AN ESSAY ON THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE CHARACTERS OF MEN. I HAVE OFTEN THOUGHT IT A MELANCHOLY INSTANCE OF THE GREAT DEPRAVITY OF HUMAN NATURE, THAT WHILST SO MANY MEN HAVE EMPLOYED THEIR UTMOST ABILITIES TO INVENT SYSTEMS, BY WHICH THE ARTFUL AND CUNNING PART OF MANKIND MAY BE ENABLED TO IMPOSE ON THE REST OF THE WORLD; FEW OR NONE SHOULD HAVE STOOD UP THE CHAPIONS OF THE INNOCENT AND UNDESIGNING, AND HAVE ENDEAVOURED TO ARM THEM AGAINST IMPOSITION. THOSE WHO PREDICATE OF MAN IN GENERAL, THAT HE IS AN ANIMAL OF THIS OR THAT DISPOSITION, SEEM TO ME NOT SUFFICIENTLY TO HAVE STUDIED HUMAN NATURE; FOR THAT IMMENSE VARIETY OF CHARACTERS SO APPARENT IN MEN EVEN OF THE SAME CLIMATE, RELIGION, AND EDUCATION, WHICH GIVES THE POET A SUFFICIENT LICENCE, AS I APPREHEND, FOR SAYING, THAT MAN DIFFERS MORE FROM MAN, THAN MAN FROM BEAST, COULD HARDLY EXIST, UNLESS THE DISTINCTION HAD SOME ORIGINAL FOUNDATION IN NATURE ITSELF. NOR IS IT PERHAPS A LESS PROPER

PREDICAMENT OF THE GENIUS OF A TREE, THAT IT WILL FLOURISH SO MANY YEARS, LOVES SUCH A SOIL, BEARS SUCH A FRUIT, ETC. THAN OF MAN IN GENERAL, THAT HE IS GOOD, BAD, FIERCE, TAME, HONEST, OR CUNNING. THIS ORIGINAL DIFFERENCE WILL, I THINK, ALONE ACCOUNT FOR THAT VERY EARLY AND STRONG INCLINATION TO GOOD OR EVIL, WHICH DISTINGUISHES DIFFERENT DISPOSITIONS IN CHILDREN, IN THEIR FIRST INFANCY; IN THE MOST UN-INFORMED SAVAGES, WHO CAN BE THOUGHT TO HAVE ALTERED THEIR NATURE BY NO RULES, NOR ARTFULLY ACQUIRED HABITS; AND LASTLY, IN PERSONS WHO FROM THE SAME EDUCATION, ETC. MIGHT BE THOUGHT TO HAVE DIRECTED NATURE THE SAME WAY; YET, AMONG ALL THESE, THERE SUBSISTS, AS I HAVE BEFORE HINTED, SO MANIFEST AND EXTREME A DIFFERENCE OF INCLINATION OR CHARACTER, THAT ALMOST OBLIGES US, I THINK, TO ACKNOWLEDGE SOME UNACQUIRED, ORIGINAL DISTINCTION, IN THE NATURE OR SOUL OF ONE MAN, FROM THAT OF ANOTHER. THUS, WITHOUT ASSERTING IN GENERAL, THAT MAN IS A DECEITFUL ANIMAL; WE MAY, I BELIEVE, APPEAL FOR INSTANCES OF DECEIT TO THE BEHAVIOUR OF SOME CHILDREN AND SAVAGES. WHEN THIS QUALITY THEREFORE IS NOURISHED AND IMPROVED BY EDUCATION, IN WHICH WE ARE TAUGHT RATHER TO CONCEAL VICES, THAN TO CULTIVATE VIRTUES; WHEN IT HATH SUCKED IN THE INSTRUCTION OF POLITICIANS, AND IS INSTITUTED IN IN THE ART OF THRIVING, IT WILL BE NO WONDER THAT IT SHOULD GROW TO THAT MONSTROUS HEIGHT TO WHICH WE SOMETIMES SEE IT ARRIVE. THIS ART OF THRIVING BEING THE VERY REVERSE OF THAT DOCTRINE OF THE STOICS; BY WHICH MEN WERE TAUGHT TO CONSIDER THEMSELVES AS FELLOW-CITIZENS OF THE WORLD, AND TO LABOUR JOINTLY FOR THE COMMON GOOD, WITHOUT ANY PRIVATE DISTINCTION OF THEIR OWN: WHEREAS THIS, ON THE CONTRARY, POINTS OUT TO EVERY INDIVIDUAL

HIS OWN PARTICULAR AND SEPARATE ADVANTAGE, TO WHICH HE IS TO SACRIFICE THE INTEREST OF ALL OTHERS; WHICH HE IS TO CONSIDER AS HIS SUMMUM BONUM, TO PURSUE WITH HIS UTMOST DILIGENCE AND INDUSTRY, AND TO ACQUIRE BY ALL MEANS WHATEVER. NOW WHEN THIS NOBLE END IS ONCE ESTABLISHED, DECEIT MUST IMMEDIATELY SUGGEST ITSELF AS THE NECESSARY MEANS: FOR AS IT IS IMPOSSIBLE THAT ANY MAN ENDOWED WITH RATIONAL FACULTIES, AND BEING IN A STATE OF FREEDOM, SHOULD WILLINGLY AGREE, WITHOUT SOME MOTIVE OF LOVE OR FRIENDSHIP, ABSOLUTELY TO SACRIFICE HIS OWN INTEREST TO THAT OF ANOTHER; IT BECOMES NECESSARY TO IMPOSE UPON HIM, TO PERSUADE HIM, THAT HIS OWN GOOD IS DESIGNED, AND THAT HE WILL BE A GAINER BY COMING INTO THOSE SCHEMES, WHICH ARE, IN REALITY, CALCULATED FOR HIS DESTRUCTION. AND THIS, IF I MISTAKE NOT, IS THE VERY ESSENCE OF THAT EXCELLENT ART, CALLED THE ART OF POLITICS. THUS WHILE THE CRAFTY AND DESIGNING PART OF MANKIND, CONSULTING ONLY THEIR OWN SEPARATE ADVANTAGE, ENDEAVOUR TO MAINTAIN ONE CONSTANT IMPOSITION ON OTHERS, THE WHOLE WORLD BECOMES A VAST MASQUERADE, WHERE THE GREATEST PART APPEAR DISGUISED UNDER FALSE VIZORS AND HABITS; A VERY FEW ONLY SHEWING THEIR OWN FACES, WHO BECOME, BY SO DOING, THE ASTONISHMENT AND RIDICULE OF ALL THE REST. BUT HOWEVER CUNNING THE DISGUISE BE WHICH A MASQUERADER WEARS: HOWEVER FOREIGN TO HIS AGE, DEGREE, OR CIRCUMSTANCE, YET IF CLOSELY ATTENDED TO, HE VERY RARELY ESCAPES THE DISCOVERY OF AN ACCURATE OBSERVER; FOR NATURE, WHICH UNWILLINGLY SUBMITS TO THE IMPOSTURE, IS EVER ENDEAVOURING TO PEEP FORTH AND SHEW HERSELF; NOR CAN THE CARDINAL, THE FRIAR, OR THE JUDGE, LONG CONCEAL THE SOT, THE GAMESTER, OR THE RAKE. IN THE SAME MANNER WILL THOSE DISGUISES WHICH ARE WORN ON THE GREATER STAGE, GENERALLY VANISH, OR PROVE INEFFECTUAL TO IMPOSE THE ASSUMED FOR THE REAL CHARACTER UPON US, IF WE EMPLOY SUFFICIENT DILIGENCE AND ATTENTION IN THE SCRUTINY. BUT AS THIS DISCOVERY IS OF INFINITELY GREATER CONSEQUENCE TO US; AND PERHAPS ALL ARE NOT EQUALLY QUALIFIED TO MAKE IT, I SHALL VENTURE TO SET DOWN SOME FEW RULES, THE EFFICACY(I HAD ALMOST SAID INFALLIBILITY) OF WHICH, I HAVE MYSELF EXPERIENCED. NOR NEED ANY MAN BE ASHAMED OF

WANTING OR RECEIVING INSTRUCTIONS ON THIS HEAD; SINCE THAT OPEN DISPOSITION, WHICH IS THE SUREST INDICATION OF AN HONEST AND UPRIGHT HEART, CHIEFLY RENDERS US LIABLE TO BE IMPOSED ON BY CRAFT AND DECEIT, AND PRINCIPALLY DISQUALIFIES US FOR THIS DISCOVERY. NEITHER WILL THE READER, I HOPE, BE OFFENDED, IF HE SHOULD HERE FIND NO OBSERVATIONS ENTIRELY NEW TO HIM. NOTHING CAN BE PLAINER, OR MORE KNOWN, THAN THE GENERAL RULES OF MORALITY, AND YET THOUSANDS OF MEN ARE THOUGHT WELL EMPLOYED IN REVIVING OUR REMEMBRANCE, AND ENFORCING OUR PRACTICE OF THEM. BUT THOUGH I AM CONVINCED THERE ARE MANY OF MY READERS WHOM I AM NOT CAPABLE OF INSTRUCTING ON THIS HEAD, AND WHO ARE INDEED FITTER TO GIVE THAN RECEIVE INSTRUCTIONS, AT LEAST FROM ME, YET THIS ESSAY MAY PERHAPS BE OF SOME USE TO THE YOUNG AND UNEXPERIENCED, TO THE MORE OPEN, HONEST AND CONSIDERING PART OF MANKIND, WHO, EITHER FROM IGNORANCE OR INATTENTION, ARE DAILY EXPOSED TO ALL THE PERNICIOUS DESIGNS OF THAT DETESTABLE FIEND, HYPOCRISY. I WILL PROCEED THEREFORE, WITHOUT FURTHER PREFACE, TO THOSE DIAGNOSTICS WHICH NATURE, I APPREHEND, GIVES US OF THE DISEASES OF THE MIND, SEEING SHE TAKES SUCH PAINS TO DISCOVER THOSE OF THE BODY. AND FIRST, I DOUBT WHETHER THE OLD ADAGE OF FRONTI NULLA FIDES, BE GENERALLY WELL UNDERSTOOD: THE MEANING OF WHICH IS COMMONLY TAKEN TO BE, THAT NO TRUST IS TO BE GIVEN TO THE COUNTENANCE. BUT WHAT IS THE CONTEXT IN JUVENAL? --QUIS ENIM NON VICUS ABUNDAT TRISIBUS OBSCOENIS? --WHAT PLACE IS NOT FILLED WITH AUSTERE LIBERTINES? NOW THAT AN AUSTERE COUNTENANCE IS NO TOKEN OF PURITY OF HEART, I READILY CONCEDE. SO FAR OTHERWISE, IT IS PERHAPS RATHER A SYMPTOM OF THE CONTRARY. BUT THE SATYRIST SURELY NEVER INTENDED BY THESE WORDS, WHICH HAVE GROWN INTO A PROVERB, UTTERLY TO DEPRECIATE AN ART ON WHICH SO WISE A MAN AS ARISTOTLE HATH THOUGHT PROPER TO COMPSE A TREATISE. THE TRUTH IS, WE ALMOST UNIVERSALLY MISTAKE THE SYMPTOMS WHICH NATURE KINDLY HOLDS FORTH TO US; AND ERR AS GROSSLY AS

