eagerness, and paying the fame adoration to fomething perhaps equally as trivial, and of as little importance, tho' diametrically oppofite. Thus the penurious Mifer, devoutly worshipping the god Plutus, hugs himfelf in the poffeflion of his locked-up wealth, however infamous the means by which he has acquired them; heartily defpifing all thofe whofe worldly acquifitions are inferior to his own, as perfons devoid of merit, for not employing the whole of their time and attention in the amaffing of riches, which he foolifhly imagines to be the most valuable of all acquifitions: Whilft the Votary of Pleafure, defpifing the character of the Mifer, vauntingly boafting of his more generous difpofition, regardless of a future day, neglecting the prefent opportunity, and ftimulated by a Pride equally as abfurd, often profufely fquanders away thofe poffeffions, which by a necessary œconomy would have fupported him in his declining age, and rendered him refpected and esteemed by that community, to which, in the evening of his days, he frequently becomes burthenfome.

Pride, in fact, is fo general a paffion, that the whole human race, of every age, rank, or fex, in fome degree or other, feels the effect of its prevailing influence, tho' it is not always fo glaringly difcovered in fome perfons as in others; for it as frequently, if not oftener, conceals itfelf under the matk of Humility, as it stalks forth in its proper habiliments, arrayed in felf-importance, and clad in all the iplendor of the gorgeous Eaft.

To attempt an investigation of Pride, in all its variety of forms, would be an arrogance fo affuming, as might with propriety expofe me to the fufpicion of being ftrongly attached to that vice myself; I fhall therefore conclude this Eflay with a defcription of one fpecies of it, that seems very common amongst us, known by the name of Family Pride; which feems to be as pernicious to its votaries, and equally as ridiculous, as any amongst the numerous clafs; by wholly engaging their attention in the purfuit of imaginary grandeur, making them neglect that more important concern of life---the improvement of the mind---by which alone true greatnefs can be attained.

And as a youth whom I greatly esteem, (who is a conftant reader of your ufeful and entertaining Mifcellany) is much addicted to this kind of Pride, I fhall humbly endeavour to expofe the folly of it, by drawing a fmall sketch of his Portrait,. under the fictitious name of Trifle; not

doubting but he will have penetration enough to difcover who is meant by fo ftriking a likeness; and am in great hopes he will endeavour to profit by the hint.

Mr. Trifle is a young gentleman of a tolerable good capacity, and capable of improving it to almost any degree of perfection. His present situation in life, tho' not very advantageous in pecuniary circumftances, yet is fuch as might excite envy in many other refpects, being engaged as á Clerk in a very confiderable comptinghouse, where, by a diligent application, he may have an opportunity of acquiring an univerfal knowledge, both practical and theoretical, of trade and commerce : but forry am I to obferve, that instead of endeavouring to obtain the qualifications neceffary to become great himself, he difregards the means, and is contented with boafting of the dignity of his ancestors, the greatnefs of his prefent connexions, and the gentility of his acquaintance--being fo ignorant of the world, as vainly to imagine that all who speak but commonly complaifant, are upon the most friendly terms with him. In his common converfation he talks as familiarly of my Lord A. or Lady B. as if they were his intimate affociates; and fhould the name of any young lady of fortune and family by chance be mentioned in his presence, fhould he fail in endeavouring to trace an affinity of blood, he declares he knows her well---has drank tea with her feveral times---the likes him much---she is doatingly fond of him--he can marry her any day in the week. These are his common expreffions; and he has ufed himself to fuch kind of language fo long, that to intimate the leaft diffidence of the truth of his assertions, would be affronting in the highest degree.

As the above Picture bears the refemblance of many others, I fhall, therefore, to prevent Mr. Trifle's paffing carelessly over it, without duly attending to it, add an Anecdote, by way of colouring the Piece---which being founded on fact, and very recent, may call forth his attention, and point out the person it was intended to reprefene.

Not long ago, as a gentleman of the moft exalted merit, (in the opinion of Mr. Trifle) was walking on a principal road at the Eaft end of the town, he joined company with two young Ladies; with one of which he before had fome flight acquaintance, the other quite a ftranger to him. This adventure was fufficient matter of converfation for him for feveral days; and he feemed to exprefs him felf

himself with rapture on the perfections of the latter, always concluding by observing, that he had 10,000l. in her own hands, and that he was fo great a favourite, he was well affured fhe would think herself happy was he to pay his respects to her; which he would not have helitated about, had he not, on further enquiry, found a deficiency of 700ol. in her fuppofed fortune the remainder of which, tho' 30ool. he looked upon as inadequate to his merit and deferving (the whole of his own Patrimony); however, upon more mature deliberation, being much enamoured with the Lady, he was fully refolved to honour the fond fair with his affection, and as the was unfortunately gone out of town, propofed fignifying his intentions to her in writing. Whether he did humble himself fo much or not, I am yet ignorant; but if the affirmative took place, in all probability his epiftle was to the following effect: DEAR MISS,

