THE RURAL SOCRATES. 81 



ofary rewards beflowed by the government and particu- 

 lar Ibcieties. The defire of public marks of din.irid:ion, 

 is one of the mofl powerful fprihgs that can influence 

 human nature : and, in obferving it ad fb univerrally 

 on all men in all governments, how is it pofUble to 

 niidake the wife intention of the Creator, which feems 

 flrongly to invite all legiflators to employ it ?— Indeed, 

 flatefmen of fuperior abilities, in every age, have con- 

 flantly availed themfelves of its efficacy. The misfor- 

 tune is, that they ere not always circumlpe£b and 

 juft, in the diflribution of marks of honor ; which 

 occafions the profligate and ignorant to confound 

 the marks of honor with honor itfelf ; for fince 

 thofe who have the leafl pretenfions, frequently 

 ufurp them through intrigue, they infenfibly lofe 

 their value. — -If nobility or knighthood always fur- 

 nifhcd living teflimonials of fervices rendered to a 

 country, the appearance of a nobleman or a knight, 

 would animate every heart with glorious emulation, to 

 arrive at tiie fame diflinction by the fame path ! But on 

 the contrary, when we behold men the mofl defpicable 

 attaining it, as ^vell as the mod eflimable ; and that ti- 

 tles of honor are often the reward of infamy and lewd- 

 nefs ; all the effed: will be to give rife to bafe intrigues, 

 which alone will be fure to obtain the prize, however 

 unworthy the candidate.— In republican governmenlSj 

 to be chofen into the magiflracy is an honorable diftinc- 

 tion : and happy is that ftate where dignities are the af- 

 fared recompcnfe of virtue and merit ! Thereall things 

 flouriQi ; and every citizen is animated with zeal for 

 the public, fince that alone can render him an ol>jecl cf 

 efteem. There the firfl lefTon of infancy is, that probi- 

 ty, talents, and application, procure confideration, 



and conduA to honors.-^ But all is loft in a nation, 



where honors are lavidied on idlenefs, intemperarce, 

 and a thoufand other vices 1 All that is good becomes 

 cxtindl ; the mofl important affairs are confided to bafe 

 a^d iiiadive men, and become negleded ; emulation 

 L vanifhes ; 



