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of prefent degeneracy from former days is common in every age, but that the complaint is always weak and unjust; that mankind are ftill much the fame; that there is nearly an equal quantity of virtue and vice still fubfifting in the world; that it is only diftributed in various proportions, through different countries, at different times; and what is taken from the general stock in any one nation, at any particular period, is transferred to fome other. The first part of the observation may be true: but we can by no means

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fubfcribe to the reft. If Human Nature remains always uniformly the fame, with refpect to her effential principles, they are yet influenced in their operation by so vast a diverfity of external and accidental circumstances and fituations, as to occafion, in the fucceffion of ages, appearances the moft different, and often the most oppofite, that can be imagined. The original properties of the foil may continue; but the produce may be totally changed by the ftate of the feafons, concurring with that of the culture.

We appeal to history for an inftance or two, out of many which might be adduced. You will not fay, that, in the times when Polytheism univerfally reigned, there was to be found among men the fame degree of purity, of probity, or of mutual benevolence, which has been fince frequently discovered in thofe countries, where idolatry gave place to the knowledge and worship of the One Supreme. The heft

days of pagan antiquity might display, here and there, higher flights of friendship, fortitude, and patriotifm, than have been often seen in after generations that enjoyed fuperior light; owing, we fuppofe, chiefly to a stronger paffion for fame, anciently propagated, as has been before remarked, with equal affiduity and fkill by lawgivers and others, who laid hold on the love of glory implanted in the human mind, as the most powerful handle they could employ for inciting to thofe actions that would aggrandize their countrymen, and reflect honour on themfelves. By joining with this motive inftitutions directly calculated to inspire temperance, patience of toil, fearleffnefs of danger, difregard to wealth, and a zeal for their country, they' certainly produced wonderful effects in the way of magnanimity and heroifm. But then thofe fplendid exhibitions were unequal, interrupted, and too commonly obfcured by fcandalous vices, or great failings, which the actors feemed little foli

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