1792. Ittter from. Senex. 6^ 



themselves properly of the powers of that hap- 

 py period of life. Young people, who naturally 

 advert to their own feelings more than to those ofo- 

 thers, too often overlook, this circumstance, and 

 complain of the tediousnefs of an old man when he 

 attempts to convince them of the great importance of 

 cautionary precepts. Nor is it in this instance 

 only that harfh judgen.ents are formed from an 

 inattention to the feelings of others, in our journey 

 through life. It is in like manner the cause of infi- 

 nite jarrings, misunderstandings, and unhappinefs, 

 between the near relations of hulband and wife, pa- 

 rents and children, companions and friends ; connec- 

 tions, which, but for this heedlefsnefs of mind, are 

 naturally calculated to smooth the difficulties that oc- 

 cur in our pilgrimage through life, though too fre- 

 quently they prove the source of our greatest uneasi- 

 nefs. 



But, Sir, I fear I fhall become tiresome. And 

 though, when I look back to the many hours of hap- 

 pinefs ^that I myself might have enjoyed in the ear- 

 lier part of life, had I been then duly aware of the 

 importance of this co sideration, it is impofsible not 

 to feel the most poignant regret at having suffered 

 them to pafs away for ever without enjoyment, or 

 not anxiously to wilh that others may profit by the 

 dear bought experience ; yet when I also recollect 

 with how much indiflference, to give it the mildest 

 name, I fhould then have listened to similar hints 

 from aged persons, the pen drops from my hand 

 in despair of benefiting thoce whose happinefs I wifh 

 most anxiously to promote. 



