 
the  emprefs  JuHa  t 

The  higher  walk  of  a  gothic  narrative  has  been  fuccefs- 
fully  occupied  by  a  lady  of  real  genius  and  informed  judg- 
ment. She  feems  to  have  varied  the  eventful  fcene  as  far 
as  our  knowledge  of  other  times  will  admit ;  but  her  power 
has  been  chiefly  fliewn  in  contriving  myfteries  fo  dreadful 
and  inexplicable,  that  even  her  own  fertile  imagination  can 
do  no  more  than  break  the  fpell  at  once,  as  it  is  impoffiblc 
to  make  the  denouement  fully  gratify  the  foul  harrowing 
fufpence  by  which  it  was  preceded.  I  have  fufpedted,  that 
this  writer,  with  all  her  appropriate  knowledge  of  her  fub- 
jects,  felt  the  difficulty  of  fupporting  the  propriety  of  man- 
ners of  which  fo  few  traits  have  been  preferved  \  and  there- 
fore comprefled  the  narrative  part  of  her  works,  by  beftow- 
ing  more  fpace  on  her  defcriptions  of  nature,  which  are  al- 
ways fublime  and  beautiful  j  though  the  reader  feels  them 
fometimes  painfully  ful'pend  the  progrefs  of  the  ftory.  This 
local  painting  is,  however,  defcriptive  of  the  manners  of  the 
times  that  flie  treats  of,  as  v;ell  as  of  the  unaltered  face  of 
rural  beauty.  In  times  of  feudal  grandeur,  the  folitary  Bar- 
onefs  muft  (while  her  Lord  v.-as  engaged  in  the  fports  of 

*  The  Memoirs  of  Agrippina  might  here  be  commended  as  a  fufR- 
ciently  faithful  tranfcript  of  ancient  manners,  but  they  afpirc  to  ftill  high-e 
%x  applaufe. 


319 

the  chace,  or  the  tolls  of  war)  have  often  amufed  her  pen* 
five  hours  by  feeing  the  fetting  fun  light  up  the  autumnal 
foliage  of  the  foreft  into  a  thoufand  glowing  tints,  or  in 
tracing  "  the  pale  reflex  of  Cynthia's  brow"  on  the  fuUen 
waters  of  the  lake.  But  to  return  from  this  digreflive  com- 
mendation. 

What  cScSi  fhall  we  enquire,  has  the  general  turn  of  fic- 
titious adventure  on  an  age  in  which  every  young  woman 
reads,  and  many  confine  their  knowledge  to  this  fpecies  of 
mifinformation  ?  Does  it  teach  them  what  things  have  been, 
or  what  things  are  P  Certainly  not ;  for  fuch  beings  and 
fuch  an  order  of  things,  never  did  nor  ever  can  exift.  Pa- 
rents are  quite  as  apt  to  judge  rightly  for  their  children,  as 
children  are  to  form  a  proper  eftimate  of  what  is  good  for 
themfelves ;  and  the  chance  between  the  diftnterejiednefs  of 
paternal  aflfe(Stion,  and  that  of  him  who  plays  the  lover's  part, 
is  in  favour  of  the  former.  Heroes  and  heroines,  or,  in  plan 
Englifli,  men  and  women,  never  did  poflefs  fuch  an  accumu- 
lation of  fplendid  graces  and  virtues  as  are  collected  to- 
gether in  thefe  falfe  prifms.  The  unreafonably  fufpicious 
lover  is  fure  to  make  an  unreafonably  jealous  hufband.  Vi- 
olent attachments  are  either  never  lafting,  or  the  fource  of  un- 
happlnefs,  being  always  accompanied  with  painful  irritation 
of  mind.  Suitable  offers  of  marriage  occur  too  rarely,  for 
a  young  woman  to  expeiSt  more  from  the  majority  of  her 
followers,  than  that  evanefcent  admiration  which  is  paid  to 
all  who  have  the  reputation  of  fortune,  wit,  or  beauty.  Vir- 
tue is  more  feverely  tried  by  a  multiplicity  of  petty  evils,  than 
by  great  conflicts ;  and  benevolence  difplays  her  heavenly 
nature  by  minute  attentions,  oftener,  and  with  more  benefi- 
cial eff"edl,  than  by  extraordinary  exertions.  Sudden  re- 
verfes  of  fortune  are  unufual,  and  fo  arc  adls  of  great  liberal- 
ity. Adventures  rarely  happen  to  a  prudent  woman,  and 
never  without  injury  to  her  reputation.  Licentious  inten- 
tions are  feldom  formed  without  a  profpeft  of  fuccefs,  and 
the  mofi:  hardened  rake  may  be  awed  by  unaiTuming  dif- 
cretion  ; 

"  In  part,  flie  is  to  blame  who  has  been  tried, 
"  He  comes  too  near,  who  comes  to  be  denied." 

The  firft  motions  of  evil  may  be  reftjledy  if  the  thoughts 
be  not  permitted  to  fl:ray  towards  an  unlawful  object,  or  to 
fonder  on  the  means  by  which  wicked  ends  may  be  acconi' 


320 

pti/hed.  They  who  trifle  with  temptation  expofe  thcmfeWes 
to  the  danger  of  defeat,  and  deferve  the  ruin  which  they  fuf- 
tain.  Marriage  may  be  faid  rather  to  open  than  to  clofe 
the  eventful  period  of  female  Yi^c ;  fince  it  is  by  that  means 
that  we  enter  on  a  fcene  of  enlarged  ufefulnefs,  adlivity,  and 
refponllbility ;  nor  is  marrying  the  man  whom  we  fondly 
love  an  invulnerable  protc<5^ion  from  the  fhafts  of  forrow ; 
perhaps  it  is  oftener  a  ready  inlet  to  the  pangs  of  difappoint- 
ment,  or  the  cares  of  folicitude. 

I  could  write  volumes  to  expofe  thofe  falfe  views  of  hu- 
man life,  which  doubtlefs  have  accelerated  that  change  of 
female  manners  which  we  all  fee  and  deplore.  Had  not  fo 
much  idolatrous  inccnfe  been  offered  to  beauty,  grace,  and 
nymph-like  elegance;  had  fo  many  fafcinating  defcriptions 
never  been  given  of  the  plcafures,  enjoyments,  and  advanta- 
ges of  rank  and  fortune,  the  elegantes  of  humble  life  would 
have  been  far  lefs  numerous,  and  we  Ihould  have  retained 
fome  valuable  ftuiF,  capable  of  being  converted  into  the  wives 
of  traders  and  yeomen.  Let  not  thofe  who  confine  them- 
felves  to  this  ftyle  of  reading  make  a  merit  of  having  been 
at  their  books.  Mifchievous  reading  Is  worfe  than  unfophilH- 
■cated  ignorance. 

It  would,  however,  be  culpable  faftidioufnefs,  and  grofs 
injuftice,  to  involve  all  hdtitious  narrative  in  this  fevcre  cen- 
fure.  A  fpecies  of  writing,  that  is  enriched  by  the  compo- 
iitions  of  many  of  our  moil:  diftinguilhed  moralifts  and  fages, 
cannot  be  undeferving  of  a  particular  attention  from  the 
moft  liberal  and  well  informed  mind.  While,  therefore,  we 
ftigmatize  the  reptile  brood  who  annually  vivify  with  the 
fummer  heat,  as  at  once  the  offspring  and  l\\tfoodoi  idlenefs  ; 
let  us  acknowledge,  that  next  to  thofe  moral  eilays  which 
breathe  the  v/ifdom  of  a  Johnfon  or  the  fuavity  of  an  Addi- 
fon,  a  VN^ell  written  novel  is  the  beft  introduction  to  the 
•knowledge  of  life  and  manners,  and  may  juiily  claim  to  be 
the  niTociate,  but  not  the  fubftitute,  of  graver  lludics.  It 
has  lately  been  denied,  that  Richardfon  painted  manners  as 
they  really  were ;  his  moral  excellence  will,  however,  pre- 
ferve  him  a  place  in  the  cfteem  of  every  well  principled  read- 
er; and  his  pathetic  and  defcriptive  powers  will  enchain  at- 
tention, while  his  piety  muft  transfufe  i'ome  devout  fenti- 
mcnts  into  the  moft  cold  and  worldly  bofom.  You  will  ob- 
ferve,  that  I  confine  this  commendation  to  his  Clariila  and 
Grandifon.  Fielding  and  Smollet  preferred  the  exiiibition 
of  the  grotcfque  and  depraved  part  of  our  fpecies :  fuch  al- 


521 

moft  intuitive  knowledge  of  the  human  heart  as  the  former 
pofTefTed,  combined  with  the  morality  and  pathos  of  Rich- 
fon,  ivould  have  formed  the  defideratum  in  this  clafs  of  lite- 
rature. The  fimplicity,  innocence,  and  nature  of  Goldfmith, 
have  never  been  equalled  ;  and  among  the  many  copyifts  of 
the  fine  gothic  romance  of  Otranto,  only  female  genius  can 
urge  any  pretenfions  to  fuccefs.  I  could  mention  many  nov- 
els in  the  narrative,  or,  wh^it  is  more  difficult,  in  the  epifto- 
lary  ftyle,  which  well  deferve  a  place  in  your  library  ;  but 
a  too  frequent  perufal  even  of  thefe  fliould  be  avoided,  as  it 
may  vitiate  your  tafire,  and  caufe  you  to  difrelijh  mere  impor- 
tant ftudies. 

Poetry  is  fo  much  out  of  fafhion,  and  fo  changed  in  its 
character,  that  I  feel  at  a  lofs  what  to  fay  publicly  on  what 
I  know  is  your  favourite  reading.  The  mufes  have  been 
charged  with  doing  very  ferious  mifchief  to  us  females  ;  but 
I  confefs  that  I  think  their  crimes  have  been  exaggerated, 
or  at  leaft  that  they  were  lefs  faulty  than  the  compofitions 
which  have  fupplanted  them.  They  rarely  ventured  out  of  the 
world  of  imagination  ;  and  few  readers  would  be  fo  green  in 
judgment,  as  to  miftake  their  language  for  that  of  real  life. 
The  modern  mufe  has  been  accufed  of  incurring  the  guilt  of 
democracy :  it  is  allowed,  that  even  her  genuine  offspring 
have  ever  ftrung  their  lyres  to  the  high  key  of  liberty ;  but 
then  it  was  to  that  liberty  which  is  confijlent  with  order^  jiif- 
t'lcey  and  virtue ;  thofe  cherifhed  feelings  of  every  real  lover 
of  this  charming  fcience.  But  we  muft  alfo  obferve,  that  an 
alien  colony,  whofe  members  have  for  ages  been  endeavour- 
ing tofcramble  up  the  heights  of  ParnafTus  by  bye-roads,  and 
who  very  much  refemble  monkies,  not  only  in  their  ftyle  of 
climbing,  but  in  the  art  of  degrading  imitation,  have  produc- 
ed nothing  but  "  fcfannel  notes"  from  the  bladder  and 
ftring,  which  they  would  perfuade  us  is  the  genuine  harp  of 
Tyrtseus.  Thefe  certainly,  to  fpeak  in  the  voice  of  a  true 
votary  of  Phoebus,  "  mean  licence  when  they  cry  liberty."* 
The  dreadful  afts  of  anarchy  which  this  age  has  witnelled, 
have  alfo  rather  untuned  the  public  ear  for  the  fong  of  free- 
dom ;  and  made  us  fujpe^  danger,  where  our  anceflors  would 
only  hzxefelt  rapture.  I  am  not  apologizing  for  the  difcord- 
ant  bards  of  fadtion,  whofe  jejune  malice  I  at  once  deteft 
and  defpife.     I  am  only  fuppoiing  it  pojftbky  that  the  glow- 

♦  See  Milton's  Sonnets. 

Rr 


322 

ing  viflons  of  a  vivid  imagination  may  have  occafioned  feme 
inadvertent  Tallies,  which  the  temper  of  the  times  renders 
dangerous  j  and  the  confcquences  of  which  the  writers  them- 
felves,  when  the  "  fine  frenzy"  of  imagination  fublides,  will 
be  the  firft  to  deplore. 

Of  late  years  (except  in  the  political  light  which  we  have 
juft  noticed)  poetry  has  rarely  deferved  the  reproach  of  mif^ 
leading  the  paflions ;  being  mollly  either  defcriptive,  didac- 
tic, or  metaphylical.  In  the  hand  of  a  Hayley  and  a  Se- 
ward, it  has  fuccefsfully  ihcvvn  its  capability  of  forcibly  nar- 
rating domeftic  incidents,  or  elucidating  critical  refearch. 
Its  power  of  analyzing  metaphyfical  properties  has  been  fuc- 
cefsfully proved  by  Rogers  and  Campbell.  The  turgid  at- 
tire of  bombaftic  epithet,  and  the  cold  uninterefting  accu- 
mulation of  abftradt  ideas,  {^o  lately  pufi'ed  into  fafhion,  feems 
yielding  to  that  force  of  feeling,  elegant  fimplicity  of  ex- 
prellion,  and  lucid  yet  elevated  arrangement  of  ideas,  which 
characterized  the  happiefl  efforts  of  the  mufe  in  her  days  of 
exaltation.  The  popularity  of  Cowper's  poems  has  doubt- 
iefs  contributed  to  this  happy  change  ;  in  which  the  fterling 
grandeur  of  the  thought,  and  the  exquiilte  appropriatenefs 
of  the  imagery,  compenfates  for  carelefsnefs  of  exprefllon, 
or  occafional  untuneablenefs  of  the  ,meafure.  We  muft, 
however,  lament  that  the  peculiar  turn  of  his  religious  prin- 
ciples deprives  this  charming  poet  of  his  natural  fuavity, 
whenever  the  Clergy  of  the  Church  of  England,  or  our  fyf^ 
tern  of  public  education,  falls  within  the  reach  of  his  obfer- 
vations. 

But  though  we  hail  with  rapture  the  aufpicious  omens  of 
a  purer  tafte  in  poefy,  the  times  are  for  ever  vanifhed  which 
fanclioned  the  allegorical  triumphs  of  Orpheus.  Good  verfe 
requires  coti/J deration ;  without  which,  it  is  impo^tble  to  appre- 
ciate its  beauties.  Poetry  alfo  is  one  of  thofe  unfortunate 
Iciences  which  have  never  been  gifted  with  a  golden  key  to 
unlock  the  temple  of  Mammon.  Can  we  therefore  won- 
der, that  in  a  fpeculating  mercenary  age  fhe  fhould  chaunt 
forth  her  ftrains  to  the  unregarding  ear  of  negledl  ?  Yet, 
though  the  later  efforts  of  the  mufes  have  been  comparative- 
ly unfucceisfal,  fafliion  has  not  yet  dared  to  degrade  thole 
bards  of  deathlefs  fame  to  whom  the  concurring  voice  oi pajl 
ages  has  afcribed  a  fafe  preeminence,  and  whom,  confe- 
quently,  all  are  forced  to  praije^  though  few  ready  and  fewer 
ufiderjiand  them.  As  the  charm  of  poliihed  numbers  muft 
ad.d  beauty  to  every  delcription,  and  force  to  every  fentif 


323 

ment,  a  well  chofen  felecSlIon  of  poetry  becomes  a  propet 
garniture  to  every  young  lady's  clofet ;  and  fhe  would  do 
well  to  commit  to  memory  fuch  paffages  as  are  moft  diftin-- 
guiflied  for  exquifite  imagery  or  impreffive  obfervation.  I 
have  derived  much  moral  improvement,  as  well  as  intellec- 
tual enjoyment,  by  recalling  the  talks  of  my  early  life  to  my 
remembrance  •,  for  by  fo  doing  I  have  foothed  the  hour  of 
anxiety,  diverted  the  languor  of  fatigue,  and  held  commun- 
ion with  the  moft  exalted  minds,  at  a  time  when  I  could 
not  have  procured  any  other  amufement. 

T  wilh  to  diftinguilh  the  tragic  and  comic  mufes  from 
their  poetical  fifters,  becaufe  I  fear  that  they  may  be  more 
juftly  charged  with  high  crimes  and  mifdemeanors.  As 
they  certainly  continue  to  be  public  favourites,  they  are  tru- 
ly culpable  for  renouncing  their  allegiance  to  their  fovereign 
Phoebus,  and  betraying  that  ftrong  hold,  the  public  amufe- 
ments  of  a  poliflied  nation,  into  the  hands  of  the  Goddefs 
of  Nonfenfe,  or  the  Demon  of  Anarchy,  to  the  great  dan- 
ger of  the  underftanding  and  welfare  of  the  faid  nation. 
The  preceding  pages  muft  have  taught  you,  that  I  fiifpe^ 
this  charge  to  be  juft.  Public  diverfions  have  a  material  in- 
fluence on  public  morals,  and  therefore  are  connected  with 
every  part  of  the  extenfive  fubjedl  that  we  are  inveftigating. 
It  was  remarked  by  a  fpirited  and  intelligent  obferver  of  life 
and  manners,*  in  the  middle  of  the  laft  century,  that  "  moft 
popular  compofitions  were  alarmingly  democratical ;"  and 
Ihe  predicted  confequcnces  that  we  have  lived  to  fee  realiz- 
ed. Yet,  notwithftanding  the  conviction  which  muft  arife 
from  the  experience  of  evil,  and  the  detection  of  abfurdity, 
our  "  Sovereign  the  people"  continue  to  receive  as  much  in- 
cenfe  from  Melpomene  and  Thalia,  as  if  we  had  never  found 
out  that  his  Majefty  was  only  a  ufurper.  You  will  proba- 
bly remind  me,  that  thefe^ladies  are  really  innocent ;  that 
the  things  to  which  I  allude,  whether  I  call  them  "  phyfic 
or  farces,"  were  made  to  be  feen  and  fold,  not  to  be  read 
and  remembered  ;  and  therefore  they  are  improperly  intro- 
duced under  the  title  of  female  Jiudies.  I  ftand  corrected, 
and  will  only  detain  you  with  a  few  remarks  on  the  dramat- 
ical remains  of  former  times. 

Few  cenfors  are  fo  rigid  as  to  prohibit  the  beft  efforts  of 
the  tragic  mufe ;  and  unqueftionably  the  pages  of  Shake-» 
fpeare,  independent  of  the  corufcations  of  gemus,  beam  with 

*  Lady  M.  W.  Montague.     Sec  her  Pofthumous  Works. 


524 

the  unclouded  blaze  of  moral  fplendour.  The  like  may  hr. 
faid  of  the  pure  untainted  plays  of  Thomfon,  wliofe  chaftc 
and  claffic  fcenes  muft  ever  delight  in  the  clofet.  Nor  do 
the  itrongcr  colouring  and  warmer  paflions  of  Rowe  miflead 
his  readers  from  the  hallowed  ihrine  of  virtue,  though  he 
frequently  facrifices  nature  to  defcription  and  declamation. 
A  writer  would  deferve  much  from  the  public,  who  fliould 
purify  the  mixed  dramas  of  Otvvay  and  Southerne,  and  pre- 
ferve  what  genius  has  immortalized,  without  its  naufeous 
and  poifonous  alloy.  Our  early  comedies  deferve  and  re- 
quire a  fimilar  purgation  •,  but  in  many,  exc'ifion  will  not  be 
fufficient ;  the  plot,  as  well  as  the  language,  muft  be  reform- 
ed, to  make  themy^  companions.  It  is  much  to  be  la- 
mented, that  a  convidHon  of  thefe  faults  has  not  operated 
upon  our  prefent  race  of  writers,  further  than  to  make  them 
verbally  modeft.  While  blafphemy  retains  the  place  of  in- 
delicacy, we  may  rather  talk  of  change  than  reformation. 
We  have  little  caufe  of  exultation  on  the  fcore  of  morality 
in  delign  ;  and  when  we  inquire  after  that  fpirit  of  genius 
which  gives  a  zeft  to  thefe  compofitions,  we  muft  acknow- 
ledge that  its  fubtile  nature  has  evaporated  through  the 
flimfy  texture  of  modern  compofition.  In  probability,  cha- 
racter, and  wit,  the  mortifying  difference  is  too  difcernible. 
Some  favourable  appearances  in  the  theatrical  world  have 
lately  excited  a  hope  that  we  are  entering  on  a  more  aufpi- 
cious  sera  •,  and  even  in  what  I  may  term  the  Vinulalifin  ot 
our  dramas,  a  few  fuccefsful  efforts  will  deferve  your  atten- 
tion ;  though  not  equal,  in  number  or  excellence,  to  thofe 
which  wer^  produced  when  theatrical  tafte  was  at  once  em- 
belliflied  and  regulated  by  the  hillrionic  powers  and  intelli- 
gence of  a  Garrick. 

You  will  afk  me,  if  I  allow  the  ftage  to  be  fuch  a  faith- 
ful copy  of  living  manners,  as  to  permit  fcenic  exhibitions  to 
influence  our  judgments.  In  general,  certainly  it  is  not ; 
charafters  and  events  muft  be  exaggerated  in  order  to  ftimur 
late  attention.  Thofe  pieces  which  copy  the  more  delicate 
touches  of  fentiment  and  incident,  feldom  afford  enough  of 
fituation  and  eftedl  to  pleafe  in  the  reprefentation,  though 
for  the  former  reafon  they  are  the  beft  clofet  companions. 
It  is  only  the  province  of  care  and  fuperior  genius  to  com- 
bine jmpreffion  and  limpllcity  ;  and  even  thefe  catch  the  beft 
likeneffes  when  they  paint  the  foul  in  a  ftorm  of  paffion. 
Dramatical  reading,  therefore,  fnould  neither  precede  nor  ex- 
(Itulc  thofe  juft  yiev/s  of  men  and  things,  which  moral,  hii- 


3:25 

torical,  and  geographical  knowledge,  cannot  fail  to  produce. 
As  guides  in  our  progrefs  through  life,  we  muft  confider 
that  they  lie  under  all  the  difadvantages  which  Dr.  Prieftly 
afcribes  to  fiditious  narratives ;  but  I  think  that  thofe  plays, 
which  are  removed  from  the  manners  and  language  of  com- 
mon life  are  lefs  likely  to  millead  than  novels,  which  ever 
affe<5l  the  garb  of  true  narrative,  and  fometimes  a(Slually  pro- 
fefs  to  defcribe  real  events.  I  recommend  a  feledl  alTort-^ 
ment  of  plays,  as  an  improvement  to  your  tafte,  as  capable 
of  ftoring  your  memory  with  elegant  and  improving  ideas> 
and  as  a  corrective  to  that  dull  monotomy  and  rigid  con- 
tradlion  of  converfation  which  chara6terifes  mere  matter  of 
faB  readers. 

Works  of  humour,  whether  fatirical  or  playful,  come  next 
to  be  conlidered ;  and  here  again  I  am  fearful  that  my  ob- 
fervations  may  betray  more  of  attachment  than  judgment.  I 
would,  however,  avert  all  juft  cenfure,  by  ftridlly  prohibit- 
ing every  compofition  in  the  fmalleft  degree  infected  by  in- 
delicacy, ribaldry,  or  profanenefs.  My  motive  for  recom- 
mending mirthful  producSlions  is,  to  check  the  extreme 
acutenefs  of  fenfibility,  which  our  fex  is  apt  to  indulge  at  the 
expence  of  our  repofe  ;  and  which  is  beft  correcSled  by  the 
admillion  of  lively  ideas.  Our  propenllty  to  run  into  the 
abfurdities  of  fentiment,  makes  it  dangerous  for  us  to  read 
much  of  what  is  addrefled  to  the  imagination  and  the  paA- 
iions,  without  applying  to  the  powerful  antidotes  of  romance, 
humour,  and  fatire.  I  know  you  will  not  alk  me,  whether 
it  would  be  advifable  to  prohibit  all  writings  of  the  former 
tendency  •,  becaufe  you  will  perceive  that  it  is  aufterity,  not 
prudence,  which  interdidls  us  from  partaking  of  a  delicious 
fruit,  left  our  gratified  appetite  fliould  gorge  to  furfeit.  A 
bright  imagination,  a  glow  of  generous  fentiment  and  pol- 
ifhed  and  corre(Sl  expreffion,  are  all  parts  of  the  charafter  of 
an  accomplifhed  female  ;  diverfity  of  idea,  and  playful  allu- 
fion,  may  alfo  claim  admiffion  into  this  charming  groupe  of 
lifter  graces. 

Well prmcipledr\d^\c\!\'t\x-3S  oiXjtTi.  done  infinite  fervice  to 
the  caufe  of  good  fenfe.  Even  virtue  and  religion  have  re- 
ceived confiderable  benefit  from  its  fcintillating  darts  *,  and 
in  the  opinion  of  an  enrlnent  theologian,*  humorous  illuf- 


*  Dr.  Hey.  He  alludes  to  our  Saviour's  reproof  of  Pharifaical  punc- 
tilio, ftraining  at  a  gnat  and  fwallowing  a  camel.  See  Theological  Lec- 
tures vol.  ifl,  page  4J5, 


326 

trations  and  ludicrous  contrafts  have  been  honoured  by  di- 
vine adoption.  Yet  even  well  principled  ridicule  may  be 
pufhed  too  far.  Hudibras,  who  certainly  "  laughed  a  fran- 
tic nation  into  fenfe,"  has  been  cenfured  for  bringing  reli- 
gious ferioufncfs  into  difrepute.  Surely,  the  fault  lay  with 
his  readers,  who,  difgufted  with  the  hypocritical  fanaticifm 
by  which  they  had  been  bewildered,  aflimilated  the  very  op- 
pofite  qualities  of  piety  and  enthufiafm,  and  transferred  that 
caftigation  to  the  former,  which  the  author  meant  to  con- 
fine to  the  latter.  It  muft,  however,  be  granted,  th«t  who- 
ever undertakes  to  lafh  puritanical  excefles  enters  on  dan- 
gerous ground.  "  It  can  never  be  well  done,  as  the  juft 
quoted  refpeclable  authority  obferves,"  unlefs  by  a  perfon 
who  clearly  comprehends  the  diftinftion  "  between  excefs 
and  propriety."  I  am  inclined  to  allow,  that  religious  ex- 
travagance is  not  a  proper  fubjeft  for  fatirical  exhibition,  un- 
lefs it  be  accompanied  by  dijftmulation.  The  folly  of  an  ide- 
ot,  or  the  eccentricities  of  a  madman,  may  make  one  fmile ; 
but  we  fliould  turn  with  pain  and  difguft  from  a  caricature 
of  fuch  pitiable  objefts.  So  when  fanatics  are  fincere,  we 
ought  to  consider  them  as  the  victims  of  a  difordered  intel- 
Ie<ft ;  and  they  fhould  alike  move  our  pity  for  their  misfor- 
tunes, and  our  endeavours  to  efFe(5t  their  cure.  But  no 
weapon  is  fo  proper  as  the  dart  of  fatire,  to  dete£l:  the  de- 
formity, and  humble  the  felf-confequence  of  hypocrify. 

Ridicule  has  been  a  ufeful  ally  to  tafte.  I  need  not  refer 
to  the  well  known  ciTedls  produced  by  the  vigorous  pen  of 
Cervantes ;  we  have  many  happy  inftances  of  the  power  of 
wit  in  our  own  country.  To  confine  our  obfervations  to 
the  more  modern,  that  fpirited  pamphlet,  entitled  Anticipa- 
tion, compelled  the  great  oppoiltion  leaders  of  thofe  times 
to  change  their  mode  of  attack,  and  to  ufe  more  nicety  of 
seUBion  in  the  quality  and  quantity  of  the  lumber  by  which 
they  clogged  the  wheels  of  government,  left  they  fliould  be 
cried  down  for  plagiarifm  ;  and  it  is  obferved,  that  brevity, 
and  application,  have  fmce  been  preferred  to  rhetorical  llour- 
ilhes,  in  this  fpecies  of  oratorical  warfare.  Poetry  has  de- 
rived infinite  advantages  from  the  celebrity  of  the  Baviad  ; 
which  proved  as  fatal  to  the  Delia  Crul'can,  as  the  Loves  of 
the  Triangles  did  to  the  Darwinian  phrafeology.  No  fpe- 
cific  obje<!l  feems  to  be  purfucd  in  tlie  play  of  the  Critic  \ 
but  it  is  Avell  worthy  of  the  talents  of  a  Sheridan  to  nvrite 
donvn  modern  dramas  ;  and  I  have  too  much  refpecl  for  that 
gentleman's  ta/ie  to  believe  that  he  would  avoid  fo  fair  a  vie- 


327 

tory  becaufe  fome  of  his  own  later  offspring  may  appear 
among  the  "  fmall  infantry"  which  his  giant  fpear  could 
eafily  overthrow. 

I  Ihall  infallibly  expofe  myfelf  to  the  fnare  of  fome  vigi- 
lant opponent,  who  lies  perdue  to  catch  rae  tripping,  by  nam- 
ing politics  as  a  fuitable  fubjedl  of  female  ftudy.  If  I  pro- 
pofed  loading  your  table  with  controverlial  pamphlets,  jour- 
nals, replies,  obfervations,  queries,  and  all  the  ephemeral 
publications  to  which  local  circumftances  afcribe  confequence, 
and  which  pofterity  tofles  to  oblivion,  I  would  fubmit  to  be 
the  fubje^t  of  all  the  good  things  that  ever  have  been  faid 
on  petticoated  quidnuncs.  But  I  am  not  difpofed  to  with- 
draw you  from  the  pure  fovmts  of  Siloa  and  Aganippe,  to 
plunge  you  into  the  puddle  of  party  conteft,  from  which  our 
fex  is  happily  fenced  off ;  I  lay  happily ;  for  certainly  the 
moft  fteadfaft  virtue,  and  the  greateft  tranquillity  and  con- 
ftancy  of  foul,  can  fcarcely  hope  to  efcape  uncontaminated 
from  the  infedlious  contadl  of  public  life. 

But  though  we  are  excufed  from  undergoing  the  labours 
and  difficulties  of  ftatefmen  and  warriors,  I  truft  that  the  af- 
fections and  duties  of  a  patriot  are  not  inimical  to  the  female 
character.  If  our  tender  feelings  are  excited  by  the  objects 
around,  we  muft  love  our  country  in  which  thofe  objedts 
fublift.  The  fcene  of  our  early  delights  prefents  enjoyments, 
and  future  hopes  muft  be  dear  to  us,  even  on  feljSfh  con* 
liderations.  And  could  we  willingly  behold  thofe  fcenes 
defaced  ;  could  we,  without  an  almoft  mortal  pang,  contem- 
plate the  defolation  of  what  is  pleafant,  and  the  lofs  of  what 
is  dear  ?  Is  there  really  in  nature  fuch  a  fenfation  as  foliiary 
unconnecled  enjoyment ;  could  we  be  happy  in  a  lonely  wild, 
or  a  dreary  cavern,  from  which  we  had  no  profpesSt  to  ef^ 
cape  ;  and  what  is  this  world,  but  a  cave  or  wildernefs,  when 
all  that  habit  rendered  agreeable,  or  attachment  made  neceH- 
fary,  is  gone  ?  We  love,  then,  that  community  with  which 
we  are  conne£led  ;  and  by  analogy  that  fpot  of  earth  where 
v/e  aft  and  move.  This  fpot  is  our  country ;  this  commu- 
nity our  fellow-citizens,  with  whom  we  have  inherently  con- 
tracted an  indiflbluble  league,  and  formed  an  obligation  to 
mutual  aid  and  affe«5tion. 

Let  us  here  recal  to  our  more  ferious  confideration  thofe 
awful  motives,  which,  though  I  truft  not  contrary  to,  were 
yet  not  fo  intimately  connected  with,  the  fubje<Sts  that  we 
have  juft  difculTed,  and  confider  our  relation  to  fociety,  ac- 
cordintT  to  the  views  and  motives  of  religion.     And  as  it  is 


328 

impoffible  to  praftlfe  our  duty  without  uncletftanding  it,  a 
knowledge  of  the  principles  of  government,  and  the  peculiar 
conftruftion  and  advantages  of  our  own,  are  indifpenlably 
neceflary  to  all  who  would  acSt  as  they  ought  to  their  king 
and  their  country,  their  fuperiors  and  inferiors,  their  equals, 
their  children,  and  their  fervants.  This  fort  of  information 
differs  in  toto  from  the  party  difcuflions  of  the  day,  and  feems 
our  bed  prefervative  from  thofe  confined  politics  which  both 
degrade  and  debafe  the  female  character. 

Holy  writ  informs  us,  that  gradations  of  rank  proceed 
from  the  good  pleafure  of  the  Almighty,  who  founded  uni* 
verfal  happinefs  and  fecurity,  in  mutual  want  and  dependance. 
No  one  is  rich,  powerful,  or  exalted,  for  their  own  fake  ;  pre- 
dominance in  any  worldly  advantage  always  includes  increai- 
ed  refponfibility  ;  and  they  who  mifufe  greatnefs  are  fear- 
fully amenable  as  treacherous  betrayers  of  a  facred  truflr. 
But  coniidering  the  more  numerous  temptations,  to  which 
eminence  of  any  kind  is  expofed,  it  may  juftly  require  to 
have  its  adlions  viewed  with  candour,  and  that  it  fhould  be 
ajfijled  rather  than  cotinteraEled  in  all  its  falutary  purpofes. 
Scripture  gives  us  precifely  this  view  of  our  duty  as  fubje£ls, 
and  enforces  it  by  the  peculiar  obligations  of  Chriftianity.* 
Of  this  we  will  fpeak  hereafter ;  let  us  now  remark,  that 
fince  the  limits  of  power  are  fo  circumfcribed,  and  its  obli- 
gations fo  numerous,  it  feems  rather  a  trial  to  be  dreadedy 
than  a  good  to  he  fought.  Hereditary  rule  may  appear  to  a 
reclufe  obferver  a  contrivance  to  enforce  the  aflumption  of 
painful  preeminence,  inftead  of  a  defence  againft  the  en- 
croachments of  unqualified  intrufion.  The  fruit  of  "  the 
accurfed  tree"  has,  however,  fo  intoxicated  mankind,  that 
though,  to  a  well  difpofed  mind,  "  obedience  is  eafe,"  many 
determine  that  "  to  reign  is  worth  ambition,  even  in  Hell." 
When  power  is  purfucd  by  undue  means,  there  is  every  rea- 
fon  to  apprehend  that  it  will  be  mifapplicd  \  hence  the  per- 
verfity  of  men's  hearts  render  it  neceflary  to  fecure  magifte- 
rial  and  regal  authority  from  the  grafp  of  the  multitude  on 
the  one  hand ;  and  on  the  other,  to  refiraia  it  within  thofe 
falutary  limits,  which  may  prevent  it  from  alluming  fucli  un- 
due weight  as  would  enable  it  to  crufh  thofe  whom  it  was 
intended  to  prote<5t. 


•  See  Romans,  i  uh  chapter,  and   ift  Peter,  iil  ch^ptfr,  on  Chridiai 
obedience,  a»  proccciiing  frym  a  fenfc  of  diitv  to  God. 


329 

The  excellency  of  the  Britifli  conftltmlon,  in  all  the  fun- 
damental points  of  right  government,  is  acknowledged.  It 
fecures  perfonal  liberty  and  private  property ;  it  renders  the 
peafant,  as  far  as  relates  to  his  domeftic  iituation,  as  fecure 
as  the  fovereign  ;  and  it  precludes  the  fovereign  himfelf  from 
the  power  of  infringing  the  right  of  the  fubjedV.  Liberty  is 
well  defined  to  be,  not  the  power  of  doing  what  you  pleafe, 
for  that  is  licentioufnefs,  but  the  fecurity  that  others  fhall 
not  do  as  they  pleafe  with  you.  Holy  writ  furnifhes  me- 
morable examples  of  the  miferies  that  enfued  from  "  every 
man's  doing  that  which  was  right  in  his  own  eyes."*  A 
more  ftriking  view  of  the  changeable  humour  of  a  mob,  and 
the  blind  turbulence  of  popular  commotion,  cannot  be  giv- 
en, than  what  was  exhibited  in  the  lafl  fcenes  of  our  Lord's 
life,  or  in  the  trials  which  his  faithful  apoftle  Paul  experien- 
ced at  Lyftra  and  Ephefus. 

Your  hiftorical  purfuits  will  explain  to  you  the  advanta- 
ges which  our  political  conftitution  poflelTes  beyond  what 
any  other  nation  can  boaft ;  and  your  attachment  to  this 
your  country  will  confequently  become  infinitely  ftronger, 
through  the  obligations  of  preference  and  gratitude,  than 
what  early  habits  or  cafual  refidence  could  impofe.  Con- 
templated as  the  facred  inclofure  which  embraces  and  pro- 
tetSls  one  of  the  faireft  fcions  of  the  church  of  Chrift,  our 
love  fhould  ftrengthen  with  faith  ;  and  though  our  prefer- 
ence fliould  carefully  avoid  that  narrownefs  of  fentiment, 
which  hates  or  defpifes  every  thing  foreign,  we  jfhould  feel 
our  interefts  and  hopes  fo  interwoven  with  the  welfare  of 
our  native  land,  as  to  be  incapable  of  feparation.  Patriotic 
attachment,  forms  a  marked  feature  in  the  character  of  thofe 
worthies  of  old  who  are  recorded  in  holy  writ.  And  the 
Saviour  of  the  World,  by  condefcending  to  imbibe  this  pre- 
dilection for  the  foil  in  which  he  was  born  and  fufFered,f 
has  moft  efFe(Stually  refcued  the  genuine  feelings  of  the  pat-, 
riot  from  the  undeferved  reproach  of  prejudice  and  narrow- 
nefs of  foul.  The  cofmopolite,  who  affects  to  defpife  dif^ 
tin6tions  which  the  Lord  of  Life  has  fanCtioned,  may  well 
be  reproved  in  the  fpirit  of  St.  John's-retort  to  the  unchar- 

*  Judges,  17th  chapter,  6th  verfe;  aifl  chapter,  35th  verfe. 

+  Yet  Chrlflianity  has  been  defined  to  be  incampatible  with  the  cha- 
rafter  of  a  patriot.  How  much  has  our  faith  been  injured  by  injudi- 
cious dtfences ! 

Ss 


330  / 

itablc,  "  If  yc  love  not  what  ye  have  feen,  how  can  ye  love 
what  ye  have  not  feen  ?" 

But  how  fhall  women  fhow  their  love  to  their  country  ? 
They  cannot  fight  its  battles,  nor  direct  its  counfels  ;  their 
purfes  are  feldom  at  their  own  difpofals,  and  their  actions 
are  circumfcribed,  not  only  by  phylical,  but  by  civil  reftric- 
tions  j  they  can  only  devote  their  wifhes  and  their  prayers 
to  the  fervice  of  the  common  weal.  Allowing  that  we  could 
do  nothing  more,  we  fhould  then  be  better  than  paffive  pat- 
riots. But  furely  it  is  ftill  further  in  our  power  to  avert 
from  our  Jerufalem,  thofe  fore  judgments  which  have  cauf- 
cd  the  downfal  of  every  nation  that  has  yet  funk  from  great- 
nefs  to  defolation.  The  difcontatted  politician,  or  the  exiled 
ftatefman,  feeks  for  the  caufe  of  national  difafters  in  the 
bafenefs  or  imbecility  of  his  rulers  ;  but  the  Chriftian  refers 
them  to  the  overruling  will  of  an  offended  and  chaft:izing 
God.  We  do  not  attribute  peflilence  merely  to  a  fortui- 
tous accumulation  or  negligent  importation  of  poifonous 
miafmata,  but  to  a  preordained  concurrence  of  fecond  caufes, 
or,  in  the  words  of  fcripture,  to  *'  unflieathing  the  fword  of 
the  deftroying  angel."  We  deduce  famine  and  fcarcity,  not 
from  the  extortion  or  ignorance  of  the  cultivators  of  the 
earth,  not  from  chance,  not  from  combination  but  from  the 
fovereign  will  of  the  Author  of  the  feafons,  who  may,  for 
the  providential  purpofes  of  his  righteous  government,  fuf- 
pend  the  operation  of  his  gracious  promife  that  "  feed  time 
and  harveft  fhall  never  fail."  Whence  come  wars  and  fight- 
ings among  us  .?  not  merely  from  the  ambition  of  royal  cut- 
throats, as  mob  orators  infift,  but  from  private  vices,  froni 
pride  engendered  by  opulence  ;  and,  if  we  confine  our  views 
to  our  own  times,  from  a  fpirit  of  infubordination,  from  the 
violent  paflions  of  the  rabble  let  loofe  from  all  civil  and  re- 
ligious reftraints,  from  the  afpiring  defigns  of  artful  dema- 
gogues and  rapacious  marauders,  from  the  multiplied  lufls 
of  luxury,  and  from  the  rcftlefs  fpirit  of  commercial  enter- 
prize.  It  is  moft  certain,  from  holy  writ,  that  war,  famine, 
peftilence,  and  all  other  general  calamities,  are  the  means 
which  the  Almighty  employs  to  correct  the  wickednefs  of 
offending  nations,  who  can  only  be  chaflized  while  they  re- 
main a  coUc'cl'ive  body,  and  though  in  that  cafe  the  good  muft 
fufFer  with  the  finful,  yet  if  we  couliJer  that  there  will  come 
a  day  of  individual  reftitution,  the  divine  attribute  of  jufiice 
is  no  way  impugned  by  this  proceeding.  Befide,  as  we  are 
all  offenders,  the  bcft  of  us  may  be  confidered  but  as  flray 


iheep,  who  need  thefe  heavenly  warnings  to  be  recalled  to 
the  fold.  National  fins,  therefore,  do  not  mean  the  fins  of 
our  governors,  as  fonie  moft  perverfely  mifreprefent ;  but 
the  aggregate  offences  of  individuals.  That  we  have  "been 
**  blcfled  beyond  other  nations  in  a  greater  fhare  of  the  light 
**  of  the  golpel,  in  wife  and  juft  laws,  in  a  mild  and  yet  vig- 
**  ilant  government,  in  internal  peace  and  opulence,  and  in 
**  external  renown  and  profperity,"  is  mofl  true.  That  we 
have  improved  thefe  bleffings  as  we  ought  to  have  done,  is 
more  than  doubtful.  Infubordination  daily  gains  ground  ; 
and  what  is  infubordination,  but  rebellion  againfl  the  provi- 
dential government  of  God  ;  for  in  the  language  of  holy 
writ,  "  what  is  Aaron,  that  ye  murmur  againft  him  ?"*  In- 
difference as  to  the  principles  of  religion,  and  laxity  in  per- 
forming the  duties  which  it  enjoins,  become  more  and  more 
evident  in  the  manners  of  all  clafTes.  The  habit  of  referring 
all  events  to  fecond  caufes,  than  which  nothing  is  more  op- 
pofite  to  the  principles  and  feelings  of  a  Chriftian,  increai^ 
es  ;  and  luxurious  indulgence,  and  inordinate  attachment  to 
worldly  pleafures,  are  the  charadleriflics  of  the  times.  Thefe 
are  fins  for  which  our  rulers  are  no  otherwife  accountable, 
than  as  they  commit  them  ;  and  they  who,  in  precept  and 
practice,  fteadily  endeavour  to  abate  their  prevalence  are  mofl 
truly  patriots ;  preventing,  as  far  as  is  in  their  power,  the 
ruin  which  the  tyrants  of  our  own  creating  will  bring  on 
the  fubjugated  people  \yha  willingly  fubmit  to  their  galling 
yoke. 

When  I  recommend  regard  to  order,  condefcenfion,  pious 
fentiments,  regular  condudt,  and  temperance  in  pleafure,  to 
my  fex,  I  certainly  aft  in  perfedl  conformity  to  our  prifline 
charaftcr  ;  which,  unlefs  corrupted  by  evil  habits  and  ex- 
amples, predifpofes  us  to  whatever  is  calm,  amiable,  and  of 
good  report.  In  our  relative  fituation,  as  mothers  and  mif^ 
treffes  of  families,  we  pofTefs  fo  much  influence,  that  if  we 
were  uniformly  to  exert  it  in  the  manner  which  the  times 
require,  we  might  produce  a  moft  happy  change  in  the 
morals  of  the  people  ;  and  in  peril  of  being  thought  fuper- 
flitious,  I  avow  my  firm  belief,  that  fuch  a  change  would 
conduce  more  to  extricate  us  from  our  prefent  difficulties, 
than  the  wifdom  of  our  counfellors,  or  the  valour  of  our 
fleets  and  armies.  We  fhould,  however,  alike  avoid  refling 
in  the  arm  of  the  flefh,  like  a  felf-dependent  worldling,  and 

*  Numbers,  i6th  chapter,  verfe  nth. 


332 

fuppofing,  like  a  prefumptuous  fanatic,  that  the  fword  of 
the  fpirit  is  the  only  weapon  that  we  have  permiflion  toufe. 
The  lawfulnefs  of  even  defeniive  war  has  been  denied  by 
many  (I  hope  fincere,  but  I  am  fure)  ill  judging  Chriftians  ; 
who  forget  that  our  Blefled  Lord  never  could  mean  to  re- 
fcind  one  of  thofe  firft  laws  of  our  nature,  which  himfelf,  in 
the  character  of  our  Creator,  impofed  upon  us,  and  the  ne- 
ceflity  of  which  he  experimentally  proved  ;  I  mean  the  law 
of  felf-defence.  The  precepts  which  his  eminent  forerun- 
ner gave  'refpe£ling  the  condudl  of  military  men,  the  fre- 
quent allufions  to  a  ftate  of  warfare  in  the  anoftolical  writ- 
ings, and  the  practice  of  the  earlieft  converts,  many  of  whom 
were  foldiers,  and  certainly  did  not  renounce  their  military 
duties  on  commencing  Chriftians ;  all  tJiefe  conflderations 
muft  decide  the  queftiun  in  the  opinion  of  reafonable  peo- 
ple. When  we  conlider  that  it  is  ivtip'jffibk  to  prevent  vio- 
lence and  aggreffion,  otherwife  than  by  refiftance ;  and  that 
when  once  the  floodgates  of  war  are  opened,  circumftances 
inuft  decide  whether  we  fliall  content  ourfelves  with  re- 
ftraining  it  within  its  banks,  or  attempt  to  turn  its  wafteful 
curr:"nt  on  hoftile  plains  •,  we  muft  rather  pity  the  weaknefs 
of  thofe  who  could  perplex  themfelves  with  fuch  fcruples, 
than  admit  that  they  are  founded  on  the  v/ord  of  God. 

But  is  not  war  an  evil  ?  Certainly,  or  it  would  not  be  de- 
nominated the  fword  of  the  Lord.  Should  it  not  be  avoid- 
ed, if  poffible  ?  Unqueftionably,  it  fhould.  Go  and  humble 
thyfelf  before  God  for  thofe  fins  which  deferve  fuch  a  chaf- 
tifement.  But  are  not  our  rulers  the  mediate  caufes  of  this 
calamity  ;  I  fpeak  not  of  paft  but  of  prefent  times,  and  an- 
fwer  No.  The  predicted  fpirit  has  arifen  out  of  the  bottom- 
lefs  pit,  who  "  is  prefumptuous,  difobedient,  felf-willed,  and 
not  afraid  to  fpeak  evil  of  dignities."  If  you  doubt  the  fadt, 
look  at  the  ftate  of  your  own  houfehold,  at  the  drefs,  con- 
verfation,  and  condu<51:  of  your  fervants.  Obferve  the  air 
of  equality,  or  the  lower  of  difcontent,  which  you  rnay  fee 
even  in  thofe  ruftic  countenances,  who  ufed  to  greet  you 
with  the  fmile  of  refpedtful  attachment.  Confider  the  alarm- 
ing combinations  in  various  trades  ;  not  that  workmen  may 
poflefs  the  means  of  fubfijlwg  their  indigent  families,  but 
that  a  larger  portion  of  every  week  may  be  allotted  to  idle- 
nefs  and  intemperance.  Contemplate  the  univerfal  thirft  for 
political  knowledge,  the  irreverence  with  which  the  moft  el- 
evated characlers  are  fpoken  of;  and,  above  all,  reflect  on 
the  probable  confequence  of  two  opinions  which  are  almoft 


533 

univerfal  among  the  lower  orders  ;  namely,  that  in  this  land 
of  liberty  every  man  may  do  as  he  pleafes,  and  that  he  has 
a  right  to  choofe  his  civil  governors  and  fpiritual  inftruc- 
tors. 

Permit  me  to  enforce  my  opinion  refpe^ing  the  folly  of 
the  higher  orders  countenancing  the  growth  of  democracy, 
by  quoting  the  authority  of  a  fcholar  whom  every  party  re- 
veres ;  I  mean  Sir  William  Jones.  After  obferving,  that 
"  the  original  form  of  our  conftitution  is  almoft  divine,  ta 
**  fuch  a  degree  that  no  flate  of  Greece  or  Rome  could  ever 
*'  boaft  one  fuperior  to  it,  nor  could  Plato,  Ariftotle,  nor 
*'  any  legiflator,  even  conceive  a  more  perfeft  model  of  a 
"  ftate,"  he  proceeds :  "  What  can  be  more  difficult  to  de- 
**  vife,  than  a  conftitution  which,  while  it  guards  the  digni- 
*'  ty  of  the  fovereign,  and  the  liberty  of  the  fubjecfl,  from 
*'  any  incroachment,  by  the  influence  and  power  of  the  no- 
*'  bility,  preferves  the  force  and  majefty  of  the  laws  from  vi- 
**  olation  by  popular  liberty.  This  was  the  cafe  formerly 
"  in  our  ifland,  and  would  be  fo  ftill,  if  the  folly  of  fomc 
**  had  not  prompted  them  to  fpur  on  the  populace,  inftead 
*'  of  holding  them  in."  The  times  that  he  alludes  to  were, 
when  Wilkes  was  the  JiUl  hiirinng  volcano  of  fedition  :  buc 
the  folly  that  he  reprobates  has  fince  alarmingly  increaied  ; 
and  party,  of  late,  has  never  fcrupled  to  excite  a  contempt 
tor  thofe  principles,  which  muft  yet  form  the  foundation  of 
the  power  that  it  wifhes  to  aflume.  Is  there  not  reafon  to 
rliink,  that  the  continental  wars  in  which  we  have  been  en- 
gaged, almoft  during  the  whole  of  his  prefent  Majefty's 
reign,  were prov'ideni'ially  necelTary  to  drain  oft'  thefe  violent 
humours  of  the  nation,  by  devoting  thofe  corrupt  members 
of  fociety  to  the  fword  in  '^  foreign  climate,  who,  had  they 
continued  at  home,  might  probably  have  kindled  the  ftili 
more  deftru<ftive  flames  of  civil  war  ? 

Maternal  tendernefs  is  apt  to  urge  objedlions  to  war,  which 
ftate  necefllty  cannot  fuccefsfully  combat,  unlefs  in  cafes  of 
near  and  immediate  danger.  Unqueftionably,  much  con- 
ftderation  is  neceflary,  before  we  devote  our  fons  to  the  mil- 
itary profeffion,  without  knowing  that "» they  have  a  deqided 
predileftion  for  that  dangerous  but  honoui-able  occupation  ; 
but  when  it  is  their  choice,  it  behoves  us  to  pradlife  the  duty 
of  acquiefcence.  Since  it  is  judged  necefl^ary,  that  during 
the  prefent  awful  afpe£l  of  continental  aff'airs,  every  young 
man  fhould  fufficiently  underftand  the  ufe  of  arms,  to  be  af- 
fifting  in  defending  his  native  Ihores  in  cafe  of  attack,  it  is 


334 

to  be  hoped  that  maternal  timidity  will  never  check  the  op- 
eration of  a  meafure,  which,  though  (if  follovsed  up  with 
that  fteady  refolution  which  can  alone  make  it  of  real  utili- 
ty) it  includes  privation,  bodily  fatigue,  and  even  danger, 
the  facred  call  of  public  duty  imperioufly  enjoins.  Her  ten- 
der folicitude  for  the  welfare  of  her  offspring  may  be  moft 
judicioufly  exerted,  in  fortifying  the  young  volunteer  againft 
thofe  temptations  to  excefs  and  licentioufnefs,  which  muft 
ever  attend  numerous  aflbciations  of  young  men  removed 
from  parental  infpecflion  or  control,  and  expofcd  to  the  en- 
ticements, or  ftill  more  dangerous  farcafms,  of  pra(^lifed  de- 
bauchees. A  ferious  mind  muft  ardently  pray,  that  the  un- 
parallelled  bravery  and  public  fpirit  which  the  riilng  hopie 
of  England  has  fhewn  at  this  memorable  period,  may  not  be 
fo  perverted  as  to  render  "  the  thing  which  fhould  have 
**  been  for  our  health  an  occallon  of  falling,  by  ftill  further 
"  provoking  the  God  of  Hofts,  who  is  of  purer  eyes  than 
**  to  behold  iniquity." 

To  thofe  v/hofe  anxious  fears  now  follow  a  beloved  rela- 
tion to  the  poft  of  danger  on  fome  hoftile  plain,  or  iron  girt 
coaft,  I  would  fuggeft  one  trite,  but  not  puerile  reflection. 
Death  is  the  inevitable  lot  of  all  ;  therefore,  they  who  fall 
in  battle  do  but  prematurely  refign  a  mortal  exiftencc  which 
a  few  years  muft  have  clofed,  and  probably  by  a  more  ago- 
nizing mode  of  termination.  The  pangs  of  mortal  difeafe, 
or  that  flow  and  painful  death  which  attends  old  age,  feems 
more  appalling  to  the  feelings  of  nature,  than  the  excruciat- 
ing but  fwift  hand  of  violence.  Dr.  Paley  has  fuccefsfully 
proved,  that  Providence^-  by  ordering  one  fpecies  of  animal 
life  to  fubfift  by  preying  upon  another,  ordained  the  moft 
merciful  way  of  ending  a  being  in  which  the  feeds  of  diflb- 
lution  were  indubitably  fown.  An  hofpital  prefents  as  piti- 
able a  fight  as  a  field  of  battle ;  I  mean  as  far  as  relates  to 
human  mifery.  It  is  true,  the  latter  does  not  admit  of  thofe 
kind  miniftrations  of  attentive  fympathy  which  appear  fo 
exquifitely  precious ;  but  whoever  has  ftood  by  the  bed  of 
pain,  difeafe,  or  death,  muft  have  felt,  in  every  fruitlefs  wifh 
and  thrilling  fear,  how  very  little  we  can  do  in  lightening 
the  heavy  burden  of  extreme  bodily  diftrefs.  Perhaps,  when 
we  wipe  the  faint  dews  from  the  languid  face,  convey  fome 
fmall  drop  of  fuftenance  into  the  fpeechlefs  mouth,  or  fmooth 
the  pillows  under  the  reftlefs  head,  the  felf-engrofled  fufl'er- 
er  perceives  not  our  aftiftance,  or  even  feels  his  anguifti 
heightened  by  our  folicitude 


335 

But  I  have  in  fome  meafure  wandered  from  my  fubjedl  i 
let  me  regain  the  ravelled  clue,  by  obferving,  that  the  in- 
creafe  of  found  principles  and  Chriftian  practice  will  expe- 
dite the  time  "  when  nation  fliall  not  lift  up  the  fword  againft 
nation,  neither  fhall  they  learn  war  any  more."  The  Mil- 
lennium, to  which  piety  looks  forward,  is  not  founded  on 
that  equalization  of  ftation  and  authority,  which  the  frantic 
adorers  of  King  Jcfus  pleaded  as  an  excufe  for  licentioufnefs 
or  rebellion;  nor  is  it  the  reign  of  the  goddefs  Reafon, 
"  to  whom  infidel  anarchifts  blafphemoufly  facrificed  theil* 
Chriftian  hopes.  If  the  period  fo  often  defcribcd  in  prophe- 
fy,  really  relate  to  the  temporal  rule  of  our  BlefTed  Redeemer, 
thofe  who  « have  rebelled  againft  their"  earthly  "  king," 
and  fat  in  judgment  on  him,  muft  expect  to  be  exiled 
from  the  peaceable  region  of  order  and  perfect  righteouf- 
nefs,  and  to  be  configncd  to  ptmijhment^  not  reward,  either  in 
that  triumphal  ftate  of  the  true  church  of  God,  or  at  the 
great  day  of  final  account,  when  we  fhall  all  be  quettioned 
how  we  have  obeyed  thefe  precepts,  "Submit  yourfelf  to 
*'  every  ordinance  of  man  for  the  Lord's  fake  ;  let  every  foul 
«'  be  fubjed  to  the  higher  powers ;  for  there  is  no  power 
«  but  of  God." 

The  notices  which  revelation  has  given  us  of  the  future 
world,  are,  as  we  niight  expedl:  them  to  be,  few,  myfterious, 
and  impreffive  ;  fuch  as  leave  no  doubt  as  to  its  certainty 
and  duration  ;  but  fo  far  invelope  its  pleafures  and  employ- 
ments in  figure  and  analogy,  as  to  convince  us  that  feparate 
fpirits  and  glorified  bodies  are  engrofl^ed  by  different  purlciits, 
and  capable  of  more  exquifite  delights,  than  wc  mortals  can 
conceive.  But,  whenever  the  facred  page  incidentally  difclofes 
a  view  of  Heaven,  it  defcribes  it  as  the  feat  of  order  and  gov- 
ernment, gradation  of  rank,  fupremacy,  and  obedience. 
*«  Thrones,  dominions,  principalities,  and  powers,"  are  the 
apoftolical  defignations  of  angelic  dignities.  Our  Lord  de- 
clares, that  « there  are  in  his  Father's  houfe  many  manfions  j'* 
many  as  to  number,  and  to  gradation  too,  according  to  the 
opinion  of  learned  commentators.  Every  where  Heaven  is 
fpoken  of  as  a  kingdom ;  God  is  defcribed  as  its  fupreme 
fovereign,  furrounded  by  innumerable  hofts  of  miniftring 
fpirits,  all  blefled,  glorious,  and  happy ;  but  enjoying  thefe 
advantages  as  the  fruit  of  obedience  and  peace  ;  and  among 
thefe  diftinguilhed  beings  two  are  mentioned  in  the  canoni- 
cal books  of  fcripture,  Michael  and  Raphael,  to  whom  great- 


336 

er  preeminence  and  the  honourable  title  of  archangel,  arc 
affigned. 

There  cannot  be  a  furer  fign  of  the  decay  of  religion  in 
any  country,  than  in  a  general  inclination  to  give  pagan  vir- 
^  tues*  a  preference  over  Chriftian  graces.  The  precept  of 
"  Submitting  yourfelves  to  one  another  in  the  fear  of  the 
<*  Lord,"  feems  to  be  univerfally  renounced,  for  the  injunc- 
tion of,  Maintain  your  own  facred  rights.  Are  thefe  duties 
incompatible  ?  Is  not  obftinate  reliftance  as  likely  to  engen- 
der tyranny,  as  flavifli  obedience  ?  There  is  an  abfolute  ne- 
ceffity  that  fome  fliould  rule ;  fociety  cannot  be  held  to- 
gether without  this  bond.  If,  therefore,  the  fubordinate 
parts  will  prefs  upon  the  higher,  authority  muft  drop  its 
sceptre  and  wield  its  fiuorcl.  At  all  events,  anarchy  muft  be 
fubdued,  or  the  ftate  will  be  annihilated.  Compliance,  by 
Ikinning  over  the  furface,  only  enlarges  the  corroding  ulcer, 
which  putrifies  underneath.  A  turbulent  community  never 
long  preferved  its  freedom ;  it  only  exchanged  lawful  and 
limited  rulers  for  tyrannical  ufurpers. 

The  Church  of  England  has  been  charged  with  inforcing 
the  obligation  of  Chriftian  obedience  beyond  the  bounds  of 
civil  liberty.  We  have  feen,  that  her  public  offices  are  un- 
deferving  of  this  cenfure  ;  and  it  is  unjuft  to  accufe  her  on 
account  of  the  tenets  of  fome  of  her  members  or  officials, 
who,  in  the  heat  of  their  oppofition  to  the  wild  advocates 
of  licentioufnefs,  have  fometimes,  by  extreme  tenacity,  in- 
jured the  caufe  which  they  fupported.  The  duty  of  our 
Sovereign,  to  govern  us  by  the  laws  of  this  realm,  is  as  de- 
cidedly recognized,  as  our  obligation  of  obedience  is  poli- 
tively  determined.  The  queftion  is,  who  is  to  be  judge 
whether  the  prince  obferves  or  falfifies  his  engagements  ? 
and  we  may  conftitutionally  anfwer,  Net  the  people.  An  in- 
termediate ftate  exifts,  to  whom,  in  cafes  of  fuch^  emergen- 
cy, both  parties  fhould  appeal.  Our  hiftory  informs  us,  that 
a  fovereign  has  been  thus  judged  to  have  forfeited  his  high 
truft  ;  and  the  remaining  parts  of  our  legitimate  govern- 
ment (which  certainly,  during  the  interregnum,  continued 
to  be  our  lawful  rulers)  nominated  the  next  in  fucceffion, 
againft  whom  no  plea  of  ineligibility  could  be  urged,  to  fill 
the  vacant  throne  ;  who  on  their  parts  promifed  obfervance 
of  the  conftitution  which  they  c.imc  to  preferve.     By  this 

•  Tiie  coutrafl  between  thefe  is  ablr  enforced  in  the  M-nioiu  of  .Aj- 
rippina. 


337 

the  people  did  not  choofe  their  ruler  ;  but  the  law  fupplied  the 
vacancy  which  had  been  caufed  by  the  mifrule  of  the  execu- 
tive power.  It  is  to  the  law  of  thefe  realms,  that  the  peo- 
ple owe  allegiance.  That  law  recagnizes  the  king,  not  on- 
ly as  the  fountain  of  authority,  but  as  the  determining ,  rati- 
fier,  whofe  approbation  converts  legiflative  decifions  into 
laws.  His  prerogative,  therefore,  is  fo  knit  together,  and 
interwoven  with  our  conftitution,  that  we  cannot  refpeft  the 
one,  without  reverencing  the  other,  unlefs  the  king  expofes 
himfelf  to  affault,  by  cafting  away  the  fliield  that  rendered 
him  invulnerable  ;  the  probability  of  which  event  has  been 
decreafing  ever  fince  the  Revolution.  Should  it  again  hap- 
pen, that  mifguided  royalty  prefers  ufurped  to  conftitutional 
power,  the  fame  fteady  regard  to  truth  and  juflice,  and  at- 
tachment to  the  welfare  of  our  beloved  native  land,  that  now 
calls  upon  us  to  reft/l  the  torrent  of  infubordination,  will, 
we  trufl,  roufe  our  pofterity  to  defend  thofe  bulwarks  which, 
unlefs  betrayed  by  the  bafenefs  and  venality  of  their  nat- 
ural guardians,  muft  ever  reftrain  the  advancements  of  ty- 
ranny. 

Having  often  remarked,  how  flrongly  the  fcriptures  im- 
pofe  the  duty  of  obedience  on  fubjects,  it  may  not  be  unad- 
vifeable  to  obferve,  that  they  abound  with  reproofs  to  wick- 
ed rulers,  and  record  feveral  inftances  of  approved  refiftance 
to  cruelty  and  oppreflion.*  St  Paul,  efpecially,  is  diftin- 
guifhed  for  his  bold  affertion  of  his  civil  rights,  and  fpirited 
oppofition  to  injuftice,  though  actually  feated  on  the  tribu- 
nal of  legal  power.  Chriftian  obedience,  therefore,  is  not 
abject  fubmiflion ;  but  it  is  humility  of  mind.  It  is  not 
thinking  of  ourfelves  highly,  or  only  coniidering  the  errors 
of  our  governors,  and  our  own  deferts ,-  but  it  is  thinking  fo- 
berly,  making  allowances  for  their  failings,  and  acknowledg- 
ing our  own.  It  is  giving  "  tribute  where  tribute  is  due," 
and  "  fubmitting  to  the  ordinances  of  man  ;"  not  from  fear, 
not  from  any  linifter  purpofe,  but  "  for  the  Lord's  fake,"  with 
a  thorough  conviction  that  we  owe  the  bleffing  of  regular 
government  to  God,  and  that  the  obedience  which  we  pay 
to  the  human  reprefentatives  of  his  power,  the  earthern  vef- 
fels  in  which  the  treafures  of  order,  peace,  and  fecurity,  are 
depofited,  is  well  pleafing  in  his  fight.     Such  a  confcientious 

•  Particularly  ift  Kings,  lift  chapter,  verfe  3d;    asd  Genefis,  14th 
chapter. 

Tt 


338 

attachment  to  our  King  and  country,  enlightened  by  hiftor- 
cal  knowledge,  is  as  much  political  inrormation  as  our  fex 
requires.  It  will  be  a  prefcrvalive  from  party  violence,  and 
from  that  agitating  intereft  in  local  difputes  which  overpow- 
ers weak  minds.  It  will  put  us  upon  our  guard  againll  the 
pfeudo-patriots,  who  ufe  the  welfare  of  the  public,  as  a  catch- 
word to  perfuade  the  deluded  multitude  to  raife  them  to  the 
lofty  eyrie  of  greatnels,  from  whicli  they  may  fuccefsfully  dart 
upon  thofe  to  whom  they  owe  their  exaltation.  For  power, 
like  the  fountain  of  Lethe,  has  the  infallible  quality  of  indu- 
ing thofe  who  tafte  it  with  the  habit  of  forgetting  former 
friends  and  early  profeflions.  As  this  has  been  the  invariable 
condu(ft  of  all  popular  idols,  nothing  but  the  ignorance  of 
their  votaries  can  render  it  fuccefsful.  Would  we  but  look 
a  little  lefs  at  what  is  prefent,  and  more  at  what  is  paft,  we 
fhould  fcorn  to  be  cheated  by  the  method  which  diftinguifh- 
ed  the  rebellion  of  a  difobedient  fpecious  demagogue  three 
thouiand  years  ago.* 

Having  efcaped  out  of  the  dangerous  labyrinth  of  politics 
(may  I  hope  with  fafety  ?)  let  me  now  enforce  a  caution 
which  the  lafl  topic  has  brought  to  my  recollection  •,  I  mean, 
againft  the  very  common  fault  of  confining  your  attention 
to  new  publications  and  local  topics.  I  know  that  you  are 
above  the  vanity  of  being  thought  a  literary  lady,  which  in- 
duces many  a  would  be  Afpafia  to  toil  through  volumes  of 
inanity,  only  that  fhe  may  be  faid  to  read  every  thing  that 
comes  out.  "Prince  Poftery,"  as  Swift  humoroufly  terms 
the  fixture,  is  generally  juft  to  us  fcribblers  •,  and  it  is  as  fafe 
for  thofe  who  have  not  much  leifure  to  bellow  on  books, 
to  wait  till  their  value  has  been  determined  by  his  high- 
uefs's  preceptor,  Time.  What  a  mafs  of  rubbiih  does  every 
year  confign  to  the  trunk-maker  !  yet  it  is  poffiblc,  that  ma- 
ny of  thefe  defunct  compofitions  were  admired  by  many  be- 
fide  their  d'lfajlrons  parent.  "  The  older  an  author  is,"  fays 
Howel,  "  commonly  the  more  folid  he  is,  and  the  greater 
teller  of  truth  *,"  the  reafon  is  evident,  the  impartial  cenfure 
of  the  public  annihilates  all  others.  The  pleafure  and  the  im- 
provement which  we  derive  from  reading,  confifts  in  our 
preferring  a  well  digefted  feleftion  ;  and  even  perfons  of  the 
brighteft  underftandings,  who  are  compelled  by  their  iitua- 
tion  to  read  every  thing,  generally  complain  that  their  minds 
are  retrograde  in  refpedl  to  uleful  or  agreeable  information. 

*   sd  Samuel,  15th  chapter,  4th  Terfc. 


339 

There  is  a  fpecies  of  compofitlon  which  is  very  popular,, 
but  iliould,  in  my  opinion,  only  be  fought  for  by  thofe  who 
have  little  leifure  j  and  even  then,  fince  it  Is  more  ufeful  to 
know  a  few  things  well,  than  to  imbibe  a  confufed  jumble 
of  every  thing,  even  fuch  readers  might  employ  their  time 
more  advantageoufly  ;  I  fpeak  of  thofe  works  which  go  by 
the  name  of  Extracts,  Anecdotes,  Beauties,  and  Anas.  If 
to  amufe  be  the  objedl  of  the  compilers  of  thefe  olios,  I  fear 
they  lofe  their  aim,  except  with  very  volatile  ftudents ;  for 
you  are  fcarcely  permitted  to  be  interejied  with  one  fubjeft, 
before  you  are  hurried  to  another,  with  an  abruptnefs  that 
rather  exhaujls  than  exhilarates.  A  beauty,  torn  from  its  na- 
tive foil,  often  becomes  a  deformity,  becaufe  a  judicious 
writer  always  contrives  that  fituation  fhould  heighten  the 
effe£t  of  his  fplendid  paflages.  The  bathos  was  never  more 
ftrongly  exhibited,  than  in  an  attempt  to  introducee  fome  of 
Mrs.  RatclifFe's  fine  romances  upon  the  ftage.  The  inci- 
dents and  characters  were  indeed  -oerhally  preferved  ;  but  the 
nice  arrangement  and  preparation  which  rendered  them 
ftriking,  was  confidered  by  the  dramatlzer  as  wiejfential ;  of 
courfe,  the  fame  ftory  which  once  harrowed  up  the  foul, 
now  convulfes  us  with  laughter. 

Criticifm  is  the  laft  topic  to  which  I  fhall  call  your  atten- 
tion, in  what,  I  fear,  my  awful  cenfors  will  call  my  "  litera- 
ry goffiping  j"  I  mean  if  they  fhould  determine  to  beftow 
any  caftigation  on  a  hardened  offender,  who  has  often  dared 
to  utter  a  jeft  at  their  dread  tribunals.  Were  I  not  afraid, 
that  fome  one  would  difcover  me  to  be  of  a  moft  malicious 
turn  of  mind,  I  fhould  confefs  that  it  is  a  fpecies  of  reading 
from  which  I  derive  uncommon  pleafure.  Learning,  genius, 
and  wit,  cannot  be  more  ufefully  employed,  than  when  they 
officiate  as  porters  to  the  temple  of  the  mufes ;  but  fince  it 
fometimes  happens  in  thefe  evil  days,  that  people  appoint 
themfelves  to  this  office,  without  having  had  their  creden- 
tials figned  by  Phoebus,  I  would  advife  you,  if  you  have  a 
relifh  for  this  high  feafoned  food,  to  apply  to  more  than  one 
caterer ;  or  you  will,  by  depending  on  his  bill  of  fare,  en- 
counter "  a  crow  in  a  perigord  pie ;"  I  mean,  that  prejudice 
and  party  will  fo  difguife  an  author,  as  either  to  prevent  you 
from  enjoying  a  mental  luxury,  or  oblige  you  to  fwallow  a 
naufeous  compofitlon.  In  thefe  times  of  violent  contention, 
party  intrudes  its  cloven  foot  into  every  fubjedl ;  and  works 
are  efl:imated  by  every  other  rule  than  intrinfic  merit.  The 
public  is,  however,  generally  more  jufl  i  an  illiberal  critique 


540 

has  feldom  enough  folldity  to  arreft  the  flight  of  genius ; 
and  it  rarely  happens,  that  dulnefs  can  long  fear  on  the  plu- 
mage which  partiality  had  foldered  on  its  preponderating 
lead,  though  its  effort  is  aflifted  by  the  puff  direEl,  as  well  as 
the  puff  by  in!plicntiof7. 

Periodical  critiques  have  been  thought  unfavourable  to 
the  caufe  of  literature.  When  the  number  of  them  was 
fmall,  few  people  had  accefs  to  more  than  one ;  and  as  its 
decifion  was  uncontroverted,  its  dicliim  was  received  as  in- 
fallible ;  but  fince  this  monarchy  (or  call  it  a  triumvirate) 
has  been  fplit  into  petty  principalities,  the  mighty  whole  re- 
lembles  a  fang  drawn  lion,  on  which  nve  literary  mice  may 
fport  with  impunity.  Efpecially  as,  inftead  of  a  general  fed- 
erative union  among  the  various  cantons  of  cenforial  inqui- 
iition,  they  forget  their  common  intereft,  and  are  not  only 
rivals  but  enemies.  At  that  important  sera,  when,  in  the 
fpirit  of  Turkifli  policy,  criticifm  refolved  to  have  "na 
brother  near  the  throne,"  the  veil  was  drawn  from  the  eye 
of  the  public,  and  the  unerring  fage  funk  into  the  literary 
prize  fighter,  who  purchafed  renown  by  etidiiring  and  giving 
baftinadoes.  From  that  happy  moment,  the  natives  of 
Grubftreet,  who  were  wont  to  ftand  filent  to  be  pecked  at, 
till  their  ferene  tormentors  were  fatiated  with  looking  at 
their  bare  anatomy,  now  chuckle  and  crow  in  *heir  turn ; 
for  who  is  afraid  of  a  revieived  revie-zutr  P  I  beg  pardon  for 
thus  frequently  alluding  to  my  own  dear  fraternity ;  the 
recolleftion  of  our  fufftrings  muft  excufc  a  little  triumph  at 
our  being  for  ever  emancipated  from  our  filent  bondage,  and 
permitted,  like  the  ilaves  in  the  infernal  regions,  to  lalh  the^ 
tyrants  who  once  made  us  groaa. 

Since  the  opportunity  of  comparing  various  critiques  ef- 
fectually combats  every  objecftion  that  could  be  made  on  the 
fcore  of  prejudicing  the  mind,  when  your  own  principles 
are  generally  fixed,  there  is  no  danger  in  learning  the  cha- 
racter of  a  work  from  a  journal  oppofite  to  your  own  no- 
tions, provided  you  keep  an  antidote  at  hand.  You  will 
thus  be  able  to  dete<ft  the  cxgelTes  and  falfe  gloflos  of  either 
party ;  and  difcufhon  will  prevent  your  moderation  from  de- 
generating into  h{keivcirmn?fs,  or  your  zeal  from  evaporating 
into  extravagance.  This  requires  a  folidity  of  judgment,  to 
which  I  know  you  are  equal ;  the  attempt,  however,  would 
be  unfafe  to  our  fex  during  their  fiilad  days.  But  befide  pe- 
riodical producStions,  which  are  unavoidably  tainted  with  the 
imperfections  incident  to  local  difcuflion?,  we  pofiefs  a  mine 


341 

of  critical  treafures,  to  whofe  fterling  ore  time  has  fixed  his 
indubitable  atteftation.  Among  the  moft  valuable  of  thefe, 
we  may  rank  the  effort  of  female  talte  in  defence  of  our  na- 
tional favourite  Shakefpeare,  and  the  animadverfions  inter- 
fperfed  in  the  biographical  labours  of  Johnfon.  Criticifm 
alfo  occupies  a  diftinguilhed  and  inftrudtive  part  of  thofe  pe- 
riodical elTays  which  I  formerly  recommended  to  your  at- 
tention. Nor  do  I  wifh  to  confine  my  commendations  of 
this  branch  of  polite  literature  to  the  Auguflan  ages  of  the 
Spectator  or  the  Rambler ;  living  authors  have  added  much 
valuable  matter  ;  and  even  in  the  ephemeral  produ<Slions  of 
the  day  we  often  meet  with  remarks  replete  with  fo  much 
wit  and  ingenuity,  as  inclines  a  reclufe  obferver  to  confider 
the  national  tafte  as  being  materially  improved^  notwithftand- 
ing  the  melancholy  caveat  which  the  degrading  flate  of  the 
drama  enters  againft  this  exhilarating  refle^lion. 

Vapid  criticifm  is  verbofe  and  tedious  ;  but  inveftive  or 
adulation  are  its  bafeft  and  moft  frequent  faults.  The  pop- 
ularity of  this  fpecies  of  reading  has  certainly  turned  us  in- 
to a  nation  of  difputants  and  cenfors.  Pope  complains, 
that  "  ten  cenfure  wrong,  for  one  who  writes  amils ;"  and 
every  author  feelingly  alTents  to  the  truth  of  this  oracular 
declaration.  But  the  charadler  that  I  have  been  fo  long 
fupporting,  upon  recolle(ftion,  covers  me  with  fhame  and 
terror  j  fince,  however  I  might  hope  to  efcape  under  cov- 
er of  my  fex  as  an  author,  in  my  new  character  of  critic  1 
can  expert  nothing  but  the  fate  of  the  difaftrous  jackdaw, 
who  ventured  into  an  alTembly  of  peacocks.  I  fliall  not, 
hov/ever,  be  ftripped  of  all  my  borrowed  plumage  ;  much 
of  it  belonged  to  one  who  cannot  noiv  reclaim  his  o%un  ideas. 
The  grave,  which  prematurely  clofed  on  as  much  genius, 
information,  and  tafte,  as  can  diftinguifh  an  individual,  ef- 
fecliially  conceals  my  plagiarifm. 

