Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1886-03-26
Continued.
THE HISTORY OF RASSElAS,
PRINCE OF ABYssINlA.
CHAPTER XVI.

sembe from all the corners of the earth.
You will here find men of every charac-
ter, and every occupation. Commerce is
here honorable will act as merchant
who has no other end of travel than Curl
osity: it will soon be observed that we
are rich; our reputation will procure us
access to all whom we shall desire to
know; you will see all the conditions of
humanity, and enable yourself at lei
sure to make your choice Of life"
They now entered the town, stunned
by the noise and offended by the crowds.
Instruction had not yet so prevailed over
habit, but that they wondered to see
themselves pass undistinguished along
the street, and met by the lowest of the
people without reverence or notice. The
princess could not at first bear the
thought of being levclled with the vulgar,
and for some days continued in her
chamber. where she was served by her
favorite Pekuah as in the palace of the
valley.
Imlac, who understood traffic, sold
part of the Jewels the next day, and hir-
ed house, which he adorned with such
magnificence. that he was Immediately
considered as merchant of great wealth.
His politeness attracted many acquaint-
ance, and his generosity made him court
ed by many dependents. His table was
crowded by men of every nation. who all
admired his knowledge, and solicited his
favor. His companions, not being able
to mix in the conversation, could make
no discovery of their ignorance or sur
prise. and were gradually initiated in the
world as they gained knowledge of the
language.
The prince had, by frequent lectures,
been taught the use and nature of money {;
but the ladies could not for a long time
comprehend what the merchants did with
small pieces of gold and silver, or why
things of so little use should be received
a. equivalent to the nccessaries of life.
They studied the language two years,
while Imlac was preparing to set before
them the various ranks and conditions of
mankind. He grew acquainted with all
who had anything uncommon in their
fortune or conduct. He frequentcd the
voluptuous and the frugal. the idle and
the busy. the merchants and the men of
learning.
The prince being now able to converse
with huency. aud having learned the
caution necessary to be observed in his
intercourse with strangers. began to ac-
company lmlac to places of resort. and
to enter into all assemblies, that he might
make his chojce IF Uc.
For some time he thought choice need
less, because all appeared to him equally
happy. Wherever he went he met gave
ty and kindness. and heard the song of
JOY or the laughter of carelesSness. He
began to believe that the world overflow
ed with universal plenty, and that Moth
ing was withheld either from want or
merit; that every hand showered liber-
violence; land who then" says he, ''will
be suffered to be wrctchcd:"
Imlac permitted the pleasing deluSion,
and was unwilling to crush the hope of
ineXperience, till one day, having sat
awhile silent, II know not" said the
prince. "what can be the reason that
ammore unhappy than any of our friends.
see them perpetually and unalterably
cheerful. but feel my own mind restless
and uneasy. | am unsatisfied with those
pleasures which seem most to court. |
live in the crowds of jolity. not so much
to enjoy company as to shun myself. and
am only loud and merry to conceal my
sadness
Every man." said lmlac, may by
examining his own mind guess what
passes in the minds of others; when you
feel that your own gayety is counterfeit,
it may justly lead you to suspect that of
your companions not to be sincere.
Envy is commonly reciprocal. We are
long before we are convinced that happi-
ness is never to be found. and each be-
leveS it possessed by others to keep alive
the hope of obtaining it for himself. In
the assembly where you passed the last
night. there appeared such spri9htlincSS
of air. and volatility of fancy rs might
have suited beings of a higher order, form
ed to inhabit Screner regions inaccessible
to care or sorrow yet believe me, prince,
there was not one who did not dread the
moment when solitude should deliver
him to the tyranny of reflection"
This, said the prince, may be true
of others, since it is true of me; yet what
ever be the general infeicity of man, one
condition is more happy than another,
and wisdom surely directs Us to take the
least evil in the choice Of htt."
1.-The causes of good and evil" an
swered Imlac, "are so various and uncer-
tain, so often entanged with each other,
so diversified by various relations. and so
much subject to accidents which cannot
be fOreSeen, that he who would fix his