ercise of these affections is not only most legitimate, but most necessary and indispensable-the cause which directly concerns the glory of our Lord Christ, and the illumination and salvation of mankind.

Sir Claudius, I have done. My health is uncertain, and ought perhaps to have restrained me from appearing here to-day. But the last service that I could prevail on myself to decline would be, that which regards the universal distribution of the Holy Bible; which unites both worlds; which teaches us the love, and gratitude, and obedience we owe to our Saviour here, and which will prepare us for celebrating his praise in that eternal rest hereafter, which he has purchased for us by his own mysterious sacrifice on the cross.

COMMON SENSE:

A Prize Gssay,

RECITED IN

THE THEATRE, OXFORD,

June 15, 1803.

Σοφίαν δὲ καὶ σωφροσύνην οὐ διώριζεν.

ZENOO. AMOMN. lib. iii. cap. 9. 4.

FOURTH EDITION.

COMMON SENSE.

THE powers of the human mind have ever been a subject of the most interesting research. They continually supply new points of inquiry, and soon introduce us, when deeply pursued, into a boundless range of fascinating speculation. What is solidly important, however, is least encumbered with difficulty; and the subject which is now to be considered cannot fail of proving a source of various instruction.

Common Sense is sometimes defined to be that power of the mind by which ideas are received and compared: but it is usually considered as the ordinary judgment of mankind implanted by the Creator, and capable of perceiving truth, when presented to it, by simple intuition. In proportion as the mind can bring at once under its review a larger number of ideas, and determine on their accordance or disagreement, is the strength of this faculty. Its appearances and operations may be improved by culture, and by a union in the same mind of more exalted talents.

Its influence is wide and important. Ex tending its sway over all the transactions of life, it claims a rank from the frequency, if not from the splendour, of its effects, of no trifling elevation. The multitudes who in every state subsist by personal labour are indebted to it for all the limited attainments which their situations require. The commercial branches of society derive equal benefits from its exercise: it guides their endeavours, directs their enterprises, and secures their success. Its influence reaches even to the highest orders of the community; for no rank of men can be at liberty to neglect its dictates, so far as they are the rules of domestic propriety. Indeed, by a conformity to the guidance of Common Sense, the great body of mankind, without talents of any brilliancy or extent, pass through life with reputation, and meet its duties with sufficient exactness. It is essential therefore to the happiness of society, and though it does not, when alone, often lead to celebrity, at the least it rescues men from insignificance, and secures to them the most solid benefits.

It will be found, indeed, that the most weighty concerns of life are not so frequently at the disposal of genius and imagination, as of the plain maxims of an ordinary judgment. The more splendid faculties of the mind may by their rapid associations surprise and enchant