I  fhall  conclude  this  letter  by  repeating  a  caution,  which 
will  certainly  come  unopportunely  from  one  who  fpeaks 
through  the  pigmy  defile  of  twenty  duodecimos.  I  mean, 
that  valuable  knowledge  is  not  increafed  by  multifarious  read- 
ing. One  well  digefted  book  will  improve  the  mind  and 
the  heart  more  than  many  volumes  haftily  devoured  for  the 
purpofe  of  faying  that  v/e  have  read  them.  This  appetite 
for  univerfal  fcholarfhip  is  rather  increafed  by  periodical  an- 
notators ;  for  they  feem  to  fuppofe  that  it  is  reproachful, 
for  any  who  pretend  to  literary  tafte,  to  be  unacquainted  with 
any  celebrated  work.     I  believe  few  people  polTefs  fuch  clear 


o42 

heads,  and  retentive  memories,  as  to  be  able  to  comprehend 
a  long  work  at  one  perufal ;  and  few  have  fufficient  leifurc 
to  beftow  circumfpeft  inveftigation  on  a  great  variety.  A 
feledtion  of  found  authors  of  acknowledged  merit  is,  there- 
fore, moft  ferviceable  to  general  readers ;  for  it  is  not  the 
images  of  words  paffing  before  the  eyes,  but  ideas  imprinted 
upon  the  foul  by  the  blended  powers  of  memory  and  un- 
derftanding,  that  can  make  us  either  better  or  wifer  for  our 
ftudies. 

I  remain,  my  dear  Mifs  M ,  &c. 


343 


LETTER    XL 


On  Converfationj  Societyt  and  Friend/hip. 


•  MY  DEAR  MISS  M , 

1  WO  advantages  are  annexed  to  literary  purfults ;  firft,  as 
they  tend  to  improve  thofe  wonderful  faculties  by  which  we 
are  diftinguifhed  from  the  brute  creation,  to  our  own  com- 
fort ;  and,  fecondly,  as  knowledge  is  calculated  to  make  us 
more  agreeable  and  pleafing  in  the  eyes  of  our  fellow-crea- 
tures. 

It  has  always  been  the  unfortunate  error  of  mankind,  to 
beftow  moft  care  and  attention  on  what,  in  their  calmer  mo- 
ments, they  confefs  is  leaft  deferving  folicitude.     Thus  it 
happens,  that  the  prefcnt  world  gains  the  afcendancy  of  the 
future  ;  that  agreeablenefs  procures  more  admirers  than  de- 
fert  j  and  that  the  appearance  of  enjoyment  is  preferred  to 
the  reality.     The  fame  erroneous  judgment  has  elevated  the 
fecondary  end  of  ftudy  into  undue  afcendancy ;  and  hence 
it  cannot  be  wondered  at,  that  when  the  fuperftru£bare  is 
not  founded  on  a  really  enlightened  intellect,  a  good  heart, 
and  a  corrected  temper,  the  delire  of  pleafing  and  the  paf- 
fion  for  fhining  fhould  be  confounded.     Nothing  is  more 
natural  to  an  ingenuous  foul,  than  a  wifh  to  be  thought 
amiable  by  all  with  whom  we  converfe.     To  have  our  ap- 
proach hailed  with  the  fmile  of  undifguifed  complacence, 
and  our  departure  deprecated  by  fomething  lefs  equivocal 
than  the  ceremonious  entreaty  of  good  breeding,  conftitutes 
a  fpecies  of  perfonal  importance  which  even  a  ftoic  can  but 
affeB  to  defpife.     But  I  muft  tell  the  young  lady  whofe  whole 
foul  is  engrolTed  by  the  determination  of  pleafing,  that  this 
propcniity  will  carry  her  beyond  the  defired  goal.     Admi- 
ration and  afie£tion  are  very  diftinft  fentiments  :  you  can- 
not excite  the  former  in  any  confiderable  degree  without 
alarming  a  hoft  of  competitors,  who,  being  engaged  in  the 
fame  purfuit,  will  narrowly  inveftigate  your  condu£l  *,  and 
if  any  indirect  fteps,  or  unfounded  pretenfions,  can  be  dif* 


344 

covered,  you  muft  dread  the  confequcnces  of  vigilant  fcru- 
tiny.  Affcclion,  on  the  other  hand,  is  luon,  not  vanquijijed ; 
when  we  cherilh  it,  we  indulge  ourfelves,  inftcad  of  paying 
homage  to  others.  It  has  the  agreeable  property  of  veiHng 
thofe  imperfc(flions  which  the  envy  attached  to  admiration 
never  fails  to  expofe.  It  is  therefore  better  adapted  to  the 
difpofition  of  our  fex,  who  muft  ever  feel  their  defire  of 
eclat  checked  by  the  timid  apprehenfion  of  reproach.  We 
cannot  ftray  far  from  that  privacy  which  is  our  happieft  and 
mod  natural  foil,  without  incurring  danger. 

The  love  of  admiration  has  never  been  more  prejudicial 
to  women,  than  in  the  article  of  literary  purfuits  ;  for  know- 
ledge and  underftanding  are  dirtinftions,  of  which  the  lords 
of  the  creation  are  highly  tenacious  ;  and  they  are  moft  un- 
willing to  allow,  that  more  than  a  few  particles  of  thofe  pre- 
cious metals  can  poflioly  amalgamate  with  that  vaft  prepon- 
derance of  quickfilver  irritability,  which  they  affirm  confti- 
tuted  the  fuperinduced  ftamina  of  the  fophiflicated  rib. 
Though  I  verily  believe  there  are  many  more  male  than  fe- 
male pedants,  and  though  I  maintain  that  our  underlland- 
ings  are  equally  well  adapted  to  the  duties  that  we  are  call- 
ed upon  to  perform,  and  therefore  cannot  in  ftri6lnefs  be 
denominated  inferior ;  I  would  wifh  my  fex  to  remember, 
that  advantageous  reading,  being  peculiar  and  perfonal,  may 
be  enjoyed  in  its  fulleft  extent,  without  exciting  thofe  con- 
ftant  attendants  of  celebrity,  detraction  and  fcurrility.  I 
wifla  alfo  to  add,  that  by  fecuring  thofe  principal  ends  of 
ftudy,  the  fecondary  ufes  follow  of  neceffity.  She  who  has 
really  improved  her  underftanding,  her  principles,  and  her 
temper,  by  knowledge  or  fcience,  muft  be  courted  as  a  com- 
panion and  loved  as  a  friend  ;  and  though  the  general  dif- 
fufton  of  literature,  and  increafed  liberality  of  opinion  (I  do 
not  now  ufe  that  word  ironically,)  permit  our  fex  to  diiplay 
acquirements  that  would  formerly  have  been  deemed  ridic- 
ulous, it  is  certainly  fafer  for  us,  as  a  general  rule,  to  confid- 
er  fcience  rather  as  the  mirror  of  Juno,  by  which  ihe  attir- 
ed herfelf  for  Jove,  than  as  the  lambent  flame  which  played 
around  the  head  of  lulus,  and  dijlinguijl?ed  him  from  his 
young  compeers.  The  enlightening  of  our  underftanding? 
fhould  not  be  our  firft  aim  when  we  enter  upon  a  courfc  of 
ftudy.  Our  diftin(Slions  as  moral  and  immortal  beings,  are 
fupcrior  to  the  faculty  of  enlarged  intelligence  ;  our  hearts 
and  lives  therefore,  fliould  be  amended  tlirough  the  medi- 
um of  our  intelle^Ttual  powers,  or  we  read  and  refle^^l  in  vain. 


345 

Improved  capacity  always  implies  increafecl  refponfibillty ; 
knowledge  is  a  moft  precious  talent,  and  muft  pay  the  high- 
eft  premium.  The  errors  of  ignorance  are  fometimes  an  ex- 
cufe  for  crimes ;  but  the  backflidings  of  fapience  ever  imply 
criminality. 

Is  it  not  fafer  then  to  remain  ignorant  ?  Certainly  not ; 
for  the  confcioufnefs  of  ignorance  is  a  degree  of  knowledge  ; 
and  an  indolent  preference  of  darknefs  to  light,  when  we 
are  convined  that  we  fit  in  darknefs,  betrays  alfo  a  confciouf- 
nefs that  we  ktio%u  our  deeds  to  be  evil.  Sincerity  of  inten- 
tion muft  accompany  mental  imbecility,  or  its  weaknefs  is 
no  apology. 

The  advantages  of  a  relifh  for  literature  are  moft  forcibly 
felt  in  folltude  and  in  old  age  -,  the  inconveniencies*  attach- 
ed to  both  thefe  fituations  are  feldom  fuccefsfuUy  parried, 
unlefs  by  thofe  who  to  the  blefling  of  a  clear  confcience  add 
the  variety  of  gratifications  which  a  well  cultivated  mind 
can  fupply.  While  we  live  in  the  gay  world,  or  even  in  do- 
meftic  fociety,  we  are  only  one  of  a  pic-nic  party  ;  and  the 
trouble  of  the  entertainment  is  fo  diminifhed  by  the  num- 
ber of  contributors y  as  to  prevent  us  from  thinking  how  it  has 
been  provided.  But  when,  like  a  Canadian  fettler,  we  are 
confined  to  our  own  log  houfe,  prudential  preparations  for 
the  enfuing  winter  alTume  a  moft  ferious  afpedl,  and  become 
interwoven  with  the  care  of  our  exiftence.  We  muft  have 
oil  for  our  lamps,  covering  for  our  beds,  and  fuel  for  our 
fire  j  we  want  cordials  to  exhilarate  us,  food  to  ftrengthen 
us,  employments  to  exercife  our  bodies,  and  expecftations  to 
ftimulate  our  minds,  befides  medicinal  provifion  for  acciden- 
tal ficknefs  or  calamity.  To  drop  the  allufion  :  what  a  fund 
of  innate  cheerfulnefs,  tranquillity,  energy,  and  contentment, 
is  neceffary  for  thofe  who  hope  to  live  comfortably  by  them- 
felves,  efpecially  for  fuch  as  continue  to  ruminate  when  all 
the  powers  of  activity  are  fufpended,  or  finally  deftroyed ! 
Happy  the  mind  which  at  fuch  a  period  can  turn  inward, 
and  contemplate  thofe  forms  of  "  perfeft,  fair,  and  good," 
which  a  correct  judgment  fkctched  in  early  life  on  the  ftill 
iindefaced  tablet  of  memory  ! 

We  will  purfue  this  theme  in  the  conclufion  of  our  cor- 
refpondence.  It  is  my  prefent  intention  to  proceed  from 
literary  acquirements,  to  the  field  in  which  they  publicly  dif- 

♦  See  Letter  15th. 

Uu 


34G 

play  thcmfelves :  I  mean  converfation.  Now,  though  infor- 
mation certainly  adds  a  thoufand  delicacies  "  to  the  feaft  of 
rcafon  and  the  flow  of  foul,"  it  ihould  be  like  the  charms  of 
our  general  mother,  "not  obvious,  not  obtrufivc,  but  retir- 
ed." Like  the  fylphs  that  accompanied  Belinda  in  her  aqua- 
tic triumph,*  it  may  add  a  multitude  of  minute  graces  to 
the  nymph  around  whom  it  hovers  j  but,  unlcfs  in  the  fc- 
le^  parties  of  private  friendlhip,  it  muft  rarely  afl'ume  fo 
denfe  a  body  as  to  be  difcerniblc  by  vulgar  eyes.  Nor  muft 
it  (prefuming  on  its  ethereal  origin)  atrc(Sl  a  contempt  for 
thofe  earth-born  gnomes  yclept  houfehold  cares ;  which, 
though  far  Icfs  rarefied  than  the  fcintillations  of  fcience,  are 
quite  as  neceflary  to  the  con^forts  of  animal  exiftence.  By 
way  of  clofing  the  competition  which  has  long  fubfifted  be- 
tween the  foaring  daughter  of  genius,  the  flatternly  meta- 
phyfician,  the  "  fquarc  elbowed  family  drudge,"  and  the 
light  robed  nymph  of  fallnon,  fuppofe  we  take  fome  of  the 
diftinfl  qualities  of  each,  and  with  them  form  a  female  par- 
agon, permitting  converfation  to  unite  the  brilliant,  the  pro- 
found, the  ufeful,  and  the  trifling ;  for,  I  fear,  whoever  de- 
termines to  exclude  any  of  thefe  ingredients  will  deprive  the 
compound  of  an  agreeable  zeft  or  ballamic  property.  Con- 
verfation was  never  fb  happily  allegorized  as  by  a  refem- 
blance  to  a  colle^lion  of  mufical  inftruments  ;  and  I  believe 
we  never  return  from  a  pleafant  intellectual  concert,  with- 
out acknowledging  that  our  gratification  proceeded  from  its 
variety  as  well  as  itsfweeifufs.  We  felt  obliged  to  the  lead- 
ing kettle-drum  (provided  flie  did  not  play  too  long  or  too 
loud,)a  s  well  as  to  the  harmonizing  flute  ;  and  the  fprightly 
kit  would  have  given  us  lefs  amufement,  had  it  not  been 
contrafled  with  the  fober  fb-ains  of  the  virginal.f 

It  has  been  remarked,  that  though  in  this  age  of  equali- 
zation one  rank  Aides  into  another  in  the  article  of  drefs, 
luxury,  and  amufement,  converfation  ftill  preferves  its  at-i/ia- 
cratical  diftindlions  ;  and  I  am  afraid  that  my  inveterate  dif- 
like  of  democracy  will  be  deduced  from  the  obfervation  I 
am  going  to  make,  that  it  would  have  been  well  for  fociety, 
if  the  politenefs  and  accom.modation  of  our   fuperiors  were 

*  Sec  Rape  of  the  Lock. 

f  Sec  Tatler,  vol.  •?.  no.  ij.v  I  cannot  for  tlils  rcafon  approve  the  hy- 
meneal fchenjc  which  the  ih;Teuiou'i  author  fubjoins.  Wiio,  for  Heaven's 
fake,  could  live  v/ich  a  drum  and  kettle  drum,  or  eudiuc  the  monotony 
of  a  bagpipe  and  catlancts  ? 


347 

as  Imitable,  as  the  form  of  their  attire  or  the  arrangements 
of  their  tables.  Purpofing  to  fzy  much  upon  this  head,  it 
will  be  expedient  to  qualify  the  bitter  potion  by  a  previous 
introdudtion  of  what  is  fo  palatable  to  human  pertinacity  j  I 
mean  the  abufe  of  thofe  who  are  above  us.  And  to  begin 
with  a  fubjecl  which  will  I  am  fure  be  popular,  courtiers  are 
proverbially  infincere  in  their  fmiles  and  promifes ;  and  who- 
ever builds  on  their  favour  more  than  convenience  warrants, 
erects  "  the  bafelefs  fabric  of  a  viiion."  Something  has 
been  faid  in  favour  of  thefe  profcribed  beings,  who  are  pro- 
feffionally  expofed  to  felicitation,  and  politically  reftrained 
from  oiFending  fuitors  by  refufals  ;  but  as  I  write  for  the 
middle  orders,  I  fliall  leave  the  exculpation  of  the  great  to 
their  own  profeiTed  advocates,  and  condemn  the  folly  of 
thofe  who  continue  to  become  the  dupes  of  what  the  expe- 
rience of  all  ages  alTurcs  us  is  fyncnymous  to  the  tracklefs 
wind  ;  I  mean  the  affability  of  great  ladies  and  the  promifes 
of  great  men.  The  language  of  high  life,  like  its  apparent 
good  humour,  is  uniform  and  local  j  and  when  a  plain.cha- 
radler  ventures  into  the  enchanted  labyrinth,  he  fhould  car- 
ry with  him  an  explanatory  vocabulary  adapted  to  the  foci- 
cty  that  he  mixes  with,  as  conftantly  as  a  traveller  does  an 
interpreter  when  he  ventures  into  a  foreign  country  with 
whofe  language  he  is  unacquainted.  Courtlinefs  of  expref- 
fion  is  fo  efTential  an  adjuncl  to  highly  polifhed  manners, 
that  it  rarely  incurs  the  guilt  of  deception,  unlefs  fome  ftray 
bourgeois  adventurer  wanders  among  thefe  "  gorgeous  dames 
and  barons  boldj"  with  enough  native  vanity  to  be  credu- 
lous. Did  this  ourang-outang  (for  fo,  with  permiffion,  I 
long  to  tell  him  he  is  confidered  hy  pretended  admirers,)  but 
confine  his  expectations  to  momentary  enjoyment,  his  wifli- 
es  might  be  gratified  ;  but  if,  like  the  ambaflador  of  Ban- 
tam, he  will  explain  "  devoted  humble  fervant"  according 
to  the  lingo  of  his  own  hemifphere,  he  muff  painfully  dif- 
cover  that,  inftead  of  the  bower  of  Acrafia,  he  has  only  been 
bewildered  in  "  Fool's  Paradife." 

As  it  would  be  abfurd  to  f(;ek  among  *'  high  lived  com- 
pany" for  what  its  conftitutional  laws  compel  it  to  difclaim, 
ilncerity  ;  let  us  confine  our  cenfures  to  the  defedls  which 
thofe  laws  muff  acknowledge  to  be  efTential.  The  fpoiled 
children  of  opulence  and  profperity  are  too  apt  to  fink  all 
other  faculties  in  the  capacity  of  enjoyment ;  and  being 
pleafant  or  interefting  are,  in  their  opinion,  fuperior  quali- 
ties to  being  eflimable  or  im-proving.     Hence,  among  the 


34S 

high  circles,  convcrfation  is  more  like  a  dejeutie  than  an  old 
Englilh  repaft ;  it  abounds  in  bon-bons  and  fyllabubs ;  it  is 
deficient  in  fubftantials.  We  all  know  that  a  fubjedl  fhould 
not  be  quite  exhaufled,  nor  an  idea  fairly  run  down  :  but 
certainly,  as  ftarting  a  multitude  of  game  difappoints  inftead 
of  delighting  the  fportfman  ;  fo  extreme  volatility  and  mu- 
tability in  the  fubje£ls  that  we  difcufs  render  converfation 
fatiguing,  rather  than  delightful.  Good  things  lofe  their  efFeft, 
unlefs  contrafted  by  found  nuords ;  and  they  both  appear  more 
brilliant  when  relieved  by  a  back  ground  of  common  fnfe. 
As  with  the  fenfations  of  fruition  and  delight,  "  Tis  blifs 
but  to  a  certain  bound,  beyond,  is  agony ;"  fo  wit  and  vi- 
vacity exhauft  the  powers  of  enjoyment,  unlefs  placid  eafe 
and  benevolent  feeling  are  allowed  to  unftring  the  high  ton- 
ed imagination. 

The  quality  that  is  moft  ftriking  in  very  refined  converfa- 
tion is,  the  art  of  always  feeming  pleafed  and  happy ;  and, 
of  courfe,  the  general  air  of  complacency  that  is  difFufed  ov- 
er the  fcene.  Now,  though  I  am  convinced  that  the  gentle 
tone  of  approbation  is  often  but  the  cover  for  inward  dif- 
content,  and  that  difguft  lurks  in  the  dimple  of  placid  de- 
light j  I  ftili  maintain,  that  only  apparent  fatisfa^tion  com- 
municates hilarity  to  others,  and  contributes  to  diffufe  the 
external  requifites  of  pleafure.  Ill  humour,  being  confider- 
ed  under  her  political  charadler  of  ill  breeding,  can  only 
venture  into  the  higher  circles  in  mafquerade.  It  being  im- 
poflible  to  exterminate  the  canker  brood  of  this  hydra,  I 
wifli  that  the  laws  of  focial  intercourfe  were  every  where  fo 
ftrift,  as  to  compel  them  to  difguife  their  joy  expelling  pro- 
perties in  every  party. 

The  licentiouihefs  of  patrician  converfation  is  a  fruitful 
theme  for  popular  declamation  ;  but  I  hope,  as  the  publicity 
attached  to  difiblutenefs  of  manners  engenders  an  unfound- 
ed credulity  as  to  the  univerfality  of  depravity ;  fo  the  no- 
toriety of  any  breach  of  decency,  where  we  expe^ed  deco- 
rum, mifdirec%  the  tide  of  virtuous  indignation,  and  teaches 
us  to  deplore  the  frequency,  inftead  of  the  perverfity,  of 
profligacy.  It  is  a  public  calamity,  when  depravity  of  fenti- 
ment  or  manners  is  accompanied  by  fuch  fafcinating  graces 
of  behaviour,  as  muft  perfuade  many  weak  minds,  that  what 
is  fo  very  attrac^tive  cannot  be  very  wrong.  Here,  as  in  the 
cafe  of  knowledge,  the  guilt  is  increafed  by  the  refinement 
of  the  offender,  Thofe  attractions  of  depoi'tment,  which 
naturally  draw  the  delighted  eye  of  every  beholder,  proclaim 


349 

the  mind  to  be  capable  of  all  the  nice  referves  and  keen  fen- 
iibilities  of  virtuous  feeling.  A  man  of  true  tafte  will  not 
think  a  woman  completely  charming  unlefs,  when  in  a  feri- 
ous  mood,  he  could  defer ibe  her  as  having 

«*  Grace  in  all  her  fteps,  heaven  in  her  eye, 
"  In  every  gellure  dignity  and  love  ;"* 

and  fhall  grace,  piety,  dignity,  and  benevolence  fparkle  in 
the  eye,  ftep,  and  gefture,  yet  never  flied  their  divine  influ- 
ence over  the  lips  and  the  heart  P  What  a  laborious  mimic 
is  Ihe,  who,  through  life,  either  afFedls  what  flie  does  not 
feel,  or  a£ls  in  conftant  oppofition  to  her  feelings ;  who 
paints  the  pallid  cheek  of  licentioufnefs  with  the  blufh  of 
modefty,  conceals  the  furious  glare  of  guilty  paflions  under 
the  faintly  glance  of  purity,  and  pours  the  language  of  rib- 
aldry from  the  cherubic  lips  of  innocence  !  With  half  the 
pains  that  fhe  takes  to  nfiomp  a  world  which  at  once  wond- 
ers at  and  abhors  her,  fhe  might  procure  the  efleem  of  the 
virtuous,  and  the  approbation  of  her  own  heart. 

The  unhappy  propenfity  to  copy  the  defedts  of  celebrated 
characters,  inftead  of  their  excellencies,  has  greatly  affedtcd 
the  lower  ranks  of  life  in  the  particular  of  indecorum.  Yet 
I  may  venture  to  aflure  the  members  of  all  the  fafliionablc 
pandvjemoniums,  who  affecl  the  language  of  infernals,  that 
originality  in  indelicacy  has  not  raifed  them  to  that  "  bad 
eminence."  They  may,  indeed,  boaft  of  drefling  up  Bill- 
ingfgate  flang,  or  Wapping  fentiment,  in  better  phrafe  or 
gaudier  colours  ;  but  thofe  feminaries  are  the  only  endowed 
colleges  abfolutely  devoted  to  the  fcience  of  obfcenity ;  and 
it  is  in  the  power  of  the  loweft  of  human  beings  to  be  pro- 
fane and  immoral.  I  gladly  quit  a  moft  difgufting  fubjedt, 
to  attend  to  the  real  advantages  that  are  ufually  annexed  to 
poliflied  converfation. 

We  will  begin  by  confldering,  on  what  principles  the  fii- 
periority  of  polifhed  converfation  over  the  ruder  habits  of 
fociety  is  founded ;  and  fince  good  fenfe,  intelligence,  and 
humour,  are  national  charadteriftics  by  no  means  confined 
to  any  rank,  we  muft  conclude  that  it  arifes  more  from  the 
manner  than  the  matter  of  what  is  faid.  Every  one  mufl 
allow  this,  who  confiders  how  differently  an  anecdote  or  an 
obfervation  founds  when  drefTed  in  good  language,  and  ac- 

*  This  favourite  definition  of  beauty  has  been  inferred  in  Letter  4th, 
though  not  cxatSlly  in  the  fame  manner. 


350 

companicd  by  an  agreeable  manner,  from  what  the  fanic  tale 
or  fentiment  does  when  flrippcd  of  thefe  ornaments.  A  re- 
mark originally  infignificant,  may  become  witty,  farcaftic, 
ftupid  or  luminous,  according  to  the  humour  of  the  repeat- 
er. Though,  in  fictitious  frories,  we  are  at  liberty  fo  to  va- 
ry the  narnitivc  as  to  heighten  the  effect ;  when  we  aim  at 
the  elucidation  of  character,  or  recitation  of  fadl,  finglenefs 
of  heart  muft  profcribe  every  defigned  variation.  The  dif- 
grace  which  falhionable  manners  affix  to  downright  falfe- 
hood  deferves  general  imitation.  Let  us  now  proceed  to 
the  minuticie  of  good  breeding. 

Authors  are  fuppofed  (or  rather  have  been  required)  to 
qualify  theuifclves  for  writing  by  previous  reading ;  and  I 
believe  it  is  efteemcd  eflential  for  a  fpeaker  in  converfation, 
firft  to  ferve  a  probationary  apprenticefhip  in  the  character 
of  a  hearer.  The  term  of  this  initiatory  (late  is  generally 
fuppofed  to  expire  with  our  teens  ;  yet  a  frequent  return  to 
the  manners  of  pupillage  is  one  of  the  rules  which  diftin- 
guifh  a  very  well  bred  perfon  ;  attentive  filence  to  a  fpeak- 
er being  one  of  the  xnoii  fimdamctital  laws  of  politenefs.  Let 
me  juft  hint  a  fituation,  in  which  prudence  requires  you  to 
a£l  contrary  to  the  ojlenftble  expectation.  If  you  fliould  ever 
be  introduced  to  fome  one  who  has  exprefled  great  admira- 
tion of  you,  and  a  vaft  inclination  for  your  fociety,  remem- 
ber that  thefe  words,  properly  tranflated,  mean  a  craving  de^ 
sire  to  be  hioivfi  to  you ;  and  you  will  find  the  art  of  hearing 
the  moft  effential  requifite  at  fuch  an  interview.  Woe  be 
to  the  wight  who  prepares  herfelf  for  this  introdu£l;ion  by  a 
ftore  of  juft  remarks  and  acute  obfervations !  The  infpedting 
party  is  then  fure  to  return  difTatisfied,  and  full  of  complaint 
that  people  never  anfwer  expectation.  But  if  llie  refolve  fo 
to  hufband  her  faculties,  as  to  confine  intelligence  to  acqui- 
efcence,  and  difcernment  to  compliment^  flie  will  infallibly  rife 
in  the  fcale  of  wonders  to  fomething  that  is  fupernatural. 
Thefe  precautionary  admonitions  are  only  meant  to  intimate 
that  vanity  is  univerfal,  and  to  teach  the  gazer  and  the  gazed 
at  to  fcrutinizc  their  own  hearts.  But  to  return  to  the  val- 
uable ordinances  of  polite  manners :  when  information,  au- 
thority, or  talent,  afTumes  the  oracidar  chair y  it  behoves  the 
reft  of  the  company  to  commence  auditors ;  the  right  and 
the  time  for  occupying  it  fliould  indeed  be  limited  by  found 
judgment ;  but  unlefs  the  ufurpation  be  very  manifeft,  and 
very  tirefome,  inattention  or  interruption  are  confidered  as 


S51 

more  flagrant  breaches  of  the  laws  of  good  manners,  than 
thofe  which  they  voluntaril  y  attempt  to  chaftize. 

Attention  to  engagements  and  promifes  might  be  referred 
to  the  indiiToluble  tics  of  moral  honefty ;  but  it  rarely  hap- 
pens that  people  apply  thofe  important  confiderations  to  tri- 
fles ;  and  yet  let  me  again  repeat  the  truifm,  that  it  is  in 
trifles  that  virtue  is  moft  confpicuous.  Verfatility  in  petty 
obligations  gives  a  moft  unfavourable  idea  of  the  moral  char- 
adler,  and  generally  deflgnates  a  perfon  on  whom  one  can 
place  no  dependance.  The  inconveniencles  which  little 
breaches  of  pundluality  caufe  in  fociety  are,  however,  of  them- 
felves  fufficient  to  determine  the  culpability  of  fuch  laxity 
of  mind,  even  if  it  never  proceeded  to  more  enormous  adts 
of  prevarication.  A  perfon  who  breaks  an  engagement  fel- 
dom  reflects  on  the  inconveniencies  that  he  caufes  •,  he  may 
be  compared  to  a  ftone  thrown  into  a  pool,  which  difturbs 
circle  after  circle  till  the  vv^hole  furface  is  difcompofed.  Do 
you  recollect  Steele's  excellent  paper  upon  this  fubject,  in 
which  he  cenfures  his  own  acknowledged  failing  (the  parent, 
perhaps,  of  his  fliill  more  criminal  failings)  with  all  the  frank- 
nefs  and  all  the  irrefolution  of  lively  feeling  and  culpable  va- 
cillation ? 

Among  the  rougher  forms  of  fociety,  it  is  not  unfrequent 
to  hear  civility  and  flncerity  contralled,  as  if  they  were  in 
their  natures  irreconcilable  ;  but  we  only  require  common 
fenl'e,  and  a  good  difpofition,  to  render  a  well  bred  perfon 
as  inartificial  as  the  rudeft  Joan  Blunt  that  ever  harrowed  up 
our  feelings  under  the  pretence  of  telling  us  her  mind.  I 
am  convinced  that  vulgarity  is  oftener  artful  than  ingenuous. 
The  foundation  of  polite  behaviour  fliould  be  laid  in  the 
chriftian  precept  of  "  in  honor  preferring  one  another  ;'* 
which  extends  the  obligation  to  civility  to  all  the  world  : 
friends  and  enemies,  fl:rangers  and  acquaintance,  fuperiors 
and  inferiors  ;  all  have  an  equal  demand  to  have  their  inter- 
courfe  with  us  regulated  by  the  rules  of  decorum.  Obedi- 
ence to  thefe  laws  is  no  infrailion  of  the  higher  claims  of 
truth  and  juftice,  affection  and  gratitude.  The  common  of- 
fices of  life  may  be  conduced  with  urbanity  and  gentlenefs, 
though  affection  and  confidence  are  referved  for  friendfliip. 
If  we  have  occafion  to  meet  a  perfon  with  whom  we  are  at 
enmity,  we  need  not  fcowl  defiance  with  our  eyes,  or  awak- 
en his  paflions  by  menaces  or  infult.  We  have  certainly  no 
right  to  difrurb  the  peaice  of  any  fociety  by  our  previous  quar- 
rels :  bitternefs  does  but  increafe  the  difficulty  of  reconcilia- 


352 

tion ;  while  a  pleafant  word,  or  a  civil  attention,  at  an  occa- 
lional  interview,  have  often  been  known  to  ciiffipate  wrath, 
and  to  vanquilh  difguft.  Judicious  perlons  will  prefervc  this 
general  habit  of  complacency,  without  forfeiting  fincerity  ; 
they  will  avoid  exprefling  particular  regard,  or  foliciting  par- 
ticular intimacy,  in  cafes  where  the  heart  does  not  dictate 
the  requell: ;  nor  will  they  fall  into  the  very  common  meth- 
od of  indifcriminate  ofFers  of  forvice,  which  are  generally 
taken  in  a  ftill  more  enlarged  extent  than  they  are  defigned. 
A  few  general  rules  feem  to  conftitute  the  fundamentals  of 
agreeable  manners.  We  fhould  be  careful  neither  to  offend 
nor  to  miflead  thofe  with  whom  we  converfe.  Now,  if  our 
behaviour  be  not  ajftimcd^  but  the  genuine  efFe<fl:of  a  humble 
and  benevolent  heart,  though  we  may  err  in  fome  of  thofe 
minute  points  which  cuftom  has  introduced  and  experience 
fanftioned,  we  never  can  be  guilty  of  any  great  lapfes. 
When  the  heart  didlates  the  external  carriage,  it  cannot  be 
artificial  j  and  llmplicity  not  only  charms  all  beholders,  but 
is  an  accredited  pafTport  to  really  good  fociety. 

An  adherence  to  the  precept  of  "  in  honour  preferring 
one  another,"  will  certainly  reprefs  oftentation,  which  is  one 
of  the  moft  fruitful,  and,  let  me  add,  moft  vulgar  fources  of 
our  focial  folecifms.  Whoever  meet  company  with  an  in- 
tention of  making  a  difplay,  may  reft  aflured  that,  though 
there  is  a  chance  of  their  being  fo  fortunate  as  to  aftonKh  a 
feiUy  they  will  be  fure  to  difpleafe  jnatiy.  The  native  pride 
of  human  nature  renders  us  very  hoftile  to  the  claims  of  fu- 
periority  \  and  if  it  appear  but  in  the  fliape  of  an  ornament, 
it  is  fure  to  have  its  pretenfions  contefted.  The  fame  may 
be  obferved  of  every  natural  or  acquired  eminence,  unleis 
the  envied  diftinftion  is  fo  enveloped  in  modefty  and  com- 
placence, as  to  diminifh  all  the  invidious  effefts  of  fupcrior- 
ity  -,  but  thefe,  indeed,  generally  accompany  a  genuine  claim- 
ant to  particular  regard.  The  equilibrium  of  fociety  is  oft- 
ener  deftroyed  by  the  preponderance  of  fioify  pretenders, 
than  by  the  acknowledged  gravity  of  wit,  tafte,  elegance,  or 
information.  The  cawing  rooks  outfcream  the  fweet  warb- 
lings  of  the  nightingale. 

The  defire  of  calling  forth  all  the  latent  talents  of  the 
party,  by  an  exhilarating  attention  to  every  individual  of 
whom  it  is  compofcd,  principally  caufes  the  zeft  of  that  re- 
fined fociety  where,  indifputably,  we  ought  to  fearch  for  the 
ailvantagi's^  as  well  as  the  lanvs^  of  good  breeding.  The  mo- 
tive for  endeavouring  to  make  every  one  plcafcd  with  lum- 


553 

felf  may  be  felfifh  ;  but  the  effect  is  grateful  to  all.  "When 
this  duty  is  well  underftood  and  pradtifed  by  the  hoft  and. 
hoftefs,  a  general  fuavity  of  look  and  manner  is  fure  to  be 
the  confequence.  Would  it  not  be  advifable,  if,  in  certain 
walks  of  life,  the  provilion  for  the  animal  part  of  the  enter- 
tained were  diminilhed,  and  more  folicitude  fhown  for  the 
preparation  of  mental  delicacies  ?  A  plain  dinner,  feafoned 
with  fenfe  and  cheerfulnefs,  is  infinitely  preferable  to  a  thou- 
sand luxuries  ferved  with  the  languid  air  of  fatigued  often- 
tation. 

Young  women  who  copy  their  gentility  from  faulty  mod- 
els are  extremely  apt  to  fuppofe  that  faftidioufnefs  is  a  proof 
of  tafte  ;  or  elfe,  that  exceffive  laughing  demonftrates  a  pro- 
digious deal  of  wit,  or  a  monftrous  quantity  of  good  humour. 
The  firfl  of  thefe  mifi:aken  fafliionifts,  like  Dr.  Johnfon's 
Anthea,  predetermines  to  fpoi!  every  party,  to  meet  with 
nothing  riglit,  and,  in  fa61,  to  realize  the  power  attributed 
to  the  toad,  of  extracting  poifon  from  every  objedl.  The 
gigglers  belong  to  the  gregarious  tribe  of  animals ;  they  ge- 
nerally lurk  in  holes  and  corners,  to  the  vaft  annoyance  of 
ail  forlorn  looking  people,  who,  however  worthy  or  intelli- 
gent, mufl:  not  hope  to  efcape  the  denomination  of  quizzes, 
and  conlequently  become  lawful  prey.  Having  never  been 
informed  that  real  wit  or  innocent  vivacity  Is  even  fufpeBed 
of  exciting  this  local  merriment,  I  fuppofe  thofe  naturalifts 
may  be  right  who  maintain,  that  as  the  female  glow  worm 
poffeffcs  the  quality  of  Ihining,  in  order  to  point  out  her  re- 
treat to  her  winged  mate,  fo  thefe  earth  born  nymphs,  poH- 
felling  no  inherent  brightnefs,  have  the  defedt  fupplied  by  a 
fort  of  fympathetic  laughter  ;  for  it  is  obferved,  that  the  ap- 
pearance of  a  beau  incrcafcs  the  convullion  even  to  apparent 
agony.  I  might  apply  feverer  terms  to  the  afFeftedly  difcon- 
tented,  or  the  affectedly  gay  ;  but  probably  my  admonition 
will  have  greater  weight  when  I  fimply  tell  them  that  their 
manners  are  ungenteel.  Would  they  but  let  "  nature  be 
their  goddefs,"  their  diftrefTes  would  intereft,  and  their  hi- 
larity would  pleafe ;  we  Ihould  not  then  be  difgufted  by  a 
capricious  adoption  of  fafhionable  words  or  tonifh  phrafes  \ 
nor  fhouid  We  fee  raufcular  contractions  and  hideous  gef- 
tures  afliuiicd,  under  the  lamentable  idea  that  they  confti- 
tute  beauty  and  elegance. 

Nothing  fliows  propriety  of  judgment  more  than  eftimat- 
ing  the  opinion  of  the  world  at  its  true  value.  Young  peo- 
Ww 


354 

pic  arc  extremely  apt  to  err  in  this  particular,  either  by  de- 
fpifing  what  others  fay  of  them,  or  by  making  too  great  fac- 
rifices  to  obtain  applaufc.  Another  error  is  in  their  calling 
their  own  "  little  fet  the  world."  Many  a  young  woman 
has  been  irretrievably  confirmed  in  her  faults  by  the  flatte- 
ry of  her  own  acquaintance,  who  have  taught  her  to  con- 
fidcr  the  reproofs  of  her  true  friends  as  the  cenfure  of  fpite- 
ful,  ill  natured,  narrow  minded  tabbies.  To  this  caufe  wc 
muft  afcribe  the  difFufive  imitation  of  fa{hionable  awkward- 
nefles,  and  that  confident  ftyle  of  aflertion  which  fo  diftin- 
guiflies  the  vulgar  girls  of  the  prefent  time.  It  fhows  pride 
and  yet  poverty  of  judgment,  engendered  by  local  and  cir- 
cumlcribed  obfervation,  and  follered  by  the  opinion  of  con- 
gregated triflers,  whom  the  habits  of  this  age  allow  to  prate 
in  full  aflembly,  inftead  of  ftitching  their  famplers  at  home, 
as  the  manners  of  paft  times  compelled  their  grandmothers 
to  do.  If  folly  be  indeed  the  predominant  feature  of  the 
human  race,  we  muft  lament  the  relaxation  of  that  difcipline 
which  gave  it,  by  reftraint,  the  exterior  of  wifdom.  It  is 
not  true,  however,  that  the  majority  of  women  are  incapa- 
ble of  thinking  right ;  it  is  becaufe  the  leading  principles  of 
modern  education  do  not  put  their  ideas  into  a  right  train 
for  profitable  reflexion.  The  opinion  of  the  world,  or 
rather  that  of  connoifleurs,  is  courted  on  the  fcore  of  accom- 
plifhments  ;  why  not,  then,  aim  to  acquire  the  approbation 
of  found  judges  in  manners  and  morals  ?  Propriety  and  ele- 
gance are  determinable  by  laws  as  unalterable  as  thofe  of  the 
Perlians,  however  they  may  be  fuppofed  to  be  fubjeift  to  the 
light  decrees  of  falhion,  by  thofe  who  confound  efTentials 
with  appendages.  A  bold  flare,  a  mafculine  fwing,  a  pro- 
jected chin,  and  curvated  flioulders,  cannot  prefent  the  out- 
line or  the  movements  of  Grecian  grace  and  fymmetry.  A 
few  dear  loves  may  pronounce  the  fiueet  creature  quite  capti- 
vating, and  the  very  eflence  of  the  prefent  mode  ;  but  genu- 
ine tafte  will  join  with  the  aunts  and  grandmothers  of  the 
party,  in  protefting  againft  all  diftortions  of  the  human  fig- 
ure, under  the  falfe  notion  of  improvement.  I  queftion 
whether  her  interdift  againft  the  ftiff  bridle,  and  fwimming 
ftep,  of  former  times  was  promulgated  with  half  fuch  fe- 
verity. 

But  aftedlation  is  only  one  of  the  methods  by  which  felf- 
conceit  difplays  its  confcious  importance.  Egotifm  belongs 
to  the  fame  error  of  undue  felf-preference  ;  it  is  not  indeed 
quite  fo  dogmatical  as  pertinacity,  nor  fo  difgufting  as  dif- 


355 

tortion  ;  but  wc  cannot  admire  the  monotonous  bell  of  the 
pack-horfe,  although  it  do  not  harafs  us  like  the  grating  of 
a  grindftone,  or  deafen  us  with  the  thunder  of  a  fulling  mill. 
Nothing  upon  earth  is  fo  dull  and  tirefome  as  long  hiftories 
about  our  own  petty  perplexities  ;  narratives  that  polTeii 
neither  intereft,  humou?,  nor  inftrudlion  ;  efpecially  when 
interladed  (as  is  generally  the  cafe)  with  a  plentiful  quantum 
of  felf-praife.  We  need  not,  however,  abfolutely  banifh  felf 
from  converfation,  though  it  muft  be  prohibited  from  zC- 
fuming  the  port  of  a  heroine,  either  on  account  of  uncom- 
mon merit  or  lingular  difafters.  I  once  knew  an  inftance, 
in  which  egotifm  was  made  fo  infinitely  agreeable,  that  the 
listeners  were  never  weary  of  its  narratives ;  but  then  it  was 
introduced  to  corredt  its  own  foibles,  fomewhat  in  the  dif- 
guife  of  a  jack-pudding,  and  it  recounted,  not  wondersy  but 
mockeries.  This  would,  however,  be  a  dangerous  expedient 
to  all  who  had  not  fufficient  ftrength  and  dignity  of  charac- 
ter to  check  merriment  before  it  approached  the  confines  of 
contempt.  This  was  eminently  the  cafe  with  the  Lady  that 
I  allude  to  j  at  whom  the  moll  impertinent  witling  could 
not  laugh  one  moment  longer  than  fhe  condefcended  to  fid- 
dle for  his  amufement.  She  polTefled  the  art  of  fliowing  us, 
in  all  her  ludicrous  narratives  of  her  own  dilemmas,  that  the 
ridicule  attached  to  the  whimfical  fituation  in  which  Ihe  was 
placed,  and  not  to  her  own  inherent  folly.  When  humour 
can  be  thus  managed,  it  alTumes  that  Ihape  of  harmlefs  play- 
fulnefsy  which  is  the  moft  exhilarating  cordial  of  the  foul. 

If  ever,  then,  we  happen  to  be  feized  with  an  invincible 
defire  of  talking  of  ourfelves  in  company,  let  us  be  fure  to 
render  the  theme  very  agreeable.  This  cannot  be  done  by 
putting  on  our  beft  array,  by  paint  or  by  patches.  No  cred- 
it will  be  given  us  for  the  witty  things  which  we  proteft  we 
faid  or  did  on  fuch  an  occafion ;  the  tale  "  fmells  of  the 
lamp ;"  and  our  injudicioufnefs  in  repeating  former  triumphs 
deftroys  our  credibility.  A  really  clever  woman  has  no  oc- 
cafion to  employ  the  paft  tenfe  in  fuing  for  her  credentials 
of  intelligence.  Do  we  not,  by  fo  doing,  expofe  ourfelves 
to  the  retort  which  Efop  tells  us  filenced  the  lying  traveller, 
who  boafted  of  his  agility  in  Rhodes,  by  the  company  beg- 
ging him  to  confider  the  prefent  occafion  as  a  proper  fcen^ 
for  an  original  exhibition  of  talent  ? 

Converfation  refembles,  in  many  particulars,  a  ganac  of 
chance.  The  beft  players  are  thofe  who,  ftill  keeping  in 
■view  the  eftablilhed  rules,  adapt  themfelves  to  accidental  va- 


356 

nations  with  fkill  and  adroitnefs.     Whoever  engages  in  it 
with  a  fteadfaft   rofolution  of  making  particular  ftrokes,  or 
ties  himfelf  down  by  a  preconcerted  manner,  will  be  lure  to 
lofe ;  and  he  who  refolves  to  keep  the  game   in   his   own 
hands  plays   unfairly.     "  A   civil   gueft,"  fays  the  old  poet, 
*'  will  neither  talk  all  nor  eat  all  the  feaft."     When  we  talk, 
let  us  confider  rather  what  will   be  requifite  for  us  to  fay, 
than  what  we  fhall  be  gratified  in  faying.     After  keeping  the 
ball  in  our  hand  a  due  time,  let  us  refign  it  to  another  play- 
er, and  only  occafionally  catch  it  in  its  rebound.     But  let  us, 
in  that  cafe,  beware  of  arrefting  it  by  too  hard  a  blow.     Pet- 
ty contradictions  are  not  the  fpur,  but  the  quietus,  of  agree- 
able converfation.     They  proceed  from  a   habit  formed  in 
early  life,  to  which  parents  in  the  middle  ranks  of  fociety 
are  never  fufficiently  attentive.     If  half  the  pains  that  are 
taken  in  teaching  young  women  accomplifliments  were  be- 
ftowed  on  the  regulation  of  ther  tempers,  and  the  improve- 
ment of  their  manners,  our  focial   pleafures   would   receive 
moft  valuable  improvements.     It  is  to  be  lamented,  that  this 
moft  teafmg  habit  often  diflinguilhes  very   worthy   people, 
who  adopt  it  from  a  mifi:aken  regard  to  truth  and  fincerity. 
As  thefe  are  efpecially  apt  to  fuppofe  that  a  domeftic  party 
releafes  every  body  from  all  reftraints,  they  frequently  con- 
trive to  convert  a  family  meeting  into  a  battle  royal ;  fome- 
what  refembling  the  conteft  of  a  brood  of  turkey  pouts,  in 
which  every  one  gets  pecked,  and  none  difcover  for  what 
reafon.     The  moft  miferable  fate,  however,  au'aits  a  Gran- 
ger, who,  fuppofing  this  engagement  to  proceed  from  fecret 
enmity,  unfortunately  interferes  to  re  (tore  peace,  and  does 
not,  till  after  he  has  received  the  rebuffs  of  every  combatant, 
difcover  that  they  were  all  the  while  cachllug  in  perfect 
friendfhip.     This  humour  generally  breaks  out  in  the  midft 
of  fome  narrative,  in  which  the  repeater  is  interrupted  with 
fomething  quite  as  unelTential  as  Mifs  Carolina  Wilhelmina 
Amelia  Skeggs's  elucidations  of  Lady  Blarney's  crim  con 
ftory,  in  the  Vicar  of  Wakefield  ;  and  as  both   parties  in- 
ftantly  quit  the  main  point,  to  afcertain  the  verity  of  the  ap- 
pendage, all  the  fpirit  of  the  tale  (if  it  ever  had  any)  inftant- 
ly  evaporates,  and  leaves  the  combatants  to  fight  over  a  dead 
body,  like  the  heroic  Greeks  and  magnanimous  Trojans.     A 
love  of  detailing  wonders  (another  lamentable  fault  in  con- 
verfation) is  extremely  apt  to  roufe  this  contradictious  fpirit, 
which  really  is  a  fort  of  wild  fire  very  liable  to  agitation,  ir- 
refiftible  in  its  progrefs,  and  incapable  of  extinction  ur^til  it 


357 

has  confumed  all  the  fuel  within  its  reach.  It  is  not  always 
harmlefs,  unlefs  it  is  ignited  among  the  weeds  which  over- 
run a  rich  but  neglefted  foil.  We  may  deduce  family  dif^ 
fenlions,  breach  of  friend£hip,  nay  irreconcilable  enmity, 
from  this  fource,  much  oftener  than  we  can  afcribe  thefe  la- 
mentable confequences  to  any  great  violations  of  the  princi- 
ples of  morality. 

Whenever,  therefore,  we  feel  inclined  to  deny  what  has 
juft  been  advanced,  let  us  previoufly  reflect  whether  our  mo- 
tive for  interference  be  fuch  as  will  juftify  that  interrupti<*n 
of  general  harmony  which  contradiftion  always  endangei's. 
Is  the  mifreprefentation  grofs,  is  the  miflake  at  once  palpa- 
ble and  important  ?  If  fo,  a  duty  paramount  to  the  laws  of 
good  breeding  compels  us  adlively  to  fupport  the  caufe  of 
truth  ;  but  (even  then)  we  flaould  ftill  recollect^that  no  caufe 
is  ivell fiipported  without  moderation  andTirbanity.  There  is 
no  occaiion  for  the  loiid  fcream  of  reprobation  ;  a  hint  is 
more  forcible,  if  not- to  the  offender,  at  leaft  to  the  bye- 
ftander.  If  the  culprit  refufes  to  receive  this  admonition, 
and  even  maintains  her  own  opinion  or  ftatement  with  per- 
tinacity, it  will  be  more  ativifable  to  decline  the  conteft,  than 
to  enter  on,  what  is  quite  inimical  to  the  nature  of  focial 
converfe,  a  long  angry  argument.  Difcuflions  of  important 
points  may  fometimes  be  purfued  in  cpmpany  v/irh  improve- 
ment or  pleafure  \  but  then  the  weapons  of  controverfy  muft 
be  wielded  by  maflers  of  the  fcience,  who  poiTefs  real  com- 
mand of  temper  as  well  as  information,  who  can  gracefully 
fubmit  to  defeat,  and  who  fcorn  to  purfue  a  victory  after  it 
has  been  aclnowled^fed .     Such  talents  are  too  feldom  found 

o 

in  unifon,  to  induce  uae  to  refcind  my  affirmation,  that  con- 
tradidlion  and  argument  are  the  pefts  of  converfation  j  and, 
unfortunately,  the  more  infignilicant  the  occaiion,  the  more 
irritating  are  the  confequences. 

Giving  unpleafant  anfwers  has  been  already  alluded  to: 
bitter  irony  is  another  folecifm  of  the  rules  of  politenefs. 
To  fay  what  you  are  certain  will  give  unneceffary  pain,  is 
not  only  a  breach  in  manners  but  in  morals.  If  v/it  be  re- 
ftrained  by  the  fundamental  laws  of  her  ov»'n  empire  from 
lacerating  by  her  keennefs,  Ihall  the  ufurper  Duhiefs  be  al- 
lowed to  ufe  her  mallet,  to  do  what  the  bright  daughter  of 
.  Fancy  renounces  her  legitimacy  by  attempting  !  Rude  far- 
cafms  might  always  be  corrected  by  the  company  before 
whom  the  offence  is  conimitted.  If  there  were  no  thought- 
lefs  laughers,  there  would  be  no  cffenfive  jeiters.     The  leaven 


358 

of  vanity  operates  in  this  inftance,  as  it  does  in  moft  of  our 
petty  faults.  Solicitous  of  diftinftion,  yet  ignorant  of  wor- 
thy means  to  procure  it,  the  fplenetic  dullard  refolves  to  be 
celebrated,  though  it  be  only  as  the  defiroyer  of  that  comfort 
which  he  cannot  promote.  Banifhment  to  Coventry  would 
be  a  dcfcrved  and  falutary  punifhment ;  nothing  can  fooner 
reclaim  malignity  than  to  fhow  it  its  own  infignificance. 
But,  to  undertake  the  execution  of  this  fentence,  requires 
more  hardihood  than  generally  accords  with  the  female 
chara^er. 

An  adept  in  the  praiSlice  of  chriftian  candour  knows  that 
we  mufl  invariably  conform  to  the  precept  of  "  thinking  no 
evil."  Among  the  minute  but  highly  important  ramifica- 
tions of  this  extenflve  duty,  we  may  rank  all  unpleafant  con- 
ftructions  of  ^the  words  of  our  aflbciates ;  and,  when  they 
really  will  bear  no  other  interpretation,  endeavouring  to  fhow 
the  fpeaker  that  we  are  delirous  of  underftanding  them  in  a 
favourable  light.  A  good  humoured  anfwer  to  a  fplenetic 
remark  conftitutes  thofe  **  foft  words"  which  Solomon  com- 
mends ;  and  there  are  few  tempers  fo  truly  diabolical  but 
will  yield,  if  not  to  the  fuavity,  at  leaft  to  the  addrefs  of 
gentle  management :  I  except  paflionate  people,  who,  if 
they  are  generous  (the  ufual  concomitant  of  warmth,)  are  al- 
ways fooneft  vanquiflied,  by  fhowing  them  that  the  darts 
they  throw  about  at  random  make  painful  wounds. 

The  precept  of  *'  in  honour  preferring  one  another,"  will 
teach  us  a  habit  extremely  gratifying  to  all  with  whom  we 
afTociatc  :  I  mean  that  of  appearing  intcreft:ed  in  their  affairs. 
This  fpecies  of  attention  is  efpecially  due  to  thofe  who  are 
in  afflidlion  or  perplexity.  We  cannot  expe£l  that  people 
who  are  fo  circumftanced  can  enter  into  the  ordinary  flyle 
of  converfation  with  eafe  and  cheerfulnefs  •,  and,  it  is  pro- 
bable, we  have  no  other  way  of  foftening  their  calamities 
than  by  taking  an  interell:  in  their  affairs.  What,  fhall  wc 
afk,  is  {o  grateful  as  pity ;  what  fo  foothing  as  fympathetic 
attention  ?  The  veriefl  wretch  that  ever  languifhed  in  ca- 
lamity would  turn  his  woe  worn  face  to  catch  the  accents  of 
commiferation.  Confolation  is  certainly  a  moft  difficult  of- 
fice ;  we  never  can  difcharge  it  well,  if  we  do  not  under- 
fland  it  rather  with  a  heart  difpofed  to  perform  it  as  a  duty, 
than  with  a  mind  prepared  to  enter  upon  it  as  a  field  where-^ 
in  we  may  difplay  cur  powers.  The  great  evil  that  perfe- 
cutes  converfation,  intrudes  alfo  into  this  part  of  focial  inter- 
courfe ;  I  niean  vanity.     Though  nothing  is  fo  galling  to 


S59 

the  excoriated  heart  as  reproof,  mofl  comforters  are  apt  to 
confider  cenfure  as  the  grand  fpecific  for  woe.  "  Miferablc 
comforters  are  ye  all,"  faid  Job  to  the  declaimers  who  crowd- 
ed round  him  to  tell  him  that  his  Jms  deferved  chaftifement. 
The  fons  and  daughters  of  affliflion  oftener  find  relief  from 
felf-exertion  than  from  the  trite  arguments,  or  roufing  ftim- 
ulants,  which  are  fo  often  injudicioufly  applied  by  thofe  who 
yet  pique  themfelves  on  a  diligent  attendance  on  the  houfe 
of  mourning.  Among  the  requifites  proper  to  enable  us  to 
difcharge  this  duty  as  we  ought,  difcretion  and  tendernefs 
hold  the  preeminence.  The  feftering  ulcers  of  the  wound- 
ed fpirit  fhould  be  cleanfed  with  a  light  hand  and  feeling 
heart.  Allow  much  for  the  petulance  of  affliction  ;  do  not 
afliime  the  fevere  cenfor,  and  fcrutinize  every  wayward  ex- 
preffion  ;  you  will  be  oftener  required  to  liften  than  to  fpeak. 
Be  patiently  attentive  to  the  tale  of  mifery  till  the  firft  pangs 
of  grief  fubfide,  and  exhaufted  feeling  wears  a  momentary 
refemblance  to  apathy ;  you  may  then  apply  yourfelf  to  ex- 
traEl  the  thorn  with  fome  profpeft  of  fuccefs.  Gradually 
introduce  other  fubje£ls ;  at  firft,  fuch  only  will  intereft  as 
are  analogous  to  the  fituation  of  the  fufferer.  If  you  con- 
ceive that  the  mind  bends  fo  much  as  to  miftake  murmur- 
ing for  fenfibility,  in  your  converfation  dwell  on  the  virtue 
of  fortitude,  or  rather  recommend  chriftian  refignation. 
You  may  do  this  incidentally,  by  introducing  fuch  examples 
as  Lady  Rachel  Ruflel,  or  Mifs  Bowdler.  The  one  fhowed 
that  it  Was  poffible  for  the  hopes  of  immortality  to  vanquifh 
the  acute  fenfe  of  the  moft  fevere,  uncommon,  and  repeated 
deprivations  j  while  the  other  proved  its  capacity  of  triumph- 
ing over  the  extremejl  tortures  of  bodily  anguifli.  In  both 
inftances,  the  chriftian  principle  had  to  contend  with  great 
natural  fenfibility. 

Advice  is  a  duty  analogous  to  confolation,  and  requires  as 
much  delicacy  in  the  adminiftring  it,  to  render  it  beneficial ; 
but  as  the  right  of  giving  it  is  circumfcribed  within  narrow 
bounds,  we  will  here  only  enter  a  proteft  againft  thofe  very 
bufy  people,  who  are  troubled  with  fuch  an  overflow  of  wif^ 
dom,  that  they  are  always  giving  ledlures  on  propriety,  and 
correcting  every  thing  which  they  fufpeCt  to  be  an  error. 
Unlefs  we  are  landtioned  by  the  ties  of  affinity,  intimate 
friendfhip,  or  that  accidental  fuperiority  which  the  depen- 
dent fituation  of  the  advifed  creates,  we  fhould  feldom  ven- 
ture on  the  invidious  talk  of  a  counfellor,  unlefs  by  gentle 
kints  or  filent  intimations  of  difTent ;  which  duties  we  fhall 


be  required  to  perform  as  often  as  the  interefls  of  truth  or 
morality  are  called  in  qiiellion.  But  it  fometimes  happens, 
that  comparative  ftrangers  will  afk  our  opinions  on  their  con- 

"diiilt;  this,  however,  is  rarely  done,  except  when  they  have 
inade  up  their  minds  upon  the  rubje<fl,  and  wifh  to  ftrength- 
en  their  refolution  by  thefe  unfairly  coliedted  fufFrages.  On 
fuch  uix  occafion,  it  is  wrong  to  facrifice  our  integrity  to  in- 
fidious  vanity.  Silence  is  tlie  wifell  mode ;  but  if  we  mult 
fpeak,  our  opinion  fliould  be  ingenuous,  only  couched  in 
refpe^lful  language. 

I  have  not  yet  touched  upon  the  principle  fault  of  conver- 
fation :  I  mean  flander.  When  it  proceeds  from  maliciouf- 
nefs,  or  when  it  is  embellifhed  with  faifehood,  it  belongs  to 
a  fpecies  of  vices  that  exceed  the  jurildidtion  of  minor  mor- 
als. There  is,  however,  a  defcription  of  detraction  known 
by  the  name  of  goffiping,  which  is  the  general  peft  of  all  ru- 
ral aflbciations,  and  feems  quite  an  equivalent  for  that  im- 
moderate love  of  pleafure  which  contaminates  a  town  life. 
What,  may  we  aik,  is  that  perverted  induftry  which  is  ever 
bulled  in  the  minute  concerns  of  our  neighbour,  but  reftlefs 
indolence  ?  Too  diffipated  to  be  quiet,  too  imbecile  to  be 
felf-amufed,  we  ruftics  are  compelled  to  go  out  of  ourfelves 
in  fearch  of  fome  pungent  ftimulant  to  drug  the  vapid  cup 
of  life.  The  mifadventures  of  all  around  them  are  an  exqui- 
fite  treat  to  fpirits  of  this  caft  j  their  vital  ftream  would  in- 
evitably ftagnate,  did  it  not  receive  fome  impetus  from  a 

Jhux-pas  or  an  elopement.  Had  I  a  mind  to  jingle  upon 
words,  I  could  fay  that  they  would  be  mined  without  bank- 
ruptcies, and  miftrable  without  misfortunes  ,■  a  typhus  in  your 
family  cures  them  of  a  nervous  intermittent,  and  a  breadi 
in  your  domeftic  felicity  creates  amufement  for  half  your  ac- 
quaintance. In  the  gloomy  month  of  November,  when  moft 
people  are  fliut  up  in  their  own  caftles,  or  during  any  ex- 
traordinary ftagnation  of  news,  what  is  to  become  of  the  un- 
fortunate beings  who  fubfift  upon  report .''  Sooner  than  be 
quite  famillied,  they  myit  provide  themfelves  with  fome  im- 
proper ariment ;  and  when  they  can  no  longer  fee  what  their 
neighbours  are  doing,  they  imy  fur mife  what  they  fay  or 
think ;  and  it  is  poffible,  through  Mrs.  Nokcs,  aided  by  the 
difcoveries  of  Mils  Styles,  ftrengthened  by  the  hints  of  Mr. 
Richard  Roe,  confirmed  by  a  plentiful  fliare  of  Abigail  tef- 
timony,  we  may  find  out  that  they  have  been  talking  about 
us  whik  fitting  round  their  fullen  lea-coal  fire-.  How  glori- 
oufly  does  our  indignation  rife  at  this  difcovery  !  lu  the  Ian- 


361 

guage  of  Vapid,  in  the  Dramatift,  "  Here's  a  field  !  here*s  a 
Situation  !  what  an  opening  !  talk  about  us  ?  Infamous.'* 
Memorandum  :  Is  it  not  extraordinary,  that  confcience  never 
tells  us  that  our  grand  refource  during  this  dreary  feafon  has 
been  talking  about  them  ?  But  the  confcience  of  a  thorough 
paced  goffip  is  not  the  moft  juft  emblem  of  fufceptibility. 

Selfifhnefs  is  certainly  the  motive  for  encouraging  this  bu- 
fv  tattling  humour  ;  yet  if  we  confulted  our  own  true  inter- 
ells,  we  fhould  fcarcely  find  a  companion  more  inimical  to 
peace  than  this  general  inquilltivenefs,  and  reftlefs  intrulion 
into  the  thoughts  and  affairs  of  our  neighbours.  In  vain 
fiiall  we  hope  to  quench  our  appetite  for  this  indulgence, 
when  we  once  allow  it  to  intrude  upon  our  mind ;  It  is  ir- 
reliftible ;  and  there  is  no  alternative  between  exterminating 
the  inclination  and  enduring  the  thirft  of  Tantalus.  At  firft, 
it  introduces  itfelf  under  the  habit  of  playfulnefs,  and  at- 
tempts no  more  than  a  harmlefs  laugh  at  the  foibles  which 
it  difovers ;  but  unlefs  we  poflefs  great  good  temper,  and 
live  in  a  foil  remarkably  fertile  in  ridiculous  folecifms,  in- 
creafe  of  appetite  foon  impels  us  to  afperity ;  or,  poffibly 
fome  remark  on  Mrs.  Heavilide's  Arcadian  drapery  is  fo  very 
good,  that  we  cannot  keep  it  within  due  bounds ;  and  thus 
being  circulated  beyond  our  own  immediate  fphere,  it  reach- 
es the  ears  of  the  lady  herfelf,  who,  in  a  fpirit  of  vindi(flive 
farcafm,  returns  the  retort  uncourteous  upon  our  ivig.  When, 
affairs  arrive  at  this  flate,  nothing  is  wanting  but  a  go-be- 
tween (of  which  commodity  there  is  always  plenty  in  every 
goffiping  neighbourhood,)  to  blow  up  thefe  embers  into  a 
tremendous  blaze.  It  is  lingular,  that  people  often  declaim 
againft  the  petty  caufes  which  fet  empires  at  variance,  with- 
out having  the  candour  to  recolleft,  that  it  is  trivial  events 
operating  on  the  fame  ftormy  paflions  of  individuals,  which 
produce  all  the  hatred  and  ill  will  that  difturb  the  ferenity 
of  private  life. 

The  oppofite  offence  to  tattling  and  cenforloufnefs  is  flat- 
tery. The  lower  we  defcend  for  our  examples  of  this  vice, 
the  more  difgufting  is  its  appearance  The  fmooth  courtli- 
nefs  of  polifhed  manners  leads  people  of  rank  to  overdrug 
the  potion  of  civility ;  but  it  is  by  graceful  attentions,  and 
elegant  allufions,  that  they  recommend  the  charmed  cup  to 
your  fafcinated  tafire.  When  the  mixture  is  prepared  lefs 
fcientifically,  the  "  foft  infinuating  oil"  is  apt  to  be  too  ap- 
parently fwimming  on  the  furface ;  inferior  cooks  are  ftill 
Xx 


362 

mort  inclined  to  «  make  the  gruel  thick  and  flab,"  tlU,  In 
the  hands  of  your  chambermaid,  it  becomes  fuch  a  hodge- 
podge as  would  naufeatc  any  but  the  craving  appetite  of  in- 
latiable  vanity.  Is  it  not  ftrangc,  that  flattery  in  its  grofleft 
flate  proves  palatable  even  to  the  refined  tafte  of  fuperior  in- 
telligence ?  The  Mufe  records  this  foible  of  one  of  her  fa- 
vourite fons  :* 

"  Of  praife  a  mere  glutton,  he  fwallow'd  what  came, 
"  And  the  puff  of  a  dunce  he  roiftook  it  for  fame; 
"  Till  his  rclifli  grown  callou*  almoft  to  difeafe, 
"  Who  pepper'd  the  highcft  was  fureft  to  plcafe." 

\\.Jiill  fometimes  happens,  that  a  young  woman,  difguftecl 
with  the  predominant  mode  of  behaviour,  and  wilhing  to  be 
thought  very  civil,  turns  parafite,  or  at  leaft  never  attains  in- 
dependence of  charadler.  This  betrays  a  lamentable  want 
of  dignity  of  mind ;  but  the  error  is  generally  confined  to 
the  unhappy  department  of  humble  coufins,  and  may  there- 
fore rather  be  flyled  a  misfortune  than  a  vice.  The  gener- 
al fault  of  the  prefent  times  is  inattention  and  not  exctfs  of 
civility.  The  modern  belle  not  only  has  an  opinion,  but 
takes  care  to  maintain  it  at  the  expenfe  of  the  comforts  of 
others. 

This  leads  me  to  fpeak  of  accommodation,  a  duty  which 
certainly  holds  a  chief  rank  among  the  claims  of  fociety,  and 
which,  as  I  have  mingled  the  fubjedls  of  converfation  and 
good  neighbourhood,  it  is  proper  that  we  fliould  here  dif- 
cufs.  The  courfe  of  human  afl^airs  or  rather  our  relative 
iituation,  and  the  intervention  of  other  duties,  fo  limit  the 
active  exertions  of  benevolence,  that  many  cannot,  except  in 
wiih  and  purpofe,  feed  the  hungry,  clothe  the  naked,  and 
relieve  the  opprefled.  Is  benevolence  then  to  languifla  like 
a  fmothered  fire  .''  No  ;  flie  wiil  flied  her  cherifhing  warmth 
over  all  the  common  oflkes  of  life ;  flie  will  comfort  the 
feeble  minded,  fupport  the  weak,  and  reflrrain  the  prefump- 
tuous ;  or  (to  adapt  her  duties  to  our  prefent  theme)  Ihc 
will,  by  banifliing  all  immoderate  defire  of  felf-enjoyment, 
diredt  her  attention  to  the  comforts,  conveniencies,  inclina- 
tions, and  claims  of  others.  She  will  reftrain  thofe  appetites 
which  interfere  with  what  flie  conceives  to  be  a  primary  con- 
fideration  ;  and,  viewing  herfelf  as  Ihe  really  is,  but  as  one 
little  emmet  in  a  mole-hill,  ftie  will  fee  that  it  is  defirablc, 

*  Garrick.     See  Goldfmith's  poem  of  Rctalliation. 


353 

that  the  welfare  of  many  fhould  be  preferred  to  her  caprices, 
and  not  that  they  fhould  fubjugate  the  well  being  of  others. 
She  will  not  only  "  love  a  fifter's  praife,  or  hear  with  un- 
wounded  ear  lighs  for  a  daughter,"  but  fhe  will  never  at- 
tempt to  fpoil  a  ball  to  which  Ihe  has  not  been  invited,  nor 
fend  excufes  to  an  old  friend  if  flie  can  fpend  a  more  plea- 
fant  evening.  In  her  engagements,  fhe  will  conlider  what 
is  right  and  proper  ;  in  her  manner  of  fpending  her  time, 
what  is  ufeful  and  neceflfary  j  and,  fuffer  me  to  fuggeft  an 
obfervation  of  high  concernment  to  thofe  who  walk  in  the 
diftinguifhed  paths  of  life  ;  fhe  will  inquire  how,  by  a  pro- 
per arrangement  of  thofe  actions  which  are  to  herfelf  imma- 
terial, fhe  can  promote  the  comfort  and  convenietice  of  thofe 
who  depend  upon  her  will  for  their  enjoyment.  Her  ex- 
penfes  will  be  regulated  by  fimilar  motives  ;  felf  will  not  be 
the  Aaron's  ferpent  to  fwallow  up  every  other  item  ;  charity 
and  liberality  will  put  in  their  claims  at  the  iirft  divifion, 
and  not  wait  (as  they  are  often  compelled  to  do)  to  pick  up 
the  cafual  crumbs  of  extravagance.  If  all  other  means  of 
fhowing  her  regard  to  her  fellow-creatures  are  withheld,  fhe 
will  at  leaft  regulate  her  fpeech  by  proper  maxims  j  fhe  will 
give  to  every  one  their  due  importance ;  and,  by  ingenuouf- 
ly  aiming  at  performing  her  own  duty,  fhe  will  acquire  that 
eminence  for  which  oflentation  wearies  itfelf  in  vain. 

It  may  feem  extraordinary,  to  a  mind  deeply  imprefTed 
with  the  rnajefty  and  immenfity  of  the  Almighty,  that  in  the 
revelation  which  he  has  made  to  mankind,  his  Holy  Spirit 
Ihould  have  condefcended  to  didlate  rules  applicable  to  the 
ordinary  habits  and  offices  of  fociety  ;  or,  in  other  words, 
that  the  Gofpel  fliould  regulate  manners.  Yet  mofl  unquef- 
tionably  this  is  the  cafe  ;  and  whoever  fully  imbibes  the  fpir- 
it  of  our  religion,  acquires  the  principles  on  which  true  po- 
litenefs  is  founded.  I  mean,  humility  and  benevolence. 
But  to  defcend  from  general  obfervation ;  where  fliall  we 
find  precepts  more  fitted  to  promote  domeftic  happinefs,  and 
focial  enjoyment,  than  the  following  comprehenfive  rules  } 
*'  BlefTed  are  the  Peacemakers  ;  for  they  fliall  be  called  the 
*'  children  of  God.  Be  kindly  afFeftioned  one  to  another, 
**  in  honour  preferring  one  another.  Recompenfe  to  no 
*'  man  evil  for  evil.  If  it  be  pofhble,  as  much  as  Heth  in 
**  you,  live  peaceably  with  all  men.  When  thou  art  bidden 
"  to  a  feaft,  fit  not  down  in  the  higheft  room,  left  a  more 
*<  honourable  man  than  thou  be  bidden,  and  he  that  bade 
**  thee  and  him  come  and  fay  unto  thee,    *  Give  this  man 


364 

"  place  ;'  and  thou  begin  with  fhame  to  take  the  lovveft 
*'  room.  But  when  thou  art  bidden,  go  and  fit  down  in  the 
"  loweft  room,  that  when  he  that  bade  thee  cometh,  he  may 
*'  fay  unto  thee,  '  Friend,  go  up  higher  -,'  then  fhalt  thou 
<'  have  worfhip  in  the  prefence  of  them  that  fit  at  meat  with 
*'  thee.  For  whoever  exalteth  himfelf  fhall  be  abafed,  and 
<'  he  that  humbleth  himfelf  fhall  be  exalted.  Be  of  the  fame 
*'  mind  one  toward  another  ;  mind  not  high  things,  conde- 
<<  fcend  to  men  of  low  eftate  ;  let  love  be  without  diffimu- 
<*  lation  j  be  pitiful  (that  is,  tender  or  compaflionatc,)  be 
*'  courteous.  Be  not  wife  in  your  own  conceits.  Judge  not 
*'  one  another.  Be  not  flothful  in  bufinefs  ;  provide  things 
*'  honeft  in  the  fight  of  all  men.  Ufe  hofpitality  without 
**  grudging.  He  that  will  not  work,  neither  let  him  eat. 
*'  Let  your  converfation  be  without  covetoufnefs.  Be  con- 
♦*  tent  with  fuch  things  as  ye  have."  If  to  this  brief  fyftem 
of  focial  duty  we  add  the  numerous  reprehenlions  of  idlers, 
of  tattling  wandering  bufy  bodies,  and  negligent  parents  who 
do  not  provide  for  their  own  houfe,  we  fhall  difcover  a  com- 
pendium of  morals  which,  if  flritHily  obeyed,  would  render 
every  private  fociety  the  feat  of  happinefs  and  delight.  For 
though  this  world,  in  its  phyfical  conftitution,  exhibits  fo 
many  marks  of  ruined  magnificence,  and  punitory  inflictions, 
as  jufi:ify  the  verity  of  facred  tellimony,  and  prove  it  to  have 
participated  in  the  cha/lifements  of  its  offending  mafter,  it  is 
not  the  inclemency  of  the  feafons,  the  difa})pointments  of 
fortune,  external  calamity,  nor  even  difeafe  and  death,  that 
make  our  exiilence  burthenfome  ;  but  it  is  irregular  hu- 
mours, inordinate  defires,  and  criminal  propenfities,  either  in 
ourfelves  or  in  thofe  with  whom  we  are  moft  nearly  con- 
neCled,  that  make  us  turn  from  the  cup  of  God's  bounty 
with  difiafte,  and  view  the  fair  face  of  nature  v/ith  defpair. 
Suppofe  a  family,  each  individual  of  which  diligently  itud- 
ies  to  do  what  they  know  to  be  right.  Let  all  of  them  con- 
fider  and  appreciate  the  claims  of  others,  before  tliey  confult 
their  own  inclinations  •,  and  let  them  fleadily  refolve  to  fub- 
due  caprice,  reillefihefs,  and  vanity.  Who  is  there  that  can 
picture  to  his  mind  the  harmony,  tranquillity,  tendernefs, 
and  joy  of  fuch  a  party,  without  wifliing  to  pitch  his  taber- 
nacle among  them  .'*  We  will  only  require,  that  hopelefs  an- 
guifli  and  penury  fhauld  be  baniihed ;  and  though  infirmi- 
ty fhould  occafionally  virant  our  aid,  or  frugality  deny  us  all 
but  common  comforts,  the  bower  of  Acrafia,  or  the  baths  of 


365 

Caprese,  will  be  efteemed  but  as  the  tents  of  «  Kedar  and 
Mefech"  to  a  mind  capable  of  eftimating  and  enjoying  true 
felicity. 

We  have  now  travelled  over  the  pofitive  dut  ies  which  we 
owe  to  fociety  in  general ;  but  before  we  enter  on  thofe  im- 
portant ties  which  fpring  from  our  fexual  relations,  let  us 
call  to  mind  a  peculiar  obligation,  the  bond  of  choice  or  hab- 
it ;  I  mean,  friendlhip. 

Men  have  often  difputed  the  capacity  of  womv°n  for  this 
tender  and  amiable  connexion  5  they  have  afcribed  to  us  too 
much  irritability,  and  too  /iu/e  judgment  and  confillrency,  to 
complete  the  character  of  a  faithful  and  valuable  friend. 
Every  man  v/ho  pofTeiTes  a  good  wife,  has  it  in  his  power  to 
refute  this  fophifm  ;  for  no  wife  can  really  be  a  good  one, 
without  being  in  every  fenfe,  and  every  poffible  exterilion  of 
the  word,  the  friend  of  her  hufband.  But  it  is  argued,  that 
this  connexion  is  ftrengthened  by  ties,  and  diftinguifhed  by 
relative  obligations,  that  cannot  fubfift  between  two  females ; 
and  therefore  that  it  is  no  way  analogous  to  the  fubjecl  we 
are  now  coniidering.  A  wife  knows  that  Ihe  muft  fubmit 
to,  and  annot  for/ake,  her  hufband.  A  hufband  alfo  knows 
that  he  mufi:  defend  and  provide  for  his  wife.  A  leading 
and  a  fubordinate  chara6ler,  bound  by  an  indifTolubh;  bond, 
afford  no  parallel  for  a  connexion  founded  on  equality,  and 
capable  of  being  refcinded.  I  acknowledge  the  latter  difhm- 
ilarity  j  and  confefs,  that  in  the  marriage  iliate,  the  inviola- 
bility of  the  engagement  often  zS:s  as  a  prudential  reftraint 
upon  vice  and  folly  j  but  it  is  an  erroneous  conclulion,  to 
fuppofe  that  the  moft  promiiing  friendlhips  are  founded  up- 
on equality.  The  moft  bsneficial  engagements  of  t'riis  kind 
admit  diffimilarity  of  circumftances. 

