HE rage for reformation commonly shews itself in a violent zeal for
suppressing what is wrong, rather than in a prudent attention to
establish what is right; but we shall never obtain a fair garden merely
by rooting up weeds, we must also plant flowers; for the natural
richness of the soil we have been clearing will not suffer it to lie
barren, but whether it shall be vainly or beneficially prolific, depends
on the culture. What the present age has gained on one side, by a more
enlarged and liberal way of thinking, seems to be lost on the other, by
excessive freedom and unbounded indulgence. Knowledge is not, as
heretofore, confined to the dull cloyster, or the gloomy college, but
disseminated, to a certain degree, among both sexes and almost all
ranks. The only misfortune is, that these opportunities do not seem to
be so wisely improved, or turned to so good an account as might be
wished. Books of a pernicious, idle, and frivolous sort, are too much
multiplied, and it is from the very redundancy of them that true
knowledge is so scarce, and the habit of dissipation so much
increased.

IT has been remarked, that the prevailing character of the present age
is not that of gross immorality: but if this is meant of those in the
higher walks of life, it is easy to discern, that there can be but
little merit in abstaining from crimes which there is but little
temptation to commit. It is however to be feared, that a gradual
defection from piety, will in time draw after it all the bad
consequences of more active vice; for whether mounds and fences are
suddenly destroyed by a sweeping torrent, or worn away through gradual
neglect, the effect is equally destructive. As a rapid fever and a
consuming hectic are alike fatal to our natural health, so are flagrant
immorality and torpid indolence to our moral well-being.

THE philosophical doctrine of the slow recession of bodies from the
sun, is a lively image of the reluctance with which we first abandon
the light of virtue. The beginning of folly, and the first entrance on a
dissipated life cost some pangs to a well-disposed heart; but it is
surprising to see how soon the progress ceases to be impeded by
reflection, or slackened by remorse. For it is in moral as in natural
things, the motion in minds as well as bodies is accelerated by a nearer
approach to the centre to which they are tending. If we recede slowly at
first setting out, we advance rapidly in our future course; and to