templates the Deity in all those marks gives a softness and sensibility to the of wisdom and benignity diffused heart, and a mildness and gentleness through the various works of nature. to the manners; but above all, it proThe devout man confines his views duces an universal charity and love rather to his own particular connex- to mankind, however different in staion with the Deity, the many instan- tion, country, or religion. There is ces of his goodness he himself has a sublime yet tender melancholy, experienced, and the many greater almost the universal attendant on he still hopes for. This establishes genius, which is too apt to degenea kind of intercourse, which often rate into gloom and disgust with the interests the heart and passions in world. Devotion is admirably calthe deepest manner. culated to sooth this disposition, by The devotional taste, like all other insensibly leading the mind, while it tastes, has had the hard fate to be seems to indulge it, to those proscondemned as a weakness, by all pects which calm every murmur of who are strangers to its joys and its discontent, and diffuse a cheerfulinfluence. Too much and too frequent ness over the darkest hours of human occasion has been given, to turn this life.-Persons in the pride of high subject into ridicule.-A heated and health and spirits, who are keen in devout imagination, when not under the pursuits of pleasure, interest, or the direction of a very sound under-ambition, have either no ideas on standing, is apt to run very wild, and this subject, or treat it as the enthuis at the same time very impatient to siasm of a weak mind. But this republish all its follies to the world.-ally shows great narrowness of unThe feelings of a devout heart should derstanding; a very little reflection be mentioned with great reserve and and acquaintance with nature might delicacy, as they depend upon pri- teach them, on how precarious a vate experience, and certain circum- foundation their boasted independstances of mind and situation, which ence on religion is built; the thouthe world can neither know nor sand nameless accidents that may Judge of. But devotional writings, destroy it; and that though for some excuted with judgment and taste, years they should escape these, yet are not only highly useful, but to all that time must impair the greatest who have a true sense of religion, vigour of health and spirits, and depeculiarly engaging.

§ 66. Advantages of Devotion.

prive them of all those objects for Gregory. which, at present, they think life only worth enjoying. It should seem, therefore, very necessary to secure some permanent -object, some real The devotional spirit, united to support to the mind, to cheer the good sense and a cheerful temper, soul, when all others shall have gives that steadiness to virtue, which lost their influence. The greatest it always wants when produced and inconvenience, indeed, that attends supported by good natural disposi- devotion, is its taking such a fast tions only. It corrects and human- hold of the affections, as sometimes izes those constitutional vices, which threatens the extinguishing of every it is not able entirely to subdue; and other active principle of the mind. though it too often fails to render men For when the devotional spirit falls perfectly virtuous, it preserves them in with a melancholy temper, it is too from becoming utterly abandoned. It apt to depress the mind entirely, to has, besides, the most favourable in- sink it to the weakest superstition, fluence on all the passive virtues: it and to produce a total retirement and

abstraction from the world, and all] the duties of life.

True politeness is modest, unpre

Gregory. tending, and generous. It appears as little as may be; and when it does a courtesy, would willingly con

§ 67. The Difference between true ceal it. It chooses silently to forego and false Politeness.

its own claims, not officiously to It is evident enough, that the mo- withdraw them. It engages a man ral and Christian duty of preferring to prefer his neighbour to himself, one another in honour, respects only because he really esteems him; besocial peace and charity, and termi- cause he is tender of his reputation; nates in the good and edification of because he thinks it more manly, our Christian brother. Its use is, to more Christian, to descend a little soften the minds of men, and to draw himself than to degrade another. It them from that savage rusticity, respects, in a word, the credit and which engenders many vices, and estimation of his neighbour. discredits the virtues themselves. The mimic of this amiable virtue, But when men had experienced the false politeness, is, on the other hand, benefit of this complying temper, and ambitious, servile, timorous. It af further saw the ends, not of charity fects popularity; is solicitous to only, but of self-interest, that might please, and to be taken notice of. be answered by it; they considered The man of this character does not no longer its just purpose and appli- offer, but obtrude his civilities; becation, but stretched it to that offici- cause he would merit by this assiduous sedulity, and extreme servility ity; because, in despair of winning of adulation, which we too often ob- regard by any worthier qualities, he serve and lament in polished life. would be sure to make the most of Hence, that infinite attention and this; and lastly, because of all things, consideration, which is so rigidly ex- he would dread, by the omission of acted, and so duly paid, in the com- any punctilious observance, to give merce of the world: hence, that offence. In a word, this sort of poprostitution of mind, which leaves a liteness respects, for its immediate man no will, no sentiment, no princi- object, the favour and consideration ple, no character; all which disap- of our neighbour. pear under the uniform exhibition of 2. Again: the man who governs good manners: hence, those insidi- himself by the spirit of the apostle's ous arts, those studied disguises, precept, expresses his preference of those obsequious flatteries, nay, those another in such a way as is worthy multiplied and nicely-varied forms of of himself; in all innocent compliinsinuation and address, the direct ances, in all honest civilities, in all aim of which may be to acquire the decent and manly condescensions. fame of politeness and good-breed- On the contrary, the man of the ing, but the certain effect, to corrupt world, who rests in the letter of this every virtue, to sooth every vanity, command, is regardless of the means and to inflame every vice of the hu- by which he conducts himself. He man heart. respects neither his own dignity, nor These fatal mischiefs introduce that of human nature. Truth, reathemselves under the pretence and son, virtue, all are equally betrayed semblance of that humanity, which by this supple impostor. He assents the scriptures encourage and enjoin: to the errors, though the most pernibut the genuine virtue is easily dis- cious; he applauds the follies, though tinguished from the counterfeit, and the most ridiculous, he sooths the by the following plain signs. vices, though the most flagrant, of