Total  oppofition  of  chara«fter  is,  I  grant,  incompati'ble  with 
afFe£tion  ;  but  when  a  woman  choofes  her  friend  wi  fely,  ihe 
will  feledt  one  who  may  fupply  her  own  deficiencies  either 
in  age,  underftanding,  difcretion,  knowledge,  temiper,  or 
manners.  If  flie  look  out  for  the  echo  of  her  own  defeats, 
(he  merely  retains  a  parallte.  It  is  an  injudicious  feledtion, 
rather  than  a  want  of  capability  for  lafling  attachments,  that 
has  brought  female  friendfhip  into  difrepute.  Yet  I  cannot 
fee  that  the  intimacies  of  girls,  who  are  alike  votaries  of  the 
idol  admiration,  deferve  feverer  cenfure,  than  the  gregarious 
habits  of  the  worihippers  of  Bacchus  or  Behal.  Every  boon 
companion  and  every  diflipated  rake  poffefles  a  dear  friend : 
are  thefe  engagements  better  founded,  or  likely  to  be  more 


366 

ftablc,  than  the  keen  fenfibillties  of  romantic  nymphs,  or 
the  violent  intimacies  of  coquets  ? 

But  recrimination  is  not  exculpation ;  we  are  always  told, 
that  fuppoling  celibacy  may  afford  inftances  of  two  fpinfters 
playing  daily  at  piquet  when  tabbies,  who  played  at  ball 
when  girls,  marriage  is  conjlantly  the  grave  of  female  friend- 
fhip.     I  am  ready  to  admit,  that  our  dependent  ftate  and 
circumfcribed  abilities  render  us  Icfs  competent  to  the  adlive 
duties  of  this  obligation  than  man,  who  pofTefles  the  power 
as  well  a?"  the  will  of  obeying  the  di(5lates  of  his  heart.     It 
is  moft  certain,  that  the  authority  which  the  hufband  exer- 
eifes  over  the  actions  of  his  wife,  often  compels  her  to  facri- 
£ce  lefs  confecrated  attachments.     Sometimes  the  matrimo- 
nial tie  removes  her  to  a  diftance  that  will  not  permit  her  to. 
cherifli  an  intimacy  with  her  with  whom  £he  once  flourifhed 
"  like  tv.'in  rofes  on  one  ftalk ;"  and  ftill  more  frequently, 
the  occupations  and  duties  incident  to  her  new  connexion, 
infenfibly   and  undefignedly  divert  her  from  attending  to. 
claims  which  neceflity  and  reafon  alike  affure  her  are  of  fe^ 
condary  obligation.     The  interefts.,  habits,  and  opinions  of 
the  family  into  which  fhe  is  adopted,  are  rarely  congenial 
with  thofe  of  the  fociety  from  which  fhe  is  withdrawn.    Her 
exertions  to  ferve  an  old  friend  muft  be  limited  by  the  per- 
miffion  of  her  hufband,  and  by  what  fhe  owes  to  his  inter- 
efts and  to  thofe  of  her  children.     I  am  urging  fo  many  cir- 
cumftances  againft  the  permanence  of  friendfhip  in  married 
women,  that  you  will  fay  it  is  more  to  be  wondered  at  that 
it  ever  continues,  than  that  it  is  often  obliterated.      Yet  fure- 
ly,  granting  this  to  be  the  cafe,  men  have  no  caufe  to  re- 
proach us  with  verfatility,  for  yielding  to  the  primaeval  ob- 
ligations of  our  being  j  nor  fliould  we  fink  in  their  eftimai 
tion,  for  that  fubmiffion  to  their  humours,  and  devotednefs 
to  their  interefts,  which  are  at  once  obligatory  and  unavoidable. 
But  a  fufpenfion  of  the  expreflions  or  offices  of  friendfhip, 
when  it  proceeds  from  thefe  caufes,  does  not  imply  an  alien- 
ation of  heart ;  declining  a  correfpondence,  or  interrupting 
an  intimacy,  is  not  relinquifhing  a  friend.     Circumftances 
may  and  often  do  arife,  which  admit  of  regathering  the 
unravelkd  but  not  broken  clue  of  love ;  which  fliould  never 
be  feparated,  except  from  dilcovering  the  bafenefs  or  un- 
feemlinefs  of  its  texture.     If  the  friends  of  our  youth  are 
fo  disjoined  from  us  by  intervening  connexions,  that  they 
cannot  conduce  to  the  comfort  or  convenience  of  our  ma- 
turer  years,  they  are  (if  intrinfically  valuable)  an  excellent 


367 

commodity  to  lay  by  upon  the  fhelf.  They  may  prove 
the  cordial  reftorative  of  broken  fpirits,  the  fok  cnlivener  of 
life's  long  wintry  eve,  when  the  pofleffions  which  prudence 
taught  us  to  prefer  have  all  been  taken  from  us,  and  the  fol- 
itary  mind  wants  vigour  to  form  new  acquaintance,  powers 
to  create  attachments,  and  aimation  toenjoy  any  thing  which 
ufe  has  not  rendered  palatable,  or  demonftrated  to  be  fal- 
utary. 

We  will  not,  therefore,  exfcind  friendfhip  from  the  cata- 
logue of  feminine  connexions  ;  but  ailign  its  place  to  the  ex- 
tremes of  early  and  declining  life,  in  which  its  influence  may 
be  moft  largely  exerted.  Not  that  we  are  authorized  en- 
tirelylto  banilh  it  from  that  bufy  part  of  our  exiflence  which 
is  generally  occupied  by  the  conjugal  engagement  ;  we  only 
fuppofe  it  as  ailing  during  that  period  in  a  circumfcribed 
and  fubordinate  ftation.  Since  I  have  acknowledged  myfelf 
to  be  inclined  to  plead  againft  the  juftice  of  abfolutely  pafl>- 
ive  obedience  in  a  wife,  I  will  here  put  in  a  retainer  for 
friendship,  as  being  a  kind  of  claimant  that  has  a  right  to 
lift  up  her  voice  againft  the  abfolute  authority  of  a  hufband. 
I  plead  not  for  dangerous,  indifcreet,  or  unfuitable  attach- 
ments. I  am  an  avowed  enemy  to  exclulive  intimacies  and 
unlimited  confidence,  efpecially  among  married  women.  I 
bar  all  neglecSt  of  family  cares,  for  the  fake  of  imparting  fam- 
ily hijlories  to  a  dear  correfpondent ;  and  all  profeffions,  or 
attentions,  that  can  introduce  the  green  eyed  monfter,  jeal- 
oufy,  into  a  bofom  which,  feeling  its  right  to  undivided  rule, 
will  neither  endure  a  brother  nor  a  fifter  near  the  throne. 
All  thefe  paraphernalia  of  affection  I  renounce ;  and  every 
fenfible  woman,  who  values  her  own  liappinefs,  or  her  own 
character,  will  renounce  it  too.  But  has  {he  a  difcreet  and 
faithful  friend,  who,  though  fhe  fincerely  loves  her,  is  con- 
tent to  retain  only  this  limited  portion  of  her  heart,  nay,  who 
has  too  much  principle  to  think  that  fhe  ought  to  polTefs  more  j 
does  this  friend  conduct  herfelf  with  obliging  attention  to 
the  ruling  power ;  does  fhe  avoid  making  court  to  either  par- 
ty by  unworthy  means ;  does  flie  alike  endeavour  to  avoid  of- 
ficioufnefs  and  inattention  ;  does  fhe  not  only  conceal  the 
fecrets  of  the  family,  but,  I  may  fay,  ftiut  her  eyes  upon  fuch 
part  of  its  private  arcana  as  fhe  is  not  defired  to  infpe£l,  and 
refufe  to  kno%u  what  fliould  not  be  told ;  fuch  a  friend  is  an 
ineftimable  treafure,  and  we  ought  to  feel  its  value.  I  hope  it 
may  be  juftly  affirmed,  that  few  men  would  wifh  to  deprive 
their  wives  of  fuch  an  aflbciate.    Should  caprice,  however,  fo 


1  368 

cloud  their  judgments,  I  conceive  that  every  humble  entrea- 
ty, every  temperate  remonftrance,  which  female  eloquence 
can  fuggcft,  Oiould  deprecate  the  privation  ;  which,  it"  hard 
neceffity  compels,  female  fenftbility  rauft  Wwhjlow  relu^lancc 
painfully  endure. 

In  order  to  render  friendfhip  either  a  permanent  or  a  hap- 
py tie,  it  feems  neceflary  that  the  choice  fhould  be  made 
with  great  caution  j  nnd  yet  accident,  or  local  fituation,  ge- 
nerally determines  inl:imacies  which  afterwards  ripen  into 
fincere  attachments.  Moralifts  always  load  young  women 
with  directions  refpecring  the  qualities  that  they  fliould  pre- 
fer in  their  friends ;  forgetting  that  this  advice  prefuppofcs 
a  ripenefs  of  difcernment,  which  is  incompatible  with  the 
age  that  they  addrefs.  There  is  no  doubt  that  good  fenfe, 
good  temper,  difcretion,  &c.  are  preferable  to  their  oppofite 
bad  properties;  but  how  is  a  young  girl  to  difcriminate  be- 
tween thefe  and  their  cciinterfeits^  or  to  disjoin  them  from 
the  various  qualities  by  which  they  are  obfcured  or  counter- 
ailed  ?  It  is  only  by  long  obfervation  that  we  can  efiimate 
the  real  difpofition  and  value  of  our  clofeft  intimates.  Ge- 
neral character,  efpecially  of  very  young  people,  is  extreme- 
ly deceitful ;  their  very  limited  fphere  of  action,  and  the  re- 
ftraint  impofed  upoii  their  behaviour,  leave  ample  room  for 
conjecture  ;  and  as  the  partial  reports  of  friends  or  the  re- 
prefentations  of  enemies  prevail,  their  companions  believe 
them  to  be  agreeable  or  horrid  creatures,  excelfivcly .  good 
humoured  or  monfli-oufly  refcrved. 

For  thefe  and  fimilar  reafons,  it  has  been  doubted,  wheth- 
er youth  be  really  the  feafon  in  which  this  precious  plant 
fliould  be  Introduced  into  the  heart.  It  is  to  be  apprehend- 
ed, that  if  it  be  not  cultivated  in  early  life,  it  will  never  take 
root.  What  we  then  want  in  difcrimination,  we  pcflefs  in 
energy,  and  though  our  judgments  are  then  weak,  our  can- 
dour, our  fmcerity,  and  delire  to  plcafe,  are  moft:  ftrong. 
Befides,  friendfhip  docs  not  prefuppofe  us  other  than  imper- 
fect beings  ;  it  implies  mutual  errors  and  mutual  wants,  by 
the  fundamental  laws  of  its  empire.  Let  two  well  educated 
young  women,  pofleffiug  common  fenfe,  and  having  no  par- 
ticular bad  tendency,  nor  too  much  enthufiafm,  entertain  a 
fincere  affedtlon  for  each  other,  and  there  is  a  great  chance 
that  it  will  mutually  render  them  more  amiable.  The  dif- 
grace  that  is  thrown  upon  early  friendfhips  proceeds  from 
our  confuflng  the  properties  of  iiitimacy  and  attachment. 
Circuraftances  will  tlirow  young  people  in  each  other's  way 


369 

who  afe  totally  indifferent  to,  or*  even  difllke  each  other. 
What  never  exifted  cannot  be  annihilated. 

Though  I  fhould  not  think  favourably  of  a  young  wo- 
man's heart,  who  has  attained  the  age  of  puberty  without 
difcovering  a  peculiar  attachment  to  fome  favourite  compan- 
ion ;  I  acknowledge,  that  romance  and  extravagance  are  fo 
apt  to  intermingle  with  thefe  connexions,  that  they  are  nev- 
er entirely  fafe,  unlefs  fubje^ed  to  the  fuperintendance  of 
more  experienced  heads,  who  will  endeavour  to  reprefs  en- 
thuliafm,  and  to  correct  folly.  As  a  fundamental  rule,  it 
may  be  premifed  that  no  good  girl  will  form  a  friendship 
which  is  dif approved  by  the  feniors  of  both  houfes,  nor  will 
fhe  permit  the  intercourfe  of  even  a  fandlioned  attachment 
to  ailume  a  dandejl'ine  afpedt.  This  endearing  and  improv- 
ing bond  never  fo  truly  executes  its  original  purpofe,  as  when 
a  mother  fo  far  difarms  herfelf  of  reftraint  and  feverity  as  to 
become  the  chofen  companion  of  her  daughters,  who  on 
their  part  ftrengthen  obedience  bjr  confidence  and  efteem. 
A  well  difpofed  ingenuous  girl,  converfing  with  an  intelli- 
gent mother,  pofleflcs  all  the  advantages  of  indifputable  fin- 
cerity  and  tendemefs.  Here  there  is  no  danger  that  truft 
will  be  too  implicit,  or  that  afFe£lion  will  become  too  paf- 
lionate.  Rivallhip  cannot  exift  in  thefe  circumftances  j  ad- 
vice will  never  be  invidious ;  and  though  reproof  may  fome*- 
times  miftake  its  objedl,  it  muft  always  defign  the  good  of 
the  advifed.  A  judicious  friend,  in  whom  there  is  a  limilar 
difparity  of  years,  may  in  fome  cafes  a6t  as  a  fubjlitute  for  a 
maternal  advifer. 

But  as  famenefs  of  charafter  is  the  refult  of  confined  in- 
tercourfe,  and  as  we  do  not  wifh  to  fee  the  "  fear  and  yel- 
low leaf"  predominate  among  the  tender  verdure  of  fpring, 
it  is  defirable  that  young  women  Ihould  have  connexions  of 
their  own  age.  Every  judicious  mother  will  certainly  aim 
at  fecuring  the  confidence  of  her  daughter,  and  adling  as  her 
counfellor  and  guide,  if  not  as  her  preferred  companion. 
By  this  happy  influence,  fhe  may  hope  to  fave  her  from  one 
of  the  greateft  misfortunes  that  can  befal  young  fpinfters ;  I 
mean,  an  indifcreet  friend.  I  am  not  merely  alluding  to  the 
difficulties  in  which  fuch  a  character  will  involve  them,  or 
the  difgrace  to  which  they  may  be  expofed  by  her  levity, 
for  a  good  underftanding  and  good  behaviour  would  in  time 
obliterate  or  prevent  thefe  bad  confequences  -,  but  I  fpeak  of 
the  irremediable  wai'p  that  flie  may  communicate  to  their 
Yy 


370 

difpofuions  j  and  this  even  by  what,  if  fcparately  confidered, 
are  valuable  properties ;  for  Ihe  may  confirm  all  their  bad 
inclinations,  and  fofter  all  their  ill  humours,  even  by  her 
lincerity  and  affection.  That  our  friend  is  our  other  felf,  is 
religioufly  believed  by  all  juvenile  aflbciates ;  and  by  a  mif- 
application  of  this  rule  the  hatreds,  difgufts,  prejudices,  and 
particularities  of  ihcir  very  dear  friends  become  their  own  ; 
not  to  be  corrected  and  fubdued,  but  cheriflied  and  vindi- 
cated. This  violent  adhefion  to  each  other  is  feen  in  full 
force  in  boarding  fchools ;  where  every  girl  has  her  enemy 
and  her  partifan  ;  and  right  and  wrong,  truth  and  falfehood, 
are  confidered  more  as  they  affedl  "  dear  fouls"  and  "  odi- 
ous creatures,"  than  on  account  of  their  inherent  properties. 
But  this  deifying  and  anathematizing  fpirit  is  not  confined 
to  fifteen  ;  too  many  women  are  apt  to  confound  the  duties 
of  friend  and  parafite,  and  even  to  fuppofe  that  peculiarity 
of  attachment  is  fomehow  inconfiftent  with  univerfal  good 
will,  or  elfe  that  ftrong  affection  never  fubfifts  but  when  it 
is  founded  on  imaginary  perfection.  Surely,  fince  the  faults 
qf  our  dear  connexions  give  us  mofl:  pain,  our  perception  of 
them  mufl  be  moft  acute,  and  our  defire  to  counteracSt  or 
eradicate  them  moft  lively.  Reproof  and  advice  are  the 
ijioft  facred  and  the  moft  frequent  duties  of  friendfhip. 
Happy  the  woman  who  finds  her  deareft  afibciate  capable  of 
tempei'ing  the  healthful  draught  of  admonition  with  kind- 
nefs  and  delicacy ;  but  more  happy  is  Ihe  who  has  fufficient 
greatnefs  of  foul  (which  is  fynonymous  with  true  humility) 
to  accept  it  in  its  moft  unfavoury  form,  even  if  it  fhould  be 
prefented  by  the  invidious  hand  of  ill  will  or  envy.  To 
convert  the  unkind  offices  of  malevolence  into  our  own  mor- 
al improvement,  is  the  fureft  way  of  bringing  good  out  of 
evil,  and  affifting  to  make  "  the  wrath  of  man  work  the 
rightcoufnefs  of  God." 

•  But  to  return  to  thofe  cioughty  champions  who  think  ev- 
en the  errors  of  a  friend  too  facred  to  be  cenfured  ;  let  us 
alk  them,  if  they  really  ferve  the  goddefies  of  their  idolatry 
by  entering  into  their  enmities,  flattering  their  foibles,  or 
forwarding  their  unworthy  defigns.  It  is  a  proof  ot  afFec- 
tion,  as  well  as  of  good  fenfe  and  integrity,  to  refufe  all  fuch 
particij^ation  of  interefts  with  the  utmoft  fteadinefs.  Wc 
muft,  however,  be  careful  to  let  our  disjunction  in  thefc  par- 
ticulars appear  like  inflexible  rectitude,  not  alienating  indif- 
ference. If  we  cannot  convince  our  friend  of  her  errors,  it 
is  our  duty  to  try  to  conceal  them  from  others  :  I  mean,  if 


371 

they  are  not  notorions  either  In  .publicity  or  enormity  :  for 
truth  polTefTes  preeminent  claims  ;  and  if  our  friend's  gar* 
ment  bs  vifibly  befpattered  with  foul  mifdeeds,  we  muft  not 
endeavour  to  conceal  them,  at  the  hazard  of  ftaining  the  pu- 
rity of  our  own.  In  the  cafe  of  grofs  offences,  thole  whom 
we  cannot  reclaim  we  muft  abajtdon.  In  other  inftances, 
when  we  meet  with  lefs  debafing  contaminations,  we  may 
find  afFecSlIon  infenfibly  diminifhed  by  thofe  errors  which 
annihilate  efteem.  In  all  circumftances,  if  we  perceive  our 
own  Integrity  or  difcretion  to  be  endangered,  feparation  is 
advifable.  This  is  only  acknowledging  that  our  judgment 
has  been  fallible ;  but  to  preferve  an  unworthy  connexion, 
alike  expofes  our  character,  our  principles,  and  our  repofe. 

Let  not,  however,  verfatllity  of  inclination  claim  a  privi- 
lege which  can  only  be  afforded  to  the  higher  claims  of 
moral  fecurlty.  There  Is  nothing  fo  difgraceful  as  incon- 
llancy  -,  and  an  old  friend,  independent  of  tlie  ties  of  grati- 
tude and  reciprocal  obligation,  may  always  claim  this  advan- 
tage over  a  new  one,  that  you  know  both  her  excellencies 
and  her  faults  \  and  what  is  known,  may  always  be  guarded 
agalnft  or  depended  upon.  If  you  are  in  fearch  of  a  fault- 
lefs  human  being,  you  are  engaged  in  a  hopelefs  labour.  Do 
you  poffefs  the  great  requiiites  of  lincerity,  affedlion,  and 
difcretion,  in  your  old  friend  ;  never  change  thefe  ftaple  com- 
modities for  the  comparative  gew-gaws  of  infinuating  ad- 
drefs,  eafy  manners,  nor  even  for  an  enlarged  capacity  of 
ferving  or  pleafing  you.  Above  all,  beware  of  facrificing 
truth  to  the  courtlinefs  of  a  fycophant,  or  the  fubfervience 
of  a  parafite.  A  woman  of  the  world  may  afford  you  an 
agreeable  evening,  a  flatterer  may  fend  you  home  in  good 
humour  ;  but  a  friend  will  a£l  for  you  in  all  feafons  and  in 
all  humours,  and  you  will  find  her  moft  ufcful  in  the  florin 
of  paffion  or  the  night  of  adverfity. 

I  have  ufed  the  word  friend  in  the  Angular  number  •,  but 
as  I  by  no  means  fubfcribe  to  the  apophthegm  of  Gay,  "  that 
frindfhlp  is  but  a  name,  unlefs  flinted  to  one,"  I  here  ac- 
knowledge that  friendfliip  is  not  monarchical  in  its  conftitu- 
tion,  like  love  •,  and  therefore  It  has  no  right  to  be  expofed 
to  the  inroads  oijealoufy,  who  can  have  no  juft  pretence  to 
endeavour  to  ere£t  it  into  a  defpotic  empire.  It  does  not, 
moreover,  admit  of  that  innumerous  diviiibillty,  which  mod-, 
crn  language  fan^lions,  by  tranfpofing  the  names  of  friends 
and  general  acquaintance.  In  the  largeft  fenfe  of  the  word, 
we  may  call  thofe  friends  in  whofe  welfare  we  feel  a  lively 


372 

intercft,  and  who,  wc  are  perfuaded,  bear  us  a  degree  of  re- 
gard  which  exceeds  the  bounds  of  general  good  will.  Thcfc 
feem  to  be  probationary  candidates  for  the  more  circumfcrib- 
ed  meaning  of  the  word,  or  to  require  nothing  but  local  cir- 
cumftances  to  be  promoted  to  the  honours  of  confidence  and 
dofe  intimacy.  A  difcreet  woman  will  not  admit  a  numer- 
ous herd  into  thefe  facred  precindls,  efpecially  into  thofe  of 
confidence.  When  we  reveal  our  fecret  wiflies,  unbofom 
our  private  affairs,  or  difclofe  our  moft  undifguifed  thoughts, 
we  put  ourfelves  into  the  power  of  thofe  to  whom  we  make 
thefe  difcoveries.  This  is  oftener  a  proof  of  imbecility  of 
mind  than  reality  of  attachment,  and  is  feldom  produ^ivc 
of  any  real  advantage.  At  leaft,  it  fhould  be  referved  as 
the  h'Ji  pledge  which  full  fecurity  intrufts  to  tried  regard ;  I 
need  not  add,  that  it  lliould  be  the  moft  facred.  Apparent 
amiability  has  no  pretence  to  require  it  •,  for  it  is  due  to 
principle,  and  not  to  manners.  Thofe  who  attempt  to  begin 
a  connexion  by  what  they  call  the  unreftrained  intercourfe 
of  hearts,  endeavour  to  ereft  an  inverted  pjTamid,  which 
muft  therefore  inevitably  fall. 

Every  moral  precept,  and  every  rule  of  good  manners,  is 
applicable  to  friendftiip ;  except  that,  as  it  fanftions  greater 
freedom  of  behaviour,  it  alfo  requires  greater  forbearance, 
than  is  neceflary  in  general  intercourfe.  I  was  once  very 
rich  in  this  treafurc,  and  I  could  with  pleafure  dilate  on  this 
theme,  which  is  interwoven  with  all  the  iappie/^  icenes  o{  my 
life  ;  but  as  a  more  copious  defcription  of  the  advantages 
that  I  pofTeiTed  from  having  intelligent,  zealous,  and  pleafant 
friends  in  early  life,  could  neither  amufe  nor  inftruct  my 
readers,  I  will  tear  myfelf  from  a  topic  which  may  lead  to 
refractory  regrets,  repugnant  to  the  decrees  of  Him  "  who 
gives  and  takes  away."  Let  me  rather  turn  my  eyes  on  the 
profpe£ls  which  ftill  open  on  me :  and  your  agreeable  image 
reminds  me  that  you  have  allowed  me  to  call  myfelf 

Your  truly  affectionate  friend. 


373 

LETTER    XII. 

On  Celibacyy  Love,  and  Marriage, 


MY  DEAR  MISS  M , 

1  HE  extenfive  profpeft  that  lately  lay  before  us  begins  to 
contra£l  into  a  narrow  compafs.  A  few  relative  duties  and 
engagements  are  all  that  we  have  to  confider  before  we  en- 
ter upon  the  clofing  fcene. 

Previous  to  our  difcuflxng  the  topic  of  love  and  marriage, 
it  may  be  neceflary  to  inquire  which  is  the  moft  eligible  for 
women,  the  fingle  or  the  married  ftate.  The  anfwer  ap- 
pears extremely  obvious  :  certainly,  the  condition  which  the 
Almighty  created  us  to  occupy  muft  be  mofl  conducive  to 
our  general  happinefs  ;  that  is  to  fay,  defining  happinefs  as 
it  always  fbould  be  interpreted,  to  fignify  the  peace  of  con- 
fcience  which  refults  from  well  doing.  The  corrupted  in- 
clinations and  luxurious  habits  of  mankind  have,  however, 
introduced  fuch  diforder  and  mutability  into  the  univerfe, 
that  we  may  be  allowed  to  produce  the  confeffedly  uninfpir- 
ed  determination  of  an  apoftle,  in  oppofition  to  the  general 
law  of  nature,  and  to  acknowledge  that  a  greater  fliare  of 
care,  perplexity,  pain,  and  forrow,  belongs  to  the  matron 
than  to  the  fpinfter :  our  inquiries  mull,  therefore,  be  ex- 
tended further,  or  our  conclufions  will  be  contradi<n:ory. 
Do  the  general  laws  of  the  Creator  point  at  univerfal  or  in- 
dividual happinefs  ?  Are  not  troubles  and  afflidlions  medici- 
nal in  this  probationary  ftate,  as  the  purifiers  of  eiTor  and 
the  nourilliers  of  chrijlian  graces  ?  Should  we,  therefore,  ef- 
timate  the  blelTednefs  of  our  lives  by  the  degree  of  felf-en- 
joyment  that  has  fallen  to  our  lot ;  or  by  our  ufefulnefs  to 
our  fellow-creatures,  and  preparednefs  for  a  better  exiftence  ? 
I  hear  my  young  friends  exclaim,  "  Who  could  have  cour- 
"  age  to  enter  into  the  married  ftate  with  fuch  mournful 
**  views  of  futurity  ?"  Alas  !  we  can  never  form  a  right  efti- 
mate  of  the  prefent^  or  adt  upon  proper  motives,  without  ex- 
tending our  refearches  to  what  is  impending  and  unfeen. 


374 

It  is  a  falfe  and  dangerous  aflertion,  that  fingle  women 
mufl:  at  bell  pafs  their  hves  in  a  dull  mediocrity,  removed 
indeed  from  lively  griefs,  but  unacquainted  with  real  enjoy- 
ment. Spinfters  may  be  daughters,  lifters,  aunts,  and  friends, 
though  they  are  not  wives  and  mothers.  Every  one's  expe- 
rience can  fupply  inftances,  wherein  as  much  warmth  of  at- 
tachment and  folicitude  of  attention  have  accompanied  the 
fraternal,  as  ever  hallowed  the  conjugal  tie.  How  many 
helplefs  orphans  have  found  maternal  tendernefs  fupplied  by 
the  attachment  of  an  aunt  !  How  many  parents  have  per- 
ceived the  joylcfs  portion  of  extreme  old  age  turned  into  the 
downy  pillow  of  repofe,  by  the  affiduous  watchfulnefs  of  an 
unconnected  daughter  !  Friendfhip,  too,  may  reign  in  the 
heart  of  the  fingle  woman  with  unrivalled  influence  ;  and 
the  abfolute  power  that  flie  poflcfles  over  her  time  and  pro- 
perty gives  an  extenfive  range  to  her  patriotic  and  charita- 
ble exertions.  Ladies  ■  who  are  thus  circum.ftanced  are  the 
propereft  patronefles  of  public  undertakings  ;  they  are  the 
natural  proteclors  of  the  friendlefs,  and  the  proprietors  of 
thofe  funds  to  which  genius  and  indigence  have  a  right  to 
-apply.  Deftitute  of  nearer  ties,  and  unfettered  by  primary 
obligations,  the  whole  world  of  benevolence  affords  a  fphere 
for  their  aflions,  and  the  whole  circle  of  fcience  offers  to 
■adorn  their  minds.  It  feems,  indeed,  difficult  to  pourtray 
a  more  enviable  being,  than  a  iingle  woman+^olTeffed  of  af- 
fluence, who  has  paffed  through  the  tempeft'of  youthful  paf- 
flons  with  untainted  charadler,  unvitiated  temper,  and  unfet- 
tered heart.  Let  us  allow  her  an  adlive  mind,  found  judg- 
ment, good  principles,  and  bodily  activity  ;  and  we  muft 
rank  her  with  thofe  orders  of  fuperior  beings  who,  though 
they  "  neither  marry  nor  are  given  in  marriage,"  are  ever 
employed  in  executing  the  will  and  ftudying  the  works  of 
God.  But  fiich  a  view  of  human  nature  is  no  more  appli- 
cable to  the  daughters  than  to  the  fens  of  Adam.  As  in  the 
latter,  liberty  is  too  often  ufed  for  a  cloak  of  licentioufnefs ; 
fo  in  the  former,  it  is  apt  to  be  conlidered  as  a  patent  for 
folly.  I  do  not  however  difcover,  that  thofe  votaries  of 
Bacchus  or  Venus  who  devote  their  fortune  to  gamefters, 
their  time  to  fin,  their  bodies  to  difeafe,  and  their  fouls  to 
f>atan,  have  any  right  to  ridicule  the  unconnc6led  fpinfter 
for  facrificing  to  the  graces  of  Bondftreet,  dividing  her  time 
between  Faddle  and  Caffino,  or  even  for  fwallowing  the  nof- 
trums  of  Dr.  Tattle,  or  being  duped  by  the  hypocrify  or  fa- 
naticifm  of  a  Cantwell.     L^feleffnefs  is  furely  better  than 


Vice  ;  egotifm  and  credulity  are  not  fo  culpable,  nor  fo  de- 
llruftlve,  as  blafphemy  and  licentipufnefs. 

Since  I  am  not  only  the  advocate  but  alfo  the  monitor  of 
llngle  ladies,  it  is  my  duty  to  correal  the  errors  which  at  bed 
recrimination  can  only  extenuate :  I  efpecially  wifli  to  cor- 
recSl  their  propenfity  to  relate  their  early  conquefts.  As  the 
poor  lovers  whom  they  killed  by  their  cruelty  at  eighteen, 
muft  be  long  ere  this  "  dead  and  rotten  ;"  informing  us  that 
fuch  a  one  expired  under  a  frown,  and  that  another  fell  in- 
to a  mortal  difeafe  on  their  returning  him  an  unopened  let- 
ter, is  but  tantamount,  in  the  fcale  of  interefting  converfation, 
to  the  lift  of  apoplexies  and  confumptions  in  an  old  bill  o£ 
mortality.  If  the^efair  murderers  are  agreeable  and  worthy, 
we  can  readily  conceive  that  their  finglenefs  proceeded  more 
from  choice  than  compulfion  ;  if  they  are  deftitute  of  thefe 
recommendations,  we  lliall  not  credit  the  narrative  of  their 
conquefts,  though  the  flieeted  ghofts  of  fighing  fwains  re- 
turned from  the  myrtle  fliades,  and  ilaowed  us  their  hearts 
transfixed  with  Cupid's  arrows. 

One  word  more  of  a  fifterhood  which  I  fear  is  not  likely 
foon  to  diminifh.  Increafed  habits  of  luxury  muft  lefTen 
the  chance  of  eftimable  offers ;  women,  therefore,  ought  to 
accuftom  themfelves  to  thofe  purfuits  and  occupations  which 
will  render  them  lefs  dependent  on  the  other  fex,  or  enliven 
thofe  lonely  hours  of  retirement  which  frequently  fall  to  the 
1-ot  of  poorly  portioned  celibacy.  It  is  not  only  neceflary 
that  they  fhould  be  osconomical,  but  that  they  fhoud  have  a 
general  knowledge  of  bufinefs  and  money  tranfadlions,  at 
leaft  fufficient  to  efcape  impofition.  To  this  fhould  be  added, 
activity  of  mind,  that  they  may  avoid  the  ennui  infeparablc 
from  idlenefs,  and  the  difeafes  incident  to  a  fedentary  life. 
Improving  ftudy  of  all  kinds  is  here  a  moft  valuable  acquill- 
tion  ;  and  elegant  accomplifhments  cannot  be  purfued  with 
too  much  avidity,  provided  they  do  not  injure  the  health. 
Great  care  fhould  be  taken  to  rebut  the  farcafms  of  witlings 
and  coquets  \  I  do  not  fay  by  a  life  of  decorum,  for  I  fup- 
pofe  myfelf  addrefling  women  of  virtue,  but  by  a  flyle  of 
manners  and  drefs  fuitable  to  their  years.  They  fliould  fcorn 
all  ridiculous  affectation  of  youth,  all  "  hoif ting  the  flag  of 
diftrefs,"  as  a  witty  author  provokingly  terms  the  pink  rib- 
and when  it  waves  over  the  wrinkled  brow  of  faded  beauty. 
The  obfervation  extends  to  manners  and  amufements,  as 
well  as  drefs ;  and  they  fliould  alfo  be  folicitous  to  bid  fare- 
well to  the  allowable  levities  of  youth,  with  that  eafy  good 


humour  which  {hows  that  the  refignation  has  not  been  pain- 
ful. Let  them  but  endeavour  to  be  as  ufcfiil  to  others  as 
their  hmited  means  allow,  and  purfue  every  fource  of  virtu- 
ous employment  which  their  bounded  fphere  permits ;  and 
I  can  predict,  that  many  a  wife  Avill  have  renfon  to  envy  the 
refpeftability  and  happinefs  of  the  old  maid,  and  to  regret 
that  the  filly  ridicule  attached  to  that  name  precipitated  her 
into  a  ruinous  and  miferable  connexion,  which  ftrength  of 
mind  would  have  enabled  her  to  rejedl  with  the  becoming 
pride  of  felf-dependence. 

But  as  we  unqueftionably  were  created  to  be  the  wedded 
mates  of  man,  it  is  only  in  fome  circumftances,  and  to  fome 
difpofitions,  that  I  would  recommend  celibacy  as  a  ftate  of 
choice  -,  though  I  am  perfuaded  that  a  well  difpofed  mind 
may  always  fubmit  to  it  without  confidering  it  as  a  misfor- 
tune. Extreme  delica<:y  of  health  feems  one  motive  for  de- 
clining to  enter  the  conjugal  ftate ;  for,  though  paffionate 
Love  may  promife  that  his  purple  torch  fliall  ever  burn  be- 
fide  the  couch  of  the  lovely  lufferer,  Hymen  generally  tells 
a  very  different  ftory,  and,  carrying  his  flambeau  to  an  ev- 
ening party,  vacates  his  feat  in  the  iick  lady's  cliamber  in 
favour  of  her  nurfe  and  apothecary.  It  would  indeed  be 
impofing  too  much  upon  a  benevolent  and  upright  heart,  ta 
confine  it  by  engagements  where  we  are  unable  to  difcharge 
our  part  of  the  contract ;  for  infirmity  is  a  clog,  not  a  help- 
mate. Hereditary  difeafes  are  another  obftacle  ;  and  in  fome 
cafes  I  think  they  ought  to  be  an  infurmountable  one,  com- 
prifing  an  extenfion  of  duty  to  many  generations.  Great 
fufceptibility  of  temper  is  an  objeftion  lefi  univerfally  ac- 
knowledged, and  which  unfortunately  predifpofes  the  heart 
to  enter  upon  a  trial  for  which  it  lias  incapacitated  it.  The 
precept,  that  in  the  married  ftate  women  fhould  never  expeB 
too  much,  nor  feel  too  keenly^  can  never  be  too  deeply  im- 
prcfTed  on  the  ardent  mind  of  youth  •,  and  can  they  conform 
to  this  conclufion  who  cherifh  fenfibility  as  a  virtue,  and, 
inftead  of  ftudying  the  temper  of  others,  fufFer  their  own  to 
acquire  faflidioufnefs,  under  the  pretence  of  delicacy  and  re- 
finement of  feeling  ? 

A  difpofition  that  can  yield  to  the  defires  of  others,  not 
only  without  apparent  reluftance,  but  without  enduring  pain  ; 
health,  cheerfulncfs,  adlivity,  frugality,  attention  to  family 
concerns,  and  a  relifli  for  common  domeftic  pleafures,  arc 
the  qualities  which  a  young  lady  fliould  endeavour  to  obtain 
who  determines  to  become  a  wife.     In  a  majority  of  inflan- 


377 

ces,  thefe  will  put  liapplnefs  in  her  own  power;  in  all, 
they  will  lighten  the  load  pf  mifery.  What  a  faftiionable 
education  can  do  toward  the  attainment  of  thefe  requifites, 
has  been  already  confidered.  The  generality  of  Englilh  girls 
are  educated,  if  not  for  a  Turkifh  Harem,  at  leaft  for  the 
court  of  imperial  France.  Should  they  not  be  apprifed,  that 
the  utility  of  the  objedls  on  which  they  are  taught  to  lay  a 
primary  ftrefs,  is  commonly  annihilated  the  moment  their 
end  is  achieved  ?  When  the  wild  elephant's  neck  is  once 
faft  in  the  noofe,  the  purfuer  has  no  further  occafion  for  the 
fafcinating  influence  of  drums  and  bells.  But  conftant  at- 
tention, and  command  of  temper,  will  ftill  be  neceffary,  or 
he  will  never  bend  to  the  yoke  and  draw  kindly. 

I  believe  young  ladies  are  not  now  apt  to  fall  violently  in 
love  at  firft  fight.  Except  a  few  tinder-hearted  nymphs, 
who  inhabit  the  woodland  glades,  our  fex  is  become  too  mer- 
cenary, and  too  difflpated,  to  feel  an  iryefijiible  penchant,  till 
they  have  obtained  a  fide  glance  at  the  fwain's  rent-roll. 
Or,  fhould  the  lying  gbffip  Fame  have  cheated  them  in  this 
particular,  their  extenfive  acquaintance  furnifhes  them  with 
a  number  of  Adonifes,  who  can  aflift  them  to  break  the  fic- 
titious chain  which  they  mifliook  for  gold ;  and  thus,  like 
patterns  at  the  drefs  maker's,  one  beautiful  figure  effaces  the 
impreflion  that  another  had  made.  I  fliall  not,  therefore, 
here  detain  you  with  a  long  admonition  againfl:  young  la- 
dies' falling  in  love.  The  thing  is  jujl  poflible  among  a  fet 
whom  nobody  knows,  and  therefore  nobody  cares  for  their 
abfurdities.  It  is,  indeed,  upon  recordy  that  formerly  love 
made  terrible  work  with  the  female  heart,  from  fourteen  to 
feventeen  •,  and  as  it  is  fiiill  fuppofed,  that  during  this  period 
the  foft  and  pliant  wax  might  receive  not  only  a  deep  but  a 
lafting  impreflion,  fafliion  has  copied  the  edifices  in  which 
it  immures  female  adolefcence,  from  the  fl:rong  fortrefl^es 
where  the  royal  race  of  Abyflinia  are  fecluded  from  the 
world.  On  reconfidering  all  the  mafquerade  habits  which 
the  gods  of  old  afliimed  in  their  amours,  I  can  only  think 
of  two  difguifes  in  which  Cupid  could  now  gain  admittance 
to  a  girl  of  fafliion  :  he  mufl:  either  fold  his  wings  into  the 
fluffed  jacket  of  a  dancing  mafter,  and  twirl  his  bow  and 
quiver  into  a  kit ;  or  dilate  his  tiny  form  into  the  magni- 
tude of  a  drill  ferjeant  -,  as  thefe  are  the  only  privileged  be- 
ings who  are  ftill  allowed  an  opportunity  of  whifpering  % 
tender  tale  into  the  credulous  ear  of  vouth. 
Zz 


378 

Moralifts  arc  ns  much  Inclined  to  prefcribc  rules  for  the 
choice  of  a  hufband,  as  of  a  friend.  1  am  afraid  that  the  very 
title  they  prefix  to  their  admonitions  is  apt  to  miilead  a 
young  mind,  which  is  thus  led  to  expert  a  variety  of  offers, 
and  a  liberty  of  taking  what  it  prefers.  Perhaps  a  great 
beauty,  or  ftill  more  probably  a  great  fortune,  may  have  the 
power  of  relc£ting  the  beft  from  many  cotcmporar-j  offers  •,  but 
lovers  rarely  appear  in  groupes,  very  feldom  amount  to  plu- 
rality, and  generally,  like  the  fruit  of  the  orange  tree,  appear 
in  fucceffion,  or  perhaps  fall  off  before  they  ripen.  A  man 
of  honour,  and  I  may  add  of  delicacy,  does  not  choofe  to  en- 
ter upon  a  field  which  another  has  occupied,  or  to  folicit  a 
heart  which  he  may  fufpecl  is  preengaged.  Reje(5lion  then> 
rather  than  felecStion,  conftitutes  female  prerogative  in  this 
important  point.  It  feldom  happens  that  a  woman  has  the 
good  fortune  to  attract  the  attentions  of  the  man  (lie  would 
prefer  ;  and  often,  when  from  a  falfe  hope  of  that  kind  fhe 
has  refufed  an  eligible  offer,  circumftances  arife  which  pre- 
vail upon  her  to  accept  what  prefents  a- far  lefs  favourable 
profpcGt  of  happinefs.  "  The  world  is  not  before  us,  where 
to  choofe ;"  we  are  not,  we  cannot  be,  the  carvers  of  our 
own  fortunes,  any  further  than  refpedls  that  internal  difpofi- 
tion  which  teaches  us  to  view  our  affairs  in  the  beft  light, 
and,  iince  we  cannot  mend  our  lot,  to  mend  our  minds. 
Regret  for  what  is  loft,  or  reftlefs  defire  of  what  is  unattain- 
able, does  but  fofter  murmuring  difcontent. 

When  a  young  woman  contracts  an  attachment  for  a  de- 
ferving  object,  who  feems  not  to  return  her  preference,  her 
iituation  is  moft  dangerous  and  pitiable.  As  the  perverfe 
(perhaps,  in  this  inftance,  I  fliould  rather  fay  independent) 
nature  of  man  never  appears  more  ftrongly,  than  in  his  de- 
termination to  fly  thafe  who  follow,  and  to  follow  thofe  who 
fly  J  every  enticement  that  a  lovelorn  lafs  holds  out  to  catch 
the  heart  fhe  wifhes  for,  generally  proves  a  fcarecroiv  that 
terrifies  the  wayward  animal ;  and  as  I  do  not  want  her  to 
have  art  enough  to  cover  her  advances  in  the  attraclive  dif- 
guifs  of  difdain,  fhe  muft  avoid  "  the  god  of  her  idolatry," 
as  the  moft  likely  prelude  to  felf-conqueft.  If  circumftances 
will  not  permit  her  to  do  this  without  exciting  I'ufpicion  that 
lecret  partiality  is  the  motive,  ibe  muft  yet  roufe  all  her 
ment.d  ftrength,  and  make  an  hsroigal  effort  for  felf-con- 
queft ;  which  will  be  her  only  alternative  with  a  life  of  de- 
fpair.  Nature  certainly  intended  that  man  Ihould  fue,  and 
tvoman  cofy  yield.     Few  who  have  volunteered  their  affec- 


379 

tlons  ever  became  happy  wives ;  we  muft  never  reckon  on 
the  ftabihty  of  gratitude,  when  we  put  ourfelves  whoUj^  in 
the  power  of  the  obliged  party. 

I  have  aheady  ftated,  that  it  is  needlefs  to  addrefs  poHte 
readers  on  the  abfolute  neceffity  of  prudential  coniiderations 
in  marriage.  But  though  the  worfhip  of  Plutus  feems  to  be 
the  eftablifhed  religion  of  the  age,  there  are  a  few  diflenters 
ftill  remaining,  who  fancy  that  pure  love  will  fupply  a  good 
every  day  dinner.  This  rafh  conclufion  is,  however,  more 
the  efFedl  of  ignorance,  than  of  any  real  derelii5lion  of  prin- 
ciple j  and  proceeds  from  not  knowing  the  'ualue  of  money, 
and  not  from  a  Spartan  rermnciation  of  the  comfort  that  it 
procures.  For,  if  we  examine  the  habits  of  thefe  tender  dev- 
otees, we  fhall  find  that  their  wants  are  too  numerous  even 
for  competence  j  and  that  it  is  not  penury,  but  affluence, 
which  muft  fupply  what  they  call  mere  nerejfary  expenfes. 
Suppofe  fome  lace  enveloped  Lydia  Languifh,  in  the  height 
of  her  paroxyfm  for  poor  Enfign  Beverly,  were  compelled  to 
affift  the  family  caterer  in  the  routine  of  purchafuig  daily 
provifions.  Let  her  inveftigate  the  demands  of  the  tax 
gatherer  and  coal  merchant,  and  even  caft  her  eye  over  the 
items  of  foap,  candles,  and  chandlery.  She  will  difcover  a 
great  many  inelegant  articles  to  which  flie  never  affixed  eith- 
er value  or  importance,  that  have  operated  as  a  conftant 
drain  upon  the  needful,  and  have  really  been  fo  eflential  to 
her  comfort  that  fhe  could  fcarcely  exift  without  them.  If 
fhe  underftand  the  rudiments  of  arithmetic,  let  her  next  em- 
ployment be  to  fubtraft  thefe  efTentials  from  the  enfign's 
pay,  and  then  let  her  eftimate  how  much  will  remain  to  be 
the  food  of  love. 

But  to  leave  fuch  romantic  extravagants  to  their  certain 
cure,  experience,  permit  me  to  aflure  every  young  woman 
who  is  inclined  to  underrate  the  confideration  of  competence, 
that  fhe  is  very  unlikely  to  feel  herfelf  happy  in  a  ftation  of 
life  below  that  which  fhe  filled  in  her  fingle  ftate.  An  in- 
come inadequate  to  our  real  (not  our  imaginary)  wants,  is  a 
calamity  of  Sufficient  weight  to  overthrow  the  faireft  fabric 
of  happinefs,  and  to  opprefs  the  moft  amiable  temper. 
When  the  pruning  hand  of  neceflary  retrenchment  cuts  off 
comfort  after  comfort,  when  the  wants  of  a  rifing  family 
prefs  upon  parental  tendernefs,  moft  wives  have  more  to  con- 
tend with  than  their  own  feelings.  They  may  divert  dis- 
content, by  cheerfully  engaging  in  the  more  a£live  fhare  of 
family  duty  which  prudence  has  taught  them  to  praftife ; 


580 

but  how  /hall  the  poor  gentleman  (if  he  be  alfo  a  man  of 
leifure)  pafs  the  hours  which  fociety  and  amufement  agreea- 
bly occupied,  when  poverty  confines  him  to  the  domeftic 
fire  fide  ?  Men  bear  this  fpecies  of  trial  infinitely  worfe  than 
women  ;  and  when  a  young  lady  marries  a  man  whofe  for- 
tune will  hut  Jti/i  cover  unavoidable  expenks,  ilie  fhould  con- 
fider  whether  her  fortitude  be  equal  to  the  multiplied  mife- 
ry  that  fhe  muft  endure  from  the  reverberating  prefliire  of 
the  wants  and  woes  of  thofe  who  are  neareft  to  her  heart, 
and  whofe  privations  muft  pain  her  more  than  her  own. 

What  are  called  very  fpiendid  alliances,  are  as  little  likely 
to  produce  comfort  and  content,  as  the  imprudent  connex- 
ions that  we  have  juft  confidered.  In  the  preceding  re- 
marks, I  did  not  mean  to  interdi(5l  a  connexion  which  ad- 
mits of  the  brightening  profpe6ts  of  fuccefsful  induftry,  but 
was  fuppofing  a  ftate  in  which  induftry  could  not  a£l  (and 
many  who  write  gentlemen  are  in  this  painful  and  humiliat- 
ing predicament.)  So  with  refpe6l  to  difparity  of  fortune, 
I  do  not  mean  to  eftimate  it  by  mere  weight  of  metal,  when 
other  confiderations  are  equal.  The  well  portioned  heirefs 
ought  to  enrich  the  dependent  younger  brother  ;  and  the 
wealthy  heir  Jhould  fele<R:  for  his  confort  the  unportioned 
daughter  of  a  refpeftable  family.  It  is  my  wifh  to  warn 
young  women  from  aiming  at  conquefts,  on  the  fcore  of 
their  perfonal  attraftions,  to  which  neither  their  birth,  con- 
nexions, education,  nor  fituation  entitle  them  to  afpire.  If 
the  erratic  purfuers  of  happincfs  would  candidly  ftate  their 
difcoveries,  we  ftiould  probably  accede  to  the  propofition, 
that  every  one  is  happieft  in  the  ftate  of  life  to  which  they 
have  been  accuftomed.  It  is  certainly  fufficient  to  difcour- 
age  this  fpecies  of  fair  adventurers,  that  not  one  in  a  hun- 
dred fucceeds  in  her  efforts ;  but  the  profpe£t  becomes  ftill 
more  diftieartening,  if  we  alfp  difcover  that  few  of  thcic 
fortunate  candidates  are  happy.  A  young  woman  of  humble 
connexions  and  inferior  accomplilhments,  who  is  engrafted 
into  an  honourable  ftock,  will  experience  mortifications  from 
the  family  to  which  (he  is  allied,  that  can  only  fee  parried 
by  effrontery  or  ftupidity.  She  muft  continually  feel  the 
reftraints  and  the  difficulties  of  her  fituation ;  {he  will  fink 
under  the  fatigues  of  faftiionable  diflUpation,  and  will  find 
her  mind  fretted  by  faftidious  refinements,  of  which  the 
happy  fimplicity  of  inartificial  manners  can  form  no  concep- 
tion. She  will  alfo  be  confcious  of  improprieties,  and  omif- 
iions,  which  nothing  but  an  early  initiation  into  high  life 


381 

would  have  taught  her  to  avoid ;  and  even  the  glittering 
equipage,  which  fo  forcibly  ftruck  her  youthful  fancy,  will . 
feem  but  a  painful  conveyance,  if  it  pafs  by  the  amufement 
that  {he  could  have  enjoyed^  -andfet  her  down  at  what  fhe  de- 
tejls.  In  fine,  fhe  will  difcover  that  merit  cannot  fuccefsful- 
ly  combat  the  minute  fcrutiny  of  envy,  efpecially  when  its 
prying  glances  are  fliarpened  by  unexpected  profperity  ;  and 
that  luxurious  enjoyments  can  fooner  pall  the  tafte,  than 
mortifications  can  render  the  heart  callous.  I  have  not  tak- 
en iiito  this  view,  the  more  than  probable  accumulation  of 
uneafinefs  which  may  wring  the  heart,  at  that  period  when 
the  fond  romantic  lover  changes  into  the  cool  reflecting  huf- 
band.  Richardfon's  Pamela  is  as  abfurd  in  its  colourings 
of  high  life,  as  in  its  portrait  of  the  reformation  of  a  lib- 
ertine. 

Let  not  a  young  woman,  then,  feek  for  conjugal  happi* 
^nefs  in  a  ftation  of  life  that  is  very  difllmllar  to  her  own ; 
or  in  her  own  rank,  without  a  competent  provifion  to  main* 
tain  thofe  decencies  of  appearance  which  are  its  proper  ap» 
pendages.  If  fhe  poflefs  delicacy  of  cJiaraCter  (I  fliould  here 
ufe  fi:ronger  terms,)  if  fhe  value  her  own  temporal  or  eternal 
interefts,  or  that  of  the  unborn,  by  the  facred  names  of 
mother  and  chriftian  let  me  conjure  her  to  Jhrink  from  the 
advances  of  a  knonvn  libertine  ;  or,  if  fhe  cannot  avoid,  let 
her  lleadiiy  refufe  his  offers ;  they  comprife  fuch  an  accu- 
mulation of  mifery,  as  no  pecuniary  advantages  can  counter* 
balance.  Let  not  youthful  innocence  fell  itfelf  to  difeafe, 
impurity,  and  remorfe  ;  nor  pledge  her  hand  where,  though 
fhe  muft  obey,  fhe  can  neither  love  nor  honour.  All  grofs 
moral  errors  are  in  the  fame  ftrong  fenfe  infuperable  objec- 
tions ;  and  furely  women  never  would  knowingly  venture 
on  fuch  partners,  but  from  an  expedlation  of  their  being 
able  to  reclaim  them.  Alas !  how  much  does  youthful  van- 
ity here  overrate  female  power !  The  flubborn  clay  of  man 
is  never  pliant  but  in  early  life ;  the  florms  of  contention, 
and  the  prefTure  of  bufinefs,  give  it  an  impenetrability  which, 
however  fuited  to  the  rude  buffets  that  it  is  defigned  to  en- 
dure, prevent  its  being  made  malleable  by  the  foft  flrokes  of 
feminine  influence.  Whatever  itfelf  "  wills  to  do,  feems," 
in  its  own  eftimation,  "  wifeft,  virtuoufefl,  difcreeteft,  befl." 
If  we  attempt  to  remodel  the  lords  of  the  creation,  we  mufl 
begin  before  they  have  difcarded  that  emblem  of  fubjeClion,  i 
petticoat. 


38-2 

Infidelity  is  frequently  coupled  with  licentious  conduft  •, 
but  fometimes  it  dofFs  its  grofs  aflbciates,  and  affects  the  dig- 
nity of  moral  virtue.  The  women  who  regards  her  eternal 
interefts,  and  thofe  of  her  future  offspring,  v/iil  tremble  at 
fubmitting  to  the  fuperintendance  of  a  man  whofe  dark  and 
cheerlefs  mind  is  unillumined  by  vilions  of  a  better  world. 
Even  if  fhe  had  good  grounds  to  rely  on  the  virtue,  tender- 
nefs,  and  generofity  of  fuch  a  partner  (which  I  greatly  doubt ;) 
even  if  fhe  be  previoufly  afTured  that  he  will  never  feek  to 
unfettle  her  faith,  to  reftrain  her  devout  exercifes,  or  to  in- 
terfere with  the  religious  education  of  his  children  ;  even  if 
fhe  know  that  he  always  will  pay  an  outivard  refpe^l  to  faith 
and  piety,  and  oftenfibly  comply  with  its  forms  ;  though  af- 
fured  that  no  word  will  ever  efcape  him,  which  fhall  betray 
his  fecret  contempt  and  incredulity  (what  impoffibilities  am 
I  now  admitting  !)  if  her  ferrs  arc  lulled,  can  her  afFe£lion 
fleep  ?  can  fhe  be  happy,  while  Ihe  views  in  her  kind  and 
faithful  partner,  her  bofom  friend,  the  father  of  her  children, 
the  fource  of  all  her  earthly  happinefs,  a  rebel  to  his  God, 
th&  felf-devoted  fon  of  perdition,  from  whom,  after  death,  fhe 
muft  hope  to  be  eternally  disjoined,  and  to  whom  fhe  muft 
wifh  annihilation  as  a  blefSng  ?  The  text,  that  "  the  believ- 
ing wife  fanciifies  the  unbelieving  hufband,"  has  no  reference 
to  the  cafe  that  we  are  confidering,  but  to  the  early  fituation 
of  Chriflian  converts,  when  baptifm  did  not  difTolve  the 
bonds  either  of  marriage  or  fervitude,  but  the  new  members 
of  the  Chriflian  church  continued  to  difcharge  the  obliga- 
tions which  tiiey  had  contracted  in  their  Gentile  ftate,  and 
this  witli  additional  earneftnefs,  as  a  proof  of  their  obedience 
to  their  heavenly  Mafler.  When  we  thus  pervert  fcripture, 
to  flrengthen  the  temptations  of  avarice,  ambition,  fenfuai 
attachment,  or  from  any  other  finifler  motive,  we  imitate  the 
conduct  of  the  Prince  of  Darknefs,  who  is  never  fo  danger- 
ous to  our  fouls  as  when  he  wields  "  the  fv.ord  of  the  fpirit, 
even  the  word  of  God."  Surely  it  is  far  better  that  "  the 
rofe  fhould  wither  on  the  virgin  thorn,"  than  that  its  tender 
leaves  ihould  be  defiled,  and  excoriated,  by  being  bound 
up  with  the  filihy  briers  of  vice  or  infidelity. 

Next  to  thefe  dreadful  afTociates,  let  the  candidate  for  the 
wreath  of  connubial  happinefs  iteadily  reject  the  oiferings  of 
infuperable  folly.  There  is  a  ftrangely  erroneous  jumble  of 
ideas  refpecdng  a  fuppofed  combination  of  docility,  goodna- 
ture, and  weaknel's  of  intelletSt,  in  the  minds  of  Ibme  people, 
yilxo  are  deplorably  ignorant  of  life  and  manners.     Folly  is 


383 

always  felfifli  and  obftlnate ;  and  I  take  thefe  to  be  the  ftand- 
ard  compofitions  of  ///  nature^  not  of  amiability.  Can  nar- 
rownefs  of  intellect  be  capable  of  thofe  enlarged  and  difin- 
terefted  views  which  produce  good  will  to  all  mankind, 
which  refine  the  tender  attentions  of  love,  and  invigorate  the 
indelible  imprefiions  of  friendfhip  ?  Can  the  fool  forget  his 
own  dear  felf  fo  far  as  to  be  truly  benevolent ;  can  he  learn 
felf-denial ;  can  he  be  convinced  of  his  own  infirmities,  and 
fet  about  reforming  them  ?  If  you  anfwer  in  the  affirmative, 
you  prove  him  not  to  be  a  fool. 

I  would  advife  a  young  woman  never  to  fele^l  a  man 
whom  fhe  difcovers  to  be  very  deficient  in  the  article  of  judg- 
ment ",  not  even  if  fhe  have  reafon  to  form  a  high  opinion 
of  her  own,  and  to  believe  that  her  future  hufband  will  al- 
wa5''s  regard  it  with  lover  like  preference ;  a  contingency 
which  is  extremely  improbable.  The  original  defign  of  mar- 
riage (mutual  help  and  affifliance)  is  defeated  j  and  an  inver- 
iion  in  the  relative  fituation  of  the  fexes  is  always  attended 
by  a  degree  of  ridicule  and  abfurdity,  whicia  an  ingenuous 
and  delicate  mind  mufl  fl:rongly  feel.  Women,  in  this  in- 
ftance,  feem  a  little  treacherous  to  their  own  caufe.  I  will 
not  pretend  to  fi:ate  how  it  happens  to  be  fo  j  much  lefs  will 
I  jullify  the  proceeding ;  but  moil  unqueftionably  that  very 
refpedtable  (though,  I  fear,  not  numerous)  body  of  men,  the 
Jerrys,  lead  a  life  fomething  like  that  of  a  flying  fifh,  who 
when  they  are  hunted  out  of  their  own  natural  element  are 
pecked  at  by  every  petty  wren  that  fkims  the  air.  We  cer- 
tainly ought  to  take  thefe  martyrs  to  our  renown  under  our 
protection^  and,  by  bringing  them  forward  on  all  occafions  as 
the  only  true  heroes,  fhow  the  refractory  monfters  who  rebel 
againft  us  what  they  ought  to  be.  Suppofe  I  were  to  attempt 
their  eulogium :  the  theme  is  certainly  newy  and  capable  of 
coniiderable  ornament.  Hiftory  whifpers  that  it  might  be 
embellilhed  with  a  few  great  names ;  and  private  anecdotes 
would  furnifh  me  with  fome  eminent  living  ornaments  of  the 
fociety.  I  may  referve  this  for  one  of  my  future  labours,  in 
which  I  fhall  endeavour  to  appreciate  merit  by  the  moft  rigid 
rule  of  right ;  and  as  the  more  perfect  the  flavery,  the  more 
heroical  the  captive  muft  be  deemed,  I  fhall  afcribe  the  firft 
ftation  to  thofe  luorthies  who,  rejecting  the  filken  chains  of 
Hymen,  contentedly  endure  the  iron  fhackles  of  illicit  love. 
But  having  juft  caught  myfelf  in  the  a£l  of  laughing  at  the 
idea  of  a  laurelled'  fon  of  Mars  or  Themis  crouching  at  the 
painted  fhrine  of  a  varniihsd  Venus,  who  has  jufl  put  on 


384 

her  wig  and  rouge  to  twirl  the  lafli  of  dIfcIpHiie  over  the 
uxorious  fool  who  feeds  her  avarice  with  unacknowledged  fa- 
vours, I  ain  too  confcientious  an  advocate  to  undertake  a 
caufe  which  I  find  I  fhould  betray.  Men  of  this  caft  are 
generally  the  prey  of  artful  women,  who,  whether  as  wives 
or  miftrefles,  contrive  to  manage  the  imbecility  that  they 
defpife.  Some  men,  indeed,  are  clafTed  by  their  friends  in 
this  order,  though  they  really  belong  to  a  much  fuperior 
rank  ;  .1  mean  men  of  real  worth,  and  found  minds,  who  en- 
dure female  caprice  from  confcientious  motives,  and  bear  the 
crofs  rather  than  expofe  their  families  to  the  miferies  of  con- 
tention. I  think  our  feelings  cannot  be  more  painfully 
roufed,  than  when  we  fee  a  man  of  merit  thus  circumfbanci 
ed.  A  wife  unjuftly  degraded  below  her  proper  ftation  does 
not  excite  a  tenth  part  of  fuch  ftrong  fyrapathy  and  indig- 
nant interference.  Is  not  this  an  argument  in  favour  of  the 
original  infkitution  of  Providence,  refpecting  the  fubfervi- 
ence  of  our  fex  ?  Though  I  ftoutly  deny  that  this  injunction 
originated  in  our  natural  inferiority,  I  believe  it  to  be  fo  ex- 
pedient to  the  welfare  and'happinefs  of  both  parties,  that  I 

never  would  advife  you,  my  dear  Mifs  M ,  to  marry  a 

man  with  a  promifwg  degree  of  obfequioufnefs  in  liis  afpect, 
unlefs  you  perceive  that  he  has  good  fenfe  enough  to  cofer 
the  goffamer  manacles  which  you  may  entwine  around  him 
with  fuch  an  impervious  coat  of  feeming  pertinacity,  that  no 
one  but  yourfelf  can  tell  that  he  actually  we^rs  them. 
^  But  fnice  a  young  woman  may  have  fome  objeftions  to 
abfolute  flavery,  even  after  Ihe  has  lowered  her  mind  to  the 
juft  ftandard  of  wife  like  obedience,  it  may  not  be  unufeful 
to  repeat  a  hint  which  a  favourite  author  (perhaps  incau- 
tioufly)  gave  the  ladies  in  his  *'  Triumphs  of  Temper  •,"  I 
allude  to  the  domeflic  ioryijin  of  tl\at  ftaunch  ivhig  Sir  Gil- 
bert. Hiftory  and  experience  bear  equal  teftimony  to  the 
juft  colouring  of  tliat  character  ;  for,  from  the  antient  Spar- 
tan, to  that  great  volcano  of  patriotifm  Jack  Wilkes,  the 
greateft  fticklers  for  public  freedom  have  been  the  verieft 
domcftic  baihaws.  I  do  not  mean  to  create  an  alarm  which 
mull  condemn  the  Whig  Club  to  celibacy ;  I  only  remind 
thofe  female  archers  who  take  aim  at  fuch  "  bold  fons  of  air 
and  fire,"  that  in  their  ^rQC\r\^%  freedom  is  always  confidered 
to  be  of  the  mafculine  gender  j  and  for  my  thus  endt^nvnur- 
ing  to  fecure  thefe  gentlemen  from  .all  poffibility  of  being 
brought  under  petticoat  government  (an  event  which  is  to 
them  as  horrible  as  the  revival  of  tiie  doctrine  of  pafiirc  obc- 


585 

dience,)  I  expefl  to  be  toafted  at  their  next  meeting,  un- 
der the  title  of  the  "  Hberal  minded  opponent  of  domeftic 
emancipation." 

Women  are  generally  accufed  of  being  partial  to  exterioi* 
advantages,  efpecially  to  wit,  pleafantry,  and  what  is  called 
airinefs  of  converfation.  In  this  cafe,  we  certainly  hazard 
our  refpeftability  and  our  happinefs.  If  a  man  of  plain  fenfe 
rarely  attends  to  the  advantages  of  addrefs,  and  feldom  takes 
the  lead  in  converfation ;  neither  does  he,  on  the  other 
hand,  attach  value  to  general  admiration.  "With  a  hufband 
of  this  defcription,  we  may  not  excite  the  envy  of  our  un- 
married friends  ;  the  fluency  of  our  partner's  converfation, 
the  vivacity  and  brilliancy  of  his  remarks,  or  the  elegance 
of  his  deportment,  may  pafs  unnoticed  ;  but  our  fire  fides 
have  a  chance  of  being  comfiortable,  becaufe  it  is  moft  likely 
he  will  there  condefcend,  or  even  wifh,  to  be  entertained  by 
hs.  And  as  the  confcioufnefs  of  being  lefs  formed  to  fliine 
in  fociety,  is  fure  to -create  domeftic  habits;  fo  thofe  who 
are  not  fpoiled  by  an  excefs  of  praife  are  always  grateful  to 
thofe  who  regard  them  with  preference.  The  blandilh- 
ments  of  the  gay  and  graceful  lover  are  ftill  more  evanefcent 
than  the  beauty  of  his  miftrefs  ;  and  not  even  the  renovating 
cauldron  of  Medea  could  renew  their  priftine  vigour.  The 
more  precious  they  were  to  our  hearts,  the  more  fhall  we 
feel  the  vacuum  which  their  abfence  makes.  Conjugal  fe- 
licity cannot  live  upon  public  admiration ;  it  is  too  meagre 
food.  Male  coquets  are  moft  frequently  mai'ried  men,  who 
are  never  out  of  humour,  (or,  r.s  they  often  call  it,  nervous,) 
but  in  that  circumfcribed  circle  from  v^hich  they  cannot  be 
banifhed  for  being  difagreeable.  On  fuch  men,  the  charms 
of  wit,  information,  and  fprightlinefs  in  a  wife,  are  loft,  or 
perhaps  they  may  induce  him  to  hate  her  as  a  rival.  Yxiz 
idea  of  a  good  companion  implies  a  being  who  will  admire 
his  talents,  and  laugh  at  his  bons  mots,  or  one  who  will  be 
the  patient  butt  of  his  raillery,  or  a  prov/ling  jackall  to  col- 
ledl  him  new  anecdotes.  The  wife  of  a  coxcomb  (and  fure- 
iy  the  man  who  piques  himfelf  upon  oftenfible  holiday  agree- 
ablenefs  is  a  coxcomb)  muft  content  herfelf  with  being  an 
echo  to  a  Narciflus. 

I  fhall  fay  little  to  that  portion  of  my  fex  with  whom  a 

handfome  perfon,  a  well  made  coat,  or  any  other  eye  trap 

which  whim  or   fafliion   has  fanclioned,  conftitutes  a  dear 

adorable,  preferable  to  every  folid  advantage  and  every  in- 

A  a  a 


586 

ternal  excellence  which  papa  and  mamma  may  have  difcov- 
ered  in  fome  good  quiz,  who  dances  ill  and  employs  a  bad 
tailor.  Such  enchanted  lalTcs  are  out  of  the  precintls  of 
reafon  ;  and  I  neither  expe<5f  my  pen  to  be  polTsflcd  of  the 
powers  of  a  talifman,  nor  my  voice  to  have  the  potency  of 
the  lyre  of  Orpheus.  I  muft,  therefore,  leave  them  in  the 
magical  regions  to  which  they  have  wandered. 

I  enter  my  folemn  caveat  againfl:  every  thing  that  can  be 
conrtrued  into  an  involuntary  facrifice  ;  and  if  I  will  not  al- 
low rank,  wit,  or  beauty,  to  lead  their  befotted  captive  to 
the  altar,  I  politively  prohibit  wealth  from  binding  its  deject- 
ed victim  in  an  indiflbluble  bond.  When  a  young  woman 
eonfents  to  fell  herfelf  to  a  rich  Camacho,*  from  whom  (in- 
ftead  of  a  decided  preference)  Ihe  revolts  with  difguft,  {he 
certainly  becomes  a  legal  proftitute.  This  title  is  not,  how- 
ever, due  to  all  who,  in  their  matrimonial  Iketches,  place 
\o\efome':vhat  in  the  back  ground.  If  efteem  conftitute  the 
principal  figure,  and  if  no  difguifed  predilection  for  another 
lurk  in  the  corner,  I  can  conceive  not  only  a  good  but  a  hap- 
py wife,  in  the  fhape  of  one  who  at  firft  liftened  to  a  propo- 
ial  of  marriage  through  a  hope  of  efcaping  from  poverty  and 
dependance,  through  the  defire  of  raifing  a  diftreiTed  fami- 
ly, or  even  through  a  wifli  of  efcaping  from  the  inconven- 
iences attached  to  a  limited  fortune.  But  a  young  woman 
who  connects  herfelf  with  a  man  much  her  fenior,  or  one 
who  labours  under  fome  remarkable  perfonal  difadvantages, ' 
Ihould  pofiefs  a  fuperior  fliare  of  difcretion  and  gratitude, 
and  fliould  prcvioufly  determine  to  be  the  partner  of  his  ca- 
lamities, not  xhcfpender  of  his  fortune.  The  habits  of  the 
prefent  age  fo  much  diminifli  the  chance  of  finding,  among 
the  many  girls  who  would  fell  themfelves  to  riches,  one  who 
would  faithfully  difcliarge  the  duties  of  the  nurfe,  the  friend, 
and  the  companion  of  infirmity,  that  it  darkens  the  profpe^s 
of  all  uxorious  old  bachelors,  whofe  paffion  for  a  young  wife 
has  not  vanquifhed  their  dillike  of  having  their  morning 
{lumbers  difturbed  by  the  clamour  of  their  own  footmen  re- 
turning with  their  lady  from  a  fafhionable  party,  or  being 
crammed  into  fome  obfcure  corner,  with  other  obfolete  lum- 
ber, whenever  their  lovely  bride  choofes  to  be  "  at  home  to 
every  body  but  themfelves."  As  times  now  go,  the  dotard 
of  threefcore  muft  think  himfelf  happy  to  be  converted  inta 
77obody  ;  a  more  marked  diltiniStion  is  fo  probable,  that  it  feems 

'  .See  Don  Quixote. 


oo/ 


to  be  his  wifeft  way  to  betake  himfelf  to  the  quietus  of  his 
arm  chair  and  flannel  gown,  inftead  of  crowning  his  brow 
with  Hymen's  thorny  rofes. 

Long  deferred  attachments,  even  when  they  are  at  laft 
crowned  with  fruition,  often  produce  httle  more  than  a  hap- 
py honey  moon.  The  reafon  is,  that  romantic  ideas  take 
ftrong  pofleffion  of  the  mind,  while  hope  and  fear  alternate- 
ly adt  upon  fo  fufceptible  a  paffion  as  love.  It  is  moft  cer- 
tain, that  difficulties  and  impediments  rarely  fail  to  deepen 
the  impreffion  which  they  are  expedVed  to  eradicate  -,  and 
when  we  feel  diffatisfied  v/ith  our  prefent  lot,  we  always 
drefs  up  the  unfeen  future  in  moft  falfe  and  flattering  col- 
ours. A  young  woman  firmly  attached  to  a  man,  to  whom 
file  fees  little  chance  of  being  united,  inftead  of  inveftigat- 
ing  thofe  defecSls  which  might  reconcile  her  to  the  probable 
reparation,  generally  adorns  her  idol  in  the  robe  of  perfec- 
tion. His  fteady  fidelity  to  her  covers  every  other  fault  ; 
his  fond  folicitations,  or  high  wrought  pidlures  of  the  felic- 
ity they  are  prevented  from  enjoying,  increafes  her  enthufi- 
afm ;  and  flie  either  believes  that  the  fun  would  ever  fhine 
upon  them  could  their  vows  be  once  plighted,  or  that  they 
fliould  then  live  in  a  world  of  their  own,  infenfible  to  th^^' 
intervention  of  external  mjferies. 

"  Scarce  one  refledt?.  that  to  the  torch  of  love 
"  Perliaps  fiicceeds  pale  difcord's  fullen  fire  ; 

"  Few  image  woes  which  parents  only  prove, 
*«  When  daughters  iicken,  or  when  fous  expire." 

To  the  fure  confequences  of  this  extravagant  expectation, 
let  us  add  the  efledl  which  long  deferred  hope  muft  have  on 
the  fpirits  and  temper.  Sometimes  the  profpedl  will  be 
brightened  wirh  the  view  of  a  fpeedy  conclufion  ;  this  will 
again  difappear,  and  a  final  feparation  will  feem  inevitabld. 
Jealoufy  will  perhaps  intervene  ;  but  whatever  form  the  tor- 
menting defire  v.^ears,  difguft  and  indifference  of  the  prefent 
will  increafe.  No  one  more  keenly  feels  the  force  of  tlic 
fcriptural  aphorifm,  "  that  hope  deferred  maketh  the  heart 
fick,"  than  flie  who  furrenders  her  own  to  the  heavy  pref- 
fure  of  protracted  love  : 


"  Thus  on  her  prefent  hcnr  rude  pafllon  prej"^?* 
"  Thus  bright  the  profpeift  of  Usr  future  days." 


Can  we  pi<fturc  worfe  bride  maids  than  broken  fpirits,  ir- 
ritable feelings,  and  fanguine  expe^^tations  ?  or  can  we,  view- 
ing human  nature  as  it  really  is,  fuppofe  it  probable,  that  all 
external  circumftances  conjoining  with  theluperlativc  excel- 
lence of  the  bridegroom,  can  prevent  thofe  wayward  ladies 
from  hurrying  the  bride  into  fome  extravagance,  before 
*'  thofe  flioes  grow  old"  which  carried  her  to  the  altar  ? 
Among  many  other  reafons  which  render  novels  dangerous 
to  young  women,  is  this  ;  that  they  always  make  a  long  at- 
tachment which  is  not  dilTolved  by  death  terminate  in  a  hap- 
py marriage,  whofe  felicity  is  proportionable  to  the  previous 
embarrafTments.  I  fuppofe  their  authors  confider,  that  as 
our  moft  agreeable  feelings  refult  from  contraft,  the  fame 
muft  be  true  in  great  events,  as  in  matters  of  tafte  or  in  in- 
different occurrences.  I  would  advife  thefe  writers  to  look 
into  life,  and  fee  if  years  of  mifery  increafe  or  diminifh  our 
relifh  of  fublunary  happinefs  •,  if  the  human  fabric  is  under- 
mined or  improved  by  fuch  a  ilcknefs  as  excluded  hope ; 
whether  a  quick  fucceffion  of  every  agonizing  fenfation  cor- 
rodes or  corrects  the  temper  j  whether  melancholy  is  a  good 
preparation  for  the  adlive  duties  of  focial  life  ;  whether  the 
jealous,  capricious,  eccentric,  or  diffipated  lover  ahuays  pro- 
duces the  candid,  afFe«5lionate,  fteady,  and  regular  hufband ; 
in  fine,  whether  marriage  really  is  that  fcene  of  repofe  and 
full  felicity  which  romantic  love  fuppofes  •,  or  whether  its 
cares,  its  difficulties,  and  its  trials,  are  not  at  leaft  equal  to 
what  the  tender  paffion  can  excite  in  the  virgin  bofom. 

Let  us  aik,  Does  the  fecurity  of  our  tenure  prevent  us 
from  difcovering  the  inconveniences  and  blemiflics  that  are 
attached  to  the  habitation  which  we  hold  on  a  ieafe  for  life  ? 
Will  not  the  frown  of  ?.  hufoand  afiedl  the  fcniibility  which 
was  rent  into  fevers  by  the  negligence  of  a  lover  ;  or  will 
his  humours  feem  more  tolerable  when  we  are  compelled  to 
study  and  yield  to  them,  inftead  of  makiiig  them  fubfervient 
to  our  ov/n  ?  Or,  to  avoid  ficetching  a  portrait  which  you 
fingle  ladies  will  call  the  caricature  of  difappointed  impru- 
dence ;  will  the  dear  good  man  never  be  ill,  never  be  abfent, 
or  never  be  unhappy  ?  V/iil  his  path  of  life  be  conftantly 
fmooth  ;  will  there  be  no  obllacies  to  impede  his  courfe,  no 
rivals  to  obftru(5l  him,  no  misfortunes  to  deprefs  him  ?  Are 
children  always  healthy,  amiable,  and  profperous  ?  If  this  be 
a  juft  epitome  of  life,  then  may  the  lovelorn  maid,  when 
married  to  the  idol  of  her  fond  heart,  fay  in  the  language 
of  fcripture,  <'  Soul,  take  thy  eafe  j  thou  haft  much  goods 


389 

laid  up  in  ftore  for  many  years."  If  it  be  not,  then  let  all 
who  approach  the  nuptial  altar  refolve  never  to  withdraw 
the  hand  which  they  there  lay  upon  the  plough.  Let  them 
remember,  that  they  then  enter  upon  a  ftate  of  enlarged  du- 
ty and  extended  trial ;  and  that  they  ought  to  rife  fuperior 
to  the  petty  occupations,  and  trivial  cares,  which  might  more 
pardonably  engrofs  their  early  years.  Perhaps,  this  ftern 
decilion  may  caufe  a  great  falling  off  among  my  fair  difci- 
ples,  who  think  more  of  their  bridal  paraphernalia  than  of 
the  contracl  which  it  is  intended  to  honour.  I  will  endeav- 
our to  propitiate  them  by  obferving,  that  faftidioufnefs  and 
fufceptibility  are  greater  enemies  to  conjugal  happinefs  than 
vanity,  and  are  harder  to  be  eradicated. 

