MEMOIR OF THOMAS BEWICK. 



205 



wait upon, their employers. A sensible servant 

 will never omit doing his duty, but an ignorant 

 one will ; and the reciprocal duties between master 

 and servant ought to be clearly defined. The 

 former ought not to act the tyrant ; the latter 

 should be obedient ; and equal and just laws 

 should guide and govern them. 



All men of sound understanding, and who are 

 capable of reflection, will clearly see that there 

 is not, and cannot 'be, any such thing as equality. 

 There must, and ever will be, high and low, rich 

 and poor ; and this inequality of rank and fortune, 

 in civilized states, is necessary for the comfort 

 and happiness of all. A cement is thus formed, 

 which binds together in union the strength, the 

 beauty, and the symmetry of the whole. In the 

 most free state, man must not expect to have the 

 unrestrained liberty of the savage, but must give 

 up a part of his own freedom for the good of the 

 whole ; for liberty consists in this, that every man 

 may do whatever he pleases, provided he does 

 nothing to injure his neighbour, or the community 

 of which he is a member ; and his morality ought 

 to be guided by the golden rule, of " doing unto 

 all men as he would they should do unto him." 

 Were men made sensible of the rectitude of this 

 order of things ; were they to consider that, in 

 whatever station in society fortune may have 

 placed them, it is the will of Providence that it 

 should be so, this reflection would greatly con- 

 tribute to their peace of mind and contentment; 

 for no man should think himself degraded by 

 following an honest calling. 



" Honour and shame from no condition rise ; 

 Act well your part : there all the honour lies." 



