Short are the triumphs of wit, when it is fuppofed to be the vehicle of malice. By whatever arts you may at first attract the attention, you can hold the esteem and fecure the hearts of others only by amiable difpofitions and the accomplishments of the mind. Thefe are the qualities whofe influence will laft, when the luftre of all that once fparkled and dazzled has paffed away.

Valuable Opportunities once lost can never be

LE

recalled.

ET not any one vainly imagine, that the time and valuable opportunities which are now loft, can hereafter be recalled at will; or that he who has run out his youthful days in diffipation and pleasure, will have it in his power to ftop when he pleases, and make a wiser use of his riper years. Yet this is too generally the fallacious hope that flatters the youth in his fenfual indulgencies, and leads him infenfibly on in the treacherous ways of vice, till it is too late to return. There are few, who, at one plunge, fo totally immerge in pleasures, as to drown at once all power of reason and confcience: They promise themselves, that they can indulge their appetites to fuch a point only, and can check and turn them back when they have run their allotted race. I do not indeed fay, that there never have been perfons in whom the ftrong ferment of youthful lufts may have happily fubfided, and who may have brought forth fruits of amendment, and displayed many eminent virtues. God forbid! that even the moft licentious vices of youth fhould be abfolutely incorrigible. But I may venture to affirm, that the inftances in this cafe have been fo rare, that it is very dangerous for any one to truft to the experiment, upon a presumption that he fhall add to the number. The only fure way to make any proficiency in a virtuous life, is to fet out in it betimes. It is then, when our inclinations are trained up in the way that they should lead us, that custom foon makes the best habits the most agreeable; the ways of wifdom become the ways of pleafantnefs, and every ftep we advance, they grow more eafy and more delightful. But, on the contrary, when vicious, headftrong appetites are to be reclaimed, and inveterate habits to be corrected, what fecurity

can

can we give ourselves, that we shall have either inclination, refolution, or power, to ftop and turn back, and recover the right way from which we have fo long and fo widely wandered, and enter upon a new life, when perhaps our strength now faileth us, and we know not how near we may be to our journey's end? These reflections I have fuggefted principally for the fake of those, who, allowing themfelves in greater indulgencies than are confiftent with a liberal and virtuous education, give evident proofs that they are not fufficiently aware of the dangerous encroachments, and the peculiar deceitfulness, of pleasurable fin. Happy for them, would they once feriously confider their ways! and no time can be more proper, than when thefe folemn feafons of recollection and religious difcipline fhould particularly difpofe them to feriousness and thought. They would then difcover, that though they are awhile carried gently and fupinely down the fmooth ftream of pleasure, yet foon the torrent will grow too violent to be ftemmed; the waves will arife, and dash them upon rocks, or fink them in whirlpools. It is therefore the part of prudence to stop short while they may, and to divert their courfe into a different channel; which, whatever obftructions and difficulties they may labour with at first, will every day become more practicable and pleafing, and will affuredly carry them to a ferene and fecure haven.

On

On Benevolence and Humanity.

YOUTH is the proper feafon of cultivating the be

nevolent and humane affections. As a great part of your happiness is to depend on the connections which you form with others, it is of high importance that you acquire betimes the temper and the manners which will render fuch connections comfortable. Let a sense of justice be the foundation of all focial qualities. In your most early intercourfe with the world, and even in your youthful amufements, let no unfairnefs be found. Engrave on your mind that facred rule, of doing in all things to others, according as you wish that they should do unto you.' For this end, imprefs yourselves with a deep sense of the original and natural equality of men. Whatever advantages of birth or fortune you poffefs, never difplay them with an oftentatious fuperiority. Leave the fubordinations to rank, to regulate the intercourfe of more advanced years. At prefent it becomes you to act among your companions, as man with man. Remember how unknown to you are the viciffitudes of the world; and how often they, on whom ignorant and contemptuous young men once looked down with fcorn, have rifen to be their fuperiors in future years. Compaffion is an emotion, of which you never ought to be ashamed. Graceful in youth is the tear of sympathy, and the heart that melts at the tale of woe. Let not ease and indulgence contract your affections, and wrap you up in selfish enjoyment. Accuftom yourselves to think of the diftreffes of human life; of the folitary cottage, the dying parent, and the weeping orphan. Never sport with pain and diftrefs, in any of your amufements; nor treat even the meanest insect with wanton cruelty.

In order to render yourselves amiable in fociety, correct every appearance of harfhness in behaviour. Let that courtesy distinguish your demeanour, which springs

not

not fo much from ftudied politenefs, as from a mild and gentle heart. Follow the cuftoms of the world in matters indifferent; but ftop when they become finful. Let your manners be fimple and natural; and of courfe they will be engaging. Affectation is certain deformity. By forming yourselves on fantastic models, and vying with one another in every reigning folly, the young begin with being ridiculous, and end in being

vicious.

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