lic. This evil is come to such a fantastical
height, that he is a man _of_ a public spirit, and heroically affected
to his country, who can go so far as even to turn usurer with all he
has in her funds. There is not a citizen in whose imagination such a one
does not appear in the same light of glory, as Codrus, Scaevola, or any
other great name in old Rome. Were it not for the heroes of so much _per
cent._ as have regard enough for themselves and their nation to trade
with her with their wealth, the very notion of public love would long
ere now have vanished from among us. But however general custom may
hurry us away in the stream of a common error, there is no evil, no
crime, so great as that of being cold in matters relating to the common
good. This is in nothing more conspicuous than in a certain willingness
to receive anything that tends to the diminution of such as have been
conspicuous instruments in our service. Such inclinations proceed from
the most low and vile corruption, of which the soul of man is capable.
This effaces not only the practice, but the very approbation of honor
and virtue; and has had such an effect, that, to speak freely, the very
sense of public good has no longer a part even in our conversations. Can
then the most generous motive of life, the good of others, be so easily
banished the breast of man? Is it possible to draw all our passions
inward? Shall the boiling heat of youth be sunk in pleasures, the
ambition of manhood in selfish intrigues? Shall all that is glorious,
all that is worth the pursuit of great minds, be so easily rooted out?
When the universal bent of a people seems diverted from the sense of
their common good, and common glory, it looks like a fatality, and
crisis of impending misfortune.

The generous nations we just now mentioned understood this so very well,
that there was hardly an oration ever made, which did not turn upon
this general sense, "That the love of their country was the first and
most essential quality in an honest mind." Demosthenes, in a cause
wherein his fame, reputation, and fortune, were embarked, puts his all
upon this issue; "Let the Athenians," says he, "be benevolent to me, as
they think I have been zealous for them." This great and discerning
orator knew, there was nothing else in nature could bear him up against
his adversaries, but this one quality of having shown himself willing or
able to serve his country. This certainly is the test of merit;