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quantity of metal in its compofition.' But 
a bias may be given by other metals : gold 
is yet heavier than lead, and a natural levity 
in the wood, will give equal effect to a lefs 
quantity of either. A ftudent may be biafed 
by too much lead, by too much gold, or 
negatively biafed by too much levity. But, 
to continue the fimile, are we therefore to 
conclude, that a ikilful bowler has it not in 
his power to give his bowl the true direc- 
tion to the goal. Would not fuch an artift 
laugh at the Predeftinarian who fhould en- 
deavour to convince him that he was not, 
in this inftance, a free agent, and that his 
fuccefs did not depend entirely on his free 
will and dexterity. 
Hence, I think, we may rationally con* 
elude, that every effect is the natural con- 
fequence of a fufficient caufe, and, to fpeak 
in the language of mathematicians, that the 
fortunes of men are generally in a direct 
ratio of their prudence and abilities. 
Without abilities to a certain degree, and 
alfo without a certain quantum of fchool 
learning, it is impoffible for a young man 
to cut any figure at the Univerfity ; but the 
moll diftinguiihed abilities, with all the 
claflicai learning that a fchoolboy can poffi- 
bly 
