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tertainment to his friends;-and fhould he have made any observations, which upon mature deliberation he may judge of fufficient importance, he will publish them for the general information of the world.

He will be extremely cautious how far he gives any countenance to the novel opinions, which have of late years, fo unhappily for the general repofe of fociety, prevailed upon the continent, relative to government and religion. He is well convinced, that novelty is not excellence; and that change may be inconfiftent with melioration both religious and political. He remarks in fome of the countries, which he explores, the baleful effects of that revolutionary fpirit, which has inflamed the minds of its votaries to phrenzy, deluged the continent of Europe with blood, and filled the measure of human mifery to an unprecedented height. He is fenfible of the excellence and the importance of Chriftianity, at the fame time that he is convinced by its evidences, and tastes the bleffings of its confolations and its hopes. He regards its modern foes, whether diftinguished as Illuminati or Philofophifts, as offering an infult to the common fenfe of mankind; and therefore deferving to be treated rather with contempt and ridicule, than with any degree of respect.

Thus the English traveller will not fail to derive every advantage from his vifit to foreign countries. On his return to his native fhores, his Dd 2

manners

manners will be refined, but not formal; his drefs fashionable, but not foppith; his deportment easy, but not negligent. Inftead of importing the trifling fopperies of other countries, and difplaying fhowy and fuperficial acquirements, as the fubftitutes for folid information and elegant accomplishments; and inftead of endeavouring to excite the applaufe and admiration of the ignorant, by his exaggerated defcriptions of diftant places, and of his own extraordinary adventures, he will rather avoid every oftentatious difplay, as unworthy of his character and his facred regard for truth". His conftitution, unbroken by vicious indulgence of any kind, will be strengthened by exercise, and his fortune will be unimpaired by extravagance. Scepticifm will not undermine, nor bigotry contract, his religious principles. He will give a proof what a high polish the

The traveller, especially if he has vifited countries not commonly explored, would do well, both in his conversation and writings, to follow thefe remarks. "I have endeavoured to maintain the fpirit with which I conducted my refearches into facts; that is, an impartial love of truth. I have restrained myfelf from indulging any fallies of the imagination, though I am no ftranger to the power of fuch illusion over the generality of readers: but I am of opinion, that travels belong to the department of history, and not that of romance. I have not therefore defcribed countries as more beautiful than they appeared to me; I have not reprefented their inhabitants more virtuous, nor more wicked than I found them." Volney's Travels, Preface, p. vi.

"Fas eft et ab hofte doceri:" although I quote this author here, and in one or two other places with approbation, I repeat my folemn proteft against his difregard of truth, and his unblufhing impiety.

British diamond can take; for his example will fully evince, that it cannot be excelled either in folidity or luftre. His prejudices in favour of his own country will rather be confirmed than worn away by extenfive comparifon ; and enlarged intercourfe with mankind; and his general knowledge will be augmented through every pure and original channel of information. His philanthropy will be ardent, and his patriotifin not lefs fpirited than rational. His various acquirements and engaging manners will render him not only the delight of his friends, but the ornament of his country. In thort, he will become by obfervation and habit a true citizen of the world; who, having carefully weighed the merits of other cultivated nations, will make GREAT BRITAIN the place of his refidence, not merely by reafon of local attachments, but becaufe, when juftly weighed againft other countries, the excellence of her laws and conftitution, both civil and religious, the mildnefs of her climate, the benevolent temper of her inhabitants, and the adaptation of their manners and cuftoms to the general comfort of life, preponderate in the feale.

• “Prejudice is an equivocal term; and may as well mean right opinions taken upon trust, and deeply rooted in the mind, as falfe and abfurd opinions fo derived and grown into it. The former of thefe will do no hurt; on the contrary, perhaps, the very beft part of education is employed in the culture of them." Hurd, vol. iii. p. 86,

CHAPTER V.

The Profeffions.

THE topics, which have been confidered in the preceding Chapters, prefent a fufficient choice of interesting fubjects of application to an English student, who is defirous that the lights of useful knowledge may irradiate his mind from various points,

Should his fortune be fufficiently ample to exempt him from the neceffity of following a profeffion, he will have more leifure to purfue his claffical and philofophical ftudies. Having improved his relifh for ufeful reading by requifite application, he will not be compelled to have recourfe to rural diversions, or infipid amufements, merely because he is ignorant of any other method to employ his leisure hours. He may enlarge his acquaintance with inftructive books, and derive a pure and exalted pleafure from his general reading, In his intercourfe with the world, he will foon be convinced, that his attainments give him great advantages over the vulgar and illiterate, that they qualify him to take comprehensive views of what is paffing around him, and put him in poffeffion of many particular facts, many useful obfervations,

and

and many general principles, which may be applied with the best effect to his various concerns. In every stage of life, he will experience the great advantage and fatisfaction, which flow from an understanding elevated by religion, cultivated by learning, and refined by taste.

But the elementary parts of learning are moft important, when confidered as the groundwork of the Profeffions. Few of thefe parts indeed can be faid to be entirely unconnected with them; and there are none, which do not communicate fome important truth, annex fome pleafing appendage, or fupply fome elegant ornament to improve, adorn, and complete the profeffional character. And it is the exercise of a Profeffion, which will enable a young man to renders his attainments immediately inftrumental to the good and happiness of others, as well as of himself.

If fuch be the advantages refulting from application to claffical learning and philofophy, of what high importance is it to the ftudent, to explore with an attentive eye, and cultivate with diligence, the pleasant fields of general knowledge, previous to treading the more confined path of profeffional refearch!

As preparatory ftudies are advantageously com bined with thofe which are profeffional, fo may they communicate great affiftance to each other. The Phyfician renders himself more extenfively useful

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