ady.

Reflecting on these prejudices made me revert to the wisdom of those
legislators who established institutions for the good of the body under
the pretext of serving heaven for the salvation of the soul. These might
with strict propriety be termed pious frauds; and I admire the Peruvian
pair for asserting that they came from the sun, when their conduct proved
that they meant to enlighten a benighted country, whose obedience, or
even attention, could only be secured by awe. Thus much for conquering
the _inertia_ of reason; but, when it is once in motion, fables once held
sacred may be ridiculed; and sacred they were when useful to mankind.
Prometheus alone stole fire to animate the first man; his posterity needs
not supernatural aid to preserve the species, though love is generally
termed a flame; and it may not be necessary much longer to suppose men
inspired by heaven to inculcate the duties which demand special grace
when reason convinces them that they are the happiest who are the most
nobly employed.

In a few days I am to set out for the western part of Norway, and then
shall return by land to Gothenburg. I cannot think of leaving this place
without regret. I speak of the place before the inhabitants, though
there is a tenderness in their artless kindness which attaches me to
them; but it is an attachment that inspires a regret very different from
that I felt at leaving Hull in my way to Sweden. The domestic happiness
and good-humoured gaiety of the amiable family where I and my Frances
were so hospitably received would have been sufficient to ensure the
tenderest remembrance, without the recollection of the social evening to
stimulate it, when good breeding gave dignity to sympathy and wit zest to
reason.

Adieu!--I am just informed that my horse has been waiting this quarter of
an hour. I now venture to ride out alone. The steeple serves as a
landmark. I once or twice lost my way, walking alone, without being able
to inquire after a path; I was therefore obliged to make to the steeple,
or windmill, over hedge and ditch.

Yours truly.

LETTER IX.

I have already informed you that there are only two noblemen who have
estates of any magnitude in Norway. One of these has a house near
Tonsberg, at which he has not resided for some years, having been at
court, or on embassies. He is now the Danish Ambassador in London. The
house is pleasantly situated, and the grounds about it fine; but th