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the various phænomena of the material world.-Nor, continued Delomond, as we drove to this gentleman's house, is he less estimable as a man than respectable as a philosopher. But, indeed, the connexion between philosophy and virtue is "so natural that it is only their separation that can excite surprise; for is not the very basis of science a sincere and disinterested love of truth? An enlarged view of things cannot fail to destroy the effects of prejudice: and while it awakens in the mind the most sublime ideas of the great original cause, it promotes, most necessarily, a detestation of every thing that is mean or base." We just then stopped at the door of his friend, and were ushered into an apartment surrounded with shelves of books, arranged in no very good order; every table, and almost every seat, was occupied by numerous odd shaped vessels, some of glass, and others of metal, but for what use I could not possibly comprehend. The philosopher himself at length appeared. A tall thin man, of about forty 6

VOL. 11.

years of age, his dress put on in a manner particularly careless; but his countenance, so mild and serious! it was the very personification of benignity. He appeared rejoiced at seeing Delomond, who, if possible, was exalted in my esteem by seeing the degree of estimation in which he was held by the philosopher. Myself he received in the most gracious manner; and by his kindness to me he gave the most convincing proof of his regard for my friend Grey, of whom, indeed, he spoke very handsomely. He informed me, that Lady Grey, widow to the brother of our friend, was then at her country residence, but that her brother, Sir Caprice Ardent, for whom I had likewise a letter of introduction, was in London; and added, that he should do himself the pleasure of accompanying me to the house of this gentleman the day after to-morrow, and hoped that I would come to eat my breakfast with him before we went. You will smile at the invitation: and, no boubt, be surprised to find this philosopher, whom one would expect to soar above the practices and

notions of the vulgar, taking such a method of she wing his hospitality; but it is a difficult thing to get the better of early prejudice; nor does the generality of mankind in any country inquire into the propriety of customs to which they have been rendered familiar by use. Though to us it appears highly absurd, as well as grossly indelicate, to see people looking in each others' faces while they chew their food, and calling it sociable to swallow their morsel at the same moment; it is possible that these Europeans may think our solitary manner of eating equally ridiculous; and if they abstain from censuring it, is it not a proof of their being more enlightened? Often have I observed to you, and often do I see reason to repeat the observaton, that it is they only mho have conquered the force of prejudice in themselves, that can make any allowance for the effects of it in others.

COFFEE-HOUSES, similar to that described in one of my letters from Calcutta, are to be met with in every quarter of this city. Those I have here seen, are schools of politicks, resorted to by all who take an interest in publick affairs;-a true and authentick statement of which is daily printed on large sheets of paper, and copies are, I am told, sent to every part of the Island. In the Coffee-houses, these are handed about from politician to politician, and furnish matter for the general discourse. For my part, though possessed of a sufficient share of curiosity, I did not care to be too forward in seeking to pry into the state affairs of the country; but having accompanied Delomond, yesterday, into a neighbouring coffeehouse, and hearing a gentleman who sat near me, declare, that the paper he was then perusing was indubitably published under the immediate direction of the British minister, I could not restrain my impatience to examine its contents-and the moment he laid it down I eagerly flew to its perusal.

It is impossible to describe to you the admiration with which the reading of this paper inspired me, for the talents and virtues of this sapient noble, who presides in the supreme councils of this happy nation. So extensive! so multifarious! so minute are the subjects of his concerns, that one contemplates with astonishment the mind that is capable of grasping such an infinity of objects. In one paragraph he reports to the nation the account of a victory which their armies had obtained, or nearly obtained, over the forces of their Christian enemies; tells the numbers of the slain-of those who are still suffering the agonies of pain, far from the soothing balm of affection! far from the healing consolations of friendship!-To the families of such as are in a situation to afford the expensive insignia of sorrow, the names of their fallen friends are announced; but to the poor, who can only afford to wear mourning in their hearts, there is no necessity of giving such a particular account of their friends; it is sufficient for them to 6 *

VOL. II.

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