and knowledge can be no guides, is it strange that wise, men, if they will meddle with them, should err as well as fools? Or if wise men, on such subjects, will be guided by knaves, is it any wonder if they are deceived?

And respecting learned men in particular, many of them are much more employed in filling their heads with the opinions of others, than in thinking for themselves: those of much learning and little sense generally follow one another like pack-horses in the same track; and we frequently see the former as much overburdened, and as little benefited by their learning, as the latter by the packs they carry.

As persons of more than ordinary parts and learning are, as well as other men, incident to great weaknesses and prejudices, and frequently fall into palpable errors; so they many times carry their mistakes farther, and it is more difficult to reclaim them than the common people. Ibid.

CCXLI.

On Religious Persecution. To put men in prison merely on account of their religious belief or persuasion, is a great oppression, and, properly speaking, false imprisonment: to fine them, or take away their estates for that cause, is robbery to put them to death for not acting against their conscience is murder. Can any thing be more wicked? Is it not then hard to determine whether the folly and absurdity, or tyranny and wickedness of persecution on account of religion are greater?

That good will to mankind, or their benefit in this world, or the next, are the real motives to so unjust and cruel a practice, is the highest degree of impudence to pretend; and certainly must be too gross a deceit to obtain any

credit but with bigots or enthusiasts, fools or madmen. It being evident, then, that these are no other than pretended motives, what are the real?

An inhuman temper, with a combination of the worst of men's passions, particularly malice, envy, covetousness, pride, ambition, a desire to domineer, and tyrannize over others to which are sometimes added bigotry and enthusiasm; these are the real incentives to persecution, and, when joined with a large measure of hypocrisy, complete the character of a persecutor.-Ibid.

CCXLII.

How to Prevent Religious Persecution.—On this subject of preventing persecution, I shall only add, that if those who are set apart to instruct others, instead of entertaining them with what neither teachers nor hearers understand, and (what is still worse) stirring up the latter to dislike and hate one another for difference in opinions, would preach the true Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is, “peace on earth, and good-will to men ;" and also enforce this excellent doctrine by their own examples, and recommend all other virtues by the same means, we should undoubtedly soon experience a great alteration in the world. It could then be no longer justly said, “that the leaders of the people cause them to err." Neither is it probable we should then see any more treatises published "Of the Cause of the Contempt of the Clergy:" on the contrary, they would be treated with that respect and reverence, which are due to public benefactors. Indeed, it behooves us all to consider, that the best and most solid title to esteem and respect from mankind, is the doing real and substantial service. And what service can be more real and substantial, than persuading men to lay aside malice and VOL. I.-13

envy, hatred and persécution, and to be peaceable, gentle, and loving to one another?-1bid.

CCXLIII.

Of Barristers. There cannot be, in my opinion, a more exalted character, nor a more glorious situation, than that of an advocate arguing the cause of truth and justice, and pleading warmly in the defence of oppressed innocence. On the other hand there cannot be a more contemptible one, nor one guilty of a more execrable act than he who labours to disguise facts, colour over falsehood with the semblance of truth, and takes pains to countenance and support the oppressor. Such a one deserves to be handed down with the name of liar, the sound of which rankles in the ears of every real gentleman: for though he may find untruths in his brief, and of course is not the first utterer of them; yet by being the propagator of them, he fathers them, and is equally criminal with the forger: and however fallacious reasoning may do credit to his inge-nuity, it redounds very little to his honour. Whilst a barrister will accept of a retaining fee, and oblige himself to stand forth and espouse a cause, before he has read his brief, and is acquainted with its contents; his professional character will not, in the minds of honest men, extenuate his offence; for with all its learning, iniquitous must that profession be, that induces a man, for gain, to declare what his heart disavows, and to contend against the conviction of his own mind. Nothing should tempt a man to support a cause, which he is convinced is not a just one, nor to make what be calls the best of it. If he does, the greater his professional character is, and the more consummate his abilities, the greater crime he com

mits. If he is deceived by his instructions, the instant he discovers the deception, he should throw down his papers and the fee that accompanied them, execrate the solicitor that would have hired him to do mischief, and avow his detestation of it in the face of the court. If by this practice he had fewer briefs, he would have more reputation; and would have the satisfaction of knowing, that though he possessed less money, he had a clear heart. In a little time he would have no occasion thus to fly in the face of his employers; for if men (who are best acquainted with their own cases, and can very well distinguish between right and wrong) found they should meet with no support in their advocates, many an unjust cause would not be brought into court.-Trusler's Memoirs.

CCXLIV.

On retiring from Business.-As on the one hand it is odious for a man of an overgrown fortune to go on in business to a great age, still striving to increase a heap already larger than is necessary, to the prejudice of younger people, who ought to have a clear stage and opportunity of making their way in life; so it is vain for a person, who has spent his days in an active sphere, to think of enjoying retirement, before the time of retirement is come. He who resolves at once to change his way of life from action to retirement, or from one state to another directly contrary, without being prepared for it by proper age and habit, for some continuance of time, will find, that he will no sooner have quitted his former way of life, than he will desire to be in it again.

It is on this, as well as other accounts, of great advantage, that a man have acquired some turn to reading, and

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