Yet Bigotry is just as amiable and as respectable in her indulgences as in her severities, in her partialities as in her persecutions. She deified most of the Roman emperors, and she has graced the calendar of saints with the names of many disgusting fools and villains.

The Scythians reasoned well when pursued by the would-be son of Jupiter Ammon, that " he who did so "much harm to men could not be divine." Their inference, however, has been carried too far by the African people, who were of opinion that "God is too good to require that his creatures should pray to him for bless

66

66

'ings," and therefore they worshipped only the evil spirits.

There can be no reasonable doubt that it is better to believe too much than too little, since, as Boswell observes, (most probably in Johnson's words), " a man

66

may breathe in foul air, but he must die in an exhausted "receiver."

Much of the scepticism that we meet with is necessarily affectation or conceit, for it is as likely that the ignorant, weak, and indolent, should become mathematicians as reasoning unbelievers. Patient study and perfect impartiality must precede rational conviction, whether ending in faith or in doubt. Need it be asked how many are

capable of such an examination? But whether men come honestly by their opinions or not, it is more advisable to refute than to burn, or even to scorch them.

ON THE PASSIONS.

I HAVE heard that a gentleman, to whom an estate had been bequeathed, called up his servants and addressed them thus:" Ladies and gentlemen! I hope you will "have the goodness to remember that I have got only one more estate of one thousand pounds per annum, " and I beg that every one of you will not be spending "at that rate."

66

Something like this should be said to our different appetites, for the consequence of freely indulging all, would be ruinous to body, mind, and fortune. Yet each must be moderately satisfied, since gratifying one alone would be like giving food to a single head of Cerberus, making the others only more voracious.

Such, notwithstanding, is the complicated constitution of human nature, that a man, without a predominant inclination, is not likely to be either useful or happy.

Chrysologue est tout et n'est rien." He who is every thing is nothing, is as true of our sensitive as of our intellectual nature. He is rather a bundle of little likings than a compact and energetic individual. A strong desire soon subdues all the weaker, and rules us with the united force of all that it subjugates.

Vivid perceptions and intense feelings have, sometimes, a sort of fascination, compelling us to rush headlong into danger; as in the delirious giddiness caused by looking down a frightful precipice. Action so commonly follows lively sensation that the habit becomes inveterate, and, now and then, irresistible, even when certainly fatal. Any desire, suffered to rule uncontrolled, quickly gains this terrible ascendancy, and even madness itself is, sometimes, only outrageous selfishness.

Such being the force of human feelings, it must embitter our daily lives if our employments are unsuited to our talents and wishes; yet, how few, alas! are so fortunate as to be gaining either wealth or fame while gratifying an inclination.

The well-known doctrine of a master-passion is only an exaggeration of the fact, as displayed in the characters of most persons, and especially of those who have warm constitutions.

It is therefore of great importance to watch the growth of such a powerful despot in ourselves and in others, if we hope to govern or to understand either. Yet it is, in truth, surprising how few are sufficiently acquainted with themselves to see, distinctly, what their own motives actually are. It is a rare as well as a great advantage for a man to know his own mind.

If we attend to what is going on we have, at first, a voice in choosing our own sovereign; for the monarchy, though absolute, is elective, and much indeed does it concern us to choose our ruler wisely.

Ambition and vanity are hard taskmasters, and it is only to our home-bred affections that we must trust for real pleasures. The world tempts and disappoints; first makes us thirsty and then gives us bitter water to drink. Even when defeated and mortified, the social feelings are not wholly unpleasing, for the French actress's exclamation, while speaking of an unfaithful lover's once deserting her, was quite natural. "c'etoit le bon tems! j'etois bien malheureuse." No colours are so gay as those reflected by the clouds that have passed away.

"Ah!

It cannot be denied, that our warmest emotions, though subjecting us to innumerable temptations, have

many countervailing benefits. Though all the passions are subtle sophists, and ever justify themselves, yet they are not without their use in our mental improvement, since, probably more prejudices are removed by passion than by philosophy. Temper too, even ill-temper, is more frank and honest than a calm, calculating self-love; or, at least, it puts others on their guard, by exhibiting the character plainly, as an insect shown in a microscope.

Of the generous impulses, it is needless to point out the merits. They are, luckily, felt in all conditions of life. Admiration, for instance, is found in all, especially in unspoiled youth, and in the unambitious common people. What a simultaneous burst of applause from pit, box, and gallery, instantly follows a magnanimous deed or sentiment! "Les grandes pensées viennent du "cœur," says a most discerning, self-taught, man of the world.

In the voluptuous and self-indulgent vices, there is often some mixture of kindness, some little regard to others; but the vain, too commonly, and the ambitious, always, are purely selfish, admitting of no partners in success, and hating their dearest friends, should such, unfortunately, happen to be their competitors for fame