Is  it  poffible  to  love  twice  ?  is  a  common  queftlon.  Cer- 
tainly not,  with  all  that  enthuliafm  of  preference  v/hich  at- 
tends a  firft  attachment.  But  enthuliafm  appears  to  be  ^o 
doubtful  a  foundation  whereon  to  I'aiie  the  mafTy  pile  of 
lafting  efteem,  that  I  incline  to  think  a  fccond  choice  is  more 
likely  to  be  the  reiult  of  judgment,  and  regulated  by  thofc 
juft  views  which  difappointment  and  experience  mutually 
fupply.  Love,  indeed,  is  painted  blindy  and  lb  he  generally 
is  j  but  Hymen  might  be  as  properly  exhibited  looking 
through  a  microfcope.  A  woman  increafes  her  chance  of 
happinefs  by  prevailing  on  thefe  deities  to  change  their  ap- 
pendages thus  :  applying  the  microfcope  to  the  lover's  cha- 
radler,  and  binding  the  bandage  as  clofe  as  pofiible  over  the 
faults  of  her  hufoand.  If  after  inveftigating  the  merits  and 
defefts  of  the  man  who  addrelTes  her,  as  narrov*  ly  as  lier  llt- 
uation  will  admit,  fhe  feels  convinced  that  the  latter  v/iil  not 
dimtnilh  her  decided  preference  for  the  foriner,  I  give  her 
leave  to  accompany  what  I  call  the  bequeft  of  her  heart  wiLh 
her  hand.  You  fee  I  have  permitted  Love  to  creep  in  at 
lall: ;  but  with  his  wings  fo  pruned,  and  his  colhune  {o  de- 
ranged, that  I  queftion  if  any,  excepting  yourfeif,  will  feel 
much  refpedl  for  a  Cupid  who  is  permitted  to  hpk  about  him, 
and  forbidden  tofy  into  the  regions  of  Utopia. 

But  let  our  fex  be  as  circunifpecl;  as  pollible,  m?^n,  wliile 
he  a£ls  the  part  of  a  lover,  wears  a  mafk  which  we  cannot 
wholly  penetrate.  Perhaps  it  is  uncandid  to  call  this  inixn- 
cerity.  When  we  wifii  to  pleafe,  we  alrnoft  unconfcioufly 
aflume  an  agreeable  afpe*fl  j  nor  do  we  at  that  moment  re- 
folve to  indemnify  ourfelves,  by  future  indulgence,  for  the 
reftraints  that  we  are  then  putting  upon  our  bad  propenfi- 
ties  j  perhaps  we  are  hardly  confcious  that  we  are  acting  a 


i>90 

part  foreign  to  our  natural  chara6ler.  How  then  is  a  young 
woman  to  difcover  the  feigning,  which  is  fo  juftly  copied 
from  nature  as  probably  to  deceive  the  actor  ?  I  would  not 
advife  her  fieed/efs/y  to  try  the  temper  of  a  favoured  lover ; 
the  power  of  recrimination  is  fo  great  in  the  other  fex,  that 
to  do  fo,  equals  the  folly  of  irritating  a  lion  whofe  den  we 
are  going  to  enter.  Let  no  unpleafant  rccoUeclions  of  fe- 
male tyranny  interrupt  the  complacence  of  the  bridegroom 
on  attaining  the  objedt  of  his  wifhes.  But  I  am  again  re- 
verting to  pail:  manners.  The  new  code  of  gallantry  has 
deprived  woman  of  the  fliort  empire  which  flie  once  poflefT- 
ed,  and  compelled  her  to  accommodate  herfelf  to  the  humours 
of  him  who  purfues  her  with  the  provoking  indifference  of 
ajjlired  vi(5lory. 

The  nuptial  band  being  knit  (we  will  hope  with  happy 
aufpices,)  let  us  confider  what  will  be  the  firft  folicitude  of 
a  wife ;  and  unqueftionably  this  muft  be,  to  difcover  her 
hufband's  real  difpofition.  But  her  refearch  mufl  not  bs 
condudled  with  inquifitive  penetration,  nor  with  that  ftri<5l 
fcrutiny  which  may  develop  what  might  otherwife  have  been 
for  ever  unknown.  It  is  too  late  to  find  out  moral  deprav- 
ity ;  the  attention  of  herfelf  and  her  friends  ought  to  have 
been  directed  to  that  important  point  before  fhe  had  form- 
ed the  indiffoluble  tie.  It  is  to  the  certainly  inferior  requi- 
fites  of  tafte  and  temper  that  a  prudent  wife  fliould  limit  her 
inquiries ;  for  to  temper  fhe  mufl:  conform  ;  and  it  is  poffi- 
bk  for  her  to  acquire  a  tafl;e  fomevvhat  fimilar  to  her  part- 
ner's. As  her  duty  and  her  intereft  alike  require  her  to 
make  home  agreeable,  fhe  muft,  if  flie  be  not  by  nature  the 
companion  that  he  prefers,  endeavour  to  make  herfelf  fo  :  I 
do  not  fay  by  arty  for  I  detefi:  the  word,  but  by  im'itcit'ion. 
I  do  not  here  recommend  a  clofe  conformity  to  all  the  hab- 
its and  purfuits  of  our  partners,  much  lefs  a  fervile  adoption 
of  all  their  fcntimcnts  and  opinions:  the  latter  would  de- 
flroy  one  of  the  chief  ends  of  marriage,  mutual  improve- 
ment -,  and  the  foimer  would  be  more  apt  to  excite  rivalry 
than  unity  ;  men  being  extremely  jealous  of  preeminence  in 
every  iludy  to  which  they  bend  their  attention.  I  fuppofe 
this  duty  to  conlift  in  cheerfully  acquiefcing  with  thofc  cuf- 
toms  and  employments  which  feem  habitual  or  neceflary ; 
never  opponno-  his  wiflies  in  things  that  are  really  immate- 
rial ;  avoiding  whatever  is  known  to  be  difigreeable,  either 
in  our  drefs,  cur  converfation,  or  our  condutft ;  and  above 
al!j  carefully  attending  to  thofe  oblique  Iiints  by  which  a 


391 

delicate  mind  chaofes  rather  to  explain  its  wiflies,  than  t6 
appeal  to  autliority  by  an  exprefs  injunction  ;  always  remem- 
bering that  the  indulgence  of  our  own  humour  affords  but 
a  momentary  gratification ;  but  that  to  oblige  another  pro- 
duces a  lafting  delight  j  and  if  fuch  obfervance  be  fhown  to 
a  generous  perfon  it  will  be  fure  to  be  rewarded. 

I  mention  it  rather  as  an  admonitory  warning,  than  as  a 
diredling  precept  to  my  fex,  that  men  are  ever  moft  ealily 
vanquifhed  by  the  meaneji  antagonifts.  An  artful  woman  is 
a  defpicable  creature,  who  departs  from  the  ingenuous  fim- 
plicity  which,  next  to  modefty,  is  the  ornament  of  her  fex. 
Yet  I  fcarcely  ever  knew  a  proficient  in  deception  who  did 
not  govern  all  her  male  connexions,  and  moreover  perfuade 
them  that  flie  was  a  moft  amiable  creature.  Man  is  fo  ena- 
moured of  unrefifting  meeknefs,  as  to  become  the  eafy  dupe 
of  thzt  Jitidied  mamier  which  befpeaks  its  counterfeit.  Give 
the  lords  of  the  creation  but  the  appearance  of  fupremacy, 
and  they  are  contented  to  obey.  Suffer  them  to  run  their 
own  wild  career  unreftrained,  and  they  will  gratify  your 
vanity,  humour  your  caprices,  and  readily  make  you,  as  far 
as  relates  to  your  own  actions,  fovereign  queen.  Hence  come 
the  fplendid  eftablifliments  of  many  pretty  triflers  ;  hence  the 
fubfervience  of  uxorious  keepers,  and  the  influence  of  court- 
ezans. A  confcientious  wife  ever  wiflies  to  reftx-ain  her 
hufl3and  from  doing  what  would  prove  injurious  to  his  health, 
fortune,  or  reputation,  which  are  too  valuable  in  her  eyes  to 
be  bartered  for  any  perfonal  indulgence  to  herfelf.  An  art- 
ful woman  places  her  own  individual  advantage  in  the  firfl: 
point  of  view  j  and  her  chief  objeftion  to  a  riotous  debauch 
is,  that  its  attendant  fever  may  hurry  the  good  man  out  of 
the  world  before  he  has  time  to  appoint  her  refiduary  lega- 
tee. The  pecuniary  embarraffments  of  the  family  are  of  lit- 
tle confequence,  provided  her  pin  money  and  fettlement  are 
fecured  by  a  refponfible  trufl:.  Her  caro  fpofo's  reputation 
may  be  irreparably  injured  ;  no  matter,  her  own  fl:ands  firm  ; 
ihe  has  never  interfered  in  his  affairs,  and  no  one  can  charge 
her  with  having  fuffered  her  fenfe  of  his  ill  conduct  to  fpoil 
her  temper.  Every  body  is  right  to  take  care  of  themfelves ; 
and  what  could  a  prudent  woman  who  had  a  refradlory  huf- 
band  do,  but  lay  the  reins  upon  his  neck,  and  leave  him  to 
l^lay  his  wild  gambols  ?  She  mean  while,  like  the  provident 
fleward,  has  been  making  friends  of  "  the  mammon  of  un- 
righteoufneis."  She  has  never  failed  in  the  offices  of  civili- 
ty and  attention  to  her  acquaintance  ;  flic  has  accommodat- 


Si}-2 

cd  every  creature  tli;it  (lie  knew,  to  the  utmoft  of  her 
power  ;  and  they  all  can  witnefs  that  fhe  never  fufFered  the 
pleafantry  of  her  parties  to  be  interrupted,  though  the  gay 
votary  of  Bacchus,  in  the  ihapc  of  her  difregarded  hufband, 
reeled  in  at  an  unexpected  hour.  Nor  did  her  placid  fea- 
tures fufter  any  difcompofure,  if  in  her  way  to  the  opera  fhc 
encountered  the  chariot  of  his  paramour.  What  an  amia- 
ble creature  !  how  often  will  fhe  be  preferred  to  her  unhap- 
py neighbour,  who,  flirinking  under  the  preflure  of  a  huf- 
band's  llrame,  immures  herfelf  from  the  world,  and  weeps 
for  the  ills  which  flie  cannot  cure !  Yet  furely,  as  far  as  re- 
lates to  intrinfic  worth,  even  the  virago  is  a  more  refpefta- 
ble  charadler  than  the  cold  hearted  diflembler,  who'  makes 
careleflhefs  and  felfiflmefs  pafs  for  felf-command,  and  en- 
grafts the  infenfible  rapacity  and  negligence  of  a  courtezan^ 
on  a  chara£ler  which  demands  the  lively  intereft  and  aftivc 
participation  of  generous  friendfliip. 

But  do  not,  from  my  having  incidentally  named  the  blunt 
Xantippe  with  comparative  honour,  fuppofe  I  mean  to  infin- 
Uate,  that  a  wayward  huA)and  may  he /folded  into  propriety ; 
or  think  that  melancholy  and  complaint  will  recommend 
home  to  a  refradlory  debauchee,  and  detach  him  from  fcenes 
of  riotous  feftivity  or  criminal  enjoyment,  becaufe  I  condemn 
that  heedlefs  apathy  which  many  miftake  for  good  humour. 
Home  muft,  if  poffible,  be  ahvays  rendered  pleafant  to  its 
mafter ;  and  a  wife  muft  ever  flrive  to  be  amiable  in  the 
eyes  of  her  hufoand.  The  means  of  doing  this  mufl:  depend 
npon  circumftances,  and  her  knowledge  of  his  particular  hu- 
mour. The  widow  Dellmour,  in  "  The  Way  to  Keep  Him," 
offers  leffons  to  her  fex  which  young  wives  might  ftudy  with 
advantage  j  I  mean  in  her  firft:  fcenes  with  Mrs.  Lovemore ; 
they  muft,  however,  be  adopted  with  difcreet  feledlion  ;  for 
the  variety  of  manner  which  fhc  recommends  feems  more  to 
refemble  the  flippant  coquet  panting  for  admiration,  than 
that  amiable  defire  of  pleafing  which  adliuates  an  atre<^tionatc 
wife,  while  ftriving  to  reclaim  the  heart  of  her  hufband. 
Women  cannot  be  too  ftrongly  urged  to  renounce  every  fpe- 
cles  of  artifice.  Inftead,  therefore,  of  faying  a  bad  temper 
raufl  be  ccjicealed^  let  us  endeavour  to  fubdtie  it.  The  efrort 
is  nearly  the  fame  in  either  cafe ;  it  is  only  changing  the 
pernicious  principle  of  expediency,  which  teaches  occi.lional 
reftri(5tions,  for  thai  nobler  motive  of  confcious  re»^itud«^ 
which  infures  a  perpetual  victory. 


393 

But  to  return  to  the  play  we  have  juft  mentioned  :  I  am. 
not  pleafed  with  the  eclairciliement  j  I  mean,  as  a  moral 
lefTon  ;  for  we  are  not  now  examining  its  theatrical  effe<SV. 
Every  prudent  wife  will,  as  fhe  values  her  future  peace,  en- 
deavour to  fave  her  faithlefs  hufband  from  the  fhame  of 
public  detection.  The  lordly  nature  of  man  fo  ftrongly  re- 
volts from  the  fufpiclon  of  inferiority,  that  a  fufceptible  hul^ 
band  can  never  feel  eafy  in  the  fociety  of  his  wife,  \vhen  he 
knows  that  (he  is  acquainted  with  his  vices,  though  he  Is 
well  affured  that  her  prudence,  generofity,  and  affetStion,  will 
prevent  her  from  being  a  fevere  accufer.  Mrs.  Bellmour, 
therefore,  in  recommending  that  Lovemore  fliould  be  prob- 
ed to  the  quick  before  a  large  circle  of  witnefTes,  does  not 
difplay  that  knowledge  of  mankind  to  which  flie  pretends  ; 
and,  notwithftanding  the  author  wiflies  to  convince  us  to 
the  contrary,  we  can  fcarcely  avoid  fufpedting  that  fhe  is  a 
falfe  fi-iend  to  his  wife.  The  llmple  recipe,  of  making  home 
agreeable.  Is  better  calculated  to  reclaim  the  libertine,  than 
the  artifices  which  Mrs.  Lovemore  adopts ;  and  no  woman 
of  delicacy  (I  will  add,  of  principle)  will  have  recourfe  to  the: 
dangerous  expedient  of  exciting  jealoufy  In  her  hufband  :  it 
may  roufe  him  from  the  torpor  of  indifference,  but  it  Is  at 
the  expenfe  of  his  confidence  in  her  virtue.  Even  if  her 
motive  were  merely  to  fhow  him  how  nobly  flie  can  refift 
temptation,  may  fhe  not  fear  he  will  remind  her  that  indif* 
cretion  muft  have  led  her  into  danger  .''  Chaftity  (like  its 
male  concomitant,  courage,)  courts  no  unnecefTary  trial.  A 
truly  virtuous  nvife  has  little  reafon  to  fear  the  folicltations 
of  Illicit  love.  Some  error  muft  be  feen  in  her  manner,  re- 
laxed principles  muft  peep  through  fome  difregarded  loop* 
hole  In  her  conduft,  before  the  Intentional  feducer  dares 
drop  the  mafk  of  refpeftful  friendfhip.  Never,  therefore, 
let  an  unhappy  neglected  wife  try  to  reclaim  her  truant 
fpoufe,  by  fhowing  him  that  the  charms  which  he  defplfes 
can  make  other  conquefb. 

I  have  already  deplored,  that  the  manners  of  the  age  are 
unfavourable  to  conjugal  fidelity  ;  not  only  on  account  of 
the  comparatively  flight  reproach  attached  to  what  are  too 
generally  called  the  errors  of  the  heart,  but  alfo  to  thofe 
habits  of  fociety  which  feparate  the  wife  and  the  hufband, 
and  thofe  falfe  rules  of  gallantry  which  dlre£l  him  to  beftow 
his  attention  on  other  ladies,  and  her  to  accept  the  affidul- 
ties  of  other  gentlemen  ;  for,  though  thefe  cuftoms  are  not 
Bbb 


394 

in  tliemfelvcs  pofitively  criminal,  they  not  only  open  a  door 
to  adultery,  but  alfo  aflford  the  fecurity  and  concealment 
which  it  delires.  It  feems  but  a  ftep  from  the  preferred  ci- 
cifbeo  to  the  favourite  lover  ;  a  male  confidant  and  a  gallant 
are  ahnoft  fynonymous.  Slander  too,  by  its  premature  de- 
gradation, fomctimes  accelerates  the  difgrace  it  feeds  on. 
When  an  agreeable  man  becomes  an  intimate  in  a  family, 
the  mifcrefs  of  which  is  young  and  beautiful,  and  the  huf- 
band  either  engrofled  by  other  purfuits,  or  negligent  from 
indiirerence,  every  gollip  in  the  neighbourhood  fnuffs  the 
approaching  crim.  con. ;  and  moft  unqueflionably,  the  rep- 
utation of  an  intrigue  has  often  produced  one.  Many  a  wo- 
man has  intended  nothing  more  thdn  to  fpend  the  hours  of 
folitude  agreeably,  or  to  diffipate  vexatious  thoughts  while 
fhe  chatted  or  danced  with  the  captain  in  public,  or  admit- 
ted his  private  villts,  though  her  invidious  acquaintance  have 
put  the  GdJi-p  conftruftions  on  fuch  harmlefs  liberties.  But 
the  captain  is  moft  probably  lefs  platonic  than  herfelf,  and 
will  foon  convince  her  tha>  Ihe  may  as  well  deferve  reproach 
as  endure  it. 

Let  us,  therefoi-e,  obey  the  divine  admonition,  and  "  ab- 
ftain  even  from  the  appearance  of  e^'il."  If  we  have  drawn, 
a  blank  in  the  lottery  of  life,  let  us  remember  that  we  muft 
not  again  try  our  fortunes.  Yet  though  we  cannot  be  hap- 
py,  or  even  contented^  we  may  be  re/igned.  Faith  and  patience 
may  obtain  a  ferene  triumph,  though  joy  and  gratitude  do 
not  fwcll  a  pjean  of  rapture.  This  is  "  not  our  abiding 
city  :"  pafs  but  a  few  years,  and  all  the  pains  and  regrets 
that  we  now  feel  will  appear  but  like  a  dream  :  we  have  it 
indeed  in  our  power  to  make  them  not  only  durable  but 
eternal :  only  add  guilt  to  difappointment,  and  the  load  be- 
comes intolerable. 

I  acknowledge  that  a  young  and  fufceptible  wife,  who 
feels  her  confidence  betrayed,  her  love  rejected,  and  her  an- 
guiijh  difregarded,  by  her  fworn  partner  and  dearell:  choice, 
is  expofed  to  a  moft  fevere  trial ;  efpecially  if  the  cold,  the 
capricious,  the  diffolute,  or  the  tyrannical  hufband,  be  con- 
trafted  by  the  attentive,  obfequious,  and  fpecious  friend. 
The  beft  heart  may  fo  far  wander,  as  to  wifh  that  it  had  at- 
tached itfelf  to  this  amiable  being,  who  feems  fo  fully  fenfi- 
ble  of  her  injured  defert.  Would  to  heaven  that  the  much 
endangered  fair  one  had,  at  this  minute,  the  power  to  look 
into  the  bofom  which  (lie  luppol'es  to  be  the  feat  of  every 
virtue  !  She  would  then  dilcovcr  that  "  all  was  fulfe  and 


hollow."  He  is  only  acling  a  part  which  perhaps  her  re^ 
creant  fpoufe  may  be  playing  in  feme  other  family ;  and  as 
to  marrying,  if  he  had  indeed  met  her  before  flie  had  "  been 
fill:  link'd  and  wedlock  bound,"  and  a  friend  had  queftion- 
cd  him  upon  the  fubjecl,  he  would  have  confefled  that  mat- 
rimony was  a  trade  he  never  intended  to  deal  in,  except  in 
the  way  of  partnerfhip. 

But  may  not  the  friend  (hip  of  a  man  for  a  married  wo- 
man be  dilinterefted,  and  free  from  all  bafe  intentions  ?  Per- 
haps it  may ;  but  if  the  parties  are  young,  amiable,  and  in 
habits  of  peculiar  intimacy,  there  is  much  caufe  to  fear  that 
fuch  finifher  views  may  intrude  into  original  purity  of  pur- 
pofe.  If  the  friend  be  particularly  folicitous  to  pleafe,  if  he 
ever  attempt  to  place  the  hufband  in  an  inferior  point  of 
view,  either  by  difcovering  his  foibles  or  fhowing  his  own 
fuperiority  -,  let  the  lady  fly  from  the  voice  of  the  charmer, 
as  fhe  would  from  a  lurking  adder.  But  if  the  gentleman's 
condudl  admit  of  no  fufpicious  conftru£lions,  let  her  doubt 
herfelf.  If  fhe  perceive  that  this  agreeable  and  difintereftcd 
companion  has  made  a  deep  impreffion  upon  (I  will  not  fay 
her  heart,  but)  her  imagination  ;  if  fhe  find  that  he  poffefles 
a  great  fhare  of  her  thoughts  ;  if  his  unexpefted  abfence 
make  her  uneafy,  or  if  Ihe  be  piqued  by  his  attentions  to 
other  women  ;  let  her  be  aflured  that  this  friendfliip  is  of 
too  fufceptible  a  nature  to  be  cheriflied  with  fafety,  and  that 
fhe  owes  the  renunciation  of  it,  if  not  to  her  virtuey  at  leaft 
to  her  peace  of  mind 

The  general  adoption  of  continental  manners  having  driv- 
en our  fex  from  the  ftrong  holds  of  decorum,  no  wonder 
that  we  have  voluntarily  abandoned  the  hillfort  of  jealoufy. 
It  was  indeed  an  ill  chofen  and  untenable  poft,  ferving  rath- 
er to  exhauft  ourfelves,  than  to  fubdue  the  enemy.  No 
woman,  who  now  pretends  to  the  name  of  fafliionable,  could 
forbear  fmiling  at  my  fuppofing  that  her  feelings  could  be 
irritated  by  a  difcovery  of  her  hufband's  infidelities  :  but 
though  fuch  nonchalance  is  thought  to  have  a  very  genteel 
air,  to  me  it  appears  more  like  want  of  principle,  than  fu- 
perabundance  of  equanimity  and  prudence.  Surely  there  is 
nothing  abfurd  in  a  lady's  being  difcrefled  at  the  certainty 
that  her  hufband  lives  in  the  practice  of  one  of  thofe  fins 
which  will  exclude  him  from  the  kingdom  of  God ;  and  if 
his  overruling  will  compel  her  to  firand  goffip  to  his  fpurious 
ifiue,  is  it  not  better  to  perform  that  office  with  interceffive 
tears,  than  fmiles  of  amiability  ?  The  rage  of  jealoufy  is, 


however,  ill  fuited  to  a  woman.  We  cannot  caft  off  our  of- 
fending partner  "  a  prey  to  fortune ;"  and  for  our  chil- 
dren's fake,  if  not  for  our  own,  we  fhould  prefer  the  mminal 
protection  of  our  hufband  to  pofitive  alienation.  It  is  moft 
advifable,  therefore,  to  reftrain  our  curiofity,  when  we  fuf- 
pc(il  that  the  gratification  of  it  will  produce  diftrefs.  If  the 
decencies  of  public  manner  are  preferved,  let  us  refolve  nev- 
er to  attempt  to  difcover  what  our  hufband  carefully  con- 
ceals ;  and  let  us  fpare  him  the  difgrace  of  detection,  which 
oftener  conquers  fhame  than  fin.  By  ftudying  to  pleafe 
him,  and  by  confcientioufly  endeavouring  to  perform  our 
own  duty,  we  fhall  have  daily  opportunities  of  contrafting 
the  lovelinefs  of  virtue  with  the  deformity  of  vice  ;  and  uH;- 
lels  he  is  indeed  reprobate,  and  loft  to  grace,  this  oppofition 
muft  make  his  evil  courfes  uneafy  to  him.  If  we  are  com- 
pelled to  fee  his  mifdeeds,  let  us  notice  them  more  as  fin-^ 
cere  chriftians,  than  as  revengeful  women ;  and  fliow  the 
finner,  that  while  we  weep  and  pray  for  his  crime,  we 
can  pradlife  the  law  that  we  acknowledge,  and  forgive  the 
injury. 

In  fome  cafes,  indeed,  pafilve  fubmifllon  is  impofilble  ;  I 
mean  where  the  libertine  glories  in  his  iniquities,  and  boafts 
of  what  is  his  difgrace.  Former  ages  would  have  fuppofed 
it  was  impofilble  that  a  man  fhould  expecSl  his  wife  to  vifit 
or  countenance  his  miftrefs  ;  but  the  annals  of  the  great 
world  tell  more  than  one  example  of  fuch  abominable  de- 
pravity. Let  the  young  lady  who  Ihudders  at  the  poflibili- 
ty  of  fuch  a  propofal  confider,  that  as  it  can  only  come  from 
a  hardened  profligate,  fteeped  to  "  the  very  lips  in  vice,'* 
the  way  to  avoid  it  is,  to  refolve  never  to  venture  on  the 
more  than  Herculean  labour  of  reforming  a  rake  ;  left,  after 
having  given  him  fuch  a  proof  of  her  want  of  true  delicacy, 
he  fhould  think  himfelf  juftified,  at  fome  future  period^  in 
requefting  her  to  fet  him  down  at  the  door  of  a  brothel. 

Sufpicion  is  often  zfpcntaneous  production  in  the  minds  of 
women  who  have  more  affeClion  than  judgment ;  r.nd  fure- 
ly,  if  love  ever  defigned  to  commit  fuicide,  no  baleful  drug 
could  be  better  adapted  to  his  purpofe.  The  lufFerings  of 
thefe  felf-tormentors,  who  are  ever  bewildering  themfelves 
in  a  maze  of  doubts,  conftruClions,  and  difcoveries,  open  an 
ample  field  for  the  comic  mufe  ;  but  I  cannot  think  that 
Colman  has  done  it  jufticc  in  his  character  of  Mrs.  Oakley, 
in  the  "Jealous  Wife."  He  feems  to  have  defigned  to 
make  her  fond  of  her  hufbnnd,  and  a  gentlewoman  \  but  in 


397 

the  warm  colouring  that  he  beftows  on  her  fufpicions,  he 
lofes  fight  of  his  original  Iketch,  and  the  vixen  predominates 
to  fuch  a  degree  that  we  turn  from  her  in  difguft  ;  and  the 
denouement,  though  defigned  to  be  happy,  proves  morti- 

We  will  now  direil  our  attention  to  thofe  trivial  difputes, 
arifing  from  petty  caufes,  which  frequently  interrupt,  and 
often  deftroy,  conjugal  comfort.  As,  in  the  cafe  of  our  hus- 
band's grofs  faults,  we  mull:  beware  of  permitting  our  male 
acquaintance  to  engrofs  too  much  of  our  attention ;  fo,  in 
his  lelTer  peccadillos,  let  us  refrain  from  opening  our  hearts 
to  ?i  female  confidant.  Married  unhappinefs,  from  whatever 
caule  it  fprings,  fliould  never  be  fufFered  to  meet  the  eye  of 
others ;  nor  muft  we,  for  the  fake  of  covering  ourfelves  with 
the  glory  of  patient  fufFering,  expofe  our  wedded  partners 
to  reproach ;  which  the  world  will  be  good  natured  enough 
to  remember,  when  we  have  entirely  forgotten  that  it  was 
founded  on  our  own  teftimony.  A  zealous  but  indifcreet 
friend  has  often  ruined  the  peace  of  a  young  couple,  who 
had  no  other  fault  than  lively  paffions,  and  would  have  gone 
on  with  quarrels  and  reconciliations  for  tlieir  whole  lives, 
alternately  fupremely  happy  and  intenfely  miferable,  had  not 
fome  worthy  confidant  convinced  the  lady  that  fhe  deferved 
a  far  better  fate. 

Here  let  me  earnefl:ly  entreat  the  young  wife  not  only  to 
confine  her  forrows  to  her  own  bofom,  or  to  intrufl  them 
to  fome  very  difpajfionaie  and  ivlfe  counfellor,  but  alfo  to  re- 
frain from  fwelling  mole-hills  into  mountains.  Let  not  her 
regret  at  perceiving  fome  human  imperfections  in  the  maf- 
ter  of  her  heart  fink  fo  deep  into  her  fancy  as  to  convert  a 
fallible  man  into  a  hardened  reprobate.  If  the  error  be  ve- 
nial, let  her  pafs  it  in  filence  ;  at  leaft:  till  fhe  fhall  have  fuf- 
ficiently  afcertained  the  ground  on  which  flie  fliands,  to  en- 
ter with  fafety  on  the  diflicult  taflc  of  monitor.  In  all  petty 
difputes,  let  her  avoid  the  leaft  fliadow  of  exultation  when 
flie  gains  the  vidtory  :  nor  muft  fhe  often  expeCl  concef- 
fions  •,  which,  when  made,  fhe  fhould  endeavour  to  foften, 
and  receive  them  rather  as  a  favour  than  a  right.  Recrim- 
ination muft  ever  be  avoided,  and  all  references  to  former 
faults.  The  offences  of  another  are  no  juftification  of  our 
own  ',  and  what  has  been  palTed  over  and  forgiven,  muft  not 
be  brought  forward  on  a  frefh  provocation. 

The  beft  way  of  avoiding  domeftic  conteft  is,  for  both 
parties  to  refolve  never  to  attach  importance  to  trifles :  but 


398 

this  would  be  requiring  too  much  from  our  falHble  nature  j 
the  nerves  of  feeling  are  alike  tremulons  at  the  touch  of  pain 
and  pleafure ;  and  as  trifles  are  the  fource  of  moft  of  cur 
joys,  they  muft  alfo  produce  the  majority  of  our  forrows. 
We  will  then  advife  (and  the  counfel  is  not  only  archiepif- 
copal,  but  proceeds  from  one  of  the  firft  of  Britilh  worthies,)* 
that  the  gentleman  and  lady  Ihould  never  wear  the  fool's 
cap  at  the  fame  moment.  A  philofopher  might  fuppofc  that 
this  precept  is  not  impracllcable ;  for  it  feems  poffiblc,  that 
of  two  human  beings  one  may  be  in  pofleflion  of  common 
senfe ;  and  yet  whoever  knows  the  Avorld  muft  confefs,  that 
only  a  very  fanguine  expectation  can  look  for  uniform  com- 
phance  with  this  rule ;  for,  however  galling  the  cap  of  folly 
evidently  feems  to  the  perfon  who  firft  puts  it  on,  the  affec- 
tionate partner  cannot  keep  from  tugging  at  it  till  he  has 
ftretched  it  wide  enough  to  admit  his  own  noddle  alfo.  Per- 
haps, therefore,  matrimonial  jars,  like  ftorms  and  tempefts 
in  the  natural  world,  may  be  morally  neceflary,  to  prevent 
that  abfolute  ftagnation  in  the  connubial  atmofphere,  which 
generates  indifference,  the  apoplexy  of  love. 

We  muft,  therefore,  (except  among  thofe  very  high  bred 
people  who  can  Jimg  each  other  with  fmiling  fuavity  and 
graceful  politenefs,)  allow  a  little  luholefome  contention.  We 
will  now  fuppofe  the  combat  over ;  the  gentleman  fullenly 
ilalking  along  the  library,  and  the  lady  in  tears  in  her  clofet. 
It  will  now  be  acknowledged  that  both  have  time  to  reflect  j 
and  I  lincerely  hope  that  their  thoughts  will  not  be  fo  far 
engrofled  by  the  cruel  ufage  they  liave  both  endured,  as  not 
to  recollect  that  a  fool's  cap  is  very  uneafy  wearing.  Who- 
ever makes  the  firft  effort  to  throw  it  off  recovers  the  title 
to  fuperior  wifdom.  Conciliatory  meafures  are  firft  expect- 
ed from  our  fex ;  and  I  pique  myfelf  upon  this  tacit  acknow- 
ledgment of  what  I  have  always  pleaded  for,  the  intrinlic, 
though  not  oftenfible,  fupcriority  of  women.  In  fome  of 
the  uneafy  moments  which  precede  the  removal  of  the 
above  named  incumbrance  (which  is  apt  to  ftick  as  clofe  as 
the  tunic  of  NefTus,)  the  indignant  lady  may  perhaps  com- 
pare her  fiiuation  with  tliat  of  fome  other  happy  wife,  and  her 
tyrant  with  i'ome  attentive  imlulgent  hulhand.  If  flie  herfelf  be 
a  woman  of  prudence,  it  may  happen  that  one  of  her  own 
acquaintance,  immcrfcd  in  fmiilar  dolours,  may  »t  this  mo- 
ment be  drawing  the  fame  concluiions  on  her  apparent  fe- 

*  Arclibifliop  Cramner. 


399 

licity.  Tlie  pfoverb  fays,  « There  is  an  anatomy  in  every 
"  clofet,  and  they  are  the  wifeft  people  who  keep  the  door 
"  locked  ;"  and,  let  us  alk  ourfelves,  when  we  are  admitted 
to  fuch  an  intimacy  in  a  family  as  to  peep  through  the  key- 
hole, have  we  ever  failed  to  difcover  this  mournful  veftige  of 
frail  humanity  ? 

In  refpedl  to  the  attentions  which  a  wife  ought  to  fliow 
her  hufband,  thefe  fliould  rather  be  guided  by  his  humour 
than  her  own.  While  fome  men  confider  conftant  folici- 
tude  as  the  proof  of  love,  others  are  difgufted  by  what  they 
call  "  fufs  and  faddle."  Men  of  ftrong  fenfe  and  ftern  tem- 
pers are  generally  averfe  to  whatever  wears  the  fliape  of  im- 
portunate care  -,  and  their  eftlmation  of  their  wives  rifes  in 
proportion  to  the  ftrength  of  mind  and  felf-command  \Vhich 
they  poiTefs.  A  woman  Ihould  be  particularly  cautious  of 
giving  fuch  a  hufband  reafon  to  defpife  her  ;  they  are  apt  to 
under-rate  our  fex,  and  impreffions  are  generally  deep  as  well 
as  lafting  on  fuch  minds.  AVhoever,  therefore,  is  bound  to 
a  mate  of  this  defcription  fhould  always  aim  at  the  pofTeffion 
of  his  efteem  ;  and  if  fhe  gain  this  point,  I  would  requeft 
her  to  conquer  the  natural  fufceptipility  of  her  fex  fo  far  as 
not  to  be  pained  at  the  omifllon  of  thofe  attentions  on  his 
part,  which,  though  raoftly  confidered  as  proofs  of  affeftion, 
are  overlooked  or  difdained  by  people  of  this  ftamp,  not 
through  ill  nature,  but  from  a  turn  of  mind  that  will  not 
allow  them  to  afcribe  importance;  to  trifles.  Such  men  are 
mofl  capable  oijlcady  uniform  affe^Vion  -,  and,  if  their  gen- 
eral conduct  give  proof  of  this,  a  wife  is  not  delicate,  but 
fretml,  who  torments  herfelf  and  her  good  man  becaufe  he 
has  not  learned  to  lifp  in  the  language  of  adulation,  nor  to 
move  in  the  prefcribed  form  of  heedful  tendernefs. 

If  in  thefe  circumftances  it  becomes  our  duty  to  bind  the 
iron  mail  of  fortitude  on  our  bofom  ;  fo,  in  the  cafe  of  our 
being  wedded  to  a  man  of  quick  fenfibility,  refined  imagi- 
nation, or  placid  temper,  it  is  equally  incumbent  on  us  not 
to  wound  his  feelings  by  our  levity,  carelefTnefs,  or  indiffer- 
ence ;  for  in  this  light  we  muft  confider  any  habits  which 
endanger  his  repofe.  A  mind  that  is  formed  in  this  mould 
is  not  unapt  to  miflake  faflidioufnefs  for  feeling,  and  only  to 
iuppofe  itfelf  very  delicate  v*^hen  it  is  provokingly  capricious. 
I  will  however  acknowledge,  that  this  is  not  genuine  but 
pfeudo-fenfibility.  It  is  by  this  affecled  acutenefs  of  per- 
ception, this  nicety  of  diftintlion,  that  the  domcftic  tyrant 
often  excufes  his  extravagancies  •,  that  is  to  fay,  he  makes  all 


400 

'.iround  him  miferablc,  becaufe  too  many  adjuniSls  enter  into 
his  idea  of  happinefs.  He  cannot,  hke  true  fenfibility,  en- 
joy it  in  the  rebound  ;  nor,  like  benevolence,  produce  and 
cherifh  it  in  his  own  tranquil  bofom.  Heaven  and  earth 
muft  combine  their  influence  to  procure  and  i-ear  the  frail 
exotic  ;  and  vi^hen  at  laft  its  flowers  expand,  and  hope  fcems 
to  touch  the  point  of  fruition,  "  a  curfed  eafl  wind,"  or  "  an 
infernal  fhower,"  fcatters  its  glowing  petals,  or  wets  its  fra- 
grant duft.  Every  one  knows  that  a  gentleman  of  exqiiiftte 
stnftbiliiy  cannot  be  comfortable  in  an  eaft  wind,  or  a  wet 
day  ;  and  in  fuch  excruciating,  though  not  uncommon  cir- 
cumftances,  a  poor  wife  is  but  in  the  fituation  of  a  Lapland 
witch,  who  is  conftantly  anathematized  by  her  cuftomers 
wheneyer  the  weather  proves  unfavourable. 

As  fubmiffion  and  obfervance  do  but  confirm  the  malady 
of  thefe  gentlemen,  v/hich,  whatever  mental  or  phyfical  form 
it  may  affe^,  I  take  to  be  the  right  fore  difeafe  of  felf-fuffi- 
ciency  and  felf-love  -,  I  fincerely  wifh  the  fmall  remainder  of* 
tlie  ancient  breed  of  "  bonny  Catherines,*'  that  can  Jlill  be 
found,  might  be  fo  difpofed  of,  as  to  give  them  the  opportu- 
nity of  exerting  their  animating  energies  in  the  cui*e  of  thefe 
wayward  Petruchios.  The  horrors  of  hypochondriacal 
conceit,  fretful  irritability,  or  moody  melancholy,  might  be 
difliipated  by  the  necejfity  of  filencing  a  well  played  fonorous 
female  alarum.  For,  as  tht^a  fufferers  are  apt  to  forget  that 
there  are  any  other  people  in  the  world  except  themfelves, 
or  rather  to  fuppofe  that  the  things  they  fee  moving  around 
them,  though  apparently  men  and  women,  are  really  only 
blocks,  automatons,  and  dumb  waiters,  fuch  a  peal  as  would 
pierce  all  but  <«  the  dull  cold  ear  of  death"  may  roufe  them 
to  recollect  their  focial  duties,  and  confequently  make  them 
kappy.  Ohferve,  in  this  cafe,  I  tolerate  fcolding,  not  becaufe 
(as  lome  witlings  mnlicioufly  aflert)  it  is  falubrious  to  the 
health  of  the  lady,  (for  I  am  convinced  it  muft  always  be  in- 
imical to  the  tender  feelings  and  nice  fufceptlbility  of  wo- 
man,) but  as  the  only  means  of  reftoring  the  gentleman  to 
convalefcence  j  and  a  good  wife,  like  our  pious  Elcjnor, 
muft  not  refufe  to  draw  the  poifon  from  her  hiilhund's 
wounds,  though  the  operation  be  both  dift.uieful  and  dan- 
gerous. 

If  a  woman  be  blefled  with  a  confort  whofc  true  and  no- 
ble tendernefs  is  free  from  this  vile  adulieration  of  fcUilh- 
nefs,  let  her  {how  her  value  of  her  fair  heritage  by  gratitudr 
3nd  content.     Never  let  her  impole  upon  real  fenfibility,. 


401 

nor  pain  indubitable  affeftion,  by  capricious  trials.  Does  her 
hufband  anxioufly  endeavour  to  promote  her  happinefs,  fure- 
ly  it  muft  be  her  chief  delight  to  fhow  him  that  flie  is  hap- 
py. Is  he  kindly  alarmed  at  her  indifpofitions,  ahd  agoniz- 
ed by  her  diftrefs  ;  flie  will  never,  for  the  fake  of  gratifying 
her  vanity  by  a  ufelefs  difplay  of  her  power,  afFe<5l  the  lan- 
guor of  difeafe,  or  the  mournful  afpe<Sl  of  grief.  In  propor- 
tion as  fhe  perceives  his  apprehenfions  for  her  to  be  tremu- 
loujly  alive,  fhe  will  endeavour  to  acquire  that  patient  forti- 
tude and  ftrength  of  mind  which  is  not  mafculine,  but  an- 
gelical. It  is  to  be  lamented,  that  thefe  Phoenixes  of  hul^ 
bands  often  fall  into  the  hands  of  artful  women,  who  efti- 
mate  their  worth,  not  according  to  its  intrinfic  value,  but  as 
it  is  a  marketable  commodity ;  and  transform  w^hat  was  in- 
tended to  prefent  the  livelieft  portrait  of  human  felicity,  in- 
to the  perverted  homage  which  gentlenefs  offers  to  caprice. 
Such  ill  forted  pairs  make  one  liften  to  Dr.  Watt's  conjec- 
tures refpefting  the  difaflrous  difperfion  of  fouls,  which  hap- 
{)ened  as  the  appointed  partners  took  their  flight  to  thefe 
ower  regions. 

I  will  mention  but  one  other  peculiarity  of  temper,  and 
that  is  the  choleric,  which,  unlefs  it  be  indulged  to  a  very 
wild  extreme,  is  fuppofed  to  be  moft  ealily  managed.  It  is, 
unqueftionably,  infinitely  preferable  to  quiet  moodinefs  or 
melancholy  peeviflmefs.  We  can  ftoop  to  let  the  rufliing 
ivhirlwind  pafs  by  us,  knowing  that  it  will  foon  fpcnd  itfelf, 
and  that  peace  and  funfhine  will  fucceed  this  apparent  diiTo- 
lution  of  the  elements  ;  but  who  can  iland  the  continual 
bitings  *'  of  Zembla's  froft,"  or  the  enervating  moifture  of 
Darien's  putrid  fwamps,  without  material  injury  ?  No  one 
betrays  his  fex's  high  prerogative  fo  much  as  the  palBonate 
man ;  even  in  his  very  ftorm  he  merely  fcatters  the  feed  of 
rebellion  ;  and  his  infant  girl  calculates  what  play  things 
papa  will  give  her  to  make  it  up  with  her  when  he  becomes 
good  again.  Power  cannot  be  fecured  by  the  difcovcry  of 
an  available  poft.  If  the  bridle  be  held  with  a  fteady  hand, 
obedience  is  uniform  j  but,  as  depreffion  conftantly  fucceeds 
over  exertion,  he  who  alternately  curbs  high,  and  rides  with 
a  loofe  rein,  can  never  pretend  to  the  praife  of  good  horfe- 
manlhip.  Few  men  are  in  a  greater  ftate  of  fubjection,  not 
merely  to  their  wives,  but  alfo  to  their  domeftics^  than  they 
who  frequently  break  out  into  extravagant  ails  of  phrenfy. 
C  c  c 


402 

After  having  reprobated  with  fo  much  feverity  thofc  fafli- 
ionable  habits  which  lead  to  conjugal  infidelity,  you  will  won- 
der to  hear  ;;;?  fay  any  thing  againft  the  oppolite  error,  of 
too  clofe  domeilication  ;  but  e-\tremes  are  always  reprehen- 
fible.  Very  few  admonitions  on  this  head  will  fuffice ;  for 
what  the  Romans  fuppofed  of  patricide  is  here  realized  ;  the 
fault  is  fo  rare,  that  prohibitions  feem  fuperfluous. 

Every  objection  to  individual  fecluiion  from  the  world,  as 
that  it  is  likely  to  form  the  unfocial  temper  of  mifanthropy, 
and  to  introduce  unpleafant  habits  and  contracled  notions, 
may  be  urged  againfl  an  idea  which  fometimes  adhers  to  a 
very  affectionate  couple  beyond  the  honeymoon  ;  namely, 
that  each  being  to  the  other  a  world,  the  reft  of  their  fpe- 
cics  are  to  them  nonentities.  A  very  well  told  tale,  called 
*'  Variety,"  was  publithed  about  thirty  years  ago  on  this  fub- 
je^.  I  forget  its  author,  and  know  not  whether  it  was 
much  read  ;  but  the  moral  was  worth  regarding.  A  young, 
amiable,  and  much  attached  pair  fet  out  with  the  idea  that 
they  could  not  have  too  much  of  each  other's  fociety.  In 
procefs  of  time,  however,  this  exquifite  feaft  of  the  flow  of 
foul,  being  confined  to  only  tivo Jiaiiding  difhes,  lofes  its  rel- 
ifli ;  and,  after  a  yawning  evening,  the  hufband  informs  his 
wife  that  he  fufpe£ts  "  they  live  too  much  together."  A  coufiti 
jenny  is  now  introduced,  who  enlivens  them  with  London 
anecdotes ;  and  the  tender  pair  refolve,  for  a  time,  to  quit 
the  retirement  which  they  have  fo  paffionately  preferred, 
and  efteemed  the  bower  of  blifs,  and  try  if  the  great  world 
will  not  make  them  a  Utile  happier.  The  journey  is  defcrib- 
ed  in  natural  and  humorous  colours  j  they  plunge  not  in 
vice,  but  in  diflipation  j  they  meet  but  rarely,  and  then  with 
indifference.  Mutually  alarmed  at  this  change  (for  their 
hearts  are  not  vitiated,)  they  determine  to  keep  one  evening 
difeiigaged  to  examine  the  caufe  ;  and,  after  a  little  in- 
veftigation,  the  hufband  decides  that  "  they  live  too  viuch 
afwider" 

The  application  is  anticipated.  Occafional  intervals  arc 
neceffary  to  make  even  pleaiure  pleafe.  A  man  fliould  come 
to  his  own  fire  fide  as  a  weary  bird  does  to  his  neft,  not  as 
the  captive  to  his  prifon.  The  breaks  into  the  domeftic 
party  mult  be  regulated  by  external  circumftances  as  well  as 
by  internal  tafte.  If  they  are  too  frequent,  fimple  delights 
•and  family  duties  will  lofe  their  attractions  and  their  influ- 
ence. If  they  are  too  rare,  fatiety  will  deprive  us  of  our 
jelifh  for  what  wc  ihould  «njoy  to  the  laft  moment  of  our 


403 

lives,  and  our  notions  will  be  as  contra«5led  as  the  circle  m 
which  we  move. 

The  duty  of  a  wife,  as  the  regulator  of  domcftic  expenfe, 
has  been  anticipated  by  fome  former  obfervations.*  I  have 
nothing  more  to  fay  on  this  head,  than  to  prefcribc  peculiar 
caution  in  the  article  of  perfonal  expenditure.  Great  ex- 
penfe  in  drefs  can  never  be  juftiiied  in  a  matron,  unlefs  flie, 
by  that,  complies  with  the  whim  of  her  hufband,  or  with  the 
particular  claims  of  his  fituation,  rank,  or  fortune.  It  is  the 
undoubted  duty  of  every  woman  to  pay  efpecial  attention 
to  the  ftation  that  her  hufband  holds  in  life.  No  error  is 
more  frequent  among  vulgar  v^romen,  than  to  appear  afham- 
ed  of  the  employment  from  which  they  derive  their  opu- 
lence. Every  attempt  to  deck  it  out  in  falfe  importance,  or 
to  difguife  its  real  nature,  is  an  indication  of  a  little  mind, 
equally  weak  and  unprincipled  ;  for  furely  we  are  unjuft  to 
others  when  we  force  ourfeives  into  a  rank  to  which  we  have 
no  proper  pretenfions.  No  employment  can  be  difcreditable 
which  is  purfued  with  honefty  and  induftry ;  the  fhame  at- 
taches not  to  the  ftation^  but  to  the  individical^  who,  by  his 
attempts  to  efcape  from  what  he  is,  betrays  a  fecret  coiifcioui- 
nefs  which  degi-ades  himfelf  more  than  the  pride  of  his  fu- 
periors.  The  ingenious  mechanic  is  as  refpedlable  in  his 
own  rank  as  the  flatefman  or  gentleman  in  theirs.  But  I 
am  wandering  to  another  fubject.  I  will  now  confine  my- 
felf  to  adviilng  women  to  fcorn  all  falfe  pretences,  and  never 
to  hope  that  high  lived  company  will  afford  either  advantage 
or  pleafure  to  her,  whofe  ticket  of  admiflion  depends  upon 
the  alTumption  of  borrowed  honours.  Should  any  perfonal 
or  local  advantages  procuri  her  fuch  diflinftion,  let  her  not 
tarnifh  it  by  fophifticating  the  amiable  fimplicity  of  nature. 
The  ftolen  plume  of  an  efquire  will  not  fhade  vulgarity  ; 
and  the  petty  dealer  and  chapman  will  betray  his  littlenefs, 
though  buttoned  up  in  the  refpe^lable  garb  of  a  merchant. 
In  every  rank  of  life,  propriety  of  condudl,  and  ftiitability  of 
manners,  command,  and  alfo  infpire,  refpecl.  The  humour 
of  the  times  makes  thefe  refleflions  peculiarly  necefTary  to 
female  vanity,  which,  with  the  folly  to  which  vanity  is  ever 
fubjedV,  relinquifhes  real  for  artificial  diflin£lions. 

Belide  the  duties  that  we  perfonally  owe  to  a  hufband, 
there  are  often  fome  mediate  obligations  which  arife  from 
marriage.     If  his  parents  furvive,  they  extend  to  us  the 

*  tiee  tiCtter  2d. 


404 

claim  of  paternity,  and  we  owe  them  the  fame  expreffions 
of  refpetSt  and  habits  of  obfervancc  as  to  our  own  immediate 
progenitors.  The  office  of  a  ftepmother  is  proverbially 
odious  y  and  our  obfsrvaticns  on  life  favour  the  opinion, 
either  that  it  is  too  great  a  trial  for  virtue,  or  tliat  it  is  a  fit- 
uation  in  which  merit  cannot  meet  with  due  returns.  There 
are,  however,  a  fev/  happy  exceptions  to  this  melancholy 
conclufion  ;  and  we  may,  on  the  whole,  hope  that  a  fmcere 
difpofition  to  a^l  rightly,  guided  by  a  found  judgment,  will 
in  this,  as  in  a//  other  fituations  of  life,  enable  us  to  acquit 
ourfclves  of  this  delicate  tafk.  with  confcientious  impartiali- 
ty. We  may  obferve,  that  the  charge  is  voltiniarily  under- 
taken i  and  they  whofe  duty  it  is  to  perform  it  muft  remem- 
ber, that  after  it  is  accepted  they  are  no  longer  free  to  choofe. 
The  relative  ties  appendant  to  wifehood  are  as  indiffoluble 
as  the  connexion  on  which  they  depend  j  and  if  difficulty, 
inconvenience,  or  diflike,  were  admitted  as  reafons  for  our 
jiegledling  our  pofitive  duty,  every  obligation  might  eafily  be 
evaded.  Did  ftepdames  and  their  adopted  charge  mutually 
conlider  themfelves  as  infuperably  bound  to  each  other,  dis- 
agreement would  be  prevented  from  ripening  into  difguft, 
by  the  powerful  reftraint  of  felf-intereft.  Married  people 
feldom  hate  each  other,  till  they  have  ruminated  on  the  fea- 
fibility  oi feparatjon. 

Befide  thefe  very  clofe  connexions  to  which  marriage  fre- 
quently binds  us,  it  generally  introduces  us  to  others  that 
are  more  remote.  Conlidering  what  human  nature  is,  we 
Ihould  not  fanguinely  expect  friends  and  admirers  in  the  re- 
lations of  our  hufband.  If  this  happen  to  be  the  cafe,  we 
fhould  blefs  our  good  fortune  -,  but  it  is  too  rare  to  jufiify 
complaint  when  we  do  not  poilefs  the  good  opinion  of  our 
new  kindred.  If  they  are  not  our  enemies,  we  muft  be  con^ 
tented  j  and  they  feldom  become  fo  but  through  our  own 
fault.  The  fuggeftions  I  have  already  given  refpe^ting  the 
prefcrvation  of  family  poiitcnefs  and  good  breeding,  are  ftill 
more  indifpenfably  requiiite  in  thefe  adopted  ties  ;  for  here 
habit  will  not  reftore  the  affection  which  has  been  interrup- 
ted by  a  fudden  quarrel  •,  it  will  be  lucky  if  natural  forbear- 
ance ever  permit  the  unneceiTary  wound  to  be  fkinned  over 
by  cool  civility.  If  conjugal  affection  prompt  the  hufband 
to  forget  the  claims  of  blood,  a  confcientious  wife  muft  feel 
great  felf-rcpronch  ;  but,  if  he  efpoufe  the  caufe  of  kindred, 
ihe  is  then  indeed  a  wretch.  As  a  prefervative  from  thefe 
evils,  let  her  guard  againft  being  too  early  or  too  intimately 


405 

familiar ;  a  fault  into  which  our  fex  is  too  apt  to  fall.  I  do 
not  mean  that  we  fhould  keep  at  a  diftance  from  our  huf- 
band's  family ;  but  that  our  intercourfe  with  them  ihould 
be  regulated  by  ^.JlriB  attention  to  thofe  rules  of  good  breed- 
ing and  caution  which  we  obferve  to  ftrangers.  The  rule 
is  reciprocal,  and  Ihould  be  obferved  by  both  parties. 

We  have  now  reviewed  the  conjugal  ftate,  and  will  fum 
up  the  requifites  for  happinefs.  We  will  fuppofe  a  pair 
united  by  preference,  blelTed  with  eafy  fortunes  and  enlight- 
ened minds,  free  from  the  cravings  of  immoderate  appetite, 
and  unfcourged  by  the  remembrance  of  paft  mifdeeds  ;  we 
mull  alfo  add,  endued  not  only  with  moral  but  with  chris- 
tian principles,  which  are  the  only  fure  foundation  of  redli- 
tude  of  condu£l  and  peace  of  mind.  We  will  not  require 
that  nice  accordance  of  temper,  or  of  tafte,  which  would 
form  tallies,  not  companions ;  we  will  limit  our  requifites  to 
general  fuitability  and  mutual  forbearance.  Expenfe  fhall 
be  regulated  rather  by  the  moderate  defires  of  temperance 
and  fober  propriety,  than  by  the  alternate  readlion  of  parade 
and  tiecejfity.  We  will  admit  variety  and  feftivity  into  the 
circle,  as  occafional  guefts ;  but  we  muft  infift,  that  cheer- 
fulnefs  and  good  humour  fliall  be  conjlantly  prefent  \  at  leall. 
If  we  allow  them  to  be  occalionally  indifpofed,  we  muft  al- 
v/ays  have  them  ivithin  call.  Let  health  join  the  party ;  at 
leaft,  let  not  hopelefs  flcknefs  or  extreme  agony  intrude  j 
and  you  have  all  the  enjoyments  that  this  world  affords. 
Poetry  has  painted  the  charming  portrait,  and,  I  truft  many 
hearts  can  teftify,  without  exaggerated  colouring  :  I  allude- 
to  the  well  known  lines  of  the  bard  of  nature  and  moral  pu- 
rity, *'  But  happy  thefe,  the  happleft  of  their  kind,"  &c. 

And  next  to  thefe,  happy  is  fh^  who  can  reconcile  her 
mind  to  a  lefs  enviable  lot,  by  remembering  that  \mc  all  en- 
joy infinitely  more  bleffings  than  we  deferve  ;  and  that  af- 
fli£tions  are  the  merciful  chaftifements  of  the  Almighty,  to 
lead  us  to  a  region  of  ineffable  happinefs,  of  which  the  fair- 
ejl  human  copy  can  be  but  a  dark  imperfedl  outline.  Every 
wifli  refpefting  this  world  fliould  be  limited  by  a  reference 
to,  and  acquiefcence  in,  the  will  of  Him  who  knows  what  is 
beft  for  us ;  but,  in  the  world  which  is  to  come,  our  defires 
may  largely  expatiate.  Whatever  your  temporal  lot  may  be, 
may  it  ferve  to  condu£l  you  to  the  native  regions  of  harmo- 
ny and  love ! 

Prays  your  affectionate  friend. 


40(3 

LETTER     XIII. 

Ofi  tht  Duty  of  Mothers. 


MT  DEAR  MISS  M , 

A  HE  maternal  charafter  generally  follows  the  conjugal  j 
the  fubjeft  of  this  letter,  therefore,  is  predetermined.  You 
will  here,  as  in  my  former  epiftles,  be  more  difpofed  to  ex- 
pert moral  and  praftical  than  fcientific  and  fpeculative  ob- 
fervations.  I  am  too  confcious  of  the  limited  fphere  to 
which  my  remarks  are  bounded,  to  prefume  that  I  fliall  be 
able  to  prefent  you  with  a  well  digefted  fyftem  on  education 
and  family  management.  Indeed,  fyftems  on  this  fubje<5l: 
are  fo  apt  to  miflead,  that  my  firft  advice  to  a  fenfible  young 
"woman  would  be,  to  difregard  them,  and  to  truft  to  no  oth- 
er rule  than  her  affedlionate  tendernefs,  retrained  and  ftim- 
ulated  by  religious  principle. 

Education  is  become  a  moft  fafhionable  ftudy,  and  has  at- 
tracted the  attention  of  many  voluminous  writers.  The  dan- 
gers to  which  we  are  now  expofed  are,  that  we  fliall  grow 
too  theoretical ;  that  we  fliall  attribute  too  much  to  ediica- 
iiofiy  and  too  little  to  grace ,-  that  by  inceflant  difcipline  we 
fhall  fafhion  au'.omatons  inftead  of  charadlers  ;  or  that  excef- 
five  care  will  defeat  its  objeft.  When  we  fee  with  what 
avidity  mothers  devour  every  hint  on  the  fubjedl  of  juvenile 
in{lru(Slion,  we  fecm  required  to  felicitate  the  age  on  its  m^or- 
al  improvement ;  for,  unqueftionably,  I  need  not  preface 
the  defuitory  remarks  contained  in  this  letter  by  ftimulating 
the  maternal  reader  to  fulfil  this  duty  to  her  rifing  offspring. 
And  yet,  if  we  confider  the  turn  that  education  has  taken, 
we  may  find  caufe  for  alarm  at  this  univerfal  rage  for  difci- 
plining  the  youthful  hope  of  Britain.  Surely  it  is  better  to 
let  a  garden  run  wild  than  to  plant  it  with  hemlock  and 
aiightiliade ;  in  the  former  inftance,  it  will  produce  ufeful 
weeds,  in  the  latter  noxious  poifons.  I  have  formerly 
fliovv'n*  that  infidelity  and  immorality  have  not  been  unfuc- 

*  Sec  Letters  jth  and  loth. 


407 

cefsful  in  their  efforts  to  introduce  their  deftruflive  tenct% 
under  the  fpecious  pretext  of  improving  the  human  race. 

The  ereateft  error  that  we  can  commit  in  education  is,  to 
limit  its  views  to  this  world  *,  and  this  muft  be  the  efFefl  of 
every  plan  which  difcards  the  bafis  of  our  holy  religion.  No 
matter  whether  by  a  ftri^Sl  adherence  to  rule  and  fyftem,  and 
by  diverfified  and  well  digefted  ftudies,  you  form  an  intelli- 
gent philofopher,  a  polilhed  philanthropift,  or  a  lovely  at- 
traclive  creature ;  the  firft  bufinefs  of  every  mother  is  to  rear 
"  a  child  of  God,  a  member  of  Chrift,  and  an  inheritor  of 
<'  the  kingdom  of  heaven."  Deiftical  morals  never  can  ac- 
celerate this  end,  and  morals  from  which  chriftianity  is  fyl^ 
tematically  excluded  mu/i  be  deifiical.  This  extraordinary, 
this  avowed  and  radical  defc£l  in  "  praflical  education,"  may 
perhaps  proceed  from  the  author's  confounding  chriflian 
feEls  with  chriftianity  itfelf ;  and  as  they  meant  not  to  recom- 
mend any  particular  religious  fociety,  to  the  preference  of 
their  readers,  they  deemed  it  advifable  to  withhold  fromi 
their  theory  the  only  invincible  barrier  to  vice,  and  excite- 
ment to  virtue.  Nay,  fo  delicate  were  they  on  this  head,  that 
even  the  obligations  which  may  be  derived  from  natural  reli- 
gion are  not  alluded  to,  as  one  poor  hope  of  an  hereafter  af- 
forded, to  teach  the  reader  that  he  is  lefs  mortal  than  his  fel- 
low-worm. This  miftake  (if  it  really  be  a  miftake  to  call  all 
religious  perfuafions  by  a  name  denoting  unneceflary  divi- 
lion)  may  teach  us  the  extreme  danger  of  that  well  founding 
liberality  which  recommends  indifference  to  particular  forms ; 
fince  it  feems  probable  that  we  fhall  foon  lofe  all  regard  for 
xX\Q.  fuhjlance  of  religion  by  pretending  to  keep  ourfelves  iWf- 
paident  of  all  parties. 

The  next  error  in  education  feems  to  be,  the  pains  that 
are  taken  to  make  inftrudlion  wear  fuch  an  agreeable  habit, 
that  children  may  be  cheated  or  played  into  learning,  rather 
than  obliged  to  apply  to  it  as  a  labour  and  a  duty^  as  was  for- 
merly the  cuftom.  This  method  may  form  many  intelligent 
infants,  and  fome  converlible  men  and  women ;  it  is  to  be 
doubted  whether  it  ever  will  make  a  found  fcholar  5  and  we 
have  feen  it  produce  pert  babies  and  coxcomical  adults.  But 
the  greateft  clanger  arifes  from  the  moral  injury  which  the 
cliarafter  may  receive,  by  being  thus  early  habituated  to  do 
-only  fuch  things  as  are  perfeclly  agreeable. 

Combined  with  this  error,  are  tiie  objects  to  which  this 
premature  infuiion  of  fcience  is  directed.  We  aim  at  firft 
opening  the  underftanding ;  furely  our  chief  attention  fhould 


403 

be  paid  to  the  temper  and  the  heart.  Of  all  infantine  graces, 
affectionate  fimplicity  and  ingenuous  pLnyfulnefs  are  the  moft 
attractive  ;  it  is  to  be  feared,  that  a  very  early  courfe  of  phi- 
lofophical  experiment,  and  fcientific  fcrutiny,  muft  imprefs 
this  pliant  mafs  of  docile  imitation  with  a  very  different  caft 
of  character.  However  we  may  be  amufed  with  what  is 
called  a  well  cultivated  child,  if  it  has  loft  the  diffidence  and 
credulity  (fliall  I  not  fay  the  endearing  folly  ?)  of  its  age,  we 
rather  confider  it  with  wonder  than  delight.  The  fruits  of 
autumn  cannot  properly  mingle  with  the  fnowdrops  and  vio- 
lets of  early  fpring  ;  the  painter  who  fliould  combine  them 
would  become  unnatural ;  time  and  place  are  what  conftitute 
beauty  and  agreeablenefs. 

But  if  we  only  regret  a  want  of  diffidence  in  what  is  call- 
ed a  well  educated  child,  or  young  perfon,  we  muft  have 
feen  very  little,  or  obferved  lefs.  Diffidence  has  almoft  uni- 
verfally  exchanged  places  with  confidence.  Unhappily,  pa- 
rents give  too  much  proof  that  it  is  vanity,  rather  than  af- 
fedlion,  which  induces  them  to  beftow  fo  much  culture  on 
their  offspring ;  for  they  rarely  reft  fatisfied  with  their  at- 
tainments, unlefs  they  are  fhown  and  admired.  Thus,  a 
child  who  excels  in  any  particular  fpecies  of  knowledge  lives 
in  a  conftant  ftate  of  acquifition  and  exhibition,  and  treaf- 
ures  in  its  plaftic  memory  the  eaflly  comprehended  language 
of  praife.  Addrefs  always  implies  perfeft  felf-poffeffion,  and 
at  the  mature  periods  of  life  the;  want  of  it  is  a  manifeft  dif- 
advantage.  But  a  child  fhould  be  confidered  as  a  feeble  be- 
ing, who  runs  to  your  bofom  to  be  cherilhed ;  not  as  an  ac- 
compliflied  gallant,  who  challenges  your  underftanding  by  a 
difplay  of  his  finillied  graces.  The  blufti  of  fimplicity  and 
furprife,  the  na'ivete  of  ignorance,  even  the  tear  of  terror,  or 
the  ftruggle  of  occafionrtl  waywardnefs,  imprefs  the  affe(ftions 
more  forcibly,  than  the  cold  propriety  of  an  artificial  pup- 
pet, moved  by  the  wires  of  difcipline  under  the  infpeClion 
of  vanity. 

In  addreffing  my  own  fex,  I  muft  particularly  attend  to 
its  errors.  Excejfive  affeClion  is  one  of  the  moft  common 
faults  of  mothers,  and  is  generally  apt  to  predominate  among 
thofe  amiable  women  who  employ  themfelves  wholly  in  their 
domeftic  duties.  A  confined  fphere  of  obfervation  natural- 
ly malces  them  believe,  that  the  *'  dear  little  creatures"  to 
whom  they  cheerfully  devote  their  lives  are  as  interefting  to 
every  body  elfe.  Now,  as  this  fpecies  of  idols,  in  populous 
countries,  are  even  more  numerous  than  the  gods  of  the 


409 

heathens,  it  may  be  fuppofed  that  our  friends  have  all  got 
their  hearths  preoccupied  by  domeftic  Lares,  whom  our  **  dear 
little  creatures"  cannot  difpofTefs.  Whenever,  therefore,  we 
introduce  our  darlings  into  company,  we  fliould  previoufly 
teach  them  their  inferiority.  We  fhould  afTure  them,  that 
it  is  a  condefcenfion  in  their  elders  to  notice  them,  and  that 
it  is  rude  (or,  with  your  leave,  I  will  ufe  the  old  word 
naughty)  either  to  interrupt  converfation,  or  to  intrude  up- 
on any  who  are  fo  kind  as  to  commend  or  amufe  them, 
longer  than  they  are  defired  fo  to  do.  The  pleafure  of  a 
focial  party  muft  be  entirely  fpoiled  if  thefe  rules  are  not  ad- 
hered to ;  but  a  more  important  confideration  arifes  from 
the  efFedl  which  a  contrary  practice  has  upon  the  temper  and 
difpofition  of  the  child.  You  lay  the  foundation  of  that 
overbearing  chara(!ler,  which  is  no  lefs  oppofite  to  female 
gentlenefs,  than  to  manly  greatnefs  of  foul ;  you  introduce 
the  germ  of  coxcomical  impertinence  and  felf-conceit  j  above 
all,  you  create  the  i*ieceffity  of  extraneous  amufement,  which 
is  in  a  moral  fenfe  a  fault  and  a  misfortune.  A  child  that 
is  not  much  accuftomed  to  be  talked  to,  or  played  with, 
foon  finds  out  a  method  of  making  itfelf  happy.  It  is  amaz- 
ing, in  an  age  which  profefles  to  pay  fo  much  attention  to 
all  kinds  of  early  culture,  that  we  fhould  negledt  the  fimple 
rule  of  fufFering  want  to  fharpen  invention.  This  was  the 
foundation  of  RoufTeau's  fyftem,  but  he  pufhed  it  to  excefs. 
I  quote  an  authority  which  is  very  dear  to  me,  when  I  fay 
that  "  more  children  are  fpoiled  by  over  attention  than  by 
any  other  method."  Many  men  exprefs  an  apprehenfion  of 
marrying  an  only  daughter ;  being  perfuaded  that  the  tem- 
per muft  be  hurt,  and  the  chara6ler  rendered  fantaftical,  by 
having  been  the  fole  objeft  of  paternal  folicitude,  which  in 
this  cafe  often  becomes  idolatry.  Children,  whether  many 
or  few,  who  have  been  accuftomed  to  be  watched  over  with 
this  fpecies  of  anticipating,  preventing,  ever  wakeful  care, 
only  ipend  their  early  days  in  acquiring  expedlations,  which 
will  unfit  them  for  the  part  they  have  to  aft  in  their  re- 
maining years.  Extreme  caution  refpedling  health,  though 
deferving  of  cenfure,  is  far  lefs  injurious  than  that  folicitude 
Avhich  enervates  the  mind.  The  tender  mother  who  fends 
"  her  velvet  capp'd,  fur  envelop'd"  boy  from  the  warm  nur- 
fery,  to  encounter  the  cuffs  and  rebuffs,  the  heats  and  colds, 
of  a  great  fchool,  has  but  expofed  him  to  the  danger  of  a 
heftic  or  a  broken  bone,  the  iifual  confequences  of  early  fra- 
Ddd 


410 

gility  and  inactivity  ;  from  which  robuftnefs  and  alacrity  arc 
the  only  prefervatives.  But  if  his  mind  be  alio  enfeebled 
by  the  ohfcrvancey  if  not  the  indulgence^  of  his  pervcrfe  way- 
ward humours  ;  if  importance  be  ;iltached  to  all  his  motions  ; 
if  provident  affection  anticipate  all  his  wants,  and  all  his 
words  and  ai^tions  feem  worthy  of  admiration  and  record  j 
how  will  this  ill  fated  child,  when  arrived  at  maturity,  feel 
himfelf  in  a  world  where  every  one  is  either  felf-cngrofled 
or  his  competitor  ?  The  vi«ftlm  of  irritable  fenfibility,  whom 
I  defcribed  in  my  laft  letter,  is  generally  thus  formed  by  ma- 
ternal fupererogation  to  torment  his  future  wife,  and  to  cre- 
ate mifery,  needleis  contradidlion,  and  flavilh  fubferviencc 
for  the  unborn. 

But  wholly  confining  children  to  their  nurferies  is  no  cure 
for  felf- importance,  becaufe  in  that  domain  they  generally 
reign  fovereigns  ;  and  from  knowing  that  they  occupy  the 
attention,  and  command  the  fervices,  of  all  around  them, 
that  cgolifm  is  foftered  which  it  is  moft  dcfirable  \.o  fiihdiie. 
We  fliall  learn  how  to  ace  by  our  children,  from  attending 
to  the  purpofes  to  which  education  fhould  be  applied.  Its 
firft  aim  is  to  make  us  good  chriftians,  its  fecond  to  prepare 
ns  for  performing  our  focial  duties.  Let  us  then,  as  foonas 
polllble,  introduce  thofe  habits  \\J.iich  are  moft  ufeful,  and 
thofe  fentiments  which  are  moft  juft.  Let  every  child  be 
inftrucled  in  the  full  meaning  of  that  popular  hymn  of  Dr. 
Watts's,  which  besvins  with  this  admirable  reflexion  : 

Whene'er  I  take  my  walks  abroad. 

How  many  poor  I  fee  ! 
Wliat  iliall  I  render  to  my  God 

For  all  his  gifts  to  me  ? 
Not  more  than  others  I  defcrv^c, 

Yet  God  has  giveu  me  more,  &c. 

1  do  not  mean  merely  with  refpe£l  to  devotional  or  charita- 
ble impreflions,  but  alfo  to  its  own  trivial  confequence  in 
the  fcale  of  animated  nature.  No  idea  is  more  flital  to  the 
future  improvement  and  happinefs  of  a  child,  than  undue 
felf-confideration.  Whoever  has  a  ftrong  propcnfity  to  this 
error  in  infancy,  will  require  more  management  than  any 
otlier  difpolltion,  becaufe  a  mother  mull  not  only  correct 
hiaii  but  hcrfelf ;  for  £lie  muft  carefully  k'uk  froni  him  her 
own  affection,  and  endeavour  to  watch  over  his  fafcty,  and 
improve  his  good  qualities,  with  the  unfeen  mlniftration  of 
a  guardian  angel.     As  extraordinary  acutenefs  often  accom- 


411 

panics  this  high  fenfe  of  defert,  it  will  be  in  vain  to  feek  to 
fubdue  it  by  telling  him  that  he  is  a  httle  weak,  helplefs,  un- 
woi-thy  obje^l,  and  that  it  is  the  benevolence  of  his  attend- 
ants and  friends  which  induces  them  to  relieve  his  wants : 
the  urchin  will  foon  difcover  that  mamma  idolizes  him,  that 
her  eye  follows  all  his  acflions  with  filent  applaufe,  that  fhe 
devotes  herfelf  and  facrifices  her  comforts  to  his  convenience, 
and  that  the  imperative  manner  for  which  flae  chides  him  is 
afterwards  fpoken  of  as  a  token  of  the  dawning  of  a  diftin- 
guiflied  charader.  School  is  the  moft  efFeclual  cure  for  this 
malady  in  boys ;  and  though  much  has  been  faid  to  recom- 
mend domeftic  education  for  men,  it  ftill  feems  doubtful 
whether  its  moral  advantages  are  fufficiently  evident  to  coun- 
terbalance its  unavoidable  defeats,  which  arife  from  the  want 
of  thp  competition  and  coUiflon  that  produces  fortitude,  en- 
terprife,  decifion,  and  energy,  and  (to  fpeak  coarfely  but 
fi;rongly)y2/?A'j-  every  perfon  into  his  proper  place.  Children 
(if  untainted  by  vice)  are  the  beft  corredlors  of  each  others' 
faults  ;  and  we  rarely  fee  thofe  who  have  been  much  feclud- 
ed  from  play  fellows,  and  brought  up  with  their  fcniors,  whq 
do  not  contradl  (befide  great  felf-opinionatednefs)  a  cjuaint- 
nefs  of  expreffion,  and  an  artijicial  manner,  which,  after  the 
period  when  every  fort  of  prattle  is  pleaflng,  becomes  dif- 
gufling,  and  impedes  their  progrcfs  in  the  world. 

If  a  mother  would  endeavour  to  command  her  own  feel- 
ings and  to  pradlife  a  fort  of  concealed  attention  to  her 
young  charge,  her  watchfulnefs  will  anfwer  the  moft  bene- 
ficial purpoieso  Her  children  may  fport  around  her,  while 
to  them  Ihe  feems  engrolTed  by  a  friend,  by  her  work,  or 
her  amufements ;  from  which  Ihe  appears  only  cafually  to 
withdraw  her  attention,  to  correct  a  fault,  or  adjuft  a  differ- 
ence. Such  interference  will  eradicate  their  natural  errors, 
without  introducing  artificial  ones.  If  flie  can  conduct  them 
to  the  age  of  adolefcence  with  healthy  bodies,  docile  tem- 
pers, juft  notions,  benevolent  hearts,  and  firm  minds,  fhe 
has  performed  the  elTential  parts  of  her  duty.  Whatever 
inflruflions  may  be  fuperadded  will  then  ftand  on  a  fure 
foundation.  If  flie  be  judicious,  flie  will  not  aim  at  reduce 
ing  their  chara6lers  to  one  prefcribed  ftandard  5  flae  will  fuf- 
fer  nature  to  fend  forth  its  vigorous  flioots,  and  will  only 
aim  at  pruning  its  exceffive  redundance,  cutting  off  its  ob- 
lique branches,  or  eradicating  its  difeafe  :  in  other  words, 
principles  fliould  be  introduced,  and  habits  formed  ;  but  the 
original  bent  of  characler  (if  not  vicious)  ihould  be  fuffered 


412 

:o  remain.  Indeed,  nature  generally  imprints  it  with  too 
powerful  a  hand,  for  education  to  efface  the  impreffion  ;  and 
where  we  have  fo  much  to  do  which  promifes  fuccefs,  and 
requires  diligence,  we  fliould  avoid  embarking  in  ufelefs  la- 
bours. Let  her  not  be  too  anxious  to  form  an  infant  Crich- 
ton  ;  fhe  will  acl  more  wifely  in  proportioning  the  Jlream  of 
information  to  the  capacity  of  the  recipient^  than  by  drown- 
ing the  judgment  through  the  floodgates  of  memory.  If 
fhe  appeal  to  experience  and  general  opinion,  fhe  will  find 
that  they  do  not  report  favourably  of  the  permanent  produce 
of  premature  bloffoms.  It  is  extreinely  difficult  to  gratify 
exalted  expe<fi:ation  ;  and  nature  feldom  evinces  her  full  pow- 
ers, but  when  fhe  has  been  permitted  to  let  the  fun  of  man- 
hood, or  even  the  rough  winds  of  autumnal  life,  "  ripen  the 
noble  growth  of  thought."  I  fear  thefe  obfervations  will  be 
unpopular,  efpecially  at  this  period,  when  fantaftic  tafte,  in 
its  fearch  for  novelty,  demands  an  tmpojfible  combination  of 
contrary  qualities ;  and,  by  preferring  what  is  wonderful  to 
what  is  exhilarating,  hurries  genius  into  abfurdity. 

