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nefs, with a noble fimplicity, which shows him to be far above any little deûgn of catching applause, and that he only com→ plies with the neceffity of the cafe. Let it be remembered by the way, that the fame things which, in talking of himself before general company on ordinary occafions, would be justly pronounced the egotifms of vanity, will, in the privacy of friendship, and amidst the play of humour, be nothing more than the communications of honeft confidence, or the effufions of a heart at ease.

Does he at any time hear himself approved? Another trial of Humility! How will he behave under it? He will accept and improve fuch approbation, if his heart tells him it is not undeferved, with complacence in the candour that beftows it, and with zeal to deferve it yet more. If, on the other hand, he is conscious of not poffeffing the particular kind or degree of merit afcribed to him, he will honestly

difavow it, and either acknowledge that it is beyond his reach, or, regretting a deficiency for which he finds himself to blame, will from that moment resolve to fupply it.

But figure him to be accufed or fufpected without caufe. In what manner will he then comport himself? Unless the accufation be of a fcandalous nature, or the fufpicion fuch as to affect his character materially, he will feel very little anxiety, to answer the one, or obviate the other; but will rather adopt the admirable fentiment of Plato, who, on being informed that certain persons had spoken ill of him, answered with coolnefs, "We will lead "fuch a life that none shall believe them." And, even in the cafes now put, he will calmly confider, before he takes any step. for his own vindication, whether the attack on his good name comes from a quarter worth his notice, or is likely to hurt him with thofe, about whofe opinion he

ought to be folicitous. It is neither Humility nor rectitude; it is Pride, or consciousness, or both, that occafion many to plague the world, and teafe every creature they know, with laborious and endless justifications of themselves, from the charges which happen to be brought against them. Like foolish and fiery duellifts, they fancy their reputation, forfooth, to be of fuch prodigious moment in the opinion of the public, that they must neceffarily fight every man from whom they fuppofe, or would have others believe, they have received an affront. The arrogant, the jealous, and the pragmatical, are conftantly. afferting their imaginary importance, conftantly claiming I know not what attention and respect, constantly befpattering and belying those who difpute their demands, or disappoint their expectations. Have any of you, Gentlemen, fuffered abuse from fuch unhappy beings? The beft conduct you can hold is to pity their unhappiness, and forgive their offence,

while you abhor the malignity that could prompt it; to avoid all connexion with them for the future, to treat their machinations with honeft contempt, not to think unkindly of thofe they may have mifled, to persevere peaceably in your duty, and to enjoy the ferenity of a good confcience.

But let us return to the humble youth, whole picture we have engaged to draw: you cannot be at a loss to judge of his difpofitions in general, towards those who may have wronged him in whatever shape. Who has not obferved, that while Pride aggravates real injuries, as well as apprehends a thousand which are merely ideal, Humility is accompanied with Candour, Patience, Meeknefs, and the whole train. of gentle Graces? You can readily conceive, that he will neither have leisure nor inclination to indulge refentment against others, who duely reflects how often he has wanted forgiveness himself, if not

at the hand of man, yet certainly at the hand of God, and who is diligently employed in correcting his own errors, regulating his own practice, and pursuing objects of which no injuftice or malice can deprive him.

The fame Humility, which thus preferves him from rancour and animofity, will also prevent on his part thofe little rivalfhips, ungenerous fufpicions, and pitiful terrors, by which Pride is continually harassed on every article relative to fortune, condition, appearance, or what may be called the Figure of life. Whoever is poffeffed with this evil fpirit is always fearful, left others fhould stand in his way to fame, or attract that notice and admiration which he ftrives to engrofs. Hence perpetual peevishness and ill humour; as he will be perpetually obstructed in his schemes, by multitudes whom the fame demon impels to the fame purfuit. From a ftate of mind fo unamiable, as

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