versation, I am still more astonished at the course which it assumed. Some of them I can readily acquit of any thing like intentional calumny, or wilful misrepresentation; even if they had been labouring under the influence of rivalry, or smarting under the infliction of injury, I cannot think they would have suffered their resentment so far to get the better of their candour, as to allow them to load the name of a rival, or even an enemy, with undeserved censure.

In what I have said on this subject, I would wish to have it understood, that I by no means attribute what passed to the influence of that mild beverage of which we had partaken; neither to that propensity to scandal in the female sex, which some of their enemies are inclined to ascribe to them: for I could not help remarking, that some gentlemen, who had declined tasting the tea, were more voluble and censorious than any lady in the company.

I am, &c.

SEXTUS.

I thank my correspondent for his letter,-and as I cordially agree with him in opinion respecting the turpitude of the practice of which he complains, shall readily join him in condemning it. As his letter is without either date or post

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mark, I know not in what part of the kingdom the scene to which it refers was laid; but hope, for the credit of my townsmen, that it has been at a considerable distance. Agreeable conversation is one of those social enjoyments which not only affords a high gratification, but also one of the most useful relaxations to the mind. It calls the attention off for a season from the fatigues of labour or of study. It tends to promote the ends of humanity; to diffuse the blessings of civilization; and by rubbing off the rust contracted in a life of seclusion, or incessant application to business, interests us more intimately in the welfare and happiness of each other. But when we feel no pleasure in conversation, unless it turn upon the failings or follies of our acquaintance, this is an evident symptom of a depraved mind. If traced to its source, I believe it will generally be found not to originate, as my correspondent appears to have conjectured, in wilful calumny or misrepresentation, but in a levity of speech, a talkative propensity, which seeks to gratify itself in heedless discourse, unconnected with any serious thought either of its good or evil tendency.

As to that part of my correspondent's letter which regards the censure passed, in their absence, upon those members of the party who had previously concurred in animadverting so freely

upon others, I can only wish that they had been placed in the same circumstances with Sir R. Fletcher and Foote, as related by Cumberland, in the memoirs of his own life. Garrick, Sir Robert, and Mr. Cumberland, had dined with Foote. After passing about two hours in perfect hilarity, Sir Robert rose to depart. There was a screen in the room that hid the door, and behind which Sir Robert, for some purpose or other, stopped; when Foote, supposing him to be gone, began to play off his ridicule, at the expense of his late guest. It was (the narrator observes) a way that he had, and just then a very unlucky way,-for Sir Robert, bolting out from behind the screen, cried out" I am not gone, Foote, spare me till I'm out of hearing;—and now, with your leave, I will stay while these gentlemen depart, and then you shall amuse me at their cost, as you have amused them at mine." Were persons who are present at such scenes as that related by my correspondent, to recollect, that themselves would perhaps furnish the next topics of this kind, I am of his opinion, that this consideration would tend most effectually to check that acrimonious freedom of speech, against which his observations are directed.

It must be allowed, that to throw a veil over the vices or follies of mankind, when circum

stances render the disclosure thereof necessary, is equally culpable with the concealment of acts of virtue; but many reasons may be assigned to show, that in exposing such vices or follies we should be well convinced that we are actuated by no improper motives, and that we do not exceed the bounds of justice and propriety. On this head, as well as on the general topics which this paper embraces, I would beg leave to recommend to the attention of my readers, the following extract from a late celebrated writer. Its excellence will, I hope, be a sufficient apology for its length.

"Discourse of the affairs of others, and giving of characters, are in a manner the same: and one can scarce call it an indifferent subject, because discourse upon it almost perpetually runs into somewhat criminal. And first of all, it were very much to be wished that this did not take up so great a part of conversation; because it is indeed a subject of a very dangerous nature. Let any one consider the various interests, competitions, and little misunderstandings which arise amongst men; and he will soon see that he is not unprejudiced and impartial; that he is not, as I may speak, neutral enough, to trust himself with talking of the character and concerns of his neighbour, in a free, careless, and unreserved manner. There is perpetually, and often it is not attended to, a rivalship amongst people of one kind and another, in respect to wit, beauty, learning, fortune; and that one thing will insensibly influence them to speak to the disadvantage of others, even where there is no formed

malice or ill design. Since therefore it is so hard to enter into this subject without offending, the first thing to be observed is, that people should learn to decline it; to get over that strong inclination most have to be talking of the concerns and behaviour of their neighbour.

"But since it is impossible that this subject should be wholly excluded conversation; and since it is necessary that the characters of men should be known; the next thing is, that it is a matter of importance what is said; and therefore, we should be religiously scrupulous and exact to say nothing, either good or bad, but what is true. I put it thus, because it is in reality of as great importance to the good of society, that the characters of bad men should be known, as that the characters of good men should. People who are given to scandal and detraction, may indeed make an ill use of this observation; but truths which are of service towards regulating our conduct, are not to be disowned, or even concealed, because a bad use may be made of them. This however would be effectually prevented, if these two things were attended to. First, that though it is equally of bad consequence to society, that men should have either good or ill characters which they do not deserve, yet when you say somewhat good of a man which he does not deserve, there is no wrong done him in particular; whereas, when you say evil of a man which he does not deserve, here is the direct formal injury, a real piece of injustice done him. This therefore makes a wide difference; and gives us, in point of virtue, much greater latitude in speaking well than ill of others. Secondly, a good man is friendly to his fellowcreatures, and a lover of mankind, and so will, upon every occasion, and often without any, say all the good he can of every body; but, so far as he is a good man will never be