Chap. VI. ANTIENT METAPHYSICS. 113 



fine pidure, or a fine ftatue ; and, indeed, the chief Beauty of 

 either of thefe is the exprcffion of a noble and virtuous Mind. It 

 we approve of a virtuous adion, merely becaufe it may be ufeful to 

 us, every body will allow that we do not give the praife that is due 

 to Virtue. But, fay fome, it is Benevolence that makes Virtue a- 

 miable and praife-worthy. To this I anfvver, iwo, That there are 

 many virtuous adions which we admire highly, but which have no 

 relation to the good of others ; fuch are the adions that a man per- 

 forms from the fenfe of the dignity of his own charader, and of 

 human nature. This Senfe would influence the adions of a man 

 Hving in a defart ifland, and would make him virtuous, without the 

 leaft intercourfe with any of his fpecics ; And, even in the middle 

 of fociety, there are many things we do, merely from that {enfe, 

 without any regard to what is called the interefl of ourfelves or of 

 others. And, 2do, I fay, that a benevolent adion is applauded by a 

 true judge of life and manners, not merely becaufe it is benevolent, 

 that is, intended for the good of others, but becaufe the objed of that 

 benevolence is a proper objed, and becaufe, confidered with all its 

 circumftances, it has that fitnefs and propriety which is eflential to 

 Virtue : For Virtue has its numbers, meafures, and proportions, as 

 well as outward forms ; and what is Beauty, but number, meafure 

 and proportion ? Benevolence, therefore, itfelf, we admire only for 

 its Beauty. 



If, therefore, we admire Virtue in others for its Beauty, for what 

 other reafon fhould we admire it in ourfelves ? If we only efteem it 

 becaufe it promotes our intereft in the world, and increafes our eftate 



and reputation, we certainly are not virtuous or noble minded. 



And thus it appears, that it is the Beauty of Virtue, which makes us 

 approve of it either in ourfelves or others. 



If fuch be Virtue in contemplation, why ftiould it be diflerent in 



pradice ? Ought we not to perform a virtuous adion for the fame 



reafon that we approve of it both in ourfelves and others ? If no 



^'OL. II. P i-eajo^ 



