admiration of ignorance, that truth can find no access, or make no durable impression.

Incivility. As this, in its own nature, implies a want of due respect to others, it may be considered as a species of injury; and, as we commonly bear some resentment towards those whom we have injured, it follows, that by a course of ill manners, disrespect may grow at length into hatred. Besides, incivilities provoke a return in the same kind, and, by this ungentle reciprocation, the parties become mutually irritated, and an implacable feud is engendered. These trespasses upon good behaviour are also the more dangerous, as the remedy is difficult. There are few whose pride in such cases will suffer them to seek an explanation; and for want of it, a flight discourtesy is often brooded over in secret till it swells into an unpardonable offence; like a scratch upon a distempered body, which, by the omission of a timely application, rankles into a viru

lent ulcer. Nor is it any ordinary degree of virtuous magnanimity which that man has attained, who, upon such occasions, when he finds his own strength too feeble to resist the impression, can say to his friend, I am hurt, have pity upon me, and pour in the healing balm before the poison has reached the vitals.

Churlishness. This depravity of character approaches so nearly to misanthropy, that it is needless to point out their connection.

The particular remedies of these evils may be sought in what has been observed upon them severally; but the general remedy is charity. This, of all the principles in the universe, is the most powerful and active, and the grand spring of all the virtuous conduct that is found amongst men. It has no caprices; it affects no singularities, either of sentiment or behaviour; but, as far as it may be done with innocence, takes the ply of the occasion, and is made

all things to all men, in order to their good. It is lowly and unassuming, vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up. It renders all the civilities that are expressive of pure benevolence, and all the respects which belong to the different orders of society; honour to whom honour, fear to whom fear. In a word, when taken in its full extent, it comprizes the whole of human duty; every law of kindness or courtesy, of religion or humanity.

RURAL PHILOSOPHY.

PART III.

REFLECTIONS ON HAPPINESS.

SECTION I.

On the Happiness arising from the Independence, the Agricultural Pursuits, the Diversions, and Scenery, of a Country Life.

THE idea of rural felicity is so congenial with the human mind, that we cannot wonder to find it cherished amidst all the hurry and dissipation of public life; especially if we consider, that such a life is often attended with labour and sorrow, with weariness and disappointment. When we look abroad into the world, we see one man fixed down to his desk or stationed behind his counter, and, from morning to night, busily engaged in casting his ac