34 STUDIES OF NATURE. 



chara&ers altogether celeftial, which will appear 

 beautiful, even to the fartheft extremity of old age, 



Nay, I will venture fo far as to affirm, that the 

 hardier the traits may be in homely perfons, who 

 have fufFered degradation from a faulty education, 

 the more fublime and impreffive will be the con- 

 trails produced in them by thofe which they ac- 

 quire from habits of virtue ; for, when we find 

 goodnefs under an unpromifing exterior, we are as 

 agreeably furprized as at finding violets and prim- 

 rofes under a fhrubbery of briars and thorns. Such 

 was the fenfation infpired, on a firft introduction 

 to the crabbed-looking M. de Turenne ; and fuch', 

 in our days, is that which we feel at the firft af- 

 pect of a certain northern Prince, as juftly cele- 

 brated for his goodnefs, as the King, his brother, 

 has rendered himfelf by his victories. I have no 

 doubt, that the repelling outfide of thefe two great 

 men, may have greatly contributed to give a pe- 

 culiar prominency to the excellence of their heart. 

 Such, too, was the beauty of Socrates, who, with the 

 features of a profligate, delighted every eye, while 

 he difcourfed of virtue. 



But to no purpofe will a man attempt to deco- 

 rate his countenance with the indications of good 

 qualities, to which his heart is a (hanger. This 

 falfe beauty produces an effect flill more difgufting 



than 



