360 Conclufton and Recapitulation. 
rity ; a beneficence which takes in the good of the whole: 
the more it is improved, the more it will purify, enoble, and 
exalt the mind : nothing can be a higher motive to brave and 
generous actions ; and confequently nothing can render us 
more acceptable to the great parent of mankind, who guards 
and defends us all, in life and death. What was the bufinefs 
of Messiah, but to save mankind ? What higher honor can a 
mortal man enjoy, than to do his utmoft to preserve, or as 
we generally term it, to save his country ? 
’Ere I finifii my letter, methinks the world is vanifhing from 
my fight ! My much honored, much loved friend is dead ! — 
The pious, intrepid, lively, intelligent captain Hamilton 
is no more ! Tho’ we may fafely conclude his fpirit enjoys im- 
mortal happinefs, not his friends only, but his country ought 
to deplore their lofs. Had it pleafed heaven to grant him an 
ample fhare in humbling our enemies, how joyfully would he 
have refigned his breath ! — Our young friend the ingenious and 
melodious mifs griesdale, is alfo gone ! Behold the good, the 
brave, the innocent, cut off before their time ! The life of 
man truly pafles away like a shadow, but the end will be fub- 
ftantial joy or mifery ! If you love yourfelf, adt as if you thought 
fo. Of the few recorded in thefe humble pages, what a change 
may even fix months more create ! What is there here worth 
much solicitude ? Shall we give up the cause of virtue for 
any thing this world can afford ? Or fhall we seriously, and in 
good earned:, prepare for that tremendous day, when only a 
well-fpent life will be of moment to us ? What folly !. what 
madnefs it is, to diftrefs our thoughts about the common con- 
cerns 
