iSo THE RURAL S0CRATE5. 



dawn at prefent manifefts itfclf, and of which the per- 

 jPe6l day it is to be hoped will ultimately illuminate our 

 poflcrity. Till that period fhall arrive, continue, Sir, 

 k ftndy which renders you To ufeful to mankind. 



I experience on my fide a iatisfa^tion in the profpec^, 

 ^vhlchis perhaps greater than I merit. — I'hofe charita- 

 ble perfons who recommend our detaching ourfelve^ 

 from this world v/Ith a view to becoming more perfetil, 

 (and in which generally fpeaking they are right) ; 

 tell ua, that it is the fame at bur iafl hour, whether we 

 have lived many or few years. — -Arid this is true for 

 men who' are folely occupied with their pleafures, or 

 their own little contradled advantages ; for to them the 

 paft is nothing. But for thofe who are occupied with 

 the good of others ; who have fowed in the paft, reap- 

 ed in the prefent, and fee new fruits dill forming ; it is 

 highly important to have lived, to live, and to hope for 

 longer life;. This does not imply that they will be fo 

 wrapped up in the profpecl: of future enjoyment frorr> 

 their labors, as not to rcfign the fcene quieliy when 

 called away from it. Their exertions and the pleafures 

 they derive from tiiem have a foundation independent 

 of their fondnefs for life. It is felf love which defcending 

 into the ton^b with its An^Ttim, regrets the pafl which is 

 over, as well as the future which flies from' it : But the 

 love of others leads us to dwell with delight on the recol- 

 lecT:ion of the virtuous ajfls, which fueh a fentiment has 

 infpired ; and we blefs our neighbors when we quit 

 them, and are confoled that we die fingle and leave oth- 

 ers to furvive us. — This then is the bed temper of mind 

 to recommend to beings who are gifted with thought 

 and feeling, but are formed to perifii. You, Sir, are in 

 the habit of pofielling this temper ; and I am perhaps 

 aiithorized, but certainly intcrefled, to recommend you 

 to perfid in it. 



Advcrti/einenl 