A PHYSICIAN WOULD, WHO SHOULD CONCLUDE THAT A VERY HIGH PULSE IS A CERTAIN INDICATION OF HEALTH; BUT SURE THE FACULTY WOULD RATHER IMPUTE SUCH A MISTAKE TO HIS DEPLORABLE IGNORANCE, THAN CONCLUDE FROM IT, THAT THE PULSE COULD GIVE A SKILFUL AND SENSIBLE OBSERVER NO INFORMATION OF THE PATIENT'S DISTEMPER. IN THE SAME MANNER, I CONCEIVE, THE PASSIONS OF MEN DO COMMONLY IMPRINT SUFFICIENT MARKS ON THE COUNTENANCE; AND IT IS OWING CHIEFLY TO WANT OF SKILL IN THE OBSERVER, THAT PHYSIOGNOMY IS OF SO LITTLE USE AND CREDIT IN THE WORLD. BUT OUR ERRORS IN THIS DISQUISITION WOULD BE LITTLE WONDERED AT, IF IT WAS ACKNOWLEDGED, THAT THE FEW RULES WHICH GENERALLY PREVAIL ON THIS HEAD ARE UTTERLY FALSE, AND THE VERY REVERSE OF TRUTH. AND THIS WILL PERHAPS APPEAR, IF WE CONDESCEND TO THE EXAMINATION OF SOME PARTICULARS. LET US BEGIN WITH THE INSTANCE GIVEN US BY THE POET ABOVE, OF AUSTERITY; WHICH, AS HE SHEWS US, WAS HELD TO INDICATE A CHASTITY OR SEVERITY OF MORALS, THE CONTRARY OF WHICH AS HIMSELF SHEWS US, IS TRUE. AMONG US, THIS AUSTERITY, OR GRAVITY OF COUNTENANCE, PASSES FOR WISDOM WITH JUST THE SAME EQUITY OF PRETENSION. MY LORD SHAFTSBURY TELLS US, THAT GRAVITY IS OF THE ESSENCE OF IMPOSTURE. I WILL NOT VENTURE TO SAY, THAT IT CERTAINLY DENOTES FOLLY, THOUGH I HAVE KNOWN SOME OF THE SILLIEST FELLOWS IN THE WORLD VERY EMINENTLY POSSESSED OF IT. THE AFFECTIONS WHICH IT INDICATES, AND WHICH WE SHALL SELDOM ERR IN SUSPECTING TO LIE UNDER IT, ARE PRIDE, ILL-NATURE, AND CUNNING. THREE QUALITIES WHICH WHEN WE KNOW TO BE INHERENT IN ANY MAN, WE HAVE NO REASON TO DESIRE ANY FURTHER DISCOVERY TO INSTRUCT US, TO DEAL AS LITTLE AND AS CAUTIOUSLY WITH HIM AS WE ARE ABLE. BUT THOUGH THE WORLD OFTEN PAYS A RESPECT TO THESE APPEARANCES WHICH THEY DO NOT DESERVE; THEY RATHER ATTRACT ADMIRATION

THAN LOVE, AND INSPIRE US RATHER WITH AWE THAN CONFIDENCE. THERE IS A COUNTENANCE OF A CONTRARY KIND, WHICH HATH BEEN CALLED A LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION; WHICH THROWS OUR ARMS OPEN TO RECEIVE THE POISON, DIVESTS US OF ALL KIND OF APPREHENSION, AND DISARMS US OF ALL CAUTION: I MEAN THAT GLAVERING, SNEERING SMILE, OF WHICH THE GREATER PART OF MANKIND ARE EXTREMELY FOND, CONCEIVING IT TO BE THE SIGN OF GOOD-NATURE; WHEREAS THIS IS GENERALLY A COMPOUND OF MALICE AND FRAUD, AND AS SURELY INDICATES A BAD HEART, AS A GALLOPING PULSE DOTH A FEVER. MEN ARE CHIEFLY BETRAYED INTO THIS DECEIT, BY A GROSS BUT COMMON MISTAKE OF GOOD-HUMOUR FOR GOOD-NATURE. TWO QUALITIES SO FAR FROM BEARING ANY RESEMBLANCE TO EACH OTHER, THAT THEY ARE ALMOST OPPOSITES. GOOD-NATURE IS THAT BENEVOLENT AND AMIABLE TEMPER OF MIND WHICH DISPOSES US TO FEEL THE MISFORTUNES, AND ENJOY THE HAPPINESS OF OTHERS; AND CONSEQUENTLY PUSHES US ON TO PROMOTE THE LATTER, AND PREVENT THE FORMER; AND THAT WITHOUT ANY ABSTRACT CONTEMPLATION ON THE BEAUTY OF VIRTUE, AND WITHOUT THE ALLUREMENTS OR TERRORS OF RELIGION. NOW GOOD-HUMOUR IS NOTHING MORE THAN THE TRIUMPH OF THE MIND, WHEN REFLECTING ON ITS OWN HAPPINESS, AND THAT PERHAPS FROM HAVING COMPARED IT WITH THE INFERIOR HAPPINESS OF OTHERS. IF THIS BE ALLOWED, I BELIEVE WE MAY ADMIT THAT GLAVERING SMILE, WHOSE PRINCIPAL INGREDIENT IS MALICE, TO BE THE SYMPTOM OF GOOD-HUMOUR. AND HERE GIVE ME LEAVE TO DEFINE THIS WORD MALICE, AS I DOUBT WHETHER IT BE NOT IN COMMON SPEECH SO OFTEN CONFOUNDED WITH ENVY, THAT COMMON READERS MAY NOT HAVE VERY DISTINCT IDEAS BETWEEN THEM. BUT AS ENVY IS A REPINING AT THE GOOD OF OTHERS, COMPARED WITH OUR OWN, SO MALICE IS A

REJOICING AT THEIR EVIL, ON THE SAME COMPARISON. AND THUS IT APPEARS TO HAVE A VERY CLOSE AFFINITY TO THAT MALEVOLENT DISPOSITION, WHICH I HAVE ABOVE DESCRIBED UNDER THE WORD GOOD-HUMOUR: FOR NOTHING IS TRUER THAN THE OBSERVATION OF SHAKESPEAR; --A MAN MAY SMILE, AND SMILE, AND BE A VILLAIN. BUT HOW ALIEN MUST THIS COUNTENANCE BE TO THAT HEAVENLY FRAME OF SOUL, OF WHICH JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF WAS THE MOST PERFECT PATTERN; OF WHICH BLESSED PERSON IT IS RECORDED, THAT HE NEVER WAS ONCE SEEN TO LAUGH, DURING HIS WHOLE ABODE ON EARTH. AND WHAT INDEED HATH GOOD-NATURE TO DO WITH A SMILING COUNTENANCE? IT WOULD BE LIKE A PURSE IN THE HANDS OF A MISER, WHICH HE COULD NEVER USE. FOR ADMITTING, THAT LAUGHING AT THE VICES AND FOLLIES OF MANKIND IS ENTIRELY INNOCENT,(WHICH IS MORE PERHAPS THAN WE OUGHT TO ADMIT) YET SURELY THEIR MISERIES AND MISFORTUNES ARE NO SUBJECTS OF MIRTH: AND WITH THESE,QUIS NON VICUS ABUNDAT? THE WORLD IS SO FULL OF THEM, THAT SCARCE A DAY PASSES WITHOUT INCLINING A TRULY GOOD-NATURED MAN RATHER TO TEARS THAN MERRIMENT. MR. HOBBES TELLS US, THAT LAUGHTER ARISES FROM PRIDE, WHICH IS FAR FROM BEING A GOOD-NATURED PASSION. AND THOUGH I WOULD NOT SEVERELY DISCOUNTENANCE ALL INDULGENCE OF IT, SINCE LAUGHTER, WHILE CONFINED TO VICE AND FOLLY, IS NO VERY CRUEL PUNISHMENT ON THE OBJECT, AND MAY BE ATTENDED WITH GOOD CONSEQUENCES TO HIM; YET WE SHALL, I BELIEVE, FIND, ON A CAREFUL EXAMINATION INTO ITS MOTIVE, THAT IT IS NOT PRODUCED FROM GOOD-NATURE. BUT THIS IS ONE OF THE FIRST EFFORTS OF THE MIND, WHICH FEW ATTEND TO, OR INDEED ARE CAPABLE OF DISCOVERING; AND HOWEVER SELF-LOVE MAY

