You will consider Miss Gloss as a very detestable character: but in truth, my dear, she is no worse than the generality of what is termed the world. Her faults are the natural result of the absence of that principle which I have been so strenuously recommending. Had Miss Gloss kept it perpetually in remembrance that she was to be accountable to God for her own actions, accountable for the talents with which she was endowed, accountable for the opportunities of improvement which she possessed, and accountable for the dispositions she cherished in her heart, she would have examined herself by a less fallacious standard than the merits or demerits of those who fell within the limited sphere of her observation.

For one who is to mix with the world in an elevated situation in society, it becomes peculiarly requisite

to

to have the belief of being accountable to the supreme Lord and Governor of the universe fixed in the mind as a principle of action. Where it is not thus fixed, nor brought into constant use, the example of those high in rank, in power, or in honors, and the still more fatal example of the multitudes who offer incense to the possessors of these external advantages, will be considered as the sole criterion of right and wrong.

Those who look not beyond this world, must inevitably learn to judge of themselves as they think they are judged of by the world. They will estimate others by the same rule ; and, while they see that depravity of heart, and even profligacy of manners, prevent not the world from offering adulation at the shrine of power, they will put a higher value on power than on virtue; and when they

they compare themselves with those who, notwithstanding essential blemishes, are thus courted and caressed, they will lay the comparison as an opiate to conscience.

In all situations in society, this species of self-delusion is too prevalent. All are too apt to think that there is in their particular case something that demands and obtains particular indulgence; but it is in the higher classes alone that this false sentiment has a chance of remaining uncombated; because to persons thus unfortunately situated truth does not present itself unsought for, as it frequently does in a less elevated sphere. To those who have been nurtured in false notions of their own inherent superiority, truth is, in general, but an unwelcome guest; and who, knowing it to be such, would dare to introduce it to the company of a superior?

Not

Not surely those who, from motives of vanity or self-interest, solicit that superior's favour!

Even those established laws of politeness which give to polished society its most fascinating charms, are, in this view unfriendly to virtue. They teach friends to flatter; and, by making it a principle never to speak any thing that is not agreeable, they prevent sincerity itself from speaking

what is true.

You will from this observe, that when erroneous opinions have been formed by persons in the situations to which I allude, they have not the same chance of detecting their own errors, as persons whose observations on human character are exercised in a wider field. The very highest, are, in this respect, little less disadvantageously situated than the very lowest classes of society. The individuals

dividuals of each are confined to a narrow circle; but those who move in the higher have a peculiar disadvantage arising from this circumstance, viz. that narrow as their circle is, they cannot fail to observe how much it gives the tone to all that approach it. With such temptations from without and from within, what is there to preserve the pure integrity of virtue, but the perpetual consciousness of acting in the presence of "Him who is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity?" Of him, before whom all distinctions are annihilated, but those which shall endure for ever! Who has ordained to each state its peculiar advantages, its peculiar difficulties, and its peculiar dangers and who from each individual will require a strict account of the talents with which he has been especially entrusted.

You,