He had made considerable advances in knowledge, though he was very young, and laboured under several disadvantages.

SECTION 3.

See Vol. 2. p. 134.

I HAVE, with a good deal of attention, consdered the subject upon which I was desired to communicate my thoughts. Whether, in any country a choice altogether unexceptionable has been made, seems doubtful.

Let us endeavour to establish to ourselves an interest in Him, who in his hands holds the reins of the whole creation. Virgil, who, in the sixth book of his Eneid, has cast the whole system of platonic philosophy, so far as it relates to the soul of man, into beautiful allegories, gives us the punishment, &c.

And, at last, in the Pyrenean treaty, Philip the fourth was obliged to conclude a peace, on terms repugnant to his inclination, to that of his people, to the interest of Spain, and to that of all Europe.

By a late calculation, is appears that, in Great Britain and Ireland, there are upwards of fifteen millions of inhabitants.

And although persons of a virtuous and learned education, when they come forward in the great world, may be, and too often are, drawn by the temptations of youth, and the opportunities of a large fortune into some irregularities, it is ever with reluctance and compunction of mind, because their bias to virtue still continues.

Were instruction an essential circumstance in epic poetry, I doubt whether, in any language, a single instance could be given of this species of composition.

Some of our most eminent writers have, as far as it regards the subsistence of our affections after death, made use of this platonic notion, with great beauty and strength of reason.

On surveying the most indifferent works of nature, men of the best sense have been touched, more or less, with these groundless horrors and presages of futurity.

Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Not every one that puts on the appearance of goodness, is good.

And there appeared to them Elias with Moses.

Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live

for ever?

At last, after much fatigue, through deep roads and bad wea ther, we came with no small difficulty, to our journey's end.

The praise of judgment, Virgil has justly contested with Homer; but his invention remains yet unrivalled.

Instead of being critics on others, let us employ our criticism on ourselves.

Leaving others to be judged by Him who searcheth the heart, let us implore his assistance, for enabling us to act well our own part.

After passion has for awhile exercised its tyrannical sway, its vehemence may by degrees subside.

This fallacious art, instead of lengthening life, debars us from enjoying it.

Indulging ourselves in imaginary, often deprives us of real enjoyments.

When reduced to poverty, how will that nobleman be able to conduct himself, who was educated only to magnificence and pleasure?

It is highly proper that a man should be acquainted with a variety of things, the utility of which is above a child's comprehension: but is it necessary, or even possible, that a child should learn every thing it behoves a man to know?

When they fall into sudden difficulties, they are less perplexed, and when they encounter dangers they are less alarmed than others in like circumstances.

For all your actions, and particularly for the employments of youth, you must hereafter give an account.

SECTION 4.

See Vol. 2. p. 136.

CHARITY breathes habitual kindness towards friends, courte cy towards strangers, long-suffering to enemies.

Gentleness ought to form our address, to regulate our speech, and to diffuse itself over our whole behaviour.

The propensity to look forward into life, is too often immoderately indulged, and grossly abused.

The regular tenor of a virtuous and pious life, will prove the best preparation for old age, for death and for immortality. These rules are intended to teach young persons to write with propriety, perspicuity and elegance.

Sinful pleasures degrade human honour, and blast the opening prospects of human felicity.

In this state of mind, every object appears gloomy, and every employment of life becomes an oppressive burden.

They will acquire different views by entering on a virtuous course of action, and applying to the honourable discharge of the functions of their station.

By the perpetual course of dissipation, in which sensualists are engaged; by the excesses which they indulge; by the riotous revel, and the midnight, or rather morning hours, to which they prolong their festivity; they debilitate their bodies, wear out their spirits, and cut themselves off from the comforts and duties of life.

SECTION 5.

See Vol. 2. p. 136.

By what I have already expressed, the reader will pereeive the business upon which I am to proceed.

May the happy message be applied to us, in all its virtue, strength and comfort!

Generosity is a showy virtue, of which many persons are very fond.

These arguments were, without hesitation, and with great eagerness, embraced.

