276 
nor is it poffible to-remain at the top, 
without refting on the ladder by which we 
have afcended. 
But, even on the fuppofition that the 
principle of univerfal benevolence could 
be formed without the precefs which na- 
ture has appointed, it is to be further con- 
fidered, that this principle would not, to 
fuch beings as men, be by itfelf a fufficient 
incitement to a€tion. Reafon may fpecu- 
late upon the general good, and the means 
of producing it; but feeling alone can 
ftimulate to thofe exertions, which are 
neceflary to accomplith this great end. 
Fancy may, in contemplation, amufe it- 
felf with the image of a happy world, 
but the idea is too vaft to excite that degree 
of paffion, which ts neceflary to produce 
vigorous action. Images, fufficiently di- 
fiinét and ftrong, to operate as efficient 
motives, can only be derived from indivi- 
dual objeéts. It is in this manner only, 
that the heart can be interefted; and with- 
out this, the rational philanthropift, who 
employs himfeif in contemplating the ab- 
firaét idea of general good, will be in the 
fituation of the fpeculative mathemati- 
cian, who, after he has folved an ufeful 
problem, feels no inclination to apply ir in 
practice. The neceffary confequence of 
the adoption of the fyftem of univerfal, 
exclufive of private affeétion, would be a 
general relaxation of the fprings of ac- 
tion; and it might be expeéted, that, ex- 
cept during tke daily 4alf hour's labour, 
which the neceflities of life would demand, 
Men would think it fufficient, if they ate 
plentifully, flept quietly, and ‘‘ rofe up to 
play.’’ Happinefs is beft provided for by 
the divifion of affection, as wealth by the 
divifion of Jabour; for in the proportion 
in which affeétion is extended, it lofes its 
ampulfive force, as the circles, produced 
by a ftone falling on the fmooth furface of 
a lake, gradually become fainter as they 
recede from the centre. a 
Tt is another confideration of no fmall 
weight in the prefent argument, that the 
theory which would require all men to aéct 
upon the principle of univerfal benevo- 
lence alone, fuppofes a degree of compre- 
henfon, and an extent of knowledge, 
beyond the ordinary limits of the human 
faculties. What is for the good of the 
univerfe, is a vaft problem, only to be 
folved by that mind, which comprehends 
the whole fyftem. 
of the human fpecies, is a queftion, to- 
wards the folution of which we continually 
approximete, as we improve in our know- 
ledge of the powers of human nature, and 
of the various {ubftances and beings which 
The Enquirer. No. 1V. 
What is for the good 
(May 
lie within the fphere of human aétion, 
but which can never be completely an- 
{wered, while our acquaintance with na- 
ture remains imperfeét. The utmoft that 
we can:du is, to colleét faéts fufficient to 
efiablifh general rules, the obfervance of 
which become obligatory from our ex- 
perience of their utility. If we fuperfede 
thefe rules, and recur, in every cafe, to 
the general principle of benevolence, we 
oppofe individual opinion againft common 
experience, and we require from all men 
an extent of knowledge, and correétnefs 
of judgment, which are poffeffed by no 
individual. The wifeft philofopher would 
be aware of fo many. difficulties attending 
the determination of queftions relative to 
the generat good, and would perceive fo 
much hazard of a bias on his judgment 
from the felfifh .patfions, that he would 
always heftate in oppofmg the univerfal 
law of benevolence ayainft more limited 
maxims of prudence or morality. Of 
what ufe, then, couid this law be to the 
illiterate peafant, or the bufy mechanic > 
You might as well expeét a common failor 
to find his way at fea by Trigonometrical 
theorems,. without his log-line, and his 
Gunter’s fcale, as that a man unufed to 
fpeculation fhould be able to calculate 
every cafe of moral aétion by the general 
principle of univerfal benevolence. 
From thefe. united confiderations it 
may be confidently concluded, that the 
private affections. form a neceffary part of 
the moral ceconomy of man, and, there- 
fore, are not inconfiftent with the law of 
univerfal benevolence.—To the advocates 
for the exclufive authority of this law it is 
conceded, that it is the foundation of al! 
other laws; that it is paramount to all 
other laws ; that where it can be applied 
with certainty, it ought to be followed 
without referve ; and that the fublimity 
and perfeétion of virtue confift in facrific- 
ing the lefs tothe greater good. It is alfo 
conceded, that it is the general tendency 
of private affeétion to direét a larger por- 
tion of kindnefs towards its objeét, than, 
without attending to the influence of thefe 
affections upon the general fyftem, might 
feem right; and that particular cafes may 
be tuppofed, in which greater zammediate 
good will be produced by confulting gene- 
ral utility, than by following the impulfe 
of private affe€tion. Jt-is granted, that 
it might have been for the zamediate ad- 
vantage of the world, that the life of the 
wife and virtuous Fenelon * fhould have 

* See Godwin’s Enquiry concerning Politi- 
cal Juitice, Book ii, chap. 2. 
i been 
