verfions of the theatre. And by the fagacity of the managers of the theatres, who very well know, that the grofs of an audience have no tafte for what is really excellent in thofe enter. tainments, and are only to be pleafed with fhew, or ribaldry; by their cunning management, I fay, it comes about, that it is not much fafer for a young and innocent perfon to be present at the representation of a chafte and virtuous piece, than of one of the most profane. What does it avail, that the piece itself be unexceptionable; if it is to be interlarded with lewd fongs or dances, and tagged at the conclufion with a ludicrous and beastly farce? I cannot therefore, in confcience, give youth any other advice, than generally to avoid fuch diversions, as cannot be indulged without the utmost danger of perverting their taste, and corrupting their morals.

As for masquerades, if the intention of them be intriguing, they answer fome end, though a bad one; if not, they seem by all accounts to be fuch a piece of wretched foolery, as ought to be beneath any but children, or mad people. That a thousand people should come together in ridiculous dreffes only to fqueak to one another, I know you, and, Do you know me! Posterity, if the world should grow a little wifer, will not believe it; but will conclude, that their grandfathers and grandmothers were very naught. A multitude affembled together in mafks, by which means fhame, the great reftraint from vice, is

banished!

banished! What can be imagined more threatening to the interefts of virtue and decency *.

I know of no very material objection against the entertainments of mufic called concerts, if they be not purfued to the lofs of too much time or money. Thofe called oratorios, being a kind of drama's taken from Scripture, are, I think, exceptionable, as they tend to degrade those awful fubjects, and to turn into diverfion what is more proper for devotion.

At the fame time, coun

Promiscuous dancing at public balls, is a diverfion no way proper for young people, as it gives an opportunity for the artful and designing of either fex to lay fnares for one another, which fometimes prove fatal. try-dancing in private, where the whole company are known to one another, where the parents or other judicious perfons prefide, where decency is kept up, and moderation used, muft, I think, be owned to be both an agreeable amufement, and a wholefome exercise.

Among various other the immortal honours of our prefent moft excellent Sovereign, George III. may this page hand down. to pofterity, that he has fet his royal authority and example in full oppofition to the vices here remarked on, viz. Mafquerading, Gaming, and criminai Gallantry. And to the indelible difgrace of the prefent age, be it remembered, that, in confequence of the difcontent of a set of disappointed grandees, the merit of fo amiable a prince has not been esteemed as, from the known generofity of the people of Britain, might have been expected.

Hunting,

Hunting, the favourite diverfion of the country-gentry, is, without doubt, the very best that can be ufed, for the prefervation of health, exclufive of the danger of broken bones. But, as a gentleman ought in all reafon to be poffeffed of other endowments and accomplishments, befides that of a healthy conftitution, one would think, a few other employments fhould have place; fuch as reading, overlooking their bufinefs, improving their eftates, ferving their friends, and country, and preparing themfelves for another world: for furely that cannot be faid to be the existence of a thinking, focial, immortal creature, which is divided between hunting, drinking, and fleeping.

The diftrefs many people feem to be in for fomewhat to pass the time, might have been prevented by their studying in the earlier part of life to acquire a little tafte for reading and contemplation. Whoever can find an agreeable companion in a book, a tree, or a flower, can never be at a lofs how to pafs his leifure hours, though he fhould not be in the way of the cardtable, the tavern, or the play. And it is well worth while to acquire a little tafte for mental amusements in one's early years (the only time of life in which it is to be acquired) for when all is faid, it is but a miferable cafe for a man to have in himself no entertainment for himfelf; but to be obliged to be beholden to others for all his pleasure in life.

Our

Our fituation in the prefent ftate is such, that every thing makes a part of our discipline; and we are in danger, without proper care, and attention, of deviating into error in fo feemingly trivial a particular as that of drefs. Too much time, or too great expence bestowed on dress, that is, more than might do the business decently, becomes criminal. For that is wafting upon an affair of very little confequence, what is of great value, and might be much better applied. Levity, or wantonnefs appearing in dress is also unjustifiable, as tending to produce bad effects on ourselves and others.

To conclude, the proper conduct of the paffions, and appetites confifts briefly, In following nature in the indulgence of them; in taking care, above all things, not to fuffer them to get fuch a hold of the mind, as to enflave it, that is, to engage fo much of its attention as may difqualify it for worthier purfuits, make it unhappy by continually hankering after the gratification of one low defire or other, and lead it to place its whole fatisfaction in such gratifications. The due conduct of the paffions and appetites fuppofes reafon to bear rule in the mind, and the inferior powers to be in fubjection. Whoever keeps his mind conftantly in fuch a condition, is at all times in a capacity for acting a part fuitable to the dignity of human nature, and performing his duty to his fellow-creatures, and to his Creator.

SECT.

SECT.

VII.

Of our Obligations with Refpect to our Fellow

TH

creatures.

HE foundation upon which the whole of our duty to our fellow-creatures muft reft, is benevolence. And the measure of our love to the rest of mankind, is, its being equal to that which we have for ourselves. The reason why it is made our duty to love our neighbours as ourselves, is, That being proper, there should be fuch an order of beings, as man, created, it was impoffible for Divine wisdom to propose the production of fuch a fpecies, without intending them to be united together as a fociety; and that mutual love and agreement are effentially neceffary to the very idea of a fociety. As it is impoffible to conceive a material fyftem, in which repulfion fhould univerfally prevail, and attraction have no place, but every particle of matter fhould repel every other, fo is it inconceivable that a fociety should fubfift, in which every individual should hate every other.

Our felt-love is very wifely made the measure of our love to our fellow-creatures, because every individual ought to confider himself as only one among many, and no way of greater confequence than his neighbour, before the univerfal Governor, than as he may be more virtuous than he. And

as