The National Register.
London, England, 1811-07-21 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL REGISTER

although they may " mean no harm" in any particular ac 6,41
whether the world may not see harm in it; and to recollect that
scandal is one of the most restless busy bodies society is cursed
with; and also to consider, while they 44 r.:ean whe-
ther those in whose society they are way not, and themselves be
betrayed by their own ingenuousness. Our Saviour has told us
to " unite the wisdom of the serpent with the simplicity of the
dove," clearly meaning, that our ingenuousness must he govern-
ed by Prudence, otherwise our virtue will be inevitably exposed
to oppression, temptation, or censure.
Prudence, in regard to our fortunes, is the practise of industry,
economy, and honourable caution ; in regard to our health, ex-
ercise and temperar ce ; in regard to our reputation, endeavour-
ing to avoid censure ; and inard to our virtue, to avoid
temptation, and to remember that the devil, who was an angel
of light, can still take that form to deceive us.
Weak minds may observe, that to live under a state of such
. perpetual restraint, must render life miserable: but it should be
eongidered, that 44 sc:lf denial" i 3 the soul of virtue, and if that

self denial which I have recommended, is early and earnestly
practisod, it eventually become the most permaslent source
of pleasure ; but it is our misfortune in our pursuit of happiness,
to consult passion inste.Al of reason ; and passion, like a spoiled
child, will gratify itself at the expence of health.
To the Fair, let me observe, Prudence is one of the greatest
promoters of beauty, and a certain recommendation for the mar-
ried state; to the :cads of the crLation let me remark, that Pru-
&Tee will enable them to keep u 7 to their chai-acter, and attach
more firmly to them that lovely sex, without whom life is a
blauk (I have Adam's authority for it, and I believe that of all
his sons, grandsons, and great grandsons); to the young of both

Vtl:t f let me recommend Prudence in listening to and observing
the prec( pis of the old, wliiic to .the old Ict me advise Pruthr-e
in temp(!ring their inszructiens with kindness and consideration :
to the single let me recommend that Prudence, that may win for
them that attachment they would seek; and to the married, Pru-
dence to accommodate themselves to each others imperfections,
and studiously to unite to defeat the purposes of those seducer;
who would embitter their cup of naptiness, and in setting their
children such an example as may rnAt.,: them a blessing to their
old age ; to the great and the wise, ha me recommend Prodenc::

in governing and instructing, that their law may be that of de-

light, and their precept that of pleasure ; to the int.:rior elders
;,:nd illiterate, let me advise Prudence in obeying with chcartul-
ness, and listening so as to profit by it: upon the middling, and
I think happiest ranks of life, let m•• iinpress Prudence in esti-
mating jutly th it enviable situation in sociezy. and in preserv-
ing their integrity from contamination, by imitating the vices
and follies of those above them, or in descery:ing to the indeli-
cacies of those below them ; and in fine, let me invite society at
large to the exercise of that Prudence, which !nay lead them,
• while practising self-denial individually, to make eharit;:ble al-
lowance for their neighbours; and by inculcating honour an-1 oc-
nevolence by separate example, produce that genera! compact of
brotherly love and integrity, that. will make the nation go art
and hand together in defeating both our temporal and eternal
foes. A LAYMAN.
•
JULY 17, 1811.