the more sober entertainments of life, in his earlier days. There is not a much more deplorable sort of existence than that which is dragged on by an old man, whose mind is unfurnished with the materials proper for yielding him some entertainment suitable to the more sedate time of life; I mean, useful knowledge. For the remembrance of fifty years spent in scraping of money, or in pursuing pleasure, or in indulging vicious inclinations, must yield but poor entertainment at a time of life, when a man can at best say, he has been.—Burgh—The Dignity of Human Nature.

CCXLV.

Of Criminal Cases.-In criminal cases, counsel for the prosecution, of the present day, too often labour to excite the compassion of the jury in behalf of the plaintiff or injured person; whereas, if they were actuated by humanity, they would plead rather for the defendant (in extenuation of his offence, and in mitigation of the punishment,) who ought to be arraigned by his accuser; not out of anger and revenge, but in justice only to his country: and with the tender circumstances of pity; for the minds of the wicked are, as it were, distempered by vice, and should, if possible, be reformed. Hence it is that wise men brood no hatred in their bosoms, either to good or bad. They cannot hate the good, and will not hate the wicked, considering them as unfortunate men, whose wickedness is, perhaps, more the effect of a diseased mind, than a corrupt heart, or as instruments in the hands of Providence, to bring about certain wise purposes.-Trusler's Memoirs.

CCXLVI.

Amusements.-There is nothing more agreeable to hu

man nature, than to have somewhat moderately to em

ploy both mind and body. natural than for a creature powers to be wholly inactive. Hence the silly and mischievous inventions of cards, dice, and other amusements, which empty people have been obliged to have recourse to, as a kind of artificial employments, to prevent human nature from sinking into an absolute lethargy. Why might not our luxurious wasters of Heaven's most estimable gift, as well employ the same eagerness of activity in somewhat that might turn to account to themselves and others, as in the insipid and unprofitable drudgery of the card-table?-Ibid.

There is nothing more un. endowed with various active

CCXLVII.

On the Formation of Opinions.-The external circumstances in which men are placed, as they vary in the case of every individual, must necessarily occasion dif. ferent ideas to be presented to each mind, different associations to be established even amongst the same ideas, and, of course, different opinions to be formed. It may be truly said, indeed, that in no instance have the ideas, presented to two individuals throughout the course of their lives, collectively agreed or corresponded precisely in their order and connexion. Amongst the external circumstances here alluded to, perhaps the most striking are those which we see operating on whole nations. In general, the casualty of being brought into the world in a particular country inevitably determines the greater part of a man's opinions; and of the rest there are few which do not owe their origin to the rank and family in which he happens to be born, and to the characters of

the other human beings by whom he is surrounded. Even the extraordinary views which open to the man of original genius, are often the result of various ideas suggested by his peculiar situation, and presented to his conception in a particular order and concomitance.

A great portion of the opinions of mankind are notoriously propagated by transmissión from one generation to another, without any possible option on the part of those into whose minds they are instilled. A child regards as true whatever his teachers choose to inculcate, and whatever he discovers to be believed by those around him. His creed is thus insensibly formed, and he will continue, in after life, to believe the same things, without any proof, provided his knowledge and experience do not happen to impinge on their falsehood. Mere installation is sufficient to make him believe any proposition, although he should be utterly ignorant of the foundation on which it rests, or the evidence by which it is supported. It may create in his mind a belief of the most palpable absurdities; things, as it appears to others, not only contradicted by his reason, but at variance with the testimony of his senses; and in the boundless field, which the senses do not reach, there is nothing too preposterous to be palmed on his credulity.

Thus the external circumstances in which men are placed unavoidably occasion, without any choice on their part, the chief diversities of opinion existing in the world. National circumstances occasion national, and individual circumstances individual, peculiarities of thinking. On this point, indeed, there can be no dispute. The most strenuous advocates (if such there are) for the power of the will over belief, will not deny the influence of the causes adduced: they will readily acknowledge that it is

impossible for all men to think alike, when their circumstances are so essentially dissimilar.-Essay on the Formation of Opinions.

CCXLVIII.

National Reformation.-Let us then obey the times, let us neither obstinately persist in upholding what is already decayed, nor be too eager to establish what as yet is only preparing. Let us every day, do that which the day requires; and in consolidating our liberty, the parent of all good, let us be faithful to justice, which is of all ages; and let us not forget that conciliation and indulgence form a part of the justice which we owe to those who differ from us in opinion.-B. Constant.

CCXLIX.

Of Dress, &c.-A creature, who spends its whole time in dressing, gaming, prating and gadding, is a being originally, indeed, of the rational make; but who has sunk itself beneath its rank, and is to be considered at present as nearly on a level with the monkey-species.—Ibid.

CCL.

Sympathy. It is by this passion we enter into the concerns of others, that we are moved as they are moved, and are never suffered to be indifferent spectators of almost any thing which men can do or suffer. For sympathy must be considered as a sort of substitution, by which we are put into the place of another man, and affected in many respects, as he is affected.-Burke.

Conversations.

CCLI.

If you would trace the faults of conversation up to their original source, most of them might, I believe, be resolved into this, that men would rather appear shining, than be agreeable in company; they are endeavouring to raise admiration, instead of gaining love and good will; whereas the latter is in every body's power, the former in that of very few.

In company, it is our duty to adapt ourselves to the innocent humours and ways of thinking of those with whom we converse, and it is indelicate to obtrude our concerns upon them, or give scope to any of those peculiarities of behaviour, that distinguish our own profession, or the small societies to which we are accustomed.

That conversation, which promotes the innocent amusement of our friends, and so contributes to their health and happiness; or which, by expressing our benevolence towards them, cherishes that temper in us, and gives an example for the encouragement of it in others; conversation of this character, is not idle, because it is favourable to virtue, and friendly to mankind.-Dr. Beattie.

CCLII.

The Judgment. It is not in our power to judge as we will. The judgment is carried along necessarily by the evidence, real or seeming, which appears to us at the time. But in propositions that are submitted to our judgments there is this great difference; some are of such a nature that a man of ripe understanding may apprehend them distinctly, and perfectly understand their meaning without finding himself under any necessity of believing them to be true or false, probable or improbable. The judgment