ADDRESS IV. ON HONOUR AS A REWARD. HE Love of has been THE that even the meaneft of mankind, and the most obscure, 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 most predominant, I pretend not to say: an eminent author places its favorite seat of empire in the female breast. Be that as may, it were vain to deny that its dominion is often felt very fenfibly by men, and especially by Young Men. it Amongst the many pleasures which you, my friends, promise yourselves in the journey of life, are you not delighted with the idea of being esteemed, 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 blaft the whole transporting landscape before you? God forbid that I fhould attempt to extinguish your sensibility, on this subject! It were unwife, unnatural, impracticable. But give me leave to fay, 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 faid to act as a Principle; and you have feen 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 herself, or of however beautiful a form in the eye of a few select spirits, distinguished 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 represent her as nobly portioned. . Ac Though, of the advantages fhe brings, Honour is mentioned laft, it was not least in the opinion of that great man. cording to the ftricteft rules of just writing, it ought, upon the fuppofition of its being highest in value, to hold that place in the sentence, 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 |