Puslapio vaizdai
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moreexquifite configuration of perish"able atoms, incapable of diftinct exift

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ence, the glorious epocha of truth and " reason is too near to allow us to believe "the poffibility of spectral appearances, "or even of spiritual agency, in the "manner your imagination prompts you "to with."

Though lady Monteith was no deep theologian, fhe had heard of the millenium, and the fufpenfion of consciousness in the disembodied foul; and fhe concluded that Fitzofborné was a convert to thofe doctrines. She was by no means aware of the deeper tendency of his views; yet, as she thought there was fomething peculiar in his opinions, she wished to fathom him upon thefe fubjects. She knew enough of the world to be convinced, that divinity was not the favourite study of young men of fabut he knew too, that deep learning

fhion;

learning was equally excluded from polite circles. Fitzofborne had been announced to her as the "mirror of information;" and she saw nothing ridiculous in the idea, that a man of reading should devote a part of his attention to the study of the nobleft truths. Indifference on ferious fubjects was, as far as her ob fervations extended, combined with ig norance and a general relaxation of mind. Fitzofborne's manner evinced energy and attention. She had often felt indignant at hearing the witling attempt to ridicule what he did not understand, or the libertine feek to invalidate what he feared to believe. But Fitzofborne poffeffed too much real talent to envy the wreath that fades upon the coxcomb's, brow, and his conduct feemed too correct to fupply him with a motive for taking fhelter in infidelity. His fentiments on every fubject were moral and liberal.

His felf-command was exemplary; his information general; his reafoning, though flowery, ingenious, and, in lady Monteith's opinion, judicious. I have already observed, that her parts were rather brilliant than profound. It will not therefore be furprifing, that the fhould be eafily entangled in the fnare of a fyllogifm, or that the unfufpecting fincerity of her heart fhould render her a dupe to any one who took the trouble to play the fpecious confummate hypocrite.

In forming her opinion of the dangerous character which was now exposed to her obfervation, fhe had fallen into the fame error of precipitate judgment which he had been guilty of in the cafe of Lord Monteith. She now fupplied talents with as much liberality as the formerly created virtues. Experience had convinced her, that love is

apt

the fituation of a profeffed writer, the maintained that large allowances ought to be made for the fenfibility of unpatronized merit, confcious of defert and struggling under calamity. She added, that the fituation of the moralift in his early years precluded him from entering into thofe more refined claffes of fociety, whofe amiable polish might have foftened the afperities of his natural character. But fince the world already poffeffed many elegant inftructors, who knew how to aim the lighter shafts of fatire, and to blend improvement with amusement, perhaps the lover of literature would not regret the circumstances that gave him one lefs urbane moralift, whofe auftere fenfe exhibited the noblest model of energetic compofition and exalted principle.

"Your juftification, madam," faid Fitzofborne," is conclufive. The page

"of

" you

" of Johnson will ever be reforted to by "the lover of variety, and will claim "the appropriate commendations which have given it, from minds capa"ble of appreciating his real worth. "He is too profound to be the idol of "the million and as his beauties can only be relished by an understanding "as vigorous as his own, fo his precepts "feem calculated for difpofitions that " resemble him in firmness. On fuch "ftrong minds his tendency to fuper"ftition can produce no bad effects."

"My acquaintance is too limited," rejoined the countefs, " for me to know "a perfon to whom I could not fafely "recommend the works of Johnfon."

"I beg your pardon," interrupted Edward." I should have many objec"tions to lady Arabella's feeing the paffage which has wrought your mind "into its present state of bigh enthusiasm.

"The

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