friendships to have been contracted between persons of different humours; the mind being often pleased with those perfections which are new to it, and which it does not find among its own accomplishments. Besides that, a man in some measure supplies his own defects, and fancies himself possessed of those good qualities and endowments which are in the possession of him who in the eye of the world is looked on as his other self.-Budgell. DCCCCXXXIII. On the Formation of Character.-The character of any man is the result of a long series of impressions communicated to his mind, and modifying it in a certain manner, so as to enable us, from a number of these modifications and impressions being given, to predict his conduct. Hence arise his temper and habits, respecting which we reasonably conclude, that they will not be abruptly superseded and reversed; and that, if they ever be reversed, it will not be accidentally, but in consequence of some strong reason persuading, or some extraordinary event modifying his mind. If there were not this original and essential connexion between motives and actions, and, which forms one particular branch of this principle, between men's past and future actions, there could be no such thing as character, or as a ground of inference enabling us to predict what men would be from what they have been. Lastly, the idea of moral disclipine proceeds entirely upon this principle. If I carefully persuade, exhort, and exhibit motives to another, it is because I believe that motives have a tendency to influence his conduct. If I reward or punish him, cither with a view to his own improvement or as an example for others, it is because I have been led to believe, that rewards and punishments are calculated in their own nature to affect the sentiments and practices of mankind.-Godwin. Ambition, Cruelty proceeding from, Consid. on War 182 Ancestors, Wisdom of our, London Univer. Mag. 7 |