probably ours would have been in the similar situation? But should they unjustly accuse us, we ought to pity their frailty, in nourishing within their breasts a sure principle of pain and disgust. Indeed we should consider them as persons in a raging fever, who imagine they shall cure themselves by wounding every one that comes near them. Let us arm ourselves against their pernicious attacks, but not punish ourselves by giving way to passions which disturb the peace of our souls.

Good name in man and woman

Is the immediate jewel of their souls.

Who steals my purse, steals trash:

'Tis something-nothing;

'Twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands.

But he that filches from me my good name,

Robs me of that, which not enriches him,
And makes me poor indeed.

Notwithstanding these sentiments of humanity which we owe to mankind in general, there are also particular duties arising from the several stations in which Providence has placed us. They may be divided to this general plan-to act to our superiors, inferiors, and equals, as we would wish they would do to us. Let this be the rule of our conduct; and if we strictly fulfil those duties, it will be a means to procure us the esteem, confidence, and affection of all our acquaintance, and must inspire them with the most sincere sentiments of benevolence towards us.

Amid all the duties which arise from the different connexions in life, there are none which have more the resemblance

of being superior to human nature, than that of invariable friendship. It demands us to sacrifice our most important interests in behalf of our friend, and to look upon him as the better part of ourselves. From this there flows a source of redundant delight, and those duties which at first seem so difficult to perform, find, in the accomplishment, exquisite pleasure, and consummate satisfaction.

There have been celebrated authors who have maintained, that in the intercourse of friendship we lose more than we gain. They say it is a kind of extension of ourselves, which exposes us to wretchedness, not only in our own. persons but also in others. This, in my

idea, denotes utter ignorance of the power

of love.

Love is jealous of his power,

Confess betimes the influence of a God.

Virtue is of such a nature, that the interest true friends feel for each other is so singular, that it augments their joys and decreases their sorrows; even the reciprocal sadness of real friends is to them a pleasing sensation, which they would not exchange for the most enchanting delights.

Come sacred friendship, exert thy softest power,
Perfect esteem, and sympathy of soul;

Thought meeting thought, and will preventing will,
With boundless confidence: for nought but love

Can answer love, and render bliss secure.

If it is true that benevolence alone can make us happy, whence comes it that the greater part of mankind seem inclined to hatred, malice, and injustice? The chief cause of this confusion is the false impression, which riches and opulence make upon us by the delusive shew of exterior grandeur. How often the head that wears the imperial diadem conceals a heart oppressed with woe. Too frequently might the splendid courtier envy the lot of the lowly clown. We make an erroneous estimate of perfect happiness, and in place of exercising our abilities and conducting ourselves towards others in such a manner, as to inspire us with ideas which are adapted to our nature and accommodated to our felicity, we fly with impetuous wings to gain the empty shadow, so by