"guises nature lets out its symptoms. "Protestations are so generally the "marks of falsehood, that the more

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liberally they are dealt, the more

they indicate what they mean to "conceal. Good company have the "same passions with low life, they "have only changed the terms and " modulated the display. Good breed

ing is, no more than bank bills, "real measure; but it increases the "national fund of politeness, and is "taken as current money.

The national fund of politeness! Alas! to what a melancholy state must they be reduced, who place their all in such a fund! Who exchange the solid treasure of sincerity and truth, for the paper currency of compliment! Yet so just is the representation given by this noble Earl, of the manners of the society in which it was his lot to mix, that it is impossible to read it without subscribing

subscribing to its truth. It is at least only by those who have lived at a distance from the world, that it will be called in question.

The difficulty of practising sincerity, where sincerity is held in so little estimation, as in some instances, to expose those who adhere to it, to derision and contempt, must doubtless be very great. But put the derision of fools in the balance against the reproaches of conscience, weigh the contempt of the wordly-wise against the condemnation of your God, and the difficulty is reduced to nothing. If we remain after doing this the willing slaves of the world, we must content ourselves with such rewards as the world has to offer, and take it in the fictitious currency to which it has affixed an imaginary value: but “if we embrace the truth the truth shall "set us free."

From

From the view which I have given of even but a part of the obstacles which the envied distinctions of this world place in the way of the candidate for immortal glory, we must perceive that it is by no

common

degree of vigilance, by no ordinary labour of the mind that they are to be overcome. But, thank God, my beloved child, they are to be overcome! Though great, they may be surmounted; though strong, they are not invulnerable.

The religion of Jesus Christ, if it be received into the heart, will render you superior to your situation. It will teach you how you may derive from it the means of real happiness; for it will teach you to contribute to the happiness of others. It will teach you to derive from it the most solid glory the glory of doing good! On every side you are surrounded

by

by proofs, that each of the disadvantages, to which rank and affluence expose those who possess them, will yield to exertion and perseverance. You perceive that "all that splendor, "all that wealth can give," does not necessarily preclude the highest cultivation of the mental powers; and that all the Christian virtues may be obtained and practised, even in the midst of the allurements of temptation.

"With God all things are possible.” The religion which came from God, if it penetrates the heart, will convert the means of corruption into instruments of advancement, and change the curse into a blessing.

If the spirit of the Gospel be imbibed and cherished, the spirit of pride and selfishness must be annihilated. Then, and not till then, will the influence which situation gives become a

source

source of pure delight, of thankfulness,

and joy.

The good that may be done by a judicious use of fortune is very great, but it is nothing in comparison of the good that may be done by example. The latter is incalculable; it extends not only to those whom you immediately influence, but to those who are influenced by them; so that it is in reality without limits.

Consider then, my dearest Lady Elizabeth, that you are in all probability destined to a situation in which your example may be the means of promoting the virtue and happiness of thousands, and tens of thousands of your fellow-creatures; and when you consider it mingle trembling with your joy! For never fail to remember, that as you may be the means of extending happiness and virtue, so likewise, by giving way to the seduc