183 



" happiness no longer lives on charity, nor bids fair for a 

 fall, by leaning on that most precarious and thorny pillow 

 another's pleasure, for our repose. How independent 

 ' of the world is he, who can daily find new acquaintance, 

 that at once entertain and improve him. These advan- 

 " tages composition affords, whether we write ourselves, or in 

 " more humble amusement, peruse the works of others. 

 " Moreover, if we consider life's endless evils, what can be 

 " more prudent than to provide for consolation under them^ ? 

 " A consolation under them, the wisest men have found in 

 " the pleasures of the pen. Witness among many more, 

 " Thucydides, Xenophon, Tully, Plin}'^ the younger, who 

 " says, in uxoris infirmitate et amicorum periculo aid ?norfe 

 " tiirbatus, ad stiidia, unicum doloris Levamenlum confugio." 



At an advanced period of life at least, the study of the 

 scriptures and of the doctrines of Christianity, is by far the 

 most satisfactory and consolatory. 



1 do not deny that some share of happiness may be obtain- 

 ed by some individuals engaged in the busy, active, and in- 

 dustrious occupations of society, that is, upon the whole, the 

 sum of their pleasures may be found to exceed that of their 

 pains and labours ; but the number of persons so fortunate 

 I believe to be very small, and much indebted to chance; 

 their pleasures are not so pure, for they frequenty originate 



from 