MAKE US PLEASED WITH SEEING A BLEMISH IN ANOTHER WHICH WE ARE OURSELVES FREE FROM, YET COMPASSION ON THE FIRST REFLECTION OF ANY UNHAPPINESS IN THE OBJECT, IMMEDIATELY PUTS A STOP TO IT IN GOOD MINDS. FOR INSTANCE; SUPPOSE A PERSON WELL DREST SHOULD TUMBLE IN A DIRTY PLACE IN THE STREET; I AM AFRAID THERE ARE FEW WHO WOULD NOT LAUGH AT THE ACCIDENT: NOW WHAT IS THIS LAUGHTER OTHER THAN A CONVULSIVE EXTASY, OCCASIONED BY THE CONTEMPLATION OF OUR OWN HAPPINESS, COMPARED WITH THE UNFORTUNATE PERSON'S! A PLEASURE WHICH SEEMS TO SAVOUR OF ILL-NATURE: BUT AS THIS IS ONE OF THOSE FIRST, AND AS IT WERE, SPONTANEOUS MOTIONS OF THE SOUL, WHICH FEW, AS I HAVE SAID, ATTEND TO, AND NONE CAN PREVENT; SO IT DOTH NOT PROPERLY CONSTITUTE THE CHARACTER. WHEN WE COME TO REFLECT ON THE UNEASINESS THIS PERSON SUFFERS, LAUGHTER, IN A GOOD AND DELICATE MIND, WILL BEGIN TO CHANGE ITSELF INTO COMPASSION; AND IN PROPORTION AS THIS LATTER OPERATES ON US, WE MAY BE SAID TO HAVE MORE OR LESS GOOD-NATURE: BUT SHOULD ANY FATAL CONSEQUENCE, SUCH AS A VIOLENT BRUISE, OR THE BREAKING OF A BONE, ATTEND THE FALL, THE MAN WHO SHOULD STILL CONTINUE TO LAUGH, WOULD BE ENTITLED TO THE BASEST AND VILEST APPELLATION WITH WHICH ANY LANGUAGE CAN STIGMATIZE HIM. FROM WHAT HATH BEEN SAID, I THINK WE MAY CONCLUDE, THAT A CONSTANT, SETTLED, GLAVERING, SNEERING SMILE IN THE COUNTENANCE, IS SO FAR FROM INDICATING GOODNESS, THAT IT MAY BE WITH MUCH CONFIDENCE DEPENDED ON AS AN ASSURANCE OF THE CONTRARY. BUT I WOULD NOT BE UNDERSTOOD HERE TO SPEAK WITH THE LEAST REGARD TO THAT AMIABLE, OPEN, COMPOSED, CHEERFUL ASPECT, WHICH IS THE RESULT OF A GOOD CONSCIENCE, AND THE EMANATION OF A GOOD HEART; OF BOTH WHICH IT IS AN INFALLIBLE SYMPTOM; AND MAY BE THE MORE DEPENDED ON, AS IT CANNOT, I BELIEVE, BE COUNTERFEITED, WITH ANY REASONABLE RESEMBLANCE, BY THE NICEST POWER OF ART. NEITHER HAVE I ANY EYE TOWARDS THAT HONEST, HEARTY, LOUD CHUCKLE, WHICH SHAKES THE SIDES OF ALDERMEN AND 'SQUIRES, WITHOUT THE LEAST PROVOCATION OF A JEST; PROCEEDING CHIEFLY FROM A FULL BELLY; AND IS A SYMPTOM(HOWEVER STRANGE IT MAY SEEM) OF A VERY GENTLE AND INOFFENSIVE QUALITY, CALLED DULNESS, THAN

WHICH NOTHING IS MORE RISIBLE: FOR AS MR. POPE, WITH EXQUISITE PLEASANTRY, SAYS; --GENTLE DULNESS EVER LOVES A JOKE. I.E. ONE OF HER OWN JOKES. THESE ARE SOMETIMES PERFORMED BY THE FOOT; AS BY LEAPING OVER HEADS, OR CHAIRS, OR TABLES, KICKS IN THE B--CH, ETC. SOMETIMES BY THE HAND; AS BY SLAPS IN THE FACE, PULLING OFF WIGS, AND INFINITE OTHER DEXTERITIES, TOO TEDIOUS TO PARTICULARIZE: SOMETIMES BY THE VOICE; AS BY HOLLOWING, HUZZAING, AND SINGING MERRY (I.E. DULL) CATCHES, BY MERRY(I.E. DULL) FELLOWS. LASTLY; I DO BY NO MEANS HINT AT THE VARIOUS LAUGHS, TITTERS, TEHES, ETC. OF THE FAIR SEX, WITH WHOM INDEED THIS ESSAY HATH NOT ANY THING TO DO; THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE CHARACTERS OF WOMEN BEING FOREIGN TO MY INTENDED PURPOSE; AS IT IS IN FACT A SCIENCE, TO WHICH I MAKE NOT THE LEAST PRETENSION. THE SMILE OR SNEER WHICH COMPOSES THE COUNTENANCE I HAVE ABOVE ENDEAVOUR'D TO DESCRIBE, IS EXTREMELY DIFFERENT FROM ALL THESE: BUT AS I HAVE ALREADY DWELT PRETTY LONG ON IT, AND AS MY READER WILL NOT, I APPREHEND, BE LIABLE TO MISTAKE IT, I SHALL WIND UP MY CAUTION TO HIM AGAINST THIS SYMPTOM, IN PART OF A LINE OF HORACE: --HIC NIGER EST; HUNC TU CAVETO. THERE IS ONE COUNTENANCE, WHICH IS THE PLAINEST INSTANCE OF THE GENERAL MISUNDERSTANDING OF THAT ADAGE, FRONTI NULLA FIDES. THIS IS A FIERCE ASPECT, WHICH HATH THE SAME RIGHT TO SIGNIFY COURAGE, AS GRAVITY TO DENOTE WISDOM, OR A SMILE GOOD-NATURE; WHEREAS EXPERIENCE TEACHES US THE CONTRARY, AND IT PASSES AMONG MOST MEN FOR THE SYMPTOM ONLY OF A BULLY. BUT I AM AWARE, THAT I SHALL BE REMINDED OF AN ASSERTION WHICH I SET OUT WITH IN THE BEGINNING OF THIS ESSAY, VIZ. THAT NATURE GIVES US AS SURE SYMPTOMS OF THE DISEASES OF THE MIND AS SHE DOTH OF THOSE OF THE BODY. TO WHICH WHAT I HAVE NOW ADVANCED MAY SEEM A CONTRADICTION. THE TRUTH IS, NATURE DOTH REALLY IMPRINT SUFFICIENT MARKS IN THE COUNTENANCE, TO INFORM AN ACCURATE AND DISCERNING EYE: BUT AS SUCH IS THE PROPERTY OF FEW, THE GENERALITY

OF MANKIND MISTAKE THE AFFECTATION FOR THE REALITY: FOR AS AFFECTATION ALWAYS OVER-ACTS HER PART, IT FARES WITH HER AS WITH A FARCICAL ACTOR ON THE STAGE, WHOSE MONSTROUS OVER-DONE GRIMACES ARE SURE TO CATCH THE APPLAUSE OF AN INSENSIBLE AUDIENCE; WHILE THE TRUEST AND FINEST STROKES OF NATURE, REPRESENTED BY A JUDICIOUS AND JUST ACTOR, PASS UNOBSERVED AND DISREGARDED. IN THE SAME MANNER, THE TRUE SYMPTOMS BEING FINER, AND LESS GLARING, MAKE NO IMPRESSION ON OUR PHYSIOGNOMIST; WHILE THE GROSSER APPEARANCES OF AFFECTATION ARE SURE TO ATTRACT HIS EYE, AND DECEIVE HIS JUDGMENT. THUS THAT SPRIGHTLY AND PENETRATING LOOK, WHICH IS ALMOST A CERTAIN TOKEN OF UNDERSTANDING; THAT CHEERFUL, COMPOSED SERENITY, WHICH ALWAYS INDICATES GOOD-NATURE; AND THAT FIERY CAST OF THE EYES, WHICH IS NEVER UNACCOMPANIED WITH COURAGE, ARE OFTEN OVER-LOOKED: WHILE A FORMAL, STATELY, AUSTERE GRAVITY; A GLAVERING, FAWNING SMILE, AND A STRONG CONTRACTION OF THE MUSCLES, PASS GENERALLY ON THE WORLD FOR THE VIRTUES THEY ONLY ENDEAVOUR TO AFFECT. BUT AS THESE RULES ARE, I BELIEVE, NONE OF THEM WITHOUT SOME EXCEPTIONS; AS THEY ARE OF NO USE BUT TO AN OBSERVER OF MUCH PENETRATION: LASTLY, AS A MORE SUBTLE HYPOCRISY WILL SOMETIMES ESCAPE UNDISCOVERED FROM THE HIGHEST DISCERNMENT; LET US SEE IF WE HAVE NOT A MORE INFALLIBLE GUIDE TO DIRECT US TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF MEN; ONE MORE EASILY TO BE ATTAINED, AND ON THE EFFICACY OF WHICH WE MAY WITH THE GREATEST CERTAINTY RELY. AND SURELY THE ACTIONS OF MEN SEEM TO BE THE JUSTEST INTERPRETERS OF THEIR THOUGHTS, AND THE TRUEST STANDARDS BY WHICH WE MAY JUDGE THEM. BY THEIR FRUITS YOU SHALL KNOW THEM, IS A SAYING OF GREAT WISDOM, AS WELL AS AUTHORITY. AND INDEED THIS IS SO CERTAIN A METHOD OF ACQUIRING THE KNOWLEDGE I CONTEND FOR, THAT AT FIRST APPEARANCE, IT SEEMS ABSOLUTELY PERFECT, AND TO WANT NO MANNER OF ASSISTANCE. THERE ARE, HOWEVER, TWO CAUSES OF OUR MISTAKES ON THIS HEAD; AND WHICH LEAD US INTO FORMING VERY ERRONEOUS JUDGMENTS OF MEN, EVEN WHILE THEIR ACTIONS STARE US IN THE FACE, AND AS IT WERE HOLD A CANDLE TO US, BY WHICH WE MAY SEE INTO THEM.

