149 



trace the common progress of the mind, among the inter- 

 mingled virtues and vices of the still semi-barbarous state of 

 civilised society. Golden dreams of prosperity tincture with 

 an honourable ambition, the hopes of youth. Romantic 

 visions of sympathetic affection and impassioned felicity 

 brighten his distant prospects. His sanguine expectations 

 waft him to an elysium where 



-Love lights 



- His constant lamp, and wares his purple wings. 

 Reigns there and rerels — not in the bought smile 



Of Harlots loveless, joyless, unendeared 



Casual fruition ! 



These are the virtuous and honourable views of most per- 

 sons in entering upon life; but the allurements of pleasure, 

 and incentives of passion too often hurry them from the path 

 they had deliberately chosen. But they soon find that in- 

 temperance, extravagance, and debauchery, are at loncc 

 crimes, and punishments ; that there are pleasures which can 

 only be purchased at the expence of the happiness of others ; 

 but that the generated Misery grapples, with redoubled 

 strength, its selfish Author — that Vice and Folly are unfailing 

 founders of the school of Adversity ; and that this Preceptor 

 is in its turn the best promoter of Virtue ; under his disci- 

 pline they learn to retrieve their former principles, they listen 

 to the hints of Conscience, and the precepts of Reason, and 

 are taught by them that present Enjoyment is too surely a pass* 



