sSz on popularity , Oct. 24. 



cannot be many, nor are these' generally interest- 

 ing. The world at large are but little acquainted 

 with our real characters, nor are they much con- 

 cer.ied to know them. It is in the domestic circle, 

 •within which we live, where our conduct is scruti- 

 nized, and daily viewed on every side, — that we are 

 most thoroughly known ; and when the opinion of our 

 servants, of our dependants, and neighbours, with- 

 in that circle, however narrow it may be, is, upoa 

 trial, or upon good ground, favourable, it diffuses its 

 influence as the sun its light and heat, through the 

 remoter parts of society : for the public almost in- 

 variably take their opinions, whether favourable or 

 unfavourable, from domestic reports ; therefore our 

 families, and our immediate neighbourhood, merit 

 our first attention. 



The result then is, that those who would gain the 

 public esteem, and the friendlhip of the worthy, must, 

 in the first place, be just, and then generous, as their 

 circumstances will permit. For the conduct of those 

 must appear in a very unfavourable light ; who affect 

 to be generous, and yet neglect to pay their lawful 

 debts ; who expend large sums upon iliows and enter- 

 tainments, and leave their tradesmen's bills unpaid, 

 and thereby expose their families to misery and want ; 

 and who, like the Pharisees, make a fhew of libera- 

 lity to the poor, but endeavour to refund them- 

 •-.elves, by devouring widow's houses, and encroach 

 upon the rights of their simple dependants": the can- 

 didates then for substantial fame, fhould, with an at- 

 tentive, and an impartial eye, inquire, whether there 

 -ire, by negligence or othervvise, any instances of in- 



