Freethinkers; Men who claim a freedom in thinking, with regard to matters of religion and politics, do not contend for an abstract right of thought, but mean to carry the same self-privileges into action. Like the declaimers for freedom in politics, they do not mean to benefit mankind at large by their theories, but to give to their own actions a greater latitude. Selfishness is the motive in both cases, and gives rise to such empty and unintelligible nonsense, that wiser men are on their guard against it; whilst timid persons attend to it with undue awe. The writings of my Lord Shaftesbury are, in point of argument and wit, extremely contemptible; and he has long survived his fame as an author, founded on the privilege of a peer; and his right of seigniory can make his base coin no longer current. Parental Affection Is too frequently turned upside-down. Affection and kindness predominate, among many parents, in excessive indulgence to children, before their degree of reason entitles them to it. When, in more mature years, the advance of reason in children takes place, the indulgence diminishes in parents; and the love of check and restraint becomes then more oppressive, as the force of reason strengthens in the child. How often do infants appear playthings to parents, who, in more adult years, seem, if not their aversion, too often objects of irksome severity; and adult children have too much reason to exclaim, in the simple but expressive language of Locke, "Papa, when will you die?" * Man of the World. The following description of "a man of the the world" is drawn by Father Bourdaloue,† the famous pulpit orator in France, and seems creditable to his character as a man of penetration, and an eloquent writer. "A man of the world must be odious to himself, when he reflects on his conduct; for what is more hateful than an ambitious, jealous, and interested man? He is professedly an enemy of all other men, I mean all who oppose his pursuits,. or thwart his schemes. He is a man who sincerely loves no one, and who can not expect that any one can love him; for he has himself only in view, and refers every thing to his own purposes. He never sees the prosperity of another without envy, and his merit without a plan to tarnish it; to sink the fame of the one; * On Education. + Sermon on the Epiphany. and demolish the good fortune of the former, whenever his own interest calls on him to attempt it. He is not only the most detestable character, but the most detested. Though he persists in his own character, yet he at the same time hates it; so that while he maintains these principles in his own person, yet when he sees them acted upon by another, he marks him down as a villain and a knave." Good Manners. We often see that the ceremonious part of the etiquette of behaviour is very punctiliously observed by men who evidently have never understood, or been actuated by, the spirit which should direct it. A dancing master may certainly teach his pupil to come into a room of company without embarrassment, and with bows proper to the ladies and gentlemen who await his entrance; but that check of self-love on the various parts of conversation, where the feelings of others are to be consulted, must be taught by internal feelings. The under-bearing person in conversation is not that man who comes in with a fine bow and an elegant grin, but the man of sensibility, who is unwilling, and even uneasy, in advancing himself into notice. The Lord Chesterfield, who wrote the letters to his son on polished manners, &c. is reported to have by rudeness so provoked a man, much his inferior in rank, as to have produced a repartee on his own person, too gross to be mentioned. Sweeping Clauses. Some persons never assert or make observations with any check from thought or prudence. T. with a precise countenance, and measured tones of voice, declares he never reads novels; and B. who prides himself on his liberal education, on being asked his opinion about a new play, replied, he never read plays? Are we to suppose these gentlemen never heard of Gil Blas or Tom Jones, or of one William Shakespeare! Perhaps they might, and have forgotten them in the midst of balls, races, and electioneering turmoils. Two Opposite Characters. G. always assents to whatever is said in conversation R: always has something to say in opposition to the last man who spoke. Yet G. is as ignorant on most topics as R.; but the former is a man of weak nerves, and cannot bear the agitation of dispute, and the burden of controversy. R. is a man of robust constitution and loud voice, and is very happy to talk on all occasions; and finding that it is an easier business to contradict, than to bring forward a proposition, he is always on the opposition side; and, of course, thought, by many persons, to be the most sensible and acute of the two Not by the dint of carnal reason, Plutarch. Hudibras The life of Alexander the Great, by this author, is the most pleasant piece of biography extant, among the ancients. The following anecdotes shew the force and beauty of Alexander's character. His Affection to his Mother. Though he loved his mother Olympias, he never would let her interfere in matters of state, which she was too much inclined to, yet her importunities never diminished his affection for her. On reading a long letter from Antipater, full of accusations against Olympias, "I wonder," said he, that Antipater should not know that one tear of a mother effaces a thousand such letters as these." His Chastity, and delicate Conduct to Darius's Wife and Daughters, when his Captives. He diminished nothing of their equipage, or of the respect formerly paid them, but treated |