this defalcation will be carried to its utmost extent. If he rifes at a later period, he has more than common good fortune, if his arguments have not already been in fome degree anticipated and refuted. Add to thefe confiderations the envy and the confequent averfion likely to be excited by his fuccefs in the breafts of other members of the House, jealous of being outftripped or equalled by a youthful, and, as it should seem, a felf-important and ambitious competitor. The elated orator in the mean time conftrues in their literal acceptation the hyperbolical compliments bestowed by the partiality of his friends, and the encouragement which he receives from the candour and liberality of the House, willing to cherish the firft efforts of promifing abilities. Hence he contracts an overweening opinion of himself; and a disdain, not easily fubdued, of taking an unoftentatious part in thofe common difcuffions, which, while they prefent many opportunities of doing good, and the best opportunities of acquiring a real knowledge of business, afford little room for a brilliant display of talents and elocution. He fears that he shall degrade himself from what

he

he deems the height of acknowledged reputation and pre-eminence, if he defcends to the level of vulgar concerns, and takes a part in matters capable of being conducted by men of ordinary faculties and attainments. Or, confcious perhaps that by his outfet he has raised expectations which he is unable, or too indolent, to answer; he scorns to occupy a rank in the scale of public admiration one step lower than that to which he originally laid claim, deserts the unalluring sphere of usefulness, and proudly finks into permanent filence and inactivity. Whatever powers of language may be originally poffeffed, it is with the art of public speaking as with all other human acquifitions: genuine excellence eludes our grafp, until it rewards the attention of experience and the perfevering diligence of practice. Let not the impatience of youth ftrive in early spring to rival with forced and unripened imitations the glowing fruits of autumn. Inftead of arrogantly ranging himself as an equal by the fide of the leaders of the House, and challenging with rash defiance a conteft with the veterans of oratory, let the new debater confine himself to familiar topics of difcuffion; rifing when he .L 2

is

is impelled by the nature and course of the business, and is fufficiently mafter of the fubject, and delivering his fentiments with unaffuming fimplicity and conciseness. It is thus that, acting with modesty suited to his recent parliamentary exiftence; not embarrassed by consciousness that a long and studied oration is expected from him; attracting no rigorous observation, roufing no prejudices, expofing himself to no obloquy and fufpicion; gaining unreserved credit when he excels, and lofing little though he should chance to fail; he will lay the groundwork of future eminence in a continually increasing reputation for judge ment and knowledge: and gradually advancing, as he feels his ftrength augmented by exercife, and his talents called forward by general favour, into the foremost ranks of debate, he will obtain that honeft diftinction, and that power of benefiting his country, which the flashes of eager oftentation could not have permanently fecured, and might have prevented for ever.

While the Legislator is earnestly engaged in augmenting the treasures of his mind, let him remember

5

remember that their proper application depends folely on the difpofition of the heart. It is there that he is to fix that refolute and ftubborn sense of duty, which may fortify him against the attacks of vanity, felfishness and ambition, the partial folicitations of friendfhip, and the overwhelming influence of falfe fhame; and may even fupply to a certain degree the place of a fuperior understanding, by relieving his judgement from the bias of those culpable motives and prepoffeffions, which frequently prove the fources of erroneous conclusions. In order to preserve this principle at once pure in itself and efficacious in governing his conduct, let him refolve from the first moment of his outfet in public life to fhun the fnares of party. Let him be ftudiously select in the choice of his political acquaintance, and beware of contracting intimacies with perfons who profess themselves, or who are known to be, determined partifans. Let him fteadily guard against being deluded by the flattering civilities and studied notice of the leaders of a party; or by any of thofe lures which the retainers of a party com

monly throw out with equal diligence and

cunning to young men entering into public life. (b). Let him learn to detect the hackneyed fophifm, by which he will hear the facrifice of every upright motive palliated and recommended; that a concurrence of many is neceffary to the fuccefs of every plan; and that no man can expect the aid of others without being ready to make reciprocal conceffions and compliances. Let him tell those who urge it, that to co-operate is not to be a partisan ; that co-operation afks no conceffions but fuch as are confiftent with morality and religion;

(b) In fome of the ways alluded to, the great political clubs, of which any exifting party has commonly one or more attached to itself, do very great mischief both to individuals and to the public. There are other moft ferious evils with which thefe and fimilar clubs eftablished in the metropolis are chargeable; evils which may extend to all who belong to the club, whether political men or not. I refer, not only to the opportunities and encouragement furnished to gaming and other grofs vices; but to the prevalence of a system of expensive luxury and sensuality, which is found to produce habitual eflrangement from domeftic intercourfe and comforts; habitual diffatisfaction with all fociety, in which gratifications correfponding to those of the club-room are not attainable ; and a gradual ceffation of familiarity with former friends who are too wise to afford them.

that