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branch. Unhappily, however, the genera- 

 lity of mankind are fo felfifti, that if they can 

 get their own ends ferved, they care not ; 

 though, by fo doing, they injure their neigh- 

 bours, as well as the nation at large ; nay, 

 though they fhould even, to ferve a prefent 

 turn, mofl materially injure their own in- 

 tereft in time to come. How often do we fee 

 children, even thofe endowed with the great- 

 eft natural parts, fo much addidled to play, as 

 for its fake, not only to negledl their educa- 

 tion, but even fometimes fcarce allow them- 

 felves the time neceffary for food or reft : And 

 how often do we fee great numbers of people, 

 more inexcufable than thofe children, whofe 

 fituation in life might otherwife entitle them 

 to fome degree of fplendor, yet fuffering their 

 minds to be fo engrofled by childifh, if not 

 worfe diverfions and entertainments, that 

 they will not even take time to look into their 

 own affairs, much lefs to confider the general 

 intereft of the country where they live, or of 

 the nation at large. When fuch cuftoms 

 become univerfally prevalent, it is certain 

 that the nation is running headlong to its de- 

 ftru&ion, and not far from it,, as is evidently 

 B feen 



