ADDRESS IV.

ON

HONOUR AS A REWARD.

HE Love of Fame has been ftyled the Univerfal Paffion. It is certain that even the meaneft of mankind, and the moft obfcure, are ambitious of having their admirers; as the greatest characters, and the most illuftrious, have been fuppofed to derive much of their luftre and greatness from the fame fource. It appears that the very philofophers, who have written against it, hoped to be admired for writing well: elfe why did they prefix their names to their works? And as there is no rank of men, fo there is no time of life, in which this paffion is not observed to operate. In which of the fexes it is

moft predominant, I pretend not to fay: an eminent author places its favorite feat of empire in the female breaft. Be that as it may, it were vain to deny that its dominion is often felt very fenfibly by men, and especially by Young Men.

Amongst the many pleasures which you, my friends, promise yourselves in the journey of life, are you not delighted with the idea of being efteemed, honoured, applauded, by your fellow travellers ? Would not the thought of incurring their contempt or reproach be fufficient to damp your fpirits, high as they now are; to chill your ardent imaginations, to blast the whole transporting landscape before you?

God forbid that I should attempt to extinguish your fenfibility, on this subject! It were unwife, unnatural, impracticable. But give me leave to say, that, like all other paffions, the Love of Fame may want to be moderated, and will want to

be directed nor can I doubt of being favoured with your attention and friendly regard, if I fhow you by what means you may, confiftently with the pureft intentions, infure, under Providence, a valuable and permanent reputation.

You have heard in what fenfe Honour may be said to act as a Principle; and you have seen fome of the good effects produced by it in that view. To them let us now add the estimation and praise which naturally accompany its perfevering influence. In other words, let us enquire on what grounds Honour may be expected and enjoyed as a Reward.

"Happy is the man that findeth Wif"dom. Length of days is in her right

hand, and in her left hand Riches and "Honour." It was the observation of Solomon, who poffeffed fuch infight into the hearts of men, as to know, that however august a perfonage Wisdom might be

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herself, or of however beautiful a form in eye of a few select spirits, diftinguished by the elevation of their fentiments and the fanctity of their manners, she would yet not be very often courted for her own fake, without regard to her dowry; and therefore was careful to reprefent her as nobly portioned.

Though, of the advantages fhe brings, Honour is mentioned laft, it was not leaft in the opinion of that great man. According to the ftrictest rules of just writing, it ought, upon the fuppofition of its being highest in value, to hold that place in the fentence, which would make the ideas rife to the end. And we are certain that he gave it the preference to Wealth: "A good name," he fays elsewhere," is " rather to be chofen than great riches,

and loving favours than filver and "gold." And again, "A good name' " is better than precious ointment;" one of the articles which are purchased by af

fluence. A character well tried and well approved, a reputation extracted, if we may ufe the term, from the fairest conduct, and the most agreeable qualities, carries with it a fragrance at once regaling, permanent, and widely diffufed, beyond all that is most sweetly odoriferous in the productions of nature, or the preparations of art.

The fagacity of Solomon indeed was not neceffary to discover, that, as Honour is frequently enjoyed without Riches, fo it has always greater fplendor in the view of difcerning fpectators; and that, when it is the refult of virtues, or of talents, tranfcendently brilliant, or extenfively useful, it fails not to strike all mankind. I confefs, that in a state of fociety deeply corrupted by the luxury which opulence fupplies, this last often attracts the gaze of admiration, and raises the figh of envy: but even in such a state it is not feldom an object of contempt, when compared with the intrinfic dignity of an exalted fame