THE FIRST OF THESE IS WHEN WE TAKE THEIR OWN WORDS AGAINST THEIR ACTIONS. THIS (IF I MAY BORROW ANOTHER ILLUSTRATION FROM PHYSIC) IS NO LESS RIDICULOUS, THAN IT WOULD BE IN A LEARNED PROFESSOR OF THAT ART, WHEN HE PERCEIVES HIS LIGHT-HEADED PATIENT IS IN THE UTMOST DANGER, TO TAKE HIS WORD THAT HE IS WELL. THIS ERROR IS INFINITELY MORE COMMON THAN ITS EXTREAM ABSURDITY WOULD PERSUADE US WAS POSSIBLE. AND MANY A CREDULOUS PERSON HATH BEEN RUINED BY TRUSTING TO THE ASSERTIONS OF ANOTHER, WHO MUST HAVE PRESERVED HIMSELF, HAD HE PLACED A WISER CONFIDENCE IN HIS ACTIONS. THE SECOND IS AN ERROR STILL MORE GENERAL. THIS IS WHEN WE TAKE THE COLOUR OF A MAN'S ACTIONS NOT FROM THEIR OWN VISIBLE TENDENCY, BUT FROM HIS PUBLIC CHARACTER: WHEN WE BELIEVE WHAT OTHERS SAY OF HIM, IN OPPOSITION TO WHAT WE SEE HIM DO? HOW OFTEN DO WE SUFFER OURSELVES TO BE DECEIVED, OUT OF THE CREDIT OF A FACT, OR OUT OF A JUST OPINION OF ITS HEINOUSNESS, BY THE REPUTED DIGNITY OR HONESTY OF THE PERSON WHO DID IT? HOW COMMON ARE SUCH EJACULATIONS AS THESE? 'O 'TIS IMPOSSIBLE HE SHOULD BE GUILTY OF ANY SUCH THING! HE MUST HAVE DONE IT BY MISTAKE; HE COULD NOT DESIGN IT. I WILL NEVER BELIEVE ANY ILL OF HIM. SO GOOD A MAN, ETC.!' WHEN IN REALITY, THE MISTAKE LIES ONLY IN HIS CHARACTER. NOR IS THERE ANY MORE SIMPLE, UNJUST, AND INSUFFICIENT METHOD OF JUDGING MANKIND, THAN BY PUBLIC ESTIMATION, WHICH IS OFTNER ACQUIRED BY DECEIT, PARTIALITY, PREJUDICE, AND SUCH LIKE, THAN BY REAL DESERT. I WILL VENTURE TO AFFIRM, THAT I HAVE KNOWN SOME OF THE BEST SORT OF MEN IN THE WORLD,(TO USE THE VULGAR PHRASE,) WHO WOULD NOT HAVE SCRUPLED CUTTING A FRIEND'S THROAT; AND A FELLOW WHOM NO MAN SHOULD BE SEEN TO SPEAK TO, CAPABLE OF THE HIGHEST ACTS OF FRIENDSHIP AND BENEVOLENCE. NOW IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO DIVEST OURSELVES OF BOTH THESE ERRORS, BEFORE WE CAN REASONABLY HOPE TO ATTAIN ANY ADEQUATE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUE CHARACTERS OF MEN. ACTIONS ARE THEIR OWN BEST EXPOSITORS; AND THOUGH CRIMES MAY ADMIT OF ALLEVIATING CIRCUMSTANCES, WHICH MAY PROPERLY INDUCE A JUDGE TO MITIGATE THE PUNISHMENT; FROM THE MOTIVE, FOR INSTANCE, AS NECESSITY MAY LESSEN THE CRIME OF ROBBERY, WHEN COMPARED TO WANTONNESS OR VANITY; OR FROM SOME CIRCUMSTANCE ATTENDING THE FACT ITSELF, AS ROBBING A STRANGER, OR AN ENEMY, COMPARED WITH COMMITTING IT ON A FRIEND OR BENEFACTOR; YET THE CRIME IS STILL

ROBBERY, AND THE PERSON WHO COMMITS IT IS A ROBBER; THOUGH HE SHOULD PRETEND TO HAVE DONE IT WITH A GOOD DESIGN, OR THE WORLD SHOULD CONCUR IN CALLING HIM AN HONEST MAN. BUT I AM AWARE OF ANOTHER OBJECTION WHICH MAY BE MADE TO MY DOCTRINE, VIZ. ADMITTING THAT THE ACTIONS OF MEN ARE THE SUREST EVIDENCE OF THEIR CHARACTER, THAT THIS KNOWLEDGE COMES TOO LATE; THAT IT IS TO CAUTION US AGAINST A HIGHWAYMAN AFTER HE HATH PLUNDERED US, OR AGAINST AN INCENDIARY, AFTER HE HATH FIRED OUR HOUSE. TO WHICH I ANSWER, THAT IT IS NOT AGAINST FORCE, BUT DECEIT, WHICH I AM HERE SEEKING FOR ARMOUR; AGAINST THOSE WHO CAN INJURE US ONLY BY OBTAINING OUR GOOD OPINION. IF THEREFORE I CAN INSTRUCT MY READER FROM WHAT SORT OF PERSONS HE IS TO WITHHOLD THIS OPINION, AND INFORM HIM OF ALL, OR AT LEAST THE PRINCIPAL ARTS BY WHICH DECEIT PROCEEDS TO INGRATIATE ITSELF WITH US, BY WHICH HE WILL BE EFFECTUALLY ENABLED TO DEFEAT ITS PURPOSE, I SHALL HAVE SUFFICIENTLY SATISFIED THE DESIGN OF THIS ESSAY. AND HERE, THE FIRST CAUTION I SHALL GIVE HIM IS AGAINST FLATTERY, WHICH I AM CONVINCED NO ONE USES, WITHOUT SOME DESIGN ON THE PERSON FLATTERED. I REMEMBER TO HAVE HEARD OF A CERTAIN NOBLE-MAN, WHO THOUGH HE WAS AN IMMODERATE LOVER OF RECEIVING FLATTERY HIMSELF, WAS SO FAR FROM BEING GUILTY OF THIS VICE TO OTHERS, THAT HE WAS REMARKABLY FREE IN TELLING MEN THEIR FAULTS. A FRIEND, WHO HAD HIS INTIMACY, ONE DAY TOLD HIM; HE WONDERED THAT HE WHO LOVED FLATTERY BETTER THAN ANY MAN LIVING, DID NOT RETURN A LITTLE OF IT HIMSELF, WHICH HE MIGHT BE SURE WOULD BRING HIM BACK SUCH PLENTIFUL INTEREST. TO WHICH HE ANSWERED, THOUGH HE ADMITTED THE JUSTNESS OF THE OBSERVATION, HE COULD NEVER THINK OF GIVING AWAY WHAT HE WAS SOXEXTREMELY COVETOUS OF. INDEED, WHOEVER KNOWS ANY THING OF THE NATURE OF MEN, HOW GREEDY THEY ARE OF PRAISE, AND HOW BACKWARD IN BESTOWING IT ON OTHERS; THAT IT IS A DEBT SELDOM PAID, EVEN TO THE GREATEST MERIT, 'TILL WE ARE COMPELLED TO IT, MAY REASONABLY CONCLUDE, THAT THIS PROFUSION, THIS VOLUNTARY THROWING IT AWAY ON THOSE WHO DO NOT

DESERVE IT, PROCEEDS, AS MARTIAL SAYS OF A BEGGAR'S PRESENT, FROM SOME OTHER MOTIVE THAN GENEROSITY OR GOOD-WILL. BUT INDEED THERE ARE FEW WHOSE VANITY IS SO FOUL A FEEDER, TO DIGEST FLATTERY, IF UNDISGUISED: IT MUST IMPOSE ON US, IN ORDER TO ALLURE US: BEFORE WE CAN RELISH IT, WE MUST CALL IT BY SOME OTHER NAME; SUCH AS, A JUST ESTEEM OF, AND RESPECT FOR OUR REAL WORTH; A DEBT DUE TO OUR MERIT, AND NOT A PRESENT TO OUR PRIDE. SUPPOSE IT SHOULD BE REALLY SO, AND WE SHOULD HAVE ALL THOSE GREAT OR GOOD QUALITIES WHICH ARE EXTOLLED IN US; YET CONSIDERING, AS I HAVE SAID ABOVE, WITH WHAT RELUCTANCE SUCH DEBTS ARE PAID, WE MAY JUSTLY SUSPECT SOME DESIGN IN THE PERSON WHO SO READILY AND FORWARDLY OFFERS IT US. IT IS WELL OBSERVED, THAT WE DO NOT ATTEND, WITHOUT UNEASINESS, TO PRAISES IN WHICH WE HAVE NO CONCERN, MUCH LESS SHALL WE BE EAGER TO UTTER AND EXAGGERATE THE PRAISE OF ANOTHER, WITHOUT SOME EXPECTATION FROM IT. A FLATTERER THEREFORE IS A JUST OBJECT OF OUR DISTRUST, AND WILL, BY PRUDENT MEN, BE AVOIDED. NEXT TO THE FLATTERER IS THE PROFESSOR, WHO CARRIES HIS AFFECTION TO YOU STILL FARTHER; AND ON A SLIGHT OR NO ACQUAINTANCE, EMBRACES, HUGS, KISSES, AND VOWS THE GREATEST ESTEEM FOR YOUR PERSON, PARTS, AND VIRTUES. TO KNOW WHETHER THIS FRIEND IS SINCERE, YOU HAVE ONLY TO EXAMINE INTO THE NATURE OF FRIENDSHIP, WHICH IS ALWAYS FOUNDED EITHER ON ESTEEM OR GRATITUDE, OR PERHAPS ON BOTH. NOW ESTEEM, ADMITTING EVERY REQUISITE FOR ITS FORMATION PRESENT, AND THESE ARE NOT A FEW, IS OF VERY SLOW GROWTH; IT IS AN INVOLUNTARY AFFECTION, RATHER APT TO GIVE US PAIN THAN PLEASURE, AND THEREFORE MEETS WITH NO ENCOURAGEMENT IN OUR MINDS, WHICH IT CREEPS INTO BY SMALL AND ALMOST IMPERCEPTIBLE DEGREES: AND PERHAPS, WHEN IT HATH GOT AN ABSOLUTE POSSESSION OF US, MAY REQUIRE SOME OTHER INGREDIENT TO ENGAGE OUR FRIENDSHIP TO ITS OWN OBJECT. IT APPEARS THEN PRETTY PLAIN, THAT THIS MUSHROOM PASSION HERE MENTIONED, OWES NOT ITS ORIGINAL TO

