payments became due. In a word, by a Constant attendance on the wants, vices, and follies of mankind, he acquired an immense fortune. His house was a perpetual bawdyhouse. He was twice condemned for rapes, and pardoned; but the last time not without imprisonment in Newgate and large confis

cations.

"He died in 1731, aged 62. The popu lace at his funeral raised a great riot, almost tore the body out of the coffin, and cast dead dogs, &c. into the grave along with it. He was said to be worth seven thousand pounds a year, estates in land, and about one hundred thousand pounds in money."

This specimen of character is however only introduced, as an extraordinary instance of miserly wickedness: but the whole turpitude of this man's conduct is not necessarily connected with propensities to avarice; and the exceptions to it, are many,

Among the learned sages of antiquity, an eager pursuit after wealth was held in a ridiculous point of view, and censured as absolutely injurious to the cause of virtue. When Archelaus invited Socrates to his court for the purpose of conferring on him reward and honours, that brave philosopher is said to have made answer to those who brought the message, in these words: "Tell the king that a measure of flour may be bought in Athens for a halfpenny, and water for nothing, and though your master does suppose I want, yet I have enough, because I am contented with a little."

To the plagues of inquietude the miser cannot be a stranger: for the accumulation and safety of his wealth, the poor man's brain must be perpetually on the rack; but intolerable is the reflection, that he is doomed, how

soon he knows not, to undergo an eternal separation from it.

ESSAY X.

JUSTICE.

f

REMOVE from mankind the mean temptation of deviating from her paths, and scarcely a character could be found, that would not practically admire the maxims of Justice.

There has been a sort of rivalship among mankind, who should most excel in proclaiming her worth. While Poets, with all the fire of verse, have made the attempt, Painters and Sculptors, by the most lively and expressive imagery, have not been less animated

in

in her cause. Philosophers have sought to do her homage, with all the formality of proud disquisition. Orators have found in justice, a grand and interesting subject for the pomp of declamation and dignity of address. Statesmen and Warriors, ennobled by resentment, when justice was offended, have under her banners been dignified by heroic deaths. Even the guilty, who are smarting under her correction, will assert her rectitude. The criminal, while he yet gazes on the affrighting process of his execution, cannot allow the silver cords of life to be stretched asunder, till he bears justice harmless, and confesses that her ways are right; and will convey with his last breath, a tribute of respect to her sacred name." Among the four cardinal virtues, justice is therefore most deservedly classed.t

1

However multiplied are her laws, and however difficult may be the explanation of some of them, in their political adaptation to differ

ent

ent countries and habits of society, yet, in the grand concerns of moral justice, to which this short Essay is cohfined, ignorance and evasion have no hiding-place. On the tablet of conscience it is written with the finger of God, "Do unto others as you would they should do unto you." The command is short-the language is plain-the duty is imperious!--and while loudly extolled in principle, this divine maxim should equally be regarded in praçtice: for whatever is morally bad, ought not, in any view of the subject to be considered as politically right: but by the manners of the greater part of society, every advantage that can be taken, especially in the course of traffick, which the laws have not specifically branded with the name of dishonesty, is termed just.

In the busy walks of merchandise, conscience must not too much intrude, lest a fresh importation of what may be thought at present scarce, or the circulation of truth

by