citous to avoid, for want, no doubt, of purer principles, and more comprehensive aims, than any of a fecular kind. Truft me, Gentlemen, a conduct more regular and blameless, an integrity and a generofity of wider fcope, with all thofe qualities of the heart which are moft conducive to the happiness both of this world and the next, will be cultivated extenfively in fuch parts of the earth alone as are enlightened by true religion: I mean that Divine System which, while it enjoins and exemplifies all the duties incumbent on man, enforces them by fanctions of infinite and eternal confequence, and inftructs him by what power he may perform them. Its actual influence in meliorating the tempers, and regulating the lives, of its difciples in those nations where it was first embraced, has been acknowledged even by fome of its greatest adverfaries.

When this light from Heaven was afterwards almost wholly intercepted by the

thick fhades of fuperftition and ignorance, that enveloped Europe in the dark ages, what became of the virtues which had flourished under its influence? Into what other regions were they tranfplanted, fo as to make amends elsewhere for the enormities and abominations which had grown up in Christendom during that gloomy night? Was not the world manifeftly and greatly worfe than it had been for a number of generations preceding?

When a combination of caufes fufficiently known had, under Providence, brought about the bleffed Reformation from Popery; gracious God, what an improvement was inftantly made, by religious knowledge, in the minds and morals of mankind! And this improvement has on the whole continued in every country where a rational piety is profeffed. In Britain its efficacy is ftill proved by the exalted virtue of fome; by the decency, the humanity, and the moderation of more

by the mild and equal temperament of the laws in general, and by the justice and equity of those who execute them. Nevertheless we must declare our opinion, that the age in which we live is a declining age with regard to its ruling manners and principles it is degenerated from the principles and manners of fome that went before.

Among other proofs of the melancholy fact, we have found in the foregoing Addrefs, that this nation is unnerved and corrupted, by luxury and effeminacy, to a degree far beyond any former period. The disease is more largely fpread, and more seriously threatening: that is to fay, it has infected all claffes of men, and extinguished in most individuals that lively reverence for the Almighty, and thofe generous feelings for the public, which only can preferve a people from ruin. The truth is, fuperfluous riches have always, and every where, sooner or later, produced this effect. There are but few men who have faith or

virtue fufficient to withstand the enfeebling and contaminating tendency of affluence. Hence, I fay Hence, have proceeded principally the decline and fall of the several states recorded in story, which, having risen to the fummit of profperity, were thrown down partly by the turbulent, and partly by the emafculating paffions, that never fail to be engendered by eafe and opulence. Still however there is a remnant in our "land;" and fain would we contribute to increase it. Our laft attempt was to recommend a Manly Spirit as opposed to Effeminacy. Let us now recommend the fame Spirit as opposed to Cowardice: a topic closely connected with the other, and perhaps more needful at this time than may at first be apprehended.

It is indeed certain, that when Britons are thoroughly roufed, there is no atchievement of which they are not ftill capable, in the rugged path of martial gallantry. Let France and Spain bear witness. But

there are inftances of courage, which I conceive to require more ftrength of mind than the other, and in which the present age appears to me exceedingly defective. We will touch on fome of them, after we have pointed to the virtues that should adorn the Military character.

many

It feems natural to imagine, that Effeminacy would intimidate and unman her votaries, in the camp, and in the field. Yet the fact is different, with regard to that are bred in the utmost softness and delicacy. It is but fair to own, that the greatest fops have been often found among the bravest men. We likewife know, that nothing can exceed the intrepidity of thofe favage nations, where it is the mode for every man to paint and decorate himfelf in the most fantastic man-ner, and, except when engaged in war or hunting, to indulge the laft degree of floth. Undoubtedly there are in many perfons fecret fprings of refolution, whe