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any thing. A real ignorance and an imagined knowledge often have the same effects, that is, produce obstinacy, which is the bane of every thing good and desirable. Let the person then you choose, in this particular, possess useful knowledge; but, whether he knows more or less, let him never think he knows enough; if he does, wo to his wife-except she know nothing.-In my judgment, nothing can render a man more desirable than a certain diffidence of himself; a feeling that he is liable to mistake, and that his knowledge, how extensive soever, may receive additions. Such a person will ever listen to reasons given; and will never quarrel with one who happens to think otherwise than he does: and you know how desirable such a quality is.

"In regard to external circumstances, a prudent foresight is necessary in every rank of life: though riches are not happiness, poverty is distress, especially to those who have not been used to it. Here look out for frugality, industry, application, and activity. Whatever station a man is born in, on himself in a great measure depends his future fortune; and though it may not be practicable for a man to raise himself from indigence to affluence, yet it is hardly ever out of a man's power, who possesses the qualities I have mentioned, to advance himself to a comfortable independence: while, on the other hand, no advantages of fortune secure the imprudent prodigal from sinking into poverty and distress.

"So you see, upon the whole, I prefer sobriety to every thing; virtue to the gifts of nature; that man whom others think beneath notice, to him

whom each female views and admires; an innate benevolence to an outside complaisance; a small share of useful, well applied good sense, to the largest fund of learning and knowledge, when productive of self-sufficiency; modesty, even in a man, to the most agreeable assurance; and, lastly, frugality and prudence to riches and worldly advantages and from all together you may infer that it is the man himself, not his externals, nor yet his calling, that I judge by. You best know how many of those qualities the person in question possesses, and in which he is deficient; but, as you must expect deficiencies in every one, let it rather be in any thing than that I first mentioned: and next avoid the peremptory sensible

man.

"So far I have given my sentiments on this so delicate a subject in a general manner. As to descending to particulars, it is impossible. When I am well acquainted with the men, I durst positively say, Avoid this man; but I durst not say, Choose this because men are not absolutely to be known; and, as my design in every action is to do good, so I should never forgive myself, if by my advice any person, and especially a sister, were induced to take a step which entailed misery.

"One thing more I have to add, that, next to your own inclinations, I had almost said, prior to them, the sentiments of the person in question ought to be consulted. Oblige a man of sense and sensibility in marrying him, and you lay a most excellent foundation: turn the obligation the other way, and your man must be well chosen indeed to act in a desirable manner. But, where the

obligation is nearly equal, the most promising and stable foundation is laid. In short, the nearer the equality in each particular is, the better the prospect of future happiness.

"So far you see my sentiments: but one most material thing remains yet to be considered, which requires a still more delicate touch. You say something of my father's not giving his consent. And have I been all along advising you to act in contradiction to the opinion of one so superior in age and experience, and who, beyond dispute, has your interest as much at heart as any one, not even excepting myself? In what I have said I did not intend that. If my father any way opposes it, I am sensible he does it because he thinks the prospect not good; which if it really be not, it ought to be prevented. Convince my father therefore that the person is not undeserving, and you are sure of his consent. You have great influence with him, and he has a very great opinion of your judgment and prudence; he will hear your reasons with partiality; and time alters people's opinion much. But I lay more stress on his consent than on my brother's censure; though I have a very high opinion of him also: but that deciding manner is his fault: and perhaps my father's judgment has thence received a bias."

The great stress which this letter lays upon freedom from intemperance will have been noticed; nor can the supreme importance of such a qualification be doubted: but we may take occasion to remark, that many passages in my father's early letters imply that the vice of drunkenness was

much more common at that time, than, it is to be hoped, it is at present. "Getting drunk," he on one occasion says,-" a vice with which I think the whole world is infected."

What he in another point requires that the object of his sister's choice should be, that he himself eminently was-" a man of spirit and activity, who, where one resource fails, will quickly seize another." He says of himself, and most justly, to his younger sister, (afterwards Mrs. Ford,) November 10, of the same year: "If I know my own character, whatever my hand findeth to do, I do it with all my might. In each action I endeavour to take in its whole future tendency. Now that I think study the important point, with application I pursue it. Should a family require a further supply, either for present use or future provision, if I know myself, I should apply to some other more immediate source of advantage, with equal spirit and assiduity. This I think my past conduct proves for nothing can be more opposite than my former and my present pursuits; and no one can say that I wanted spirit in either."

I shall subjoin a few miscellaneous extracts from his early correspondence with his sisters.

In a letter dated London, March 13, 1773, the day before he was ordained priest, he writes thus. "London is just what it was, a place of noise, confusion, and grandeur; not of happiness. I walk the streets in a very philosophical manner: some I pity, some I detest, some despise, and at some I am amazed; but I think I envy no one. At one end of the town men are all pursuing interest,

some with prudence and honesty, some with knavery.

'Through different roads with equal speed they run,
Some to undo, and some to be undone.'

At the other end, nothing but grandeur and show, dissipation and diversion. Mankind in general are more desirous of appearing happy than of being so else what satisfaction can there be in flying from reflection, and supplying the want of peace and wisdom by an incessant round of folly? what gratification can they propose to themselves, who, by anticipating their desires and appetites, have lost all relish of the enjoyments they pursue? But we may preach long ere we can alter the ways of thinking, how erroneous soever they may be. Mankind will pursue pleasure, and never overtake it; follow after happiness, and in reality leave it.. We cannot help it. We must only reform our own judgments and manners, and those of such as we have authority over. How much has every one to thank God and his parents for, who had his mind seasoned in his youth with rational notions, and has been taught to seek that happiness which consists, not in unbounded gratification, but in a rational restraint of his passions. Such an education is not only more valuable than a large inheritance, titles, or possessions, but even than the greatest abilities, natural or acquired."

1773.-"How well an &c. fills up a chasm in the mind, and answers the purpose, not only of a word, but of a thought. It resembles a man getting the character of wisdom by holding his tongue."

1773. As the greatest part of my life has

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