The  female  heart  is  apt  to  pant  for  diftindlion  ;  and  we 
muft  not  wonder  that  this  paffion  adls  with  full  force  in  a 
near  connexion,  which  being  removed  one  degree  from  our- 
felves  diminilhes  the  apprehenfion  of  error,  and  relieves  us 
from  the  reproach  of  felfiffinefs  and  vanity,  even  while  we 
indulge  thofe  fuggeltions.  Moft  mothers  wiih  that  their  fons 
may  poflefs  talent,  and  their  daughters  beauty.  Johnfon 
has  expofed  this  "  vanity  of  human  willies"  in  a  moll  im- 
preffive  manner,  by  defcribing  the  mifery  incident  to  their 
attainment.  But  how  rarely  is  thiC  defii  e  granted !  how  few 
of  the  human  race  are  diftinguiflied  for  mental  or  perfonal 
excellence  !  Common  characters  form  the  mafs  of  fociety. 
Tell  me,  Is  the  admired  fcience  of  education,  which  mothers 
ftudy  with  fuch  avidity,  calculated  to  corredl  the  faults  and 
improve  the  virtues  of  thefe  ordinary,  but  ufeful,  nay  im- 
portant beings  ?  Mocking  birds  are  numerous  in  the  forells 
of  America  ;  and  parrots  and  cockatoos  almofl  nuifances  in 
the  Weft  India  iflands  ;  but  even  poetical  imagination  fpeaks 
of  the  phoenix  as  "  one  fole  bird."  And  thus  it  happens 
in  the  human  fpecies,  genius  is  feldom  feen,  but  coxcombs 
are  a  numerous  race.  The  model  of  the  Medicean  Venus  is 
rarely  ec|ualled  by  living  fymmetry  ;  but  we  meet  many 
nymphs,  whofe  looks  tell  us  that  they  are  felf-appointed  ri- 
vals of  the  Cyprian  Queen.  If  to  the  probability  of  difap- 
pointment  we  add  the  fevere  difcipline  to.  which  genius  and 


413 

-•legance  muft  fubmit,  ere  they  can  hope  to  reach  that  (land* 
ard  of  perfeftion  which  confers  celebrity,  and  conlider  how 
often  fear  will  deject  hope,  and  defeat  compel  the  difaftrous 
competitor  to  retread  the  painful  fteps  of  inrtrudlion  ;  furely 
mothers  would  acl  moft  wifely,  by  limiting  their  wiflies  to 
a  found  mind  feated  in  a  found  body. 

But  among  the  misfortunes  of  juvenile  life,  that  of  being 
the  beauty  or  the  wit  of  our  own  family  feems  moft  lamen- 
table, becaufe  it  is  leaft  apprehended.  Yet  furely,  to  be  the 
objeft  oi partial  afFedion,  Tindifecret  envy,  is  fufficient  to  roufc 
the  apprehenfion  of  a  fufceptible  mind  ;  efpecially  when  we 
confider,  that  this  evil  alTaults  us  at  a  time  when  our  judg- 
ments afford  us  but  little  baliaft,  to  keep  us  fteady  in  this 
wild  whirl  of  contrary  paffions.  A  great  deal  of  natural 
good  fenfe  and  agreeablenefs  of  perfon  has  thus  been  early 
perverted  by  vanity  and  afFe(Station,  and  rendered  odious. 
Let  a  mother  endeavour  to  teach  all  her  children,  that  the 
plain  path  of  life  is  not  only  the  moft  fafe  and  eafy,  but  al- 
fo  the  moft  refpedlable.  She  need  not  fear  that  her  admo- 
nitions will  prevent  real  genius  from  exploring  an  untried 
road,  through  whofe  oblique  paths  it  may  be  fafely  guided 
by  its  own  unextinguifliable  lamp.  A  mind  th-?t  feels  itj 
own  powers  cannot  be  reftrained  from  its  purfuits  merely  by 
being  told  that  there  is  a  difficulty  in  accomplifhing  them  ; 
bat  llie  may  hinder  folly  from  fetting  out  under  the  guid- 
ance of  that  will-o'the-wifp  conceit,  and  thus  preferve  it  from 
being  immerfed  in  the  quagmire  of  ridicule.  Some  tempers 
want  encouragement ;  but  to  the  majority  of  the  human  race 
in  civilized  ftates,  the  curb  is  more  neceflary  than  the  fpur. 
This  is  right,  and  moft  unqueftionably  all  the  purpofes  of 
Providence  are  right  and  wife.  General  indolence  would 
be  more  fatal  than  general  enterprife.  A  country  may  re- 
vive after  a  ftorm;  but  inadion  is  political  annihilation. 
The  miferies  of  favages  proceed  from  that  indolence  which 
keeps  them  favage.  But  I  am  wandering  from  my  fubjeft. 
In  this  bufy  age,  bufy  either  in  procuring  the  means  or  in- 
dulging in  the  adl  of  felf-enjoyment,  we  are  not  often  called 
upon  to  ftimulate  the  rifmg  generation  by  teaching  them 
to  fet  a  high  value  on  their  own  endowments, 

Thofe  theories  of  education  muft  be  fundamentally  wrong, 
which  flatter  the  foibles  that  parental  vanity  is  too  apt  to 
fofter.  Our  children  (I  fpeak  of  them  as  wafhed  in  the  la- 
yer of  regeneration)  are  "  inheritors  of  the  kingdom  of  heav- 
en i"  h\xt  fupremacy,  or  even  fuperiority,  in  this  world  can  be 


414 

the  lot  of  but  few.  Inftead,  therefore,  of  labouring  after 
early  intelligence,  let  us  build  every  improvement  on  the 
fure  foundation  of  humility  of  mind.  Extenfive  knowledge 
has  never  Itood  firm  when  placed  on  any  other  fuperftruc- 
ture.  Inftcad  of  forcing  tliat  literary  tafte  which  cannot 
poffefs  any  real  difcrimination,  let  us  eradicate  that  faftidi- 
oufnefs  which  conceals  a  reluctance  to  be  pleafed,  under  the 
air  of  extraordinary  delicacy.  It  is  delightful,  to  fee  a  child 
enter  wMth  all  its  foul  into  fimple  and  natural  amufements 
congenial  to  its  age.  We  may  hope  that  an  energetic  and 
independent  mind  will  remain,  when  time  has  corrected  its 
early  errors  ;  to  purfue  its  fports,  therefore,  with  an  avidity 
bordering  upon  extravagance,  is  pardonable.  But  find  me 
a  child  who  is  foon  weary  of  what  it  longed  for,  who  dif- 
likes  rather  than  difputes  with  its  companions,  who  wants 
you  to  contrive  its  pluafures,  who  fickens  with  ideal  difgufts, 
and  finds  a  thoufand  circum (lances  neceilary  before  it  relilh-. 
cs  amufements,  and  I  ihall  forefee  in  that  child  the  capri- 
cious iiufband,  tlie  fretful  wife,  or  the  ufelefs  hypochondri- 
ac; though,  perhaps,  the  partial  parents  folace  thcmfelves 
with  air  built  calculations  on  the  future  produ(fts  of  its  imr 
agination,  fclcnce,  and  rclined  tafte. 

Many  fyllems  of  education  are  fo  imprafticable,  that  it 
feems  abfurd  to  attack  a  fabric  which  its  very  plan  proclaims 
can  never  be  ereEled.  This  Impoflibility  does  not,  however, 
at  firft  ftrike  the  fpeculator  who  attempts  to  realife  the  plau- 
lible  vifion  ;  and  it  is  not  till  after  much  ufelefs  cxpenfe  of 
time  and  labour,  that  the  mother  difcovers  that  an  adher- 
ence to  the  nrefcribed  rules  will  deprive  her  of  all  fociety, 
and  indeed  preclude  her  from  difcharging  any  duties,  but 
thofe  of  teaching  and  watching  her  little  ones.  We  mud 
obferve,  that  the  conjugal  and  focial  character  is  moft  inti- 
mately blended  with  the  maternal,  to  which  the  filial  and 
fraternal  are  alfo  frequently  added.  The  theoretical  inftruc- 
tor,  who  requires  a  mother  to  be  the  conjlaut  companion  of 
her  children,  will  render  her  fuch  a  w^ife  as  will  drive  moll 
hufl)ands  from  their  own  fire  fides,  fuch  a  miftrefs  as  will 
fufler  her  houfehold  to  run  into  diforder,  and  fuch  a  neigh- 
bour as  every  one  will  avoici  Belide,  it  generally  happens, 
that  a  frunily,  if  at  all  numerous,  requires  different  exertions 
of  maternal  care,  correfponding  to  diverfity  of  age,  diffimi- 
larity  of  purluits  and  occupations,  a  more  infirm  ftate  of 
health,  or  fome  peculiarity  in  their  future  deft-ination.  In 
this  cafe,  what  is  to  be  done,  but  to  facrifice  what  is  leaft  to 


415 

wliat  is  mofl;  important,  to  attend  to  the  general  outline 
rather  than  the  particular  filling  up,  and,  after  having  regu- 
lated the  heart  and  the  temper,  or,  in  better  words,  having 
fown  the  feeds  of  grace,  to  commend  the  event  to  God  by 
humble  prayer  ?  A  fteady  courfe  of  regular  fober  guidance 
has  this  advantage  over  elaborate  tuition,  that  the  mother 
Avho  adheres  to  it  is  lefs  apt  to  be  difgufted  by  extreme  ex- 
ertion, and  confequently  has  not  that  temptation  to  abandon 
lier  defign ;  and  if  fhe  aims  at  but  little,  perfeverance  will 
produce  an  ampler  harveft  than  can  refult  from  the  capricious 
labours  of  overftrained  but  unequal  exertion. 

A  writer  on  the  fubjeiSl  of  education,  who  is  deeply  Im- 
preffed  with  the  depravity  of  the  lower  orders,  recommends 
it  as  expedient,  and  even  fuppofes  it  feafible,  that  the  chil- 
dren of  a  family  fliould  be  preferved  from  all  communica- 
tion with  fervants.  She  does  not  particularize  by  whom  the 
fervile  ofiices  which  childhood  and  infancy  require  are  to  be 
performed  ;  and  flie  confelTes,  that  there  muft  be  fome  ar- 
chitectural alterations  in  our  dwellings,  before  our  domeftics 
and  our  oiFspring  can  be  fo  barricadoed  from  each  other, 
that  the  latter  fhall  never  catch  a  contaminating  glance  of 
the  former.  Maugre  the  refentment  of  bricklavers  and  car- 
penters,  which  /  may  julHy  apprehend,  and  though  I  JufpeEl 
myfelf  to  be  much  more  ariftocratical  than  the  ingenious 
fuggefter  of  this  extraordinary  precaution,  I  enter  my  flrong- 
eft  proteft  againft  a  meafure,  which  would  only  tend  to  in- 
creafe  the  animofity  now  unhappily  fubilfting  between  maf^ 
ters  and  fervants,  and  confirm  (I  fpeak  plainly)  their  mutual 
guiltinefs.  '  A  hook,  fyjlcmatically  excluded  from  the  elaborate 
treatife  that  I  allude  to,  would  have  taught  the  writers  that, 
*'  the  rich  and  the  poor  meet  together,  and  that  the  Lord  is 
*'  the  Maker  of  them  all."  A  wicked  fervant  cannot  cor- 
rupt a  child  who  is  early  endued  with  good  principles,  unlefs 
parental  negleft  puts  it  into  the  power  of  the  dependant. 
Let  a  mother,  by  good  humoured  not  wearifome  tendernefs, 
and  inviolable  fidelity,  make  herfelf  the  confident,  and,  as 
much  ■as  her  duties  will  permit,  the  ajfociate  of  her  children, 
and  i\\e  need  not  fear  that  their  minds  will  be  vitiated,  dur- 
ing \.\\tJ]jort  intervals  in  which  flie  intrufts  them  to  the  care 
of  their  attendants.  She  will  find  her  children  rather  im- 
proved than  corrupted  by  an  occafional  intercourfe  with  or- 
derly domeftics,  provided  Ihe  ftridlly  forbid  tyranny  and  im- 
pertinence on  the  one  part,  and  flattery  and  improper  indul- 
gence on  the  other ;  and  the  befl:  method  to  have  this  com- 


416 

mand  obeyed  will  be,  to  impofe  no  whimfiol  reftrictlons, 
and  to  eradicate  the  firft  fymptoms  of  domineering  arrogance. 
Our  minds  can  never  aco^uire  that  capacioufnei's  which  our 
future  commerce  in  life  requires,  by  only  mixing  with  one 
order  in  fociety,  or  imbibing  one  train  of  ideas.  The  narra- 
tive of  a  nurfery  maid's  early  life,  a  defcription  of  the  wants 
which  rendered  her  cottage  hearth  dreary,  of  the  exertions 
which  relieved  thofe  diftrefTes,  and  the  fimple  pleafures  which 
diverfified  thofe  labours,  related  in  the  impreflive  language  of 
nature,  would  afFord  an  excellent  leflbn  to  a  wayward  girl, 
who  is  dilTatisfied  and  petulant  without  even  difcovering  the 
objeiSl  at  which  her  craving  deflrcs  point.  But  I  am  afraid 
that  my  imagination  has  tranfported  me  to  pajf  timesy  in  fup- 
pofing  a  menial,  in  a  gerdcel  family^  pofiefled  of  franknefs  and 
good  fenfe  enough  to  enter  into  a  converfation  that  would  be 
fatal  to  all  thofe  inherent  pretenfions  to  elegance  and  indepen- 
dence, which  our  well  dreiTed  handmaids  univerfally  claim. 
The  juft  inference  which  ought  to  be  drawn  from  that  lament- 
able corruption  which  has  perverted  the  originally  benevolent 
and  ufeful  inftitution  of  fervitude,  into  a  lyftem  of  efpionage 
and  chicanery,  is,  that  mi/lrejfes  of  families  fliould  f.gain  at- 
tend to  their  duty  as  fuch,  not  that  they  fliould  endeavour, 
by  the  adoption  of  fanciful  fchernes,  whofe  extravagant  im- 
practicability diminifhes  their  danger,  to  fever  what  God  has 
bound  together  by  the  firrong  tie  of  mutual  wants.  For  let  us 
recoUedl,  that  wealth  and  poverty,  weaknefs  and  ftrength,  au- 
thority and  fubfervience,  power  and  dependance,  are  not  be- 
ftowed  as  bleffings,  nor  infli6i:ed  as  punilliments,  upon  the 
individual,  nor  are  they  confined  in  their  operation  to  the  im- 
mediate felf.  They  are  diltributed  among  mankind  with  a 
view  to  general  benefit.  The  foul  of  the  miftrefs  is  not  more 
intr'mftcally  valuable,  than  that  of  her  handmaiden,  in  the  eyes 
of  God ;  her  nature  is  not  lefs  corrupted,  nor  is  her  ulti- 
mate dcftination  more  exalted.  Each  has  her  appointed 
flation  in  the  great  drama  of  life,  and  each  is  accountable 
for  her  conduift  in  difcharging  her  relative  funclions.  Shall 
we  really  improve  the  human  race,  by  imprelTlng  the  flamp 
of  pride  on  the  flexible  heart  of  youth  ?  Children,  unlefs 
carefully  retrained,  foon  conceive  improper  notions  of  the 
inferiority  of  thofe  whom  they  fee  appointed  to  miniilier  to 
their  wants :  but  furely  no  reflraint,  no  admonition,  would 
be  fufHcient  to  preferve  the  feelings  of  humanity  in  their 
bofoms,  for  a  race  of  beings  from  whom  they  perceive  them- 
ftlves  hedged  and  feparated  by  barriers  invincible  even  to 


417 

that  ftrong  bond  of  mutual  neceffity,  which  unites  frail  and 
feeble  humanity  in  ferviceable  intercourfe,  to  the  interrup- 
tion of  which  (or  rather  to  perverted  communication,  aris- 
ing from  every  rank  forgetting  its  due  fituation)  the  alarm- 
ing increafe  of  democratical  manners  mufi:  be  afcribed. 

Suffer  your  children  therefore,  in  early  life,  to  cultivate 
the  benevolent  affedlions,  by  ads  of  kindnefs  and  endearing 
attentions  to  your  domeftics,  as  well  as  to  each  other-,  and 
thus  early  habituate  them  to  the  difcharge  of  one  branch  of 
the  extenfive  duties  which  they  owe  to  their  neighbours. 
This  effentially  differs  from  clofe  intimacy,  which  is  feldom 
beneficial  to  either  party  •,  but  fliould  you  be  fo  fingularly 
fortunate  as  to  polTefs  a  fervant  of  tried  integrity,  bring  up 
your  children  in  the  habit  of  confidering  fuch  a  one  as  an 
hereditary  friend,  who  is  entitled  to  the  protedlion  and  good 
will  of  all  the  branches  of  the  family  that  they  have  faith- 
fully ferved.  Such  treatment  would  induce  fervants  to  be 
faithful  and  regulai",  even  on  felf-interefted  motives ;  and 
certainly  it  is  a  reward  to  which  they  are  juflly  entitled,  and 
fliould  be  efpecially  required  from  thofe  to  whom  their  fer- 
vices  in  early  life  were  particularly  devoted.  In  old  age,  in 
ficknefs,  or  when  they  labour  under  the  prefTure  of  calamity, 
our  a£live  kindnefs  is  ftri^Vly  due  to  thofe  who  miniflered  to 
our  infantine  wants,  or  who  ferved  the  necefEties  of  our 
more  advanced  life.  Befide  thefe  great  calls  on  duty,  there 
are  a  thoufand  little  engaging  offices,  which  children  fhould 
be  encouraged  to  perform  to  thofe  who  are  about  their  per- 
fons  •,  not  from  the  felfllh  motives  of  procuring  improper 
indulgence,  but  from  difinterefled  good  will.  Servants,  hov/- 
ever,  like  all  other  inferiors,  are  very  dangerous  confidants  | 
thofe  who  have  not  fufKcient  intelligence,  or  who  do  not 
thoroughly  underftand  all  the  relative  duties  of  our  ftation 
(which  thofe  who  move  in  an  inferior  rank  of  life  cannot 
do,)  are  not  capable  of  giving  us  ufeful  counfel,  nor  have  they 
firmnefs  and  independence  enough  to  reprove  us  when  we 
do  wrong.  They  muff,  therefore,  be  at  befl:  ufelefs  depofi- 
taries  of  our  fecrets  -,  and  as  it  is  moft  probable  that  they 
would  confirm  our  vices  by  flattery,  or  enter  into  our  views 
from  a  regard  to  their  own  private  advantage,  their  partici- 
pation or  connivance  in  our  fecrets  is  extremely  dangerous. 
No  confideration  fliould  induce  a  mother  to  intrufl  her  chil- 
dren with  a  fervant  in  whom  fhe  has  difcovered  a  propenfi- 
ty  for  intrigue  ;  their  acquiring  awkward  habits  from  an  un- 
E  e  e 


413 

couth  riiftlc  attendant  is  comparatively  of  little  confequcnce ; 
vulgarity  may  be  unlearned  ;  but  to  teach  the  youthful  mind 
hypocriiy  will  produce  incalculable  mifchief. 

It  is  a  common  fault  in  the  theories  of  education,  that  one 
prefcribed  rule  is  laid  down,  without  attending  to  diflcren- 
ces  of  rank,  fortune,  temper,  and  fcarcely  fcx.  Some  of 
our  fciolifts  have  indeed  ridiculed  all  confiderations  of  this 
lafl  dillindtion,  and  have  determined,  that  till  the  age  of  pu- 
berty boys  and  girls  ought  to  have  the  fame  mode  of  in- 
ftru^Slion.  Till  fociety  can  be  perfuaded  to  alter  all  exifting 
inftiiuLions,  fo  as  to  render  the  offices  and  duties  of  men  and 
women  exactly  ianilar,  it  will  be  wife  in  us  to  adhere  to  the 
old  method,  which  w^as  founded  on  reafon  and  revelation, 
and  has  been  fanftioncd  by  experience.  It  feems  advifable, 
that  mothers  fhould  early  endeavour  to  give  to  each  fex  the 
proper  bias ;  for,  furely,  fribbles  and  viragos  are  equally  con- 
temptible and  unnatural.  Let  activity,  energy,  courage, 
and  enterprife,  particularly  mark  the  boys.  A  man  who  is 
deficient  in  thefe  qualities  can  only  be  a  negatively  good  cit- 
izen, and  may,  indeed,  be  faid  to  encumber  rather  than 
strengthen  the  commonwealth.  If  we  wifli  our  girls  to  be 
happy,  we  muft  try  to  make  them  docile,  contented,  pru- 
dent, and  domeftic.  Man  muft  range  abroad  and  forage  for 
his  family  ;  woman  "  muft  look  well  to  the  ways  of  her 
houfehold,"  and  "  bring  up  her  children  in  the  nurture  and 
admonition  of  the  Lord."  The  paffive  virtues,  and  the 
chriftian  graces,  are  her  natural  dowry  ;  and  furely  a  difpo- 
fition  which  is  more  peculiarly  calculated  to  bring  forth  the 
tree  of  life,  cannot  be  coniidered  as  more  fteril  than  that 
firmer  foil  in  which  the  tree  of  knowledge  is  moft  difpofed 
to  extend  its  knotted  fibres. 

I  licard  an  eminent  divine  obferve,  "  That  men  are  taught 
*'  to  be  domeflic  tyrants  in  early  life,  by  the  injudicious  con- 
*'  duct  of  parents  ;  who  accuftam  their  boys  to  expert  fuch 
*'  obfequioufnefs  from  their  iifcers,  as  imprints  their  minds 
**  with  indelible  opinions  of  the  natural  intrinfic  fupcrlority 
*'  of  man."  Do  not  regard  what  the  girls  fay  to  you,"  is 
the  common  paternal  precept ;  "  Do  as  your  brother  bids 
*'  you,"  is  as  frequently  the  injunction  of  the  mother.  I  do 
not  wiili  to  have  every  family  converted  into  a  fchool  of 
gallantry  and  chivalrous  attention  to  women  ;  but  furely  if 
ever  the  wife  climax  of  fenicrity  be  inverted,  it  fliould  be  in 
favour  of  that  fex  to  whom  the  habits  of  polifhed  life  inva- 
riably aflign  precedence.     But  the  protet^ticn  and  refpe^, 


419 

which  the  weaker  fex  was  Intended  to  dei-ive  from  thefe 
pun£liIios  of  decorum,  will  efFeftually  be  counteracted,  if 
contempt  be  m?.de  one  of  the  domeflic  leflbns  that  are  daily 
inculcated  in  the  family.  Surely,  it  would  improve  the 
boifterous  fchcolboy,  if  he  were  convinced  that  his  manly 
dignity  would  be  more  unequivocally  fhown  by  promoting 
the  happinefs  of  his  fifters,  than  by  burying  their  dolls,  and 
putting  pattens  on  their  cats.  Let  him  be  taught  (and  he 
cannot  imbibe  this  notion  too  early)  that  nature  has  defign- 
ed  him  to  be  the  protestor  and  friend  of  women  •,  and  let  every 
attempt  to  tyrannize  over  or  infult  the  females  of  his  family 
be  reprobated,  as  a  mark  of  mean  felfilh  cowardice  •,  not,  as 
is  too  generally  the  cafe,  recorded  as  a  proof  of  wit,  fpirit,  and 
intellio;ence.  If  mothers  would  but  confider  themfelves  as 
they  really  are,  the  guardians  of  the  future  generation  of 
wives,  the  germ  of  domeflic  tyranny  might  be  crulhed  in 
its  bud. 

My  views  of  life  are  too  limited  to  attach  much  value  to 
my  private  opinions  when  they  require  the  confirmation  of 
extenfive  obfervation.  I  fpeak  more  from  refle(5ling  on  ab- 
ftradl  principles,  and  from  a  diflike  of  ai-guing  from  the 
abufe  of  any  thing  againfi:  its  ufe,  than  from  experience, 
when  I  remark,  that  boys  are  more  likely  to  make  not  mere- 
ly fhining  but  valuable  men,  by  being  early  thrown  into  ac- 
tive life,  and  accuftom.ed  to  the  contrariety  of  charadVer  and 
concuffion  of  interefls  which  are  found  in  fchools.  A  lad 
educated  at  home  begins  the  world  with  all  the  difadvanta- 
ges  incident  to  a  confined  view  of  the  region  that  he  is  about 
to  explore  •,  and  if  he  has  had  a  very  tender  and  very  affid- 
uous  mother,  there  will  be  caufe  to  apprehend,  not  only  that 
faftidioufnefs  or  felf-confequence  of  which  we  have  already 
fpoken,  but  that  the  timidity  or  effeminacy  of  his  manners 
may  caft  a  ridicule  over  his  moral  purity ;  which,  when  he 
comes  to  venture  into  mixed  fociety,  he  will  perhaps  en- 
deavour to  obviate,  not  by  the  afTumption  of  hardihood,  but 
by  the  affeBation,  or  even  the  praElice  of  vi^e.  With  refpeft 
to  our  fons,  let  us,  then,  be  contented  with  v/atching  their 
morals  and  correcting  their  tempers  ;  their  male  friends,  who 
generally  fix  their  dcfiination  in  life,  will  model  their  minds 
and  manners  by  a  fla'ndard  which,  if  not  direClly  confonant 
to  our  ideas,  obfervation  and  refleClion  will  convince  us,  i"? 
more  confonant  to  the  part  that  they  will  be  required 
to  a6l. 


420 

But  though  our  fupermtendence  of  our  fons  muft  proba- 
bly remit  after  they  have  attained  the  age  of  adolcfcence, 
our  daughters  will  require  our  increaling  care.  To  them 
our  attentions  will  be  highly  beneficial,  from  their  cradled 
infancy  till  we  link  into  our  graves.  If  public  education 
feem  moftlikely  to  form  the  active  being  that  man  ought  to 
be,  domelHc  infcruftion  promifes  to  introduce  thole  habits 
which  will  prepare  a  woman  for  the  retired  part  that  llie  has 
to  perforni.  A  girl  is,  unqueftionably,  a  more  tender  care 
than  a  boy  j  every  ^error  is  more  glaring,  and  comes  more 
feelingly  to  our  hearts  and  bofoms.  A  falfe  flep  is  here  ir- 
retrievable. Man  can  triumph  not  only  over  flander,  but  in 
fome  inftances  over  fliame  ;  but  if  the  breath  of  calumny 
blow  upon  the  tender  foliage  of  female  fame,  it  is  blafted 
for  ever.  When  care  becomes  fo  important,  furely  thofc 
who  are  mpft  interefled  in  the  welfare  of  the  precious  charge 
fliould  undertake  the  office  of  fuperintendence.  Unlefs  a 
mother  be  really  unequal  to  the  talk  of  educating  her  daugh- 
ters, or  fo  engrofTed  by  other  iitmvoidable  duties  that  fhe 
cannot  command  the  leifure  which  is  requifite,  a  boarding 
fchool  feems  a  lefs  eligible  fituation  for  the  early  years  of  fe- 
male life  than  the  paternal  dwelling.  I  do  not  mean  to  calt 
an  invidious  or  a  general  reflexion  on  the  public  inftruclors 
of  our  fex,  nor  on  the  morality  of  their  feminaries ;  I  hope 
the  majority  of  governelTes  are  conlcientioufly  folicitous  to 
difcharge  their  imporiant  truft,  and  that  their  i'chools  are  as 
corre(n:  as  it  is  poflible  for  large  aflbciations  of  young  people 
to  be.  The  fault  is  in  the  manners  of  the  age,*  which  at- 
tach undue  preeminence  to  exterior  graces  and  accomplilh- 
ments  •,  and  of  courfe  thefe  mull:  be  cultivated  with  moft 
affiduity ;  for  the  credit  and  the  emolument  of  the  miftreis 
induce  her  to  ilimulate  youthful  emulation,  not  only  to  excely 
but  to  exhibit  its  acc^uirements,  and  to  pique  itfelf  upon  its 
fuperiority.  It  muft  alio  be  remembered,  that  a  boarding 
fchool  does  not  prefent  fuch  determinate  advantages  to  girls, 
as  will  counterbalance  this  eflential  fault  of  fomenting  that 
vanity  to  which  they  are  unhappily  too  prone.  The  con- 
nexions formed  by  fchoolgirls  rarely  ripen  into  valuable 
friendlhips  •,  they  do  not  reap  that  permanent  advantage 
from  oppofition,  or  from  obferving  diverlity  of  character, 
which  is  neceflary  to  thofe  who  muil  elbow  their  way  through 

*  The  defcdts  in  puMic  education,  whether  for  boys  or  girls,  can  only 
he  radically  cured  by  a  change  of  manners  in  private  families- 


421 

an  oppofing  world.  All  the  knowledge  that  is  requifite  for 
our  fex  may  be  acquired  from  books,  and  from  domeftic  ob- 
I'ervation,  aflifted  by  the  judicious  remarks  of  an  intelligent 
mother.  But,  in  giving  this  opinion,  I  am  aware  that  many 
cafes  may  be  pleaded,  where  the  impo/JlbiHty  of  properly  con- 
ducing female  education  at  home,  creates  a  neceffity  for  re- 
moving daughters  from  the  maternal  eye.  This  frequently 
arifes  from  a  difficulty  of  acquiring  a  competent  Ihare  of 
thofe  ornamental  accomplifiiments,  which  cannot  at  this 
time  be  wholly  difregarded  without  incurring  the  depnjfmg 
feeling  of  inferiority.  Of  two  evils  it  is  our  duty  to  choofc 
the  leall.  Let  the  mother,  who  is  thus  circumftanced,  em- 
ploy the  intervals  of  fchool  vacation  in  obviating  the  ill  ef- 
fects incident  to  that  mode  of  tuition.  Let  her  reprefs  the 
ebullitions  of  vanity,  maintain  the  fuperiority  of  virtue  over 
external  gracefulnefs,  and  above  all  endeavour,  by  every 
means  which  her  knowledge  of  her  daughter's  temper  fug- 
gefts,  to  recover  that  confidential  intercourfe,  and  endearing 
friendship,  which  thefe  eftrangements  are  apt  to  interrupt, 
and  which  is  really  the  mofi:  powerful  obje£lion  againft  fend- 
ing a  girl  from  what  is  the  natural  fphere  of  her  duties  and 
delights,  her  own  family. 

A  confideration  of  the  painful  difappointment  which  plain 
well  meaning  mothers  often  experience,  when  they  receive 
back  their  girls,  polilhed  into  impertinence,  from  fome  vul- 
garly expenlive  fchool  for  young  ladies^  makes  one  earneftly 
wilh  that  feminarjes  for  the  education  of  young  women  could 
be  opened  with  any  chance  of  fuccefs.  This  leads  me  to  a 
fubjeft  which,  though  it  requires  the  deepeft  confideration, 
is  unhappily  little  attended  to  •,  I  mean,  that  education  fhould 
be  fuited  to  the  rank  in  life,  the  fortunes,  and  the  connexions 
of  our  children.  To  be  really  more  refined  than  thofe  around 
us  is  a  misfortune,  and  a  fruitful  fource  of  unhappinefs  to  a 
delicate  refle^llng  mind.  A  good  heart  and  a  found  judg- 
ment will,  however,  Aveeten  thefe  bitter  waters,  by  wifely 
and  kindly  condefcending  to  bend  to  the  grofs  capacities 
which  it  cannot  illuminate.  But  refinement  is  more  fre- 
quently fictitious  than  real ;  and  Mifs  defpifes  her  mamma, 
not  becaufe  fhe  is  more  wife,  but  from  her  being  a  much 
greater  fool,  whofe  flate  is  indeed  hopelefs  ;  for  ignorance, 
fimplicity,  and  humility  may  be  improved  5  but  affedlation 
and  conceit,  founded  upon  half  information,  never  can. 

Should  we  not  be  inclined  to  laugh  at  a  mother  who 
fhould  bind  up  her  child's  feet  and  blacken  her  teeth,  be- 


422 

caufe  it  was  pojfthle  fhe  might  marry  a  Chinefe  mandarin  ? 
Or  what  fhould  we  think  of  cramming  a  girl  with  milk  and 
oatmeal  till  fhc  grew  to  an  immoderate  fize,  becaufe  the 
Bedouin  Arabs  eftimate  lovelinefs  by  the  ton  weight,  and  fill 
their  harems  with  female  porpoifes  ?  Yet  if  thefe  nymphs 
were  to  be  immediately  ihipped  off  for  Canton,  or  lent  to 
difcover  the  centre  of  Africa,  we  fliould  allow  that  thefe 
would  be  prudent  provifions  for  their  eftablifhment.  Do 
French,  drawing,  dancing,  mullc,  flcill  in  drefs,  and  all  the 
pretty  train  of  little  graces  and  diminurive  airs,  which  are  fo 
feduloufly  inculcated  on  the  daughters  of  inferior  tradefmen, 
yeomen,  and  mechanics,  promife  to  be  of  more  real  advantage 
to  them,  than  if  they  had  fpent  their  time  in  learning  the 
cuftoms  and  adopting  the  habits  of  remote  nations  ?  It  is  but 
juft  poffible,  that  they  may  fettle  in  a  rank  fo  much  above 
their  own  as  to  prevent  their  accomplifhments  from  being 
both  inconvenient  and  ridiculous.  A  good  education  (in 
this  perverted  fenfe  of  the  word)  is  now  too  common  to  give 
dijiinfiion  to  its  poirefTor.  I  fee  fo  ftrongly  the  very  ferious 
confequences  of  this  worfe  than  foolifh,  this  infane  prcdi- 
leclion  for  acquirements  and  manners  which  give  to  their 
poffefTors,  if  in  humble  life,  a  meretricious  rather  than  an 
engaging  appearance,  that  I  fear  I  weary  you  by  my  fre- 
qtmit  reprehenfion  of  this  increafing  rage  for  imitative  gen- 
tility. 

There  is  a  high  and  exalted  defilnatlon  to  which  every 
chrlftian  mother  lliould  dire£l  her  offspring  to  afpire.  Let 
us  all,  therefore,  feduloufly  cultivate  the  graces  of  the  heart  j 
and  in  fo  doing  let  us  not  forget,  that  as  they  are  the  pro- 
pereft  foundation  for  agreeable  manners,  fo  piety  and  virtue 
lofe  much  of  their  merit  when  they  reject  the  ^A'/mor  adorn- 
ment of  amiable  carriage.  No  ftation  of  life  is  precluded 
from  the  attr/mment  of  this  criterion  of  true  gentility.  It 
varies,  indeed,  with  the  circumftances  of  the  perfon  with 
whom  it  is  connefted ;  but  whether  it  take  the  fhape  of  re- 
fined politenefs,  fimple  elegance,  refpe£lful  attention,  modefl 
civility,  or  blunt  but  friendly  fincerity,  it  ever  appears  like 
the  ouspring  of  benevolence,  and  confequently  is  ever 
plea  (in  Gi;. 

An  obligin;^  accommodating  difpofition,  when  it  is  not 
natural,  may  be  formed  by  prudent  attention  to  the  manners 
of  a  perfon  in  ej,rly  life.  A  habit  of  faying  and  doing  civil 
things  is  indeed  afterwards  taught  by  our  intercourfe  with 
the  world  ;  but  it  is  not  merely  esterrrJ  deportment,  but  the 


4i23 

jinvard  principle  of  m-banlty,  that  we  fliould  feek  to  intro- 
duce. Fraternal  Jove  is  confiderably  iirengthencd  by  pre- 
ferving  the  laws  of  civility  and  decorum  ;  and  it  muft  be  a 
Angularly  amiable  difpofition,  and  uncommon  natural  affec- 
tion, which  can  refiit  the  perpetual  irritation  of  rude  and 
morofe  deportment.  A  harfii  expreffion  to  a  brother  or 
fifter  fhould  never  pafs  unrepi'oved  ;  a  fpirit  of  contention 
fhould  be  difcouraged ;  envy  and  jealoufy  fliould  be  reprelC- 
ed  by  every  method  which  reproof  or  exhortation,  punifh- 
ment  or  reward,  encouragement  or  difgrace,  can  alternately 
fupply  ;  and,  moft  of  all,  by  a  ftridl  obfervance  of  impartial- 
ity in  the  parent :  for,  if  we  fufFer  ourfelves  to  be  milled  in 
cur  maternal  fuperintendence  by  a  fpirit  of  favcuritifm,  we 
take  the  fureft  means  to  ruin  the  temper  and  character  of 
all  our  offspring,  and  to  render  our  houfehold  the  reverfe  of 
what  called  forth  the  rapturous  exclamation  of  the  Pfalmift, 
*'  Behold  how  good  and  joyful  a  thing  it  is,  brethren,  to 
*'  dwell  together  in  unity  !"  Let  it  ever  be  remembered  by 
thofe  who  have  the  charge  of  a  family  of  children,  that  they 
are  forming  a  fort  of  petty  commontvealthy  which  ought  to 
preferve  its  reciprocal  connexion  and  foederal  union,  as  its 
fureft  prefervative  againft  the  animolity  and  oppolition  of 
the  contentious  neighbours  among;  whom  it  is  feated.  Trif- 
ling  dlfputes,  petty  contradictious  habits  of  incivility,  harfh 
exprefilons,  and  uncomplying  humours,  create  thofc  animof- 
ities  in  early  life  which  frequently  lead  to  that  moft  deplor- 
able of  all  difagreements,  family  difTenfion.  For,  as  kindred 
has  power  to  brace  the  knot  of  friendfliip  to  indiffoluble  ftralt- 
nefs,  fo  it  alfo  poffefles  materials  to  kindle  the  never  dying 
flame  of  irreconcilahh  enmity,  and  to  render  the  occaflonal 
Intcrcourfe,  which  often  mvjl  fubfift  between  the  diiierent 
branches  of  a  family,  a  foul  harrowing  torment  to  a  fiifccp- 
tible  heart,  inftcad  of  a  fupport  in  all  its  forrows. 

It  is,  tliereforc,  one  of  the  firft  duties  of  a  mother  to  en- 
deavour, by  exciting  reciprocal  affedtlon  in  her  family,  to  fe- 
cure  them  mutual  friends  and  affiftants,  even  to  that  extend- 
ed period  of  life  when,  according  to  the  courfe  of  nature, 
file  can  no  longer  hope  to  minlfter  to  their  wants  and  for- 
rows. To  promote  this  happy 'end,  ihe  will  (as  I  have  juft 
obferved)  be  extremely  careful  to  convince  them  of  the  equal- 
ity of  her  ovv'n  aftedlion  to  them  all ;  dealing  out  her  dole 
of  kindnefs,  not  as  perfonal  beauty,  lively  parts,  or  ingenious 
talents  fliall  diClate,  but  candidly  and  fairly,  according  to 
thole  eflimable  qualities  of  the  head  and  the  heart  which, 


424 

being  powerfully  feconded  by  voluntary  exertion,  are  there- 
fore praife  worthy.  But,  in  exerciilng  this  duty,  aftcdlion 
muft  occafionally  reje<St  the  guidance  of  tendernefs,  and  call 
in  the  aid  of  authority.  We  cannot  wonder  that  the  advo- 
cates of  anarcliy  fliould  erafc  filial  obedience  from  the  cata- 
logue of  virtues,  and  even  denominate  it  prejudice  and  nar- 
rownefs  of  foul.  Eut  this  country  is  not  yet  revolutionized  ; 
paganifm  is  not  efrablilhed  by  lav/  ;  and  while  we  continue 
to  call  ouffelves  chriftians,  we  muft  infift  upon  the  indelible 
obligation  of  the  fifth  commandment ;  which,  with  its  cor- 
refponding  obligations,  has  united  the  world  in  the  bond  of 
focial  union  for  nearly  lix  thoufand  years.*  The  perverfe- 
nefs  of  our  nature  appears  To  flrongly  in  that  period  of  life 
which  is  leaft  under  the  guidance  of  reafon,  that  every  at- 
tempt to  educate  children  on  the  principle  of  infinuation, 
collufion,  or  addrefs,  muft  be  futile,  and  end  in  total  difap- 
pointment.  Authority,  however,  is  not  aiijlerlty ;  and  while 
I  reprobate  the  alarming  tendency  to  domeftic  infubordina- 
tion  which  is  apparent  in  the  prevaihng  fyftem  of  inftru<flion, 
I  by  no  means  wifli  for  the  unmodified  refumption  of  the 
old  theory,  which  impofed  a  continual  reftraint  upon  child 
and  parent,  and  chilled  the  exhilarating  glow  of  mutual  en- 
dearment. Thefe  extremes  in  management  are  alike  fatal 
to  that  dehghtful  interchange  of  fentiments  and  wiflies  which 
fhould  ever  take  place  between  parents  and  children.  If  I 
infift  leaft  upon  the  mifchiefs  arifing  from  over  feverity,  it  is 
not  becaufe  I  fuppofe  them  to  be  leis  fatal,  but  from  their 
appearing  lefs  imminent :  general  cuftom  leans  ftrongly  to  the 
oppofite  error.  It  fometimes  happens,  however,  that  the 
father  of  a  family,  either  from  partiality  to  the  old  fchoql, 
or  from  the  love  of  indulging  his  own  humour,  ftretches 
authority  into  tyranny,  and  requires  not  the  obedience,  but 
the  flavifii  fubiervience,  of  his  children.  Miftaking  the  op- 
pofite extreme  of  wrong  for  right,  the  mother  in  this  cafe 
is  often  fo  hurt  by  the  facriiices  which  ftthniffion  is  obliged 
to  make  to  capriccy  that  flie  endeavours  to  repair  the  injury 
by  the  moft  endearing  tendernefs  and  unlimited  indulgence. 
Children  thus  educated  are  moftly  fpoiled  5  they  learn  to 
hate  their  father  and  to  defpife  their  mother ;  for,  fad  to 
fay  !  fuch  is  the  capricioufnefs  of  human  nature,  that  wc 
are  always  inclined  to  undervalue  the  tendernefs  which  re- 

*  The  fifth  commandment  is  here  fpokcn  of  as  a  republication  of  the 
law  of  nature,  of  wliich  many  vcftigcs  remain  in  the  book  of  Gcncfis. 


425 

quires  no  facrifices,  and  to  fly  from  the  preventing  kindnefs 
which  courts  our  acceptance.  If  the  mother  thinks  that  the 
paternal  rein  is  held  with  too  ftridl  a  hand,  let  her  recolle£t 
that  no  good  can  accrue  from  anaww^^difagreement  among 
thofe  who  ought  to  be  the  ruling  power  in  a  family  ;  nor 
can  contrariety  of  treatment  form  ftability  of  character  in 
thofe  whom  flie  wifhes  to  improve. 

A  mother  whofe  difpleafure  is  not  feared,  is  never  really 
loved.  She  becomes  a  nonentity,  and  nothing  can  be  fo  det- 
rimental to  domeftic  good  government  as  maternal  infignifi- 
cance.  It  implies  the  extindlion  of  that  intermediate  power 
Which  fhould  always  fubild:  between  the  fovereign  and  the 
fubje£l,  and  which,  when  properly  exercifed,  harmonizes  the 
whole  fyftem.  Though  indulgence  generally  fprings  from  a 
a  better  difpofition  than  harfhnefs,  its  confequences  are  more 
ruinous  to  the  objetSts  on  whom  it  is  exercifed.  The  petted 
child  is  always  the  leaft  promihng  of  the  family. 

Being  a  decided  enemy  to  artifice,  I  cannot  admit  decep- 
tion and  contrivance  to  be  ufeful  allies  in  education.  I  fear 
little  good  has  been  done  by  attempting  to  cheat  children  in*- 
to  learning,  and  I  am  fure  that  cunning  is  ftill  lefs  proper  as 
an  agent  to  form  their  moral  charadler.  I  would  entreat 
mothers  never  to  lay  traps  for  the  integrity  or  veracity  of 
their  children  ;  all  temptations  and  contrivances  of  this  kind, 
are  not  only  unfair  but  dangerous,  and  really  tend  to  form 
knaves  or  liars.  It  is  much  better  to  prevent  offences  than 
to  punifli  them  ;  and  we  never  can  correal  with  efFedl,  if  we 
know  that  we  ourfelves  have  fpread  the  fnare  which  we  fore- 
faw  youthful  indifcretion  and  prefumption  could  hardly  avoid. 
Let  us  endeavour,  from  the  earlieft  dawn  of  reafon,  to  give 
our  children  good  principles.  Let  us,  by  difcrimlnating  de- 
grees of  rewards  and  punifliments,  teach  them  early  to  diji'tn- 
guijh  between  childilli  indifcretions  and  vices,  between  talents 
and  virtues.  This  will  often  lead  us  to  cenfure  what  ftran- 
gers  admire,  and  to  pafs  over  what  cafual  obfervers  think  ex- 
tremely wrong ;  but  by  fo  doing  our  children  will  only  have 
the  faults  of  their  age,  and  will  make  up  in  iimplicity  and 
Ingenuoufnefs  what  they  want  in  information  and  polifh. 
When  we  have  habituated  them  to  a  right  way  of  thinking, 
let  us  appear  to  confide  in  the  principles  which  we  have  ef- 
tablifhcd.  I  fay  appear  to  confide  ;  for  watchfulnefs  muft  in- 
termit flowly,  and  not  refign  its  charge  till  experience  has 
alfiertained  the  prevalence  of  the  good  feed  that  we  have  fo. 
Fff 


426 

carefully  fown.  Unhappily,  art  and  duplicity  may  have  grown 
Ipontaneoufly  in  the  minds  of  our  children,  though  our  own 
mode  of  proceeding  with  them  has  been  mod  generous  and 
open.  Nothing  Ihould  be  more  feverely  puniflied  in  a  child 
than  deceit,  or  an  attempt  to  appear  better  than  it  really  is. 
I  do  not,  by  this,  mean  the  mere  habit  of  cxcufing  their 
faults  j  this  is  the  common  foible  of  infantine  timidity,  and 
is  rather  increafed  than  eradicated  by  feverity.  I  fpeak  of  the 
afTumption  of  good  qualities,  and  pretences  to  merit,  which 
they  do  not  poITefs.  A  child  fhould  never  be  fufFered  to 
praife  itfelf,  even  when  it  has  really  done  well  j  but  fome 
mark  of  approbation  fliouid  always  be  beflowed  on  thoic  who 
have  fufficient  generofity  to  commend  another  and  to  con- 
ceal their  own  deferts. 

It  is  the  duty  of  a  mother  to  ftudy  the  chara6lers  of  her 
children  ;  and  in  this  inftance  a  found  judgment  is  moft 
eminently  ferviceable.  Let  her  not  determine  upon  a  child's 
difpolition  by  one  or  two  inftances  \  character  is  variable, 
and  in  the  early  years  of  life  it  often  has  no  lixed  or  deter- 
minable feature.  Hence  arifes  the  advantage  of  judicious 
culture,  efpecially  with  refpe(St  to  temper,  which  is  frequent- 
ly what  the  poet  calls  "  foftened  wax."  Many  people  have 
been  rendered  irremediably  petulant,  vindidlive,  or  fufpicious, 
by  improper  management  in  their  childhood.  Teafmg  what 
is  called  a  bad,  but  what  perhaps  only  means  a  very  fufcep- 
tible  temper,  is  the  fureft  means  to  four  the  difpofition,  and 
to  introduce  malignity  and  mifanthropy.  The  remedy 
ihould  here  be  applied  to  the  judgment,  which  we  Ihiould 
endeavour  to  ftrengthen,  inflead  of  wounding  the  heart.  By 
ihowing  a  fretful  child  the  little  value  of  the  trifles  by  which 
it  is  agitated,  you  may  give  it  firmnefs ;  but  by  fuffering  its 
playmates  to  do  what  they  know  will  vex  and  diflrefs  it,  you 
confirm  it  in  its  weaknefs ;  for  peevilhnefs  does  not  exhauft 
but  increafe  its  own  irritability  by  indulging  it.  I  am  now 
ipeaking  of  tiaturaly  not  artificial  fufceptibility,  and  am  lup- 
pofing  that  you  have  not  cockered  your  child  into  an  im- 
poflibility  of  felf-enjoyment.  When  pecvifhnefs  really  re- 
I'ults  froai  deprelTed  fpirits,  it  is  better  counteracted  by  affec- 
tion than  difpleafure  ;  efpecially  when  it  is  entirely  devoid 
of  envy,  and  accompanied  with  a  fenfe  of  demerit.  Capri- 
cious parents  arc  apt  to  confound  oblcinacy  with  firmnefs, 
though  they  dif/jr  as  far  as  virtue  and  vice  can  do;  for,  as 
is  the  cafe  in  moft  other  qualities  of  tile  human  mind,  per- 
tinacity if  fortitude  pulhcd  to  excels.     When  we  perceive  a 


427 

fpirit  of  refiftance  to  our  commands,  let  us,  before  we  roufe 
to  the  defence  of  our  impleaded  authority,  do  the  intracta- 
ble child  the  juftice  to  reconfider  the  grounds  of  his  diflent, 
and  the  reafonablenefs  and  propriety  of  our  own  injun£tion  ; 
and  if  we  difcover  the  error  to  have  been  in  ourfelves,  let 
US  beware  of  committing  our  fupremacy  and  his  obedience 
in  future.  Non-refiftance  was  (as  I  before  obferved)  the 
ruling  error  of  paft  times  ;  the  prefent,  among  its  other  im- 
provements, teaches  us  that  reafon  is  the  only  foundation  of 
all  authority.  Admitting  the  truth  of  this  pofition,  furely 
we  mil  ft  wait  till  this  quality  is  difclofed  before  we  can  ap- 
ply to  its  decifione.  If  ^\e  prefs  the  unripe  grape,  we  fhall 
not  obtain  w/w,  but  'vinegar.  If  we  attempt  to  govern  chil- 
dren by  arguing  them  into  propriety,  before  their  judgnt'ent 
can  tell  them  what  propriety  is,  we  fhall  make  them  pert, 
voluble,  and  refraftory.  In  this  fyftem,  they  are  never  to 
fubmit  but  upon  convidlion  :  how  very  feldom  will  they  be 
convinced,  when  their  natural  reluctance  to  yield  is  fecond- 
ed  by  the  interefts  of  fome  powerful  inclination  !  Whoever 
has  witnefTed  the  triumphs  of  reafon  over  prejudice  muft 
have  obferved,  that  continued  attention  was  necelTary  on  one 
fide,  and  great  clofenefs  of  application  on  the  other.  Let  us 
now  obferve  how  children  argue ^  or  rather  contend ;  how  op- 
polite  their  queftions  are  to  the  point  in  difpute,  and  how 
foon  they  lofe  fight  of  the  firft  object  and  flart  fome  other 
wayward  defire ;  and  we  muft  acknowledge  that  reafon  has 
very  little  chance  of  gaining  the  victory,  when  fuch  difpu- 
tants  are  created  umpires. 

We  will  appeal  to  the  underftanding  as  foon  as  it  ripens ; 
but  this  cannot  be  the  cafe  in  early  childhood ;  and  yet. 
childhood  muft  not  be  negledted ;  for,  if  we  omit  early  cul- 
ture, vices  and  prejudices  will  overrun  the  untilled  foil. 
Authority  then  muft  be  the  medium  of  inftru(R:ion  ;  the  pa- 
rent muft  have  a  right  to  command,  and  the  child  muft  feel 
that  it  is  its  duty  to  fubmit.  An  infant  under  feven  years 
of  age  queftioning  the  expediency  of  parental  precepts,  v/ould 
formerly  have  been  confidered  as  a  monfter.  What  would 
our  Sydneys,  our  Bacons,  our  Miltons,  or  even  our  Lockes, 
(for  that  eminent  antagonift  of  tyranny*  was  fo  ftaunch  an 
advocate  for  parental  fupremacy,  as  not  to  allow  a  child  to 
have  what  it  craved,  or  fo  much  as  afked  for,)  have  faid  to 
the  plan  of  improving  infantine  intelligence,  by  allowing  it 

*  Sec  Locke  on  Education,  page  117, 


428 

to  cavil  and  difputc  with  its  parents  and  inftructors  ?  Would 
they  have  conlidered  our  modern  prodigies  as  aufpicious 
omens  or  fearful  portents  ? 

As  reafon  gathers  ftrength,  children  fhould  be  taught  to 
direct  it  againll  their  own  foibles,  not  to  fet  it  up  as  a  judge 
to  determine  between  their  defires  and  our  injunctions ;  much 
lefs  fhould  they  be  allowed  to  convert  it  into  a  cenfor  upon 
our  principles  and  mode  of  government.  Early  prohibition 
and  corre6lion  fhould  teach  a  child  ivkat  are  errors  :  when 
reafon  difcovers  luhy  they  are  fo,  fhe  confirms  the  di<States 
of  experience. 

A  forward  child  Ihould  never  be  fufFered  to  obtrude  up- 
on attention.  Stimulants  are  here  deftrudtive  ;  they  fhould 
be  referved  for  the  diffident.  Confident  children  fo  gener- 
ally engage  the  attention  of  ftrangers,  and  fliy  ones  are  fo 
conftantly  neglecSled,  that  it  muft  be  very  difficult  for  a  mo- 
tlier  to  prevent  the  faults  of  each  from  being  confirmed 
whenever  they  are  brought  into  company.  She  may,  how- 
ever, preferve  her  own  mind  from  being  prejudiced  in  fa- 
vour of  what  rarely  proves  a  lalling  advantage ;  and,  by 
pointing  out  inftances  wherein  cafual  obfervers  have  judged 
wrong,  fhe  may  prevent  one  part  of  her  charge  from  being 
too  much  elated,  or  the  other  too  much  depreflTed,  by  the 
accidental  commendations  or  neglect  of  vifitants. 

Injudicious  parents  take  the  moft  hkely  means  to  prevent 
the  improvement  of  thofe  children  in  whom  they  difcover 
extraordinary  marks  of  genius  and  intelligence  ;  for,  inftead 
of  confidering  that  the  ampler  the  field  the  greater  cultiva- 
tion it  requires,  they  are  apt  to  fuppofc  that  nature  has  done 
all  for  them,  and  that  we  have  nothing  to  do  but  acimire  the 
produce  and  put  in  the  fickle.  It  is  by  flow  degrees,  by 
painful  and  progreffive  fteps,  that  human  ingenuity  ever  can 
hope  to  afcend  the  heights  of  fcience  or  knowledge.  No 
one  was  ever  able  to  fly  to  the  fummit  of  fame  felf-taught 
and  felf-fupported  ;  and  the  Icarus  who  attempts  it  will  ever 
lliarc  the  fate  and  the  reproach  of  ralh  pretenders.  AVhen- 
ever  a  mother  rea/Iy  difcovers  extraordinary  talent  in  her 
family,  let  her  recollecl  that  a  diamond  muft  be  highly 
wrought  before  it  will  diffijfe  luftre.  Genius  is  often  coun- 
terbalanced by  numerous  difadvantages.  To  render  it  a 
bleffing  to  fociety,  or  to  itfelf,  it  fliould  be  united  to  pru- 
dence, whom  it  generally  difclaims,  and,  I  muft  add,  ef- 
tranged  from  that  very  exquifite  fenfibility  from  which  ap- 
parently it  derives  its  energy.     It  mufl  be  taught  to  fpcak 


429 

In  well  modulated  tones,  or  it  cannot  charm  a  faftidious  age ; 
it  muft  borrow  the  clear  lamp  of  learning,  or  an  enlightened 
nation  will  difregard  its  difcoveries  -,  it  muft  enforce  the 
principles  of  truth  and  goodnefs,  or  it  will  become  a  blafting 
meteor  inftead  of  a  guiding  ray.  Contrarieties  muft  be  unit- 
ed in  its  compofition  5  the  love  of  fame  muft  be  blended 
with  native  independence  of  mind  j  ardour  of  purfuit  with 
diligence  in  execution ;  imagination  muft  mix  v/iih  judg- 
ment ;  impetuoiity  with  felf-command.  Let  the  mother, 
who  clearly  difcerns  indifputable  proofs  of  mental  fuperiority 
in  her  child,  ferioufly  confider  the  high  refponlibility  which 
fuch  a  truft  impofes  on  her.  The  fatal  mifcarriages  of  ge- 
nius are  generally  afcribable  more  to  the  bad  qualities  with 
which  it  was  united,  than  to  the  oppofttion  of  envy  and  ri- 
valfhip,  or  even  to  the  withering  mildew  of  negle<n:. 

Extravagance  and  careleflhefs  are  frequently  concomitants 
of  fuperior  parts.  Blinded  by  parental  vanity,  injudicious 
mothers  feldom  require  any  other  proof  of  their  children's 
talents,  than  that  they  are  difpofed  to  fay  and  do  ftrange 
things,  and  have  a  total  indi^erence  for  money.  This  latter 
difpolition  is  fcarcely  confidered  as  a  fault  in  youth ;  yet  cer- 
tainly it  never  can  be  the  parent  of  true  generohty  ;  for  it  is 
not  benevolence,  to  give  what  we  have  not  difcovered  to  be 
valuable.  Whatever  may  be  children's  rank  in  life,  or  proi- 
pe6t  of  fortune,  it  feems  advifable  that  they  fliould  be  early 
initiated  into  pecuniary  knowledge ;  not  to  make  them  pe- 
nuriousy  but  liberal,  charitable,  and  provident,  to  the  extent 
which  their  future  expectations  will  juftify.  "  Do  not  fquan- 
**  der  what  will  relieve  a  fellow-creature.  Do  not  fpend  all 
<'  your  allowance,  left  you  fliould  be  forced  to  aiSt  meanly 
"  or  uncharitably,  from  the  incapacity  of  anfwering  an  un- 
**  expected  demand.  Calculate  the  expenfe  of  what  you  re- 
*'  ally  v/ant,  and  furnilh  the  neceflary  fum  by  abftaining  from 
<*  capricious  defires.  Remember,  that  you  will  never  here- 
"  after  reproach  yourfelf  for  not  having  indulged  your  ap- 
**  petites  ;  but  that  it  is  2,  fin  to  omit  doing  the  good  adlions 
<*  which  you  ought  to  perform."  Surely,  thefe  or  fimilar 
precepts  may  be  imprinted  on  young  minds,  without  any 
danger  of  inculcating  the  horrid  and  unnatural  vice  of  early 
avarice.  Though  the  proportion  of  a  child's  pocket  money 
ought  to  vary  with  its  rank  and  fituation,  the  allowance 
fliould  never  be  profufe,  becaufe  an  over  liberal  fupply  is 
more  likely  to  corrupt  its  morals  than  to  ftimulate  its  benef- 
icence ;  and  though  the  entire  fum  fhould  be  fubmitted  to 


430 

its  own  management,  independent  of  fuperlntendance  or 
control,  an  intimation  fliould  be  given,  that  this  its  Httle  pro- 
perty really  is  an  accountakle  talent,  which  cannot  be  wholly 
appropriated  to  the  purpofes  of  felf-enjoyment  without  great 
injuftice  to  its  fellow-creatures. 

Will  you  indulge  me,  in  this  place,  with  a  few  rritkal  re- 
marks ?  Benevolence  is  a  marked  feature  in  the  fafliionable 
fyftem  of  education  ;  and  a  multiplicity  of  books  are  com- 
pofed,  whofe  profefTed  aim  is  to  awaken  in  the  juvenile  mind 
a  prediledtion  for  the  duties  of  liberality.  I  fear  they  tend, 
but  little  to  cultivate  thofe  principles  on  which  its  real  value 
eilentially  depends :  I  allude  to  tales  in  the  manner  of  Mar- 
montel  which  attach  romantic  fentiment  and  pompous  noto- 
riety to  adlions  that  ought  to  be  conlidered  as  too  ordinary 
and  indifpefifable  to  deferve  record.  Cafting  my  eyes  over  a 
newfpaper,  I  will  extradl  the  following  anecdote  by  way  of 
JUullration  :  "  The  cmpe'-or  Napoleon,  when  at  Brienne, 
**  heard  that  an  old  woman  ftili  lived  who  inhabited  a  fmall 
"  cottage  in  the  middle  of  the  wood,  whither  he  had  fre- 
<*  quently  repaired,  while  at  the  military  fchool  at  Brienne, 
*<  to  drink  milk.  His  majefty  bent  his  way  thither,  and 
*<  allied  the  old  woman  if  flie  recollc<n:ed  Buonaparte.  On 
**  hearing  his  name,  the  poor  v/oman  fell  at  the  emperor's 
*«  feet.  He  raifed  her  up,  and  afked  her  if  flie  had  nothing 
**  to  offer  him.  Milk  and  eggs,  anfvvered  the  old  woman. 
*'  The  emperor  took  two  eggs,  gave  the  old  woman  afTuran- 
**  ces  of  his  favour,  and  left  her  a  pui-fe  of  gold." 

When  our  Saviour  enjoined  us  not  to  let  our  left  hand 
know  what  our  right  hand  did,  he  did  not  znncx  prajfe  to 
liberality  as  its  beatitude  ;  but  he  commanded  us  to  cultivate 
benevolence  with  privacy,  and  to  expert  its  fruits  after  the 
vifible  frame  of  nature  fhall  be  deil:royed.*  Thefe  anecdotes 
predifpofe  the  mind  to  feek  after  a  contrarious  alliance  be- 
tween charity  and  fame.  A  child  fnould  never  be  fo  far 
mifled,  as  to  fuppofe  that  it  is  vmgtiatiimous  to  do  what  it 
would  really  be  itjjanwus  to  omit.  No  merit  fliould  be  at- 
tached to  the  refignation  of  fuperfluities,  efpeciaily  when  the 
giver  has  not  imbibed  any  provident  care  for  the  future.  In 
many  ranks  of  life,  charity  is  accompanied  by  an  aft  of  felf- 
denifil  which  greatly  enhances  its  value.  The  hungry 
fchool  boy  who  divides  his  breakfail  with  a  beggar,  and  runs 
away  to  avoid  being  feen  by  his  companions,  poiTeffes  the 

•  Compare  St,  Mattli.  ch.ip.  vi.  vcrfc  3.  and  chap.  xxv.  verfe  35,  &c. 


431 

right  fort  of  internal  feeling,  and  only  wants  the  chriftiari 
principle  to  be  fuperadJed  to  give  it  liability.  But  if  you 
bellow  very  high  commendations  on  this  aition,  or  to  his 
knowledge  give  it  publicity,  you  corrupt  the  ingenuoufnefs 
of  his  nature  j  and  the  next  time  he  performs  it,  vain  glory 
will  tamt  the  modeft  limplicity  of  his  deportment.  Though, 
candour  forbids  us  to  particularize,  can  any  one,  who  knows 
the  world,  avoid  fearing  that  many  of  the  deeds  which  we 
extol  as  the  offspring  of  charityy  are  in  reality  thofe  indulgent 
ces  of  'vanity  and  ojlentathn  for  which  we  ought  to  alk  pardon 
of  God  ?  One  precept  of  Scripture  deeply  engraven  on  the 
heart  does  more  to  cultivate  this  heavenly  difpolition,  than 
all  the  volumes  which  fentimenial  philanthropy  ever  com- 
pofed. 

Feeling  and  fentiment  are  indeed  too  loofe  and  Indetermi- 
nate in  their  nature,  to  allow  us  to  build  upon  them  that 
malTy  pile  of  acceptable  good  v/orks  which  is  to  endure 
through  all  eternity.  A  florid  deicription  of  diftrefs,  drelTed 
up  in  the  pomp  of  oratory,  may  accelerate  the  defign  of  pub- 
lic contributions ;  but  it  never  can  form  the  conflftent  char- 
after  of  habitual  benevolence,  which  beftows  its  alms,  not  to 
relieve  itfelf  from  the  painful  emotions  of  compaffion,  much 
lefs  to  purchafe  a  fort  of  decent  covering  for  its  own  fins, 
but  becaufe  it  is  commanded  "  to  do  good  and  to  be  ready  to 
cUllribute."  It  neither  fays  to  the  Almighty,  "  Vv'^hy  didlt 
thou  ordain  calamity  ?"  nor  does  it  blow  the  Pharifaical 
trumpet,  and  call  upon  its  neighbours  to  witnefs  its  diftribu- 
tion  of  alms  •,  but  it  fecretly  deals  out  that  dole  to  the  unfor- 
tunate, which,  thus  beftowed,  will  be  replaced  by  everlafting 
treafures.  In  thefe  pretty  tales,  by  which  bounty  is  tricked 
out  in  adventitious  amiablenefs,  fo  much  of  gauzy  refine- 
ment and  fentimental  intereft  is  hung  around  the  object  in 
diicrefs,  that  the  authoritative  precept  of  "  feeding  the  hun- 
gry and  clothing  the  naked,"  becaufe  they  are  the  fervants 
of  Chrillj,  is  ovciiooked  in  the  exquifite  delight  of  relieving 
indigent  beauty,  or  rewarding  faithful  love.  While  our 
cliildren  are  nurtured  by  this  ornamented  charity,  this  un- 
liable offspring  of  a  vain  imagination,  can  we  wonder  that 
the  grace  v>fhich  holy  writ  commands,  fliould  be  lowered  in- 
to a  commutation  for  grofs  otFences,  or  that  we  lliould  often 
hear  thofe  llns,  which  we  are  exprefsly  told  will  exclude  us 
I'rom  the  kingdom  of  God,  palliated,  if  not  juftified,  becaufe 
the  wealthy  offender  is  very  charitable .''  Charity,  my  dear 
young  friend,  in  the  true  fenfc  of  the  word,  cannot  fublift  in 


432 

the  lienrt  which  is  at  enmity  with  God  ;  for  charity  lis  obc* 
dicnce  to  tlie  commands  of  the  Moft  High,  and  faith  on  his 
promifes  of  remimeration. 

To  return  to  the  fubject  of  early  ceconomic  habits,  fo  much 
fcouted,  and  yet  fo  highly  neceflary  to  the  generality  of  man- 
kind j  few  of  whom  are  born  to  fpend  a  fortune,  compared 
with  thofe  who  muft  improve  or  acquire  the  means  of  fubfift- 
ence.  Though  I  profefs  to  abftain,  in  this  letter,  from  what 
is  C2i\e6.  fcientific  inftruftion,  I  muft  recommend  one  branch 
of  Icnowledge,  on  which  fenfible  men  ever  fet  a  great  value 
in  women;  I  mean,  that  every  girl  ought  to  pofTefs  a  com- 
petent knowledge  of  arithmetic.  It  is  alfo  defirable  that 
this  knowledge  fhould  be  practical  as  well  as  theoretical ; 
that  fhe  fhould  underftand  the  value  of  commodities,  be  able 
to  calculate  expenfes,  and  to  tell  what  a  fpecific  income  will 
afford.  Thefe  are  excellent  preparatives  for  a  good  houfe- 
wife  •,  yet,  if  to  be  accompanied  with  expcrtnefs,  and  prac- 
tifed  with  alacrity,  the  rudiments  roufi:  be  acquired  in  child- 
hood. It  may  be  expedient  to  enlarge  this  fort  of  know- 
ledge to  a  general  acquaintance  with  the  earnings  of  differ- 
ent trades  and  occupations  ;  fuch  information  will  not  only 
prove  an  admirable  afliftant  to  domeftic  management,  but 
will  be  an  intelligent  guide  to  benevolence.  Thefe  acquifi- 
tions  have  a  moral  as  v/ell  as  a  prudential  influence  upon  the 
character,  and  are  beneficial  in  every  rank  of  life. 

It  is  obferved  by  the  great  Johnfon,  in  a  letter  to  one  of 
the  Mifs  Thrales,  that  "  a  thoufand  ftories  which  the  igno- 
*'  rant  believe,  die  away  when  the  computift  takes  them  in 
*'  his  gripe."  Tiie  fcjence  of  numbers  may  therefore  be  re- 
forted  to,  not  only  as  a  guardian  for  prudence,  but  as  a  pre- 
fervative  from  credulity ;  and  what  is  of  ftill  more  confe- 
quence,  as  a  protefdon  from  the  idle  and  vulgar  habit  of 
telling  extraordinary  Jlories  as  certain  faclsy  by  which  we  fub- 
je(St  our  auditors  either  to  the  rudenefs  of  contradi«Slion,  or 
to  the  pain  of  difingenuoufnefs.  Society  is  fo  generally  im- 
proved in  point  of  information,  that  lying  fabulifts  now  want 
the  temptation  to  falfehood  which  the  credulity  of  paft 
times  afforded  :  they  cannot  excite  even  momentary  afton- 
ifliment. 

Neatnefs,  regularity,  and  attention  to  the  order  and  pro- 
priety of  domeftic  concerns,  fo  intimately  belong  to  the  fe- 
male department,  that  fhe  who  is  deficient  in  thefe  qualities 
is  univerfally  allowed  to  Jiave  relinquiftied  all  the  Icffer  de- 
corums of  her  fex,  if  not  to  give  proof  of  fuch  a  light  and 


433 

relaxed  rnind  as  makes  the  virtues  fhe  really  poflefles  feem 
rather  fortuitous  than  intrlnfic.  Moll  ranks  in  fociety  re- 
quire that  itidujiry  fhould  be  added  to  this  lift  of  minor  mor- 
als ;  a  relifh  for  occupation  becomes  incumbent  upon  us  all, 
not  merely  as  it  refpetfts  the  advantage  of  others,  but  be- 
caufe,  unlefs  we  delight  in  being  employed,  we  muft  be  un- 
happy. The  habits  on  which  thefe  valuable  endowments  are 
built  muft  be  acquired  in  childhood  or  youth.  They  can 
never  be  fuperadded  in  mature  age,  without  fo  much  force 
and  difficulty  as  make  the  practice  diftafteful ;  not,  as  it 
ought  to  be,  in  the  higheft  degree  gratifying  and  exhilarat- 
ing to  an  energetic  fpirit,  to  whom  the  daudling  languor  of 
flatternly  indolence  is  mifery.  It  is  with  regret  we  obferve, 
how  much  the  modern  method  of  education  has  degenerat- 
ed from  the  pracSlice  of  our  anceftors  in  this  inftance  ;  and 
as  a  propenfity  to  throw  away  time  is  a  marked  feature  of 
t!iis  age,  it  becomes  highly  incumbent  on  a  mother  to  en- 
deavour to  revive  the  old  notions  in  this  refpe^t.  Let  her 
fteadily  engage  her  children  (her  daughters  efpecially,)  be- 
fore ftubborn  will  and  inveterate  habit  are  armed  againft  au- 
thority and  exhortation,  in  a  varied  feries  of  employments, 
which  inclination  fhould  fometimes  be  allowed  tofeleB^  but 
duty  fhould  more  frequently  prefcribe ;  for  in  future  life  they 
will  probably  find  it  neceflary  to  conform  to  this  allotted  or- 
der of  occupations.  By  teaching  them  to  be  felf-amufed 
and  contented  with  cheap  common  enjoyments  and  quiet 
pleafures,  we  fhall  not  only  render  our  girls  more  eligible  as 
wives  and  as  friends,  but  ftiall  fave  them  from  the  languor 
of  ennui,  faftidioufnefs,  and  all  the  long  lift  of  vapouriflx 
humours  and  maladies  that  fall  to  the  lot  of  thofe  who  fup- 
pofe  difcontent  and  refinement  to  be  fynonymous. 

Firmnefs  and  fteadinefs  are  eflential  requifites  in  the  cha- 
radler  of  a  mother  ;  yet  our  fex  is  reproached  with  a  defi- 
ciency In  thefe  refpedls ;  and  If  the  accufatlon  be  defervcd, 
we  have  another  reafon  to  acknowledge  the  wifdom  of  di- 
vine Providence,  In  Inftltuting  the  conjugal  bond  as  a  reme- 
dy for  thefe,  as  well  as  for  our  other  imperfeEtions.  When- 
ever a  mother  perceives  herfelf  Aiding  into  irrefolution  and 
indecifion,  let  her  not  confider  it  as  a  charadterlftlc  of  an 
amiable  yielding  temper,  but  remember  that  her  children 
will  difcover  It  to  be  imbecility,  and  thus  gain  an  advantage 
over  her,  which  more  fevere  difcipllne  cannot  for  fome  time 
obviate.  Let  her  not  fuffer  herfelf  to  be  teafed  out  of  her 
Ggg 


434 

determinations,  even  when  flie  is  doubtful  of  their  proprie- 
ty ;  the  alteration  in  her  plans  muft  appear  to  proceed  from 
her  own  reconfideration,  and  not  from  fubmitting  her  fenfe 
of  right  to  their  importunities.  Mutability  of  purpofe  is  the 
ruin  of  children,  cfpecially  when  it  operates  fo  jfar  as  to  alter 
die  fyftem  of  education,  to  change  the  fchool,  or  to  deviate 
from  the  original  trade  or  profeflion  to  which  they  have 
been  devoted.  Nothing  of  this  kind  Ihould  be  done,  but 
for  reafons  almoft  amounting  to  pofuive  neceffity.  When 
our  minds  are  wavering  in  thefe  particulars,  we  fhould  con- 
iider  that  what  is  human  cannot  be  perfect,  and  that  objec- 
tions may  be  made  to  every  mode  of  tuition,  to  every  in- 
ftructor,  and  to  every  occupation ;  and  therefore  it  is  gener- 
ally wifer  to  perfsvere  in  the  courfc  that  we  have  engaged 
in,  and  endeavour  to  counteract  the  evils  with  which  it  is 
connected,  than  by  a  total  derelidlion  of  plan  to  unfettle  the 
ideas  of  our  children,  and  engage  them  and  ourfelves  in  frefh 
difficulties  ;  thus  running  the  hazard  of  engendering  incon- 
liftent  conduct  and  defultory  habits. 

You  have  found  me  to  be  a  determined  enemy  to  all  thofe 
innovations,  falfely  called  improvements,  which  either  tend 
to  confound  the  orders  in  fociety,  or  to  rob  children  of  that 
I'ubmiffive  iimplicity  which  is  their  nioft  endearing  quality. 
Yet  being  far  from  wifhing  to  recall  thofe  days,  when  coer- 
cion and  terror  were  the  fok  inftru£lors  of  youth,  when  do- 
cility confifted  in  Ji/e/2t  acquiefcence,  and  information,  like 
the  Roman  liflors,  bore  no  infignia  but  the  rod  ;  I  readily 
admit,  that  a  child  fliould  be  affifted  in  the  acquirement  of 
clear  ideas  as  foon  as  it  can  entertain  them  ;  and  that  juft 
views  of  the  world  it  inhabits  fhould  be  prefented  to  its  ob- 
fervation,  when  its  powers  expand  beyond  the  narrow  range 
of  individual  feeling.  This  method  of  exerciling  the  capac- 
ity of  children  is  extremely  different  from  cherifhing  a  dif- 
putatious  fceptical  humour  j  for  this  knowledge  will  be  con- 
veyed in  the  form  of  preceptive  inftruflion,  not  argumenta- 
tive controverfy.  Such  real  cultivation  is,  in  faCt,  the  only 
cure  to  the  vanity,  affeftation,  and  conceit  which  a  prema- 
ture exercife  of  the  deliberative  faculties  generally  engend- 
ers. To  know  our  actual  (ituation  in  the  world,  is  the  beft 
preparative  for  properly  difcharging  our  duties  ;  and  nothing 
can  fo  effc(5lually  prefervc  us  from  the  delufions  of  error,  as 
a  jufl  fober  way  of  thinking.  Humble  birth  and  lowly  for- 
tunes are  no  bar  to  this  kind  of  iaiprovement ;  for  we  are 
all  rational  and  accountable  creatures.     Nor  can  it  be  ob- 


435 

jefted,  that  thefe  Inftrufllons  will  confume  the  time  which 
fhould  in  luch  dependent  fituations  be  devoted  to  ufeful  oc- 
cupations :  a  mother,  who  has  learned  to  think  rightly  her- 
felf,  can  communicate  thole  ideas  to  her  children  while  they 
are  actively  purfuing  their  ordinary  callings.*  The  com- 
moneft  incidents  of  life  will  furnifli  an  intelligent  parent 
with  leflbns  of  "  moral  prudence,"  which,  if  related  in  an 
agreeable  and  impreflive  ftyle,  will  be  "  with  delight  receiv- 
ed." "  Every  walk,"  as  has  been  obferved  by  an  intelligent 
inftruflor  of  childhood,  "  may  be  converted  into  an  eafy 
lecture  on  the  works  of  nature  j"  and  when  (as  fhould  ever 
be  the  cafe)  the  pupil's  mind  is  led  from  fenfible  objedls,  and 
vifible  events,  to  the  unfeen  Author  and  Conductor  of  all 
things,  philofophical  inveftigation  becomes  what  it  ought  to 
be,  the  handmaid  of  religion.  Many  fciences  are  recom- 
mended to  our  fex,  for  their  utility  in  enabling  us  to  form 
clear  and  precife  notions ;  and  when  leifure  and  ability  will 
admit,  the  mother  is  ufefuUy  employed  who  inftru6ls  her 
family  in  every  branch  of  ufeful  or  ornamental  knowledge. 
But  there  are  fome  things  which  it  is  defirable  to  do,  others 
which  it  is  criminal  to  leave  undone. 

