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refolute temper under his administration impreffed on all Christendom, can never be forgotten.

So deeply rooted was this fpirit, and fo hardily had it been nursed through a long feries of the most strenuous exertions, that neither the blandishments of a lively and voluptuous monarch, nor all the banter and licentioufnefs of his favourite circle, were afterwards able to subdue it. In spite of that circle; in fpite of the ridicule and oppofition to be expected from profligate courtiers, and prostitute wits; in spite of the deference, the adulation, and the selfish views, with which kings are commonly approached; there were not wanting, even in the prefence of the diffolute Charles, those who had virtue and dignity fufficient to tell him of his debaucheries, and to admonish him against them. The people in general, though they could not hate the person of a man whose affability was irrefiftibly pleafing, yet murmured at his

indolence, loudly condemned his vices, never relished his government, were shocked at his employing the taxes of the nation to corrupt its morals, and openly teftified their abhorrence of his miftreffes. The amufements, which he had tranfplanted from abroad, were but little propagated beyond the limits of his palace: they fuited not the tafte of a nation, whose ruling character was ftill ferious and mafculine, however much the return of quiet had contributed to foften the rigid demeanour and maxims of a particular clafs, who had tinctured the reft; and whatever pains were taken to infuse the love of jollity and riot. In a word, though needy and vicious poets, though mercenary and obfequious courtiers, though their dependents and connexions, with fuch others near them as they could immediately inAuence-though all thefe were combined to flatter and copy the immoralities of their fovereign, and thus to fpread the infection; yet this, it has been juftly

remarked, was not the prevailing inclination of the kingdom: the diffolution of manners, imputed to it at that period, was not univerfal multitudes of all ranks, and of both parties, preferved the fund of pious morals, and manly principles, by which they had been long actuated; and where duty or firmnefs were lefs the motives, prudence and decency continued to operate many confpicuous instances of private worth, and of public zeal, were ftill feen; and glorious proofs were fucceffively given of an integrity and magnanimity alike calm and invincible.

Nevertheless it is certain, that the feeds of irreligion, vice, and luxury, which were then fo induftrioufly fown, came in procefs of time to fhoot up but too strongly, and to be cultivated with a fuccefs which has, with greater or lefs rapidity, been ever fince advancing to the height it has now gained. This event, it is well known, has been eminently promoted by the un-:

reftrained importation of foreign fashions, ideas, and diverfions, in all their variety of extravagance, together with a perpetual acceffion of wealth for a number of years. from different fources, and particularly of late from the plunder of the Eaft, whence it is believed but few have come home enriched, without leaving behind them the curfes of ruined families and defolated provinces.

If, in a country highly polifhed like this, where the Arts would naturally minifter to its pleasures with an affiduity proportioned to the rewards it was willing to bestow, thofe pleasures have kept pace with its opulence; and if fuch opulence, weary of former gratifications, or difgufted at finding them ftill rivalled by its inferiors, is conftantly feeking new refinements of vanity and indulgence; we cannot furely be furprifed, however we may be grieved, at the enormous encreafe and fhameful effeminacy of our modifh entertainments.

We shall wonder the lefs, though we must lament the more, when we reflec how much this great evil is fostered by the most part of our young nobility and gentry. Sent abroad for the supposed purpofe of improvement, without any foundation in principle or knowlege, do they not, after roaming a while through Europe in trivial and ignominious purfuits, generally return more depraved and foolish than they went? By witneffing the contemptible bigotry of the Church of Rome, by hearing the infidel and impious converfation fo common in France and Italy, and by imitating the vicious cuftoms eftablifhed in thofe countries under the notion of a fuperior Gallantry, are they not ufually confirmed in their difaffection to all religion, and their fcorn of every thing fober, fedate, and manly? To fhow that they have travelled, and are now complete gentlemen, they never reft till they have inftructed our youth at home in yet higher 'forms of amufement and licentioufnefs, if

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