MAJOR SEMPLE LISLE. , 367 



that muft be pitied. That I meant to vindicate 

 every part of my condudt could not be fup- 

 pofed ; but, alas ! man is the creature of circurh- 

 ftances, and let him not prefume to exped:, 

 that no prefTure is heavy enough to drive him to 

 a wrong a(5lion. Violent pallions, the almofl 

 infeparable companions of a vigorous conftitu- 

 tion, call upon youth, with an importunity 

 nearly unceafing; experience, the fureft guide, 

 is inevitably wanting; example invites, fplen- 

 dour difplays its allurements, fafhion leads the 

 •way, and ruin too often follows. Gay, honeft, 

 unfufpedling, and generous, the young man * 

 rufhes on to pleafure, and confidering intereft 

 as trafh, is apt to weigh the property of others 

 as lightly as he does his own; amufements incur 

 cxpence, and expence degenerates into prodi- 

 gality. To fupply thofe pleafures now become 

 almoft necelTary to his exiftence ; he contradts 

 debts, which he cannot pay ; he ihifts from his 

 creditors ; his gay companions forfake him, as 

 an incumbrance on their joyous moments; po- 

 verty flares him in the face, and adions, at 

 which his foul recoils, become the only poffible 

 means of fubiifting. If an accidental fupply 

 falls in his way, his relifli for pleafure returns; 

 he embraces it with an appetite fharpened by 

 abftinence; he is again involved, and difgrace 

 fucceeds to ruin. 



Once 



