and Ill-nature, instead of gratifying the most Splenetick, incenfes them. We must have obferved, that he is always feeking out for fresh Acquaintance, and that whilft his new Friendships last but for a Day, the Enmities he raises continue for ever.

To exhort the Slanderer to alter his Conduct, upon account of the Mifchiefs he brings upon others, may be thought a very abfurd Topick, because thofe Mischiefs are his Pleafures, and he delights in Wrong and Robbery; but all who offend in this way, are not arrived to this high Pitch of Iniquity; there are many who are free with their Neighbour's Reputation, to gratify a prefent Paffion of their own or other Mens, who would be unwilto give him any real Pain, or do him any confiderable Injury: Such Men should learn to reflect upon the Confequences of their Actions; and should observe more particularly, what fort

of

of Sentiments arife in them, when they themselves are abus'd and vilify'd, this would be a strong Check against treating others in a manner which they themselves have experienced to be fo bitter and pungent. We have no Senfation fo painful as that which is caused by Mockery, Infult and unjust Reproach. Was this duely confider'd, we fhould as foon whet our Sword as our Tongue, and wound the Body, or affault the Life of our Neighbour, as his good Name, which Solomon declares to be dearer than Life it felf. To lofe one's Friend rather than one's Jeft, is foolish jefting indeed.

As for the Slanderers of the first Class, those who are mov'd by Pride and Envy, together with that monftrous Train of Vices before enumerated, 'tis plain, that all Admonition to them must be fruitless, except what turns upon their own imme

diate and perfonal Interest. If then this Method of aggrandizing themfelves be prepofterous, and does in the most effectual manner, defeat the End they aim at, if the Slanderer foon becomes the most infamous and deteftable Person of all others, if he exposes himself to Shame, in every Step he takes for his Advancement, as has been already made appear, then he ought to enter upon the oppofite Conduct, to obtain the end he propofes.

Nothing can be more evident, than that he, who ftops another in the Race of Life, and endeavours to hold him back in his Progress, must lofe ground himself, and give those who were behind him, Time and Opportunity of getting before him; and that fuch, who instead of preffing forward to the Goal, are catching at every one, who is like to pass by them, and tripping up their Heels, must move the Indignation of

all,

all, and meet with more Hindrances himself than he can poffibly give others; for whilft he would hinder all, he can hinder but one at a time, and every one of them ftops him. Pity, by the Author of this beautiful Allegory, is defin'd to be a Helping up one, who has fallen in the Race; this may appear as an Impediment to the Short-fighted; but there is nothing which can forward us more effectually. For he, who has been helpful to many, fhall have many Hands to guard his Course, to lead him on, to raise him when down, and to ferve every Occafion which offers. Let the Slanderer only obferve, how acceptable the Pitiful and the Courteous are to all thofe who can draw a Veil over the Infir mities, and extenuate the Faults of others, how univerfal are their Friendfhips, how extensive their Credit and Reputation, with what Eafe and Freedom, and Applause they pass through

the

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the World, even without the Affiftance of any other Talents, how inoffenfive and unoffended, how lovely and how beloved; let him compare them with his own unamiable Tribe, under all their Accomplishments of Wit and Raillery, Satyr and Buffoonery, let him compare the Tenor of their Lives, the Confequences of their Behaviour, and if he has any Remains of Judgment left, he will imitate the Pitiful and the Courteous, even to serve: the Purposes of Pride and Envy. The felfish Affections, when they exclude: the focial, are in every Inftance deftructive'; 'tis the Exercife of the focial Affections only, as balanced by the Selfish, that can advance our Perfection, and make us happy in our felves, and with one another. Ambition is one of the nobleft Principles implanted in human Nature; it is a Desire of excelling others. Pride is the Abuse or Mifapplication of it;

which