Imatges de pàgina
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"shall please to restore me to my rank and happiness, I will divide all with you in atonement "for my justly punished arrogance."

He promised, and performed his promise. For the king soon after sent the captain who had landed them, with presents to the savages, and ordered him to bring them back again. And it continues to this day a custom in that island, to degrade all gentlemen who cannot give a better reason for their pride, than that they were born to do nothing, and the word for this due punishment is

SEND HIM TO THE BASKET MAKER.

ESSAY 89.

DELICACY IN RELIEVING THE

DISTRESSED.

(Melmoth.)

LET others envy those who enjoy ample possessions; it is the application of them alone which renders them valuable in my estimation. Splendid roofs and elegant accommodations I can view without the least emotion of envy; but when I observe the rich in the full power of exerting the noble purposes of exalted generosity; it is then I confess I am apt to reflect with some regret, at the humble supplies of my own limited finances. "Nihil habet" (observes the first of orators to the greatest of emperors) "for“tuna tua majus, quam ut possit, nec natura 66 quam ut velis, servare quam plurimos.'

*"Your good fortune has nothing greater than that you "are able, and your disposition nothing better, than that 66 you are willing, to serve many."

To be able to soften the calamities of mankind, and inspire gladness into a heart oppressed with want, is indeed the noblest privilege of fortune; but to exercise that privilege in all its generous refinements, is an instance of the most uncommon elegance both of temper and understanding.

In the ordinary dispensations of bounty little address is required; but when it is to be applied to those of a superior rank and more elevated minds, there is as much charity discovered in the manner as in the measure of our benevolence. It is extremely mortifying to a well formed spirit to see itself considered as an object of compassion; as it is the part of improved humanity to humour this honest pride in our nature, and to relieve the necessities without offending the delicacy of the distressed.

I have seen charity (if charity it might be called), insult with an air of pity, and wound at the same time that it healed. But I have seen too

the highest munificence dispensed with the most refined tenderness, and a bounty conferred with as much address, as the most artful could employ in soliciting one.

VOL. II.

ESSAY 90.

BENEVOLENCE.

(Hume.)

IT may be esteemed, perhaps, a superfluous task to prove that the benevolent or softer affections are estimable, and whenever they appear engage the approbation and good will of mankind. The epithets sociable, good natured, humane, merciful, grateful, friendly, generous, beneficent, or their equivalents, are known in all languages, and universally express the highest merit, which human nature is capable of attaining. Where these amiable qualities are attended with birth, and power, and eminent abilities, and display themselves in the good government or useful instruction of mankind, they seem even to raise the possessors of them above the rank of human nature; and make them approach in some measure to the divine. Exalted capacity,

undaunted courage, prosperous success; these may only expose a hero, a politician, to the envy and ill will of the public. But as soon as the praises are added of humane and beneficent; when instances are displayed of lenity, tenderness, or friendship, envy itself is silent, or joins in the general voice of approbation and applause.

When Pericles, the great Athenian statesman and general, was on his death bed, his surrounding friends deeming him now insensible, began to indulge their sorrow for their expiring patron, by enumerating his great qualities and successes; his conquests and victories, the unusual length of his administration, and his nine trophies erected over the enemies of the republic. "You forget," cries the dying hero, who had heard all, "you forget the most eminent of my praises, while you dwell so much on those vulgar advantages, in which fortune had a principal share. You have not observed, that no citizen has ever yet wore mourning on my account."

In men of mere ordinary talents and capacity, the social virtues become, if possible, more essentially requisite; there being nothing eminent, in that case, to compensate for the want of them, or preserve the person from our severest hatred, as well as contempt. A high ambition, an elevated courage, is apt, says Cicero, in less

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