VOL. I. No. 4.

H

other men. He never contradicts, timent than reasoning. The importthough in the softest form of insinua- ant and interesting articles of faith tion; he never disapproves, though are sufficiently plain. Fix your atby a respectful silence; he never tention on these, and do not meddle condemns, though it be only by a with controversy. If you get into good example. In short, he is solicit- that, you plunge into a chaos, from ous for nothing, but by some studied which you will never be able to exdevices to hide from others, and, tricate yourselves. It spoils the temif possible, to palliate to himself, the per, and, I suspect, has no good effect grossness of his illiberal adulation. on the heart.

Lastly; we may be sure, that the Avoid all books, and all conversaultimate ends for which these differ- tion, that tend to shake your faith on ent objects are pursued, and by so those great points of religion, which different means, must also lie wide should serve to regulate your conof each other. duct, and on which your hopes of Accordingly, the true polite man future and eternal happiness depend. would, by all proper testimonies of Never indulge yourselves in ridirespect, promote the credit and esti- cule on religious subjects; nor give mation of his neighbour; because he countenance to it in others, by seemsees that, by this generous consider- ing diverted with what they say. ation of each other, the peace of the This, to people of good breeding, world is, in a good degree, preserv- will be a sufficient check. ed; because he knows that these mu- I wish you to go no farther than the tual attentions prevent animosities, Scriptures for your religious opinions. soften the fierceness of men's man- Embrace those you find clearly reners, and disposes them to all the offi- vealed. Never perplex yourselves ces of benevolence and charity; be- about such as you do not understand, cause, in a word, the interests of so- but treat them with silent and beciety are best served by this conduct; coming reverence. and because he understands it to be his duty to love his neighbour.

I would advise you to read only such religious books as are addressThe falsely polite, on the contrary, ed to the heart, such as inspire pious are anxious, by all means whatever, and devout affections, such as are to procure the favour and considera- proper to direct you in your conduct; tion of those they converse with; be- and not such as tend to entangle you cause they regard, ultimately, nothing in the endless maze of opinions and more than their private interest; be- systems.

cause they perceive that their own Be punctual in the stated performselfish designs are best carried on by ance of your private devotions, mornsuch practices: in a word, because ing and evening. If you have any they love themselves. sensibility or imagination, this will Thus we see, that genuine virtue establish such an intercourse beconsults the honour of others by tween you and the Supreme Being, worthy means, and for the noblest as will be of infinite consequence to purposes; the counterfeit solicits you in life. It will communicate an their favour by dishonest compli- habitual cheerfulness to your temper, ances, and for the basest end.

give a firmness and steadiness to your Hurd. virtue, and enable you to go through all the vicissitudes of human life with

$68. On Religious Principles and propriety and dignity.

Behaviour.

I wish you to be regular in your

Religion is rather a matter of sen-attendance on public worship, and in

receiving the communion. Allow no-to profit and to please, they inform thing to interrupt your public or pri- the understanding, elevate the affecvate devotions, except the perform- tions, and entertain the imagination. ance of some active duty in life, to Indited under the influence of Him, which they should always give place. to whom all hearts are known, and -In your behaviour at public wor-all events foreknown, they suit manship, observe an exemplary attention kind in all situations, grateful as the and gravity. manna which descended from above,

That extreme strictness which I and conformed itself to every palate. recommend to you in these duties, The fairest productions of human will be considered by many of your wit, after a few perusals, like gatheracquaintance as a superstitious at- ed flowers, wither in our hands, and tachment to forms; but in the advices lose their fragrancy; but these unI give you on this and other subjects, fading plants of paradise become, as I have an eye to the spirit and man- we are accustomed to them, still ners of the age. There is a levity more and more beautiful; their bloom and dissipation in the present man- appears to be daily heightened; fresh ners, a coldness and listlessness in odours are emitted, and new sweets whatever relates to religion, which extracted from them. He who hath cannot fail to infect you, unless you once tasted their excellencies, will purposely cultivate in your minds a desire to taste them yet again.; and he contrary bias, and make the devo- who tastes them oftenest, will relish tional one habitual. them best.-And now, could the au

$ 69.