It is proper to be long in deliberating, but we should execute speedily.

Form your measures with prudence; but divest yourselves of all anxiety about the issue.

We are struck, we know not how, with the symmetry of any thing we see; and immediately acknowledge the beauty of an object, without inquiring into the cause of that beauty.

With Cicero's writings, these persons are more conversant, than with those of Demosthenes, who, by many degrees, as an orator at least, excelled the other.

SECTION 6.

See Vol. 2. p. 137.

OUR British gardeners, instead of following nature, love to deviate from it as much as possible. Or—instead of humouring, &c. love to thwart it, &c.

I have observed of late the style of some great ministers, very much to exceed that of any other writers.

The old may inform the young; and the young may animate the old.

The account is generally balanced; for what we lose on the one hand, we gain on the other.

The laughers will be for those who have most wit; serious, for those who have most reason on their side.

the

If men of eminence are exposed to censure on the one hand, they are as much exposed to flattery on the other. If they receive reproaches which are not due, they likewise receive praises that are not due.

He can bribe, but he cannot seduce. He can buy, but he cannot gain. He can lie, but he cannot deceive.

He embraced the cause of liberty faintly, and pursued it irresolutely; he grew tired of it, when he had much to hope; and gave it up, when he had nothing to fear.

There may remain a suspicion that we overrate the greatness of his genius, in the same manner as we overrate the greatness of bodies that are disproportioned and misshapen.

SECTION 7.

See Vol. 2. p. 138.

Sobriety of mind suits the present state of man.

As supporters of unlawful assemblies, these people were seized and punished.

To use the divine name habitually, and without serious consideration, is highly irreverent.

From the kindness with which he was at first received, great hopes of success were entertained.

They conducted themselves craftily, and ensnared us before we had time to escape.

To our confined and humble station it belongs not to censure; but to submit, trust, and adore.

The solace of the mind, under all its labours, is hope; and there are few situations which exclude it entirely.

The humiliation of the mighty, and the fall of ambition from its towering height, little concern the bulk of mankind. Tranquillity, order, and magnanimity, dwell with the pious and resigned man.

Idleness, ease, and prosperity, have a natural tendency to generate folly and vice.

By a cheerful, candid, and uniform temper, he conciliated general favour.

We reached the mansion before noon. magnificent, Gothic edifice.

It was a strong,

I had a long and perilous journey, but a pleasing com

panion, who relieved the fatigue of it.

VOL. II.

M m

The speech was introduced by a sensible exordium, which made a favourable impression.

The commons made a warm remonstrance against so arbitrary a requisition.

The truly illustrious are they who do not court the praise of the world, but who perform the actions which deserve it.

By means of society, our wants are supplied, and our lives are rendered cofortable; our capacities are enlarged, and our virtuous affections called forth into their proper exercise.

Life cannot but prove vain to them who affect a disrelish of every pleasure, that is not both exquisite and new; who measure enjoyment, not by their own feelings, but by the standard of fashion; who think themselves miserable, if others do not admire their state.

By the experience of distress, an arrogant insensibility of temper is most effectually corrected; as the remembrance of our own sufferings, naturally prompts us to feel for others, when they suffer. But if Providence has been so kind as not to subject us to much of this discipline, in our own lot, let us draw improvement from the harder lot of others. Let us sometimes step aside from the smooth and flowery paths, in which we are permitted to walk, in order to view the toilsome march of our fellows through the thorny desert.

As no one is without his failings, few also are void of amiable qualities.

Providence delivered them up to themselves, and they became their own tormentors.

From disappointments and trials, we learn the insufficiency of temporal things to happiness, and are taught to seek it in religion and virtue.

CHAPTER IV.

Corrections of the errrors that relate to FIGURES of Speech

See Vol. 2. p. 139.

No human happiness is so pure as not to contain any alloy. There is a time when factions, by their vehemence, confound and disable one another.

. I intend to make use of these words in my following speculations. Or-in the course of my speculations.

Hope, the cheering star of life, darts a ray of light through the thickest gloom.