with its fuperior dignity, may probably hope to enjoy it among those whofe elevated rank should inspire them with elevated fentiments. That fuch are fometimes fufceptible of genuine Friendship for their equals, and for others nearly fo, I have no doubt; but must take the liberty of faying, that I do not wish you to be too ambitious of cultivating clofe attachments among perfons who are much above you in ftation. Converse with them, if you will, as often as you have a fair opportunity, that is, as often as you can see them without being intrufive, or making yourfelves dependent, or refigning any better object for their acquaintance. By this intercourse you may acquire a more extenfive knowledge of the world, on many accounts useful, with a gentility of addrefs and manner, by no means to be neglected. But, as for that commerce of hearts which unites real Friends, which fuppofes the utmost ease and freedom, which difdains every claim to fuperiority,

and

every air of statelinefs, you have but little reafon to expect it where your fituation is very unequal.

There is no abfurdity too grofs to be fwallowed by felf-love, when long pampered. It is ufual for people of birth to meet with fuch indulgence and fubmiffion in their earliest years, and as they grow up to find fuch respect and adulation paid them on all hands, that we are not to wonder if they commonly entertain much too exalted an opinion of their own importance. In reality, one would be tempted to think, they confidered themselves as a fpecies different from the rest of mankind, and imagined that all others are obliged by nature, as well as cuftom, to study them, to admire them, to applaud them, to ferve them on every occafion, and to deem it a fufficient recompence, if they are graciously pleased to accept the humble tribute. Yet, would you believe it? --this abfurd arrogance is often affoci

ated with the utmoft meannefs.

There is no condefcenfion, no humiliation, however low or mortifying, which those great ones of the earth have not, many of them, practifed towards their inferiors, when they had a point to carry. But mark, I befeech you, with what facility they can lay afide, as well as put on, the mask! When they come to have no farther use for you, they fhall be capable of throwing you off, with a tranquillity the most undifturbed, and forgetting you, to all appearance, as completely as if you had never been known to them, or as if it were the privilege of Quality, not to blush at thofe things which would cover a plain man with confufion.

To adopt the words of a pious and eloquent preacher, formerly at the Court of France, who, animated with a zeal as bold as it was enlightened, fcrupled not to deliver the most unpalatable truths in the very centre of flattery, "It is but

"feldom that the great enjoy the sweet"nefs of Friendship, or have much re

lifh for the charms of being loved. "They have not indeed esteem enough "for mankind, to be touched by their "affection. Prepoffeffed with a conceit, "that others owe every thing to them, "they fancy that they owe nothing to "others. They are not fufficiently ac"quainted with the value of a heart. "Long accustomed to receive fictitious "regards, they become infenfible to real "tenderness. The refpect due to rank

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they mistake for that which belongs "to merit only. They are more follici"tous to procure homage, than to en66 gage attachment. Friendship being ❝ more fincere than adulation, and there"fore lefs eager, lefs officious, appears "to them a dry and barren thing. "Friendship, that beft refource under. "all the chagrins of life, that delightful "bond of fociety, is to their feeling an

“uneasy tie, and to their taste an infipid "pleasure."

Is it neceffary to say, that these remarks ftand confirmed by a cloud of witneffes? Have you not read of multitudes, who, fascinated by the fmiles, and transported with the profeffions, of "men of high de"gree," long courted and long trufted them, till, difenchanted by their treachery or their caprice, they were forced, with the King of Ifracl, who knew them full well, to pronounce them "A Lie?" You may believe he did not mean to apply fo heavy a charge univerfally; and you may be affured we do not.

But if you ask, Why at all this pains to expose the worthleffness of the unprincipled Great, with whom but few of you, comparatively speaking, can have much connexion; I anfwer, Because young men' in particular fituations have been often tempted by falfe ambition to give up