To make travelling produce its designed effects on the mind; to unfetter us from prejudice and unreasonable partialities; to make us liberal in our opinions of foreign nations, and be, indeed, citizens of the world, universal philanthropists, and loyal sons to our own country, we must converse with mankind at large; study their states; esteem their virtues, and provide against their vices. By these means, while we compassionate errors which arise from bad governments, we avoid the effects on ourselves; and learn to venerate and guard the constitution that unites private security with public honour. From these views of the subject, it will readily be granted, that military and naval veterans, who have had frequent opportunities of seeing distant countries while they fought for their own, must, in general, be the most liberal characters. By their situations, they are forced to mix with strangers and enemies, as well as friends; and the result is, that they see men as they are.— All human passions, good and bad, being brought before their eyes; all people, more or less, exhibiting the same quantity of vicious

or virtuous propensities; they regard the spectacle with candour, modesty, and self-examination; and, when the white flag is hoisted, are ready to embrace their reconciled enemy, and to sit down with him to partake the holy sacrament of peace and amity.

4.

Among the best men are diversities of opinions; which are no more, in true reason, to breed hatred, than one that loves black, should be angry with him that is clothed in white; for thoughts are the very apparel of the mind.

5.

We see many men among us, who hold themselves contented with the knowing of untruth, without seeking after the truth; and with mocking of superstitions, without seeking the pure and true religion.

Remark.

The reason of this lies with the malignity of these men. So far are they from the image of God; so opposite are they from the dis

position of Him, who raised a beautiful world out of a hideous chaos; who created man, and made him happy; who looked around on a universe moving in harmony, and said, "ALL IS GOOD!" So wide are these malignants from any similitude with their benign Maker, that they exult in destruction! To contradict human testimony, to disprove human reasoning, to deny divine revelation, to destroy the system of nature, and, if it were possible, to dethrone the Deity, is their study, their labour, and their Satanic enjoyment.

6.

A fool's opinion is no dishonour..

Remark.

Because there is no judgment annexed to it. A silly person seldom can give any sufficient reason for his dislike; and therefore we despise his misprision. But when sentiments of disapprobation are expressed by the worthy, we are startled as if by a stroke from heaven, and look about how we may amend our fault.

Gentle rebuke, when our conduct lapses towards error, is the kindest office good men can do for us: and next to that, is the honest applause by which they encourage the virtuous man to proceed cheerfully through his hard trials. The love of praise is a divine gift, and was implanted in the human breast, to support the toils of duty. It is the help-mate of man, the soft bosom on which he reclines, after the fatigues of a laborious day. There is nothing substantial in it; nothing that can actually shorten his work, or lighten his burthen; but like tender woman, (whose weakness prevents her sharing the toils of her husband,) its presence beguiles the hour of labour, sweetens the bitterness of life, and spreads the couch of affection beneath the wearied body. Direct a passion for praise towards worthy aims, and you give wings to virtue: but when that desire tends towards the vanities of life, its path is trifling, and its end contempt. It depends on education, (that holder of the keys, which the Almighty hath put into our hands,) to open the gates which lead to virtue or to vice, to happiness or misery.

7.

Who will ever give counsel, if the counsel be judged by the event? And if it be not found wise, shall therefore be thought wicked!

Remark.

Who will lead armies to the field, if the head of the general is to answer for defeat? Or who will yield private comforts to public duty, if opinion estimate the virtue of the actor by the effects he produces, and not by the motives of his actions? There are few persons who have the courage, either in friendship or philanthropy, to dedicate, first, their minds to the objects of their zeal; then, their feelings; and lastly, their reputations. And all for what? For the purchase of ingratitude! So capriciously do men weigh the deeds of their benefactors, that it is incumbent on every man who really wishes well to his fellow-creatures, to labour for their prosperity, without ever casting a thought towards their thanks. If he do not hold himself independent of their breath, he submits to a current which is as