APOLOGY. 
7 
We are fometimes furprized to fee a man, whom we firft 
knew by his writing, fo much more lively than we imagined ; 
as we are, that one who appeared like the reft of the world in 
converfation, ftaould become ferious as foon as he takes a pen in 
his hand. 
If you are thus drawn in to be lefs gay than you intended, 
or to think lefs pleaftngly of me than you desired, make the 
beft ufe of it you can ; you may be equally ftncere, and profit 
by your fincerity. Be aftured that I am ferious, where the fub- 
jed is fo : indeed I cannot difpoflefs my mind of an opinion I 
have long entertained, that life itfelf is a ferious thing : there- 
fore I appeal to your ferious thoughts, not your gay ones, and 
ftand acquitted or condemned by them. Was I to write unlike 
myfelf, I fhould be ftill lefs agreeable to you, who, can diftin- 
guifh nature from art for it is true in one fenfe, according to 
the poet, that 
u No man is, for being what he is, in fault ; 
“ But for not being what he would, be thought .” 
Under thefe circumftances the more you exercife your own 
underftanding, the better you will fupply the defeds of mine: 
and if I have told you any thing to the purpofe, why need I 
apologize ? 
O facred truth it is thy caufe which I efpoufe ! but who 
can tread in all thy fteps, or follow thee in. all thy paths ! Permit 
me, at leaft, to offer my prayers at thy flirine. I profefs myfelf 
thy votary, and adore thy charms. Thy influence cheers and 
3 exalts 