It  being  the  firft  bufinefs  of  education  to  prepare  the 
mind  for  that  warfare  with  cur  fpiritual  enemies  which  will 
never  finally  terminate  on  this  fide  the  grave,  and  in  which 
the  chriftian,  though  fometimes  overpowered,  muft  ever  rife 
with  renewed  hope  to  overcome  ;  let  us,  above  all  things, 
endeavour  to  equip  the  deftined  combatants  "  in  the  whole 
armour  of  God."  Let  us  give  them  not  only  a  thorough 
knowledge  of  their  duty,  but  carefully  exercife  them  in  the 
praBice  of  it ;  teaching  them  to  a£l:  always  upon  chriftian 
principlesy  and  to  view  every  event  through  chriftian  optics. 
This  cannot  be  done,  unlefs  we  make  them  intimately  con- 
verfant  with  the  truths  of  revelation  ;  and  furely  no  lan- 
guage can  be  fo  proper  as  that  which  the  Spirit  of  God  em- 
ployed to  inftrudt  mankind,  and  of  which  we  poflefs  a  fufii- 
ciently  faithful  tranflationf  in  our  Englilh  Scriptures.     Let 


*  Examples  of  this  kind  of  inftrucTiion  in  a  humble  ftation  are  given  in 
the  account  of  Dr.  Frauklin's  early  lite  ;  where  we  may  alfo  meet  with 
excellent  rules  to  correal  faftidioufaefs  in  appetite  and  fenlual  induU 
gence. 

t  On  the  fidelity  and  other  excellencies  of  our  Englifli  Bible,  fee  the 
bifliop  of  Lincoln's  Elements,  vol.  it.  He  calls  it  "  a  moft  v/onderful  and 
incomparable  work." 


436 

me  ftrorigly  urge  every  mother  to  make  her  children  adepts 
in  both  the  Old  and  New  Teftaments.  Merely  reading  them 
is  not  fufficient ;  they  fliould  be  taught  to  reflect  and  con- 
verfe  upon  facred  fubjedls,  as  the  only  way  of  clearly  under- 
ftanding  what  they  perufe.  By  the  ufe  of  Bibles  with  mar- 
ginal references,  flie  may  accuftom  them  to  illuftrate  precepts 
by  fi£l:s,  and  to  connect:  fa(fts  with  precepts ;  the  type  and 
its  antetype  may  be  Ihown  together,  the  prophecy  and  its 
fulfilment,  the  promife  and  its  accomplifhment,  the  threat- 
ening and  the  chaftifement.  Let  her  fliow  them  the  vaft  fu- 
periority  of  facred  over  profane  hiftory,  not  merely  on  ac- 
count of  its  indubitable  verity,  or  from  its  being  the  oldejl 
authentic  record  of  paft  ages,  but  becaufe  every  faift  that  it 
contains  is  exprefsly  faid  to  be  "  written  for  our  inftruclion." 
The  method  by  which  God  faw  fit  to  make  himfelf  known 
to  mankind  was  by  hiftorical  narrative  ;  this  being  the  leaft 
fubjeiSl;  to  impofi:ure  or  mifreprefentation,  carrying  with  it 
the  ftrongeft  evidence,  and  therefore  being  beft  fuited  to 
convince  every  underftianding,  and  to  imprefs  its  authority 
upon  every  age,  from  that  which  witnefled  the  event  to  the 
laft  records  of  time,*  Let  not  the  minds  of  children,  there- 
fore, be  fufiered  to  reft  in  the  mere  circumftances  of  the  nar- 
rative they  are  perufing,  beautiful  and  impreflive  as  they 
often  are  j  but,  as  foon  as  their  unfolding  faculties  will  per- 
mit, open  to  their  minds  the  great  deftgns  of  God's  provi- 
dence, which  the  incidental  fufterings  or  exaltation  of  good 
and  bad  men  alternately  furthered.  It  was  not  for  his  per- 
fonal  virtue,  much  lefs  from  partial  afFc(Slion,  that  Jacob  was 
chofen  to  be  the  father  of  the  promifed  feed,  and  Efau  pro- 
hibited from  receiving  the  blelling.  Jofiah  was  not  flain  in 
puniftiment  for  his  fins,  nor  Jeroboam  exalted  over  the  de- 
generate houfe  of  David  in  confidcration  of  his  fuperior 
merit.  In  the  firft  inftance,  Jacob,  though  expofed  by  his 
own  duplicity  to  much  temporal  calamity,  was  forefeen  to 
poflefs  a  more  active  dependance  on  the  promifcs  of  God,  of 
which  he  became  t\\e  faithful y  though  for  many  years  ajii3- 
edf  depofitary.  In  the  fecond  cafe,  a  righteous  and  pious 
prince  was  removed  from  witnefiing  the  miferies  which  juft- 

*  See  an  ingenious  efiay  by  the  Rev.  S.  Cobbold  on  this  fubjed,  which 
gained  the  Norrifian  prize  in  1797. 

t  "  Few  and  evil  have  the  days  of  the  years  of  my  life  bcfn,"  faid  Ja- 
,cob  to  Pharaoh,  Gen.  xlvii.  vcrfe  9. 


437 

ly  fell  on  a  finful  impenitent  people  ;*  and  in  the  third  the 
Almighty  aifted  according  to  the  ufual  laws  of  his  providen- 
tial government,  by  raifing  up  the  wicked  to  correal  thofe 
wanderers  whom  he  wifhed  to  regather  into  his  fold.  All 
thefe,  and  other  inftances,  as  the  bifhop  of  Lincoln  obferves, 
from  the  fad  proof  of  human  corruption,  fhow  the  necefEty 
of  a  Redeemer. 

Nothing  is  fo  apt  to  embarrafs  young  minds,  and  to  un- 
fettle  their  faith  and  truft  m  God,  as  the  apparently  unequal 
difpenfations  of  Providence,  in  often  giving  fuccefs  to  vice, 
and  allotting  afflidions  to  virtue.  Temporal  profperity  is 
now  almoft  univerfally  held  out  as  the  reward  of  defert,  in 
thofe  fiftitious  hiftories  on  which  youth  are  too  much  made 
to  depend  for  moral  inftruiflion ;  can  we  then  wonder  that 
difpaffionate  obfervers  fliould  lament  that  fuccefs  is  univer- 
fally confidered  as  the  criterion  of  merit  ?  A  thorough  ac- 
quaintance with  the  book  of  God  will  teach  children  to  eC- 
timate  human  actions  and  human  affairs  by  Ju/ier  principles, 
and  induce  them  to  confider  every  inftance  of  unequal  dis- 
tribution for  which  they  cannot  account,  as  an  irrefragable 
confirmation  of  the  certainty  of  a  future  ftate.  Temporal 
profperity  was  promifed  to  the  Jews  colletSlively,  provided 
they  adhered  to  the  law  of  the  Lord  ;  yet  even  during  the 
period  of  their  being  governed  by  a  fupernatural  theocracy, 
Gideon,  Jephtha,  and  Samuel,  experienced  hard  returns  of 
unkindnefs  from  the  people  whom  they  had  prote^ed,  and 
clofed  a  life  of  virtuous  adlivity  with  an  old  age  of  forrow. 
Rebellious  Ifrael  was  forgiven  many  offences ;  but  Mofes, 
their  diftinguiihed  conduftor,  the  mediator  of  the  firft  cov- 
enant, after  faithfully  difcharging  his  arduous  but  glorious 
tafk  during  forty  years,  was  for  one  offence  prohibited  from 
entering  into  the  promifed  reft  which  he  fo  ardently  wiftied 
to  partake ;  and,  after  being  only  permitted  to  gaze  on  the 
earthly y  was  removed  to  enjoy  the  fplendour  of  a  heavenly  Ca- 
naan. In  later  times,  the  confcientious  Naboth  was  cut  off 
by  the  hypocritical  cruelty  of  Jezebel ;  and  Elijah,  who  was 
predeftined  to  afcend  the  Ikies  in  a  fiery  vehicle  without 
pailing  through  the  valley  of  the  fhadow  of  death,  fpent  his 
days  in  hunger  and  thirft,  in  perils  and  dangers,  continually 
purfued  by  an  implacable  revengeful  tyrant,  till  even  his  in- 


*  "  Weep  ye  not  for  the  dead,  neither  bemoan  him ;  but  vreep  fore  for 
"  him  that  goeth  away,  for  he  ftiall  return  no  more,  nor  fee  his  native 
"  country."     Jeremiah,  chap.  xxii.  verfe  lo. 


438 

trepid  fpirit,  though  fupported  by  the  fupernatural  aid  of 
prophetical  infpiration,  uttered  thofe  bitter  complaints  againft 
life  which  can  only  be  excufed  by  excruciating  mifery. 
With  thefe  powerful  examples  before  our  eyes,  who  fhall  fay 
that  the  gratification  of  our  wiflies  is  a  blejfmgy  or  temporal 
misfortunes  a  curfe  ? 

I  muft  not  multiply  thefe  refleftions.  The  facred  volume 
prefents  innumerable  inflances,  from  which  the  judicious 
mother  will  derive  the  moft  falutary  lefTons,  to  corrciSl  the 
erroneous  conclufions,  and  to  temper  the  fanguine  hopes,  of 
impaffioned  youth.  But  the  power  of  religion  is  ftill  more 
efficacious  informing  the  character^  than  in  illuminating  the 
underjianding.  If  children  early  difcover  ftrong  paffions  and 
ardent  defires,  be  affured  that  religion  will  prove  the  only 
reftraint  which  can  be  relied  upon  to  prevent  criminal  in- 
dulgences ;  or,  fhould  they  fall,  it  will  enable  them  to  rife 
again.  There  is  little  danger  that  thofe  will  long  remain  in 
the  thraldom  of  fin,  who  have  enjoyed  the  glorious  privi- 
leges of  being  the  enlightened  fervant  of  God,  and  can  com- 
pare the  difference  between  the  two  mafters.  The  fullen 
and  the  envious  may,  under  the  influence  of  chriftian  prin- 
ciples, difencumber  their  dark  and  clouded  minds  from  the 
gloom  of  miianthropy  and  difcontent ;  and  patience  and 
complacence  may,  under  the  exhilarating  light  of  the  divine 
Spirit,  fpring  up  in  thofe  hearts  which,  if  left  to  canker  un- 
der the  baleful  influence  of  crafty  policy  and  crooked  expe- 
dience, **  would  have  brought  forth  murders,  adulteries, 
treafons,  and  every  evil  work."  A  religious  education  would 
affbrd  ballafi:  to  levity,  and  confine  to  innocent  cheerfulnels 
thofe  exuberant  fpirits  which  might  otherwife  mijlead  their 
pofTefTor  to  the  extremes  of  thoughtlefs  diffipation  ;  and,  not 
to  multiply  inftances,  as  religion  prefents  the  only  jufl  view 
of  this  probationary  fiatc,  beholding  the  world  as  it  is  re- 
fledled  by  this  jufl:  mirror  will  fave  young  people  from  all 
thofe  bitter  pangs  of  difappointed  expectation,  which  are  fo 
apt  to  nip  the  opening  joys  of  youth. 

Let  mothers  then  begin  early  to  bring  their  children  to 
Chrifc*     Let  them  "add  line  to  line,  precept  to  precept, 

*  I  fhall  ni;\kc  no  apology  for  tranfcriblng  the  following  pafTage  from 
Hey's  Lec^urci,  vol.  iv.  page  ,-;o5,  fincerely  wifliing  that  genius  and  piety 
may  realife  the  portrait  here  fo  afFedtingly  imagined.  He  is  fpcaking  of 
the  Gofpel  in  the  office  of  baptifm. 

"  Chrift  blefTed  the  children  afFccaionately,  holding  tlicm  in  liis  arms  : 
"  his  beucditflion,  furely,  muft  be  fome  fpiritual  good.     My  reafon  dares 


439 

difpenfing  here  a  little  and  there  a  Jittle,"  as  occafion  Ihall 
fuggeft,  from  the  firit  dawn  of  reafon  till  their  young  charge, 
ripe  in  faith,  renew  their  baptifmal  vows  of  obedience  at  the 
altar  of  God.  With  what  transport  muft  a  parent  kneel  at 
the  head  of  her  pious  offspring  at  the  euchariftical  feaft, 
while  looking  upwards  fhe  beholds  in  meditation  her  Saviour 
and  her  God,  and  addrefles  him  with  "  Lo,  I  come  ;  and 
*'  of  the  children  whom  thou  haft  given  me  I  have  loft 
«  none  !" 

Feiuy  however,  can  enjoy,  and  none  perhaps  ought  to  ^at- 
pe^,  fuch  a  full  confummation  of  their  labours.  In  educa- 
tion, as  in  every  fublunary  undertaking,  troubles  and  difap- 
pointments  will  intervene.  Sometimes  the  fteril  foil  defires 
all  culture,  and  is  either  totally  barren,  or  produces  only 
pernicious  unfightly  weeds.  This  cafe,  indeed,  rarely  hap- 
pens when  much  pains  have  been  taken,  never,  I  ftiould 
hope,  unlefs  natural  capacity  is  extremely  defedlive,  and  in 
that  inftance  we  may  rely  on  the  righteoufnefs  of  God,  who 
does  not  expedl  to  reap  where  he  has  not  fown.  Thorns 
and  briars,  indeed,  frequently  fprout  up  with  the  good  feed, 
and  either  for  a  time  fmother  it,  or  prevent  its  luxuriant 
growth.  Yet  in  this  cafe  alfo  we  muft  not  forrow  as  thofe 
without  hope  ;  for,  if  the  word  of  God  has  been  grafted  in 
the  foul,  even  in  the  eleventh  hour,  the  barren  tree  may 
bring  forth  fruit  unto  life.  In  the  event  of  thofe  wafteful 
ftorms  of  misfortune  from  which  none  of  the  race  of  Adam 
can  hope  to  be  exempt,  let  us  folace  ourfelves  with  the  con- 
folation,  that  we  have  provided  our  young  ones  with  a  fafc 
retreat  from  the  tempejl.     And  fliould  the  irremediable  lithe 


"  fcarcely  make  an  argument  from  this  interefting  fcenc ;  but  when  I 
*♦  contemplate  it,  I  always  wlfli  myfclf  a  painter,  that  I  might  give  a  laft- 
"  ing  reprefentation  of  it.  Wiiat  an  attitude  might  not  that  of  Jefus  be  \ 
"  what  a  countenance  !  looking  down,  with  a  mild  and  gracious  benevo- 
"  lence,  on  the  infant  in  his  arms  !  cxprefllng  a  deep  knowledge  of  what 
"  was  in  man  !  other  children  of  different  ages  and  charadters,  grouped 
"  in  various  employments  ;  the  officious  difciples  with  ill  grounded  ap- 
"  prehenfions,  and  needlefs  importunities,  endeavouring  to  difperfe  them ; 
"  the  mother  of  the  child  in  our  Saviour's  arms,  near  him,  cxpreffing  as 
"  one  principal  figure,  in  her  face  and  gefture,  fufpenfe  and  hope,  not 
*•  without  fome  degree  of  fear  ;  joy,  refined  and  meliorated  with  paternal 
♦'  affedtion  and  piety :  other  parents ;  fome  mildly  triumphing  in  the 
«  benedidion  already  received,  others  gently  preffing  forward  to  attain  it. 
"  Who  that  performs  the  ceremony  of  baptifm  does  not  feel  the  eflScacy 
«  of  this  fcene  ?  The  infant  in  one's  arms  excites  a  fentiment  of  tender- 
"  nefs ;  and  the  ceremony  becomes,  to  the  imagination,  an  imitation  of 
"  the  bencvoleace  of  him  who  appointed  it." 


410 

of  Death  prematurely  cut  down  the  juft  blooming  flower, 
furely  we  muft  "  rejoice  with  exceeding  great  joy,"  in  the 
confidence  that  it  will  be  replanted,  and  llourilh  for  ever, 
befide  the  river  of  life  which  Hows  through  the  holy  city 
the  new  Jerufalem,  which  needeth  not  the  faint  luftre  of 
the  fun,  but  is  enlightened  by  the  glory  of  her  God. 

One  confolation  will  attend  the  truly  confcientious  mo- 
ther in  the  moft  difallrous  circumftances  :  I  refer  to  the 
heartfelt  fatisfaclion  that  flie  has  done  her  duty,  for  which 
Ihe  may  humbly  hope  to  receive  her  everlafting  reward  :  I 
mean,  if  her  conduct  has  been  uniform  ,-  if  her  life  and  be- 
haviour have  been  conjtflent  with  her  precepts ;  and  if  fhe 
has  been  as  careful  to  prevent  her  children  iro-m.  feeing  in  her 
what  was  fW/,  as  flie  has  been  diligent  to  inftrudl  and  con- 
firm them  in  what  is  good.  To  thefe  requifites  I  muft  alfo 
add,  if,  in  full  confidence  of  the  infufliciency  of  all  human 
means,  fhe  has  not  refted  in  her  own  care,  or  in  the  fkill 
and  affiduity  of  the  inftrudlors  whom  fhe  has  employed,  but 
with  daily  and  hourly  intenfcvefs  of  devotion,  has  fupplicated 
Almighty  God  to  befl:ow  his  heavenly  benediction  on  her 
labours  of  love,  and  to  crown  them  v/ith  fuccefs.  If  fhe  has 
negledted  this  finifhing  duty,  flie  muft  be  pronounced  unfit 
for  the  talk  that  flie  undertook.  She  might  teach  religion 
as  a  fyftem  ;  but,  not  feeling  its  influence  on  her  own  heart, 
flie  could  not  communicate  it  as  a  living  principle  to  others. 

To  thofe  who  have  enjoyed  the  advantage  of  an  enlight- 
ened and  chrifl:ian  education,  I  need  not  expatiate  on  its 
blefl^cd  tendency.  Others  who,  amid  many  fuperfluous  or 
immaterial  acquifitions,  remain  deftitute  of  that  one  thing 
peculiarly  needful,  "  that  pearl"  of  ineftimable  price,  I  would, 
in  the  Gofpel  language,  conjure  and  entreat  "  to  part  with 
all  they  poflefs,"  fooner  than  not  acquire  it.  Devote  the 
morning  of  your  lives  to  ferious  and  valuable  purpofes. 
There  is  a  marked  analogy  betv/een  the  periods  of  our  ex- 
iftence,  and  the  hours  of  the  natural  day.  How  vigorous 
and  refreflied  do  we  feel  when  we  firfl  awake  !  how  languid 
and  exhaufted  do  the  fatigues  incident  to  our  occupations 
leave  us  at  the  clofe  of  a  vexatious  day  !  Exertion  then  feems 
impra<5ticable  ;  all  that  we  require  is  relaxation  or  repofe. 
We  commonly  rife  from  our  beds  calm  and  tranquil  in  our 
tempers,  with  our  minds  as  well  as  our  bodies  braced  for  ex- 
ertion. At  night,  we  ufually  find  that  our  cares  and  difap- 
pointments,  teafing  incidents  and  unexpefted  competitions, 
have  rufiled  if  not  annihilated  this  ferene  delight,  which,  ere 


441 

we  can  compofe  ourfelves  to  fleep,  we  labour  to  reflrore,  by 
recalling  the  agreeable  viflons  of  the  morning.  The  dull 
and  heavy  evening  of  old  age  will  afFe£l:  us  in  a  fimilar  man- 
ner. Happy  thofe  who  can  relieve  its  tedioufnefs  by  the 
recolle£lion  of  a  well  fpent  youth,  and  can  feed,  during  this 
barren  feafon,  on  the  nutritious  fruits  which  memory  provi- 
dently ftored.  But  thofe  only  can  be  faid  to  enjoy  even  the 
dregs  of  life,  who  can  look  back  on  the-  fmiling  record  of 
years  of  piety  and  virtue  -,  for  they  are  well  affured  that  the 
**  Creator,  whom  they  remembered  in  their  youth,"  will  nev- 
er defert  them  in  their  hoary  hairs,  when  all  other  confola- 
tions  forfake  them.  That  you,  my  dear  young  friend,  who 
were  fo  eminently  happy  in  your  early  inftruftions,  may  en- 
joy this  enviable  privilege  at  the  clofe  of  your  days,  is  both 
the  wifti  and  belief  of 

Your  truly  aiFeilionate,  &c. 


Hhh 


442 

LETTER     XIV. 
On  our  Duty  to  Servants  and  Inferiors. 


MY  DEAR  MISS  M , 

1  HE  laft  relative  fltuation  of  importance  which  we  hold, 
iy  that  of  niiftrefs  of  a  family  :  with  your  permiffion,  I  will 
combine  with  it  our  general  duty  to  our  inferiors  ;  lince  the 
obfcrvations  upon  one  fubjecft  will  in  moil  cafes  apply  to  thC' 
other. 

My  rank  in  life  having  enabled  me  to  fee  the  lower  or- 
ders, flripped  of  thofe  difguifes  which  cunning  prompts  them 
to  afTume  in  their  intercourfe  with  thofe  who  are  too  re- 
mote to  judge  of  their  real  character,  I  am  aware  that  my 
opinion  of  their  prefent  manners  and  fentiments  will  be 
thought  too  unfavourable,  by  thofe  who,  taking  only  a  dif- 
tant  glance  of  the  humbler  clalTes  of  fociety,  confider  them 
merely  as  vi(Stims  of  oppreffion,  or  objects  of  benevolence ; 
while  thofe  who  have  had  an  opportunity  for  clofe  invefti- 
gation  will  join  me  in  lamenting,  that  a  great  and  an  alarm- 
ing revolution  has  taken  place  in  the  ideas  and  chara6ter  of 
the  commonalty.  This  is  moil  apparent  among  the  manu- 
fadluring  claiTes ;  but  the  peafantry  have  not  efcaped  the 
contagion,  efpecially  thofe  who  reiide  in  the  neighbourhood 
of  fiourifhing  towns  ;  and  it  is  to  this  caufe  that  the  degen- 
eracy of  fervants  (which  is  an  ample  fubje£l  of  complaint  in 
all  companies)  muil  be  primarily  attributed.  Did  this  evil 
only  threaten  the  deftruction  of  our  domeilic  comfort,  we 
iliould  have  great  caufe  for  alarm  ;  but  if  the  "  lying  fpirit" 
which  has  gone  abroad  among  the  poor  of  this  realm  con- 
tinue to  make  profelytes  as  rapidly  as  it  has  done  of  late 
years,  our  national  iubjugation  cannot  be  very  remote. 

Do  not  fuppoi'e  I  mean  to  iniinuate  that  there  fubfifts  a 
general  i'pirit  of  difaiFeclion  to  the  prefent  government. 
Coniidering  the  extraordinary  pains  that  have  been  taken  to 
excite  the  paiiions  of  the  mob  in  tliis  refpeft,  the  populace 
may  be  laid  to  have  reiifted  temptation  ?wbly ;  and,  except 
.iiinong  foni-r  feclarics  whofe  principles  are  profefTedly  repub- 


I 


443 

Ilcaii,  people  are  generally  content  to  be  governed  as  their 
anceftors  have  been.  But  the  temper  that  juftly  excites  ap- 
prehenfion  is,  their  increafing  diflikc  of  their  immediate  fu- 
periors,  which  breaks  out  in  all  the  modes  of  envy,  incivili- 
ty, and  rapacity.  You  will  fmile  at  my  ranking  rapacity 
among  the  crimes  of  a  poor  perfon  ;  but  fufFer  me  to  ex- 
plain. Notwithftanding  that  great  increafe  of  wages  which 
the  fcarcity  five  years  ago  rendered  both  juft  and  neceflary, 
fuffered  little  or  no  redu6lion  in  the  interval  of  cheapnefs  (I 
mean  during  the  amazing  reduction  in  the  price  of  corn,  the 
great  article  of  fuftenance  among  the  poor,)  fcarcely  any 
thought  themfelves  bound  (as  they  formerly  fuppofed  them- 
felves)  to  lay  up  a  proviiion  for  ficknefs  and  calamity. 
Their  earnings  were  diffipated  in  a  ftyle  of  living  and  drefs 
unbecoming  their  ftation,  and  on  the  leaft  prelTure  of  dif- 
trefs  they  demanded,  nox. foUcitedy  parochial  relief;  but  as  that 
relief  was  only  given  in  fuch  proportions  as  their  wants  ren- 
dered neceflary,  not  as  their  luxuries  required,  their  envy 
of  thofe  whom  they  beheld  pofiefled  of  enjoyments  which 
they  had  learned  to  value  increafed ;  and  an  inquiry,  ivhy 
one  perfon  ought  to  be  richer  than  another,  became  gener- 
al -,  not  confidering  that,  by  fo  doing,  they  cavilled  againft 
Providence  •,  and  without  reflecting  that  induftry  and  osconf- 
omy  are  the  fure,  though  flow,  means  to  procure  decent 
competence. 

Faflious  demagogues  have  taken  advantage  of  this  four- 
nefs  of  difpofltion,  which  luxury  and  thoughtleflliefs  intro- 
duced among  the  lower  orders,  who  are  now  made  perfectly 
acquainted  with  all  the  vices  and  follies  which  unhappily,  in 
this  diflipated  age,  difgrace  the  higher  walks  of  life.  You 
will  frequently  hear  village  politicians  exclaiming  againfl:  the 
manifefl:  injuftice  of  people  being  permitted  to  pofl^efs  wealth 
who  lead  infamous  lives.  Does  not  this  proceed  from  a  want 
of  thofe  jufl:  views  of  life,  and  clear  notions  of  duty,  which 
were  recommended  in  the  preceding  letter  as  incumbent  up- 
on all  ranks  and  conditions  of  mankind  ?  When  did  (or 
rather  when  can)  an  order  of  things  fubflft,  in  which  wealth 
or  power  fliall  be  exclujively  afligned  to  virtue  and  goodnefs  ? 
The  trials  of  virtue  cannot  be  its  recompenfe.  God  did  not 
intend  earthly  diftindtion  to  be  the  reward  of  his  faithful 
fervants.  The  refponflble  talents  of  riches  and  authority 
ever  have  been  promifcuoufly  intrufl:ed  to  jufl:  and  unjuft 
ftewards.  In  the  hands  of  the  former,  they  are  a  bleffing 
to  themfelves  and  to  all  around  them ;  with  the  latter,  they 


444 

become  a  curfe  and  a  punifhment.  But  all  who  occupy  the 
Icfs  accountable  ftations  in  life  fhould  ever  look  from  the 
agent  to  the  employer ;  and,  whether  our  fuperiors  are  bene- 
fadtors  or  opprelTors,  fliould  remember  that  they  poflefs  but 
a  delegated  power,  and  in  all  cafes  be  devoutly  difpofed  to 
fay  with  the  pious  Patriarch,  "  The  lot  falleth  into  the  lap, 
but  the  difpofal  of  it  is  in  the  Lord." 

The  poor  of  this  kingdom  were  once  diftinguilhcd  by  the 
moral  propriety  of  their  opinions,  and  their  affedtionate  at- 
tachment to  their  fuperiors.  If  you  had  then  afked  a  plain 
countryman,  what  right  a  notorioufly  wicked  man  had  to 
live  in  the  beft  houfe  in  the  village,  with  fome  aftonifhment 
at  the  inquiry  he  would  have  anfwered,  that  "  He  was  the 
eldeft  fon  of  the  old  'fquire."  Apply  to  a  modern  ruftic, 
who  has  been  enlightened  by  a  refracted  i^y  flolen  from  Paine's 
modified  wild  fire,  on  the  fame  occafion,  and  with  a  fignifi- 
cant  fhake  of  his  head  he  will  anfwer,  "  Sad  times,  mafter  ! 
*'  things  want  mending  •■,  fomething  muft  be  wrong,  or  rogues 
**  would  not  flourifh  while  poor  men  are  forced  to  work." 
Or,  as  I  have  known  to  be  the  cafe  in  an  inftance  where  a 
perfon  of  fortune  united  notorious  profligacy  with  carelefs 
liberality,  the  reply  has  been  to  one  who  condemned  the 
guilt  and  effrontery  oi public  licentioufnefs,  "  This  is  a  land 
*'  of  liberty  -,  and  every  one  has  a  right  to  do  what  they  like  ; 
<'  the  'fquire  maintains  my  family,  and  that  is  all  I  care 
«  about."  ' 

This  leads  me  to  what  I  would  next  obferve,  that  the 
poor  entertain  very  falfe  notions  of  wealth  ;  not  only  as  to 
the  rules  by  which  it  ought  to  be  diflributed,  but  of  the 
manner  in  which  it  fliould  be  applied.  Generally  fpeaking, 
the  ideas  of  indigence  are  extravagant  ;  and  thus  it  happens, 
that  profufion  is  fure  to  have  advocates  among  the  lower 
orders,  wKofe  notions  of  merit  are  moflly  confined  to  two 
qualities,  bounty  and  affability.  How  fortunate  would  it  be 
for  themfelves,  if  honefty  and  prudence  Ihared  in  thefe  eulo- 
giums  !  It  is  this  error,  imbibed  in  their  paternal  cottap;e.s, 
and  foftered  by  their  fubfeqitcnt  commerce  with  their  own 
profeflion,  that  rendei's  fcrvants  fo  generally  wafteful,  and 
inclined  to  fupport  the  appearance  of  the  perfon'they  ferve 
at  tlie  expenfe  of  his  credit.  Having  very  few  ideas  of  dif- 
tinction  and  confequence,  but  what  are  derived  from  fliow 
and  expenfe,  and  bclieving*their  own  dignity  to  be  elTential- 
iy  combined  with  their  mafter's,  it  becomes  their  conftant 
aim  to  make  him  live,  not  as  he  can  aiFord,  but  as  other 


445 

leople  do  ;  and  if  they  unhappily  difcover  that  he  has  a 
ropenfity  to  referve  feme  part  of  his  income  for  future  con- 
ingencies,  they  moft  generoufly  refolve  to  proted  him  from 
the  crime  of  being  (habby,  by  every  fecret  method  of  waft- 
ing or  purloining  his  property  that  their  ingenuity  can  de- 
viie  ;  quieting  their  confciences  with  the  falvo,  that,  as  he 
can  afford  it,  he  ought  to  be  made  to  do  fo.  Such  monitors 
and  adminiftrators  of  the  property  of  others  feem  unlearned 
in  the  plain  rules  of  common  honefty,  though  poffibly  they 
are  well  verfed  in  fentimental  refinements.  We  cannot, 
therefore,  wonder  that  they  llaould  be  inclined  to  palliate 
'every  vice  but  avarice^  which  indeed  never  meets  with  any 
quarter.  Should  this  humour,  of  eftimating  crimes  only  as 
they  affeft  ourfelves,  gain  ground,  I  fear  we  Ihall  degenerate 
into  thofe  dreadful  extremes  of  heathen  enormity,  which  St. 
Paul  fo  forcibly  defcribes  in  his  epiitle  to  the  Romans  ;  when 
after  enumerating  a  black  catalogue  of  heinous  and  unnat- 
ural offences,  he  tells  his  chriftian  converts  that  they  not 
only  once  did  thofe  things,  but  alfo  took  pkafure  in  others  for 
praBlfmg  them.  The  great  change  which  chriftianity  pro- 
duced in  the  world  was  never  more  manifeft,  than  in  the  al- 
teration of  public  opinion,  which,  though  it  often  utters  a 
hafty  decifion  founded  on  incomplete  evidence,  ufed  to  give 
(and  I  truft,  in  fpite  of  the  perverters  of  the  human  mind, 
will  ftill  give)  its  fufFrage  in  favour  of  virtue  and  goodnefs. 
But  enough  of  declamation  :  let  us  try  if  we  can  afcertain 
the  caufes  of  the  change  which  we  deplore,  and  thence  en- 
deavour to  difcover  the  cure.  A  great  deal  of  mifchief  niuft 
be  attributed  to  the  dilTemination  of  the  idea  of  univerfal 
liberty,  by  which  half  informed  people  always  underfrand 
licentioufnefs.  Much  injury  has  been  done  to  the  lov»'er  or- 
ders by  unfettled  opinions  on  religious  fubjedls.  Vanity  and 
conceit  are  the  ufual  caufes  of  dillcnt  from  eftabliflied  doc- 
trines ;  and  we  rarely  fee  a  convert  to  new  opinions  in  thefe 
matters,  who  does  nor,  in  his  air  and  manner,  difcover  une- 
quivocal proofs  of  felf-iraportance.  .  Indeed,  among  the  low- 
er orders,  few  feem  now  difpol'ed  to  take  tlieir  "  noifelefs 
way  alpng  the  cool  iequeftered  vale  of  life/'  and  to  live 
honeft,  quiet,  and  refpedlable.  The  tenet  that  "  we  live  in 
a  land  of  liberty"  (which,  when  miiunderftood,  is  the  foun- 
dation of  all  our  religious  and  civil  contefts)  is  much  oftener 
referred  to,  than  the  divinely  enforced  duties  appending  to 
the  fifth  commandment ;  though  all  men,  efpecially  thofe 
who  are  placed  in  a  humble  Jlatiop.j  may  in  them  trace  one  of 


446 

the  moft  comprchenfivc  outlines  of  their  chriftian  courfc. 
The  efFeft  of  preaching  chiefly  upon  doctrinal,  myfterious, 
and  (ftriiStly  fpeaking)  metaphyfical  fubje<Sts,  is  moft  ftrong- 
ly  feen  in  the  followers  of  this  defcription  of  teachers,  who 
are  ever  talking  of  rights  and  privileges ;  never  of  obligatiotu. 
Here  again  the  want  of  clear  ideas  and  juft  notions  is  moft 
obvious ;  for  amid  the  torrent  of  language,  which  every 
gifted  haranguer  can  pour  forth  on  the  moft  abftrufe  and 
recondite  fubjecls,  they  rarely  let  fall  a  fentence  that  can  be 
underftood  by  tliofe  who  are  not  verfed  in  this  cabaliftic 
jargon. 

It  has  been  {aid,  that  the  depravity  of  the  lower  orders  is 
owing  to  the  great  feparation  in  the  conditions  of  fociety 
which  refinement  has  introduced.  Unqucftionably,  luxury 
has  greatly  tended  to  alienate  the  minds  of  inferiors  from 
their  betters,  by  the  almoft  infuperablc  bars  which'it  has 
placed  between  their  free  communication.  When  the  feu- 
dal chief  prefided  at  the  banquet  among  his  vaflals,  and  the 
farmer  dined  at  the  head  of  his  labourers,  the  manners  of 
the  more  intelligent  were  copied  by  the  lefs  informed  ;  and 
the  refpedlful  awe  infeparable  from  the  prefence  of  the  maf- 
ter  operated  as  a  curb  to  improper  exprefilons,  and  gradual- 
ly infufed  decorum  of  condu£t.  It  is  to  be  feared,  that  in 
the  prefent  ftate  of  fociety  fucli  cuftoms  could  not  be  fafely 
refumed  ;  but  we  may  regret  that  they  ever  were  laid  afide. 
The  intrepid  reformer  who  fhould  attempt  to  revive  them 
would  probably  only  experience  infult  and  ridicule,  or  fa- 
miliarity would  break  down  the  few  fences  that  are  yet  left 
round  fortune  and  dignity.  To  confine  my  obfervations  to 
my  o\Vn  fex  :  the  tenant's  daughters  would  vifit  the  manfion 
houfe,  and  the  young  cottager  would  go  to  the  farmer's 
abode,  only  with  a  view  of  learning  fafliions,  and  of  condu6V- 
ing  their  next  party  or  junket  in  a  more  genteel  ftyle.  Can 
we  wonder  at  this,  knowing  that  the  view  of  the  entertain- 
ers would  rather  be  to  amaze  their  guefts,  than  to  render 
them  happy  or  to  improve  their  moral  chnrnclcr  ?*  But  to 
avoid  vifionary  fchcmes  :  whenever  modcft  fimplicity  of  cha- 
racter infurcs  us  from  the  evils  incident  to  familiarity,  affa- 
bility and  condefcenfion  are  the  moft  likely  means  to  con- 
ciliate and  attach  the  lower  orders.  Thefe  are  favours  which 
they  peculiarly  feel,  and  are  perhaps  more  grateful  for  than 
for  the  poruivc  exertions  of  benevolence.     A  kind  remem^ 

*  Letter  iv. 


447 

brance  of'  their  wants,  an  affectionate  concern  for  their  wel-^ 
fare,  a  defire  to  promote  their  real  interefts,  are  attentions 
which  forcibly  attract  the  unfophillicatcd  mind.  Even  in 
our  domeftic  management,  affability  is  ftri(ftly  compatible 
with  authority.  Command  need  not  fpeak  in  the  voice  of 
terror,  nor  accompany  its  inju6lion  with  menaces. 

But  perhaps  the  moil:  influential  caufe  of  this  change  of 
manners  and  fentiments  among  the  poor  is  the  increafing 
luxury  of  the  middle  orders,  who  bind  the  extremes  of  foci- 
€ty  together,  and  confequently  whofe  manners  are  the  moft 
important  to  the  commonwealth.  It  is  from  our  very  im- 
mediate fuperiors  that  we  all  derive  our  ideas  of  what  is  juft 
and  deiirable  ;  their  flation,  therefore,  is  the  point  on  which 
cur  ambition  refts ;  for  it  rarely  happens  that  our  imagina- 
tion takes  fo  bold  a  flight,  as  to  build  its  eyry  on  the  lofty 
fummit  from  which  we  are  feparated  by  many  intermediate 
ranks.  While  we  fufler  from  the  vices  of  our  inferiors, 
therefore,  let  us  aflc.  Does  no  blame  attach  to  ourfelves  ? 
Have  we  not  been  fo  fond  of  diftindtion,  fo  engroffed  by 
pleafure,  fo  entranced  by  views  of  advantage,  as  to  forget  our 
own  refponfibility  to  thofe  who  looked  up  i  to  us  ?  Can  we 
then  blame  them  for  following  the  pattern  that  we  fet  them, 
and  becoming  in  their  turns  as  afpiring,  luxuriant,  and  indo- 
lent as  is  in  their  power  ?  Example  is  a  duty  which  we  owe 
to  all  the  world  ;  and  there  is  no  perfon,  however  humble 
his  rank  or  limited  his  powers,  but  may  thus  benefit  fociety  ; 
and  if  we  pervert  what  ihould  be  for  the  improvement  of 
thofe,  a  part  of  whofe  duty  it  is  to  imitate  us,  "  into  an  oc- 
caflou  for  their  falling,"  let  us  be  affured,  that  a  portion  of 
their  ofiences  will  be  referred  to  us  in  the  day  when  the 
Maker  of  both  rich  and  poor  fhall  claim  an  account  of  all 
our  actions.*  The  larger  our  fphere  of  acting,  the  greater 
is  our  refponflbility  ;  but  all  are  accountable  in  fome  degree. 
The  moral  virtue  of  prudience  fhould  rife  in  our  efl:eem, 
from  the  recolle£lion,  that  a  y?«<3!// deviation^from  it  on'our 
own  part  may  lead  others  to  extravagance^  or  even  to-  difhon- 
e/}y.. 

The  middle  orders  may  alfo  be  charged  with  another  of- 
fence againft  their  inferiors,  beflde  that  of  fetting  them  a 
bad  example  :  I  mean,  neglefting  proper  watchfulnefs  and 
admonition.  This  is  raofl  lamentably  vifible  in  the  conduct 
©f  mailers  and  miilreffes  toward  their  domeftics,  and  is  not 

*  Letter  iii. 


413 

confined  to  perfons  in  genteel  life,  but  extends  to  thofe  who 
ape  gentility.  The  luxurious  refinements  in  living  that  are 
generally  adopted  render  adroitnefs  in  fervants  ih  ellential, 
that  the  nobler  diftindlion  of  moral  worth  is  comparatively 
overlooked.  As  in  mofl:  families  the  expenfe  of  being  gen- 
teel operates  as  a  fevere  check  upon  the  inclination  of  Ihin- 
ing,  it  is  a  general  law,  that  fliow  fliall  be  procured  at  the 
leaj}  poJfiUe  cjj} ,-  and  thus  the  number  of  our  domeftics  be- 
ing limited  to  bare  neceflity,  we  fwelling  frogs,  who  ape  the 
magnificent  oxen,  are  forced  to  transfer  the  vocations  of 
feveral  domefl:ics  to  one.  Thus  it  becomes  neceflary  that  a 
good  fervant  fliould  add  difpatch  to  handinefs ;  and  provid- 
ed they  can  but  perform  their  work,  few  miftrefl!es  inquire 
further  about  their  conduct,  than  as  their  vices  afFecl  the  in- 
terefts  or  fafety  of  their  employers.'  A  fervant  who  is  thus 
wearifomely  occupied  has  little  leifure  for  moral  or  religious 
confiderations.  I  do  not  mean  that  intervals  of  leifure  are 
pofitively  neceflary  for  a  devout  ejaculation  or  ferious  reflec- 
tion J  but  thefe  prefuppofe  a  foundation  of  religious  know- 
ledge and  pious  habits.  Confidering  the  prefent  ftate  of 
education  among  the  poor,  and  the  general  manners  of  fam- 
ilies, we  fhall  be  too  fanguine  if  we  expect  that  the  majority 
of  fervants  will  be  difpofed  to  keep  alive  this  religion  of  the 
heart,  efpecially  if  we  alfo  recollect,  that  the  multiplicity  of 
minute  attentions  and  fuccefiive  occupations  which  we  re- 
quire of  them,  muft  perplex  and  harafs  their  thoughts,  and, 
if  no  intervals  of  reft  are  allowed,  muft  even  prevent  the 
well  difpofed  from  "  pouring  that  oil  into  their  lamps"  which 
is  neceflary  to  keep  them  burning.  What  then  will  be  the 
conduct  of  fervants  ?  They  know  that  their  chance  of  ad- 
vancement depends  on  their  ability  to  execute  the  fervices 
required  of  them  ;  and  duplicity  and  cunning,  which  are 
vices  common  to  all  illiterate  people,  will  lead  them  to  fup- 
pofe  tliat  concealing  their  finful  pfa<n:ices  is  quite  fufiicient ; 
for,  alas  !  it  is  a  general  opinion  with  them,  that  detcclion 
conftitutes  guilt :  a  melancholy  proof  how  little  the  omni- 
prefence  of  God  is  underftood,  or  at  leaft  influences  the  be- 
haviour of  many  nominal  chriftians  !  Surely  thefe  evils  might 
be  diminiflied  by  a  more  confcientious  attention  to  the  mor- 
al conduct  of  our  dependents,  and  by  exprelllng  more  dif- 
pleafure  at  vice,  than  at  thofe  venial  faults  which  only  af- 
fect the  propriet^y  of  our  dome<Stic  arrangements.  But  the 
cure  of  this  difordcr  muft  be  fought  in  more  powerful  cor- 
'  rc<ftives. 


449 

The  increafing  profanation  of  the  fabbatical  reft  is  one 
great  caufe  of  the  degeneracy,  not  only  of  fervants  but  of  all 
the  inferior  conditions  of  fociety.  It  was  not  from  the  de- 
fire  of  hearing  his  creatures  praife  him,  that  the  Almighty 
ilTued  his  command  for  a  feptenary  remembrance  of  creation 
and  redemption.  He  fliowed,  by  that  inftitution,  his  benev- 
olent regard  to  our  temporal  and  eternal  welfare.  By  hal- 
lowing the  Lord's  day,  we  do  not  only  learn  thofe  "  fongs 
of  Sion  in  a  ftrange  land,"  which  v/e  may  hope  to  fing  for 
ever  in  the  kingdom  of  our  Father ;  but  we  diminifh  the 
evils  incident  to  our  pi/grifj-zage,  by  acquiring  thofe  habits 
which  will  render  it  pleafant  and  profperous.  Whoever  has 
feen  the  blefled  effects  of  the  Sabbath  in  an  orderly  country 
village,  will  readily  acquiefce  in  the  acknowledgment  that  it 
is  the  great  civilizer  of  the  lower  orders.  Sufpenlion  of  toil, 
innocent  recreation,  decent  apparel,  comfortable  food,  domef- 
tic  enjoyment,  and  focial  worfhip,  all  prefent  themfelves  to 
our  view  in  the  family  of  an  induftrious  religious  labourer  ; 
nor  can  we  contemplate  the  cleanlinefs  and  modeft  propriety 
of  their  appearance,  as  they  walk  to  "  the  houfe  of  the  Lord 
their  God,"  without  a  rapturous  fenfation  of  benevolent  ex- 
ultation. Let  us  now  glance  at  the  fcenes  which  Sunday 
prefents  in  the  vicinity  of  flouriihing  manufaiSlures,  where 
promifcuous  alTociations  and  enormous  gains  beget  the  dif^ 
gufting  habits  of  low  debauchery.  Labour  indeed  is  fuf^ 
pendcd ;  but  fin,  like  the  Egyptian  tafk-mafters,  demands 
her  double  tale  of  fervice.  The  filthy  fqualid  rags  worn  all 
the  week  are  laid  afide,  not  to  aflume  a  neat  fimplicity  o£ 
clean  apparel,  but  to  flaunt  in  a  ridiculous  medley  of  ill  fort- 
ed  finery.  The  work  fliop  is  deferted,  but  the  church  is 
unfrequented  ;  the  ale-houfes  are  however  well  peopled  ; 
and  though  the  wheel  and  the  loom  are  filent,  drunken  blas- 
phemy and  unreftrained  indelicacy  offend  our  ears  with 
noifes  equally  obftreperous.  If  we  turn  our  eyes  to  the 
younger  part  of  the  mechanic's  family,  we  fhall  fee  in  their 
purfuits  and  condu£l  the  future  vidlims  of  proftitution  and 
debauchery.  Are  not  thefe  fcenes  too  general ;  has  not  de- 
pravity of  manners  uniformly  kept  pace  with  multiplied  af- 
femblage  and  fuperabundant  provifion  .''  Manufacturing  towns 
are  the  ufual  depofitories  of  difaffedtion,  tumult,  profligacy, 
and  mifery.  Surely  then  it  is  to  be  feared,  that  thefe  inev- 
itable evils,  which  are  fo  intim?itely  annexed  to  our  com- 
mercial fuperiority,  muft  very  feniibly  diminifh  its  value  in 
lii 


430 

a  national  point  of  vlewr.  It  is  much  to  be  lamented,  that 
the  comparative  independence  which  is  annexed  to  artificers 
and  artifans  removes  them  from  the  controlling  fuperinten- 
clence  of  their  immediate  funerior  j  who  (if  poffible)  ought 
to  be  armed  luith  povjsr  to  prevent  or  punifli  thofe  exceflcs 
which  the  llreets  of  a  great  tovv-n  generally  prefent  on  Sun- 
day evenings ;  for,  even  when  the  llatute  laws  of  the  realm 
are  not  grofaly  viohitcd,  the  moral  feelings  of  chriftians  are 
feverely  pained. 

We  have  already  lamented  the  bad  confequcnccs  which 
the  diffipation  too  common  among  great  faihionifts  in  the 
middle  orders  muft  have  on  their  immediate  dependents. 
As  no  people  are  fo  apt  to  utter  dolorous  complaints  againfc 
the  general  depravity  of  fervants,  it  feems  defirable  that  they 
ihpuld  take  into  their  ferious  confideration  the  political  ex- 
pediency of  reftoring  Sunday  to  its  original  deflination.  If 
they  have  no  chriftian  concern  for  the  immortal  interefts  of 
their  fellow- creatures  j  if  they  really  do  not  dread  appearing, 
rmpreparcd  with  an  anfwcr,  at  that  awful  audit  when  the 
fouls  of  tlaeir  houfchold  (by  them  wilfully  abandoned  to  per- 
dition) will  be  required  at  their  hands ;  ftill  let  them  take 
thofe  menials,  whofe  good  behaviour  is  fo  neceflary  to  their 
own  felf-indulgence,  where  they  will  be  taught  to  become 
good  fervants.  This  will  be  a£ting  prudently,  though  not  pi- 
oufly ;  but  to  do  this  will  require  fome  facrifices.  They 
can  neither  go  out  nor  have  vilitors  on  Sundays  j  the  full 
courfes  mull  be  abridged  ;  the  toilet  fervice  muft  be  fhort- 
cncd  ;  the  breakfaft  hour  muft  be  expedited ;  nay  more, 
they  muft  accompany  their  families  to  church  themfelves,  and 
not  only  give  them  an  opportunity  of  ferving  God,  but  ac- 
tually fee  that  they  are  prefent  in  his  temple.  One  of  the 
Tul  effefts  of  itinerance  in  public  worfliip  is,  that  it  fcparates 
the  family,  who  ought  to  appear  in  their  proper  places  in 
t\\Qfarnc'  congregation  ;  thus  removing  thofe  whofe  conduct 
requires  infpection,  from  thofe  whofe  duty  it  is  to  infpeft. 
Unlefs  you  take  them  where  you  pay  your  own  vows,  your 
footman  may  probably  frequent  the  tippling  houfe,  inftead 
of  the^  conventicle ;  and  your  houfemaid  patrole  the  ftreets 
in  fearch  of  a  gallant,  while  you  iliopofe  her  in  purfuit  of  a 
gholvly  comforter. 

By  fome  previous  arrangements,  and  a  few  perfonal  facri- 
tices,  raiftrefles  may  generally  contrive  to  give  cx'ery  member 
of  theii< family  an  opportunity  of  attending  public  worfliip 
4.1  lc::ft  once  in  every  L>abbath  \  but  they  muft  not  fuppofe 


451 

that  they  fhall  then  have  difcharged  all  theh  duty :  family 
prayer  and  focial  inftruftion  are  a  very  important,  though 
much  negle61ed,  branch  of  duty,  from  which  much  real  ad- 
vantage may  be  expelled.  Did  nothing  better  enfue  than 
reftraining  irregularity  and  intemperance,  by  feeing  the  whole 
family  early  alTembled  on  a  Sunday  evening  in  a  ftate  of  fo- 
briety  and  decorum,  the  benefit  would  be  great ;  but  we 
muft  not  mete  by  thefe  {hort  meafares,  when  we  fpeak  of  a 
religious  houfehold  ferioufly  employed  in  fupphcating  the 
bleiiing  of  Almighty  God.  "VVe  may  certainly  afcribe  the 
comparative  regularity  which  families  formerly  exhibited,  to 
the  uniform  pracTrice  of  family  prayer  ;  for,  though  fuch 
houfcholds  might  be  mere  feminaries  of  hypocrites,  they  who 
difregard  or  ridicule  fuch  fervices  mi/Ji  be  profligates.  That 
this  valuable  cuftom  is  not  now  attended  with  iimilar  decen- 
cy of  deportment  in  the  iS\v  places  where  it  is  fxill  preferv- 
ed,  muft  be  afcribed  to  the  general  tendency  of  the  times  to 
ridicule  all  unufual  ftridlnefs  and  fobriety,  as  unneceflary  and 
puritanical ;  and  to  the  unavoidable  connection  of  fervants 
who  are  thus  difciplined,  with  thofe  who  are  negle<Sted  and 
depraved  ;  which  feems  likely  to  impede  the  former  in  their 
growth  in  grace  ;  for  "  evil  communication  is  much  more 
likely  to  corrupt  good  manners,"  than  vice  is  to  derive  ad- 
vantage from  the  beneficial  influence  of  virtue.  If  this  cuf- 
tom were  again  univerfal,  we  Ihould  foon  perceive  its  excel- 
lence. By  doing  all  in  our  power  to  render  it  fo,  we  at  leall 
difcharge  ourfelyes  of  blame ;  and  in  this,  as  in  every  other 
inftance,  when  we  do  not  reap  tl\e  full  harveft  of  our  la- 
bours, we  fhall  exonerate  ourfelves  from  the  blame  of  finful 
negligence. 

A  feleftion  of  books  proper  for  fervants'  reading  has  late- 
ly been  ftrongly  recommended  by  very  refpe(Slable  authori- 
ties ;  and,  no  doubt,  if  they  were  difcreetly  chofen,  and  fec- 
onded  by  other  meafures,  they  v/ould  be  eminently  ufeful. 
Much  good  has  certainly  been  done  by  the  diftribution  of 
cheap  well  principled  trafts  among  the  lower  orders  ;  but 
with  the  fame,  or  perhaps  ftill  greater  avidity,  has  the  evil 
fpirit  of  infubordination  and  difl^enlion  feized  upon  their  im- 
proved capacities  to  fcatter  his  baneful  principles  ;  fo  that, 
in  proportion  as  information  has  been  multiplied,  the  circu- 
lation of  pernicious  doctrines  has  increafed.  I  prefume  not 
to  queftion  the  general  utility  of  Sunday  fchools  j  they  feem 
founded  on  two  incontrovertibly  juft  pofitions ;  that  every 
foul  in  a  chriftian  country  fliould  be  taught  its  duty  to  God, 


452 

and  be  trained  in  an  liabitual  reverence  of  the  fabbath  day ; 
but,  unqueftionably,  there  is  a  point  at  which  the  cultivation 
of  the  lower  orders  ought  to  ftop.  Writing  and  accounts 
appear  fuperfluous  inftru6tions  in  the  hitmhlcfl  walks  of  life ; 
and,  when  imparted,  have  the  general  efFedl  of  making  them 
ambitious,  and  difgufted  with  the  fervile  offices  which  they 
are  required  to  perform.  It  feems,  therefore,  a  rnil'applica- 
tion  of  benevolence,  to  communicate  what  will  inakc  the 
poflcflbr  unhappy  ;  for  hard  toil  and  humble  diligence  arc 
indifpenfably  needful  to  the  community ;  and  we  oftener 
Want  the  hand  of  a  labourer  than  of  Tifcribe :  nor  fliould  any 
ideas  of  refinement,  or  views  of  aggrandifement,  befupplied, 
but  when  an  evident  fuperiority  of  genius,  or  weaknefs  of 
frame,  warrants  a  departure  from  eftabliflied  rules.  People 
in  the  higher  walks  of  life  are  apt  to  think  that  their  own 
domeftics  are  in  a  more  eligible  fituation  than  their  ruftic 
equals  ;  and  in  their  benevolent  endeavours  to  improve  the 
general  condition  of  the  villages  in  which  they  refide,  they 
coniider  it  to  be  an  unimpeachable  exercife  of  charity  when 
they  fit  the  youth  of  both  fexes  for  genteel  fervice.  If  they 
attended  to  the  gradation  of  ranks  (which  ought  to  be  ob- 
ferved  in  the  humbler  as  well  as  in  the  more  elevated  clafles,) 
they  would  learn  to  limit  thefe  views,  and  would  take  efpe- 
cial  care  that  conceit  and  profligacy  do  not  thwart  their  ge- 
nerous defign  of  making  their  proteges  happy  and  refpe£la- 
ble.  The  unfophifticated  ploughman  and  milkmaid  are  in- 
finitely more  valuable,  as  rational  beingS  and  members  of 
the  commonwealth,  than  the  coxccmical  valet  and  pert 
abigail. 

The  degree  of  inflrufbion  which  we  beflow  en  our  poor 
neighbours  or  fervants  lliould  befitted,  as  much  as  it  can, 
to  their  relative  fiiations.  There  can  be  no  danger  of  our 
falling  mto  any  error,  by  laboiu-ing  to  make  them  plain  and 
fincere  chriftians ;  I  now  fpeak  in  a  political  fenfc  :  when  I 
add,  and  members  of  the  church  of  England,  I  mean  not  to 
deny  piety  and  virtue,  much  lefs  falvation,  to  other  "  con- 
gregations of  chriftian  men  :"  but  believing  that  the  tenets 
of  the  efcabliibment  are  fuperemitiently  calculated  to  combat 
the  errors  of  the  titnesy  and  being  firmly  convinced  that  there 
is  fafety  and  comfort  in  her  fpacious  fold,  I  recommend  it 
as  an  afylum  to  all  who  have  not  leifure  to  ftudy  the  nice- 
ties and  fubtilties  of  difputation,  and  who  yet  mull:  ever  be 
fubjecl  to  be  temped  toil  "  by  adverfe  winds  of  doctrine," 
while  they  continue  to  afTert  their  own  liberty  of  election  in 


453 

•a  point  where  they  do  not  poiTefs  capacity  for  decifion,  or 

leil'ure  for  inveftigation. 

With  refpedt  to  fervants'  libraries,  thofe  who  form  them 
will  do  well  to  obferve,  that  the  books  which  compofe  them 
Ihould  poflefs  two  requilites,  or  they  will  remain  unread. 
They  ihould  be  appropriate.^  and  alfo  entertaining.  It  is  often 
faid,  that  gentlemen's  fervants  are  the  moft  difTolute  let  of 
beings  in  the  kingdom  :  if  this  be  true,  it  is  a  grievous  re- 
proach on  the  morals,  as  well  as  on  the  negligence,  of  their 
immediate  rulers.  The  infectious  nature  of  diffipation,  and 
the  tendency  of  all  contagion  to  grow  more  inveterate  the 
more  it  is  difFufed,  convinces  us  that,  while  the  mafter  and 
miftrefs  fpend  their  time  in  idle  extravagance,  the  fervants 
will  give  up  their  hours  of  lounging  attendance  to  vice  j  and 
that  vice  in  the  fuperior  will  be  downright  depravity  when 
reflected  by  vulgar  imitation.  To  hope  that  a  few  moral 
treatifes  laid  in  their  way  will  correct  the  evil  propenfities 
which  are  perpetually  excited  by  example,  and  encouraged 
by  opportunity,  is  abfurd.  Books,  it  is  to  be  feared,  never 
can  diffiife  correClnefs  into  a  licentious  family ;  they  may 
pr'eferve  an  orderly  one,  and  prevent  its  members  from  going 
out  in  their  hours  of  leifure  to  feek  for  lefs  falutary  recre- 
ation. 

Books  that  are  Written  for  the  inftruftion  of  the  lower 
orders,  are  often  penned  in  a  ftyle  which  their  readers  can- 
not underftand  ;  or  elfe,  under  the  idea  of  being  made  plain, 
they  become  dull  and  unimpreflive.  Clear  ideas,  natural 
turns  of  reilecTtion,  and  forcible  yet  plain  expreffions,  are  the 
fundamentals  on  which  popular  addreiTes  fhould  be  built. 
No  one  can  rcafon  with  eilcft  with  an  illiterate  perfon,  un- 
lefs  he  experimentally  knows  how  fuch  perfons  do  reafon : 
hence  an  intimate  acquaintance  with  the  opinions  and  man- 
ners of  humble  life,  becomes  neceflary  to  all  who  would  re- 
form its  errors.  V/hen  we  can  only  fay  of  thefe  attempts 
that  they  are  well  meant,  we  a<flually  deprive  them  of  all 
pretenfions  to  utility.  A  perfon  of  education  is  oftener  in- 
duced to  read  well  intentioned  ftupidity  than  one  in  low  life. 
The  popularity  of  enthuiiaftical  preachers  is  acquired  by  their 
animation.  Bilhop  Wilfon's  "  Plain  Account  of  the  Sacra- 
ment of  the  Lord's  Supper"  may  be  confidered  as  a  model 
for  religious  tracSts  that  are  addrelTed  to  the  uninformed.  It 
is  concife  and  yet  full,  perfplcuous  yet  animating.  There  is 
nothing  in  it  that  is  fuperfluous,  no  unneceflary  afFeClation 
of  learning,  no  rapturous  flights  of  devotion,  nothing  to 


454 

weary  attention,  to  excite  doubt,  or  to  engender  extrava- 
gance. Many  excellent  works  of  this  truly  apoftolical  pre- 
late dcferve  fimilar  pralfe.  Mr.  Nclfon's  "  Companion  for 
the  Feafts  and  Fafts  of  the  Church  of  England"  combines 
the  narratives  that  are  moft  interefting  to  chriftians,  with 
the  doctrines  of  our  religion  and  the  diftinguiihing  excellen- 
cies of  our  venerable  eftablifliment.  Archbiihop  Seeker's 
**  Lectures  on  the  C?.techifni"  is  a  very  fuperior  work ;  but 
perhaps  it  may  b;;  objected  to  its  ufe  on  this  occafion,  that 
it  fuppofes  a  greater  degree  of  previous  information  tlian 
fervants  ufually  poffefs,  and  fhould  rather  be  ranked  among 
the  elementary  trcatifes  that  are  adapted  to  a  fuperior  walk 
of  life.  The  like  obfervations  will  apply  toBliliopPorteus's 
«'  Principal  Evidences  of  the  Truth  and  divine  Origin-of 
«  the  ChriUlan  Religion,"  and  Bifliop  Percy's  "  Key  to  the 
«  New  Teftament."  It  is  perhaps  impertinent  in  me  to  ob- 
ferve,  that  thefe  works  will  be  eminently  ufeful  wherever 
the  underftanding  has  been  fufficienfly  enlightened  to  com- 
prehend the  arguments  and  hiftorical  notices  which  they 
contain.  The  labours  of  Mrs.  Trimmer  to  inform  and  cor- 
rect the  lower  claffes  cannot,  without  ingratitude,  be  palled 
■over.  Every  friend  to  the  religion  of  our  country,  and  to 
focial  order,  rauft  confefs  the  value  of  her  fervices.  Even 
in  thofe  works  which  are  oftenfibly  lefs  important,  the  fame 
excellent  principles  are  inculcated  ;  and  her  fictitious  hifto- 
ries  have  the  merit  of  being  at  once  inftrudtive  and  intereft- 
ing.    I  know  not  my  dear  Mifs  J\l ,  whether  you  have 

met  with  a  little  tale  by  an  anonymous  author,  entitled  Lucy 
Franklin.  It  attacks  that  rage  for  iinery  which  is  fo  unhap- 
pily prevalent  among  young  women  in  low  life  (and  which 
miftreffbs  of  families  rna-<i  and  ought  to  difcourage  ;)  fhov/ing 
them,  that  it  is  the  moft  likely  means  to  plunge  them  into 
all  the  miferies  of  difgrace  and  ruin ;'  for,  that  extravagance 
which  leaves  them  unprovided  in  the  hour  of  diftrcfs,  and 
thofe  exorbitant  defires  of  diftiniTtion  which  their  humble 
means  cannot  gratify,  are  the  very  avenues  through  which 
vice  and  profligacy  are  fure  to  enter.  Young  women,  who 
by  thefe  means  folicit  the  notice  or  put  themfelves  into  the 
power  of  man,  can  hardly  be  faid  to  be  i'educed  \  they  are 
in  fadt  their  own  betrayers,  and  fpread  the  fnare  by  which 
they  are  undone.  I  particularife  the  above  tale  for  its  mmi- 
tier  as  well  as  its  moral.  I  have  feen  it  forcibly  intereft  the 
rank  to  v;hich  it  is  addreffed,  and  therefore  conclude  that 


455 

the  author  knew  her  readers  and  underftood  her  fubjeil ;  no 
very  common  or  eafy  qualifications. 

It  has  been  fuggefted,  that  a  proper  felecllon  of  well  au- 
thenticated fafts  from  newfpapers,  accompanied  with  fliort 
and  lignificant  comments,  might  form  a  very  valuable  fort  of 
fervants'  hall  common  place  book  :  it  is  the  kind' of  reading 
which  generally  pleafes  them,  being  fhort  and  pithy:  and 
real  hiltory  pofTciTes  many  advantages  over  fiditious,  efpe- 
cially  among  that  clafc  of  people  who  feldom  beftow  much 
attention  on  a  narrative,  till  alTured  of  its  authenticity.  But 
in  all  our  feledlions  of  this  kind  we  fliould  remember,  that 
thofe  who  attempt  to  corrupt  the  commonalty  are  aided  by 
powerful  abilities,  and  inculcate  tenets  peculiarly  palatable  to 
fallen  humanity  in  an  alluring  fafcinating  ftyle.  "We  cannot 
therefore  hope  to  have  iinpkafant  truths  regarded,  unlefs  we 
are  v€ry  careful  to  drefs  them  in  an  agreeab/e^form.  A  weak 
defence  of  a  good  caufe  is  rather  injurious  than  beneficial, 
and  is  more  apt  to  pervert  the  auditors,  and  incline  them  to 
be  adverfaries,  than  to  win  over  neutrals  (much  lefs  enemies) 
N  to  the  caufe  of  truth. 

Refpefling  the  proper  government  of  our  families,  it  un- 
queftionably  lies  in  the  happy  medium  between  the  extremes 
of  rigour  and  lenity,  wearying  watchfulnefs  and  carelefs  neg- 
le6l.  It  is  certainly  our  duty  to  endeavour  to  promote  the 
prefent  comfort  and  ultimate  advantage  of  all  who  minifter 
to  our  wants  and  neceffities.  This  fhould  be  done  regular- 
ly and  confiftently,  not  capricioufly  and  partially,  with  a  dif- 
criminating  fenfe  of  fuperior  defert,  but  without  injuftice  to 
the  rightful  claims  of  any.  Yet  when  we  beftow  peculiar 
favour  in  confequcnce  of  long  or  valuable  fervice,  or  any 
other  extraordinary  merit,  we  muft  take  care  that  it  be  of 
fuch  a  kind  as  will  not  unfit  them  for  their  ftation  in  life. 
We  muft  never  perniit  idkmfs,  unlefs  we  mean  to  mate  them 
independent ;  nor  fhould  we  allow  them  fuch  indulgencies 
in  their  appetites  or  defires,  as  we  know  their  limited  means 
will  not  warrant  in  future.  On  no  account  fliould  we  per- 
mit them  to  defpife  or  infult  thofe  to  whom  they  are  intrin- 
lically  inferior,  on  account  of  the  adventitious  elevation 
v/hich  they  derive  from  their  connexion  with  us.  Kindnefs 
does  not  fliow  itfelf  in  flattering  their  foibhs^  or  in  foftering 
their  vanity ;  but  in  a  fteady  deflre  to  promote  their  real 
happinefs.  We  fhould  allow  occafional  relaxation,  not  only 
for  the  management  of  their  temporal  and  fpiritual  concerns, 
but  alfo  for  the  purpofes  of  innocent  amufcment ;  though  in 


456 

this  latter  particular  It  will  cloubtlefs  be  advlfable  to  prefervc 
ibme  fort  of  fuperintendance  over  their  pleafures ;  for  fer- 
vants  have  often  a  moft  diabolical  pride  in  deceiving  their 
fuperiors  ;  and  thofe  hours  are  moft  likely  to  be  ill  employed 
•which  are  removed  from  all  reftraining  control. 

Watchfulncfsy  therefore,  becomes  an  eilential  part  of  a  mif- 
trefs's  duty  :  how  it  can  be  praftifed  by  tliofe  "  whofe  feet 
never  abide  in  their  own  houfe,"  is  difficult  to  conceive. 
We  require  too  much  from  that  nature  which  felf-examina- 
tion  muft  tell  us  is  weak,  frail,  and  corrupt,  when  we  expetSt 
that  thofe  who  have  no  permanent  intereft  in  our  concerns 
will  /apply  the  care  and  good  management  which  we  totally 
omit.  A  negligent  mafter  and  miftrefs  are  confidered  as 
lawful  prey  by  their  domeftics ;  and  thofe  who  are  proverbi- 
ally eafy  and  know  nothing,  are  at  once  cheated  and  defpif- 
ed  for  a  difpofition  which  (however  it  may  engage  the  aflec- 
tion  and  efteem  of  generous  and  enlightened  characters)  fel- 
clom  fails  to  excite  the  rapacity  of  the  ignorant,  who  are  wife 
only  in  cunning.  It  is  this  which  makes  a  previtous  acquaint- 
ance with  domeftic  affairs  fo  neceflary  a  part  of  a  young 
woman's  education  j  and  it  is  to  the  negledl  of  this,  that  the 
knavery  of  fervants  may  often  be  imputed  5  for  they  rarely 
attempt  fraud,  and  deceit,  but  when  they  think  they  may 
praftife  it  with  impwiity.  To  fpeak  impartially,  may  w^e  not 
alio  afcribe  capricious,  petulant,  and  fufpicious  miftrefles  to 
the  fame  fource  .''  Byfetting  out  with  unbounded  confidence 
in  tkofe  who  ferve  us,  we  certainly  open  the  door  for  grofs 
jmpoficion  ;  and  as  detection  is  fure  to  follow  dilbionefty 
foonor  or  later,  the  r^atural  tranfition  in  our  own  minds  will 
condu;51:  us  from  cheated  credulity  to  imjujl  fufp'tcion ;  and  if  we 
are  too  little  acquainted  with  houfehold  management  to 
know  when  we  meet  with  fidelity  and  induftry,  everlafl:ing 
jealoufy  and  contention  are  the  confequence,  till,  by  a  moft 
imcomfortable  and  culpable  perverfion  of  our  judgment,  we 
inclwde  all  fervants  in  one  iniquitous  clafs  of  cheats  and  de- 
ceivers. The  almoft  inevitable  confequence  of  this  injurious 
conclufion  is,  that  all  with  whom  we  are  concerned  will 
prove  to  be  (o. 

I  am  far  from  wifliing  a  miftrefs  of  a  fannly  to  be  'ivhoHy 
engrolled  with  fuperintending  the  coRduv!?t  of  her  hcu{<;h.old  ; 
much  lefs  would  I  have  her  eftablifli  a  fyftem  of  efpionage, 
and  create  herfclf  inquifitor  general :,  for  thefe  meafures 
would  only  render  her  hated  and  uniiaj^i-jy.  It  is  fufficient 
if  flae  uniformly  difplay  vigilance  and  intcUigence.    No  £iui:. 


457 

wliicli  {he  is  kmton  to  have  obferved,  fHould  be  fuffered  to 
pafs  without  a  reprimand,  proportioned  (let  me  be  permit- 
ted to  obferve)  to  the  moral  turpitude  of  the  action,  not  to 
the  cnfual  inconvetiieuce  which  arifes  from  it.  All  wilful  neg- 
lects, and  even  infolence  of  behaviour,  come  under  this  de- 
fqription,  becaufc  attention  and  civility  wet  pofiiive  parts  of  a 
fervant's  duty  as  prcfaibed  by  the  law  of  God  :*  but  avirk- 
wardnefs,  forgetful nefs,  and  error,  fhould  be  treated  with 
forgiving  lenity.  I  am  forry  to  have  obferved,  that  among 
the  vices  of  the  lower  orders  falfehood  and  envy  feem  fo 
predominant  as  to  be  almoft  incurable.  They  are  however 
fuch  black  offences,  that  a  confcientious  miftrefs  will  never 
remit  her  endeavours  to  expel  them  from  her  own  houfe- 
hold.  By  way  of  curing  the  firft,  flae  fhould  eafily  pardon 
faults  that  are  frankly  confeiTed ;  nor  fliould  fhe  too  ftriCtly 
perfevere  in  inquiries  which  flie  has  reafon  to  believe  will 
create  a  ftrong  temptation  to  duplicity.  By  thefe  methods, 
and  by  uniformly  expreffing  her  deteftation  of  falfehood  and 
evafion,  flie  may  break  ti  young  fervant  of  telling /ies  of  excu/e, 
which  many  of  the  lower  orders  affirm  to  be  no  fin.  Anoth- 
er fpecies  of  falfehood  appears  in  myfterious  fecrccy,  and 
frivolous  deception.  Every  miftrefs  muft  have  obferved,  at 
times,  in  her  family,  a  fort  of  petty  duplicity,  and  infignifi- 
cant  breaches  of  truft  ;  the  real  guilt  of  which  confifts  not 
in  the  actions  themfelves,  but  in  the  pains  that  are  taken  to 
conceal  them.  I  fear,  in  the  prefent  ftate  of  fervitude,  we 
muft  either  be  content  to  pafs  over  fuch  provocations,  or 
perform  our  family  offices  ourfelves.  Such  conduft  is,  how- 
ever, certainly  blameable ;  and  whenever  a  miftrefs  is  cofi- 
strained  to  obferve  it,  flae  fbould  exprefs  her  hearty  difap- 
probation  of  every  thing  which  is  contrary  to  opennefs  and 
candour.  But  I  would  advife  thofe  who  are  teafed  by  thefe 
unpleafant,  fbuffling,  myfterious  proceedings,  when  they 
know  them  to  be  allied  with  valuable  qualities  (as  is  fome- 
times  the  cafe,)  occafionally  to  appear  not  to  obferve  them. 
Severity  in  trifles  is  fometimes  a  caufe^  and  always  an  excufe, 
for  this  dubious  behaviour.  If,  however,  a  miftrefs  difcover 
a  conflant  tendency  to  difguife  on  all  occaftons,  fhe  muft: 
conclude  that  the  integrity  of  that  fervant  cannot  be  unim- 


*  "  Servants,  be  fubjedt  to  your  own  mafters  with  all  fear,  not  only  to 
the  good  ar.d  gentle,  but  alfo  to  the  froward.  Not  anfwering  again. 
Not  flothful  in  biifinefs  ;  not  with  eve  fervice." 

Kkk 


•1  JO 

pe.ichablc,  nor  to  be  depended  upon  in  things  of  confc- 
quence.  The  only  cure  for  malvcrfation  is  religious  princi- 
ple ;  which,  if  firmly  implanted  in  the  mind,  would  prevent 
all  that  eye  fervice  of  which  we  fo  juftly  complain.* 

I  fear  envy  is  fuch  a  mortal  canker,  that,  when  once  it 
has  deeply  penetrated  the  heart,  a  total  cure  is  impoflible. 
It,  however,  frequently  refults  from  narrovvnefs  of  thinking, 
and  may  be  greatly  counteraiSled  by  giving  fervants  more  en- 
larged views  of  the  ftate  of  fociety,  and  their  own  pofitive 
duties  and  comforts :  to  do  fo,  will  not  be  teaching  them  re- 
finement, but  fenfe  ;  and  from  the  monarch  on  his  throne, 
to  the  humble  coifng^r,  found  fenfe  zv\d  jiji  opinions  :ire  inefti- 
mable  treafures.  A  fteady  rejetStion  of  a  fyilem  of  favouri- 
tifm,  and  flricl:  impartiality  in  domeftic  management,  will 
at  lead:  relieve  ourfelves  froin  the  reproach  of  having  tended 
to  excite  this  malignant  fpirit. 

Some  well  meaning  people  adopt  an  idea,  that  it  is  necef- 
fary  to  try  the  honefty  and  veracity  of  their  fervants  by  con- 
certed proofs.  You  will,  of  courfe,  expeft  me  to  reprobate 
a  mode  of  conducl  which  is,  in  {:i-%  ufurping  the  pod  of  the 
prince  of  darknefs,  and  becoming  at  once  the  feduccr  and 
"  the  accufer  of  our  brethren."  Many  people  never  would 
have  fallen  into  fin,  but  through  the  unlucky  prevalence  of 
a  temptation  which  appeared  to  unite  gratification  and  fecu- 
rity.  Before  we  lay  a  trap  for  a  fervant,  let  us  reflect  that 
there  is  a  greater  chance  of  our  exciting  a  new  defire,  than 
that  we  fhall  ftimulate  an  inveterate  habit ;  and  even  in  the 
cafe  of  old  offenders,  it  is  pofiible  that  they  may  have  re- 
folved  againft  the  crime,  and  were  endeavouring  to  gain  a 
victory  over  a  finful  courfe,  when  we  bafely  betrayed  them, 
and  thus  crufhed  «  the  limed  foul  that  ilruggled  to  get  free." 
Let  us  confider  too,  that  every  time  an  offence  is  commit- 
ted, remorfe  and  compuncftion  are  diminijhed.  The  young 
beginner  fins  with  fear  an_d  trembling;  his  tortured  con- 
fcience  fo  much  afHidts  him,  that  after  the  moment  of  com- 
iniffion  he  refolves  to  offend  no  more.  Suppofing  him  again 
overcome  by  temptation,  his  concern  decreafes,  till,  if  he 
pcrfevere  in  an  evil  courfe,  he  finally  vanquifhes  grief  as  well 
as  fhame.     Thus,  bv  even  allowincr  a  hardened  villain  to  re- 


•  "  It  is  impofiible  to  fccure  the  duty  of  inferiors,"  fays  bifliop  Taylor, 
"  but  by  confcience  and  good  will ;  iinlefs  provifioa  could  be  made  againft 
"  their  fecret  arts  aud  couccahncuts,  which,  as  no  providence  can  forcfcc, 
*'  no  diligence  can  care." 


