this morning, and we are each of a different opinion.

FATHER. Then, without inquiring what your opinions are, I can pronounce them to be all wrong ones.

CHARLES. HOW so, papa?

FATHER. Suppose a company of artisans engaged in building a house, were to enter into a similar dispute respecting the comparative importance of their trades: carpenter and mason, versus painter, glazier, and paper hanger: what would you say to such a discussion?

EDWARD. I should think it a very ridiculous one, because all those trades are equally necessary in building a house, and making it comfortable.

FATHER. Very true; and yet it was not foolish but wise, in those different individuals to choose each for himself a particular craft, best suited to his inclination and circumstances. And you must observe, that the perfection to which the arts of life are brought in civilized countries, is owing to this very circumstance, the division of labor, or one man devoting all his time and ingenuity to one particular branch.

EDWARD. Then, why would it be ridiculous for them to maintain the superiority of their own trades?

FATHER. Because it would show narrowness of

It

mind, not to allow that other employments might be equally useful, necessary, and respectable with that particular one of which each had made choice. Now this want of liberality is much more inexcusable in men of education, because it is the very end and grand use of education, to enlarge and liberalize the views. And it is in fact found, that just in proportion to the extent and universality of a man's knowledge, is the candor and generosity of his mind, in estimating the attainments, and inspecting the pursuits of others. is also one of the characteristics of true genius, to admire whatever is admirable, although in a sphere quite distinct from that of its own individual operations; it is interested in the achievements, and it sympathizes in the success of every species of human ingenuity. Our friends who were with us last evening, were most of them young; this must plead their excuse for the bigotry of their sentiments. Some of them also, though ingenious in their own departments, are but partially informed; having labored under disadvantages in their early education: as they grow older, and acquire more knowledge, their taste will become less confined. To devote our chief attention to one particular pursuit, best suited to our talents and opportunities, is the only way to success; but then, whatever this pursuit may be, if we would aspire to the character of the philosopher, and of the gentleman, we must

at the same time, furnish our minds with that general knowledge, which will lead us to allow their full value and importance to the studies of other men.

EDWARD. But papa, after all, must there not be a real difference in the importance of the arts and sciences? would not a country be much worse off, for instance, if there were no philosophers, than if there were no poets in it?

CHARLES. And yet I have heard papa say, that the very first step towards civilisation in most countries, has been the cultivation of poetry and music.

FATHER. There are, beyond a doubt, some arts and some descriptions of knowledge more essential than others to the welfare of a country; and yet this depends much more on the combination of all, than on the cultivation even of the most important: all therefore are deserving in this view, of equal respect. And while we may admit, that the taste of some men is of a nobler order than that of others, we must rejoice that all are not gifted with the most elevated, for in that case, I believe we should all starve upon stargazing. But let us not after all, forget to remark, the vast difference between even an exclusive and narrow devotedness to any one pursuit, and that want of real interest in any, which is far more prevalent in society. Believe me, my dear boys, that a man who is engaged in any of the

most humble and insignificant researches of art or science, however low his station may be, is far more respectable, and unspeakably happier, than they who live only to eat, and drink, and dress, to take their pleasure, or to display their affluence. Among these persons indeed, we frequently meet with those who profess a general acquaintance with science; who have its nomenclature by rote, and who are far more ready and voluble in using the cant terms of art, than those who are really devoted to it. Yes, there is a thing more despicable than even voluntary ignorance; I mean the affectation of taste and knowledge-a pretension to admire and to understand the works of genius, without a spark of genuine feeling or of true taste. The utmost extravagance of enthusiasm in a favorite pursuit, is beyond comparison preferable to this.

EDWARD. Describe true taste to us, рара, in a few words.

FATHER. That would require some thought. However, we might generally say of it, that while it will stoop to inspect and to admire the most minute and laborious operations of ingenuity, and while it feels an interest and sympathy in every branch of knowledge, it returns with a natural bias towards that which is most comprehensive in science, most intellectual in art, and most sublime in nature.

XXXI.

THE LOVER OF EASE.

In a dirty, ruinous looking house, that stood in one of the back streets of a smoky town, there lived an elderly man of the name of Smith. Very few people knew, and fewer cared any thing about him; yet it was impossible to pass his abode without noticing the broken window panes, mended with paper, or stuffed with rags: the wretched court-yard, overgrown with nettles, and bestrewed with fragments of earthenware; the appearance of the whole bespeaking the sloth and misery of the owner. Smith himself was not often visible, but occasionally he might be seen on a sunshiny morning, leaning with his arms folded over the pales of his yard, basking in the heat, like his old tabby cat. And sometimes on a dark evening, his long, lean, shabby figure might be discerned hovering over a handful of fire in his rusty grate. It is true, that there are in every town individuals equally wretched and comfortless; and it is also true, that in most, if not in every instance of the kind, there is more of fault than of misfortune. But, in the case of Smith, it is worthy of record, that he was a man remarkable for his relish for the good and agreeable things of life. Though he was wretched,