Bethlem Gabor; yet whether they would be bound by those chains, and not find ways to cut such Gordian knots, we could have no just assurance. But honest mens' words are Stygian oaths, and promises inviolable. These

are not the men for whom the fetters of law

were first forged; they needed not the solemness of oaths; by keeping their faith they swear, and evacuate such confirmations."

Although we have admitted, that for the purpose of beneficial designs, fiction itself, under the semblance of reality, is sometimes allowable; yet against the abuse of such a licence, it must be strictly guarded: for by giving to fabricated tales too strongly the language and colouring of truth, we may exceed the limits of this indulgence, and here it may be remarked, that the applause usually given to those who are called "Good story tellers," has a tendency to draw them aside from the plain habits of truth; neither is an impeachment of their credibility

SQ

so severely instituted, if now and then, on other occasions, they glide into narrative, par taking of marvellous description, such characters plead a sort of indemnification, and by the consent of society are privileged, " to tell lies with a better grace than other men.”

The practice therefore of telling entertaining falsehoods, for the sake of their contagious evils, and lest they should involve the real anecdotes of life with uncertainty and suspicion, should only be tolerated under the most prudent management.

However, after all, discreditable and malignant lies are readily to be distinguished from those to which we have now alluded.

To the honor of heathen virtue it is recorded of Epaminondas, that he could not be prevailed on to digress from truth; and of Xenocrates it is said, that the people entertained so high an opinion of his veracity,

that

that when he once approached the altar to confirm by oath what he had asserted, the Judges unanimously declared that his word was sufficient.

"Truth," says a venerable writer, is the beginning of heroical virtue, 'tis the most lively resemblance and imitation of Him who is absolutely perfect, 'tis the bond and cement of society, a virtue composed of amiableness and divine features; but a lie is unreasonable, and ugly as the shadows of night."

ESSAY VIII.

DETRACTION.

FEW, but those of the weakest heads, or most depraved taste, can derive satisfaction in wantonly publishing the misconduct of others, or imputing to any action a bad motive, where a good one may as fairly be assigned.

It is not sufficient to say in justification of this offence, that only the truth was spoken, for if even it were so, (and that with slanderers is seldom the case,) yet, if truth itself be officiously intruded to the injury of another,

another, it partakes of detraction. In palliation of the crime, the defamer perhaps will say, that he is not the author of the tale, but he is nevertheless guilty of encouraging the circulation of it; the receiver of stolen goods is properly made as obnoxious to the law as the thief himself; and the busy promoter and even the patient hearer of detraction are alike the abettors of it.

The great law of charity and justice demands of us not only to avoid an injurious act to our neighbour, but moreover requires us to suffer no harm to be done to him, which may be in our power to prevent. Those who are addicted to this vile practice of the tongue, conscious of the odiousness justly attached to the abrupt introduction of slander, usually smooth the way to reproach, by some previous commendation, and to give their designs better effect, not unfrequently appear to build up, in some few instances, the very character which