42$ MISCELLANEOUS THOUGHTS. flattery, where the life corresponds with such sacred poesy as this and makes the most tuneful harmony in the ears of the blessed God, and of all the inhabitants of heaven. LXIV. --The Courteous and the Peevish. THERE are two evident reasons why a creature who is proud and angry in youth, generally grows old in these vices, and never corrects them. Some who were born near neighbours to Vespus, and have known his conduct from the cradle, have named him to me as a very remarkable example, in whom these two reasons prevail, to keep him an everlasting slave to these Passions ; for in the first place he had always such an unchange- able good opinion of himself and his own conduct, that he could never spy out his own blemishes, nor could he find any ,occasion to charge himself with these iniquities, and therefore he indulged them without self - reproof ; and then also he is of so very waspish a temper, that he will not bear any friend to give him the gentlest notice of his own follies. He kindles at once, upon the softest syllables of remonstrances, into a sudden fit of indignation ; his spirits rise into a blaze all in a moment, and with fire and thun- der he silences the most friendly admonisher. The peevish and the furious boy by this means is become a man of peevishness and fury. He wears his native crimes to old age : Growing years and decaying nature increase these unhappy passions, these in- ward uneasy ferments ; and while vegetables lose their sour juices, and are mellowed by time, this animal grows sourer still by age ; he appears daily more fretful and more imperious. Though he will bear no admonition himself, yet he dealt out his rebukes to others with a sovereign air; and while many fear him, there are few or none that love him. He has passed through several indispositions in the course of life, and been often confined to his chamber by sickness ; but at such seasons the whole family is in terror, for the peevish humour grows intolerable. No person or thing can please him ; whether things, or persons, or circumstances, all offend. Not a motion, not a step, not a word is right. He is ever teizing his attendants with sharp and insolent language, though they do all that nature and art can do to comport with his will. He has lived uneasy in the midst of health and ease, and no wonder that he is all chagrin and impatience when pain attacks him ; and he seems to fret then with some colour or pretence. In short, he inwardly murmurs at providence which has smitten him ; and while he resents the con- duct of heaven, he makes all who are near him on earth feel his resentment. He is now in the last stage of life, and the same man still. " The leopard cannot put off his spots, nor the Ethio- pian change his skin :" And he that has indulged his vices throughout his "whole life against all admonitions, has little reason to expect that he shall be delivered from these iniquities at death.
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