ESTEEM. WHETHER IT CAN POSSIBLY FLOW FROM GRATITUDE, WHICH MAY INDEED PRODUCE IT MORE IMMEDIATELY, YOU WILL MORE EASILY JUDGE: FOR THOUGH THERE ARE SOME MINDS WHOM NO BENEFITS CAN INSPIRE WITH GRATITUDE; THERE ARE MORE, I BELIEVE, WHO CONCEIVE THIS AFFECTION WITHOUT EVEN A SUPPOSED OBLIGATION. IF THEREFORE YOU CAN ASSURE YOURSELF IT IS IMPOSSIBLE HE SHOULD IMAGINE HIMSELF OBLIGED TO YOU, YOU MAY BE SATISFIED THAT GRATITUDE IS NOT THE MOTIVE TO HIS FRIENDSHIP. SEEING THEN THAT YOU CAN DERIVE IT FROM NEITHER OF THESE FOUNTAINS, YOU MAY WELL BE JUSTIFIED IN SUSPECTING ITS FALSHOOD; AND IF SO, YOU WILL ACT AS WISELY IN RECEIVING IT INTO YOUR HEART, AS HE DOTH WHO KNOWINGLY LODGES A VIPER IN HIS BOSOM, OR A THIEF IN HIS HOUSE. FORGIVE THE ACTS OF YOUR ENEMIES HATH BEEN THOUGHT THE HIGHEST MAXIM OF MORALITY; FEAR THE PROFESSIONS OF YOUR FRIENDS, IS PERHAPS THE WISEST. THE THIRD CHARACTER AGAINST WHICH AN OPEN HEART SHOULD BE ALARMED, IS A PROMISER, ONE WHO RISES ANOTHER STEP IN FRIENDSHIP. THE MAN WHO IS WANTONLY PROFUSE OF HIS PROMISES OUGHT TO SINK HIS CREDIT AS MUCH AS A TRADESMAN WOULD BY UTTERING GREAT NUMBERS OF PROMISSORY NOTES, PAYABLE AT A DISTANT DAY. THE TRUEST CONCLUSION IN BOTH CASES IS, THAT NEITHER INTEND, OR WILL BE ABLE TO PAY. AND AS THE LATTER MOST PROBABLY INTENDS TO CHEAT YOU OF YOUR MONEY, SO THE FORMER AT LEAST DESIGNS TO CHEAT YOU OF YOUR THANKS; AND IT IS WELL FOR YOU, IF HE HATH NO DEEPER PURPOSE, AND THAT VANITY IS THE ONLY EVIL PASSION TO WHICH HE DESTINES YOU A SACRIFICE. I WOULD NOT BE HERE UNDERSTOOD TO POINT AT THE PROMISES OF POLITICAL GREAT MEN, WHICH THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO LIE UNDER A NECESSITY OF GIVING IN GREAT ABUNDANCE, AND THE VALUE OF THEM IS SO WELL KNOWN, THAT FEW ARE TO BE IMPOSED ON BY THEM. THE PROFESSOR I HERE MEAN, IS HE WHO ON ALL OCCASIONS IS READY, OF HIS OWN HEAD, AND UNASKED, TO PROMISE FAVOURS. THIS IS SUCH ANOTHER INSTANCE OF GENEROSITY, AS HIS WHO RELIEVES HIS FRIEND IN

DISTRESS, BY A DRAUGHT ON ALDGATE PUMP. OF THESE THERE ARE SEVERAL KINDS: SOME WHO PROMISE WHAT THEY NEVER INTEND TO PERFORM; OTHERS WHO PROMISE WHAT THEY ARE NOT SURE THEY CAN PERFORM; AND OTHERS AGAIN, WHO PROMISE SO MANY, THAT LIKE DEBTORS, BEING NOT ABLE TO PAY ALL THEIR DEBTS, THEY AFTERWARDS PAY NONE. THE MAN WHO IS INQUISITIVE INTO THE SECRETS OF YOUR AFFAIRS, WITH WHICH HE HATH NO CONCERN, IS ANOTHER OBJECT OF YOUR CAUTION. MEN NO MORE DESIRE ANOTHER'S SECRETS, TO CONCEAL THEM, THAN THEY WOULD ANOTHER'S PURSE, FOR THE PLEASURE ONLY OF CARRYING IT. NOR IS A SLANDERER LESS WISELY TO BE AVOIDED, UNLESS YOU CHUSE TO FEAST ON YOUR NEIGHBOUR'S FAULTS, AT THE PRICE OF BEING SERVED UP YOURSELF AT THE TABLES OF OTHERS: FOR PERSONS OF THIS STAMP ARE GENERALLY IMPARTIAL IN THEIR ABUSE. INDEED IT IS NOT ALWAYS POSSIBLE TOTALLY TO ESCAPE THEM; FOR BEING BARELY KNOWN TO THEM IS A SURE TITLE TO THEIR CALUMNY; BUT THE MORE THEY ARE ADMITTED TO YOUR ACQUAINTANCE, THE MORE YOU WILL BE ABUSED BY THEM. I FEAR THE NEXT CHARACTER I SHALL MENTION, MAY GIVE OFFENCE TO THE GRAVE PART OF MANKIND; FOR WHOSE WISDOM AND HONESTY I HAVE AN EQUAL RESPECT; BUT I MUST, HOWEVER, VENTURE TO CAUTION MY OPEN-HEARTED READER AGAINST A SAINT. NO HONEST AND SENSIBLE MAN WILL UNDERSTAND ME HERE, AS ATTEMPTING TO DECLAIM AGAINST SANCTITY OF MORALS. THE SANCTITY I MEAN IS THAT WHICH FLOWS FROM THE LIPS, AND SHINES IN THE COUNTENANCE. IT MAY BE SAID, PERHAPS, THAT REAL SANCTITY MAY WEAR THESE APPEARANCES; AND HOW SHALL WE THEN DISTINGUISH WITH ANY CERTAINTY, THE TRUE FROM THE FICTITIOUS? I ANSWER, THAT IF WE ADMIT THIS TO BE POSSIBLE, YET AS IT IS LIKEWISE POSSIBLE THAT IT MAY BE ONLY COUNTERFEIT; AND AS IN FACT IT IS SO NINETY NINE TIMES IN A HUNDRED; IT IS BETTER THAT ONE REAL SAINT SHOULD SUFFER A LITTLE UNJUST SUSPICION, THAN THAT NINETY NINE VILLAINS SHOULD IMPOSE ON THE WORLD, AND BE ENABLED TO PERPETRATE THEIR VILLAINIES UNDER THIS MASK.

BUT, TO SAY THE TRUTH; A SOUR, MOROSE, ILL-NATURED, CENSORIOUS SANCTITY, NEVER IS, NOR CAN BE SINCERE. IS A READINESS TO DESPISE, TO HATE, AND TO CONDEMN, THE TEMPER OF A CHRISTIAN? CAN HE WHO PASSES SENTENCE ON THE SOULS OF MEN WITH MORE DELIGHT AND TRIUMPH THAN THE DEVIL CAN EXECUTE IT, HAVE THE IMPUDENCE TO PRETEND HIMSELF A DISCIPLE OF ONE WHO DIED FOR THE SINS OF MANKIND? IS NOT SUCH A SANCTITY THE TRUE MARK OF THAT HYPOCRISY WHICH IN MANY PLACES OF SCRIPTURE, AND PARTICULARLY IN THE TWENTY AS THIS IS A MOST DETESTABLE CHARACTER IN SOCIETY; AND AS ITS MALIGNITY IS MORE PARTICULARLY BENT AGAINST THE BEST AND WORTHIEST MEN, THE SINCERE AND OPEN-HEARTED, WHOM IT PERSECUTES WITH INVETERATE ENVY AND HATRED, I SHALL TAKE SOME PAINS IN THE RIPPING IT UP, AND EXPOSING THE HORRORS OF ITS INSIDE, THAT WE MAY ALL SHUN IT; AND AT THE SAME TIME WILL ENDEAVOUR SO PLAINLY TO DESCRIBE ITS OUTSIDE, THAT WE SHALL HARDLY BE LIABLE, BY ANY MISTAKE, TO FALL INTO ITS SNARES. WITH REGARD THEN TO THE INSIDE(IF I AM ALLOWED THAT EXPRESSION) OF THIS CHARACTER, THE SCRIPTURE-WRITERS HAVE EMPLOYED UNCOMMON LABOUR IN DISSECTING IT. LET US HEAR OUR SAVIOUR HIMSELF, IN THE CHAPTER ABOVE-CITED. IT DEVOURS WIDOWS HOUSES; IT MAKES ITS PROSELYTES TWO-FOLD MORE THE CHILDREN OF HELL; IT OMITS THE WEIGHTIER MATTERS OF THE LAW, JUDGMENT, MERCY, AND FAITH; IT STRAINS OFF A GNAT, AND SWALLOWS A CAMEL; IT IS FULL OF EXTORTION AND EXCESS. ST. PAUL, IN HIS FIRST EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY, SAYS OF THEM, THAT THEY SPEAK LIES, AND THEIR CONSCIENCE IS SEARED WITH A RED HOT IRON. AND IN MANY PARTS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT, AS IN JOB; LET THE HYPOCRITE REIGN NOT, LEST THE PEOPLE BE ENSNARED: AND SOLOMON IN HIS PROVERBS; AN HYPOCRITE WITH HIS MOUTH DESTROYETH HIS NEIGHBOUR.

IN THESE SEVERAL TEXTS, MOST OF THE ENORMITIES OF THIS CHARACTER ARE DESCRIBED: BUT THERE IS ONE WHICH DESERVES A FULLER COMMENT, AS POINTING AT ITS VERY ESSENCE: I MEAN THE THIRTEENTH VERSE OF THE TWENTY THIRD CHAPTER OF ST.MATTHEW, WHERE JESUS ADDRESSES HIMSELF THUS TO THE PHARISEES: HYPOCRITES; FOR YE SHUT UP THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN AGAINST MEN; FOR YE NEITHER GO IN YOURSELVES, NEITHER SUFFER YE THEM THAT ARE ENTRING TO GO IN. THIS IS AN ADMIRABLE PICTURE OF SANCTIFIED HYPOCRISY, WHICH WILL NEITHER DO GOOD ITSELF, NOR SUFFER OTHERS TO DO IT. BUT IF WE UNDERSTAND THE TEXT FIGURATIVELY, WE MAY APPLY IT TO THAT CENSORIOUS QUALITY OF THIS VICE, WHICH AS IT WILL DO NOTHING HONESTLY TO DESERVE REPUTATION, SO IS IT EVER INDUSTRIOUS TO DEPRIVE OTHERS OF THE PRAISES DUE TO THEIR VIRTUES. IT CONFINES ALL MERIT TO THOSE EXTERNAL FORMS WHICH ARE FULLY PARTICULARIZED IN SCRIPTURE; OF THESE IT IS ITSELF A RIGID OBSERVER; HENCE IT MUST DERIVE ALL HONOUR AND REWARD IN THIS WORLD; NAY, AND EVEN IN THE NEXT, IF IT CAN IMPOSE ON ITSELF SO FAR AS TO IMAGINE ITSELF CAPABLE OF CHEATING THE ALMIGHTY, AND OBTAINING ANY REWARD THERE. NOW A GALLEY-SLAVE, OF AN ENVIOUS DISPOSITION, DOTH NOT BEHOLD A MAN FREE FROM CHAINS, AND AT HIS EASE, WITH MORE ENVY THAN PERSONS IN THESE FETTERS OF SANCTITY VIEW THE REST OF MANKIND; ESPECIALLY SUCH AS THEY BEHOLD WITHOUT THEM ENTRING INTO THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. THESE ARE INDEED THE OBJECTS OF THEIR HIGHEST ANIMOSITY, AND ARE ALWAYS THE SUREST MARKS OF THEIR DETRACTION. PERSONS OF MORE GOODNESS THAN KNOWLEDGE OF MANKIND, WHEN THEY ARE CALUMNIATED BY THESE SAINTS, ARE, I BELIEVE, APT TO IMPUTE THE CALUMNY TO AN IGNORANCE OF THEIR REAL CHARACTER; AND IMAGINE IF THEY COULD BETTER INFORM THE SAID SAINTS OF THEIR INNATE WORTH, THEY SHOULD BE BETTER TREATED BY THEM; BUT ALAS, THIS IS A TOTAL MISTAKE: THE MORE GOOD A SANCTIFIED HYPOCRITE KNOWS OF AN OPEN AND AN HONEST MAN, THE MORE HE ENVIES AND HATES HIM, AND THE MORE READY HE IS TO SEIZE OR INVENT AN OPPORTUNITY OF DETRACTING FROM HIS REAL MERIT.

