head above the dull and infipid level of its fellows.

In the midft however of the candid and liberal indulgence which is fo amply due to juvenile years, we must not forget the principles of impartial judgment. It will often be our duty to regret, while we forgive. It too frequently happens that the exceffes of youth, not only leave an unfavourable ftain upon the reputation, but that they corrupt the difpofition, and debase the character. It is not every youthful folly that men shake off when they arrive at years of dif cretion. The wild and inconfiderate boy will often entail fome of the worst features of his character on the man.

Owing to this it is, that we frequently meet with that mixed character in the adult over which humanity weeps. We have often occafion to obferve the most admirable talents, and even the most excellent difpofitions, in men, whose talents and virtues are nevertheless rendered abortive by fome habitual indifcretion. Thefe men a well-formed mind cannot fail to love. Their very weakness causes a peculiar kind of tenderness to mix itself with our love. But they go out of the world, having excited its admiration, not added to the ftock of good; or

a confiderate and an affectionate friend could lend his affiftance to the genuine operations of the mind, the event would be inexpreffibly aufpicious.

There is nothing more contrary to true justice and enlightened morality, than the unfparing harfhnefs with which the old frequently cenfure the extravagancies of the young. Enamoured of black forebodings, and gorged with mifanthropy, they pour out their ill-omened prophesyings with unpitying cruelty. The fober, the dull, the obedient, lads that have no will and no understanding of their own, are the only themes of their eulogium. They know no touch of candour and liberal juftice. They make no allowance for the mutability of youth, and have no generous prefentiment of their future recollection and wifdom. They never forgive a fingle offence. They judge of characters from one accidental failing, and will not deign to turn their attention to thofe great and admirable qualities, by which this one failing, it may be, is amply redeemed. They may be compared to that tyrant of antiquity who, intending to convey a fymbolical leffon upon the principles of defpotifm, paffed through a field of corn, and ftruck off every car that had the audacity to rear its

head

head above the dull and infipid level of its fellows.

In the midft however of the candid and liberal indulgence which is fo amply due to juvenile years, we must not forget the principles of impartial judgment. It will often be our duty to regret, while we forgive. It too frequently happens that the exceffes of youth, not only leave an unfavourable ftain upon the reputation, but that they corrupt the difpofition, and debase the character. It is not every youthful folly that men shake off when they arrive at years of difcretion. The wild and inconfiderate boy will often entail fome of the worst features of his character on the man.

Owing to this it is, that we frequently meet with that mixed character in the adult over which humanity weeps. We have often occafion to obferve the most admirable talents, and even the most excellent difpofitions, in men, whose talents and virtues are nevertheless rendered abortive by fome habitual indifcretion. Thefe men a well-formed mind cannot fail to love. Their very weakness causes a peculiar kind of tenderness to mix itself with our love. But they go out of the world, having excited its admiration, not added to the stock of good; or

THE

ENQUIRER.

PART II.

ESSAY I

OF RICHES AND POVERTY.

THERE HERE is nothing that deferves to be more minutely watched, than what may be ftyled an intemperate spirit of philosophy.

The fect that carried this spirit to the most ridiculous extreme among the ancients, were the Stoics.

One of the decifions of this fpirit is, that riches are no benefit, and poverty no evil.

If this maxim were true, particularly the latter member, in its utmoft extent, the chief argument in favour of political reform and amendment would be shown to be utterly false.

M

The

The reverfe of this maxim, it fhould feem, ought to be received. Poverty is an enormous evil. By poverty I understand the state of a man poffeffing no permanent property, in a country where wealth and luxury have already gained a fecure establishment.

He then that is born to poverty, may be said, under another name, to be born a flave.

A boy of a thoughtful and reflecting turn, will frequently look forward in this respect to the ftate of manhood, with an aching heart. Now, he will exclaim, I am maintained by the industry of others; I am freed from all folicitude about the fupply of tomorrow. But hereafter I fhall be told, You fhall not have the neceffaries of the day without the labour of the day; "He that will not work, neither fhall he eat*." His ftate in feveral refpects resembles the prophetic denunciation of Jefus Chrift to the apofile Peter: "Verily, verily, I fay unto thee, When thou waft young, thou girdedft thyself, and walkedft whither thou wouldeft: but when thou fhalt be old, thou fhalt ftretch forth thy hands, and another fhall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldcft not." In reality however, the child and the adult are both flaves in different ways: when we put on the manly * IL Theff. Chap. iii, ver. 10. † John, Chap. xxi, ver. 18. · gown,