l6o on the in^u^nce' of taste. Oct, 3* 



I did not attempt to be a wonderful Christian. I 

 was satisfied with such attainments, and with such 

 pursuits, as were suited to my geilius and abilities. 

 Like a good general, I endeavoured always to keep 

 upon strong ground ; and, if dangerdusly attacked, 

 without having the expectation of victory, to make a 

 good and handsome retreat, 'keeping up a respectable 

 petite guerre, withoyxt attempting pitched battles, ex- 

 cept when absolutely necefsary to my safety and ho- 

 nour. By the constant use and improvement of this 

 faculty of taste and discernment of what is true, 

 excellent, and beautiful, a faculty which, like the 

 etherial fire, is universally diffused, and can be called 

 forth always by tlie attention' of social intercourse. 

 I rendered myself independent and happy.* In the 

 pursuits of useful and agreeable knowledge and 

 occupations, I did not bear down, like a mad admiral, 

 upon a whole fleet of pursuits, but singled out ob- 

 jects for which I thought myself able; and breaking 

 thus the line, I carried off my prizes, and discomfited 

 the enemy. I had never any occasion, like the com- 

 mifsary, to throw myself down upon settees in des- 

 pair, to exclaim, 

 " My God what a fatigue it is to be a gentleman I" 

 No, no ! it became my nature, but not my pro- 

 fefsion. 



It was not necefsary for me always to sleep, or 

 stretch, or yawn, or lounge, or sit in the silent grave 

 of whist ; or fret at ground games, when there were 

 no blood and thundering erents to rouse up my 

 mettle for tlie day. 



