150 



port to Mjsery ; and that Seif-deiiial, Labour, and Pain, spin 

 the due, Uiat unravels ttae wa^ to .genuine Happiness. 



Fortunate is th>e i«dividi*al who has passed through the 

 orde«l of youth, and enters on the threshold of manhood, 

 impressed with this conviction, and purified from the adhe- 

 sion -of any habitual depravity. But doubly fortunate is he, 

 who, resolute to withstand the strongest and keenest emo- 

 tions of his nature, except within the bounds of legitimate 

 gratification, finds early tlie halfowed opportunity, so ar- 

 dently wished for by every mind that possesses a spark of 

 sensibility or virtue. The present state of the world cannot 

 admit of extending this happy allotment to all, yet the ex- 

 cluded wretch finds consolation at last, even among the 

 dregs of disappointment. His mind gathers strength from 

 tlie pangs of defeated hope ; he compares his anguish, seated 

 as it is in the imagination, with the substantial miseries of 

 Others ; lie perceives that fortitude can subdue the former, 

 but can otily endure tlie latter ; he eovets the repose of in- 

 difference; he shrinks from the perturbations of suspense, 

 antJ exen from the tumults of joy ; he sinks into the listless 

 seat of resignation ; and if Philosophy places herself beside 

 hnn, co'ld and dispassionate as are her attractions, he will 

 not he without a mistress that can awaken him from his 

 apathy, and indulge him in pleasures unmingled with regret 

 or satiety. 



It is in these torpid enjoyments, this delicious tranquility 

 that coBsis'ts perhaps the happiness of old age, the turmoils 



