llS tn the injluence of taste. Sept,i6\^ 



affix the denominatign of taste. Now though it muft 

 be confefsed, that a great proportion of mankind are 

 excluded by their daily and hourly toils, from laun- 

 ching out into extraneous employment, yet as every 

 one has some leisure allotted, or permitted to them, 

 and at least one complete day in the week, of relaxa- 

 tion from labour or businefs, it seems to be of un- 

 speakable importance that this precious leisure 

 fliould be employed in a way conducive, not only to 

 the advancement of personal happinefs,. but to the 

 progrefsive improvement in the individual, and of 

 the general good of society, to which nothing can so 

 much contribute as that quality which I have en- 

 deavoured to. describe, and which in its due modifi- 

 cations, is nowise inconsistent with the humblest 

 situations. 



In the morning of life, when every thing is frefli, 

 and new, and gay, it is easy to preserve the tenor of 

 our minds, by the variety of agreeable and engaging 

 pursuits which present themselves continually, and 

 without trouble or research. But as life advances,- 

 the charm difsolves, the prospect of future happinefs 

 diminifhes, the horizon ftiuts in, and closes all around- 

 us, the clouds sit deep with foreboding darkntfs. 

 Then the inborn and inexpugnable desire of pleasure 

 impels us o seek for that sweet variety and gentle 

 agitation, in artificial pleasures and amusements, 

 which we cannot find in the hackneyed routine of 

 our ordinary occupation. 



The man who has not taste, becomes in this sad 

 dilemma, either a cynic, or a sensualist, a busy- 

 body, a hot partizan, or an enthusiast in religion^ 