BUT ENVY IS NOT THEIR ONLY MOTIVE OF HATRED TO GOOD-MEN; THEY ARE ETERNALLY JEALOUS OF BEING SEEN THROUGH, AND CONSEQUENTLY EXPOSED BY THEM. A HYPOCRITE IN SOCIETY LIVES IN THE SAME APPREHENSION WITH A THIEF, WHO LIES CONCEALED IN THE MIDST OF THE FAMILY HE IS TO ROB: FOR THIS FANCIES HIMSELF PERCEIVED WHEN HE IS LEAST SO; EVERY MOTION ALARMS HIM; HE FEARS HE IS DISCOVERED, AND IS SUSPICIOUS THAT EVERY ONE WHO ENTERS THE ROOM, KNOWS WHERE HE IS HID, AND IS COMING TO SEIZE HIM. AND THUS, AS NOTHING HATES MORE VIOLENTLY THAN FEAR, MANY AN INNOCENT PERSON, WHO SUSPECTS NO EVIL INTENDED HIM, IS DETESTED BY HIM WHO INTENDS IT. NOW IN DESTROYING THE REPUTATION OF A VIRTUOUS AND GOOD MAN, THE HYPOCRITE IMAGINES HE HATH DISARMED HIS ENEMY OF ALL WEAPONS TO HURT HIM; AND THEREFORE THIS SANCTIFIED HYPOCRISY IS NOT MORE INDUSTRIOUS TO CONCEAL ITS OWN VICES, THAN TO OBSCURE AND CONTAMINATE THE VIRTUES OF OTHERS. AS THE BUSINESS OF SUCH A MAN'S LIFE IS TO PROCURE PRAISE, BY ACQUIRING AND MAINTAINING AN UNDESERVED CHARACTER; SO IS HIS UTMOST CARE EMPLOYED TO DEPRIVE THOSE WHO HAVE AN HONEST CLAIM TO THE CHARACTER HIMSELF AFFECTS ONLY, OF ALL THE EMOLUMENTS WHICH COULD OTHERWISE ARISE TO THEM FROM IT. THE PROPHET ISAIAH SPEAKS OF THESE PEOPLE, WHERE HE SAYS, WOE UNTO THEM WHO CALL EVIL GOOD, AND GOOD EVIL; THAT PUT DARKNESS FOR LIGHT, AND LIGHT FOR DARKNESS, &C. IN HIS SERMON ON WHICH TEXT, THE WITTY DR. SOUTH HATH THESE WORDS.--DETRACTION IS THAT KILLING POISONOUS ARROW, DRAWN OUT OF THE DEVIL'S QUIVER, WHICH IS ALWAYS FLYING ABOUT, AND DOING EXECUTION IN THE DARK: AGAINST WHICH NO VIRTUE IS A DEFENCE, NO INNOCENCE A SECURITY. IT IS A WEAPON FORGED IN HELL, AND FORMED BY THAT PRIME ARTIFICER AND ENGINEER, THE DEVIL; AND NONE BUT THAT GREAT GOD, WHO KNOWS ALL THINGS, AND CAN DO ALL THINGS, CAN PROTECT THE BEST OF MEN AGAINST IT.

TO THESE LIKEWISE MARTIAL ALLUDES IN THE FOLLOWING LINES. UT BENE LOQUATUR SENTIATQUE MAMERCUS, EFFICERE NULLIS, AULE, MORIBUS POSSIS. I HAVE BEEN SOMEWHAT DIFFUSIVE IN THE CENSORIOUS BRANCH OF THIS CHARACTER, AS IT IS A VERY PERNICIOUS ONE; AND(ACCORDING TO WHAT I HAVE OBSERVED) LITTLE KNOWN AND ATTENDED TO. I SHALL NOT DESCRIBE ALL ITS OTHER QUALITIES. INDEED THERE IS NO SPECIES OF MISCHIEF WHICH IT DOTH NOT PRODUCE. FOR, NOT TO MENTION THE PRIVATE VILLANIES IT DAILY TRANSACTS, MOST OF THE GREAT EVILS WHICH HAVE AFFECTED SOCIETY, WARS, MURDERS, AND MASSACRES, HAVE OWED THEIR ORIGINAL TO THIS ABOMINABLE VICE; WHICH IS THE DESTROYER OF THE INNOCENT, AND PROTECTOR OF THE GUILTY; WHICH HATH INTRODUCED ALL MANNER OF EVIL INTO THE WORLD, AND HATH ALMOST EXPELLED EVERY GRAIN OF GOOD OUT OF IT. DOTH IT NOT ATTEMPT TO CHEAT MEN INTO THE PURSUIT OF SORROW AND MISERY, UNDER THE APPEARANCE OF VIRTUE, AND TO FRIGHTEN THEM FROM MIRTH AND PLEASURE, UNDER THE COLOUR OF VICE, OR, IF YOU PLEASE, SIN? DOTH IT NOT ATTEMPT TO GILD OVER THAT POISONOUS POTION, MADE UP OF MALEVOLENCE, AUSTERITY, AND SUCH CURSED INGREDIENTS, WHILE IT EMBITTERS THE DELIGHTFUL DRAUGHT OF INNOCENT PLEASURE WITH THE NAUSEOUS RELISH OF FEAR AND SHAME? NO WONDER THEN THAT THIS MALIGNANT CURSED DISPOSITION, WHICH IS THE DISGRACE OF HUMAN NATURE, AND THE BANE OF SOCIETY, SHOULD BE SPOKE AGAINST WITH SUCH REMARKABLE BITTERNESS, BY THE BENEVOLENT AUTHOR OF OUR RELIGION, PARTICULARLY IN THE THIRTY THIRD VERSE OF THE ABOVE CITED CHAPTER OF ST. MATTHEW. YE SERPENTS, YE GENERATION OF VIPERS, HOW CAN YE ESCAPE THE DAMNATION OF HELL? HAVING NOW DISPATCHED THE INSIDE OF THIS CHARACTER, AND, AS I APPREHEND, SAID ENOUGH TO MAKE ANY ONE AVOID, I AM SURE

SUFFICIENT TO MAKE A CHRISTIAN DETEST IT, NOTHING REMAINS BUT TO EXAMINE THE OUTSIDE, IN ORDER TO FURNISH HONEST MEN WITH SUFFICIENT RULES TO DISCOVER IT. AND IN THIS WE SHALL HAVE THE SAME DIVINE GUIDE, WHOM WE HAVE IN THE FORMER PART FOLLOWED. FIRST THEN, BEWARE OF THAT SANCTIFIED APPEARANCE, THAT WHITED SEPULCHRE, WHICH LOOKS BEAUTIFUL OUTWARD, AND IS WITHIN FULL OF ALL UNCLEANNESS. THOSE WHO CAN MAKE CLEAN THE OUTSIDE OF THE PLATTER, BUT WITHIN ARE FULL OF EXTORTION AND EXCESS. SECONDLY, LOOK WELL TO THOSE WHO BIND HEAVY BURDENS, AND GRIEVOUS TO BE BORN, AND LAY THEM ON MENS SHOULDERS; BUT THEY THEMSELVES WILL NOT MOVE THEM WITH ONE OF THEIR FINGERS. THESE HEAVY BURDENS(SAYS BURKIT) WERE COUNSELS AND DIRECTIONS, RULES AND CANONS, AUSTERITIES AND SEVERITIES, WHICH THE PHARISEES INTRODUCED AND IMPOSED UPON THEIR HEARERS. THIS REQUIRES NO FURTHER COMMENT: FOR, AS I HAVE BEFORE SAID, THESE HYPOCRITES PLACE ALL VIRTUE, AND ALL RELIGION, IN THE OBSERVATION OF THOSE AUSTERITIES AND SEVERITIES, WITHOUT WHICH THE TRUEST AND PUREST GOODNESS WILL NEVER RECEIVE THEIR COMMENDATION: BUT HOW DIFFERENT THIS DOCTRINE IS FROM THE TEMPER OF CHRISTIANITY, MAY BE GATHERED BY THAT TOTAL OF ALL CHRISTIAN MORALITY, WITH WHICH JESUS SUMS UP THE EXCELLENT PRECEPTS DELIVERED IN HIS DIVINE SERMON: THEREFORE DO UNTO ALL MEN AS YE WOULD THEY SHOULD DO UNTO YOU: FOR THIS IS THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS. THIRDLY, BEWARE OF ALL OSTENTATION OF VIRTUE, GOODNESS, OR PIETY. BY THIS OSTENTATION I MEAN THAT OF THE COUNTENANCE AND THE MOUTH, OR OF SOME EXTERNAL FORMS. AND THIS, I APPREHEND, IS THE MEANING OF JESUS, WHERE HE SAYS, THEY DO THEIR WORKS TO BE SEEN OF MEN, AS APPEARS BY THE CONTEXT; THEY MAKE BROAD THEIR PHILACTERIES, AND ENLARGE THE BORDERS OF THEIR GARMENTS. THESE PHILACTERIES WERE CERTAIN SCROWLS OF PARCHMENT, WHEREON WERE WRITTEN THE TEN COMMANDMENTS, AND PARTICULAR PARTS OF THE MOSAIC LAW, WHICH THEY OSTENTATIOUSLY WORE ON THEIR GARMENTS, THINKING BY THAT CEREMONY TO FULFIL THE PRECEPT DELIVERED TO THEM IN A VERSE OF DEUTERONOMY, THOUGH THEY NEGLECTED TO FULFIL THE LAWS THEY WORE THUS ABOUT THEM.

