with ignominy and reproach. But in the wide regions of probability, which are the proper province of prudence and election, there is always room to deviate on either fide of rectitude without rushing against apparent abfurdity; and according to the inclinations of nature, or the impreffions of precept, the daring and the cautious may move in different directions without touching upon rashness or cowardice. That there is a middle path which it is every man's duty to find, and to keep, is unanimously confeffed but it is likewife acknowledged that this middle path is fo narrow, that it cannot eafily be difcovered, and fo little beaten, that there are no certain marks by which it can be followed: the care therefore of all thofe who conduct others has been, that whenever they decline into obliquities, they fhould tend towards the fide of fafety. It can, indeed, raise no wonder that temerity has been generally cenfured; for it is one of the vices with which few can be charged, and which therefore great numbers are ready to condemn. It is the vice of noble and generous minds, the exuberance of magnanimity, and the ebullition of genius; and is therefore not regarded with much tenderness, because it never flatters us by that appearance of foftnefs and imbecility which is commonly neceffary to conciliate compaffion. But if the fame attention had been applied to the fearch of arguments against the folly of prefuppofing impoffibilities, and anticipating frustration, I know not whether many would not have been roused to usefulness, who, having been taught to confound prudence with temerity, never ventured ventured to excel, left they fhould unfortunately fail. It is neceffary to distinguish our own interest from that of others, and that distinction will perhaps affift us in fixing the just limits of caution and adventurousness. In an undertaking that involves the happiness or the fafety of many, we have certainly no right to hazard more than is allowed by those who partake the danger; but where only ourfelves can fuffer by mifcarriage, we are not confined within fuch narrow limits; and ftill lefs is the reproach of temerity, when numbers will receive advantage by fuccefs, and only one be incommoded by failure. Men are generally willing to hear precepts by which ease is favoured; and as no refentment is raised by general reprefentations of human folly, even in those who are most eminently jealous of comparative reputation, we confefs, without reluctance, that vain man is ignorant of his own weakness, and therefore frequently prefumes to attempt what he can never accomplish; but it ought likewife to be remembered, that man is no less ignorant of his own powers, and might perhaps have accomplished a thoufand defigns, which the prejudices of cowardice reftrained him from attempting. It is obferved in the golden verfes of Pythagoras, that Power is never far from neceffity. The vigour of the human mind quickly appears, when there is no longer any place for doubt or hesitation, when diffidence is abforbed in the fenfe of danger, or L overwhelmed by fome refiftlefs paffion. We then foon discover, that difficulty is, for the moft part, the daughter of idleness, that the obftacles with which our way feemed to be obstructed were only phantoms, which we believed real, because we durft not advance to a close examination; and we learn that it is impoffible to determine without experience how much conftancy may endure, or perfeverance perform. But whatever pleasure may be found in the review of diftreffes when art or courage has furmounted them, few will be perfuaded to wish that they may be awakened by want or terror to the conviction of their own abilities. Every one should therefore endeavour to invigorate himfelf by reafon and reflection, and determine to exert the latent force that nature may have reposed in him, before the hour of exigence comes upon him, and compulfion fhall torture him to diligence. It is below the dignity of a reasonable being to owe that ftrength to neceffity which ought always to act at the call of choice, or to need any other motive to industry than the defire of performing his duty. Reflections that may drive away despair, cannot be wanting to him who confiders how much life is now advanced beyond the ftate of naked, undifciplined, uninftructed nature. Whatever has been effected for convenience or elegance, while it was yet unknown, was believed impoffible; and therefore would never have been attempted, had not fome, more daring than the reft, adventured to bid defiance defiance to prejudice and cenfure. Nor is there yet any reafon to doubt that the fame labour would be rewarded with the fame fuccefs. There are qualities in the products of nature yet undiscovered, and combinations in the powers of art yet untried. It is the duty of every man to endeavour that fomething may be added by his industry to the hereditary aggregate of knowledge and happiness. To add much indeed can be the lot of few, but to add fomething, however little, every one may hope; and of every honeft endeavour, it is certain, that, however unsuccessful, it will be at last rewarded. NUMB. 130. SATURDAY, June 15, 1751. Non fic prata novo vere decentia Not fafter in the fummer's ray Some beauty's fnatch'd each day, each hour; For beauty is a fleeting flow'r : Then how can wisdom e'er confide SIR, You To the RAMBLER. SENECA. ELPHINSTON. OU have very lately observed that in the numerous fubdivifions of the world, every class and order of mankind have joys and forrows of their own; we all feel hourly pain and pleasure from events which pass unheeded before other eyes, but can scarcely communicate our perceptions to minds preoccupied by different objects, any more than the delight of well-disposed colours or harmonious founds can be imparted to fuch as want the fenfes of hearing or of fight. |