fervation in all Lord Bacon's works than the following: "We must choose betimes fuch virtu"ous objects as are proportioned to the means we "have of pursuing them, and belong particularly "to the stations we are in, and the duties ofthose "stations. We must determine and fix our minds " in fuch manner upon them, that the pursuit of "them may become the bufinefs, and the attain"ment of them the end, of our whole lives, Thus "we shall imitate the great operations of nature, " and not the feeble, flow, and imperfect opera"tions of art. We must not proceed in forming "the moral character as a statuary proceeds in "forming a ftatue, who works fometimes on the "face, fometimes on one part, and sometimes on "another; but we must proceed, and it is in our (C power to proceed, as nature does in forming a "flower, or any other of her productions; rudi"menta partium omnium fimul parit et producit : "fhe throws out altogether and at once the "whole fystem of every being, and the rudi"ments of all the parts." It is, therefore, more especially to those youthful minds who ftill remain fufceptible of virtuous impreffions, that I here pretend to point out the path which leads to true felicity. Dear and virtuous youths, into whofe hands this book may chance to fall, adopt with afB 4 fectionate fectionate zeal the good it contains, and reject al that does not touch and penetrate the heart: and if you acknowledge that I have enlightened your minds, corrected your manners, and tranquillized your hearts, I fhall congratulate myself on the fuccess of my design, and think my labours richly rewarded. BELIEVE me, all ye amiable youths from whose minds the artifices and gaieties of the world have not yet obliterated the precepts of a virtuous education; who are not yet infected with its inglorious vanities; who, ftill ignorant of the tricks and blandishments of feduction, have preferved the defire to perform fome glorious action, and retained the power to accomplish it; who, in the midft of feasting, dancing, and affemblies, feel an inclination to escape from their unfatisfactory delights; SOLITUDE will afford you a fafe afylum. Let the voice of experience recommend you to cultivate a fondness for domeftic pleasures, to incite and fortify your fouls to noble deeds, to acquire that cool judgment and intrepid spirit which enables you to form correct eftimates of the characters of mankind and of the pleasures of society. But to accomplish this high end, you must turn your eyes from those trifling and infignificant examples which a degenerated race of men affords, and study the illuftrious characters of the ancient Greeks, the Romans," Romans, and the modern English. In what nation will you find more celebrated inftances of human greatnefs? What people poffefs more valour, courage, firmness and knowledge? Where do the arts and sciences fhine with greater fplendor, or with more useful effect? But do not deceive yourselves by a belief that you will acquire the character of an Englishman by wearing a cropped head of hair: No, you must pluck the roots of vice from your minds, destroy the feeds of weakness in your bofoms, and imitate the great examples of heroic virtue which that nation fo frequently affords. It is an ardent love of liberty, undaunted courage, deep penetration, elevated fentiment, and well cultivated understanding, that conftitute the British character; and not their cropped heads, half boots, and round hats. It is virtue alone, and not dress or titles, that can ennoble or adorn the human character. Drefs is an object too minute and trifling wholly to occupy a rational mind; and an illustrious descent is only advantageous as it renders the real merits of its immediate poffeffor more confpicuous. In tracing your genealogies, rank, ye noble youths, thofe only among your ancestors who have performed great and glorious actions, whofe fame shines in the pages of their country's hiftory, and whofe admired characters foreign nations envy and applaud. Never, however, lofe fight of this important truth, that no no one can be truly great until he has gained a knowledge of himself; a knowledge which can only be acquired by OCCASIONAL RETIREMENT. MAY the perusal of the following pages increase your inclination for a wife and active Solitude, justify your averfion from worldly pleasures, and heighten your repugnance to employ VICIOUS MEANS in the attainment even of VIRTUOUS ENDS; for no worldly advantages purchased by dishonourable means can be either solid or lasting. "RETIR'D, we tread a smooth and open way; Thro' briars and brambles in THE WORLD We stray : Stiff oppofition, and perplex'd debate, And thorny care, and rank and stinging hate, This life we relifh, and infure the next; There too THE MUSES fport with myrtles crown'd, While joys untainted beam on all around. |