which must therefore neceffarily be productive of the pride of rank and power, a pride which we would vainly endeavour to reconcile with true chriftian humility.. Would we make a proper use of the inftruments which nature fo kindly affords us; in the helplessness of infancy we should find a powerful affiftant in laying the foundation of this ineftimable virtue. Why should we not teach them to accept of the fervices their tender age requires with meekness and gratitude? Might not this firft exercise of the focial and benevolent affections produce effects upon the mind, so advantageous to the character, as compleatly to counterbalance all the evils that can arife from occafional intercourfe with domeftics? But are these evils certain and unavoidable? Is it impoffible to procure attendants for our children of upcorrupted minds, and undepraved manners? I cannot believe it. The corrup-1 tion and depravity of fervants is a general theme.

theme. From whence does it proceed, but from the corruption and depravity of their fuperiors? Governed by the selfishnefs of luxury and pride, we concern ourfelves no further with the morals of our domestics than is neceffary to the prefervation of our property. No qualities are regarded in them but fuch as contribute to the gratification of our cafe or convenience. Their virtues are unrewarded by our esteem; their vices, provided they do not immediately injure us, unpunished by our disapprobation.

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Whatever may be our own opinions concerning religion, we all agree that a notion of a Deity, and a fear of future pu nishment, is neceffary to the vulgar; and yet who in this age of philofophy and refinement makes the religious inftruction of their fervants any part of their concern? Pride prevents us from undertaking what policy would dictate. We feel it too mortifying to represent to beings fo much be

neath us that we are the creatures of the fame GOD; that we are to be judged by the fame laws; and that in a few fleeting years no other distinction fhall be found between us except that of virtue! The moral precepts of our religion it may not indeed be convenient to dwell upon, as we muft blush to recommend rules to their practice which feldom govern our own. The golden precept of doing as we would be done by may, perhaps, fometimes occur to us in our tranfactions with our equals, but it seems as if we had fome claufe of exception with regard to our behaviour to those of an inferior ftation. We confider not them as beings endowed with paffions and feelings fimilar to our own. Wrapt up

in our prerogative, we provoke the one with impunity, and infult the other without remorfe. If we cannot read a chapter of the New Testament in their presence that does not libel our conduct, it is no wonder that we decline the task of religious instruction;

inftruction; but why after this, declaim against the ignorance and depravity of servants? Those who have had fufficient energy to obey the call of principle in their domeftic regulations; those who have confidered the moral qualities of their servants as no lefs important than their abilities, and who to inftruction and precept have added the weight of example; have generally found that worth is to be met with in every ftation. People of moderate fortune have indeed here, as in many other refpects, a manifeft advantage. The fize of their establishments does not fwell beyond the poffibility of infpection.i: The conduct and character of every individual of their families is, or ought to be, known to them. But, alast the indolence of luxury is no longer confined within the walls of palaces! It pervades all ranks in fociety. What more common than to hear ladies, even of moderate fortune, declare they have not a fervant on whofe truth or honefty

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nefty they can depend; but that they do not change, because they know it impoffi ble to get better! Were I to fpeak from experience, I should question this impoffibility; for in the courfe of my life it has been my fate, both in town and country, in the corruption of the metropolis, and the fecluded fcenes of retirement, to meet with fervants, the excellence of whose moral characters entitled them to my esteem. The attendant of my infancy ftill poffeffes the regard, the gratitude, and veneration of my heart. She is now advancing into the vale of years, and I firmly believe will go to the great audit with a confcience that has never been ftained by deceit, equivocation, or falfhood; nor is it improbable that I may, perhaps, be more indebted for my love of truth to her example, than to all the precepts of my inftructors. And yet fhe was but the orphan daughter of a poor fervant! It must be, however, confeffed that the principles of religion were early and deeply implanted in her mind.

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