his life to the last: the coward loses his like a fool, with his motionless arms spread to the air, and his cries deprecating the death which snaps so worthless an existence. Feebleness of spirit so thoroughly paralises a man, that it renders him incapable of the commonest duties of civil society. It induces him, not only to cringe under injuries offered to himself, but to hear his best friend calumniated, without uttering a word of yindication. It draws him after the strongest party, in every commotion of opinions or circumstances; and whether his conscience tell him that the path is right or wrong, his apprehensions hold him in it: for the coward is totally at the mercy of the prevailing power; and, like a weather-cock, is blown about at the caprice of every wind.Notwithstanding this despicable picture, there are persons who speak tenderly of these sons of the little soul, and say, "That though they are not as brave as their neighbours, they are sometimes as good sort of people as those who will run their heads into a cannon's mouth!" It cannot be denied that they are inoffensive enough, while gliding down the untroubled

current of life; but should their personal safety, or even their personal comfort, and too often their mere personal indulgences, be put in competition with the honour of their country, or the reputation of their friend, they would leave both to their fates, and sit in silent selfish security, while either was perishing. There can be no virtue in the coward: his soul is little better than a surface of sand, on which no principles can find a steady foundation. He is for ever in a panic; and like a man in the dark surrounded by banditti, is ready to stab friend as well as foe; his dagger is concealed in the night, and his fears whisper to him, that his own safety is of more moment than a thousand dear connections. As Hamlet says, the devil is very potent with such spirits: when they are in power, jealousy makes them tyrants; and when they are oppressed, what their patience will not bear they remove by treachery. If their poignard cannot reach the life, it wounds the character; and he who has not spirit to defend a friend, does not want cunning to defame a foc

COURTESY.

1.

APPROVED valour is made precious by na tural courtesy.

Remark.

Virtue, without the graces, is like a rich diamond unpolished; it hardly looks better than a common pebble; but when the hand of the master rubs off the roughness, and forms the sides into a thousand brilliant surfaces, it is then that we acknowledge its worth, admire its beauty, and long to wear it in our bosoms.

2.

The pleasantest hospitality waiteth not for curious costliness, when it can give cleanly sufficiency. More cometh of pride and greater friendliness to your own ostentation, than to the comfort of the guest.

3.

It is more cumber than courtesy, to strive with a man who is leave-taking.

4.

A mild countenance doth encourage the looker-on to hope for a gentle answer.

5.

It is no good manners to be squeamish of our cunning.

Remark.

Whatever be our learning, we ought to communicate it freely. Imparting knowledge, is only lighting other men's candle at our lamp, without depriving ourselves of any flame.Some people are backward in dispensing the fruits of their minds, from a churlish dispo sition, that hates communion of any thing; and others refuse the exhibition of their accomplishments, from a poor affectation and love of entreaty; but they are not aware that a liberal manner adorns a favour with charms, for the want of which no excellence in itself can compensate. When reluctance to oblige

arises from diffidence of power, the blush that accompanies denial, pleads so sweetly for pardon, that we hardly regret the privation of amusement, in the admiration of a modesty which gives Shakespeare's proof of excellences The putting a strange face on its own perfec¬ tion!

6.

It is better with willingness to purchase thanks, than with a discontented doing, to have the pain and not the reward.

7.

A churlish courtesy rarely comes but either for gain or falsehood.

8.

There is great difference between rudeness and plainness.

Remark.

Harsh tempers are fond of cloaking ill-natured censures, under the names of plainness and sincerity. They put themselves in the place of a man's conscience, and, without