142 



very little alteration, transcribed in the conclud- 

 ing sentence of the preceding paragraph. 



Without the risk, therefore, of being mis- 

 interpreted by the latter, and with a total dis- 

 regard of such opinions as gentlemen may have 

 picked up by a communication with the former, 

 I have thought proper to trace to their source, 

 in this motley mobbish education, the causes of 

 that great inferiority of character with which 

 we are obliged to compound, as well as we can, 

 for the frequently disappointed diversion of a 

 day : and among the most prominent of which, 

 this uncontrolled and unqualified rage for pos- 

 session of the game, so continually mingling 

 itself with whatever other efforts, either in the 

 way of precept or example, may be made on 

 the part of the tutor to inspire a sense of order, 

 will for ever operate as a bar to his self-defeated 

 hopes. 



It is for this reason that I have dwelt with 

 some degree of earnestness on this matter, in 

 order more effectually to impress upon the mind 

 of every gentleman, who may not be above 

 having pointed out to him a surer and a shorter 

 road to excellence, the necessity of being on 

 his guard against every similar error in his own 