459 

pfat  his  crimes,  we  leiTen  the  probability  of  his  repentance, 
and  become  acceflbry  to  his  final  deftruftion.  To  prevent 
iniquity,  not  to  detect  and  punifli  it,  will  be  the  fludy  of  a 
humane  miftrefs. 

Of  courfe,  all  who  are  folicitous  for  the  orderly  govern- 
ment of  their  houfeholds,  refufe  to  admit  a  fervant  without 
previoufly  inquiring  into  their  charafter.  Hence  it  becomes 
the  duty  of  every  one  to  fpeak  honeftly  and  candidly  of  the 
domeftics  whom  they  difcharge.  A  religious  adherence  to 
truth,  in  this  particular,  would  greatly  tend  to  improve  the 
morals  of  fervants ;  and  it  is  to  be  hoped,  that  the  interfer- 
ence of  the  legiflature,  and  the  impofition  of  fevere  penal- 
ties, will  enforce  pundtuality  from  thofe  whom  honour  could 
not  bind  to  veracity.  It  is  falfe  tendernefs  to  difguife  the 
faults  of  thofe  whom  you  have  found  to  be  incorrigibly  prof- 
ligate ;  fince  by  fo  doing,  under  the  weak  pretence  of  not 
robbing  a  poor  fervant  of  her  bread,  you  may  chance  to  in- 
troduce depravity  into  a  well  principled  houfehold,  fome  of 
whom  they  may  probably  contaminate.  Certainly  there  are 
degrees  of  guilt ;  and  when  favourable  circumftances  appear 
in  extenuation  of  a  fault,  let  not  refentment  induce  us  to 
paint  it  in  its  blackeft  colours.  We  fhould  in  this  cafe  be 
fo  candid  to  inquirers,  as  to  difcover  what  was  done  amifs, 
that  they  may  be  guarded  againll  bad  confequences,  fuppof- 
ing  they  venture  upon  the  trial. 

Faultlefs  characters  are  not  to  be  found,  even  in  thofe  fit- 
uations  moft  favourable  to  virtue  \  much  lels  muft  we  hope 
for  them  in  the  rank  of  life  which  is  tnofl  expofed  to  temp- 
tation, and  furnilhed  with  but  iveak  antidotes,  either  from 
education,  habit,  example,  or  general  opinion.  It  is,  there- 
fore, more  than  poffible,  that  thofe  who  believe  themfelves 
to  pofTefs  a  fuper-excellent  dependent  are  the  dupes  of  chica- 
nery and  duplicity.  There  are  fome  qualities  which  are 
more  efpecially  to  be  valued,  and  others  with  which  we  may 
difpenfe.  It  is  alfo  poffible,  indeed  I  hope  it  often  happens, 
that  a  fervant  is  reformed  by  admonition,  good  example,  and 
difcreet  management.  We  muft  allow  m"uch  for  the  errors 
of  ignorance.  That  mild  indulgence  for  female  frailty, 
which  it  is  fo  fafhionabie  to  claim  from  our  fex,  with  refpe^t 
to  what  are  called  gentle  errors,  though  culpable  and  dan- 
gerous when  exercifed  to  thofe  whom  fortune  fecured  from 
folicitation,  and  rank  hedged  round  from  pollution,  is  not 
only  merciful  but  juji,  when  excited  by  the  backflidings  of 
the  untaught  child  of  indigence.     It  is  in  a  humble  ftation^ 


460 

in  which  lofs  of  chara<fler  expofes  women  to  all  the  infamy 
and  mifery  of  venal  proftitution,  that  we  fliould  extend  our 
arm  to  refcue  tl  fallen  fijlef^  and  once  more  reftore  her  to  the 
ccmpdence  of  bidujlry.  Whenever  youth,  or  extreme  fimplic- 
ity,  or  grofs  ignorance,  or  bad  example,  or  ftrong  tempta- 
tion, or  great  neglecl,  can  be  pleaded  in  excufe  of  a  firjl  of- 
fence, pardon  fhouid  be  prompt.  I  do  not  fay  it  Ihould 
precede  contrition  in  all  inftances  •,  in  fome,  perhaps,  our 
iirft  adl  of  kindnefs  muft  be  to  awaken  remorfe.  We  (hould, 
however,  take  care  fo  to  proportion  our  pity,  that  it  can  nev- 
er be  conflrued  into  an  encouragement  to  lin.  This  caution 
is  extremely  neceffary  in  thefe  times,  when  it  is  lamentable 
to  obferve  what  flight  ideas  are  formed  of  the  value  of  chaf- 
tity  among  women  in  low  life.  Baflardy  is  fcarcely  reckon- 
ed a  difgrace,  and  criminality  before  marriage  is  too  com- 
mon even  to  excite  furprife.  When  we  add,  to  this  lax  idea 
of  our  firft  diftin<rtion,  the  univerfal  paffion  for  drefs  and 
expenfe  which  has  feized  thofe  who  have  no  honeft  depend- 
ence but  on  frugality  and  induftry,  we  muft  difcover  a  moft 
alarming  profpedl:  of  degradation  and  extreme  infamy.  Yet 
where  Ihall  our  cenfure  point  ?  Surely,  at  thofe  who  by  their 
luxury  and  ttntempted  profligacy  fet  an  example  of  evil ;  at 
thofe  from  whom,  as  more  inducements  to  virtue  and  better 
guards  of  difcretion  were  given  to  them,  more  corredlnefs 
of  morals  will  be  required. 

I  am  firmly  perfuaded,  that  a  genera!  cletcrwi/ioiio/i  of  m'lC- 
trefles  to  difcountenance  all  improper  and  unfiatahle  apparel, 
all  needlefs  expenfe,  and  ridiculous  imitation  of  fafhionable 
modes,  would  effect  a  fpeedy  reformation  in  the  appearance 
not  only  of  female  fervants,  but  of  all  the  luimb'^  ranks  of 
life.  But  here  unhappily,  as  in  every  otiier  inftance,  our 
own  vanity  betrays  us  into  the  inconvenience  which  we 
afterwards  find  fuch  caufe  to  regret.  Some  liUy  gentlewo- 
man, adopting  the  fupercilious  hmnour  of  Addifon's  Brunet- 
ta,*  determines  that  her  handmaid  fhall  rival,  in  fmartnefs, 
that  competitor  whom  fhe  herfelf  cannot  eclipfe  in  tafte  or 
beauty.  An  attanpt  of  this  kind  cannot  be  made  without 
caufing  a  general  tumult  in  the  neighbourhood ;  for  all  the 
Moliies  and  Betties  immediately  recoUeft  fome  degrading 
anecdote  of  the  poor  decorated  jackdav/,  or  fome  reafon  why 
they  have  an  equal  right  to  wear  peacocks'  feathers.  No 
miftrefs  (I  mean,  no  vain  miflrefs,  which  qualified  negative 

*  Speclator,  No.  8c. 


461 

almoft  amounts  to  a  pofitive)  likes  to  fee  her  damfels  look 
fhabbier  than  thofe  of  other  people  ;  and  the  metamorpho- 
lis  of  gowns  and  bonnets  becomes  as  general  and  inftantane- 
ous,  as  that  which  Ovid  records  of  the  ftones  flung  by  Deu- 
calion J  for,  under  the  forming  hand  of  a  dreflmaker  and 
milliner,  beauty  and  grace  grow  out  of  as  fhapelcfs  mafles, 
and  the  world  feems  peopled  with  another  order  of  beings. 
The  laws  of  Fafhion  are,  however,  the  exadl  reverfe  of  thofe 
of  the  Medes  and  Perhans  :  and  her  humble  worfhippers 
muft  find  their  time  confumed,  and  their  ingenuity  and  mo- 
ney wafted,  by  thofe  liberal  facrifices  to  this  deity  which 
their  flender  means  can  ill  afford.  Thus  holiday  gentility  be- 
gets every  day  untidinefs,  and  occafional  regard  to  appearance 
becomes  another  name  for  flatternlinefs.  Young  women 
ufed  to  confider  fervitude  as  the  bank  on  which  they  drew 
for  their  little  marriage  portion ;  and  even  in  choofing  their 
clothes  the  cautious  girl  looked  forward  to  the  future  wants 
of  the  Goody^  and  evinced  her  provident  regard  to  ufefulnefs, 
by  her  preference  of  ftout  everlafting  and  fubftantial  came- 
lot.  I  fufpe(5t  that  no  draper's  fhop  could  now  furnilh  thefe, 
or  even  fimilar  articles ;  and,  unqueftionably,  they  would 
never  meet  with  purchafers  among  our  advocates  for  light 
floating  drapery,  who  begin  life  with  a  refolution  to  fpend 
as  faft  as  they  earn.  Hence  arife  wretchednefs  and  poverty 
hi  the  married  ftate ;  hence  total  dependence  and  helpleiP 
nefs  in  the  cafe  of  ficknefs  or  any  other  misfortune  ;  and 
hence  are  the  haunts  of  proflltution  thickly  peopled  with 
the  miferable  vi<Stims  of  vanity  and  extravagance  ;  moft  of 
whom,  from  their  rapidly  increafing  numbers,  can  have  nore- 
fource  but  to  eat  the  v/ages  of  fliame,  till  premature  death 
terminates  unfpeakable  mifery. 

Are  thefe  confequences  deplorable  ?  Is  this  portrait  true  ?  ( 
Then  let  the  compaflionate  matron,  who  weeps  over  this  ' 
devaftation  of  female  innocence,  this  defalcation  of  female 
utility  and  refpetStability,  earneftly  confider  what  fhe  is  do- 
ing, when  fhe  fir  ft  roiifes  the  fpirit  of  vanity  in  the  bofom  of 
an  artlefs  ruftic,  by  requiring  from  her  young  fervants  any 
further  attention  to  drefs  than  cleanlinefs  and  neatnefs,  or 
encouraging  a  regard  to  appearance  beyond  abhorrence  of 
rags  and  filth.  Even  when  fome  provifion  for  future  con- 
tingencies has  been  made,  the  drefs  of  fervants  fliould  al- 
ways continue  plain,  uniform,  and  fuited  to  their  ftation  ;  I 
mean  in  convenience  of  fhape,  as  well  as  propriety  of  mate- 
rials.   Feathers  rattling  among  our  pots  and  faucepans,  trains 


462 

fweeping  our  dripping-pans,  and  muflin  dreflcs  fcrubblng  our 
rooms,  can  only  excite  ludicrous  ideas  in  the  beholders ; 
while  the  poor  decorated  block  patiently  endures  the  incon- 
venience, in  the  hope  that  every  one  will  admire  her  ele- 
gance. But  I  have  not  yet  mentioned  that  acme  of  abfurdi- 
ty  (to  give  it  no  ftronger  name)  to  which  caricatured  refine- 
ment has  hurried  the  age.  Indelicacy  treads  upon  the  heels 
of  impropriety.  Diana,  in  her  diamond  crefcent,  cannot 
■difrobe  fafter  than  the  wood-nymphs  who  attend  her  ;  and, 
as  Fielding  obferves  of  his  Sophia,  "  when  the  lady  uncovers 
«  her  arms,  which  have  all  the  properties  of  wax  but  that 
•*  of  melting,  her  maid  Mrs.  Honour  exhibits  her  refem- 
<*  blance  of  bull-beef  with  equal  fang-froid  and  to  the  fame 
•<  extent."  I  have  an  averiion  to  the  Venus  de  Medicis, 
even  Vv^hen  it  is  carved  in  alabafter ;  and  1  hope  that  the  nume- 
rous bi'iclc-bat  models  which  we  meet  with  in  fculleries  will 
perfuade  the  indignant  goddefs  to  refume  her  veil :  till  llae 
fets  the  example,  there  is  no  hope  of  reformation.  In 
vain'fhall  we  preach  oeconomy  and  propriety,  if  we  fliow 
thofe  who  look  up  to  us  for  examples  the  method  of  being  ex- 
travagant and  ridiculous. 

Thus,  as  in  all  other  authoritative  fituations,  example 
clofes  the  circle  of  prelcribed  duties,  and  its  influence  on  fub- 
ordinate  ftations  is  almoft  invincible.  You  rarely  fee  the 
mafter  and  mldrefs  of  a  family  diftinguilhed  for  propriety 
and  goodnefs,  without  obfcrving  that  the  fervants  exhibit 
the  afpedt  of  decency  and  order.  When  the  heads  of  the 
houfe  are  diffipated,  riot  and  profligacy  reign  in  the  kitchen  ; 
the  extravagance  of  the  lady  is  reflected  by  her  myrmydons. 
Is  flie  abfuvdly  emulous  of  her  fuperiors ;  does  llae  launch 
into  expenfcs  merely  becaufe  ihe  cannot  bear  to  be  outdone  j 
you  will  generally  find  that  every  female  in  the  houfe  is  a 
tav/dry  beggar,  and  intimatelj^  acquainted  with  the  internal 
regulations  of  a  pawnbroker's  Ihop.  On  the  other  hand,  is 
the  miilrefs  contented  in  her  itation,  oeconomic,  induftrious, 
domeftic,  and  prudent,  the  fervants  will  not  be  gadders  and 
goffips  ;  their  appearance  will  be  plain  ;  their  manners  regu- 
lar ;  they  will  find  amufement  in  their  occupations,  and  the 
fong  of  cheerfulnefs  will  carol  to  the  wheel  of  diligence. 

Nor  is  the  benefit  of  a  good  example  confined  within  the 
walls  of  our  ov/n  dwelling.  To  you,  my  dear  young  friend, 
who  are  by  birth  appointed  to  that  moli  enviable  of  all  fitu- 
ations  a  country  gentlewoman,  I  can  with  peculiar  applica- 
bility point  out  the  beneficial  confequences  of  prudence,  gen- 


453 

tlenefs,  decent  refpe^  to  your  own  rank,  kind  attention  to' 
the  wants  and  comforts  of  others,  and  regard  to  religious 
duties,  as  refledled  in  the  appearance  of  a  village  which  looks 
up  to  you  as  its  ftandard  of  right.  Happy  would  it  be  for 
this  kingdom,  if  itifltmice  were  always  as  happily  exerted  in 
favour  of  tt7oral  improvement ! 

The  virtue  of  charity  has  been  fo  often  commended  in 
the  courle  of  our  correspondence,  that  I  fliall  only  briefly 
mention  it  in  this  letter.  Benevolence  is  certainly  a  prime 
part  of  our  duty  to  our  inferiors.  Happily  it  is  not  over- 
looked in  this  kingdom.  In  cur  laudable  endeavours  for 
bettering  the  condition  of  the  poor,  let  us,  however,  bear  in 
mind  two  confiderations,  which  ever  ought  to  guide  the  libe- 
ral hand  of  uufparlng  beneficence  :  I  mean  that  we  fhould 
never  excite  the  infatiable  appetite  of  improper  refinement^  and 
beware  of  encouraging  that  perpetual  dependence  on  our  aid 
which  weakens  the  moral  llimulus  from  which  induftry  and 
provident  care  for  the  future  are  derived.  It  is  in  thefe 
particulars  that  the  poor  of  this  kingdom  are  placed  in  a 
nvorje  lituation  than  their  anceftcrs.  Parochial  relief,  though 
it  is  their  only  bulwark  againft  abfolute  want  that  has  yet 
been  difcovered,  feldom  fails  to  injure  the  character  of  thofe 
v;ho  frequently  claim  it.  Hence  the  incalculable  fuperiority 
of  every  plan  which  propofes  to  preferve  the  poor  from  difi 
trefs,  over  thofe  which  barely  tend  to  prevent  them' from 
finking  under  its  galling  preiTure. 

As  far,  therefore,  as  the  influence  of  any  lady  can  extend, 
let  her  be  the  patronefs  of  indufl:ry  and  frugality,  the  re- 
warder  of  merit,  and  the  enemy  of  immorality.  Let  her 
acquaint  herfelf  with  the  real  wants  of  the  family  which  fhc 
means  to  ferve,  before  Ihe  takes  them  out  of  their  own  hands, 
and  teaches  them  to  depend  upon  her  afiiftance.  To  this 
€nd,  flie  fliould  (as  has  been  before  obferved)  know  what 
they  have  it  in  their  power  to  earn,  what  fum  is  necefl^ary 
for  their  fulfijlencey  what  for  comfort^  what  for  indulgence. 
The  thrifty  earth  does  not  produce  her  delicacies  in  fufiicient 
redundance  to  allow  all  her  ofi'spring  to  partake  of  them  ; 
but  when  the  relifli  has  not  been  acquired,  this  privation  is 
not  painful.  The  increafmg  opulence  of  every  ajcending  rank 
proportionably  increafes  care,  refponflbility,  and  indulgence. 
It  is  our  duty  to  remember  this,  both  in  refpect  to  thofc 
above  and  thofe  beneath  us.  If  we  encourage  indolence,  or 
fofter  unreafonable  appetites,  our  benevolence  makes  us  bad 
citizens.     Age,  infirmity,  ficknefs,  unproteded  infancy,  wid- 


464. 

owhood,  and  imbecility,  have  a  right  to  pecuniary  aid  ;  and 
what  we  give  to  extravagance,  idlenefs,  or  diffolute  morals, 
is  in  facl  taken  from  thefe  juft  claimants. 

To  difcharge  our  duty  well  in  the  relative  ftations  of  life, 
ample  fortunes  or  fuperior  information  are  not  neceflary. 
The  widow's  mite  was  accepted  and  recorded ;  to  "a  cup  of 
cold  water,"  given  on  chriftian  motives,  is  promifcd  a  re- 
ward. Out  of  her  little  barrel  of  meal  and  fcanty  crufe,  the 
Zidonian  widow  maintained  the  exiled  prophet  of  God. 
They  who  confine  their  notions  of  benevolence  to  the  over- 
Jknu'uigs  of  wealth,  forget  that  chriftian  charity  is  founded  on 
self-denial. 

Thefe  remarks,  my  dear  Mifs  M ,  are  not  neccflary 

to  you  ;  but  the  time's  require  them.  The  equalizing  fpint 
of  the  age,  and  the  abundant  largefles  which  wealth  unfpar- 
ingly  beftows,  induce  the  poor  to  fet  little  value  upon  the 
affiftances  which  limited  frugality  czn  prudently  z&OTd.  The 
ingratitude  and  extravagance  of  the  lower  orders  are  there- 
fore frequently  urged,  by  thofe  who  have  not  much  to  be- 
llow, as  a  reafon  for  refervlng  that  little  to  their  own  ufe. 
The  rapacity  of  felf-indulgence  muft,  however,  be  checked  ; 
the  pofitivc  command  of  our  Mafter  muft  not  be  forgotten, 
nor  his  own  example  of  tender  pity  to  the  ungrateful  over- 
looked. If  we  fhould  really  be  lo  unfortunately  fituated  as 
to  know  no  obje^  who  deferves  or  requires  our  aid,  let  us 
then  remember  that  we  can  further  the  beneficial  purpofes 
of  public  charity.  We  are  ourfelves  naked  and  hungry,  un- 
lefs  we  are  adorned  and  fed  by  the  riches  of  God's  mercy. 
We  are  commanded  "  to  do  good,  and  to  be  ready  to  com- 
municate to  thofe  who  are  in  need."  We  are  alfo  enjoined 
to  keep  our  own  bodies  in  fubjeclion  •,  and  we  Ihall  never 
avoid  indulging  ourfelves  in  finful  propenfities,  unlefs  we  are 
accuftomed  to  the  wholefome  difcipline  of  moderating  or  de- 
nying our  innocent  defires.  If  we  permit  ourfelves  to  plead 
experienced  ingratitude,  as  a  reafon  for  abftaining  from  the 
duty  of  benevolence,  we  fball  become  in  every  fenfe  of  the 
word  uncharitable,  felfifli,  implacable,  uncandid,  and  petu- 
lant, full  of  envy,  fwollen  with  pride,  haughty,  and  vain  glo- 
rious, without  kindly  afietSVions  to  our  brother  man,  and 
unthankful  to  God.  Howdeteftable  is  furh  a  characlcr,  and 
how  intimately  has  our  bleffed  Mafter  united  duty  with  re- 
spe^lability  atid  true  enjoyment ! 

I  remain,  my  dear  Mifs  INI , 

Ever  faithfully  youry,  5cc. 


465 


LETTER    XV. 


On  the  Duties  of  declining  Life  and  old  Aga 


MY  DEAR  MISS  M ■, 

W  E  have  confidered  the  fphere  of  general  utility  in  which 
Providence  defigned  that  our  fex  fliould  move.  We  have 
inveftlgated  the  obUqiie  paths  in  which  the  frailty  of  our  na- 
ture, and  the  ftrong  inducements  of  external  temptations, 
have  frequently  made  us  wander ;  and  we  have  alfo  confid- 
ered our  general  and  relative  duties  as  chriftians,  as  rational 
creatures,  as  the  wives  and  mothers  of  the  human  race,  and 
as  the  regulators  of  domeftic  comfort  and  family  order.  We 
feem  now  to  have  condufted  the  female  character  to  that 
ftage  of  life  which  requires  and  deferves  tranquillity  and  re- 
pofe.  Yet  even  hither  the  obligations  of  duty  and  ufeful- 
nefs  accompany  us  •,  nor  indeed  do  they  quit  us  on  this  fide 
the  grave,  unlefs  we  are  deftlned  to  hang  fufpended  over  its 
brink,  ftretched  on  the  couch  of  bedridden  inanity.  Let  no 
One,  therefore,  fuppofe  that  becaufe  the  decline  of  life  h  ge- 
nerally lefs  crowded  with  bufy  occupations,  we  may  devote 
it  without  hefitation  to  felfifh  enjoyment. 

"  For  better  purpofes  to  favour'd  man 

"  Is  length  of  days,  tremendous  bleffing,  given ; 
*•  To  regulate  our  life's  diforder'd  plan, 

"  And  purify  the  blemifli'd  foul  for  heaven. 
"  How  blefl:  who  thus,  by  added  years  improv'd, 

"  With  cautious  ftcps  their  lengthcn'd  journey  tread, 
«  And,  from  the  talk  of  fultry  life  remov'd, 

"  Converle  with  wifdom  in  its  ev'ning  fliade  !" 

ATrs,  Carters  Posmsa 

A  few  reflexions  on  the  reciprocal  obligations  of  youth 
and  age,  and  on  the  occupations  of  declining  life,  fhall  con- 
clude a  correfpondence  in  which  I  flatter  myfelf  the  pleafure 
and  improvement  have  been  mutual.  By  analyfing  the  faults 
of  others,  I  have  furnifhed  myfelf  with  better  armour  againft 
LI  I 


466 

niy  own  errors ;  and  the  {ubjedi  that  I  am  about  to  dlfcufj 
leads  me  to  think,  that  the  counfels  of  experience  may  oc- 
cafionally  have  reheved  you  from  the  incertitude  of  youthful 
timidity. 

The  primary  duties  of  declining  life  are  certainly  due  to 
our  own  family,  and  thofe  remnants  of  friendfhip  and  early 
connexion  which  death,  or  the  viciffitudes  of  fortune,  flill 
permit  us  to  retain  ;  for  this  is  not  the  period  to  extend  our 
acquaintance  and  enlarge  our  circle,  when  we  feel  ourfelves 
daily  lefs  capable  of  flowly  pacing  a  drcumfcribed  round. 
Our  firft  preparation  for  decent  retreat  is,  to  let  the  ftri^l- 
nefs  of  maternal  authority  gradually  fubiide  into  afte6tionatc 
friendfhip.  When  the  judgment  of  a  young  perfon  has  fo 
far  ripened  as  to  become  adequate  to  the  common  purpofcs 
of  life,  the  mother  will  do  w^ell  to  change  command  into 
counfel,  and  pofitive  prohibition  into  reafon  and  argument. 
The  period  between  adoleicence  and  maturity  Teems  to  be 
the  age  in  which  we  Ihould  attempt  to  govern  by  influence, 
and  to  direct  the  underftanding  rather  by  infinuation  than 
deciflve  control.  As  years  advance,  the  cord  of  reftraint 
fliould  continue  to  be  flackened  ;  and  in  proportion  to  this 
relaxation,  the  ties  of  affection  and  efteem  fhould,  if  pofRble, 
be  ftrengthened,  till  attachment  and  habit  have  formed  the 
inviolable  cement  of  maternal  and  filial  friendfhip.  This  fure- 
ly  never  can  be  promoted  by  inverting  the  natural  order  fo 
long  fandtioned  by  experience.  A  contending  infant  mufl 
certainly  make  a  pert  child,  a  froward  girl,  and  an  infolent 
daughter.  The  complaints  which  parents  in  declining  life 
frequently  make,  of  the  negle«St  and  unkindneis  of  their  chil- 
dren, are  moftly  afcribable  to  their  own  bad  management ; 
they  indulged  and  humoured  them  when  they  ought  to  have 
had  them  in  fubjeBion ;  and  then  expected  to  govern  them 
when  habit  had  engendered  ftubbornnefs,  and  cuflom  acknow- 
ledged aiidjiijlified  their  claim  to  felf-government. 

The  mother  who  has  preferved  the  affections  of  her  chil- 
dren, and  brought  them  up  "  in  the  nurture  and  admonition 
of  the  Lord,"  has  made  the  richefl:  provifion  for  her  declin- 
ing years  ;  and  flie  may  then  with  propriety  begin  to  relieve 
her  own  fhoulders  from  the  burthen  of  worldly  care.  Our 
fex  is  charged  with  finding  it  very  difficult  to  grow  old  when 
they  ought ,-  and  the  beauty  of  a  daughter  is  faid  to  be  never 
thoroughly  admired  by  a  mother  who  piqued  herielf  upon 
her  early  lovelinefs.  There  is  fome  truth  in  this  cliarge  ; 
but  the  pidure  of  a  faded  toaft  covering  het  gray  locks  with 


467 

falfe  hair,  brightening  her  dim  eyes  with  a  large  portion  of 
rouge,  expofing  her  llirivelled  perfon,  imitating  in  her  girl- 
i£li  titters  and  jaunty  ftep  the  vivacity  of  youth,  and  looking 
around  to  fee  if  fhe  has  withdrawn  admiration  from  thofe 
fair  bloffoms  of  unaffifted  nature  which  bloom  beauteous  at 
her  fide,  is  fo  irreiiftibly  ludicrous,  that  I  fhould  hope  the 
general  inclination  to  laugh  at  fuch  grofs  folly  makes  people 
often  accufe  maternal  vanity,  when  the  fprightly  matron 
only  intended  to  pave  the  way  for  her  daughter's  conquefts. 

This  view  of  the  world  has  made  me  often  lament  the 
indifpenfable  neceffity  of  chaperons  for  fpinflers  who  have 
palTed  the  age  of  juvenile  indifcretion -,  fuppofing  that  it  muft 
be  miferable,  for  ladies  in  the  autumn  of  their  days  to  be 
compelled  to  pafs,  not  merely  their  midnight,  but  their 
morning  hours  alfo,  in  the  fatiguing  fcenes  of  public  amufe- 
ment  and  private  diffipation,  as  often  as  any  unmarried  friend 
folicited  them  to  forego  thofe  comforts  of  reft  and  repofe 
which  muft  be  fo  much  more  congenial  to  declining  ftrength 
and  impaired  health.     Above  all,  I  have  lamented  the  abfo- 
lute  neceffity  of  their  adopting  the  chilling  coftume,  with- 
out which,  I  fuppofe,  it  is  hnpojftble  for  them  to  be  admitted 
within  the  precindls  of  falhion.     Contemplating  the  mourn- 
ful lift  of  difeafes,  dire  catarrhs,  afthmas,  rheumatics,  palfies, 
&c.  to  which  decaying  fabrics  are  more  expofed,  and  feeling 
the  comforts  of  fleecy  hofiery  and  warm  wrappings,  I  have 
had  the  prefumption  to  fuppofe  that  a  general  infurreElion  of 
middle  aged  ladies,  in  defence  of  the  privileges  fuited  to  their 
years,  might  procure  them  a  charter  to  authorife  their  wear- 
ing fleeves,  petticoats,  and  handkerchiefs.     As  for  old  wo- 
men, it  will  not  be  neceflary  to  put  in  any  faving  claufes  on 
their  account ;  for  in  gen,teel  life  the  order  is  extinEl.     With 
this  very  humble  effort  to  ferve  the  idol  they  worlhip,  felf 
(which  on  that  account  will,  I  truft,  be  kindly  received,)  I 
make  my  farewel  curtfey  to  **  the  falhionable  world  ;"  among 
whofe  virtues  I  gratefully  acknowledge  the  gay  good  hu- 
mour, and.  polite  nonchalance,  with  which  it  endures  cen- 
fure,  defies  reproach,  and  even  enjoys  a  fatire   on  its  own 
vices  that  promifes  to  kill  time  ;  thus  leaving  to  myfelf,  and 
the  induftrious  tribe  to  whom  I  belong,  the  ever  new  delight 
of  pointing  out  its  vices  and  abfurdities.      I  will  addrefs 
the  remainder  of  this  letter  to  a  lefs  incorrigible  order  of 
beings. 

To  the  gradual  abdication  of  maternal  authority,  a  pro- 
greffive  relignation  of  fuperfluous  ornaments  of  drefs  and 


463 

pleafunble  purfaits  fliould  be  added.  I  do  not  mean  that 
this  dereliftion  fhould  proceed  to  total  negligence  or  entire 
feclufion ;  but  that,  in  the  former  cafe,  we  fliould  forbear  to 
fet  **  an  odorous  chaplet  of  fweet  fummer  buds  on  the  icy 
brow  of  Hymen,"  becaufe  every  tittering  girl  will  difcover 
that  it  is  done  "  in  mockery  •,"  and  in  the  latter  inflance, 
that  we  fhould  fit  fo  loofe  to  acStive  enjoyment,  as  moft  will- 
ingly to  relinquifh  a  place  at  a  party  of  plcafure,  to  gratify 
the  longings  of  fanguine  youth ;  nay,  that  we  fliould  bring 
our  minds  to  fuch  a  ftate,  as  to  receive  more  fatisfaflion 
from  the  recapitulation  of  fuch  fcenes,  when  defcribed  by 
a  daughter  or  a  niece,  than  the  being  an  eye  witnefs  could 
have  communicated.  This  is  not  fuppofing  or  recommend- 
ing an  untimely  or  entire  renunciation  of  the  world.  While 
we  continue  to  have  the  charge  of  young  daughters,  we 
muft,  nioft  unqueftionably,  for  their  fakes,  mix  in  its  more 
feftive  fcenes  as  often  as  prudence  and  propriety  enjoin  that 
they  fliould  enjoy  thofe  amufements,  which  it  is  neceflary 
our  prefence  fliould  fandlion.  The  abfurd  laws  of  fafliiona- 
ble  life  require  matrons  to  initiate  Angle  ladies  in  continual 
diflipation ;  there  feems  alfo  to  be  an  cppoftte  error  in  the 
middle  clafl'es  permitting  their  grown  girls  to  go  every  where, 
without  the  leafl:  reftriftion  from  the  prefence  of  a  mother 
or  fl:aid  relation,  who  would  not  only  prevent  the  imperti- 
nent advances  of  forward  pretenders,  but  alfo  check  thofc 
ebullitions  of  volatile  fpirits  which  are  apt  tp  hurry  the  pof- 
feflbr  into  extravagance,  if  not  into  vice.  The  evils  that 
arife  from  negledled  infancy  are  comparatively  trivial,  to  the 
confequences  which  muft  enfue  from  fiiffering  youth  to  run 
its  headlong  courfe  unadmoniflied  and  unobferved.  A  fig- 
nificant  glance  from  a  maternal  eye  may  prevent  a  thoufand 
improprieties  ;  nip  a  dangerous  intimacy  in  its  bud  ;  corre£V 
a  vivacity  which,  though  refulting  from  innocence,  is  often 
afcribed  to  improper  levity  ;  and  extricate  a  heedlefs  inexpe- 
rienced girl  from  embarrafsnients,  v.-ith  which  it  would  be 
impoiliblc  for  her  to  contend  felf-fupported. 

But,  though  our  appearance  in  public  fcenes  of  amufement 
fhould  rather  depend  upon  the  wiflies  and  neceflities  of  oth- 
ers than  on  our  ovv^n,  as  long  as  our  health  and  faculties  will 
permit  us  to  add  to  the  pleafures  of  focial  intercourfe,  I  would 
advife  my  fcx  not  to  give  thctnfelves  up  to  total  feclufion.  If 
they  can  bring  good  humour  and  chcerfulnefs  into  compa- 
ny, they  may  be  afiurcd  that  their  prefence  will  be  a  valua- 
l^le  addition  to  its  delights.     There  are  very  few  young  peo- 


469 

pie  who  would  not  love  the  fociety  of  their  feniors,  provid- 
ed they  were  treated  with  kindnefs,  and  condefcending  at- 
tention to  the  propenfities  and  errors  incident  to  their  age. 
The  trite  rule,  that  old  people  fliould  remember  they  were 
young,  and  the  young  fhould  confider  that  if  they  live  they 
will  be  old,  is  quite  fufficient  to  eftablifh  the  commerce  of 
different  ages  on  an  agreeable  footing.  Let  us  pidture  to 
ourfelves  the  wifdom  of  declining  years  removing  the  doubts 
and  confirming  the  judgment  of  youthful  inexperience  ;  and 
receivinjT,  in  return,  thofe  exhilarating  fapplies  of  vivacity 
and  amufement  which  its  exhaufted  fpirits  often  require. 
Does  not  this  Idea  prefent  to  tlie  mind  one  of  the  moft:  amia- 
ble and  valuable  portraits  of  fecial  life,  exercifed  in  the  be- 
neficent offices  of  relieving  the  mutual  vv'ants  of  humanity  ? 
Let  us  take  found  fenfe  and  good  temper  for  the  chara6ler- 
iftics  on  one  fide,  and  let  modefl:y  and  fprightlinefs  predom- 
inate on  the  other  j  affection,  and  a  defire  to  ferve  and  to 
pleafe,  muft  be  mutual ;  and  furely  a  friendfliip  that  is  found- 
ed on  an  equality  of  years  can  hardly  furnifii  fo  many  effen- 
tial  requifites  for  happy  and  improving  intercourfe. 

To  increafe  the  effefSl  of  its  admonitions,  age  fhould  al- 
ways place  its  fuperiority  in  a  true  light ;  it  being  an  adven- 
titious and  relative,  not  an  inherent  difiincSlion.  If,  virhile 
we  obliquely  lecture  the  extravagancies  of  youth,  we  glance 
occafionally  at  our  "  own  falad  days,"  when  we  alfo  "  were 
green  in  judgment,"  we  fliall  greatly  abate  the  offenjtvenefs  oi 
prefcription.  The  narrative  of  our  mifchances,  proceeding 
either  from  the  want  or  the  neglefl  of  mjlructien^  will  per- 
fuade  our  hearers  of  the  integrity  of  our  intentions  in  be- 
ftowing  it  upon  them  ;  and  they  will  be  contented  not  to  be 
wife  before  their  time,  provided  we  yield  them  the  empire 
which  youth  and  beauty  may  claim  with  propriety,  and  do 
not  require  them  to  liften  to  us  as  to  beings  who  are  exempt 
from  error.  The  fombre  colours  in  which  we  muft  occa- 
fionally depicture  life,  in  order  that  we  may  check  the  ex- 
treme avidity  of  youthful  purfuit,  and  the  ardour  of  fanguine 
expeftation,  will  appear  more  natural,  if  we  direct  their  re- 
collection to  the  images  that  occupied  their  minds  in  their 
childifh  days,  and  the  little  reliih  they  now  have  for  the  en- 
joyments which  then  feemed  impoffible  to  glut  their  craving 
defires.  But  we  muft  not  enlarge  too  far  on  the  melan- 
choly fide  of  human  life ;  we  flaould  alfo  tell  our  young  au- 
ditors, that  as  every  age  and  feafon  has  its  appropriate  views 
and  duties,  it  would  be  improper  for  thofe  who  are  begin- 


470 

ning  the  talk  of  life  to  eftlmate  it  by  the  fame  ftandard  as 
we  do,  whofe  labours  are  nearly  finiflied.  And,  left  they 
fhould  lufpedl  our  views  of  exiftence  to  be  copied  from  the 
darkening  mirror  of  fpleen  and  envy,  at  finding  ourfelves  fu- 
perannuated  in  the  records  of  pleafure,  let  us  prove  our  dif^ 
intereftednefs  in  the  difpofal  of  her  favours,  not  by  z  formal 
difavoiva/,  but  by  our  unafFefted  indiff'eretice  to  what  we  have 
voluntarily  furrendered,  and  by  our  fincere  defire  to  enable 
the  rifing  generation  to  enjoy  the  fruits  of  their  feafon,  in 
fuch  a  degree  as  temperance  and  prudence  will  allow. 

I  have  fpoken  of  vivacity  as  the  diftinguifhing  feature  of 
youth ;  but  it  by  no  means  follows,  that  age  ought  to  adopt 
the  fober  uniform  of  triftful  melancholy.  If  it  prefer  the 
attire  of  gravity,  let  that  decorous  garb  refemble  the  robe  of 
<*  the  ftarr'd  Ethiop  queen,"  and  be  ftudded  over  with  lucid 
fpangles.  I  grant,  the  fportive  train  of  Euphrofyne,  who 
*'  trip  on  the  light  fantaftic  toe,"  would  be  rather  inconve- 
nient partners  to  thofe  who  limp  through  the  vale  of  years ; 
but,  fpojftblt'y  let  cheerfulnefs  conduct  us  to  life's  lateft  ftage. 
There  is  fomething  delightfully  exhilarating  in  the  fportive 
good  humour  of  an  agreeable  old  woman.  I  have  even  feen 
affumed  coquetry  appear  infinitely  engaging,  when  it  was 
adopted  to  correct  and  inftruft  a  granddaughter.  You  ob- 
ferve,  I  fpeak  of  an  affeBed^  not  a  real  flirtation  •,  and  I  pre- 
mife  that  the  a6lor  had  a  moral  purpofe.  When  cheerfulnefs 
flruggles  with  difeafe  and  hopelefs  infirmity,  fhe  prefents  us 
not  merely  an  amiable  but  a  fublime  objedl ;  for  how,  my 
dear  mifs  M —^  can  we  better  eftlmate  the  power  of  re- 
ligion, than  when  we  perceive  that  it  enables  the  foul  to 
emerge  from  the  ruins  of  its  earthly  tabernacle,  not  only 
without  terror,  but  with  a  ferens  complacence  almoft  amount- 
ing to  exultation } 

I  believe  mental  energy  and  bodily  aillvity  are  the  beft 
medical  recipes  that  have  been  difcovered  to  retard  the  pro- 
grcfs  of  phyfical  decay.  When  the  wifh  of  repofe  increafes 
upon  us,  we  fhould  exerclfe  our  judgment,  to  diftlngulfli 
whether  it  is  the  pofitive  call  of  nature,  or  the  cravings  of 
felf-indulgence ;  and  as  we  value  the  enjoyment  of  our  re- 
maining days,  we  muft  comply  with  the  former,  and  combat 
the  latter.  Let  us  apply  to  the  employments  that  moft  in- 
tereft  us  as  long  as  poffible,  and  decline  the  afilftance  of  oth- 
ers as  long  as  we  are  able  to  perform  little  oflices  for  our- 
felves. To  "  live  all  the  days  of  our  lives,"  in  a  raiiom/,  not 
A  Bauhanalian  fenfe,  is  moft  defirable ;  for  our  mortal  ex- 


471 

jftence  is  a  burden,  and  not  a  blefling,  when  the  fpnng  of 
the  mind,  as  well  as  the  iinews  of"  the  body,  is  broken  down, 
and  feeble  dependence  is  conftrained  to  lean  on  extraneous 
fupport.  In  llich  a  ftatc  we  may  and  muft  continue,  if  it  be 
the  will  of  God,  till  he  feparates  impatient  age  from  its  load 
of  drofly  alloy,  and  purifies  it  into  ethereal  mind.  But  fure- 
ly  it  muil  be  a  fenfible  aggravation  to  the  miferies  of  thofe 
who  thus  drink  the  bitter  dregs  of  life,  to  have  their  fcanty 
fliare  of  recolledlion  filled  with  the  confcioufnefs  that  indo- 
lence and  felf-indulgence  have  prematurely  brought  on  thofe 
years  in  which  they  feel  there  is  no  pleafure. 

Another  preventive  to  growing  old  before  our  time  is,  to 
avoid  incurring  thofe  habits  which  will  drive  us  to  our  own 
bed  chambers,  and  what  is  ftill  worfe,  confine  us  to  the  fo- 
ciety  of  interefted  dependence.  I  have  mentioned  cheerful- 
nefs  and  good  humour  as  the  credentials  which  will  ever 
procure  admittance  into  good  company.  To  preferve  our 
title  to  thefe,  we  mufl:  watch  againfi:  thofe  notions  and  habits 
which  are  apt  to  predominate  when  difappointment  and  laf^ 
fitude  have  prepared  the  wearied  mind  for  mifanthropy,  or 
at  leaft  rendered  it  indifferent  to  furrounding  objefts.  It  is 
certainly  extremely  defirable,  that  we  fhould  not  be  too 
much  attached  to  what  we  muft  foon  relinquifh  :  Yet,  on 
the  other  hand,  if  we  cut  the  knots  which  bind  us  to  the 
world  failer  than  nature  unties  them,  we  excoriate  inftead  of 
liberating  our  hearts ;  and  there  is  more  probability  of  their 
becoming  cankered  o'er  with  fpieen,  than  that  they  will  be 
fo  purified  as  to  render  them  a  willing  and  acceptable  offer- 
ing to  God.  If  we  feclude  ourfelves  from  fociety  further 
than  our  religious  duties,  our  infirmities,  or  the  decorums 
due  to  our  age,  jufi:ify,  we  fliall  not  think  more  ivifely  than 
our  neighbours,  but  more  aujierely.  We  fhall  look  on  errors 
as  crimes,  and  turn  diflimilarity  of  opinion  into  error.  If 
our  intercourfe  is  chiefly  limited  to  thofe  who  dare  not  con- 
tradict us,  we  fliall  infallibly  become  dogmatical  and  opin- 
ionated ;  and  our  tenacity,  inllead  of  giving  fandtion  to  the 
purity  of  our  principles  and  the  redlitude  of  our  condu<ft, 
will  render  even  our  wifdom  and  virtue  forbidding  and  dif- 
gufl:ing.  They  who  would  reform  the  world  (and  who  fo 
proper  for  the  vmdertaking  *'  as  the  hoary  head,  when  it  is 
found  in  the  paths  of  righteoufnefs  ?")  fhould  remember  the 
apoftolical  rule  of  becoming  "  all  things  to  all  men,  that  by 
any  means  they  might  gain  fome."  The  uncomplying  af^ 
pedt  of  fleril  flern  reproof  is  ill  adapted  to  the  office  of  per- 


472 

fuaflon.  If  wc  require  youth  to  facrlficc  Its  Inclinations  and 
paflions  to  our  admonitions,  we  mud  take  efpecial  care  that 
its  attentions  (liall  not  be  diverted  from  its  own  impro\'«menf, 
bv  the  irreliftible  inducement  of  an  obvious  retort^  which  our 
own  petulance  or  poiitivenefs  has  deferved,  and  rendered  but 
too  applicable. 

But  notwithftanding  all  thefe  heroical  endeavours  to  de-» 
lay  as  long  as  we  can  the  period  of  our  playing  nobody  in 
the  drama  of  life,  the  time  commonly  at  length  arrives  when 
our  excurlions  cannot  extend  far  beyond  our  own  fire-fides, 
and  our  limited  obfervations  mufl:  be  contented  with  the 
confined  amufements  which  the  domefiic  circle  affords  us. 
Happy  they  v/ho  at  this,  or  indeed  any  other  period  of  de- 
clining life,*  polTefs  the  luxurious  enjoyment  of  long  eftal> 
lifhed  well  proved  friendfliip  !  Age  is  always  faid  to  be  gar- 
rulous •,  and  how  can  this  propenfity  be  fo  delightfully,  grat- 
ified, as  in  the  fociety  of  one  with  whom  we  can  difcufiJ 
thofe  fcenes  of  early  life  which  are  viewed  with  tenfold  in- 
tereft,  and  glow  with  more  vivid  colours,  when  defcried 
through  the  foftening  perfpe£live  of  time  ?  When  memory 
begins  to  fail,  it  refembles  the  telefcope  ;  near  objects  and 
late  events  are  but  dimly  difcerned,  and  make  a  faint  im- 
preflion  •,  while  expatiating  on  thofe  which  are  remote,  it 
magnifies  them  into  difl:in6lnefs  and  fplendour.  Hence  the 
convcrfation  of  aged  people  generally  confifks  in  tales  of  paft 
times  j  and  if  they  are  faithful  chroniclers,  an  intelligent 
auditor  will  always  liften  to  them  with  delight :  but  the 
pleafure  of  the  relater  is  exquilitely  increafed,  when  a  vener- 
able cotemporary  is  at  hand  to  confirm  the  narrative,  or  to 
elucidate  it  with  additional  circumftances. 

But  though  an  occaftonal  companion  of  our  own  agC,  cfpe- 
cially  fuch  a  one  with  whom  we  can  renew  the  endearments 
of  ancient  friendfliip,  is  highly  gratifying  ;  if  the  prefTure  of 
infirmities  be  vqvj  fever e^  it  rarely  happens  that  the  comfort 
of  old  people  is  really  increafed  by  ref.ding  together,  unlefs 
they  have  done  fo  from  an  earlier  period  of  life.  In  the  lafi: 
ftages  of  our  exiftence,  habit  becomes  extremely  tenacious  ; 
acquiefcence  is  painful  ;  anguifh  and  wearifomenefs  can  ill 
fpare  thofe  attentions  which  humanity  to  the  infirmities,  and 
obfervance  of  the  wants,  of  our  companions  require  ;  and  ic 
is  jufily  obferved,  "  that  two  groaning  people  make  a  mjfer- 
ablo  concert."     Hence  we  may  difcover  the  value  of  that 

•  See  I.ctr-r  \\. 


473 

benevolence  which  unites  the  different  ages  as  well  as  ranks 
In  fociety  ;  and  fjbrejy  there  cannot  be  a  greater  proof  of 
real  goodnefs  of  heart  in  thofe  who  are  bleffed  with  a  full 
enjoyment  of  their  faculties,  than  when  they  devote  their 
leifure  intervals  to  divert  the  gloom  that  muft  ever  intrude 
on  the  doleful  famenefs  of  decrepitude.  This  was  a  diftin- 
guilliing  charadleriftic  of  a  gentleman  whom  you  have  often 
heard  me  applaud  and  lament.  With  talents  which  obtain- 
ed diftin6lion  in  the  moft  learned  focieties,  with  fuch  natur- 
al and  acquired  elegance  as  favoured  his  admittance  into  the 
moft  polifhed  company,  his  chrijlianized  fpirit  often  led  him 
to  prefer  thofe  untrodden  paths,  where  he  could  expedl  to 
meet  with  no  other  entertainment  than  the  grateful  welcome 
of  infirmity,  and  the  gratulations  of  his  own  approving  con- 
fcience.  For  thefe  and  all  his  other  good  deeds,  we  may 
truft,  he  is  now  enjoying  the  foretafte  of  his  future  eternal 
reeompenfe,  in  the  fociety  of  prophets  and  martyrs,  and  of 
the  fpirits  of  wife  "  and  juft  men  made  perfedt,  amid  the 
church  of  the  firft  born."  Happy  will  it  be,  if  the  fair  me- 
morial that  he  has  left  behind  him  of  virtues  and  talents  fhall 
excite  the  emulation  of  fuch  as  now  fhrink  with  fantaftical 
horror  from  thofe  duties  in  which  his  exalted  mind  found 
the  moft  exquilite  fatisfadlion.*     But  to  return. 

When  protracted  life  has  attained  the  period  of  which  we 
are  now  treating,  a  relinquifhment  of  worldly  concerns  be- 
comes necelTary.  To  do  this,  requires  great  ftrength  of  mind 
and  command  of  temper  ;  for  what  is  fo  difficult  as  to  part 
with  long  cherilhed  habits  of  praife-worthy  exertion,  and, 
after  we  have  been  accuftomed  to  lead  and  diredl  others,  to 
be  obliged  to  fubmit  to  be  led  and  dire<5led,  perhaps  in  a 
method  which  is  d'ljlajieful  to  ourfelves  ?  The  Saviour  of  the 
world  points  out  this  circumftance  to  the  great  apoftle  of 
the  circumcifion  jf  and  though  in  that  inftance  it  propheti- 
cally referred  to  the  trial  of  martyrdom,  it  may  be  confider- 
ed  as  analogous  to  the  common  decrepitude  of  age  :  **  Veri- 
«*  ly,  verily,  I  fay  unto  thee.  When  thou  waft  young,  thou 
**  girdedft  thyfelf  and  walkcdft  whither  thou  wouldeft  :  but 
**  when  thou  fhalt  be  old,  thou  fhalt  ftretch  forth  thy  hands, 

*  A  faint  (ketch  of  this  gentleman's  charadler  maybe  met  with  in  The 
Guardian  of  Education,  vol.  iii.  p.  242.  It  is  alfo  the  fubje<Sl  of  a  mono- 
dy, entitled  Lycid,  in  the  3d  vol.  of  this  author's  Poetry. 

f  John  xxi.  vcrfe  18. 

M  m  m 


474 

*<  and  another  fhall  gird  thee,  and  carry  thee  whither  thoii 
«  woiildefl:  not."  Thefe  confiderations  fhould  forcibly  ftrike 
all  who  have  the  care  of  infirm  people,  whole  narrow  bound 
of  enjoyments  Ihould  he  facredly  regarded,  and  thej^w  plea- 
fures  that  they  can  yet  tafte  m^  charily  preferved.  The  time 
will  probably  arrive  when  their  own  feelings  will  tell  them 
that  what  they  thought  care  was  negligence  ;  and  if  this  re- 
fle(Slion  do  not  arifc  from  an  acute  fenfe  of  the  bitternefs  of 
privation,  when  the  grave  has  clofed  on  thofe  to  whom  we 
can  no  longer  minifter,  an  affectionate  heart  will  always  feel 
that  the  fervices  which  cannot  be  repeated  were  limited  and 
cold. 

As  in  atSlive  minds  the  defire  of  occupation  always  fur- 
vives  the  power  of  performance,  the  burden  of  time  becomes 
to  fuch  infupportable,  and  their  firft  and  laft  complaint  al- 
ways is,  that  they  are  now  good  for  nothing.  To  remove 
this  weighty  preiTure  by  contriving  little  amufements,  be- 
comes the  joint  duty  of  all  who  have  charge  of  this  ftate  of 
fecond  childhood  ;  but  fuch  compaffionate  anticipating  kind- 
nefs  does  not  exonerate  the  fufferers  from  the  exercife  of 
felf-control,  which  is  as  much  their  duty  now,  as  it  was  in 
the  early  and  happy  period  of  3'^outhful  adlivity.  "  They 
ferve  who -can  only  fland  and  wait,"*  as  much  as  they  who 
fly  to  dilcharge  the "  behefts  of  divine  Providence.  When 
■we  can  no  longer  aB,  we  can  yet  obey ,-  when  we  can  no 
longer  do  good  to  our  fellow-creatures,  we  can  fet  them  an  ex" 
ample  cf  reftgnaticn.  Yet  how  often  does  it  happen,  that  in>- 
becility  clings  flill  clofer  to  tlie  world  in  proportion  as  fub- 
hmary  engagements  tear  themfelves  from  its  grafp !  Hence 
fpring  two  dark  and  heavy  offences,  which  generally  gain 
ground  "  as  we  tend  toward  earth  ;"  an  attachii:;ent  to  that 
«  golden  fnare"  for  which  we  have  now  fo  little  ufe,  and  an 
anxiety  to  fuperintend  the  pecuniary  concerns  of  our  de- 
Icendants  even  after  we  are  configned  to  the  grave,  and  this 
for  as  many  generations  as  the  law  will  permit  us  to  extend 
our  precautionary  limitations.  The  paflion  for  entailing  and 
fettering  their  fucceffors  by  whimfical  and  arbitrary  rellraints, 
is  the  lail  gratification  of  reftiefs  avarice,  and  generally  feizes 
upon  advanced  life.  Except  for  the  purpofe  oi  fecuring 
property  in  the  right  line,  thefe  reftrictions  are  unjull,  and 
often  a  fruitful  fource  of  domeftic  unhappinefs.  Unlefs 
there  be  caufc  to  fuipevTl",  either  from  the  vices  or  prejudices 

*  This  fublirac  idea  is  tiikcu  from  Milton's  20th  foiinct. 


of  the  next  heir,  that  the  family  inheritance  will  be  hnpra- 
perly  alienated,  every  generation  fliould  poilefs  its  natural 
right  of  managing  its  effects  according  to  its  own  difcretion. 
In  treating  of  the  errors  which  are  incident  to  old  age,  it 
feemed  requifite  that  I  ihould  not  omit  what  is  a  very  com-* 
mon  one  j  though  women  fo  feldom  poffefs  the  power  of 
exerciilng  their  caprice  in  this  way,  that  thefe  admonitions 
in  an  addrefs  to  my  own  fex  appear  almoft  fupererogatory. 
Thofe  who  have  property  to  beftow,  flaould  take  care  to  per- 
form that  important  duty  at  a  time  when  their  judgment  is 
too  found  to  be  influenced  by  other  motives  than  juftice  and 
difcretion,  and  before  the  habits  of  brooding  reflection,  con- 
flantly  occupied  in  its  own  concerns,  have  taught  them  to 
attach  importance  to  trifles,  and  made  them  the  JIaves  of 
pique  and  prejudice,  and  the  dupes  of  artful  blandifhment. 

Often,  at  this  period  of  life,  thofe  who  have  been  mofl 
tenacious  of  governing  others,  and  condu6ling  their  affairs  by 
the  fote  confideration  of  their  fovereign  will  and  pleafure, 
become  the  prey  of  fome  cunning  dependant ;  who,  having 
banifhed  the  relations  and  refpeftable  connexions  of  their 
infatuated  vidlims  by  crafty  fubfervience,  exercife  a  mofl  un- 
controllable tyranny  over  what  they  confider,  in  every  pur- 
port of  the  word,  their  property  ;  while  the  unhappy  cap- 
tives (for  in  that  light  aged  perfons  fo  fituated  mull  fee  con- 
fidered,)  warped  in  their  judgments  by  falfe  reprefentations, 
and  precluded  from  an  intercourfe  with  thofe  who  would 
direCl  them  right,  often  conceive  a  ftrong  attachment  for  the 
authors  of  this  moft  unjuft  treatment.  It  is  extremely  nat- 
ural to  feel  grateful  to  thofe  who  peribnally  minider  to  our 
infirmities,  and  perform  for  us  thofe  offices  which  ai*e  mofl 
necefTary  to  our  comfort ;  but  our  fenfe  of  thefe  benefits 
fhould  not  obliterate  the  impi-effions  of  early  affedlion,  or 
filence  the  facred  voice  of  juilice  in  behalf  of  our  relations 
and  friends,  who  are  perhaps  prevented  fi'om  thus  conftant- 
ly  attending  to  our  wants,  by  neai*er,  and  therefore  primary 
claims.  Stipendiary  fervices  demand  a  reward  in  proportion 
to  the  fatigue  that  they  occafion,  or  the  fidelity,  adroitnefs, 
and  alacrity  with  which  they  are  performed ;  but  the  ties  of 
blood  and  early  affedtion  are  facred,  and  cannot  be  cancelled 
even  by  the  nmuorthimfs  of  the  immediate  reprefentative,  un- 
lefs  he  has  no  ijfue  to  refcind  the  deferved  forfeiture.  V/ere 
we  to  put  ourfelves  in  the  place  of  thofe  who  claim  to  in- 
herit our  property,  we  fhould  feel  the  juflice  of  thefe  re- 
marks J  though,  unquellionably,  we  are  allowed  fome  licenfe 


476 

as  to  the  proportions  in  which  we  make  our  diftribiition,  where 
the  wants  and  the  deferts  of  our  legatees  may  be  fairly  con- 
iidered  ;  and  if  our  kindred  be  remote,  we  may  alfo,  with- 
out abrogating  the  laws  of  God,*  exercife  the  privilege  of 
sele£iiotu  If  pur  obligations  to  our  domeftics  are  principally 
confined  to  their  humouring  our  waywardnefs  and  flattering 
our  foibles,  it  is  more  our  bufinefs  to  reform  ourfelves  than 
to  reiuard  them.  But,  unhappily,  I  am  now  preaching  to 
ears  almoft  as  cold  and  dull  as  that  of  death.  Enfeebled  in- 
tellect and  increaling  obftinacy  have,  in  this  ftate  of  humil- 
iated mortality,  barred  the  mind  againft  the  admifllon  of  rea- 
fon,  efpecially  if  it  approach  in  the  fliape  of  a  monitor. 
But  lince  (hke  what  was  fuppofed  to  be  the  cafe  of  the  prov- 
ident ant)  we  ought  to  fecure  thofe  flores  in  autumn  which 
muft  fupport  us  in  winter,  let  us,  among  our  preparations 
for  growing  old  with  propriety,  lay  up  a  double  flock  of 
caution  againft  whims,  peculiarities,  and  prejudices ;  and 
prepare  an  antidote  for  the  morbid  anodyne  of  flattery,  by 
preferving  a  reUfh  for  wholcfome  reproof,  and  fubduing  that 
obftinate  felf-attachment  which  alone  can  render  the  ex- 
prefl!ed  juice  of  the  noxious  creeper  palatable. 

It  being  expedient  to  prevent  as  long  as  poflible  the  mind 
from  conftantly  brooding  over  its  own  narrow  concerns,  or  on 
the  mouldering  particles  of  its  decaying  aflx)clate,  a  relifh  for 
literature  fhould  be  carefully  chcrifhed.  Science  and  tafte 
belong  to  that  rank  of  quiet  companions,  who  are  not  terri- 
fied by  the  appearance  of  an  arm  chair,  a  wrapping  fliawl, 
and  folitude.  Reading,  as  long  as  prudent  regard  to  the  or- 
gans of  vifion  will  permit,  is  a  moft  gratifying  employment 
to  an  elderly  perfon  who  preferves  the  power  of  clear  dif- 
crimination.  But  this  can  never  be  enjoyed  in  our  declin- 
ing years,  unlefs  the  tafte  for  it  has  been  early  acquired. 
Hence  arifes  the  advantage  of  extending  our  youthful  ftudies 
as  far  as  our  abilities  and  leifure  will  permit ;  for  though,  in 
the  bufy  fcencs  incident  to  tlie  middle  of  our  exiftence,  there 
may  be  but  few  opportunities  for  indulging  this  appetite,  it 
will  revive  at  tyie  feafon  of  retired  privacy,  and  form  one 
of  the  moft  delightful  interruptions  to  the  fj\menefs  of  fol- 
itude. 


*  For  the  Jcwiili  Iraf  of  inheritance,  fee  Numbers  xxvii.  verfe  6  ;  which 
law  is  cxemnlificd  in  the  xxxvith  chap.  Though  the  judicial  laws  of 
Mofes  do  not  hind  chriftians,  the  civil  inftitutions  cf  this  nation  have  re-v 
cognLTcd  the  juftice  of  this  diflributioa. 


477 

It  has  bQen  often  obferved,  that  improvement  can  never 
take  place  at  a  late  period  in  life ;  and  the  age  of  forty-five 
was  (as  you  well  know)  determined  to  be  the  remotejl  period 
of  amelioration.  Many  inftances  might  however  be  given, 
of  great  mental  attainments  after  that  age ;  and  I  think  mor- 
al and  religious  cultivation  never  goes  on  more  rapidly,  than 
when  we  drive  our  ploughs  doivn  hill.  But  to  continue  the 
allufion  in  another  point  of  view ;  though  as  long  as  the  fun 
of  intelle£l  continues  to  ftiine,  the  harveft  of  thought  will 
increafe  in  ripenefs  and  value  ;  thofe  who  negledted  to  fow 
the  feeds  of  reflection  till  the  end  of  fummer,  muft  never 
expert  to  reap  their  mature  produce.  Juft  as  the  green  blade 
fhoots  forth,  thefithe  of  deaths  or  the  frojl  of  oblivious  infirmity y 
will  cut  down  the  hopes  of  the  indolent  hufbandman  who 
numbered  during  the  proper  feafon  of  toil. 

Permit  me  in  this  place  to  indulge  in  a  few  refle<5lions, 
which,  though  not  adapted  to  general  ufe,  force  themfelves 
upon  my  mind  with  irreliftible  urgency  :  I  fear,  however, 
that  thgy  favour  ftrongly  of  egotifm.  Beflde  the  termina- 
tion of  our  mortal  exiftence,  to  which  all  look  forward,  the 
clofe  of  a  literary  career  prefents  many  ferious  confiderations 
to  thofe  who  have  experienced  its  delights  and  its  pains. 
Thefe  principally  proceed  from  thofe  acute  feniibilities  which, 
while  tliey  invigorate  fancy  and  quicken  obfervation,  partic- 
ularly expofe  the  pofiefTor  to  feel  "  the  rubs  and  flouts," 
"  the  proud  man's  contumely,"  and  all  the  fcorns  which 
**  merit"  muft  ever  experience,  not  only  from  "  the  unwor- 
*<  thy"  but  from  competitors  in  the  race  of  fame,  from  mif- 
conceived  opinions,  from  fevere  cenfure,  and  from  that  ca- 
pricioufnefs  of  popular  opinion  which  frequently  withholds 
its  praife  where  labour  and  ingenuity  alike  claimed  attention  ; 
and  beftows  that  celebrity  and  emolument  on  a  well  turned 
jeu  d'efpritf  an  appropriate  tale,  or  a  local  fatire,  which  the 
writer  of  a  profound  theiis  vainly  contemplated,  and  foothed 
his  painful  labours  with  the  hope  of  enjoying. 

Yet,  notwithftanding  that  none  but  a  writer  can  guefs  a 
writer's  pains,  the  vifits  of  fancy,  or  the  fcintillations  of  in- 
veftigation,  are  fo  delightful,  that  their  abfence  muft  leave  a 
void  in  the  mind  when  they  ceafe  to  illuminate  it,  which  is 
more  dreary  than  what  is  created  by  the  ceftations  of  ordi- 
nary occupations.  It  will,  however,  be  advifable  for  the 
poffefTors  of  thefe  treafures,  to  look  forward  to  the  gradual 
relinquifhment  of  delights  fo  juftly  dear  ;  and  as  nothing  is 
more  unlikely  than  that  we  fliould  be  able  to  appreciate  our 


478 

own  decay,  it  feems  advifable,  at  that  period  of  life  when 
judgment  ufually  becomes  dcfcdlive,  to  accuftom  ourfclves  to 
an  increafed  reliance  on  the  opinions  of  others,  whom  we 
fliould  encourage  to  franknefs  and  candour  by  a  ready  ac- 
knowledgment of  infirmity.  The  produ6lions  of  even  valu- 
able authors  in  old  age  feldom  fail  to  diminifli  their  reputa- 
tion, and  often  only  prefent  a  mournful  pi^ure  of  Jluhhorn 
infirmity  fcorning  to  yield  to  the  inevitable  lot  of  humanity. 
It  is  more  melancholy  to  fee  rcfpeditable  talent  burying  itfelf 
alive  beneath  the  ponderofity  of  its  own  loquacioufnefs,  than 
when  injudicious  friendfhip,  by  its  frivolous  and  buftling  in- 
duftry,  contrives,  like  Falftaff,  to  murder  fome  defunft  Hot- 
i'pur  of  the  Parnaffian  field  iv'tth  his  on.vnfn.vord.  The  timely 
deftru(5i:Ion  of  all  manufcripts  which  unclouded  judgment  de- 
termines to  be  unworthy  of  publication,  would  prevent  this 
pofthumous  homicide;  and  the  friendly  counfels  of -fome 
faithful  Lucius  may  fnatch  back  the  hand  of  Cato  before  it 
iisns  the  deed  of  felf-flausfhter. 

Authors,  after  they  have  withdrawn  from  the  field  of  lit- 
erary enterprife,  may  firill  be  mofl:  ufefully  employed.  The 
examination  of  former  labours,  if  not  in  a  critical  or  philo- 
logical, at  lead  in  a  moral  point  of  view,  will  become  not 
only  an  amufement,  but  a  folemn  preparation  for  another 
world.  In  this  refpedl,  the  children  of  literature  feem  more 
refponfible  than  the  refc  of  mankind  :  death  can  fcarcely  be 
faid  to  put  the  leal  to  their  actions  •,  for,  if  they  pofTefs  ce- 
lebrity, their  good  or  bad  works  continue  to  operate  in  the 
world  long  after  the  authors  have  ceafed  to  prepare  the  poi- 
fon,  or  to  compound  the  antidote.  To  reexamine  what  they 
have  penned,  to  analyfe  the  confequences  of  all  their  tenets, 
at  lenft  to  fee  that  the  general  refult  cannot  encourage  vice, 
weaken  the  principles,  vitiate  the  fancy,  or  warp  the  judg- 
ment of  poficrity,  is  an  citice  which  refic61ion  teaches  us  is 
right,  and  religion  therefore  requires  us  to  perform.  If  they 
dilcover  any  thing  erroneous,  they  fhould  diligently  ule  the 
yet  remaining  light  that  their  wafting  taper  affords  to  repair 
what  is  amifs.  Perhaps  the  acknowledgment  of  error  is  the 
only  reparation  that  they  can  make ;  and  if  they  cannot  ex- 
fcind  from  their  works  the  pafiages  which  they  now  feel  to 
be  objetStionable,  tliey  may  at  leaft  take  fome  public  method 
to  refute  them.  «  To  err  is  human ;"  to  confefs  error, 
though  not  *'  divine,"  is  the  nearell:  approach  that  coufcioua 
fallibility  can  make  to  perfeftlon. 


479 

Something,  poffibly,  may  alfo  be  required  by  fociety  in- 
dividually confidered.  In  the  heat  of  controverfy,  they  may 
have  fpoken  injurioufly  of  their  opponents,  or  they  may  have 
drefled  oppohte  opinions  in  falfe  colours.  Satire  may  have 
hurried  them  into  calumny,  or  prepofleflion  may  have  fhed 
a  delufive  brilliancy  around  a  worthlefs  objeft.  In  thefe 
particulars,  whatever  is  wrong  fhould  be  remedied  by 
frank  confeffion,  as  well  as  all  other  notions  which  experi- 
ence, or  increafed  information,  fliall  convince  them  were  er- 
roneous. 

Suppollng  the  rare  cafe,  that  reafon  fliould  ftill  l*eign  in 
unclouded  majefty,  while  nature  waftes  by  gentle,  impercep- 
tible, and  ctlCj  decay ;  and  that  our  affections  were  not  ago- 
nized by  thofe  loffes  Vvrhich  often  embitter  protracted  life,  or 
thofe  cares  for  immediate  proviiion  which  muft  be  feverely 
felt  by  Jncrcaftng  wants  ftruggling  with  limited  means  ;  we 
can  hardly  picture  a  more  happy  ftate  than  fuch  a  ferene, 
quiet,  and,  let  me  add,  independent  old  age.  The  enjoy- 
ments of  youth  have  always  a  degree  of  feverifh  paflion  an- 
nexed to  them,  which  produces  too  much  trepidation  for 
lafting  delight.  The  pleafures  of  mature  age  are  interrupt- 
ed by  fears  and  cares ;  in  either  ftate,  exquifite  fenfations  of 
pain  and  pleafure  tread  clofely  upon  each  other,  and  the 
foul  is  alternately  lifted  high,  and  low  ingulphed,  like  a  vef- 
fel  in  a  florm.  But  when  the  paffions  are  fubdued  by  time ; 
when  dcfire  is  weakened  by  long  experience  of  the  unfub- 
ftantial  nature  of  earthly  enjoyments ;  when  the  certainty  of 
the  fhortnefs  of  our  ftay  on  earth  abates  our  anxiety  for  the 
duration  of  what  we  ftill  pofTefs  ;  when  in  our  retrofpedt  of 
our  paft  days  we  difcover  no  fearful  record  of  unrepented 
mifdeeds ;  when  we  ftill  retain  that  beft  part  of  us,  the  in- 
tellectual faculty,  in  full  perfection,  ftrengthened  by  the  w^ell 
digefted  treafures  of  our  early  days,  and  capable  of  the  im- 
provement which  leifure  and  inclination  ftill  promife  to  af- 
ford ;  when,  to  the  progreliive  fatisfa<ftions  of  increafed  per- 
ception, the  duties  of  charity  and  the  vifions  of  faith  are  fu- 
peradded,  furely  this  is  to  lead  the  life  of  angels  even  while 
on  earth. 

May  \VQ  not  acquire  a  faint  image  of  its  exquifite  ferenity, 
by  comparing  it  to  the  cool  refrejhing  calm  of  a  beautiful 
fummer's  evening,  when  the  exhaujrlng  heat  of  the  day  has 
fubilded  }  Let  us  fuppofe  ourselves  ftationed  in  a  pleafant 
garden,  refrellied  with  odiferous  breezes,  foothed  by  the 
murmurs  of  a  diftant  rivulet,  or  the  foft  tones  of  a  flute  mel- 


480 

lowed  by  intervening  waters.  Here,  while  the  labour  which 
we  lately  underwent  renders  the  repofe  that  we  now  enjoy 
more  balfamic  ;  while  our  refrefhing  faculties  awaken  with.  - 
new  energy  to  contemplation  or  imagination  j  while  every 
pulfe  *<  makes  healthful  mufic,"  and  every  fenfc  conveys  de- 
light to  the  foul ;  does  not  our  fatisfadtion  increafe  from  the 
reflection  that  our  toil  is  finiflied,  and  the  hour  of  lawful  re- 
pofe arrived  ?  Such,  I  conceive,  muft  be  the  feelings  of 
healthful,  intelligent,  contented,  and  pious  old  age.  The 
hope  of  living  thus  happily  and  wifely  for  ourfehesy  when 
diflevered  ties  no  more  enjoin  us  to  live  to  others^  folaces 
the  fatigue  attendant  on  anxious  and  incefTant  employ- 
ment. 

Is  there,  hovirever,  a  period  in  human  life  when  we  really 
are  releafed  from  the  obligation  of  being  ufeful  to  our  fellow- 
creatures  ?  Surely  none.  Let  us  therefore  rather  look  for- 
ward to  relaxation^  than  to  abfolute  reft. 

The  pleafures  of  very  advanced  life  muft  chiefly  fpring 
from  recolle£lion  ;  and  if  the  faculties  are  not  much  impair- 
ed, a  retrofpedt  of  our  paft  lives  will  afford  us  afalutary  and 
agreeable  amufement.  We  muft  not,  however,  place  full 
confidence  in  the  conclufions  which  Ve  fliall  then  form  of 
the  real  value  of  life.  If  youth  is  apt  to  be  too  precipitate  in 
its  decifions,  and  too  fanguine  in  its  views,  flow  and  fatur- 
nine  age  is  not  more  uniformly  juft  in  its  conclufions. 

Seen  through  the  vifta  of  erpedted  years, 

Life  cheats  our  hopes  with  glories  Tiot  its  own  ; 
Each  glittering  vane  a  golden  tower  appears, 

And  every  rock  a  temple  or  a  throne ; 
While  the  dim  fight  of  melancholy  time 

Involves  the  profpcdt  in  unnatural  gloom. 
And  the  fond  idols  of  onr  days  of  prime 

Change  to  a  toy,  a  lliipwreck,  or  a  tomb. 

Here  then,  as  in  early  life,  we  fhall  need  a  guide  to  covrtCc 
the  falfe  views  which  prejudice  is  apt  to  to  impofe  upon  us ; 
and  where  Ihall  we  apply,  but  to  that  never  failing  friend  to 
whofe  counfels,  it  is  to  be  hoped,  our  youth  has  been  deep- 
ly* indebted  ;  I  mean  to  religion ,-  and  chiefly  to  the  facred 
volume  in  which  flie  fpeaks  in  her  own  genuine  and  ;nithor- 
itative  language  ?  As  this  is  the  moft  proper  of  all  books  for 
thofc  who  have  wandered  far  into  the  vale  of  years,  it  is  ear- 
ncftly  to  be  hoped  that  we  fliall  not  fail  to  apply  to  what 
muft  be  our  chief  fource  of  confolation.     The  neceflity  of 


481  ^ 

acquiring  a  relifh  for  fuch  ftudies  at  an  early  period  Is  obvi- 
ous, by  confidering  that  whoever  negle£ls  to  learn  the  laws 
by  which  they  muft  be  judged,  till  their  opportunities  of 
obeying  them  are  paft,  can  have  no  pretenlions  to  the  re- 
ward of  a  faithful  fervanty  whatever  hope  they  may  cherifli 
to  obtain  forgivenefs  as  a  bankrupt  debtor ;  for  their  obedience 
muft  have  been  accidental,  and  therefore  unmeritorious. 
Nor  can  their  minds  be  enlarged  to  the  comprehenfion  of 
fcripture  do^lrines,  fo  as  to  receive  folid  confolations  from 
them,  if  they  never  entered  upon  the  ftudy  till  their  dull 
and  blunted  faculties  were  no  longer  capable  of  attending  to 
worldly  concerns,  though  habit  had  long  familiarized  their 
ordinary  routine. 

The  ftudy  of  the  holy  fcrlptures  will  corredl  the  falfe  views 
which  melancholy  and  mifanthropy  are  too  apt  to  exhibit 
to  thofe  who  quarrel  with  a  world  which  they  have  really 
loved  too  well,  and  whofe  diflatisfa^lion  is  rather  occafioned 
by  grudging  their  fons  the  relicks  of  the  feaft,  or  by  the 
lofs  of  their  own  appetite,  than  from  any  real  convidtion  of 
the  unfuitablenefs  of  the  entertainment  which  they  have  been 
forced  to  quit.  The  only  juft  eftimate  of  our  exiftence  is, 
that  it  is  a  fcene  of  probation  and  trial.  In  which  much  Is  to 
hefuffered  and  performed  under  the  guidance  of  hope  and 
patience,  and  much  to  be  enjoyed  under  the  tuition  of  moder- 
ation and  gratitude.  Man,  the  chief  adtor  in  this  motley 
drama,  is  neither  a  dsemon  nor  an  angel ;  for  the  attributes 
of  either  chara6ler,  exclulively  beftowed,  would  have  made 
him  unfit  for  the  talk  which  has  been  affigned  him  \  and 
thus  we  fhould  unwifely  bring  the  righteoufnefs  of  God  in- 
to queftion.  Man  is  a  being  endowed  vi\t\\free  ivil/,  or  elfc 
he  could  not  be  refponfble ;  he  has  great  frailties,  or  in  what 
would  the  merit  of  that  virtue  which  cannot  fall  confift  ? 
He  requires  corre£tion,  or  how  can  we  reconcile  the  afflic- 
tions that  he  fufFers  with  the  attributes  of  a  juft  God  ?  He 
has  powerful  encouragements  and  affiftances  to  enable  him 
to  vanquifh  the  temptations  to  which  he  is  expofed,  as  well 
from  the  aflaults  of  his  fpiritual  enemy,  as  from  his  own  evil 
inclinations.  Subduing  his  erroneous  propenfities,  and  cul- 
tivating his  nobler  properties,  conftitute  his  beft  employment 
in  this  ftate  Of  warfare  and  exercife ;  but  as  all  his  efforts 
muft  fall  infinitely  fliort  of  his  Creator's  holinefs,  the  merci- 
ful expedient  of  a  Redeemer  has  been  provided,  in  whofe 
merits  and  mediation  he  niTij  fecurelyy  but  not  fupinelyi  truft, 
N  n  n 


482 

Being  compounded  of  feemingly  difcordant  materials,  mat- 
ter and  fpirit,  corruptibility  and  incorruptibility,  fenfuality 
and  intellect,  the  body,  which  his  better  felf  inhabits,  alfo 
requires  his  attention :  hence  fpring  all  the  obligations  of 
juftice,  temperance,  benevolence,  and  induflry  ;  and  thus 
every  chafm  of  exiftence  becomes  filled  with  appropriate  du- 
ties j  by  neglecting  which,  he  delivers  hinifelf  into  the  pow- 
er of  his  enemies  ;  for  idlenefs  is  the  mother  of  fin,  and  fm 
the  parent  of  death.  Hence  fpring  the  duties  of  every 
period  of  life,  and  hence  the  trials  to  which  all  are  expofed. 

