7f^^^. on the influtnce of- tastei 159 



-5t in public, with silk stockings, from the same fhops 

 1 might think it genteeler to deal with, — and last, 

 though not least in importance, I was taught to ap- 

 ply a little hartjhorn to a friend or neighbour, when 

 I found him exceedingly uneasy about his domestic 

 happinefs. This I was taught to do with all imagi- 

 nable grace and addrefs ; and to put a final period to 

 his sorrows if he fhould apply to me for the utmost 

 satisfaction I 



These noble attainments was: I taught, or rather 

 attempted to be taught ; for I must tell you plainly^ 

 that I- rebelled against my teachers, and would have 



. none of their advice. 



On the contrary, I kept my iieart soft, my head 

 hard, and my breast stee^led, against (ill this ""tnum- 

 inery of. barrel or^an education. 



I began with honouring my father and my mother, 

 not that my days might be lon^ ypon the land ; but 

 because I listened to the voice of nature that cried 

 within me. Lovis-g them, 'I loved my kindred ; lo- 

 ving my kindred, ;I wiflied to do good to their 



• friends, and to ftiine ia the eyes of my domestic 

 circle, which was composed of their connections. 

 This led me to aspire to the love of virtuous fame, 

 in a more extensive circle, and this attainment I soon 



. found to be impofsible, without that taste and dis- 

 cernment which enables us to judge intuitively of 

 the insides of things, after having examined their out- 

 ward forms and aspects. 



My mind became a kingdom to me, from whence I 

 travelled into those that were foreign to me, stu- 



"died their manners, their principles, and their cus- 

 toms, without either partiality or disgust. 