Gregory's Advice. thor flatter himself that any one would take half the pleasure in reading his

On the Beauties of the work which he hath taken in writing Psalms. it, he would not fear the loss of his Greatness confers no exemption labour. The employment detached from the cares and sorrows of life: him from the bustle and hurry of life, its share of them frequently bears a the din of politics, and the noise of melancholy proportion to its exalta- folly; vanity and vexation flew away tion. This the Israelitish monarch ex- for a season, care and disquietude perienced. He sought in piety, that came not near his dwelling. He rose, peace which he could not find in em- fresh as the morning, to his task; the pire, and alleviated the disquietudes silence of the night invited him to of state, with the exercises of devo- pursue it; and he can truly say, that tion. His invaluable Psalms convey food and rest were not preferred bethose comforts to others, which they fore it. Every Psalm improved infiafforded to himself. Composed upon nitely upon his acquaintance with it, particular occasions, yet designed for and no one gave him uneasiness but general use; delivered out as services the last; for then he grieved that his for Israelites under the Law, yet no work was done. Happier hours than less adapted to the circumstances those which have been spent in these of Christians under the Gospel; they meditations on the songs of Sion, he present religion to us in the most en-never expects to see in this world. gaging dress; communicating truths Very pleasantly did they pass, and which philosophy could never inves- moved smoothly and swiftly along; tigate, in a style which poetry can for when thus engaged, he counted no never equal; while history is made time. They are gone, but have left the vehicle of prophecy, and creation a relish and a fragrance upon the lends all its charms to paint the glo- mind, and the remembrance of them ries of redemption. Calculated alike is sweet. Horne.

$70. The Temple of virtuous

out all the couples that were unhapLove. pily married; who came out linked The structure on the right hand was together by chains, which each of (as I afterwards found) consecrated them strove to break, but could not. to virtuous Love, and could not be en- Several of these were such as had tered, but by such as received a ring, never been acquainted with each or some other token, from a person other before they met in the great who was placed as a guard at the gate walk, or had been too well acquaintof it. He wore a garland of roses and ed in the thicket. The entrance to myrtles on his head, and on his shoul- this gate was possessed by three sisders a robe like an imperial mantle ters, who joined themselves with white and unspotted all over, except- these wretches, and occasioned most ing only, that where it was clasped at of their miseries. The youngest of his breast, there were two golden tur- the sisters was known by the name tle doves that buttoned it by their of Levity; who, with the innobills, which were wrought in rubies: cence of a virgin, had the dress and he was called by the name of Hymen, behaviour of a harlot: the name of and was seated near the entrance of the second was Contention, who bore the temple, in a delicious bower, on her right arm a muff made of the made up of several trees that were skin of a porcupine, and on her left embraced by woodb ues, jessamines, carried a little lap-dog, that barked and amaranths, which were as so and snapped at every one that passed nany emblems of marriage, and or- by her. The eldest of the sisters, naments to the trunks that supported who seemed to have a haughty and them. As I was single and unac-imperious air, was always accompacompanied, I was not permitted to panied with a tawny Cupid, who geenter the temple, and for that reason nerally marched before her with a am a stranger to all the mysteries little mace on his shoulder, the end that were performed in it. I had, of which was fashioned into the horns however, the curiosity to observe, of a stag: her garments were yellow, how the several couples that entered and her complexion pale: her eyes were disposed of; which was after were piercing, but had odd casts in the following manner: there were two them, and that particular distemper great gates on the back-side of the which makes persons who are trouedifice, at which the whole crowd was bled with it see objects double. Upon let out. At one of these gates were inquiry, I was informed that her two women, extremely beautiful, name was Jealousy. Tatler. though in a different kind; the one having a very careful and composed S71. The Temple of Lust. air, the other a sort of smile and ineffable sweetness in her counte- Having finished my observations nance the name of the first was Dis- upon this temple, and its votaries, I cretion, and of the other Complacen- repaired to that which stood on the cy. All who came out of this gate, and left hand, and was called the temple put themselves under the direction of Lust. The front of it was raised of these two sisters, were immediate-on Corinthian pillars, with all the ly conducted by them into gardens, meretricious ornaments that accomgroves, and meadows, which abound-pany that order; whereas that of the ed in delights, and were furnished other was composed of the chaste and with every thing that could make matron-like Ionic. The sides of it them the proper seats of happiness. were adorned with several grotesque The second gate of this temple let figures of goats, sparrows, heathen