But  our  eftimate  of  life  can  never  be  juft,  unlefs  we  en- 
large our  views  to  eternal  exiftence,  of  v;hlch  religion  (or, 
I  fhould  rather  fay,  chriftianity)  affords  us  the  only  fuhjian- 
iial  and  definite  profpect.  A  future  ftate  of  rewards  and  pun- 
ifhments  Imooths  all  the  inequalities  of  this  life,  and  affords 
to  faltering  virtue  the  only  encouragement  that  can  enable 
her  to  endure  to  the  end.  Among  the  conclufions  refpe(n:ing 
futurity  which  revelation  permits  us  to  indulge,  it  feems  ap- 
parent that  the  bleffed  will  never  more  experience  fear  or 
hope.  Fear,  we  all  know,  is  torture  ;  but  we  are  fo  indebt- 
ed to  hope  for  our  fublunary  pleafures,  that  we  feem  unwill- 
ing to  part  with  fo  exhilarating  a  companion.  Hope  may 
be  conildered  as  one  of  the  flrongeftiw/^;-;/^/ evidences  of  our 
immortality ;  for  when  did  human  enjoyment  ever  realize 
the  vilions  flcetched  by  her  fairy  pencil  ?  When  have  we 
found  the  good  that  we  long  toiled  to  poffcfs,  afford  us  fuch 
delight  as  we  expelled  .''  Hope  reminds  us,  therefore,  of  our 
immortal  origin,  by  continually  diredling  our  views  to  the 
futurey  becaufe,  like  Noah's  dove,  fhe  can  find  no  f tire  footing 
in  this  world,  unwaflied  by  the  waves  of  afflidlion.  But  flie 
will  properly  leave  us  at  the  entrance  of  the  world  to  which 
Ihe  conducts  us,  becaufe  there  the  prefcnt  affords  fuch  entire 
delight,  that  the  mind  is  filled  with  the  idea  of  immediate 
good,  and  wants  nothing  to  confirm  its  blifs,  but  the  certain- 
ty of  its  endlefs  duration ;  which,  refting  on  the  fure  promife 
of  omnipotence,  is  liable  to  no  incertitude. 

A¥hcii  we  are  affured  that  at  fome  diftant  period  we  muft 
remove  to  a  remote  region,  from  whence  we  Ihall  never  re- 
turn, and  with  which  we  are  totally  unacquainted,  prudence 
teaches  us  to  make  all  the  inquiries  that  we  can  refpecting 
its  laws,  and  produce,  and  inhabitants,  that  we  may  endeav- 
our to  prepare  ourfclves  for  the  habits  and  accommodations 
which  we  ihall  there  meet  with.  But  when  we  fi:and  at  the 
very  hitrn  of  this  country,  our  intereft  in  thefe  difcoveries 


483 

increafes  tenfold,  and  our  diligence  to  prepare  ourfelves  for 
our  new  habitation  feems  likely  to  engrofs  all  our  thoughts. 
But  fince,  in  the  cafe  of  exchanging  the  vifible  for  the  un- 
feen  world,  we  muft  wait  "  till  we  are  fummoned  to  pafs 
the  feparating  waters  ;"  and  fince  we  are  alfo  aflured,  that 
to  perform  our  duty  here  is  our  paffport  to  the  manfions  of 
blifs  j  we  muft  not,  even  in  the  laft  ftage  of  life,  fo  look  on 
things  eternal  as  to  forget  things  temporal.  This  error  is 
too  rare  to  need  much  dilTuafive  admonition.  Our  offences 
are  chiefly  on  the  other  fide  ;  and  life  even  appears  more  at^ 
tradtive  to  moft  people  when  they  know  that  they  hold  it  by 
the  flighteft  tenure. 

To  counteradt  this  weaknefs,  and  to  fubdue  the  felfiflinefs 
whch  is  fo  natural  to  age,  let  the  lively  feelings  of  benevo» 
lence  be  carefully  cherifhed.  "  I  would  attach  myfelf  to  a 
tree  or  a  plant,"  are,  I  think,  the  words  of  an  amiable  writer, 
"  rather  than  exift  without  fome  objedV  to  excite  the  tender 
'*  afFedlions."  Probably  it  is  from  an  idea  of  this  kind,  that 
elderly  people  often  keep  fome  fondled  pet,  whom  they  cher- 
ifti  with  ridiculous  endearments.  We  muft  pardon  fucb 
habits  in  thofe  who  live  alone,  and  have  no  near  objedl  of 
attachment  on  whom  they  may  more  properly  lavifti  their 
careiTes  j  but  when  our  immediate  defcendants  or  collateral 
branches  can  fupply  us  with  prattling  infancy  or  fprightly 
youth,  to  exercile  our  tender  feelings,  we  feem  both  unjuft 
and  unwife  if  we  prefer  irrational  fociety.  The  advantages 
which  age  can  afford  to  youth  have  been  already  remarked ; 
they  are  not  wholly  limited  to  the  period  of  exertion  ;  as  long 
as  we  can  faow  an  example  of  patience  and  piety,  we  are  ufe- 
ful  to  the  rifing  generation  ;  and  the  confcroufnefs  of  being 
fo,  muft  impart  a  ferene  gratification. 

In  proportion  as  the  v/ants  of  our  nature  increafe,  our  fen- 
fibility  to  our  fellow-fufferers  fhould  enlarge.  If  aches  and 
pains  prevent  us  from  fleeping  even  upon  down,  if  we  fhiver 
with  cold  under  the  warm  envelope  of  furs  and  fleeces,  what 
muft  they  do  whofe  equal  infirmities  are  expofed  to  mufty 
ftraw  and  tattered  wretchednefs  ?  If  nourifliing  food  and 
balfamic  cordials  can  hardly  keep  "  the  wheel  turning  round 
at  the  ciftern,"  how  muft  the  faitit  heart  falter  which  lacks 
the  ftimulant  of  neceffary  fuftenance  !  Is  it  not  ftrange,  that 
unfeeling  avarice  fliould  fo  often  mark  the  extreme  of  life, 
while  the  faithful  remembrancers  of  compaflion  fpeak  in  ev- 
ery agonized  feeling  and  languid  fenfation  ? 


48  i 

Combined  with  liberality  to  the  pecuniary  diftrefles  of 
others,  is  the  excrcife  of  candour,  forbearance,  and  gentle- 
nefs  i  virtues  extremely  neceflary,  but  moft  hard  to  pradlife, 
in  declining  life.  Conlldering  what  many  people  then  en- 
dure, afperity  and  petulance  feem  pardonable  frailties  ;  and 
in  that  light  they  fliould  ever  be  coniidered  by  thofe  whofc 
duty  it  is  to  attend  upon  infirmity.  But  the  fufFerers  them- 
felves  will  ever  act  wifely  by  llriving  againft  thofe  indulgen- 
cies  of  humour,  which,  like  all  other  indulgencies,  incrcafe 
tlie  evil  which  they  feem  to  relieve.  Infirmity  cannot  be 
benefited  by  fpleen,  envy,  or  morofenefs  ;  on  the  contrary, 
whatever  robs  us  of  the  fympathy  and  affection  of  our  fel- 
low creatures  increafes  our  mifery.  But  the  only  perfect  de- 
fence againft  the  temptations  which  fo  forcibly  befet  us  in 
declining  life,  is  refignation  to  the  will  of  God.  He  who 
gives,  has  a  manifeft  right  to  refume  ;  and  fhall  we  not 
meekly  bend  to  his  difpenfations,  when  we  know  that  he  has 
promifed  to  reftore  our  temporal  lofTes  tenfold  in  a  better 
world ! 

Thus  the  bitter  ingredients  which  render  the  dregs  of  life 
unpalatable  continue  to  be  medicinal.  The  lofs  of  friends, 
the  deprivation  of  faculties,  the  abridgment  of  enjoyments, 
all  become  ufeful  preparatives,  and  lighten  us  for  our  journey. 
How  dreadful  is  death  to  thofe  who  are  in  the  prime  of 
health  and  ftrength,  and  are  cut  off  at  the  commencement  of 
what  promifed  to  be  a  profperous  and  happy  life  !  But  when 
the  king  of  terrors  feizes  on  a  vI6tim  whom  afiliction  has 
difrobed  and  prepared  for  his  dart,  his  approach  is  not  only 
ivelcomed  by  the  fufferer,  but  all  v/ho  witnefs  the  blow  pro- 
nounce It  to  be  merciful.  To  contemplate  the  advantages 
which  they  have  derived  from  paft  trials,  feems  to  be  one 
of  the  moft  fuitable  employments  of  old  age.  How  often 
will  they  have  reafon  to  exult  at  the  difappo'mtments  which 
croffed  their  youthful  defires,  and  to  blefs  the  privations 
which  rent  their  agonized  hearts !  The  beneficial  purpofes 
of  misfortune  cannot  be  immediately  perceived.  A  child, 
when  he  is  corrected,  feels  the  punilhment,  but  not  the  ad- 
vantage of  thofe  Improvements  which  punifhment  impels 
him  to  acquire.  So,  while  we  fink  under  the  preffure  of 
forrow,  our  down-caft  eyes  are  never  ralfed  fo  high  as  to 
difcern  that  good  will  fpring  out  of  evil,  even  if  we  are  fo 
far  improved  in  piety  as  to  confefs  that  our  griefs  proceed 
from  an  all  wile  God  and  merciful  Father.  But  when  we 
look  at  our  trials  through  the  dift^nce  of  intervening  years, 


485 

we  can  generally  difcern  fome  good  purpofe  which  they  im- 
mediately anfwered :  and  if  this  be  the  cafe  with  our  finite 
powers  of  difcrimination  -,  if,  while  we  "  fee  through  a  glafs 
darkly,"  we  can  all  of  us  fay  "  it  is  good  for  us  to  be  af- 
flidled ;"  what  conclufions  muft  we  form  of  the  ineftimable 
advantages  of  fuch  difcipline,  when  our  glorified  faculties 
are  enlarged  in  a  ffcate  of  endlefs  enjoyment !  Surely  our  no- 
tions of  life,  as  they  refpecfl  the  viciffitudes  of  fortune,  will 
then  fo  far  change,  that  we  fhall  denominate  evil  good  and 
good  evil. 

But  befide  thefe  trials,  which  muft  neceflarily  fall  to  the 
lot  of  declining  age,  it  often  happens,  that  fome  great  and 
overwhelming  affliction,  fome  dreadful  deprivation  or  change 
of  circumftances,  allaults  us  at  this  feeble  period ;  and  to 
evils  of  this  kind  the  female  fex  is  more  peculiarly  expofed. 
Thefe  are,  however,  felt  more  feverely  in  the  autumn  of  our 
days,  than  in  the  laft  years  of  life.  The  tree  is  moft  likely 
to  be  overfet  when  it  is  loaded  with  its  verdant  honours  ; 
for  the  tempeft  which  would  have  howled  through  its  hare 
and  naked  branches  without  meeting  with  refiftance,  will 
overwhelm  oppofition.  The  want  of  a  fympathetic  feeling, 
which  is  fo  univerfally  afcribed  to  age  as  one  of  its  errors,  is 
in  faft  a  chara£terifl:lc  of  bodily  decay,  and  a  merciful  pre- 
parative for  its  departure  hence.  In  thofe  rare  inftances,  ia 
which  the  afflictions  of  advanced  life  encounter  very  acute 
feelings,  they  who  have  witnelTed  the  tears  and  bitter  waiU 
ings  of  hopelefs  infirmity  muft  ever  regret  that  infenfibility 
has  not  dropped  the  veil. 

At  whatever  period  of  life  we  endure  the  extreme  prefliirc 
of  calamity,  we  fhall  do  well  to  confider  why  we  are  fevere- 
ly afflitfted.  Sorrow  cannot  vifit  man  but  by  divine  permif- 
fion,  and  for  two  purpofes  ;  to  prove  or  to  eorreci  him  ;  and 
both  thefe  ends  are  defeated,  if  we  queftion  inftead  of  fub- 
mitting  to  the  blow.  Repining  murmurs  are,  in  facSl,  re- 
bellion againft  God,  who  may  be  thereby  provoked  either 
to  caft  us  off  as  irreclaimable,  or  to  humble  us  by  ftill  more 
acute  chaftifements.  Even  grief,  when  it  becomes  fo  im- 
moderate as  to  injure  our  health  or  our  temper,  or  abforbs 
our  thoughts  fo  as  to  difqualify  us  for  the  duties  we  owe  to 
our  friends  and  the  world,  is  queftionlefs  a  frailty,  if  not  a 
fin.  This  confideration  is  very  proper  to  women,  who  are 
too  apt  to  attach  merit  to  tyiX.xtn\e.fiiJceptibility.  To  fubn^it 
with  cheerful  refignation  to  the  burden  which  Providence 
lays  on  us,  and  to  improve  it  to  our  everlafting  benefit,  is 


486 

ehriftlan  virtue.  We  mun:  compaffionatc  the  faded  form  of 
grief,  or  the  wild  afpecSt  of  defpair  ;  but  it  is  fortitude,  "  the 
«'  nymph  of  the  rock,"  and  "  patience  with  her  meek  arms 
**  folded  on  her  throbbing  breaft,"  whom  we  ejleent  and 
venerate. 

As  death  is  the  laft  enemy  of  man,  fo  to  fubdue  the  dread 
of  it  is  the  clofmg  labour  of  a  pious  chriftian  ;  and,  doubtlefs, 
it  is  to  expedite  this  glorious  achievement  that  the  laft  fcene 
of  life  is  generally  marked  with  privations  and  forrows. 
Our  friends  expire  before  us,  to  teach  us  how  to  die ;  our 
powers  of  enjoymsnt  decreafe,  to  convince  us  that  we  have 
little  to  relinquifh  ;  our  fphere  of  ufefulnefs  becomes  con- 
trat^ed,  to  fliow  us  that  our  tafk  in  life  is  nearly  finifhed. 
«  The  time  was,"  fays  the  amiable  Howel,  writing  to  an  old 
friend,  "  that  you  and  I  had  all  the  fair  continent  of  Europe 
«*  before  us  to  range  in ;  we  have  fince  been  confined  to  an 
•<  ifland ;  and  now,  Lincoln  holds  you  and  London  me. 
*<  "We  muft  expedl  the  day  that  licknefs  will  confine  us  to 
«  our  chambers,  then  to  our  beds,  and  fo  to  our  graves,  the 
«  dark  and  filent  grave,  which  will  put  a  period  to  our  pil- 
«  grimage  in  this  world.  And  obfervable  it  is,  what  method 
«  nature  doth  ufe  to  contrail  our  liberty  by  degrees.  But 
«  though  this  fmall  bag  full  of  bones  be  fo  confined,  yet  the 
«  nobleft  part  of  us  may  then  be  faid  to  be  fet  at  liberty, 
«  when,  having  fliaken  off  this  flough  of  flefh,  fhe  mounts 
«  up  to  her  true  country,  the  country  of  eternity,  where  one 
**  moment  of  joy  is  more  than  if  we  enjoyed  all  the  plea- 
«  fures  of  this  world  a  million  of  years  here  among  the  ele- 
*<  ments.  But  till  our  threads  are  fpun  up,  let  us  continue 
<«.  to  enjoy  ourfelves  as  well  as  we  can."  Thefe  refledtions 
are  true  iviplo"-!. 

"  You  and  I,"  he  continues,  "  have  luckily  met  abroad 
**  under  many  meridians  j  when  our  courfe  is  run  here,  I 
*'  truft  that  we  lliall  meet  in  a  region  that  is  above  the  wheel 
"  of  time,  and  it  may  be  in  the  concave  of  fome  ftar,  if  thofe 
«  glorious  lamps  are  habitable."  This  pleafing  hope,  fo 
dear  to  thofe  who  humbly  truft  that  they  have  many  a  loved 
connexion  among  the  bleiTcd  inhabitants  of  the  unfeen  world, 
renders  the  memory  of  the  friends  we  have  loft  not  only 
"  pleafingly  mournful,"  but  diUghtful  and  improving.  It  is 
fandlioned  by  the  opinion  of  many  of  our  firft  divines,  and 
is  implied,  though  not  fully  afferted,  in  fcripture.  Where 
the  veil  has  not  been  drawn  afide,  it  is  prefumptuous  to  at- 
tempt to  pierce  into  the  fecret  counf^ls  of  God.     But  a  huqi- 


487 

ble  expc^ation  of  this  kind  is  not  without  tWcd:,  if  it  teach 
us  to  choofe  our  friends  from  religious  motives,  and  confolc 
us  when  we  are  fo  unfortunate  as  to  have  the  bonds  of  vir- 
tuous attachment  prematurely  difTolved.  Another  happy 
ufe  of  this  hope  will  be,  to  reconcile  us  to  the  irremediable 
ftroke  of  death,  in  the  expectation  of  its  rejoining  us  to  thofe 
whom  we  beft  loved. 

To  wait  the  approach  of  that  event  which  fliall  for  ever 
conceal  from  our  eyes  all  that  we  have  been  accujiotned  to 
behold,  and  deliver  us  over  to  an  untried  and  endlefs  exift- 
ence,  with  iningled  fenfibility  and  compofure,  is  the  enviable 
lot  oifeiv  ;  and  if  even  the  ftrong  and  enlightened  mind  of 
Johnfon  faltered  in  this  trial,  what  is  the  weaknefs  and 
comparative  ignorance  of  woman  to  expert,  but  extreme  dis- 
may P  We  beheld  in  the  above  inftance,  that  firm  faith,  and 
habitual  piety,  were  unable  to  proteCl  the  chriftian  fage  from 
being  dejected  by  the  apprehenfion  of  thofe  tremendous 
evils,  which  haunt  the  fhadow  of  that  dark  valley  through 
which  he  expected  Toon  to  pafs,  faint  and  alone.  To  thofe 
who  lliudder  with  fimilar  anticipations,  it  muft  be  a  confola- 
tion  to  know,  that  it  was  owing  to  the  keen  fenfibility  and 
devout  humility  of  this  admirable  moralift,  adting  too  forci- 
bly upon  a  difeafed  and  nervous  frame,  that  he  underrated 
his  own  fortitude,  and  feared  the  withdrawing  of  the  efpecial 
grace  of  God.  He  contemplated  his  inevitable  trial  with  doubt 
and  terror  ;  he  endured  it  with  magnanimity  and  hope.  He 
who  exclaimed,  "  O,  my  friend  !  the  approach  of  death  is 
"  very  dreadful  ;  I  am  afraid  to  think  on  that  which  I  know 
"  I  cannot  avoid  ■,  It  is  vain  to  look  round  and  round  for 
*'  that  help  which  none  can  afford,"  found  in  his  laft  hours 
the  full  power  of  the  religion  which  he  profelTed,  and  afford- 
ed another  example  to  prove  the  propriety  of  the  celebrated 
prayer  of  Balaam,  *'  Let  me  die  the  death  of  the  righteous, 
and  let  my  laft  end  be  like  his." 

To  thofe,  however,  who  have  had  the  mifery  to  witnefs 
the  defponding  or  excruciating  exit  of  fome  dear  connexion, 
whofe  life  gave  better  expectations,  a  few  confolatory  fug- 
geftions  may  be  ufeful ;  efpecially  fince  enthufiafm  and  fedta- 
rifm  are  fo  apt  to  drefs  the  death  beds  of  their  converts  and 
promulgators  with  as  unnatural  and  fantaflical  ornaments  as 
RoufTeau  beftovved  on  his  foppifi  Eloife.  The  manner  of 
dying  very  much  depends  on  the  nature  of  the  mortal  dif- 
eafc,  which  often  entirely  overpowers  the  intellectual  facul- 
ties by  abforbing  them  in  acute  pain,  diftorting  them  by 


488 

phrenzy,  or  benumbing  them  by  torpor  and  ftupidlty.  Rap- 
turous exclamations  of  joy,  and  clear  premonitions  of  felici- 
ty, cannot  be  congenial  except  to  the  high  ivrcught  fenftbiliff 
of  martyrs  and  confefTors  ;  for  though  a  pious  rational  chrii- 
tian  may,  when  death  is  at  fome  dillance,  hail  or  even  invite 
it  as  a  blelTed  releafe,  he  muft,  when  aftually  ftruggling  in 
its  grafp,  feel  an  indefcribable  awe  at  the  confcioufnefs  of 
immediately  approaching  the  prefence  of  his  God.  Even  if 
the  feverity  of  bodily  anguiih  do  not  compel  him  to  cry 
aloud  for  help  and  deliverance,  fervent  and  frequent  ejacula- 
tions for  mercy,  and  ardent  profeffions  of  faith  and  hope  in 
the  great  Mediator,  are  furely  the  moft  fuitable  expreffions  for 
finful,  repentant,  dying  man.  To  fee  our  fellow-creatures 
thus  expire,  is  to  behold  them  die  the  death  of  the  righteous. 
When  they  talk  of  ravijljing  foretajlcs  of  joy,  golden  crowns, 
and  triumphant  palms,  may  we  not  too  generally  lament 
that  they  quit  this  world  in  a  ftate  little  fuited  to  thofe  who 
are  to  be  examined  as  to  what  they  have  "  done  in  the  body, 
whether  it  is  good  or  evil,"  and  who  muft  render  a  faithful 
account  of  their  thoughts,  words  and  actions .''  Bifhop  Tay- 
lor calls  a  perfuaflon  of  fingle  predeftination  (or,  as  T  believe 
it  is  now  more  generally  called,  alTurance  of  falvation)  on  a 
death  bed,  "  one  of  the  defigns  of  the  tempter  to  interpofe 
*«  between  the  end  of  the  journey  and  the  reception  of  the 
"  crown." 

We  have  now  dropped  the  curtain  on  feeble  age  and  con- 
dufled  it,  if  not  in  prefumptuous  certainty,  yet  in  humble 
expedlation,  to  the  "  narrow  houfe"  which  its  ruined  frame 
will  never  quit  till  "  the  earth  and  all  things  therein  pafs 
away.**  You  well  know  on  what  promifes  we  found  our 
hopes  that  it  may  then  "  burft  a  feraph  from  the  tomb," 
pofleffing  faculties  of  which  the  fulleft  enjoyment  of  youth- 
ful alacrity,  manly  vigour,  and  fagacious  experience,  can 
give  us  but  -a  faint  conception.  In  a  fimilarity  to  the  glorified 
body  of  our  Redeemer,  and  in  the  enjoyment  of  the  beatific 
vifion,  every  thing  that  is  elevated,  glorious,  and  defirable 
are  combined. 

The  review  of  what  age  requires  mufl  imprefs  youth  with 
two  confiderations  ;  a  tender  folicitude  to  miniftcr  to  the  infir- 
mities of  thofe  who  bend  under  its  prefiure,  and  a  provident 
forccafh  to  lay  up  the  necefTary  {lores  for  our  own  wants  in 
that  dreary  feafon.  Thefe,  it  is  obvious,  will  be  of  two 
kinds,  mental  and  bodily  -,  the  former  may  be  diminifhed  by 
acquiring  a  reliflv  for  thofe  pleafures  and  ftudies  which  wc 


.     439 

can  enjoy  alone,  and  which  will  be  then  fufficlently  delight^ 
ful  to  occupy  our  attention,  when  vanity  and  intereft  offer 
no  inducements  to  their  purfuit.  But  the  grand  intellec- 
tual cordial  of  old  age  is  the  remembrance  of  a  well  /pent 
life :  if  our  years  of  prime  have  been  devoted  to  the  fer- 
vice  of  God  and  our  fellow-creatures,  if  we  have  laid  up  a 
pi-ovifion  of  good  works,  fteady  principles  and  juft  ideas, 
*'  the  days"  never  can  arrive  **  in  u  hich  we  fhall  have  no 
pleafure." 

The  bodily  wants  of  infirmity  and  imbecility  are  a  claim 
upon  the  prudence,  the  osconomy,  and  the  diligence  of  the 
active  portion  of  our  exiftence.  The  means  that  are  foolifh- 
ly  fquandered  in  one  part  of  our  lives,  are  generally  wanted 
at  another.  As  comforts  are  more  necelTary  than  luxuries, 
and  as  it  is  better  to  enjoy  than  to  outjhine  ;  fo  it  is  infinitely 
more  defirable  that  the  evening  of  life  fhould  be  ferene,  than 
that  its  morning  fhould  be  brilliant.  The  difappointments 
and  privations  that  afiault  us  in  the  prime  of  our  days,  may 
be  vanquiflied  by  induftry  or  encountei'ed  by  fortitude ;  but 
age  fits  fliivering  on  its  frozen  perch,  like  a  bird  in  winter, 
too  weak  to  feek  materials  to  build  itfelf  a  neft,  and  yet  un- ' 
able  to  endure  the  fl:orm.  Whatever  anxiety,  exertion,  or 
privation,  I  may  endure  while  I  have  fi:rength  to  fufliain  the 
burden,  grant  me  kind  Previdencey  a  comfortable  retreat  at 
the  lajl ;  where  I  may  abide,  fheltered  andL  ferene,  and  trim 
fny  ruffled  plumes  at  leifure,  before  I  launch  on  the  ocean 
of  eternity. 

And  now,  my  dear  young  friend,  my  talk  is  ended,  and 
my  confcience  feems  difcharged  of  a  debt  which  it  has  long 
felt,  and  bade  me  often  ponder  on  the  meanf,  of  paying. 
/  have  ivritten  to  youy  whether  in  fuch  a  manner  as  your 
blefled  mother  requefted  I  would,  I  fometimes  doubt ;  buc 
this  I  know,  I  have  in  all  my  precepts  kept  her  in  my  eye, 
and  endeavoured  to  enforce  thofe  fentiraents,  and  recom- 
mend thofe  habits,  which  my  intimate  knowledge  of  her 
character  tells  me  fhe  would  have  approved.  I  may,  there- 
fore, folace  myfelf  with  the  thought  that  I  have  endeavoured 
to  fulfil  her  injunftion. 

At  the  commencement  of  thefe  letters,  I  felt  difcouraged 
ut  the  extenfivenefs  of  the  plan,  for  the  due  execution  of 
which  my  numerous  domeftic  duties  left  me  little  leifure. 
Whoever  juftly  appreciates  public  favour  muft  be  ftrongly 
folicitous  to  prelerve  it,  and  of  courfe  anxious  to  ward  off 
O  o  o 


490 

whatever  threatens  its  diminution.  In  this  point  I  continue 
vulnerable,  even  to  ti?jiid  ftifceptibility.  The  difilcuhy  of 
writing  upon  fubjedls  which  we  have  before  difcufled,  in- 
creafes  with  every  fucceffive  compofition.  A  defire  to  guard 
againft  repetition,  on  the  one  hand,  obliges  us  to  a  weari- 
fome  purfuit  of  novelty ;  and  the  dread  of  contradidling 
what  we  have  before  advanced,  impofes  a  painful  reftraint 
upon  invention.  If,  while  we  avoid  thefe  faults,  we  can 
alfo  fleer  clear  of  affectation  and  dulnefs,  we  muft  efteem 
ourfelves  fingularly  fortunate.  Writing  from  the  di6lates  of 
my  heart,  and  from  jixed  principles,  made  it  lefs  probable 
that  I  fhould  unfay  my  former  teflimony ;  but  the  danger  of 
difgufling  my  readers  by  endlefs  repetition  proportignably 
increafed. 

Popular  applaufe  is  proverbially  capricious  *,  it  is  often 
diftributed  by  mere  chance,  and  frequently  it  is  rather  a  caf^ 
ual  bounty,  extorted  by  the  fituation  of  the  writer,  or  the 
fubje^l  of  the  work,  than  the  juft  tribute  which  difcernment 
pays  to  defert :  in  either  of  the  above  cafes  it  cannot  be 
umfonn  or  ptrmamut.  To  this  confideration  muft  be  added, 
the  certainty  of  meeting  with  that  increafed  degree  of  oppo- 
fition  which  fuccefs  is  fure  to  create.  The  firfl  efforts  of  a 
young  author  are  generally  mofl  favourably  received  by  the 
public  ;  not  only  from  a  generous  defire  of  encouraging 
merit,  but  from  the  forbearance  of  thofe  who  are  feldom  in- 
clined "  to  cry  havoc  and  let  flip  the  dogs  of  war"  on  igno- 
ble game,  and  who  confequently  indemnify  themfelves  for 
this  moderation  by  their  more  vigorous  purfuit  of  what  ap- 
pears like  eflabliflied  reputation.  This  temper  is  particular- 
ly vifible,  ^vhen  the  envy  incident  to  authorfliip  is  ftimulat- 
cd  by  theological  (I  will  not  fay  by  religious)  differences. 
It  is  impnjfible  for  the  liveliefl  imagination  to  predici  what  a 
doughty  polemic  will  report  of  a  work  v/hich  labours  to  pull 
down  the  flrong  holds  of  herefy  and  fchifm.  In  different 
circles,  and  in  different  reviews,  this  book  will  probably  be 
ftyled  formal  and  fanatical,  inculcating  mere  worldly  wifdom, 
and  enforcing  unneceffary  niceties,  while  its  author  is  fuc- 
ceflively  termed  a  latitudenarian  and  a  bigot.  I  could  men- 
tion other  general  reafons  which  might  have  induced  me  to 
lie  by  on  the  fhelf  for  the  remainder  of  my  days,  befidc 
feveral  private  caufes  of  a  depreffing  nature,  that  are  conneft- 
ed  with  my  peculiar  fiiuation.  One  of  thefe  is  the  lofs  of  near- 
ly all  the  friends  of  my  early  life,  who  encouraged  or  affifted 
my  literary  purfuits  j  and  my  fecluiion  from  fuch  fociety  as  is 


491 

mod  apt  to  invigorate  the  intelle<n:ual  faculties,  which  ever 
receive  their  beft  ftlmulus  from  the  colllfion  of  aftlve  and 
ingenuous  minds  employed  In  fimllar  purfuits. 

Perfeverance  gradually  leflcned  the  difficulties  which  at 
firft  feemed  fo  formidable.  I  found  my  mind  gather  ftrength 
in  proportion  as  I  detached  It  from  ujelefs  contemplations 
and  vain  regrets  ;  and  the  apprehenlion  of  forfeiting  the  es- 
timation In  which  my  former  attempts  have  been  kindly 
held  (at  firft  fo  formidable,)  was  gradually  weakened,  under 
the  flattering  fuggeftion  that  my  prefent  attempt  might  be 
allowed  to  ftand  by  their  fide,  and  rank  with  them  in  the 
warfare  which  the  friends  of  decorum  (I  hope  not  unfuc- 
cefsfuUy)  maintain  with  «  every  evil  word  and  work."  To 
promote  the  eternal  welfare  of  our  fellow-creatures,  is  a 
ftimulus,  compared  to  which,  all  the  allurements  that  fame 
and  ambition  ever  prefeated  are  lighter  in  the  balance  than 
vanity  itfelf. 

I  had  no  intention  to  fpeak  of  the  political  afpeft  of  the 
times  ;  fuch  difcuffions,  further  than  as  they  are  connefted 
with  religion  and  virtue,  are  ill  adapted  to  my  fex  or  my 
abilities.  On  its  moral  features  I  have  dwelt  diffufely  -,  and 
general  opinion  will  bear  me  out  when  I  fay  that  they  are 
truly  alarming.  A  very  refpectable  authority  has  determin- 
ed, that  the  danger  to  be  apprehended  from  what  are  fi:yled 
French  and  German  principles  rapidly  dimlnifhes.  The 
bolder  dogmas  of  thofe  impious  fchools  were,  I  believe,  al- 
ways too  abfurd  and  profligate  for  the  found  fenfe  and  de- 
corous habits  of  Englilhmen  :  but  it  Is  impofiible  to  touch 
pitch  without  being  defiled  ;  and  the  general  rage  for  tliat 
peftilential  literature,  though  it  has  not  changed  us  Into  n 
nation  of  delfts,  anarchifts,  and  reprobates,  has  made  us  in- 
dlfferents  and  fenfuallfts ;  while  the  cant  phrafes  of  liberty 
and  energy,  though  they  have  not  roufed  us  to  ruin  the  fair- 
eft:  fabric  of  government  that  ever  human  wifdom  contrived, 
have  introduced  a  fplrit  of  inrubordinatiou  and  envy  of  our 
immediate  fuperiors,  which  Is  vifible  In  the  delight  that  all 
ranks  feel  to  outftiine  and  traduce  thofe  who  are  above  thcni- 
felves.  Our  commercial  opulence  greatly  Increafes  thcfe 
faults ;  a  reftlefs  purfuit  of  wealth  leaves  little  lelfure  for  re- 
ligious attainments  :  hence  we  may  trace,  on  one  fide,  the 
alarming  progrefs  of  fanatlclfm,  which  boldly  and  exclufive- 
ly  claims  to  itfelf  the  honours  due  to  rational,  fteady,  hum- 
ble piety ;  and  on  the  other,  we  fee  the  dreadful  negledl  of 
public  worfliip,  and  all  that  blind  and  timid  dependance  on 


4D2 

fccond  caufes,  which  befpeak  a  people  "  who  know  not  God." 
To  thefe  we  muft  add  that  laxity  of  public  opinion,  with 
refpeiS^  to  moral  turpitude,  which  is  fo  alarmingly  vifible  in 
the  raafs  of  local  publications  and  general  converfation.  I 
will  inftance  in  probity  and  chaftity,  the  cardinal  virtues  of 
the  two  fexes.  To  counterbalance  this  mafs  of  evil  in  our 
national  charafter,  we  may  plead  that  we  ftill  retain  our  an- 
cient dillin£tions  of  courage  and  liberality,  which  certainly 
fisver  were  more  confpicuous  than  under  the  prefent  fevere 
trial. 

The  accufations  that  have  been  brought  againft:  our  fex 
for  contributing  to,  or  I  fhould  rather  fay  accelerating,  the 
downfal  of  our  moral  fame,  are  of  a  very  ferious  nature.  It 
is  faid  that  we  have  deferted  the  ftation  in  which  our  Creator 
placed  us,  and  that,  from  the  help-mates,  we  are  become  the 
incumbrances  of  man.  We  are  charged  with  ingrafting  the 
worft  part  of  the  Afiatic  on  the  Britilh  character,  and  with 
being  now  as  volitptiioiiSy  but  not  -ds  fuhmijfive^  as  the  degrad- 
ed inhabitants  of  the  eaftern  harems.  The  word  wife  is 
conlidered  by  men  as  indicative  of  a  vehicle  for  extravagant 
expenditure  ;  and  woman  is  fuppofed  to  mean  a  venal  batibki 
whom  few  can  afi'ord  to  purchafe.  It  would  be  eafy  for  us 
to  recriminate  on  the  bad  habits  of  the  other  fex ;  but  this 
would  produce  no  good  effect.  I  fear  v/e  have  too  much 
reafon  to  own  the  foibles  and  faults  on  v/hich  this  fevere 
charge  is  founded  \  and  though  I  think  the  queAion  of  our 
fuperiority  in  comparative  worth  is  fairly  tenable,  enough  of 
blame  ftill  adheres  to  us  to  render  the  talk  of  immediate 
refornration  indifpenfable. 

I  have  ftated,  that  happinefs  is  combined  with  duty ;  but 
then  I  fpoke  of  happinefs  in  a  religious  point  of  view,  not 
as  including  external  profperity,  or  exemption  from  trial.  I 
have  faid  little  of  expedience  •,  for  though,  in  a  political 
fenfe,  we  muft  connect  piety  and  virtue  to  thofe  external 
circumftances  with  which  they  can  well  incorporate,  fitnefs 
and  propriety  are  not  the  legitimate  foundations  on  which 
we  fhould  feek  to  erecl  the  maify  pile  of  perfect  hollnefs  •, 
for  that  purpofe,  we  muft  fele6l  materials  that  are  the  growth 
of  another  world.  I  have  paid  little  attention  to  external 
appearance,  or  polite  accompliftiments  -,  not  becaule  I  think 
them  unimportant,  much  lefs  from  a  deftre  that  genuine  vir- 
tue fliould  unwifely  decline  all  adventitious  adornings  ;  but^ 
becaufe  the  prefent  times  lliow  no  difpofition  to  underrate 
ihefe  advantages.     I'd  a  limilar  reafon,  I  have  not  beftow-t 


493 

ed  much,  labour  in  recommending  fajhiomhle  virtues  ;  I  have 
only  endeavoured  to  place  them  on  their  proper  bails,  chrif- 
tianity. 

I  have  particularly  pointed  my  hoflillty  at  that  falfe  can- 
dour, and  puling  liberality,  vs^hich  meets  with  fo  much  fuf- 
picious  admiration  among  the  teachers  of  the  new  fchool ; 
who,  under  the  pretext  of  introducing  more  exalted  purity, 
prepare  our  minds  for  every  vice,  bydivefting  us  of  our  nat- 
ural abhorrence  of  what  Wjififtd.  That  rage  for  diftindlion 
and  parade  which  infatuates  the  moft  refpedlable  and  impor- 
tant part  of  the  community,  and  all  its  ridiculous  appenda- 
ges, of  vanity,  frivolity  and  afFetStation,  have  called  forth  my 
fevere  reprehenlion.  In  fine,  I  have  endeavoured  to  the 
vtmoji  of  my  abilities,  not  only  to  enforce  the  domeftic  duties, 
but  to  enlarge  the  foundation  on  which  they  Hand  j  and  to 
this  purpofe  I  have  employed  a  confiderable  portion  of  this 
work  in  elucidating  the  elements  of  chriftian  knowledge,  and 
recommending  them  to  univerfal  attention.  My  guide  in 
this  particular  has  been  our  maternal  churchy  whom  I  have 
laboured  to  defend  from  the  cenfures  of  her  avowed  ene- 
mies, and  the  charge  of  defe<ftion,  now  fo  ftrongly  and  un- 
juftly  urged  againfi:  her  by  dubious  brethren.  My  motive 
fo  to  do  has  proceeded  from  my  firm  belief  of  her  general 
excellence,  and  my  conviction,  founded  on  experience,  that, 
next  to  indift'erence  on  religious  points,  indifcreet  zeal  is  moft 
fatal  to  individual  virtue  and  peace  ot  mind.  Lamenting  to 
fee  well  meaning  people  place  that  merit  in  diflent  and  An- 
gularity, which  (except  in  very  peculiar  cafes)  is  due  to  con- 
formity and  humility,  I  have  endeavoured  to  refcue  the 
Church  of  England  from  the  reproaches  that  have  been 
thrown  upon  her  ;  and  in  this  the  labours  of  her  befi:  de- 
fenders have  been  my  revered  guides.  My  motive  for  incor- 
porating fo  much  of  their  arguments  with  my  own  conneiV- 
ing  remarks,  will,  I  hope,  be  candidly  excufed  by  their  zeal 
for  the  glory  of  God  ;  fince  it  proceeded  from  my  very  fin- 
cere  defire  to  fee  much  important  knowledge  univerfally  dif- 
fuled  among  my  own  fex,  who  are  generally  fearful  of  read- 
ing extenfive  works  in  divinity,  that  are  profeffedly  contro- 
verfial ;  and  being  by  this  difiidence  kept  ignorant  of  what 
can  really  be  urged  in  fupport.of  the  church  into  which  they 
are  baptized,  they  fall  a  ready  prey  to  thofe  preachers  of  dif- 
fenfion,  who,  in  their  zeal  to  make  profelytes,  neither  re- 
fpedt  the  fundamental  laws  of  our  confiitution,  the  privacy 
of  domeftic  retirement,  nor  the  peace  of  families. 


494 

To  originality  of  defign  I  make  no  prctenfions.  I  am 
only  one  of  man^  thoufand  labourers  who  h.zvc  for  ages  cultivat- 
ed a  fruitful  field ;  and  I  difclaim  every  attempt  to  pradlifc 
experimental  hufbandry.  The  fcene  of  our  toil  is  fpacious  j 
briers  and  weeds  rapidly  fpring  up  ;  and  the  enemy  to  the 
Lord  of  the  foil,  not  content  with  furreptitioufly  fowing 
tares,  endeavours  to  introduce  new  modes  of  culture,  which, 
under  the  pretence  of  improvements,  will  convert  the  garden 
of  God  into  a  lleril  and  naked  wildernefs,  where  the  feed  of 
immortality  can  never  take  root.  Hence  the  necellity  of 
additional  labourers,  fome  of  whom  muft  aft  as  watchmen 
while  others  carry  home  the  harveft.  "  BlefTed  are  they 
whom  the  Lord,  when  he  cometh,"  fhall  find  vigilant  and 
faithful,  fpeaking  the  words  of  truth  with  Jifig/enefs  of  heart, 
and  preferring  the  unchangeable  approbation  of  God  to  the 
evanefcent  praife  of  men. 

I  have  been  fo  anxious  to  avoid  omitting  any  reflexions 
that  feemed  connefted  with  my  defign,  that  I  fear  I  ought 
to  ofFer  many  apologies  to  the  public  for  reintroducing  fome 
fubjecls  under  another  head,  which  I  had  previoufly  dif^ 
cufled.  Whatever  indulgence  I  may  hope  from  the  candour 
of  my  readers,  or  from  the  partiality  of  my  friends,  I  antici- 
pate many  jells  from  the  adverfaries  of  my  defign  (I  am  not 
confcious  of  having  any  perfonal  enemies  •,)  and  the  not  un- 
apt comparifons  of  the  jog-trot  of  the  pack-horfe,  and  the 
tedious  monotony  of  his  bells,  may  deter  many  people  from 
looking  at  my  book,  before  they  protefl  that  they  are  difguft- 
ed  with  its  famenefs.  The  truth  is  this  :  the  leading  ideas 
which  occupied  my  mind  were  fo  fuperlatively  important, 
that  I  felt  it  to  be  my  duty  to  bring  them  frequently  upon 
the  foreground,  and  to  prove  their  confequence  by  fliowing 
their  various  bearings  and  relations.  Generally  fpeaking, 
they  are  either  confiderations  which  the  prefent  age  is  in- 
clined to  overlook,  or  elfe  erroneous  principles  fanftioned 
by  cuflom,  or  eftabliflied  by  fophifiry-  In  either  cafe,  my 
difTuafive  warnings  feemed  to  require  all  the  enforcement 
which  they  Gould  receive.  Even  verbal  repetition  has  been 
fometim^'s  fludloufly  adopted,  from  a  conviction  that  per- 
fuafion  is  more  important  than  novelty,  and  from  the  hope 
that  by  this  means  memory  might  become  an  ally  to  virtue 
and  piety. 

I  plead  guilty  to  the  charge  of  wifliing  to  keep  my  fair 
countrywomen  entirely  Britifh.  I  think  that  epithet  infi- 
nitely more  defirable  than  pliilofopher  or  cofmopolite.     Thefe 


495 

latter  terms  can  only  be  applied  to  a  few  in  an  honourable 
fenfe  •,  and,  if  univerfally  afpired  to,  muft  occafion  the  facri- 
fice  of  that  part  of  our  characters  which  is  moft  valuable. 
Thofe  who  are  merely  pretenders  to  thefe  diftinftions  are 
worfe  than  worthlefs,  they  are  detejiahle ;  but  fhe  who  fets 
out  with  a  humble  yet  firm  refolution  of  *'  doing  her  duty 
«  in  that  ftate  of  life  to  which  it  fhall  pleafe  God  to  call 
*'  her,"  cannot  fail  of  being  refpe£lable,  however  mean  her 
ftation,  however  calamitous  her  lot.  And  infinitely  more 
blefled  will  her  condition  be  than  my  own,  if  I  confine  my 
fenfe  of  chriftianlty  to  the  eafy  labour  of  teaching  others^  with- 
out recoUefting  that  I  alfo  am  required  to  fight  the  fame 
good  fight  of  faith ;  for  it  is  not  the  orator  who  encourages 
the  combatants  to  buckle  on  their  arms,  but  the  viElor  who 
iubdues  his  fpiritual  enemies,  that  will  receive  the  crown. 

My  motives  for  addrefllng  thefe  admonitions  to  one  who 
fo  little  requires  to  be  taught  her  duty,  have  been  ftated.  I 
have  moft  happily  experienced  the  effefts  which  I  predicted. 
By  keeping  you  principally  in  my  eye,  I  have  felt  my 
thoughts  flow  in  a  natural  and  eafy  train  ;  and  I  flatter  my- 
felf  that  you  have  been  interefted  by  topics  remote  from 
thofe  in  which  your  immediate  utility  was  concerned.  The 
judges  to  whom  I  am  going  to  appeal  will  determine  how  I 
have  executed  the  extenfive  defign  that  I  fonned.  Should 
this  work  be  deftined  to  celebrity,  I  fhall  be  much  gratified 
by  the  public  atteftation  that  will  then  be  given  to  the  fin- 
cere  afletHiion  of. 

My  dear  Mifs  M , 


Your  faithful  and  hereditary  friend. 


THE   END. 


CONTENTS. 


PREFATORY  ADDRESS.  Page  j 


R. 


_EASONS  for  the  prefent  Work.  General  inattention  to  the  middle 
orders,  in  moral  compolitions.  Thefe  Letters,  though  addrefied  to  an 
individual,  were  originally  compofed  for  publication. 

LETTER     I.  page  9 

XNTRODUCTORY    SKETCH    OF   THE    DESIGN. 

Lively  recolIecTtlon  of  a  loR  friend.  The  attempts  of  revolutionifts  in  this 
kingdom  have  hitherto  met  with  more  fuccefs  in  morals  than  in  poli- 
tics :  Inftanced  in  the  reception  of  bad  characters,  free  behaviour  of 
married  women,  univcrfal  increafe  of  luxury  and  expenfivenefs,  danger- 
ous fophifms,  unfettled  and  erroneous  notions  of  religion,  which  are  in- 
troduced into  all  kinds  of  writings.  Delicacy  of  the  female  character. 
Women  mofl  fitted  for  domeflic  life.  Their  duties,  refoiirces,  and  re- 
wards; their  de^y;radation  and  fiAitious  trials.  Thefe  fubjetSts  propof- 
ed  as  the  ground  work  of  a  dilFufe  correfpondence. 

LETTER     II.  page  20 

ORIGINAL   DESTINATION   OF   WOMEN. 

Unlverfal  fubjeAion  of  women.  Their  happy  fituation  in  England.  Por- 
trait of  the  fex  fulfilling  their  required  duties.  Intended  by  nature  to 
be  domeflic.  As  accountable  beings,  mufl  be  religious.  Should  pof- 
fefs  a  competent  knowledge  of  the  world,  and  of  common  tranfa<5lions 
in  bufinefs.  Their  conduA  traced  through  the  different  ages  of  life. 
Women  the  refiners  of  morals,  the  confervators  of  manners,  the  arbiters 
of  tafte,  might  reform  public  amufements.  Simplicity,  decency.  The 
trials  of  the  fex.  Subjedlion  to  man  in  every  fituation  of  life.  Their 
mofl  acute  miferles  refult  from  the  mifconducSt  of  thofe  whom  they  love. 
How  thefe  may  be  foftened.  Trials  of  temper  in  managing  fervants 
and  children.  Ill  health,  ill  regulated  fancy,  romantic  cxpedlations, 
nervous  afFeiSiions,  acute  fenfibility.  Women  phyfically  conftrudted  for 
retirement.  Their  unfitnefs  for  public  bufinefs.  Reflexions  on  the 
reigns  of  Q.  Mary  I.  Elizabeth,  Mary  Queen  of  Scots,  Mary  II.  and 
Anne.  Their  domeflic  fuhjedlion.  Happinefs  in  domeflic  life,  their  f  e- 
curity  from  many  vices  :  intemperance,  profanenefs,  cruelty,  ambition  ; 
dangerous  extremes  of  anger.  Paflive  virtues  the  mofl  difficult  and 
glorious.     Women  mofl  difpofed  for  piety. 

LETTER    III.  page  5  a 

\  CHANGE  OF  MANNERS  IN  THE  MIDDLE   CLASSES. 

Comparifon  of  pafl  and  prefent  manners.  The  greatefl  change  is  in  the 
middle  orders ;  much  of  which  is  afcribable  to  female  vanity.  Inflan- 
ced  in  entertainments,  furniture,  drefs,  employments,  arrangements. 
Pleas  of  promoting  bufinefs,  and  introducing  the  family  to  good  con- 
nexions, proved  to  be  futile.  Mifery  and  guilt  of  extravagance.  Need-, 
lefs  eipenfc  is  ungentecl.  Awkwardncfs  of  vulgar  finery.  A»refpedla- 
ble  character  may  be  more  cheaply  purchafed.  Slavery  of  a  life  of 
pleafure,  and  of  a  citizen's  Sunday  retirement.  Luxury  injurious  to  trade 
and  morals.  The  views  of  different  ranks,  in  regard  to  expeoditure^ 
P  p  p 


498  CONTENTS. 

jliould  be  different.  EffccSl  of  the  con<hi(5l  of  the  middle  orders  iipen 
the  lower.  The  vital  part  of  foctcty  dreadfully  injured  by  extravagance 
and  luxury. 

LETTER     IV.  page  ^^ 

ABSDKDITIES  and  LICBMTIOUSNESS  among  TTOMEN  or  FASHION. 

Prevalence  of  dcmocratical  notions.  Folly  of  birth  and  greatncfs  in  fanc- 
tioning  fuch  errors,  and  courting  mobs.  Rcfponfibiiity  of  every  kind 
of  eminence;  wliich  is  a  great  bleffing  when  v^^ell  applied.  Mifery  of 
mere  felfifli  enjoyment.  The  great  are  now  flron<5ly  tempted  to  vanity 
and  expenfc  by  competition  :  preeminence  in  thefe  is  impoffible :  fomc 
feck  preeminence  in  vice.  Falfe  apologies  for  vicious  condudl.  The 
alarming  contagion  of  bad  example  in  exalted  ftations.  Female  profli- 
gates in  high  life  without  escufc,  as  they  are  placed  above  temptation. 
Nothing  fo  much  degrades  the  Great  in  the  eyes  of  their  inferiors  as 
vice.  Bad  effecSts  of  loft  cliaratSters  being  countenanced  by  the  virtu- 
ous. True  penitence  ever  wlflics  for  retirement.  Unremitting  purfuit 
of  amufement  endangers  innocence,  diminillies  pleafure,  deftroys  conju- 
gal atFedlion.  Dangerous  cuftom  of  cicifbeos  :  matronly  flirts.  Rage 
for  education.  Its  excefles  confidered  in  accompliflxments,  occupations, 
and  morals.  Loofe  ideas  refpecling  hontfty  and  puncftuality  in  payment. 
Ruin  of  great  families  draws  with  it  many  dangerous  confequences. 
Frugality  neceffary  to  benevolence.  Confined  views  among  people  of 
fafliion  refpecling  the  value  of  their  inferiors.  Occafional  mixture  be- 
tween different  ranks  on  terms  of  refpedlful  intercourfe  recommended- 
Lukewarmnefs  in  religion  too  general  among  the  higher  circles. 

LETTER     V.  page  117 

ON  REtlGIOUS  KNOWLEDGE,  AND  THE   PECULIAR  NOTION  07  CALVIN. 

Our  anceftors  excelled  us  in  religious  knowledge,  which  they  thought  the 
bafls  of  education.  Difficulty  of  acquiring  it  afterwards.  The  convert* 
of  reafon  likely  to  be  mere  controvcrfialifts.  Religion  is  ftrengthened 
by  the  aflaults  of  her  enemies.  Danger  of  a  fcieiitiiic  preceding  a  reli- 
gious education.  Faith  fliould  never  be  feparated  from  morals.  Reli- 
gious inquiries  fliould  be  bounded  by  judgment  as  to  their  limit  and  na- 
ture. Office  of  reafon.  Ncccffity  of  divine  revelation  :  its  authentici- 
ty. Choice  of  the  perfuafions  into  which  the  Chrifliian  world  is  divid- 
ed. Duty  of  church  communion.  The  church  of  God  has  always  been 
proved  by  fuffisrings.  Religious  difputes  are  her  prelent  trials.  Guilt 
of  thofc  who  foment  them,  though  tliey  have  benefited  the  caufe  of  pure 
chriftianity.  Obligations  to  obedience  to  the  national  church.  Her 
apolLolical  conftitution,  regard  to  ancient  ufages,  moderation,  as  legally 
cftablillied  in  this  kingdom.  Women  fliould  know  not  only  the  gener- 
al outline  of  chriftianity,  but  the  diftinguifliing  dortrines  of  the  churcli 
to  which  they  belong.  Confiderations  on  the  cliarge  of  Calvinifm  urg- 
ed againft  our  original  church.  Proof  of  what  it  is  from  Calvin's 
Works  :  thcfc  opinions  contraftcd  with  our  articles,  liturgy,  and  the 
hiftory  of  that  period.  Confequences  of  teaching  Calvinifm  as  Chrifti- 
anity.     Necclfity  of  fubmitting  to  our  fpiritual  rulers. 

LETTER    VI.  page  i6o 

rURTHKR  OBSKRVATIONS  ON    THE  CALVINISTIC    CONTROVERfV. 

The  Church  of  England  enjoins  piety,  fcrioufncfs,  and  humility  :  infills  on 
the  independence  of  her  miniftcrs.  Toleration  different  from  religious 
liberty,  conlidered  as  chriflians.  Itincrancc  from  our  parifli  church. 
Mtthodifticai  cxcufc  of  edification  couiidcrcd.    The  topics  of  Gofpcl 


CONTENTS.  499 

preachers  difcuffed.  Imputed  righteoufnefs  of  Chrift.  Filthlncfs  of 
good  works.  Total  imbecility  and  depravity  of  men.  Chrift  hath  done 
all  for  finner^.  Typical  and  allegorical  allufions.  Senfible  influence* 
of  the  holy  fpirit,  calls,  experiences,  inftantaneous  converfions.  Prefer- 
ence of  the  fermon  to  the  prayers  in  public  worfhip.  Amatory  ad- 
tirefTes  to  the  Deity.  Falfe  notion,  that  guilt  muft  precede  a  call  to  ho- 
linefs.  Self-examination  difJercnt  from  affarance.  Orthodox  opinion 
of  regeneration.  Calviuiftic  notions  on  that  head.  Diflike  of  moral 
preaching.  Appeal  to  the  Methodifts  on  the  bad  confequenccs  of  their 
fchifra.  Tendency  to  popery.  Danger  of  good  and  pious  people  adop-? 
Jin^  fingularities.     Serioufnef*  is  not  reparation. 

LETTER    VII  page  194 

ON  THE  TENETS  OF  RATIOKAL  CHRISTIANS,  OR  UNITARIANS. 

The  dodbrincs  of  rational  Chriftians  arc  rather  addrefled  to  philofophy 
and  fcience,than  to  the  community.  Attachment  to  ournational  church 
is  not  bigotry  nor  perfecution  ;  inftanced  from  the  example  of  St.  John. 
The  divine  inftitution  of  facrifice  prefigured  the  atonement.  We  can- 
not judge  why  man  required  a  ranfom.  Various  contradidlory  opinions 
of  the  Socinians.  Interpolation  briefly  confidered.  Teftimony  of  an- 
cient enemies  to  the  faith,  and  of  Michaelis  to  the  genuinenefs  of  our 
feriptures.  The  dodtrines  that  we  are  required  to  renounce  too  impor- 
tant to  be  facrificcd  even  to  the  love  of  peace.  MoraJ  inftrudlion  not 
the  primary  end  of  our  Lord's  coming.  The  milhon  of  the  Baptifi:  con- 
fidered. Eternity  of  Hell  torments.  Salvation  of  the  heathens.  Coin- 
cidence between  the  revealed  will  and  vifible  works  of  God.  Analo- 
gies between  the  limited  difFufion  of  Chriftianity,  and  the  difference  of 
polar  and  temperate  climates.  The  favour  fhown  to  the  people  of  11- 
rael,  and  the  common  diftributions  of  Providence.  Order  is  preeminent 
in  the  Scripture,  and  in  the  creatiou.  The  flow  development  of  the 
Chriftian  covenant,  and  the  gradual  growth  and  perfedlion  of  animated 
nature.  The  refurredtion  of  the  body,  and  the  revivification  of  vegetal 
ble  feed.  The  law  of  diftindlions  of  degree,  and  reciprocity  of  benefit, 
is  univerfal.  Plurality  of  worlds,  and  other  modern  difcoveries,  not 
contrary  to  Scripture.  The  failure  of  the  full  effetfls  of  revelation, 
compared  to  the  failure  of  produce  through  bad  hufbandry  :  the  prel- 
ervation  of  the  church,  to  the  continuance  of  all  the  tribes  of  creation. 
General  adaption  of  chriftianityto  man  in  his  natural  and  civil  capaci- 
ty.    Application  to  the  Unitarians. 

LETTER     VIII.  page  434 

ON  THE  DUTY  OF    STUDYING  THE    SCRIPTURES,   AND    ON    RELIGIOUS     CON" 
FORMITY. 

Dodtrines  are  more  valuable  for  being  old.  The  errors  of  perfecHonifts. 
Advantages  of  a  liturgical  fervice,  and  an  independent  miniftry.  Dan- 
ger of  wrefting  the  fcripture  by  unfkilful  interpretation  of  difficult  texts  : 
Inftances  of  this  fault :  May  be  avoided  by  an  intimate  acquaintance 
with  holy  writ,  which  will  prevent  our  faith  from  being  iTiaken  by  light 
or  ridiculous  allufions  to  fcripture  narratives :  It  would  foften  religious 
animofities.  Prefent  flate  of  religion  in  England.  Vices  of  believers 
do  not  impugn  the  verity  of  the  faith  that  they  profefs,  or  afford  an 
excufe  for  deiffs.  Prevalence  of  fuieide.  Too  confident  dependence  on 
the  mercy  of  God.  Negledt  of  the  facrament.  Great  eagcrnefs  of  in- 
quiry. Suitability  of  the  church  to  the  national  charadter :  Review  of 
her  offices  ;  The  buriu.1  fervice  ;  The  marriage  ceremony  ;  The  catc- 
chifm ;  Confirmation ;  Churchirg  of  women ;  Vittation  cf  the  fick  \ 


5od  CONTENTS. 

Ordination  fervlces ;  Corttmination  ;  Offices  for  the  5th  of  Novcmbrr, 
January  ^cth.  May  29tli,  and  the  King's  acceflfion.  Temperate  loynlty 
of  the  Church  of  England.  Choice  of  the  religious  focicty  to  wiiich  wc 
will  belong.     ChrlRian  liberality,  as  oppofed  to  philolophiftical. 

LETTER     IX. .  page  269 

ON  THE  VIRTUES  MORE    ESPECIALLY   FEMININE. 

Change  of  opinion  on  the  fubjecSl:  of  chaflity.  Juft  portrait  of  a  feduclion, 
exhibited  in  Shenftone's  JeiTy,  contrafled  with  the  charaiilers  <if  Ade- 
laide, Elvira,  and  Mary  Thornbury.  Kindnefs  to  penitents  dilTers  from 
indulgence  to  audacious  oflfenders..  Pique  at  being  deferted  is  not  re- 
pentance. Freedom  of  manners.  Danger  from  y(ning  women  thinking 
lightly  of  female  frailty.  Benevolence  niufl  be  fupported  by  acononiy 
and  felf-denial ;  Extends  to  more  duties  than  the  acft  of  giving  ;  Con- 
traded  with  fhowy  liberality.  The  great  fliould  be  their  own  almo- 
ners. Indifcriminate  relief  blamable.  Parable  of  the  good  Samaritan. 
Candour  is  very  popular  ;  its  reftraints  chiefly  exerciftd  in  forbearance, 
gentlcnefs,  and  acquicfcence  ;  may  be  urged  too  far.  Command  of 
temper  neceffary  to  women  :  Should  be  founded  on  principle.  A  foft 
manner  often  miftaken  for  real  fweetnefs.  Cheerfulnefs  is  not  levity ; 
is  a  prcfervative  of  health.  Induftry  ufeful  to  the  temper.  Prudence 
in  feledling  amufcments.  Senfibility  prejudicial  to  the  temper,  when  it 
is  fulFered  to  be  extreme;  mull  be  reflrained  when  real.  Falfe  feeling 
ridiculed.  Imbecility  not  gentlenefs.  Danger  of  aiming  at  praife  for 
one  particular  virtue.  Piety  the  erowning  grace.  Devotion  lliould  be 
chaftened  by  judgment ;  an  impaflioned  ilyle  condemned.  Rational  pi- 
ety our  belt  fupport. 

LETTER     X.  page  307 

ON  FEM.ILE  EMPLOYMENTS  AND   STUDIES. 

Needle-work.  Religious  fliould  precede  fcientific  information.  Abftradl 
knowledge  not  well  fuited  to  women.  Hillory  and  ethical  efiays  re- 
commended. Biography  ;  faults  in  modern  biographers  ;  indifcriminate 
publication  of  private  letters  of  deceafed  public  chara<Sl:ers  condemned. 
Geography,  voyages  and  travels.  Fictitious  reading  apt  to  infpire  falfe 
views  of  life.  The  beft  kind  of  novels  ufefui  introductions  to  the  world. 
Modern  poetry.  Tragedy  and  Comedy  ol'  late  dale  not  intended  for 
the  clofet.  Brief  review  of  the  drama.  Works  of  hmnour  defended  ; 
have  materially  bencrited  virtue  and  tafle.  General  information  on  po- 
litical fubjecils  neceffary  to  women,  wlio  fliould  cherifli  patriotic  feel- 
ings. Excellence  of  the  Britifli  conflitution.  National  evils  afcribablc 
to  God  as  punifliments  for  national  fins.  She  fervcs  her  country  who 
reforms  her  own  condudl,  and  guides  her  houfehold  well.  Conlidcra- 
tions  on  the  lawfulnefs  of  war.  Caufcs  of  our  late  contefls.  Maternal 
objections  to  a  military  life,  nuift:  now  yield  to  circumftances.  Chriftian 
obedience  is  not  flavifli  fubmiifion.  Knowlcdire  of  the  elementary  prin- 
ciples of  government  is  a  prcfervative  from  party  diftindtions.  Read- 
ing fhould  not  be  confined  to  what  is  new  or  local.  ExtratSts,  beauties, 
,&c.  condemned.  Criticifm  ufeful  to  improved  taflc.  NecefTity  of 
guarding  againfl  party  mifrcprcfentations.  A  choice  ftlcclion  is  pref- 
tiabl*  to  multifarious  reading. 

LETTER     XI.  page  343 

ON  CONVERSATION,  SOCIETY,  AND   FRIENDSHIP. 

The  dcfire  of  pleafing,  is  natural;  the  wifii  to  flilne,  dangerous.  Advan- 
tages of  a  literary  taCte  in  age,  in  conver-;itiou :   to  excel  in  this  requires 


CONTENTS.  501 

a  variety  of  talents.  Fafliionable  converfation,  its  iitfinccrity,  frivolity  ; 
is  accufed  of  licenlimifnefs.  ReqiiiQtes  in  converfation,  regard  to  truth, 
attention  to  all  prefent,  duty  of  liflening  to  the  fpeaker ;  lidelityin  en- 
j;agements.  Civility  is  no  impeachment  of  fmcerity.  Self-importance 
inadmifiibk'.  AfFed:ation  condemned.  Egotlfm  a  fpecies  of  oftentation  : 
May  be  manaf'ed  with  liumour.  Preconcerted  wit  is  generally  unfuc- 
cefsful.  Loquacioufnefs  cenfured.  Petty  contradii.T:ions  condemned. 
Opinions  flioiiid  never  be  rudely  attacked.  Bitter  irony  and  uncandid 
conflruiHiions  blamed.  Polite  attention  to  the  affairs  of  others.  Con- 
folation  and  advice  are  difficult  duties.  Slander.  Goffiping.  Flattery, 
An  accommodating  characTter  defcribcd.  The  efTentiaU  of  good  breed- 
ing are  contained  in  the  New  Te(tamcn,t.  Happinefsof  afamily  whofe 
manners  and  condutfl  are  formed  on  cliriftian  rules.  Capability  of  wo- 
men for  friendfliip.  The  clofer  bond  of  marriage  often  diflblves,  or 
rather  fufpends,  the  ties  of  early  afTetfHon.  Value  of  a  friend  in  old 
age.  Great  prudence  requihte  in  the  friendfliip  of  married  women. 
Friendfliips  oftencr  the  effetSl  of  chance  than  feledfion.  Early  friend- 
fliips.  A  mother  is  the  beft  friend  of  her  daughters :  Bad  efFedts  of 
having  an  unworthy  injudicious  friend.  Flattery  inconfiftent  with 
friendfliip.  If  our  choice  has  been  culpably  precipitate,  we  mufl:  re- 
nounce it.  *  Ineftimable  value  of  a  faithful  friend.  Friendfliip  admits 
of  plurality, 

LETTER    XII.  page  373 

ON   CELIBACY,  LOVE,  AND   MARRIAGE.  f^ 

Utility  is  the  true  eftimate  of  a  happy  life.  Single  women  have  many  rc- 
fources  :  Can  befl  enjoy  and  cultivate  friendfliip.  Their  eligible  fitua- 
tion,  if  enlightened  and  amiable.  Remarks  on  their  ufual  foibles  ;  Hab- 
its which  ihey  ought  to  acquire.  Reafons  for  declining  marriage :  dil- 
pofitions  befl  fuited  to  that  ftate.  Young  women  now  are  generally- 
more  mercenary  than  fufceptible.  Women  fliould  rather  be  faidto  re- 
jedi  than  choofe  lovers.  Competence  neceiFary  in  marriage.  Unequal 
alliances  feldom  are  happy.  Immorality  is  an  infuperable  objection; 
fo  is  irreligion,  and  alfo  weakntfs  of  intelle(£h.  Libertines  are  rarely  re- 
claimed, or  fools  governed.  Female  afcendancy  ridiculed.  Great  fVick- 
lers  for  freedom  are  generally  domeftic  bafliaws.  Women  are  apt  to 
prefer  wit  to  plain  ftnfe.  A  facrifice  to  wealth  deprecated.  Long  de- 
ferred attaclnnents  feldom  produce  happy  matches.  Young  women  arc 
apt  to  underrate  the  trials  of  a  married  life.  They  fliouId  carefully  in- 
vslligate  their  lovers'  condud:.  The  earlieft  duty  of  a  wife  is,  to  con- 
form to  her  hufband's  habits.  Art  is  moft  deteifable,  though  often  fuc- 
ctfsful  with  men.  Indifference  to  a  hulband's  conducl  condemned. 
Home  mufl  always  be  made  agreeable.  Danger  of  exciting  a  hufband's 
jealoufy.  Dangerous  fituation  of  a  young  neglecSted  wife,  who  is  follow- 
ed by  an  agreeable  man.  Jealoufy  in  a  wife  is  irritating  and  powerlefs, 
A  female  confidant  is  often  pernicious.  Young  wives  muft  beware  of 
fwelling  trifles  into  mifcries.  Matrimonial  quarrels.  Attention  to  a 
hufband  fliould  depend  upon  lus  temper  and  wiflies ;  iuflanced  in  men 
of  ftern  tempers,  in  the  fnftidious,  in  the  fufceptible,  and  in  the  choler- 
ic. Domcflication  may  be  too  extreme.  CEconomy  in  drefs.  Regard 
to  a  hufliand's  circumftanccs  and  profeflion.  Relative  duties  to  his  chil- 
dren or  connexions.     Happinefs  of  a  well  fuited  couple. 

LETTER     XIII.  page  406 

ON  THE   DL^TV  OF   MOTHERS. 

Education  a  fafliionable  fludy.  Its  foundation  fliould  be  in  religion.  In- 
ftrudlion  is  now  made  to  depend  upon  agreeablenefs,  ii>ftead  of  obcdi- 


502  CONTENTS. 

ence,  and  more  dircAcd  to  open  the  undcrftanding  than  c»rre<fk  the 
heart.  It  tends  to  make  children  confident.  Over  attention  a^d  ex- 
treme watclifulnefs  have  fcrious  bad  confequences  on  children.  School 
is  the  befl  remedy  for  felf-importance  in  boys.  Premature  intelligence 
is  generally  deceptions.  Vanity  of  mothers.  Common  lenfe  fliould  be 
mod  cultivated.  Moft  fyftems  of  education  require  more  .ittention  than 
is  pradticablc.  Scheme  of  keeping  children  apart  from  fcrvants  would 
make  the  former  fupercilious.  Servants  improper  confidants  for  chil- 
dren. Each  fex  fliould  early  receive  its  proper  bias.  Boys  fliould  be 
prevented  from  tyrannizing  over  their  fillers.  Domeftic  education  feem» 
bcft  adapted  to  girls.  Education  fhould  be  appropriated  to  the  rank  of 
life.  Amiable  deportment  fuits  every  ftation  ;  is  the  cement  of  family 
harmony.  Mothers  fliould  be  impartial ;  fliould  prefervc  their  own 
authority.  Artifices  in  education  are  inadmifTible.  Teafing  injurious 
to  a  fpetful  temper.  The  fyftem  of  reafoning  with  a  young  child  is  ab- 
furd.  When  their  reafon  ripens,  it  fliould  be  dire(5ted  to  correft  their 
own  faults.  Confidence  fliould  be  fapprefl'ed,  difiidence  encouraged. 
Genius  requires  extraordinary  culture  and  difcipline.  Parental  partial- 
ity apt  to  miflake  in  this  particular.  Sentimental  liberality  different 
from  chriftiau  benevolence.  Value  of  arithmetical  knowledge.  Induf- 
try,  neatnefs,  and  regularity  commended.  Irrefolution  highly  injurious 
to  children.  Clear  and  jufl  nations  ufeful  in  every  flacion.  Religious 
knowledge.  Ufe  of  the  Bible  :  It  will  correcft  erroneous  notions  rcfpedt- 
ing  worldly  profperity;  will  improve  and  regulate  the  difpofition.  The 
confcioufnefs  of  having  inftilled  religious  principles,  is  the  beft  confola- 
tion  of  unhappy  parents.  The  comforts  of  age  muft.  be  procured  ia 
youth. 

LETTER    XIV.  page  44a 

ON  OUR  DUTY  TO   SERVANTS   AND  INFERIORS. 

Change  in  the  principles  and  manners  of  the  lower  orders  evident  by  their 
diflike  of  their  immediate  fupcriors.  Improper  notions  of  wealth.  Ge- 
neral tendency  to  extravagance.  Much  of  this  evil  owing  to  bad  in- 
ftru6tion  ;  much  to  the  fcparation  between  the  ranks  in  fociety  ;  »ioft 
of  all  to  the  luxurious  habits  of  the  middle  orders,  their  neglecl  of 
watchfulncfs,  preference  of  ability  to  moral  worth,  and  fabbath  break- 
ing. Dreadful  confequences  of  this  in  manufacturing  towns.  Sunday, 
when  well  fpent,  a  great  check  on  the  profligacy  of  domeflics.  Family 
inftrudbion  and  worlhip.  Proper  books  for  fervants.  Inftru(£tion  o£ 
the  lower  clafTes  fhould  not  proceed  too  far.  Great  fkill  is  necellary  bi 
compofing  books  adapted  to  illiterate  people.  Domeftic  management 
fhould  avoid  the  extremes  of  rigour  and  lenity.  CarelefTnefs  and  fufpi- 
«ion  condemned.  Falfehood  and  envy  are  the  principal  vices  of  the 
lower  orders.  Laying  traps  for  veracity  and  integrity  is  highly  blama- 
ble.  Confcicntioufncfs  in  giving  a  character.  CompafTion  to  the  frail- 
ty of  ignorance.  Principle  is  relaxed  in  the  lower  orders  in  refpe<St  to 
female  chaftity.  Min:rcfre.3  fliould  rcftrain  extravagance  in  drefs.  Ex- 
ample ii  the  mofl  ufeful  means  of  inftrucling  fervants  and  inferiors.  Ia 
the  excrcifc  of  benevolence,  care  fhould  be  taken  not  to  render  the 
poor  luxurious  or  totally  dependent.  The  Ingratitude  of  the  poor  no 
cxcufe  for  omiuirig  our  duty  to  them. 

LETTER     XV.  page  465 

ON   TUB  DUTIES  OF  DECLINING  LJFE  AND  OLD   AGE. 

J^others  fliould  relax  their  authority,  as  their  children  advance  in  years. 
Women  arc  charged  with  finding  it  difficult  to  grow  o'd  with  propric* 


CONTENTS.  503 

fy.  iMflipation  of  autumnal  ladies.  Gradual  refignatlon  of  ornaments 
and  diverfions.  Attention  to  daughters.  Should  not  renounce  fociety. 
Advantages  refulting  from  a  mixture  of  different  ages  with  mutual  good 
will.  Cheerfulnefs  commendable  in  declining  life.  Atflivity  and  ener- 
gy recommended  on  prudential  motives.  Obflinacy  and  ill  humour 
cenfured  on  the  fame  grounds.  Premature  feclulion  is  unwife.  Value 
of  an  old  friend  when  we  are  compelled  to  be  fedentary.  Great  merit 
of  thofe  who  facrifice  their  amufements  to  divert  the  aged  and  infirm. 
Worldly  concerns  fliould  be  finally  adjufted,  and  the  care  of  them  re- 
iinquifhed.  Capricious  teflamentary  bequefts  condemned.  Old  age 
often  falls  into  mercenary  hands.  As  long  as  poffible,  cherifli  a  relifh 
for  literature.  Avoid  brooding  on  your  own  miferies.  Termination  of 
a  literary  career.  Authors  fliould  leave  off  compofition  in  time,  review 
the  moral  tendency  of  their  works,  and  corredt  miftakes.  Happinefs  of 
an  independent  rational  old  age.  RecoIlecSlion  its  chief  employment. 
Religion  its  beft  comfort.  Jufl:  eftimate  of  life.  Profpedt  of  futurity. 
Preparation  for  departing  hence.  Cherifli  the  feelings  of  benevolence, 
pradlife  candour  and  patience.  AfHidbion  a  good  preparative  for  deatV 
Its  extremes  either  in  privation  or  fufFering  confidered.  ViAory  over 
the  fear  of  death.  Confiderations  on  the  clofing  fcene.  What  youth 
owes  to  age  in  compaflionate  offices  and  provident  care.  Satisfaction 
at  finifliing  a  work  that  was  undertaken  on  confcientious  motives. 
The  moral  afpedt  of  the  times  is  porteiHou*.  General  retrofpcft  of  the 
work.    Conclufion. 


FROU  THE  PRESSES  OF  O.PENNIMAN  &CO. 
AND   PARKER   &  BLISS. 


The  Guardian  of  Ediicniioii^  a  valuable  periodical  ivork^  puhlljhcd 
in  Englandy  /peaks  of  the  Letters  of  Airs.  V/efl  to  a  Tourig 
Lady  J  in  thefollo^uing  terms  of  commendation. 

<c  THE  allufion  in  the  title  pnge,  to  a  popular  and  juft- 
ly  efteemed  work  of  the  author's,*  is  fufrlcient  to  recom- 
mend this  volume  to  public  attention  ;  for,  the  writer  who 
could  give  fuch  excellent  advice  to  youth  of  the  other  fex, 
may  reafonably  be  expcffted  to  be  well  qualified  to  inftruft 
her  own  ;  nor  will  this  expectation  be  difappointed  in  the 
prefent  inflance.  Mi's.  Well  has  taken  a  \ery  extenfive 
range,  including  every  female  duty,  and  has  enforced  the 
practice  of  each  by  the  mod  powerful  motives ;  flie  has  alfo 
painted,  in  the  ftrongeft  colours,  the  vices  and  the  follies  of 
the  age,  as  depreciating  the  charadler  of  her  cotemporaries 
in  the  different  ranks  of  fociety,  and  exemplified  their  ef- 
feCls  on  individual  happinefs,  and  the  welfare  of  the  nation  ; 
in  fliort,  this  amiable  author  has  left  no  point  untouched, 
that  could  tend  to  excite  in  the  minds  of  the  females  of  the 
higher  and  middle  ranks,  a  laudable  ambition  to  fill  their 
refpedlive  ftations  with  dignity  and  propriety ;  to  check  the 
progrefs  of  impiety,  vice,  and  folly  •,  and  to  promote  the 
knowledge  and^  practice  of  religion  and  virtue  upon  the  beft 
principles." 

\Cuardlan  cf  Education  for  March,  1806. 
--<■  *  Letter*  to  a  Youn5r  Man. 


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