WHEN I had the honour of walking with you a few evenings ago, your agreeable manner and behaviour made fo great an impreffion on me, that I was determined, if on enquiry I found your for

tune equal to my expectations, to pay my moft profound respects to you; and notwithstanding my hopes in fome meafure have been defeated, by hearing that the whole of your poffeffions amount to no more than 3000l. (which, for a perfon of my great merit, and perfonal qualifications, your good fenfe will allow is fo trifling as not to be worth notice) yet upon mature reflection, and meditating on your matchlefs perfections, disregarding any pecuniary emolument, I thus condefcend to offer you my most humble refpects; not doubting but your prudence will induce you to pay that proper acknowledgment to my generous proposal, as the greatness of the honour conferred on you demands; and hope, nay, am vain enough, from a knowledge of your wifdom, to be confident, that your answer will be a ready compliance with my defires; and therefore infift upon your immediately appointing fome day within a fortnight for my waiting upon you to the Altar of Hymen; which will much oblige, Dear Madam, Your most respectful Lover,

J-T

S

O then, Gents,---it's a Medal, is it, which you allot monthly to the writer who produces you the best penn'd Effay? More prompted by neceffity than ambition, I am going to take aim at this distinguishing mark of your approbation; which I hope is of greater than mere honorary value; for my intention is to difpose of it as money to procure me for one while an extra refreshment of small beer daily, during my aerial lucubrations, as they may truly be ftiled---for my refidence, and the feat of my labours, is a Garret.

But, first, I have great news to tell you. The celebrated Junius himself is my neighbour, and occupies an apartment adjoining to, and upon the fame floor with mine. Our joint labours have frequently co-operated for the public good; and we are at this very time, in conjunction, preparing a thundering letter---To the worthy and independent Gentle

men, Clergy, and Freeholders, of all the Counties in England---on the fubject of the enfuing General Election; wherein, amongst other matters, we mean to reprefent to them the folly, and even madness, of felling their votes, or perjuring themfelves---unless they can be very well paid And alfo, how improbable it is for it. to fuppofe, that the neceffary fupplies for the advantage of individuals, should be voted for as ftrenuously by thofe of our Reprefentatives, who are not infpired with a fingle with---for a fhare in their appropriation---as those others, who---receiving---diftribute them again liberally amongst us at Elections.

However, as this Addrefs will fhortly come forth, (and perhaps thro' the channel of your Miscellany) I fhall conclude all further mention of it now, by just modeftly announcing to you, that both my language and my wit will appear throughout the whole fo greatly to eclipse JuP 2 nius's,

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many doubts he had admitted; and gained much experience by the things he had fuffered. This enabled him to inftruct others and about the year 1647, we find him travelling through feveral counties in England, feeking out fuch as had any religious tenderness, and exciting the enquiries of feveral concerning him. Many embraced his opinions and, indeed, he feems to have rouzed the public mind, as much as ever any individual did in thofe counties for the time, and under fuch circumftances. A man of low birth, without literature, merely by the fanctity of his life, and the fimplicity of his doctrines, to have collected from all profeffions, and most ranks, men of character, fortune, and understanding, and embodied them as a religious fociety; to have inftituted one of the best concerted plans of civil difcipline; is a a circumftance most true, and not unworthy the difquifitions of the ableft philofophers.

The name of Quaker was affixed to this people early, by way of reproach. ---In their affemblies it fometimes happened that fome were fo ftruck with the remembrance of their pafi follies, and forgetfulness of their condition; others fo deeply affected with a fenfe of God's mercies to them; that they actually trembled and quaked.---The nickname fo fuited the vulgar tafte, that it foon became general. Friends, or the Friends of Truth, was the name they were commonly known by to one another: but the epithet abovementioned was stamped upon them by their adverfaries, and perhaps indelibly.

The following abftract from the propofitions of our countryman the eminent Barclay, will perhaps exhibit as clear a fummary of their opinions, as can well be comprised within our present

limits:

1. The height of all happiness is placed in the true knowledge of God.

2. The true knowledge of God is alone to be obtained by the revelation of the fpirit of God.

3. The revelation of the spirit of God to the Saints has produced the fcriptures of truth.

4. From whence it appears that mankind in general is fallen and degenerated.

5. That God, out of his infinite love, has offered univerfal redemption by Chrift; who tafted death for every man.

6. That there is an evangelical and faving light and grace in all.

7. That in as many as refift not this

light, but receive the fame, in them are produced holiness, righteoufnefs, purity, and the fruits which are acceptable to God:

8. Even fo, as to arrive at a state of freedom from actual finning and tranfgreffing the law of God.

9. Yet with a poffibility of finning.

10. That as all true knowledge in things fpiritual is received by the Spirit of God; fo by it every true Minister of the Gospel is ordained and prepared for the Miniftry and as they have freely received, fo are they freely to give.

11. That the true worship of God is in Spirit and in Truth; not limited to place or time, nor fubject to the intervention of any perfon; but is to be performed uñder the moving of the Holy Spirit in our hearts; yet without derogating from the neceffity and utility of Public United worship; in which their fufferings and conftancy have been remarkable.