ANOTHER INSTANCE OF THEIR OSTENTATION WAS--MAKING LONG PRAYERS, I.E. (SAYS BURKETT) MAKING LONG PRAYERS(OR PERHAPS PRETENDING TO MAKE THEM) IN THE TEMPLES AND SYNAGOGUES FOR WIDOWS, AND THEREUPON PERSUADING THEM TO GIVE BOUNTIFULLY TO THE CORBAN, OR THE COMMON TREASURE OF THE TEMPLE, SOME PART OF WHICH WAS EMPLOYED FOR THEIR MAINTENANCE. LEARN, I. IT IS NO NEW THING FOR DESIGNING HYPOCRITES TO COVER THE FOULEST TRANSGRESSION WITH THE CLOAK OF RELIGION. THE PHARISEES MAKE LONG PRAYERS A COVER FOR THEIR COVETOUSNESS. 2. THAT TO MAKE USE OF RELIGION IN POLICY FOR WORLDLY ADVANTAGE SAKE, IS THE WAY TO BE DAMNED WITH A VENGEANCE FOR RELIGION SAKE. AGAIN SAYS JESUS--IN PAYING TITHE OF MINT AND ANISE AND CUMMIN, WHILE THEY OMIT THE WEIGHTIER MATTERS OF THE LAW, JUDGEMENT, MERCY, AND FAITH. BY WHICH WE ARE NOT TO UNDERSTAND(NOR WOULD I BE UNDERSTOOD SO TO MEAN) ANY INHIBITION OF PAYING THE PRIEST HIS DUES; BUT, AS MY COMMENTATOR OBSERVES, AN OSTENTATION OF A PRECISE KEEPING THE LAW IN SMALLER MATTERS, AND NEGLECTING WEIGHTIER DUTIES. THEY PAID TYTHE OF MINT, ANISE, AND CUMMIN(I.E. OF THE MINUTEST AND MOST WORTHLESS THINGS) BUT AT THE SAME TIME OMITTED JUDGMENT, MERCY, AND FAITH; THAT IS, JUST DEALING AMONG MEN, CHARITY TOWARDS THE POOR, AND FAITHFULNESS IN THEIR PROMISES AND COVENANTS ONE WITH ANOTHER. THIS, SAYS OUR SAVIOUR, IS TO STRAIN AT A GNAT, AND SWALLOW A CAMEL: A PROVERBIAL EXPRESSION, INTIMATING, THAT SOME PERSONS PRETEND GREAT NICENESS AND SCRUPULOSITY ABOUT SMALL MATTERS, AND NONE, OR BUT LITTLE, ABOUT DUTIES OF THE GREATEST MOMENT. HENCE, NOTE, THAT HYPOCRITES LAY THE GREATEST STRESS UPON THE LEAST MATTERS IN RELIGION, AND PLACE HOLINESS MOST IN THESE THINGS WHERE GOD PLACES IT LEAST. YE TYTHE MINT, ETC. BUT NEGLECT THE WEIGHTIER MATTERS OF THE LAW. THIS IS INDEED THE BANE OF ALL RELIGION AND TRUE PIETY, TO PREFER RITUALS AND HUMAN INSTITUTIONS BEFORE DIVINE COMMANDS, AND THE PRACTICE OF NATURAL RELIGION. THUS TO DO IS A CERTAIN SIGN OF GROSS HYPOCRISY. NOTHING CAN, IN FACT, BE MORE FOREIGN TO THE NATURE OF VIRTUE, THAN OSTENTATION. IT IS TRULY SAID OF VIRTUE, THAT COULD MEN BEHOLD HER NAKED, THEY WOULD BE ALL IN LOVE WITH HER. HERE IT

IS IMPLIED, THAT THIS IS A SIGHT VERY RARE OR DIFFICULT TO COME AT; AND INDEED THERE IS ALWAYS A MODEST BACKWARDNESS IN TRUE VIRTUE TO EXPOSE HER NAKED BEAUTY. SHE IS CONSCIOUS OF HER INNATE WORTH, AND LITTLE DESIROUS OF EXPOSING IT TO THE PUBLICK VIEW. IT IS THE HARLOT VICE WHO CONSTANTLY ENDEAVOURS TO SET OFF THE CHARMS SHE COUNTERFEITS, IN ORDER TO ATTRACT MEN'S APPLAUSE, AND TO WORK HER SINISTER ENDS BY GAINING THEIR ADMIRATION AND THEIR CONFIDENCE. I SHALL MENTION BUT ONE SYMPTOM MORE OF THIS HYPOCRISY; AND THIS IS A READINESS TO CENSURE THE FAULTS OF OTHERS. JUDGE NOT, SAYS JESUS, LEST YOU BE JUDGED. --AND AGAIN; WHY BEHOLDEST THOU THE MOTE THAT IS IN THY BROTHER'S EYE, BUT CONSIDEREST NOT THE BEAM THAT IS IN THINE OWN EYE? ON WHICH THE ABOVEMENTIONED COMMENTATOR RIGHTLY OBSERVES, THAT THOSE WHO ARE MOST CENSORIOUS OF THE LESSER INFIRMITIES OF OTHERS, ARE USUALLY MOST NOTORIOUSLY GUILTY OF FAR GREATER FAILINGS THEMSELVES. THIS SANCTIFIED SLANDER IS, OF ALL, THE MOST SEVERE, BITTER, AND CRUEL; AND IS SO EASILY DISTINGUISHED FROM THAT WHICH IS EITHER THE EFFECT OF ANGER OR WANTONNESS, AND WHICH I HAVE MENTIONED BEFORE, THAT I SHALL DWELL NO LONGER UPON IT. AND HERE I SHALL DISMISS MY CHARACTER OF A SANCTIFIED HYPOCRITE, WITH THE HONEST WISH WHICH SHAKESPEARE HATH LAUNCHED FORTH AGAINST AN EXECRABLE VILLAIN: --THAT HEAVEN WOULD PUT IN EVERY HONEST HAND A WHIP, TO LASH THE RASCAL NAKED THROUGH THE WORLD. I HAVE NOW, I THINK, ENUMERATED THE PRINCIPAL METHODS BY WHICH DECEIT WORKS ITS ENDS ON EASY, CREDULOUS, AND OPEN DISPOSITIONS; AND HAVE ENDEAVOURED TO POINT OUT THE SYMPTOMS BY WHICH THEY MAY BE DISCOVERED: BUT WHILE MEN ARE BLINDED BY VANITY AND SELF-LOVE, AND WHILE ARTFUL HYPOCRISY KNOWS HOW TO ADAPT ITSELF TO THEIR BLIND-SIDES, AND TO HUMOUR THEIR PASSIONS, IT WILL BE DIFFICULT FOR HONEST AND UNDESIGNING MEN TO ESCAPE THE SNARES OF CUNNING AND IMPOSITION; I SHALL THEREFORE RECOMMEND ONE MORE CERTAIN RULE, AND WHICH, I BELIEVE, IF DULY ATTENDED TO,

WOULD, IN A GREAT MEASURE, EXTIRPATE ALL FALLACY OUT OF THE WORLD; OR MUST AT LEAST SO EFFECTUALLY DISAPPOINT ITS PURPOSES, THAT IT WOULD SOON BE WORTH NO MAN'S WHILE TO ASSUME IT, AND THE CHARACTER OF KNAVE AND FOOL WOULD BE MORE APPARENTLY(WHAT THEY ARE AT PRESENT IN REALITY)ALLIED, OR UNITED. THIS METHOD IS, CAREFULLY TO OBSERVE THE ACTIONS OF MEN WITH OTHERS, AND ESPECIALLY WITH THOSE TO WHOM THEY ARE ALLIED IN BLOOD, MARRIAGE, FRIENDSHIP, PROFESSION, NEIGHBOURHOOD, OR ANY OTHER CONNECTION: NOR CAN YOU WANT AN OPPORTUNITY OF DOING THIS; FOR NONE BUT THE WEAKEST OF MEN WOULD RASHLY AND MADLY PLACE A CONFIDENCE WHICH MAY VERY MATERIALLY AFFECT HIM IN ANY ONE, ON A SLIGHT OR NO ACQUAINTANCE. TRACE THEN THE MAN PROPOSED TO YOUR TRUST, INTO HIS PRIVATE FAMILY AND NEAREST INTIMACIES. SEE WHETHER HE HATH ACTED THE PART OF A GOOD SON, BROTHER, HUSBAND, FATHER, FRIEND, MASTER, SERVANT, ETC. IF HE HATH DISCHARGED THESE DUTIES WELL, YOUR CONFIDENCE WILL HAVE A GOOD FOUNDATION; BUT IF HE HATH BEHAVED HIMSELF IN THESE OFFICES WITH TYRANNY, WITH CRUELTY, WITH INFIDELITY, WITH INCONSTANCY, YOU MAY BE ASSURED HE WILL TAKE THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY HIS INTEREST POINTS OUT TO HIM, OF EXERCISING THE SAME ILL TALENTS AT YOUR EXPENCE. I HAVE OFTEN THOUGHT MANKIND WOULD BE LITTLE LIABLE TO DECEIT (AT LEAST MUCH LESS THAN THEY ARE) IF THEY WOULD BELIEVE THEIR OWN EYES, AND JUDGE OF MEN BY WHAT THEY ACTUALLY SEE THEM PERFORM TOWARDS THOSE WITH WHOM THEY ARE MOST CLOSELY CONNECTED: WHEREAS HOW COMMON IS IT TO PERSUADE OURSELVES, THAT THE UNDUTIFUL, UNGRATEFUL SON, THE UNKIND, OR BARBAROUS BROTHER; OR THE MAN WHO IS VOID OF ALL TENDERNESS, HONOUR, OR EVEN HUMANITY, TO HIS WIFE OR CHILDREN, SHALL NEVERTHELESS BECOME A SINCERE AND FAITHFUL FRIEND! BUT HOW MONSTROUS A BELIEF IS IT, THAT THE PERSON WHOM WE FIND INCAPABLE OF DISCHARGING THE NEAREST DUTIES OF RELATION, WHOM NO TIES OF BLOOD OR AFFINITY CAN BIND; NAY, WHO IS EVEN DEFICIENT IN THAT GOODNESS WHICH INSTINCT INFUSES INTO THE BRUTE CREATION; THAT SUCH A PERSON SHOULD HAVE A SUFFICIENT STOCK OF VIRTUE TO SUPPLY THE ARDUOUS CHARACTER OF HONOUR AND HONESTY. THIS IS A CREDULITY SO ABSURD THAT IT ADMITS OF NO AGGRAVATION.

