"In a large company, Cynthio was never "known to engross the whole attention to "some one favourite subject, which could "suit with only a part of it; or to dictate, 66 even in a small one. With a very quick "discernment, to avoid speaking or thinking severely of the many faults and follies this "world abounds with, is a proof of an excel"lent temper too, which can be no way con

stantly supported, and made in its effects, "consistent with itself, but upon the basis of "serious principles.

"This then is the support of Cynthio's "character, and this it is, that regulates his "actions, even where his natural inclination "would direct him differently. Thus, when "the welfare of the public is concerned, he can assume a strictness, that carries great

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awe with it, and a severity, that a mere "constitutional good nature would be hurt

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by, though it answers the most valuable "ends of true humanity. Thus his natural "indolence is allowed to show itself, only in "things of trifling consequence, or such as "he thinks so, because they regard only "himself: but whenever he has any opportu

"nity of serving a friend, or doing a worthy "action, no body is so ready, so vigilant, so "active, so constant in the pursuit; which is "seldom unsuccessful, because he has a use"ful good sense, that directs him to the pro"perest methods of proceeding. Upon such

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an occasion, not the longest journey, or "most tedious solicitation, no appearance of "trouble or of danger can discourage him.

Sincerity is so essential a part of friendship, that no one so perfect, in its other "branches, can be wanting in that. But how, you will say, can this be reconciled "with politeness? How can that, whose ut"most care is never to offend, ever venture upon telling a disagreeable truth? Why "this is one of the wonders, which a good " and a right intention, well directed, can "perform and Cynthio can even oblige people, by telling them very plainly of their "faults."

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I perceive, I have wandered from my first intention, which was only to give a general sketch of this character, as influenced by that humanity, whose consequence is such a desire of pleasing, as is the source of politeness. But before I have done with it, I must add this one distinguishing stroke, that though

many people may excel in separate good qualities and accomplishments, more than Cynthio, yet I never saw them so equally proportioned, or so agreeably blended as in him, to form that whole behaviour that makes him the fittest example for an Essay on this subject.

ESSAY III.

On the Accommodation of the Temper to Circumstances.

LET me be allowed to make a new word, and let that word be accommodableness.

The disposition of mind, I mean by that word to express, is of such constant and universal use, that it is certainly worth while to distinguish it by a name of its own. We English have not much of it in our nature, and therefore it is no wonder we have not an expression to suit it. It is such a flexibility of mind, as hinders the least struggle between reason and temper. It is the very height and perfection of good humour, shown as well in an instantaneous transition from mirth to seriousness, when that is best suited to the place and people, as it is in the liveliest flashes of gaiety. It is an art of sitting so loose from our own humours and designs, that the mere having expected, or intended, or wished a thing to be otherwise than it is, shall not, for a moment, ruffle our brows, or discompose

our thoughts. It is an art, for it requires time and pains to perfect it.

All this is indeed included in what has been said of politeness, but it is worth dwelling upon in a new light. It is the means of making every trifling occurrence in life, of some use to us. For want of it, liking and luck are ever at cross purposes. To-day we are sad; and then if we fall into a jovial company, all their mirth seems displaced, and but grates upon our fancy. To-morrow, we are as whimsically determined to be merry: and then, how unsuited is our temper, to the scenes of sad improvement, we so often meet with! How unfit are we then to commiserate the wretched, or to draw just considerations from the melancholy side of life!

This body, by some accident or other, we look upon in a light of prejudice: a foolish story told of them, or perhaps a disagreeable look, or a peculiar trick, makes us lose all the advantage, that might be had, by attending to their more valuable qualifications: for every body has some.-Another we despise, merely for our own ignorance of their worth, We look upon persons in a light of burlesque, from some ridiculous circumstance; when, perhaps, their serious character has something