riors, and that, without speaking of the downright vicious, who come under another kind of consideration. These are the oyster-livers : such as lose the very use of their limbs from mere laziness, and waste year after year fixed to one uncomfortable spot; where they eat and drink, sleep and grumble on: while the duty of their situation properly attended to, would make them happy in themselves, and a happiness to others. Were the pearl taken out of that unsightly shell, what a circulation of riches and ornaments might it make to society! But while these poor animals can fatten on their barren rock, it matters not to them.

If cowardice sinks persons lower than all other vices, beneath even these will come in the poor slaves of false shame, the mean deserters of their duty. How many, that now pass for men of honour and spirit, would appear more weak and timorous than female fear. Some not daring to refuse a challenge*; others drinking against inclination, or affronting religion against their own consciences: or prodigal of health and fortune, from merely

*This was a favourite idea with Miss Talbot. See it farther illustrated in the Letters between her and Mrs. Carter, vol. i, p. 327, &c. which produced the story of Eugenio in the Adventurer.

wanting strength to resist the vain current of fashion. No black slave sold in a market is so far from liberty, as every one of these.

In numberless such ways, does the bewil dered race of man deviate from the paths of felicity and glory, and childishly squander away inestimable advantages. For just in proportion to the improvement of those faculties, with which heaven has intrusted us, our beings are ennobled, and our happiness heightened. The enjoyments of a mere animal existence are flat and low. The comforts of plain ordinary life, in those who have some feelings of the connexions of society, but no idea of any thing higher, rise in the next degree. The pleasures of an improved imagination take in a circle vastly wider and more fair. The joys of a benevolent heart animated by an active diligent spirit, refined sentiments, and affections justly warm, exceed the most gay imagination. The strong sense, and genuine love of truth and goodness, with all those noblest dispositions, that fill a mind affected and penetrated, as it ought to be, with a sense of religion, and practising every part of Christian duty, ascends still higher, and raises humanity to that point, from which it begins to claim a near alliance with superior natures,

ESSAY II.

On true Politeness.

POLITENESS is the most agreeable band of society, and I cannot help attributing more ill consequences to the general disregard of it, than people, at present, are apt to attend to. Perhaps it may be so entirely laid aside, by the time that this manuscript comes into any body's hand*, that the page, which preserves some faint outlines of its resemblance, may be thought no unuseful one; or at least by the lovers of antiquity, may be read with pleasure, as containing some curious remains of an elegant art: an art, that humanized the world, for many years, till the fine spirits of the present age thought fit to throw it off, as a narrow restraint, and a mean prejudice of education.

* That time seems now to have arrived, when freedom has so generally usurped the place of politeness, and even gallant attention to the weaker sex has given way to ease not unfrequently degenerating into rudeness itself. If Miss Talbot's age deserved the censure contained in the text, what must be thought of the present.

Politeness is the just medium between form and rudeness. It is the consequence of a benevolent nature, which shows itself, to general acquaintance, in an obliging, unconstrained civility, as it does, to more particular ones, in distinguished acts of kindness. This good

nature must be directed by a justness of sense, and a quickness of discernment, that knows how to use every opportunity of exercising it, and to proportion the instances of it, to every character and situation. It is a restraint laid by reason and benevolence, upon every irregularity of the temper, which, in obedience to them, is forced to accommodate itself even to the fantastic laws, which custom and fashion have established, if, by that means it can procure, in any degree, the satisfaction, or good opinion of any part of mankind. Thus paying an obliging deference to their judg ment, so far as it is not inconsistent with the higher obligations of virtue and religion.

This must be accompanied with an elegance of taste, and a delicacy observant of the least trifles, which tend to please or to oblige: and though its foundation must be rooted in the heart, it can scarce be perfected without a complete knowledge of the world.

In society, it is the medium, that blends all different tempers, into the most pleasing harmony, while it imposes silence on the loquacious, and inclines the most reserved to furnish their share of the conversation, it represses the ambition of shining alone, and increases the desire of being mutually agreeable. It takes off the edge of raillery, and gives delicacy to wit. It preserves a proper subordination amongst all ranks of people, and can reconcile a perfect ease, with the most exact propriety.

To superiors it appears in a respectful freedom: no greatness can awe it into servility, and no intimacy can sink it into a regardless familiarity.

To inferiors it shews itself in an unassuming good nature. Its aim is to raise them to you, not to let you down to them. It at once maintains the dignity of your station, and expresses the goodness of your heart.

To equals it is every thing that is charming. It studies their inclinations, prevents their desires, attends to every little exactness of behaviour, and all the time appears perfectly disengaged and careless.

Such, and so amiable is true politeness, by people of wrong heads and unworthy hearts