genius on me. This, and understanding, are only the privilege of extraordinary persons, who receive from Heaven the happy conjunction of qualities, that they may execute great and noble designs, and acquire the highest pitch of excellence in the profession they turn to, if they will take the pains to perfect the united qualities by art, and carefully avoid running into caprice and paradox; the rocks on which many a genius has split. But then I had a tolerable share of natural understanding, and from my infancy was teachable, and always attentive to the directions of good sense. This I knew might rise with some labour, to a half merit, though it could never gain immortality upon any account: and this was enough for me. I wanted only to acquire such degrees of perfections as lay within the small sphere nature had chalked out for me.

To this purpose I devoted my college life to books, and for five years that I resided in the university, conversed so much with the dead that I had very little intercourse with the living. So totally had letters engaged my mind, that I was but little affected towards most other things. Walking and music were my favourite recreations, and almost the only ones I delighted in. I had hardly a thought at that time of the foolish choices and pursuits of men, those fatal choices and pursuits which are

owing to false judgments, and to a habit of acting precipitantly, without examining the fancies and appetites; and therefore very rarely went into the pleasures and diversions which men of fortune in a university too commonly indulge in. My relaxation after study was my german-flute and the conversation of some ingenious, sober friend, generally my private tutor, Mr. JOHN BRUCE, who was a bright and excellent man, and of whom you will find a large account in the first volume of my Memoirs of several Ladies of Great Britain, 1755, 8vo. p. 7. If the weather permitted, I walked out into the country several miles. At this exercise I had often one or other with me; but for the most part was obliged to go alone. My dog and my gun however were diversion enough on the way, and they frequently led me into scenes of entertainment, which lasted longer than the day. Some of them you will find in this Journal. The history of the beautiful HARRIET NOEL you shall have by and by.

At present, my scheme requires me to set down the method I pursued in my readings, and let my reader know the issue of my studies. My time I devoted to philosophy, cosmography, mathematics, and the languages, for four years, and the fifth, I gave to history.

The first book. I took into my hand, after receiv

ing my note of admission, was the Essay of that fine genius, Mr. LOCKE, and I was so pleased with this clear and accurate writer, that I looked into nothing else, till, by reading it three times over, I had made a thorough acquaintance with my own understanding. He taught me to examine my abilities, and enabled me to see what objects my mind was fitted to deal with. He led me into the sanctuary of vanity and ignorance, and shewed me how greatly true knowledge depended on a right meaning of words, and a just significancy of expression. In sum, from the Essay my understanding received very great benefits, and to it I owe what improvement I have made in the reason given me. If I could, I would persuade all young gentlemen to read it over and over with great attention, and I am sure they would find themselves very richly rewarded for their pains in reading it. They would acquire that justness and truth of understanding, which is the great perfection of rational beings.

When I had done, for a time, with this admirable Essay, I then began to study the first principles of things, the structure of the universe, the contexture of human bodies, the properties of beasts, the virtues of plants, and the qualities of metals, and was quite charmed with the contemplation of the beautiful order, and wise final causes of nature in

all her laws and productions. The study had a delightful influence on the temper of my mind, and inspired into it a love of order in my heart, and in my outward manners. It likewise led me to the great first cause, and in repeated views of harmony, wisdom, and goodness, in all the works of nature, riveted upon my mind a fixed conviction, that all is under the administration of a general mind, as far remote from all malice as from all weakness, whether in respect of understanding, or of power. This gave me a due affection towards the infinitely perfect Parent of Nature; and as I contemplated his glorious works, I was obliged in transports to confess, that he deserved our love and admiration. This did also satisfy me, that whatever the order of the world produces, is in the main both just and good, and of consequence that we ought in the best manner to support whatever hardships are to be endured for virtue's sake: that acquiescence and complacency with respect to ill accidents, ill men and injuries, ought to be our part under a perfect administration; and with benignity and constancy we must ever act, if there be a settled persuasion that all things are framed and governed by an universal mind. Such was the effect the study of natural philosophy had upon my soul. It set beyond all doubt before me the moral perfection of the

Creator and Governor of the universe. And if this Almighty God, I said, is perfect wisdom and virtue, does it not follow that he must approve and love those who are at due pains to improve in wisdom; and what he loves and delights in, must he not make happy? This is an evident truth. It renders the cause of virtue quite triumphant.

But upon ethics or moral philosophy I dwelt the longest. This is the proper food of the soul, and what perfects it in all the virtues and qualifications of a gentleman. This science I collected in the first place from the antient sages and philosophers, and studied all the moral writers of Greece and Rome. With great pleasure I saw that these immortal authors had delineated, as far as human reason can go, that course of life which is most according to the intention of nature, and most happy; had shewn that this universe, and human nature in particular, was formed by the wisdom and counsel of a Deity, and that from the constitution of our nature various duties arose: that since God is the original independent being, complete in all possible perfection, of boundless power, wisdom, and goodness; the Creator, Contriver, and Governor of this world, to whom mankind are indebted for innumerable benefits most gratuitously bestowed; we ought to manifest the most ardent love and venera