by disappointing the schemes of falsehood might be the dreadful consequences of her interposition: nor must the voice of justice be too boisterous within the precincts of the tradesman's counter. To the scales which are her emblem, he is no stranger, and these with the public, should have weight. If new taxation on his wares, for which he has not amply provided, should tempt the upright man to take alarm, and plentifully excise his customers in quiet retail, for some hoarded stock, which may have entirely escaped an additional impost on him, "it is only in the way of trade," and therefore in the way of justice,―of exactly observing the golden rule, and "doing as he would be done unto." With very few exceptions, alas! this is the conduct of mankind, and the charge is too general to admit of particular allusion: like vultures, men thus prey on each other, and under the pretence of justice, excercise every unworthy artifice of monopoly, forestalling, and oppression! "Justice," "Justice," says a respectable writer,*" is even still more, if possible, the support of society than truth; inasmuch as a man may be more injurious by his actions than by his words. It is for this reason that the whole force of human law is bent to restrain injustice, and the happiness of every society will increase in proportion to this restraint. "We very much err, however, if we suppose that every thing within the bounds of law is justice. The law was intended only for bad men; and it is impossible to make the meshes of it so strait but that many great enormities will escape. The well-meaning man, therefore, knowing that the law was not made for him, consults a better guide, his own conscience, informed by religion. And, indeed, the great difference between the good and the bad man consists in this: the good man will do nothing but what his conscience will allow; the bad man will do any thing which * Gilpin L which the law cannot reach. It would, indeed, he endless to describe the various ways in which a man may be dishonest within the limits of law. They are as various as our intercourse with mankind." Commit not, therefore, on the sacred name of justice, the foul sacrilege of perverting its. upright designs, by unprincipled arts. Justice not only enjoins the strictest integrity of dealing, but likewise comprehends the exercise of every virtue, which reason prescribes or society expects; and the first reward which that godlike principle diffuses, is the consciousness, that in all respects, we are faithful to it. Remember March-the ides of March remember! Julius Caesar, A. 4. Sc. 3, ESSAY `XI. GENEROSITY. arj THE excellent adage, which commands us "to be just before we are generous," is essential in its duty, to the character of every honest person, + Notwithstanding all that has been advanced on the subject of justice in the preceding Essay; it cannot be denied, that on some occasions, her decrees are rigorous, and that she is unacquainted with the delightful attribute of mercy. ' Pay me that thou owest," is equally her language to the necessitous as it is to the affluent: if she exacts a performance of the terms of the Bond,* and demands to "have a pound of flesh nearest to the merchant's heart," stern justice cannot relax, but to the unfeeling Shylock must award it: hence may be explained the motto which asserts, that the extremity of justice is the greatest oppression.† To no purpose are the tender remonstrances of the generous Portia to alter the cruel determination, the implacable Jew still urges his right, sweet compassion pleads in vain, till at length, by a strong appeal to the avenging law, even justice is disarmed and mercy triumphs! "In nothing," says the father of Roman eloquence, """do we so much resemble the Gods, Merchant of Venice. +"Summum jus summa injuria," |