inculcate; but if we enquire closely into the reason for which they are esteemed, we shall find them valued principally as evidences of wealth. Nothing, therefore, can shew greater depravity of understanding, than to delight in the show when the reality is wanting; or voluntarily to become poor, that strangers may for a time imagine us to be rich. To prize every thing according to its real use, ought to be the aim of a rational being. There are few things which can much conduce to happiness, and, therefore, few things to be ardently desired. He that looks upon the business and bustle of the world, with the philosophy with which Socrates surveyed the fair at Athens, will turn away at last with his exclamation, "How many things are here which I do not want!"

It was said by him who exceeded all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom, He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with inIt almost always happens, that the man who grows rich changes his notions of

crease.

poverty, states his wants by some new measures, and from flying the enemy that pursued him, bends his endeavours to overtake those whom he sees before him. The power of gratifying his appetites increases their demands; a thousand wishes crowd in upon him, importunate to be satisfied; and vanity and ambition open prospects of desire, which still grow wider, as they are more contemplated.

Thus in time want is enlarged without bounds; eagerness for increase of possessions deluges the soul; and we sink into the gulfs of insatiability, only because we do not suffi ciently consider, that all real need is very soon supplied, and all real danger of its invasion easily precluded; that the claims of vanity, being without limits, must be denied at last; and that the pain of repressing them is less pungent before they have been long accustomed to compliance.'

The truth of these excellent remarks will be readily allowed on all hands: and yet, how anxious are the generality of men to add house

to house, and field to field; to amass riches which they never can enjoy-riches that perish in the using, that are of no further benefit, and intended for no other purpose than to purchase some temporary relief, some seasonable supply for those wants of human nature which are sure to attend us through every stage and situation of life.

It is true that to wealth we are indebted for many of the comforts, and for almost all the superfluities of life; and hence it is that we sometimes think, nay, most commonly think, that happiness is annexed to the possession of it. Men therefore toil and labour for abundance, and when abundance is obtained, they perhaps find as many wants, as many cares, and as many sorrows, as when poverty was their only burden, when industry procured the necessaries of life, or when mediocrity of circumstances placed them beyond the reach of

want.

He who has seen only the superficies of life believes every thing to be what it appears,

and rarely suspects that external splendour conceals any latent sorrow or vexation. He never imagines that there may be greatness without safety, affluence without content, jollity without friendship, and solitude without peace.'

The truth is, no terrestrial good can yield that substantial happiness which is suited to the nature and desires of the human mind; and he who thinks to find it in any thing beneath the sun, is pursuing a phantom that will elude his chase: and if it seem to loiter for his approach, it will only be to convince him of his folly; to shew him a mistake that he never saw, and of which thousands never thought, till their race terminated in that country from whence none ever yet returned to acknowledge their error or to confess their shame.

I am, &c.

LETTER V.

'Content, rejecting toys, minds things to come,
Assur❜d to have enough to bring her home:
She bids the worldling not for wealth aspire,
The greatest wealth is to contract desire:
She treasures mercies in a grateful heart,
Content and thankfulness all bliss impart.'

ROM what has been said in the preced

FROM

ing Letter, I flatter myself you will not conclude, Philetus, that I think it necessary a man of affluence should make a point of marrying a woman without money, or that a man in low circumstances should expect to marry a woman with an immense fortune. Sentiments of this nature, if reduced to practice, would be productive of nothing but discord and confusion in society. 'A wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgment.'-But I will illustrate what I mean.

Men of different ranks in life move in different spheres the rich and the noble in one