light of his experience without hurting our eyes by flashes of insolence.

Rambler, vol. 2.

It is not often that a man can have so much knowledge of another as is necessary to make instruction useful. We are sometimes not ourselves conscious of the original motives of our actions, and when we know them, our first care is to hide them from the sight of others, and often from those most diligently whose superiority, either of power or understanding, may entitle them to inspect our lives. It is therefore very probable that he, who endeavours the cure of our intellectual maladies, mistakes their cause, and that his prescriptions avail nothing, because he knows not which of the passions, or desires, is vitiated. Ibid.

Ambition-illustrated in the Fate of Cardinal Wolsey.

In full-blown dignity see Wolsey stand, Law in his voice, and fortune in his hand; To him the church, the realm, their powers con

sign,

Through him the rays of regal bounty shine.
Still to new heights his restless wishes tow'r,

Claim leads to claim, and pow'r advances pow'r;

Till conquest unresisted ceas'd to please,

And rights submitted left him none to seize.

At length his sov'reign frowns-the train of

state

Mark the keen glance, and watch the sign to hate;
Where'er he turns he meets a stranger's eye,
His suppliants scorn him, and his followers fly;
At once is lost the pride of awful state,
The golden canopy, the glitt'ring plate,
The regal palace, the luxurious board,
The liv'ried army, and the menial lord;
With age, with cares, with maladies oppress'd,
He seeks the refuge of monastic rest.

Grief aids disease, remember'd folly stings,
And his last sighs reproach the faith of kings.

Vanity of Human Wishes

Adversary.

Candour and tenderness are, in any relation, and on all occasions, eminently amiable; but when they are found in an adversary, and found so prevalent as to overpower that zeal which his cause excites, and that heat which naturally increases in the prosecution of argument, and which may be, in a great measure, justified by the love of truth, they certainly appear with particular advantages; and it is im possible not to envy those who possess the friendship of him whom it is even some

degree of good fortune to have known as Letter to Dr. Douglas.

an enemy.

Assurance.

He whose stupidity has armed him against the shafts of ridicule, will always act and speak with greater audacity than they whose sensibility represses their ardour, and who dare never let their confidence outgrow their abilities.

Abstinence.

Rambler, vol. 3.

To set the mind above the appetites is the end of abstinence; which one of the fathers observes to be, not a virtue, but the ground-work of a virtue. By forbearing to do what may innocently be done, we may add hourly new vigour to resolution, and secure the power of resistance when pleasure or interest shall lend their charms to guilt. Idler, vol. 1.

Auction.

He that has lived without knowing to what height desire may be raised by vanity, with what rapture bawbles are snatched out of the hands of rival collectors; how the eagerness of one raises eagerness in another, and one worthless purchase makes

another necessary, may, by passing a few hours at an auction, learn more than can be shown by many volumes of maxims or essays. Idler, vol 2.

Atheist.

It has been long observed that an atheist has no just reason for endeavouring conversions; and yet none harass those minds, which they can influence, with more importunity of solicitation to adopt their opinions. In proportion as they doubt the truth of their own doctrines, they are desirous to gain the attestation of another understanding, and industriously labour to win a proselyte; and eagerly catch at the slightest pretence to dignify their sect with a celebrated name. Life of Sir T. Browne.

Anticipation.

Whatever advantage we snatch beyond a certain portion allotted us by nature, is like money spent before it is due, which, at the time of regular payment, will be missed and regretted. Idler, vol. 2.

Applause.

It frequently happens that applause abates diligence. Whoever finds himself to have performed more than was demand

ed, will be contented to spare the labour of unnecessary performances, and sit down to enjoy at ease his superfluities of honour But long intervals of pleasure dissipate attention and weaken constancy; nor is it easy for him that has sunk from diligence into sloth, to rouse out of his lethargy, to re-collect his notions, re-kindle his curiosity, and engage with his former ardour in the toils of study. Rambler, vol. 3

Appearances (often deceitful.)

In the condition of men, it frequently happens that grief and anxiety lie hid under the golden robes of prosperity, and the gloom of calamity is cheered by secret radiations of hope and comfort; as in the works of nature the bog is sometimes covered with flowers, and the mine concealed in the barren crags. Ibid.

Army.

An army, especially a defensive army, multiplies itself. The contagion of enterprise spreads from one heart to another; zeal for a native, or detestation for a foreign sovereign, hope of sudden greatness or riches, friendship or emulation between particular men, or, what are perhaps more general and powerful, desire of novelty,