some mitigation of evil, which may enable his readers to compare their condition with that of others; to improve it wherever it is worse, and wherever it is better, to enjoy it. Idler, vol. 2, p. 253. It is by studying at home, that we must obtain the ability of travelling with intelligence and improvement. Life of Gray. TRADE. Nothing dejects a trader like the interruption of his profits. Taxation no Tyranny, p.3. The theory of trade is yet but little understood, and therefore the practice is often without real advantage to the public; but it might be carried on with more general success, if its principles were better considered. " Preface to the Preceptor, p. 77. TRUTH. Truth is scarcely to be heard, but by those from whom it can serve no interest to conceal it. Rambler, vol. 3, p. 269. Truth has no gradations; nothing which admits of increase can be so much what it is, as truth is truth. There may be a strange thing, and a thing more strange. But if a proposition be true, there can be none more true. Notes upon Shakspeare, vol. 2, p. 136. 1 Malice often bears down truth. Ibid. vol. 4, p. 222. Truth, like beauty, varies its fashions, and is best recommended by different dresses, to different minds. Idler, vol. 2, p. 186. There is no crime more infamous than the violation of truth: it is apparent, that men can be sociable beings no longer than they can believe each other. When speech is employed only as the vehicle of falsehood, every man must disunite himself from others, inhabit his own cave, and seek prey only for himself. Ibid, vol. 1, p. 108. Truth is the basis of all excellence. Life of Cowley. Truth is always truth, and reason is always reason; they have an intrinsic and unalterable value, and constitute that intellectual gold which defies destruction; but gold may be so concealed in baser matter, that only a chemist can recover it; sense may be so hidden in unrefined and plebeian words, that none but philosophers can distinguish it; and both may be so buried in impurities, as not to pay the cost of their extraction. Ibid. To doubt whether a man of eminence has told the truth about his own birth, is in appearance, to be very deficient in candour; yet nobody can live long without knowing, that falsehoods of convenience or vanity, falsehoods from which no immediately visible ensues, except the general general degradation of human testimony, are very lightly uttered, and, once uttered, are sullenly supported. Boileau, who desired to be thought a rigorous and steady moralist, having told a petty lie to Lewis XIV. continued it afterwards by falfe dates; thinking himself obliged, in honour (says his admirer) to maintain what, when he said it, was well received. Life of Congreve. It were doubtless to be wished, that truth and reason were universally prevalent; that every thing were esteemed according to its real value, and that men would secure themselves from being disappointed in their endeavours after happiness, by placing it only in virtue, which is always to be obtained. But, if adventitious and foreign pleasures must be pursued, it would be, perhaps, of some benefit, since that pursuit must frequently be fruitless, if it could be taught, that folly might be an antidote to folly, and one falJacy be obviated by another. -Life of Savage. Where truth is sufficient to fill the mind, fiction is worse than useless; the counterfeit debases the genuine, To the position of Tully, be seen, she must be loved," if truth could be heard, she Life of Gray. that if virtue could may be added, that must be obeyed. Rambler, vol. 2, p. 194 Truth finds an easy entrance into the mind, when she is introduced by desire, and attended by pleasure. But when she intrudes uncalled, R 5 and PRAYER. (Its proper Objects.} Petitions yet remain, Which Heav'n may hear-nor deem Religion vain ; For Love, which scarce collective man can fill; Vanity of Human Wishes. PROSPERITY. Prosperity, as is truly asserted by Seneca, very much obstructs the knowledge of ourselves. No man can form a just estimate of his own powers, by inactive speculation. That fortitude which has encountered no dangers, that prudence which has surmounted no difficulties, that integrity which has been attacked by no temptations, can, at best, be considered but as gold not yet brought to the test, of which, therefore, the true value cannot bë assigned. Equally necessary is some variety of for tune tune to a nearer inspection of the manners ciples, and affections of mankind.is Rambler,, vol. S Moderation in prosperity is a virtue veny y cult to all mortals. Memoirs of the King of Prussia, pen PEEVISHNESS.. Peevishness, though sometimes it arises from old age, or the consequence of some misery, it is. frequently one of the attendants on the prosperous, and is employed by insolence, in exacting homage; or by tyranny, in harrassing subjection. It is the offspring of idleness or pride; of idleness, anxious for trifles, or pride, unwilling to endure the least obstruction of her wishes. Such is the consequence of peevishness, it can be borne only when it is despised. Rambler, vol. 2, p. 14. It is not easy to imagine a more unhappy condition than that of dependence on a peevish man. In every other state of inferiority, the certainty of pleasing is perpetually increased by a fullor knowledge of our duty, and kindness and confidence are strengthened by every new act of trust and proof of fidelity. But peevishness sacrifices to a momentary offence, the obsequiousness, or usefulness of half a life, and, as more is. performed, increases her exactions, Ibid. vol. 3, P. 39 Peevishness is generally the vice of narrow minds, and, except when it is the effect of angnish and P |