OLYMPIC DIALOGUE. 567 



kind can only by imperceptible degrees advance in wif~ 

 dom and gopdnefs ; as fuch an infinite number of adver- 

 faries from within and from without are continually at 

 work againft their improvement; as the difficulties 

 increafe at every conqueiT, and even the proportionate 

 means, merely becaufe 'they muft pais through human 

 heads and be placed in human hands, would be farther 

 impediments ; — how can it furprife thee, that it is 

 not in my power to procure the intended happinefs to 

 my brethren at a lower price ? How gladly would I 

 remove all their mifery at once ? — But even I can do 

 nothing in oppoiition to the eternal laws of neceffity : 

 — fuffice that the time will come at kit — 



Jupiter, a little impatiently^] Well then we will let 

 it come ; and the poor blockheads, towards whom thou 

 art fo well difpofed, may in the mean time fee how 

 they can make fhift to proceed ! — As I laid before, 

 my light does not extend far enough to enable me to 

 judge of fo exteniive and complicated a plan. The 

 befh is, that we are immortal, and therefore entertain 

 the hope to outlive the developement, how many pla- 

 tonic years foever it may require. 



The unknown.'] My plan, great as it is, is in fadt 

 the limpleft in the world. The way by which I am 

 fure of effecting the general happinefs is exactly the 

 fame by which I lead individuals to happinefs ; and 

 what vouches for its infallibility is — that there is no 

 other. In fine, I fhall conclude with repeating, that it 

 is impoffible not to be deceived while we conlider 

 things partially, and as they appear in particulars. 

 They are nothing really but what they are in the whole-, 

 £nd the perfection, the centre, that connfcls all to op, 



whither 