NOTHING INDEED CAN BE MORE UNJUSTIFIABLE TO OUR PRUDENCE, THAN AN OPINION THAT THE MAN WHOM WE SEE ACT THE PART OF A VILLAIN TO OTHERS, SHOULD ON SOME MINUTE CHANGE OF PERSON, TIME, PLACE, OR OTHER CIRCUMSTANCE, BEHAVE LIKE AN HONEST AND JUST MAN TO OURSELVES. I SHALL NOT HERE DISPUTE THE DOCTRINE OF REPENTANCE, ANY MORE THAN ITS TENDENCY TO THE GOOD OF SOCIETY; BUT AS THE ACTIONS OF MEN ARE THE BEST INDEX TO THEIR THOUGHTS, AS THEY DO, IF WELL ATTENDED TO AND UNDERSTOOD, WITH THE UTMOST CERTAINTY DEMONSTRATE THE CHARACTER; AND AS WE ARE NOT SO CERTAIN OF THE SINCERITY OF THE REPENTANCE, I THINK WE MAY WITH JUSTICE SUSPECT, AS LEAST SO FAR AS TO DENY HIM OUR CONFIDENCE, THAT A MAN WHOM WE ONCE KNEW TO BE A VILLAIN, REMAINS A VILLAIN STILL. AND NOW LET US SEE WHETHER THESE OBSERVATIONS, EXTENDED A LITTLE FURTHER, AND TAKEN INTO PUBLIC LIFE, MAY NOT HELP US TO ACCOUNT FOR SOME PHOENOMENA WHICH HAVE LATELY APPEARED IN THIS HEMISPHERE: FOR AS A MAN'S GOOD BEHAVIOUR TO THOSE WITH WHOM HE HATH THE NEAREST AND CLOSEST CONNECTION IS THE BEST ASSURANCE TO WHICH A STRANGER CAN TRUST FOR HIS HONEST CONDUCT IN ANY ENGAGEMENT HE SHALL ENTER INTO WITH HIM; SO IS A WORTHY DISCHARGE OF THE SOCIAL OFFICES OF A PRIVATE STATION, THE STRONGEST SECURITY WHICH A MAN CAN GIVE OF AN UPRIGHT DEMEANOUR IN ANY PUBLIC TRUST, IF HIS COUNTRY SHALL REPOSE IT IN HIM; AND WE MAY BE WELL SATISFIED, THAT THE MOST POPULAR SPEECHES, AND MOST PLAUSIBLE PRETENCES OF ONE OF A DIFFERENT CHARACTER, ARE ONLY GILDED SNARES TO DELUDE US, AND TO SACRIFICE US, IN SOME MANNER OR OTHER, TO HIS OWN SINISTER PURPOSES. IT IS WELL SAID IN ONE OF MR. POPE'S LETTERS; 'HOW SHALL A MAN LOVE FIVE MILLIONS, WHO COULD NEVER LOVE A SINGLE PERSON?' IF A MAN HATH MORE LOVE THAN WHAT CENTERS IN HIMSELF, IT WILL CERTAINLY LIGHT ON HIS CHILDREN, HIS RELATIONS, FRIENDS, AND NEAREST ACQUAINTANCE. IF HE EXTENDS IT FARTHER, WHAT IS IT LESS THAN GENERAL PHILANTHROPY, OR LOVE TO MANKIND? NOW AS A GOOD MAN LOVES HIS FRIEND BETTER THAN

A COMMON ACQUAINTANCE; SO PHILANTHROPY WILL OPERATE STRONGER TOWARDS HIS OWN COUNTRY THAN ANY OTHER: BUT NO MAN CAN HAVE THIS GENERAL PHILANTHROPY WHO HATH NOT PRIVATE AFFECTION, ANY MORE THAN HE WHO HATH NOT STRENGTH SUFFICIENT TO LIFT TEN POUNDS, CAN AT THE SAME TIME BE ABLE TO THROW A HUNDRED WEIGHT OVER HIS HEAD. THEREFORE THE BAD SON, HUSBAND, FATHER, BROTHER, RIEND; IN A WORD, THE BAD MAN IN PRIVATE CAN NEVER BE A SINCERE OT. PATRIOT. IN ROME AND SPARTA I AGREE IT WAS OTHERWISE: FOR THERE PATRIOTISM, BY EDUCATION, BECAME A PART OF THE CHARACTER. THEIR CHILDREN WERE NURSED IN PATRIOTISM, IT WAS TAUGHT THEM AT AN AGE WHEN RELIGION IN ALL COUNTRIES IS FIRST INCULCATED. AND AS WE SEE MEN OF ALL RELIGIONS READY TO LAY DOWN THEIR LIVES FOR THE DOCTRINES OF IT(WHICH THEY OFTEN DO NOT KNOW, AND SELDOM HAVE CONSIDERED) SO WERE THESE SPARTANS AND ROMANS READY WITH AS IMPLICIT FAITH TO DIE FOR THEIR COUNTRY. THOUGH THE PRIVATE MORALS OF THE FORMER WERE VERY DEPRAVED, AND THE LATTER WERE THE PUBLIC ROBBERS OF MANKIND. UPON WHAT FOUNDATION THEIR PATRIOTISM THEN STOOD, SEEMS PRETTY APPARENT, AND PERHAPS THERE CAN BE NO SURER. FOR I APPREHEND, IF TWENTY BOYS WERE TAUGHT FROM THEIR INFANCY TO BELIEVE, THAT THE ROYAL-EXCHANGE WAS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN; AND CONSEQUENTLY INSPIRED WITH A SUITABLE AWE FOR IT; AND LASTLY, INSTRUCTED THAT IT WAS GREAT, GLORIOUS, AND GOD-LIKE TO DEFEND IT; NINETEEN OF THEM WOULD AFTERWARDS CHEERFULLY SACRIFICE THEIR LIVES TO ITS DEFENCE; AT LEAST IT IS IMPOSSIBLE THAT ANY OF THEM WOULD AGREE, FOR A PAULTRY REWARD, TO SET IT ON FIRE; NOT EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE ROGUES AND HIGHWAYMEN IN THEIR DISPOSITION. BUT IF YOU WERE ADMITTED TO CHUSE TWENTY OF SUCH DISPOSITIONS AT THE AGE OF MANHOOD, WHO HAD NEVER LEARNT ANY THING OF ITS HOLINESS, CONTRACTED ANY SUCH AWE, NOR IMBIBED ANY SUCH DUTY, I BELIEVE IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO BRING THEM TO VENTURE THEIR LIVES IN ITS CAUSE; NOR SHOULD I DOUBT, COULD I PERSWADE THEM OF THE SECURITY

OF THE FACT, OF BRIBING THEM TO APPLY THE FIREBRAND TO ANY PART OF THE BUILDING I PLEASED. BUT A WORTHY CITIZEN OF LONDON, WITHOUT BORROWING ANY SUCH SUPERSITION FROM EDUCATION, WOULD SCARCE BE TEMPTED BY ANY REWARD, TO DEPRIVE THE CITY OF SO GREAT AN ORNAMENT, AND WHAT IS SO USEFUL AND NECESSARY TO ITS TRADE; AT THE SAME TIME TO ENDANGER THE RUIN OF THOUSANDS, AND PERHAPS THE DESTRUCTION OF THE WHOLE. THE APPLICATION SEEMS PRETTY EASY, THAT AS THERE IS NO SUCH PASSION IN HUMAN NATURE AS PATRIOTISM, CONSIDERED ABSTRACTEDLY, AND BY ITSELF, IT MUST BE INTRODUCED BY ART, AND THAT WHILE THE MIND OF MAN IS YET SOFT AND DUCTILE, AND THE UNFORMED CHARACTER SUSCEPTIBLE OF ANY ARBITARY IMPRESSION YOU PLEASE TO MAKE ON IT: OR, SECONDLY, IT MUST BE FOUNDED ON PHILANTHROPY, OR UNIVERSAL BENEVOLENCE; A PASSION WHICH REALLY EXISTS IN SOME NATURES, AND WHICH IS NECESSARILY ATTENDED WITH THE EXCELLENT QUALITY ABOVE-MENTIONED: FOR AS IT SEEMS GRANTED, THAT THE MAN CANNOT LOVE A MILLION WHO NEVER COULD LOVE A SINGLE PERSON; SO WILL IT, I APPREHEND, APPEAR AS CERTAIN, THAT HE WHO COULD NOT BE INDUCED TO CHEAT OR TO DESTROY A SINGLE MAN, WILL NEVER BE PREVAILED ON TO CHEAT OR TO DESTROY MANY MILLIONS. THUS I HAVE ENDEAVOURED TO SHEW THE SEVERAL METHODS BY WHICH WE CAN PROPOSE TO GET ANY INSIGHT INTO THE CHARACTERS OF THOSE WITH WHOM WE CONVERSE, AND BY WHICH WE MAY FRUSTRATE ALL THE CUNNING AND DESIGNS OF HYPOCRISY. THESE METHODS I HAVE SHEWN TO BE THREE-FOLD, VIZ. BY THE MARKS WHICH NATURE HATH IMPRINTED ON THE COUNTENANCE, BY THEIR BEHAVIOUR TO OUR-SELVES, AND BY THEIR BEHAVIOUR TO OTHERS. ON THE FIRST OF THESE I HAVE NOT MUCH INSISTED, AS LIABLE TO SOME INCERTAINTY; AND AS THE LATTER SEEM ABUNDANTLY SUFFICIENT TO SECURE US, WITH PROPER CAUTION, AGAINST THE SUBTLE DEVICES OF HYPOCRISY, THOUGH SHE BE THE MOST CUNNING AS WELL AS MALICIOUS OF ALL THE VICES WHICH HAVE EVER CORRUPTED THE NATURE OF MAN. BUT HOWEVER USELESS THIS TREATISE MAY BE TO INSTRUCT, I HOPE IT WILL BE AT LEAST EFFECTUAL TO ALARM MY READER; AND SURE NO HONEST UNDESIGNING MAN CAN EVER BE TOO MUCH ON HIS GUARD AGAINST THE HYPOCRITE, OR TOO INDUSTRIOUS TO EXPOSE AND EXPEL HIM OUT OF SOCIETY. $ //// ****