StUDY XIV. 319 



des, and of the priefthood. The hopes of their 

 religion, at that period, interpofed to terminate an 

 honourable career, and concluded with rendering 

 the plan of their life conformable to that of Na- 

 ture. Thus it was that they always kept up in the 

 foul of their citizens, that perfpedive of infinity 

 which is fo natural to the heart of Man. But ve- 

 nality, and debauched manners, having fubverted, 

 among us, the order of Nature, the only age of 

 human exiftence which has preferved it's rights, is 

 that of youth and love. This is the epoch to 

 which all the citizens dire<5t their thoughts. Among 

 the Ancients, the aged bare rule -, but with us, the 

 young people aflume the government. The old 

 are conftrained to retire from all public employ- 

 ment. Their dear children then pay them back 

 the fruits of the education v,hichthey had received 

 from them. 



Hence, therefore, it comes to pafs, that a father 

 and mother reftriding, with us, the epoch of their 

 felicity to the middle period of life, cannot, with- 

 out uneafinefs, behold their children approaching 

 toward it, juft in proportion as they themfelves are 

 withdrawing from it. As their faith is almoft, or 

 altogether extinguiQied, Religion adminifters to 

 them no confolation. They behold nothing but 

 death clofing their perfpeftive. This point of view 

 renders them fullen, harlh, and, frequently, crueh 

 ■' ' This 



