was in this retirement, he shaved but one fide of his head, that he might not be tempted to ap pear in public. Lady Louifa. I am aftonished he had fuch refolution; I dare fay his friends used to laugh at him. Mentoria. The difcouragement, my dear, he met with, enhances the merit of his perfeverance; for notwithstanding, on his firft appearance he was received with univerfal disapprobation, and even filenced by the hiffes of the populace, fo far from difcontinuing his pursuit, he redoubled his affiduity, and at last became one of the most eloquent men of the age. Lady Louifa. Do you think, my dear Madam, if I were to try and take great pains, I fhould fing as well as Signora Seftini ? Mentoria. Try the experiment; always point out thofe as a model who excel; by which means you will acquire a tolerable degree of proficiency in the art you admire; though you may not be able to attain the fame degree of excellence. Lady Mary. I am surprised more perfons do not follow the good example of Demofthenes. Mentoria. Mentoria. Few perfons, my dear, are conscious of their own defects. It is neceffary to be fenfible of the weakness of our ftate, before we can endeavour to fortify it. Thofe, whofe imperfections are fo glaring, cannot be ignorant of them, they turn their eyes from the dark fide of the picture, and folace themselves, that they poffefs fome useful, or agreeable quality, which ferves as a counterpoife for thofe in which they are defective. There is another reason which may be alleged, why fo few endeavour induftriously to excel; namely, the repugnance of human nature, to purfue any plan, to which it has not a natural propensity. There are fcarcely any, who have refolution to act directly contrary to their inclination; and they urge in their defence, that the bent of the genius ought to be confi dered. To fuch perfons I would reply, the initiation into all fciences and languages is tedious, and in fome degree laborious: perseverance will enable us to gain the fummit, which. at our firft view feem'd inacceffible. When we have attained thus far, we fhall find the defcent eafy, and the path ftrewed with flowers, by the fide of refreshing streams. I recollect a few lines I wrote the other day or Industry, which I will now repeat, as they are applicable to my prefent purpose. Th' induftrious bee extracts from ev'ry flow'r It's fragrant fweets, and mild balsamic pow'r. Learn thence, with greatest care, and nicest skill, To take the good, and to reject the ill. By her example taught, enrich thy mind, Improve kind nature's gifts, by fense refin'd; Be thou the honey-comb in whom may dwell Each mental fweet, nor leave one vacant cell. Lady Louifa. I hope, my dear Mentoria, I fhall practife the excellent leffon, contained in thofe lines. What virtue do you efteem and recommend, next to Industry? Mentoria. I purpose now, my dear, to fubjoin a few obfervations on thofe, which ought to be the leading principle of your actions; I mean Truth and Sincerity, which, in many instances, are fynonymous terins. Lady Mary. My good Mentoria, pray, what are synony mous terms? Mentoria. Words, which have a different found, yet B 5 bear bear the fame fignification; fuch as pufillanimity, and cowardice, with many others too tedious to mention. Lady Mary. What refemblance is there between truth, and fincerity? Mentoria. Truth is the mother of fincerity, who poffeffes all the amiable qualities of her excellent parent, and yields implicit obedience to her laws. Lady Louifa. If I could not poffefs both these virtues, which ought I to chufe? Mentoria. They are bound by fuch ftrong ties, it is impoffible to difunite them; as wherever truth fixes her refidence, fincerity is always found, her conftant attendant. Lady Mary. I have always been taught the neceffity of fpeaking truth; and hope never to err from it. Mentoria. I would earnestly advise you, not only to avoid being guilty of advancing an abfolute falfehood, but also to guard against the flightest deviation from truth. In every fyftem of laws, are fpecified different degrees of trespaffes trefpaffes, and punishments annexed, proportionate to the offence committed. Thus, many persons, who would fhudder at the thought of being guilty of any violent assault on the lives or properties of their fellow-creatures, make no fcruple to injure them in a point, which more effentially affects their happiness. In like manner, many, who would be fhocked with the idea of openly violating the laws of truth, by telling a direct lye, make a conftant practice of extenuating some circumstances, and exaggerating others, as beft fuits their purpose. It is to this conduct, we are indebted for the mif-conftruction of most actions; the concealment of fome favourable incident often produces the fame consequences, as the most full and elaborate confeffion of guilt. From which it evidently appears, we are bound by the strongest ties, to express every thing as it really is; neither to varnish a bad action with the weak excufe that it is a general practice, and, as fuch, ought to be confidered lefs atrocious: neither fhould our zeal in any cause, ever induce us to temporize, and give evidence against our judgment. Lady Louifa. I fuppofe, my dear Mentoria, you would be extremely B 6 |