applicable, provided activity and perseverance are not wanting, to give effect to schemes originating in wise and enlightened policy.

In the last place, it is a fact, forced on our notice by daily experience, that a man often succeeds better in life by acting conscientiously and firmly with a small portion of wisdom,-than by the possession of the most enlightened views, if he has not the power of steadily adhering to them;-and there is, consequently, great folly in those who despise the maxims of homely but well-inténtioned minds, when these maxims lead to virtuous and just conduct, even although the maxims themselves may be characterized by a great mixture of error or of inconsistency.

But here, also, we repeat the observation we have already urged with respect to the two preceding topics, -namely, that though, when two defective characters are compared, the solid advantage lies with him who is most persevering and decided in action,-though possessing very limited notions, rather than with the man, who, with far better ideas of what is right, is yet incapable of acting firmly and conscientiously according to his ideas,-still this advantage is only comparative,—and the most perfect character is that

of him, who, with just, and luminous, and comprehensive principles,—and with high feelings of honour and of delicacy,—is also possessed of that discretion, and firmness,-and perseverance,-which enable him to transfer his speculative views, with entire effect, into the conduct of actual and pressing affairs.

So much with respect to the connexion between the qualities demanded in the preceding section of this part,-namely, high and pure views of what is just and expedient,-and those recommended in the present section, namely, a firm and thorough-going discharge of all the rougher and more trying duties which offer themselves on the broad and prominent foreground of human life.

VOL. II.

K

SECTION III.

DOCTRINE OF SMALL DUTIES.

LUKE xvi. 10. He that is faithful in that which is least, is faithful also in much.

We have now said all that we think it important to state respecting the two first compartments into which we considered the great field of human duty as capable of being divided.

The first of these compartments contains that important portion of human duty which relates to the ideal ;—and, in treating of this division, we have, especially, endeavoured to draw the attention of the reader to the importance of having a high and pure standard of excellence continually in his mind. We have also stated how admirably Christianity, by the

high character of its Founder, is fitted to correspond with this demand of our moral nature,-and we have, throughout the section, been especially urgent in stating the distinction which ought to be made between considering perfection as the object proposed to man, as a subject of the Divine kingdom,-and the very different doctrine which merely inculcates, that among the most important modes of accomplishing that object, the maintenance of pure and high moral feelings ought to claim a very prominent place. We scarcely think it necessary again to repeat, though the mistakes that are universally current seem to justify the repetition,—that the object proposed to man is the due and zealous fulfilment of the duties of his appropriate place in life ;—but that Nature has so constituted his mind, that, in the attaining of that object, he is powerfully assisted by the disposition which belongs to him, of working at all times after a high and ideal model,—always feeling that something better may be done by him, than at any moment he has been able to realize,— and thus led on in pursuit of his object by pure and high ideas of excellence,-which correspond most admirably with his own progressive and constantlyrising powers.

We felt it the more necessary to state this doctrine fully, because the freedom with which we have treated the common idea, that perfection is the object proposed to man,-might have led superficial and hasty readers to mistake entirely the nature of our statement,—and to accuse us of a disposition to lower the demands made on our virtuous exertions to a level, on which we have not the least inclination to see them resting.

The second great compartment of the field of duty relates to the actual interests and rough contentions, and severe labours of life;-the former compartment belongs strictly to the ideal world,it is that high and pure region to which we are occasionally disposed to lift our eyes,-but which reveals itself to us only in aerial and dimly-discerned perspective, though we feel, at the same time, that it is but a higher portion of that actual and visible world with which we are more directly or palpably connected. This second compartment is that which surrounds us in living and visible reality,—the objects of which are ever present and tangible,—which is varied by the strong colouring of daily life,—and where, though there are lights and shadows,—and some objects in dazzling prominence, while others