Scarce had the "Spirit of Laws" made its appearance, than it was attacked. His donation was the more acceptable, that it was given without solicitation. This subject is an unwelcome intruder, affording but an uneasy sensation, and brings with it always a mixture of concern and compassion. He accordingly draws out his forces, and offers battle to Hiero, who immediately accepted it. James laid late in bed yesterday, and this morning he lays still later. The reason of this strange proceeding, will be accounted for when I make my defence. I have observed him often, and his manner of proceed ing is thus: he enjoins first silence; and then, &c. Having not known, or not considered the subject, he made a very crude decision. They all were deceived by his fair pretences, and they all of them lost their property. It is above a year since the time that I left school. He was guilty of such atrocious conduct, that he was deserted by his friends for good and all. No other employment besides a bookseller suited his inclination. Hereby I am instructed, and thereby I am honoured. I pleaded my good intention; and after some time he assented thereto; whereby I entirely escaped all punishment. This I am disposed to the rather, that it will serve to illustrate the principles advanced above. From what I have said, you will perceive readily the subject I am to proceed upon. These are points too trivial to take notice of. They are objects I am totally unacquainted with. The nearer that men approach each other, the more numerous the points of contact in which they touch, and the greater their pleasures or pains. Thus I have endeavoured to make the subject be better understood. This is the most useful art of which men are possessed. The French writers of sermons study neatness in laying down their heads. P There is not any beauty more in one of them than in another. SECT. III. STUDY to unite with firmness of principle gentleness of manners, and affable behaviour with untainted integrity. In that work, we are every now and then interrupted with unnatural thoughts. Bating one or two expressions, the composition is not subject to censure. To answer his purpose effectually, he pitched upon a very moving story. I am not able to discover whether these points are any how connected. These are arguments which cannot be got over by all the cavils of infidelity. This matter I had a great mind to reply to. I hope that I may not be troubled in future, on this, or any the like occasions. It is difficult to unite together copiousness and precision. Let us consider of the proper means to effect our purpose. We must pay attention to what goes before and immediately follows after. The more that this track is pursued, the more that eloquence is studied, the more shall we be guarded against a false taste. True believers of every class and denomination on earth, make up the church and people of God. This is the sum and substance of that which has been said on the subject. A perfect union of wit and judgment, is one of the rarest things in the world. Praise, like gold and diamonds, owes to its scarcity only its value. Intemperance will make life short and sad, though it may fire the spirit for an hour. From their errors of education, all their miseries have proceeded. Their disinterestedness of conduct produced general a d miration. I viewed the habitation of my departed friend.-Vene rable shade! I then gave thee a tear: accept now of one cordial drop that falls to thy memory. To-day we are here; to morrow we are gone. This author is more remarkable for strength of sentiment, than harmonious language. Many persons are more delighted with correct and elegant language, than with the importance of sentiment and accuracy of reasoning. I feel myself grateful to my friend, for all the instances of his kindness, which he has often manifested to me. It is not from this world that any source of comfort can arise, to cheer the gloom of the last hour. SECT. IV. It is dangerous for beauty that is mortal, or for terrestrial virtue, to be examined by a light that is too strong for it. Beautiful women possess seldom any great accomplishments, because they study behaviour rather than solid excellence, for the most part. It is to discover the temper of froward children, not that of men, far less than of Christians, to fret and repine at every disappointment of our wishes. It is ordered and decreed by Providence, that nothing shall be obtained in our present state, that is truly valuable, except it be with difficulty and danger. Pauses of ease and relaxation, labour necessarily requires; and the deliciousness of ease makes us commonly unwilling to return to labour. Nothing which is not right can be great; nothing can be suitable to the dignity of the human mind which reason condemns. We have warm hopes in youth, which are blasted soon by negligence and rashness; and great designs which are defeated by inexperience and ignorance of the world. The haunts of dissipation, by night and day, open many a wide and inviting gate to the children of idleness and sloth. True virtue (as all its parts are connected, piety with morality, charity with justice, benevolence with temperance and fortitude,) must form one complete and entire system. Dissimulation obscures parts and learning; degrades the lustre of every accomplishment; and plunges us into universal contempt. Confident as you now are in your assertions, and positive as you are in your opinions, be assured the time approaches when things and men will appear in a different light to you. In this age of dissipation and luxury in which we live, how many avenues are constantly open that carry us to the gates of folly! Though extravagance and idleness, and vain inclination of emulating others in the splendid show of life, many run into charges exceeding their property. Objects are separated from each other, by their qualities; they are distinguished by the distance of time or place. Clarendon, being a man of extensive ablities, stored in his mind with a variety of ideas; which circumstance contributed to the successful exertion of his vigorous capacity. SECT. V. Key p. 148. THE most high degree of reverence and attention should be paid to youth; and nothing that is indecent or indelicate should be suffered to approach their eyes or their ears. He who is blessed with a clear conscience, in the worst conjunctures of human life, enjoys an elevation of mind peculiar to virtue, as well as dignity and peace. The hand of industry may change, in a few years, the face of a country; but to alter the sentiments and manners of a people, requires often as many generations. When the human mind dwells attentively and long upon any subject, the passions are apt to grow enthusiastic, interested and warm; and the understanding which they ought to obey, they often force into their service. Some years after, being released from prison, by reason. of his consummate knowledge of civil law, and of military affairs, he was exalted to the supreme power. The discontented man (as his spleen irritates and sours his temper, and leads him to discharge its venom on all with whom he stands connected,) is never found without a great share of malignity. We cannot doubt but all the proceedings of Providence will appear as equitable, when fully understood and completely intelligible, as now they seem irregular. All that great wealth gives more than a moderate fortune, generally is, more room for the freaks of caprice, and privilege for ignorance and vice of flatteries a quicker succession, and a larger circle of voluptuousness. The miscarriages of the great designs of princes are recorded in the histories of the world, but are of little use to the bulk of mankind, who seem very little interested in records of miscarriages which cannot happen to them. Were there any man who could say, in the course of his life, that he had never suffered himself to be transported by passion, or had ever given just ground of offence to any one, such a man might, when he received from others unreasonable treatment, have some plea for impatience. Christianity will, at some future period, influence the conduct of nations as well as individuals. But this will be, though its greatest, probably its latest triumph: for this can be only brought about through the medium of private character; and therefore will be not rapid in its progress, and visible at every siep; but gradual, and visible when considerable effects only have been produced. The British constitution stands, like an ancient oak in the wood, among the nations of the earth; which, after having overcome many a blast, overtops the other trees of the forest, and commands respect and veneration. SECT. VI. WHAT an anchor is to a vessel amidst a boisterous ocean, on a coast unknown, and in a dark night, that is the hope of future happiness to the soul, when beset by the confusions of the world for in dangers, it affords one fixed point of rest; amidst general fluctuation, it gives security. Our pride and self-conceit, (by nourishing a weak and childish sensibility to every fancied point of our own honour and interest, while they shut up all regard to the honour or interest of our brethren, render us quarrelsome and contentious. If there be any first principles of wisdom, it undoubtedly is this: the distresses that are removeable, endeavour to remove; bear with as little disquiet as you can, the distresses which cannot be removed; comforts are to be found in every situation and condition of life; having found them, enjoy them. |