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tian.

I did not attempt to be a wonderful Chris 1 was satisfied with such attainments, and with such pursuits, as were suited to my genius and abilities.

Like a good general, I endeavoured always to keep upon strong ground; and, if dangerously attacked, without having the expecta tion of victory, to make a good and handsome retreat, keeping up a respectable petite guerre, without attempting pitched battles, except when absolutely necessary to my safety and honour. By the constant use and improve, ment of this faculty of taste and discernment of what is true, excellent, and beautiful, a fa culty which, like the etherial fire, is univer sally diffused, and can be called forth always by the attention of social intercourse, I reng dered myself independent and happy. In the pursuits of useful and agreeable knowledge and occupations, I did not bear down, like a mad admiral, upon a whole fleet of pursuits, but singled out objects for which I thought myself able; and breaking thus the line, I carried off my prizes, and discomfited the enemy. I had never any occasion, like the commissary, to throw myself down upon settees in despair, to exclaim,---" My God, what a fatigue it is to be a gentleman !”---No no! it became my nature, but not my profes sion.

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It was not necessary for me always to sleep, or stretch, or yawn, or lounge, or sit in the silent grave of whist; or fret at ground games,

when there were no blood and thundering events to rouse up my mettle for the day.

I enjoyed the pacific flow of my full imagination, and the pleasing rotation of my ras tional sameness. I joined the crowd always when I had leisure; and took my own road when I saw the finger post that pointed to my duty, and to my chosen pursuit.

These, my dear friend, are the effusions of experience, and not of fancy;---take them, living, as they rise,---use them,---try the ex periment, and when we meet again let me know the result. But I hear Scratchoni's bell. Adieu, au revoir, vive le joye, et le bon gout.

Thus, Mr Editor, have I troubled you with a dissertation consisting only of one short paragraph, which I flatter myself, from its length, at least, will not prove tedious to your read ers, and am, with regard, your humble ser

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CONCERNING THE INFLUENCE OF TASTE ON THE 410) HAPPINESS AND GLORY OF NATIONS.

{(FOR THE BEE.—OCTOBER 17. 1792.)

HAVING considered how taste promotes the happiness of individuals, of families, and of society, I am to conclude the whole of my discourse concerning this important subject, by pointing out the effects of its influence upon the prosperity and happiness of the public at large,..!

Taste, (says the excellent Montesquieu,) in the most general definition of it, without considering whether good or bad, just or not just, is" that which attaches us to a thing by sentiment". In the former part of this slight essay I have edeavoured to show how the prin ciples of taste are evolved in the pursuits and habits, of those who have been fortunatly emancipated from the grovelling desire of sensual pleasure, and how it operates in the infinite extent of rational curiosity, where one clear idea leads to the pursuit of another, in a chain, whose beginning is no where, and

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* Montesquieu, on taste, a fragment, Scer Dodsley's annual register, volume i. p. 311.

whose links are every where, after the nature of that infinite and perfect Being, in whom we live, and move, and have our existence, and whom we can only resemble when we raise ourselves above the range of brutal enjoyment.

2dly, In the pleasure derived from the contemplation of order; and of order amid variety, Sdly. In the pleasure arising from symmetry, or of fitness and utility. 4thly, In the pleasure that arises from contrast. 5thly, From surprise, terminating in a scientific acquaintance with the cause from whence it arose. 6thly, In delicacy of sensation which enables us to feast on the graces that are evanescent or impalpable to the eye and apprehension of the sensualist. And, finally, in the complete establishment of the habit of intellectual desire, uncontrouled by vulgar appetite, or ener vated by idleness and sloth.

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Now, it is evident, that as a nation, or what we call, in the most extensive acceptation of tne word, the Public, is no more than the aggregate of individuals, families, and communities; so whatever can render the parts more perfect, must tend to the perfection and happiness of the whole.

But the subject is so delightful and important, that I shall be easily forgiven when I shall have traced the more immediate effects that must be produced upon the active powers of government, and upon a people at large,

by the dissemination of that taste which is the subject of my present discourse.

It was undoubtedly to the dissemination of taste among the richer and higher ranks of men in Greece and Italy, that mankind were indebted for any relaxation of that shocking and barbarous disparity which took place among their feudal and military institutions, where the prince and the soldier were every thing, and the people nothing.

It was to the same existing causes, increased by the intervention of the printing press and the engraver, that France, under a similar government, from the reign of Henry II. to the death of Lewis XIV. enjoyed the small degree of happiness that fell to its share, during those times of trouble, or of monarchical vanity and ambition; and to the same causes France and the world are indebted for the pre-emi nence that sense has obtained over the en slaving maxims of an all-grasping church or turbulent nobility.

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By this very taste, or power, or sentiment, operating extensively through the channels of literature, mankind are now satisfied that the happiness of the people ought to be the su preme law, and the rule of all government, as well as its final object in its administration.

I know very well, that the extensive dissemination of taste and sentiment, àmong the lower ranks of men, is scouted by the great and opulent; and by a monstrous delusion is

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