98 on national prejudices, &c. May 23. 
as the characteristical mark of a gentleman: For let 
2 man’s birth be eyer so high, his station ever so 
exalted, or his fortune ever so large, yet if he is not 
free from national, and all ‘other prejudices, I fhould 
be bold to tell him that he had a low and vulgar mind, 
| and had no just claim to the character ofa géhtle- 
man. And, in fact, you will always find that those 
are most apt to boast of national merit, who have 
little or no merit of their own to depend on; than 
which, to be sure, nothing is more natural: The 
slender vine twists around the sturdy o#k, for no 
other reason in the world but because it has not 
strength sufficient to support itself. 
Should it be alleged, in defence of national preju- 
dice, that it is the natural and necefsary growth of 
love to our country ; and that therefore the former 
cannot be destroyed without hurting the latter : I any 
swer, that this is a grofs fallacy and delusion. That 
itis the growth of love to our country I will allow ; 
but that it is the natural and necefsary growth of it, 
I absolutely deny. Superstition and enthusiasm are 
the growth of religion; but who ever took it in his 
head to affirm that they are the necefsary growth of 
this noble principle? They are, if you will, the bas- 
-tard sprouts of this heavenly plant ; but not its natu- 
‘al and genuine ‘branches, and may safely enough be 
lopped off, without doing any harm to the parent stock; 
‘Nay, perhaps, till once they are lopped off, this goodly 
tree can never flourifh in perfect health and vigour. 
Isit not very pofsible that I may love my own 
country, without hating the natives of other coun- 
tcies? That I may exert the. most heroic bravery, 
