If you would obtain a perfect knowledge of any man, it must be from his domeftic character. Such a father, mafter, brother, fon, or husband, as he fhall be found, fuch a friend will he be It is, moreover, in the minuter circumstances of his conduct, that we are to enquire for a man's real character. In thefe he is under the influ ence of his natural difpofition, and acts from himself-while in his more open and important actions, he may be drawn by public opinion, and many other external motives, from that bias which nature would have taken.

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Were I once more to make choice of a friend, the first qualities I would look for in him, fhould be Sincerity, and Senfibility: for thefe are the foundation of almost all other virtues.

Theodofius.-Stop not here, my lord, I intreat you; but tell me how that felf-knowledge is to, be acquired; the acquifition of which you have allowed to be fo effential to our happiness.

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Mr. De Fenelon.-There is no ftudy fo neceffary as this, and yet, unfortunately, there is none, fo difficult. Self-knowledge, like that Hefperian fruit, which was defended by the vigilance of

Theodofius. And yet, my lord, may not an artificial department frequently render fuch an enquiry vain? N

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Mr. De Fenelon.-It may fometimes perplex it, but will feldom render it vain;- even artifice itself takes a colour from the paffions, and they may be read and diftinguished in its ope

rations.

Theodofius. Thus you would inftruct me to know men in general; but may there not be a more particular procefs of enquiry, where a more' particular knowledge of individuals is neceffary?" I should be glad to be informed how I might' obtain a thorough knowledge of the man I could with to make my friend.

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Mr. De Fenelon.-For this different methods. have been recommended, and different experi ments have been tried. Some have had recourse to the chymical procefs of the bottle, and others to a fictitious diftrefs; but both to no valuable effect. The first did not confider that a man, deprived of reafon, is no longer a man; and the laft had not reflected that, on certain occafions, a man might want the power, though he wanted not the will, to relieve the diftreffes of his friend.

If you would obtain a perfect knowledge of any man, it must be from his domeftic character, Such a father, mafter, brother, fon, or husband, as he fhall be found, fuch a friend will he be It is, moreover, in the minuter circumftances of his conduct, that we are to enquire for a man's real character. In thefe he is under the influ ence of his natural difpofition, and acts from himfelf-while in his more open and important actions, he may be drawn by public opinion, and many other external motives, from that bias which nature would have taken.

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Were I once more to make choice of a friend,' the first qualities I would look for in him, fhould be Sincerity, and Senfibility: for thefe are the foundation of almost all other virtues.

Theodofius.-Stop not here, my lord, I intreat you; but tell me how that self-knowledge is to be acquired; the acquifition of which you have allowed to be fo effential to our happiness.

Mr. De Fenelon.-There is no ftudy fo neceffary as this, and yet, unfortunately, there is none, so difficult. Self-knowledge, like that Hefperian fruit, which was defended by the vigilance of

Hleepless dragons, isqfurrounded by foo many powerful guards, that it is almoft imacceffible... Indulge me a moment, Theodofius, in my fa vourite province of allegory.The most affidue ous of thefe guards is Vanity, and, at the fame time, the most artfulo If you are determined to have accefs, fhe has addrefs enough to impafe upon you, and, instead of Self-knowledge, to pres fent you with a different object, fair, indeed, and Beautiful tq look upon, but very unlike the figure youbught to have feeni Pride ftands, a dangerous centinel, at the gate of Self-knowledge; when you demand admittance, he feats you on a throne, and bids you look down on the crouds that fur round you, you look with complacency, and return with ignorance. Should the arts both of

Pride and Vanity be ineffectual, there is yet another redoubt to be attacked, which, is defended by Self-deception. This is the subtleft of all the guards that furround the tree of Self-knowledge -in her hand is a waving mirror that turns every way, which fo dazzles and confufes the fight, that you cannot poffibly diftinguish the real object you aim at, from the images reflected in her mirror;

at length, with one of thofe images you return, fatisfied and deceived. de ander sib Theodofius.-Thefe, indeed, make a formidable guard. How fhall they be overcome?

Mr. De Fenelon. Only by the affiftance of Truth. As the machinations of inferior enchants vanish upon the appearance of an abler magician; or, rather, as the diableries of infernal fpirits are destroyed by the influence of a celestial; fo Pride, Vanity, and Self-deception, fly from the -approach of Truth: :

Theodofius. Yet is it not, my lord, a inatter of difficulty, to engage this valuable auxiliary P.

Mr. De Fenelon,-Or, rather, to perfuade ourfelves to employ him-for there the difficulty lies: Before he can be brought over to our party he requires fo many mortifying conceffions, that we reject his fervices, becaufe we are unwilling to purchase them at fo dear a rate.

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Theodofius-Yet furely, my lord

Mr. De Fenelon. They are but imaginary poffelions that he requires us to part with-It is very true; and, for that reafon, one would think the