CHAP. XXXVI.

PHILOSOPHY.

THE

HE vulgar are apt to mifunderftand moral philofophy strangely. They fancy that a perfon who would preferve the character of a philofopher, must first fubdue his mind to a state of perfect apathy; free from forrow, unmoved by joy, and devoid of every fond or tender affection.

This indeed was the boast, which, if they had any fort of modefty, fhould rather have been called the confeffion, of the Stoics. This was a ftate of inhumanity, in my opinion, because referable folely to felf., For reafon, when

un

unactuated by liberal fentiments, and generous feelings, finks below inftinct; as a meaner principle, which keeps its place, is more estimable, than a nobler one, that becomes degraded.

But the humane, and therefore more natural, philofophy, of the antient fages, but quickened their fenfibility, and both increafed and extended their love, benevolence, and charity, towards mankind. They rejoiced in their happiness, grieved at their miferies, and lamented the lofs of their relations and friends, rather more than other men were capable of. Their whole firmness, refolution, and fortitude was fet in battle array againft

their own pains, misfortunes, and difappointments, only.

Those who whould affect a fuperiority of mind, upon any other terms, mistake the matter fadly, as feeming to think that virtue was given by heaven to debafe us. For whom God has made a man, none but the devil can make a brute. Permitte illi ut homo fit, faid Antoninus Pius, in excufe for a philofopher he faw in tears.

How many pages could I fill, upon this fubject; but they would only repeat the fame fentiments, in other words. Therefore I hope the reader will do me honour for ftopping fhort

here.

here. If he has reflection, these few paragraphs are fufficient for contemplation: if not, they are too many, already.

CHAP.

I

CHA P. XXXVII.

A TRIP TO AMIENS.

AM juft fetting out for the con

tinent, to pay a visit to a friend, who on his return to England from his travels, has been unhappily taken ill at Amiens. How few perform the Grand tour, without corrupted morals, and an impaired constitution!

AMIENS.

I have had a rough paffage over, and met with but miserable accommodations on my journey, both of vehicles, roads, lodgings, meat and drink. Well! commend me to Old England, against the world, fay I, for thofe who i

are