for himself, and purfue this fcheme his own way-his first thoughts are generally full of the mighty happinefs which he is going to enter upon, from the free enjoyment of the pleasures in which he fees others of his age and fortune engaged.

In confequence of this-take notice, how his imagination is caught by every glittering appearance that flatters this expectation. Obferve what impreffions are made upon his fenfes, by diverfions, mufic, drefs, and beauty-and how his fpirits are upon the wing, flying in purfuit of them; that you would think he could never have enough..

Leave him to himself a few years, till the edge of appetite is worn down-and you will scarce know him again. You VOL. I.

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will find him entered into engagements, and fetting up for a man of bufinefs and conduct, talking of no other happiness but what centers in projects of making the most of this world, and providing for his children and children's children after them. Examine his notions, he will tell you, that the gayer pleasures of youth, are only fit for those who know not how to dispose of themselves and time to better advantage. That however fair and promifing they might appear to a man unpractifed in them— they were no better than a life of folly and impertinence, and fo far from anfwering your expectations of happiness, 'twas well if you escaped without pain.That in every experiment he had tried, he had found more bitter than sweet, and for the little pleasure one could fnatchit too often left a terrible fting behind it: Befides,

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Befides, did the balance lie on the other fide, he would tell you there could be no true fatisfaction where a life runs on in fo giddy a circle, out of which a wise manfhould extricate himself as foon as he can, that he may begin to look forwards. -That it becomes a man of character and confequence to lay afide childish things, to take care of his interefts, to establish the fortune of his family, and place it out of want and dependence: and in a word, if there is fuch a thing as happiness upon earth, it must confift in the accomplishment of this ;-and for his own part, if God should profper his endeavours fo as to be worth such a fum, or to be able to bring fuch a point to bear he shall be one of the happiest of the fons of men.-In full affurance of this, on he drudges-plots -contrives-rifes early-late takes rest, C 2

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and eats the bread of carefulness, till at length, by hard labour and perseverance, he has reached, if not outgone the object he had first in view.-When he has got thus far-if he is a plain and fincere man, he will make no fcruple to acknowledge truly what alteration he has found in himself. If you ask him-he will tell you that his imagination painted fomething before his eyes, the reality of which he has not yet attained to: that with all the accumulations of his wealth, he neither lives the merrier, fleeps the founder, or has lefs care and anxiety upon his fpirits than at his first setting out.

Perhaps, you'll fay, fome dignity, honour, or title only is wanting-Oh! could I accomplish that, as there would be nothing left then for me to wish, good GoD! how happy fhould I be !

'Tis still the fame-the dignity or title -though they crown his head with honour-add not one cubit to his happinefs. Upon fumming up the account, all is found to be feated merely in the imagination. The fafter he has purfued, the fafter the phantom fled before him, and to use the Satyrift's comparifon of the chariot wheels,-hafte as they will, they must for ever keep the fame distance.

But what? though I have been thus far difappointed in my expectations of happiness from the poffeffion of riches-"Let me try whether I fhall not meet "with it, in the spending and fashion"able enjoyment of them."

Behold! I will get me down, and make me great works, and build me