SO TOE 110,ROVEMENT eE THE 1<IIND. ships and enmities stand aloof and keep out of-the way, in the 4111 observations that you make relating to persons and things. If this rule were well obeyed, we should be much better guarded against those common pieces of misconduct in the ob= nervations of men, viz. the false judgments of pride and envy. How ready is envy to mingle with the notices which we take of other persons? How often is mankind prone to put an ill sense Upon the actions of their neighbours, to take a survey of them in an evil position, and in an unhappy light ? And by this meant, we form a worse opinion of our neighbours than they deserve ; while at the same time, pride and self-flattery tempt-us to make unjust observations on ourselves in our own favour. In all the favourable judgments we pass concerning ourselves, we should allow a little abatement on this account. V. In snaking your observations on persons, talee care of indulging that busy curiosity which is everenquiring into private and domestic affairs, with an endless itch of learning the secret history offamilies. It is but seldom that such a prying curiosity attains any valuable ends ; it often begets suspicions, jealousies and disturbances in households, and it is a frequent temptation to persons to defame their neighbours. Some persons cannot help telling what they know ; a busy body is most liable to be- come a tatler upon every occasion. - VI. Let your observations even of persons and their con- duct, 'he chufly designed in order to leadyou to a better acquaint- ance with things, particularly with human ? rature; and to in- form you what to imitate and what to avoid, rather than to fur - nish out matter for the evil passions of the mind, or the imper- tinences of discourse, and reproaches of the tongue. VII. Though it may be proper sometimes.to make your ob- servations concerning' persons as well as things, the subject of your discourse in learned or useful conversation ; yet what re- marks you make ois particular persons, especially to their disad- vantage, should for the most part liehid in your own breast, till some just and apparent occasion, some necessary calfof provi- dence lead you of speak of them. If the character or conduct which you observe, be greatly culpable, it should so much the less be published. You may treasure up such remarks of the follies, indecencies, or vices of your neighbours, as may be a constant guard against your practice of the same, without expo- sing the reputation of your neighbour on that account. It is a good old rule, that " our conversation should rather be laid ont on things than on persons ;" and this rule should gene- rally be observed, unless names be concealed, wheresoever the faults or follies' of mankind are our present theme. Our late Archbishop Tillotson has written a small but excellent discourse on evil speaking, wherein be admirably explains, limits and
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