fits received from others, than the proofs

we have of their perfection.

To the heart inspiring
Vernaldelight and joy.

The charms of grandeur and opulence do not consist in keeping thought at a distance. The highest pleasure attendant on that state is, that all with whom the great converse are very assiduous, to heighten and exalt the ideas they have conceived of their own personal accomplishments.

Vice always debases us, because it flatters us, and we are content with receiving from an external appearance of perfection an inward satisfaction, which

can only flow from intrinsic excellence. Vain, deluded mortals! an empty bauble is able to imprint the most strong impression on us! Whatever adorns itself with the outward form of virtue, strength, or activity, finds its way to us by the most fascinating charms.

It is this imaginary perfection, which gives such high esteem to revenge. But to flatter us, pride has no occasion to set before our view the brilliancy of our perfections. There are persons who make the disgrace and faults of others a subject of pleasure, and they seem to enjoy that superiority, their being free appears to give them. Yet there are a miserable set of people, who can take delight in being too severe upon the failings of their fel

low creatures, and this malevolent propensity has a genuine misery concealed beneath it. This is endeavouring to become opulent by the indigence of others.

It is with perfection as with all other things capable of evidence, and is proved to us, not only by the testimony of our own perceptions, but also by the authority of others.

rest.

We always desire the approbation of those with whom we live, and this we do independently of any motive of inteSelf-love will not dare to vindicate itself, unless it has the concurrent approbation of others. This partiality for esteem is naturally proportioned to the extent of our abilities. An exalted genius

and nobleness of soul animate a man, to look for an acknowledgment of the excellency of his judgment, from men of all nations and all ages. It is true we may say of the wise man, (if there are any deserving that title), what the most ancient writer of tragedy has said of one of his heroes-" Satisfied with being really praise-worthy, he heeds not whether he has the praise of others or not." But this man is not entirely exempt from the desire of fame, he only carries it a degree farther than the rest of mankind, he aspires to possess the approbation of hist Creator.

Great source of day! best image here below
Of thy Creator, ever pouring wide

From world to world the vital ocean round,

On nature write, with ev'ry beam, his praise!

The good opinion of others not only flatters us, by the propitious idea it gives us of our personal qualities, but it persuades us that others consider our happiness as making part of theirs. So great is our connection and reliance upon each other, that there is not an individual in society who is not capable to disturb our happiness, though there are more who endeavour to promote it. What can af

ford us more felicity in our weak state, than to see in all around us an universal wish to serve us?

But if the esteem of others has in itself no inducement but the mere promise of happiness, how comes it that we should procure it by the sacrifice of our lives? History has immortalized such Romans,