•54 miscellaneous reflection f. March 7. 



*' A state ftiould never use a buttrefs, wliich good 

 sense may think proper one day to pull down. See 

 Hoadly, whose little finger, in argument, is heavier 

 than the loins of the bifliop of Gloucester. 



*' I have an affection for the age in which I was 

 torn, and I abhor whatever threatens once more to 

 hurry its succefsors into barbarism. 



" When ambitious priests persecute philosophers, 

 and decry truths that have been demonstrated by the 

 apostles of reason, they do not meet my approbation. 

 Yet I perceive they act according to the principles 

 of interest, by which they are incited to lord it over 

 mankind. But when pretended philosophers, them- 

 selves, attempt to sap the foundation of acknawledged 

 truths, when they degrade philosophy as much as 

 they are able, it is impofsible to exprefs my indigna- 

 tion." Letter CXXIII. 



" What will become of philosophy if we leave the 

 sage path which has been traced out for her in the 

 highway of experiment ? She would fall, as flie did 

 once in Greece, into the hands of sophists, and to the 

 most evident truths, an obscure jargon would be sub- 

 •stituted." 



TredericPs sentiments on the commerce of flattery. 



*' Not being formed to rank with demi-gods, I 

 imagine, when I hear a panegyric, that one insect is 

 pronouncing an encomium into the ear of another in- 

 sect. It is our duty to be just and beneficent, that 

 we may deserve approbation ; but to praise in hy- 

 perbole wretched tsrth-worms, that exist but for a 

 anoment, is the extremity of folly." 



tetter XXl'l. 