12. That Baptifm is a pure and fpiritual thing; the baptifm of the Spirit and of

Fire.

13. That the communion of the body and blood of Chrift is inward and spiritual.

14. That it is not lawful for any human authority to force the confciences of others, on account of difference in worship or opinion; except fuch opinions tend to the prejudice of one's neighbour in his life or eftate, or are inconfiftent with human fociety.

15. That as the end of Religion is to redeem man from the spirit of this world, and to lead into inward communion with God; therefore all vain customs and habits are to be rejected, which tend to divert the mind from a fenfe of the fear of God, and that evangelical spirit wherewith Chriftians ought to be leavened.

Such are the fentiments of this People, as propofed to the public by their Apologift: who has largely commented on thefe topics, in a work that has paffed through no less than eight editions in English, and has been printed in most of the modern languages.

Their particularities of addrefs, language, and behaviour; their declining the ufe of arms; their refufing to pay tithes, or contribute to the fupport of Minifters (as fuch) in any shape; likewife their refufing to fwear or take an oath on any occafion whatever, have fubjected them to much obloquy, and many grievous fufferings. On what principles, and by what arguments, they vindicate themfelves from the objections raised against them by their adversaries, may be seen in

this elaborate performance. Government has, however, in many inftances, extended to this People great indulgences; convinced, no doubt, that their profeffions of confcientious fcruples were fincere; and that nothing dangerous to fociety could be apprehended from a People, who difclaimed the use of arms both offenfive and defensive.

The economy of this fociety likewife deferves our notice. It appears by their history, that soon after the preaching of George Fox had drawn together in many parts of England confiderable bodies of people profeffing the fame opinions, he found it expedient, for their better government, to establish regular meetings for difcipline. The following is, as nearly as we can collect, the Plan that is established amongst them:

› Where there are any Quakers, they meet together once a month, to confider of the neceffities of their poor, and to provide for their relief; to hear and determine complaints arifing from among themselves; to enquire into the converfation of their respective members in regard to morality, and conformity to their religious fentiments; to allow the passing of marriages; and to enjoin a ftrict regard to the peace and good order of the fociety, the proper education of their young people, and a general attention to the Principles and Practices of their Profeffion.

In every country where there are Monthly Meetings, a meeting of the like kind, and for fimilar purposes, is held every Quarter. This meeting confifts of Deputies fent from the feveral monthly meetings; who are charged with answers in writing, to queries propofed to them refpecting the good order of the fociety. At thefe meetings appeals are received, in cafe of any disputes; and differences fettled, if poffible. Advices are given, as occafions offer; and affiftances afforded to any of the monthly meetings, in case of a larger proportion of the poor, or any fimilar expences. As there are Quakers in moft parts of England, there are few counties which have not these quarterly meetings and from thefe are deputed four, fix, or eight of their members once a year, to attend their annual affembly at London.

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The annual affembly is commonly held in Whitfun week; not from any fuperftitious reference, as they fay, to the effufion of the Holy Ghoft at the time of Penrecoft; but merely as it is a feafon moft |

convenient to the Body. At this anniversary meeting, confifting of members deputed from every quarterly meeting, and a number of the most judicious of their perfuafion in London, (felected for the purpofe of acting on all emergencies for the good of the fociety) accounts are received of the state of the fociety in every part of the world where it exifts. The Deputies bring with them accounts, figned by the refpective Quarterly Meetings, informing the Yearly Meeting if any difunion ap pears; if there is any neglect in the religious education of their youth; if the poor are well provided for; if they keep to their teftimony against paying Tithes, and bearing of Arms; if they pay the King his duties, cuftoms, and excife; and forbear to deal in goods fufpected to be run. Appeals are there received, and finally determined; propofitions received and confidered; and rules formed on particular emergencies, And, laftly, fuch advices are fent to the fubordinate meetings, as the particular or general state of the fociety requires.

Perhaps this is the only fociety in the world, that have allowed any share in the management of their affairs to the Female Sex; which they do upon the principle, that "Male and Female are all ONE in Chrift." Accordingly we find them in every department of their inftitution. They have women preachers; for whom the celebrated Mr. Locke has made an excellent apology. These have alfo their meetings for difcipline; in which the like care is taken with regard to the Female youth, and the good order of their fex, as is done by the Men in refpect to their own, And when we reflect what a number of individuals of both fexes are kept in good order by the police of this fociety, how few of them are brought into courts of juftice as delinquents, how peaceable their behaviour, and how exemplary their conduct; we cannot but think their principles deferve a more accurate examination than has hitherto been attempted; owing, perhaps, to the vulgar prejudices circulated against them.

We fhall clofe this article with obferving, that, according to the best of our information, neither their Minifters, nor thofe who have the principal care of the fociety, enjoy any pecuniary emoluments or advantages. A few clerks, only, receive falaries for keeping their records: fo that, perhaps, there is not a religious fociety now exifting, where PRINCIPLE ha

greates