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good thing if cautiously used, it is dangerous to have much to do with it, and I believe we are all as well or, better without it; and the money that you have given for the boots, bonnet and brandy, would have sent two of your children to our school one year, and furnished them with the necessary books. Why, said he, so it would; but most of his neighbors get such things for their childrenand he always hated to see his children appear worse than those of their own station that they kept company with ; and as for the brandy, though he did not drink much himself, he liked to have something better than cold water to welcome his neighbors when they came to see him.

I confess, Mr. Old Bachelor, I felt a little vexed at my heighbor's way of thinking; but as I knew he was not a man to be argued out of his opinion, by one that he thought no wiser than himself, I said no more, but took leave of him civilly. As I rode along, thinking of my neighbor's conduct, and of the consequences that such notions as his seemed likely to lead to, my feelings got so warm that I could not help muttering to myself" Yes! said I; this is the way in our country. Boots, bonnets and brandy must be had at any price; but learning must shift for itself; and we shall go on, buying boots, bonnets and brandy, and houses and land, and neglecting to instruct our children, 'till there will not be sense enough among the great bulk of the people to prevent a few cunning ambitious men from taking our houses and land and every thing else away from us; and then how shall we get boots, bonnets and brandy

Now, Mr. Old Bachelor, don't you see that it is as much or more from the want of inclination, than from the want of means, that the bulk of our people have so little learning? And what can be the reason that they have not more inclination? Tell me that, Dr. Cecil; and do, dear Doctor, think and study, if something cannot be done to rouse up our people, and make them more desirous to encourage learning in our country. O! if I could write like you can, I would publish in The Old Bachelor; I would do any thing to afford help in such a good cause; for tho' I never had any chance to get much learning myself, because my Uncle John, who was my guardian, was too much like my neighbor that I have mentioned above, yet I think I can see its usefulness; and I have often heard those that have learning say it is amongst the greatest pleasures a man can enjoy in this life.

I promised in my last that this letter should be short, but I have kept my promise badly; for when I begin to write, one thing after another comes into my head, and I

do not know how to cut it short, without leaving it out entirely, and then there would be no letter at all; which I dare say, would be so much the better for you. However, when you see who it is from, you can lay it by for a lei

sure time.

Your true friend and humble servant,

J. T.

Number XXVI.

Negleetis urenda felix innascitur agris.

A neglected field

Does for the fire its thoins and thistles yield.

WHEN these Numbers were commenced, I stated to my readers that no regular plan would be pursued; but that I should write as inclination prompted,convenience permitted or occasion offered. I was aware that what we impose upon ourselves as a task is often, on that account alone, reluctantly performed; and I thought it better to be confined by no rules, than by such as might convert a pleasing into a fatiguing duty. The perception of this truth, as well as some peculiarities in my situation, induced the declaration I have mentioned-and if there are any, who, taking an interest in the continuance of "The Old Bachelor," have been dissatisfied with the late interruption in his labors, I must remind them of that declaration as a suf ficient apology.

But although this publication has been and may hereaf ter continue to be irregular, no idea of relinquishing it altogether, has ever yet entered into the contemplation of its author. Until some of its objects are attained, or their attainment, shewn to be hopeless, it will probably be continued. Every day's observation and experience confirm my convictions, that some moral stimulus to the public nind is wanted, which I may at least aid in applying.Even in a political point of view the necessity for such a stimulus is daily increasing-for in a country and under a government like this, the political condition of the people must ever depend upon their moral and intellectual. Cirumstances peculiarly fortunate have hitherto cherished nd supported among us, such principles of rational liber

ty as have conducted this nation to unexampled prosperity. But those circumstances are now ceasing to have much influence, and in our very prosperity is to be found the principle of our decay. In the progress of civilization itself, there are some causes operating to weaken the love of liberty and to render men indifferent to political changes. How much greater force, then, must those causes acquire, when civilization is accompanied by a wealth, increasing so rapidly as to outstrip every other active principle that can influence the human mind? And what have we to counteract them? How are we to oppose the vice and corruption that sudden riches bring along with them? How are we to stimulate men to exertion, on whom the love of ease and property has laid fast hold? What equivalents shall we offer them, if an opposition to tyranny should ever become necessary, for hazarding their possessions, their luxuries, their numerous indulgencies, and multiplied enjoyments, in the pursuit of what they would probably denominate a "haggard phantom?" We may

call upon the honored names of Patriotism and of Freedom as much as we please. They are deaf and cannot hear. We may attempt to rouse them by appealing to the example of their illustrious forefathers-But their forefathers were a poor and hardy race; had, unlike themselves, little to lose and much to gain-and their example will of course be disregarded. We have in truth from this class little to hope, and as the class itself is becoming every day more numerous and powerful, a greater necessity exists for working on the materials that remain. In the great body of the people, if they are properly instructed, we shall, I confidently hope, find a countervailing power: But until then, so far from affording a ground for consolation, they furnish reason for despair. Usurpation can have no better instruments, than the wealthy who are indisposed to any change, and the ignorant who are conscious and of course indifferent to all. Hence arises the duty, paramount almost to every other, of stirring and exciting the public mind, through the means of the press, of disseminating correct principles and just opinions-and thereby of finally raising up so many enlightened friends to liberty, that the pressure of any interested class in the community can never thereafter disturb it. Frem such a duty, no citizen of this country should lightly depart.

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With these sentiments I appear again before the public, and I come assisted by communications from many respectable quarters. Indeed they are so numerous, that they will furnish matter for many successive numbers of this publication, without trouble or labor on my part.-

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